Brass For Africa

Congo Support Network update 31 December 2009

BFA founder Graham Toulmin returns to Congo

On Monday 28 December, 2009, BFA founder Graham Toulmin led a team back to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The team includes SWAC member and journalist Josh Maule, 4 dental students (Danny, Jess, Steph & Zoe) and Andy & Anne Marie Dodd (long term friends & supporters of the work in DRC).

Graham Toulmin

Josh Maule

The team will stay in Nairobi, Kenya, from Mon Dec 28 to Mon Jan 4, including medical work in the slums with Dr Joe Radkovic (CMS NSW).

Timon Grodya

From Nairobi, the team will vist Kampala/ Entebbe in Uganda to organise visas for DRC and will include dental clinic work with Graham's former colleague Timon Grodya, and with James Magara.

On Sat Jan 9, the team will fly to DR Congo to visit long-time SWAC friend Muhindo Isesomo in the DRC, whose biography Josh is writing.

Those dentally inclined will provide oral care and some
upgrades to the dental clinics in Butembo and Aru.

The DR Congo itinerary for January 2010 is:

Church in Butembo (with Isesomo who will also accompany the group over next week)
Dental work in Butembo
visiting Dorcas' orphan ministry and village health centre
Dental work in Butembo
village health centre in Mabuku then to Beni
Dental work in Beni
Dental work in Kamango
Church in Kamango
Fly Beni to Aru via Nyankunde
Aru (with Dr Francesca Elloway & Bishop Ande)
Dental work at Mahagi Health Centre
Dental work at Mahagi Health Centre
Return to Aru
Dental work in Aru
Church in Aru
Dental work in Aru
Planning Day for future with Grodya, William (dental worker in Aru trained by GT), Dr Francesca Elloway, Baliesima and the Aussie Team
Leave Aru for Entebbe - Nairobi - Hong Kong
Hong Kong - Sydney
Arrive Sydney

PRAISE

Team got away safely today complete with 50kg excess baggage FREE including a portable dental chair! [Half of each team member's baggage was either dental or medical equipment or supplies. 8 in the team - 4 dental students (Danny, Jess, Steph & Zoe), Josh Maule (journalist), Andy & Anne Marie Dodd (long term friends & supporters of the work in DRC) and Graham Toulmin.]
Generosity of Dental supply companies here in Sydney seeking to continue to assist with dental work in Congo.

PRAY

Continued safety for all the team.
Kindness on part of Kenya Airways with the excess luggage Nairobi - Entebbe. [From Entebbe the team is on a MAF charter flight.]
Encouragement for our Congolese friends and fellow workers - Isesomo, Grodya, Baliesima, Dr Francesca, Bishop Ande and the many others.
Good health for the team.
Wisdom and good planning for the future of the dental work in the Eastern part of Congo.

News from Africa team Thursday 31 December 2009 (by SMS)

Arrived safely complete with 50 kg free excess baggage including dental chair. God is good! Hit ground running, look round city, trip to slums ministry work including clinic work. Today visit game park.

Please pray for

the weekend in Nairobi,
church on Sunday
flying to Uganda on Monday -- that all luggage including the dental chair will go
that they may be able to sort out phone problems (Graham’s not working at all, Josh’s has a local SIM card but is not receiving texts.

Grant Robinson for Congo Support Network