The missionary who is hosting us here in Burundi said that should be the opening line of my new blog post.
"But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe" (Galations 3:22).
This past Sunday I listened on my mp3 player to a sermon by Major Ian Thomas called "Knowing the Inner Man." We know that sin entered the world & all men through Adam (Rom. 5:12). And sin deserves death (Rom. 6:23). So for life to come back in, sin must be driven out. Jesus lived the life that man is intended to live, a perfect, sinless life. Jesus lived the normal, Christian life. As a friend and I discussed the meaning of the line of the hymn, "Twas grace that taught my heart to fear..." I began thinking of the law of God & the perfect life of Christ (Jesus is the Word - Jn. 1) as a sweet grace. The law of God shows me my sin (Rom. 3:19f & Acts 13:28f). If I am not a sinner, Jesus did not come to save me. PRAISE God for His perfect law & for His fulfillment of that law. "Oh how He loves you. Oh how He loves me. Oh how He loves you & me!"
There are three tribes here in Burundi: Hutu, Tutsie & Twa. The Twa people have been looked down upon and have no means of making money so they often end up basically enslaved to people from other tribes. There is a Burundian couple here, Hermes & Passey, who have been called by the Lord to live with and minister to the Twa people. This past week we worked in a dental clinic we set up near their home. Hermes & Passey fed us lunch & dinner every day. We were treated like kings in their home. As we put on the dental clinic in both Ngozi & Gitega there were local Burundians who would preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the interpreters told me for many of the people it was the first time that they have heard the truth of Christ, that He does not require us to DO something to EARN our salvation.
Since the last post we took a 60 mile (4.5 hour) drive from Gitega to Ngozi on a dirt road. When we needed a snack we stop along the side of the road and buy a huge branch of bananas. When we needed a bathroom break we would stop at the nearest bush. I was picking red dust out of my ears, eyes & nose for the rest of the week! I've learned to give injections but I can't really tell if I'm doing it well or not because the people are so stoic with such a high pain tolerance! Three of the guys on the team have been sick. I am very thankful to the Lord that I have not been yet, THANK YOU for your prayers!!! We worked with Hermes & Passey for 4 days near their home. Yesterday we worked in a Burundian prison... I wish there were some way to adequately capture that experience for y'all... Just think extractions on 167 strong, young men in a small, hot room right beside the latrine that facilitates 2000 people.
One prisioner was originally sentenced to life in prison. He became a believer while in prison. His sentence was reduced to 5 years which he is quick to tell you was a miricle of God. Now he spends his days ministering to the men who he is imprisioned with...
I fly out tomorrow headed to Kijabi Hopsital in Kijabi, Kenya! more to come later...
KIRUNDI - Key Phrases:
ego - yes
oyo - no
morakozi - thank you
Imana igohezagila - God Bless you
Yesu aragukunda - Jesus loves you
asama - open (your mouth)
cheeta - spit
naza - good
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