Team Friendly Planet
 Team Friendly Planet is a rapidly growing network of volunteers (Congolese and American) committed to bringing hope, training and tangible assistance to community leaders--particularly those working in the heart of The United Methodist Church's North Katanga Conference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some of our key players are featured below.
Mary Kabamba and Rev. Joseph Mulongo
The husband and wife team of Mama Mary and Rev. Mulongo (District Superintendent of Mulongo) has been essential to the success of Friendly Planet. Mulongo served as leader and logistics coordinator for the 2010 and 2011 leadership development bicycle/boat tours and is already preparing for 2012. He also manages the construction and locally-financed maintenance of the new Mulongo Nursing School and Friendly Planet boat, "The Indiana." Mary is a powerhouse for women's empowerment in her region. In July-August 2011 she lead our women's leadership tour, which included visiting communities (and transporting supplies) along the Congo river from Mulongo to Kabalo. Watch for announcements on how to support the many initiatives Mary leads. Contact Mama Mary and Rev. Mulongo via Facebook Rev. Taylor Denyer
Taylor's travels DR Congo began at age 15. She went on to earn a master's in international development at American University and returned to Africa as the Director of Community Development for the North Katanga Conference in 2005. Taylor now lives as a global nomad with her husband Stuart, a foreign service officer. In addition to serving as logistics and communications support, Taylor coaches the next generation of UM leaders in Congo and Zambia as they navigate the challenges of being 21st Century Globally-Minded citizens serving in struggling communities.
Contact: Taylor@FriendlyPlanetMissiology.org Rev. Dr. Bob Walters
Biking Bob, a former Marine Corps helicopter pilot turned United Methodist pastor, has been journeying to DRCongo for teaching and speaking tours since 1991. When Bob is not in the Congo he can be found in Plainfield, IN with his wife Teri, a school teacher. In their free time, Bob and Teri tour the back roads of America in their classic MG.
Contact: bob@friendlyplanetmissiology.org Emily Johnson
Emily, a student in the PhD psychology program at the University of Indianapolis, joined Team Friendly Planet in 2011. She, Mary Kabamba (pictured together) and others spent July-August 2011 meeting with communities along Congo river. Emily returned state-side with powerful stories to share and a strategic action plan that the women's team had developed. Read about the journey on Emily's Blog: http://emilyindrc.blogspot.com/
Rev. Bishop Ntambo Nkulu
Bishop Ntambo of the North Katanga Conference is an integral part of how Friendly Planet's story began. It was he who first encouraged Biking Bob and others to focus their attention on supporting Congolese leaders through collegial relationships and contributing funds for local initiatives that empower leaders in their work (such as subsidizing the distribution of bicycles). Bishop Ntambo continues to be a cheerleader for Friendly Planet.
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