News from Burundi
Burundi is dry at the moment but not cold! The dust roads around us reminds me some days of the Namibian dust roads, leaves everyone behind you in a baptism of dust even if you slow down to a crawl. But I rather take the dust than the cold I saw the SWC spectators endure on telly.
We were fortunate to watch a few games at some restaurants in Gitega and Bujumbura in my T- shirt and sandals J. All while the Burundi presidential elections were happening. Many people had fear that major unrest will erupt specially after the first round of commune elections results. The results were almost 90% in favour of CNDD FDD (ruling party). Some rumors of cheating were reported but election observers gave if their thumbs up. So we had a couple of hand grenade explosions mainly in Bujumbura and a couple of threats from different political parties, but all in all we have peace. The political situation can be described that PEACE has prevailed and God is the instigator! We praise God for answering prayers and we have seen some opposition party join the president’s party and the main opposition (FNL) the ex rebels do not want to follow their leader into civil war again they love the peace more!! And since then their leader has disappeared, possibly left the country. We rejoice and give God 100% credit for answered prayer.
Bernice arrived for a visit in June on the same day as the SWC opening for 3 weeks. We had a great time with her in between ministry and other commitments. We are so encouraged to see our daughter mature into a young lady, and so thankful towards all the people back home who take care of her and concerns them over her. She says that she has so many moms and dads in SA that she had to come to Burundi for a break, lol. The most important parent is God who continues to protect and provide for her through committed people who are prepared to serve Him. During the last week of her visit I became ill, man down for a week and still not 100% sure what the cause was. God really provided for a German doctor who is revamping a local hospital here in Burundi and have some of the latest medical equipment. After many blood tests we could safely eliminate a number of causes and his diagnoses was that I possibly had a stomach infection. I think this is just one of those cases where we can conclude that the sickness was a spiritual attack on the ministry and work of God. Thank you to all those who have responded to our prayer requests on Face book and SMS’s. God has answered our prayers and have restored me!
After saying our “dreadful” goodbyes Bernice returned to SA safely. Please keep her in your prayers for the second semester of her studies this year so that she may finish the year well. She has made such good progress over the last 18 months and have passed all 15 subjects to date. We are beaming with pride of our daughter.
Ministry Update
The pastors’ training in Gitega is going extremely well but also not without some resistance. 
Some people were ill and even one church planter broke his leg. But I am committed to the training and for all 15 pastors to finish well. I have attached some photos of the pastors we are training. We are nearing the end of the 1st module and are planning a second group for the balance of the year before we return to SA for a visit in January.
The last 6 months I have also attended the Bujumbura Veritas training with Tim van Aarde (South African missionary) and Ruben Safari (Burundian). The main purpose was to observe how they train the material in the Burundian context and what the pastor’s main needs are. A very dynamic aspect of the training is that Tim and Ruben trains together. This strategy help create two synergies a) developing a support structure for future which will remove future training dependencies on Tim and b) with Ruben the teachings are reinforced into the culture.
For some time I have had the same conviction that I need to formulate a similar relationship for the training we are doing in Gitega and other areas. In fact going forward I would think there will be a number of such partnerships I will have to foster. This will empower Burundian trainers to continue the training in the future. In the group I am training at the moment I have a very strong candidate who will be an excellent partner. He heads up the Scripture union branch in Gitega, English literate and have completed his theological studies in Uganda. I have not made any commitments yet, but ask you to be prayerful about this request.
This is Aron our
Kirundi teacher and interpreter.
Diane is enjoying the growing Sunday school. Last month she made every child a beaded gospel bracelet and teached the children how to use it for evangelism. The children see it as a treat to color in pictures every alternative week which reinforces the previous week’s lesson. I also include Diane in the preaching when we visit the village churches. She normally teaches the whole church with the felt board images. The people so enjoy this teachings and look forward to our visits.
We thank God for a gift we received for a 100 Bibles and we started distributing them last week to a village church who was so happy to receive the Word of God.
We also helped Tim service his vehicle and had some fun doing so!
Ministry needs:
You can obtain my bank details for South Africa or Burundi, directly from me via Email: vansatburundi@gmail.com or via Face book account.
Spiritual Thought
The question is how do you sleep at night? I had to ask myself that question last night when I heard a few gunshots etc. I had to remind myself we must believe and trust that God is bigger and greater than our biggest problem, challenge or fear and that unbelief is actually a sin.
In Lev 14 we read of Israel on the brink of stepping into God’s promise of Canaan. According to the narrative, Israel did not enter the promised land for another 40 years because of unbelief. God was ready to lead them into the promised land but the Israelites was not willing to believe that God was bigger than their fear. Their unbelief led them to disobey God.
We need to make a choice in our hearts believing God is greater than the evil in this earth. We have to know that God can and will remove all evil from this earth one day Rev 20:11-15. Until then God will go before us and be our rear guard. We must trust God in all circumstances. Even in our darkest moment continue to believe God is good, God is faithful, God loves you personally, God will never let you go beyond His grace. This is the hope we have which secures our future. Our circumstances now is but a short time and no comparison to be with God for eternity. Our faith must cause us to climb a higher mountain, take greater risk, face bigger giants just because we have a Friend who is bigger and greater than our circumstances!
Prayer points
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Much love
