Thank you all for praying for Brian. It is sure a blessing to be able to send a message from Zambia, Africa around the world and have people praying on every continent!
Just how serious is malaria? Luckily we are in an area that does not have the most serious kind, cerebral malaria. There are four strains. I am not sure which strain Brian got. He was so cold yesterday when I did the blood test I couldn’t get a good sample, and didn’t want to use up extra tests. His symptoms were definitely malaria, so doing a test was more for practice of how to use them.
Malaria is pretty serious, especially if you are an ex-pat or a child or malnourished already. Ex-pats are considered at higher risk because they usually aren’t in a malaria area long enough to build any resistance to it. Since we have already been here 3 ½ months, it’s not as bad as say, if it were the first week. I don’t know how it works, but the longer you are in a malaria zone, you actually develop a resistance to it. Children are obviously just smaller and may not be as strong to fight it. And if you are already underfed and malnourished (eating rape and nshima every meal isn’t exactly a balanced diet), you can imagine it will do a lot more damage than to someone who is healthy. BUT, it is treatable and responds well to medication. Within hours of the first dose you do start to feel better.
I have never understood how they do large statistics-saying 10 million new cases of malaria and 2 million die… I don’t know if those are just confirmed cases, or if they figure an average or what. But it seems everything here is malaria. Got a fever? It’s malaria. Joints ache, it’s malaria. Got a headache? It’s malaria. They really don’t get many of the other sickness we in the states get, so they are scared that everything is malaria. Two students thought they had it last week, but didn’t. You aren’t exactly jumping around and doing work if you have malaria and they were!
Where did he get it? Probably in Lusaka. Some of the areas we go to for supplies aren’t exactly the neatest. There is standing, dirty water. He (or we) have been in town at least once a week since we got here, so it’s highly probable he got it there. It takes 11-15 days on average to show up, but can take up to six weeks. One Pastor friend got it in Mozambique two years ago and it didn’t show up for a couple of weeks later in the States.
So what does it feel like? How about the worst flu you’ve ever had?! Not flu like stomach flu, but influenza. It started with just a sense all day that he didn’t feel right. Down in the shop it felt like something hit him. He came home, had a sandwich and laid down. We have a homeopathic malaria med, DEMAL 200, that is used as a preventative, and can also be used as treatment. So we started following the directions for treatment. Within about 20 minutes, he was freezing under 4 blankets, sweets and a sweatshirt. Demal actually kicks your immune system into gear to start fighting the parasite, so it speeds up the actual malaria process a bit. Without it may have taken longer to get to that point. Every muscle, joint, and other part hurt. Hurt like you can’t believe. At this point he wasn’t really nauseous. If you aren’t freezing cold and throwing up, you probably don’t have malaria the doctors here would say. After freezing for an hour or so and continuing treatment, he switched to burning up. We kept with the treatments and he did a lot of sleeping. He took some vicodin for the pain before I climbed into bed for the night too. Through the night he wasn’t too warm, but then got real cold again early this morning. I don’t think we had kept with the Demal long enough. About 4 am he got up to go to the bathroom and threw up. After that, we switched to one of the other malaria medications we got here (you just buy them from the chemist (pharmacist) and keep on hand). I also gave him promenthenize (sp?) for nausea and some liquid vicodin for the pain. He has basically been sleeping since then. I am trying to keep the kids quiet, but well, there are 7 of them! He sat up for awhile had a cracker and a sprite, then went back to sleep.
He got out of bed for a warm shower (did I mention we are borrowing a 40 gallon water heater so we get warm water for showers?! At least when there is enough water in the tank to get good pressure), some soup, pop and then tea. He has already been up reading emails (thanks again for your prayers!), and right now he is drop planting some flower seeds outside. John and Witness were not going to leave until they say him, so he stepped out to say hello before they had left.
Malaria hits you hard, but thankfully the medicine hits hard too! Keep praying for a full, quick recovery. Knowing him, he will start to feel better, do too much work and get run down. Pray he is able to take the rest he needs to fully recover and get his strength back.
It doesn’t make him feel any better, but really, we are glad it was him who got it first, not one of the kids. Now we know better what to look for. We will also be better able to diagnosis the students too.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
prayer warriors needed immediately!!
Brian has malaria. More details to follow. please pray for Yahweh Rophe, the Lord who Heals to miraclously heal him quickly. claim the power of Jesus name-there is power in the blood!!
thank you
thank you
Sunday, February 22, 2009
sunday the 22nd
Sunday morning, it is never dull. Mariah got a comb all twisted up in her hair. It took about 30min to cut the comb out without cutting her hair. But it was in vain; the hair was so knotted up that we had to cut it much to the displeasure of myself and Mariah. If it was up to mom she would have just cut the comb out right away, which would have been a lot quicker. But I had to try and save her hair. I told her she can have extensions put in, which eased the pain a little. Mariah is a 10 yr old girl that looks easily 16. It is rather easy to forget that she is only 10. She also has been clearly gifted by GOD. She has a very sensitive spirit. She has a gift with children like I have never seen. Kids are drawn to her; she can calm even the most upset child. Something that happened in the states about 6 months ago was confirmed just a week ago by 2 of the national pastors here at the school. 6 months ago I was sitting at my kitchen table doing some reading; the kids were just sitting on the floor in the living room reading and playing. I looked up and began watching them. That was when GOD began to show me a window into Mariah’s future. I could see her many years down the road taking care of many children. She was in some third world country. That was when I realized that she was not going to be living in the states for any extended time. It was honestly a bitter sweet moment; GOD has incredible plans for her and is going to work through her to touch many lives with HIS love and tenderness. But that I am not going to be there first hand to see it because GOD is going to have me someplace else. Last week on the way back from town the 2 pastors here out of the blue tell me that Mariah is going to be a missionary. “They could see it” is what they said. They told me about the gifts they have recognized in her and that they think she will never leave Africa. Last week in school they were discussing matrimony and Mariah said she didn’t think she’d get married and mom asked her what she would do. Didn’t she want to have some kids? Was she going to an orphanage and take care of a bunch of kids?” Yeah, maybe was the response. WOW, 10 yrs. Old and she senses something (a calling) in her heart. Well I better get to church, don’t really want to. I’m here alone and the house is quite. That just doesn’t happen. During the day there is almost always someone around needing something so finding that peace can be difficult. Better go-not like you can sneak in.
from mariah
Here is an ordinary Sunday: Get up about 06 hours (at least I do), read until time to eat, then maybe if we didn’t take showers the day before, do that). Then we get dressed and clean up and then the kids star walking down to church (in the finished classroom) We sit on picnic tables. Then it’s time for Sunday school. The kids go in an unfinished cabin. Our teach is one of the students named Isaac. We learn a bible verse and then we practice songs to sing in church. First we say our memory verse and then the other people sing. Then either Pastor Henry or Dad or maybe Nathan preaches. Then we pray and someone starts a song and we all walk out and form a line. Every time someone gets to the end, they stand at the end too. Then everyone goes to get ready to eat. So that’s the ordinary Sunday morning and afternoon. See ya, Mariah
from cybil
It’s fun but it’s not fun. It’s not fun because we don’t have our friends here. It is fun because we get to make new friends and try new foods. The new foods, nshima (the main food), rape, caterpillars, kapente, pumpkin leaves, chicken (killed the same day). Nshima is made out of Mealie Meal (maize) and water. Rape is like lettuce and rhubarb. Caterpillars are picked off of the tree. Kapente is fish. Pumpkin leaves are sort of good. Chicken is very good. The meat here is very good. Fritters are like doughnuts and are good.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
PICTURES-FINALLY!!!!
On Saturday, January 31st, 2009, twelve students and their luggage arrived...all in our land cruiser-in one trip!
Students clearing land in the nursury
Teacher Brian in the garden working on one of the mounds that we plant in.
the kids Sunday school class praying
Pastor Cliff Morris from Dublin, GA, the acting dean got to preach the first two Sundays.
The kids choir
a little garden friend
He changes color!
My-row-n
Myron eating with John and Witness
No, those are not pants he is wearing
one variety of catepillars
here's some more beauty for you molly!
the John Deer 4020 and the brush hog
a taste of home
pooped out-literally!
Myron and "backhoe Joe"
all the kids love Mariah!
Henry!
the haircut
Brian, Witness, John, and the Lions 
They were greeted with songs.
Students clearing land in the nursury
Teacher Brian in the garden working on one of the mounds that we plant in.
The first service at COLLEGE COMMUNITY CHURCH. 
the kids Sunday school class praying
Pastor Cliff Morris from Dublin, GA, the acting dean got to preach the first two Sundays.
The kids choir
a little garden friend 
He changes color!
My-row-n
Myron eating with John and Witness
No, those are not pants he is wearing
one variety of catepillars
here's some more beauty for you molly!
the John Deer 4020 and the brush hog
a taste of home
pooped out-literally!
Myron and "backhoe Joe"
all the kids love Mariah!
Henry!
the haircut
Brian, Witness, John, and the Lions
culture shock from another side
2 Corinthians 1:4 (NASB95)
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
So, culture shock really isn’t fun at all. But here we are, seeing God use it. When Nathan and Tim came, we saw they had gone through it, but with out anyone to really wade through it with them or explain some of it. Now, lo and behold, we see 12 more people we (Brian) need to help adjust.
The 12 students who are here are going through a little culture shock. 8 of the 12 came from the capital city of 2 million people and have never lived in the bush. The other 4 come from village areas, but they have many more people (I guess the Chongwe area (don’t know how big that is) has a population of around 200,000). We are OUT IN THE BUSH. There are people around, but driving down the road, you don’t see too many homes. So this is a big change for all these students. We currently don’t have a radio or TV for them to use to stay connected to the world either (we don’t try to stay connected anymore! Ignorance is bliss sometimes! Say, does Minnesota have a senator yet???). And this is Africa-football (soccer) is a BIG DEAL. The Zambian team starts playing this month.
So, as we are closer to the “other side” of the culture shock, now we are able to help these guys deal with some of this. To be able to at least help them recognize it and push through it. They want to be here, they want to learn, but it is a big adjustment. Culture shock isn’t just for moving from one country to another. People in the States can go through it moving from one town to another in the same state! These guys are cooking their own meals, washing their own clothes…all those things Western college kids go through, just with less of what we would consider “modern conveniences”.
Since I have been sorting already, we are finding them a few board games, and there are more books to go through down in the Shop too. We’ll look to keep them busy, but also having fun. It’s can’t be all work and no play!
Today the 12 of them were out front in the nursery clearing ground. We only had the 6 hoes going and they cleared a huge section in two hours or so. Imagine how much they will do once they all get their garden equipment!
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
So, culture shock really isn’t fun at all. But here we are, seeing God use it. When Nathan and Tim came, we saw they had gone through it, but with out anyone to really wade through it with them or explain some of it. Now, lo and behold, we see 12 more people we (Brian) need to help adjust.
The 12 students who are here are going through a little culture shock. 8 of the 12 came from the capital city of 2 million people and have never lived in the bush. The other 4 come from village areas, but they have many more people (I guess the Chongwe area (don’t know how big that is) has a population of around 200,000). We are OUT IN THE BUSH. There are people around, but driving down the road, you don’t see too many homes. So this is a big change for all these students. We currently don’t have a radio or TV for them to use to stay connected to the world either (we don’t try to stay connected anymore! Ignorance is bliss sometimes! Say, does Minnesota have a senator yet???). And this is Africa-football (soccer) is a BIG DEAL. The Zambian team starts playing this month.
So, as we are closer to the “other side” of the culture shock, now we are able to help these guys deal with some of this. To be able to at least help them recognize it and push through it. They want to be here, they want to learn, but it is a big adjustment. Culture shock isn’t just for moving from one country to another. People in the States can go through it moving from one town to another in the same state! These guys are cooking their own meals, washing their own clothes…all those things Western college kids go through, just with less of what we would consider “modern conveniences”.
Since I have been sorting already, we are finding them a few board games, and there are more books to go through down in the Shop too. We’ll look to keep them busy, but also having fun. It’s can’t be all work and no play!
Today the 12 of them were out front in the nursery clearing ground. We only had the 6 hoes going and they cleared a huge section in two hours or so. Imagine how much they will do once they all get their garden equipment!
catching up
Unfortunately, we are behind. We have many things we would like to post about, but the list is getting long. That means we won’t be able to do them all justice, but better put the info out there and start a fresh!
We just transplanted a couple of tomato plants out of the landscaping rocks in our front yard. How did they get there? Well, apparently Brian was eating his tomato there and some seeds fell, and presto…plants!
Christmas letters-so I didn’t get out a real family Christmas letter this year, other than our regular newsletter. But I just realized I didn’t get any Christmas letters from most of you!! If you still have them, please email them to us at calltoobedience@gmail.com. They are fun for us to read!
Please feel free to send us your prayer requests, as we put ours out on the blog and to our prayer team. It helps us to keep a focus on prayer as well and on others and off ourselves. Send them to our email and we will gladly pray for you!
Please pray for all the kids, but Henry especially as they all have nasty colds. Cybil also has a lot of sores on her legs. They started out as bug bites but got infected.
The last two Sundays at church, we’ve been amazed to hear Cybil and Mariah sing solos with the children’s choir! They are 2 of the 4 oldest, and they usually sing the verses while the other kids join the chorus. That is pretty cool for us-I always wanted a singing family! The little ones love to sing, except in public, so this is a big step for all of them to just be upfront each week.
We came home last Wednesday from a day of business in town to see that Hailey had cut Myron’s hair. Not like a little snip, but the whole back was almost gone! So out come the clippers. Sue told me a #2 would be the cut she gave him; she just didn’t say 2nd biggest or 2nd smallest. Not thinking, we did 2nd smallest. So, now he has a Brian cut! Looking at his picture, we asked “who’s that?” He answered, “Myron”. He always used to answer Bubba (or Jesus, not sure where that came from…). Apparently since he cut his hair, he’s a big boy and that means Myron!
Catepillars-yes they eat them. They are in full season here around the trees. At various times we see people coming with buckets of them. There are many varieties and colors. They will take them and boil with salt for 1-2 hours. Oh yes, this is after they “gut” them. After boiling them, they rinse them and lay them in the sun to dry for a week or so. When it comes time to eat them, they fry them in oil with onions and tomatoes.
Myron just goes and goes, and than, bam-he’s out. Wherever he may be-the table, the floor, the toilet…
We just transplanted a couple of tomato plants out of the landscaping rocks in our front yard. How did they get there? Well, apparently Brian was eating his tomato there and some seeds fell, and presto…plants!
Christmas letters-so I didn’t get out a real family Christmas letter this year, other than our regular newsletter. But I just realized I didn’t get any Christmas letters from most of you!! If you still have them, please email them to us at calltoobedience@gmail.com. They are fun for us to read!
Please feel free to send us your prayer requests, as we put ours out on the blog and to our prayer team. It helps us to keep a focus on prayer as well and on others and off ourselves. Send them to our email and we will gladly pray for you!
Please pray for all the kids, but Henry especially as they all have nasty colds. Cybil also has a lot of sores on her legs. They started out as bug bites but got infected.
The last two Sundays at church, we’ve been amazed to hear Cybil and Mariah sing solos with the children’s choir! They are 2 of the 4 oldest, and they usually sing the verses while the other kids join the chorus. That is pretty cool for us-I always wanted a singing family! The little ones love to sing, except in public, so this is a big step for all of them to just be upfront each week.
We came home last Wednesday from a day of business in town to see that Hailey had cut Myron’s hair. Not like a little snip, but the whole back was almost gone! So out come the clippers. Sue told me a #2 would be the cut she gave him; she just didn’t say 2nd biggest or 2nd smallest. Not thinking, we did 2nd smallest. So, now he has a Brian cut! Looking at his picture, we asked “who’s that?” He answered, “Myron”. He always used to answer Bubba (or Jesus, not sure where that came from…). Apparently since he cut his hair, he’s a big boy and that means Myron!
Catepillars-yes they eat them. They are in full season here around the trees. At various times we see people coming with buckets of them. There are many varieties and colors. They will take them and boil with salt for 1-2 hours. Oh yes, this is after they “gut” them. After boiling them, they rinse them and lay them in the sun to dry for a week or so. When it comes time to eat them, they fry them in oil with onions and tomatoes.
Myron just goes and goes, and than, bam-he’s out. Wherever he may be-the table, the floor, the toilet…
Monday, February 16, 2009
losses
LOSSES WE HAVE TO GRIEVE, and we all knowing GRIEVING is a process!
A Stable home-a finished home!
Safety
-Physical-snakes, bugs, malaria
-Mental-exhaustion, much asked of us
- Spiritual-much more susceptible to spiritual warfare
Competence-we knew we could do our jobs and do them well before; now there are more doubts as this is all new, all different…
Identity-we were the dairy farmers, the prayer people, the family with all those kdis!
Support system-our prayer group, our friends, our church, bible study
Quickly and easily attained goals-With agriculture nothing is accomplished very quickly. And we have general goals, but they aren’t as clearly defined as they were before.
A Stable home-a finished home!
Safety
-Physical-snakes, bugs, malaria
-Mental-exhaustion, much asked of us
- Spiritual-much more susceptible to spiritual warfare
Competence-we knew we could do our jobs and do them well before; now there are more doubts as this is all new, all different…
Identity-we were the dairy farmers, the prayer people, the family with all those kdis!
Support system-our prayer group, our friends, our church, bible study
Quickly and easily attained goals-With agriculture nothing is accomplished very quickly. And we have general goals, but they aren’t as clearly defined as they were before.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
paradox
PARADOX- “A statement or proposition seemingly self-contradictory or absurd, and yet expressing a truth.”
This is a biggie! The kids learned this as a "pair of ducks". The Yeah Duck and the Yuck Duck.
We need the freedom to talk in paradox. When we say something from our perspective, we aren’t necessarily looking for you to add to our perspective or try to change our perspective; we are looking to process our own. So, if we say, “It’s hot out”, we’re aren’t looking for, “no, this ain’t hot…”, a better response would be “It sure is. Does the heat affect you in any way?”
The focus then stays on what we are saying and we are inviting discussion on the SAME side. Stay on our side until you understand what it is we are saying, and why. Let us talk in paradox. Here’s an example from our training : “I wish we had never gone to Africa. I have seen God working so openly and powerfully during our time there.” Our hearts can and will have both thoughts at the same time. The pain of what it cost to be in Africa and the joy of seeing God work reside in our heart at the same time. Allowing these statements to lie side by side without weakening one is part of living in paradox. Our tendency is to use the positive statement to weaken the negative statement but both statements are real and powerful as they stand alone. We can explore each of the statements as a stand alone perspective, and they are both true and they both have value.
This is a biggie! The kids learned this as a "pair of ducks". The Yeah Duck and the Yuck Duck.
We need the freedom to talk in paradox. When we say something from our perspective, we aren’t necessarily looking for you to add to our perspective or try to change our perspective; we are looking to process our own. So, if we say, “It’s hot out”, we’re aren’t looking for, “no, this ain’t hot…”, a better response would be “It sure is. Does the heat affect you in any way?”
The focus then stays on what we are saying and we are inviting discussion on the SAME side. Stay on our side until you understand what it is we are saying, and why. Let us talk in paradox. Here’s an example from our training : “I wish we had never gone to Africa. I have seen God working so openly and powerfully during our time there.” Our hearts can and will have both thoughts at the same time. The pain of what it cost to be in Africa and the joy of seeing God work reside in our heart at the same time. Allowing these statements to lie side by side without weakening one is part of living in paradox. Our tendency is to use the positive statement to weaken the negative statement but both statements are real and powerful as they stand alone. We can explore each of the statements as a stand alone perspective, and they are both true and they both have value.
culture shock
CULTURE SHOCK-a normal and natural growth or transition process as we adapt to another culture. As with any growth or adaption there is disorientation, ambiguity, and pain but we often come through this state more stable and centered than ever before.
The emotional disturbance that results from adjustments to a new cultural environment (Wm. Smalley)
The disorientation we experience when all the cultural maps and guideline we learned as children no longer work (Paul Hiebert)
The anxiety that results from losing all the familiar signs and symbols that help us understand a situation (Kalervo Oberg)
When you experience frustration from not knowing the rules or having the skills for adjusting to a new culture (Duane Elmer)
The reaction people have to the differences which surround them in a new environment and to having all the familiar supports knocked out from under them (Kalb & Welch)
ATTITUDES you can have:
-Openness, acceptance, trust, willing to try things on
-Suspicion, fear, prejudice, doubt
THE FACTS OF LIVING ABROAD-
These are INEVITABLES
*DISSONANCE* Frustration, confusion, tension, embarrassment, discomfort, you don’t know all the rules yet (language, behavior, customs)
CHOICE-you need to make the choice how you will respond
YOUR CHOICE leads you to be one of these:
COSMOPOLITIAN-Curiosity, interest, optimism, empathy, acceptance
ISOLATOR-Fight or Flight
TIPS FOR CROSS CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT:
1. Remember the big picture (we reread our blog for this too)
2. Listen and observe carefully-be aware
3. Try not to evaluate (no good or bad labels-NOT EASY!!!)
4. Suspend judgment in conflict situations
5. Be sensitive to host nationals
6. Resist temptation to speak critically with other ex-pats (you need safe people to share with, but be careful)-this one can be tough!!!
7. Learn to express yourself correctly (not politically correctly!)
8. Learn and use the language
9. Recognize that anxiety is normal
10. Learn more about the culture
11. Become involved
12. Develop a friendship with a host national
13. Push through culture shock-the blessings are abundant (our blog and our readers are helping us with this!!)
The emotional disturbance that results from adjustments to a new cultural environment (Wm. Smalley)
The disorientation we experience when all the cultural maps and guideline we learned as children no longer work (Paul Hiebert)
The anxiety that results from losing all the familiar signs and symbols that help us understand a situation (Kalervo Oberg)
When you experience frustration from not knowing the rules or having the skills for adjusting to a new culture (Duane Elmer)
The reaction people have to the differences which surround them in a new environment and to having all the familiar supports knocked out from under them (Kalb & Welch)
ATTITUDES you can have:
-Openness, acceptance, trust, willing to try things on
-Suspicion, fear, prejudice, doubt
THE FACTS OF LIVING ABROAD-
These are INEVITABLES
*DISSONANCE* Frustration, confusion, tension, embarrassment, discomfort, you don’t know all the rules yet (language, behavior, customs)
CHOICE-you need to make the choice how you will respond
YOUR CHOICE leads you to be one of these:
COSMOPOLITIAN-Curiosity, interest, optimism, empathy, acceptance
ISOLATOR-Fight or Flight
TIPS FOR CROSS CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT:
1. Remember the big picture (we reread our blog for this too)
2. Listen and observe carefully-be aware
3. Try not to evaluate (no good or bad labels-NOT EASY!!!)
4. Suspend judgment in conflict situations
5. Be sensitive to host nationals
6. Resist temptation to speak critically with other ex-pats (you need safe people to share with, but be careful)-this one can be tough!!!
7. Learn to express yourself correctly (not politically correctly!)
8. Learn and use the language
9. Recognize that anxiety is normal
10. Learn more about the culture
11. Become involved
12. Develop a friendship with a host national
13. Push through culture shock-the blessings are abundant (our blog and our readers are helping us with this!!)
my tabernacle
At night I have been trying to take a little time by myself outside. A time to reflect, talk to GOD about stuff (often complain about the stress of things). I am finding that GOD has provided me with my tabernacle to go and spend time with him. Back in the states when I was milking cows it was the barn. Working by myself, having time to be quiet, listen, talk, and worship FATHER. Since I had sold the cows some 2 yrs ago (wow I can’t believe its been that long) I lost that. Here it is the garden/nursery/farm. Even when I have been in town all day (becoming frustrated) I will go work out there. Sometimes it is just to blow off some steam. It is a place where I find peace. I am so thankful that GOD has provided me with this gift, a much needed answer to prayer. Honestly, the last few weeks I have been wondering how much more I can take. When I get stressed I get edgy and that does no one any good. My FATHER has me in some hard core training. And I don’t like it much! He is showing me so many areas in me that need a LOT of work. I know HE is refining me, pruning me. There are times it makes me angry that HE is throwing some of these things in my face. HE is not letting up so I better start learning. It is pretty awesome that I can go into my tabernacle and be with HIM, just the 2 of us. We can talk to each other. Not that it can’t happen anywhere (your home, church, etc.), for me it just happens to be out in the dirt enjoying HIS creation.
Monday, February 9, 2009
training time
Unfortunately I ran out of computer time last Wednesday and no one was going into town until Saturday so I could get more. We got Saturday and downloaded a bunch of emails, processed through them Sunday, and now here it is Monday! Sorry! I am really trying not to go so long in between! I have a bunch written and 6 more to write! The fun stuff of what’s been going on lately is what I have to write, the more “serious” ones are ready now. And a newsletter will be out in the next week!! YEAH!
Sooo…For the next few posts, we are going to have some lessons on burnout, transition and culture shock for two purposes: 1) so that you better understand some of what we are going through, and 2) as a review for ourselves to help push through this rough time.
Remember the purpose of our blog: to give you an honest account of our walk of faith. This ain’t all roses people! I doubt anyone’s walk is-God works through our trials. Believe me, we censor ourselves and edit and reedit every post we write-many go through 4-8 edits/drafts. We want to give you an honest look at our lives and how things are going, without saying things we don’t need to or shouldn’t. And to be honest, yes, we will mess up and say things wrong. Please forgive us as neither of us claims to be wordsmiths or the best at restraint! (but that’s another post…) This is our personal blog, and we will of course publish some of things that happen around the college (like the new students here!!), but first and foremost this is about US. (You can link to our bi-monthly reports/newsletters on the right.)
But as much as this blog is about us and what we are going through, it is also about you. It (hopefully) will be an encouragement to you (no, not just ‘cuz at least you don’t have it this bad… :-) ) and a challenge for you. This is about growth for our friends, our family, our church, and strangers around the world. This is about LIFE. So, yes, there will be some negative posts; *hopefully* the positive will outweigh the negative-but it may not seem that way sometimes, especially right now. We haven’t had too much time to write lately, so a lot of what’s come has just been newsy without much explanation. Sorry about that, but then again, that’s the reality of where we are at.
We have been so blessed by the many people around the world that pray for us and check in on us through this blog. Within hours of posting some discouraging or even just blah thing, our spirits are often lifted as we are reminded by many of you of how you have already seen God at work in our lives and in theirs. We get emails with Scripture promises and love sent from around the world. THANK YOU. Thank you for reading, thank you for following, thank you for understanding that our journey is not all going to be “pie in the sky” just like your everyday life too. We have never said we were the typical missionary family! We want to record for you what answering this call to obedience means for our family as we walk it out!
Sooo…For the next few posts, we are going to have some lessons on burnout, transition and culture shock for two purposes: 1) so that you better understand some of what we are going through, and 2) as a review for ourselves to help push through this rough time.
Remember the purpose of our blog: to give you an honest account of our walk of faith. This ain’t all roses people! I doubt anyone’s walk is-God works through our trials. Believe me, we censor ourselves and edit and reedit every post we write-many go through 4-8 edits/drafts. We want to give you an honest look at our lives and how things are going, without saying things we don’t need to or shouldn’t. And to be honest, yes, we will mess up and say things wrong. Please forgive us as neither of us claims to be wordsmiths or the best at restraint! (but that’s another post…) This is our personal blog, and we will of course publish some of things that happen around the college (like the new students here!!), but first and foremost this is about US. (You can link to our bi-monthly reports/newsletters on the right.)
But as much as this blog is about us and what we are going through, it is also about you. It (hopefully) will be an encouragement to you (no, not just ‘cuz at least you don’t have it this bad… :-) ) and a challenge for you. This is about growth for our friends, our family, our church, and strangers around the world. This is about LIFE. So, yes, there will be some negative posts; *hopefully* the positive will outweigh the negative-but it may not seem that way sometimes, especially right now. We haven’t had too much time to write lately, so a lot of what’s come has just been newsy without much explanation. Sorry about that, but then again, that’s the reality of where we are at.
We have been so blessed by the many people around the world that pray for us and check in on us through this blog. Within hours of posting some discouraging or even just blah thing, our spirits are often lifted as we are reminded by many of you of how you have already seen God at work in our lives and in theirs. We get emails with Scripture promises and love sent from around the world. THANK YOU. Thank you for reading, thank you for following, thank you for understanding that our journey is not all going to be “pie in the sky” just like your everyday life too. We have never said we were the typical missionary family! We want to record for you what answering this call to obedience means for our family as we walk it out!
change and transition
CHANGE-an external event that signals something old has stopped and something new is starting (William Bridges)
TRANSITION-the experience of the gradual, psychological reorientation process that happens inside us as we respond and adapt to the external change. Transition often results from a change, but it may also be triggered by the news that the change is imminent, and so, start before the change actually takes place (William Bridges)
THERE ARE A FEW STAGES OF THE ADJUSTMENT CYCLE (of course not everyone goes through them they same, but this is a sample):
-pre-departure (often a very exciting time, anxious to get going)
-1-3 months (honeymoon period-some shorter, some longer)
- 3-6 months (Hate it!)
- 6-12 months (adjusting, not so bad)
-one year (a dip, but not as dramatic as before)
The TRANSITION Experience-a NORMAL process
Settled-where you are when God all of a sudden gets a hold on you-life is just
comfortable
Unsettling-you know God has called, it’s not always easy, it’s UNSETTLING. This is physical space, mental, emotional.
CHAOS!! The process of getting to where you are called, the period of time when you are not in either “world” anymore. Things are crazy and it’s hard to keep up, to see where you have been and where you are going
Resettling-you are starting to “feel the groove”, get into a routine
Settled-the world around you seems normal again; you are comfortable in your new environment
Does it mean you go through these five stages and all is well?? No, you are often jumping back and forth, especially between Unsettling, chaos, and resettling.
Conflict is good, means many things-conflict is not a bad word. It just means you disagree with how something is (handled, thought, etc). We don’t deal with it the same way, but at least we know how the other deals with conflict. We don’t deal with things the same as those around us.
One of the coping techniques for managing stress is social support; that is what this blog is partly for. When we are down and struggling, we can honestly paint a picture of how we are feeling. Within days encouragement comes in the form of felt prayers and encouraging emails.
TRANSITION-the experience of the gradual, psychological reorientation process that happens inside us as we respond and adapt to the external change. Transition often results from a change, but it may also be triggered by the news that the change is imminent, and so, start before the change actually takes place (William Bridges)
THERE ARE A FEW STAGES OF THE ADJUSTMENT CYCLE (of course not everyone goes through them they same, but this is a sample):
-pre-departure (often a very exciting time, anxious to get going)
-1-3 months (honeymoon period-some shorter, some longer)
- 3-6 months (Hate it!)
- 6-12 months (adjusting, not so bad)
-one year (a dip, but not as dramatic as before)
The TRANSITION Experience-a NORMAL process
Settled-where you are when God all of a sudden gets a hold on you-life is just
comfortable
Unsettling-you know God has called, it’s not always easy, it’s UNSETTLING. This is physical space, mental, emotional.
CHAOS!! The process of getting to where you are called, the period of time when you are not in either “world” anymore. Things are crazy and it’s hard to keep up, to see where you have been and where you are going
Resettling-you are starting to “feel the groove”, get into a routine
Settled-the world around you seems normal again; you are comfortable in your new environment
Does it mean you go through these five stages and all is well?? No, you are often jumping back and forth, especially between Unsettling, chaos, and resettling.
Conflict is good, means many things-conflict is not a bad word. It just means you disagree with how something is (handled, thought, etc). We don’t deal with it the same way, but at least we know how the other deals with conflict. We don’t deal with things the same as those around us.
One of the coping techniques for managing stress is social support; that is what this blog is partly for. When we are down and struggling, we can honestly paint a picture of how we are feeling. Within days encouragement comes in the form of felt prayers and encouraging emails.
what is burnout?
BURNOUT-physical, emotional and even cultural fatigue. Burnout starts when responsibility outweighs the resources at hand. It is constant activity with no time for reflection or processing things. (We have not had (or taken) much of this time so far) We were reminded to be sure to pay attention to the “little hassles”, as they are more likely to kill you than the big ones.
HOW TO COMBAT BURNOUT? Get someone “neutral” with whom to talk, someone who can keep a confidence. Journal (or in our case, blog) to express inner feelings. Know yourself and your own limitations. Nurture yourself (and your family).
“Sincere plodders often achieve more in a lifetime than fiery men and women who burn out prematurely.” Donald E. Demaray
HOW TO COMBAT BURNOUT? Get someone “neutral” with whom to talk, someone who can keep a confidence. Journal (or in our case, blog) to express inner feelings. Know yourself and your own limitations. Nurture yourself (and your family).
“Sincere plodders often achieve more in a lifetime than fiery men and women who burn out prematurely.” Donald E. Demaray
Sunday, February 1, 2009
WOW!
I just checked our analytics, which gives me details about the people who visit our site(for the last 30 days at a time). I do not know WHO the visitors are, just some statistics.
From January 1st to January 31, 2009:
1,730 visits to our blog, never less than 45 a day
383 different visitors from 15 different countries!
You BLESS US as you faithfully follow our personal journey as we walk out our faith!!!
From January 1st to January 31, 2009:
1,730 visits to our blog, never less than 45 a day
383 different visitors from 15 different countries!
You BLESS US as you faithfully follow our personal journey as we walk out our faith!!!
VISITORS
You have probably noticed that as of late things (I) have been somewhat discouraged and a little frustrated. These things are all normal. It’s called transition and culture shock. Part of the reason for the blog is to share our struggles so you know how to pray; to stay connected to the rest of the world. I am very much a realist-I call it like I see it (good or bad), it’s who I am. I also don’t make apologies for it.
During this period I have struggled with my prayer life. How to pray, what to pray. I am SO THANKFUL for the saints who intercede on my behalf-this is what this blog is about!
Well, today (Saturday) God let me know he hears and is watching over me (Sometimes I just need to be reminded). This afternoon two Zambian gentleman drove out to the school, specifically to see me. I didn’t know these men, have never seen or met them. They had heard about the college and me and well, today they felt led to come and see me. As they said, they came by faith that they would be welcomed to come and see me.
The one was a pastor of a Pentecostal church near Chongwe, -and the other lived in Lusaka. I believe he was involved in agriculture-teaching and consulting for large farms. I was very apprehensive at first, but after spending a couple of hours together, that changed. These men were answers to prayers. We had a wonderful time of conversation and before they left we had a time of prayer together. As they say, the Spirit moved. As the one gentleman prayed, he began praying for and about things for me that he knew nothing about. You know there are times when God the Spirit is speaking to someone. They may not even know why they are praying what they are praying, but God is letting YOU know-He hears you, and He is answering. He works through fellow believers, it’s His way to encourage all of us.
I want you to understand that sometimes to be able to see and recognize the good, first you must see and experience the bad. It’s hard to recognize the one without the other. Scripture also tells us that in this world we will have struggles. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works in ALL things (good, bad, positive, negative, hard) for the good of those who are called according to His purposes. Do we enjoy this (yuck) period right now? Nope, not at all. But we can go through them and grown through them knowing God is at work!
Kelly found this in a Barbara Johnson book, “Pack up your Glommies in a Great Big Box, then sit on the lid and laugh!”. It doesn’t say where she found it:
THERE IS NO OIL WITHOUT SQUEEZING THE OLIVES,
NO WINE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GRAPES,
NO FRAGRANCE WITHOUT CRUSHING THE FLOWERS.
AND NO REAL JOY WITHOUT SORROW.
During this period I have struggled with my prayer life. How to pray, what to pray. I am SO THANKFUL for the saints who intercede on my behalf-this is what this blog is about!
Well, today (Saturday) God let me know he hears and is watching over me (Sometimes I just need to be reminded). This afternoon two Zambian gentleman drove out to the school, specifically to see me. I didn’t know these men, have never seen or met them. They had heard about the college and me and well, today they felt led to come and see me. As they said, they came by faith that they would be welcomed to come and see me.
The one was a pastor of a Pentecostal church near Chongwe, -and the other lived in Lusaka. I believe he was involved in agriculture-teaching and consulting for large farms. I was very apprehensive at first, but after spending a couple of hours together, that changed. These men were answers to prayers. We had a wonderful time of conversation and before they left we had a time of prayer together. As they say, the Spirit moved. As the one gentleman prayed, he began praying for and about things for me that he knew nothing about. You know there are times when God the Spirit is speaking to someone. They may not even know why they are praying what they are praying, but God is letting YOU know-He hears you, and He is answering. He works through fellow believers, it’s His way to encourage all of us.
I want you to understand that sometimes to be able to see and recognize the good, first you must see and experience the bad. It’s hard to recognize the one without the other. Scripture also tells us that in this world we will have struggles. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works in ALL things (good, bad, positive, negative, hard) for the good of those who are called according to His purposes. Do we enjoy this (yuck) period right now? Nope, not at all. But we can go through them and grown through them knowing God is at work!
Kelly found this in a Barbara Johnson book, “Pack up your Glommies in a Great Big Box, then sit on the lid and laugh!”. It doesn’t say where she found it:
THERE IS NO OIL WITHOUT SQUEEZING THE OLIVES,
NO WINE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GRAPES,
NO FRAGRANCE WITHOUT CRUSHING THE FLOWERS.
AND NO REAL JOY WITHOUT SORROW.
for the first time
Tonight I made nshima, kapente (dried minnows) and rape ALL BY MYSELF. I have seen it done numerous times. Since I don’t like to be “watched” I have not even tried with help, so this was a daring attempt! The nshima wasn’t as smooth as the ladies here make, the rape wasn’t too bad, and the kapente was okay-could have been soaked a little longer I think. Here is the nshima recipe I found online before we got here:
Nshima Recipe
Nshima is the staple food for 10 million Zambians. It is eaten at least twice per day; for lunch and dinner. Another second dish, known as ndiwo, umunani, dende or relish, must always accompany nshima. The relish is always a deliciously cooked vegetable, meat, fish, or poultry dish. By comparison to other cultures, Zambian recipes tend to be bland and hardly use any hot spices at all. However, they use other traditional ingredients and spices that give Zambian foods that distinctive unique taste and flavor.
4 Cups Water
2 Cups plain corn meal
Method: Pour 4 cups of water into a medium size cooking pot. Heat the water for 3 - 4 minutes or until luke warm. Using one tablespoonful at a time, slowly sprinkle 3/4 cup of the corn meal into the pot while stirring continuosly with a cooking stick. Keep stirring slowly until the mixture begins to thicken and boil. Turn the heat to medium, cover the pot, and let simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
Cautiously remove the top. Slowly, a little at a time, pour into the pot 1 and a quarter cups of corn meal and briskly stir with the cooking stick until smooth and thick. Stir vigorosly. Sprinkle a little more corn meal and stir if you desire the nshima to be thicker or less if you want softer nshima. Cover, turn the heat off and let nshima sit on the stove for another 2 to 3 minutes. Serves 4 people
Must always be served hot with a vegetable, bean, meat or fish dish or ndiwo.
Nshima Recipe
Nshima is the staple food for 10 million Zambians. It is eaten at least twice per day; for lunch and dinner. Another second dish, known as ndiwo, umunani, dende or relish, must always accompany nshima. The relish is always a deliciously cooked vegetable, meat, fish, or poultry dish. By comparison to other cultures, Zambian recipes tend to be bland and hardly use any hot spices at all. However, they use other traditional ingredients and spices that give Zambian foods that distinctive unique taste and flavor.
4 Cups Water
2 Cups plain corn meal
Method: Pour 4 cups of water into a medium size cooking pot. Heat the water for 3 - 4 minutes or until luke warm. Using one tablespoonful at a time, slowly sprinkle 3/4 cup of the corn meal into the pot while stirring continuosly with a cooking stick. Keep stirring slowly until the mixture begins to thicken and boil. Turn the heat to medium, cover the pot, and let simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
Cautiously remove the top. Slowly, a little at a time, pour into the pot 1 and a quarter cups of corn meal and briskly stir with the cooking stick until smooth and thick. Stir vigorosly. Sprinkle a little more corn meal and stir if you desire the nshima to be thicker or less if you want softer nshima. Cover, turn the heat off and let nshima sit on the stove for another 2 to 3 minutes. Serves 4 people
Must always be served hot with a vegetable, bean, meat or fish dish or ndiwo.
FUN KID THINGS!
Myron is almost as tall as Hailey now.
Greta keeps praying for a baby sister! I don’t know where this came from. I remember well the crying fit she had when we told her Henry was coming-she wanted a girl. I told her that will be a LONG way off!
Henry is eating baby cereal, he is rolling over one way by himself, and I had to move the feet on the walkers as he grew and was dragging his feet. He can also sit by himself for a bit if he put him up.
All the kids around here seem to just love Mariah.
Hailey has been a little sensitive lately. We wrote a post that got lost talking about her crying and praying that she misses her friends one Sunday during church. One of the visitors that came on Saturday bent down, looked her in the eye, and said “Jesus Loves you”. She was the only one he did that too.
Joe just turned five on Monday. Haven’t had a “party” yet.
Cybil is getting so big. She struggles as she straddles the world of grownups and kids. It’s hard for her to balance (pray for that!). But she is such a huge help to both dad and mom. Last Saturday she and Mariah planted sweet corn all morning.
Greta keeps praying for a baby sister! I don’t know where this came from. I remember well the crying fit she had when we told her Henry was coming-she wanted a girl. I told her that will be a LONG way off!
Henry is eating baby cereal, he is rolling over one way by himself, and I had to move the feet on the walkers as he grew and was dragging his feet. He can also sit by himself for a bit if he put him up.
All the kids around here seem to just love Mariah.
Hailey has been a little sensitive lately. We wrote a post that got lost talking about her crying and praying that she misses her friends one Sunday during church. One of the visitors that came on Saturday bent down, looked her in the eye, and said “Jesus Loves you”. She was the only one he did that too.
Joe just turned five on Monday. Haven’t had a “party” yet.
Cybil is getting so big. She struggles as she straddles the world of grownups and kids. It’s hard for her to balance (pray for that!). But she is such a huge help to both dad and mom. Last Saturday she and Mariah planted sweet corn all morning.
SCHOOL OFFICIALLY BEGINS
Today, Saturday January 31, 2009 I picked up 12 Zambian students and all their luggage in my land cruiser in Chongwe. We drove the 30 or so km to the college (thank God for no police checkpoints today!) and unloaded to the ladies and children singing in greeting. The students were all excited and nervous to get out here. Friday night we picked up Pastor Cliff Morris from Dublin, GA who is acting dean for the college and teaching the first two week module for students on the life of Christ. I did get some pictures, but I don’t know when I will get those up.
We also had our first service at the college church on Sunday.
We also had our first service at the college church on Sunday.
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