DISTANCE

Earlier this month I received a shot of encouragement. My family came to visit Bujumbura!! We have not been in the same room for over a year, which is unusual for us. Technology has made the distance much, much easier to manage (at least we can see each other), but there’s nothing like being face to face. Before my time in Burundi my immediate family lived within driving distance from one another. Now, the distance feels like a figment; a made-up number from a galaxy far, far away. This past season has been an adjustment for us. There’s a sacrifice. You just stand where you are. It feels silly to mention it, though. Many families live at a distance for all kinds of reasons, it’s nothing new in this world. There’s no sob story here, just reality. For our family, the sacrifice is evident and we count the cost (sometimes we don’t like it). And without Jesus, it’s not worth it. He’s guided us into an unfamiliar place. We live it out and lean on Him for our understanding.

The one thing I can say about the distance…the reunions are all the more sweet. Honestly, we could have enjoyed our time simply sitting on the patio, drinking coffee, and listening to the birds. However, if you come to Burundi there is too much to see (plus, it’s waaaaaay too hot to sit still).

We spent a good portion of our time in the car. A good ole fashion Midwest road trip provided us with; rich conversation (what we learned over the past year), interesting debate (what provides more relief; a fart or a burp), prayer (for Jesus to be known all over Africa), many laughs (family impressions), and of course, some sweet jams (Watermelon Sugar was our anthem—don’t judge, just push play).

We experienced much of Burundi through a windshield;

the roads,

the mountains,

the towns,

the shortcuts,

the fruits,

the smiles,

and the catcalls.

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True to form, Burundi played an excellent host;

we joined in fellowship with friends,

we danced in worship with our sisters and brothers,

we drank ginger tea,

we heard the stories,

we shared in the vision,

and we learned the language.

In the end, it all points to Him. I’m certainly not in Africa without His Kingdom. We certainly don’t welcome a new decade together in Africa without His leading. None of this happens without Jesus and so we glorify Him with the richness of this reunion.

Why do I love these people???? It’s obvious to me. I am recharged!!