1    Exams Results

At the end of July, the final-year students took their state exam (equivalent to the Baccalaureate). They had worked hard to prepare, and they all passed and obtained their high school diploma. We are so proud of them and want to thank you for your support, which made it possible for them to complete their secondary education. Most of them had taken a vocational option that will allow them either to pursue university studies or to begin an apprenticeship. We wish each of them continued growth, success in life, and the ability to find their place in society.

At the examination center

2    Summer Camp

During the school holidays, Théo et Florence organized a Bible camp for the children, who were accompanied by many parents who also wanted to attend. It was a big success.

3    Preparing for the next School Year

The tailoring workshop is remaining very active during the school holidays, making the uniforms for the next school year.

4    Internship for Ana

Ana, Théo and Florence’s eldest daughter, is continuing her medical studies, supported in part by Espoir Congo. Very courageous and determined, she will be entering her third-to-last year this September. Here she is doing her internship at Akram Hospital in Kinshasa. University fees have almost doubled since last year. Please pray for her and for the necessary funds so that she can successfully complete her doctorate.

5    Ministère pour les jeunes :

Aristote continued his ministry with street children during the school holidays. The children are delighted with the activities and keep asking for more. The supervisors of the association “Jeunes au Soleil” are already beginning to see the positive impact these activities are having on the behavior of these children who have endured so much abuse.

Below is what he says:

This month, with the boys, we covered the chapters on responsibility and obedience. We read a few stories, and the children shared examples of friends who had shown responsibility by helping others.
We played some games to illustrate the need to fight in life—whether at school or at work—in order to become useful members of society. Children of the same height paired up to race and try to win, as a way to show how one should act in society to succeed.

As a guiding principle, we adopted the Golden Rule expressed in Matthew 7:12, “Do to others what you would have them do to you,” as well as God’s recommendation in Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Boys coloring illustrated story page

With the girls, we noticed that each one was living with inner wounds caused either by words, actions, or punishments they had suffered, but they were not expressing them. We addressed this topic to encourage them to speak openly about their inner wounds in order to heal.
We had them perform skits on the theme: “If you love me, tell me the truth to my face.”

At the orphanage “La Croyance,” we gave the children the slogan: “Always strive to help others” and taught them a song based on Psalm 23.
We also discussed the theme: Being responsible by being helpful.

Aristote distributing coloring pencils to the little kids

I never imagined that these children, coming from the streets, could love me so much, but I found such pure love from them.

One of the children had a fever, but there was no medicine to treat him. So I prayed for him, and his fever went away.

Helping and rehabilitating them is important because many of them have been victims of street prostitution, with the older ones exploiting the younger ones. They were overjoyed to hear that they can fight to overcome their situation and achieve victory, that they are not condemned to misery.
I also encouraged them to talk to me if they have problems and not to be afraid to confide in me.

Let us pray for all these children, especially those in the orphanage, as some do not have notebooks or schoolbags for the new school year.