“Imuhira Heza, Kirundi for “Home of Majesty,” is a home for 13 orphaned children, who are cared for by 2 widows, so they may live the lives God created them for. In the home, they are provided for, but also educated and encouraged to realize their identity as beloved and saved children of God through the salvation found in His Son, Jesus. The home was founded by Boneko Bonaventure, who grew up as an orphan with his widowed mother; his father was killed before he was even born. Boneko now manages the home in Bujumbura, Burundi, with his wife, Sarah.

In the poorest nations, such as Burundi, where it is hard to trust in the provision of a loving God, societies understandably develop a focus on self-survival, neglecting widows and orphans as each person struggles to provide for themselves. So Boneko and Sarah pray that Imuhira Heza will not only be a home for orphans and widows but also a growing Light of Faith in the local community. They trust that Imuhira Heza is a seed of God’s Kingdom where others may see the value and beauty of living by faith and caring for the poor and neglected.

This Light of Faith shines already, as by faith Boneko began providing care for widows and orphans even before the home existed. By faith, God provided a small plot of land to Boneko on his meagre salary. By faith, a young man across the ocean, when hearing about Boneko, was prompted by God to support this ministry project, and by faith, a foundation was laid within the week. And on that foundation of stones and faith, Imuhira Heza has been built.

Joining GCF and FGC has been a blessing as Boneko & Sarah have been connected with supporters in the USA & Canada. God proves faithful again and again through these few supporters, but it is not without struggles that Imuhira Heza exists. The current global financial climate of rising costs of food, gas, and building supplies has made it more difficult to provide for the mothers and children, as do the jealousies of others nearby who have seen the progress and tried to exploit it to their own benefit through theft and corruption.
Please stand with us against the enemy and fan to flame this Light of Faith in God’s Kingdom in Burundi.”

Prayer Request:

• For continued provision for widows, mothers, and children

• For success in school for the children (they have missed many school days not having had a proper home till June)

• For the local community to begin to support the work of caring for widows and orphans

• For the local church (Pentecostal church very close to Imuhira Heza) to recognize the good of what Boneko & Sarah are doing and desire to support them as a way of impacting their community (currently the church, which is supported by a church in Switzerland, has its own orphanage that is quite far away, and only supports that)

• For the myths to be dispelled that Boneko has some secret hidden wealth (Many people who see what he and Sarah are doing believe that there is no possible way he could do this unless he has great wealth. A belief has developed, even in the church, that help can only be provided when one has great wealth)

• For success in a small café business that Sarah plans to start later this year to help provide support for their family and for Imuhira Heza so that Boneko can focus more on the home and not have to also work in his teaching job (which pays very little)

• For healthy growth and delivery of Boneko and Sarah’s first child to be born next year in Feb