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!"