Congo - GlobalFingerprints
	
	  
	

GlobalFingerprints, the EFCA’s child sponsorship program, works in the northwestern corner of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in the capital city of Kinshasa.




GlobalFingerprints started in Congo in 2006 at the request of a ReachGlobal partner, the Evangelical Free Church of DRC (CECU: Communaute Evangelique du Christ en Ubangi).



Sponsor a child


GlobalFingerprints History in Congo



For over 80 years, the EFCA has had a relationship with the Free Church of Congo (CECU); though in the 1990’s, missionaries were evacuated at the beginning of a Civil War in Congo. Thus, after 7 years of Civil War in Congo, representatives from TouchGlobal visited the Congolese Free Church, asking them how we could best help them to be Christ’s Body. One of their first responses was that they were overwhelmed with orphans and widows within their church and communities. Secondly, they knew that they must respond to the AIDS crisis, in both preventing AIDS and caring for those who were suffering because of it. 


Throughout Africa, many children are orphans because both of their parents died of AIDS. Oftentimes, extended families are overwhelmed, caring for their own children as well as orphans. Grandparents have become parents again, but not able to meet the needs of their grandchildren. So, because of the war, disease, poverty, and AIDS, the Congolese Church recognized that they were responsible to care for the orphans in their communities. GlobalFingerprints was born out of this very need. We have the opportunity to leave behind the fingerprint of Christ on the lives of these children: We, here in the States, together with our Congolese brothers and sisters in the Free Church, there.


Orphans in GlobalFingerprints remain in family settings, being cared for by extended family or concerned neighbors. As a sponsor is found for a child, a supervisor oversees the basic needs of the child: Education, uniforms, backpacks, medical care, nutrition, as well as reminding that child of God’s love through Jesus. The program and care of orphans is run by the Congolese Free Church. Twenty-seven men and women have been trained as case workers, and oversee the needs of, and provisions for, these children. GlobalFingerprints has already brought great glory to God the Father, and hundreds of orphans now know that their Heavenly Father loves and cares for them.



GlobalFingerprints is unique



• It works directly through the national church. They are doing the work.

• Children are cared for in homes, not an orphanage.

• The Gospel is clearly presented to each child, with all of our supervisors and workers being Christians and part of the local evangelical church.

• It is part of our Church internationally, so we are allowed to build up our brothers and sisters in Congo and help the churches there to grow.



More information


   



	


    
Multimedia

	
  
	
GlobalFingerprints Video (more info)




        	    


		
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