We have just finished visiting clinic at the edge of Goma, where we will work tomorrow. Let me bring you up to date. We made it into the DRC on Friday afternoon. The HEAL Africa guest house has been our home the last few days, as we wait to get final word on our projects. I had no idea that humanitarian aid is so bogged down in governmental red tape, turf wars, all the while the people in need are left unattended. MTI hopes to be the NGO awarded the camp called Mubungo 3. This is a IDP camp with approximately 20,000 displaced persons with no health care, shelter, food and water. MTI hopes to provide the health portion of this project but we are in "competition" with other NGOs. Humantarian aide is big business. So we wait patiently, trying to meet with the right people, organize our supplies, and secure what we are lacking.
I have met some incredible people already on this journey. Joe DiCarlo, with MTI met us when we arrived in the DRC. He had been working on assessing the needs and what role MTI would play. What an incredible story he has! In the 1980's, he was a bible smuggler, living in Austria, smuggling bibles into Russia. He and a fellow Christian would drive a specially equipped car over the border, with bibles stored in a secret compartment in the trunk. One trip, they were questioned at the border, the car was stripped of parts for 6 hours and eventually they found the bibles. Joe and his partner were taken in for interrogation for 18 hours. Joe spoke Russsian, but did not let them know this. Each time they would question him, he would tell them about the Gospel and what Christ did for them. One young man that Joe remembers well was Igor. He was 21 and believed that he needed nothing the Bible had to offer. Joe talked with him, and just encouraged Igor to take a Bible and read it. Joe was finally released, never knowing what happened to the Bibles. One year later, another person from Joe's group was caught at the border of Russia, smuggling in Bibles. He went through a similar experience with interrogation. After he was released, he returned to the hotel where he was awaked at 3:00 in the morning. It was Igor, thanking them for the Bible and his new life in Christ.
So far, we have felt very safe. UN tanks are around, government soldiers have a presence in Goma, but no fighting that we have heard of lately. Each morning there is a security briefing with the UN, we plan to attend tomorrow. We hope to get permission to travel north to a camp that has no help and has an outbreak of Cholera. Please pray that doors will be opened so the people may be served. It is frustrating to "hurry up and wait' when there is so much need.
Oh yes, the highlight of yesterday was attending church service at HEAL africa. A choir of women, who are all survivors of sexual assault and surgical fistula repair sang. Their beautiful, sweet voices, praising God, was an experience I hope is seared in my memory. What a testimony to the resilience and hope of the human spirit when they have the love of God in their hearts. It was such a blessing to witness, inspiring.
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4 comments:
Oh,my! The miles that separate us are so small compared to the reality that separates my safe, untroubled little life here in Missouri from the lives you are witnessing there. My heart goes out to all the beautiful ladies in the church choir and the thousands like them in Africa. I am amazed at the bravery and faith of Dr. Joe! Lisa, I know you and your team will get to go exactly where you are needed most no matter which village or camp it ends up being. Stay safe! Love you.
"I have met some incredible people already on this journey. Joe DiCarlo, with MTI met us when we arrived in the DRC. He had been working on assessing the needs and what role MTI would play. What an incredible story he has! In the 1980's, he was a bible smuggler, living in Austria, smuggling bibles into Russia. He and a fellow Christian would drive a specially equipped car over the border, with bibles stored in a secret compartment in the trunk. One trip, they were questioned at the border, the car was stripped of parts for 6 hours and eventually they found the bibles. Joe and his partner were taken in for interrogation for 18 hours. Joe spoke Russsian, but did not let them know this. Each time they would question him, he would tell them about the Gospel and what Christ did for them. One young man that Joe remembers well was Igor. He was 21 and believed that he needed nothing the Bible had to offer. Joe talked with him, and just encouraged Igor to take a Bible and read it. Joe was finally released, never knowing what happened to the Bibles. One year later, another person from Joe's group was caught at the border of Russia, smuggling in Bibles. He went through a similar experience with interrogation. After he was released, he returned to the hotel where he was awaked at 3:00 in the morning. It was Igor, thanking them for the Bible and his new life in Christ."
That is awesome. I cannot even imagine what it must be like to be persecuted in the biggest form of the word. Just to think we won't even walk across the room, and persons in other countries daily risk their lives to spread the gospel. Awesome.
Wow!! It sounds like you have met some amazing people. It was great to hear from you. Mia's told everyone her Nana is helping boo boos : ) We love you and miss you bunches! We can't wait to hear about the work God has done through you and your team. He is amazing and will do awesome things through you all.
Hi Lisa,
I was reading your post and I got a call with some great news, but I don't know if I should broadcast it to the world. Do you have a email address that I can write to you?
The wait to get to work must be horrible. All of those people to help and you seem stuck in red tape. I love hearing about the people you are meeting. Please write often.
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