History Being Made In Bujumbura Burundi
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
History Being Made in Bujumbura Burundi
Today before the crusade began – we made a trip to the place where Stanley first set eyes on Dr Livingstone 25th November 1871 – 138 years ago - and those immortalized words were spoken DR LIVINGSTONE I PRESUME – we were and are standing in the footsteps of DAVID LIVINGSTONE.
The First Meeting in Bujumbura Burundi – it’s hard to describe what I am feeling now in the wake of this first meeting – first of all this is and was not an RMI Crusade – this WAS A PRESIDENTIAL CRUSADE – we were invited by the President of Burundi President: Pierre NKURUNZIZA to come and speak for 5 days at the celebration of his 4 years as the President. Burundi was a nation that was torn apart by war – the Lord saved him and delivered him and when all the Hutu Presidents before him were assassinated in their 3rd month – the Lord has spared him – He honored and has honored God and these 5 days are to give God the Glory for His hand on the President Life.
The meeting began at 2 pm and concluded at 6.15pm
My opening lines were as follows –
I bring greetings to you in the wonderful name of Jesus – Adonica and I greet you from Revival Ministries International and Phil And Sharon Smethurst of Overland Missions -
Your Excellency President and 1st Lady of Burundi
Your Excellency President of the National Assembly
Your Excellency President of the Senate
Your Excellency 1st Vice President
Your Excellency 2nd Vice President
Honorable Senators and Members of Parliament
Honorable Mayor of Burundi
Generals of the Army and Head of Police
All Citizens of the Great Nation of Burundi
Every dignitary was there – we did not pay for this crusade other than our airfares and other expenses – accommodation and food and the printing of Gospel Scripts – it was put on and paid for by the President and His Committee – it is amazing what God has Done!
The Crusade started with a 1-mile walk from the Houses of parliament to the Stadium for the crusade –
I was given 60 minutes – the Worship Band sang and different ones Prayed and then the President Addressed the Crowd and spent the time giving Glory to God – He then led worship and then danced before the people it was awesome to see a President so free in God that He did not care what people thought. I was then called up and given 1 hour – I preached on the heart of a nation coming to God – the Love of God – when I gave the altar call the whole place raised their hand – initial crowd estimates was 25 - 30 000 plus people filled the field – they were behind us on the sides and at the back over the roads and even in the trees – it was a sea – then Adonica shared and prayed for the Baptism – the fire fell – and I then prayed for all the Pastors – the fire fell on them as well – I then took 2 minutes that were left and prayed for the sick – thousands of hands were raised – people testifying that their pain was gone – and they were healed – I handed the mike back to the Presidents Chairman and left the platform – 1 hour and God had touched the people – it is amazing what God has done this first night – keep us in your prayers and pray for provision much Love and Blessings from Adonica and I Phil and Sharon – in Bujumbura Burundi on the banks of Lake Tanganyika !