O Kibuye!

O KIBUYE!

O Kibuye! Does that sound like a song title? It’s an historic Free Methodist hospital in upcountry Burundi, now the teaching hospital for Hope Africa University and the Frank Ogden Medical School. 100 miles from Bujumbura, 6100 ft about s.l.

Last Saturday, Wayne and Barb Vibbert drove us to Kibuye for an overnight with Frank and Carol Ogden. Good road, beautiful views, gaining 5000 ft in 30 miles to cross mountains containing the source of the Nile River at 7200 ft. Natural air conditioning kicked in as we climbed.

We walked through the 130 bed facility with new maternity unit. One of the babies had been delivered by C section that morning by Frank Ogden. We saw a boy scheduled for arm amputation the next day because of an  infection untreated for months, Hospital looks very basic to westerners but meets needs of 250,000 people. Moved again by the faithfulness of Frank and Carol Ogden plus the many others who have committed to this hospital. We met Pascal, a Barundi nurse, who kept the hospital open during five years of civil war.

Birds, birds birds outside the Ogdens house just off the hospital campus, including a 2 bird combo that sing together (Bell Bird), screaming Hadada Ibis, and Paradise Fly Catcher.  Not a birder, I had to ask for the names.  Beyond their names I was stunned by their beauty and sounds.

Slept soundly in quiet, relatively cool night. First really good night’s sleep after arriving in Burundi. Lived through a 2 and ½ hour service. Wasn’t sure if I was or was not going to be expected to preach until a ministerial candidate got up and began her sermon. Just before that, however, the superintendent beside me asked if I was going to preach.  Knowing the possibility that this would happen I did have something up my sleeve. But  I am actually scheduled to preach the next two Sundays. So far in advance! Wow!