! O F !1 5

INSTITUT MEDICAL CHRETIEN DU KASAIChristian Medical Institute of the Kasai - Serving in Central Congo

B. P. 205 Kananga, Republic Democratic du Congo; Email: imck.hbb@gmail.com

Association Sans But Lucratif – Ord.-N° 70-319 du 30-11-1970 M. KABIBU BIMVULU, Administrateur M. NTUMBA TSHITENGE, Représentant Légal Organismes religieux et communautaires participants à cette œuvre missionnaire : COMMUNAUTE PRESBYTERIENNE AU CONGO, COMMUNAUTE MENNONITE AU CONGO EGLISE DU CHRIST AU CONGO, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA, MEDICAL BENEVOLENCE FOUNDATION AFRICA INTER-MENNONITE MISSION, CHRISTOFFEL BLINDENMISSION, EZE (EGLISE PROTESTANTE D’ALLEMAGNE)

INSTITUT MEDICAL CHRETIEN DU KASAI B.P. 205 KANANGA

REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

Hôpital – Ecole d’infirmiers – Ecole de laborantins – Service de santé communautaire - Service d’ophtalmologie Service dentaire – Centre d’études et de recyclage

E-mail : imckbusiness@yahoo.fr

2. Find a way to channel a greater percentage of donations back into that unpopular category of “undesignated” gifts so that we can have the flexibility to apply them where operational needs are the most desperate. But if you cannot (and that is understandable, considering all the news stories one sees about mismanaged funds), then consider designating gifts carefully to those things that are at the core of IMCK’s operational needs. For example: Specify money for medicines and medical supplies; Specify money for indigent care (that way we can apply it to all of the cost aspects of their health care); Specify money for fuel and maintenance, etc. The list could go on far longer than is practical in this overview letter, but if you are willing to be engaged, we will have more dialogue on these sorts of ideas in the coming weeks and months.

3. Help us get the word out. Nothing lightens the burden more than many helping hands.

The Congo Mission Network is an excellent forum, but we need your help in expanding the list of contacts to include new churches, congregations and grant-making foundations that might become friends of IMCK. Spread the word that we are doing good things…but that we need help…we cannot do it alone!

Together, we can make HIS work an even greater positive witness to the Congolese people. We look forward to a continued, renewed, long and positive relationship! Sincerely, The Management of IMCK

A Periodic Newsletter Issue No. 43 January - August 2018 A

Association Sans But Lucratif – Ord.-N° 70-319 du 30-11-1970 M. KABIBU BIMVULU, Administrateur M. NTUMBA TSHITENGE, Représentant Légal Organismes religieux et communautaires participants à cette œuvre missionnaire : COMMUNAUTE PRESBYTERIENNE AU CONGO, COMMUNAUTE MENNONITE AU CONGO EGLISE DU CHRIST AU CONGO, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA, MEDICAL BENEVOLENCE FOUNDATION AFRICA INTER-MENNONITE MISSION, CHRISTOFFEL BLINDENMISSION, EZE (EGLISE PROTESTANTE D’ALLEMAGNE)

INSTITUT MEDICAL CHRETIEN DU KASAI B.P. 205 KANANGA

REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

Hôpital – Ecole d’infirmiers – Ecole de laborantins – Service de santé communautaire - Service d’ophtalmologie Service dentaire – Centre d’études et de recyclage

E-mail : imckbusiness@yahoo.fr

2. Find a way to channel a greater percentage of donations back into that unpopular category of “undesignated” gifts so that we can have the flexibility to apply them where operational needs are the most desperate. But if you cannot (and that is understandable, considering all the news stories one sees about mismanaged funds), then consider designating gifts carefully to those things that are at the core of IMCK’s operational needs. For example: Specify money for medicines and medical supplies; Specify money for indigent care (that way we can apply it to all of the cost aspects of their health care); Specify money for fuel and maintenance, etc. The list could go on far longer than is practical in this overview letter, but if you are willing to be engaged, we will have more dialogue on these sorts of ideas in the coming weeks and months.

3. Help us get the word out. Nothing lightens the burden more than many helping hands.

The Congo Mission Network is an excellent forum, but we need your help in expanding the list of contacts to include new churches, congregations and grant-making foundations that might become friends of IMCK. Spread the word that we are doing good things…but that we need help…we cannot do it alone!

Together, we can make HIS work an even greater positive witness to the Congolese people. We look forward to a continued, renewed, long and positive relationship! Sincerely, The Management of IMCK

IMCK has two campuses: one in Kananga and the other ten miles

away at the town of Tshikaji.

You may have been to IMCK or read often about this medical institution, founded in 1954 by Presbyterians. Whether you are familiar or not with IMCK, this newsletter strives to bring you information about the services of this faith - based organization and about the awesome responsibilities this institution and its Board of Directors endure to provide advanced educational opportunities in the medical field, while also serving the surrounding community with a hospital, clinics and a public health program. The IMCK Board has representatives from the Congo Presbyterian Church, the Congo Mennonite Church, Presbyterian Church USA, an IMCK representative and a state government representative. This institution is a national treasure and has graduates serving all over the Congo and in other countries. It has survived despite great adversity and will continue to survive. CONSIDER WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP IT SURVIVE! Submitted by Thom McCutchen,

IMCK is a Christian primary health care facility and medical education center.

IMCK services are centered at the Good Shepherd Hospital, a 120 bed facility, and at PAX Clinic, with 15 beds. General medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, pediatrics, gyn/obstetrics, dental services, radiology and lab services are provided.

In June, at the IMCK high school, called ITM, 27 students graduated with a degree in nursing and 9 graduated with a degree as lab techs. The nursing program was founded in 1954, so this was the fiftieth graduating class. Marte

Kutekemenyi is the director of this program.

**************

See page 3 concerning the July ISTM graduation.

FIVE WAYS to make a donation to IMCK: Give in honor or memory of someone, if desired.

To give to IMCK ENDOWMENT, go to https://www.mbfoundation.org/friends-imck-endowment-fund/ & follow directions. Or write a check to Friends of IMCK & write “For Endowment” on the memo line. Send to Medical Benevolence Foundation, PO Box 96877, Washington, DC 20090. Friends of IMCK works through MBF.

To give through the Medical Benevolence Foundation, a validated mission support group of many Presbyterian organizations, go to https://mbfoundation.org/donate-now/. Designate at the web site at the special instruction section “For IMCK Congo.” Or send a check to Medical Benevolence Foundation, PO Box 96877, Washington, DC 2009. Write IMCK, Congo on the memo line.

To give through Presbyterian Church, USA (PCUSA), go to http://www.presbyterianmission.org/donate/E320202/. Or write a check to Presbyterian Church USA; send to PCUSA, Individual Remittance Processing, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. Put “ECO#320202 - IMCK” on check.

To give through MIssion: Hope-Congo, make checks payable to Mission: Hope-Congo & write FOR IMCK. Send to 3640 Hewatt Court, Snellville, GA 30039. Or go to https://www.missionhope.org & donate. Follow instructions to designate the gift to Congo/ IMCK. Notify Jimmy Shafe at jshafe@careertrain.com.

To give DIRECTLY to IMCK, consult Jimmy Shafe, Mission: Hope or Andy Mayo, Medical Benevolence Foundation. Write Dr. Serge Makolo, Dir.of IMCK, at drsergemak@gmail.com.ITM graduates in nursing and lab tech.

Photo by Rev Nkongo

IMCK Good Shepherd Hospital

IMCK PAX Clinic in Kananga

mailto:imck.hbb@gmail.comhttps://www.mbfoundation.org/friends-imck-endowment-fund/https://www.mbfoundation.org/friends-imck-endowment-fund/https://mbfoundation.org/donate-now/http://www.presbyterianmission.org/donate/E320202/https://www.missionhope.orghttps://www.missionhope.orgmailto:imck.hbb@gmail.comhttps://www.mbfoundation.org/friends-imck-endowment-fund/https://www.mbfoundation.org/friends-imck-endowment-fund/https://mbfoundation.org/donate-now/http://www.presbyterianmission.org/donate/E320202/https://www.missionhope.orghttps://www.missionhope.org

2JOHN and GWENDA FLETCHER RETIRE and IMCK SADLY SAYS GOODBY:

John and Gwenda Fletcher retired this year from serving as PCUSA mission coworkers. They have been servants of God in Congo for many years. John is a surgeon, who served at IMCK and also helped facilitate Congo Presbyterian Church (CPC) medical service in the smaller Presbyterian hospitals of central Kasai. Skilled also in engineering, he oversaw the hydro system for IMCK at the Tshikaji site and he helped to repair equipment at the Bibanga hydro-electric dam, as well as some mechanical equipment for medicine. Gwenda worked with CPC in education, coordinating many projects to build new schools and strengthen the curriculum of the over 800 CPC schools in the Kasai. Last year, Gwenda had to be medically evacuated from Congo to the USA for a vascular acute episode. She is steadily recovering. John returned to Congo briefly this year to direct some hydro repair projects, but they are both now in California. Read John’s recent letter about retiring, about Congo friendships and the invitation for our continued partnerships in Congo. https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/ Submitted by Charlotte White

This was written June 6, 2018 by IMCK Administrator Kastin Katawa to their partners across the world.On behalf of the IMCK I wish you a good day and success in all that you are doing. May God our father bless you. Yesterday we held a worship of thanksgiving for Dr. Fletcher before his departure, as you see in these pictures. During the worship, that lasted about an hour in our Founders' Chapel, all participants had tears in their eyes, especially the IMCK staff starting with the Director for this unexpected departure at this time. Dr. Fletcher was considered a savior because he was the only surgeon for the entire province of Central Kasai. The sick people everywhere, before they came, would ask if Dr. Fletcher is there. When the [IMCK] hydro breaks downs, we see Dr. Fletcher at work. In case the IMCK oxygen machine breaks down, it is always him. So Dr. Fletcher was everywhere; but alas he returned to his country.
Currently as the spokesperson of the IMCK, we ask our FIMCK friends to help us through the PCUSA to still have another missionary surgeon, who can take over the work of Dr. Fletcher. IMCK without a surgeon will be comparable to other medical institutions of the place. [See this touching video at the Chapel service to say goodby: https://youtu.be/50Uw-59SHOE]

IMCK STUDENT BITTEN BY RABID DOG: During the past school year, Bilolo was in his last year (4th year) in the ITM laboratory section. [ITM is the high school at IMCK and ISTM is the college. The s is for the french word “superior”, indicating the college level. So Bilolo was in a school specializing already in high school.] In March, he was bitten by a rabid dog and was hospitalized at the IMCK Good Shepherd hospital. IMCK could not provide the vaccine, so I accompanied him to the government hospital to ask for help. But the vaccine cost $100, [which is an extraordinary amount of money in Congo.] All the people bitten by that dog were dying one by one. I went to his family to raise the funds. But Bilolo’s family were without funds. In fact, they were waiting for Bilolo’s graduation, so that they could also be helped. Bilolo is their hope, but without means. Very discouraging. Bilolo was on scholarship, otherwise the family would be unable to support the full cost of studies at ITM. So in this situation, I asked for urgent help ($100) to take care of him within the framework of the IMCK spiritual ministry. The chaplaincy of the IMCK does not have a fund to do much beyond this. The chaplaincy bought the vaccine with the little money from church offerings and with the help of a few good people. In June, Bilolo graduated from ITM. At this time, there are no more manifestations of rabies. Except that we have observed some psychological signs that have stayed with him, especially his remembering that the others bitten by this same dog are now all dead. He has finished school and benefitted from the grace of God for successfully completing the ITM lab degree. Submitted by Rev. Elie Nkongo, IMCK Chaplain

BILOLO stands behind Lab Director Emile Basungila, who examines biopsy

of dog brain. Photo by Rev Nkongo

Gwenda & John Fletcher Photo by Steve Vail

Gathering at IMCK Chapel to say good by to Dr. Fletcher

Photo by Rev. Nkongo

The next IMCK Newsletter will address more about how conflicts in the Kasai area have affected the service of IMCK, as they are challenged to serve people of all sides of the conflict, and as they serve people facing food insecurity. Lack of food especially increases children’s vulnerability to diseases like malaria.

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/https://youtu.be/50Uw-59SHOEhttps://youtu.be/50Uw-59SHOEhttps://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/as-we-say-goodbye-gods-mission-continues/https://youtu.be/50Uw-59SHOEhttps://youtu.be/50Uw-59SHOE

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VISITORS FROM CONGO:In October, you have the opportunity to invite a speaker or minister to your church or special event.  By invitations from the PCUSA Congo Mission Network (CMN), Rev. Isaac Kalonji Mukendi, the President and Legal Representative of the Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa (CPK, in Kinshasa, and other provinces) and Rev. Jean Tshidinda Mamba, the interim General Secretary of the Presbyterian Community of Congo (CPC, primarily in the Greater Kasai region) will be in the US from October 6 through November 5. They are available for church visits following the CMN meeting, from October 14 through November 4.  In addition to being President of the CPK, Pastor Isaac is a high school English teacher, has studied African Cultures and raises chickens.  Rev. Tshidinda teaches at the UPRECO theological faculty and is currently the President of the IMCK Board.  He spends his spare time visiting friends or taking care of his house and yard.  Jeff Boyd, the Central Africa Regional Liaison for Presbyterian World Mission, is also available to visit churches, but from September 15 through the 28th.  If you would like for either Rev. Tshidinda or Pastor Isaac to visit your church or group, please contact Marie Smithousen (43queens@gmail.com), who is graciously scheduling their visits.  If you would like me to visit, please contact me directly at jeff.boyd@pcusa.org.  For eventual ticketing purposes for any flights, please use their complete names, so their IDs match the ticket: Isaac Kalonji Mukendi and Rev. Jean Tshidinda Mamba. Submitted by Jeff Boyd, PCUSA Mission Coworker

Attend the Congo Mission Network (CMN) Annual Meeting October 11-13, 2018 at Simonsdale Presbyterian Church, Portsmouth, VA. CMN is an organization of congregations, individuals, and other organizations that partner with organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal of this organization, sponsored by Presbyterian Church USA, is to strengthen the church through mutual partnership with the Christian groups in Congo. To learn more about how to register for this meeting, go to http://congopartners.org/annual_meeting.asp . Come and hear Presbyterian leaders from Congo and the USA speak, join planning sessions, and learn more about God’s Global World. Submitted by Charlotte White

REV. MUKENDI

REV. MAMBA

JEFF BOYD

IMCK College program called ISTM: The students of the IMCK college, called ISTM (the S indicates college), graduate with degrees in pediatric nursing, midwifery, heath administration, or lab technology. ISTM graduation was held the end of July. At the ceremony, the student president (their delegate) praised God for his benefits. He also thanked parents and teachers for having accepted to support their quirks throughout these studies, not to mention the different technical and financial partners. Four people graduated with a degree in health administration. 18 people graduated with a degree in midwifery, and 19 graduated with a degree in pediatrics. [Next year will be the first year there will be college graduates with a degree from the new Lab Technology program.] Submitted by IMCK Director Dr. Serge Makolo

IMCK Board Meeting -- May 8-9, 2018

In the December 2017 newsletter, we provided you with a video of that November's IMCK Board meeting...but our click didn't work. So now you can finally see it, along with a bonus clip of the intake line at the nutrition center! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQjod9Zb3FI&feature=youtu.beNow for highlights from the May 2018 Board meeting:Page five records those at the May 2018 Board meeting.• It was noted that the retirement debt has been cut in half

(see more in the FIMCK article on page 4 of this newsletter).

• The departures of Marcia Murray (see page 4 of the April-December newsletter) and the Fletchers (see article on page 2 of this newsletter) were noted and great thanks to them were expressed.

• An electronic regulator was installed at the hydro by a German team.

• A reduction in the number of medical consultations was noted for the period in 2017 of the Kamuena-Nsapu fighting.

• In view of the financial situation and overstaffing, it was determined that not all staff vacancies will be replaced and no hiring will be done without prior notice to Board.

• It was noted that the maternity and pediatrics pavilions of the hospital have been rehabilitated.

• A strategy for reducing or eliminating the salary backlogs was adopted, based on recovering unpaid debts for services rendered from third party organizations such as SANRU and on collecting staff debts owed for past salary advances and loans. (See page 5 for continued report)

Graduates of the IMCK college Photo by Rev Nkongo

mailto:43queens@gmail.commailto:jeff.boyd@pcusa.orghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQjod9Zb3FI&feature=youtu.behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQjod9Zb3FI&feature=youtu.behttp://imck.org/Newsletters/IMCK_Newsletter_4-12-2017.pdfhttp://imck.org/Newsletters/IMCK_Newsletter_4-12-2017.pdfmailto:43queens@gmail.commailto:jeff.boyd@pcusa.orghttp://congopartners.org/annual_meeting.asphttp://congopartners.org/annual_meeting.asphttp://congopartners.org/annual_meeting.asphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQjod9Zb3FI&feature=youtu.behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQjod9Zb3FI&feature=youtu.behttp://imck.org/Newsletters/IMCK_Newsletter_4-12-2017.pdfhttp://imck.org/Newsletters/IMCK_Newsletter_4-12-2017.pdfhttp://congopartners.org/annual_meeting.asphttp://congopartners.org/annual_meeting.asphttp://congopartners.org/annual_meeting.asp

NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF IMCK:The IMCK Endowment is invested in Vanguard mutual funds that track the S&P 500. Why not let IMCK benefit from the strength of the U.S. economy! Of course, progress has its twists and turns and some of those twists have come with the market sell-offs in January and March.

The Endowment has grown since our last report to you in December of 2017, from $462,607 to an all-time high of $548,183. Over the past eight months, donations have added over $63,500 and we have welcomed a new family fund -- the Robert and Janet Irish Family Fund -- in addition to the previously established Nelson, Hillsman, Worth, Jung, Rule, Miller and Rambo funds.Along the way, Friends of IMCK, with extraordinary help from Mission: Hope (previously known as ROW) and Myers Park Presbyterian Church, has also been able to send $36,261 to IMCK for the completion of the PAX Women's Center. [See progress photos, left, taken by Rev Nkongo.] Ellen Farrior made a generous PAX donation in honor of long-time ITM prefect, Jacques Mpoi, and sent a handsome marble plaque, (pictured here to right), for appropriate mounting.

Additionally, Friends of IMCK is partnering in the next months with Mission: Hope toward completion of the project to raise retirement funds for people who have long served IMCK, including Mr. Mpoi and past Administrator Bernard Kabibu. Approximately $48,000 remains on the original $130,000 obligation. Click here for more details. Look forward to hearing more about this!

In June, Friends of IMCK and the Endowment were represented by Board member Shannon Jung at the booth with Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF) at the the PCUSA General Assembly in St. Louis. (Cont’d on next page. See Friends of IMCK.)

Mission Coworkers in DRCongo - Learn about their service. Partner with them. Hold them up.

Jeff and Cristi Boyd live in Kinshasa in DRCongo. Jeff is regional liaison for PCUSA in central Africa, facilitating support for relationships, programs and activities between churches in the USA and in the DRC, Cameroon and Guinea. Fluent in various languages, Christi works in four African countries in programs supporting women and children. Here is their prayer card to use in holding them up in service: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/prayer-card-boyd/

Larry and Inge Sthreshley live in Kinshasa. Larry works with churches & organizations to build health ministry in Congo (DRC.) His work with Inter-church Medical Assistance (IMA) helps partners run health programs. Inge works with IMA & the Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa in programs to alleviate hunger & malnutrition. She also helps with a mission guest house. Hold them up in service: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/prayer-card-larry-and-inge-sthreshley/

IMCK Cares for Policeman attacked by a Mob: Kabasuanganyi Tshitenge is a deputy Commissioner of the National Police in Central Kasai. In late

March, he went after work to check his fields and then to a place his radio was being serviced. A girl saw him and warned him that a fight had erupted at his home between strangers and his family. He ran home and found a group “screaming and waving.” As he arrived to ask what was happening, the group fell upon him screaming that they were looking for him. They tried to beat him to death. They cut off his arm, pierced his stomach and wanted to cut off his leg. Some people said, “He is dead.” So they left. Mr. Tshitenge says, “I asked my children to take me to the hospital. We called the Police general, who sent a vehicle to take me to [IMCK Good Shepherd Hospital.] Today I am better, thanks to the doctors of IMCK; otherwise I was dying.”

We wanted to know the basis of the fight, but it seems that it was the families of the militia [rebels against the government], who were starting to avenge the loss of family members during the Kamuena Nsapu civil war.

Christi and Jeff Boyd Photo by Steve Vail

Policeman attacked by mob Photo by Rev Nkongo

Delivery room in new PAX Women’s Center

GYN exam rooms in new PAX Women’s Center

Solar screens for PAX renovation through

Mission: Hope-Congo

http://imck.org/Reports/IMCK_Retirement_Letter.pdfhttps://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/prayer-card-boyd/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/prayer-card-larry-and-inge-sthreshley/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/prayer-card-boyd/https://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/prayer-card-larry-and-inge-sthreshley/http://imck.org/Reports/IMCK_Retirement_Letter.pdf

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REQUEST FOR COMPUTER HELP, HELP, HELP WITH THE IMCK NEWSLETTER: I am prepared to continue being the editor of this newsletter, translating French communication from IMCK, collecting information from various IMCK partners, and adapting medical and business information for the newsletter. But I ask for someone with COMPUTER SKILLS to partner with me in the future. Will you commit to do that for at least a year? If I send you the final information, do you know how to put it into newsletter form for mass distribution? Can you move photos and videos sent to us into the newsletter? Contact me at crulewhite@gmail.com! Charlotte White

Board Members of IMCK at May 2018 meeting:

Rev. Jean Tshidinda Mamba - CPC*/Chairman of the BoardRev. Tshihamba Mulamba - CPC RepresentativeElder Simon Ntumba Tshitenge - CPC RepresentativeElder Albert Mputu Kabasele - CPC RepresentativeRev. Medard Shamuimbe Mbombo - CMCO Rep/MennoniteDr. Gaspard Mahuma - CMCO Rep/MennoniteRev. Joly Birakara Ilowa - CMCO Rep/MennoniteElder Laurent Kamizelo Kianza - CMCO Rep/MennoniteDr. Larry Sthreshley - PCUSA RepresentativeMr. Jeff Boyd - PCUSA RepresentativeDr. Serge Makolo Kazadi - IMCK DirectorRev. Zacharie Mboyamba Kabala - IMCK Representative*Congo Presbyterian ChurchCurrent IMCK  Administration:IMCK Director - Dr. Serge MakoloIMCK Administrator - Kastin Katawa Ntumba

I

Keep up with USA/Congo Partnerships & News: *IMCK info is at www.imck.org . *MBF info is at www.mbfoundation.org . *PCUSA sites have Congo & IMCK info at http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/democratic-republic-congo/ *Read about Congo Mission Network at http://www.congopartners.org/ & https://www.facebook.com/CongoMissionNetwork . *Learn about Mission: Hope - Congo at https://www.missionhope.org . Write Jimmy Shafe at JShafe@careertrain.com. *To join Congo Connections, write -congoconnections-subscribe@yahoogroups.comLearn; read; act! Be involved.

Newsletter matters Contributors this newsletter: Jeff Boyd, Rev. Dr. Shannon Jung, Kastin Katawa, Dr. Serge Makolo, Thom McCutchen, Rev. Elie Nkongo, Bill Rule, Charlotte White. We welcome your contributions to this newsletter. Tell us about your partnership with IMCK. To add or remove a name from the mailing list, write to FIMCKBoard@gmail.com.

FRIENDS OF IMCK: Shannon reported that "Many people visited the exhibit and expressed interest in the denomination's medical work. Especially helpful were the CD's which "sold out" quickly and which people said they would use in their churches to publicize IMCK. [You may request a CD by writing to FriendsofIMCK@gmail.com.] The fact that MBF and organizations like MBF and Friends of IMCK are carrying on the denomination's historic commitment to health care and well-being was not lost on visitors. This was seen as a vital aspect of the faith and mission of the church.”Now that the IMCK Endowment has passed the half-million-dollar mark, Friends of IMCK hopes that there will be renewed interest and energy devoted to building it up rapidly to the $2 million mark where significant payments from earning will be possible to regularly help support IMCK's operating expenses. Submitted by Bill Rule

IMCK Board Meeting - May 2018 - Continued:• A request was initiated to MBF/PC(USA) to provide

contact information on donors so that thank-you letters can be sent from IMCK.

• It was decided to sell the old land cruiser and purchase a minibus for staff transportation between Tshikaji and Kananga.

• The Board Finance Committee was charged with monitoring expenditures more closely and continuously, rather than only before Board and committee meetings.

• In addition to the costs of cleaning the hydro lake, which have already been presented to MBF, the Board identified the following priority needs:

o $23,209 for a community dentistry project,o $5,350 for a motorcycle for supervisory needs ,o $4,626 for specialty ophthalmology drugs and supplies,o $4,535 for the PAX Dental Clinic,o $3,854 for ENT drug and supplies,o $5,920 for lab reagents and supplies,o $6,985 for operating room supplies,o $21,100 to drill for water at PAX because city water is

unreliable, ando $15,000 for a minibus to transport staff and patients.

Submitted by Bill Rule

MBF & FIMCK DISPLAY

mailto:FriendsofIMCK@gmail.commailto:FriendsofIMCK@gmail.comhttp://www.imck.orghttp://www.mbfoundation.orghttp://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/democratic-republic-congo/http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/democratic-republic-congo/http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/democratic-republic-congo/http://www.congopartners.orghttp://www.congopartners.orghttps://www.facebook.com/CongoMissionNetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/CongoMissionNetworkhttps://www.missionhope.orghttps://www.missionhope.orgmailto:JShafe@careertrain.commailto:congoconnections-subscribe@yahoogroups.commailto:congoconnections-subscribe@yahoogroups.comhttp://www.imck.orghttp://www.mbfoundation.orghttp://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/democratic-republic-congo/http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/democratic-republic-congo/http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/democratic-republic-congo/http://www.congopartners.orghttp://www.congopartners.orghttps://www.facebook.com/CongoMissionNetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/CongoMissionNetworkhttps://www.missionhope.orghttps://www.missionhope.orgmailto:JShafe@careertrain.commailto:congoconnections-subscribe@yahoogroups.commailto:congoconnections-subscribe@yahoogroups.commailto:crulewhite@gmail.commailto:FIMCKBoard@gmail.commailto:crulewhite@gmail.commailto:FIMCKBoard@gmail.com