Outreach Trips
A story of hope in the DRC.
Read Time: 7 minutes
Another year has passed, filled with many activities, starting locally with our Swahili brethren in Canada and culminating in the Eastern Christadelphian Bible School (ECBS) held in New Hampshire, USA. It was a privilege to be invited to the ECBS to teach daily classes on the subject, “In Service to His Brethren: The Life of Joseph—What a Lesson for Us Today.”
ECBS was held for an entire week, bringing together brethren from various parts of the world. It was a time of fruitful study and fellowship, with participants from the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Canada, and primarily the United States. This gathering provided a wonderful opportunity to be refueled by the Word of God, strengthening and energizing our fellowship.
An evening presentation at Bible School was given on the incredible work of the CBM-UK in supporting ninety countries, including the eastern part of the DRC and Burundi. Bro. Joe Vickers, visiting from Dunstable, United Kingdom, was at ECBS this year and was of great help in this effort. Bible School was a time of deep meditation, prompting us to ask ourselves important questions and shape our journey as part of the great ecclesial family of God.
Special thanks to WCF for making it possible for the newly relocated families from Africa to North America to attend Bible School and benefit from classes in their own languages. This invaluable spiritual support is deeply appreciated, and we are grateful to our Heavenly Father for their assistance and to Bro. Paul and Sis. Bonnie Robinson of Cambridge, Ontario ecclesia. I was able to drive their 12-passenger van to Buffalo and Rochester, New York, where I picked up Congolese brothers and Sisters and drove on to Bible School in New Hampshire.
Along the way, we missed a few exits, which delayed our journey, but by God’s grace, we arrived safely at our destination. Upon arrival, the brethren warmly welcomed us. The school itself was wonderfully organized, and we give all the glory to God for everything that took place that week.
After the end of the Bible School, returning to Toronto, and a much-needed day of rest and refreshing, we flew from Toronto to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The journey took a total of seventeen hours, with a layover in Addis Ababa, where we had the opportunity to meet with Bre. Anaclet and Sungu.
They have been making great progress in supporting the Kipushi Ecclesia’s preaching campaign, focusing on subjects like the Kingdom of God, the devils, and the gift of tongues. This outreach was a significant opportunity for the brethren in the Kipushi ecclesia, though the decline in their number of attendees remains a concern. After our time in Lubumbashi, we traveled by bus to Likasi, another major mining city formerly known as Jadotville.
The friends of the truth we met appeared eager to learn, taking lessons from the brethren in Lubumbashi with both precision and enthusiasm. They strongly desired more teaching sessions and literature in the area. During discussions with our contacts, I introduced myself as someone who had lived in the region, which made these moments of sharing the truth even more special. However, time was always working against our schedule, and we had to leave to catch the bus back to Lubumbashi.
Another exciting development occurred while we were in Lubumbashi, the “Copper Capital.” We had the privilege of meeting Bro. Kilamba, a former chairperson of the Sympho Ecclesia in the Kalemie area, had relocated to the Kasangulu district of Lubumbashi. Bro. Kilamba is actively reaching out to more contacts from his small home. His presence in the area aims to collaborate with the Lubumbashi Ecclesia to support and strengthen each other’s efforts in preaching.
Although having prayed before going to sleep in preparation for our upcoming trip to Kalemie, Bro. Anaclet received a text message informing him of a last-minute flight cancellation. This news came shortly after launching the youth conference in the Kalemie area, which sparked great enthusiasm among the youth and interested friends. The conference focuses on mastering the first principles and living out the truth.
Despite becoming ill for a while, I had the opportunity to speak on such topics as the unity of the faith, supporting those who are weak in the faith, and the spiritual battle against sin. We also focused on nurturing our younger members, offering many teachings on first principles and other key subjects. The youth conference positively impacted many of our young people and brethren, as each day revealed new potential and a growing commitment to mastering the first principles.
At the conference, we had the privilege of fellowshipping around the memorial table, breaking bread, and sharing wine in remembrance of our absent Lord, as instructed in Scripture. The Moba Ecclesia continues to grow, and the brethren have built a shelter with a tent on top, hoping to shield themselves from the storms and heavy rainfall forecasted as the rainy season approaches.
Bro. Victor Amnobe, a member of the Des Moines Ecclesia in the United States, generously contributed maize products. This donation has greatly blessed the establishment of agricultural activities in the Fizi area of eastern DRC. It has enabled us to share more meals together; the leftover maize was distributed to families in need in the Kalemie area.
Afterward, we traveled with many of the young people returning to their respective areas aboard the Bateau Amani, a large boat that once belonged to the former president of the DRC. Meanwhile, Bro. Kim’s team traveled to the Baraka area and Bro. Parfait, a member of the Bukavu Ecclesia, and I crossed the border into Burundi. We spent the night at Hotel de l’Amitié before continuing to the Rumonge Ecclesia.
At the Rumonge Ecclesia, we conducted an interview following a public confession of faith that led to a baptism in Lake Tanganyika on the Burundi side. Lake Tanganyika in this area is well-known for its resident hippopotamus populations, which, while viewed as somewhat domesticated on land, are far from predictable in the water—where conditions can change instantly. Afterward, we shared the breaking of bread and drinking of wine with thanksgiving.
In addition, representatives from all the ecclesias gathered at the Rumonge Ecclesia to elect a new representative, as required by the government. This process proved challenging, as forming a complete representative committee was complicated by government guidelines, which stipulated that anyone representing the Christadelphian Bible Mission in Burundi to the authorities must hold a university degree. This contingency was a significant hurdle, as none of our brothers possessed such a degree. However, we overcame this obstacle by God’s grace and successfully completed the task. This step was critical for ensuring the continued growth and flourishing of the truth in Burundi, as this requirement had previously stood as a major stumbling block.
We left Burundi on a positive note, though much work remains to be done. On our way back, we passed through Uvira, which borders Burundi, and spent the night there. We met with representatives from two ecclesias in the area, following Bro. Kim’s recent visit to connect with the leaders and observe the growth of the Kasenga Ecclesia.
Early the next morning, we took a bus through Rwanda, continuing to the Bukavu area ecclesias. During our time there, we witnessed several baptisms, participated in the memorial service, and engaged in many teaching sessions led by the brethren. We also had a memorable meeting with leaders from all the ecclesias, where we encouraged them to work together as a team and remain steadfast in the work of Yahweh.
After the activities in the Bukavu area, we boarded the Bateau Emmanuel for an overnight journey to the Goma Ecclesia, located in the war-torn eastern region of the DRC, specifically in the North Kivu province. This area, rich in strategic minerals, has been the focal point of conflict for the past two to three decades, with the ongoing violence fueled by control over these resources. As a result, many have been displaced from their homes and now live in the Mugunga camp, just five kilometers from the Goma Ecclesia.
Goma is surrounded by Lake Kivu, which holds vast untapped reserves of methane gas and is also situated near two active volcanoes Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo. The region’s natural resources, combined with the ongoing conflict, create an extremely volatile situation. The area has approximately six ecclesias, two located within rebel-controlled zones. The threat to our beloved brethren and the people in this region is unimaginable. They live in constant fear and uncertainty.
Interestingly, this conflict receives less attention from mainstream media than other global crises. The most meaningful support we can offer our brethren in this situation is prayer. It is a humble yet powerful way to stand with them and can make a significant difference, far beyond what is covered in the news.
We are reminded to pray for our brothers and sisters daily. Through prayer, we bring their struggles before God, trusting that He alone can address their plight and give them the strength to endure.
Our final stop was a flight to Kinshasa, the capital city of the DRC, where we visited the Kinshasa Ecclesia Hall, a project funded by the CBM UK. We are deeply grateful to our beloved brethren from England for their generous spiritual and material support, which, in line with government guidelines, helped the Kinshasa Ecclesia acquire their own building. We also commend the Kinshasa brethren for actively participating in the hall’s construction.
During our time in Kinshasa, we were blessed with the opportunity to meet many brethren from different regions. We spent time fellowshipping around the Word of God, and by God’s grace, we were strengthened in our unity. After a meaningful and enriching time together, we safely returned home, giving thanks to the CBM and to everyone who contributed to the success of this trip—whether through prayer, counsel, or financial support. We are filled with gratitude, knowing all our efforts are united in the bond of the truth.
Benoit Mukendi,
CBM Link for East Africa
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