Story number 1 for 16 Oct 2002

(Congo–Kinshasa)–We begin today’s newscast in the Democratic Republic of Congo where unrest continues to force Christian workers out of that country. Food For the Hungry’s Beth Allen says they were forced to take action. “We have had to evacuate our expatriate staff. We’ve asked them to move into Rwanda for safety for the time being. Hopefully this will only last for the next couple of days. It is a scary time for the people of the Congo as the other rebel groups that are left in the area after the Rwandans pulled out are all vying for power in that area.” Allen says their work is continuing in central DRC, where it’s relatively stable. She says people still need to pray. “Our biggest prayer right now is that whatever happens in Bukavu does not spread. The key right now is getting the church to reach out to people and as a result Congo could become a sending country. God is refining this country by fire and as a result, Congo is going to bless the world.”