I thought that, perhaps, you were due an update. Especially as Burundi has been in the news recently. Our family and our mission is currently going through testing times. I'm reluctant to write that it's 'the most' testing time as our first three years have seen some challenges that have really pushed us to our limit...or maybe beyond.
I'm writing this in two parts as focusing and articulating what's happening is not very easy...so this way something gets out.
The Family
As many of you know, in March, Allie, Becky, Harry, Caspar and Felicity had to return early to the UK to address some medical issues that couldn't be attended to in Burundi. A tough decision to make, but we have been so blessed with by the love and generosity of our family, friends and supporters.
It's been great for them to reconnect, but they really miss home (Burundi) and it has had its challenges. Having the family split for 3 months is difficult. But we were grateful that a gift enabled me to fly back for Easter.
Please pray for:
- Peace and grace as they live in a MUCH smaller house.
- Harry and Allie as they tackle homeschooling.
- Felicity, who only really remembers living in Burundi. The UK has never been home to her.
- Allie coping as a, temporary, single mum.
- Our finances, we now have costs in two countries.
Give thanks for:
- The Lord's provision
- The many people that have shown so much love
- Friends who are helping with accommodation, tutoring, cars etc...
Burundi
I have to be careful here, so I'll stick to the facts.
Burundi is in election season, the biggest being the presidential elections. The current president announced his intention to run for a third term and there are differences of opinion about the legitimacy of this decision. Big differences of opinion.
I'm not going to comment on the issue, but the election controversy has caused a massive deterioration in the security situation here. Previously we saw weeks of violent demonstrations and our neighbourhoods shutdown by roadblocks. Then, as I'm sure you've heard, there was an attempted coup the other week. The Wednesday and Thursday were war in all but name. We experienced window shaking battles at the end of our road.
The coup failed and we are now entering a new fragile phase. Many are living in fear. As shelves empty and prices rise we are seeing a mass exodus. In addition to the 105,000+ refuges many in our community are needing to leave. UN staff left last Saturday....the US last Sunday. I can count on two hands the number of expat friends left.
Whatever happens next, much damage is already done. Projects stopped, funding withdrawn, businesses closed, livelihoods destroyed, hope lost.
Such a shame, so much progress had been made. How many years will this set this country back?
Please pray for:
- The refugees in surrounding countries and an end to the cholera epidemic taking hold in Tanzania
- Wisdom for all leaders
- A peaceful end to the crisis
- The international community and the church to help
Give thanks for:
- The relatively low death count so far
- The majority of Burundians who are peace loving
The School
But God has called us to do His work here. At the school it is to create well-educated disciples of Jesus. So what work can go on, must go on.
A couple of weeks ago I gave my blessing to staff wishing to leave. I can always fly or drive out, but it's not that easy for many of my staff. We also concluded that the environment was too uncertain and dangerous for the school to remain open and so the school now remains closed until September. Such a sad decision to make.
I'm left with a simply awesome skeleton staff of around 6 who are helping to keep things ticking over...many of them slotting into new roles. This is such an important time for our Year 11-13 students and, miraculously, we are quietly and calmly getting them through their exams. But the environment for them is not great. It is rare to have an exam without the sound of gunfire in the background at some point.
We've also had a desperately difficult time assessing our finances and needs. The majority of Term 3 fees were not paid. Consequently we are a long way from being able to cover salaries, rents, taxes etc... This crisis isn't even a month old and I already estimate that this will take 2 years to recover from.
It is hard not to be pessimistic about the future. It is hard not to, wearily, wonder how hard the next three years will be. But we have faith in God's plans for this school and the lives that can be changed...and part of preparing for the future is being honest about the situation.
Please pray for:
- The students doing their exams
- Protection over the school and staff
- The heartbreaking financial decisions that need to be made
- Supernatural strength for those remaining
Give thanks for:
- Protection
- Exams
[to be continued]...
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