Who likes to wait? Not me. When I’m driving, I get impatient until the light turns green. At the grocery store, I always look for the shortest checkout line. And I wish some of the projects before us would move a little faster.

Life would be so much easier if we didn’t have to wait.

But God waits for us. He is patient while we spin around fretting about our plans. I wonder how much time we waste trying to hurry things along when God is already prepared to work on our behalf, if we would just slow down and take our hands off the steering wheel?

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”                                                                     

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)

Burundi Update

In the past week, three main markets in Bujumbura, Burundi, have caught fire. Two of the three were completely destroyed, while the third sustained damage to only one section of the market.

This is not a new phenomenon in Burundi; markets, businesses, and even a radio station have been burned in recent history. Investigations into these incidents have generally not been followed up publicly, leaving the causes unclear.

The current situation in the country is difficult. Power cuts are increasingly frequent, much of the city goes without running water for long periods, fuel remains in short supply, and food prices continue to climb.

While all of this sounds bleak, God has enabled us to continue feeding at the Hope Center, caring for the elderly at Anna’s House, and keeping our school, New Hope Academy, open. The fact that the school has continued operating and has been able to fund its teachers’ salaries locally without additional support, even while the country struggles, is only by God’s grace.

Please keep Burundi, and the entire Great Lakes Region, in your prayers. A miracle is needed.

Other news & updates

We have been traveling for the past two months in the USA, visiting partners and friends and enjoying much-needed time with our family. Seeing our children and grandchildren (who have grown so much!) has been the highlight for us personally!

The Vision/Training Center project continues to move forward by faith. God has provided about 30% of what is needed to purchase the property. We continue to believe that what is needed will come through so the purchase can take place and the building can begin.

And so, we wait, trying to be patient, knowing that God is faithful.

We will be returning to Africa in about a month’s time. These last few weeks in the States are always difficult as we prepare to say goodbye to loved ones. Please pray for us to manage those feelings well!

Thank you again for standing with us,

Jamie, Lea and Andreya