The Cross Alliance

 

Background: In 2002 and 2003, the Ituri district of the DRC was the site of brutal inter-ethnic fighting between the Hema and Lendu communities. In the town of Bogoro, about an hour outside of Bunia by road, 60% of the residents were killed in three separate attacks. Since that time, the United Nations has established a large presence here, and the International Criminal Court has made arrests. However, the people of Ituri are still living with ongoing effects: a large percentage of the population are widows and orphans, most children are not able to pay school fees, many adults remain traumatized, and there is lingering animosity, fear, and desire for revenge, passed from adults to children.

Our colleague Bagamba and his wife Banage are from Bogoro, and lost family members in one of the attacks there. They have founded an organization called Beacon of Hope for Widows, Vulnerable Women and Orphans to try to help them deal with these issues and move forward. Over the summer, they organized a trauma-healing workshop.


In September, a peace conference was held there for Hema and Lendu children. The goal was to give orphans hope for the future, and to help all the children see how they can be reconciled through the cross of Christ, rather than repeat the cycle of vengeance that has brought so much suffering. Hundreds of school-age children attended, and many local church, educational and political leaders came to show their support and to encourage the children. Jennings was invited to come along. 


Why focus on the children?  Simply put, many adults have become so hardened that they are not open to the idea of forgiveness and reconciliation at all.  Some are impressing on their children that they must take revenge for them.  Some orphans, whose parents were killed in this fighting, also have set their hearts on revenge.  Pastors who have tried to foster inter-ethnic reconciliation have received death threats.  Bagamba and other church leaders have determined that focusing on children is the best way to proceed.

Top: A large cross was used to symbolize the death and resurrection of Christ as a bridge of peace between the communities.

The meeting was planned to be outside. Hundreds of children came after school (which is held only in the morning on Saturday) in their school uniforms -- white shirt and blue shorts / skirts. School desks were brought for them to sit at.

When it started to rain, the children moved all the benches to a local church.

Meanwhile, some of the ladies were making food for everyone

Bagamba (right) with a close friend from the Lendu community. He is intentional about maintaining this inter-ethnic friendship.

A choir of Hema and Lendu children sing "Pamoja kwa Umoja", "Together for Unity"

After the ceremony. Children were also given some school supplies, including pens, which they wanted to try out.

Friends from the U.K. who have come to live in Bunia. The husband was a guest speaker at this conference. They are with Bagamba's wife, Banage.

Read more about this ministry on the website of Bagamba and Banage’s home church in Essex, U.K.

A common game for children - pushing old bicycle tires around, with their hands or a stick.