Burundi Ministry Trips
In August and September, Sister Connection took three teams into Burundi. Working with the widows and youth of Burundi, our teams again captured the heartbeat and purpose of Sister Connection. Ministry within another culture might make some people apprehensive, but the teams stepped out in confidence, sure that the Lord had called them.
LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
With over 350 widows involved with Sister Connection, our leadership team in Burundi was ready for a five day seminar and retreat. The Burundian attendees included the National Director of Sister Connection, Joy Buconyori, and her team of five social workers. Fifteen widows who are being mentored by Sister Connection to be leaders within their own regions were also in attendance. A team of six Americans prepared workshops on subjects requested by the Burundian leadership team, including Comforting the Hurting, Single Parenting, and Prayer in the Life of a Leader.
THARS (Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services), an organization dedicated to trauma healing, conducted incredible sessions of trauma recovery with the Sister Connection widows at the leadership seminar. The stories told by the widows are traumatic beyond our understanding. In Burundian culture, tears are not shed publicly. However, our widowed sisters wept openly and freely as they listened to each others’ stories. The peace these 20 widows found during the two days with THARS was a beautiful beginning—a beginning because these 20 widows are being trained to be instruments of trauma healing in their own communities and will impact the lives of many others.
After five days together, we closed the seminar in praise and worship to the One who brought these women through their horror and who continues to heal their hearts. Then we washed each others’ feet, just as Jesus instructed His disciples to do.
VISION TEAM
In September, a team of Sister Connection supporters spent eight days experiencing the Burundi side of the ministry. Visiting the different regions of the country, they spent time with widows, visited homes built by Sister Connection donors, toured the Sister Connection office, and visited the Sister Connection center being constructed at Mount Hope. They were able to see for themselves the powerful impact that Sister Connection is making in Burundi.
Judi and Lloyd Ganton described their experience on the vision team as a time of 'spiritual awakening'; impressed by the widows’ love for one another, by their ability to forgive their enemies, and by their gratitude and love for their sponsors and those who have provided them with homes.
"We saw firsthand how our prayers are being answered and we were very emotionally impacted to learn that they pray for us," Judi said. "To me it was a success to see our widows in person, to see their homes and experience their love in return for what our seemingly little amount of money could do for them. We just can't say enough good things about it. Without Sister Connection would they know this love of God?"
Another member of the vision team, Thom Hord was deeply touched by what he witnessed in the lives of these widows. "I have been truly touched by God's people," he said. "I wish I could sell out for the Lord like they do—WOW what a blessing that would be!"
As he pondered his time with Sister Connection in Burundi, Thom found himself asking God, "What am I supposed to do now?"
"I felt so helpless," Thom said. "Then God said, 'Love them like Jesus would. Help them find the way to eternal life.' That’s exactly what Sister Connection is doing—showing compassion, love, mercy and grace to the widows and orphans of Burundi."
YOUTH CONFERENCE
Our second annual Sister Connection Youth Conference was a three day event for 450 young people. Under the leadership of Emily & Matt Lambert from Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, Washington, this event made a significant impact in the lives of our Burundian youth.
"Kids are kids no matter where you are," reports Emily. "The Burundian youth have had a lot of pain and hardship, but just like youth here, they value the getaway and time to be refreshed. I know that the widowed mothers of these youth choose which of their children will attend the camp. They usually choose those who do not have a relationship with Jesus. So being at the camp with all these youth and seeing transformation take place right in front of your eyes is incredible. We saw lives changed for Christ, and 188 youth made public first-time commitments or recommitments!"
One Sister Connection mom reported, "Though my son didn't tell me about the teachings he received at the youth conference, his actions show me that his life has been changed." This widowed mother speaks for many who are thanking God for sending ministry teams to reach their hurting kids.
"With any Third World experience, it is easy to walk away with this overwhelming feeling that I have too much," Emily reflects. "The stark contrast between my abundance and their need is unavoidable. However, it is hard to ignore the Burundians' thankfulness. They see the Lord's work in their lives and daily give Him praise. I am challenged to always be thankful for all the Lord has done for me."
Emily and Matt were accompanied by Kayla Costa, also from Warm Beach Camp, Eric & Heidi Barnes, from Washington; Connie & Ellen Humbertson, and Lauren Chudnovsky, from Pennsylvania.
