Blog, 2 March, 2009 I am back home in Indiana. In the first two days here I’ve had four significant opportunities to share about the experiences and events of the Congo! There are about eight other engagements that are beginning to fall into place for the next five months already, so if you have interest in scheduling a single speaking engagement (or a cluster of events), please email me at kindy@cpt.org or call 260-982-2971. But I want to report some on our last week in the DRC.

Militarization CPTnet Reflection by Cliff Kindy, 12 February, 2009 February 9, the Washington Post quoted Admiral Mike Mullen, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from a speech he gave at Princeton University: “US foreign policy is too militarized.” He went on to explain that roles in the past cared for by the Sate Department and Department of Agriculture had been taken over by military personnel. He said this inhibits the military by weakening the focus and diluting the mandate of the military. Interesting theory, so let's see where it goes here in the DRC.

I am traveling home soon if all goes as planned. I am available for speaking and acting with you on the concerns of CPT. If interested in contacting me about speaking, please write or call 260-982-2971 in a couple weeks! Blessings of peace to you! Cliff Kindy Since mineral extraction from the DRC has long been one of the major underlying causes of the ongoing conflict in the east of the DRC, this come as a sketchy idea that needs your input and critique. Does it have merit? How can it be improved? How can it be implemented?

Taking the Initiative from the Actors of Violence by Cliff Kindy, 9 February, 2009 In violent settings, nonviolent activists need to re-frame the action so that they, rather than violent actors, hold the initiative.

Journey through History by Rosemarie Milazzo and Cliff Kindy 2 February, 2009 Last November the international press depicted North Kivu, DRC, as a war zone. Media reported homes burning, people chased by gunfire, the rapes of women, fields ready for harvest being abandoned, and youth taken as child soldiers. Gunfire and screams filled the TV screen.

Revolutionary Jesus

One of the simplest, most electrifying concepts that Jesus introduced is that the Reign of God is now a present reality. Fear is the emotion that most gets in the way of that reality. So the angels and Jesus had to regularly tell folks not to be afraid so they could
comprehend this new reality.

The biggest lie perpetrated upon humanity is that war is the way to achieve one's goals, to reach the Reign of God - Holy War, guerrilla war, militia war.

It feels as though  we are standing on the Berlin Wall as it crumbles beneath our feet. Nkundas CNDP rebel group had been pushing through DRC military lines this fall until their initiated cease fire as they were ready to sweep into Gma. They had support from Rwanda with US backing.

FDLR militia remaining from those complicit in the Hutu directed Rwandan genocide of 1993 presently control maybe 100 mines that underwrite their militias. DRC military has worked hand in glove with these militias as well as Mai Mai ane Paraicho groups.

Blog, 12 January, 2009

When Jesus rode a donkey in the east gate of Jerusalem at the same time as the representative of Rome rode a war horse in the west gate, it was immediately clear that this was not your regular run-of-the-mill insurrection. This was God's direct onslaught, initiative-taking assault, on the powers of death. You know the story that followed. Crucifixion, rumors of resurrection, women witnesses, disciples hiding behind locked doors... Then Pentecost, Spirit infusion, interrupted by charges against Stephen.

Rwanda, DRC Mining and War Cliff Kindy, 9 January, 2009