The Archbishop

Met the Provincial Secretary this morning and then drove through the lesser know areas of Bujumbura.  The level of poverty was staggering.  We talked of the Church's work in the areas of development.  The local parish is the seat of a lot of the work, with the parish setting up micro-finance and other activities.  No one associated with development seems to have much good to say about direct aid outside of emergency and medical situations. Economic development is the desired result.  Anything that can help an individual generate additional income is welcomed and encouraged.  The common refrain is the Gospel is about salvation and dignity, and people lose their dignity both by lack of economic activity as well as continual reliance on direct aid. This afternoon we met with Archbishop Ntahoturi. As well as being Archbishop he is also Bishop of the Diocese of Matana in Bururi Province. The diocese has 32 geographic parishes and 290 Eucharistic Communities. He is a gracious and dynamic man with a vision for the Gospel that is absolutely amazing. He is very interested in combining development with parish growth and evangelism. He emphasized that when an organization is focused on maintenance it is selfish and not vital, yet when it moves outside itself and focuses on mission differences are lessened, it is blessed, vital, and a blessing. That is quite true, I believe. He also stated that the process of mission partnership is a time of exploring together to grow to know each other, and then to minister to each other. He also emphasized that the key to mission is people not program, and invited others to "come and see". Tomorrow we leave for Buta and the up country, so this may be the last post for several days. Keep is in prayer as we travel. On the way we will take Archbishop Ntahoturi up on the invitation and see the work in Matana.