We were invited to work in Bubanza last week. Dan and I were assigned to work with Rocher Church. What a great pastor! He had 7 other members from his church ready to work with us every day! He and his team led us up and down many hills -- it seemed that our steep ascents far outnumbered our minor descents!
For some reason, this goat perched in a tree caught my eye!
One of the days, we were in the bus waiting for some pastors to join us for the ride home. Of course, we attracted a crowd of kids who snuck around to my side of the bus so they could touch my arm which was hanging out the window. One of the boys had a "guitar" with him that he had made out of an empty water bottle, some wood scraps and some kind of string. Love his creativity!
We worked with 6 different churches to plant 5 new churches and strengthen 1 existing church. We had a team of nearly 40 Burundi nationals join us for 3 days of evangelism. Some were nervous about sharing the Gospel. Only a few had used an Evangecube to share the Gospel. But, by the end of the week, they were so excited about what God did in expanding his kingdom that they can't wait to go out and share Jesus boldly and actively.
Each church was given a Proclaimer (audio Bible) in Kirundi (primary language in Burundi). Dan held training in how to use the Proclaimer for Bible study and discipleship. By the end of 3 days, we shared the Gospel with 0ver 1,000 people. 511 people made a new profession of faith in Christ. Over 200 of these new believers attended at least 1 discipleship meeting. I shared the Gospel with individuals, families, students, skeptics, men who were sawing trees into 2x4 boards, even at the home of a muslim -- there were many amazing moments where I saw the grace and kindness of God poured out into the lives of people who, just moments before, had been going about their daily lives!
Psalm 145:1-7 I will extol you, my God and King and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.