Congo War Refugee Rescue

Imagine if the tragedy of 9/11 happened every day where you live. Imagine if 4,500 men, women and children, your family and friends, died every day in your state. Imagine the terror, the bloodshed, the sadness. You run into the forest and only eat at night when no one can see the smoke from your cooking fire. What if this was going on since 1998 and now 5.4 million of your people were dead and you are on the run for you life?

Justin and Binua Matiyabo and many thousands like them from the Democratic Republic of Congo have lived through this terror and still are. The Matiyabos now live in Coralville, Iowa but three daughters, two sons-in-law and 11 grandchildren are still refugees in Benin, Africa. Binua's brother died unexpectedly in May, 2009. He was also a refugee in Benin. Now it's just the kids and grandchildren. If your family was languishing in another country who would you go to for help? For Justin, Binua and their family it comes down to people like you and me. After 6 years of paperwork and government process they have until June, 2010 to purchase visas and plane tickets for their family.

The total cost will be around $50,000. It may look like a lot of money, but if 1,000 people gave $50 it would change the lives of these 16 people. If you give something to the Congo War Refugee Fund the Matiyabos can have the hope of seeing loved ones again. Otherwise, they are required to start the six year process over again and hope their family remains safe during that time.

Justin and Binua are now citizens of the United States. Binua pastors a small, but growing church, in Coralville that focuses on serving other refugees from the continent of Africa. Justin is the executive director of an organization that prepares and serves sandwiches to needy people twice a week. It's our turn to serve them. Every penny you donate gives this family hope of having a life together again. A life we take for granted every day.

If you would like to be a part of this Congo War Refugee Rescue Mission please mail your check to:

Congo War Refugee Fund
US Bank
506 10th Avenue
Coralville, IA 52241
Attn: Heather Austin

Please continue to check the blog for updates and more information concerning the war taking place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.