Dear Friends,
This week, please intercede with us for Daniel Baraka Nyamutale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The second largest African nation by area, the DR Congo is home to 92 million people. Nearly 96% of Congolese identify as Christians, while 2% practice traditional African religions and 2% follow Islam. After gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the country was known as Zaire under General Mobutu Sese Seko’s rule (1971-1997) until after the First Congo War (1996-1997). The Second Congo War (1998-2003), which involved nine countries and 20 armed groups, left over five million people dead and displaced another two million. Despite a peace agreement, dozens of rebel groups persist in armed conflict and attacks on civilians, particularly in the northeastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Pray with us for breakthroughs of God’s shalom. Ask the Lord to shield and sustain those who must live and minister amid danger and dire need.
Baraka is pursuing a PhD in Missiology at Shalom University of Bunia, a client school of our Vital SustainAbility Initiative. Baraka’s research will help guide the Church’s engagement with the Islamic community in eastern Congo, where most of the country’s Muslims live. As he studies in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, let us intercede for God’s continued protection over Baraka, his wife Carol Adabay, and their three daughters: Jemima Kobsinge (13), Hannah Banura (8), and Abigael Katusime (2).
Baraka shares the following message:
I thank ScholarLeaders for the initiative of prayer.
Regarding prayer requests, we want to start by thanking God for helping my family and me through the beginning of this year.
Regarding my studies, the writing of my thesis continues well. I am writing the last chapter, which will be completed very soon.
Regarding my family, they are doing well. By the grace of the God, our three children are doing very well. My wife Carol is also fine.
Regarding our country, and especially our province and the eastern part of the DR Congo, insecurity is still growing. The city of Bunia, where we study is not spared from cruelties. It is threatened from almost all sides by armed groups.
As a result, people still travel with difficulty. They usually travel from one corner to another under military escort. So, the only safe way to leave Bunia is almost always by air. Agricultural production has also decreased because people don’t go into the fields like before.
These are the few prayer topics that we have found useful to share with the prayer community on this day.
Thank you and God bless you.
Daniel Baraka Nyamutale