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!

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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!