Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) Africa is involved with various new projects to alleviate the effects of a drought in the Great Lakes region encompassing Rwanda, Burundi, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A recent visit to those countries by NCM-Africa’s Harald Biesenbach (pictured right) and Chishibanji Celestin (left) had an unexpected episode: the two ended up in jail for a day.

The visit to drought affected areas required photographs being taken of crops and fields, verifying to potential donors the extent of the assistance that is required. Many people in Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC face possible starvation as a result of the recent harvest’s poor yield, which meets only 40 percent of food requirements. Biesenbach and Celestin gathered information, showing maize fields that had dried due to lack of rain, and other crops like beans which were also affected.

A non-uniformed policeman in Uvira, DRC noticed the two Christian workers taking photos and approached them, accusing them of being spies. The two were taken to a local police station and their camera and some personal belongings were confiscated. For the rest of the day, they were confined to a jail cell.

When Uvira’s Nazarenes heard what had happened, they marched down to the police station and protested for the release of Biesenbach and Celestin. The local believers would not leave until the two were released. According to Celestin, “These beloved brothers and sisters prayed for us during this hard time – they spent the whole day with us, physically and spiritually.”

By the end of the day, the two were released, but police held on to the camera, which belongs to Trino Jara, NCM-Africa’s coordinator.

The tense atmosphere in the DRC is partially due to the approach of country’s first democratic elections in 40 years. The DRC is a country that has seen conflicts escalate into civil wars, and fighting spill over the borders of neighboring countries.

“Our God is faithful,” Celestin said. “He is still using his servants in this troubled world for his glory.”

During the same trip, Celestin reported that local churches on the Rwanda Northwest and Rwanda Central Districts had collected maize which NCM transported to the affected areas (pictured above). NCM’s philosophy supports local support networks and the biblical principle of sharing.

--NCN News-Africa