Seasons

“To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”  Ecc. 3:1-2

From Diane:

Seasons – As night follows day, so do the seasons of life, each one with its own blessings and purpose. We have enjoyed many seasons together as a couple – parents, grandparents, and now great-grandparents; corporate life, and for the last 24 years - global missions. What beautiful seasons these have been. That big step of faith twenty-four years ago brought some of the most beautiful, intense, fulfilling times of our lives, particularly when we met Peace Nihorimbere and began the journey of Hope4Burundi.

We have prayed consistently about the future of the Hope4Burundi ministry, always seeking God’s direction, for it is His ministry. We are deeply thankful for the incredible privilege it is to have deep relationships with the incredible staff God has put together for Homecare, to be a part of the Homecare family (and it is indeed family!), and feel so much at home in Burundi. After much prayer and consideration of health and other needs, we realize that we are entering a new season of life, which invites us into a different role within the ministry.

It has been a joy to represent the ministry and oversee the administration of resources and future planning, but it is now our joy to have Suzanne and Rick Handley step into the roles of President and Vice-President.

Long-time friends of the ministry, board members and chairman with experience working in Burundi and working alongside Peace, Suzanne and Rick have always had great hearts for missions, particularly in Africa. They have been involved in many roles to support global outreach, specifically Hope4Burundi, bringing their special giftedness to the ministry.

In the past few years, they have received intense training in organizational leadership, Biblical foundation for ministry, and special IT skills, which will greatly benefit the ministry.

With great joy, we confidently welcome the Handleys into this new season for the ministry and for them personally as they assume these new roles.

From Suzanne:

A young girl pours over maps of faraway places (I still love maps), checks out library books about cultures and archaeology, and fans the flame of a tiny Indiana Jones-like adventure. Dreams of a stint with the Peace Corps after high school tug at her heart. But alas, back then, that wasn’t encouraged. The light went out…or so she thought. (God keeps an ember of desire in you for something He plants in your heart.)

Fast forward to 1993. The girl now has a husband, a family, and a reignited spark for her faraway continent. God moved a little like-minded family to Texas so they could work with an organization to get ready to go to Africa (Burkina Faso or Kenya) to translate the Bible.

I remember we were willing to downsize, raise support and leave our comfort zone. Though we were willing, God’s plan changed, and we found ourselves helping missionaries get to the far-off lands while traveling to some of the same lands ourselves. Then we were led to focus on the world but “bloom where we were planted” and forged relationships, allowed leadership training (we like to learn), and enabled freedom from debt. In our relationship bucket, we managed to accrue 20 years of friendship and family bonds with John and Diane Crews. None of us knew Hope4Burundi would be one of the highlights.

Nearly 30 years later, He faithfully remembers our heart’s desires. He knew what He was doing. God always has a plan. He trains and readies along the way. He surprises, He refreshes, He remembers dreams. He remembered ours, and it thrills my heart that He remembered the awe and wonder of a young girl in love with the culture of a faraway continent.

I’m so excited to work with Rick to continue the legacy John and Diane have lovingly started!