Dear Friends and Supporters,

Grace and peace to you from Vanga in western Democratic Republic of Congo. We are grateful to be serving here and want to give you an update on our current situation.

Current Situation in Vanga

We continue to serve in relative stability here in the West of DRC. Vanga is quite a distance from the current Ebola outbreak, about 1,200+ miles / 1,900+ km east and difficult travel due to DRC’s poor road infrastructure, rivers, and terrain. Travel between west and east DRC typically involves flights or very long, difficult overland journeys. An outbreak in the Capital Kinshasa would make things significantly more difficult as it is only a 10-hour drive and we regularly receive patients from Kinshasa for care here in Vanga.  Daily life and medical work continue, though we remain vigilant and are monitoring developments closely with our colleagues and friends.

Prayer Concerns for Colleagues

Our hearts are heavy for several missionary colleagues who have been displaced by the Ebola outbreak. (See the prayer list below.) Some have had direct personal exposure, which brings significant stress and uncertainty.

We especially ask you to join us in fervent prayer for missionary physician, Dr. Peter Stafford, who is currently being treated for Ebola. The medical response is complicated because the existing vaccine is not effective against this strain of the virus. This makes community and frontline worker protection much more challenging. Please pray for his full healing, for wisdom for his medical team, and for peace for his family.  Pray for all the remaining Congolese medical staff working to treat patients with very limited resources.

A Word of Encouragement from Psalm 23

In times like these, we return often to the words of Psalm 23:4:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.”

The psalmist does not deny the reality of evil. He acknowledges we may walk through the very shadow of death. He knows evil is destructive and painful. Yet he declares, “I will fear no evil.”

Why? The next phrase gives the answer: “For You are with me.” God Himself accompanies us.  He has been working and will continue to advance His goodness. Even in the darkest valleys, we are not alone. His presence is the source of our confidence and contentment. We are clinging to this truth—for ourselves, our displaced colleagues, and the surgeon under treatment.

This word of encouragement may sound like we might have it all together, but we daily must remind each other of God word in the face of feeling crazy busy, overwhelmed by all the responsibilities and so many tasks left undone.

Upcoming Visitor Team

We are excitedly preparing to welcome a team of 7 members from St. Louis. Their visit is a great encouragement to us and to our Congolese partners. Please pray for safe travel, health, and fruitfulness during their time with us.

As we host this team, we are intentionally guided by these important principles:

• • We are guests and learners before we are teachers.
  • Relationships are more important than projects.
  • Encourage local leadership rather than replacing it.
  • Listen first—seek to really understand before offering solutions.
  • Work alongside people. Avoid doing for them what they can do for themselves.
  • Look for the God-given strengths, abilities, and resources that already exist in the community.
  •  God is already at work here—we are joining His work, not bringing Him with us.

We pray that these values shape how we approach all our ministry and partnerships.

Truck fully loaded and today heading to Vanga bringing our national support team for a visit to Vanga. The truck has a replacement refrigerator (we currently have 4 that are not working), food for upcoming visiting team, washing machine to launder bedding in Pediatrics and various other items.

Fuel Supply: Thanks to Your Generosity

Thanks to the faithful giving of donors like you, we now have about 8,000 gallons of diesel (30,000 liters) delivered and in stock here in Vanga. Depending on how well our hospital solar power functions, we hope the backup diesel will last for about one year.

How You Can Pray:

• Healing and comfort for the missionary surgeon with Ebola, Dr. Peter Stafford, who has been evacuated to Germany for specialized treatment.
• Protection and peace for displaced missionary colleagues like our friends we met in language school, the La Rochelles
• Safety and effectiveness for the upcoming team visiting from St. Louis
• Continued stability and open doors for ministry in Vanga
• That God’s presence would be deeply felt by all who are walking through valleys right now

Thank you for standing with us in prayer and partnership. We are grateful for your faithfulness.

In His grip,

Tim and Kathy Rice

On the banks of the Kwilu River Democratic Republic of Congo

Visit our website at CongoHealthConnection.org for more information.