Sad news - please pray

On Saturday 11 July, at 4.30pm local time, Bishop Désiré, the Bishop of Goma, died unexpectedly. He had been ill in hospital for a few days and on oxygen. His death is sudden and tragic, leaving behind his wife Claudaline, their children and other dependents. Please pray that they would know God’s comfort.
 
Désiré was loved and admired by all, and known by many in the UK. Those who knew him have described him as an outstanding disciple of Jesus, with a great heart for people and the Gospel. A humble man of God, a man of vision and action, caring for the least and the marginalised, above all that all should know and trust Jesus.
 
Bishop Désiré leaves a young and fragile diocese. The Diocese of Goma is only a few years old, and very poor, but with a God-sized vision for evangelism, discipleship and caring for the poor. Please pray for the clergy and churches and wider Christian community in Goma, for God’s comfort and strength, and that he may bring good out of this tragedy, and raise up other leaders to take forward the vision.
 
And please pray for us. We had planned to approach the DRC Embassy here in Kigali next week with renewed letters of invitation and a request to cross the border. Obviously, things are now even more uncertain for us in terms of timing and practicalities, but those in the Diocese of Goma have reiterated that we are welcome!
 
We are thankful that as we move out of our current house on August 2, we have been offered another house in Kigali from the same date. The children are doing really well in such a time of transition, but we are all keen to get to Goma. Please pray for us, for God’s peace, and that he opens up a way soon.

Thank you for reading and praying!

From Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen