RE-VISITING THE CONGO
Peter Dawson went back to DRC to visit Kindu Diocese. He took copies of his brief commentary on Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus - written by him in Congo Swahili and published by the African Pastors Fellowship. He spent three weeks in Kindu and a week in Goma getting in and out of the country! He returned to Australia on 5th Sept 2001. He writes:
THE D.R.CONGO: RE-SHUFFLING THE PACK? Some months ago there was a TV documentary on developments in the DRC. This was given the title, "Re-shuffling the Pack". The inference was that as when you shuffle a pack of playing cards you are simply re-arranging the same cards. So while there have been dramatic changes in leadership in the DRC, you still end up with the same situation of corruption, waste, injustice, poverty sickness and death, and a sense of godlessness. Is this a fair assessment?
It was three years since I was last there, so I flew into Goma with great excitement. The airport was crowded with planes and helicopters of the UN, aid organizations, and commercial interests. Goma is on the border with Rwanda and shows this with shops bursting with merchandise including motorbikes, white goods and TVs. There is an internet café in the main street and people everywhere talking on their mobile phones. A lot of people are benefiting from the misery of others. That misery is visible on the fringes of the town where you see squalor and poverty. Bishop Masimango obtained permission for my travel to Kindu 500 kms to the west. The journey was in an old DC3 carrying medical aid. Landing at Kindu airport you immediately see the RDC flag and Rwandan soldiers everywhere. My reaction on seeing the town, where I lived for four years, was of great sadness. It looked more decayed than ever. During the 1998 war the population fled and the army looted. The people are back. The markets and shops have re-opened with lots of merchandise, but not on the grand scale of Goma.
I stayed in the house rented
by the Bishop. Within hours, hearing that we had arrived, the
house began to fill with Christian friends who prayed and
rejoiced with us. 
During the next few days I was
to listen to incredible stories of courage and the grace and
protection of God to his people as they fled the fighting and
sheltered in the surrounding forest. Bishop Masimango and his
family bravely remained in Kindu. During the following months
he continued to move around by foot and bike visiting
Christians in the forest, praying with them, and encouraging
them, with little thought for his own personal safety. That
tragic situation has thankfully past. Most people have
returned to their villages where they lived before the 1998
war. But in the town of Kalima several clergy together with
their congregations are living as refugees in extreme
hardship. It is too dangerous for them to return to their
home villages due to continued fighting.
I found the courage and enthusiasm of the Christians a great challenge. They are positive about their future became they believe in the greatness of God. As clergy, evangelists and people continue to share their faith, the church is growing. On the eastern side of the Congo River at Kindu, Bishop Masimango is developing a Ministry Centre for the training of clergy, evangelists, and to provide technical skills so desperately needed to rebuild this shattered land. Six classrooms are slowly being built with permanent materials. This is expensive as cement, nails and roofing sheets have to be brought in by air, and progress is made as money becomes available through gifts. The Bishop considers this Centre a very high priority.
It was here that a ten day
conference was held for the clergy of the Diocese of Kindu.
Seventy arrived by foot or bicycle carrying rice to
contribute towards the cost. They travelled up to 200kms.
They were accommodated in the homes of Christians in Kindu,
while the daily meetings were held in a temporary building
made from bamboo poles and palm branches to keep out the hot
sun. Each morning they studied closely Paul's letters to
Timothy. Much in these letters touches on the life and work
of the Pastor. The clergy were strengthened for the task of
proclaiming the Good News of Jesus and building up the
Christians who worship in the 260 churches in the Diocese.
Is "Re-shuffling the cards'' a fair description of the DRC? I visited only a small part of this vast land and I cannot give a clear answer to this question. Yes, there is still corruption, greed, injustice, waste, poverty, sickness and premature death in a country torn apart by war. But in this terrible situation God's people faithfully and courageously push forward, strong in their faith in a great God. In him alone is hope for the Democratic Republic of Congo. These people must have our support in prayer and practical help.