We are having an amazing week and I am here with an incredible team. I have heard nearly all the of the team members, at one time or another, talking about the next trip and who they want to bring with them. This is very cool to hear and to imagine the next team.
On Thursday I had the opportunity for a meeting with the director of the Zambian Helpers Society Hospital. The hospital is located across the road from our Chipongwe project. This is a beautiful facility, lacking something very important...staff and patients. The hospital is understaffed and unable to provide the cafe that the community desperately needs. They have a dental chair that has not been used in at least a year. The have a labor and delivery suite that has been emptied of equipment and locked up due to the lack of staffing. This is a wonderful opportunity for us and I am praying that God will lead and guide and we will seek and follow. Trusting God with the details and putting calls out to colleagues... can't wait to see what is next.
We made a visit to the Chipongwe Village, also across the road from our project. This village has very limited resources and no school or water. We see many, many opportunities for us here and look forward to conversations in the future about how we can strengthen this community.
Today we work, visit another clinic and say goodbye to our friends at the work site. We do not look forward to leaving our co-workers that we have worked shoulder to shoulder with all week. These guys are amazing and we love them.
Today is going to be a good day.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Our school in Kenyama is well
Finally, Wednesday we visited one of my favorite ministries... Kenyama West Church of the Nazarene Community School. We arrived yesterday morning as the kids were coming to school and we were warmly greeted and welcomed by Pastor Benson Mweetwa, his staff and about 300 precious kids.
They wanted to play and hug and hold hands. They sang for us and each teacher on the team was asked to teach a class. It was cool to watch the team teach school in Zambia. How many times in life do you get that opportunity?
The Kenyama West teachers were the same ladies that we met one year ago. They still get paid a small amount, irregularly. The school serves about 300 students in the morning session and 300 students in the afternoon session. One of the teachers, Rose, proudly reported to us that all 16 of her 8th grade students had passed the grade this year. This is hugely significant because 8th grade is the highest basic school level. Beyond 8th grade in Zambia is considered Secondary School and is very expensive. Kenyama West school has big hopes that they will expand their school to 12th grade. We share that hope with them and want to be a part of their growth. Last year it had been 4 months since they were paid. We have known this for one year. It is time to do something about this, and we are ready. Josh and Angie worked to put together our kids profiles for our partnership to ensure that all 9 Nazarene Community Schools across Zambia stay open and prosper. We can't wait to be a part of this effort. If these schools did not exist, these kids would not be able to attend school and they would also not have the one hot meal a day served at the school. This is definitely something we want to be a part of.
The work continued at Chipongwe yesterday and floors and walls are impressive! We worked on the foundation on the extension of the building and several of us hauled 40lb block... all day.
We walked to a little community store today for a cold drink and a cookie. We met the owner, Christine. She is a warm lady and has a huge smile. She is very happy that we can shop in her store everyday and we are very happy to keep it local ;)
I had a very interesting conversation today with Davis. He is a Radiologist that lives in Kafue and commutes to the Zambian Helpers Society Hospital across the road from our Chipongwe project everyday. This hospital is in Lukamantano village.... (another story). He told me of the excommunication of an Archbishop, a possible partnership with South Korea and the present level of care being delivered at the hospital. No staff, no care. It is an interesting situation and I was able to arrange a visit to the hospital today. I am interested to learn more... and see if God is leading us toward a partnership.
It is going to be a good day.
More later...
They wanted to play and hug and hold hands. They sang for us and each teacher on the team was asked to teach a class. It was cool to watch the team teach school in Zambia. How many times in life do you get that opportunity?
The Kenyama West teachers were the same ladies that we met one year ago. They still get paid a small amount, irregularly. The school serves about 300 students in the morning session and 300 students in the afternoon session. One of the teachers, Rose, proudly reported to us that all 16 of her 8th grade students had passed the grade this year. This is hugely significant because 8th grade is the highest basic school level. Beyond 8th grade in Zambia is considered Secondary School and is very expensive. Kenyama West school has big hopes that they will expand their school to 12th grade. We share that hope with them and want to be a part of their growth. Last year it had been 4 months since they were paid. We have known this for one year. It is time to do something about this, and we are ready. Josh and Angie worked to put together our kids profiles for our partnership to ensure that all 9 Nazarene Community Schools across Zambia stay open and prosper. We can't wait to be a part of this effort. If these schools did not exist, these kids would not be able to attend school and they would also not have the one hot meal a day served at the school. This is definitely something we want to be a part of.
The work continued at Chipongwe yesterday and floors and walls are impressive! We worked on the foundation on the extension of the building and several of us hauled 40lb block... all day.
We walked to a little community store today for a cold drink and a cookie. We met the owner, Christine. She is a warm lady and has a huge smile. She is very happy that we can shop in her store everyday and we are very happy to keep it local ;)
I had a very interesting conversation today with Davis. He is a Radiologist that lives in Kafue and commutes to the Zambian Helpers Society Hospital across the road from our Chipongwe project everyday. This hospital is in Lukamantano village.... (another story). He told me of the excommunication of an Archbishop, a possible partnership with South Korea and the present level of care being delivered at the hospital. No staff, no care. It is an interesting situation and I was able to arrange a visit to the hospital today. I am interested to learn more... and see if God is leading us toward a partnership.
It is going to be a good day.
More later...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
YAPYA and such...
I can't believe it is already Wednesday!
Once again, the week is flying by.
Church on Sunday at Mapepe Church of the Nazarene was A-Mazing! They can sing. nuf said.
This is known as a the 'pipe church'... because the pews are pipes. Pastor Victor is young and energetic and has an amazing warm smile. We happened to be there on Pastor Appreciation Day and watch the procession of gifts. The process was also a gift :)
They had to extend the offering to raise the full district budget. They were $52,000 kwacha short. We were so happy to help them meet their budget. This was about $12. You know we did that!
We could not work on Sunday, so we had to shop. It is so fun to see the markets and buy for those at home. Hope and Gavin will be sporting some nice little dreds with beads the next time you see them, thanks to a couple of awesomely cute hats I found. Can't wait to see them.
Oh yeah, on Sunday...OUR LUGGAGE ARRIVED! That was cool too.
Monday was our first day at the work site. No words for the amount of progress that has happened in one year. Pictures soon, and an loooooong explanation of why this is so evidently God working.
Paparazzi Josh arrived safely, with luggage and we were all glad to see him. Can't wait to see what he sees.
Tuesday was another super productive work day at Chipongwe. We took a group over to Mapepe Compound to play with kids in the morning and another group in the afternoon. I will never forget Andrew teaching the kids 189 ways to say bubbles. He is such a teacher, and it was so fun to watch the team love on kids and be loved by them.
We had a meeting downtown with the NYI Field Coordinator and an amazing new partner at YAPYA. God is making a wonderful connection and we can't wait to see what comes of this.
The team has gelled and we are making memories that will change us forever.
More later.
From Zambia, with Love....
Once again, the week is flying by.
Church on Sunday at Mapepe Church of the Nazarene was A-Mazing! They can sing. nuf said.
This is known as a the 'pipe church'... because the pews are pipes. Pastor Victor is young and energetic and has an amazing warm smile. We happened to be there on Pastor Appreciation Day and watch the procession of gifts. The process was also a gift :)
They had to extend the offering to raise the full district budget. They were $52,000 kwacha short. We were so happy to help them meet their budget. This was about $12. You know we did that!
We could not work on Sunday, so we had to shop. It is so fun to see the markets and buy for those at home. Hope and Gavin will be sporting some nice little dreds with beads the next time you see them, thanks to a couple of awesomely cute hats I found. Can't wait to see them.
Oh yeah, on Sunday...OUR LUGGAGE ARRIVED! That was cool too.
Monday was our first day at the work site. No words for the amount of progress that has happened in one year. Pictures soon, and an loooooong explanation of why this is so evidently God working.
Paparazzi Josh arrived safely, with luggage and we were all glad to see him. Can't wait to see what he sees.
Tuesday was another super productive work day at Chipongwe. We took a group over to Mapepe Compound to play with kids in the morning and another group in the afternoon. I will never forget Andrew teaching the kids 189 ways to say bubbles. He is such a teacher, and it was so fun to watch the team love on kids and be loved by them.
We had a meeting downtown with the NYI Field Coordinator and an amazing new partner at YAPYA. God is making a wonderful connection and we can't wait to see what comes of this.
The team has gelled and we are making memories that will change us forever.
More later.
From Zambia, with Love....
Saturday, July 31, 2010
We are here! Our luggage is still traveling....
Oh my stars!
I am in Zambia with some of the most amazing people. 26 hours of traveling and now 24 hours in-country... with no luggage.
Get this... no whining yet.
I have never seen people display such high flexibility and low maintenance!!
We left OKC as scheduled... but that is where the predictability stopped.
We hovered over DC for about an hour waiting for a storm to clear so we could land.
We had to refuel in Harrisburg, PA and then go back to DC to land. We agreed, fuel is good, so this was a good plan.
By the time we landed we had already missed our flight to Johannesburg. Well... we thought we had missed our flight. There were 50 planes backed up to take off, and ours was one of them. There was an airline person that met us at the gate and literally ran us through Dullas airport to our gate... we walked on our connecting flight and sat down. UN-BE-LIEVABLE!
We flew all night, stopped in Dakar for fuel and headed on to Joburg. Once again, we knew we were going to miss our connecting flight in Joburg. Once again... our speedy airport guide, sent by God, was waiting for us as we walked off the plane. We were escorted , again, to our connecting flight, and somehow landed pretty close to on-time in Lusaka a few hours later.
Unfortunately, our luggage did not get the same speedy guide service in Joburg and has been there ever since. We are hopeful, but not convinced that it has left SA. We are however, extremely thankful to be laying our head on a pillow in Africa tonight.... even if some of us have had the same clothes on since Thursday.
Church tomorrow at Mapepe. A church we have visited before. Affectionately known as 'the pipe church'... because the pews are made from surplus pipe. Can't wait!!
How did I get this life and such wonderful people all around me? I sure do not know, but I am so humbly thankful to be in the middle of it.
Good night. weet peas. (ask one of my kids)
I am in Zambia with some of the most amazing people. 26 hours of traveling and now 24 hours in-country... with no luggage.
Get this... no whining yet.
I have never seen people display such high flexibility and low maintenance!!
We left OKC as scheduled... but that is where the predictability stopped.
We hovered over DC for about an hour waiting for a storm to clear so we could land.
We had to refuel in Harrisburg, PA and then go back to DC to land. We agreed, fuel is good, so this was a good plan.
By the time we landed we had already missed our flight to Johannesburg. Well... we thought we had missed our flight. There were 50 planes backed up to take off, and ours was one of them. There was an airline person that met us at the gate and literally ran us through Dullas airport to our gate... we walked on our connecting flight and sat down. UN-BE-LIEVABLE!
We flew all night, stopped in Dakar for fuel and headed on to Joburg. Once again, we knew we were going to miss our connecting flight in Joburg. Once again... our speedy airport guide, sent by God, was waiting for us as we walked off the plane. We were escorted , again, to our connecting flight, and somehow landed pretty close to on-time in Lusaka a few hours later.
Unfortunately, our luggage did not get the same speedy guide service in Joburg and has been there ever since. We are hopeful, but not convinced that it has left SA. We are however, extremely thankful to be laying our head on a pillow in Africa tonight.... even if some of us have had the same clothes on since Thursday.
Church tomorrow at Mapepe. A church we have visited before. Affectionately known as 'the pipe church'... because the pews are made from surplus pipe. Can't wait!!
How did I get this life and such wonderful people all around me? I sure do not know, but I am so humbly thankful to be in the middle of it.
Good night. weet peas. (ask one of my kids)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Home again... or not
We are home now about 30 hours from trip two into PaP Haiti.
As always, re-entry is challenging.
Not for the same reasons each time, but nonetheless challenging.
Too soon to speak specifics, but for sure... it has messed me up.
I am restless again.
Restless with what I thought, and now wonder if I really know anything.
Fellow Americans, my biggest question:
Why do we have so much opportunity and why do we get to choose how, when and where our life can change? Why do we have so much RESOURCE to squander? WHY?
Ok, more questions...
How do we live without regard to the struggles that exist to survive around the world as though we know nothing? HOW?
When will be be sure that we have done all we can in this life to share the grace and forgiveness that has been shown to us. What does that look like? How much of ourselves can we yet give away? How can we make that happen, how can we make sure that happens?
How can we get our neighbors to care for others and hurt for others when we, as a people, are so distracted by stuff that does not even matter?
How do I fit back into my life and work as though I have not seen what I have seen, and know what I know. How do I fit, when I am different?
Not sure yet.
But know that God is stirring something up in me, and as unpleasant as it is to figure it out, I like it when God does something transformational in me. It always turns out nice.
Things that have not changed:
I love God more than ever.
I love my family more than I can express.
I love this life that I have given God, and he has given back to me.
I do not know what is next, but know that God is already there.
I miss Haiti.
As always, re-entry is challenging.
Not for the same reasons each time, but nonetheless challenging.
Too soon to speak specifics, but for sure... it has messed me up.
I am restless again.
Restless with what I thought, and now wonder if I really know anything.
Fellow Americans, my biggest question:
Why do we have so much opportunity and why do we get to choose how, when and where our life can change? Why do we have so much RESOURCE to squander? WHY?
Ok, more questions...
How do we live without regard to the struggles that exist to survive around the world as though we know nothing? HOW?
When will be be sure that we have done all we can in this life to share the grace and forgiveness that has been shown to us. What does that look like? How much of ourselves can we yet give away? How can we make that happen, how can we make sure that happens?
How can we get our neighbors to care for others and hurt for others when we, as a people, are so distracted by stuff that does not even matter?
How do I fit back into my life and work as though I have not seen what I have seen, and know what I know. How do I fit, when I am different?
Not sure yet.
But know that God is stirring something up in me, and as unpleasant as it is to figure it out, I like it when God does something transformational in me. It always turns out nice.
Things that have not changed:
I love God more than ever.
I love my family more than I can express.
I love this life that I have given God, and he has given back to me.
I do not know what is next, but know that God is already there.
I miss Haiti.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The New Normal
O Happy Day! The internet is working today and I am glad to finally blog about our week.
Haiti is working hard to survive the earthquake and busily finding the new normal. You cannot miss the resiliency of the Haitian people that is evident all around the city. Although the city looks nearly the same as it did 3 weeks after the earthquake, the people seem to be looking for ways to begin again.
Not much has changed in regard to the rubble or the rebuilding. Some areas look exactly the same as it was in January. No large equipment has been rushed in to clean up and begin rebuilding. Hand excavation is still the main method of clean up and Haitians working with Haitians still seems to be the way things are getting done. Some commerce has returned to the streets and some of the city appears to be what I imagined pre-earthquake PaP was like, with street vendors and all types of produce for sale, among the seas of people, mud and a rubbish on the street.
There are still vivid reminders that much of the city 'fell down'. There is no denying that there was deep loss and death here. I am not sure it is evident to those that were not here immediately after the quake, but that is right where my thoughts go when I see a downed building. I think of those that I met that suffered the deep personal loss of family and my heart aches for them again.
We have spent our week working on the Seminary grounds helping Curt and Franz organize the workshop and finishing additional space in the workshop. We hope to put a new roof on the building tomorrow. This is work that they have needed to finish for a long time and we are honored to help them in this way. We hope that our time here has been good for them. We have commented that we feel we are here to serve the servants, so they can continue to do the work the Lord has put before them. We have enjoyed being a little part of the big picture and just spending time working busily for the betterment of the church in Haiti and supporting our church here. The work we have done this week will equip many to continue ministry in Haiti... what an honor to be a part of the big picture.
On Wednesday we visited the BelAire Church and clinic. Mark, JonWeiss and Calixt were there and had big hugs waiting for me. It was so awesome to see them and the growth of the Heart to Heart clinic since we were here. What a blessing to have been a part of this work and to have these Haitian friends.
Mark and Calixt walked down to Sandy's house with me. She was not there! How awesome is that? She was out and about (on crutches) with her external fixator and all :) She is to have another surgery to remove the hardware from her femur on July 16th, and her mom reports that she is doing well. I left her a years worth of vitamins and calcium to help with her recovery and Mark promised me that he takes someone from the clinic down to her house about once a week to check on her.
Curt, Beth, Grayson, Jennifer, Franz and Alise are our team in Haiti. They face many challenges today and in the months to come. Please pray for them.
Today... we will attend church in PaP and then a short visit to the beach. What a great Sunday.
What an honor it is to have a front row seat to so many awesome things that the Lord is doing. How did I get this life... I sure do not know.
I miss my family like crazy today.
From Haiti with love...
Haiti is working hard to survive the earthquake and busily finding the new normal. You cannot miss the resiliency of the Haitian people that is evident all around the city. Although the city looks nearly the same as it did 3 weeks after the earthquake, the people seem to be looking for ways to begin again.
Not much has changed in regard to the rubble or the rebuilding. Some areas look exactly the same as it was in January. No large equipment has been rushed in to clean up and begin rebuilding. Hand excavation is still the main method of clean up and Haitians working with Haitians still seems to be the way things are getting done. Some commerce has returned to the streets and some of the city appears to be what I imagined pre-earthquake PaP was like, with street vendors and all types of produce for sale, among the seas of people, mud and a rubbish on the street.
There are still vivid reminders that much of the city 'fell down'. There is no denying that there was deep loss and death here. I am not sure it is evident to those that were not here immediately after the quake, but that is right where my thoughts go when I see a downed building. I think of those that I met that suffered the deep personal loss of family and my heart aches for them again.
We have spent our week working on the Seminary grounds helping Curt and Franz organize the workshop and finishing additional space in the workshop. We hope to put a new roof on the building tomorrow. This is work that they have needed to finish for a long time and we are honored to help them in this way. We hope that our time here has been good for them. We have commented that we feel we are here to serve the servants, so they can continue to do the work the Lord has put before them. We have enjoyed being a little part of the big picture and just spending time working busily for the betterment of the church in Haiti and supporting our church here. The work we have done this week will equip many to continue ministry in Haiti... what an honor to be a part of the big picture.
On Wednesday we visited the BelAire Church and clinic. Mark, JonWeiss and Calixt were there and had big hugs waiting for me. It was so awesome to see them and the growth of the Heart to Heart clinic since we were here. What a blessing to have been a part of this work and to have these Haitian friends.
Mark and Calixt walked down to Sandy's house with me. She was not there! How awesome is that? She was out and about (on crutches) with her external fixator and all :) She is to have another surgery to remove the hardware from her femur on July 16th, and her mom reports that she is doing well. I left her a years worth of vitamins and calcium to help with her recovery and Mark promised me that he takes someone from the clinic down to her house about once a week to check on her.
Curt, Beth, Grayson, Jennifer, Franz and Alise are our team in Haiti. They face many challenges today and in the months to come. Please pray for them.
Today... we will attend church in PaP and then a short visit to the beach. What a great Sunday.
What an honor it is to have a front row seat to so many awesome things that the Lord is doing. How did I get this life... I sure do not know.
I miss my family like crazy today.
From Haiti with love...
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Extreme Home Workshop Makeover
Today was the real day 1. We worked, got super dirty, oh yeah, and it was HOT.
We spent the day working here on the Seminary grounds. There is much to do here, and we are here to help in any way we are needed.
Poor Franz, I organized his workshop for him today. I am sure it will make sense to him, eventually. The Josh, Mike, Jeff and Matt finished pew boards all day, until the rain shut them down, and Judy worked in the house cleaning and packing linens for the next team to travel.
Spending time with Curt, Graysen and Alise today reminds me why I love Haiti... because God is here and is evident in those that serve here.
Looking forward to a trip downtown tomorrow to see BelAire clinic and how the city is recovering. God loves Haiti and it seems, from this view, that life is moving forward... with or without buildings.
We spent the day working here on the Seminary grounds. There is much to do here, and we are here to help in any way we are needed.
Poor Franz, I organized his workshop for him today. I am sure it will make sense to him, eventually. The Josh, Mike, Jeff and Matt finished pew boards all day, until the rain shut them down, and Judy worked in the house cleaning and packing linens for the next team to travel.
Spending time with Curt, Graysen and Alise today reminds me why I love Haiti... because God is here and is evident in those that serve here.
Looking forward to a trip downtown tomorrow to see BelAire clinic and how the city is recovering. God loves Haiti and it seems, from this view, that life is moving forward... with or without buildings.
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