Saturday adoption

Saturday – “Adoption”

We met a nice couple at the hotel from Australia.  They have just adopted a little

3 ½ year old boy, Erik, here in Burundi.  They told us that they had begun the adoption process six years ago and have been finalizing the adoption for Erik for two years. They were leaving today for Nairobi to get a visa for Erik, and then they would fly to Johannesburg and on to Brisbane, Australia.  Quite a long journey for this little guy!  And what a change to move to Australia!  The couple was obviously thrilled and anxious to take their son home.  They had waited a long time for this and looking forward to introducing their new little boy to their family.  It reminded me of the love God has for us, His adopted children!

“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his please and will, to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has feely given us in the One he loves.”  Eph. 1:5

Then we went to visit the widows and orphans being helped by the PACWA group.   We drove into a very poor area composed of mud brick houses with tin roofs, down narrow dirt roads.  We came to the house being built by Joy, the 66 yr. old “worship leader” of the group.  It is incomplete; open areas in the roof, dirt floor, no doors, windows, but it serves as a meeting place nonetheless.  Earlier we had picked up bags of rice, beans, salt and soap to share with these women and the orphans.  We entered into the small area inside the shell of the house to the joyful sounds of praise!  Again, we were greeted so warmly with such appreciation.  We shared with them how precious they are to the Lord, that He cares for them and will provide.  The supplies we brought and shared with these women will last about 3 days; we pray with them that their needs will indeed be supplied beyond that.  The children waited outside, quietly sitting on mats.  It’s hard to imagine kids at home sitting like that for so long!  After serving the ladies, we shared donuts with the children; that brought on bright smiles!  They sang praise songs, and even in their impoverished condition, had joy.  It is obvious that children are treasured; they see them as gifts of the Lord, though sometimes they just don’t have the means to care for them.  Many children have lost both of their parents through war and disease.  God promises to be the husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless; they are clinging to that promise!  Other families often take in these children, even when they can barely take care of what they already have.  Few, if any, will ever be adopted, but they are being “adopted” by their Heavenly Father who adores them.  As they hear about Jesus and realize what He did for them, how He loves them, many are coming to Christ, receiving eternal life and the promise of hope.

Last night we had the great honor of having dinner at the home of the former second-vice president of Burundi.  His wife, Marie Claire, is a member of PACWA, works with Peace, and is a huge prayer warrior.  Martin, her husband, is a pediatrician,  was later a vice-president, stepped down from the vice-presidency last fall and is still active in government and political affairs.  He is also a believer, and it was a privilege to be in their home and talk about the future of Burundi and its people.  Martin shared about the difficulties here and the need for fervent prayer for peace and security. He emphasized that most of all, they need prayer!  How privileged we were to spend time with them; how encouraging to know there are believers in the political arena, but they do need huge amounts of prayer for the challenges they face.

We met their oldest son, Francis, who is now in law school here in Bujumbura.  He wants to be an attorney who can be an advocate for the disenfranchised, the orphans and widows; what a calling!  We want to pray for this family as well as this country, for the healing that is so needed, for peace and safety so that they can begin a rebuilding process.  As Martin agreed, the country will change when hearts are changed, and only Jesus can bring about that transformation.