We’ve been up-country visiting our Batwa friends in their homes…

Day Four

Claude & Kelley hosted everyone for lunch at their home.

Robert & Myra greeted their friend, Sandrine, at Mikike village.

The Batwa of Mikike were so proud to show us their best home!

More celebrating together…

Batwa children shared in the dance to welcome us.

We were surprised with gifts – handmade pots filled with fruit.

Those who went to Matara were also greeted well as the mama’s came down the hill singing and dancing.

We exchanged the traditional greeting, Amahoro, which means ‘peace.’

When we looked up, we realized the entire village had come down to meet us!

Both groups joined up and slept at Matara in grass huts made especially for us. The Batwa lined the floor with soft grass, brought up mattresses and blankets for our night’s stay.

Since this was their first night all together in Matara, it was cause for celebration! So they roasted fresh goat and we shared in the party.

We sang and danced around the fire… savoring this special night together.

Then we huddled in our huts for the night, as the stars danced above us.

Day Five

Liberate and a few ladies shared morning tea (and tears) together. It was a sweet time of sharing our hearts, speaking about our hopes and savoring God’s presence with us.

The families of Matara gave us a gift – a basket filled with fresh eggs. They hope we will put the basket where it will be seen, and be a reminder of our friendship with them.

We enjoyed more roasted goat before we had to leave Matara.

Some of us returned to Mikike in the morning to help secure tarps over their huts. This was their request, that we help water-proof their homes.

Come next rain, this family will have a dry place to sleep.

It wasn’t near enough, but it was a start. It was a token of the emerging friendship between our communities.

The Batwa were so grateful to Etienne for bringing us and for remembering them amid their hardship. So they hoisted him overhead and offered cheers of gratitude!

And of course there was more dancing!

We all reunited at the Nikondeha home for more food and more… dancing! This time lead by Burundians playing traditional instruments.

We are all well… and a bit tired… but we are having a great time here in Burundi!

It is hard to capture these two days in words. It was a deep honor to join our friends in Matara. The morning that we arrived, the women and children had just joined the men on the land, seeing their new home for the first time. We were sharing such a sacred day with them – the true beginning of a new season. To share in that celebration with them is an emotion too deep and rich for words. And even as it was their first night together on Matara, they watched over us during the night to ensure our safety. Their care for us was a beautiful demonstration of love.

We have now shared meals together, danced together, played on the beach and swam in Lake Tanganyika together, worked side by side clearing land and water-proofing homes… we are friends. We are part of something amazing that God is doing in Burundi among the Batwa people. Liberate, a Batwa member of Parliament & friend, shared that this time together is historic for her people. She shared that even for herself, she if learning about God’s deep and extravagant love for her, as a Batwa woman. She said it is historic and healing for the Batwa, this time together with us. I think it is also true for us… we are being healed as we walk among the Batwa.