23 January 2005
HAPPY TO HELP DIDI HAVYARIMANA - Bujumbura, Burundi
Ancilla Diddy Havyarimana took a while to become a disciple as she wrestled with the decision and wondered if she could stay faithful as a Christian. However, she has taken little time since getting baptized to resolve to give God her best.
Didi was first reached out to in Kampala in early 1998 while on an academic trip, but did not get baptized until August of 2001 after the church had been planted in her hometown of Bujumbura, Burundi. Two years later, she was asked to take up the leadership of the women's ministry in the Bujumbura church, while continuing to hold down her job as assistant Logistics Coordinator with an American NGO, International Medical Corps.
"When I was asked to lead the women," Didi recalls, "I was very much scared, I kept on asking if they were sure it was the right thing." While some sisters "were very supportive and encouraging," others "were disappointed that no full-timer would be brought in to lead them, and some told me they were afraid that I would not make it."
This was just one of the challenges. Another, Didi shares, is time. "Sometimes I feel frustrated because I cannot spend as much time as I want to with the sisters, especially the marrieds. Another challenge is the change of schedule at work, which can occur and affect my ministry. I may have planned to do something in the ministry, maybe meet the sisters or study the Bible with a friend after working hours, then my work takes longer than expected or my boss calls me for something urgent."
But Didi has been undaunted, and God has worked through her and the women's ministry. Apprehension has been replaced by conviction. "The sisters have noticed that great things are possible and they are giving their best to help," Didi shares. God has graced the women's ministry in Bujumbura with inspiring victories.
In early 2004 the seven sisters at the time had an incredible attendance of 151 at their Women's Day.
On a personal note, Didi also shares, "I had been praying to restore a good friend of mine who was among the first disciples, she was restored this year and she is a great disciple. At the Women's Day, many of the people I invited came and some are studying the Bible."
Didi is grateful for the opportunity to lead and to learn. "Since starting to lead the sisters I have learnt to be so much more giving and loving. Before I had never taken much time to pray for my sisters each by the name. This is victory over Satan."
"The women of Bujumbura are great ladies. They love God and I am sure that together we will evangelize and change women of this small town. We have decided to hold very early morning prayers for the church to grow spiritually and numerically, and I believe that the church is going to have a great impact in Bujumbura soon."
And who would believe otherwise, with God working through a dynamic, spiritual leader like Didi, whose life illustrates that with a full-time, sold-out heart, grateful to God and happy to help, anyone can have a great and eternal impact in the kingdom of God.
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