6/10: Off to southern Africa right now & I never remember...

As you read this, I'm beginning the long road/flight/journey back to Africa. It's always an adventure, each trip with its own unique stories of love, laughter, tears, pain, agony, and devotion that runs so deep it would make even the sternest man cry.

But no matter how often I go, I never remember the pre-trip ordeals until I'm in them like right now.

It's funny that no matter what I do to prepare, get ahead, etc before an Africa trip, I am always humbled by some piece of technology that apparently makes our lives easier, but ALWAYS causes me trouble.

Despite packing 5 days ago and doing the lion's share of last minute phone calls a couple days ago, I decided it would be nice if I would could share with you by video some of my final reflections.

Over 3 hrs today, I wrestled with my small Canon digital elph... a camera I've used hundreds of times to do the thing I wanted to do, but with no margin time to do it in. THis is after spending nearly 3 hrs 2 days ago trying to use my video camera to do the same, without success, despite having done the same dozens of times. It was as if I was being told to go, trust that people know and move forward. Then, in one last battle of wills, I thought I beat the camera by recording a short video, only to discover that my raw, tear filled, honest video reflection before departing would not play. If I get it working after I return, I'll post it. It was and is the desire of my heart.

So this blog will have to do. These little reminders of life in the developing world, where things should work, but don't, is good preparation.

Today, as you are reading this, I'm bound for Zimbabwe, via NYC and Johannesburg, South Africa. I'll be traveling with 3 friends (Darren, Steve, and Matt). They'll be with me until June 20, when they head back to the States and then I head on to Zambia until I return to the US on July 1.

We have 3 primary objectives:
1) To document the work of Forgotten Voices through the eyes of children. Rather than bounce around, we'll be staying with a few kids, walking to school with them, talking to pastors, families, community members, and their friends. Spending time listening to the voices of just a few kids and trying to capture their stories to bring them home to you. Most of our time will be spent with a young woman who has been receiving care for nearly 5 years through a partnership between her church and Forgotten Voices. She and I have become pretty good friends over the years and I'm pumped to introduce my friends from the states to her. When I met her, she was just a child. Some may say she still is. But, she now moves around our world with a bit of confidence & wisdom beyond her years, after a rough few years following the death of her parents. We look forward to sharing her story with you.
2) Exploring the beginnings of new ministry components to Forgotten Voices that will ultimately, Lord willing, help rural and urban churches meet the grief counseling needs of kids. In a cultural context that does not often acknowledge the mental and emotional toll death of parents has on kids, we have been asked by local churches around Zimbabwe to dream with them about what can be done. This is the beginning of that dream. Pray with us.
3) Take a look at relatively new projects and proposed projects that we may support. Going into new villages and new communities in Zimbabwe & Zambia is always a joy, but also challenging to think that we may be the only organization that ever comes across the good work of the local church.

Please pray for the following four things:

1) Pray that we choose joy daily. This is the cry of my heart. That we would be singing the Psalm 61, crying out to God, casting our burdens at His feet, and resting on the solid rock of God -- KNOWING that He is God, and we are merely His ambassadors of love. Amidst the overwhelming conditions and desires of churches we encounter...and the agony of holding the hands of dying children...or watching them grow without their parents alive to see them flourish... we will choose joy! Pray that we seek God's pleasure and joy with every day on the journey.

2) Pray for safety as we travel to/from/around Zimbabwe, then especially for me as I travel on to Zambia for 10 days by myself. Pray for safety & health, especially for the other 3 guys, who have never been to Africa before.

3) Pray for discernment for me. As I travel around, I do realize the immense privilege you all have given me to go on your behalf. The needs are great, the resources must be stretched, and everything often seems like a top priority. It is one of the greatest burdens I've ever encountered to look into the eyes of a pastor and tell him we have to wait or we don't think the project aligns with what we are trying to do. Often, it's not malice or mismanagement, as is often perceived of Africa, but rather misalignment.

After decades of relating to white men and women from the US who come to "save" Africa, it can take months or years to gain the trust and relationships to build and equip the local church to lead the way...and see that Forgotten Voices would like nothing better than to drift to the backdrop and allow the recipients of the church's good will to know nothing of where the funds came from...instead leaving the people to give thanks, glory, and praise to God for His provision...just as you and I give thanks to God for the opportunity to give to Forgotten Voices. The task is tough, as I balance the needs of the people, the pressures on the local church, the difficult financial crises in the States, and the pressures on many of you that you have shared with me. I know none of this is my money or even our money, but God's. Pray for discernment as we go.

4) Finally, on a far more personal note, please pray for my dear wife, Katie, who I love sooooo dearly. To be away from Katie for even a day is hard, but 3 weeks? A few times a year? Going for this long stretches your investment in Forgotten Voices, limits all the emotional ramp up time that is taxing before and jetlag recovery after. But 3 weeks is a long time, often going days without being able to hear from us. Pray for safety, joy, and discernment for Katie, as well. Pray also for peace.

I'm so deeply thankful for each of you, even those of you I've never met. It is with great humility that I again depart on another adventure. Today, as I fly 15.5 hrs to South Africa, ten 2.5 hrs to Zimbabwe, I will be praying prayers of joy for you all. Praising God for the way your hands have extended mercy and love to so many people you have never met.

As always, I pledge to love and serve our friends in southern Africa to the best of my abilities and capacity. And I pray that God will continue to honor that, as well as the loving sacrifices you all continue to make to help us equip the church to care for the physical & spiritual needs of AIDS orphans in their communities.

To make a gift to support our work that you read about over the next 3 weeks, visit us online at ForgottenVoices.org.

Throughout the trip, join us for the adventure at www.ForgottenVoices.org or right here on this page. Both work the same.
My sincere thanks,
Until I try and write from JFK before departing for Joburg,
My thanks, love, and prayers for you & yours,
Ryan

A Love blessing we will forever cherish...

This is indeed "A blessing we will foever cherish...", one woman echoed from within the small gathering as their leader got a cheque for supporting orphans in their ministry. The ministry of Forgotten Voices is going to help support over 500 kids; Yes, over 500 children will be sent back to school and some will continue with their schooling because of brethrens like you. It is because you have decided to say “yes I will remember orphans in Africa”. Words would never express the feelings we all have right now; but we can say THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Just yesterday, a total of six projects in our partnership with churches around Ndola area were empowered in their orphan care ministries. Some of the pastors and church leaders could not hide their happiness; “this is what we have always been praying for especially that we do witness first hand suffering of our people,” one of them said. Another pastor further said that their intentions of purchasing a hummer mill has now been fulfilled; “the help has come at the right time because people are busy harvesting their maize and the mill will not only help the church members, but also bring revenue from the surrounding community who will use it to grind their harvested maize into mealie meal at a fee,” he said.  “This will sustain some of the ministries of our church,” the pastor reiterated. I was equally happy for the men of God because I know their struggles in meeting their ministry obligations under very difficult conditions has been very hard. The church in Africa is (rightly so) seen as a place of refuge for those that are in need, but its resources has always been meagre.   

The ministry of Forgotten Voices, through local churches in Africa could never have come at the right time. It has brought life to not only the spiritual aspect of the church’s ministry, but also to its social ministry. To you, who are holding the hands of FVI to make this possible, I say, please don’t grow weary. We are always on our knees thanking God for what you are doing; for through this ministry, the evil one’s efforts are rendered useless even when the vices are so great to clump these kids. The ministry of the church, especially towards children is being fulfilled.

It was also gratifying to hear kids sharing their dreams for the future; “When I grow up, I want to become a teacher” one said; others hope to be doctors, mechanics, pastor…the list is endless! Well, just know that you are helping to make some of these children’s dreams come true.

I have always believed that Christians hold the key to the real hopes of mankind. One of these hopes is, the hope to love and to be loved; which according to 1Cor. 13, is the greatest gift. And you have shown your love for the pastors and their flock through your generosity even though you have even never met them.   

This will indeed be "a love blessing we will forever cherish in our hearts!"

Your fellow servant in the Lord,

Remmy.

5/28: Fast Food God

I just read a blog post from a friend of mine, Drew Hart. He has an interesting blog where he posts things that get him thinking and then he asks others to "free style with him".

This one right hit home with me. I'm preparing to go to Africa June 10-July 1 (more on this trip in the next week -- a lot more, actually). In the midst of the busyness that is trip planning and all the work that needs to get done before I can go wheels up to Africa, I sometimes cut down on the core part of what makes me me. My relationship with the Lord. I'm nothing apart from Christ.

So - Free style with Drew and check out his blog post here: http://freestyletheology.wordpress.com

Happy slowing down to spend time with our Lord. I promise it will be worth it.

-Ryan Keith

5/21: Forgotten Voices Recognized by Hudson Institute

Dear friends, Today's post is a good one. Thanks to your generous support, as well as the tireless efforts of our partners in Africa, we are pleased to inform you of the below press release we sent out to local newspapers in PA. Feel free to let me know if other papers should know about this. Keep up the good work!

The need for the mission of Forgotten Voices has never been greater, as the rise of AIDS orphans continues to climb and the churches in Africa are being asked to do more and more, with less and less. Continue joining us in telling friends about the ministry you are part of and I'm so thankful for each of you.

After reading this blog post, please take some time to read through the summary and/or listen to the radio program. Hudson did some fantastic research on giving.

Again, my sincere thanks on behalf of our partners in Zimbabwe & Zambia.

All the best,
Ryan

Click here to read/listen to more on Hudson Institute's Index of Global Philanthropy & Remittances:

Executive Summary
Full Index

To listen to a radio interview, referenced below, you can do so here (Forgotten Voices is around the 23 minute mark for 40 seconds, but the whole interview is really informative, beginning at minute 20):


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Ryan Keith, President
717.649.0667 (cell phone)
Ryan@ForgottenVoices.org

Local Organization, Forgotten Voices, Recognized for Excellence by Hudson Institute’s esteemed Index of Global Philanthropy

MECHANICSBURG, PA (May 21, 2009) – The Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Philanthropy recently highlighted Forgotten Voices in Hudson’s widely regarded annual Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances for being a model in global philanthropy. Forgotten Voices is a Mechanicsburg, PA based 501c3 non-profit organization that equips a network of local churches and communities in Zimbabwe and Zambia to care for AIDS orphans with locally developed action plans for orphan care. Hudson described Forgotten Voices in the Executive Summary: “By working with local leaders and tapping a network of dedicated volunteers, Forgotten Voices is helping to change the lives of vulnerable children in Africa and the communities that nurture them.” Hudson distributes the Index to leaders around the world as examples in approaches to philanthropy.

Within the 88 page report, Hudson highlighted three Christian organizations in the USA to demonstrate the $8.6 billion in giving from religious organizations. The three Hudson highlighted were Saddleback Church’s PEACE Plan, led by Rev. Rick Warren, Forgotten Voices, and Engineering Ministries International.

Of the recognition by Hudson, Ryan Keith, Forgotten Voices’ President, said, “Hudson’s recognition of our young organization is a testament to our partners in Zimbabwe and Zambia, who are working hard every day to make dollars donated go far. At the end of the day, Forgotten Voices is simply about connecting people in the USA with a wide network of willing, capable, and loving people in southern Africa who care every day for kids that are not their own, but love them as if they are. Our story is theirs and I’m thankful Hudson is encouraging others to consider taking the same approach of listening and supporting the voices of local people.”

Heidi Metcalf, Deputy Director at Hudson, recently gave an interview about the Index on the Moody News Network’s Prime Time America show, a nationally syndicated radio show to 350 stations around the USA. Metcalf said, “Forgotten Voices represents an enormous network of U.S. based volunteers and African volunteers, with over 1,200 people in Zimbabwe volunteering, to provide orphan care to AIDS orphans (in Africa).”

Said Keith, “The real story here is that leaders in Africa are not only willing to help, but are leading every day now. Every mother wants to provide for her own child, but sometimes that’s not possible with AIDS. Where it’s not, we are helping equip church leaders and community members that willingly protect the kids of these dying parents. They are the real heroes. I’m grateful to have the best job in the world thanks to all the people that continue to invest in advancing our mission. All the recognition in the world does not come close to the joy we have knowing we are helping protect the hopes and dreams of vulnerable kids by equipping local people who are doing the hard part by saying yes.”

Currently, inflation in Zimbabwe is estimated to be immeasurable by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and unemployment is over 80%. Droughts over the past 2 years promise that over half of the country’s people won’t have enough to eat once a day or afford it. Shelves are often barren under price controls and people are experiencing heavy pressure to make ends meet with high inflation and black market trading. 500 people die everyday in Zimbabwe because of AIDS related illnesses in these economic conditions and an estimated 1,000 kids become orphaned each day. The number of orphans is expected to almost double from 1.3 million in 2005 to 2.0 million by the end of 2009, representing 20% of the total population of the country.

Hudson Institute is a nonpartisan policy research organization dedicated to innovative research and analysis that promotes global security, prosperity, and freedom. More information on the Index, including online copies, can be found on Hudson’s homepage at http://www.Hudson.org.

Forgotten Voices International is demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ by equipping local churches in southern Africa to meet the physical & spiritual needs of AIDS orphans in their communities. Administratively led by 1 full-time staff member and seven 20-something volunteer leaders in the Central PA area, Forgotten Voices’ projects are empowering orphans with sustainable solutions to some of their greatest challenges. School fees, counseling, food, and skills training are just some of the ways that Forgotten Voices is raising hope and independence for these forgotten orphans in some of the world’s most forgotten places. Currently, Forgotten Voices has projects in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Its partnerships now serve over 4,000 orphans across over 160 local church projects in Africa.

For more information on Forgotten Voices International or to learn how to get involved, please contact Ryan Keith at 717.506.0633 (office) or email at Ryan@ForgottenVoices.org. You may also visit www.ForgottenVoices.org.

Love them Lord, through me

It has been a while since I posted an article on the blog. Sometimes it is hard to put down in writing what one is experiencing. It requires a settled mind and a resolve to counter the feelings of not willing to put pen to paper.

However, today I have a rather touching story about four young children from one family, that has already experienced three deaths before they could even celebrate their tenth birthdays. It is hard to imagine these children no longer have a father or mother to fend for their needs. It is such a tragedy at such a tender age. Their emotional pain and pressure they are passing through is hard to imagine, not mentioning the social problems that they now face with no one to call dad or mum in their life. Their childhood has been shortened and they have to grow up quickly enough to manage their own lives if survival is to be a reality in their lives.

Meet Dorcas, (7) and her cousins; 10 years old Mary, and her twin siblings; 8 years old Joseph and Moses. I found it difficult to hold my tears when they shared their story; especially because Mary could not hold hers as she narrated what happened. I decided to stop the interview and ask the pastor to tell me what he knows about their situation. It was a very sad and painful situation for me.

It is alleged that the three, Mary and the twin boys lost both their parents within a year of each other and were later picked up to stay with their aunt, the mother to Dorcas, who by then was a widow. Dorcas' mother also died shortly after they came into her house causing another pain of suffering to these kids. All these deaths were HIV/AIDS related.

The children are currently living with their grandmother, too old to help them pull through this tender stage of their life. They are living in a three roomed mud house in one of the shanty compounds of Ndola. Dorcas is in grade 1, Mary in grade 4 and the twins are in grade 3. Pastor Lameck Mugala, through his church has been doing a great job in helping these children manage their situation as they mingle with other kids during the feeding program. “It has not been easy”, the pastor says; He told me that in fact this old lady they call granny, is not their real granny. She was related to Dorcas' late step father. Dorcas' late mother was a sister to the other three kids' mother, but Dorcas' father is nowhere to be seen. He divorced her mother when she was still very young and later her mother got married to another man whose mother is the granny they live with now. You see how complicated their situation is. This also shows how much poverty has disintegrated the extended family systems, especially here in the urban set up. It's hard to imagine this happening to little children like these.

However, the church has been their hope ever since their situation was brought to the pastor's attention. They receive assistance from the church for most of their requirements. They have not only been receiving material support, but they have also been helped spiritually as they attend the children's Bible class during the feeding programs. The kids love their Lord and I hope they will grow to be responsible citizen.

This is where the ministry of Forgotten Voices has indeed been a God sent ministry in this part of Africa. It has helped pastors like Lameck to manage their God given calling in ministering to the poor and needy in their communities. Your contributions, through Forgotten Voices' ministries here in Zambia has lightened their burden, giving us hope for a better future in the lives of these and such other children. Forgotten Voices International appreciates your continued support. We understand the world economical situation is not favourable these days, but we do realize that, the God who called us to this ministry transcends such economical circumstances of the world and as such our hope lies in the LORD we serve. He is in control and will make a way were there seems to be no way.

May the Lord give you grace to continue this noble ministry among the poor in the world. As Ryan normally says, “you have chosen to say yes, even when the most appropriate answer would have been no” Thank you so much, we appreciate. The Lord loves the poor and his heart is always with them (Psalm 140:12); May your prayer always be: “Love them Lord, through me!”

Your fellow servant in the Lord,

Remmy.

4/27: Time Alive... 10,811 days

So, I have this counter tool on Google that tells me how long its been since I was born, thus how long I've been alive.

Today: 10811 days 17 hours 15 mins
Since Time Alive 20-Sep-1979 17:00

I don't look at it every day, or even every week. But occasionally, I do look at it. It reminds me that every day has a beginning and an end; everyday has successes to celebrate and missed opportunities that I didn't seize that hopefully will come my way again. I'm not anxious about it at all, but encouraged... encouraged to press on.

It's incredible what God can do in a day. This morning, I was reading Genesis 1-3 in the library. Talk about productivity, beauty, power, grace, and even a rest in there. I like reading that part of scripture because it always reminds me that I am Ryan and God is God. We can't help all the people dying, or help all the kids sick in the world.

But God does give us today. God does give us talents and wishes, longings to be used by Him...longings to love and be loved.

Today, 500 people will die from AIDS related illnesses in Zimbabwe alone, with a little less dying today in Zambia. Both of these are countries where Forgotten Voices is working with the local church to equip them with the resources they need to create local, custom responses to the physical & spiritual needs of AIDS orphans in their communities.

So, as I live out day 10,811 of my life, I'm encouraged by the unique opportunity you and I have to breath, give life to others, and make today count.

Many of you continue to give, despite the downturn in the economy. Thanks! For those of you that haven't given in awhile, please consider doing so. Either way, you can learn more about us at http://ForgottenVoices.org.

4/15: My Tears and Their Farms

Today has been one of those days when seemingly everything makes me cry. From emails from old friends to watching something precious happen to a stranger on the sidewalk. To instantly being overwhelmed by the job I have, with the knowledge that we can't help them all. Reading about a friend letting his wife pursue God into heaven. I'm not ashamed to cry much anymore. Inconvenienced a bit, especially at the library, but not ashamed. It didn't use to be that way. I used to try to hide it (still do sometimes...). I try to be still. Confident. Resolved.

I've seen too much now. I've held too many hands of dying people. I've watched too many kids here in the USA walk gleefully up to me and hand me their change to give to kids in Africa. I've watched people like you respond in love to people you don't even know, simply because people like me have asked you to love them, as Christ loved us. I've watched my parents set an incredible example.

Today, I (re)came to a new realization...one I've certainly had before, but I one I honestly thought I had discovered myself for the 1st time...

It is ok to cry. It's ok to cry for joy and for sorrow. So, today, I cried a bit, mostly overwhelmed by how incredibly awesome it is that I get to work with each of you to help equip local churches in Africa in their daunting task of loving an ever growing number of precious children. THANK YOU.

Today, I celebrate with you this:

Five Guys (3 pastors, a hospital administrator, and the head of an AIDS clinic we help fund) all went to the Farming God's Way Conference last month in March because of your generous support. While I don't yet have pictures of the conference, I know that lives were changed. Farms, using this no-tilling/mulching method, will be planted this coming year, yielding an average of 300% above traditional farming. Tomorrow morning, Forgotten Voices will be sending money to Farming God's Way's Zimbabwe operation to help them start about 100 new farms that will feed an estimated 1,000 people this year, including orphans, widows, and those that care for them.

Pictures from some of my trips to see Farming God's Way's work and how it is helping the churches and people we (you and me) serve through Forgotten Voices.

Press on and make today count,
-Ryan