IT WAS A LONG TRIP from Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Boma, down river toward the coast about 300 kilometers to the west.
On the way, a group of us learned that an orphanage for children of "witches" existed near Boma. ... these children are considered to be pariahs—almost literally untouchables—and totally excluded by the local population, even the churches.
While the TMC Youth team was preparing the Summit logistics, we decided to visit the orphanage. The director was happy to welcome us. We saw quickly the four simple, clay-brick buildings. In the largest one all the children had been waiting for some time. The pastor began to explain the history of the place. He and his wife had decided to take care of these orphans ten years ago. He explained to us that he left his own religion because it, as many other Christian churches, had also rejected these children.
