Africa is Calling --- Church of Our Saviour Missions Ministry
In late August of 2010 a team from Our Saviour worked with a
number of local partner organizations to coordinate a mission trip opportunity
for members of our congregation. The trip was approximately 10 days in
length and was to the country of Burundi, Africa.
Why Burundi? It is a small country in south central Africa and geographically about the size of the state of Maryland. Burundi is a land locked country that is not blessed with an abundance of natural resources. The country is poor and the life expectancy of the population is only 49 years of age. 46% of the population is under the age of 14. Currently a number of other local Episcopal churches including St.Andrews and St. Michaels are working on projects in this country in addition to one of our local partners, Water Missions International.
The mission team was comprised individuals with a wide variety of skills to serve in a number of different ways. A segment of the group worked on construction related ventures that primarily included building a playground at the orphanage that is one of the only, if not the only, playground in Burundi. Others built a giant christian mural near the playground that is visible from the main local thoroughfare where it might cause all passersby to note the glory of God's kingdom and his mighty hand. And we provided a Vacation Bible School for the children and their caregivers at the orphanage. We worked, prayed and worshiped with local ministries on the ground in Burundi and it was no doubt a great opportunity to see God at work in an area very different from where we live.
Submitted by Dave Ralston