Espoir Congo- Newsletter!

ESPOIR CONGO

“ Hope is the bridge that helps us cross over any difficulty. ”
June 2012
“When everything seems to be tumbling down around your ears and you feel as if there's no hope, call out to Me and My keys and I'll lift you out, up, and above it all!”
Kikimi Village Development Project
Dear Friends,
Thanks so much for your prayers for us this past month, your words of encouragement and your gifts. We are so thankful to be able to stay in touch with so many of you. Thanks for your prayers for Marie and Stephy, who’s doing much better. And thanks for your prayers for Dom, who kept things going in Kinshasa in her absence with the help of our precious Congolese members.
Stephy
Thanks to the Lord’s faithful supply, the building of the third classroom has been completed this month, despite some drawbacks and difficulties. (When the workers were laying the bricks for the walls, a violent storm took it all down while the cement was still fresh.) We just need to complete the finishing touches, like getting plywood for the ceiling, putting glass on the windows, getting a blackboard, desks and other furniture, etc... Theo and Florence are insisting on naming the new classroom after Natie, who invested quite a bit into the kids when she was here, and all we had was a (borrowed) banana leaf shelter to meet with them and distribute food.
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Food Distribution
Kids at the tap, so happy to finally have water
The next step will be to set up a system to bring water from the stream down the hill so that water can also be available during the 3 months of the dry season, so please pray with us for God’s supply for it.
Our friend Salim donated a bunch of chocolate cereal boxes, a real treat for the kids. Breakfast continues to be served to the pupils, and on Saturday, the orphans receive food and toiletries packages.
Dom unloading supplies
Agriculture
Yummy cereals
Begging is a huge problem in Africa, and Theo is concerned that the orphaned children we’ve been caring for, do not become lazy or take for granted the help that has been given them. He wants them to show their appreciation by doing chores and to learn good work ethics. Giving them vocational training in tailoring and agriculture will also give them the means to earn a living later on.
For this purpose, on Saturday, the orphaned kids come over to the school and the older ones receive agricultural training. They have each been allotted a little plot which they are responsible for. They have learned to prepare the soil, till and plant.
Orphaned boys tilling their little plot of land
The girls and the younger ones do chores around the school, and help prepare the food packages. After a few hours of work, everyone enjoys a yummy snack. Theo is also faithful to teach them how to pray for every need, and then praise the Lord for the answers. They all love Jesus and know they owe Him everything.
Women Empowerment
The girls and younger ones have fun sorting out the harvested peanuts.
After work, all enjoy a yummy snack.
More babies born this month, with midwife Florence’s help and oversight.
New baby born in Kikimi last month
Youth Ministry
Incubating Micro-Enterprise
Bible Studies
Dom is finished up the basic business management course to our young entrepreneurs, and will continue coaching those who have applied for a grant. Even though at first some concepts seemed to be difficult for them to fully grasp and implement, this close monitoring is proving to be positive instruction and input and we can see progress.
Taking notes
Etienne: He was the first one to apply, and, having proved himself faithful with the first donation, has now received the full amount which he has invested in sim cards, air time, and cell phones. He is also planning to invest in the renting of a small booth. His new learned diligence and hard-working habits, as well as his salesmanship have earned him a good name with the phone company, who has now offered him a salary to become a team leader for new employees. He is very inspired by the progress made in such a short time, thanks to the boost Espoir Congo and FCF have given him. He’s also learning how to combine witnessing with his business activity, using a megaphone to attract people, distributing tracts and posters, preaching and praying for people.
Cedric (full-time university student): He applied to start a micro-enterprise selling bread and various products. His mother is also applying to restart her former activity of a whole-seller on the market, an activity which she was forced to abandon after her car accident last year, which had made her lose her capital. She was the sole bread-winner of the family, her husband having been unemployed for the past 25 years. Being enabled to start again is giving this family new hope and fresh inspiration. Cedric is also very happy with the prospect of becoming financially independent, to finance his studies and make a living.
Dom got into advanced Endtime studies with our members, and covered more of Daniel, which was super exciting and new for most of them. These classes are re-enforcing the vision for them to grow spiritually and learn to stand on their own, and Thierry, Gains, Etienne and Cedric all now have their own 12 FS Bible study groups in different parts of the city. We are very proud of them, their dedication, love for the Lord, and their passion to teach His Word to others.

Thank you!
Titus 2:13: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”

We love you lots and thanks to all those who are sending us news, gifts, and prayers. We so appreciate it and can really feel your support in the spirit.
With much love always,
Dom and Marie
“The keys of the Kingdom can breathe new life and fresh hope into any person or situation.”

􀀠 E-mail: gino.dominic.v@gmail.com (clotilde@africawork.net)