Without warning, a volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) erupted in late May, affecting more than 150 families from two area churches, including their homes and their livestock. Also included in the loss was a mother of nine children.
The Union of Baptist Churches (UBC) in DRC, which is Paraclete’s Bible translation partner, acted quickly to set up a grant to fund emergency relief for the families.
“The emergency response to the volcano fell between two Bible translation training workshops, and they didn’t miss a beat,” said Paraclete associate Bruce Smith.
The UBC is located in Goma, right where the volcano erupted, affecting many of its members.
“Many kids get lost to their family members and some of them till now have not yet been found,” reported Bishop Habimana Athanase. “As you can understand, all things that they had such as clothes, goats, chicken and home’s tools were burnt. Their fields have become the lava.”
An elementary school was also completely destroyed by the eruption.
“You cannot know whether there was a school,” said Athanese. “We announce an alarm cry to everyone wishing to support these populations because they are actually facing a hard moment. Any of your assistance will comfort them.”
The grant funds for the victims of the Nyiragongo volcano went to rice, maize flour, beans, cooking oil, kitchen tools, mattresses, women’s clothes, salts and cups.
The UBC has launched Bible translations in more than 100 languages in the DRC in recent years, including 22 in partnership with Paraclete this year, said Smith.
LEARN MORE about Paraclete associate Bruce Smith’s ministry here.