A NEW YEAR, A NEW PLACE

Our travel to Burundi went smoothly: we had no hassles getting checked through; the planes were on time; all of our luggage arrived intact. But it was a long ordeal: we were 42 hours in transit. So, since our arrival on Saturday afternoon, among other things we have been catching up on sleep and trying to get adjusted to the new zone.

Sunday morning we worshipped at the Free Methodist Church located next to the campus. Bishop Elie Buconyori preached (in Kirundi) a powerful sermon on the text: “You must be born again.” Thirteen persons responded to the altar invitation, and I (Wayne) was privileged to join with the other ministers in prayer for them. Sunday afternoon, after a long nap, we had a delightful visit with our long-time friends, Randy and Alice Mathewson, who are serving as VISA missionaries to the Congo.

Monday, we met for an hour with Bishop Elie, who serves as the Rector (President) of Hope Africa University. Mid-afternoon, we went shopping and bought a basic supply of groceries: cooking oil, flour, rice, pasta, dried milk, etc. (Today, our assigned staff help is out shopping in the local market for fruits and vegetables: she just returned with three plastic bags of mangos, papayas, tomatoes, a pineapple, a large cucumber, potatoes, and green beans!) Monday evening we enjoyed an extended dinner with three other “missionary couples”: Randy and Alice Mathewson (who are visiting form the Congo), Bob and Laurie Hughes, Wayne and Barb Vibbert (two VISA missionary couples in residence at HAU).

During the past three days we also have been engaged in getting “set up” in other ways. Barb Rose brought a printer, but it required a little repair. She also bought a broadband card for connection to the Internet, but that did not work quite properly. While Darlene and I have a room for study in our guest apartment, the light is not working properly. One by one, we are getting these problems solved, and getting ourselves “set up” in this new place.

This morning (Tuesday), Barb has been tracking down a projector and trying to get a room assignment where she can set up and use modern technological tools in her class. She wants to use her laptop, connect to the Internet, and project on to a screen. While this would be easy (and has become somewhat commonplace) in the US, here every piece of the puzzle requires considerable time, effort, patience (and sometimes expertise) to get in place. Darlene has been reviewing and assessing the status of her Skills Lab, and then she met with about half her students (who are eager to get started with their studies, although classes do not begin until next Monday morning.) She is challenged by the fact that 35 students want to take her course, but she has space and equipment for only 20 in the Skills Lab. Both of them will be doing further work on those agendas this afternoon.

Me--I am the one who, presently, has it comparatively easy. (Beginning Monday that will change, as I will be teaching two courses: 8-12 am, and 1-5 pm!) This morning I read a student dissertation (required for the BA degree at HAU). This afternoon, I have to catch up on my email.

Tomorrow (Wednesday), we are being taken by Bishop Elie “upcountry” to the Kibuye Hospital, which is being upgraded to serve as the “University Hospital” for the Medical and Nursing students at HAU. This is an important visit for Darlene; Barb and I are simply tagging along on “safari.”

We wish you all a Happy New Year. Thanks for your prayers.