Saturday, June 30, 2007
Stop for the One
Maybe I should be more angry, that it would feel more real when I express my resulting feelings in seeing all I see in Mozambique. Am I happy or do I really trust God enough to believe he will AND wants to provide for all the needs I see here? Why some and not others? Why the timing that is chosen? If people don’t want to be ‘converted’ or told that they view spirituality or life in the wrong way (and I don’t think we should tell them that at all!) then what do we have to offer? Can they see our joy, our love, our hope, our belief that we are cared for and circumstances will get better, that these things are otherworldly, or do they just pass it off as that fact that we are white, rich and don’t need to worry about where our next meal comes from? Do I even believe those things? Is it otherworldly or am I just relying on my own ability to survive? I know the money that I have at the moment came through others donations for my trip, so that would be God’s provision.
One thing that one lady told me that gave me clarity is that the poor, especially in the villages where they’re secluded from the outside world, don’t see themselves as “poor”, just that they have suffering. They’re not looking for a cement house or a car, they just don’t want to suffer.
I don’t want them to suffer either – a lot of the things they suffer from (lack of nutrition, need of medical aide) are very much beyond my grasp to even give. Then the questions lead to: Who gives this? Jesus? Me/us? Jesus through me/us? Probably all of the above. And we’re told (or I have been all my life) that God cares more about the spirit of a human than the physical, to be healed/made whole spiritually is better or more important. I can see how a lack of physical needs met would lead anyone to be more inclined to seek after the spirit since life becomes desperate, but I don’t feel peace about it, not yet. I’m at a place now too where I kind of don’t care if I have the answers or not – so many people think they have the answers or say they do or maybe they don’t feel completely that way but they have a part and they offer that answer and even put action to it – for example, the organization I’m with right now, or even someone high profile like Bono who has given his voice with weight to millions worldwide with his efforts to put any sort of death blow to poverty and world hunger, AIDs, etc, but even with that level of influence and power – has there been change? How much? I’m not saying that only a little change is not good – any bit of change is good!!! I’m saying that if those with power don’t have answers, how can I?
The motto at this organization is “Stop for the One” – it is hard and humbling to know that you can only do something for one person, though I see first-hand at the moment how that grows. And stopping for one can change that one person’s entire life. For example, one of the directors adopted Mozambican sons used to be a bandit – now he’s a pastor and hugely influencial, he’s even been to America to speak.
So, stop for the one – I don’t really know the full implications of that, but I can’t be proud about it as it is so little (still, I can’t deny my hope of knowing that while it is so little, it is also – somehow – so much.)
Kari
One thing that one lady told me that gave me clarity is that the poor, especially in the villages where they’re secluded from the outside world, don’t see themselves as “poor”, just that they have suffering. They’re not looking for a cement house or a car, they just don’t want to suffer.
I don’t want them to suffer either – a lot of the things they suffer from (lack of nutrition, need of medical aide) are very much beyond my grasp to even give. Then the questions lead to: Who gives this? Jesus? Me/us? Jesus through me/us? Probably all of the above. And we’re told (or I have been all my life) that God cares more about the spirit of a human than the physical, to be healed/made whole spiritually is better or more important. I can see how a lack of physical needs met would lead anyone to be more inclined to seek after the spirit since life becomes desperate, but I don’t feel peace about it, not yet. I’m at a place now too where I kind of don’t care if I have the answers or not – so many people think they have the answers or say they do or maybe they don’t feel completely that way but they have a part and they offer that answer and even put action to it – for example, the organization I’m with right now, or even someone high profile like Bono who has given his voice with weight to millions worldwide with his efforts to put any sort of death blow to poverty and world hunger, AIDs, etc, but even with that level of influence and power – has there been change? How much? I’m not saying that only a little change is not good – any bit of change is good!!! I’m saying that if those with power don’t have answers, how can I?
The motto at this organization is “Stop for the One” – it is hard and humbling to know that you can only do something for one person, though I see first-hand at the moment how that grows. And stopping for one can change that one person’s entire life. For example, one of the directors adopted Mozambican sons used to be a bandit – now he’s a pastor and hugely influencial, he’s even been to America to speak.
So, stop for the one – I don’t really know the full implications of that, but I can’t be proud about it as it is so little (still, I can’t deny my hope of knowing that while it is so little, it is also – somehow – so much.)
Kari
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Words can never fully express...
I feel that I have so much to say – I have left posting for too long! I wasn’t able to get to the internet as I was on outreach this past weekend, which was absolutely amazing and eye opening all at once. Classes have been good as well, but I will leave writing about that for another post. Outreach was a wild 2 hour drive out of the city area to a remote village that has no running water or electricity. All the houses are mud huts with grass roofs – these people are ingenious and can make shelter out of nothing, as they have nothing. All the children, and even adults were malnourished, it was hard to see. The signs are a distended stomach and lighter colored head hair. At night when we set up floodlights for the film you could see the dirt being kicked up by the wind and it definitely explained the reason why we were so extremely dirty after only three days. Our reason for visiting the village was a spiritual focus, there are other outreaches that include medical teams but we didn’t have one along at this time. The village has a church and a pastor that is connected to the organization I am with, and that is how we were invited to come and show the film about Jesus. We also visited houses in the village in the daytime and talk to people and if they wanted – pray for healing. These people lack even basic medicine so their main complaints seemed to be caused by worms/parasites and skin problems like scabies. We did see a few healings for prayer – one lady came back the next day and told us her baby we prayed for was better. God is still good in the midst of suffering.
My favorite moment was sitting with the village women sifting through rice to remove any husks for our lunchtime meal. They showed us how to do it and then taught us some of their songs, and asked us to teach them a Portuguese song – we didn’t know any but enjoyed learning theirs. One thing about visiting was that our Portuguese didn’t really help us, most of the people only speak Macua.
The Saturday afternoon we got our group together and prayed for the village, for the spiritual atmosphere, and really felt a shift – it was amazing! That was the most lasting thing that I think we could have left for them. Ultimately there is not much we can do in our own humanness, which is why we are so heavily relying on God to see provision occur.
My favorite moment was sitting with the village women sifting through rice to remove any husks for our lunchtime meal. They showed us how to do it and then taught us some of their songs, and asked us to teach them a Portuguese song – we didn’t know any but enjoyed learning theirs. One thing about visiting was that our Portuguese didn’t really help us, most of the people only speak Macua.
The Saturday afternoon we got our group together and prayed for the village, for the spiritual atmosphere, and really felt a shift – it was amazing! That was the most lasting thing that I think we could have left for them. Ultimately there is not much we can do in our own humanness, which is why we are so heavily relying on God to see provision occur.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
T I A
Well the above acronym was coined my some one, I’m not sure who, but it is definitely used a lot here: “This Is Africa”. Usually mentioned when organization, scheduling or plans completely change or fall apart=). For example, on Monday they asked the students who had already arrived (everything began on Tuesday) to move 400 cases of 12x1.5L waterbottles from one room in their Water store back to the original room – a car had gone through the wall and required repair. We assembled and got it done only to return to the houses and be asked to again go back to the water store (a good 5 min walk on the base) to bring 30 cases for new people – a truck was supposed to come down and we would load it. We got there and waited, and waited and waited, finally a call was made to discover the truck was not coming. We are told the plan is cancelled, start walking back, and then are stopped and told that they still need the water, could we please carry it back (walking) to the houses? We begin but thank goodness another truck is there and the driver allows us to load it, but it took all morning to complete everything and our other plans for internet were postponed. TIA!
Sorry for the Delay!
Hello All, sorry that I’ve delayed writing – it takes time to reach any of the internet cafes and time is sometimes something we do not have. All shops close from 12 – 2 , the hottest part of the day, and our classes usually extend until 330, sometimes beyond. We, women especially, should not be out of the base after dark and definitely not alone! So, as the nearest internet (available at the moment) is a 10 min walk, I haven’t been there until now. I have been to the beach three times though – it is just across the road and is gorgeous. Whenever we visit the beach the village children (those who do note live on the base but come visit everyday) tag along, hanging onto your arms and asking your name – I’ve had t learn basic Portuguese very quickly. What else can I tell you? When I arrived I sprayed my mattress, mozzie net and bedding with an insecticide called permethrin (harmless to humans). I have had three nights alone in the house I live in which is now filled with 8 people and there is still room for two more – the toilet didn’t work and the water stopped running the day after I arrived but it is back up now. UFriday I tried eating with my hands for the first time and enjoyed the food more that way!! It is very hot food though and burns your fingertips unless you let it cool down a bit ( and I use hand sanitizer first).
Almost everyone is here now (all 150 of us) from all over the world – South America, USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Iceland, Netherlands, Africa, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. After spending the first two days with about 17 people, it has been a bit overwhelming. Funny, as I sat writing what I wanted to say on my porch I was being paranoid about mosquitos, though I can’t say that I’ve seen a single one since my arrival. I am wearing DEET right now and I’m sure my parents will be glad to hear that I haven’t missed an anti-malarial pill yet=).
The sun rises at 5 AM, which means that at 505 you have birds chirping, dogs barking and a kid playing the harmonica. Earplugs are my closest ally in the night.
Nothing is as difficult as I expected except maybe the bathrooms! – they don’t clean up too well and the shower leaks everywhere (we also get poisonous frogs in our drain) – water on the floor turns the fine red African dust to mud. The houses have tiled floors and the windows, though glassless, are covered with screening and bars and curtains. I spent the first few days helping the staff set up, we sewed mozzie nets with holes, moved boxes of bottled water, and lawnchairs. I also helped serve the lunchhour meal to at least 400 people last Sunday – the villagers are invited to it every Sunday – the food even ran out and we almost have a riot! Quite the experience.
Town was another experience to remember. I went with three other girls in a taxi an hour before sunset – we only went to the main supermarket but did not realize it was a 10 minute walk from the centre of town where we were dropped off. I don’t think I’ll try that again unless it is a larger group. Town today is better and we have Mozambican with us who has helped us barter for our wares.
Haven’t seen nearly as many bugs as I thought I would and am quite surprised. I have heard that there are many more on the outreaches and that they are very big. The only residents in our house are small spiders and cockroaches.
The organization I am with houses, with three meals a day, about 200 orphans and feeds the village children that come (perhaps 100 or so more) once a day – the village children have homes to go back to every evening.
My transition have been very seamless. I feel born to rough it=). Our conditions don’t bother me and showering only twice a week doesn’t bother me. It is not as hot as I expected, unless your dancing like a madwoman under the church tent during egreca. The dancing and their singing is a wonderful experience (which I keep saying about everything!). The Mozambican pastor’s school at the base has class daily and they have music leaders that led our first meeting in song. They sang a capella in an echo format and danced for a long time – it is extremely fun and an honor to join them.
Nat, I have one thing to say – thank you for persuading me to bring crocs, my feet would not be the same otherwise. And the shakes have been a daily blessing so far as I hadn’t ventured to breakfast until a few days ago, I was sleeping in.
Health has been pretty good – I need more fiber in my diet though=). I have a small head cold at the moment so I’d love prayer for it.
That’s all for now, Ate Logo!!
Also, please forgive the spelling mistakes if any, I haven't time to look over what I typed.
Almost everyone is here now (all 150 of us) from all over the world – South America, USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Iceland, Netherlands, Africa, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. After spending the first two days with about 17 people, it has been a bit overwhelming. Funny, as I sat writing what I wanted to say on my porch I was being paranoid about mosquitos, though I can’t say that I’ve seen a single one since my arrival. I am wearing DEET right now and I’m sure my parents will be glad to hear that I haven’t missed an anti-malarial pill yet=).
The sun rises at 5 AM, which means that at 505 you have birds chirping, dogs barking and a kid playing the harmonica. Earplugs are my closest ally in the night.
Nothing is as difficult as I expected except maybe the bathrooms! – they don’t clean up too well and the shower leaks everywhere (we also get poisonous frogs in our drain) – water on the floor turns the fine red African dust to mud. The houses have tiled floors and the windows, though glassless, are covered with screening and bars and curtains. I spent the first few days helping the staff set up, we sewed mozzie nets with holes, moved boxes of bottled water, and lawnchairs. I also helped serve the lunchhour meal to at least 400 people last Sunday – the villagers are invited to it every Sunday – the food even ran out and we almost have a riot! Quite the experience.
Town was another experience to remember. I went with three other girls in a taxi an hour before sunset – we only went to the main supermarket but did not realize it was a 10 minute walk from the centre of town where we were dropped off. I don’t think I’ll try that again unless it is a larger group. Town today is better and we have Mozambican with us who has helped us barter for our wares.
Haven’t seen nearly as many bugs as I thought I would and am quite surprised. I have heard that there are many more on the outreaches and that they are very big. The only residents in our house are small spiders and cockroaches.
The organization I am with houses, with three meals a day, about 200 orphans and feeds the village children that come (perhaps 100 or so more) once a day – the village children have homes to go back to every evening.
My transition have been very seamless. I feel born to rough it=). Our conditions don’t bother me and showering only twice a week doesn’t bother me. It is not as hot as I expected, unless your dancing like a madwoman under the church tent during egreca. The dancing and their singing is a wonderful experience (which I keep saying about everything!). The Mozambican pastor’s school at the base has class daily and they have music leaders that led our first meeting in song. They sang a capella in an echo format and danced for a long time – it is extremely fun and an honor to join them.
Nat, I have one thing to say – thank you for persuading me to bring crocs, my feet would not be the same otherwise. And the shakes have been a daily blessing so far as I hadn’t ventured to breakfast until a few days ago, I was sleeping in.
Health has been pretty good – I need more fiber in my diet though=). I have a small head cold at the moment so I’d love prayer for it.
That’s all for now, Ate Logo!!
Also, please forgive the spelling mistakes if any, I haven't time to look over what I typed.
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