Burundi: The Long Road Back

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us through off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Heb 12:1 NIV

While Rwanda is building anew from the genocide of 1994, Burundi has been ravaged by tribal civil war for years. Finally, in May, 2008, a cease fire was declared in the region.

Burundi has been listed as the third poorest nation in the world. Its poverty has only served to fuel its tribal conflicts. 62% of those in Burundi are Roman Catholic, 10% Muslim, 5% Protestant or Anglican Christians, and 18% hold to religious beliefs indigenous to the area.

Burundi's President is a Christian who believes in prayer. It will be the efforts of worldwide believers on their knees that will bring the peace of Christ to this region. The harvest is ready in Burundi, but the worker's are few. The door is open for God's word to be shared. The riches of the Kingdom are not found in money, they are found in the person of Jesus Christ.

God has called Grace Extended Ministries to Burundi, to share the hope of Jesus Christ and to train up pastor's and leaders in prayer and evangelism. Like our work in neighboring Rwanda, we anticipate several years of ministry in Burundi. True forgiveness of our neighbor can only be gained through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. It is only when we truly learn to love Him that we can offer forgiving grace to those we know.