Burundi 2007 Team Blogs

Simply Amazing 06-Jul-2007 Team: Medical - Buja I’ve seen people juggle balls in the air and even flying batons of fire. But, I never thought I’d see a Nigerian surgeon, in the middle of a makeshift operating room, made pristine by the will of God, juggle impossible challenges to heal the wounded. But, when God wants His people served, in spirit and in health, He moves mountains, creates surgery rooms out of classrooms, makes disinfecting pantries out of broken sinks----but His children in the poorest areas are served, with the love and the efficiency of the very hands of the Almighty. God is simply amazing! Flor- medical team worker Magnificant Grace 06-Jul-2007 Team: Buja A This is the day that the Lord has made. As He has called us to be His beautiful feet that proclaim the Gospel to the nations, we walked confidently today knowing that God would work miracles in this land. Inspired by the previous day’s testimonies, our hearts were stirred to believe for miracles and healings. Our team joined with members of a local church called E.A.C. to witness on the streets. During the morning, as part of the continuous prayer of team members, I stayed behind to pray with another team member. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t go out into the streets. But what an amazing blessing when 2 little girls, Magnificent and Grace ages 3 and 5, decided to stay with us. There was such a light and beauty in these faces that only increased as they prayed and worshipped with us. One by one, God brought 5 more Burundians into our midst…3 Burundians in their 20’s and 30’s and 2 older women to become a circle of prayer and worship in English and Kirundi of 3 distinct generations. What a vision of God’s desire to unify this nation and break all dividing walls. It was an amazing presence of the Lord…as He inclined His ear to hear our cries. Praise the Lord… As team members and Burundians shared the love and mercy of God, many were saved today. My team of 4 lead 13 people to the Lord… Halleluia. As He worked in their hearts, He was working in ours to such a depth. Filling our weakness and emptiness with His strength and grace. We are in awe of Him. And our faith is growing to believe in signs and wonders. The picture is of one of the women who accepted the Lord as her savior today. Praise Reports 06-Jul-2007 Team: Buja B To all our praying family members and friends -- here are some praise reports from our team. Friday, July 6 Our team was assigned to assist at the medical clinic. James worked crowd control. He’s an usher at Times Square Church so he has a special anointing for the job. With much prayer and God’s love there was order and peace. He also served water to the crowd that was sitting and standing in the hot sun. He said it was a pleasure to be a servant of the Lord. Susan was assigned to help out at the VVF women’s clinic where they were performing surgeries to restore them to health and society. They worshipped and prayed for the many women waiting to see the doctors. Renelle worked at the pediatric clinic and helped process about 250 women and their children who had been to the clinic the day before and been given numbers to return the next day. The team really worked to make sure these women and children were seen, and praise God, all were! Anitha and Luly worked in the pharmacy packing pills and other medication, and they helped organize the area where the medication is stored. Anitha said that at the end of the day she was deeply moved when a woman with three children who was at the end of the line to pick-up her prescription at the pharmacy asked her for water. She took a sip and gave the rest to her baby. All she wanted was water. Michelle worked with Renelle processing the pediatric patients. “At first it almost seemed an impossible task because women and men were crowed at the gate trying to push their way in. Babies and old people were being trampled in the oppressive heat. Before leaving for the outreach we had prayed for order and praise God, there was order. As they waited to be seen we were able to talk to the women and God gave us discernment to pull those children out of the crowd that needed immediate attention. Diane: “I was assigned to minister to the people waiting outside the pharmacy. The men, women and children sat patiently many hours in the hot sun waiting to be called to pick-up their prescription. With the help of my wonderful interpreter Esperance, we sang songs in Kirundi and the people joined us. We shared the love of God with them through His Word. We told them God loved them. We prayed for them. Some of the older ladies and the children got up and danced, which was amazing because all of them were sick. The presence of the Lord was in the midst of the people. The need here is overwhelming. The medical team worked tirelessly for hours trying to see as many people as they could. But some had to be asked to return the next day. There was no question that God was touching people that day, even as they waited for their medicine. Jesus and the children 06-Jul-2007 Team: Ngozi B We divided into teams as we went into a neighborhood in Ngozi. As my team was preparing to go house to house and share about Jesus and the crusade, a group of people gathered around us. An open door, so a team member shared the gospel for about an hour and a half. She talked about God’s love and grace and invited the people to make a decision for Christ. Many of them said the sinner prayer, including some children. In the evening the team went to another neighborhood. We again broke into smaller teams and went to share the gospel. It was amazinig to see that everywhere we went a crowd would gather around us. Each time one of us would preach and invite the people to receive Jesus. Almost all of them would say the sinner’s prayer. It was amazing to also see so many children listening attentively to us as we spoke about Jesus. They agreed to the salvation prayers 06-Jul-2007 Team: Ngozi A We went near a school. God led us to a crowd of people that had been watching us worship. In that crowd, a couple of young people asked if they could share their questions with us related to salvation, the Holy Spirit and religion. God enabled us to clarify these gospel related news with them. Although, at the beginning it was difficult as they were getting convicted, by the end of the day, God opened thier eyes and gave them understanding and they agreed to the salvation prayers. One of the teenagers that was there, asking lots of questions, showed up the next day at the crusade. Door to door witnessing 06-Jul-2007 Team: Ngozi A We went door to door witnessing and people's hearts were open to listen to our message and give thier lives to Christ. Wherever we go people gave us the time and accepted that we pray for them for salvation and healing. She renounced witchcraft 06-Jul-2007 Team: Ngozi A The outreach was in two sections - morning and afternoon. In the morning I shared the gospel "Love of God" from house to house. Men, women, and children who came to the Lord were about 20. In the afternoon, a community of rural people received Jesus Christ. A woman who confessed she knew she couldn't go to heaven renounced witchcraft and she and her whole household accepted Jesus. Reconciliation and forgiveness 06-Jul-2007 Team: Gitega B Today we ministered to the deaf children. God is really doing a work in us. At the school we met a teacher who had been through the war and had lost his family. He was very concerned about reconciliation and forgiveness. I was able to tell him he must first recieve Jesus as his Saviour then forgive. Forgiveness is not a choice but a command from God. After speaking and praying with him, he was freed from the Spirit of unforgiveness and said he now saw that it is possible to forgive and love your enemy. God is truly wonderful. Love Your Enemy 06-Jul-2007 Team: Gitega B Today we ministered to the deaf children God is really doing a work in us. At the school we met a teacher who had been through the war and had lost his family. He was very concerned about reconciliation and forgiveness. I was able to tell him he must first receive Jesus as his Savior then forgive, and that forgiveness is not a choice but a command from God. After speaking and praying with him he was freed from the spirit of unforgiveness and said he now sees it is possible to forgive and love your enemy. God is truly wonderful. They gave us their time 06-Jul-2007 Team: Ngozi A The hearts of the people were open to listen to our message and give their lives to Christ. Everywhere we went people gave us their time and allowed us to pray for salvation and healing for them.

.............................................................................................................................