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DRC: United Methodist Church is a Symbol of Hope to Internally Displaced Congolese

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A United Methodist church in Kananga, central Democratic Republic of Congo has become a beacon of hope to thousands of Congolese who are returning to their country after being forced to flee to neighboring Angola during the 2017 Kamuina Nsapu insurgency, UM News reports.

Dedicated by Bishop Daniel O. Lunge in July this year, the Bon Samaritain United Methodist Church was set up to serve the 1,500 households living at the Nkonko camp for internally displaced persons in Kananga, UM News reports. There are now 10,500 people living in the camp.

The church at Nkonko camp is part of the United Methodist Church’s commitment to the returnees from Angola: “It offers the faithful a place to gather and practice their religion,” UM News said in its report.

The Bon Samaritain partners with the United Methodist Committee on Relief to provide humanitarian aid to those in the camp, many of whom have turned to Christ, UM News reports. “Our thanks also go to our humanitarian partners at UMCOR,” Lunge said in a statement. “Thanks to them, by donating food and nonfood items, we have the faithful and a well-established local church.”

Isaac Buatshia, a returnee from Angola who became a Christian through the church said: “I’m the happiest man today. We who were rejected and forgotten by others have found shelter and support in this church. We have eaten, carried, had food and not food. And today, we have a temple well-built of durable materials.”