More clashes in North Kivu (but not Beni)

UN: Nearly 5,000 people displaced after clashes in Congo’s North Kivu province
Just so you know - this is nowhere near where we live in Beni.

Profile: Bosco Ntaganda the Congolese 'Terminator'
The title just screams, "fear mongering," to me.

The Congolese radio stations are reporting not just about politics in Congo... But also in the US. It was surprising to hear Mitt Romney's name this morning on the radio... Seems like a lot of people are interested in whether Barack Obama gets re-elected in November!

In other news...

My family in Congo!

After a long silence..... Here is a little update on some things going on around (and outside of) Congo right now. I intend to write more soon: about Congo, about UCBC, life here, and maybe even time with family in Beni and our wedding!


Have a blessed day, wherever you are!






Congo's Kabila taps finance minister for premier post - Reuters
Matata Ponyo has been named the DR Congo's Prime Minister. He's not from a different political party... But as a friend recently said, he can still do something for the Congolese people. Let's hope so. I guess we just will have to wait and see.


The killer king - MO
"Bosco Ntaganda: smuggler king, kidnapper, war criminal and... general."
It's an interesting article about a man who is by far, above the law in this country.






Views on the 2012 Election, Candidates and the Economy - NY Times
I forgot that the US has elections this year... It's amazing how the world continues to spin even when I'm wrapped up in the things around me. I wonder if I can vote by absentee ballot this time? I forgot to do it in time in 2008.


Green Bay Packers Team Page - NFL.com
I also forgot who won the Superbowl this year... I was sad (again) to realize (remember?) that it wasn't the Packers. Thanks to Stevie for helping me remember though. However, the new schedule has been released and here's hoping for better things this year! :)








Chelsea stun Barcelona in Champions League semifinal - CNN
Sad day for Barca fans... like my husband, Noé. Sorry, babe.


DICK CLARK, 1929-2012 - NY Times
Just found out that Dick Clark died...


An update on the desertions - Congo Siasa
Desertions in the Congolese army... An update from Jason Stearns.


A New Thing
Beacon of Light
DRC - Congo Initiative

John working with eMi team volunteer

A few eMi (Engineering Ministries International) team members reflection on their time with us here at UCBC in February.












Ok I guess that's good for now... Happy Thursday!


love,
Bethany

Update on elections in the DR Congo

I had some more encouraging, but also sobering, words from another trusted friend in the DRC. He told me:

"On the election day, people were excited to vote but now people have mixed feelings as they wait for the results: fear for the unknown and joy for having fulfilled their right. Especially with rumors people seem more anxious and fearful. But as for us, we are trusting in the Lord who has the history of Congo in His hands, not politicians or super powers. Let us wait and see God's plan for our country today and for the years to come!"

A few more articles, reports and blogs to read for information on the elections, results and state of the DR Congo as we wait to hear more from the elections officials:

• Huffington Post - Congo's Historic Election - by Cindy McCain, a member of the board of directors of Eastern Congo Initiative (click here to go to their website)
• NY Times - Notes From a Young American in Congo: The Election - by Amy Ernst, living in Butembo, North Kivu
• Al Jazeera - It's now or never for DR Congo - opinion piece by Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja
  "Contrary to what ill-informed international media keep repeating, the general elections of 2011 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are the third, not second, democratic elections held in this country since independence in 1960"
• Africa Faith and Justice Network
• Jason Stearns' blog Congo Siasa 
• The Carter Center published a report on their initial observations of the Elections in the DRC - Preliminary Post Election Statement
• The DRC Votes: What Next? - opinion piece by Laura Seay
  "Who will win the Congolese presidential election? It's anybody's guess. There were no exit polls and no reliable, scientific polling with an adequate sample size carried out prior to the vote. It is likely to come down to a contest between incumbent President Joseph Kabila and Etienne Tshisekedi."

*Photos taken by me, in or around Beni and Butembo, DR Congo, 2010 and 2011