Iwacu Nimeza (Home is Best)
In this news letter you can read about:
· Veritas – 150 pastors x 10 Denominations x 4 Provinces = 12 months
· ACAT training in SA
· Kirundi Bible and Commentary distribution
· Distribution of book bags at Rubabi School
· Resource centre for Pastors in Gitega
· Studies
· Plans for the next quarter
Introduction
The last few months have been filled with many adventures and experiencing God’s hand in our daily lives. Burundi has been good to us and after 2 ½ years we feel at home and consider our lives in SA to be in the distant past.
Have you ever heard someone saying, “I’ll get round to it”? Well our news letter from Burundi has been long overdue. Some people even asked if we have removed them from our distribution list….Not at all! We are just taking time getting round to it! In all seriousness, we apologize for the silence from Burundi, but all is well and we are walking in the blessing that comes from serving God according to His plans.
Veritas
After our return from SA in February, I completed the training of the Module 1 group in Rutana province. Tim van Aarde and Ruben Safari helped me launch the Veritas training in the North of the country. In May we started 2 new Module 1 groups in Kirundo and Ngozi provinces. The decision to start in these two more remote areas was a step of faith. Just the travelling alone takes 3 hours one way. Our monthly budget had to grow by faith to meet the additional resources we needed to train and travel. God always provides where He is sending His workers (Matt 6:33). The training for module 1 will be completed in the next few weeks.
When we look at the training numbers it speaks for itself. 150 pastors trained from 10 denominations in 4 Provinces over 12 months. Really, God has given us favour and open doors relationally in most denominations in Burundi. Currently there is 4 second generation Module 1 groups in progress and facilitators still have to be trained in Rutana, Kirundo and Ngozi.
ACAT training in SA
An opportunity presented to us by Dutliff Snyman during our visit to SA in February, came to realization. We casted a vision with Liberty Church, Royal Staple (Pty) Ltd. and OMS to select 6 Burundian leaders from 3 different denominations and send them for training in SA with Africa Cooperative Action Trust (ACAT). The 1st and 2nd week of training comprised of Leadership skills to plan, write, lead, organize and control sustainable development projects. The 3rd week training focused on more practical aspects of farming, homestead gardens and developing the rural poor.
We also shared the vision with our friends at Hauge Micro Finance who were on a short visit to Burundi. Arne Sylta (Chairman of Hauge) took the vision back to Norway and together with Hauge Aid and Mission send another 3 Burundians for the training. Diane accompanied the team of 8 Burundians and 1 Kenyan to SA for 3 weeks during June. I remained in Burundi and continued our training commitments.
The feedback was overwhelming and one and all enjoyed SA (despite the chilly winter temperatures!) and many confirmed that their minds were opened to the fact that Burundi can develop the rural poor. The most results we have seen to date is from Full Gospel Church where Ps Bolivard, Odette and Diane are training their people every Wednesday in preparation for the rain season.
We are so thankful to Royal Staple (Pty) Ltd., ACAT and Hauge (and other sponsors not mentioned) for your contribution into the nation of Burundi. The rural poor, which I call the forgotten people, are not without hope because God hears their cry (Ps 72:12). Diane and I have in relationship with Royal Staple (Pty) Ltd. created an informal partnership with ACAT for the use of the training material.
Diane will monitor from Burundi the progress of this justice ministry and implementation of the ACAT material. I am also glad to report that ACAT supports “Farming God’s Way” which is a fantastic tool in the hands of the rural poor. Diane have started to implement this training alongside me in Kirundo. We will also complete another demonstration garden in a rural area called Mashitsi, close to Gitega, during August.
Kirundi Bible and Commentary distribution
The Bibles continue to reach the poorest believers in Burundi and here are some pictures taken of a donation we made of 32 Bibles to a Pastor in Kirundo. He was overjoyed as we handed the Bibles over to them.
Also God provided that we could assist all the pastors participating in the Veritas training in the North with a Kirundi Commentary. This is a big need amongst the pastors and we call for more finances to share this valuable resource with more pastors.
Distribution of book bags at Rubabi School
We had a specific sponsor who wanted us to bring a blessing specifically to the children of Burundi. Of course Diane loves to bless the children! She bought 314 school bags and 12 pairs of shoes and some bags of sweets. Her vision was to find a poor rural school and hand out as many of the school bags, taking the opportunity to share scripture from the Bible to show the children that God loves them so much.
Resource centre for Pastors in Gitega
Diane and I still have another (at least ) 2 ½ years in Burundi and time will tell if the timeframe fits in with Gods’ clock. We would like to leave behind a legacy which will help Burundians. A resource centre where pastors can come and prepare sermons with the tools we load on the computers, electronic libraries and internet. A place where pastors from different churches will have access to internet, restaurant, meetings etc.
Internet in Burundi is very expensive and the Internet cafe’s which exist is not well managed and notoriously not of much service. In Gitega this situation is exasperated due to the distance away from the capital. Therefore good internet in Gitega will be an answer to (my) prayer at least.
The main purpose for us is not to receive any portion of the profit or shares in a potential Internet cafe business. Rather we have earmarked a Burundian Christian couple, Peter and Fidelity. They are church planters and Fidelity also works amongst Muslims and started a ministry called “Cousin Ministries” to help converted Muslims to make a life outside this religion. Therefore, over time we would like to train them up to help run an Internet Cafe and own and manage the restaurant side of the business.
I have shared this vision with Hauge Business, our friends in Norway. They are very supportive and have a Kingdom purpose to invest in business in Burundi. Please pray for this venture? The offices will double up as a room for the pastors training and Diane will use the garden to prepare her demonstration of homestead gardens, “Farming God’s Way” and a Chicken shed. (I think we will have to change our names to Farmer Brown’s soon…lol).
The Business has many possibilities to bless Burundi. There is the possibility to also use the Internet café as a hub to connect with Heritage Television (Christian television station owned and managed by Burundian Business man) with the purpose to draw youth into online meetings via internet streaming. Discussions and sharing of ideas can bring about transformation in the minds of the young people. When this pilot becomes successful, we could branch out to other provinces. All this will develop the infrastructure for pastors to have access to a much needed resource centre where they can prepare and research their messages and teachings. The main focus remains for this project to be self sustainable.
Studies
My studies with The South African Theological Seminary (SATS) has been an amazing journey. Over the last semester I was able to complete 6 subjects. The finish line is in sight, and in December I will enroll for my final subject before receiving my Bth (Bachelor in Theology) at the graduation which will be held in April 2012. For the next few months I will be able to take a much needed breather from studying since 2007. The Study Of God has taken me into a greater appreciation for my Creator and Saviour, helped me seek to serve rather than to seek position, to know that only being seated with Christ (Eph 2:6) is contentment, not accept complacency but to fulfill my life purpose to follow Christ and to reach out to the rural poor with hope in my hands. Going deeper in God’s Word is the only way to go further in God’s ambition for our lives. Then Life is actually an adventure ride!
Plans for the next quarter
During the month of August we will wrap-up the Veritas Module 1 training in Kirundo and Ngozi. In September we have to make a brief visit to SA for Bernice’s 21st celebration, with a theme of Black, Pink and Bling. We are so excited for our Daughter who have matured into a lovely young lady. We also hope to connect with friends, family and anyone who would like to meet with us.
In October we plan to start the Internet Café in Gitega. Finally we will also start with Veritas Module 2 training in Gitega and Rutana provinces for the next 6 months. Please consider sponsoring the Training books 150 @ $5 each = $750
Diane will continue with Children’s and Justice ministry using the ACAT and “Farming God’s Way” tools. We are excited for the work and starting to follow a rhythm which involves praying and working. God is faithful.
Spiritual thought:
Poverty is a prison - Ecc 4:14 “For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor” (ESV).
The context of this passage is the worthlessness of fame and success of a king who falls from power even though he was raised from poverty, which is being associated with being imprisoned. After becoming king he refused to listen to warning which resulted in folly as an intelligent young man could rule better than he could.
The key word is prison which describes poverty as a physical place, the same word is being used to describe Joseph’s imprisonment, a place of being bound physically (Gen 39:20) and confessing an oath having a spiritual bond (Num 30:2). Also Isaiah prophecy’s about the messiah, that he would liberate the captives and open the prison (Isa 61:1). Therefore poverty is a prison and many people are kept in poverty because of their cultural values and practices which binds them in a poverty mindset.
Only God can break people out of poverty both in mind and in the physical (Ps 146:7), by having the correct view of God. A view that affirms that He wants to protect and care for the poor and will set us free from this prison. But it requires us to trust in Him.
Ps 113:7 “He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump” (ESV).
The Psalms are most often regarded as the book of prayer for the poor. God is portrayed as the saviour of the poor, their hope and liberator. Ps 113:1-6, In all places and all time God is worthy to be worshipped by those who serve Him. Although He is enthroned in heaven He is mindful and concerned about His people on earth. (v7) God helps those who are suffering and gives new life and purpose to those who lost all hope.
The poor has been conditioned to look to man for provision. Generally amongst the poor dependencies have been created on Governments, Europeans (in Burundi context), and NGO’s as their only source. God is the sole provider of the strength and talents we have to create wealth (Deut 8:18). God is the source of our lives. The challenge is to make this absolute truth a practical application in our lives, through prayer and work.
Thank you
Again Diane and I want to bless all the faithful supporters of the ministry with Matt 6:4, that God who sees your giving in secret will reward you. Also to the prayer supporters your prayers are so pleasing to the Master’s ears (Matt 6:6).
Prayer points:
Please continue to pray as follow:
1. Peace for Burundi – pray for continued political stability in the country. The security has been compromised by a small band of people who seek to bring instability.
2. Pray for Bernice – studies 3rd year of her Bed degree.
3. Pray for us – protection for our health, relationships, that no weapon from the enemy against us will prevail.
4. 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.
5. Vehicle – We have sold our vehicle in SA to pay for this loan.
6. Studies – that I may finish well this year, this is my final year for Bth. Thank God for His faithfulness the end in sight.
7. Veritas Training – Thank God for His divine provision, also pray for ongoing provision for the books required.
8. ACAT & FGW training – Diane for implementation.
9. Kirundi Commentaries and Bibles – pray for more funding for this need.
Please stay connected with us on Face Book………
Much love
Anton and Diane
