From Gitega province in Burundi. Diane and I are pleased to report that we are well and continue to press on and into God’s plan for Burundi. August has been an eventful month with some weddings, a visitor from America and visit to Ngosi province to visit churches and spy new land for church buildings.During the month Ps Charles received an American visitor Dr Howard Foreman, it was his first visit to Burundi and was looking to make connection with the local churches to see how he could support them in the ministry. He flew an incredible 32 hours with 4 connections to Bujumbura and was completely exhausted when I collected him in the early hours of Saturday. The Sunday morning Ps Charles asked Howard to minister the word, all went well up until he was concluding his message on repentance, when he fainted....yes fainted on stage...Everybody ran towards Howard to help him not sure what is happening. Howard gain consciousness very quickly but he had a nasty blow on the back of his head and a concussion which is still ringing....we had to take him for stitches for a small cut he had to his head. Howard was suffering from fatigue after the long flight plus jetlag....since then Howard have returned home to California and is doing well. Ps Charles have made good connection with Howard and there is a possibility that they will work together on some pastoral seminars.
We visited Ngosi province and went far north towards the Rwanda boarder to go and encourage some churches and Ps Charles bought some land for new church his planning to build. One thing I can say is that Full Gospel Church in Burundi is growing at an astronomical rate. Right now they have 40 something churches and the next 4 is already in construction.During our visit in Ngosi we visited the church in the Bonogera commune....we arrive Sunday morning and the church is packed (about 1500) and outside the church about another 600 people. As Ps Charles wanted to start the service he decided to move the meeting outside because there was simply too many people outside...everybody stood up with a cheer to move outside. This was a beautiful meeting many choirs singing the traditional worship songs and standing in unity worshipping God under blue sky.....
The long awaited Brick Machine has found a sponsor from Norway.....you might recall me speaking about a brick machine we wanted to buy to use to build schools and churches. Well God is good, a lovely family have offered to sponsor one machine for us which will arrive from Zambia. We are very excited because we would like to buy a few more machines to keep up with the demand of building churches. Also we want to start a kingdom business with one of the machine’s.
Thank you for praying for Diane, she picked a really bad skin rash and I sent a prayer request to a few people...well praise God her skin is completely healed!
Here is much opportunity for short term Teams to visit. Short term meaning 2 weeks or so. I’ve prepared a little presentation which I can mail to you if you are interested. The main areas for opportunity is Holiday club which includes craft activities with children and orphans, building projects of school and churches, maintenance work to existing buildings. I’m mindful of the fact that not everyone wants to come and be involved with preaching and teaching, therefore we will focus our activities around practical missions.
Visit to South Africa, as we said on Face book, we will be visiting SA from the 9th of September to 8th November. The main purpose for the visit will be to connect with our supporters and prayer partners affirming our vision and the road ahead for next year. The training to pastors and leaders will kick in to a higher gear next year where we will start seeing God’s plan unfolding in Burundi. Also we will be making other ministry connections in SA which is key for the momentum we need here in Burundi. I suggest check your email and connect to our Face book account to keep track of what we doing in SA.Here is some prayer points:
1. Vision – for Gods vision 2 Tim 2:2 – Pray about VERITAS and our formal commitment to this organisation
2. Exit visas – Praise God this is an amazing answer we received, God gave us much favour!
3. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.
4. Bibles – pray for Bible distribution at school.
5. Health – continue to pray for good health.
6. Protection – in our new house and in Burundi
7. Kirundi lessons – pray for a good understanding of the language
8. Studies – pray for perseverance and discipline.
9. Appointments in SA – God will give us clear direction for our meetings in SA
Much love Diane and Anton
