Report warns unrest could spread in Congo

(In Focus screen grab from Congo protest)

Congo-Kinshasa (MNN) ―The electoral commission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for backup.

In the chaos following the presidential and parliamentary vote, they're waiting for help from the United States and Britain before resuming the  ballot count in the parliamentary elections.  

Accusations of ballot-rigging have plagued the presidential election, and with roughly 19 000 candidates vying for one of the 500 seats in the National Assembly, the commission is taking no chances. The results of the parliamentary polls are due to be announced on January 13.

A cloud of doubt remains over the announced results from the presidential election. Both the European Union and the U.S. State Department have also expressed severe reservations about the vote's legitimacy, although the country's Supreme Court validated the results.

With that green light, Joseph Kabila was sworn in for another term in office as president of DR Congo eight days ago. In his first week in office, he's faced a public relations nightmare. A Human Rights Watch report lays blame for the deaths of at least 24 people on Congolese security forces. 

Even as he reportedly promised to safeguard national unity, tanks were to prevent protests. Meanwhile, Opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi maintains he won the poll and had himself sworn in December 23. As a result, there were concerns that post-election violence could spread.

Although the region is one of the biggest and oldest fields for Grace Ministries International, Sam Vinton says so far, they've not been disrupted. "I think that in the Eastern Congo area, where we work from the main cities, I've heard of no real conflict. We've had no communications of any adverse effect on our ministries."

As for the warning of spreading violence, Vinton says it's unlikely to spread to the area where they're working. "A lot of the people in the area where most of our churches are located were probably pro-president (Kabila). But I think in the area of central Congo, where the main opposition is located, I can see that area being in torment and a lot of trouble."

The upheaval has had very little negative impact on their latest evangelistic outreach. In fact,  "It's just amazing how the response continues. We've run out of the 'Book of Hope,' and yet we're showing the DVD of the 'GodMan' and also working in the actual schools. The last report is that close to 4000 students have trusted Christ as their Savior."

4,000 more students coming to Christ, needing discipleship, and a local church body. The GMI team is scrambling to keep up with the demand, because they've run out of everything, and they're trying to get the local churches ready for the onslaught of new believers.

God's hand is all over this project which started with a goal of hoping to see 1000 accept Christ. A year down the road, God has answered beyond their wildest imaginations. "The responsiveness of the students is a remarkable thing when we look back a number of years when it wasn't there. We're pushing forward. We have a team of nine men who are doing this work, and we're just trying to get more funding so that we can keep them going."

It's clear that despite the bullhorns of the rallies and the political jockeying going on, that the voice being heard loudest is the Still Small One.   

Congo Refugees Get help from Christians

Medical Teams International is
 helping refugees in Uganda.

Uganda (MNN) ― You've heard the stories: years of civil conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo killed many people, injured others, and forced many people from their homes. While the situation is becoming a bit more peaceful, there are still bands of rebels who continue to oppress people, forcing many from Congo and into Uganda.

President of Medical Teams International Bas Vanderzalm says their ministry has been responding to this need for some time. He describes the refugees' scenario:

 "Their homes are burned, people are killed, and they have no choice but to leave. And so, several hundred thousand Congolese have migrated to other parts of Africa, away from eastern Congo, and a good number of these refugees have moved into Uganda for safety."

According to Vanderzalm, Medical Teams International has established refugee camps. "The Ugandan authorities and the United Nations have asked us to provide medical care to these refugees."

Vanderzelm describes the condition of the refugees when they arrive. "They have had to walk for days. They have been able to carry nothing with them except what they can put in their arms. They're not only malnourished, but are often are sick. They haven't had water to drink, and so they're quite weak initially."

The objective of Medical Teams, says Vanderzalm, is to "provide them treatment early on and to help them stabilize themselves. Then, it's more of just maintaining the right level of health care for them while they're there."

Vanderzalm says the camp is a "good news" story. "In this camp, God is at work through the volunteers that we have there. We are seeing many refugees experiencing the Gospel in a real way for the first time."

It's more than just a one-time experience, though, says Vanderzalm. "We are seeing Bible studies begin throughout the area. Also, churches are involved in the community to try to promote health, so it has become a place of God's blessing and presence.

While Medical Teams International does receive help from the UN, "it's not enough for everything that we are doing. The work that we do with churches and so on we do with the support of people in [the United States]. So, if people would be willing to make a gift of $35 to us, that would help us touch the lives of one family with medicine." That would also provide opportunities for that family to hear the Gospel.

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