A series of projects to help repair relationships between soldiers and civilians in troubled eastern DRC has brought the two groups together in unexpected ways. I spent several days with Congolese soldiers and villagers in North Kivu province to find out how Christian Aid partner CBCA has been rebuilding trust in an area blighted by violence towards civilians by armed groups. In this reflection a few weeks ahead of elections in DRC, I look at how CBCA has been supporting reform from within the Congolese army and how a church choir in the tiny village of Kibati provides a small glimpse of a more peaceful future for the region. Useful links: http://www.christianaid.org.uk & http://www.congonow.org/