What started as a happy and fruitful month, with the beginning of a new school year and an inspiring presentation of our association in Vannes, ended on a tragic note, not only with civil unrest and the violent riots which took too many lives in Kinshasa, but also with the unexpected death of one of our partners, Esther, following a bout of malaria and meningitis for which she had been hospitalized. We had met Esther at UNIKIN, the main university in Kinshasa, where she had just completed her studies in biology this September. She was attending the Bible classes taught by Olivier, whom she married in 2013 and with whom she had a little girl which they named after me, Clotilde Marie. Esther graduated from the Bible course in April 2014 and attended our retreat. She loved Jesus with her whole heart and was hungry to find a ministry that suited her; she was very inspired by the vision of using the STEPS programs, once the translating would be finalized, to teach children about Jesus, and considered herself a missionary. Esther is the first of our Congolese disciples to have gone ahead to be with Jesus. We will greatly miss her gentle spirit and beautiful smile and pray she finds on the other side the best ministry ever and watches over the loved ones she has left behind.

Esther and baby Clotilde Marie

Esther, the day she graduated from our Bible Course

The recent civil unrest disturbed the children getting back to school in the capital, but in Kikimi, located in the rural periphery of Kinshasa, being removed from all the commotion, our kids were able to start school on the first Monday of September as planned.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the SOFIA company who donated 12 boxes of notebooks, 1 carton of pens, 4 cartons of biscuits and a carton of juice to mark the event. The notebooks and pens will be used throughout the school year, and the biscuits and juice made the first day of school a real treat for the children. Thank you so much, Mr. Mehboob and Mr. Vipul. (Note: In most Congolese schools, the parents have to purchase the school supplies, which they often can’t afford.)

School supplies donated by the SOFIA Company.

First day of school, receiving the notebooks donated by SOFIA company

Pens, notebooks, juice and cookies! Going to school is fun! Thank you SOFIA!

Florence distributing new notebooks and pens

The teachers are also happy to have all the needed supplies to start the school year.

The carpenters have worked very hard to finish sanding the 75 desks they manufactured for our Middle School, and blackboards were painted just on time.

Blackboards for all the classrooms

Sanding of the school benches

We had some unforeseen delays with the masons just when they were nearing completion of the building. But the good news is that the electrician was able to come and finish the installation of the electricity of the second floor. All is all, everyone is doing a good job, and the building will hopefully be finished soon.  

Left: Stairs, shower and toilet
Right: Installing electricity

Installation of doors and windows

Laying of the roof

During the dustiest part of the mason work, we were not able to receive patients, but the doors have now reopened and we’ve had some new babies born. The mommies are so thankful for the baby clothes we give them and Florence’s tender loving care.

Adorable new born…

…and a thankful mommy receiving baby clothes from Florence

Our Bible teachers and Youth leaders continue to faithfully teach the Foundation Stones Course and organize the monthly fellowships on the first Sunday of each month. God bless Gerse, Olivier, Thierry, Cedric and John, for their dedication and faithfulness.

Monthly fellowship

On the first Saturday of September, we were given the opportunity to present “Espoir Congo” at the Forum of the associations in the city of Vannes. Also in answer to your prayers, it went very well and was a good witness. It was very inspiring to meet so many people dedicated to the various association causes they represented to help their fellow men, including several contacts interested in our project which we will follow up on. Here’s a short clip of the event, filmed early in the day before the crowds came: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mxExc_7iSc 

Our table for the Forum in Vannes

With Kenyan Velda and daughter Inaya.

Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today. — Thich Nhat Hanh

No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments, and troubles are, they are only temporary. No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the Resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good. — Josh McDowell

Your yesterdays are left with God, and none of their disappointments should be dragged into this day. Tomorrow is still unborn and you shouldn’t borrow from it. Today is filled with golden opportunities and pregnant with great possibilities! This is the golden tomorrow that you dreamed about yesterday.

—Virginia Brandt Berg (1886–1968)

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