Uncategorized – Page 6 – ALIVE and ACTIVE

CHRISTMAS IN BURUNDI

2 Comments / Uncategorized / By tjkansas

What is Christmas like in Burundi? It kind of snuck up on me. It sounds silly to say.

Of course, the climate was entirely different from what I am used to in Kansas this time of year. The early darkness, gray skies, cold air, brown landscapes (what once-upon-a-time was white), and twinkling lights of Midwest America was replaced with sun, warmth, flowering plants, palm trees, and lush green landscapes. Burundi is not a consumer culture; therefore, I was liberated from the bombardment of advertisements and messages convicting me of what I just had to buy this season.

Christmas decorations for sale. Unfortunately real trees are not available. (image by Deanna Hiebert)

New Year’s Day is the big holiday here and thus, there was minimal build-up to Christmas Day. As proof, the big, decorated Christmas tree was put up in the center of the city 3 days before Christmas.

Setting up the city Christmas tree 3 days before Christmas

The church services in the city celebrated the advent season in faithful anticipation. Various children’s performances made the rounds as the 25^thapproached.

Children’s Christmas program (the sheep were represented)

Some churches held all-night worship and prayer services which could be heard from my apartment on Christmas morning (what a great idea!!). There were several greetings of “Merry Christmas”, “Joyeux Noël”, and “Noël Nziza.”

As a team we celebrated with others at various events. An evening of singing carols and reading scripture became my first Burundi Christmas tradition.

An evening of carols and scripture reading

I was also fortunate to have carolers visit my doorstep with sweets in hand.

On Christmas Day our team gathered together for a meal of ham, mashed potatoes, salads, and desserts. Our simple gift exchange took on amplified excitement and appreciation after witnessing the teachers in Muramvya joyfully embrace their gift exchange the previous week.

It was interesting for me to walk through my own feelings about the season. It didn’t feel like Christmas, or at least, “my habit” of Christmas. The reason to celebrate didn’t change, just my environment. I came back to Isaiah 55:8 (NIV), “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” It is so easy for me to attach the things of this world to our Heavenly Father in order for my mind to make sense of everything.

This year, I marveled at His mystery and I was stunned at His desire for relationship with me.

He deserves all glory!

That’s what Christmas in Burundi was like for me.

15 DAYS

3 Comments / Uncategorized / By tjkansas

Getting Settled

I’ve been in Burundi now for 15 days. I praise our Everlasting Father for the two families on the ground in Bujumbura for providing me guidance and assistance to get settled. They were hard at work before I landed to secure an “apartment” where I could stay. I’m blessed to have a space where I can retreat and be comfortable. The apartment came fully furnished along with pots and pans, silverware, dishes, knives, and some kitchen appliances. For me to already have some of these major items is very helpful; I don’t have to worry about setting up an entire kitchen and I can add items as I need.

Up to this point I spend most of my time with my teammates (Hiebert and Schulz families). They have been my guides at the onset. We’ve shared meals, visited friends, visited the school and clinic in Muramvya, attended a cultural celebration event at one of the churches, run errands in the city (the traffic “rules” are startling), opened a bank account, and set-up my cell phone. With their help I’ve looked at several options to continue language learning. I recently met with a French conversation partner and we will look to form a regular schedule. He is from Burundi and I am hopeful to learn culture and history from him as well as language.

Living room and kitchen area of my apartment

Health

I’ve still got a lingering wispy cough from my flu bug in Europe. Otherwise, I feel great!! I’m sleeping peacefully and have energy for the day. The climate has been temperate with rain showers every other day. My apartment is breezy which keeps me cool on clear, sunny, warm days.

Breakfast; yogurt with fresh fruit, bread with honey, and coffee

Spiritual Posture

Two themes have been my focus since I landed; a positive attitude and childlike wonder.

Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) says, “let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” As I try to understand my new surroundings with many, many foreign things I want to be positive in how I respond. I want to avoid negative thoughts and words about how things are done (or not done) here in Burundi. Things may move slower or less efficient (in my eyes) and I simply want to embrace this way of life. It doesn’t matter if we do it differently in North America; that’s not where I’m at. I am mindful of my words and actions and want to look for how God is involved in EVERYthing.

The Gospels overlap several stories of Jesus’ teachings regarding children. His lessons of humility speak to me here as I daily surrender my independence, knowledge, and pride. I continuously remind myself, “I’m learning how to walk. I’m starting over.” I am truly like a child; I don’t speak well, I don’t know how things work, and I don’t know where things are located. It is frustrating when I feel like I should be ‘doing something’ but I can’t connect the dots for how to ‘do something.’ I then step back and let God teach me. I listen for how He might be inviting me to get involved.

MOVING

2 Comments / Uncategorized / By tjkansas

Where I’ve Been

I am finished with language immersion in France. I finished two months of classes at the language school and I feel like I can manage simple French conversation. I have a good base and I hope to continue with language study in Burundi. General conversation is still fast but I can pull out some words and in most cases get a basic understanding of what is being said. God blessed me with a knowledgable and supportive host family. I am forever grateful to them for their patience, hospitality, acceptance, and for cutting me off from English on Day 5 (whoa!). I pray someday we can meet and I can hold up my end of the French conversation and we can laugh again like we did in that house.

A day trip to Paris to visit friends. Can you believe this view?? What an apartment!!
(anybody know how to edit the Scaffolding Tower out of this pic–dang)

After France, I spent 5 days in Estoril, Portugal for a retreat with my organization. It was a great time to connect with others out in the field. I got to catch up with some of my colleagues from training in the fall of 2017. I enjoyed spending time with the families from Burundi and I look forward to joining them. I was also encouraged to see multiple connectors to my home church. It was a good feeling to see our congregation in support of mission work and to see familiar faces from home.

From there I traveled to western Germany to visit dear friends from my early days in Wichita. We explored the region with a few day trips and experienced local cuisine and landmarks. We laughed at the odds of us reuniting again in Europe all these years later. Who would have believed it??

Of course we had the waffles! With Nutella and bananas please.

After that I traveled by train through Germany and Switzerland. I wish I could tell you stories of all the people I met and the things I saw, but along the way I caught the flu bug which forced me to retreat and recharge. I never thought I’d get sick BEFORE I got to Africa. I’m not sure what God has in this but I’ve had to slow down and rest.

I highly recommend the Halls cough drops. “A pep talk in every drop.” Where the Oelzes at???

Where I’m Going

I’ve got a plane ticket out of Geneva, Switzerland to Bujumbura, Burundi (that’s another one-way ticket) on November 12. The families there have been working hard to ensure I have a smooth transition. They already secured a furnished apartment for me with a 6-month lease. It is comforting to know I have a place to settle into once I get there. I’ll then search for options to further language learning, find a vehicle, and get to know the area.

And then I’ll be living in Africa (pffffftttt)…

VISUAL

2 Comments / Uncategorized / By tjkansas

Some pictures from France…

Countries represented in this picture (in alphabetical order):
Brazil, China, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United States
French names:
le Brésil, la Chine, l’Indonésie, l’Iran, l’Arabie saoudite, les États-Unis

Street leading up to Cathédrale Saint-Jean de Besançon

Saturday morning coffee in Dijon with friends

YOU’RE INVITED

6 Comments / Uncategorized / By tjkansas

Have you ever attended a wedding reception where you didn’t know anyone in the room? Sure, you know the couple (why would you be there), but beyond them, it’s a sea of fresh faces.

You are work colleagues with the bride/groom. You want to encourage and support your friend so you accept the invitation to attend. You learn a little about your friend from the “Our Story” montage and from watching the couple interact with family and friends. After a few minutes it’s your turn to congratulate the couple, offer a few kind words, and share an inside joke. After greeting the featured couple you then reside on the social edge of this party. Any future conversation will take a certain level of effort from you. Some parties you are willing to give that effort and some parties you just don’t have it in you. Quite often though, you bump into a couple or a group who genuinely invite you into warm conversation. You relax in conversation for the duration of the party.

That’s what it feels like to be immersed in a new language.

You are on the edge of this big party. Everyone in attendance has a connection to one another and you are trying to create your connection. Thus, you look for people who will graciously accept your “start-up” connection. Sometimes you find easy dialogue and sometimes you have to push into an uncomfortable exchange of words, looks, and silence. Basically, you look for people of peace (Luke 10:6).

At my current party (if you will), I search for a small invitation. I look to others for patience with my scrunched forehead, slack pronunciation, and exaggerated hand signals. I look to others for an understanding smile. I look to others to gift me French conversation. I look for their peace. I am learning (or re-learning…again) to be more peaceful to the world. God wants us to be and accept people of peace (give/receive). How many times have I been quick to receive but frustrated to give? How many times have I been that cold person to someone who just for a moment needed a person of peace? I know this lesson, right? I’ve been on the edge before. Help me, Precious Savior, to see the world as you see it. Help me to radiate Your peace to others.

BESANÇON

4 Comments / Uncategorized / By tjkansas

I am settled in Besançon since my arrival in late August. Two weeks under the tutelage of French instructors has produced many, many translations coupled with an ongoing choppy delivery (/bone-j-air/, this is no good?). The alphabet is mostly the same but the vowel pronunciations are different between English and French. Learning the new pronunciations means breaking the patterns from decades in the English alphabet. It is frustrating. It will take time and repetition.

My host family is very welcoming. We speak French in the house with my limited speech. Charades fill the gaps and on occasion we lapse to English. I have my own room (and bed) and my own full bathroom. I ride the tram to class every weekday for a 20-minute one-way trip with all the stops.

Besançon is a beautiful city of approximately 150,000 people. It is a creative mix of history from old, old Europe (birthplace of Victor Hugo, home to La Citadelle) and modern retail and restaurant space. Fall weather has crept into the area and it is a marvelous time to be here. My step count has increased 2.5 times from Kansas.

I feel good. God comforts my frustrations with communication by creating dialogue with patient listeners. He shows me His compassion for the marginalized as I walk the streets of Besançon. He reminds me what it means to have childlike faith as I am now the “child” in a new culture and language. And daily I marvel at how I got here.

What am I doing here?

Who am I to talk with?

What does He want to reveal to me?

More to come…

LESSONS

4 Comments / Uncategorized / By tjkansas

In addition to classroom work later this month I’m also participating in an online language learning course. The first assignment is to create a short conversation in your desired language with the help of a translation website. No big deal, right? The second assignment is to then post the video for all the glorious world to see. Now there’s a big deal–sheesh! Consider yourself privileged to witness my lessons in both language and humility. Is there a skill-level zero????

You’re welcome.

p.s. The answer is ‘NO’ I do not have the words taped to the ceiling. Transcript of the attempted conversation is posted below the video.

French (English):

Bonjour (Hello)!

Ça va (How are you)?

Je m’appelle Travis (My name is Travis).

Comment est-ce que vous vous appelez (What’s your name)?

Enchanté (Nice to meet you).

Bonne journeé (Have a nice day).

Merci (Thank you)!

LAUNCH DATE

1 Comment / Uncategorized / By tjkansas

August 22

I’ll fly out of Wichita the evening of August 22 for Basel, Switzerland. I’ll spend a few days in Basel getting used to the time zone and then continue on to Besancon, France. I’ll stay in Besancon until late October with a host family. During this time I’ll be immersed in language learning as well as enroll in a 4-week intensive French language course with the local university. At the end of October I’ll attend a conference in Portugal hosted by our organization. From there I’ll travel to Bujumbura, Burundi to secure housing and get settled, likely in early November.

Of course things can change, but there’s the plan for now.

Commissioning Prayer

This Sunday, August 5, our church family will offer a prayer as I go out. It would be awesome to have you there if you can make it. Services are 8:30AM, 9:45AM, and 11:00AM.

First MB Church

8000 W 21st N

Wichita, KS 67212

Thanks again (and again, and again) for your encouragement and prayers,

Travis Jost

Project# 0780

DETAILS

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

[original email date of July 17, 2018]

Details, details, details…I am swimming in details right now.

To God’s great glory I am 100% funded!! A big ‘thank you’ to all of you for your tireless support and encouragement. For the last several months partnership development has been my main focus. Bang the drum! Now that God has provided me with my goal I can move on to logistics and details regarding a launch date, language learning, living abroad, and navigating a different culture. And that’s where I have to surrender. It is tough to juggle the thoughts of each one of those items and I have to step back and let God deliver each item in His timing. I’ve been talking about it to you all for so long and I knew it would ultimately get here, but “oh my goodness…goodness gracious” now that it’s here there is so much more to think about (I love this audio, too dramatic????). God is in the details. God is in the big picture. God loves to see His kingdom at work in bringing the impossible to reality.

Speaking of…about 2 years ago I was asked the question, “what seems impossible to you?” My response…”living on mission full-time…without a job.” It seemed like the most absurd, distant, wacky idea for this guy to live such a life. With God’s provision and your help I’m standing on the launch pad of His reality (Isaiah 26:11).

What can’t HE do???????

Sheesh…I shake my head.

NEXT STEP

Next steps for me are to arrange for language school in eastern France. I’ll do French language emersion for approximately 8 weeks before moving on to Burundi. I’m looking at one-way flights (now there’s a wild experience) and zeroing in on a launch date (sometime in August) and I’ll keep you updated when I know more.

Travis Jost

Project# 0780

My Prayers:

1) I lift up to You, Almighty God, the details of Your plan. I will fill my part but You will guide and prompt me.

2) King of Kings, I ask to be fully present in the moments You gift me and to be Your vessel in those moments.

Roger Clemens “dramatic” return to the Yankees (click on the audio link above)

HOME

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

[original email date of June 14, 2018]

Hey, remember me. It’s been some time since I’ve updated you.

This past week I was able to close on my house which meant I had to get all my stuff out and into some new space. The problem was, I didn’t have a ‘new space.’ It’s a funny thing to pull up anchor and not know where you’ll next establish roots. Thinking back, there were a few aimless months after college where I didn’t quite know where I would settle. There was also that time the lease on my remodeled rental suddenly came calling. I’ve been here before, in transition with no landing place, and it always worked out (not without some generous friends and family). God is good, right (and you all aren’t so bad yourself)?

This transition makes me evaluate the definition of ‘home.’ The sale of my property required a few repairs (and headaches) before closing. I had to fix my home so someone else could make it their home. As I sorted through my belongings and decided what to keep and what to let go of, I was reminded of specific memories from my many decades. Is ‘home’ a physical place or is it a feeling (comfort, security, peacefulness)? The Israelites were made to wander the desert for 40 years, at ANY point did it feel like home? Most likely ‘no’ but I wonder, is ‘home’ physical, emotional, or some combination of the two?

My “domicile” at 1106 N Gordon was 14 years (almost) in the making. It was my home. It was my retreat. It was a space where I could recharge. Even though it was only brick, wood, shingles, drywall, carpet, and paint it was still incredibly meaningful to me. It was modest by North American standards (some might even say barren) but it was fulfilling for my comfort and security. The pattern of the streets into the neighborhood, the sounds and rhythems of the people, the comfort of knowing God revealed things to me within those four walls, and many other attributes contributed to my comfy space. It makes me sad to leave such a familiar space. Ecclesiastics 5:19 reads, “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.”

What a gift it was! God gifted me a home. It was what I needed, when I needed it.

It is always good to hear from you. I’ll pose the question to you, how do you define ‘home?’

Travis Jost

Project# 0780

Prayer Requests:

1) Sovereign Lord, you know the timing to complete my funding pledges. You control the ‘when.’ I am obedient to your plans.

2) Lord, guide my heart through this time of transition.

3) Jesus, I pray your glory and authority on the Burundi people. When the world talks of a poor and unhappy nation I know you are present there. You bring joy and righteousness!!