Chrissie Chapman - The Night the Angels Came: Miracles of Protection and Provision in Burundi

It is an honour and a privilege to write a foreword for this book. I have known Chrissie Chapman for many years, and count her as one of my heroes.

There is one story that sums up why I see her as a hero. The setting is Chrissies house and a group of armed men had taken charge of it. They were holding Chrissie at gunpoint, away from her orphan children. Hearing a shot from another room was too much for Chrissie. Without giving it a second thought, she charged out of the room like a mother bear whose cubs are in danger. The armed men, also alarmed by the shot, fled.

Chrissie has suffered from ill health and come close to death a number of times. On one occasion, she was hospitalized in south London for surgery but caught one of those hospital bugs as well. She was not expected to live. I was on my way back home to Vancouver, but when I heard of Chrissies state, I decided to leave early. At Heathrow, I placed my luggage in a container and caught a train to Paddington, then the underground and a bus to reach the hospital. When I walked into her ward, Chrissie was somewhat delirious and thought she was now in heaven and that I was an angel. She soon discovered I was no such being and became quite alert and I was able to pray for her. That was not the only time she fought for her life, however, throughout she continued to seek and serve God in Burundi following such challenges.

Furthermore, even as Burundi has suffered war a number of times, as is the case at this present moment, Chrissie continues to stand by her post, taking risks when others have left. This is the reason why Chrissie is one of my missionary heroes.

Barney Coombs

International Leader, Salt and Light Ministries

This book would not have been possible without the agreement of the children in the CRIB home and the team of people who work with me. Thank you for allowing me to tell your stories.

My friend Carleen Higgs has spent many hours typing, correcting, and editing the manuscript. I am so grateful for all the help and advice you have given me.

I have also greatly appreciated the assistance of my friend Dr Swee Lip Quek in the editing of the book. Thank you for encouraging me to finally put pen to paper.

I could not have written this book without all of their encouragement and commitment to help. I am greatly in their debt.

Lastly, I would like to thank my three wonderful children Lydia, Hannah, and Benjamin Chapman. Thank you for your cooperation with the writing of this book and allowing me to include your stories. I am a very proud mother.

I have lived and worked in Burundi for twenty-five years. It is a Third World country and they say that it ranks as the second poorest country in the world.

I went to Burundi as a medical missionary to open a maternity clinic and dispensary in a rural area of the country. I had been there just three years when a coup was declared and the country descended into a state of civil war for thirteen years. During that time, God directed me to work with orphans and widows. I started a centre for abandoned babies and traumatized children and I have been in a very privileged position of seeing the Lord doing the most amazing miracles in the lives of people who have lost every material possession. Many have lost family members and some their entire family.

For years, I have shared their stories as I have travelled and spoken in churches and Christian camps in England, Canada and America. Over and over again, many people have said to me that I should write a book detailing my experiences.

I feel that now is the time. There is a story to be told about the faithfulness and grace of God. The healing power of Jesus is still at work today. I have seen and experienced many miracles and feel it is long overdue that I start to document some of these events I have been privileged enough to witness.

My life has been the most incredible journey. I have been given the opportunity to walk a path in life which has been full of miraculous signs and wonders which proves the tremendous compassion, power and faithfulness of God. This is what I want to share. I believe that this book will be a great encouragement to many people. I am convinced that God can use these testimonies and stories to unleash a surge of faith. Consequently, this book will uplift and edify Christians the world over. It will also be directed to non-Christians to demonstrate that God, though almighty, loves and cares for them as individuals, more than they can possibly imagine. This book will debunk the notion that God is no longer in the business of miracles.

The small heart-shaped country of Burundi is situated in the central eastern part of Africa, which is also known as the African Great Lakes region. Although Burundi is referred to as landlocked, its capital city, Bujumbura, sits adjacent to the worlds second deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika.