Evendays

Barry was in Bujumbura a year ago staying at the Catholic convent. In the courtyard he met Brother J., a 46 year-old monk who worked next door. As they began talking, Barry mentioned that it was hard for him to understand how a country that was nearly completely Catholic could suffer ethnic violence on such a large scale (think Burundi 1994). This question stuck with Brother J. and he came back to discuss it with Barry all during the week.

Visiting with J. was high on Doyle’s list for our last visit. We went to the Catholic headquarters where J. is the acting secretary for his order, reporting directly to the Vatican. We were welcomed with a huge smile along with an invitation to teach him from the Bible. The following evening, J. met me in the convent with his story, one of dedication to his order and church, but one that, in his words, had filled him with pride and had kept his people in ignorance. For 75 minutes he poured out his heart (he called it "his story") and asked that I teach him from the word the following day. He persisted in saying he wanted to be… simply a Christian.

The following day, he came to me with three realities written on a folded piece of paper which read: I am not baptized; I do not worship God in simplicity; I believe in the presence of Christ in the Eucharisty, but not in transubstantiaton.

We spoke of death, resurrection and reign. We spoke of promesses, forgiveness, faith and baptism. And J. asked us to pray for him.

Dad.

Singer, reader, worker…
turns 70 today.

Keep on walking!

(Sorry about the picture. I had some pretty good ones from our time in Normandy, but you were wearing a funny hat (not cowboy) and dark glasses… This shows you a bit better…)

Got back to sunny Lausanne just about noon on Wednesday after a good end to a good trip. We had a 27 hour layover in Addis Abeba (prize if you know which country that city is the capital of) and got to do something touristy. When my colleague from Geneva, Doyle, is on a mission, he’s on a mission! So we both enjoyed the break after 10 days of:

• Listening;
• Teaching;
• Preaching;
• Observing;
• Praying;
• Taking pictures;
  
• Opening wallet;
• Singing;
  
• Laughing;
• Eating;
  
• Sighing;
• Waiting.

Like I said, a good trip. We learned a bit. Gave encouragement. Got some too.

BTW, be nice to that guy the row over who’s having to use those airsick bags, even on the smooth flight. It might be you one day… I know…

More pics and a couple stories coming later. Thanks for your prayers…

 

Things are going well. Thanks for your prayers. Pray for the Burundi people. There are many orphans, most taken in by family members or neighbors. Although there has been no major violence for over 2 years, people live with a mixture of fear and optimism.

I had a third Bible study with my "monk" friend. He is a priest, and has been for 20 years, but not celebrate the mass. It has been interesting as he shares his experiences with me and then asks me about Bible teaching on many different subjects.

We were invited to preach in a village church on Friday. My Swahili being rusty, I was translated from the French… And I even taught them a song. They have much fun with the "blancs".

Another young man asked us to teach in a village church for part of their outreach. They had a praise band that consisted of an empty oil can, a bass guitar with three strings, and another electric guitar. Everyone listened attentively as we spoke of God’s presence with us in Jesus and of the power of his word.

Our time is winding down. Monday we head to Ethiopia, where we’ll spend a day, since there is no plane back. I’m writing on the run.

More later…

I’m sitting in a cybernet internet center. Imagine your old dial up connection and then sharing it with 15 other computers and users. I’ve been here for 40 minutes and have read 3 emails, written one, and read 13 pages out of my novel. But it’s cheap. The captial is a busy place in the daytime. There is a lot of noise at night. They say security is not good in the evening, but we still see many people out. Almost half the people are under 18 years old. Most are out of a job.

I went to two different worship times on Sunday. The singing was awesome and there were 90 people packed into a small brick classroom for the second worship time. You would have enjoyed it.

I’m staying in a convent. They have a series of rooms for visitors and the rent helps them keep things going. We spend our days in appointments, some teaching, much listening, and sharing what we know about Jesus with this deeply religious people.

In an our I have a study with a priest that my friend Barry met last year. We have talked for a couple of hours already, but he asked me to open the Bible with him today and teach him.

Thanks for your prayers. 

Daughter did a great job defending her Senior paper on materials used in the Abiocor® replacement heart. We were a small crowd but she kept us on the edge of our seats with clear explanations and a super overhead presentation. Her guiding instructor was very much with her every minute of the presentation, but the “outside expert” played the devil’s advocate asking some tough questions (and several that were off subject) but Daughter took a deep breath, brushed back her hair, and gave a logical and clear defense of her 30 page paper.

I had the camera ready for the moment, then realized that the thing won’t function WITHOUT BATTERIES. My heart failed me.

Now we wait for the results… Hearts racing, of course.
–
I leave for Burundi tonight. We covet your prayers. I may be able to post once or twice, so don’t give up on Evendays.

January 8 marked 23 years since Wife and I moved to Switzerland. For her, 1985 was a bit like coming back home. For me, it was all new: Language, city-life, food, people.

I have often asked if it was the right decision… to leave “home” and come to Lausanne, even though that logic leads nowhere and we are not to second guess those things. But those of us who face discouragement still think about it, some times more than others, especially when you don’t feel as “led”.

We have received much and we have missed much. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think of Mom or Dad, or of my siblings and their families growing in age and number. I miss old friends that meant the world to me but I’ve not seen for years.

Despite the nostalgia, I will always celebrate January 8. It marks a time of transition, a time of trust, and reminds me that perseverance and change can both be expressions of faith.

We enjoy visits. In fact, let me just say, on the record, that most of you are welcome to come to our place anytime.

We had a wonderful visit with the children of some schoolmates from ACU days. I haven’t seen the Powell’s (parents) for many years, but Wife has been able to hook up with them on her infrequent visits to Abilene. We got a Sunday morning email from our “old” friends telling us the boys were traveling in Switzerland and would it be okay for them to drop by. OF COURSE! The only thing that wouldn’t have been okay is if they had come through without stopping (which does happen, from time to time…)

Wife and I both back-to-the-futured as one of the sons is exactly like his dad some 27 years ago (different hair, same size, face and voice…). Their visit reminded me how important those Abilene friendships were in helping me find my way in life.

5 minutes from our house, 10,000 youth gathered for a New Year’s Eve party. They’d each paid $36.00 to get into the 5 dance halls where DJ’s animated the evening. Even though professionals had been hired to assure security, there was much fighting outside the halls and in the streets. A riot started in the cloak room and it took 80 policemen 90 minutes to clear out that one room.

From December 28 to January 2, 40,000 youth, ages 17 to 35, met in the Palexpo Hall in Geneva for singing, Scripture reading and prayer. Authorities said there was a minimum police presence. There was no violence, even though Serbs and Croatians, Bosnians and Kosovars sat next to each other. They all praised God through Jesus. They all prayed for peace.

Being filled with the Spirit beats being filled with spirits, doesn’t it?

14 Taizé people stayed at our place… 9 from Croatia and 5 from Catalonia (Barcelona area). The Croatians worshipped with us on Sunday. During our farewell meal on Tuesday, we sang to each other about God, Christmas and hope in Christ. They gave us gifts. We exchanged addresses and took pictures.

Overall, a very enriching experience.