Burundi Mission trip

Good morning/afternoon to everyone, depending on where you are in the world!  This is definitely going to be a busy summer, and one more thing that I have coming up is  a mission trip to Africa in order to help start up an adaptive sports program for injured African soldiers. The letter that I have attached below gives more information about the project that we will be doing over there, as well as donation information if you choose to do so. Even if you're not religious or don't have the means to donate, I would ask that you at least give prayers/positive thoughts for the trip. I am very excited about this opportunity!!

Thanks,

Ellie

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Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know about a special opportunity I have to serve this summer. I will be going on a missions trip to Burundi, Africa as part of a team of people serving with Cadence International.  Cadence International is an evangelical mission agency dedicated to reaching the military communities of the United States and of the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  I have been greatly blessed by Cadence missionaries living here in Germany, and I am excited to serve with them to bless the people of Burundi.

Burundi is the third poorest nation in the world.  They are still recovering from a civil war that plagued the nation less than fifteen years ago.  However, God is doing some wonderful work and we are excited to be a part of it.  We will be serving August 9^th-18^th in several different ways, but we have two primary objectives for our trip. First, we want to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Second, we want to share His love in tangible ways.

Our Project:

In order to achieve this, we will be working with a local ministry, International Christian Ministries (ICM) who has teamed up with the Burundi Army Chief of Chaplains and the Burundi National Police Christian Association.  During Cadence’s last two trips to Burundi, they have visited soldiers who have been permanently wounded and have little.  They even have little hope for things to get better.

Unable to physically perform their duties, they live in desolate bays on the edge of an Army motor pool. On one side of the motor pool are broken vehicles that will probably not be fixed. On the other side are physically disabled soldiers. They must remain there in order to receive any sort of medicine or medical care (which is also sparse). Most have little hope that things will get better.

However, they have a great chaplain who cares for them! Chaplain Egide desires to bring them hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also desires to provide them tangible opportunities for their lives. On our last trip we asked how we might help and he told us of a proposal that was recently approved by both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Sport.

Cadence International is partnering with the Burundian Army on this proposal to create both adaptive sport opportunities and a large chicken coup. The sport projects provide these wounded soldiers with something to do with their time. Additionally, some of the sports have international competitions in which they will be able to partake. We will also work with them to build a coup for 3,000 chickens. This will provide jobs and a sustainable income. These projects will provide improved living conditions and ultimately, they provide some hope. We pray that through these projects they will also see the love of Jesus Christ and God’s great care for them.

ICM is also planning several opportunities for us to go into villages and distribute clothing we will bring with us.  Our goal is to have the Army and Police as the primary ones to distribute the clothes.  This will help in the reconciliation process between them and the civilian populace.

I hope you can now see why I am so excited for this opportunity!  I was wondering if you would prayerfully consider how God might use you to partner with us.  First, would you commit to praying for us?  We want to have a body of people “standing” behind us as we prepare for our trip and as we serve.  Second, would you prayerfully consider financially supporting our work?  This trip will cost about $2,500 per person (airfare, ground transportation, lodging, meals, etc.).  You may also donate to help support the various projects we will be doing.  All donations are tax-deductible and can be sent to Cadence International, which is accredited through the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.  If God leads you to give, you can several different ways:

Donation by Check.

Cadence International

Receipting Department 

PO Box 1268

Englewood, CO 80150

Please make checks payable to Cadence International. Due to IRS regulations, please do not include any names on the check.  Include a note in the envelope that states it is for the Burundi Missions trip and the name of the person you are supporting. 

Online Donation (EFT or Credit Card)

Go to www.cadence.org/donate

Select "Donate Now"

Missionary or Project Tab: “Kleager, Brian & Aimee (10677)

In the Comment Box, write “Burundi Missions Trip - Ellie Thometz.”

(Please note that if the comments box is not working properly, you can either donate by check or inform me so that I can pass along the information. I am working to find out what another alternative is to note that the donation is specifically for this trip.)

Thank you for taking the time to consider this work.  We are trusting God to provide through people such as yourself but we also know He might lead you to give in other places.  However He leads you, please be faithful to follow.  However, please keep us fervently in your prayers so that the name of Jesus Christ would be greatly magnified through our service.

Thanks again,

Ellie