By the Numbers...

The team is in the air and on their way.  Here's some facts about the travel details:

• The team leaves on 2/22 and returns 3/2
• It will take 23 hours by plane with layovers in London and Kenya and then another 5 hours by car
• Burundi has about 9 million people and is one of the five poorest countries on earth.

Africa Tomorrow!

Friday, we are bound to Africa.  After much preparation and prayers, I think I am ready to go.  So glad I can trust that God has all the details worked out whether it's in my backpack or not.  I am grateful for my sweet husband who sees this trip as a team effort in helping me, and I can safely leave the kids for 9 days in his care.  And I am so thankful for the support of faithful friends and the donated supplies to bring the leaders coming to the conference.  I know you will bring joy to them in remembering them with your gifts and prayers!

I have also been blessed in the process of preparing with the books we've read- Hole in the Gospel, The Voice in My Heart, and Trauma Healing.  These books have all been enlightening to me to learn about the tragedies and hardships the people have experienced in Burundi with the genocide and health issues around HIV and poor water systems. My heart grieves for the obstacles they have had to overcome.  I am so thankful for the heart of ALARM, African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministry, to bring healing and hope for Africa.

The team I am going with is wonderful and I am so glad for the wisdom I can glean from these Godly folks.  And I'm excited to work with the people coming to the conference who are identified as leaders in their communities from the churches, government, and businesses.  We have heard awesome reports of leaders going back to their communities and leading their own conferences to better equip their fellow Africans. I love to hear our efforts being replicated and the love of Jesus being the foundation of all our teaching.  Truly, our faith in Jesus is the unifying bridge we have with our friends in Burundi.

Please see below to join our team in prayer over our trip.  Thank you for your support!  Thank you Lord for the opportunity to go and be used as You see fit to further Your Kingdom!  Love, Suzanne

Prayer Calendar

Burundi Bound!

 Hello Friends!

I am excited about my opportunity to go to Burundi in eastern Africa on a short- term discipleship trip with my church, Watermark Community Church.  We will be working alongside ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministry).  Our group is taking 6 women and 4 men to lead a conference for women and men.  I am happy to use my nursing background as  I teach "Health & Hygiene" and "HIV/AIDS".  We will also teach on reconciliation and healing, Bible study skills, marriage, & parenting.  I love the idea of all the teaching being based on the Bible and our one true, God who created all of us in His image.  Personally, I hope to come back with greater humility as God teaches me and broadening my scope of how God is working in other areas of the world.

I would love for you to partner with us in prayer and support! There is much preparation to be done before we go on this trip from February 22nd through March 2nd. Please pray for me to have time, organization, & protection as I physically and spiritually get ready.

Also, if you are interested in donating items for us to bring, we will be giving:

1. baby clothes
2. hotel toiletries (soap, shampoo, lotion)
3. men's ties 
4. bags of candy-Tootsie roll pops, blow pops, dum dums, lollipops, starburst

Thank you for sharing your love for the Lord and desire to encourage and teach the world of His Great love by partnering with my team!    Much Love, Suzanne