From: Simon Guillebaud [mailto:simon@greatlakesoutreach.org]
www.greatlakesoutreach.org
4 March 2009
Dear Team,
Holy Highs and Lows in Burundi
We had seven days to find $80,000 to buy a crucial piece of land. Did we make it? Read on…
This week, I’ve experienced both highs and lows on my knees before the unfinished cement altar in what will be soon be Bujumbura’s new Episcopal Cathedral. It’s a stone’s throw from my office, and it’s where I go to pray - particularly on Wednesdays, which is my prayer day. I love it there. A half-built church resonates with me: it speaks of work in progress, a long way to go, messy but constantly evolving, and hopefully becoming steadily more beautiful.
Over the last few months, the builders have gotten used to my showing up, taking my shoes and socks off, and stomping up and down, either singing on the guitar or seemingly muttering to myself. Then one day I asked permission from the foreman if I could share something with them all as a group. He agreed. So one lunch-time, as they munched away during their break, I took the opportunity to tell them about the Master Builder.
I told them what a privilege they had to build such a temple for God to dwell in. But did they know the One they were building it for? If they didn’t, the incredible news was that they could. Of the fourteen there, one of them had the courage to raise his hand to accept the invitation; four of them came back to my office to get Bible-reading notes. Then the following week, whilst I was praying again, another one of them sidled up to me, genuinely convicted, and wanted to surrender to Christ. Holy highs indeed…
Back to this week: On Monday and Tuesday I was there, on my knees, feeling discouraged and low, and pleading with God for Him to give us the strategic land for SU’s conference centre. It would be an incredible asset, and would help us in due course multiply profits to sow back into Kingdom work in Burundi. Surely He wouldn’t let us miss the opportunity. We’d been given a week to find $80k, and after three days only $10k had come in. That’s when I shared the burden with you.
The response was incredible. I want to say a big thank you for all your prayers. So many people have made contributions, large and small, over the last few days. I am delighted to say (and have been on my knees in gratitude today at that unfinished altar) that we have got more than the required amount for the land, with a day to spare. I feel as high as a kite. We’ve contacted the owner and will sign for it when he returns on the 14th from a trip abroad (do pray that there are no complications, and don’t let this news stop you giving(!), as there are plenty of additional costs like building a perimeter wall, etc.).
And then just a few minutes ago there was a knock at my office door and in walked Sam (Remember Prayer Letter No.59, last 11th December?). I’d not seen her since that day, just under three months ago, when our encounter in the unfinished cathedral broke my heart. I’d prayed for her ever since, and subsequently kicked myself for not doing more for her at the time. It was another holy moment. Her leg is still oozing puss. She’s now 8 months pregnant, and through lack of food is likely to have a premature birth. We’d prayed for her back then to receive Christ, and I’d wondered if she was just doing it for me, but here she was, telling me she’d just come from praying at church.
A high.
She smiled a pained smile.
I had to ask her.
“So, was your AIDS test positive or negative?”
It’s such a blunt question. You know that in the next breath you’ll find out whether this person in front of you will be dead in the next few years or not.
“Positive… (pause)… that’s life. I’m on anti-retrovirals so hopefully baby will be fine.”
A low.
Why did you send her today, Lord?
I was just getting this prayer letter ready. I think He wanted you to know.
Holy highs and lows in Burundi. That’s life…
So thank you for sharing this incredible, raw, rollercoaster adventure in Burundi with us. Thank you for lightening our load. Thank you for encouraging and loving and praying and giving.
And if you, like me, resonate with the image of a half-built church - if you recognize you’re a work in progress with a long way to go - then enjoy loving and living for the God of big strategic land acquisitions but also small seemingly insignificant lives, our Emmanuel through both highs and lows, wherever we are.
In Him,
Simon Guillebaud
Great Lakes Outreach
www.greatlakesoutreach.org