Club Congo

This month, Project 58 is launching a new initiative – Club Congo. Club Congo is a group of runners and walkers that have a heart for the Democratic Republic of Congo and want to see an end to the suffering happening there. We come together to run and advocate for those that cannot stand up for themselves. We are “running for THEIR lives.”

For more information, visit the Club Congo blog.

Taking the Initiative from the Actors of Violence

Here is a blog post from Cliff Kindy of Christian Peacemaker Teams, describing the work that Christians are doing throughout Congo to promote peace.  He specifically mentions the work that World Relief is doing in North Kivu to unite denominations and tribes.

Full blog post is here.

“Manna from Heaven”

Here is a January 2 press release from World Relief detailing the relief work that has begun in the Rutshuru area, specifically delivering aid packages to 260 vulnerable families. 

Let us continue to pray for these churches and pastors as they seek God in this time of desperate need.

The full press release is available here.

World Relief Next – Video

Please click this link, watch the video and then check out World Relief’s new website.

Video – Click Here

Project 58 – Christmas Cards

FMC recently commissioned some teens in DRCongo through our partnership with World Relief to create some amazing greeting and Christmas Cards. It’s our attempt to provide additional ways for the congregation to get involved and stay informed.

These cards are amazing. The story behind these cards is a testimony for the Congolese committment to stay strong and persevere. Through relationship that World Relief Congo’s staff has with local teens, they have created a fair trade program to provide living wages for these teens to help out their families.

The most amazing part of this project is the fact that in the midst of the recent turmoil, fighting and war, these kids were able to complete the 2,500 card order we asked for on time.

If you would like to make a suggested $20 donation for 8 Christmas themed cards, we could make that happen. Email fmccongo@gmail.com if interested.

World Relief Website

Friends..

Here is a link to World Relief’s response to the DRC crisis and a way for you to get involved directly with the organization and their efforts. WR is a great organization and has been operating in the North Kivu region since 2002. Two WR staff members have died in the past few weeks due to the conflict.

Click on the image to be directed.

Official World Relief Press Release

Here is an official press release given by World Relief in response to the situation in DRCongo.

Congo in Crisis:  Fighting Uproots 100,000 to 200,000.
Dear Joe,

I am emailing you to request prayer and action for the situation in Eastern Congo.
The situation in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is rapidly deteriorating.

As of July 2008, there were 800,000 Congolese displaced in North Kivu  from their homes and villages …approximately 1.5 million in all of DRC. Now the number is soaring even higher.

Violence between rebels and government troops has flared in recent weeks, despite a peace agreement.  In eastern DRC, another 100,000 people have been uprooted in the last month alone with another 100,000 possible in the coming weeks.

Earlier this week, the BBC quoted rebel troops stating that Goma would be targeted, where World Relief’s operations are based.

“I don’t know what is going to happen,” said one aid worker, “but I think that Goma is going to fall.”

Right now, the situation in Goma is incredibly tense, with many Congolese upset at the inability of the United Nations peacekeeping force to protect them.  The 17,000-strong force has been unable to halt the violence in a region that has already been devastated by two different civils wars in the past decade.

Getting food and other urgent aid to millions affected by the violence has been impossible. One UN representative estimated only half the most vulnerable population have been reached, placing thousands at risk.

Congo has suffered over 5 million excess deaths in the past 12 years – an onslaught headed by malnutrition and disease spurred on by the conflict.

World Relief Plans Response

In the middle of the current crisis, World Relief is looking to get food, clothing, shelter and other vital supplies into the hands of uprooted families.
Safety protocol is being monitored. Paul Rebman, our Disaster Response Director, along with Maurice Omollo, Congo Country Director, Sam Fergusson, Managing Director of our microfinance institution, and their respective teams are closely monitoring the situation and leading our staff.  Jean Paul Ndagijimana and Phil Smith are advising and supporting along with others.

Internally Displaced People (IDP) and refugee families need shelter, kitchen utensils, blankets, clothing and food. Many are arriving in Goma carrying nothing of their possessions.  However, a number have been locked in their territories as fighting continues as they cannot move to areas of safety.

In partnership with local churches in and around the town of Goma, World Relief is preparing to provide targeted assistance to 3,000 families. This assistance may include temporary shelter materials, cooking kits, blankets, clothing, and a month’s supply of food, depending on the needs of the family.

Please Respond Too
PRAY:Please join me in praying for the people of the Congo, including those who are fleeing and affected by the fighting.  Prayer is our primary response at World Relief.We especially request prayer for our staff, particularly our national staff who are choosing to remain in Goma.
Finally, let’s pray for immediate and long term peace in Eastern Congo. Such peace and stability is essential for the Congo, a country that has endured suffering for so many years.
If you choose to pray as a bible study, prayer meeting, or church, I would suggest using the 10th Psalm to guide you.

GIVE:

World Relief is preparing to provide targeted assistance to 3,000 families.  Your gifts directly enable us to respond.

Each gift of $144 provides to one household the following:

• One Non-Food Item KIT: typically includes pots and pans, soap, blanket, tarp, jerry can for water;

• One Food KIT: a month’s supply of food including staples like rice, corn, flour, and oil;

• Essential security, transportation, and logistical costs for delivery.

YOU CAN HELP!  Any gift amount can make a difference. Click here <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001YmwKtc6RPvb7G6e94YfezMcNi36qzw4sCosPnWigzbrAL1m3D0VkTPfGz3L7BodySuvs8__VQgAnTaxmaEwNi0Rrz_XtMB8GOuXDQqh_oJ8c-GZLQA_BNOpE1VINr0ZdzCrJRmapIiegj8y_oicfyA==> for convenient, swift contributions.Thank you and God bless you.

Blessings,

Craig Pixley
Midwest Church Relations Director

Fighting hampers relief aid in North Kivu

As a result of continuing fighting and generalized insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, delivery of relief assistance to vulnerable populations has been seriously impeded. In particular, a string of attacks on vehicles belonging to humanitarian organizations and looting of humanitarian aid have forced humanitarian aid workers to reduce movements of personnel and goods drastically.

Full article is here.

Continue to pray for the safety of the World Relief Congo staff, as they serve the people of North Kivu.

July/August Team’s Trip Slideshow

Here is a photo slideshow of the team’s trip to DRC in late July and early August. This video was made up of a variety of people’s photos.

For more pictures from the trip, visit the Project 58 Photo Gallery here…..