Thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement. Many of you have noticed that the Democratic Republic of Congo has been in the news again lately. This is their second civil war in as many years--only this time there are more countries involved in the fighting. Rwanda, Uganda, & Burundi are reportedly supporting Tutsi rebels in their bid to oust President Kabila. Kabila is being supported by government forces, as well as troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan. Airplane pilots from Ukraine, helicopter pilots from Cuba, and mercenaries from Mozambique & South Africa are also said to be involved. With so many countries involved, it is easy to see why this war is having a destabilizing effect on the whole region.
How do these events affect Republic of Congo? Reportedly, some of the Rwandan refugees living in Republic of Congo have crossed back over to the Democratic Republic of Congo to join in the fighting. There is a stronger military & police presence in the Likouala Region, and bureaucratic formalities have increased. Outside of Brazzaville there have been recent skirmishes between the Ninja militia and government soldiers. Nobody knows what will happen. On a positive note, we have received word that our missionary colleagues in Impfondo are doing well, and the ministry is proceeding in spite of setbacks. The reconstruction of Brazzaville is moving ahead (slowly), and regular mail & air service to Impfondo has been restored.
Dr. Look, a missionary dentist/epidemiologist with Global Outreach, has asked me (Joe) to join him on a trip to Impfondo this Fall. The purpose of the trip would be to deliver medical & dental supplies, conduct research on sleeping sickness, and help get the dispensary & leprosy program going again. We are eagerly waiting for a medical shipment from Europe to arrive in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, so we can bring it down to Impfondo with us.
We are also thinking about accepting a temporary assignment as a family in the neighboring country of Gabon at a Christian & Missionary Alliance hospital in Bongolo. Dr. David Thompson, a general surgeon who founded the hospital 20 years ago wrote us a while back asking us to come because he can really use some help while the other missionary doctors are on furlough.
We would very much like to order our plane tickets, and get back to Africa. However, we are waiting for God's confirming peace about the desination & timing. In the meantime, I have stopped signing up for regular shifts in the ER in order to focus our efforts on preparations for the journey/adventure of moving back to Africa.
We appreciate your prayers, and we are praying for you.
In Him,
Joe & Becky Harvey
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