praying for class 3. what an AMAZING group of kids in this class. thankful that God knows His plans for each and every one of them too...

with anne & class 3 on my last day - we made tie-dye tshirts! they were a little confused about what was happening in the process (i don't blame them... we looked crazy!), but all turned out GREAT! so proud of them.

home sweet home...

hard to believe the last time i posted, i was in africa - and now, i'm not! it's been almost 2 weeks back in the States - though not all of it has been in south carolina...

many mixed feelings, as i'm going through this process of re-adjustment to my own culture, and a period of processing all that happened while in burundi - all that i've learned of myself, of Jesus - all that i've experienced for the first time, and what i'm supposed to get out of it all - all the ways that i've changed, at the same time that no one at home has. that, yes, is strange. i've realized, life goes on without me at home... basically the same that it always does. and here i am trying to make sense of post-Burundi me - what the Lord's trying to teach to me and tell me through it all - how this all ties in to my life and my future and my own visions and passions. so many questions, all at the same time that i'm attempting to still "be myself" at home.

for any who may have tried to call me, or who may be wondering why i have not called yet and think it's really strange that you haven't heard from me (you're right, it is) - i'm sorry. truly. and i thank you for your patience with me too. don't worry too much - i'll be back. just in need of time to re-enter society... i'm half-way in my own world that still feels strangely foreign (how is that possible?!) , half-way in the other world of burundi... where, indeed, part of me still is now.

... God is so good. in the midst of all of my crazy confused state of being right now, He gives me blessed comfort and assurance of His leading hand on my life. Thank you, Jesus.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

... could not have left Burundi properly without this verse on my heart. forever thankful for abigail for being the one to place it there my last night in Gitega, amidst my precious children gathered around me praying & being such sweet comforts to me in my sadness at leaving. moment could not have more perfectly met me in my need than it actually did. thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus... for these people who loved me because of You.

4.27.10

It took no time or effort to have 2 examples of people here in Burundi who display this kind of servitude and humility come to my mind. First is Karita, one of the house moms here at Gitega orphanage (by the way, from now forward to be called Homes of Hope!). I read the Philippians passage, and thought immediately that this kind of humility, this – this is Karita. Even at the time I had the thought, Karita was sitting in the back of the church with all of the children while Kiki, Steve, Abi and I had prime seats toward the front of the church. Though there is much we cannot communicate for language differences, there is still much that absolutely can be communicated. There is a warmth and genuineness that radiates from Karita that I can’t help but notice. I understand from the way she is with the kids, with the other moms and helpers, us that she is so much a gracious servant. She has unclogged our showers and mopped our floors, not to mention cooked many a meal for us too. Foster says that in the realm of the spirit, “real issues are found in the tiny insignificant corners of life,” rather than the ‘big deal’ things. Yes, Karita’s service is found in these small acts of everyday life. Do I find the same joy in small acts of service for the people I am here to serve? Or, is the excuse of lack of time or my disregarding of the importance of some 5 minutes to complete a chore for someone too often what I am guilty of?

Did God really have to take me all the way to Burundi to teach me about the humility and servitude of Christ? Yes, very likely so. Maybe it really is part of why I am here. Many of the people I am working with, Karita included and many of the children too, are some of the most service-oriented people I’ve ever met. I think this servitude thing really is sort of built in to the culture in some ways also. The moms here literally spend their days cooking (over hot coals, entirely from fresh foods bought that day from the market), doing laundry for themselves and 10 kids (no machines - entirely by hand), cleaning (no vacuums, no swiffer, etc – broom & homemade mop only), and caring for the children! They truly amaze and challenge me.

Prayers…

& praise for the new name for Gitega and upcoming Cibitoke orphanages: “Homes of Hope!”

4.25.10

lovely Sunday in Gitega yesterday. it seems the rainy season is coming to a close early here – we have had beautiful warm, sunny, and dry days this past week – quite a change from when i first arrived here and had so much rain!

abi, steve (friend from UK), and I joined Kiki, kids, and house mom Karita to the Eglise Vivant (Living Church) for services. first, I am so not used to the duration of African churches – 9 to 1, and they weren’t actually quite finished when we left at 1! second, not understanding the majority of what is spoken in Kirundi (minus the few words I’ve picked up) for those hours poses for a great challenge to my patience that I am discovering here in Burundi is not so plentiful or unconditional as I’d before imagined. found myself with a question, “Lord what are you trying to have me hear today though I cannot understand the language of the songs or prayers?”

It seems that God likes to answer these kinds of questions. worship time was long, joyful and energetic. not the quiet stillness of sometimes worship at home. I couldn’t help but to feel so moved by that time, surrounded by Burundians worshipping God in their own tongue. I don’t know exactly what we were singing, but I know the thought overwhelmed me throughout the time: Jesus. Jesus died for me on the cross. For me?!? Yes, for me. And for you. Nothing matters more than to know him.

I didn’t know what the sermon was on, but did catch that one of our readings was from Philippians 2. I opened my Bible: “Imitating Christ’s Humility.”

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition, or vain conceit, but in humility consider

others better than yourselves.”

The passage goes on to a call for us to live with attitudes like that of Jesus Christ – God, who made himself nothing and taking on the very nature of a servant, became obedient to death and died on the cross for us. Wow. As the sermon goes on, I remember that I also have a borrowed copy of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline, and so I open it to the page someone else has marked to have a look, maybe read a little. The chapter that is marked is, Discipline of Service. Oh boy. I know for sure that God has something to tell me now, on this subject of humility and servitude.

To be continued…

prayers…

for the arrival of the container from Canada with medical supplies that are needed for the opening of the medical clinic in Gitega. it was supposed to arrive last week, but is not here yet.

for the upcoming opening of 2^nd YFC orphanage in Cibitoke in just days time!

for God to change my own heart.

only in Burundi…

do grown men hold hands in the street, and it’s a totally normal way of expressing friendship. however, to see a man and woman who are not engaged or married holding in the streets – this is scandalous!

4.11.10

It’s a rainy Sunday afternoon, sitting in Aroma in downtown Buj with friends Abi & Shegz. We came for lunch (cheeseburger and fries!) & chill time on computers, reading, writing, and people watching. Great treat for the afternoon!

We said good-bye today to a group from the UK who have been here working with GLO. For their last night yesterday, the YFC drummers performed live for us and other guests, including others from the missionary community here in Buj. It was my first time seeing the drummers perform live here – and let me tell you, they are absolutely incredible! For any of you who come to Burundi one day, make sure you have the opportunity to see these talented men perform in person. The drumming is complex and energetic, demonstrating such athleticism and skill in these men – drumming on drums that they balance on their heads, even sometimes kicking the drums with their feet! A very Burundian tradition. Pretty cool that YFC has its own team of performers to be stewards of Christ through this tradition as they perform throughout the country. Check out the video for a taste!

Since the kids at Future Hope School are on break at this time, my fellow English teacher Abi & I spent the past week involved in some other projects of YFC. We went with the team to Ngozi (north of Bujumbura) to be a part of the work that is going on there with the Batwa tribe. The Batwa are the third tribe, the most forgotten of all the people in Burundi. Our group was there to assist in an distributing clothes, food (rice & beans – the Batwa rarely have these), and to work on one of the houses under construction. And ‘help’ we did, carrying huge red mud bricks on our heads like the locals showed us how –one brick at a time only! They are incredibly heavy. These bricks are made out of mud, left to sit in the sun and dry, and then transported to the site of the house, often by children of the community who are up to my waist in height, and have only a meal (of limited variety) to eat a day. I was absolutely exhausted from a morning spent doing this work… for the Batwa, this is daily life and work. No school. No education. Houses made of sticks and grass (houses of bricks, as I’ve mentioned, are in progress). Extreme poverty like I have never before seen in such close proximity.

To be honest with you, the whole experience being there felt extremely overwhelming… emotionally draining. It’s much easier to choose to believe that this kind of thing does not exist in the world. I think that God has used this world of the Batwa to majorly challenge me in my faith… “Okay, heather, you want to see need like you’ve never seen before? Here it is. Now what will you do about it?” I wanted to run; God said no, no running. “These people are my children too. Many have forgotten and ignore them, but not I. Now you see them too, and you have the power to do something to do things in their lives that no one has.” Christians of Burundi, will we answer the call?

many thanks to Olivia for helping me to see this too…

Only in Burundi…

One of my American bills was denied exchange into Burundian francs because of a minute tear in the bill.. I’m talking, 1/8 of an inch here. Turns out, any flaw in foreign money can potentially deem it “invaluable” as far as exchanging money to local currency goes!

Prayers…

*so important for the present and future of the country of Burundi!!! upcoming elections – including presidential. pray for strong Christian leaders for the country, for peace throughout the process.

the Batwa people.

for my own humility in the work that I do here.

4.5.10

Only a few minutes for a quick update – it is 6am Monday morning, and we are off in the next half-hour to set out on a journey to Ngazi – north of Bujumbura – to do some work building housing (not sure what all this will involve yet…) for the Batwa tribe.

Easter weekend has been lovely. We journeyed back to Buj on Saturday – Freddy, Simon, Canadian friends in one car, Abi & I in other with new friends, brothers from the UK. They were in town as part of their work filming music for a movie project to feature East Africa and the World Cup (coming this summer – woo hoo!). They even had the kids at the orphanage sing some songs and record – will be awesome to find out later if their voices make it to the sounds for the movie! They said that many countries have bought the movie so far, including UK. They say that US is usually last to buy, so may be a while before we know if I’ll be watching Africa United in theaters at home… Keep your ears open for it!

Easter Sunday was exactly as it should be – spent with much friends and fellowship. Went with the UK group to hear Simon speak at a local church – Bar Berger. Again, experienced being seated on the front row because we are muzungu. Amazingly, Simon speaks fluently in several other languages – so preached in French and Kirundi. Though I don’t catch everything, found that generally knew what was going on picking up on mostly French, some Kirundi. Lunch with a big crowd at Olivia’s – 6 countries represented in one room! Burundi, Canada, UK, Kenya, Ethiopia – and moi, the lone representation of the US! That doesn’t happen to me often, but I am rather okay with it!

Off on our journey now – thanks for checking in on me, love ya’ll!

4.3.10

Hello again, and happy Easter weekend to you all wherever you are!

This weekend is an exciting one here. I am here in Gitega still, but with new visitors who came in yesterday – Simon with GLO (Great Lakes Outreach, offices in UK & Charleston, SC – God willing, he will be in Charleston on a religious visa soon); Bill with YFC in Alberta, Canada; Andy and his son Vance, also from Canada. Was a wonderful day with the group yesterday, enjoying lots of play time with the children – especially since our Canadian friends brought Easter gifts and candy for the kids! It was such a sweet afternoon, adults and kids alike playing and laughing together in this beautiful setting – jump ropes, bouncy balls, nerf footballs, baby dolls, all a big hit for the kids. It is especially sweet to me to see these boys here have more male grown-ups to love on them while they are here.

Amazing afternoon with the group also, going to the land that is the site for the future YFC secondary school. In the words of Simon, land here in Burundi is “like gold-dust,” sparse as it is for a growing population. For sure, this blessing of land for YFC to build and be influential in the community of Gitega is extremely special. There is also the possibility of purchasing adjacent land to this new site, if negotiations can be agreed upon and the finances come. Truly an incredible privilege, though, to be on the land today while there is nothing – and to pray for its future use and impact on people’s lives through the work of YFC. Pictures of the land soon…

I have one child in particular on my mind this morning – Theogene, actually the first child of the orphanage when it began. He was so malnourished as a baby that once in YFC’s care, he spent time in the hospital for 2 months to recover. He is doing so well now, healthy and active here in the only home he’s ever known. He is one of the kids, though, who is slow to approach and difficult to catch him smiling for a picture. He’s often off doing his own thing much of the time – but, then out of nowhere he appears and spends a few precious moments in my lap, or in my arms, just to be held… these are the moments that both make my heart ache and sing for him, all at the same time. Praise God for his hand in this little boy’s life.

And then in a flash, Theo is up and running off again… until next time.

Prayers …

that God provides for the land in Gitega.

for the visitors and friends of YFC from Canada.

for little Theo.

3.28.10 1st Sunday at Gitega Orphanage

Hello again to you all, dear friends. It has been about a week since I last wrote – I am glad to be back with you again. I am now in Gitega (2^nd biggest city behind Bujumbura, and in the center of the country) at the YFC Orphanage campus. I’ve been here a week now, and am writing on Sunday evening in my home here. It is a bit more difficult with internet here – sometimes have a very poor connection, and only have electricity from a generator for a couple of hours in the evening. There have been recent technical problems with the generator here, and it has been recently repaired – but is very expensive. So really, the orphanage is so thankful to have it back after lacking for a few weeks. It is certainly an important prayer request – for the generator to continue to be in working order for all here.

Where to start??? Such an exciting week, to finally be here at this place that’s been in my dreams for months now... I am struck at this moment, though, to wait until another night to record happenings. A parable in John has been on my heart all day long – one that I’d like to share with you. John 9:1-3. Continue in chapter 9 for the rest of the story…

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

I have thought about this story all day today, especially in relation to these sweet children here. There is so much joy & laughter in this place – sometimes it is hard to remember that they all have difficult stories to tell too. I have spent some time finding out about these stories today, and had to stop reading after only a few to manage not to entirely break down weeping… all are orphans. Many lost their parent or parents to AIDS, or during the civil war that has come to an end only very recently. It’s hard to believe that these beautiful children have been through incredibly horrific pasts. To see them here and today is truly a testament to God’s healing love and grace. I wonder what they will think one day – “where are my parents? Why did they leave me? Why did they have to die?” Tough questions, that we will likely never be able to answer for them fully in this lifetime… but God, I trust that you have plans for each and every one of these children, that you may help them to know the truth of this parable one day – that you have plans to make the work of your hands evident in their lives through circumstances we do not understand. His ways are mysterious…

“God must break your heart for the work you do.” Well said by my Gitega roommate, friend, and fellow English teacher Abigail. So thankful for her friendship, wisdom, and heart for ministry.

Prayer …

for a broken heart for my work here in Burundi.

for the Gitega orphanage generator.

for the children – may the work of God be displayed in their lives.

Thurs 3.18

hello, folks! another lovely day in Bujumbura here in beautiful Burundi. exciting times today – Abigail arrived safe & sound from the UK today. she flew in on Kenya airlines, an airlines i hear is often running late – by an hour or more. so, it was a great surprise to find our new friend coming outside with her baggage literally, at the same time as our welcome group was walking inside. awesome.

has been a nice day, of welcoming Abigail here. very excited for a friend who will be with me at Gitega teaching in the school! it has been so encouraging to hear her story of how she has come to Burundi, actually. she heard Simon Guillebaud (http://www.greatlakesoutreach.org/) speak in the UK at a huge conference about Burundi, when she was 12 or 13. she told her mom after that, that she would one day live and work in Burundi. so, what an incredible time for her to be arriving for the first time! God, we are thankful for the vision you have given this friend for the country of Burundi! one of the most amazing things for me since coming, has been to hear the stories and testimonies of others who have come to Burundi – & of how God has worked in their lives to bring them here. this is but one of them…

also, quickly – attended the Young Leaders meeting held on Thursday nights. it’s the gathering of university students who lead small groups, to come together for community and worship and teaching. amazing group of people really. great lesson taught on mentorship tonight – as modeled by Elijah (sp) in Kings, and Paul in Timothy. it is a topic i have had play on “repeat” for me over the past few months – like, everywhere I go it seems – it comes up in conversation or other. really a topic growing closer and closer to my heart every day. can you name the top 5 people who have been mentors to you? how about, how your life would have been different without them – these people who have loved you, known you, and spoken truth and encouragement into you life?

… a teacher’s saying to students: “I teach you with this in mind – I want you to be better than me one day.”

only in Burundi…

okay, I have just learned more about the crocodile in Lake Tanganyika – I thought people were only kidding about it before! if interested, check out the movie, “Prime Evil,” all about the croc who is said to have eaten some 400 people in the lake… well, that’s probably an exaggeration (maybe?). but still, apparently this croc is legend around here, and no one knows exactly where he is in the lake now…

Kirundi:

mraktse – thank you!

prayers for…

YFC young leaders – may they have mentors, and hear God speak to them on who they may mentor to also.

continued peace in Burundi as presidential elections near.

Its been a good day in the YFC offices, putting the finishing touches on a little project with Shegz while i’m here – to turn a collection of books into a real library, organized and catalogued and all. it has been so interesting going through the many books, to find many from the US, and many in English, and many very familiar! i see through these books, that YFC Burundi has and still has many faithful friends from my part of the world – that have come, and been changed here.

Speaking of books, was thrilled to have a conversation on my beloved topic of counseling yesterday with a 1^st year psychology student at the university – Alex. psychology is very new in Burundi. it seems to me from our conversation, that the movement has come about in large part due to the problems that have come from years of conflict and war that have taken such a toll on people here. looking forward to more conversations with this student with a passion and call to minister to hurting people in this way… and can’t stop thinking of how i may manage to have some counseling books from home, come here, so that he may have them…

ah, it has been a wonderful evening. i had the privilege to be a part of a “welcome dinner” to a newly engaged couple at the YFC offices. lovely emelyne was a volunteer with YFC for some time, and today she works as the office receptionist, as well as helps with so many of the other affairs at the office – like youth leadership and the drama team. i was of course not sure what to expect out of such a dinner held for emelyne and her fiancé – a welcome to him, and honoring of them both.

we had dinner – of rice, peas and carrots, potatoes, meat and sauce, and a fruit salad for dessert, citrus fanta too! after dinner, was even better. it was a time of many toasts, introductions, blessings, and prayer. all given in Kirundi, but thankfully – my friend Oled translated most for me – thank you! the couple shared a bit of their story – their meeting at church, and his courtship of her – truly, a courtship. it is so interesting to find that here in Burundi, much traditional culture still lives. there is little of what we know as “dating” here, but rather – a more formal courtship, progresses to engagement, progresses to marriage. it is a topic I’m hoping to learn more on soon – i am truly intrigued. i believe these people may know something that many in my home country has forgotten, about love and relationships and marriage…

it was such a beautiful time, beautiful new couple, beautiful gathering of family together. it is an honor to have been part of the evening too. very much joy and laughter in the air tonight, and much to praise God for.

excited to welcome Abigail who is coming from the UK, today – thursday – who will be one of my 2 fellow teachers at Gitega!

in Kirundi:

amohorro – “peace,” used to greet someone.

only in Burundi…

i mentioned the citrus fanta – people are crazy about it here! not orange fanta or coke; there is NO diet coke (that I have found – yes friends, i am fasting, and surviving happily!); also no sprite – but citrus fanta, this is carbonated drink of choice here. where else, but Burundi…

prayers for…

emelyne & fiancé – their relationship and upcoming marriage – may all be the “business of God,” as one friend here said so well this evening.

abigail’s safe arrival, and for her warm welcome and transition.

yfc – possibility of acquiring additional land so that a secondary school may be built in Gitega. since Burundi is so small, land can be very difficult to come by – so we pray for God’s continued provision of yfc’s needs.

More pics...

I will give them an undivided heart & put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone & give them a heart of flesh.” ezek. 11:1

It is the verse that has been alive and on my mind for days now, both before I left the States and for days since I arrived in Burundi on March 10^th. I have come to understand and to know that there is always a purpose behind these kinds of things. Perhaps, Lord, you wish to speak to me on this subject during my time in Burundi? Perhaps even, take up some difficult work as well - taking my stone and replacing it with something more malleable in your hands…

It is Tuesday evening in Burundi, as I sit in my bedroom with some quiet time to write. I have never had a blog before, and have never been so sure that I would like one really. I do love to write and to keep a journal, but the idea of turning something like a personal journal into public online reading has always seemed quite strange to me! So why am I here now, you ask? Well, first - Will. He got this started for me completely! Second, I am still not sure how this will go, but if for no other reason – it is serving as a way for me to journal and keep a record of my time here. Other than that: it is my confident hope and prayer that God will be able to use this mode of communication for the good of His Kingdom, in whatever small way that may become. I thank any of you, friends, family, and friends-to-be, for taking the time to stop by and catch a glimpse into my life and work in Burundi over the next weeks’ time… know I am thankful for your ever-present love and care.

Couple Pics from Heather

First Blog (not by Heather)