Last week, on August 3rd 2026, the VERY FIRST BABY WAS BORN in the El-Rapha Clinic in Cibitoke. Praise be to God for the healthy delivery for the mother and child! Both are doing well thanks to this incredible gift of a Free Methodist clinic that has safe and clean medical operations for over 600,000 Cibitoke residents.
This is just a precious reminder of the work that is being done throughout Burundi with our partnership with the Burundi Free Methodist Church.
With Phase 1 coming to completion and Phase 2 funding beginning–it is vital that we move forward with the finish of the Maternity Block, Clinic Kitchen for patients and laundry facilities (Phase 2 Focus). We have a goal to raise $80,000 internally by mid spring of 2027.
Did you know that in most clinics throughout Burundi, if a patient needs food or clean sheets- that must be provided by the family? This is one of the many reasons why our clinics stand out–provision of basic needs such as a space to prepare food and provide clean linens to stop diseases.
Medical standards operate somewhat differently in Burundi than in the States. Operations are allowed to function as soon as certain criteria are met–so please do not mistake an opening for full funding and completion because the work is not done yet!
…and what about our long standing partnership with the Burenza clinic?
Year to Date a lot has happened:
-196 women have delivered healthy babies
-15,600+ patients were seen at Burenza
-4,400 of those were children under the age of 5 (why does this matter? In a country where ⅓ of children do not live to see their 5th birthday, the gift of life is truly precious)
-570+ individual chaplain visits to help encourage and connect with the local Free Methodist church community
100 of the 125 children’s weight who are on the Busoma Feeding Program is considered stable… They now can rotate new children who are identified at high risk of starvation.
With Phase 1 coming to completion and Phase 2 funding beginning–it is vital that we move forward with the finish of the Maternity Block, Clinic Kitchen for patients and laundry facilities (Phase 2 Focus). We have a goal to raise $80,000 internally by mid spring of 2027.
Did you know that in most clinics throughout Burundi, if a patient needs food or clean sheets- that must be provided by the family? This is one of the many reasons why our clinics stand out–provision of basic needs such as a space to prepare food and provide clean linens to stop diseases.
Medical standards operate somewhat differently in Burundi than in the States. Operations are allowed to function as soon as certain criteria are met–so please do not mistake an opening for full funding and completion because the work is not done yet!
…and what about our long standing partnership with the Burenza clinic?
Year to Date a lot has happened:
-196 women have delivered healthy babies
-15,600+ patients were seen at Burenza
-4,400 of those were children under the age of 5 (why does this matter? In a country where ⅓ of children do not live to see their 5th birthday, the gift of life is truly precious)
-570+ individual chaplain visits to help encourage and connect with the local Free Methodist church community
100 of the 125 children’s weight who are on the Busoma Feeding Program is considered stable… They now can rotate new children who are identified at high risk of starvation.
Mothers and babies wait for the sermon during the Busoma Feeding Program in Burenza!!
The work is never done and is seldom easy. Will you help be part of the harvest here in Burundi? Pause right now and give praise to our Savior for these blessings! And thanksgiving to the workers who stay obedient to the calling when the road gets tough.
If you feel called to physically save a life here on earth and eternally save a soul with sharing the Gospel through chaplain work in Burundi, right here in Jackson County Michigan, please consider donating by clicking this link - Donate to the Burundi Fund or make your check out to Jackson Free Methodist Church, memo line: Burundi.
There is a saying in Africa that you can go fast alone, or you can go farther, together. Let’s continue the Reach as we invest in Christ Centered partnerships globally to cultivate changed lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
With Grace and Thanks-
Annie Creech, Global Outreach Chair
If you feel called to physically save a life here on earth and eternally save a soul with sharing the Gospel through chaplain work in Burundi, right here in Jackson County Michigan, please consider donating by clicking this link - Donate to the Burundi Fund or make your check out to Jackson Free Methodist Church, memo line: Burundi.
There is a saying in Africa that you can go fast alone, or you can go farther, together. Let’s continue the Reach as we invest in Christ Centered partnerships globally to cultivate changed lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
With Grace and Thanks-
Annie Creech, Global Outreach Chair