Jim, welcome to dwell on these things. Podcast from dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio. I'm Jim Leffel. I'm here this morning as the co director of our global partnerships. Today, we want to talk to Vinton wasaba, who is the director of our partner in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He lives in Bucha and has extensive work also in the city of Goma. If you've been following the news, you know that there is a lot going on in this part of the world, and there is a war that has claimed 1000s of lives and displaced millions. And the two main cities of this area, Goma to the north and Bucha to the south of leave Kivu are at the epicenter of what could end up being a regional conflict. Over the last three weeks, rebel forces called M 23 and other organizations have entered the city of Goma and have perpetrated horrible acts of violence against civilians, 1000s killed, and many other things too gruesome to talk about have occurred. The upshot being that these people are left substantially without food, without access to food, they have no money, no ability to get food. And the same is beginning to occur since last Friday, when the forces also took over the city of Bucha. Vinton has is on his way to Goma through Rwanda in an effort to bring in the much needed resources to buy food staples available at the markets in Goma feed 72 families, basically 800 people, for a period of two to four weeks. And it's the hope that during that period of time, all of the house church members of Goma will have access to the food that they need, even to eat as little as a meal a day. This ministry is really making an incredible impact at a moment of incredible need, based upon the fact that for the last three and a half years, Vinton and his team have been planting a network of under the radar house churches, both in Goma and in Bucha, and these groups are growing. They're reaching people for Christ, and they have become outposts of opportunity to do good. It is through the house churches in Goma that much needed food resources will be disseminated to these families who are in many cases, housing lots of people who are not even family members, but who are there because of the crisis in the region. We ask that you pray for Vinton in this endeavor. He is in Kigali, Rwanda right now, waiting to receive the funds that we have wired there because there are no banks in Bucha or or Goma to get money through. He will then go to the border of Rwanda and goma, and where he will meet the wife of the overseer of the house churches in Goma, and she will take the money that vinden has brought and cleverly disguise it in her attire and come across the border into goma, met by house church leaders in that city, who will take the money and go to The markets and buy food with great discretion and storing it with great discretion for dissemination and great discretion to the house churches there. And I use this word discretion forcefully, because this has got to be done over the cloak of secrecy. If it's known that these foodstuffs exist, then very hungry people will will force their way on these houses and and that will be bad for everybody. So that's what Vinton is up to. And I hope you enjoy the conversation with him, and just sense as everyone who knows him does, what an incredible, godly man Vinton Masaba is. So here's the interview. Welcome to dwell on these things. A podcast by dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where we hear stories and examples of how God is moving in the church at dwell and around the world. You Yes, I'm here. Where are you calling from? Kigali in Jerry's house. Oh, okay, you're with Pierre SallAllahu, okay, great. It. It's good to see your face. Good to meet you too. Have we gotten the have we gotten the wire transfer figured out? Got it? Have we gotten the wire transfer figured out? Not yet, because, you know, I just wrote a label to you informing you what happened here, and then I just received a message from Mike saying that the changes had been made, but when I see it, it is still the same, because it written salilla K Michaels, it was the first correction, but there is now the second correct correction that should be made, like salila Kumari. Michaels, it means three full names. Yes, this hasn't, hasn't been done yet. Okay, but we keep writing. We're waiting. Sorry. I know that Josh is on it, so hopefully this will get resolved soon. Yeah, Vinton, how are you today? I'm a bit okay. I'm bit okay. You know, just a long trip from Bucha to Kigali seven, seven hours by bus. Yeah, but I'm feeling okay, okay. Well, you're looking good. And tell me how your family is. My family is, well, too. I left them in good half being at home. No movement yet due to, you know, unexpected situation. But those who are controlling the city talked to people today saying that they should move out to their daily basis or doing their daily business. Okay? So we'll see whether people will respond to their call or not. Okay? This is the the update today. Okay? And the clinic is open, yeah, the clinic is always open. It was not closed due to, you know, we have a patient there, and there were also some surgery, surgery work, and it was difficult to close, but it is operational, and there are those nurses and a doctor who are on duties. So it's been five days now since m 23 and the other militias have entered Bucha. And I wonder if you could just summarize a little bit of what that has meant for the house churches and kind of where they are today. Yes, it's, of course, it's a five days since they they are controlling the Bucha. When they entered, it was last Friday. It was really horrible, because everybody was running to his house to keep safe himself and for his own family. And it was really terrible people living in fear remaining in their houses listening to, how do we call that in English? It's like a scraggling of bullets everywhere. It was horrible the whole evening, the whole night. It was the same up to Monday morning, Saturday morning, but I was in contact with all TCF leaders in Bucha, all declared they are safe and we are thankful to your daily prayers, just you kept praying for us, and it was really a great blessing for All of us, because we are safe. And then up to Sunday, Sunday morning, people could not move to their home, where they used it to gather, as you know, Sunday service, except at my place, because in my surroundings, just near my house. We have many family that, you know, we gather together. We have a Bible study. We've been able to gather in my house. It was wonderful. We prayed for others, and it was fine. But right now, of course. As I mentioned in my previous email, people still at their houses, not not long distance movement, that's right, yeah, still fearing. But what I could say maybe, as it's five days, people could be a lack of food, just in the recent days. In the recent future here, due to no movement at all, they stay at home, no activities, and today they declared people should move out to their daily basis. But people are still fearing, not having confidence to what they say. This is the issue, yeah, and maybe, fearing maybe the government would be back, or other, you know, those so called Patriot could be back, whatever things could happen. So then why they they just decide to stay at home and look what could be the result just in the future days. So this becomes difficult, because they're living day to day with daily wages, but if they can't get out and earn those wages, then they don't have the capacity for food. And so you were saying to me recently that maybe three to six days of food resources available to allocate through the house churches, to the people who are in need. Yeah, yes, of course, that's what I mentioned. But then we are fearing me, after that, yes, after that, yeah, that there'll be a scarcity of even supply. Yeah, yeah, okay. And how many remind our the listeners, how many house churches and how many people are involved both in Bucha, and then we'll talk a minute from now about Goma as well. Goma, yeah, it's like, let me see more in Bucha, more than a 20, more than 20 home churches surrounding, surrounding Bucha, yeah, yeah, about 1100 people gathered in house churches through TCM, yeah. TCF, yeah. Okay, that's the scale of things. And so there's a lot of fear, and there is a concern for the short term future about whether or not food resources will be available, even in Bucha. I wanted to change subjects briefly, though, and ask you about Goma M, 23 and related militias entered there about three weeks ago, and it was quite violent, and many people were killed and crimes were committed against civilian populations, but they are in a more difficult situation, even than Bucha, was that you're is that right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely, yes, yes. Could you describe this a little bit the life situation of of the house churches there in Goma today? The situation is it was horrible, and it is still horrible that what I could decide, why? Because, of course, the rebels in Militia decided people to move out. But being the same fear we have in COVID, it's still the same in Goma? Why even? Because they said, Oh no, please, people open your schools and whatever. But up to now, no school, nobody sending children to both high school or primary school, fearing the second. No people just the there is lack of lack of food. Why? Because they, they, they are whole. Even though there are some supplier from, from Rwanda to to go about they are going to buy with the world, you know, no, no money transactions, no. All banks are closed. Even up to Bucha, it is the same. Banks have been closed, no operations at all. Of you know, money and whatever. So this put people into trouble and in danger of you know how to supply to the family, yes, because no, no transactions of money, right? And so we have the house churches in Goma have an. Quite a number of refugees already living with them. And so these are large households now, because they are careful people. In addition to that, as I mentioned in my previous literature, I mentioned, you know, there were different camps, refugee displaced people camps, but all those camps have been destroyed, and then those displaced people started moving to to other houses and families around the world, even though they don't know you Yeah, they will enter fear in the you know, you know, the situation. Then the households become crowded with the people. This is the second, the second issue and the challenge in many households, and that's what I described even previously. So people are afraid to leave their houses. They have no extra money to buy food because the banks are closed, and most of them are day laborers in any event. And so this has given rise to your priority, to affect a food relief effort. And I wonder if we could spend a little bit of time talking about that. Yeah, of course, of course. The reason why I said the first priority is people in the coma, because they are highly affected, more than even us. Yeah, so they've gone weeks now with limited food resources. Yes, of course. And by limited we mean maybe one meal per day of rice or beans or something like that. Then, even though they could have that, it meant the whole day they spend without eating. And then they eat just the evening or night, so that they could spend the night saying that they ate something or put something in their mouths. Yeah, so this is a serious food crisis that we're talking about here. You made a request a week or so ago to raise some funds to deliver food to the hungry and Goma. And you are now in Kigali Rhonda, receiving those funds, and are on your way, after that, to the border between Rwanda and Goma in the DRC. And I wonder if you could just describe a little bit about what it will be like to enter into goma, how that will occur, how you will bring the financial resources to buy food, and how that food will be distributed. Yes, for instance, one after getting food resources here for it will be tomorrow, because we still have with we are still having this challenge of, you know, names and to get them from the Western Union. But in case the issue is sought out, then I live from here, then I go to goma, arriving there, it will be very easy, because John's wife will mirror me in iseny. And then from there will be with, be with the her, who will facilitate easily to get to goma, and then do you get what I mean? Jim, yeah, yes, arriving there, things will just be in discretion, different from what we used to do due to the real situation, because you can't draw attention to the fact that you have stores of food, because that would create danger for the people who are in possession of it. Yes, of course, this is, yeah, this is a reason why we'll have that changes in whatever we in what we used to do so. And this, I think, what we've been talking with the young and with the easy team, they will see how they could do that. It will not be the one day, and then they could be saving people day by day. Because, for instance, today, they could save 10 or 15 tomorrow, they see what to do against the following day, things like that, in discretion, not so that, not to bring attention to people, what is happening? Yes, so. Because this would create real danger for people who possess the food for their security as well. That's right. Okay, so the whole project involves a fair amount of risk, doesn't it? What I call to say it's the process. It means we should be wise to do it. Yes, okay, fair enough, yeah, but we're seeing not, not as it were before we met at a given place. They all come. We publicly, yeah, even testimonies will be done in a discretion. This is on the down low, as we call it here in America. So yeah, and 72 families will be given food, and with as many as 10 or so in each of those households, and that will last for a month, perhaps a little bit more. Yes, you know, I mentioned that in some question, I've been asked again with you saying this, there are those family food could last for a month, and others for two weeks. It will, it depends from the family. So, yeah, but, but a month or two weeks or three weeks regarding also the number of people and the way they use but I know we're gonna provide also some pieces of advice how to use wisely. Yes, good as it's a blessing that anyway it touch. It touches all our hearts. And how are you feeling today? Are you exhausted by all of this? Or how do you feel? You know, when you become a leader, you need to to carry on burdens. It's one of our responsibility. But being here in parents house and salela, I feel at home. I get used into this house, but you've left your children and your wife behind in Bucha, and there's a certain amount of risk in that. Yeah, of course there was no way, because there was no way. It's a responsibility of a leader. We needed to see both the sides. Yes, that's right. So yeah, and I remember a reason why. One day I told you it's somehow difficulty for me to live. Of course, I could save my family, my wife and children I move out from Bucha. But others, they call me that. Others, they call me brother, yeah. Others, they call me this when I leave them anyway, let's put our faith in God and see how we could all be protected by him being together, so you stand with the people that you lead, as a godly leader will do. So that's the Vinton, I know. Yeah, it's a call, and we accepted it to that call. Yes, that's right. Thank you so much for that example. Thank you too as well. I would like to note as well, just what do the house church communities in Goma, are they able to meet at this point? No, they're not meeting directly speaking, not yet. Okay, not yet. Yes. Not yet regarding the situation, but they will see when it improves, then they they'll continue. But since they started, since this situation started, they haven't met yet, frankly speaking, but the food resources will be allocated through the house church network. Yeah, it will be allocated in years. House church network, of course, yeah. So people can have access, even though meeting together and leaving their homes for an evening might be a little bit too much of a risk for them at this point. A reason why I said, you, you know what the code, I asked several questions to John on that aspect, what they told me it means, for instance, there are different family different as we talked about, we are talking about families then they, for instance, they call the responsible of that family, they give him food, and then, with the wife and or those who are in that family, they take to their houses. Yeah, they take it to their houses. And then. It will be like a private issue. Maybe nobody or the surrounding could not be a way of you get what I mean. They don't want to be away from their homes. They don't want to draw attention to their absence. Yes, of course, yes. Of course, yes. And so they're concerned about that, I understand. So there are hundreds and and I think at this point, probably 1000s of people here who are praying for you and this ministry every day. And we really appreciate the privilege of partnership with you in this really important time of need. I'm wondering, is there anything specific today that is on your heart that we could be praying for? Yes, the major is easy to pray for security in the eastern of the DRC, because it's a big it's a big concern for all of us, and for the expansions of the gospel and the expansion of the home churches as believers and the Christian leaders we Are. We'll pray for peace in the land. Yes. Second, second. There are those areas not affected. For instance, Goma district, where we have Munga uvira is affected. Today, we heard news from Vera, where we have, which is also a TCF district, started being affected today, so, but we still have two districts were not affected. But this situation and the expansions of the gospel continues, so we should also keep praying for them to stand firm in their faith and lead us, you know, as they have been called, to continue, you know, doing good work according to the way they've been called. Yeah, okay, yeah. It's helpful to know that, is there a passage of scripture that has been speaking to you recently as you've tried to lead through this difficult hour, but you're at it. Is there a passage of scripture that you have been mindful of during this difficult moment, something that God is using to kind of comfort your heart. Oh, yeah, yeah. Why not to stand firm? To stand firm. Okay, yeah, to stand firm, even in terms of challenges for in times of I remember a passage. It's Roman, Roman, chapter eight. You need what will separate us from the love of God? Yeah, that's right, war, hunger, whatever, whatever, whatever, no, and the answer is no. That's right. Through the we overwhelmingly conquer, uh, yeah, will you uh, yes, of course, yes. But how appropriate that is for this moment? Of course, sometimes we are we are weak, physically, but spiritually, we're still strong. Yes, that's right. Yeah, there is so much that we in the West learn from our brothers and sisters in Africa. It is the integrity and strength of your faith against very, very difficult circumstances that is a motivation and a catalyst for us to continue on in the faith. And so we thank you for your service to us as you stand for the things of God in this very dark moment, I cannot help it to thank you for everything you you are doing for this ministry, your prayers, your encouragement, your financial support and Whatever SPCs of advice that you often provide to all of us as TCF leaders, we are really we remain thankful and grateful to all of you. Well, we appreciate that Vinton, and we will be praying specifically for this acquisition and distribution of food probably starting Thursday, I'm guessing, or into Friday. And yeah, yeah, just that all of these risk factors would be effectively met that, that the money would come through Western Union, that you would be. Able to safely enter into Goma with your with your plan there, and that the acquisition and distribution of that food would occur without incident, without drawing attention to what's happening. We hope so. You know, for instance, when I left a home and being in the men's in city before traveling the border today, crossing the border today, the street was empty, and I started being afraid. And then there is a word came into my heart, saying, Why could you be afraid? And you are with your God, your father, that's right. And then I take courage, and I continued my trip, heading to the border, but being confident in myself and to God that it's the only one who could even protect me, and it was easy. I crossed the border with the insecurity. I thank you for your prayer, because I know you started praying for me since we started planning about this issue. You know, I was thinking about this over the weekend too, as we were corresponding Vinton that it's been now three years since you've been planting churches, including in Goma, and now is a moment where the existence of those house churches is really the only place where a safe distribution of much needed food could actually occur. And so that God, by His providence, has really raised you up for such a moment as this to be his hand in this difficult moment. So we thank God for His providence. Yeah, thank you. Thank you. Yes, of course, that's it. We really thank our Lord for, you know, keeping us safe since we started this partnership, and how he leads us at any moment, and how we are closer to one another as sometimes I remember the book of Dennis and scalom, members of one another for these kind of situations, that's right, our ability to rely on one another and to be that hand of God in each other's lives. So thanks for that. I don't know if there's anything more you want to just communicate to the people who are listening, but I think we're drawing near to the conclusion of our time together. Yes, just a great thank I remain and we remain, all grateful to whatever you are doing for us. As you pray for us, we also keep praying for you, and you know, strengthening each other and let's move on in such a way as we are all called by the Lord, becoming brothers and sisters in Christ, even though the differences in terms of regarding our environments and whatever But we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we see what God is in action, showing that proof that we are brothers and sisters in God, that's right, and in Christ, that's right. Let's pray together. Thank you, each of us, take a moment to pray, Lord just thanks for Vinton, for the TCF ministry, for the hundreds and many hundreds of people who are turning to you at this moment in their hour of need, just pray that the resources that that we're trying to allocate to relieve the hunger there would Be satisfied by this mission that Vinton is on, pray for his safety, his security, and that all of this food can fill the empty stomachs of people who are in great need. At this moment, we are grateful to our Lord Jesus, Christ, who and God for created us to his image. We are thankful to brothers and sisters who are with us during these situations of sorrowful, you know, situations and the circumstances, we are grateful for whatever they do for us and for the whole community in the eastern of the DRCs, particularly in the TCF ministry, yes, bless them, bless their resources, bless their ministries, and bless whatever they expect to do in. Each family, yeah, thank you Jesus Christ, because it you created this partnership and the friendship for a purpose, and we keep you know, seeing your hands on this purpose that that is in action, thank you, because you're gonna protect us and protect all TCF believers, protect the surroundings, protect even neighbors. So that could be a proof for them, those non believers, to accept you as a Christ, Lord and King being Yeah, being in your kingdom all as brothers and sisters, that's right, in Jesus name, we pray. Amen. I want to thank Vinton musoba, the director of Toonami Christian Fellowship, for his leadership, his work, his love, his care for the people of God and His example of godly leadership, where he is prepared to put his himself and his family even at risk for the broader concerns of the church. And so we are asking you as a listener to join us in prayer for the 800 people who will receive this food, we pray for the safety of all the important steps in the process of getting that food to them and just that, in some way, you would use this horrible tragedy to catalyze your people for Christian witness and for a call to community that is up for the times in which we live. If this has gotten your interest this podcast, just want to encourage you to go to the dwell cc.org, website to get more information. If you could just go to dwell. Cc.org/missions, you can be led from there to our global partnerships and find more about the Democratic Republic of Congo and other ministries that we have in the area. For more podcasts and resources information about our church, please join us at dwell. CC, dot O, R, G. Thank you Very much.