Our church (Outreach) has been providing monthly assistance to a couple in the Congo for several years. - Rev. Jerome and wife Louise Kasongo.
We are saddened to hear the Rev. Kasongo has passed away. The following letter is from his daughter – Katie Karp.
Rev. Jerome Disashi Kasongo
Entered Life August 12th, 1930 at 10:00 PM
Entered Eternal Life November 7th, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Rev. Jerome was born in Republic Democratic of Congo in little Town called Ndala, in Kasai Region. His Father, Rev. Lumumba Kasongo, was a Methodist Minister and his mom, Mrs. Loraine Mana Tsha, was a stay at home mom. They had 10 children together – my dad Rev. Jerome Kasongo was the oldest. My father helped raised all his siblings after his Dad passed away in early age after being hit by a large tree in the forest while looking for food for his family.
My Dad left his village to go to a bigger City to go to school then was adopted by a Methodist Family who provided him with a place to stay while attending school very far away from his mom and his siblings...
At age 13 my dad received a scholarship and started attending Aide Pastoral School. He met his bride and soul mate Mrs. Louise Pala Kasongo, shortly after that as she came from another Village to attend school as well .They tied the knot my dad age 17 and my mom at age 15. They have been together since then until November 7th, 2011 when the Lord who gives took him back.
Rev. And Mrs. Kasongo had 12 children in which 3 set of twin and many adopted other children. My father never showed which ones were his own versus adopted children. It did not make any difference; he treated all the children the same way. Although I was the last-born and I thought my dad loved me the most, I was wrong; he never showed that to other children. He always called me his best friend and love of his life. He named me “Dembo” which means, “Flower “. Whenever I went back to the Congo to visit them, he will tell everyone “my Flower is here”, please come to celebrate with me and would then share everything that I brought for him with friends, strangers and family. That was my Father
After his Aide pastoral school, my father became an associate Pastor then after many years of hard work and dedication, he was offered a scholarship and opportunity to go to study in Switzerland for a couple of years. Upon his returned he was promoted to District Superintendent, then Bishop Assistant. Even as an assistant Bishop my dad salary was about $60.00 every 3 to 6 months but he never complained. He was always humble and giving with the little bit that he had. My father always brought a group of people (strangers or friends) with him after Church to come to share a meal with us. I remember thinking myself as a kid, we don’t have enough food for our own family, and how in world are we going to have enough for all these people that he brought home. My father always said God will provide and reminded me of it.
In 1996 when the war broke in the Congo especially in the Wembonyoma area where my parents resided at that time, the rebel arrested my Dad, he was beaten, tortured and their home was burned. My mom negotiated with the rebels and gave them everything that they had for them not to kill him. She told them, I have a daughter Katie in America, she will come and pay you whatever you want so please doesn’t kill my husband, as he is just a poor pastor.
My mom was a teacher dedicated to teaching Pastors wives and helping women became independent. After many years, she received a call from the Lord and decided to join her dear husband in ministry. She went back to school and became a minister herself. My dad was so proud of her and so was I. I remember my dad sending me her diploma and said please make copies and put in frame and send back to us.
My Dad was diagnosis with brain cancer over 10 years ago at that time, he was given 3 moths to live. See the wondrous of God. He lived over 10 years after that. My mom took care of him until the end. She was always by his side and never complained. She is a noble woman. As my father’s health continued to deteriorate, he never lost his faith. Never stop praying, continue giving his tithe to church. He always sent me messages to send him some money so he can give offering to God.
My dad was very proud of all my siblings and me. He would tell me this: When you were young, I never thought you would care for mama and I, but look at you today, you are the youngest and you have become a loving mother to us. Thank you for all you do for us. Because of that I know I am blessed!
My dad has been in out of comas the last several months. On 11/7/2011, he woke up and was worried about my mom, he called one of his adopted sons who is currently a Medical Doctor in Congo and told him this: please find some medication for Mama, “She is not feeling well. Since she is my soul mate, my friend. I don’t want her to be sick since she is the one who has been taking care of me for over 10 years”. He then turned to my mom and said: you need to be strong... you have work to do. I want you to tell all my children, friends and family to forgive and I have forgiven them to. I want all the children to be happy and he waved his hand like he was saying good-bye and that was the end.
My dad is in the better place, I miss him deeply, and he knew how much I loved him.
Thank you to the First United Methodist Church of Willis and Pastor Mark.
Thank you so much for helping care for my father.
You are all part of my family and I thank you for allowing my Dad to be part of you.
Many blessings to you all !
Katie Dembo Kasongo Karp
