Congo Blog

Thank you for being a friend of this blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:50:00 +0000

I just wanted to let our visitors know that we have decided not to renew this domain name when it expires on October 18. Our church (Elim Evangelical Free in Puyallup, WA) is continuing its interest in and focus upon ministry to the Ubangi Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, we have decided that we can do that most effectively from our own website. (We may continue to post to this blog, but if so the URL will change to the free one provided by our blogging engine, http://ElimCongo.blogspot.com.)

If anyone reading this is interested in obtaining this domain name, who will use it for a good purpose, please send me a comment (as a response to this posting) with your contact information, and let me know. (I will keep your contact info private.) But you'll need to do it by about October 15. After October 18, we incur an $80 service fee if for any reason we try to rescue this domain name from the holding place (where they will keep it for 30 days). After that, it goes back on the open market and will probably be snatched up quickly by a domain name broker.

Thanks! And thanks for reading our blog. For news about our ministry in the Congo, after October 18, 2010 please check our website: http://www.ElimEFC.com/.

Sponsorship Started in India!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:49:00 +0000

Reprinted from today's Global Fingerprints newsletter ...

1,194 and Counting!

Exciting news! 1,188 Congolese orphans and 6 children in Kolkata, India are sponsored. Tell your friends about GlobalFingerprints! Thank you for your ongoing partnership!

Pleased to Announce: India!

GlobalFingerprints is pleased to announce the opening of Kolkata (Calcutta), India as its second sponsorship area! Over 250 children under the age of 10 from the slums of Kokata are awaiting sponsorship. The cost? $25 per month. Sponsorship funds go toward providing education, tuition, uniforms, shoes, books, medical care, nutritional support and emotional and social support through the local church.
To learn more, watch this video: GlobalFingerprints: India

Sponsor a child in India: www.globalfingerprints.org/sponsorship.

Two Friends in Congo…

by Mandaba, GlobalFingerprints communications coordinator

One day as we made our visit to Libenge region to meet sponsored orphans, I met two young girls who are very good friends and in our program. They are Hester and Saboko. They were waiting for us to bring their brand new shoes, love kits (more information on Touch of Love Care Kits can be found online) and other things.

I first had a talk with Hester and I questioned her on a few things relating to her life. She’s now 14 years old and in a family of all girls. The girls have lost both parents. All are staying with their elder sister. When the parents died, life was very difficult for this family. Hester tried to sell a few items like bread and peanuts in order to pay for school and to survive. When she became sponsored, life changed for her. She is studying very well and her desire is to finish school. Her family is so happy and thanks the GlobalFingerprints program that is helping many Congolese orphans who are really in terrible situations.

My second talk was with Saboko who is 16. She is the last of 4 children in her family living at home. She was living in a polygamous family and her mom was always being beaten by her dad. Sometime she was living with another relative. When her father died, life became very difficult for them. Her mom started working and receives a salary of about $7a month. This couldn’t help them to survive. When GlobalFingerprints program came to their region, she was selected to enter the program. Now that she is sponsored, she says that, “ I have seen many changes in my life, health and my studies. I want to thank my sponsor and the GFP program for everything.” Now she is in high school and her desire also is to continue to obtain her diploma.

Heart Health Prayer Need

Continue to pray for healing and the best treatment for Mama Lopango, Congo program manager who is struggling with heart problems and is in need of a pacemaker. Surgery possibilities have been found in both Cameroon and South Africa, since this procedure is not performed in Congo.

Training Supervisors to Meet Deep Spiritual Needs

by Rachel Martin, Congo program director
As you all know, through GlobalFingerprints we meet medical and educational needs of orphans. But we are always praying that our Congolese supervisors will know how to help meet the deep spiritual needs of these kids, beginning with introducing them to God who loves them and sent His Son to die for them. So, we are very excited about a training that is happening in Congo the first week of August for our GF supervisors and Sunday School teachers. The purpose: to equip them to better teach God’s Word to children. The ministry “Kids Around the World” is partnering with us, their director coming to Congo to lead the training. In a country with almost no electricity and little or no materials to work with, teaching the Bible to kids can be challenging. Kids Around the World has beautiful flannel graph materials that go through the stories of Jesus, as well as Old Testament stories such as creation, Noah, Abraham, Joseph. The training includes all GF supervisors, as well as approximately 50 Sunday School teachers. They will be taught how to take a Bible story and make it applicable to the lives of the children.

I will be joining them for this practical and so valuable training. The materials thus far have been purchased through the GlobalFingerprints VBS 2010 project from churches across the US. Our goal is to raise $50,000. We welcome your gift towards purchasing one of these flannel kits (about $80 per kit), together with Lingala Bibles (about $10 per Bible) for our sponsored orphans as they finish elementary school and enter high school. Donate to 2010 VBS Project online.
Please pray that this seminar will greatly help in teaching God’s Word to Congolese orphans.

Previous Newsletters

To read previous newsletters and for updated program information, visit www.efca.org/globalfingerprints

GlobalFingerprints is a ministry of EFCA TouchGlobal. Visit TouchGlobal at www.touchglobal.org for information on how lives are touched and hope is found, across the country, around the world, every day.

Living With AIDS

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:32:00 +0000

Reprinted from the most recent GlobalFingerprints newsletter ...

The translation of his name into English seems odd to the Western ear. “Bolingo” means love. “Dadokolo” means bad luck. Bolingo Dadokolo is an 8 year old little boy whose father died before Bolingo was born. Three months after his birth, Bolingo’s mother died. He was left in the care of his 78 year old grandmother.

Pastor Deolo, HIV/AIDS Coordinator of the Congolese Free Church/Congo, shares about Bolingo:

“He suffered from a chronic cough and scabies that covered his body. His grandmother tried many traditional medicines to find a solution to his health problems. She also tried a recurring prayer time for the Bolingo in hopes it would chase out any evil spirits of death and sickness. Nothing helped. Bolingo continued to suffer with his varying illnesses.

At the urging of Kamolo, the CECU (the Congolese Free Church) supervisor for the GlobalFingerprints program, Kamolo and I went to visit Bolingo and his grandmother. After praying with them, I asked if Bolingo had ever been taken to the hospital. His grandmother said she didn't have the money to pay for a hospital visit.

Kamolo and I decided to take Bolingo to the city of Gemena where he could receive treatment at the church health center. After the initial examination, the nurse gave him a prescription for Cotrimozole, an antibiotic that helps prevent infection.

Because of his poor health, the nurse also decided to do some lab exams. Bolingo was found to be HIV positive. The diagnosis enabled him to get treatment at the government hospital. Thanks to the antibiotic Cotrim, his cough has disappeared. For the present, Bolingo is well. Glory to God!”

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are at least 43,000 children who live with AIDS. The children can be infected at birth, during breastfeeding, through a blood transfusion, use of contaminated needles or because of rape. Hundreds of thousands of children there have lost both parents from AIDS. In February, a seminar was held at Tandala Hospital to train 300 traditional midwives in prevention of HIV transmission from mother to baby. This training will help save babies from AIDS while bringing glory to God the Father as the Congolese Church serves their villages. Pray for great impact from the training and work of the Congolese Church with the children and HIV/AIDS needs of the country.

RACHEL'S UPDATE

Rachel is visiting the Congo April 6-May 15, Rachel hopes to talk with many of the sponsored children to learn what happened to them during the recent uprising. Pray for Rachel and the GlobalFingerprints staff as they work together with the GlobalFingerprints supervisors to visit the children.

UNREST UPDATE

We are very thankful to report that the fighting in the broader Dongo area southwest of Tandala has completely subsided. As of last week, all GlobalFingerprints orphans have been accounted for in the Dongo Region, where the fighting during the uprising was the heaviest. The Congolese are still waiting to get an account for those in the region called Imesse. The people there fled as refugees and have not returned. Rachel will be meeting with the rest of the supervisors on Friday and Saturday. They are hoping to get word about the supervisor and the children in Imesse. Thank you for praying!

CHALLENGE YOUTH CONFERENCE RED BACKPACK PROJECT

In June, 7,000 high school students from all around the U.S will converge at the Challenge Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio. One of the ministry outreach opportunities for students this year is the GlobalFingerprints Red Backpack Project.
Students have the opportunity to make 5,000 Red Backpacks to send to every GlobalFingerprints orphan in the Congo, the children to be sponsored at the India launch site, and to children orphaned in Haiti’s earthquake.
On-site volunteers are needed in Columbus, Ohio. For more information: http://www.globalfingerprints.org/challenge-conference-red-backpack-project

THANK YOU!

We thank God for our partners like you who have joined us to be the fingerprint of Christ in the lives of these children. Thank you for your prayers and support.

From today's Global Fingerprints newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:23:00 +0000

Congo: On The Ground Status Update

GlobalFingerprints continues to grow, praise God! Together we are sponsoring 1,048 children in the Congo. Imagine how the sponsorship changes each child’s life — they are valued, and are cared for and belong to their village community. They study and learn about the love of Jesus. Being sponsored is truly an incredible blessing to each child!
Life has returned to normal for most of the Congolese sponsored children after the recent uprising over fishponds. There are three regions where many people are still living in the garden and forest areas: Dongo, Kungu and Tandala. Pray that the GlobalFingerprints supervisors will be able to locate all of the children in these regions in the next month.

Honorine's Story

A story that repeats itself over and over again in Africa is that of parents dying and grandparents becoming parents again, as they care for their grandchildren. As one of the sponsored orphans, Honorine is just such a child. She was born in Gemena in 1998. At three years old her mother died. Honorine’s father’s family took her in, but she was sick and very malnourished.

When her grandmother realized that Honorine was not healthy she decided to care for her. A lonely widow, Honorine’s grandma was very old. She struggled to feed Honorine. She could not afford to send Honorine to school. Every morning she’d go to the garden to look for food to sell and eat, but what she could find was not sufficient.

When the GlobalFingerprints program started, there was a great need to select which children would be sponsored. Honorine’s grandmother was in church when the news about needing to select children was shared with the Congo churches. She talked with the local committee and Honorine was selected due to the difficulty her grandmother was facing to provide for her. After a few months in the sponsorship program, her supervisor noticed Honorine’s health was still not improving, so he chose to take her to his house where she still lives.

Today Honorine is 12 years old. She’s been in the GlobalFingerprints program since November 2006, sponsored by the Women’s Ministry of the United Church of Sumner in Sumner, Nebraska. For the past three years Honorine’s life has changed in many different respects. Where she couldn’t attend school due to her grandmother’s poverty, she now studies with other children. She’s in third grade and making good progress. She’s healthy now because anytime she’s sick, GlobalFingerprints provides her the opportunity to go to the clinic for treatment. She also benefits from the nutritional gifts given through the program. Her desire is to finish her studies and then learn to become a seamstress.

When I was talking with her she told me happily, “This program gave me a reason to hope in life.” She also shared she is praying for all the people who help children through GlobalFingerprints, as am I.

- Mandaba, for GlobalFingerprints in Congo

Honorine is one of the 1048 children in GlobalFingerprints whose life is being changed. Thank you for your commitment to profoundly impact a child’s future.

Sponsorship Update From GlobalFingerprints

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:44:00 +0000

1,019 Sponsored Orphans!

The goal of 1,000 sponsored orphans by January 1, 2010 was reached! Thank you for listening and responding to God. He tells us over and over in His Word that He loves, defends, and provides for the orphan. He asks us to do the same. That is what GlobalFingerprints is all about!

We are presently at 1,019 sponsored orphans and we are praying to have 1500 orphans sponsored by 6/30/2010. We believe that God has called specific people to sponsor each child, pray that God will provide sponsors who will love them, pray for them, and encourage them throughout the coming years. Would you be the link to tell others about GlobalFingerprints?

Update on Unrest in the Ubangi

Many of you have prayed for the situation in the area of Congo where GlobalFingerprints operates. Thank God the fighting has stopped. However, life is far from normal there.   As of last week, there are still 100,000 refugees that have crossed the border and are living in the neighboring country Congo Brazzaville. Pray that the Congolese Free Church could be a source of hope and life as the people return.

Our Congolese accountant for GlobalFingerprints sent this message last week:
   “Thanks to God that the war here is ending, because of God’s grace. We have heard from the Supervisor in the Dongo Region, who told us that there is much instability in the lives of the orphans. For some of the orphans, their caregiver has died. As children fled from the war, they were so afraid of soldiers and guns. For sure, many of our orphans have much more fear in their minds today. In Dongo, the Supervisor is still trying to find all of the orphans in GlobalFingerprints. It is the same in the Imesse Region, though that Supervisor has not yet been able to come to our office to give us a report. I ask myself, If it has been hard for children who have their parents, how hard must it be for our orphans? And for sure, once people return home, there will be even more orphans. In Mark 10, we see that Jesus loves the little ones. And they are an example of faith to us. Jesus said that He gives us peace. It is not like the world gives. That is my prayer for our orphans, that they would have peace that comes from Jesus.”

Schools right in Gemena have opened, and life is returning to normal. But all along the road, many people are still in hiding, fearing their own soldiers. There is also vandalism happening by groups of young people. As we receive detailed news about certain orphans that cannot be located, we will notify the sponsors.

How can you pray?
1.   Pray for all the orphans to be located and accounted for.
2.   Pray for emotional healing as many have faced much trauma.
3.   Pray for the safety of Program Manager, Lopango and Communications Director, Mandaba as they travel to the different regions to meet with supervisors and as many orphans as possible.
4.   Pray for more sponsors!

Valentine's Day Project

Visit our website and check out the project for Valentine’s Day – “Love Kits” - for the orphans. (These can be done anytime, not just on Valentine’s Day.) There is a flyer and a PowerPoint under “Resources” at www.globalfingerprints.org . This is a great project for families and children!

Thank You!

Thank you for leaving the fingerprint of Christ on the lives of these children!

Another update received today from Dr. Tom

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:58:00 +0000

Latest from the Fighting in the Ubangi

Happily there has been little reported fighting in the news in the last couple weeks. It seems that the military has quelled the fighting in the Enyele area. The big problem now is that the many refugees are still very reluctant to return to their homes. This are something over 100,000 in Congo-Brazzaville and Central African Republic, as well as a similar number estimated still living in the forests within DR Congo. Many are waiting for the army to leave before they will feel safe.

Jim reports that one good friend says that most of the villages from Dongo up toward Tandala remain ghost towns with no inhabitants. In Bobito, 5 miles from Tandala, they are still waiting for the government to come clean up the town after the fighting there left bodies in shallow graves and latrines. They are also concerned about unexploded mines that might have been left. If you’d like fairly recent news in English check out: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=87743

Celebrations are in order!

Jill Hall and Rachel Martin report that we have now exceeded the goal of 1,000 orphans supported in GlobalFingerprints by January 1. Read their report on the web and praise the Lord with us: http://www.efca.org/reachglobal/reachglobal-ministries/efca-touchglobal/globalfingerprints/celebrate-globalfingerprints

More Good News From the Congo ... Keep Praying!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:13:00 +0000

The news about the fighting in the area of EFC ministries in the Congo is still positive and improving. Here is an update received from Dr. Tom today:

Congo News for January 7, 2010

Some Encouraging Signs on the Front: Last week, on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, the rebels from Inyele were driven back to their own village. They were surrounded by Congolese army troops and given an ultimatum to lay down arms. Instead they tried a counterattack at two places against the army, so the army attacked. By the end of the fighting, 157 rebels had been killed, and one government soldier. Some soldiers were evacuated with non-life-threatening wounds to the hospital at Gemena by helicopter. Supposedly there were only a few escapees from Inyele.

The military is continuing mop-up operations but there is real hope that this will bring an end to the fighting. The next thing is for the army to begin to withdraw, giving confidence to the villagers in all the villages up and down the roads there that they can come back to their homes and begin to rebuild their lives.

We are very thankful that something over $30,000 has come in from our churches and donors in the EFCA and in the Consortium. The church in the Congo has developed a plan to help people with their return, including providing food staples, tarps for shelter, and other necessities to get started again.

Please be in prayer that this will really be the end and that people will quickly return to their villages. Pray that the church will be used mightily as a witness to show God’s care and compassion for them. Pray too that more funds will come in to help meet the massive needs. While there are other NGO agencies working to help, none of them are doing it on the ground and from God’s heart of compassion, as the CECU can.

Update on Recent Events in the Congo

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:33:00 +0000

Overall things are going much better in the northwestern region of the Congo, which in December was subjected to considerable strife due to conflict between rebels fighting over fishing rights, and Congolese militia.

I wanted to post a few of the recent updates I've received from the EFCA. Notice when they are dated (oldest at the top, most recent at the bottom); hopefully the situation has continued to improve. I am omitting some parts not relevant to this conversation.

The first is from Jill Hall, the GlobalFingers director, regarding the whereabouts of sponsored children. (You will recall that many families fled into the bush in order to avoid exposure to the fighting.) It incorporates a note from the Congolese director of the nonprofit and was written Dec. 18:

Call to Prayer - Update

Thank you so much for your prayers of protection of all GlobalFingerprints orphans last week. While there is still a lot we do not know, as communications are very sketchy and many people are still hiding in the forests, it does appear that some degree of order has been restored by the Congo Army and that immediate risk from the rebels has been reduced.

Yesterday we received the following email from Mama Lopango, the Congolese director of GlobalFingerprints.

I give thanks to God for taking care of us during a difficult time in our lives. Our staff at GlobalFingerprints and CECU (the Congolese Free Church) is well, but many of our family members are still in hiding. In Gemena, many people are still in the forest. Communication is not good, and at the moment, hearing from our supervisors is not possible. When they are sure that it is peaceful, they will start coming. It is still hard to travel on the roads. School has not yet started either.

On Dec 2, I went to Bangui to look for tennis shoes, and found none. But one of the sellers took my money and said the shoes were coming. He just called me to say that the shoes have arrived and I can go get them. I will go once it is peaceful again. (Note – these are shoes being purchased from the funds raised by the 2009 VBS program “Shoe Me” project.) With courage and in faith, I left Bangui to come home to be with our families who had fled to the forest. Keep praying.

We will not know specific information about any of the orphans for at least a month or two. The only communication will come when supervisors are able to come into Gemena (the headquarters of GlobalFingerprints), and even then if the orphans are in hiding with their families or if they have fled over the border to Congo Brazzaville we may not know specifics for months. As we find out information about specific orphans, we will communicate the information to their sponsors.

Please continue to pray. While the immediate risk of fighting may be over, people are still extremely fearful and many are still hiding in the forest – which means even poorer nutrition than normal and increases the risk of illness.

Learn more online about the situation in Congo, updates on our response, and how you can pray for the Evangelical Free Church of Congo.

Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for the orphans. Your prayers and support are so important – you are bringing hope and changing lives for many. As of today there are 974 orphans sponsored in Congo, and we are on track to have 1,000 orphans sponsored by January 1.

Jill Hall

Next is a Dec. 22 update from Dr. Tom Cairns:

Congo News for December 22, 2009

RadioOkapi is the UN news voice in Congo. Some items they are reporting:

A delegation of Parliament deputies (like our House of Representatives) is going to visit Dongo to comfort, encourage return and negotiate peace. Congo government has done nothing for humanitarian needs so far.
There was a serious round of fighting in Dongo on the Ubangi River as the rebels struggled to regain control of the city. Apparently the government army forces remain in control.
160 refugees arrived in the provincial capital of Mbandaka Sunday from a village on the Congo river! Up until now, all the fighting has been on the Ubangi River. They report serious fighting within their area over the last ten days. Although this area is far south of Tandala and the CECU area, it does indicate that the war has spread southward and is not close to resolution as had been thought.
In addition to the vast numbers of refugees in Congo Brazzaville, there are now apparently 7500 who have crossed further north into Central African Republic. And a missionary doctor colleague in Impfondu reports significant fighting on the Ubangi River itself as various boats have come under attack near their town.

Some English News media reports:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091218/wl_africa_afp/drcongounrestun_20091218142551 (New fighting in the Dongo area)

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/central/2009-11-15-More-Civilians-Flee-Violence-in-DRC-79319247.html

http://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/article233478.ece (Article mentions Tandala and the story that Dr. Narcisse told us)

News from President Bosokpale and the Joint response of the CECU and ReachGlobal

The President is connecting with the UN to see what their plans are to provide relief to the affected. The CECU would like to get moving on something quickly, especially following his trip to Tandala and seeing the hardship experienced by so many so nearby. We hope to send a wire early next week. Ask people in your churches to pray for the funds necessary to be able to acquire and distribute resources essential to the relief effort and that cooperative efforts with the UN would go smoothly.

He also sends a Christmas greeting to all of us:

Thanks for your ongoing prayer for us.

Greetings to all of you and we want to with you a wonderful holiday of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a Good New Year in 2010. May God continue to bless and care for you so that our partnership will move forward in a good way.

Rev. Bosokpale

Please Continue to Pray:

For a quick end to the fighting and resolution of the issues
For much wisdom for President Bosokpale and the leaders of the CECU in how best to help in the face of such massive needs
For security in the Ubangi so that the many thousands of people can return from the forests and from Congo Brazzaville to their homes
For the funds needed to send to allow the CECU to help the refugees wherever they are
That the doctors and staff at Tandala will continue to be a light and have a great ministry to the refugees, the war-wounded and the many others who come for care

Thanks to each one of you for your interest and commitment to the ministry in Congo through the CECU and the Congo Consortium. May you have a truly joyous Christmas time as we celebrate the birth of Christ – Immanuel, God with Us.

See this post in context

Finally, a January 1 update from Dr. Tom, which is the most recent we have received:

Congo News for January 1, 2010

We learned yesterday from President Bosokpale, and confirmed by a Catholic Brother who lives in Bobito (small town 9 kms east of Tandala) that many people there are still living in the forests. The President had occasion to drive through Bobito this week and reports there are still some unburied bodies decaying in the streets of Bobito. The President’s view is that the people are still living in the forests waiting for the government to come clean up the town. That would be their indication that it is safe to return.

World Food Program has just started food distribution to Bozene and Boyazala. Bozene is a major town 20 kms west of Tandala where the army has set up one of its bases. Boyazala is a large village another 30 kms west of Bozene. This is still a long distance from the Dongo area but a good start.

http://monuc.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=932&ctl=Details&mid=1096&ItemID=7090

The Catholic Missionary News Service MISNA reports that there are still 93,923 DR Congo refugees living in the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville or ROC) with little inclination to return home. Many of these had fled in previous fighting episodes in 2005 and 2008 as well.

ReliefWeb reports on MONUC (UN peacekeeping force in Congo):

In Equateur, MONUC has established a significant presence to help Government forces protect civilians and respond to attacks by armed groups that surfaced with an inter-tribal dispute in Dongo in late October, displacing large numbers of people and threatening communities. MONUC has concentrated its support in the South Ubangi District and has its operations hub in Gemena. MONUC is providing transportation, rations, fuel, and has provided medical evacuation for 42 wounded FARDC soldiers. With the arrival shortly of Egyptian forces, there will be some 700 Blue Helmets in the district, including Tunisians and Guatemalans at Bozene and Ghanaians, Tunisians and Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Dongo. MONUC Civil Affairs and Human Rights sections have also deployed staff in the area.

Some recent RadioOkapi reports:

In Mbandaka the police, the UN and the Army are now doing joint patrolling of the city each night from 10 PM to 5 AM. The purpose is to head off any spillover from the fighting at Dongo into the provincial capital. They have already arrested 2 of the Enyele fighters there.
The Commissioner for the South Ubangi has been going around having public meetings trying to persuade people to return to their villages and homes. A pastor, Jean Bosco Vonga, (not stated what church affiliation he is) is quoted as saying that only when the army returns to their barracks will people be assured that peace is really established and will return.
There is also a series of photos available of Dongo and the visit of the general there almost two weeks ago at http://www.radiookapi.net/index.php?i=77&ig=86&m=2
Lambert Mende the official spokesman for the Congo government gave a Press Conference last week about the Dongo situation. He says that there is no evidence whatever for any other country being implicated in the fighting, no evidence for any politicians within Congo, and no evidence for any outside movements as suggested on certain websites. Contrary to other information, the number of veterans from former rebellions was insignificant. This is entirely the work of a witch doctor named Ibrahim and his 20 year old son, and some children under age 10 and other followers. Supposedly the 20 year old visited Impfondu in Congo Brazzaville but is now back with his father and they are completely encircled at Enyele by the army. However, the total reported dead is 187 civilians, including a large number of children killed against tree trunks (I’m not sure what this really means!). In addition 26 police and about 10 army including one captain were killed. More than 20 in the army were injured.
Mende also commented on the recent Security Council decision to end the MONUC peacekeeping force in Congo. He says the government is appreciative of their role over the years but that they are no long needed and will begin leaving in April. The idea is that they be out of the country by the 50^th anniversary of Congo’s independence on June 30, 2010.

We are thankful for help which has been coming in for this crisis. Much more is needed to help the hospital and to help the church care for the many who are destitute and have lost everything they had in the fighting.

Prayer Requests:

Continue to pray for peace in the Ubangi. Pray that the CECU will be able to be of real help to the many who have fled their villages. Pray that people will soon feel comfortable to return. Pray for the funds needed to help with this emergent need.

Pray for Kevin Kompelien, Jim Snyder and Denny Morrow who will be flying to Bangui on January 5 for a week of meetings with President Bosokpale and a number of other CECU leaders, both about the response to the war, but also about many other partnership projects and plans for the future.

See this post in context

According to this January 1 post, then, several of our friends are in Congo as we speak, meeting with the leadership there. Please pray for a safe and productive time for them. Thank you!

Urgent Call to Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:04:00 +0000

Reprinted from Global Fingerprints newsletter

In last week’s GlobalFingerprints newsletter, we mentioned that there had been unrest among two of the remote regions where GlobalFingerprints operates. We asked you to pray for the safety of our GlobalFingerprints children and their families. Last week, the GlobalFingerprints Supervisor from Dongo reported that 38 kids there were “missing” – having fled with others.

There is currently great concern about the possibility of this situation escalating to impact the entire Ubangi region, where the Free Church of Congo and the GlobalFingerprints program are headquartered. The president of Congo has sent in soldiers, promising an immediate end of the uprising. In our way of thinking, soldiers come to quell a rebellion and bring peace. In the Congolese context, the arrival of soldiers causes great fear in a population which is still recovering from the trauma of the last war about a decade ago.

Please earnestly pray today for the safety and protection of all GlobalFingerprints orphans and all of the children in Congo. Pray that God would protect them physically, spiritually and emotionally. Pray for God to guard their hearts and protect their families. Pray that people will not be filled with fear, and that they would trust God.

Prayer requests for the region and the church:

·         Pray for peace in the Ubangi.
·         Pray for the safety and protection of all of the people of the Ubangi – especially the orphans, the children, the women and the church.
·         Pray for great wisdom and discernment for all leaders in how to lead, what to say and how to act.
·         Pray for the government to make wise decisions.
·         Pray that the Congolese Free Church (CECU) will be a real light in the midst of this darkness.

Currently, we don’t know the implications of everything that is happening in Congo, but if you would like to contribute toward the emergency needs of those involved with GlobalFingerprints, please donate online to the GlobalFingerprints - Emergency Fund.

We will continue to share updates as information becomes available.

Thanks for your prayers and concern.

Jill Hall

EFCA GlobalFingerprints Director

Kongba's Story

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:34:00 +0000

Reprinted from the Global Fingerprints newsletter.

A few months ago, I got to know a 12-year-old boy named Kongba. He is best friends with Eyenga, one of our sponsored orphans. We at GlobalFingerprints know Kongba through Eyenga's visits with Rachel Martin.

Kongba is in a family of five children and has recently become sponsored by GlobalFingerprints. When I met him, we had a little talk about his life. Before being sponsored, life was really difficult. Kongba's father died and the children were left alone with their mom. There was no one to help the family. Pake, Kongba's mom, was selling a few things at home or in the market to feed her children, but these were not sufficient.

Kongba and his brothers were not going to school like other children. Sometime Pake was gardening to feed her children, and she was helped by Kongba and the others.

Every time Rachel Martin visits the Congo, Kongba follows her with his friend Eyenga. After a recent GlobalFingerprints staff visit, Kongba is now a sponsored child in the GlobalFingerprints program.

Things have changed in Kongba's life. Now he is attending school with others, and his health care is secured. When I visited with him, Kongba shared, "GlobalFingerprints has changed many things in my life because I am sponsored. I have friends in the U.S. and many people are praying for me." He is so thankful to his sponsor for praying for him. He also is asking God to bless her and the program of GlobalFingerprints.

- Mandaba

From Rachel

We are currently sponsoring 882 Congolese orphans! Help us reach 1,000 by sharing the news and challenging family and friends to sponsor an orphan. It is one of the most wonderful gifts you can give a child!

Through our VBS "Shoe-ME" project this past summer, close to $30,000 was raised for shoes for orphans! I was there when they began purchasing the shoes, and the kids were thrilled. It was exciting as they tried on shoes until the right size was found for them. They now are ready for the new school year!

Pray for Mama Lopango, Congolese GlobalFingerprints program manager. She has been quite ill with a heart problem. When she went to Kinshasa in July to open this GlobalFingerprints area with the sponsorship of 22 orphans, she was able to see a cardiologist and begin treatment. I have received this message from her:

My sister Rachel,

I am very happy to thank the Most High who led me to work with GlobalFingerprints. I also thank our partner TouchGlobal and the CECU Congolese Church who have allowed me to fill this position. It was God's will and while I was in Kinshasa, I was able to get help physically for my heart condition. May God bless you all.

My family is well. Continue to pray for me with my health. I am taking medicine and will have another doctor's visit on October 25.

We are caring for all of the orphans in GlobalFingerprints. For this new school year, they have all received notebooks, uniforms, shoes, backpacks, love kits. But one region, Imesse, is having serious tribal problems, so pray for the kids in that region.

Our orphans are very happy - all of them! One more time, may I ask God to bless all of you who are contributing to GlobalFingerprints.

Mama Lopango

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support of this very important ministry. Your generosity is touching lives ... eternally, all across the Congo.

Transforming Orphans' Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:31:00 +0000

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF 20 ORPHANS IN THE CITY OF KINSHASA

reprinted from the Global Fingerprints Newsletter

I just returned from almost 2 months in Congo, enjoying time with many of the orphans sponsored by GlobalFingerprints. I rejoiced with them as they finished another school year and showed me their passing report cards, and I marvel at the spiritual and emotional progress I see in some of their lives. Remember Eyenga from the GlobalFingerprints video? Two years ago, he was afraid to look you in the eye and answer questions. Today, when I share a cup of tea and a piece of bread with him, he looks up and says, "Tobondela" (which means let's pray) - and begins thanking God for His goodness. Almost daily, Eyenga says "God loves me very much." His life has been transformed!

My last week in Congo was spent in Kinshasa, together with other staff for GlobalFingerprints. We launched the sponsorship of 20 kids in Kinshasa (the capital of Congo). On Sunday morning, the children were present to receive their red backpacks, love kits and ID cards. There were many tears...caregivers realizing that their child would be going to school and getting medical help; pastors with overwhelmed hearts touched by the compassion demonstrated by Christians in the U.S.; GlobalFingerprints leaders as we rejoiced that our program could now impact the city of Kinshasa; and orphans as they felt very special being loved in this unique way.

Kinshasa ... a city of over 8 million people with over half of them under 15 years old. I couldn't help asking myself, "Can we have any impact on Kinshasa by touching just 20 lives? This city is too big! And its problems are immense! What difference can we make?"

Yet, on that Sunday morning joy was overflowing. Even after sitting through a service that lasted almost 4 hours, no one was in a hurry to leave. Everyone wanted to greet and thank us, some of them moved to tears. During the service, I asked them how many hands of Christ were represented in that church...and hundreds of hands went up...together. And with that many hands, we can influence Kinshasa, as our hands minister Christ's mercy and leave behind His fingerprint.

That day, I met a 16 year old girl named Carmel. As I visited with her and her mom, who is struggling with AIDS, I tried to get her to smile. But she had no smile, and as we talked she started crying. I tried to comfort her, but she turned away and hid her face in her liputa (skirt).

The next day, we visited Carmel and her mom. They have no home. Some relatives let Carmel sleep in an entryway of their house...with no door for protection. (Only a piece of cloth hangs in the doorway, in a city rated one of Africa's most dangerous crime cities.) As we sat together and visited with Carmel, her mom and the GlobalFingerprints supervisor, I asked her what grade in school she would enter in August. She answered 6th grade and I was surprised. I didn't think she had started school. The supervisor explained that Carmel was ashamed to start 1st grade as a 16 year old. She has never been to school. But there is a program nearby for older orphans who have never gone to school. The supervisor is enrolling her in this program, where she will learn to read and write and learn a skill. She will meet friends her age there who have never had the opportunity to study. God loves her and has a future for her in His plan! And guess what? Carmel smiled! Her smile brought tears to my eyes, and I was the one trying to hide my face in my liputa. Carmel has a future with God. She doesn't have to end up on the street, single and pregnant and HIV positive. With the help of God's people, she will know that she has a greater purpose, to live her life to God's glory.

Pray for Mama Jeanne, Kinshasa supervisor, as she shares with these kids the love of Jesus.

Thank you to all the sponsors who make this story come true in the lives of hundreds of Congolese orphans. I reassure you that your $25 monthly gift is well-invested in the lives of precious children. To God be the glory!

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support.

-- Rachel

Message From Mandaba & Rachel

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:56:00 +0000

The following is reprinted from a recent GlobalFingerprints newsletter:

A TREASURE FOR LIFE

A few weeks ago, we had some missionaries visit us. We spent time in meetings, playing games, teaching, doing surgery and learning in seminars. During their time here in Congo, there was a graduation for the orphans and widows who have been trained for a couple months. Lots of people were invited to participate in this ceremony. It is pleasing the way Project Elikya has trained youth and adults to be useful in the church and society. I spoke to one orphan whose name is Tresor. He said to me, "I am so glad today because even though I am an orphan, I have one skill now that will help in my whole life." Not only Tresor, but there were also many widows like Mrs. Monganga and others who were so happy to graduate. We send our thanks to those who are contributing in many ways to this project. May God bless you and give you even more!

- Mandaba

FROM RACHEL

A few days ago, I received a letter from Bula-Bula-Tonda-Fenge Saint Paul, a GlobalFingerprints sponsored orphan. That is quite a name, isn't it? I remember meeting Paul last December, and being so impressed with this 15 year old boy. He was so joyful and full of hope. He told me that he wanted to become a doctor someday, and to help people just like Dr. Tom has helped so many people in Congo. (Dr. Tom worked for many years at Tandala Hospital, and has recently led many teams back to Congo.)

Here is an excerpt from Paul's letter, translated from Lingala:

"I am so happy to write this letter. My joy comes from the love that you all have for us, even though you are far away from us. For me, even though my Papa has died, I feel like I have a Papa again. And it is because people there are obeying God's Word in James 1:27. I want to tell you something--God is alive! And He gives us all that we need. I am here in Congo, and I will not stop praying for you all. Thank you so much for the shoes and uniforms. I am telling you this: I, Bula-Bula-Tonda-Fenge Saint Paul, this is what I say to those who are helping us: ‘Only God, the Maker of heaven and earth, will repay you. My family and I are praying for you.'"

He sounds like the Preacher St. Paul! I always wonder how someday God will use these kids for His purpose and glory. We truly are giving them hope and a chance for a future.

Currently, GlobalFingerprints is sponsoring 845 orphans! Through new donors, we begin in June to sponsor 20 orphans from Kinshasa, the capital of Congo. Until now, we have only sponsored children in the northwest corner of Congo. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the Free Churches in Kinshasa to care for these children and be a light in this city of over 9 million people.

Pray for the summer VBS "Shoe ME" project, that children here on the U.S. will respond to the needs of orphans in GlobalFingerprints. I will be in Congo for the summer. Please pray for me as I work with the GlobalFingerprints staff and visit many of our sponsored orphans. Thank you for your prayers and support. They are greatly appreciated!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Just a quick update to share that all of our Congo 2009 team members (Cal, Brian, Elissa, Amanda, and Dave) are back, healthy, well and safe ... and excited to share with us this weekend highlights from their trip!

So don't miss tonight's "Gathering" (6 p.m. at Elim) or worship service tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m.

We are especially excited about seeing Amanda's slideshow ... she is an amazing photographer and has thousands of stunning pictures from the trip.

And about hearing about opportunities for further partnership between Elim and the Evangelical Free Church in the Ubangi Province!

Last Blog From Africa (for now!)

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Cal and Brian are back after their long journey! Lord willing, we may see them at church this morning (depending on jetlag).

Elissa and Amanda stayed a few extra days in Paris.

Dave is staying on an extra week in the Congo.

In this blog post we present final postings of photos, profile updates, and blog posts made while the team was in Africa (or Paris on the return trip). Later we will present additional resources not posted while they were in Africa.

Brian's Blog Post From Thursday, May 7

Well, I am back in the Central African Republic. This trip has gone fast. The youth team has put on a lot of miles. I am going to do my best of summarizing our last training stop and the trip.

The last training session was is Boyabo. Let me just say that this was a humbling experience. We arrived in Boyabo on Monday night. When we were at the entrance of the church driveway the driver let us out. We were greeted with a guy’s choir. We walked through the guy’s choir to the girl’s choir. We walked through the girl’s choir to where the youth were singing.

As we walked through each group they followed us to chairs in front of what we thought was the pastor’s house. We sat there while the guys' choir sang three songs. Then the girls' choir sang three songs. Then the band started playing. The youth sang and danced for us. This started at 5:30 pm. The band and the dancing did not stop till after 9:00 pm!

We went inside about 7:00 pm for dinner. As we walked in we were told that this house was where we were staying. The house was built because we were coming. We all had separate beds with mattresses and new mosquito nets. They made us our own showering hut. It was so nice. The food was so good as well.

The seminar went well. It was a little tough to do because we had over 300 people attend. That does not include the women and children that were just there to see what we were doing. The people attending the seminar were very responsive. They were "a little crazy," according to our translator. We would ask a question and they would not answer our question; instead they would ask some other question. But, when all was said and done, the seminar went well. We felt a little like celebrities because a lot of the youth workers wanted pictures with us.

As I sit in my room at the Grace Brethren Mission, I am sad my trip is over, but I am ready to come home. I miss my family. I miss some creature comforts. I will miss the people I spent a lot of time with in the Congo. I made some friends. I am sure this will not be my last trip to the Congo. We will have to see what God wants to do. I know there are some in the Congo praying that I come back with my wife.

Over the next couple days I will try and upload some pictures and videos. I will also try to put together a video for our church and load it on YouTube so that all of you can see it.

Please keep praying for me. I am not home yet. I hope to be on Saturday morning. Please pray for Cal and I as we process the trip. Pray that God would speak to us.

Thanks again for all of your prayer and support. I will update you all again when I can.

Cal's Final Photos

Cal says this is typically how he puts his stethoscope to use, but he was hoping to find out if winged termites were emerging later that night. "When they do, the kids are up at all hours hunting them and it is hard to sleep."

One of Dave's carpentry training graduates just as he realizes that the tool box Dave helped him build, and then was filled with donated tools, was going to all be his! The boys got many more tools than even their teacher had.

This is Dr. Narcisse's son, Nybel. He is quite afraid of Americans but finally let Cal shake his had the day the team left.

This is a fish trap, or weir, on a stream between Tandala and Gemena. A different people group, the "water people," live on the streams. "They are a different tribe from the dominant Ngbaka tribe who we usually deal with. The CECU has an outreach to them."

Cal says this shot was actually taken at the start of their trip. "We had a 12+ hour layover in Paris so we toured Paris. Here you can see me preventing an international incident by keeping a historic landmark from toppling."

Elissa's Profile Post (before leaving Africa):

Elissa Janae - My bags are packed and ready for the flight to Paris, but my heart is still in the Congo.on Thursday

Tuesday's Congo Update - New Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:18:00 +0000

A profile update from Elissa:

Elissa Janae is not ready to go back home yet...pray for a safe trip up to Zongo tomorrow.

OK, seriously ... I would just love to be able to say, "Hey, this is Larry and I'm speaking to you from Zongo, Congo." Some people have all the fun.

Our friend, Dr. Cal, has posted three great new photos from Tandala:

"Sunday service at the church in Tandala ... probably 500 people there today and the service lasted almost four hours."

"There were eight choirs at the church today. We were one of them ... Amanda and Elissa taught some Congolese to sing 'How Great Is Our God' (in English). We also had another song in English that we sang as we moved up to the front of the church."

"Amanda helps to collect the offering. Her bowl is for visitors to put their offering in. The other bowls were designated for other subsets of the congregation."

Saturday's Congo Update: Lots of Photos!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Here's a cool Facebook profile post from Elissa:

Elissa Janae is sitting in the internet caffe across from a very large spider (tarantula?) in Tandala. The C-section was unbelievable - God has given doctors so much knowledge! And the termites did not taste bad ... it is just the psychological thing.

I was hoping for a photo of the large spider but haven't found one yet! Great video of her eating termites, though, in yesterday's blog posting, though (scroll down).

Another Facebook profile update, this one from Cal:

Calvin Kierum Tandala, DRC, 5 a.m. Pacific Time, just posted new photos...life is good....tikala malamu

I guess we'll probably need to ask him what tikala malamu means ...

I do need to catch you up on some photos, though. Most of these have been posted throughout the week. Here goes:

		Elissa and Amanda teaching ESL classes.
		The Tandala team (including Cal, Amanda, and Elissa) prays together during "master planning," Day 1.
		Elissa and Jim Snyder pray as a part of the master planning service in Tandala.
		Cal poses with Nurse-Surgeon Bama. He says: "This is my first time to meet him. He is quite a character. He has served here over 50 years."
		A young woman whose baby was born 6-months premature demonstrates a technique called "kangaroo care," used to keep her baby warm.
		On the way to lunch, Cal and Darren met with the hospital engineer and two nurses who have a passion to minister to handicapped people.
		The group in Tandala at the end of the master planning session: "This was quite an awesome meeting and much was accomplished."
		Cal writes: "It was very fun to watch the team come up with a Mission Statement. It is in French as the ideas are a bit complicated for Lingala to handle."
		Here Cal attempts to carry a bucket of water on his head, African-style: there ...
		... and back.
		Cal poses with his nurse-dentist friend, Bofio. Says he: "He is a wonderful man of faith. We are giving out team t-shirts to various leaders. Everyone wants one."
		A river in the Congo, at the brief tropical dusk that occurs at the edge of day and night.
		You can see that this "Congolese lawn mower," or machete, is curved to make quick work of the grass.
		In the hospital's pediatric ward, Dr. Narcisse Naia Embeke is charting on a patient he saw together with Cal.
		Cal examines a little girl who has had bloating and swelling for about a year, "probably Cushing's Syndrome, for you medical types."
		The hospital is involved in a food program for the malnourished, under the auspices of the World Food Program.
		Dr. Narcisse is pictured with his wife, Yvette, who is an accountant for the hospital. Their son, Nybel, is 2 and plays on a toy drum the team gave him.
		The team sees a lot of women and girls carrying things on their head, but this one is only about 4-5 years old and the container is almost as big as she is.

Friday's Update From the Congo

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Sat, 02 May 2009 01:23:00 +0000

OK, folks, we have several updates that have come in on Facebook ... including a video of Elissa actually eating termites, believe it or not! (Until I can figure out how to get this up on the blog, check my Facebook profile ... you probably have to be my friend to see it ... send me a friend request if you can't see it.)

I am working on getting these all coded in for a blog update, but due to my work and Young Adults Ministry schedule this evening, I may not get them all in until tomorrow morning. So, be sure to check back then!!! But I'll post a few easy ones now ...

- Larry

Brian's Blog Entry for Friday

Well, I have a lot to write. Yesterday was rather eventful. It started at 3:30 am. We got up to go to Budjala. The drive to Budjala was surreal. I seriously thought we were going to get robbed. We were in the middle of nowhere, driving through the jungle. It was crazy.

It was a thick jungle. At some places the truck was wider then the road. The road was horrible as well. There were lots of huge holes with water in them. It took us two hours to get there.

When we got there we were greeted with a band and a choir. It was 6:00 am and the band was ready and waiting for us. They had a bass and electric guitar with a drum set. They also had a African Drum, one of the big ones. (I'm not sure what it's called.)

Then we had to wait for two hours for our seminar to start. We ate breakfast at 8:00 am when the seminar was supposed to start. We had bread, fish and some tea. The fish was good. I did feel sick about an hour after eating it. I blame the fish.

When we started the seminar we had over 220 people there. The crowed was very responsive. In fact when I stood up to give my testimony they all started laughing at me. I asked the interpreter why they were laughing. He said that I had a big smile and was very happy, so they were very happy I was happy! The seminar went well. We were all real tired. The driver tried to take a nap in the truck during the session, but I am not sure he slept at all.

This was the first time since I have been in Africa that people have just kept asking for money. We had two high school students ask us to pray that God would give them the money to go to Bible school. They asked us to pray for them ... that was the nice way to ask for money.

Then right before we left we had a guy come up to us and ask us for a Bible. We said they would have to ask the pastor that was traveling with us. He didn't like that answer. Then he asked if we could give him a PA system. I said we didn't have one. He didn't like that answer either. He was mad at us when the conversation ended. I was rather frustrated. I blame some of that on the fact that I got very little sleep the night before.

We arrived back in Tandala at 7:30 pm. It was such a long day! But it was a good day. I had fun teaching the seminar. It seemed to go well. One of the funnest things we did was to teach them all how to throw a Frisbee. Just image 220+ people playing Frisbee. It was chaos.

Today was not very busy. I had very little to do. We didn't have a seminar. I went to chapel. Brent and I took a tour of the hospital. A big group of us went to where the locals get their drinking water. I tried to carry it on my head like they do, but I didn't do very well. It was interesting. They bathe at the same place where they get water. Let's just say some of the ladies didn't care that we were there. Thelma told them that guys were coming down. When we first got their everyone was clothed. But by the time we left a couple of them were bathing.

We also were able to play soccer with the kids. It was fun. I was so sweaty. Today was hot.

Well I think that is all for today. We are off to Kungu tomorrow. The team with be Brent, Tyler, Elissa, Amanda and I. We want to show them what youth ministry looks like. Please pray for safe travel. We will be leaving at 5:00 am. I am just making up for all those times I didn't get into work early enough. Pray that the seminar will go well.

If you have any questions please ask. (Editor: Click the "Comments" link at the bottom of Brian's blog.) I would love to know what information people want to hear about. As my wife would tell you, I give them as little detail as I can get away with when writing!

Brian's Blog Entry for Wednesday (posted earlier)

Today was rather uneventful. When we woke up it was raining. I guess when it rains, nothing happens. We were able to sleep in. The temperature was low. It was nice. Yesterday was so hot, so it is nice that it cooled down.

We were supposed to travel to Budjala but with the weather we drove to Tandala instead. Tandala is closer to Budjala and the roads to Tandala are better. We are going to do a seminar in Budjala tomorrow.

On the way to Tandala we saw many people who were at our seminar in Gemena. It was very humbling. They would say "Hi" then erupt with happiness. Again, this is very humbling.

Yesterday’s seminar went very well. We had 150 people attend. They seemed to respond very well. We had one funny thing happen at the seminar. We were teaching through inductive Bible study. After teaching them about it we gave them a passage of Scripture to assess, based on the inductive tool we gave them. It took them over an hour to finish. The story we gave them to assess was the story of the prodigal son.

When they were done and we had reviewed it with them, we asked if they had any questions. One gentleman stood up and was questioning if what I was teaching was biblical. I said something to the effect that the prodigal son lost his inheritance. That when his dad died he would get nothing. This young man said that nowhere in the text does it say that the dad died and that the son would not get an inheritance again. The two other guys in my group and I laughed at that one afterward because that had nothing to do with the story or the training.

I am sorry this post is so short! I am tired and we are leaving early in the morning. Please keep praying for us. We are with the rest of the team. Everyone seems to be doing well (Elissa and Amanda are both feeling fine. They are teaching some Congolese people to sing "How Great is Our God"). We have internet at in Tandala so hopefully you will get more updates.

Wednesday Update From the Team

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:54:00 +0000

As you can imagine, communication with members of our Congo team (who are now scattered hither and yon throughout the Ubangi Province) is spotty at best. My best source of information so far is Facebook. Cal tells me that Facebook seems to have the best connectivity for them.

So, basically I am doing the same thing a lot of other Facebook users are doing -- scanning Facebook for updates from our team members. I am also reading Brian's blog. When I find photos and updates, I am transferring them here.

Today I found a few new items -- a Tuesday blog posting for Brian, and a new photo Cal has posted. Remember that Brian is doing youth pastor training, Dave is working at the Elikya Center, and Cal and Amanda and Elissa are at Tandala Hospital, training doctors (Cal in medical stuff and the two ladies are teaching them English).

Brian's Blog Posting: Tuesday Morning in the Congo

The trip has now gotten a little harder for the youth team. We are on our own. All the missionaries from reach global have gone to Tandala. We have been left in Gemena to do our trainings. We have two people from the CECU that are working with us. They both speak English fairly well.

Yesterday we started the first training session. We were supposed to start at 2:00 pm but did not get to the church where the training was being held until 3:30 pm. The driver must have misunderstood the guy who is making all the arrangements for our group. I was driven to the training by motorcycle while the other two guys waited for the truck to pick them up.

While on the motorcycle we drove through the market at Gemena. I saw even more poverty and a little worse than what I had previously seen. I just want to say that if I do not ride on another motorcycle in the Congo, I will be happy. The streets are packed and the roads are horrible. I have no reason to ever complain about the roads we have in the U.S.

Our first training went well. We had 128 people there. We tried to teach them an icebreaker game. I am not sure how it went over. It was funny to watch. We only were able to get through the first part of the training. Today we finish the training.

Please pray that the remainder of the training will go well. Pray that we would speak effectively in a way that the translators can interpret.

Thank you for praying. It is making a difference. Our trip has had very little go wrong. We are not used to waiting around as much as we are, but time is not a big thing in this country.

Photo Posted by Cal

Cal didn't include any caption info with this photo, but I'm assuming it is taken at Tandala Hospital, since he and Amanda and Elissa are among those pictured.

Monday Update & More Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Haven't heard much news yet today ... other than last night's message that Elissa and Amanda were feeling better (and playing cards) while Brian still felt lousy.

LaVonne says Dave also had a touch of the bug, but is also feeling better now.

It's the middle of the night in the Congo now, but earlier today (Monday) the team was supposed to get started on their various assignments. Amanda and Elissa were traveling with Dr. Cal to Tandala Hospital. Brian is beginning his assignment of teaching youth leaders, and Dave is starting his work at the Elikya Center.

Keep praying for the team! Now here are some additional photos:

Team Photos

This ebony carving was presented to the team with the request to give it to President Barack Obama (who is quite popular in Africa)!

A large crowd was present at the grand opening of the Elikya Center in Gemena, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Congo Team from Elim Evangelical Free Church in Puyallup, Washington, USA, poses on the church steps before its departure. Left to right, front row: Brian Sharpe, Dr. Cal Kierum. Back row: Elissa Hirschfelder, Amanda McCracken, Dave Barnes.

Brian's Facebook Group

And here's another update Brian made earlier, upon arrival in the Central African Public, which hasn't been posted in this space yet. It will get you caught up:

Welcome from Central African Republic. We wanted to give you an update on our trip so far. We are all pretty tired -- we are running on fumes. Sleep has been hard to come by.

The layover in Paris was a good time. We got to see Notre Dome, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triumphe. We even got to see statues of Saint Denis, the "Headless Saint" (ask more when we get back).

Today we arrived in Bangui, and are now staying at the Grace Brethren Mission. We got to lay in a bed today for the first time in over 48 hours – what a relief!

This afternoon we went to the Bangui Evangelical Theological Seminary (FATAB in French) where we received a tour of the seminary, which is the highest level Protestant seminary in French-speaking Africa. There we got to meet Dr. Nupongo from the Free Church of Congo (CECU), who is also the dean (president) of the seminary. He was in the African movie Polendo, and has helped write the African Biblical Commentary.

For our first authentic African meal, Nupongo’s wife Angel served us fuku bread, rice, river fish, chicken, dunda (spinach-like greens), carmelized onions, with pineapple for dessert. We kept commenting on how wonderful the food was until finally our host pointed out that it is not about the food, it is about spending time together. Then Nupongo and his son Daniel gave us a tour of the school. We were able to see the women’s schoolroom, the open-air classroom for English teaching, as well as the basic classrooms for all of the men.

All in all, this trip has been a mixture of stress, relief, humidity, heat, and the wonderful knowledge that God is walking with us, providing for us, and binding our hearts together with the African people. Please keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow is going to be a 14-hour travel day on bumpy roads and crowded cars.

Sunday Updates From the Team ... Photos!

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:14:00 +0000

Sunday the team spent with 1,000 people who gathered for the dedication of the Elikya Center in Gemena, in the Ubangi Province (northwest corner of the Democratic Republic of Congo).

Cal and Brian have sent about a dozen photos which are posted to their Facebook sites, and I am also displaying some of them below. (I will post more later, as I have time, so check back!) Also, below the photos I am posting the content of messages received from Cal and Brian.

A key prayer request is that three members of the team (including Elissa and Amanda, though we aren't sure who the third is) are sick with intestinal problems commonly known as "Traveler's Diarrhea." Fortunately, with Cal on the team, they are in good hands.

(NOTE: We have subsequently been updated that all who were afflicted, which actually include Brian and Dave, are feeling better now. Thank you for praying!)

Team Photos

The entire Congo team gathers at Gemena. Three U.S. churches are represented, plus two of the staff of TouchGlobal, and also Paul Rene Mowa of the Elikya Center. The Congolese appreciated the fact that the team chose yellow for their team shirts, because that is also the color the orphans wear for their graduation uniforms.

Cal poses uphill from where the team entered the Congo after crossing the Ubangi river on huge dugout canoes, visible in the background. Cal said they were not allowed to take photos at the border so they had to wait until up the hill at the local church.

Brian Sharpe at the dedication of the Elikya Center.

Cal visits with Pastor Nubako Selenga's wife, Claudine, and their 12-year-old daughter, Sarah. Sarah and Cal's daughter, Caitlin, are pen pals. Pastor Selenga stayed with the Kierums during his visit to Washington a few weeks ago.

Pastor Deolo (far right), who is in charge of HIV ministries for the Evangelical Free denomination, introduced Cal to these students, who are officers in a group called UPPLA. This group is for people living with AIDS; either they themselves have the disease, or have family members with it. The church has realized that the children in these situations have special needs so they have formed a subgroup within the UPPLA for youth and children. Cal says it was a blessing to meet these young leaders.

Earlier Message From Cal

Hi all,

I will try to catch you up a little.

We arrived in Gemena, DRC, late last night. Getting there was interesting.

We woke up in Bangui, CAR, Friday morning and crossed the Ubangi river in two large dugout canoes. That was all of our baggage (praise God, it all arrived) plus 12 travelers. We were greeted on the Congo side by a Port Policeman dressed in a cap, blue uniform, and pink fuzzy gloves. Then we took a couple of hours to clear customs/immigration and started the 12-hour drive to Gemena. This was broken into segments due to a planned stop at Bau, DRC, for a visit and tour of the hospital and Bible Institute there. I was asked to examine and consult on a couple of malnourished kids. We prayed for them before leaving. There were also three flat tires on the other vehicle that had to be changed and one stop at a checkpoint in Bari, DRC. We got lots of time to visit with the locals at each stop so these were good things.

We got into Gemena pretty late so the welcome was from the president and vice president of the denomination only. They had a nice meal ready for us also. This morning the Pres. had us over for breakfast.

It has been a great trip so far. One of the best parts is that the language is coming back to me and people still remember me. That makes it much easier. I miss Stacie and the children greatly. Of all the hardships of this trip, this is the most difficult. Thankfully I am still with friends both from America and from the Congo so not completely lonely.

For those of you who have Facebook or Skype, check from time to time to see if I am online. We have internet service 24 hours a day here in Gemena, so I could be on anytime. We are 8 hours ahead of the West Coast as far as time goes.

If I get time, I will try to send some pictures soon.

Blessings,

Cal

This Morning's Message From Cal

I am waiting to go to church this morning. It is the dedication of the Elikya Center and they expect over 1,000 to attend from all over the Ubangi. They made an open air meeting place with posts and palm branches for shade. I am looking forward to it.

Three of the team are sick with vomiting and diarrhea. Probably just "traveler's diarrhea" and should pass soon. They will stay back at the headquarters and rest today. Amanda and Elissa are among the afflicted, so please lift their health, and the health of the entire team, up in prayer today.

Blessings,

Cal

Brian's Blog Posting

You can read Brian's reflections on his blog.

Do you have any questions or thoughts to express to the Congo team? Click the "Comments" link below and post your comments, and we will make sure they get the attention of the team at their earliest opportunity.

- Larry

ARRIVAL IN GEMENA: First Update from the Congo Team

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:28:00 +0000

The Elim team to the Congo's Ubangi Province has arrived to Gemena, Congo, via Paris and the Central African Republic! They made it safely across the Ubangi River in dugout canoes with all their equipment. All team members are physically well, enjoying the time, and no luggage or supplies have been lost. The 5 team members are:

Cal Kierum, Pastor Brian Sharpe, Dave Barnes, Amanda McCracken, Elissa Hirschfelder

Cal said when they arrived on the Congo side of the River, a single officer was waiting for them in green military fatigues, with fuzzy pink gloves. Aside from that, they've only had to deal with one or two checkpoints during the journey, which entailed only a brief wait and the chance to visit with locals.

I've chatted (on Facebook) with both Cal and Brian this morning, about 11:30 our time (8:30 p.m. their time). They were getting ready to go into a team debrief at 9 p.m. Brian said it was very warm there and he was sweating as he typed. Cal said a storm was coming (hopefully rain will cool things down some).

But of course after it rains that means the mosquitoes come out. Pray that everyone on our team is kept safe from malaria on World Malaria Day!

Tomorrow (Sunday, which starts tonight our time), the dedication celebration at the Elikya Center begins. They are expecting 1,000 guests! Brian said he is grateful that he doesn't have to preach. He is also concerned about his ability to effectively communicate with youth leaders, given the cultural differences and the large numbers of leaders he is going to be teaching. He covets your prayers.

Cal said Dave is a little bit bored and can't wait to sink his teeth into the real work of training Elikya Center residents how to make and use the tools they will need for building up and maintaining the facilities there.

Cal says both Amanda and Elissa are very excited to be there. Amanda is already talking about a return trip and taking lots of photos. (Bandwidth is fairly tight, so thus far they haven't been able to upload any. But as soon as they do, we will post some here.)

The best way to chat with the team right now is on Facebook chat, it seems to have the best connectivity thus far. Cal said right now they have 24x7 access at Gemena, so if you are friends with any of the team members on Facebook, check your list of friends online and send them greetings if you see them online. (Also, if you do get updates, please post them to this blog as "comments" using the link at the bottom of this blog posting!)

On Monday, after the Sunday dedication of the Elikya Center, Cal and the two ladies will head to Tandala Hospital where they will begin their work there. Amanda and Elissa will be teaching English to the staff, and Cal will be working with the doctors. He has already had the opportunity to consult on some difficult malnutrition cases.

Thank you for keeping the team in prayer! We'll post updates here as we get them, so check back frequently.

- Larry

TouchGlobal's March Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 07:18:00 +0000

A GRATEFUL BOY

One week ago, I was at home drinking my coffee. Suddenly, I saw a young boy crying near my house. When I came near to him, I realized that it was one of our sponsored orphans named Gbolo Bakafi from Mbari Region. This boy was on his way to school. He felt sick (stomachache), and so I took him to the health clinic for treatment. After getting some medicine, I gave him a ride back home. He's living 6km from Gemena. When we arrived at home, he was so thankful to us and the GlobalFingerprints program.

Two days later, we travelled to Ndango, Mbanza-sud and Ndolo- liboko to renew children pictures. We met many children who were waiting for us, and many of them thanked us for all the program is doing for them. Many children and guardians (young and old) thanked us for the good things that GlobalFingerprints is doing for their children. We had a good trip and God protected us until we came back home in good health.

- Mandaba

2009 VBS PROJECT - SHOE ME

We are challenging kids throughout the EFCA to raise $25,000 to buy 2,500 pairs of shoes for Congolese orphans. In the U.S. having shoes is pretty much a given. This is not the case for kids in Congo. Most children wear flip flops that are often broken and sewn back together. Sometimes the soles are totally worn down, or the shoes are too big or too small. But kids wear what they have, and shoes don't get thrown away until there is nothing left.

Since they often walk 8-10 miles a day, having good shoes is critically. Walking is a child's means of transportation - there are no cars. School is ½ to 3 miles away. The market is 1-2 miles away. Children are sent everywhere with messages and deliveries. They walk to church. They walk to the water source to fetch water and carry the bucket back on their heads. They walk to the forest for fire wood.

Encourage your church to get involved! More information is on our website under "Resources." You can also share the GlobalFingerprints DVD with VBS program leaders. Email globalfingerprints@efca.org if you need a copy.

FROM RACHEL

787 orphans sponsored as of February! We continue to press on to our goal of 1,500 sponsored Congolese children, so keep praying and sharing with others about GlobalFingerprints. I'm looking for volunteers who would represent GlobalFingerprints in their local church. Let me know if you desire to do so (rachel.martin@efca.org).

Recently, many of you received a note from your child. We are still working on a few regions, and hopefully our Congolese team will be caught up soon. Mandaba also informed me that he has uploaded new pictures for a few regions, so check your sponsorship information to see if there is a new picture. The team has been traveling to different regions...and it is a challenge for them! Pray for safety on the roads.

Some sponsors have asked me how their sponsorship actually helps. Below is some additional information on how your sponsorship is changing the life of a child in Congo.

Educationally: We pay the school fees (school isn't free in Congo), provide 2 uniforms annually, a backpack, notebooks and pens. In addition, we are working on providing shoes for each child. Check out the web site for more information on the GlobalFingerprints Shoe Me program.
Medically: Each child receives an ID card giving him/her access to medical care. Many of the health centers, as well as Tandala Hospital, are part of the Congolese Evangelical Free Church ministry. Some children also receive health care at private health care centers, as well as Catholic and Covenant ones, depending on how far they live from one of our centers.
Nutritionally: Each region with sponsored children receives money monthly for nutritional projects benefiting the orphans and their extended families. They plant gardens, and have protein (such as peanuts and beans) to share with the kids. They raise goats and chickens, and have fish ponds. As these projects grow, the children benefit from them more and more.
Spiritually: Children are shown God's love and His truths through the supervisor, the local church, Sunday school ... and through all of those involved in GlobalFingerprints. During home visits, the supervisor prays and shares with the child. They are taught lessons from "Choose Life"... making wise choices in their lives, choosing good friends and God's way and His principles. They come to understand that Jesus loves them.
Socially: The children are part of a family ... not only their extended family, but the GlobalFingerprints family. They love belonging, and find much security and love in being a part of it all.

$25/month accomplishes a lot in the life of a Congolese child! Continue to pray that we would reach this first goal of 1,500 sponsored orphans. Pray for the staff in Congo, that they would serve God and these children faithfully. In these hard financial times, some of you may be struggling to keep up with your commitment to GlobalFingerprints. May God provide for you, and may your faith in Him grow as you daily depend on Him.

News from Mandaba and Rachel

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:51:00 +0000

NEWS FROM THE FIELD (reprinted from TouchGlobal newsletter)

From Mandaba:

A couple of weeks ago, the GlobalFingerprints program team made many trips to visit sponsored children in two different regions (Bokuda and Karawa). We met many of the sponsored children, and I updated their pictures to put on the GlobalFingerprints Web site.

At Bokuda, we participated in the distribution of product from their micro project. Many children were happy to have some food to help them for a few days. On our way back in the truck, we picked up some younger orphans and we realized that many of them were great singers. They sang until we arrived at Gemena.

The next trip was to Karawa. We had a good trip, but it was tiring for some of us because we arrived late at Gemena. On our trip, Rachel (our good singer) sang on our way coming and going. It was exciting for all of us. We had a good time visiting some of the sponsored children.

Mandaba - GlobalFingerprints Congo communications

From Rachel:

It was wonderful visiting two different regions and meeting some of the children that GlobalFingerprints is sponsoring. In Bokuda, the first region Mandaba writes about, the supervisor killed two of the pigs from their nutritional micro-project. The kids had such a good time eating with so much joy! I wish you all could have seen them ... I don't think it was just the food, but it is because they are special! They realize that they are loved and not forgotten ... their Mama and Papa are no longer providing for them, but God is! And His people love them!

I had the privilege to work side by side with Lopango, our new program manager (pictured here dressing Jeanne, a sponsored orphan, in a new dress made by ladies in EFCA churches). Lopango is super with the kids. She loves and understands them, holds them and asks them questions, and laughs with them. God has truly provided in our staff in Congo.

Please pray that God will bless the efforts of the micro-projects, protecting them from thieves and animal diseases, and multiply their efforts so that the children and extended families would benefit nutritionally. As I watched the orphans come up one by one to receive their gift of a bag of beans, they were so grateful and excited.

For sponsors reading this, I thank you with a heart full of praise. I remember the faces of these children ... I think of caregivers who wanted to thank me by giving me two eggs or sweet potatoes ... I hear the kids singing at the top of their lungs ... I watched them eating, sucking the bones clean until there is nothing left ... and I am so happy for them! Thank you for leaving Christ's fingerprint on these precious lives.

We are currently sponsoring 721 orphans! Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers for this important ministry.

Rachel Martin - EFCA Touchglobal HIV/AIDS ministry director

A Finish Crowned With Success

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:16:00 +0000

A letter from Dr. Narcisse

Translation follows ...

Bonjour,

Ma famille et moi exprimons reconnaissance et joie de vous annoncer la fin des mes études en santé publique à l’Université de Kinshasa ce 1^er Novembre. Nous avons expérimenté l’Amour incommensurable de notre Seigneur Jésus Christ qui est un Ami fidèle. La main puissante de Dieu nous a conduit durant cette année, et la fin est couronnée avec succès. Nous avons terminé avec 77,8% et proclamé le meilleur apprenant de la formation, nous bénissons Dieu pour cela et nous vous remercions de tout cœur pour vos soutiens tous azimuts durant cette période. Que Dieu de Gloire notre Seigneur Jésus Christ vous soit favorable pour toutes vos entreprises. I Pierre 5 :10

Narcisse NAIA EMBEKE MD, MPH

Here is Dr. Cal's translation (or paraphrase):

Hello,

My family and I express gratitude and joy in announcing the end of my studies in Public Health at the University of Kinshasa on 1 November.

We have experienced the love of our Lord Jesus Christ who is a loyal friend. The mighty hand of God has led us during this year and the finish is crowned with success. We finished with 77.8% and were proclaimed the top of the class for training. We praise God for that.

I thank you with all my heart for your support in all ways during this time. Glory to God that our Lord Jesus Christ can favor you in all your endeavors ... I Peter 5: 10.

A Note from Cal:

Dr. Narcisse will return to the Ubangi as the director for the CECU medical work. His training will be a great asset to the Church.

During his training, Narcisse had to deal with his wife almost dying due to complications of pregnancy, and they lost their baby due to those complications.

Narcisse has tribal and family connections to the Ubangi. I am so pleased that he was able to take this training and that he did so well. His final scores may seem average to us, but in their system, 50% is more an average score, so being in the high 70s is more like an “A+” by our standards!

An Update From the Congo

noreply@blogger.com (Larry Short) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:24:00 +0000

Thanks, Cal, for showing the Global Fingerprints video in worship last weekend! If your heart was moved to sponsor a child from the Congo, or simply to share the video with others, please visit http://www.GlobalFingerprints.org/.

The following is reprinted from today's Global Fingerprints Newsletter:

This month, God blessed us by having two teams from the US in Congo. We had a wonderful time visiting sponsored orphans. Today, I have an opportunity to write about a young boy whose name is Bwazu Jean, one of our sponsored orphans from Temple Evangelical Free Church in Gemena.

Bwazu comes from a big family of twelve children, and his father Etiene was working in the cotton society in Gemena. Etienne was taking care of his children but, he got sick (meningitis) and died, leaving the hard task of caring for 12 children to his wife.

Life became very difficult for Bwazu Jean and his brothers. Some were no longer attending school and feeding themselves was really difficult. Some of his sisters got married earlier than usual.

Bwazu Jean thanks God for giving him another hope in life by being sponsored by the GlobalFingerprints program. "I am so happy because I can go to school and have a uniform, and my needed school fees are being paid."

May God bless all those caring for the orphans here in Congo.

-Mandaba

From Rachel

We continue to grow in the number of sponsored children. We are currently sponsoring 600 orphans. This is just a beginning! The Congolese Evangelical Free Church (CECU) has 27 districts, and we have begun sponsorship in 18 ... but what we are doing is just a drop in the bucket. Continue to pray for more churches to promote GlobalFingerprints and encourage attendees to get involved.

In September, four container loads were finally shipped to Congo! They carry much-needed medical supplies for Tandala Hospital and the health centers. And lots of great gifts for the orphans ... like love kits, backpack kits and nice Jansport backpacks, dress kits, shoes, and Scripture cards teaching them about their Father God's love which is eternal, and purity principles from God's Word.

If you would like to participate, write to globalfingerprints@efca.org. In addition, check out the many GlobalFingerprint resources on the Web site. You can download a bulletin insert for your church and request the 4-minute GlobalFingerprints DVD for presenting in a church service or to a small group. Get involved!

Congo Blog

Thank you for being a friend of this blog!

Sponsorship Started in India!

Pleased to Announce: India!

Two Friends in Congo…

Heart Health Prayer Need

Training Supervisors to Meet Deep Spiritual Needs

Previous Newsletters

Living With AIDS

Reprinted from the most recent GlobalFingerprints newsletter ...

RACHEL'S UPDATE

UNREST UPDATE

SPONSORED CHILDREN

CHALLENGE YOUTH CONFERENCE RED BACKPACK PROJECT

THANK YOU!

From today's Global Fingerprints newsletter

Congo: On The Ground Status Update

Honorine's Story

Sponsorship Update From GlobalFingerprints

1,019 Sponsored Orphans!

Valentine's Day Project

Thank You!

Another update received today from Dr. Tom

More Good News From the Congo ... Keep Praying!

Update on Recent Events in the Congo

Urgent Call to Prayer

Kongba's Story

Reprinted from the Global Fingerprints newsletter.

From Rachel

Transforming Orphans' Lives

TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF 20 ORPHANS IN THE CITY OF KINSHASA

Message From Mandaba & Rachel

A TREASURE FOR LIFE

FROM RACHEL

Last Blog From Africa (for now!)

Elissa Janae - My bags are packed and ready for the flight to Paris, but my heart is still in the Congo.on Thursday

Tuesday's Congo Update - New Photos

Elissa Janae is not ready to go back home yet...pray for a safe trip up to Zongo tomorrow.

Saturday's Congo Update: Lots of Photos!

Elissa Janae is sitting in the internet caffe across from a very large spider (tarantula?) in Tandala. The C-section was unbelievable - God has given doctors so much knowledge! And the termites did not taste bad ... it is just the psychological thing.

Calvin Kierum Tandala, DRC, 5 a.m. Pacific Time, just posted new photos...life is good....tikala malamu

Friday's Update From the Congo

Wednesday Update From the Team

Monday Update & More Photos

Sunday Updates From the Team ... Photos!

ARRIVAL IN GEMENA: First Update from the Congo Team

TouchGlobal's March Newsletter

A GRATEFUL BOY

2009 VBS PROJECT - SHOE ME

FROM RACHEL

News from Mandaba and Rachel

NEWS FROM THE FIELD (reprinted from TouchGlobal newsletter)

From Rachel:

A Finish Crowned With Success

A letter from Dr. Narcisse

An Update From the Congo

From Rachel