Nord-Kivu (Nord-Kivu (DRC). The inhabitants of Rutshuru lived as if they were hostages up to the time that the rebels were defeated. Freed from their presence, about a hundred members of the Focolare Movement were able to meet after a long time, at Rutshuru (North-Kivu). For the ocassione of the Mariapolis, they also arrived from Goma and Kinshasa. They wrote us: “Now, the fear and tension on the faces of the inhabitants, are gradually giving way to a new hope”.

J. S. works in a hospital as a nurse. In her department of orthopedics she saw many cases arriving of those who were wounded during the war or urgent emergency cases. This is her experience:

“One evening we admitted a woman to our hospital. She was about to give birth to twins and she was bleeding profusely. Since it was an extremely urgent case, she was admitted directly to the operating room. The doctors did all they could to save her and her two infants. But unfortunately what they feared happened: the woman died a few days after the birth of her two children, a baby girl and a baby boy. The father said that he would not be able to raise them without their mother, and also he did not have the means necessary to do so. When the doctor came to our orthopedics department and shared to us this information, I felt a great pity for these babies. I remembered that point of the spirituality of unity that we are trying to live in the whole Movement this year: the love of neighbour; and these babies seemed to me like the suffering face of Jesus in person

I said to myself that something must be done immediately. I thought: “Five months ago I had a baby girl, so I cannot take more than one of the babies.” But I had not yet spoken to my husband, who obviously had to agree with me. So I went home and I told my parents about this proposal of mine regarding this adoption. Everyone agreed with joy! Even our little child, seeing another baby, didn’t want to be breastfed anymore… We took this as a sign of welcome on her part, towards her new little sister.

Three days later, urged on by my example, another nurse offered to adopt the baby boy. My joy was immense! Together we went to the Town Hall to legitimize the adoptions. We gave the name: ‘Hope’ to the baby girl who became part of our family”.

As a confirmation,  Mons.Théophile Kaboy, Bishop of Goma, commented during his homily at the concluding Mass of the Mariapolis: “Hatred and death will never have the last word”.