Burundi 2007 Field Reports

The unconditional love of the Father 25-Jun-2007 The third group arrived today with great anticipation in their hearts to see all that God would do.  The third group arrived today with great anticipation in their hearts to see all that God would do. The unconditional love of the Father The staff journeyed to a lovely little Mediterranean Restaurant in Bujumbura. We were all very excited to be together. Before our meal arrived, one of the wait staff mentioned there was a terrible odor coming from somewhere. He was very vague at first. He asked if we would like to move. We were a large party of 10 and already had our appetizers. Some noticed the smell, most of us didn’t. We weren’t exactly sure what to do. After further discussion, the reason they wanted to move us was because the smell had been coming from one of their other customers. He was an elderly gentleman who had been struggling with incontinence. We pondered the thought. Looking more closely at this lonely man sitting isolated, alone, and dejected thoughts became….What would Christ do? He accepts and always moves near to those rejected and despised by men. A few of the team decided to join him at his table. He was a former Catholic priest. We spent some time with him and it was clear the Lord had ordained this meeting. We talked about the love and mercy of God. He told us how he hates dining alone. We shared with him how the Lord moved on our hearts to sit with him, how he was valuable and God had plans to prosper him and not to harm him. We joined hands in prayer, the presence of Christ was so strong. Love bonded us together and we stood on his word and believed, where there is unity he commands a blessing…..Life! He said he would see us at the evangelistic rallies! God Intervened 25-Jun-2007 During the interviews for the translators, a woman came in who had previously worked for the American Embassy. She opened up to us and shared her testimony. She is a single mother and while she was pregnant and ready to deliver she lost her job. She was treated very poorly by the Americans. She was so mistreated that locals suggested she sue. She was distraught and deeply troubled. Despair set in. Longing for help, a friend advised her to visit the witchdoctor, who also refused to help her. Distraught and more desperate she had remembered the telephone number of the local pastor. She called him and he was too busy to see her. This rejection brought her to the end of herself. Thoughts of pouring petrol and torching her house along with her children in it seemed like the best solution. Ten minutes later the pastor called her back and said the Lord spoke to him and he needed to contact her right away. God intervened. She gave her heart to the Lord and was delivered! She shared how she did not want to have any bitterness in her heart towards the Americans. She has been in prayer for America one hour every day. Her eyes are full of light. During the interview we asked for forgiveness as Americans for having treated her unkindly. Many tears were shed. Burundians do not weep openly. We know God will use this woman in amazing ways this week.

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