A Year in Africa

It’s almost a year since we left London and so it’s almost a year since lockdown first happened across much of the globe. And there is not much that has happened to us as a family over 12 months that we could have predicted. Our 6 months in Rwanda seem a distant memory.  But in all of the uncertainty we are grateful to God for his provision, his guidance, his protection and his constant presence.

Highlights of our time in Africa so far are: Silas – swimming in the lake; Zachary – having chickens to love / torment; Imogen – wearing Congolese dresses; Martin – being given our own paddle board; Anthea – being part of the Tearfund DRC team. Our garden continues help us live the good life – with recent homemade delights of mango chutney, lemon curd and orange marmalade, alongside a steady supply of avocados to smash and all shapes and sizes of bananas.

The children have been back at school for 2 weeks after our second lockdown – although with extra Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings and a truncated Easter holiday for catch up. They all seem so much happier at school now - their French has improved and they each have a few friends – who are starting to come over to play.

Living with conflict

Many of you will have seen the assassination of the Italian ambassador in the news a couple of weeks ago. It happened 45 minutes from Goma, near one of our Anglican parishes, on what is considered to be a safe road. Speculation abounds about how and why it happened and recriminations are flying. However, conflict and insecurity are part of life for so many in Eastern DRC and it seems that there is little that truly shocks people.

Italian Ambassador story here.

And on Virunga National Park’s gorillas and conflict here.

Conflict is also sadly rife in the local church. The last two elections for bishop have resulted in division. Both times the existing Archdeacon of Goma was the unsuccessful candidate. Both times he left the church and took many of his parish with him. There was a risk that the same thing would happen again this time. The campaigns to become the next bishop started before Bishop Désiré had even been buried. For this reason, we have slowed down the election process whilst we focus on unity. The election is now unlikely to be until 2022. (The Archdeacon between the two unsuccessful candidates was killed by his own children in what is now the diocesan offices – but that’s another story …)

As part of getting our own house in order before the election of a new bishop we also have the unenviable focus on clergy discipline over the next few weeks and we look to address the culture of impunity within some parts of the diocese.

Looking ahead

In brighter news, after an incredibly tough 2020, the Diocese seems to be in a better place. We still have no money, our church buildings are still unfinished, staff and pastors are till unpaid and travel to remoter parts of the diocese still close to impossible. 

However, there is a renewed sense that God is sovereign over the Diocese of Goma and he will build his church. We are still not yet 5 years old, but we are now in a place where we can dream and plan with God for the next 5 years. He has brought back to life our vision of church growth, serving the vulnerable and pursuing peace and reconciliation. And he will fulfil it in his time and in his way.

How can you pray?

Thank you for all of your support last year for us as a family - for being in touch and for standing with us in prayer. And thank you for your continued financial support - both for us and also for the young Diocese of Goma.

• Thank God that our children are now more settled and continue to pray for their French

• Thank God for the renewed vision of the Diocese of Goma

• Pray for peace and security in Eastern DRC

• Pray for unity in the Diocese of Goma

From Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen