Swords to Plowshares
The New Year dawns with many difficult challenges looming in eastern DR Congo. There is renewed fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group. This is happening in North Kivu region, about 300 kilometers away from our home in the South. At the Jeremiah Center, we are well aware that if nothing is done, this war may end up spreading to our region and destroy the peace and tranquility we work so earnestly to build. So we are determined to face the challenges and seek to turn them into opportunities for securing peace and transforming lives in our region.
The Jeremiah Center is working on several fronts. One important initiative started in August of 2024, when we acquired a new tractor and established an agriculture project to quite literally disarm the rebels who lay down their guns. These rebels are now working together with other community members to cultivate fields for crops, ushering in a harvest both of nourishment and newfound harmony in the villages. The Jeremiah Center is enabling this development by teaching skills and providing resources until the villagers become independent. Right now, we have a total of 256 members (among them 134 former rebels) grouped into 30 farmers’ associations from an array of villages. These associations work under one cooperative called “Agropastoral Cooperative for Community Development” (CADC in French).
One Monday in mid-January, we met at the Jeremiah Center with 67 leaders of the 30 farmers’ associations to approve a plan for 2025. For this year, the CADC will accompany these farmers to cultivate 250 hectares (618 acres) and grow corn, beans and cassava. These farmers will be meeting every two months for two full days at the Jeremiah Center to share their knowledge with each other, to evaluate the progress, and to deepen their farming and agrobusiness skills. We have included spiritual formation in the program.
We are excited to see that more and more rebels are willing to lay down their guns and join other community members in the agriculture project. This project offers great promise for transforming communities and building peace. As more people hear about the initiative, we are challenged to expand our efforts. Many others wish to join the project, but with only one tractor, we may not be able to serve more than those who have already registered. We pray that God will provide resources and give wisdom for the progress of this project.
~ Katho
Once again, we want to express our gratitude for your prayer and financial contribution towards our ministry. And we are looking for more supporters on this. Right now, gifts given will be matched by a donor, up to a total of 100K.