Journey updates from Solwezi, Zambia

If you aren't already aware, Ryan is currently leading a team in Zambia, Africa. While they are meeting with various pastors in the rural areas of Solwezi identifying community needs and possible partners to provide for local orphans, here are a few updates they've posted via twitter:

"Many of our friends here daily work their tails off to survive. What an honor to learn from them & serve with them."

"Amazing 12 hr day for us. 5 Baptist churches who have identified 300 kids orphaned. No one but church would find these kids."

"After typing up notes off to bed after 17 Hr day. So beat. Please pray for strength tomorrow. Leaving at 8 for Kitwe"

"Visited with a friend to Remmy, wife to chief who lost sister. Always tough to be around death. After 16 trips still new."


You can tell that this journey so far has been both productive and extremely demanding in many ways. Please keep the team in prayer as they journey from Solwezi back to Ndola, then catch a flight to Lusaka tomorrow to meet with local pastors there.

Stay tuned for more updates ..

Brian

Breaking out of the bubble

It is almost a year since my first visit to Africa. While I had worked with Forgotten Voices International for some time and understood the devastating description of conditions there – life expectancy in the 40’s, over 1.5 million children orphaned by AIDS, and the large number of households headed by children, I was still not prepared for what I was about to see. When I returned to my comfortable life in the US, I was struck by the words of a friend of mine following a trip to Africa, observing that those of us in the US “live in a bubble, insulated from the harsh reality that is always present in places like Zimbabwe and Zambia”.

As a way to avoid slipping back into complacency, I have taken some of the photographs from my trip to Africa and placed them on a digital photo frame in my office. Every morning I turn it on to remind me that there are places in the world where there is little opportunity to rise above the forces of poverty, illness, and injustice. The faces that appear on my digital frame are real people with names that I can remember - James, Fibion, Neatness, Petersen, and many others. They are not an abstract problem to solve. They are people whose faces call out to me to see them as God’s children and to respond through the eyes of faith.

My experience in Africa has convinced me that the Church of Jesus Christ stands as a beacon of hope and the manifestation of God’s love in the most difficult of circumstances. I have also come to appreciate that the FVI model of working through local churches is the most effective way to meet the needs of orphans. As a relatively small organization FVI can be very nimble in response to the needs identified by the local church, and can help to create solutions that have true local ownership. Africa is like most places in the world where empowerment and dignity go hand in hand. Working through the local church also provides a framework with integrity that is sorely lacking elsewhere. In short, a higher percentage of the dollars spent by FVI is reaching the targeted needs of those in distress.

I urge all of you who live in the “bubble” we call the United States to join the work of Forgotten Voices International. If you are looking to make a difference in the world, you have come to the right place!

Stephen Proctor - Chair, Forgotten Voices International

Learning from Hope

Today's story is from one of my favorite people in Africa - my dear, young friend Hope. She is Remmy Hamapande's niece. Remmy is our Zambia Director, who some of you were able to meet in Oct/Nov 2010. One of my favorite things in all the world is to sit and learn from children. Hope's eternal joy and quiet smile always warms my heart. It is no exaggeration to say that she has helped me get through dark times. When I come to Zambia, I stay with Remmy's family, including Hope.

After spending a long day with children who have recently lost their parents or assessing a difficult situation, it is common for me to return home exhausted and out of steam. But, Hope - like God's gift of hope - always invigorates me with her request to play games outside or UNO. Her endless joy refreshes me and helps me refocus on God's hope for all who I've seen that day. She is always concerned to make sure I'm doing well and always enjoys a laugh. From Hope, I've learned to come home to my daughter ready to play, laugh, and love despite a tough day. For all the kids we serve, I long to create a family environment of laughter and hope - a lesson Hope has helped me learn again and again.

I'm thankful Hope offered to write this. Though she is shy, her heart is full of love for all of us. I hope that her reflection, offered with love, offers you hope.

Ryan Keith - President, Forgotten Voices

(Click to enlarge)

Hope Shanungu, 12 year old from Ndola, Zambia

Nine Days in Zimbabwe

I have been helping behind the scenes with Forgotten Voices International for several years now. Over five years ago, my friends began describing how God was moving through the dreams of young adults and Zimbabwean pastors. I wanted to be a part of God's movement, so I started volunteering. As the ministry grew, I agreed to take over donation processing and write thank you notes to our amazing supporters. After a few years, my service became more routine. This fall I was given an opportunity to see how my contributions help change lives through the work of Forgotten Voices.

This November, I spent nine days in Zimbabwe. Those nine days will forever change the way I view the work of Forgotten Voices. I met many families that are living in difficult situations: little to no food to eat, no seed to plant and suffering from the effects of HIV/AIDS. This redefined my understanding of difficult.

Since returning, I have been unable to stop thinking about and praying for the Moyo family. Luwazi, his wife and 6 month old twins, Emmanuel and Ethel. They live with five other people in Waybai Village about 8 km from Mtshabezi Mission station. Luwazi is suffering from AIDS related illnesses. His wife and Ethel are HIV+, and thankfully Emmanuel is not. The day we met them, they did not have any food to eat and no seed to plant. We talked to them, listened to their story, took pictures and prayed for them. Then we walked away. It was very hard walking away knowing that all we could do was pray for them, but prayer is a powerful thing.

Their story does not end there. The following morning, we met with Pierre, our partner with Foundation for Farming. Forgotten Voices partners with them to provide seed, fertilizer and zero-till farming training to families in southern Africa. We shared with him the stories of Luwazi and the other families that we met the previous day. Before we parted ways, we had a plan for him to provide seed, fertilizer and training for thirty families the following week. So as we were celebrating Thanksgiving, they were preparing their food supply for the rest of the year.

There may be times I may be tempted to slip back into mechanical routines or struggle with screaming kids, but those nine days bring life into perspective. There's real suffering and difficulties in the world, and there is a loving God already preparing a provision for those in need. Last month, God used Pierre, next month it may be you.

Julie Bunch - Volunteer Director of Administration

Here I Am

Two weeks ago today, I stepped off an 18.5 hour return flight from South Africa. I'd taken a group of pastors from Central Pennsylvania to see the work that Forgotten Voices is doing in southern Africa. In a two week whirlwind tour we visited Zimbabwe, Zambia and spent one night in South Africa. We visited with roughly 15+ families and met with only a handful of the 150 churches that partner with Forgotten Voices. We experienced humorous moments - see picture of baby monkey chewing on Julie’s ear - and heartbreaking moments - like the visits with families who had no food and no seed to plant. We prayed, we laughed, we cried, but most importantly we had the opportunity to meet true heroes of the faith. We spent time with devoted pastors, listening to what their church is doing to help their communities, praying with and for them, encouraging them and rejoicing with them over the work that is being accomplished.

Every single day these men and women arise from their beds and say, “Here I am Lord, use me.” Throughout the day they change their hats - one second they are a pastor, the next they are counselor, a social worker, a business man or woman working on income-generating projects to benefit their communities. They put on each hat with a spirit of humility and a reliance on God and the Spirit to lead, guide, and direct them. When you sit with these men and women you can begin to see what it means to be the Church in the community. Each of our project partners adds a unique approach to addressing the AIDS crises. They develop locally-relevant action plans for meeting the needs of children who have been orphaned by AIDS and other vulnerable children in their network.

I love volunteering for Forgotten Voices to help equip our church partners to fulfill their action plans for their communities. I have witnessed firsthand the value these action plans bring to a community and have seen our partners transforming communities one child at a time.

I serve by leading our volunteers here in the United States and helping run the day-to-day operations of our ministry. Forgotten Voices has roughly 30+ volunteers in the USA who help us equip our brothers and sisters in southern Africa. We are looking to grow our volunteer network throughout 2011. If you are interested in volunteering please visit this link for volunteer opportunities.

In closing, my challenge to you is to arise each day with the spirit of “Here I am Lord, use me.” Learn from our partners, grow along with us as God continues to reveal new things about Himself, and participate with us in making a permanent change in the life of children.

Nate Shaffer - Volunteer Executive Director

Fleeing Rwandan Genocide to a Life of Service

Separated during a brutal attack on their village during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, Pastor Murekezi and his future wife would not see each other again until years later at a refugee camp. Once married, the couple has since decided to follow a higher calling to become leaders of the Free Methodist Church outside of Ndola, Zambia.

Through the church and with help from Forgotten Voices, 26 orphaned children are able to attend primary school, and a community farm has been established that allows people without land to plant crops and feed their families.

The efforts of the congregation and leadership at this church have not only changed lives, but an entire community. More than a dozen families actively participate in their farming program, and plans are in place to use a portion of the crops grown to generate income that will sustain their efforts to send orphans in their community to school indefinitely.

What a powerful ministry. Right now, a team from Forgotten Voices is visiting the Free Methodist Church outside of Ndola, and bringing their expertise and encouragement to the congregation and Pastor Murekezi as they continue to care for those without a voice in their community. You can be a part of this exciting project, just one of nearly two dozen that Forgotten Voices is involved with.

Join our efforts through volunteering, donating, or sharing these stories with others.

We're focused on locally developed and run orphan care in Zimbabwe and Zambia. We hope you'll join in our efforts to help those without a voice wherever you are.

On to Zambia!

After 6 days in Zimbabwe traversing between multiple project partners including Foundations for Farming, Mtshabezi Secondary School, and The Rock Church among others, the team from Forgotten Voices has moved on to Zambia. You may have noticed from their tweets that the team's schedule has been incredibly busy, a roller coaster ride of mixed emotions as they reunite with old friends and also become reacquainted with their hardships.

Today the team has landed in Ndola to visit the Theological College of Central Africa and meet up with Zambian Program Director, Remmy Hamapande. Leading up to this trip, Remmy had the opportunity to visit the United States for the first time, speaking at numerous events and learning a lot about America culture (and enjoying no small amount of pizza along the way!).

Tomorrow the team will visit Lubuto Church of Christ, an hour and a half drive from their current location in Ndola. Through partnership with Forgotten Voices, Lubuto Church of Christ has been able to send over 80 orphans to school, provide sewing and empowerment projects to 32 widows, and construct a hammer mill for the community.

With the hammer mill in place, the church is now able to generate enough income to sustainably provide for the orphans and widows it currently supports. This project is a powerful example of what successful international partnership can look like, a model that Forgotten Voices is seeking to replicate elsewhere. It's important to note that the ideas for these self-sustaining projects are generated and spearheaded by the local people, as they clearly know what's most needed in their own communities. Forgotten Voices can then act as a conduit for their plans to become a reality.

Please continue to keep the Lubuto Church of Christ in your prayers, as well as our team. May the team's visit provide encouragement to the local community and leadership there as they seek to empower a growing number of orphans and widows across the region.

You can also keep up with the team's journey on facebook as they continue their time in Zambia.

Zimbabwe – Final Reflection

The last two days of the trip were dedicated to seeing some of the sights of Zimbabwe – the Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls. Both are amazing in beauty and grand scale. It is hard not to fall in love with a place like this. However, what sticks in my mind is the people of Zimbabwe, who endure hardship that we can only begin to imagine with a dignity and courage that is truly humbling.

Being in Zimbabwe reminded me of 2008 when I had the opportunity to hear John Bell of the Iona Community in Scotland speak to a group here in the US. He told the story of a time when he was charged with doing a story in South Africa for the BBC that took him to a small AIDS treatment center. As a part of the early morning routine in this center, they gathered to pray, sing and dance. After the camera crew got the entire experience on film, John spoke to the woman who ran the clinic. He remarked to her that as he watched this joyful experience unfold that everyone was mixed up, and he could not distinguish the patients from the staff. Her response was that this was the result of an intentional plan, remarking that “For the healthy to be whole, they must be touched by the sick.” In an environment that could be described as hopeless, they had found the secret. In order to be whole persons, those who were healthy and were called to serve needed to touch and be touched by the sick.

As I reflect on my time in Zimbabwe, this observation becomes even more profound. Being there was not only about reaching out to help people in their hour of need. That is the essential work of Forgotten Voices and the reason we are called by God to do this important work. But it was also about how my time with the people of Zimbabwe helps me on the journey to become a whole person.

I hope the stories of Forgotten Voices will touch your heart in a special way so that you will join us as a contributor, prayer partner, or volunteer. But I also pray that the experience of being touched will soften your heart and make you a whole person, able to serve others with kindness and compassion. In many ways we are indebted to the less fortunate of this world as God uses them to make us better human beings. “For the healthy to be whole, they must be touched by the sick.”

Steve Proctor

January 8th Update from Zimbabwe

It was an incredible experience to wake up to the sunrise over the top of the ridge, and to hear the sounds of the animals and little villages coming to life. The beauty of this place is breathtaking.

Today was supposed to be an easy day, but turned out to be as busy as most others since I have been here, with meetings with several groups that we are supporting or hope to support in the future. The Christian Leadership Center is a resource primarily for pastors and lay persons of all denominations. It is a critically needed service, but woefully inadequate. The entire library is smaller than the books normally held by a single pastor in the US, and all 11 computers in the center are old and broken beyond repair.

The lunch meeting with the Ebenezer Trust was the most interesting of the day. We met with Peter Cunningham and Lance and Elizabeth Edwards. It is an impressive program that is focused on teaching people farming skills and launching them in their own business as a farmer. It is two years long, and currently serves 44 students, 75% of them are orphans. It would appear to be the capstone in a continuum of service to orphans in rural areas - a transition to self sufficiency. The combination of farming techniques, business and leadership skills, and faith is a powerful combination to change lives and entire communities.

Later in the day I was reminded again that the reality of death is never far away. When visiting James at the Rock church on the way home, we discovered that his wife’s sister had died the previous day and that he had to drive into Bulawayo to pick up the body and perform the funeral. She was 33, about the average life expectancy for a woman in Zimbabwe. Later in conversation with the Bishop’s office of the BIC church we learned that the Bishop was performing a funeral today and another one tomorrow. What was particularly tragic was that during the funeral there was a car accident on the way to the cemetery, and three of the persons attending the funeral were killed. The result was that in a two day period the Bishop had a total of 5 funerals.

Steve Proctor

January 7th Update From Zimbabwe

We stayed at a guest house near the Mtshabesi Hospital last night. This morning I met a young man staying in one of the other rooms. He is attending a school nearby. When I asked about his family, he told me that his family was well, but his mother some problems getting around and had a pronounced limp. When I asked him about the cause, he said that 12 years ago she was going down to the river to get water, and a crocodile emerged from the water and bit her on the leg. The crocodile was large, and would not let go, and she fought back in the water. The attack lasted about 10 minutes in all, and when his father appeared with a knife, they had the presence of mind to shove the knife down the crocodile’s throat, causing the reptile to release her. Her injuries put her in the hospital for 8 months, but she recovered. I told him that it was a remarkable story, unlike anything I have ever heard. He simply said, “My telling of the story is nothing. You should hear my Mother tell it. She has a powerful testimony, and it is the reason I am a Christian now.”

We visited a family with a daughter severely affected by AIDS. Her legs were weak, and had been contracted. After getting some intensive physical therapy she could now straighten out her legs, but spent most of her day stretched out under a tree. She would be completely immobile except for the walker that was provided by FVI. Her sisters were also in school because of school fees paid by FVI. Again the family was held together by the grandparents. The grandmother seemed very old, and the contrast between her weathered appearance and the 2 year old child on her lap was a reminder of the harsh life these people face, and the toll it exacts on the human body.

The roads we travel to our visits are a real adventure. I am used to bad roads in Honduras, but these are the worst I have ever traveled, sometimes resembling cow paths. Traveling to the Shuma Shamba Lodge involved over 2 hours of a bone jarring ride that left us rather weary. The difficulty of the trip was worth it. The lodge is set in a very picturesque place. Just sitting and watching the nighttime sky is beyond description, with more stars in the sky than I have ever seen, even on the clearest winter night in the US. The term awesome is frequently used in conversation, but the term truly applies here.

Steve Proctor

Jan 6th Update from Zimbabwe

Today we visited Peterson, the little boy whose story has been featured on the FVI website before, and the inspiration for much of the work of Forgotten Voices. His story is a sad one, with the challenges of losing a mother and a sister to AIDS, and being left to live on his own as an orphan with the ravages of the dreaded disease. It is a wonder that he is still alive, and without the support of Forgotten Voices providing medicine and intervening to have him placed with relatives, he would have died several years ago. He is still very frail, and will eventually die of AIDS. In the meantime, he has been granted a life that has its share of joys and childhood playfulness. As a person who likes to fix things, his eventual fate is distressing to me. Seeing him relate to Ryan today is a reminder that providing help even in cases where death casts a dark shadow is work worth doing.

The tour of Mtshabezi hospital was very interesting but less exciting than expected. The hospital census was very low, partially due to the holiday, but mostly due to the fact that they have been without power for the past 3 weeks. It is impossible to imagine running a hospital without a reliable power source, but this is Africa. They have emergency power generators for critical areas, like surgery, but not for the whole hospital. I was surprised by the prevalence of TB, with special holding area for new patients until their TB status is determined. FVI is a significant supporter of the hospital and its outreach program to orphans affected by AIDS.

We also had an opportunity to visit Neatness, who is featured in a video on the FVI web site. While I have seen the video clip many times, she is even more bright and articulate than I expected. She is living with her grandparents who are in their 80’s, a rare occurrence in my observation. Both of them are very engaging individuals. One can see that part of the legacy that they have passed down to her is the gift of a positive spirit. The faith that serves as her source of hope is so real and vibrant that just being around her is uplifting to me. Her hopefulness and optimism in the face of huge barriers is a lesson for all of us who find that the little things of life seem to get us down.

Steve Proctor

Jan 5th Update From Zimbabwe

Today was marked by a visit to 4 homes focused on orphan care, three run by Jenny, a woman from England. Jenny is one of the Forgotten Voices partners in Zimbabwe. Each home was in a wonderful neighborhood, housing 10 children. The homes were clean, with plenty of interior and outside space, all provided in a great neighborhood. The children were incredibly energetic, jumping all over us, laughing and hugging our legs. It was great fun. The other facility was one that worked with Jenny, and specialized in rescuing infants and young children abandoned on the street or on the hospital doorstep. This home was much more heavily staffed with nurses and social workers, and was a temporary place where children are stabilized and adopted out or placed in foster care. Those who cannot be placed go to one of Jenny’s facilities, that she calls a “home for life”. The first impression is that these children are luckier than those we have visited yesterday, living in a safe, secure, and loving environment. However, we were reminded that in a society where family is all important and the key to marriage and acceptance in the community, these children will struggle all their lives for not having a family to call their own. Some wounds are more visible than others.

The most sobering moments of the day were spent visiting cemetery number 6, one of the smallest in the Bulawayo area. I wanted to visit a grave yard after I had read an article that cited casket making as one of the few healthy business in Zimbabwe. The number of fresh graves was overwhelming, with the dates on the headstones a reminder of the young age of people taken by AIDS. The headstone that hit me the hardest had an inscription taken from the book of Ecclesiastes. What struck me was the way the verse was paraphrased.

“Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.”

In light of the suffering that these people endure on a daily basis, this was a remarkable expression of faith. I am humbled and ashamed of the shallowness of my own faith in the presence of these remarkable people.

Steve Proctor

Jan 4th Update from Zimbabwe

The burden carried by the church here is unbelievable. In both of the churches I have visited so far between 25 and 35% of the congregation is comprised of orphans – children in desperate straits.

Today we spent most of the day visiting families who were being supported by Forgotten Voices. I am not exactly a novice when it comes to seeing poverty and foreign mission, spending over 6 weeks in Honduras over the past several years. Even with this prior experience, the visits were hard emotionally. Each of the 5 stories were similar, with some variations. All had felt the impact of AIDS, losing a parent, son or daughter.

These are people of great composure and dignity, especially given the circumstances they are facing. Occasionally the despair and grief punches through and they are overwhelmed. There were several moments that will stick in my mind forever. One was with the first visit, where a mother her two sons were living in s 10x10 space. During the visit the son we were supporting in school spoke of his father’s death - tears welling up in his eyes. The mother seemed to be like all mom’s I have known - just hoping that her children would have a better chance in life.

The most difficult moment in the day was on another visit when Ryan asked one of the young boys being cared for by his aging grandmother what he liked about living there. He got very quiet and tearful. After about a minute of silence he said quietly, “I have no where else to go”. I found it hard to keep from weeping and hugging this precious child of God, clinging to his grandmother as the last person who wanted him or would provide for his needs. No 10 year old child should be reduced to such an edge of despair. Having a soft spot for older people my favorite photo so far is of his aged grandmother. It appears that for many of these vulnerable children, a grandparent is the last line of defense and the only stability they have in life.

I was also struck by the fact that no white person has visited these homes before. One of the grandmothers remarked, “We have seen you on TV and now you are here!”

-Steve Proctor

Jan 7th Zimbabwe Update

Another quick update about the team's current travels in Zimbabwe for those following along:

The agenda for today was just as packed as yesterday and included visitation with numerous HIV/AIDS patients in their homes until about midday, then a trip to Matopos to check in with Matopos Primary and Farming God's Way.

If you're not familiar Farming God's Way, the organization is a partner of Forgotten Voices that facilitates about 700 farms which employ over 7,000 local people. Farming God's way continues to make a tremendous impact in the communities it serves, bringing together people of different tribes to work peacefully together and provide food for their families. Through innovative farming techniques and sharing of the gospel of Christ, Farming God's way is increasing crop yields and changing lives.

Thanks for following the team's journey thus far, stay tuned for more updates and reports from the team as they become able to connect to the internet and share with us.

-Brian

1/20: Travel Home & Sadness

This has been one of the more challenging trips of my 10 to Africa.
I'm emotionally and physically tired, leaving with all not
accomplished that I had hoped for. As always, I planned for WAY too
much for a short trip -- this one by myself from the states.

However - you all need to know that SOOOO much good came out of it, as
well. I'm anxious to sit and write a lot when I get home.

I haven't had power or internet for over a week now, so this is a short summary.

HIGHS:
- Launching new projects in Zambia
- GREAT weather -- about 80 every day
- Great new friendships and stronger old ones
- Access to drugs when i got sick in Zimbabwe after Zambia

LOWS:
- Bad virus that impacted me for about 7 days
- Sinking my vehicle -- it was bad...story to come
- The seat I had on the way to Africa --- too crammed - pray that i
can change on my way back as i have the exact same one

OK - this isnt even close to what i wanted to write or what needs to
be written. i have a lot to process about chickens, goals, manure,
orphans, illnesses, death, joy, farming, 1.25 quadrillion to 1 USD in
zimbabwe, etc. A LOT of joys and happiness, as well as the challenges
ahead.

most of all - i miss my wife after being away for 3 weeks. she's a
saint. if you've called or emailed her while i've been away, THANK
YOU.

I leave now for Johannesburg, there for about 3 hrs and then 18.5 hrs
to DC via senegal, arriving at 6am on the 21st.... I"m sad to miss the
festivities the day before in DC.

I'll be home with my wife on the 22nd in the evening -- lots of plane
trips ahead.

Miss you all and look forward to writing more,
Thanks, sincerely, for praying --- it's been hard, but your prayers
have surely sustained me,
Ryan

--
Note from Ryan Keith, Forgotten Voices
717.506.0633 (office) | 717.918.4767 (fax)
Skype: BulawayoBandit | Ryan@ForgottenVoices.org
Empowering Orphans: Local People, Local Projects.
Find out how you can use your voice at www.ForgottenVoices.org
Read Ryan's Blog here: http://www.travelwithfvi.blogspot.com/

21 Hours on the Road

Ryan arrived safely in Zimbabwe, but not without a few adventures along the way! This is Ryan's wife, Katie, writing. While he is traveling, we mostly communicate through brief text messages when he does not have internet access. He asked that I write a brief update for him, and he hopes to write a new, more thorough post this Friday.

Over two days, Ryan, Remmy and Fibion drove a total of 21 hours! Along the way the truck they rented to travel in Zambia was "sunk". As it was only a text message, I'm not sure if it was a mud pit or a small pond or what, but it took them four hours to get another vehicle to pull them out. As far as I know, the rest of the trip was fairly uneventful, but I am sure Ryan will have more stories about the drive. Driving that distance in Africa is typically a pretty bumpy road (both literally and figuratively!).

Ryan's messages have been both distressed and hopeful. He has seen an obvious decline in infrastructure, which especially has an impact on health, of those who are typically healthy, but especially of those with an already weakened immune system. However, they have also had the opportunity to visit some churches that Forgotten Voices has partnered with for a year or more, which Ryan said has been encouraging.

Please pray for Ryan's health, as he has had a mild virus for the past few days. He was able to get some medicine, but please keep him in your prayers.

I wish I had more to share, but texts do not leave much room for detail. Thank you for following Ryan's travels, and thank you for your prayers for his safety, the health and safety of our friends in Africa, and that this trip would be productive and valuable to the work that God is doing in Southern Africa.

Thanks!
Katie

1/9: Chickens, Dreams and Blogging

So - I got to talk to Katie, my wife, today for 5 min! SOOOO SWEET! Love you, Katie. For all of you that have been calling her, emailing her, and loving on her while I've been away - THANK YOU!

This will be SADLY short for all I've seen and learned. I'll be typing a bunch tonight from each day and will post tomorrow (or tonight, while you are sleeping the USA).

I've now been to Africa 10 times, including this trip, and its amazing to me how I slip back into routines and forget I'm in a completely differnet part of the world. It's so natural now, as I greet the neighbors, children that I know here in Ndola, etc. It's soooo fun to become at home in different places over time.

Today, I walked out of the house I'm staying at here in Ndola (mentioned earlier with photo) to find some chickens in the bushes. I didnt know that the Hamapandes, who I'm staying with, had chickens. :) So this fact - chickens RIGHT by the front door - shook me and helped me remember today would not be just another day. :)

I've done a TON of waiting today, in lines for things, only to discover that we would have to come back another day. The joys of Africa. I simply love it and the lessons I learn from waiting on the Lord and cherishing each breath.

Today, my friends, I think I've made some decisions on projects that I've seen - decisions I'll bring back for our 22nd January board meeting. Decisions that will help realize the dreams of 6 different churches we've met already. I hope to post pictures and details about these projects tomorrow (as I wrote just now).

MY sincere apologies for not blogging more. I'm doing 14-16 hr work days here and sleeping soundly each night, when I usually like to write before falling asleep. Katie told me you all would understand, but I do know how much some of these reflections help you pray specifically.

Quick praise. I hired/rented a truck today to pass through zambia by road. I'll drive 800 km on Sunday, starting at 9pm your time or 4am my time here. It'll take me over 10 hrs. I had to hire a truck, as the road is SOOO bad for the last 200 that the car company wouldnt rent me anything else. Its REALLY BAD even for Zambia. Oh the praise - i was going to go by bus, but because of safety issues and timing withs chool holidays ending sunday, it didnt' work out. SO MANY people have been praying i'd get a truck/car instead. I have relented and rented one for Sunday. I praise God for that ability.

Dreams - VERY quickly - you should know that this trip has been amazing already. i've met humble servants that are ready and willing to join you in realizing the hopes and dreams of kids, who long to return to school. i'll be writing about that tonight, as well and posting tomorrow.

Finally - blogging, as you can imagine is tricky. i walked to 4 different internet cafes - some full and some with non working computers. thanks for your patience. i have an hour here and there throughout the week, but someo f that has been filled with waiting to use the lines.

until tomorrow,
Ryan

PS PRAY ON!

1/7: Spark City - Scary!!

First off, I'm ok! Great opening, right? I gave myself quite a fright today...one of the scariest things I've experienced in awhile! The tricky thing with traveling to different countries is the different volate levels and currents going through electronic gadgets. It seems almost every trip when I blow a fuse or blow an adapter. I'm OVERLY cautious because my wife can attest that my least favorite thing is being shocked in the winter time when you get out of a car, touch a door knob, etc. And with each adapter that goes, I'm typically unable to charge that item for the duration of my trip -- must pack lightly here!

Anyway - this morning, as I was sitting down to type this blog, I thought I would be ambitious and plug in my powerstrip through an adapter, attached to a Zambian surge protector. I've seen it done and have generally been too scared to try it because I hate being shocked. Having TOTAL confident this morning in both the surge protector label on the Zambian cord and mine from Targus in the USA, I actually plugged it in without too much worry.

Here, after plugging in the item, you must flick a switch to turn on the power. Well, when I turned the switch on, a gigantic flash of light emerged from the Zambian power cord, setting off a bang, and a shot of electricity up my right arm and into the right side of my chest. IT HURT! The crazy thing is that I saw it happening as it went up. Our brains are incredible that way, even though it was a flash of light.

But again - I AM FINE! My power strip is not and will be retired on day 4, in record time for me. Sad.

My poor wife and others worry about cholera and rogue officers in Zimbabwe. I, instead, am challenged by a power cord. :) I MUST AGAIN EMPHASIZE that I am totally fine and would not be joking about this if I wasn't. It gave our whole house a fright since the bang and my girlish scream stirred everyone to come rushing in.

Except Fibion. :) He quietly emerged a few minutes later, laughing. He had heard me do the same at the end of my screaming. :) He came in and said, "Is everyone still alive? I thought I'd let you die a little bit." We all laughed because, as usual, my reaction was WAY more dramatic than the situation actually called for. He has a nice, calm, pastoral way of calming us down when we are frightened.

In other news - we are about to set off for the day after a brief meeting this morning and distributing a lot of the stuff I brought for Remmy & Fibion to help them in their work for Forgotten Voices (pens, notebooks, planners, business cards, voice recorders, etc.).

Today, we'll visit a feeding programme sponsored by the local Vineyard Church in Ndola. The leader is a graduate of the Theological College of Central Africa here in TCCA, which I referenced in my post yesterday. Not only are we looking at their model for feeding, but trying to get to know the main churches here in Ndola, which Vineyard is certainly one of and has some influence on various areas of ministry in the city.

We'll then go into town, have a lunch meeting together, and then do some shopping (look for an extension cord) and book our transport for this coming Sunday when we depart for Zimbabwe. School holiday ends here over the weekend and starts back Monday, making weekend travel difficult. We have a few backup plans == will update you all.

Pray for wisdom and discernment for Remmy, Fibion and I as we look at projects that we may help fund and make decisions about some difficult ethical and moral questions facing some of the projects.

Perhaps one of my favorite things about my job is putting the pieces together -- seemingly unfixable situations. I love listening to all the positions and perspectives over the few weeks of traveling and then slowly, with rflection, putting pieces together that will bear fruit long-term in these difficult circumstances.

This trip has already challenged me in this area and promises to continue doing the same. Pray on, my friend.

Until I get to a computer next,
Your ambassador and servant in this grand adventure,
Ryan

1/6: TCCA and Phase 10

Today, we had a working lunch with the Principal (President) of TCCA, which is the Theological College of Central Africa, a seminary located here in Ndola. Forgotten Voices finds local pastors through theologically sound seminaries, as there are LOTS of rogue pastors preaching and influencing people with unbiblical lessons here in Zambia. Lest we be foolish, there are lots in the USA, as well. Wasteful, deceitful messages about what God wants for them if they give more to the church and the pastor...if they engage in practices that aren't biblical, but benefit the leadership of the church/community.

We are intentional about working with graduates of TCCA and TCZ (Theological College of Zimbabwe) to help insure we partner with theologically sound, well trained, servants to the world.

We discussed a new initiative that we are still working to launch here called the Graduate Network, which will help connect TCCA graduates around the country back with TCCA and TCCA & Forgotten Voices to learn more about their churches' challenges in ministry, especially AIDS orphan care. By knowing where people are, what they are struggling with and what successes they have, we can better plan our growth and impact with the seminary. It also provides a great means to build the local church and encourage it to learn from itself, something few nations do well across denominations. I remain, as does our Board, deeply commmitted to building local capacity and cooperation of the local church to do the things called has called on us all to do to love our neighbor, particularly orphans and widows.

The meeting also included Willie, the Chairman of the TCCA Alumni Association, who also is now the chairman of the Forgotten Voices Zambia Board of Directors. A cool guy I look forward to sharing more about in the days ahead after the trip.

There are, as is the same for all projects anywhere in the world, hurdles to get over. It was a good meeting, where we shared the challenges as we see them and discussed ways around them. The only thing I can really share at this point is that we all remain confident a way forward can be made and the challenges each party is experiencing can be worked around - we hope. Please remain in prayer for the wisdom necessary for all these challenges. Doing work in southern Africa is sometimes slow, but fruitful if done properly. THANK YOU! Sorry to be so vague, but more conversations will take place over the week and I am still pondering my own perceptions of the way forward.

Finally - perhaps most importantly - I was ROCKED today by a 4th grader in Phase 10 --- well a version of the American card game that she made up after I taught about 6 people in Ndola the rules. After finishing 3rd in the real Phase 10 tournament, my 4th grade friend, Hope, made up a game on the fly that was quite fun, but I never seemed to win. :) For those that know me well, making up games on the spot is one of life's greatest joys. I then happily beat her in a game I created that is a blend of guess what number, simon says, hang man and that "right foot in and shake it all about" game that I cannot remmeber the name of at the moment. I was SOOO Excited for this new game that we played for quite some time and engaged some pastors that had come to meet me, before I realized who they were --- oops. :) It turned out ok after they loosened up and jumped in. :)

Devotions ended the day. I led a time of reflection on Pslam 67. Zambians and Zimbabweans are experiencing incredible corruption in many facets of life. The passage is fitting for them and for us, as we wait on January 20th and the inaguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President. Let us praise God across the nations and look to our God for all things! As your family has time, I encourage you to read it. Every night, Remmy, Fibion and I are taking a different passage and sharing a message. I'll post the passage with each post from now on so you can follow along.

Sorry for no pictures yet. Working on some power, internet speed issues.

Pray on!

-Ryan

1/5: From Zambia

Greetings from Zambia. Coming from 6 inches of snow and below freezing temparatures in Boston, Ndola has welcomed me with 80+ temps and NO SNOW. :-) Instead, we have received powerful rains and green grass. Praise the Lord! With an entire economy built around farming for most people here, the rains separate those that will eat from those that will not. Crops are coming in nicely here, at least the ones I've seen so far. For all you farmers out there, 3 corn stalks per hole are surviving, where in years past 1-2 was more realistic. Those trying 4 are pushing it and their height has suffered.

Tonight, we had a Board meeting with the new Forgotten Voices Zambia Board, a group that is legally required for us to operate in Zambia. 7 people, plus Fibion and I, gathered for an informal time of fellowship. We talked about challenges facing the church, the situation in Gaza, kids & what they are teaching us, spiritual development of children, and I took questions about my vision for the way forward in Zambia, my personal life, work experience, etc. They also had some perspectives to share and concerns they had that we should keep in mind as we get started in Zambia. All good things. I taped each of them on video, sharing their names, jobs, prayer requests and reasons for joining the Forgottne Voices Zambia board.

I look forward to showing you these shots/videos when I get back. I praise God for their service, wisdom and discernment that they bring to a very complex situation.

The night ended with 10 hrs of sleep!!! I was SOOOOOO tired!!! I'll try to post a picture of my room, which I share with Fibion.

Must jet off,
Pray on,
Ryan