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