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!”