Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to help Eglise des Freres au Congo (the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC) respond to the eruption of a volcano near the city of Goma and to respond to the families displaced by violence who have fled to the city of Uvira. Grants for COVID-19 relief work also are being given to the Church of the Brethren in Venezuela and to Bittersweet Ministries in Mexico.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Brethren Disaster Ministries working with Congolese Brethren for volcano response in DRC
A disaster relief response to the volcanic eruption that has affected the area around the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and around the city of Gisenyi, Rwanda, is planned by Brethren Disaster Ministries. Brethren church members and congregations have been affected in both the DRC and Rwanda, with damage to homes and church buildings reported. Continuing damage is occurring from the earthquakes that followed on the volcanic explosion that took place May 22.
EDF grants provide relief aid in the US, Nigeria, DRC, Lebanon, and Venezuela
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have directed Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grants to provide COVID-19 and disaster relief aid in a number of countries. The grants include an additional allocation for the domestic COVID-19 Relief Program in the United States through the end of 2020, to assist Church of the Brethren congregations and districts in providing relief activities in their own communities.
Global Food Initiative aids Brethren groups in DRC and Burundi among grant recipients
The Church of the Brethren Global Food Initiative (GFI) has aided Brethren groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, a humanitarian organization linked to the former Brethren mission in Ecuador, and a gardening project in New Orleans, in grants made since mid-year. Democratic Republic of Congo A grant of $7,500 has been given
EYN Pastor’s Manual is translated into Kiswahili for use by Brethren in central Africa
By Chris Elliott When the global Brethren event was held last November in Nigeria, leaders from Eglise des Freres au Congo (the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC) came across the EYN Pastor’s Manual. The gathering was hosted by Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren