A letter from Pat & Pam Brooks, & Sue Finlayson, February 2006

Letter No. 2      

February 28^th,  2006

Dear  Family and Friends,

Many thanks for emails.                                              

Sue’s fresh impressions 

The highlight of last week has to be my star role as Miranda Bowen’s visual aid – an AIDS sufferer – as she taught 90 Pastors and Church teachers on practical care for sufferers. There was much amazement and laughter at the sight of one of the European guests lying on the floor and “being treated” – a humbling and levelling experience! The visit to Rweza Archdeaconry reached after a very bumpy mud road ride, has been busy and rewarding – some of those attending had walked 50 kms. Pat’s inspired preaching on 1 Timothy was received with rapt attention and elicited very positive responses. I was amazed and moved at Speciose’s honest and painful testimony to 10 years of living with HIV including building her own home and caring for her 3 children following the death of her husband from AIDS. 

I am constantly struck by the warm hearted and natural expression by the Christians here of their love for God in their greetings, prayers on all occasions and daily praising God for his provision of rain, sun and harvest. They are a living testimony to Col 3 :16. 

Pat’s measured impressions! 

“Who said, ‘It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive’?” Our journey to Rwexza took place over a boneshaking road with gullies and twists and what sometimes seemed to be a receding goal. We were glad to arrive to arrive! And this took place there and back on three consecutive days! The welcome and the warmth of the 13 pastors and 83 church teachers, each with his/her own church, more than made up for that bumpy trip! We were given a breakfast of sweet tea and rolls before the meeting started. Archdeacon Simeon had organised everything well. I taught 1 Timothy, Miranda and Eularie taught on AIDS aiming to reduce fear and to encourage contact with the sufferers. The specs.’ clinic was a bit chaotic but we did manage to test over the 3 days and gave away 82 pairs. 

Fidele has been anxious for Sue to see as many of his 13 churches as possible. We have now worshipped in 2 of them and Pat preached both times – once at 10 minutes warning! Fidele’s philosophy is that every African pastor – and Pat is included – should always be ready to give a word! It’s challenging to see the vibrancy of the worship in the Anglican framework and to hear the biblical themes of the worship songs which are sometimes composed by the worship group. At other times they copy them down having heard them on the radio. 

On Friday Sue and I walked the 3 miles to a Literacy class. There were about 30 present out of a possible 38 men and 28 women. Some absences were due to illness, but the majority failed to come because they must prepare the ground and plant their beans. We here in the south of the country are having thunderstorms and steady rain. This is wonderful for the cultivators, but means that the electricity has been very spasmodic. Hence this letter is later than we wanted. 

These literacy and development projects are supported by the M.U. in the U.K. and a great way of helping the community. This class at Binumpu is attended by pigmies. They are 1% of the country and a marginalised community. Because they are not regular in their attendance their progress has been slow, but after a year, many of them know all the letters and can form words on the blackboard. Soon they will be tested. Those who pass will be given a certificate and then helped with a small project – growing potatoes or cabbages or selling soap, salt, sugar etc. I spent most of Saturday in the specs.’ clinic and I can hear that a group is gathering outside, but as the electricity has just come on after 36 hours of absence, I’ve asked them to be patient with me. 

On Wednesday Roger is taking Sue and me down to Bujumbura to collect Joan Botterill and to say “Good-bye” to Sue on Thursday. She’s certainly been busy whilst she’s been here and we shall be sorry to see her go. Pat and Miranda will continue the Archdeaconry visit here at Matana with Eularie. Sadly, Pelagie has a bad bout of malaria and has been taken to Bujumbura for hospital treatment. 

We are well and value your prayers. Next week we will go to another Archdeaconry for the 3 days and then on Sunday to see the inauguration of a new parish. Life is never dull and the brethren are very solicitous of our welfare. We couldn’t be in a better place, so we’re praising for God’s faithfulness.

With love from us all     

                 …….Pat and Pam and Sue.