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In
the midst of this Advent season we send you our love and our
thanks for sharing this journey with us. We wish you a Christmas
full of joy and laughter and the love of God made man. |
Roger
& Miranda Bowen EAB
Matana DS
30, Bujumbura Burundi,
Africa
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| We have had a busy
time in the last month, and have had the pleasure of welcoming
Brian & Marion Wright who were Mission Partners here over 25
years ago! They have visited or been visited by nearly everyone
at Matana! Marion was one of the last missionary doctors in the
hospital and Brian was a builder. They married at Matana 32
years ago. |
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It
is very humbling to experience the warmth of welcome given by
the Christians here in Burundi, to those of us who spent time
here in the past. We
have also been able to visit Sheena McBain, a CMS Mission
Partner working in a Health Centre near Muramvya, in the centre
of Burundi, which let Brian & Marion see the many changes in
the countryside
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Miranda
has attended 2 seminars recently, both organised by the Diocese.
The first was on Peace and Reconciliation to which many of the
newly appointed civil servants throughout the province were
invited. It dealt largely with current law as it applies to the
family and to land. The
second was for the Diocesan team and its purpose was to agree together
on a Strategic Plan for the years 2006-8 for the Diocese of
Matana. The
goals were focused into three main areas: Education,
Peace and Reconciliation Community
Health and the Reduction of Poverty Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of the Infrastructures in the Community |
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Roger’s
term in the Institute is drawing to a close. The lectures
finished a week ago and these last 2 weeks have been spent on
revision and exams for both years. We rejoice that the first
year now has 5 students (three of whom are called Alexis!). The exams have not been easy for them as they are learning in French, a language in which neither they or the teachers are always very strong! In addition, the students are expected to think for themselves and sometimes to give an observation or critique of their own culture or upbringing. Please pray for them that they will all improve in French and develop their ability to question the status quo for themselves.
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Onesiphore, Frediane, Jean-Bosco, J
Jean-Marie and Déo
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Goats have featured largely in Miranda’s work this week as they gave out the first 30 goats to 10 needy families. 2 of the recipients were ladies with AIDS and their families and the other 8 were for orphans, some of whom have been taken in by other families and some are having to manage alone. These are a direct result of gifts received for the ‘Small Projects’ |  |
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Please
pray for our children who are celebrating Christmas for the
first time without us: Kate is in Afghanistan; Mark and Beth fly
to Goa,India on Christmas Eve; Claire & Paul will be with
Paul’s family in Sheffield before joining M&B at New Year. With our love and thanks for your prayerful interest, Happy Christmas! |
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