“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John’s Gospel 1:4-5

Christmas chickens

This Christmas is looking particularly challenging again across much of the diocese. But as we have done for the last 3 years we want to bless all pastors and diocesan staff with enough food to celebrate with their families. So that each family can experience some joy in the darkness.

We would love to give a chicken and sack of rice to each of our 110 clergy and staff. This costs around $40 per family. This means we are looking to raise £3,500 ($4,400) in the next couple of weeks.

The easiest way to give is through the Diocese of Goma Stewardship Page.
But do please get in touch for other ways to give.

Escalating conflict before the election

In the last few weeks on the military frontline 20km north of Goma we have seen one of our school teachers killed, one of our schools destroyed by bombs and 2 schoolchildren kidnapped. Schools have not started the academic year across large parts of the diocese, and fighting regularly causes our clergy to flee into the forest for a few days for safety.

The official election campaign started this Sunday with voting due to take place on Wednesday 20 December. In a country of almost 100 million people less than half of the eligible population has registered to vote. But in our province of North Kivu even those who are registered are unlikely to be able to vote as many areas are either held by the M23 rebel group or are in the grip of of fighting between the rebels and the Congolese army.

Light in the darkness

But as Christmas reminds us, although the world can be a dark dark place, the light has already come. And there are also many encouragements in the life of the diocese. 

One ray of light in the darkness was when, last Sunday, a church we planted from a prayer meeting less than two years ago, sent its 30-strong choir back to visit (above photo). As they danced and sang they reminded us of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Buhene church is now a vibrant church in its own right, with newly acquired land and a building refurbished by the local believers. For the background to the story see here.

Goma and DRC in the news

“It is always us who pay the price.” Photo essay in the Guardian by a friend of ours on the current security situation and IDP crisis in Goma and North Kivu

For ‘unsafe’ Eastern regions in DRC, voting remains a distant dream, news on how voting will work out across much of the diocese

The Power of Women, A Doctor’s Journey of Hope and Healing, a very readable recent biography by Nobel Prize-winner and now presidential candidate, Dr Denis Mukwege, on his life’s work to end sexual violence against women in DRC.

How can you pray?

• For peaceful elections and the election of competent candidates with integrity. 

• For Madame Claudaline, the wife of the former Bishop of Goma, Désiré, and others from the Anglican Church, as they stand for election to the provincial government. 

• For encouragement and perseverance for our clergy and staff as many face increasingly difficult living conditions.

• For our campaign for Christmas chickens.

• For our inter-denominational work on peace-building as we seek to expand to mediation training with senior leaders and to trauma-healing with church leaders and young people.

Thank you, as always to those who read, write, pray and give
Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen