MBMS International. Transforming Lives In Mission

*Needed: $51,500 (USD) Mennonite Development nonprofit agency which concentrates mainly on agriculture so Congolese MB Churches are involved in seed loan associations through BTEDE.  Seed Credit Line is a major expense this year.

Moved by the rampent poverty and malnutrition in the community, Egard Kimbau, a member of the Kimpwanza MB church, started a ministry to local farmers teaching them agricuture techniques and money management.  The effort was so popular that he created BTEDE (Bureau Technique de Développement Endogènes) which now serves over 2000 people in the Kikwit area.  BTEDE now own their proper fields where they are just now starting to grow their own seed to loan out to associations (up to now they have relied on subsidies). 50 MB churches have associations involved in the project. The aim is that each of the 300 Bandundu churches have at least 1 association.  

Director Egard Kimbau with the fields:

Manioc drying:

Palm oil will be made from these Palm seeds:

BTEDE also offers sewing classes for women.  Sewing machines are purchased with the donated funds and the women then learn to sew items to be sold at the market.