Democratic Republic of Congo

Greetings from the Democratic Republic of Congo!  We are beginning our third round of conferences.  So many people have walked miles to be here every day.  As being reported on the news in the U.S., the rape and oppression of woman is off the charts.  So many are children, and they are in need of hope.  They so appreciate the trauma and abuse seminars, and the workbooks that are a pathway to healing.  There are many NGOs who are attending the conference. Over 38.  As they have been trained in relief, many have not been trained in the extreme trauma of rape.  I am so thankful to see them here.  We have seen many documentaries on the Rape of Congo, but what I have experienced these last 2 weeks is hope.  We are empowering the leaders to lead with integrity and recognize that evil has become apart of warfare here.  On Sunday Dan (check out his blog) who has served the U.S. well, not only overseas for 5 years, but also here in Congo.  Dan had the opportunity to speak to the military leaders, and encouraged them to think of their Mothers Sisters Daughters when they come into contact with woman, children in and out of warfare.  As a result of Dan’s seminar we now have a direct link to the governor of Congo.  Who has invited me back to moderate a seminar between the leaders of Goma, Beni, Butembo, Bunia, inviting them to unite as they rebuild, and have the opportunity to show the world their strength and commitment to the healing and empowering woman and children.  That’s hope. 

We have also been blessed to be with woman and children who have gone through tremendous abuse and begin a micro-business program.  We have had over 60 woman sign up.  They will be learning business principles, marketing, and most importantly self-sufficiency.  As they were signing up, they were so filled with hope they cried, and they danced.

It has been such a blessing to be at the new university that so many of you have supported.  Thank you.  Besides providing for excellent, unconventional education, it is a  place of conflict resolution where leaders from all over the region feel safe and empowered to speak and find solutions other than violence.

I will be sending another up-date, but as you can see by the few I have mentioned, I am so humbled to be apart of what is going on in Congo, and I am off to the next amazing conference.