Losing Everything

A few weeks ago, an inferno overtook Bujumbura’s Central Market—the economic heart of Burundi.

No one knows exactly how it started – some think an electrical short-circuit. Others think a restaurant caught fire. Thankfully the blaze was on a Sunday morning when the market was unoccupied or many would have died.

From staff and friends in Burundi, we've heard that although this fire will cause a major economic disruption for the country, it is personally devastating for the families who worked in the market.

Diane Ndayisenga is a 25 year-old orphan. Her shop at Central Market supported her brothers and sisters. "Since Sunday, I am unable to sleep at night. I wonder how I am going to live and support my brothers and sisters. This store was our only source of income. And thanks to it, I could pay the tuition for my little brothers, the rent, and put food on the table.” she said of her shop built with training and capital from Turame, HOPE International’s partner.

Diane said, “We could make ends meet, but now that's all gone up in smoke. It’s as if the sky fell on my head. I prayed, begged God to help us, but I couldn’t see how; I was overwhelmed, but I knew that God is always listening to his children.”

My heart goes out to Diane, and I’m reminded how catastrophe impacts everyone, but especially those in financial poverty.

Only 5 percent of shopkeepers had insurance. Families watched their life savings go up in flames.  The few deaths that occurred resulted because people were rushing into the blaze to save their merchandise and savings.

The market stalls represented a lifetime of hard work. Between inventory and hidden cash in the safest place they knew, it was a family’s economic lifeline. It was school fees. It was home improvements. It was a promise of a brighter future.

I can’t stop thinking about the fire. Imagine watching what you’d spent your life building destroyed in one day. Imagine your helplessness. Imagine the devastation. Imagine starting over with nothing.

Their loss also reminds me how little room I leave in my life for compassion. Despite our time-saving technology and unprecedented wealth, we still find a way to fill our schedule and spend to the max. It’s not that we don’t want to respond generously – it’s just our lives and our bank accounts have no margin.

Yet, it is from the ashes of loss and pain that the beauty of the Church should be most visible. We miss an opportunity when we don’t budget our time and treasure to respond to need. Throughout history, people have beautifully and courageously followed the example of Jesus and responded with full-force love. You don’t forget those who stood by you during your most significant losses. My guess is the market vendors impacted will remember those who stood by them in their time of need.

My sincere desire is that those in Burundi and many others facing loss today will see hope rising as a Church shares and shows the love of Christ.