Called to love
By Myra Adamson

(l-r): Muzero’s kids Nyamaronko, Eric and Iranzi hang out with Legaspi.

It was springtime in Phoenix: wildflowers everywhere and Saguaro in bloom. Phoenix Light and Life Church stood at a turning point. Should they move to the suburbs to attract the affluent, or stay put and minister to the masses? After fervent prayer and soul searching Pastor Duff Gorle and his flock decided to stay. They weren’t quite sure who they were going to help, but they were ready to do so.

Meanwhile, in Tanzania and Burundi, Africa, change was in the air.

(l-r): Pastors Jess Legaspi, Duff Gorle and Muzero Muhoza.

In Tanzania, the United Nations had decided to close several refugee camps. The people folded their canvas tents, put their belongings in suitcases and boxes, and planned where to go. Many had already been across Lake Tanganyika to the Congo and back, to Rwanda briefly, or even tried to return to Burundi only to find others occupying their lands and houses. They had all heard stories of friends killed while trying to reclaim their property. Some signed up to come to the United States.

In Burundi’s Mwaro refugee camp, survivors of an ethnic massacre were signing up to come to America — among them FM Pastor Muzero Muhoza and his family, refugees from the Congo. The United Nations was giving their ethnic group priority to resettle in a new country.

Bienvenue, oldest son of a deceased FM pastor, recently had knee surgery due to a bullet wound received back home in the war. He lives in Phoenix now with his mother and five siblings.

During the summer of 2007, hundreds of refugees from the Tanzania and Burundi camps came to Phoenix, and their agencies started placing them in large apartment complexes near Phoenix Light and Life Church. It so happened, or rather God so designed it, that a former missionary helping translate for the refugees was also acquainted with Pastor Gorle. It didn’t take long to get them together.
The church knew that this was why God had asked them to stay. They quickly bought buses and volunteered drivers and English teachers. Muhoza now serves as African Ministries pastor, and shepherds the African refugees during the Sunday school hour with the help of his children, who lead the youth choir. Volunteers provide a wide variety of daily assistance.