KINSHASA KIMBANGUISTE ORCHESTRE - BIMA

Last year I saw a 60 Minutes short on the Kinshasa Kimbanguiste Symphonie Orchestre the only all African classical orchestra in the world. I vowed that I would find and visit them when in Kinshasa. We succeeded and had a delightful visit with the Maestro and founder, Armand Diangienda Wabasolele. They were discovered by German musicians in recent years, and a film was made, Kinshasa Symphony. I recommend it highly. It will show you life in Kinshasa in a wonderful way.

Every area of Armand's home is alive with practicing musicians and singers.

Armand is in the center in the blue striped shirt, Olivier to the left, our contact person, to his right, and far left a young man who has been with the orchestra for ten years, who plays the oboe, self taught.

The parking garage is also a practice space for all ages.

They practice in the courtyard.

They practice in the entrance yard.

View from the outside.

From the Kimbanguistes we drove to the Eglise de Jesus Christ de la Verite, BIMA. Far right our contact, Choir conductor for the Church. Prophet Jeremie next to me, who prayed for us and prophesied my life and Sue's from our youth to the present. We enjoyed the meeting immensely. 

Exiting the offices, a view of the meeting house building where adherents meet to worship.

An official who accompanied us from the meeting with Prophet Jeremie, and a view of the grounds and the meeting house, our vehicle visible in the extreme background. The church has about 7 million adherents, even a Parrish in Nashville. The part of the church's name BIMA is Lingala meaning Depart! They frequently cast out devils. 

Worshipers in the meeting hall. A preacher was lecturing at the table far to the front under the V for Verite.