2015 Watchword

The watchword. One Bible passage chosen by George and Carolyn at the beginning of the year through rest and prayer. A passage to meditate on throughout the year as we continue drawing lines in the sand. Facing the uncomfortable truths. Knowing the names of the nameless. Loving those who do not know love.

"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."

-Habakkuk 3:2

So I'm going to New York...

Just a quick note to let you all know that I'm going on a quick trip to New York in a few weeks! It was kindof last minute, but those trips can be the most fun! I'm very excited because not only have I never been to New York, but I get to see it with some of my favorite people!

What I know: George will be attending a conference in Toronto with a 'Footprinter' (Footprints was the name of Hands volunteer program several years ago) named Farzam. We've never met but I've heard his name often. Its exciting that George (and Prag too!) will have the opportunity to speak at this conference. Prior to that, George will be flying to Florida to meet a prospective new church partner (which is always exciting!) The Hands US board will also be meeting in Florida, right before George flies to Toronto. Time with George is always so precious and it's hard to make time to meet with everyone we would like him to. Since he was going to be on the east coast, it made sense that he would make a quick stop in New York to speak at Sara's church. Sara went to Africa with Hands in 2011 and has since sponsored team trips from her church. George was able to speak there in October of 2013, but did not make it on the North American tour last October. Suzette and Brooke will also be traveling with George. Suzette is from San Francisco. We actually met briefly at Kachele Farm when we were both in Luanshya, Zambia. She was in Zambia,  preparing to go to South Africa when I initially arrived in Zambia for my country stay. That was in March 2013. I haven't seen her since! I met Sara and Brooke both for the first time at the Hands Family Reunion in Wisconsin in October 2013. I haven't had the chance to see Sara in person since. I saw Brooke last October in Minnesota. This trip is so exciting to me 1) because the five of us(including George) have never all been in the same place at the same time and 2) because it's a ''bonus trip!

Since coming home from Africa in April 2013, I've relied on the fall tour as my time to break my normal routine and take a weekend to connect with other Hands volunteers and advocates. I honestly hadn't planned on taking any other trips prior to flying to Africa in May. When Sara invited me to come to New York last week, my initial gut response was 'no.' Oh believe me I wanted to go, but my rational brain was focused on the numbers. Cost of flights vs the fact that I'm already buying flights to Africa vs my budget. It's an easy trap. But, thankfully, I slept on it. Comments Brooke made at a lunch meeting prior to everyone arriving in Wisconsin over a year ago resounded in my heart AND my head. We may not live the typical missionary life but we are missionaries. Living in a relatively normal world while our thoughts/time/energy/hearts are half a world away. Do you know how many children I could feed with money I just spent on flights? Don't ask. That's my point. We are Christians who love and have committed ourselves to the vulnerable children in Africa. And that commitment comes with a price. Over the nearly two years I've been home - that's 643 days, I have spent 6 days in person with other Hands volunteers. That includes travel time, so it's actually a generous number. If you do that math (because of course I had to) that breaks down to less than 1%! Sure, we try to skype at least once a month. It's more depending on what you're involved with and what is going on at that time of the year. [It can be few and far between for some of us at certain times.] Suzette lives in California, Brooke lives in Minnesota, Sara lives in New York and I live in Pennsylvania. Thats why, even though we hate to spend the money, it is so important to make the sacrifice to be together when we get the chance. It makes such a difference! (I could list many Bible verses that reference the importance of fellowing, but I'm won't) It's a time we invest in each other, build each other up. We reflect with each other on the progress that has been made, give the glory to God, and challenge each other for the work that lies ahead. In our rational minds we hate to spend the money, but in our hearts we know we need to. Because we only have one life. Because people and relationships are what is important in life. We say we love them, but do we show it in action? We should value our friends and family more than our bank accounts!

So after my internal debate of head vs heart, my heart ultimately persevered. But then my next dilemma: I requested the Friday off with some anxiety because if you know me, you know I rarely use my vacation days. 2014 was actually the first year I used all of my vacation days within the calendar year. [It shouldn't really 'count' though because I used four of them to spend time with family the week following my father's death.] Anyway six years of not using all(if any - sad, but true) of my vacation days combined with the fact that I'm already planning to take off three weeks for my trip in May(which is more than my allotment of paid vacation to begin with) was messing with me. I submitted my request with great pause, not sure if it would be met with annoyance or indifference. But I told myself that 'its just one day' and 'May is three months from now.'

So after all that, here I sit. Flight tickets purchased and one night booked at the airport hotel. It's only January 15th and already I have been challenged on my perception of money and my job, and let's be honest my plan. (I'm a big planner!) I'm getting the feeling that 2015 is going to be a pivotal year. But I booked the flight I hadn't planned on taking, and that's the first step.

Housekeeping

I've made just a few more additions to the blog. (Hopefully you'll find them beneficial)

• At the very top of the page you will find my new pages bar. On the right-hand side, you will see a tab called 'Watchwords Past'. Clicking on this tab will provide a complete list of Watchwords going back to 1999. In case you are interested in what verses George and Carolyn have felt led to in the past, it's all there!
• On the top right of the page, right above the about me section, you can see the 2014 Watchword. I'll be updating this with the 2015 Watchword very soon. The Watchword is a verse that we focus on throughout the year to find strength and purpose. These verses are often a source of light and encouragement, especially when the work we do makes our hearts heavy.
• If you scroll down the page, right underneath the total pageviews graph, you will find a new contact form. Try it out! If you'd like send me a question you have about Africa, our work, buying groceries, whatever. I'll certainly try to answer! (Or I will get in touch with someone who can give you a better answer!)
• At the very bottom of the page, you will find a satellite map (the Powr Map). If you've ever been curious about where we do what we do, this is something to check out! But I must give you a disclaimer: there are still many areas that I personally know nothing about, except that we work there. I tried to highlight the main areas in each country to the best of my ability. I'll edit the map as I learn more specifics. If you're interested in what I will personally be doing be sure to check out: The HUB(our home-base and tentatively my first stop in May), Kachele Farm(It's becoming the 'Second HUB' where a lot of things go on and tentatively my second stop in May), The Kitwe Service Center(where I spent my time in Zambia during 2013, working with the staff and learning about Hands) and the Mwaiseni Community Based Organization(CBO)(where I had my community stay in Zambia and fell in love with Mwaiseni! This is the community I advocate for and will be working in: it's the main reason this trip came to be!) To use the map: You can scroll up and down on the left to see the places I have listed. Clicking on a location will show you that tag on the map (ie clicking on 'Kachele Farm' will show you the tag located in Luanshya, Zambia) If you stay zoomed in, which is the default of the gadget, you will only see individual tags. If you look at the map and see the + and - signs, underneath the yellow person, clicking the - sign will allow you to zoom out and see where tags are located in context. (ie in South Africa you will see the distance between the HUB and Service Centers) Feel free to play around with it!

***Disclaimer: at this point the blog is really changing. I will try to point out changes in the blog, but it's changing daily...so make sure you try to keep up! :-)

Another New Year

I have to admit, now that 2015 has arrived, my trip back to Mwaiseni seems so much closer! It's about four months away at this point. Today at the HUB in South Africa, everyone gathered for the announcement of the watchword for the year (more to come on this soon!) Some staff for Hands US has gathered in San Francisco to kick off our year as well. It's a very exciting time for us!

Things are busy, and will continue to be busy as my trip gets closer. I've begun to send out photo cards about my trip for anyone interested in what I'm doing. I mentioned supporting my trip through prayer so I've added a prayer requests section to my blog page. You can see them on by clicking the 'Prayer Requests' tab on my new pages bar underneath my header photo!. I'll update these throughout the year as needed, and I will try to keep you up to date by blogging specifically about new requests, and about how specific requests have been answered. Here's the first round:

Prayer Requests

• Renewed energy and focus in the new year for everyone partnering with Hands at Work:
  For international staff living in Africa: these individuals sacrifice time with their families and the comforts of home in order to care for the most vulnerable.
  For international staff living in their home countries: these individuals have often been to Africa, but always have a heart for Africa and it's people. They have the comforts of home, but constantly wish they could be on African soil. They often feel isolated from Africa, living in societies that often do not understand the calling.
• Continual support from current sponsors, and for new sponsors who want to help care for the most vulnerable:
  26,000 children die every day in Africa, and they do not need to. With sponsorships being $20/month, we pray people currently sponsoring one child may find it in their heart to promise additional sponsorships. We also pray for new partners for our cause to sponsor the most vulnerable.
• For the Hands US Staff, Advocates and Family as we work together while being far apart:
  For continued relationships and unity so we can remain strong for our cause when the world is telling to us to do anything and everything but care for the most vulnerable.
• For the 15 Short-term volunteer teams being sent by Hands US in the next year:
  Hands US is growing and our teams reflect that! FIFTEEN TEAMS!!! It's going to be an exciting year with more teams than we have sent previously and our continued partnership with Nurses for Africa teams! [Now don't worry: despite my excitement, it is NOT about the numbers. Quality is still more important than quantity, but it's hard to not be excited about these trips and the relationships that will be built!]
• That God would challenge my comforts and expectations:
  In many ways I've come so far, but in many other ways I'm stuck in a rut! This year will be my return to Africa, and renewed love for Hands. I also hope it will bring new discipline and perspective. It's definitely going to be a telling year of challenge and growth!
• That God would guide me to those who will partner in my journey through prayer or financial support:
  The last time I went to Africa, I did not push for financial support. While I did receive funding, and it was a blessing!, I also paid for most of the trip out of my personal savings. With different events over the last year, it doesn't look like that will be an option for this trip. Friends have encouraged me by saying "if it is His will, it is His bill" and that we should expect much from God. That is not to say that I feel worthy or entitled, and I certainly do not base God's goodness on funding. If I receive no funds God will still be good! But if my needs are met it is definitely all for His glory!

That's all I have for now. Thanks again for partnering with me on this journey!

Mwaiseni

Earlier this week Hands at Work posted a story featuring Mwaiseni in the newsroom.
You can read it here, and please do.
It's just one story, but it can help you understand why we fight for these children.
It might remind you just how blessed you are.

Minnesota and Mwaiseni

Some of my avid readers might remember my well after the fact blog about the Hands USA Family Reunion last year. It was only 11 weeks after the fact... This year is slightly better at seven weeks!

George's US tour schedule is always jam packed, but this year was especially exciting! Last year we focused on getting all the advocates together: from people who had been to Africa as long as 6 years ago to me (at the time) only six months ago! This year there were multiple events,some big and some small. People I met in Wisconsin last year went to various events, and other people that missed last year were able to make it to events this year. (Maybe this is always the case, but this is the first year I was really aware of everything that was going on and who was going to be where) There was a big event in San Francisco that I didn't attend, but I heard was a blast! There were other events that were smaller, but still filled the hearts of those in attendance.

This year I opted to go to Minnesota. When I considered my options, and events I'll discuss later, it made the most sense. I flew from Pittsburgh...

Franco Harris and George Washington hanging out at the Pittsburgh airport, obviously.

A cloudy day flying out of Pittsburgh...

And I landed in Chicago...

Flew from Chicago to Minneapolis....
Once I landed in Minneapolis it was time to find George! 

We had a few hours before our final flight to Hibbing....

Finally we landed in Hibbing and Brooke met us at the airport. George was in the country for about three weeks, but my time with him was just a short weekend. George and I stayed at Jed's grandmother's house. What a sweet lady! Our weekend was busy! We arrived late Friday evening and after catching up with Brooke, Jed, Wally, Pam and Pat, we were able to get a good nights rest. Saturday morning we had breakfast with local pastors. It's always interesting to meet new people! After breakfast, Wally took us on a quick tour of Hibbing and to the pit (from iron mining.)

It looked something like this:

Pam, me, Jed, George and Wally at the pit!

After our brief tour of Hibbing, Jed and George went to an evening church service where George was speaking. Brooke and I stopped to get a few things for our dinner that night and then went to her parent's house for the afternoon. It was beautiful! The leaves were turning, but the weather was perfect and the sky was so blue! There was a bald eagle flying overhead. Brooke's mom, Gina, suggested we have a fire in the backyard. I also got to meet Brooke's sister Kim, her boys, and, of course, the family dogs! Then we helped get everything packed for our dinner that would raise support for Chisamba and Mwaiseni.

We weren't sure how many people would actually be at the dinner, which always makes things interesting. We set up a few tables, got everything situated in the kitchen, and Brooke's parents worked on making Nshima. We also had Chakalaka and Ifisashi.

Brooke and I took over the Nshima, until Jed came and we happily passed the baton.

Chakalaka(the red stuff), Ifisashi(the green stuff) and Nshima(the white stuff): yum!

It was a great night of food and fellowship. George spoke to us and really challenged everyone. I'm not sure you can ever become immune to the realities of life in Africa. Jed and Brooke also spoke. It was really encouraging just to experience that: to see people that were meeting George for the first time. People that were immediately responsive to the call to help the needy and had so many questions about Hands. After cleaning up, Wally took us on a late night tour of Hibbing - because we had to drive past Bob Dylan's house!

The next morning we prepared for church, where George would be speaking again. One thing that Hands has made me appreciate is all of the different ways people worship God. From churches I've personally chosen to attend, churches we get rides to during orientation, churches I've attended in a rural African community...big, small, modern, traditional: I just can't get over churches! (in a good way) Last year the tour took me to Grace Church in Racine, WI, which I remember being a large church; this year the tour brought me to Abundant Life Church in Hibbing, MN, which was a very intimate church. When I saw the outside of the church I was not expecting what would greet me on the inside of the church. Churches always keep me guessing, and that's good! (Side note: I think what gets me is seeing so many different manifestations of the church, and I can say honestly that they were all good, welcoming experiences, I'm amazed (yet not surprised) that the church still has the negative connotation in society that it does.) Abundant Life had been in the midst of their mission week, and we were greeted by a congregation that was eager to be challenged and to accept the challenge. NCU's One Accord was there leading worship. There was so much energy and so much joy in that service! After that we all ate a quick lunch before hitting the road to drive to Minneapolis. We listened to the Vikings lose. (The Steelers also lost that weekend.) We eventually made it to Jed and Brooke's apartment. Minneapolis was so different that what I expected! Everything in Pittsburgh is so close together, but Minneapolis is comparatively spread out! I'd love to go back and really explore the city, but at the time I was only there for a few hours. I was leaving my brief time with George and the tour, and Lisa and Bryan from Calgary just landed to join in on the next events. I think this really speaks to who Hands is. We don't have to do it all. We do what we are called, when we are called. If and when we are called to a new season, there is someone else who will be willing and ready to step in. As I become more involved with the US office and 'see' people transition in and out from the HUB, it continues to impress me.

My time in Minnesota was such a joy. Of course it was great to just be there. In Africa, our ministry centers around Holy Home Visits and community stays. You visit someone in their home, know their names and know their story. There is power in being known. It changes us. This was a community stay of sorts, although it was different than being in Africa. I met Jed and Brooke's family members, saw where they grew up and saw why they are the people they are. Their families are amazing! For instance, Jed's grandmother has a family tree with all of her offspring and there are around 100 people! It's just truly amazing! I saw a bit clearer how their families were doing amazing things before Jed and Brooke went to Africa, in many ways laying the foundation for them to do what they are doing now. 

Maybe stories are easier to discern in someone else's life. Last night I got to chat with Suzette in California. We met in Zambia over a year and a half ago and haven't seen each other in person since! She's gotten involved in Teams, while I'm working with the Communications team. We've been on various skype calls with each other, but it was so nice just to talk, without considering projects or deadlines. Suzette and her husband Abe have really been amazing additions to the Hands US family. I so enjoyed my time in Minnesota, but I am SO excited to see what the next year holds for the Hands US advocates and the Hands international family as a whole.

It's Thanksgiving (well, American Thanksgiving) and I am so thankful for so many things: family, friends, Hands family, supportive listeners, kind hugs, for my father being in heaven and my Father in heaven, lessons learned, 'Africa sprinkles', reminders, kingdom culture, and...

...that I'm going back to Zambia,

to Mwaiseni!, to see all of these faces again!!!

I briefly referenced my work with the communications team. Living in Africa certainly comes with its own set of challenges, but living in America after living in Africa with the Hands community can be rough. Lonely. Isolating. Hard. Especially here on the east coast. In terms of Hands family its me, myself and I. Anytime I get an invite for a Hands skype call I am ready and waiting! Last spring the Hands US office began working to re-form a US Communications team. It was put on hold for a few months this summer, and then revisited in the months prior to George's US tour. It was really exciting and challenging. Working on projects with people you never actually see in person is interesting. One of the things about ministry is sometimes there are people with gifts and talents that can be utilized for the good of the ministry, but other times God qualifies the called. Like me: I do have a basic background in managing facebook pages from work, but those responsibilities were officially transferred to our marketing person a couple years ago. I don't know how to create videos, or how to manipulate websites. But I have been able to maintain friendships with people serving on the Communications team at the HUB. We'll see how things unfold in the coming months. I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm anxious to find out!

What I do know is that I'm heading back to South Africa AND Zambia in May!!! I am so blessed and so grateful to be going back! Sometimes I worry that I'll forget the things I've learned and seen. I was in church two weeks ago and had this immense need to immediately name all of the communities I visited while in Africa.  Remembering Zambia and the Kitwe SC communities was easy, thinking back to orientation and the Bushbuckridge and Clau Clau SC communities...not quite as easy. I don't want to forget their names or their stories! Being able to go back will keep things fresh. People who have bought in to Hands have the same heart, but their hearts can break for different communities for different reasons. Just like I can name all of the Kitwe SC CBOs, others can name to Malawi CBOs or Zimbabwe CBOs or the Nigeria CBOs. We are really so much stronger together! I can't save all the orphans, but I can save one. If everyone saves one, we can save them all!

It was a pretty uneventful year here on my blog, I've gotten out of the habit of writing. I'm hoping to make a more consistent effort in the upcoming year. Especially to keep you all updated on my return to Mwaiseni and the amazing work that is going on in all of our communities in Africa!

The Starfish Story: Why bother?

A friend shared this photo on facebook, it was originally posted by Casey Jamerson here.
It's just so appropriate so I had to share it here too.

Is that great or is that great? In our society there seems to be an epidemic of self-fulfilling prophecy. "[I'm] going to fail anyway, so I'll just accept defeat now." "I'll never lose weight so I might as well enjoy dessert." "I'll always be in debt anyway, so what's $____ more?" Some people apply this to aiding those who are less fortunate (or at least 'less fortunate' by the standards of westernized society): Why bother fighting a battle that is doomed to fail?

A Suicide Mission. That's what we're on. We are dying to self every day. Self is all about self. Selfish, self-centered and self-dependent. Self self self. "I don't need anyone else because I can do it myself.""I am the only one who can make it happen.""I control my own destiny." We have been trained to look out for 'number one', to be distrusting of others, and if we want to make it we need to be fiercely independent. We've been taught that vulnerability is weakness, and that showing emotion just gives the 'other guy' the competitive edge. How thick can we be?

Every day 29,000 children die in Africa. I can't save them all. But I can save one, or a few. I might not make a difference in the world, but I can make a difference for that one. We're told we control our own destiny but if I was in their shoes: an orphan with no hope due to factors beyond my control, I'd want someone to make the difference for me. A few years ago I was on a trip to New Orleans, post Katrina. I heard people comment that "this wouldn't happen to me; I have insurance." But the truth is, those people did have insurance. Katrina was ruled a natural disaster, so insurance wasn't obligated to pay. We don't like to imagine ourselves as vulnerable. We avoid it at all costs. How many times do you really consider the needs of those around you? How many times to do you really put yourself in someone else's shoes? When your wait time at the pharmacy is longer than normal, do you realize it's because an elderly patient was just released from the hospital with a new prescription regimen? When you're in a hurry at the grocery store impatiently waiting in line, do you ever think about the mother in front of you who is trying to run errands and still get home in time to get the kids off the school bus? When your expectations aren't met, do you ever think that the person who let you down is dealing with immense hurt or loss and is solely focused on making it through the day? Instead of thinking of 'self self self ' think of someone else first. If your family member was just released from the hospital, you would want their new blood thinner/stroke prevention/antibiotic/pain medication to be the priority. If you were in a hurry, someone letting you go ahead in line would make your day. If you were the one struggling, a patient friend can make things so much easier to deal with.  I challenge you to deny self. Be the difference. Ask someone how they are - and really mean it; listen to their answer. Let someone go ahead of you in the checkout line (or in traffic!) and do it sincerely - not begrudgingly! Or sponsor a child.

I cannot change the world; but I can change the world for that child.