We've lived in Burundi for 10 months now, and I STILL have those surreal-type moments where I pinch myself to believe that I am here. Living in Africa? Burundi?! I had several such moments this last week:One was getting to chat with these boys pictured here. They look a lot younger than they are (partly because of malnutrition when they were at critical stages in their development)... I thought they were 11 or 12 when they actually are 18 and 19.
They are students of our Vocational Skills Training program in a school in Ruyigi, a province on the far west side of Burundi.
These young guys have incredible stories. Abandoned by parents, living alone and fending for self at a young age, former refugees in Tanzania... and I could go on. The stories that I hear from these young people in our programs are absolutely unreal.I was there in Ruyigi just for a day to interview them and get some pictures of our programs, so I sat and listened to them and asked them questions about their lives... and I wondered how they can continue after what they have gone through. Yet they smile. Laugh a bit. There is a bit of hope. And, yeah, some pain that remains deep.
After talking with them, I drove the 3 hours from that school in Ruyigi back to Buj (with one of our staff drivers). And maybe this sounds cliche, but I sat and stared out the window at all the things rushing by... the banana trees, the brightly clad women carrying pots on their heads, goats and long-horned cattle... and I reflected on those conversations. At that moment, I felt privileged to be living here in Burundi, to meet such people, and to be challenged as I had in those conversations. I sat and (in my small, simple way) pondered existence and life and some of the "why" and "how" questions that are unanswerable yet automatically surface when one faces individuals with such experiences:
Why them and not me? How can they get out of the poverty they are in? Can they change the path of their lives? Can anyone for them? Why did they go through what they did and for what purpose? Do they ponder their own existence and their purpose for living? What is God's purpose in all of this? What is the meaning in any of this?
7 comments:
Thanks for questions.
Have people on earth been rejecting Jesus Christ and His Fathers plans for us. God knows. I believe that Seth and you are two of the few that are not.
I am your brother in Jesus Christ
Darell
Yes, these are the things that hit you when encountering the rest of the world...oh, Lord how can we ever resolve these things in our hearts? Maybe we will never know on this side of eternity. All I know is that to the one who has been given much, much is required. That is tha scarry part when I look around here in my wealthy, comfy West. May I be available to you O Lord....! Thanks Trina and Seth for being His hands and feet in Burundi. (Saw Dan over the weekend and that was good).
May God bless you and Seth in the work you are doing in Burundi, offering hope and carrying with you the gift of salvation to those who have yet to experience Jesus. Thank you for all you do for the Kingdom, Burundi and us here in the States. love you guys!
-KStreb
Trina, thanks for sharing the stories, pictures, and emotions with us -- it is very powerful. With your permission (even without), I am going to share a couple of your stories with the WR board tomorrow. -dan.
As always, a great read. Easily my favorite blogger, not just because i'm married to you, but because you're a fantastic communicator. Picks are always rockin'. Dan's blog is my next favorite
You are gifted at drawing the rest of us into your God given assignment. Thank you for your thoughts and pictures. I'm praying over them and you with your wacky hubby today. Matt and I can't eat oysters without thinking of you two! :)
Trina, that first image is STUNNING. Absolutely beautiful use of light. I am in awe!
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