The beginning of September our good friends from Norway came to visit, Arne, Tomas, André, Øyvind ....all with one purpose how can we help Burundi to develop to the next level. 
Their experience are in business and we pray that God will use them as a mighty instrument to initiate self sustainable businesses which will benefit the community. A thought crossed my mind, God has sent men from Norway the most Northern part of the earth and from South Africa the most southern part to meet in the heart of Africa for one purpose, to be a blessing to Burundi! Coincidence or God’s plan? Remember coincidence is merely God’s way of remaining anonymous. You see friend God has a specific plan and purpose, which started at the beginning of life as we know it. We can see and experience Him through nature and through one anther however He has revealed Himself in His word the Bible which has stood the test of time and is the all time best seller. The Bible has one main purpose to reveal God to us and to communicate His plan for us. We carry a DNA created by God to be unique never to be repeated again, you and I are so important to God that He has gone to a great length for us to have a relationship with Him. How great is the price He is willing to pay, well He did so with an innocent life, in fact He has already paid this price. His son was incarnated into human life, Jesus Christ, He was misunderstood, spat at, whipped almost to death, rejected by close friends, and finally killed. All is not lost, this was actually God’s plan to redeem us, to save us from an eternal death. My question is what is our answer to God’s proposal, to follow His plan and purpose for our lives?
After 7 months in Burundi we returned to South Africa for a visit, our first impressions were what a country, busy bees and all the new developments to the surrounding highways of Joburg are ongoing which can either leave you with the impressions that Joburg is one big construction site or that the city is actually in a process of metamorphoses of infrastructure which will be efficient and cost effective to benefit the country and not merely some individuals.
We are so excited about the road ahead which I shared in most the meetings we’ve had in SA. From January I will be trained as a facilitator of the Veritas material in Gitega, Burundi. In previous newsletters I mentioned that we are praying about this material and have now made the decision to use the Veritas material to train pastors and leaders starting in Burundi. The focus of the course is to impart skills of interpreting the Bible within its context for application today. 
The organisation, Veritas already sent a missionary couple last year from South Africa to head up the mission for them in Burundi, they are Tim and Jeanette van Aarde and they have just completed training the first team of 12 leaders in Bujumbura. We have been getting to know the Van Aarde’s and have struck up a relationship which has encouraged us in the field. Our monthly visit to Bujumbura for food and supplies always includes a stay over at their place. Diane and I will continue our work and relationships in Gitega and will use the Veritas material from there. Between the 2 couples we have 17 provinces to train and we will have a our first combined strategy meeting on the 7 November in Pretoria, South Africa.
What about Diane, my lovely wife who God is rea
lly using in the area of children ministry. She exudes love to children, which I believe she receives directly from the throne room of God. Children flock to her wherever she is, really God has gifted her to be His loving hand of compassion to reach out. From next term Diane will have the opportunity to teach religion at the local primary school. She plans to make the sessions interactive with much practical application aided with arts and crafts.
During our stay in South Africa we have been able to reconnect with most of our friends and family. We made time for a short breakaway to Bela Bela and spend some quality time with Bernice. Diane and I have drawn great encouragement from all, it has really been a privilege and an honour to share about Burundi and God’s success in this country. In the context of South Africa’s economy, most of our supporters have remained faithful and we thank God for your faithfulness to support this work.
We do have some specific needs which we want to share with you.
· Monthly support (require R5000 pm for medical and pension)
· Ministry support (require R2000 pm)
· Cargo to Burundi (items for cargo to Burundi, rooftop tent, camping equipment, books and Bibles computers for resource centre) – looking for a company to sponsor possibly a container.
· Burundi house (stove, guest room double bed, desk for study – estimated total R3500)
· Vehicle (one tyre, and service – R3000)
We want to encourage you with these words that God’s strength only start when we come to the end of ourselves. So often we run in circles attempting to make plan A or B or C to work, but when we finally reach the end of ourselves we find ourselves at the cross roads of which only one road will lead to the foot of the cross. The point of no return...have you reached this place? With the current stresses of the economy on businesses, families and relationships are the prime target for destruction. So many families are being destroyed because we do not take our plan of action from God and we run everyday away from the one who can give you the strength for today. When Jesus surrendered His life, God resurrected Him, when will we learn to surrender our lives in order for God to resurrect us into His ordained life for us. Like a loving Father He waits patiently for us.
Here are some prayer points:
1. Vision – for Gods vision 2 Tim 2:2 – Pray for the meeting 7 Nov.
2. Ps Charles’ mother needs a hip replacement, pray for healing.
3. Course in PTA Veritas 2 to 4 Nov
4. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.
5. Bibles – pray for Bible distribution at school. Meeting an organisation to help with task.
6. Health – continue to pray for good health.
7. Protection – in our new house and in Burundi
8. Kirundi lessons – pray for a good understanding of the language
9. Studies – pray for perseverance and discipline.
10. Appointments in SA – God will give us clear direction for our meetings in SA
Much love Diane and Anton
