Story number 1 for 30 Dec 2002

(Congo–Kinshasa)–Topping today’s news, rebels blame renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the Kinshasa government, despite a much-touted power sharing accord. Back to the Bible’s Mark Blowers says they have been watching the situation, knowing that trouble could upset their work, and making preparations to counter disruptions. “We always welcome any peace initiatives, but at the same time, we have to temper that with realism that there have been at least 100 peace initiatives already, and most of them fail. So, we continue to carry on as best we can under the circumstances.” While instability can interrupt training and outreach, that’s where help comes in the form of the agency’s international scholarship fund. Blowers shares how it saved a training facility in Congo. “Back to the Bible has some schools right in Congo, not just Kenya. We are helping students there, and in one case, I know that the scholarship assistance we sent, was the means by which the school was able to remain open.”