The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been ravaged by civil war, lack of healthy government, and the HIV/AIDS crisis. Through our work with Answering the Call and Church of the Holy Spirit, PC3 has been involved in Congo for several years. Work in this area included church plants, short-term pastoral training, construction of a primary school for underprivileged children, and establishment of two feeding centers for orphaned and malnourished children.

In May 2006 PC3 began directly supporting one of the feeding centers and funding medical care for the children at both feeding centers. In August 2006, two young women from PC3 moved to this area and served among the congregants of CHS for one year. Their ministries included working with the youth, assisting at the feeding centers, serving in a hospital which ministers to women who are victims of rape and other brutal crimes, and ministering to prisoners – some of whom were the ones committing these brutal crimes against the women and some who had been child soldiers.

One of the projects the young women were involved in was helping some of the victimized women establish homes and vocations so they could learn to support themselves and their children. PC3 assisted by helping fund these vocational projects and by providing food until the women's businesses become profitable.

For DR Congo updates check out our blog.

We have begun an online video project called Congocast which chronicles the story of the two women who served in DRC. Through this project we hope to raise awareness of the issues in DRC and help raise funds necessary to complete a permanent shelter for women who are trying to re-establish lives for themselves and their children.

Go/Serve

Check out opportunities to participate in our short term missions in the DRC.

Send/Support

Please pray for:

• Funding for all the projects in Congo (feeding centers, women's shelter, schools, and prison ministry).
• The churches and their pastors – that God will renew their strength and joy every day despite the difficult circumstances of living.
• For the women requiring extensive surgeries and both physical and emotional recovery after the brutal crimes committed against them, and for the doctors and staff of Panzi Hospital performing the surgeries and nursing the women back to health.
• For a healthier, more stable government that will provide more infrastructure.

If you are interested in contributing beyond your tithe to the work in DRC, write "Friends of Congo" in the memo line of your check. Place your check in the offering or mail it to PC3, 250 Vision Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.

You may also financially contribute towards completing the women's shelter through ATC's Julie Project or through the Bukavu Foundation.