June 2010 Newsletter

Children sponsored:  1,125

Update on Peace in Congo  

by ReachGlobal Congo Program Director, Rachel Martin

Six weeks in Congo

Since I just spent 6 weeks in Congo, I decided to bring you news of what’s happening.  I had the privilege of seeing many of sponsored children, receiving their hugs and thanks while rejoicing in their progress, physically, spiritually and socially.

Congo unrest

Beginning in November of 2009, there had been a lot of unrest and fighting in the northwest corner of Congo. Thankfully, those who were fighting and destroying were finally defeated, and most Congolese have returned to their homes.

Where are the GlobalFingerprints children in Congo?

I am happy to let you know that ALL of our GlobalFingerprints orphans have been accounted for - praise God! Some have seen and gone through very difficult times.

35 from Imese in a refugee camp

The sponsored children from Imese (northwest Congo) fled across the border into the neighboring country. Imese is located on the Ubangi River, which separates the Democratic Rep of Congo from its neighboring country, Congo).  

The Supervisor and all 35 of the sponsored orphans from Imese are now living in a refugee camp. The kids have started attending school in the camp. The Supervisor is overseeing their needs. Ther e is no estimate regarding  how long they will be in the refugee camp. Many of their villages are still empty and their homes have been burned. You will be kept up to date on the situation.

Those in Kungu

Another region that was greatly affected by the war was Kungu. Supervisor Emmanuel pedaled at least  72 miles on his GF bike to  come to our training, and gave us this report:

"Right before the war, I had surgery for a hernia, and had just returned home when my wife and I and 5 children had to flee, leaving everything behind. In the forest, we started clearing an area to plant some peanuts, and my wife was injured by a large thorn and she got infected. During that time, our children kept getting sick. I would leave them and go by bicycle to try to find medicine, traveling hundreds of kilometers.

                Our house was pillaged and everything taken. After taking everything, it was burned. Many of the sponsored orphans in our region lost so much as well - their clothes and other things, and some had their houses burned down. It was a very difficult time. A 13 year old orphan girl was raped. It was very sad.  She is doing OK, but we are still trying to see how best to help her.

                So we ask you to please continue to pray for us in the Kungu Region. Most of the orphans have returned to their village but a few of them remain across the river."

Carmel’s story

My greatest joy while in Congo was spending time with a few of the kids, seeing how they have grown not just physically, but spiritually. Carmel, pictured here with me, lives in Kinshasa has been sponsored for one year. She is now almost 17, and has attended school this past year for the first time. She lives with her Mom, who is often sick because of AIDS. They have no home of their own. Carmel sleeps in a doorway at night. Her Mom thanked me at church for the changes in Carmel’s life saying, "She can now read and she listens to me and she is happy." God has a plan for her life, and GlobalFingerprints is a part of it!

Prayer requests

• Pray for this girl and other orphans who were so traumatized during the war, that God would heal their hearts and bodies. And pray for PEACE.
• Pray for our Program Manager, Mama Lopango, who has a heart condition requiring a pace maker. In all of Congo, this procedure is not performed, so pray for an open door for her to have surgery somewhere else.
• Pray for this summer’s projects for GlobalFingerprints and the EFCA:
  • 2010 Challenge, the EFCA national youth conference which will take place in Columbus, OH the week of June 28, will highlight GlobalFingerprints. Volunteers are still needed to help with the assembly of backpacks for orphans at the conference. If you can help, go to our website and let us know, or email Karen at: globalfingerprints@efca.org.
  • "Words 4 Life", the EFCA national VBS project this summer is collecting funds to buy Bibles and Sunday school materials for the children, Supervisors and teachers. Learn more:
  • August 1-5, training of GlobalFingerprints Supervisors and up to 70 Sunday school teachers in Congo, in teaching and applying Bible stories to the lives of children, (in partnership with "Kids Around the World").

More Information

Contact GlobalFingerprints@efca.org or (800) 745-2202
GlobalFingerprints homepage