Attack of the Termites

Sunday I visited Ruziba.  It's 15 minutes outside of Buja.  While there I had to use the restroom.  Upon entering the small outhouse in the middle of a field overlooking the lake, I happened to look down.  Probably- not the best idea in most Burundian outhouses.  You just never know what you are going to find.  

In this particular outhouse,  I noticed that the floor was constructed out of 4 or 5 wooden planks situated over a cavern several meters deep.  Nothing unusual there.  However, as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I suddenly realized that the floor was alive.  By that I mean, Africa's favorite little tree devouring creature- the termite.  My first thought was:  "hmmm....those pesky little critters are everywhere. Amazing! " 

 This thought was short lived though as my mind finally realized the implications of termites in the planks that rest above a cavern of Burundian.....yeah, so you get the idea.  I remember a pastor telling me one time that most pit latrines in Burundi are 3 to 4  meters deep.  This one was mostly full.    So....that's a lot of.....yeah you're still tracking with me.   

My mind instantly envisioned the poor soul who happened to burst into the outhouse in a bit of an urgent moment only to plant their feet on a plank that could no longer support the visitor's weight.  Can you hear the creak as the board gives way? Followed instantly by the- Splash!  Meanwhile, all the little termites are probably cheering! "Yay- we did it boys- finally,  ate through that plank. He he-- yet another happy customer".   Score one more for the termites.   Anyways, for some strange reason I suddenly  no longer had any urge to continue using the little outhouse in Ruziba.  

As I thought about how close I had been to a baptismal moment in the outhouse, I suddenly realized that this is a frightening image of many peoples' lives.  There lives are on faulty foundations.  Over the past few months the Lord keeps bringing me back to the basics, the foundation of my walk with Him- time in His presence daily and reading the Word. 

 I know it is simplistic, but when I was little my mom taught me a song: "Read your bible, pray everyday and you will grow, grow, grow. Neglect your Bible forget to pray and you will....end up in pit latrine spiritually speaking" Okay, I made up the last little bit- I admit it....but I see a daily dose of the Word and Jesus' Presence as the only way to keep those pesky little "termites" out of our lives- doubt, anxiety, fear, so called "minor" sins, etc...   In and of themselves maybe not too terribly serious-- but over an extended period of time they have a tendency of eating through our spiritual foundations!  Above all else may we guard our hearts- for there is the source of our life.   

The Porcelain Potty in Kamenge

I was sitting in a dear pastor's house in Kamenge- a neighborhood outside of Buja.  As we were talking I suddenly realized that I needed to "help myself" as we say in Kirundi and Swahili.  Their church is located next to his house.  I excused myself and started walking outside the house to use the long-drop toilets behind the church building that I normally use in Kamenge. 

The pastor instantly objected insisting that I needed to use the toilet in his house.  I knew this was a great honor, but I was a little reluctant- primarily because I have been there frequently and didn't remember a functioning toilet in the house. 

I walked into the little room which has seen better days- much better days! The paint is totally worn off, the walls are now covered with a dark film that resembles a lurid mix of mildew and bacteria.  There is a concrete floor with fungus developing in certain spots.   The smell... or should I say stench..that would demand another post to describe.  

Much to my amazement right in the middle of the  infectious microbe-abounding atmosphere was a brand new porcelain toilet. I was so shocked I just stood there in amazement staring at the white wonder.  The smell of my surroundings quickly jarred me back to reality.

 Let it be said that there was- No toilet seat,  no toilet back, nor a tank to flush.  And as to how they empty thing....I shudder to think!  However, there it was all the same... the lower half of a new porcelain toilet brilliant and unmistakable in that filthy room! I walked out of that toilet room in amazement realizing that I had just witnessed something of a wonder. 

As I thought about the porcelain potty in Kamenge I learned a lesson.  Maybe it's a bit of a stretch: BUT- I want to be like that toilet! In a country stained by the foulish odors of sin, wreaking with the wretched stench of self, and permeated by the devious deception of the devil-I want to stand out.  I want to be a marvel.  My life a  wonder.  A testimony to the lost in this country.  Not because of me.  But because of HIM.  Because of HIS life-changing newness and freshness in my life. His cleansing POWER and PRESENCE that still "makes all things new!"

A Nap on the Parking Lot?

One week ago we decided to count the number of steel parts (pillars, perlins, trusses, etc...) we have here in Burundi.   The idea was to determine how many tabernacles  we could erect this year.  All went well for the first  hour or so.  As we were nearing the end of the counting process a 50 lb. pillar slipped and smashed the middle finger on my right hand inside the container where they are stored.   OUCH!!!! 

I screamed and promptly made for the exit to find something cold for the throbbing finger.  Cold is not an  easy concept in Burundi .  The sun was scorching over head.  The humidity was nearly smothering.    As I tried to soak my finger in the lukewarm water flowing from the tap the pain and the heat won the day.  I collapsed right on there on the church parking lot. 

As I was lying on the stony parking lot, two ladies from the church who were inside for a woman's prayer meeting happened to walk outside. The first turned to the second and said in Kirundi: "Oh Look Steve has decided to sleep on the parking lot."  The second realizing the absurdity of this statement in the 100 degree plus heat and intense sun overhead remarked: "He's not sleeping on the parking lot silly- he's become infected by sun malaria and is gravely ill"  In a semi-conscience state I started chuckling as I thought: "what in the world is sun malaria?"  

Both ladies continued sharing their uncanny insight as they approached me in my fallen state and said: "Steve it's not good to lie on the parking lot when it's so hot! You should move."  With that they turned around and went back inside.  I am convinced that they were genuinely trying to be helpful.  

While I sincerely appreciated their concern for my position on the baking parking lot- it seems to me that there was a  certain something missing to say the least.  What they said was true- Burundian parking lots are terrible places to take a siesta!   But it would seem that a helping hand would have been much appreciated.  As I thought about the incident later- I had to ask the question: How many times have I been guilty of telling others the truth without being willing to help them get up! What about you? God help us to be speakers of truth AND demonstrators of His  love!