Page 11 - 2021 August-September Newsletter

Page 11 Southern Pennsylvania District

Africa Great Lakes Update

The Great Lakes region of Africa – which includes Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and the
eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo – have experienced multiple challenges along
with the many difficulties of everyday life. Recently, there has been a wave of COVID cases
brought on by the Delta variant. There was a volcanic eruption in May in Congo near the city of
Goma (along the Rwanda border). The volcano caused an earthquake and subsequent tremors,
bringing further damage to the region.
As each of these events has caused material loss and human suffering, Brethren Disaster Ministries has
responded with assistance of food and other immediate needs. The local Brethren congregations are taking
responsibility for distribution.
Is spite of the challenges, the
church is moving forward. With
support from our district and
Southeastern district, the Goma
congregation has purchased property
to build a church structure on. To us
the land looks rough and rocky,
requiring a lot preparation – they don’t
have access to bulldozers and
excavators – but they are really
excited to have this land. It will give
them a place to build, getting out of
the tin shack they presently borrow for
worship and prayer.
The Rwanda Church of the Brethren recently opened a new fellowship in the city of Musanze, bringing the
number of Rwandan congregations to five.
In Uganda, one of the Kampala congregations completed a new meetinghouse with financial assistance from
Brethren World Mission, the Brethren Global Mission office and Southern PA District.

For more information about the Africa Great Lakes Church of the Brethren, call or text Chris Elliott at 717
262 3154 or email cwelliott56@gmail.com. Donations may be sent to the Southern PA District Office. Please write
AFRICA GREAT LAKES on the memo line.