Loving Our Neighbors

The HFTC, Inc. Board is committed to achieving the purposes of the board and Loving Our Neighbors in the Congo. This page will offer perspectives from the board about how we are both connected to and affected by the work God has put on our hearts.

Hope When the Church
is Called to Pray

Lollie Twyman, Board Member

During the Fall of 2019, a small church in South Carolina met a priest from the Congo who had been visiting the US as a recipient of a New Wineskins Conference scholarship. Rev. Balikenga Bisoke Bernard was invited to preach at Holy Trinity, Windermere Anglican Church. He shared his love of the Lord and the needs of his people. Hearts were joined together that day. The orphan school in the Bunia needed a well. Bisoke returned to Africa and the congregation at Holy Trinity had been forever changed. They knew God was calling them into a relationship with the Peace Center and Bunia Children Hope Center but what were the next steps? 

Julia Marshall, one of the parishioners wrote, “Our desire to help is huge, our budget small and understanding of how to move forward is limited but developing.”  As they reached out for help to discern the “how to” they began to share Bisoke’s story and their passion to help. They realized that all this must begin with prayer and the building of relationships. Julia was in weekly contact with Bisoke. She shared the prayer needs of the Peace Center and BCHC with her congregation and New Wineskins Missionary Network. A Prayer for the Nations Network team was meeting weekly in Fort Worth and joined in the prayers for the Congo. After Bisoke was featured on a Global Mission Prayer call, others in ACNA began to pray for God’s people in the Congo. The circle of prayer began to grow as daily the horror for the northeastern region of the DRC intensified. Weekly reports were now full of stories of rebels kidnapping and killing the people, girls being raped, schools being destroyed, people fleeing to the three area Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps for refuge. Meanwhile, there was a serious lack of water, food and medical care for the people.  

 The updates began to report: 

  • Soldiers chased away the rebels 2-3 miles from the Peace Center 

  • People are even more scared as rumors are that the rebels are coming to Bunia 

  • Ten people in discipleship training at the Peace Center are taking on more leadership roles. There are six other leaders including Bisoke who are training up these disciples. Pray for their ministry and growth.  

  • Even though people are running, running, running there are some who are still coming to Jesus.  

  • Last Sunday we had 11 baptisms 

    Then there were the reports: 

  • Bisoke and Furaha, his wilfe, are unwell. 

  • Bisoke asks for strength, wisdom and encouragement.  

  This circle of prayer continues to extend out. Word of what is happening in the DRC has reached others outside ACNA into Gafcon as the situation continues to be serious. Many of the people suffer from extreme trauma. Bisoke is responding by raising up trauma counselors. One area IDP Camp is a mile away from the Peace Center where the love of Jesus is reaching hundreds of families and orphans. How have Bisoke and Furaha been able to continue to bring hope and peace to the people in Bunia?  They would tell you in an instant – “We have been carried by your prayers.” Bisoke often reminds us, “God is in control. God is working when we cannot see. God will find a way.” And “Our work cannot succeed without your intercession. God bless you!” atever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”