Many may remember me writing about a project i am involved in a little while about, called “Women In Warzones: Sexual violence in the congo”. I just received an update letter from the team that is there now and thought i would pass it on to you all.
Greetings friends and family,
We have been in Congo for over a month now, it is hard to believe.
The trip has provided many blessings and hardships. We arrived in
Goma, DRC on May 31st after two days of traveling. In Goma, we stayed
with Jo and Lyn Lusi, who were a tremendous blessing to us. They run
a clinic in Goma called DOCS (aka Heal Africa), which cares for women
who have been victims of sexual violene. They also have many programs
with the women which help them re-establish them in the community – a
truly amazing place doing great ministry for the weary and broken
women of Congo. Visit their website at www.healafrica.org.  We are
encouraged by all they are doing. Perhaps we can work on a project
with them…Â At DOCS, We met many women, heard horrific stories, and
were encouraged by the strength and joy of women despite their
situation. They seem to understand Paul’s letter to the
Phillipians…content no matter the circumstance…
Also, while in Goma, I (Brad) picked up a souvenir called Parasites.
Here’s what happened:Â our first day, there was some water which I
thought had been boiled, yet had some floaties. Scott and Melanie
discouraged me from drinking it, but I was thirsty and stubborn. So,
four days later I had “many parasites in the abdomen,” which is what
the doctor at DOCS told me. I was so sick that I was throwing up
water,but I was very blessed to be in the care of DOCS. Once I
recovered, we headed to Bukavu.
We took a boat from Goma to Bukavu via lake Kivu, about three hours.
Since we arrived here in Bukavu we have been staying in the guest
house at the Panzi Hospital, which is for visiting doctors. Because
they don’t have any visiting doctors right now, and Melanie contacted
them beforehand, they have allowed us to stay for a very low price for
our whole time here! This is perfect for us because it allows us to
be close to the women at the hospital. The Lord has truly charted the
path ahead of us (psalm 139). Thank you for your prayers.
The first week here in Bukavu we were just trying to understand the
process of the hospital: from receiving patients to sending them back
to their villages.  Organizations like Doctors without Borders and
UNICEF (UN) help transport the women to and from their villages by
airplane. Many areas connot by traveled by road. The hospital also
runs an extensive operation in partnership with clinics in the
surrounding villages to bring the women for treatment by amubulance.
The hospital has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. Panzi
Hospital, like DOCS, is also a pillar of hope for many in this region.
They are a general hospital, but have a special program for women who
are victims of sexual violence. On a calender in our guest house,
there is a painting of a women and the words, “My last hope, the
fistula hopital”. Many women here, who have had fistulas, are
rejected by there husbands and families…it is very sad and twisted
that victims are rejected, rather than comforted and supported. Yet,
it is encouraging to know that some families are supportive of victims
and there is a great effort here, especially in the Christian
community, to stop ostracizing women who are victims.
Through a friend in Philadelphia, we were introduced to a man here in
Bukavu named Joel Holm, who works for Food for the Hungry (FHI). He
and FHI have been a tremendous blessing. He helped us find an
interpreter and has been very supportive in what we’re doing.
We have been in Bukavu city some, but mostly at Panzi Hospital (still
part of ‘Bukavu’ but 15 minutes out of town). It’s good though,
because its hard to be in public without drawing attention. There are
a small number of white people here (called “Mzungu” in Swahili), so
wherever we go, we start a small parade of children chanting “Mzungu”
or “Bazungu”, the plural of Mzungu. It is often unnerving, but they
are just curious children who have only seen white people on TV. Some
babies cry with terror in their eyes.
We have met a woman here named Helene (pronounced Elane), who we’ve
been focusing on. She has welcomed us into her life and been
supportive of our goal. Please pray that we could effectively tell
her story.  There is another girl named Bijoux (pronounced Beju), who
is a friend of Helene, and we’ve also been documenting her. She just
had her second surgery for fistula last Wednesday. Please pray that
the Lord would heal her and comfort her during recovery.
Please pray that we would continue the task the Lord has set before us
with much determination and diligence, despite many hardships. Our
memory verse for the trip has been, “rejoice in your suffereings…”
(romans 5:1-5). Please pray that the women here would rejoice in the
hope of the glory of God. please pray that we would rejoice in our
sufferings, though they are small compared to the women here at the
hospital. Please pray for the elections coming up, that they would
bring peace and stability in such a large and unstable country.
There are many things we would like to share, but they must wait
another few weeks. I look forward to partnering with all of you as
advocates for the people (esp. the women) of Congo. Please pray for
us, we can do nothing apart from Him who leads us. We look forward to
your fellowship soon. Warmly,
Brad, Scott, and Melanie
