Escaping the ravages of war, Dr. Lwabanya Marx and his family fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), traveling across Lake Tanganyika in a dugout canoe. He completed his high school studies while in a refugee camp in Burundi. During his time in the refugee camp, he observed many things, including the need for quality health care. Because he witnessed his aunt die in childbirth, he developed a particular concern and passion for maternal-child health.

With these experiences in mind, Dr. Marx returned to Bukavu in the DRC to attend medical school. After completing medical school in 2010, he served at the Van Norman Clinic in Bujumbura, Burundi. Then, seeing the need for further education, Dr. Marx entered Brown University in Rhode Island, where he completed a Master of Health Care Leadership in 2017. The following year (2018), the bishop of the DRC, Bishop Lubunga W’Ehusha, invited Dr. Marx to be the medical director of Nundu Deaconess Hospital. Returning to Nundu was like returning home since Dr. Marx was born at Nundu Hospital in 1983. His father had been the school director in the village of Lusenda, only six miles from Nundu.

The challenges in the DRC and at Nundu Hospital are significant. Dr. Marx shares, “Decades of conflict in Eastern Congo have impacted all sectors of life, resulting in a fragile economy and poor health. Also, epidemic and endemic disease have slowed efforts to improve health outcomes.” And as he witnessed in the refugee camps, women and children are the most affected.

Despite the challenges, Dr. Marx has a vision of hope. He is a creative leader who is taking Nundu to new levels. He is an innovator. Following his passion for maternal-child health, he has established the neonatal intensive care unit. He is a connector, reaching out to bioengineering specialists in Bujumbura who assist in maintaining hospital equipment. He is a role model, dedicated to family and the Lord. He is a motivator, encouraging the staff at Nundu to be all they can be by offering healing through trauma-informed care.

Built in 1981, Nundu Deaconess Hospital stands as a tribute to early missionaries who had a vision and a hope for the future. Dr. Marx continues this vision and hope among a population of more than 300,000 who are being served by the hospital today. Join us in praying for the Lord’s continued provision as Dr. Marx and the dedicated staff at Nundu cast a vision of hope through physical and spiritual healing.