Messages from our Congo Sisters
When I met with hundreds of our sisters in Congo, I asked them what they would like to tell American women, and those who Run for Congo Women. In these directly transcribed lines, here is what they said:
We send warm greetings.
We really need them.
If they can’t write, please send photos.
We’re very happy to you, Lisa
And for all the other women, for all the women
who accept to make their bodies suffer because we suffer.
Give our thanks to them, tell them we are together.
We should remain sharing all our feelings.
We love them so much.
We know war in Congo is not near to finished,
So we ask them to ask the government to help stop the war.
To the government, we pray they do whatever they can
So the war can end, and people in poverty
because of the war can feel they are also
human beings, the dignity of being human.
Be blessed, Government of the U.S.I lost all things, burnt. I lost dignity.
You dignified me.
I became seller of beans and flowers.
I regained joy.
The help you are sending helps us to be human beings, really.
If you could open my heart to see how happy I am to see you.
I am buying hens. Whenever I am hungry now, I slaughter one.
If I was a bird, I would fly and meet you in America.
I’m feeling as if I’m getting fat.
Since meeting you in the morning,
I’m fat with joy.
I cook doughnuts.
We no longer rent. We got our own land.
I pay them to work on my farm.
I’m hopeful. At harvest, I will rejoice.
Today I can really breastfeed my baby because I am eating well.
If my kid grows up, it is because of support from you.
When I heard you were running, I found it was really true love.
When I learned you were coming, I was waiting.
I don’t know what measurement I can use to measure my joy.
I feel somehow a person in life, a woman in life.
I didn’t think I would feel like other women.
You have to continue up to the coming of Jesus.
Thanks, thanks, thanks.
I don’t know how to express my joy. I don’t know how.
May god bless and bless and bless and bless.
What I receive makes me feel like a woman now.
It doesn’t arrive every day to be in this kind of joy. But I am really happy.
This was so beautiful. Made me cry, but in such a good way. Their smiles are so beautiful. Thank you for your courage and all you do.
I , obviosly am not a sister, but want you to know that I pray and support you in your cause. A dear friend of mine participated in one of your runs for these woman, and it has drawn my heart to them. I will continue to pray for these woman and their safety , may God bless you in all you do and and may you feel of the love He has for you as do I.
Jason, you are a brother to us and to all of our sisters…one with a beautiful heart, and that matters more than any of us can ever know. We are all in this together.
What a wonderful time to be alive and to have the opportunity to share in this work for our Congolese sisters and for all of our sisters all over the planet. Thank you, Lisa. Thank you Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn, Thank you, Oprah. Thank you, Lisa Ling and Ben Affleck.
Lisa, I was a sister before you started RFCW and I am always so amazed, impressed, overjoyed with how your event has turned into a global movement. The smiles on these women’s faces says it all. You have found a true purpose and may God Bless You always!!!