15 45 MINUTES WITH
JEAN-CLAUDE
AND JOYCE
J
ean-Claude was born in Burundi in East Africa
and grew up in a poor family in a war-torn
society. For five years he lived in a refugee
camp in Tanzania. He was one of the ‘lucky ones’
and migrated to Australia in 2004 where he had the
opportunity to build a better life. He started to work
and learn English, complementing his fluency in
Swahili, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda and French…pretty
impressive huh?!
Jean-Claude felt called to reach the various African
communities in Brisbane and was encouraged by his pastor
to plant a church. Sounds simple doesn’t it? I’m sure it wasn’t,
but Jean-Claude tells the story with simplicity and modesty.
Every challenge he faced is gloriously understated. Meeting
in a school hall, the church is a joyous place of worship,
particularly for people who have experienced great loss.
Jean-Claude has pastored the church for the last ten years
and raised up many leaders. Equipped with his TAFE study
in English, Jean Claude began the daunting task of studying
at Queensland’s Baptist Bible college. It wasn’t easy but he
made it through!
Joyce entered the scene in 2006, arriving from a Tanzanian
refugee camp having experienced terrible hardship. When
she was a little girl her mother ran for her life from her
abusive father. Joyce and her brother survived the negligent
and harsh treatment of their father and step-mother. She
remembers fetching water from the river one night when
an attacker armed with a large knife was near. A passer-by
quietly warned her of the danger and she ran to safety. She
thanks God for keeping her safe.
Jean-Claude fell for this beautiful, shy, woman with a
gorgeous singing voice and they married a year later. They
have busy, happy, safe life in Australia, raising their four kids
and serving a growing church community.
Here comes the bombshell.
God prompted Jean-Claude through a World Vision ad
on TV and a dream to consider returning to Africa. (Who
says watching TV is a time-waster?!) At first they were
unimpressed by the idea, but with prayer, wise counsel
and self-examination, they concluded that God’s call was
clear. The door to returning to Burundi was closed, but they
explored the work of Global Interaction among the Yawo in
Malawi. They are preparing to join the team soon!
GOD PROMPTED JEAN-CLAUDE THROUGH A
WORLD VISION AD ON TV AND A DREAM TO
CONSIDER RETURNING TO AFRICA.
In 2009 Jean-Claude sent a letter to the Australian
immigration department, requesting they allow his mother to
join the family in Australia. After seven years of waiting, he
received a letter saying “granted”! Bahati Nahabandi saw her
son for the first time in 15 years. Bahati has learned English,
played with her grandkids and most importantly, become a
follower of Jesus. Jean-Claude had the privilege of baptising
his mother! While the thought of leaving his mother again is
heart-wrenching, he is comforted to know that she is safe.
Jean-Claude and Joyce have known, in a way that many
Resonate readers can only imagine, what it’s like to be
protected and comforted by our loving God. They are keen
as mustard to share this love with those who haven't had the
chance to hear about Him. As they prepare to join the team in
Malawi, join us in prayer and support for this amazing family.
ways you can support Jean-Claude and his family
SMS JEAN-CLAUDE and your email
address to 0427444784 to receive
quarterly news from the family or
head to www.globalinteraction.org.
au/subscribe
SMS SUPPORT to 0427444784
to discuss joining their partnership
team, or check out the Global
Interaction website. www.
globalinteraction.org.au/JeanclaudeJoyce
Queenslanders can contact the
State Team to arrange a coffee,
small group meeting or church visit
with Jean-Claude and Joyce.
Call 07 3354 5603.