Back to Big B

I leave in 6 days. Freaking out? Well, a little. But not really. Going to Burundi long-term is something I've wanted for quite a few years now. Yeah, so in case you don't have the whole picture yet, this blog is about living as a teacher/missionary in Burundi, Africa. Most people haven't heard of Burundi, so here's a bit o' history. Many people have heard of Rwanda from the movie Hotel Rwanda...Burundi is right below it and has a similar history. The two countries used to be one country,but Burundi gained its independence in the 60s, so a baby country it is. Since that time, here's been incredible strife between two of the tribes, leading to a massive genocide in 1993 and a civil war that lasted from 1993 to 2005. The war killed about 300,000 people--not a small number for a country the size of Maryland. Left over is the obvious--agony, distrust, an overall tension amongst people groups, and LOADS of children without parents. My friend Simon who has lived in Burundi the past ten years sums up Burundi better than I can with the first video on this website: greatlakesoutreach.org.

So children...that's where I come in. I've been a school teacher for the past three years. God has given me a heart that ticks to educate. I like the way Nelson Mandela nails it: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." That's the goal folks, one child at a time. To be brief about my last year in public schools, I knew after that year, that I would be good for no one to continue in that role. I started praying: "God, give me something where I'm still stewarding my talents and helping people, but please don't keep me here. P.S. If it could be in Burundi, Africa, that would be brillant." I've spent my last two summers in Burundi--teaching English, helping with kids' camps, orphanages, visiting and sharing with rural churches, various activities of the sort--but I was hoping for something longer term, something where I could really make an impact. I must say the people of Burundi have made more of an impact on me than I have on them by far. I'm ready to give back. Wait, pray, wait, pray, wait, pray, BAM! A western trained teacher is needed at a school in the capital, Bujumbura, to coach Burundian teachers, teach subjects in French and English (both of which I speak) to kindergartners, first graders, and second graders. Look no further, I'm pretty sure that job is called Melissa! So that's it! That's the next season, calling, adventure, etc! Not to mention I get to relieve two lovely directors from their six years of investing in Burundi to take their family on a much needed sabbatical. All the details are to be worked out, but I have a place to stay and I have a role to fill. Done. Signed, sealed, delivered.

What a THING God is doing! I call it a thing because as much as is obvious to the eye that can see, I believe there is so much going on that is unseen. A new chapter has begun! Florence declares "The Dog Days Are Over!" I personally dub it a giant felix culpa...this chapter, this life, the things comprehended and the things we'll never know. Felix is basically Latin for good. Culpa, Latin for bad. This jist is that good is coming out of the bad and that God is bringing that. Sempre is a Latin term meaning consistently forward. Laymen's terms: A consistent ongoing of the good arising from the bad. That's my life now. That's Burundi now. Had my last year of teaching not have been dire staights, perhaps I would have stayed in it and not have had the courage to seek another path. Burundi...well, you read the history. It's not exactly a bedtime story. But peace is springing up all over the peace. People are TIRED of war, of chaos, of unrest. They're ready for new lives. They demonstrated that sentiment last summer as Burundi held their first ever peaceful election (i.e. no war). So here we are. Sempre Felix Culpa.

We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him.

Romans 8:28a