Cholera and Turtles

I've been sitting here wondering how to start this blog, reflecting on the fact that there have been more blessings than challenges...a good week generally.

I've then been thinking on what a good example this is of how we normalise the extraordinary in this part of the world. This week's involved cholera and cholera clinics...and it's a been a good week!?! It's amazing how God gives us the strength to cope with things that would have seemed terrifying a year ago.

RENSON

I visited Renson in the tented(!) cholera unit on Thursday, which was a little nerve-racking. My mask still hangs off the rear view mirror.


But he looked really well and it was a good opportunity to poke fun at him and leave him with a toilet roll in which I'd hidden a message telling to stop being lazy and get back to work.

We sent the car to collect him on Friday and hopefully he'll be back in a week or so. Apparently he's in really good cheer. Thank you for all your prayers.

There have been no illnesses at the school and we've started to taste chlorine in the water supply; a good sign that the government is trying to respond.

Please pray for continued health and protection over the school and our family.






STAFF TRAINING DAY

We had another great staff training day on Monday (albeit not realising that one of our number was literally dying quietly of cholera in the corner).

Dr Isaac, the best friend who kept Renson alive, did a great session on first aid. The staff really engaged with the topic and it's given us many ideas on how we can improve in this area.

Pastor Edmond, International Director of ARM, shared a word with us. I gave him 15 minutes. He took 40. But I kind of expected that and it was great to hear him share the history and vision of the school with the staff.

It was also a great opportunity to brief the staff on the new house system.

HOUSE SYSTEM

As of Tuesday the school has four 'houses' named after four rivers in/near Bujumbura. Kanyosha, Muha, Ntahangwa and Rusizi.

Although the houses were introduced to the Primary school at their Friday assembly this week, the main launch has been in the Secondary school.

House Masters, Mistresses, Captains and Vice Captains have been appointed and the first house meetings spontaneously held in anticipation of Monday morning's assembly.

From Monday students will form up in houses, rather than year groups, for assembly; with, this week, 100 house points being awarded for the best presented house.

Each house has come up with a set of values, a house prayer and house chant. They will meet for morning devotions every Wednesday morning, compete together in sports, music etc... and compete for an annual house point trophy.

So far, this initiative has been warmly welcomed by staff and pupils.

When the Secondary School moved from the main school site, took in many new students and had 70% new staff at the beginning of the academic year something changed culturally within the school.

We hope that the houses will foster healthy competition and create a culture where effort, respect, good behaviour, punctuality and a smart appearance become the norm. We want to teach the students that there are consequences for all actions (good and bad) and that these consequences can impact others...their houses. We hope that this will create a positive sense of community for all students within the school.

It was encouraging, on Friday, to get a sense from all houses that they want to do this right...do it properly. Chants were being practiced and house prayers learnt, with each house raising the bar a little higher.

I'm ordering a house points trophy which will get brought out next month and awarded at our end of year prize giving ceremony...hopefully by the Minister of Education or British Ambassador.

I've an idea to hold a house Christian music competition later in the term...just depends on whether this will disrupt GCSE's and A-levels.

Please pray that this initiative will bring in a Godly culture of high standards and effort.

FINANCES

I've been reviewing both personal and school finances recently. Both look more promising than they did at the end of last term, though both currently result in bankruptcy at the beginning of June.

We remain convinced of God's plans for both us and the school.

God's track record is one of provision and honoured promises, but yet we find it hard to trust.

I was chatting about this with a friend some months back. We were both admitting our inability to trust God 100% with our finances. She made this interesting comparison.

Imagine that I offered to take my children for an ice cream each week and that each week I do this without fail. Imagine then that, despite the fact that I always honoured my promises, my children doubted me and were anxious about whether or not I'd come good on my promise this week. I'd be upset. Hurt. I'd wonder why my children don't trust me when they have no reason not to.

See my point? (Or rather hers...mustn't lay claim to somebody else's wisdom)

June will be the month of abundant blessing and I look forward to sharing that with you!

Please continue to pray for financial provision and trust.

POWER

Regideso, that state owned utility company, have a new hydro electric turbine.

No power rationing this week.

Woo Hoo!

Praise God for the little things that make life a little easier.

CASPAR

Caspar, finally, had is Burundi birthday party.

Lot's of friends turned up to help and we hired one of the country's rare bouncy castles.

The first present? An 10", Congolese, African Mud Turtle! Requires a water feature.

A first for us!

Praise God for the unique experiences that we're all having here

I made the cake. Zan Alexander need not worry.

The staff where we held the party asked what it was. I said "R2D2". They looked confused. I said, "A robot". No change. I gave up.

CHURCH

We have a new church.

Up to now we'd struggled with the one church that was at least partly English. It just wasn't our 'flavour' of church.

In the last few weeks a new, charismatic, English-speaking church has just started. It's run by a team that have successfully planted churches elsewhere in Africa and is led by a Canadian pastor.

We love it! Very Thirsty / New Wine.

It wasn't easy to leave the other church. They are doing great work. But our mission is to the school and we need to have a church that can easily work for us as a family and support us...without cultural barriers.

Many of the school's staff now worship there and it's great for us to be able to meet outside school.

Please pray that we will continue to settle well in this church.

God Bless,

Jeremy

P.S. Have you got any decent weather yet?