nonprofit Archives - Building Bukavu

Perhaps you’ve wondered why little has been written about Bukavu since our arrival home to the states earlier this year? Certainly not because nothing has been happening in Congo! With a complete governmental changeover from the top down, that includes everyone, everything. What that means is every person in every office is new and must learn a new job. Consequently, everything slows down and prices go up.

There was a major volcanic eruption just north of Bukavu that sent several 100,000 refugees running to Bukavu. Some were able to return to Goma but many homes were destroyed by lava so they had nothing to go back to. You may have helped us buy food and give it to refugees – Thank You!

In spite of our not being in Congo, all our programs for the Bukavu prison continued without interruption! But the word of our feeding program has gotten out and other smaller prisons outside of Bukavu desperately want our help with food, as well. How does one say “no” when men and women, even young teenage boys, are literally dying of starvation? We stretched our monies as far as they would go last month and somehow covered all that was asked. But it is clear that we need more donations to cover all those costs each month.

Wonderful News!! The dream of opening a school for underprivileged children has begun! More than 50 children started school at Tracy’s Heart last week that otherwise may have had little to no schooling whatsoever. We are overjoyed to see this happening! Rejoice with us and pray for the work and the funds to keep it all going.

Such needed ongoing work could never have been accomplished with our incredibly wonderful and committed co-workers! I will never cease to give them the credit they deserve and their contribution to The Kingdom of God! They work tirelessly, whether we are there or not, communicating with us over every decision, whether small or large, and doing so while under tremendous stress, difficulties, government hassles, horrible roads, dangers, and often sickness. (Though very little of that has been due to Covid)

What is also clear is that those in the prisons that receive our food supplies, (or shirts, or dishes to hold the food) are astonished that someone they don’t know, from somewhere they know little about, cares enough to keep them from starving. We are a faith-based organization so we openly teach about God’s love. Our co-workers show up bringing huge sacks of food to give sustenance to keep them alive for a month at a time. That first cooked meal they are served is a clear manifestation of love! In this desperately poor and violent country, many have never experienced love. Some have led terrible lives in paramilitary organizations, others have done nothing wrong at all, have never seen a judge or know what their sentence is or why. Suffice it to say, many many lives are being changed entirely and often for eternity.

Then in July, I had total knee replacement surgery. I thought it would be a cinch and I’d be up and running, or at least walking well, long before now. I was wrong. I won’t dwell on how things went for me, only say I was not able to focus on much more than survival, pain pills, and therapy, plus finding a way to sleep at night. Ray took very good care of me, many kind people helped with food since he doesn’t cook. I am still in therapy and getting better in increments.

Consequently, we are presently applying for our visas to return, hopefully, and with God’s help sometime in November. Several things hinge on that so I will update the leaving date as needed.

There may be more news coming. One of my personal dreams of ministry is to help change the direction and lives of the minors, as they are called when imprisoned: they are street boys, orphans, and homeless. Aged 12-17, they are welcome nowhere so are often picked up by the police. There is much research to do on what and how to help and we will be actively working on this after we arrive. Stay tuned!

None of this would ever be possible without your caring prayers and donations! There are no words that express our gratitude adequately. Perhaps if you could see the faces of the hungry recipients, it would help. Being able to give out hope is an incredible experience.

Under His Wings,

Jayn

Heart for Central Africa – Ray and Jayn Harkema

The donation page on buildingbukavu.org

For checks, please make them out to “Heart for Central Africa”

Send to: HFCA ℅ the Harkemas, PO Box 355, Middleville, MI 49333

FaceBook: Building Bukavu (our personal brand but under HFCA Mission Board)

The mission is a 201(c)3 organization

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.” Prov. 11:25

After much thought and prayer, Ray and I have decided to continue to feed and support ministry to the main prison in Bukavu, DRC, as well as a smaller one further away. Food for prisoners is not supported by the government. We have learned many inmates in the Bukavu prison are from areas far away. So even though friends or family are now allowed to bring food in to an inmate (If they have enough to share!) most are too far away. So, they get no food. Occasionally, a local church may bring food to the prison but it is never for many people.

Consequently, I am doing what I rarely do, asking for help in making this work a continuing reality. We believe we are called here and though living in Congo is not by any means easy, we are content, even happy to do so. We live in Congo voluntarily, meaning we take no donation money for our living expenses, no salary, relying only on our retirement to take care of rent, power, internet, food, gas, etc., and some coworkers’ salaries both here and at home. Beyond that, we are not equipped to do more financially. That is where we must “live by faith,” believing that God will provide. He does that through people. Now that we want to expand the program, we think it’s time to let people know that our needs have changed. Would you like to be just one person away from literally saving someone’s life and introducing them to true hope for a new and better one? We provide food, God provides the Hope.

The ladies of Tracy’s Heart also make a special palatable porridge, heavy in vitamins, protein, and carbs for the several hundred inmates relegated to the infirmary because of serious diseases. This has been extremely beneficial to those too sick to eat regular Congo food.

Whether it be a monthly promise of any amount or a one-time gift, it all helps tremendously! (Though how much we would love to have regular monthly donations we can count on!). There is no overhead or percentage taken by our mission board nor by us. All funds donated go directly to the work here in Congo. For the prison feeding program we now know it needs a minimum of $2000 a month for 1500 to 1900+ people. January was a difficult month with so many unexpected expenses due to returning to Congo. (We actually had to get a loan from the rice and bean wholesaler!)

Besides adding another prison to our mission, we have learned there are other urgent needs as well as food. Pain relievers, antibiotics, Malaria or Typhoid Fever medicine is desperately needed, clothing, too, once in a while. As seen in the recent prison video, many have no dishes to put their portion of rice and beans in. Neither dishes nor clothing are provided by the prison. While there recently, I saw men holding out cheap plastic bags for their portion and several who held out the bottom of their shirts to put the food in. Now and then a medically trained person must perform a procedure, too. You can imagine the many needs in a place that provides nothing.

Maybe several people or an organization would like to take that on? We estimate $100 – $150 a month given specifically to handle all these other urgent needs would go a long way.

Would you prayerfully consider this opportunity to help people locked in a world that is violent and impoverished beyond comprehension? The people and the needs are real and the suffering we see is often nearly unbearable. We covet your prayers in this matter and especially for the men, women, and boys incarcerated, many times for no good reason. Our mission is to see hearts and minds changed, and lives altered for the better.

Finally, I would like to tell you that many inmates HAVE turned their lives around because of seeing the love given to all, regardless of tribe, religious preference or crime. Whether they stay incarcerated or are released, we see and hear evidence that MANY continue to trust God and discontinue any life of crime they may have participated in previously. This is a win-win program. It is sometimes true of the guards themselves as well as soldiers working at the prison!

Thank you for your interest and prayers.

Under His Wings, Ray and Jayn Harkema, Building Bukavu

DONATE: on website building bukavu.org, top of page click on DONATE, then scroll down to button at bottom, *you can use Paypal OR a credit or debit card.

Checks to: HFCA or Building Bukavu ℅ Harkemas, PO Box 355, Middleville, MI 49333

Email: buildingbukavu4him@gmail.com or jayn.a.harkema@gmail.com

“The generous man will be prosperous,

And he who waters will himself be watered.” Prov 11:25

Tag: nonprofit

And the King will answer them, “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it unto me.” Matt 15: 40

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