Everyone says it every time we come to the end of a year, “Where did the year go?” It really does feel as if we just started 2025. But here we are at its close and preparing to usher in 2026.
“Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 (NASB)
Like you, we look forward to new challenges in 2026. We are thankful for what we saw in 2025.
Remembering 2025
In 2025, we saw more than we could have imagined:
- The Hope Center feeding site in Gatumba, Burundi, has carried on feeding 500 children, the elderly, and the disabled Monday-Friday. This is quite an accomplishment considering that there has been little to no fuel available in the country this year. But every month, by God’s grace, we provided meals to our Hope Center attendees. We are grateful!
- Our four schools (three in Malawi, one in Burundi) successfully completed another school year.
- The Africa & Beyond and Helping Hands teams in South Florida once again teamed together and raised funds to pay for our 40 scholarshipped students (20 in Malawi, 20 in Burundi) as well as renovate one of the schools in Malawi.
- Anna’s House, our upcoming outreach to the disabled and elderly in Burundi, was purchased, and many of the renovations needed were completed. We will launch the outreach in early 2026.
- In Mozambique, we saw the church expand and plant a second church.
- In Zambia, we were privileged to dedicate the main church building. Considering that the church has been meeting in a temporary structure for over 20 years, this was a significant win for the year – thank you, Jesus!
- And finally, at the end of 2025, we planted a new church in Pretoria, South Africa. We have, as of this writing, only had six Sunday services. We are privileged to see God work miracles and birth another church. We’re living the dream!
End of year thanks
Our hearts are filled with gratitude for another year of prayer and partnership. Your messages, emails, prayers, and support have been a source of encouragement. Thank you so much. May your Christmas and New Year be filled with the joy and peace of our Savior.
Jamie, Lea, and Andreya
Click this YouTube link to watch our full end-of-year update and hear more about what God is doing.
Connect with us:
Email: JLPeters@africa-and-beyond.com
Online: www.africa-and-beyond.com
Lea’s blog: www.aculturalshift.com
Pictures from the Hope Center and school in Gatumba, Burundi.
