Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91 :1-2 

Much to mourn

The two archdeacons* from Masisi usually take 2 hours to get to Goma by motorbike. This week it took them a full day as they skirted round mountains and then found a small boat to get them across the lake. The usual access route to Goma is blocked by the M23 rebels and a journey that normally costs $15 is now $60.
 
They shared in church on Sunday how a bag of salt has risen from 700 Congolese francs to 2400 and how they have to walk 4 hours to get mobile phone reception as the power lines have been cut. Many in their area don’t move about much as every few hundred metres there is another rebel group on the road demanding a road tax.
 
The archdeacons were in Goma for our Diocesan Council where we also heard from another archdeacon how his cow and 4 goats had been stolen by rebels last week and the shepherd is nowhere to be found. He told us of the way in which the war is taking a chilling turn where he lives with verified accounts of M23 atrocities of summary executions and people being buried alive or burned in their homes. 
 
In every area of our diocese people are either fleeing or welcoming those who are fleeing. The population of Goma is swelling daily with noticeably more children on the streets. Not to mention the numbers in the camps on the edges of the city. Some estimates put the rebel-controlled area of the Province of North Kivu at around 40%. As one resident said this week, “To live in Goma is to understand that at any time you can go to sleep with no hope of waking up in the morning. In the day we live in heaven. At night we are in hell.” The International Red Cross gives a brief update here.
 
We heard of the dire situation in our 109 church schools. More than 50 have not opened their doors this academic year. And of those that have the teachers are starting to leave as they receive no salary at all. Two of our schools have been hit by bombs and dozens are used as IDP shelters during the nights with desks as firewood, and makeshift classrooms during the day.

*An archdeacon is a priest/pastor who oversees a number of parishes in a certain area

Much to celebrate

But the clergy in the diocese have an unshakeable trust in the goodness of God, and they all say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
 
And in the midst of mourning the archdeacons all gave testimony from their parishes that the work of the church continues. We saw hundreds of baptisms across the diocese in 2023. At least 15 parishes have either completed the building of a church or pastor’s house this year or are well on the way to finishing. We’ve secured 8 title deeds to land meaning it is less likely to be invaded or stolen. And we have new motorbikes ready for three of our archdeacons. The clergy know that one day the war will end and that strengthening the church today is essential for rebuilding of the country tomorrow. 
 
And some clergy and believers have started to return to the rebel-held areas to live and worship. Others are ministering in the IDP camps and putting up tents as makeshift churches. All are caring for those who are most vulnerable by sharing what little they have. 

Diocesan visit to Nairobi

Today a team of 12 staff from the diocese leaves on a long-planned exchange visit to the Diocese of Nairobi. We are a mix of heads of department and archdeacons.

The journey by bus will take us through Rwanda and Uganda before arriving in Kenya a full 36 hours later. See above picture of Nairobi bus station. They have graciously let their bishop take the plane. Most of those travelling have never left DRC. What could possibly go wrong …

How can you pray?

• Please continue to pray each day for Goma during Lent and to pray each week in church.

• Give thanks that the work of the church continues

• Pray for our diocesan exchange visit to Nairobi – we would all get there and back safely and that we would be encouraged and refreshed.

• Pray for something to shift in the region towards peace.

• Pray for us to be able to locate our parishioners in the IDP camps to be able to support them.

Thank you, as always to those who read, write, pray and give
Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen