Buke Buke is Kirundi and it means little by little. It was the theme at camps this year, I didn’t know how much it would stick with me and actually be the theme thus far in my heart and life while in Burundi. He can move mountains, I know He can, and I know He does, yet sometimes He moves little by little. It seems like the mountain is being moved one rock at a time. When God moves little by little it is really difficult for me. I struggle because I know He has the ability to move in one big motion and BAM, the mountain is in the Lake Tanganyika, no problem. He has His reasons for moving buke buke.

I don’t know the reasons, I’m sure part of it is to teach me. Perhaps it takes more faith to know the mountain is being moved or will be moved even if it is one rock at a time. I realize in my time here also; I can be eager to do something impactful. I’m eager and ready, God! Let’s go to Burundi, to the poorest country in the world and you can make a huge impact through me and my family.

I’m slow to learn, but I am learning often it is the simple, everyday faithfulness He desires. Buke buke. Little by little: serve your family. Get up and make them tea and share it together around the table as you speak of His faithfulness and who God is. Then open the door to Jeannette (our house girl) and when I open the door with a smile and a Kirundi greeting, I show her love. I’m to teach my children diligently, daily teaching them more than Math, English, and History; teaching them Godly character and Christlikeness. I teach them about repentance when I get short with them and frustrated. As I walk to class or we open our home to tutor students I faithfully pray for them, I’m to faithfully show up-especially when I don’t feel like it, serve them by teaching them the language I speak and love them well.

Serve the widows and orphans by giving them a $10 blanket. Yes, more could be done for them, but will I be faithful to do what He wants me to do? Will I be faithful to give my meager offering? When all I feel like I have to offer is broken, insufficient, unsuitable and not enough, will I still give it to Him? If what He wants is my small contribution will I give it? Or will I hold on to it until I can get enough to feel it would be satisfactory? Will I refuse to participate in what He’s doing, even if it is moving one rock at a time instead of moving the mountain all at once?

He’s worthy of every drop I have to give, even if it is full of broken pieces. I do believe He can take the tiny offering and do something incredible for His glory. I don’t need to know what it is, I just need to give it and trust Him. Psalm 51 says this broken spirit and humble heart He won’t despise it as an offering.

So, when He’s not moving that mountain quickly that you’re asking Him to, and you have faith that He can move, continue trusting Him. He’s still worthy. He is good and He is working even if it isn’t how, you would like Him to work and move. He also will not let you go; He will be with you every single step. When He says, pick up this pebble and move it over there, obey. Buke buke-little by little. Don’t give up!