Today is Epiphany on the Church calendar. It is the commemoration in the Western church of the visit of the Magi to Jesus, or the first showing of Jesus to non-Jews. In the Eastern church, they celebrate the baptism of Jesus, where God acknowledges Jesus publicly from heaven as his Son. “Epiphany” means an appearance or showing.
We at Lusekele are hoping and praying that God’s saving power and mercy towards his people will be shown in our east as a result of today and the days that follow. It’s clear across Congo, and, with our lack of infrastructure, that’s quite a distance. But Lusekele people are concerned for and praying for the peace talks between Congo’s government and the rebel groups, notably of Laurent Nkunda, that continue to wreak destruction and death in Kivu, the eastern-most part of Congo.
Perhaps you have heard of the savage violence wreaked upon people, particularly women, in eastern Congo, which diminished last year, but has been escalating sharply again. These talks are supposed to start today and continue for the next two weeks. We invite you to pray with us for the talks and for our unfortunate brothers and sisters in the Kivu. Already we’ve heard a report today that Mr. Nkunda is refusing to attend. May we see an epiphany of God’s amazing grace and peace in eastern Congo in despite of gangs, warlords and petty tyrants.
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