The Night the Angels Came: Miracles of protection and provision in Burundi

by Chrissie Chapman

Trained as a midwife, Chrissie Chapman went to Burundi in the nineties to open a maternity clinic and dispensary in a rural area of the country. She had been there just three years when a coup was declared, and the country descended into a state of civil war. It lasted for thirteen long years. During that time, God directed her to work with the orphans and widows. She started a centre for abandoned babies and traumatised children and saw the Lord performing remarkable miracles in the lives of people who had lost everything. Chrissie adopted three children herself, and has raised more than fifty others to young adulthood. Again and again she has witnessed miracles of protection and provision. When the war started, Chrissie, her adopted children, and the health staff were living in a rural location on top of a mountain, in a healing centre, with maternity clinic and dispensary. Every night there was gunfire, and every day people would come seeking refuge. One night, she and David Ndarahutse, the mission director, were sitting praying amid the fighting, when David said, 'Chrissie, look up.' There were dozens of angels standing on top of the walls of the healing centre. That was the night the angels came. 'From that moment on,' Chrissie records, 'I have never experienced or felt fear for my life.' Today Chrissie divides her time between Burundi, where she continues to care for the teenagers in her charge, and England, Canada and America, where she speaks widely about the faithfulness and power of God.

Genres: Christian

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2016

Reviews

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story! I love reading about how God cares and provides for His children, and this is another excellent example of that truth. A friend recommended this book to me, and on a whim, I looked it up—and was delighted to find a used copy for a decent price. This made for a fascinating read recently, and many of the stories related in this book remind me of other missionaries who have had experiences of the Lord’s help and provision in desperate situations.

Writing with clarity and refreshing honesty, Chrissie shares her story—from a midwife in the mountains of Burundi, to a mother of abandoned children in a city at war. The stories she tells of God’s hand at work are awe-inspiring and make me want to follow the Lord even more closely. I love it when a book does that to me! Some of her stories made me cry; the plights of some of those dear children were distressing, to say the least.

But overall, this was an encouraging read, and it made me remember again what a great God we serve, and how much hope we have. Even if things don’t turn out the way we ask for, He is still God, and He is still good.

If you enjoy true stories of people serving the Lord and seeing Him work in their lives, I’d recommend this book to you.

[Yolande · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and encouraging memoir of a woman faithfully serving orphans and widows, and seeking God's provision in Burundi.

Despite many seemingly impossible and life-threatening challenges Chrissie Chapman remained faithful to God's call and she reflects on her life with such a joyful gratitude. This book came to me at a time when I needed to look up from my own troubles and be reminded of God's infinite power, grace and faithfulness.

[Nicky Bullimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing testimony of how God equips and protects in very challenging circumstances. With the difficult situation that was occurring in Burundi at the time, Chrissy's story shows that there is light in the darkness where God shows over and over His faithfulness towards those who trust Him.

[Loretta Aponso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book proves God is real. That He is Good and present in every season. It shows the plans He has for everyone. Even the plans we dont always understand. He is still with us everyday. HE is the same YESTERDAY TODAY TOMORROW & FORVER.

[Y Salib · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book filled with stories of God’s awesome love and provision.

[Rhonda Nolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chrissie's amazing God stories thrilled me, and I finished with my heart yearning to know God in a deeper and fuller way, as the people of Burundi learned to know Him.

[Jenny Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

About twenty five years ago, I heard Chrissie Chapman speak at a Bible week. I was fascinated by her gripping story of life in Burundi where she had gone as a trained midwife to help at a medical centre. Three years later, a coup threw the country into chaos and a frightened populace ran, were killed or hid. Chrissie found abandoned babies and knew immediately what Jesus would do. She scooped them up and began a whole new adventure of faith and a roller coaster of elation and exhaustion as increasing numbers meant larger properties needed to be found and funded, some babies thrived and others didn't make it.

Chrissie adopted three children herself and has remained in Burundi overseeing the raising, education and shaping of a generation of fifty plus children to adulthood.

Her Bible week presentation included a reference to feasting at the table God has prepared for us even in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:6). This seed of a thought germinated in my mind over several years and ultimately galvanised me to write my own book 'Spiritual Feasting' which was published last year (https://instantapostle.com/books/spir...). Reading Chrissie's book was a great reminder of where that journey began as well as a stirring account of God's protection and provision. A captivating read.

[Sharon Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is set in Burundi, a small country in Africa, and is primarily a story of faith, of one woman responding to the need in front of her, of doing what she can and then seeing God do the impossible. Chrissie is a qualified midwife, who initially goes out to Burundi to open a maternity clinic and dispensary in a rural area of the country. After only three years, the government is overthrown, a coup is declared, and the country descends into civil war, which has a devastating effect on the poverty-stricken population. Chrissie finds herself responding to the overwhelming need around her by providing a home for abandoned babies.
“We are called to be extraordinary and because of Jesus we can walk in the fullness of the life He has called us to live and be the people He has called us to be.”
Out of the bleakness of abandonment and loss of hope, comes CRIB (Children Rescued In Burundi) a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness to those who are willing to step out and live the gospel. Emotionally moving and at the same time spiritually powerful, as the truth of God’s word is ‘experienced, embraced and lived in’.

[Traxyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful testimony of God’s faithfulness in every circumstance. Such a powerful message for us today especially as the world is battling COVID-19 . A wonderful reminder that God is all-powerful, is in control, has a plan for our life and will make a way when there seems to be no way so there is no need to fear.

[Pip Snort · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story of God's miraculous glory and grace! Chrissie Chapman lives by faith in every sense of the word and God has glorified His name in her and through her. Praise be the name of the Lord!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even for those who are not believers, this is a powerful book. Having met the author, I can say that she is just as she portrays herself - filled with faith and hope, never giving up. In the world today, it is so wonderful to know that there are humans like her.

[Rena Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really amazing encouraging testimony that makes your faith grow.

[Ann Broad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

[Geordie Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is heavily religious, but was of personal interest to me. If you have an interest in starting a school or orphanage in another part of the world this is a good book to read for direction and inspiration.