Slums

Musama Slum 🏩

During my visit to the Renewal Center in Musama, I saw firsthand its tremendous success and significance to the community. The center now serves 300 children daily, providing a place for them to socialize, study, play, eat, and learn about Jesus, offering a respite from their challenging lives. This success is largely due to Victor's charisma and the center's engaging programs and welcoming environment.

I spoke with many children and parents, all of whom expressed deep gratitude for the center, Victor, and GCA. One father, Pascal, was particularly emotional, sharing that his seven children benefit greatly from the center, which has significantly improved their academic performance.

Busuro Slum 🏩

Busoro, like Musama, is a slum with significant social issues and vulnerable children. We plan to build a second Renewal Center there and are actively searching for a building to lease or purchase, with Victor leading the efforts.

During my visit to Busoro with Victor, I spent time with a family advocating for the center. Patience, a 35-year-old mother of 13 (12 living), invited me to learn about their situation. Seventeen people live in their two-room shack, and they had no toilet until Victor recently built one. Patience’s children do not attend school due to the inability to afford uniforms and supplies, and the family struggles to eat, managing only one meal every fourth or fifth day with minimal protein.

Concerning Developments in Burundi

Before my trip to Burundi, I learned about two major massacres in Bujumbura province, committed by the rebel group RED-Tabara, and several grenade attacks in the city. These events made me uneasy about the trip. Upon arrival on May 14, my uneasiness grew due to hyperinflation and an acute fuel crisis, causing significant panic and food insecurity. Violent fights at gas stations and skyrocketing black market fuel prices further worsened the situation.

Additionally, catastrophic flooding from monsoons raised Lake Tanganyika's water levels, bringing hippos, crocodiles, and snakes into the city streets. On the afternoon of Sunday, May 18th, I decided to walk about two miles from my hotel to a bridge over the Rusizi River, a national park and wildlife refuge known for hippos and crocodiles. Upon arrival, I encountered a menacing soldier who, with his finger on the trigger of his AK, ordered me to leave. Though I don't speak Kirundi, his intent was clear, and I quickly complied to avoid danger. While I can't be certain, I believe his order wasn't about preventing me from seeing the wildlife but rather something else the military didn't want exposed in the river. Subsequently, a presidential edict banned foreigners from taking photos or videos, and airport authorities began confiscating cameras and phones unless bribes were paid.

Please pray for the people in Burundi, who face lawlessness, intimidation, and lack of civil rights under the ruling party's regime.