The Pelendo Film Premiers in Congo

The 160 min. video docu-drama, PELENDO, premiered on April 13, 2005 at the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology, in Bangui, Central African Republic. Among the nearly 100 guests at this first showing was Dr. Nupanga Weanzana who had played the part of Pelendo in this feature-length film. Dr. Weanzana, who is Dean of BEST, together with his wife and family enjoyed seeing the film in which he had worked so hard to portray the challenging life of Pelendo. Students at B.E.S.T. also enjoyed seeing their respected dean as he acted out the role of Pelendo, “God’s Prophet of the Congo!”

Two days later, Dr. and Mrs. Tim Wester, Evangelical Free Church missionaries in the Central African Republic, crossed the Ubangi River….

“Only one boatman was available to paddle the fully-loaded dugout canoe… it took him half an hour to get us over to the Congo side of the Ubangi River!” —Ann

...to begin a two-week safari, showing the film at selected sites in the Congo (DRC). Many of these places were the towns and villages where Pelendo had planted churches during his ministry… the actual locations where the film was shot. For authenticity and better acting, the filming was done in the Lingala language, which is widely used in the Congo.

In addition to her film-role as missionary wife, Mrs. Ann Wester helped in the production as script translator, dialogue coach, and assistant film editor. Her fluency in Lingala was a great help to the director who did not know that language. On this safari, her husband, Dr. Tim Wester also visited hospitals and clinics where he was able to carry out his medical work during the daytime. Then he helped Ann with the film shows after dark.

Ann directs church workers as they help her erect the screen for showing the PELENDO Film.

 

Setting up for the show… a queen-size bed sheet tied to four poles made a very usable screen!

 

The picture could be viewed from either side, much to everyone’s delight!

 

Village children are fascinated by Tim’s preparations for the evening’s show.

 

A spell-bound crowd watches the true story of Pelendo unfold before their eyes! They were deeply moved by the message!

 

A scene from the film… Pelendo challenges the parents of the crippled children to believe in Jesus Christ!

During the next eleven days, Tim and Ann showed the PELENDO film ten times to a total audience of approximately 14,000 people. At each showing there were hundreds who indicated by raised hands that they wished to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Local pastors are assuming responsibility to counsel the seekers.

The last five showings had to be cancelled due to equipment problems and breakdowns. But the overwhelming response to the first ten shows proved the effective power of this film to change lives… all praise and glory to God!

Most of the content on this web site has been provided by Ann Wester’s detailed reports emailed to us almost every day during their trip. These are providing us with valuable information about the effectiveness of the PELENDO film and this ministry to African people.

Ann prepares another report on her computer for evening transmission by email on satellite phone. Her fluency in the Lingala language enabled Ann to talk with the people and evaluate their understanding of the film. Her reports emailed back to me (Richard Adkins) were a great help in editing the film… I don’t understand Lingala!!

Photos by Tim Wester

 

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