Society broke down & we were caught in the middle

When the economy breaks down, society breaks down.  It happened to the country of Zaire and since we were living there as missionaries, we were caught in the middle.

We lived in the interior and except for a little news on the radio, we had very little communication with the outside world.  So I won't attempt to get every detail in historical order but will tell it as I remember it and as it affected us.

The soldiers are at Mission Garizim
There were several army mutinies.  My understanding is that like most government workers, the army did not get paid.  Somehow they must have felt that this meant they were justified in just taking what they felt "should" be theirs from just anybody.  Mission Garizim, that we had started from scratch, was raided, but we were so fortunate.  We only lost our typewriters (which we have never been able to replace) and several barrels of fuel.  Most other missions were stripped to the bare cement.  Even toilets were removed! although I can't imagine what the soldiers did with them.

Upon learning that the soldiers were coming, our people removed most of the mission valuables to the forest, and stayed there with them.  Our big truck was out on evangelism.  Our workers and students  heard that the soldiers were at Garizim, so they turned off the ignition, since any noise can be heard for many miles around, and pushed!!! that 10 ton truck into the bush, covering it with branches and other debris until the soldiers were well out of the area.

Trouble in Kinshasa, and we are there
There was trouble, looting, rioting and random violence off and on for several years.  Twice we were in the capital city, Kinshasa, obtaining supplies, when trouble broke out.  The first time, we were ordered into protective custody by the US Embassy.  All Americans were put together in one apartment building which was guarded by US soldiers.  Our family and another were assigned to share one apartment.  They were good friends, so it wasn't too bad.  Just restrictive. 

Facing death
The second time, we were staying at the home of another missionary family.  They were out doing some ministry when the roads were blocked and they were not able to return.  We had been listening to the radio to know which parts of town to avoid and what days not to go out at all.  Certain parts of the city were being looted systematically, which rape and sometimes killing resulting.  One day we heard that our neighborhood was been targeted for looting that night.  There was no safe way out.  We had to stay and face whatever came.  I remember that I really felt we might die that night.  We could hear gunshots all around us.  We got together with the Zairean worker and guard who were there to pray together.  We all knelt down on the veranda and committed our lives to the Lord.  Tears streamed down my face freely, yet I felt a deep peace, and sense that it would be all right.  Not because I thought we would not die but because I had faced that possibility and said, "Yes, Lord.  It's OK even if we do die tonight". 

I went to bed fully clothed, thinking that sleepwear would encourage soldiers to rape when they came to our friend's house that night.  I slept fitfully, awakening once fighting soldiers who were tying me up, only to realize it was only a dream.

Angels guarded us
The next morning, the guard called to us.  Trembling, he told us that during the night he had seen angels all across the top of the gate.  When we later told our friend who lived there he said, "Well, I'm not much given to seeing angels, and normally I would doubt this.  But I can tell you this:  "If old Papa Makunza says he saw angels, they were definitely there."

The soldiers never did come to our neighborhood.

We were safe, but so much damage was done.  Many lost everything they had.  Many suffered the humiliation of rape, usually done in front of their families.  Many were killed.

The destruction
Businesses were destroyed.  There was an automotive factory in Kinshasa, one of very, very few mass employers.  It was looted and utterly destroyed--another casualty in the war on the "rich".  Hundreds of people lost their jobs from that one destruction alone, and the plant was never reopened.  It sat as an ugly eyesore for years.  Finally it was made into a communal market, but those who have booths there merely moved their goods from elsewhere.  No new employment was created.

Not only was inventory destroyed and means of production destroyed, but great damage was done to the roads and bridges.  Not that the roads were much to brag about to begin with, but during Zaire's upheavals, much further damage was done.  This had two effects:  1.  Those in the interior found it difficult and often impossible to get agricultural goods to market.  As a result, they had food to eat but found it impossible to pay their children's school fees or medical care.  And 2.  Those in the cities found that food was hard to get, so of course prices skyrocketed.  In the end, everyone was hurt.

I suppose that's why, when people here anticipate the breakdown of society following economic problems, I readily see that that is feasible and highly probable.  Of course, we can also see it happening on the news in other countries and in places in the US on a lmited scale so far.  I experienced it in Zaire, so to me it is far more than just theoretical.  I know how easily it can happen.

Through it all, I can only pray that God has mercy on us.  As His child, I know He is with us through the hardest of times.  It is in Him ultimately that I place my trust.