Women’s Center in the Central African Republic – Triumph and Hope in C.A.R.

Update: Winter 2009

My Visit to the Central African Republic by Gordon Olson

In early December I traveled to C.A.R., representing LPGM and Global Health Ministries, to see the completed women’s center and church in Bouar as well as to work with Teresa Obwaya, project manager, and President Andre Golike to take preliminary actions on the construction of the medical clinic in Gallo.  From celebrations at the Gallo site to meetings with the contractor, the experience was one of great joy and hopefulness.

The newly constructed Women’s Center is now fully functioning. Workshops and seminars are being held, sewing and literacy classes have been started and guest rooms are being used regularly. The women are thrilled with their new facility!

A well has been drilled (and plenty of water found!) on the Women’s Center property that will provide adequate water for present and future needs. In addition, an electrical inverter and battery storage system has been installed to run lights and equipment at the center.

Plans have been drawn for an HIV/AIDS office, counseling and treatment center to be constructed on an existing foundation. We are looking for a donor for this $25,000 much needed structure.

The church leaders are so excited about the clinic and what it will do for the community and for the church. Now, more than ever, the church here is finding hope–hope because they know we are walking with them and are helping them to make important things happen. It is impossible for me to tell you the full impact of our partnership and the love they have for us. What powerful emotions! What an important and strong relationship we are building with people who for so long have not been able to dream of the future–but instead struggle to survive day by day.

Update: Spring 2008

“It finally happened . . . the trip we had been hoping and praying for,” writes Nola Storm of Olivet Lutheran in Fargo, North Dakota. Nola visited the Central African Republic in mid-February to attend the dedication of the House of Martha and Mary, the newly constructed women’s center in the city of Bouar. Several representatives of the companion synods that contributed to the women’s center were on hand to celebrate with the whole church at this very special event. Constructing buildings is so rare in C.A.R. that the building permit for the women’s center was number one!

Along with that dedication was the dedication of the renovated warehouse that became a beautiful church, which they call the Central Church, the largest church building in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (EELRCA). This renovation was a gift from Hope Lutheran in Fargo, North Dakota.

Nola continues her report: “Deferred for one year due to the instability and unrest in C.A.R., we were able to go forward and rejoice with our brothers and sisters over the dedication of the center. The physical part of the trip was long and difficult due to the poor infrastructure. Red dirt roads! I have a new understanding of potholes, but the scenery was amazing and the trip was so worth it.

“We were so far from home but strangely at home. We were able to meet with EELRCA president, Rev. Andre Golike, and the president of the Central African Women for Christ (FCC), Simone Baigo Dari. We worshiped, ate, and prayed, and all of us were impressed with the joy we witnessed and the hospitality we received everywhere we went. The needs are great in C.A.R., but the church provides so much hope as well as concrete things like education, health care, and clean water. In this forgotten country the church is strong and continues to provide positive direction and hope. Please pray for the church in C.A.R. that God will continue to protect and sustain them.”

We asked Nola to represent LPGM at the dedication and read a greeting. In addition, plaques were presented to the church that will remind them of the continued partnership of their friends in the U.S.A.

The women have already made many plans to use the facilities and they are so encouraged by the love that was shown through this special gift. Again, this is an example of the work that can be accomplished by many people working together to make a significant difference in the ministry of the global church. Let’s all continue to pray for this church and the work of the women who are so important to raising up the families and creating stability in the society. This investment will pay big dividends.

Update: Winter 2008

We’ve been reading in the news that France and other European nations are planning to send peacekeeping troops and supplies to C.A.R. to assist the country and create a more secure environment. This comes just in time for a delegation of visitors from the three companion synods of the ELCA (Eastern and Western North Dakota and Texas/Louisiana) to travel there for the dedication of the Women’s Center on February 20, 2008. The dedication, which was postponed for more than a year, will be an exciting and inspiring event, giving a start to a new era of ministry by and for the women and girls of C.A.R. We are so grateful that this has become a reality. Watch for an update on this event with photos in our next newsletter. The needs in the Central African Republic are many. Eight motorcycles (at $2,000 each) will enable church leaders to do their ministry in a country with poor roads and difficult access to villages. Women’s ministries still need ongoing support — a great opportunity for women’s groups to encourage these African women. Our largest project there is the planned clinic in Gallo, a joint project of Global Health Ministries and LPGM. We are still looking for that special person or persons who can spend up to two years in C.A.R. supervising the construction and start-up of the clinic. That person must be somewhat fluent in French. We pray that God will send just the right person for this special task. Are you that special person or do you know of someone who is?

Update: Autumn 2007
ELCA missionary to the Central African Republic, Joyce Graue, reports that the Women’s Center is now complete and will be handed over to the women of the church in the next few weeks. This concludes a multi-year effort to build a facility for education and empowerment of women in Bouar, near the church headquarters. So many individuals, congregations and synods have helped with this major project and now the dream has become reality. Although the basic structure was completed a few months ago, many finishing touches, including painting, landscaping and furniture were needed before the women could move in. Now staffing and program planning are high on the agenda. Recently 100 chairs and electrical battery storage equipment were loaded on a container at Global Health Ministries in Minneapolis to be shipped to Cameroon and eventually to the Women’s Center in C.A.R. The dedication is planned for February 20, 2008.

The women of CAR are so grateful to now have a place to meet and learn and grow. This center will be truly a positive vehicle for the women to develop programs that will ultimately lead toward sustaining themselves and their families as well as spiritual development under the umbrella of the Church. We will keep our readers informed as the programs develop.

Update: Summer 2007
The Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) wanted a Women’s Center in Bouar, near the central offices of the church and they now have one!

This was one of the largest single project undertakings LPGM has done. Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND contributed $30,000 towards the project and other churches among C.A.R.’s ELCA companion synods, Eastern North Dakota, Western North Dakota and the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast were major donors for this project. On behalf of the women in C.A.R., LPGM sends a huge “thank you” to them as well as to the many individual donors who felt the call to financially support the Women’s Center.

Update: Winter 2007
Tim and Janet Dray Return from C.A.R.! Tim and Janet Dray, Minneapolis architects who have given a year of their time and skills to supervise the construction of a women’s center and church in the Central African Republic, returned to the U.S. in early December (2006) and are now back working at their respective jobs. With the buildings nearing completion, the Drays were able to take this project from the planning stage to actuality within a year’s time. Given the challenges of working on such a huge project in that country, the end result is truly a miracle. Latest reports are that the projects, funded mostly by ELCA companion synods and large congregations in those synods, are 95% complete with only painting, furnishing and some finishing touches left.

We are so grateful to the Drays for their amazing work and dedication to the projects. When fully completed and operating, the women’s center will reach out to educate and empower hundreds of women and young girls, teaching skills and leadership. The church will serve as a worshiping and gathering place for the greater community of Bouar as well as a storage and distribution place for medicines and AIDS-related supplies (in the basement). This tree-lined property has been transformed into a place that will play a significant role in the church of that country serving its people under the banner of Christ. Although giving has been generous for these projects, more funds are needed for completion of the women’s center and for the on-going support of its programs. If you or your congregation can help, please contact us.

Update: Autumn 2006
The center for the empowerment and education of women and girls in the is nearing completion. The walls are up and the roof trusses are being installed. By the end of October the roof should be in place and only finishing touches will be left. Furnishings are being made and landscaping will be done in November. The building looks better than anyone could have imagined and it is attracting the attention of the community and officials throughout the country. Another project, the renovation of the warehouse which will become a church is also on schedule with most of the windows now complete and attention given to painting and final touches with wood trim and a carved cross. The 60 foot bell tower that will set the church apart as a place of worship (rather than the warehouse that has been there for years) is about halfway up (Please read more about this project on the Church in Bouar, C.A.R. page). Both the church and the women’s center will be completed by year’s end. We praise God for guidance in this project and for the generosity of his people.