DRC Adventures

I’m not sure why each time I go to Africa I think, “This time I’ve got the technology figured out.” It’s hard to find the time, the cyber cafe, make sure I have Francs, have an escort and so on to actually post a blog entry.  I thought I would be posting on the blog from my phone and indeed this did work in Europe but once I hit DRC everything stopped.

After a restless sleep I woke up and promptly vomited. I never did have morning sickness with my pregnancies and I am not interested in starting now!  Frequent trips to the throne filled out the rest of the morning.  I was not very pleased because today was a full day of 4 hours of presentation and a 1 1/2 hour meeting. I had to pass on the first speaking assignment at the University but was well enough to teach on Compassion Fatigue in the afternoon.  I thought it quite ironic that several pastors slept through the presentation – I guess they took my message of self care seriously!  The rest of the group responded warmly.  Then I met with 9 women who are leaders in CFMC (Mennonite Brethren Church in Congo) and had a nice conversation with them about ministry.  I was interested in having an informal discussion so I suggested we play a game we used to play as a family, the Question Game (a desparate and fairly effective way to get two non-communicative boys to converse.)  One person starts by asking anyone in the group a question. That person can answer or pass. After responding, it is there turn to ask someone else a question. In this way I was able to learn both from the type of questions they asked and the answers they provided.  Questions included, “Which fruit of the Spirit is God working on in your life?”  “What about your life causes you to come to the cross in prayer?” “How does God protect you physically and spiritually?” After a bland supper of rice and spagetti, both without sauce, I’m ready for bed.  Sweet dreams!

Jet lag

Well I didn’t miss a flight, or lose my luggage (yet) but I think I just paid $22 US for mosquito repellant. There should be signs posted in the airport that shopping while jet lagged can be dangerous to your financial health. . . But the shops would probably prefer to keep that quiet. As I wander through the shops of Hermes scarves and Gucci bags (Yes, I’m still in London), I’m reminded of a verse I read recently: Contentment (or was it happiness?) does not consist of the accumulation of many things. One hour till I’m off to Addis Ababa on Ethiopia Air.

Interesting tidbit for the 2008 Congo team: Rules have changed. I was told by the Ethiopian Air ticket agent that if I didn’t have a visa for DRC I wouldn’t be allowed to board.

English Breakfast Tea

What better way to experience Heathrow and the first layover on my journey than with a cuppa of English Breakfast Tea. Considering that I passed on dinner and slept through breakfast en route, I’m rather famished. Free range chicken mixed with Italian dressing on a bagette sounds like just the thing. Then I’ll find a comfy bench to pass the 8 hr layover. Don’t you just love airport tourism?

Christian Humanitarian Work in Africa

Ever wonder if Christian humanitarian organizations do more harm than good in developing countries? Mission agencies have been trying to undo a negative legacy of partnering with colonialists. slave trade, and abuse.    There is a loud cry from the African development community for education and economic development, not aid.  In light of all these voices, International humanitarian organizations can be immobilized in their attempt to do no harm. To add to the discussion, here’s an interesting perspective from journalist Matthew Parris.

It inspired me, renewing my flagging faith in development charities. But travelling in Malawi refreshed another belief, too: one I’ve been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I’ve been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God.

Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people’s hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. Read more…

Leaving for DRC

Tonight I leave for DR Congo, passport, visa, Yellow Fever card, malaria pills, in hand. Have I forgotten anything? With the Chandler’s currently held captive by pirates in Somalia and the situation unpredictable in DRC, I’m once again needing to put the risk I take in traveling in perspective. Why am I doing this?

Why? Because if I were a Congolese woman who had just lost my husband, endured the degrading and demoralizing terror of being raped in front of my children, I would wonder if the whole world had gone mad. I would wonder if life was worth living and I would cry out to God to show me that he still cares.  I go to DR Congo because in the same situation, I would be desparate for someone to show care for me. Training Congolese on post-war trauma counselling and caregiving skills is the way I can make a difference and grow the circle of Hope & Healing in DR Congo.

What will you do? When Healing Streams shifted to an international focus, we also became 100% donor dependent.  This trip almost didn’t occur because of financial realities. Please join the Circle of Hope for DR Congo by donating here.  Thank you!

Countdown to DR Congo

Inevitably, anxiety sets in before a trip to DR Congo. Will my visa arrive in time? (The Consulate said it would arrive today). Will my new Blackberry arrive (also promised for today) so I can post via email? This post is a test. Nevermind the larger concerns of safety, making flight connections, and health. Stress is helpful when approaching deadlines if it keeps you focused on the task, but when it gets to high it immobilizes us. As I remember to breathe, stay in the present, and work away at my to do list, I also am reminded by a still small voice that I am not in charge, that God is watching over me, and that I can rest in his care. Johannes Baptiste Metz (1968) says it well,

In the final analysis we have one of two choices: to obediently accept our innate poverty or to become a slave of anxiety.

I welcome your prayers as I embark on this journey.

Leadership Conference in Kinshasa

When the Communauté Mennonite au Congo (Congo Mennonite Church) first began in 1912, the founders probably never imagined that nearly 100 years later the conference would have 531 congregations with a membership of 86,600. Like most organziations that are 100 years old, the church in Congo has seen both growth and struggle. Most significantly, the church has survived through the brutal years of Belgian colonization, followed by the equally oppressive rule of autocratic leaders and the consequent upheaval of civil wars. In the last decade, DRC has been assaulted with what has been called Africa’s world war. Over eight countries have been involved in the fight for DRC’s rich mineral resources. In the midst of this, the church has grown.  This leadership conferences will address the unique challenges the Communauté Mennonite au Congo faces today.

Dawn Penner will be contributing to the PeaceBuilding portion of the conference as well as to the Peace Day seminar at the University of Kinshasa.  The following week Dawn will accompany Pascal Kalungu, president of the Centre for Peace-Building, Leadership and Good Governance , to Bukavu, the heart of the area most impacted by the rebel activity of Laurent Nkunda.  They will provide consultation and training to a church seeking to expand it’s community development activities. While in Bukavu, Dawn will also connect with Heal Africa and the Panzi Hospital.  A visit to Wellspring Academy in Rwanda will come at the end of the trip.

UNHCR – The Congolese rape victims a UNHCR officer will never forget

With the Circle of Hope Fundraising event coming up on October 15th at Victoria Park Pavilion in Kitchener, ON I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the women and men Healing Streams serves.  When I remember their faces, their gratitude for the training we provide, and the stories of  struggling to heal I know we are exactly where we need to be – on the ground changing lives through hope and healing. The article below is a good window into the ongoing struggle in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

UNHCR – The Congolese rape victims a UNHCR officer will never forget

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Ride for Refugees

“You run at night and hide during the day. You duck from tree to building, always trying to stay under cover.” Over and over I hear this as I interview refugees. One women fled with a baby on each hip and another on her back after her husband and son were murdered.  We can feel helpless and overwhelmed in the face of such horror or we can choose to act.

This Saturday, October 3rd, 3300 riders and their sponsors chose to act and raised over $550,000 in support of refugee care around the world.  Healing Streams was there.  Our team of 11 ages 2 – 68 in Vancouver and Waterloo faced their fears of asking for pledges and rode 25 or 50 km through hills, rain and for some hail! But together we made a difference!  Thank you Kris & Tobin, vienne, James & Julia for riding in Vancouver and Kate, Monica, Debbie & Carl for joining me in Waterloo.  Thanks also goes to the four team members who had great intentions but had to sit out because of the flu or other emergencies: Papy, Susan, Ross & Jenny. We’ll see you on the road next year!

Healing Streams works with refugees and displaced persons in Democratic Republic on Congo and is looking forward to expanding our training services into the Canadian scene with refugee support staff and volunteers.  Through a grant partnership program, Healing Streams will receive 50% of the funds raised by our  team.  Our goal next year is to double the team and the funds raised. Join the team!

Dawn & Debbie Pre-Ride

Creation_Calls.mov (video/quicktime Object)

Check out this amazing video of Brian Doerksen’s Creation Calls set to BBC Planet Earth video!

Creation_Calls.mov (video/quicktime Object)

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