Congo Kid - Life Stories

Goyongo Chapel
This is the 4th episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. Episode 1 discussed the difficult journey to get to the Ubangi region in NW Congo and the long process to establish the first 3 stations. Episode 2 saw 3 more stations established. Yet these advancements included missionary adults and children succumbing to the harsh climate and disease. One person died at from a German submarine torpedo in the Atlantic. Episode 3 included 4 more stations established and an infant and 1 adult tragically passing away. This episode covers 1953 – 1962, which included Congo’s independence and the subsequent evacuation and political turmoil. More stations were procured, constructed and established during this time. Several were easily procured and several faced barriers to entry. You will hear about 4 mission stations: Ngwenje, Tandala, Goyongo, and Bumba, as described by Dr. Tim Wester, Thelma Landrud, John Lundquist, and Dan Noren. And 2 infants and 1 adult pass away in the time period. I extend special thanks to Aldy Almquist for sharing about the loss of his brother, and Dr. Gretchen Berggren for sharing about the loss of her son. And to David Lundblad for sharing about Clyde Carlson. Also thanks to Jeff Peterson, Rick Selin, the others that provided voice-overs for this episode.

**Rated in 2024 through 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/

Timothy Lambie Norton Grave – lived a day and a half
Evelyn Noren – Struck by lightning
This is the 3rd episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. Episode 1 discussed the difficult journey to get to the Ubangi region in NW Congo and the long process to establish the first 3 stations. Episode 2 saw 3 more stations established. Yet these advancements included missionary adults and children succumbing to the harsh climate and disease. One person died from a German submarine torpedo in the Atlantic. This episode covers 1948 – 1952, which saw considerable growth in the mission footprint, the church, and advancements in spiritual maturity by the Congolese. Wasolo, Libenge, Badja, and Gemena stations were all procured, constructed and established during this time. Several were easily procured and several faced barriers to entry. You will hear about Timothy Norton’s tragic death in 1949 from his older brother, who was there.  And about Evelyn Noren’s instant death, as told by one of her students, back in 1952.  Thanks to Dean and Gretchen Samuelson, Bev Nyberg, Jay Dangers and Roger and Sally Eales for sharing about living at each of the new mission stations; Wasolo, Libenge, Badja, and Gemena. And special thanks to Dr. Will Norton Jr. for sharing his memories of his little brother Timothy’s 2 days on this earth and the impact on his family. And David Lundblad recounts discovering his school teacher, Evelyn Noren, deceased in their classroom, followed by the funeral and time of loss. I also thank those that provided voice-overs, including Juliana and Ellie Shay, Tim Snow and Jeff Peterson for this episode.

**Rated in 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/

Founder of Lycee’ Lua, Bau, D.R. Congo
Ship sunk by German submarine 12-2-1942
Sunk by German U-Boat 12/2/42
Kala, D.R. Congo
Marion Nelson Memorial Church
Ruth Robinson – Died 3 days after giving birth
This is the 2nd episode of 7 in this series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo, that started in 1920. Titus Johnson, who you heard about in Episode 1, had the vision and got the work started, opening 3 stations by 1935. In 1936, the work continued to expand and this episode will cover the period till 1947. The Covenant mission came alongside the Free Church missionaries during this time as the Free Church didn’t have the funding or staffing to serve all the needs. Lake Kwada was discovered and developed into a vacation spot. Then, Gbado, Bau, and Bokada are opened. How these stations were purchased, constructed and their ministries will be explained by people that lived there. Short wave radios became a key part of inter-station communications during this time as well.  Some philosophical differences between the Free Church and Covenant start to become an issue during this period. And, 3 adult missionaries passed away along with a child. One was on a ship returning to the United States that was sunk. Each one has an amazing story. I’d like to thank Craig Wickstrom, Cookie Burkinshaw, and Sandy Widman Bernahl for sharing about their experiences living at Gbado, Bau, and Bokada. And thanks to Lois Thornbloom Sundberg for sharing about her sister Beverly’s passing in 1942. Many amazing voice-over artists contributed, including Anthony and Juliana Shay, Mike Davis, Dawn Eales, and Rick Selin.

**Rated in 2025 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/

Titus Johnson – Bicycle as primary means of travel
Titus Johnson
Africa
D.R. Congo – Ubangi region is upper left corner
Reinhold Andersson Grave – Died from Blood Poisoning
Stanley David Tweed Grave – Kala, D.R. Congo
This is the first episode of a 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo, starting in 1920. It is a long journey started by one man, Titus Johnson and his vision to start a work in the NW corner of the Congo.  This series will focus on the chronology of the mission and church work, as it expanded to other mission stations. Each station will be described as to its procurement, construction and ministry. Someone that lived at each station will share memories and personal insight as to the character and focus ministry. Also, 20 people died over the 100 year journey; children and adults alike. Each person has a back story and in most cases I am able to interview people that were present at the time to share about the passing of a child or loved one. My family was part of this effort starting in the mid-1960’s through 1990 and some of my memories of events will be interspersed in the episodes.

Episode 1 will cover 1920 to 1936, including Titus Johnson’s 10,000 mile journey to Karawa and the procurement of 3 mission stations. The pioneers struggled with governmental delays, slow communications and travel, disease and a rough climate. Also, 2 adults and 3 children perished in the process from illness and disease, and their tragic stories will be heard. Rest in peace, all.

Episode 2 will cover 1936-1947 where more mission stations come to be and more adults and children are laid to rest. Also, a lake is discovered that becomes a special vacation spot for the missionary community.

Thanks to John Aiken for his insights relating to the mission station Kala and the various folks that provided voice-overs, including Rick Selin as the voice of Titus Johnson. Also, the book Deep Track in Africa by Sig Westberg and Frances Mason and the book Bread upon the Waters by Paul Rosell were resources in providing parts of the story.

**Rated in 2025 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/

This is part 5 of 5 of the series titled: The Boarding School Dilemma – Balancing Mission and Family – The Conclusion: Moving Forward From Here. This series started with laying out the challenges and issues of reconciling mission and family when sending kids away to a boarding school was the only option and explored various dimensions in the subsequent episodes.  The Ubangi Academy (UBAC) institution was explained in Episode 2.  Also the Parent’s viewpoint – how they struggled with separating their families in Episode 3 and that was followed by the Kids viewpoint and shared a range of experiences at the dorm in Episode 4. This final episode shares the take-aways and conclusions from the previous episodes and all that’s been learned. In addition, recommendations for how kids and parents can start a dialogue to reach understanding of how each side experienced and approached this challenging dilemma. I’m joined by Heidi Tunberg, a licensed counselor and also a coordinator for Missionary Kids (MK’s) to help them with their cultural issues when they return to the United States after years in a foreign country.  She provides insight to all UBAC (and dorm) attendees on how to move forward from our experience and to build on who we are because of it. What character traits prevail amongst dorm attendees and MK’s, and how we can use those to maximize our life as adults are discussed.  A Testimonial is shared by Lynda Garber relating to how she learned to accept her rough childhood, and move forward. Then Anonymous shares about seeking counseling to learn how to accept his parent’s actions, as his dorm experience was difficult, and to forgive and move forward with his life. Thanks to Dan Carlson for his insight for this episode, as well as Rick Selin for his voice-over for the Anonymous testimonial.

And to the numerous folks that sent in surveys, provided information via email, texts and phone calls, I thank you as well as this gave a broader spectrum of input and content for this entire series.

And my final Thank you goes to my four(4) Advisors that have read every word of my five (5) scripts, listened to every word of this audio series to ensure that all is presented fairly, objectively,and with the proper message: Understanding, healing, and restoration for parents and kids that need to bridge any gaps. They invested countless hours and provided considerable input to all 5 episodes in this series. Doug Thorpe,PhD., Carolyn Stoker, Dan Hiegel, and Malcolm MacLeod – all provided invaluable input to help make these episodes what they are. Thank you.  May all who listen have learned greater understanding of what Parents and Kids went through from the boarding school experience and the dilemma of balancing Mission and Family.

If you feel you need professional counseling due to your experience at the Ubangi Academy, Free Church attendees can reach out to Heidi Tunburg at [email protected] or Jodi Revell at [email protected].

For Covenant Missions MK’s, please reach out to the Covenant Mission Headquarters at [email protected].

All communications will be confidential.

Boarding the Self – Mission Boarding School Experience – Doctoral Dissertation by Doug Thorpe – 1994

Recommended blog article by Michele Phoenix:

ATTACHMENT STYLES & THE FAITH OF MKs

**Rated in 2024 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/