A few things I've noticed concerning Burundi:

Concerning Traffic:
The traffic laws here are simple to understand, but complex to follow: basically, don't die.

Pedestrians are never given right-of-way. Cars come very very close to people. It's not the best place to take a stroll.

Stop signs are merely suggestions. As are crosswalks.

Motos (motorcycles) are available as a "taxi service" …but people don't wear the casket (their word for helmets, ha!) properly. One person was wearing his helmet on his elbow! Some people wear the helmet, but don't take time to secure the strap. Eek.

There are "buses", which are like mini vans. They cram people in to the hilt. I have not and hopefully will not, ride in one of those.

There are larger buses, which are actually like buses in the states. I have ridden in one of those. It was an experience, but I'm pretty sure a bus ride in this states would be the same way.

There are many bikes here as well. People load these babies down to the hilt. I can't imagine people in the states riding bikes in this way…carrying doors, huge bags of cassava... it's astounding what these people can do!

There are also many taxis that drive like maniacs. If they see you are white, they jack up prices, of course. And they don't service their cars very well…these things ride like they're about to fall apart!

It is also funny to see what they write on their buses and vans.
Various ones have read: "Ponny Express","Jack Bauer", "Let's God Decide"... it's so funny to read the vehicles. I'm pretty sure that most people don't realize what they are saying in English (It reminds me of how Americans get tattoos in Chinese characters)

Thankfully, traffic is in the 20-40 mph range. Not that there's a speed limit, but the cars here are so worn out, they can't go much faster.
Also, many of the roads are full of potholes. The dirt roads have ravines.

If they had emission inspections, there would be almost no cars on the roads.

Concerning Shopping: 


Shopping is vastly different from shopping in the USA.
There is no Walmart, or any all in one store. Prices are different at different places.
The shops have shelves behind the counter, and you tell the shopkeeper what you'd like. There is little in the way of organization in the stores.

There is also haggling. Things that one takes for granted in the States (like, eww, Bran Flakes) are really expensive here. The box up there was going for 19,400 FBU (around $15 USD).
Dog Shampoo was 39,850 FBU (basically $30 USD)
Dogs here are mangy and mostly guard dogs...so I have no idea who would spend that kind of money on a dog. Human Shampoo was 23,000 FBU.  Seriously?? What do they think expats are made of?

Alternately, fruits and veggies are really cheap here. I was able to buy 4 yummy avacadoes for 1,000 FBU. What what?


Note that ~1,400 FBU = 1.00 USD

Here are some more pictures I was able to snag with my phone (pray that my camera cord gets here safely so I can show you the gorgeousness of this place!)

some of the discovery school kids on the bus ride home

The really bumpy road...some spots had some SERIOUS potholes and "rivers"

A short-ish summation of the week

Hello my friends!

Today has been an utterly amazing week. I am feeling that if I were to bring you up to speed, it would take a good deal of verbiage. I'll try to keep it concise as I listen to some uplifting music and muse over the week thus far…

Saturday was quite crazy. Dad and I went with Rachel to the market and walked around town. The market was…not something I really want to re live. It was crowded, people simply push and shove. The avenues are very narrow and twisting. The market is an enclosed space, and it's also dark. And it doesn't smell so great. People yell at you, at each other, and maybe just for the sake of yelling. …I don't even know.

We also went to the lake again. It was lovely.

I know it is sounding like I'm just chilling all the day long! One big vacation, right? haha…just wait, I have been doing things.

Sunday was great. We went to a French-English church, and the speaker was spot on in his message. He hit on points that I will blog about soon…what great things God has been trying to get in my noggin!

Monday:
Melli drove me out to the mission.
Now, the mission was started in Bujumbura by Mr. Ken's parents. It does so many wonderful things for the people in the area. One of the things it has is a primary school, called The Discovery School (for ages 3-10)
I have been looking for a niche. I've been praying that the right opportunity would come along.
I like it there very much. I was given a tour, and the students all clamored to give me hugs! What sweetness. 
They made a structured schedule for the next day for me (teaching grammar and singing with various grades) Yay schedule!

It is definitely different from schools in the USA.
The class size is about 50 to a teacher. Holy moly.

 Many of the teachers there are University students, so they are close to my age.They are incredibly friendly and they speak English (and they're teaching me Kirundi, the local language)
In the afternoon, we went to the park. It's beautiful.
I was able to run! Joy!

The Burundian drummers were there practicing. (Burundi is famous for their drummers) They gave us a full performance and told my Dad that they would give him a lesson if he came on Saturday. So, I'll go on Saturday in his place, haha.

Tuesday my schedule was like this:
6:00- up
6:45-off to the school
7:30- at school, singing warm up songs with the kids
8:00- Worked with two preschool classes (120 kids total!) There were four adults to all of these kids. Whew. I was going to do duck duck goose… We pretty much played "corral the children"
9:30- The preschoolers took tea, I talked to teachers and the kids
10:30- taught English 50 students
11:30- sang with another class
12:15-came home on the bus
1:30-lunch!
After that morning, I was rather wiped out. I took a little nap.
At 3:30, Dad and I went down to a cafe that has internet and coffee around Dad's borrowed phone wouldn't work, so we got to walk back! What an adventure. It was a good walk. For some reason, I thought Dad was going back on Thursday, but, it turned out to be WEDNESDAY! Shock.

Wednesday:
It was very similar to yesterday, aside from the fact that dad was leaving. He left after lunch. I hadn't felt too terribly homesick up until this point, but after he said goodbye, I felt like I was definitely quite a ways from home. The Johnsons are really lovely people.
This afternoon we went to the park, and I was able to run a few more kilometers and play with some kids there. It's a very community-like atmosphere, everyone plays together. 

Here is a major praise! Ken and Melli have the official adoptions for the kids here in Burundi, but they want to make their kids US Citizens. They were going to send the papers off with my dad. There were many roadblocks and delays, and many many prayers lifted up. Everything came together sooo perfectly at just the right time!

Thursday:
Up at six, off to the school, planned out the next week with the teachers. I worked on straightening the school's resource room…it's a wee bit crazy in there. Then more singing! I am starting to feel like I'm in a musical! haha! I love singing and teaching.

Today is Friday, and I have the day off of teaching. I bought some fabric at a shop, and ran errands with Melli and Carly. It's fun to see how you have to travel to five different stores to get the shopping done. It makes you appreciate Walmart….as much as I hate to say it.

Well, God is so in control, He is working on me, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity. I have just a moment to write all of this… so do excuse the run-on sentences and such.

Much love!

Makenzie

Crazy African food

I must tell you about this stuff, Bugali. Or Ugali.

Here in Burundi, they make a paste that has the consistency of a cross between mashed potatoes and a gummy bear. It doesn't have much of a flavor, but it's interesting. You roll it in a ball and scoop out sauce with it.

It's just fun!

But the crazy thing is, this stuff makes you sleep really well. Really deeply. It gives very vivid dreams. I kid you not, last night I had some of the most intense dreams ever. I woke up very confused.

Lake Tanganyika!

Yesterday we took a holiday to go to Lake Tanganyika!

We wanted to go before my dad had to leave. Since next week is exam week for the kiddos, and this weekend would have been way crowded, we went today.

The lake is the 2nd deepest in the world, fun fact.

Bujumbura is on the lake, but the part of the lake it's on is not fit for swimming because of pollution, hippos, and crocs… There have been a few horror stories about the crocodiles.

We drove out about two hours to a resort called Blue Bay. It was a perfect day, the sun was out, and the lake had some nice waves.

Okay, I know that my doctor told me not to swim in the lake, but I did.
So far, I'm okay. And it was so fun! The beach is made up of tiny stones. Banana trees are everywhere.

We ate lunch, and it was interesting to see how the African system of service works.
…sloooow. But it was a fantastic place to be stuck at waiting for food. And the food was really good!  Fish kabobs!

I have some great pictures to share, but sadly, they are on the camera. In a week or so, this blog will be overwhelmed with pictures (hopefully. Please pray the package with my connector cord comes soon!) I was able to use my phone to snap a few pictures.

On the way down...

Andy!

Blue Bay

Thank you for your prayers, love, and support. There is a lot God is teaching me through this whole experience. Reliance on Him being the big one.

Do write me! My internet isn't very frequent, but I will do my best to reply!

Much love in Him,

Makenzie

Through Tuesday!

I wish I could upload my pictures so you could see what I see.

God is doing some neat stuff here! After my first day of teaching at the rainbow centre, I was so tired. I was able to Skype my mom, she said she would pray. I was reminded that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. As the evening progressed, I was filled with an energy and so many ideas! I know it was a God thing, because I was a little discouraged.

Today I have a cold. Pray it goes away quickly!

This morning, we are going to the mall. Haha, I go to Africa, and there is no escaping the mall! Later this afternoon, I'll be going back to the rainbow centre to teach english. Praise God that I have been encouraged!

Oh the mall! It was crazy.
At the "mall" thrift stores from around the world send big bundles of clothing. Vendors buy the clothes and put them in piles. The people sort through them to find something good.

There are also vendors who sell fruits, vegetables, and mattresses.

One lady told me to take a photo. So I did.

After I took the photo, she asked to see it. So I showed it to her.

She then held out her hand to ask for money for the photograph. She rambled something off in Swahili…

The photo wasn't that great.

Also...

Today has been great fun! I got to go to the rainbow centre and work for the morning....I taught the toddlers for an hour, English, counting, and singing. They taught me French as I asked Then I played with them for another few hours and went home for lunch. It was a bit overwhelming.
Dad has been working on the plumbing here, there's a lot to do! The people who have put it in don't really know how to lay pipes, and the valves, etc. are bad quality...

Anywho, tomorrow we are going to market! So exciting!

Sunday's post

I wrote this yesterday, but now I have a chance to post it at Aroma cafe!

Okay, it is Sunday afternoon, and naptime for everyone, so I have some time to just sit and type about my experience so far.

Internet has been very slow, I think this is because it's the weekend, so I will try to upload this on Monday at the coffee shop, where coffee is 2000 francs.

During my free time, I have been playing with the little Johnsons. They are oh so adorable and remind me of my little cousins. It goes to show that it doesn't matter what continent you're on, little kids are the same!

Also, I can't upload pictures :( because I don't have the computer connector cable! I had a memory stick adapter, but wouldn't you know, it doesn't work with this memory stick! Oh frustrations.

So far my trip has consisted of acclimating to the climate, culture, and time change. I feel terrible for feeling drained and doing so little to warrant it! Soon, I will make up for it.
I try to remember that I have four months to get used to all of this, and I've only been here three days. I also catch myself every so often thinking, wow, am I really in Africa?!? Seriously? because going almost halfway around the world is an exciting venture for me, something I've dreamt of, and my mind can't quite grasp it. I have been feeling very dazed.

As far as the culture goes, here in the capital, you can see many different nationalities represented and many types of dress. There are two main tribes, one is tall and the other is petite. The petite ones make me feel like a giant! The atmosphere is very laid-back, much more so than the rush-rush of the States.

My wardrobe consists of long skirts, tank tops, and loose pants. I've wondered about shorts, but I haven't seen any other women wearing them…and if I were to wear them, I'd probably blind people with my whiteness. So, no shorts.

The climate here is humid and balmy. Not quite the intensity of North Carolina summer, but maybe late spring in North Carolina is the overall feeling. Around 80 degrees and 65% humidity.

The diet here is great! The base food is rice and beans, but everything is tasty! The doctors I talked to before I left told me to be very careful of what I ate. Here in Ken and Melli's house, there are no worries as far as food goes. Ken and Melli eat some American foods with African twists. I know many would think that I'd lose weight in Africa…it's doubtful.

On Monday I get to start actually doing stuff! Monday morning I am going to teach the little ones at the Rainbow Centre. The Rainbow Centre has changed over the past 10 years. Now that people understand about AIDS, there are more women willing to foster the babies! It is great news, and I know that it is better for the babies to have individual attention.
Now the Rainbow Centre is a daycare to help to generate income to buy supplies for the foster babies. They have a clinic twice a week for mothers who need help.

I am also going to be (hopefully) helping at the Discovery School, which is a French-English school out at the Mission. I am not sure when I'll be going there to help.

I have been trying to pick up Swahili/Kirundi/ French. I am thinking that French will serve me the best. I've been able to grasp more of it than of the other two languages. Three days is not long enough to really absorb a lot of it, but I am trying to make my mind a sponge.

This morning, Dad, Ken and I went to the church at the Mission. It was very large and the service was all in Swahili/Kirundi. The service lasted 3 1/2 hours without any breaks! Wow.
A kind guy named Claude sat next to me and translated the prayers, songs, and sermons. Hearing the languages and trying my best to decipher it made my brain hurt, just a bit.

But there is a very cool feeling that comes from knowing that others worship God all around the world in many different languages. I mean, in the States, you know this, but seeing it firsthand is really neat.
God doesn't just speak English.
I felt very small, and I better understood what it would be like to be a non-english speaker going to an English service. As an English speaker, I assume that of course everyone can understand English… HA!
If someone had assumed that I understood Swahili and tried conversing with me, it'd be a mess.

Also, AMAZING COFFEE AND TEA! It's sooo good! I'm glad that I'm in such a country, where coffee is soo cheap and good.

Also, I am getting used to being stared at. I'm a muzungu (white person) and those are pretty scarce...

God is soo good!

While I have Internet...

This was typed on the plane:

Over halfway done with our trip!

I don't know when I'll get the chance to actually post about my flight, but even if I don't currently have web access, I'll type something out so that when everything becomes a blur (I know it will!) I'll have written record.

Dad and I left Dulles at 6:00 pm EST.
That flight was so surreal.
Currently, I still feel very much like I'm in a weird sort of dream. This isn't happening; it's all way too out-of-this-world!

Well, the KLM airline changed our seats. It was a sad affair, and slightly stressful as we tried to re-work the seats so that we'd have an exit row.
I don't know why I even stressed! The seats we have had on both 8 hour flights have had so much leg room. Suuuch a blessing!
The flight from DC to Africa was relatively uneventful. We sat beside a friendly Swede, who was excited to hear about my trip. She was quite the world traveller herself. She had her PhD in international health. Coincidence? Hmm.

She was great entertainment. We chatted for a long while, then the dinner came.
...I have had some bad experiences with airline food. Usually, it's just gross and full of wheat.
KLM has given me all gluten-free meals (per my specification online), and they have been so good! I really am liking this airline (aside from how their website works with seating) they give you drinks about every hour or so, and they have a snack bar, as if I haven't eaten enough. They aren't stingy, so that's a plus.
They have a huge selection of movies, the stewardesses are *mostly* very smiley, AND the food is good.

After eating, it was dark and "late". It was very hard for me to sleep, so I dozed a bit and looked at the different entertainment options the plane had.
We arrived in Holland at 7:15 their time, and had three hours to walk around the airport. It started to hit me, just how tired I was. It was 1:15 am my time. 
Also, the Dutch have such a cutesy way of doing everything. It's like form meets fun! The airport was entertaining, there was a library, a few kiddie playgrounds, places to sleep, and about every kind of store you can imagine. Magical place. Anywho, today I have tried to be good and overcome this jet lag early! I've gotten a power nap in, and Daddy got me a coffee in Holland.
I know, I've heard that you shouldn't have coffee before you fly… but I really want to act like Burundi time is my time. As I'm typing this, I'm noticing that my computer clock says 7:26 am. My watch says 14:26. I'm hoping I can trick my body into having temporary amnesia and think that I did just lose 7 hours.
But really, I've been up since 6:30 am yesterday, with spurts of dozing here and there.

As Dad was getting the coffee, we met a man from Kenya. He was very friendly and chatty, gave us some of his background, and waited out the line with us. I will never understand why people push to be the first on the plane…what so they can sit there longer? No thanks
Dad and I boarded our flight for Nairobi, and we both got window seats in exit aisles! Since it's daytime, there's a lot more to see! When we crossed over the Alps, it was magical. I saw the very tip of italy, and I flew over gorgeous Greece.

Everything that is abroad and that I've heard stories about has this certain amount of magic and charm to it. I know it's touristy, but I really am at the point where I want to take pictures of EVERYTHING.
People can say what they want.

But I know not to take pictures in the African airports. So far, the only thing that has happened in "security" has been a pat down. No loss of things! Now just cross your fingers that Kenya is as chill.

Sleep. I need a quick nap. My body is starting to give out.

And here is what I was able to type today...






We arrived two days ago. I haven't taken the time to type anything. A) because there has been too much to see/do, and B) because I haven't had a good way to charge my computer. The power here is in constant flux, so one has to be careful how one plugs things in. My dad wanted to use a fan he brought, but the power converter he brought couldn't handle the flux in voltage. Good thing we have back ups/ One of the ladies at the rainbow centre had a voltage regulator that no one was using. So, yay power and updates!

I am not sure when I'll have internet, because I have to go to a coffeeshop downtown (and I can't very well go by myself anywhere yet) but I'll type this in the hopes of posting something sometime soon.

We arrived in Buje at midnight. I didn't really sleep on the plane at all, maybe an hour here and there. I was WIPED OUT. As badly as I wanted to sleep on the last leg of the journey, I thought it would be better to try to act like I was already on Burundi time. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was sleeping.

Ken and Melli picked us up and walked us through customs. We had no troubles at all! Awesome! It is warm and humid and breezy and tropical. I love this weather! 

They have a lovely home.
Their kids are a trip! Love them. There is lots to say about them, but there isn't much time at the moment. Another time.

As I'm typing this, I note that it's 9:15 AM EST

Now it is 11:29am EST, and I am in a café in downtown Burundi attempting to post this. The internet is cheap (I just have to buy a 1900 franc [$1.20] coffee to get the internet password.) At the moment, it is very very slow. I would imagine that Saturday is a prime day to access internet for everyone...so it is slow. I don't have time to edit, so excuse the mess of a post.

Monday, I'll be teaching at the rainbow centre! I am excited to get started.

One hour...

An I will be airborne! I am so very excited.

My mind can't totally process that this is actually happening! Also, despite my attempts to 'pack light', I am still a terrible overpacker.

...I'm sitting in an airport restaurant, snacking on an appetizer/dinner. Who knows what they'll serve on the plane? No worries, we have trail mix like crazy!

VISAS!

What awesome timing God has! Right as we were weighing if it would be wise to leave the house for a quick lunch (since the visas were set to arrive at 3) we heard a truck pull up and there was a man with the visas!
So, everything is all lined up and set for our trip.
I know many people have been praying, and it is awesome to see just how perfect God's timing is and to know that prayer seriously works!
I am so thankful for my dear brother and sister prayer warriors.
Tomorrow Dad and I are flying out of Dulles at 6 pm!

Visa is en route!

Dad called the embassy today, and apparently, they are mailing it back! It will be here tomorrow! How awesome.

prayers

Oh, goodbyes!

While I am bubbling with excitement and anticipation, there are still the goodbyes.
I'm not a fan of goodbyes.
At. All.

Tonight was my last night of sparks for the year. I am so attached to those kiddos! I didn't realize just how I will miss them until I said goodbye.
A few were absolutely adorable in saying goodbye.
Little John (ever the drama king) asked me to pllllleeeeeaassse stay. He said he would miss me too much.
Egypt said that she was going to be so mad if I left her.
A few other ones wouldn't leave my side.
Oh, the cuteness.
God has blessed me with them.

Those cuties! Ah, then, later on, Mrs. Sharon had them pray for me. Their prayers were AH-dorable.

"Dear God, please let Miss Makenzie have fun on her field trip, and keep her safe, and help her to remember to pack everything...even her Bible."

"Dear Jesus, please let Miss Makenzie's plane fly" 

"Dear God, I hope Miss Makenzie takes lots of pictures, and has fun, and loves the babies"

"Dear God, let Miss Makenzie have fun on her field trip and have fun in Africa."
 

Oh my. Those and many other prayers were offered up.
I know they are so precious to God. They were definitely precious to me.

And today my heart was touched at the generosity of my church family! Wow, I am blessed by encouraging and loving folks. God does provide for every need, and He has got this. I'm feeling like this

I almost cried tonight, too. A sweet little girl at church gave me a gift. It contained $3.55 and a cute card that read:
"Dear Miss Makenzie, 
I will be praying for you on your trip. 
We will miss you. I hope you can use this money."

My heart melted. So precious. 

Visa request

Three days!
The excitement and anticipation is building.
Last night I had one of those inevitable stressful dreams: the time had come for the flight, and I had nothing ready to go. I frantically threw things in a bag and hoped for the best. It was like the unprepared-for-exams dream I've had in the past.
But that is all silly worrying on my part. I'm one of the craziest over-preparers ever (just ask my co-counselors at camp!)

I woke up remembering that there is today, Monday and Tuesday to finish preparing.

Also, a big prayer request: The Burundian embassy assured me that it would take 5 business days to process our visas. The visas haven't yet arrived, so it is my prayer that they are mailed off on Monday. If not mailed off Monday, that they would be ready to pick up on Wednesday morning (since we are flying out of D.C., we could leave Raleigh earlier to swing by the embassy in D.C.) It is definitely going to be a close shave, but I know that God is totally in control. I feel like this is a small lesson in trusting Him, and it's not a huge deal if we have to change flight dates by a few days. It would just be perfect if the visas could arrive ASAP!
We have a tracking number for the package that they will mail back, so I'll know when they're en route.

Thank you for your support and prayers!

Love,

Makenzie

Having Love

It's all coming together!

Up to the week before an event, I'm excited, but the event feels far off. I think in my mind "oh, there's a week and three days. plllenty of time"

Now we are into the single digits. Oh boy!

Today.
Saturday.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Departure day!

The countdown is very very real now, and while I could start stressing, I keep reminding myself that God is the one in control and he is orchestrating everything.

I was reminded yesterday, during a quiet time, that without love, anything I do is nothing. I took time to think about my motivation. It struck me that, in 1 Corinthians, the writer says,

"And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." 

 That's pretty extreme. For someone to give up everything, you'd think they must have love. They must be a 'super-christian'!
For someone to be a martyr? How can anyone do that without love?

Paul says it's actually easier than you'd think.

Here's what it looks like:

No patience. No kindness. Jealousy. Brags about accomplishments. Arrogance. Acts unbecomingly. Seeks it own. Easily provoked, keeps records of others wrongs. Rejoices in unrighteousness.

And it's easy in this society to cover up those sins. These sins can stay beneath the surface, out of the eyes of others. But not out of the eye of God. He knows when we act out of true love.

What I'm remembering is that I can do nothing apart from Christ, but through Him, I can do all things. He strengthens me.

All things I do should be out of an overflowing-with-gratefulness heart to Him. Not because I want recognition or to feel superior. Not because it's what's expected of me.
That defeats the purpose.
When I do things in my own strength, I'm just a clanging gong.
When I do things in His strength, I am holy and pleasing to God:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

Definitely something to work on. Off to finish packing! 

Feeling God's very real love,

Makenzie