2010 White Cross National Project EFCA Touchglobal

GOAL: $35,000 2010 National White Cross Project 4-plex apartment for widows & orphans GOAL: $35,000 The 2010 Nat’l WC project is an apartment building for Congolese widows and orphans. How much is needed to house around 26 widows and orphans? $35,000!

Democratic Republic of Congo For over 85 years, the Evangelical Free Church has been involved in ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo, found in the heart of Africa. Elikya Center, a ministry of the Congolese Free Church, is already training older orphans and widows, to equip them for life and remind them that they are loved and precious to God.

Our sister church, the Congolese Evangelical Free Church EFCA and CECU partnership for over 80 years! 900 local congregations! Overwhelmed with physical & spiritual needs Our sister Congolese church is strong and growing, with 900 local congregations. Yet, they are overwhelmed with orphans and widows within their churches and communities. We have the privilege of partnering with them in reaching out to the neediest in their world.

Over 500 acres of beautiful land ELIKYA…Caring & Training Center Almost 15 years ago, a beautiful piece of land was set aside for the purpose of caring for widows and orphans. Soon after, war broke out, and it sat, empty. It was almost forgotten, but God hadn’t forgotten it! A few years ago, overwhelmed with widows and orphans, this piece of land came to mind. God was once again ahead of His People!

Director MOWA and his wife LUTA Director Mowa and his wife and their children live at the Center. God has gifted them in so many ways, and has given them His love for orphans and widows.

ELIKYA means hope ELIKYA means HOPE, hope for today and tomorrow, hope for eternity. Widows who watch their husbands die not only lose their spouse, but often everything that they own can be taken away. Many times, they have no way to care for themselves and their children. If a husband dies of AIDS, the wife is left with the fear of suffering in the same way and leaving behind her children.

…the widow, the unwed mom Hope for the disabled, the orphan… Hope for the vulnerable…the disabled, the orphan, the widow, the unwed mom. God says that He is near to the brokenhearted…”He heals them and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147 3) …the widow, the unwed mom

You turn my mourning into dancing… We can be used by God to bring hope to our sisters in Christ…from mourning to dancing… You turn my mourning into dancing…

…from sorrow to joy! They have known so much sorrow, but we can remind them that God has not forgotten them. God has a purpose and plan, and He can use them to encourage and lift up others who are in despair! …my sorrow into joy!

Garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness!! ELIKYA CENTER is a haven…a place to trade beauty for ashes, garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness! For 6 months to 1 year, they live here, are taught truths from God’s Word, are trained in a skill. Garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness!!

Meet Mama Wese, a widow at ELIKYA Mama Wese is one of those widows whose life has been touched by Elikya. Growing up, life was difficult for a girl, and she stopped studying at 4th grade. By God’s grace she married a pastor who became the National Evangelist for the Congolese Free Church. She was able to teach other women God’s Word. Almost 15 years ago, her husband died at Tandala Hospital. She stayed there, working with other widows. Recently, she was given the job of moving to ELIKYA and teaching widows and orphans about the God of Hope. In the beginning, she was so excited about this opportunity, but soon learned that it would be a difficult task. She was not prepared for older orphans who had never read the Bible or gone to church. Their only faith was in themselves and their ability to survive.

Mama Wese, happy to teach God’s Word to the boys The start was anything but easy. The orphans would not listen and often made fun of her. Director Mowa reminded her that the objective of Elikya was to help those who had lost hope to gain an understanding of the character of God. She needed to be patient and faithful in sharing God’s Word with them. One day she began reading the story of the life of Joseph. It so enthralled the youth that they wouldn’t let her stop. They began to change, both towards her and to God’s Word. As she realized this, she began to laugh! A relationship had begun. The hearts of someone who had been part of the church all her life and those who were far from any knowledge of true hope, were knitted together by the hand of God. Mama Wese, happy to teach God’s Word to the boys

Orphans and widows receive training at ELIKYA For 6 months to 1 year, orphans and widows study. They learn a skill that can help them the rest of their lives. Orphans and widows receive training at ELIKYA

Orphan boys learn practical skills like masonry Boys learn carpentry, masonry, mechanics, gardening…they all work together. Some of their items, like chairs and tables, are sold at the marketplace and the orphan boys receive a small portion. As they return to their village, they go with the tools needed to continue in their new skill. Orphan boys learn practical skills like masonry

Working & Learning Life Skills Together The same for the widows and older girls…they learn sewing, soap making,, tie-dying, gardening. As they return home with the necessary knowledge in their hearts and tools in their hands, they sometimes continue to work together with other orphans. Not only can they now care for themselves and their children, but they become a blessing their churches and communities!

Learning skills & Biblical truths so she can provide for herself & her family, as well as contribute to her church & community As they return home with the necessary knowledge in their hearts and tools in their hands, they sometimes continue to work together with other widows. Not only can they now care for themselves and their children, but they become a blessing their churches and communities!

Be a part of building an apartment for our sisters in Christ! Please give so that we can bless our sisters in Christ in Congo. As you take an offering, or send in a gift, pray for Director Mowa and his wife Luta, as well as Mama Wese and another lady named Mama Suza, who all work at ELIKYA.

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:27 Remember God’s Words to us in James 1:27, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

Send gifts to: EFCA 901 E 78th St Minneapolis, MN 55420 Project # 21709-39283 White Cross Nat’l Project 2010

ELIKYA = HOPE!!