So I'm sitting in church this morning when Barry asks the folks to pray for the folks from IBC (including Steve Roese) who are in Goma Congo. The situation there is slightly better than it was just a few months ago but is still extremely tough. Our folks are visiting the ALARM compound that I visited with a few other IBC'ers last October.
When the rebels started raiding, hundreds of thousands fled Goma and that area of the Congo for safety. All but a few of the ALARM staff left but have slowly trickled back in.
Anyway,
Instead of/as I was praying, I sent a text message to Steve telling him that we in the body gathered here in Irving were praying for him and for the folks there. He texted back his thanks and noted that ALARM needs funds to supply provisions to pastors in the area who are making their way back to their flock.
When the violence got close - they fled with the clothes on their back and the items that they could carry. They are coming back to nothing in most cases and it's difficult to minister to others when your own family has nothing to start with.
So, ALARM needs $100 per pastor to supply a tarp, some farm tools, some food and some rice - along with a little cash to start over with. They want to help 100 pastors so the math comes to $10,000
So I sent a text to Mike Gwartney (who "runs" the services each Sunday at IBC) and he and I exchanged a few more texts while Steve and I exchanged a few more texts . . . and the short story is that during the Lord's Supper, Mike was able to get word to Barry about all this and at the close of the service Barry shared that some texts had flown back and forth half way around the world during the last hour or so and baskets had been placed at the exits and if you wanted to give something to help the pastors of Goma, to drop something in the basket on your way out the door.
And the people gave $1469.15.
Barry will make a bit more comprehensive announcement at the 6:00 service and people will be able to contribute at the end of that one to. We might come up with $2500 or so just from today
All this because of a couple of text message that brought the communities of IBC in Irving Texas USA with the community of Pastors in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. Is there real community in a "virtual/online" community? This question comes up all the time amongst those of us who dabble in technology as we journey through this place and time.
Does that question even have to be asked? Seriously?
BTW - if you want to help, send a check to IBC with ALARM/Goma Pastors in the detail section.
UPDATE: At the 6:00 service the folks gave another $1410.13 for a one day total of $2879.28 and I know of at least one check for $125 that will come in tomorrow to take the total to over $3,000.
Not too shabby a demonstration of what the power of a few text messages can do . . . well, that and a body of believers who care for the "whole" body no matter where it's located.
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