Expecting the Unexpected
Sorry for the delay in sending an update. It is life here now with the challenges of fuel, water, power and internet becoming worse. Even this week the need for bucket baths and people having transportation challenges reminds me of the time I spent here in earlier years.
The team and I continue to meet and expect the unexpected. Cultural barriers are challenging but when these traditions begin to go against God’s Word it is when I find myself going to the Lord for prayer and wisdom to guide my words and actions. As we know, when Satan sees good things happening in God’s Kingdom he uses every available opportunity to destroy God’s work. Even when this happens, God is gracious and shows us glimmers of hope and joy. I hope you enjoy the photos of those glimmers!
God bless!
Susan May, Burundi Hope Missionary
Connecting the infrastructure and solar pump for the new well at Ephphatha. Having access to clean water is key to their quality of life. It is a blessing. We are hoping to see the completed project on Friday.
We invited members of the CEEM Executive Committee to join us on a visit to Kanura School for the Blind to see the Agriculture Program which includes the fish ponds, continual growing of crops, and mushroom house. We were also able to harvest lemons and oranges from the property. It was a hands on experience and a way to see how the school is working hard to reach sustainability for their food program.
Team Congo arrived last week to get trained in making sustainable ladies hygiene kits. The tailors from Sewing Center: Ephphatha hosted them for 3 days. Burundi Hope collaborated with the Ntibonera Foundation in the US as part of the foundation’s program for establishing sewing centers similar to what Burundi Hope has helped with in Burundi. We were connected with out mutual mininstry partner, Gleaning for the World.
Burundi Hope has been seeking a solution to help a deaf student who has been involved in a difficult situation. It has required patience, wisdom and understanding of navigating through cultural traditions and following God’s Word. Chanceline is deaf and many of you may recognize her face and name. She was taken advantage of while attending a secondary school in a neighboring province. The young man who was responsible for this situation has denied being the father of her baby. Chanceline did return to her family but because of their own poverty level they are unable to assist her. She has gone many days at a time without food or has left home to go to a friend’s house who will feed her for a day or two but she can not remain their. A family of a deaf women, who have a heart for the deaf will bring her to their home. They have a separate room that can be renovated for her to live in but will be able to share the kitchen and meals with the family. Once she is established with the family she will return to a local secondary day school and complete her final year of education. As part of our Francine’s Hope Scholarship Program we can assist with the house renovation and provide her with daily needs of living. In order to do so we will need those willing to sponsor Chanceline. $500 USD is needed to renovate her living space and provide some simple furniture. An additional $500 will provide her daily needs for one year. A ministry from the UK has accepted to continue paying for her education. If you are interested in helping Chanceline please contact me by responding to this email.
God bless!
I am schedule d to leave Burundi May 14. Pray for the final days of this trip! If resources allow I will send another update before departure.
