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Report from Democratic Republic of the Congo 2007

Helen Stawski recently visited the Anglican Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo to attend a roundtable of church leaders, provincial and diocesan staff and partner organisations. The aim of this meeting was to think through issues of partnership and collaborative future strategy for the church as it seeks to revisit its mission and objectives in the light of peace and the first stages of democracy in the country, following the recent elections. Due to the vast size of the country and the insecurity created by the war, this was the first time the church had been able to meet in this way for over five years. The meeting allowed the church to see the entirety of its achievements and challenges in mission and development and sought to work through these challenges in open and honest ways in the spirit of christian love and understanding. Stories of the church reaching out into communities, which have no functioning state health care or education system, and have been traumatised by the brutality of war and face an uncertain future of peace, were plentiful and the church has much to be proud of and to build on. Partners too were challenged to engage more collaboratively and effectively with the church. Please remember the church in DRC in your prayers at this time.