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.