Batwa village

8.30 - Breakfast in the Jambo Hotel involved the usual colourful display of exotic tropical fruits, and steaming rich Burundian coffee. And once again, Dan and Josh did one for the team and helped finished any leftovers. However, this particular morning did not feel complete because Annette had to stay in bed and rest. The team was told she had a little stomach ache so they prayed together for her especially, and for another eye-opening day. Matt shared a moving passage from Isiah 40:31 'He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.'


9.30 - After gathering some gifts, the team went on a journey cross-country; passing villages and rolling hills, seeing goats, cows, women farming, children carrying furniture and raw materials. The roads are made of red dusty earth, and clouds of dust sometimes formed obscuring the view. Most people smiled or waved at the team in the 4x4s as the vehicles bobbed up and down over the massive crevices of the ground.

10.00 - We arrived at the Batwa village, and were greeted to them singing and dancing a welcome song. A woman couldn't wait to show us her home, and although to us it looked like a shack, she did a victory dance in her bedroom because to her it meant everything to have her own place with a functional roof (the place she lived in before was a box with a straw roof which doesn't keep the rain out) - something she can be proud of and therefore be respected for. Then we were shown more clay pots, which cost only 20p each but takes them a whole day to make.

Bosco explained that despite it being an impressive skill, it was not commercially sustainable. Which is why Bosco has been working with them, teaching them new skills like agriculture, whilst telling them the Gospel. (The Batwa did not believe in a God before ARM started their project with them)

Then we went to another village and saw more developed houses (compared to mud/straw huts) and the 'Leader' invited us to his home. There, we saw some guinea pigs in one of the rooms!! Until you remember that guinea pig is one of the meat supplements for Burundians... The 'Leader' was telling us that they wanted to develop and have the means to better themselves. So, we prayed for him, his wife and three children. I could really sense God's presence and knew that he will bless them and what they do.

12.30- Handing out the gifts... We went back to the first village and were once again greeted by all the members dancing and singing for us in their 'Church'. They thanked us enthusiastically for building them all these new houses, all the progress and positive changes to the Batwa community; for example, now all their children go to school. After the prayers and thanksgiving, we distributed the gifts. Bosco explained to them clearly and firmly that not everyone would be able to receive an item. First come first served. The atmosphere changed dramatically, and suddenly it became a fight to be the first. People started shouting to be heard, people were shoving their way forward to be noticed. Friends argued, and children were crying. It was an upsetting and ugly scene. I found it really hard, because I wanted to be able to give something for everyone. It wasn't fair... that's how I felt. And then I thought perhaps, it may have been better not to have given anything at all in the first place. However, after coming back with the team, Josh opened the feedback discussion really well. He reminded us that the early church had disputes and arguments about who should receive anything first. Then Pete also said that although not everyone got something, it doesn't mean we should stop giving. Matt added that we have to see it through their eyes; they all had good motives, all they wanted to do is keep their families alive and well.

6.00 - Going to Bosco's church: Fiona and Lorna lead worship and Matt preached the sermon...

The service that evening was the shortest so far!!! Only 2.5 hours long!!! Fiona and Lorna sang with the youth choir and band and that was great because we could actually sing along to it! Some of congregation, and all the children danced during the worship at the front. The passion and joy involved was really infectious, even we were swaying where we stood!! Then, Matt talked about us all being the same 'Body of Christ' ... 'God is for everyone, Batwa or English'... and how if one part of the body is glad, the rest of the body rejoices. And if one part of the body suffers, then the whole body suffers. Examples given were us working well as a team, and feeling the pain when hearing some testimonies, and feeling hope when seeing the progress happening in the Burundi community. It was very inspiring, thought-provoking, challenging.

8.00 - Bosco's restaurant... seeing the Mini Boscos for the first time!!!

Since we had pre-ordered, we only had to wait for a measly half an hour!!! Record!!! Diana (Mrs Bosco) did a great job, and we had fun enjoying each other's company. We met Elijah (eldest) and John-Wesley(middle) ... Stuart (youngest stayed at home) The highlight of that evening was Elijah sitting on Bosco's lap whilst Bosco was driving!! Wesley was the most chilled toddler I have ever met... he just happily sat in the back with us grinning away.


Finally, I would like to end with thanks that God is a Living God. That his hold on us never weakens. That with him as our partner, all things are made possible. Any challenges that we face, He has already overcome then. The Spirit is a non-anxious presence, therefore we should keep trusting because everything is in His hands.


Thank you for reading my essay!!!

Yesa Shimwe, Melody


p.s Thank you Jigsaw ladies for the cards!