Democratic Republic of the Congo
Sister Esther Furaha serves as a tutor with the Bridge to Reading literacy ministry in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When she joined, she was an unbeliever and
said, “I just want to help the Dina group learn to read and write, but I don’t believe in your
stories. I believe kimbirikiti with my whole family.” Kimbirikiti is a spirit that the Barega
tribe worships in Esther’s home province. The Dina literacy class is composed of women
who identify with Dinah of the Old Testament and her abuse by society. Specifically,
these women never had an opportunity to go to school when they were younger. Using
Bible passages, Esther tutored for 16 months before she finally gave her life to Jesus!
Village leaders invited me back to their village to baptize Esther because she was known
everywhere as an unbeliever. The Dina group rejoiced that their highly respected tutor
had received Jesus and is following God’s call to become an evangelist!
—Herman Mutuzi, Lead Tutor, OMS Bridge to Reading Literacy Ministry
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