The Continuing Adventures of Kobus Viljoon

Hey! Hey! You guys! The roof is coming in! Come quick!

I hear the voice of 9 year old Michael Plodinec yelling across the house. It’s early April in Polokwane South Africa and a huge storm is blowing across Limpopo- perhaps one of the most intense I’ve seen.  I run into the family room. Water pours down from the ceiling onto the family piano and all over the floor. Quickly the piano is moved and containers are placed to catch the dripping water. The three of us (Timothy, Daniel, and I) stand looking at the ceiling. Almost concurrently we come to a realization- when the rain is past; we won’t be able to see where the water is flowing into the roof. In an instant the three of us strip off our shirts and run outside into the storm. I run to the other side of the house and climb up on the garage to get on the roof. I’ve been outside about 10 seconds, and any previous dryness on my person has now long been saturated. I run across the roof carefully- making sure I have sure footing on each step. A flash of light and cracking sound burst almost concurrently. I instantly look for cover- there isn’t any up on a roof, so I continue on. I arrive to the place on the roof where the rain is leaking in.

“I don’t see anything!” I yell above the cracking thunder and deafening sound of the pouring rain.

“It’s should be right there!” Timothy yells back.

I can’t find anything. I climb over to the lapa and slide down. I step inside the door- shivering. TIA (This Is Africa) I think.

As I write this I’ve been on this continent for 83 days-in 83 days you can figure out if you love or hate somewhere.

I love it. 

Is it the people? The land? The activity? I’m not sure. Perhaps it’s just the feeling one gets when walking down the road with the African sunset in the distance- and thinking (as a Yankee), “I live in AFRICA.” (It may just be the lower price of meat actually…).

As previously mentioned, people are the same everywhere- they lie, cheat, steal, murder, etc, etc. More importantly, most of them stand condemned before a righteous, just, and holy God. However, as stated by some of the missionaries, there IS a difference between talking to a person in the states who considers themselves a “good” person, and talking to a Shangaan who may or may not have ever even heard the name of Christ Jesus. That is the purpose of missions. To make His name known among the nations- and not only to make His name known, but His Word as well through the discipleship of church leaders.

It’s been almost a month since my last update. Although I’ve been almost constantly busy the last few weeks, I’ve found an hour, so here goes:

 I must begin by telling of a sin of mine.

The weekend after my second Mozambique trip went quickly- very quickly. Saturday was “Golf Day”- the annual fundraiser for Samaria Mission. I caddied for Gabriel Pretorias (officially my mentor while I’m here). He complained about the game (the game of golf in general). I laughed mostly. I found two lizards on the course and stuck them on top of my hat- one eventually fell off, but the other stayed on the whole day. At the end of day I gave them away to John Pretorias- a young Afrikaans boy. He promised to take good care of “dinosaur” as he named it.

  

   Ok, now to my sin. Sunday went by quickly- I ended up at the Beaklys house that night. A Peace Corps worker who stays with the Beaklys on weekends was making plans that night to pick up her friend from the airport in Johannesburg the next day. She planned to do so utilizing taxis and busses and overnight backpackers. Evan Smith (a good friend of mine who lives with the Beaklys) and I came up with an idea. “Why don’t we just drive you down to Jo’burg, we’ll overnight with a family the Beaklys know, and come back on Tuesday?” Then we got another idea. What if we created Afrikaaner personas and introduced ourselves to our “friend’s friend” as such? We started to scheme.

  

     In the morning the plans were made final. We would leave at 1 PM and pick up our new friend from the airport at 5. I used the morning to get comfortable with driving on the “wrong side” of the road. At 1 we were off. We spent the ride down listening to Owl City (after Hot Air Balloon being the song we could most agree on as a group) and talking through our testimonies of faith in Christ Jesus. We arrived at about 4:30 and went to Subway in the airport- the only one we knew of in South Africa. While the choices were limited, we were nevertheless grateful and settled for what we got (we even took pictures of our sandwiches). We went back downstairs and looked for our new friend. In about 15 minutes time she walked out of the terminal. We watched as two friends were reunited. A hand was extended to me. “Hello, I am Kobus, welcome to South Africa” I said. Evan offered his hand: “Johan”, he introduced himself as. We took her bags and we all walked toward the door. Somehow we managed to keep our Johan/Kobus personas intact for about a half hour using lousy white South African accents, pretend Afrikaans gibberish, and by acting like we knew what we were talking about.  After Kobus was asked: “Are Johannesburg and Pretoria one city or two?” he burst out in awkward laughter- along with the other two individuals who were in on the practical joke. Thus went a long explanation of our deceitful crime- all the way to Pretoria. We overnighted in Pretoria with the Viljoons- a delightful Afrikaans pastors’ family. We watched “Last of the Mohicans” that night at their house. It had been a long time since I had seen the film. After the depressing end, the credits started to roll and I made a profound comment:  “Bummer”. Thus became the new “inside joke”.
 

   

   The rest of the week was quite nice. Wednesday and Thursday I worked at the mission farm with both Joseph and William. Friday myself and several friends traveled east to Hanaertsburg and Debingeni falls. It was absolutely gorgeous. The water was cool and clear, and the scenery was spectacular (www.youtube.com/davidthebravid for a video).

   The same day, William Vaughn called me at 8:30. “Listen David, the family and I are going out of town for a week; would you want to watch the place?” I instantly agreed. I had one full week as a “bachelor”. My own house, car, and dog. While it got a tad old at times, it was so nice to have some alone and quiet study/reading/meditating time. The car I was entrusted with was a Nissan from the early 90s… and the brakes stopped working midweek. I am now quite good at downshifting and using a parking brake to stop myself.
On Sunday, Johan Pretorias greeted me at church. He asked if I remembered the lizard that I had given to his son. I affirmed. He then proceeded to tell me how he had looked into it's species- turned out it was an endangered species that kept a 22,000 rand fine for "removing from its environment". Thank goodness he had released it.  

     The past two weeks have been spent doing various maintenances at the Mission Farm- checking camping equipment and this week working on trucks.

I’ve learned much. I have yet much to learn.  

Into the Bush Once More (An Update on the Past Several Weeks)

I have returned once again. First an update on the last few weeks.


In the days closer to my arrival here in South Africa, I was worried about the amount of activity and work here (that there was not a sufficient amount to keep myself busy with). My concern has been proven misplaced. The last several weeks I've been assigned to Sean Mullin and Gabriel Pretorias. They are two great Samaria missionaries who I've learned much from, and have been privileged to work with. We spent two weeks doing work on a drilling rig which we planned on taking 90 km into Mozambique to to drill a well. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we could not get it ready in time as it still had much work that needed to be done (which we observed when we finally got if fired up). We had other duties to perform at Xchicambane, Mozambique, so we left on Monday morning with the others (Joseph, William, Mark, Kenneth, Derrick, Member). We needed to put in an electric pump, and deliver all the

orphan food to the various villages, while Joseph, Derrick, William, Mark, and Kenneth did the pastoral training (for pastors from the various villages along the Limpopo). I was picked up by Sean on Sunday at 3. We spent the afternoon loading up all the various gear we needed for the trip. At about 6 we were finished and retired to the house. I had heard much at about Aunt Gena's ginger beer, and was offered a glass finally. I readily accepted, though the container looked a bit inflated (see picture).

It had quite a bite to it, and I sat down on the couch and was watching television. A few minutes later I felt like I had put on about 100 kg. I asked for another glass. Aunt Gena said that I had to get off the couch and take a shower before I could have any more. I sat there for 2 & 1/2 hours (I tell this as an informative account of an American's attempt to immerse himself in South African culture). I finally did get off the couch and took a shower, and then went to bed.
     At 5:10, there was a knock on the bedroom door. I quickly got dressed and went out to finish with the last minute packings, and had a cup of tea before hitting the road (I've become quite fond of South African tea). It was about three-four hours before getting the Punda Maria gate (Kruger National Park). Upon arising the weather was quite pleasant and we hoped for it to continue into Mozambique. Upon our arrival into Kruger, we knew it wasn't going to be. After about an hour and a half, we arrived at the Pafuri gate (Mozambique/SA border).

Sean remarked as we entered into Mozambique how it was one of the easiest borders to enter into (and as an former pilot who's flown all over Africa, he would know). We got out of our trucks. It was hot. Very hot. All of our shirts were drenched with sweat as we waited to be processed. It took about 20 minutes, and we were back on our way to Umbuzi. We arrived after about a half hour of driving, and left Mark, William, Member, and Derrick to set up for their stay. I stood by. Joseph looked at me and said: "You say you want to start driving here? Pull my bucky up to that tree." So I did. It was only a few meters, but I was happy to get behind the wheel of any vehicle, as I hadn't in almost 2 months.
     Once again we were on our way again to Xchicambane (a good 60 km from Umbuzi). The trip was relatively uneventful. Because it hadn't rained in a long time, there were no epic puddles to cross through as there had been previously. Not having a working ipod attachment, Sean and I listened to his ipod using a headphone splitter (Journey, Foreigner, and ELO). Somewhere near Matselalie (a good 40 km from Umbuzi), a lizard ran across the road. I almost yelled "is that a dinosaur?!?!", but I was too speechless to say anything. It must have been half a foot high and a meter long!
    We arrived at Xchicambane at around 5:30, and after setting up camp got to work on putting the electric pump in so we'd have water (Xchicambane was once a sort of "base" for Samaria, and has there a church, kitchen, storeroom, two showers, and two bathrooms). It took several hours, and we finished around 7:30. While standing at the pump, a number of locals came around us. One of them started to speak Afrikaans, but I didn't realize it (Afrikaans, Shangaan, it's all foreign to me). After dinner we put some finishing touches on the pump and turned it on, we were able to shower and collect water from underground. I took a nice cool shower, and drifted off to sleep.

     Next morning, I woke up at about 7, and headed to the kitchen for morning tea and rusks (think hard sweet biscuits). Sean came in and started going through the kitchen action packer. He grumbled that the inventory wasn't correct. Joseph came up and asked: "Do any of your action packers have Vaughn on them?". "Of course not!", Sean replied. "Then we have the other guy's food", Joseph retorted. Thus began the long trip back to Umbuzi to deliver the other guy's food to them. I climbed in the landy. Sean said: "You better put that seat belt on". I did. The trip usually takes 2 to 3 hours (depending on road condition). It was 7:30, and it was our goal to get to Umbuzi by 9, which was tea time. I'm not sure if I've had a more exciting ride. Six Flags has nothing on blazing through the Mozambique countryside. At one point, about 9 baboons ran across the road. It looked like we ran over one, but he made it by a hair.
     We arrived at Umbuzi at 9:10. They were very happy to see us.
      We got back to Xchicambane at around noontime. We ate some pap and soya with the other leaders. I was feeling extraordinarily tired, and went into my tent to lay down. As I have previously mentioned, it was HOT. I woke up two hours later and my sleeping bag was drenched with sweat. The rest of the afternoon was fairly uneventful. I read some, chatted some. One of the villagers brought some nuts over (don't remember the name; they were like no nut I've ever tasted). I started to chow down when Joseph said: "You know, those are only for married guys."
I gave him a confused look.
"What?"
Joseph is married. He likes being married. A lot. He likes to give me a hard time. I didn't eat anymore nuts for a while (after some more questioning, he said that's what they say to make sure THEY get all the nuts). I laughed.
Kenneth is also married (everybody here is except me). He said (after we had been sitting for a few hours): "Well Mistah David, why don't we take a walk down to the river." We walked the 2 km down as the sun was setting. I told him about my Dutchess years, and how much I had hated them at first, but was planning on returning once more, and the ministry I was planning on being involved with. We didn't quite make it to the river because it was getting to dark.
     Back at camp we had some curry and rice, perfectly complimented with cool cokes. We discussed theology for several hours before turning in. I mostly listened.

     We arose at 6 on Wednesday morning. Joseph and Kenneth returned to teaching, and Sean and I straightened out the orphan food and then broke camp. It was hot humid. Waiting for them to finish up the training, we sat under the large lapa outside. The children from the school had been invited to take part in lunch (more pap and soya). I showed them all the pictures on my ipod, then showed them Tetris, then played music for them. Sean had a greater. A camera. He took pictures and showed them themselves. It was time to pull out the artillery. I grabbed my videocamera and showed them video of themselves.
      We left Xchicambane around 2 and headed back to Umbuzi, arriving around 4. Sean, Joseph, and I set up camp while Kenneth started a fire to brai with. Oh was it good. Close to the best brai I've had since arriving. Chicken, vors, and potatoes. Around 8 different villagers started to drift over to the church building (four wood poles and a 75% completed grass roof). I was walking in from the latrine when Joseph said something to me: "David, they are waiting for you to preach".
"Say what?"
"They are waiting for you to preach."
"What do they want me to preach on?" (my heart had found itself up to my throat)
"Usually salvation or how to live a proper Christian life."
*gulp* "Well, I could do one on Galatians 5."
Kenneth arose and went over. "You know they're going hand it over to you if you go over there." Joseph told him. "I know it."
Needless to say, I didn't preach that night, but Joseph said "Next time I'm going to get you ready to preach.", so as of now, next time we're at Umbuzi (May), I'm preaching!
We sat slightly outside of camp (Joseph and I) and discussed many things. Kenneth and Sean came over, and the conversation turned once again to matters of theology.
Sleep eluded me to a degree Wednesday night as I had a pounding headache that was waking me up, but at 6 the next morning we completed our morning duties and made our way back to Pietersburg (I arrived back at 12:30).
Once again I've made my way into the bush!

I've learned much since arriving, and every Moz. trip I learn even more (even if it's just how much I don't know).

Missions can be incredibly frustrating and discouraging. When you spend weeks working on something that ultimately doesn't pan out, it's only more so. However, it's those times when we realize if we ARE actually willing to step out in faith and be used by God, even if circumstances are difficult and/or discouraging.


Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.- Colossians 3:23

The Dark Continent

Africa has been labeled as the "Dark Continent". I'd like to make a suggestion. Howa'bout we just say "The Dark World."
It's true. Africa often experiences a greater depth of human tragedy when compared to other places on our planet, but at the heart of it, while living here is different, it's the similarities that are more startling.
People are the same. Everywhere. That's why the gospel needs simply to be proclaimed with the only difference being a change in language among cultures. The heart still is as black as death unless God does a work in it- the heart of a New Yorker or a South African.

I know, I know. Why go to South Africa when you can do ministry in NY?
While people are the same everywhere, being in the Dark Continent provides what being stateside does not.
Experience. Education. Perspective.
The opportunities are more than golden... they're like... silicon (there's a big silicon mine a few K's away).

Bottom line. The Dark Continent doesn't need "safe-sex" education. It doesn't need teams of immature teenagers in "Jesus" t-shirts taking pictures playing soccer with orphans.
The Dark Continent needs the gospel of Christ Jesus-and not a one time deal that gives a "get out of a jail free card", but a faith that results in a worldview that completely and totally saturates every single life philosophy and decision. Faith only comes by hearing, and hearing from the word of God.
It is the only way to bring light to the Dark Continent.
It is the only way to bring light to the World.

Sample Exposition

This is my second exposition for Expository Preaching 110 here at Christ Seminary, Polokwane South Africa. It's just to give you a taste of what I've been up to of late. (NOTE: T/A means: Talking about, U/Q means: Unasked Question)

1 Corinthians 10:13 Exposition                                                              David Harris February 17, 2011

How to deal with Temptation

A.    Dominant Part: Temptation

    T/A? Enduring Temptation.

    U/Q? How to avoid falling into temptation.

B.     Developing Part

How does the text answer the unasked question?

1.      Prepare for the temptation by knowing that it is to be expected.

2.      Look for the way of escape that God provides.

Proposition Statement: Three ways to Endure Temptation

Body:

  Introduction

       Oscar Wilde once said: “The easiest way to deal with temptation is to give into it”. This is quite a contrast from what we find in 1 Corinthians 10:13; “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  Still yet, yielding to temptation is so often one of the most defining issue in the lives of Christians. It is obvious from this passage that God does not want us to yield into temptation (which would be sin), but wants us to instead to place our faith in Him to see us through the temptation. So what ways does God prescribe for us so that we may escape temptation?

      Preparing for Temptation   

    The first antidote given in this passage to keep the Christian from yielding to temptation is to expect it. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” This is an all encompassing statement. It leaves nothing out to its readers. The intent is to communicate that all temptations have been experienced by man, so like the preacher in Ecclesiastes says, “There is nothing new under the sun”. While second naturedly analyzing this statement, it may not occur as something all that monumental, but once in the throes of temptation it may be hard to believe that there is no area of temptation that hasn’t been previously experienced, overcome, or given into. It is important to remember that the same God who “does not cause anyone to be tempted” is also the God spoken about here who “provides the way of escape” (which we’ll look at later).

       To know that temptation is to be expected is important to the Christian in the same way it is important for a general controlling an army to know and expect the enemy army to attack him and his army. The threat is the impending doom that a victory by the enemy army will bring imprisonment, tyranny, and death. In the same way, we see in James 1 this displayed in a parallel way: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it is conceived gives birth to sin, and when it is fully grown gives birth to death.”  Temptation is the first in a chain reaction that leads to sin, and then eventually leads to death- just as the victory by the enemy army eventually results in death. We see thus that it is extremely critical in dealing with temptation to know that it is to be expected and we can prepare to face it when it comes.

       Motivation to Resist 

     Thinking about Oscar Wilde’s statement, we see the perspective of one who is not in Christ. Without Christ, any motivations to resist yielding into temptation eventually all prove futile. The next sentence in verse 13 gives the motivation for the Christian to resist temptation. “God is faithful”; this motivation comes back to Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross, and His will for us to be sanctified (1 Peter 1:2). Within His faithfulness we find that He “will not allow you (us) to be tempted above your ability”. Knowing that God, in His faithfulness, will never allow any temptation to befall us that we cannot handle, we can also be more aptly prepared to deal with temptation on its arrival.

     The Way of Escape

      While the mid-section of this verse gives us our proper motivation for fighting off temptation, the final section gives us our other antidote to use when we encounter temptation. Just as the first section gave us“foreknowledge” to expect temptation, and therefore be ready for when it comes, the final section of the verse instructs us on what action we are to take once the temptation has come.

      Throughout history, people in other in pagan worldviews have arrived at countless ways to combat temptation to sin (or what their worldview deems as sin). Some even have gone to constructing towers where they would reside “away” from earthly desires, and thus become more holy. However, the Christian worldview acknowledges that man in and of himself cannot achieve anything close to the holiness of God (“All our righteous deeds are as filthy rags before Him”, Jeremiah 64:4), and even if one only errs at one point of the law, he is still guilty of breaking the whole of the law (James 2:10). Also, we know from 1 John 1:8 that if “We say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”. Thus we see that a Christian will never totally be rid of sin in his earthy life. With this in mind, we do not need to sink into the “slough of despond” when we sin, but confess our sins because “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Since we are to live in expectation of temptation, and also that we will stumble, then we need a surefire plan of action once we are “looking in the eye” of temptation. We find the plan of action presented in 1 Corinthians 10:13 to be one of profound simplicity. “But with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” So far we see that according to His faithfulness, God will not allow any temptation to befall us that we cannot handle. Here we see that God also provides a way out of every temptation that comes upon us. So often Christians think of themselves as “super Christians” that can handle any temptation that comes and still not fall. However, here we see that it is God’s will that we not remain “in the same zip code” as the temptation, but escape it altogether. We see this principle in action in 1 Timothy 6:11: “But as for you man of God, flee these things (false doctrines, the love of money, etc.)” and 2 Timothy 2:22: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” The only battle plan presented here is a retreat, because the man of God knows where he is most likely to be tempted, and most likely to fall. God wills not that we attempt to “tough out” temptation, but we escape the temptation without once looking back (as the wife of Lot did in Genesis 19).: Proverbs 1:10-17 is a father giving wisdom to his son concerning the temptation to sin with others: “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.”(KJV) Notice there is no confrontation between the tempters and the tempted; instead the tempted is advised to simply “refrain thy foot from their path”. Consider Eve in the Garden of Eden who fell to the tempting of the Serpent. Instead of simply fleeing, she conversed with the Serpent until he convinced her that God had withheld some good from her husband and herself. She gave in, and then Adam, following in her footsteps, also gave into the temptation and neglected to flee. We now live with the consequences of the first human temptation to be given into. We should think of temptation as a deadly and terribly contagious disease that will bring almost instantaneous death if contracted.

    Conclusion

       Since we have so clear a battle plan for fighting temptation laid out for us in 1 Corinthians 10, we ought to use it! By utilizing the foreknowledge shown to us that temptation will come, and thus prepare for it, and by looking for the way of escape once the temptation is present. Whatever the temptation to sin may be, it is included in these verses- lust for money, sexual desire, temptation to steal, covet, murder, lie, or even bow down to false gods. To the tempted, it may be hard to believe that their temptation can even be overcome, but we see clearly in this text that God is faithful to those who trust in Him. I therefore challenge you to trust in your Savior and Redeemer by utilizing the tools he lays out for you in 1 Corinthians 10:13 by preparing for temptation, and fleeing away toward the way of escape as if your life depended on it, because it does.  

Africa Update: Into the Bush

Today marks the end of my second week here in Africa. A week ago today, things took an interesting turn of events that I didn't foresee at all. I had been looking forward to going into Mozambique on Monday for the whole previous week- excitement, adventure, purpose! However, a week ago today, I went alone to the Savannah mall (about a kilo and a half away from where I stay), and decided to jog there- hadn't done any since I had arrived. I was having a lovely jog- beautiful day, perfect temp..., just lovely. When all of a sudden, it happened. I tripped over myself in a pothole. My foot practically when perpendicular to my leg, and a unbearable stinging, sharp pain filled my ankle for a few seconds, as I started to hobble, stumble, and trip along the road. Eish. I thought for a second. "This is NOT good". I made my way back to CBC (for "Burger Bash") and stumbled in to tune up my mandolin for the music practice. "This ISN'T good" I kept thinking. My biggest fear was not going into Mozambique on monday. The music and youth group went by, and I jammed with some others after it, and then Phil (a student) drove me back to the Plodinecs. I was trying to remain positive as I drifted off to sleep, hopeing and praying that everything would work out and I could still go. Then the morning came.
     Slowly I lifted myself out of bed and put my feet on the ground. I gradually rose to put weight on my left foot, praying that it would be better. Nope. The pain made me lose balance and fall back onto the bed. Eish. Mr. Plodinec drove me to a sports store to get a brace for my foot. That day we were supposed to clean up the yard area, but I sat in bed... and tried not to mope.
    The pain was rather fierce that day, but Sunday I saw Doctor Mark-a doctor for the missionaries. He asked me: "Do you want to be a football (soccer) player?
"No, not really", I returned;
"OK, then go to Mozambique."

I got various warnings from others, but Monday morning, I was riding in a buggy to the Mozambique border (loaded up on pain meds). I talked most of the way with William Vaughn, the director of Samaria Mission. We arrived in Xicambane (after dropping off another team in Umbuzi). Xicambane is 90 kilos into Mozambique- a three hour drive with the condition of the roads. About 40 kilos from Xicambane, we made a quick stop in Matselali- the village I spent two weeks in back in 2009. I wondered if anyone would remecocnice member me.
We pulled up and saw chief Robert, a kindly middle aged man who was also the pastor of Matselali Baptist Church. Then we saw Daniel- and Uncle William said: "EY!!" (sorry, inside joke for those who there there in 2009)
Then I saw them. The NINOS. There were a group of about four or five who followed me around everywhere back in '09. They didn't remember me- but I sure remembered them. I had a Tsonga/English dictionary in my hands, and I was trying out different phrases and words on them- then I "guitarra"; Portaguesee for: guitar. Then I thought it, and the the word came out of my mouth: "banjo". I made a strumming motion with my hands. Suddenly, one of the kids (Ave, I remembered his name because it was easy, and he's the one on the left in the picture) rose to his feet; his eyes became large, and he shouted out: "DaVEED!" then several more chimed in, they remembered. I was beaming.
We arrived at Chicambane at a quarter of six- the electric well pump was broken, so we'd have to pump it ourselves manually- my job. We (myself and an Afrikaaner boy named Joel) about half full when it happend again. I was carrying a bucket of water to the drum, and I tripped yet again on my bad ankle. Pain shot through my foot and I grimaced, but kept on working. I wasn't too happy that night. The day had been good, but my thoughts were on the increasing pain in my ankle, and the possibility of malaria. Nevertheless, I slept well, and awoke the next morning to the sound of Afrikaans and Tsonga. It came upon me that for the first time in my life, I was among people of another continent- and I was the ONLY American. It was frustrating at times over the next few days because at certain points, all the whites would be speaking Afrikaans, and the blacks speaking Tsonga- and me... well, I know Spanish, and that's similar to Portaguesee- which the speak in Mozambique... so lost basically. Tuesday was an interesting day. I spent most all the day as an observer- studying and taking note of how everything worked. There were 7 of us; two translators, Joseph and Kenneth, Uncle William, and three Afrikaners who were along for the ride (oh, and me). Our purpose for being in Mozambique was to train pastors- specifically from the book of Acts. I sat in on the teaching; it was very hot in the church, and it was in Tsonga- so I didn't pickup much. We shared a traditional Mozambican meal with the deacons and pastors (pop with a curry sauce, eaten by hand), then there was more teaching, but I spent the next segment getting to know my Afrikaner companions (we discussed South Africa, America, theology, and Mandela mostly). My ankle was feeling surprisingly better that evening- so I decided to accompany some of the men on a 10 kilo walk (remember, 1 kilo is 2.2 miles). I was thinking as I walked away from camp: "eish, this probably isn't such a good idea". It was very nice. Mozambique is beautiful in the summertime, especially during sunset. We walked to the flooded Limpopo river, and then returned for some chow, took some very quick showers, and went off to bed.
Wednesday came. And an awkward situation with it. It turned out during the night, a man in the village had died... and now was being buried. The deacons/pastors said that they could no longer commit to the training session, and needed to to take the day off, which meant we could go home if we wanted to- but there was a problem: we were already outsiders coming in to "put" our own beliefs on them. How would it look if we simply took off and left after a death? Kenneth traveled to the burial sight to see if we could help with anything- he had already been buried. We packed up and left at about 1, hoping to make the border before 4 (when it closes down). We made it to Umbuzi where the other team was, but they hadn't packed up, so we had to make camp there and wait until morning to get back to SA. We had a great evening though- we braied (that's barbecue to my American friends) and swapped jokes and theological thoughts.
Thursday morning we all packed up and headed out back to SA. We experienced some minor car trouble, but it appeared to be only some mud caked around the tire that was causing undo friction upon the vehicle. We arrived back in Pietersburg at 2:30, and my ankle (as it is as I write this) was feeling miraculously better.

Several things I've learned:
1. I already knew this, but: "Man plans his way, God directs his steps"
2. If you ever need to kill time waiting for a burial, collecting over one hundred 4 inch crickets (or, demon bugs, because they bite) is a great way to do it.
3. Humanitarian work without the Gospel is in vain and useless.
4. Someone outside the culture of a particular group will always be an outsider- which is why godly men from WITHIN the culture are so important to have in this type of ministry.

5. You can overcome language barriers- you have to.


We head in again in 6 weeks, and I am excited to see what unforeseen plans God will have for us. I was bit by mosquitoes 7 or 8 times- I was taking some medication, but it only reduces the chances of getting malaria; I really hope I don't, one of the guys on our team has gotten it 4 times, and apparently it's not too nice. 

 

Africa Update

Deciding to spend 6 months in Africa isn't a decision that one kind of comes to casually. I'm very aware of this. It took many days of walking around school with a blank stare on my face (because my mind was hard at work; it's weird I know, it's just what I do), and laying awake in bed many a night wondering what I should do. Well. I made the decision, and here I am. I arrived on January 21st, and now it's the 26th (got a little under 5 months before I'm "stateside" again). This Monday I'm traveling into the nearby country of Mozambique (looking at several trips there over these next few months). Today I traveled to the mission base for the organization I'm working with. I spent the day demolishing a bathroom. I know some might think after traveling 9,000 miles to a foreign place, "now I'm just doing manual labor?". However, I enjoyed it greatly... I don't know what it is exactly, but after months of working only for myself (though as believers we never really work only for ourselves), there is something magnificently joyous about using my own two hands to be a service to fellow believers. My greatest fear is still present however- it's my fear of not being useful. Sure, I'm here to learn (and the seminary classes are very instrumental in that department... so is watching people fix trucks), but I'm afraid of NOT being useful- just being a burden to those I've worked so hard these last couple of months to serve with. Matthew 19:29 says: "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." I realize what I've "left behind" to come here, but with the given verse above, I realize (even if it's slightly taken out of context), God WILL use me if I submit to Him- even if the use comes later from learning from THESE experiences.

Flying

On our way, driving quite fast,
Oh!-but how many cars we pass,
We've got to get there in the next hour-
But we know that things are out of our power
In an hour I need to be flying,
Or to home I will sit driving;
Not much time left, but I think we'll just make it
Don't drive to fast, or we may get a ticket;
 "Wait!- but what's that way up ahead"
"it's a traffic jam", my brother said;

The red lights blink, and my heart sinks.

"You plan and you try, and you try and you plan, and then you hit a traffic jam."
- Last quote coined by Scott Harris on January the 13th, 2011