honor – ALIVE and ACTIVE

CELEBRATE

Giving God the glory in the moment is something I’ve learned from the Burundian people. They are very aware to acknowledge God in their daily lives. From the simple to the grand, immediate praise is consistent in the rhythm of their lives. When you have overcome a common cold, “praise God for His healing power.” When you arrive home after an evening gathering, “praise God for His traveling mercies.” When a project has been successful, “praise God for His provision.” The Lord receives the first words of thanks and honor.

In Acts 12, King Herod failed to acknowledge God in his speech when he was praised by the people. The result, God struck him down on the spot.

Acts 12:21 – 24
On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.”

This story is a shocking reminder to me to give Him the glory. I think I’ve been slow to give immediate praise. My rhythms of life have a penchant for reflection, to look back at what has occurred. When I slow down, it is in those moments that I generally see where He has moved. It’s not always in the moment for me. But I’m learning. I’m learning to be in His moments and not in MY moments. I’m learning from my Burundian friends. As habitual as wishing someone blessing after a sneeze, I wish for praise to radiate from my daily life.

This past week we gathered to praise God and to celebrate how our Mighty Lord has been present in Burundi. The organization I partner with here in Burundi, Harvest Initiatives, celebrated 25 years since they first started ministry. God’s provision throughout the years has fueled this organization to impact an entire nation. Countless disciples have been equipped to serve one another through Christ’s example and to love the vulnerable as themselves. It is more than a ministry; it is a lifestyle. The results are apparent in a transformed generation of disciples. Hallelujah Emmanuel!! Our God transformed a country. The impact can be seen from border to border in Burundi. If I extrapolate it beyond the borders of Burundi I would say that God transformed the nations. Several nations were present last week to share in the celebration. Numerous visitors to this country have grown in their relationship with God because of their involvement in ministry with Harvest Initiatives. People have moved their families here to be in partnership with what God is doing through Harvest Initiatives. You can ask the founders of Harvest Initiatives if this is what they envisioned 25 years ago for this ministry. How could anyone imagine this kind of impact? Lives have been changed. He can do immeasurably more than than we can ever ask or imagine. The glory belongs to the Lord. He provided and He made a way. Praise God!

Burundi, Canada, France, Germany, Paraguay, United States (with his eyes closed)

2 of the founders and the national director

Celebrating the graduates at Karubabi. Thank you for wisdom, Lord!

DAD

Uncategorized / By tjkansas

I’m not sure I can find the words to update all of you. I find it easier to communicate the timeline of events over the past 8 weeks, but I’m slowly aligning words to my emotions over this time.

In May I returned to Kansas for a graduation of my niece from high school. It was a grand celebration with so many friends and family. She was overjoyed with the show of support for her accomplishments. As I returned to Burundi my parents accompanied me for a long overdue visit. A series of “hiccups” cluttered our trip, but we enjoyed the people and the rhythm of life.

Two days before Mom and Dad’s scheduled departure, we took a 1-day trip into the center of Burundi. Enamored with the farmers caring for the land, we briefly stopped on the mountain road and exited the vehicle to observe their work. As we returned to the vehicle, Dad stumbled, fell, and landed on the unforgiving dirt road. The result was a fracture to his right hip and the pain rendered him nearly unmovable. Multiple hospital visits led to a decision to perform surgery, in country, to secure the fracture. The surgery was a success. The days following surgery contained peaks of progress and valleys of frustration. The recovery process was a challenge. On June 22, Dad passed away in a Burundian hospital with Mom and I at his bedside.

A long, confusing, frustrating journey followed his passing as we negotiated several players to transport the body back to the United States. There was little by way of a “roadmap” for procedures, documents, and authorizations to move such cargo. We had many friends, both Burundian and foreign, helping us and the body find a way to return to the U.S. Mom and I desperately wanted to be close to family to grieve together, but the timeline for our return was out of our control. We had to wait. We did not always walk in that space well. We did not understand God’s timing. We felt trapped. We felt manipulated. We felt like others were taking advantage of our situation. We wanted someone to blame. We wanted a hero. It felt surreal.

Ultimately, we traveled back to Kansas on July 8 and the body arrived a few days later. We melted into the arms of loved ones. It was so good to be together. As a family we have felt incredible support from community in Burundi, in the U.S. and around the world. We also know that words do not come easy for this situation, but you carried us with your prayers. And once again, God has shown His love through so many of your actions, words, prayers, and thoughts.

It warms my heart to think about the risk-taking obedience required of Dad for a trip like this. Dad came to Burundi to do what he has done throughout his life, and it came to define who he was; he “showed up.” He encouraged, not so much with his words, but with his presence. His quiet presence. It is so meaningful to me that he came. During Dad’s time in Burundi, I could see the hand of my Holy Father touch the heart of my Earthly Father. Mighty Jesus shined clearly through the Burundian people to love and honor Dad. They treated him like a returning king. It was touching to watch. Creator revealed a beautiful ending.

So, how are we doing? We are going through it. We are at peace. We miss him. We loved him and we know he loved us. We cling to memories and stories. Photos are gripping, we just stare and stare at them. But we also honor. We honor what God has gifted us with Dale Jost. We will celebrate his life and rejoice to Our King on August 13, 2022, at 10:30AM at Ridgepoint Church in Wichita, KS. Friends and family are welcome. You can read his life story here.