www.greatlakesoutreach.org

From: Simon Guillebaud www.greatlakesoutreach.org 
Subject: Peace at last in Burundi?

Dear Warriors,

It's been a while, here is the latest:

The last remaining rebel group outside the peace process has signed up - the leader has even returned after a few decades in exile - so there is reason for optimism in terms of some form of stability returning after the attacks of mid-April. But you can hear my note of caution. There are so many massive problems for Burundi to deal with, including the rampant corruption, prohibitive food prices, political stalemate in parliament, grinding poverty, soaring gun crime, human rights abuses, rise of Islam. Wow, as I list them, I could even get depressed myself!!! But God is always on the throne, Amen! I'm reminded of what my Great-aunt, Rosemary, once sent to me (she translated the Bible into Kirundi):

"Look around, and be distressed;
Look within, and be depressed;
Look to Jesus, and be at rest."

As a family we are in the final straight, flying back to the UK on 2nd July. In general things are well, but I've had a dicky tummy (amoebes) for nearly two weeks, have lost weight, haven't yet responded to anti-biotics, am getting bored with it, and it's draining me. Zac's gut isn't totally right either, and we may need to do some detailed testing back in the UK as he hasn't put on any weight in the last few months. Lizzie continues to have the constitution of an ox (glad she doesn't look like one!), which I'm so grateful for when I feel feeble. And Grace is dribbling snot at the mo but is generally fabulous.

We have a team of 8 from South Carolina here right now, who are getting stuck in, and they head off on Monday. May it be a life-shaping experience for them.

PTI Bible school - incredibly, we have been given another $200,000 to build it, can't believe it, so chuffed. The same amazing group who helped us get that money, called Fields of Life (God bless them!), have approved funding for building a primary school for SU, and one for the YFC orphanage at Gitega. It blows me away.

We have set up Integrity Business Associates (IBA) as a construction company to maximize all this building work and keep the building contracts in the family, so to speak, thus making good profits and being able to recycle it into other projects. Emmanuel Citegetse is my hands-on partner, and a top fellow he is.

Muslim evangelism team - still need prayers for unity as we re-jig leadership, and then hopefully they'll crack on with it.

TV stuff - I'm networking and opening up lots of opportunities, and am excited by the potential.

Conference centre manager/head honcho - to be honest, this has received so much prayer and we originally wanted an ex-pat, but I am coming round to see that we will probably go for a Burundian, and simply bring in different expertise to help them. To pray we find the right person - I think we have, and will keep you posted, but not confirmed yet.

Please pray as I continue to try somehow to carve out quality time for sermon preparation for this summer's busy preaching - it is a challenge, and I want to be as anointed and empowered as ever before.

As always, I'm so grateful for you being behind us, God bless you all,

Simon Guillebaud

Great Lakes Outreach
www.greatlakesoutreach.org