ALIVE and ACTIVE – Page 3 – My WordPress Blog

GO

Over the past 3 months I’ve been blessed to share Burundi with a team of 4 North Americans; 1 Canadian and 3 Americans (Kansans!!!!!). They were part of the TREK program established by Multiply. This courageous (that’s the word I kept coming back to) group of young people took a call of faith to fly thousands of miles from home, during a pandemic, to experience Africa for the first time. And, boy, did they receive the full African experience. They met apostles and evangelists. They lived with the African church. They danced and laughed. They tasted new foods. They taught and learned. They shared stories. They struggled and doubted. They experienced the richness of the united body of Christ.

3 things which inspired me:

I saw a young lady with origins in one of the largest people groups on earth greeting, smiling, communicating, and honoring an elderly lady from one of the smallest people groups on earth. This Revelations 7 scenario played out in the Church (Shammah Fellowship Temple in Muramvya, to be exact)…on Easter Sunday. I saw it happen!! The Bride of Christ brought together the spectrum of His created people, ambassadors of reconciliation, for His glory.

I saw a fleet of hotel staff gleefully waving good-bye to a quarantine-free team of English speakers. Armed with little more than a smattering of app induced education, this team forged the language barrier to develop lifelong relationships. It happened over and over again for their stay in Burundi. They buried pride and reached for understanding and connection. The fruit of the Spirit they carried was quite visible to the people of Burundi. Hallelujah!

I saw a community of hearing-impaired students thrilled with the opportunity to communicate with someone new. Through a sliver of a chance the team met an American couple who splits time in USA and Burundi working with the hearing-impaired. It so happened that one TREK team member had studied sign language for a few years in university. On several occasions during their stay the TREK team was able to engage with this community of Burundians. Real evidence of Paul’s declaration in Ephesians 2 of God’s advanced preparation for good works. His incredible workmanship weaved together during these 3 months.

That’s real impact. And they weren’t superheroes, they simply followed a call to ‘go’.

“Therefore, go…” Matthew 28:19

“Go in peace…” Mark 5:34

“Go,” said Jesus…” Mark 10:52

“Go! I am sending you…” Luke 10:3

But don’t take my words for it, take it from their words. They will be celebrating and sharing their Burundi experiences at Ridgepoint Church (formerly First MB Church) in Wichita, KS on June 13 (this Sunday) at 7PM. I would love for you to hear from them and encourage them. Go.

A LETTER TO RANDY

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Randy Friesen, Multiply’s outgoing General Director
Photo credit: unknown

Randy-man,

I got my Bible when I was 18 years old. It was a gift to all graduating students from the youth pastor at my church. It sat mostly dormant for the first 10 years in my possession. Minus some course work at Tabor College it didn’t get much attention from me. In fact, it rested in the very box of which I received it. Oof. As my faith grew and as I matured I picked up my Bible with more frequency, but I viewed it as this sacred book. It had to be preserved. It had to be kept pristine. It was to be respected. I had to be careful with this text.

In 2017, I joined Multiply (named MB Mission at that time) as part of the FOCUS training program for long-term missionaries. I remember my first day in the Abbotsford office. It was September and it was a Tuesday. How do I remember the day??? Staff devotions were held every Tuesday morning at the office, and you were leading devotions on that day. As usual, you blew the roof off with your storytelling, insight, and message. I was energized! I leaned over to my neighbor (I think it was Bud Webb) and said, “Wow!! This is amazing. I am so happy to be here. What do we do in the afternoons????”

Ironically, I don’t remember the scripture, the stories, or the message you shared on that day. But what I do remember is your Bible. I happened to glance at your open Bible as you were speaking. Those pages had a lot going on; underlines, highlights, circles, notes, smudges, fingerprints. Those pages had their own color. Those pages had their own texture. Those pages were used. I was confident they contained dust and dirt from all over the world. I surmised they were once soaked with tears and sweat. I imagined they were stained from the most savory food and the sweetest drink. I could tell by the condition of those pages that this collection of words meant something more to you than it did to me.

In that one moment, you showed me the words on those pages were more than just words. These words are alive and active. These words are to be lived in and engaged with. These words are an experience, each and every time I read them. You showed me scripture. You brought the scriptures to life for me.

It could only happen to Randy. Is this a great photo or what???
Photo credit: unknown

I say ‘thank you.’ I am grateful for your passion, obedience, and leadership. I’m glad I know you. I praise Him for your giftings and how you shared them with me, and all of us. God has blessed you to bless a generation of His people.

Onward, Servant!

1-HOUR MISSION TRIP

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1 Hour Mission Trip: Burundi. March 18th at 11 am CST. You are warmly invited to join a live Zoom call about our growing work in Burundi. We are exploring what it means to be together on mission as growing partners for the Gospel. This call will help you understand the context of the mission location and will explore how you can engage more deeply in what God is doing.
Join the call here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85711967578?pwd=NUVKald0Y3Nyb3Y1eGhxbUM5alhzdz09

Join us **next** Thursday as Pastor Samuel pulls us into the story of what God is doing in Burundi.

Aren’t you just a little bit curious????

CHURCH + COMMUNITY

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“You’ve really challenged my thinking.”

This was a closing remark from a pastor in Ruyigi province this past month. Fifteen pastors came together to explore ways the local church can engage the community. This is a new concept for churches in Burundi. The general history of the church here would focus on evangelism, worship, and prayer. It has done (and continues to do) incredible ministry in these areas and there is much we (Western church) can learn. Community development, however, has been the focus of aid organizations.

Through biblical teaching these pastors dialogued about how the Church can live into its role. They were challenged to view the Church as the vehicle to transform communities. Is it possible for the Church to be the driving force for community development? Who better to understand the needs of the community? Is it possible the “united Body” could meet all the needs of its people? The Church is in a unique position to lead people into whole-life transformation and thus impact groups of people (communities).

Discipleship of the whole person is a challenging concept but one that is stirring the hearts of pastors in this country. Teaching from this time in Ruyigi was anchored in Matthew 22:34-40:

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment.

A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [NLT]

Over the four-day training they discussed topics on community development, discipleship, empowerment, forming teams, and how the Church is positioned to impact all these areas. It was inspiring to see them learn, listen, dream, and pray together. Similar teachings are scheduled this year in different provinces of Burundi. You can pray for whole-life transformation to cover this country.

Pastor Sam and I at the first of several teaching trips this year

GOODNESS

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Welp, add this blog to the list of “year in review” reads/posts…

Many, many years from now, what am I going to say about 2020? What words will I use? How long into my “recap” before I mention God? Will His footprint be evident the further away I get from 2020?

For now, “Father, what did You do with 2020?” He whispers, “consider how My goodness was shown throughout this year.”

James 1:17-18 – Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.

Here are the gifts from this past year:

The People

The Kids

The Reunions

The Land

The Projects

The Coffee

KINGDOM BUSINESS

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How do we view business and faith in North America? Do they have competing agendas or do they fulfill God’s purpose together? In Burundi, there is a delicate relationship between business leaders and church leaders. Both sides have felt the sting of harmful experiences and fabricated stereotypes. Both sides approach one another with caution. As a result, there is a standoff. Expectations and motives are viewed through the lens of skepticism. Which side will change and prove to be a trustworthy partner? There is a movement in Bujumbura to bring the two sides together through biblical understanding, reconciliation, and vision. This relationship is receiving fresh air.

As part of this movement, 8 small business dreamers participated in a development course focused on Kingdom business. Some of these participants were already doing business and some were looking to cultivate an idea. The 9-week course (licensed through Sinapis) covered topics such as discover your calling, know your customer, understand the market, manage your finances, and ethics. Each week the participants discussed these business topics along with related scriptures. In Burundi, an open discussion in this setting is viewed cautiously for fear someone will steal your idea. Property rights and trademarks are a missing component of this business environment and it is difficult to enforce your rights for your ideas. At first, the conversation was guarded, but after a few weeks the discussion was more active. Participants learned to trust their peers, to engage in feedback and share their experiences. Many of them commented the interaction with their peers was the best part of the course.

We want to see more business leaders encouraged in their gifting. We want to continue to offer courses that will bring leaders together to learn from one anther in Kingdom business.

Pray for these business leaders as they grow their business and live out the teachings of the Bible.

Pray for church leaders as they embrace the giftings of business leaders and how to impact the Kingdom.

Pray for future opportunities to further this budding relationship between business and faith.

Sharing about their business at the celebration event

For more on this topic, I enjoyed the book “Why Business Matters to God” by Jeff Van Duzer. Van Duzer describes the purpose of Kingdom business,

“Business must concern itself with redemptive as well as creative work.”

“The purpose is still to serve in two key respects: 1) to serve the community by providing goods and services that will enable the community to flourish, and 2) to serve employees by providing them with opportunities to express at least a portion of their God-given identity through meaningful and creative work.”

ANTIOCH

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Recently, the Antioch School held a graduation for over 30 church leaders. These leaders completed coursework which covered topics of defining the Church, embracing the role of the Church, reengaging with their personal calling, and growing into healthy leaders in Christ.

Some testimonies from the day…

Jean Claude from Ngozi said, “it was eye-opening to see how to practically apply faith and knowledge. I was encouraged by the teaching method of adult learning which centers around discussion (not lectures) and sharing ideas with one another. Interaction with my fellow colleagues was instrumental in my growth with this course. Our sharing allowed us to repent and correct previous teachings and look to the future of building our church communities. I want to bring these teachings to my church to encourage believers in their role in God’s Kingdom.”

Fabien from Karusi said, “I had difficulty balancing time between ministry and family. I failed my family. This course helped me to reinvest in my family. My wife says, ‘may the Lord bless Antioch School!!’ It also gave me a clear picture of the Church. The Church is a family of families. Antioch helped me to resolve conflict within the church family and helped me to identify the gifts of the Spirit from Ephesians 4.”

Jeanvié from Bujumbura said, “this course was useful for me to repent of how I treated my congregation. I was careless and abusive of money. Time and time again my churches failed and I just moved on to the next one. I didn’t understand my calling or my role. I didn’t know how to raise up leaders in the church. Antioch enlightened me in how to care for the church and shed light on my previous weakness. It also brought me back to my family. I spent too much time investing in ministry and not enough time caring for my family. Antioch rescued my family and my church.”

Dorothy, wife of a pastor, said, “I see real transformation in my husband. Before this course he was never home. When he was home he was exhausted and our five children were not getting his attention. We moved from one church to another, many times in our ministry. With Antioch we found stability. We found our identity rooted in Christ and His love for the local church. Our lives are now stable, we no longer move between churches. We can now see our calling in God’s Kingdom.”

Onesphore MANIRAKIZA provides leadership and teaching for the Antioch School, many of you have met him or heard him speak. Please pray for him as he invests in these leaders.

Story after story was shared at the celebration. Antioch continues to work with leaders in Burundi and surrounding countries to call the Church to its mission. If you would like to support this ministry you can donate here.

BUILD

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It is finished! After several months of planning and building, I present to you the finished product at Karubabi Harvest School. A basketball and volleyball court to rival any in the country (there are NO indoor courts in all of Burundi). A HUGE ‘thank you’ to those who contributed to this project (First MB Church in Wichita, KS and Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil, Ontario and many others). The kids were shocked when they returned this month for the start of school.

There are many dreams for this space. Dreams of bringing a community together. Dreams to make Karubabi a destination. Dreams of sharing a bigger message to all who pass through this space. A space where kids can play and learn. A space where teachers and coaches can teach lessons on teamwork, setting goals, and competition. A space where parents can trust the environment.

Sovereign Lord, we ask You to use this space. A safe place to play is so important in the life of a child. May it speak of Your goodness. May it fulfill Your mission. Thank You for providing for the children and community of Karubabi.

Construction progress at KHS

Some of the skilled people who made it.

Each rock shaped and placed by hand to form the foundation of the court.

The engineering team which brought the dream to life. Thank you for sharing your gifting with KHS!!

RELIEF

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Resources are already scarce for many people in this part of the world. The pandemic crisis has applied further pressure on the Burundian people to provide for their families. The economy has been impacted with the restrictions on border crossings and thus goods have increased in price. Several rumors of a nationwide “shutdown” stirred anxiety and panic. “How will we survive in a shutdown?!?!?!?!? Where will we get food???”

Harvest Initiatives, in partnership with an organization in Europe, coordinated relief efforts to provide beans and rice for many families throughout Burundi. The food distribution was accompanied with a brief Gospel message. Bright smiles and spontaneous dancing expressed ‘thanks’ for the gifts of the day. Many of you have also generously given to relief efforts all over the world. When it reaches those who truly need it, the joy (and relief) in those moments is clear. In this moment I could see humanity choosing to be good to one another.

Carrying almost 60lbs on her head. I applaud YOU!!

SUMMER

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School is OUT at Karubabi for the summer. The classrooms have been cleaned, exams have been taken, marks (or grades) have been received, and achievement has been celebrated.

We praise God for the learning opportunities at Karubabi this past school year. We give thanks for the teachers and administrators who gave their time and effort to ensure the success of the students. We look forward to students returning in September, but for now, some well earned rest is in order.

Removing all desks from the classroom for cleaning.

Hardworking teachers deserve a break as well.

These students performed a skit at the celebration event.

Celebrations in Burundi mean drummers and dancers!