Some Favorite Pictures from the Trip

This is a group that gathered along the road when our van overheated. Notice the scooter.

Fish for dinner?

The goats have arrived in port.

The 12-year old worship leader at the Galuja church. She led--they followed.

A Mozambique boy enjoying a sugar cane snack.

Some Final Reflections

It's now been two weeks since I returned home and people sometimes ask, "What is the one thing that stood out the most in Africa?" Not sure if there is one thing, but here are a couple of thoughts that have really stuck with me over the past two weeks.

First, I continue to be amazed at the African generosity and hospitality. In particular, when we were in Pemba we concluded our services with a time of Communion. Then they began to take an offering. We were going to contribute but Jake Shenk told us that something was different and to just wait before contributing. After they finished taking the offering they came and presented it to us. I was, and still feel, somewhat uncomfortable about it all. We had been sleeping on beds for two nights, they had slept on the ground. We flew into town, many of them walked for 15 or 20 kilometers. We make more money in a month than many of them will make in a life-time. But here they were giving money to us and being absolutely thrilled to do so. It made me think of the times in America when I've heard people say, "Why should I give--they have more than I do?" This joyful generosity is a lesson I want to remember.

Secondly, being out of the United States for two weeks makes you realize how small our world is. During this time I heard almost no news from here. As I flew back into Washington D.C. I thought about all the news stories that I would have heard if I had been home and all insignificant they really are. So much of what gets our attention, and often causes us to worry, really is insignificant. At the moment it may seem important, but it really is not. This trip gave me a resolve to be more relaxed and simply enjoy life. Our hyper American culture induces a lot of stress in us over things that are very insignificant.

Finally, I continue to remember the joy that radiated from their worship. They enjoy being together to worship. And I think of some specific leaders who are joyfully and sacrificially giving their all for the cause of Christ. My mind often went to the parable of Jesus in Matthew 13 about the man who found treasure in a field and then sold everything he had to buy that field. Jesus said that this is the passion with which we should pursue the kingdom of God. I saw people who are doing just that--and their lives are marked by a rich joy.

Again, thanks to all who supported this trip in so many ways! I am hoping to return to Africa someday with a team of people from Palmyra. My current hope is to make this visit (probably to Mozambique) happen in the summer of 2009. I will be sharing more pictures, hopefully some video, and detailed stories on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at Palmyra BIC @ 6:30 PM. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Postscript: Many have asked about my luggage. It arrived on my door last Saturday night. The biggest shame is that I only really wanted 2 books, a pair of shoes, and three shirts out of the suitcase. The rest was meant to stay in Africa.

Victoria Falls

On Wednesday, May 3rd, Corby, Jen, and I had the privilege of seeing Victoria Falls. We got up early and flew out of Macha on a Missionary Service plane at 8 AM. Prior to take-off, our friendly "travel agent" Kirtchen, drove his truck up and down the runway to ensure that all goats and cows were staying clear. About 20 miles from the Falls we began seeing the mist rising. Our pilot flew us over the Falls before we landed in the town of Livingstone. At the airport we met Sam, our guide for the day. He took us through a small game park (Animals sighted included elephants, impala, zebra, cape buffalo, girafe, monkeys, a baby crocodile, wildabeast, and bush buck.) and then to Victoria Falls. The Zambezi River recently crested at a 40-year high mark and was just roaring over the Falls. It was spectacular! I've seen Niagara Falls and this is just unspeakably more impressive. We put on rented ponchos and walked through "the mist." If you look at the picture above you see where the gorge cuts through into the mist. We walked across a small bridge there and it was like walking through a driving rainstorm. I now know what feels like for the guys on The Weather Channel to stand out on the beach at the beginning of a hurricane.

What makes Victoria Falls so impressive is that it is not only big--but it just suddenly appears out of nowhere. The vast African plane suddenly drops thousands of feet into a gorge. It's as if God finished creating the plane and then took his finger and made a zig-zag for the river. The heavens really do declare the glory of God and the earth proclaims his handiwork (Psalm 19:1).

Macha Hospital

Macha, Zambia is an amazing place. In the middle of the African bush there is a modern village that is literally bringing life to the Tonga people. At Macha there is a hospital, school, and the Malaria Research Institute. Satellite provides internet connection with the world, and the hospital provides wireless access to the village. (Yes, you can go to a mud hut with a grass-thatch roof and find a laptop computer connecting to the world.)

Compared to American hospitals, Macha is poorly equipped. Medicine is sometime limited, there are only two doctors for the entire hospital, and medical technology is very limited. We had the chance to meet two mothers who gave birth to pre-mature babies. (The mother in the picture is holding one of her triplets.) They have no incubators, or monitors, etc--yet if the babies are at least two pounds at birth, over 75% of them survive. When you first walk through the hospital it feels dirty. Family members just crowd into the rooms--sometimes sleeping on the floor under the bed of their loved one. You know that every day people die in this hospital. But in a unique way, this hospital feels more alive than some of our hospitals in America. The mortality rate is higher in Africa--but it feels less sterile and more relational. You are certainly not just a number on a chart at this hospital. There is no fighting with insurance--just a connecting with your family and a trust in your doctor. Please understand, I prefer the medical care and resources we have in the U.S.--but Macha hospital reminded me that relationships are always more important than always finding a cure to various sicknesses.

Finally, another amazing aspect of the Macha hospital is the work with HIV/AIDS. They are able to dispense free drugs that significantly prolong the life of those who are infected. Much of the funding is provided by President Bush's $15 billion AIDS Relief Initiative. (It was nice to see my tax dollars be put to good use!) The African culture tends to have a fatalistic "what-will-be-will-be" perspective and this kept many people from getting tested for AIDS. Obviously, this contributed to the ongoing spread of the disease. These life-prolonging drugs are challenging that perspective and now many people are coming to get tested. The result is that in the Macha area they have seen a decrease in the levels of infection.

In Jburg

Sitting here in Jburg during our six hour layover and just saw our plane arrive. Got our boarding passes and we should be home in about 22 hours. The last two days have been very good. Drs. John Spurrier and Phil Thuma gave us a tour of the Macha hospital and Maleria research center. Incredible work they are doing. Will post some pictures later..can't get my USB port to work on this airport computer. Then Tuesday I saw Victoria Falls. The missionary pilot flew us over the falls before landing in Livingstone...they really are incredible....can I say that it makes Niagara look small?? The Zambezi River reached it's highest level in 40 years this spring....this means the falls are just roaring. Walked through the "mist"....was like walking through a driving rain storm. Then we flew back to Lusaka and had an interesting night there. Be sure to check John's blog for some really cool graphics from Google Earth about what we've seen over these 3300 km in the past two weeks. It's been a great trip and I'd do it again..but I'm ready to get home:) Will post more pictures and reflections next week.

Macha and then Home

Well we are in the home stretch. It's been a great trip--but I'm really ready to see my family and church again. The last couple of days have been more relaxed. Read John's blog for more details...but we had a good time with the Miller family working with the Yao people. Really challenging environment. Then we spent most of two days traveling to Macha. Arrived in Macha after a great night at the MCC guesthouse in Lusaka (a very nice city). Today we are at the missionary retreat and then tomorrow morning Corby, Jen, and I are taking a missionary plane down to see Victoria Falls!! Then it's back to Lusaka and Thursday morning we start the long trip home..planning to touch down at Dulles at 6 AM on Friday.

The Internet Connection is slow...going to wait to post more pictures until I get home. I'll be sharing some at Palmyra BIC on Sunday morning. Then I'll post some more pictures and reflections next week on this blog. I'm grateful for this trip and for the good health we've experienced. Thanks for all of your prayers and for traveling along with us.

Malawi

It's 7:30 AM (Africa Time) and we are in Blantyre, Malawi at the Ginder's. It was great to relax with a warm shower, good bed, and some American food:) (It was the best carrot cake I've ever had! And this morning--bacon and eggs!!) Today we spend the morning with some Malawi Church leaders...then it is on to Mangochi to visit the Miller's. The next few days should be a little more relaxed. Malawi is a beautiful country. Some mountains and tea plantations (see picture at left) and the higher elevation makes the air very pleasant. Thanks for your prayers and interest. You can also learn more about the trip by checking out John's blog as well.