(NOTE: This writing serves to give a general overview of my experience in Burundi.  -Allen Paul Weaver III - June 7, 2008)

“Does a waterfall stop falling? - Does the wind stop blowing? - Does the sea stop flowing? - Does the sun stop shining? - Does the bird stop flying? - Does the world stop turning on its axis? - I spend so much time - Trying to figure out: - Who - What - When - Where - and Why? - Without taking the time to enjoy the wonders of this life. - Just taking the time to enjoy the journey…” (Allen Paul Weaver III, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers, IUniverse, p. 68)

LEAVING FOR BURUNDI

After spending one powerful week in Rwanda, Drew, Leah and I boarded a small prop plane and took a twenty-five minute flight to the neighboring country of Burundi - which is located just south of Rwanda. We had enjoyed the people and environment of Rwanda, but were about to be amazed by the sheer beauty of Burundi. I must admit, I was nervous, about what awaited us, but as the engines of the prop plane roared to life, I felt like Indiana Jones about to go on an adventure.

We took to the air and the nervousness did not leave, even though I could sense the adventure. I began to pray… and it wasn’t until we climbed above the clouds that all of my fears and concerns were quieted by the sight of not one - but two rainbows! The significance of this sight was immediate. My mind went to the biblical account of Noah. God gave him the rainbow as a sign of the covenant - that God was with him and that the world would never be destroyed again by a massive flood.

The promise was clear - God was with us and had gone before us. I had nothing to fear. Whether peace or conflict - whatever happened was ordained of God. Then I was able to simply sit back and enjoy the flight, looking forward to what lay ahead.

WHERE’S BURUNDI?

Not many people, who I spoke with in the States, had ever heard of Burundi. Before this trip I hadn’t either. It is often overshadowed by Rwanda - which is a sort of “sister” country in that the same People which live in Rwanda, live in Burundi. It’s a rather small country and is one of the poorest in the world. However, as Rwanda is known as “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” Burundi is known as “The Heart of Africa.” It is geographically located close to the center of Africa and the shape of its country actually resembles the human heart.

It is also home to the second largest lake in the world, that separates it from the Congo. I had never seen a lake this large before. From the shore, it looks as large as any ocean. This gave me a better understanding about the scope and size of the Sea of Galilee, from the Bible. I can remember, one day years ago in Sunday School where the class was looking at the account of Jesus calming the raging winds on the lake. Because of these hurricane-force winds the lake had become so extremely dangerous that even those disciples who were seasoned fishermen grew frantic. Somehow, Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of the storm and the disciples woke him, yelling “Master! Don’t you care that we are about to die?!” As the teacher read through the biblical account, a young boy raised his hand and asked, “how can a storm develop on a lake?” Most people think of lakes as being small, but there are large lakes in the world. Seeing this lake with my own eyes… was simply inspiring as I imagined the disciples riding the waves much like the many men who were on their boats in Burundi.

Over the years, there has been fighting between rebel forces and the Burundian Government - with roots stretching back to the Rwandan Genocide. Things were bad enough that travel at night is discouraged because of bad roads and kidnappings. I was a little concerned about this, but the DAY BEFORE our arrival to Burundi, a Cease-Fire agreement was signed by the rebel forces and the Burundian Government. Talk about the Favor of God. At our hotel, we met two men from America who had been doing construction work in Burundi for the past two months. “You guys missed all the action. There was gun and mortar fire close to this hotel just a couple of weeks ago.”

THE PEOPLE AND COUNTRYSIDE

Once situated in our hotel, we met with our hosts from the Bible Society of Burundi and proceeded to spend the next few days, with a full schedule, meeting with HIV/AIDS groups, students and faculty at a local school, church leaders and youth, and prisoners. We heard amazing stories of how God had changed the lives of people through His Word - and met a number of people who were completely passionate about life and helping others. One woman had contracted HIV a number of years ago and through it had come to receive Christ. She then saw her condition as her Calling to help others in her community who were suffering with various diseases and physical ailments. A man we spoke to ministered to young men that were part of the rebel forces. This man lived without fear. God had miraculously Called him to this work and so he expected God to provide resources and bring deliverance. He had been through so much, but the power of God was evident and lives were being changed. We couldn’t help but be inspired by these true accounts.

We also got a chance to do what we could not do in Rwanda… we traveled through the countryside. In Rwanda, we only stayed in Kigali, but in Burundi, we traveled for hours through several regions and saw some of the most amazing and diverse countryside on the planet!

We did so much traveling that we even had to check out of our very nice hotel for a day because we were going to a particular region that was too far away for us to return before nightfall. That night, we stayed at a remote guest house. This was an interesting experience. I slept in the bed, fully clothed, and ended up staying up most of the night killing mosquitos, flies and a spider! I did get some help from a small lizard that would periodically come into my room, through a hole in the wall, and eat some of the nearby flies and insects.

Burundi is a wonderful country with beautiful people. Their history with Rwanda is intertwined, yet different. As the Genocide happened, Burundi was somewhat separated from the worst because of its border. Even so, many Tutsi and Hutu crossed the borders for refuge. There were also a number of killings which took place in Burundi, but nowhere on the scale as Rwanda. This aspect of life led to an interesting difference between how both countries respond the this central Event. The people of Rwanda don’t want to forget the Tragedy - but need to confront it head on in order to truly move forward. However, the people of Burundi, having lived out a somewhat different collective experience, don’t seek to keep the Genocide at the forefront of their daily existence. They don’t deny it, but they, in general, don’t feel the need to confront it to such a degree as the Rwandans.

COMING TO AMERICA

After spending five nights in Burundi, the time came to head back to the United States. Our hosts from the Bible Society of Burundi were very gracious and accommodating and invited us to return anytime. We were happy to be going home, but sad about leaving. I thought back to the weeks before our trip to Central Africa… all the questions and concerns I had. And yet, God had blessed us with a wonderful experience and opened our eyes to see things in a new light. Myths were dispelled and ignorance was being replaced with knowledge that gave way to questions about the nature of human existence and the notion of poverty. Another aspect of our journey was being able to watch the news from a various array of sources OTHER than the American media. It’s amazing what a person can learn about the world.

After sharing heartfelt goodbyes, Drew, Leah and I boarded the plane and flew back to the US, via a layover in Belgium. I went looking for that Belgium waffle, but was not successful in finding one inside the airport. I was disappointed, but this just gave me another reason to return to Central Africa again.

Now my question is, “What does the future hold?” I’ve participated in an amazing experience… one that continues to work on me in ways I haven’t even understood yet. How do I share what I’ve seen, heard and touched with those who want to see?

The Rwanda-Burundi Chronicles: Part 3 of 4

-Allen Paul Weaver III -

Don’t miss the last installment dealing with my thoughts on Africa and the notion of poverty.