After leaving Congo I went and spent some time in Egypt and I was awoken to the plight of our Brothers and Sister not only in Egypt but all over the world who are not free to live out their faith. In a country like Australia we are so blessed but not appreciative of how blessed we are.

I met people who risk their life to attend Church services, in Congo people who walk miles to meet with together. Yet we in Aus sleep in all the time, avoid going to church because it is raining, or schedule to wash our curtains instead of meeting together.

“Wait a minute chill out dude why are you getting so worked up about this?”

Because so many of think we can take what God has given us for granted and I am afraid that just like the nation of Israel persecution came to get the people’s attention. I pray that it doesn’t have to come to that here. But I am afraid if we keep on the way we are, “having a form of Godliness but denying the power,” God will need to do something drastic.

And to be honest I am afraid not for me because I reckon I can take it, but for my kids, that was the overwhelming sentiment I got from believers in Egypt, I am afraid for my kids. Everywhere I went I met Christians who told me their dream was to move to Australia. Let’s hope one day we don’t have a dream to move somewhere else because it has become too oppresive here.

Sadly most persecuted people at some stage said it could never happen here. I think this quote sums it up well.

In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Check out http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Open-Doors-Australia/130930064511

Sorry no jokes today, sometimes you’ve just got to keep it real.

Rev Ev

It is all over rover the Congo leg of the trip is finished but what a time it was.

Before going I think we all had a picture of what we thought might happen but had no idea.

We were discussing on the way back that God really wants to use our gifts it was amazing what happened when we got to do what we are good at.

Take this for example I mentioned in earlier blogs that we recorded a rap song, well the real blessing in that was we got to hang with a local group that were really hungry for a break. (Watch this space I will host the song and video clip in the coming weeks.)

But on our last night we hosted a BBQ for all the people that we had really connected with, anyway the outcome from that night for the Boys from Gen Fuoco is they are going to have one of their songs added to a documentary about HEAL for Korean TV, The will be perforn=ming and mentoring a music group for the youth at the local baptist church, and they are going to be in the latest video for NAS an MCfrom New York whose video I would love to be in.

Now if you had of told me before hand that would happen I would not have believed.

Jesus Rocks the spot.

Also on our last day preached at Arche Church the local AOG in Goma. Can I tell you this was a dream come true they had 1300 chairs out and there were still people standing up andthe worship was phenomenal to say the least, after a crazy week where for the last few messages I was running on less than empty this was a tremendous way to finish.

Lastly we had a sing along at the BBQ for all Dad’s boys Matt, Myself, Jean Paul, Bizi and the newest addition Nixon. I am sure Dad was stoked.

There are many things that are still happening and things that I have not yet talked about in this blog so watch out they will keep on coming.

Evan (All by myself since Moira and the Krew left me.)

Wow what an amazing week it has been.

The Pastor’s and their wives conference has been completed and it was amazing to be a part of it.

God really did some great things. We stsrted with Living Free that really laid a great foundation and many commented that they had never heard such teaching.

We then did teaching on marriage, Children and leadership all of which went very well. One comment we receieved was a Pastor spoke to his wife properly for the first time in ten years and they spoke so much that rooster crowed and they realised they had been talikng all night. What a blessing!

We were really blessed as well they dressed Moira and in in matching Congolese outfits you are gonna love them.

After the end of the conference we went to another a Church they had nothing but what they lacked in things they made up for in spirit at the altar call 30 young people came and kneeled to be prayed for on Lava rocks I was blown away by their commitment but more to follow I am out of time The Bishop of Goma is taking me to see his work.

God Bless.

Evan

The Pastors Conference is about to start it’s third day and what an eye opener the first two days have been. When we first started I was a little apprehensive because I felt what do I have to teach these people we have 65 Pastors and their wives as well as two Anglican Bishops. I was scheduled to teach the living free weekend materials from our Mother Church Petersham AOG. And the way the program is written it is very basic.

I thought that some of the material would be too basic but I was very wrong.

The first day we are supposed to get people in small groups and discuss the things we struggle with and this really opened up a can of worms. I thought what have I gotten myself into but after that on the second day we had some real breakthroughs and I can see the whole conference starting to get freer. The people are really starting to open up and are really starting to enjoy each others company.

I have already been approached to come back and train more Pastors I even had an invitation to take Living Free to another place called Kisangani because the Bishop from there is in the sessions and has received a lot from the teaching.

Others in the team are having a great time as well Chris is like one of the locals and has been embraced by all the labourers as one of their own. Matt has been in his element he has already painted 4 pieces using arguably the worst spray paint in the world. Malia and Chris both met a group of orphans and sponsored some of them. We made a film clip last night for the track we recorded last week it is gonna be a classic don’t be surprised if Matt and I become celebrities in Congo because of it, the song is very catchy.

Heaps more to follow in the coming days.

God Bless

Evan and the Team

If you had have told me before we came that we would spend the day recording a Hip Hop track with a local crew and then spend half the day just chillin’ and walking around the city with the guys, followed by spending the afternoon with a Ugandan Breaking Crew teaching local kids to break, I would not have believed it.

The morning started with devotions where I preached to an audience of about 350 we were asked to sing a song so we busted out one of the praise tracks and Matt breaked. Dr Jo loved is so much that he busted out as well it was crazy.

After that we went to record we were told to meet the guys at a certain intersection. When we arrived one of them named Prince was there waiting we asked where the studio was and they lead us through a doorway just surrounded in sticks when we went inside there was a fully functioning studio there and we were in our element. We arrived at 9 and were finished recording by 12. Matt and I did a verse each on a track and then the guys did the chorus in Swahili and a verse in French it was amazing.

We then had a chance just to catch the vibe of the city of Goma. We walked for about 2 hours around the city it was stinking hot and I was struggling but it was great because we have been a little isolated from the people staying at the Hospital all day.

We then were told that there was a breaking workshop and that we were invited to come so off we went when we arrived it was as if we were a Street Uni at Liverpool a group of really good breakers were teaching and it was cool because they were from Uganda they all spoke English so we got to connect. We were invited to a breaking battle tomorrow which is the city wide championships is is gonna go off. Also Moira, Chris and Malia are off tomorrow with Mama Noella to visit outpatients infected with HIV AIDS most of them are terminal it is going to be a big day for them.

Please continue to pray there is still heaps happening and it is starting to speed up I already have about 18 speaking engagements booked for next week.

Evan and the Crew

Last week a group of guys came into Heal to do workshops with the kids and were a Hip Hop group. They came in yesterday to see Matt and now while we are here Matt and I are going to record a Hip Hop track with a local group called Gen Fuoco. It is costing us $60 to record the song and $100 go make a film clip so watch this space for the first ever Aussie Congolese Hip Hop collaboration performed in English, Swahili and French. We had a jam together and it is sounding really cool they sing with the most unique harmonies.

In the afternoon we went to our first Church service it was a Youth meeting for the local Baptist Church. And it was an eye opener to say the least. They asked a Choir to perform and as they walked on stage a procession of ladies walked up and handed us their babies, Matt, Dad, Malia and Myself all there nursing these little babies. The enthusiasm in worship was amazing people were just getting up and dancing it was infectious you should have seen Chris shakin’ it.

We busted out a praise track and it went off Matt started Breaking and the place went off people just jumped up and joined in and started breaking themselves. It was the first ever Krosswerds in Congo. I preached but half the people there had to go so what started as about 100 people dwindled down to about 30 by the time I got up to preach in a room that seats 1000 it was difficult but I preached my heart out and prayed for a bunch of young guys, so overall I think it was a success.

Alert Matt had his first marriage proposal yesterday a girl asked if Matt was married and he said no she said your brother is here he can do the ceremony all we need is to have a blood test and we are on. By the way he had a bare bum the whole time this conversation was going on. I’ll explain later.

Tomorrow I am doing devotions for all the staff and going to visit the grounds for hope, a big day for sure.

God Bless

Evan (the newest member of Gen Fuoco)

Firstly we went and visited the Rwandan Genocide Museum this place is a cruel reminder of the human potential towards evil. The part that rocked me the most was a section that just had a wall covered in large photos of children, under their picture it had a few details about them age, hobbies favorite food and lastly how they were killed. The last one that really rocked me listed a two year old girl and it commented that she was Daddy’s little girl. It then said that they smashed her against a wall.

I have nothing more to say about that.

We then got in the van and drove the three and a half hours to the Congo Border, the team really enjoyed getting to see a bit of Africa out of the city and into the villages, Rwanda really is a very beautiful place.

Crossing into Congo is such a contrast from Rwanda the infrastructure is sadly lacking the roads are terrible the people look visibly poorer. It was a real shock to the system I mean we thought the Rwandans were poor.

Anyway about 5 mins travel from the border we arrived at Heal Africa. It is hard to make too much of a comment this early on my thoughts about HEAL other than to say this is obviously a place that is working towards a God inspired vision. It is still a work in progress but you can really sense a feeling of hope and life there. We met the security guard named Frederick he is a guy who had both of his cut off for being too successful in a boxing match. Lets just Freddy is a legend despite his obvious challenges he is making the most of life and takes his job really seriously, it also helps that he has massive guns. He put on a demo of feats of strength for us and the local neighbourhood kids to a rousing ovation. Guys like him make a time like this so worthwhile. Big ups to Freddy.

Lastly we arrived at Maji which is where we will be staying for our time here. Lets just say this place is nothing short of spectacular it is a stately mansion on the lake with manicured gardens and a number of small guest houses. You have got to see this place to believe it no wonder Dad keeps wanting to come back. We had a lovely Dinner together with Dr Jo Lusi and his wife Lynn. I find Dr Jo to be a real inspiration he believes God sent us here from Australia to teach the Africans to rap. He said you must be legit because if you are not why would we go there we would go to America where at least we could earn some money.

Heading out tomorrow to speak at a Youth event pretty psyched, watch this space I will let you know how it goes.

God Bless

Evan and the Krew

Hi there if there are issues reading this message it is because I am trying to type on a french keyboard.

The team has all arrived safely despite Moira breaking her shoes at Bangkok airport we then had to walk 1 Km to our next departure gate Moira sans shoes [sans is without in french]

Upon arrival we pretty much hit the ground running checked in at hotel then jumped in a van to pick up John from, Compassion to go see our sponsor child Claude and his Grandmother. It was such a blessing Claude is our first sponsor child and I had the pelasure of seeing him in 2004. But he has really grown up, he prepared q speech for us in english where he talked about how blessed he was despite loosing his parents to have other parents on the other side of the world. It was really moving I think even Chris had a tear.

I will add some photos for you all soon

I had better go we are about to jump on another bus to head on to Congo.

Please pray for us the culture shock has been quite a challenge for some of the team.

God Bless

Evan and the Embassy Congo Team

It is really exciting what God has in store for the team.

Watch this space to follow the Exploits of Chris The Magnificent, Malia the brave, Moira the Marvelous, Matthias the Mysterious one, Col the Chronicler, and of course yours truly Effervescent Evan.

First stop is Rwanda to visit our sponsor child Claude then onto Goma for two weeks of ministry and mayhem.

Join the RSS feed for Automatic updates.

Cause this team is too Congolicious for ya babe.

Please pray for us

The team will be working in various areas. Ps Evan will be leading a team training Pastors and their wives both in Goma and in Maniema.

Col Peet will lead a building team to install water recycling in the transitions centres which will provide showers and washing facilities for the patients and doctors at the hospital. Embassy plans to provide resources to complement the current crutches workshop which will enable local carpenters to make adjustable crutches for re-use. This innovation will lessen the waiting time for crutches and allow orthopaedic patients to return home and free up much needed beds.

Malia will be working with the nurses while Matthew’s team will run art, craft and music workshops for the young patients and the students at Ephphatha School for the Deaf.

We need lots of help to make this happen and this month we kick off with our first fundraiser:

Embassy Goes Congoliscious Dinner

At THE DYNASTY RESTAURANT (inside Canterbury Leagues Club at Belmore) on Friday 28th May. 7 for 7.30 pm.

You’ll enjoy a fine dining Chinese Banquet and be entertained by “Charlotte Jane” all for just $100 each. Better still you get to have fun and know your helping HEAL Africa make a real difference in Eastern DR Congo.

For tickets e-mail colpeet@tpg.com.au or call 9550 0440.

Remember, if you can’t attend Embassy Goes Congoliscious Dinner you can still get involved. There’ll be more events in the coming months so keep an eye on the web site for news. You could sponsor one of the team members or make a regular contribution to the projects. http://www.cnecpi.com.au/help_HEAL_Africa

You also have the opportunity to bless our “intrepid travelers” and the people of D R

Congo through your commitment to pray.