Back on track is the flavor of the month, we predicted with confidence that we were in for a soft landing back in Burundi and merely continue from where we left off in September, this was most
probably a little ambitious. Allow me to balance this statement with Arlene Cloete who accompanied us on our journey back to Burundi for a month’s visit. Now those of you who know Arlene will know that she is an absolute joy, and has the ability to pull the “micky” out of every situation, even the mundane routines she would merely colour in with her personality. So having her here really helped us to get back on track and make the emotional shift.When we arrived back on Sunday late night, 8 November we planned to stay over at Tim and Jeanette’s house in Bujumbura, who generously offered that we could stay over even though they are away in South Africa at the moment. We arrived late at night with Ps John, our Burundian friend and church planter who collected us at the airport, he took us to Tim’s house. Low and behold the night guard do not have a key for the house and we did not make arrangements with the house keeper. After we checked all doors and windows for entrance and found none, Ps John suggested we attempt to use his house key to open the back door, with the thought running through my mind, Ya right there is only one chance that the key will work and it is, no chance…..I heard the door lock scramble to an open….with amusement we look at one another at the open door. We also greeted Ps Charles in Bujumbura who was on his way to Dakar, Senegal for a seminar. The joy was visible on the faces of Ps Charles and Esperance as they welcomed us back home.
We arrived back in Gitega and found all to be in order, well at least for the first hour, when the toilet broke, light bulb and door handle came off, all made in China. Sunday we were back at Church and received a wonderful welcome by all.
Diane was back at her post with the Sunday school, the number of children have now increased to 85 and growing. The religion period at the High School continued while we were away. The School have now grown to 7 classes. Currently the children are in a time of exams before they break for two weeks from mid December. While we were in South Africa we received 100 Bibles to distribute to the children which we will do as soon as the exams are done. We praise God for this donation as it is a huge answer to prayer to be able to place a Bible into someone’s hands.Speaking about Bibles, whilst we were in South Africa we connected with an organization called
Bibles for Believers who has a vision to bless long standing believers with a Bible. After we met Fanie Loots (the founder) he immediately donated 50 Bibles for Believers in Burundi. Last week we visited one of Ps Charles’s village churches and were able to bless 14 people with a Bible, another 4 men said they do not have a Bible but they can buy one so we decided to sponsor them R20 each towards a Bible as we do not want them forfeit a blessing of buying their own Bible. The money was handed over to the Church treasurer.Just today a lady, called 
Constance, came to our house apparently the 3rd time she attempted to see us, asking for a Bible. So precious….she has been following Jesus for 12 years and does not have a Bible, how can anyone say no. It is definitely more blessed to give than to receive.
Constance, came to our house apparently the 3rd time she attempted to see us, asking for a Bible. So precious….she has been following Jesus for 12 years and does not have a Bible, how can anyone say no. It is definitely more blessed to give than to receive. 
On Sunday we were in Nogera, Ngosie Province visiting another village church about 1000 people attended, I truly sense God’s presence was so thick, so impressed on my heart that He was with us as if I could almost see bids of heaven breaking through into the natural realm…anyways just how I sensed how God was moving, so many people coming to salvation and making commitment to Jesus because people want to follow Jesus who is alive. During the service we come to hear about a financial need in the church, they had to pay workers who are building a sister church, they need FBU 100 000 (about R800), guess how much was in our wallet, Again it is more blessed to give than to receive. Freely God gives us freely we receive every month He is so faithful, and you our financial supporters all share in what God is doing amongst our other Brothers and Sisters here, one day we will praise and worship God together in one place for He is so awesome to orchestrate His blessings.Then I need to tell you about favour, favour and more favour from God…truly we sit in awe
seeing God at work. We needed to bring to Burundi some household and camping equipment from South Africa, which included a Rooftop tent, Generator, and 4 boxes with house hold items. Well off we go to the army base in Bujumbura. Introduce ourselves to the Chaplin and Warrant officer (RSM) explained what we do and who we work for and how we need their help. Immediately we exchange contact numbers and started networking with South Africa air force base. I mean we do not know these people from a bar of soap. Next day we contact the South African base in Pretoria for permission to fly in the goods…yes the answer came back, favour, favour, almost too good to be true. We contact Bernice, our daughter and Mauritz my brother in law to help pack all the goodies back home. 
They have little time basically 2 days to have all the packing done and delivered to the air force base. Monday I follow up with the army, the answer comes back sorry the aircraft is full we will fly Saturday. Only to find out that the flight is cancelled, hope becomes dim (in my eyes), as we receive reports that the South African army are withdrawing from Burundi in the same week, we send a prayer request. Monday army confirms equipment will arrive Wednesday. Finally we receive the equipment 10 days after Mauritz delivered it Pretoria, 1 day before SA Army troops start leaving Burundi. We were so encouraged that we have received God’s favor a door which only He could open.Arlene who is visiting us from South Africa, go’s preaching in a village
church. Most whom possibly never been inside a car but 
she preached telling the folk about the story of David and Mephibosheth, and the kindness which he showed him and how God, in His goodness, showed us kindness and love through his son Jesus Christ. Many came to salvation because Arlene decided to be obedient. She encouraged us and cooked up a storm in the kitchen she also helped us to setup a cooking roster from ingredients available in the local market. Arlene is flying back to SA on Sunday midnight, after Rwanda air cancelled all flights to SA and we had to reschedule her flight via Kenya. In Africa we play by different rules, there is none.The long awaited Brick machine proves to be an ongoing prayer request. Briefly the Machine arrived in Bujumbura and remains in customs until we can resolve the import duties. We have submitted a request to the Customs department to allow this gift to Burundi duty free as we will use the Machine to build schools and churches.
I received Veritas facilitator training in South Africa for module 1 (although I have not completed the Module 1 course for students) and am very excited, more than ever that God has placed the correct material in our hands to teach pastors and leaders how to interpret the Bible. I will join the 2nd group to be trained in Burundi during February on module 1, with two of our interpreters in order for us to be properly equipped to start our own group from June 2010. We could merely just start training Module 1 in Jan ourselves, but I’ve opted to attend the training with other Burundian students to observe how the Burundians take to the material and learn some valuable cultural lessons on the way. Also I will be doing Module 2 facilitator training 2 weeks into December 2009. 200 Veritas modules have been printed and packed in Pretoria. We are looking for a way to bring these manuals to Burundi, please contact us if you have any ideas?
Spiritual thought John 14:6 “I am The way the Truth and the life” – There is only one way by which we can live with confidence. This confidence not based on our own intellect, or our own wisdom, or on a role model who is but just another mortal, or on a religion which might lead you to everlasting peace. No, we base our lives and set our coarse on what is fixed, what is unchangeable by which we can navigate our lives accurately, by the TRUTH. Where shall we find this absolute truth, if it does not have its origin in our experiences, or values or ancestors?
Where else shall we find it but in the one who came to reveal God to mankind! Yes in the Bible we can find TRUTH in fact 2 Tim 3:16 professes that the whole Bible is inspired by God. You know what I enjoy about studying the Bible, the more I realize we can challenge and ask any question to test the Inerrancy of the content. The more I test scripture through my life experiences in my faith walk with Christ the more I am encouraged because God’s Word holds so much oracles of His Truth which points to Him the author, over and over again I stand in awe!Here are some prayer points:
1. Veritas – for the material in Pretoria to reach Burundi.
2. Ps Charles’ mother needs a hip replacement, pray for healing. Please continue to pray.
3. Veritas – Module 2 Facilitator training in Burundi during December.
4. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.
5. Bibles – pray for Bible distribution at school.
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.
Love
Anton and Diane
