I just moved out of the Combari houehold this past Saturday and onto the missions station. I already miss the outside bucket baths (not sarcasm). My last night there, the family and I read scripture, sang hymns, prayed for each other, and thanked each other for the time together. The scripture verse that I shared was from Mat. 25 - (sorry this is my translation off the top of my head - feel free to correct me if I make a mistake) the one where Jesus calls everyone together and says to some people - I know you because when I was hungry you fed me, and when I was thirsty you gave me something to drink, and when I was naked you clothed me, and when I was sick you comforted me, and you visited me in prison too, and you did a number of other kind things for me in my time of need. Well, if I came to Burkina Faso to "be Jesus" to people here, I think I've "been Jesus" to the Combari family - but as you see - it was because of MY need, not theirs - which turns the table quite a bit. I hope that thought isn't bad theology - if it is, please correct me. In any case, I am very grateful to the Combari family (for a month, they fed me every meal, they carried the water from the well, Daniel gave up his bed for me and stayed on a cot, they bought me flip flops - apparently mine from Zimbabwe aren't kosher here, and showed me the ropes so to speak.
So here's a transition...
I have been learning to ride that little 125cc Sanli Motorcycle. Its a bit scary sometimes trying to navigate through the village when the roads aren't paved and have sections of very loose fine sand (like the beach). Sometimes herds of cattle (with horns) and goats are being shepherded down the street. In addition, I find myself frequently carrying large loads and another passenger. I've carried 5.5m PVC meter tubes on my head while a friend drove my bike - that was interesting driving through the bush. I still feel like a little bit of a fool on the bike, but I'm getting there. I feel like a fool with most things that I do here, but that's okay.
Good night.
Thanks for your prayers.
Brendon
A challenging thought (challenging for me anyway) - why is pity my foremost emotion when I see naked children with enlarged stomachs. I don't feel the need to care for the child like a mother or father would (perhaps the word is compassion). I don't feel anger. I don't cry with overwhelming sadness. However, in my mind I think God would do these things. Moreover, I think my second emotion is embarrassment... I'm not sure why, but perhaps its because I feel like God sees an injustice and... I feel shame.
(My dad sent me a recent sermon about God's judgment - His judgment is hard, but it is good for us to learn from it.)
