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FOR THE CHURCH IN CIVIL UNREST
From Bishop Martin Gordon of Goma Diocese, DR Congo:
On January 27th Rwandan-backed March 23 (M23) rebels swept into Goma, capital of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province. Bishop Martin Gordon writes “Many have died, many are wounded, and there is a shortage of food. The Anglican churches are seeking to help the vulnerable, and organisations such as Church Mission Society (CMS) and Anglican Relief and Development Fund Australia (ARDFA) are organising crisis appeals.The city of Goma is developing into a humanitarian crisis. Click Here for More
- Pray for regional and international intervention to be successful to halt the fighting.
- Pray for a speedy humanitarian response for the many people uprooted from their homes.
- Pray for generous giving and for the churches to be places of refuge and hope.
From The Rev. Bisoke Balikenga, Peace Center, DR Congo:
Bisoke Balikenga, recent visitor to our diocese, heads the Peace Center in Bunia. The Peace Center is 250 miles north of Goma. Bisoke reports, "The rebel group called CODECO has killed more than 100 people and burned them in their houses, many of them women and children. In Bunia people are living with fear. Food is now so expensive; the rumors are saying we need to have a stack of food at home for one month because the war which will happen here will stay longer. People are not sleeping in the night."
- Pray for the role of the Peace Center and the church in pastoral care, peace-making and reconciliation.
- Pray for provision and safety for Bunia and the Peace Center that this aggression will not reach them.
- With thanksgiving pray for the Ugandan troops that have arrived to work with the government of DRC to help protect Bunia from CODECO and M23.
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