World Conference banner saves life

When Pascal T. Kulungu, director of the Mennonite Peace Center in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, agreed to help make the Mennonite World Conference banner for the Mennonite Brethren conference in his country, he had no idea it would save a life. He shares this story below.

The Congolese MB Conference banner for Mennonite World Conference that saved the life of businessman Ngonda Daniel; Pascal T. Kulungu on right

Mennonite World Conference organizers asked all members from different countries to bring a banner to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where the 2003 MWC assembly would take place. The Congolese MB leaders had to make a banner as well.

Congolese MB leaders Rev. Ndunda, the chairperson, and Rev. Mukashiyenu, the evangelist, asked me to find someone who would help in making the CEFMC banner. I asked Ngonda Daniel, a 56-year-old small businessman who has drawn materials for leadership and conflict resolution seminars and workshops, to do the project, and he agreed.

On Aug. 6, 2003, around 4 p.m., Mr. Ngonda left his home for my office carrying in his bag the Congolese MB banner and some other peace materials for me. Twenty minutes later he switched taxis at Bandala Bisengo for Kintambo magasin where my office is.

Before he left, he called me saying he would take a taxi and be at my office in 15 minutes. I waited for him until 6 p.m. but he didn’t show up. Finally, I decided to go home.

Next day at noon, he showed up with bandages wound around his arm. When he saw me he exclaimed, “Your banner saved me from being killed by gangsters.” And he told me this story:

“God is with me,” he said. “There were four people in the taxi. Unexpectedly, the taxi driver took another direction instead of going to Kintambo magasin. I was sandwiched between two people who were in the back of the car. They pointed their guns to me, saying ‘Do not say anything, otherwise we will kill you right away.’ They took me out of the city of Kinshasa about 25 kilometres on the road of Matadi. Then they took me out of the car and asked me to lie down on the ground. I did so. They took everything I had: my clothes, money 1500FC ($3 US), pens, peace materials and the CEFMC banner.

“One them took a close look at the banner and exclaimed, ‘Are you a Christian?’ I answered, ‘Yes, I am.’ He asked me more questions while the others were beating me. One of them hit my right arm; it broke. The third one thought they should kill and bury me. The fourth person who had the banner and peace materials in his hands said, ‘Don’t kill him. He carries a Christian flag with Jesus’ cross. He is from a church.’

“Then I was thrown into the bush and they left. It was 7 p.m. I walked to the main road. A car stopped and the driver asked me why I was naked. I told them the story. As my arm hurt a lot, they decided to take me to the hospital. I was helped at the clinic and my family members joined me at 12 p.m.”

This is how Mr. Ngonda saw death coming to him. The banner with Jesus’ cross saved him.

This article appeared in the February, 2004 Christian Leader. Used by permission.