Digging the Trenches
There is something happening in Burundi that cannot be explained by logistics alone…
Yes, there is a stage being built. Steel is going up. Sound is being prepared. Every cable, every chair, every practical detail is falling into place. But while a physical platform is rising, something even greater is happening in the unseen:
Hearts continue being prepared.
The atmosphere is shifting. It is palpable in the air. An expectancy is rising that words cannot describe – if can only be experienced.
The tangible presence of the Holy Spirit is already moving through this place before the first crusade meeting has even begun. When you know someone really well, you call them by their first name. The first name of the Holy Spirit is HOLY. This is what we are all experiencing. A holiness. The beautiful presence of Someone much bigger than all of us… Holy Personified…
Tomorrow the three evenings of crusades start. The platform will be ready, but more importantly, we believe hearts will be ready. We are expecting the Word of God to be preached with boldness, prayer tents to become places where healing, deliverance, breakthrough and restoration take place, and for Jesus to reveal Himself in ways only He can.
One of the beautiful things we’ve experienced over the last few days has been embracing the culture of Burundi with genuine love. Philip’s luggage is still somewhere between countries, yet that has not stopped him. He is now fully dressed in traditional Burundian clothing, and it has already become evident how much the local people appreciate it. It speaks without words. It communicates respect, sincerity and authenticity. We are guests in their nation, and we want them to know we have not come to change who they are. We have come to love them, serve them and introduce them to Jesus.
Even the food has become part of the adventure. Fried bananas with rice may not have been what we expected, but it has become another opportunity to embrace the people and the beautiful nation God has called us to this week.
Another lesson has also stood out.
You may have seen Philip’s post about the vehicle being used (if you haven’t, look him up on Facebook). It can seem flashy. Even luxurious. BUT before the enemy enters anyone’s thoughts with “why do they need cars like that?” Here is the true, sincere, and very operationally driven answer: It is exactly what is needed for the roads, the conditions and the mission before us. The roads are so challenging that small cars break down, get stuck, or just cannot go any further. The traffic is another interesting situation. There seem to be no rules, no “Who goes first” – each one just drives for their spot to get to where they get to be. The Kingdom of God wouldn’t be able to show up in a small car that will make religious minds feel more comfortable. We would have gotten stuck long ago. The decision of vehicle was specific, based on the terrain, and operationally to ensure we get anywhere God sends us easily, no matter what the roads look like. Another aspect in this decision – the heat in Burundi is something different. It is a heat that sticks to you, that drains you, that does not relent. The short moments of relief in these vehicles invigorate us to continue the work of the Lord refreshed.
Sometimes God’s work is carried forward by simple, faithful tools rather than impressive appearances. Excellence is not about extravagance. Excellence is about stewarding what God has entrusted well so that the Gospel keeps moving forward. These vehicles are us stewarding the mission with excellence. It is strategic. It is excellence. It is obedience.
We are here, in burundi, right now, because of one reason…
Obedience.
When God says, “Go,” we go.
That simple act of obedience has always been the starting point of every move of God.
Partnership in the Kingdom has never belonged only to pastors standing behind pulpits. How will people know there is an opportunity to participate if nobody tells them? Throughout Scripture, God invited ordinary people to partner in extraordinary Kingdom assignments.
Today we still need R150 000 to complete everything that is being done with excellence throughout this mission.
To some that sounds like a mountain. To God, it is light work.
In 2 Kings 3:16, the Lord gave an unusual instruction:
“Dig this valley full of ditches.”
He said the people will see no wind. They will see no rain. Nothing around them would suggest water was coming. Yet God asked for immediate obedience before the miracle made sense.
Only after the trenches were dug did the water come in abundance.
That is where we are.
We are digging trenches.
We are preparing the ground before we see the fullness of what God is about to do.
We believe He provides every resource needed.
He provides the finances.
He will pour out His Spirit.
He will bring people to salvation.
He will raise disciplers who faithfully walk with new believers.
He will establish Christians who do not simply make one decision for Jesus, but continue growing through discipleship, fellowship and authentic community.
They do not simply get saved.
They stay saved as they mature in Christ.
If the Lord is stirring your heart to partner with this mission, we would be deeply grateful for your “Yes.” You can give here:
If you are an intercessor, we ARE CALLING YOU TO ACTION!
Please cover this team in prayer. Comment below and we will send you the information for our intercession group.
- The spiritual battle is becoming increasingly evident.
- The enemy always seeks division, confusion, offence and factions whenever the Kingdom advances.
- Please come into agreement with us that none of those plans will prosper, in Jesus’ Name!
- Pray that every member of this team chooses unity above personal preference.
- Pray that we stand together as one Body with one purpose: to make Christ known.
- Pray that our shield of faith remains lifted high so that every fiery dart of the enemy is extinguished before it reaches its target.
Tomorrow the real battle begins.
We are believing for people to be healed.
We are believing for those oppressed and possessed to be completely set free.
We are believing that sangomas and those serving other gods will encounter Jesus and surrender their lives to Him.
We are believing that the presence of God will become so tangible that people experience the true Love of Jesus, not merely hear about Him, but KNOW Him.
- Pray that we preach with courage.
- Pray that we minister without fear.
- Whatever comes our way, the enemy has already been defeated by the Name of Jesus, the One whom we know.
The Word says that “Even the demons know He is Lord and they shudder.”
The enemy is on the back foot.
The Kingdom of God is advancing.
The Lord Himself is our Rear Guard.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:12 that the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. These words have often been misunderstood. Jesus was not speaking about physical violence. He was revealing that the Kingdom will always face opposition from darkness, yet those who passionately pursue God, who refuse to retreat and eagerly seize every opportunity to make Him known, continue advancing His Kingdom despite resistance.
That is our prayer.
May we be those people.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. Your prayers matter. Your encouragement matters. Your partnership matters. We can feel in our spirit that we are covered by faithful prayer warriors, partners who share our content, and partners who give – we all share alike! No matter where you fit in, the reward is the same for us all!
Leave us a comment. The team reads them, and they encourage us more than you know.
Tomorrow we expect to begin sharing more and more supernatural testimonies of what Jesus is doing.
The greatest miracle will always be lives surrendered to Jesus.
Then add healing.
Add freedom.
Add restoration.
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