What does 2021 have in store?

Just as we were heading into what we hoped would be a more normal year for us in DRC, the government announced another lockdown to avert a second wave, where churches, restaurants, shops and bars are still open, but all schools are closed. Covid cases are in DRC are still very low at around 22,000 with 600 deaths so far. Most of life runs more or less normally, but with a 9pm curfew and a return to the joys of home-schooling, with both parents working this time round. The above picture is the children praying fervently that the rain would get harder so their teacher wouldn’t be able to come for their French lesson. And it worked!

Martin’s role as Vicar General will almost certainly continue for most of 2021, with a new Bishop of Goma unlikely to be in place much before the end of the year. There are certain pre-requisites for the appointment of any bishop here, such as a house, a car and a salary, none of which are in place yet. There is also a significant amount of reconciliation work needed amongst clergy across the diocese before we can elect. In 2 weeks we have the first Diocesan Council meeting for almost 9 months, where we will discuss and set the direction of the Diocese for 2021. The Archdeacons, heads of department and Archbishop Masimango will be there. Please pray for an encouraging meeting and a strong sense of unity going forwards. 

Martin’s Mum, Aileen

Martin has just returned from a week in London for the funeral of his mum, Aileen. She died on Christmas day in St Thomas’ Hospital, where she was being treated for complications with her cancer. In hospital she contracted Covid and died sooner that we had been expecting, but peacefully and with regular visits from close family. Thank you to all those who have prayed and supported us through her illness.

We are thankful for an uplifting funeral last week that was able to celebrate her life in Christ, her commitment to social justice and the impact she made on so many people. We are thankful that we lived so close to Mum and Dad for the 6 years before we left for DRC and that our 3 children all remember her fondly. And we are thankful that Martin was able to return to the UK for the funeral before flights were stopped from the DRC last Friday.

New blog posts

There are two new posts on our blog.

Living in the shadow of a volcano. The city of Goma lies 12 miles south of one of the world’s most active volcanoes, which is estimated to erupt again between 2024 and 2027. 

Church schools in Goma. What is it like to be a pupil or a teacher in an Anglican school in Goma?

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.

Please pray

• For Martin’s Dad and family as they grieve Aileen’s death

• For reconciliation and a path towards unity in the Diocese of Goma

From Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen