Bishops' Famine and Relief Fund:
Extreme Famine in Burundi, Africa —
Immediate Prayer, Financial Aid Requested

Bishop Elie Buconyori of the Burundi Free Methodist General Conference, Africa, requests immediate help from Free Methodists in North America. Famine has stricken his country, leaving thousands without food and shelter. Prayer and donations are urgently needed.

"Burundi has experienced famine before," says Buconyori, "but this time it is experiencing extreme famine."

The trouble actually began last year when drought impacted half the nation, and the government asked all Burundians to help. A few international donors made important contributions as well. "We prayed God to send us rain," says Buconyori. "We were not precise in this prayer because we just asked for rain." Unfortunately, toward the end of 2006, the rain came down — more heavily than expected (or desired). Rain destroyed crops — both on the hills and in the valleys. The year- end harvest was lost; this spring's crop is also ruined. 

I take this opportunity to request contribution toward an initial goal of $100,000. Any amount given will be highly appreciated. God bless you. — Bishop Elie Buconyori on behalf of the suffering

Food has become scarce — and expensive — throughout the country. The government has declared a national crisis. People are starving, and dying, in nearly every province. Other countries in the region are trying to help, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and South Africa.

My wife, Ellen, and I will pray with you for this great need.  I thank you for your faithfulness and for this invitation to be in prayer with you for our brothers and sisters in Burundi. It is a privilege to serve our Lord and His church with you. — North American Bishop Roger Haskins

The radio is full of painful, heartbreaking stories like that of a man who had eaten all his food, goats and chickens, then was forced to consume his dogs. In many areas, people who still have crops in their gardens are forced to stay awake nights, watching so others won't steal the food. All too often the gardeners and/or thieves end up dead.

Homes, Schools, Free Methodists Impacted
Meanwhile, the rain continues to pour down, destroying an estimated 10,000 homes (and more than 140 schools) in January alone. In Bujumbura (where the Free Methodists operate a mission hospital) more than 3,000 homes have been destroyed.

The Free Methodist church in Gatumba (near Bujumbura) has a 250-seat sanctuary now filled with more than 300 refugees, a fact that has been covered on national television and radio. The Bujumbura superintendent visited the area this week and found that the people in the church have nothing to eat and are in danger of a disease outbreak. 

"We have just completed our annual conferences," says Buconyori. "In their reports, all the superintendents reported that people were experiencing extreme famine.

"In certain districts," he adds, "church members have left their homes and moved to other provinces where they think life is still better."

Please join us to ask the Almighty God our Creator to reduce the rain and to provide food, seeds and household items for thousands who have lost theirs in the water. Thank you for your prayers. I trust that you will join us in taking the matter to God, asking for His immediate intervention. — Bishop Elie Buconyori

The Burundi church has a plan for distributing food to Free Methodists immediately following Sunday services. "In this way, visitors will get food together with people who normally worship at our churches," says Buconyori. "In order to give food for a few days, our initial need is estimated at $100,000." The Free Methodist Church in Burundi currently includes some 80,000 weekly worshipers.

CLICK HERE to give.