God is Good! Update on the St. John's Home in Bulgaria

God is good. His faithfulness is evident over and over again.

Clear proof of this can be found when we look at the St. John’s Home in Bulgaria.

As many of you know, David and Jill Sweet have been working for years with partners in Bulgaria to launch the opening of the St. John’s Home: renovations have been done, funds have been secured, government requirements have been cleared. We have prayed and asked God for a house mother or house parents to be made known so that when the time came, young Roma women at risk for human trafficking could live in the home and gain, as Jill puts it, “hope, healing and restoration."

We waited. And prayed. And waited some more.

And God is good. His faithfulness is evident over and over again.

At the end of March, prayers for a house parent came to fruition. Stephanie, an American with Bulgarian roots, began her new position as house manager with the St. John’s Home. Her unique qualifications are exciting and we ask for your prayers as she begins.

At the beginning of April, God’s temporary plan for the St. Johns Home was also revealed. As the war in Ukraine continues to displace millions of women and children, David and Jill’s ministry was recently approached by a pastor they have worked with to inquire if the home could host refugees. The home was visited by a team of people working to settle refugees and assessed to see if it would be a good fit. It was. There are currently 8 Ukrainian women and children temporarily living in the home. 

There are still significant needs in the Roma community and the continued plan is for the St. John’s Home to serve young at-risk Bulgarian women. Please continue to pray for the current Ukrainian families living in the home and the future Roma women it will serve.

We know God’s timing is perfect. He is good. His faithfulness is evident over and over again. 

To follow the Sweets or the St. John’s Home on Facebook for current updates, visit “The Sweet Spot” and “Saint John Girls’ Home”.

Phase Four of Burenza Has Begun!

Almost two decades ago there was a vision for Burenza. A vision to build, to create, to serve, and to save. The vision started with a calling to go to a remote land away from everything in a place that few had heard of.  As this vision has become a reality and Burenza becomes a household name for most of us, it seems that much has been done. 

So is there more for Burenza? YES!! 

We are excited to announce that Phase Four, or the completion of Burenza is underway!

Outside the entrance to the "campus" of Burenza--the fence was a requirement by the government a few years back as part of the clinic mandates. The official "Burenza" sign in the background with smiling children

What was once just an open field has now become a hub of activity. Bringing the true Hope people need closer to their doors than ever before!

No longer do women have to give birth outdoors or on the floor. No longer do people need to seek solutions from a witch doctor. No longer do mothers have to decide between starvation or the unthinkable to feed their children. 

Photo taken in 2017 what the hospital bed/room used to look like

Construction of the maternity ward in 2020.

The three nurses outside of the new maternity ward in 2021

1 Corinthians 9:24-26 says: " Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step".

At times, this run has felt like a walk and other times like a sprint. No matter the speed, the prize remains the same. So to answer our own question, yes there is more for Burenza. And holding true to the vision may be just the biggest thing yet!!

If you’ve been with us on this quest for any length of time you will remember the building of a health center. Followed by the building of a new church. As things progressed an improved staff house was completed, improved septic system, well and water storage system and the addition of a new solar system to have electricity! No more candle power and cell phone flash lights at night! Hallelujah!  Most recently a brand new maternity ward improving our ability to serve birthing moms was formally opened in August 2021. 

We are excited to announce that we will continue to partner with the Free Methodist Church of Burundi in their vision to expand the health center to a fully qualified health clinic!

This means adding a separate men’s and women’s ward, expanding water sources, solar energy sources, updating the current incinerator and adding staff-including a doctor!

What is the difference between a health center and a clinic?

• Currently the health center has three nurses on staff. When Burenza becomes a “Health Clinic”  there would be a doctor present to see patients. There is another  health center in the area, but the closest clinic or hospital with a doctor is still far away from Burenza.

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What is the value in having a clinic at Burenza? What does this mean for the community?

• People in the area won't have to travel as far to see a doctor, and to receive immediate and specialized care.

• Due to the distance and travel to Burenza, it is imperative to have adequate housing for a doctor to stay while on call for the time in Burenza. 

An expecting mother receiving an ultrasound at Kibuye Hospital, which is one of the main hospitals in Burundi. This kind of services is what is hopeful for the completed vision at Burenza

What do most people go to the clinic to be seen for?

• Laboratory testing and consultative needs for children under the age of 5 years old are the most common needs for the clinic. To get an idea on how busy the clinic is-about 1300 visits are done with children under the age of 5, monthly.  Preventive consultation generally makes up the third most common visit. On average, at least one baby is born per day at Burenza. A chaplain is on site throughout the month to share the gospel and the Love of Jesus to the visitors.  
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What will it take for the health center to become a clinic? And why is it important?

• Expand Facilities and infrastructure

• construction of a new Incinerator

• construction of a sanitary system for the current facility and new construction

• Expansion of the water reserve

• Furnishings and supplies for the Men’s/Women’s Ward

• Outdoor kitchen prep area

• Potential changes and construction to the wall surrounding the current compound

• Construction of additional staff housing (doctor’s housing in particular)

• Expansion Solar Power

• As the health center grows, so does the infrastructure. Its imperative to have the proper foundation so the vision of Burenza can be at its most effective state. Upkeep and expansion cost is part of any healthy project to ensure its longevity and success.  

Where are we in the process?

New Incinerator is the first priority!

• Construction of a new incinerator will begin in the next two weeks. To upgrade to a larger incinerator, move location to a more safe distance from the current building and to rebuild a proper fence is an estimated $5,000 US dollars. This is also a requirement by the Burundi government to ensure proper health practices and sanitation is in practice at Burenza. Funds were sent the first week of March to start implementing this task.

The incinerator is too small for the growing operations at Burenza. Government regulation also requires proper fencing and location to be approved to move forward with to became a clinic. 

Condition of incinerator as of January 2022.

Outside of the health center at Burenza

What vision does the Free Methodist Church of Burundi (BFMC) have for Burenza?

• The Vision for Burenza  is part of a much larger movement from the Free Methodist Church of Burundi of which it is playing a piloting role. The Vision For Burenza  is that it would become a social hub from which people (locals) use as part of their daily lives:  To seek out medical needs, talk about faith, nutrition, and seek out educational direction and guidance. This is the work we have joined in with the BFMC (Burundi Free Methodist Church). Think of it almost like a “campus setting” where all these services are together and easily accessible- a centralized hub to receive and benefit from social services and church

What can JFM do to support our partner, the BFMC?

• Pray! Praying is the MOST engaging activity that any follower of Jesus can faithfully do. Pray for the leadership of Burenza, the staff at the current Health Center and for the patients to accept and receive Jesus. Pray how you can be lead to be a part of the vision!

• Keep engaged! Follow the Global Outreach Team with blogs, posts on social media to get the latest update on what is happening in Burenza.

• Be on the lookout for some special events! You will be able to learn more, hear great stories, ask questions from those who have been, and how you can play a role in this amazing work in Burundi.

• Donate- the overall estimated cost for Phase 4 completion is $300,000 US dollars. JFM is not responsible for all of the cost, but we do plan on raising half of the funds. Our partnership goal between JFM, the BFMC and other private donors is to be fully funded by the end of 2023. 

The excitement of obedience is finding out later what God had in mind and maybe not even till eternity to get a True Perspective of the entire Vision! Thank you for your engagement and your excitement as we move forward with cultivating changed lives in Burenza!

Report from Hungary on the Refugee Crisis in Budapest

 

Here is the latest update from our Global Outreach ministry partners in Hungary, written and sent by Larry Winckles. 

Jackson Free Methodist's (JFM) Global Outreach has four partnerships, having two located in Europe (Set Free Movement in Hungary and the St. Johns Home in Bulgaria). 

Even though JFM does not have any ministries or missionaries directly in Ukraine, our partners do collaborate with church planting and other non profit organizations in Ukraine. Our partners are  actively engaging to help the refugees that are starting to come into Hungary. 

Picture of refugees, volunteers and local police in train station in Budapest

Larry helps explain in this letter below what they are witnessing in Hungary with the Ukrainian refugees. Larry also explains how we can support. If you are called to help, here are a few ways that you can act:

Pray! Praying is the MOST we can do and to support our partners. 

Need some scripture guidance? Check out  1 John 5:14, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Philippians 1:18-21

Give Electronically or by check payable with:

 "Bishop Crisis Response Fund" in the memo. 

Collection holders are in the sanctuaries at JFM 

Funds mailed to: 2829 Park Drive, Jackson MI 4920

Follow @jfmglobal or JFM Global Outreach for updates

 Report on the Refugee Crisis in Budapest – February 28, 2022

Today I visited the Nyugati Railway Station in Budapest to assess the refugee situation there. This is the station where trains arrive that are coming from the northeast, in the direction of the Hungarian/Ukrainian border. Trains arrive from Nyíregyháza on an hourly basis. I was there for about a half an hour after a train had arrived and stayed until about a half an hour after the next train arrived. 

(map added for reference points)

These are my observations. 

1. The Compassionate Services of the Hungarian Reformed Church has been present at the train station since the second day of the war. They are well-staffed and well-equipped. Their workers wear distinctive green jackets with the name of the service prominently displayed. They offer food, water, and hygiene products. They have very nice signs, written in Ukrainian, which they display to arriving passengers, offering help. Seemingly as an afterthought, they also had a few handwritten signs offering help in English. 

2. There was a very large police presence, with representatives of the Hungarian National Police, the District Police, and the Catastrophe Protective Services all being present, in addition to railway security. 

3. There was also a very large media presence. They seemed rather intrusive to both the aid workers, the police, and the refugees. They gathered like vultures when the train arrived. 

4. The Hungarian Red Cross also had four people present. However, they just stood around, watching and waiting for what I do not know. They were not equipped with any type of relief supplies or informational leaflets. 

5. When the train arrived it seemed that there were about 300 or more people who were refugees, in addition to the normal train passengers. The police cordoned off a holding area to receive refugees that wanted assistance. 

6. I was surprised by the very large number of African refugees. In fact, I estimated that two-thirds of those people coming off the train were African. Most did not respond to offers of help. One of the problems seemed to be that neither the police nor the aid agencies were adequately prepared to deal with English speakers. I spoke with several of the Africans and asked them if they had received help and what their plans were. Some had received information about a hotel where they could stay temporarily. Others had friends who were meeting them. And still others were trying to navigate on their own. This large group stood in clusters just outside the train station, calling people on their cell phones and deciding what to do. 

7. I spoke with a man working with the Reformed Compassionate Services. He told me that there were 2000 volunteers who were driving back and forth between Budapest and the border, transporting refugees. He also said that most of the ethnic Hungarians who cross the border are being assisted by friends and family that live in Hungary. 

8. I was told that there is a very large backlog of people and cars at the border crossing, and that it will probably take at least a couple of days to clear. Of course, this is dependent upon whether more people decide to flee if the situation in Ukraine gets worse. Up until now the number of arrivals has been more of a trickle rather than a flood. It is expected to increase over time. 

9. I also spoke with the man working with the Reformed Compassionate Services about the dangers of human trafficking during this refugee crisis. He agreed that it was a very real danger and gave me contact information about how I could ask about getting warning leaflets into the hands of the aid agencies. I will follow up on this. 

The European Freedom Network has prepared such a leaflet in Ukrainian, that can be customized with emergency contact information according to whatever country it is used in. At this point we are thinking that it will need to be in four languages - Ukrainian, Russian, Hungarian, and English – and we are working to get the necessary translations. We are hoping to get this printed and out for distribution as soon as possible this week. 

The English text of the leaflet follows: We are with you! We are sorry that you are going through these difficult times. We want you to be safe, that's why we want you to know that not all people are what they seem to be. Trafficking in human beings hides behind a friendly face and makes false promises to people in vulnerable situations. Some tips to be safe 

1. Protect your IDs. Don't give them to anyone. 

2. Don't give anyone your personal phone. 

3. Wherever you are, register in the authorities' databases. 

4. If you choose to stay elsewhere than accommodation provided by non-governmental authorities or associations, please notify the authorities about your location. 

5. In case of emergency or suspicion, please notify the authorities.

 

 Regarding financial support for relief efforts:

 Josh Fajardo and I met with our Regional Directors today to assess the implications of the war in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in the surrounding countries. 

One question that we are getting from churches in both the U.S. and the U.K. is how can relief funds be received? Gerry McNamara has been in close contact with people on the ground in Rivne, Kyiv, and other localities. The banking system in Ukraine is under heavy stress. So far funds that have been sent to Ukrainian accounts have been received, but more and more bank machines are either being destroyed or running out of money, which is not being replenished. On top of this, many shops and businesses are no longer accepting the Ukrainian currency (the grivne) but only accept euros or dollars. 

Because of this, we are recommending that relief funds NOT be sent to our Ukrainian bank account. Instead, our recommendation is that funds be sent to the Bishops' Crisis Response Fund, and we will recommend how those funds are to be disbursed. 

We will be getting daily updates about funds received and will be in a position to advance the funds from our Hungary mission account and get reimbursed from the Bishops’ Fund. 

We are in the process of developing a plan to get euros or dollars from Hungary into Ukraine and to our people there. Fortunately, we had proactively instructed our people to keep a cash reserve of U.S. dollars, so their immediate needs are being met. We are also developing accountability protocols for any relief funds that are received and disbursed. It may develop that relief funds to assist with refugees will be needed in Hungary, Romania and potentially in Bulgaria (if refugees come in by sea). Support for these efforts should also be directed to the Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund. We are currently investigating possible collaborations with the Nazarenes, the Hungarian Methodists, and the Salvation Army. At present we are focusing on collaborating with the European Freedom Network to publish and distribute the warning leaflets. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have. 

Thanks for your continued prayers during these perilous times. 

Larry Winckles                                                                                                                                              Europe Area Associate Director Free Methodist World Missions                                                                Budapest, Hungary

JFM's Global Outreach partners in Hungary

 

Busoma, Full Bellies, and Bible Story Sharing Updates from Burenza

 

Take a moment to view of some the interviews and colorful photos of lives changed because of the Busoma Feeding Program. 

Testimony of Gilbiena, a volunteer with the Feeding Program and a mother's story...

Twice a week, 125 children are provided life sustaining food and the opportunity to physically grow! These families are also provided with eternal nourishment with the sharing of the Good News!

Jonathan Niciza (center) shares faith and the Gospel with the mothers and children during one of the Busoma Feeding Programs.

This is an example of tools and charts used to help track weigh ins and healthy progression of the children at the Busoma Feeding Program

The staff and nurses at the clinic are the "frontline eyes" to help see what children are at risk the most in the Burenza area by their visits for medical treatment. 

 

Twin babies during the feeding (above) and with their bellies full and now sleepy (below)

Thank you to the BFMC, JFM and all of the supporters who are helping to invest in Christ-Centered partnerships around the Globe! By loving God and loving others, this program is creating opportunities in the name of Jesus!

 

 

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BURUNDIAN:

This blog is being shared from Word and Deed, written by Michelle Wendler. If you would like to view the original blog, along with other materials from Word and Deed please visit: 

https://mccropders.blogspot.com/

Sometimes, it is difficult to culturally understand or to grasp the daily life for others in settings not similar to our perspectives.  Here is a simple read to help understand the foundational life style of Burundians with photography sprinkled in from the Burenza region.

Read time: 2 min 11 sec

A Glimpse Into Daily Life By Michelle Wendler on Jan 23, 2022 12:54 pm (by Michelle Wendler) I've been doing a weekly interview with one of the local women to find out what daily life is like here in rural Africa. Here are some things I've learned. Sleeping:  Most villagers have a wooden bed frame with a mat made of reeds placed on top of it. To make it softer they might put down banana leaves under the mat. The majority have blankets but not the very poor. It's been cold lately...dropping into the low6 60's and even 50's at night. I'm cold on my warm mattress and with my comforter. When I asked how they stay warm at night she said they clutch their clothes around them and are very happy when the sun rises.  There are no cribs for infants, they co sleep with the parents. The bed is placed against the wall and the baby sleeps between the wall and the mother, with the father on the other side of the mother. The mother will create a barrier between her and the baby so when the baby wets, it doesn't get her wet.  Eating: Most people have two plates, one plate for the children to eat off of (at the same time), and another for the parents and very small children. But very poor families will all eat off the same plate. An interesting side note; if your father-in-law visits, the daughter-in-law cannot eat off of the same plate. But his grandson can. And the daughter-in-law is supposed to be quiet in his presence and only speak of things that are important.  Upper class families will have a table and chairs, but lower income will sit on boxes or small wooden chairs. But poor and upper class will always have at least one chair in case a visitor comes. The majority of the population here in rural Burundi eat two meals a day. The rich can eat 3x per day, and the very poor, usually only one time per day. Unless you are very wealthy, breakfast is only consumed by small children (under school age) and is usually a small portion of the previous night's dinner that has been set aside and kept overnight in a small container. Refrigeration is unheard of here. Most school age children go to school hungry and eat their first meal at lunch time.  JFM video: The large market in Gitega, Burundi, showing how food is sold/packaged Beans + one other side (corn, salad, sweet potatoes, potatoes, bananas and rice...(rice if you are rich) is what is eaten for lunch and dinner 98% of the time. Meat will be eaten sometimes only 2-3x per year at Christmas, New Years and maybe Easter.  JFM photo: small child eating and waiting during  a weekly feeding at the Busoma Feeding Program in Burenza. JFM photo: Augustin, a leader in the Free Methodist Church of Burundi (FMCB) and a director for International Child Care Ministries (ICCM), shows off some traditional food at the local market. Water is the main source of hydration, but it's not purified. Many kids have stomach and digestive issues because of this. Most people can't afford things like eggs, milk, and other fruits and veggies because they cost too much. Sometimes 11 people can live under the same small roof...kids, relatives, workers etc and it would be expected to give everyone the same portion. 1 egg costs around 500 fbu and the daily wage is around 3000 for those who have a job. Many are just farmers who live off what they grow.  If you have many mouths to feed, an egg by itself isn't going to satisfy but it might break the bank. I asked about the possibility of people raising chickens for their own eggs, but that would require a chicken coup, food for the chickens, and medicine. All that on the front end...when most people can't afford the next meal. The woman I was interviewing said that if someone is given a rooster which costs around 15,000 fbu, they would most likely take it to the market to buy a lot of "filler" type food instead of having one small meal of meat.  JFM photo: traditional house in rural Burundi, with family outside gathering Hygiene: No showers or baths around here. Sponge baths. Not everyone can afford soap. After you clean yourself you rub on palm oil. The wealthy use margarine (Blue Band) or lotion. I have been using their version of margarine (Blue Band) and my skin feels amazing.  Marriage: If a couple wants to get married, their family / church / neighbors / elders traditionally ask them:  1) Do you have a blanket? 2) Do you have a pot? 3) Do you have a bed? These three items are considered necessary for starting a marriage. Child care: At age 5, the kids start to carry infants (2 months and beyond) on their backs. If the parents are too poor to afford a child care helper, then the kids stay home from school to help watch the younger siblings so the parents can work in the fields. JFM photo: a young girl caring and carrying her baby sibling outside  the Health Center at Burenza. Status: And lastly, a sign of wealth here are shoes / flip-flops / sandals. Those who own shoes are considered upperclass.  JFM photo: notice barefoot versus shoes on children I hope to do more of these interviews in the future and will share what I learn about the lives of our Burundian brothers and sisters.

God's Faithfulness & Growth in Burenza

 An amazing aspect of being part of the body of Christ is that we get to be part of the Church. Not just a church constrained by walls and a roof in one location, but a community of believers that spans the globe. Through our global partnerships here at JFM, we get to participate in kingdom work being done by our brothers and sisters around the world. 

Because of our church's partnership with the Free Methodist Church of Burundi, we've been able to see firsthand the impact that the development of the Burenza Health Center has had!  As the health center continues to grow in it's capacity to serve the local community, it gives the FMC of Burundi a platform for reaching people with physical as well as spiritual healing. 

The health center chaplain shares the word of God and prays with the patients. A recent update shared that because of this, the patients are also able to recover emotionally. Alittle over 2400 people visited the center last month.

Before receiving busoma, the chaplain talks to the mothers who bring their children to the feeding program. 

125 children continue to receive life-saving food at the Busoma Feeding Program twice a week.  The mothers thank the program because it is helpful to their children for truly sustaining life!

In the most updated reports 122 of the 125 children are making HEALTHY PROGRESS! PRAISE JESUS!

It's the rainy season in Burundi, and that means it's time for farming. Burenza church members planted corn on land around the church.

Praise God for the ways He is working at Burenza! 

As the health center expands, our church will have more opportunities to support and encourage this ministry. Also, as the health center expands and operates, upkeep and physical maintenance sometimes will need to be completed. 

An immediate need involves the health center's incinerator, which is a vital part of their operations. It needs some updates in order to stay up to government standards.

Helping replace the old incinerator and protective fence is just one small way we can contribute to this ministry as it grows.

Join us as we pray for the plans God has for Burenza moving forward!

GO Mission December Update: J-Town Gets A Visit From Bulgaria Missionaries David and Jill Sweet

 

As you may recall, the GO Team spent some time in J-Town last month sharing the global mission work being done in Bulgaria. During this time, we made Christmas cards for children in Bulgaria and also learned about our missionaries to Bulgaria from JFM, David and Jill Sweet.

On Sunday, December 5, we were so excited to follow this up with a special visit from David and Jill who are in Michigan over the next couple months. It was really neat to have this time for the kids to connect names with faces and hear firsthand a little more about Bulgaria.

We began by learning a few Bulgarian words: 

Slava Naboga (Praise the Lord)

Zdraviete (hi) 

Obechan (I Love You), 

Dovezdana (Goodbye - also can be said more informally as “Ciao”, like in Italian)

Kakse (How Are You?) and

Gubi ("Mushrooms”). 

The kids also learned that when you shake your head side to side in Bulgaria (which would mean “no” in the U.S.), it means “yes” - when you shake your head up and down in Bulgaria (which would mean “yes” in the U.S.), it means “no”. We all thought that would be quite confusing if we had to do it regularly! David then presented a short slideshow to the kids so they could see some of the churches and children in Bulgaria.

After the slideshow, the kids played a game similar to “The Price Is Right” so they could see the difference between the U.S. and Bulgaria when comparing income and costs. Jill explained that in the U.S., the average per capita household income is $33,741; in Bulgaria it is $4,080. She then went on to show 4 different items: a large pizza, a pound of apples, a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas. Each item had the U.S. cost listed below it. The group was then split into two teams - one choosing what they thought the cost in Bulgaria would be for the pizza and apples, the other choosing what they thought the cost in Bulgaria would be for milk and gas. 

There was discussion amongst the kids - some thought that if you made less money, the products would cost less; some thought if you made less, the products wouldn’t necessarily cost less because of that. We learned that a large pizza costs close to the same in both countries, a pound of apples costs significantly less in Bulgaria (due to the fact that David and Jill live in what’s referred to as the “fruit basket of Bulgaria” so produce like this is locally grown), a gallon of milk costs more in Bulgaria, as does a gallon of gas. It was a very fun game, as well as educational for all.

After the game, David and Jill taught the kids a simple song to the tune of “Praise Ye The Lord" and the kids had fun singing a few rounds of “Slava Naboga”/Hallelujah. 

They were then challenged to go out and say “Slava Naboga” to someone that day. After a number of great questions from the kids (for example, where do you work, what is the grocery store like, do they have a president, do they have things like iPads?), we wrapped up our time in J-Town together. A special thank you to David and Jill for spending this time with our kids - it was a wonderful morning!