Kibongo Village

 Sunday, Sept. 18

We got to experience a new church and area today in the village of Kibongo in Matana province.  This is the actual area where Peace and her siblings grew up, and it was a joy for her and her sister, Phoebe, to be there once again today.  This was all new territory for us as we turned off the winding mountain road to a red clay “path” that led to the village.  What is generously called a road is a series of massive potholes  which proved to be quite the challenge even to our amazing new friend and driver, Fernand.  We’ve been on some rough roads before, but this was amazing.  All along the way we passed (very, very slow) people walking, then stopping, looking amazed and shocked as the sight of us bouncing along.  I thought perhaps it was because not many cars venture this way, but soon learned that we were quite the spectacle – no other “muzungus” (white people) had ever been here before!  We finally made it to the church where we were greeted by a crowd of curious and somewhat frightened children…..we must have been a sight!  What a welcome awaited us!  The church was packed out; the concrete block walled, tin roofed sparce building was filled with such heartfelt singing led by the most enthusiastic “praise team” I’ve ever seen!  About 20 young people danced in perfect step with one another as they sang a song of welcome – it was apparent that they had put a lot of effort in preparing for this.  Praise and more praise!  After the pastor’s message from Revelation, he told the congregation that he had been talking with Peace and had told her that many people here have never had a Bible.  What a JOY to be YOUR representative, all who support Hope4Burundi, in presenting 50 Bibles today!  The pastor had compiled a list of those to receive them, and as they were individually called to the front, they were overjoyed to receive their very own Bible, clutching it to their chests.  How easily I/we can take the scriptures for granted, our easy access to them at any time….and the ability to read it for ourselves!

At the close of the service, there were endless hugs, handshakes, smiles and greetings as the pastor invited us to meet with him and about a dozen key leaders of the church/community.  We hadn’t anticipated this, but welcomed the opportunity to meet with them and listen to what they had on their hearts.  How gracious they were!  How they love their community, though they struggle so.  Peace had brought one of the water filters with us, and John was able to explain how it worked and the benefits this clean water brings.  We had them get us some of their water which was pretty dirty and lots of stuff floating in it.  John showed them it was ok by drinking an entire glass on the now clean water, they were amazed.  They rejoiced at the prospect of having clean water!  Having any water is very difficult for them, we learned.  They are not near any water source; it has to be hand carried from a spring down in a neighboring valley, about an hour walk on rugged terrain.  This is usually done by women and children; arduous work.  And then it’s not even clean…..

There are so many needs – and so many possibilities here in Kibongo!  As the pastor said, their priority is first of all to share the gospel.  They have great physical needs, educational and vocational challenges, but they know that real life is founded first on knowing Jesus.

The openness and loving embrace of these dear people of Kibongo was overwhelming.  So much to consider, digest and process from all we’ve experienced just in the past 24 hours!  Will you please pray with us for this village??  Working in the rural areas is quite different from Bujumbura, but it is a place of such beauty and promise.  We sensed God’s heart for Kibongo – please join us as we prayerfully consider how Hope4Burundi may be involved here in the future.

As we started the descent back toward Bujumbura the wind picked up dramatically, blowing red sand across the road and down the valleys, trees bent low; we saw people struggling to stay upright as they continued to walk on the edge of the road.  But God was gracious in holding off an all out storm that could have made driving treacherous.  The winds of struggle are indeed strong here, but so is God’s hand.  How we pray for winds of life, hope and promise to blow across this land.

The Source

Saturday, Sept. 17

It doesn’t take long to notice the change.  The road out of Bujumbura heading upcountry winds through neighborhoods, increasingly inching upwards towards the mountains.  Soon small houses are replaced by the shimmering silver of eucalyptus trees lining the road; spaces open up to views over the capital city and the air is decidedly cooler.  Instead of cars you see people walking…..all along the road men, women (often with baskets on their heads) and children travel by foot one wonders to where, and they look surprised to see us as we pass by.  After more than two hours we finally arrive in Matana province, the area where Peace grew up.  Its sprawling red African clay holds banana trees and terraced tea plants where people try to survive with subsistence farming.  We stayed at a small inn where we’ve stopped before, but never had the chance to stay.  After having lunch, we got to visit Peace’s husband’s village home.  Family is important here, as well as their village roots.  After greeting family members, they showed us their goats.  It was such fun to watch them scamper around, beautiful little animals that are so valuable to them.  As we were about to leave, the “Burundi Longhorns” were coming home……they rather unexpectedly met us at the opening to their home; let’s just say we quickly made way for them!

We’ve always been told about the source of the Nile that originates just outside the Matana area, so it was a treat to actually go to where the great river begins.  Steps lead down to a quickly descending valley where a small stream falls into a tiled pool built some time ago.  It seems that the first European explorer to see Lake Victoria, John Hanning Speke, followed the Nile water to the lake, but in 1934 German, Burckhard Waldecker, discovered that the source extended beyond the lake to this mountain.  To memorialize the discovery, he built a pyramid above the river source – not quite as large as those in Egypt, but recognizing where this water would emerge as the White Nile converges with the Blue Nile to form the great Nile.  Such an interesting part of history.  We took time at the top of the mountain by the pyramid to take in the beauty of the incredible view before us – the Burundi mountains, majestic and tranquil with only the sound of the cooler breeze.  It was an incredible sight and great time to pray over this country.

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.”

       Psalm 121:1,2

Help indeed from THE SOURCE of love and life!

Extravagant!

Friday, Sept. 16

Lavish…overflowing….this is my image of today, Graduation Day! The completion of the sewing training (which requires passing a series of particular skill tests) is always cause for celebration; all the previous graduations have been filled with joy, abounding sense of accomplishment, pride and hopefulness for the future, but this one is particularly significant given the extraordinary circumstances of the past 18 months; it’s more than completion, it is triumph!! 

Extravagant Praise!

Few can lead worship like Mama Mary, and today there was extravagant praise for Who God is and all He’s done!  Nothing quite compares to the “Homecare Choir,” which was composed today of not only the graduates, but a large group of former graduates and the current class, along with many guests and friends.  Even Apollinaire was there, and it was particularly sweet for them to begin singing one of his worship songs as he rose to join them in praise!

Extravagant Thanks!

Representatives of this graduating group gave testimony of God’s sustaining power, power over fear, power of protection, and power of provision. For Bibles, food, safety in times of great insecurity, deep caring, loving counsel…..genuine acceptance….FAMILY – for all this and more they gave thanks!  Many came to Homecare unable to read or write; how poignant it was to have one of the graduates read Ps. 27 from her own Bible; “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  One shared how as a mother of 10 and grandmother of 5, she was ridiculed, rejected and deemed worthless; she held her head high, a woman of dignity and worth, confident of God’s care and overflowing with thanks.  A guest, whom we discovered is now a Senator in the government, gave thanks for giving her a “daughter.”  Nadine, one of the graduates, had come to work for her to help with her ailing mother-in-law.  When her mother–in- law passed away, there was no longer work for Nadine, but the woman had become close to her and wanted more for her life.  She brought her to Homecare in hopes that she could learn skills and be able to have a better future.  What pride she had in Nadine today!  “Thank you for all you have done for my daughter.”

Extravagant Joy!

As one by one, each graduate came to the front to receive her certificate of achievement (such acknowledgements carry a lot of weight in this culture), there was overflowing joy on their faces!  They have not only completed a rigorous course of training; they have overcome a sense of hopelessness; they have persevered where many would have been crushed; they have risen victorious with abounding joy!

Extravagant Mercy!

Today was just a picture of God’s mercy lavishly poured out over them, over Homecare, the staff, countless others who have been comforted there and cared for.  Mercy!

As these newest graduates receive their own sewing machines and start up tools to begin their own businesses, may they continue to live in the overflow of all they’ve experienced these past months; protect them, Lord.  Bring them many clients, and may each of them continue to be a light and be Your light wherever they go.

Today we shared love, joy, thanksgiving, with a deep sense of community……

immersed in His Extravagant Grace!

Tomorrow we will travel to Matana, Peace’s village, to explore future ministry opportunities.  We are looking forward to our time there!  We will probably not have internet there, but we will resume updates when we return later Sunday.

Pray for safe travels and a clear sense of God’s direction as we seek His plans.

Divine Appointments

Thursday, Sept. 15

Kindred spirits – it is always such a joy and encouragement to meet those with whom you share hearts and vision.  We had the privilege of having a special visit today with just such a person, a local ministry leader who up until now had just been a Facebook connection.  We have an amazing Christian family around the globe; we are grateful for the special connection made today and how God will use that connection in His divine plan for this nation.

It was also so encouraging to see a number of the women who have received micro-loans come to the center today to complete their last payment on their loans!  Even in the midst of the dire economic situation many have managed to not only continue their businesses, but are even ready to expand – only God!  It was a joy to share water filters with them, knowing that not only will these benefit them and their families, but they will share them with others, another testimony of the Lord’s goodness.

It was all anticipation today as the women prepare for graduation tomorrow; it comes with mixed emotions.  Great celebrating for the long awaited completion of their skill training, getting their own sewing machine and preparing to launch their own businesses, join co-ops and begin their new future.  Spontaneous prayer and worship broke out this afternoon as they danced, sang, prayed with intense passion to thank God for His incredible gift to them, allowing them this time at Homecare, their new family.  It was beautiful and touching to see the depth of their gratitude, but they will also miss being there daily for fellowship.  But once you are a part of the Homecare family, you are always family, and they are welcome to come at any time for prayer, counsel, or sharing needs – true family!

We also had the privilege of having dinner at the home of another wonderful local leader whose father was the first missionary to Burundi from the UK; he now has Burundian citizenship, has lived here for a number of years and is raising his precious family in his adopted homeland.  It was a delight just to listen to their three children’s conversations, share their nightly devotions with them and pray together.

Tomorrow is a BIG day!  Please pray for those 46 graduating, for the former students who will join in the celebration and the ongoing training class.  So many challenges ahead, but they, and we, know Who never leaves or forsakes us.  A new chapter begins…..May the Lord bless, protect, provide and shine through each one – His daughters of such great worth!

Eager to Grow

Wednesday, Sept. 14

I think even our Midwestern farmers would have been amazed at the eagerness of those who huddled expectantly to plant the first “bag gardens” at Homecare!  They couldn’t wait to dive in!  The soil came from Peace’s garden (how fitting); John introduced the process; they were in awe when he opened the bags of seeds…..so miniscule!  And yet what crops they can yield….how these vegetables can change life and health for their families!  The prospect of that kept them very focused.  Just to think of the promise of these seeds (and all the spiritual images they produce) brings such joy and hope.

And then we got to hear from a number of moms whose young people attended the recent youth Bible camps; these were the first ever such gatherings for youth, led by Christian, Phoebe and Mama Mary and others for ages 11-20.  Moms everywhere have much in common!  They love their children; they work hard for their children, and they get frustrated with them at times J   It was so encouraging to hear their feedback on the impact these camps had on their children!  And any mom would have enjoyed what they shared…..

“He was never willing to help at home…..She complained and balked at getting water….He thought what I shared from what I was learning at Homecare was silly…..She ignored my advice…..I couldn’t get them to pray with me at night…..She seemed so distant from me…..very little affection or concern.  It made me so sad…..he has a beautiful voice and used to sing in the choir at church, but then he started going around with certain boys and that all changed….he wandered the streets; didn’t want to be at home….”

Does this sound so radically different from our society?  For three days these young people gathered to hear God’s Word, to share concerns, sing, pray, learn scripture, to consider how God loves them, the family He put them in, and their place in His plan.  Love, respect, kindness, responsibility….these were the topics addressed, and how the Spirit must have pierced their hearts, for these were the results these mothers have observed since:

“He asks me for my Bible so he can read it each night…..She goes to get the water without even being asked and without complaint……She hasn’t fought with her siblings and asks what she can do to help me…..Now we pray together every night…..He repeats the verses he learned at camp and asks when they can have camp again….My daughter now comes to hug me and is willing to talk with me, sharing her thoughts….He used to make fun of what I told him about Homecare; now he asks if he can come with me….He doesn’t go out on the streets but is content to be at home…..The three of them now read the Bible together and pray together…..”

I have to admit that I chuckled when one mother complained that her son wouldn’t change his socks and was excited that now he is washing them himself!  (and mothers everywhere say, “Amen!”)

Each one said that their young people were sad when camp ended; they wanted more…..they are eager to grow!  External change issuing from changed hearts…..when the love of Jesus enters, love for yourself and others can grow.  As moms together, we prayed for our children, for wisdom to be the kind of mothers they need, and for His love to grow deeper in us all. 

Praying that we all will have such eagerness to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord!