armandoke

Monday, April 30, 2007

Update from Rome


The Burundi part of the formulation mission is over. Yesterday we left Bujumbura at 15h45 and arrived in Rome by 6 am today. I will be here for the next few days, to finalise the project -particularly the costs- and then will head back to Gent where the new job is waiting for me. The flights with Ethiopian Airlines were crowded, even in business. Fortunately I could sleep the full flight Addis Abeba - Rome, so I have head enough to work.

I did not make many new pictures, it was so hectic that time simply went away. Anyway, this is a challenge and hope it will have a happy ending, meaning an approved project for the benefit of the Burundese population.

I hope to make some pictures and post them soon. The picture above is from my archive, taken in 2004.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

A little niece is born

Yesterday Milenka, my sister-in-law, gave birth to a beautiful girl. I don't know yet the name that she will have. Her weight was 2600g and measured 46cm. The baby was a bit early, so she has to be in the incubator machine for a couple of days. I called to my mom early today to get more information. Both the mother and the baby are doing fine. Aparently the unederdeveloped minded doctors in Bolivia are keeping the incubator away from the mother, instead of placing it close to her. They are 40 years behind.

Just to express my joy and the congratulations to my little brother Diego!

Hope to get soon a picture of the baby, and will post it on the blog.

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Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Amazing GRACE

Some time ago, I wrote the story of Jean-Marie, a Burundese child that I met while visitin the Nutrition Therapy Centre of Gatumba. Last week we went with the other colleagues to visit the same centre. Of course I asked about Jean Marie's situation, and instead of receiving the news that he passed away, they told me the following: Jean Marie started to recuperate, the wounds of the operation healed properly, he gained some weight and finally he could start walking again. According to the Aimable, the staff member who informed me, Jean Marie is healed. Jean Marie left the centre, and went back home. Some weeks after, he came back some bringing a gift for the centre. So, Praise the Lord for HIS AMAZING GRACE towards this kid. All Glory to Jesus for He is still busy in the business of healing and blessing people.
If you read this, please remember Jean Marie in prayer!

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Sunday, April 22, 2007

Holy Communion at Bujumbura's Anglican Church

As usual when I'm in Bujumbura, I've attended the French Speaking morning service at the Anglican main church downtown. It is an early task because it starts at eight o'clock, and when I say o'clock, I mean it! For most of the things the local habitude is to be late, but not for this service.

Today, it was a Communion Service. It touched me very much. I enjoyed the liturgy, which I associate in my mind with the old days at the Betania Church in Calacoto, or our beloved aussie friends and pastors Judy and Greg Blaxland. But what was so nice, was the way people received the communion: every person went to the front and kneeled to receive the Bread (Body) and the Wine (Blood of the Covenant). Wow, it was simply so touching to see that humility. Even the Archibishop that was present in the service went there and kneeled to receive the communion.

A blessed morning so far.

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Saturday, April 21, 2007

Workshop in Bujumbura


Yesterday was the last day of 3 workshop days in Bujumbura. As "chef de mission" I had to sit in front, next to M. Zénon NDARUVUKANYE, the Governor of Bujumbura Province, and M. Damase NTIRANYIBAGIRA, the Coordinator of the IFAD funded Transitory Programme for Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Burundi.

Our project is getting shape now. Three are the main components, 1) water and sanitation, 2) health and 3) Nutrition and income generating activities. I hope that it will be accepted. If you happen to read this post, please pray for the mission.

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Sunday, April 15, 2007

Bolivian Sunday in Bujumbura

Amazingly as it may be, there is a Bolivian family in Bujumbura. After three missions to this beautiful land, I finally met them. In the picture Nimer with his wife Claudia and his daughter Wayra. We had such a good time chatting, we went to have lunch at the beach, and enjoyed a very nice Sunday together. Bolivians are all over the world ;-)

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Bolivian brain drain, politics and more (article in Spanish)

¿Por qué se irán los bolivianos?

Los últimos días he seguido con bastante atención el desarrollo mediático de los últimos días de ingreso a Europa sin visa para los bolivianos. Le he dado particular interés a éste tema, porque en algunas ocasiones he tenido la oportunidad de conversar con el promedio de estos “emigrantes”. Las historias son poco más o menos las mismas, la madre que ha dejado atrás los hijos, el marido y la casa, para irse a trabajar de doméstica en España. Tres, cinco, seis … años sin ver a la familia y las ansias del reencuentro. “Lo hago para darles educación a mis hijos”, me dijo una señora cochabambina, “para que puedan estudiar en universidades privadas, y tener un mejor futuro.”

De cuando era niño, recuerdo muy bien la historia del “traje del emperador”. Este cuento relata cómo un sastre engañador convenció al emperador que el traje que le estaba cosiendo sólo podía ser visto por las personas inteligentes. Entonces, la gente para no quedar de tonta, describía admirada un traje que obviamente no existía. En el gran desfile del emperador, éste decidió portar tan magnífica vestidura. Y no fue sino hasta que un niño, ingenuamente, salió a gritos diciendo que “el emperador está desnudo”. El niño vio lo que los otros no querían ver.

Cuando el nuevo régimen de gobierno en Bolivia dice que encarna los sentimientos y aspiraciones de la población, llama mucho la atención que la población a la que supuestamente representa esté tan desesperada por irse de esta tierra prometida. Es contradictorio que, pese a que el actual gobierno se declarase como la “esperanza” del pueblo, sea el pueblo –al que el MAS dice representar – el que vote con sus acciones y dinero optando por el exilio, por la destrucción de las familias y por el sufrimiento en tierras lejanas, en lugar de quedarse en el nuevo país que el nuevo gobierno está tratando de re-fundar mediante la Asamblea Constituyente.

¿Sintomático? ¿Por qué se fueron tantos bolivianos en los últimos años? ¿Por qué se fueron tantos bolivianos a España en el último año pese a la llegada el MAS al poder? Echarles la culpa a los anteriores gobiernos es demasiado ingenuo, antojadizo si, pero demasiado simplista. Cuando uno lee las estadísticas macro –económicas bolivianas, se sorprende de lo bien que va la economía, sin embargo, la gente del pueblo se va. Hay algo que no está bien en esta ecuación. Si el MAS representa las aspiraciones de la población entonces lo lógico sería pensar que la mayoría del pueblo se quedaría a darle el hombro al actual régimen, sobre todo un régimen que está sentado en un trono esta vez no de oro, sino de gas natural. Lo lógico sería que compren la ideología y principios que sugiere el documento atribuido a García Linera, y que cambien la mentalidad burguesa por aquella de la revolución. Sin embargo, se van. Se van en busca del sueño “burgués” que es mejorar las condiciones de vida de sus familias, al precio que sea. El precio que nadie quiere pagar, por lo visto es el de quedarse en Bolivia a trabajar junto con el MAS. Se busca el sueño dorado de tener algo de platita para comprarse una casita o mejorar la que se tiene, se busca el sueño de darles a los hijos el status de profesionales, pese a que el actual gobierno se ha lanzado frontalmente en contra de esta clase de gente –los profesionales – por encarnar ellos la mentalidad burguesa, los valores del antiguo régimen, y le ha dado las mejores razones ¿incentivos? para buscar el exilio: los salarios más miserables de la región. Ah, cierto, quieren humillar al blancoide, pero al hacerlo, le están cortando las aspiraciones de mejorar sus condiciones de vida a quienes ellos dicen representar.

Y lo que también llama la atención es que muchos de los que, según algunos, debieron emigrar, léase los blancoides, se quedaron en Bolivia. Siguen trabajando, creando empleos y haciendo patria como les enseñaron sus antepasados, esa exquisita mezcla de indios y europeos. Eso nadie quiere verlo. Por supuesto, están también los comunistas de salón, especie que existe –desgraciadamente – en todo el mundo, pseudos –idealistas burgueses, caricaturas vivientes de la falta de integridad entre ideología y estilo de vida. Éstos que están saltando de alegría de que les llegó el turno (a algunos nuevamente) de ser gobierno, no se van a ir, pese a tener la tez tan clara como la leche y a que probablemente serán los primeros en la purga racial que tanto han anunciado los actuales gobernantes (temita para otra columna).

Creo que hay muchas razones por las que podemos decir que el emperador está pelado, “en pelotas” como se dice vulgarmente. Primero que nada, en la cuestión de las visas, Bolivia debería haber negociado en base a la historia y a los acuerdos diplomáticos alternativas más viables y dignas, no solamente con España sino con los otros países de Europa, muchos de los cuales sostienen ideológicamente al régimen de Morales y García. Además, en concordancia con la medida inaugural del año 2007, el principio de reciprocidad, a todas luces sesgado, debería aplicarse en esta situación. ¡Hasta por dignidad y en nombre de todos los bolivianos que sufren abuso laboral en el extranjero! Segundo, si tan bien estuviera la situación “en casa” la gente no se sentiría impulsada a salir. Señor lector, el emperador está desnudo: el régimen actual, si bien cuenta con la simpatía electoral de mucha gente, no cuenta con su respaldo efectivo, pues ése pueblo prefiere emigrar a quedarse a esperar la bonanza de la nueva Bolivia (suponiendo que le mantengan el nombre) de la que fluye el gas natural a raudales. Es que pese a las promesas, la erradicación de la pobreza no es un evento milagroso, ni sucede de forma automática cuando cambian los gobiernos. La lucha contra la pobreza pasa por generar empleos y condiciones adecuadas para la inversión tanto pública como privada. La lucha contra la pobreza pasa también por una distribución más equitativa de la riqueza, para lo cual existen muchos modelos alternativos al venezolano o cubano, y que funcionan muy bien y mejor que los mencionados. ¡Solamente tienen que mirar a los países europeos que apoyan ideológicamente a Morales! Y se va la tercerita: sin ley no hay orden, peor cuando el que debe respetar las leyes no lo hace, generando un sentimiento de inestabilidad demasiado fuerte. Me pregunto qué dirán las señoras que han construido sus casitas con años de servicio doméstico en España, cuando se les diga que es “demasiado espacio” para una sola familia y que por lo tanto deben, en nombre del socialismo, compartir su propiedad. Evidentemente, ni mencionar a las empresas que quisieran invertir en Bolivia (el suscrito soñador cree que las hay todavía), que se refrenan por la incertidumbre legal. Hoy invierto, y mañana me nacionalizan.

Creo que en resumidas cuentas, la gente se va de Bolivia porque perdió la esperanza, y como el actual régimen no ha sido capaz de restablecer la esperanza en el pueblo, ni aunque cierren las fronteras al estilo de Cuba o de la cortina de hierro, van a frenar el éxodo de bolivianos. Si, el emperador está desnudo, y esto porque el sastre ha engañado a muchos.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

The Beast, a poem by Kent Bevers



This poem really touched me today ...



The Beast



The beast came a calling on a cold and lonely day.
He wanted to come inside so that we could play.
His voice was small and friendly, and he was lonely too.
I let him come inside with me, what else was I to do?
I learned so much from him as we started having fun.
I soon lost sight of trees and birds, of flowers in the sun.

It didn't matter, I did not care; the beast was my best friend.
I laughed with him and played with him, not looking at the end.
Little did I notice there in my bedroom
The beast had grown much larger, and light had turned to gloom.
We continued on into the night despite my weary fare.
I did not eat, I did not sleep; I simply did not care.

It felt so good to have this friend in the deep and dark midnight.
There was no one there to tell me this simply was not right.
Morning came, some friends stopped by; I had no time for them.
The beast was here, how little I knew - I was now in prison.
There were no bars; there were no gates, no locked doors to see.
But sure enough, I was trapped by one much stronger than me.

Time moved on, I continued to play; the beast continued to grow.
There still were no trees or birds for me, no sun on pure white snow.
There was only the beast and I, and the lust which filled my heart.
I never stopped to question the beast within my heart.
More days passed, and many nights, and I took another look.
When I reached out for the beast, on the floor I saw a Book.

It was old and it was worn, I had forgotten it was there.
There were whispers from its pages, a voice of love and care.
So quickly did the beast shut the Book up tight –
I had no time to read it and day turned back to night.
Morning gloom came slowly to my private room again.
Misty memories reminded me I had another Friend.
I told the beast to leave me alone, just for this one day.

I wanted to ask my other Friend if He would like to play.
The beast left without a word, he didn't even fight.
I spent the day with other Friend, He made me feel all right.
When day was done and I returned, beast was there for me.
It would take more than just one day to set this captive free.
More time passed, the beast grew large, and my life was filled with dark.

I was blinded to the fact this beast now filled my heart.
The Voice of Love I heard before called for me one more time
Reminding me the Book was there, and that the Book was mine.
I found it there upon the floor, the pages all torn up.
The beast had done its best to keep me from its touch.
There still were words that I could read, words of peace and life.

I told the beast I wanted to read; he hit with words that lie.
“All you ever need or ever want I have right here for you.
What need of words from a battered book that claims to speak the truth?”
“Still,” I said, “I want this Book, that’s what I’m reading for.
I can not let you stay with me to steal from me some more.
So let me read or go away, just be quiet now.”

With a roar, the walls came down; I knew not why or how.
I yelled and screamed, fought the beast, all to no avail.
The beast was stronger than I; he held me in this jail.
This beast I thought was my good friend, now held me in his arms.
If only I had known before I would have made alarm.
Now I knew it was much too late, I was captive all alone.
The beast began to squeeze me tight, crushing all my bones.

Then I remembered from the Book words which spoke of grace.
I called out to my other Friend; I began to see His face.
He told me I could never win against this mighty beast.
Hope quickly left my heart as I became a feast.
My other Friend spoke more words that filled my heart with Love.
“To beat this beast, you need all help from heaven up above.
I will ever fight for you if you confess your need of me.
If you try to fight alone - victory will flee.
Grace is all that’s needed and deep humility.
Choose now, my friend, the ugly beast or love and purity.
Count the cost, deny yourself, or choose a life of death.
You can be free right now, today, if you take this Breath.”

I ceased my struggles as tears of shame rolled down my burning face.
I don’t know why I forgot, or forsook this grace.
Scarcely had my heart subdued than the beast was gone -
And I was shown how deeply my heart was twisted and wrong.
I confessed it all, asked forgiveness of my Friend.
He held me gently in His arms, this love will never end.
Now I know it’s always choice, and life is filled with pain.

The pain of love I ever choose - never beastly pain again.
The beast comes knocking, now and then, to ask if I can play.
I tell him no, shut the door, and quickly run away.
And there on a table in my room sits an old and weary Book.
Its pages are ripped and taped together, better it never looked.

And my Friend is ever there, always by my side
To remind me beast will strike at the sight of pride.
He reminds me, too, of the price He paid to simply be with me.
The price I pay is small - compared to Calvary.

Kent Bevers

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Times and Newsweek

One of the great advantages of the long flights is that they give you the opportunity to do things you normally don't do. That was the case in the previous days. I grasped TIME magazine (Vol 169, No. 16, April 16, 2007). First of all, I have to say that I was surprised by Joe Klein commenteray entitled "An Administration's Epic Collapse". It was surprising because I had the wrong assumption that the majority of US citizens would not criticize so openly their president. I'm glad that I was very wrong, since that's a healthy sign of democracy. Anyway, I just bother to mention this comment due to the weight the US have in the international community, and whatever happens in their internal politics has an effect outside.

But the cover story was the French brain drain. Who would have thought that in the land of enlightenment, their youth is searching to cross the channel or the now unexistent borderline with neighboring countries and make their living in more challenging environements. The article entitled "The French Exodus" is worth to read. It made me think that brain drain also happens in the northern countries, and it is not exclusive to the developing world. And it made me think that something has to be wrong with enlightenement, since people are fleeing to find challenges in those few countries that still call themselves "Christian", despite the growing secularisation of the society. Anyway, the mobility of people, particularly white collars, is a phenomenon that should not be neglected from now on.

Then of course, I had other magazine in front of me: NEWSWEEK ( International Edition, April 16 to 23). I guess that they are more to the right than the previous one. Of course, it means that a healthy debate can happen in the journal world. Anyway, what attracted me from this particular issue, is an article about pope Benedict 16th (Joseph Ratzinger), criticising him out loud. But I thought the critics were about what he did, but actually they are about what he doesn't: travel like his predecesor and a more active internaitonal political role. Ratzinger has been always a very well known and respected theologian, but not a politician. He is criticised for not travelling, for stepping backwards (even allowing masses in Latin, what costed Lefevre's condamnation by his predecesor), and focusing only on reviving faith in a very secularised Europe.

The article focuses also in one output of his papacy: a very out of date condamnation of liberation theology ... an unwise move particularly now that Latin America, where the majority of roman catholics are concentrated, is moving way to the left (Chavez in Venezuela, Morales in Bolivia, BAchelet in Chile, Da Silva in Brazil, Ortega in Nicaragua, etc.) It does not give any help to the already diminished roman curia in Latin America, which has been historically associated with the interests of the dominating burgoisie, and by implication of the US. What is mentioned very lightly is the fact that his planned visit to Brazil should counter-act the growth of the Evangelicals in Latin America. Well, when the previous pope went to south america, people painted their houses white ... but did not change their lives ... I mean, the growth of the evangelical churces is responding to spirtual and relational needs of the people. Unfortunately, most evangelicals have bought into the escapist theories, and that's why in a continent where more than one-on-four inhabitants calls themselves Christians (meaning Evangelicals), very little impact was obtained in therms of policy or governance. Anyway, a good article to read.

Finally, the top story "Living With Global Warming" is a "heretical" statement about global warming: it might not be that bad. aparently the climate changes will benefit several regions particularly in the north of the planet, and will affect negatively those located in the Ecuador ... It makes clear that global warmin will make the rich richer, and the poor poorer. Worth to read.

Have nice readings!

Friday, April 13, 2007

Bujumbura again

Yep, for the third time since October 2006, I'm in Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi. It was a nice trip, this time in business ... what a difference. The afternoon full of co-ordination activities for the rest of the formulation mission. Every thing wet well so far, and I pray that it will be possible to finalise our ambitious plan of activities.

The idea is to formulate an intervention project aimed at the improvement of the nutritional status of children and the most vulnerable in Burundi. This project will be synergic to the currently functioning Transitory Program of Post Conflict Reconstruction financed by IFAD. It's target group are the most vulnerable, including AIDS and war orphans. I pray that the implementation of this work may bless many in Burundi. There will be three axes: nutrition and income-generating-activities; sanitation; and health services.

So far no pics. The weekend's agenda is already "full" of meetings, but I hope to have the time to visit the Anglican Church again. That's all so far.

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Sunday, April 08, 2007

Farewell lunch

Some of my colleagues at the Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine kindly organised a farewell lunch on March 30th. Thanks to Anna (from Italy) and Bernardino (from Portugal) who were the acutal motors of this sample of appreciation. I was truly touched in my heart by their initiative. They even brought a couple of bottles of Cava, mmm delicious with some marzipan pralines. On the picture we can also see Greet Dieltens, who became a good friend in the couple of years we worked together in Antwerpen. The second picture shows an other view of the people that attended this informal but warm meeting.

Thanks a lot!

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As promised


This is the picture I offered in my last post. My very good Bolivian friend Vivi Hernaiz that was visiting me last week, together with her three Argentinian acquiantances. They are still back-packing and going arround Europe before their return to the respective home countries.

Querida Viviciña, gracias por tu visita y por ser ésa provisión de parte de Dios para mi vida. Espero que tu y tus amigas guarden un bonito recuerdo de Gent y los lugares que han conocido.