DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO REFLECTION: Prepare the way
December 30th, 2008
CPTnet
30 December 2008
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO REFLECTION: Prepare the way
by Rosemarie Milazzo
There were very few people attending Mass one recent Sunday in the service down the road from where Christian Peacemaker Teams stays in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. In that day’s Scripture, John 1 speaks of preparing the way of the Lord. Pere Marcel, a Congolese Salesian Father, invited all to respond to this call. Preparing the way meant sharing our food with our neighbors, refugees who have come to seek safety in Goma. “We are all called to help those with sad hearts. These hurting people need our care,” he said.
After Mass, a 16-year-old student, Frank, spoke to CPT of his dream to study. He was in Form V, an indication that he has been selected and could be on his way to university.
Pere Marcel joined us, saying there was a checkpoint nearby. The road had been closed. That was why so few people attended services. Starting up the road, we met armed soldiers. We learned they were checking bags and baskets for guns. There was a lorry loaded with more armed soldiers keeping an eye on all of us. Soldiers halted all traffic. People were delayed.
We entered one open shop hoping to buy candles. The shop keeper sadly told us that her neighbor had candles but couldn't get here to open her shop as soldiers held her up. We paused to buy bread, but again the seller told us she was so late getting there she couldn't sell all her bread.
Yet Frank continues to dream. What road is prepared for him?
The day before, as we walked along the road in Goma, a group of children came by. Smiling and laughing, we walked together. I asked if they sang songs in school and they said they did. I invited them to sing with me a simple Swahili song children in Kenya sing. In this song, guests are invited to come to your country. They are warmly welcomed because, as the last line says, “nchi yetu, hakuna matata” or “our country, no problem.” The children sang the song along with me until the last line. When I asked why they didn't continue, one young girl said, “How can we say we have no problem in Congo, we have war here!” Saddened, the group stopped singing. What sort of road is being prepared for these children?
Continuing along the road I met Bonafilda. Walking in the same direction, we talked. She told me she was 70 years old, just returning from a trip to the hospital. She had visited her granddaughter, Dorothea. Dorothea was hospitalized with malaria and Bonafilda was returning from bringing food to her. She told me how sad she felt here. She lived in Masisi and had to flee the violence there. She fled to Rutshuro and when there was war there, she fled again. Now she is here in Goma. “This is not my home,” she explained, “but I am too tired to continue to run.” Who will massage her hurting heart?
Who will prepare the way . . . for peace?
30 December 2008
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO REFLECTION: Prepare the way
by Rosemarie Milazzo
There were very few people attending Mass one recent Sunday in the service down the road from where Christian Peacemaker Teams stays in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. In that day’s Scripture, John 1 speaks of preparing the way of the Lord. Pere Marcel, a Congolese Salesian Father, invited all to respond to this call. Preparing the way meant sharing our food with our neighbors, refugees who have come to seek safety in Goma. “We are all called to help those with sad hearts. These hurting people need our care,” he said.
After Mass, a 16-year-old student, Frank, spoke to CPT of his dream to study. He was in Form V, an indication that he has been selected and could be on his way to university.
Pere Marcel joined us, saying there was a checkpoint nearby. The road had been closed. That was why so few people attended services. Starting up the road, we met armed soldiers. We learned they were checking bags and baskets for guns. There was a lorry loaded with more armed soldiers keeping an eye on all of us. Soldiers halted all traffic. People were delayed.
We entered one open shop hoping to buy candles. The shop keeper sadly told us that her neighbor had candles but couldn't get here to open her shop as soldiers held her up. We paused to buy bread, but again the seller told us she was so late getting there she couldn't sell all her bread.
Yet Frank continues to dream. What road is prepared for him?
The day before, as we walked along the road in Goma, a group of children came by. Smiling and laughing, we walked together. I asked if they sang songs in school and they said they did. I invited them to sing with me a simple Swahili song children in Kenya sing. In this song, guests are invited to come to your country. They are warmly welcomed because, as the last line says, “nchi yetu, hakuna matata” or “our country, no problem.” The children sang the song along with me until the last line. When I asked why they didn't continue, one young girl said, “How can we say we have no problem in Congo, we have war here!” Saddened, the group stopped singing. What sort of road is being prepared for these children?
Continuing along the road I met Bonafilda. Walking in the same direction, we talked. She told me she was 70 years old, just returning from a trip to the hospital. She had visited her granddaughter, Dorothea. Dorothea was hospitalized with malaria and Bonafilda was returning from bringing food to her. She told me how sad she felt here. She lived in Masisi and had to flee the violence there. She fled to Rutshuro and when there was war there, she fled again. Now she is here in Goma. “This is not my home,” she explained, “but I am too tired to continue to run.” Who will massage her hurting heart?
Who will prepare the way . . . for peace?
