When the Bible was Smoked

AMARA Aid has purchased 1,000 Bibles for distribution in war-torn Eastern DRC Congo.

This project was launched when an AMARA Aid volunteer met Rose Busingye, an employee of the Christian charity World Relief, who had recently returned from Eastern DRC Congo. She recounted the following story from her visit.

“Two days ago I listened as one of the staff of World Relief told the story of the scarcity of Bibles in Eastern DRC Congo where families have endured countless atrocities at the hands of ruthless war-mongers. Over 4 million people have died in the DRC Congo since the conflicts began 12 years ago. Many are homeless, displaced and starving in a land that has the potential to produce more food than any other country in Africa given its size, climate and rich soils.

Loss is the story of Congo. Women both young and old have lost their dignity, mothers have lost their children, wives have become widows and innumerable children have been orphaned. Entire communities have been destroyed.

One thing particularly shocked me as I listened to one man recount his story of the gruelling realities of the people of Eastern DRC Congo. Killers destroyed homes, property and carried anything and everything that they could lay their hands on. They even tore apart Bibles to use the pages to roll their cigarettes.

There are so few Bibles in Eastern DRC Congo that many Pastors walk five or more kilometres to find the only available Bible in an entire village. These church leaders have to memorize a number of Bible verses that they then refer to as they preach to their physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually drained congregations.”

Poverty in Eastern DRC Congo. Vivid memories of the volcanic eruption of 2001.