The Midigos - Dominican Republic of Congo

June 2020

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a vast country similar in size to Western Europe with immense natural resources such as Coltan, diamonds, copper, cobalt, and Zinc.   However it has been at the centre of conflicts, and tribal clashes since 1998 to the present in which over 5 million people have died in eastern DRC. People have been forced to abandon their homes.  Today people continue to flee widespread sexual violence with women and children often the first victims.   Yet the immense suffering continue to be overlooked by the world’s media and new events like Covid-19 pandemic make even what was already worse, worst.  DRC and more specific the eastern DRC region where we work remain volatile despite many peace agreements to end conflicts.  On top of these conflicts the country continues to experience pandemics including Ebola, cholera, measles and now Covid-19.    The DRC battered healthcare system needs urgent support as it struggles with these pandemics

Ordinary people, families, health workers, children have been hardest hit.   Poor Congolese are struggling through their daily lives are under threat of violence and diseases.  Innocent people are often attacked or killed and forced to leave their homes and possession and live in camps or the bush.   

Despite this the Congolese people have shown amazing strength, resilience and dignity.  We know that God has not forgotten the people in DRC and we must not forget them despite the challenges we are facing.   Please continue to pray for them and lift them to God as they face violence, clashes and several pandemic diseases (Cholera, measles, Ebola and Covid-19).   Asking for Christ’s love and compassion to be with them at all times when they are suffering.  Praying that one day this vast country will experience the peace only God can provide and the innocent women and children will stop suffering.  The DRC has a history of violence which unfortunately continues to affect women and children.  We pray that God will bring reconciliation between the rebels and the government and between different tribes.   When there is peace the displaced people may return to their homes and farms.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Pray for the people in DRC who feel that God has forgotten them over the decades.
• Pray for the church’s mission in DRC and for foreign missionaries.
• Pray for good leadership in DRC government
• Pray for our work in DRC the Congolese church leaders we have left behind to lead the church.
• Pray for us as we wait to go back we need a personal vehicle to use rather than public vehicles or taxis.
• Pray for the Congolese pastors who are pastoring their congregation through phones.
• Pray for those affected by disease pandemics (Cholera, measles, Ebola and Covid-19)
• Pray for  our financial monthly support
• Pray for our children

Thank you for giving towards the Bible Project which has been distributed to pastors and church leaders in remote areas of Eastern DRC. There still a need for more Bibles and Hymn books.  In Walikale territory North Kivu province 100 kilometers from Goma where we work, a pastor had one Bible which has been separated so that other pastors can borrow that section of the Bible for a week to read and prepare their sermons. They then return that section to get another book of the Bible.   This is repeated in many parts of DRC.   Again thank you for giving, the Congolese Christians are very thankful.

We want to thank you for your prayers and financial support.   Our prayers is that God will protect you and your family during these difficult times and will minister to you and your families.  We pray for you that our God will protect you and meet your needs.  God is in control and He is able.

Thank You

Yours in His service

Apollo and Lois

November 2019

“How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?”  Romans 10:14

Democratic Republic of Congo doctors hope to eliminate Ebola by end of year. More than 2,000 people, including 160 health workers, have died since the most recent Ebola outbreak last year.  The Secretary General (President) of the community Baptists of Congo (CBCO) of whom we are working under has called the situation of Ebola in in Eastern DRC the most tragic event adding to the conflicts in the region.

 October 14^th -20^th 2019 we were invited by the Community Baptist Churches of Congo to attend their first missions conference in Kinshasa the capital city of DRC which has an estimated population of 15 million people. Four CBCO Missionaries from the fields in DRC and speakers from France and South Africa were invited to address the conference.  Apollo joined Richard and Brenda as Canadian missionaries. We continue to provide training to pastors and church leaders in DRC.

GOMA

In September 2019 our Associate Missions Director with his wife came to visit us in Goma to see our work.  They were able to meet our Congolese co-workers in Goma.  Due to the Ebola disease and insecurity their visit was limited to the city of Goma.  They met church leaders who are working on a denominational split. The separation lasted for 20 years and through our forgiveness and reconciliation training the church has reunited but still struggling through bitter words and actions that led them to split in the first place.  The church leaders’ spouses and children were most affected during the split.  They are going through a healing process that is painful but is also bringing hope and reconciliation.  They were able to meet Pastor Freddy and Pastor Lukio who are leading our church planting work in Goma.  The church is growing but with difficulty. We praise God for the land but we need to build a church. Currently the church is meeting under a tent. When it rains it is a problem because the tent has holes.  We are grateful we got some wooden chairs now the children and adults have a place to sit without getting their clothes wet.

BIBLES

We continue with the Bibles project we are planning to distribute more Bible but due to the outbreak of Ebola we have put on hold to that distribution until December 2019. How can they grow spiritually without feeding on the sincere milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2).  We are praying that we will be able to place a Bible to the hands of many pastors who genuinely cannot afford one. Beneficiaries of these bibles include church members who hear sound biblical sermons.  We want to send more Bibles in Eastern DRC.

We continue to teach Forgiveness and reconciliation to church leaders. Many people in Easter DRC have suffered decades of conflicts and rebel attacks.  The church is addressing tribal conflicts and educating local people about the Ebola disease on how to avoid touching people affected by the disease. Together with Congolese Christian doctors we have prepared a brochure explaining how the disease is contacted and what relatives can do to inform the medical personnel. We have also included scriptures on salvation and church addresses where people can seek help.     

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. For safety, political stability, peace, security , and eradication of Ebola  in DRC
2. For women and children who suffer discrimination, abuse, and torture.
3. For pastors who attend our missions and church planting training
4. For CBCO missionaries in DRC
5. For reconciliation among tribes, church leaders and politicians
6. Pray for safety and our monthly support.
7. Pray for our children (Dixon & Jill and Hannah)

We want to thank you for your prayers and financial support.   

Thank You 

Yours in His service. 

 Apollo and Lois    

February 2019

July 2018

July, 2018

Why has President Joseph Kabila chosen to cling to power beyond his constitutional term limit - which expired in December of 2016? Why has the man who organised Democratic Republic of Congo's only two multiparty elections since independence chosen to sow chaos and instability just when the country needs peace and stability the most? Why did he not proudly allow Congo's first ever peaceful transfer of power to take place, which could have been his greatest legacy?  These are perhaps the single most important questions many Congolese and a great number of other people in and outside Congo are asking.  President Kabila can only cede power once a new president has been elected by an electoral commission he controls, once Congo's constitution has been changed to allow him to stand again because only he can be president.  Beset by political and economic turmoil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo faces a fresh threat in the form of brutal abductors who hold children to ransom.  Kidnapping has become so common in Goma and eastern DRC.

Children and adults are kidnapped every day and when they kidnap a foreigner the ransom goes from US$5000 to US$20,000 and that does not always guarantee that you will be freed.   Many families have lost their children and relatives this way, for example a lady lost her six year-old son.  The kidnappers kept telling her to send US$1000.  They told her if she ever wanted to see her son again she should call a particular mobile number, the mother called eight times she recalls.  Over the course of a week, the family was told to send varying amounts of money directly to the kidnappers if they wanted to see their son again.   Helped by friends and neighbours, the lady and her husband got roughly US$1,000, which they sent to the kidnappers in small amounts using mobile cash transfers.   But seven days later after the son was abducted, his decapitated body was found dumped in a nearby neighborhood.  Over the past three years, there have been a growing number of kidnaps in Goma and eastern provinces of Congo’s conflict-ridden North and South Kivu provinces.  On occasion people are even abducting themselves and getting a friend to say they've been kidnapped, to get money.   Also there is a renewed fighting in North Kivu.  The renewed fighting has meant a wave of sexual violence. Whenever there is fighting there is systematic rape – in villages, at checkpoints on roads, and in the towns.   We continue to work with Community Baptists of Congo (CBCO) church planting in Goma.  In May the President of CBCO came to buy a piece of land.  Now we have a place to build a local church.  The church is going to do fundraising so we can have a place to have a building for worship and outreach.  We have not received a person to replace Esther the Congolese missionary to Goma.  We continue training church leaders and provide Bibles and Christian materials to help local church leaders.   The 12 women we trained are doing well as they continue to make baskets and support their families.  We are planning to train more in the Fall of 2018.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for CBCO Missions Team leadership in Kinshasa.
2. Thank God for our safety and ministry in Goma
3. Pray for the political situation in DRC for a peaceful solution and the elections on December 23, 2018.
4. Pray for upcoming trainings of church leaders and for our safety.
5. Pray for the NEW BEGININGS women projects.
6. Pray that we will get more Bibles and theological resources to give to pastors
7. Pray for our Missions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation training in Goma
8.  

Pray for our children in Canada Dixon married Jill on July 7, 2018 and Hannah is planning to return to University this Fall. 

We want to thank you for your prayers, and financial support. We need money so that we can continue to use the office for training because of the increasing insecurity in Goma.  Congolese people are able to move around easily despite of insecurity.   Pray that God will provide $ 500 a month for the office.  This money will go towards the rent of the office.  Again thank you for your prayers and support.     We are home in Hamilton Ontario until August 11, 2018 when we return to DRC.   

Our phone numbers are Lois 289-707-1267 and Apollo 289-941-2126.

 God bless you. 

Thank you,           

Yours in Christ’s service

Apollo and Lois Midigo

May 2018

Dear Friends

We want to thank you for your continued prayers and support.   These past months the insecurity has worsen but God has been faithful.  When there is need we have evacuated.   But now things have cooled down but we don’t know for how long.  The Congolese people are expecting to have elections at this end of this year but these elections have been postponed several times and people are not sure since December 2016.   This month we also lost Pastor Ana who was instrumental for us to start working with CBCO church here in Congo.  Please pray for his children who are left without a parent.  Continue to pray for all the trainees we have trained and now they are also training others to do what we have taught them.

We are planning to come to Canada sometime in late June and we will be staying until August.  We look forward to seeing you again.

Again thank you for all your prayerful support

Apollo and Lois Midigo

May 3, 2018

Last Sunday Seven people were killed when gunmen went on a shooting spree here in the outskirts 0f Goma, according to local news. Some unidentified men spread terror late Sunday evening.  These people were shooting in all directions killing seven people and wounding 22 others. A security source speculated that it could have been a settling of scores by an armed group from the neighboring Masisi territory. Gun attacks inside the city are rare as it is a headquarters of the UN mission in DRC known as Monusco. There have been crimes reported in recent months in Goma including the kidnapping of children for ransom, and violence followed by the killing of the young hostages. North and South Kivu provinces have for decades experienced   a wave of violence among militia groups, which often extort money from civilians or fight each other for control of mineral resources.    

The security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be a major source of concern, with violence in the Beni and Butembo areas in North Kivu province and recently Bunia in Ituri province.  The recent surge in fighting has plagued the northeastern territory of Ituri province.  Tensions between the Hema and Lendu tribes, who have shared the land currently recognized as Ituri, has existed since Belgian colonial rule. In a wave of attacks beginning in December of 2017, tens of thousands of members of the Hema community have fled the Djugu territory of Ituri into Uganda.   More than 40,000 Congolese have fled the country to seek refuge in Uganda. While others have travelled north towards the provincial capital, Bunia. The Internal displaced people is estimated to 4.5 million Congolese across the country.  Many are fleeing to Rwanda and Uganda as refugees.  

Despite of the insecurity in the country we thank God for many lives that have been touch through our ministry.   We thank God for His faithfulness and continuous protection every day.  He has put a hedge of protection around us daily and we are grateful (Mathew 28:20). 

In February and March we had training and seminars for pastors and their spouses.   We also gave a seminar on evangelism and the pastors who attended the seminar are now training others in their local churches and districts.   Out of the trainings we have been asked to give couple seminars in local churches. We will continue to provide skills training for women and widows. We have made a follow-up on the women who received the training late last year 8 of the 12 women have succeeded in keeping their business running.  We want to assess all the programs and training we have done to see what impact it does has on individuals and their communities.    We continue to give out Bibles to pastors and church leaders in remote who have been affected by war and tribal clashes.

The Secretary General of CBCO (President) is coming to Goma sometime this month.  We are hoping he will inform of us of who is going to replace Esther our Congolese missionary.

We had to evacuate for three weeks in Kenya when the situation was not good and we don’t know how the situation is going to be but we remain vigilant and aware of what is going on around us.  We are grateful to the network of missionaries and Congolese Christians who are always advising us and telling when we should go out of DRC and when we should stay.  We have become our brother’s keeper.   We are planning to come to Canada in late June 2018 and hope to be able to see you again. 

Prayer Requests:

Pray for the insecurity in Goma and eastern DRC in general.  Praise God for His protection, good health and the little peace that allow us to preach the Word of God.  Pray that there will be an election (October 2018) this year and that peace will prevail.  Pray for the church leaders, widows and orphans, internal displaced people and Congolese who have become refugees in Uganda and Rwanda. 

We want to thank you for your prayers and financial support.   We continue to pray for you and ministry.  May God bless you richly. 

Thank you,

Yours in Christ’s service

Apollo and Lois Midigo

January 25, 2018

Dear Friends

We want to thank you for praying for us the past months.  The last part of 2017 was very difficult here in Goma and the rest of DRC.  Due to pending elections there have been so many killings and kidnapping in eastern DRC.  The rebels are taking advantage of the delayed elections to commit crimes against the populations.  Last year we had to evacuate to Kenya for sometimes due to the security situation and since we came back every month people in cities, towns, and villages are demonstrating sometimes peaceful but the government is not taking any chance they respond with brutality.

The Catholic Cardinal who is the head of the Catholic church in DRC has urged their members to demonstrate every Sunday there many protestant Christians are staying at home not be on the streets when the police come to stop demonstrations.  The government has responded by closing all communications including mobile phones and internet. That means you cannot send or receive SMS messages or use emails.  

So Goma is back to our “normal” we are very vigilant not going out without assurance it is safe. Fortunately near our house we have an English service which is attended by many United Nations staff and soldiers. They advise us on matters of security and we are very grateful.  However we cannot go outside Goma or its environs for now due to insecurity.  But local people are able to come to our office for training or meetings.   God is faithful.  Pray for us as we serve here for security and peace in DRC and the coming elections in December 2018.

We want to thank you for your prayers and support.

Thank You

Yours in Christ

Apollo and Lois

January 25, 2018

The security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be a major source of concern, with violence in the Beni and Butembo areas in North Kivu province.  The electoral commission (CENI) has announced that national election will be done October 2019.  The dates keep changing all the time. There have been several political agreements, which have not been honored by the government or the opposition parties.  The violence is having a rippling effect on communities. Tensions between the neighboring communities have spiked since DRC's army launched a military offensive last year against the main Hutu militia in the region, displacing large numbers of fighters and civilians.  A home belonging to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila was attacked, by unknown people killing a policeman, according to the authorities and the UN-sponsored Radio OKAPI. The president was away during the attack which took place overnight from Sunday to Monday.  It remains unclear at this point in time who was behind the arson attack but the country is wracked by violence over Kabila’s refusal to step down despite his mandate ending at the end of 2016. Millions of people were killed during the 1998-2003 war, mostly from hunger and disease. Raids by local Mai-Mai militia fighters have also spiked. Rebels killed at least 14 U.N. peacekeepers and wounded 53 others in the attacks. Those killed were troops from Tanzania. The bodies of the 14 Tanzanian soldiers were repatriated to Tanzania but three other peacekeepers are still missing. They don’t know whether they are still alive or dead. Increased militia activity in the east and centre of the country and a series of prison breaks have fueled mounting insecurity in Congo this year amid political tensions linked to President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down when his mandate expired December 2016.  An election to replace Kabila, who has ruled Congo since his father's assassination in 2001, has been repeatedly delayed and is now scheduled for December 2018. The population is also demanding that he must step down and now there are monthly demonstrations in cities, towns and villages.  The head of the catholic church in DRC has urged his followers to go on streets every Sunday for peaceful matches.  But every time they march the riot police repulse them leaving some dead or injured.  While other churches have not joined them we are experiencing a low turnout on Sundays services because people stay away from the streets to avoid being caught up in police brutality. To curb the demonstrations the government is keeping the social media quiet by shutting down the internet, and mobile phones communications.  The closedown can last for days or weeks,

Our mission to DRC is to help church leaders preach the Good News; teach reconciliation and forgiveness in their churches.  We are also training pastor in Evangelism and Missions.  The umbrella organization for protestant churches (ECC) in DRC has several conferences on missionary work in March and July 2018 and we have been asked to be speakers during the conference.  We are handing out more Bibles to pastors in very remote areas of eastern DRC.  Recently we were informed of three pastors in Kitchanga  150 kilometers from Goma one pastor has a section of the book of Mark, the other one the book of Job and the other one the book of Deuteronomy.  They heard that we have Bibles they send one pastor to come to our office and this morning we gave out Bibles to this pastor so that he can distribute them to many pastors who don’t have them. We will do a follow-up later when there is peace in that area.  They want us to teach them about forgiveness, and reconciliation.   In 2006 the day we had planned to go and teach conflict broke in this area therefore we canceled our trip.  However one of our trainees was transferred to that area if we cannot go we will send him teaching materials to teach these church leaders.   In Goma we have scheduled training until the month of June 2018.  We are safe in the part of Goma where we are living and we have been going to church near our house to avoid the Sunday demonstrations in the rest of the city.

In the coming months we have training and seminars for pastors and their spouses.  Training in Trauma as a result of war and basic counselling skills to assist the clergy to help those affected by rape and torture.    We are also training chaplains from the military, prisons, schools and universities who deal with survivors of war.  We will continue to provide skills training for women and widows. As we train the church leaders and provide skills to women and girls we have planned a follow-up to those we have trained.  These assessments will help us know how our trainees are doing and if they are also training others the skills they have acquired.  Pray for us as we do this follow-up despite the challenges of insecurity continues.

Esther our Congolese missionary from CBCO has not return from Kinshasa and we have not received her replacement yet but we are working with her assistants here in Goma.  The church planting is going on well although they still don’t have a place to use for their services.   They are meeting in a tent at the pastor’s rental home.  Pray that they will find money to buy a piece of land to build a church. Other church plants are meeting in people’s homes.  A piece of land can cost US$3000 to US$10,000.   Please pray for the church members here in Goma who have to plant churches in a difficult situation and because people are always on the run they are not willing to give out money because of the insecurity.  Most church members expect their pastors to support church work or ask missionaries to build churches for them.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for CBCO Missions Team leadership in Kinshasa.
2. Thank God for our safety and ministry here in Goma
3. Pray for the political situation in DRC for a peaceful solution.
4. Pray for upcoming trainings of church leaders and for our safety.
5. Pray for the NEW BEGININGS women projects.
6. Pray that we will get more Bibles and resources translations to give to pastors
7. Pray for our Missions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation training.
8. Pray that a solution will be found to stop the spread of cholera in Goma
9. Pray for our children in Canada who plan to return to University this year

Communications have been difficult when the internet is closed we are trusting God to keep the internet available so we can keep our communications. We want to thank you for your prayers, and financial support. God bless you. 

Thank you,   

Yours in Christ’s service

Apollo and Lois Midigo

January 25, 2018

The security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be a major source of concern, with violence in the Beni and Butembo areas in North Kivu province.  The electoral commission (CENI) has announced that national election will be done October 2019.  The dates keep changing all the time. There have been several political agreements, which have not been honored by the government or the opposition parties.  The violence is having a rippling effect on communities. Tensions between the neighboring communities have spiked since DRC's army launched a military offensive last year against the main Hutu militia in the region, displacing large numbers of fighters and civilians.  A home belonging to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila was attacked, by unknown people killing a policeman, according to the authorities and the UN-sponsored Radio OKAPI. The president was away during the attack which took place overnight from Sunday to Monday.  It remains unclear at this point in time who was behind the arson attack but the country is wracked by violence over Kabila’s refusal to step down despite his mandate ending at the end of 2016. Millions of people were killed during the 1998-2003 war, mostly from hunger and disease. Raids by local Mai-Mai militia fighters have also spiked. Rebels killed at least 14 U.N. peacekeepers and wounded 53 others in the attacks. Those killed were troops from Tanzania. The bodies of the 14 Tanzanian soldiers were repatriated to Tanzania but three other peacekeepers are still missing. They don’t know whether they are still alive or dead. Increased militia activity in the east and centre of the country and a series of prison breaks have fueled mounting insecurity in Congo this year amid political tensions linked to President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down when his mandate expired December 2016.  An election to replace Kabila, who has ruled Congo since his father's assassination in 2001, has been repeatedly delayed and is now scheduled for December 2018. The population is also demanding that he must step down and now there are monthly demonstrations in cities, towns and villages.  The head of the catholic church in DRC has urged his followers to go on streets every Sunday for peaceful matches.  But every time they march the riot police repulse them leaving some dead or injured.  While other churches have not joined them we are experiencing a low turnout on Sundays services because people stay away from the streets to avoid being caught up in police brutality. To curb the demonstrations the government is keeping the social media quiet by shutting down the internet, and mobile phones communications.  The closedown can last for days or weeks,

Our mission to DRC is to help church leaders preach the Good News; teach reconciliation and forgiveness in their churches.  We are also training pastor in Evangelism and Missions.  The umbrella organization for protestant churches (ECC) in DRC has several conferences on missionary work in March and July 2018 and we have been asked to be speakers during the conference.  We are handing out more Bibles to pastors in very remote areas of eastern DRC.  Recently we were informed of three pastors in Kitchanga  150 kilometers from Goma one pastor has a section of the book of Mark, the other one the book of Job and the other one the book of Deuteronomy.  They heard that we have Bibles they send one pastor to come to our office and this morning we gave out Bibles to this pastor so that he can distribute them to many pastors who don’t have them. We will do a follow-up later when there is peace in that area.  They want us to teach them about forgiveness, and reconciliation.   In 2006 the day we had planned to go and teach conflict broke in this area therefore we canceled our trip.  However one of our trainees was transferred to that area if we cannot go we will send him teaching materials to teach these church leaders.   In Goma we have scheduled training until the month of June 2018.  We are safe in the part of Goma where we are living and we have been going to church near our house to avoid the Sunday demonstrations in the rest of the city.

In the coming months we have training and seminars for pastors and their spouses.  Training in Trauma as a result of war and basic counselling skills to assist the clergy to help those affected by rape and torture.    We are also training chaplains from the military, prisons, schools and universities who deal with survivors of war.  We will continue to provide skills training for women and widows. As we train the church leaders and provide skills to women and girls we have planned a follow-up to those we have trained.  These assessments will help us know how our trainees are doing and if they are also training others the skills they have acquired.  Pray for us as we do this follow-up despite the challenges of insecurity continues.

Esther our Congolese missionary from CBCO has not return from Kinshasa and we have not received her replacement yet but we are working with her assistants here in Goma.  The church planting is going on well although they still don’t have a place to use for their services.   They are meeting in a tent at the pastor’s rental home.  Pray that they will find money to buy a piece of land to build a church. Other church plants are meeting in people’s homes.  A piece of land can cost US$3000 to US$10,000.   Please pray for the church members here in Goma who have to plant churches in a difficult situation and because people are always on the run they are not willing to give out money because of the insecurity.  Most church members expect their pastors to support church work or ask missionaries to build churches for them.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for CBCO Missions Team leadership in Kinshasa.
2. Thank God for our safety and ministry here in Goma
3. Pray for the political situation in DRC for a peaceful solution.
4. Pray for upcoming trainings of church leaders and for our safety.
5. Pray for the NEW BEGININGS women projects.
6. Pray that we will get more Bibles and resources translations to give to pastors
7. Pray for our Missions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation training.
8. Pray that a solution will be found to stop the spread of cholera in Goma
9. Pray for our children in Canada who plan to return to University this year

Communications have been difficult when the internet is closed we are trusting God to keep the internet available so we can keep our communications. We want to thank you for your prayers, and financial support. God bless you. 

Thank you,   

Yours in Christ’s service

Apollo and Lois Midigo

January 25, 2018

The security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be a major source of concern, with violence in the Beni and Butembo areas in North Kivu province.  The electoral commission (CENI) has announced that national election will be done October 2019.  The dates keep changing all the time. There have been several political agreements, which have not been honored by the government or the opposition parties.  The violence is having a rippling effect on communities. Tensions between the neighboring communities have spiked since DRC's army launched a military offensive last year against the main Hutu militia in the region, displacing large numbers of fighters and civilians.  A home belonging to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila was attacked, by unknown people killing a policeman, according to the authorities and the UN-sponsored Radio OKAPI. The president was away during the attack which took place overnight from Sunday to Monday.  It remains unclear at this point in time who was behind the arson attack but the country is wracked by violence over Kabila’s refusal to step down despite his mandate ending at the end of 2016. Millions of people were killed during the 1998-2003 war, mostly from hunger and disease. Raids by local Mai-Mai militia fighters have also spiked. Rebels killed at least 14 U.N. peacekeepers and wounded 53 others in the attacks. Those killed were troops from Tanzania. The bodies of the 14 Tanzanian soldiers were repatriated to Tanzania but three other peacekeepers are still missing. They don’t know whether they are still alive or dead. Increased militia activity in the east and centre of the country and a series of prison breaks have fueled mounting insecurity in Congo this year amid political tensions linked to President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down when his mandate expired December 2016.  An election to replace Kabila, who has ruled Congo since his father's assassination in 2001, has been repeatedly delayed and is now scheduled for December 2018. The population is also demanding that he must step down and now there are monthly demonstrations in cities, towns and villages.  The head of the catholic church in DRC has urged his followers to go on streets every Sunday for peaceful matches.  But every time they march the riot police repulse them leaving some dead or injured.  While other churches have not joined them we are experiencing a low turnout on Sundays services because people stay away from the streets to avoid being caught up in police brutality. To curb the demonstrations the government is keeping the social media quiet by shutting down the internet, and mobile phones communications.  The closedown can last for days or weeks,

Our mission to DRC is to help church leaders preach the Good News; teach reconciliation and forgiveness in their churches.  We are also training pastor in Evangelism and Missions.  The umbrella organization for protestant churches (ECC) in DRC has several conferences on missionary work in March and July 2018 and we have been asked to be speakers during the conference.  We are handing out more Bibles to pastors in very remote areas of eastern DRC.  Recently we were informed of three pastors in Kitchanga  150 kilometers from Goma one pastor has a section of the book of Mark, the other one the book of Job and the other one the book of Deuteronomy.  They heard that we have Bibles they send one pastor to come to our office and this morning we gave out Bibles to this pastor so that he can distribute them to many pastors who don’t have them. We will do a follow-up later when there is peace in that area.  They want us to teach them about forgiveness, and reconciliation.   In 2006 the day we had planned to go and teach conflict broke in this area therefore we canceled our trip.  However one of our trainees was transferred to that area if we cannot go we will send him teaching materials to teach these church leaders.   In Goma we have scheduled training until the month of June 2018.  We are safe in the part of Goma where we are living and we have been going to church near our house to avoid the Sunday demonstrations in the rest of the city.

In the coming months we have training and seminars for pastors and their spouses.  Training in Trauma as a result of war and basic counselling skills to assist the clergy to help those affected by rape and torture.    We are also training chaplains from the military, prisons, schools and universities who deal with survivors of war.  We will continue to provide skills training for women and widows. As we train the church leaders and provide skills to women and girls we have planned a follow-up to those we have trained.  These assessments will help us know how our trainees are doing and if they are also training others the skills they have acquired.  Pray for us as we do this follow-up despite the challenges of insecurity continues.

Esther our Congolese missionary from CBCO has not return from Kinshasa and we have not received her replacement yet but we are working with her assistants here in Goma.  The church planting is going on well although they still don’t have a place to use for their services.   They are meeting in a tent at the pastor’s rental home.  Pray that they will find money to buy a piece of land to build a church. Other church plants are meeting in people’s homes.  A piece of land can cost US$3000 to US$10,000.   Please pray for the church members here in Goma who have to plant churches in a difficult situation and because people are always on the run they are not willing to give out money because of the insecurity.  Most church members expect their pastors to support church work or ask missionaries to build churches for them.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for CBCO Missions Team leadership in Kinshasa.
2. Thank God for our safety and ministry here in Goma
3. Pray for the political situation in DRC for a peaceful solution.
4. Pray for upcoming trainings of church leaders and for our safety.
5. Pray for the NEW BEGININGS women projects.
6. Pray that we will get more Bibles and resources translations to give to pastors
7. Pray for our Missions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation training.
8. Pray that a solution will be found to stop the spread of cholera in Goma
9. Pray for our children in Canada who plan to return to University this year

Communications have been difficult when the internet is closed we are trusting God to keep the internet available so we can keep our communications. We want to thank you for your prayers, and financial support. God bless you. 

Thank you,   

Yours in Christ’s service

Apollo and Lois Midigo

August 2017

The security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be a major source of concern, with violence in the Kasai and North Kivu provinces is reaching disturbing levels.  The current political impasse, the rising insecurity, and the worsening human conditions require a concerted response from Congolese churches to come together in unity to pray for the nation and to go to unreached areas of the country. The electoral commission (CENI) has announced several provinces are going to have elections this august therefore, we have been advised to limit our movements in the coming months.  Goma being a political hotspots we have started seeing local police manning several areas of the city.  There have been several political agreements, which have not been honored by the government or the opposition parties.

In the DRC, cholera is becoming epidemic Goma being the most city affected.  The water supply has no chlorine therefore, people are drinking contaminated water.  Many have been hospitalized in our local hospitals.  

Only God can intervene to solve Congolese problems through prayers and teaching the Word of God. The importance of reversing the tragedies of violence, particularly against women and children, and ensuring that women's and girl's voices are heard in all aspects of society are at the core.  Our mission to DRC is to help church leaders preach the Gospel and teach reconciliation and forgiveness in their churches.  We have been training Church leaders and their spouses to help pastors understand the pain women in Congolese society are experiencing. The aim of bringing women leaders and pastors’ wives into the training and engaging with women to find the opportunities to overcome the challenges, they face.

 The violence is having a rippling effect on communities. Families are unable to access their land during armed fighting, and as a result are being pushed deeper towards vulnerability. We continue the New beginnings project by helping women make baskets and cooking so that they can have skills that can give them support. We are trying to address women needs in their contexts while presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  . In addition, for women who have been violated to change the narrative of victims to survivors. When they see themselves as survivors, they can overcome the stigma in society and they will help their families and other women in society.

A massive food crisis now threatens to shatter this fragile situation. Families in Goma have told us they have taken to eating the grains they would normally reserve for sewing in the planting season to avoid hunger. This survival technique will have long-term consequences. If people have no grains during the planting season, food insecurity will deteriorate further.

Esther our Congolese missionary was asked to return to Kinshasa for two months.  The church is considering whether they should keep her here in Goma or transfer her to another field.  Please pray for CBCO Missions Team leadership in Kinshasa.

Prayer Requests:

1. Thank God for our safety and ministry here in Goma
2. Pray for the political situation in DRC for a peaceful solution.
3. Pray for upcoming trainings of church leaders and for our safety.
4. Pray for the NEW BEGGININGS women projects we have started
5. Pray that we will get more Bibles and resources translations to give to pastors
6. Pray for our Missions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation training.
7. Pray that a solution will be found to stop the spread of cholera in Goma
8. Pray for our children in Canada who plan to return to University this year

 We want to thank you for your prayers, and financial support.  God bless you. 

Thank you, Yours in Christ’s service

                                                    Apollo and Lois Midigo

April 2017

Two decades ago, the Democratic Republic of Congo, sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest country, was engulfed in what became known as Africa’s Great War, a conflict that drew in a dozen neighbouring countries and raged for five years from 1998. President Joseph Kabila first took office in 2001, after the assassination of his father and in 2006 a new constitutional provision limited the presidency to two terms, which expired on December 20^th 2016.

DRC elections were supposed to be held in November 2016, but were postponed until April 2018. The government has claimed that the electoral commission (CENI) lacks financial resources as one of the main reasons behind the delay.  Democratic Republic of Congo's ruling coalition and other smaller parties agreed to delay last year’s election to April 2018 - a move that angered the opposition groups who have accused the president of trying to cling onto power. Congo's main opposition bloc have called several general strikes from September 2016 and continues up to now pressing President Joseph Kabila to leave office  as his mandate ended on December 20^th , 2016.   Several deals have been signed in Kinshasa the capital and boycotted by much of the opposition, allowing Kabila to stay in office until delayed elections are held in April 2018. However, recent deals with the opposition says that elections will be held sometime this year, 2017.

Past moves to delay the election have triggered violent demonstrations. This month there have been several demonstrations in Kinshasa the capital. Kinshasa – a city of 12 million people – were completely deserted and most learning institutions and businesses were closed. They would typically would have been bustling ahead of the work and school day.

Despite the widespread strike actions in Kinshasa, the situation has remained normal in our City Goma. Goma is a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, next to the Rwandan city of Gisenyi. The lake and the two cities are in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift system. Goma lies only 13 to 18 km due south of the crater of the active Nyiragongo Volcano. The recent history of Goma has been dominated by the volcano and the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, which in turn fueled the First and Second Congo Wars. The aftermath of these events was still having effects on the city and its surroundings in 2010. The city was captured by rebels during the M23 rebellion in late 2012, but was retaken by government forces.  It is the capital of the North Kivu province, which is ethnically similar and neighboring to South Kivu (with the capital Bukavu); together the two provinces are known as "the Kivus".

Due to these political demonstrations, we delayed our coming back to Goma.  We left Canada in January and stayed in Kenya until last month when we were given the green light to come back.  When we came back, we had to move to a new house and relocate our office for security reasons.  Goma has remained calm but not its surrounding and therefore do all our trainings in Goma.  Local people know how to travel despite the dangers of conflicts and war.  One of our pastors was robbed by rebels and they took everything but spared his life he was on his way coming to Goma to attend a pastor’s seminar on leadership. 

Esther our Congolese missionary was asked to return to Kinshasa for two months the church is considering whether they should keep her here in Goma or transfer her to another field.  Please pray for CBCO Missions Team leadership in Kinshasa.

Prayer Requests:

1. Thank God for our safety and ministry here in Goma
2. Praise God we found a house and office with good security
3. Pray for the political situation in DRC for a peaceful solution.
4. Pray for upcoming trainings of church leaders and for our safety.
5. Pray for more financial support 
6. Pray for the women projects we have planned this year
7. Pray that we will get more Bibles and resources translations to give to pastors
8. Pray for people we have trained to be trainers
9. Pray for our Missions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation training.
10. Pray for our children in Canada who plan to return to University this year

We want to thank you for your prayers, and financial support.  As we remember Christ’s death and resurrection, we can serve God with courage because He paid a price to give us eternal life. And He alone can bring peace to Democratic Republic of Congo and the world. God bless you.  Thank you, yours in Christ’s service

                                                    Apollo and Lois Midigo

September 2016

Dear Friends

We want to thank you for praying for us and for your financial support.   We just came back from Masisi which is about 100 Kilometres from where the massacre of innocent people occurred and still there is still insecurity up to today.  As you pray for us please pray for Beni territory and the country as a whole that God will provide peace.  In November 2016 we are expecting election please pray for peaceful elections and unity among church leaders.  Also pray for the church leaders we trained in Masisi and Goma.   We also have more training in Minova and Kitchanga in September and October 2016.   When pastors travel from far we have to provide return bus fare because that is the only way they can come.  We are grateful that God provided that we are able but are still asking to provide for future training.  The women who are receiving basket training have appreciated the training because it has given them hope that people like you pray and also think of them.  Thank you for your contributions and prayers.  During the training we also gave out Bibles to the Pastors and church leaders who attended the seminars from remote areas again we thank you very much for all the contributions.  Since the dollar is strong this time we bought Bibles for US$11.00 from the normal price of US$10.00.   The church leaders who could not afford buying Bibles especially pastors were very grateful because US$10.00 is too expensive and some have 8-14 children to feed.  In our training Lois teaches Food, Nutrition and Health where she discusses family health encouraging church to have children they can feed and provide for them.  These pastors take the Bible literally that they must fill the earth.  Unfortunately we have heard them teach in the pulpit where they discourage family planning where in their war context believe if you have many children during war and conflict some children may die and you will still have some remaining.  But with effort and prayers some pastors are starting to listen and are teaching their congregations about family responsibilities. 

Again thank you for your prayers and support.  May God bless you.   

Thank You, Yours in Christ

Apollo and Lois

THE GOSPEL OF RECONCILIATION                                          August 2016

At least 64 people were killed in the Beni territory (245 Km from Goma) over the weekend of August 13 and 14, 2016. It is a massacre that has left a nation in mourning and raised difficult questions about the ability of the Congolese army and the force, in the area to protect the population from the rebel group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is believed to be behind the attacks.

Following the incident, hundreds of people took to the streets of Beni over the next two days to express their outrage against the killings and to demand prompt government action. Massacres highlight complexity of violence in DRC.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has endured years of conflict and instability that damaged and destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure. More than half of its large population lives in poverty. A need for reconciliation and peace building through dialogue is the main concern for Congolese as DRC experience terrible deaths and rape of women due to a wide range tribal and rebels’ conflicts, which start over the disagreement on land ownership.  Furthermore, many lives and properties have been lost due to tribal conflicts that have included rape of women and girls. 

Reconciliation is needed in overcoming hostility and conflicts between tribes.  Biblical dialogue is needed as the classical means of dealing constructively with tribal conflicts where            ethno-political conflicts resolutions have not succeeded.    The role of the churches in Congo is to participate in the work of God’s revelation in the Christ incarnation so that reconciliation can start as repentance and forgiveness are experienced by both the victim and the offender.  The ministry of reconciliation also involves the work of reconciliation among persons and societies in difference.  This will focus on truth-telling, repentance, justice, healing, forgiveness and peace.

 The biblical reconciliation is not similar to political reconciliation. Therefore the Biblical reconciliation through salvation in Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God has been understood as a sacrificing the innocent animal which absorbs conflicts and prevents revenge while bringing true reconciliation.  

The process of reconciliation requires first the cleansing and healing of the nation so that the country moves away from the tendency to engage in conflicts within families, clans, tribes as well as nationally and solve disagreements in a peaceful manner.  It is also important to heal the wounds that were caused by the conflicts so that while we do not forget where we come from we are able to forgive to make sure that we do not develop the spirit of revenge.     Christian missions refer to our participation in the reconciliation process through teaching and preaching where Jesus Christ becomes good news for the whole creation. And all Christians are called to be mediators in Christ between God and the world in which they live. 

To fulfill this we had  a conference in Masisi where pastors from five tribes (Hunde, Nande, Nyanga, Hutu and Tutsi )attended  a four days seminars and conference from August 11-14 2016.  Some pastors walked for two days through rebel controlled areas to attend the training in Missions, Forgiveness and reconciliation. This was followed with a three days evangelism seminar in Goma and church leaders traveled from Masisi which is 100 kilometers to Goma to our office. 

Prayer Requests:

1. Thank God for church leaders who attend the training, some came from Masisi 100 km away.
2. Pray for healing and reconciliation among church leaders and tribes
3.  

Thank God for safety and opportunity to minister. Safety outside Goma where kidnapping cases are rising.

4. Pray for finances to run the seminars. We have to provide transportation (US$1.00) and lunch so we can have more trainees.
5. Pray for CBCO leadership , their missions Department and church planting in Goma
6. Pray for Lois as she ministers to women from different churches in Goma as well run the office. Pray for the safety of all women and children in DRC.
7. Pray for the ladies who continue to make baskets so that they can provide for themselves
8. Pray for Dixon and Hannah for their needs in Canada.

Thank You for all your financial support and prayers. May God bless you.    Thank you. 

Yours in His Service,    Apollo and Lois Midigo

THE GOSPEL OF RECONCILIATION                                             June 02, 2016

June 03, 2016 Mohamed died and Ali’s connection to Africa was cemented with the Rumble in the Jungle fight against George Foreman in 1974. Hosted by president Mobutu Sese Seko, at the Tata-Raphael stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo after Sese Seko was overthrown in 1997), the fight was a significant event as Africa got a front-row seat for one of the most defining moments of Ali’s career—and life.  On many occasions Eastern DRC is known for violence against women and children.  As missionaries here in Goma we are hoping that one day Goma will be remembered for men and women who are preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   We continue to train and mentor pastors in evangelism, Missions and church leadership.  As we serve here in Goma we are confronted with the issues of raped women.  As a result we started a pilot project with 12 women victims of rape.   We have two ladies who have volunteered to provide counselling and teach these ladies skills so that they can support themselves.  We agreed to look for help to buy material to make baskets as to keep them occupied and learn a skill that will help and bring hope to them. Lois is supervising this project and is also having Bible studies with these women.  Ladies have been divided into two groups.  It was hard to separate a group of women therefore the number increased from 10 to 12 women.   We will keep this project as long as we have funds to buy the materials.

Sexual violence in war dates back to time immemorial,  DRC has been perhaps the highest profile area" of more recent years.  Each victim of sexual assault has their own personal and private experience. The way they respond to the assault is determined by a multitude of factors. These include, the victim's age, relationship status, cultural background, personal history, physical ability, access to support systems, level of self-esteem and the unique combination of strengths, weaknesses and skills that help them survive the situation which all combine to produce unique experiencing. However, just as there are common patterns of sexual assault, there are common responses to sexual assault. These responses will be experienced by most victim/survivors at some point in time. This ladies experience Rape Trauma Syndrome - a typology of emotional impacts which roughly parallels Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  This includes: Powerlessness and loss of control and Emotional numbness.

We continue to mentor CBCO’s church planters in Goma. In April this year we travelled to Kinshasa to renew our visas and also met the new President of CBCO (Communaute Baptiste Du Congo) Rev. Dr. Fidele and the Missions Team led by Pastor Pierre.  Goma has three congregations meeting regularly but still face challenges of finding a place to meet and salaries for the church planters.   Despite these challenges we are encouraging them in their ministry and service to the Lord.  

PRAYER REQUESTS

May 26, 2016, a police officer was killed by stone-throwing protesters and a protester was shot dead in the city of Goma on Thursday at anti-government demonstrations, we are expecting elections in November 2016.  We are very thankful that God protected us during these demonstrations. We are planning to have a prayer vigil from June 15^th to 19^th to pray for Peace in DRC.  We are also asking our friends to pray for PEACE for DRC.

We are grateful for the gifts we got we bought basket making material and transportation money for the 12 ladies and the trainers But we will need any gift to help them when they finish the training to buy them basket making materials. So that they can support themselves. Please pray that finances will be found to help these women and children. If interested to give a onetime gift please let us know.

 Our prayer is that we will be able to reach many church leaders who can also promote forgiveness and reconciliation in their own congregations and communities.  Many pastors have experienced trauma from conflicts and war and do not know how to minister to their own congregations.  In July we will train pastors and elders on how to deal with Trauma in  ministry. We are challenging them to reach out to other tribes and communities with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. We are training leaders so that they can train other local church leaders in missions, reconciliation and pastoral care

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for leadership seminars cancel due to political demonstrations. Now rescheduled for June and July ’16.
2. Pray for 12 ladies learning new skills to support themselves and Lois as she supervise the work
3. Pray for the CBCO new President and Missions Team in Kinshasa and the work in Goma
4. Pray for finances to run the seminars, provide transportation, and lunch for participants.
5.  For Lois as she ministers to women from different churches in Goma as well run the office.
6.  For Apollo as he leads seminars, training and preaching in local churches.
7. Pray for Dixon and Hannah for their financial needs in Canada
8. For internet and telephone to work when we need it especially this year of elections in DRC

We do experience internet and telephone problems please be patient with us when we don’t respond as soon as possible.  Thank You for all your financial support and prayers.   May God bless you abundantly and meet your needs.

 Thank You,    In His Service                    Apollo and Lois Midigo

March 2016

Merry Christmas

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

CHURCH PLANTING AND MISSIONS                                                      December 2015

Goma is a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, next to the Rwandan city of Gisenyi. The lake and the two cities are in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift system. Goma lies only 13 to 18 km due south of the crater of the active Nyiragongo Volcano. The recent history of Goma has been dominated by the volcano and the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, which in turn fuelled the First and Second Congo Wars. The city was captured by rebels during the M23 rebellion in late 2012-2014, but has since been retaken by government forces and United Nations soldiers.   Goma faces the highest risk any city in the world could face.
Nyiragongo is one of the two active volcanoes in North Kivu. The other, is Nyamulagira, 10km away and threatening the town of Sake. Sake is a major source of Goma's fresh food. The aftermath of these events is still having effects on the city and its surroundings even today

OFFICE

On November 17, 2015, Pastor Pierre the Missions Team Director of CBCO came to Goma from Kinshasa to see how the work in Goma is going on.  Currently we have 2 congregations with 3 cell groups in Goma City.  Pastor Pierre met with Maman Esther and us to plan forward.  With the current church members there is no CBCO church building.  The two congregations are meeting in rented facilities and are having problems paying the rental spaces.   They pay US$50 per month.  Because of war and conflicts people are so poor that even on a Sunday a church with 200 members can give a total of US$ 5 to US$10.   Pastor Pierre also met with pastors we have been mentoring since we arrived in Goma and are now interested in joining CBCO church.  Accompanying Pastor Pierre was Pastor Kaba also from Kinshasa.   His church is interested in sponsoring a Congolese missionary to remote areas of Democratic Republic of Congo. 

In October we moved in at the office and are very grateful that people can come and see us at the office instead of our home.  We are settling down and have lined up several trainings in January to March 2016.   Christian leaders are now free to come and see us.

The pastors have requested training in Missions, Evangelism, Trauma and Conflicts, Church leadership, Forgiveness and Reconciliation.  The ladies are already being taught skills in food and nutrition.  Lois will have a follow-up in the coming year.   God has provided two security people to guard the office day and night.   Pray for church leaders who have received our training and Bibles that they will train others.

1. Pray for healing and reconciliation among church leaders and tribes
2. Thank God for providing safety and security during our stay in Goma
3. Pray for the young people and Christian leaders we are mentoring in evangelism and missions
4. Pray for the coming training and seminars with pastors in 2016
5. Pray for Maman, Esther, CBCO leadership in Kinshasa and their missions Department
6. Pray for Lois as she ministers to women from different churches and tribes in Goma as well run the office.   When training women in Food and Nutrition she has to buy all the food stuff for training. There are many women who need training so that they can support themselves.  But we can only offer training according to what we can afford. Each training costs approximately between US$ 80 to US$100 for 25 women.  She is also training women who can train others. She teaches Bible Study before she begins to teach her classes in Food and Nutrition.
7. Pray that God will provide funds for seminars and workshops in the coming year. We need funds for training materials so that pastors can take home reading materials.  Christian leaders walk for 20-40 kilometers to attend our training.
8. Pray for the coming elections in DRC in November 2016.
9. Pray for Dixon and Hannah for their needs.
10. We thank God for providing our needs but we still need support for our ministry here and for pray that we will be able to raise funds for the seminar materials and Lois’s women’s training.  If you are able to contribute to this project please contact our office in Guelph.

Thank You for all your financial support and prayers. May the Joy of Christ dwell in your  hearts.  We also remember you in our prayers.   

Thank You,    

Apollo and Lois Midigo

HEALING AND RECONCILIATION                                                                                                             October 2015

Sexual violence in conflict is a worldwide issue, but in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) it is so endemic that it has earned a reputation as most dangerous in the world for women.  Not far from the City of Goma where we live the town of Minova is a marked as the region with the highest concentration of sexual abuse in the DRC.  We have been told of many cases of rape but recently we were told of a woman who was raped by 24 soldiers (Congolese army or rebel army).   Although she survived the attacked she was left with psychological, emotional and physical scars.  She has undergone many corrective fistula surgeries from the damage she received. There are many horrifying stories we cannot even want to write about. Thousands of women in the eastern DRC live with the stigma and trauma of rape. Sexual violence has torn families apart for a long time.  When a woman is raped she is not accepted by her husband and his family.  She cannot go to her family because she is defiled and unclean.  The woman is not accepted by the community.  Many of these women come to the city of Goma to do anything to survive including prostitution.    This year we have been horrified by what seems to have been a wave of rape against babies and young children especially girls.  These children are taken away from their parents by force raped in front of their parents.  Hundreds of women and children are systematically being raped by soldiers an atrocity that the international community is trying to stop by bringing UN staff and soldiers to finish the war in Eastern DRC. 

On October 10, 2015 Apollo was asked to speak at UN memorial service here in Goma for one their staff that died last year in October.  The staff is still mourning him as he was a strong Christian and a very hardworking staff member.  As you pray for us please for many UN soldiers and staff who work here.   They are usually killed in line of duty as they try to bring peace in DRC.

OFFICE

At the beginning of October we moved in at the office and are very grateful that people can come and see us at the office instead of our home.  It is located at the Centre of the city and a safe area with other offices within reach.  We have several seminars lined up in November to February next year.    We want to thank you for praying and we are trusting God to provide for the continued financial need to run the office.  We needed this office as part of the ongoing security and effective ministry.   Here the cancer of tribalism is so strong that finding a neutral place can help bring forgiveness and reconciliation.  Our prayer is that we will be able to reach many church leaders who can also promote forgiveness and reconciliation in their own congregations. As a training venue we are going to train and mentor church leaders in missions, reconciliation and pastoral care.   Many pastors have experience trauma from conflicts and war and do not know how to minister to their own congregations.  We are challenging them to reach out to other tribes and communities with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Christians in DRC have not lost hope despite the violence and hardships they face every day. They continue to learn the word of God and apply biblical truth in their context. They have hope that one day God will bring peace in DRC and the rest of the world will come to enjoy that peace. Our work is to support these Christians and encourage them in their walk with God.   As the church unite and show love to one another the region of eastern DRC will change. It will change because the church has change: where there was tribal hatred there is love and fellowship.     Thank God that we were able to distribute Bibles to those attending our training for some this was their first Bible.  Prayer Requests:

1)Pray for church leaders who have received our training and  Bibles that they will train others.

2)Pray for healing and reconciliation among church leaders and tribes

3)Thank God for safety and opportunity to minister. And for those who accepted Christ.

4)Pray for the 20 young people  we are mentoring in evangelism and missions

5)Pray for the coming training and seminars with pastors affected by war and conflicts.

6)Pray for Esther, CBCO leadership in Kinshasa and their missions Department

7)Pray for Lois as she ministers women from different churches in Goma as well run the office.

8)Pray for infants, children and women who have been raped by government and rebel soldiers.  And also pray for the safety of all women in DRC and for the perpetrators to face justice.

9)Pray for Dixon and Hannah for their needs.

10)Pray that we will be able to raise $500.00 a month for rent. If you are able to contribute to this project please contact our office in Guelph.

Thank You for all your financial support and prayers. May God bless you abundantly and meet your needs.  We also remember you in our prayers.    

Thank You,    

Apollo and Lois Midigo

OUR SECURITY                                                  August 31, 2015

Unidentified gunmen killed six elite presidential guard soldiers on Monday August 31, 2015 in an ambush in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, military and local sources said, a region still plagued by violence more than a decade after years of civil war ended.   Eastern Congo, which was ravaged by two wars between 1996 and 2003 that killed millions, most dying from hunger and disease, remains beset by dozens of armed groups who compete over reserves of gold, tin and tantalum. Rutsuru Territory, several kilometres from Goma where the attack took place, has seen an uptick in violence this year, with dozens kidnapped by armed militias and criminal gangs.   On August 07, 2015, an earthquake killed  2 children and one soldier in Bukavu South Kivu province.  A government spokesperson said that a 5.8 magnitude earthquake  had shaken eastern Democratic Republic of Congo early Friday August 07, 2015, causing the death of at least two children and one soldier injuring several other people. The epicentre of the earthquake was located close to Lake Tanganyika near Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province. He said a house collapsed  and caused some cracks in buildings near the airport in Bukavu. The earthquake could also be felt in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province which is about 217km by land on the north end of Lake Kivu.   We had the tremor in Goma but we were not affected. 

OUR MINISTRY

Despite the violence, earthquake and hardships Christians in Eastern DRC have not lost hope.  They continue to pray and preach the Word of God.    Our ministry is teaching and training these church leaders.  It is the church that can bring changes in Goma and DRC.    We thank God that we have identified a good office space in a central location in Goma. We are asking you to pray that God will provide US$500.00 monthly for rent and the current tenant will vacate the house.   He was supposed to vacate the premises on August 26, 2015. 

Leadership Changes

United Nations soldiers continue to provide security around Goma and its environs.  But what Congolese people need is the security that God can provide.   We continue to work with CBCO helping with the church in church planting and missions here in Goma.   On August 28, 2015 CBCO elected a new Secretary General (president).  Pray for Rev. Fidele Bauvudista as he takes on the new role as Secretary General of CBCO.  Also pray for Pastor Pierre as he continues to lead our missions’ team.   Apollo had an opportunity to travel to Kinshasa to meet with the Missions Team and Richard Flemming to evaluate our work in Eastern DRC.  The CBCO leadership continues to support our being and work in Goma despite the challenges of security and ministering in a new culture and context.  The two congregations are growing and the need for space to meet for worship continues.   The congregations which meet in homes continue to grow are looking for a place to rent as they trust God to provide. 

Leadership Training

 We continue to mentor and train church leaders and young people, in evangelism and missions.  Currently we are meeting to plan for the months of September to December 2015 and January –May 2016.  We are also training the young people on how to follow-up and disciple new converts.  Several people accepted Christ while others rededicated their lives to Christ during their last campaigns.     We are helping the Christian youth to have a passion for reaching the unsaved in DRC.  Half of the populations are young people under 18 years of age.   DRC has a population of 72 million people. Lois is also training women in Food and nutrition and Bible studies.  She is continue to work with pastors wives and local women.

The need for Bibles is increasing as we have discovered that some church leaders do not have any training in Bible and Theology or/and do not have Bibles.  We have bougtht some Swahili and French Bibles to that effect to give out but are not enough.  To buy a Bible in Goma is US$10.00. 

GRADUATION

On June 5^th 2015 Hannah graduated from University of British Columbia Okanagan campus in Kelowna. We were thankful to God that we were able to attend her graduation.   We returned to Goma on July 12, 2015.    Dixon will finish sometime this year.  Pray for Hannah as she plans to go Law school.

Prayer Requests:

1. Thank God for protecting us from a Malaria outbreak in Goma in August 2015 and for church leaders who have received our training tol train others.
2. Pray for Rev. Fidele Bauvudista the new president of CBCO and Esther’s work in Goma. Also pray for us as we meet and plan for the coming months.
3. Thank God for safety and opportunity to minister. For those who accepted Christ and for a follow-up and discipleship team we are going to train.

Thank you for your prayers and Support , Apollo and Lois Midigo

Dear Friends

We want to thank you for your regular financial and prayer support.  We have seen how God has protected us from the earthquake and Malaria epidemic that was experienced in the months of July and August 2015.  The residents of Goma said that they have never seen such malaria epidemic.  For us we know that many people are praying for us and we want to thank you for your continued prayer support.  The coming months are also going to be critical in that we have many seminars and training planned for the months of September to December 2015 and the coming year.

We continue to see God’s protection both physically and spiritually.  May God bless you as you pray for us.  Without your giving we could not be able to do what we are doing, we are very grateful to God and to you.

Thank You

Yours in Christ

Apollo and Lois Midigo