We first met Yvonne & Pierre (husband and wife) in January 2008. They were two of the translators for our first official e3 campaign in Burundi. Since then, Pierre has been a translator on every e3 Burundi campaign. Pierre is also a pastor in the Nazarene Church. His church is located in the Kanyosha neighborhood of Bujumbura. His church used to meet in a school but was kicked out to make room for the military. They have now acquired a small parcel of land and have started a building program. As of November 24, 2009 the frame of the church was constructed.
Although e3 Partners has never worked directly with the Nazarene Church in Burundi, we have admired their faithfulness in serving as translators and in helping other churches to be planted and strengthened. Pierre, on his own, is providing Evangecube training for church members to help them share Jesus with the community around their church.
While in Burundi last week, we had funds available, so we donated $200 to the Nazarene Church. They immediately purchased iron sheets for their roof. They had enough to purchase half of the roof. The church can now officially meet because they have some shade for the people.
The following is an excerpt from a letter we received from Pierre yesterday.
“This Sunday we worshiped our Almighty God in that place as you will see in the picture. Amazing! God is God; He cannot have another name. We covered a small place as you see, but our eyes are fixed on our Lord and Savior. We are confident, the whole church will be covered. We are praying also for music instruments because in Africa the music in the church has a great place. We dance in the church and Christians are blessed. We pray for updated drums and keyboard...I didn't give up to the goal: my vision is to plant more than 100 churches in ten years and and I am ready to go everywhere God sends to proclaim the Gospel ( Matthiew 28:19).I am ready and I am going”
This pastor and his church get it – they have a passion for sharing the Gospel with their community. They gather to worship and their eyes are fixed on our Lord and Savior. Their dream doesn't just stop in their community - it extends as far and wide as God would call them to go!
We hope to be able to return to Burundi and see the building completed - just imagine a simple church with concrete floor, full roof, walls, windows, benches or chairs, filled with dancing, praising, worshipping people who were once lost and have now been transformed by the power of the Gospel! We pray that this church will be a blessing to the people who gather to worship and those they are called to witness and minister to.
God is doing a great work in Burundi. We are privileged to be a part of this work. Thank you for your faithful financial and prayer support that allows us to partner with churches in Burundi, empowering and equipping them to evangelize the lost and establish new, kingdom-minded, multiplying churches!!
