Paul writes from prison words that challenge me deeply:
“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:11-13).
On a recent trip to Burundi and Malawi I experienced firsthand some secrets of finding a certain contentment in very humble places, where people are suffering need, even going hungry.
On this second trip to Burundi I was struck afresh by the masses of people walking (mostly barefoot) along the roads, or riding or pushing bikes heavily-laden with oversized loads.We stayed in a guest house off the main road in the high mountain town of Masango (at around 6,000 ft.). Our lodging was 3 1/2 miles from the center where we offered our Certificate in Holistic Liberation to 55 pastors. On three of the five mornings I walked to our venue, passing hundreds of pedestrians. I did this out of a desire to connect more with the land and the people, and to get exercise and pray. I was the only White person I saw on these walks, and for most of my time in that Country.
One morning, fifteen minutes into my walk I actually started counting the number of people I passed. Five hundred! And this was in a rural area. Many of the women and young girls were carrying hoes, or were working the fields along the roads.
On the final day, I walked I past a young girl carrying a curved machete. I continued walking, and then noticed feet slapping the pavement behind me. There was the girl, her mother and two other siblings walking right behind me. A young boy held an ancient-looking cell phone plastered to his ear. Burundian worship music was playing through his phone, to which the mother softly sang. I turned to her and said the name Jésus? as a question in French. She nodded and smiled. I joined in humming and trying to sing along as we walked the remaining fifteen minutes to the venue, feeling a deep sense of fullness and contentment.My second week was spent in the remote Southernmost town of Nsanje, Malawi, where we offered our final training module to 80 pastors. When I asked them what were their greatest challenges, they told me about the widespread hunger that affected their communities after two years of drought and a devastating cyclone. They shared how they lacked any means of transportation as they couldn’t afford bus fares, and didn’t have bicycles. Five pastors from across the border in Mozambique traveled seven hours on two bicycles (two on one and three on another) to attend the training. Only five of the 80 pastors owned a Bible.
Our Malawian hosts cooked lunch for all the participants over fires on the ground– adding a small cereal breakfast a day into the training– as people were visibly hungry.People engaged with the teaching with unusual attentiveness, worshipped joyously, and expressed contentment and gratitude that our team of six had come so far to share with them. I have returned home with my heart pierced, inspired by these African sisters and brothers’ resilience and joy in the face of lack, suffering, and even hunger.
Now back home I seek to discover the secrets of contentment here in the midst of abundance, and amidst our own versions of lack, suffering and hunger.
If you would like to contribute towards purchasing a bicycle for one of the ten traveling pastors who visit even more remote communities, they cost $350 each (we’re trying to raise $3500). We were able to give out 80 Bibles in Chichewa, with another 100 or so needed at $10.00 each. We are also preparing to offer our Certificate in Benin in August, following up our Malawi course with a training to 70 pastors across the border in Mozambique.
You can contribute towards bikes, Bibles or trainings expenses online here, or through sending a check to Tierra Nueva (Attn: The People’s Seminary), PO Box 410, Burlington, WA 98233.
Check out the final teaching on the Parable of the Sower given on May 2 by Tawanda, one of our teachers from Zimbabwe.