Recently, as we were working with a visiting team at the hospital in Kikongo, we struck up a conversation with a boy with a broken leg. The poor little guy was stuck at the hospital and had no other entertainment than to follow us around and watch us do our work. We didn't mind having him around because he always had a big smile and laughed at our jokes (That's a big plus.) Unfortunately, I forgot his name. So, he'll always be "the boy with the broken leg" to me.

The boy broke his leg while playing soccer in his village. There was no hospital or emergency room or even a doctor's office in his village. So, his family carried him many miles to the hospital in Kikongo. When he reached the hospital days later, the doctor set the bone, which was pretty painful. He then put a cast on the boy's leg, to immobilize his leg and to let the bone repair itself correctly. When we met the boy he was already well past the painful part and was already into his recovery. Of course, there will be more recovery when the cast comes off. But, I have no doubts that this little guy will be running around and playing soccer again in no time. He was a brave little boy.

As I thought about this boy and the impression that he made on me and my friends from the States, I realized that in many ways he represents his country very well. Like this boy, Congo has been injured and broken. Years of colonization, dictatorship and wars have left the country broken, almost crushed.

Like this boy, Congo is in need of a little stability in order to heal. The doctors gave the boy a cast. The new Congolese government is trying to provide peace and stability in the country so that Congo can heal.

Like this boy, the country still has to rely on outside help to heal. Someday, when the country is more mature and developed, it won't be like that. But for now Congo still needs expertise and resources from the outside.

And, like this boy, Congo is brave. In the midst of their pain, while they are still healing, Congolese people can laugh and play and hope for a better future. It's as if they're saying, "It's only a broke leg. We'll get over it." They are a brave people.
Please pray for peace and stability in Congo. Pray for honest leadership. Pray that Congo can heal from its wounds and move on.

-- Jill and Mike Lowery