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.

Post 1: Congo

Hey guys. I'm in Congo, and God is doing amazing things here.... more later...

Jared with children in Jiangyou (after distribution of milk drink boxes)

Devastation in Jiangyou.

Deyang Hospital – all patients located outside the hospital due to structural damage to the hospital building and fear of aftershocks

China Relief

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Hello to all from China, thank you for all the prayers they are much needed. We have been to many earthquake sites, and I have had the privilege of holding hands, and listening to many stories. Currently there are 4.9 million people who are homeless, 69 thousand confirmed dead 19 thousand missing and as it continues to rain it is causing flooding and mudslides. Today I heard from someone whose daughter was trapped under the rubble of the school building for 2 days, in order to get her out they had to amputate both of her legs. So many children died at that school site, this community grieves for those lost and injured.

I also met and held the broken wrist of an older woman who was trapped under her house for days. Despite her many injuries and the obvious physical pain she was in, she could not thank us enough for coming by and all she wanted was to make us lunch. I have been forever impacted by this sweet and unselfish woman. Please keep her in your prayers as all she has left is the stove she prepared lunch for us on, and is sleeping under a plastic tent.

The government here has done an amazing job in response to the earthquake. They are well organized and have mobilized the military, police, and municipal leaders who all provide to the immediate needs such as; housing, (tents) food, and medical needs. In addition to their government, they are working with many groups to provide service. Phoenix is the first US city allowed in to help, and as I delivered the message of love from Arizona it meant so much to them. They very much appreciate the help and cherish the sister city relationship of over 20 years with the city of Phoenix. As I read a personal handwritten note from Mayor Phil Gordon, on behalf of the people of Phoenix, and a note from Governor Janet Napalitano, they realized they are not alone.

As I am getting ready to leave China, seeing as we have done our assessment and delivered the first monetary gift to help in relief efforts, the image of these strong, kind and brave people are burned into my memory. It is so important that they realize they are not alone in this process and although we have never met them, we love them and want to help.

China & Myanmar Relief

Thank you so much to all of you who have shown your compassionate hearts in caring for the hungry and hurting children and families in China and Myanmar. Please continue to keep these dear people in your prayers. So many have lost so much. Both of these disasters have produced thousands of orphans and widows. Millions have been left without homes and shelter - losing their possessions, their livelihoods, and in many cases, their hope. Let's show them that Arizona cares for them! Let's show them - much like when we reached out to the community of Meulaboh in the aftermath of the tsunami - that they are valued, that people they don't even know care for them and want to help them.

Many of you have asked about the impending trip to China. We have not received confirmation on a departure date, but the team is packed and ready to go at a moment's notice. I will let all of you know once I receive the news.

To learn more about Food for the Hungry's relief in China and Myanmar, you can click on the links above, select one of the blogs (FH Relief Blog, President Ben Homan's Blog) shown on this site or click on a banner to donate.

Blessings to you all!

Peggy

Update from Uganda

Hello from Africa. What an amazing trip it has been so far. The first 3 days we spent in Uganda visiting displacement camps. We saw so many families displaced as a result of the conflict. They were forced to move from their homes which had been in their families for generations, and forced to live in camps without clean water. They could only bring with them, what they could carry on their head. There is a lot of sickness due to infections and no medical care. I am so thankful for the work that Food for the Hungry is doing. They have provided water for hundreds of families, along with food, new schools, farming equipment, sanitary bathroom conditions and most importantly...Hope.

We also had the opportunity to spend time with some beautiful young ladies and their children at the child mother program, which is called the New Life Center. This center has 28 woman and girls who were victims of rape and tortured at the hands of the LRA. Some of them have contracted aids, and their children are HIV positive. This is an amazing holistic community that provides trauma counseling, medical attention, education and job training and placement. We heard a lot of stories, all of them hard. These women are incredibly strong and so determined.

I had the privilege of getting to know a beautiful young girl by the name of Lilly, who gave me permission to share her story. She was kidnapped by the LRA, raped and enslave for over 2 years. She had scars all over her body, and especially visible were the scars that did not show. Lilly has 2 children as a result of her captivity and is trying her best to heal from the extreme trauma. Please pray for Lilly, as she has a long road ahead of her. I am so thankful for the staff at Food for the Hungry in the New Life Center, as they are committed to walking along side Lilly and all the woman and children. May they continue show the face of a compassionate and loving savior by the way they serve and love them. Tomorrow we go the Rwanda, I will check back in as the available infrastructure provides. Blessings to all of you, and as you enjoy your glass of water, please remember how blessed you are. Peggy