13 November 2009
From: Simon Guillebaud [mailto:simon@greatlakesoutreach.org]
www.greatlakesoutreach.org
13 November 2009
Dear All,
Holistic Pygmies and Christmas in Burundi
As long as there are people suffering without the basic necessities of existence, to hold onto riches displays an attitude of disobedience to God.”
I’m back in Burundi and today we’ve been part of a beautiful project reaching out to and empowering some of the poorest people on the planet – the Batwa pygmies. They have a life expectancy of twenty eight, an annual income of c.$50, and 47% of them die before the age of five. Shocking. They are the forgotten third tribe of this nation, totally scorned, despised and marginalized from mainstream society. Most Burundians, for example, refuse to eat with their Batwa colleagues, forcing them to go off and eat alone, and then insisting they wash their plates twice. Consequently the Batwa themselves believe that they have no value and live on the fringe of society in abject poverty. As a people group, they are highly resistant to the gospel and enslaved to witchcraft.
So Harvest for Christ, believing in both life before and life after death, has a long-term strategy to enable the Batwa to regain a sense of dignity and self-worth, and to come to know the great Liberator for themselves. It is a project based on trust that is slowly unfolding over a number of years, and we’re helping HfC gain credibility and acceptance with these precious people. To ensure efficient use of their limited land we’re equipping and training in farming techniques and have given out quality seeds for growing crops. Each week there are literacy classes, and today we gave out goats. Three people will share ownership of three goats to raise and breed, fostering a sense of communal accountability and responsibility. A school is under construction which will enable them to rise up out of poverty and oppression, and equip this community to not just survive but thrive in the fast-changing world pressing in upon them. The Batwa community is warming to us, suspicion is fading, and already there is a trickle of new believers embracing Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
I love this holistic approach, and here’s where you can get involved:
What do you want for Christmas?
That new gadget, iPod, article of clothing? As with past years, when I’m asked that question by family members, I reply that I honestly don’t want anything for myself. I’ve got everything I need. But I’d LOVE them to sponsor a child’s schooling, buy a goat, some seeds, or contribute to building a basic house for those destitute Batwa. I agree with the opening quote above, and choose to live more simply that others may simply live.
How about you? Do you want to join me?
It could be seeds for next season’s crops for $10, a child’s schooling for $20, a goat for $30, a house for $500, or anything in between.
Here’s to the joy of giving! Why don’t you help make their Christmas and their future more hope-full? ? Click here to make a difference and help us transform a whole community of the last, lost and least of Burundi – and feel free to forward this message to friends and family.
God bless you all,
Simon Guillebaud
Great Lakes Outreach
PO Box 2379, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465 US
www.greatlakesoutreach.org