I wanted to share this update from our friend and partner, Boaz! It is such exciting news that we hope to partner and come alongside him as he and his family begin preparing to go back to Burundi to serve. I thought he did a fantastic job of showing and portraying the desperate need in Burundi for this hospital to receive funding, support and encouragement again.

Our family didn’t live far from this hospital, and we saw the lack of care. They are doing their best with what they have, but the needs are deep and wide.

Boaz and Africa Newsletter June 2025

Kibimba District Hospital  Is Waiting — Will You Help Rebuild What Was Broken?

From right to left, Dr. Elysee, the Medical Director of Kibimba Hospital, Jon Steury, Boaz, and Africa. Dr. Elysé came to meet us at the airport.

Dear Partners in the Gospel, We recently returned from a deeply moving visit to Kibimba District Mission Hospital in Burundi — once a thriving center of healing and evangelism, now a place that has waited over 50 years for someone to come back. God is opening a new door, and we believe it is time. Time to rebuild. Time to return. Time to believe again in the power of Christian missions to transform lives — physically and spiritually. But we can’t do it alone.

A Hospital With Holy Roots — Now Crying Out for RestorationKibimba Hospital was founded in 1949 by American missionaries and quickly became a beacon of hope in central Burundi. It was known not only for treating disease but for drawing people to Jesus Christ. Today, that same mission remains… but the station has been forgotten. Not a single long-term missionary has been there since 1972. The old mission homes were destroyed by war and neglect. The hospital buildings, while clean, are poorly equipped — lacking even the basics. The medical staff (133 people) work with limited training, no specialists (except one surgeon), and no outside support. And yet…the people come. The beds are full. The Gospel still whispers through the halls. “The hospital,” one church leader told us, “remains a gate to heaven or hell — it is still the place where many meet Jesus or walk away forever.”

Side by Side, an old hospital building with an ongoing but stalled 3-story new hospital building

A Strategic Place for God’s WorkKibimba currently runs at 250-bed capacity, with potential to expand to 350 beds if an unfinished three-story building is completed. It offers all major services — internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, OB/GYN, community health — but all are in critical need of support. We believe Family Medicine is the right bridge — a specialty that brings Christ-centered, comprehensive care to every corner of the hospital and community. This hospital could become a national training and mentorship center – place of clinical excellence and spiritual revival. But it won’t happen unless people like you and me say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

What We Heard from the Church and Hospital Leaders We met with the Hospital Board, including: Louis Pasteur, Chair of the Hospital Board and Vice Legal Representative of Friends Church in Burundi, The President of the Kibimba Yearly Meeting and other senior leaders. Their message was clear: They are ready. They have been waiting. They believe God is sending help — and we are part of the answer. There is a deep desire for long-term partnership, openness to vision alignment, and willingness to cost-share and invest in the future. We saw hope in their eyes — but they need others to stand with them.

Meeting of Church Leaders, Hospital board members  with WGM regional director, Jon Steury and Boaz, Africa

Boaz explaining passionately the vision

Housing: Rebuilding the Walls Not a single missionary house remains intact. Only one structure can be renovated quickly — the rest are gone. We’ve agreed to cost-share the renovation between the church, hospital, and our mission (WGM). Building a missionary house in Kibimba, Burundi, is estimated at $ 70000. The beginning of the construction of the first missionary home is before September, when the rains begin. This is urgent. We are praying for donors, builders, and mission-minded churches to help us lay this foundation. “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated…” (Isaiah 61:4)

Old destroyed missionary houses

The old missionary house is to be rebuilt or renovated for our relocation

Kibimba Needs More Than Doctors — It Needs the Body of Christ Kibimba is not just calling for missionaries — it’s calling for the Church. To restore this mission station, we need:  Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, engineers  Doctors, nurses, lab techs, midwives  Administrators, teachers, cleaners, builders  IT experts, discipleship leaders, chaplains  Intercessors, advocates, funders, encouragers You may not be called to go — but you are called to play a role!

Travel Ban Impact  Due to ongoing U.S. immigration policy changes under the Trump administration, our country has recently been added to the list of nations facing partial travel bans. Unfortunately, this includes all the visa categories we would typically use to travel. This means we will not be able to come to the U.S. to meet with you in person or share updates about the vision and work you are part of. As a result, we will be relying even more on your continued financial support and your help in sharing our story and building a strong support network on our behalf. Your partnership matters now more than ever

Our Family’s Journey We are preparing to relocate to Kibimba by the beginning of 2026.  Our housing will be ready (God willing) by January 2026.  We’ll homeschool our children and pray for a missionary teacher to join us. We’re prepared spiritually, emotionally, and practically — trusting God every step. And we’re not going alone.  We’re asking God to send a team. Could that include you

Jon Steury meets Boaz’s mother (baby on the lap), brother, and sister in Burundi.

Jon Steury meets Africa’s Father, Mother, and Sister

How You Can Partner Today PRAY — For the restoration of Kibimba Hospital, for laborers to be sent, and for hearts to be moved  GIVE — To help us rebuild missionary housing and equip this hospital with the basics  ADVOCATE — Share this with your church, mission committee, friends and family  COME — Bring your hands, your skills, your heart — even short-term volunteers are a blessing “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Luke 10:2).

Let’s Rebuild the Gate TogetherThis isn’t just about a hospital. It’s about eternal life and death. About people meeting Jesus in their deepest pain. It’s about restoring what the enemy tried to destroy — and standing with a faithful local church that never gave up hope. Will you be part of Kibimba’s next chapter? With open hearts and a call to rebuild,Boaz, Africa, Bathia, Shawn, and Wise

To give: https://wgm.org/missionary/niyinyumva