Storms Leave 147 Families Homeless in Burundi

By Kenneth Chan, Tuesday, December 14, 2004

An indigenous ministry supported by a Virginia-based mission agency suffered great loss recently when violent storms swept through a community it had developed for war victims. The ministry, located in the central African country of Burundi, had constructed 150 simple houses and a school building to serve returning refugees.

“Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who fled Burundi's decade-long civil war are now, because of relative peace established in the country, returning to their homeland,” Christian Aid reported.

However, the mission agency said, “Hundreds are finding that the ravages of war have destroyed houses, schools, medical clinics, and entire villages.”

In an effort to help homeless returnees one indigenous ministry built a community of houses for families and a school for children. But after storms hit the region in late-November, most of the structures were left in rubble.

Christian Aid has requested for the Christian community to pray for the ministry as it works to rebuild and pray for the war victims who have lost their homes, either to recent storms or to years of fighting. “[Pray] that they might experience the love of Christ through the aid of native missionaries.”

Any readers interested in giving towards this need may call 1-800-977-5650, or write insider@christianaid.org and put E-ALERT 576-MCM on the subject line.

Founded 51 years ago in 1953, Christian Aid is generally considered to be the first missionary agency to support and promote indigenous mission groups. Over the years, Christian Aid has provided more than $50 million in assistance to more than 700 evangelistic ministries based in 122 "mission field" countries overseas.