Uncategorized – ALIVE and ACTIVE

FULL

Upon my return last month there was little time for sitting around. My schedule was full for the first month as I visited several places in Burundi. Hallelujah for the Lord’s protection as I traversed these roads in Burundi. It is always a marvel to me that I arrive safely. I was blessed to attend various events; summer camp at Karubabi, Jesus Film for the Harvest Evangelism Campaign, and a pastors’ conference for Pastor Sam.

The students at Karubabi Harvest School were excited to experience summer camp (Camp Grace!!!) last month. A huge endeavor by Aurélie and Deanna to create content and for the team from Cornerstone Community Church in Vigil, Ontario, Canada to carry out the fun. The Karubabi teachers each led a group of 10-15 students through various activities. The days were filled with devotions, simple cooking recipes, crafts, worship time, sports, and construction projects (built a playground for the campus!!!). It made for some full days and a full week. I joined the camp for 4 days and then returned to Bujumbura to join a travel schedule with the Jesus Film. The students loved camp! The teachers were empowered to lead. The Canadian team interacted well with the students and helped lead some workshops. They did a great job of making the students feel seen. Praise God for His provision for this event and for an uplifting experience unlike anything seen in Burundi.

Crafty! Why are there sooooo many small nails soooooo close together????

New playground area
Photo by Deanna Hiebert

Luck of the draw for the team assignments.

It was also good to welcome the Hieberts (3/5 of the fam) back to Burundi for this trip. I marvel at their giftings and how they can jump right back into life here. It fills me up every time they return! It gives me a sounding board for the culture and the struggles and the victories of this place.

The photo quality was poor but the pizza time was great with the Hieberts and Aurélie.

Launching into the Jesus Film this year with a different schedule from past years. We’ll travel for a week in each of the months of July, August, and September. Harvest Initiatives is celebrating 25 years of existence and desires to reach more of their partner churches during this silver jubilee celebration. Therefore, the schedule has been adjusted to include three trips for the Campaign instead of one long trip. Our first voyage did not disappoint. The pastors were very excited to host this event at their church site. It was a pleasure to meet with each of them and hear their prayers for the community. Many of them expressed their appreciation to Harvest for providing teaching and coaching for tangible ways to reach their communities. Most of these communities are far from the main road and it is a breeding ground for those who wish to capture power through various beliefs, cults, and false teachings. Connecting with Harvest, a well-known entity in the country, can bring credibility to some of these partner congregations.

Pastor Sam hosted a pastors’ conference in the capitol of Gitega. This is the fifth anniversary of the conference. It is an intentional time to pray for the country and a time for the participants to share testimonies from this past year. I joined the final day of the conference to support my friend.

The volunteers who made the conference happen.

SPRING UP

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

I’ve been reading through Isaiah in this season. I needed to hear some promises prior to leaving the U.S. again. I returned to Burundi earlier this month and my reentry surprised me. I felt optimistic. What was that feeling??? Things appeared to be the same from when I left in March, but something felt different as I rode from the airport to my apartment. It felt as if something was about to “spring up.” Something was about to launch. What does that mean? I dunno, but His promises were a good place to begin a search.

Isaiah 26:7-8 NIV
The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you, your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

I wait on You, Yahweh. You make my path smooth. That’s how you led me here. I’ve used the word ‘gentle’ to describe my journey to this country. I get distracted and irritated by human processes and messiness, but You have always made the way. My own insecurities get in the way of what You want to show me. You are my desire. You are the goal.

Isaiah 33:5 NIV
The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.

You do the filling. You restore. You command justice for the outcast. You set all things right. I try to control and do what I think is best but often it spins me in too many directions. It is not for me to dole out. Help me to get out of the way and let You do the work. When the speed of change is too slow for my liking, may Your patience rest on me.

Isaiah 45:8 NIV
You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the Lord, have created it.

May You grow Your creation and spring up optimism, expectancy, and hope. Wash away the apathy and despair that can surround me when all things seem broken.

A touching moment before I left the U.S. Harvest time at my parents’ grave with my brother.

In Burundi, you find a way to hang a movie screen without a ladder.

UNEXPECTED

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

Hey friends, my return to Burundi did not last very long. Much has changed since my last update to you.

My mother grew ill in late February and she passed away in late March. I have returned to Kansas to grieve and spend time close to family.

As a family we noticed unusual behavior from Mom in early February which directed us to seek medical examinations and scans. The scans revealed several brain tumors. Being so far away it was difficult to wait for updates on care and treatment and a diagnosis. I would go about my day in Burundi “holding my breath” for the next round of news. The situation was a stark parallel to when Dad was injured in Burundi and I was trying to update my family in the States. A surreal scenario playing itself out again as I was the one waiting from a distance for the latest updates on Mom’s health. During this time of medical exams for her, I was discerning when might be the “right” time for me to return to assist with decisions and to care for her. I settled on the 31st of March for my return to Kansas. She passed away unexpectedly on the 25th of March. I did not get a chance to see her. I did desire to spend a few weeks/months together with her in her illness; that was my plan. It did not play out as I anticipated, it was an abrupt ending.

As I look back on my time in Kansas in the fall of 2024 it has taken on greater meaning. I enjoyed countless days and meals with her and these reflections soften the blow of not being able to say ‘good-bye’ when she was ill. I tell myself it is ‘all in His timing.’ I know we don’t have any control in these situations. The spectrum of healing and suffering is all in the Lord’s hands. Our Creator afforded me those rich days prior to her illness.

I miss her dearly. She was all about the fun things in life. One of Mom’s classmates from high school commented in the yearbook, “when she’s with us, the fun is on.” Never has a quote held more meaning for me over these past few weeks as I noticed the hole in the room. She is not with us. She brought a physical presence to each room. It was often difficult to connect with her otherwise, but when she was in the room, you knew it. Whether it was a classroom, sewing room, fellowship room, dining room, hospital room, she was there to bring the fun, to bring the energy, and she would engage with anyone who could match it.

As a family we rejoice in a merciful God.

We are grateful for her relationship with Jesus.

We are grateful for her pain-free illness.

We are grateful for her same personality throughout her illness.

We are grateful for her energy and activity until her final days.

We are grateful for her.

We’ll celebrate the life of Shirley Jost on April 26, 2025 at Ridgepoint Church in Wichita, KS at 2:00PM. You can read her obituary here.

FRUIT

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

As I departed Kansas last month some of you asked, “what are your prayer requests?” I gave a valid, and needed, request, but it somehow felt like a standard answer. One that many of you have heard me express. “Pray for relationships, discernment in those relationships and discernment in ministry, and pray for the people in the midst of very complex circumstances.”

But God is showing me a fresh request.

At 30,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean I filled the time with movies, podcasts, intermittent sleep, and airline eating but I also took some time to worship and pray. I had a heart for a different set of prayers. My heart circled on the word ‘respond.’ My desire is to respond like the King of Kings would respond. He gave up His throne to walk among us and to model life on this earth. He showed the way in how we should respond in all situations. I wished to follow His example.

What does that response look like in Burundi? I had to stop my mind from playing out specific situations and trying to prepare my response.

“If I’m trying to get a visa and that happens, then I will say this.”

“If I go to that place for a common resource, then I should be prepared to do this.”

“If I have to set a boundary with a friend, then I can act in this manner.”

Instead, I asked God to pour out a “presence” in all situations. To me this looked like responding in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

When I arrived at the Burundi airport, I easily moved through the immigration process, collected my baggage, and scurried to the exit. One final station stood in my way, I had to scan my baggage. It was at this point I was notified of the need to pay a tax on some of the personal items I was bringing into Burundi. This was a new experience. The tax process was not clearly defined to me. I was frustrated and agitated that my exit was being delayed by a tax on items I had already purchased. My exasperated response made it clear to the official that I was not happy. After 90 minutes of collaborating towards a solution, I complied with the request and the issue was resolved. I exited the airport.

Upon reflection of the situation, I was disappointed in myself. I didn’t respond well. I was irritated which was evident through my animated conversation with the official. Others were also expressing the same frustrations with the official which probably didn’t help the situation as we all fed off one another. I can’t say I was outwardly peaceful, or kind, or gentle. In less than 30 minutes on Burundi soil I had failed on my resolution to respond in the fruit. Dang!

However, He did give me awareness to the desires of my own heart. Hallelujah, our Mighty Lord is a gracious God! My desires are to make sure I’m seen, to fight for my rights, to cater to my own view of justice, to get my way. Ack! It doesn’t feel good to admit this.

I relinquish the selfish, human desires of my response and yield to respond in the overflowing power of the fruit of the SPIRIT.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25 NIV

How do I respond?

This is my prayer, and this is my prayer request.

Back in Burundi and reuniting with friends.

RETURN

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

I have returned to Kansas for a few months to be refreshed around friends and family. I’ll be sharing at a few venues and keep you updated on those opportunities. I spent the past week in Abbotsford, Canada visiting many friends from Multiply. I had not been there for a visit since my initial training time in 2017 and I have fond memories of that period of my life. I recalled a gentle God ushering me towards a life in Burundi. His patience and wisdom were building in me with each step.

My time in Canada last week was centered on an intentional retreat with other workers and colleagues. There was space to reflect on this past term and specifically this past year. I have had a frustrating and challenging 2024 in Burundi. Several times I found myself “on edge” with certain situations and disappointed with relationships. I’m not sure I have it all processed yet, but this time in Canada was serene. The encouragement from my colleagues and a refilling by the Wonderful Counselor was just what I needed. There is no better caretaker of our soul than our Creator.

After the retreat time I traveled through the Cascade Mountains to visit a friend in central Washington state. I enjoyed catching up with my friend. There was also time for an afternoon hike to Margaret Lake near Snoqualmie Pass, WA. What a beautiful time of year to be in that region!

In a previous post in May I reflected on Peter’s exclamation upon seeing the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17). As I think about these coming months in Kansas (and other places) I, again, proclaim his words, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.”

I look forward to seeing you and catching up with you. Please reach out and we can connect.

Sour cream donut and black coffee at Tim Horton’s!!!

CAMPAIGN

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

We just finished Week# 2 of the Harvest Evangelism Campaign. I have posted about this event in the past. It has been one of my favorite experiences during my time in Burundi. Harvest Initiatives equips evangelists in the local church to go out and to visit with people about the Gospel. During this time many stories return of prayer, healing, and changed lives for Jesus. It is an exciting time and a highlight for the year.

My role in the Campaign has been to travel around Burundi with a team to show the Jesus Film. This year has been challenging because of the fuel situation in Burundi. I was not confident we would accomplish our mission to arrive at all 11 communities with the film. I am happy to report that by God’s traveling mercies we did not have to cancel for any of the locations. I was encouraged by the eager faces which greeted us when we arrived at each place. While we would set up the screen and sound equipment joyful people danced, played, ran around, and watched in anticipation of this unique experience.

The Jesus Film team (left to right, me, Jean Baptiste, Christophe, Lucien)

Futball prior to the film in Mwaro province

A short story from the Campaign this year…

On the Zina hill of the Bubanza province live two women one named IRANKUNDA, the mother-in-law, and another named KWIZERA, her daughter-in-law. These two women had been in conflict for the past 5 years. While they lived in the same family compound, they could not bring themselves to greet one another. IRANKUNDA was not allowed to even hold her grandchildren (they lived in the same compound mind you!!!). When the evangelists visited the family this year they shared the Good News with them. The whole family cried because everyone realized that it was the enemy who had separated them. The Good News changed their hearts!! They repented. They greeted one another. They drank from the same cup once again.

“And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” – Revelation 22:2b

TEAM BUILDING

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

It is complicated to work together when we don’t understand one another. Admittedly, I’m not always attentive to the care needed to build a team. I tend to focus on the task. “Let’s get this done and move on to the next thing.” I think the Burundi context has revealed to me the importance of knowing one another. In the U.S. we would say, “it’s not what you know but who you know.” In Burundi that phrase also rings true. Maintaining relationships is thee priority in this culture while completion of the task carries a secondary status.

How do we build teams? How do we gain the trust of our colleagues, co-workers, ministry partners? How do we understand one another?

Harvest Initiatives (HI) organized two team building events: one for the office staff and one for the watchman staff. The goal was to know one another better and to see the impact of the work at HI. It was a time to realign with the mission, to be together, to rest, and to reflect.

The office staff took a one-day retreat to the Rutana province. I was fortunate to join them. We made stops at various tourist destinations throughout the country. We visited the national history museum, some forest areas, and the Source of the Nile River (true!!). At each stop we were instructed to take time alone, in silence, without distractions, and to reflect on what God was speaking to us as individuals. It was intentional time with God outside of our normal routines.

One staff member commented, “the reflection time was an opportunity to feel God’s presence through personal meditation in nature. The whole retreat was a moment of rest for me.”

Another person said, “it was a time of personal reflection and a time to enjoy my colleagues. It was a moment of rest and made me so happy to be invited. I would really like to see us do this type of event two times a year as it strengthens the group and gives me a moment of rest.”

Another retreat was held for the watchmen staff, those who care for the headquarter facilities. The mission of the retreat was to visit serval communities supported by HI and to introduce the staff to the people impacted by their work. When asked by the local community, “what do you do?” the watchmen replied, “we are in charge of security for the supplies that come to your community.” The staff was encouraged to see how their role played a part in benefiting these communities.

One participant commented on the trip, “it was very exciting, amazing, relaxing. All the words! It was so enjoyable for me.”

We all have a role to play. Sometimes it is hard to see our role, but I believe Creator has us specifically planted for His glory. A tree by itself is majestic, but only when put together does it transform into something prolific, a forest. God invites us as individuals into His collective mission.

Thank you, King Jesus, for being the one to reach out to us in partnership.

Thank you, King Jesus, for being the one to bring us awareness of our role.

Thank you, King Jesus, for being the one to unite us with one another.

SHELTERS

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

“Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials.” – Matthew 17:4a NLT

Peter declared this during the Transfiguration story in Matthew 17. The record of this story in the Mark and Luke gospels says Peter was so terrified he didn’t even know what he was saying. I can relate to Peter’s loss for words.

Last month I, along with my Uganda colleagues (Melanie, Danae, and Kyle), revisited the city where I first did French language learning. Besançon, France was my first stop on the journey to Burundi in 2018. It was an intentional time of language learning in an immersive environment. I knew very little about the environment. The language school was new to me, the city was new to me, the culture was new to me, everything was new to me. In this French region there were few English-speaking options for me to find comfort. I was in deep.

Here’s what I wrote at the time. First impressions. Praise God, this prayer was answered (first paragraph)!!

Reading it again now, it doesn’t sound so “deep.” It sounds optimistic, wide-eyed, adventurous, carefree. As I walked these familiar streets again in 2024 I was carrying more anxiety for my 2018 self than I actually carried at that time. What was this feeling? Similar to Peter, I was at a loss for words to express myself.

The school (CLA) where I took language classes

Back then, I used public transportation and my feet to take me everywhere. When I was not in class the perfect weather allowed for me to crisscross the city. After 8 weeks I felt like I knew every curve, every feature, every pocket of the city. Of course I didn’t know the half of it, but it felt like a place I could traverse with ease. The silly thing is I did all this with only a passing knowledge of the language. I could introduce myself and that was the peak of my French language powers. So why upon the return was I so fondly connected to this place? In 2018, I was building shelters of memories and this return in 2024 was my chance to revisit some of those shelters. Narrow streets, shady parks, one majestic fortress, quant cafés, forest trails, tram station stops, they all carried some kind of memory for me.

“Lord, it’s wonderful for me to be here!”

But there’s more!! The crowning memory, the “crème de la crème” of the entire 2024 visit back to this place was a “very French meal” with my host family…in the same house where I first stayed. That family and that house was such an oasis for me in a new cultural environment. Fully emersed in French language and culture I kind of floated around during that time, not really sure of where I was supposed to be. I could always regroup in their comfortable home welcomed by their fresh smiles. They were so generous to me (Merci beaucoup, François et Rachel! Que le Dieu de l’espérance vous remplisse de toute joie et de toute paix dans la foi.).

My Uganda colleagues also stayed with the same host family during their language learning time. We were all encouraged on this visit to their home when we could understand more of the French conversation. It was another pillar for me of how far the Lord has brought me. I remember being terrified in 2018 of getting pulled into a conversation and then counting the seconds until I could exit such a conversation. But on this reunion, I could actually enjoy and contribute to the conversation. Of course, I didn’t catch everything but enough to be a participant and not just a voyeur. Thank you, Jesus, for some progress!!

Chicken in cream sauce with noodles and bread (of course)

“Lord, it’s wonderful for me to be here!”

There is something memorable about the growth in those hard places. It was challenging to arrive there for the first time and to be stretched beyond what I could formulate. I was present in this place upon my return but not fully understanding what was happening. Perhaps a similar feeling which Peter had during the Transfiguration, present but not understanding. So what was my takeaway from the return? I treasure those memories of struggle and shaping. My initial time there was brief but as I walked those streets again, I could feel it was steeped with deep, deep reminders for me of His faithful shelters.

PROTECTION

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

I meet weekly with a men’s group of Westerners. We typically read a book of the Bible and discuss our observations. We pray together and share our victories and defeats from the week. We all have different reasons for being in Burundi and we enjoy gathering together to support one another. Recently we discussed the complexity of relationships in this context. Being an outsider to the culture it is extremely difficult to know how to navigate power structures. Someone in the group made the observation that our paths have been paved through the consistent prayers of others. We affirmed his observation. There are power structures at play which we are blind to, but someone, somewhere has covered us. There are places we are peacefully allowed to pass where others face opposition. There are shelters over our travels and shields to protect our day-to-day health.
For those of you who “dig in” without knowing exactly how to pray I graciously say, “thank you.” Our God knows. Our God hears you. You should know your faithfulness is rewarded. I was humbled to acknowledge there are people around the globe who have been paving a way for my good fortune and protection in this place. His mercy has covered my steps and my thoughts and my soul. His power and majesty are felt in my daily life. I see His providence in the ministry opportunities I’m involved with. My health has been restored and I feel fresh. Rarely am I slowed with food sickness issues. I am fortunate to travel all over this country to meet so many people, and if you’ve been here, you know the challenges of travel. There are so many things I simply do not understand, but God clears a path for me to pass.

His glory spreads over the earth. He goes before us. He touches the hearts of others before we arrive.

Thank you, Jesus for hearing our cries and petitions. We praise You for what You have done and will continue to do.

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” – Genesis 15:1

You always hope for just 1 more win, but these guys represented Karubabi well. So proud of them!!

Skit to open a teaching session in Bubanza province.

NEEDS

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

Last month I was fortunate to visit the city of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was there to visit a team of people with a vision to serve their community. With the assistance of Global Vision 2020 this team operates a mobile eye clinic. They search for locations in the city where they can have access to a public space and where they can find favor by the local administration. Currently, the location is a meeting hall of an organization that provides free legal advice to people of the community. Next month, they hope to partner with a local medical clinic to offer eyecare services. The materials to operate the clinic are easy to transport and the set-up and tear-down time occurs within one hour. A free consultation consists of basic testing for eye disease and vision testing for corrective lenses. If eye disease is discovered the client is referred to a more advanced consultation by a professional. Glasses can be purchased for approximately 1/5th the cost of designer frames at neighboring eyewear stores. The entire process for the client from intake to the purchase of eyewear is about 20 minutes. In general, the population doesn’t think of vision as a priority for their health and they typically think it is too expensive to correct. This clinic provides an option for eyecare.

The service they provided was affordable, accessible, and professional. Clients were welcomed, informed, and prepared for the consultation. Service was quick and effective. I complimented them on the clarity of the process and the friendly service they offered to their clients. The team operated with a clear understanding of the needs they were there to meet. Each team member had a role to play for the clinic. During my visit on one day the clinic received 31 consultations and 15 clients purchased eyeglasses. There was a family of 5 who all received consultations, and all walked out of the clinic with new glasses. Their needs were met!!

At the end of each clinic day the team tears down the materials and shares lunch together at a local eatery. It was a core value for their team to eat together and discuss the day and what things they could improve upon.

The commitment of the team to serve the community was the lasting image from my visit. While the team was made up of Christians, they did not think it beneficial to add another church to the crowded faith community in Lubumbashi. Perhaps an organized church comes later for them, but for now their vision is to support the community and develop themselves, and others, as leaders. God will reveal to them when to take the next step.

My prayer during the visit was Amos 4:13, “he who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is his name.” I also invite you to pray for this team. Pray for unity in their vision. Pray for community awareness of the affordable options this clinic offers. Pray for good stewardship of resources. Pray the name of the Lord would be revealed through this team to those whom they serve.