Prayer Letter No. 47
Dear Team, 8th February 2007
The last six weeks have seen some of the most seismic changes in Burundi’s recent history. It could not have been more (positively) tense, dramatic and exciting. The whole country has been gripped, tuning into the various radio stations almost by the hour, to see whether this nascent democracy would pull through or crumble in the face of a ruthless and corrupt Party Chairman, whose Machiavellian behaviour showed utter contempt for the rule of law. So what has happened? I’ll sum it up as briefly as possible:
At the turn of the year, the very overtly Christian President sponsored a huge evangelistic outreach at the national stadium. Personally, I don’t think it’s his job to do that as an elected politician, but that’s another issue. It was a powerful time, at which he promised that the year 2007 would bring big changes. Within a few days, two wrongfully-arrested journalists, and then six alleged coup-plotters were released, undermining the autocratic (Muslim) Party Chairman, who (it is widely accepted) had ordered them to be locked up.
You see, the PC was de facto leader of the country, doing almost whatever he wanted. Human rights abuses were common, corruption was endemic, and journalists were being bumped off or forced to flee the country – all traceable back to the PC. From a Christian perspective, it was disastrous, as Islam was gaining ground at a staggering rate, with all the PC’s buddies in positions of power, privileging their own with opportunities such as building mosques and Islamic schools, and plundering the nation’s coffers to line their own pockets. In arrogance he openly threatened the press, and any opposition was ruthlessly quashed. Hence the alleged attempted coup d’état, which saw the former President and Vice-President locked up without any proof for six months (it was most likely a set-up to marginalise potentially powerful opponents), as well as those two journalists for the ‘crime’ of questioning the veracity of the coup claims.
I was so discouraged and downbeat at the end of last year. As petro-dollars are being pumped in from the Middle East to help the expansion of Islam, the situation looked so grim. But the Body of Christ was praying, fasting, crying out to God! Suddenly there was a complete turnaround, and people had had enough. The President started addressing the issues (instead of just playing football, as his accusers charged him. He plays three matches a week, for his own team called the ‘Hallelujah 11’!). He stood up to the PC, who had helped him into power in the first place. Then yesterday, praise the Lord, the PC was booted out, ending a terrible 16-month post-election rule of terror and rampant corruption and abuse. The PC has declared the meeting illegal, and the battle rages on. But most Burundians are rejoicing, there were people jumping with joy, and the newly-appointed replacement PC duly committed himself to implementing changes for the betterment of Burundi according to the constitution and – wait for it – the Bible!
Burundi is truly a crazy place! Life is never dull. I love this country.
The old PC had almost single-handedly destroyed the legitimacy of the government, whilst enlisting the help of many people he had corrupted along the way. So there is a lot that needs sorting out. Please pray for lasting peace and righteous rule, for the stamping out of corruption and against a backlash from those now marginalised from power.
I am so proud to see how Burundi’s democratic institutions have just about managed to pull through this huge test. The press had a huge role to play in it. There are still massive issues to be addressed. The President has plenty of enemies, and the former PC is very powerful. The battle is raging on.
So it didn’t make the world’s headlines last night, because little Burundi doesn’t have oil like Iraq. But I’m letting you know that yesterday a mini-Saddam was booted out peacefully (so far), and it is a historic point in the continuing emergence of this tiny nation. I am not being triumphalistic – that would be naïve and premature – hence sharing this with you for your prayers. I have purposefully not used names in the above because of the sensitivity of the situation. Suffice to say, be wise in how you use it please.
Last week saw a team come from the US to do an outreach upcountry in the second city, Gitega. It was great to be a part of it. Between about ten and fifteen thousand people came each day to hear the gospel. The number of those wanting to respond was too big to handle, and on the first day there was even a stampede of those coming forward – an interesting problem to have! Many people gave their lives to Christ, and there were also a number of healings, including crutches being thrown away and demons manifesting in various people, before being silenced and cast out in Jesus’ name. Amazingly, the rain held off for every single meeting. This is the rainy season, and that was truly a miracle. Had it rained, the open air meetings would have been ruined. On different days, there was rain on all the surrounding hills, and even thunder and lightning, but none on the site of the festival itself until the daily meetings had finished. As soon as the team left the city, it deluged all day, as if God was underlining His sovereign control of the weather! Do pray for effective follow-up and unity of the churches.
The Lord is at work in a special way in Burundi right now. My thanks to each one of you, and may God bless you loads for your involvement in our work. Lizzie, Zac and I are all on good form (well, I’ve had my best run of health ever in the last four months, but am currently down with something). It’s a privilege to serve the King of Kings. The battle is the Lord’s. Keep fighting, wherever He’s stationed you, with your guard up, prioritising what matters, seeing His kingdom come. There’s nothing like it!
In Him,
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