Prior to becoming a Christian eight years ago Faustin Nsengimana’s life was a mess. Faustin was an alcoholic and in terrible physical condition. He severely neglected his family. He was physically and emotionally abusive to his wife and kids, and careless about his kids’ education, food, health insurance, and other basic needs. Faustin said that his kids would sit at home while he drank because he would not pay for them to go to school. He also said that he didn’t even really know what “mutuelle” (health insurance) was at the time. He was only concerned about himself and getting drunk… “I only saved my money in bars.” At his lowest point, he realized that God had bigger plans for him.

Pastor Joel’s story is a beautiful picture of interdependency – a mutual seeing and meeting of needs. Interdependency provides a firm foundation for healthy societal, relational, spiritual, and economic development.