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A Hero in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the second largest country in Africa, home to more than 70 million people and over 250 tribes and languages. It shares a border with eight countries, playing an essential role in the economic and social development across the continent. Its unique rainforest and river ecosystems, fertile grounds and high concentration of valuable raw minerals give it nearly unlimited potential. The Democratic Republic of Congo is also home to the largest conflict since World War II. Since 1996, over five million Congolese have died as a result. Others are vulnerable to rebel group activity, extreme poverty, prevalent diseases including malaria and HIV/AIDS, a high infant mortality rate and sexual violence against women and girls ages two to 60.
Where is God in a war-torn country like the DR Congo, where eight out of every ten women is a victim of rape? Psalm 72:14 gives us a promise of his faithfulness in regions like the DR Congo when it says, âHe will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sightâ (NIV).
Rutshuru is a town located in the North Kivu province of eastern DRC. Pastor Fabian is from the Pentecostal Church in Kelengera, Rutshuru territory. At 58 years old, he is the father of 7 children and a true hero in his community. He refused to flee when M23 soldiers advanced. He said he could not leave his congregation behind.
(Image: Sean Sheridan)
On July 21, 2013, Fabian was taken by rebel soldiers from his home into the bush, without shoes, proper clothes or the ability to notify his wife. His feet were wounded on lava stone as he followed soldiers into the forest. After walking the entire night, he was brought before the Chief rebel and accused of espionage: he had hosted some Tutsi women who were passing into Rwanda, an act punishable by death according to rebel soldiers.
Fabian explained his role as a Pastor and a follower of Christ meant he had a commitment to all Godâs children, regardless of their tribe. Fabian only asked that the soldiers not use machetes but a bullet to kill him, explaining that he was ready to be received in Heaven.
The soldiers held Fabian captive for ten days. Without a shirt, he suffered from the cold and insect bites that caused blood to cover his body. He was given two pieces of uncooked root to eat every day. He was repeatedly interrogated. Child soldiers guarded him by night, informing him that they were eagerly awaiting the command to shoot him. Fabian prayed aloud day and night, refusing to let rebels call his community for a ransom.
On July 31, a rebel leader told Fabian he could be free if he left his possessions, including his money. With only a cell phone and an ID card, Fabian was led blindfolded by child soldiers through the night. Fabian awoke the next morning weak, wounded and traumatized, but he was home. His family, community and church celebrated that God had delivered âPapa Fabienâ from the âden of lions.â
Those with hope in Jesus Christ know how the battle ends, for Colossians 1:20 explains that through Jesus Christ all things shall be reconciled to God through the peace established for mankind on the cross. World Relief has been present in the DR Congo since 2002, responding to its Biblical mandate to empower the local Church to bring peace and restoration to torn communities through village peace committees.
In reality, World Relief has stepped into Godâs pre-existing, ongoing restorative plan for the most vulnerable. And what an honor it is.
Empower a Hero like Pastor Fabian today.
Statement Issued March 26, 2014
In light of recent events surrounding the hiring polices of faith-based organizations, World Relief has issued the following statement:
Established as the humanitarian arm of the National Associations of Evangelicals in 1944, World Relief mobilizes local churches to serve the most vulnerable worldwide through core strategies such as economic development, community health, disaster relief, and refugee resettlement. World Relief is committed to the principles of the Christian faith as expressed in the Bible, including the definition of marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. We ask our employees and volunteers to live lives worthy of God’s call, reflecting the entire biblical vision, including fidelity within marriage and chastity outside of marriage. In our pursuit of these principles, we seek to follow the example of Jesus by serving all people, condemning no one, and loving all.
Empowering farmers in South Sudan: Jente’s story
Jente Sampson, vice-secretary of the BOIME farmers association, has been farming since 1994. The group that she is part of is made up of 21 people (16 women and 5 men), and is led by the Curate of the Anglican Church where Jente worships. âThis group started during the war,â said Jente. âThe main purpose was to overcome hunger. We also realized that it was an important way to meet with friends, that if we were organized we could have a better chance to partner.â
Jenteâs friend Monica said that the group has dreams of expanding. âWe donât just want to grow certain commodities like maize all the time,” she said. “We have a vision to plant some other things like lemon and orange trees and to grow pineapples, because we need those in the market! That way without doing more work we can still earn money to pay for childrenâs school fees.â
The BOIME farmers association members are impressively hardworking, clearing fields of thick grasses and small trees exclusively by hand, using machetes and other hand tools. They learn about improved farming techniques from training sessions hosted by World Relief agriculture workers.
âChallenges can cause people to be weak in their mindsâ said Jente. âThatâs why we commit ourselves together to see how we can change the community. And as for you â words are sweet to speak, but will you work with us the way you have said you would?â
Help us empower women like Jente HERE.
Empowering Refugee Families in Washington
Sameer Qadoora has been a refugee since birth. As a child, his family fled violent conflict in present-day Israel and became citizens of Iraq. It was in Baghdad that he eventually met his wife, Hanan. In 2006, Sameer and Hanan were forced to flee when militants pursued Sameer for unknown reasons. With two children already, Hanan was eight months pregnant.
The Qadoora family sought refuge in Jordan but were denied access by guards. The family hid in a mosque near the border until the Red Cross intervened and allowed Hanan, whose due date was fast approaching, to enter Jordan. Hanan gave birth to a healthy baby boy but remained separated from her family for several months. Their only option was to be transferred to a refugee camp just inside the Iraq-Syria border. The family spent six years in this dangerous, ill-equipped cluster of tents located in the middle of a harsh desert. Their life in the camp was one marked by continuous waiting.
In August 2012, the waiting was over. The Qadooras packed up what little they had and boarded a UN charter bus that would take them to the airport and then the United States. World Relief had the privilege of resettling the Qadoora family in Kent, Washington; however, a local Church played a vital role in the process. Church volunteers welcome refugees the minute they arrive at the airport and provide volunteer services and resources necessary for refugees to establish self-sufficiency in their new home. They share the Gospel with vulnerable refugees through word and deed.
Now, the boys are in school. Hanan meets weekly with a volunteer, Anna, who helps her practice English. Sameer works part time at a local printing press and is currently working with the World Relief employment team to find a full-time job. When asked what they think of their new home, Hanan said, âWhen I came here, it changed my life. Iâm so happy here, so happy to see your faces.â
Story taken from World Relief Seattle
(Malawi) Titus & Agnes
This is Mr. Titus and his wife, Agnes, both of whom live in Malawi with their four children. When Mr. Titus was tested positive for HIV over 10 years ago, he was terrified. “I could not participate in community events or even eat together with people who were not also HIV positive. I was frequently ill and hopeless.â In fact, community stigmatization of HIV/AIDS is a serious issue in places where education about causes and prevention is limited. World Relief established support groups in Mr. Titus’ community to end discrimination against victims of HIV/AIDS. In 2013, World Relief provided his family with farming supplies and tools to establish a regular source of income and a sustainable source of medicine and food to better their immune systems.
(DR Congo) Dusabe’s Story
Dusabe Nsenga is a mother of 6 children and a farmer in DR Congo. She is a member of a Farmersâ Association, where she learns best practices for farming and marketing her produce. She has seen her Irish potato harvests grow dramatically since receiving training from World Relief staff. âI have food in my household [and] my livelihood is improving from what I sell at the market. I have to praise my God for that because my family did not have enough food for even income before.â
Happy International Women’s Day!
Today on International Womenâs Day and every day, we are proud to empower vulnerable women around the world with opportunities, skills, resources and a strong sense of their inherent dignity and worth.
Women are often marginalized in many ways, sometimes lacking access to the most basic services. We know that the women we serve possess nearly unlimited potential to be change agents in their homes, communities and nations. Depending on the specific needs in the areas we work, we establish home-based care groups to improve household nutrition, address the holistic needs of those at risk for HIV/AIDS, provide necessary skills and resources for mothers, prevent human trafficking, address the comprehensive needs of trafficking survivors, resettle refugee women and form local savings groups to bring financial services and opportunities to unreached women.
Our Savings For Life is particularly important in empowering women. Women work together to collectively save and provide loans to one another. The groups are sustainable, eventually becoming self-led, small financial institutions in communities where there are none. The groups provide women with the ability to establish financial independence, provide for their families and start their own businesses. Most importantly, savings groups become places of fellowship and community. Along with savings skills, women learn about the power of the Gospel in transforming their lives and address issues like HIV/AIDS and best practices for farming.
The following stories are taken from our field offices and provide just a small snapshot of empowered women in some of the worldâs poorest areas. Help us STAND for and with women like these.
Monica is from a small village in Kenya. A year ago, Monica joined a womensâ association called the âGood Hopeâ savings group. Since 2011, the group has been participating in village savings and loan associations, a program implemented by World Relief and local partners. Group members save and lend their funds among themselves and contribute a small amount to a social fund each week that can be used during times of need. Members are able to start projects for one another, providing the resources for needed home repairs and school expenses. Since joining this group, Monica has been able to use small loans to start her own clothing business. She is also able to set aside savings for her baby, Rachael.
Christine is from the DR Congo, where extreme conflict makes women particularly vulnerable to violence and extreme poverty. Christine watched a neighbor participate in a savings group and use her resources to buy a goat for the family and pay school fees. Christine decided to join a savings group and now invests some of the income she makes as a farmer. âI was taught by my field officer from the Bible that âwhoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously,ââ She said.
Judith is 40 years old and lives in Makamba province in Burundi. She is married with six children, two of whom are in school. She is the president of a village savings and loan association in her community. Prior to joining the group, she was unable to pay for needed home repairs, her childrenâsâ school fees or for medical care when her children were sick. She said, âWe save our money, get credits and make a small business. This makes our family happy. If someone (a member) gets a problem, we help him/her with the social fund. We talk together as members of an association and study HIV/AIDS.â After witnessing his wifeâs success, Judithâs husband also joined a local savings group.
Are you interested in empowering more women like Monica, Christine and Judith? STAND for vulnerable women with us today.
Happy International Womenâs Day!
#Enditmovement: Meeting Survivors’ Needs In The U.S.
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Why are we a part of #enditmovement? At World Relief we seek to empower the local Church to serve the most vulnerable, which inherently includes the oppressed and exploited. We work to prevent trafficking in high-risk cities in our Asia offices, but we also provide comprehensive services to survivors in our U.S. offices. We are excited to come alongside coalition partners The A21 Campaign, ECPAT USA, Free The Slaves, IJM, Love 146, Made In A Free World, Not For Sale, The Polaris Project, World Vision as well as millions of advocates worldwide as we shine a light on slavery.
The 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report defines human trafficking as âthe act of recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a person for compelled labor or commercial sex acts through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.â It is an under-reported, often invisible, global tragedy enslaving over 21 million people and grossing $32 billion each year. Despite the presence of state and federal laws addressing this crime, as many as 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States every year for sexual and labor exploitation. Of the one million children exploited in the global sex trade every year, a staggering 244 thousand American children and youth are at risk.
Jennifer Marks (right) is the Church Mobilizer and Volunteer Coordinator at World Relief Tampa, which has provided restorative services to survivors of human trafficking since 2004. She has agreed to provide a snapshot human trafficking in one region of the United States and what it looks like to mobilize the local Church and community in response.
Describe the state of human trafficking in the areas you serve.
J.M:The Tampa Bay region, Floridaâs second largest metropolitan area, is renowned for its beautiful beaches, diverse cuisine, and thriving nightlife. Yet, beneath the surface of this vibrant community, the burgeoning criminal industry of modern day slavery thrives. In fact, Florida ranks third in the nation for calls placed to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and is one of the highest destination states for women, men, and children trafficked into the United States.
Who does World Relief Tampa serve?
J.M:World Relief Tampa assists men and women, both foreign-born and U.S. citizens. World Relief Tampa provides direct case management for adult survivors and works with local partners to meet the specific needs of trafficked children. In previous years, World Relief Tampa served exclusively foreign-born survivors, the majority of whom were male labor trafficking survivors. However, due to expanded funding, World Relief Tampa is now able to serve adult female domestic sex trafficking survivors; a population which has comprised the majority of our case load since 2012.
Can you provide an overview of your officeâs work and the services offered to victims?
J.M:World Relief Tampa has three staff members, including myself. In partnership with local churches, law enforcement and community groups, our team provide direct services and referrals to meet the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of human trafficking survivors.
To address these comprehensive needs, World Relief Tampa relies upon pro bono partnerships and leverages community resources to provide transportation, food, health care, counseling, ESOL, housing, clothing, legal advocacy and employment services. Expanding our pro-bono networks is a high priority given the intense medical and psychological needs of clients and the expansive geographic circumference of the region.
In addition to client services, World Relief Tampa conducts community outreach. As the Church Mobilizer/Volunteer Coordinator, it is my responsibility to engage and equip the local Church, build partnerships, advance prevention strategies, acquire critical resources and increase awareness.
In what ways is the local church involved?
J.M:Church partnerships are critical to successfully addressing survivorsâ comprehensive needs. One of the most important roles of the local church is praying for the rescue and restoration of survivors and for an end to the great evil of modern day slavery. Churches also facilitate anti-trafficking awareness presentations to increase understanding and involvement within congregations and collect donations of money and needed items. Finally, churches assist World Relief Tampa in forming new relationships with pro bono medical professionals and life mentors.
In what ways are volunteers from the local community involved?
J.M:Volunteers assist with fundraising, collection of donations, awareness, mall outreach campaigns, birthday and Christmas collection drives for survivors and mentoring on a case-by-case basis (preceded by specialized training and background checks).
From where does most of your financial support come? How is that changing?
J.M:Prior to 1994, World Relief Tampa focused on refugee resettlement and equipping the church to âwelcome the strangerâ into our congregations and our hearts. Funds provided by the US State Department Refugee Resettlement Program and church donations allowed World Relief Tampa to reach hundreds of vulnerable refugees.
In 2004, World Relief received a grant from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to serve victims of human trafficking in the Southeastern United States through the âNetwork of Emergency Trafficking Servicesâ (NETS) program. World Relief Tampa became the pilot site for this program and has continued to receive federal funding to expand anti-trafficking activities in Tampa for the past 9 years.
This federal funding will end in April 2014. As a result, World Relief in Tampa must increasingly rely on the local Church to fund the expenses associated with meeting the vast needs of human trafficking survivors in the Tampa Bay region. However, as awareness grows, local churches are increasingly sharing a vision for their indispensable role in demonstrating Godâs love for victims of exploitation and abuse.
What victories have you witnessed at your office over the past years?
J.M:The last couple of years have been marked by change, creating a host of challenges and blessings. In 2012, World Relief Tampa began ministering to domestic victims of human trafficking. Over the next year and a half, 90 percent of World Relief Tampaâs clients would be female American sex trafficking victims, a majority of whom lack basic life skills and struggle with crippling drug addictions, PTSD and trauma bonding. Additional training bolstered staff competence (and confidence), but nothing brought peace like the power of prayer. As the World Relief team experienced a deeper understanding of the intense spiritual warfare surrounding service to these women, churches launched prayer groups to stand with staff in this battle for the restoration of bodies, minds and souls.World Relief Tampa is confident that God will move mountains to defend the vulnerable as the Christian community moves out in His strength and provision.
In addition, World Relief Tampa has initiated a Mall Outreach Campaign to equip churches to launch awareness and prevention ministries in local malls, a documented venue for trafficking recruitment. Malls are being prayed over and employees at over two hundred stores have already been educated on what to do if they witness suspicious behavior. To further target those on the front lines, World Relief Tampa is traveling throughout the region to provide domestic minor sex trafficking training to mall security teams.
What are some of your goals for the future?
To better meet the comprehensive needs of human trafficking survivors, we will continue to build our community of church partnerships and expand pro bono serve providers. In particular, we hope to add pro bono trauma counselors to guide clients in their restoration journey. Similarly, we will develop strategies to better connect clients with church congregations and healthy mentors who are trained and equipped to provide long-term guidance and friendship.
To meet the needs of survivors and ensure the long-term financial security of the World Relief Tampa human trafficking ministry, we are also developing a plan to broaden the support base through monthly financial donors.
When asked to share a piece of scripture integral to the mission of World Reliefâs Tampa office, Marks shared Matthew 25:34-40. The passage is a reminder of the necessary changes we must make in our lives to advocate for the oppressed. It ends with Jesusâ words: âTruly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.â
Learn more about World Relief.
Learn more about #Enditmovement and how you can get involved!
Give the gift of hope to survivors of human trafficking around the world.
(India) Pastor Sahariah’s Story
This is Pastor Sahariah. He was from a non-Christian background when he met Christ and has been a pastor for the past nine years. After attending World Relief’s Families For Life training, which addresses faithfulness, communication and issues like HIV/AIDS, he and his wife realized that they could improve their marriage. “After attending the program, we discuss family matters together and take decision. Our life is different,” he said. Now, Pastor Sahariah has been able to integrate the curriculum into his ministry. “The Families For Life has enabled me to address the HIV/AIDS issue in a more personal way.” He has actively partnered with the local government and other Christian caregivers to address the problem of HIV in his community.
(Cambodia) Chan Sokha’s Story
Chan Sokha (56) learned about World Relief in 2011. Workers came to her community in Cambodia with messages of health, HIV/AIDS & human trafficking prevention and the Gospel. She had grown up oppressive regimes and in a family wounded by the death of her father. “I was just so sad,” she said. “I did not see any hope in my life.” Chan Sokha says lessons have given her peace, have helped her raise four children and two grandchildren and have ultimately transformed her community.