Tuesday – “There is a Time for Everything”

 

This morning we had the chance to meet with the staff for a special time just for them.  These are the dear women who tirelessly, selflessly give of themselves and pour themselves into the women at Homecare.  They carry a large weight.

Laura read from Ecc. 3:1-8 about the time for everything…..especially vs. 4; “a time to mourn and a time to dance.”  Her question to the staff was, what makes you mourn?  What do you do with the sorrow, and how do you dance?  She talked about how, especially with people in ministry, there is much to mourn, but often little time to dance.  As the different women began to share, these were some of the reasons for their mourning:

·      “When I come to Homecare after having breakfast, and see the women coming in often hungry and not fully able to learn, I leave crying.  They don’t want to tell us they are hungry.  They are so grateful for all they have received from the Lord that they don’t want to ask for more.”

·      “Hearing the stories of deep hurts and trauma hurts.  Then after some time, finding out more hurts that they were afraid to share….that makes me mourn.”

·      “Realizing that children so often go hungry.”

How do they handle the grief?

·      “I sing!  I pray and read the Bible and find a way to find joy.”

·      “I remember all that God has done for me, that He has given me joy, and I am reminded that He will do the same for them.”

·      “Dance!  Singing praise songs and dancing helps me remember how good God is and brings joy.”

What makes them dance?

·      “Hearing the women share about how far the Lord has brought them, how grateful they are…..that they now have dignity!”

·      “Hearing the women repeatedly praise God, how grateful they are for the family and love they have here (at Homecare).”

·      “Hearing how God answers our prayers.”

·      “When we praise and sing together; we celebrate!”

·      “I feel the joy of the Lord as my strength.  The Holy Spirit rejoices in me and helps me understand how the enemy attacks.  I smile and send him away!”

Rejoice! That’s a word we have heard often here; “we rejoice in the Lord. “  “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again, Rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4.  Oh, that we could grasp this more ourselves to rejoice more!

https://app.box.com/s/uppitdpvfsi0ikqb3kp2

After our time with the staff, we had the joy of venturing out of the city to travel upcountry to Matana, Peace’s home village.  It is about two hours away, climbing into the mountains on windy roads.  It’s not long before you leave the congestion of the city behind and the view opens up to valleys of lush vegetation.  Hills are covered with trees; eucalyptus, pines, cedars……green!  The higher you go, the greener the vegetation.  Hillsides are terraced in the bright green of tea bushes, beautiful plantations in neat rows.  Flowers peek through the grasses; the temperature takes a decided drop.  It’s an entirely different side of Burundi, and gorgeous.

We stopped halfway for a quick break at a small inn overlooking hills.  You are at once amazed at the pristine gardens where geraniums four feet and more are growing.  Plush hydrangea bushes, avocado trees, flower edged walkways make it more of a secret garden tucked away from everything.  The air is brisk and clean.  No wonder people hate to leave their villages; it is beautiful.

We reach Matana and enjoy lunch at a small hotel (ten rooms).  They have prepared a delicious local meal:  chicken, potatoes, spinach, French fries, greens, beans and rice.  Then we went to Peace’s church where her father pastored and the great-grandfather of friend, Simon, also pastored in the early 1900’s.  He was the one who first started the translation of the Bible into Kirundi.  He is also buried there at the church.  The simple beauty of the structure is lovely.  Arched wooden windows, rustic wooden benches, high pitched and beamed ceiling with thatched underside.  The grounds are meticulously kept, surrounded by trees.  Down the path is the Bible school Peace’s father help found.  Just behind that is the house her family lived in.  It is such a serene, peaceful setting.

What a refreshing day to experience another side of Burundi and appreciate Peace’s home place.  We began the journey back down the mountain, and the rains began.  The rainy season continues here, and we have had showers everyday, some brief and some quite heavy.  We even encountered a small landslide; the adept driver swerved around it with no problem.  The temperature begins to rise a bit; the traffic increases as we go down the mountain closer to the city.  The ladies prayed fervently for our protection for our trip, and we safely returned after a wonderful day in the country.

Our final evening here; it’s hard to believe that tomorrow we must say good-bye to Burundi and these dear friends.  We enjoyed our last dinner here at the lovely outdoor restaurant by Lake Tanganyika, enjoying local fish, and pizza.  A nice variety.  And so we prepare for our last day in Burundi, our last day to dance, sing, worship, love on our friends, and pray over them.  Our hearts are so very full!  Our team is wonderful!  Each of them have given of themselves in such special ways, a beautiful representation of the Body of Christ working together.  We have knitted together so well, even though many had not met before this trip.  We have shared so much together, learned, grown, and been challenged. 

As we consider the impacting stories of these women, seen the transformation in their lives, laughed, cried, and danced with them, we are reminded of another verse in Ecclesiastes 3, vs.11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”  Hallelujah! 

Monday – “Mourning into Gladness”

“I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow…. “there is hope for your future,” declares the Lord.  Jeremiah 31:13, 1

https://app.box.com/s/zd0ilaoz9u56yywuv3ma

Today was the National Day of Remembrance.  Twenty-one years ago the last genocide began.  300,000 people perished.  It’s a day that brings up deep hurts and sorrow, and we witnessed the lasting results of those dark days today as the women shared of their experiences. Two of the ladies shared for the very first time great details of how they struggled to survive as children.  It was obviously a painful process of recalling the horrors they faced.  

One young woman told us how her mother had dug a pit to store vegetables from the harvest, but when the genocide began, she told her two children to hide in the pit.  She covered it with leaves, branches, then dirt and even put some plants on top to look like a garden so they wouldn’t be found.  She told them goodbye, that they probably wouldn’t see her again, and she left.  She remembered the day and hour she entered that pit where they stayed for 2 days.  On the third day, they heard gunfire everywhere; they were terrified.  Then they heard soldiers yelling for anyone hiding to come out, that they were there to rescue them.  They didn’t know whether they could believe them or not, so they didn’t move.  Eventually they decided to come out; they would die of starvation, so they might as well climb up.  They were rescued by the military and brought to what was considered a safe place.  It was filled with dead bodies.  Told to stay there while they tried to rescue others, the children clung to each other, not knowing what had become of their father or mother.  They went into a village to scour for scraps of food.  They were told they had to hide at night, so they slept in ditches.  Filled with fear, she said she didn’t want to go on living – she had run out of hope.  Several days later another group of rescued people came, and her mother was among them.  She could hardly believe it!  The soldiers moved them again in heavy rains.  A soldier told her mother that he’d take her to Bujumbura and care for her, leaving her little brother with her mother.  She stayed with the soldier and his wife for some time.  She met a friend in Bujumbura who told her about Homecare.  They both came to apply, but her friend said she wasn’t as needy as she, so if there were only one place, she should get it.  But there was a place for them both.  She shared about how much the first two weeks at Homecare changed her life.  They spent those days being discipled, learning who they are in Jesus, learning from His Word.  She discovered her true identity in Christ! “Here at Homecare, we find love.  We are ONE, not two ethnic groups.”  She came to know Jesus, and she praises God for those who provided for Homecare Center, for the teachers who love them and nurture them. She now has hope; she has life, Life in Jesus, and great aspirations for the future.

Another women shared for the first time of the horrors of the latest genocide when both her parents were killed, leaving her an orphan at 3 years old.  She remembered soldiers coming into her house.  She was asleep, not aware of what was happening.  When she awoke, there was no one left in the house.  She was rescued and taken to join other survivors.  Her mother had hidden in Rwanda and returned when she thought it would be safe.  She was with her for a month before her mother was also killed.  She went to live with her grandmother, but soon she died.  Her seven year old sister searched for food for the three children left.  When she was 6, a man took her as his own, provided for her schooling and cared for her.  She said, “I always felt God’s love for me from the time I was little.”  Some while later she fell ill and went into a coma for two weeks.  Again, she thought she would die.  She came out of the coma, but her sight and hearing were affected.  Everyone told her that she would never be able to do anything, get work or have a future.  She was in despair.  A previous graduate brought her to Homecare.  She said, “Before, I had no hope at all.  But God has honored us.  I never smiled, but now I am full of joy.  I am so thankful for my own Bible.  It means so much to me!  I find comfort in God’s Word.  I am a new person.”   She was afraid that she wouldn’t be accepted to Homecare because of her poor sight and hearing, but as she said, “Nothing is impossible with God!”  She also said she thinks she is the best in the class (the class giggled at this, but seemed to agree!).  Her face radiated JOY, PEACE…..HOPE.

These were only two of the stories we heard today.  These were hard stories; hard to tell, hard to hear.  As they shared, it stirred the deep, painful memories of others in the group; many wept, as did we.  On this Day of Remembrance, we heard their sorrows, BUT we saw the joy they now have in Jesus!  He has truly turned their mourning into gladness and comforted them with joy!  These who have endured horrors are now ones of hope.  It is truly impossible for us as westerners to fully grasp the cruelty and terror of those days, but as we prayed for them, for this country, our hearts joined theirs in looking forward to that day when there will be no more sorrows, tears.......only eternal peace.

This afternoon the atmosphere lightened from the heaviness of the morning as we had a “craft time” together with the ladies.  Suzanne, Heather, and Brenda had brought many sewing and craft ideas for the ladies to make, things they would enjoy having and possibly reproduce to sell.  What a great time they had!  And what creativity!  As they worked on necklaces, bracelets, and headbands, you could see the “wheels turning” in their heads with inventive takes on the designs.  You can tell that several of them really are designers; we don’t doubt that they will become known for their designs one day.  It was a great time of fun, crafting, relaxing, and just being together.

One of the team members remarked that she wondered how long it would take to feel comfortable with the women, or if they would truly “fit in.”  She was amazed at how quickly (as soon as you enter Homecare for the first time, really) you feel at ease, comfortable, welcomed.  They are so loving and accepting; it is easy to feel “at home” with them.  And that is so very true.  As strange as it may seem, you do feel at home here; they do feel like family.  And we are blessed.

Sunday – “Treasures in Jars of Clay”

2,000 voices joined in praise - what a beginning to Sunday worship at Life Center.  How we felt the Spirit today as we joined in heartfelt praise!  From reverential Holy, Holy, Holy to a rousing Hallelujah Chorus (local arrangement, my favorite) Jesus was lifted up.  Craig shared a great message from II Cor. 4 about having immense treasure in this jar of clay body of ours.  Though some don’t realize that they truly  are clay vessels, easily cracked and broken, some can only see their brokenness and not the treasure inside.  God declares that we who know Jesus indeed have the treasure of his all-surpassing power within us…and it comes from God, not ourselves.  It is through those cracks in the clay that God’s light shines!  And that is how we can persevere in a broken world as we yearn to be joined with Jesus - through this all-surpassing power.  Hallelujah!

 

We did have earphones for interpretation during the service, and it was most interesting to hear the “announcements.”  The first one was, “God is still on the throne!”  We’ve never heard an announcement quite like that, and it was refreshing. Second announcement was to couples living together but not married, urging them to unite in Christian marriage and set up an appointment to do so.  Third was for any woman who was a second wife to a man to “depart immediately.”  Also, for any man who had left his village, come to Bujumbura and taken another woman to leave and return immediately to his village and wife.  These were given as urgent requests.  Not exactly the sort of announcements we are used to in church…….we wondered what it would be like if something like this were shared in our churches back home.

Our guys had their last session with the men.  It has been a candid, clear, and challenging look at how God created men to be.  Pray with these men as they meditate on what they have learned this week and seek to put it into action.  Pray that they will be encouraged to share it with other men and that His light will shine brighter through them.

Each day is further evidence of God at work in this country.  We sang the song “I See the Lord Sitting on the Throne,” with the words, “and the whole earth is full of His Glory.” You may not immediately see this on the surface here just to look around at the surroundings and conditions in which many live.  But we HAVE seen Him…..in the faces of the women at Homecare, in the worship today, in the lives of dear believers who are declaring His goodness.  We yearn with them to be the kind of clay vessels through which His Light shines brightly.

Saturday---"Building the Future"

Last night the men had a discipleship session with the group of Burundian men exploring what it means to be a Christian man who respects and honors women.  It generated a lot of serious discussion about how that would look here where women are seldom esteemed.  “That’s just how men are here,” is a common refrain, but that is challenged by God’s Word and the way Jesus demonstrated love and respect toward women.  It was quite a fruitful night for them.

Eve our translator and Craig

While the men were in their meeting, we women went to the Friday night service at Life Center Church.  You can hear the glorious praise and worship long before you get out of the car!  You can’t help but be caught up in the joy and heartfelt worship of the King of Kings.  This is a service open to the entire city, so many come from various parts of town to join together in praise.  We are looking forward to Sunday worship as more than 1,000 people gather under a metal roofed pavilion which houses the church (no walls…open air).

This morning we met with Simon, a man from the UK who has been working here for 15 years.  He has quite a link to Burundi; his great-grandparents were some of the first missionaries here and the first to start translating the Bible into Kirundi.  After his great-grandfather died, his grandmother completed the translation work.  The ministry with which Simon serves built the conference center where we stay as a means of self-supporting the ministry which is involved in evangelism and discipleship, especially with youth.  They are in the process of expanding the center, and we joined Simon to walk through the construction site, climbing our way up to a third floor.  Through concrete pillars and rebar, the view of the surrounding area was spectacular.  Together we listened to their vision and prayed for the ministry to impact this country, provide training and jobs, and see Burundi come to Christ.

The men on our team had their third session with the Burundian men who are seeking to grow in their role as Christian men, leaders, and business owners.  These men have listened intently and asked deep, probing questions, showing an earnest desire to put Biblical principles into action. Our men have been very impressed with the vulnerability and serious seeking these men have displayed.  Just as building in to the lives of the women at Homecare is having impact on the future of Burundi, so are these men and men like them who are serious about living out their faith.  It is encouraging to see this kind of desire and hope for the future of their nation.

Saturday is a bustling day in the city; markets are buzzing, traffic gnarled at times, which is interesting since there are no traffic lights in the country.  Somehow it just works.

The women went to a local market to explore the local handicrafts.  Wood carvings, drums, beaded jewelry, paintings and soapstone objects demonstrate the creativity of the people here.  We also made a stop at a local fabric store which now supplies locally manufactured fabric (there is only one manufacturer operating in Burundi).  The brilliant colors and intriguing designs are a feast for the eyes.  We couldn’t resist purchasing a few to share with the ladies at Homecare.

As we prepare for worship tomorrow, we had time tonight to share what we have seen, heard, and are learning about life in Burundi.  The challenges are great; the possibilities endless.  When you have the opportunity to hear the hearts of people here, you are reminded that God’s plan is for a good future and hope.  We join with our friends here to see that come to pass in this amazing country.

All sweet ladies

 Mary, Faith and Peace praying

 sweet ladies

Peace and Amadeine now 10 years old

Friday - “Can you see me?”

For the past two days we have heard testimony after testimony of the transforming power of the Lord in the lives of women ministered through Homecare.   There is the familiar thread to every story:  pain, rejection, being hated, scorned.  Without hope and many not wanting to live.  One said she wished she had never been born and prayed for God to take her.  Often rejected by family and left to fend on their own, these women know the cruelties of life.  It was if they didn’t exist, or shouldn’t.  And yet, in the darkest of times, God’s light penetrated each of their lives, brought them to Homecare and has turned their darkness into light.

All of their testimonies are overwhelming, deeply touching and real.  As grateful as they are for the training they have received, the daily food (when many had often not had food for days at a time), a roof over their heads, their greatest joy and treasure was receiving their own Bible!   

Each woman clutches her Bible dearly to her chest.  One woman said,” This was the first time I had ever touched a Bible.  I never dreamed I would have one of my own.”  How they treasure God’s Word that is alive in them!  What you hear over and over again is expressions of gratitude that words cannot adequately describe.  God is good!   As each one stood before us, with heads held high, huge smiles on their faces, they presented themselves as they have come to see themselves in God’s eyes, loved and precious.  It is evident in their demeanor, the way they hold themselves, and their pride in what they are accomplishing.  Most of them were wearing dresses they have learned to make for themselves, and the pride of workmanship shows!  As they showed their dresses to us, they were asking, “What do you think of what I have made?  God has made us beautiful!”  Several asked, “Can you see what God has done for me?”  The once invisible, dejected women now feel seen and heard, nourishment for the soul.

Several of the women joyfully announced to us that they were engaged!  This is particularly cause for celebration for these women prior to coming to Homecare would not have been considered marriageable.  They would not have been desired. But God’s transformation has totally changed them from the inside out, and God is blessing them with men who SEE them and value them as wives, further evidence that God is indeed doing a new thing in these women.

https://app.box.com/s/331ghzmvmgb78mahkm4o

We also had the joy of hearing from 22 former graduates who took time away from their work to come to Homecare to give thanks to God for His goodness displayed through those who provide for the ministry with their giving. As they praise God, they ask Him to shower blessings on those who have provided for this ministry that has changed their lives.  What a joy to hear how well they are doing!  Their businesses are growing; they are earning enough to provide for rent, food, and school fees for their children.  Best of all, they know Jesus and know He is with them.  As graduates keep in touch with their “parents” at Homecare, which is how all the women think of the teachers and helpers there, they confirm God’s faithfulness not only to get them through the training process, but to continue with them as they establish their own businesses.  It is most rare to have the high success rate that the graduates and women who have received microloans have at Homecare, far from the norm.  As we listen, it is clear that the high value of community, loving acceptance and heart nurturing in the Lord is what makes these women succeed. 

Oh, that all of us could see themselves as these have come to see themselves…..transformed; renewed; made new!  Are they beautiful?  God says, “Yes.”  Are they loved? Are they SEEN?  And our God declares a resounding, “YES.”
Beauty for ashes….new creatures.  As the Lord gazes at each one, this is what He sees, and yes, dear women, we see you……… and you are beautiful.

"All Glory goes to Jesus!"

It is late, our first full day in Burundi, and our first day to be with the amazing people at Homecare.  This will be brief; we'll try to fill in more detail tomorrow, but we were overwhelmed with the joyous praise of the women as we arrived, swept away with boundless celebration of the goodness of God.  It is truly a taste of heaven!  Then one by one, the testimonies began.  Each woman so anxious to tell about how God is working in their lives; they could not contain their thanksgiving and joy!  Stories of common wounds of abuse, dreadful fear, total rejection, hatred......invisibility.  BUT.....and this is always the key word.....BUT GOD entered their lives and transformation takes place!  They could not stop declaring His greatness!

https://app.box.com/BurundiApril2014

This afternoon 22 graduates of Homecare came to share how God continues to work in their lives through growing businesses, ability to care for themselves, children, siblings, relatives.  In each case, their faces glow with new found dignity, self-respect, gratefulness and JOY.  Tonight the men met with a group of Burundian men who are eager to grow in their relationship with the Lord and in their roles as Christian men.  These sessions will continue in the days ahead.
More details to come, but suffice it to know that this was the day the Lord made - and how we rejoiced in it!!!
We so appreciate your prayers; please continue.  We come with open hearts, open ears, seeking minds and a deep desire to hear and see God in fresh ways with our sisters and brothers here in Burundi who are teaching us so much.
To God be the glory!

Heading off to Burundi

Here we go to the Heart of Africa!  We are very excited to be joining with our wonderful ministry partners at Homecare Burundi in Bujumbura, Burundi once again.  Our eleven member team has been preparing for this for a long time, and we anticipate God doing amazing things during our time there.   Please pray for the team:  Suzanne, Rick, Heather, Eric, David, Julie, Craig, Brenda, and Laura (along with John and Diane), that we will be open to all He wants to accomplish through us. Pray for God's great blessing on each person we encounter, for the special discipleship gatherings with the men (first time for this and the result of much prayer).   We have new things planned to share with the ladies in the training program that we pray will encourage and inspire them.
We will post as often as possible (hoping that internet will be operational so we can do that).  We invite you to follow along with us on this great journey with the Lord!