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From January through May 2011, I will be serving as an intern at Bread for the World in Washington DC. Specifically, I will be working at Bread for the World Institute, Bread for the World's policy and research arm, on the 2012 Hunger Report about food and farm policy.
Mission: "Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad."
Websites: bread.org, bread.org/institute, hungerreport.org
Monday, January 24, 2011
Non-Governmental Organizations based in the US
In September, I did something incredibly dorky. My friend, Kristen, and I took an East Coast road trip, which could be summed up as: Tour de Lutheran. I did try to set up meetings with other organizations, but I ended up focusing mostly on Lutheran organizations, since I didn’t know where else to start in the hundreds of NGOs on the East Coast and these organizations quickly responded back to two Lutherans. The tour served two main purposes: after learning a lot about Lutheran and NGO efforts in South Africa, we wondered what do Lutheran institutions in the US do and should I pursue working on the East Coast, specifically in Washington DC. Kristen and I met with a representative from each of the organizations listed below that include the mission statement; I spoke with a representative with the rest of the organizations throughout the last four months. To learn more about the ELCA’s advocacy efforts, visit: elca.org/advocacy . If you would like more information on my meetings with representatives from the organizations, I would appreciate talking with you further.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services
Mission: "Witnessing to God’s love for all people, we stand with and advocate for migrants and refugees, transforming communities through ministries of service and justice."
Website: lirs.org
Lutheran Services in America
Mission: “Lutheran Services in America creates opportunities with people in thousands of communities throughout the United States and the Caribbean as an alliance of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, and their over 300 health and human service organizations.”
Website: lutheranservices.org
Lutheran World Relief
Mission: “Affirming God’s love for all people, we work with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice and human suffering.”
Website: lwr.org
Lutheran Office for World Community
Mission: "The primary task of the Lutheran Office for World Community is to gather information of interest and concern to Lutheran churches worldwide, including the ELCA, and utilize it in the church's social ministry response."
Website: elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Advocacy/Advocacy-Ministries/Lutheran-Office-for-World-Community.aspx
ELCA Washington Office: elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Advocacy/Advocacy-Ministries/ELCA-Washington-Office.aspx
Bread for the World: bread.org
Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin: loppw.org
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan: lsswis.org
Project Promise – A Fox Cities Poverty Coalition: projectpromisefoxcities.org
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services
Mission: "Witnessing to God’s love for all people, we stand with and advocate for migrants and refugees, transforming communities through ministries of service and justice."
Website: lirs.org
Lutheran Services in America
Mission: “Lutheran Services in America creates opportunities with people in thousands of communities throughout the United States and the Caribbean as an alliance of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, and their over 300 health and human service organizations.”
Website: lutheranservices.org
Lutheran World Relief
Mission: “Affirming God’s love for all people, we work with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice and human suffering.”
Website: lwr.org
Lutheran Office for World Community
Mission: "The primary task of the Lutheran Office for World Community is to gather information of interest and concern to Lutheran churches worldwide, including the ELCA, and utilize it in the church's social ministry response."
Website: elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Advocacy/Advocacy-Ministries/Lutheran-Office-for-World-Community.aspx
ELCA Washington Office: elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Advocacy/Advocacy-Ministries/ELCA-Washington-Office.aspx
Bread for the World: bread.org
Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin: loppw.org
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan: lsswis.org
Project Promise – A Fox Cities Poverty Coalition: projectpromisefoxcities.org
A Favorite Quote
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson, quoted by Nelson Mandela in a speech
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) based in Tanzania
John, a fellow YAGM volunteer, and I traveled around Tanzania for two and a half weeks. A main purpose for this journey was to see how a few NGOs function in a Less Developed Country and, as I love spending time in other cultures, I wondered if the people would want a person from the US in their community. The people warmly welcomed us, but many competent people from the community could better perform the jobs I would be interested in doing since they were a part of the culture and the people. I would probably be more effective working among my people in the US. While in Tanzania, we primarily stayed in a northern city of Arusha. We chose Tanzania, and specifically Arusha, because Arusha is the home of a vast amount of NGOs and we could travel to Tanzania without many prior concrete connections and make Lutheran connections while there; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has more members than the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). For more information, please look at the websites or I'll happily share more stories!
Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO)
MWEDO staff welcomed us and generously gave of their time. The first day, Haika, Scolastica, and Ndinini, the director of MWEDO, shared with us about their organization and their relations with Americans, which you may read sound bites of below. On Saturday, Diana and Solomon accompanied us to Longido to meet a community of Maasai. The Maasai women and children welcomed us with lively song, kind words, and sweet tea. Although we could say little more than “ashe”, meaning “thank you” in Maa, I felt deeply connected to the soulful Maasai women.
Mission: “MWEDO aims to work towards the empowerment of disadvantaged Maasai women economically, politically, culturally and socially through implementing activities in Education, Economic Empowerment, HIV/AIDS, advocacy and promotion of human rights within the Maasai community.”
Websites: http://www.maasaiwomentanzania.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/maasaiwomeneducation
To support the Maasai craft: learn more at the “Maasai Women Fair Trade Centre” tab, located on the upper bar of their website. Purchase Maasai crafts, including jewelry, leather, and home décor, at www.globalgoodspartners.org.
Sound Bytes
Ndinini Kimesera Sikar, Executive Director of MWEDO
“If you want to do anything in this country, you have to go to the communities.”
“The moment you are in this world you learn so much.” – On how people know so much without formal education
“People are the same everywhere.”
“We need to learn from each other.”
Scolastika Porokuia, a staff member at MWEDO
“The Americans are very good friends of the Maasai.” – Describing Americans as open and that Americans share information that helps others change for the better
“We [Maasai] can’t change our own level of capacities without help from the outside.”
“One day they [Maasai] can stand on their own and do their own things in a better way and level.”
“They [some Maasai] do not know there is a better life until they see a better life.”
The gracious and humble Maasai taught me about how looking for the soul in each person makes life better.
Maasai Visions Organization (Induat E Maa)
Thomas, a staff member, escorted John and me from Arusha to Maasai Visions Organization’s office. From the moment we arrived, Luca, the organization’s director, and Thomas’ shared their passion for their fellow Maasai and their organization’s efforts. Luca and Thomas answered our questions with endless energy.
Mission: “Our mission is to rehabilitate the destroyed Maasai land ecosystems, protect and educate communities on sustainable use of environmental resources, and provide the necessary support for the social, economic, and cultural development of communities within dry land ecosystems.”
Website: http://www.maasaivisions.org/
Sound Bytes
Luca Rikoyan, General Director of Maasai Visions Organization
“We know where we come from and we know the needs of the community.” – Responding to why they started the organization
“The benefit of education to me is the same as the benefit of education to you.”
“We [the Maasai] have been left behind for so many years.” – Referring to the Maasai’s lack of rights
“You are a slave in your own home.” – Referring to the Maasai’s conditions living under national governments
“What I have in my heart I can tell you.”
The School of St Jude
John and I had worked in South African schools during our year of service, so we curiously walked through the front gates of The School of St. Jude. Color inundated our vision as we walked into the main courtyard, surrounded by colorful buses, playground equipment, and buildings. Shawn, a staff member, gave John and me a comprehensive tour and shared with us how thousands of children take entrance tests at the well-known school, which accepts intelligent, economically poor children.
Mission: “The School of St Jude is an independent sponsorship-supported school that provides education for Tanzanian children from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds. The school demonstrates leadership, promotes critical thinking and expects high moral values from its students, staff and the school community.”
Website: http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/
Mwangaza Education for Partnership
When John and I reserved a room at Mwangaza Hostel and Conference Center, we thought we were merely signing up for a place to stay while in Arusha. However, upon arrival, we immediately realized that we inherently became part of Mwangaza’s warm, soulful community. The Mwangaza staff embraced us as family. If you ever stay in Arusha, I highly recommend staying at Mwangaza Hostel and Conference Center, which benefits Mwangaza Education for Partnership.
Mission: “Mwangaza Education for Partnership is a grassroots faith-based union of all twenty dioceses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and their companion synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A holistic literacy program responds by developing seminars on topics requested by Tanzanian secondary teachers (English, Math, Science) as well as church leaders (water-borne diseases, women's health, conflict resolution).”
Website: http://mwangazafriends.org/
Venance and Loruvani Lutheran Church
Venance Abel accompanied John and me to Loruvani Lutheran Church in Arusha. He seems to have endless talents; Venance helped build the beautiful church, teaches technology, paints, makes furniture, sings in a choir (which toured in Germany, Belgium, Uganda and Kenya), serves as the treasurer of the church, leads the evangelism department, and is Maasai. He reminded me of Jesus. Venance requests that all people of faith pray for him and his companions, especially those people living with HIV.
To watch a clip of the Loruvani Lutheran Church Choir, check out the website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y3wG-_GOU4
Sound Bytes
Venance
“We have many people living with HIV; don’t live far from them, care for [them] and share the word of God.”
“When you meet with someone who wants what you have and you have [it], you can give it to them and you will get blessings from God.”
“Faith without actions is dead.”
“[A person] Must first give something for God to give. Anything you want, you must give first.”
“If you want to be a peace man, you should let Jesus enter your heart and share your Jesus heart with others, then every time you pray with me and I pray with you…[we] stay connected.”
“If you live alone and pray without believing, you don’t get what you want. All people, we love him [Jesus] and we like to sing together, pray together with you.”
“If you pray with others and believe you will get what you ask for from God.”
Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO)
MWEDO staff welcomed us and generously gave of their time. The first day, Haika, Scolastica, and Ndinini, the director of MWEDO, shared with us about their organization and their relations with Americans, which you may read sound bites of below. On Saturday, Diana and Solomon accompanied us to Longido to meet a community of Maasai. The Maasai women and children welcomed us with lively song, kind words, and sweet tea. Although we could say little more than “ashe”, meaning “thank you” in Maa, I felt deeply connected to the soulful Maasai women.
Mission: “MWEDO aims to work towards the empowerment of disadvantaged Maasai women economically, politically, culturally and socially through implementing activities in Education, Economic Empowerment, HIV/AIDS, advocacy and promotion of human rights within the Maasai community.”
Websites: http://www.maasaiwomentanzania.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/maasaiwomeneducation
To support the Maasai craft: learn more at the “Maasai Women Fair Trade Centre” tab, located on the upper bar of their website. Purchase Maasai crafts, including jewelry, leather, and home décor, at www.globalgoodspartners.org.
Sound Bytes
Ndinini Kimesera Sikar, Executive Director of MWEDO
“If you want to do anything in this country, you have to go to the communities.”
“The moment you are in this world you learn so much.” – On how people know so much without formal education
“People are the same everywhere.”
“We need to learn from each other.”
Scolastika Porokuia, a staff member at MWEDO
“The Americans are very good friends of the Maasai.” – Describing Americans as open and that Americans share information that helps others change for the better
“We [Maasai] can’t change our own level of capacities without help from the outside.”
“One day they [Maasai] can stand on their own and do their own things in a better way and level.”
“They [some Maasai] do not know there is a better life until they see a better life.”
The gracious and humble Maasai taught me about how looking for the soul in each person makes life better.
Maasai Visions Organization (Induat E Maa)
Thomas, a staff member, escorted John and me from Arusha to Maasai Visions Organization’s office. From the moment we arrived, Luca, the organization’s director, and Thomas’ shared their passion for their fellow Maasai and their organization’s efforts. Luca and Thomas answered our questions with endless energy.
Mission: “Our mission is to rehabilitate the destroyed Maasai land ecosystems, protect and educate communities on sustainable use of environmental resources, and provide the necessary support for the social, economic, and cultural development of communities within dry land ecosystems.”
Website: http://www.maasaivisions.org/
Sound Bytes
Luca Rikoyan, General Director of Maasai Visions Organization
“We know where we come from and we know the needs of the community.” – Responding to why they started the organization
“The benefit of education to me is the same as the benefit of education to you.”
“We [the Maasai] have been left behind for so many years.” – Referring to the Maasai’s lack of rights
“You are a slave in your own home.” – Referring to the Maasai’s conditions living under national governments
“What I have in my heart I can tell you.”
The School of St Jude
John and I had worked in South African schools during our year of service, so we curiously walked through the front gates of The School of St. Jude. Color inundated our vision as we walked into the main courtyard, surrounded by colorful buses, playground equipment, and buildings. Shawn, a staff member, gave John and me a comprehensive tour and shared with us how thousands of children take entrance tests at the well-known school, which accepts intelligent, economically poor children.
Mission: “The School of St Jude is an independent sponsorship-supported school that provides education for Tanzanian children from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds. The school demonstrates leadership, promotes critical thinking and expects high moral values from its students, staff and the school community.”
Website: http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/
Mwangaza Education for Partnership
When John and I reserved a room at Mwangaza Hostel and Conference Center, we thought we were merely signing up for a place to stay while in Arusha. However, upon arrival, we immediately realized that we inherently became part of Mwangaza’s warm, soulful community. The Mwangaza staff embraced us as family. If you ever stay in Arusha, I highly recommend staying at Mwangaza Hostel and Conference Center, which benefits Mwangaza Education for Partnership.
Mission: “Mwangaza Education for Partnership is a grassroots faith-based union of all twenty dioceses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and their companion synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A holistic literacy program responds by developing seminars on topics requested by Tanzanian secondary teachers (English, Math, Science) as well as church leaders (water-borne diseases, women's health, conflict resolution).”
Website: http://mwangazafriends.org/
Venance and Loruvani Lutheran Church
Venance Abel accompanied John and me to Loruvani Lutheran Church in Arusha. He seems to have endless talents; Venance helped build the beautiful church, teaches technology, paints, makes furniture, sings in a choir (which toured in Germany, Belgium, Uganda and Kenya), serves as the treasurer of the church, leads the evangelism department, and is Maasai. He reminded me of Jesus. Venance requests that all people of faith pray for him and his companions, especially those people living with HIV.
To watch a clip of the Loruvani Lutheran Church Choir, check out the website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y3wG-_GOU4
Sound Bytes
Venance
“We have many people living with HIV; don’t live far from them, care for [them] and share the word of God.”
“When you meet with someone who wants what you have and you have [it], you can give it to them and you will get blessings from God.”
“Faith without actions is dead.”
“[A person] Must first give something for God to give. Anything you want, you must give first.”
“If you want to be a peace man, you should let Jesus enter your heart and share your Jesus heart with others, then every time you pray with me and I pray with you…[we] stay connected.”
“If you live alone and pray without believing, you don’t get what you want. All people, we love him [Jesus] and we like to sing together, pray together with you.”
“If you pray with others and believe you will get what you ask for from God.”
Final Snapshots
For the final newsletter, the Sound Bytes and Snapshots section are in a different format. The Sound Bytes are in the next section, Non-Governmental Organizations based in Tanzania. For the Snapshots section, I have included my journal entries for my last few weeks on the other side of the ocean.
July 2nd, 2010
I thought I was wealthy-
Then I saw people who allowed the Spirit to move them.
I thought I was privileged-
Then I learned about my blindness.
I thought I was positive-
Then I met people who made less than $100 per month to support
two people, lived away from their family and still shone with light.
I thought I was friendly-
Then I met the ELCSA Youth League members.
I thought I was strong-
Then I learned that true strength comes from letting go of control.
I thought I understood how to love selflessly-
Then I lived in an ubuntu culture.
I thought I was self-aware-
Then I realized how much I have grown and how self-centered I
have been.
I thought I knew how to live faithfully-
Then I watched others joyfully take leaps of faith.
I thought I lived through love-
Then I realized how much I analyze and strategize first.
I thought I was mature-
Now I realize how much I still have to learn.
July 2nd, 2010
Can you feel it? The Spirit – it is here!
July 11th, 2010
Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan
In many ways, they [my fellow church members for the last year] are my Samaritans. Helping me when I am lost (especially in the Zulu language), giving me food and lodging, and picking up the tabs.
I’m still in denial that I am leaving my family. Wow-I didn’t even hesitate to write, “my family”. Not “host family”, “family”. What am I doing-coming and leaving these communities? Yet, we’ll stay connected-in Christ, in love.
July 19th, 2010
I am here in this place, Tanzania. The people are warm. Their eyes lead to their souls. They say, “Karibu”, meaning you are welcome in Swahili. “Asante” we say in response, meaning thank you in Swahili.
July 26th, 2010
Wow. God. What are you doing in my life? I feel so blessed. As the DAR Express bus transports John and me back to Dar Es Salaam [the largest city in Tanzania] from Arusha, the last week seems to be a whirlwind of blessings. You took care of us every step of the way. We connected with amazing people in the most surprising places: the pastor played guitar and sang in the guest house yesterday with us; our housemates in Arusha, Mike and Sharon; ELCA missionaries; girls serving food on the street; all the people we ask for directions; people at the craft market… I feel connected. Wow. What amazing brothers and sisters I have. Now, how do we walk beside one another to make the world a better place-or allow ourselves to be tools of the Holy Spirit? I feel more needs to be done on the US side of relations to ensure the system is not used to exploit people. Sigh-I see movies, documentaries, or people’s lives and want to do something, but I can’t do everything, nor am I called to. I don’t feel lost, I just don’t know what I am doing next. If you, God, guided me through this past week, then how could I not trust you to guide the rest of my life? God, please walk, or ride, with me every day.
“The Europeans came
They brought their modernity,
And made us dizzy.”
- a Swahili saying
July 28th, 2010
I’m reading Blue Like Jazz, which spurs in me many spiritual questions. Why do we attend church? Attending church solely via our bodies does no good-do we just attend to nourish our bodies? Or just our minds? If we want to be moved in mind, body and spirit-we need to engage with all three-not just stand and sing words, then leave. Plus church isn’t just about us-Christianity is about loving God and our neighbors. Does our church do social outreach? Do we help our neighbors?
July 29th, 2010
Sometimes I want God to speak to me in audible words. Then from somewhere inside I sense: “Isn’t this enough?” I look around at the beautiful nature around me and soak up the beauty and feel wonder. I lower my head with a smile and respond, “Yes, it is. Yes, it is.”
August 1st, 2010
“But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.” - Matthew 6:33-34, the Gospel reading at Azania Front Lutheran Church in Dar Es Salaam
August 7th, 2010
I just want to cry. We went to the Apartheid Museum and then the Hector Peterson Museum about the 1976 Soweto uprising. Why. Why. Why can’t we see the humanity in other people? How can we hurt others? How do we put ourselves-our power-over the lives of others? How do we loose our humanity? What are we afraid of? And they [the people with “black skin”] smile back at us [the people with “white skin”]. Why would I ever want to leave [South Africa]? They [South Africans] welcome us [ELCA volunteers] with warm smiles that light up their faces. Why are they [those people not classified as “white” under the Apartheid government, particularly blacks] so resilient and forgiving? I do not feel sorry for them. I feel sorry for those who do not know their secret to life-not requiring power that oppresses others. These people around me were told that they were worth less than gold because of the color of their skin. Oh humanity. God, why do you give us such capacity? Yet, we defile your gifts by acting out our hatred. We deserve less. God, what good did you expect by giving us so much? Help us to overcome, overcome ourselves. The human spirit-where does the joy come from? – from you.
We Shall Overcome (an anthem of the US Civil Rights Movement)
We shall overcome, we shall overcome,
We shall overcome someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday.
How do we call ourselves Christians when we do such awful things?
First victim…
A bullet burnt
Into soft dark flesh
A child fell
Liquid life
Rushed hot
To stain the earth
He was the first victim
And now
Let grieving the willows
Mark the spot
Let nature raise a monument
Of flowers and trees
Lest we forget the foul and the wicked deed…
Don Mattera, 1976, from “Azanian Love Song”
God. help me to serve your just and loving purpose. Help me to connect with people and empathize with their pain so we may empower one another to live life to its fullest-living love and growing from our mistakes and continually trying to right our wrongs. God, may I follow your will-wherever you guide me. May I live a life worthy of your calling-may I be willing to die for those gifts from above that give me life-love, peace, joy. Thank you for the gift of love and showing me the light that shines in your people.
“Black consciousness seeks to instill the idea of self-determination to restore feelings of pride and dignity to blacks after centuries of racist oppression. It is an attitude of mind and a way of life. It is the realization that the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” – Steve Biko
August 8th, 2010
And… we’re back at the Sunflower Bed and Breakfast [where the ELCA-YAGM South Africa 2009-2010 program stayed their first night in South Africa in August 2009]. Full circle. This is so weird. I’ll be back in the US in two days. Two days. Have I really lived in South Africa for one year? Did all that really happen? Was I living in a dream?
Geese are flying overhead-seasons are changing. Life is changing. Yet, I could not have asked for a better foundation for my life. God, what have you done in my life? You have given me gifts beyond my comprehension in wonderful people and challenges and inspirations. Hold my hand, please, over these next two days.
July 2nd, 2010
I thought I was wealthy-
Then I saw people who allowed the Spirit to move them.
I thought I was privileged-
Then I learned about my blindness.
I thought I was positive-
Then I met people who made less than $100 per month to support
two people, lived away from their family and still shone with light.
I thought I was friendly-
Then I met the ELCSA Youth League members.
I thought I was strong-
Then I learned that true strength comes from letting go of control.
I thought I understood how to love selflessly-
Then I lived in an ubuntu culture.
I thought I was self-aware-
Then I realized how much I have grown and how self-centered I
have been.
I thought I knew how to live faithfully-
Then I watched others joyfully take leaps of faith.
I thought I lived through love-
Then I realized how much I analyze and strategize first.
I thought I was mature-
Now I realize how much I still have to learn.
July 2nd, 2010
Can you feel it? The Spirit – it is here!
July 11th, 2010
Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan
In many ways, they [my fellow church members for the last year] are my Samaritans. Helping me when I am lost (especially in the Zulu language), giving me food and lodging, and picking up the tabs.
I’m still in denial that I am leaving my family. Wow-I didn’t even hesitate to write, “my family”. Not “host family”, “family”. What am I doing-coming and leaving these communities? Yet, we’ll stay connected-in Christ, in love.
July 19th, 2010
I am here in this place, Tanzania. The people are warm. Their eyes lead to their souls. They say, “Karibu”, meaning you are welcome in Swahili. “Asante” we say in response, meaning thank you in Swahili.
July 26th, 2010
Wow. God. What are you doing in my life? I feel so blessed. As the DAR Express bus transports John and me back to Dar Es Salaam [the largest city in Tanzania] from Arusha, the last week seems to be a whirlwind of blessings. You took care of us every step of the way. We connected with amazing people in the most surprising places: the pastor played guitar and sang in the guest house yesterday with us; our housemates in Arusha, Mike and Sharon; ELCA missionaries; girls serving food on the street; all the people we ask for directions; people at the craft market… I feel connected. Wow. What amazing brothers and sisters I have. Now, how do we walk beside one another to make the world a better place-or allow ourselves to be tools of the Holy Spirit? I feel more needs to be done on the US side of relations to ensure the system is not used to exploit people. Sigh-I see movies, documentaries, or people’s lives and want to do something, but I can’t do everything, nor am I called to. I don’t feel lost, I just don’t know what I am doing next. If you, God, guided me through this past week, then how could I not trust you to guide the rest of my life? God, please walk, or ride, with me every day.
“The Europeans came
They brought their modernity,
And made us dizzy.”
- a Swahili saying
July 28th, 2010
I’m reading Blue Like Jazz, which spurs in me many spiritual questions. Why do we attend church? Attending church solely via our bodies does no good-do we just attend to nourish our bodies? Or just our minds? If we want to be moved in mind, body and spirit-we need to engage with all three-not just stand and sing words, then leave. Plus church isn’t just about us-Christianity is about loving God and our neighbors. Does our church do social outreach? Do we help our neighbors?
July 29th, 2010
Sometimes I want God to speak to me in audible words. Then from somewhere inside I sense: “Isn’t this enough?” I look around at the beautiful nature around me and soak up the beauty and feel wonder. I lower my head with a smile and respond, “Yes, it is. Yes, it is.”
August 1st, 2010
“But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.” - Matthew 6:33-34, the Gospel reading at Azania Front Lutheran Church in Dar Es Salaam
August 7th, 2010
I just want to cry. We went to the Apartheid Museum and then the Hector Peterson Museum about the 1976 Soweto uprising. Why. Why. Why can’t we see the humanity in other people? How can we hurt others? How do we put ourselves-our power-over the lives of others? How do we loose our humanity? What are we afraid of? And they [the people with “black skin”] smile back at us [the people with “white skin”]. Why would I ever want to leave [South Africa]? They [South Africans] welcome us [ELCA volunteers] with warm smiles that light up their faces. Why are they [those people not classified as “white” under the Apartheid government, particularly blacks] so resilient and forgiving? I do not feel sorry for them. I feel sorry for those who do not know their secret to life-not requiring power that oppresses others. These people around me were told that they were worth less than gold because of the color of their skin. Oh humanity. God, why do you give us such capacity? Yet, we defile your gifts by acting out our hatred. We deserve less. God, what good did you expect by giving us so much? Help us to overcome, overcome ourselves. The human spirit-where does the joy come from? – from you.
We Shall Overcome (an anthem of the US Civil Rights Movement)
We shall overcome, we shall overcome,
We shall overcome someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday.
How do we call ourselves Christians when we do such awful things?
First victim…
A bullet burnt
Into soft dark flesh
A child fell
Liquid life
Rushed hot
To stain the earth
He was the first victim
And now
Let grieving the willows
Mark the spot
Let nature raise a monument
Of flowers and trees
Lest we forget the foul and the wicked deed…
Don Mattera, 1976, from “Azanian Love Song”
God. help me to serve your just and loving purpose. Help me to connect with people and empathize with their pain so we may empower one another to live life to its fullest-living love and growing from our mistakes and continually trying to right our wrongs. God, may I follow your will-wherever you guide me. May I live a life worthy of your calling-may I be willing to die for those gifts from above that give me life-love, peace, joy. Thank you for the gift of love and showing me the light that shines in your people.
“Black consciousness seeks to instill the idea of self-determination to restore feelings of pride and dignity to blacks after centuries of racist oppression. It is an attitude of mind and a way of life. It is the realization that the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” – Steve Biko
August 8th, 2010
And… we’re back at the Sunflower Bed and Breakfast [where the ELCA-YAGM South Africa 2009-2010 program stayed their first night in South Africa in August 2009]. Full circle. This is so weird. I’ll be back in the US in two days. Two days. Have I really lived in South Africa for one year? Did all that really happen? Was I living in a dream?
Geese are flying overhead-seasons are changing. Life is changing. Yet, I could not have asked for a better foundation for my life. God, what have you done in my life? You have given me gifts beyond my comprehension in wonderful people and challenges and inspirations. Hold my hand, please, over these next two days.
A Spiritual Word: Thanksgiving
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever.” -Psalm 107.1
“Ashe,” spills out of my mouth, but I communicate the meaning of ashe, thank you in English, mostly with my body language. Although the Maasai and I could only directly, verbally communicate “ashe” with understanding, our communication could not be contained by words that July day.
As John, my fellow Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program volunteer and travel companion, and I walk, accompanied by a few Maasai, into a Maasai community, the women’s spirited voices in song and their traditional hopping dance mesmerize me. Their elaborate, beaded jewelry accent their beauty. A female elder warmly welcomes us on behalf of the community and we attempt gracious thanks, kindly translated by Diana, a staff member at Maasai Women Development Organization, who facilitates our day with the Maasai community. After John and I kneel on the ground and connect with many of the children, the women lead us to stools and invite us to sit down. Guessing that we will be served something to eat or drink, John and I smile at the two dozen children standing fifteen feet away, who intently stare back at us in curiosity. An old woman squats next to me. Through body language, I offer her my chair, which she refuses.
I am a wimp for hot drinks, so when a woman hands us a hot cup of tea, I smile and wonder how I will not burn my tongue while not offending our new friends. I hold my tea and smile at the community not drinking tea, who watch to see if the people from another place will drink their tea. The old woman sitting next to me sweetly watches as I take my first sip and burn my tongue. I try to explain to her, through actions, that the tea is good, yet too hot for me to enjoy drinking. She requests another cup, gently takes my cup, and gracefully pours the steaming liquid back and forth between the two cups, allowing the heat to escape. After a short while, she hands me back my cup, and I enjoy the sweet, milky tea. After drinking half, I hand her back the cup with a smile, trying to communicate the tea is good, but I am full and ask if she would enjoy some tea. She accepts the tea after studying my face, drinks, and passes the cup to the children near her.
Thanking the hostesses for the delicious tea, we stand up and, taking cues from their encouraging gestures, follow them. The old woman next to me, my new guardian angel, securely holds my hand and a woman around my age, who initially guessed I couldn’t be more than fifteen years of age, holds my other hand. Our tour of their community includes a couple of homes, their land, and a nearby lake for drinking water. Throughout our tour, the two women walk so that I have the easiest walking route and, when we pause, they quickly bend down and pick the thistles off of my skirt as, in vain and with an-in-awe smile, I motion that they do not need to pick them off.
As I look into these women’s eyes, I sense an innate connection. We are not that different; are we? Yes, my hair may look more similar to a lion’s mane than their own short hair. Yes, as these women recommend, maybe I should cut my hair short like them. Yet, when I look in their eyes, age, race, beliefs (even though many are Lutheran), living conditions, and traditions blur as I see humans with whom I share this planet, needs, and desires. We are sisters, innately connected forever.
When people ask me what I miss most about my time across the ocean, I barely allow them to finish the question before responding, “the people.” I could never thank my countless guardian angels enough, nor God, for making connections beyond description possible. At the beginning of YAGM orientation, facilitators told us we would receive more than we were able to give. At the time, I questioned them. Today, I have no doubt.
Like the Maasai women, people have cared for and supported me with every step this past year. My family in South Africa provided not only a place to rest my head, but consistent community. I could never feel truly alone when I had sisters with whom to enjoy family dance parties, good conversations, and laughter. Baba, Ma, and Auntie provided constant security, cared for my needs, and kept an eye out for me. The neighbor kids shared their energy and joy. The Cool Air community welcomed me with open arms. The Ntombela family and Nkomo family were my extended family-providing nourishment and support. My primary school challenged me to slow down and build relationships. The teachers patiently supported me in the classroom and shared their knowledge with me. The children taught me about the meaning of love. My congregation trusted me to teach their children and taught me about perseverance. Dean Myaka enriched my experience by giving me thoughtful advice and demonstrating what it means to give of oneself. The Myaka family reminded me of my own family with their three animated boys and strong family unity. The larger church family showed me how the Holy Spirit works through people. Sister Happiness, Sister Lindeni, and Sister Stembi demonstrated the joy of servitude. The PACSA staff taught me how to work for social justice and community. Sonia and her family opened their home to me many times and shared with me their curiosity. My country coordinators, Brian and Kristen Konkol, laid the foundation for my South African placement. My fellow YAGM volunteers served as my companions to share joys and challenges as we walked different journeys across South Africa. ELCA Global Mission staff sustain the basis and logistics of the YAGM program. Heidi Torgerson-Martinez and the 48 other YAGM around the glob encouraged me as we learned how to be disciples over this past year. You, readers and supporters, gave me strength and through your curiosity and words of encouragement reminded me of my purpose this year. I thank God for you. I thank God for endlessly demonstrating the power of love, working through people in ways I do not understand, and for being with me every step of the way.
God, guide us to see your love in one another and to love as you love us. Amen.
“Ashe,” spills out of my mouth, but I communicate the meaning of ashe, thank you in English, mostly with my body language. Although the Maasai and I could only directly, verbally communicate “ashe” with understanding, our communication could not be contained by words that July day.
As John, my fellow Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program volunteer and travel companion, and I walk, accompanied by a few Maasai, into a Maasai community, the women’s spirited voices in song and their traditional hopping dance mesmerize me. Their elaborate, beaded jewelry accent their beauty. A female elder warmly welcomes us on behalf of the community and we attempt gracious thanks, kindly translated by Diana, a staff member at Maasai Women Development Organization, who facilitates our day with the Maasai community. After John and I kneel on the ground and connect with many of the children, the women lead us to stools and invite us to sit down. Guessing that we will be served something to eat or drink, John and I smile at the two dozen children standing fifteen feet away, who intently stare back at us in curiosity. An old woman squats next to me. Through body language, I offer her my chair, which she refuses.
I am a wimp for hot drinks, so when a woman hands us a hot cup of tea, I smile and wonder how I will not burn my tongue while not offending our new friends. I hold my tea and smile at the community not drinking tea, who watch to see if the people from another place will drink their tea. The old woman sitting next to me sweetly watches as I take my first sip and burn my tongue. I try to explain to her, through actions, that the tea is good, yet too hot for me to enjoy drinking. She requests another cup, gently takes my cup, and gracefully pours the steaming liquid back and forth between the two cups, allowing the heat to escape. After a short while, she hands me back my cup, and I enjoy the sweet, milky tea. After drinking half, I hand her back the cup with a smile, trying to communicate the tea is good, but I am full and ask if she would enjoy some tea. She accepts the tea after studying my face, drinks, and passes the cup to the children near her.
Thanking the hostesses for the delicious tea, we stand up and, taking cues from their encouraging gestures, follow them. The old woman next to me, my new guardian angel, securely holds my hand and a woman around my age, who initially guessed I couldn’t be more than fifteen years of age, holds my other hand. Our tour of their community includes a couple of homes, their land, and a nearby lake for drinking water. Throughout our tour, the two women walk so that I have the easiest walking route and, when we pause, they quickly bend down and pick the thistles off of my skirt as, in vain and with an-in-awe smile, I motion that they do not need to pick them off.
As I look into these women’s eyes, I sense an innate connection. We are not that different; are we? Yes, my hair may look more similar to a lion’s mane than their own short hair. Yes, as these women recommend, maybe I should cut my hair short like them. Yet, when I look in their eyes, age, race, beliefs (even though many are Lutheran), living conditions, and traditions blur as I see humans with whom I share this planet, needs, and desires. We are sisters, innately connected forever.
When people ask me what I miss most about my time across the ocean, I barely allow them to finish the question before responding, “the people.” I could never thank my countless guardian angels enough, nor God, for making connections beyond description possible. At the beginning of YAGM orientation, facilitators told us we would receive more than we were able to give. At the time, I questioned them. Today, I have no doubt.
Like the Maasai women, people have cared for and supported me with every step this past year. My family in South Africa provided not only a place to rest my head, but consistent community. I could never feel truly alone when I had sisters with whom to enjoy family dance parties, good conversations, and laughter. Baba, Ma, and Auntie provided constant security, cared for my needs, and kept an eye out for me. The neighbor kids shared their energy and joy. The Cool Air community welcomed me with open arms. The Ntombela family and Nkomo family were my extended family-providing nourishment and support. My primary school challenged me to slow down and build relationships. The teachers patiently supported me in the classroom and shared their knowledge with me. The children taught me about the meaning of love. My congregation trusted me to teach their children and taught me about perseverance. Dean Myaka enriched my experience by giving me thoughtful advice and demonstrating what it means to give of oneself. The Myaka family reminded me of my own family with their three animated boys and strong family unity. The larger church family showed me how the Holy Spirit works through people. Sister Happiness, Sister Lindeni, and Sister Stembi demonstrated the joy of servitude. The PACSA staff taught me how to work for social justice and community. Sonia and her family opened their home to me many times and shared with me their curiosity. My country coordinators, Brian and Kristen Konkol, laid the foundation for my South African placement. My fellow YAGM volunteers served as my companions to share joys and challenges as we walked different journeys across South Africa. ELCA Global Mission staff sustain the basis and logistics of the YAGM program. Heidi Torgerson-Martinez and the 48 other YAGM around the glob encouraged me as we learned how to be disciples over this past year. You, readers and supporters, gave me strength and through your curiosity and words of encouragement reminded me of my purpose this year. I thank God for you. I thank God for endlessly demonstrating the power of love, working through people in ways I do not understand, and for being with me every step of the way.
God, guide us to see your love in one another and to love as you love us. Amen.
Ten Lessons Learned from South Africans
1. Being is more important than doing.
2. Spirituality may be a foundation for life without offending others.
3. Wealth is not about material goods; in fact, material abundance often detracts from abundant life.
4. Balance emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health.
5. Time doesn’t need to be and shouldn’t be the driving force in our lives.
6. South Africa is diverse-land, people, languages, cultures...
7. We, humans around the world, are more the same than different.
8. Be honest with and true to yourself.
9. Western culture is spreading.
10. God's power, often through love, defies reason and understanding.
2. Spirituality may be a foundation for life without offending others.
3. Wealth is not about material goods; in fact, material abundance often detracts from abundant life.
4. Balance emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health.
5. Time doesn’t need to be and shouldn’t be the driving force in our lives.
6. South Africa is diverse-land, people, languages, cultures...
7. We, humans around the world, are more the same than different.
8. Be honest with and true to yourself.
9. Western culture is spreading.
10. God's power, often through love, defies reason and understanding.
A Spiritual Word: Ubuntu
“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” –Ephesians 4:1-6
Walking into the Georgia Dome in 2003, the word ubuntu, the theme of the ELCA’s National Youth Gathering, meant very little to me. Throughout the four days of the gathering, presenters, singers and staff attempted to impress on thousands of youth the meaning of the foreign word ubuntu: I am because we are. Inspired by the idea of interconnectedness, many of us imagined being in the land of ubuntu someday. Little did I know that I would have the honor of walking with the people who grow in the land of ubuntu for one year.
The word ubuntu is from the Xhosa language; the Xhosa people live south of the Zulu people in South Africa. On many occasions this year, the Zulu people surprise me when they sing a Zulu song I already know: Siyahamba, Thuma Mina, and Akanamandla. However, the powerful nature of this music is not surprising since the ubuntu philosophy these people live daily comes from the heart.
A rough translation of ubuntu is: the essence of being human; humanity. Culturally, ubuntu means that a person is a person through other people or that people should treat others the way that they want to be treated. In the inspiring book No Future Without Forgiveness, Desmond Tutu explains: “A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed, or treated as if they were less than who they are.” Tutu’s description of ubuntu ties closely with many values in Christianity and other religions.
Yet, ubuntu living cannot stay confined in its country of origin. We all experience ubuntu spirit throughout our lives without putting a name to what we feel. We feel the ubuntu interconnectedness when we serve or are served or when we becomes more important than I. People have taught me about ubuntu throughout my life: from my neighbor tying my shoe when I was little to fellow church members serving a bowl of soup. People show me ubuntu spirit through random acts of kindness.
Yet, many American societal norms stand counter to the ubuntu philosophy. Often in my life in the US, I allowed time to dictate my life, not relationships with people or the Spirit. “I have so much to do today” seems to be a common mantra. Why do we have so much to do? Are we serving God in our busy-ness or in a “get ‘er done” attitude do we loose sight of why we are living and run out of time for God? I believe God gives us enough time to love God and one
another, yet, God may not give us enough time to achieve all that we desire. I need to question whether a desire follows God’s will before acting on it. Throughout my life, I have been a champion of overloading my plate with activities. Now, I realize that by filling my schedule with activities, I ignorantly took away the Holy Spirit’s job: to guide. I allowed the time structure of my activities to guide me. Trapped in my thoughts of what I “needed” to do next, I forgot to consistently pause long enough to connect with and love people I met while moving from one task to the next. The American society value of individual achievement often eclipses the ubuntu value of interconnect-ness.
At the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Christian Social Awareness’ (PACSA) farewell part in my honor, staff gave me verbal presents and then cheered me on as I opened my physical gift from them. Among a PACSA hat and mug lay a shirt that had two sets of animal eyes above the words “South Africa” on the front. Then they asked me to give closing words. I shared about how I believe that eyes are the windows to the soul. The shirt would always remind me of how people at PACSA paused long enough to look me in the eyes when they asked, “How are you?” and truly cared about my response. Additionally, I explained that, although a month ago I felt unready to go back to the US, I have realized that I cannot keep taking in the ubuntu spirit; I need to share it, too. I feel that American society needs a healthy dose of ubuntu spirit.
Over the last two months, a few ubuntu-related fears of returning to the US have run through my thoughts. I am afraid I will find that the ubuntu spirit is strangled by US’ society’s focus of individual before group. In turn, I worry that I would isolate myself, similar to what I did from February to July 2008 after returning from five months in the Middle East; thereby, losing all living sense of ubuntu, since I would have cut myself off from others. Then, I would loose allowing the Spirit to move me as I have trapped myself. By trying to allow the Spirit to move me, I have never felt more alive than I have over these past two months. I am concerned I will loose myself once I return to the US in the whirlwind of individualism and the primacy of time.
The purpose of sharing my fears is not to separate myself from you before I even return to the US. One, I know that the above are fears and are somewhat unrealistic. Two, I want to be open and honest with you about my experiences, what I have learned and where I perceive I am mentally, emotionally and spiritually. As I said, many of you taught me about the spirit of ubuntu. Many of your eyes and smiles come to my mind when I think about connecting with people. I know that the ubuntu spirit lives in communities in the US, in places known and unknown to me, where I, perhaps, could not identify before this year. Additionally, the ubuntu spirit did not always live in every South African. We all fall on a continuum of living by the ubuntu spirit; we are each saint and sinner. If I believe in the Holy Spirit moving people in my communities in South Africa, why would I not believe in the Holy Spirit moving people in my communities in the US? I need to remember that I do not need to do anything; that if I try to force something, I will probably make the situation worse. I need to
trust that the Holy Spirit is the power that moves God’s people. Furthermore, I am just beginning to learn how to walk in the ubuntu way – as demonstrated by my fears that the ubuntu spirit will not live in the US. I want to grow in ubuntu-ness with you. I certainly cannot grow without you. I hope that by sharing these fears with you, you will catch me if I start to fall into living by these fears. These fears are not based in the Spirit. I should fear nothing if I have faith in God.
Although the word ubuntu may be foreign, the idea of ubuntu, which may be identified with unity, should be familiar with Christians. Unity is a central theme in Ephesians. When Paul calls for unity, he does not call for humans to create their own source of unity. He states that the source of our unity already exists; we live in unity as one body through one Spirit. This unity is for all. Paul mentions characteristics that will help us to maintain unity: humility, gentleness, patience and love - characteristics to maintain even when we feel we do not have enough time to do so. Paul makes unity sound so natural, as the one God is “through all and in all”. However, in today’s world, we need to encourage and challenge one another to love towards one purpose, for our own good as individuals and as one family.
Unity is not a secret of Christians. Unity is a theme of Hinduism and Buddhism, among others. Furthermore, unity is not exclusive to religion. Ask the Ethiopian farmer who cannot provide health care and clean water for his family based on the miserable wages he receives for his coffee beans sold around the world if he is connected to
people he cannot see, as seen in the documentary “Black Gold”, and I think you would know his answer. Recently, we have learned how economic markets connect us. Climate change, food and acts of hatred know no geographical boundaries. Do you know the people who stitched your clothes, picked your bananas or assembled your electronics? We are undeniably connected with others around the globe, yet we are only unified when we understand one another as fellow human beings deserving of respect and love in the true ubuntu spirit.
So often, the media and experts tell us how we are different: race, age, sex, sexual orientation, economic wealth, education, religion, class and on and on. However, when it comes down to looking people in the eyes in greeting, none of these differences truly matter. What truly matters is that we are humans – we deserve respect; we need food, shelter and water; we want to love and be loved. The factors that keep us living and the essence of why we live are the same. Differences exist and are worth acknowledging, for we each have something unique to contribute. However, dwelling in these differences separates us from the humanity in one another and from the unity of the Spirit, our life source. Let us continually acknowledge the importance of and live by the ubuntu spirit.
Uniting Spirit, guide us to defy the ways of the world so we may truly live in unity. Amen.
Walking into the Georgia Dome in 2003, the word ubuntu, the theme of the ELCA’s National Youth Gathering, meant very little to me. Throughout the four days of the gathering, presenters, singers and staff attempted to impress on thousands of youth the meaning of the foreign word ubuntu: I am because we are. Inspired by the idea of interconnectedness, many of us imagined being in the land of ubuntu someday. Little did I know that I would have the honor of walking with the people who grow in the land of ubuntu for one year.
The word ubuntu is from the Xhosa language; the Xhosa people live south of the Zulu people in South Africa. On many occasions this year, the Zulu people surprise me when they sing a Zulu song I already know: Siyahamba, Thuma Mina, and Akanamandla. However, the powerful nature of this music is not surprising since the ubuntu philosophy these people live daily comes from the heart.
A rough translation of ubuntu is: the essence of being human; humanity. Culturally, ubuntu means that a person is a person through other people or that people should treat others the way that they want to be treated. In the inspiring book No Future Without Forgiveness, Desmond Tutu explains: “A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed, or treated as if they were less than who they are.” Tutu’s description of ubuntu ties closely with many values in Christianity and other religions.
Yet, ubuntu living cannot stay confined in its country of origin. We all experience ubuntu spirit throughout our lives without putting a name to what we feel. We feel the ubuntu interconnectedness when we serve or are served or when we becomes more important than I. People have taught me about ubuntu throughout my life: from my neighbor tying my shoe when I was little to fellow church members serving a bowl of soup. People show me ubuntu spirit through random acts of kindness.
Yet, many American societal norms stand counter to the ubuntu philosophy. Often in my life in the US, I allowed time to dictate my life, not relationships with people or the Spirit. “I have so much to do today” seems to be a common mantra. Why do we have so much to do? Are we serving God in our busy-ness or in a “get ‘er done” attitude do we loose sight of why we are living and run out of time for God? I believe God gives us enough time to love God and one
another, yet, God may not give us enough time to achieve all that we desire. I need to question whether a desire follows God’s will before acting on it. Throughout my life, I have been a champion of overloading my plate with activities. Now, I realize that by filling my schedule with activities, I ignorantly took away the Holy Spirit’s job: to guide. I allowed the time structure of my activities to guide me. Trapped in my thoughts of what I “needed” to do next, I forgot to consistently pause long enough to connect with and love people I met while moving from one task to the next. The American society value of individual achievement often eclipses the ubuntu value of interconnect-ness.
At the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Christian Social Awareness’ (PACSA) farewell part in my honor, staff gave me verbal presents and then cheered me on as I opened my physical gift from them. Among a PACSA hat and mug lay a shirt that had two sets of animal eyes above the words “South Africa” on the front. Then they asked me to give closing words. I shared about how I believe that eyes are the windows to the soul. The shirt would always remind me of how people at PACSA paused long enough to look me in the eyes when they asked, “How are you?” and truly cared about my response. Additionally, I explained that, although a month ago I felt unready to go back to the US, I have realized that I cannot keep taking in the ubuntu spirit; I need to share it, too. I feel that American society needs a healthy dose of ubuntu spirit.
Over the last two months, a few ubuntu-related fears of returning to the US have run through my thoughts. I am afraid I will find that the ubuntu spirit is strangled by US’ society’s focus of individual before group. In turn, I worry that I would isolate myself, similar to what I did from February to July 2008 after returning from five months in the Middle East; thereby, losing all living sense of ubuntu, since I would have cut myself off from others. Then, I would loose allowing the Spirit to move me as I have trapped myself. By trying to allow the Spirit to move me, I have never felt more alive than I have over these past two months. I am concerned I will loose myself once I return to the US in the whirlwind of individualism and the primacy of time.
The purpose of sharing my fears is not to separate myself from you before I even return to the US. One, I know that the above are fears and are somewhat unrealistic. Two, I want to be open and honest with you about my experiences, what I have learned and where I perceive I am mentally, emotionally and spiritually. As I said, many of you taught me about the spirit of ubuntu. Many of your eyes and smiles come to my mind when I think about connecting with people. I know that the ubuntu spirit lives in communities in the US, in places known and unknown to me, where I, perhaps, could not identify before this year. Additionally, the ubuntu spirit did not always live in every South African. We all fall on a continuum of living by the ubuntu spirit; we are each saint and sinner. If I believe in the Holy Spirit moving people in my communities in South Africa, why would I not believe in the Holy Spirit moving people in my communities in the US? I need to remember that I do not need to do anything; that if I try to force something, I will probably make the situation worse. I need to
trust that the Holy Spirit is the power that moves God’s people. Furthermore, I am just beginning to learn how to walk in the ubuntu way – as demonstrated by my fears that the ubuntu spirit will not live in the US. I want to grow in ubuntu-ness with you. I certainly cannot grow without you. I hope that by sharing these fears with you, you will catch me if I start to fall into living by these fears. These fears are not based in the Spirit. I should fear nothing if I have faith in God.
Although the word ubuntu may be foreign, the idea of ubuntu, which may be identified with unity, should be familiar with Christians. Unity is a central theme in Ephesians. When Paul calls for unity, he does not call for humans to create their own source of unity. He states that the source of our unity already exists; we live in unity as one body through one Spirit. This unity is for all. Paul mentions characteristics that will help us to maintain unity: humility, gentleness, patience and love - characteristics to maintain even when we feel we do not have enough time to do so. Paul makes unity sound so natural, as the one God is “through all and in all”. However, in today’s world, we need to encourage and challenge one another to love towards one purpose, for our own good as individuals and as one family.
Unity is not a secret of Christians. Unity is a theme of Hinduism and Buddhism, among others. Furthermore, unity is not exclusive to religion. Ask the Ethiopian farmer who cannot provide health care and clean water for his family based on the miserable wages he receives for his coffee beans sold around the world if he is connected to
people he cannot see, as seen in the documentary “Black Gold”, and I think you would know his answer. Recently, we have learned how economic markets connect us. Climate change, food and acts of hatred know no geographical boundaries. Do you know the people who stitched your clothes, picked your bananas or assembled your electronics? We are undeniably connected with others around the globe, yet we are only unified when we understand one another as fellow human beings deserving of respect and love in the true ubuntu spirit.
So often, the media and experts tell us how we are different: race, age, sex, sexual orientation, economic wealth, education, religion, class and on and on. However, when it comes down to looking people in the eyes in greeting, none of these differences truly matter. What truly matters is that we are humans – we deserve respect; we need food, shelter and water; we want to love and be loved. The factors that keep us living and the essence of why we live are the same. Differences exist and are worth acknowledging, for we each have something unique to contribute. However, dwelling in these differences separates us from the humanity in one another and from the unity of the Spirit, our life source. Let us continually acknowledge the importance of and live by the ubuntu spirit.
Uniting Spirit, guide us to defy the ways of the world so we may truly live in unity. Amen.
From a South African Friend: Nhlanhla on Ubuntu
Ubuntu is the spirit of belonging, of fullness and being in community. Whether I know you or not, once I get to know your name and where you come from you become part of me and I adopt you into my family and in my being. The practicalities of ubuntu far outstrips just belonging, it is to be lived. It is said in Zulu “akasenabo ubuntu”, (he or she has lost a sense of humanity or being). It is also a complete set of ethical behaviour which is not individual and has many theories supported by different idioms that enrich how it is to be practised. It is also very complex because there are principles that guide this concept to be truly meaningful. For example elements of reparation are necessary if wrong has been done if one is to be accepted fully into the fold again.
June Sound Bytes
“I think there’s a long way to freedom.” - A workshop participant
“We have freedom, but in many other ways we [black South Africans] are oppressed.” - a participant
“We voted for freedom, but we still haven’t much.” – a participant
“The only way to liberate the South African people-it’s to give them education.” – Vela
“The only significance of South Africa hosting the World Cup for me is that all people from all races are embracing the South African flag.” – Vela on describing the importance of unity
“It’s [the World Cup] not going to benefit the majority of South Africans as South Africa has given FIFA more freedom.” - Vela
“Development is about giving knowledge to the people because then they can be self-reliant.” - Vela
“It is our (ANC party) responsibility to unite all South Africans.” – Vela
“We have freedom, but in many other ways we [black South Africans] are oppressed.” - a participant
“We voted for freedom, but we still haven’t much.” – a participant
“The only way to liberate the South African people-it’s to give them education.” – Vela
“The only significance of South Africa hosting the World Cup for me is that all people from all races are embracing the South African flag.” – Vela on describing the importance of unity
“It’s [the World Cup] not going to benefit the majority of South Africans as South Africa has given FIFA more freedom.” - Vela
“Development is about giving knowledge to the people because then they can be self-reliant.” - Vela
“It is our (ANC party) responsibility to unite all South Africans.” – Vela
Snapshots from June 1st to July 15th
- Attended the PACSA Annual General Meeting
- Walked with fellow YAGM volunteers in Alexandra and Soweto and attended an HIV+AIDS Workshop for a day in Johannesburg
- Felt many emotions while processing our experiences in South Africa with fellow volunteers at our last ELCA-MUD retreat
- Cheered while watching FIFA World Cup games at a couple of stadiums, a fan park and at home
- Worshiped at the Youth League Conference for the Umngeni Circuit
- Cut up meat and cleaned at the Women League Conference for the Umngeni Circuit
- Attended a Hindu ceremony that occurs six months after a person passes away
- Tried to express my thanks as I said goodbye to an Umngeni Circuit congregation and my home congregation, Dalton
- Learned at a PACSA workshop on women, climate change and energy
- Enjoyed interacting with year-long friends at the Synod Assembly
- Shared countless goodbyes
- Walked with fellow YAGM volunteers in Alexandra and Soweto and attended an HIV+AIDS Workshop for a day in Johannesburg
- Felt many emotions while processing our experiences in South Africa with fellow volunteers at our last ELCA-MUD retreat
- Cheered while watching FIFA World Cup games at a couple of stadiums, a fan park and at home
- Worshiped at the Youth League Conference for the Umngeni Circuit
- Cut up meat and cleaned at the Women League Conference for the Umngeni Circuit
- Attended a Hindu ceremony that occurs six months after a person passes away
- Tried to express my thanks as I said goodbye to an Umngeni Circuit congregation and my home congregation, Dalton
- Learned at a PACSA workshop on women, climate change and energy
- Enjoyed interacting with year-long friends at the Synod Assembly
- Shared countless goodbyes
A Spiritual Word: Love
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” – Colossians 3:14
I am in love with the people of South Africa. Words cannot completely describe this love. If only I could send the experience of looking into the eyes of one of the children with whom I have fallen in love from the primary school where I volunteered for eight months. Then, maybe you could get a glimpse of this love, because I’ve fallen in love with their souls, and, yes, I do believe that eyes are the windows to the soul. The children at the primary school warm my heart as they glow when our eyes meet.
My eyes tear up as I anticipate leaving the school for the final time; I realize how much I love the children. The week before my last week at the primary school, I try to figure out an additional day I could go to the school. I do not feel ready to say goodbye.
Six months prior, I had been counting the days until I was done at the school. I loved the kids, mostly from a distance; yet, I rarely spent time with them, for in attempting to give the teachers the power to initiate my time in the classroom, on a good day, I was in the classroom for one or two hours. Over my first three months at the school, the educators and I slowly built a trusting and caring relationship as we explored how a young, white, American woman could interact within a rural, primary school environment with older, black, South African educators. Used to the “doing” culture of the US, I tried to keep myself busy with cleaning, organizing and reading educational material, but ran into dead ends with finances and organizing documents in another language. From those first three months, I learned important lessons in patience and how it feels to be trapped from the all-important American virtue of productivity. More importantly, I internalize that my productivity level does not define how good of a person I am. One may do more good by not doing anything physically constructive, but just being. In the relationship-focused culture at my school, I feel a revitalized awareness to the beauty of being.
Furthermore, since January, the educators and I have implemented an agreed upon schedule in which I teach grades one through six, each for one hour over the two days I am at the school every week. In grades one through three, I teach English vocabulary, such as family members or greetings. For grades four through six, we work on English reading. I feel I connect with the students and the educators through the shared process of creating a positive environment in the classrooms. I thoroughly enjoy my time at the school in 2010.
When I first arrived at the school, the children’s eyes seemed to follow me because I am white. At the school, all of the twenty staff are black and, except for five Indians, all of the 420 students are black. Now, I see many kids’ eyes light up when they see me and they greet me or whisper to their friends: “Miss Kate!” I feel that they are genuinely excited to see me because they like me for being me, not based on my skin color or country of origin. Kids giving me a random hug or leaning in the office door, whether to say hi to me or giggle, always puts a smile on my face.
During my last two weeks at the school, I teach the kids the song “Kids of the Kingdom”. On my last day, we tape the children singing the song. It is an honor to be able to give my supporters in the US the best gift of the children singing "Kids of the Kingdom". Additionally, major
supporters taught me "Kids of the Kingdom" when I was the same age as the children, so I am eager to pass the song onto the children and share how I believe they are each kids of God’s kingdom. The school community shares so much of their culture with me; I am thankful for how excited they are to learn the song, a part of my culture. The best part of teaching the song is hearing teachers and children sing “Kids of the Kingdom” as they go about the day.
During my last two days at the primary school, a lot of love is all around. Each grade welcomes me into their class one more time for a time of sharing: thoughts, sentiments and hugs. In the first grade class, I ask the children if they have any questions for me. One child asks, “When are you coming back?” Another child raises his hand and shares, “I love you.” More hands pop up and, one by one, children tell me, “I love you.” I feel humbled by the children’s love. I tell them that I love them all too. Then I offer that they may each share a hug with me. The children amaze me as many eagerly embrace me. Self-consciousness, age, race or any other thoughts of boundaries fail to hold them back. They show me pure love.
The educators and students continue to give of themselves as they perform a closing program in my honor. Amongst the beautiful songs, classes sing about love and a reprise of “Kids of the Kingdom” as well as the educators, including me, singing a hymn in Zulu. Kids in each grade share what they learned from me and one boy speaks on behalf of all the children in expressing their gratitude. The educators present me with traditional Zulu crafts, including a skirt and beaded jewelry. After receiving the material, musical and sentimental gifts, the teachers ask me to respond. In front of the community, I tell them I cannot entirely express my gratitude in words. I thank them for openly embracing me and selflessly giving of themselves; for through these attributes, we have created a strong connection. I share with the students that I believe in and hope the best for them. Finally, I tell them I love them. To close the program, a dozen female students passionately perform a Zulu dance. As the energy of the dance builds, the students gather around the ladies to form a clapping and cheering circle. The spiritual dance moves me.
Later, during the party given by the educators, adorned in my Zulu outfit, I attempt to dance in the traditional Zulu way. The educators cannot get enough of my dancing; they practically roll over one another in laughter and keep asking me to dance more. I doubt my dancing is technically superb, but to see the joy in their faces as I dance makes my effort worth it for every step. Giving the teachers personalized notes and dancing their traditional dance is the least I could do to thank them.
Do not let some of the children’s worn clothing deceive you; the children may not only be clothed in love, as recommended in Galatians, the children embody love. I feel their love demonstrates how everything is bound together by love. The children and I connect. When you genuinely give someone a hug, you cannot see the person’s skin color. When I first saw a picture of myself in front of a classroom, I was shocked by how much I stuck out- my skin looked much lighter than I remembered and I was not wearing the school uniform. Yet, my clothing choice or skin color could not stop love from bringing the children and me together. Love shatters human conceived boundaries.
God, guide us to see your love in one another and to love as you love us. Amen
I am in love with the people of South Africa. Words cannot completely describe this love. If only I could send the experience of looking into the eyes of one of the children with whom I have fallen in love from the primary school where I volunteered for eight months. Then, maybe you could get a glimpse of this love, because I’ve fallen in love with their souls, and, yes, I do believe that eyes are the windows to the soul. The children at the primary school warm my heart as they glow when our eyes meet.
My eyes tear up as I anticipate leaving the school for the final time; I realize how much I love the children. The week before my last week at the primary school, I try to figure out an additional day I could go to the school. I do not feel ready to say goodbye.
Six months prior, I had been counting the days until I was done at the school. I loved the kids, mostly from a distance; yet, I rarely spent time with them, for in attempting to give the teachers the power to initiate my time in the classroom, on a good day, I was in the classroom for one or two hours. Over my first three months at the school, the educators and I slowly built a trusting and caring relationship as we explored how a young, white, American woman could interact within a rural, primary school environment with older, black, South African educators. Used to the “doing” culture of the US, I tried to keep myself busy with cleaning, organizing and reading educational material, but ran into dead ends with finances and organizing documents in another language. From those first three months, I learned important lessons in patience and how it feels to be trapped from the all-important American virtue of productivity. More importantly, I internalize that my productivity level does not define how good of a person I am. One may do more good by not doing anything physically constructive, but just being. In the relationship-focused culture at my school, I feel a revitalized awareness to the beauty of being.
Furthermore, since January, the educators and I have implemented an agreed upon schedule in which I teach grades one through six, each for one hour over the two days I am at the school every week. In grades one through three, I teach English vocabulary, such as family members or greetings. For grades four through six, we work on English reading. I feel I connect with the students and the educators through the shared process of creating a positive environment in the classrooms. I thoroughly enjoy my time at the school in 2010.
When I first arrived at the school, the children’s eyes seemed to follow me because I am white. At the school, all of the twenty staff are black and, except for five Indians, all of the 420 students are black. Now, I see many kids’ eyes light up when they see me and they greet me or whisper to their friends: “Miss Kate!” I feel that they are genuinely excited to see me because they like me for being me, not based on my skin color or country of origin. Kids giving me a random hug or leaning in the office door, whether to say hi to me or giggle, always puts a smile on my face.
During my last two weeks at the school, I teach the kids the song “Kids of the Kingdom”. On my last day, we tape the children singing the song. It is an honor to be able to give my supporters in the US the best gift of the children singing "Kids of the Kingdom". Additionally, major
supporters taught me "Kids of the Kingdom" when I was the same age as the children, so I am eager to pass the song onto the children and share how I believe they are each kids of God’s kingdom. The school community shares so much of their culture with me; I am thankful for how excited they are to learn the song, a part of my culture. The best part of teaching the song is hearing teachers and children sing “Kids of the Kingdom” as they go about the day.
During my last two days at the primary school, a lot of love is all around. Each grade welcomes me into their class one more time for a time of sharing: thoughts, sentiments and hugs. In the first grade class, I ask the children if they have any questions for me. One child asks, “When are you coming back?” Another child raises his hand and shares, “I love you.” More hands pop up and, one by one, children tell me, “I love you.” I feel humbled by the children’s love. I tell them that I love them all too. Then I offer that they may each share a hug with me. The children amaze me as many eagerly embrace me. Self-consciousness, age, race or any other thoughts of boundaries fail to hold them back. They show me pure love.
The educators and students continue to give of themselves as they perform a closing program in my honor. Amongst the beautiful songs, classes sing about love and a reprise of “Kids of the Kingdom” as well as the educators, including me, singing a hymn in Zulu. Kids in each grade share what they learned from me and one boy speaks on behalf of all the children in expressing their gratitude. The educators present me with traditional Zulu crafts, including a skirt and beaded jewelry. After receiving the material, musical and sentimental gifts, the teachers ask me to respond. In front of the community, I tell them I cannot entirely express my gratitude in words. I thank them for openly embracing me and selflessly giving of themselves; for through these attributes, we have created a strong connection. I share with the students that I believe in and hope the best for them. Finally, I tell them I love them. To close the program, a dozen female students passionately perform a Zulu dance. As the energy of the dance builds, the students gather around the ladies to form a clapping and cheering circle. The spiritual dance moves me.
Later, during the party given by the educators, adorned in my Zulu outfit, I attempt to dance in the traditional Zulu way. The educators cannot get enough of my dancing; they practically roll over one another in laughter and keep asking me to dance more. I doubt my dancing is technically superb, but to see the joy in their faces as I dance makes my effort worth it for every step. Giving the teachers personalized notes and dancing their traditional dance is the least I could do to thank them.
Do not let some of the children’s worn clothing deceive you; the children may not only be clothed in love, as recommended in Galatians, the children embody love. I feel their love demonstrates how everything is bound together by love. The children and I connect. When you genuinely give someone a hug, you cannot see the person’s skin color. When I first saw a picture of myself in front of a classroom, I was shocked by how much I stuck out- my skin looked much lighter than I remembered and I was not wearing the school uniform. Yet, my clothing choice or skin color could not stop love from bringing the children and me together. Love shatters human conceived boundaries.
God, guide us to see your love in one another and to love as you love us. Amen
An Open Letter to the Friends & Families of Returning Young Adults in Global Mission, by Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe
My name is Andrea Roske-Metcalfe, and I’m the Country Coordinator for the Young Adults in Global Mission program in Mexico. During our second-to-last retreat this year, I asked my volunteers to write a letter to their friends and family back home. I asked them to write about how they felt, given that they only have a couple months left here. I asked them to write about how they’d changed and what they were afraid of in returning home. I asked them to write about what they had discovered about themselves, and what they were looking forward to in returning home. …
This might seem like a strange request, but I wish that someone had asked it of me. Reverse culture shock is nobody’s idea of a good time, and I’ve gone through it enough (including after my own YAGM year) to know that it doesn’t only affect the person returning home; it affects everyone around them.
So I wish someone had asked this of me. I wish someone had asked me how I really felt, because I only rarely admitted that to myself. I wish someone had asked me to write it down, so I could go back to it later and process it. I wish someone had asked if there were parts of it I wanted to share with friends and family before I returned; something that might have, at least in part, prepared all of us for what would be a bumpy landing. … The funny thing is, when I asked my volunteers to write a letter, I didn’t exactly expect to write one myself. … And so, I wrote a letter (or a list, as it may be) to you, in case your very own Young Adult in Global Mission doesn’t get around to sending theirs:
10 Suggestions for Helping your Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) Return Home
1. Don’t ask the question, “So how was it?” Your YAGM cannot function in one-word answers right now, especially ones intended to sum up their entire year’s experience, and being asked to do so may cause them to start laughing or crying uncontrollably. Ask more specific questions, like “Who was your closest friend?” or “What did you do in your free time?” or “What was the food like?” or “Tell me about your typical day.”
2. If you wish to spend time with your YAGM, let them take the lead on where to go and what to do. Recognize that seemingly mundane rituals, like grocery shopping or going to the movies, may be extremely difficult for someone who has just spent a year living without a wide array of material goods. One former YAGM, for example, faced with the daunting task of choosing a tube of toothpaste from the 70-odd kinds available, simply threw up in the middle of the drugstore.
3. Expect some feelings of jealousy and resentment, especially if your YAGM lived with a host family. Relationships that form during periods of uncertainty and vulnerability (the first few months in a foreign country, for example) form quickly and deeply. The fact that your YAGM talks non-stop about their friends and family from their country of service doesn’t mean that they don’t love you, too. It simply means that they’re mourning the loss (at least in part) of the deep, meaningful, important relationships that helped them to survive and to thrive during this last year. In this regard, treat them as you would anyone else mourning a loss.
4. You may be horrified by the way your YAGM dresses; both because their clothes are old and raggedy and because they insist on wearing the same outfit three days in a row. Upon encountering their closet at home, returning YAGMs tend to experience two different emotions: (1) jubilation at the fact that they can stop rotating the same 2 pairs of jeans and 4 shirts, and (2) dismay at the amount of clothing they own, and yet clearly lived without for an entire year. Some YAGMs may deal with this by giving away entire car loads of clothing and other items to people in need. Do not “save them from
themselves” by offering to drive the items to the donation center, only to hide them away in your garage. Let your YAGM do what they need to do. Once they realize, after the fact, that you do indeed need more than 2 pairs of jeans and 4 shirts to function in professional American society, offer to take them shopping. Start with the Goodwill and the Salvation Army; your YAGM may never be able to handle Macy’s again.
5. Asking to see photos of your YAGM’s year in service is highly recommended, providing you have an entire day off from work. Multiply the number of photos you take during a week’s vacation, multiply that by 52, and you understand the predicament. If you have an entire day, fine. If not, take a cue from number 1 above, and ask to see specific things, like photos of your YAGM’s host family, or photos from holiday celebrations. Better yet, set up a number of “photo dates,” and delve into a different section each time. Given the high percentage of people whose eyes glaze over after the first page of someone else’s photos, and the frustration that can cause for someone bursting with stories to tell, this would be an incredible gift.
6. At least half the things that come out of your YAGM’s mouth for the first few months will begin with, “In Mexico/Slovakia/South Africa/etc…” This will undoubtedly begin to annoy the crap out of you after the first few weeks. Actually saying so, however, will prove far less effective than listening and asking interested questions. Besides, you can bet that someone else will let slip exactly what you’re thinking, letting you off the hook.
7. That said, speak up when you need to! Returning YAGMs commonly assume that almost nothing has changed in your lives since they left. (This happens, in part, because you let them, figuring that their experiences are so much more exciting than yours, and therefore not sharing your own.) Be assertive enough to create the space to share what has happened in your life during the last year.
8. Recognize that living in a very simple environment with very few material belongings changes people. Don’t take it personally if your YAGM seems horrified by certain aspects of the way you live – that you shower every day, for example, or that you buy a new radio instead of duct-taping the broken one back together. Recognize that there probably are certain things you could or should change (you don’t really need to leave the water running while you brush your teeth, do you?), but also that adjusting to what may now feel incredibly extravagant will simply take awhile. Most YAGMs make permanent changes toward a simpler lifestyle. Recognize this as a good thing.
9. Perhaps you had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for your YAGM that were interrupted by their year of service. If so, you may as well throw them out the window. A large percentage of returning YAGMs make significant changes to their long-term goals and plans. Some of them have spent a year doing something they never thought they’d enjoy, only to find themselves drawn to it as a career. Others have spent a year doing exactly what they envisioned doing for the rest of their lives, only to find that they hate it. Regardless of the direction your YAGM takes when they return…rejoice! This year hasn’t changed who they are; it has simply made them better at discerning God’s call on their lives. (Note: Some YAGMs spend their year of service teaching English, some are involved in human rights advocacy, others work with the elderly or disabled, and at least one spent his year teaching British youth to shoot with bows and arrows. The results of this phenomenon, therefore, can vary widely.)
10. Go easy on yourself, and go easy on your YAGM. Understand that reverse culture shock is not an exact science, and manifests itself differently in each person. Expect good days and bad days. Don’t be afraid to ask for help (including of the pharmaceutical variety) if necessary. Pray. Laugh. Cry. This too shall pass, and in the end, you’ll both be the richer for it.
This might seem like a strange request, but I wish that someone had asked it of me. Reverse culture shock is nobody’s idea of a good time, and I’ve gone through it enough (including after my own YAGM year) to know that it doesn’t only affect the person returning home; it affects everyone around them.
So I wish someone had asked this of me. I wish someone had asked me how I really felt, because I only rarely admitted that to myself. I wish someone had asked me to write it down, so I could go back to it later and process it. I wish someone had asked if there were parts of it I wanted to share with friends and family before I returned; something that might have, at least in part, prepared all of us for what would be a bumpy landing. … The funny thing is, when I asked my volunteers to write a letter, I didn’t exactly expect to write one myself. … And so, I wrote a letter (or a list, as it may be) to you, in case your very own Young Adult in Global Mission doesn’t get around to sending theirs:
10 Suggestions for Helping your Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) Return Home
1. Don’t ask the question, “So how was it?” Your YAGM cannot function in one-word answers right now, especially ones intended to sum up their entire year’s experience, and being asked to do so may cause them to start laughing or crying uncontrollably. Ask more specific questions, like “Who was your closest friend?” or “What did you do in your free time?” or “What was the food like?” or “Tell me about your typical day.”
2. If you wish to spend time with your YAGM, let them take the lead on where to go and what to do. Recognize that seemingly mundane rituals, like grocery shopping or going to the movies, may be extremely difficult for someone who has just spent a year living without a wide array of material goods. One former YAGM, for example, faced with the daunting task of choosing a tube of toothpaste from the 70-odd kinds available, simply threw up in the middle of the drugstore.
3. Expect some feelings of jealousy and resentment, especially if your YAGM lived with a host family. Relationships that form during periods of uncertainty and vulnerability (the first few months in a foreign country, for example) form quickly and deeply. The fact that your YAGM talks non-stop about their friends and family from their country of service doesn’t mean that they don’t love you, too. It simply means that they’re mourning the loss (at least in part) of the deep, meaningful, important relationships that helped them to survive and to thrive during this last year. In this regard, treat them as you would anyone else mourning a loss.
4. You may be horrified by the way your YAGM dresses; both because their clothes are old and raggedy and because they insist on wearing the same outfit three days in a row. Upon encountering their closet at home, returning YAGMs tend to experience two different emotions: (1) jubilation at the fact that they can stop rotating the same 2 pairs of jeans and 4 shirts, and (2) dismay at the amount of clothing they own, and yet clearly lived without for an entire year. Some YAGMs may deal with this by giving away entire car loads of clothing and other items to people in need. Do not “save them from
themselves” by offering to drive the items to the donation center, only to hide them away in your garage. Let your YAGM do what they need to do. Once they realize, after the fact, that you do indeed need more than 2 pairs of jeans and 4 shirts to function in professional American society, offer to take them shopping. Start with the Goodwill and the Salvation Army; your YAGM may never be able to handle Macy’s again.
5. Asking to see photos of your YAGM’s year in service is highly recommended, providing you have an entire day off from work. Multiply the number of photos you take during a week’s vacation, multiply that by 52, and you understand the predicament. If you have an entire day, fine. If not, take a cue from number 1 above, and ask to see specific things, like photos of your YAGM’s host family, or photos from holiday celebrations. Better yet, set up a number of “photo dates,” and delve into a different section each time. Given the high percentage of people whose eyes glaze over after the first page of someone else’s photos, and the frustration that can cause for someone bursting with stories to tell, this would be an incredible gift.
6. At least half the things that come out of your YAGM’s mouth for the first few months will begin with, “In Mexico/Slovakia/South Africa/etc…” This will undoubtedly begin to annoy the crap out of you after the first few weeks. Actually saying so, however, will prove far less effective than listening and asking interested questions. Besides, you can bet that someone else will let slip exactly what you’re thinking, letting you off the hook.
7. That said, speak up when you need to! Returning YAGMs commonly assume that almost nothing has changed in your lives since they left. (This happens, in part, because you let them, figuring that their experiences are so much more exciting than yours, and therefore not sharing your own.) Be assertive enough to create the space to share what has happened in your life during the last year.
8. Recognize that living in a very simple environment with very few material belongings changes people. Don’t take it personally if your YAGM seems horrified by certain aspects of the way you live – that you shower every day, for example, or that you buy a new radio instead of duct-taping the broken one back together. Recognize that there probably are certain things you could or should change (you don’t really need to leave the water running while you brush your teeth, do you?), but also that adjusting to what may now feel incredibly extravagant will simply take awhile. Most YAGMs make permanent changes toward a simpler lifestyle. Recognize this as a good thing.
9. Perhaps you had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for your YAGM that were interrupted by their year of service. If so, you may as well throw them out the window. A large percentage of returning YAGMs make significant changes to their long-term goals and plans. Some of them have spent a year doing something they never thought they’d enjoy, only to find themselves drawn to it as a career. Others have spent a year doing exactly what they envisioned doing for the rest of their lives, only to find that they hate it. Regardless of the direction your YAGM takes when they return…rejoice! This year hasn’t changed who they are; it has simply made them better at discerning God’s call on their lives. (Note: Some YAGMs spend their year of service teaching English, some are involved in human rights advocacy, others work with the elderly or disabled, and at least one spent his year teaching British youth to shoot with bows and arrows. The results of this phenomenon, therefore, can vary widely.)
10. Go easy on yourself, and go easy on your YAGM. Understand that reverse culture shock is not an exact science, and manifests itself differently in each person. Expect good days and bad days. Don’t be afraid to ask for help (including of the pharmaceutical variety) if necessary. Pray. Laugh. Cry. This too shall pass, and in the end, you’ll both be the richer for it.
ONE WORLD CUP: TWO WORLDS, by Mervyn Abrahams
Two days before the first-ever African FIFA Soccer World Cup many South Africans are gripped with a ‘feel good’ factor and excitement. Flags on cars are visible everywhere, people in the city-centers are wearing regalia in support of their soccer teams, and there are almost non-stop radio chat shows on the merits of one team versus another. South Africa is a soccer-mad country and hosting the most spectacular global soccer event has raised the excitement even more. For a country emerging from racial segregation and the brutality of apartheid, sports create a window of opportunity for nation-building because it could be used as a unifying force.
Will the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa be a unifying moment in the history of our nation and advance our socio-economic development by contributing to lessening the inequality between rich and poor? Voices from movements of the poor seem to paint a very different picture of the impact of the World Cup on their lives. From their perspective the World Cup will not benefit the poor and the disadvantaged. On the contrary, given developments on the ground, the opposite is more likely to happen. Second, the expenditure of billions of Rands on the 'elitist' World Cup constitutes a misdirection of resources needed to meet a wide range of pressing social needs.
They point out that South Africa has invested heavily in preparing for the World Cup. It is estimated that US$4.5 billion of public funds were invested in World Cup related infrastructure. At the time of bidding for the World Cup it was suggested that this investment would 'trickle down' through job creation and development. Yet of the 22,000 Cup-related jobs made available to citizens, 70-80 percent are subcontracted positions, offering wage rates of US$1-2 per hour, while construction companies reported pre-tax profit of 54–142 per cent. Thus, the World Cup will not benefit workers or the poor but rather big business.
Instead, FIFA has been granted a ‘tax-free bubble’ when its activities have been categorized as 'diplomatic' via the Revenues Law Amendment Act 20 of 2006, guaranteeing Fifa 17 provisions underpinning 'supportive financial environment', as well as free services ranging from safety and security, healthcare, transport, communications, intellectual property and marketing, control-zones for specific kilometers, amounting to as yet unknown costs.
Perhaps the best example of the manner in which the poor are being sidelined are the situation confronting street traders, those who sell small products on the side of the roads as a means to make a living. These traders are being forcibly removed from areas where they have been trading for years in the build-up and for the duration of the World Cup. This is to comply with FIFA’s designated exclusion zones. Rather than helping these traders the World Cup has become a means to restrict their ability to make a living. The same fate has been meted out to street children, sex workers and other beings considered undesirable in the quest to appease FIFA and to present South Africa’s cities as ‘world-class cities’.
Shack dwellers organisations like Abahlali have warned of increases in evictions from their homes and the South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a directive to a number of municipalities not to allow marches for the duration of the 2010 World Cup, effectively suspending people’s constitutional right to protest.
So, what can we expect from the World Cup, hosted on African soil for the first time? Those who find themselves on the margins of society agree that the World Cup will in all probably address Afro-pessimism, on the side of First World tourists and media, and create a feel-good factor for South Africans and not much else. The real beneficiaries will be FIFA, big business and the political elite and the inequality between rich and poor in South Africa will remain constant, at best, or increase.
It seems we will remain a soccer-crazy people but mega-events like the World Cup create more difficulties for those who are poor. This is not confined to World Cup 2010 or South Africa but experience elsewhere in the world paints the same picture. Thus, the question remains – how can we use mega-events like the World Cup to improve the living conditions of the poor?
Will the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa be a unifying moment in the history of our nation and advance our socio-economic development by contributing to lessening the inequality between rich and poor? Voices from movements of the poor seem to paint a very different picture of the impact of the World Cup on their lives. From their perspective the World Cup will not benefit the poor and the disadvantaged. On the contrary, given developments on the ground, the opposite is more likely to happen. Second, the expenditure of billions of Rands on the 'elitist' World Cup constitutes a misdirection of resources needed to meet a wide range of pressing social needs.
They point out that South Africa has invested heavily in preparing for the World Cup. It is estimated that US$4.5 billion of public funds were invested in World Cup related infrastructure. At the time of bidding for the World Cup it was suggested that this investment would 'trickle down' through job creation and development. Yet of the 22,000 Cup-related jobs made available to citizens, 70-80 percent are subcontracted positions, offering wage rates of US$1-2 per hour, while construction companies reported pre-tax profit of 54–142 per cent. Thus, the World Cup will not benefit workers or the poor but rather big business.
Instead, FIFA has been granted a ‘tax-free bubble’ when its activities have been categorized as 'diplomatic' via the Revenues Law Amendment Act 20 of 2006, guaranteeing Fifa 17 provisions underpinning 'supportive financial environment', as well as free services ranging from safety and security, healthcare, transport, communications, intellectual property and marketing, control-zones for specific kilometers, amounting to as yet unknown costs.
Perhaps the best example of the manner in which the poor are being sidelined are the situation confronting street traders, those who sell small products on the side of the roads as a means to make a living. These traders are being forcibly removed from areas where they have been trading for years in the build-up and for the duration of the World Cup. This is to comply with FIFA’s designated exclusion zones. Rather than helping these traders the World Cup has become a means to restrict their ability to make a living. The same fate has been meted out to street children, sex workers and other beings considered undesirable in the quest to appease FIFA and to present South Africa’s cities as ‘world-class cities’.
Shack dwellers organisations like Abahlali have warned of increases in evictions from their homes and the South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a directive to a number of municipalities not to allow marches for the duration of the 2010 World Cup, effectively suspending people’s constitutional right to protest.
So, what can we expect from the World Cup, hosted on African soil for the first time? Those who find themselves on the margins of society agree that the World Cup will in all probably address Afro-pessimism, on the side of First World tourists and media, and create a feel-good factor for South Africans and not much else. The real beneficiaries will be FIFA, big business and the political elite and the inequality between rich and poor in South Africa will remain constant, at best, or increase.
It seems we will remain a soccer-crazy people but mega-events like the World Cup create more difficulties for those who are poor. This is not confined to World Cup 2010 or South Africa but experience elsewhere in the world paints the same picture. Thus, the question remains – how can we use mega-events like the World Cup to improve the living conditions of the poor?
May Snapshots
- Young Adults Rally
- Attended “Electricity, Gender and Poverty”, a PACSA Presentation
- Observed a Food Basket focused discussion
- Enjoyed the beauty of the Land of 1,000 Hills
- Joined the family in celebrating a relative’s marriage with a “white” and “traditional” wedding
- Read a prayer at a service for peace in Israel and Palestine
- Led a devotion at PACSA
- Attended “Electricity, Gender and Poverty”, a PACSA Presentation
- Observed a Food Basket focused discussion
- Enjoyed the beauty of the Land of 1,000 Hills
- Joined the family in celebrating a relative’s marriage with a “white” and “traditional” wedding
- Read a prayer at a service for peace in Israel and Palestine
- Led a devotion at PACSA
May Sound Bytes
“China is the best for everything.” – Eva, a friend, describing how China is a stronghold in the world
“[People] need to be home. You know that.” – Eva
“Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.” – 1st John 2:10
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1-2
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” – 1st John 3:1
“What does Africa Freedom Day mean to us? We need the Holy Spirit to show us.” – Dean Myaka
“[People] need to be home. You know that.” – Eva
“Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.” – 1st John 2:10
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1-2
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” – 1st John 3:1
“What does Africa Freedom Day mean to us? We need the Holy Spirit to show us.” – Dean Myaka
A Spiritual Word: Faith
“And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.” - 1st John 5:4b
This year, the people of South Africa have taught me the power of faith. Throughout my life, people have demonstrated the power of faith. Yet, this year, I have noticed how many South Africans I walk beside allow faith to be the driving force in their lives. Whether noticing faith playing such an important role in people’s lives is based on my own maturity and mindset, I am not sure. However, it does seem that faith conflicts with many ideals of American society: independence, control, and material wealth. Predominantly, I’ve questioned the American value of a sense of control. So often, I’ve place my knowledge and rationale in the navigating seat, moving faith to the backseat. If you want a job done right, you’ve got to do it yourself, right? Yet, in 1st John, John says that faith conquers the world. Faith is the true source of power. Do we truly think the good actions that come from us are our work alone? If all good comes from God, shouldn’t we want God in control? Are we putting aside our personal desires to allow the Spirit to move us? Why is faith’s power so difficult to believe?
Confusion spins my head; I paraphrase in shock what I just heard: “You’re giving a half hour message at church in an hour and a half and you don’t know what you’re going to talk about?” Londeka, my friend, replies, “How can I speak if he [God] hasn’t first spoken to me?” She makes a good point. Londeka continues to explain that she usually spends a full day with God in prayer to come up with a message, but the pastor had only asked her the night before and she had to work today. Initially, I couldn’t comprehend how Londeka had not figured out what to say- in my mind, she needed to know thoroughly what she would speak about in less than two hours. Yet, Londeka chose to have faith in God that he would guide her message. I may have chosen to push through a message, because providing a message was my responsibility. Londeka demonstrated the power of her faith as she truly trusted him to guide her.
One week at PACSA, I had no given tasks except to learn more about the organization. Although this may sound unproductive, this week was one of my most significant weeks at PACSA. God calls us in surprising ways. On each of the two days, a person shared with me scars from their past. Samantha* shared with me about how she was raped. I was only the fifth person Samantha had told about this life-changing event that happened years earlier. Michelle* told me about how her uncle, who served as her father figure, abused her into her twenties. At first glance, I do not see these women’s scars – I see their faith. These two women glow with a spiritual aura.
When I asked Michelle* where her faith comes from, she answered, “I’ve allowed God to bring his peace within me.” She humbly continued: “I guess the people that have everything going for them are less reliant on God.” I wonder if I have too much going for me. I believe being born into true wealth is primarily being born into a loving and supportive family. Material wealth is secondary. We say we want material comfort, yet, inherently having material comfort based on the family I was born into, I doubt that I truly appreciate the abundant gifts in my life. I can’t imagine growing up in an abusive environment. My stomach ties in knots just trying to imagine myself in an abusive situation. How does Michelle find the strength to be a glowing example of God’s love? This answer, perhaps, is inexplicable by reason: she has faith.
I asked Samantha why she has faith. She explained: “You first have faith,” then everything else will come by God’s power. Watching Samantha passionately describe her faith moves me. She is so down to earth that she speaks about faith in a way that I easily relate to my daily life. Sam stops me in my tracks when she states: “With faith we can say to God: we believe you even though the flesh says, ‘no, man, you’re being stupid.’” When’s the last time you did something the flesh, or the world, said was stupid because your faith moved you counter to the ways of the world?
Two weeks ago, three fellow YAGMs and I were withdrawing money in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, for our week of vacation. That day, I wore a classic travel outfit- highlighting my long skirt covering my money/passport belt. After withdrawing money, I tried to discretely put my money and credit card in my money belt. As we started walking towards the market, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Instantly, the thought ran through my mind that the person who tapped me probably wanted to sell me something. I turned around anyway. A young man held out my credit card. My jaw dropped in shock. As I said thank you and took my card from his hand, my mind fumbled with what to do: give him money? I didn’t have anything with me of material value to give him. Yet, before I could collect myself, he swiftly turned and disappeared. Why did the man give me, a relatively wealthy, foreign, white person, back my credit card? It is experiences such as this that remind me that I am interconnected with others by something larger than myself.
My faith is affirmed every time someone squeezes my hand, lights up with a soul smile, and sings to glorify God without reservation. The people I’ve met in South Africa walk with a special light-a light that allows you to connect to the core of the person. The connection I’ve made with many people reinforces my faith in humanity, as God exists in every one of us. In a completely new community, culture, context, role, etc., I have had to trust God more this year and I feel that my trust in God has strengthened. Daily, I ask God to walk with me as I walk alongside the inspiring people of South Africa.
I have faith because I cannot believe that love is a mistake. I have faith because I cannot believe that this universe is solely a physical phenomenon. I have faith because I look into a person’s eyes and I see a soul. Life does not make sense to me in any other way but to live by faith.
God- Please help us allow you to fill us with your peace so that we may live faithful to you. Amen
*Pseudonyms are used in respect of the women
This year, the people of South Africa have taught me the power of faith. Throughout my life, people have demonstrated the power of faith. Yet, this year, I have noticed how many South Africans I walk beside allow faith to be the driving force in their lives. Whether noticing faith playing such an important role in people’s lives is based on my own maturity and mindset, I am not sure. However, it does seem that faith conflicts with many ideals of American society: independence, control, and material wealth. Predominantly, I’ve questioned the American value of a sense of control. So often, I’ve place my knowledge and rationale in the navigating seat, moving faith to the backseat. If you want a job done right, you’ve got to do it yourself, right? Yet, in 1st John, John says that faith conquers the world. Faith is the true source of power. Do we truly think the good actions that come from us are our work alone? If all good comes from God, shouldn’t we want God in control? Are we putting aside our personal desires to allow the Spirit to move us? Why is faith’s power so difficult to believe?
Confusion spins my head; I paraphrase in shock what I just heard: “You’re giving a half hour message at church in an hour and a half and you don’t know what you’re going to talk about?” Londeka, my friend, replies, “How can I speak if he [God] hasn’t first spoken to me?” She makes a good point. Londeka continues to explain that she usually spends a full day with God in prayer to come up with a message, but the pastor had only asked her the night before and she had to work today. Initially, I couldn’t comprehend how Londeka had not figured out what to say- in my mind, she needed to know thoroughly what she would speak about in less than two hours. Yet, Londeka chose to have faith in God that he would guide her message. I may have chosen to push through a message, because providing a message was my responsibility. Londeka demonstrated the power of her faith as she truly trusted him to guide her.
One week at PACSA, I had no given tasks except to learn more about the organization. Although this may sound unproductive, this week was one of my most significant weeks at PACSA. God calls us in surprising ways. On each of the two days, a person shared with me scars from their past. Samantha* shared with me about how she was raped. I was only the fifth person Samantha had told about this life-changing event that happened years earlier. Michelle* told me about how her uncle, who served as her father figure, abused her into her twenties. At first glance, I do not see these women’s scars – I see their faith. These two women glow with a spiritual aura.
When I asked Michelle* where her faith comes from, she answered, “I’ve allowed God to bring his peace within me.” She humbly continued: “I guess the people that have everything going for them are less reliant on God.” I wonder if I have too much going for me. I believe being born into true wealth is primarily being born into a loving and supportive family. Material wealth is secondary. We say we want material comfort, yet, inherently having material comfort based on the family I was born into, I doubt that I truly appreciate the abundant gifts in my life. I can’t imagine growing up in an abusive environment. My stomach ties in knots just trying to imagine myself in an abusive situation. How does Michelle find the strength to be a glowing example of God’s love? This answer, perhaps, is inexplicable by reason: she has faith.
I asked Samantha why she has faith. She explained: “You first have faith,” then everything else will come by God’s power. Watching Samantha passionately describe her faith moves me. She is so down to earth that she speaks about faith in a way that I easily relate to my daily life. Sam stops me in my tracks when she states: “With faith we can say to God: we believe you even though the flesh says, ‘no, man, you’re being stupid.’” When’s the last time you did something the flesh, or the world, said was stupid because your faith moved you counter to the ways of the world?
Two weeks ago, three fellow YAGMs and I were withdrawing money in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, for our week of vacation. That day, I wore a classic travel outfit- highlighting my long skirt covering my money/passport belt. After withdrawing money, I tried to discretely put my money and credit card in my money belt. As we started walking towards the market, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Instantly, the thought ran through my mind that the person who tapped me probably wanted to sell me something. I turned around anyway. A young man held out my credit card. My jaw dropped in shock. As I said thank you and took my card from his hand, my mind fumbled with what to do: give him money? I didn’t have anything with me of material value to give him. Yet, before I could collect myself, he swiftly turned and disappeared. Why did the man give me, a relatively wealthy, foreign, white person, back my credit card? It is experiences such as this that remind me that I am interconnected with others by something larger than myself.
My faith is affirmed every time someone squeezes my hand, lights up with a soul smile, and sings to glorify God without reservation. The people I’ve met in South Africa walk with a special light-a light that allows you to connect to the core of the person. The connection I’ve made with many people reinforces my faith in humanity, as God exists in every one of us. In a completely new community, culture, context, role, etc., I have had to trust God more this year and I feel that my trust in God has strengthened. Daily, I ask God to walk with me as I walk alongside the inspiring people of South Africa.
I have faith because I cannot believe that love is a mistake. I have faith because I cannot believe that this universe is solely a physical phenomenon. I have faith because I look into a person’s eyes and I see a soul. Life does not make sense to me in any other way but to live by faith.
God- Please help us allow you to fill us with your peace so that we may live faithful to you. Amen
*Pseudonyms are used in respect of the women
Faith in These Times, by Sakhile
Faith’s relevance has increased in this day and age. People more and more are leaning on their belief in someone or something. Or do they really believe? I don’t know if they are just consumed by the everyday struggles of life. All I know is that God’s Love is upon me and now, more than ever, I feel it because in the midst of this strife I can count my blessings. But what is faith to me? In Hebrews chapter 11, God plainly explains that faith is the confident belief in something unseen but bears the fruit of life. Faith is to draw enjoyment in the knowledge that God is here for me and his love endures all. I derive strength from God’s presence in my life, especially now, looking at the current state of economic affairs in my beautiful country, South Africa.
I have this feeling that I’m not where I’m supposed to be career wise, in my spiritual development and in my independence. The frustration is eating at me. I feel my spirit wants to jump out and do what I’m failing to do. I have the feeling that I should be asserting myself more at work, show more leadership at church and becoming my own man. I guess that’s how a lot of young South Africans feel when they are forced to work at a place that is not desirable, doing a job that they don’t enjoy. The economic recession was a painful period of lack for many, and still is, but brief in comparison to those of us who live in Africa with generational poverty. This time of despair really could drive one to lose one’s faith. Yet the opposite is true for Christians because we pray to a God who understands all our weaknesses, who has suffered for us. The story of Jesus, as it did to the first people who heard it, gives us the realization that suffering is for a moment and cannot compared to joy God has in store. The son of God made the greatest sacrifice for me, for us all. Why? Does God need as? The answer is no and that’s precisely why God did it: to show us his character. He is a God of compassion, grace and love. Knowing that side of God gives me strength to carry on, holding on to my dreams, pursuing them, even when people or circumstances say the opposite.
God’s character gives me faith, the awareness of his presence constantly. There are so many stories I can tell about the goodness he has shown. There is one I want to tell. Recently my brother and I were walking home from a movie when two guys came out from nowhere with knives and held us up. In the fear and confusion I saw my brother pulled to the side at knifepoint. The second confronted me with his hand hid behind his back as if at any time he’ll pull out a knife. We were near the highway and I just jumped over the railing shouting that my brother didn’t have anything, ignoring the guy in front of me, with the cars whizzing behind me. It was, I know, by the grace of God that he couldn’t find anything on my brother and left him alone. The thief must have been the leader because, without questions, the other guy followed. It was the first, and hopefully the last time, I faced crime. I said ‘God is great’ because anything could have happened that day.
I ask myself if all people see God when something great and unexplainable happens in their favor. The disciples did when Jesus was recruiting them. Simon Peter and his brother had been fishing all night, catching nothing. But when Jesus said drop your nets again they caught so much they couldn’t handle all the fish. Simon Peter saw God in that act and fell to his knees. There after, his life was changed. He recognized what happened was a miracle from God and repented. We see so much pain it is easy to lose the feeling of compassion for others. Until something unfortunate happens to you, then you learn the importance of compassion, because you know how it feels to go through hardship. I think that’s what God was showing me. God showed me that my life is in his hands and this gift could be taken away at any time.
I think, above all, faith is about stepping on the edge of life’s mountain and having no fear because you know the very creator of all has assured your safety. He has assured my safety in Jesus’ name. God love us all.
I have this feeling that I’m not where I’m supposed to be career wise, in my spiritual development and in my independence. The frustration is eating at me. I feel my spirit wants to jump out and do what I’m failing to do. I have the feeling that I should be asserting myself more at work, show more leadership at church and becoming my own man. I guess that’s how a lot of young South Africans feel when they are forced to work at a place that is not desirable, doing a job that they don’t enjoy. The economic recession was a painful period of lack for many, and still is, but brief in comparison to those of us who live in Africa with generational poverty. This time of despair really could drive one to lose one’s faith. Yet the opposite is true for Christians because we pray to a God who understands all our weaknesses, who has suffered for us. The story of Jesus, as it did to the first people who heard it, gives us the realization that suffering is for a moment and cannot compared to joy God has in store. The son of God made the greatest sacrifice for me, for us all. Why? Does God need as? The answer is no and that’s precisely why God did it: to show us his character. He is a God of compassion, grace and love. Knowing that side of God gives me strength to carry on, holding on to my dreams, pursuing them, even when people or circumstances say the opposite.
God’s character gives me faith, the awareness of his presence constantly. There are so many stories I can tell about the goodness he has shown. There is one I want to tell. Recently my brother and I were walking home from a movie when two guys came out from nowhere with knives and held us up. In the fear and confusion I saw my brother pulled to the side at knifepoint. The second confronted me with his hand hid behind his back as if at any time he’ll pull out a knife. We were near the highway and I just jumped over the railing shouting that my brother didn’t have anything, ignoring the guy in front of me, with the cars whizzing behind me. It was, I know, by the grace of God that he couldn’t find anything on my brother and left him alone. The thief must have been the leader because, without questions, the other guy followed. It was the first, and hopefully the last time, I faced crime. I said ‘God is great’ because anything could have happened that day.
I ask myself if all people see God when something great and unexplainable happens in their favor. The disciples did when Jesus was recruiting them. Simon Peter and his brother had been fishing all night, catching nothing. But when Jesus said drop your nets again they caught so much they couldn’t handle all the fish. Simon Peter saw God in that act and fell to his knees. There after, his life was changed. He recognized what happened was a miracle from God and repented. We see so much pain it is easy to lose the feeling of compassion for others. Until something unfortunate happens to you, then you learn the importance of compassion, because you know how it feels to go through hardship. I think that’s what God was showing me. God showed me that my life is in his hands and this gift could be taken away at any time.
I think, above all, faith is about stepping on the edge of life’s mountain and having no fear because you know the very creator of all has assured your safety. He has assured my safety in Jesus’ name. God love us all.
My God is a Poet, by Sakhile
My God is a poet
His poems can be seen in the stories of people’s lives,
Jesus is his pen,
The Holy Spirit his ink,
The beauty of which cannot be measured,
He writes about the pain and adversary faced by others
And victory over it though faith.
Our stories of faith.
His writings are on the faces of beaten and raped women,
Who goes to see her offender in jail,
Prays for him.
It’s in the eyes of a father who opens his arms
To huge a child that has misbehaved had gotten AIDS.
His in the hands of Christians that have gone out to a poor
Community and started foods gardens.
He has written so much in the bible and
Now in our lives he writes such inspirational poetry
That no one can ignore, it is seen in all creation,
The undeniable master of all is poet.
His poems can be seen in the stories of people’s lives,
Jesus is his pen,
The Holy Spirit his ink,
The beauty of which cannot be measured,
He writes about the pain and adversary faced by others
And victory over it though faith.
Our stories of faith.
His writings are on the faces of beaten and raped women,
Who goes to see her offender in jail,
Prays for him.
It’s in the eyes of a father who opens his arms
To huge a child that has misbehaved had gotten AIDS.
His in the hands of Christians that have gone out to a poor
Community and started foods gardens.
He has written so much in the bible and
Now in our lives he writes such inspirational poetry
That no one can ignore, it is seen in all creation,
The undeniable master of all is poet.
Faith, by Andile (Sakhile's Brother)
Inside I see stronger motives to live.
The force of gravity is much less than the strength of this depth.
In finding it, I find peace of the mind.
Pain tests the durability of these walls
And halls of safety that I sleep on.
My pillow of restful cloud in a world of storms.
I see him in it, I see him with it.
Faith like glass goggles protecting my eyes,
Projecting my vision to the dream of God’s promise.
The force of gravity is much less than the strength of this depth.
In finding it, I find peace of the mind.
Pain tests the durability of these walls
And halls of safety that I sleep on.
My pillow of restful cloud in a world of storms.
I see him in it, I see him with it.
Faith like glass goggles protecting my eyes,
Projecting my vision to the dream of God’s promise.
Questioning my YAGM Service
I questioned if God truly called me to serve through YAGM when the youth group I started fell apart. At the beginning of my YAGM service, Dean Myaka wanted me to start and lead a youth group. I clearly remember at YAGM orientation hearing that we should never be in charge of groups of people for long-term projects. Yet, here I was, meeting the person who organized my placement, and he requests I lead a youth group. I love Bible studies and groups based on Christ’s love. As a camp counselor for two summers, I had experience leading Bible studies. At the time, I didn’t think of the request as contrary to YAGM guidelines; I thought of how to start overcoming the challenges of starting a youth group. Yet, I understand, from experience, why YAGM advises us against leading groups of people, due to challenges in moving past cultural differences, power dynamics, and the relatively short amount of time in the community.
We started meeting as a youth group weekly starting on Halloween. None of the participants (two sets of sisters who are cousins and a male neighbor) had ever participated in a small group Bible study. We took a one-month break around Christmas and had a retreat mid-January. Within twenty-four hours of the beginning of the retreat, four of the five people had reasons to be late, not to come, or came an hour late, although they all came. None of the parents could drive us to another place, so I held worship in the sugarcane field. I think they were moved by what I gave as the message. Yet, they talked more about celebrities than about God. Finally, when we were about halfway through the retreat and our hearts just didn’t seem focused on God, I felt like we should stop the retreat. I didn’t feel like the Spirit was moving through the activities, but more so I felt that I was fighting the energy of the youth. I asked if anyone wanted to continue. No one spoke up to continue, but my eldest host sister decided she was done and started talking with her friend who was hanging out a dozen feet away. The youth seemed a bit confused and we hung out outside for a while longer. That night, I tried to search for the answer to whether I had done the right thing or even if I was in the right place. I felt deflated, but God nudged me on.
The next day, so as to show the youth that I hadn’t given up on them, I gave them an empowering quote by Nelson Mandela and future youth group activity dates. I spent the afternoon at the other pair of sisters’ house. I talked with my host sisters about how they thought things went; they said the retreat was cool and that they would try to focus their energy more. Yet, future meetings were not to be. The other set of sisters moved to Durban (an hour and a half away) to go to school. One host sister switched to a more intense school. The other host sister started a job. The male continued his job. I knew that the youth had gotten something out of the youth group, but I also could feel it was time to let the youth group go. Letting the youth group end was difficult for me. I do not like to fail at leading group activities and I wonder what I could have done better to inspire them. Yet, I did my best and I tried to follow the Spirit. While the youth group was falling apart, God kept sending me signs of how I was positively impacting other people. When I tried to reconnect with God after the youth retreat, I felt an inner peace while worshiping alone in the sugarcane fields. Although we may fail by worldly standards, God continues to work through us in our brokenness, beyond our understanding. What we may set as our goals may not be God’s goals. The power of God’s love cannot be measured.
We started meeting as a youth group weekly starting on Halloween. None of the participants (two sets of sisters who are cousins and a male neighbor) had ever participated in a small group Bible study. We took a one-month break around Christmas and had a retreat mid-January. Within twenty-four hours of the beginning of the retreat, four of the five people had reasons to be late, not to come, or came an hour late, although they all came. None of the parents could drive us to another place, so I held worship in the sugarcane field. I think they were moved by what I gave as the message. Yet, they talked more about celebrities than about God. Finally, when we were about halfway through the retreat and our hearts just didn’t seem focused on God, I felt like we should stop the retreat. I didn’t feel like the Spirit was moving through the activities, but more so I felt that I was fighting the energy of the youth. I asked if anyone wanted to continue. No one spoke up to continue, but my eldest host sister decided she was done and started talking with her friend who was hanging out a dozen feet away. The youth seemed a bit confused and we hung out outside for a while longer. That night, I tried to search for the answer to whether I had done the right thing or even if I was in the right place. I felt deflated, but God nudged me on.
The next day, so as to show the youth that I hadn’t given up on them, I gave them an empowering quote by Nelson Mandela and future youth group activity dates. I spent the afternoon at the other pair of sisters’ house. I talked with my host sisters about how they thought things went; they said the retreat was cool and that they would try to focus their energy more. Yet, future meetings were not to be. The other set of sisters moved to Durban (an hour and a half away) to go to school. One host sister switched to a more intense school. The other host sister started a job. The male continued his job. I knew that the youth had gotten something out of the youth group, but I also could feel it was time to let the youth group go. Letting the youth group end was difficult for me. I do not like to fail at leading group activities and I wonder what I could have done better to inspire them. Yet, I did my best and I tried to follow the Spirit. While the youth group was falling apart, God kept sending me signs of how I was positively impacting other people. When I tried to reconnect with God after the youth retreat, I felt an inner peace while worshiping alone in the sugarcane fields. Although we may fail by worldly standards, God continues to work through us in our brokenness, beyond our understanding. What we may set as our goals may not be God’s goals. The power of God’s love cannot be measured.
April Snapshots
- Hagen family adventure: Cape Town (Botanical Gardens; Dad, Ted and I jogged downtown; Cape Peninsula; climbed Table Mountain); boat ride through Santa Lucia wetlands; Hluhluwe (game drives, Nyala spotting, horse ride to investigate fossils, dung beetle observing, elephants); car ride through KwaZulu-Natal interior visiting Umphumulo to meet fellow YAGM, Kristen, and Cool Air to meet my host family; stop at PACSA to meet co-workers and advisor, Mervyn; attend four hour Maundy Thursday service; hike in Drakensburg with, fellow YAGMs, Kristen and John; and finally back to my host community, Cool Air, for a walk, braai (grill out), egg dying and two more services, including Easter Sunday, with my host family
- Bopha Siyakhona (a soccer camp, inspired by the FIFA World Cup, with youth from South Africa, Germany, DRC, and more) at Hilton College with PACSA
- HIV/AIDS Launch at Umphumulo
- Mozambique vacation, including meeting the US Public Affairs Officer in Mozambique and the Country Director of Mozambique for Samaritan’s Purse International Relief
- Attended the funeral and memorial service of my former fellow teacher
- Bopha Siyakhona (a soccer camp, inspired by the FIFA World Cup, with youth from South Africa, Germany, DRC, and more) at Hilton College with PACSA
- HIV/AIDS Launch at Umphumulo
- Mozambique vacation, including meeting the US Public Affairs Officer in Mozambique and the Country Director of Mozambique for Samaritan’s Purse International Relief
- Attended the funeral and memorial service of my former fellow teacher
April Sound Bytes
“We have been called in order to be sent.” – Dean Myaka
“It’s what keeps us going: hope.” – Dean Myaka
“We are all out.” – A Southeastern Diocese Young Adults member on the positive intensity of the group
“Money talks; bullshit walks.” – A safari guide on how some Hluhluwe administrators sold animals from the park for personal profit
“O God, you claim me as your partner, respecting me, trusting me, tussling with me. Support me as I dare to take risks with you, so together we may transform the world. Amen.” – Bridget Rees; Christian AID; Genesis 32:22-32
“Those who find themselves must first be willing to lose themselves… encounters with God take place when we set out in a direction we hadn’t planned to take and are willing to give up going where we intended to go.” –Renita Weems
“Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:12
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
“The only thing that counts is faith working through love.” – Galatians 5:6
“It’s what keeps us going: hope.” – Dean Myaka
“We are all out.” – A Southeastern Diocese Young Adults member on the positive intensity of the group
“Money talks; bullshit walks.” – A safari guide on how some Hluhluwe administrators sold animals from the park for personal profit
“O God, you claim me as your partner, respecting me, trusting me, tussling with me. Support me as I dare to take risks with you, so together we may transform the world. Amen.” – Bridget Rees; Christian AID; Genesis 32:22-32
“Those who find themselves must first be willing to lose themselves… encounters with God take place when we set out in a direction we hadn’t planned to take and are willing to give up going where we intended to go.” –Renita Weems
“Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:12
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
“The only thing that counts is faith working through love.” – Galatians 5:6
A Spiritual Word: Grace
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God” – Ephesians 2:8
Jesus’ words from Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they do now know what they are doing”, kept running through my head as I watched “Black Gold” with thirty, black South Africans while attending Pietermaritzburg Agency for Christian Social Awareness’ Economic Justice retreat. The Westerners seemed to have no clue as to how their extravagance impacted the lives of the people who provided, in the sense that they grew or made, their basic needs of food and clothing. Although, the Westerners’ ignorance did not surprise me, as I often ignore the source of my material goods, the contrast between Westerners and Africans stung as I watched as the lone Westerner among Africans. “Black Gold” is a documentary that uses the material good of coffee, from planter to consumer, to demonstrate how the unjust international trade system, favoring the West over less developed countries, affects people’s daily lives.
The contrast between the Ethiopian coffee farmers wanting to earn enough money to send their children to school and representatives from the US, Canada, and Western Europe participating in a coffee brewing competition is undeniable. Although sending a child to school in the US is often relatively easy, Ethiopian coffee farmers struggle to build a school, let alone pay for uniforms, transport and/or school fees. Do we understand how our buying habits can mean life or death for the people who plant and tend to the raw product? According to the directors of “Black Gold”, the coffee farmers merely want: “a price that can send children to school, have healthcare and a clean water supply.” For many Americans, including me, understanding the feeling of not being able to provide food and shelter for our loved ones is inconceivable. Yet, this feeling is a daily reality for many of the people who grow coffee for their livelihood.
The story of Africans struggling to survive is not new. Often the solution seems to be to send money. Yet, ask the Malawi Minister for Trade if he wants aid. In “Black Gold” he states: "We don't want aid, we want trade". The directors of Black Gold elaborate: “African nations want to trade their way out of the situation, but there are corporations and international institutions that are preventing it.” How could Africans not want aid? Well, would you rather receive fair pay for your labor or free handouts? Africa’s share of world trade accounts for only one percent of the total. Yet, the “Black Gold” directors share: “If Africa's share of world trade increased by one percentage point, it would generate roughly five times the amount of money that they're receiving in aid.” Ibo! (See “A Word in isiZulu: Ibo!” on page 4).
I share these facts with you, not to make you feel guilty, but rather so that we may encourage one another to intentionally seek knowledge of the implications of our actions, and then, with our eyes open, change our actions to best love and empower our neighbors. Although the Westerners depicted in the documentary were in need of nothing, they seemed disconnected and empty. In the Africans, struggling to survive, I sensed true life.
We will sin again, sins of commission and sins of omission. By grace, God will forgive us endlessly, Martin Luther tells us that we are not saved by anything we do or do not do. According to Romans, we are saved by grace. God’s gift of grace deserves life-long celebration to give God glory. However, we must also daily recognize God’s sacrifice: Jesus’ crucifixion. Christian life is not only about joy; because of God’s grace through sacrifice, we too should pick up our crosses and follow Jesus. When we function within systems that unfairly ill-treat our neighbors, known and unknown, we do not love our
neighbors. In the case of the coffee farmers, Nick and Marc Francis, the directors of “Black Gold”, state: “The solution is for coffee farmers to receive a greater share of the billions of dollars generated from coffee. This will only happen when they can capture a greater share of the ‘value-chain’ - by earning more than 3 cents for a $3 latte.” Buying fair trade products would be a good, first step towards loving our neighbors. I ask each of you to watch the life-giving movie “Black Gold,” which, along with other information, may be found on their website: http://blackgoldmovie.com/. As Tadesse, the manager of the coffee farmers’ union featured in the documentary, states: "Awareness is the first step to change". The faith-based sacrifices we make glorify God and give life.
My experiences in Cape Town connect me with a few makers of material goods. After spending most of my money I have on me, I stroll casually into colorful Greenmarket Square, enjoying the careful craftwork and intricate or funky art. Yet, what jumps out to me is an open book with the text in two columns on each page. I look up to the face of the woman who holds the book. She meets my eyes. “What are you reading?” I enquire. She is reading the book of Proverbs from the Bible because, she explains, it gives her the wisdom and strength to stay focused on God. Her name is Grace, and she quietly responds that she is from Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans are often persecuted in South Africa, similar to how some Americans treat Mexican immigrants. Grace points out to her little son playing nearby. I ask her about her wire animals on display. Her husband makes the iron frames of the animals and she beads them. Besides sharing her work, Grace shares her kindness and warmth. I thank Grace and walk away with gifts from Grace: two wire animals and inspiration.
After an energizing interaction with Grace, I leave my things with my two YAGM friends, Kristen and Elliott, as they eat lunch and dive into the market for another adventure. This time, beautiful stone carvings catch my eye and I fall into conversation with Austen, who shares the stall with his uncle and cousin. Austen and his family are also from Zimbabwe; they carve their sculptures in Zimbabwe and bring them to Cape Town. Two different elephants, one made by Austen and the other by his uncle, each remind me of people to whom I should give them. Yet, I explain to Austen that I cannot give him what he deserves- I have 70 Rand in my pocket, less than US$10. I promise to return. I ask one of my friends to lend me money for art, and he gives it to me, a pure luxury. I return to Austen with the money and Austen’s uncle picks out two tusks for one of my elephants, made from cow bone. I place them in the tusk holes but think that they are too big. Austen asks his uncle to make them smaller. Three minutes later, the uncle proudly gives me back the tusks and tells me to put them someplace where I won’t loose them. I smile and say I’ll put them in my cargo pocket. After shaking Austen’s uncle and cousin’s hands, Austen walks me to where he works full time on top of helping to run the market stall, a restaurant facing the market. Then, I introduce him to my friends. Before saying goodbye, Austen reminds me to call him via a friend’s number in a neighboring stall. I have not called Austen. I lost one of the tusks. Once again, based on my privilege, I receive in abundance. And, once again, I value what I have received less than the once who gave. By God’s grace, may I learn to appreciate all the gifts I receive.
God, please forgive us our sins, known and unknown. Open our eyes to the injustices in the world. Help us to love our neighbors, seen and unseen, in our daily actions. May we endlessly glorify you for your life providing gift of grace. Amen.
Jesus’ words from Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they do now know what they are doing”, kept running through my head as I watched “Black Gold” with thirty, black South Africans while attending Pietermaritzburg Agency for Christian Social Awareness’ Economic Justice retreat. The Westerners seemed to have no clue as to how their extravagance impacted the lives of the people who provided, in the sense that they grew or made, their basic needs of food and clothing. Although, the Westerners’ ignorance did not surprise me, as I often ignore the source of my material goods, the contrast between Westerners and Africans stung as I watched as the lone Westerner among Africans. “Black Gold” is a documentary that uses the material good of coffee, from planter to consumer, to demonstrate how the unjust international trade system, favoring the West over less developed countries, affects people’s daily lives.
The contrast between the Ethiopian coffee farmers wanting to earn enough money to send their children to school and representatives from the US, Canada, and Western Europe participating in a coffee brewing competition is undeniable. Although sending a child to school in the US is often relatively easy, Ethiopian coffee farmers struggle to build a school, let alone pay for uniforms, transport and/or school fees. Do we understand how our buying habits can mean life or death for the people who plant and tend to the raw product? According to the directors of “Black Gold”, the coffee farmers merely want: “a price that can send children to school, have healthcare and a clean water supply.” For many Americans, including me, understanding the feeling of not being able to provide food and shelter for our loved ones is inconceivable. Yet, this feeling is a daily reality for many of the people who grow coffee for their livelihood.
The story of Africans struggling to survive is not new. Often the solution seems to be to send money. Yet, ask the Malawi Minister for Trade if he wants aid. In “Black Gold” he states: "We don't want aid, we want trade". The directors of Black Gold elaborate: “African nations want to trade their way out of the situation, but there are corporations and international institutions that are preventing it.” How could Africans not want aid? Well, would you rather receive fair pay for your labor or free handouts? Africa’s share of world trade accounts for only one percent of the total. Yet, the “Black Gold” directors share: “If Africa's share of world trade increased by one percentage point, it would generate roughly five times the amount of money that they're receiving in aid.” Ibo! (See “A Word in isiZulu: Ibo!” on page 4).
I share these facts with you, not to make you feel guilty, but rather so that we may encourage one another to intentionally seek knowledge of the implications of our actions, and then, with our eyes open, change our actions to best love and empower our neighbors. Although the Westerners depicted in the documentary were in need of nothing, they seemed disconnected and empty. In the Africans, struggling to survive, I sensed true life.
We will sin again, sins of commission and sins of omission. By grace, God will forgive us endlessly, Martin Luther tells us that we are not saved by anything we do or do not do. According to Romans, we are saved by grace. God’s gift of grace deserves life-long celebration to give God glory. However, we must also daily recognize God’s sacrifice: Jesus’ crucifixion. Christian life is not only about joy; because of God’s grace through sacrifice, we too should pick up our crosses and follow Jesus. When we function within systems that unfairly ill-treat our neighbors, known and unknown, we do not love our
neighbors. In the case of the coffee farmers, Nick and Marc Francis, the directors of “Black Gold”, state: “The solution is for coffee farmers to receive a greater share of the billions of dollars generated from coffee. This will only happen when they can capture a greater share of the ‘value-chain’ - by earning more than 3 cents for a $3 latte.” Buying fair trade products would be a good, first step towards loving our neighbors. I ask each of you to watch the life-giving movie “Black Gold,” which, along with other information, may be found on their website: http://blackgoldmovie.com/. As Tadesse, the manager of the coffee farmers’ union featured in the documentary, states: "Awareness is the first step to change". The faith-based sacrifices we make glorify God and give life.
My experiences in Cape Town connect me with a few makers of material goods. After spending most of my money I have on me, I stroll casually into colorful Greenmarket Square, enjoying the careful craftwork and intricate or funky art. Yet, what jumps out to me is an open book with the text in two columns on each page. I look up to the face of the woman who holds the book. She meets my eyes. “What are you reading?” I enquire. She is reading the book of Proverbs from the Bible because, she explains, it gives her the wisdom and strength to stay focused on God. Her name is Grace, and she quietly responds that she is from Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans are often persecuted in South Africa, similar to how some Americans treat Mexican immigrants. Grace points out to her little son playing nearby. I ask her about her wire animals on display. Her husband makes the iron frames of the animals and she beads them. Besides sharing her work, Grace shares her kindness and warmth. I thank Grace and walk away with gifts from Grace: two wire animals and inspiration.
After an energizing interaction with Grace, I leave my things with my two YAGM friends, Kristen and Elliott, as they eat lunch and dive into the market for another adventure. This time, beautiful stone carvings catch my eye and I fall into conversation with Austen, who shares the stall with his uncle and cousin. Austen and his family are also from Zimbabwe; they carve their sculptures in Zimbabwe and bring them to Cape Town. Two different elephants, one made by Austen and the other by his uncle, each remind me of people to whom I should give them. Yet, I explain to Austen that I cannot give him what he deserves- I have 70 Rand in my pocket, less than US$10. I promise to return. I ask one of my friends to lend me money for art, and he gives it to me, a pure luxury. I return to Austen with the money and Austen’s uncle picks out two tusks for one of my elephants, made from cow bone. I place them in the tusk holes but think that they are too big. Austen asks his uncle to make them smaller. Three minutes later, the uncle proudly gives me back the tusks and tells me to put them someplace where I won’t loose them. I smile and say I’ll put them in my cargo pocket. After shaking Austen’s uncle and cousin’s hands, Austen walks me to where he works full time on top of helping to run the market stall, a restaurant facing the market. Then, I introduce him to my friends. Before saying goodbye, Austen reminds me to call him via a friend’s number in a neighboring stall. I have not called Austen. I lost one of the tusks. Once again, based on my privilege, I receive in abundance. And, once again, I value what I have received less than the once who gave. By God’s grace, may I learn to appreciate all the gifts I receive.
God, please forgive us our sins, known and unknown. Open our eyes to the injustices in the world. Help us to love our neighbors, seen and unseen, in our daily actions. May we endlessly glorify you for your life providing gift of grace. Amen.
From a South African Friend: Dean Myaka
To Kate’s Family and Friends
I greet you all with words from Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God-not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” My name is Nkosinathi Myaka. I am a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) and Dean of Umngeni Circuit (Pietermaritzburg and Midlands) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I thank God that the ELCA MUD program allocated Kate to serve at Oebisfelde Parish in Dalton and also serve in our circuit at large. Her service among us is highly appreciated.
Since the decade 2007 through 2017 has been declared a Lutheran Decade (the decade prior to Lutheranism celebrating 500 years), our circuit youth have embarked on a program to revisit basic tenets of Lutheranism. This is done with the view of trying to find the relevance of those tenets in our context. One of those tenets is Luther’s teaching on Grace, the sola gracia, with its emphasis on salvation by grace alone… together we have learned, with the help of other pastors and bishops, through Bible studies and talks, that grace means FAVOR DEI i.e. God’s act of stooping in favour of the fallen human race, and, particularly, the inferior, the disadvantaged, and the oppressed. We have also learned that grace is undeserved, bestowed simply out of God’s love. We have also been cautioned by the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer that grace is “not cheap, but costly”. A call of grace can be a call to “come and die”. Therefore, we conclude that although grace is God’s bestowed, undeserved, free gift of salvation, the logical conclusion cannot be that of “there’s not much we can do”. It is rather a call to a Christian life of courage and enduring commitment to the course of salvation.
The main challenge that we are trying to grapple with is whether Lutheranism does fully bear witness to a GRACE-DRIVEN LIFE.
This year, 2010, South Africa is hosting the FIFA World Cup. For some developed countries, Africa as a whole does not deserve this opportunity. All predictions of who might win the 2010 Cup point to Spain, Brazil, and other great soccer nations, but not to any of the African teams (they don’t deserve it yet). We hope that Lutherans, given our doctrine of favor Dei, will not absolutely subscribe to this kind of thinking, but will leave room for God’s grace to take its place.
There are many other practical examples that pose a challenge to our understanding of grace as Lutherans. Conflict, poverty, illnesses, economic recession, unpredictable weather changes are just a few areas where Lutherans are called to project their faith in a gracious God, by living a life that bears witness to a God who stoops in favour of the disadvantaged.
I invite all of you to critically engage this subject and share your thoughts with us in Umngeni Circuit. If you are interested in communicating with us on this topic, please contact our youth leader, Nokuphila, at nokuphilan@webmail.co.za or myself at elcaumngeni@telkom.sa.net. We will be very happy to get feedback on this subject. I appeal also to your patience because most of your thoughts will need to be translated to the vernacular for the benefit of the majority of our members. We aim at continued dialogue with fellow Lutherans.
God bless you all.
Yours truly
Rev. Nkosinathi (Nathi) Myaka – Dean of Umngeni Circuit of ELCSA
I greet you all with words from Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God-not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” My name is Nkosinathi Myaka. I am a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) and Dean of Umngeni Circuit (Pietermaritzburg and Midlands) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I thank God that the ELCA MUD program allocated Kate to serve at Oebisfelde Parish in Dalton and also serve in our circuit at large. Her service among us is highly appreciated.
Since the decade 2007 through 2017 has been declared a Lutheran Decade (the decade prior to Lutheranism celebrating 500 years), our circuit youth have embarked on a program to revisit basic tenets of Lutheranism. This is done with the view of trying to find the relevance of those tenets in our context. One of those tenets is Luther’s teaching on Grace, the sola gracia, with its emphasis on salvation by grace alone… together we have learned, with the help of other pastors and bishops, through Bible studies and talks, that grace means FAVOR DEI i.e. God’s act of stooping in favour of the fallen human race, and, particularly, the inferior, the disadvantaged, and the oppressed. We have also learned that grace is undeserved, bestowed simply out of God’s love. We have also been cautioned by the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer that grace is “not cheap, but costly”. A call of grace can be a call to “come and die”. Therefore, we conclude that although grace is God’s bestowed, undeserved, free gift of salvation, the logical conclusion cannot be that of “there’s not much we can do”. It is rather a call to a Christian life of courage and enduring commitment to the course of salvation.
The main challenge that we are trying to grapple with is whether Lutheranism does fully bear witness to a GRACE-DRIVEN LIFE.
This year, 2010, South Africa is hosting the FIFA World Cup. For some developed countries, Africa as a whole does not deserve this opportunity. All predictions of who might win the 2010 Cup point to Spain, Brazil, and other great soccer nations, but not to any of the African teams (they don’t deserve it yet). We hope that Lutherans, given our doctrine of favor Dei, will not absolutely subscribe to this kind of thinking, but will leave room for God’s grace to take its place.
There are many other practical examples that pose a challenge to our understanding of grace as Lutherans. Conflict, poverty, illnesses, economic recession, unpredictable weather changes are just a few areas where Lutherans are called to project their faith in a gracious God, by living a life that bears witness to a God who stoops in favour of the disadvantaged.
I invite all of you to critically engage this subject and share your thoughts with us in Umngeni Circuit. If you are interested in communicating with us on this topic, please contact our youth leader, Nokuphila, at nokuphilan@webmail.co.za or myself at elcaumngeni@telkom.sa.net. We will be very happy to get feedback on this subject. I appeal also to your patience because most of your thoughts will need to be translated to the vernacular for the benefit of the majority of our members. We aim at continued dialogue with fellow Lutherans.
God bless you all.
Yours truly
Rev. Nkosinathi (Nathi) Myaka – Dean of Umngeni Circuit of ELCSA
A Day with an HIV + AIDS Counselor
During the month of March, I had the opportunity to observe my friend Thandi* in her work as an HIV + AIDS counselor at a rural health clinic. Both my discussions with Thandi and observations of the environment and her clients opened my eyes to the complexity of confronting HIV + AIDS.
Thandi gave me information about HIV + AIDS at her clinic. The following information is based on statements from the booklet called, “HIV and AIDS and Treatment,” sponsored by the government. The virus HIV causes AIDS. HIV is a disease that attacks the immune system. The disease lives in sperm, blood and vaginal juices. HIV spreads between people in three ways: one, having unprotected sex with an HIV positive person; two, becoming in contact with infected blood; and three, passing from an infected mother to her unborn or newborn baby. HIV usually becomes AIDS with time, which is a different amount of time for every person. An HIV positive person has AIDS when their immune system is extremely weak. One way to measure the strength of a person’s immune system is to take a CD4 blood test. The CD4 number helps to determine when a person with HIV or AIDS may start taking ARVs (anti-retrovirals). ARVs cannot cure AIDS, but they do help make the immune system stronger.
Add about PMB’s HIV + AIDS status
As an HIV + AIDS counselor, Thandi runs three main programs: VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing), PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmition), and HAST (HIV + AIDS Sexually Transmitted Disease and TB). She provides counseling and testing for people, including ongoing counseling, adherence counseling, and literacy classes. The programs and counseling sessions are free to the public due to governmental sponsorship.
People see Thandi on their own terms or they will be referred to Thandi by other clinic staff if they are diagnosed with an opportunistic infection. An opportunistic infection is common for a person to have when the person has HIV. HIV is an autoimmune disorder, so it challenges the body’s cells that fight off illness. Opportunistic infections take advantage of the body’s immunity deficient status to enter the body. Opportunistic infections include TB, diarrhea, thrash (of the tongue), weight loss, meningitis, pneumonia, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Thandi always reconfirms that patients are taking HIV tests on their own free will and they sign a statement saying so.
Thandi tests clients for HIV with two rapid tests. The rapid tests receive their name from the fact that they should be read five to twenty minutes after a blood sample, taken by a pinprick to a finger, is placed in the small, plastic tests. The first test is a screening test called “S D Bioline” and the second test is a confirmatory test called “Sensa”. The tests must show the same result, obtained by reading line(s) that appear on the tests, to confirm whether a person is HIV positive or HIV negative as of three months prior. The control line should always appear to demonstrate that the test is working properly. If the tests do not read the same results, samples will be sent to a hospital for further testing. When testing for HIV, there is a window period of three months after becoming HIV positive when a person may not test positive, so if a person tests negative, a person is always recommended to come back in three months to retest.
On the day I observed, Thandi tested four people. Two people tested positive and two people tested negative. On a good day, Thandi stated that six out of ten will be HIV negative. On a bad day, seven of ten will be HIV positive. She also counseled four people for ongoing treatment. Additionally, Thandi encourages people to use condoms.
One of the clients Thandi tested was a farm worker on a local farm. He makes 580 rand per month, which is about 80 US dollars per month. Based on responses from clients, Thandi said that farm workers make about 500 to 1,500 Rand per month. With his wages, this man not only supports himself, but his wife and six children, ages seven to seventeen. He sends money to his family, who live in Lesotho. How do eight people survive on 80 dollars per month? While we waited for results, he stated that he was not cheating on his wife and he had no girlfriend. Prior to Thandi telling the man his results, I reached for some information and saw two lines on each of his tests, meaning he was HIV positive. Until Thandi told him the results, I felt numb in shock. After Thandi told the man the results, she asked if I had seen the results, and I leaned over to confirm that the two lines truly appeared on the tests. Thandi ushered the man to another room for further testing. I stood in the doorway, observing this thin man in an oversized blue worker outfit. The other clinic workers told me to come into the room; I stepped far enough into the room to close the door behind me. The results changed this man’s life, and in these moments of human suffering, I felt that I should disappear, disappear from being the white girl observing this man’s pain. My heart goes out to the man.
Next, Thandi counseled a girl in her school uniform who was raped in 2005 and subsequently tested HIV positive. Both her parents are dead and she lives with her brother. Her birthday was unknown, so Thandi and she made up her birthday: April 3rd, 1993. A local myth about HIV is that if a person rapes a virgin, the virgin will get the disease and the rapist will become HIV negative. The man who raped the girl is now in prison and she is still going through the trial. The girl talked about committing suicide. I asked her if she had any dreams. She smiled but said no. Then, she asked Thandi if she would be able to have children, even though she was HIV positive. Thandi initially did not want to respond, because she did not want to encourage sexual behavior, but the girl said she did not want children yet, she wished to know for the future. The girl will soon start classes on HIV + AIDS and join a support group.
After observing Thandi at the clinic, I asked her if she thought people felt uncomfortable with me in the room. She replied, “Because you’re from another culture, they don’t mind… Also, they know you can’t speak Zulu.” I tried to show each person dignity and respect.
Thandi discussed the many challenges of working as an HIV + AIDS counselor. Alone she provides lots of programs, due to a staff shortage, yet the government does not have the money to employ more people. The clinic is situated in a fairly isolated spot; there are no houses nearby and people walk long distances to reach the clinic, as no transport exists to the clinic. Due to the small size of the clinic, the clinic does not have ARVs. In the rural area, many people do not have identification books, and without this identification, they cannot receive social grants. Also, Thandi said many rural people do not know their rights, so the government ignores them. She elaborated: “Here in South Africa, you have to know your rights before the government will help.” Therefore, she concluded that the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.
The greatest challenge, according to Thandi, is that people do not take their ARVs properly. Sometimes people don’t have food, so they cannot take the necessary food with their ARVS. Sometimes people have given up on themselves, demonstrated when they drink alcohol. Sometimes, people end up “defaulting” and lie about taking the ARVs.
Thandi also gave examples of local perspectives on HIV + AIDS. For one, even if people know that they have HIV or AIDS, they will assume that others do too, so they do not worry about spreading the disease. Thandi alleged that people living on farms: “…just makeup their own stories about HIV + AIDS because they’re in denial.” Additionally, she stated, “Because in the farm, there is no entertainment for them. Their entertainment is sex, so they’re spreading it [HIV + AIDS].”
I asked Thandi about the greatest joy of her job and she said, “If people say thank you, it means I’ve done my job.” She described people will not say thank you at the time of testing, but they may come back and show her the tablets they are taking or they were sick and they come back to tell her thank you. She tries to refer people to the right channels, such as to social workers, for grants, or the police station, to receive an identification book.
When Thandi was new at the job, she told me that she used to cry and give people money because she was more sensitive. Now, she affirms, “Everyone on this planet must stand on their own feet… can’t spoon feed them… they will abuse you.” Now she empathizes, not sympathizes and tries to stay neutral but listen carefully. She wisely realizes that she can’t solve everyone’s problems.
Thandi sees lots of people with HIV or AIDS. For example, she sees children growing up HIV positive because their moms did not take nevirapine treatment when they was pregnant, which lowers women’s chances of passing HIV onto their children. Then, shortly after the child is born, the mom dies and the grannies take care of the AIDS orphans. Furthermore, moms are often too sick to see a social worker after their children’s birth, therefore not obtaining an identification document for the child.
Although Thandi constantly gives, she, too, is struggling to get by. She shares, “I do wish to have a house with a toilet inside and my own bedroom, because I’m older, but I don’t want to challenge God and say I’d like a car and a big fancy house.” In her home, curtains separate the family room from the kitchen and the only bedroom, which she shares with her daughter and sister. Her cousin and uncle live in one-room dwellings on the property. Thandi insisted that I sleep in the double bed and she, her sister, and her two-year-old daughter share the twin-sized mattress on the floor. For serving as an HIV + AIDS counselor, Thandi receives 5,000 rand per month in wages from the government, without benefits, which is about 685 US dollars per month. I believe we may all learn from Thandi. She elaborated, “We also have people who call themselves Christians, but they do not talk to their neighbors… They are only Christian in name… Because they have everything they don’t see the need to plant relationships with their neighbors.” May we all learn from Thandi’s loving service and wisdom.
* Thandi is a pseudonym, meaning love in isiZulu, for my friend in order to protect the identity of her and her clients.
Thandi gave me information about HIV + AIDS at her clinic. The following information is based on statements from the booklet called, “HIV and AIDS and Treatment,” sponsored by the government. The virus HIV causes AIDS. HIV is a disease that attacks the immune system. The disease lives in sperm, blood and vaginal juices. HIV spreads between people in three ways: one, having unprotected sex with an HIV positive person; two, becoming in contact with infected blood; and three, passing from an infected mother to her unborn or newborn baby. HIV usually becomes AIDS with time, which is a different amount of time for every person. An HIV positive person has AIDS when their immune system is extremely weak. One way to measure the strength of a person’s immune system is to take a CD4 blood test. The CD4 number helps to determine when a person with HIV or AIDS may start taking ARVs (anti-retrovirals). ARVs cannot cure AIDS, but they do help make the immune system stronger.
Add about PMB’s HIV + AIDS status
As an HIV + AIDS counselor, Thandi runs three main programs: VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing), PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmition), and HAST (HIV + AIDS Sexually Transmitted Disease and TB). She provides counseling and testing for people, including ongoing counseling, adherence counseling, and literacy classes. The programs and counseling sessions are free to the public due to governmental sponsorship.
People see Thandi on their own terms or they will be referred to Thandi by other clinic staff if they are diagnosed with an opportunistic infection. An opportunistic infection is common for a person to have when the person has HIV. HIV is an autoimmune disorder, so it challenges the body’s cells that fight off illness. Opportunistic infections take advantage of the body’s immunity deficient status to enter the body. Opportunistic infections include TB, diarrhea, thrash (of the tongue), weight loss, meningitis, pneumonia, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Thandi always reconfirms that patients are taking HIV tests on their own free will and they sign a statement saying so.
Thandi tests clients for HIV with two rapid tests. The rapid tests receive their name from the fact that they should be read five to twenty minutes after a blood sample, taken by a pinprick to a finger, is placed in the small, plastic tests. The first test is a screening test called “S D Bioline” and the second test is a confirmatory test called “Sensa”. The tests must show the same result, obtained by reading line(s) that appear on the tests, to confirm whether a person is HIV positive or HIV negative as of three months prior. The control line should always appear to demonstrate that the test is working properly. If the tests do not read the same results, samples will be sent to a hospital for further testing. When testing for HIV, there is a window period of three months after becoming HIV positive when a person may not test positive, so if a person tests negative, a person is always recommended to come back in three months to retest.
On the day I observed, Thandi tested four people. Two people tested positive and two people tested negative. On a good day, Thandi stated that six out of ten will be HIV negative. On a bad day, seven of ten will be HIV positive. She also counseled four people for ongoing treatment. Additionally, Thandi encourages people to use condoms.
One of the clients Thandi tested was a farm worker on a local farm. He makes 580 rand per month, which is about 80 US dollars per month. Based on responses from clients, Thandi said that farm workers make about 500 to 1,500 Rand per month. With his wages, this man not only supports himself, but his wife and six children, ages seven to seventeen. He sends money to his family, who live in Lesotho. How do eight people survive on 80 dollars per month? While we waited for results, he stated that he was not cheating on his wife and he had no girlfriend. Prior to Thandi telling the man his results, I reached for some information and saw two lines on each of his tests, meaning he was HIV positive. Until Thandi told him the results, I felt numb in shock. After Thandi told the man the results, she asked if I had seen the results, and I leaned over to confirm that the two lines truly appeared on the tests. Thandi ushered the man to another room for further testing. I stood in the doorway, observing this thin man in an oversized blue worker outfit. The other clinic workers told me to come into the room; I stepped far enough into the room to close the door behind me. The results changed this man’s life, and in these moments of human suffering, I felt that I should disappear, disappear from being the white girl observing this man’s pain. My heart goes out to the man.
Next, Thandi counseled a girl in her school uniform who was raped in 2005 and subsequently tested HIV positive. Both her parents are dead and she lives with her brother. Her birthday was unknown, so Thandi and she made up her birthday: April 3rd, 1993. A local myth about HIV is that if a person rapes a virgin, the virgin will get the disease and the rapist will become HIV negative. The man who raped the girl is now in prison and she is still going through the trial. The girl talked about committing suicide. I asked her if she had any dreams. She smiled but said no. Then, she asked Thandi if she would be able to have children, even though she was HIV positive. Thandi initially did not want to respond, because she did not want to encourage sexual behavior, but the girl said she did not want children yet, she wished to know for the future. The girl will soon start classes on HIV + AIDS and join a support group.
After observing Thandi at the clinic, I asked her if she thought people felt uncomfortable with me in the room. She replied, “Because you’re from another culture, they don’t mind… Also, they know you can’t speak Zulu.” I tried to show each person dignity and respect.
Thandi discussed the many challenges of working as an HIV + AIDS counselor. Alone she provides lots of programs, due to a staff shortage, yet the government does not have the money to employ more people. The clinic is situated in a fairly isolated spot; there are no houses nearby and people walk long distances to reach the clinic, as no transport exists to the clinic. Due to the small size of the clinic, the clinic does not have ARVs. In the rural area, many people do not have identification books, and without this identification, they cannot receive social grants. Also, Thandi said many rural people do not know their rights, so the government ignores them. She elaborated: “Here in South Africa, you have to know your rights before the government will help.” Therefore, she concluded that the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.
The greatest challenge, according to Thandi, is that people do not take their ARVs properly. Sometimes people don’t have food, so they cannot take the necessary food with their ARVS. Sometimes people have given up on themselves, demonstrated when they drink alcohol. Sometimes, people end up “defaulting” and lie about taking the ARVs.
Thandi also gave examples of local perspectives on HIV + AIDS. For one, even if people know that they have HIV or AIDS, they will assume that others do too, so they do not worry about spreading the disease. Thandi alleged that people living on farms: “…just makeup their own stories about HIV + AIDS because they’re in denial.” Additionally, she stated, “Because in the farm, there is no entertainment for them. Their entertainment is sex, so they’re spreading it [HIV + AIDS].”
I asked Thandi about the greatest joy of her job and she said, “If people say thank you, it means I’ve done my job.” She described people will not say thank you at the time of testing, but they may come back and show her the tablets they are taking or they were sick and they come back to tell her thank you. She tries to refer people to the right channels, such as to social workers, for grants, or the police station, to receive an identification book.
When Thandi was new at the job, she told me that she used to cry and give people money because she was more sensitive. Now, she affirms, “Everyone on this planet must stand on their own feet… can’t spoon feed them… they will abuse you.” Now she empathizes, not sympathizes and tries to stay neutral but listen carefully. She wisely realizes that she can’t solve everyone’s problems.
Thandi sees lots of people with HIV or AIDS. For example, she sees children growing up HIV positive because their moms did not take nevirapine treatment when they was pregnant, which lowers women’s chances of passing HIV onto their children. Then, shortly after the child is born, the mom dies and the grannies take care of the AIDS orphans. Furthermore, moms are often too sick to see a social worker after their children’s birth, therefore not obtaining an identification document for the child.
Although Thandi constantly gives, she, too, is struggling to get by. She shares, “I do wish to have a house with a toilet inside and my own bedroom, because I’m older, but I don’t want to challenge God and say I’d like a car and a big fancy house.” In her home, curtains separate the family room from the kitchen and the only bedroom, which she shares with her daughter and sister. Her cousin and uncle live in one-room dwellings on the property. Thandi insisted that I sleep in the double bed and she, her sister, and her two-year-old daughter share the twin-sized mattress on the floor. For serving as an HIV + AIDS counselor, Thandi receives 5,000 rand per month in wages from the government, without benefits, which is about 685 US dollars per month. I believe we may all learn from Thandi. She elaborated, “We also have people who call themselves Christians, but they do not talk to their neighbors… They are only Christian in name… Because they have everything they don’t see the need to plant relationships with their neighbors.” May we all learn from Thandi’s loving service and wisdom.
* Thandi is a pseudonym, meaning love in isiZulu, for my friend in order to protect the identity of her and her clients.
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