You helped turn this tragedy around

Hi Dave,

You have been on our hearts during the first couple weeks of our current trip in Africa. I can tell you that adjusting to a 9 hour time shift, going 36 hours without sleep while traveling, being surprised by the ‘extra hot’ weather in Burundi, and the usual adjustment to the African environment is now mostly behind us!

As you travel as part of our team, you can celebrate with us:

• You have helped turn tragedy into new life for many women (see below). Also note that Brooks writes some compelling stories on these same women here.

• You played a part in this amazing story of two rebel soldiers who find new life.

Your prayers are so appreciated as we continue our journey through mid-December:

• DR Congo: training and empowering rural church planters, meeting with key leaders, and providing trainings with the Methodist denomination.
• Western Kenya: training with key leaders and time spent at Liberty School in Bikeke.
• Uganda: trainings and strategic meetings with leaders from all areas.

Your help turns tragedy into a whole new life

Bahizi was horrified as he saw the images of fire on TV that was destroying the downtown marketplace in his own city of Bujumbura. The fire destroyed thousands of businesses and left scores of families penniless.

He, and his wife Lillian, saw women in tears watching helplessly as their life savings literally went up in smoke.

As church planters in that area, Bahizi and Lillian knew they had to do something. As the fire receded, they made their way down to where the devastated families were looking for any remnant of their businesses.

Befriending several of the women who had lost everything, Bahizi and Lillian reached out to them and offered to help them start again with a loan from their own pockets. Amazed, these women began to open their hearts to the Gospel that they saw displayed in the compassion they saw in Bahizi and Lillian.

When we met several of these women, last week, their testimonies of God’s goodness overflowed from them. Their lives had become filled with a joy they had never known before. Their love for God was evident as they talked enthusiastically about reaching out to many others and starting churches in their homes.

NOTE: You helped provide training to Bahizi and his growing team of church planters that have now reached several provinces in Burundi and seen well over 100 new churches planted.

Blessings,
Roger & Brooks

P.S. You can stay connected with us through our un-edited, on-the-road travel blog.