Refugee Camp

Came back from Hoima, a refugee camp for Congolese right on the DRC border, yesterday. We were able to meet a lot of people. They had some devastating stories, and it was hard to listen to them sometimes. But we really tried to encourage them, and it was helpful for me knowing that we are already doing something. IT is really hard though because hearing these stories just makes you realize how much need is there, and even if you put together a great program it still would barely make a drop in the number of people that are in need. But gonna keep pushing and doing whatever I can to help these women. Coming back on Sunday!

Stories from Congo

If you haven't seen this yet take a look...

http://bibleresources.americanbible.org/content/when-war-came

Back in Kampala

Hey all, just got back in Kampala after working with Pilgrim in Soroti in East Uganda. We got a chance to see a lot of their programs, working in IDP camps and watching them learn how to press oil from sunflower seed. Very very cool.

While there we met a formerly abducted soldier who had escaped from the rebel army during one of the conflicts. It was a sad sad story and he said there really was nothing done for him as far as counseling, or any other services to help him recooperate. At first the community was happy to have him back, but after a while they began calling him things like "Kony's boys" (Joseph Kony is the leader of the LRA rebel group). He said sometimes he feels like taking a gun from the soldiers and just shooting people. It was sad to hear, and we tried to encourage him mainly with the gospel, but he is just one of many.

Two nights ago we came back to Kampala but didn't have anyone to stay with so we went to a hostel for 5 dollars. We didn't have food so we bought some rice and dry beans, tried to cook it, but it did not work out so well. Luckily the beans were soft enough that they could be chewed, but it was not anywhere close to enjoyable. But hey, were in Africa! Last night we called someone from an organization that Bryan had worked with last semester, and he let us stay with him. Really nice guy and fun to be around.

Today we travel to Hoima to stay in a refugee camp. Should be interesting, especially because the people there are from the DRC. We will be trying to talk to as many people as possible, and collecting as many stories as possible. Be praying for us and for those people.

Also, we have not washed our clothes in some time and are beginning to smell...

Questions/Comments

If anyone has any questions for us feel free to ask. So much going on here, you can also email me at rbriggs@fandm.edu

I am really excited about this bike tour and am even more assured of the need for trauma healing. Huge issue

Sick and tired...

Man...yesterday was rough. This travel is really starting to get to us. Crammed in the back seat of a small red truck for hours on dirt roads...no leg room haha. Plus dehydrated and very hungry after not eating the whole day. Headaches and fever...Feeling much better this morning though. We had traveled out to an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp and visited the people there. They were afraid to go home because of conflicts with a neighboring and violent tribe called the Karamajong. This is a conflict I had not heard of before, so that was good information to know. We got to see a drama and some songs that they do to address trauma and raise awareness of malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention. Pretty cool stuff. A few long days ahead of us...keep us in your prayers

From the North to the East

Just arrived in Soroti today from Gulu. We had spent a few days there where the LRA conflict was most heated up until 2006. We met with the regional director of Caritas, a Catholic organization that actually played a crucial role in the peace process near the end of the conflict. We asked him a lot about the trauma issues and he said Caritas has programs that address the issue, but they, just like every other NGO are limited in their outreach. We found out that there are only 7 certified psychologists in the whole country of Uganda, and there are a lot of people suffering from the effects of trauma.

Today we met with Pilgrim Africa, an organization that does a lot with health and agricultural initiatives. They will be facilitating our time in Soroti until Saturday, when we head to the refugee camp for the DRC. The plan for today is actually to go into the field and do some farm work (digging). I'm actually really excited for that...Bryan...well considering he only brought one pair of shoes (dress shoes) may not be haha. But we should be pretty sore after. In Gulu in the mornings we helped the family we were staying with fetch water from the well. The last day I tried carrying it on my head. It was just as hard as it looks, and I got covered in water in the process while being laughed at by almost everyone...including Bryan haha.

Also! We went out to a very rural area to visit a group that The Human Rights Initiative (an organization we started at our college) supports called Arudoyat. Great to see them again, but also depressing. They see as people who can really help them, and we want to, but their needs are really great. We have been selling beads that they produce and giving them the profits, but sometimes you feel like you should do more. These are the tough questions we face, and its harder when you are with the people. It makes it much more personal. Check out the video we made last year on Arudoyat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmkD92l_0Ag

Lew and Bryan: We Miss Showers...

Lew: Reflecting on Rwanda

One more thing from Rwanda: The last day we were in Rwanda, the day Mal flew home, we met with a Ugandan woman named Baraka. Starting her education as a nurse, she realized that the need was really for counseling and began an organization called Gates for Hope. Now she trains people every year to address trauma issues. The International Justice Mission (IJM) supports her as she counsels children who were freed from sex trafficking. Her story and her passion were extremely inspiring. I can’t say I have ever met someone quite like her (although we only met her for about an hour…). She identified the fact that men need trauma counseling maybe even more than women because they are the ones causing a lot of the trauma towards women. But she confessed that because there is just no support for her work, and because of its many challenges, she had considered giving up many times. But she persevered and now is really making a difference and will continue to do so. We got a chance to encourage her and pray for her after the interview! So keep her in your prayers.

Today we met with William, who is the relief coordinator for Pilgrim ministries. He is putting us in touch with the staff that relate to trauma, and we will also be doing working with them in Soroti, which is in the north east, but south of Gulu where we are going tomorrow. We are also setting up a time to visit a refugee camp for people from the DRC and the plan so far is to spend two there. So keep praying for us please, we need it.

Bryan Joins Lew for Site Visits in Uganda

Hello from Uganda!

We arrived here two nights ago on the morning bus, in which we slept (not the most comfortable rest I have ever gotten...). We're in Kampala now visiting some people I know and this evening, we're staying with the family I stayed with during my time here last spring. Everything from last spring has come back to me, minus a lot of Luganda (the language). Tomorrow we travel to the north to Gulu to stay with Lewie's family from the spring.

On Saturday, we attended a marriage ceremony. It was cool (very different than an American wedding) and done all in the Rwandan language, so we did't understand a word of it. Nevertheless, an awesome experience.

Sunday, we went to the installation of a new Anglican bishop. It was a pretty neat experience, save that it was seven hours long (we left after six). Many different people had to give speeches which went on for quite some time. It too was in the Rwandan language, so the most I got from it was when an American bishop said part of the Communion prayer.

It's pretty amazing everything that God's doing over here. All the organizations we've met with are doing awesome things, and it's amazing to see where he's taking Lewie and myself, and Mallory (Lewie's sister) while she was here.

Keep the updates coming from home. I love reading them!

Lew and Bryan Travel to Kampala

Well we just finished up our time in Rwanda. Mal flew home (sad face...), and Bryan and I took the 8 hour bus ride from Kigali to Kampala. I sat next to a large man, and the seating was quite compact...so not the most comfortable experience you can imagine haha. Anyway, I was reading The Cost of Discipleship, and I started talking to him about the book. It turned out that he was a Chirstian who was saved in 2007 after remembering back on the miracles God had done in his life. He was a retired captain from the Rwandan Peoples Forces (RPF) and was part of the army that liberated Rwanda from the genocidal government. He was very interesting to talk to. We now are in Uganda and met with the Bible Society here and got some information about their project and what the needs are. So we will be traveling to the north soon where the conflict was most severe over the past 20 years or so. It is that conflict that has moved into the DRC (along with others), and so the people from the DRC suffer from the same rebel groups that were in this northern area called the Lords Resistance Army or LRA. Hope you all are well and thanks for the prayers and support. We miss you Mallory!

Fully Committed to Do Whatever I Can

Hey Everyone!

My name is Marianne, and I am going to be a rider for this summer’s bike tour! I first heard about the bike ride through Lewie Briggs; he told me what was going on in the DRC and asked if I wanted to be involved in any way. My answer was an immediate YES! Of course, the hard part was trying to get my Dad on board- allowing me to ride my bike for 10 weeks up the East Coast. Luckily, my persuasive talks worked and now I am fully committed to doing whatever I can do to help in this effort.

Some really cool things have been happening up at my school, and there has been a lot of curiosity as to what this bike ride is all about here at Penn State. I’ve talked with many of the campus leaders and they have showed a lot of interest in helping raise support and awareness. My hope is to see Penn State be involved in a huge way- gathering all the groups together as one Christian body and working together to help our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering half way around the world. It is amazing to see how willing people are to help in whatever way they can when they hear about injustices happening in the world.

One big event that is really encouraging so far is that the Chick-fil-a in State College has agreed to have a night where they give a percentage of their proceeds to the She’s My Sister project. What a great way to spread the word, raise money, and gain support- all while eating some good ol’ fashioned chicken! There are so many things in the works on campus to continue spreading the word about the DRC. I’m so excited to see how God is going to use me and other willing people in the State College area to help others in need. I’ll keep you posted about how things are going here!

James 1:22

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

When you have a chance, listen to "God of Justice" by Tim Hughes. It has really inspired me to help people in need!

She's My Sister Project... Desperately Needed

We just spent the last two days in Kibuye. It's an area in the western province of Rwanda right next to Lake Kivu bordering the DRC. We met with local church leaders who were involved in Saddleback's PEACE plan initiative. One of the pastors led us out to some of the rural (and I mean rural...) homes to meet with some of the people. We got a chance to speak with them about trauma needs in the area. They said genocide played a huge role in Kibuye, there were a lot of killings as opposed to the northern area where we were previously. So the needs are great. We also talked to a doctor in the mental health ward at the hospital there who said there were some services being offered by the government to address trauma and mental health, but the finances were not enough to really help people. He said there was one NGO from Belgium helping the country in this area, but that was it. I am realizing more and more how the She's My Sister project is not just another NGO program, but something desperately needed. People are really suffering, and they need trained professionals to come and help them. And this is Rwanda, where there has been relative peace for 16 years. You can just imagnie the needs in DRC, and the consequences that will occur 16 years later if not addressed. Mal will be leaving soon (sad face) and Bryan and I will be traveling to Uganda. Keep praying!

Update from Lewie: Serving on the Ground in Rwanda

Africa has been sooo cool. I'm working with Saddleback's Peace plan and 40 days of purpose, and the impact it is having here is unbelievable. The stories are incredible, and the need for trauma counseling is more than I even thought. So many women suffer from trauma, it's not dealt with, then it has an impact on everyone. People begin to think life is meaningless, why go to school why work, then that leads to no education and poverty. It really is true that peoples' lack of relationship with Christ is the root of many of their problems. The vast majority of people here in one of the villages we were in said their favorite chapter in the Purpose Driven Life book was "You are not an accident." People are searching for meaning, and throughout all the trauma they have endured with genocide, war, gender based violence, and much more, they have really lost hope. Only Jesus can bring that hope back. It is really inspiring to see, and it has really motivated me to help be a part of that solution. I am so excited!