Hey all,
So I lost my internet connection after my final post in Africa and have been too lazy/busy to follow up. I know you are all ("all," that's funny) disappointed.
The week ended up well with my team making another village visit, this time to an orphanage run by "Children of the Nations," and a final day relaxing after a long week. The time spent in Malawi will not be forgotten nor will the people, but I must say it is good to be home. It was exciting to get off the plane in Atlanta and see the Starbucks sign right next to the McDonald's sign. Aaaaah, America - like no place else on Earth.
We did get delayed for a night in Jo'burg on our way home because of weather, and then were on standby for the one and only Delta flight that actually leaves the country. It wasn't all bad, however, as South African Airlines put us up in a five-star hotel for the night. Getting home, however, and then having finals later in the week as well as a few papers to turn in was exhausting.
But......I made it through. I would like to again thank everyone who supported the trip. I will probably be collecting all the photographs from the trip and forwarding them on to all of you.
Key lessons from the trip? God is good and appreciate all you have. Done deal.
Take care,
C
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Adventure Continues....
Wow. That is about all I can say about the past 48 hours. I have much to tell and many more pictures to post but I'm not sure where to start.
Monday we met with our prayer group for the first time at 8 am before morning chapel. It was myself, Brett, and Kelly. Kelly is a missionary who lives with his wife here on campus and opened his home for small groups during the week. He is also in charge of the music, so several of the students we prayed with were part of the band.
Afterwards, we had chapel. Chapel is at 9:00 am every morning and is where Carlton brings the sermon on whatever sin is going to be addressed that day and then we break for tea. After tea we break the students up into groups for discussion. Here are some pics from the morning tea.
And here is Brett kickin' it with Yami post tea on the way to discussion group. Yami is a cool guy. He's kinda like the troublemaker, punk kid of the group. We loved him immediately.
*A quick sidenote, the best pictures so far have come from Jennies camera but for some reason blogger does not like their high resolution, so you will have to wait for those. Sorry!! (These include the action shots of Carlton, group photos, and our panel discussion)*
So far the groups have been cool. It's tough to get the students to open up at first but they eventually get goin'. One thing that I'm learning on this trip is that people are people. We all struggle with the same stuff, we all desire the same basic things, and Christ knows no cultural, ethnic, or economic boundaries.
The core of the message and discussion is usually over around noon and then we have the rest of the day to goof off before we reconvene for chapel at 7pm. Monday Jennie drove us into the city and we basically cruised the streets of Malawi. It is amazing to see how many people are around. People will just cross the streets in front of you, children will stand on the side of the highway, goats will run across the street, and people will be bathing and doing laundry on the riverbanks of an otherwise normal (yet poor) looking town. I did not snap many photos on Monday as I was too terrified by Jennie's driving a vehicle on the left side of the road while talking on a cell phone and dodging goats. Just kiddin' Jen, you're the best...:)
Tuesday was marked by the same schedule. We are getting to know more of the students and some have amazing stories. One gentlemen we met, named Thompson, has a family 400 miles away that he only gets to see twice a year on Spring Break and Christmas. He has a great heart and is training to be a pastor but lacks the funds to get home more often. Some of the workers that are employed by ABC walk for hours to get here from villages.
I will probably be posting more about our free time than the meat of what is happening here with the students. One reason is that you all want to see pictures, and I'm not exactly snappin'em off while we are all sitting around talking about anger. But be encouraged that the students seem to be very excited we are here, are being challenged by Carlton's preaching, and have a genuine thirst for God that we don't often see in the states. The week is also impacting my own spiritual walk immensely.
Tuesday free time involved going to a local orphanage where Jennie used to tutor when she lived here. I do not have the name logged in my memory, but it is an orphanage/farm where they house about 35 children - most who are in school- who also help out with the farming. They gave us a warm welcome by singing us songs:
After they took us by the hands, they showed us their rooms and then it was off to see the farm.
Jennie remembered quite a few of the students from when she lived here. The living conditions at the orphanage aren't too bad but it is definitely unlike anything I've ever experienced. The children here are beautiful. You've never seen bigger, more grateful smiles full of white teeth. It's really amazing.
Although the experience so far has been a good one, nothing compares with what we did today. As I noted earlier the college employs Malawian locals for landscaping and housemaid duties. When Jennie lived here she befriended one of the houseworkers named Caroline. Caroline lives in a village about 3 miles from the school and still works for ABC. Jen asked if we could walk with her to her village and she very excitedly said we may.
So today around 1pm we hooked up with Caroline and made the trek down to her local village. This was where we seemingly stepped back in time. Apparently when you cruise through a village a few of the younger locals take notice.
That is Caroline and Jennie in the front, Carol (Carlton's wife) and myself in the back, a bunch of highly interested children all around us, and Brett taking the picture. Carlton stayed back to study for the nights sermon.
After we marched through the village, which was extremely impoverished, we ended up at Caroline's home. Many of the shots of the village are (once again) on Jennie's camera so unfortunately I won't be able to load some of the amazing shots of the marketplace.
Here is a family portrait of Caroline, her husband Yona, and the entire litter in their front yard - along with Jennie. We brought them some food from the kitchen in the house we were staying in, and Jennie brought them some gifts from America. They were very grateful.
While we were there we decided to play a game with the kids. The game is called pizza cutter (I think) and is basically a version of duck duck goose where instead of chasing someone who tags you, the "tagger" splits two people in the circle who have to run in opposite directions and race around to fill the hole first. Did that make sense? Try explaining it to 3, 4, and 5 year olds in another language! They eventually caught on.
Although we have captured some beautiful pictures of both the landscape and people here in Malawi, I must confess the most amazing picture I've seen so far has to be this one.
Can you say beautiful foreign diplomat? That picture belongs in an issue of Time magazine. Sorry, I’m just sayin’.
Romantic tidbits aside, today was an amazing day. What was amazing is how walking through the village brought the story of the Gospel alive. Not to imply that myself or anyone I was with were anything like Jesus of Nazareth, but when the gospels talk about crowds gathering as he entered villages I could not shake the sense that this is how it was. People stopped to look at us and all the children began following us. It really helped me contextualize how similar that had to be when Christ walked into a village in 1st century Palestine.
Aside from that, it was the humbling experience I longed for. The sense of community in the village was amazing, and most everyone had a smile on their face. I get the sense that some people think I should be “shocked” by what I see – but the truth is I’m not. It is not really a sad way of life as much as it is their way of life – a life to which they know no alternative. Granted, impoverished living conditions can be worse than what I saw, with health and sanitation issues that far outweigh my experience here, in which case a broken heart would be in order.
Still, the people here are the most hospitable I’ve ever met. I was thankful that Yona allowed me into his home today and let me sit. It was also amazing to see the joy that he possessed over the little he did have and the amazing family he is raising. He didn’t seem too disgruntled over freeway traffic, his next mortgage payment, or not being the first to get the new iPod.
Not that this is going to turn into some anti-America rant – I love my country and am very grateful, especially now, that I live there. But it is interesting to see the joy of people who essentially have nothing and contrast that to people I know in America who are miserable and have everything.
Today was a day of great joy and laughter and probably in the top 10 of the best days of my life.
God Bless You All,
Cory
Monday we met with our prayer group for the first time at 8 am before morning chapel. It was myself, Brett, and Kelly. Kelly is a missionary who lives with his wife here on campus and opened his home for small groups during the week. He is also in charge of the music, so several of the students we prayed with were part of the band.
Afterwards, we had chapel. Chapel is at 9:00 am every morning and is where Carlton brings the sermon on whatever sin is going to be addressed that day and then we break for tea. After tea we break the students up into groups for discussion. Here are some pics from the morning tea.
And here is Brett kickin' it with Yami post tea on the way to discussion group. Yami is a cool guy. He's kinda like the troublemaker, punk kid of the group. We loved him immediately.
*A quick sidenote, the best pictures so far have come from Jennies camera but for some reason blogger does not like their high resolution, so you will have to wait for those. Sorry!! (These include the action shots of Carlton, group photos, and our panel discussion)*
So far the groups have been cool. It's tough to get the students to open up at first but they eventually get goin'. One thing that I'm learning on this trip is that people are people. We all struggle with the same stuff, we all desire the same basic things, and Christ knows no cultural, ethnic, or economic boundaries.
The core of the message and discussion is usually over around noon and then we have the rest of the day to goof off before we reconvene for chapel at 7pm. Monday Jennie drove us into the city and we basically cruised the streets of Malawi. It is amazing to see how many people are around. People will just cross the streets in front of you, children will stand on the side of the highway, goats will run across the street, and people will be bathing and doing laundry on the riverbanks of an otherwise normal (yet poor) looking town. I did not snap many photos on Monday as I was too terrified by Jennie's driving a vehicle on the left side of the road while talking on a cell phone and dodging goats. Just kiddin' Jen, you're the best...:)
Tuesday was marked by the same schedule. We are getting to know more of the students and some have amazing stories. One gentlemen we met, named Thompson, has a family 400 miles away that he only gets to see twice a year on Spring Break and Christmas. He has a great heart and is training to be a pastor but lacks the funds to get home more often. Some of the workers that are employed by ABC walk for hours to get here from villages.
I will probably be posting more about our free time than the meat of what is happening here with the students. One reason is that you all want to see pictures, and I'm not exactly snappin'em off while we are all sitting around talking about anger. But be encouraged that the students seem to be very excited we are here, are being challenged by Carlton's preaching, and have a genuine thirst for God that we don't often see in the states. The week is also impacting my own spiritual walk immensely.
Tuesday free time involved going to a local orphanage where Jennie used to tutor when she lived here. I do not have the name logged in my memory, but it is an orphanage/farm where they house about 35 children - most who are in school- who also help out with the farming. They gave us a warm welcome by singing us songs:
After they took us by the hands, they showed us their rooms and then it was off to see the farm.
Jennie remembered quite a few of the students from when she lived here. The living conditions at the orphanage aren't too bad but it is definitely unlike anything I've ever experienced. The children here are beautiful. You've never seen bigger, more grateful smiles full of white teeth. It's really amazing.
Although the experience so far has been a good one, nothing compares with what we did today. As I noted earlier the college employs Malawian locals for landscaping and housemaid duties. When Jennie lived here she befriended one of the houseworkers named Caroline. Caroline lives in a village about 3 miles from the school and still works for ABC. Jen asked if we could walk with her to her village and she very excitedly said we may.
So today around 1pm we hooked up with Caroline and made the trek down to her local village. This was where we seemingly stepped back in time. Apparently when you cruise through a village a few of the younger locals take notice.
That is Caroline and Jennie in the front, Carol (Carlton's wife) and myself in the back, a bunch of highly interested children all around us, and Brett taking the picture. Carlton stayed back to study for the nights sermon.
After we marched through the village, which was extremely impoverished, we ended up at Caroline's home. Many of the shots of the village are (once again) on Jennie's camera so unfortunately I won't be able to load some of the amazing shots of the marketplace.
Here is a family portrait of Caroline, her husband Yona, and the entire litter in their front yard - along with Jennie. We brought them some food from the kitchen in the house we were staying in, and Jennie brought them some gifts from America. They were very grateful.
While we were there we decided to play a game with the kids. The game is called pizza cutter (I think) and is basically a version of duck duck goose where instead of chasing someone who tags you, the "tagger" splits two people in the circle who have to run in opposite directions and race around to fill the hole first. Did that make sense? Try explaining it to 3, 4, and 5 year olds in another language! They eventually caught on.
Although we have captured some beautiful pictures of both the landscape and people here in Malawi, I must confess the most amazing picture I've seen so far has to be this one.
Can you say beautiful foreign diplomat? That picture belongs in an issue of Time magazine. Sorry, I’m just sayin’.
Romantic tidbits aside, today was an amazing day. What was amazing is how walking through the village brought the story of the Gospel alive. Not to imply that myself or anyone I was with were anything like Jesus of Nazareth, but when the gospels talk about crowds gathering as he entered villages I could not shake the sense that this is how it was. People stopped to look at us and all the children began following us. It really helped me contextualize how similar that had to be when Christ walked into a village in 1st century Palestine.
Aside from that, it was the humbling experience I longed for. The sense of community in the village was amazing, and most everyone had a smile on their face. I get the sense that some people think I should be “shocked” by what I see – but the truth is I’m not. It is not really a sad way of life as much as it is their way of life – a life to which they know no alternative. Granted, impoverished living conditions can be worse than what I saw, with health and sanitation issues that far outweigh my experience here, in which case a broken heart would be in order.
Still, the people here are the most hospitable I’ve ever met. I was thankful that Yona allowed me into his home today and let me sit. It was also amazing to see the joy that he possessed over the little he did have and the amazing family he is raising. He didn’t seem too disgruntled over freeway traffic, his next mortgage payment, or not being the first to get the new iPod.
Not that this is going to turn into some anti-America rant – I love my country and am very grateful, especially now, that I live there. But it is interesting to see the joy of people who essentially have nothing and contrast that to people I know in America who are miserable and have everything.
Today was a day of great joy and laughter and probably in the top 10 of the best days of my life.
God Bless You All,
Cory
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Greetings from Malawi
Hey all!
We've made it safe and sound into what is often called "The Heart of Africa" - or Malawi.
We left San Diego at 6:30 am Friday morning and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa at 5:30 pm Saturday evening. After eating at what was probably the best steak house ever just next to our hotel, we called it a night. After breakfast the next morning we went back to the airport and left for Malawi at around noon. Needless to say I've had my fill of airports and airplanes for some time (a week to be exact).
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a caravan from the African Bible College that included its founder, Jack Chinchen and his son Paul. Alongside Jack and Paul were several students, two of which myself and Brett rode to the campus with. Henry, who is a Kenyan, and Yami, who is Malawian, were our drivers.
One thing to note is that vehicles are driven on the left side of the road, which is always terrifying for the first few minutes as you think everyone you are going to pass is head-on collision waiting to happen. Eventually you get used to it. As we made the 9 mile journey from the airport to the school we saw some amazing things. The landscape is similar to the midwest. I kept thinking of Alabama with the red-clay soil but there are also mountains in the distance and some distinct shrubbery that is very "African."
Landscape aside, the lifestyle along the highway was fascinating. People walking, riding bikes, carrying baskets on their heads, etc. We did not stop any place along the way but we did see villages in the distance as well as marketplaces just off the highway. At one point I looked over and saw dead animals which I believe were goats hanging skinned off to the side of the road. We didn't have the presence of mind to snap too many photos as we were talking a lot to our drivers and taking in the landscape, but here are a few shots from the road.
We came in and got settled into our house which is oddly very nice. The campus is extremely well maintained and offers up employment to many local Malawians. There is a wall and electrified fence all around the campus. Years ago before the wall was up the campus was stormed by local criminals with AK-47's who beat down one of the pastors and tried to steal a few things. Since then the wall was put up and security guards were hired. They've had no such problems since. All they have to do now is beware of the spitting cobras and black mambas. Here are a couple of shots from the campus. The first is off the back porch of our house.
And another of the sky between two of the homes on campus. Note the wall in back ground. It's interesting to know that behind that wall is so much poverty.
After we settled in and rested we had our opening chapel service at 6 pm where we were welcomed by an acapella song from the "Kingdom Boys." The song was amazing. These were some of the best singers I've ever heard, and they sang live - to us! Think "For the Longest Time" by Billy Joel, only about a hundred times better and directed at welcoming you to Africa! It was sweet.
After Carlton preached and we were introduced to everyone it was off to Jack's house on campus for a pancake dinner. I guess it is a traditional thing they do on Sunday nights. It was really cool.
Tomorrow is when we will really start to develop relationships with some of the students and getting into the meat of the message. Carlton is preaching first on anger. It's interesting that the people I've met are some of the most chill and nice people ever. I feel like I'm going to get just as much out of this week as they are - perhaps more.
Suppose that's it for tonight. We are here, we are safe, and we are still taking it all in. I'll hit you up again with hopefully more and better pictures and stories of what God is doing.
Peace,
Cory
We've made it safe and sound into what is often called "The Heart of Africa" - or Malawi.
We left San Diego at 6:30 am Friday morning and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa at 5:30 pm Saturday evening. After eating at what was probably the best steak house ever just next to our hotel, we called it a night. After breakfast the next morning we went back to the airport and left for Malawi at around noon. Needless to say I've had my fill of airports and airplanes for some time (a week to be exact).
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a caravan from the African Bible College that included its founder, Jack Chinchen and his son Paul. Alongside Jack and Paul were several students, two of which myself and Brett rode to the campus with. Henry, who is a Kenyan, and Yami, who is Malawian, were our drivers.
One thing to note is that vehicles are driven on the left side of the road, which is always terrifying for the first few minutes as you think everyone you are going to pass is head-on collision waiting to happen. Eventually you get used to it. As we made the 9 mile journey from the airport to the school we saw some amazing things. The landscape is similar to the midwest. I kept thinking of Alabama with the red-clay soil but there are also mountains in the distance and some distinct shrubbery that is very "African."
Landscape aside, the lifestyle along the highway was fascinating. People walking, riding bikes, carrying baskets on their heads, etc. We did not stop any place along the way but we did see villages in the distance as well as marketplaces just off the highway. At one point I looked over and saw dead animals which I believe were goats hanging skinned off to the side of the road. We didn't have the presence of mind to snap too many photos as we were talking a lot to our drivers and taking in the landscape, but here are a few shots from the road.
We came in and got settled into our house which is oddly very nice. The campus is extremely well maintained and offers up employment to many local Malawians. There is a wall and electrified fence all around the campus. Years ago before the wall was up the campus was stormed by local criminals with AK-47's who beat down one of the pastors and tried to steal a few things. Since then the wall was put up and security guards were hired. They've had no such problems since. All they have to do now is beware of the spitting cobras and black mambas. Here are a couple of shots from the campus. The first is off the back porch of our house.
And another of the sky between two of the homes on campus. Note the wall in back ground. It's interesting to know that behind that wall is so much poverty.
After we settled in and rested we had our opening chapel service at 6 pm where we were welcomed by an acapella song from the "Kingdom Boys." The song was amazing. These were some of the best singers I've ever heard, and they sang live - to us! Think "For the Longest Time" by Billy Joel, only about a hundred times better and directed at welcoming you to Africa! It was sweet.
After Carlton preached and we were introduced to everyone it was off to Jack's house on campus for a pancake dinner. I guess it is a traditional thing they do on Sunday nights. It was really cool.
Tomorrow is when we will really start to develop relationships with some of the students and getting into the meat of the message. Carlton is preaching first on anger. It's interesting that the people I've met are some of the most chill and nice people ever. I feel like I'm going to get just as much out of this week as they are - perhaps more.
Suppose that's it for tonight. We are here, we are safe, and we are still taking it all in. I'll hit you up again with hopefully more and better pictures and stories of what God is doing.
Peace,
Cory
Thursday, March 6, 2008
T-Minus 6 Hours
I'm sitting on my buddy Brett's couch right now, sleepy, not really knowing of anything profound to write about. I just witnessed a desperate search for $160 cash that he had misplaced and will be needing to exchange in Malawi for Kwacha. You don't exactly swipe a debit card for a chicken if you know what I mean.
I'm waking up in approximately 4 hours to board my 20 hour flight. Since my biological clock is going to be jacked anyhow I'm not really all that concerned about sleep at the moment. I've plenty of time to make that up - or not - or whatever.
People have been asking me if I'm excited, and although I claim to be pumped up, I'm really not sure how to answer that. I'm excited to see another continent and way of life. Sometimes I do question my motives for going. Is it for me or for them...or for God? Is it altruism or is it an excuse to say "I've been to Africa..."? Is it exciting to watch people live on $2/day? I dunno.
I've heard that their zeal for God is awesome, and that when you go to church in Africa there are no time restraints. It's not a succinct 45 minute sermon, benediction, and then home to watch the Chargers. They get together and worship God with dancing and tribal African drumbeats.
Oh well, no need to speculate anymore. In 2 days (yep that's how long it takes to get where we are going) I'll get to see it all, take it in, and see how God begins working in myself, my crew, and the new people I will be meeting.
I'll keep you posted. Talk to you again from Africa.
Cory
I'm waking up in approximately 4 hours to board my 20 hour flight. Since my biological clock is going to be jacked anyhow I'm not really all that concerned about sleep at the moment. I've plenty of time to make that up - or not - or whatever.
People have been asking me if I'm excited, and although I claim to be pumped up, I'm really not sure how to answer that. I'm excited to see another continent and way of life. Sometimes I do question my motives for going. Is it for me or for them...or for God? Is it altruism or is it an excuse to say "I've been to Africa..."? Is it exciting to watch people live on $2/day? I dunno.
I've heard that their zeal for God is awesome, and that when you go to church in Africa there are no time restraints. It's not a succinct 45 minute sermon, benediction, and then home to watch the Chargers. They get together and worship God with dancing and tribal African drumbeats.
Oh well, no need to speculate anymore. In 2 days (yep that's how long it takes to get where we are going) I'll get to see it all, take it in, and see how God begins working in myself, my crew, and the new people I will be meeting.
I'll keep you posted. Talk to you again from Africa.
Cory
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Quote: Pastoral Theology
"But the scope of our art is to provide the soul with wings, to rescue it from the world and give it to God,......"
- Gregory of Nazianzus
This quote jumped out at me tonight in my pastoral care class. If that is the art of a pastoral counselor, then I must be a janitor at that art institute. But hey, you have to start somewhere.
- Gregory of Nazianzus
This quote jumped out at me tonight in my pastoral care class. If that is the art of a pastoral counselor, then I must be a janitor at that art institute. But hey, you have to start somewhere.
Monday, March 3, 2008
T-minus 4 Days
So I'm sitting here, high on coffee and graham crackers, half-heartedly studying for a PC501: Pastoral Counseling quiz, and thinking that in four days I'll be on a plane...for a really, really, really, really, really long time.
Yes, friends, I'm heading out to the continent so aptly described by Chuck D as the "Bass Mutha Land, the Place of the Drum." For those of you who have sent me money I can only say a warm thank you. For those of you who rolled your eyes and threw the letter in the trash...wait, none of you would do that...:)
In all seriousness though, I am getting pretty pumped. My longest plane ride was to Australia in 2004 and I don't remember it being all that bad, but this one trumps it by two stops (one in Atlanta and one in Senegal) and an additional flight from Johannesburg to Lilongwe, Malawi. That my internal clock is going to take a pounding is an understatement, especially considering that when we come back we will have "sprung forward" our clocks in the states.
But these minutia concerns are but cobboldia on the massive elephant that is going to Africa for a week! My great desire is to be humbled beyond all capacity, meet some great people, strengthen relationships between myself and my team, and let God do His thing. Again, I will try to update the blog while I'm there, although I'm not sure if I will be able to upload pictures just yet.
And on a slightly tangential note, Dale Jr. and the #88 team finished second yesterday in Vegas and moved into the top 10 in points. Team's lookin' pretty good, I'm just sayin'.
So that's about it. I'm going to attempt now to fall asleep after two cups of Starbucks, but I'll keep you updated as the trip progresses.
Thanks again to all who have given or are going to give support to this trip.
Peace,
Shiz
Yes, friends, I'm heading out to the continent so aptly described by Chuck D as the "Bass Mutha Land, the Place of the Drum." For those of you who have sent me money I can only say a warm thank you. For those of you who rolled your eyes and threw the letter in the trash...wait, none of you would do that...:)
In all seriousness though, I am getting pretty pumped. My longest plane ride was to Australia in 2004 and I don't remember it being all that bad, but this one trumps it by two stops (one in Atlanta and one in Senegal) and an additional flight from Johannesburg to Lilongwe, Malawi. That my internal clock is going to take a pounding is an understatement, especially considering that when we come back we will have "sprung forward" our clocks in the states.
But these minutia concerns are but cobboldia on the massive elephant that is going to Africa for a week! My great desire is to be humbled beyond all capacity, meet some great people, strengthen relationships between myself and my team, and let God do His thing. Again, I will try to update the blog while I'm there, although I'm not sure if I will be able to upload pictures just yet.
And on a slightly tangential note, Dale Jr. and the #88 team finished second yesterday in Vegas and moved into the top 10 in points. Team's lookin' pretty good, I'm just sayin'.
So that's about it. I'm going to attempt now to fall asleep after two cups of Starbucks, but I'll keep you updated as the trip progresses.
Thanks again to all who have given or are going to give support to this trip.
Peace,
Shiz
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
