Learn More About the Congo -- Pain to Power Tour

Last night, we went to hear the kick off of the "Pain to Power Tour" at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.

Eve Ensler performed a stirring new piece she's written on a teenage girl forced to be a sex slave in the DRC, and then interviewed Dr. Denis Mukwege about the Panzi Hospital and the City of Joy. As devastating as the statistics of brutalization are (over 5 million Congolese killed in the past ten years, over 200,000 women raped), it is always the stories that stay with me.

The story of a young raped teenage woman who wants to grow up to be a nun.

The story of a 14-year-old girl who sees Dr. Mukwege as the only good man she has ever known.

The story of a 20-year-old woman who received a $20 microfinance loan and started a shop, allowing her to save enough money to buy her own land.

Katey Zeh, who works with me at the Religious Institute, and I were able to go back stage at meet Dr. Mukwege, who was so generous and warm about the Congo Sabbath Initiative. It was such an honor to be with both of them.

The tour is going on to California, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. If you are in one of those areas, I urge you to attend. As one person said during the Q&A last night, "I just didn't know."

And once again, please please consider becoming involved in the Congo Sabbath Initiative. My home congregation raised $3600 this weekend for Dr. Mukwege's hospital and the City of Joy. That will pay for 40 women to have operations they desperately need.

You CAN help the women and girls in the Congo. Please get involved.