A call for generosity in the midst of distress

Please give generously to our annual appeal to provide each clergy and member of staff in the diocese with a chicken and a sack of rice to celebrate Christmas. Things are particularly challenging this year, with so many in a constant state of flux and deprivation.
 
Two weeks ago, the M23 rebel group took control of two key towns of Kiwanja and Rutshuru in the north of the diocese, 2 to 3 hours by road from Goma. All of the students from our Bible school fled under cover of darkness to the sound of bullets and have now all safely reached their homes. But the M23 have effectively cut off one of the main supply routes, from the north, to Goma.

This week fighter aircraft and a hundred of the 900 promised Kenyan soldiers arrived in Goma to help the Congolese military. The DRC government has called upon young people to join the army to defend the country. Fighting has now moved to within 15-20km of Goma. The sense is that the DRC is a country very much at war.

The number of IDPs (internally displaced persons) has risen by nearly 200,000 in the last 2 weeks. They have taken shelter wherever they can in existing IDP camps, schools and churches. In at least 3 of our schools on the outskirts of Goma the children are unable to study because their classrooms house IDPs. Malnutrition and disease are on the increase as aid agencies try to respond. The rainy season makes matters worse. Many of them do not even have a plastic sheet to use for shelter and, having fled their fields, have nothing to eat.

Worshipping and waiting

The day after Kiwanja was occupied the parish church there still met for Sunday worship, for the few souls brave enough to come. There is a tense calm as everyone is waiting for the next move. It seems as though the M23 want to take as much ground as possible to be in a stronger negotiating position for this month's meeting in the context of the Nairobi peace process.

Some NGOs have moved non-essential staff out of Goma. And although the M23 occupied Goma for 9 days in 2012 we have decided not to leave for now. Our family feels safe although things are always volatile and can change in a matter of hours. Church this morning was poignant as we read from Luke’s Gospel, “when you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened.” And there is something powerful about coming together as church from different ethnic backgrounds to demonstrate an alternative way of living and to tell a very different story to one of fighting, hatred and greed. 

A call for generosity in the midst of distress

This year, as we have done for the past 2 years, we would love to give each pastor in the diocese (like Rev. Chishaganya, above) and each member of staff something to celebrate with for Christmas – a chicken and a sack of rice. Costs have risen significantly, and we are now looking at $40 per person for around 100 people.

In addition to this we would like to give something immediately to those pastors who have been hardest hit by the recent fighting and displacement, a further $1000 in total. Meaning we are looking to raise $5000 in the next few weeks.

As always the best way to give is through the Congo Church Association here.

How can you pray?

• For a real desire to pursue peace from the regional political leaders

• For the work of the humanitarian agencies in reaching the IDPs

• For church and community leaders as the seek to serve and lead their communities.

Thank you, as always, for reading, praying, giving and keeping in touch

Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen