Quite a Weekend!

It’s been a few days since our last blog, and we have much to tell!

Friday evening (2-6-09) we were invited to the residence of the American ambassador for a party and concert. It was a small party of ca. 50 people, a high society affair with which we have little acquaintance. Before the concert, we were invited to the veranda for drinks. We had Schweppe’s tonic water, and (too many) peanuts! The concert was held in the garden, and featured traditional Burundian music. It was both interesting and very lovely. Afterward the concert, we were invited back to the veranda for more drinks! This time, a dozen white-uniformed waiters circulated through the crowd with successive kinds of hors-d’oeuvres, each better than those preceding. We had not had dinner before the concert, but we left stuffed! Before we left, we were given a private tour of (part of) the Ambassador’s residence, which featured a special exhibition of American and Burundian art.

Sunday (2-8-09) we traveled ca. 20 miles south of Bujumbura to a Free Methodist church. It was located in a beautiful countryside: bordered on one side by a steep mountain, and on the other by Lake Tanganika. Before the service, we were given a tour of the medical clinic provided by the church. The service began at 9 am, and included special numbers by nine choirs! But because I preached, we got out a little before noon. Then, we were served a delicious lunch, of goat meat, boiled potatoes, fried plantain, and beans. (Believe me, it was very good!) We took photos the whole time, totaling almost 300! I spent almost afternoon editing them.

This coming weekend, we are traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo!