In this season of thanks (in America) I am thankful for His invitation to walk with Him in Africa. I’ve been in Africa for just over a year and He has “given me daily bread” for each step. This past year was filled with countless learning opportunities (umm, you want ME to bring a word to the congregation????), with frustrations (how does anyone learn a language?!?!?!?), with moments of loneliness (I wonder what my family is doing today), with generous and patient teammates (what time did we say we were meeting again???), with confusion (You sure you got the right guy, Lord?), with nuggets of victory (I didn’t get lost today!), and with the marvel of His presence (joyful and transformed lives in the far corners of this world).
Jesus, You are here; “on earth as it is in heaven.” I cannot believe some of the places You have taken me. It doesn’t make any sense. I thank You that I get to be a part of Your Kingdom. May You be known over all creation!
Karera Falls
Curious faces
Church service in Bururi province
Harvest club leaders
Kids from the Ngozi province
Beans.and.rice.
Innocent (director at Karubabi Harvest School)
Students at Karubabi Harvest School
Lining up for water from the well at a refugee camp in Malawi
Joyful community
Church service in Malawi
Friends, teammates, cultures…together.
Traditional Burundi drum performance
I love their expressions; almost like you can see right into each personality.
For years, Isabella was hampered by a lame hip. Her leg would drag behind her when she walked, and running was a labored scramble to pull one leg in front of the other. She and her family made several trips to the city with hope for an answer from educated doctors. Each trip turned up an empty diagnosis.
“Do you remember breaking your leg,” the doctors would ask. “No, nothing traumatic has happened,” she would respond. Medicine had nothing to offer.
Who had an answer?
Isabella had heard of the Harvest Campaign in Burundi and this year a team was spending time in her commune. She decided to visit the local church which was hosting a convention in partnership with the Harvest workers. As the session launched into prayer time Isabella came forward to receive healing prayer for her leg. A Harvester named Divine prayed to Jesus for healing of Isabella’s leg. That evening Isabella walked home…without a limp.
Isabella (left) and Divine (right)
When she returned home her parents noticed her new gait. They asked, “what happened to your leg? You are free!”
Isabella responded, “I went to the church and they prayed to Jesus to heal me.”
Her parents were astonished.
Isabella and her family had exhausted all available resources for healing, but the power of prayer is the only one that delivered. She joined the team days later to testify of God’s glory. Below is a picture of Isabella. This is how she stood as she retold her story; hidden and bashful, but joyful and free.
Isabella telling her story to the Harvest group
Rukundo is 15 years old with some disabilities. Throughout his life he has been shy and would often lower his head to dodge social interaction, even with close family members. His parents have prayed healing on him for most of his life. His mom brought him to the church during the Harvest Campaign this year. The Harvest team prayed heartfelt, trusting, healing prayer over Rukundo. They did not receive immediate results.
The next morning as his father greeted him, Rukundo extended his hand in return. His father was stunned by the gesture; such a sign of greeting had never happened before. What was this? Why this new engagement? A small sign of the power of prayer to our Savior (Rukundo shook all of our hands when we visited). The family continues to pray for more results but rejoices in God’s progress.
Rukundo (right) with his mom (left)
The story in Luke 18:35-43 (also in Matthew and Mark) tells of a persistent beggar who shouts at Jesus to get His attention and to declare His authority (“Son of David”). Jesus calls the beggar over and asks him, “what do you want me to do for you?” A simple question to which the beggar responds, “Lord, I want to see.” Jesus commands him to “receive your sight” and immediately the beggar can see.
There have been other stories of healing in Burundi after years of committed prayer. Is it just a random change of health or do we believe the healing? Are stories of blind men receiving sight just a Bible story or can He really do it?
