Congo is Bleeding

February 26, 2025

I write as we fly over the barren land of East Africa, Eritrea or Ethiopia probably.  Every time we travel like this across continents, time zones, people groups, and even animal species-I am reminded of how incredibly BIG the world is and how creative God is.  I am also struck with how small I am in this vast world…yet known and loved by God.  We are returning from an encouraging medical conference in Asia.  It was an encouraging time to catch on continuing medical education, network, reconnect with old friends and make new ones, and be challenged to go farther in our walk with Jesus.  

The spiritual teaching this year was on God’s radical LOVE-incarnational, costly, and undeserved.  First Jesus showed up in the everyday experiences at his initiative when his followers needed his encouragement most-like on the road to Emmaus and to help his disciples catch fish (after a night of no success) and invite them to breakfast.  The Lord often comes to us when we could not do it ourselves, a moment of failure, and invites us to rest with Him.  I can appreciate this…not asking his disciples to keep striving but to simply receive from Him.  On second look at this story in John 21:1-14 it seems that Jesus was just kind of waiting for his friends on the shore.  This story began at His initiative to make breakfast. He did not really teach, but rather fulfilled a need they had for re-established fellowship and sustenance.  Was this an act of forgiveness for their denial as if to re-establish friendship?  Can we trust in His timing, admit our brokenness, and rest in His love and being known?  In many ways being able to attend the conference was this for us, a time to receive from the Lord.

We were able to take a couple of days to enjoy the sunny beaches and fresh Asian food.  What a blessing!  We return to DRC feeling refreshed and getting back to everyday life.

 

Congo is Bleeding

Many of you have reached out to us having followed the situation in eastern DRC, of a rebel army M23 (backed by Rwanda) taking over the cities of Goma and Bukavu (in North and South Kivu Provinces) at the end of January.  This is not a new conflict, but a simmering situation for the last 3-4years that has been largely invisible to the world. Recently people have suffered injuries and thousands have lost their lives, around 700,000 people displaced into neighboring countries and regions.  It is desperately sad.  Some friends of ours serving in Goma have been able to continue providing support to Heal Africa Hospital, which has received many injured and displaced peoples and safe haven for street children.  The situation is very complex and we would encourage you to visit Reuters or BBC as news sources.  It seems that much of the current geopolitical conflict relates to control of natural resources.  To use an African parable, when elephants fight, the ants get trampled underfoot.  

We are serving north of this immediate conflict.  We are not immune to what is going on. We watch and pray and support in whatever ways we can.  We appreciate your prayers for us and the many people affected by this.

A Book Recommendation 

I just finished a fantastic book called “Compassionate Love” by Rick Allen with MedSend.  It is full of stories of God’s faithfulness to missionaries who have accepted the call to serve cross-culturally.  It is inspiring and challenging to see how God can use ordinary people who are willing to have an impact.  The last book chapter gives some practical suggestions for how one can discern God’s calling on our lives, beyond the medical field.  It is very helpful and describes well the process that I muddled through in my 20s.

Prayer requests

-Praise for a wonderful medical conference in Asia, for spiritual and professional encouragement for all of us.  It was a huge highlight for Emmanuel.

-We request prayers for the regional war in eastern DRC in the Kivus.  Pray for the many displaced and for the world to react with sanctions and humanitarian assistance.  Pray that the conflict will not escalate any more.  Pray for security in Ituri Province.

-Pray for us as we plan our return to North Carolina this spring and for a profitable end of the school year for Emmanuel.

-Pray for our medical student Paul and the remainder of his time in Congo, for him to discern the calling of God on his life.

Blessings 

Lindsey (for us)