The number of cases has officially risen to 1900 + with 63 deaths so far in the last 3 months, which, although sad for the victims and their loved ones, is not as severe as in other parts of the world, and pales compared to the death toll caused by malaria (according to Doctors Without Borders, in 2019 malaria was responsible for 13,000 death in the DRCongo, or an average of 3,250 death every 3 months). However, the economic repercussions of the coronavirus crisis are much more severe. The center of Kinshasa has been in lockdown, which is where many of the foreign-run businesses are located. Many of the Congolese employees have lost their jobs, or seen their activity greatly diminished. There are no social measures in place here, such as unemployment benefits to help people survive during such a crisis. The population, who was already living hand to mouth and struggling to make ends meet, is now even more desperate. A local friend told us that people are now going door to door humbly asking for food to feed their families.

Yet, witnessing people’s faith and resilience is both admirable and humbling. In the face of death and desperation, they turn to God and put their trust in Him to somehow see them through. And He does. We have a lot to learn from them. Below are some testimonies from some of our close friends:

Thierry (lawyer): In Congo, people live from hand to mouth, so when confinement was imposed because of the covid19, many people got hit with fear, wondering how they were going to feed their family. God reminded him that our life does not depend on the things which we possess, and told him not to fear, but to trust in His promises. Thierry says, “Even if we have nothing, every morning we can praise Him and trust Him because He has promised to care for His children. His Word is coming alive to us and I believe He is going to give us the grace for this time, just like He has done before when we faced other crisis in our country”.

Gerse (medical doctor): “I believe God is using this pandemic to strengthen our faith, make us more dependent on Him and rely on His promises, and He is faithful to supply our needs day by day. Even though I am a doctor, I do not receive a salary and sometimes I don’t even have enough money for transport to go to work. But the Lord always does a miracle to supply. So I believe He is going to see us through this crisis because with Him we are more than conquerors.”

Olivier (software engineer): Salaries are always late, and now with the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the transport company he works for risks economic disaster, because the number of people allowed inside the buses is now limited. His work hours have been diminished, which will mean less pay. He was tempted to fear and wondered how he was going to pay his rent, and care for his wife and 5 children. But God gave him peace and touched the heart of his landlord not to be demanding with his rent if he was unable to pay.

Cedric (marketing developer) and John: The two brothers had applied to go to Morocco to further their university studies, had already enrolled in a college there and were just waiting for their visas. But their visas kept getting denied. They were very disappointed and could not understand why God would allow it, as they had used all their savings to prepare for that trip. But when all the borders were closed because of covid19 they understood that the Lord had a purpose and another plan for them behind this inexplicable refusal.

John (photographer): His family got worried when the restrictions were imposed because of the coronavirus, and wondered how they were going to get enough money to buy food supplies. But the Lord supplied through his sister when she received some unexpected funds from the company she works for.

Jacques (Agronomy student): Having completed his college studies, he had been waiting for a whole year to be given a date to present his thesis to the jury. (Note: the university is one year behind in graduating the students who have completed their studies). Finally, early this year he was given a date, just before the university had to close down because of covid19 restrictions. This meant his appointment to defend his thesis was cancelled until further notice. His faith was sorely tested at this point, he couldn’t understand why God was allowing it, until he read in John 17 how the Lord promised to give His peace, not as the world gives. He then felt the Lord’s peace fill his heart, and, although he may still not understand the God’s purpose behind this disappointment, He is trusting Him that it will work together for good in the end.

 

     

We are deeply moved by the generosity of our local donors who, despite the current crisis and the losses they are themselves facing, are continuing to donate food and sanitary items for the children. One such example is Neema (GGMart) who not only has accepted to take on the donation of the sanitary pads for the girls, but also donated masks for all the children and teachers, so they will be protected once school re-opens.

 

The schools are still closed because of the coronavirus, but we may be able to reopen at the end of May. If not, since children here are not able to study on line, they may have to repeat their school year in September.

 

11 babies were born this month ! 

 

5     Construction of Staff Housing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything had been put on hold because of the coronavirus restrictions, but thankfully we were able to install the security gates.

 

 

We are deeply grateful to those who continue to help and donate to keep this project running amid this unprecedented crisis. We know that God sees the generosity of your heart and will reward you accordingly. It is an honor to be working with you to help those in need. Thank you.

 

“What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.”—Emil Brunner

“In all things it is better to hope than to despair.”—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“If you have been reduced to God being your only hope, you are in a good place.”—Jim Laffoon

 

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