The story of Congo’s history is not very well known. This country has been exploited for its ivory, slaves, rubber, copper, uranium, coltan and other minerals. It’s had political unrest for years, has been governed by dictators, experienced wars, financial chaos and economic unrest. This is Part 5 of a 6 part series of the country’s history. Part 5 starts with President Mobutu’s exile in 1997 and rebel leader Laurent Kabila’s take over of the country. The story continues with Laurent Kabila’s assassination in 2001 and his son, Joseph Kabila seizing the presidency for 16 years, his refusal to leave when termed out and then having one of the first democratically elected presidents in 2018, Felix Tshisekedi.

Thanks to Nyenemo Sanguma for sharing his family’s personal story of surviving multiple bombings by Laurent Kabila’s rebels, in Gemena (my home town), escaping into the forest for a month then making their way to Cameroon and on to the US to safety. Paul Noren shares about the corruption the average person faces in everyday life. And thanks to Talabisa Dawena for his perspective on Laurent Kabila’s initial impact on the country.

Pete Ekstrand shares about how the church fared during the absence of missionaries and during the 2nd Congo war, while many lived in the forest for fear of the war. “Thank you” to all the contributors to bring more authenticity and real life experiences to this podcast episode.

Copyright © 2022 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

This is part 4 of a 6 part series on the History of Congo from the 1991 evacuation when President Mobutu’s government was faltering and the expatriots evacuated, through Laurent Kabila’s rebellion to overthrow the government in 1997. During this time, the country experiences political turmoil, multiple governments, out of control inflation, genocide of Hutu people living in Zaire, and another evacuation in 1996 due to the rebellion and genocide in eastern Zaire. Ultimately, Laurent Kabila and his rebel group succeeds in taking over the country, not without the loss of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. And ultimately, President Mobutu was sent into exile and dies.

Paul Noren shares of his evacuation in 1996 as well as several examples of the hyper inflation. A Congolese friend shares his thoughts on Laurent Kabila’s rebel march from eastern Zaire to Kinshasa, the capital and the horrible destruction. And Pete Ekstrand shares of his efforts to help the local church during these tumultous times of evacuation, political and economic unrest so that the mission’s ministries could continue.

Copyright © 2022 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

This is part 3 of a 6 part series on the History of Congo: from 1965 when Colonel Mobutu seizes control of the country and takes over to 1991 when the expatriots evacuate due to civil unrest. During this period, President Mobutu changes the name of the country to Zaire, nationalizes everything, (destroying the economy in the process), deals with Cuban soldiers trying to take over the Shaba province in 1978 ,and tries to deal with hyper inflation due to his kleptocracy and mismanagement of the country’s industries and businesses.

Roger Eales shares real life stories about the country name change, the culture clash of the Belgian influence on the country and the people’s desire to be part of the international scene, against Mobutu’s “authenticity” push involving the shedding all things western. Dr. Tom Cairns shares about transferring assets to the local church and the challenges therein, and Paul Noren discusses the political undercurrents leading to the civil unrest and his evacuation from the country in 1991.

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

The History of Congo is not well known, as this country has been exploited, causing political instability and corruption. This is the 2nd of a 6 part series. Part 2 starts on June 30, 1960, when Congo gains independence from Belgium and goes through November 24, 1965 when Joseph Mobutu seizes the presidency through a coup d’etat. A hastily thrown together plan for an infant country starts out rocky and chaotic for the first five years. Several presidents, a murdered prime minister, 2 coup d’etats and a rebellion from Simba rebels resulting in the “Congo Massacre”. American and Belgian and European hostages were seized by the rebels and a daring rescue attempt was made involving paratroopers, only to have numerous people killed. Notably, Dr. Paul Carlson, a medical missionary became the most famous of the hostages that lost his life. His legacy lives on through the Dr. Paul Carlson Foundation/Partnership.

Special guests this episode include Mrs. Lois Carlson Bridges, Ted Ericson, and James Edstrom who share their stories of how their lives were impacted by the Simba rebels in the fall of 1964. Thanks too for a paper written in April, 1965 on the life of Dr. Carlson, by Gordon Andersson which provided considerable material for this episode.

The painting of the paratrooper assault on Stanleyville was shared by Ted Ericson who got it in 1982 at Karawa, D.R. Congo from a Portuguese merchant.

Recommended documentary on the life of Dr. Paul Carlson – https://vimeo.com/341846371

Recommended book written by Mrs. Lois Carlson Bridges, about her life with Dr. Paul Carlson; MONGANGA PAUL

Recommended term paper written 6 months after Dr. Carlson’s death:

The Paul Carlson Story by Gordon Andersson – 4-28-1965

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

The history of Congo is not known to many people. The story is one of exploitation, corruption and political instability. This is the first of a six part series. Part 1 starts in the 1880’s when King Leopold II of Belgium manages to obtain personal possession of the area called the Congo Free State, exploiting it for its ivory and rubber.  Then, Belgium takes over, making Congo its colony in the early 1900’s until 1960 when it grants Congo its independence. Due to political turmoil, countless Belgians and other foreigners flee before and after Independence. Eleda Wester shares about evacuating with her family from Congo in 1960.

Video documentary on King Leopold II – “White King, Red Rubber, Black Death”.

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

Leprosy is a disease that is misunderstood by most people. People associate the disease with poverty, third world status and being relegated to leper colonies. Those with the disease are socially ostracized, outcast and mistreated throughout the world. We had many lepers in our area that we worked with and interacted with in D.R. Congo. Dr. Leo Lanoie became a leading advocate and expert for helping and treating this segment of the population, making huge strides in therapies, healing and boosting their dignity. Dr. Lanoie shatters many misconceptions about the disease including what it really is, symptoms, effects to one’s health and body, how transmittable it is and its treatment.

Thanks to Dr. Leo Lanoie for sharing his expertise in this episode as a leading Leprosy doctor in the 1970’s to early 1990’s.

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

This episode contains Four (4) short stories:  1) My best cup of coffee ever  2) How to hypnotize a chicken   3) How to cool off on a warm day drinking a hot beverage   4) Haggling with a customs agent over 3 containers worth of medical supplies and equipment.

The link for Karawa Coffee is: https://www.paulcarlson.org/economic-development/coffee/

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

The Congolese village woman is relegated to a hard, subservient life in a patriarchal culture. Their lives are filled with physical and emotional challenges.  But there is change and hope as they are slowly becoming more equal and having more choices in their lives.  With guest Karen Carlson, missionary to Congo for 36 years who has a heart for women and has authored a book about oppressed women throughout the world called “Prayers for Crown Jewels”.

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

Third Culture Kids (TCK’s) have a dilemma every time they are asked the question “Where are you from?” as they are from their home country but also from a foreign country. The pros and cons of sharing about one’s formative years in another culture are not understood by most people. Nor is the social impact in childhood and adulthood fully appreciated by single-culture people. Doug Thorpe, PhD and Dan Sims share their experiences from growing up as missionary kids in Congo and Japan, respectively.  They share examples of trying to fit in as a foreigner in the US as a child (very difficult) and then how being a TCK affects one’s life and relationships as an adult.

Copyright © 2020 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

Wycliffe Bible Translators / SIL’s (Summer Institute of Linguistics) world wide mission is Bible Translation and other materials into under-served language groups. How to choose the language group, selecting the translators, obstacles in translation, conveying concepts and culture where words don’t exist, to the finished product many years later in the mother tongue and language of the heart.  With Margaret Hill, translator facilitator to Africa and beyond; 45 year veteran of SIL’s work worldwide.

Copyright © 2021 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.