CMS - DR Congo
DR Congo: Nature's cruelty
While Malcolm and Elizabeth Richards have been on Home Assignment in Australia, the Church of DR Congo has been going through some tough times.
On 3 February a series of earthquakes hit the Bukavu region. Nearly 100 buildings have collapsed in Bukavu alone, and more than 800 rendered uninhabitable, while the local dam and hospital have also been damaged.
An email the Richards received from Bukavu Diocese reported that major damage has occurred in many church owned buildings, including the Cathedral, parish churches and schools. This is a huge setback for the Diocese.
Shortly before the Richards left Kindu the staff at the diocesan office were upset to hear that one of the village pastors had died. They started to plan who would go to the village to see the family. The following day more news came: this time that he was alive but very sick and had travelled to Kindu (pushed on a bicycle for five days) to get medical treatment.
He was taken to the river crossing and brought across in a canoe. Elizabeth fetched him in the Richards' car and drove him to hospital so he could be admitted. After a week the doctors had no idea what was wrong except that he was clearly very ill and not responding to any treatment. Apart from basic blood tests there were no other testing facilities.
Sadly, soon after Malcolm and Elizabeth returned to Australia we had news that he had died. This same family had lost a son only a few months previously.
Special prayer focus
Political Unrest Throughout the World
Our heavenly Father, we praise you for the peace and stability we enjoy in Australia.
- We thank you for the freedom of worship that we enjoy in our country.
- We are mindful of those whose lives are disrupted by war and oppression, and we pray for those who suffer persecution.
- May the light of Christ shine in countries affected by turmoil.
- We pray that many will turn to you, finding both forgiveness and the power to forgive others.
- May your kingdom come and your will be done in those counties as we, together with them, wait upon your second coming to gather your people, and to establish your authority forever.
- We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.