Annemarie has just returned to DR Congo, after having been in the Netherlands for several months. “The hospital in Adi has received a financial gift twice through the aid program of the Evangelical Broadcasting company in the Netherlands for prevention against Coronavirus in Adi Health Zone. The gifts have been used in teaching through radio, on the markets, in the churches and through leaflets and have also bought disinfection materials, masks and aprons for the health centers… Pray for God’s protection against Covid-19 in Adi, for preparations to be ready for it at Adi Hospital and all the prevention activities against the Coronavirus.”

Annemarie is currently in the Netherlands because of the Covid-19 pandemic and will return to DR Congo when possible. “I received a voicemail from Ayila, one of my colleagues in Adi. Ayila is a nurse working in Adi Hospital in the treatment program for people living with HIV. Furthermore, he is helping me as a facilitator in the workshops of ‘Channels of Hope’. In this mail he expressed his concerns about the people living with HIV who have to go to Uganda for their Antiretroviral drugs (ARV). Now with the Coronavirus the borders have been closed, and both Uganda and Congo are pretty much in a lockdown. Many cannot cross the border and without ARV their health will deteriorate. Also food is becoming a problem, people living with HIV who are taking ARV have to eat well. Ayila is asking for prayer and practical help… Please pray that God will enable people living with HIV to get their ARVs, and that others can be assisted at Adi hospital, and that the supply of ARVs will not dry up. Pray also for good collaboration with the medical authorities in DR Congo.”

“On 7th May we will organise another ‘Channels of Hope’ workshop for the women’s section of the Adi Bible School. When they saw that we were teaching their husbands they asked or their own workshop, so we have planned one. We need to adapt the lessons for them and Ayila and Margaret will work on that. On 19th May we will have our second workshop, in Aru for the students of the French bible school. I’m looking forward to that, too.” Please pray for Ayila, Margaret and Annemarie as they plan and run these workshops, and pray that they will effectively equip those who come to minister to those with HIV/Aids.

“In the last three months we have been busy with workshops. In October we held one for school chaplains and their directors in Adi, and in November we held two. The first was for the church district of Aru and the second for the Bible School students in Adi. And this one was straight away been followed by one for the pastors in the church section of Adi… For 2020 we already have planned several workshops, only the dates are not yet known. And between Christmas and the New Year a youth conference is organized, where we have been invited to speak and show films. Work continues.” Please pray that these workshops will equip more pastors to serve those living with HIV and AIDS; and please pray for Annemarie and others who are running them.