Congo in Crisis: Manna from Heaven

World Relief has delivered food aid to local churches caught in the middle of Congo’s horrendous civil war.

Pastors wept with joy as World Relief arrived in Rutshuru with aid kits for 260 of the most vulnerable families in their communities.

With widespread insecurity and violence in eastern Congo, emergency food distributions face many logistical hurdles.  But World Relief’s local staff members in Goma continue to brave the dangers to reach widows, children and others at risk.

Vital Relief Arrives

For these vulnerable people, World Relief’s aid packages were the first to arrive.  The local churches had almost given up hope – but were still looking to God to rescue them from hunger.

“They were astonished to see us,” said World Relief’s Marcel Serubungo.  “At the same time, we were surprised to see all of them alive.”

The aid kits contained beans, flour, salt, vegetable oil and soap.

Local church leaders said the aid arrived just in time to prevent a disaster.

“Everyone was saying: ‘This is manna from heaven’,” Serubungo said.

Some pastors shared how they were the only ones remaining in their churches after their people fled to other areas to escape the violence in Rutshuru.

Hunger is the biggest challenge the local people face now, pastors reported, especially as it remains unsafe for people to go into their fields to harvest crops.

World Relief workers prayed with local church leaders from different denominations.  “My hope and prayer is that the women and children in the Congo will sleep soundly and not have to fear gun shots or sexual assault,” said Maurice Omollo, World Relief’s Country Director.

Local pastor Ndyanabo Baributsa summed up the relief and gratitude among the local churches.  “God is powerful,” he said.  “Yesterday, I could not have imagined that I would have enough food to feed my family.  Praise the Lord.”