Dungu - Photo`s

There is a significant UN (MONUC) force in Dungu, with troops from Morocco, Indonesia and Bangladesh. This is the entrance to one of their 2 camps

A MONUC helicopter loading up ready to go to Bangadi. One of our medical supervisors was on this flight, but I was not allowed close enough to get anction shot. Bangadi is an extremely insecure area, deeply affected by the LRA crisis.

The incredible landscape of NE Congo

The intense jungle in NE Congo. This is the approach to Dungu by plane...pretty incredible

The Bamokandi district of Dungu, pretty intense jungle. Makes it easy for the LRA to hide and avoid and capture. There was a serious LRA attack here in January and the threat persists. You can see a MONUC tanker in the distance.

The airport in Dungu, built by Indonesian UN (Monuc) Forces. Maybe thats why the sign welcomes you in En glish

Depending on God

Phillipians 4,11-13 is an interesting verse in the bible ive come to appreciate in recent months. `I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I only have one month left in the Congo, and the last year has not always been easy, lots of ups and downs. Problems ranging from security issues to many changes in the team have led me to depend on God on a daily basis more than I have ever done before. For my work, i have been asked to do things Ì have never done before and had to have faith in God to help me, sometimes when i have been the only expat at my base.

Its right to depend on God. Trusting God`s grace to draw near so that we can expeience Him as our refuge, glory and stength corrects the problem of our independence and separation from God. That God wants to be close enough to be your confidence and security means that he wants to be yout God, in every situation. I also think that our dependence on God in these everyday situations exalts Him, gives Him praise and shows that we are worshipping Him through the way we choose to live our lives.

I hope this attiducte represents a developing maturity in my faith, and i really hope i can keep surrendering every day in dependence to God, to give him the glory. The apostle Paul wrote, Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light...behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Rom. 13:12b-14). Separation from God naturally leads to sin, and sinful desires. It is right to completely depend on God for our confidence and security.

Book Review

I have read 2 books recently about the LRA, the Wizard of the Nile by Matthew Green was the first. Matthew Green is a British journalist who used to work for Reuters in East Africa. The book focuses on his search for an interview with the elusive Joseph Kony. He does eventually manage to find Kony, across the border in the Congolese bush, along with other journalists and a group of individuals trying to to restart negotiations for peace with the LRA. The book contains some interesting information on the background of the LRA conflict and several testimonies to the conflict, but a lot of time is wasted by Green who describles in detail his many visits between Sudan, Northern Uganda and Congo trying to locate Joesph Kony.

The second book is trial justice by Tim Allen. This is an older book, published in 2006 but is a fascinating account of the investigation into the LRA by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, and their subsequent issuing of arrest warrants for Kony and the other LRA leaders. These are many of the reasons why Kony went into hiding in Garamba National Park in NE Congo, and following this, his retaliation against the Congolese people and their continued quest for survival. There is also a fascinating look at the story of the LRA and Joesph Kony, their political roots in Northern Uganda and their truly bizarre spiritual roots. A great read.

The LRA Tradgedy

Human Rights Watch have finally published their report on the LRA attack in Tapili in December 2009. Tapili is located about 6okm South West of Dungu, towards Isiro. In the space of 3 days, the LRA killed over 300 people. According to reports we have heard locally, the LRA may have killed over 400 civilians in this attack.

The Ugandan and Congolese armies are continuing to claim they are winning the war against the LRA. However, the LRA, if anything seem to be re-arming and replensihing their forces. In Nianagara last week, its believed 102 local people were killed in another LRA attack.

A strategy is surely needed, initiated by UN (MONUC) and local
governments to combat the ongoing threat of the LRA. The attaqck in Tapili indicates just how active they still are.

Links to articles detailing the attacks in Tapili can be found below;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8587305.stm
http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2010/03/29/trail-death-0

Wedding of the Year

Well i think so anyway...and i love this. Check it out, the invite to mine and Jennie`s wedding, it even has a link to our website. http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/pwp2/view/MemberPage.aspx?coupleId=9628986563927617

In contact with the outside world again

Wow, firstly i must apologise its been a good 2 months since i updated this blog. I have mostly been in Dungu for that time, and I often have just not had the time or the means to update this blog. For the last 5 weeks i have been the only expat for Medair in Dungu. Its not been easy, at times its been pretty tough.

LRA activity in and around Dungu is still pretty intense. Even In the last few days, there has been an LRA attack in central Dungu. As you head North of Dungu towards Doruma and the borders with Sudan and CAR, there are several groups of LRA soldiers continuing to wreak havoc. As many as 102 peole were reportedly killed in a recent attack. As for their strategy and what the LRA are doing, well who knows. I`ve added the link below so you can read a bit more.
http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/ledio-cakaj

The base here was very simple when i arrived, so there has been a big focus on improving things logistically. We have installed a water system, electircy and of course the VSAT for access to the world wide web. Soon we will install a VHF base and continue to improve the quality of the house. I`ve negotiated the rent with the Catholic church, which has been much more challenging than you`d think. They tried to double our rent!!!Pretty disgraceful as we are to assist and serve the local population.
Its been challenging, lots of ups and downs for sure.

I`ve missed Jennie a lot. She has been in Kampala since February. I saw her for 5 days in early Feb, and will return to Kampala next week for more holiday i cannot wait.
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The following verse fom Isiah comes to mind `but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Ive been depending God throughout dasily life here, there are strong foundations for the future.

Dungu Update 2

I have returned to Dungu after spending Christmas with the Medair team in Bunia. Christmas was a pretty quiet affair this year, I spent New Years Eve at the MONUC (UN) house with some Medair teammates, UN peacekeepers from Morocco and the Guatemalan special forces. Different definately!

The local population in Dungu were fearing the worst over Christmas. In Dec 2008, the LRA launched a series of horrific attacks in the town. LRA activity had intensified at the end of this last year, creating a lot of concern in and around Dungu.

Security remained calm over the festivities, but has continued to intensify since my return in early January. Why? Well certainly the LRA seem to have reorganised in Congo. The Congolese military presence has been reduced dramatically, as the government tries to fight a new rebellion in the Equateur Province. There are also elections in South Sudan in April, followed by more elections in Congo and Uganda in 2011. All mitigating factors maybe, and the LRA seem to be making the most of their opportunity, with attacks happening all over NE Congo.

Anzway, im doing fine. Medair and all the NGOs are working as much as possible to help as many people as possible affected by this ongoing crisis. Please pray for the work of Medair and those affected in the DR Congo.