Field Report - BURUNDI

February 28th, 2026
by VAL BATCHELOR

In 2004 & 2005, then from 2009 to 2012, Flame worked with the Burundi Anglican Church and Harvest for Christ. Some of you reading this report may have been with us in Burundi; others may recall praying for the missions. We travelled the land visiting each Diocese twice and then ran a two-week School in Bujumbura for 32 selected students. Packed our Props bag and left.

Until … an unexpected call for help came from our dear friend and Burundi missionary, Alison, who remembered us from 15 years ago.

Following prayer to seek God’s will, a visit was agreed. How would it feel going back after all this time? I knew the nation was suffering, more than my previous visits. The country is facing an unprecedented economic crisis with inflation said to be approaching 45%. Over half of the population are living in poverty according to the United Nations and next to South Sudan, Burundi is the poorest nation in the World. Burundians face shortages of fuel, water, and electricity, which have affected the delivery of public services such as health care and education. How could we, a small Christian charity, help in this overwhelming situation? We know that we can only offer the little we have but we have a supernatural God for whom nothing is impossible and who loves the nation of Burundi.

Sharon and I, together with Dr Emmanuel Ndikumana, his team at Partners Trust International Church, and Alison, met in Bujumbura for 4 days. We went to build relationships with Emmanuel and his team and to explore how we could work together. Our response to the cry for help was a small Flame team working side-by-side with Burundi brothers and sisters, not the normal Flame conferences.

Sharon and I arrived on the Saturday, settled into the Catholic Conference Centre, and spent time in prayer and intercession. Sunday, we met Emmanuel in his church and Sharon preached on trauma. Several people testified to receiving from the Lord and one lady was healed of a deep-seated trauma. In the afternoon we enjoyed fellowship with 15 missionaries and their families for a devotion led by me and to share Flame’s ministry.

Monday morning, we shared Flame’s ministry with around 20 of Emmanuel’s team and their invited guests and listened to their stories. On Tuesday morning Sharon taught on Fear and I taught on Forgiveness. Both teachings were well received and very helpful in our further discussions. On both days the intention was for Sharon and me to partner with Burundi pastors to pray for a family and others who had asked for prayer. What a delight to discover that the two pastors we worked with are experienced prayer ministers and Pastor Bernard was trained by Flame 15 years ago. It is very rare to receive such exciting feedback!

On Wednesday afternoon God answered our prayers. Four special guests arrived at the Catholic Conference Centre:

Stephen the Vice President of the Police Christian Union.
Dr Michel Nsabiyumva a medical doctor and born-again believer who devised and has been running a secular Trauma Healing programme for 8 years. He has recently been charged by the President to roll out the course across the Police Force.
A Major in the Police and a member of the Police Christian Union, and
Nibitanga Cecile also a member of the Police Christian Union. Cecile remembered me from 15 years ago and testified that she and her pastor husband are using the Flame notes in their pastoral work.

Two other key attendees were Remy, a man of influence closely connected with the Police, and Bruno, a retired Lt Col and a key contact with the military. We had been praying for this meeting but very unsure of it happening. Only God could orchestrate such an event and He amazed us all. For two hours I shared who Flame is and why we had returned to Burundi. Emmanuel opened the discussion when the issue of trauma in the government and the nation was sensitively discussed. This then culminated in total agreement that Flame and the Police Christian Union (as lead) would work together, and a strategy and action plan implemented, underpinned by prayer and intercession. An air of praise and thanksgiving to God filled the room but we all understood that there is much work to be done.

Our final day and day of departure opened with a breakfast meeting between Emmanuel, Alison, Sharon and me. We reflected on what was shared the previous afternoon, what this meant, and might look like. Emmanuel is a strategist and had already come up with an outline for the next visit in June 2026 and probably a follow-up mission in the Autumn. The detail is to be prayed in but in outline our small Flame team will train and minister to the Burundi team drawn from the priesthood (the priests). Selected prayer ministers from this group will join with Flame to teach and minister to senior officials (the prophets) who will testify to God’s healing to their senior managers (the kings). The priests not selected as prayer ministers will form the intercession group to intercede for the prophets and kings.

What seemed impossible to achieve in 4 days was proved possible for God and we rejoice in the plans and purposes revealed to us by God. The hard work continues across Burundi where the light of Christ is already shining into the darkness, and the valley of poverty, death and destruction looks full of hope for this nation. We stand with those who are already preparing the ground. We cannot and do not underestimate what God can do and so we remain obedient to His plans and prayerfully seek to understand His wisdom. I am reminded of an African proverb so apt for Burundi. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

My name is Nduwayo Bernard, and I am a pastor at Shammah Temple Fellowship. I am married and blessed with three children.

In 2013, I attended a trauma healing seminar organized by Flame International in partnership with Harvest Initiatives in an Anglican church. The five days I spent at this seminar had a profound impact on my life.

The Biblical approach introduced by Flame International focuses on restoring relationships that have been broken due to sin. It encourages repentance and emphasizes prayer as a significant tool in breaking the bonds of negative spirits and attitudes.

In our country, we endured a period of war, and during that time my brother was taken by the police and killed. We were never allowed to see him again, and we could not even bury him. This deeply affected me emotionally. However, during the seminar, I made the choice to forgive the police officers, and when I brought my pain and concerns to the cross, I was set free from the emotional bondage I had been carrying.

In my pastoral ministry, the teachings I received from Flame International have equipped me to help others identify the root causes of their problems and guide them toward reconciliation with God.

I learned how to pray for believers who are affected by trauma and how to support their emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. I now recognize how to help people heal in every area of their lives —spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The Biblical teachings I received from Flame International are practical and can be used effectively in the church. I also learned the importance of truly listening to others, allowing them to express their pain and find healing through God’s love and grace.

Posted in Burning Issues