Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Prayer Focus -
Rwanda & Burundi Territory
Lake Kivu - Rwanda
Hallelujah! We gather with The Salvation Army around the world to lift our hearts and voices in praise and prayer to our Heavenly Father. We thank Him for sending His Son who didn’t come to our lowly planet as a tourist but, glory to God! As our Savior. And then He sent the blessed Holy Spirit to dwell with, guide and empower us to live the lives He intended for us. Just thinking about those things is enough to get us up dancing a praise jig for Jesus! But we have so much more. Please take a few minutes to worship and pray during this time we share together.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I rejoice in this day that You have given me, in this time in which I live, in the circumstance in which You have placed me. Sometimes I waste time wishing things were not like they are, that things would have turned out differently and I didn’t have the problems I have. But if I didn’t have these problems, I would only have another set of problems that might be far worse than what I have. What You remind me of is that in this place where I am, Your grace is with me here. Right here. You are enough for me in this place in my life, with the people in my life, with circumstances of my life. It is not for me to second guess the path I am on. I know I made mistakes and there have been times I have grieved You but that grace of Yours provided forgiveness for me. Thank You. Help me to live in the joy of Your second chances, of the new days and new beginnings. Help me to embrace the people, the opportunities, the challenges as gifts from You. Again I say, I rejoice in this day, because You are in it with me. Thank You, dear God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This video from the Rwanda & Burundi Territory combines traditional dance with song for the International Day of the Girl and centers on a vital message for this area of Africa regarding care for the environment.
Background of the
Rwanda & Burundi Territory
Rwanda: Rwanda was under a feudal Tutsi monarchy that continued under German colonial occupation and then under Belgian Mandate that ended in 1962. A Hutu revolt overthrew the Tutsi government in 1959 with many Tutsi killed or driven into exile. The Tutsi later invaded from Uganda in 1990, which led to many more being killed and displaced. Hutu extremists seized power in 1994, beginning a campaign of genocide toward the Tutsi minority and Hutu moderates. In a 100 day period, 800,000 people were killed, many suffering cruel deaths. The Tutsi-led forces eventually gained back control, forcing a million Hutus to flee to surrounding countries.
Once hostilities ceased the government made huge strides to end ethnic strife by ridding ethnicity from politics and society, declaring that identity was not by tribe but citizens were all “Rwandans.” The country became much safer, massive efforts were made to build infrastructure and the Parliament distinguished itself as being the only one in the world with a membership comprised of more than 50% women.
The economy, largely agricultural, is hampered by rapid population growth and limited land in a landlocked country. Most people are still sustained by subsistence farming. But the country is working to develop Kigali as an economic and information hub for East Africa to provide a more stable and promising future. Rwanda is seen as a safe destination for tourism and this is becoming an increasingly important industry.
There is freedom of religion in Rwanda, with nearly 90% claiming Christianity. Evangelicals are growing rapidly due to active evangelism and programming that reaches those who are hurting.
Burundi: The Tutsi’s ruled over the Hutu majority for 400 years, even under Belgian rule. They achieved full independence from Belgium in 1962. The Tutsi monarchy was replaced with military rule in 1966. Hutu attempts to gain control of the government led to violence that left over 300,000 dead and did not end until a peace accord was signed in 2000. Encouraging progress has been made since then, including peaceful elections.
Despite political and economic stability, Burundi is deeply in debt and highly dependent on foreign aid. Its main agricultural exports of coffee and tea are highly subject to market fluctuations as well as climate conditions. Seventy to eighty percent of the population live below the poverty line. Forty-five percent of children are undernourished and many thousands suffer from AIDS and malaria. Widespread government corruption hinders private sector growth.
There is freedom of religion in Burundi with over 90% of the population claiming Christianity. The economic situation has hampered the development of Christian education, literature and support service for ministry. There is a need for expatriate reinforcement personnel to help in ministries in Burundi.
The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army began relief operations in September 1994 in the Kayenzi Commune. Following mission work by officers from Zaire, Uganda and Tanzania in 1995, officers were appointed from Congo (Brazzaville) to develop corps and mission work in the Kayenzi Commune. The Kayenzi Corps officially began its ministry on November 5, 1995 and was officially registered as a church in Rwanda on September 15, 2008.
In 1983, Justin Lusombo-Musese (a Congolese born in Burundi) was introduced by a friend to some of William Booth’s writings and learned of the Army’s early history. Justin and the friend were so enthused they decided to become members of the Army. Over the years they requested IHQ to start operations in Burundi and on August 5, 2007, the work was officially recognized with the warranting of Justin Lusombo-Musese and his wife, Justine Fatouma as auxiliary-captains.
The Rwanda Region was redesignated the Rwanda and Burundi Region in October 2008 and upgraded to command status on April 1, 2010. It became a territory in 2023.
Facts, Stats and Leadership of the
Rwanda & Burundi Territory
- Total population to fish and disciple: 24,266,362
- 35 officers, 6 Envoys, 31 employees
- 21 corps, 17 outposts
- 3,204 senior soldiers
- 471 adherents
- 1,944 junior soldiers
Leadership
Lt. Colonel Jean Laurore Clenat - Territorial Commander
Lt. Colonel Elianise Clenat - Territorial President for Women's Ministries
Major Emmanuel Ndagijimana - Chief Secretary
Major Dancille Ndagijimana - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries
Prayer Requests for the
Rwanda & Burundi Territory
We give thanks to God for the following:
- Completion of first phase of Officers Training College.
- Territories that have agreed to support us in construction of pre-schools in our territory.
- For the success of all planned events that were accomplished last year.
Prayer Requests:
- Legal issues in Burundi district to be sorted out.
- Good health to officers, employees, and all Salvationists and spiritual awakening among all.
- To get funds for the second phase for officers Training College construction.
- Smooth transition for the change of leadership at Territorial Headquarters and the Officer Training College.
- God to open new opportunities in our territory.
USA Southern Territory
Prayer Requests
- The family of Major Bertha Worthy, who was Promoted to Glory this past week
- Lt. Colonel Mark Israel, Program Secretary
- Southern Spirit
- Debbie Diaz, Assistant Director of CRM Operations, CRD Operations
- Melissa Powell, Children’s Ministries Coordinator, Youth
- Sabrina Chase, Senior Administrative Assistant, Personnel
- Christopher Corbitt, Music & Gospel Arts Director, EBC
- Cadet Melanie Noland
- Captain Lorraina Crawford, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Potomac Division
- Lt. Colonel Lesa Davis, Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary, NHQ
- Lt. Colonels Art & Ann Penhale, officers, soldiers, employees and volunteers of the Texas Division
- Officers’ Councils
- Anonymous request for prayers for all in our lives, especially for an aunt who is not well and far away
- Anonymous request for pastors of all denominations as they lead their flocks with discernment; for those who are seeking God as they finally realize they have nowhere else to turn but that through Him all things are possible; that all will be prepared for the return of Christ and that none would be left behind.
Something to Consider
What’s in a name?
Major Michael Hawley
My name, given to me by my parents nearly seventy years ago, is a term I learned to use to address the question of identity. Who are you? I am Michael. It was what I learned to write on papers I had to turn in to school. It was how I learned to address the inevitable question asked by various people repeatedly when functioning in groups, teams, cultural events. My parents called out Michael when they wanted my attention. When my sister was born, she was told what to call me. (She also was one of the first to have other terms she thought appropriate to call me. But that’s another story.)
Michael, and when not in my immediate small circle of friends and acquaintances, an additional last name further identified to which family I belonged. It was a reference to my ancestry and connections with a certain stream of people through the ages. If I had the documents and right information, I’m sure I could track my way back to the original folks created by God Himself.
The more people on the planet the more important it is to identify each new life and give them a reference point they can use to interact with others.
The Bible has some references to names which are very interesting. Sometimes the names themselves with origins in the Hebrew language are hard to pronounce. One example would be Mahershalalhashbaz the second son of the prophet Isaiah. They didn’t just come up with a name like that sitting around the living room one day. We learn that this name was given by God! It has meaning and depth that a casual glance just doesn’t reveal.
Over and again God was involved in either giving people very specific and meaningful names, relevant in some manner to the role the individuals would play in history, or changing their names from what they had been to what they would become.
In Genesis 17:5 the Lord made a covenant with a man named Abram and then changed his name to Abraham. Ten verses later God changed the name of Abraham’s wife from Sarai to Sarah. In the New Testament a man now known as Paul was known for many years of his life as Saul.
To Abraham in Genesis 17:19 “God said. thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish my covenant with him.” To Hagar, Genesis 16:11, “bear a son, and...call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard they affliction.” In the New Testament book of Luke 1:13 “The angel said unto him, Zacharias...thy wife shall bear thee a son. and thou shalt call his name John.”
God’s only begotten son was named Jesus. He is identified in the gospels by many titles – the bridegroom, Lord of the Sabbath, the Nazarene, Son of the Highest God and the Son of David. His favorite name for Himself was the “Son of Man.” It was used 84 times in the four gospels. This is a title that stresses both His humanity and divinity, identifying Him as the one uniquely qualified to be the mediator between God and man.
So, what's in a name? That depends on who we are talking about. The Good Book teaches that name of this Jesus is going to be the one talked about throughout eternity – long after other names are mispronounced, misspelled and forgotten. “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Doing what's needed to receive Him as your personal Savior and Lord and having your name written in the Book of Life, will make your future a desirable experience!
Song #82 in The Salvation Army Songbook reminds us –
Jesus, name above all names
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord
Emmanuel, God is with us
Blessed Redeemer, living Word.
God sent His Son into the world to save it not to condemn it! Make sure your name is written in the book of life by paying attention to your relationship with Jesus.
You can be sure it will be spelled correctly!
We rejoice to think of the day the Lord delivered us with His great salvation! "Glorious Day!"
Benediction
Dear God, we are grateful for those whose love and devotion for You will allow no excuses for not lifting their hearts and voices in praise. Make us mindful of those around us who carry burdens, are fighting unseen battles and yet are faithfully proclaiming You to a world that is hopeless without You. Make me an example, dear Lord, not for my glory but for Yours alone. Amen.