Hi dear Tammie
The Lord reigns. He is good all the time.
By God’s grace we are still alive. Blessed be his name.
It is certain that you heard or watched what was happening around our town which you know very well and in which he gave you the opportunity to minister.
I was coming from Butembo and this time I resolved to come by bus. Though people forbade me from traveling by road, I had the conviction that I had to travel by road. We started off at 7.00am and by 3.20 we wre in Goma to our amazement without any harassment whatsoever.
On Sunday, just after the worship service, one of the deacon who was sitting beside me who listened to the testimony that the Lord protected me on the risky road came tome and said: “you were protected by Him because those who came this morning will not reach Goma because the war is going on at almost 48 kms from Goma and the 2nd large barrazck in the country located there has been under the control of the rebels”. I begun inquiring from friends and irt was true. The following day they ere fighting at almost 25kms from Goma and then on Tuesday, they were progressing to Goma at less than 15 kms. On Wednesday we went to work as usual but at when it came to 2.00 pm, the UN troops based in Goma begun evacuating their staff and then we were asked to go back home as so as possible. It was not easy to find a way on the main road because the soldiers were fleeing the battle field. They came with their tanks at a high speed and others were in Lories some others in jeeps and others were running on foot. This brought a big panic and commotion into the town. Thank God, I was on motorbike and managed to find a way home where I reached to take care of the family and organize them.
As they were fleeing, those who were running on foot were, at the same time snatching buses and motorbikes to flee with and they are still lost.
Late in the evening, then the uncontrolled soldiers in the town started looting shops and houses until late in the night but around 2.00 am, the Government sent other troops that helped master the looting.
The following day, we realized that the rebels did not capture the town and we believe the Lord fought for us using the international community to stop the rebels who were reported to be at the Airport already. But many shops were looted, more than 11 people killed and many others injured and still lying in the hospitals.
For the time being, the situation seem to be calm and life is coming back in the town slowly and timidly but still in danger. There is scarcity of food commodities and the cost has gone high (double or triple). Many Displaced people in the town and around the town of Goma and not enough food to fee the people. This is the time we highly need prayers and help.
The churches are overwhelmed with IDPs (internal displaced people) coming for help and safety.
For almost 5 days, the church members were collecting food and clothes to minister to the IDPs but since they themselves are facing the same challenges, they are limited in continuing to help these dear ones. This is where we call upon brothers and sisters to come to the rescue of the church in Goma. Some church members are hosting families of displaced people for the sake of Christ and his hospitality.
The danger is not yet over because we are told that even though the rebels declared a ceasefire, Rwandese troops are still deployed at almost 25kms from Goma to prepare the an imminent attack on Goma. But we still trust the One who fought for Israel to fight for us. But we request our brothers and sister in the world to assist us in this time of trial and to mobilize the international community intervene to denounce what is being planned against our town and our country and its people. It is a pity to see innocent aged people, women and children to suffer because of cupidity of some people. It is sad.
As I told you earlier, I was from Butembo and I met my son who told me how you blessed him. May the Lord bless you. You have helped the entire family and may the Lord reward you and keep his face shine on you and your family. Greet your lovely husband and hug him for me. A. is doing fine in Butembo and we hope that he will do well this time with the hep of the Lord. We are missing him. His sister is also in Beni nowadays doing her university studies there.
My wife is greeting you. She is having now a busy time prepare the ladies in our church to give psychological and emotional help to the many people who were affected by these sad traumatic events because as you know she is a counselor by profession and we are praying that we will be able to establish an office or a counseling center for her to prepare people for such events.
M. is doing fine with his family. I also talked to him after the events and he related to me how the Lord took care of them: him and his family
Because He lives we can face tomorrow.
Blessings dear
M.
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