Thayne A. Thompson, DMin | EFC-MAYM Lead Superintendent
Shortly after Ministry Conference this year I had the privilege of visiting two mission fields where EFC-MAYM is deeply invested through the sending of our own people. The first stop on my itinerary was Central Africa. The second was Northern India.
Upon arriving in Bujumbura, Burundi I was met in the airport by Louis Pasteur, EFC-Africa Executive Director. Louis took me to a hotel for the evening, and then we made our way to Kibimba where I spent the next four days. During my time in Burundi, I joined with the Saltshaker team consisting primarily of teenagers and young adults from the USA and Mexico. While there we gathered with 250 select young leaders from Friends churches across the country of Burundi for a youth camp. The worship, recreation and service projects we participated in together created a deep bond of unity among the groups represented.
On Saturday morning I received word that the President of the country of Burundi (yes, you read it right…the PRESIDENT) invited our team to his residence in Kibimba in order to welcome us to the country. We were shocked and honored. Our team, along with (3) Burundi Friends Church leaders traveled the short distance that evening to visit with the President and his family. Much to our surprise, when we arrived, we saw they were preparing an outdoor dinner buffet on the grounds where we dined with the Presidential family for the next (2) hours. What an amazing experience.
As we reflected on this honor that had been bestowed upon us the following day, we were reminded that this honor was given us not because of anything we had done but because of the reputation the Friends Church has in the country of Burundi. What an awesome once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Back in 1934 Arthur and Edna Chilson went to Burundi and established a mission point at Kibimba. Thanks to the missionaries that have followed and the commitment of the Burundi Friends churches which were established, today there are 250 Friends churches across the country of Burundi and over 70,000 people who are part of those churches. What a testament to the missionaries who have served and the Burundi Christians for their faithfulness over the years. Today, Brad and Chelsea Carpenter and their family continue in that long line of missionaries who have been faithful to serve the people in some of the poorest countries of the world located in the heart of Africa. The fruit has been unimaginable. It is a privilege to partner with them and to see the way the gospel continues to reach people in that part of the world.
From there I flew through the night and took a 7-hour taxi ride up into the Himalayas to visit our mission partners in that part of the world. Due to security reasons we simply refer to them as M&K. M&K have been serving for 10 years in northern India among a people group who have known nothing of the good news of Jesus until recent years. They and their children provide a light in the middle of a very dark culture where Jesus is being revealed through their words and lives as they daily faithfully live out the gospel among their friends and neighbors in the village.
Serving in a culture somewhat hostile to the gospel has its own challenges. But progress is being made slowly as they attempt to daily be faithful to Jesus as they love and serve the people there. It was such a blessing to spend time with them and their family and experience the joy of doing life with their family for just a few days.
As I reflect upon my 2 week trip, I am grateful for a mission field that is nearing it’s 100 year celebration as well as a field where we have been serving for just over 10 years. I am thankful for people who have answered the call to global missions and the partnership we share with them.
As we look to the future I can’t but help wonder who will be the next generation of missionaries, church planters and pastors in EFC-MAYM that will continue the rich heritage we have established in our region and around the world. May we each be faithful to the call God places on our lives, whether at home or around the globe.
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