Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes because of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Tearfund’s local church partners are helping displaced people to become more independent through farming, and supporting them with sanitation and clean water. This week, pray that more traumatised families will get the support they need and for peace to come to the country.
Sunday 9 July
Rev Bagame, a pastor in Machongani village in eastern DRC, opened his church and community to support displaced people. Then his home was attacked and he and his family were forced to flee. ‘Pray for an end to the war,’ asks Rev Bagame. ‘Pray for access to fields so that people can plant crops and be able to feed themselves.’
Monday 10 July
‘We used to see people getting sick and dying a lot,’ says Sango, who lives in a displacement camp in Kayumba, South Kivu, DRC. ‘But our despair turned to joy when Tearfund came to our village. We were shown the importance of good latrines in each household, and of washing our hands to prevent diseases, including diarrhoea.’ Give thanks for this transformation.
Tuesday 11 July
Before her family had a handwashing station, life was tough for Veronique and her family in Lubinga II village, DRC. ‘We suffered a lot from diarrhoea,’ she says. ‘We had to spend a great deal of money on medical care. This was a huge burden. We even lost one of our children to diarrhoea.’ Lift up families who are still facing such hardship and distress.
Wednesday 12 July
‘Before Tearfund came, we had to use the river to collect water,’ says Busha, the president of the Nyamazaz Internally Displaced People Camp. ‘It was not clean but we had no other choice. But then Tearfund came and told us they would deliver safe drinking water.’ Pray that our teams will be able to reach more people with safe water sources.
Thursday 13 July
‘God has answered my prayers,’ says Bwami, who is 28 and takes care of his wife and two children in Tchaboba, South Kivu. He lost an arm in a crocodile attack, which makes handwashing difficult. Praise God that generous giving meant we were able to supply him with jerry cans, a bucket with a tap, soap, a basin and a stool so he can wash easily.
Friday 14 July
Wabanga from Nundu, South Kivu also lost an arm when a crocodile attacked. ‘I hope that Tearfund’s work will stop more people from losing their arms as they won’t have to collect water from the lake,’ she says. ‘This will also help to reduce diseases in our villages.’ Pray for Wabanga as she learns to live with her disability.
Saturday 15 July
Mighty God, you have the power to change things for good. In your name, we ask you to bring an end to violence in the DRC. Make a way for people to safely return home and rebuild their lives, we pray. Amen.
