Africa #8

October 25, 2008

This morning Barb and I met the rest of the team at the Guest house they stayed at. We arrived at Mtabila at about 9:00 a.m. These refugees are from Burundi, which is a small country just north of Tanzania and along the north east border of Congo.

After they served us breakfast, we have been in church all morning. I just have to say, Africans could teach Americans much about worship.

I preached today. The same sermon I used in Dar es Salaam. I do enjoy public speaking, but I am not a preacher.

After church they served us lunch. Potatoes with tomatoe, chicken, mhogo and coke.

We gave them a small monetary gift. Certainly not enough, but I do not know what would be enough under these conditions. Pastor showed us their books, we have been sending money to the camps whenever we have a speaking engagement and people give to us. They were accountable to us for every shilling they have ever received from us.

I met a young man, (I wish I would have taken his picture) here. Both of his parents are dead. When he was five years old his parents fled Burundi to Congo and then Congo to Tanzania. Because he is Burundian, he was placed in the Burundi camp. They are now being "volentarily repatriated." He has no one in Burundi and knows nothing of the country. He isn't even real sure what part of Burundi he is from. Yet he must go back.

I also met a widow whose husband and two of her children were killed. I do not know how many of her children survived, but we saw 2 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Making two generations born in the camp.

I met an orphan. Both of her parents were killed. She arrived at Mtabila with her brother as samll children. They are young adults now and share a hut.

Faces of Mtabila:

I do not know why I did not take pictures of Adults at this camp. Maybe because I was still reeling from my day at Nyaragusu. Maybe because I can still see hope and light in the Childrens eyes.

We drove about 1 1/2 hours down the road to Kasulu to stay at a Catholic guest house. We will return to Nyaragusu on Sunday.