Lorena Kelly was born on May 17, 1903, at Mt. Mourne in Iredell County, N.C. After obtaining her M.A. from Scarritt College, she received an appointment from the Western Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church as a teaching missionary to the Congo. She worked there from 1936 to 1969.
Kelly recounts her experiences on the mission field working in the rural Congo. Particular note is made of impressions of African life, organization of missionary stations, development of schools, students' prospects for success, leadership positions being undertaken by women, the Congolese Rebellion of 1960-1963 and treatment of missionaries during the outbreak, current control of the mission organization by African people, and medical care in the area. Included are samples of the Otetela language. For related material see Collection #208.
Gift of Lorena Kelly
Processed by C. Carter, February 1984
Encoded by Apex Data Services
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1936-1969