Our journey continues...

Dear friends from all around the world, 

I am personally touched and amazed by your interest in the DRC, its people and the work that is being done here by so many, who are willing to invest into a radiant future of this nation and its people. Thank you for all your comments, like and shares.

To be honest, there is no better place to be where you are called to - even if it takes a lot of energy, compassion, patience, discernment and strength. In return though, it is a blessing to share love, smiles and moments of forgiveness and truth with people whom we encounter on the streets, in taxis, at the border, in churches, hospitals, in remote villages and the many more places we travel to.

It has been a week since I last updated you on what keeps us busy.

First of all, Matthew and I are blessed to have this time together and bond in our friendship. He is of a great blessing to me personally and a friend I treasure.

Last weekend, we travelled to Uvira to visit a good friend of mine in Uvira, Fahamu and wife Jonni. Even though Uvira is just about two hours down south of Bukavu, where we are at the moment, there is no direct road we could take within the Congo, so we had to cross into Rwanda and take bus a from there. We then again had to cross into Congo. As many may figure, it is not always easy to cross borders in Africa. With the history we share with Rwanda it is not easy for us Congolese to travel there - personally I always have to struggle with fear once I am on Rwanda. Also, crossing borders with a "muzungu" (white person) often happens to be another challenge. However, despite some interrogation by some border controls and after some time them asking us to pray for them - it happened to be and experience to love on our neighbours and live out reconciliation while uniting in spirit.

Our friends, Jonni (an American) and Fahamu, are pioneering Youth With A Mission Congo and have started their own ministries. We were blessed to have had the opportunity to join them on their trip to a remote village and be part of what is God is doing through them in the DRC. Together we travelled to Lemera and visited a pygmie village. The pygmies are small in size, usually do not interact with "mainstream" society and have experienced unspeakable cruelties during the war due to their otherness. It was an impressive experience to gain a deeper insight into their way of life, their daily challenges but also their resilience and capability of organising themselves and their community.

I think the most amazing encounter we had was when I approached a man and started talking to him. While talking to him we figured out he was the pastor of the local pygmie church. A humble man with a passionate heart for the Lord - it was a shock to all of us when we figured out he did not even have a bible. What a man to live out a calling using the little he has in his hands, leading a church and sunday services without an own bible! We invited him to join a local pastors meeting, where we were invited to speak and preach the next day. To have a pygmie pastor join a pastor gathering was a miracle on its own. God spirit was moving and touched many hearts - the many stories I could keep on telling are testimonies of what we experienced there.

My prayer is for God to continue his works also through the ministry of Jonni and Fahamu and continue with His plan to draw His people closer to Him and unite them in unity.

We are now back in Bukavu. Matthew has received many invitations to preach and speak at local youth groups and churches. The place where we are living has turned into a place where many people come visit us, share their stories, talk about life, eat together and share life with one another.

If I am not accompanying Matthew I am busy collecting footage for our documentary "Congo-The Place I Call Home". Together with Prince, another faithful and dedicated friend of mine, we travel places around town and collect precious insights into life in the DRC.

The next week we are planning to visit Goma - friends, family and build up connections with associations.

Thank you for again for your interest, your friendship and support. When life is overwhelming, the thought that so many are backing us up here in prayer and are behind us keeps us going. 

We are together - "Nous sommes ensemble" - this is the way Congolese people say good by to manifest togetherness.

Greetings to all of you, 

your friend Pappy