Since Monday, 35 youth orphans/vulnerable children have been partaking in a spiritual retreat in Burundi. God has been so good in answering specific prayers for these children. The first day, they heard a clear presentation of the Gospel and had the opportunity to respond and receive counseling for questions or uncertainties they had. The next day, they heard a teaching about wounds and what it looks like to take those wounds and burdens to Jesus based on Matthew 11:28. This was an intense day, and the youth responded deeply. They spent the afternoon receiving prayer and counseling one-on-one. They have also had a wonderful time of worship and praise!

These 35 precious children have been rejected and abandoned; the shame, the depth of hurt, the life of poverty and pain they have experienced is impossible for us to grasp. But God, because of World Renewal and generous donations, because of people caring enough to send funding, these precious children who have been forgotten and rejected by society have heard the truth of the Gospel and have heard the truth that there is a God who created them and He loves them so much and is big enough to carry their wounds, hurts and burdens. He can change their lives. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity, thank you for praying because God is answering.

They are wrapping up the retreat as I write this, and they will be departing tomorrow morning (tonight for us). Continue to pray, please, for these children. Their journey has just begun; our staff will follow up with them and help them establish themselves in a healthy church. Pray God would protect these kids spiritually, pray over them that the plans of the enemy would be destroyed and that God’s mighty hand would be on them, that they would grow to be the next generation of Godly leaders in Burundi, a country in desperate need. God is so good, He alone is big enough to care for these children and bless them!!!