Demonstration Alert - U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (07 February 2020) Location: Limete (a quarter of Kinshasa) Event: The U.S. Embassy has received several reports that members of Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) are protesting in Limete, in the vicinity of Boulevard Lumumba. The highest concentration of activity is occurring between 7e Rue and 12e Rue. Protestors are intentionally slowing traffic along Blvd Lumumba, throwing rocks at vehicles, burning tires in the road, and some attempts to set vehicles on fire have been reported. The U.S. Embassy is advising its personnel to avoid all travel... Continue reading

Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo Event: Heightened Middle East Tensions There is heightened tension in the Middle East that may result in security risks to U.S. citizens abroad. The Embassy will continue to review the security situation and will provide additional information as needed. Actions to Take: · Keep a low profile. · Be aware of your surroundings. · Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists · Review your personal security plans. · Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: +243 81-556-0151/152 ACSKinshasa@state.gov https://cd.usembassy.gov/ State Department – Consular... Continue reading

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Impact of Ebola outbreak in Eastern DR Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo is grappling with the world’s second largest Ebola epidemic on record, with more than 2000 lives lost and 3000 confirmed infections since the outbreak was declared in August 2018. The outbreak is occurring in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces. At Mavuno we have lost 2 of our partners to Ebola in Mangina and Mangango. In Mangina we lost a member of the Grassroots Organization and in Mangango we lost a member who was also the secretary of the Grassroots Organization and principal of the... Continue reading

Location: Congo’s Nord-Kivu, Ituri, and Sud-Kivu Provinces Event: To control the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) authorities continue to establish health check points throughout the Nord-Kivu, Ituri, and Sud-Kivu Provinces, including in the cities of Goma, Beni, and Butembo and in Virunga National Park. New checkpoints may be created with little notice. You may encounter health checkpoints at the land border crossing connecting Goma, DRC to Gisenyi, Rwanda at the pedestrian (Petite Barrière) and vehicular (Grande Barrière) crossing points. These checks may slow border crossings. There are at least three health checkpoints in Virunga National Park set up by... Continue reading

Here's the alarming facts of the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo. "It’s the rate of spread in northeastern Congo that is most alarming. Whereas the first 1,000 cases took 224 days to arrive, it took only another 71 days to reach the 2,000 mark." http://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2019/08/01/year-congo-s-ebola-epidemic-and-no-end-sight The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo shows no sign of slowing, a year after the outbreak was declared, on 1 August 2018. To date there have been 2,593 cases and more than 1,700 confirmed deaths. It’s the rate of spread in northeastern Congo that is most alarming. Whereas the first 1,000 cases... Continue reading

The war against Ebola is ramping up. And Rwanda tries to protect itself by closing it's border. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/01/world/africa/ebola-congo-rwanda.html Rwanda closed its border with Congo on Thursday in response to the deadly Ebola outbreak, while the Congolese Health Ministry said the 1-year-old daughter of a man who had died of the disease in the border city of Goma had Ebola.The man was Goma’s second confirmed Ebola case, and he died on Wednesday after spending several days at home with his family while showing symptoms.The girl’s case would be the first known transmission of Ebola in this outbreak in Goma, a city... Continue reading

"A man who became the second confirmed Ebola case in the Congolese city of Goma has died, an official said on Wednesday. The city of more than two million people had its first confirmed case earlier this month, with the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak in history declared a rare global health emergency days after the first Goma case was announced." https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/30/world/africa/congo-officials-say-second-ebola-case-confirmed-in-city-of-goma.html Continue reading

"Imagine a firefighter battling a blaze while the sprinkler system emits gasoline. This is the current state of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)." Gayle E. Smith is former administrator of USAID and president and CEO of The ONE Campaign. https://time.com/5627405/ebola-congo-outbreak-goma-rwanda-border/ "So far, over 1,600 people have died from the virus and thousands more have been infected.While this outbreak is not yet at the scale of the last Ebola crisis that claimed more than 11,000 lives, it has the potential to be even deadlier. With each passing day, the virus keeps spreading. This week, the first... Continue reading

Safe drinking water in rural Congo is a major problem. Addressing the problem require overcoming multiple significant challenges. Drilling weeks is a long-term solution. Then piping the water home is a longer term goal. In the meantime, household water filtration and disinfection are a most. https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/water-crisis-2/ "As per a report... Continue reading

Manifesto I believe in God! I love God! And God is the eternal Father who is the father of all and therefore my father too because God is also my Savior, Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of the eternal Father, son in whom I believe and whose actions on our... Continue reading

I While in Congo last year, I missed being at my home church, Faith Presbyterian Church, for Christmas, and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Today was Easter, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, and I was blessed to be at my home church. Christmas and Easter are two big Sundays in our church. It bring back memories of my Christmases and Easters as a child and as a parent. Here's our pastor during time with the children. We did a participatory story of the resurrection according to Matthew 28:1-10. #Easter #Resurrection #Church Continue reading

The Ebola outbreak keeps growing. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/congo-s-ebola-response-threatened-conspiracy-theories-rumors-n994156 People who have contracted Ebola are opting to die at home rather than seek treatment as conspiracy theories fuel distrust of the government and of health workers grappling with the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the workers and aid groups.Nearly 20 new cases of the deadly illness are being identified daily in two northeast provinces of the country. Both areas are opposition strongholds where political tensions run high. Continue reading

Reconsider travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to crime and civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel To: North Kivu and Ituri provinces due to crime, Ebola, and kidnapping. Eastern DRC and the three Kasai provinces due to armed conflict. Violent crime, such as armed robbery, armed home invasion, and assault, while rare compared to petty crime, is not uncommon, and local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crime. Be aware that assailants may pose as police or security agents. Many cities throughout the country... Continue reading

It's got to be stopped! https://www.statnews.com/2019/04/12/who-stops-short-of-declaring-ebola-crisis-a-global-health-emergency/ Continue reading

I'm planning to leave a small gift anonymously every day for next seven days. https://40acts.org.uk/act-27-disappearing-act/ Today, take yourself out of the picture. Act generously for someone else without them noticing, and leave no mark that it was you. See what completely anonymous generosity does when you take yourself, your goals, and your self-image off the stage. Continue reading

I have to be more intentional in praying for people I meet and giving them the generous gift of God's love. https://40acts.org.uk/act-25-roadwork-ahead/ God has generous gifts for people outside of the church, for businesses, for those in our workplaces, and for our schools. And the phenomenal thing is he wants to give them through us. So today, live church outside the building. Get out into the streets, and be the encounter between God and those who have never met him. Continue reading

I just finished a GREAT book that I strongly recommend you get. The book is "Congo Stories". I especially liked the audio (Audible) version which was read by the authors. Then, I purchased the ebook (Kindle) version for quick reference. I will be giving away copies of the book later this month (April 2019). Continue reading

Facebook has that feature that randomly shows you previous posts from the past. I have seen posts from five years ago or longer in my feed. The next time that I am presented with one of the old posts, I'm going to reach out to the friend in the post, if present or review an old email from a distant correspondent. https://40acts.org.uk/act-24-lost-signal/ It can feel like nobody loses touch any more – old friends live on in your Facebook or your address book, without real conversation or connection. What if we moved differently in this world? What if we took... Continue reading

Yesterday was April Fool's Day. It was a day full of practical jokes. I saw a Dominoes Pizza box filled with snack veggies. What made you smile or laugh yesterday? https://40acts.org.uk/act-23-grin/ Laughter is the best medicine – it even says so in the Bible (Proverbs 17:22). How often do we see it as a gift to be given? Whether think you’re a comedian or not, share something today that will make someone smile. Continue reading

Think of each holiday! Before the holiday, think of people who may remember this holiday in a difficult way. https://40acts.org.uk/act-22-open-invite/ Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, a day of celebration but also a difficult reminder of grief for many. Think carefully and creatively about how they might best receive generosity. It could be inviting them to the party, or offering a more low-key and quiet recognition of how they’re feeling. Continue reading

I respond to friends on email or text. Now, I'm going to act first to reach out. https://40acts.org.uk/act-21-from-your-seat/ Sometimes life throws up obstacles that come between our generous intentions and our actions – anything from an overflowing to-do list to a life-changing diagnosis. Even in the toughest times, we always have opportunities to give. How can you be generous today, from right where you sit Continue reading

I will slow down and observe my neighborhood. And I will for a local carry use to help. https://40acts.org.uk/act-20-close-to-home/ Today we’re championing local causes. And if we don’t do it, who will? The only people who’ll raise a banner for local causes are locals, so let’s be the ones who’ll rise to that challenge. Imagine if people talked up your neighbourhood as a place where people are kind. Continue reading

This week I will make the effort to get to know my neighbor better. https://40acts.org.uk/act-19-next-door/ Do you know your neighbours? When you spot them outside their home, as you head back from work or take out the bins, venture beyond the old ‘hey neighbour’ nod. Take the time to get to know them, show a genuine interest in their lives, and decide to help where you can. Continue reading

The power struggle is not over in Congo. And it appears the US supports the new Congo President. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-03-25-drc-president-tshisekedi-confronts-kabilas-establishment/ Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi is increasingly asserting independence from predecessor Joseph Kabila, despite Kabila having allegedly facilitated his victory in the 30 December 2018 presidential elections.And the US is evidently helping Tshisekedi’s bid to stop Kabila continuing to pull the strings of power. Continue reading