“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

This is the first in a series of blogs to consider what hope looks like. Hope for Congo has been ministering in the Democratic Republic of Congo for 15 years. In 2007 the population was estimated between 50 & 60 million people. Today in 2022 the population is approaching 90 million people. This is a sobering statistic knowing how difficult life is in Congo. In 2018 it was estimated that 73 percent of the population live in poverty and earn less than $1.90 per day.

Fifteen years later it is proper to ask ourselves the question, “What have we been doing to make a significant impact in Congo”? What does hope look like? We will be sharing over the next several months the answer to this question, what does hope look like. How has Hope for Congo contributed to the hope that is so desperately needed in Congo?

The hope of the Gospel is the pressing need for every generation. Spiritual starvation is a fact of life for the majority of Believers in Congo. Affordable access to Bibles and Christian literature continues to be a challenge.

Over the years we have purchased Bibles in the major heart languages through the American Bible Society. Hope for Congo has been able to purchase, distribute and sell over 12,000 Bibles. Twice we have participated with another organization to distribute Bibles to pastors who had no Bible. These Bibles were given to the pastors free of charge. We distributed 600 Bibles out of a total of 6,000 that were given to pastors in need of a Bible.

In 2022 we expect to purchase the Africa Study Bible, French edition. This new study Bible has been years in development. “The Africa Study Bible is a pacesetter in using the African experience for understanding the Bible”-Dr. Mvume Dandala. More than 350 African theologians, pastors and teachers have come together to produce this study Bible. Oasis International has spearheaded this project. Hope for Congo is excited to participate in the launch and further distribution of this Bible.

Access to Christian literature is almost non-existent in the DRC. To help meet this need and to make it more affordable to all, Hope for Congo is collaborating with several other ministries to establish a Print on Demand Media Center. This media center will be located in the capital city of Kinshasa. A total of $60,000 dollars is needed to launch this project. Presently, $14,000 dollars remain outstanding before we can move forward.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Your prayers and donations have made these efforts possible. They are bringing hope to the next generation. Donations can be made to AIMM (Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission) P.O. Box 744, Goshen IN 46527-0744. You can send in your donations or go on line to https://www.aimmint.org/donate.html and donate. Designate your gift as “Hope for Congo”.

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