Friday – Mountain Splendor

Today was an extraordinary treat.  For the first time, we had the opportunity to go outside Bujumbura and experience the rural area of Mantana, Peace’s home place.  We climbed aboard a small bus to begin our journey.  As we ventured out past the edge of town, a new view of Burundi began to unfold.  The higher we went, the more lush the landscape.  The constant haze hovering over the city was swept away, and we could see clear skies.  Very soon, and delightfully, the temperature noticeably began to drop.  We hadn’t been gone long when we began to notice an odd flapping sound coming from a rear tire.  We had planned to stop at a small hotel along the way for a pit stop, and we managed to get to that point to examine the source of the noise.  Sure enough, the tire was shredded on the edge, so the group hopped out so the tire changing could begin.  As we went up the short walkway to the little hotel, literally in the middle of nowhere, we entered a most unexpected oasis.  Under the canopy of towering avocado trees the well manicured garden exploded with the gorgeous colors of massive hydrangeas, dazzling fuchsia plants, roses, and six foot high geraniums.  Incredible and totally unexpected!  We had planned for a short break here, but we were not disappointed to have to spend a little more time for the tire.  However…..it seemed that the jack didn’t work.  Since there is no “Triple A,” Mandy called out to a boy curious about our situation and told him to go into the village down the road to get help – and off he goes.  Before long, someone arrived with the needed jack, the tire was changed, and again, we are off.  Invigorated by the ever cooler, crisper air, we didn’t expect to hear the thudding sound again, and definitely not so soon. This time, we had to pull to on the side of the road with no village near by.  Mandy and Peace pulled out their phones and went immediately into action.  We all got out and began to soak in the beautiful farmland as the men observed that again, we had a blown tire.  Upon a closer look, there was a piece of metal underneath that was hitting the tire, causing the shredding rather than just bad tires.  Now we have no spare (which wouldn’t have been useful anyway) and on the side of the road.  Phoebe hails down a truck and is on a mission to the next village.  No one was panicked; none of us felt ill at ease, but rather enjoyed the opportunity to watch cows come down a path, marvel at the dug out irrigation system for the crops below and just enjoy the clean air and skies.  Before long we spotted another bus coming up the road; Phoebe had successfully hired another small bus to take us on to Mantana!  We packed up, reloaded (even more cozy since we now had a young man continuing the journey with us plus the new driver).  Yes, we lost time with both stops, but honestly, it didn’t matter.  Getting to enjoy the valley vistas of brilliantly green terraced tea farms and scores of eucalyptus trees more than made up for any inconvenience.  Once again, we experience God’s faithfulness and provision!

https://app.box.com/s/rdil6paa5lsx6sroworw 

A while later we arrived in Mantana.  We drove up to the old Anglican church where Peace’s father pastored and was her childhood church home.  This morning we visited with Simon Guillebaud, missionary and friend of Peace we met years ago.  His great grandparents were missionaries in Burundi, translating some of the first portions of scripture into Kirundi.  He, too, had served in this church and died here.  He is buried in front of the church.  His headstone is a tribute to his faithful service and love for Burundi, and his picture still hangs in the entryway of this lovely church.  Across the way was Peace’s primary school, and as we walked the well worn path that Peace walked for so many years and those before and after, we walked down a bit to where her house once stood.  Now there is a Bible institute where her home was with a small dormitory to house students.  What a tribute to her father’s heart and ministry!

All too soon it was time to head back.  It has been a glorious day!  You will have to see the pictures of this incredibly beautiful countryside to appreciate what we saw.  I feel that we got to experience “true Burundi” today in its rare beauty.  The temperature change was striking as we neared Bujumbura, along with the returning haze.  We can see why Peace and others treasure there country roots, and why so many long to return there. 

We are so very thankful that Peace shared this with us today, despite the travel challenges.  Nothing could detract from the stunning beauty of God’s creation here as today we journeyed deeper into the heart of Africa.