A few weeks ago I went to church with one of my colleagues from work. I never am awake before noon on a Sunday, so this was already going to be an interesting day! I had to meet Annick and her kids at 9am at our office, so she could show me how to get there. On the way, I noticed EVERYONE was in the streets! I was impressed, they were all exercising in their white shirts and running pants, and baseball caps. I still am getting used to seeing this all the time, I thought it was just a Friday afternoon thing, but since I never woke up early, now I know it's a Sunday thing too!
We get to the church, haha, I realize I'm actually not sure what denomination it is! I think they are born again Protestant types (forgive me I don't know denominations very well), I don't remember seeing anything right now to indicate. So it's a big parking lot, and by that I mean a large dirt area with no markings and cars parked surprisingly neat, with a large wooden structure. The church is not what I expected, I though we were going somewhere with four cement walls, but this was more like a large wooden open cabin, let's say it's something you'd expect to see in a park for picnics.
We find a spot, there are at least 200 people there, and it is jubiliant! There is lots of singing and music playing. A whole group of people are at the microphone, singing, swaying, and the band is rocking out local music, everyone is singing. This ends up being my favorite part, and I actually consider only coming back for this! It's just so energetic.
I quickly survey around and I'm one of 3-4 mzungus, or white people. Annick talks with some lady, who goes and finds me a headset, where I can listen to SIMULTANEOUS translation of everything. I'm like what? Is this the UN? Am I at the EU? You're telling me there's someone interpreting from Kirundi into English and French?? There may have even been more options. I choose English. I'm shocked! I can hear the man, and I find him too in a glass booth not far from the music, he is there translating the song for me. Wow, this church doesn't even have four walls! Very cool. I wonder if it's the Canadians that paid for this.
After all the singing, then the main pastor comes up and starts talking about lots of things (sorry can't remember!), he was dressed in a nice suit, I thought a little too nice. But he was engaging and dynamic. I do recall he went on, and I was wondering when we were going to open the Bible or he would quote from it, but he didn't. I think he was just talking about general lessons. After this pastor, there is an old white man, that I had noticed before following the sermon, but without a translator (I thought curious, does he understand Kirundi?) I think he did. He later came up and spoke, he's Canadian, a missionary I believe. And he talked about how he was just in Canada at his church there, and told them about his Burundi congregation (oh by the way, the first pastor was simultaneously interpreting what he was saying after each sentence--very linguistic church!). He said the Canadian congregation loves the Burundians, is praying for them, because we are all brothers, and love each other. He urged the Burundians to pray for the Canadians, to wish them well, etc. I thought that was nice.
After him comes these two brothers who both go into a sermon, they were very funny (others laughed, I didn't get it:oP ) and dynamic. Finally we refer to the Bible! I notice that people around me are taking notes profusely as if they were in class. I wonder about this. I have also wondered what these notebooks are that my guards are always reading, and I have a feeling its friends or families that write these sermons to those who can't go to church. I haven't verified this, but it's my guess.
The sermons went on kinda looooong. Recall that I am usually sleeping in too. We got there at 915am or so, everyone was already there, and at 11am it was still going on! The translation was also getting staticky unless I held it up with my arm, which got tiring. I think Annick noticed that I was quite literally falling asleep and so at 1140 or so we left! Haha, hence why I said, I would only go back for the fun music part!
We went to Annick's house to have lunch. She lives on the same grounds as an orhpanage which she helped to start up with a German lady. She used to work there full time, but later came to work for our project as administrative assistant. The orphanage seems well endowed although I didn't walk over to the house. They all go to the American School, so it's quite odd because all the kids speak English, which was really confusing me. Even Annick's kids speak better English than French.
We go inside to have a drink before eating, I meet her husband and we got talking history and politics. Most amusing, is that he thinks Burundi should invade the Congo! Haha! He said that part of it was part of our land, and he doesn't see why we should follow the borders drawn by the Europeans (he kinda has a point), but I was like, those boundaries are internationally accepted now, and Congo has its sovereignty. Well to him, they have too much, it's a huge country and they're not even using it! Which is true. Congo is Africa's gem, RICH in everything, and stuck with basically little governance and rebels. I can understand how he can dream of having this land for Burundi, which is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and where land reform is a major problem (our project last year however helped draft a revised land code to improve the laws and it is currently making its way through govt for approval!). Also, from Bujumbura, and other parts of Burundi, but especially here in the capital, all you see is the Congo!
I live in the hilly part of Buja, where the mountain chain starts, but Buja is on flat terrain, as is everything in front of these mountains and the lake, the airport is in the middle of a nowhere flatland. So unless you're at the airport, or at the lake looking away from it, you don't see the beautiful mountains of Burundi. Staring at us always, looming majestically across the water, and also a small land border, are the Congolese mountains. The sun sets behind them everyday, and it's an inspiring view. My eyes turn towards these mountains and the Lake Tanganyika, whenever I catch a glimpse in the city, and I have the great fortune to look at it every morning when I step out my door. I often stop for a moment and admire. Then go about my day.
But this is all to just say, that the Congo is quite intriguing, and like treasure of natural beauty and resources, and most of all to Burundians SPACE, dangling in front of our eyes constantly. I can see why he wants it! Albeit a bit radical.
One afternoon I was at the really nice hotel Club du Lac, which has a great beach, and also has an Olympic pool and pleasant sunny dining. All beach property is open to the public, so although it's a "club" I can just walk through it and head to the sand. I was at the beach which is along the flat coast I mentioned, and here you're in between the Congolese and Burundian mountains, with a great, awesome, view of both. There, I noticed a real illustration of the land use problem in Burundi and the vast virginity of the Congo.
If you look at the Congo from this beach, its hills, valleys, mountains, everywhere, it is unending, green! Lush green, nothing stops it, no roads or large buildings, or a stadium, nothing, it is whole. Aside from the small town Uvira at the water, you see only blackness at night when staring at the Congo. Then you turn to the mountains of Burundi, and that dark green, that is lush, is hard to find. It's in spots. What you see mostly is brown or red of the earth, of cultivation, or roads. The houses and city reach up to a certain point, at which you see more vegetation, but the difference is staggering from the Congo!
Deep thoughts while tanning :oP
Sorry for the length! I will write more soon.
