This was the first line of a WhatsApp message we received from Oscar in Burundi. We have mentioned Oscar before. He is a Celebrating Children Workshop (CCW) graduate who is doing astounding work in Burundi. Patient Endurance marks his life in so many ways. Oscar has a denominational wide role overseeing the Sunday school and Youth Ministry for a church in Burundi, which is part of a larger denomination in Central Africa.
Oscar attended the CCW in 2023/2024. Upon returning home, he started implementing what he had learned. He did weekly courses with various groups – pregnant mothers who had little understanding of what was happening with the child in their womb or received any teaching on child development. He trained others in villages on keeping children healthy, and already they have tracked a decrease in child mortality. He works with multiple groupings of children and youth. He does this in an economically poor nation; he travels by bus and public transport. Oscar epitomises patient endurance. He runs a marathon in his nation to educate his community on what God intends for a child.
His full message this week was, “I will not stop saying what God is doing in Burundi at the EEAC church through Loom International”. He went on to share that he needed to do his annual report to the General Assembly (GA) of his church, which comprised all the pastors of the local churches, the Executive Committee, and the Council of EEAC. The EEAC church has 115 local churches in the territory of Burundi. Oscar received many questions and much feedback, and Loom was thanked for their collaboration with a request that the partnership continue.
Our delight is twofold. First, this model works. We may be running a marathon and need patient endurance, but slowly we are seeing the fruit of training leaders and then supporting them as they take this training into local communities through churches and schools.
Secondly, Oscar is delighted and proud. He says, “This is the first time this has happened to me.” He was the one who did the work. He was the one recognized in his church. His face beams with joy and dignity. He has been seen. His patient endurance, demonstrated in bumpy bus rides, much waiting, faithfully returning week after week, training, teaching, listening, and consulting, has borne much fruit. And he was recognized!
Our purpose in Loom is to stand with the People of Power and Wonder. We have no intention of attending the General Assembly of the EACC. Our goal is for Oscar to be there, doing effective training, and then be celebrated. May there be many more Oscars in every African nation, patiently enduring hardship and bearing fruit that remains in children, families, and communities.
