In Burundi

I had not even thought of or even knew where Burundi was in Africa. Being here now, I have so little understanding and a complete absence of any context with which to think about this place and these people. Arriving and driving through Bujumbura, this appears to be the most impoverished country that I have visited in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city appears to be fading from what it once was- no visible investment has been made in the infrastructure- and poverty hangs around like a damp fog. Very few people speak English, as the predominant language is French. It has been quite some time since I have felt the tension of having a heightened awareness from being in unfamiliar place: perhaps not since my initial visit to Iraq. I have already been shaken-down by the information attendant at the airport, the effect of which resulted in Scott losing one U.S. Dollar. Self-interest and self-preservation by any means appears to transcend culture, a human trait endemic to all. How we struggle to live when we perish apart from Christ. Without Jesus we will not finish this life well, not in Burundi, or America, or anywhere else. By the way, this pondering and the aforementioned one-dollar will get you a cup coffee and a one way ticket to Manhattan.

By most statistics, this country is one of THE poorest in the World emerging from a 12 year, ethnic-based civil war. 55% of the country lives on less than 1$ a day. This is a telling statistic: 23% of the government’s budget is spent on defense- defending themselves from themselves. There are many efforts from all sectors to revive a shattered economy while trying to forge national unity. The day I spent in Rwanda, though short, was actually quite useful in adding some kind of reference for comprehending civil tragedies and genocide. In a country of 7.4 Million people 53% of the population are under 18. There are a reported 600,000 orphans due to all causes, 120,000 of which due to HIV and AIDS. This is a staggering statistic as well: the average life expectancy at birth is 44 years of age. This means that there is something like 3.5 million adults (who live an average of 44 years) caring for 3.4 million of their own children and an additional 600,000 orphans. In reality, this looks more like 2 million families trying to care for all of these children with at least half of them living on 1$ a day.

God has brought us to this country and in a very short time he has impressed the needs and desperation of Burundi upon our hearts. We desire to engage the church here, doing what we can to see the Bride in Burundi caring for her children.