From: Simon Guillebaud [mailto:simon@greatlakesoutreach.org]
www.greatlakesoutreach.org
Dear Warriors, 16 June 2009
Stark Naked in Burundi
Greetings from Burundi!
I’m winding things up, giving things away, had our dogs Stark and Naked put down yesterday (not really, gave them to friends!), and this time next week will be back in the UK with my gorgeous gang. Thanks for your prayers, they all made it back safely and Lizzie’s pregnancy seems to be continuing smoothly. Grace’s eczema is still bad, so we hope that’ll clear up. And Zac has started at nursery and seems to be settling in well.
Please pray that Immigration return our deposited money. We had to lay down a sum of $2,500 when we arrived and they are managing to be not very helpful, to put it nicely. Time is ticking away, so please Lord will you overrule so that money comes back to us and isn’t wasted.
Dieudonne of New Generation defaulted on agreed repayments to us yet again, which was absolutely tragic. We have tried to help him for so long and he has constantly let us down, so this was the last straw, he totally understands, and we are now recuperating our two busses which were his only source of income, and he is having to sell up all he has to remain afloat and pretty much wind down all activities. It is a huge disappointment, and I hope that this ‘tough love’ will lead to massive lessons learnt and his being able to go back to basics and rebuild his organization on solid foundations rather than wallowing in crippling debt as he has for the last five years. Do pray for him, a dear brother, who only has himself to blame for some bad decisions, but who is passionate for God’s glory and has suffered significantly for the cause.
KCC is going well. Pray on for a potential partnership with the World Bank, and for many more bookings. To give you an idea, operating costs are $460/day at the moment, and we are probably losing $10k/month. But that is normal at this early stage, and we trust we’ll soon be firing on all cylinders. I asked you to pray for some big donations in the last two missives, as we are in need of another $100k to do emergency work to get it to World Bank standards, and we got one substantial gift in, praise the Lord. Please pray for more, it really is crucial.
I have just a few days left to finish the film project with Seth. We were at it this afternoon. I’m thinking of renaming my book “More than Conquerors” – A Call to Radical Discipleship, instead of “For What It’s Worth” – a Call to No Holds Barred Discipleship. Not sure. But with the move to the US, it’s the time to do it. I like my initial title because it’s got a deeper meaning, but the newer one is more immediately grabbing. It’s a big decision as it will affect the film project and the whole website we set up for it. www.morethanconquerors.com or www.forwhatitsworth.com? Wisdom please.
Finally, extremely disappointing news from Open Doors on the brother I’ve been campaigning with them for: “Shi Weihan was sentenced yesterday, 10 June, to three years in prison and a fine of 150,000 yuan (approximately £13,300). Shi has an opportunity to appeal but it is also possible that he may be granted medical parole to enable him to be treated in hospital for his diabetes. Obviously this is a significant blow to Shi, his family and all those who have been faithfully praying and writing letters on his behalf to the Chinese embassy. We need people to continue praying for Shi. Prayer points include 1. That Shi and his lawyer have wisdom about whether to appeal this sentence 2. In any event that Shi will be granted medical parole so that he can go to hospital to receive proper treatment for his diabetes 3. That God would strengthen Shi and his family at what must feel like a terrible blow, and that they would trust Him in this. Pray that they would sense God’s hand upon this and His presence with them.
So many of our brothers and sisters are suffering for their faith around the world, I find it deeply humbling and challenging…
God bless you all, thanks for everything,
Simon Guillebaud
Great Lakes Outreach
www.greatlakesoutreach.org