“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Burundi, the third most populated country in Africa is also known as “The Heart of Africa” because of its appearance on the map. It is unfortunately largely poor and underdeveloped. Due to its poverty, the country suffers from severe malnutrition.
This beautiful country has experienced a long history of tension between the Hutu majority and Tutsi minority, fighting for ethnic dominance. As a result of civil war, the country has one of the lowest gross national products in the world with most people relying on subsistence agriculture. Sadly because of the lack of opportunities, the people of Burundi are victims of forced labor and sex trafficking.
Since gaining its independence, the country has been guilty of widespread violations of human rights and corruption. On 18 May 2022, Human Rights Watch published a report that human rights abuses have worsened since General Evariste Ndayishimiye became the president in 2020.
This is a country that needs God more than ever. The truth of the Gospel has been infiltrated by syncretism and false teachings. Most Bible schools have closed down and the country is left with very few trained leaders and pastors.
Let us pray
- for reconciliation, peace and spiritual awakening among the Tutsi and Hutu people.
- that God will bless the work of missionaries and that they will be able to work freely and without intimidation.
- for so many people in the country that still suffers from trauma and sadness, that their brokenness will be healed in Jesus’s name.
- for the local churches that Biblical truth will be preached and that they will reach out in love to the suffering.
- that violence will end in this beautiful country and that Burundi will become a beacon of peace, not a country known as fear and death.
- that God will put righteous leaders in the government of Burundi so that bad governance can be stripped away, corruption can end and the economy can be steered to new heights.
- for revival in Burundi.
- let us pray if it is God’s will, to help AE find a way back into Burundi again.
Phil 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Africa is on the brink of crisis with rising food- and fuel prices caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war between the countries is causing a delay in the supply of wheat, fertiliser and other goods, intensifying the problems Africa already has with the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme drought, climate change and more. According to the UN World Food Program, East Africa- with Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan are predicted to be hit the hardest.
African leaders are already having trouble to control rising inflation and collapsing of currencies.
This kind of stress, especially in urban, low-income communities can cause major tensions that potentially can spill over and lead to violent protests
Let us take hands and pray for the vulnerable people of Africa.
Let us pray:
- That the conflict in Ukraine does not worsen the food crisis in Africa.
- That Governments will make all efforts to alleviate food shortages and assist those in need.
- For peace, and that the tension and violence will end.
- For the leaders in our African countries to have godly wisdom to make good decisions for their people.
- That more counties will be able to produce more food in order to fill the gap in the food supply.
- That Ukraine will soon be able to start exporting their wheat and oil again.
- For our AE teams in the affected countries. Let us pray that in partnership with the church they will be able to show the people that HOPE is in God alone.
- For food for the hungry. Matt 25:35 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”
- For people to help in response to this crisis, sharing resources and urging others to do the same.
For the children affected with malnutrition, may God intervene.
Our African Enterprise South Africa (AESA) team, under the leadership of Theuns Pauw, has hit the ground running this year with two new mission staff members that have joined. The team has a great dynamic and the members are skilled in the various areas of ministry, from conferencing and team building to community development and missions.
Charlene, Theuns’s wife, is making good headway with the AE Legacy project where she is helping Michael Cassidy with editing his books and content for the Michael Cassidy and Friends website.
The team is in full preparation for the 60th anniversary this year. They will be commemorating the anniversary with a gala dinner followed by the “Mission to Maritzburg” in partnership with the local churches. The Gospel will go out in every area of Pietermaritzburg and our founder, Michael Cassidy, will also be part of this exciting mission. Back to where it all started with the first “Mission to Maritzburg” in 1962.
The vibrant and energetic foxfire team has just finished their training and are ready and eagerly waiting to bring their unique and dynamic youth ministry to schools and churches as they proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This godly team is still busy with COVID-19 relief actions and has already distributed 160 food parcels this year.
Another focus for the year is the Ngezandla Zethu sewing project, which has been running since 2018. The AESA team are excited to announce that 2022 looks brighter and better as the project opened its doors for skills training to 30 participants enrolling this year, up from 20 when they started. By the Grace of God some of the graduates from this sewing and fashion design course have successfully formed Community Transformation groups. (CTG’s). The AESA team is hoping to form another two CTG groups for 2022.
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5b
Please pray:
- for our Foxfire youth team as they conclude their initial training and prepare for their commissioning service and subsequent ministry
- for our 60th anniversary “Mission to Maritzburg” planned for 12-21 August, that we will be able to secure the funding and venues required, and that the training and ministry will have a great impact on our city
- for our community upliftment projects, especially the NgeZandla Zethu sewing project where 30 women has been enrolled this year.
- that the gospel may spread quickly during this time of uncertainty, bringing hope to the hopeless.
- that AESA will financially continue to sustain through the pandemic.
- that our documentary “The Threatened Miracle of South Africa’s Democracy” may reach multitudes through social media in South Africa and beyond.
- for our 60th anniversary preparations for this year and unity on the steering committee.
This year a major mission will be held in Kabale Uganda, from 24th-30th July as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations. This has historic significant for us as Kabale is the birthplace of the Late Bishop Festo Kivengere, joining team leader with Michael Cassidy in the 1970s, and is the place where his evangelism ministry really started. This mission is the pan-African initiative forming part of the 60th anniversary milestone for African Enterprise. We remember the East African revival and ask for your prayers to see the nation united in repentance and love for the gift of Jesus and our heavenward calling.
Our role at AE continues to be a catalyst for urban evangelism and social action activities, uniting the church to reach out to their communities in the footsteps of Jesus our Lord and Saviour.
A National Youth Convention will also be held in Makerere University with a special emphasis of reaching out to the youth who are tomorrow’s leaders. An estimated 30 000 youth will hear the Gospel through art, drama, preaching sessions, door to door activities and also through digital technology and social media. AEE will also showcase transformational leaders that have been impacted by ministry of AEE over the years.
Pray for:
- the Planning Committees for the Kabale Mission as well as the AEE 60th Steering Committees, that God may grant them special wisdom to plan these Mission events.
- a fresh anointing upon key preachers and evangelists of the for different events and programs.
- a great outpouring of the Spirit of God to touch many lives and draw them to Jesus Christ.
- financial and other resources needed for this year’s mission activities. An estimated budget of $40 000 will be needed for all Mission and 60th Anniversary events in Uganda.
- the anticipated large number of new believers to find effective discipleship programs in the local churches.
AE is blessed with the fact that there have been many people, and still are, who have supported us through decades, and some even since our inception in the early 60’s. This is an immense privilege and AE needs to register this with great gratitude to the Lord and to those long-term donors who are still alive.
However, the real challenge facing the ministry now is to establish a new base of new donors and prayer partners who will themselves become dedicated and long-term supporters. In my view we need a new and imaginative strategy to find and identify these younger donors not only in all our support countries, but in all the countries where we have national teams.
This is a necessary investment made in the present now, but which will establish our strength in the future. This is what AE’s early pioneers did in the 60’s and 70’s and it has stood us in very good stead.
In the next edition of our African Harvest, you can read more about the friendships AE has built across the ages. Inspiration, support and friendship from Billy Graham, John Stott, Francis Schaeffer and more.
We are celebrating our 60th anniversary this year. What a significant time to look back at the amazing stories of evangelism in the cities of Africa.
As part of the celebrations, a Pan African Mission will take place in Lusaka, Zambia with the aim of reaching a total of 300,000 people with the Gospel. Excitingly, 300 churches and Christian organisations will participate in the mission as well as 3000 Missioners.
Preparations are well under way to engage and train all participants in evangelism, discipleship and youth outreach activities.
An intercessory prayer team, made up of 66 people have committed to regularly pray for this mission.
Psalm 2:8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
We give thanks for:
- the implementation of the Enhanced Lusaka Covid – 19 outreach which saw 3,544 people reached and 1,501 committing their lives to Christ.
Please pray:
- for the African Enterprise Southern African Region’s (AESAR) team as they prepare for the Pan African Lusaka Mission 2022.
- that God will grant strength, courage and wisdom as they undertake these preparations for all activities, including the 60th Anniversary mission, African Enterprise International Council meeting and the Zambia National Prayer Breakfast.
- for funding for the Lusaka Mission and that God will move the Churches to give resources generously toward the mission.
- that God will open doors to engage parliamentary leaders, to share the vision of the National Prayer Breakfast
- for a company vehicle to support the AE Zambia team to facilitate the many programs that they have.
- for the successful establishment of a Foxfire youth evangelistic team to be launched.
- for the hearts of regional leaders to be open to the Gospel.
