AMAKURU (Kirundi for What is news?)
What a wonderful time it is in Burundi, peace with the Gospel running to all corners of the country while we watch South Africa from a distance and the excitement building towards the soccer world cup, well nothing beats seeing the Kingdom of God expanding both in people’s hearts, minds and lives here in Burundi. We see people hungry for the Word of God, we see many coming to salvation just in normal church services, people want to see God’s peace prevail in Burundi. More than ever before are we seeing pastors and teachers of the Word starting to have a real reverence for the word of God, starting to read and appreciating that we need to be good stewards when teaching God’s Word accurately within context, allowing God’s Word to change our culture and traditions.
While we were in one of the Veritas training groups in Bujumbura last week a profound statement was made “that the Law of God is love” love is really the essence which unites us to God and to others. Unity through love in the body of Christ must be imprinted on our hands, feet, tongues, minds and hearts. Then our words and our deeds will be transformed (Col 3:14). Reconciliation and unity with others will be eminent as we walk in forgiveness and encouragement of one another.
Burundi is preparing for national elections during June, July and August. The message we preaching and teaching is one of reconciliation amongst all ethnic groups. We are expectant of God’s hand of peace to remain on this country for the duration of this time. Therefore we urge you to intercede for Burundi, for the people to have on their hearts, written God’s law of love which will benefit generations to come because this generation stood up to call on God the Father to unite this country. Visa office at the airport have been closed and it is very difficult for visitors to enter the country now therefore if you planning to visit make sure that you obtain the necessary visa documentation from the Burundi embassy in your own country. Also be very prayerful about visits in the election months in order to take your direction from the Holy Spirit. I believe the safest place is in the middle of God’s will, whether you are in Iraq, Chile or Eastern Congo, God is with you.
We have continued to hand out Bibles amongst some believers who really cannot afford to buy one in Burundi. I cannot stress enough how poverty stricken the people are here, by the same token we have to be careful not to continue to feed the president others have created that the foreigners will always give and hand out without merit. People must have the opportunity to learn to enjoy and appreciate the blessing we have in giving. We really have a major need in this area of providing Bibles, we need to distribute at least 100 Bibles per month. The approximate cost is R45 per Bible which we can purchase from the local Bible society. Please consider this request to bless believers who you might never see or meet this side of heaven. We are partnering with an organization called – Bibles for Believers http://www.biblesforbelievers.org/projects-burundi.htm, check out the website.
The local high school has been an absolute joy to us as we continued to train the students in religious instruction. I have adopted a formal discipleship program with them and completed the 1st of 8 lessons with the students. We drill deep into the word where I take Bibles with me to school and lookup verse, we discuss, we debate, we internalize and we discover the truth of God’s Word together. It is such a fun time we have and the students are coming alive because the Word of God is relevant today. Please pray for the students while they are writing exams at the moment, pray that God will continue to reveal Himself to them. We have students with backgrounds in Islam, Catholicism and Pentecostals. Many of the students follow religion only because of their humanistic culture. Much influence are coming via television form Europe but this is no competition for God, His Word is all powerful and defines Truth of life, the source of life to us.
Diane’s faithful work every Sunday have seen an increase of attendance over a 100 children, she
has combined colouring pictures every alternate Sunday and the children has such a great capacity to memorize and boy they are so eager to take part in the lessons. Diane has such a heart of compassion for the children and even takes with tissues to wipe the noses and love the children so much. Of cause they are no substitute for our bigger baby back home, Bernice, who we love and miss so so much. We miss giving her big hugs, please the next time you see her give her a big hug from Mom and Dad, you have to be our hands and feet back home.
I am very pleased and excited that the Veritas training in Bujumbura with the next 14 Pastors are underway. We are so encouraged to see God’s vision and mission self-actualizing in our lives in front of our very own eyes. God is really so amazing that He leads us and never forsakes’ us. We have pastors from all walks of life, two pastors are founders of denominations in Burundi, the one has over 100 churches and the other have already planted 73 churches. We are now travelling twice a month to Bujumbura for the Veritas training on module 1 of 4. After the 1st module I will be starting two groups, one in Gitega, and God willing another in a province called Rutana, where we already received an open door into training a 100 leaders. We ask your prayer support in the area of finance for the study material, the modules are very expensive to duplicate in Burundi, we looking at FBU 19000 about $15 each. Also please pray for finance for a Kirundi Bible Commentary which we have just received, we would like to give one to every pastor we train, the cost is FBU 20 000 about $16 each. This will help aid the lack of resources available for pastors in Burundi.
Financial Supporters
I have to make a little confession of doubt. Since we launched into fulltime ministry February 2009 I religiously used to check the account almost daily in the beginning “doubting” waiting to see God’s financial provision for us. Low and behold after 12 months God has continued to supply all our needs! God has really blessed us with faithful supporters and Diane and I really want to say THANK YOU to all our financial supporters of whom there are a number who are absolutely anonymous, we have no idea who you are, but we know God’s reward for you is going to be rich.
Our sending church, Liberty has been so faithful in word and deed in the face of a time of great change in the body, Thank you DJ, Karen and Elders we appreciate your support and confidence in us. Also there are a few people who have increased our monthly income to cope with inflation, thank you each one of you!
Prayer Support
Col 1:10 – “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”. We do this not in vain but for purpose, to work as partners alongside the Lord to expand the Kingdom of God. There is far to many people still pouring into hell every day, mainly because we do not take the burden of people being lost for eternity serious enough. Diane and I will have a very tough time if it was not for your faithful fervent prayers, thank you for your concern and compassion for the lost. Please continue to pray as follow:
1. Peace for Burundi – for the upcoming elections while many political rallies are the order of the day, may God’s hand of peace 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.
3. Bibles for Burundi – pray for resources to provide Bibles to believers
4. Students at local school – pray for open hearts to receive the Gospel and for their exams
5. Bernice – pray for her wellbeing and God’s hand of protection.
6. Veritas training – pray for safe travels to and from Bujumbura and for the pastors who are attending the training with us, for understanding how to interpret the Word of God
7. Kirundi Bible commentaries – please pray for finances and donors in order to bless pastors with this invaluable tool.
8. Our Kirundi lessons are ongoing – please pray for perseverance and understanding, we see huge favour with the local where we use the Kirundi.
9. Pray for us – protection for our health, relationships, that no weapon from the enemy against us will prevail.
10. 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.
11. Bibles – pray for Bible distribution at school
12. Farming God’s way – for the visit in September
13. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.
14. Studies – pray for perseverance and discipline.
Spiritual thought
Our relationship with Jesus will mature over time as we learn and understand God’s Word. In 1 Cor 8:9-10 we have a warning for mature believers not to allow their freedom to become a spiritual obstacle for less mature believers. Often we count personal encounters, with the Holy Spirit where He convicts you on certain aspects of your behavior as an universal absolute for all Christians. Red flag, make sure that your conviction is supported by God’s Word before attempting to extrapolate your understanding across the hall of believers. Likewise mature believers must realize that the less mature believers might not be ready to understand your freedom in Christ, lest you create a stumbling block for them. Bottom line let’s not judge one another from experiences in life but let’s seek unity in Christ. God’s only law is love, if you cannot reconcile your differences, rather err on the side of love, you will not be disappointed.
Much love
Anton and Diane
While we were in one of the Veritas training groups in Bujumbura last week a profound statement was made “that the Law of God is love” love is really the essence which unites us to God and to others. Unity through love in the body of Christ must be imprinted on our hands, feet, tongues, minds and hearts. Then our words and our deeds will be transformed (Col 3:14). Reconciliation and unity with others will be eminent as we walk in forgiveness and encouragement of one another.
Burundi is preparing for national elections during June, July and August. The message we preaching and teaching is one of reconciliation amongst all ethnic groups. We are expectant of God’s hand of peace to remain on this country for the duration of this time. Therefore we urge you to intercede for Burundi, for the people to have on their hearts, written God’s law of love which will benefit generations to come because this generation stood up to call on God the Father to unite this country. Visa office at the airport have been closed and it is very difficult for visitors to enter the country now therefore if you planning to visit make sure that you obtain the necessary visa documentation from the Burundi embassy in your own country. Also be very prayerful about visits in the election months in order to take your direction from the Holy Spirit. I believe the safest place is in the middle of God’s will, whether you are in Iraq, Chile or Eastern Congo, God is with you.
We have continued to hand out Bibles amongst some believers who really cannot afford to buy one in Burundi. I cannot stress enough how poverty stricken the people are here, by the same token we have to be careful not to continue to feed the president others have created that the foreigners will always give and hand out without merit. People must have the opportunity to learn to enjoy and appreciate the blessing we have in giving. We really have a major need in this area of providing Bibles, we need to distribute at least 100 Bibles per month. The approximate cost is R45 per Bible which we can purchase from the local Bible society. Please consider this request to bless believers who you might never see or meet this side of heaven. We are partnering with an organization called – Bibles for Believers http://www.biblesforbelievers.org/projects-burundi.htm, check out the website.
The local high school has been an absolute joy to us as we continued to train the students in religious instruction. I have adopted a formal discipleship program with them and completed the 1st of 8 lessons with the students. We drill deep into the word where I take Bibles with me to school and lookup verse, we discuss, we debate, we internalize and we discover the truth of God’s Word together. It is such a fun time we have and the students are coming alive because the Word of God is relevant today. Please pray for the students while they are writing exams at the moment, pray that God will continue to reveal Himself to them. We have students with backgrounds in Islam, Catholicism and Pentecostals. Many of the students follow religion only because of their humanistic culture. Much influence are coming via television form Europe but this is no competition for God, His Word is all powerful and defines Truth of life, the source of life to us.
Diane’s faithful work every Sunday have seen an increase of attendance over a 100 children, she
has combined colouring pictures every alternate Sunday and the children has such a great capacity to memorize and boy they are so eager to take part in the lessons. Diane has such a heart of compassion for the children and even takes with tissues to wipe the noses and love the children so much. Of cause they are no substitute for our bigger baby back home, Bernice, who we love and miss so so much. We miss giving her big hugs, please the next time you see her give her a big hug from Mom and Dad, you have to be our hands and feet back home.I am very pleased and excited that the Veritas training in Bujumbura with the next 14 Pastors are underway. We are so encouraged to see God’s vision and mission self-actualizing in our lives in front of our very own eyes. God is really so amazing that He leads us and never forsakes’ us. We have pastors from all walks of life, two pastors are founders of denominations in Burundi, the one has over 100 churches and the other have already planted 73 churches. We are now travelling twice a month to Bujumbura for the Veritas training on module 1 of 4. After the 1st module I will be starting two groups, one in Gitega, and God willing another in a province called Rutana, where we already received an open door into training a 100 leaders. We ask your prayer support in the area of finance for the study material, the modules are very expensive to duplicate in Burundi, we looking at FBU 19000 about $15 each. Also please pray for finance for a Kirundi Bible Commentary which we have just received, we would like to give one to every pastor we train, the cost is FBU 20 000 about $16 each. This will help aid the lack of resources available for pastors in Burundi.
Financial Supporters
I have to make a little confession of doubt. Since we launched into fulltime ministry February 2009 I religiously used to check the account almost daily in the beginning “doubting” waiting to see God’s financial provision for us. Low and behold after 12 months God has continued to supply all our needs! God has really blessed us with faithful supporters and Diane and I really want to say THANK YOU to all our financial supporters of whom there are a number who are absolutely anonymous, we have no idea who you are, but we know God’s reward for you is going to be rich.
Our sending church, Liberty has been so faithful in word and deed in the face of a time of great change in the body, Thank you DJ, Karen and Elders we appreciate your support and confidence in us. Also there are a few people who have increased our monthly income to cope with inflation, thank you each one of you!
Prayer Support
Col 1:10 – “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”. We do this not in vain but for purpose, to work as partners alongside the Lord to expand the Kingdom of God. There is far to many people still pouring into hell every day, mainly because we do not take the burden of people being lost for eternity serious enough. Diane and I will have a very tough time if it was not for your faithful fervent prayers, thank you for your concern and compassion for the lost. Please continue to pray as follow:
1. Peace for Burundi – for the upcoming elections while many political rallies are the order of the day, may God’s hand of peace 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.
3. Bibles for Burundi – pray for resources to provide Bibles to believers
4. Students at local school – pray for open hearts to receive the Gospel and for their exams
5. Bernice – pray for her wellbeing and God’s hand of protection.
6. Veritas training – pray for safe travels to and from Bujumbura and for the pastors who are attending the training with us, for understanding how to interpret the Word of God
7. Kirundi Bible commentaries – please pray for finances and donors in order to bless pastors with this invaluable tool.
8. Our Kirundi lessons are ongoing – please pray for perseverance and understanding, we see huge favour with the local where we use the Kirundi.
9. Pray for us – protection for our health, relationships, that no weapon from the enemy against us will prevail.
10. 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.
11. Bibles – pray for Bible distribution at school
12. Farming God’s way – for the visit in September
13. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.
14. Studies – pray for perseverance and discipline.
Spiritual thought
Our relationship with Jesus will mature over time as we learn and understand God’s Word. In 1 Cor 8:9-10 we have a warning for mature believers not to allow their freedom to become a spiritual obstacle for less mature believers. Often we count personal encounters, with the Holy Spirit where He convicts you on certain aspects of your behavior as an universal absolute for all Christians. Red flag, make sure that your conviction is supported by God’s Word before attempting to extrapolate your understanding across the hall of believers. Likewise mature believers must realize that the less mature believers might not be ready to understand your freedom in Christ, lest you create a stumbling block for them. Bottom line let’s not judge one another from experiences in life but let’s seek unity in Christ. God’s only law is love, if you cannot reconcile your differences, rather err on the side of love, you will not be disappointed.
Much love
Anton and Diane
