Dear Friends in Christ,
I have been called to a ministry of our Peninsula-Delaware Conference. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country ravaged by war, poverty, and AIDS. The country has very little infrastructure creating poor transportation between cities. Almost all the towns and villages have been completely destroyed by rebels. Each tribe destroyed the next tribe's village. Kinshasa is a city of 5 million people, many of whom are refugees from the civil war. The downtown district is very modern with large buildings, hotels, and businesses. Within blocks is poverty. It is a city of the very rich and the very poor. Many of the people are well educated and trained but because of the war have no jobs. 80% of the people are Christians. There are many churches, especially Roman Catholic and United Methodist. The church is a strong and powerful force in the DRC with its influence rivaling that of the government.
The Peninsula Delaware Annual Conference and the Central Congo Episcopal Area are Partners in Mission. In October 2005, Bishops David Yemba and Marcus Matthews established partnership goals. These goals include the establishment of a Conference Resource Center, help in developing a reliable and effective communications system, support of the Orphanage for homeless children, support of the Mpasa Nutrition and Medical center and youth and adult partnerships between the conferences. During the 2006 Peninsula Delaware Annual Conference the Partnership Agreement was adopted and signed by the Bishops.
In July 2007 Bishop Matthews will be going to the Democratic Republic of Congo to adopt and sign the agreement at one of Bishop Yemba's Annual Conferences. Bishop Matthews will be taking a group of representatives from our Annual Conference with him. As a member of the Conference Partnership Committee, I am honored to be one of the people chosen to go on this Mission Trip.
My daughters asked me, "Why the Congo? Don't you know how bad things are there? Don't you know how primitive and dangerous things are over there? And what about eating? You are the world's pickiest eater." They are right, I like clean bathrooms, I like my own bed and I won't eat anything I don't already know I like. But that is how I know God is calling me to this mission. It is not something I would choose to do on my own. God has something He wants to accomplish in my life and I can do nothing else but follow.
If your church would be willing to support me in this mission either financially or with your prayers I would greatly appreciate your support. If you would be willing to give me a Mission Moment when I return I will be happy to come to your church and talk about my trip. If not, I will send you a written report.
Love, Peace
and God be with you,
Marie Van Der Wall
Matthew 20:26-28, But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.