08-Feb-2007 -- On our drive back to Goma from a 4-day visit to Rwanguba, we stopped here - as close as anyone may get to the actual Confluence for a while. We spotted a couple of boys in the sugar cane, cutting down a snack and talked/signed them into cutting us a taste, too.

The area is still worried by rebel forces present, looting homes and cargo trucks. Beautiful scenery, hard-working people everywhere. We didn't drive a single mile without passing pedestrians carrying impressive loads.

Our journey was part of a short term mission trip to support the humanitarian and Christian work of World Relief. In Rwanguba we reveled in the joy of singing, dancing villagers, living in a tight-knit community in the lush mountainside.

We also served in Goma, a city devastated by the eruption of the closest Virunga volcano. Lava covers 40% of the city. Walls and houses and stores are built of lava. The city is swollen with refugees seeking safety from the warring rebels.