IDJWI second biggest island in Africa, no electricity, extremely bad roads.
From Bukavu in the DRC, a port at the south of Lake Kivu we were able to board a boat to get to Idjwi.
We called into 3 other ports enroute and so the trip took a long 7 hrs.
When we landed we were met by a Landcruizer (one of 3 vehicles on the island) which took us to a Catholic Church and that was our accommodation for the next few days.
The first day of the meetings we were so surprised at what went on as 200 leaders had gathered. Among them were political leaders of certain govt. ministerial departments on the island; and even the king’s personal representative.
There was much excitement and a real desire to hear what these “two white men” had to say. We were a spectacle to many – because very few white people had come to the island. Only the odd tourist and not for long. We came not for tourism but to bring a message.
The evening crusades were new to them. The last was done by a Swede and it didn’t go down too well with the people as apparently it was a judgment message about how bad they were and condemning God was.
The second night the crowd trebled, and so God’s mercy and favor was shown by salvations and healings.
The love of the people toward us was amazing … they have never had a war on the island and that is seen by the lack of suspicion, their respect for us and their love for God. They accepted the Word with open hearts. It was an absolute privilege traveling to this little known place with a people so excited about the gospel. Idgwi bijou – Idgwi a jewel … and that it is.