Mark Cloherty

I've moved in with my wife

2010-10-10T13:29:00.001-07:00

Check out our new blog: www.jennieandmark.blogspot.com

The FARDC

2010-05-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

Last week i wrote about the visit of Sir John Holmes to Dungu and why exactly the UN mission should not withdraw from Congo. The FARDC, the Congolese military, are another reason why the UN mission needs to reamin to stabilise the country.

The FARDC (Les Forces Armees de la Republique du Congo), unfortunately are not a viable force that will provide this country with the stability and security it needs. Where to begin in describing the problems of the FARDC? As part of the agreement to re-integrate many militia into daily life, they were given positions within the FARDC. This policy was initially supported by the UN, but many of these militia men have continued their old habits. In North and South Kivu, FARDC soldiers have themselves been responsible for massacres and atrocities, rape is widespread, infact the levels of sexual violence in Eastern Congo are just appaling.

Due to the severe levels of abuse committed by FARDC forces in the Kivu`s region, it was decided that one batallion from this region would be sent to Dungu in December 2009. The UN also announced it would stop supporting any FARDC elements continuing to commit abuses. The violence and aggression continues against the population though. Just 2 weeks ago I saw a drunken soldier chasing a civilian and threatening him with his gun, This was in the middle of the afternoon.

As you might expect in the DRC, corruption is another serious problem for the FARDC. The military here is top heavy with generals, and the forces here in Dungu have not been paid for 4 months. They demonstrated in Dungu this week and have threatened to pillage the town. How can you expect a force who have not been paid for 4 months to fight the LRA? They are underequipped, not paid and there are huge problems with morale. Soldiers are often forced to turn to crime to make a livng.

The FARDC, in its current state, is not ready and able to manage and co-ordinate security in the DR Congo.

My meeting with John Holmes

2010-05-02T09:03:00.000-07:00

Who is Sir John Holmes? He is the under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordination. He is also a former British diplomat who he used to be the British ambassador to France. Yesterday he came to Dungu as part of a 5 day visit to the DR Congo. We, the NGO community were invited to speak with him for over 1 hour to discuss current humanitarian needs in Congo and the presence of MONUC (the UN force present in Congo).

Having spoken to several high ranking UN officals who arrived in Dungu in the days leading up to the visit, I had high expectations of meeting Sir John in person, that he was really somebody willing to listen and had ideas to change and implement action, and that he was not somebody who who was very political and would get bogged down in the many agendas of all the UN Members. Maybe im naive, but all the UN officials I met suggested here was a high ranking diplomat who has a sincere interest in serving the best needs of the Congolese people.

High on the agenda was the possibility of a UN witdrawal from Congo. The Congolese government has been putting pressure on MONUC to leave Congo by August 2011. While nobody expects MONUC to stay here forever, it is absoloutely impossible for them to withdraw in the next 12 months. There is a huge need in Province Oriental, especially in the Bas Uele province. This area has been hugely affected by the LRA crisis, but also suffers from having a very poor infrastructure and there is a huge problem, both logistically and security wise, in tewrms of accessibility to thousands of displaced people. Even in Bunia, in Ituri province, the peace there is very fragile. About 60 km away from Bunia in Gety, there is a very forgotten conflict still continuing with over 100,ooo people displaced and Bunia itself could very easily slip back into a serious war. There remains a lot of banditry and insecurity around the town, a complete UN withdrawal would be disastrous for ituri province.

As Medair have an emergency health programme here, I also had the opportunity to talk a little about some of the difficulties we are currently facing in this domain.

Overall, Sir John seemed to engage in the issues, but the meeting was short. He will return to New York and directly advise the Security Council on what he has heard. Certainly, in Dungu, he saw that the LRA conflict is far from over. It remains to be seen whether his visit will have any impact, but I remain hopeful. Please continue to pray for the people fo the Congo.

Field Trip 1

2010-04-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

As part of the preparation for an upcomig donor visit, I went on a field trip today, just 15km from Dungu to places called Kpezu and Dungu May, to help prepare the heath centres. Enjoy some of the views. Below is the road to Kpezu.

The journey to the health centeres. People just appear in clearings in the jungle, there are villages hidden in the dense forest. Its crazy really.

The health centre at Dungu May. You can see a Congolese soldier waiting to be treated.

The consultation room in the health centre at Kpezu, its pretty basic conditions. Medair have helped to treat displaced people here for free. An invaluable service, as some IDP`s can`t even afford the most basic treatment for 1$/2$. They have been forced to flee their homes and crops, and sometimes have no income at all.

The health centre at Kpezu. Supported by Medair since the beginning of the LRA conflict in Nov/Dec 2008, early 2009.

More photo`s - Dungu

2010-04-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

The truly bizarre chateau in the centre of the Dungu, on the banks of the River Kibali. It was built by a Belgian coloniast, and lies in ruins now.

The Medair base in Dungu, the house was used for elections in Congo in 2006. You can see the satellite dish they used for the elections just left at the house. We have nowehere to store it, and we had told the local administrator several times to pick it up, but nothing, they never came. A bizarre country.

The outisde kitchen at our base in Dungu, with Maman Therese in the picture as well. We cook on charcoal, and we have a bread oven as well.

The Medair Base in Dungu

Flying directly over Dungu

The amazing colour of the Congolese. Women waiting at a heath centre in Dungu

Dungu - Photo`s

2010-04-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

There is a significant UN (MONUC) force in Dungu, with troops from Morocco, Indonesia and Bangladesh. This is the entrance to one of their 2 camps

A MONUC helicopter loading up ready to go to Bangadi. One of our medical supervisors was on this flight, but I was not allowed close enough to get anction shot. Bangadi is an extremely insecure area, deeply affected by the LRA crisis.

The incredible landscape of NE Congo

The intense jungle in NE Congo. This is the approach to Dungu by plane...pretty incredible

The Bamokandi district of Dungu, pretty intense jungle. Makes it easy for the LRA to hide and avoid and capture. There was a serious LRA attack here in January and the threat persists. You can see a MONUC tanker in the distance.

The airport in Dungu, built by Indonesian UN (Monuc) Forces. Maybe thats why the sign welcomes you in En glish

Depending on God

2010-04-19T02:52:00.000-07:00

Phillipians 4,11-13 is an interesting verse in the bible ive come to appreciate in recent months. `I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I only have one month left in the Congo, and the last year has not always been easy, lots of ups and downs. Problems ranging from security issues to many changes in the team have led me to depend on God on a daily basis more than I have ever done before. For my work, i have been asked to do things Ì have never done before and had to have faith in God to help me, sometimes when i have been the only expat at my base.

Its right to depend on God. Trusting God`s grace to draw near so that we can expeience Him as our refuge, glory and stength corrects the problem of our independence and separation from God. That God wants to be close enough to be your confidence and security means that he wants to be yout God, in every situation. I also think that our dependence on God in these everyday situations exalts Him, gives Him praise and shows that we are worshipping Him through the way we choose to live our lives.

I hope this attiducte represents a developing maturity in my faith, and i really hope i can keep surrendering every day in dependence to God, to give him the glory. The apostle Paul wrote, Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light...behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Rom. 13:12b-14). Separation from God naturally leads to sin, and sinful desires. It is right to completely depend on God for our confidence and security.

Book Review

2010-04-12T03:56:00.000-07:00

I have read 2 books recently about the LRA, the Wizard of the Nile by Matthew Green was the first. Matthew Green is a British journalist who used to work for Reuters in East Africa. The book focuses on his search for an interview with the elusive Joseph Kony. He does eventually manage to find Kony, across the border in the Congolese bush, along with other journalists and a group of individuals trying to to restart negotiations for peace with the LRA. The book contains some interesting information on the background of the LRA conflict and several testimonies to the conflict, but a lot of time is wasted by Green who describles in detail his many visits between Sudan, Northern Uganda and Congo trying to locate Joesph Kony.

The second book is trial justice by Tim Allen. This is an older book, published in 2006 but is a fascinating account of the investigation into the LRA by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, and their subsequent issuing of arrest warrants for Kony and the other LRA leaders. These are many of the reasons why Kony went into hiding in Garamba National Park in NE Congo, and following this, his retaliation against the Congolese people and their continued quest for survival. There is also a fascinating look at the story of the LRA and Joesph Kony, their political roots in Northern Uganda and their truly bizarre spiritual roots. A great read.

The LRA Tradgedy

2010-03-28T09:08:00.000-07:00

Human Rights Watch have finally published their report on the LRA attack in Tapili in December 2009. Tapili is located about 6okm South West of Dungu, towards Isiro. In the space of 3 days, the LRA killed over 300 people. According to reports we have heard locally, the LRA may have killed over 400 civilians in this attack.

The Ugandan and Congolese armies are continuing to claim they are winning the war against the LRA. However, the LRA, if anything seem to be re-arming and replensihing their forces. In Nianagara last week, its believed 102 local people were killed in another LRA attack.

A strategy is surely needed, initiated by UN (MONUC) and local
governments to combat the ongoing threat of the LRA. The attaqck in Tapili indicates just how active they still are.

Links to articles detailing the attacks in Tapili can be found below;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8587305.stm
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2010/03/29/trail-death-0

Wedding of the Year

2010-03-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well i think so anyway...and i love this. Check it out, the invite to mine and Jennie`s wedding, it even has a link to our website. http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/pwp2/view/MemberPage.aspx?coupleId=9628986563927617

In contact with the outside world again

2010-03-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, firstly i must apologise its been a good 2 months since i updated this blog. I have mostly been in Dungu for that time, and I often have just not had the time or the means to update this blog. For the last 5 weeks i have been the only expat for Medair in Dungu. Its not been easy, at times its been pretty tough.

LRA activity in and around Dungu is still pretty intense. Even In the last few days, there has been an LRA attack in central Dungu. As you head North of Dungu towards Doruma and the borders with Sudan and CAR, there are several groups of LRA soldiers continuing to wreak havoc. As many as 102 peole were reportedly killed in a recent attack. As for their strategy and what the LRA are doing, well who knows. I`ve added the link below so you can read a bit more.
http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/ledio-cakaj

The base here was very simple when i arrived, so there has been a big focus on improving things logistically. We have installed a water system, electircy and of course the VSAT for access to the world wide web. Soon we will install a VHF base and continue to improve the quality of the house. I`ve negotiated the rent with the Catholic church, which has been much more challenging than you`d think. They tried to double our rent!!!Pretty disgraceful as we are to assist and serve the local population.
Its been challenging, lots of ups and downs for sure.

I`ve missed Jennie a lot. She has been in Kampala since February. I saw her for 5 days in early Feb, and will return to Kampala next week for more holiday i cannot wait.
`
The following verse fom Isiah comes to mind `but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Ive been depending God throughout dasily life here, there are strong foundations for the future.

Dungu Update 2

2010-01-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

I have returned to Dungu after spending Christmas with the Medair team in Bunia. Christmas was a pretty quiet affair this year, I spent New Years Eve at the MONUC (UN) house with some Medair teammates, UN peacekeepers from Morocco and the Guatemalan special forces. Different definately!

The local population in Dungu were fearing the worst over Christmas. In Dec 2008, the LRA launched a series of horrific attacks in the town. LRA activity had intensified at the end of this last year, creating a lot of concern in and around Dungu.

Security remained calm over the festivities, but has continued to intensify since my return in early January. Why? Well certainly the LRA seem to have reorganised in Congo. The Congolese military presence has been reduced dramatically, as the government tries to fight a new rebellion in the Equateur Province. There are also elections in South Sudan in April, followed by more elections in Congo and Uganda in 2011. All mitigating factors maybe, and the LRA seem to be making the most of their opportunity, with attacks happening all over NE Congo.

Anzway, im doing fine. Medair and all the NGOs are working as much as possible to help as many people as possible affected by this ongoing crisis. Please pray for the work of Medair and those affected in the DR Congo.

Living Dangerously for God

2009-12-25T06:24:00.000-08:00

Living dangerously for God. What does this mean and why do i want to talk about it.

I have been reading Joshua recently. Near the end of his life, Joshua challenged the Israelites to make a life changing decision: Choose for youselves this day whom you will serve, whether the Gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the Gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24,15). The people responded with `Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other Gods (Joshua 24, 16). They were taken aback, perhaps even offended by Joshuas challenge.

Then Joshua emphatically stated `You are not able to serve the Lord, He is a Holy God, a jealous God (Joshua 24,19). Can you imagine the indignation you would have felt if you had not been in the crowd that day. I am not able. Who does he think he is?

Israel missed the point. Their faith was based on what God had done for them not who he was. Joshua meant that God is so holy that we cannot to begin to fathom the depth of his character. he is so jealous that he will not accept anything less than total commitment. A token resolution to follow God is not transformational. Joshua was not asking for lip service, but for a life of absoloute and constant surrender to God.

How does this work practically.Is God really first in your life? I feel like God has brought me to a place where I am not completely certain of where he wants me to be in the future, but still that i am completely walking in his will. I have an amazing peace about the direction my life is taking, I trust the Lord completely and I am very content to live out a dangerous faith. There is nothing to fear.

Engagement and marriage

2009-12-25T04:37:00.000-08:00

I am very happy to say that Jennie and I announced are engagement just a couple of days ago. I spoke to Jennie`s father and asked for his permission to marry his amazing daughter. We are both very excited about what the future holds. God has opened up so much for us in the last few months, and we are excited to see what adventures he holds in store for us over the next few years. We plan to be married at the end of July, in Denver USA. This obviously means that I will not be extending my Medair contract at the end of May.

There are some things we would like people to pray into for us over the next few months

Fiancee Visa. To get married legally in the USA I have to be granted a fiancee visa. These normally take 5 months to process, and I will even have to go for an interview in the US embassy in London. So theroetcially, we should not have a problem with the timeframe. If you can pray for us anyway, that there will be no delay`s in this process.

From now until the end of May I will be living and working in the DR Congo. Jennie will be working in Kampala. I will be able to see Jennie on my visits to Uganda for holiday, but please pray for protection over us as we will sadly have to spend some time apart over the the next few months.

Please continue to pray for us as we prepare to get married and spend our lives us together, that the Lord will bless us, continue to guide us and show us exactly where he wants us to be. Please pray that God will always be at the centre of our relationship and that he continues to work so actively in our lives. Please pray we can surrender our life to him.

We are truly blessed.

Happy Christmas

2009-12-25T00:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas from the Congo! Its strange being in a warmer climate at Christmas, especially when its snowing so much at home. I dont like being away from my fiancee Jennie or my family, but there is one good thing about being in the Congo at this time of year. I escape all the commercial hype that Christmas means in the Western world. A friend recently sent me a link to the Advent Conspiracy website. www.adventconspiracy.org/

The story of Christ`s birth is a story of Promise, hope and a revolutionary love.

So what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a Savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams and shopping lists.

And when its all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to clear, and this empty feeling of missed puropse. Is this really what we want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world changing event again?

An opprtunity to focus on the message Jesus brought to this world.

I will leave you with that message, a very merry Xmas to all.

Dungu Update

2009-12-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not written in a while, but Im in Dungu now...and there is very little internet coonection here. I took up my new role as base support manager 2 weeks ago. I had a fantastic holiday with the beautiful Jennie in SW Uganda, visiting Lake Bunyone and the Virunga volcano range. Pretty spectacular. (I'm sure most of you have seen the photo's on facebook by now - I certainly don't have the bandwith to upload any photo's here)

And now im in Dungu. Whats in Dungu..well not much to be honest. Its a small town in North East Congo, approximately 250 km from the Sudan border. About 1 year ago the LRA crisis exploded here. The LRA have long since been forced out of town, but they are not that far away. There are reports of LRA attacks about 60KM away from here, with Congolese and Ugandan armz forces present everywhere.

What are Medair doing here? We run an emergency health project, providng equipment, medication and supervision, in the main hospitals and health centres. At the moment, treatment for the local population and IDP's is completely free in all Medair programmes. Thats an amazing gift we can give the impoverished population here. Martin Luther King said it was every persons human right to have access to health care.

We have just had our programme extended here for another year Praise God. The LRA are still very much a present force in north Eastern Congo, and continue to penetrate CAR and South Sudan. so there is much work to be done.

I promise to write more soon. I will be in Congo for Christmas, in Bunia next week, so I will have a much better internet connection in the base there.

Bye for now.

Team Life

2009-11-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

`Our life is full of brokenness - broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God's faithful presence in our lives.` A quote from Henri Nouwen.

When I first started to think about joining Medair, one of the great attractions was the sense of community and belonging that a role with the organisation offered. Living alongside other Christians, from all over the world, all working together to serve the most vulnerable. To me, it sounded like an amazing opportunity to part of a unique community, living with like minded people.

Its therefore pretty ironic that this community has started to become one of the greatest challenges about being here in the DR Congo. Maybe i was naive, I would prefer to think that i was hopeful and optimistic. I have been surprised by some of the dysfunctionality that exists in our team here, and im talking specifically about the international team.

Of course, with our colleagues from the Congo, there are huge cultural differences which sometimes make it difficult to work together. I did not expect so many problems between a group of people who come mostly from Europe and North America.

Life in the field is intense, there is no doubt about that. People grow tired and weary, especially those who have been here for a longer period. Stress levels can be high emergencies can develop pretty quickly. We definately find ourselves under spiritual attack , we are working on the front line after all, soldiers for God. In Bunia, where I have been based for the last 3 weeks, there is a very heavy spiritual feeling. No doubt the results of many years of war and conflict and the terrible things that have been done here. There are all sorts of reasons that contribute to this level of dysfunctionality we are experiencing at the moment. Not that i think any of these are good excuses.

Christ says in Hebrews that we are a Royal Priesthood, that we stand out. Im not sure that we have been doing that as a team here recently. By my own admission I have pretty high expectations of myself and the people around me. Perhaps there is a lesson for me in all of this, to display the same grace God has extened to me, to show that grace and love to the people around me, I can be pretty impatient at the best of times .

Maybe its a lesson that we are all human, we all have weakness and people do from time to time disappoint us. Through the ups and downs Im being stretched and challenged thats for sure, and that can only be a good thing....

Prison Break

2009-11-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

In my role as acting country director for the Medair programme, I am based in Bunia, the location of our main support base in the Congo. Bunia has been badly affected by ethnic conflict in recent years. Even today, there is a huge MONUC (United Nations) presence in town. The war that raged has all but ended, but there is still banditry and general lawlessness in town. I can hear gunshots most nights, especially fom the local Prison.

The conditions of the prisons in the Congo is quite frankly dreadful and to be quite honest, a complete affront to human dignity. Conditions are so bad that prisoners will reguarly risk their lives trying to escape, the exchange of gunfire that follows can be heard almost every night at the Medair compund.

The statement below comes from a recent UN report on social justice in the DR Congo. For Goma, read Bunia. The condition of the prison here is rumored to be equally as apalling.

`My interlocutors, including the Minister of Justice, who is responsible for the penitentiary system, unanimously agreed that prison conditions are atrocious. I visited the Central Prison of Goma and spoke with detainees there. In a prison built to hold 150, over 800 prisoners live in squalor. They receive one inadequate meal per day from the prison authorities, and rely essentially on food brought by their families. Because internal control of the prison is entirely left to the inmates, the stronger prisoners take the lion’s share of the provided food. The weaker prisoners and those without family nearby gradually become emaciated, and especially vulnerable to disease. Not surprisingly, many die in prison.

The number of prisons and prisoners in the Congo is unknown. Totally inadequate records of prisoners are kept and many are left rotting in prison even after their sentence has been served. The great majority of prisoners have never been tried before a judge. In essence, the prison system seems to be a depository for the enemies of the state and for those too poor to buy their way out of the justice system. The abominable conditions, together with corruption and minimal state control, mean that escapes are common, thus adding further to impunity`

How can anybody be expected to live in such a way. Some of these prisoners have not even been proved guilty, they are awaiting trial. The prsion sytem is just one of numerous problems this country has to overcome as they try to rebuild after years of conflict. But nobody should have their dignity stripped away like this?

The adventure continues

2009-10-31T12:23:00.000-07:00

So the adventure continues. I have to say I was a bit surprised this week when Medair asked me to take over as the acting Country Director of the Congo programme. OK its only for 2 weeks but is still a big deal. You have to be fleixbile in this line work, no doubt about that. My move to Dungu has been put back by two weeks. Anyway, i was greatly blessed to recieve this message from Lynn, one of the pastors at my church back home in Manchester. Enjoy!

I am part of the “Fellowship of the unashamed”

I have Holy Spirit Power.
The die has been cast.
I’ve stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of His.
I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low-living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colourless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, miserly giving and dwarfed goals!

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity

I don’t have to be right, first, top, recognised, praised, regarded or rewarded.

I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer and labour by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up or burn up till I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ

I am a disciple of Jesus, I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops.

And when He comes to get His own. He’ll have no problems recognising me. My colours will be clear

Switzerland

2009-10-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

So last week i was back in Europe for the first time in 5 months. I was attending the Medair logistics conference in Lac Neuchatel, close to lausanne. It was a great week, a fantastic opportunity to co-ordinate with the people who work in the other Medair country programmes, to generate ideas, see where we can do better and to plan for the future. Some photos from the week below.

The beautiful Geneva

Dungu

2009-10-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry i have not updated my blog for some time. Its been a little busy. I took over as temporary base manager In Isiro fir a while. That coincided with demonstrations and security concerns arising in the town. The civil population decided that they were going to introuduce a `ville mort` in protest at the state of the roads in Isiro. A `ville mort` is when the local population forces the town to completely close down for 3 days.

The roads in and around Isiro are all in a dreadful state, and there is now no possible way to access Isiro by vehicle. This all despite election promises from Kabila in 2006 to improve the infrastructure. All to predictable! And of course the demonstrations turned violent, 2 people killed, looting, gunfire very close to our base. We had begun preparations to evacuate. The military and police finally brought the situation under control.

The other big news is that i will be leaving Isiro at the beginning of November. I will be taking up the position of base support manager in Dungu. You can see on the map above where Dungu is, in far North Eastern Congo. The LRA crisis touches the Northen edge of town, there are 500,000 IDP`s in the area. I will be taking over the role as Base Support manager, responsible for logistics, finance, admin, security and some donor relations. It will be a challenging environment, more basic living conditions, more insecure, just myself and 1 other expat, our medical co-ordinator. It promises to be be an interesting few months.

Reflections

2009-09-27T03:23:00.001-07:00

My time in Uganda gave me the opportunity to reflect on my first 3 months in the Congo. It gave me the opportunity to answer some questions God was prompting me to answer. Tough questions, not easy questions. And while some questions are trivial matters with answers that have little impact in our lives, the really tough questions of life are different. We need to have an answer for those kinds of questions and we need to have the right answer because we are going to be charting our lives by them.

How do you know you are following God’s will for your life? How do you make decisions in a godly manner and then be happy with those decisions and not continue to second-guess yourself? Basically, am I on the right track? Am I in the right place? In Gods eyes.

These are questions many of us have probably asked ourselves. I know that I have asked them of myself many times and continue to do so. I felt God especially prompting me to reflect on these thoughts?

Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered, and endured, because he trusted in his Father’s wisdom, love, and word. He began learning obedience as a child in his home in Nazareth Remember, in Luke 2:51 after his parents found him , it says: “He went down with them then, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.” He didn’t learn it through punishment as we often do, he learned it through knowing and experiencing that perfect obedience brought him perfect peace and union with the Father, even when what he had to go through was painful. He learned it through love. In the Gospel of John we have Jesus’ own words on his life in obedience to the Father.

In John 15:10-16 of Jesus’ last discourse, Jesus instructs his disciples and us: You will live in my love if you keep my commandments, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and live in his love. All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: Love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if You do what I command you. I no longer speak of you as slaves, for a slave does not know what his master is about. Instead, I call you friends, since I have made known to you all that I heard from my Father.” The blessing of obedience is complete joy in friendship with Jesus.

Obedience frees us for friendship, intimacy and union with God through Christ. Obedience makes us citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven where God’s will is done perfectly and therein lies all our joy and peace, our bliss, the beatitude of God.

I have to say, that right now, i feel a real closeness, intimacy in my relationship with God. A realm sense of peace. Its no secret I was very frustrated for my last 6 months at home, especially in my walk with Jesus. I didnt feel like I was in the right place, now I do. I looked around me and felt other people were growing in their faith but I was not. The decison to obey the Jesus and obey his commands has given me that sense of peace in my walk with him right now. I am confident I am in the place, on the right track. For now, anyway!!!

Kampala Riots

2009-09-16T03:37:00.002-07:00

Im back in the Congo, in Bunia right now and travelling on to Isiro tomorrow. It was an eventful R&R, not always restful. At the end of our trip to Murchison National Park, we were involved in a road accident. Thankfully, nobody was injured but we rolled the car and the vehicle completely overturned. Of course, then comes the hassle of trying to sort all this out. For my dad, who was visiting and on his first trip to Africa, it is an experience that he is unlikeley to ever forget. The enduring image for me was sitting in a police staion in Northern Uganda for several hours, trying to report the incident to a policeman who seemed much more interested in talking about Premiership football and Manchester United. Of course, we needed the police report for insurance purposes.

Then on to Kampala and a much more serious discussion point. Last Thursday, riots erupted in central Kampala, leaving myself and my colleague Melanie in the Medair team house unable to leave for a couple of days. Evidently, we had enough food and water. People from the Buganda tribe had started to riot because the government had prevented their traditonal King from holding a rally. When Ugandan TV started to show pictures of what was happening on Thursday, we started to realise how serious things were getting. By Thursday afternoon, the protesters were engaged in running battles with the police and military, who were responding by firing indiscriminately into the crowds, beating people up, conducting house to house enquiries. By Saturday afternoon, the military seemed to have taken control of the city.

Tribial conflict always seems to be lurking just beneath the surface in this part of the world. Maybe the use of the word `tribal` is a little simplistic on my part, but many of the recent problems in Central Africa, whether Congo, Rwanda or somewhere else, do seem to have been split along these lines.

Uganda has a deeply unpopular president in Yoweri Musiveni, and with an elction scheduled for 2011 it will be interesting to see how things develop. For more info on the riots, Id suggest reading either the New Vision or Independent newspapers.

http://www.independent.co.ug/
http://www.newvision.co.ug/

Murchison, Uganda

2009-09-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

A less serious post from me, to reflect my mood on R&R. I have posted some photo highlights of my trip to Murchison National Park in Uganda. Enjoy!!! My dad came all the way to visit me from good old Manchester, and we had great fun exploring the park and this part of Africa. An experience that will stay with both of us for a long time!

Field Trip

2009-08-30T05:07:00.000-07:00

Im back in Kampala...relaxing and reflecting on the first 3 months in the Congo. This time last week I was in the middle of my first field trip, which proved to be very eventful. Myself and Karin visted the town of Wamba, about 2ookm North of Isiro, to visit some Medair projects going on in that area. The roads were terrible, the car broke down, we got stuck and even managed to visit some Pygmy villages. This is where Medair's programmes have become a bit blurred between emergency and development programmes. We have constructed some health centres, helped to provide some medical kit and trained some of the medical staff. Wamba is not an insecure area, but is desperately poor.

The road from Isiro to Wamba. Not exactly the M1. Its about 200km. It took us 11 hours.

Crossing the Poko river. North Eastern Congo.

A pygmy village. About 20km north of Wamba. There are about 50,000 Pygmies living in the forest that surrounds Wamba. They try to live their traditional lives as much as possible, but they are extremely poor, their tribes have been ravaged by illnesses such as leprosy and terbuculosis. They are a forgotten people, ignored by the government, reached only by a few NGO`s, missionaries and some inspirational individuals.

Im at the back of this picture with 2 friends, Dr.Jose and Fr.Justin, a Catholic priest. Both reach out to the Pygmy community, with pastoral and medical care. Some of the health centres have even built small huts for the Pygmies, as they feel uncomfortable inside the normal hospital strutures. Its small acts of community like this that really give me hope for the Congo. Individuals reaching out in love to transform lives. Amazing.

The Pygmies still hunt with the bow and arrow, poisonned lethally at the tip. This picture was also supposed to give you some idea of their size. The health centre in Wamba, built by Medair.

Inevitably we got stuck on the way back home. It looks more like a river than a road.

Effects of the War, Isiro

2009-08-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday myself and my friend Karin managed to take some photos in the old rail station in Isiro. Built by the Belgians, amazingly, it was operational until 1996 when rebels completely destroyed and looted it. It has never been used since. Too far away from Kinshasa to matter, it has never been restored. You can imagine what it was like in its heyday. Now just another symbol of a shattered infrastructure

The railway. You can see the power cables. Completely overgrown and left in ruin.

More pictures of the rail lines. I was stood on the platform taking the photo, but even that has been overtaken by jungle.

Not sure what this was. Could have been a taxi, or a bus to transport passengers. Its lying in the grounds of the station.

One of the train carriages, in the old maintenance warehouse

Some of the old machinery sat in the workshop. Apparently still in resonable condition, but it cannot be used because there is no power or fuel. The guy with me used to work at the station, since 1972 so he told me. They have not been paid for years, but him and few others turn up every day to guard the equiment and show people like us around. Can`t imagine there are many visitors. I have to say i don`t understand why they turn up everday. He told me they went on strike a few years ago but they were completely ignored, so eventually they just came back, presumably as they were unable to find jobs anywhere else. Maybe they have some blind hope it will be restored one day. Crazy!!!

I think this was a generator. Now just left there, never used. What a waste!!! More transportation. Burnt out and left to rot. In the grounds of the station.

The old entrance to the rail station. You cant really see it here, but there were obvioulsy some gardens in front of the station. They are completely destroyed now.

One of the old buildings still standing at the station. 1000 employees used to work here apparently, they exported coffee, soap, fruit all over the Congo.

Old fuel tank.

The old ticket office. Abandoned.

The reality

2009-08-16T03:22:00.000-07:00

The reality of working in Africa can be quite difficult. There is a steep learning curve, it can be challenging and exhausting. I remember, back in Manchester a few months ago, I was talking with family and some close friends, how I needed a fresh challenge, that God was calling me to something new, away from a secure, comfortable, happy environment at home to something more unknown in Africa.

mmm..be careful what you pray for? No Im joking, so far I`ve loved every minute of my time with Medair in the Congo. Through the ups and the downs, I have a great sense that im in the right place and God is really at work. There are definately challenges to working in this part of the world though. I am enjoying being stretched in many different directions.

The strongholds of poverty and dependency can mean that a lot of poeple are out for something. When they see a white face, they see dollar signs. You have to be very careful about you present yourself and the organisation you work for. Its very easy, with a Western mindset, to see the material needs here....money, clothes, school fees etc. There is a huge danger of setting a precedent if you decide to give some support to one individual. Even letting somebody use your internet can cause problems...before you know it you have the entire community asking if they can use your computer, at all times of the day. Its almost expected. Knowing how to manage these expectations is a skill I am still learning.

Then there is the problem of corruption. Its endemic in Congolese culture. Mobuto, when he was in power, said in a national newspaper "If you want to steal, steal a little in a nice way. But if you steal too much to become rich overnight, you'll be caught.". Mobutu was a notoriously corrupt leader, rumoured to have stolen over $5bn. There is a natural level of mistrust and suspicion in Congolese culture. Meeting with Congolese customs officials in recent weeks has been a testing experience. Naturally, the office in Isiro seems to have made up its own rules, they are completely different to the rules employed in Kinshsasa. We had a tricky situation, trying to prevent some of our motorbikes being impounded. We managed to negotiaite our way out of it, with some prayer and divine intervention helping us on our way. They really wanted us to pay the fines more than anything else, despite the fact that that we are a humanitairan organisation here to help the Congolese. Also our motorbikes are pretty important as our medical supervisors use them to get out to the field. Aarghh!!!

Managing Congolese staff can be challenging. Proactivity, initiative, planning, all key activities in Western organisations, are ofthen skils that are missing here. These are, of course, generalisations but management skills, especially when managing projects, seem to be a particular area where we can really develop capacity. Timetables, schedules, deadlines are not really followed. Communication can be frustrating as well, especially when you have staff based in several locations. There is a real opportunity for capacity building here

Im loving all the challenges so far though, and I still have lots to learn. Its a steep learning experience, no doubt about that. I will be ready for my holiday, at the end of August. You certainly need the regular breaks when working out in the field.

For What Its Worth

2009-08-09T05:53:00.000-07:00

I have just finished reading Simon Guillebaud`s `For what its worth`. Simon has been a missionary in Burundi for 8 years, living through some pretty interesting, dangerous times. The book is essentally a call to radical discipleship, to complete surrender of your life to Jesus. The book brings out some interesting points, many of which i was contemplating when deciding to come to the DR Congo with Medair.

Following Christ was never meant to be easy, comfortable or safe. Its supposed to be tough, real and impacting.

`Choose leisure wear and matching luggage. Choose a 3 piece suite on hire purchase in a range of fabrics, choose DIY and wondering who you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind numbing, spirit crushing game shows, stuffing junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing yourself in a miserable home, nothing more than en embarassment to the selfish brats you`ve spawned to replace yourself. Choose your future.Choose LIFE`

This, of course, come from the closing scene of the cult film Trainspotting. Its raw and cynical and relfects the grim pessimism which embodies the films central character, Renton, a heroine addict. While this is not representative of most people lives in our modern society, his sentiments that life are meaningless resonate with many. His escape is drugs, to get away from the mundane, but what choices do we have?

The choice I was confronted with was to follow Jesus, to really follow and trust my life to him. To go to the Congo or not. Either that, or settle, settle for less than what God had for me. Many Christians fall into this trap. They turn up for a church on a Sunday, they live a comfortable life but they are not fulfilled in their relationship with Christ, they complain and wonder why? My hope for myself, and for you, is that we can live a life where opportunites are seized, gifts maximised, risks taken, obstacles overcome, storms weathered, people impacted, and most importantly, our calling is filled.Choosing life involves embracing and enjoying Gods awesome creation and the opportunities life presents us with. As followers of Jesus, we have the choice to embrace or reject a life of puropse, fulfilment, meaning and challenge. Are we going to settle for the safety of existing, where life is comfortable, or will we choose to embark on the adventure of really living. Jesus is calling each one of us. will you say no or will you say yes?

Kivu, Rwanda and the Genocide

2009-08-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

A few people have written e-mails asking me if have i met Hutu`s and Tutsi`s in the Congo. So I just thought I would write a little piece to explain the complexity of the political situation in Eastern Congo and why I have not met any Hutu`s and Tutsi`s. It makes my head spin a little but I will give it a go.

Isiro, where I am based, is located in Haut Uele Province and there are many tribes in this area. All living peacefully alongside each other, it seems. Of course, this region is now suffering because of the LRA attacks. Especially as you head further North towards the town of Dungu

Medair`s main base in the Congo is in a town called Bunia, in the Ituri Province. The two main ethnic groups in this area are the Hema and Lendu people. The conflict in Rwanda between the Hutu and Tutsi people is now well known throught the world, after the genocide in 1994 and events since. People tend to know much less about the conflict between the Hema and Lendu tribes, which was at its height in North Eastern Congo between 1998 and 2007.

If you head further south to the Kivu provinces, North and South, this is where you will find the ethnic hutu and tutsi people living. The FDLR (Democratic Force for the Liberation of Rwanda) are now the prominent hutu force in this area. Some of the guys fighting for this militia fled Rwanda after committing the atrocities in the genocide, they are formerly known as the Interhamwe. Others have joined as well.

In recent times the CNDP (National Congress for the Defence of the People), have also been operating in the Kivu`s. They are Tutsi rebels, apparently protecting the tutsi population. Their infamous leader, Laurent Nkunda, is an ordained Christian minister! In a famous piece of political manoeuvering, he was arrested in Rwanda in January.

As you can see its pretty complex. There are many other abbreviations as well. FARDC are the Congolese army, UPDF is the Ugandan military. I could go on...and you also have to think about the abundant supply of natural resources in the DR Congo and who wants to control what...that discussion is for another day. I can`t think of many other parts of the world which need the transforming power of Jesus as much as this forgotten part of Central Africa.

I have added the map as well, so you can see how the geography fits.

The Congo problem - infrastructure

2009-07-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

One of my colleagues in the DR congo was recently on a field trip, for a construction project. Some of the photos above show you some of the challenges the team faced as they tried to drive across the Congolese roads.

Immediately you can see some of the problems faced by the DR Congo, particularly the Eastern Congo. The infrastructure is just devastated. Kemal Saiki, a United Nations spokesman, said recently that the Democratic Republic of the Congo does not "even have 2,000 miles of roads" . That is staggering, for a country the size of Western Europe.

For a distance of 210km, from Isiro to Dungu, it can take 2 days to travel one way when its been raining. You may think I exaggerate, but as you look at the photos above, you can see what the reality looks like for most people here in the DRC.

Infact, most people who do travel domestically in the Congo travel by air. Its by far the quickest way to get around, though not an always very safe way to travel. The domestic airlines here have an appaling safety record.

For wealthy `mizungus` like myself this doesnt really present a problem, as Medair, my organisation can pay for flights with international carriers, such as MAF or we can get access to donor flights. For the majority of Congolese though, it presents massive challenges. Conflict ongoing for the last 12/13 years has exacerbated the problem. As you can imagine, it can be very difficult to reach people in rural, remote communities, especially when you have cargo such as medical aid to deliver. Also, when there is an emergency what do these people do? its not always that easy for them to get the help they need.

Private and commercial road transport is almost non-existent and traffic is scarce. The few vehicles in use are run by the UN, aid agencies, the DRC government, and a few larger companies such as those in the mining and energy sectors. It makes it very difficult for thousands of people to get access to clinics, hospitals and sometimes shelter. Most people travel by bike, or just walk.

I hope to be going on a field trip of my own in the next couple of weeks so I will have some stories of my own. But i would recommend Tim Butchers Blood River - a pretty vivid account of what it can be like travelling across the Congo

Welcome to the jungle - Pictures of the Congo

2009-07-12T04:06:00.000-07:00

One of the main streets in Isiro. For all you Mancunians reading, this is our equivalent to Princess Parkway.

A visit to a local school to present some gifts a colleague had brought from Canada. They even sang the Congolese national anthem for us.

This guy was carrying a coffin on his bike. He told us building coffins was how he made his living. Sadly, he also said it was a lucrative business in the Congo.

Isiro. the edge of town. The jungle is pretty thick already. Very beautiful. However, as you head north of Dungu, the LRA hides out in the forest. The miltary can`t find the rebels there its too dense.

The colour of a Congolese wedding!!!

Can you see that there is a guy riding a bike here..carrying the rack of clothes. Guys like this are a common sight in the Congo...carrying all sorts, bananas, cement, you name it. They are traders - and can sometimes travel for up to 2 week periods to sell their parcticular goods.

The view from the MAF flight. Down below you can see the dense jungle and Lac albert in the distance. i understand the Congo/uganda border splits the lake.

Beautiful Isiro - the forest of North East congo, Haut Uele Province

My team at work. Isaac and Baya repairing the Medair vehicle after a field trip. This is what the roads in the DR Congo do to your car. More on that later.

Joking around with some of the local kids. Pretty cute!!!

The garden in front of our house and the volleyball court. We even have a net..impressive!!!

Me and the volleyball crew. We try to play 2/3 times a week with some of the kids and teenagers from the local community. Its a great laugh and good excercise in the heat and humidity.

The lounge. Where the team comes together in the evenings and for our devotions. And where i spend most Sundays resting on the sofa after a tough 6 day week. Im only half joking!!!

The special bucket shower we use in Isiro. In fairness, it works very well

My new home above. The base in isiro. Welcome to the jungle - North Eastern Congo

The Relief world

2009-07-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

Before I arrived in the Congo, I was warned by some people about the effectiveness of the humanitarian aid sector in responding to crises in this part of Africa. I was warned about the reputation of the UN and just how badly organised they can be, and even about some of the donors and NGO`s, about the approaches they take and the benefits for the locals.

Needless to say I was pretty shocked by the response of one of our donors this week. Although Medair are a Christian aid agency, some of the donors we deal with are not, they are certainly more secular. I won`t say who the donor was, but we had arranged to transport some medical aid with them this week. They cancelled the flight with a days notice, because instead of transporting the cargo, they wanted to transport some diplomats to a meeting. Can you imagine that? Rather than save lives, they preferred to send some high ranking officials for a meeting.

Thankfully, I chose to work for Medair, who like I say, are very much a Christian agency. It means, or at least I hope so, that we do and what we say stands out. The fact that we spend time as a team praying and studying the word together really matters. We are motivated by the love of Christ, our standards are that much higher, and we are here to genuinely serve the local people. What am I trying to say? Well im trying to say that it really matters that Christ is at the centre of what we do.

These are my thoughts anyway as I see some of the pros and cons of working at the sharp end of the humanitarian field. I had thought about this a lot before coming out to the field, so was fully prepared for it. I am already asking myself does humanatrian aid really give the DR congo what it needs? I don`t have an answer for you yet I came here to find out for myself.

However I am convinced that Medair does have something different to offer in this line of work. Im convinced that it makes a difference when you move forward with prayer, courage and obedience to Jesus, that he will work through you and his transforming power will change hearts and lives.

In the words of Martin Luther King, `if you can`t fly then run, if you can`t run then walk, If you can`t walk then crawl, but by all means keep moving forward.`

The cost...

2009-06-29T01:48:00.001-07:00

I wrote a few weeks ago about the cost of being here..in the DR Congo. Well i did not expect to experience that cost so visibly and powerfully, only 3.5 weeks after arriving.

On saturday i recieved some heartbreaking news from home. My sister was due to give birth in just 5 weeks, but on Friday, on a check up at the hospital, she and her husband were told that the baby had died. She has still had to go through the trauma of giving birth, and so in the early hours of this morning, alexander luke was born. Devestating for my sister and her husband, and terrible for the rest of my family too.

I have experienced a mixture of emotions since hearing the news. Shock, anger, confusion, sadness. im sure that all pales in comparison to what my sister and her husband are feeling right now. My feelings have been exacerbated by the fact that im so far from home.

Medair have been great, very supportive. They offered me the chance to fly home. I have spoken to the family a lot over the last 48 hours and we have decided the best thing is for me to stay in the DR Congo. I need to settle here and there are already so many people supporting Jude and Jonny. i think if i had returned home, it would have been more for my benefit than theirs. We will speak on the phone and on skype, and i am OK with that for now.

A colleague said to me yesterday that you really make a big sacrifice whn you leave for the field. Not only does that apply to me, but for the people you leave behind as well. I have had that truth rammed down my throat.

Please pray for my sister and her husband if you get a chance. i would appreciate it.

My job so far....

2009-06-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

We have a lot of emergencies at the moment in the North East Congo, as the LRA continue to attack villages, causing thousands of people to leave their homes and live in temporary camps. These people are officially classified as IDP`s (Internally Displaced People). This effectively means that they are refugees within the borders of their own country

These are the people who get caught in the crossfire and suffer the most in many cases. Hard to believe, but the UN estimate that 45,000 people die every month in the DR Congo. Most of these people die from preventable diseases, an indirect consequence of the chaos that surrounds them. The infrastructure can be so bad in eastern Congo, and the security so unstable that these people can be difficult to reach. People die from diahrroea in the Eastern Congo. Does that not make you angry? The war in Eastern Congo officialy ended 5 years ago but fighting continues, and the shattered economy and infrastructure have never recovered

Consequently many of Medairs programmes in the Congo are focusing on emergency response and trying to ensure that as many people as possible can recieve the medication they so desparately need. Since I arrived in Isiro, my role has focused on the control of the medical stock and making sure this kit is transported to our beneficiaries in the field. The medical kit is mostly transported by air. The roads are in a terrible state so they are not really an option...the planes get in and out pretty quickly.

We have medical supervisors who distribute the medicines. They are all Congolese, completely dedicated to what they do and pretty corageous guys too, putting themselvs in the middle of some pretty dangerous situations.

I hope to get to grips with the rest of my role over the next few weeks. Its been a pretty busy start, but the role has a hands on feel, and knowing what you are doing really does contribute to saving lives directly is a good thing. That why I came i guess, to serve the people of one of the most forgotten crises on planet earth.

In the picture you can see myself and my colleague Isaac delivering the medication to the airport

Welcome to DR Congo

2009-06-14T00:43:00.000-07:00

I flew to Bunia on Monday from Kampala. On one of the smallest planes you can imagine. A 12 seater MAF plane. Amazing views as we flew over Lac Albert and the jungle. Having been debriefed in bunia for a couple of days i flew on to Isiro on Wednesday, my new base. Isiro really is the town the jungle overtook, the villages on the edge of town surrounded by the encroaching rainforest. Believe it or not, in the colonial days, you could once fly here directly to Belgium. Not anymore. the airport has become a symbol of the towns decline. Constantly flooded when the rains come and hosting only MAF, the UN and a handful of domestic airline carries, it has lost something of its former glory

The house and the team are great. I have experienced the famous bucket shower of the Medair Isiro house. The school next door is a bit special as well. As the majorty of people dont have alarms here the headmaster wakes up the kids by smashing a big gong at 5am every morning. I kid ye not. You can see the base above

The secuirty in Isiro is pretty stable but the LRA (Lords Resistance Army) are attaking towns not too far from here. A particularly brutal, nasty group they terrorise the local population.

A bit of background the LRA are lead by a guy called Joseph Kony. They were originally based in Northern Uganda. For various reasons they are now more concentrated in North Eastern Congo. Kony is a spiritual medium and wanted the people in Northern Uganda to live by the 1o commandments. Its a strange 10 commandments that now includes rape, abduction and the infliction of complete terror on the civilian population.

After several failed attempts by the governments of Uganda, Southern Sudan and the DRC to wipe out the LRA, they are now scattered across the NorthEastern region of the DRC. Many of the towns north of Isiro are not protected by the military and are completely vulnerable to attack.

Darfur gets a lot of publicity at home, and rightly so. The LRA are a vicious group though and have been guilty of committing massive attrocities in this part of Africa.

I will attach a few useful links below so that you can read a bit more

http://www.hrw.org/en/node/80769/section/9
http://www.petereichstaedt.com/

And so the adventure begins

2009-06-06T22:58:00.000-07:00

So its been a hectic week. My friends and family gave me a great send off at home. Somebody said to me recently that there is always a cost of everything you do for God. Wise words!!! The lives of my family and friends will be moving forward, as will mine. I'm sure there will be quite a few things that I will miss out on.

I finally rented the flat out at the 11th hour. On Wednesday at 4pm i recived the confirmation that a girl would take it. I was leaving for the airport 2 hours later. Why does God always work like that? Ansers on a postcard

Anyway Im in Kampala now. Its been a great few days meeting the Medair staff here and geting to know the city. On Friday I recieved my visa for the DR Congo, so on Monday I will fly to Bunia and then on to Isiro.

It feels good to be here. For now this is the right place for me to be. There is nothing quite like walking in the will of God, even when you consider the costs that might be involved.

Boring admin details

2009-05-30T03:09:00.000-07:00

A few people have asked me how they can send parcels etc out to me in the DR Congo. As you'd suspect the postal system in the Congo ain't the best so Medair have suggested sending anything to Uganda and it will get to me in the DRC. Ther address details are

Medair, PO box 33333, Kampala, Uganda

For giving financially I'd suggest using this site http://www.stewardship.org.uk/christian_workers.htm
That way I will recieve the gift aid. I won't be posting my bank details on here but if you want them either leave a comment on here, drop me an e-mail or look for the details of the mission partners on the Ivy website. Thanks

What im doing???

2009-05-04T05:16:00.000-07:00

Ive just come back frm 4 days in Switzerland with Medair. I was there for my HQ briefing. It was pretty much information overload, but all very interesting. Specifically i learnt a lot more about my role as a Logistics and Finance Manager for the projects in Isiro. I guess my role is really a support role fot projectds which are mostly medical related, delivering mobile clinics, HIV projects etc.

So what am i looking forward to and what am i getting nervous about. The idea of working for Medair is very attractive I have no doubt God is calling me to a career in relief work. I think i really connected with the orgnaisation and the people there, it seems to be the right fit, hopefully for them and me. I am excited about the role, about renewing my French, about being part of the Medair family but most of all, about serving the most vulnerable people in the DR Congo.

Knowing what im like though, i need to be caerful about managing exectations, and thats twofold. Managing my expectations of of the other guys on my team, the local staff (i think i will have about 20-30 reporting to me) but also trying to understand their expectations of me. By nature, im a pleaser - I hate letting people down and don't like making mistakes. Ok, lets be realistic for a minute - in the first few months i expect to make a few mistakes but i guess im a little nervous about this aspect of being a relief worker for Medair.

Where am i going

2009-04-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

You can see the town of Isiro in the far North East of the DR Congo, towards the Sudan and Ugandan borders. Isiro is the capital of Haut-Uele Province. A bit more about the situation in the DR Congo below (i took this info from Reliefweb). Its often described as a chronic conflict and the first civil and regional war began in 1996

A recent mortality survey carried out by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) claims that war, disease, and malnutrition area are killing 45,000 Congolese every month in this conflict-driven humanitarian crisis, which has claimed 5.4 million victims in nearly a decade. Most of these deaths are due to easily treatable and preventable diseases through the collapse of health systems

If you are interested to read more about the DR Congo, I'd recommend looking at various sites on the net, Medair, Releief Web, Alertnet.org are all good starting points.

Why Im going

2009-04-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Isiro, DR Congo

2009-04-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

Im back in Manchester now after after my week in the Netherlands with Medair. It is very difficult to know how to summarise such an intense week, but i can certainly say i've learnt a lot about humanitarian work, about living and working in a team and about myself. I've been back at home for 10 days and im still processing all that happened. It was great to be in that environment though, surrounded by so many passionate, committed and professional people from all over the world

during the week i was spoken to about a Finance and logistics role in the DR Congo, in a town called Isiro. There was so much to take in during the ROC that i didn't want to make any decisons there and then. I've since had contact with Medair and feel there is where God is leading me. Its looking like I will be heading out there in June. Excitement, awe, fear, some degree of panic - these are some of the emotions im feeling right now, all normal im told. I will post more details about my role in the near future. Thanks for everybodys encouragement and prayers - you're all amazing!!!

The ROC

2009-03-17T15:32:00.001-07:00

Its arrived finally!!! Very early on Saturday morning I fly to Amsterdam for the ROC, which is Medair's training week. I expect to be learning lots about relief work, this will be my introduction humanitraian aid and Medair's mandate within that context. I thought that I would be feeling nervous and apprehensive as this moment approached, but i've got to say im really looking forward to it. Not sure if thats because i've been so busy recently ...I think its more to do with my outook on life though. I always get excited by a new adventure!!!

It promises to be an intense week as I start to understand what it means to be living the life of a relief worker. I believe this is where God wants me, I have a real peace about that. I hope things come together as the week unfolds, that a role and place within the organisation becomes clear for me. Thats where i will really need your prayers I think.

I really believe in Medair's programmes. They literally work amongst the most vulnerable people on earth, in some of the most forgotten crises across Africa and Asia. It will be interesting, no doubt about that.

A bit more about me

2009-02-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

Im never sure how much i should reveal through this blog, as its not just my close friends who will see it. Anyway, i think there is some stuff that i should say, especially my interest in going overseas and my future work with Medair

A quote from Steve Chalk inspired me to share a bit more. He said 'My aim is not to impress people with what i do - but to train and inspire them to do better themselves'.

I first became awar of Medair when i was living in London back in the day. There was a girl from my church who went to work in Afghanistan as a nurse. I remember hearing her speak and thinking wow, im interested in that! My fascination with the organisation and humanitarian aid work in particular has never faded, infact i would say its grown stronger and stronger.

Hopefully since then i've matured in my faith. I am tuly convinced that Jesus holds the key it is only him who is able to transform people, communites and indeed entire nations. I have all the practical skills to build a successful career in this line of work, but without Jesus at the heart of it whats the point, wheres it all leading!

Medair

2009-02-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

Well i've been accepted on Medair's training programme. You may ask who are Medair? well they are a Christian relief organisation. They work in some of the poorest countries on earth. I will be going to Amsterdam on 21 March for a week of training, and to see if they are the right fit for me. If all goes well, I may have a new job, or it could just be another step on the learning curve for me

A bit more about Medair....www.medair.org

Medair responds to natural disasters, conflicts that uproot communities, and crises such as drought or disease. Our core competencies are emergency relief – responding rapidly to save lives in a crisis – and rehabilitation – restoring vulnerable communities in the wake of a crisis. Our ability to provide life-saving care is enhanced by flexible multisectoral expertise including health services, water and sanitation, and shelter and infrastructure.

Medair serves the world’s most vulnerable people, who are identified by the seriousness of their needs. For Medair, this often means traveling to remote and hard-to-reach locations to assist the most underserved populations.

All of our activities are bolstered by a persistent focus on training and capacity building that stimulates self-sufficiency and nurtures independence. Being accountable to our beneficiaries is a vital component of our programme design and implementation. We do not travel to distant countries to impose our will; we come to compassionately serve the most vulnerable, to listen to their needs, and work alongside them to find the best solutions.

Following (Part 2)

2009-01-25T15:44:00.000-08:00

This morning i've heard George Verwer speak at my church, Ivy Manchester. George Verwer is the founder of Operation Mobilisation. Check out more at http://www.georgeverwer.com/. He talked a lot about following Jesus, answering yes when Jesus says 'Come follow me'

The topic follows on nicely from my last post on this site back in October. Im sure you're wondering what i've been up to since then.

Well i started to apply for jobs with relief organisations over Christmas, and im waiting to hear back on applications at the moment. Having spoken to a number of people in the field in recent months it looks like i should get a post pretty quickly. I can trace this calling on my life back to my early days as a Christian, so you could ay its been a long time coming

Doesn't make it any easier actually saying yes though when Jesus comes calling. Im pretty happy in Manchester, i go to a good church, have a great group of friends and a fantastic family. The thought of leaving all this to go and live and work in one of the worlds most needy, dangerous countries seems crazy at times. I think sometimes i must be mad, or confused or running away from something. All sorts of things start to go through your mind its pretty scary. Will i cope being away? Will i be any good? Will i get on with my colleagues out there

i know, in my heart, what Jesus is leading me to. i have to trust him. This is what famous Chrisitans talk about when they say you need to surrender your life to god. Leaving your job and moving halway across the world. its all coming my way i think, if im brave enough to go and follwo Jesus

Following

2008-10-06T03:24:00.000-07:00

God spoke to me a lot when i was out in Africa, about pushing forward and really trying to seek out Gods best for my life. I think I've been trying to understand what that means in the 3 weeks ive been back in the UK. Obviously, i feel my future involves mission and possibly Africa. My future will probably also involve doing some theoloigal training, some study of missiology and i still feel called to the practical side of mission, not just the spiritual side of things

But more than anything, i think this means following Jesus. That doesn't mean just in terms of mission and disappearing off to Africa, but also in terms of how i live out my faith here in the UK. Its easy to pick and choose the bits of the Chrisitan faith you want to follow, but to really follow what Jesus said...to be a true disciple..now that is a challenge! Thats really what I feel is going on with me at the moment

I am part of a strong church yes this is true. There are smaller communties within any church though, and i want to be part of a community that is really following Jesus in everything they do. I think i have found common ground in this already, there are poeple i know who are moving in the same direction and are thinking the same things. Where this will all lead i don't know....its dangerous asking God for certain things sometimes. Asking for help to be a true disciple, a follower, is one of those dangerous questions I think..the way the early church operated, an Acts style church, was far from how i live out my faith here. They shared their possesions, their wealth, all with the Kingdom in mind. Im not saying im at point yet but who knows in the future....im in the mood to be a bit radical and try to follow Jesus in everything!

Isn't it great to be back home ???

2008-09-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

It actually is good to be back in Manchester. Seeing family and friends, catching up with people and being able to share whats happened in the last few weeks has been great fun

Some things though, do make you scratch your head a little bit in bewilderment!

I've been back at work 3 days. The credit crunch is hogging all the headlines. Ive been working in London today. I shared my flight back with a girl who works for my company and has just been made redundant. She has worked for the company for over 8 years , won't get much in terms of a payoff and to be honest, was in a bit of a state this evening. Where do i want to put my own security, in a multinational corporation or something with much more permanence,. Yes im talking about the creator of heaven and earth, God himself. I know where my loyalties lie!!! I've also been watching with interest the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the struggles of AIG and Merill Lynch amongst countless others this week. Listening to the doom and gloom merchants in the media, the world as we know it is about to end . Once again, Im grateful for being able to put my faith in a God who does not change and remains a constant in my life throughout everything!

Tonight, i went out to catch up with a good friend. We visited a fairly well known bar in South Manchester to have a chat and watch some footy. We must have been there 30 minutes when the guy next to us interrupted to ask why we were talking so much and would we shut up so he could watch the football in peace. Not surprisingly, this moron was sitting by himself. I was quite proud of myself for ignoring this idiot, walking off and finding somewhere else to sit. I was tempted to respond, but he was probably just looking to light up his pathetic little life with a fight. Im sure you can find people like that anywhere in the world, but its a bit depressing...i've only been back in the UK 3 days and have to put up with that rubbish. I'll pray for that guy anyway!!!

Chariots of Fire

2008-09-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

I made it home this afternoon...finally. My journey home was not without its problems unfortunately. I actually landed at Heathrow yesterday evening, but because British Airways took over an hour to deliver my bags i missed my train to Manchester. Not the end of the world, I guess I should be thankful they at least managed to get all my luggage delivered to the right place!!!

On the flight home, I watched the film Chariots of Fire. Its a great film - the story of Eric Liddle is very inspiring. A devout Christian, he remained loyal and faithful to God, even when it looked like observing the Sabbath would make him miss his event, the 100 metres at the Olympics. Of course, he ended up winning the 400 metres and went to China to complete his calling as a missionary soon after.

His kind of unwavering commitment, complete faith in God makes a remarkable story. Its something I really need to think about now Im back home in Manchester. What has the last 6 weeks been all aboout? Where is it leading to? It would be easy just to settle back into things here, where everything is clean and comfortable, but its really important now that i don't just settle for a life that is second best, that i really push on and try to see everything that God has for me. The last 6 weeks has been an amazing experience, but i don't want it to just stop there. At least i don't think i do!! Please feel free to challenge me if you see me around in 2/3 months and see that im falling into this trap. For me, its quite an easy thing to do!!!

Anyway, im going for a hot bath, putting some clean clohtes on and heading out to catch up with a few friends. Speak soon!!!

Botswana

2008-09-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we crossed the border into Botswana. As i've ventured further and further south, its just got hotter and hotter. Yesterday we measured 42 degrees at about 2pm. Sitting in our 4 wheel drive was hard work

So we crossed the border at a place called Kasangula. A ferry takes you over the Chobe river into Zambia! It was the usual story as far as Africa is concerned - people trying to get bribes out of you for everything...one guy for getting us to the front of the queue, one guy for showing us where to park on the ferry. Im sure you can imagine what its like, complete chaos!

The next challange was getting the accommodation sorted. Having just come from Zambia, where you can pretty much walk into any lodge, hotel or campsite and get a room for that night, we thought we'd find a similar situation in Botswana. Boy how wrong were we!!

You see, Botswana is a lot more developed than Zambia. Its full of tourists from South Africa, Namibia, Europe and North America. It was a lot of hassle to get somewhere to sleep! Botswana, predicatably, has made its money from diamonds. They even have streetlights here - you don't get them in Zambia, even in Lusaka! Everything is bigger, more modern and better looked after, but you know what i miss Zambia! The people there are just so relaxed, chilled out - it doesn't seem to be the same here in Botswana

Anyway, we've spent the last 2 days in Chobe National Park. Last night was just one of those evenings that will stay with me forever. The game in Chobe is incredibe, i spotted most of the big 5, lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino plus hippo, zebra, sable, springbok etc etc! you get the picture - the park has everything! We camped in the reserve, in an official campsite. The offical campsites in the park offer you no protection though, not even a fence! So, last night as the sun came down i was looking out on the chobe river, at the crossroads of four countries - Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, with the cries of all these animals in the background. There was a herd of elephant in the distance, monkeys and warthog all around us. I have to admit i didn't sleep much - i was too scared! What an experience though

We will leave Botswana for Livingstone tomorrow and i only have a few more days left in Africa. I fly back to Heathrow on Saturday!

Livingstone

2008-09-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

So, livingstone ....this is where i am now!

I left Chingola on Thursday and travelled to Lusaka. Yesterday i got on the bus to Livingstone. It was a bit nuts - it took 7 hours. It was hot, sweaty, african music blasting out of a very poor stereo system, and trying to get hold of a ticket was bonkers. I sat next to an amazing person on the bus though and we chatted for almost seven hours..most Zambians are very chilled out and relaxed they are so easy to get on with!

Today i've been exploring Livingstone. The undoubted highlights was the Victoria Falls - an absoloutely awesome experience and very cheap as well...30p to see one of the 7 wonders of the world..not bad at all. Trust me, i came back to livingstone and wasted a load of money on tacky African art. Livingstone has a very chilled out feel to it...lots of cool bars and safari lodges and not too many tourists! i could see the Zimabawe side i didn't try crossing lots of police everywhere and exorbitant visa charges. The Zimbabweans don't seem to like us Brits too much at the moment, at leat there government doesn't!

Anyway, im off to Botswana in the morning. to Chobe National Park. Can't wait

The Gold Rush

2008-09-02T01:51:00.000-07:00

I have just come back from an area of Zambia called Lumwana, in NorthWestern Province. The chief has given a friend of ours 400 hectares of land which was nice of him. Its a nice place, nothing spectacular but there are rapids and waterfalls, its pretty cool!

There is a new copper mine being developed in that area, so my friend is really developing his area to try and bring in some of the rich whites who run the mines. Its a big gamble and these guys have so much money that they tend to fly off to wherever they want. A lot, for example, will fly back to South Africa, not stay in Zambia at the weekend. We did some ministry stuff up that way with some of the churhes as well.

There are mines all through this part of Zambia, from Kitwe in the CopperBelt right up to NorthWest Province. They are all foreign owned as you would probably guess, South African, Chinese, Indian, Australian. The Zambian government does not have the funds to invest in the infrastructure...these foreign companies do! Thats all very well but i wonder if the benefits will get back to the local people. It doesn't seem to do in most cases and the copper won't last forever. I imagine you can apply the same scenario to most countries in this region...Angola with its oil, the Congo with its own copper, cobalt and uranium, the diamonds in Angola and Sierra Leone...you could go on and on forever. It would be a national tragedy for these countries if they did not reap some of the benefit. Corrupt governments don't help either!!!

Anyway, on a lighter note, my time in Chingola is drawing to a close. In 2 days time, i will head down to Botswana to Chobe National Park for a bit of a holiday. On the way back, we will travel through the Okavango delta in Namibia and then back to Livingstone and Victoria Falls. I fly back to the UK a week on Saturday.

The last 4 weeks have really allowed me to focus on God, and specifically my future. God is certainly leadining me in one direction. Those of you who know me well will know what im talking about. The rest of you will have to wait and see. Being able to focus on God, and not worry about work and the other stuff i tend to get caught up in at home has been great!

Mbila

2008-08-29T03:07:00.000-07:00

Those of you who go to my church will know the name Mbila. For those of you that don't, its a village out in the bush where we have been involved in doing various things. We've built a clinic there amongst other things. The village is also served by one of the worst roads i have seen in my life!

Well i've spent 4 days there this week, camping out again. Its a farily remote place, deeper into the bush than the places we visited last week its been incredibly hot as well...in case you didn't know the dry season in Zambia peaks in October. It seems to be getting hotter by the week at the moment - we measured 29 degress in the shade this week

One of the things i've noticed about being in the bush is that most things just don't work very well...you get a bit fed up with it after a while. I've seen a school where all the desks are broken and the teacher hasn't been paid for months, ive seen a coffee plantation that has been ruined through terrible management, government workers who haven't been paid by corrupt officials who bank the money for themsleves, local people planting the wrong type of crop in the wrong type of soil

and don't get me started on some of the churches in the rural areas. One of the pastors here runs 13 churches...how is that possible? you often end up with a situation where a local from the village gets left in charge of a church, usually the teaching is very poor and the church remains very week

maybe this helps to explain what we are doing out here? not just teaching the leaders, but discipling entire communities. Strengthening the church, helping people to change their mindset., that they are the ones who can transform their communities...they don't need outsiders to do it for them! Trust me these people would be utterly lost but for the work of these few hardy pastors we have met and the work that Dignity are trying to do as well

Get behund them because its really amazing work..im only here for 6 weeks but the other guys from dignity are out here for 3 months. Its just the start....

Remembering

2008-08-23T02:25:00.000-07:00

So im back in Chingola...after a week camping in the bush in Zambia. OK, i find camping in the UK challenging at times, so you can imagine how i was feeling about a week camping in the Zambian bush. Its incredibly dirty just about everywhere, its very difficult to find any shelter from the burning sun and then to top it all, on Wednesay, i woke up in my tent to find a rather large, very poisonous spider in my tent. I was starting to wonder what on earth i was doing out here...it felt a very long way from home!!!

Then i had a conversation with one of the pastors out here, a guy called Joel..a truly inspirational guy! He gave me a very similar prophetic word to one i had recieved several months ago at my church back in Manchester. It brought me sharply back to God and exactly why i had bothered to come all this way. It was about responding to what God had put on my heart, faithfulness, responding and obeying him, and the promise that he would use me!

I have preached 4 days this week....yes 4 DAYS....to various churches in the bush areas outside Chingola. The teaching has all been very simple, on prayer, but the people have really responded. It has been hugely encouraging for me to see God working so visibily. The people have really engaged, and have made some very small steps towards transforming their communities through the power of Jesus!

On a personal note, God seems to be opening up so much at the moment. Up until about 12 months ago, i had always thought my sense of calling related to practical work, using my finance skills maybe. Over the last 12 months, another avenue has opened up as well. Teaching, preaching, Gods word....we can help people with practical skills, but we can set them free with his Word. These two parts of my ministry have really started to come together as one ...its exciting!

What else has been happening. Well the president of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa has died this week. He was widely regarded as a strong leader, very much anti-corruption. This presents a big challenge for the Zambians? They are rightly proud of their peace and development since gaining independence. When you think of their neighbours, places like the Congo, Angola, Mozambique and Zimababwe, you can see why. Those countries conjure up images of violence, war, poverty, and insecurity.

Zambia has 73 different tribes, all living together peacefully. There is a lot of interest in who will take on the mantle as the new leader and when the elections will be. There is some concern at the moment that there are no suitable candiates...we shall see!!!

A Good Day!!!

2008-08-17T07:42:00.001-07:00

Today has been a pretty good day. I was preaching at a church in Chingola today, to about 100 people, and ive got to say im buzzing at the moment. I preached on faith (hebrews 11 if you're interested). I had no idea but it turns out the pastor and some people in the church were given the same message by God this week. Don't you just love it when God turns up!!! There was a real sense that the Lord is saying something to this church about the importance of faithfulness and how we respond to this challenge! it was exciting.

Anyway im off to the bush tomorrow until Friday. We are camping out in a village not far from
Chingola. We will use this village as our base, and travel out to see some other churches in the area each day, visiting rural communities, running some ministry time with them and basically getting alongside them. I am told that not many Westerners go into the villages and live alongside the people there so it should be interesting.

What else have I been doing with my time! Some finance stuff for the mission out here and 1 or two other practical things as well!

I was also offered the chance to go to Cape Town the other day, for 6 days in September . On Friday I was going. it was basically a holiday, no work involved. After some prayer though, i have decided not to bother. I am already planning 6 days in Livingstone at the end of the trip, to see Victoria Falls and some of the parks in that area. So if id gone to Cape Town i would have nearly two weeks holiday...it would have been nice but thats not really what i came out here for. There is a lot of work to be done with the Ministry here.

Respect

2008-08-14T06:36:00.000-07:00

We met some more pastors today...to set up our visits to the bush in the next 2 weeks. Its incredible to see how passionate some of these guys are about seeing their rural communities transformed. One pastor had workn up at 3am this morning, travelled over 30km on a fairly ropey looking bike to make our 10am meeting this morning. He got up so early because he didn't want to be late!!!!

The dedication these guys show is awesome. Makes me think about my own attitude really - i struggle to wake up for a 9.30 church service back home. Its really a privelige to be spending time getting alongside these guys.

We have now made plans to spend 10 days in the next 2 weeks out in the bush, visiting various village communities, taking part in what i guess you'd call some crusades, with some basic teaching and prayer, engaging the entire communities hopefully, not just the church leadership.

These villages are crying out for more practical help as well. Basic agricultural training would make a big difference out in these rural areas!

Anyway im preaching on Sunday, possibly to about 300 people. Its a great opportunity. Please pray that it goes well

Mission

2008-08-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

So today we met a group of African church leaders from rural Zambia....to start a way forward for our mission here in the CopperBelt Province. Whilst it was fascinating, its also difficult to convey the amount of problems the rural church here is currently facing. Most of these churches are very poor as you can imagine and there is evidently a material need here. Perhaps even more sadly, though the churches are very divided and don't really to work together. I was astonished today to hear of one village, where no more than 5,000 people live, but are served by 13 different churches all of different denominations, and hardly any of them have any kind of dialogue with the others. The pastors are woefully under resourced as well. Most pastors in Zambia tend to head for the big urban centres, such as Lusaka and Kitwe, once they are fully trained, as its much easier to raise support there. I have an awful lot of respect for these guys we met today, who have responded to Gods call and are working out in the bush, sometimes totally overstrecthed.

It can be a bit overwhelming though, hearing about all these problems. Today reminded me of when I was in Angola a year ago, hearing about some of the problems that country is trying to recover from after 28 years of war

The next few weeks are certainly going to be challenging, no doubt about that, but this is where I want to be, right in the thick of it!! Im sure this is what God made me for!

Zambia

2008-08-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

So, i've been in Zambia a few days now...its fair to say its been an interesting trip so far!!!

We spent our first night in Lusaka, staying with the African rally champion, who also happens to be a Christian and a huge man utd fan...so we got on well! On Wednesday we started to make our way North and West towards Chingola. En route, we stopped off at a friends house in Kitwe. I got into a conversation with this white Zambian guy, who pretty much talked at me for about an hour, telling me how proud he was to be Zambian and that he had as much right to be here as any black man. I wasn't arguing with him, but was slightly taken aback by how fiercely proud he was of his heritage. This guy was a fifth generation descendant from colonial Brits.

Anyway, we're in Chingola now. The accommodation is surprisingly good. I have a bed, there is running water and we even have a garden. With the sun shining every day, it doesn't feel too much like mission at the moment. In truth, we're getting everything set up in out two flats at the moment and the mission will start on Sunday. Needles to say there are a few things that don't work...this is Africa after all!! The toilet keeps leaking, the power keeps going out and my mobile phone isn't working properly. Ah well, thats part of the experience I guess!!!

And so it begins.....

2008-08-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow i head out to Zambia....as part of my 6 week visit. Im flying out tomorrow evening from Heathrow. Im really hoping BA don't lose my bags this time - that would be the third time this year i would be extremely unlikely if that was to happen again!

I'll arrive in Lusaka early Tuesday morning, and then we'll make our way to Chingola, in the CopperBelt Province of Zambia. Chingola will be our base for most of the 6 week trip.

Im looking forward to the trip now. All the packing has been done, most of the funds have been raised and im ready and raring to go. i'll update you upon my arrival!

Getting Ready

2008-07-23T02:28:00.000-07:00

well ill be in Zambia in just under two weeks! Its tough trying to get everything ready atthe moment. Its one thing organising all the practical things... travel insurance, malaria tablets, tents etc, but its more difficult preparing my spirit and mind for what lies ahead in the next couple of months

Usually, I have to admit, I strt to think about these things when im sat on the plane, but as im going to be in Africa for 6 weeks, slightly longer than in the past, im trying to prepare more in advance this time. I've really been challenged to up the ante on my devotional with time with God, studying the Word and in prayer. The obvious benefit is simply knowing God, what he wants me in Zambia for and how hes going to use me. I certainly feel like im being challenged anyway, financially and in my walk with God. I definately feel like im stepping out at the moment

No going back now

2008-07-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

My flights to Zambia have been booked today...awesome...and my funds are coming in to pay for them...even better. I finally recieved written confirmation from work that my 6 weeks leave have been authorised as well. ....Praise the Lord!!! I will be flying out on the 4th August and won't touch UK soil again until September 16th.

Please keep praying as well for the detoriating situation in Zimbabwe. Zambia does border Zimbabwe, and the Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa has come out recently to say that the siutation there is an embarassment to Africa. He has been one of the few African leaders to publicly speak out against Mugabe and his henchmen. Scary I know! Please keep praying

Zambia

2008-06-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Guys this is going to be place to look for updates on my upcoming Zambian trip! In the 2nd week of August i'll be going to The CopperBelt Province of Zambia to take part in the Life Mission with an organisation called www.dignityonline.org.uk. I'll be over for 6 weeks. More info soon........

Universal

2008-05-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

The weather is scorching over here in the UK, a great way to start our summer....here's hoping it continues for a while longer

I wanted to bring your attention to some important stories I've become aware of this week.

Firstly, the amazing story of the Florida Revival. A Canadian evangelist, a guy called Todd Bentley, is leading an amzing series of meetings in Lakeland, California. He has now lead over 30 successive nights of prayer and healing, he is not asking for money but is purely driven by a hunger to see God move. its all featured on God TV, but you can also check it out on http://www.freshfire.ca/

Secondly the story of Craig Bellamy. A Welsh footballer who plays for West Ham United and who as a reputaion for being, er, a bit of a bad lad. Grame Souness, his manager at Newcastle United, once famously said he could never allow him to play in one of his teams again. Well Mr.Bellamy has decided to invest in a football school in Sierra Leone, investing about £650K. Its all of his own back, he even went against his clubs wishes and they refused to insure him. I was truly astonished when i first heard about this...it just shows how people can surprise you.

The dreadful scenes in Burma have been awful to watch and its difficult to comprehend the scale of this disaster. The death toll is continuing to be revised upwards, and as the miliitary junta opens up the country to foreign aid agencies, i fear this is only going to get worse. Its difficult to know what to do to help when things like this happen or as a Christian how to offer any explanation for catastrophes like this. Its something i wrestle with myself, how can so many people be allowed to suffer?