Into the Trenches

Today we spent the morning at Heal Africa and Dr Joe's hospital. This is a man who has lived through numerous regimes and has devoted his life to healing in war-torn Congo. His hospital specializes in assisting the women who have been raped as a weapon of war. The hospital started the day with a very energetic devotional service. I was so excited to see the woman we interviewed yesterday in the Tabernacle (Church).  Yesterday she was very stoic and showed little expression in our interview. The only time she showed any joy was after telling us that after 8 surgeries related to the rapes she endured, she was finally able to urinate like a normal woman. But today, when she saw us in the congregation she smiled and reached out her hand to shake ours.

In the hospital, Dr Joe walked us around and showed us the areas for family planning, treating the children, treating orthopedics, and the holiest of holy, the surgical area where they treat the rape victims. As i was filming he announced that I could not go in because I was a sinner. We all laughed because what he meant by that was I was not scrubbed and clean enough. They have had zero infections and were very proud of their record. No, this hospital is not like any I have seen. It was pieced together using anything they could. For the traction in Orthopedics section, they were using filled water bottles for the weight on the traction. They made their own crutches out of wood. It was astounding how resourceful they are.

After that we headed out to the home of one of the student we had interviewed days earlier. Her brothers and sisters were given the house when her mom was killed. The reason I mention this is because there was no chance for extortion by a landlord because of her association with us. Shooting at her house really put us inside the level of poverty that is found all around Goma. No power, no water, no sewers.  Her house was tiny. About 250 sq ft maybe, comprised of a salon (main room), a bedroom/kitchen, and a second  bedroom. In these three rooms lives 4 girls and 2 boys, in just 250 sq ft. This girl, who has a French name that sounded like "charming" to me, so I call her that. I really think it suits her. After shooting she said  prays that some day she can be an influence in Goma's future. I told her I would pray for that as well, so who ever would like, feel free to join me in this.

Tomorrow the now 4 man crew (we added Ken, a cameraman from Kenya) is going to split up. Randy and I are getting on a boat for 5 hours for an opportunity to interview another very influential person in the region and actually known around the world.

On Friday, we hope to interview the Bishop of Goma.  As it turns out, Randy and I have a dear friend in the Catholic church and who happens to be serving at the Vatican right now and is trying to make it happen for us. The Catholic church has a long history of helping the people if Goma. It would be another great opportunity.

OK. Wish us luck and safe travels for tomorrow.

I've attached a picture I took of Charming today.