Jan 4, 2004
It’s Sunday afternoon in Bujumbura about 4:30. I just prepared a cup
of Burundi chai and a slice of bread with chocolate butter. Life is good!
The rainy season’s afternoon thunder shower is just passing through.
The air smells so fresh and crisp. OK.. so there’s something outside
that just sounded like a gun shot but I don’t hear any commotion yet.
There’s still traffic noise and the loud preaching of something in Kirundi
coming from a nearby building. Life as usual I guess.
Last night, I had a meal with a the managing auditor of a local brewery that
produces two different kinds of beer and bottles all the country’s Coca-cola
products. He is the brother of my new Burundi friend in Austin, Texas –
Gilbert Tuhabonye. His name is Stany (correct spelling). He’s not a
big guy but has a huge voice. Powerful radio announcer type. We had a great
time discussing what is possible for Burundi and training and development
in the political and business sectors of the culture. Very insightful indeed!
Today, I went to a church service at the church here on the property of the
place I’m staying while here in Buja. After church, I met with Elias
(elleea) from the Friends church. We also discussed what is possible for the
healing of Burundi. He told me a little about the situation with the rebel
forces that have been fighting for the honor or Burundi unity. I thought it
was the other way around. The rebel armies are well mixed with the diverse
ethnic groups that have been the source of prejudice for many, many years.
They have recently agreed to a cease-fire and have proudly displayed their
new cooperation and attitudes of reconciliation inside themselves as a new,
united representation of what is possible for Burundi.
There will be a public election this coming October and it is anticipated
that the president of the FDD (People's Army), Peter, will be the popular
choice by a landslide.
After eating lunch with Elias, he offered to get me in contact with one of
the rebel generals now in charge of cease-fire controls. He told me that I
could meet with him tomorrow. He dropped me off at the place I’m staying,
went to his office and called the general. He immediately came back to my
place and told me the general could see me today! So we went to a nicer part
of town and pulled up to a gate well guarded by rebel soldiers. Elias is well
known by them because he comes from the same are of the country.. the area
I was born. They opened the gate and we pulled in. The property was like a
small army camp.
We got out and a man and light blue ethnic garb was on the porch to meet us.
It was General Everest. With a big smile a handshake, a hug and another handshake,
he welcomed me to his home. Everest is a very delightful gentleman with eyes
that lets you see that he has seen much and for a 34 year old general and
very, very kind eyes. It seemed unlikely that he could be anything other on
the field of conflict and ordering troops to do his bidding. I wondered also
how many people had faced death at his hands or at his command. But with the
kindness he showed me, I felt like a brother to him.
He has a good command of English and conversed with me easily. His stand for
reconciliation and a future of peace for Burundi was inspiring. I shared some
of my life with him as well and we both celebrated a world of possibilities
for the healing of this country.
It’s been a great afternoon…. I am indeed blessed!
Eric
