DR Congo

Joy and sadness

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Uncategorized ,
We have some good news and some not so good news.

Here is the good news:

Until now, Rooted in Jesus had been adopted by Anglican dioceses in 19 African countries. We are proud to share that in 2024 that number became 20, thanks to the ministry of Growing the Church, which oversees Rooted in Jesus in South Africa under the direction of Revd Bruce Woolley.
We have just received their latest newsletter, in which Ven Amenlenge Alleta Shikwambi reports how the first Rooted in Jesus training conference took place in the Anglican Diocese of Namibia (photo above left). You can read the report here.
Namibia
Meanwhile we have received joyful photographs from the Diocese of Nzara, S Sudan and the Diocese of Bunyoro Kitara, Uganda, (photo below left) where groups have been awarded certificates for completing part or all of the Rooted in Jesus programme; and from the Diocese of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (photo right) where members of the cathedral youth group have been appointed to lead new groups. We’ve posted their reports on our Facebook page.

However, for every moment of joy the world seems to offer us also one of pain:

As you will be aware, the people of eastern DR Congo are going through a time of great insecurity and turbulence due to the advance of the M23 militia, first to Goma and then to Bukavu. The M23 fighters are now continuing towards Uvira – just as the USAid programmes have been suspended. Many people in these areas are Christian, and many are (or were) using Rooted in Jesus. The latest message our team leader Amanda Johnson has received from her contact Justin reads (translated into English) as follows:
  • Monusco closed, agents unemployed;
  • USAID closed, agents unemployed;
  • Looting at Bralima, unemployed agents;
  • State office closed, agents unemployed;
  • NGO office closed, agents unemployed;
  • Looting PAM office, unemployed agents;
  • Banks closed, agents unemployed;
  • Looting Kadutu market, shops, boutiques, etc. traders at home.
  • Added to this are rapes, killings, thefts, kidnappings, etc.
  • Lord, if you do not intervene, who will come to our aid?
It is hard to take on board the depth of suffering that this is causing – but what is clear is that we must continue to pray for them.
Posted 11th March 2025

Rooted in Jesus is invading our diocese!

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus ,
We’ve recently had some very encouraging reports from Dioceses where we have facilitated Rooted in Jesus conferences. In brief:

One of 5 groups in the parish of Anivorano Nord

  • Coordinator Odilon Rafanomezantsoa reports from the Diocese of Antsiranana, Madagascar. They held their first conference in October, and already have 55 active groups in 20 of the 21 parishes. Odilon says: ‘Four months after the Rooted in Jesus conference, we can say that Rooted in Jesus is invading the Antsiranana Diocese!’ Both he and Bishop Jaomandiny plan to provide personal ongoing support for the group leaders, and more groups are due to launch this month.
  • Coordinator Rev Emmanuel Etsegeri reports from the Diocese of Aru, DR Congo, which relaunched Rooted in Jesus in 2021. They now have 73 groups, working their way through all four books, and Emmanuel says that many group members have been able to share personal testimonies as their faith grows.
  • Coordinator Ven Minduli Mulanda reports from the Missionary area of Lake Tanganyika, Diocese of Bukavu, DR Congo. 24 parishes have 47 active groups, with over 500 people participating. Thanks to a donation from a UK parish, they have been able to give out Bibles to group leaders, and in September and October they provided additional training for group leaders to help them move on to the next book.
To find out more visit our blog post!
In the next few months we have teams going out to South Sudan, Kenya and Malawi. We are grateful to all those who underpin this ministry in prayer and to those who support it financially. If you aren’t on our intercession team but would like to be, just let us know.
Posted 9th January 2025