Back in the Saddle
It was good to have a little bit of a break this summer to get some time in the saddle motorcycling, to spend time with family, celebrate Jessi’s wedding {!!!} and our 44th wedding anniversary, and to tackle all the vital logistical and administrative tasks that must be done for the ministry.
Now, I’m back in the airline saddle, getting ready to jump on a bunch of long airplanes! Onward! Back to Burundi, East Africa, with my partners Steve Larson and Doug Posey.
I’m enthusiastic about what’s going on in Burundi! We are now expanding from the one city to launching a new formal second two-year program upcountry for pastors who have been even less trained for their ministries. We will have groups in the two regions, with approximately 40 pastors and key leaders in each.
Steve Speaks
I'd like to tell you about one of the men I’m really excited about, Steve Nkunzimana. Steve is about 24 years old. He has had some biblical training and has a passion for applying what he learns and equipping others with it locally. He’s already translated and trained several groups in the Bibliology class I taught in March.
I was just talking to Steve on the phone about 10 minutes ago (we meet for mentoring). I asked him, “Why is this training important?” Here’s what Steve said…
“This training has been vital for leaders like me who must defend the Bible, we sometimes struggle to fully understand. As a preacher, worship leader, and children’s instructor, I’ve gained confidence knowing the Bible is accurate and true with strong foundations—and now I teach high school Bible groups in my region, equipping them with the same truth to keep passing on.”
I’ve invited Steve to formally join our two-year training program in the city. Steve will also be traveling with me to the second region week two, as an interpreter. This will give him more opportunity not only to learn, but to co-teach the lessons and to be even better equipped to train other leaders.
And There’s MORE …
We will also be bringing another young man named Florian with us - he’s also on FIRE. He’s an excellent interpreter, and he is also already training others in the classes that we’ve taught him.
Bonus Multiplier:
While we’re in the city, we will have three of the students from our first cohort co-training the materials with us! Multiplication is happening, and that’s how the Kingdom spreads.
Local & Ether
During the summer, I’ve had many online trainings, counseling, and mentoring calls with Steve, Pastor Oled, Pastor Rudy in Malawi, and a ton of one-on-one local Pastor mentoring meetings and one-on-one discipleship meetups with others.
Please Pray!
Here’s how you can pray: Pray for all the NNTT (normal-needful, travel-things), including health, strength, sleep, and no missed flights and arriving with our luggage. Also, please pray specifically for my back. I have arthritis in my spine and hips, and a couple of badly damaged discs – it’s making travel more difficult and pretty uncomfortable. I’m expecting to be saddle-sore.
More importantly, please pray for power and depth of understanding for our incredible interpreters and co-trainers: Steve Nkuzimana, Young Florian, Pastor Gerard, my pal Danny, & Jane from Kenya.
The dates of the trip are September 6th through the 27th. In November I head back to Cambodia.
God is doing great things, multiplying the trainings, expanding the number of local trainers, and instilling a passion in students to pass on what they’re learning to help meet the abundant needs in Africa.
I thank God that you’ve partnered with me to make this ministry of Grace happen! Your prayers and offerings are making a powerful difference! May God bless you richly.
Back in the Saddle,
- Chuckk
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Global Training Network
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