What is a “sharing Vesper”? For all non-Swabians: "Vesper" means "school snack”.
For a few weeks now, Theo has been going back to the French preschool here in Bujumbura. One of the highlights for him every day is snack time. He loves food! The fact that we have so much choice every day and that we have so much to eat is rare in Burundi. In the last few weeks, we have seen this particularly clearly.
One man we had helped to buy medicine said that at the end of the month his family ran out of money to buy food. We are now also getting to know the young people better in our church and Manuel learns about their personal situations. Some are really hungry and are so grateful if you bring them something to eat. Pascal* works as a mobile phone credit seller. But he needs 80% of his small salary every month to pay the rent. All he has left to buy food is 10,000-20,000 FBU (equivalent to 3-6 dollars).
We know that in a country like Burundi we cannot alleviate all needs, but over and over again we realize how we can really support others in need with the money and resources we have. Be it the purchase of medication or a gift of bread. People need help to buy notebooks and pens at the start of the school year or to pay for a funeral.
Again and again we are the ones who are generously gifted. For example, from other missionaries who went back to Germany to start another work there. Theo is so happy about the great paints they gave us :). And so often we are overwhelmed by how generously people donate towards our ministry. As a family, we want to pass on this generosity and include our children in this lifestyle. This is how the idea of the sharing snack came about. It’s supposed to help Theo to give freely and to give others the joy of receiving presents. He gets a great snack for school and in the morning we decide together which part is for him and which part he should share with another child (doesn't always work out 😊). He often talks about it later, and we hope it inspires the joy of sharing in him.
Thank you very much and above all we wish you the joy of giving generously and making a difference in the world with your resources. God bless you!
Sharing „Vesper“