It has now been nearly three weeks since I arrived in Burundi to begin working as the Redeeming the Land Project Manager. This is now the third time I have visited Burundi with Blessed to Be a Blessing (BTBAB), and arriving at the airport this time felt quite familiar, though with the added colour of anticipation, excitement and nervousness associated with the beginning of a new project.

A little bit of background

So, readers, for those of you who are not familiar with what the Redeeming the Land project is all about – here is a brief run down. Redeeming the Land is the latest Overseas Community Transformation project by BTBAB (pronounced B-T-BAB). Our Community transformation projects come in many shapes and sizes, with previous projects focusing on things like education and housing. Agriculture is the primary industry in Burundi, though for most the crop yield is poor despite relatively good soil, resulting in many people facing high levels of food insecurity. With a growing population, and very little economic growth, Burundi must find ways to improve agricultural production in order to feed it’s people.

So our latest Community Transformation project will therefore focus on agriculture in Burundi. Working with local partners and/or the local church we will seek to improve agricultural practice within a community, to bring about increased food security and nutritional balance.

Good Conversations

Over the last few weeks I have had a number of good conversations with both local and international NGOs working in agriculture. The purpose of these conversations was to get a better feel for the current status of agriculture in Burundi; find out who are the main movers and shakers in the farming world; and get further contacts with organisations and associations that may be potential partners for this project. I’m learning lots…I’m getting to grips with speaking French….. and most of all I believe that out of these conversations God will show us the way forward, connecting us with a person or organisation who carries a similar vision for agriculture in Burundi.

Back in the UK

OCT visits to Northern Ireland

From the onset, BTBAB founder, Femi Oni has felt this project should have input from farmers in Northern Ireland. Though we didn’t fully know what this meant, since Sept, a delegation of people from BTBAB have been visiting farmers in NI to draw from their expertise as to how this project can take shape.

Femi & OCT Director, Tom Griffin recently met with some of these farmers on an individual basis and plan to revisit Northern Ireland again before the year is out to hold a Farmers’ Forum with those keen to be involved. There is also a sense that helping people in Burundi and the developing world is part of the solution for those in the “developed” world who are trapped in a cycle of consumerism.

Money raised to date

So far we have received £5,500 in donations for the project – which is approximately 10% of the £50,000 target. So we still have a long way to go…but we know God will provide – He just likes to do things at His own pace and His own time (Isa 55: 8-9)

Let’s Pray for:

• Discernment and wisdom in identifying potential partners
• Guidance on the location of the project/ community we will work with
• For project workers to work alongside me, providing insight into the local context, linguistic assistance, and added security when travelling around Burundi.
• Finances to come in, both for the project and so that we can purchase a vehicle that will enable us to visit rural locations safely.