Still working on something substantial

I still haven't sat down to type out something in the form of a summary to post. So in the place of a summary, I will provide you with some other reading options.

Nick Haywood and Jake Blair driving around the country visiting National Parks/Forests and other places of interest. They are really struggling for interesting stuff:
http://americaclockwise.blogspot.com/

Brian "Pervis" Dunn biking the TransAmerica Trail to raise money for Compassion International. Brian spent the last 2 years in Ntungamo, Uganda working for Compassion as a Peace Corp Volunteer. God is doing some cool stuff on the trip:
http://bikeforcompassion.blogspot.com/

Pictures of our trip are coming soon.

Greetings from Kenya

I have no pictures to post at this time due to the fact that I am in an Internet cafe in Nakuru, Kenya, but I promise that we are here. I will keep this short because I imagine that anyone who reads my blog also gets the email updates. But anyway, we have 2 more days in Nakuru, Kenya, then we are on to Narok, Kenya and then Uganda each for a week. So we will be home in 17 days or so. Kenya is wonderful and we are still healthy and really enjoying this time of learning and growing in God's plan.

Hope all is well with you and I will update the blog probably when we get home, but maybe before we leave Africa.

Final Preparations

Can't believe it is Wednesday night. I am in Illinois right now doing some training for work. Tomorrow I leave around 3:00 to drive home. Hopefully I will get home by about 8:30PM. I think I finally have all the logistical details worked out for the Kenya to Uganda and back segment (a.k.a. I have a general idea on what we need to do to get there), which is week 5 of the trip. With that done, I can mentally relax for the night. Tomorrow night we have to pack everything. A lot of it is laid out already so that should speed things up.

This week was interesting. I found out that there was paperwork and stuff to fill out and do at work to get the official "OK" to take personal leave. I had already gotten permission from my manager long ago, but apparently there is "Official" procedures. Well I spent about 24 hours worrying that I was going to either not have a job when I got back, or have to pay back all sorts of money. But I talked to someone today and was quite pleased that it isn't going to be any trouble at all. So, thank you God. It is hard to keep my mind on training when something so much bigger is just hanging over.

Such is the life of a part-time missionary....

Our flight leaves in about 36 hours. This is definitely going to be my last post for a long time. I should have plenty to talk about when we get back. If you aren't on our supporter email list and you want to be, email me.

Pray for us...

The Long Road to Ntungamo

So lately we have been planning our final week in Africa. Duane will be staying behind in Narok, Kenya to conduct the final HIV seminar. Saturday we hope to do a short safari in the Maasai Mara, which is a national park with plenty of wild beasts of the field and of the air. The Maasai people are probably what you picture when you think of African tribes. Sunday afternoon Beth and I will make the 2-3 hour drive ~60 mile drive to Nairobi. We will stay the night somewhere and catch a 0700 bus to Kampala, Uganda. This trip is approx. 450 miles and is said to take anywhere from 12-22 hours! Traveling is so unpredictable in Africa. We may have an uneventful trip with only a hot, uncomfortable ride lasting 12 hours. Or we may have to change buses two times, get held up while a herd of cattle mosey their way across the road, turn around because the dirt road washed out, or get robbed by bandits, which could last 22 hours. All things we have either experienced or read about people experiencing on trips like this. I am also very curious about the border crossing from Kenya to Uganda and getting our Visas there.

Once in Kampala we will stay at a hostel that we have been to before (we may see a flushing toilet!) for a night and get up early again to catch a bus to Ntungamo. This trip is something like 200 miles and should take "6 hours". Once we get to Ntungamo we can settle in and relax for the night. We will then get up early to catch a ride to Mbarara where we will meet Compassion staff. They will take us the rest of the way to the village where Naturinda Emmanuel lives. We get to tour their child development center and then visit with Emmanuel and his family for about 4 hours. We have already been to a child development center (essentially a school run by Compassion for the neediest children who can then be sponsored) and met many wonderful children in the program, but meeting the little boy that we are actually paying for to go to school and get a full meal every day and receive Christian teaching who otherwise would not be able to have any of that, will be incredible.

We will then head back to Ntungamo, and spend the following day visiting with our friends there. The next morning we get up early and do the trip back to Kenya in reverse. Hopefully we will get to do some shopping in the big Kampala markets. When we get back to Nairobi we have to find Duane, spend the night somewhere and get up early to go to the airport and fly home, via Nigeria.

...its best that we just stay positive about the potential for issues in that week.

Clifty Falls State Park

Josh, Andrew and I went to Clifty Falls State Park last weekend. It is really a great park, a real winner for Indiana. A bunch of waterfalls, and a long trail that is literally just the creek bed. We had to cross over it numerous times. I am not sure there is a better park in Indiana, but I'll try to find one. The trail we were going to start on was closed due to landslide, but the park redeemed itself.

Flight Itinerary

So it definitely feels real now. The plane tickets have been purchased and boy, is it going to be rough. Upside: including connections, we will be touching ground in 6 different African countries. I am a map nerd so that excites me a great deal. Downside: 21 flying hours from Indy to Zambia, 18.5 flying hours from Kenya to Indy.

Here is the scoop:

Getting there
--------------------------------
Friday, May 16th
Indy to Atlanta - 1:34
Atlanta to Dakar, Senegal - 8:55 (landing at 4:40am Senegal time)

Saturday, May 17th
Dakar, Senegal to Johannesburg, South Africa - 8:35
Johannesburg to Lusaka, Zambia - 2:00
--------------------------------

Zambia to Kenya
--------------------------------
Saturday, May 31st
Lusaka to Johannesburg - 2:10
Johannesburg to Nairobi, Kenya - 4:00
--------------------------------

Getting home
--------------------------------
Sunday, June 22nd
Nairobi to Lagos, Nigeria - 5:00
Lagos to Atlanta - 11:55
Atlanta to Indy - 1:40
--------------------------------

*Collapse*

That is only 5 weeks, not the 6 we were originally planning. We were trying to plan a trip to Ethiopia for the final week, but it didn't work out. That means I don't have to go back to work a day after we get back. Wooh frequent flyer miles!

Counting down...

Zimbabwe

I hope this isn't a trend that we will see repeatedly in African countries over the next few years. Or maybe I do? Zimbabwe just had a presidential election. Like Kenya, the opposition party claimed that they had defeated the long time leader. They still have not released the official results after days of waiting. Some speculate that the president is intending to rig the outcome (as he supposedly did last election). In Kenya, they had weeks of tribal violence until the two leaders decided to form a unified government to stop the violence. Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe, 84, has been in power for 28 years. In that time, Zimbabwe's economy and life expectancy have become some of the worst in the world. The inflation rate is at 100,000 percent! Life expectancy is 39.5 years.

This is bad because, if more situations turn out like Kenya's, there will be violence. In these cases, it seems like the leader on the way out does not want to give up command so easily, and can often refuse to step down. In Kenya, around 1,000 people were killed due to violence related to riots and clashes between tribes. So if Kenya can erupt that quickly into killing, what can happen to other countries where tensions are even greater?

On the other hand, if Mugabe steps down peacefully, the new leader (likely Morgan Tsvangirai) will have a chance to turn things around (like Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Liberia). I think the US is willing to help out, as this NPR article suggests. Zimbabwe can become a partner with the US and other UN nations again after they had originally avoided dealing with Mugabe when he became increasingly more oppressive to the people. He is currently not allowed to travel to the US or many European countries.

The tragedy is that in so many of these countries, a leader gains power through a military takeover of some unpopular leader, and has widespread support of the people in the beginning. But as the years go by, the leaders rig elections, give more of their supporters "elected" positions of influence and find more ways to oppress the citizens. The country's economy fails, the people suffer horribly and this leader becomes worse than the former.

Frustrating...

Gearing Up

This phrase can be used in two ways. And in two ways we are using it. We are currently gearing up to go to Africa for six weeks. We are preparing our bodies, our minds, and our spirits for the journey ahead. Jake speaks often about what lies ahead for him, there is one career certainty for him, that his school year ends soon. Possibly this is the only thing that is certain for him. A scary place to be, but one that can be enjoyed if your trust is in God, as I know Jake's is. In the same way, we are very certain about this trip that lies ahead. It has a clear purpose, a clear beginning, and a clear end. Well, the end is not so clear because the "end" of this trip can blend into the beginning of something bigger, therefore not being an end, but just a point on the line. There are so many options for us after that, nothing is certain except that God will use us. That's all I have to say about that.

We are also gearing up by acquiring gear that we will need for the trip, and for our hiking hobby henceforth. We went to REI recently and purchased a Kelty pack for Beth, got a killer deal on it using the 20% off for new members deal. I really enjoyed using my pack as a suitcase in Africa last year. It is much more versatile than a roller bag. I also got an REI brand Flash UL daypack.

Yes, it is ugly, in a nice sort of way. It is 1,000 cu. and can be worn as a backpack or stuffed into a pocket. It weights just 10 ounces. I can strap it to the outside of my big pack and not have to worry about how I am going to carry two backpacks. It was only $25!

We also got Beth a headlamp to match mine, which are essential for late night "short calls" when you don't want to have to hold a flashlight in one hand and do everything else with the other as you squat.

We just ordered a pair each of Chaco sandals that were just over 50% off from Sierra Trading Post. That will beat my flip flops any day. They can be worn in nearly any circumstance, and we can carry our boots and the sandals and leave our tennis shoes at home.

Now all we need are some sweet safari hats to protect us from the Equator sun.

Sometimes we stop and think, "does all this buying go against what we are really about?" Well, somewhat. On one hand, we only buy things that are great deals, shopping on the outlet websites and using member deals, etc. I watch Steap and Cheap constantly since they only post things that are more than 50% off. We also only buy things that are going to be useful in multiple facets of our life. This generally means use for hiking and traveling overseas. On the other hand, hiking is one of the most expensive hobbies, and the amount of gear you need before you are actually overnight-trip-ready adds up in cost fast. So we are adding items at a pretty slow pace. And because of the cost, it could be argued that we could find a better use for this money. But for now I think these are smart purchases. We just have to continue to go light on other hobbies and entertainment costs.

I have no deeply spiritual book that I can quote from right now, I will leave that to Jake.

I will leave you with these facts about Zambia from the 2001 Operation World book:
Area - 752,614 sq. km.
Population (2000) - 9,168,000, growing at 2.27%, 12 per sq. km
Income/person - $370 per year

Language
Literacy - 78%, declining annually, 25% functional
Official language - English
All languages - 41
Languages with scripture - 15 full bible, 8 NT only, 6 in progress

Religion
Christians - 85%
Traditional ethnic religions - 12.6%
Muslim - 1.4%

HIV
20-25% of population infected (less in recent years)
650,000+ AIDS orphans (more in recent years)

Ford Recalls Mustangs

Ford is recalling 400,000 Mustangs model year 2005-2008. If you own one, I suggest you take it in to your nearest dealer. Here is why:

"the passenger-side airbags may pose the risk of neck injury to small women or large children riding in the seat with the safety belt unattached."

I think it is a good thing for Ford to do this "voluntary recall" and that it is as easy as reprogramming the airbag software. However, if you are actually among this risk demographic, then you need to reprogram your brain software. Is it not common sense for adults to ensure that children are wearing seat belts? I think the risk of not wearing a seat belt poses a bit more than "the risk of neck injury".

I guess if it was a specific safety standard, then Ford needs to comply, but it is a shame that someone would still be able to sue a car manufacturer for injuries or death to their family when the person wasn't wearing their seat belt.

A Challenge To You: The Reader

As you may have heard, there has been talk of a recession recently. I have CNN.com up on my computer throughout my work day so I noticed right away when an article came up saying that the government was thinking of including rebate checks to millions of taxpayers as part of the stimulus package. They were estimating that it could mean up to $1600 per married couple. I got pretty excited about that, as I thought of the many ways that Beth and I could spend that money. We have several large loans to pay back, we have many hundreds of dollars worth of gear to buy before we can actually go on a week long backpacking trip, as well as other gear for the Africa trip, etc, etc. However, this excitement lasted about 15 seconds. I realized right away that God had other plans for this money that we would potentially be receiving. And as I am learning to do lately, I became OK with that notion, and I gave the money up to him before even knowing where it was going to go, how much it would be, and when.

Then the news article came across CNN saying that it was for real, the checks would be up to $600 for single taxpayers and $1,200 per married couple (more for each child), and they would be sent out starting in May (after everyone has filed their taxes). President Bush signed the bill Wednesday the 13th, its official. If you file taxes this year and you make less than $75,000/$150,000 you will qualify for the full amount. Congratulations.

Now here is my challenge. Give this money up right now to God, before you even receive it. I know that you can list off many things that you could use it for also. But I guarantee that he will show you where he can use it most effectively, to help someone, and to glorify him. Don't worry about the recession, our economy will recover from it (isn't it a self-fulfilling prophesy anyway?). Don't worry about yourself, God has blessed you abundantly.

Look at this from Malachi 3.

8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'

"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

I am not addressing tithes, but it is about offerings. The Lord says "Test me in this" and when we do as he says we will see him "pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it". That is God's truth and it goes beyond financial blessings.

So what can you do? Pray for God to reveal to you the person or place that your rebate check needs to go to. I guarantee that you can bless an entire family who is struggling, who either didn't qualify for the rebate or still needs more. I guarantee that you can pay for that old neighbor's medication for several months. I guarantee that your church or a Christian organization can use that money to literally save the lives of starving or sick children in Africa/Asia/eastern Europe (or on your city streets!). Get creative, God knows lots of ways to help.

I mentioned that when God laid this on my heart, I did not know where we were going to send the money. Well a few days later we were approached by someone with a specific need and we knew that God had provided the opportunity. I was originally going to explain details of this specific giving opportunity, but in church last Sunday, we were reminded about what Matthew 6 says. I think what you decide to do with this money can remain between you and God. If your motive for doing this is at all rooted in the desire to gain attention and admiration, then you won't be glorifying God. Although if you like this idea I would love to hear that you are thinking about it.

This is my challenge to you, where does your passion rest in the Kingdom of God? Send your tax rebate there. You will feel peace. This is how you store up treasures in heaven. If you have yet to experience full surrender of your finances and the abundant blessings that result, I urge you to dive in head first.

Enjoy God's blessings, and enjoy sharing them with others.
Matthew 6:19-21