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Jan 2012 - We're going shopping!We have a new project list submitted by Mueller at the Mercy Home. Some things are long overdue to get done like fixing the tottering brick fence and gate, and redoing some of the wiring. Some items are "luxuries" like mattresses and beds. Given the rotating power blackouts in Kinshasa a generator is a must to go with freezer and stove. So we're hoping that in no time, we can make a huge difference for the kids and caregivers of the Home:
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Dorcas & Ruth - May 2011These faces tell a story we will surely hear more about in the future. Dorcas and Ruth have come under the care of the Mercy Home and it looks like it was very much needed.
Basic medical care was provided, and food, and love...
No doubt the smiles will come in time, but the change in complexion and outlook and the future, is nothing short of beautiful. Bijou, one of the caregivers, writes, "They were sick, but now they are well by the grace of Jesus." Once lost, now found. Thanks be to God. |
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January 2011 The Banquet By all indications, it was shaping
up to be a typical
Christmas banquet.
The tickets were
advertised and purchased, the decorations hung, the tables set and the
centerpiece candles lit and glowing. As
usual, the meal was a little later in the evening and so the appetites
were
primed.
The prayer was said and
the news
of first tables to go to the buffet was greeted with the usual delight
or mild disappointment.
It never really
matters
as everyone gets
their food anyway.... The buffet table was spread with
fresh buns and tasty salads.
The main
course
featured large chicken
breasts in a creamy mushroom sauce. Delicious. The
caterer had more
than enough for everyone. But something went wrong. Somewhere
near the end
of the line, the chicken ran out. The
people at the end of the line got enough
food, but not the kind and quality of those at the beginning. It
created at least a little buzz. As
usual, most people were gracious and just
decided to enjoy the meal.
Rumour has it
that a few were miffed, but I can’t confirm it.
Those
who felt the
greatest obligation were those near the end who
received the full meal deal, but realized that if they had cut theirs
in half,
there would have been enough and to share. It
seems those near the
beginning of the line, who more than likely had
taken more than the amount planned for were oblivious to the problem
and
enjoyed their super size portion. I
may have done the same were I not nearer to
those near the end of the line. A few parallels for
the global banquet table: Oblivious Consumers
– Many people are at the front of the line up at a global
buffet table that
does indeed seem endless: huge houses, several cars, rich foods, exotic
vacations.
It is their world, and
it’s
easy to believe that it’s a normal right to have all of this. It’s
equally easy to focus on these things
without a thought for those at the end of the line. End of the Liners
– The reality for many in this world is that even a complete
meal is
elusive.
In Kinshasa,
it’s estimated
that a minimum of 50% of total household expenditure is for food. The
remainder is for health, education,
housing, clothes, transportation, etc. Difficult. Even
then, 50% of the
population have only one meal per day, 25% have one meal every two
days. Also
in Kinshasa, 25% of the population - and in this case it is children
and women
- have to walk more than one kilometre to fetch water (See Source). Street
kids are in a
terrible bind, being at the end of the end of the
line. Aware Participants
– Some people face both the abundance of their situation, but
are confronted
with the reality of the limit of resources available to some. Some
will just feel bad and go on with their
lives, aware but of no help.
Others will
dig in and share, and work toward development of resources where
possible.
They live in a true
spirit of abundance,
knowing that their sharing results in greater riches, not less. The Caterer
– has
provided enough, if guests cooperate. And I wonder. Were
we
more concerned about the little confusion at the banquet than about
what is
happening every day across the globe? October
2010
I
just listened to the pastor of the Batela church, the one
who takes
leadership in the Home of New Life
ministry. His challenge is worth a
listen as he addresses a North American audience. To listen to this
sixteen minute
message click here: August 2010 News from the home indicates that money has been in short supply as of late. Of highest priority are the needs of feeding, clothing, and providing education and medical help for the children. That means that at times, the workers have not been paid the full amount. In addition, work that has been needed on the home itself is on hold until further funds come in. Some of the work remaining includes these projects: · Fix/replace metal on the roof: when it rains, which is rather often water gets in the house. · Finish the office · Rewire the house to provide stable electricity · Rebuild the exterior wall to keep it from falling in If you have some extra to give, it would be of great help right now. Many people spend thousands on projects for their own homes. If each one would just think a little of the homeless, needs like those at the mercy home could easily be met. One of our dear supporters practiced all spring to make a difference for our kids. She ran, and talked to friends and family and her church and raised a good sum for our Home of New Life. On May 18, she coverd the distance, a full 10 miles, each step not for herself, but for our Congolese family. What a great idea and a terrific effort! If you missed it and would still like to say, "Thankyou for the inspiration" to her, you can still let her know you're making a donation in honor of what she's done. You can find her email and the details here. Donations can be made online or by mail by following the "give" link above. |
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We heard little from our home for awhile, but we know they're carrying on with this vital mission with joy. The risk from their end has to do with the pressure many of us may be feeling financially, whether it's worry or a decline in real income. Unfortunately, many developing countries experience a much greater effect on their income when the West goes into distress. Investors become more risk averse and one of the first places to suffer is the more risky developing nations and emerging economies. And when economic activity declines in these poorer countries, often the necessities of life itself are further stretched. So let's continue to count our many blessings and continue to give from our relative abundance to those who are much needier. The political event weighing on the DR Congo has to do with the war in the eastern part, near the Rwanda border. Although it does not affect Kinshasa directly, it certainly has an indirect effect on the temperament of the government and on the availablity of resources for more profitable pursuits. Furthermore, news reports indicate that people in the east are dying and under intense suffering. Pray that a measure of peace will surface in this new year. God bless you all. |
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Oct 13, 2008
- New Kids and Pics of the Home!
They
even added another couple of rooms over the "chapel" as first
envisioned, making more space.
There's
a good story that goes with this. Murray writes, "Kapay
passed by one of the boys on the street last week who left BYS several
months ago. At that time he could not take the discipline and
wanted to go back to making money on the streets. Now he was
all dirty and had not eaten. Kapay asked him if he wanted to
come back to the home saying that the other boys his age were all fed,
clean and going to school. He emphatically insisted on going
back and we all met him when we visited today. In addition,
BYS had just recently added another young child who we met."
That was in September. |
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Oct 5 2008 - Not the Church on the Corner. Presentation at Philadelphia (Watrous) MB Church. I had an excellent opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving and to present the work of BYS at Watrous on October 5. The congregation was warm and all age groups were well represented. I had the impression of a vital faith and genuine vitality. I strayed a little from my message text because they gave me lots of time. I talked about the prior "home" of some of our kids, an abandoned Belgian pool complex. You can see a picture of it here. When I was in Congo, our BYS leaders sang a song with the kids on those grandstands and explained again what we were trying to do, also leaving them some help. I also explained that kitty corner to that complex is a church. It's very nice looking on the outside, rather expensive. Kapay explained to us that the church was a product of a "health wealth" pastor, who demanded that his charter members pay $10,000 USD to become members on the promise that it would produce even more wealth for them. When members dried up, he lowered the price to $5,000 then $2,000. I asked if this church had done anything for these street children whom they would see nearly every time they came out the doors. The answer was "no". Darren Holland, the pastor at Philadelphia MB spoke a prayer at the end of the service that was profoundly moving. His prayer included the phrase, "may we not be that church on the corner." The Batela church, the one that is helping these kids was across town, is making an effort to go and minister. In some ways it's a miniature picture of the global church at times. We can close our eyes to the need and make sure we get the dollars per member while revelling in our prosperity. In the mean time, other followers of Jesus are sacrificing from their little to make an extended effort to go meet real needs. Many churches are breaking out and it's exciting! I welcome any comments -- just click on the forum or contact links above. |
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Maturing and Expanding: Sept 2008, by Clarence Peters The streets of Kinshasa buzz with activity, day and night. The streets swarm with people, as they are about their businesses. In many areas, they will be almost invisible, but they are there, by the hundreds and thousands. They are the street children of Kinshasa, abandoned by their families to survive on their own. I had the privilege of visiting this colourful, noisy, distressed city in November of 2007. I came with a team to see what was being done and what could be done to bring some hope to those with little hope. Yet ultimately, we would leave with more than we came. BYS is short for the Lingala Term "Home of New Life" which the originators have aptly named this ministry. The vision is compelling -- to indeed give children an opportunity at a whole new life in all its dimensions after having been exiled to the streets. And knowing that children do best in families, their first priority remains that of restoring the children to their families of origin. Sometimes, all it takes is a little economic assistance and the family is reconciled or is rent a modest home. Nanou,
age 12 when I saw her, was a
hopeful
young lady. She had suffered hardship on the streets and had been
homeless along with her family. Her father is blind and had no way of
supporting the family. The mother was not in the picture. BYS provided
them all the opportunity to move into a home. Their despair was turned
to hope and they were given a future. Unfortunately Nanou
(top right) died a few weeks after we visited with them.
We also visited several foster homes. There, often five to eight children were placed. With living expenses being subsidized, these children form a new family unit along with their foster parent or parents. When homes can't be found, or during the transition phase, the children are housed in an orphanage style setting. The house we visited was perhaps four hundred square feet, housing over a half dozen youngsters. Beside it was a drinking hole where about a dozen men could observe the children and teens coming and going -- not ideal, especially for girls who once survived by prostitution. It was all they had, and it was certainly better than the street. However, its cramped quarters made it difficult to house more than just a handful of children. Thankfully, with the initiative of our Congolese brethren and the generous donations of the BYS North American family that has all changed, in a big way. Instead of a small rental house, a large two story gated house is now theirs, also known as the Mercy Home. Our walk-through in November showed that many renovations are yet needed, but the house is livable. We spent a morning painting, but it was just a very small start. Most of the work will be done by our African friends. Almost all the local work is initiated and carried out by members of one amazing little church, as well as the Congo MB Conference missions chair, Kapay. The Batela church in Kinshasa bears both the vision and some of the expenses for the ministry. They try to include the children as their own. For instance, last Christmas they threw a big party for the children at the church. This welcome and attention and care contrasts with the treatment many of them receive on the streets, where they are frequently the subject of military or police scrutiny, manipulation or abuse. Given that many must steal to survive, the situation is difficult. Traditionally, Congolese families have been very attentive to their children. A few things have changed since the early nineties. With the swelling city population and war, families have often been stretched to provide even food. Sometimes parents will take turns fasting on a given day so the children can eat. Just as troubling are the practices of a so-called "revivalist" church which blames any problem in the family on a child, alleging practices of sorcery. Some sources estimate that as many as 70% of the children have been so accused. This is consistent with the stories we heard from "our kids" at the Mercy Home. Sometimes, to elicit "confessions", that they are indeed sorcers, children are put under extreme pressure and even torture. Thank God for the faithfulness of people like Pastor Muller, who builds relationships with these outcasts, wary of any adults. He spends time on the streets with them and frequently gives out food or other necessities. When we were with them, we visited one of these communities of street children. An abandoned Belgian built swimming pool complex seemed an appropriate home for abandoned children. About fifty or so children and young adults were sprawled on the grandstands. Yet when Muller came with his guests, they seemed eager for conversation and news. They cheered when he handed a little aid to their leader. We sang a song or two and he gave a brief devotional. He explained that we were trying to do more, but that it would all take time. Providing the house has been one step, but the ongoing expenses are really going to be the test of North American support. I believe we have the people who have this heart for the poorest of the poor -- for those who really cannot help themselves out of their situation without a hand up. While some sponsorship agencies claim to be able to house, feed, clothe, and provide for the medical and education needs of a child for about $1 a day, we find that even with very frugal management and using local caregivers, that costs approach closer to twice that amount in Kinshasa. So while not every donor may be able to afford $2 a day, we are so grateful for all gifts, smaller and larger, which serve to bring tremendous hope and practical care. And at present, while linking up sponsors with individual children would prove difficult and more costly, we hope to strengthen the North American "BYS Family". When I first read these verses after returning home from Congo, they took on a whole new potency: "Lord,
you know the
hopes of the helpless. |
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