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GLOVideos

Emedi

…but still joyfully willing to pay the price.

In the West, in nations not obviously faced with severe constraints on freedom of religion, people can easily trot out the glib pronouncements that all religions are the same, that your truth is whatever works for you, that Islam is a religion of peace, etc. But our experience on the ground would suggest otherwise. Moza’s story is a common one in Burundi.

And it is as offensive to Muslims as it is to Christians to say their religions are the same, that whatever works for you is fine. They are fundamentally different. We are called to love and respect each other completely, but not dumb down our differences and compromise our belief systems. I think our approach is honouring to both sides, and this beautiful short film avoids inflammatory rhetoric that is easy to slip into.

If anyone wants to support our work in this area, there are many folks who are suffering for choosing the Truth, and they need support, having been kicked out of their families (like Moza), lost their chance to go to school, etc.

Please click here if you would like to help.

God bless you!

GLOVideos

kcc

My blog has crashed for a while so this should have been out ten days ago. Apologies if you’ve already seen it.

It’s alive!

Please watch this beautiful film, which tells some of the King’s Conference Centre story – it’s under two minutes. And then, I’d love you to read on…

Indeed, King’s Conference Centre is alive! Jobs are being created, profits are being made and sown back into the work in Burundi, training is being given to empower people.

So much more than a building project, these are living stones with an impact throughout the nation. Our teams around the country can reach so many people because this thriving social enterprise creates funds to plough back into outreach work. It’s a wonderful witness in the toughest of economic and security contexts!

Our mantra is excellence in Jesus’ name, and it’s called King’s Conference Centre because it belongs to the King of Kings.

In fact, if you go on Tripadvisor, we are the no.1 hotel in Burundi.

But we need to provide more jobs and reach more people, so we are in the final stages of expanding KCC. Once complete, much of our work will be beautifully sustainable, changing lives forever – it’s stunning!

The last big wedge of money is now needed to get us over the finishing line. The five storeys are built, windows and doors and electrical work are nearly complete. What remains is equipping this sizeable building.

Would you consider buying into KCC with its vision to create income which funds seeing many lives transformed? It’s already amazingly fruitful but the expansion will enable us to reach so many more lives and provide more jobs. On the top floor will be a 24/7 prayer room, uniting denominations in priceless prayer for the nation.

Could you pitch in? If everyone reading this gives $26/ £15 or more, we could finish the job straight away and change lives forever.

Every little (or large) bit helps. Please, if you want to sow however much, do so by clicking here £ or here $

Thank God they’re not just bricks and mortar, they’re living stones! And so are you.

Thank you for your prayers and support; without you, none of this would be possible.

GLOVideos

 

This is everything I love about what we are trying to do as GLO. It is utterly strategic in the nation; it models beautiful partnership across nationalities; it involves empowering and equipping leaders.

 

Meet one of our key partners, Antioch Africa, in this stunning short film, just 3mins+.

 

 

In years to come, I don’t doubt this will have a critically positive role in shaping a healthy Church in Burundi, and even beyond. Bring it on!

Videos

Listen to Onesphore, the new GLO National Director, as he shares his vision for the Church in Burundi, and what we are trying to do to help. It’s a big dream, and we’ll need lots of support as our network expands. Since this film was taken, we’ve drawn in folks from Malawi, Congo, Tanzania, Angola and Uganda for training. Love it! If this gets your juices going and you want to help, do get in touch.

GLOVideos

Miracles do happen, dreams do come true!

It’s with great joy I share with you news of Grace’s graduation. CONGRATULATIONS GRACE! What an effort! She was one of only two in her department to receive a special Dean’s Award for outstanding accomplishments – beautiful!

When you know the back-story, it helps understand why I write of miracles happening and dreams coming true: She started her life down a toilet

Good news stories from Burundi need to be told, please share with others, thanks to those who prayed for her and helped make it happen.

GeneralMore than ConquerorsVideos

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

A number of you have written in asking for an update on our appeal for a new vehicle. So this is reporting back to you that all the money came in – hurray – and we’ve ordered a spanking new Toyota Hilux, so can now put Martha out to pasture in the next few weeks. She served us well, but there’s little room for sentiment here, we need to move on!

What will we call the new one? Suggested names included Betsy, Audrey, Ole’ Marge, Daisy, Gertrude, Fred, Hank, and more, but the winning suggestion was…

Wait for it…

Cruisy McCruiseface!!!

Only joking! Sorry Phil, I think we’ll stick with Audrey, which means ‘Strength’! May Audrey serve us for the next two decades or so without any accident and be used to minister to hundreds of thousands of people throughout the land, Amen?!

Thanks again, we couldn’t do it without you.

Whilst I’m at it, below is a quick testimony from Freddy as part of our More Than Conquerors series, do have a look and be inspired by his story. From never wearing shoes or underwear before the age of 14, walking 3 hours a day to and from primary school, to becoming a pioneering educator and leader in Burundi, building four schools which are all the best in their provinces, three orphanages, and a whole lot more:

GLOVideos

I love sharing beautiful Burundi stories to counteract so much bad news.

My friend Evariste started a stunningly effective cow project a number of years ago, which has totally transformed his community. Having lost 72 of his family members in the 1993 genocide, he got the opportunity to study in Germany before returning and responding to God’s call to bring community transformation and empowerment through cows. This beautiful film is under 3mins and tells more, please do watch it. Many of you have contributed to this success, so feel the joy and satisfaction with me!

Also, any cyclist out there (or can you pass this onto a friend?) who might want to join our amazing GLO African Cycling Tour (24th May – 2nd June), do get in touch. I promise to give you a sweaty, exhausting, enthralling experience of a lifetime, as previous participants will testify! If you need motivation post-Christmas to shed a few pounds (one previous participant lost a staggering 102lbs!), this could be for you. More information on request.

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Videos

I challenge you to watch this and NOT have tears in your eyes by the end. It’s so beautiful and powerful. Try not to watch it on your phone but instead on a bigger screen, with the music loud, and feel it… Wow! And please share…

Incidentally, they have an urgent ministry need right now, so if you want to help, do get in touch.