Thoughts from Entebbe

As my trip is winding down it becomes increasingly difficult to put my thoughts into words. I am excited to get back home, however my heart aches for my friends in Africa that I will have to say goodbye to in a few short days. I am in Entebbe at the most beautiful guest house in the midst of an amazing rain storm. The last few days in Congo have been filled with hope. On Thursday I spent time with the precious women of "Grace Place". Grace Place is a women's business co-op that was formed last July. This is one example of the very positive response to the Mending the Soul conference that took place earlier this year. Many women and children that were once seen as damaged goods and forced to live in prostitution camps have been welcomed back home and taken in by their communities. They meet three times a week to work on micro-business projects such as: soap making, sewing, jewelry making, greeting cards, etc.
They also continue to receive trauma counseling and work together to build self-confidence. My time with these women was filled with dancing, singing, and sharing. I was able to see their commitment to restoration as they spoke not only about the pain they have experienced, but the hope they hold onto. They are beginning to see themselves not as society sees them, but as daughters of a King who loves them so much that He knows everything about them. They see themselves as business women and discuss aspects of market analysis and supply and demand. Thank you so much to all of you who believed in these women and have committed to walk along side of them. They are clear evidence of the healing power that is found in Jesus Christ.

Continue to hope!

Peggy

News from Congo

Today we drove to one of my favorite communities in this region known as Oicha. On the way I saw many UN patrols for the first time. The patrol cars were armed with gunmen on the top as the UN tries to maintain a presence during this difficult time. Many families have been forced from their homes. They ride their bikes for miles, taking only the belongings they can carry on their backs. The displaced people are being taken in by churches and communities, this way they will not be forced into IDP camps. This is not the only way that people here demonstrate their strength, they refuse to give up.

Today David took me to meet the new mayor; What a pleasure it was to encourage him in this time of turmoil. He seems to be a great leader and is focused on serving with integrity. Later in the day I went to visit the justice courts and the magistrates. As you can imagine, I had many questions about the protection of woman and children against violence. I was able to speak to five different judges and respectfully challenge their laws. They asked if we might have another discussion on Thursday to go into more detail on this issue. This is very exciting. I pray that I will remember the words of so many woman and children that have recounted to me the horror of what has happened to them. I will never forget their faces, as I see them in my dreams.

With love,
Peggy

Update from Africa

Hi everyone!

This is Peggy's daughter Jenny writing with news I've received from those in the DRC. My mom has been filled with joy as she is surrounded by familiar faces and new friends. She sends her love to everyone and wants you all to know that your support and prayers are greatly impacting the community and university. I had a laugh when she said that the women had recently taught her how to hand wash her clothes and how unexpectedly difficult it was.

On a much heavier note, the people of the DRC are continually dealing with threats and actions of rebel militias. I have recieved some eye witness accounts of things happening in the Congo from Paul Robinson, a member of the team now serving in Congo. Please forgive any missing information as part of my email seemed to be cut off.

Paul writes the following:
"...the blue skies, the spectacular Rwenzoni mountains on the other side of the valley, an afternoon rainbow to the northeast, and a cooling afternoon breeze belie some growing tensions here in northeast Congo. You've probably seen on BBC that a militia group has resurfaced south of Bunia, and a few days 'terrorized' the outskirts of Bunia. Today the buzz on the cellphones is that the Congo army is so overstretched responding to Nkunda's activities around Goma, and the LRA activities around Dungu, that this militia is testing the authorities. The news today is that this group attacked and have 'captured' Nyankunde. David just talked to the President of Shalom University in Bunia, and the reports are true, but not as ominous as this may sound. There was no gun battle, and one person only died-a heart attack from fear I guess (though that is bad enough). MONUC is gathering troops in Bunia to respond, but of course, the militia will disappear before they can show up. Rumors are that this militia is under the authority/control (or at least influence and financial support) of Laurent Nkunda, of Goma, who has recently vowed to 'liberate' Congo. Nkunda is supported by Rwanda. There's also suspicion that the LRA activity might be being coordinated with Nkunda to stretch the capacity of the government forces in the region (which it is doing)."

Paul also sends word about the truly awesome efforts of the young faculty at UCBC to provide the best education they can to students at the university. They are not only interested in educating students in subject matter, but truly desire to transform lives. Despite having limited resources and teaching materials the energetic faculty presses on to learn new teaching techniques that will engage their students.

I encourage you to pray for the faculty at the university and the situation in the DRC. Brothers and sisters all over the world are facing tremendous hardship and continue to look heavenward as they put their hope in Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord, for He is good.

Hello Friends,

The trip has begun! I am on my way to visit our brothers and sisters in the DRC, Congo. I am waiting in London on an eight hour layover and then will continue the journey to Africa. The time cannot pass quickly enough as I am so excited to love on our friends. Please continue to pray for our friends in Congo as rebel warfare continues to engulf the country. Just a few days ago the rebels seized the local airport. Thanks to the UN peace keepers the airport is no longer under rebel control. The wonderful people of Congo continue to press forward and strive for peace and reconciliation. We can only hope that it comes soon.

During my trip we will be celebrating the second year of CBUC, a University of excellence. The enrollment opened at 4o students, grew to 90, and they will open this academic year with 300 students! Thanks to your generosity and support the school has a computer lab and many student programs essential to attaining sustainability. Many of the students were traveling far away from home and making many sacrifices for the opportunity at an education, one sacrifice included going without food. As a result, the school now has a lunch program. CBUC also has a women's resource center. They provide women and children with the business skills they need to achieve success and economic empowerment. Many of these women have survived hardship after hardship and are now able to provide for their families. They have access to sewing machines, computers, garden tillers, beads and much more all provided with love from you! There is also an organic farming project in the works focused on achieving sustainability. Many of the business majors are working on micro-business projects to help make the university self-sustainable. As you can see it is a hard yet exciting time for the Congolese. Continue to remain hopeful and each time you turn on your faucet and see water, remember, you are blessed! I will keep you posted as technology allows.

Peace is Possible,

Peggy

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)