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Friends of Burundi Meeting On St Mark’s Church, Kennington Oval, London SE11, |
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The Speakers were |
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François Nitunga, leader of Rema Ministries |
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Théo Mbazumutima, HIV/AIDS coordinator for Rema Ministires | ||
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“Rema”
is Kirundi for encouraging, strengthening and consoling.
Rema Ministries is a Christian NGO giving hope and
raising self esteem with those who have been traumatized by war,
natural disaster and HIV/Aids. The main thrust of their work is
done in the nine or so refugee and settlement camps (500,000
Barundi alone) along the Burundi/Tanzanian border involving
traveling hundreds of miles on mud roads. Ongoing problems with
transport but thanks to Rema supporters the vehicle is in
working order. The work of
Rema is three fold – Mission & Evangelism; HIV/Aids
Education and care and Peace building/Reconciliation. HIV/Aids
education and care:
Training Community Based Educators (CBEs) in rural areas to
educate and support their own communities; encouragement of
small handicraft projects particularly among orphans and widows
stigmatized by HIV/Aids. 30,000 Barundi have been reached in
this way. Francois
asked us to pray for v
Him and Theo in
the demanding work v
Refugees returning
to find that their own families have taken over their land –
main problem v
progress in v
for the President
who is trying to get it right v
for the church in Sarah,
Alison’s friend, led prayer topics in small groups for the
work of Rema 2.
Alison
introduced Rosie
Havyarimana, a Murundi, who has settled with her family in v
For ways to raise
our awareness of the plight of v
For Barundi to be
able to return to their own country v
For the Government
to make “heart” decisions 3.
Alison gave brief
summaries of those involved in mission to Pat
and Pam Brooks Returned from 2 months in Matana – Pat teaching on 1 Tim 2 in 5
Archdeaconry visits, teaching alongside Roger and Martin
in Theological Institute and teaching during Lent in Hill
Churches; Pam distributed over 700 pairs of specs and
initiated the chili and passion fruit project with
Pelagie through the MU v
Please pray for
Pat’s right hip – Exeter hospital has asked him to rest for
3 months before making further decisions – Pat unable to put
pressure on the leg so difficulty in getting around William
Challis spent 2 weeks in Matana teaching at the Institute and encouraging the
team. Rosemary
Cottingham, Provincial Communication Secretary, has
been granted a further 2 yr visa to continue working in the v
Please pray as she
works mainly alone on the Sue
Finlayson (3 ½ wks) and Joan Botterill (3
wks) visited Richard
and Prilla Rowland
had taught representatives from the Diocese at Matana on People
Living with Aids using the reconciliation of Jesus on the cross
to deal with pain and shame. 4.
Alison Gill
talked of her plans to work in Alison asks
for prayer v
For her
dissertation and ongoing studies v
For preparations
for her trip in June/July v
For 5.
Roger Bowen said he and Miranda are returning after 1 month in o
Miranda is working
with Eularie to support HIV/Aids Orphan families and with
Vincent (Principal of Bible College & Diocesan Secretary)
using her management and possibly project development skills to
improve the Diocesan structures – not easy with Archbishop
away so much thus delaying any decision making. o
Roger continues to
teach at the Theological Institute which serves all 6 Dioceses
– candidates at present from 3 – assisted by Martin and
Pastor Jonas who has just joined the team o
Primary Schools
are to incorporate English and Kiswahili into the curriculum in
addition to French and Kirundi – pressure on children.
Institute students may need more English language input to
assist in degree courses in o
Is teaching
information or transformation based? Are the students changed?
Roger encouraging more reflection in the students. Why are
highly Christian countries so corrupt/war bent – information
teaching methods have not led to transformation in these
countries? Sense
that Christians don’t get involved in politics but we do need
to be salt and light. o
Growth of singing
groups in churches – mainly singing about going to heaven but
we are also charged with being salt and light and so a huge
challenge is to come to terms with the past and to make their
faith relevant for the present o
Recently the death
of the Archbishop’s father – a man who had lived on the hill
and was a traditionalist - in contrast his son has travelled the
world and is working in the 21st century o
Sheena McBain is
in the o
Simon
Gillebaud’s poor health is consistently linked to his
preaching the Gospel Roger and
Miranda Bowen asked for Prayer v
for return and
leaving family v
for adjusting to
new medication for levels 6.
Friends of o
Pam Brooks
reported that an FoB Bank Account would be set up shortly and
each member will pay a fee of £10 a year o
How do we want to
meet in the future – ideally meetings to be linked to Barundi
visiting o
Reminder
: 6 May 2006,
MAM meeting at
Highfield, Southampton o
Reminder:
November 24 – 25 - MAM Conference, Swanwick o
Kevin Ward
suggested that the Uganda Church Association of which he is a
Trustee could provide guidance for FoB. o
Pam thanked Alison
for her organization of this successful and very informative
meeting. Alison
brought the meeting to a close and Francois prayed in
conclusion.
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Draft minutes of the inaugural meeting and photos of the new committee