Rooted in Jesus

  Rooted in Jesus – Burundi

The Rector, Alan Bing, will be taking another team to Burundi from 16th to 27th April, which now includes 3 from the UK (Eric Barker, Morey Andrews and Alan), one from DRC (Bwanamuzuri Mupagazi) and one from Burundi (Steve Muneza). Eric, Steve and Alan were on the previous team. We have been asked to lead two Rooted in Jesus conferences. The first (18-20 April in Muyinga) will be a follow-up conference for those we trained last time, and the second (23-26 April in Matana) will be for new leaders.

Burundi is a small, mountainous, fertile country, to the south of its twin, Rwanda. Like Rwanda, it has experienced internecine strife between Tutsi and Hutu, but there has been greater stability since the 1990s. Even so, largely as a result of decades of conflict, it suffers considerable poverty and corruption, and is ranked 174 out of 182 on the UN development index. In fact, it has the lowest per capita GDP in the world. The population of 8.7 million is mainly Christian, but the Anglican Church is small, and there is generally a great need for Christian discipleship. The official languages are Kirundi and French. The Operation World website gives more information about Burundi and its spiritual state.

We would be grateful for your prayers for:

  • our travel arrangements (including visas and inoculations)
  • the sharing of tasks according to people's gifts
  • good health
  • the making of disciples in Burundi through the Rooted in Jesus programme

Please also give thanks for:

  • our link with Bishop Eraste and the Diocese of Muyinga through the Bethesda ProjectBishop Eraste
  • the enthusiasm of the Archbishop of Burundi for Rooted in Jesus
  • a strong team with a good mix of gifts and experience
  • the fact that we have two team members from our own church

The church has already committed £1,000 towards the costs of hosting the two conferences, but there are other associated costs such as transport for African team members. If you would like to contribute towards the costs of the visit, please make any payments to Judith Harrison, clearly marked 'Rooted in Jesus, Burundi'. Do refer to the church notice board for more details. Alan Bing.