DIFFICULT CHAPTER (Part 2)

This is not what I'm supposed to be doing right now...but there's too much going on in my head right now (one for the reasons that restful sleep is elusive right now).

The next two sections of this 'Part 2' were 'How am I doing?' and 'The Future'.

I think that common behaviours/feelings that those here feel include:

PEACE - In spite of what we hear and see, we have a sense of peace about being here right now. Part of that is familiarity with the new rhythm of life here...you don't really hear the shooting anymore. But mainly it is God's grace and the gifts He's given us to be able to operate in this environment. We are not, and will not be, reckless...but we are a long way from feeling the need to leave.

DETERMINATION - We have been able to stay and there is still much that must be done. We are few, but we are determined to make staying count for something. Determined to find creative ways to overcome new perils or obstacles. Determined to do what we can reduce the damage. Determined not to give up hope.

But both of these are at danger of being overwhelmed by two other insidious feelings/behaviours:

NAUSEA - When we consider the situation we feel physically sick. Less so for how things are right now, but for the, as yet, unseen consequences of this crisis. The significant one being the economic impact. Loss of funding and disruption/cessation of trading will have a crippling effect on all organisations. Most will have been paid for in April, so the impact will have been inconvenient. But many will not receive income for May and, in June, this will bite even deeper. And not just for those here, but also the 'middle class' refugees killing time in Kigali and Kampala. What happens when people can't feed themselves?

DRIFTING - The erosion (I won't say loss) of structure, certainty and hope create this drifting behaviour. An emotional quagmire that makes getting anything done feel almost impossible. This is where the determination comes into play, but often this lifts productivity to 60% at best.

I think we're all aware of these behaviours and, for me, writing about it helps me to accept and understand it...and, hopefully, manage it.

And where's God in all of this? Our unshakable hope in the sovereign Lord? Those living 'in the field' are generally, I would say, capable achievers and copers. Consequently we rely on our own gifts, skills and talents more than we would care to admit. So when these become ineffectual are we more lost? Do we analyse more that we pray? Do we seek to understand more than trust? Do we try and 'do' more rather than hand it over? Do we plan for a set of alternative futures rather than have hope?

If we're not careful we cease to inspire and witness; instead becoming a pretty depressing bunch of Christians. Martyrs to our circumstances.

HOW AM I DOING?

OK...I think. Two friends, Rachel and Simon, have moved in...creating and unlikely, but effective trio. Though if you read Simon's 'Naked Preacher' blog you'll know why I lock my bedroom door at night! And Allie's been amazingly supportive. Thank God for Skype.

Life goes on and we find new joys in our routine here; but I am exhausted by the thought of how hard our next chapter might be and would appreciate personal prayer for the following:

- Peace about options for the family in September. Will we or can we be apart again?

- Coping with the increased financial strain (especially providing for my workers and security guards for the summer (which has to be ready in 4 weeks) and all our usual summer costs). The costs of a split family and increased security cost have eaten into summer savnigs.

- Our house (the $1,000 monthly was being paid by the school...when will it be paid again?)

- Planning for the future. What will happen with the school? Will it be safe? Will people come back? Will people be able to afford fees? What about the huge debts? What about the education for the students from the two orphanages? What about discipling and educating the next generation of leaders?

- Balancing the need to rest and keep on top of things over the summer 

- Wellness and safety during the next month

But please also give thanks for:

- The ability to cope with the new normals (gunfire, explosions, roadblocks, tear gas and disruption)

- Friends

- The satisfaction of continuing to serve and support others

- The opportunity to grow in my faith

- For those faithfully supporting me

- Our safety

- The Lord's provision

- Desert Island Disks (my safe place)

- How well my family is doing in the UK

- The lock on my bedroom door

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support...not just for me, but also for Allie, Andrew, Becky, Harry, Caspar and Felicity. We feel loved and cherished.

God Bless,

Jez

DIFFICULT CHAPTER (Part 1)

I thought that, perhaps, you were due an update. Especially as Burundi has been in the news recently. Our family and our mission is currently going through testing times. I'm reluctant to write that it's 'the most' testing time as our first three years have seen some challenges that have really pushed us to our limit...or maybe beyond.

I'm writing this in two parts as focusing and articulating what's happening is not very easy...so this way something gets out.

The Family

As many of you know, in March, Allie, Becky, Harry, Caspar and Felicity had to return early to the UK to address some medical issues that couldn't be attended to in Burundi. A tough decision to make, but we have been so blessed with by the love and generosity of our family, friends and supporters.

It's been great for them to reconnect, but they really miss home (Burundi) and it has had its challenges. Having the family split for 3 months is difficult. But we were grateful that a gift enabled me to fly back for Easter.

Please pray for:

- Peace and grace as they live in a MUCH smaller house.

- Harry and Allie as they tackle homeschooling.

- Felicity, who only really remembers living in Burundi. The UK has never been home to her.

- Allie coping as a, temporary, single mum.

- Our finances, we now have costs in two countries.

Give thanks for:

- The Lord's provision

- The many people that have shown so much love

- Friends who are helping with accommodation, tutoring, cars etc...

Burundi

I have to be careful here, so I'll stick to the facts.

Burundi is in election season, the biggest being the presidential elections. The current president announced his intention to run for a third term and there are differences of opinion about the legitimacy of this decision. Big differences of opinion.

I'm not going to comment on the issue, but the election controversy has caused a massive deterioration in the security situation here. Previously we saw weeks of violent demonstrations and our neighbourhoods shutdown by roadblocks. Then, as I'm sure you've heard, there was an attempted coup the other week. The Wednesday and Thursday were war in all but name. We experienced window shaking battles at the end of our road.

The coup failed and we are now entering a new fragile phase. Many are living in fear. As shelves empty and prices rise we are seeing a mass exodus. In addition to the 105,000+ refuges many in our community are needing to leave. UN staff left last Saturday....the US last Sunday. I can count on two hands the number of expat friends left.

Whatever happens next, much damage is already done. Projects stopped, funding withdrawn, businesses closed, livelihoods destroyed, hope lost.

Such a shame, so much progress had been made. How many years will this set this country back?

Please pray for:

- The refugees in surrounding countries and an end to the cholera epidemic taking hold in Tanzania

- Wisdom for all leaders

- A peaceful end to the crisis

- The international community and the church to help

Give thanks for:

- The relatively low death count so far

- The majority of Burundians who are peace loving 

The School

But God has called us to do His work here. At the school it is to create well-educated disciples of Jesus. So what work can go on, must go on.

A couple of weeks ago I gave my blessing to staff wishing to leave. I can always fly or drive out, but it's not that easy for many of my staff. We also concluded that the environment was too uncertain and dangerous for the school to remain open and so the school now remains closed until September. Such a sad decision to make.

I'm left with a simply awesome skeleton staff of around 6 who are helping to keep things ticking over...many of them slotting into new roles. This is such an important time for our Year 11-13 students and, miraculously, we are quietly and calmly getting them through their exams. But the environment for them is not great. It is rare to have an exam without the sound of gunfire in the background at some point.

We've also had a desperately difficult time assessing our finances and needs. The majority of Term 3 fees were not paid. Consequently we are a long way from being able to cover salaries, rents, taxes etc... This crisis isn't even a month old and I already estimate that this will take 2 years to recover from.

It is hard not to be pessimistic about the future. It is hard not to, wearily, wonder how hard the next three years will be. But we have faith in God's plans for this school and the lives that can be changed...and part of preparing for the future is being honest about the situation.

Please pray for:

- The students doing their exams

- Protection over the school and staff

- The heartbreaking financial decisions that need to be made

- Supernatural strength for those remaining

Give thanks for:

- Protection

- Exams

[to be continued]...

Join Us...As A Teacher or Spreading The Word!

Hello,

We're busy recruiting for September, so we'd really appreciate one of two things from you...pretty please!

1. Are you a teacher with a passion for teaching and serving Christ? If so, consider joining us in September. New opportunities are always available for English-speaking teachers with experience teaching in a western environment; but we have particular needs for the following:
• Secondary school English Language and Literature teachers
• Junior school teachers
• Female, secondary school bible group leaders/youth worker
2. If you're not a teacher, please help us by spreading the word online and in your churches.

CV's and cover letters can be sent to me at jeremy.wisdom@thekingsschool.edu.bi

God Bless,

Jeremy

SHOULD I EVER GO TO THE GYM WHEN PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY? [written late Jan]

Life here...life as a missionary is full of confusion and challenges. So much is unclear.

I may have written on this before; but, without wishing to undermine God's work through us here or attempting to fully answer this question, it is an awkward thought that I continue to have.

I like to take lots of regular exercise; it's certainly good for my mind and body. So I was at the gym the other day. It's not LA Fitness, and is certainly much cheaper, but is a well equipped gym at KCC (a Scripture Union conference centre in our neighbourhood). The gym is on the second floor with the running machines in front of the windows, overlooking the street.

I was running and saw, out of the window, a man in the street looking up at me. His clothes were brown, his feet bare and his face had that roughness that comes from a hard life; and he was looking at me curiously. I don't know what he thought as he went on his way...but for me it was a familiar, uncomfortable, conscience-pricking moment. Well fed westerner in his sealed environment trying to optimise his fitness. Barefooted Burundian walking down the road; maybe with purpose, maybe not.

I think people at home assume that we know how to deal with this. That we know what the balance is...what the spiritually sound response is. That I know how to respond to the street children outside the fancy bakery.

The divide between the 'haves' and 'have nots' is impossible to get away from. I'm white, so I'm automatically let in, served first and sat at the front. I'm white, so I'm not asked to pay deposits, don't get stopped at the check points and am never asked to lift anything. Even the rain's not allowed to get me wet!

We talk too about living by faith financially...which we do in some sense. But I'll never forget someone saying to me that '...muzungus (white people) print money...'. Initially I dismissed this. But what would happen if we needed to fly to the UK tomorrow, get specialist healthcare or replace a computer? We'd pray...but we'd also make a call or send an email. The money would come. Mostly, the money always comes. I wonder how many Burundians could 'print' money like that?

I get preferential treatment, have the opportunity to optimise my lifestyle, have the same social circle as the UK and can 'print' money. Is this what being a missionary is?

'But life as a missionary is difficult, living overseas expensive and cross culture living stressfull'. Absolutely. It's the hardest thing I've done. It seems impossibly hard at times. But don't others have hard lives too?

'But you can't help if you're broken'. Definitely. But where do I find my strength?

I pray, I trust (sort of) and the Lord provides. But why do I get more?

We gave the workers in our house hampers and bonuses for Christmas...but we got more.

I'm simplifying the complex and making the difficult seem easy. God is doing amazing things through us and all of the missionaries here.

And please don't stop supporting us...we have big funding needs for May - August.

But I still struggle with the wealth gap.

Should I go to the gym when people are hungry? I think so...but I'm not always sure.

Waxey Hugs and Hamlet's Socks

It was half term when I started this, I was at the pool with the kids and they were jumping off this...

...so I thought it would be a good, and rare, time to write. Though perhaps more copy and paste rather than write; most of this is excerpts from blogs I never finished. My great unfinished works?

As usual, some prayer points up front:

- Please pray for violence free elections

- Please pray for successful English courses with the British Council

- Thank the Lord for all His blessings...

- ...and pray that we may better see them

- Please pray for our summer funding

WASHING HAMLET'S SOCKS

Life here is often surreal and last night was no exception. The Globe Theatre, London, are on a two year tour to perform Hamlet in every country in the world.

Recently it was Burundi's turn.

For two weeks, work and family life were supplemented by technical riders, conference calls and ticket sales. And, one Sunday, washing costumes.

Hamlet is barely mainstream in the UK...and it's distinctly niche here. So one evening, a mainly expat audience of about 240 (I haven't seen that many white people in one place for long time!) enjoyed some of the best theatre in the world. It was wonderful!

Not sure it had anything to do with our mission, but a real treat for those living along way from home.

CANDLELIT BREAKFASTS [written early Jan]

Over Christmas the power situation was awesome! 24 hour power...pretty much. This week we came back to earth with a BUMP. Getting back into the swing of things is hard enough...but getting up in the dark, with no power, can be pretty grim. Especially on a grey morning.

We have a generator, but it's too noisy for 5am. We have batteries, but I keep them to power our security lights and guard's station at night. So we started this morning with lamps; but soon it was obvious that this was not going to work. So I got out the candles; normally used for dark evenings when the generator is being serviced.

And wow! Such warm, friendly light. Much better than harsh glow of the electric lights. What a lovely way to start the day. A big waxy hug.

Candlelit breakfasts. Thank you God!

REGISTERING [written early Jan]

A definite source of anxiety continues to be the uncertainty that the elections bring. Up until now, it has been theoretical. But recently events have begun to turn...perhaps sooner than expected.

So we're planning, registering with embassies, putting in contingencies and having a lot of meetings.

It's hard to find a positive with this. As a family, and as a school, there are so many scenarios that create a lot of doubt. When will we be back in the UK? How long for? What will Term 3 look like? Will I be separated from the family? Will we make the right decisions? This list could really go on....

...but I should be grateful for wisdom (no pun intended). For all the uncertainty, we have been given the resources and support to prepare. And so, in the midst of this, although there are a number of 'futures', and we do not know which to expect, we're pretty ready for them all.

DISCIPLING

The Pastoral and Student support teams that Allie set up are fully self-managing and so she has, for now, stepped out of the school. So how are we discipling? Are we?

For now, one of the biggest ways that we try to disciple is to model Godly behaviour. Through hard work and servant leadership.

One Friday the staff and I received some strange looks. Inspired by the ways YWAM teams have blessed us in the past, we picked up shovels and paint brushes and set about sprucing the school up. To glorify God through hard work and stewardship of resources...and to set an example to the students. I was on a team removing piles of rubble from the front of the Infant School and using it to repair the roads. Back-breaking work in searing heat...but rewarding, bonding and a conspicuous example of hard work and service....even by a white man!

And every day my job, and our lives here, give me huge and complex challenges. How I respond to them, how I'm seen to respond to them, is one of the most important roles I have here. Leading consistently, with patience, grace, good humour, diligence, high standards, urgency, integrity, fun, planning, flexibility, perspective, a work/life balance, humility, authority, responsibility and wisdom is exhausting. But I know that all 750+ staff and students, and some parents too, are influenced by how I lead. How I lead sets the standard for how they should behave now and how they will lead in the future. And Godly leadership is so vital to this country's future.

I make mistakes...often...but how I admit them and deal with them, is one of the most important things to teach. 

EDUCATING

The staff at the school continue to look for ways to improve standards in the school. IGCSE and A-level exams loom.

We had a a visiting humanities teacher, from the UK, who, amongst other things, spent some time with our candidate students. And we hope God will make clear whether she should join the school next year!

One thing that still challenges us is English. We are an English school in a francophone country. Most staff and students are second language English speakers. Our students tend to be orally fluent, but their written English lets them down in exams. However, a meeting with the British Council recently raised the possibility of a partnership that would provide support for our students and begin offering English language learning to locals. This is a very exciting possibility, but would come at a cost to parents. Much prayer needed.

BILLS, BLESSINGS AND THE SUMMER

So far, this year, we have enjoyed relative financial security. Our daily bread has been provided and we've been able to deal with some unexpected costs. The roads here are brutal on cars, security upgrades significantly costly and our 'new' house in the UK is now less new and needing repairs. But we have been so blessed by God's provision, peoples' response and the way our support grows.

But as we look to the summer break, we still have a lot of costs to cover including:

- Food

- Fuel

- Medical Insurance

- A year's worth of clothes

- A year's worth of medicine

- A year's worth of toiletries 

- Christmas and birthdays

- Vaccinations

- Opticians

- Dentists 

- Extra education material for the kids

- Debriefing

- And maybe a day out or two

Please pray that our support will grow ahead of the summer.

SO...

...life remains challenging and rewarding. We regularly feel like giving up and getting on a plane...but so far we haven't. We know that this is where God wants us, so we are obedient...though sometimes without good grace. Sorry. So every day I try to focus on the blessings and His faithfulness

God Bless,

Jeremy

Christmas Blog 1 of 3 - A New Chapter

There's a distinct sense that God is moving our mission and the school into a new chapter. A period where we can grow and mature. Where we can invest and reach out. It's new and unfamiliar, but so exciting.

Please Pray:

- That we will be able to balance the books this year

- For a successful supporter campaign

- That the way we work will be a witness to parents

- For us make God central as we look to the future

SCHOOL FINANCES are better. This year sees some investment and a determination to finally, completely, once and for all put the 2012 financial crisis behind us. Is also frees us up to think about our...

...THREE YEAR STRATEGY which will give us a clear plan of growth and development. It's structured around the the key elements of the school. We are:

Christian - So we want to increase scholarships, invest in pastoral care and reach out to others. This week I am working with our parent organisation, ARM, to build permanent , long-term links between their healthcare, social development and evangelistic programmes and each of the school's four 'Houses'.

English-Speaking - We want to guarantee levels of student and staff fluency and be a leader in the promotion of English language eduction.

International - Moving to better than UK exam results, international facilities and standards. The first step towards this is our...

...2014/15 SUPPORTER CAMPAIGN. In the new year we are launching an appeal for three needs:

1) £15,000 to complete our final, unfinished building so that we can provide the Secondary School with a much needed Library. Libraries do not really exist in Burundi, but is an essential resource for our future leaders who want to progress to university.

2) Library books. A library needs books. We are trying to get donations of everything from teenage fiction, classic fiction and research books.

3) Filling our container. Through a relationship with another NGO, we have been able to secure very reasonable shipping rates for a container which can ship to us in March. But we need to fill it, so we will be approaching schools and organisations for school resources that can be donated and put in the container.

The campaign is ambitious, and not like anything we've done before, but we are hopeful that this will be a new way in which we can generate support for the school. Also, to help how we operate, I recently isolated myself for a week to write new...

...POLICIES AND GOVERNANCE. Writing does not come easy or naturally to me. I don't have the patience. But as I wrote these policies I became so aware of how the school is maturing and the staff have a desire to adopt best practices. The big ones were operational processes (how we work together), security policies (how we keep everyone safe and calm over the next year) and financial governance (how we can be good stewards of our financial resources). All of which will help our...

...NEW ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF manage the school. Due to some departures and new roles, we have a great new Admin Team, but it's been a tough and busy time for them; trying to understand the school, what needs changing and how to work together as the school has...

...CONTINUED GROWTH. Despite increased competition, the school is fuller than ever, particularly for A-levels. We don't seek to be competative, but parents vote with their feet and wouldn't be bringing their children if were letting them down. And many are excited by the unique...

...GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES we offer. My relationship manager, Maya, is working tirelessly to build relationships, partnerships and scholarship opportunities at English-speaking universities in Africa, Europe, America and the Pacific. If we are to truly equip Burundi with a new generation of Godly leaders we must find opportunities for our students to get quality degrees.

NEXT?

I'm working with our student leaders to role out our values and changes in the Secondary School.

We prepare for exams.

And we pray and prepare for an uncertain year where political events may disrupt school life, our work and our iGCSE and A-Level exams.

God Bless,

Jeremy

THE KING'S SCHOOL NEEDS YOUR HELP!

THE KING'S SCHOOL NEEDS YOUR HELP!

We're about to launch our 2015 support campaign and would love someone to help with awareness and logistics in the UK.

Do you (or someone you know) have a passion for discipleship and the development of education in Africa and 1 or 2 days to volunteer each week?

God Bless,

Jez

(Please share this with your friends)

Ditches, flags, buzzing and resting...and it's all ok!

I have a ditch, some new flags and a buzz about next year... I'm very excited!

PRAYER POINTS:

- Give thanks for all of the ways we have been blessed this year.

- Pray for our graduates as they move onto to universities

- Pray for next year's developments: sports facilities, tougher academic expectations and better pastoral care for students

- Give thanks for the summer we have planned and that we will be rested

- Pray that current and new supporters will catch our vision as we raise financial support for the coming year.

My Ditch

I have a big ditch. It's long, wide and empty; and runs next to the Secondary School wall. It used to be blocked and broken. I'm very excited...let me explain.

I was walking back to the Secondray School the other day and noticed a tunnel under the road which the Secondary School is on. The tunnel runs from a drainage system, fed by most of our neighbourhood and a busy road, to our side of the road. Hmm? Is our neighbourhood draining into the land we'd like to develop for sports? A development requiring very expensive ground works and drainage. I was pacing the dimensions for a football field the other day, in the dry season, and it was water logged. Why? There had only been a little rain the other day.

We walked round our neighbourhood and stomped through undergrowth. Not very pleasant given the absence of public toilets. I did misstep once, but it's amazing what you learn to shrug off. But it was worth it. Linked to a shiny new drainage system, was an old, blocked system that was supposed to drain the neighbourhood water under the road and down to the lake.

And not only was it blocked, but it was broken too...right by our boundary wall...draining the contents of the neighbourhood onto our compound.

Sponsorship deals, surveyor visits and fundraising options were instantly stopped and some of our workers were wellied-up before taking on the ditches.

Two days later, I have a long, wide and empty ditch. I'm very excited...let me explain.

This development represents such a significant development for the coming academic year. 

- By December, I hope, sports lessons for the Primary and Secondary School will be held on school premises...simply by allowing the ground to dry over the summer, being de-stoned and then flattened. Then we lay concrete for basket ball and volley ball too. All affordably. (Grass etc...can come later)

- This will reduce costs and increase the quality and supervision of sports in the school.

- Onsite sports means that most Secondary students will remain at the school for a full day. This creates exciting opportunities for lunch time clubs and sports teams. A great way to develop our extra curricular programme.

- Secondary students will have space to play games at breaktimes...helping them to let off steam and reduce damage to school property.

- We can host sports competitions with other schools.

But most excitingly, it helps us in our core mission...to disciple our students. Next year we are really increasing the amount of spiritual, pastoral and life skills input we have with our students. We are determined to produce not only academically excellent students, but disciplined, Godly young men and women who can shape the future of this country. And every extra hour they are in school, under our supervision and being mentored, is an amazing opportunity to nurture them spiritually and shape their characters. Wow!

Seriously, this is a big deal. I'm very excited!

Previously all our options were very expensive and time consuming.

It's amazing what a ditch can do.

My Flags

As well as my ditch, I have two new flags. Flags with poles and right colour rope to fly them from. I have a shiny, new Burndian flag and a shiny, new Union Jack!

We put them both up in preparation for last week's graduation. A proud symbol of a UK initiative, working in Burundi. Educating and discipling for a better future.

It was fantastic to have parents, students, staff and VIP'S together to celebrate the achievements of our senior students. A wonderful day put together by an amazing support team. Though, despite our best efforts, we started late...some things never change.

This was the school's second senior graduation and is an event that creates real hope. Many of last year's graduates are returning from overseas scholarships and the feedback is great. They have found that the education they got at the school has well equipped them for their degree studies. And many are volunteering whilst they are back.

Such an affirmation for the staff and a real sense of the school's vision coming to fruition.

Some of this year's graduates are beginning a time of preparation before applying for comprehensive US scholarships. I had my first meeting with them last week...setting out my expectations. We will work with them over the coming months to mentor and disciple them. To help them grow into high-performing, credible, interesting, reliable young adults. Godly individuals that scholarship programmes will be desperate for. Well that's the plan.

But whilst we see the culmination if 16+ years of hard work and faithfulness from the those who have gone before...in many respects we feel like we are now just ready to begin...

The Buzz

I have a real buzz about next year...for three reasons...none of which involve ditches...or flags.

STAFF

Almost all staff are returing, again, for another year. So I assume that they're happy here. And, now that everybody is familiar and settled, I'm seeing a real desire for progress and an understanding of the school's values.

Two examples:

1) At a staff training day a month or two ago, we had some departmental sessions to come up with ways we can continue improve. Everyone was tired and, I thought, just thinking about the end of the year. My expectations were low. But the output was amazing. So many creative ideas; many involving longer hours or more effort, for the staff. Sophisticated ideas to radically improve the pastoral and educational standards in the school.

I have seen such growth in the spiritual life and love for the students in all our staff. It's amazing.

2) Secondary staff who, additionally, support sports are now eligible for an extra allowance. Which was turned down. Because it was too low. Why?

Not because the staff felt they deserved more or we're being greedy. But because they understand the expectations. They know that, if they step up for this, we will be expecting very high levels of reliability, standards and hard work. Apparently what I was offering was not worth it because 'Mr Jeremy will be on the phone' checking and pushing.

Too right!

We'll work something out, but the staff understand that excellence is the norm. Wonderful! This is how organisations move forward...high standards and creativity. God has really blessed me with a staff that have a real, faithful, heart for this school.

We have had some staff turnover in our Administrative functions...solid people who will be sorely missed. But they are being replaced by a new team of young professionals who are determined to prove themselves. I strongly suspect that they will give all of us, especially me, a run for our money next year!

STUDENTS

We are, and always will be, a mixed ability school. But the time for students failing to reach their potential is over.

Earlier in the year there was a lot of discussion around students dropping subjects at GCSE. It was too easy. So rather than dropping subjects, why not increase the expectations?

From September there will be a minimum standard for Secondary School students to automatically remain in the school at the end of the academic year. The entry standards we require for entry to A-levels will become the norm. Anyone falling bellow this standard will require interviews with parents to discuss the student's future. Of course we aren't going to remove students who aren't academically gifted...but the option of not being bothered is being removed.

To support this we are:

- increasing the pastoral responsibilities of form tutors

- expanding the student support teams

- introducing standardised testing for years 7-9

- cracking down on absences

- increasing parental engagement

- introducing leadership development

- having career conversations earlier

We want grades to go up. Not because we are proud, but because we want these students to realise the gifts God has given them and to be well equipped to serve their country.

FINANCES

As always, though it doesn't always feel like it, God has been faithful in His provision. We have a difficult and austere summer ahead of us...but after that we break even. In fact, next year, we will have a modest surplus that will allow us to invest in the school, invest in our staff and, perhaps, provide a small amount of support to our mission.

There is so much hope...and so much more that we can still do. God is good!

Being Able To Be Here

Our life and work here is not easy. I think we might've mentioned that before.

But I realised something today. Right now I'm rested and happy. Now I realise that I'm sitting by a pool right now, in the sun, and that, without my family, life is much simpler...but it made me see that I don't need to leave Burundi to recharge.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to coming back to the UK and seeing friends and family (see my last blog) and we all need a break and a rest. But that's life, work and families. It's not all because of being here.

And I'm grateful to God for showing me that. I don't want to be one of those people who are resentful about being here. (Feel free to remind me of this when I'm moaning next year). If I couldn't go back this summer I'd survive. I'd rather go back, but I'd survive.

Finances and the complications of living here continue to frustrate and cause sleepless nights...but I'm glad God called me here.

God Bless (from the pool),

Jeremy

Pros and Cons

I wrote this to go in the blog I'm writing, but I was worried the blog would be too long.

I was reflecting on another time of transition. What I'll miss, what I really won't miss. What I'm looking forward to and what I'm dreading.

So here's the list as a separate post...please give thanks for the positives and pray us through the negatives.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT BUJUMBURA!!

- Gifts (someone just shipped a great big generator to us!)

- My accountability partner (he's an awesome Kenyan pastor)

- A big house (we'd never live somewhere like this in the UK)

- Our church and cell group (great worship, solid teaching, social action and a supportive, multicultural family)

- Frisbee (I love frisbee...shame I'm rubbish)

- Adventures upcountry (loading the car with supplies for a bumpy trip outside of the city)

- Pool parties and BBQ's (nice weather + little entertainment + some dimplomats = BBQ's and pool parties)

- Warm weather (every...single...day)

- A simpler diet (healthier and low calorie)

- An impactful work life (what I do makes a difference and we get to see that every day)

- Giving my children the opportunity to have broad perspectives (they get some really unique experiences here)

- Movie nights (Back To The Future on the projector...awesome!)

- Students (I love them...and I love watching them respond to our guidance)

- Singing in the Nursery (I have such fun singing 'Old MacDonald Has A Jungle!' with them...jungle noises are better than farm noises)

- Progress (we are making progress...great progress...producing well educated disciples of Christ)

- Standing on top of my car as I pack it (it's just cool)

- Wifi (we are very blessed to have it here)

- Maltis (a very scrummy, fizzy apple drink)

- Wonderful guards and workers (at school and at home we have a wonderful small army of Burundians who keep everything running smoothly)

- Expat community (it's small, diverse and looks out for each other)

- Fruit trees in the garden (fresh oranges and lemons anyone?)

- House guests (new friendships made with guests using our spare rooms)

- My staff (who are awesome and are hungry to help the schoo progress)

- Living near the school (commutes are easy)

- Extra 'uncles and aunts' for the children (the kids have so many adult friends that adore them)

WHAT I REALLY DON'T LIKE ABOUT BUJUMBURA

- Utilities (power and water are off more than on...it's rubbish)

- Barking guard dogs (most nights a call of the wild will go up, setting off all the neighbourhood dogs...including ours)

- Political unrest (elections next year and no one knows what will happen...hope for the best, prepare for the worst)

- Illnesses (lots of nasty tummy bugs etc...)

- Bucket washes (no one likes a cold bucket wash...ever)

- Unmade roads (a novelty at first...a hassle now)

- Mosquitos (the kids eat breakfast in their pj's and socks so they don't get nibbled)

- Uncertain finances (never knowing how the next bill is going to be paid is stressful)

- Suncream (slapping it on everytime we go out...I think my blood type is now Factor 50)

- Terrible wifi (predictive text tried to change that to 'wife'...Ha! Ha!...but she's wonderful but the wifi isn't...we have it but it is soooo slow)

- Noon-day sun (a super-squinty, roasting time of the day...the shade feels glorious)

- Missing good TV (you hear it's happening, but you can't get it...though we do get Dowton :) )

- Poverty (everywhere, every day...and when you get used to it, you feel guilty for getting used to it)

- Langauge barriers (I wistfully dream of living somewhere where I understand everyone and everyone understands me...it would be so much easier)

- Mobile reception (see Utilities and Wifi)

- Scarcity of supplies (sometimes there's butter, sometimes there isn't...and never any Frazzles, unless Becky brings some out)

- Electric shocks (nothing's earthed properly, so frequently we perform that function)

- Ants (tiny, weeny ones that can get everywhere and into everything...including tea bags)

- Living near the school (hard to switch off and get away)

- Not walking at night (wouldn't it be nice to walk around in the evenings?)

- Checkpoints (barbed wire and guns...nice)

- Filtering water (if you don't do this daily chore, no one drinks)

- Getting up at 5am (sunrise are great...occasionally)

- Responsibility (it can be pretty heavy being responsible for so many)

- Pegging bed sheets to the windows (no curtains yet...another daily bore/chore)

WHAT I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SUMMER

- Moving around (7+ beds this summer)

- A busy schedule (furlough doesn't always feel like a holiday)

- Putting on weight (less exercise + insane calories in a western diet)

- Less exercise (it's good for me and miss it)

- Coffee (you do not have coffee in the UK...you have something, but I promise you that it's not coffee)

- Quiet time routines (always go out of the window during the holidays)

- Shopping for supplies (boring and expensive)

- The dentist (she's lovely, but I fear dental work)

- Vaccinations (one the reasons I fear dental work is the needles...)

- Being on 'tour' (we love sharing our mission and vision, but it's kinda hard work)

- Being away form the school during the summer (there's still work to be done and great people needing encouragement)

- Materialism/excess (there's definitely nothing wrong with affluence...but excess?)

- Long drives (the most I normally do here is 20mins...though my American friends don't see the problem)

- Packing and unpacking (starts neat...then gets sloppier)

- Drizzle (yuck)

- Hayfever (yuck)

- Motorways (yuck)

- Dog poo (yuck)

- The Highway Code (so much more fun without one!)

- Mobile phone music on trains (how did we let this happen?)

- Wasps (though having just found out about the wolf spiders living in our lawn, this one now seems less of an issue)

- High class problems (including my own)

- World Cup (managing to avoid it here)

- Short sermons (quite enjoy an hour from the pulpit...as long as it's good)

- Getting comfortable (going back to Burundi doesn't always seem very appealing)

WHAT I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SUMMER!!

- Light evenings (just glorious)

- New Wine (wow!)

- Short break with Allie...but with out the kids (bliss)

- McDonalds (sorry)

- KFC (sorry)

- Dominos Pizza (sorry)

- Kebabs (sorry)

- Superfast Internet (no need to make cups of tea while a page loads)

- Proper chocolate (oh yes!)

- Seeing treasured and much missed friends and family (we think of you often)

- Cricket (a gentle highlight of the summer with Dad)

- Smooth roads (I'm easily pleased)

- Efficient shops and banks (I never go to the bank here without a good book)

- Choice (both overwhelming and refreshing)

- Leisure centres (everybody loves a flume and wave machines)

- Trains (one of my favourite ways to travel)

- Geocaching (look it up...it's awesome!)

- Fishing villages (our Doc Martin box set made me very homesick this year)

- Bike rides (such fun)

- London (I love London!)

- Evening walks (and just being safe at night)

- Duvets (snuggly)

- Mosinet free bed (weird at first, but so nice not to be cooped up)

- Anonyminity (it's really nice to blend in)

- Sharing the highs and lows of this crazy, rewarding, draining, uplifting, challenging, blessing journey good has us on with friends, family, supporters, churches...in fact anyone who pauses for breath.

God Bless,

Jez

P.S. A blog about ditches coming up ;)

Football and Beaches

Life really, really has gotten in the way...so I'm over a half-term late with this...sorry. Though many of you have been keeping up with us on Facebook and the (almost) daily photos we post there. There'll be another post hot on the heels of this one.

The last month or so has been full of the usual highs and lows; and we're one week into our Easter holiday, feeling recharged and preparing for a few days out of the city (I've spent less than 24hrs out of the city since last August!).

The last term was long...very long...which means our final term is frighteningly short. Scary because there's much to do...exciting because we can almost touch the summer break!

Prayer Requests:

- For our students to focus on the exams and achieve their potential

- Thank God for the blessings on our staff and how we are really growing together

- For maturity as we continue to discover how to live with financial uncertainty

- Thank God for how our children take less for granted now

- For rest in anticipation of Term 3

HALF TERM

Our half-term was simple, which was nice, but perhaps a little hectic. Some high-lights were a day at the beach with lunch and brunch...a little treat and the Worker vs Teacher football match.

The football match is part of our initiative to integrate the school's 'workers' into the staff body. So on a Thursday some students and teachers went to watch them battle it out. The teachers were, perhaps, a little 'rounder' than the workers and the workers had even managed to draft in one of the school's policemen, so the outcome wasn't certain.

But it was a strong victory to the teachers with a 5-0 win. The post-match feedback from the teachers was that the workers had an unbeatable level of stamina, they just hadn't trained together. So there is definitely a Term 3 match on the cards.

STAFF TRAINING

Straight after half term we had our usual staff training day...which was amazing. One of our pastoral team preached on the importance of respecting leadership...which was great, even if it did look like a set-up. And of course we played some very silly games.

 

But we also had our very first staff value awards. It was peer nominated and was looking for teachers who exemplify our values. We had two winners and four runners up, and when I was given the list I was pretty choked up. What a great group of role models! All six were Godly, humble and reliable servants...and all of whom would never have expected to be nominated, let alone win.

I really feel that this was such a strong turning point for our staffroom culture. The nominations acted as a clear staff endorsement of what we are looking for in our staff. In effect, what a King's School teacher should look like. Powerful stuff.

BEACH

And then we went to the beach! Woo Hoo!

We took all the staff, and their families, to the beach for the day. 120+ people were bused to a beach on Lake Tanganyika for swimming, volleyball, relaxing, lunch and silly team games. No work. Just fun.

Pretty much everyone came and it was such a wonderful day; seeing our staff community interact, grow and play together.

It was perfect. 

 

 

11A

If there was trouble in the school, 11A was where you would look for the cause first. They had 'given up' on their GCSE's , were unruly, lazy and disrespectful.

So they had me as form tutor. One girl went home and said 'I feel like I've just joined the army!'.

I've been privileged to spend some time with 11A over the last few weeks and they are fabulous kids. In our first (rather strict and scary) session they really surprised me. They all have aspirations, interests and brains...but just needed some love, attention, discipline and motivation.

The feedback on their behaviour change has filled me with such joy and pride. For the much of last term we've had 100% attendance and punctuality. Praise God! I'm determined that they will all make the necessary grades for A-levels or college courses. I also got time with them each week in devotions, providing a perfect opportunity for me to share my faith and life as a missionary. The highs and lows of following God's call and living by faith.

10A get me next term, until April 2015, but they don't know it yet :)

STANDARDS

Being a form tutor has meant I need to be in the Secondary School every morning. Although I am, temporarily, neglecting some other areas of the school, it has given me real encouragement about how we can continue to raise the standards in the school.

Lateness and a general lack of urgency has been a continual thorn in our side at the Secondary. So we've really raised the bar. Five minutes before morning and afternoon registration we lock the gates. If you're the wrong side, you go home. Week 1 was a bit hectic, so we were flexible. Week 2 started well, but with a few very unhappy parents. Now few students are late.

This may seem like a small thing, but our students often don't benefit from good role models or cultural influences at home. Attitude change is a big focus for us and it is so gratifying when you see the fruits of changes.

EXAMS, EXAMS, EXAMS

Our GCSE and A-level candidates are on study leave, so we have done so much to get them in the right place to succeed. Good results represent a huge social mobility opportunity for many of these kids.

We've done exam technique training, careers and university evenings. Mocks were held in the actual exam venue under proper conditions. And on the last day of term we held a commissioning service for all 70 candidates. A time of worship, encouragement and prayer led by Pastor Edmond (International Director of ARM).

The students have been edgy and working hard. Mock results could have been better, but results, typically, reflected student effort.

Behind the scenes there is the usual, frantic data exercise as examination entries were uploaded. Exotic names, uncertain birth dates, transitional paper codes and regional variations all make for a tricky exercise. But we got there.

I'm not going to predict our results, but we've never been this ready.

BILLS AND DONATIONS

A little while ago, after a rough evening, I was driving a friend home when the other wheel of my car came off. I'm never sure if things like this are God making me stronger or the enemy trying to make me weaker. Or maybe both. I managed to pay some guys to sleep with the car so it could be towed the next morning.

But we had no money for the repairs. But we trust God. And then a very large bill from the local power company arrives! Now what? So we wait. It's frustrating but, sometimes, waiting for something to be fixed makes you more grateful for it.

While we were waiting for the repair money, we were able to borrow a 16 seater van. What fun! And what a way to bless others, being able to give so many of the car-less missionaries lifts to church and parties. If we ever got another car we'd love it to be one of these. So many people benefit.

Our car is back now, and a real pleasure. And with new parts, it is nearly 20 years old, I'm hoping it'll stay in one piece.

But as well as surprise bills, there have also been surprise donations. A BIG thank you to the anonymous donor(s)....we were able to pay for our summer flight taxes and have more monthly stability. THANK YOU!

Still some debts to clear...but tomorrow is God's.

POWER & WATER

Power and water are rubbish...I think the worst we've ever had since we've been here. I reckon we have power 30% of the day; maximum. Our reserve power is through batteries. Great when you have power most of the time, useless when it's like this. Water is usually on for a couple of hours in the morning and during the evening.

Bathing the children in buckets, breakfasting by candle light, trying to keep the fridges cool is really draining. And it's likely to get much worse.

But the real silver linings are the cheers the children give when power or water come back; they bring the promise of a warm bath, a movie or a bed time story CD. It's wonderful to see that they don't take these things for granted anymore. Such a blessing.

And again we've been really blessed. One of our supporters has said they'll ship us a generator! This will make such a huge change in how we live.

TUESDAY NIGHT DISCIPLESHIP

My Tuesday evening with 9 boys from the CRIB orphanage is going so well. We eat first and we have been trying to 'out cook' them. In our last week 2kg of rice, 2kg of beans and 3 bags of doughnuts (smothered in chocolate) nearly finished them off. They were so full, all we could do is laugh whilst trying to play the ice breaker...and never got much further than that.

But they enjoy our time together, listen and are beginning to open up as we deal with issues like peer pressure and life as a teenage Christian.

Another blog soon,

God bless,

Jeremy xxx

Challenges and Hope

A strange mixture of thoughts and emotions right now. Plenty of hope, plenty that feels challenging.

Prayer Requests:

- Please pray for those affected by the flooding in Bujumbura

- Please pray for ARM's relief effort

- Please pray for peace and rest, so that we can continue our work here

- Give thanks for the progress the school is making

- Give thanks for our great friends and the community here

FLOODING

Most of you will have heard about the severe flooding that we've had in Bujumbura recently. 150+ dead and countless homes and livelihoods destroyed. Fortunately no one from the school has been badly affected (We have a shower curtain over the end of our bed to keep our feet dry, but we'll cope with that).

We're always looking for ways to glorify God and radically witness in every situation. And so even this situation provides an opportunity to further the Kingdom. Recently Rusizi House, in the Secondary School, began building a relationship with a Batwa community (Burundi's heavily marginalised minority). The Buturere Batwa live in one of the worst affected areas and, whilst no lives were lost, homes and possessions have been wiped out for those that were already struggling to survive.

There are some Batwa badly affected, but many of their neighbours have suffered worse. So we're going to help the Batwa reach out to their neighbours. Twenty families in desperate need have been identified and so this week we asked parents to donate what they can so we can provide food and clothing. With any surplus we hope to set up a rebuilding fund.

On Thursday I went to deliver relief supplies (food, shoes and shelters) to this community with ARM (our parent charity). The devastation is astonishing and the need desperate, yet almost nothing is being done to relieve this. It wasn't a surprise that the aid distribution got quite angry. No matter how big your lorry and how much you take, the queue will always be longer. No matter how well you organise it, there will be  fighting for food. My lack of Kirundi insulated me somewhat from the pleas of the hungry and homeless; but not from the sight of mothers, with babies strapped to their backs, fighting in front of me over a bag of rice.

Of course there will be life-saving benefits from the practical aid we can provide, but soul-saving benefits from the example we hope to set. Last time we met with the community it made the national press. The 'wealthiest' reaching out to the poorest. Not something that is seen very often in this part of the world. So we seek, again, to challenge the status quo. To demonstrate God's love as a Christian school responds quickly to meet the needs of brothers and sisters who are suffering.

THE SCHOOL

In stark contrast, the future for the school is bright. Very bright! I hope that we will break even by the end of August, leaving the financial crisis of 2012 far behind us. Earlier in the week I received a draft of next year's budget....and it doesn't have a negative number at the bottom.

We will have financial security, we will be able to invest in the school....finishing our building work, putting in our sports field, providing sufficient resources, creating more opportunities.

[House trip to visit the Batwa]

I now have a full time Relationship Manager, who is able to spend the time I don't have connecting with charitable funds, corporate sponsors, universities and partners to create a wealth of opportunities for the school and its students.

And we continue to be in demand, with our final places being snapped up in a, now very competitive, application process. We have two final classes to put into the school over the summer and we are very confident that the places will get taken quickly.

And through all this we continue to share the gospel. In songs and stories in the Primary School and through the Rooted team, in the Secondary School, who have been bringing people in to provide some very challenging testimonies. This is the frontline stuff!

Exams are looming and we have a great eight month plan that will take our Year 11-13 students through mocks, careers evenings, revision, exams and A-level or University entry. The teachers are on track, the students are more focused than ever (though perhaps not enough) and everyone is, anxiously, getting ready for May and June. And, because we are full, they only get one shot at this; repeating a year is no longer an option.

OUR MISSION

Fatigue continues. Especially compassion fatigue; very common in the mission field and a very uncomfortable feeling. The flooding is a perfect case in point. Of course people need help, of course we should help and of course we are happy to help. But...it's another way we give of ourselves. And this can be exhausting. And causes a lot of guilt as you breathe an exasperated sigh as another 'need' arises. We are very careful not to over-commit or lose sight of our core mission. Not every need is ours to meet. But often there are ways we have to help that are outside of the job description.

Some days it becomes too much and you lose it...like I did this week. The neighbourhood dogs and mosque kept me awake at night. All my chances of eating anything before 13:30 kept getting scuppered. Things piled up. New things came. And then I kept getting electrocuted by the chargers on my desk. Cue much cursing, banging and storming off to my room to feel sorry for myself....while Allie took over. It may be my turn to take over tomorrow. That's marriage.

Living by faith financially stills tests me and causes strains at home. God has never failed to provide. I know this. But in the face of mounting family costs my trust wobbles (or disappears entirely). So you wait and trust. Then something else comes up, so you wait and trust. And then a disaster happens and you raise money for others...and then hate yourself for feeling resentful at this fundraising interference. So you apologise to God, put a smile on your face and do your best to 'freely give'. And wait and trust. I don't know when I'll learn to happily live like this. But I know that, although I think that I do not have enough for tomorrow, I have been blessed with more than enough for today.

The summer break is already tempting us with rest and McDonalds. It's good to have something to look forward to. And my cultural identity has become so important to me now that I am a minority in a foreign land, so it tickled me when our summer schedule needed planning in October. Not because of flights, speaking engagements or family visits; but because of the cricket dates. A wonderfully English priority.

But even with the stress, fatigue and lure of a summer break, there is still much we can and want to do. It feels that by June we will have settled in and stabilised everything at home and work (it only took 2 years)....ready for another fantastic season to begin! My life is no longer recognisable when compared to 18mths ago...but that's ok. It's such a privilege and an adventure. And fun sometimes too...

[Volleyball party]

[Night swimming]

[Harvesting bananas in the garden]

VISITORS

I'm trying to get this finished of before I go and pick up Alex and Rita Haxton; who are visiting with their granddaughter Bethany. Alex and Rita have had links with Burundi and ARM for many years; though this is their first visit for a while. It's great to have them here as it was Alex who first suggested, back in 2010 over breakfast, that I come to Burundi to do some training...and now I live here. It'll be great to spend some time with them...and to raid their cases for chocolate and cheddar.

THANK YOU...

...to everyone for their continued support, prayers, funding (for us) and fundraising (for the flooding and school).

God Bless,

Jeremy

P.S. I've checked this four times for typos...but I'm shattered so, if there any still in here, consider it an opportunity for you to exercise forgiveness :)