In August, I had the incredible opportunity to embark on a life-changing mission trip to Burundi, Africa. Our team may have been small, but we were undeniably mighty! Just as God called Gideon to save a nation by downsizing his army so He could receive all the glory, God chose to do the same with our mission team. It consisted of myself, my 13-year-old son Israel, and my dedicated assistant Crystal Dawson.

Traveling across the world to serve alongside Pastor Alexis Ceaser, we poured our hearts into the communities at Teen Challenge Burundi and Key to Life Church. One of the highlights of our journey was participating in a three-day conference to celebrate eight impactful years of Key to Life Church. We boldly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, and once again witnessed the transformative power of Jesus—seeing souls saved and bodies healed.

During our time in Burundi, we had the privilege of visiting the site where a new children’s home is being built to support the children in the village. It was profoundly moving to see this project aimed at providing hope and a better future for these kids. I am excited to announce my plans to return in July with a larger team in 2026 to continue our work and support this vital mission.

One of the most powerful moments of the trip occurred during a baptism ceremony held at the river at 6 a.m. People traveled on foot, starting as early as 4 a.m., to meet us at the river for this sacred event. The joy of the Lord filled the atmosphere as they were baptized; many were not only physically immersed in the water but also spiritually renewed. We witnessed individuals being set free from years of shame and receiving the Holy Spirit in a profound way.

To God be the glory for all He accomplished during this trip! The experience was a beautiful reminder of His faithfulness and the impact we can have when we step out in faith, no matter the size of our team.

Thank you for your prayers and support. I look forward to sharing more about our future missions and how you can get involved!

Blessings,
Christine Atkinson