John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less"
Today I was pushed to my physical breaking point. Through a combination of my lack of sleep, sheer lack of energy, and mental exhaustion, I became less, I became nothing. I knew whatever God would do in the afternoon would be all because of Him, not because of me, or anyone else in my team.
We gave all that we had left, to leave open the door for God to work. He took that opportunity to show up, and He multiplied and blessed our humble efforts beyond what we could imagine. When we are less, HE is GREATER. Praise God!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hurting
I am so thankful to experience hurt for the faces I am seeing and stories I am hearing. God is showing Himself and displaying attributes about Himself that for much of my life was just Theology. VERY COOL. I think looking back on the past days at my service site and am completely overwhelmed by it all. I could not adequately portray what has occurred in me, them, my team members in a simple blog post. I look forward to conveying these stories and experiences to you in person one day. Just know God is working overtime! I want to dwell on this feeling and remember why I hurt. I hurt, but because of Unkulunkulu (Great-Great, the Zulu name for the Most High God) there is hope! For this I am thankful! Praise Unkulunkulu!
Shalom Friends,
-Rob
P.S. Just some images to help you visualize what my team looks like and some of the people I am working with as well
From left to right: Me, Eli, Jamie, Cynthia, Nombulelo(Social Worker), Kailey, Alex and Alyssa
Sweet baby Amahle (Beautiful) and I.
Joy and hope in their faces, truly because of God's love and provision.
Shalom Friends,
-Rob
P.S. Just some images to help you visualize what my team looks like and some of the people I am working with as well
From left to right: Me, Eli, Jamie, Cynthia, Nombulelo(Social Worker), Kailey, Alex and Alyssa
Sweet baby Amahle (Beautiful) and I.
Joy and hope in their faces, truly because of God's love and provision.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Flexibility: The name of the game.
One thing I have definitely realized is that flexibility is essential to functioning at the family center. We may come in with all our schedules for the day laid out, and have to totally wipe the slate clean. This has been the case of the past two days. Wednesday morning we visited, prayed and sang with the patients and staff at the Mpophomeni Clinic at around 8. From there we returned to the family center. (who's main room now has this beautiful world map painted on it, along with John 3:16 in isiZulu!)
Next came school visits with my mentor Zwelihle, Eli and his Nhlakanipho.
(This is truly a rare photo of my mentor Zwe, he has one of the most contagious smiles so this intense portrait is out of the norm)
They monthly visit teachers of their "mentees" to check up on grades and relationships between the child and their parents, and also their relationship with the teacher. This took us an hour or so, then we made our way back to the community center. Both Zwe and Nhlaka seem to love going around in the community, so much of Eli and my time looks to be spent on home/school visits.
Later that afternoon we delivered two beds and frames to homes on the hillside. We also stopped by the home of a highschool age boy nick-named "Church." (because of his want to be a pastor in the future)
He has been sick, missing the past three days of school with some sort of respiratory sickness that the doctors could not diagnose. His home consists of one bedroom and a kitchen/sitting area with concrete floors. He lives with his little brothers, and older sister who has taken on the mother role to the little ones, since his parents have passed. There was a distinct heaviness over this home. Eli and I had the privilege of praying over them. Our final stop of the day on Wednesday was at a "Go-go's" home. She has got to be in her late sixties and is losing her sight, (much older here in comparison to back home) but yet is taking care of two of her grandchildren since their mother has passed away and the father has no involvement. It is incredible to see the amount of sacrifice she makes for these children. She has no income besides her pension, yet she funds their tuition to school and scrounges up food for them. (with help of the center) Our time with her ended with her singing and praying fervently for us in isiZulu. Definitely a humbling day,and incredible selflessness to witness.
As for today, I am still processing. Most certainly the most heavy day yet. I will write more on this when it isn't past midnight, which is two hours past my ideal bed time ;) Goodnight friends, until tomorrow, Shalom!
Next came school visits with my mentor Zwelihle, Eli and his Nhlakanipho.
(This is truly a rare photo of my mentor Zwe, he has one of the most contagious smiles so this intense portrait is out of the norm)
They monthly visit teachers of their "mentees" to check up on grades and relationships between the child and their parents, and also their relationship with the teacher. This took us an hour or so, then we made our way back to the community center. Both Zwe and Nhlaka seem to love going around in the community, so much of Eli and my time looks to be spent on home/school visits.
Later that afternoon we delivered two beds and frames to homes on the hillside. We also stopped by the home of a highschool age boy nick-named "Church." (because of his want to be a pastor in the future)
He has been sick, missing the past three days of school with some sort of respiratory sickness that the doctors could not diagnose. His home consists of one bedroom and a kitchen/sitting area with concrete floors. He lives with his little brothers, and older sister who has taken on the mother role to the little ones, since his parents have passed. There was a distinct heaviness over this home. Eli and I had the privilege of praying over them. Our final stop of the day on Wednesday was at a "Go-go's" home. She has got to be in her late sixties and is losing her sight, (much older here in comparison to back home) but yet is taking care of two of her grandchildren since their mother has passed away and the father has no involvement. It is incredible to see the amount of sacrifice she makes for these children. She has no income besides her pension, yet she funds their tuition to school and scrounges up food for them. (with help of the center) Our time with her ended with her singing and praying fervently for us in isiZulu. Definitely a humbling day,and incredible selflessness to witness.
As for today, I am still processing. Most certainly the most heavy day yet. I will write more on this when it isn't past midnight, which is two hours past my ideal bed time ;) Goodnight friends, until tomorrow, Shalom!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Mpophomeni (MMM-Po-P-Ho-Mey-Knee)
To say that I went into my community engagement portion of the semester @ the Mpophomeni Family Center without some anxiety, I would be lying. It's not so much that I was feeling unprepared, but more overwhelmed by the task that lay ahead. Over the first three days we were afforded this opportunity to study under Francis. Personally I planned on taking full advantage of his knowledge and experience in a field that is truly exciting to me. He has over 30 years of being a consultant to communities, in which he uses his skills to try and empower them to dream, and through interdependence, vision, and using the resources they have,(as limited as they might be) help them to reach their goals. This provided me with helpful mental preparation going into last week Thursday and Friday in the township. The other six people have the privilege of working at Ethembeni with are:
-Eli Johnerson -Alyssa Donahue -Cynthia Johnson -Kailey Hopkins -Jamie Hunter -Alex Gennaro
The first verse we chose to reflect on and pray throughout day one was 1 John 3:16- "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." In reflecting on this verse throughout the day, we kept our hearts united and in the right place. As we approached the center excitement filled me. It was going to be a good day, I knew it. We walked into the E.C.D. (Early Childhood Development) and jumped head first into the fray. And by fray I mean snotty, (literal snot) energetic children. They were so receptive climbing right up into our laps and touching my beard and marveling at my leg hair. (both seem to be foreign sites for them) We spent most of our morning with them. Once nap time hit, we got some good time with the mentors and leaders of the family center to talk about what our shared vision should be over the month we will have there. This time was invaluable in helping to unite us all under a common goal of advancing the center and the community.
The vision that we agreed upon was a mural of the world,and many different areas of organization; in a potential child play therapy room and a storage closet. In all after the first day, I left feeling so blessed and full of love for these children of God. Can’t wait to be back tomorrow!
Friday, day two, we got down to business. We hopped right back in with the preschoolers in the morning. After their morning breakfast, we got to work on the play therapy room and church closet organization projects. It was so awesome to work with this group of people. Our determination fueled each other on. We accomplished so much in one afternoon. We emptied the storage rooms and re-organized the church closet. It was at this point that we realistically started thinking about this mural project, and how that would end up happening. We decided that we would be in need of overhead sheets and of course, an overhead. Where we would get these? WHO KNOWS. That’s where God came in! :) As the girls were organizing the office, (the mentors were at a training session so we had free reign to put things in order) we hear screams of joy. In their venture they had found overhead sheets of the world.
Step one: overhead sheets of the continents and countries CHECK
Being the voice of reason, Eli reminded that we still are in need of an overhead. After fifteen more minutes of cleaning in their little office, they had found a brand new and never been used overhead still in its original packaging.
Step two: OVERHEAD!
God provides! It was definitely an encouraging time for our group to know that God is working along side us!
In the afternoon, the area high schools get out and many come to hang out at the center. So along with organization, our game plan was to take photos of each child and student. In our limited exposure to the center, we realized that many of the workers themselves don’t know the names of all the children, so collectively we decided a photo shoot was in order. So after snapping shots of each child and kicking the futbol around on the yard, day two was complete. A much needed weekend awaited.
Saturday involved some fun downtown shopping experience. Local vendors galore! Eli and I had some male bonding time, and I ended up investing in my first tank (a big deal for a Michigander) and some cool shoes. Also tried ate at Wimpy for the first time. Yum!
Sunday was a down day, just with some reflection time and mental preparation for the week ahead. It was also the day that we found out that Francis’ brother passed on to glory. So he is at home in Kenya for this week and returns on Saturday. Keep him in your prayers. This man’s heart is so beautiful, he has already become such a good friend in only week.
Monday involved an 8 hour class once again preparing and equipping us with tools and signposts as we approach another week.
Today was day number three at Mpophomeni. This was in reality the first REAL day at our site, because the mentors, (that were a big asset and reason behind feeling like this was the service site I was meant for) were actually there. I am paired with a studly fellow named Zwelihle. He is a 25 year old Zulu man who has lived in the township for 15 years now and has worked at the center since it’s conception 2 years ago. The game plan we came into the day envisioning ended up quite different, but flexibility is the name of the game, ESPECIALLY in Africa. Eli, his mentor Nhlakanipho, Zwe and I went to an area High school to check up on a student from the center. This experience was interesting for the fact that Eli and I felt all eyes on us as the only Caucasians in the whole school. Girls were giggling, guys were stone faced for the most part, with the few exceptions saying “what’s up,” or the occasional handshake. We just checked up on a student with his teacher. Talked about grades and their relationships at school. Later we also went touring the township with some German fellows/tourists who were mapping out a route for their run/dribble from Hamburg, Germany to Jo-burg for the World Cup. Today we were also able to incorporate some of the tools that Francis instilled. Relationships are truly being built. I am so excited for what God is doing in and through us, but also the lessons being taught to us via the community. God is so faithful. I feel so blessed to be doing His work in such a beautiful place. He is so gracious to use a broken vessel like me.
This week please pray Philippians 2:2-4 over my group!
“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Shalom friends!
-Eli Johnerson -Alyssa Donahue -Cynthia Johnson -Kailey Hopkins -Jamie Hunter -Alex Gennaro
The first verse we chose to reflect on and pray throughout day one was 1 John 3:16- "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." In reflecting on this verse throughout the day, we kept our hearts united and in the right place. As we approached the center excitement filled me. It was going to be a good day, I knew it. We walked into the E.C.D. (Early Childhood Development) and jumped head first into the fray. And by fray I mean snotty, (literal snot) energetic children. They were so receptive climbing right up into our laps and touching my beard and marveling at my leg hair. (both seem to be foreign sites for them) We spent most of our morning with them. Once nap time hit, we got some good time with the mentors and leaders of the family center to talk about what our shared vision should be over the month we will have there. This time was invaluable in helping to unite us all under a common goal of advancing the center and the community.
The vision that we agreed upon was a mural of the world,and many different areas of organization; in a potential child play therapy room and a storage closet. In all after the first day, I left feeling so blessed and full of love for these children of God. Can’t wait to be back tomorrow!
Friday, day two, we got down to business. We hopped right back in with the preschoolers in the morning. After their morning breakfast, we got to work on the play therapy room and church closet organization projects. It was so awesome to work with this group of people. Our determination fueled each other on. We accomplished so much in one afternoon. We emptied the storage rooms and re-organized the church closet. It was at this point that we realistically started thinking about this mural project, and how that would end up happening. We decided that we would be in need of overhead sheets and of course, an overhead. Where we would get these? WHO KNOWS. That’s where God came in! :) As the girls were organizing the office, (the mentors were at a training session so we had free reign to put things in order) we hear screams of joy. In their venture they had found overhead sheets of the world.
Step one: overhead sheets of the continents and countries CHECK
Being the voice of reason, Eli reminded that we still are in need of an overhead. After fifteen more minutes of cleaning in their little office, they had found a brand new and never been used overhead still in its original packaging.
Step two: OVERHEAD!
God provides! It was definitely an encouraging time for our group to know that God is working along side us!
In the afternoon, the area high schools get out and many come to hang out at the center. So along with organization, our game plan was to take photos of each child and student. In our limited exposure to the center, we realized that many of the workers themselves don’t know the names of all the children, so collectively we decided a photo shoot was in order. So after snapping shots of each child and kicking the futbol around on the yard, day two was complete. A much needed weekend awaited.
Saturday involved some fun downtown shopping experience. Local vendors galore! Eli and I had some male bonding time, and I ended up investing in my first tank (a big deal for a Michigander) and some cool shoes. Also tried ate at Wimpy for the first time. Yum!
Sunday was a down day, just with some reflection time and mental preparation for the week ahead. It was also the day that we found out that Francis’ brother passed on to glory. So he is at home in Kenya for this week and returns on Saturday. Keep him in your prayers. This man’s heart is so beautiful, he has already become such a good friend in only week.
Monday involved an 8 hour class once again preparing and equipping us with tools and signposts as we approach another week.
Today was day number three at Mpophomeni. This was in reality the first REAL day at our site, because the mentors, (that were a big asset and reason behind feeling like this was the service site I was meant for) were actually there. I am paired with a studly fellow named Zwelihle. He is a 25 year old Zulu man who has lived in the township for 15 years now and has worked at the center since it’s conception 2 years ago. The game plan we came into the day envisioning ended up quite different, but flexibility is the name of the game, ESPECIALLY in Africa. Eli, his mentor Nhlakanipho, Zwe and I went to an area High school to check up on a student from the center. This experience was interesting for the fact that Eli and I felt all eyes on us as the only Caucasians in the whole school. Girls were giggling, guys were stone faced for the most part, with the few exceptions saying “what’s up,” or the occasional handshake. We just checked up on a student with his teacher. Talked about grades and their relationships at school. Later we also went touring the township with some German fellows/tourists who were mapping out a route for their run/dribble from Hamburg, Germany to Jo-burg for the World Cup. Today we were also able to incorporate some of the tools that Francis instilled. Relationships are truly being built. I am so excited for what God is doing in and through us, but also the lessons being taught to us via the community. God is so faithful. I feel so blessed to be doing His work in such a beautiful place. He is so gracious to use a broken vessel like me.
This week please pray Philippians 2:2-4 over my group!
“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Shalom friends!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A New Chapter
How does this keep happening to me? This time I won’t really promise anything about when my next post occurs. I think the problem originates with the fact that simply blogging is one of the lower things on my list when I there are so many important people to be investing in and building relationships with, and experiences to be having each day. As I reach this point in my South African journey, I feel as If I am closing one chapter and opening the next. But first I feel like I definitely need to wrap up the first. To do so, I must go back to the 25th of February.
That Wednesday, instead of taking normal class, we spent the day from right after breakfast driving an hour to the north to the Drakensburg once again. This time instead of visiting the San/ Bushmen paintings, we took this day trip to listen to the world renowned Drakensburg Boys Choir sing. Boy was this worth the drive. It was at a private school, to which parents from all over Africa send their young boys from grades 4 to 9. The guys sang and danced to a variety of songs, which included traditional Zulu songs, the national anthem, and also some of their favorite Michael Jackson songs! (Man in the Mirror with MJ hip thrusts. GREAT.) It was definitely a sight to experience.
The following day we wrapped up our final days of our classes before our finals came around. It was definitely a struggle studying in such a beautiful place. This seems to be an excuse that can be used in actually quite a variety of situations. A oft used phrase is simply the three letters, “T.I.A.” This Is Africa! In celebration of wrapping up many classes and that it was finally the weekend, a group of us went out to Bangkok Wok. My first Thai food EVER! Plus, I LIKE SOY SAUCE! Who would have guessed?
Our next adventure came in the form of an early morning excursion to Karkloof Canopy Tours. In other words, ZIP LINING! 6:30 departure was a tad early but more than worth it. We flew along the course at speeds of up to 60kph at heights over 100 feet above the forest floor. Definitely a once in a life time experience.
Sunday the 28th was spent with my church family here at God’s Family Life Centre. It is a church of about 300 members, and after the service the fam met up at Midmar Dam for a good old fashioned Braai! (barbeque) It was an afternoon full of fun and fellowship. This group of mainly Zulu South Africans has been one of the coolest communities to be a part of. I ended up he spending most all the afternoon playing soccer with the middle aged fellas of the church. It was at this point that I realized my uncoordinated nature. Soccer used to be my thing… In 7th grade! Oh well, it was a blast, and was definitely an avenue for me to build relationships.
Finals week was now upon us. Torture. Luckily there was sufficient rain to make it a little less painful having to be pent up insides studying. After my Life and teachings final, we all were needing to let out some major aggression. Thankfully it was raining hard enough to warrant some rugby. I have come to the realization that the best in all of us comes out on the field. Just letting go and enjoying the environment, people, and relationships God has placed us in. Such a blessing. The one detractor this time was a couple people decided to get hurt. They seem to be on the mend.
Finals being over and all, a group of us in need of a getaway decided a safari/trip to a reserve was in order. Destination: Weenen. Baba graciously offered his services and trekked along about 2 hours to the north. For each of us it was a whole new world, not having been to any reserves like the bio students had. We were kids in a candy store. God’s creation is so diverse and beautiful all around us. I was so thankful for this escape. I saw boks, rhino, and even giraffe!
This past weekend we spent digesting some major history as background to the build up to apartheid. We spent about 8 hours in a nice tour bus over the two days. We visited 4 major battle sites from the Anglo-Boer war and also between the Boers and the Zulu warriors. The history buff that I am (not really), I enjoyed seeing these sites and the stories behind them. As fun as this might sound, It was not the highlight of my weekend. The highlight was in times of reflection and prayer. I felt God prodding me and moving in and through others and me. Such a valuable time, what I had been praying for.
Once again a Sunday rolled around, yet another blessing provided by GFLC. After the service we were invited to pastor Greg and Nolene’s house for a braai and afternoon in the sun by the pool. In my time in Africa, I have kicked the soccer ball around the most I have since middle school. It seems like a calming and relaxing tool. Much of my afternoon revolved around interactions while juggling the ball or playing keep-away. I even got to learn how to play cricket! Now that is an interesting sport! Very fun though, I think I was getting the hang of “bowling” or what we Americans would call pitching. The hospitality this church has shown me is truly a glimpse of heaven and the type of hospitality we are called to!
This week started off with much anticipation as it is the official beginning to our community engagement portion of the semester. For this portion, APU flew in a wise man named Francis Njoroge. He is a renowned Community Engagement facilitator on the continent of Africa. His teaching over the past days has been so enlightening and challenging. He has developed simple yet effective techniques for empowering people to reach their dreams. It is so exciting to imagine myself attempting to do this at my service site Ethembeni. A new chapter is beginning. I pray that God’s love would flow in and through me as a vessel to His children in this community. Not for our Glory but HIS.
1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
Prayer requests:
1. Patience
2. Humility
3. Boldness
4. That Christ would be seen in me.
That Wednesday, instead of taking normal class, we spent the day from right after breakfast driving an hour to the north to the Drakensburg once again. This time instead of visiting the San/ Bushmen paintings, we took this day trip to listen to the world renowned Drakensburg Boys Choir sing. Boy was this worth the drive. It was at a private school, to which parents from all over Africa send their young boys from grades 4 to 9. The guys sang and danced to a variety of songs, which included traditional Zulu songs, the national anthem, and also some of their favorite Michael Jackson songs! (Man in the Mirror with MJ hip thrusts. GREAT.) It was definitely a sight to experience.
The following day we wrapped up our final days of our classes before our finals came around. It was definitely a struggle studying in such a beautiful place. This seems to be an excuse that can be used in actually quite a variety of situations. A oft used phrase is simply the three letters, “T.I.A.” This Is Africa! In celebration of wrapping up many classes and that it was finally the weekend, a group of us went out to Bangkok Wok. My first Thai food EVER! Plus, I LIKE SOY SAUCE! Who would have guessed?
Our next adventure came in the form of an early morning excursion to Karkloof Canopy Tours. In other words, ZIP LINING! 6:30 departure was a tad early but more than worth it. We flew along the course at speeds of up to 60kph at heights over 100 feet above the forest floor. Definitely a once in a life time experience.
Sunday the 28th was spent with my church family here at God’s Family Life Centre. It is a church of about 300 members, and after the service the fam met up at Midmar Dam for a good old fashioned Braai! (barbeque) It was an afternoon full of fun and fellowship. This group of mainly Zulu South Africans has been one of the coolest communities to be a part of. I ended up he spending most all the afternoon playing soccer with the middle aged fellas of the church. It was at this point that I realized my uncoordinated nature. Soccer used to be my thing… In 7th grade! Oh well, it was a blast, and was definitely an avenue for me to build relationships.
Finals week was now upon us. Torture. Luckily there was sufficient rain to make it a little less painful having to be pent up insides studying. After my Life and teachings final, we all were needing to let out some major aggression. Thankfully it was raining hard enough to warrant some rugby. I have come to the realization that the best in all of us comes out on the field. Just letting go and enjoying the environment, people, and relationships God has placed us in. Such a blessing. The one detractor this time was a couple people decided to get hurt. They seem to be on the mend.
Finals being over and all, a group of us in need of a getaway decided a safari/trip to a reserve was in order. Destination: Weenen. Baba graciously offered his services and trekked along about 2 hours to the north. For each of us it was a whole new world, not having been to any reserves like the bio students had. We were kids in a candy store. God’s creation is so diverse and beautiful all around us. I was so thankful for this escape. I saw boks, rhino, and even giraffe!
This past weekend we spent digesting some major history as background to the build up to apartheid. We spent about 8 hours in a nice tour bus over the two days. We visited 4 major battle sites from the Anglo-Boer war and also between the Boers and the Zulu warriors. The history buff that I am (not really), I enjoyed seeing these sites and the stories behind them. As fun as this might sound, It was not the highlight of my weekend. The highlight was in times of reflection and prayer. I felt God prodding me and moving in and through others and me. Such a valuable time, what I had been praying for.
Once again a Sunday rolled around, yet another blessing provided by GFLC. After the service we were invited to pastor Greg and Nolene’s house for a braai and afternoon in the sun by the pool. In my time in Africa, I have kicked the soccer ball around the most I have since middle school. It seems like a calming and relaxing tool. Much of my afternoon revolved around interactions while juggling the ball or playing keep-away. I even got to learn how to play cricket! Now that is an interesting sport! Very fun though, I think I was getting the hang of “bowling” or what we Americans would call pitching. The hospitality this church has shown me is truly a glimpse of heaven and the type of hospitality we are called to!
This week started off with much anticipation as it is the official beginning to our community engagement portion of the semester. For this portion, APU flew in a wise man named Francis Njoroge. He is a renowned Community Engagement facilitator on the continent of Africa. His teaching over the past days has been so enlightening and challenging. He has developed simple yet effective techniques for empowering people to reach their dreams. It is so exciting to imagine myself attempting to do this at my service site Ethembeni. A new chapter is beginning. I pray that God’s love would flow in and through me as a vessel to His children in this community. Not for our Glory but HIS.
1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
Prayer requests:
1. Patience
2. Humility
3. Boldness
4. That Christ would be seen in me.
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