TO GRANDPA AND GRANDMA

Today I had the opportunity to interview an elderly woman who received a roof and a goat from World Relief. I think it’s my favorite part of my work. To drive the long, bumpy, back-altering road to the field. To crouch down in the dirt. To sit side-by-side on a small wooden bench, my back-side getting sore after a bit, and to listen to the stories of the lives of people here.

I listen and then I write, primarily so those who support the work of World Relief can see that people ARE being helped. To help the church in America understand. The by-product for me, of course, is incredible— my heart stays soft. Even after more than two years and hearing multiple stories, I fought back a gulp of emotion today as I listened to their accounts.

This is Celine. She is 81 years old and still beautiful. A widow with eight children— five of whom are dead. Celine has no idea of how many grand-children or great-grandchildren she has. Twice a refugee.

She told me a story of how she, as a young wife in Burundi, fought off a lion with fiery embers from her cooking fire. While she was fortunate to escape, she learned the next day that the same lion killed and ate a drunkard near her home. She told me the story while waving her cane, making growling noises, and laughing. It was a great moment.

In Burundi, as an elderly person, she is given great respect. She is a “Mutama Kazi” (literally translated “old woman” but carrying within it an essence of deep esteem). And so I asked this Mutama Kazi to give me advice on life, as a young woman who wanted to learn from her. Her words were simple— “You are a creation of God. Trust in God and expect blessing from Him.” Yes.

Spending time with Celine today made me think of my own grandparents, who have a few years on Celine and who recently celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary! Sixty years! Seth and I are going on six this August… just a few more to go.

I think my Grandpa and Grandma would give me similar words to those of Celine, so simple and profound. Although they may not have warded off any lions, they have been around a few years, married for a long time, and in ministry for most (if not all) of their years together. I have no doubt that their words would direct me to God. I will need to ask them in person when I am home next month.

They are both “Mutamas,” and I have incredible respect for them. To sustain a marriage for that amount of time is an amazing feat, and I can only hope and pray that Seth and I can follow in their footsteps. They raised two boys. My Grandpa fought in WWII. My Grandma lovingly cared for her ailing mother for years. They spent two years in Haiti as missionaries. They loved us four grandkids deeply— spending much time with us when we were young— taking us to fairs, having us over for sleepovers, telling us stories, and allowing us free reign to destroy their home.

When I reflect on the stories of service, compassion, and sacrifice I have heard of my grandparents before my time and consider what I have seen and experienced with them, I think of words like…

Imprint. Legacy. Heritage. And in Kirundi (a very complex and rich language) the fitting word would be UBUNTU— “I am because you are.” Thank you.