Congo Update: The Latest Turn of Events

The Situation in Congo
Today I heard or rather read on the BBC news online that President Kabila has called for the people in Congo to take up arms against the rebel leader Nkunda. This is one of the posters you see in Congo (photo by Dan Hoffman). It says: I vote Joseph Kabila for a united Congo, strong and prosperous. The elections took place in 2006 and people in Eastern Congo (see map) are frustrated because this seems so far away.
I fear the situation in Congo will deteriorate and I worry about our friends and the many, many people we have met in Congo and ministered to. I worry that they are not safe and that they endure suffering and evil that is beyond even what we can imagine. The stories I have heard directly from the people themselves are stories that often I cannot share – it would be too much for most people. The depth of evil perpetrated by the rebels and soldiers and even others is really almost beyond belief. If it were not for what I know to be true in Scripture, I would find it hard to believe that a human being can treat another in such ways. But we live in a fallen world and Genesis 3 did happen. I do rejoice however, in the fact that Jesus happened too. Not only did Jesus come to earth and die, He rose from the dead. While the victory is not yet complete, Jesus has overcome death and the victory over evil is sealed. It is just a matter of time for it to be completed. I want to be there cheering when Jesus throws Satan into the pit!
Good News from Congo
Do you remember the prostituted women’s conference (see posts from Aug 6th and Sept 1st)? Well, I have heard that these women (over 40 of them) refuse to stop meeting each week. They are so excited and eager to learn new skills and to be disciple that they continue to meet every week, three times a week. As David Kasali the founder of Congo Initiative said “there is a move of the Spirit that cannot be stopped”. And so, although times are difficult in Congo, God continues to work in ways that are very, very evident and God continues to change peoples’ lives. That is why we cannot give up when we think of Congo. We cannot give up in frustration or exhaustion or think it is more than we can handle. The truth, it is more than we ourselves can do BUT it is not more than what God can do. We must persevere in prayer and beseeching God to act. My same friend David Kasali said to me this week: “It's time to claim back what belongs to our Lord: DRC and its beautiful people who have suffered a lot. When will enough be enough??? So we pray and work and trust. Our Lord is ABLE!!! The Lord will act on behalf of the people he created in his image.” To find out about the work of Congo Initiative visit their website: www.congoinitiative.org

As you think of Congo, or as you see or read news reports, would you take the time to say a prayer for the Congolese, the country and the situation?

Jesus himself said:
“Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:22-24

And in James 5:16b we read:
The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.