Teachers

Pray for Hope Academy in Emi-Woro today as Interviews begin for our
teaching staff. Remember we need 7 more teachers, preferably before
school begins in three weeks. We believe God has good things for His
children at His school in Emi-Woro, we're believing He will supply our need!

Catching up

Today I enjoyed a long awaited event: Aroma. My favorite coffee for a
dollar, greeting two of my favorite baristas, who asked where I had been
for the last two months, yes they noticed and cared and even asked after
Rachel. They have expanded their building making it even more beautiful
than before. I feel like I'm viewing Burundi through rose colored
glasses but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

To Market to Market to buy...

My friend Javier says he likes Burundi 'cause things happen at a slower
pace than other places. I would say I totally agree, today the highlight
and climax of my day was walking to market with Fredian-a gal who helps
keep our apartment looking fabulous. I started the walk down the stairs
when I heard her voice. It's been two and a half months since seeing my
friends so it's been a time for lots of hugs and catching up. I stopped
where she could see me and what followed was priceless- a squeal,
greeting and big hug, not just the Burundian you tap my shoulder, I tap
yours but a full body embrace. I asked her to come with me to market-we
usually buy our eggs nearby (we learned our lesson trying to bring them
home on the bus) and I also needed to see a tailor, which I really
needed her for as I have forgotten all my broken Kirundi and French-so
much for bartering for vegetables :( So we set out, catching up on life.
As we crossed through the church yard I met another friend, or rather a
friends of my mother's. She also gave me a giant hug, no words exchanged
but then that's not really necessary when your just thankful to see one
another. We continued on our way, stopping for eggs, drawing the
attention of plenty of people at the market, and stopped to get some
shirts taken in. I'm so thankful for Fredian, she works with diligence
and is always willing to help, even if that means taking a mzungu to market!

Blessed again

I was overwhelmed with blessings this morning. Seeing friends at church,
friends that welcomed me back and smiled and said they were glad to see
me. Blessed by worship in French and English. Blessed to no longer be a
visitor but feel at home. And blessed by a sermon that asked us to
change our attitude so that we walk in the victory Christ has for us,
walking in the authority He has given us. I kept waiting to hear Bridget
yell out AMEN! It never came but my heart kept saying amen and amen, we
have the victory!

Never too late to apologize

For all these things I complained about, I'm sorry. All the things I
didn't realize were so great and took for granted, again I apologize. It
truly is all about perspective. I never thought I would be happy to be
called Mzungu but yesterday it was as if my entry into East Africa had
been made official, so thank you to the Kenyan gal on the side of the
road who welcomed me back. It really was like coming home today, the
nervous excitement was there. I'm no longer a rookie so I filled out all
the correct visa paperwork and walked right through the airport. It was
all familiar, a little dustier than and hazier than when I left but
still good ol' Buja. We even drove by the lake, how could I forget how
beautiful it is. And then walking into my apartment with my pictures all
up-why didn't I take them with me? Surrounded by familiarity was so
comforting. There are big changes like paved roads and new power sources
but it's still HAU. Somehow all that was not very good before has become
new and exciting again. I would recommend a two month vacation to anyone
feeling down, shake things up, enter a new culture, a new country and
upon return what you thought was kinda plain is instead really beautiful.

Joy

What is with the unspoken rule that comes with flying in an airplane?
You would never dream of leaving your things unattended anywhere else
but suddenly you walk into this germ capsule and all the rules change,
you leave your laptop and all other belongings stored somewhere above,
not exactly in your line of sight and yet it's all there when you leave.
In fact you can even walk to the bathroom and still no one touches your
stuff. I kinda like it. Yesterday was a long but uneventful jouney. So
many things could have gone wrong but they didn't, just the way I like
it. My baggage came through, the driver was there to meet me, all visas
and paperwork went so smoothly. I can only credit it to your prayers!
This morning I went to the Nigerian Embassy first thing, praying for a
breakthrough, usually it takes three days to process a visa for Nigeria,
I needed it 'now, now' as we say in Nigeria. Thankfully I was backed by
fasting and prayer in Kenya and US and Nigeria, praying that I would be
a good steward of the Lord's finances, that the visa would be issued so
I wouldn't have to cancel a plane ticket, and also so I could return to
the work in Emi-Woro. And it worked! 5 minues later I walked out with
what I felt like was a huge reward but really it was just a sticker in
my passport. The best part was as I 'trekked' -walked-home I felt so
happy. I have been praying and seeking the Lord about this for a month
and perhaps at times I made the decision a little more dramatic and
intense than it really was but the satisfaction of knowing I am just
where the Lord would have me and in a place that I have really come to
love just brought this intense amount of relief and joy! Deep, deep down
joy. Glory be to God! I treated myself to some snacks to break the fast
and as I relished in them on the walk home it was as if the sunny day
and birds were singing just for this time, to rejoice with me.Thank you
for walking with me. Now I am soaking up the changes that Nairobi
offers. It's no bush life here, there are coffee shops and big grocery
stores and even if all I do is look at the clothes it feels like a
little taste of home.Friday I will fly to Bujumbura, with each mile I
get more and more excited. Excited to see friends, to be 'home' for a
short while, to have a time of closure and relaxation- I never thought
I'd be vacationing in Bujumbura but it's all about perspective I guess.
In September I will return to Nigeria! I think what I'm most looking
forward to, apart from being back with the Myers is the reunion with the
boarding students, they don't yet know I'm returning, and I wouldn't
want to brag but I'm pretty sure we'll all be glad to see each other.

The Birds Have Been Talking

As they say in Burundi "The birds have been talking" I guess that's like
"A little birdie told me", now I haven't been told anything new but I
wonder if you have. I wonder if word has gotten around and you've been
let in on the secret. Not that it was intended to be kept secret but
sometimes good news is better saved until the right moment, maybe the
moment when things are definite and set in stone. This is not that
moment. You may have heard I won't be returning to teach at Hope Africa
University, that would be correct. You may have heard I hope to continue
here in Nigeria, that would also be correct. Maybe you also know that on
Wednesday I fly to Nairobi, where I will apply for yet another visa, one
that can't be issued here in Nigeria but will allow me to come back to
Nigeria-you may thing 'hmmm that's odd'- I would agree with you-take it
up with my friends in immigration. You can be praying that the kind
folks at the embassy in Nairobi would grant me my visa so that I can
come back to Hope Academy. I can't say I'm a fan of being stretched by
the Lord, taking it on faith that the necessary paperwork, finances and
logistics will fall into place. Whatever happened to the missionary who
just stayed in one place? I have been back and forth on this decision.
Where is the Lord calling me? Approaching it with a divided heart;
loving the people of Burundi and the life that I began there and yet
drawn to the school here in Emi-Woro, to our boarding students and the
cause for better education. I'm thankful for the season of ministry in
Burundi, for the lessons learned and relationships made, I am also
thankful for the time spent here in Emi-Woro, for the work the Lord is
doing and the ways I can participate. I look forward to this new season
with anticipation. I'm thankful that even though I didn't know, my
church didn't know and my supporters didn't know what this year would
hold they have remained faithful to support me in whatever the Lord
calls me to; Burundi, Nigeria, Malawi or.... Please join me in prayer as
I travel on Wednesday from Nigeria to Kenya and on Thursday as I speak
with Immigration about Visas. All this change brings extra flights,
visas, living expenses, ministry expenses, etc. if you would like to
make a donation you can send checks to Wenatchee Free Methodist Church.