The presidential elections, which had been postponed several times in the last two years, finally took place on the 30^th of December, at which point the internet was shut down. The last couple of weeks have been intense and uncertain. One of the two major opposition candidates was declared the winner, but the results were contested by the other opposition candidate.

The official government electoral commission had announced that there were two options: either accept their results or cancel the elections and re-schedule them for a future date, meaning that the present government would stay in power until then. The threat of violent reactions was very real. Cancelling the elections would further create division and electoral chaos. We prayed for a miraculous peaceful resolution and that this would become the first peaceful transfer of power in the DRCongo’s history. 

On January 20^th, the high court confirmed the results and the new president has just been sworn in on the 24th. Internet has also been restored. We continue to pray for peace, against any civil unrest, and that the new government will better the daily lives of the poor.

Before the elections took place, at the end of the school term, Theo and Florence organized a Christmas celebration for all the kids in Kikimi, with a nice meal and distribution of milk packages. 

A baby was born before Christmas, and another one since then. The mothers are so thankful for the clothes, food and toiletry items they received along with the loving care.

 

A bull bar was installed on the ambulance to protect it from crazy drivers.

 

Our youth leaders held a Christmas/New Year celebration on January 13^th with all their students, after the elections. Understandably, because of the tense and uncertain atmosphere in the country due to the ongoing electoral process, there was less attendance than in previous years, but we know that God is not limited by many or by few and looks at quality more than quantity. Jacques and Thierry were the MCs, Olivier and Jacques presented a sketch, a slide show and a film excerpt reminded everyone of the true meaning of this celebration, then Cedric read a text on the same theme. Below are some reactions from some of the attendees:

 Jacques: It was beautiful, even though we were less people, as we celebrated in an atmosphere of peace and of love. It was truly wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cedric: We were all praying, each one of us, praying for peace in our country and for the smooth running of the candle light celebration. God answered our prayer, allowing us to celebrate in a climate of peace in the country.

We had a problem downloading and printing the Christmas and New Year’s messages as the Internet was down all over the country for three weeks.  So we used the old Christmas slideshows, and for the exhortation I chose the message from “What Everybody needs is Love”, which I commented by telling people that Christmas should be considered as a celebration expressing God’s love, because God’s love towards us was manifested through the gift of His son Jesus Christ.

Everyone then expressed their gratitude for the year 2018:

-Jacques thanked God for his success in his university studies;

-Olivier: thanked God for the good health of his children throughout the year; he exhorted us that strength is in God, relying on Philippians 4:13: “I can do all through Christ who strengthens me.

– Thierry testified about God’s favor in his work, as several beneficial contracts were awarded to him in 2018;

– John testified about the importance of spreading the Word of God to others, he himself was a victim of a slackness in witnessing to others, but after the death of his friend (Kevin who was also a student of 12 foundation stones with Thierry) in October, the loss of a dear friend affected him so much that it produced in him the zeal to announce the kingdom of God to people, and he resolved to go to Kalembelembe Hospital at least once a week to witness Christ.

– Cedric expressed his gratitude to God for his health (for the fact that he spent the whole year without being sick) and also for the way God provided for him throughout the year.

 

 

Psa 34:15-19,21-22  The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

 

        When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,

                  The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,

         To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman

 

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