An Interesting Day

1 Chronicles 16:24

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples."

((Attention: There are several Kirundi words in this post, I do not know if they are all spelled right. I apologize in advance for any spelling errors!))

I have never felt so humbled before. Experiencing church here was amazing, even with the language barrier you could feel the spirit moving! Today was palm Sunday and just like at home they had palm branches. Instead of having the children walk with them they handed them to the choir members. They all walked up to the front and sang songs of praise to our Lord and Savior while they waved branches around. Everyone was so joyous and in awe at church, for people who have so little they still have so much. Walking in you would never think of all the awful things these people have been and are going through. Through all the pain they come together truely as one. They are a great vision of the body of Christ. Even as us Mzungu (Mah-Zoon-Goo), this means white people in Kirundi you hear it often when we interact with them, entered they all just smiled. There was some staring because there is a big group of us but they still welcomed us into there service and continued to praise God without any judgement. Many of the sweet little Burundian children sang their hearts out, with true meaning and without falter. The music, oh the music, it was enchanting. Though I couldn't understand some of the songs, hearing them was just as great. They really get into their praise and worship. I can't wait till next Sunday so that I can take my camera and film them singing! Today after church some of the adults and kids from our group went to the local field to play frisbee. As we were doing that there was a HUGE soccer game going on! (and I mean H-U-G-E HUGE!) Not only was basically the entire community there to watch, but there were also people who drove a bus full of others to come watch as well. There were hundreds of people! It was great to see how into the game they were! Try and imagine your husband or dad and how he is when it comes to football, now think of that times 10 when it comes to Africans and their soccer! While many of the adults were occupied watching the game most of the teens and children were watching our group play frisbee. Some of you may know this already, but I am one of those people that doesn't participate in sports. I would much rather sit and watch! So as I was watching the frisbee game I had some very interesting interactions! They are listed below: 1. A group of children came up asking for bracelets (some of the Willis kids had given bracelets out the other day to a couple of the village kids and word got around, unfortunately they ran out of bracelets :/ ) I had to try and explain in Kirundi that we didn't have any. This involved me pointing at my own bracelet and saying Oya (no) over and over again until I think they understood and walked away. 2. Another group of children came up to me, pointed at my skin, said Mzungu and tried to start a conversation with me. I had to switch to French and let some of the older kids know that I didn't really speak Kirundi. I felt bad not being able to talk with the kids but there really wasn't anything I could do about it! 3. An older woman came up to me out of habit I said ' Amahoro Niswah (Nee-Sah-Wah)" which translates 'peace, are things ok?' which she then responded with "Niswah" which can also mean 'things are ok' (Kind of like the Ca va? Ca va. concept in the French language.) She then proceeded to grab my wrist and twist my bracelet around looking for the clasp. I had to pull my wrist away and say Oya several times! I love my bracelet but I don't think wearing it will be the best option for the rest of the trip. It's a beautiful silver bracelet with Ohio, Michigan and Africa charms placed on it. My parents got it for me before I left. I love it to pieces but must part with it so that it isn't taken. 4. There were two teen guys watching the frisbee game, they slowly approached me. One started speaking Kirundi while the other spoke to me in English. He said "you come here." I explained that I couldn't and must stay with my group. They just smiled laughed and walked away. 5. This final one was during half time. Of course, as you can probably imagine, we are stared at alot because white people aren't usually found here. When it was half time guess where all those watchers ended up? You guessed it! They all quickly surrounded us. To the point where all of us were in the middle of one giant African circle! That is when we decided to leave, not because we were uncomfortable, but because we could no longer play the game without risk of hitting someone with a frisbee! 6. Oh! I almost forgot! Remember that little girl I talked about? The one who walked up to Kibuye rock beside me? I was able to see her again today and surprisingly enough she remembered my name! It was the sweetest thing! She quickly ran up with her friends coming right behind her. She approached me and shouted "Nina! Nina!" It definitely put a smile on my face! On a side note, it was great to talk to my mom on the phone today! I really missed her! I even got a hello from the girls which was nice! We talked for a while and got to catch up, it was great to hear all their voices! I will admit that when I had to say goodbye and hang up I broke down. Thats another thing I've learned on this trip, sometimes you just have to let it all out. In those moments of hurt you feel yourself clinginging closer to the Lord. I've definitely been talking to Him a lot more since I've been here! It reminds me of the song Blessings by Laura Story so with that I leave you these lyrics to read! Goodnight all!

"'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops? What if your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you're near? What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?"