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 2nd 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 10th 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 1st 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
