October Friends

Random pics of friends during random times in October...just thought I'd share some :)

Old Man!!!

I taught class and the students asked some good questions. Then in the afternoon I went for a walk and met an old man. We had a whole 10 min conversation in Kirundi! I was so proud of myself. Now the conversation was just small talk and I had to have him repeat many sentences but I understood what he was saying. We passed a group of men hanging out on the street corner and they were shocked. They must have known that the man didn't know English. They asked him if I knew Kirundi. The old man told them yes. He didn't have any doubt in his tone. They were shocked and had a good laugh. It was great. I had dinner with friends then went to Campus Fellowship. Friends came over in the evening for a cookie and to discuss a child care event that he is putting on for his church. I was able to help him with his planning and brainstorming. It was a great day.

Birthday Party

Some students from Bible Group threw me a surprise birthday party, cake and presents included. It was so nice!!!

3rd Floor View

There are many cool things about living on the third floor of a building. First off the breeze that blows though is very welcome!!! Another fun thing is that I can see most of campus from any of my 3 north facing rooms. The library in across the way and so a down side sometimes is that students who should be in class find themselves gazing into my home. I guess it's fair play since I do the same thing.
The other day when I surveyed the library windows I saw the President of the University giving a tour. He went into a room and when he came out he, like so many others surveyed the land. His gaze met mine. I smiled and waved. He was puzzled for a brief moment then a giant smile filled his face and his right hand went up to wave at me. I was filled with joy! It started me off for a great day.

Preparing for midterms

My ASL students hard at work.

Bible Group Overnighter

Student lead overnighter. Worship, speakers, dramas, dancing, and just a lot of fun.

Still Living

Please Forgive me!!!
I am still alive. I realize it has been a long time since I've posted. Almost a month.
Well classes started, had a meeting with the rector about my future, made some new friends, had an excellent birthday, doing some fun ministry with firends and most importantly took some great pictures. I've been very busy. This last week I was very excited about the time I had set aside to upload all the photos and write lots of stories but...the internet is down at school. I understand that there is something with the provider and the government...I don't know really. I try to stay out of it all. Either way I don't have internet in my apartment currently so images and long stories will have to wait. Just wanted to inform you all that I still would love your prayers. Also it looks like March you will get to see me again. :)
Thanks for your faithful reading and prayer.
Miss you guys.
More later
Oh I saw Stephen in the market again! It was fun. We know each other now. It's cute.

Spider's Reflection

As I'm sitting here working on a proposal for the Bishop I can't help but be distracted by the spider on my fan. I have told you before about these funny spiders that don't build webs. They are attack spiders. They hunt their prey. Well the little guy walked up on my table. He marched up to the top of the fan base and stopped. He looked as if he had spotted his next meal. I was puzzled, there was no fly or bug for him to eat, what was he doing?
Well he had spotted the buttons. Now the buttons have been painted with metallic silver paint so that you can see your reflection in them. This spider was hunting his mirror image. It is so funny!!! He has been at it for 30 minutes so far. He has pounced and tapped, tried to bite and get a good angle, all to no avail.
Poor guy...but he get's an A+ for persistence.

Preschool or the Street

Today as I walked through the market a small hand was placed into mine. These little fingers gently grabbed onto my skin. I looked down, this hand was so small and dirty. It looked so different from my large, white, clean hand. I looked back at the face attatched to the hand. He couldn't have been more than 3 1/2 years old, dirty and torn clothing, no shoes.
This is a common occurrence at the market. Children are sent by their parents to beg for money. It's not because I'm white, just that I'm a person that they put their hand in mine.
I recognized the face. I stopped and knelt down. A little girl, with the same appearance came up. I said hello then asked them their names. The little girl giggled. It could be that I was speaking in Kirundi or it could be that I was looking at her and talking directly to her. The boy said, Steven. Her name was Bella.
Mom and Steven had a conversation about 2 weeks ago when they were here. I told him I remembered him. Bella again giggled. I tickled her belly a little and she continued to laugh.
Part of me wishes I will never see them again. That will mean that they will be in school or be cared for by their parents, not having to work on the streets. Another part of me wishes that I will get see them again. They were so cute, still full of joy. Next time I think I will give them a hug.
It's hard to cope with Burundi realities but I have to find the joy and humanness in it all or I would fall to pieces every time I go to the market and see such hopeless situations.
Lord please protect and guard Steven and Bella. May they one day change the future of Burundi for your glory. Amen

Baptism

July 27
Have you ever been to a baptism of 500 souls? It was quite an experience. Watching 10 rows of 50 people each slowly move into the lake seemed to take forever. After they were baptized they stayed in the lake and had a party while waiting for the rest of the group. What an experience, may God be praised!

Kirundi!!!

Mid July

Coming up the stairs I greeted one of the staff members here at Hope. The entire conversation we had was in Kirundi! I was so impressed with myself. It’s coming along.

Barbershop Music Anyone

It’s amazing how God provides. I’m blown away at his faithfulness each and every day. Brandon left for America and it was so hard to see him go. He had been a good friend from the beginning of this trip. When Javier, Stephanie and I would do something we always planned on 4 because we knew that Brandon would join the fun. When Javier and Stephanie left for the summer it was just Brandon and I. Things didn’t change. If there was something fun to do, it was done together. Because he worked close to Hope he regularly came over after work or for lunch break. Seeing him go was very hard. One of the great things about Brandon was that we attended the same university and both call Seattle home. Being able to chat about things from back home was wonderful.
It was amazing how the day after he left that my prayers were answered. God knew I needed a visit from someone. A group of singers came to visit. There were about 12 of them. All from Seattle! Some of them actually attended First Free, which is on SPU’s campus. I only got to see them one day but listening to them sing barbershop and bigband was a treat. After, I thanked them for bringing me Folklife Festival. They smiled and told me I was welcome.
God is a great provider, even when my needs are so small.

Driving

Late July
Driving in Buja is great. It stresses me out sometimes but it’s not that bad. When traveling to town I get all sorts of people wanting to tag along. It’s funny that I can pull out of the parking space on campus and before I even exit I can have 3 extra passengers. The van holds 8. As I drive towards town I see friends, professors and staff either walking to the bus or waiting for it. I happily stop and let on more people. I’m thinking about quitting the professor gig and taking up a taxi service…what do you think?

Swimming

late July
Karen and Laurie wanted to go swimming and I begrudgingly went along. I really don’t like swimming; even in the Buja heat it doesn’t tempt me. I think it was too many times of Adam holding me under the water as a child.
We drove to 3 different pools before we found one that was open. The pool was huge and packed with little children. We were told that in 15 min the adult swim would begin. So I went on a walk. I found a soccer field filled with children. I sat in the grandstands to watch. I think that it was a PE class or something. There were so many children on the field!!! I counted 27. It was great to watch, nothing like PE soccer in Kent. These kids could play! I was so impressed by their skill with the ball and how they passed to each other. It was great to just be alone for a while and think, even though there were people all around. My thinking spot was found out by the driver. He came to inform me that the pool was ready. Super, I was thrilled.
Karen was the first in the pool. She said the water was cold. I was even more excited about this swimming endeavor. Laurie was scared to get in. I knew I couldn’t climb in but had to jump in, just like going into Lake Meridian. All at once, no hesitation, get it over with. It wasn’t cold at all. I was pleasantly surprised. 5 min later Laurie finally joined us. Karen swam her laps. I hugged the wall and Laurie did a little of both. My foot did manage to find a rusty pipe; after we put a bandage on it. Good thing I got a tetanus shot before I came ;) In the end I’m glad I went, perhaps Laurie and I will go again. That time I’ll hug a wall without a rusty pipe.