Partner Stories

Would you tell us a bit about your background?

Tim: I grew up in Congo as a son of missionaries. My parents, grandparents, and uncle/aunt were all missionaries in Congo. I guess my roots in that country go pretty far back to the early years of Belgian colonial rule right up to the present. I went to boarding schools through high school, and then found myself in Kansas, attending Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. While in college, I took a summer job on a construction crew building grain elevators. Eventually construction for agri-business became my life-long career. Here in Salina, I met a beautiful young woman, Cindy MacDowell, who was the cousin of my best friend from Congo. We got married and made Salina our home.

Cindy: I am a Kansas girl start to finish, having been born and raised in Salina. I also have connections to Congo though my family. My uncle and aunt were missionaries in Congo, and their children, my cousins, would come and be with us whenever their family was on home leave from Congo. Their lives seemed a bit strange, but interesting. Then I met Tim, who was my cousin’s best friend in Congo, and the rest is history. My life has been connected with Congo ever since.

How has education played a role in your life, personally?

Tim: Like a lot of young people out of high school, I really had no idea of what I wanted to do. As a kid growing up on remote mission stations and in boarding school, I discovered I had an aptitude for mechanics. I enjoyed taking apart engines, learning how they worked, and figuring out how to fix and rebuild them. I was pretty good at fixing things and building things. I went to college and majored in business administration, and honestly I’m not sure what I really learned. Having a degree opened doors, and got me into the office at the construction company where I was working. I guess college gave me the ability to see differently, to see what I needed to learn, and to apply that learning to new tasks and responsibilities. I learned from my experiences, and then with a friend, founded a company that has been pretty successful in the construction industry. Everything I’ve done comes from what I’ve learned, so I think learning is important. I guess I would say: “Unless you have an education, you won’t really know what life might have been like otherwise.” 

What is your personal connection with Congo? Or, how did you first learn about Congo?

Tim: You’ve seen from our story so far that our connections with Congo are pretty deep. After we got married, I thought it would be cool to take Cindy to see where I grew up.  So, we got married in July, set off on a low-budget trip in September, and spent three months with my folks and family in Congo.

Cindy: When I arrived in Congo in 1973, it was definitely a culture shock for me, having never before been outside of the USA. What I remember most about the Congolese people were their warm smiles and joy, their contentment in spite of hard lives and lack of material things. I remember their gracious hospitality and generosity — even though they had had very little, they would invite us to their homes for wonderful meals.

Tim: I have to hand it to Cindy! She took it all in and decided to stay with me despite my craziness and love for that place and its people. After about 10 years, we took a second trip to Congo, and in the last few years have gone again to see what Congo Initiative is doing.

How did you first learn about Congo Initiative?

Tim: You know, Congo is a complex place for those of us who have spent time there. There is so much  that is good; and at the same time there is so much that is hard. But I’ve always had a place in my heart for Congo. I’d sure like to see things change. I’d like to see the violence end. I’d like to see people having a better standard of living. I found out more about Congo from my friend, Paul Robinson (who is also married to Cindy’s cousin, Margie MacDowell). My learning about the Congo of today grew out of my relationship with them.  We had some conversations, and Paul kept telling me about Congo Initiative and about his conviction that this Congolese vision had a real chance of making things better. He invited me to “come and see.” Traveling this road with Paul back to Congo has helped me to see that. I wouldn’t have made another trip to Africa, or gotten involved if it hadn’t been for that relationship.

What were your initial reaction and thoughts when you learned about Congo Initiative’s main program and institution – the Christian Bilingual University of Congo (UCBC)?

Well, since those first conversations, and getting involved somewhat, I’ve developed somewhat of a passion to see UCBC survive and flourish. Then we really started talking about Congo, CI, and UCBC at family events. We just talked more and more, and started to communicate more deeply. I talked to my father, who had spent his life as a missionary in Congo, and asked what he thought of Congo Initiative and the new ways CI was approaching Congo’s development. My dad totally affirmed this “new thing.”

What inspired you to participate in leadership giving to UCBC?

It’s been a journey — what in Congo we would call a safari. Every time I visit, I believe in it more. I’ve met the people. I’ve talked to them in their language. I’ve spent time with UCBC’s students and graduates. I’ve seen for myself what is happening. It’s exciting and I have real hope and confidence that CI and UCBC are making a difference.

Congo is deeply embedded in my system. I think it’s fair to say that I “feel” Africa. I’ve been given much, and I want to be able to give back.

What encouragement would you give to the students at UCBC?

The last time I was in Congo, in 2016, another friend and colleague of ours, who grew up in Congo too, and who now leads CI in UK and Europe, Bill McAllister, gave a sermon in one of the churches near Beni. Bill spoke about the critical role education plays in building a better future. I believe this is true.

So, what I would say to UCBC students is what I did say to them when I was there. “Make a difference! There are a growing number of people who believe in you and who are happy to invest in you so that you can realize your dream. Be the change you want to be in Congo!”

A native of Minnesota, Chelsie Frank worked and served at UCBC for four years, helping establish the service learning program at UCBC.  Service-Learning connects classroom instruction to community realities and is an important aspect of UCBC’s triadic-training model. The academic program enriches students educational experience by creating opportunities for them use knowledge gained in the classroom to serve others, find solutions to problems in their community, and develop their leadership skills.  She first learned about Congo Initiative and UCBC through her church and one of CI’s long-time partners, Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, MN.

Please share an inspiring story or experience from your time with UCBC?

Chelsie: During my time teaching at UCBC, my students reflected on Congo’s history and reputation of being burdened with corruption. I was grieved over the reflections of my female students; the prevalence of sexual abuse and harrassment across educational institutions. For one of the preparatory English courses I taught, a student wrote this poem:

However, I was inspired by one of our female students, Ruth, studying the Applied Sciences department. She was one of 3 female students enrolled in this major at UCBC: she beamed with courage, kindness, and strength. She told me that she chose UCBC because of it’s integrity. Ruth came to UCBC because their was a higher moral standard than most universities. She was confident that she wouldn’t have to pay a bribes to get a paper graded, be confronted with sexual abuse, or be asked to turn a blind-eye if students were cheating. At UCBC Ruth had the opportunity to exercise her intellect, stretch her faith, and grow as a leader. She was a leader in UCBC’s student government, participated in women’s sports, and was an intern in the Service-Learning department.

As an International Staff member, how did UCBC transform you?

Chelsie: Congo left a mark on me. I’m forever changed and it’s difficult to numerate or prioritize what to share. However, Ruth’s experience is unforgettable because if I entertain the question, “where would she be without UCBC?” it brings me to tears. ‘Condemned to be a girl’ would be her reality. Bribes, sexual exploitation, and corruption would stand in her way. She wouldn’t have the option to become an engineer, mathematician, or scientist. Congo needs her courage, integrity, and intellect.  Studying at UCBC allowed her to flourish into the woman God created her to be.

What inspired you to become a donor to UCBC? 

Chelsie: I’m supporting UCBC because I’ve seen it make a difference in the lives of young Congolese leaders. I truly believe these students will transform Congo. I am thrilled to be giving to the NEXT 500 campaign and encourage you to make a contribution on behalf of young women and men like Ruth, ready and able to transform their communities and country. What a joy to be part of this miracle!

Chelsie now lives in Seattle, WA and works for World Vision USA as manager of the Speakers Bureau.

Esther Sumner grew up in Kenya and attended school at Rift Valley Academy near Nairobi. She recalls a period of time when an influx of kids from Congo came to her boarding school. She would later learn the visitors fled their homes and school due to conflict and unrest.

Admittedly, Esther explained “besides that moment in my memory, I knew very little about Congo.” But, this would change when years later she would come to learn more about the challenges of DR Congo and the impactful work of Congo Initiative (CI) and Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC).

How did you first learn about Congo and Congo Initiative?

Esther: I started going to a focus group at my church (Elmbrook Church) in Wisconsin. This focus group met once a month to pray and learn about the history and challenges of Congo. I also had a friend from my time in Kenya who lived in Congo and she suggested books to learn about the background and concerns for the well-being of the country. I had some vague knowledge that things were not good in Congo. But, it was really Congo Initiative that informed me about the realities.

What were your initial reaction and thoughts?

Esther: I think in the west you only hear bad news coming out of Congo all the time. The stories of people being raped, killed, and the dictator rulers. I definitely had a sense of sadness and empathy for those difficult challenges. Even in the books I read, you see the culture that grew out of a colonial history and Mobutu’s dictatorship. So, it makes sense to feel hopeless.  But, I also knew there was more to the story and that is what I love about UCBC. There is hope, good things are happening, not just the fact people are resilient, but things are changing.

I’m reminded of a friend who worked in the south of Congo and she is really disillusioned by her experience there and lack of change. But when I share stories happening through UCBC with her, she is incredulous. Amazed by the stories like the two UCBC students who were stopped and harassed by customs in Congo, but ended up explaining to the officials how corruption is destroying the country.

People often see Congo as “tragic,” but there is an amazing resiliency to get through the difficult history and now you see these stories of hope.

What inspired you to become a monthly donor to UCBC?

 Esther: This idea of training young people, that are not quite disillusioned – have the energy, and sending them out as leaders throughout Congo really resonated with me. It is really what will bring change and it is coming from the inside of Congo. Not another western program from the outside. I feel strongly that it is Congolese-led and that education is the way to empower people. But, not just that, I appreciate it is based in a Christian faith that is committed to service and a way of life.

I feel honored to be a supporter of CI and UCBC since the beginning, because you witness what is possible. It can seem impossible and there is fear that it may not go somewhere. But, to hear stories of transformation and even small changes, is incredible. And the anticipation that comes with knowing these new leaders are going out there to influence others around them in whatever field, testifies to the impact being made.

Why do you think it is important to support UCBC students? What makes UCBC unique in the eastern Congo context?

Esther: I just appreciate the history behind it – the founders being Congolese, asking a lot of questions to the community first. What is needed? That is where everyone should start. Then listening and coming up with a solution from grassroots and making it happen. I also found the triadic training to be unique. The emphasis on service in a context where a degree is often seen as bringing  prestige and a mentality of “what can this degree accomplish for me?”

What encouragement would you give to the students at UCBC?

Esther: Though they are young,  they have experienced so much. So, in many ways, they are older than I, and  I feel inspired by them. And I know that as others hear their stories, they too will be  inspired and encouraged.

Esther now lives in Atlanta with her husband and two kids. Besides raising her daughter and son, Esther also works in visual communications.