December 12, 2004
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is December 12, the Advent period, and you will read this
probably after Christmas.
Maria was pregnant, very pregnant, and forced to go to Bethlehem
to respond to a census at Joseph’s place of origin. She
and Joseph were forced to make a great effort to comply with human
classification, administrative limitations, and power to extract
money. Soon they would face the exclusion of the powerless. But
through all frustration they carried the hope that the child would
be a manifestation of God’s peace and joy. Then they had
to flee to Egypt for the dear life of the child. Advent and Christmas
in a curious way is the filigree image of the Calvary, the crucifixion
and resurrection.
No I am not about to tell you I was pregnant in the body, but
I was and am definitely pregnant of many dreams for the poor here.
With improvisation and God’s help, I started delivering
help to people. Some felt I was thus threatening the established
order and rumors and accusations started flying. My hope and submission
to God’s orders regarding the poor give me strength to endure.
I feel Maria’s frustrations and fears; I feel her hope
and determination. We should continue to carry out the development
of the dreams. Time for exile? I hope and pray not, village people
pray not. There are few things all or most villagers agree on,
but that one seems to get virtual unanimity even of the local
chiefs and pastors.
The ECO 051711 on food security has received support through
PC(USA) from American, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese brothers
and sisters, friends. We are in a holding situation awaiting the
arrival of funds, but we are organizing harvests that will be
abundant in most places, planting fruit trees, and dreaming dreams.
We pray the ECO funds will reach us in time; so far $215 has reached
Kinshasa. Giving instructions are at the bottom of this letter.
Two local pastors, the Reverend Tshibemba in Mbuji Mayi and the
Reverend Tshibuabua in Kananga, have started planning an action
in the prisons (Matthew 25: 41-46) where conditions are subhuman
for those who have no nearby family members who can feed them
and supply them with soap and clothing. Rev. Tshibemba did so
in 2002-2003 with support from the International Committee of
the Red Cross. The plan is to provide food on a regular basis
as well as primary health care, hygiene measures, pastoral care,
and legal advice. I feel a deep joy that Congolese brothers and
sisters want to try to face these appalling conditions and try
to help and bring the good news. Please keep Revs. Tshibemba and
Tshibuabua and their teams in your prayers.
I wish you a magnificent Christmas, mindful of hope, love, and
faith. Maria and Joseph lived in joyful anticipation through the
suffering as they welcomed Jesus, so let us do the same.
Peace to those of good will!
It is 26 December. We have celebrated Christmas in prison in
Kananga. We have had a foretaste of the misery that is there.
Most of the 150 prisoners we saw are very young. They look to
be in their teens. They are very much left to their own and are
thin and tired. Some seem near the end of the road, exhausted
and cachectic. We have not yet been able to see those kept isolated
or those with life sentences for violent crimes. But we also have
a foretaste of the joy at being remembered and at being offered
good food and some fellowship. Personally, I had an overwhelming
joy at participating in this true feast of hope and love and a
prayerful pain, knowing how little means we have to do what needs
to be done, but also knowing we will try.
United in His love
Cecile
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
318
Contributions may be sent to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Individual
Remittance Processing, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
Write the title (Sustaining Health Programs in the Congo—Food
Security and Nutrition) and the ECO number on the subject line
(051711) of the check and put it on your cover letter, too. Send
a copy of the cover letter to International Health Ministries
Office at 100 Witherspoon St. Louisville, KY 40202-1396. We have
covered the upcoming planting season of August and September.
We need a minimum of $7000 to be able to cover the next planting
season for 50 hectares. Or click the button below to give on-line.
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