Hi everyone!

Well I guess this in some ways could be considered the start of my STEP trip to Burundi with the familiar curtain raiser, my first ever solo prayer letter. I just pray that the Lord will give me the words to put into this letter and that it will give everyone a good idea of my state of mind at present.

This last 10 months has been an amazing time in my life since returning with the Burundi Meta team in August 2009. The Lord blessed us all so much on that trip and in the time since. From a personal perspective, not only did he bring me to an amazing country with amazing people but He has blessed me with some amazing friends from the team and CMS in general – my life has been transformed through it all. Such amazing love it’s really difficult at times to comprehend.

In addition to this I was very aware that the Lord had also given me the desire to return to Burundi and over this past year one amazing thing after another has occurred to ensure that this was indeed possible. Not least that as a change from my previous occupation, the Lord has brought me into lecturing within the Further Education sector and because of this I am able to go to Burundi again for 3 months when within my previous job this wouldn’t have been practical. So many of the other guys on the team have encouraged me greatly also to return and I owe them all so much.

The thought of going away for three months is really exciting. However I would possess a heart of stone if I was to say that I wouldn’t miss many friends, neighbours and family from here while I’m gone. Also not being able to attend my church will be hard but I know that everyone is praying for me and that makes all the difference. Last Saturday (29th May) a couple of friends of mine organized a barbecue for me and about 30 people from all spheres of my life turned up and it was an amazing evening. My sincerest thanks go out to Robbie & Joyce for their efforts, to everyone who turned up and I’m going to miss you all much. It goes without saying also that I’m going to miss my mother and father immensely and they are such wonderful parents and help me so much with everything I go to do. I’m sure that they think – to coin an Irish phrase – that I’m off my rocker sometimes but they still love me and I’m so privileged. I will miss my two brothers also and little niece and nephew but our paths will cross again soon.

I can’t thank everyone at CMS enough for how much they’ve helped me over this past two years and this last year in particular. I truly have met some wonderful people through this avenue and they have demonstrated such patience and love with me every step off the way and I owe them all so much. In particular I would like to thank Niall, Gillian, Roger and Sarah for everything. You are all amazing people and also my congratulations go to Sarah and her fiance again as they get married in my absence. May God bless you both abundantly in the beginning of your life together.

I would also like to thank all the other guys who helped me along the way such as those guys who interviewed me for the STEP programme up in Ballintoy. A big thank you to Alan, Margaret, Barbara and Linda for this. So many people have been so generous. God has really provided when it has come to things like finances, paperwork etc and it’s so humbling to see how many people want to do something for you when they find out you’re going to serve the Lord.

So in summary I would just like to thank each and every person who has accompanied me on this journey to date.

I would also appreciate it greatly and thank you in advance if you could pray for me whilst I am away.

The first two weeks I reckon are going to be particularly challenging as I acclimatize to my new environment. I also would value your prayers and indeed would pray myself that the Lord could use me in a mighty way when in Burundi and that I could be extremely effective for Him whilst out there. At the end of the day the way I see it is that whilst the physical construction of the buildings is and will be important, the most important thing is building God’s kingdom on earth and making disciples for Him. Please pray that I can be effective in this area. I am also looking so forward to meeting old acquaintances and making new friends whilst out there and so please pray that this might be so. Finally please continue to pray for Burundi in general and for the elections ongoing at the moment. Please pray that they remain peaceful and democratic and that the result of them will be further stability and prosperity for this amazing country.

It only remains for me to say that I love you all and that I will see you all again very soon, God willing. You are all truly great people and may God bless you in everything you do.

I will pray for you all,

Nagasaga,

Alastair Donaldson