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More on the Congo |
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Facts about the Congo
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WHICH CONGO??? The name "Congo" may be confusing to many people. There are two countries that go by that name: The Democratic Republic of the Congo and The Republic of the Congo. Moreover, a large portion of central Africa can be generally referred to as "The Congo" or "The Congo basin". The Republic of the Congo has as its capital city Brazzaville. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has its capital city just across the river from Brazzaville, Kinshasa. Often rather than use the long name, "Democratic Republic of the Congo" this country is often referred to as DRC, DR Congo, Congo Kinshasa or simply The Congo. Previous names of this land were "Zaire" and the Belgium Congo". We've never been to the Republic of the Congo so when we refer "The Congo" we are always talking about DRC.
GEOGRAPHY The DRC is the third largest country in Africa . It covers a vast area in the heart of the African continent. It is equal in size to the United States east of the Mississippi River . Except for a narrow strip of land on the Atlantic Ocean, it is landlocked. Nine other African countries border the DRC. Daytime temperatures average about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual rainfall often totals 80 inches. Tropical rainforest covers most of the Congo basin with some grassland in the extreme north and the south.
NATURAL RESOURCES The DRC has great mineral wealth, timber resources and great agricultural potential. The Congo River has the second largest volume of water of any river in the world. It is estimated that 13% of the world's hydroelectric potential is in the Congo. Much of this potential remains to be realized. HISTORY Pygmies and Bushman who continue to live in the Congo today were probably the first to occupy the area. Later Africans of Bantu origin established the Kongo Kingdom. Henry Stanley, (the famous journalist and friend of Dr. Livingston) explored the area which would become the Belgium Congo. Independence from Belgium was granted on June 30, 1960. In 1971 the country's name, the name of the main river and the name of the currency were all changed to Zaire which simply means "river". Later the name was changed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
PEOPLE There is much variety among the many groups of people in the Congo. Some live in large modern cities like the capital Kinshasa. Most of the more than 56 million people of the Congo live in the smaller towns and villages which are in more rural areas. Here they raise crops such as rice, corn, cassava, cotton, coffee, tea and rubber. Some like the Pygmies still maintain a nomadic hunting and gathering lifestyle. Depending upon daylight savings time, the eastern part of the DRC where we lived is six to eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. When it is 6 o'clock in the morning in New York City, it can be noon in the Congo.
RELIGION Some estimates report that a large percentage of the Congolese call themselves "Christian". Revival is in fact spreading through many churches, but there remain tremendous needs for the training of church leaders, for Bible translation and Bible teaching. Many who would call themselves Christian combine Christianity with traditional beliefs of animism and spirit and ancestor worship. Fifty percent of the Congolese people identify with the Roman Catholic church. Only about one percent of Congolese are Muslim. Christian denominations were required by the government to unify into one organization in the 1970's. Also at this time Christian youth organizations, Bible teaching in schools and printing of Christian literature were all prohibited. More recently there has been greater freedom for the Gospel and considerable evangelistic activities have continued unhindered.
WHY WE WORK IN THE CONGO "I can understand French with my ears, Swahili with my mind and my own language with my heart." This statement by a pastor and friend of ours in the Congo explains some of the complexities of modern life in the Congo. French is the official language. French is used in the national government and in high schools and universities. There are four trade languages: Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili and Chiluba. These are used by the army, police and merchants across the Congo. But there are also at least 200 tribal languages. The tribal languages are what this pastor calls his "own language". These are the languages that are spoken in the home, in rural churches and in most daily activities. For most people of the Congo these tribal languages are the most important language they know, or they may know only their tribal language. These languages speak to the hearts of the Congolese people. The Bible was given for the hearts and souls of the people of all nations and yet around 144 language groups in the Congo have never had any Scripture written in their language. By God's grace we will see His Word translated into these tribal languages which are still waiting for God's Word.
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