Londonderry church supports Angolan student

July 18, 2008 01:36 am

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LONDONDERRY — The Londonderry United Methodist Church made a commitment to fund Milca Antonio, an Angolan student who wanted to attend Africa University in Zimbabwe. The church is beginning its third year of support and hopes to see Milca through to her graduation.

Parishioners have come up with $5,400 each year for the Portuguese-speaking student who is enrolled in the Africa University's Faculty Humanities and Social Studies program.

Right from the beginning, Milca has considered the LUMC parishioners as her "family." She has corresponded with the Rev. Wesley Palmer, pastor of the church, and others.

Palmer met Milca and her father when he attended the United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, this spring. Milca's father was the Angolan delegate to the conference, and Milca accompanied him as one of two observers from Africa University and as part of a traveling choral group. Palmer was the reserve delegate from New England to the conference.

Palmer expressed great pleasure at having the opportunity to meet Milca and her father. Milca was able to translate for her father, who speaks only Portuguese.

"I found Milca to be doing very well," Palmer said. "It was a joy to meet her. She's full of energy and a delight to talk with."

He brought back from messages and a CD recording from the visit to the church and told the parishioners Milca is studying sociology but isn't sure where it is going to take her.

"Last month at LUMC we focused on our support for Milca," Palmer said. "We needed to collect $1,000 for her tuition payment, and we need to get $400 more before August. We provide the $2,700 each semester to cover the costs of her board and education. It has been a wonderfully satisfying effort."

Palmer told about her father having luncheon with them and Milca translating. He made a CD recording of the conversation and of Milca singing a special song he said she has played as part of the worship in Londonderry.

"It has provided a connection between Milca and members of the church," he said. "The parishioners were very pleased to hear her voice directly."

Prior to this, parishioners had heard about her only through Wi Lee Tan, a church member and United Methodist director in the Hampstead UMC office and on the board at Africa University.

Wi Lee Tan visited Milca at the university and brought back pictures and messages from Milca. Milca's father sent thanks for the support.

After meeting Palmer and returning to the university, Milca sent an e-mail telling him how grateful she was to God for giving her the opportunity to meet the pastor and to send thanks to her "family" at the LUMC.

"Thank you so much for your help and with all my heart I thank the Londonderry church for the support you are giving me," she wrote.

Palmer said despite the turmoil in Zimbabwe, Africa University is so respected and has so many ties with other countries, it's insulated from violence. He said LUMC has derived satisfaction and pleasure from being able to support Milca and to ensure she gets a college education that will allow her to return to Angola and contribute to improving her country and a lot of its people.