2.99 per minute...

... and so incredibly worth it.

Africa friends, you are missed.

I got a call this morning at 7:30 (still not really getting the time change thing) from a number than began with 2577. I answered it, and heard this: "Yah? Miranda. You are coming to Bujumbura today. No?"

Oh, I wish.

It was Emmanuel. He interpreted for me while I was in Burundi and speaks fluent English, as well as Kirundi, Swahili, Lingala, and French. Impressive!! Yes, it is. We grew incredibly close as he was one of the only people that I could speak more than just basic English with. Humor, sarcasm, deep talks about how we are going to change the world. We talked a lot.

Our conversations usually led to discussions about Burundi and how the Lord is working in Burundi through reconciliation of the people and restoration of the land. Burundians (and maybe this is true in many countries, but I was especially struck by it here) have this incredible sense of pride in their country ... a pride that we often don't see in the States. Many of the people that I had the opportunity to meet really wanted to come to the US, get an education, and then return to Burundi. They realize they play an important role in the rebuilding of their country, and want to be Godly leaders.

Hearing these friends' voices (Laura, Ben, Leona, etc.) made me remember that life is still happening in Burundi. Recently, I've been feeling like I had just deserted the people, who became my friends, when I left Africa. That I was just another stupid American to go to a third world country and think that I can change the world. That these people watched me come and go, think it was nice that I came, but then watch as I go back to live my affluent life. That I didn't "get it." That they would watch me go and think, "You go, you leave, but our lives still exist. We will stay here and live this life." But I feel like I experienced life with them and I saw their needs. I got it; at least I think I did. I got it enough to want to go back ... and go back soon.

Emmanuel sends greetings to "all brothers and sisters in the Lord."

m



-

back to life ... back to reality

Dearest family and friends,

I am finally safely home. After missed, delayed, and cancelled flights, I returned to Omaha on Sunday afternoon ... just a few days later than planned. God is so faithful! It is good to be home ... or so I'm being convinced. I am truly realizing the reality of reverse culture shock. As I slowly ease back into US culture, I am reminded of how blessed we are. Not only in America, but also in Africa. As a human race, we serve a God who gives us so much grace and blesses us beyond what we can imagine. As I was surrounded by French, Swahili, Kirundi, and multiple other languages in Africa, I often had time to pray and reflect and found this closeness with God that I have never experienced. While I am excited to be back with family and friends, and frantically get my classroom ready for school to start, I am also slow to let myself be fully here. I don't want to lose what I had.

I miss Africa. I miss the people I met. I miss the relationships I formed. I miss the awkwardness of not always knowing the language, but strangely communicating through body language, smiling, and broken English and Kirundi. I miss the intimacy that I had with God. I miss the "on its last leg (literally)" chalkboard that the boys would lug into our "classroom" each day. I miss the laughs, yells, and chatter from the boys - all in Kirundi.


So many memories...

- Agede and Meshack teaching me French, Swahili, Kirundi, and multiple other languages as I taught them English.

- Claude running down the soccer field, holding up on his fingers the amount of goals he had currently scored- the most I saw was 3.

- Sylvain mediating when the younger boys would argue, usually about markers or soccer.

- Arnold and his sad eyes, playing hide and seek, "driving", and finally scoring a goal against Ben.

- Billie teaching me songs in Swahili and mimicking the silly unconscious things that I would do - like clicking his tongue and winking and bobbing his shoulders

- Freddy learning how to shake hands "politely", and his cool watch

- Lewis, who most of the time seemed as though he was not listening to a word I was saying, and then would win every game we played because he knew all of the answers.

- drinking tea late with Suzanne in the dark. Some of our best conversations were after the power had gone off and everyone else was in bed.

- driving around with Ben and trying to learn Kirundi with random phrases and words and acting things out in the car.

- Laura, my dear companion and friend ... we experienced a lot together.

- Roderique and his ability to start dancing (or swaying and clapping), in rhythm of course, the moment he heard music, singing, drumming, tapping, noise in general

- Tomas and his beautifully prepared salads and mangos

- Anita, Jeaneane, and the other girls proudly showing me the clothes they had sewn, fashion show style

- Jeanne pulling doughnuts and fanta out of her purse nearly every day, and saying, "eat now."

I could go on and on ... and I will soon. I plan to keep posting as I reflect, read through my journal, and God keeps revealing more and more.

In the mean time, please join me in prayer for these people.

The Bwiza boys: Sylvain, Freddy, Agege, Mechack, Rokundo, Billie, Claude, Arnold, Lewis, Bienvinie, Roderique. I spent nearly every day with these kids for 5 weeks, and grew to love each one of them. Suzanne shared many of their stories and one cannot help but be moved and touched, but at the same time, when you talk to the kids, they're just kids. They're goofy and silly, and they like to play. They get annoyed and sad. They get upset with one another and they all really love on one another. They function as a family.

The orphan girls: Flora, Jeaneane, Anita, Esperanza, Aline, Noella, Anita, and some other names I cannot remember. I didn't spend as much time with the girls as the boys, but enjoyed the time I did get to spend with them.

The workers: Benit, Tomas, Nesite, Oscar. You cannot help but see these people all the time ... and why not make the most of the time spent together. Ben was my driver and he and I spoke about the same amount of eachothers language - VERY LITTLE. Using the book I had for teaching, I would find random phrases to talk to him ... and he would laugh at how I would pronounce them (eventually we made a deal that he was not allowed to laugh at my kirundi and I would not laugh at his english). We had a lot of fun. Tomas is the cook who I would see when I had to go into the kitchen to get water or when cleaning up after we had guests. Tomas also tried to teach me Kirundi. Nesite and Oscar share responsibilities as gardener, door man, and routine cleaning in and around the house.

Suzanne and Artemon, of course. This is the most amazing couple I have ever met. They have multiple ministries that they are already running, and have dreams and visions for more ... Lord willing. They are advocates for orphans and widows and withhold nothing. I learned a lot from both of them.

Finally, thank you for your prayers, cards, emails, listening ears, words of wisdom, support, and love.

Also, somewhere along the way from Africa to Omaha, my camera disappeared. Oh, sad day. I had nearly 400 pictures and video that I was very excited to share. After spending quite a bit of time on the phone with airlines and airports, and emailing people in Bujumbura, it still has not been located. God can work miracles!! Pray for its return!!

m

the week

My first full week of teaching is now finished. It was wonderful. I got home and felt revived and like "Yeah, I can do this. I like this." Not that the first days were bad by any means, they were just very much FIRST days ... just like at school; everyone is getting used to everyone and everything, and after a few days everyone knows what to do and what to expect. Not that we've fallen into routine by any means ... but I'm comfortable.... and excited. The fact that the kids can't understand a word that I'm saying is still hard, but also hilarious; i guess i never really thought about how that would be. I just kept thinking that what I was going to teach these kids was the same concepts that i teach in kindergarten ... and it is - the same CONCEPTS. But things like, "Let's practice" or "let me hear you say it" or "make a line" - they just stare at me. It's kind of humbling, actually. I was journaling tonight about how i started to act things out and demonstrate a lot more, rather than just talk. But even then, even with my acting, they sometimes didn't get it. So then, i guess it's comforting to think that they are atleast entertained ... even if they don't understand. With the kids it's so much fun to laugh and be silly. Today I said "repeat" (or something like that) and when no one responded, I started to laugh and said "yoooo hoooo" and put my hand on my ear and they laughed with me ... and then understood what i was asking them to do. We laugh a lot. Kids are kids ... all over the world.


m

yesterday

I got to start teaching yesterday!! Hooray! Sort of...

It felt chaotic and unorganized, but that feeling comes from me viewing the day through very American eyes. We like events to be scheduled, structured, and everyone plays their role. African culture is just different. It is not an insult or unprofessional to arrive late, or to change "plans" at the last minute, or to not have any type of plan at all. Part of me finds this incredibly refreshing ... another part of me feels crazy and unproductive.

The boys were told to arrive at 8:30 to begin intruction. At 830, breakfast was just beginning. At 9, we left for the center. Through my American eyes, i see the clock ticking away and am busy adding up the minutes that we are late. Through African eyes, we had a lovely family breakfast.

We arrived at about 915; the boys were outside playing soccer and the girls were sewing. No one was upset that we were late; instead, they all came into the room and began setting up chairs. "Thank you," I said, and they respond, "Yooo. ahr. well-comb." I love their accents! I look around the circle and see all of these bright, eager eyes ... ready for ...whatever I have. They don't care; they're just ready. We were getting ready to play a game to practice conversational language when about 10 women walked in ... ready, with pen and paper in hand, to learn english... also eager and bright eyed. And plans change. As i welcomed them and added chairs to our circle, in my mind I was scratching the montherana, counting rap, the welcome dance, alphabet alligator, and every other "kid" activity.

But we got started, 10 women and 10 children. Greetings, alphabet, counting, writing, months, good bye, and god bless. Three hours later and everyone was on their way out. Please keep Sylvain, one of the Bwiza boys, in your prayers. More on his story later.

The power will quite possibly go out at any moment. I must close for now. I pray you are able to decipher my random ramblings.

m

independence day

Okay. So today I have a computer with an English keyboard (as opposed to french and 1 key off) and my blog website is in Chinese. Well, best of luck.

It's The First of July in Burundi! Their celebration day is very similar to our Fourth of July, although a much younger country. People are relaxing today, spending time with families, taking the day off. There was a parade this morning (and into the afternoon) with all of the civil servants marching, military people, police, and many other organizations. ALSO...the Burundian drummers! I had no idea how popular these kids/young adults are. People were absolutely chaotic to try and see them. Kids were climbing trees, others were pushing to get to the front, kids were up on parents' shoulders, and the police men who had just marched had to come and push people back. Spectators were only allowed on one side of the street because the president and many other dignitaries and notable people were in luxury seated in lawn chairs and covered from the sun on the opposite side of the street. With so many people around and all crowded together, this made the perfect setting for pick-pocketers. Beware! Suzanne and Artemon took good care of us and made sure that our bags, cameras, etc. were out of reach. The drummers were fabulous.

Backtracking now .... Sunday, we were able to attend our first church service and see Artemon lead worship. We also listened to the adult choir and children's choir and saw women from Guilgal and boys from Bwiza Orphanage. After the service, this swarm of kids came up and were so excited to meet us. They each know simple greetings and how to intruduce themselves: "Ello. Myh. Nem. Ees...." and they would tell me their names. It was precious. THIS is what I needed. Children! And then all of the Bwiza boys pile into Suz and Art's pickup and we go and have lunch "as a family." The children all come over and we eat together, chat for a while, then they are free to play, rest, hang out, whatever. It truly is like a family hanging out on Sunday afternoon.

Also got to see Lake Tanganika... beautiful!!

More soon, hopefully!

m

20 hours on planes and ...

I;m here!!! Yesterday, I arrived in Bujumbura, Burundi. Suzanne was ready and waiting for me at the airport.

Sadly, the internet connection at Suzanne and Artemons house is not working right now and the timeline to have is fixed is very indefinite. I am unable to update as much as I would like. I;m at an internet cafe right now, but am unsure how often I will be able to do this. Suzanne fully understood the need to send my mom an "Im alive" email.

So far I have been able to meet many people, experience culture, rest, journal, and observe everything around me.

Vague terms, yes I know. I will have more details as time passes.

Love to you all!!

less than a week

Dearest friends and family,

In Kurundi, the native language of Burundi, "umugisha" means "blessing." I have chosen this as the theme for my trip and the ambiguity in that word is no mistake. I trust God that through being challenged and stretched, and teaching and learning, his blessings and providence will be evident.
Thank you so much for your support, prayers, encouragement, and words of wisdom. I will try to update as much as possible!

m

shots

Shots and pills complete! And I'm still alive, ya'll.



m

Blog created!

Step 1 complete. Please be patient with me.


m