PRODUCTION CREW RETURNS HOME

On a sunny afternoon... in a small African village in the Congo... the camera stopped... the crew looked at each other... smiled... and the Director said "It's a wrap!" It was Tuesday, April 13th and we had just finished videotaping the last main scene of PELENDO, our latest video drama! (Check out more photos.)

As the day ended, we returned to our base, hot and tired, but filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude to the Lord for enabling us to complete the production on schedule. Andy, our cameraman, and Abraham, soundman, would be leaving us the next morning to begin the long trip back home.

Together with the last actor, Brian and I would finish packing up our base camp and leave during the following week. A three-hour drive over typically rough roads brought us to the provincial town of Gemena. From there we flew out of the Congo in a mission plane to Bangui, capitol of the Central African Republic.

On April 25, we flew from there to Paris and arrived back in the USA the following day.Videotaping of the 72 page script covered 21 days actual shooting. Forty-six actors and a larger number of extras were involved in the videotaping which took place in seven different villages and several other sites. Mid-day meals were prepared and served by women from nearby churches. Many of the actors were housed and fed in the homes of the villagers. The crew and two male actors stayed in church guest houses.Work was interrupted by

• heavy rainstorms on three days
• disgruntled actors wanted more pay
• a motorcycle accident nearly killed two of our actors
• sickness threatened to immobilize some of the cast and crew
• a police investigation into the theft of a solar panel caused several hours of delay
• the panel was recovered a watchman (thief) was arrested.

These were some of the incidents that complicated our daily schedule!

Public support for this project was overwhelming. The president of the Congo Evangelical Free Church secured documents from the Congo government giving our team freedom to go wherever we needed to get the required scenes. Government officials assured us of their full cooperation and church leaders were very enthusiastic and encouraged their people to help us in the villages. In the coming months, nearly 30 hours of tape would keep me busy editing the film into the powerful story of PELENDO! It is in the Lingala language and was checked for clarity by ex-Congo missionaries who are fluent in this language.

As soon as that editing was completed, we made preparations to produce the English version, to be followed by French, and Kiswahili soundtracks. This will make it possible for the video to be used throughout most African countries, south of the Sahara.

PLEASE PRAY with us that:

• - funds will be available to complete the production expenses; and
• - God's Holy Spirit will continue to rest upon our work—to empower this production, and ensure that it   will impact the lives of many people for His glory!!

BE WATCHING THIS WEB SITE! Some very interesting pictures and anecdotes about our production will soon be available and will be published on these pages.

Pre-Production Work in the Congo

On Friday, January 30, Richard Adkins left Orlando, FL, on his way to the Congo to start production of the feature-length video drama entitled "PELENDO." From Orlando, Richard flew via London and Paris to Bangui, in the Central African Republic. While in Bangui, he discussed production plans with Ms. Thelma Landrud, who had been helping to coordinate preparations for the Project. Ms. Landrud is the Field Director of the Evangelical Free Church Mission work in Central Africa.

On Wednesday, February 4, Richard flew by MAF plane to Gemena, administrative center for the Equator Province of northwestern Congo. Headquarters for the Evangelical Free Church of the Congo are located here. While staying in Gemena, Richard was the special guest of Goza Pelendo, grandson of Pelendo, main character in the video.

Following consultations with church leaders, Richard continued by plane to Tandala, an EFCAIM station which was the main base for the production. During the following weeks Richard interviewed and conducted screen tests of those people being considered as actors.
He also visited some of the locations to make sure these would be suitable as scenes in the film.

FILM CREW EXCITED ABOUT PRODUCTION
Richard Adkins, the Producer/Director, has had considerable experience in writing screenplays as well as producing and editing both films and videos. As a retired missionary, now living in central Florida, he continues in ministry to the African church, producing videos as tools the Africans can use for evangelism and teaching the Christian life.

Andy Yardy, a cameraman from Los Angeles was the principal videographer. Andy, who got his training in the film communications program at Asbury College, in Wilmore, Kentucky, has had experience producing documentaries and feature films both in this country and overseas. He recognizes the strategic importance of quality films and video produced in the countries where they will be used as powerful tools for evangelism and church planting.

Brian Loshbough, from Huntington, WV, had an interesting cameo role as a Belgian colonial
administrator. He also filled a valuable position as "best boy," or "gofer," helping in setting things up for the various scenes. He is an MK who grew up in the same area and knows at least two languages! Also, his training as a practical nurse was a valuable resource.

Abraham Kasika is a sound technician who now lives and works in Kampala, Uganda. Originally from the eastern Congo, he knows the country and the people. He was a valuable member of the crew. For a number of years, Abraham worked with Campus Crusade for Christ in Nairobi, producing the sound track for the JESUS Film in more than one hundred different African languages. As sound man on this crew, he was able to capture the authentic sounds of African life and ensure high quality recordings in the Lingala language. He will also engineer the future release of "Pelendo" with English, French, and Kiswahili sound tracks.

Ann Wester is an EFCAIM missionary who has worked in this part of Congo for many years. Another MK, she also grew up on the very stations where the filming was done. Besides speaking French, she is very fluent in the Lingala language. In addition to her film role as the "missionary wife," she helped the actors as "dialogue coach."

David Oldberg had the part of the "missionary man." In addition to being an MK, years of missionary service in the Congo have prepared David for this role. At present, David is teaching at a private school in Nebraska..

As Producer/Director, Richard is praising God for the availability of these persons who contributed in so many ways to the making of the powerful drama that is the PELENDO story. He is convinced that God enabled this group to come together for this Production. He now solicits the prayers of all who are interested in this Project, that God will bless and empower the Production by His Holy Spirit throughout the many days and long hours of post-production work that lie ahead.

Crew Maintains Homeland Contacts
A satellite phone was invaluable in making it possible for the crew to keep in touch with their families by email and providing fresh news about progress on the Pelendo Project.

Featured Project: Pelendo - God's Prophet in the Congo

• A feature-length video drama based on the true life-story of a Congolese pastor-evangelist
  whom God used to establish churches in the remote northwestern area of the Congo (DRC) known as the Ubangi. The story will challenge and inspire all who see it!
  
  
• Production began in February, 2004, with the selection and casting of over 45 actors. The video will be produced in four languages: Lingala, English, French, and Swahili.
  
  
• Produced and directed by independent film-maker, Richard Adkins of Mwanga Productions, Avon Park, FL.
  
  
  
  
• HOW TO CONTACT US
  
  

Based on the book by the same title and written by Alpha Anderson, this is the true story of Isaac Pelendo, who was born in 1889 and died in 1969. He became a Christian under the ministry of early missionaries, and was determined to share this message with the people of Ubangi who did not know about the all-powerful, the true God!

With simple child-like faith in God's Word, Pelendo was able to convince many villagers to believe in the true God, and many miracles were performed in His Name! Thus the superstitious beliefs and the occult powers of those who practiced witchcraft were exposed! Many villagers found great joy and freedom from fear as they accepted the teachings of God's Word which were faithfully proclaimed by Pelendo! Regardless of tribal origin or cultural variations, African viewers will readily identify with the situations which Pelendo faced in his ministry. The life-changing power of the gospel message as he taught and lived it out will inevitably challenge and inspire the viewers to put their trust in the same powerful God.This story will have a profound effect on all who see and hear it.

Mondongo village has changed very little since Pelendo first visited here.
This was the scene of several manifestations of God's power.

Production
Producer/Director Richard flew to the Congo on January 30, 2004, to check on all the pre-production details.

The camera crew followed later; videotaping began in mid-March and was completed in about four weeks. Joining Richard as camera crew for this particular production, were three other highly qualified persons: After finishing his training in communications at Asbury College, Wilmore, KY, Andy Yardy established his own production studio, New Link Media, in Los Angeles, CA. He has had experience producing religious and secular videos both in this country and overseas.

Abraham Kasika, a Congolese, has been living and working in Kenya for several years. As sound engineer, he has produced the sound track for the JESUS Film in different African languages.

The son of missionary parents, Brian Loshbough grew up on several of the stations where the filming took place. Consequently he knows the area, the people and two languages. He was well qualified for the important work of helping to set up and direct local people in many of the village scenes.

With Richard as Producer/Director, Andy as Cameraman, Abraham on Sound, and Brian as "Best Boy," this highly qualified team was able to videotape the profoundly moving story of Pelendo. They were assisted by additional actors and extras who were recruited on location.

Our Pre-Production Survey Team: Balia Gilbert (driver); Jacque Pelendo, grandson of Pelendo; Richard Adkins, Producer; Makila Sombo, translator.

The Lingala language is widely used throughout this part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the initial taping, the actors used this language in order to achieve the most natural action. Later versions will be produced with English, French, and Swahili sound tracks so the videotape will have wider use throughout Africa.

About the Pelendo production, Ken Anderson, of Anderson Films, Winona Lake, IN, had this to say:

"God bless you, Dick, for your vision and determination regarding a film about Pelendo. Such an awesome story and what a splendid fortuity to have someone of your technical skill and spiritual sensitivity producing it! Under your aegis, the visualization of Pelendo's incredible doings is sure to have a powerful impact. Our prayers are with you!"

The total budget for this feature-length film was $60,000. Donations received by the time actual production began in March, were $50,000, leaving a balance of $10,000. Unexpected costs,
especially for local travel, added another $5,000. (Example: Mileage charges: $2.40 per mile; Diesel fuel: $5.45 per US gal. Gas: $7.75/US gal.)

In order to keep the cost of this video within reach of African church groups, it is necessary to cover the production costs with donations rather than soliciting investments.

You are invited to share in this exciting adventure of producing a video which can make a profound, life-changing impact on the lives of many Africans.

Your donation can be:designated for "PELENDO PROJECT"

Account #22109-0904with check made payable to the EFCAIM, and sent to:

Evangelical Free Church of America (link to website)
901 E. 78th Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300

Each donor will be sent a receipt for income tax purposes.