In 1999, Bernard Lumene stood at a crossroads in Kasaji, Congo. An agronomist employed by the government’s tobacco company, he led a stable life with his wife, Betty, and their two small children, Emmanuella and Desire. But when the United Methodist Church selected him from among four candidates to train for the Mission of Hope for the Children of Africa, his world turned upside down.
The selection was a surprise. Bernard was in the field, busy buying tobacco, when the decision was made. Upon returning home, Betty greeted him with the unexpected news: he had been chosen to undergo training in Zambia. “It was difficult for me,” Bernard later recalled. “I would lose my job, and the company refused to give me leave. I had to decide—stay in my comfort zone or step into the unknown.”
After two days of agonizing deliberation, Bernard made his choice: he resigned, forfeiting all benefits. With Betty’s unwavering support, he trusted the path ahead. But the road wasn’t smooth. A paperwork mishap delayed his training by a year, leaving Bernard unemployed, with a growing family and no source of income. Yet, his faith sustained him.
From Stability to Uncertainty
In February 2000, Bernard finally made it to training in Zambia. He faced yet another challenge: the program was conducted in English, a language he did not understand. With the help of translators, he completed the course, but an unexpected distinction awaited him. Unlike his peers, whose certificates read "Missionaries of Hope for Children of Africa," Bernard's was labeled "Missionary of the United Methodist Church." At first, he questioned this anomaly, but the director reassured him: “That’s how God wanted it.”
Assigned to Zambezi, a remote district in Zambia, Bernard moved his family—now including a newborn son, Joshua—into a cramped 3x3-meter room in Mombashi, Congo, to fill out paperwork and wait for the next step. The challenges mounted. Zambezi’s leadership initially rejected him, citing a language barrier and a preference for a white missionary who could bring international funding. For a year, Bernard and his small family lived in limbo, enduring poverty and rejection.
Finally, in February 2001, he secured permission to serve in Zambezi. Traveling on rough roads with his family and their few belongings, they arrived at their new home. It was no more than a shell, but it marked a fresh start.
Building a Community of Faith
Bernard’s first Sunday in Zambezi was humbling. The United Methodist Church he was to shepherd consisted of just 17 people, most elderly. His five-year-old daughter Emmanuella, accustomed to large congregations, innocently asked, “Is this even a church?” Undeterred, Bernard poured himself into reviving the community. During the Easter Revival that year, he preached and visited homes, attracting new members. By month’s end, the congregation grew to 45.
He faced skepticism, not only from the community but also from within the church. Many questioned his focus on children, preferring a missionary who could bring financial aid. But Bernard held firm to his mission: caring for orphans and vulnerable children. He began by addressing the plight of street children like the Machelo brothers, often seen scavenging in the market. “Their lives touched our hearts,” Bernard said. “We knew we had to do something.”
The Birth of Front Porch Orphanage
The Christian Cherished Project for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, as it was originally called, began humbly. Bernard and Betty cooked meals and provided a safe space for 50 children on the front porch of their home. “Every day, our home was like an orphanage,” Bernard reflected. “Though small, it was a sanctuary.”
In 2002, Bernard hosted a visiting missionary, Delbert Groves. Observing the children eating on the porch, Delbert coined the name Front Porch Orphans. This encounter was pivotal. Delbert helped Bernard register the project with the General Board of Global Ministries, giving it an official status, though funding remained elusive.
By 2005, the situation grew dire. With his missionary term ending, Bernard prepared to return to Congo. But then, a stranger intervened. An American volunteer named Chuck, inspired by Bernard’s work while he was in Zambezi, pledged support. “Your pastor isn’t leaving,” Chuck declared to the Zambezi congregation. “He’s staying here, with his family.”
Chuck’s generosity ensured Bernard could remain in Zambezi. In 2006, a miracle arrived. The General Board transferred $25,000 to the project. With this funding, Bernard began constructing a permanent home for the orphans, complete with dormitories, a dining hall, and a school. Church members, many skilled tradespeople, volunteered their labor. “We made bricks by hand, collected sand, and built together,” Bernard recounted. “It was a testament to our faith and unity.”
They also built a church, using bricks handcrafted from local mud transported from the Zambezi River banks more than 2 miles away. Without any major vehicles to transport the construction goods, locals used bicycles ... or walked.
By 2004, the bishop dedicated the church Bernard and his congregation had built, solidifying the community’s commitment. In the years that followed, Front Porch Orphanage—which changed its name to Lord’s Mountain Orphanage—became a beacon of hope, transforming the lives of countless children.
Reflecting on his journey, Bernard said, “God prepared me for this work. Losing my father at three and growing up in the church taught me compassion. I was an orphan in spirit, and God called me to care for others like me.”
A Legacy of Hope
Today, Lord’s Mountain Orphanage stands as a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the unwavering dedication of one family to serving the most vulnerable. While the orphanage was forced to close during the Covid-19 pandemic, its mission endures through the LMO Education Foundation. With Bernard serving on the board and playing an integral role in its ongoing guidance, the foundation continues to advance the vital work that this amazing human being began more than two decades ago, ensuring his legacy of hope and care lives on.
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