Valentine Marc Nkwame
1 December 2007
Arusha — Burundian first lady, Madame Denise Nkurunzinza is expected in Arusha this weekend gracing a special thanks-giving ceremony and inauguration of the 'Zion Temple' a Church which now occupies the premises of the former cosmetic factory Alfi.
Zion Temple's leader, Bishop Trice Shumbusho said between Friday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 her church, which runs under the Eastwind Ministries (International) will be celebrating seven years of existence but especially acquiring its own building.
"We started at Kurugenzi club, where the rather noisy environment was less conducive, then moved to Kilombero where rent kept escalating, plus it was a market area, so we prayed and God has answered our prayers," explained Bishop Shumbusho.
It was in June 2003 when Trice and her husband, Bishop John Shumbusho managed to purchase the premises that once belonged to Alfi East Africa Limited, a company which used to manufacture, among other goods, toothpaste, cosmetics and plastic containers.
Alfi EA closed shop in 2002 .
Throughout the following years, it was all about renovations, converting a product-line warehouse into a church. What the Burundian first lady will inaugurate this weekend will be a two-storied building capable of seating 3000 people, construction work however continues.
"We have 500 permanent church members, but in many occasions Sunday services are attended by over 1000 people," said Madame Bishop Shumbusho. Right now it is the ground floor of the Zion Temple that is being put into use.
A stone throw from Zion Temple stands the Arusha plant for Tanzania Breweries Company, uncanny neighbors but this time there is no moving, the temple has settled onto permanent home. Just as the Eastwind Ministry founders managed to settled in Arusha.
A former banker in Rwanda, John Shumbusho came to Arusha as translator at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Trice was to follow shortly, working for the UNDP but she already got a 'call for service' through an apparition of Jesus Christ, wanting her to 'start an East African mission.'
"We plan to offer among other things, Health Services, Mother and Child Care and education services, we host special lunch session for local children every Saturday and with God's help we intend to focus even more on community services."
So how did Madame Denise Nkurunzinza move into the picture? "I was attending a certain meeting in Bujumbura at which I happened to be one of the speakers!" said Bishop Trice Shumbusho.
Whatever she said must have been good, at least it made the Burundian first lady seek an appointment with her and since then they became friends. Madame Nkurunzinza comes with a delegation of seven people from Burundi. First Lady, Salma Kikwete was also invited but until going to press she hadn't yet confirmed her participation.
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