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EAB Matana, DS 30,
BUJUMBURA,

Letter No. 5,                                                                                                                      5 March 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

The weeks are rushing past and we're having to think of the things that we want to do before we leave. These include making visits to old family friends and trying to get an overall picture of the work of the diocese especially with the disadvantaged.

 We have only been able to access one email since our last letter but we should receive them next Wednesday when a visitor from Ireland will be staying with us for one night and Alison, in Bujumbura, will give him my memory stick.

A cause for rejoicing is that we have had almost non-stop electricity for 2 weeks and for 2 weeks the WC cistern filled up - but there is no water in the taps. We pay a school boy 300 francs for each 30 litre jerry can of water which he collects from the valley. I went with him yesterday and found it a very steep climb. He needs 5,000 francs (£2.90) for a term's fees as a day boy. He's been excluded twice for not paying, but should be alright now for the rest of this term. His parents have no income. In previous years we have helped their grandchild with an operation for a cleft palate. She is fine now and has started school. With money we've been given we've also helped build a house for the family of 6 and we were able to pay the hospital fees for the father who was 'imprisoned' in a Bujumbura hospital because he couldn't pay the fees. He's had a terrible leg ulcer for over 20 years.

I have visited several parishes with the Mothers' Union team and I've learnt a lot about the 5 aims of the M.U. Both Pélagie (the M.U. worker) and Yvette (a pastor on the Mission and Ministry team) are very good teachers - except that they can each speak for an hour without stopping! And then there is a question and answer session! After that I have a Specs' Clinic and so lunch is delayed until 3.00 or 3.30. It's not always easy to eat a plate piled high with kidney beans, vegetable bananas, chips, rice and a lump of meat and sometimes cassava bread. They are very generous with their hospitality and wouldn't dream of letting us go without feeding us. We are usually offered a Fanta as well and sometimes very milky, sweet tea.

On Tuesday of this week I went to an area in order to hold a Specs' Clinic. We sat in a mud brick church which only had walls. It was a great encouragement to the Anglicans there that we had gone, as it is a new town which is developing and they want a presence there. The nearest Anglican church is on the top of a hill -2 hours walk away - and is virtually inaccessible by car in the rainy season. I went several years ago and had to walk across the river on two tree trunks!

We've had a lot of rain - and sun - which is just right for the beans. Everywhere we go the ladies comment on the state of the bean plants. Most of them are still planting and it is very hard work. They have to add manure and fertiliser - both of which will have to be bought if they don't possess a cow or goat.

As we are now in Lent, we go to different churches every Saturday and Sunday with 4 hour services and generous hospitality. We are very grateful for all that we're given - but have learnt that the best way is to share a plate between us! It's great to be able to use the very comfortable M.U. Toyota.

With our love and our thanks for remembering us.

Pat and Pam