Tag: Congo

Africa’s Problems

Meeting new people provides challenges when we encounter differing viewpoints.

Two weeks ago my husband and I took a vacation trip along America’s northwest coast. While we waited for our tour bus to arrive, I got acquainted with my fellow travelers. One couple had recently returned from a trip to Tanzania. They regaled us with stories of the wildlife they viewed from the safari tour’s land cruiser.

Another traveler spoke of his life in Congo during the upheaval of the 1960s. The talk turned to a discussion of Africa’s current political climate and poverty. The man declared, “Only Africa can solve Africa’s problems!”

“That’s an interesting perspective,” I said. I mentioned I blogged for this ministry to Congo. I summarized Fred and Dale’s Congo Trip 2015. Feeling pleased about the success with the rainwater collection system, I told them it also provided a small business opportunity for the Congolese men who were part of Fred’s team.

The man cut me off. “Humph! That won’t help. That’s not enough water.”

His tone softened when he allowed me to explain the size of the rainwater collection tanks.

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Fred with a rainwater collection tank he and his son installed at the conference center in Tshikapa, Congo.

After further discussion I asked him, “So you think we’re wasting our time trying to help the Congolese. Should we just give up?”

He shrugged. “No. You should keep trying.”

The tour bus arrived and our conversation ended, but his judgment still hung in the air: “Only Africa can solve Africa’s problems.”

What do you think? I’d like to hear your opinions about this.

©2015 Hope4Congo

Summary of Congo 2015

Fred has returned safely home. Dale returned three weeks earlier. It’s time for a summary of this year’s trip to the Congo.

As reported earlier, Dale and Fred along with their drilling crew were disappointed that they were unable to successfully dig a well. Although two attempts were made and they did strike water, both wells collapsed. This is a problem that needs to be investigated further with the company that engineered the equipment. Pray for wisdom and a solution to this problem.

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Fred and the potential new businessmen

Before Fred left the Congo, he and his crew were able to attach rainwater collection systems to four houses. Using roofing tin, the team devised guttering to carry the water through a downspout into thirty gallon plastic containers. These containers, readily available in the Congo, make fine water reservoirs. The system should work quite well during the approaching rainy season.

Pray for the success of the collection systems on these homes. The Congolese have never tried to collect rainwater before. If the Congolese people see these reservoirs as effective, they will be more willing to utilize this method to provide safe drinking water for their families. This could be such a wonderful solution for these dear people since they have a plentiful supply of rainwater.

Pray also for the Congolese crew members who learned how to create and install these rainwater collection systems. This could be a fine business venture for these men, a much-needed source of income for them and their families.

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Candid shot, Dale on left, Fred on right

Finally, we here at Hope 4 Congo are so grateful for the work of Fred and Dale. They were not only willing to go, but joyful for the opportunity. Dale developed malaria upon his return home. Fred contracted malaria while in Congo and was quite ill for a few days. Please pray for the full recovery of both men.

©2015 Hope4Congo

Fred’s Drilling Crew Disappointed

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Fred and his drilling crew.
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Another hole collapses.

Fred has been in Congo for seven weeks now. He reports that the second hole Dale and he started went crooked and collapsed last week just like the first one. A big disappointment!

Fred has wisely come up with an alternative plan. He will concentrate on rainwater retrieval from house roofs. Congo certainly has plenty of rain to catch. Here is what Fred sent:

“I have decided to use local materials as much as possible for the water-collection systems on individual homes. We’ll use one hundred liter plastic cans similar to the ones many Americans use for trash. They are readily available here in Tshikapa, and they are only $15 each.”

100 liters is approximately 26.5 gallons or about 5 – 7 trips to the spring or river to get water.

We here at Hope 4 Congo will have to rethink our method of drilling in Congo for the future. This makes five holes without water.

Catching rainwater is a great idea. We’re not sure why the Congolese have not done it. It has a lot of potential. It’s easy to do and rain is plentiful in Congo.

Sometimes our western way of thinking takes a lot of time and effort to catch on. Please pray that the Congolese will see the value of this system to supply their water. Also, that they may see the potential business opportunity in it as well.

Fred is trying to introduce good business practices to them. Pray that they will see this as a way to provide for their families.

We’ll post more information when we have it or on July 7, whichever comes first. In the meantime, please pray for Fred and his efforts to help the Congolese. Also, please follow us so you won’t miss out on any of our news and updates.

©2015 Hope4Congo

Dale has Malaria; Fred Continues Drilling

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Dale on the left, Fred in the background

Dale has been our source of updates due to his internet connection. Since Dale is back home now this is the last photo we have to share at this time.

Unfortunately, Dale has come down with malaria. It will take several days for him to recover. Please pray for him to feel better soon.

Fred is still in Congo. He reports they drilled down about eighty feet on the second well, but they had to abandon the first hole because it went crooked and collapsed at the bottom.

They have found water again, but we haven’t heard anymore from Fred at this point.

Please continue to pray for a successful well and that Dale will recover quickly.

And as always, please follow us so you’ll keep up with the news from Congo.

~Blessings

©2015 Hope4Congo

Disrepair in Congo

Be sure to Follow us by clicking on the orange Follow word. This will take you to a place where you can sign-up with your email address. By filling out the information with your email address you will receive updates in your email inbox whenever a new post appears.

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This old hospital building illustrates the disrepair at the former Ndjoko Punda mission station

This week Stan gives us special insight into some of the reasons things are in such disrepair in the Congo and the concern this represents.

“I’d like to explain why the Congolese don’t fix things—no one has the money to fix these things and the people with the skills to do so are dying off. The youth are not learning these skills. It’s one of the reasons we’re interested in providing AIMM vocational schools to teach these needed vocational skills. This is so important.

“The youth are more interested in earning quick money through diamond mining to get rich. One of the women in the church said, ‘Our youth are giving up food for diamonds.’

“This is very sad for their culture in the long run and desperately dangerous for the Congolese youth. Many die in their quest for diamonds. Their techniques and tools are primitive. The youth dig in river banks or they will dig a thirty foot deep pit with a three to twenty foot diameter opening. At the bottom of the pit they may tunnel sideways. Tie a rope around their waist and lower down into the hole. If they tunnel sideways the tunnel walls may collapse on them. They also drown while diving for diamonds.”

Thank you for helping us to understand the situation, Stan. Of course we know there are diamond mining companies that provide more advanced tools for their workers. That would be safer. However, the point is that the youth are going after a quick buck rather than developing a skill or a trade that would provide them with an income and be a service to their country.

This will be our last post for May. Starting June 2, 2015, we will only post the first and third Tuesdays of June, July, and August. Remember to Follow Us so you won’t miss anything.

For those children looking forward to the Crocodile Story, make sure you join us in June.

If you’d like to donate to any of our projects please go to the AIMM page here on our site.

©2015 Hope4Congo

MAVUCO, Ministry to Gemena Prison

These photos were provided by Rod Brown as part of his trip in Congo last year. As you know, if you’ve been following us, Hope 4 Congo wishes to support other ministries to the Congo.

For more information view African Medical Alliance website: http://africanmedicalalliance.com/

MAVUCO is a prison ministry that was started when Rod Brown lived there.

The following photos were taken at the prison in Gemena, Congo. Paklawele faithfully ministers to the prisoners. God recently provided Paklawele with a bicycle to make his trips easier.

 

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Paklawele, Rod, Dr. Embeke at Bible Translation Center

Here are members of the MAVUCO committee with Bibles for the prisoners at Gemena. Congo.MAVUCO.Com

Churches provide food and clean water for prisoners through MAVUCO.Congo.Church.Helps.Prisoners

Prisoners respond to God’s Word.Congo.Prisoners.Respond

 

©2015 Hope4Congo