Dec 2010 - Vision 2011

Amahoro ( Peace)

News from Burundi

We arrived at OR Tambo on Monday 20 December, with the soccer world cup life size photos reminding us of this event plastered against the walls of the airport corridors. Happy faces representing our rainbow nation. Everything seems so clean bright and efficient, with passport control flooded with visitors from abroad. Just a few hours ago we were in Bujumbura with mosquitoes buzzing around both of us excited to come back to SA. But we know our routes are growing in Burundi as we have to condition ourselves to greet people differently in SA and the Kirundi and French words slipping out here and there.

December month was a supper busy time for us filled with great happenings, here is some highlights:

A small team from Liberty Church of 3 people came to visit and minister. Dutliff, a successful businessman with good experience of travelling Africa and having stayed a few years in Uganda arrived a week before the other two team members. Dutliff a food scientist specializing in formulating food additives for animals, was an absolute blessing and wanted to come and investigate the nutrition situation of young children. So we visited many hospitals and some private clinics to help with the investigation. We appreciated Dutliff’s insight into the African culture and always had a posture to learn. He even met with an Aids association and teached them how to make peanut butter. As well as adding value in formulizing Ps Charles’s vision for Rubabi.

Iloma and Hannes arrived end of November and the team used the time to visit and encourage village churches, made crafts with the local Sunday school and we planted a Farming God’s Way garden in the north of the country in Ngosi. In my last blog I explain the philosophy of FGW and the impact it is making in the rest of Africa, now it is Burundi’s turn. After hours we watched the full training DVD’s of FGW and we set off to Ngosi to go train a village where one of Ps Charles’s pastors met us, Ps Andrew. We divided the training amongst us and training FGW. Dutliff was very instrumental in the practical aspect of the training, laying out the Garden and teaching the people for the 1^st time. It was really so successful that 6 unbelievers came to Christ that day just by attending the training. Diane and I are very thankful to this team we were so encouraged with their visit and all the gifts they brought with was Holy Spirit inspired.

Thank you to Bible for Believers who continue to sponsor Bibles. When we were in Ngosi we used the opportunity to also hand out Bibles. At the one church after handing out Bibles we asked if anyone had a testimony. One man stood up, with a smile that shines from his face, he started to explain that he was earnestly seeking God for a Bible, just 3 days before he had a dream that some white people and one black man (our interpreter Aron) will come visit the Church and give him a Bible. We were so encouraged knowing that God has confirmed beforehand that we will come and that our coming is in the centre of His will. Praise God!

Our next visitors was two Veritas directors Ivan Skinner (green shirt in the pic) and David de Wet (Blue shirt). They came to assess the training we have done this year and to train 10 facilitators to help train module 1. Veritas training has been instrumental, we have literary seen Pastors preaching change. We also had a short ceremony to hand out the 27 certificate to the Pastors who completed module 1 training and asked for some testimonies. Some were very amusing and others very serious but all of them highlighted the fact that God’s call for this training is 100% necessary and relevant. One Pastor explained that the training has helped him understand the difference between absolute and relative truths. How to understand the message in context of the culture and history without merely preaching his own ideas of the passage and presenting his sermon confidently within a well prepared structure. As a result he said his church is growing daily. People are flocking to come and listen to his teachings and their lives are changed by God’s Word. Truly the power of the Word of God is within the understanding of His message.

The final highlight just days before we left was from a sponsor who said that he cannot sleep at night because he is constantly reminded of the poverty of the children in Burundi. Hence he gave and Diane came up with a brilliant idea. She has been preparing for some months to buy small school bags for her 130 Sunday school children and also packed a little children’s book translated into Kirundi called “The Greatest story ever told”. But upon hearing this the generous donor gave even more and we were sitting with the dilemma that we are leaving in a few days time for SA but wanted to know what God wants us to do with the gift. So Diane said shoes, we must buy sandals for the children in the Rubabi school. Now Rubabi school have been built by Ps Charles in a rural area, and has some 300 primary school children. Diane arrange 300 plus pairs of sandals in 1 day and the next day we were off to the school to hand out sandals. All too fast for my single task operating brain but Diane took the lead and nothing was going to stop her to give these little children exactly what she felt God was sending her to do. As I was fitting sandals to all these little feet did it dawn on me how damaged many of these little feet are, and felt how God was wanting to minister to these little children. Let’s not forsake these little ones. Thank you Lord that we had the privilege of witnessing your miracles as children were running joyfully having received shoes from Jesus that day, some for the first time.

Ministry Focus for 2011

Friends I have a confession to make, it has been a tough year on Diane and I both spiritually and physically. Every time we want to give up God helps us to the next hurdle. We have made a commitment to training pastors and leaders in Burundi for at least until end of 2013. We trust that God will continue to provide for us to make this work possible. Already the payment for Bernice’s studies for 2011 have been made by a faithful sponsor. God knows this person and we thank God for providing through these special Kingdom minded individuals so that we can continue God’s work in Burundi.

However we come to the close of 2010, with both excitement and vigor for the next season in Burundi. Excitement for what God has done this year. Excitement, because the best is yet to come. It is almost as if we are on the edge of the boarder of God’s promised land and God is showing us the work, the major task which remains for this land with the words ringing in my ears “Do you see the work which is ahead, do you see the need, do you see my people whom I so dearly love, do you see why I have called you here, do you see that I am walking with you now and into this next season of Burundi, Then know that I have gone before you to lay the foundations so that my Name may be lifted above every Name in this Country.”

Allow me to cast the vision for 2011. We continue to focus on training leaders and pastors with the Veritas material, How to interpret the Bible. This is such an effective tool which helps pastors find the correct message of passages in the Bible within the correct context. We understand that the best model for training pastors is not to build seminaries but rather we make the sacrifice to travel to the different provinces and train pastors as close as possible to their own local churches. As well as training facilitators to help train their own Nation (2 Tim 2:2). Already the word has gone around and we are receiving multiple invitations to come teach in different provinces.

We have a number of Kingdom investment opportunities in support of the work here for 2011:

1. Bible distribution:

Amongst the many village churches we have found very few people who owns a Bible, needless to mention that the poverty line is very low here, hence owning a Bible is very low in the pecking order of survival. Hence we have been asking in our news updates for the support of Bible distribution amongst the churches here.

To summarise the need, it is great, there is about 5000 registered churches in Burundi with a population of about 7 million people, about 60% church going. We have had some success with donors like Bibles for Believers in South Africa who gives us donations from time to time. We aim at high integrity to only distribute Bibles to believers, who has no Bible and have no apparent means to buy one. We normally distribute the Bibles ourselves to each individual asking the Pastor to nominate recipients. We attempt to only distribute in the most rural areas. We have a Bible society in Burundi who sells Bibles @ $5,24.

2. Veritas Modules & Training

Our main objective is to train Pastors and church leaders with a specific focus on How to interpret the Bible. In this 4 Module course we train the students on Exegesis, Hermeneutics and Homiletics. Finally the participants will be able to preach the Word of God accurately on all different literature types within the context of the Bible History, the Structure of the Bible Book, the Theme of the Book and finally analyze passages accurately in order to identify the absolute truths which must be teached and preached today.

It is our desire to have teached this course in all 17 provinces of Burundi within 5 years. We are two teams who are teaching the material at the moment, but the focus is to empower the Burundian facilitators to help. We have just completed to train 10 facilitators in Gitega. God willing they will also start to train in January 2011. I have already provided them with the modules. Each module takes about 4 months to train once by week. Other areas we may be able to train faster, twice or 3 times by week.

The needs include translating, printing and transport of Training material. Also travel and accommodation expenses as we travel to each province to groups of pastors. Here is a breakdown of associated costs:

· Printing Training material – we attempt to train groups of 15 pastors at a time, some may be bigger. Cost per manual is $15 inclusive of transport and printing. The estimated need for manuals for 2011 will be:

o Anton = 120 manuals for the next year (@ 15 pastors x 8 groups) = 120 x $15 = $1800 (for the year).

o Other facilitators = 80 manuals for the next year (@ 8 pastors x 10 groups) = $1200

· Translating modules – currently we have translated Module 1 and 2. We must continue to translate module 3 and 4. The estimated need for 2011 will be:

o Per Module $500 ($300 for translating + $200 for typing) = Total cost $1000 for both Module 3 and 4

· Travel and accommodation – On average each province is about 200kms from Gitega, Gitega is very central to rest of the country. This is a budget for the 2011. I plan to train 6 groups in different locations, two sessions every second week.

o Fuel = 800kms per month (@ 7.2km/1Liter. We will need 111 litres of fuel. @ FBU1883/Litre with an exchange of FBU1230/$1) = $170 per month

o Accommodation = average of 10days per month (FBU15 per night + Meals for the day FBU15= FBU30 for 2 people @ FBU1230/$1 exchange) = $487 per month

3. Bible commentary & Dictionary

The Kirundi language is very poor specially in Bible resources for Pastors. The only tool they have is the Bible itself. Recently though a Bible Commentary written by Don Fleming has been translated into Kirundi. The commentary is absolutely invaluable in terms of helping Pastors to interpret the Bible accurately. We are attempting to subsidize one commentary per Pastor in the country, starting with those we are training. In addition to the commentary the Pastors also needs a Kirundi dictionary, not available at all in Kirundi, yet! Again we envisage to translate the Dictionary written by Don Fleming into Kirundi. This project needs finance to start translation. To summarise this Kingdom investment opportunity:

· Kirundi Commentary – this book is already translated and already available to Pastors however most cannot afford to buy this book at $16, we therefore are looking for investors to help subsidize this book for the Pastors @ $12 per book.

o Anton = 120 commentaries for 2011 = 120 x $12 = $1440

o Other trainers = 80 commentaries for 2011 = 80 x $12 = $960

o This is the bare minimum we need, but additional funds will be used to distribute this commentary to as many pastors as possible.

· Kirundi Dictionary – the translation of the dictionary will cost $2000. The cost of the book will be established after translation.

4. Children Ministry 2011

Diane is planning to raise up Sunday school teachers in 2011 by giving them training and providing teaching tools and aids to help with their Bible education. The children she targets are between the ages of 6 to 12 years old. In most churches the children’s ministry is non-existent. During 2011 Diane plans to raise up the children ministry across the 4 churches in Gitega for Plein Evangile.

· Training of Sunday school teachers – includes networking with existing organizations who offer this training in Bujumbura. 3 day training for 8 teachers will cost $1500

· Tools – Little Folks visuals which is a felt board used to tell Bible stories to children @ $600 x 4= $2400

· Children’s book – Greatest Story ever told is a little book which visually illustrates the Gospel for children – 650 @ $1 = $650

· Children’s outreach – 4 times a year we invite the local children to a special fun filled day of activities with the purpose of introducing the Gospel = $100 x 4= $400

5. Personal support

Diane and I have stepped out by faith since 1 January 2009, and not lacked in God providing for us. We however are seeking ministry support for a monthly pension and medical insurance. We will also need to make a trip to South Africa in September 2011 and requesting financial support for 2 return tickets estimated cost $1582.

Update on Ministry needs:

Thank you for gifts we have received, we could at least pay one ticket from the two gifts we have received.

Spiritual Thought

If we are tired and weary we must come to God who will strengthen us and we will fly like eagles. Although it is a constant battle physically and emotionally to continue to walk in His will He has paved for our lives, we do so knowing that the work and sacrifices are not without purpose to bring glory to the Lord.

Isa 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

We pray a special blessing for all those families who have so faithfully supported God’s work in Burundi, as well as the prayer partners for seeking God and interceding for us. We pray for God’s pure will for you in 2011 that He will bless you specifically in the spiritual, that He will strengthen your relationship with Him and set you up as true people of God who seeks His face and direction for your lives. May God use 2011 to purify and wash us from all our past hurts and unforgiveness and restore all relationships through love. That the restoring of relationships will be at the focal point of your prayers and desires and that the material will become less and less an obstacle between us and God. Praise God!

Prayer points

Please continue to pray as follow:

1. Peace for Burundi – the rebel attacks are under control we pray God’s peace to prevail.

2. Pray for Gods Truth – the Gospel - to become known to all people in Burundi, from grass roots into the highest rank of government. Also pray that God may all give us His heart for Burundi.

3. Bernice – thank you for praying Bernice did very well this year passing well with 4 distinctions.

4. Pray for us – protection for our health, relationships, that no weapon from the enemy against us will prevail.

5. Divine appoints – ask the Holy Spirit to guide us into all divine appointments He has created for us and to discern His words of wisdom.

6. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.

7. Studies – Paul’s letters and Peace & Reconciliation

8. SA Visit – for good rest and great ministry connections.

Please stay connected with us on Face Book………

Also on our Blog you will find Twitter updates and real time news flashes for Burundi…..http://van-burundi.blogspot.com/

Much love

Anton and Diane

Oct to Nov 2010 Burundi news - Cont 2 Look up

Ndabaramukije wizina rga Yesu ( We greet you in the name of Jesus)

News from Burundi

During October we have travelled to 3 provinces and once again was reminded of the natural beauty of this country, but when I take my eyes off the hills and the trees reality quickly returns when the beauty is contrasted with the poverty we find in the people we so love. We know God has an answer to poverty and has given us all things in His son Jesus Christ, therefore we have hope and we believe our spiritual hope can be realized in the natural to remove this bondage of poverty.

We hosted a seminar with Ps Charles in Gitega for Dr Rassie Smit. Tim van Aarde together with Burundi Mission invited Rassie to come teach Liturgy to Pastors in Burundi. We enjoyed Rassie’s stay with us in Gitega which encouraged us and the pastors he ministered to.

One week later Farming God’s Way (FGW) finally came to visit us in Burundi. Their visit was delayed form an earlier date this year due to the elections. The two representatives were Wilhelm Els and Carl Schmidt. They really remind me of typical Angus Buchan “types” with hearts of love for Africa to see the people of God breaking the curse of poverty as God multiplies the fruit of their hands. They were also invited by Tim van Aarde and Burundi Mission. We hosted the seminar in Gitega with Ps Charles with Wilhelm being the facilitator. We learned so much about the philosophy and purpose of FGW. For more info access their website via this link: http://www.farming-gods-way.org/. FGW directly addresses poverty, by explaining God’s solution to farming from a Spiritual, Management and Technological point of view and requires people to do so following Biblical principles like preparing and planting On Time, with a High Standard of excellence, with Minimum Wastage and working with an Attitude of Joy, in a nutshell we talking discipleship. Really if people follow this farming principals they will be lifted out of poverty and give God the glory for the breakthrough, this has been proved through a number of countries in Africa. I really trust that God will help us use this tool as a justice project to teach rural communities how to farm with Godly principals.

We were so encouraged with FGW that we dug up 24m² and planted our own maize and beans as a test run and example for the pastors who received the training. The two photos are 11 days apart.

While these two seminars were a great blessing and provided proof of Gods righteousness and justice we were still left with an invoice to pay for the food and other consumables. When we accepted this two invitations we received a gift $240 to fund these two seminars, which left us with a shortfall of at least $250. We tried everything, cut as much cost as we could but at the end we had to face the cost. I was really praying and asking God for finance. Then on Saturday 16th I receive an sms from someone saying “God will make a way, where there seems to be no way, and He works in a way we cannot see. Be strong and you will experience the hand of God.” God always provides and normally He comes through on number 99.99999 and as per usual He was not late and on number 99.9999 we receive an email from a friend who confirmed payment of $500 into our Burundi account, a love gift, the gift we have been waiting for! I promised Diane that she may use the balance of the gift towards the children ministry and she wants to make book bags for the children as a gift for Christmas.

Another event which encouraged us, last week one of the pastors’ wives came to visit us, she is a medical doctor. She was so encouraged with the work that we are doing in Burundi that she gave us FBU 30 000 ($24) towards the meals we provide for the pastors. Now you must understand to receive money from Burundians is very rare, so we thank God for His provision towards His work.

Ministry Update

Training of the pastors and leaders are progressing well. Group 2 is almost finished we increased the pace to meeting twice weekly which kept Diane busy preparing food and serving the pastors. We expect to finish this group in November. We also subsidized the Kirundi commentaries for this group of 14 pastors with funds from Bibles for Believers.

The launch of Group 3 in Rutana was very exciting with Ruben Safari and Tim van Aarde joining us for this event. We find when we do the launches together it promotes unity amongst pastors and amongst different denominations which creates a greater interest. We have been traveling to Rutana province every two weeks and training two days consecutively. We also plan to complete the training before our visit to SA at the end of Dec. God has really given me a love these pastors. After the 2^nd session the ties and jackets start disappearing and a bridge of trust is establish amongst us.

Coming up early December, we expect a visit from the Veritas directors early to come and train some facilitators from the groups that Tim, Ruben and I have trained over the last year. This will mean that we can keep in step with our guiding scripture 2 Tim 2:2.

Diane was invited to speak at a women’s meeting over two days. I really admired how God is using her with her own gentle personality. The women was absolutely enjoying Diane specially when she was trying to give guidance and sleep wear for married women. My wife has attained much wisdom.

Many churches came together for the Kids games and were encouraged to continue to train the youth for the future.

We took a weekend and visited village churches in Ngosi and Kirundo province. We managed to see 6 churches and handed out Bible to Believers. I am very surprised at the low level of literacy amongst the people. This is a prayer point and great felt need. Please pray with us that this need can be addressed. We are encouraged that Bibles were available to give to those who can read albeit that some had to borrow each other’s reading glasses to prove that they can read.

Next item on the plans for November is a team visiting form our own church, Liberty. We are so excited, the 3 people will be Dutliff, Hannes and Iloma. They will visit for 2 weeks with Dutliff arriving a week earlier and leaving one week after the team has left. The main purpose for their visit will be to come and encourage us, serve in some of the justice ministries and planting some gardens FGW.

Update on Ministry needs:

It has been 14 months since our last visit in SA. Diane I are planning to visit SA at the end of December to reconnect with our supporters and prayer partners, family and friends, as well as a short holiday. Our visit will be predominantly focused in Joburg with about 2 weeks in Cape Town. We will attempt to make as many of the appointments via email before we leave for SA. We planning to take a short holiday from the time we arrive until around the 10^th of January before jumping into all the ministry appointments. We do have a ministry need for tickets no less via Rwanda air who quoted us $837 per person (Total $1674 ). Support for this need can be paid into our SA account referenced as FLY.

Spiritual Thought

Spiritual arrogance is something that can grip the best of us. So I am “preaching” to myself when I say “us” (Me, myself and I).

In 1 Cor 8:1 Paul says “knowledge puffs up but love builds up”. Knowledge and education can lead to pride and arrogance if used with the wrong attitude. Paul contrasts the arrogance with an attitude of love which seeks to build up people or increase the potential of someone else. Also James 3:13-18 contrast Worldly and Godly wisdom and encourages the receivers of the letter to demonstrate Godly wisdom which is 1^st of all filled with pure motives. We demonstrate our love to God and others in our behavior, deeds and attitudes. May the Holy Spirit lead us into His pure motives and helping us to sow this seed in peace which will bring a reward for us at the appointed time.

Prayer points

Please continue to pray as follow:

1. Peace for Burundi – the rebel attacks are under control we pray God’s peace to prevail.

2. Pray for Gods Truth – the Gospel - to become known to all people in Burundi, from grass roots into the highest rank of government. Also pray that God may all give us His heart for Burundi.

3. Kirundi Commentaries – prayer answered we have sponsors who are helping us to meet this need. Thank you Lord!

4. Bernice – pray for her wellbeing and God’s hand of protection and for her studies. She is doing so well have one more exam left for the year.

5. Veritas training – pray for Group 2 in Gitega training Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 to 14:00 and for Group 3 in Rutana every second week Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 14:00.

6. Pray for us – protection for our health, relationships, that no weapon from the enemy against us will prevail.

7. Divine appoints – ask the Holy Spirit to guide us into all divine appointments He has created for us and to discern His words of wisdom.

8. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.

9. Studies – I have completed World Religions successfully. Also enrolled for the next 2 subjects – Paul’s letters and Peace & Reconciliation

10. Kids Games – prayer answered the month of Kids Games went well and children very encouraged

Please stay connected with us on Face Book………

Also on our Blog you will find Twitter updates and real time news flashes for Burundi…..http://van-burundi.blogspot.com/

Much love

Anton and Diane

Aug to Sept 2010 Burundi news --- Changing gears

Imana Ashimwe (Praise God)

News from Burundi

We are now fast approaching the last quarter of 2010 much plans must be realized before our visit to SA in January. Burundi is going into the rain season, so with great excitement wave good bye to the dust roads which always reminds us not to smile at passing vehicles for fear of having that grinding taste between our teeth due to the dust cloud following the vehicles J

Every week we attempt to visit a different church in Gitega and the surrounding areas, all of which are churches from Ps Charles. When we preach at these village churches we are normally the guests of honour, I guess it is hard not to be noticed due to our complexion. Where possible Diane will start telling a Bible narrative using her visual felt board which I follow-up with a sermon. We visited one such church about 2 hours away from Gitega and it was a very special occasion indeed, that Sunday morning they were Baptising 30 people from their church. It was very special. The Baptism pool was dug out the week before and lined with sail, and filled with water which was carried from a stream and up the mountain to where the church is located. A financial gift from Bibles for Believers provided 24 people with their own new Bible. Also we were able to bless the pastor with a loud speaker.

We were also invited to an opening of a new church about 20 kms from Gitega. This was so special and the church is situated right next to the brand new tarred road going north to Muyinga. The main choir from the church in Gitega was also invited for the occasion and we had an awesome time being part of this very joyful opening.

A team from Norway came to visit the ministry of Ps Charles. Preaching in his church and encouraging the folk in Gitega and Bujumbura. We love them so much and have met Arne and Tomas on a previous visits. They are known as the Chocolate Rescue team, because of Diane’s sweet tooth (or teeth) she requested some chocolates, and the team made sure that she had a good share of their stash they came with. I enjoyed helping her eat these chocolates J mmmmmmmmm!

Ministry Update

We can hardly believe that our first Group module 1 pastors and leaders, are finishing their last lesson on 29 September. It was a great experience for me as I am still learning the Veritas material. Normally you only master a subject once you have trained someone else. I had to make much effort to prepare and present the material week after week, but the fruit are visible. As the pastors one by one started to understand how to interpret passages in context of the history, culture, literature, the book and the structure. We have much breakthrough during the training sessions where we can address issues which leads to legalism. We have also handed out Kirundi commentaries sponsored by Bibles for Believers to these pastors. The training included how to use these commentaries correctly and will be a huge benefit to the pastors in preparing messages with a resource which will help them understand the historical and cultural background.

Group 2 have started on Friday 10 September in Gitega. We run this class twice weekly. 15 pastors and leaders from 8 different denominations of which 4 pastors are the denominational leaders. God has really sent the leaders to us and we find the increased pace better, but will have to see if the leaders will be able to sustain this pace.

Group 3 will be started in a new province, Rutana about 1 ½ drive from Gitega. Ps Ruben and Augustine is helping us to collate the delegates in this province. These two pastors work with Scripture Union and have much connection amongst pastors interdenominationally. This is our heart to train leaders interdenominational which will help spawn more unity and love amongst the different churches. Please pray for this launch we want to train this group, 2 days consecutively every alternate week in order to complete module 1 before our visit in January.

Diane is really working hard in the kitchen helping to prepare meals and tea for the pastors during the 3 training days. Our helper Jeremiah helps cook the beans and assists in the kitchen. The Sunday school is well attended, the highlight is when they take their crafts home and parents have to find walls at home to display the work of arts. Diane also attended a day seminar in Gitega for Sunday school teachers which involves kids games, which will be used to mobilize different churches’ Sunday school ministries. Aim is that the children are happy and then parents will be happy and eventually the parents will come to church which will influence the whole community. Sunday School team will work together to initiate the games in Ps Charles’ church during October which will run-up to an outdoor event with other local churches also taking part.

We have received a donation from Bibles for Believers and want to place about 200 Bibles amongst the most rural churches in Burundi over the next month during our weekends. We thank God for this opportunity to bless Burundi with His Word. I must add earlier we received a R5000 donation from an anonymous sponsor for Bibles, which made it possible for us to distribute 116 Bibles to pastor Andrew’s churches in the province of Ngosi during August. At the time there were 13 churches gathered for a meeting and we were able to hand out 116 Bibles. I’ve posted some pics on the blog. Today I received a visit from Pastor Andrew, who gave a report that the believers are so encouraged after we left that many are now reading their Bibles and growing spiritually. God is adding to their number and they have now planted 20 churches in this province. I’ve made an appointment with him to return and visit the 7 new churches during October.

On the right is Francis. Some time ago he gave away his own Bible to his unsaved nephew. Today his nephew and his whole household have come to Jesus. But they did not want to return his Bible. On this day Francis received a new Bible from God.

Update on Ministry needs

Last month we listed some ministry needs, thank you for responding between one anonymous sponsor and Bibles for Believers we were able to meet all our financial needs. God knows you and your generous gift will not go unaccounted for before God, thank you!

Spiritual Thought

The Lord has really been great to us over the last 22 months since we arrived in Burundi. He has protected us through the elections and from serious health issues. God has provided faithfully every month for our every need through His special generous children. God has grown us through perseverance by holding onto His words through prayer, supported by all the prayer partners and we are starting to see God’s increase in the ministry. Thank you God for your overwhelming response, we praise your name which we will continue to proclaim until we hear the echo’s of your name amongst all nations. (Rev 7:9-10)

Prayer points

Please continue to pray as follow:

1. Peace for Burundi – renewed outbreak of rebels are creating unrest, pray for peace to be restored.

2. Pray for Gods Truth – the Gospel - to become known to all people in Burundi, from grass roots into the highest rank of government.

3. Kirundi Commentaries – pray for finance for these commentaries

4. Bernice – pray for her wellbeing and God’s hand of protection and for her studies.

5. Veritas training – pray for Group 2 in Gitega training Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 to 14:00 and for the launch in Rutana on 30 September.

6. Our Kirundi lessons are ongoing – please pray for perseverance and understanding, we see huge favor with the local where we use the Kirundi.

7. Pray for us – protection for our health, relationships, that no weapon from the enemy against us will prevail.

8. Divine appoints – ask the Holy Spirit to guide us into all divine appointments He has created for us and to discern His words of wisdom.

9. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.

10. Studies – New subject is World Religions

11. Kids Games – Many new children will come to know the Lord – this will allow their parents to come to know the Lord

Please stay connected with us on Face Book………

Much love

Anton and Diane