http://picasaweb.google.com/johnacrews1/BurundiStreetBoysMeetingWed2009
Wednesday afternoon the guys had their last group visit with the boys’ group. These young men have embraced our guys completely; they don’t know the love of an earthly father, community, or outpouring of caring and have soaked it up.
Today our guys presented a Bible to each of the boys and were overwhelmed by their response. They said they had never heard such Amens and praise! They received them as prized possessions, treasures, which it is. Most of the guys said this was the highlight of their time in Burundi.
Our gals set aside the afternoon to spend some special time with Peace. As is common, those who constantly pour themselves out to others often have no one ministering to them. Peace shared her heart with us; what a privilege to gather around her and pray for her needs and the desires of her heart! What a precious sister she is!
http://picasaweb.google.com/johnacrews1/FinalDayAndNightInBurundiWeWillMissYou
It’s hard to believe it’s our last night in Burundi, in Africa. So much has been compacted into these past weeks! We met with the prayer group that meets every Thursday night. Again, passionate prayer and praise. As several shared their testimonies and prayer requests, covering everything from physical, emotional healing to needing a toilet for her family, we prayed, hugged, and enjoyed one last fellowship with our sisters.
Peace and Emmanuel invited our team to their home for dinner. As we enjoyed this sweet time together, it was hard to say good-bye, but it was time to pack up our bags and head to the airport for a late night flight. We flew from Bujumbura to Kigali, Rwanda where we picked up other passengers. Then finally to Nairobi. What a completely different situation from last Sunday! The halls were nearly deserted. It was a while before other flights began to trickle in, and finally we were off to Amsterdam.
We’re overnighting near the airport tonight and will be on the home stretch in the morning. We’re all pretty exhausted physically, but so full spiritually! It will take quite a while to process everything we’ve experienced; each of us has been impacted greatly, and we have seen God work in extraordinary ways. As Peace reminded us, as much as ministries in poverty stricken countries such as Burundi need money, what they really desire more than anything is relationship. Time after time the people in Kenya and Burundi have thanked us over and over for just “being” with them and long for us to return…..again, the power of presence! What life lessons we’ve learned here; how much more we long to share with them as family.
We look forward to your return and hear the stories; I'm sure they are Amazin' (as in Grace).
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