Updates
Our second month in Congo was filled with opportunities to serve the community of Miramba. Read how our first school supply distribution became another reminder of God's faithfulness and His vision for One By One Ministries.
One of the things we'd been looking forward to most since returning to Congo was our first school supply distribution in Miramba. Before the big day arrived, however, life in Goma reminded us once again that ministry here rarely goes according to plan.
Earlier that week, we were advised to stay home as protests took place across the city. It was difficult watching everything unfold so close to us, but we were thankful for the Lord's protection and grateful that, a few days later, we were still able to move forward with our plans.
In preparation for the distribution, Junior, Uwezo, and eventually Jean Luc came over to help us fill backpacks with notebooks, pencils, pens, and a few fun surprises for the children. Spending the afternoon working together was a welcome distraction from everything happening around us.
Saturday finally arrived, and we made our way across Lake Kivu to Miramba.
Before leaving the United States, we had Bahati go door to door throughout the village to estimate how many primary school students lived there. We packed enough supplies for 225 children.
Let's just say... it was an estimate.
As the distribution continued, Jean Luc began writing down the names of children who hadn't received anything. By the end of the afternoon, we had another 300 names on the list—and that still didn't include students in secondary school.
Throughout the day, Elijah kept telling me that person after person was coming up to him, blessing him, and encouraging him to build a school in the name of Jesus—even though we had never told anyone that was what we hoped to do. Every time he shared another conversation, it felt like the Lord was gently confirming the vision He had already placed on our hearts.
As the distribution came to an end, I walked behind the church and heard a little girl crying. She couldn't have been more than six years old. I looked around for her parents but didn't see anyone, so I walked over and tried talking with her. For several minutes she wouldn't look at me or say a word. At one point I told her I had some food back at the church if she wanted to come. She looked up at me for a few seconds before lowering her eyes again. I told her I'd be at the church if she changed her mind, but honestly, I didn't think she would.
As I turned the corner to head back to the church, Elijah appeared. I told him about the little girl, and he grabbed my hand and asked me to show him where she was. When we got back, he looked at her and said, "I know her. This is my cousin's daughter, Anuarite." He squatted down beside her and asked her in Kihavu what was wrong.
Her answer surprised me.
She wasn't crying because she was hungry.
She wasn't crying because she was hurt.
She wasn't crying because someone had been mean to her.
She was crying because she hadn't received schoolbooks.
All I could think was, Wow... this little six-year-old is crying over books.
I didn't realize what an impact something so simple could have on someone so small.
When Elijah and I got home that night, we decided to spend the extra money to buy schoolbooks for the rest of the 300 children. A few days later, while another protest kept us from traveling back to the village ourselves, Bahati and Maglore distributed the books on our behalf.
We're thankful for all the Lord has allowed us to experience this month and for the people He's brought into our lives. Every trip to Miramba continues to strengthen the vision the Lord has placed on our hearts and fills us with excitement for the days ahead.
