The Congo Children Trust, Lubumbashi, DRC

Dear friends,

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost time to head back to the UK after almost two and a half years here in Congo. In some ways it feels like I’ve been here forever and in others it just seems like yesterday when I first arrived!

Birthday present!
Kimbilio celebrated her 2nd birthday on 16 June – the International Day of the African Child. As a way of celebrating this event we launched our new website, hopefully allowing you all to see what we are up to and connect with us in a new and more accessible way. Please check out the site at: www.kimbiliocongo.org I will be starting a new blog on this site that will be more centred on Kimbilio’s work. I’m intending to keep up the Life in Lubumbashi blog but this will become more focused on Lubumbashi life.

We also had a BBQ at a local picnic spot. It was lovely to see the lads enjoying themselves and to see the difference that there has been in their lives since we first met with them over two years ago. The BBQ was also a chance to say thank you and goodbye to some of the Lubumbashi expats who have been helping us out practically over the last year at the building site. They have developed really positive relationships with the children and have been a boost to their sense of self esteem and value.

Malaria
Almost all of the children and staff have been suffering with malaria over the past two months. After visiting one of the children who was hospitalised in a health centre near to Centre Kimbilio, I was horrified by the dirty conditions and lack of adequate medical staff. We made the decision that in future we would take the children to the Garenganze clinic recently completed by a Brethren mission partner. Although a bit further to travel, the standards are so much better. One of our lads who ended up there a few weeks later was heard to say: “it was like being in a hotel; I wanted to stay there!”

Paul and Grace Robinson, St John's link missionaries with the OMF, are working in Cambodia. They can be contacted on either This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by their postal address: P. O. Box 570, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Dear friends,

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 39.4

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thank you very much for your prayers, cards, presents and emails! We really appreciate your care for us. Below are some mini reports of what's been going on here; especially over Christmas! [Please PRAYfor the follow-up and spiritual growth!]

RUFA(Royal University of Fine Arts): 'The best laid plans...'’ The week before the Christmas party [we had planned for the students], the Dean entered Paul's lecture and informed the students that they had to be in RUFA for a compulsory lecture on the 23^rdat 8am… Plans were quickly changed, and wonderfully the Christian cafe directly opposite RUFA - a miracle in itself - agreed to host the party and provide Christmas cakes for a nominal fee. 55 students came to the party, and all seemed to enjoy playing games, watching the Christmas story and listening to Piseth (the student worker) explain who Jesus is and how knowing Him impacts every area of our lives. One student has asked to join the Tuesday prayer group!

Street Bible study: Wonderfully Vana offered to host the party at her house! The Bible study ladies all arrived in good time and we busied ourselves with food prep and a hasty 'choir practise'! At 3.30 no one had showed up. Despondently, we decided to start, and suddenly people began to arrive! We were delighted that Lou (our old neighbour) came with her two children and nephew; Guntear's Gran (a staunch animist/ Buddhist) also came as did the students who live opposite. In the end we fed approximately 60 people! The kids went to the Norgate's for games and craft, and the 20+ adults/teenagers stayed at Vana's to eat curry whilst watching the 'Good News' film which tells God's salvation story from creation to Jesus' return! We were all encouraged. Please now pray that Guntear's Gran would come along to our Thursday Bible study!

Cambodia prayer information: Cambodia ranks as number 164 out of 181 countries in the newly released annual Corruption Perception Index from Transparency International. Please pray for all those involved in working against corruption!

Thank you again for your prayers! Love from Paul, Grace, Isobel and Sally