Settling in at HAU

We arrived safely Friday evening, August 21. After our 3 night/2 day layover in Brussels, we felt somewhat rested by the time we arrived.

Saturday we went shopping for a few food and other essentials. It is always a bit of an adjustment to switch to using Burundi Francs (exchange rate is about 1,200 BF to one U.S. dollar. My disadvantage of knowing only some Kurundi, and even less French is always a challenge. But, I am already remembering more Kirundi. I think I will have gained a good bit of skill by mid-December. I am with Linnet (my colleague in the library) most of each day, and she has many conversations with students in Kirundi. I am remembering many words, and hearing more. Really a built in language tutor. Linnet and her husband and almost 5 year old son stopped by the apartment for a bit yesterday evening. I spoke some Kirundi to him. He was surprised. Linnet told me today that last night he told his 2 year old sister that "Auntie Karen" didn't speak very good Kirundi. Hmmm.... well, I hope I can at least get a passing mark from him by December.

Things are going well and we are getting settled in. The weather feels just like Michigan, but not as humid is typical for Michigan in August. But, that could likely change. We are told that it was quite hot for about 6 weeks prior to our coming. The day before we arrived last week, it rained quite a bit. Since then it has been cooler. I am very thankful.

I will close this entry for now, by sharing that the president of Burundi is hodling evangelical meetings from this afternoon until Sunday afternoon. He brought the gospel message tonight, and other nights a speaker from Uganda, Kenya and the U.S. They are so desirous to share the gospel. He is a born-again believer. Pray with me for much fruit from these meetings.