DEM. REP. OF CONGO Lubumbashi

A pregnant lady, who came to faith in Christ through Kavul and others from the Kamilombe assembly, gave birth to triplets recently (on the roadside on her way to the clinic). It was lovely to see the assembly rally round, and out of their poverty give baby clothes and food to help the couple and their other 5 children. Sadly though, 2 of the triplets died. We helped with some repairs to the family’s tiny home as the roof leaked like a sieve in the rain.

Paulin, the head teacher of the Bel-Air Primary School (who gave up a more lucrative job for this post) is very thankful for all the help received to get the school out of its disastrous state. Doors have been repaired or renewed and staff morale has increased. Delphin, a school’s evangelist visits them on Friday mornings - which the children love, the staff appreciate, and parents comment on favourably.

Despite several years of promises, Luapula School (3 classrooms) is still waiting for the mining company to begin work on building more classrooms. Funds given to the provincial government have not been released to the construction team, which is very frustrating. Pray for action in 2023! Tumbwe (headteacher), supervises 2 other schools about 30 miles away. Each week Tumbwe spends hours on a motor-bike on bad roads, travelling between schools - and still manages to smile! Sadly, no trace has ever been found of his 9-year-old nephew who disappeared over 18 months ago when walking home from church, or another relative, taken from his home by military in the middle of the night for no apparent reason.

‘No room at the inn’ applies to 45 pigs at Ephphata School for the Deaf, who are evidence of their successful auto-financing project. The pig’s new accommodation is waiting for a roof. The school continues to do a brilliant job in educating about 200 deaf children. The Deaf Christian Fellowship has many members amongst past and present students. Among them are trained carpenters who work with Isazu. Visitors to the workshop who admired their work have given permanent jobs to 4 carpenters. When walking past a mortuary that was being built, Isazu seized the opportunity to ask if he could display coffins for sale outside it! After interviews and a visit to the workshop, this was accepted. Since then, he has been recommended to others and now has the possibility of making simple coffins that poorer people can afford. We thank the Lord for such opportunities. About 2 months ago, Isazu’s home was attacked by bandits, many in police uniforms and carrying guns and machetes. They broke windows, forced doors, and ripped out the electrics before stealing anything of value. Isazu’s wife had to beg on her knees for her husband’s life as they weren’t satisfied with the money she produced. They were hit in the face, but the children were unharmed. Their lodger was severely beaten with a spade and needed several weeks in hospital. He is still unable to work. We thank God it was not worse, but please pray for emotional healing for them all.

1985 RACHEL NEWBY