by Elmer Deal with Mike Randall
I have witnessed the sad and tragic effects of civil war in the Congo for much of the 55 years I have served in Africa. Pastor Gregoire, Deacon Constantine, and Deale (my namesake), son of pastor Bulaya Jean, were all killed by rebels in civil uprisings. In February and March of 1999, I was afraid we were going to hear that Desire (pronounced De-zee-ray) Kongolo, his four boys (aged three to 11), and infant daughter suffered the same fate. They were fleeing Rwandan rebels in the bush when Ngoy, Desire’s wife, was separated from the family. Ngoy escaped, but he and the children were captured and marched several days to a remote location.
Throughout his 45-day ordeal, Desire prayed mightily and comforted his crying children with scripture. He cared for them and reassured them. He fed them with carrots of manioc, gourd leaves, and whatever other prisoners gave him. Finally, after 43 days of misery, fear, and threats, Desire made an impassioned plea to a group of rebel officers to let him go to other villages under rebel control and find some family or friends to help him keep his children alive. Amazingly, and in answer to prayer, God touched the commander, who agreed to let Desire and three other adult family members pass through their army to safety. After two days of marching, Desire and his children were free and reunited with Ngoy.
Back in civilization, Desire got a job as an electrician, surrendered to preach, and in 2005 began Golf Baptist Church of Lubumbashi. Besides pastoring a large church, Desire is Chief of Maintenance with the city electric company. I watched him grow up in our main church in Kalemie and now, 14 years after he was delivered from the rebels, I had the privilege to preach in his thriving church. What a blessing to happily relive all God has done for them! What a privilege to carry the gospel to the regions beyond and see what our marvelous God can do.
Note: You can find the full story of Desire’s family’s capture and escape in Elmer Deal’s autobiography, Out of the Mouth of the Lion.