...i've been putting this off.

Really. I know that I cannot even begin to sufficiently or effectively describe our mission trip to Bujumbura this past June.

My recent thoughts have included:
Why write about it? I know I can't do it justice. 
No one will be able to feel what we felt or see what we saw.
And most people probably don't even care. 

Nonetheless, I feel compelled to share some [small] snippets from our [big and endlessly amazing] journey...our first mission trip together...to the capital city of one beautiful country, Burundi.

What makes Burundi so beautiful?
Its people. Particularly, the teachers, staff, and students of The Discovery School.
The way they live their lives...so faithfully, so undistracted, so full of God, so trusting, so JOYFUL.
It made me think that we, the visitors, full of ourselves and the so-called "American Dream"...we're missing the mark. By probably a million miles. Myself (very) included.

We busy ourselves with this and that and how "stressful" our lives are. I looked into the eyes of our Burundian friends and saw children of God that know Him in ways I've never known Him. From the eyes of a nation that is still healing from a long, brutal civil war (read more about it here)....these people have faith MUCH deeper and more tangible than mine. Not once do they blame God, ask why, or live their lives in self-pity or doubt. It was a blessing for me to learn from their example. Their hearts are blameless and indescribably full of Jesus.

To my friends at the Discovery School....I LOVE YOU! You have changed me forever and knowing you is nothing more than a joy, a privilege, a blessing, and a GIFT {James 1:17}. And the way you worship...I could have sat on the floor and bawled like a baby every time. Listening to you sing and pray in Kirundi is the closest I've ever gotten to knowing what heaven will sound like when I go. Thank you for that. :)

Fellow teammates...I LOVE YOU as well!!! Being together and getting to know each other so deeply and so quickly still reminds me of summer camp (only my favorite place on earth, as your know!). So obviously it was like the best thing everrrr! ;)

Family + friends who are family who supported us financially/emotionally/prayerfully before, during, and after this journey...thank you. And thank you, thank you, thank you some more! There is no way we could have experienced this without y'all. Glory to God!

Now (of course) some photo highlights!!

fellowship with the discovery school teachers at a lovely restaurant on lake tanganyika!

left: mark and i at the lake right: mary!!! my dear friend and sister forever in Christ. after she had me crying at the dinner table with her testimony! i love you!!!! this is only the tip of the iceberg with your dreams and how God will use you!

Discovery School :: teaching and loving on these kiddos! 

friends :) discovery school teachers -- you are amazing!! WE MISS YOU!

faces of burundi

our team + the discovery school staff 

the houstons <3 burundi

 In closing:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 

 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. 

 If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, 

so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 

 To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. 

Amen.

  1 Peter 4:10-11

Thanks for reading :)