After 3 weeks of frequent lack of electricity, and occasional absence of water from the faucets, and after finishing the reading of the condensed version of "Escape from Red China", my thoughts turned this morning to St. Paul's statement in Phil. 4"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
The man who escaped from Red China was Chinese, and had traveled to the U.S. in the early 1950's. A professor he had studied under in China urged him to return, to help build the communist project in China. After returning to China, it took him some time for his idealism to change to fear and despair. He resolved to find a way to escape, and succeeded.
The common thread in these two instances is the difficult path St. Paul, and Loh
(the chinese man) both experienced. St. Paul said in II Corinthians 4 "we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
I have seen in bits and pieces, and heard some stories, of the deep challenges the people of Burundi face. In varying degress, they walk, and have walked a very difficult path.
How does one live life in the face of utter demoralization the masses faced in Red China under Mao? How did St. Paul cope after receiving 39 lashes five different times; being shipwrecked, not once, but 3 times,
imprisoned numerous times, and more? How do the Barundi have hope? Do they have hope? Not in just these three instances, but among the whole of humankind, daily, thousands struggle from hunger, thirst, the ravages of war, abuse, and injustice.
St. Paul said he had learned to be content. If I ponder on his claim for long, I am nearly incredulous. Here in Burundi with humidity and some heat, this American is thankful that God gives grace to "keep on keeping on" when electricity is erratic, when the heat brings fatigue. Yet, today, this child of God pauses to ponder, to process. Deep in the heart of every human being liesthe cry for contentment, joy, and justice. There is in my heart today a question, "What did Paul mean when he
said "he had learned to be content in any and every situation"? What are the implications of this statement for me? For the Barundi? For each of us?
Was Paul crazy? That's doubltful. How could he claim that he had learned to be content? why even try to learn to be content?
Yet, he said he had learned? What was Paul's secret?
Friend, there is dissonance in my heart this morning. Can a person be content when he is hungry? In pain? Ravaged by evil?
A westerner would be filled with self-loathing if they even whispered to a brother or sister here: "Oh, please, just learn to be like St. Paul -- learn to be content in any and every situation". How utterly reprehensible!!!!
What an utter desecration and corruption of the gospel.
Contentment? How much can I experience if I do not seek to lesson the discontent in the heart of my neighbor?
Father,
Your Son gave His life so man can experience contentment. What would you have me give?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Creatures in Burundi
I don't think there is as much wildlife in Burundi as in, for example Kenya. However I've been blessed to hear some of the sounds of varoius animals, and see some of the wildlife as well. Last week Thursday - Saturday we spent at Kibuye mission station. I believe it is a bit south east of Gitega (if you happen to check out a map of Burundi), which is about in the center of the country.
We saw several sun birds. They are rather small - but bigger than a sparrow. They come in varous colors. Some of their chests are light pink, others are bright neon green, others light blue. Their backs are iridescent blue or green, depending on the way the sun strikes them.
I have a few pictures of the paradist flycatcher. I noted that it is mostly a copper color. We enjoyed the frequent call of the bell bird. We even watched a pair as they hopped around tall pine trees, and in and out of a huge eucalyptus tree. I got a very good look at them, but didn't get any pictures. They are a bit bigger than a pigeon, but not so chubby. They are mainly black, but their chests a white, fading into a pink. their call is amazing. Usually a pair answers back precisely on the tail of the mates song. Do a "google" search and see what you find.
It is not unusual to see a small gecko here, or other small (like 4-6 inches) lizards. Geckos like to linger on walls or ceilings. They are good guys, since they eat mosquitoes.
Oh, I should not forget the bullfrogs. Right now they are singing quite the songs! A whole choir of them!
Hey, guess what I saw Sunday evening? Four hippopatamus (sp?). We had just come out of a restaurant about 1 1/2 hours after sunset. One of the people with us knew to look across the road in the grass next to Lake Tanganyika. We saw a car with its headlights shining into the grass. We pulled across the road, and added the headlights of our vehicle. There were 3 adults and 1 baby. We were about 130 feet from them (maybe less). They seemed quite unconcerned about our presence. Hippos are known to come up out of the lake in the evening and munch on grass through the night. They take in 300-400 lbs each night. Wow! By the time we left, there were five cards sitting along side the road. We didnt' get any good pictures, so you'll just have to believe that we saw them. They were quite distinct - easily seen with 4 sets of headlights on them.
Last evening I was walking around the top floor of the huge building that is under construction. I hope to take some photos from up there. One has a great view of the area surrounding HAU. Anyway, I saw a pair of birds that reminded me of large swallows. They were black, but had white along the side of the head, and on their chests.
Lastly, it is very common, when driving up country, to see small herds of goats or longhorn cattle. At times there might be just a couple goats, with one or two cows. Traditionally, Barundians have measured their wealth by the number of cattle they own.
Well, I'll close for now. It is time for me to go and count sheep!
We saw several sun birds. They are rather small - but bigger than a sparrow. They come in varous colors. Some of their chests are light pink, others are bright neon green, others light blue. Their backs are iridescent blue or green, depending on the way the sun strikes them.
I have a few pictures of the paradist flycatcher. I noted that it is mostly a copper color. We enjoyed the frequent call of the bell bird. We even watched a pair as they hopped around tall pine trees, and in and out of a huge eucalyptus tree. I got a very good look at them, but didn't get any pictures. They are a bit bigger than a pigeon, but not so chubby. They are mainly black, but their chests a white, fading into a pink. their call is amazing. Usually a pair answers back precisely on the tail of the mates song. Do a "google" search and see what you find.
It is not unusual to see a small gecko here, or other small (like 4-6 inches) lizards. Geckos like to linger on walls or ceilings. They are good guys, since they eat mosquitoes.
Oh, I should not forget the bullfrogs. Right now they are singing quite the songs! A whole choir of them!
Hey, guess what I saw Sunday evening? Four hippopatamus (sp?). We had just come out of a restaurant about 1 1/2 hours after sunset. One of the people with us knew to look across the road in the grass next to Lake Tanganyika. We saw a car with its headlights shining into the grass. We pulled across the road, and added the headlights of our vehicle. There were 3 adults and 1 baby. We were about 130 feet from them (maybe less). They seemed quite unconcerned about our presence. Hippos are known to come up out of the lake in the evening and munch on grass through the night. They take in 300-400 lbs each night. Wow! By the time we left, there were five cards sitting along side the road. We didnt' get any good pictures, so you'll just have to believe that we saw them. They were quite distinct - easily seen with 4 sets of headlights on them.
Last evening I was walking around the top floor of the huge building that is under construction. I hope to take some photos from up there. One has a great view of the area surrounding HAU. Anyway, I saw a pair of birds that reminded me of large swallows. They were black, but had white along the side of the head, and on their chests.
Lastly, it is very common, when driving up country, to see small herds of goats or longhorn cattle. At times there might be just a couple goats, with one or two cows. Traditionally, Barundians have measured their wealth by the number of cattle they own.
Well, I'll close for now. It is time for me to go and count sheep!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A New View of Food
A New View of Food
Sept. 3, 2009
Well, tomorrow it will make 2 weeks that we've been here in Burundi this time. Though my 7th time, here, in many ways this is a new experience. First of all, I am teaching a semester-long 3 credit course. Second of all, I am living in an apartment on campus, and cooking for myself. Previously I haved made my home with an American couple here on campus. This all leads me to the topic of this blog entry: "A New View of Food".
It is obvious that living in a culture different than your own means experiencing food that is new to you. But, ones doesn't always have the experience of shopping for food and cooking the food and thinking about eating a balanced diet. After just a handful of shopping trips to purchase food for my kitchen here, it occured to me a couple days ago that I new a new appreciation for food, and am developing a new view of food. I don't clim to have amazing insights, just impressions new to me.
In Burundi there are none of the typical "fast food joints" many Americans are so fond of. For we "muzungus" (white people) here at Hope Africa. the five of us find grocery shopping a challenge. There are no "one-stop shopping" stores such as Meijer. There are no malls. There are a variety of grocery stores, some quite small, others just small. In some stores the prices are marked, in others they aren't. In the stores where the prices aren't on the items, one always wonders if the prices are hiked up if you are a muzungu, or if you don't have a national with you.
There are canned good, but they are quite a bit more costly than in the U.S. For example. I bought a small can of carrots and peas (about half the size of a can of regular Campbell's soup) and it was almost $4. Wow! But, it makes nice thing to add to soup, or curried rice. A big box of Corn Flakes is $7, and I have seen it for $17. No kidding!
I think the biggest difference I've noticed it that there are far fewer choices (at least from what I've seen so far) in fruit and veggies. Oranges, limes, mango, papaya, bananas and tomatoes are most common. Many times you can also find white potatoes, small red onions, garlic. Sometimes there are green onions, string beans, pineapple, and spinach. I've seen apples in a couple places, but you pay a stiff price for them. The catch is that the prices from store to store vary, as does the quality (on any one day) between stores and in one store. After one purchases fruit and veggies, one needs to wash them in a pan of water with a dash of bleach. Any missionary who has lived in a developing country knows this.
So, my "new view" is that I have realized I have a huge appreciation for the convenient shopping opportunities we have in most parts of the U.S. We as a huge economy in the world, can afford to only import the best looking fruit and vegetables. We can afford to have it cleaned and packaged. We can have almost any fruit or vegetable year round. Most of us can just hop into the car, drive over smooth roads in a good car, drive into a large smooth parking lot, and dash in and out of the store to grab things to satisfy the need for a fancy meal, or a late night snack.
Here, it usually means a trip to town, driving on roads that have potholes, dust, along with pedestrians, people riding bicycles, motorcyles, and lots of motor vehicles, with no stop signs, no signs at all come to think of it. Hey, no stop lights either! One has to navigate a parking space the best way possible. And remember, the store you enter is small. In one of them yesterday, it was hard to get past a person in the aisle. These stores have character. The contents of the container might be in Arabic, French, Chinese, or ???? There isn't air conditioning, nor are there fans, yet the temperatures are usually in the 80's.
Usually one visits 3 or 4 stores, because you know the price of something you need is much better at another place. But, it is likely you have learned that "the hard way". By the time one arrives back home, you feel sticky, a little grimy, hot, and ready for a cup of tea, and or a nap. Personally, the best treat is a bottle of passion fruit juice. Here (an in Honduras) it is known as Maracuja. Wow, is it delicious.
Hey, I forgot to talk about buying meat! Fish and chicken is usually frozen. You can buy pieces, or the whole thing. I bought some last Friday, but our power had been out for 18 hours, so it thawed pretty quick. The couple on campus that lives in their house has a generator, so she refroze it. I thawed it on Monday and ate it. Yummy!!!! Beef you buy by the Kilogram - and ask for it from a clerk since all the meat is in a glass case. If you are still learning Kirundi or French like me, you either point, or am thankful you have a national friend along with you.
Despite the challenges, it is always interesting to go grocery shopping. Products are package differently, if they are packaged. They are displayed differently. But, it isn't usually a cheap form of entertainment. I've spend almost the same on groceries as I do in the U.S. the fruits and vegetables aren't so high, but the other food items one wants are a pretty penny in most places.
I have come to appreciate the food I do have here. I dont' casually cut up a tomato, or carelessly peel a mango. It might be a 2 or 3 days before we go shopping again. If I eat all the fruits and veggies, I'll have to pester someone to take me shopping. I don't have a vehicle - and NO way would I drive here!
Bon appetite!
Sept. 3, 2009
Well, tomorrow it will make 2 weeks that we've been here in Burundi this time. Though my 7th time, here, in many ways this is a new experience. First of all, I am teaching a semester-long 3 credit course. Second of all, I am living in an apartment on campus, and cooking for myself. Previously I haved made my home with an American couple here on campus. This all leads me to the topic of this blog entry: "A New View of Food".
It is obvious that living in a culture different than your own means experiencing food that is new to you. But, ones doesn't always have the experience of shopping for food and cooking the food and thinking about eating a balanced diet. After just a handful of shopping trips to purchase food for my kitchen here, it occured to me a couple days ago that I new a new appreciation for food, and am developing a new view of food. I don't clim to have amazing insights, just impressions new to me.
In Burundi there are none of the typical "fast food joints" many Americans are so fond of. For we "muzungus" (white people) here at Hope Africa. the five of us find grocery shopping a challenge. There are no "one-stop shopping" stores such as Meijer. There are no malls. There are a variety of grocery stores, some quite small, others just small. In some stores the prices are marked, in others they aren't. In the stores where the prices aren't on the items, one always wonders if the prices are hiked up if you are a muzungu, or if you don't have a national with you.
There are canned good, but they are quite a bit more costly than in the U.S. For example. I bought a small can of carrots and peas (about half the size of a can of regular Campbell's soup) and it was almost $4. Wow! But, it makes nice thing to add to soup, or curried rice. A big box of Corn Flakes is $7, and I have seen it for $17. No kidding!
I think the biggest difference I've noticed it that there are far fewer choices (at least from what I've seen so far) in fruit and veggies. Oranges, limes, mango, papaya, bananas and tomatoes are most common. Many times you can also find white potatoes, small red onions, garlic. Sometimes there are green onions, string beans, pineapple, and spinach. I've seen apples in a couple places, but you pay a stiff price for them. The catch is that the prices from store to store vary, as does the quality (on any one day) between stores and in one store. After one purchases fruit and veggies, one needs to wash them in a pan of water with a dash of bleach. Any missionary who has lived in a developing country knows this.
So, my "new view" is that I have realized I have a huge appreciation for the convenient shopping opportunities we have in most parts of the U.S. We as a huge economy in the world, can afford to only import the best looking fruit and vegetables. We can afford to have it cleaned and packaged. We can have almost any fruit or vegetable year round. Most of us can just hop into the car, drive over smooth roads in a good car, drive into a large smooth parking lot, and dash in and out of the store to grab things to satisfy the need for a fancy meal, or a late night snack.
Here, it usually means a trip to town, driving on roads that have potholes, dust, along with pedestrians, people riding bicycles, motorcyles, and lots of motor vehicles, with no stop signs, no signs at all come to think of it. Hey, no stop lights either! One has to navigate a parking space the best way possible. And remember, the store you enter is small. In one of them yesterday, it was hard to get past a person in the aisle. These stores have character. The contents of the container might be in Arabic, French, Chinese, or ???? There isn't air conditioning, nor are there fans, yet the temperatures are usually in the 80's.
Usually one visits 3 or 4 stores, because you know the price of something you need is much better at another place. But, it is likely you have learned that "the hard way". By the time one arrives back home, you feel sticky, a little grimy, hot, and ready for a cup of tea, and or a nap. Personally, the best treat is a bottle of passion fruit juice. Here (an in Honduras) it is known as Maracuja. Wow, is it delicious.
Hey, I forgot to talk about buying meat! Fish and chicken is usually frozen. You can buy pieces, or the whole thing. I bought some last Friday, but our power had been out for 18 hours, so it thawed pretty quick. The couple on campus that lives in their house has a generator, so she refroze it. I thawed it on Monday and ate it. Yummy!!!! Beef you buy by the Kilogram - and ask for it from a clerk since all the meat is in a glass case. If you are still learning Kirundi or French like me, you either point, or am thankful you have a national friend along with you.
Despite the challenges, it is always interesting to go grocery shopping. Products are package differently, if they are packaged. They are displayed differently. But, it isn't usually a cheap form of entertainment. I've spend almost the same on groceries as I do in the U.S. the fruits and vegetables aren't so high, but the other food items one wants are a pretty penny in most places.
I have come to appreciate the food I do have here. I dont' casually cut up a tomato, or carelessly peel a mango. It might be a 2 or 3 days before we go shopping again. If I eat all the fruits and veggies, I'll have to pester someone to take me shopping. I don't have a vehicle - and NO way would I drive here!
Bon appetite!
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