Time is a Precious Gift
Time is a precious gift. It is greater than any tangible gift you can receive. Our world’s lifestyle is beyond busy. It has brought us to the place where communications get ignored, forgotten or deleted. Technology, with all its benefits, has contributed to the inability for people to have face to face social connections. Giving and receiving the gift of time is what contributes to building strong relationships that are based on trust and respect. When God created us it was because Adam needed someone to develop a relationship with otherwise, he would have been left to be the “zookeeper” of the animals and the gardens of the world. The past 15 years of working I have realized the importance of meeting face to face with people prevents miscommunication and conflict. Yes, it takes time to arrange a time, place and in our case transportation but it never fails to establish groundwork for good relationships. I read recently that the gift of time is more precious than diamonds and it is the gift that people will remember.
Over the next few months we will be reflecting on what the percious gift of time has been doing in the Lord’s work in Burundi. Has everything worked perfectly? Free from frustration? Succeeded on the first attempt? I think you know the answer….not a chance! It has been a journey of trust, faith and grace establishing life long relationships leaving a legacy. A legacy of the Lord’s work guided by His wisdom, correction, love and leading others to follow Him.
Praising God for HIs gift of time!
Susan May, Co-founder
Burundi Hope Project
Sewing Center Kigobe: Vision to Sustainabilty
In 2018, we began with a simple vision: to help women earn income for their families. What started in a classroom with six sewing machines and six women facing difficult circumstances has grown into something far greater.
Today, Sewing Center Kigobe operates from its own facility—a renovated shipping container—with plans for expansion. The center now employs eight full-time tailors and four interns, while three additional sewing houses have been launched through local churches, providing income for eleven more families.
Although the center originally produced sustainable women’s hygiene kits, this effort did not generate the expected income. Instead, God opened a new door. Today, the primary source of revenue comes from producing school uniforms. A current 10-month contract with a private Christian school serving 1,800 students allows the center not only to sustain itself, but also to outsource work to smaller sewing houses—multiplying its impact. In May, we will pursue three additional contracts to expand this reach even further.
After eight years, the sewing center is now 99% sustainable. The remaining 1% is intentional, allowing us to prioritize fair wages while relying on outside support for growth and improvements.
Through our Burundi Blessings projects, we continue to bridge that gap—and this is where you, our ministry partners, can help.
We need to expand our space! We have an opportunity to double the size of the sewing center. New machines will be added and 6 more interns who will graduate from the sewing program at the deaf school will arrive in September.
The Need!
8 machines: $150 each
Renovation of an adjacent building and container: $1500
Room and Board support for the new interns: $50 per month for 6 months ( each intern) $1800 for all. Burundi Hope has safe housing options at Hope House helping them to work together and building life skills)
Pray how you can partner with us to help with this sustainable program for families in Burundi!
