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 women 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. While 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 a part of warfare here. On Sunday Dan (check out his blog), who has served the U.S. well, not only overseas, and 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. He 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 women and children who have gone through tremendous abuse and begin a micro-business program. We have had over 60 women 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 update, but as you can see by the few I have mentioned, I am so humbled to be a part of what is going on in Congo, and I am off to the next amazing conference...
4 comments:
Hey buddy, it's good to hear what is going on in the Congo and I can not wait to hang out in Uganda and hear about it. I get back from Jinja on Saturday or Sunday. Give me call.
My Dear Peggy and Team,
Thank you for the reports of the amazing work God is doing in the lives of our Congo brothers and sisters. I can hardly wait until you get home and can give a more complete report.
Love and continued prayers,
Janet Martin
Peggy,
Thank you for your amazing heart and commitment to the marginalized. Kay and I love hearing the incredible stories from across the globe. Dan's presentation to the military leaders must have been powerful, I wish I could have been there for it. Know that you are in our hearts and prayers daily; we love you.
luke and kayla
Daniel, I really loved that blog from Peggy, she is so good at describing the atmosphere in the DRC. You are with an amazing team. How God chooses the right people to be together for good. There is no humanly way that any one person or persons could have placed each one of you in that area of the world at such a critical time. You all deserve so many blessings after what you have witnessed and experienced. We continue to pray for you. On another note, I tried to call Scott, but his phone was off, I will continue to try and make contact. I hope to talk with him soon by phone. So Daniel, do you think that God could use mom and I, Lisa and Tim as small team, in DRC? Anything is possible, right!!!! I want to thank your team for doing a fantastic service over there. Oh, how I miss Africa. I am e-mailing my luggage to Beni at this time and then myself shortly afterwards, so see you soon. Love to all of you.
Peter
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