February 20, 2007This was our first full day in Bujumbura, Burundi. Bujumbura is located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and is much lower in elevation than the other places we have visited. As a result, it is very hot and humid. It certainly feels more like Africa. The streets are bustling with people- vehicles going in all directions, horns constantly blowing.
Where there are traffic signs they seem to be regarded as suggestions rather than directions to be obeyed. This, combined with the pedestrians, the bicycles and the overcrowded taxis, makes for some very entertaining activity. It is also good cause to pray for safety.
We arrived at the church where the conference was to be held by about 8:30 am. We met for prayer before the conference with the pastors. There were 30 churches represented at the conference. The sessions began with a devotional lead by one of the local pastors, and a few songs. The first session focussed on Unity. This theme is of special significance in a country where disunity has actually lead to violence.
It is amazing how something that is so close to the heart of God can be so far from reality in the church- the Body of Christ. I am thankful to God for his blessings and the unity that we have experienced at Cornerstone over the years.
There is a challenge of trying to translate ideas and concept into images and illustrations that they will understand. This is made more challenging by the fact that the flow of thought needs to be interrupted frequently to allow the translator to catch up. I am amazed at how God still ministers, in spite of these challenges and our shortcomings. God is good and demonstrates his love in so many ways.
In the evening, we were at Doug and Deanna’s for supper and to celebrate Brandon Thiessen’s birthday. It was good to meet some of the other people that are in the country working with other ministries. It is good to see that Doug and Deanna have a network of friends here. Maddy is very chatty and switches easily between French and English, according to whom she is speaking.
It was a very tiring day but God blessed. Please continue to pray for us as we will be involved in sessions again tomorrow. We are also praying for you at home. It is a difficult being so far from home when there are challenging things happening.
4 comments:
Hi guys! Hang in there. You are much loved and appreciated. May God's peace and love emanate from you. Blessings. Jake
Good morning - am enjoying your updates. Keep going - enjoy the warm weather - have sloppy snow here! Wanted to say something profound, but hey, I've only had one mug of coffee today...
:-) Audrey
Hi there... FYA: the lady who has the same hairdo as the Queen made it to your blog ;) ... well with some help but she is not too sure about sending you some comments :) ... So I am writing that for her... She wants to let you know that she is very thankful for all the updates of your trip and that UROK... Guess who yet? I can imagine not ... so when you come back to NOTL take a Canadian quarter and compare the profiles...
I needed to give you a project for your return... LOL
TTYL..TTFN
thanks for making my brother's birthday special for him, it's hard not being able to celebrate with him, but good to know he had friends there! and really good to read about your time in africa, thanks for taking the initiative and going out there. hope and pray this opens doors for many people to do the same. it's certainly a breath of fresh, or at least different, air, living alongside people who know nothing of the wealth, commercialism, or materialism of the western world! many blessings to you as you adjust again to life in niagara.
in Him,
robyn thiessen
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