Jason Nix: Well, hello and welcome to Across the Globe. This is the official podcast for the Global Methodist Church. My name is Jason Nix and I am here in Arlington, Texas, ⁓ Dallas, Fort Worth, North Texas area. ⁓ And I have the honor and privilege today ⁓ to talk to my brother, Elie And ⁓ he is over in South Africa, ⁓ a huge part of the Global Methodist Church General Conference that we're preparing for in 2026. without any further delay, and because I just want to hear from him directly, ⁓ Elie, how are you doing today? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Thank you Jason, I'm doing well, God is helping me. I almost said good afternoon but I know you are six hours behind me so good morning, good day and good evening for those that are not in the same time zone that I'm in. I'm doing well, thank you so much and also greetings to all the listeners at the Riverside. Jason Nix: Heh. Yeah. Yes. man, that's too cool. So you just reminded me of there's a, there's a movie called, I think it's called Truman Show where he says in case I don't see you. Good morning, good afternoon, evening, good night. so we're, living that out here. We're living that out here. So real quick, we're going to talk, ⁓ in this conversation, just so you guys know, we're going to be talking about specifics about General Conference. ⁓ a lot of the things that are taking place, Uh, Elie is the team lead for our international relations team. ⁓ Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yeah. I'll take that. Jason Nix: preparing for General Conference. so, but before we get into those things, I just want a chance for us to get to know Elie and get to hear from him directly. So tell us a little bit about yourself. Tell us kind of where you serve, how you serve. You can take as much time as you want. We just want to get to know you a little bit. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Well, thank you so much, Jason. The only thing that I would start with is that I'm just a child of God and a servant of the Most High. I think we should start there. And my name is Mbingeleli, Elie Diko. I served as a presiding elder in one of the districts South Africa Annual Conference. I also served as an international relations team leader. Jason Nix: Amen. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: across South Africa that is preparing this General Conference 2026. So I happen to be privileged to be part of the executive team for the General Conference Commission. So yeah, I'm based in South Africa, staying in Derban You know, that was the KwaZulu-Nata province. Yeah, that's where I stay and I serve one of the churches. Jason Nix: You Mbingeleli Elie Diko: which I'm proud of. My local church, or Pastoral Church, is the Paradise Pastoral Church, I'm the presiding elder of that jurisdiction. So that's right, sir. Thank you so much. Jason Nix: I love it, man. Well, so glad you could join us. ⁓ so when let's, let's shift our focus over to, to General Conference a little bit. So as you were coordinating, coordinating, ⁓ with all the different pieces across multiple countries, cultures, all of the different things. ⁓ what are the biggest challenges that you and your team are navigating right now? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yeah. Well, I think, Jason, if I may start to take you back a bit, how did I even end up being part of the international relations team? ⁓ It started in 2024 we were about to have our first first convening General Conference in Costa Rica. ⁓ ⁓ ⁓ to be part of the team without being elected, I was just head-hunted because Jason Nix: Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Africans, African countries were facing challenges and difficulties to acquire the visas to go to Costa Rica. And South Africa happened to have a consulate of Costa Rica country, which is in Johannesburg. So when they were facing challenges in acquiring visas, mostly for the DRC, Democratic Republic of Congo, ⁓ Mozambique and other countries. You know, the Church has asked me to go and try to knock into those offices of which I thought was a success, unfortunately the time was not on our side. So that's how I think the church has noticed that at least I can try and twist the arms of the dignitaries and the government officials. So that's how I got into the team. And now when we went to... Costa Rica for a General Conference. came back and the Global Methodist Church General Conference commission has nominated my name to be part of that ⁓ and it was a blessing for me to lead that team. ⁓ it's coming from there. ⁓ then coming to a question, ⁓ you know, the international relations commission actually ⁓ didn't really have much challenges before because we wouldn't start doing anything when the General Conference was still working on the bits and pieces of getting it to the right track for instance getting ⁓ and make sure that this corner would be this and this corner would be that until they finished all ⁓ all those needs and activities, whatever was needed, who is going to be what and what is going to be. Then ours is to have the church having its own structure and program. And then from that, will tell us these are the countries that are approved to visit South Africa, we then start looking to those issues. But the most challenging one, which is still at our head, is that of the relationships. between the countries like South Africa and Rwanda, South Africa and Nigeria, South Africa and the DRC. It is a well-known challenge, that South Africa does not have good relations with Rwanda and we have got GMC members in Rwanda, let alone that they are not yet an annual conference but they aspire to be one. We've got members that are very active there, but we are unable to get them to South Africa. Jason Nix: Mmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Political issues that doesn't really affect us. So we've been trying to find ways to break into that. So as Nigeria and of which at a later stage I'll explain to you about Nigeria ⁓ the DRC, which we seem to be winning. So yeah, that has been issue which I believe that is what needs to be known. And the last one, which is very, very crucial. Jason Nix: Hmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: for our delegates to move is that the understanding of the embassy, the so-called missions, they call them missions, of the embassy offices that are in various countries. They are very, they are not that friendly to assist those international people when they are going to an embassy office that is in that various countries. They will tell you that we are here to serve South Africans that are here in, let's take for instance Ethiopia. Even Ethiopian goes to South African embassy office. They will tell you, no, no, no, we are here to serve South Africans that are here in Ethiopia. So it has been a challenge which I think it did manage to work on it by me as a head visiting those embassies so they couldn't stop me because I'm a South African in Ethiopia, Jason Nix: Hmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: so they will assist me and that is what that is what so we have tried to work on the challenges. ⁓ Jason Nix: Let me I'm going to just mirror back what you just shared with us because as all this is coming together, I think think if I understood you correctly that ⁓ the relationships between the the countries of that are make up the continent of Africa are not, are politically at odds. And so it's creating some difficulties even within the continent ⁓ some of our delegates to ⁓ and get the visas they need in order to attend. ⁓ But Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Jason Nix: Did I just hear you say that you're going to those missions? You're going to those embassies? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: That's correct. What we did as a team and as a commission at large, we have peaked to those most challenging countries, such as the DRC. It is very difficult for Congolese to get a South African visa, so as Nigerians. So what we discussed is that the team said, no, let's just have a South African go in to those embassies. Jason Nix: Mm-hmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: so that you'll be able to open the doors. And from your question, what you've explained, I must make it clear that not all African countries, just a few, the ones that I've just mentioned, like Rwanda, it hasn't got good relations with South Africa, I think for the first 10 years, 15 years. And then also Nigeria, it's quite tricky for them to get a South African visa. So we'll be to those two. Jason Nix: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: those two, three, and then we're like, okay, I should visit those offices and at least introduce first the General Conference so that they will know as an official event that is going to sit, which is the first step. Now the second step is we having a list of those delegates that are going to apply. So then now I'll give them those names and they'll like expect applications from these people and only these ones. Once we get an application which Jason Nix: Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: is not in this list, please don't bother yourself because we are trying also to assist them in securing our General Conference and making sure that the right people, the correct people and that delegates, alternates, observers and so forth guests that are coming to our General Conference are known so that when they apply, the embassy office will be waiting for them. Yeah, so that's the strategy. Jason Nix: Yeah. That's, that is so huge. ⁓ what would you say if there was so just as people are listening to this across, across the globe? So whether you're a delegate from the continent of Africa or a delegate from the Western, ⁓ hemisphere or, ⁓ just wherever Bulgaria, no matter where you're at, ⁓ what would you say to a delegate who may be feeling anxious about whether or not they'll be able to attend? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yes. Well, I'll say, ⁓ firstly, as believers, you know, as people of the Global Methodist Church us not worry. Let us worry not, the God is on our side. And me being on the ground and having visited almost all the offices, our General Conference is well known. And to our surprise, many politicians and government officials are in support of the General Conference because Jason Nix: Amen. Amen. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: you know, it touches a number of spheres of life, like for instance, economically, South Africa, not South Africa only, Africa will benefit out of it. Tourism will also come and experience our indigenous, you know, everything indigenous, living and know the cultures and so forth. And I would want to say only challenge that we are having, which I think can bring anxiety, to our people and be an area of concern Of course, it's the media. So the media does have a lot of things to hold for the General Conference. But what I can say, us in South Africa, Africa, and some of our members around the world are ready to receive whoever wants to come. Come as many as you are. The room is very big. Don't be anxious. We are here. We're making sure that we do not leave any stone unturned. So myself, if you were to say the General Conference is tomorrow, I celebrate. I can't wait. ⁓ Jason Nix: Yeah. So I'm going to go off script a little bit. might not. ⁓ might. If this isn't ⁓ if this isn't your field then correct ⁓ But know that at twenty twenty four in Costa Rica that the delegates from ⁓ Africa who were not able to attend, we were able to give them a live video feed and they had a representative in the room and so they were able to vote with ⁓ their that was ⁓ on-site in Costa Rica. And that was new. for Methodists, that hadn't been allowed. I'm curious, for delegates who aren't able to make it ⁓ whatever reason, ⁓ we providing that same option for them to ⁓ join the Conference and conversation ⁓ video stream and participate? I know ⁓ at 2024, our African delegates were staying up till one, two, three, four o'clock in the morning in order to be a part of ⁓ the conversation that was taking place. Are we offering that same ⁓ option for delegates this year? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yeah. Yes. Thank you Jason for bringing that question. I think it is very crucial. Let me start by saying our team and also the commission at large was an impression and we are looking at ⁓ zero hybrid. We tried by all possible means to say we have a list to come to the General Conference. We would love for people to be on-site and experience the General Conference, communication and also the you know, the interactions and knowing each other. However, there are those unforeseen circumstances that we can do away with. We are aware also that some of the countries, whether in Africa or wherever it is, they have got challenges when it comes to the internet. So we did provide, we are looking at hybrid so that those that are unable, like the Rwanda that I've mentioned, if we fail to get them to to the General Conference, they come to one site. We are working on providing the hybrid so that it's part of us. Also we are aware that with the 2024 system, sometimes it would delay. I think I remember the Congolese and also my Uthendo from Tanzania, had some glitches, even though he was not really active because ⁓ he ⁓ getting new member in the family. Jason Nix: Mm-hmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: So we have looked into those and improved the quality and looking as to the best, best quality that we might provide for those that are in General Conference to be like the way we are. I can hear you, there's not a delay, there's everything we are able to work together. So the team together with the communication team has looked into that and I think they're doing a great job to work along those lines. But all what we are seeing is I have said, we are looking at a hundred percent ⁓ attendance. Hence, I'm able to move from here and go to countries that are into the challenges. But I can assure you that it will be just one percent to two, if then that goes on for since the Jason Nix: Okay. That's good. on that, ⁓ like how, and then I just, I just know like if the entire world were coming to Texas, like there are just some things that I would like line up. I'd make sure you got really good barbecue, some really good tacos, like food would be a part of it. ⁓ we'd go see some, you know, big live, you know, livestock and big, you know, long Texas, long horns, ⁓ maybe get you a cowboy hat or something like that. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yes. Yeah. Jason Nix: What are you most excited about as the world descends upon Johannesburg, South Africa? What are you like just as you know, people come into your home country, like what are you most excited or what would you like just kind of like be the most pumped about people experiencing when they come to South Africa? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Thank you, Jason for asking that. Let me tell you a short story. We had a visit from Bishop Webb, Bishop Mark Webb. He came down to that and we had an annual conference So he needed to officially announce that annual conferences back in 2023, 2024. So when he was here, we did what we do when we welcome someone. People stand and they took him outside and he stood right in front of people and they opened what we call a mobile fridge. They opened a door and there's a big head of a bull looking at him and he almost ran away. And I told him, no, stop, don't run ⁓ This is a way of us welcoming you, African way of welcoming you. So. We've been telling you the story that I'm so excited that you will get to taste the spirit of Ubuntu. We have what we call spirit of Ubuntu to translate for you, spirit of humanity or humility. So as we grow up, all Africans will tell you that we've got a certain way of welcoming guests and the way of treating guests. Jason Nix: Yeah! Mmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: So that one we can take away from us also. We've got very exciting, you know, we've got wildlife here, we've got what we call a big fire, where you only get them in South Africa. In Africa, you've got and so forth. And Johannesburg has got quite a number of places to visit. You've got a museum that has got... rich history a part of the museum, you get to know our history even though we're not there. So some of the members that I visited like you mentioned Mike Schafer, Becci Wood, they came in July last year. We were together, we were so excited. And I can tell you now, Jason, you'll be surprised, we've got five-star hotel in each room set. I don't wanna tell you what Mike Schafer said about our five-star hotel, but... Jason Nix: You Mbingeleli Elie Diko: that I cannot show you. I'm sure he remembers what he said. But ⁓ we wait, as I've said. We also have got in General Conference a cultural night where we will be showcasing Africa, African cuisine, different cultures, different activities, music, and the creativity that we have on the ground. I'm sure once you come here, when you're going back, you won't be the same person. Jason Nix: Mmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Thanks, Jason Yeah. Jason Nix: Yes, and there it is. That's the goal, man. will not leave the way we showed up. ⁓ trusting God to do all that. You've you've done, I mean, thank you so much ⁓ just your transparency in what challenges have been, ⁓ what excited about. ⁓ We're you know, we're recording this on April 30th, so it's gonna be and then, I mean, we are just a few short months away. ⁓ Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Thank Yes. Jason Nix: So can you kind of just let, let the, you're speaking right now to just the global church from across the planet. Can you give us some specific, some specific things that we can be joining with you in prayer over? Like just what can we be praying for as we are in these closing months heading to Johannesburg? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's that one is very important, Jason, for us to really share about. ⁓ much as we are excited about having General Conference, I mean, the times that we're living on in the whole world are not times that can ⁓ you can't really you show off anything ⁓ if I may put it in that way. Political unrest that we are looking and the challenges that we have. I mean, for instance, now we saw the flights shooting very high because of the wars that are happening in the Middle East and other parts of the ⁓ We should start our prayer items, should be praying for the General Conference not to be disturbed by those political unrest. Like right now in Africa, South Africa, we've got you know, some uprising that is to do with illegal immigrants and so forth outlawed that our members, the entire globe, to pray for such to settle down to pray for a peaceful countries and treatments to each other. We'll also like to be specific and talk about the Global Methodist Church Commission. You know, the members which you that are working on ⁓ the General Conference and preparations. They are working tirelessly to make sure that the General Conference is a success and out loud that we pray for each and every member that is in there and even the delegates that are to attend. I mean, there are challenges. day we always have to come up with something, you know, bring together our heads and we need prayers for that. And specifically the venue Jason Nix: Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: we're going to be ⁓ We are seeing a lot of positive response from ⁓ and also ⁓ Americans, Middle East and so forth. And now brings an anxiety when the church is growing at this rate. Because recently we've just seen the conference in India, know, in numbers and then we're seeing the Jason Nix: Okay. Mm-hmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: conference in Ethiopia, we see in Angola. It's like we can say, please guys stop, let's just do the General Conference and then you fly again. But that's the work of the lot that we see, which I think we need to always put our church in prayers. We need to always try and make sure that we have the right people that are working on the ground and pray for that. Because now if I can tell you, the item which is on the table, which is we are trying to work on is how Jason Nix: Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: best can be accommodate almost everyone wants to come to the General Conference because we see the influx of applications and everyone wants to come here, mostly in Africa. So I would love to have those items so that we can have a successful and peaceful General Conference, Everyone, the commission, the committees, staff, GMC staff, let's put them on prayers guys because you the life that we are living in. Right now we can't really predict what is to come. Jason Nix: Yeah, I mean, that's that's so good and such a good reminder. You know, I think at some point the idea of hosting a General Conference on the continent of Africa was, well, you know, who who will go and who will attend and we've never done that before. And all just the different things that kind of, and now that we are this close to it and you and your team and the commission and, and really just the church at large has just done such Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Jason Nix: ⁓ obedient ⁓ effort and work to just to make this thing happen and to just be obedient to the Lord in that. Now we're at the point where it's like, okay, how are we gonna keep hold all these people? like the church is growing so fast. It's like now we have the opposite problem of like, but first it was like, who's gonna go? And now it's like, ⁓ how are we gonna keep them under one roof? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. ⁓ Yes, by the way, the concern before was convincing people to come to the General Conference. So the concern was people not interested in attending the conference. That's what we had ⁓ mind. Now that we have convinced them to come, we now have to go back and check, by the way, where are we going to put them? So that's the challenge. But it's interesting though that we do see Jason Nix: Sure, yeah. Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: that our church ⁓ remember, Jason, it's the first time in the life of Methodism going to have a General Conference sitting ⁓ Africa, let alone South Africa. So for us, this is ⁓ a history in making, and we know that ⁓ this one, we might even take 60 years see it happening again because there are so many continents. Jason Nix: Mm-hmm. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: So it is a blessing and it puts pressure to all of us, be it that you are in America or you are in Africa, it puts pressure to think how do we want this to make it unique to itself? How do we work on it to make it as perfect as it can for everyone? So it's exciting because every time when we wake up, every moment we want to improve. We've got a General Conference that was very successful and it has set up a standard in a short space of time in Costa Rica, the Conference was what we... So since it was a ⁓ ⁓ we have to move with that gear ⁓ take it up. So yeah, it's exciting. It's very good. Jason Nix: Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: to know that. You know it doesn't sit well with us to ⁓ we're going to have a conference that will be just... Remember we are GMC, we are global people, we are international people. You know we've got to be like them. Jason Nix: Yeah. Well, thank you for telling us how we can be ⁓ lifting you and your team and our church up in prayer. Again, ⁓ it's not that far away and we need to join together in prayer and trusting the Lord. And also thank you for the reminder of just ⁓ first and foremost, God is good and He's in charge and we can trust Him. Like there are a lot of, yeah, there are just, there's a lot of hurdles, but again, I think as we're just obedient, we're just going to see God Mbingeleli Elie Diko: All the time, Jason Nix: do ⁓ as he's already done, just miracle after miracle, and making a way where there seems to be no way. ⁓ love that. So, all right, so I want to get to this because this is how we like to end all of our conversations ⁓ Across the Globe. ⁓ this doesn't have to be related to General Conference, but can you just give a story or an example in your life or in your local church, ⁓ in district where you serve as a presiding elder, Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yes. Yes. Yes. Jason Nix: we just love to hear stories of how God is moving and what you are seeing take place as we are marching forward together as a Global Methodist Church. Do you have just a local church story for us? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Well, I do have stories for local churches. I remember I said I ⁓ as a conference administrator, meaning I might have had an advantage of tasting quite a number of local churches and stories and almost everything. But anyway, let me just start by saying, you know, we've never thought of the GMC ⁓ the way it is now in terms of, you know, we usually use the hierarchical order where we start from the local church to the district and after the annual conference. But now is the vice versa. We should focus more on the local church than focusing on what the conference needs and ultimately the central conference and the General Conference. But on our end, it should start from the top to bottom, which is We're now going back to exactly what we were supposed to do right from the beginning. And I bet those that were blessed by having this vision of having the GMC that will look back to the and go back to the pure Methodists that we are, other than focusing on what the constitution and so forth, we should start by what is important, which is to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. And the disciples are not made at the annual conference and... They are made at a local church where we praise the Lord, where we share our experience, we meet with the Lord Jesus Christ and have those services. We have been here for, here in Devon for as, as, back as I could think of. But I can attest to you now that my local church, by the grace of the Lord, was able to secure a very huge land, when we are at GMC Jason Nix: Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: able to secure a very huge land. We hope we're going to build a very big church. And I was amazed because, you know, being part of such things, I think it's three acres, if I may be, know, three acres. Very huge. We're looking forward to build buildings, more than sanctuary, but buildings that are going to talk to the ministries that we want to work on. We want to be more evangelical. We want to be more Jason Nix: Hmm. Yeah. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: ⁓ you know meaningful and accommodative to the community and the land that we've got is the land that we've never had even one member of the GMC, meaning our work is still there and we are excited that we're doing work and we are ready and my people are ready and we've been thinking that things are done by by having manifest and you think what you need to do all what we had was the mission of the GMC to make disciples and also to worship, you know, passionately. So when we were worshiping passionately, God reveals the exact things that are very important. As I told you, we've been here for quite a long time, but we were never able to acquire such and to follow such because we would go to hire a hall and go to the savings, you know. moved by heaven members, but we have never thought of being that, to do a mission work, to think along those lines and to make sure that we accommodate and cater for the needy and those that want the gospel that we are spreading. So it was just, you see this miracle happened when we were about to go for Easter celebrations. Two days down the line, I presented to the church and it took us only two days to acquire that land. And the chief and the tribal authority were so excited and they started saying, no, I'm going to take 10 bags of cement myself. People that are not even our members. So we saw the Lord moving at a local level. And I could remember that. I think the Lord has blessed the GMC and placed the vision of seeing the light in these trying times to say, go get it Jason Nix: Come on. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: and do what I have sent you to do in the world, serving me and making disciples for me as Jesus Christ, not for yourselves, not for the offices, not for the annual conference, but everything that you do, you must do it for our people. So yeah, that's what I can say. Jason Nix: Yeah. Whoo. All right. So just got to I just got a level with you here, ⁓ I'm a local church pastor. So ⁓ that that's I'm in my local church office and we are a church plant. So we don't have a building. ⁓ lease the space ⁓ we are also in the season right now of ⁓ think ⁓ we're ⁓ discerning the next steps. We feel like the Lord's given us a pretty clear picture of like Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yes. Mm-hmm. Jason Nix: a space that is about 2.3 acres. So you're looking at three acres and we're looking at 2.3. ⁓ So whether you are in Arlington, Texas or Durban, South Africa, like God is opening doors and making a way and you guys are getting to see the fruit of that. Did I understand you correctly? It broke up a little bit. You were able to tell your church on Easter, on Easter Sunday that y'all had acquired those three acres. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yeah. Yeah. Jason Nix: Or did I hear you right or was that way off? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Yes, you have it correct Jason. What I can say is, don't worry, even if you are in Texas, we did it for you and we did show you that it is possible to have your own legs. So just, you know, continue praising the Lord, pushing the things that we have on the ground. I mean, we've got people that are very, you know, that are very, they love our church. They do love our church in their hearts. They do love the Lord that we serve. And they are willing to assist where possible. So, God has just given us people. Let me just mention this in closing, just in if I may. The GMC in South Africa is not quite ⁓ between the UMC the GMC. We know the challenges that we had and ⁓ the misinformation and so forth and the that the GMC had received and all that sort. But ⁓ of all challenges that we faced and ⁓ we so anxious about it and how we're to do it and so forth. That has to do also with people thinking of their salaries, pensions, I mean now the past and everyone. But people responded positively and so, I mean the Lord has whispered to them and made it a point that they should say that at the end of the day all what we need to do is to praise the Lord. All what we need to do is to serve the Lord first, then the rest follow. Jason Nix: Thank you for that reminder and just that glimpse into the reality of what has taken place, is taking place and will take place in South Africa. Again, Elie, I just got to tell you, every time that I've asked you a question in this conversation, you have landed on, and we trust the Lord. Like we trust the Lord. Yeah, there's some challenges. Yeah, some visas might be difficult. Yeah, we might have to do. extra legwork, but we just we trust the Lord and I just want to maybe just lift that up ⁓ as the highlight of this conversation, ⁓ that should join together in prayer Fully trusting that God is going to make a way and he already has made away like he's like it's already in in it's already happening It's not something we have to ⁓ hope ⁓ we're it take place ⁓ at local church level. We're seeing it take like place at the annual conference level and we will see it take place at General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa in just a few months. So thank you so much, Elie, for your time. Thank you for your hard work, for the work of your team and the commission. And I cannot wait to see you in person in a couple of months. I will be there. I'll give you a big old hug and we'll get to celebrate, all right? Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Thank Okay. Jason I'll be waiting Jason, I'll be for Thank you. ⁓ Jason Nix: All right, brother. Well, I'll see you in a few months and we'll continue to lift you in prayer. Mbingeleli Elie Diko: Thank you so much, Jason. Let me thank you for the opportunity on behalf of the team and the Commission at large. I think we do need these times like these for you guys to ask us so that everyone, our members and everyone needs to know where are we and the updates and so forth. By the we didn't touch much on the Nigeria and DRC but I can assure you that there are plans place with the ⁓ embassies and so forth. We are working on it. We are so free. God have granted me an opportunity to meet the ambassador in person and we just became friends and he was the one who was doing everything for me, more especially for Nigeria. And for DRC we were assured that, no, just bring everything in July and you guys are going to receive your business. It was as easy just like that because we have prayed on it. And from the comment that you made, mean, myself, you can, you can, I'm not scared of something that I do not know. And I'm not scared of, if you can the only thing that I'm sure of is my faith. So once I'm sure that, okay, I'm strong and my belief is okay, then I can go anywhere and do anything. So hence, if you hear me, always touch that part. What I believe in is very... and any challenge that you encounter. I mean, it has proven itself. to our GMC members and not all of us were sure of what we were doing, but we were sure of who we believe in. So thank you so much for the opportunity. Continue doing the good work. And also I so wish that we meet and we have good time. ⁓ yeah, we take it from there. Thank you so much and thank you to the listeners around the world. Jason Nix: Yes, sir. We will see you soon, brother. Talk to you soon.