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

The Congolese senators can now take office. They were elected by their provincial assembly. Now, maybe, the provincial assembly can elect their provincial Governor. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-politics/congo-president-allows-senators-to-take-office-ending-feud-with-predecessors-camp-idUSKCN1RA1EI Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has lifted a ban on the installation of new senators, walking back a decision that had put him at odds with his predecessor Joseph Kabila, whose allies won an overwhelming majority of seats. Tshisekedi blocked the newly elected senators from taking office earlier this month, citing allegations that provincial assembly members, who elect senators, had demanded bribes of tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for their votes.... Continue reading

As a permanent short-term missionary, I support my long-term missionary colleagues by ferrying items to them and for them at no-cost. https://40acts.org.uk/act-17-mission-accomplished/ Do you know a Christian on mission? Maybe they’re in a far-flung country, or they’re close to home (and worked to the bone). Often, Christians who choose to live on mission take a real hit on their own personal comforts. Think of one you know, and give them the gift of your time, your skills, or your money. Continue reading

I'll be on the watch out to "serve low" today. https://40acts.org.uk/act-16-dirty-hands/ Graham Miller Here it comes. The one we all dread – but also, the one with some real reward. Find a grotty toilet, take a bag of cleaning equipment, and make that thing shine. Walk straight into the inconvenient, the uncomfortable, and the grimy. Serve low today. Continue reading

Democratic Republic of Congo’s new President Felix Tshisekedi is scheduled to visit the United States of America, in what will be his first diplomatic visit outside the continent, from April 3 to 5. https://www.africanews.com/2019/03/27/tshisekedi-s-shuttle-diplomacy-heads-to-us-after-visits-to-6-african-nations/ Continue reading

I'm thinking hard again. What can I giveaway that I could charge real money? https://40acts.org.uk/act-15-leg-up/ Real generosity leaps into action to bless others, even when it comes at a cost to us. Give away something that you could charge real money for. You may not think you’re particularly great with technology, but if your granny really needs to know how to use a computer, then you can do as good a job as any at showing her. Teach a beginner some guitar chords. Do bike maintenance for kids on your street. Share your skills, at a cost to yourself. Continue reading