In this issue of Burundi news you can read about:
- Veritas…. participants from 9 provinces in
4 locations during the visit of Veritas Directors, Ivan and Dawie
- Compassion Fund…reaching and touching people who
are in poverty
- Development…through teaching how to live life God’s way
You
have been an encouragement to us as we work together in the Kingdom of God.
Over the last few months we had our share of challenges, which we do not
necessarily deal with on a daily basis in South Africa. These challenges
include not having water and or electricity and or Internet connection and or
fuel for the generator and cars.
When
we have an extremely bad day in Gitega we call it a chocolate day! Well during
last few months we had a number of CHOCOLATE days!!
We
are actually in good cheer and we know that God is on our side and that He
continues to be our source of hope and provision. On a number of occasions He
gave us assurance and encouragement from His word.
Isa
45:2 “I will go before you and will level the mountains. I will break down
gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.”
We
attempt to keep our FaceBook page up to date with our goings and comings, do
drop in to see whatsup with plenty of pictures - http://www.facebook.com/#!/anton.d.vanschalkwyk
Here
are a few highlights over the last few months.
Veritas…
Dawie
De Wet and Ivan Skinner both from Veritas College International visited the
Veritas work in Burundi during October. The main purpose for their visit was to
train 4 groups of facilitators from 9 provinces on how to present and train
Module 1 and 2.
The
ongoing training of Module 2 had been completed with the Gitega and Rutana
groups. During the next 6 months we will continue to facilitate the training in
Ngozi and Kirundo. We have been met with such excitement and appreciation in
these two towns, with registration of delegates doubling.
I
was so touched in Kirundo when we started the Module 2 training, we had two leaders
who pledged financial support for the training. Leaders stepping up starting to
change their own culture, only the Holy Sprit can work such a 360 degree change
in hearts amongst one of the most poorest countries, they understand the
biblical principal: “It
is more blessed to give than to receive!”
One
participant, John Baptist, used to be a teacher in Islam. After a radical
conversion to Christianity he committed to serve God as a pastor. He has completed
Module 1 and is one the Facilitators trained to continue the Veritas training. We
donated to him a white board and markers. His vision is to reach the most rural
places in the north to train Church Leaders with the most fundamental skill:
How to interpret the Bible. Pastors and leaders understand that due to the
massive church growth in Burundi, without fundamental biblical Leadership
training the churches are simply not sustainable. As they say one mile wide but
a couple of inches deep.
This
is Ps Jean Marie Vianey, he is a full time pastor, part time electronics
technician who has a passion for training using Veritas material. He currently
trains with me in the North. We continually are looking for partners who will
be part of the team to continue the training when we exit Burundi.
Translation
of Module 3 is underway and we should have the first draft during December 2012
for checking. We want to extend a big Thank you to ACAT for providing the funds
to continue the translation of Module 3 into Kirundi. They also sponsored 50
Kirundi commentaries and 144 Bibles.
Compassion Fund…
Diane
has a great gift of empathy and hence she helps me to see and act on the need
around us. Burundi being the 3rd poorest country, with many orphans
and dysfunctional families it becomes very difficult to ignore the major felt
need of poverty amongst the people. In most cases we just do not have a clue of
how impoverished families are even in urban areas.
Diane
responded to God’s leading as she continues to minister to the Children at Full
Gospel church every 2nd Saturday. In particular one child was
highlighted to her by the Holy Spirit, to assist and help in any which way she
could. What followed was a meeting with the family which lead to her bleak
discovery of the condition of their home. The husband works in another country
not really visiting or providing for the family. The house was unorganised, no
cupboards for clothes, lack of food, lack of bedding, lack of beds and a general sense of hopelessness. But
God had them in mind and Diane intervened by providing beds, clothes, food,
teaching ACAT veggie gardens, training FGW on the field and just simply being a
help to a family in need.
On
another occasion Diane received a donation of dresses made of pillowcases from
the States. Lynda Taylor was very instrumental in raising the support and
helpers in the States to sew the dresses for the children. Lynda, Diane and
Peter distributed the dresses to the girls and T-shirts for the boys. 
Finally Diane prepared for her yearend gift distribution for the children at church as well as to an orphanage in Kirundo. We received special donations from two sources: Higher Ground Church from Illinois, USA and a businessman from Norway. We bought 180 gift hampers to celebrate the ultimate gift God gave mankind, Jesus Christ because He loves us so much. The gifts were received with much excitement and joy!
Development…
At
home in Gitega, rather our pit stop every 2nd week between travels
up country, we find the time to continue to invest our efforts into the
following community development initiatives:
Farming
God’s Way training primarily focussed on establishing home food security. With
the help of Aaron, Diane proceeded to host 4 such training seminars since
August. To make this program more beneficial we will need to deploy more
resources in following up homesteads and encouraging and mentoring people who
have already attended the training.
The
ACAT training in South Africa has really challenged me personally as to what
our role should be in implementing the training we received. What we have
learned over the 4 years we have been in Burundi is that dealing with people
with a mindset of poverty is a major stronghold.
"My
people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge..." Hos 4:6...therefore we
walk this thin line of not falling into the trap to give because it is just so
much easier to give a fish than to teach someone how to catch a fish. We have
to be very wise how we approach any community, because when we drive with our
vehicles into a very rural village the begging mindset takes over and we have
already lost the battle. But if we consider how Jesus coached His disciples in
Luke 10, identifying with the people in every way, then I am convinced that our
"muzungu" role is not to do, but to train, mentor and support local
extension officers to go to their own people, who we brand as the productive
poor.
Ps
Lambert who attended the training with ACAT in SA is one such example. My role
was too help him define his strategy, implementation plan and budget. Over the
last few months he had to first conquer his own mindset, placing his dependency
and faith on God, which resulted in him penetrating the most rural communities.
His "secret" - be one of them, stay with the people in their very
primitive homes, eat their very basic food, spend time getting to know them and
earning their trust i.e. earning the right to teach them. I received a report
from him last week that he started the basic life skills training with 56
people in Karusi province, forming 8 groups in an area where poverty run deep,
at least for the time being, because only after one week many are already
receiving hope that it is possible for them to break free from this curse of
poverty. Truly Jesus Christ came to set the captives free.
Of
cause then we have not yet told you about the many other testimonies of Fidelite,
Celestine, Zacharia, Freddy.... we give praise to God as His people are taking
His hand and walking this journey to free the people of poverty in Burundi. We
have special needs to help these heros in Burundi with resources to train and
fulfil their calling. Please let us know if you would like to be part of the
ACAT development journey in Burundi.
Vision 2013…
Diane
and I have peace to remain in Burundi living out the call from God at least for
the next two years.
We
will continue to use Hauge Skills Development Centre as our base in Gitega from
where we continue to live out our vision 2 Tim 2:2 to GO > SERVE > TEACH
in the following spheres:
- Veritas training Church leaders and equipping them with ministry skills, Building Godly Character and imparting Biblical knowledge for their calling. Next year we will plan to finish Module 3 training in the 4 provinces.
- Compassion ministry is Diane's forte and she loves giving and helping the underprivileged especially the children of Burundi. She promises to give away all the donations with passion :)
- Development using the Farming God's Way and the more comprehensive ACAT program to reach more communities with the Gospel of action. More Burundians will be sent to the ACAT training in SA next year and a possibility exists for ACAT to come and host a week training of Leadership Development in Burundi.
Spiritual Thought…
Often
speaking to local church congregations I am saddened to see people in deep
poverty. However I am at the same time exited because we really do have good
news to tell which not only bring spiritual and emotional hope but breakthrough
in our earthly circumstances.
“Who shall separate us from the love
of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or danger, or sword?” Rom 8:35
The
personal challenge is not to become so familiar with the need around me that I
harden my heart towards the very people who Jesus wants to reach. Or worse yet
become so consumed with my own needs which blinds me to the very people God sends
us to. But continually asking and seeking His perspective keeps me in touch
with His heart and purposes. With the understanding that through Jesus Christ
we are more than conquerors, because He is leading us day by day through the
presence of the Holy Spirit and through His Word which is the final and full
revelation of God’s love to all mankind.
Prayer Points…
Please
continue to pray as follow:
1. Peace for
Burundi – pray for
continued political stability in the country.
2. Pray for
Bernice – thank you
Lord Bernice have reached her final exams, now the wait for the results.
3. Pray for
us – protection
for our health, relationships - that no weapon from the enemy against us will
prevail.
4. 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.
5. Veritas
Training – Thank God
for His divine provision, also pray for ongoing provision for the books
required. Also pray for the many facilitators now trained, that they may
multiply the training into their own churches.
6. ACAT &
FGW training – for
implementation. God will establish leaders that will hear His call to reach the
productive poor in Burundi.
7. Hauge
Skills Development Centre – for
registration and finance to register a Non Profit association in Burundi.
8. Kirundo Orphanage – how to help and
possibly partner to build and furnish a proper base for about 50 children.
Thank you!
Muracose
Canje!! As they say in Kirundi, thank you very much for your continued support
whether financially or prayerfully. We are so thrilled with what God is doing
and how He is building His Kingdom in Burundi. By each one fulfilling his or
her call in the food chain of the work in the Kingdom we will surely meet the
goal of our faith, to give glory and honor to God.
much love
Anton and Diane
