By Julie Mapatano
Director of the ministry Teach All Nations works within the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Although I had been working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for many years, my work was limited mostly to caring for the physical needs of the orphans and widows. Yet, it was my dream and prayer to do more spiritual ministry through teaching the Word of God to the people and equipping the pastors to become true spiritual leaders in the community through preaching the true gospel of our Lord. This dream finally came true in July, 2017, when Teach All Nations partnered with Redeeming Love Ministries to host a leadership conference for about six hundred pastors. As I sat in the meetings and watched the pastors drink in the teaching, I caught a glimpse of a vision of a small dawn of light rising in a very dark place; my prayer for the Congo was being answered as many lives were being changed during that first conference because the leaders began to understand who they really are in Christ – a message that they could then share with their congregations.
But, the relationship between Teach All Nations and Redeeming Love Ministries didn’t stop there. There were follow-up conferences each year until the worldwide pandemic in 2020 put a halt of all international travel and large gatherings like the pastors’ conferences. The coronavirus pandemic dramatically affected the people of the Congo who were already in desperate poverty. Now, they were plunged into even greater devastation and mass starvation. The people I was ministering to were losing hope, but we miraculously saw Teach All Nations come forward and provide the much-needed support to help feed the people and tangibly show how much God loves them.
In May 2020, while the people of the Congo were struggling with food shortages, Teach All Nations partnered with Redeeming Love Ministries to begin a campaign to create a sustainable solution to the food shortage. The campaign focused on giving seeds to the local people and helping them create community gardens. This was an immensely successful campaign and helped ease the burden for many.
During June 2020, the Congolese government was not allowing public transportation to circulate due to COVID restrictions. This meant that Redeeming Love Ministries was unable to conduct home visits or deliver the monthly food. I had been praying that God would make a way for us to have our own vehicle so that we would be able to travel freely and had raised a little money toward the purchase of a vehicle. Then, to our surprise and delight, Teach All Nations provided the rest of the needed amount! This now gives us the ability to transport food and conduct wellness checks, and – most importantly – serves as an ambulance during medical emergencies.
Teach All Nations also conducted a food relief program to feed the pastors and their families who were suffering from lack of support because their churches and schools were closed. About the same time, I began to realize that many children who had been sick in the hospital were not recovering well after they were sent home because they needed a place where they could be properly monitored as they recuperated. When I shared the need with Teach All Nations, and they matched the money we raised with a donation that allowed us to construct a small addition to our community center where the children could receive the proper care.
In short, Teach All Nations is not just teaching the written Word of God; they are physically demonstrating how the love of God works. I am very thankful for this organization and for what they are doing in the nations of the world, especially in my home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Julie Mapatano
Founder and President – Redeeming Love Ministries
Children in Congo
Delron and Julie in the Congo
Delron and Julie with Plaques
Delron and Little Boy
