This mission was our third in 2017, and the word had spread since we were there last. We had seventy pastors, leaders and evangelists come from Burundi and Democratic Republic Congo, which is the most that we can accommodate in the current venue! The pastors made a big sacrifice as they had to share a communal sleeping area in the church building, although they did have mattresses, clean sheets and mosquito nets, and the food was very good.

Ten came forward for salvation at the first church service. Twelve Pentecostal and Anglican church leaders came forward to receive the gift of tongues during a wonderful move of the Holy Spirit and most received the gift and another one was healed. Others were impacted in terms of changed lives; for example, responding in forgiveness to traumatic situations in their lives.

Each team member was effectively used by the Lord and brought something unique and special to the training. We were blessed by excellent translators translating concurrently into Swahili and Kirundi, doubling the impact, supported by written materials in local languages. Most of the teaching happened in the mornings with group work in the afternoons, which remains a strong and highly effective strategy, and had the pastors digging in the Word of God for themselves.

Many had made excellent progress with the course work since the last school in June. There is a huge learning need; many had been given very little formal training for the ministry and this mission was an answer to their prayers. There were quite a number who had a very poor knowledge of the Old Testament, and they were truly impacted by the covenants of Abraham, Moses, and David, the New Covenant and our place In Christ Jesus.

The whole UK team had to overcome significant challenges before we even set foot in Africa and it was almost touch and go if the mission would go ahead even in the week prior to the mission. But as we stepped out it was all good and the Lord was faithful!! The team left the mission rejoicing and uplifted and giving glory to God.  In ourselves we have nothing but God provided everything- the training, the revelation, the Holy Spirit’s anointing.