Lev Musenge Mutombo is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. Lev is a member of Ruashi United Methodist Church, related to the South Congo Annual Conference. She recently graduated from Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe, with a Bachelor of Science degree in health services management. She was a representative and chairperson of the Congolese Committee, as well as a member of the United Methodist Student Movement, at the university. “Whenever I travel home for holidays,” she said, “I serve as a Sunday school teacher. My main job is focused on leading children in educational activities.” In Zimbabwe, she teaches Sunday school at King David UMC, Mutare. Before moving to Lubumbashi, DRC, Lev attended John Spring United Methodist Church, Likasi, DRC. “The local church,” she recalled, “had great initiatives and activities for the youth during the summer. Part of these initiatives was the creation of Scout and KIRO clubs that helped many children acquire social and intellectual skills.” Lev credits one of the leaders, Josue Brocard, with encouraging her to stay in the group. Children and youth called him by his patrol name, “Vieu Loup,” which means “Old Wolf.” “He made me understand the importance of community work,” Lev said, “which also involves service. Although we never did much camping, we had been to places where we had to train in survival skills such as how to make a fire without matches or lighters and how to treat a snake bite and prevent its venom from reaching your heart. “I began to understand that great leaders, but also great servants, immerse themselves, sometimes in perilous work,” she added. “The group opened my eyes to the fact that risks are not to be avoided, but considered, especially when change is needed. You have to go beyond your comfort zone. Only then will you see your true potential.” Through Global Mission Fellows, Lev hopes to make an impact on the community she serves. “Just as I was inspired by a leader,” she said, “I would like the people I serve to be inspired to continue the work and find a purpose for themselves.” Lev anticipates the program to be very rewarding as she learns to view the world from a different perspective and as Jesus would want her to see it.

Sandra Esther Awour Muga is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. At John Wesley United Methodist Church, Migori (Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference), Sandra attends services regularly and shares the story of God’s amazing love. An active member of the youth choir, she is also part of the praise and worship team. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. She worked as a logistics officer for the Ministry of Health in Nairobi and volunteered with the Homabay (Kenya) Community Development Organization. “From a young age,” Sandra said, “I have wanted to bridge the arbitrary gaps that human have imposed on themselves, be it gender [or] ethnic lines. I played with everyone and spoke to any, much to my parents’ chagrin. I met everyone on the same level, treated everyone as I wanted to be treated. I am motivated by the idea of a world where neither skin color, gender nor the circumstances of one’s birth determines all they are going to be in life.” Because Sandra grew up in a small community, where opportunities to meet and interact with diverse people were limited, she especially looks forward to being a Global Mission Fellow. “Meeting different people from all over the world with different experiences than I [have had],” she said, “would help me better myself and my community. I would like to be a motivator and to show others like me that anything is possible as long and as faith and bravery are in conjunction.” She continued, “I believe we all need to build and maintain sustainable models of community, and this program and what it offers are just what we need in the world right now. We need to embrace each other, despite our differences in race and religion. I believe it is only living in our truths and faith that we [can] create better friendships, better communities and, in turn, a better world for every individual.”