Staff Profile:  Lilas M.R. Upoy, Booking Officer for MAF in east DRC

Story by Annaleis Woodsum, an MAF missionary preparing to serve at the base in Nyankunde, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Relationships are paramount in Africa. For this reason, building up the national staff and strengthening relationships are high priorities for MAF.

One of the ways we do this is by training gifted young people who are technically capable and can catch the vision of MAF. We train them in the areas of maintenance, and information technology. By doing this, we can build into their lives and the future of the DRC for long-term good. Across the country of the DRC, there are approximately 50 Congolese on staff, compared to 13 international workers and their families (like us!).

This month, we would like to introduce you to Lilas M. R. Upoy, who has worked with MAF as the bookings officer in Nyankunde since 2008.

As the MAF East DRC team’s worship leader, Lilas is always praising the Lord. Photo by LuAnne Cadd.

What do you like about your work and what is challenging? In my duties, I have time to talk about Jesus to our clients and people. It is challenging to help national clients understand how it works when you travel.

How has working with MAF impacted your life? It keeps me in my faith because I am serving God day by day.

When and why did you begin walking with Christ? Late 1993, I decided to believe and receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. This isn’t to say that I am perfect, but I do my best to walk in His desire. I believe that all Scripture in the Bible is truth.

Lilas M.R. Upoy serves as the booking officer. Photo by LuAnne Cadd.

How have you seen God work through you? In secondary school in 1994, there was something within me saying, “Do not stop praising the Lord.” People were telling me that they were feeling blessed when I led praise. Even when I was singing in the choir, they felt the same thing and told me that I had to not stop.

Also, I saw God work through me when my friends decided to follow Jesus.

What is one way you’ve seen God’s hand in your life, family, or community? In life and in my family, we can see God’s hand in many ways. The way God kept me and my young brother in university until we finished. It is a miracle because our parents were jobless during this period. I do not know how God did it when I was preparing myself to get married, I did not have all that possibility but as a miracle it was done.

What advice would you give to new missionaries coming to Congo? Keep your faith to God and trust Him. Testify Jesus Christ in everything. Thank you.

Thank you, Lilas, for encouraging us with your story!