I was engulfed by the darkest night I have ever experienced. The countless stars were surprisingly faint in this remote part of Burundi. A Google search of Kabanga, Rutana will get you there from the satellite. The flour-like dirt of dry season will somehow get you there via a “road.” Through the eyes of this visitor there was not much there; courageous crops, mud brick structures, myriad kids whom suddenly congregate, and curious adults with a side-eyed glare. But in Kabanga there is a spiritual light carving out territory; there is a church and a community of believers. And on this night, we, as visitors, were invited to bring a projected light. We showed the Jesus Film on the walls of this church.
One such adult didn’t appreciate the presence of our visiting team or the disturbance we brought with us. He was the “chief” of the commune, and he was not notified of our arrival for the evening’s cinema. Blusterous and assertive, he made it known who oversaw this area and who had the authority to prepare such an event. After a few minutes of dialogue with our team organizer and once presented with the proper documentation, this gentleman calmed down. We were once again welcomed to the commune. Crisis averted; the show would go on.
Benches from the church were brought out to prepare seating for the film. As soon as they were leveled on the hard dirt, 10-12 hind-ends were scooching for a section of the plank where they could best see the presentation. Never before had a video been shown here.
Climbing spikes and the force of a hand-sized rock impaled a tarp screen to the exterior church wall. A wood table was brought out to host the projector and sound equipment. The generator sparked to life and suddenly the tarp had a face. Of course, the best laid plans do not come together so easily and 20-30 minutes later the accompanying audio was barking from the speakers. The setlist included Christian music videos from local artists, a short cultural drama, and the grand finale of the Jesus Film (circa 1979!!!!!!). All content was in the Kirundi language—hallelujah!!
Towards the end of the Jesus Film, my own hind-end fatigued from the ‘bench of honor’ and my ear drums tattered by the successful sound system, I circulated among the onlookers. In the darkness of night, I saw figures standing on the crop rows, sitting in the dirt, peering between the cassava plants, leaning against the trees, and snuggling on the benches. There must have been 350 people squeezed within eyesight of this flashing story. As the film finished, we danced, and we praised, and a leader asked for new followers of Jesus. It is hard to measure genuine responses after being there for a few hours presenting a big show with loud music and a long story. I’m a visitor after all. But I can tell you this…when the invitation was extended (“who wants to be a follower of Jesus”) I did see one distinct young man in the hazy, dark crowd of bodies. Even before the man with the microphone finished his sentence, this young man (20 years old???) shot up his hand. Some people raised their hands slightly above their face. Some people raised their hands after seeing others do the same. Some people raised their hands but got tired and put them down. This young man was not looking around to see what others were doing. As if the crowd was not there. His shoulder socket was the foundation of a locked elbow leading to a level wrist revealing an open-palmed hand with fingers extending to the squinting stars. All in perfect alignment like an impervious Burundian palm tree. He knew his actions and he was confident in his decision. He briefly put his hand down as the speaker finished his statement but again his arm popped back up. He was a leader among a group that did not know it yet. At the end of the presentation a pastor invited this young man into the church to talk. I prayed it was the start of a life-long and life-giving relationship. Yes, Everlasting Father!!
Overall, our assignment for the Harvest Campaign took us to nine separate locations around Burundi and approximately 3,000 people saw the Jesus Film. Organizers estimated that almost 1,000 people made a decision for Christ through this portion of the Campaign. I know, I know, I have the same questions you do. We like our numbers, but what does this mean? How do we measure the heart? I will let God be the grower. I can tell you for each place we brought the film there was an established relationship with the local church. There was a partnership in place long before we arrived. My prayer is that someday we will rejoice as we hear stories of people who joined the local church in these places and their faith sprouted from the ‘mustard seed’ planted with this strange flicker of light.
Your contributions and prayers played a part in planting these seeds. My prayer is that someday you also will rejoice upon hearing the stories of the lives transformed through this evangelism campaign. Thank you! May God bless you richly for your obedience.
