Dear praying friends,
The northern neighborhoods of Bujumbura city and nearby rural areas
were hit by floodwaters that destroyed houses and roads, have killed
more than 60 people, and left hundreds injured. Over a thousand
people are now homeless. Most of the deaths occurred less than a mile
away from where we live, as streams overflowed their banks. Quite a
few believers from the churches we work with lost houses (we will get
the full numbers in the next few days) and so far we have learned of
the deaths of two believers from our churches (a woman and child).
Their house collapsed on them (the husband is in hospital in critical
condition), so prayers are definitely needed. The main road to the
north and center of the country was blocked by a massive landslide and
several bridges have been washed away. Large trees and roots and
boulders are strewn everywhere in certain neighborhoods and accross
roads and it is easy to see how the damage was done when one realizes
that these projectiles were smashing into houses. I am going to visit
some of the affected families from Gatunguru Emmanuel church tomorrow,
to see their plight and see what might be done to help them. There
will be a need for short-term emergency shelter and food relief and
longer term assistance in rebuilding their houses. These are people
who already were extremely poor, and now they have lost everything.
1. Please pray for comfort for those who have lost family members,
homes and belongings.
2. Please pray for the injured as they recover.
3. Please pray that we and the believers here would be able to be
examples of Christ's love to those hurting and in need.
4. Please pray that the rains would hold off for a while so that no
further damage is done in these areas.
I will send an update in the next two days with some photos. Thank
you for your prayers.
God bless, Jesse
