We have three affiliated pastors here in Burundi: Pastor Domitien, who is hosting me in Bujumbura, Pastor Gerard, and Pastor Desire. I had hoped to be able to catch up with all three while I am here, but I haven’t been able to contact Pastor Desire. Pastor Gerard lives up country, a long way from Bujumbura. I thought I might be able to go up to see him there, but when Domitien explained to me the distance I realized that this was not going to be possible this time, particularly as I was already committed to a meeting here tonight. I was disappointed, and sad to have to disappoint Pastor Gerard and his people.
However, he decided to catch a bus down so that he could meet me while I’m here. He travelled down on Monday, and came to me yesterday morning. It was great to talk to him as he enthusiastically shared with me about his work with children and the elderly. Like so many areas in Africa, the place where he is has huge needs, particularly poverty and lack of education. In the case of the elderly, he said that in many cases families reject them and refuse to care for them. He has a big vision to provide care for both groups.
The “pile of grass” in the picture is this woman’s home, where she lives with her five children.
After Gerard left, I had arranged for Domitien’s son to take me into town to do three things – get some cash out from an ATM, grab a couple of personal items from a supermarket, and get some files printed and scanned. Simple!
Not so simple!
The first ATM we went to took my card. I entered my pin and the amount I wanted. “Please wait while the transaction is completed.” I waited. “Please take your card.” I took it. Then it threw up, “This ATM is under maintenance and cannot complete the transaction.” What? Had it taken the money out of my account? I had no way of knowing.
We found another ATM and I tried again. Three times, reducing the amount I asked for each time. No, it was not going to complete the transaction.
Yet another ATM. Same sad story. By now I was beginning to wonder was something wrong with my card. Had someone hacked my account and emptied it? Had the card itself somehow been damaged? I suggested we go back, pick up my computer and go to Domitien’s home so I could access the internet and check what was happening with it.
Domitien’s son suggested we try once more, at the bank where I had been able to withdraw US dollars the other day (though this time I was not looking for US currency.) I rather scepticaly agreed, and this time had success, though I only asked for half the amount I originally wanted, which means I will need to go through the process again before I leave – but this time I will go straight to the ATM that worked.
The next stop was the supermarket, where I was able to grab the couple of things I wanted with no drama. Then on to the printing, for which we went to a place just opposite Domitien’s home. First two of the five pages I needed printed were done with no trouble. Then the power went out. Of course! Did I want to wait, or look for somewhere else? I chose to wait for a bit to see if it came back.
Then this sleazy fellow came in. He started calling me “my Mummy” (I resisted the urge to tell him, “I’m not your Mummy, I’m a random stranger in a printing shop) and began what was obviously an attempt to convert me. At first I thought he was an over-enthusiastic Christian, but it was soon clear that he was a Jehovah’s Witness. In spite of my ignoring most of his questions and giving fairly sharp answers to those I did respond to, he would not let up. Finally Domitien’s son stepped in and suggested we go somewhere else, as it did not look like the power was going to come back any time soon. I very happily paid for my two copies and left with him.
We went back into town to a printer where I was able to successfully complete that small mission, and also met up with Domitien who was coming home from work, and came back to the house to spend some more time sharing about his ministry.