Home sweet home//Still processing

For those that have not seen or talked to me since I made it home, I wanted to let you all know that I made it safely. It was another long journey across the pond, but it was worth it (both coming and going)! I am glad I was able to do this, and look forward to working with eMi more in the future. I still have to finish up my design for the master plan that is planned to be finalized by December, on top of all the stuff that has piled up on me while I was away, but again…it is worth the effort!

Fortunately, I seem to be overcoming jet lag. I went to work on Friday, even though everyone told me that was crazy. It was actually good because I was able to get a head start while everyone else in the office was halfway out the door for the weekend, as opposed to Monday morning when everyone would be nose to the grind. It was sort of like I was easing back in.

Sarah and I got to go to the AU vs Clemson game Saturday while my parents took the kids. We got their tickets, they got our kids…sounds like a fair trade! Thanks mom and dad! Not going to comment on the quality of the game, but we did end up winning.

Sunday we went to church, and I missed Africa! I love my church here, and was glad to be back, but I did not miss the rush to get in on time, getting the kids settled in their rooms, etc. They do not have a count down for the service to start in Africa. It starts when everyone is ready. To them it is about relationships and less about schedule. But, I realize that doesn’t work here. It is not our culture. Despite the schedule, church was great and it was good to see my friends again.

Today, I am back to work and mostly adjusted to the jet lag, partially reacquainted with the culture, and trying to get back into the work mindset. It is difficult though. I am still processing a lot from the trip, but one thing I have resolved from it is that I need to do my job well without being consumed by it. Please pray that I will be consumed by Christ alone. I think we all could use that prayer, and I will be praying that for you!

If you want to read more details about our trip, check out this blog from the team leader, Brad. He kept a journal during the trip and is updating his blog now that we are back. Enjoy!

http://5crawfords.blogspot.com/

Botswana//Day 14//Chobe National Park

During this trip we have been to or near a lot of countries.  From the US our plane stopped in Senegal before continuing to South Africa.  You cant really count those as being there since we didn’t leave the airport, but it counts to me.  Of course we spent the majority of our time in Zambia.  On our way to Samfya, we drove within a stones throw of the DRC.  Still doesn’t count, but we did get our picture with the DRC in the background.  Yesterday at the falls we went into Zimbabwe.  Today we went on a safari to Botswana, and we unofficially parked the boat in Namibia.   There is no stamp on our passport to prove that, but we did touch the ground there!

The safari was very exciting!  The only cat we saw was a leopard, but we saw tons of elephants, hippos, antelope, kudu, impala, crocs, warthogs, cape buffalo, etc.   Some were even uncomfortably close to our vehicle!  Bear in mind that I did not have an incredible zoom on my camera taking the shot of the elephant below.  She did not seem to happy about us being there either!

Tomorrow we head home. Not at all looking forward to 24 hours of flying, but I am ready to see my family!   Technically, since we are 7 hours ahead of the time in Auburn, you could say that we are from the future, and we are travelling back in time to come home.  I have obviously been with a bunch of engineers for 2 weeks!

Please pray that travel will be as smooth and safe as possible.  Pray for jet lag to not give us fits when we get home.  Pray for our transition back into US culture.  Also, pray for Sarah and the kids as I am coming home.  Particularly, pray for Will who is fighting a possible ear infection.  Thank you all for your prayers and support!

PS.  Last call if you want me to get you something specific in Africa.  I will have a little time in the morning to get stuff before we head to the airport, so let me know in a comment.  Nothing too big though.

Shortcut to the Indian Ocean//Day 13//Victoria Falls

Travelling…again//Day 12//Trek to Livingstone

Sunrise in Samfya over Lake Bangweulu

This morning we got on a bus to Livingstone.  I counted it up and by the end of our trip we will have spent a total of 7 days in transit and only 9 days staying put!  I was impressed that the bus we took today was a comfortable charter bus, and not what one would think of a typical bus in Africa.  First of all, there was not any livestock on board with us, which is almost unheard of!  Secondly, everyone on the bus had a seat which is again surprising that they had “wasted” square footage (or should I say square meterage) aboard the bus.  Thirdly, the bus did not stink of manure and BO, or at least after being here for 11 days I did not notice anyone elses BO over mine!  It was a fairly uneventful 6 hour bus ride.  The main point of interest was the music on the bus.  We started out with 1990′s Christian music (i.e. – Michael W Smith, Africans singing “Open the Eyes of My Heart” and “Heart of Worship”, etc.).  I assume they played this because it was Sunday morning, because the music changed halfway through the trip.  The last song I remember them playing was Marvin Gaye “Sexual Healing”, if that tells you anything about the variety. 

Africans notoriously like to take advantage of mzungus.  Especially in touristy areas, or if they know you are not familiar with your surroundings.  A key to dealing with them is always giving them the idea that you know what you are doing, and will not let them rip you off.  From where we got off the bus, the taxi drivers wanted an outrageuos amount to take us literally 4 blocks to our hotel.  We told them how much we were willing to pay, and they insisted that we pay more.  So, I said, “it is only 4 blocks.  Why don’t we walk?”  They immediately came down on their rate!  So after they came down, we somewhat turned the tables on them by sending only two people with all the luggage at that rate, and the rest of still walked to take in the area.  Once at the hotel, we checked in, acquainted ourselves with the surroundings, and then ate dinner. 

The food we have had here has been amazing.  One would think that travelling from the US to Africa would make someone lose weight, but I am pretty sure I have gained weight!  While in Samfya, a lot of what we ate was prepared by Donald’s wife, Gwen.  They are from New Zealand, so we got a taste of NZ with African ingredients.  She is a diabetic, but loves to bake, and there were always some type of pastries or desserts coming out.  We also sampled the local fare, and I only had a few things that I didn’t like, even after finding out what they were!  Tonight we ate seafood at a restaurant in Livingstone.  It wasn’t much different than seafood in the states. 

While we were eating dinner, we took turns sharing our high and low points of the trip and what we learned.  Then the others would offer up words of encouragement for the person sharing and then we prayed for that person.  It was a good time to reflect on the past week, and was very uplifting.  

Tomorrow we go to the falls, where my wife is pleased to know that I am not planning to bungee jump the 111 meters off the bridge!  There again, I was not planning to bungee jump at the Nile river in Uganda either, but it just sort of happened.  However, it is pretty expensive here, so I doubt anyone would pay for me to do it.  Plus, bungee jumping in Africa is something I can say I did and lived through, but not sure I would ever need to do it again!  I would like to go rafting down the Zambezi river, but it is also expensive and takes up too much time.  Oh well!

Please continue to pray for our safety.  Also, begin to pray for the whole team as we begin to transition our mindset to come back to the US in just a few days.  Thanks!

Part of something much bigger//Day 10 & 11//Out of Samfya

We completed the presentation of the master plan development yesterday!  The master plan is not complete at this point, but the bulk of the concepts have been formulated and mulled over with the leaders of the bible school.  Our job in this process has been to listen to their collective vision for the ministry and translate that to a plan that they can use for future growth while providing technical suggestions where possible.  They are actually ready to implement the first phase of the plan almost immediately!  The photo above is a draft of the master plan site layout that one of the architects drew by hand!  The final master plan document will be finalized in the next couple months through collaboration with the volunteers and the eMi staff at home.  It has been very encouraging to be a part of such an incredible ministry through which many people will come to know Christ. 

During our team devotional time yesterday, we were talking about being part of the collective body of Christ, and that each of us play a role in that body.  Part of that is the tecnical talents that we are able to use in this situation.  Each of us have obviously different giftings, and we all played a role in the work we were doing.  I could not draw a site layout like this one if I had a year to do so, let alone a couple days.  Another thing I could not do is successfully minister to Bemba speaking people in rural Zambia and the DRC.  There are obvious language and cultural barriers that would reduce my effectiveness in that ministry.  Thankfully, this school is training leaders that are making a huge difference in those areas, and I get to be a part of equipping them to do that great work!  What a priviledge! 

For example, one of the things I have included in the design for the school is the utilization of biological slow sand filters on their drinking water.  These can be constructed out of materials found locally for little cost and can dramatically increase the quality of the water they drink.  The students will be able to receive education on constructing these filters so they can take this knowledge back to the villages and change the mindset that all water is drinkable.  This simple process could easily save lives! 

Today we made the 8 hour trek back to Lusaka and are staying at the guest house that we stayed in to start the trip.  Tomorrow we will be taking a 6 hour bus ride to Livingstone where we get to do more touristy stuff like visit Victoria Falls and go on a safari in Botswana.  We will fly out of Livingstone on Wednesday to begin the long journey home. 

Please pray for safety during travel, and during our excursions.  Thank you for your continued prayers for the work going on at Samfya Bible School!

On the Backside//Day 8 & 9//Taking Shape With Purpose

Yesterday marked the midday of our trip.  Despite a few bumps in the road that were determined yesterday, the master plan is starting to take shape.  Our relationships with each other and with the locals have been growing, and our purpose here is evident.  God has been revealing Himself to me personally and to the group in amazing ways, and I am so thankful!

Ministry is often messy, especially because humans are involved.  The enemy likes to create conflict and division in order to keep us from serving God and reaching people.  Our bumps in the road have been related to this truth, but are very possible to overcome.  A ministry like Samfya Bible School is made up of several parts (i.e. – local staff, foreign missionaries, donors, etc.) that need to work together to accomplish the ultimate goal.  When any of these parts are divided or are not willing to sacrifice personal preference for the greater good, conflict can arise.  Thankfully, we serve a big God who saw this conflict coming and who has us here for a purpose.  I do not have time to share too much detail about the many moving parts here, but we are confident that God will use the master plan we are developing to bring those parts together in vision.  God has a way of timing things perfectly!

Please pray that the enemy will have no place to cause divisions in this ministry and that all the participants will remain united in their efforts to reach people in Zambia and the Congo. 

To give you an idea of how this ministry is affecting people, I would like to tell you about a man named Charles who is a graduate of this school.  He just came back from visiting the 3 churches that he is equipping and encouraging in rural areas of the Congo.  To get to these churches requires him to travel several miles by bicycle from the major road in Zambia south of Samfya, then by boat across a vast wetland to get to the Congo and then hike several miles to these rural villages.  It took him 5 days to get to the 3 churches, and during that time, 27 people came to know Christ!  Charles shared that each church has only one Bible that they share among the believers in their village and that one of the churches has some structural problems with the church building.  Efforts are being made from this ministry to meet needs by bringing Bibles in the local language (Bemba), which will be sold for an incredibly reduced and affordable price to the people of the village.  They are being sold, because they have realized that giving the Bibles away can actually cause the Bibles to become a form of currency among the villages.  Also, the little money that will be raised from the donated Bibles will go to fix the structural problems of the church building.  Graduates like Charles also bring sustainability to these rural villages by teaching carpentry, sewing, and agricultural skills.  I was incredibly encouraged by my conversation with him!

Please pray that Charles and other graduates like Charles will continue to be strengthened and encouraged to reach people for Christ!

Small world//Day 7//Work continues

Even though I am halfway around the world from home, I cannot get away from the influence of the great state of Alabama. One of the other missionary couples that are currently living and working with the Samfya Bible School are the Fullers from Alexander City, Alabama! Billy Fuller was a contractor in Alabama, and he and his wife moved to Kenya about 15 years ago to help construct a medical facility. Several months ago they moved from Kenya to Samfya to assist with the proposed construction for the school facilities. It is good to know that the master plan design will be left in good ol’ boy hands!

We are continuing to work hard on the design. Yesterday I dug some perc test holes with a true Zambian auger (aka shovel), estimated the proposed water/wastewater demand, analyzed water samples, and collected more site information. It is starting to come together, but we still have a long way to go before Friday.

Please pray that God will reveal himself to the design team and to the people of Samfya in amazing ways over the coming days. Also, continue to pray for the health of the team. The only illnesses that have affected the team so far are, one of the architects has had some allergy issues, and the team leader has a small cold. Please pray for them. Thanks!

Where to begin?//day 6//full speed ahead

Not really sure where to begin on my update of the past couple of days, so forgive me if I ramble a bit!

Some 55 hours after the journey began, we finally arrived in Samfya!  During the past few days in Zambia I have quickly realized that Zambia is not Uganda!  (I know…that is such a profound revelation)  There are similarities, but there are some major differences. 

First of all, I have only heard the locals address me as a white person a couple times.  In Uganda, we heard “mzungu” everywhere we went.  Not so much in Zambia.  They do use the same slang term for “cracker”, but apparently they are less impressed with us fair skinned folk.   

Also, one huge difference that I was incredibly appreciative of Friday was the quality of the roads in Zambia.  In Uganda, you could lose a car in some of the potholes, but the major roads in Zambia are in incredible shape.  What took us 8 hours today would have taken 3 days in Uganda!  In fact, the major roads in Zambia are in better shape than a majority of the roads in Macon County, Alabama.  The condition of the roads is primarily contributed to the copper mining that takes place in Zambia.  Even the section of the road that leads to Samfya that is typically in poor shape was recently repaved, so thank God for that! 

When we arrived in Samfya we met the principal of the Bible college, Levi (pronounced Livi) and got to hear some of his vision for the school.  We walked the property with Levi and Donald (the missionary representative from Riverbend church in New Zealand that has partnered with this ministry).  We quickly discovered that the survey was going to be a huge undertaking.  They have approx 20 acres of property sitting right on the beautiful Lake Bangweulu (also known as “where the water meets the sky”…google it, and you will see why).  (Beautiful sun rise over the lake this morning, by the way)

On Saturday we met with the school board to discuss overall concept and vision and to get some direction on the project scope, we began to collect information for design, and the survey work was started. We were pleased to realize that the ministry actually has realistic and attainable goals for the property.  According to our team leader, Brad, many clients of eMi have unrealistic expectations of what they can accomplish with available space and funding and this does not seem to be the case here.

Sunday morning we went to church for the inevitible cultural experience.  I went to the youth service that started at 7:00am, which in Africa time means we got going at 7:45am!  Time is very relative here.  One of the team members was planning to share his testimony at the youth service, and I just planned to attend with him for the experience and to give him some support.  After he was done and the room had begun to fill out with about 200 youth they turned to me and said, “your turn”!  Luckily, I saw that coming (knowing how African churches typically operate) so I had a few verses prepared to share along with a short testimony.  I hate public speaking, but I am glad I did it.  After the youth service, the normal church service started, which was around 9:00 am or 9:30 am Africa time.  The service lasted until about 12:30pm. 

Sunday afternoon we dove into the design, collected more information and took some local water samples.  We finished analyzing the last samples by candlelight as the sun went down on us, and the power went out!  Some of us stayed up well into the morning working on the master plan design.   

Today, we have been full speed ahead on collecting information and preparing the design for the school master plan.  The goal is to have a draft of the master plan prepared to present to the ministry by Friday, which will be difficult, but not impossible. 

We have had alot of opportunity for the design team to get to know each other through devotional time and sharing testimonies and I feel that God has put together a perfect group for this project and for each other. 

Pray that we will be able to focus and complete our task, but also pray that we will not be so focused on the work that we ignore the opportunity to minister to people.  Pray that the design ideas from each of the team members complement each other well and work well for the ministry.  Finally, pray for our health while we are here serving. 

Again, sorry I am rambling, but there is a lot to share, and limited time to do so.  Thank you all for your prayers and support!

He’s lovin’ it!

Jason asked me to sign in and let you know that not only is he alive, but he is loving Zambia! He just finished a long day of work (it’s 7 hours later there, so it’s close to bedtime).  The 8-hour car-ride to get to Samfya was as uneventful as an 8-hour car-ride in Africa can be, so that’s good.  :)

He plans on calling throughout his night tonight to get updates on the Auburn game…nice to know that he’s keeping up with the things that are truly important.  Ha!  :)

They didn’t have electricity yesterday so he couldn’t update the blog himself, and the internet cafe is closed tomorrow, but we should hopefully hear more from him and his trip on Monday.

Thank you for your continued prayers and WAAAAARRRRRR EAGLE!!!

Love, the wifey (aka Sarah)

road trip//begin day 3

As promised.  Here are a couple pics.  I managed to get to the hospital and get back to Dulles to catch my flight out without any problems.  Thanks for the prayers! 

As I mentioned we have an 8 hour road trip ahead of us today!  Pray for safety!  So far the accomodations have been incredible.  Last night we stayed in a guest house in Lusaka that is incredibly nice.  We are about to eat breakfast before we get on the road.