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BURUNDI - AFRICA
Why Burundi? What About the Needs of Charleston?
So often when we talk about missions to places like Burundi, I often hear in response, but what about Charleston? Why do we need to go so far to do mission? The short answer is that our vision demands it, in fact, our vision and Scripture demand it! The Vision of St. Michael’s Church is to Transform Hearts through Jesus Christ in the Home, Holy City, Hurting Coast and Hungering World. This isn’t something we invented, but it is the Biblical imperative out of Acts 1:8, where we find Jesus saying, be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. We translate those destinations this way:
Jerusalem = Heart and Home ~ Judea = Charleston ~ Samaria = Hurting Coast ~ Ends of the Earth = Hungering World
Jesus didn’t insert or in the middle of those destinations, in fact he said and between each destination! He is calling us to minister in all 4 areas. Yes, it would have been easier if Jesus had given us a choice, but the fact is, our ministries in the home have to be as vital as they are in the larger city, the coast and locations beyond our borders!
(Continued on page 14)
The Preaching and Teaching Ministry in Burundi
When you go on mission with an investments advisor (Joe Nicholson), an attorney (Bill Lyles) and a banker (David Soutter), one can wonder, how will we all do in a foreign land? More specifically in Burundi, there is a tendancy to be asked to preach or give your testimony at the drop of a hat. I couldn’t be more proud of our St. Michael’s team! When asked to preach and teach, they more than willingly did what they were asked and did it well!
In 1 Peter 3:15 we find these words: Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is within you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.
What’s Next for Burundi?
Burundi, while only the size of Maryland, yet with over 9 million people, is a scarred nation. For 13 years, this country fought a civil war, and during that time, most of the infrastructure was destroyed. For two years there has been peace, a peace that now hinges on the Presidential elections going forward this summer. If those elections are anything but peaceful, it could throw the nation back into civil war, which would prohibit us from sending teams in. Our prayer, hope and expectation is that we would be able to respond to their greatest needs, which after many listening sessions, include the following:
Continued financial support for the staff’s and operating budgets of the ministry partners
A healing ministry to come in and train their clergy and pastors
Doctors and nurses to come over to help start and maintain their clinic
There are so many more needs, but these seemed to be the big three. It is also exciting that St. Michael’s Church is not alone in the support for Burundi. The Church of Our Savior on John’s Island, as well as St. Andrews Church Mt. Pleasant are also looking to send teams over.
Reflection by David Soutter
Burundi Mission 2010
I was getting a bit frustrated.
I had felt a call to return to Burundi, in February, but it seemed every avenue I went down was wrong, or just did not work. There was simply not enough time to pull off a medical mission, nor any experienced medical person to lead. A healing mission did not seem to jell, and I was unsure exactly what one could really accomplish. Some new people wanted to go, might go, but suddenly just could not go in February.
Still I felt that call. So I prayed. And the nudge I got told me to go see Al, he needed to go. So I prayed some more, another day, until the Voice told me, in no uncertain terms “I told you to go see Al.”
So I did. And as I explained to Al what I felt called to do, and explained how a trip might work, and we thought through what would have to work for Al to go, the mission finally became clear. We should take church leaders there, to see the Gospel at work, to meet our partners, to experience the transformations that happen to us when we go into the mission field. Those leaders could help share the passion with those who have gone. And we could get so much more done with more Godly leaders behind our efforts.
And that is what happened. Al’s scheduled cleared enough to go, and obstacles got addressed and resolved. Joe Nicholson had wanted to go in 2009, but had been prevented from going, but now was able, and ready. And Bill Lyles was asked and prayerfully agreed to go as God seemed to clear his calendar.
What a team! It is impossible for me to imagine how we could have been better constituted, how we could have fitted together any better. God blessed me with the entire trip, but blessed me first with the team.
In Burundi, we have partnered with an organization called Great Lakes Outreach, based in the UK. GLO was created by Simon Guillebaud specifically to support the work of Scripture Union and its decades-old efforts in Burundi. GLO and Scripture Union believe the problems in Burundi are strategic, the failures of leadership, arising from historic tribal jealousies. So GLO’s strategic imperative is “to raise up a new generation of leaders, without respect to tribal affiliations”.
We have worked especially with three of Scripture Union’s best: Freddy Tuyzire and Youth for Christ, Onesphore Manirakiza, at Harvest for Christ, and Emmanuel Ndikumana at the theological school PTI. All have proven to be exceptional leaders, all completely sold out for Jesus, all are well educated, all attractive, articulate, and good family men.
Youth for Christ (YFC) is a worldwide organization, whose impact in Burundi has been substantial. Under Freddy’s leadership, they sponsor Bible Clubs in high schools throughout the country, an orphanage and school in Burundi’s second city, Gitega, a new clinic there, and are considering a secondary school elsewhere in Gitega. There has been real direct progress made, and all consistent with Freddy’s (and the Lord’s) long range plans.
Harvest for Christ (HFC) has as its focus an annual Evangelism Explosion, an effort that has grown significantly over its six year history. The venture requires the training of amateur evangelists over the course of the year, then sending them out, almost Biblically, over two weeks and three weekends in August. The results are carefully tracked, with some 450 evangelists going out in 2009, who talked and preached to nearly 60,000 people, and got nearly 25,000 commitments to Jesus Christ. All of those who commit their lives to Christ are directed and connected with local congregations of many denominations. Many of those conversions are accompanied by miracles of healing and the casting out of demons. Stories of Muslims coming to faith, of witch doctors burning their tools, these make the news in Burundi, and are evidence of the transforming of the country, one soul at a time.
PTI is the new school set up to allow the many Christian ministers to receive some proper theological training. Many of these pastors are called to ministry, but many have no formal education beyond primary school. We saw the real need for this kind of empowering education among the clergy, whose call, and preaching and pastoring, is strong, but whose efforts can be dramatically enhanced by a better grounding in Scripture.
I saw many real improvements in general life in Burundi since my first visit in 2008. The country had then just ended (barely) its thirteen-year civil war, militias were still evident, security was extremely tight (with roadblocks every five miles or so), and the people very wary. And weary. There were major washouts on major roads, and some travel could not begin after 3:00pm since it was not safe to be on the roads after dark. Accommodations were generally poor, requiring us to essentially camp out, even if we were staying inside a building. Bathroom facilities were especially challenging.
But this time I saw a better spirit, more optimism, even some traffic improvements. Though there is certainly what our host Olivia calls “lawless driving” (an adventure that can hardly be described), I saw some actual stop signs, even a street light. I saw more light in the countryside. And I heard from our friends there a wary optimism about the context of this summer’s elections. All these elements should bode well for the future of this recovering country.
So I look forward to working with our partners there, to see improved conditions, to see a happier people, a healthier people, to see the Gospel preached without shame, and to see a new generation of leaders who can make Burundi a Christian light to the nations.
Reflection by Joe Nicholson
We traveled by a hairy car venture to a mountain village called Busiga to see the Batwa also known as “Twa” or pygmy. The Twa are only 2% of the population and as outcasts they can only work for food. The average Burundian life expectancy is 48, but the Twa was only 28. As we got out of the cars, we were immediately greeted by at least 30 children which more than doubled as a few minutes passed. The children treated us as if we were some sort of royalty or celebrity as we literally wading amongst the sea of Twa who came to see us. Dave, Bill and Al were taking pictures of the children and then would turn the camera around to show them their faces on the digital screens which was received great shouts of joy and “ah’s & whoo’s”. We were being escorted by Youth for Christ missionaries, Passie (age 30) and her fiancé, Hermes, who were to marry that weekend. After their wedding, they were moving to this village as missionaries to the Twa. Passie led us down a very steep decline where we were followed by at least 70-100 children and adults. Once in their midst, I realized there more adults that than children, because the tallest adult was only around 5 foot. It hurt to look at the children as all of their clothing was in complete rags, most with no sandals, distended stomachs, but all had the hugest smiles with the whitest teeth I had ever seen. Most of them carried filthy yellow jugs which they used to carry water in. Carved out of the steep hill, they lived in these woven stick huts with green leaves in-between with brown thatched roofs with dirt floors. Looking inside we saw little camp fires where we were told the entire family of 8-10 would sleep alongside their goats to help keep them warm. Passie said their huts often had to be rebuilt because they could not with stand the mountain storms and wind. It suddenly occurred to me that these people were living in conditions worst off than during biblical times. The greatest needs was simply clean water which Water Missions has plans to place 1 unit but still needs funding for it. St. Michaels could make a biggest difference in the community if we just support what Christ is already doing with Youth For Christ.
At another similar Twa village, we saw body stretcher made of sticks and woven grass being carried down the hill. Freddy said if they sick or dead, that is the only to transport up these hills since there is no ambulance or medical clinic care nearby. As we started up the hill to leave we stopped by the clapping and singing coming from about 25 children and adults. The babies were even clapping and dancing along with the others. I had no idea what they were singing, but I felt the Holy Spirit with a such a force that every hair was standing up on my neck, and I felt paralyzed as I watched them dancing and singing towards us. The singing was absolutely beautiful but the love I heard was transforming. Our leader, Freddy, later translated the song which said they appreciated our coming and thank us for visiting and they would pray for God to bless us and protect our way. I had never seen people in such utter poverty yet in such joy in my life. They had nothing, but they were giving us a gift of song, dance and prayer that was only of the Holy Spirit.
About ¾ way back up the hill we pass an 11 year old boy going down the hill, in tears, that was carrying his infant brother wrapped on his back. He explained to Passie that his infant brother was sick, had not eaten in days and he was afraid he was going to die. The boy said he had no mother and had carried his brother on his back, barefoot, for miles to a medical clinic that refused to see his sick brother without a parent. It then occurred to of my own reality of having my own 11 year old and thinking of a child having this burden was too much for me to bear. We had no medicine, we were not doctors, and money could not cure this child. Al asked if we could pray for this infant, where he prayed from Acts 3:6, “Silver or gold we do not have, but what we have we give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we ask that this child be healed of whatever sickness or affliction and blessings upon his brother and family.” Al then anointed the infant and boy with holy oil in the name of Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. In this moment of absolute desperation and helplessness for this brother and sick infant, I too learned that all I ever need is to call upon Jesus Christ.
Water Missions International: Burundi
With St. Michael’s outreach into Burundi over the past three years, it has been recognized that the need for clean water is so desperately needed at the places that were visited. While water is often in abundance, the cleanliness of that water is such that children and adults still die regularly from water-related illness. At the initiative of past mission participants, Water Missions International was asked and funded to make a site visit to four different locations within Burundi for an assessment of water needs. These site visits were completed in the week prior to our celebration of Thanksgiving, and the analysis of these assessments was received from WMI on December 3rd. Each site, including two different orphanages, and two areas of outreach to the Batwa peoples, found that the available water failed biological tests, indicating that the children and people in those communities were exposed to deadly water borne diseases and higher incidences of skin rashes and scabies. Through the placement of water treatment systems developed by Water Missions International, clean pure water can be provided for these communities.
Many of us want to undertake the challenge and opportunity of trying to raise the funds for the installation of these water treatment systems at each of the four locations already identified with desperate need. The total cost for these systems which include transportation, training and monitoring averages about $26,000 for each site. Among past Burundi mission participants, enough is already available from past fund raising efforts to fund one site. Additionally, a single gift has already funded a second site and some remains for the start of a third. Ideally, each of these sites will be enjoying clean pure water by this coming summer when it is hoped that a visiting St. Michael’s team will be present for the dedication. If you are interested in helping with this ambitious goal, contributions can be received directly by Water Missions International, marked for Burundi, or through St. Michael’s Church, marked for WMI-Burundi. If you have further questions or want to know more, please contact either Dave Soutter or Bob Lawrence.
View the Project specifications
Youth For Christ Orphanage Project
BURUNDI MISSION 2009
St. Michael’s still hopes to send a team to Burundi sometime during the summer months of 2010. Plans for this summer mission will take clearer focus after the first of the year. A healing mission for body and soul with both physicians and healing prayer ministers was envisioned for a mission in February 2010 that unfortunately did not come together. This may now give shape to a summer mission. Earlier plans for a summer team were to have it focused on evangelism and cooperation with Water Missions International for the placement of water systems. All of these things remain possibilities based upon the gifts, skills and interests of those God calls to share as a mission team. Any summer mission trip is tentatively targeting the first two weeks of July. Continue to watch the Messenger and Sunday bulletins after the first of the year for more information.
Follow the Burundi Summer Mission Team on Facebook.
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| Burundi Summer 2009 |
Freddy Tuyizere and Youth for Christ
by Newman Lawrence
Freddy Tuyizere is one of the most incredible people I have ever met. I have been fortunate enough to have gone to Burundi on two occasions through missions with St. Michael’s and have spent time with Freddy on both of these trips. Freddy is the leader for Youth for Christ, Burundi which is an outreach youth program much like Young Life or our own youth group here at St. Michaels. In Burundi the YFC group is so much more than just a youth group though, as they are raising up the future leaders of Burundi. Freddy is a man with dreams, but more importantly he is a man of faith, a faith that is so much stronger than my own and a faith from which I have learned so much. YFC Burundi is based in the capital city of Bujumbura. The headquarters building houses offices and host many events to include worship services and hang out time. It is somewhat of a home away from home for the staff that works in Gitega too. In Gitega, YFC operates an orphanage and school. The orphanage is home to 27 of the happiest, loving and endearing children that would love to spend all day just sitting in your lap, hugging you, or even praying for you. The children there call Freddy, Papa. Also, in Gitega, is the Future Hope School. It is not only attended by the orphans but also by some of the local children that couldn’t otherwise afford schooling. The orphanage in Gitega is a place that will change your life through the smiles of children. The staff there are mainly made up of young adults that have been ministered to and reached through YFC and Freddy’s dream of raising up a new generation of leaders. Freddy is well known throughout the country by many youth and adults alike and he is a great friend to have. Being that I am a young adult, Freddy is a man I look up to as a father like figure but he has the energy and youthfulness of many of my friends my own age. I consider myself lucky to know this man of God and hope to one-day return to Burundi to work with Freddy again. Please visit the YFC, Burundi website just so you can a glimpse of the joy and hope we all experienced while working with Freddy and his staff. www.burundiyfc.org.
The Rainbow Centre by Walker Marion
The Rainbow Centre in Bujumbura served as the home base during our trip. We stayed there most of the nights except when we were away for a night with the Twa and two nights in Gitega. The center was a small, cozy place with a big, open-aired room for eating, bedrooms, and a common room. Five of the girls and Susie stayed in the big room with bunk beds, the Neyles’ had a room, Father Bob and Robby shared a room, the three boys had a room, and the rest of the ladies shared the last room. Especially after spending nights away from the Rainbow Centre, it was so nice to be able to come back. The showers may have been cold and limited to two minutes, but at least we got showers there. The common room was used as a meeting spot and for worship at night. The kids played card games for hours at a time there as well. We had an amazing cook named Nathan who spoiled us with delicious meals. We had everything from fruit and pancakes to big cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Also, Nathan usually had cut up tomatoes and cucumbers for us and meals like hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, and meat balls. Dessert was not common at all in Burundi, but Nathan surprised us with two cakes during the stay. One was as a welcome home cake when we returned from spending two nights in Gitega. The Rainbow Center became like a second home to us while we were on the trip. We felt very welcome there and were well taken care of.
NOTE - The Rainbow Centre is a Medical Clinic that exist to care for children with AIDS. It also operates a guest house to provide revenue to support the clinic. We were guests in the guest house.
Building Projects in Muramvya and Gitega
by Robby Marion
On Friday, August 3rd, the team rose early, boarded our transportation bus and headed into the mountains to the city of Muramvya and the Batwa village. After a two hour bus ride through curvy and sometimes washed out mountain roads, our team and a group from Harvest for Christ joined residents of the Batwa village on the side of the road. The members of Harvest for Christ would act as our interpreters as well as lead us through our building project. Our mission team was divided into three groups, assigned to an interpreter and we prepared to work on three separate single home worksites. Our goal was to move materials and dig the foundation for mud huts that would be occupied by a member or family from the Batwa village. In one case, the potential resident for the new home was currently sleeping in a grass hut no larger than six feet across. The grass roof was no match for the frequent rains common to the region. Each of the three teams began moving eucalyptus trees that had been cut from the mountainside to one of the three construction sites. These trees would be used as the support for the walls of the mud huts that we were building. After a full afternoon of moving trees up and down the mountainside and our legs badly in need of a break, we stopped work for the day just before dark and made camp on a flat area of the mountainside. After a dinner at a local restaurant and a cold nights rest, we began moving again at day break having a quick banana and fried bread breakfast and going right to work. Saturday morning’s focus was on the actual foundation for the mud huts. We dug foundations, moved rocks into the foundation pit and mixed red clay with water to make mud that would be used to hold the foundation together. As Burundi law goes and with regard to our project in Muramvya, the Batwa people do not technically own any of the land on which they live. So, some of the contributions made to this mission trip (about $400 per hut) helped pay for the trees, mud and others materials that were cut and dug from the land or transported from other locations. There was much left to do on each mud hut, but we had to leave the work to others as we departed Muramvya for our next stop.
On Thursday, August 9th, we again boarded our bus early in the morning and traveled back into the mountains. This bus ride was across many of the same mountain roads, but for three to four hours this time. We finally arrived at the Gitega orphanage. Some members of our team ran a small version of vacation bible school for the children while others began helping the workers already in place building a new home that would house six children in the orphanage. The work consisted of mixing concrete (called sauce) for the foundations, moving bricks down the hill to the construction site and carrying water up the hill from the source below. The Burundi women that were helping would place the five gallon containers of water on their heads and practically run up the mountainside one hundred yards. Several of the men on our team attempted the same thing, but had to carry the containers of water with their arms, not on their heads. The truth be told, the men didn’t really run up the hill either. Each afternoon, our team would assemble with other volunteers and workers and form a human chain between the construction site and the pile of bricks located up the hill several hundred feet. The chain of 25 people was able to move 6 bricks at a time with at least 10 stacks of bricks in the chain at any time. With the process taking about 1 minute for a stack of bricks to make it from the brick pile to the construction site, the human chain was able to move 60 bricks a minute. Quick calculations based on our time worked told us that we were able to move a HUGE number of bricks for the home site. Kiki, the construction supervisor told us that the total number of bricks needed for the home is 40,000!
Both construction projects contained one common practice. Very large rocks were placed in the four exterior corners of the foundation of the mud hut to provide additional support and to keep the hut from crumbling. Actual cement mortar was used to lay the bricks in the four exterior corners of foundation of the home at the orphanage whereas red clay mud was used to lay the bricks everywhere else in the home. When you stop to think about it isn’t this what each of us should be doing in our lives, making Jesus Christ the cornerstone? Just as these simple building practices worked in Burundi, making Jesus the cornerstone in your life will help keep your walls from crumbling!
Burundi Farewell – Charlotte Neyle
The team attended a farewell dinner our last night in Burundi. A few people mentioned something about a surprise awaiting us, but of course no one could have guessed what it would be. We hopped off the bus we had shared so many hours and memories together in, and walked up to the gates. As we walked in, African drummers started beating and they continued to play for about thirty minutes. The men did a number of dances, and showed us all their techniques. At the end, the drummers came up and chose a couple of people to give it a try! We all ended up showing them our “skills” and it turned out not to be as easy as it looked!
After the drummers demonstration we sat down for our last dinner in Burundi. I think we were all expecting something along the lines of rice, beans, bread, you know the usual. We were wrong. I walked up to fix my plate and there were pineapples, FRENCH FRIES, beef, peas, and even ketchup! Most of us had Fanta to drink of course, and we all sat with different people. Eliza, Abby, and I sat with Chris, one of the men working with Harvest for Christ. Chris talked to us about coming back, and we all nodded our heads and were in strong agreement. We promised Chris we would see him again.
Before we said goodbyes, we were able to stand up and talk about how the trip affected us. We received gifts and certificates, and also many thanks. I remember thinking, why are all of these people thanking us? We were the ones who needed to be thanking THEM. I say this because what the teams see and experience together is not something you will find anywhere close to home or in magazines and books. We experienced faith in the raw, and I think we all came home with a little more hope, excitement about the Lord, and a whole lotta unconditional love for Burundi.
Gitega Children by Abby Grady
As I entered the Future Hope School to meet the Gitega children for the first time I was immediately embraced by one of the youngest orphans. He did not know who I was, yet he walked right up to me and wrapped his arms around my legs. This is a love I had never experienced before. For the next three days, hugs and kisses from the children became a regular and reoccurring gift. Their English was slim and my Kirundi was even slimmer, yet it did not matter. Words were not needed to share our love for each other. By the end of our time together, I felt as if all of the children were my brothers and sisters. Saying goodbye is never easy, yet I knew when I said goodbye to the children it would not be a goodbye forever, more like a see you soon. Freddie asked the children to bow their heads and pray for our safe travels back to the city. One child, a girl about eight, came over and signaled she wanted to pray for me. I completely under estimated the power of a prayer from such a young child. She had me sit on the floor as she placed her hand on my head. She then began about a three-minute prayer in Kirundi. Although, I could not understand the words she was saying her faith and love overwhelmed me. This child showed me what Gitega really had to offer and that is faith, hope and love. The children of Gitega re-taught me what we are told in first Corinthians, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preservers.”
Gitega Children by Anna Catherine Thornley
When I was first told we were pulling up to an orphanage, I imagined despair, sadness and a complete sense of hopelessness. For so long, I had thought of orphanages as dark, run down homes, filled with little ones just wanting a place to call home. I was expecting to see sad, worn out children, tears falling from their eyes, wondering where in the world their mommies and daddies were. Well, when we pulled up to the Gitega Orphanage, I knew immediately, I was quite mistaken. We pulled through the gates into a place that just amazed me. The grass was a rich green, the buildings clay red and little paths going here and there amongst the numerous buildings, some for sleeping, some for eating and the amazing new medical clinic. As much as I already loved where we were, little did I know, within 15 minutes of my arrival, I would meet about 26 young boys and girls whose love and joy in the Lord would forever touch my life.
The first little one I saw was a tiny little girl, jumping around, clapping and singing, smiling and laughing, just having a great time. I could tell that something was wrong with her face, however, and it was all too familiar to me. Her name was Laurette and she was 6 years old. She has a severe cleft palate and just as my little sister did, she has much trouble speaking and communicating with those around her. Someone with her condition cannot pronounce many words due to a missing palate; however, this did not stop her from singing and yelling what she could. I stood next to her and the second she grabbed my hand I knew I would never be able to forget her. Laurette was also extremely tiny for her age. I had no idea she was six until one of the orphanage mothers told me. Her tiny hands would squeeze my fingers anytime she would jump and every time I picked her up, I felt as though I was lifting a feather. Throughout my entire stay at Gitega, Laurette was always so energetic and loving. Never once did I see her shed a tear, and she alone proved to me that these children do not have to have a mom and dad to be happy. These kids have many moms that care for them and love them with ever ounce of their being. Every child at the orphanage loved each other and they truly had become brothers and sisters to each other. Each night, after eating a hearty meal, the kids and the adults would break into song and never in my life have I seen so many little kids dance and worship so lively and energetically. They proved to me that it is possible to take 30 minutes a night and worship and praise the Lord.
The day I left was the hardest day ever. I had already decided that I would be returning in the future to this place; however, sitting on the ground holding all of the different children, knowing that next time I come back they could be somewhere new, broke my heart. Right before we left, the teacher at the orphanage told the children to pray for us. Every single child got up from where they were, picked a “mazungu” (white person) and prayed as if they were best friends with God. They prayed their own prayers to each of us and as they prayed, they placed their tiny little hands on us. Right then I knew that one day, each and every one of those kids will somehow serve the Lord and be a leader in Burundi, if not all over the world. To this day, I think of every single one of those kids. I have pictures everywhere, reminding me of the joy they have and the love they share with everyone. I pray continuously for their health and safety, and I know that everyone involved in Gitega will take care of them. Hearing wonderful news that Laurette will have the opportunity to have her palate fixed just shows me how much the Lord loves the kids and how much He is watching over them. I miss them all and cannot wait to return to hold them once again!!
The Heart of a Missionary by Audra Gibson
Where do missionaries live? Burundi? Honduras? China? Inner-city somewhere? And what defines them? Is it the work that they do? Is it the number they have shared Christ with? Do their names have to be Billy Graham, Elizabeth Elliott, or Simon Guillebaud? Do they have to be long-term missionaries to be considered “official”, or does short term mission work count? I’d like to suggest that, as Christians, we are all long-term missionaries. It is simply the details of our call that change, but not the call itself.
Matthew 28:19-20 says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” If that is Christ’s direction to the disciples (and let’s assume for all practical purposes that it applies to us as well as followers of Christ), I’d like to also suggest that much of the drive to follow that call resides in our hearts. When I say heart, I urge you away from images of cupid and fluffy emotional gushes. I am talking about the place deep inside us where we hear the whisper (or the shout) of the Lord God Almighty. I refer to the heart that appears in Romans 10. “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10:8b). Do you notice that the word of God is in the heart and in the mouth? I don’t think this is coincidence. Romans 10:10 says, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” If it is in our heart, does it not also need to flow from our mouths?
You don’t have to board a plane to be a missionary, but you do have to “go” as it says in Matthew 28:19. Perhaps you are to go lead a Sunday School class, go write a check for a mission’s fund, or go say a prayer for someone. Maybe you are even meant to go to Burundi. The best way to know how to “go” is to first go to the Lord and ask with an open heart. Ask where your mission field is. It may lie in a foreign land, but it may more likely exist in your school, your corporate office, your country club, or even your living room. Be encouraged. The word is in your heart, let it pour from your mouth and navigate your actions. “As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:15b). If the feet are beautiful, think of how pleasing the heart must be.
Mt. Songa by Eliza Tew
It was 5:30 in the morning when we left our temporary home in Gitega and started our trek up Mount Songa, one of the largest mountains in all of Burundi. The air was cool and the sun was just beginning to rise as we hiked our way toward the top. All spirits were high and God’s beautiful creation was seen endlessly. As we passed a small village at the bottom of the mountain, many local children joined us in our hike and were at ease on God’s amazing land. The hike was filled with steep hillsides, loose terrain and thick brush. However we soon made it to the top and the view was much more then breath taking. God’s spirit was no doubt with us and we began to praise him in both song and prayer. We thanked him for this beautiful land and for the amazing things he has started to do in Burundi. We prayed for the future of this country and the presence of God in it. We ate avocado sandwiches and drank coffee as we joined in a circle, holding hands to sing Imana Ni Nziza and after about an hour on top of this beautiful mountain we made our way down.
As we made our way down, a group of us started to talk to a local boy, Cedric. Freddy Tuyizere, our hosts and the National Director of Youth for Christ, translated for us and we soon learned that Cedric was around the age of 14 but was only in the 4th grade. Burundi does not have free education like we do in the United States and his family was not wealthy enough to pay for his schooling every year. His parents were divorced and he lived with his mother. His father is an alcoholic and Cedric doesn’t see him much. He is now man of the house and it is his job to take care of his mother and siblings. Cedric didn’t know when his next meal would be; he just tried to get by day to day. As we continued to make our way down the mountain, I took in Cedric’s appearance. He was clothed in what looked like rags and he was shivering uncontrollably, but he kept going. I immediately took off the sweatshirt I was wearing and handed it to him to put on. He looked straight to Freddy and asked if it were a gift or just to wear until we got to the bottom, and when I told him he could keep it, tears gathered in his eyes. He told us that he had never received a gift before and he would cherish it forever. He then took my hand and we walked together down the mountain talking about God and Jesus’ love.
He told us that he had gone to a Roman Catholic Church his whole life but never really accepted Jesus. He then asked us to pray for him and we did. We prayed for his relationship with Jesus and that he knew that God was the only way and that Jesus loved him and would never stop. Cedric then accepted Jesus as his savior. He told Freddy that it was not because of the preaching we had done but because of the love he had seen, because of the simple act of my giving him my sweatshirt, he gave his life to Christ. Cedric has changed my life and has given me a new outlook on everything. I will continue to pray for him and when I finally go back to Burundi I will go find him. Until then, however, I know that he loves God and Jesus will continue to bless his life and take care of him.
Burundi Mission Reflection - Bob Lawrence
This summer’s Youth Mission to Burundi was an incredible success by any possible measurement. The assembled team, the travel arrangements, the amazing prayer support from so many of you, the opportunities for mission and ministry, the love given and received from the Burundian people, and the transformational life experiences shared by all have forever changed us and many of those we were privileged to meet. I have likened the 12 days that were spent in the country of Burundi as having provided us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits us all who know Jesus as Lord. After our time weary travel that covered three days, we were joyously greeted by our Burundian hosts with bouquets of flowers and infectious smiles and hugs. After a hearty lunch and a brief time of settling in at the Rainbow Centre which would be our home away from home, we were off to the shores of Lake Tanganyika for a walk on the beach and a briefing from our primary hosts, Freddy Tuyizere, the National Director of Youth for Christ in Burundi, and Meg Lavery of Great Lakes Outreach. They outlined the plans for us for the days ahead before a return to the Rainbow Centre for some much
needed rest.
Short articles from each of the mission participants will detail our full itinerary in the coming weeks of the Messenger. We will also present as a team on Sunday, September 6 during the Tool Time hour and possibly again following the evening service. What you have in store are stories of: Freddy Tuyizere and Youth for Christ; Onesphore Manirakiza and Harvest for Christ; camping among the Batwa people (pygmies), assisting in the building of their homes, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them; worship among our Burundian brothers and sisters in Christ on Sunday’s and Wednesday evening, with all of us sharing testimonies of faith and some of us preaching; coordinating an amazing three full days of Bible Camp with 230 children with lots of energy, music, dancing, crafts, sports, food, Bible study, prayer and pure JOY!; bus rides with our driver Simba; construction projects with bricks and sauce and bricks and logs and bricks and teamwork and bricks and singing and bricks and did I mention bricks; sharing life with the amazing family of children at the Gitega orphanage; offering a 2 day mini-Bible Camp to all of the children of the New Hope School in Gitega; hiking up Mt. Songa in order to pray over all of the nation of Burundi; and much much more.
I personally long for more of you to be able to share in the work of God’s Kingdom in Burundi. A piece of my heart remains there among my brothers and sisters in Christ who share a deep and abiding love of our Lord Jesus and who firmly believe that God has raised them up, and is raising up a new generation of Godly leaders within their country, that they may be that “city on a hill” and “a light unto the nations” of which scripture speaks. I am also forever blessed by the team that God assembled to share this journey. Our times as a team in prayer, worship, Bible study, table fellowship and small family groups allowed for robust laughter, heartfelt tears and unfathomable love that will be eternally cherished. As they say and sing with great passion in Burundi, “Imana ni nziza”, God is so good!
~ Bob Lawrence+
Harvest for Christ in Burundi – Susie Morrison
On our second day in Bujumbura, we formally met Onesphore Manirakiza, who founded the organization, Harvest for Christ in Burundi in 2001. Harvest for Christ is a ministry which is primarily evangelical, but has been doing some amazing work trying to bring the different tribes of Burundi together. Just as we in America have had difficulties with race and cultural issues being a divisive factor, these people have had the same experience and even the more recent war effects because of them. One of the more marginalized ethnic groups is the Batwa or pygmy people, who have often been looked at as animals by the two other ethnic groups.
One of Onesphore’s goals has been to go into the Batwa community and show them the love of Christ by simply reaching out to them offering help in many forms. This has been unheard of in the past and by the simple willingness of going to them, it has opened doors and hearts. One of the things Harvest for Christ is actively doing within this community is to help them build better homes. Onesphore is so passionate about showing these people how they matter; most especially to Jesus Christ. Though they have not gone in preaching the Gospel in words, they have shown Christ’s love in very tangible ways that are opening the doors for the Gospel to be preached. Bringing groups like ours into this community speaks volumes to them as well as to the other tribes onlookers. Our presence affirms them as a people and is helping to bridge the gap between the tribes.
The foundation of the work we would be doing was clearly laid prior to our mission, but arriving there and seeing the need and excitement for our offer of assistance was another story entirely. As we arrived on that second day what we had heard came to life before our eyes. We set off to do the work on the homes but it was not until that night sitting together in a circle of friends beneath the moon and stars that we discovered how God revealed this mission to Onesphore. Onesphore almost died at birth because of an umbilical blood problem. God saved him and he was brought up with that knowledge. His parents died when he was a child from illness and he was left to fend for himself and his siblings alone; orphaned. He was saved for this purpose and God had written this love of the people on his heart to minister in just the way he is doing. His heart for the Batwa people is so moving. His goal is for the people of Burundi, the Hutu, Tutsi, and Batwa (pygmie people), is to become one body of faith who love and serve the Lord.
After he shared this vision from God to witness to these people, our perspective on the second day working with them was changed completely. Our love and care for these people shows them and the surrounding tribes that they are no longer viewed as animals, but as God’s children worthy of inheriting the riches of Jesus Christ. Our hearts were joined for this purpose on that second day; for the joy of knowing these people and sharing the burden of working on a new home that would provide hope for the future. It was a true blessing to all of us to love and serve in this way. The doors that have been opened are a small school that was recently built to educate those who wished. They have also cleared some land, this happened to be where we camped, that will become a medical clinic and some much needed other support for these people.
Onesphore has also been working with Great Lakes Outreach on the introduction and implementation of, “Evangelism Explosion”. This movement is a method of training up people to share their faith or more basically to be evangelists. So far this year, they are training up over a hundred young people committed to go out into communities and share their faith spreading the Gospel throughout Burundi. We had the opportunity to meet with many of these young leaders as they were our main translators. They are being trained up for this mission and they are on fire for Jesus Christ. One such young evangelist was my translator for our day camp at P.T.I. His name is, Solivan, and he is absolutely amazing. We had one of the older groups at the camp, nine, ten, and eleven year olds, and I can say that as an experienced youth minister with nearly fifteen years in ministry this young man has a true heart for sharing the Gospel. He could easily be a youth minister here in the states. His ability to draw them in, share the word, and engage in discipleship was a natural gift. This is just one example of the people who are committed to the “Evangelism Explosion”. I was touched at the commitment level of these young people to share the gospel and that of their leader, Onesphore. His ministry in Burundi is encouraging and life giving and we were truly blessed to have the opportunity to share in all they are doing at Harvest for Christ.
Burundi Team Families and Evening Worship
N’amahoro! Since we were working and living closely together as a whole group for two weeks, Father Bob with God’s wisdom decided to divide us into smaller family units with children of other parents on this trip. There were four groups formed each with four members. These were our names: the Screaming Cubans, the Piranhas, the No Names, and the Donaldsons. The purpose of these groups was to enable us to form closer relationships with those we may not have been closely associated with on a daily basis and to ensure head counts quickly in new environments. I was part of the No Name team that ironically sounds like Newman with a stretch of the imagination. Newman Lawrence, Walker Marion, Elizabeth Dougherty, and I met several times together for prayer fellowship, attendance and head counts throughout our two weeks together. I think our team name originated from a team name never being selected by our group, but it’s OK because the name stuck!
After a day of many activities (the last day of PTI camp, clean-up and dinner), we had our evening worship of singing and communion lead by Bob with musical accompaniment by Thomas Donaldson’s guitar and voice, which was by way a wonderful blessing! In our last evening fellowship, Father Bob directed us to individually and anonymously review our initial list of joys and fears about the trip before we had departed Charleston. Many of us submitted entirely different fears and joys after experiencing two weeks of African music, worship, fellowship, and sincere Christian love. Fears that originally included such things as sickness, safety and travel, had changed to fears of having to leave, the time passing too quickly and loosing enthusiasm for the Lord. Expected joys had largely been realized and exceeded by the love received and poured out in abundance.
Breaking into our family groups afterwards for sharing and prayer time provided a more intimate means of communication for those of us who are more relaxed in smaller groups. Each of us might discuss the day’s events, a sentimental memory of a child, and offer a prayer for a particular person or concern. I personally felt a closer bond with those in my Burundi Mission Team family than I know that I would have had we not been placed in these smaller family groups.
~ Linda Neyle
The Batwa Village
One of my most memorable experiences was building houses for the Batwa people. The Batwa people are the third ethnic group (after the Tutsi and the Hutu) which were sort of caught in the middle during the genocides. Freddy Tuyizere, the National Director of Youth for Christ, and one of our hosts, described their station in society well when he said that traditionally, neither the Hutu nor the Tutsi respected these people. If one worked on your property and you gave him a meal, you would wash the plate seven times and not eat on it that day.
We arrived in a bus to a spot on the road that looked like an ordinary pull off and within minutes, we were surrounded by women and children, and a few men who greeted us out of the bus. Many women and some young girls carried babies on their backs and large containers on their heads filled with bananas, and other goods. They often had colorful clothes or clothing the color of the red earth they lived on. At first they were a bit wary and stand offish, but as soon as we extended our hands and said “ N’amahoro” (peace), their eyes lit up and they smiled and were eager to extend a greeting. We worked with the Batwa people two days. The first day my group carried some long eucalyptus trunks which appeared to be light and easy to carry based on the people we saw carrying one or sometimes two on their heads. But much to my surprise they were the heaviest things I had ever carried and it took two of us. Over the hills we went up and down ravines, over streams of water and finally up into a clump of banana trees where the house was to be built. Between trips back and forth and extreme exhaustion, we hung out with the Batwa people in the little hamlet. They were beautiful people, many women and children, and we sang songs back and forth. They laughed as we tried to pronounce and sing their songs and they tried to sing ours. The highlight was one very old woman who broke into song dancing and jumping and singing passionately. When the translator translated, she was singing about how Christ was the center of her life and that she was free because of the grace of God. She was so joyful and she had no material possessions.
The next day after a sleepless night on hard red clay with a few clumps here and there, we woke up at dawn with an audience watching us, all curious as to what we would do next. That day, I went to another hamlet which had more houses and one hut that was made of banana leaves where a widow lived. This was the woman for whom we were to build a brick house. When we got there, there were many women and children who were very much skeptical as to who we were and why we were there. The men right away started leveling the spot where the house was to go. Eliza, Abby and I tried to get to know the people. One fun way was to take their picture on a digital camera. After some hesitation the first one braved the camera shot and then when they saw themselves on screen, they laughed and all wanted a try. They loved to see their children on screen as well. After many smiles and laughter, the women were told to go get water for the red clay to prepare it into mud. This was to be used in the foundation: the large red bricks for construction already had been prepared. For about two hours, we trekked back and forth along a beautiful path on the side of a hill, among eucalyptus trees glistening in the sun, corn fields rattling in the breeze, sweet potato plants at our feet and one loose cow being kept in line by a small boy with a stick, to the water spring coming out of the side of a hill. We filled our jugs and went back. Some women carried huge jugs on their heads. When we got back to the village, we poured it on the clay being hoed and prepared as mortar, and then back again. After finishing this, we threw rocks in a square ditch, and then red mud, then more rocks. Finally after much preparation, they were able to continue on with the large red bricks. The whole process was very rewarding: all of us working together, them seeing the white people working alongside them, smiling and laughing together, using sign language to communicate and Eliza and Abby sharing Jesus with the children. The highlight was at the end when one woman passionately told us how thankful she was that we had come and how much it had enriched her life. We told her we came because of Jesus and how much He loves each of them. I also told her how much it was such an honor to be able to be there with them and help them build that house. We all hugged and kissed and after a hard day of work we practically crawled over the many hills with the women and children singing us out on the long red clay path back to the bus. Praise God for allowing our lives to be enriched and our faith strengthened through meeting these people. ~ Martha Dougherty
Bus Rides & Simba
Bus rides in Burundi was probably one of the most exciting things for me. Simba was our bus driver and Newman told us that he had been the driver for the February mission team as well. On the first day, I quickly noticed a small cut-out heart with the words “Imana ni nziza” (God is so good) written on it hanging from Simba’s sunvisor. I realized that this was something my mother had made and given to Simba as a gift and it filled me with joy and tears of joy were in my eyes as I realized how much the people of Burundi value every little thing that we give them and it also reminded me that my mom was praying for us constantly. This was only the first day! The next day on the ride to the Batwa village in Muramvya, I showed Simba a picture of our family and he realized that it was my mother who had made that heart and given it to him and tears filled up his eyes and he gave me a hug and thanked me for showing him. This was all while he was continuing to drive up the windy mountain roads of Burundi.
Drivers in Burundi are very exciting! They are very fast, but also courteous and polite. There aren’t really lanes; you just drive where there is space and there are rarely wrecks. Honestly, America needs more drivers like them! As we would drive along the roads and pass roadside vendors and homes along the side of the road, everybody was very excited to see a bus full of white people and we would often hear shouts of Mazungu as we rode by which simply means “white man.” There are so many things that I could tell you about this amazing trip but I will have to save some for later. Thank you all so much for all your prayers and support!
~ Will Henry Lawrence
PTI Camp
The second week in Burundi St. Michael’s mission team participated in the camp with Partners Trust International, one of the organizations affiliated with Great Lakes Outreach. In preparation for this, biblical activities had been planned by our mission team as early as the spring to prepare for this first-time ever children’s camp. For three days all seventeen of us guided a group of twelve children ages three to twelve through a daily schedule of skits, Bible scripture, memory verses, lunch, arts/crafts, and recreational games from 8:00 – 3:00. These children had been recruited for participation through local churches and the member organizations of Great Lakes Outreach, primarily Harvest for Christ and Youth for Christ. They were transported to and from by several “minibuses” that still held over 30 children, including the one that provided our daily transportation.. Our mission was to present the word of God in an interactive, fun, and memorable way to these little angels.
Although we were Mazungus (white people), we connected with these children as one body in Christ for these three days. I think we Mazungus learned as much or more from the children than they learned from us! Thanks to the volunteers with Harvest for Christ and Youth for Christ who translated our English into Kurundi (the predominant Burundian language) or French to communicate God’s word. Kurundi Bibles were staples in our small groups as we listened to the daily scripture and Bible story. Laughter often erupted as the children enjoyed the unspoken gestures and actions of our team’s teenagers directed by Newman Lawrence as they acted out the Bible stories. The visual image of Newman as a donkey transporting Elizabeth Dougherty (Mother Mary) to the stable or hanging on the branch as Jesus during the Crucifixion will always remain with me.
Memories of my small group assisted by Alex, a local high student who translated and read from his Kurundi Bible, include the respect and keen observations of the children as they sincerely listened and shared their personal feelings about the Bible lessons, the enjoyment of playing games together as one body for Christ, and the hunger for food as some of them consumed two or more servings of lunch. Each child participating in the camp was given a T-shirt imprinted with a smiley face and the Kirundi words “Yesu Arankunda” which means “Jesus Loves Me.” They were also provided color coordinating sports caps to help identify their groups which were donated by the Sportsmens Shop. The t-shirts and chaps were worn faithfully each day as a testimony of their appreciation and commitment to our efforts in conducting this camp. ~ Linda Neyle
How 10 African Tigers Stole my Heart and Kept It
O.K.! O.K.! I know you are saying “ Africa does not have tigers”! In one sense, you are indeed correct. But in another, you are completely wrong. Africa does have tigers- 10 little tigers with distinguishing stripes of shy, loving, coy, beguiling, caring, ferocious, brave, innocent and yet, in a very needy way, quite worldly. I met my group at the very end of the first morning’s registration. I helped Bob with gathering names and moving groups along their way until we were finally finished. There were no more children, everybody had their kids, and I did not have a group. Inside, I was so disappointed but resolved to spend 3 days helping out where needed. As I was cleaning up, a last bus pulled up and out came the smallest children we had seen yet. I squealed with delight and told Bob “these are going to be mine”! I squared them away with t-shirts that went to their ankles, ballcaps that swallowed their heads and drew their names with big hearts on their shirts. We formed a line, all held hands, and marched out to the start of three very magical days. I can see it now- me leading, followed by a line of floor length shirts and bobbing hats holding hands, with the interpreters Eddy and Bella at the end. They named themselves the Ingwes (pronounced like “Eng Way”), which means the Tigers in Kurundi. All nine girls lived up to the name with characteristics you would imagine of a female tiger. Like tiger cubs, there were the tiniest ones: Gloriouse and Belize-loving, smiling and cuddly; Bella-no bigger than a minute and no front teeth, totally taken with Eddy like a daddy’s girl; Grace-mischievous and a wanderer, (I spent a lot of breath saying where is Grace?), always curious within and without the group; Ameda-absolutely delighted me and the rest of the camp with her beguiling smile and expression of arching her eyebrows, rolling her eyes and nodding her head because she knew that was the cutest thing anyone had ever seen! Audrey- shy and coy, always at the back but when I would catch her eye she would grin, her eyes light up, and then quickly turn her head as if caught in some exposed emotion. The older girls (maybe ages 6, 7 and 8) exhibited those tiger characteristics needed for survival: Divine, Divine, Arnetta- all very quick and smart, attention seeking, aggressive, and brave. I recall the first day sitting on the floor with the kids, my legs out in front of me, singing with them. At one point one of the Divines’ bravely reached out with a finger, touched the white skin on my leg, pulled back as if on fire, and smiled up at me, her eyes and smile saying “ I hope that was ok, I just wanted to see what it was like”. These girls were the first to put their hands all over me and play with my “muguzu” hair. Lilliane was the oldest, always wanting to be useful, watching me for approval and a chance to be my helper, taking care of the younger ones, responsible. Chadrock was the only boy in the group. He participated fully and was happy with a demeanor and personality that was reserved and thoughtful. Obviously, I do not speak Kurundi but I do speak tiger! We ran through three days of stories, games, crafts, singing, dancing, racing, meals, and lots of hugs and kisses. I had personal moments of laughter: pulling a book in French to read to them and, unbeknownst to me, it is on toilet training! Personal moments of compatibility: Bella, my 17 year old interpreter telling me how she came to Christ. Personal moments of sadness: the last morning, Arnetta comes off the bus and instead of her usual smile and arms around me, lies on the floor and despondently looks at me. Personal moments of tears: The last day, Divine motions at lunch she wants another bowl of food and before I can get it to her arms, 10 hands reach in and grab, cramming rice in their mouths, complete chaos, knowing they are not knowing when there will be another meal. These tigers attacked me and stole my heart. My daily prayers now ask that God wrap them with his holy protection, they each grow in their knowledge and love of the Lord, and my humble thanks and gratitude to have had this once in a lifetime chance to have been chased, mauled and captured by mighty Ingwes.
~ Liz Lipscomb
The Greatest of These is Love
We were ready. We planned, organized and prayed for the children and the program we were in charge of presenting. We were a team of seventeen mission workers from St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, SC. Our team consisted of eight teenagers and nine adults. Each of us were responsible for leading and teaching a group of children about Jesus through bible stories, songs, skits and games at the Great Lakes Outreach Camp. A camp that is similar to vacation bible school programs held every summer across the USA. The only difference is that we are in Burundi Africa and these children have never experienced a camp like this.
The busses pulled up and the children ranging in ages from three to thirteen piled out. There was an air of nervous anticipation both from the children as they looked at the “mazungus” (white people) and from our team as we wondered how the children would respond to the program we were presenting and if we could connect and communicate with them. Children were organized into groups of ten to twelve and given colored baseball hats and shirts that said, “Yesu Arankunda,” which means Jesus loves me. Each of us was paired with a Burundian interpreter. We led the children to the main stage to begin the first day of camp.
In the beginning there was some chaos and confusion as we worked on introducing ourselves and getting names put on shirts. I had a group of 10 boys between ages 9 and 11. They spoke Kirundi, I spoke English and the interpreter spoke very little English. Expectantly and eagerly the children were watching me to see what we were going to do. I needed to figure out ways to communicate with them other than speaking. I began by doing a series of hand motions, clap, clap, click, click, etc. and the boys mimicked my actions. We created a wonderful rhythm and smiles spread across all of their faces. Next I taught them the game “Hot Potato” with a ball I had in my bag and they began laughing and giggling.
As I looked around at the other groups of children, they were smiling, singing and dancing. When everyone was settled into a group, our camp program began with a skit of the birth of Jesus put on by the youth on our mission team. The children listened intently and giggled when one of the actors was on all fours posing as the donkey and another teenager playing the role of Mary was riding on his back. Everyone was feeling more comfortable with each other. Next we began our small group lessons. I was able to communicate with the Burundian interpreter which bible verse we were learning and he read the bible story to the children from a Kirundi bible. We sang, practiced our new bible verse in Kirundi and English and played games.
After lunch the children were separated into various activities: some went to the beach, others played volleyball, football and basketball and others went to crafts or dancing. Everyone was having a good time and each day my group showed up ready and anxious to start another day. The rest of our time together was wonderful. We got to know each other better and I will not forget that group of boys from the Burundi camp.
Teaching and playing with the children and not really being able to verbally communicate seemed hard at first. Sometimes words or phrases commonly used in our language are confusing to the interpreter. Simple tasks like forming a line can be difficult when we don’t speak the same language. I expressed my concerns to the leader of the camp and she reminded me that expressing love doesn’t have a language barrier. That reminder instantly took away my concerns about adequately communicating with the children of Burundi like “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding…” (Phillippians 4:7). I could only speak a few words of Kirundi and the children understood a little English so verbal communication was limited, but we all share the love shown to us by Jesus: kindness, patience, compassion, caring, etc. We are connecting though no words are being spoken. I expected to pour out many lessons and bible verses to the children to draw them closer to Jesus yet what really happened was that I was blessed by being reminded of the love that Jesus came on this earth to teach us. Our cultures, traditions, experiences and language may be very different but as Jesus continues to teach us, love unites all of us. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
~ Susan Grady
Sunday Worship
During our time in Burundi, we spent our two Sundays joined with the local Burundian people in their churches. The seventeen of us split up into three groups and visited different churches. On every occasion we were treated, to say the least, as honored guests. At both churches I visited, our group was seated at the very front, behind the altar, facing the entire congregation. The understanding among Burundian Christians is the when visitors come, they always bring wisdom with them. So both Sundays, each member of our group stood up and gave short testimony to the congregation. Although we all had to be assisted by translators to help with the language barrier, the Burundian people always seemed understand the message. On top of each of us giving our brief testimony, one of the leaders from our group had the privilege of give the sermon for the Sunday morning. Through both the testimonies and the sermons, it was very uplifting to see that the message of the joy of the Lord, and the hope and peace that comes only from Him can overcome all cultural obstacles and language barriers.
However, my favorite part of the Sunday church services was defiantly the worship music. Coming to Burundi with as one who enjoys and plays contemporary worship music, it was great to experience something completely different that what I was used to. The culmination of singing, dancing, and drumming was unlike any type of worship I’d ever witnessed in America. It was amazing to me that these people could praise God with such joy and passion even though the circumstances they were living seemed unbearable.
~ Thomas Donaldson
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SIMON GUILLEBAUD - ST. MICHAEL'S SPONSORED MISSIONARY IN BURUNDI |
Burundi Team Mission 2008 Video - Watch it on YouTube!
The Soundtrack for these videos includes music from Slater Armstrong's CD
"Even in Sorrow" used by permission. More information about Slater's
ministry can be found at www.joiningourvoices.com