Another Anniversary

(by Jess)

Today marks one year since Matt and I arrived in Kibuye! To celebrate, we wanted to share our top 10 Kibuye moments and thanksgivings.

10. Getting to develop trust and friendships with the construction crew. Just this evening after work, Matt was able to reflect and celebrate with Quinzaine the foreman about the building progress and the community's affirmation of the Pediatric Ward and the pre-school building they are close to completing.

---

9. Hosting family and friends here. We had two of Matt's siblings come from Congo to see our world in rural Burundi. I benefited from my sister-in-law's cooking lessons.

---

8. Celebrations! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July. Can you guess which one this picture captures?

---

7. Hiking to the "far" Kibuye rock, an outcropping with 360 degree views that is about 20 minutes walk from home. 

---

6. Visiting our househelper Acheri at his home. Heather and Keza joined and we all enjoyed the tour of their minifarm complete with a cow almost ready to give birth, pigs, chickens and rabbits.

---

5. Not in Kibuye, but we loved joining the Cropseys and Faders for a beach vacation on Lake Tanganyika.

---

4. Heart and Soul Retreat, facilitated by the Knox Presbyterian team in February. We felt loved on and invested in.

---

3. Runs, walks, bike rides around the rolling red hills covered in bright green fields. We have pounded the 5km loop countless times, but it still feels refreshing.

---

2. Designing and building the new 8-plex residence that will soon house one family and eventually several other doctors and visitors.

---

1. Friendships - grown in all the birthdays, brunches, and Bible and book studies we have enjoyed these last 12 months.

Thanks for a wonderful year, Kibuye! God has blessed us through you by providing us a "pleasant place" to live and serve (Ps 16:6). Let's see what the rest of 2020 brings.