Oh wow... just opened this and found that this never posted. According to my calculations I wrote this on August 12, 2012. I have been a million miles since then. More later...
Oh this blog...
I lost it, and then found it again. How do you lose a blog?
It has officially been a solid year since I have been to Zambia. I miss it terribly, but since I was there twice last year, I guess it is fair enough. Life at home has been crazy busy and the work has continued with the partnership and the projects even though a visit isn't scheduled until 2013.
I have a 13 day-old grandbaby, and an adorable 3 year-old grandson that have both stolen my heart. Son #2 graduated college in May, son #3 has struck out into the world on his own in June, and we still have a mid-high, pre-teen princess at home. I start a doctoral program on Wednesday. It is probably good that I am not in Africa right now... but I sure do miss it.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
More little dusty brown feet
Headed back to Africa tomorrow with 20 friends. So much planned, and thought of, and discussed... we are as ready as we will get.
All the best things I have learned from Africa... I didn't plan for.
More later.
All the best things I have learned from Africa... I didn't plan for.
More later.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Education changes everything...
I spent a good part of yesterday sitting around the dining room table solving the worlds problems, in theory, with two of my favorite world changers, Charles and Zack.
I am more convinced now than ever that education changes everything.
If we want to give kids anywhere in the world the opportunity to imagine their village to be better, wherever that village may be, we have to give them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and in doing so, develop their unique imagination.
I believe that knowledge is power, and imagination is the pre-requisite to change, and positive inputs are necessary for forward motion, toward good.
I can't help feeling that we are moving in a very good direction, and can't wait to see a generation turn this poverty thing around.
Thankful to be part of the generation.
I am more convinced now than ever that education changes everything.
If we want to give kids anywhere in the world the opportunity to imagine their village to be better, wherever that village may be, we have to give them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and in doing so, develop their unique imagination.
I believe that knowledge is power, and imagination is the pre-requisite to change, and positive inputs are necessary for forward motion, toward good.
I can't help feeling that we are moving in a very good direction, and can't wait to see a generation turn this poverty thing around.
Thankful to be part of the generation.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Dusty little brown feet
I have just spent an amazing time with some of the most resourceful and creative believers on the planet.... and they live and work all across Zambia, Africa. They are in cities, towns, villages and in the bush and they work tirelessly because they love Jesus. The poverty, oppression and suffering is hard to describe, but I remain overwhelmed by the beauty that I can't help but notice. I remain convinced, God lives here.
Yesterday, I rocked a 4 month old orphan named George. He kept staring at me as if he might recognize me if he stared long enough. I am convinced God loves George and has provided for him at Moses House in Lusaka. What a beautiful thing to witness.
Yesterday I also spent time with a group at Pastor Gilbert's church plant that have started a savings and loan coop. This group, mostly women, and some rescued from the sex trade, are saving to make loans to themselves to improve their businesses in the village. What an amazing solution! This was the idea of Gilbert, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Zambia Coordinator, and a partner at a Reformed Church organization. I am literally amazed at the commitment and resourcefulness of the people I have met and can't imagine ever thinking at this level of creativity and resourcefulness.
We have had so much time for discussion, encouragement, sharing of ideas, quiet creativity and trust and confidence building over these past 8 days, that I can't believe the time is already gone.
The journey back home from Zambia begins today.
Our partnership is already in it's second year and I have never been more hopeful or excited about what God is doing through the faithfully committed believers in Zambia.
So many suffer daily here with many, many challenges, yet so many care about making life better, with little or no resources for themselves... and about sharing the truth about God and his love for each person on this planet.
We get to watch God move people and resources into place to accomplish His will for those he loves... there is not a better place to spend your life than in the front row watching God care for his children.... and then to literally look up and see his hand extended to you to join in on something he is doing.
This has been a fantastic trip with amazing conversation and planning and many wheels are already in motion for bigger and more creative approaches and solutions. With new energy with new partners and great confidence in long-standing partners, we are running forward with our hopes together... just like we dared to imagine when this conversation started in Livingstone in 2008.
What started as a big idea with huge possibilities, is now becoming reality with unimaginable possibilities. What a wonderful way to spend the energy and resources that God gives.
Heading homeward today... OKC First Church of the Nazarene... get ready, we are about to torque this thing up a notch, and we can't do this without you!
Yesterday, I rocked a 4 month old orphan named George. He kept staring at me as if he might recognize me if he stared long enough. I am convinced God loves George and has provided for him at Moses House in Lusaka. What a beautiful thing to witness.
Yesterday I also spent time with a group at Pastor Gilbert's church plant that have started a savings and loan coop. This group, mostly women, and some rescued from the sex trade, are saving to make loans to themselves to improve their businesses in the village. What an amazing solution! This was the idea of Gilbert, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Zambia Coordinator, and a partner at a Reformed Church organization. I am literally amazed at the commitment and resourcefulness of the people I have met and can't imagine ever thinking at this level of creativity and resourcefulness.
We have had so much time for discussion, encouragement, sharing of ideas, quiet creativity and trust and confidence building over these past 8 days, that I can't believe the time is already gone.
The journey back home from Zambia begins today.
Our partnership is already in it's second year and I have never been more hopeful or excited about what God is doing through the faithfully committed believers in Zambia.
So many suffer daily here with many, many challenges, yet so many care about making life better, with little or no resources for themselves... and about sharing the truth about God and his love for each person on this planet.
We get to watch God move people and resources into place to accomplish His will for those he loves... there is not a better place to spend your life than in the front row watching God care for his children.... and then to literally look up and see his hand extended to you to join in on something he is doing.
This has been a fantastic trip with amazing conversation and planning and many wheels are already in motion for bigger and more creative approaches and solutions. With new energy with new partners and great confidence in long-standing partners, we are running forward with our hopes together... just like we dared to imagine when this conversation started in Livingstone in 2008.
What started as a big idea with huge possibilities, is now becoming reality with unimaginable possibilities. What a wonderful way to spend the energy and resources that God gives.
Heading homeward today... OKC First Church of the Nazarene... get ready, we are about to torque this thing up a notch, and we can't do this without you!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Switchfoot wisdom
I spent a few hours (sort of) by myself yesterday. Alone in my head anyway, with only my cycling playlist to guide my thoughts. Quality stuff like Friendship Business and Switchfoot and others, which always give me insight that I totally I miss otherwise.
Yesterday, Switchfoot says to me "if it doesn't break your heart it isn't love".
"hmm ok, so this broken heart of mine that have been nursing since July 16th when I was dumped like an ugly prom date, is about love?"
"Why yes, Debbi, it is" said Switchfoot, (maybe Jesus was talking here too... not sure).
I knew it! I knew there was something very precious to me that had been lost, I thought it was 'the job'... but it wasn't. It has been the identity of love all along. I miss loving on my people. I have said it since the day I got the boot, and it is as real as it was on that day. I miss them like family, just torn out of my life like a divorce or something really nasty, ugly and painful.
It hurts so bad, because it was love. Ok... simple I know, but clarifying.
My patients downtown have often told me that they love me. I always said back, "I love you too". Robin and I always thought that they said it because they needed to hear us say it back. I have found that I miss loving them so much. I miss being a person that makes the difference in their life. I miss telling them how precious and valued they are by caring for them, like no one has in a long time, or maybe forever. I miss praying with them and all the hugs! That was such a significant part of my life for so long and I have not had an easy time letting it go.
Understanding this love that God shared with me, and I am to share with the world is simple, yet complex... because it involves that darn human element that is full of emotion and words that can't be taken back once they have been spoken. Events happen and change the course of a situation and people that have limited understanding but can altar outcomes surely impact they way things shake out. But a few things do not change.
#1. You can't think about love without thinking about forgiveness.
I have forgiven you P.T. I know this has probably not kept you up at night, but it has me and I gotta move on. Finding the things about this job loss to let go and the things I want to keep with me forever has been a struggle. It is easier to be offended and angry and hit back... oh man, do I want to! But that does not feel right, so I choose love, and by this, forgiveness.
#2 God has always taken care of me. He does not change. I trust him, with this and all things precious to me. I know he is working in my life and in the lives of those that I pray for.
#3 I can take some time to focus, get my eyes squared on God again and move on. I have done it before and know I can do this again. Living a life pleasing to God is a process, that is why they call it a walk... and there is something to be learned in every step. I am learning so much about myself, about God and about who I am right now. Not all pretty, but true nonetheless.
I am humbly thanking God daily that I have a healthy family, and we love and support each other like crazy. Thankful that I have a strong church and amazing Pastors and friends all around me. I am so grateful that I have a wonderful new job, working with talented and blessed people and precious new patients.
I still have a big bandaid on the front of my heart, not planning on ripping it off anytime soon... but know that the brokenness is starting to heal from the inside out and God is making it something beautiful in me, that he can use for his purpose. What a relief.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Phil 4:6
Yesterday, Switchfoot says to me "if it doesn't break your heart it isn't love".
"hmm ok, so this broken heart of mine that have been nursing since July 16th when I was dumped like an ugly prom date, is about love?"
"Why yes, Debbi, it is" said Switchfoot, (maybe Jesus was talking here too... not sure).
I knew it! I knew there was something very precious to me that had been lost, I thought it was 'the job'... but it wasn't. It has been the identity of love all along. I miss loving on my people. I have said it since the day I got the boot, and it is as real as it was on that day. I miss them like family, just torn out of my life like a divorce or something really nasty, ugly and painful.
It hurts so bad, because it was love. Ok... simple I know, but clarifying.
My patients downtown have often told me that they love me. I always said back, "I love you too". Robin and I always thought that they said it because they needed to hear us say it back. I have found that I miss loving them so much. I miss being a person that makes the difference in their life. I miss telling them how precious and valued they are by caring for them, like no one has in a long time, or maybe forever. I miss praying with them and all the hugs! That was such a significant part of my life for so long and I have not had an easy time letting it go.
Understanding this love that God shared with me, and I am to share with the world is simple, yet complex... because it involves that darn human element that is full of emotion and words that can't be taken back once they have been spoken. Events happen and change the course of a situation and people that have limited understanding but can altar outcomes surely impact they way things shake out. But a few things do not change.
#1. You can't think about love without thinking about forgiveness.
I have forgiven you P.T. I know this has probably not kept you up at night, but it has me and I gotta move on. Finding the things about this job loss to let go and the things I want to keep with me forever has been a struggle. It is easier to be offended and angry and hit back... oh man, do I want to! But that does not feel right, so I choose love, and by this, forgiveness.
#2 God has always taken care of me. He does not change. I trust him, with this and all things precious to me. I know he is working in my life and in the lives of those that I pray for.
#3 I can take some time to focus, get my eyes squared on God again and move on. I have done it before and know I can do this again. Living a life pleasing to God is a process, that is why they call it a walk... and there is something to be learned in every step. I am learning so much about myself, about God and about who I am right now. Not all pretty, but true nonetheless.
I am humbly thanking God daily that I have a healthy family, and we love and support each other like crazy. Thankful that I have a strong church and amazing Pastors and friends all around me. I am so grateful that I have a wonderful new job, working with talented and blessed people and precious new patients.
I still have a big bandaid on the front of my heart, not planning on ripping it off anytime soon... but know that the brokenness is starting to heal from the inside out and God is making it something beautiful in me, that he can use for his purpose. What a relief.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Phil 4:6
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Blog neglect and love
We have all seen it. The blog that just sits. This is not 'that blog'. Honest, I lost my power cord somewhere in Africa the day after my last post and just got mentally home enough to consider what to say. I know, I know... lost power cord, somewhere in Africa... a lame excuse. But this time it is the truth. Please forgive.
So, my last post was just after the visit to the dormant hospital. That was hard to witness and I have processed the ideas and had dozens of conversations regarding the possibilities already. A hospital that closes at night because they do not have staff. All the patients are sent home for the night or if they are too sick they are transported to another hospital in Kafue, about 40km away. (Not sure how that is paid for, but know that this little hospital does accept in-kind payment such as chickens, grain or vegetables in exchange for care.) The hospital had a dental chair, not used for a looooong time, because of no staff. The labor and delivery suite door was locked and all the equipment put in storage because it had not been used in such a long time. The need is extremely evident and all around to clearly see. My mind is flooded with the names and faces of friends, colleagues and students and partners that would jump at the opportunity to serve here. Lord, please do that thing you do and use me in any way you see fit to make something happen here. I have prayed it everyday since and will continue. Friends, please pray with me on this one, and btw... if your name is Joey, Paul, Teresa, Regina, Sheila, Robin, Dianna, Kate, Jordan, Michael, Allie, Timmie, Katie, Lydia, Brett, Dan P. or Dan B., and about a dozen others....you might have come to mind as someone that is just perfect for spending some time at this hospital or in the mobile clinic that could potentially come out of this partnership. The mobile clinic effort that we have been developing over the past year has so much potential working out of this location. God, it's all you.
The good-byes at the work site are never fun, and Chipongwe was no different. On Friday afternoon we gave gifts and sang and prayed and took pictures... and said our goodbyes with many promises of returning to work together again. What you can't help, is to take the memory of our friends and co-workers home and tell their stories. They are hard-working people, trying to take care of their families, trying to make ends meet and stay strong when life gets tough. But life is always tough in Africa. There does not seem to be any other way to say it. Life is always tough in Africa. What confounds anyone that visits there is the deep joy, love and reliance on God that permeates every relationship. They seem to have a deeper understanding and deeper value for what is important. God, family... relationships. You can't say hello to a friend without being asked "how is your family?" I can't help myself, and have asked this question several times since returning home. It feels so good to care enough about someone to care about what is important to them. Try it. How is your family?
On Saturday we drove in a bus, with a governor beep-beep-beeping all the way down to Livingstone. Road trip! Good times... sleeping sitting up, eating muffins at a roadside stand, hitting our heads on the roof of the bus a few times and of course... seeing the countryside. I love it.
Our last two days in Livingstone are always one of the highlights of the trip. Of course seeing the Falls, the bridge jumping, the game drive and this year, a sunset on the Zambezi complete with the devil-eyed croc, the hippo playground and the mommy and baby elies! .... are things that we will never forget. But... worship with Pastor Smoke and our Livingstone church is one of my utmost fav times in Africa. The music is like none other and they friendship is so precious to me that I hurt when they hurt. Pastor Smoke is discouraged. He was not feeling well and feared that he had malaria, again. He shared with me his struggles and his frustrations... and I did my best to encourage him with the best pep talk I could muster on the spot. But in my heart, I know that anything I said would be inadequate. This is the Lords work to do in him. Lord, continue to give my friend Smoke everything he needs to love his parish and the passion he will need to continue the work you have for him to do. It is not pastor frustration like money, theology, politics and personality stuff... but real-life stuff like water, food and AIDS. Lord, help my friend and let him know that it is YOU who has called him and YOU who will not forget him.
The 2010 team was without a doubt, unforgettable. Each one with gifts and energy that God turned into wonderful ministry in partnership with our African brothers and sisters. This just never gets old. Two 2011 teams are already in the works. One work team at Chipongwe, including medical and dental projects and one special ops visit to nail down all the details of our Community School Partnership.
God is so good and faithful and patient... to honor us with his presence and provision and protection on so many levels. I remain humbly amazed and awed at the way he works and weaves us into his purpose for his children. He takes something so feeble as our plans, and makes it something even more beautiful than we can ask or imagine... a friendship and a shared love for him that goes deeper than our understanding.
This God is love and love is good.
So, my last post was just after the visit to the dormant hospital. That was hard to witness and I have processed the ideas and had dozens of conversations regarding the possibilities already. A hospital that closes at night because they do not have staff. All the patients are sent home for the night or if they are too sick they are transported to another hospital in Kafue, about 40km away. (Not sure how that is paid for, but know that this little hospital does accept in-kind payment such as chickens, grain or vegetables in exchange for care.) The hospital had a dental chair, not used for a looooong time, because of no staff. The labor and delivery suite door was locked and all the equipment put in storage because it had not been used in such a long time. The need is extremely evident and all around to clearly see. My mind is flooded with the names and faces of friends, colleagues and students and partners that would jump at the opportunity to serve here. Lord, please do that thing you do and use me in any way you see fit to make something happen here. I have prayed it everyday since and will continue. Friends, please pray with me on this one, and btw... if your name is Joey, Paul, Teresa, Regina, Sheila, Robin, Dianna, Kate, Jordan, Michael, Allie, Timmie, Katie, Lydia, Brett, Dan P. or Dan B., and about a dozen others....you might have come to mind as someone that is just perfect for spending some time at this hospital or in the mobile clinic that could potentially come out of this partnership. The mobile clinic effort that we have been developing over the past year has so much potential working out of this location. God, it's all you.
The good-byes at the work site are never fun, and Chipongwe was no different. On Friday afternoon we gave gifts and sang and prayed and took pictures... and said our goodbyes with many promises of returning to work together again. What you can't help, is to take the memory of our friends and co-workers home and tell their stories. They are hard-working people, trying to take care of their families, trying to make ends meet and stay strong when life gets tough. But life is always tough in Africa. There does not seem to be any other way to say it. Life is always tough in Africa. What confounds anyone that visits there is the deep joy, love and reliance on God that permeates every relationship. They seem to have a deeper understanding and deeper value for what is important. God, family... relationships. You can't say hello to a friend without being asked "how is your family?" I can't help myself, and have asked this question several times since returning home. It feels so good to care enough about someone to care about what is important to them. Try it. How is your family?
On Saturday we drove in a bus, with a governor beep-beep-beeping all the way down to Livingstone. Road trip! Good times... sleeping sitting up, eating muffins at a roadside stand, hitting our heads on the roof of the bus a few times and of course... seeing the countryside. I love it.
Our last two days in Livingstone are always one of the highlights of the trip. Of course seeing the Falls, the bridge jumping, the game drive and this year, a sunset on the Zambezi complete with the devil-eyed croc, the hippo playground and the mommy and baby elies! .... are things that we will never forget. But... worship with Pastor Smoke and our Livingstone church is one of my utmost fav times in Africa. The music is like none other and they friendship is so precious to me that I hurt when they hurt. Pastor Smoke is discouraged. He was not feeling well and feared that he had malaria, again. He shared with me his struggles and his frustrations... and I did my best to encourage him with the best pep talk I could muster on the spot. But in my heart, I know that anything I said would be inadequate. This is the Lords work to do in him. Lord, continue to give my friend Smoke everything he needs to love his parish and the passion he will need to continue the work you have for him to do. It is not pastor frustration like money, theology, politics and personality stuff... but real-life stuff like water, food and AIDS. Lord, help my friend and let him know that it is YOU who has called him and YOU who will not forget him.
The 2010 team was without a doubt, unforgettable. Each one with gifts and energy that God turned into wonderful ministry in partnership with our African brothers and sisters. This just never gets old. Two 2011 teams are already in the works. One work team at Chipongwe, including medical and dental projects and one special ops visit to nail down all the details of our Community School Partnership.
God is so good and faithful and patient... to honor us with his presence and provision and protection on so many levels. I remain humbly amazed and awed at the way he works and weaves us into his purpose for his children. He takes something so feeble as our plans, and makes it something even more beautiful than we can ask or imagine... a friendship and a shared love for him that goes deeper than our understanding.
This God is love and love is good.
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