EPA Churches are invited to being supporting United Methodist Global Ministries missionaries Gaston and Jeanne Ntambo, who serve with Wings of the Morning in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We now have an official conference relationship with their longtime aerial mission work in central Africa. Deaconess Barbara Drake, EPA’s Conference Secretary of Global Ministries, agreed to the covenant relationship in a recent meeting with her peers across the Northeastern Jurisdiction.
Gaston and Jeanne Ntambo, as Wings of the Morning’s pilot and radio operator, respectively, fly people needing emergency medical treatment and medical supplies to hard-to-access destinations to save precious time and ultimately to save lives. “They have been missionaries for many years but have not had the needed amount of support from partner churches,” reports Drake. “They speak French, which can be a challenge, but I am told that Google Translate can be used for email communications.”
Drake chose this mission because of a prior relationship with her church. “Back in the 1980’s, my church supported Steve and Debbie Wolford, who did the same work with Wings of the Morning; and we enjoyed two visits from them when they were itinerating.”
Wings of the Morning is an aviation ministry of the UMC’s North Katanga Conference, supervised by Global Ministries. Based in Lubumbashi, the DRC’s second largest city, it contends with a sparse transportation infrastructure to provide a lifeline to about 6 million people there.
The Ntambo’s Advance numbers are #14177Z for Gaston and #14176Z for Jeanne. “I believe God is using me as a tool to reach out and save lives,” said Gaston Ntambo. He provides emergency air transportation to the critically ill and injured, distributes medical and other supplies to village clinics, and transports pastors and missionaries to remote, often high-risk areas. In an area with no weather service or air traffic control, Jeanne updates him on weather and other safety concerns.
Gaston recalls once flying unknowingly into a war zone to help save lives. “As a miracle, the highest officer in that village on that day happened to also be my uncle,” he reports. “Out of nowhere, he suddenly introduced himself to me for the first time.”
Learn more about these two missionaries and donate to support their lifesaving work via the Advance website: Gaston Ntambo and Jeanne Ntambo. You can also donate through the EPA Conference Treasurer’s Office by indicating their names and Advance numbers on the check memo line.
In addition, view a UMC.org video about their work: “Congo Pilot Medical Missions: Gaston Ntambo.”
Like all UM missionaries, the Ntambos are responsible for raising their own support through covenant relationships with individuals, groups, and congregations. To establish a Covenant Partner Relationship with them, use this form.