I wrote previously (“Music and Spirituality in Congo”)about the song which precedes and ends many of the Disciples Church meetings in Congo. On this video I attempt a rendition which will be used by a friend in transcribing the notes to be shared in a later blog.
This invocation of the first verse and benediction of the second has come to represent for me the depth and quality of Congolese spiritual life. The experience of sharing in that life with the Congolese is never forgotten. Congolese missionary in the late 50’s and early 60’s Virginia Taylor recently wrote her missionary friends about her husband Richard’s final days. When the chaplain of the retirement home came to visit, Richard always wanted to recite the Lord’s Prayer for him in Lonkundo, the tribal language used by most Disciples in Congo.
Here below is the text. The first verse is the invocation sung at the beginning of a meeting and the second a benediction at the meeting’s close.
INVOCATION
Yesu, yaka awa
na esika oyo
Biso tokosenga
ngolu mpe bolingo.
“Jesus come to us in this place;
We ask for your mercy and your love”.
BENEDICTION
Ekobima biso
Na matambe pwasa
Tokotambolaka
Nde na nkolo Yesu
“When we step out on the next leg of our journey
We will be walking with our Lord Jesus.”
Lokoleyacongo 
Amen. Merci pona nzembo na ngai ya bomwana. Nkolo a pambola yo.
Aimee
LikeLike