Surviving Tragedy

On the night of October 23, 2023, the ADF attacked a neighbourhood in Beni territory, North Kivu province, and killed 27 Christians amongst 35 deaths recorded. The Christians died from bullets, hammer blows, and machete cuts. Amongst the victims were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph, and their four children (2 girls and 1 boy of barely a year old). Three of their children survived: David, 21, who was out of the family house when the attackers came, his brother, who hid on the roof, and his sister, who hid under the bed.

Bereft of their parents, David, as the eldest, became the parent to his two siblings. He juggled school and odd jobs to put food on the table. This was stressful for the young man. He managed to make ends meet with his siblings until July 2024, when his sister moved in with their grandmother in another community.

David has battled with surviving and fending for his family, trauma, and the pain of unforgiveness against the ADF. He continues to live with his youngest brother. October 2024 marks a year since David lost his parents. He shares that “I had developed great bitterness against those who killed my family. I kept that in my heart.”

After the death of David’s family members, he could no longer concentrate on anything, even his studies for the 2023-2024 academic year, which the local ministry supported him with school fees for. “Me and my little ones failed despite the efforts made. I have to retake the exams,” he said.

His younger brother, Isaac, was also traumatised from watching from the rooftop as his parents were killed with a machete by the ADF.

In May 2024, the local trauma care team organised a debriefing session with 30 Christians in Oicha. David and his brother were part of the sessions.

“When I met the brothers and sisters, they taught me to forgive and to bring my burdens to the cross of Jesus Christ. Now I am free; I don’t know where I would be if they hadn’t come,” he said. “Matthew 7:7 gave me a lot of strength,” David added.

On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the local partners again visited David and his brother for prayers and encouragement. They were more relieved from the pain of losing their relatives and attested to being more committed to church activities after the trauma debriefing session of May 2024.

During the visit, meditations were drawn from Psalm 68:6-12 and Jeremiah 3:12. They were also given 8kg of rice, 5 litres of palm oil, 10kg of beans, 5kg of sugar, and detergents as basic needs for the family. The two brothers have also further received support for their school fees for this academic year.

The presence of the team assured David and his brother that they were never alone and that they are part of a bigger family in the Body of Christ which cares for them.

“Really, thank you! God bless you,” were words of gratitude David had to say to the brethren who support his family.