We haven’t been able to update the blog since we left for the airport in Nairobi to come to Burundi…….it’s a long story that I think John made reference to that I will expound on later, but AT LAST, we DID arrive in Bujumbura yesterday morning around 5:00 AM, 24 hours later than planned! After an exhausting ordeal at the Nairobi airport, we crashed as soon as possible upon arrival. We are staying at a new Christian conference center, the King’s Conference Center, built by a missionary working here to provide a safe place for retreats, seminars, Christian meetings, as well as a meeting place that can be rented, which will furnish funds to support ministry. They have done a nice job; it is a nice facility, and we are just so thankful to have a bed, water and food. We regrouped after lunch to go to the ministry project center that our ministry partner oversees to meet some of the women in training there. They are receiving training in sewing and hairdressing; with these skills, they will be able to support themselves and their families, as well as be discipled in their walk with the Lord.
Today was an introduction to those being ministered to here, the women in the project training and a group of young men that Pastor Alban is working with. The women on our team first went to the project center. As is the wonderful African custom, we were enthusiastically greeted with joyful praise!!
We got acquainted with the women, their teachers, saw what they are learning to do and had a sweet time together. Seeing the beautiful fabrics and clothing they are producing, our gals just had to have some items made for them, so measurements were taken and projects begun that they will have ready for Thursday; how is that for quick, custom made!
Meanwhile, the guys on the team went to meet the group of young men who live on the streets. Alban has reached out to these forgotten guys, shared Christ with them, and is meeting with them regularly to disciple them. They are hungry and eager to grow in the Lord, evidenced by how they, up until now, have shared four Bibles between 44 young men, soaking in every bit they can. They still live on the streets, have little or no schooling, eat little and can’t find work, but they are overflowing with joy in the Lord! After a great time of fellowship, we had a beautiful evening by the shores of Lake Tanyanika. Dining on the open porch of the restaurant, we rested in the breezes coming off the water, listened to the waves, walked in the sand, and had a wonderful time together as a team and with Peace (our ministry director), her husband, and some of her helpers. We were still recovering from Sunday, the “never ending day,” but were refreshed during our first day in Burundi and welcomed a good night’s sleep.
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