If anyone's out there checking this out.. I just wanted to say that my goal is to get this blog going again sometime in February (then it will have been a whole year since we were active - ouch!). Sorry for the long silence.
If you haven't been following much of what's happening in Zim, here's an article I read recently: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=nw20090127072324528C690254&set_id=1&click_id=68&sf=. The SADC said they had a breakthrough, both Zim political parties have agreed to a unity government, and it will be sworn-in in 2 weeks. I hope they're right, but unfortunately, I'll have to see it to believe it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Covert Joy
We had our second meeting a couple of weeks ago for Unheard Voices and it is safe to say that Casey and I were disappointed in the turn out. We had one person come, but it ended up being a good time of prayer. It gnaws on you though. The doubts bite like little gnats at your skin. “I want so badly to do well for you God.” I say in my heart. Recently though I have begun to realize the Joy that has fostered there in my heart almost covertly. Joy with a big “J” because of where it comes from and covertly because often am so unaware of what is doing in my life. I tell other members of my local church body that God is doing something in South Africa. I say it with conviction and hope, full of the now and not yet tension that is such a part of the Vineyard. The doubts nibble at and bend me. “Are you doing enough?” “What are you even really accomplishing?” But that is when I strike upon that cornerstone part of my heart. When I feel torn down torn down to my foundations, I find that Joy waiting. It tells me how wonderful it is that I get to be apart of what God is doing in Zimbabwe—that I get to pray and expect real change in a country that I have never even set foot inside. It is the Joy that comes when you know you are doing exactly what God wants you to do. Praise God
Monday, January 28, 2008
Healing, Calling Out, and Pizza
Reconciling…lets face its hard. Deciding to let go of that righteous pride that comes for being wronged, can be like throwing your fist against a stone. Over the past few months, more slowly than I would like, I have been reading Doing Reconciliation by Alexander Venter. He is a white South African pastor with the Vineyard movement. He explains in his book that in order to heal the deep wounds that apartheid cut in all of South Africa, you must be actively engaging in the work of reconciliation. It challenges me everyday. How can I do that? Where is it to be found?
I read today a chapter in Venter’s book about the biblical view and background on reconciliation. It showed how God has always been about this subject—bringing back to himself that which is separated. When Adam and Eve sin, and hide themselves away, it is God that actively searches for them; calling out “Where are you?” That is profound. God show us the model. Even though He was the one that was sinned against, He still sought them out.
Recently Casey and I were having one of those serious talks about our relationship—which for some reason always seem to happen at CiCi’s Pizza—and I realized that both of us were just hiding; sowing fig leaves of blame to cover ourselves instead of calling out to each other. That is where reconciliation begins. But, like I said, its hard.
I read today a chapter in Venter’s book about the biblical view and background on reconciliation. It showed how God has always been about this subject—bringing back to himself that which is separated. When Adam and Eve sin, and hide themselves away, it is God that actively searches for them; calling out “Where are you?” That is profound. God show us the model. Even though He was the one that was sinned against, He still sought them out.
Recently Casey and I were having one of those serious talks about our relationship—which for some reason always seem to happen at CiCi’s Pizza—and I realized that both of us were just hiding; sowing fig leaves of blame to cover ourselves instead of calling out to each other. That is where reconciliation begins. But, like I said, its hard.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Black Friday
Early in the morning, before the sun begins to rise, I head out of my house, down a dark, but not-so-lonely road for this hour. Others were out before me. I arrive at the parking lot and scour it for a spot that’s remotely close to the building—it’s cold! Other cars are doing the same, and one cuts in front of me for the best available spot... I drive on and park at a distance, only to walk up to the building and join the long, scraggly line down it’s side. The front of the line is more of a mob than a line, with several people crowding to be first., not pushing—yet. There were quiet conversations everywhere.. Accented with puffs of steam. The unlocking of the doors may as well have been a gunshot signaling the start of the 100 meter
dash. And, like a race, only a few receive the medals, walking up to the registers with their new, discounted, t.v.
I shopped on Black Friday this year. I arrived at a store at 5:30a.m. so I could get a coupon that would make a gift I wanted to give more affordable. When the day was over, and I looked back on it, I realized that I had read stories just like this one before, stories from Zimbabwe.
One of these stories was written by a reporter for the LA Times just a few days prior. Robyn Dixon wrote that in Harare, Zimbabwe, people were “waiting for bread for nearly two hours” outside a supermarket. Three people made their way to the front of the line and “a rumble of discontent” rolled through it “like a thunderstorm”. However, it wasn’t just any anxious shopper trying to get in the front, but 3 brazen police officers.
People waiting in this line weren’t sitting down due to lack of sleep or boredom, but collapsing from hunger. These lines are a matter of life and death. The hungry wait in line for food, but also run the risk of being trampled, once the doors are opened, or groceries are brought out.
In Zimbabwe, every day is black Friday. You don’t just find these lines occasionally outside of supermarkets, but daily at banks, as people wait hours to withdraw some money.
While our long lines are generally to get the best deal or the perfect gift, I hope that through my story, and your own similar experiences, that you can begin to understand what life is like for a person in Zimbabwe.
dash. And, like a race, only a few receive the medals, walking up to the registers with their new, discounted, t.v.
I shopped on Black Friday this year. I arrived at a store at 5:30a.m. so I could get a coupon that would make a gift I wanted to give more affordable. When the day was over, and I looked back on it, I realized that I had read stories just like this one before, stories from Zimbabwe.
One of these stories was written by a reporter for the LA Times just a few days prior. Robyn Dixon wrote that in Harare, Zimbabwe, people were “waiting for bread for nearly two hours” outside a supermarket. Three people made their way to the front of the line and “a rumble of discontent” rolled through it “like a thunderstorm”. However, it wasn’t just any anxious shopper trying to get in the front, but 3 brazen police officers.
People waiting in this line weren’t sitting down due to lack of sleep or boredom, but collapsing from hunger. These lines are a matter of life and death. The hungry wait in line for food, but also run the risk of being trampled, once the doors are opened, or groceries are brought out.
In Zimbabwe, every day is black Friday. You don’t just find these lines occasionally outside of supermarkets, but daily at banks, as people wait hours to withdraw some money.
While our long lines are generally to get the best deal or the perfect gift, I hope that through my story, and your own similar experiences, that you can begin to understand what life is like for a person in Zimbabwe.
Beginnings
Unheard voices had it is first official gathering to discuss the Vineyard Community Church’s ministry to Zimbabwe and South Africa. There were 11 people from our church body that attended and the meeting began with an introduction to the plight of Zimbabwe, as shown in the documentary Frontline: Zimbabwe Shadows and Lies, produced by PBS. This provided interviews and footage of food shortages, people fleeing the country, and long unemployment lines. After watching the video we began to discuss some of the ways that we can help the situation there and our plans to partner with the Valley Vineyard in Johannesburg, South Africa, to provide ministry and aid. Currently the borders of Zimbabwe are effectively closed to foreign aid, so our body prayed not only for a opening up of the boarders but that God would speak to us about how we can prepare and be ready administer aid once that happens.
We continued to stress the importance of prayer and talked about other examples of dramatic change happening in other African countries through the efforts of dynamic and consistent prayer. God was present in our body as this happened and there were words spoken, hearts broken, and the tilling of new ground as we began walking out the calling that God has given us.
We concluded the meeting with a mention that Human Trafficking for the sex industry is a growing problem in Zimbabwe and that we will through our meeting begin to talk about racial reconciliation as it is a on going issue in the region. The next meeting will be Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 2pm.
We continued to stress the importance of prayer and talked about other examples of dramatic change happening in other African countries through the efforts of dynamic and consistent prayer. God was present in our body as this happened and there were words spoken, hearts broken, and the tilling of new ground as we began walking out the calling that God has given us.
We concluded the meeting with a mention that Human Trafficking for the sex industry is a growing problem in Zimbabwe and that we will through our meeting begin to talk about racial reconciliation as it is a on going issue in the region. The next meeting will be Sunday, January 20th, 2008 at 2pm.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
People doing good in Zim
Ever heard of Dispatch? They're an indie band that broke up several years ago, but came back together this past summer to host a concert to raise money for Zimbabwe! We didn't go, but wanted to recognize them here. They're aim is to provide humanitarian support to Zimbabweans through building and supporting community growth. Check this out for a brief video they made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jfEqJx1Xz8.
Side Note: Another band doing good work is Fall Out Boy, who has worked with Invisible Children (Uganda): http://www.invisiblechildren.com/fob/index2.html.
Side Note: Another band doing good work is Fall Out Boy, who has worked with Invisible Children (Uganda): http://www.invisiblechildren.com/fob/index2.html.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Good Samaritans and Good Excuses
This past Sunday, I attended "Let Justice Roll Down", a meeting at my church where we gather to pray and learn how to fight against human trafficking. We were discussing how we need to learn to see the little clues that scream that a person is being trafficked or abused.... their code words and actions, and the actions of the people "close" to them. But I realized, that I see the telltale signs of the impoverished daily and usually do nothing.. why would knowing what to recognize in trafficked victims make any difference? Just about everyday I pass the homeless guy on the corner.. I've given him something a couple times, but not much. I don't even know his name. Usually I just try to avoid eye contact. I have my reasons.. he may not really be homeless.. so many people today make loads of money panhandling, right? Who has those figures anyway?
It's just like the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 - we're all like the good Samaritan, right? We would never pass by a person in need. Ha.. I can hear my excuses now... a secluded passage with no one but me and this guy on the ground. He's probably just sleeping, yeah? Or maybe, he was jumped, and his attackers are coming back any minute and if I stay to help, they'll get me too and then we'll both be on the ground! Or maybe he's sadistic and he's just waiting for someone to come "help" him so he can attack. No one else is around.. how would I defend myself? If I was a man.. or if I had someone with me, sure I would help.. but since I'm a lone female.. I think I'll just walk by to play it safe. Maybe those excuses sound a bit ridiculous to you, but I have a good imagination and can easily believe them as long as keep them to myself. It's only once I say them aloud (or post them publicly for everyone to see) that they're brought to the light to expose their foolishness. Do you ever reason like that?
To overcome this I asked God to forgive me for my current thought patterns, and today I put a bag together with a blanket, new socks, hand wipes, a few snacks, and a list of the nearest shelters and soup kitchens. The next time that man is standing on the corner, I'll be ready. And, I'll ask him his name.
It's just like the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 - we're all like the good Samaritan, right? We would never pass by a person in need. Ha.. I can hear my excuses now... a secluded passage with no one but me and this guy on the ground. He's probably just sleeping, yeah? Or maybe, he was jumped, and his attackers are coming back any minute and if I stay to help, they'll get me too and then we'll both be on the ground! Or maybe he's sadistic and he's just waiting for someone to come "help" him so he can attack. No one else is around.. how would I defend myself? If I was a man.. or if I had someone with me, sure I would help.. but since I'm a lone female.. I think I'll just walk by to play it safe. Maybe those excuses sound a bit ridiculous to you, but I have a good imagination and can easily believe them as long as keep them to myself. It's only once I say them aloud (or post them publicly for everyone to see) that they're brought to the light to expose their foolishness. Do you ever reason like that?
To overcome this I asked God to forgive me for my current thought patterns, and today I put a bag together with a blanket, new socks, hand wipes, a few snacks, and a list of the nearest shelters and soup kitchens. The next time that man is standing on the corner, I'll be ready. And, I'll ask him his name.
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