Burundi Team Update (7/12/09)

Donnie Hinshaw, Sunday July 12 from London: We have had a great time in Africa giving a healthy dose of handshakes, hugs, “way to go’s”, wow’s, and heartfelt prayers. Pretty simple mission really, but equally effective as a trip that is building buildings, running VBS teams, and offers of salvation.

Our last night in Bujumbura was a great time to be able to catch up as a team. The hotel we stayed in was clean, with running water, consistent electricity, tasty food, and my personal favorite…coffee. Oh yes, coffee, coffee in my room by the way. I thought I was home in some ways. This was a personal sign to me and maybe others that we were beginning our trek home. The simple things are what would begin to make statements to me and many others that we were almost done with the mission.

On our last evening after our meal, and packing our luggage, we loaded up in the bus and van once more together on another journey. It was late and we were all tired, but we found a place with a courtyard to gather and we had brochettes (steak kabobs) and another round of soft drinks. By the way, there is not a shortage of Coke in Africa. But it wasn’t the simplicity of the food that triggered thoughts of home. It wasn’t the simple courtyard or the place in which we met. It was a simple time in which we shared what God had done on the trip. It was simple, but very intentional in giving God the glory for what He accomplished. It was simple in the fact that we shared about how our time wasn’t spent in Africa building buildings, or working long hours running classic ministry that we are familiar with regarding typical mission trips. It was simple because we reflected on how our time was spent just encouraging, celebrating, and building up the people of Burundi, Rwanda, and Congo. We reflected on specifically the simplicity of ministry, the simplicity of loving people, the simplicity of encouraging people, and affirming people who are passionately sharing the common knowledge and loving grace of Jesus with people.

Our reminder that we were headed home was no longer focused on simple material things we were used to, but on simple spiritual things that God directed us in throughout our trip. I love the thought that if we would just focus on the simplicity of who God is in our own life and share that with people, God will begin to make headway on the deeper and more complicated issues of a mission trip and life in general.

A passage I read this morning truly allowed me to reflect on what God did through our willingness as a collective group from the U.S.

1 John 1:5-6
But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.

I feel we walked with the best human understanding of how Jesus walked. We may never know truly what God will do with the simplicity of a handshake, a warm hug, or a heartfelt prayer of concern out of obedience, but we’ll let Him deal with the complicated elements of our mission. God is so good!

Donnie Hinshaw
Pastor – Haviland Friends Church

Ps. I write this to you from Heathrow Airport in London after our long near 9 hour flight. We have a 8 hour layover and we’re just relaxing in a very busy airport. Everything in our travels has gone well. God has protected and we believe will continue to with prayer. We are excited to be home for the hugs and love of our home churches and family. Thanks for your prayers, you have partnered well with what God accomplished in Africa.