Constantin B. Mukendi

From Congolese-Australian pastor and community leader, Constantin (Costa) Mukendi, comes a “heart-warming and heart-wrenching” memoir of “resilience, faith, survival, family and love” – a journey from orphan to refugee to Australian citizen and giver of hope to his people.  

Raised in Kasai tribe in Bakwa Ndoba village, Constantin is tragically orphaned as a six-year-old. He could become a street kid but is instead passed from relative to relative. One day something shocks Costa out of his feelings of worthlessness and into realising he might be intelligent and loved after all! 

A lecture from his disciplinarian brother now hits home: “Your school is your mother and father. You must get an education.” This becomes Costa’s mantra as he works toward his dreams, facing his inner torments, within a country troubled with poverty, oppression and violence. An experience with Christ’s love and healing reassures him God is with him.