Matara Update

These two families have much to celebrate, as they both have new additions to their families this holiday! Both babies, one boy and one girl, were born during the first part of December. The sweet little girl was named Niteka, which means ‘It’s an honor.’ The little bouncing boy was named Niyomwungere, meaning ‘God is our shepherd.’ As you can tell from these names, God’s blessing continues to fan this community, bringing forth names of promise, hope and gratitude.

Just this very week we harvested mushrooms for the first time, the newest addition to the Matara menu of vegetation. As you can see, they are cultivated indoors, more like a greenhouse setting. Mushrooms are considered by many to be a luxury crop, and our hope is that the chanterelles will bring a good price at the local market!

This is a snapshot of our staff in Matara in their new office space! Our team includes an agricultural engineer, social worker and micro-finance associate. These friends work alongside the families of Matara to assist them in learning the skills necessary to build a thriving community. They offer instruction, support, encouragement and friendship daily. It is a blessing to have such a great staff, so committed to the work and cheering the families along with genuine love!

Student House Update

Our students just completed their first term of the academic year. Sadly, the public school teachers are on strike again, which means 19 of our students did not get to take final exams or receive grades. They have been working so hard all term, and it is so disappointing to see the educational system break down and slow the learning pace of these dedicated students. Please pray for the dispute to be resolved soon so that the students can return to school and return to learning in 2010!

As for the remaining 18 students in private school, they completed the term – exams, grades and all! And we were so delighted to see the grades coming in – higher than ever before! Some students improved their grades from last year by 15 points, 18 points and even 33 points! It is so encouraging to see these students excelling and reaching their full potential. There is much to celebrate!

So we are celebrating – new babies, a harvest of mushrooms, a great Matara staff, dedicated students and some really stunning report cards!

Merry Christmas to all our friends… more Good News coming in the New Year from Burundi!

Yves

Evariste

The very first day in Burundi, the very first meeting, the very first friend…I want to tell you my story.

I was a little bit anxious. I am a very introverted person, social networking and making conversations with strangers is not my strong suit. But I had been praying and preparing for this mission trip for months. I had the names and information about 2 students, Dieudonne and Lyduine. I had been praying for them by name. I was looking forward to meeting them for the very first time. Before I went to the dining area, I said a quick prayer, “Lord, help me to know where to sit. Put me at the right table with the people you want me to talk to.” I chose a table and sat at the head of it so I could see the whole room from my chair. Within a few minutes a very nicely dressed man came and sat next to me. On the other side of the table sat a translator prepared to help us have a conversation. I don’t remember who spoke first. But his smile was so warm and engaging; I couldn’t help but feel at ease. He told me his name was Sylvestre and I said my name was Jana. I asked him about his family. He shared that he had 6 children. He told me their ages and which were girls and which were boys. I asked him what his hopes were for his children. He proudly shared what they were studying in school and what they would do when they graduated. He asked about my family and I told him I had 3 children, 2 boys and a girl. My boys happened to be the same age as two of his children, so we had much in common. Soon lunch was over and it was time to watch the Burundian drummers perform. Using gestures and smiles, I encouraged him to sit next to me as we watched the performances. What a surprise it was to me when they announced that the students were here to greet us and perform a ceremonial dance! As the students were standing near the pavilion, my translator, Aloys, leaned over and said, “That boy in the striped shirt is Sylvestre’s oldest son.” I spotted the boy, but we didn’t make eye contact. After the ceremonial dance was over, the students started grabbing the Texans and inviting us to dance on the beach. It was then that I met my students, Lyduine and Dieudonne, face to face. To my amazement and great joy, the boy in the striped shirt was MY STUDENT! Dieudonne was Sylvestre’s son! It’s no surprise to me that God had that planned from the beginning.

Later that afternoon during tea time, Sylvestre came and found me. He shared with me that when he and I talked at lunch he was very touched. He felt a connection between us, mother to father, both sharing our pride and hopes for our children. I told him it was just the beginning of a lifetime long friendship between two families.

I will always remember Sylvestre as my very first Mutwa friend. He has and his family hold a special place in my heart. I shall never forget them.

Saturday night the students invited us to their home one last time. This was their final night of the school year, and they wanted to commemorate the occasion together. The next morning they would all return to their villages up country for the summer months.

Claude, J.J. and I drove up the driveway and could see students sweeping and cleaning out their rooms. Liberate walked up the drive, dressed in a golden shimmering dress to honor this special night. As we entered the front room, which is the meeting room, we noticed all the students were in their finest clothes. All the men were wearing their new ties, looking so smart – and proud. Evariste and Diane ushered us to tables, indicating that we were considered the guests of honor. But in my mind, it was the students who were to be honored!

They had made it through their first full academic year in the Community For Burundi house. So this would be the final house meeting. Diane called the time to order and began by inviting the dancers to come. Always dancing… a sign of celebration, appreciation and accomplishment. Then Martin stood up to offer a word of gratitude on behalf of all the students. He recalled how many of them came last September from up country, from places that were so remote that they never had to cross streets with cars. Here, he said, we had to learn how to dodge the cars in the street to walk to school! He spoke of living in such a nice house, having three meals a day and all they needed for classes. He reported all they did – learning in school, studying at home, learning English, having weekly Bible studies and weekly cultural lessons. And while he confessed it was hard at times, he said that they were all so thankful for the year and all that they learned. ‘We learned to dance and pray and learned that we are smart!’ He, for the group, thanked Community For Burundi for making this all possible.

Then came two men to share a song they had written for this occasion. One had a guitar, the other the lyrics scribbled on a paper, both wearing blue baseball caps. He sang about coming from far off to live together in this house last September. He sang about learning to use computers and learning to dance the traditional dances. He sang about how, in June, friends from Texas came to visit us and show us that they loved us. And the chorus, in a whispered Batwa rap, was simply: Community For Burundi, we thank you repeated three times in heart-felt succession.

Then Liberate addressed the students, as a mentor and leader to these students. She reminded the students of where they were heading – back to the villages. She reminded them that in the villages they would likely eat only twice a week, unlike the three meals a day they enjoyed in the student house. And she admonished them not to complain, but to be leaders in their villages. She asked them to lead in attitude and in service this summer. She noted that as she looked at them tonight, all decked out in ties and dresses, they look like true leaders. So she encouraged them to be leaders even when the conditions are hard. But she also shared how proud she was of each of them. And, as she is want to do in recent days, she let streams of tears escape down her chocolate cheeks. She remains tender, she remains touched by all God has accomplished in this year.

Evariste offered more words of encouragement. He, too, old the students to not complain this summer when they are home. Instead, help and put your leadership skills to work for others. He recognized all the leaders in the community… which was every student. We learned that each student had responsibilities in the house during the academic year. There was the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Security (and several deputies), the Minister of Cleaning, the Minister of Food, the Minister of Prayer… everyone helped maintain the house and maintain the peace. And so they did all exercise leadership. Some did not ever have to do that before – but this year they learned that they can lead, this was especially good news to the women students! So they were thanked for helping making this home run well and making this first year a success.

There was more dancing – and I know that after we left there would be even more dancing. They had made it through the first year together. The 40 that started in September were the 40 we danced with in July. And, we pray, these will be the 40 that return in September.

Now I invite you to pray for our students. They are returning to their villages, some to Bubanza, Matara and places like Mikike. They will be reunited with their families and their homes. But they will miss each other, miss some of the comforts of the student house… it may not always be easy for them. Pray for them this summer as they are home. Pray that this time will deepen their connection to their communities and to the plight of the Batwa, that this summer will strengthen their resolve to become leaders of change for the Batwa in the years to come. May God’s work continue in them.

This past week, we were privileged to received David and Sydneyann Binion Shook for few days in Burundi. They came to visit their Batwa friends, connect with the Batwa students and witness the work of Community For Burundi (CFB) in particular.

Our time together began with a special reception at the student house and offices of CFB. David and Sydneyann, along with 40 students, CFB committee and other guests started by enjoying specially prepared meal featuring Batwa cuisine. Following dinner came a round of thanksgiving speeches, a Burundian tradition. All were invited to share words of gratitude and blessing befitting the occasion of special friends visiting their home. The evening did not end without the famous Batwa pastime – dancing! Everyone was on their feet in celebration… the excitement vibrated throughout the entire room.

It was a memorable evening for all. For the Batwa leaders it was an opportunity to thank Community of Faith though David and Sydneyann for all they have done in the last 8 months supporting students and laying the groundwork for the community development project to come. The students were eager to share the progress they have made in both their school and home villages, and to express appreciation for such a great gift of love that allows them to live well as they study. It was an evening full of laughter and stories. It was a foretaste of what the June celebration will be like!

The following morning we started out on a two-day journey visiting Batwa villages, some of which will be the locations for field trips in June. You can already see that our Batwa friends are excited to receive guests as they talk of preparations and ways they can be a blessing to their American brothers and sisters. We also visited the province of Mwaro, including the location of the future Batwa village that Community of Faith is helping develop. It was a wonderful time of dreaming together, trusting in what God is doing among and between us in this lush land.

David, Sydneyann and I also made it to Bubanza to visit our Batwa friends there and then ventured to the Democratic Republic of Congo! There is never a lack of great adventures in Burundi…

David and Sydneyann were extremely helpful to the committee as we plan to receive 34 friends from Community of Faith this June. The groundwork is being laid with such excitement, anticipation and deep hospitality. Those who will come in June should be prepared to be enveloped in love, gratitude and songs of joy!

By Claude Nikondeha in Bujumbura, Burundi

I felt as if I was listening to a chorus when it came to their thoughts on how to improve their home churches back in the villages. So many of them love singing and desire to see congregational times of corporate worship enhanced with musical instruments. Based on my recollection, nearly half the students envision a future gift to their church of instruments. Many want to purchase chairs and some even dream of building better buildings for their worshipping communities. But on instruments they sing in unison, they know this will bless their friends and families back home.

There was also a unified cadence as the students raved about their current living conditions in the Community For Burundi household. What I sensed as I read each story was the deep gratitude they had for being in a home where they were given the tools to succeed. Many felt that, for the first time, they could concentrate on school work knowing that other domestic matters were taken care of for them. Knowing that there would be three meals a day was a huge blessing and relief to so many. A home with electricity and running water was new and so appreciated by others. More than a few mentioned that simply having a dry place to put their books to protect from that rains was cause to be thankful. Back in their villages they were always preoccupied with the dynamics of provision – how to get food, money and shelter for parents, siblings and themselves. But here they are cared for and able to spend time in studies and even much needed sleep! They are free to be students!

So appreciative are they about this huge home, that most dream of owning one (or two) like it once they have jobs. They are so eager to make a home for their families – not just future spouses and children, but parents and siblings, too. And they want to open their large home to other Batwa students. In short, they want to return the favor. They dream of creating the type of home that Community For Burundi has built… a safe place for Batwa students to live, study and succeed. The students know that they want to offer that opportunity to others someday.

When I dream with them, I see 40 households filled to the brim with students of great intelligence, potential and aspirations. Imagine that… 40 homes for Batwa students to learn and become the catalyst for change in their community and country! It is a worthwhile dream. And I love that our student friends are already beginning to sketch out a future that will be a blessing to other Batwa, and therefore other Burundians.

I get so excited as I imagine the good things fomenting in the household this term as these men and women live together. They are pushing one another forward, helping one another with each study group and tutoring session. Every shared meal is like dipping into a new reality – a reminder that they can really change their world together. They are imagining a new future for themselves, their families, villages and country.

I am quite confident that they will each complete school, given the provision of friends and encouragement from local Batwa leaders. I fully expect that they will make good on their dreams to give instruments, chairs and buildings to their churches. I am sure that many will have large homes, large enough to house future students. But it is the dreams they have yet to dream, the possibilities they have yet to imagine that most captivate me… because those deeper visions will be the ones nurtured in community, fueled by education and springing from a place of confident hope for the future. When they finally utter those visions, as a great symphony, their music will ring of deep restoration for the Batwa of Burundi.

Didieu grew up in the rural region of Mwaro, at the heart of Burundi. He is currently attending a local college and dreams of studying medicine some day. But that is just the beginning of his Wish List…

• Help the Batwa by bringing medical services to them, because as it stands now most cannot afford health care and are afraid to go to hospitals.

• Test people in villages for various diseases such as maleria and HIV so that they can receive treatment and get well.

• Assist his family by building a good house in their village.

• Help younger relatives to complete their education by providing school fees and ensuring they have ample food to eat regularly.

• Teach his neighbors how to grow food, both to eat and to sell so they can have nutrition and income.

• For Burundi to see have medically trained people available for Batwa to visit for treatment when they are sick.

• To become a respected, well-known surgeon in Burundi so he can offer services to orphans in the countryside.

• To build schools in which anyone, especially the oppressed, can attend.

• To get as many books as possible to learn as much as possible to help his community.

Does this sound like your Wish List this year? Do you want the things that will move the marginalized and oppressed forward, things that will restore their health and dignity? Do you dream of giving hope to orphans, the poor and your neighbors? If all your wishes are granted, will your community be a better place for all to live? Didieu’s Wish List reminds us to long for the gifts that bring true transformation to others, not just hoard personal pleasures this season.

May he get everything on his Wish List…

Three years ago Gaston came to the city after his father asked Etienne Ndayishimiye, both a Member of Parliament and a friend to Community For Burundi, if his youngest son could live with him in order to pursue an education. The young man left his parents and six siblings in Makamba, a refugee camp near the Burundian border in Tanzania, to come to Bujumbura where he has completed middle school. His family had moved to Tanzania when Gaston was just 12 years old and lived in very poor conditions there. Since he has come to Bujumbura, his parents and all but two brothers have returned to Bururi, Burundi, though their life there is still difficult.

At 20 years old, Gaston has a heart to help others with his skills and education. He would like to have the expertise upon graduation to bring electricity to his village and help his church with electrical matters, as well. He dreams of assisting those people living in remote areas with access to electricity. He also wants to someday build a large home to house Batwa students, helping them complete their education as Community For Burundi is helping him now.

His gratitude for the opportunity to study with the aid of Community for Burundi and life in a house where he sleeps well and has good food to eat overflows in his seemingly permanent grin and his gracious words as he repeats his thanks again and again.