A Time for Reflection

April 6, 1994 marked the beginning of Burundi’s 14 year civil war. Now, several years after the final peace agreement was signed, Burundi has entered a period of recovery and reconstruction.

Restoration. Recovery. Reconciliation.

These words reflect a return to something that was lost in the conflict. They also point our attention to a future hope. A future built by survivors, founded on forgiveness. By community members who are committed to building peace while building schools. To community partners who are promoting hope while promoting education.

At a staff retreat a few years ago, a pastor joined the FH Burundi staff and shared words of encouragement about the life of Christ. He reminded us of the environment that Christ was born into- a world of political unrest, where uprisings led to great brutality and the displacement of thousands- was not too far from the experiences of many Burundians.

As a child, Jesus was a refugee in Egypt. As a young adult he worked as a carpenter to care for the needs of his family. He knew what it meant to be hungry. He knew what it meant to have family responsibilities. He knew what it meant to live without a home, to receive death threats. And yet... he was a peacemaker.

Burundians have known political unrest, suffered from violence and been displaced, worked long hours to care for family members and many have gone to bed hungry. Yet despite all of this, Burundians are continuing to work toward peace and they are achieving it.

At this time we are reminded that Christ knows the struggles of working and living in community and he knows how difficult it can be to live as a peacemaker. But he has called us to it. And he is equipping us for it.

This month, please join us in remembering and honoring those lost in past violence, and in praying for ongoing reconciliation.