A Happy New Year 2010!

The Hope Centre kids had a very special Christmas this year.   The sponsors from the UK donated a pot of money which was to provide a Christmas party for the children in the centre.   Pastor Leonard however saw that many children in the surrounding homes are so poor that they were going to miss out on Christmas while the Hope Centre kids were having a party.   It was agreed that an invitation would be extended to some of the poorest children to come along to the Hope Centre Christmas party, in the end 114 children attended in total, 72 village children came along and of course the Hope Centre kids too.   Everyone had a wonderful day, a very special Christmas Day indeed.

To visit the Hope Centre Blog to see more on this story click here.

'Movember'?
The Month of 'Movember' has been added to the fund-raising calendar, well, at least for 2009 since in Movember 2009 a charity fund-raiser was organised by friends of David Henderson to raise some support for the work of Mission International, the group of lads (for obvious reasons) grew facial hair below their noses in keeping with the international fund-raising events (see the following link) http://uk.movember.com/.   In all the group raised £75 which will be used to support the poor in the developing world.


Movember Madmen!

The Three Moustache-eers pictured above were responsible for zany fund-raising escapades around the city of Edinburgh where they live and work.   Thanks to the lads and to those who sponsored them.


Your sponsored event:
If you would like to do a sponsored event for Mission international, please get in touch with us so we can provide you with what you need. 

The Hope Centre kids are reaping the benefits of their hard work earlier in the year, seeing a wonderful crop of onions being harvested.

To see more on this story, click here

Hungry children need sponsors!

Ghana's Children like many others are hungry this Christmas, 

Click here to see how you can help.

Seasons Greetings from Mission International

The message of Christmas:
The work that Mission International carries out amongst the world's poorest people in never so much brought into focus than it is at this time of year.   The Christmas message, of a wonderful Saviour who came to earth to reconcile mankind to God and who called men to follow him in serving the world, is still fully true today.   The support we receive from generous hearted people around the country is welcome here in Mission International's office but so much more welcome to those who receive support in terms of a project, or just a meal on Christmas Day.  (Please visit our various projects from this page to see how God has blessed so many during the year, the blogroll is on the right hand column of this page).

Thank you!
We all, volunteers and recipients alike, want to say a huge thank you to those who have selflessly supported those in need, who have gone on a team or who have prayed for us.   We need you to know that what we do would not have been possible had you not joined with us in this way.

May God bless, you for your kindness, hard work and commitment to the work, we pray that this Christmas will be the best ever for you as you experience the Saviour on the Saviour's Day.

Ambassadors for the poor - Christmas Fayre, a great success!

The Port Seton Ambassadors for the Poor Christmas Fayre is fast becoming an annual event.  A large number of folks turned up on the day to enjoy some Christmas shopping.   Stovies, soup and the ubiquitous tea and coffee were also there helping the consumption of a mountain of home made cakes and other tasty bites.

A special guest arrived too to meet the many children who were there,  

To see more on this story

Click here

Peace on earth?

At a time when we celebrate 'Peace On Earth' it is wonderful to see peace in action.   The photo shows one of the Hope Centre kids at peace, sleeping on her bed.   These children are learning what peace is all about.   Burundi has been at war for about 14 years and has recently signed a peace agreement.  Lets hope the peace agreement lives up to the kind of peace expected by the children at the Hope Centre and so many more.

To see more on developments at the Hope Centre in Burundi click here.

Sewing Machines - Burundi

Funds raised by Mission International donors has made possible a grant to provide sewing machines for needy families in Burundi.   The machines will be used to make clothing in areas of the country where families are returning from refugee camps in Tanzania and DR Congo.   The people who have benefitted from these grants are now able to develop their own income generating tailoring project which will allow them to feed their families and raise income to send their children to school as well as make it possible to develop the project for the future.

To find out more click here.

Support-Link projects

Can your church/group help?

Mission International receives requests from churches and ministries in the developing world on a regular, almost daily basis, some known to us and some we would like to link up with in the future. These requests vary from support to build a church or a school, begin a water project or support with evangelism teams. Unfortunately we do not currently have the resources in terms of finance or personnel to help in every situation, however it may be that your church or group would like to link up with a needy community in the developing world in order to help them in a short, medium or long-term basis.

'Hands On' approach:

Churches and community groups, including schools and colleges are able to raise considerable support for charitable purposes however they may not then be able to carry this through to a satisfactory conclusion. You may feel that you would like to be much more 'hands on' with your fundraising and giving, wishing to see the results of what you have achieved in terms of bricks and mortar or lives changed. If this is the case Mission International can link you up to a specific project, one which is in great need but to date has not managed to find an appropriate sponsor to help them. Your church or group would then take on the responsibility of raising the funds, providing some personnel and getting closely involved in the project. This kind of scheme can provide useful links in terms of experience, ministry and global citizenship for many UK groups.

If you would like to find out more please get in touch with us on mail@mission-international.org

To keep up to date with Support Link please click here.

Water for Nyembuye?

Christian Engineers in Development survey Nyembuye hillside:

Christian Engineers in Development have recently carried out a detailed report on the water situation in and around Nyembuye a rural village near Rutana in Burundi. Mission International partners Rema Ministries have constructed a very strategic medical centre in the village which services the wider region. Currently the water supply is unable to cope with the needs of the centre and of the local community, however CED's report suggests that when the water supply is captured along with rainwater then this will majorly change the situation for the better. The Nyembuye clinic
Children carry water often for many miles

Engineer measures water flow from local spring on a nearby hillside.
To see the CED site click here

Mission International is now in the process of seeking funding to make sure this community is provided with the much needed water which is available on the hillside nearby.

We would like to visit you to share the vision of Mission International:

Mission International has a strong vision to Preach disciple and help the poor in particular in the developing world. If you would like one of us to come to your church or church group then we would be delighted to do so. To arrange a visit to your area please email us on mail@mission-international.org

Hope Centre Burundi gets electricity supply!

To see more on this story please click here.

To support the work of the Hope Centre please use the finance options on the right column of this page.

fishin4god website

fishin4god provides some useful materials:

http://www.fishin4god.co.uk/

People for Jesus - Kenya:

People for Jesus international continue to work amongst the Maasai people in Kenya. To see more on their work amongst this ancient people click here.

Annual General Meeting:

Mission International AGM:

The Mission International Annual General Meeting will be held at The MI office 25 Tait's Lane, Dundee on 5th December 2009 at 14.30. This meeting will be followed by a trustees meeting.

Hope Centre - gardens are doing well!

The Hope Centre in Burundi is now seeing the results of a planned seed planting project from earlier in the year. The unused areas of ground within the compound were laid aside to produce seedlings of cabbages, onions and marrows and now the crops are being harvested.
To see more on this great story please click here.

£3.00 per child for a special Christmas meal!

This Christmas could be so much more special and exciting for children in the developing world if they were to be provided with a special Christmas day meal by The BIG Meal programme. Many children's Christmas experience is just another day facing the grind of poverty and the pangs of hunger which affect their lives - "same old, same old". However, it is possible for you to help a child enjoy Christmas Day by simply donating £3.00 to Mission International's The BIG Meal.

To support The BIG Meal please use the options on the right hand column of this page. To see more on The BIG Meal click here.

More than Conquerors - DVDs now out!

DVD accompanying Simon Guillebaud's new book.
Our friends at Great Lakes Outreach have some wonderful stories to tell. The book and DVDs will give some great insight into their work and will inspire you to serve God as you are intended to do.

An Ideal Christmas gift!

The video series to accompany Simon Guillebaud's book are now on release. To get hold of a copy click here.

Get ready for Christmas!

Seems like this message could be the central theme over the next couple of months. The media managers from shopping outlets in the high street and on-line will want to tell us what it is that they have that we need to have and how inexpensively we can have it.

Our western society has become bogged down in the kind of materialism that developing world families can only dream about. Just recently whilst in Burundi with a mission team we came across a woman with impacted wisdom teeth. It was clear that she would need specialist surgery and so we took her from her rural village to a good hospital in the capital city. While we waited for the surgeon we spent just a couple of hours at the shores of Lake Tanganyika. This woman was so overwhelmed by her visit, she drank some Coca Cola and enjoyed the cool breeze and watched the people as they swam in the water. She thought that she had "reached heaven already".

This Christmas maybe together we can bring some smiles to many more of the faces of those whose lives are a constant grind to survive. Even a small donation of £10 can allow Mission International to bring joy to a family at Christmas time.

If you would like to support Mission International as we bring smiles to faces around the developing world then please use the options on the right hand column of this page.

Mighty Meals - £25/year provides a meal every day at school:

Mighty Meals:
Mission International's Mighty Meals project seeks to find a meal a day for needy kids whilst they are at school. The opportunity to have an education is often missed if potential pupils are not able to find a meal each day. The Mighty Meals project makes sure that a child who cannot afford a meal is provided with food each day whilst they are at school, this costs only £25/year. If you would like to support this visit our Mighty meals blog.

The Big Meal:
The BIG Meal provides a special meal on Christmas Day for needy kids in the developing world. For just £3/child Christmas day can be changed into a special day and remind those for whom no-one cares that Jesus cares for them. If you would like to provide a meal for a child on Christmas Day please visit our Big Meal blog.

Mission International Teams for 2010

Mission Teams 2010

If you would like to reserve a place on one of Mission International's teams during 2010 then please get your application form in soon.

Potential teams:
We hope to run teams to the following destinations:

• Burundi - almost full
• Kenya - to work with the Maasai people
• India - Serving with Christians in Andhra Pradesh
• Mission International has also been asked to raise a team of builders to help build a school in Rwanda, if you are interested as a skilled tradesman or would like to labour or help in any way please let us know.

Application forms are available on the teams update blog page a link to which you will find on the right hand column.

PTI team visit Hope Centre:

Encouraging visit:
A team from PTI (Partners Trust International) visited the Hope Centre recently. The team spent time with the children singing songs and enjoying their company.

To see more on this story click here.

Fundraising is a cake walk?

50th Birthday raises funds for Mission International:

To see how a, very young, 50 year old raised funds for the poor at their birthday party click here.

Gory exploits of Gustave - report from Burundi:

Giant kills hundreds!

Click here to see more on this story!

Bag Packing Fun!

Supermarket hosts Mission International Fundraisers:

A team of hardworking fundraisers have been given the opportunity to help customers packing their shopping bags at a local Somerfield store. Some members of the team have already visited Burundi and were so affected by the poverty they saw that they now want to try to make a difference there.

The picture shows some of the bag packers hard at work. Customers have been very generous and the team are raising worthwhile support for the work of Mission International.

To find out more about how you can raise funds to support the poor click here.

Bible Handbooks reach students:

Theology students receive encouragement:
After carrying a consignment of Bible Handbooks to Burundi on a recent mission trip, team members donated the books to the Anglican Bible College students in Matana. The books were given to Mission International by Signpost International after they were found to be surplus to their requirements. The books are a very valuable resource to students who will emerge as ministers in the Anglican church and will help them to provide a service to the church in Burundi.

Mission International, over recent years has provided Bibles for needy church pastors and leaders and is keen to develop this side of the ministry in areas where the written word is scarce.

To support the provision of literature for Mission International partners in the developing world please use the options on the left hand column of this page.

To see more information on the literature we can provide please click here.

A real 'Showstopper'!

Holiday Bible Club raises funds for Hope Centre Burundi!

Members of a Westhill church in Aberdeenshire have raised a total of £102 for the Hope Centre as a result of running a cafe with the club. This is a real encouragement to all of us and show initiative as the group used the opportunity to share what they have with the poor, what better idea for a Bible Club?The hard workers stop for a photo as they use their time skills and initiative to be a blessing to those who are in difficult circumstances.Cafe patrons enjoy the experience in the full knowledge that their support will in turn make a difference in the developing world. Well done everybody!

To support the Hope Centre please use the options on the right hand column of this page.

To see how to start an 'Ambassador's for the Poor' group in your area please click here

An old sewing machine gets a new lease of life:

Rema Ministries serves the Burundian people:
Rema Ministries, a local Burundian NGO is continually working to serve the people of Burundi, their work involved the support of those returning refugees currently being repatriated to Burundi after years of exile due to war, in neighbouring countries like DR Congo and Tanzania.

One of the team, Micheline, is seen here delivering an old Singer sewing machine, which arrived in Burundi in a container a few months ago, to a group of ladies who will use it to develop an income generating project supporting those with HIV/AIDS.

To see more on the work of Rema Ministries please click here.

To support the work of Rema Ministries please use the options on the right hand column of this page.

Team members support Hope Centre project:

Young Mission Team members make a difference by their commitment:

The three Girls sort through bag loads of gifts carried for the children of the Hope centre and others.

Three of the latest Burundi team, now returned from their trip, have made substantial contributions to the support of the Hope Centre project and to the children supported there. Alison, Amy and Rheagan, three school girls who were part of the team, had raised a considerable amount of support before heading out on the trip to Africa. The three used the funds they had raised in some really significant ways. Firstly they were able to sponsor three of the Hope Centre kids for a year, then they started a goat project by funding the purchase of the first three goats as well as leaving funds to purchase cement for the continuation of the building programme.

Here the girls get involved in team activities presenting stories songs and dramas to the children, ably assisted by their Kirundi translator Berry.

If you would like to be part of a team then have a look at the teams update page link and the teams application form on the right hand column of this page.

Maasai people hear the Good News!

People for Jesus International Ministries serves an ancient people.

To see more on the work amongst the Maasai click here:

Mission Teams for 2010

Planning already underway for 2010 Mission Teams:

To view potential team options for 2010 please click here:

Meet MAF pilot at Church on the Way, Blairgowrie - click on image to enlarge!

Christians continue to suffer in Pakistan:

News reports continue to arrive:
Mission International has received reports from Mountain of Jesus Ministries in Pakistan to highlight the continued abuses being meted out by extremists in Pakistan against Christian communities.

To see a more detailed report click here.

Best Team ever?

Missioners return after widely appreciated team experience:

Mission Internationals Burundi team are all back home again after what may be considered the most effective team ever. The team of 15 people young and old were well received as they served the people in various centres around the country.
Teams organiser and assistant leader, John Southwick, preaches to a large group of people in Ruziba as part of the experience. To see a more detailed report click here.
To apply for a place on a Mission International Team click here.

Burundi Team 2009 sets off!

Team time:
A 15 strong mission team from Scotland will set off for Burundi on 14th July for a few weeks. If you would like to follow the progress of the team then please click on the 'Mission Team Update' link on the right hand column of this page.
The team has medical and dental tea members as well as those who will get involved in evangelism and church teaching, training and support activities.

Ambassadors for the Poor Groups:

How you can help find the necessary funds to support a project:
As you will see from this blog, and the other blogs specific to the projects we are supporting, there is always a need for funding to start, develop and sustain projects until they become established and self sustaining. One way that you can be involved in this work with us is to join or start a local 'Ambassadors for the Poor' group in your area.

Ideas:
You may already have some good ideas for fundraising or maybe you would like some suggestions and ideas for getting started, whatever your situation we are here to help. To have a look at what folks have already achieved then the 'Ambassadors for the poor blog is a good place to start, please click here.

Please get involved in whatever way you can:
Your support and help in the raising of much needed funds would be very welcome. If you would like to discuss the matter further or get involved in Ambassadors for the Poor then please contact us on mail@mission-international.org

Hope Centre - Sustainability!

Hope Centre starts a new project:
Pastor Leonard Tuyishimire has, in a quest to make the Hope Centre more sustainable, begun a small garden project. The photos below show seeds being sown and protected from the sun.

Young seedlings are protected by a grass covered shade to protect them, once they become established the shade will be removed and when the seedlings are strong enough they will be planted out and in turn will provide food for the family and a source of income as well.

To see more on this story and see a pictorial history on the whole Hope Centre project from the start please go to http://www.hopecentreburundi.com/

Mission International's Hope Centre Blog also contains some further information http://hope-centre-burundi.blogspot.com/

To support the Hope Centre Burundi financially please use the options on the right column of this page.

Pakistani Christians receive food support:

A welcome gift from Mission International supporters:
Friends and supporters of have recently sent funds to Pakistan via Mission International to help Christians who have been left destitute due to the brutality of fundamentalists who have destroyed their homes, abused and killed their people and left them in dire circumstances, requiring medical aid, housing and food.

To see more on this story click here: