As noted by Michael in the previous post, we are now in a new "compound" as we have moved out of the house that we, thank the Lord, found the day that we got here. We'll be in the compound (which was recommended by our new friend Simon) until we leave for Kayanza on Sunday to assist with Food for the Hungary in the field.
Today we woke early in order to chat with folks back in the states before they went to bed (we're 8 hours ahead of the majority of you), Michael went for a run to prepare for the inaugural Burundi marathon on Sunday, and we then set out without our translator to see the city and the people, to locate another new friend Meg (a missionary from Illinois who works with Simon) and find internet.
Through our walks around the city and surrounding area, it was made even more clear as we walked around that covetousness is as visibly rampant here as it is in the U.S., if not even more so. As we walk around with our cameras displayed, a large number of eyes lock gaze with our lenses and scowl as we pass, looking at the camera as if it were made of gold.
It would be wrong to paint a grim picture of these people as whole however, as they are lovely and kind and pleasant though some are struggling with materialism (of which there is no end; as we continue to covet in the States, though we have many more of the world's resources). As we pass farmers along the dirt roads, the women wave, grab their children and point while smiling. The men are slightly more skeptical, though the vast majority will return a smile and a wave when first offered by us.
Lastly (before we run out of battery), this is a beautiful nation. Our friend Meg accurately noted that if the West had not been discovered, this would certainly be a five-star resort filled oasis; mountains surround Bujumbura and Lake Tanganika with a mild tropical climate that is comparable to Hawaii.
Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to these people's lives. Much love.
Noteworthy:
- Simon (previously noted) has two dogs: Stark and Naked. British humor anyone?
- I have been told by our translator that I resemble Jesus and/or a Japanese person.
- After being somewhat awkward and struggling through broken French to buy water from a man on the road today, he asked us (with a puzzled look and equally broken lingusitics) "Do you speaka English?" Hi, we're those Amercians.
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