Mwirwe :)

Good evening lovely friends!

God is so good. These last few days, have been very restful. I get up at 6:45 to go to the clinic with Dr. Eloge, get back around 1 for lunch, then I have the rest of the day to myself, sitting around, reading, watching tv, and spending time with their kids. God is definitely teaching me to enjoy the down time He’s giving me, especially since next semester is going to be so crazy. I’m not used to just being able to sit around and definitely didn’t expect to come to Africa and be able to, so it’s been a little tough. But I’ve almost read a whole book in 5 days, and I’m getting to know their kids alot better which is great.

The clinic is an experience. I’m in the lab this week, mostly just watching. I get to work the blood counting machine at the end of the morning, which is pretty cool. But besides that I’ve just been watching, it’s so different than hospitals at home, that’s for sure, sanitation is completely different, and the supplies are so limited. The first day Eloge showed me around, then I watched as they preached in all of the wards, they preach twice a week, and every time they do, a few people accept Jesus, pretty awesome. They have a pediatric ward, a very small maternity ward, and an adult ward. When you get admitted to the hospital here, it is the job of your family to look after you, feed you, clothe you, etc. The job of the nurses is to draw blood, administer medications, start ivs, that kind of thing. Anyways, I’ve been in the lab, and almost got to draw blood for the first time today, but unfortunately, the woman’s veins were really hard to find so he did it instead. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll also get to do a malaria test on someone, so that should be cool. The rest of the time I sit there, talk to people, listen to music, and today I worked on my kirundi, the lab guys are always making fun of me for being totally clueless as to what they’re saying. So I’m working on it. Oh, and every day they send someone to buy soda and get me a bottled coke(so much better than coke in America!) yesterday I got two and burundian donuts! Its fun.

Monday Esther and I walked the 45 minutes to kinindo to see the kids. And today we got dropped off at the CRIB house, went swimming with the wednesday swim group, and then went back to celebrate Abigail’s birthday(Libby and Honda’s little 4 year old girl) It was so good to see the kids again, I was greeted with alot of “MELISSA!!” hugs and smiles. Unfortunately, Belize was upcountry so I didn’t get to see her. But I was glad to be around them again, I’ve missed the madness.

The Lord showers me with blessings every day, and amazes me constantly by His goodness and provision. Last week I was disappointed to learn that I’d be moving here and now, I can’t imagine being somewhere else. I love this family. Esther is totally my buddy, and we spend most days reading or messing with her little brothers who are always causing us some sort of problem. They’re faith in Jesus astounds me and I love getting to pray with them and do family devotions at the end of the day.

Also, I’ve been praying that I might be able to go upcountry with the Canada team this week. They’re going to work in the Batwa’s village. They mentioned last week that we might be able to go, but it was unlikely, so I didn’t get my hopes up but kept praying that there might be a way for us to go.  And this afternoon, I found out that they were able to get a car for us to go! I’m so excited! Fabi, Esther, and Aline are coming too! So early friday morning we pile in a car and drive 3 hours up to their village stay the night and come back on saturday. I’m not really sure what we’re doing, but something like making bricks for houses and playing with kids, I can’t wait. I’m prepared to take lots of mosquito repellant!!!!

I’m learning alot. I can’t believe I’ve only been here for 2 weeks, it feels like forever. Every once and a while, I feel myself getting homesick, just wanting to get on a plane and spend the rest of my summer with my friends and family. But everytime, Jesus gently reminds me that it was Him who brought me here, and this is where I’m supposed to be, and homesickness evaporates as I remember that my home is in Him.

Miss you guys. Everyone’s always asking SO many questions about what Texas is like, I wish I could bring them all back home with me. Thank you for your prayers, God’s definitely answering them in more ways than I could have imagined.

Well I hope to write when I get back from my upcountry adventure!

Mwiriwe(good evening)

yesterday I saw a hippo…

so I think I’m gonna get to use the internet more now that I’m staying here so that means I should be getting the chance to update more! yay!

Yesterday was lovely and very relaxing. I slept until 1030 which was wonderful. Then I got up and we all went to the tailor’s. That was a new and exciting experience, Aline bought fabric and got the boys shirts made and is getting an african outfit made for me and Ester. So that’s very cool! Alot of yesterday I spent reading, and sitting around the house playing Sorry with the kids. Later in the afternoon we walked a few miles to the lake, where we saw a hippo! It was actually kind of far away but it was still pretty exciting When we got back Eloge’s sister and her sons had come to visit so we walked to the shop and bought Fantas and Cokes for everyone. I love that they drink bottled sodas here, they’re so much better! The rest of the night was just reading and watching tv with the kids.

I get stared at here ALOT, and everywhere I go people say or sometimes shout ‘muzungo’ which means white person. It’s definitely weird getting used to being the minority in an extreme way.

Today we went to church, worship there is amazing, and I wish I could capture it for all of you to see. Today alot of people ran up front and started dancing, it was awesome. I don’t even understand the songs, but I love worshipping with them and God is very present there. After church though we drove out to a  really nice hotel(there were alot of muzungos there ) on the lake for lunch with pastor Ray and his wife Mary Ann(they’re from canada and have a 4 year old son they adopted named boss, he definitely lives up to his name ) , the pastor of Jabe church and his wife and children, and pastor Ray’s friend Nile from Ireland. After a really tasty lunch we went and walked on the beach, it is soo pretty and the weather is wonderful. This evening we’re just hanging out, we seem to do that alot and I’m definitely adjusting to having so much chill time.

Tomorrow is my first day working at the clinic and I’m pretty excited and nervous about that. Eloge said he’ll probably put me in the lab tomorrow but I should get to work in all of the units they have, pediatric, maternity, and surgery   Kinda weird that my first day as a nurse will be in Africa. But I know that it will be an amazing experience. So hopefully I can write about that tomorrow.

I thought I’d leave you with some little tidbits about Burundi, little random stuff that I’m learning as I live here:

-Driving here is CRAZY. There are no rules, everyone just does as they please, and there aren’t even really lanes in the streets. If someone’s going to slow you just drive around them, and the horn is used just to let all the people walking and on bikes know that they need to get out of the way, cause you’re not slowing down. There aren’t stop lights, and all the stop signs that are there, are ignored. But some how, miraculously traffic moves smoothly and I haven’t seen a wreck yet.

-They don’t have any kind of garbage service here so most homes just pile it out back and every once and a while they burn their trash, so the air always smells kinda crazy in certain places, and the air is smoky fairly often.

-They eat three meals here: Breakfast, Lunch, and Tea. Lunch is a large, hot meal, and tea is a small normally cold meal such as bread, fruit, peanuts, and tea. And rice and beans is eaten at least once a day, sometimes twice. But otherwise the food is great, beef, potatoes, french fries, and vegetables.

-The police are everywhere in their blue uniforms, tall black boots, and berets and they all carry rifles, it’s interesting to see so many guys with guns everywhere, even at church.

-All of the houses, at least in kibenga, and kinindo, the nicer quarters, have tall stone and brick walls around them, some with barbed wire and broken glass around the top to keep out thieves. When I told them that we didnt have walls or even gates, they were surprised and wanted to know how we kept the thieves out. It’s quite a different world here.

I’m becoming a pro at mosquito nets, and my sarong has been a lifesaver at nights to keep the mosquitos off my legs, since they dont have any form of insulation or A/C.

Well I think that’s all for now, I’ll hopefully write about the clinic later this week

God is good, and I’m daily learning by His grace.

Oh, and Marie, the girl from Canada that I’ll be moving in with comes on Sunday. I’m already praying for that friendship, so prayers for that would be marvelous. Thanks friends!

mosquitos everywhere!!!

No not really but I do have very mosquito bitten legs

Alot has changed this week and after alot of back and forth, I unexpectedly moved into Dr aline and Eloge’s house last night. I was a little apprehensive because I had gotten comfortable where I was. But I knew God was faithful and trusted Him to provide wherever I am. And He definitely has! I already love the family I am staying with, they have older children Ester, 13, Elysee, 12, David, 9, and Joshua, 8. They are such a wonderful faithfilled family and being in their house is peaceful. Praise Jesus!

Tonight we went to a graduation of their cousin. 22 kids graduated which is actually alot for a highschool, since very few people actually are able to pass and graduate here. I told Ester that Id graduated with over 600 people and she had a very hard time believing me. Then we went to the celebration at her house which basically consists of alot of sitting around drinking soda and listening to people give speeches. But I had fun with the kids trying to keep ourselves occupied.

Last week was just alot of time with the kids, holiday club in the morning and hanging out in the garden, playing and resting during the afternoons. I now can successfully match all 47 faces with names, yay! I love them all. I’m growing particularly fond of a little boy named Ollie he is 10, and a huge troublemaker, they think he might have some form of autism or another mental disorder. But he really is sweet and will listen as long as you are gentle with him, he’s my buddy Belize is also constantly at my side she’s 11 and such a joy, we have alot of fun together!

This week I experienced the market for the first time, it was crazy! There are just tons and tons of small alleyways with vendors lined up where you can buy stuff. If you show any interest at all they will pretty much follow you around trying to sell you stuff, there are people everywhere, and nothing is priced, its all about bargaining. On thursday I successfully bought fabric though, which was exciting, I think I might get a dress made or something. They have beautiful fabric here and it’s so cheap! So if you want some let me know One thing that was hard about the market was that people will leave their children on the floor with boxes to beg for money, it was so rough to see. Some of them were clearly sick and malnourished and it was so hard to walk by them and not pick them up and take them home with me.

Next week I get to be at the clinic with Dr Eloge which will be great! I can’t wait, he says I’m going to learn alot, and I’m excited! Also, I’m praying that next weekend we can find an extra car so I can go with Dr aline and the canada team upcountry for 3 days. We would be spending time with the Batwa people, who are the pygmies, some of the poorest people in the country. I would love to get to do that so be praying for that opportunity.

Well it’s probably bed time, thank you for your prayers! God is definitely answering them! I’m learning so much about the Lord daily and sometimes I feel like Im gaining more than Im giving. I cant believe my journey here is just beginning and I’m anticipating to grow alot. God has definitely brought me to a place to know Him more deeply, everynight I get to read my bible and journal, and it’s just me and Jesus, no phone, no connection to anyone else, just Him. Its wonderful.

Oh and to top today off, I got to eat ice cream!!!!!!

Yambu :)

 

Hi friends

Ive been in Burundi for 5 days now. Im gonna try to keep this short but recaping the past week might make it a little long.

I left DC on monday evening and began traveling for what felt like forever. Going on my own was such a scary concept but I was confident that the Lord would provide and he definitely did, in so many more ways than I could imagine. Throughout my two day trip from DC to Rome to Addis Ababa to Bujumbura I never ended up being alone. God provided people for me to sit with, talk to; and eat with. One girl; emma was from burundi and ended up staying with me until I was picked up at the airport

Annick and Evariste are my hosts this week. They are so sweet and I a, enjoying getting to know them and their children; Dan David, Benia, Elsa marie, and Mike. They live in the same compound as the CRIB kids these are orphans rescued during the war. There are 47 of them ages 6 to 16; they all speak english, and I spend alot of time in the courtyard with them. And I think I almost have all of their names down, yay! I wish I could tell you all about all of them they are wonderful, and crazy. I can hardly go anywhere without at least one of them wrapped around me.

There is a team from Canada here as well so I spent thursday and friday mornings helping them run a holiday club for the CRIB kids. It has been such a blessing having them around as well. Most days I will just hang out here with the kids and eat with Evariste and Annick. These are 2 parts of culture that I am having to adjust to; life here is very chill, we do alot of sitting around, Im learning to enjoy that. Also in their house the children eat in another room than the parents so that is very interesting for me especially since their parents will normally speak kirundi and I dont know what theyre talking about. Im getting used to cold showers and finding that theyre actually refreshing before bed, and Im enjoying having a mosquito net at night. I was sleeping through the night after only 2 days, praise Jesus! The food is great! They have house staff here, which they call guards, someone cooks, cleans,  does laundry, takes care of the children, and watches over the compound, thats taken some getting used to. Evariste is always insisting that I eat more he wants me to gain weight so that when I go home they dont think that there isnt food here

Some other friends Ive made are Fabiola and Libby. Fabi lives here, she is 22, and was a CRIB kid, its nice to have some one my age around, we have fun. Libby is from england but shes lived here for 12 years, and is married to a burundian man named honda.  Weve had some wonderful times talking she is so sweet and easy to talk to. Meeting her has been a huge blessing. Yesterday her and Honda invited me to go upcountry for a picnic with their 2 precious daughters Abigail and Bethany and their little guy Josiah. We had alot of fun, its gorgeous here We took candy or as they call it bon bons to give to the children we found. There were some kids tending to the cows and goats, making sure they didnt run off while grazing, near us. And they were delighted to get some candy. Unfortunately some drunk man came along and got mad at us so after honda talked with him a bit we just left.

Today we went to Jabe church, its huge, about 6000 members they meet outside under a tent, worship was great and they had a translator by us throughout the service. Later on were going to see the kids at their other orphanage in the city.

Next week I go to live with doctors Euloge and Aline, to help in the clinic. I found out that I will only be staying there for 1 week then they will be going to China to help with earthquake relief. So I will move into another house with a girl that is coming from Canada for all of August. Another unexpected blessing, cause I will have someone to hang out with and I will have alot of freedom about what I get to spend my time doing.

God is so present and daily I am seeing His provision in friendships and the children I get to spend time with. Burundi is beautiful and although this trip has been a little rough sometimes I am so excited to get to be used by Him here.

Okay that was all over the place, sorry! Thank you for your prayers and Ill update again as soon as I can!

mel

Heading to Burundi

Well, I’m off in less than 24 hours. 

The last 3 days have been spent in kind of a staging area, here in Virginia/DC with my oldest sister, Jen. My other big sister, Brit, came down from NY and surprised me and has been with us the last two days. We’ve had alot of fun together, they’re wonderful.  

Today my flight leaves at 8:40 pm. I fly to Ethiopia and have a 14 hour layover overnight in Addis Ababa, then I leave the next morning for Bujumbura, Burundi. I’ll get there in the afternoon, and my first host family, Evarist and Annick are picking me up, then I have no idea. At some point this week we’re taking the orphans they care for swimming, which I am very very excited about. So I’m thinking this week will be alot of hanging out and taking care of kids, which I love. But for the most part this week is a mystery.

The Lord is definitely working on my heart, I’m still pretty anxious about this trip, but I know that He’s my provider and sustainer, and in Him there is no fear or doubt. I’m planning on getting some good time in the Word and in prayer on the long plane ride over there. 

I’m not sure when I’ll be able to update next so I’ll leave you guys with a few prayer requests:

-Good time of preparation as I travel and get to spend alot of alone time with Jesus, and that I would be able to sleep on the plane and in Ethiopia

-God’s grace for my body as I enter a new climate, eat new food, and adjust to the time change(it’s 8 hours later than Texas time).

-Quick connections with Annick and Evarist, their children and the CRIB kids(these are the orphans, Children Rescued In Burundi)

-Picking up the language, the people I’m staying with speak english but most of the other people I’ll be working with speak Kirundi. 

-That the Lord would begin the process of growing, challenging, stretching, and rebuilding in me. 

-That I would be able to be a blessing to those around me, and that I would bring glory to Christ in my thoughts, speech and actions. 

Thanks for your prayers and support, God has tremendously blessed me.

I’m humbled by His grace in allowing me to go.

I’ll update as soon as I can.