May 2010 Bohoro Bohoro

Bohoro Bohoro , (slowly slowly)

Burundi is in a buzz at the moment with the elections looming. In Burundi we have a saying “slowly slowly”, this saying runs through the very fiber of this nation, I’m not saying this in a derogative manner but rather a teaching for us western cultures. My Burundi brothers are much more relationship orientated than task orientated. Which means that you should place a much greater value on relationships than attempting to challenge the status quo. I often think that God really had a sense of humor to send us here. Well the voting has been split over 3 months with 3 specific days for voting. (the 3 days is for different roles in government). Well the first day of voting was supposed to happen last week but have been postponed due to insufficient ballet papers delivered to the different locations but as we said “slowly slowly” everyone will be able to vote. Of cause I found it rather amusing when one of the 45 opposition parties blamed the government for being unorganized which caused the first delay. Now I am as confused as a chicken who laid a ball bearing? Please pray that the election process will continue peacefully.

Amongst the country’s propaganda campaigns we have started the 1^st group of pastor’s training in Gitega during May!! We have started with a slightly bigger group than anticipated due to the huge demand for this kind of training. Our first group is 15 pastors (includes 3 ladies) from 6 different churches. This alone is a work of God to have different churches sitting around the same table, learning from God’s Word. We decided to run the training from our home as we have enough space and drasticly reduces the cost to train but we had some startup costs to buy 3 tables and 14 chairs + cups, flasks and plates. As we decided to also give the pastors a light meal (rice, beans & tea). There is a Burundi proverb that says that the ears of Burundian is in his stomach, when he receives food he learns much better. Anyway we just wanted to be a blessing, why not? But here is the testimony, God knew when we needed to buy this equipment and the day we needed to order the furniture and buy the catering utensils, the money was available in our account….coincidence or God? Someone once said coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. Thank you Lord!

Last week one of the pastors amongst the group, thanked us for coming to Burundi and our interpreter said “today I know that God was in this home”J When all odds are against you we can safely say that if God has a plan it will be fulfilled. We are humbled for what God is doing in and through us during this time, let’s thank Him! We also want to thank you for your prayers and financial support, we are doing this work together with you for God’s glory.

Diane enjoyed helping a team of youth who came to visit Ps Charles form Norway. What a blessing these young people were with such passion to serve Burundi. They asked Diane to help them arrange the logistics of the event in the local soccer stadium to reach the children of Gitega. The team worked hard on the day as there was just such an overwhelming response to their visit. This was a great opportunity for preaching the Gospel. Diane arrived home around 14:30 in the afternoon she did not even greet her waiting quests from Bujumbura properly, as she was covered with dust and dirt from all the activities, but nothing a bath could not cure.

My studies with SATS continues and completed two subjects – Book of Acts and Homiletics with distinctions for both (was really chaffed with myself) and now busy with the next two – Apologetics and Pentateuch. Please pray for me these two subjects needs much time due to the large quantity of study material and the preparation for the Veritas lectures must also be done with diligence. But I am loving it!

One Sunday early morning we woke up with rain of a different kind….it was the grasshopper “run”, like you see the sardine run in Scottsburg, SA so it was literary raining grasshoppers. It felt like I was in Egypt with the 10 plagues. They were everywhere, coming in under the doors attempting to escape from their hunters. Diane was almost hysterical as they wanted to join her morning bath. She just kept saying, wonder what Nats will say. Normally this kind of plague can be absolute disaster for the surrounding subsistence farmers but it was actually a blessing for both Burundian and crows. Burundians love these grasshoppers fried in a bit of oil, people were collecting bags and bags of these grasshoppers, while the crows had a feast in the air.

We are excited for Bernice’s visit to Burundi during June. Thank God for answered prayer as a lovely family have offered to pay for her ticket and someone else has given Bernice spending money. We are all counting the days in sleeps. Please pray for her safe travels to and from Burundi.

Today we had Holy Communion. Normally the ceremony is held after the main church. Everybody leaves the building except for the pastors. The table is prepared with the juice and the bread and covered with white table cloth. The church is invited back into the building before the ceremony begins. The pastors line up behind the table while someone prays an opening prayer. All the pastors wash hands in a basin with soap and water. The table cloth is removed and the bread loafs are broken in small pieces while the quire praises God. A short reading of the Word with a special reverence for God is observed followed by the serving of the emblems. Holy Communion is repeated once a month.

Spiritual Thought

Col 1:15-20

When Paul wrote to the brothers in Colosse there was a number of problems he wanted to address. One of the problems was the lack of Supremacy of Christ in the lives of the believers. Paul raised the superiority of Christ in the face of religion, tradition and philosophies. It does not matter how people may question the existence of God or what challenge you face when defending the Gospel, Christ has, is and will always be the first and the last. V17 In Christ all things hold together. Let’s take encouragement from God’s mighty hand of reconciling us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. Our peace with God has been settled at the cross. Allow God’s peace through the Holy Spirit to rule our minds, tongues and actions. We serve the living, ruling and almighty God!

Prayer points

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. Thank God for 100 Bibles sponsored.

4. Bernice – pray for her wellbeing and God’s hand of protection.

5. 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. Also for the continued training in Gitega every Wednesday from 9:00 to 14:00 for the next 5 months.

6. Kirundi Bible commentaries – please pray for finances and donors in order to bless pastors with this invaluable tool.

7. Our Kirundi lessons are ongoing – please pray for perseverance and understanding, we see huge favor with the local where we use the Kirundi.

8. Pray for us – protection for our health, relationships, that no weapon from the enemy against us will prevail.

9. 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.

10. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.

11. Studies – Pray for perseverance during the next two subjects – Apologetics and Pentateuch

Please stay connected with us on Face Book………

Also on our Blog you will find Twitter updates and real time news flashes for Burundi…..http://van-burundi.blogspot.com/

Much love

Anton and Diane

March to April 2010 News from Burundi

Amahoro, Pasika Nziza (Peace to you and a wonderful Passover)

Where did the 2 months go to? Studies, Training, Exploratory trip, Passover, Veritas training and Bible distribution. We had a real busy time and continue to see God’s hand of provision, salvation and divine appointments. Don’t you find that sometimes our daily routine becomes just that, a routine we sometimes do not see God’s agenda for the day and do not meet the people who have been set over our path for a purpose. The saying “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous” is a fact. By pure “coincidence” we have met a few of these divine appointments this month, of which 3 people made commitments to Christ, Hallelujah!

Briefly the one week we had no water supply for 5 days from the local municipality, the longest stint was 9 days. Anyway God gives us grace in these times. After visiting the local municipality offices I just had another major lesson in dealing with delicate issues in the local culture. Simply remain humble and patient, as the Holy Spirit indicated to me. Not long and I had two technicians in the car, off we go to solve the problem which was just one switch which have remained off for 5 days. On our way back to the office, I asked the question, do you guys pray to God? Immediately they answered we drink primuis, (local beer), with an immediate retaliation to, oh we are also Catholic. I started laughing and asked the guys why are they telling me there religion, my question was do you pray to God? The Holy Spirit spoke so clearly to these guys and at one point I thought well we will not have enough time to complete our conversation when they received a call from the office to respond to an emergency elsewhere. They asked please if I can take them there as they have no transport. I said you are welcome now we can complete our discussion. Praise God an hour later they committing their lives to Christ. Thank you Lord!

Tim and Jeanette van Aarde, our good friends in Christ, missionaries who live in Bujumbura and heads up the Burundi Mission with the purpose to train Pastors and leaders with the Veritas modules, had to visit SA for 2 weeks to attend Tim’s grandmother’s funeral. Tim is training with Ruben Safari (Burundian, Pastor, Scripture Union and Director of 8 countries, Veritas trainer etc). They started to train another a group of pastors in Muyinga (2 hours drive from Gitega and 4 hours drive from Bujumbura one way). Because of the unforeseen event Tim asked us to help train Veritas with Ruben in Muyinga. I tell you some of the most rural pastors attend this training in Muyinga. The training pace had to be slower than for the pastors in Bujumbura. At one stage Ruben and I were concerned that the Pastors were not able to follow us. But then on day 3 both Ruben and I saw a breakthrough. As we recapped the work we covered in the previous lessons the faces started to light up and answers flowing back, praise God! I realized that truly the need is great to train these rural pastors. We were thrilled to be able to be part of the team to train pastors in this region. Also Ruben is really the man of peace for this mission, he’s the quarter back and we must protect him as the team, ironically I find that he is normally the one that looks out for our wellbeing, lol. While we were in Muyinga over the last two weeks Diane met a young man who was on crutches and were selling handmade cards to earn an income. With Ruben and I away from the guest house, and no interpreter Diane continued to speak in her limited Kirundi and helped the young man read scripture from her Kirundi Bible. As he was reading the scriptures, he’s eyes started to light up and the understanding of the Gospel flooded his mind. By the time Ruben and I returned he was ready to make a commitment to Christ. Thank you Lord!

We remain on track to start training Veritas in Gitega, of which the 1^st group of pastors will be in Gitega. The official launch will be on Wednesday 28 April at 14:00. Really we sense that we are going through a self actualizing moment where all the years of preparation and trails and tests and focus to relocate to Burundi are culminating into this time of history…..We have been following God’s call which we have been walking by faith, and has now become a realization in our lives, Thank you Lord! I have seen anyone can fly into Burundi for 2 weeks with a purse full of money, but after all has been said and done you will leave empty handed, relieved of your cash giving great reports and photos of the visit and the “Work of God” but in reality the hearts of the people remained exactly the same, because you have just stepped into the biggest cultural trap in Burundi. The only way to train pastors effectively is to become one of the locals and to do the time, live understand, smell experience Burundi through the eyes and hearts of Burundians. Before we came in 2009 God gave us a very clear entry strategy, Luke 10:4-11 Do not take a purse, stay with the man of peace, do not move around but do ministry. This we have done, we did not bring bag loads of money, but rather allowing God to work His provision. Now when we are introduced to new people here, Ps Charles normally say we are from SA, missionaries to work with him and they have no money…lol. Money can buy you friends but love can earn you friends. The cultural lessons we have learned and are still learning has been and is going to be a huge key with the Veritas training in understanding how people here interpret the Bible. Now do not hear what I am not saying, we can use money as a disciple tool and some of our Norwegian friends are doing so very effectively, raising the standards of accountability and stewardship, always taking hands with us and understanding the cultural aspects.

On a lighter note, we were in Bujumbura 3 weeks ago for the Veritas training which is normally on Thursday and Fridays. We stayed over with Tim and Jeannette. Two NGO foreigners asked Tim to take them on a day outing to go visit the National Park Du Kahbira. Simple we thought, left early the Saturday morning in search of the “Game” park which should not have taken longer than 1 hour to reach. Shortly after our departure from Bujumbura it started raining, mist set in over the mountain passes and as a result we missed the sign boards, and happily continued the drive almost reaching the Rwanda border. The park according to the dated map is a massive park stretching about 4 hours drive in radius, well massive in context of Burundi. Eventually we found a game ranger, still dressed in his suited uniform at the very north of the park. He indicated that he does work for the park, but now a days there are no more animals, and he does not receive any remuneration from the government. He said we were the first visitors since 1997 to come to the park. He drove with us and showed us some of the park. The park used to consist of very dense forest which was an oasis to the chimps. Much of the forest today have been removed to clear land for subsistence farming. Apparently a concerted effort are being made to conserve the centre of the park, which remains untouched after the war, but we left the central park exploration for another day.

The local High School, is in a buzz, with the children unable to contain their excitement. As we visited the 7 classes on Monday and Tuesday, the delight in the hearts of the children were uncontainable. For months now they have been asking for Bibles, and we merely exhorted the children to pray and ask Jesus. Continually I challenge them, to test God and see if He will not provide to satisfy the desire of their heart to receive a Bible. We continued the religion classes with a small stock of Bibles which we took from class to class so the students could at least share reading a Bible and following the teaching. In November we received a large donation to buy Bibles for about 100 students, but sensed the timing was not right to give and also in my heart I wanted all 200+ students to receive a Bible, we did not merely want to give hand outs we wanted the students to receive the Bibles on merit. As we were nearing the time we should distribute the 100 Bibles, I asked God if it His will to provide Bibles to the balance of the students, in order that all the students may receive a Bible. A few days later I get a Face book message from a person who was attempting to contact me. The words, came God has told me to give you a donation. In my heart I knew this was God’s answer! The amazing testimony is that God answered the prayer and all 200+ students now have a Bible because two families were generous in their giving to God. We give praise to God for His provision.

Spiritual thought

What was the reason for the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira? We find the narrative in Acts 5:1-11. This raised my curiosity as I have just completed a study on the narrative of the Book of Acts. An immediate reaction to reading the passage might elicit a response of, is this true, or get out of here surely God is pro-life did the Holy Spirit kill this couple? Attempting to justify this event to believers can be a hot potato in the church. Many raise their opinions about the reason why the couple was killed, but these only remain the opinions of men. We must not preach what the Word of God do not emphatically say. Also our approach to interpreting scripture will really challenge our thinking. Here in Burundi I notice that the general approach to interpreting scripture is a legalistic approach to scripture, and there all the liberals shout, grace! No no wait. Having said that, most western cultures err big time on being very liberal to interpreting scripture. What we must find is the middle road.

In the narrative of Acts we find that the major theme is about The Holy Spirit, building the church. Disciples and apostles submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The church is the work of God, not man. It is God’s control which becomes so clear throughout the book. Holy Spirit heals who He wants to heal, not left to the direction of man. He even transports Philip to where He needed him for ministry. Then we read the passage about Ananias and Sapphira. Did they knowingly lie against the Holy Spirit? Did they knowingly attempt to deceive the all mighty God? Is it not God’s own control to exercise His judgment i.e. is God omniscient? In all accounts yes…..More importantly in v11 we read the consequence of God’s immediate judgment, “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events”.

I want to highlight two aspects in this verse.

a) Fear of God – means having a great reverence for your husband, or being afraid.

b) who heard – both believers and non believers heard about this event which clearly illustrates that this event affected many people.

Have we maybe lost a bit of reverence for God? Does God take the rightful place in your thinking and your life? We cannot afford to be lulled to sleep in a bed of grace. Prov 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” Rev 20 gives us a very vivid description of the day of Judgment, of cause God loves us and is long postponing in performing what he said He will do at judgment, this cannot be an excuse for us to explain away how severe the judgment is going to be for those who do not conform to His standard. I praise God as he chooses to reveal Himself through His love, His ultimate sacrifice, His ultimate revelation of who and what He is, through the messiah, Jesus Christ. We do not have to be afraid of God if you are living according to His law of love – Matt 22:37. However the reality is each one of us will face God's judgement one day, the question is will you live or die? We have this life to make a choice, this is the grace of God.

Other examples where God took immediate judgment are:

Achan in the book of Joshua (Jos 7)

Uzzah struck down by the Lord (2 Sam 6:6-7)

Prayer points

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 – THANK God for answered prayer to provide Bibles to the students

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. Also for the launch of the Veritas group in Gitega on Wednesday 28 April at 14:00.

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 favor 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. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.

12. Studies – THANK God for answered prayer – I have completed the next two subjects – Book of Acts and Homiletics.

Please stay connected with us on Face Book………

Much love

Anton and Diane

February 2010 News from Burundi - Kingdom expanding

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

Jan 2010 Burundi News - 1st Christmas, New Year & BDay in Burundi!

Imana Ibahezagira! (May God Bless you!)

Diane and I have spent our first Christmas, New Year and 1st Birthday in Burundi! It has been both awesome and challenging. Christmas in Burundi is not a long drawn out festive season albeit that the church has a huge program for the day, as most of the ordinances are done on Christmas day. The day started at 6:30am by baptizing 248 people while Diane was having a Christmas party with the children school, Sunday school on Christmas day is fun.

After the main service all the new babies born during the year are dedicated, about 80. New members can only join on Christmas day after they have been baptized, hence we welcomed 248 new members to the family finalizing the proceedings with Holy Communion. Tim and Jeanette a missionary couple from SA staying in Bujumbura, joined us for Christmas lunch when I made a good old traditional South African dish called Potjie, the best I tell you.

New year is also very different starting with a the whole church gathering at 20:00 on the 31st and spend the whole night worshipping God and having all kinds of theater kind of skids, which lasted until 5:00 the morning. Just to have a quick cup of coffee before the main service at 9:00 on the 1st which lasted until 13:30, of cause all returning home for a days’ rest. All in all I really appreciated being in church over midnight and going into the new year with a “New Hallelujah”…..

We celebrated Diane’s birthday on the 1st but we remained with the church program over this week….on the 4th we went away for 3 days to a town next to the Tanganyika Lake, called Yanza Lac. The natural beauty of this area is stunning, see some pics on the blog. Albeit that I struggle to “switch off” but had to use some of my time to catch up some of my studies. The 2nd morning while Diane was getting ready and I was admiring the sunrise over a cup of coffee, peering over the laptop onto the lake, I hear a loud shriek from the bedroom. Diane calling: Anton come quickly here is scorpion in our suitcase….Eish. Now how do you find a scorpion in a suitcase full of clothes….CAREFULLY…..or you call someone….lol. Well there was one scorpion which managed to somehow crawl into the suitcase during the night and made himself very comfortable. The model of the story is keep your suitcases closed, lest you will receive uninvited guests.

Dr Howard Foreman from the US in CA returned on Ps Charles’ invitation to come teach some of the rural pastors. You might remember me writing about him in a previous news letter. During the last visit he fainted behind the pulpit and sustained a severe concussion and a nasty cut on the back of his head. Well with his next visit it was less eventful but Burundi continued to baptize him, shame his main luggage bag was delayed, $600 stolen, no hot water…traveling in Africa is tough. The week training went off very well where most pastors have never received any kind of training. The need has once again been highlighted to me to continue to train pastors and leaders. Howard basically covered the Doctrine of Revelation and opened the topic of Hermeneutics to the pastors which has been a rewarding experience to see pastors having a greater reverence for God’s word. Afterwards Howard wanted to see the material on Veritas which I duly shared with him the book which Dr Bennie Wolvaart wrote on how to Interpret the Bible, the Veritas course is based on this book. Howard’s comments were, very encouraging that this is excellent material and will take his teachings much deeper. One thing we understand is God never gets confused or makes a mistake, in this situation we could both clearly see how we are not in competition but that God is ordaining His work in harmony.

We can finaly say AMEN, to receiving the long awaited Brick Machine….thank you for all the prayers God has answered and we have learned yet more lessons. Please pray for wisdom that we will employ the machine with wisdom. The purpose for the machine will be to make bricks for schools and churches. See pic on the blog.

Funerals are never great, but one thing is for sure and that is life ends on earth. The phone rang at 23:00 Friday night the 18th of December Peter and Fidelity, Burundian church planters who work for OMS, is in a state their 14 month baby is busy dying. The hospital is not equipped to help them and they asking for a lift to anther hospital about 2 hours drive. Unfortunately little Tony did not make it. I saw him die in his mother’s arms in our car. This was a low point for the year. Peter and Fidelity has been encouraged by all the family and friends who encouraged them through this time.

We are excited for 2010 for the work that God has called us for. The first 3 months we will be busy with training on the Veritas module 1 material, while I continue my studies for my Bth. In fact I completed 2 subjects today and starting with the next two on Monday. Online learning has made life so much simpler. In June we will start training pastors in Gitega on Veritas. We also expecting a South African couple who work for Rouche in Kenya but in ministry with Farming Gods’ way. They coming for a very short visit in February to train farmers how to farm more efficiently. We will also continue to teach at the local school. We are about to start an 8 week discipleship program after which we will hand out 100 Bibles.

Spiritual thought: What is the mark of a true Christian? Maybe he is attending church, Bible study, small group, understands his salvation….possibly. Jesus said “go and make disciples of all nations…”(Matt28:19). How are we to live our lives which will please Jesus? Again Jesus said “anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luk 14:27). It starts with one disciple, two disciple….who are you intentionally and actively discipling? Yes it will cost you something, your ambitions, possibly your reputation but Jesus is calling us to die to our own desires and follow him through the cross of your own death. Who are you meeting at coffee breaks and lunch times to share what God is doing in your life? Show me someone who is discipling for Jesus and you will find that he is following the direction of the Holy Spirit’s leading and witnessing in His power. Dear friend I want to encourage you follow Jesus through the cross, your cross.

Here are some prayer points:
1. Veritas – Training to Start in February in Bujumbura, safe journeys to and from Gitega.
2. Bibles – pray for Bible distribution at school
3. Farming God’s way – for the visit in February
4. Vehicle – pray for the settlement of the balance of the loan.
5. Health – continue to pray for good health
6. Protection – in our new house and in Burundi
7. Kirundi lessons – pray for a good understanding of the language
8. Studies – pray for perseverance and discipline.

Much love
Anton and Diane