Friday evening Congo-time

            This is Becky writing from Impfondo, and I’d like to ask your special prayers for the situation in Kindamba.  Joe just called me to say that he and Jean Pierre Vandevoorde arrived safely in Kindamba a couple of hours ago.  They went there to officially turn over the medicine and hospital supplies that were given to our mission by MSF, to the government hospital there since we were informed clearly on Tuesday by the Minister of Health and other officials that our mission’s presence in Kindamba was not wanted.  They stated that everything is fine there and they can run the hospital there without any help or aid of any sort from us.  That’s kind of interesting that they should say that, because the very next day–yesterday–the prefet of the region sent an order for the armed police to go to our rented compound in Kindamba, intimidate our guards and workers,  break down the doors to the storehouse and living quarters and relieve the buildings of their contents.  Not that they need any of that stuff, of course, because they’ve got everything they need.  They (I’m not exactly sure who the “they” I keep referring to are… but they’re people in authority in the government) told Joe and Jean Pierre that they (Joe and Jean Pierre–I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry to get this out, and am not taking the time to work out all my pronouns) were not allowed to even sleep there in our rented house, but then relented and said they could stay there, but were not allowed to leave the fenced-in compound.  They’re basically under house arrest.  Had to send the guard to get them some food to eat from the market.  They are supposed to leave first thing in the morning and not take anything with them, not even our personal effects that we left in the house in the hopes of returning there in the future to resume medical work.  (Joe is taking down Claire and Isabelle’s hand-drawn pictures that they left on the bedroom walls to greet them next time they went there…I imagine that won’t cause a problem.)  There is still some furniture left in the house I guess, but it’s been pretty well cleaned out and the job will likely be finished by tomorrow.

            So, we have remained willing and hopeful to resume a medical ministry there in the Pool region, in the town of Kindamba, getting contradictory and frustrating responses from the government authorities since May about whether or not they wanted us and would authorize us to work there.  But when it was stated clearly on Tuesday in Brazzaville that since Congo is no longer in a time of war and no longer needs any “crutches,” that they do not want us to work in Kindamba,  Joe sadly decided to postpone his trip home and make a trip there to sign over the material to the govt. hospital.  But the officials were a little impatient, or wanted to make a point, or are just greedy… and beat us to it.  ”You can’t give us that medicine… we’re going to steal it! (and whatever else we can get our hands on that’s there.)”

            It’s unjust, unfair, unkind and unbelievable how the authorities have treated this whole situation.  There remains the possibility of violence, and we would like to ask you to pray for God’s protection for Joe and Jean Pierre tonight and tomorrow.  Also for our workers, most of whom are high-tailin’ it out of town with Joe in our vehicle tomorrow back to Brazzaville, unwilling to stay in such a hostile and discouraging situation.  And pray that we would respond as God would have us to.  Oh God, have mercy.

Thank you for standing with us and the people of Kindamba.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Harvey