Clovis Matumbo is a young man of my acquaintance in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire; formerly Belgian Congo). About 20 years old, he is a student at the University in Kinshasa studying care and repair of medical equipment. His family is in Kananga where he was raised and he is therefore a protégé of our friend Kilonji, who looks after him as somewhat of a Christian patriarch in Kinshasa. I met Clovis at Kilonji's church.

Clovis speaks French, Tshiluba, Lingala, and English (which he taught himself). I speak English, Spanish, a bit of Russian and enough Tshiluba and French to say, "Hello," ask for water, and the directions to the bathroom. Clovis quietly introduced himself to me early in the service. Then he interpreted for several of us. Clovis is my "forever friend." Here is a bit of a log from our e-mail:

"Dear pastor Sally, I am glad to write to you these few lines at this time when you are spending your time in Kananga. I wish you a good stay in my native province. I also want you to greet all your compagnons on behalf of me. My wish is that our lord JESUS CHRIST would bless you so much and lead you everywhere you go and all the time. Before I finish I want to remind you about the gift that you promised me last Sunday. Please write to me or phone me through the phone number that I gave you. I hope you will be back to Kinshasa on Tuesday but I don't know if you will fly directly to the States. I want to know this because my desire is to see all of you before you go. May the lord JESUS bless you so much.

Faithfully yours, CLOVIS"

"Our dear Clovis,

We have arrived home safely tonight. Tired, but very happy from our visit to DRC. Have you received the gifts that Tom and Mary and I sent you with Kilonji?

I was so happy to see you on Tuesday!! You really surprised us with your visit to MPH to see us. Clovis, the Lord Jesus has blessed us with many things - and one great blessing is your friendship!! That will never go away, my friend - we are brother and sister in Christ - forever! Please keep us informed of your progress in school - and write as often as you can. Clovis, your generous spirit and love of the Lord are forever in my heart. And I remain always your friend in Christ. Sally"

"I am delighted to find that you have written to me; in fact I would check my box for a long time and write to you as soon as possible (if) I could find that you wrote to me. The reason is that I was very absorbed by the small occupation that I got for the election that is taking place in DRC since 27th July when we began the training and finished it yesterday. We are now waiting for the publication of a new president who will win the election. Thank you very much for having thought of me from the States and I really believe that you are my best friend and I am glad to have made friend with you. I thank you for the special gift of three bibles that you, Mary and TOM gave me, did you develop the photo that you took me on Sunday the day we were together, if you did please send me some even through internet. I think to have fished, may the GOD of grace Jesus CHRIST who is time and circumstances be with you everywhere.

Faithfully yours, CLOVIS"

"It is great opportunity for me to write to you at this time, I am very happy to let you know that I am fine thanks to our lord JESUS CHRIST who protect us by day by night. As for my study I want to inform you that since we did our exam we are not yet told the result and I hope that in another one week we shall be deliberated. I promise you that my result will be satisfying and once I get informed about it I shall write to you. I hope that you will write to me as soon as you finish to read my message and this is my desire, please in your prayer remember to pray for peace to be given in my country, DRC.

Faithfully yours, CLOVIS"

"I will, Clovis; we all shall.

Faithfully yours, SALLY"

Circle Column Archives

Back to current "What's in the Circle?"