As you know, Congo is a living hell for women and children, with one out of three, young and old, violently raped.  Congo has the highest rate of child soldiers and has experienced 5 million deaths after 10 years of war.  Currently, hundreds of thousands are displaced, harassed and hungry.

 Men are trapped in prisons of despair as both foreign and Congolese rebel and army groups inflict their madness everywhere they go.   Some men watch their families destroyed, powerless to defend, while others are drawn into the darkness as their means to fight back. While many NGOs are attempting to help women and children, The Sons of Congo Initiative is going after the source.  We believe MEN hold the key to change in the Democratic Republic of Congo. God, the Father, wants to reclaim the sons of Congo. Through targeted media programming, men’s discipleship ministry in the local church, and countrywide events, we desire to effect the heart of the Congolese male, including the most violent populations. I am so thankful to God for bringing us to this place where we can build this next level of solid foundation for a sustainable future for men’s ministry in the Eastern Congo.  

It is with great excitement that Pastor Kasareka and I fly out Thursday the 30^th to meet our other team members who are already in Goma! At 5:30pm we will fly to Amsterdam, Nairobi, and then into Kinshasa, the capital of Congo. We will be there for 3 days and then fly over to Goma, in Eastern Congo, returning May 17th. 

Please remember us as you pray daily. Nothing will be more effective than the prayers of our friends and family on our behalf, for Congo, and the Sons of Congo Initiative.  Many of you have already given us words, scriptures, and have helped us run errands, finish up projects, and supported us financially. Thank you all for being part of this journey. We really are taking you with us in our hearts.

Our Specific Prayer Needs:

• Physical and Spiritual protection.
  
• The 2 day conference for pastors led by Pastor Michael, Kasareka, Camille.  We will have over 100 pastors.  These pastors will have faced much trauma already.  Pray that they will be strengthened, encouraged, empowered.  Pray that they will understand the vision of the Sons of Congo Initiative.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will impart to them a passion to strengthen and disciple the sons of Congo, including the military and militia   Pray for a time of healing, and rejuvenation.
  
• That God will use us to plant seeds of hope wherever we go, whomever we talk to. 
  
• That we will have strategic relationships strengthened with key churches, pastors, and community leaders.
  
• We need to find the Sons of Congo Lead Man to lead our efforts in Goma.

As you may know the internet and phone is unpredictable but we will try to update you at the least every couple of days. If you have any questions, encouragements, or concerns you can email our team member, Kathi Winter, who is holding the fort here at home. Email her at kathi@globalinc.net.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus.." Ephesians 3:20

"We are in the train of a conqueror, and it does not matter what the difficulties are, we are always led in triumph." Oswald Chambers

Talk to you soon. Aimee, for the Sons of Congo Team.

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