VOLUNTEERS from a South Lakes church have returned from a harrowing trip to one of the world’s most danger-ous countries.

During the three-week visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the team spoke at the funeral of two boys under five-years-old killed when robbers threw a grenade through the window of their home.

The volunteers had round-the-clock armed guards, against rebel attacks in the troubled African state.

John and Sue Sainsbury led the seven-man team to help the HEAL Africa Hospital in Goma, which helps council victims of rape and improve the lives of children as well as treating the sick.

John, the reverend at the Outreach House church in Witherslack, said: “It was quite something and it’s difficult to describe such a big event in our lives.

“I went to two funerals while I was out there. They bury the bodies very quickly and then they have the family gatherings afterwards where they are singing and thank-ing God they are still alive.

“It was also incredible to see these women at the hospital who had been brutalised in such a horrific and unbelievable way. The people are absolutely amaz-ing and the word I would use for the whole experience would be humbling. I don’t know how they survive.”

The team also helped teach English to medical staff and played football with children.

Scores of cuddly toys, dona-ted by Wings School, Milnth-orpe, were given to children at the school attached to the HEAL Africa Hospital.

But despite the visit being a life-turning experience, Mr Sainsbury says it is unlikely they would return to the poverty-stricken country.

“It felt like a kind of dream when we got home, and I realised when I returned how much we actually have here.

“They would love us to go back and there is such need and gratitude which we received from the wonderful people from Congo, but it took a lot of work to get out there and it is such a huge commitment. From a Christ-ian point of view I would love to have a job there because it is an absolute life-line for some of these people.”