The Real Deal by Simon Guillebaud
Dear Team,
When I write about our summer outreach campaign each year, I fear it sounds so amazing that some of you can’t believe what happens, that I’m exaggerating things and being evang-elastic about the reporting – but these guys are the real deal, I promise you. We’re gearing up to rock Burundi this summer. The elections have gone relatively peacefully and permission has now been granted to proceed with this amazing outreach.
So, from 28th August – 6th September, 600 young firebrands will be sent out into the bush to go to 42 communes and share the gospel strategically and intentionally in unreached areas throughout Burundi. They will, as they did last year, cast out demons, heal the sick, get beaten, get sick, be well received, badly received, plant churches, see many Muslims and witchdoctors converted, whole communities impacted. This is my most exciting time of the year.
So I’m writing for two reasons:
Firstly, please pray. Onesphore (leader of Harvest for Christ) has said year after year that our network of prayers is what has opened up whole communities that might have been fiercely resistant, and that our prayer backing has minimized the very real opposition to our venture. Could you commit to praying over the period of the outreach? And I’ll give you feedback a month later when the astounding results will have been established. (Last year a staggering 26,000 were converted)
Secondly, to fulfill our aims, can you help us financially? The overall budget for this massive outreach effort, transporting that large number of people all over the country, giving them some basic pocket money, hiring vehicles to show the Jesus film, follow-up, etc, is $60,000. We have raised $41,000, so the outstanding need is $19,000. Every little bit helps, every contribution will mean more lives transformed, so do join us!
For contributions in the USA, please click www.razoo.com/story/Great-Lakes-Outreach
For UK and rest of the world, click www.justgiving.com/donation/sponsor?process=1&query=cGFnZT0xNjI5Njg1
Any problems with the links, just contact me and I’ll sort things out.
God bless you so much!
Simon Guillebaud
Great Lakes Outreach
*update*
It’s all happening right now, so keep praying! The 600 young evangelists are half way through the ten-day outreach. I’ve received a few emails from Onesphore, leader of Harvest for Christ, with some news to encourage us. There’s obviously so much going on. God bless you loads, enjoy the one below, which he sent to me yesterday:
Hello brother Simon,
All the teams are doing well on the field. Only yesterday, policemen tried to disturb some of our evangelists in Kayanza but they kept on preaching with great fruit. In Bukemba, a woman who was getting ready to have a covenant with witchcrafts gave her life to Christ. She had bought a white dress and a white lamb for the ceremony. When evangelists shared the Good News with her, her mind changed. She came immediately to church with the white dress to celebrate the love of God.
Minani Pacifique is a 55-years-old man of Kinyinya , in Ruyigi province . He was deaf and could hear nothing. Evangelists visited his village and prayed for him. He immediately got healed in the name of Jesus. Many people of the village came to see the miracle and believed in Christ.
Tell all those who are praying that God is working powerfully.
I also thank God for the deputy president who was chosen yesterday by the Parliament. His name is Therence. He is a born-again Christian who is gifted with a ministry of healing and deliverance. He has a strong home cell at his house and I have preached many times there. I am sure that this is a unique time for the church in Burundi to be free to achieve its mission. Essentially, Protestant churches get an opportunity to have roots and to be established. As far as I am concerned, I would to be much creative during these five years so that HFC may be strong and influential for God’s glory. I am happy to go with you in this process, which will absolutely transform the church of Burundi.
As Caleb said, I still have the same passion and heart that I had ten years ago. My heart is still burning to see the power coming upon this country and bring transformation. I am ready to pay any price that this can require. I have put my life and ambitions on the altar, I am ready to be whatever God wants me to be.
Thank you for your prayers and support which are making difference in my life.
With love,
Onesphore
P.S. Can I also ask for your prayers for healing please? I’ve been sick for a month, and I can’t shrug off this frustrating fatigue. Blood test results show nothing, and we are on family holiday in France right now, but with our impending move to South Carolina in two weeks, I really need to get healthy and strong soon. God bless you all, SG