Moments to remember...

Last week, we welcomed some dear friends to Burundi for just under 2 days and yet filled with so many moments to remember. Mike and Dollea (bottom picture) were so encouraging to have with us, the words they spoke impacted our hearts and brought us smiles and joy. Dollea, 51 years ago - this month left Burundi with her family who had been serving as missionaries up country in mountaineous Gitega for 4 years. She had always dreamed to come back, and somehow - by the grace of God we were able to find the missionary school deep into the mountain where she lived and studied. We sat with anticipation as we listened to her stories of what Burundi, not to far from our house was like (50 years ago). Hay huts, one way dirt roads (often washed out, having to wait months to travel to the city for supplies), simple people with a simply beautiful love. I stood in awe as she still maintained quite a bit of Kirundi... the kids and staff loved it (of course wondering how she could know such a vocabulary). It was a wirlwind of a time, trying to cram everything into just under 2 days; yet, unforgetable.

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This month, is a tough month - no question. Our good friends Tom and Jana (2nd to bottom picture) are leaving Burundi and transitioning into their next steps of life; really, they have such profound and loving hearts - it has surely ministered to ours. Our family, away from family (Sam, Sabine, Noamie and Lia) are heading back to Germany for a year at the end of the week. Honestly, we can't imagine life without them here. They have been here right by our side, day in day out from the start... and to have that in a foriegn country can be somewhat rare at times. Isai and I are both at a loss for words... but the Lord knows...

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In April, we are welcoming a couple who is coming for 3 months + to help us in building "The Village of Jeremiah". Handy work and practical hands on help, just what we have been praying for! We are excited to get to know them better and to see all that God has in store. Malaki is talking up a storm... speaking so much kirundi, I tell you one day he might be able to translate fluently from Kirundi to English! There have been moments, after moments that have been molding, transforming, enjoyable and challenging all together; we are so blessed to experience it together, as a family. Burundi life, and the moments we hope to never forget. All our love...

We look to Yahweh.

Today, yesterday and all the days that are before us we look to Yahweh - our God, to see us through. Life as we could of never imagined is on a continual roll forward, without a pause in view. So we confidently look to Yahweh, and know that He will make a way, and His glory will come down and transform the hearts of His people.

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These next four months, that is, until sweet little Isabella joins us (baby bump pictured above) we are giving it all we have to give through the grace of God. I recently started teaching our staff english, after months of requesting, we have made a firm tight schedule that I am willing to commit to - with the purpose to believe and pour into them that they in return can give all they have to give to our children. Some can't write, stopping to study during elementary school... but they love to be in a school setting, and more so to be challenged. Who is to tell them, they can't better themselves... just because they were overtaken by poverty at such a young age? With the staff, there has been an unbelievable transformation of transparency, humility and unity... openess and expressions of the heart - culturally, not normal and most times not accepted. I can only beleive it's the love of Christ working in their hearts, and as they are shown more and more love... they love more, they love deeper.

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On to the interestingly funny pictures of Kai naked on our blog...! Yesterday, I was in a meeting with the staff and one of our girls was watching Kai. In the mountains, many times the babies go without diapers - so I can only imagine that when his diaper was full, she took it off and put his clothes back on without one. :o) When Isai came after work, we headed home and he put Kai on his shoulders as a proud Papa would... until he realized a stench, secondly pee and poop all over his neck! We then stripped Kai and they both showered, but it gave us one good laugh! Malaki loved it and found humor in it all, more so than his Papa I can imagine! All our love, from Burundi!

I am not an orphan, I am a child.

Please visit our TCOAC Blog to read our latest heart's thoughts under:

I am not an orphan, I am a child.

www.thecriesofachild.blogspot.com
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Kai', growing older - approaching 21 months, wow! Eating Burundi's version of a fig newton, most likely imported from Uganda. We hope to find out if we are having a little girl or boy next week or so when we head down to the city! The girls home (2nd house) is underway and the walls are already 4-5 feet tall; Isai has been hard at work!

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Went with the kids to the soccer stadium on Saturday and my feet were so swollen by the time we got there, I had to be barefoot. Alice, however couldn't handle that fact so persistantly hinted that I should wear her bright green plasitic sandals in which my heels don't even make it on board... I did it to humor her. Cleria and Vane stayed close by as always playing rocks (somthing like Jacks, except the rules change - too many times).

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We are preparing for a busy year ahead of us with visits in March, April, June, July and August! Hopefully we can take a nice break around June / July when our little one comes... It's amazing to see God move upon the hearts of so many people to want to take part in what He is doing here in Burundi with TCOAC and many other ministries and organizations. It's beautiful to see the willing and humble hearts of so many lay down their lives in hopes that others may find theirs.

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Today, I woke up ready to work get alot done and then... imagine, the power goes out all day. :o) Just had to laugh that one off. Usually we have power all the time, unlike many places in the capital (perks of living upcountry!) But today... today was a different story! So there you have it, I got a blog post up and running... enjoy! All our love...