Apologies to those lovely people who have tried to post comments on my blog, I only just realised I needed to change the settings so feel free to post a comment now...I'd love to hear what you think!
On Friday we finally managed to take a visit to Heal Africa which is very close to our hotel in Goma. This organisation was founded in 1998 by Dr. Kasereka Lusi and his wife, Lyn, a British social activist.
They had an inspiring vision which has since manifested a holistic health care centre, provisions of which include the specialised surgical repair of vaginal fistulas, a result of violent rape. The work extends to training health professionals, strengthening social activists and providing physical, spiritual and social healing.
Virginie Mumbere, Admin. finance Director, kindly took the time to give us a tour. The surroundings and design is lovely and tranquil, conducive to healing. There is a programme for women called HEALing Arts, which provides occupational skills for those who are waiting for and healing from fistula surgery. They had a beautiful range of handmade skirts, bags and bracelets for sale that had been made by the women. They also have access to business and marketing training to support them in the future.
As we toured we saw wards some of which had 2 to a bed due to lack of resources and such high demand. There are many volunteers amongst the diverse staff team and they have some support from Doctors Without Borders which is a humanitarian NGO who recruit voluntary medical and non-medical staff to work in war-torn regions in the world.
This was our last day in Goma before heading back to Rwanda and it feels good to leave knowing that this trip has been successful in many ways. This is an area considered by the Foreign Commonwealth office as being unsafe and only for essential travelling. The world's media perpetuate the view that the Congo as well as many other African countries are dangerous and inaccessible. Our trip has proved that it is possible to visit places like the Congo and enjoy the beauty of the culture and land as well as reach out to people who are in much need of support from our global community. I have never for one moment before or during this entire trip, ever felt unsafe. I know that Kris will say the same too. If we allow our belief systems to be shaped by these influences we will be controlled beyond measure.
Yesterday, we visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial here in Rwanda.
Before I came here I struggled with understanding how the genocide and consequent conflicts arose. I needed the historical context to understand and it is clear what the influences are. The sophisticated manipulation of a country carried out in the late 1800's and early 1900's, by the European Imperialist powers, Christian Catholic Church and media served to rape the land of it natural rich resources and plant the seeds of the genocide firmly within it. The Hutu (80%), Tutsi (15%) and the Twa (5%) had lived side by side in relative peace before the country was colonised. To begin with, colonialists gave themselves the right to determine the Rwandans 'ethnicity' by how they looked and what they owned in their farming. Those considered to be Tutsis were given dominant economic power and status over the rest of the population. The Church then supported this division by introducing teachings which stated that Hutu's were the superior group. Along with the power of propaganda engineered by the media, this classic 'divide and rule' method was extremely successful at driving a wedge between Rwandans with devasting consequences for the future. These corrupt global powers were evident during the genocide when the United nations pulled UN troops out of the country. They were directed to evacuate aid staff and leave the country they were there to serve to suffer savage murder. It is thought that the number of UN troops ordered to abandon Rwanda would have been enough to actually call a halt to and stop the genocide. This genocide was allowed to occur and the motives behind the power structures like the UN need to be questioned. Who are they serving?
Despite these negative influences in our world, it is possible to create a shift of consciousness in the world through grass roots means. I feel our trip was very successful at contributing to this change.
Kris has already begun planning more voluntary trips for next year in the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Next time it will involve groups of Theta Healers doing this work with a team of interpreters and a film crew. I will be joining to help co-ordinate the trip and I am very excited at all the possibilities and the impact this Divine healing will have. It's going to be amazing!
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog! :)
Tootaonana!!
(Goodbye)
Lynsey
Monday, 15 June 2009
Sunday, 14 June 2009
More results!!
Friday was our final day at the refugee camps.We were beginning our day at Buhimba camp, followed by Magunga one camp and we would end our day at the Baptist church camp. Donations which have been kindly received from Canada and UK paid for footballs for the children, salt, cooking oil, soap and casava (a widely used plant food that the east african dish ugali is made from). We wanted to give some of each to the camps as a gesture but it proved to be quite problematic as there is obviously not enough to be shared equally and any potential conflict needs to be avoided. It couldn't be added to any supplies because they had none and any aid which is received is immediately distributed. At Buhimba there was a large group of women who gathered to tell us of their progress. When we asked how they have been since the group healing a few days ago, many hands were raised and we one by one took responses. Some were captured on film and we took a picture of each of the 26 women we had the time and opportunity to speak with.
Nothing could have prepared us for the astonishing feedback we were given from the prayers that were sent using the Theta Healing technique.
The vast majority of symptoms had actually gone completely! The remaining symptoms although they hadn't disappeared were much improved. Neck pain, stomach pains including ulcers, headaches and muscle pains were healed completely. Here are two examples; one woman, Bembelayza (40), complained of a crippled back, now she can walk without the aid of a walking stick...amazing. Stefanie (62) said the eye pain, headaches and heart pain were now 'all gone'. The pictures of these amazing women we had the pleasure to connect with are beautiful.
I really feel the belief systems of these women made them so receptive to these instant healings. There is a trust and faith they have in God which energetically opens them up to receive these healings. The true power of instant healing was experienced by so many. I also feel the group experience enhanced this potential too. As a collective they have a common bond of faith and the healing will have raised the group consciousness of the entire camp. To hear of so many wonderful testimonials was a very exciting and moving experience. We ended with the group saying individual prayers of gratitude. The gentle hum of their words of prayer moved me to tears. This was a sacred moment I will never forget.
Our follow up at Magunga camp was next. We had feedback from 10 of the 26 women. Again, the results were fantastic! Nyoto (57) had problems with her liver and stomach ulcers. She told us that since the prayers there has been a change and she has been able to sleep on her right side for the first time in 4 years!! Feza (46) had been passing a lot of blood due to a bladder infection. Now, she said the bleeding has stopped.
Agnes (65) had been raped and was in a lot of physical and emotional pain. She told us that she is feeling fine since the healing although she did say she was unsure wether she could trust the pain will not return. This is a belief system she was revealing which, along with physical pain and trauma, can be as simple as needing to just be released and replaced with the already knowing and trusting that it is possible to live life without the pain returning.
At Church camp, the majority of the gesture gifts were given as they are the only camp which receives no donations and have to fundraise for all they get. Kristen gave Mushumu a gift of cash from donations received, to help her restart her business in the local market. She has undergone such a transformation in her healing and will be an inspiration to many as she successfully rebuilds her life and work.
We heard 10 women speak of their progress and they all said they felt better. Marina (65) said her hearing has improved since the healing which was great. Nikuze (20), who had been through the trauma of rape and witnessing her husband being killed in front of her, said she felt better inside of herself since the prayers.
The first 3 chakras were commonly the most affected for these women which is understandable when you understand that these relate generally to our safety and survival in the physical world, how we relate to others within our environment, self esteem and empowerment.
It feels wonderful that we set out on this trip with the aim of reaching these women and to have made these connections and witnessed so many instant healings has been magnificent. Group healings have proved to be the most effective way of healing large numbers of people. There has been no need to delve into the trauma and pain of the experiences these women have suffered in order for them to experience healing. Belief work in Theta Healing can involve what we call 'digging' for a root belief and can direct a person, albeit briefly, back to the experience needing healing, before the prayer for healing is made. I think a blessing of the language barrier was that we naturally turned our attention to the power of instant healing as opposed to belief work which would commonly be used.
The focus of this trip has been purely on the instant healing aspect and I now have an experiental trust that it can be achieved for everybody. It feels important that the belief systems of a person's relationship to the Divine/God are empowered for this to be possible. There is also something about the readiness to heal which has been unique in working with these women. It may be that with an imminent danger of political unrest there is a willingness that propels them to take the often courageous step of being open to healing/changing. Instant healing is such a fascinating phenomenon which I feel I've only just begun to explore and I feel a deep sense of gratitude to these women of Africa for this.
Asante (sana)
Thank you (very much)
Nothing could have prepared us for the astonishing feedback we were given from the prayers that were sent using the Theta Healing technique.
The vast majority of symptoms had actually gone completely! The remaining symptoms although they hadn't disappeared were much improved. Neck pain, stomach pains including ulcers, headaches and muscle pains were healed completely. Here are two examples; one woman, Bembelayza (40), complained of a crippled back, now she can walk without the aid of a walking stick...amazing. Stefanie (62) said the eye pain, headaches and heart pain were now 'all gone'. The pictures of these amazing women we had the pleasure to connect with are beautiful.
I really feel the belief systems of these women made them so receptive to these instant healings. There is a trust and faith they have in God which energetically opens them up to receive these healings. The true power of instant healing was experienced by so many. I also feel the group experience enhanced this potential too. As a collective they have a common bond of faith and the healing will have raised the group consciousness of the entire camp. To hear of so many wonderful testimonials was a very exciting and moving experience. We ended with the group saying individual prayers of gratitude. The gentle hum of their words of prayer moved me to tears. This was a sacred moment I will never forget.
Our follow up at Magunga camp was next. We had feedback from 10 of the 26 women. Again, the results were fantastic! Nyoto (57) had problems with her liver and stomach ulcers. She told us that since the prayers there has been a change and she has been able to sleep on her right side for the first time in 4 years!! Feza (46) had been passing a lot of blood due to a bladder infection. Now, she said the bleeding has stopped.
Agnes (65) had been raped and was in a lot of physical and emotional pain. She told us that she is feeling fine since the healing although she did say she was unsure wether she could trust the pain will not return. This is a belief system she was revealing which, along with physical pain and trauma, can be as simple as needing to just be released and replaced with the already knowing and trusting that it is possible to live life without the pain returning.
At Church camp, the majority of the gesture gifts were given as they are the only camp which receives no donations and have to fundraise for all they get. Kristen gave Mushumu a gift of cash from donations received, to help her restart her business in the local market. She has undergone such a transformation in her healing and will be an inspiration to many as she successfully rebuilds her life and work.
We heard 10 women speak of their progress and they all said they felt better. Marina (65) said her hearing has improved since the healing which was great. Nikuze (20), who had been through the trauma of rape and witnessing her husband being killed in front of her, said she felt better inside of herself since the prayers.
The first 3 chakras were commonly the most affected for these women which is understandable when you understand that these relate generally to our safety and survival in the physical world, how we relate to others within our environment, self esteem and empowerment.
It feels wonderful that we set out on this trip with the aim of reaching these women and to have made these connections and witnessed so many instant healings has been magnificent. Group healings have proved to be the most effective way of healing large numbers of people. There has been no need to delve into the trauma and pain of the experiences these women have suffered in order for them to experience healing. Belief work in Theta Healing can involve what we call 'digging' for a root belief and can direct a person, albeit briefly, back to the experience needing healing, before the prayer for healing is made. I think a blessing of the language barrier was that we naturally turned our attention to the power of instant healing as opposed to belief work which would commonly be used.
The focus of this trip has been purely on the instant healing aspect and I now have an experiental trust that it can be achieved for everybody. It feels important that the belief systems of a person's relationship to the Divine/God are empowered for this to be possible. There is also something about the readiness to heal which has been unique in working with these women. It may be that with an imminent danger of political unrest there is a willingness that propels them to take the often courageous step of being open to healing/changing. Instant healing is such a fascinating phenomenon which I feel I've only just begun to explore and I feel a deep sense of gratitude to these women of Africa for this.
Asante (sana)
Thank you (very much)
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Outcomes in Church camp!
On Monday we returned to the church camp. We were there on Friday and met with Mushumo who had been in great pain following her rape ordeals. When we saw her again today we were greeted with a joyful smile. She explained how she feels much better since the prayers. So much so, that she has had the energy to build her fireplace where she cooks her meals outside of her tent. We were delighted, it was like we were looking at a different person! When we asked about her physical well being Mushumo said she no longer fears going to the hospital for her infection to be treated as she feels she doesn't have the pain anymore to require medical attention. Her headaches have cleared and she has a peace in her heart. This was first feedback following a few days of the healing and we were elated for her!
We then joined 10 of the 13 women we met and said prayers with last week. There were 3 new women we met too who were not with the group for prayers before. The feedback we received was that they felt 'a peace in their hearts'. The energy felt quite different to Buhimba camp. Sometimes the energy of an individual in a group has the power to influence the whole. This time around it was much less vibrant almost lethargic at times. We facilitated another group healing and Kris also facilitated a few one to one healings for specific ailments which had results immediately which were of a soothing and calming nature. One woman described a lot of heat in her body which then turned cool. This is a positive sign and an indication of shifting energy. When we return in a few days we will hopefully meet with these women again and see how their ailments and well being are.
We had stopped at Buhimba camp to meet with women who were part of the 100 plus group. We were told that they were unavailable but there had been some miscommunication and they were actually waiting for us at the time we arrived. We were very disappointed but we will visit the camp again on Thursday. I hope they didn't feel let down by us as we did promise we would be there.
In the evening I had a brief drive in the cherokee jeep we are using! The roads here are very very rocky!!! You have to slow right down as you aproach the huge craters that are regularly scattered. There are many manual vehicles carrying massive loads that are pushed along the side of the roads and lots of scooters as well as many pedestrians....it is very busy in Goma!! There is amazing strength and endurance you can see in the people. Women carry heavy loads on their heads with such grace and ease, and children often carry loads as well as their siblings on their back.
I'm learning some Swahili which I'm making much more use of tan French as the people in the camps predominantly speak in Swahili. It has a beautiful and sound and is great fun to learn!!
Baadaye!
(Later)
We then joined 10 of the 13 women we met and said prayers with last week. There were 3 new women we met too who were not with the group for prayers before. The feedback we received was that they felt 'a peace in their hearts'. The energy felt quite different to Buhimba camp. Sometimes the energy of an individual in a group has the power to influence the whole. This time around it was much less vibrant almost lethargic at times. We facilitated another group healing and Kris also facilitated a few one to one healings for specific ailments which had results immediately which were of a soothing and calming nature. One woman described a lot of heat in her body which then turned cool. This is a positive sign and an indication of shifting energy. When we return in a few days we will hopefully meet with these women again and see how their ailments and well being are.
We had stopped at Buhimba camp to meet with women who were part of the 100 plus group. We were told that they were unavailable but there had been some miscommunication and they were actually waiting for us at the time we arrived. We were very disappointed but we will visit the camp again on Thursday. I hope they didn't feel let down by us as we did promise we would be there.
In the evening I had a brief drive in the cherokee jeep we are using! The roads here are very very rocky!!! You have to slow right down as you aproach the huge craters that are regularly scattered. There are many manual vehicles carrying massive loads that are pushed along the side of the roads and lots of scooters as well as many pedestrians....it is very busy in Goma!! There is amazing strength and endurance you can see in the people. Women carry heavy loads on their heads with such grace and ease, and children often carry loads as well as their siblings on their back.
I'm learning some Swahili which I'm making much more use of tan French as the people in the camps predominantly speak in Swahili. It has a beautiful and sound and is great fun to learn!!
Baadaye!
(Later)
Monday, 8 June 2009
A ball at Buhimba Camp!
Our saturday afternoon was spent at Buhimba refugee camp.
Once again we were given a very warm welcome by everybody. We introduced ourselves to assistants in the camp and explained that we would like to meet with women who have suffered sexual violence. Approximately 10 women came with us as we made our way to a sheltered area where there were a few benches. As minutes passed by more and more women gathered. Our very skilled interpreter, Haitian, began introducing us to the group and explained our intention to say prayers with and for them.
We connected with the energy of the women and began selecting the healing prayers. I counted roughly 35 women at the beginning and what seemed like a few moments later, Kristen and I looked around and we saw what must be close to a 100 women some of whom with their young babies. We were astonished at the number.
Haitian gave the women wonderful, elaborate translations of the healing prayers we offered. Later that day he said that he found himself saying things but didn't know where the words came from, as if there 'was a spirit inside of me'. It is clear that he has a wonderful channeling ability. Kristen and I couldn't have wished for a better person to translate these sacred healing prayers!
We had a little over an hour of healing time and we then went around the group individually to connect further with the women and say a few individual prayers. The energy in the place was vibrant and manifested into a burst of song and dance! There were people of all ages... babies on the backs of their mothers bouncing up and down with song, next to elderly women who danced, clapped and sang. It was awesome! An amazing end to a powerful healing session. We have footage on video so check it out when Kris puts her video diary onto the thetahealinguk.com website!
We had several testimonials from women one of which said that she will go to sleep tonight with a peace in her heart and awaken with peace in her heart.
We left the camp exhilarated! The power of Theta Healing is infinite and can reach so many in one fell swoop. I personally have never facilitated for such a large group and the experience helps me to understand what I only knew in theory. The possibilities are endless when you tap into this Divine energy. Feeling the atmosphere change from one moment to the next, from a heavy, dejected energy to becoming lighter and joyful is a beautiful thing to witness.
Sunday in Goma was spent by the pool in Hotel Ihusi! We were running late for the church service and decided at the last minute to have a day of rest and mild sunburn instead! Lol
It would have been interesting to observe how people spend their time in church here. There is such a strong belief in God or a higher power in Africa and it is second nature for many people to pray to God. Prayer serves to provide a comfort, faith and peace in what are still very turbulent times for the people of Congo. The people of Goma are so very receptive to this healing as prayer is an intrinsic part of their spiritual practice.
Until my next post...
Tutaonana!
(Goodbye)
Once again we were given a very warm welcome by everybody. We introduced ourselves to assistants in the camp and explained that we would like to meet with women who have suffered sexual violence. Approximately 10 women came with us as we made our way to a sheltered area where there were a few benches. As minutes passed by more and more women gathered. Our very skilled interpreter, Haitian, began introducing us to the group and explained our intention to say prayers with and for them.
We connected with the energy of the women and began selecting the healing prayers. I counted roughly 35 women at the beginning and what seemed like a few moments later, Kristen and I looked around and we saw what must be close to a 100 women some of whom with their young babies. We were astonished at the number.
Haitian gave the women wonderful, elaborate translations of the healing prayers we offered. Later that day he said that he found himself saying things but didn't know where the words came from, as if there 'was a spirit inside of me'. It is clear that he has a wonderful channeling ability. Kristen and I couldn't have wished for a better person to translate these sacred healing prayers!
We had a little over an hour of healing time and we then went around the group individually to connect further with the women and say a few individual prayers. The energy in the place was vibrant and manifested into a burst of song and dance! There were people of all ages... babies on the backs of their mothers bouncing up and down with song, next to elderly women who danced, clapped and sang. It was awesome! An amazing end to a powerful healing session. We have footage on video so check it out when Kris puts her video diary onto the thetahealinguk.com website!
We had several testimonials from women one of which said that she will go to sleep tonight with a peace in her heart and awaken with peace in her heart.
We left the camp exhilarated! The power of Theta Healing is infinite and can reach so many in one fell swoop. I personally have never facilitated for such a large group and the experience helps me to understand what I only knew in theory. The possibilities are endless when you tap into this Divine energy. Feeling the atmosphere change from one moment to the next, from a heavy, dejected energy to becoming lighter and joyful is a beautiful thing to witness.
Sunday in Goma was spent by the pool in Hotel Ihusi! We were running late for the church service and decided at the last minute to have a day of rest and mild sunburn instead! Lol
It would have been interesting to observe how people spend their time in church here. There is such a strong belief in God or a higher power in Africa and it is second nature for many people to pray to God. Prayer serves to provide a comfort, faith and peace in what are still very turbulent times for the people of Congo. The people of Goma are so very receptive to this healing as prayer is an intrinsic part of their spiritual practice.
Until my next post...
Tutaonana!
(Goodbye)
Friday, 5 June 2009
Memorable healing in the camp
Today has been the most special day so far.
We returned to the church camp with the hope of meeting some women who are willing to meet with us. To begin with, Kristen presented the camp director (who has a beautiful name) Innocence, with the funds raised to pay for the repairs to the water generator. This was warmly received and we were taken to visit the generator site. The surroundings are stunning there on the side of Lake Kivu.
We ventured into the camp where we were told a woman is in much physical and emotional pain since being raped 2 months ago. Mushumo (48 years old) invited us into her small tent she has for a home and told us her story. She had undergone a very difficult hysterectomy operation a few years prior due to a previous rape and she was afraid to seek medical help for a current infection. Kristen and I facilitated a healing for her with the help of our interpreter, Haitian. This was the first healing we had the opportunity to be part of and afterwards we said we would return in 3 days to see how she is doing. We headed back to the camp office where we met with a group of 13 women (including Mushumo who had brought another woman with her) all of whom had been raped. Kristen and I facilitated a group healing with everyone's permission which involved releasing grief, trauma, shame and feelings of abandonment, healing the broken soul and heart, sending healing through the genetic line and receiving beliefs and feelings which included being respected and honoured as women. This was a beautifully powerful healing experience which we felt was a true privilege and honour for us to be part of. We asked the women afterwards how they felt and several said they felt 'a freedom' or 'liberation' in their heart. Innocence said some heartfelt words after which included gratitude for us being available for these women who have not actually disclosed their rape traumas before. But because we 'work for God' and are not from within their own communities, they felt safe to do so and to receive this healing. We will connect with these women again in a few days time to hear from them how they have been.
Earlier in the morning we went to a market to buy a small gift of some footballs for the children on the various camps. The children we met are amazing and display a strength of spirit which is precious to witness.
We have been made so very welcome by everybody and we will treasure the events of today for many years to come.
Until my next post....
Mungu awa bariki
(God bless you)
We returned to the church camp with the hope of meeting some women who are willing to meet with us. To begin with, Kristen presented the camp director (who has a beautiful name) Innocence, with the funds raised to pay for the repairs to the water generator. This was warmly received and we were taken to visit the generator site. The surroundings are stunning there on the side of Lake Kivu.
We ventured into the camp where we were told a woman is in much physical and emotional pain since being raped 2 months ago. Mushumo (48 years old) invited us into her small tent she has for a home and told us her story. She had undergone a very difficult hysterectomy operation a few years prior due to a previous rape and she was afraid to seek medical help for a current infection. Kristen and I facilitated a healing for her with the help of our interpreter, Haitian. This was the first healing we had the opportunity to be part of and afterwards we said we would return in 3 days to see how she is doing. We headed back to the camp office where we met with a group of 13 women (including Mushumo who had brought another woman with her) all of whom had been raped. Kristen and I facilitated a group healing with everyone's permission which involved releasing grief, trauma, shame and feelings of abandonment, healing the broken soul and heart, sending healing through the genetic line and receiving beliefs and feelings which included being respected and honoured as women. This was a beautifully powerful healing experience which we felt was a true privilege and honour for us to be part of. We asked the women afterwards how they felt and several said they felt 'a freedom' or 'liberation' in their heart. Innocence said some heartfelt words after which included gratitude for us being available for these women who have not actually disclosed their rape traumas before. But because we 'work for God' and are not from within their own communities, they felt safe to do so and to receive this healing. We will connect with these women again in a few days time to hear from them how they have been.
Earlier in the morning we went to a market to buy a small gift of some footballs for the children on the various camps. The children we met are amazing and display a strength of spirit which is precious to witness.
We have been made so very welcome by everybody and we will treasure the events of today for many years to come.
Until my next post....
Mungu awa bariki
(God bless you)
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Visit to Goma's Volcanoe
To continue on from yesterday.... we visited Mount Nyiragongo, a volcanoe which erupted in 2002 devastating the surrounding area on the outskirts of Goma. Apparently the lava also flowed underground and exploded out of the ground and proceeded to snake it's way into the villages destroying everything in it's path. Fortunately people were evacuated in time but many were made homeless. Not what a community needs when it's recovering from war. The lava rocks have since been used to rebuild the area. We saw children doing the difficult job of breaking up the rock for use.
Yesterday, we began making our plans for the work we will be doing and decided that today we would visit a refugee camp 10 miles from the town center. It is a quiet and green, natural landscape in contrast to the busy and crowded streets of Goma. There were 4 different camps altogether. We met with the chief of the Kivu Baptist Church camp who made us very welcome. He spoke about a generator which is relied upon for water and how it has been out of use for a number of weeks. In the meantime people have had to carry the water from a lake which is a 12 mile round trip before boiling it to make it drinkable. They need 300 dollars for it to be repaired and at the moment only have 50. This camp have received no support from any aid organisations so we will be focusing some of our work here.
We were told we will need a permit to gain access into the other aid organisation camps which includes UNICEF. So tomorrow we will get the relevant paperwork needed and made headway with the healing work we have come here to offer. We were told that women in the camp are not comfortable speaking about their rape experiences to people within their community and so they hold the secrecy and trauma close to their hearts. We hope they will be able to open up to us and be receptive to the healing we are offering.
The itinerary for our trip is as follows:
Friday - Introduce ourselves to women at the Kivu Baptist Church Camp
Saturday - Visit the UNICEF camp at Magunga
Sunday - Attend a local church service in the morning and visit Heal Africa Hospital in Goma
Monday - Back for follow up and more healing work at the Kivu Church Camp
Tuesday - Back for follow up and more healin work at the Magunga camp
Wednesday - Return to Heal Africa Hospital
Thursday - Back to the church camp and UNICEF camp at Magunga
Friday - Visit a local school and one of several orphanages in the local area
Saturday - Drive back to Rwanda
Sunday - In Kigali until we fly back home on Tuesday
I'm publishin this post on Friday morning and have some great news to tell you!
Kristen posted a request to her friends and family last night for donations to fund the repair of the water generater...and this morning it has already been raised!! Fantastic news!!
We are off to the church camp now so will write again tonight hopefully
Love & blessings!
Yesterday, we began making our plans for the work we will be doing and decided that today we would visit a refugee camp 10 miles from the town center. It is a quiet and green, natural landscape in contrast to the busy and crowded streets of Goma. There were 4 different camps altogether. We met with the chief of the Kivu Baptist Church camp who made us very welcome. He spoke about a generator which is relied upon for water and how it has been out of use for a number of weeks. In the meantime people have had to carry the water from a lake which is a 12 mile round trip before boiling it to make it drinkable. They need 300 dollars for it to be repaired and at the moment only have 50. This camp have received no support from any aid organisations so we will be focusing some of our work here.
We were told we will need a permit to gain access into the other aid organisation camps which includes UNICEF. So tomorrow we will get the relevant paperwork needed and made headway with the healing work we have come here to offer. We were told that women in the camp are not comfortable speaking about their rape experiences to people within their community and so they hold the secrecy and trauma close to their hearts. We hope they will be able to open up to us and be receptive to the healing we are offering.
The itinerary for our trip is as follows:
Friday - Introduce ourselves to women at the Kivu Baptist Church Camp
Saturday - Visit the UNICEF camp at Magunga
Sunday - Attend a local church service in the morning and visit Heal Africa Hospital in Goma
Monday - Back for follow up and more healing work at the Kivu Church Camp
Tuesday - Back for follow up and more healin work at the Magunga camp
Wednesday - Return to Heal Africa Hospital
Thursday - Back to the church camp and UNICEF camp at Magunga
Friday - Visit a local school and one of several orphanages in the local area
Saturday - Drive back to Rwanda
Sunday - In Kigali until we fly back home on Tuesday
I'm publishin this post on Friday morning and have some great news to tell you!
Kristen posted a request to her friends and family last night for donations to fund the repair of the water generater...and this morning it has already been raised!! Fantastic news!!
We are off to the church camp now so will write again tonight hopefully
Love & blessings!
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Greetings from Goma!
We arrived here yesterday following a 3 hour drive from the Rwandan capital of Kigali. Rwanda is breathtakingly beautiful. Lush green valleys were the landscape we viewed on our road trip to the Congo border. I didn't manage to get any sleep throughout the journey from London so yesterday was exhausting but exciting nonetheless.
We are in the company of our guide and interpreter, Haitian and a local of Goma, Rita. They are fantastic help to us and Rita also works for immigration and so kindly arranged for our permit and visas into the Congo.
The battery on the laptop I'm borrowing is about to run out so I'll have to sign off ...!
We are in the company of our guide and interpreter, Haitian and a local of Goma, Rita. They are fantastic help to us and Rita also works for immigration and so kindly arranged for our permit and visas into the Congo.
The battery on the laptop I'm borrowing is about to run out so I'll have to sign off ...!
Monday, 1 June 2009
Why I have come to Congo
In April I thought I would be flying to Turkey this week to do Theta healing in an Osho centre. Then, a little over a month ago (3 days after I booked my flight) my flatmate, Kristen, showed me an article she found in a magazine. It was about a Rwandan genocide survivor, Leah, who returned to her hometown of Goma last year following the death of her mother. She spent two months in Congo interviewing 500 women about their horrific stories of rape and murder. These are experiences many women want to tell the world about.
Kristen has a strong connection with Africa and had been planning a trip to somewhere there to offer Theta Healing. All the synchronicities for her were pointing to Congo and working with women and children who have survived the shock and trauma of savage rape. My heart was pulled there too and so I made the decision to join her for the 2 week trip.
Here is a link to Kristen's blog: http://thetahealingincongo.blogspot.com/
In an hour we leave for Heathrow. I have been brushing up on some conversational French and translating some key phrases for the healing work we will be doing. Theta Healing is an extraordinarily powerful tool which can release shock and trauma and bring about a true sense of well being. I would never before have contemplated the idea of visiting an area such as Congo which has been devastated by war, what would I have been able to offer?? But with the knowledge of Theta Healing I feel able to offer some support to people who have been neglected by the world and many of which have even been abandoned by their own families and communities because they have been raped.
I hope to give updates as often as possible depending on the availability of internet access.
We are travelling independently with the help of a local guide and an interpreter we have been kindly linked up with by Leah.
My next post will be sent from Africa :)
Until then!!
Kristen has a strong connection with Africa and had been planning a trip to somewhere there to offer Theta Healing. All the synchronicities for her were pointing to Congo and working with women and children who have survived the shock and trauma of savage rape. My heart was pulled there too and so I made the decision to join her for the 2 week trip.
Here is a link to Kristen's blog: http://thetahealingincongo.blogspot.com/
In an hour we leave for Heathrow. I have been brushing up on some conversational French and translating some key phrases for the healing work we will be doing. Theta Healing is an extraordinarily powerful tool which can release shock and trauma and bring about a true sense of well being. I would never before have contemplated the idea of visiting an area such as Congo which has been devastated by war, what would I have been able to offer?? But with the knowledge of Theta Healing I feel able to offer some support to people who have been neglected by the world and many of which have even been abandoned by their own families and communities because they have been raped.
I hope to give updates as often as possible depending on the availability of internet access.
We are travelling independently with the help of a local guide and an interpreter we have been kindly linked up with by Leah.
My next post will be sent from Africa :)
Until then!!
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