It’s funny how we often use farming analogies when we talk about ministry – especially in things like mission and evangelism. We talk about ploughing, sewing, harvesting etc., as did Jesus, probably because they are images that we can all readily understand and identify with, even if we grew up in the heart of the city, and have never planted anything in our lives!
But as we embark on an agricultural project here in Burundi, these type of analogies have an added resonance. Burundi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, but also one of the hungriest, so there isn’t a day goes by that I don’t see someone cultivating something, somewhere. Even in the urban sprawl of Bujumbura you find road verges ( central reservations even) planted with some sort of crop – such is the land pressure created by so many people in such a small country.
Our Redeeming the Land project is very much in the ploughing stage at the moment, which admittedly isn’t the most exciting bit of the process to report upon. At times it just feels like really hard graft, and it would be pretty easy to lose heart. But we are sustained by knowing for sure that this is what God wants us to do. God doesn’t just want a superficial dig, but wants to go deeper into the soil of Burundi – and to do this, we need to invest in the lives of people here.
Individual discipling and mentoring is key – this is how real transformation occurs. It starts with knowing where people are at, and by understanding how the cycle of poverty may impact their lives. It can be a challenging process, as self-analysis usually is, but God uses it to mould, and prepare for the purposes He has called us each to. By investing in the lives of a few individuals, we believe that this will have a multiplying effect through cascading discipleship. In one of my next post I’ll introduce you to a one of the people who is currently being mentored, but for now, can I just ask you to pray for the process – for wisdom, discernment and openness, so that through God’s grace we can all be transformed.
