My first real exposure to Africa came through a documentary film about the singer Sara Groves. I had always had Africa in the back of my head, thinking that it was the continent shaped like an ice cream cone, with just a bit of the ice cream about to drip off the side. Being a big fan of Sara Groves' music, when I saw that she had put out a documentary film, I got really excited and picked it up. I wasn't even prepared for what I was about to see.
In the film, Sara Groves does two small things. First, right after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, she loaded up her RV bus with simple things: diapers, canned foods, just those little things people use day by day thinking they'll always be there when needed. Her and her husband Troy didn't even know what to expect when they got there. They met a couple of Christians along the way who directed them to some places to help distribute the things they brought. Watching the faces of people who just received a pack of diapers for a newborn, or watching a family get some food -- the simplicity really hit me.
And then, Sara Groves went to Rwanda. While there, she visited a museum chronicling the Rwandan genocide. At one point, the whole screen changed over to a black and white color as they entered a part of the museum that contained corpses -- a reminder of what had happened there. That was one of the first times I actually started thinking: so often numbers are thrown at us: x amount of people died here, x amount of people starved there, but we don't really grasp the individual lives represented. I had never stopped to think about the people. Each face, each story, each life.
A short time after that I was driving in my car and I started thinking, "There are so many people all around me -- driving in their cars, going places. What are their lives? What has happened to them to make them who they are? What keeps them driving down this road or even just living?" I started praying for the random people in the random cars I drove by everyday -- just asking God to touch them wherever they were at in their lives. To just bring them to Him.
A month ago I got the chance to meet Austin Gutwein. He came to the Beaverton area to do some fundraising for his organization that he started when he was nine years old (he's fourteen now) called Hoops of Hope. They raise money to help kids orphaned by AIDS in Africa, and as I spent some time with Austin, just asking him questions about his experiences, I couldn't help but thank God so much for working through students like him and giving some of them a real heart to follow Jesus, wherever it led.
Austin had seen a World Vision video about Africa when he was nine, and he started asking, "What can I do? How can I help these kids that are in Africa?" The head guy at World Vision asked Austin, "What do you like to do?" And Austin told him that he liked to shoot hoops. So the W.V. president told Austin, "Then do something with that." One thing led to the next, and soon Austin decided to shoot hoops and have people sponsor him for every shot he made. From that simple, simple thing, Austin has raised thousands of dollars over the few years he's been involved in Hoops of Hope -- all for kids in Africa who have been orphaned by AIDS.
It was a simple little thing. But God has used it to change so many lives. Sara Groves did something simple: packing up diapers and giving them to people. But God has used it to help people come to Him. As our team prepares to go to Africa, please pray that we wouldn't forget the simple things: talking to people, praying, just being there. Because so often, it's the simplest things that can have the biggest impact.
-- Shaun Stevenson, AfricaTeam2010
If you'd like to take a look, Austin Gutwein has a book that he wrote about his trip to Africa and about Hoops of Hope. Take Your Best Shot.
Also, Sara Groves' documentary film can be found here: Sara Groves: I Just Showed Up For My Own Life DVD.
12.15.2009
12.11.2009
Guest Blogger: Kendrick Lau -- "My Africa"
“I live in Africa,” my child says to the woman, as she smiles knowingly, as if to say, “My, what an imagination you have.” “It’s true. We do live in Africa. We’re just home on vacation.” “Oh really,” she says, now slightly amused. “It must be exciting for you.”
My Africa is not the Africa of excitement. There are no elephants, no wildebeests, no zebras. There is brown and red, dirt and sand, heat and sweat mingled with the dust. My Africa is not the Africa of mud huts and dirt floors either, although the mud huts and dirt floors are merely a stone’s throw from my front door. No, we have cement floors and running water, electricity and even internet access. Yet my Africa is an Africa where 1 out of every 4th child dies, where people come to my door to ask for help because their spouse has died of AIDS and they’ve just given birth to stillborn twins, but there are still five other mouths to feed at home… and no one else will help. My Africa is a place where I sometimes shake my head with disbelief and wonder if we can go on, until the Lord gently whispers that His grace is sufficient and that His will shall be done… even in spite of my frailty and my failings. My Africa is a place where in spite of the disappointments, I take hope as I stand with national believers gathered at the graveside of one of their faithful, and hear the words of testimony come forth in the Hausa tongue, “I remember when I first arrived in 1969, he was one of the first Christians here, and he took me in…” Surely the Lord is faithful, even in hard times. My Africa is our home, even when the words of my wife both break my heart and strengthen my faith: “As I struggle with how temporal my concerns are, as I wish we didn’t have to give up fresh berries and peaches, the grocery store, family and friends. As we struggle with the self-pity and the feelings of loss over things we’ve left behind to come here, I realize that I can put these on the altar, because Jesus is worth it…”
My Africa is filled with interrupted nights and seemingly endless heat… of incredible need and limited resources… of too much to do and not enough time to do it all. My Africa is where my neighbors are my friends and colleagues, where we struggle as much to keep ourselves fed spiritually as we do to feed others, where we laugh, cry, work, and play together. My Africa is where we call home because Jesus is worth it, and because My Africa needs my Savior as much as I do.
-- Kendrick Lau, Guest Blogger
My Africa is not the Africa of excitement. There are no elephants, no wildebeests, no zebras. There is brown and red, dirt and sand, heat and sweat mingled with the dust. My Africa is not the Africa of mud huts and dirt floors either, although the mud huts and dirt floors are merely a stone’s throw from my front door. No, we have cement floors and running water, electricity and even internet access. Yet my Africa is an Africa where 1 out of every 4th child dies, where people come to my door to ask for help because their spouse has died of AIDS and they’ve just given birth to stillborn twins, but there are still five other mouths to feed at home… and no one else will help. My Africa is a place where I sometimes shake my head with disbelief and wonder if we can go on, until the Lord gently whispers that His grace is sufficient and that His will shall be done… even in spite of my frailty and my failings. My Africa is a place where in spite of the disappointments, I take hope as I stand with national believers gathered at the graveside of one of their faithful, and hear the words of testimony come forth in the Hausa tongue, “I remember when I first arrived in 1969, he was one of the first Christians here, and he took me in…” Surely the Lord is faithful, even in hard times. My Africa is our home, even when the words of my wife both break my heart and strengthen my faith: “As I struggle with how temporal my concerns are, as I wish we didn’t have to give up fresh berries and peaches, the grocery store, family and friends. As we struggle with the self-pity and the feelings of loss over things we’ve left behind to come here, I realize that I can put these on the altar, because Jesus is worth it…”
My Africa is filled with interrupted nights and seemingly endless heat… of incredible need and limited resources… of too much to do and not enough time to do it all. My Africa is where my neighbors are my friends and colleagues, where we struggle as much to keep ourselves fed spiritually as we do to feed others, where we laugh, cry, work, and play together. My Africa is where we call home because Jesus is worth it, and because My Africa needs my Savior as much as I do.
-- Kendrick Lau, Guest Blogger
Our Africa
About a month ago, I sat down in 280 to have a brief meeting with Mike Arzie and Dave Martini. Just before the meeting commenced, as Mike was outlining what we were going to discuss, he threw in a comment so out of the blue I thought for sure he was making a joke (this is a completely safe assumption with Mike). “Oh, and we want to send you to Africa,” he said casually. I laughed uncomfortably, not knowing whether to call his bluff or let myself get excited about the possibility.
Africa? Really?
Well, Mike was being serious. And God willing this January a team of 7 from our congregation will be traveling to Niamey, Niger. The mission is simple: to meet and encourage missionary families living and working in the region through a 5-day conference put on by SIM (www.sim.org). Many know that our church supports Kendrick and Alicia Lau, medical missionaries with SIM at Galmi Hospital in Niger. They are to be our host for the trip and, though plans are still being finalized, the team may have the opportunity to visit the Lau’s home (a mere 6 hour drive from Niamey) once the conference is over.
Each person traveling has a specific role to fulfill within the context of the conference. You may know some of the team members…
Pastor Gary Dozier will be the speaker at the conference. When Mark Sherman asked SIM contact Mike Schmidt about what Gary should focus on as far as text or theme goes, he responded by sharing the simple and sobering reality that missionaries face in this particular mission field: “Niger is a tough country so you can expect some discouraged people who are enduring tough conditions and not seeing much fruit. We need to hear that our God is still in control and mighty enough to act.” Gary is going to be bringing a message of encouragement and hope from the Psalms. He has titled his series “Discipline and Desperation.”
Our Mission Director, Mark Sherman, is going specifically to get a firsthand look at the field where the Lau family is ministering. Additionally, he and Patrick Elliot will, among other conference responsibilities, be leading worship for the conference sessions.
Pastor Mike Arzie is giving leadership to the youth ministry for the conference. The children of these missionaries will be attending the conference with their parents so Mike, Shaun Stevenson, Patrick Elliot, Rose Stubblefield, and myself will be working with 7th through 12th grade students. In considering what this program would look like, Mike was encouraged by Mike Schmidt not to shy away from really challenging these youths in their relationship with God. Mike Schmidt has two teenage children attending the conference with him, and he gave assurance that these youths are spiritually mature and ready for “meaty” biblical teaching. At the same time, he joked, “You can only expect them to parse Greek verbs for so long before they rebel on you.” John Corey (though he won’t be joining the team for this trip) also gave his advice: the life of an MK – especially in Africa – is often an isolated one with not many opportunities to meet with others youths in similar life situations. John’s genuine love for these kids really came out as he encouraged us to make it a time that they can come away from with great memories and newly formed friendships. Invaluable advice to be sure (and with Mike Arzie and Shaun Stevenson on this mission, these kids are pretty much guaranteed a thrilling and memorable time!).
This trip, for our 7 team members, promises excitement, adventure, and encouragement from our brothers and sisters across the world. Please pray for us as we plan this trip. Because for those to whom we will be ministering this may be the first real break in a long time of very difficult, very trying, and very exhausting work. As I read the Lau’s most recent prayer letter I was struck by the simple and straightforward way in which Alicia described Kendrick’s current work situation: “At the moment,” she explained, “he is also needing to cover OB services daily, take call usually every third night, and act as the Chief Medical Officer. He is tired and stretched too thin, and usually quite absent from our family.” Her attitude toward the calling that God has placed on their life is an incredible testimony to me of selfless obedience.
Reading her letter gave me a new perspective and a small glimpse into what missionary life in Niger is truly like. As I considered this new information, I realized that back in room 280, as Mike had talked to me about the possibility of taking a trip to Africa, that I’d imagined the Africa of Hollywood – of wild animals and striking vistas; I’d imagined the “trendy” Africa that is politically and socially so popular right now – with beautiful but malnourished children posing for photographs with the most recent visiting celebrity.
That is not the Lau’s Africa. My prayer is that as we plan and prepare for this trip, our burden becomes increasingly more for the Lau’s Africa – for the Lau family and for the many other missionary families following in obedience the calling of God in one of the most difficult regions of our world. My prayer is that the Lau’s Africa becomes Our Africa; a real mission field where God is moving in the midst of extreme poverty, disease, and hosts of other physical, spiritual, and social obstacles. As I write this note, the words of Jesus are repeated over and over and over to my soul: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
-- Amy McCormick, AfricaTeam2010
Africa? Really?
Well, Mike was being serious. And God willing this January a team of 7 from our congregation will be traveling to Niamey, Niger. The mission is simple: to meet and encourage missionary families living and working in the region through a 5-day conference put on by SIM (www.sim.org). Many know that our church supports Kendrick and Alicia Lau, medical missionaries with SIM at Galmi Hospital in Niger. They are to be our host for the trip and, though plans are still being finalized, the team may have the opportunity to visit the Lau’s home (a mere 6 hour drive from Niamey) once the conference is over.
Each person traveling has a specific role to fulfill within the context of the conference. You may know some of the team members…
Pastor Gary Dozier will be the speaker at the conference. When Mark Sherman asked SIM contact Mike Schmidt about what Gary should focus on as far as text or theme goes, he responded by sharing the simple and sobering reality that missionaries face in this particular mission field: “Niger is a tough country so you can expect some discouraged people who are enduring tough conditions and not seeing much fruit. We need to hear that our God is still in control and mighty enough to act.” Gary is going to be bringing a message of encouragement and hope from the Psalms. He has titled his series “Discipline and Desperation.”
Our Mission Director, Mark Sherman, is going specifically to get a firsthand look at the field where the Lau family is ministering. Additionally, he and Patrick Elliot will, among other conference responsibilities, be leading worship for the conference sessions.
Pastor Mike Arzie is giving leadership to the youth ministry for the conference. The children of these missionaries will be attending the conference with their parents so Mike, Shaun Stevenson, Patrick Elliot, Rose Stubblefield, and myself will be working with 7th through 12th grade students. In considering what this program would look like, Mike was encouraged by Mike Schmidt not to shy away from really challenging these youths in their relationship with God. Mike Schmidt has two teenage children attending the conference with him, and he gave assurance that these youths are spiritually mature and ready for “meaty” biblical teaching. At the same time, he joked, “You can only expect them to parse Greek verbs for so long before they rebel on you.” John Corey (though he won’t be joining the team for this trip) also gave his advice: the life of an MK – especially in Africa – is often an isolated one with not many opportunities to meet with others youths in similar life situations. John’s genuine love for these kids really came out as he encouraged us to make it a time that they can come away from with great memories and newly formed friendships. Invaluable advice to be sure (and with Mike Arzie and Shaun Stevenson on this mission, these kids are pretty much guaranteed a thrilling and memorable time!).
This trip, for our 7 team members, promises excitement, adventure, and encouragement from our brothers and sisters across the world. Please pray for us as we plan this trip. Because for those to whom we will be ministering this may be the first real break in a long time of very difficult, very trying, and very exhausting work. As I read the Lau’s most recent prayer letter I was struck by the simple and straightforward way in which Alicia described Kendrick’s current work situation: “At the moment,” she explained, “he is also needing to cover OB services daily, take call usually every third night, and act as the Chief Medical Officer. He is tired and stretched too thin, and usually quite absent from our family.” Her attitude toward the calling that God has placed on their life is an incredible testimony to me of selfless obedience.
Reading her letter gave me a new perspective and a small glimpse into what missionary life in Niger is truly like. As I considered this new information, I realized that back in room 280, as Mike had talked to me about the possibility of taking a trip to Africa, that I’d imagined the Africa of Hollywood – of wild animals and striking vistas; I’d imagined the “trendy” Africa that is politically and socially so popular right now – with beautiful but malnourished children posing for photographs with the most recent visiting celebrity.
That is not the Lau’s Africa. My prayer is that as we plan and prepare for this trip, our burden becomes increasingly more for the Lau’s Africa – for the Lau family and for the many other missionary families following in obedience the calling of God in one of the most difficult regions of our world. My prayer is that the Lau’s Africa becomes Our Africa; a real mission field where God is moving in the midst of extreme poverty, disease, and hosts of other physical, spiritual, and social obstacles. As I write this note, the words of Jesus are repeated over and over and over to my soul: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
-- Amy McCormick, AfricaTeam2010
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