Africa is a continent of extremes. Some of these extremes are experienced by the swift changes in weather, some are found in the stark contrasts of landscapes. Others lie within the austere socioeconomic structures, while others are found through the vibrant ethnicities, tribes, and cultures that make up Africa. I will never fully experience these extremes during my time here; one couldn’t begin to do so in a lifetime, let alone a year. With that said, I would like to reflect upon one very overwhelming extreme, one that I encounter on a daily basis, and one that will forever be ingrained in my mind, the battle between angels and demons.
I’ve found my faith continuing to cultivate in ways I never imagined. Each day brings with it a new profound way of looking at God’s creation and how interconnected it is. From the rain and sunshine that stimulate the banana trees to bare fruit, fruit which in turn is picked and sold to sustain a living. Outreach projects helping to create systems to provide clean water and electricity to people living in rural areas. Children who find inspiration to grow and learn, to one day become leaders of this nation, to work towards building a truly equal society. These are not fairy tales of the village, these are the beautiful reminders I see, living realities that conjure up a sense of hope deep within my soul. These are the angels of this place.
Last week we had the honor of hosting a group of Americans from the Southwest Minnesota Synod. These partners in faith came to experience the angels of South Africa, to not only connect with their sister diocese (ELCSA-SED) but to connect with the Spirit moving through the people here. But by experiencing the angels one must also see the demons. It was interesting to sit in on a reflection gathering the first evening they stayed at the Umphumulo Church Centre. They spoke of how much they shifted internally since arriving a mere week and half earlier. Their heart strings had been pulled, plucked, and strummed in so many unforeseen ways. Many talked about their preconceptions of South Africa, many of it sounded so familiar, echoing my own list from five months ago. Time and again a story was told that reflected a moment when God revealed Himself to them in some way or another. Whether through the embrace of a host or the smile of a child, God’s light was shining as they walked through this land. It reignited something in me, as well as my fellow volunteers Kate and Heather, also visiting with us. We all spoke of this renewed energy and thanked them for sharing their own stories of transformation; it was a moment of Umbuntu. We are because they are…they are because we are. The group met with church leaders and spent valuable time rekindling each others’ spirit of partnership. Angels were with us during this time of reflection, growth, and renewal. A new sense of communal commitment sprouted and I believe it will bare a multitude of fruit in the future. Spending time with our partners from Minnesota and watching firsthand the embodiment of accompaniment is something that I will cherish. The body of Christ living in us all, even though thousands of miles separate us, we are ONE.
Indeed Africa is filled with angels, but it is also consumed by demons. Another part of our time was spent reflecting upon the many challenges South Africa faces, the daily demons it must battle. The demons of poverty, greed, racism, crime, corruption, hunger, disease, addiction, and inequality have long poisoned this land. Sadly I have witnessed these demons at work in my daily life; I have seen the face of the Devil lurking in the shadows, this is his playground as well. As I watch the little boy lay in his hospital bed, so malnourished he has no energy to shed even one tear, I see the demons. I watch as a man stumbles up the road, barely able to walk, drunk at 10 am on a Tuesday, the demons are casting their shadows. On my way to catch a taxi from Durban to Stanger, someone comes up behind me, places his hand on my hip and demands my phone. Startled I raise my hands as he reaches into my pocket, grabs it, and runs. As I turn, I see it’s a “child”, no more than 15 years old, I see in him the demons of despair. Africa is a land of extremes, it is a land of angels and demons, and it is a land of unimaginable hope and unbearable misery.
We know from scripture that good will triumph over evil, that God will deal the final blow to Satan and his army. And while this gives us all a foundation of hope for the future, we mustn’t sit on the sidelines; waiting for God to do all the work. He has equipped us to battle these forces, here and now! We are called by Him to seek justice, to put on the Armor of God, and to entrench ourselves in this war against evil… a mighty fortress is our God! This war can’t be quantified by our worldly view of war, it isn’t about guns and tanks, it is about love over hate, unity over divisiveness, and hope over despair. This is about understanding the demons that plague this earth and using God’s will, our faith, and His love to conquer them. This is finding the angels that surround us and using them to inspire and enrich us. This is a group of 30 Minnesotans boarding a plane to Africa to reach out to their brothers and sisters in Christ, and having those same brothers and sisters waiting to embrace them upon their arrival. This is about looking at the boy who robbed me as a victim of injustice, not condoning his act, but understanding the root of the injustice and helping to find a way to end the cycle. This is about God’s bountiful gifts given to us as a means by which to triumph over the brokenness of our world.
Bishop Buthelezi made a declaration during our time with our American partners. He said, “The only thing that connects us all is the gift of Grace.” Really think about that, through Grace we are connected no matter who we are or where we come from. Rich, poor, short, tall, fat, skinny, man, woman, black, white, gay, straight, young, old, American, South African…we are all connected by the gift of Grace. This means that we are all in this together interconnected by Grace, through Faith, to seek God’s will in each others lives. When our American friends came to Africa they saw angels, they witnessed demons, and they were connected by Grace.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Journey to Stanger
I leave early because I know the day ahead will take time. After locking the giant gate at the church center’s entrance I make my way up the long, winding road towards Magenqezeni. There I will catch a Kombi into town and return to the same place before dusk. The sun is hot already and it’s only half past eight. Sweat begins to run down my forehead and the bath I just took seems like ages ago. As I meander up the twisting concrete I wonder what this path was like prior to being paved just a few years ago. I come across a herd of cows grazing on the side of the road, some feel perfectly comfortable standing in the way of any potential traffic. With no one in sight I wonder which of the locals has momentarily lost his herd. They never seem to bother me when I walk past, heck, they never seem to acknowledge my existence, which is just fine with me. I pass Pastor and Mama Mumbaso’s house, with no signs of life, it is early on a Saturday after all. I make my way past the soccer field and primary school to where the road levels off a bit.
The sound of the occasional rooster cry and cow moo fill the otherwise still silence. I come across a woman working in her vegetable garden, “Sawubona (hello)”, I say. She replies, “Sawubona, unjani (hello, how are you)?” “Ngisaphila, unjani (I’m fine, how are you)”, I respond. She smiles and concludes, “Sisaphila, hamba kahle (we are fine, go well)”. “Sala kahle (stay well)”, I say as I continue on.
I come to the steep hill that takes me down to where I will catch my taxi. There is no one around, it’s peaceful and calm. Suddenly the silence is broken by the hum of a sugar cane truck approaching from the south. Whooooosh, it flies by at a speed that has to be illegal. Then I see a little red kombi approach from the north, I signal to him to stop. He slows down and asks, “eKuphi? (where to?)” “eStanger”, I reply. “Yebo, Siyahamba eStanger (Yes,we are going to Stanger)”, he says. "Ngiyabonga (thank you)", I say as I hop in. I make my way to the back seat, my favorite spot, near the window. I open it a crack and feel the crisp air start to cool me as we glide along. We turn onto the road that leads into downtown Maphumulo, the long way, I think to myself. We drop a few riders off at the rank in Maphumulo and make our way past the bustling fruit stalls and braai stands. Past the school where I teach and the road that leads to one of the parishes I attend, down the snaking road out of Maphumulo proper.
We are back onto the main road to Stanger and flying, only to stop for the couple sets of speed bumps along the way. The scenery is beyond words, jagged tree covered mountains to the north and west, rolling hills of sugar cane to the south and east, both seem to go on forever in each direction. There is something beautiful with how the light plays with the vibrant green of the cane fields. They are an electric green, buzzing with color in the morning sun, as the day wears on the greens deepen, and by evening they seem to glow a golden hue. It’s a beauty I find strangely continual, yet always finding ways to manifest itself into something new and different.
The road to Stanger is a winding one, the kombi drivers seem to enjoy this, as if they're driving roller coasters. Even with the seemingly reckless ride at times, I never feel in danger, it’s an odd confidence I have. We begin passing up our payment for this coaster ride to the money collector in front, R 16 gets me from Magenqezeni to Stanger (about 50 kms), roughly $2.28, a steal by American standards. After kilometers of sugar cane I see the first few groups of houses, we are nearing the city’s center. We turn onto one of the main roads and past the municipality building where King Shaka Street and Mahatma Gandhi Road intersect, a snapshot of the layers of history enveloped around this place. We turn at Sucrose Nissan, the final leg on our journey. As we pull into the taxi rank I bid the driver farewell, “Sala kahle (stay well)”, and leap into the chaotic beauty that is Stanger on a Saturday.
The sound of the occasional rooster cry and cow moo fill the otherwise still silence. I come across a woman working in her vegetable garden, “Sawubona (hello)”, I say. She replies, “Sawubona, unjani (hello, how are you)?” “Ngisaphila, unjani (I’m fine, how are you)”, I respond. She smiles and concludes, “Sisaphila, hamba kahle (we are fine, go well)”. “Sala kahle (stay well)”, I say as I continue on.
I come to the steep hill that takes me down to where I will catch my taxi. There is no one around, it’s peaceful and calm. Suddenly the silence is broken by the hum of a sugar cane truck approaching from the south. Whooooosh, it flies by at a speed that has to be illegal. Then I see a little red kombi approach from the north, I signal to him to stop. He slows down and asks, “eKuphi? (where to?)” “eStanger”, I reply. “Yebo, Siyahamba eStanger (Yes,we are going to Stanger)”, he says. "Ngiyabonga (thank you)", I say as I hop in. I make my way to the back seat, my favorite spot, near the window. I open it a crack and feel the crisp air start to cool me as we glide along. We turn onto the road that leads into downtown Maphumulo, the long way, I think to myself. We drop a few riders off at the rank in Maphumulo and make our way past the bustling fruit stalls and braai stands. Past the school where I teach and the road that leads to one of the parishes I attend, down the snaking road out of Maphumulo proper.
We are back onto the main road to Stanger and flying, only to stop for the couple sets of speed bumps along the way. The scenery is beyond words, jagged tree covered mountains to the north and west, rolling hills of sugar cane to the south and east, both seem to go on forever in each direction. There is something beautiful with how the light plays with the vibrant green of the cane fields. They are an electric green, buzzing with color in the morning sun, as the day wears on the greens deepen, and by evening they seem to glow a golden hue. It’s a beauty I find strangely continual, yet always finding ways to manifest itself into something new and different.
The road to Stanger is a winding one, the kombi drivers seem to enjoy this, as if they're driving roller coasters. Even with the seemingly reckless ride at times, I never feel in danger, it’s an odd confidence I have. We begin passing up our payment for this coaster ride to the money collector in front, R 16 gets me from Magenqezeni to Stanger (about 50 kms), roughly $2.28, a steal by American standards. After kilometers of sugar cane I see the first few groups of houses, we are nearing the city’s center. We turn onto one of the main roads and past the municipality building where King Shaka Street and Mahatma Gandhi Road intersect, a snapshot of the layers of history enveloped around this place. We turn at Sucrose Nissan, the final leg on our journey. As we pull into the taxi rank I bid the driver farewell, “Sala kahle (stay well)”, and leap into the chaotic beauty that is Stanger on a Saturday.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Spirit of Re-Gifting
Gifts, they are all around us, they exist within us. Gifts remind us what makes us different, what makes us special, and what makes us interdependent. God has found brilliant ways of giving us all unique gifts, qualities that give us the opportunity to give back to the world. I often think about the potential that lies within humanity, sometimes wondering if we will ever realize its full potential. A gift is not something that should be taken lightly, especially when it comes from God. One should treasure it, embrace it, but most importantly, share it. In my first four months of living alongside the people of Umphumulo I have seen so many of these gifts on display; I have also seen the reality of untapped potential and its negative consequences.
Before I left the United States I kept hearing a similar phrase being expressed by family and friends. “You have so many gifts share” or “This is a perfect opportunity for you to share your gifts”, it was both a heartfelt message and a challenging one. I appreciate each and every person who encouraged me in that way, who gave me confidence in myself, who lifted me up in this fashion. What I have experienced most in my time here is not just the sharing of my gifts, but basking in the glow of others’ gifts. One of the first examples of this came when fellow volunteer, Kate Hagen and I visited the Rorke’s Drift Arts and Craft Center. For two days we marveled at the beautiful displays of God’s gifts. From the weavers, to the potters, to the textile printers, each artist expressed him or herself in a pure and emotional way. I was swept up in the splendor of it all and left feeling a further affirmation of God’s glory at work. I’ve seen some of the most incredible and genuine expressions of art while here. I can’t get over the vast array of creative energy that flows through the artists and crafters in this part of the world. They take simple things such as telephone wire, plastic bags, and soda cans and turn them in amazing pieces of art. The artistic expression is only half of the gift, harnessing the creativity to take a plastic bag and see an elephant in it, that’s using God’s gifts in wondrous ways.
During our in-country orientation, which took place in Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg, we spent time learning about our new surroundings in both a historical and spiritual sense. We dove into the process that brought us to our year of service and shared our hopes for the coming 11 months. Part of this exercise was focused on looking at what we anticipated from this journey of accompaniment and how it will change us forever. We jotted down things we hoped we would experience, ways in which we might grow, and the result of this new growth. I found myself flooded with ideas and began writing down both concrete and abstract points of emphasis. I remember thinking, “It will be interesting to see how all of these things connect.” One of those concrete ideas was to learn a new type of art form or craft from a local artist here. As I settled into my placement site I began the search for this opportunity. With help from Jabu, one of the women at the church office, I found a woman by the name of Thuli who agreed to share her knowledge of Zulu beadworking. And so one afternoon I set off with Jabu to the next village north of Umphumulo to meet my new teacher. I remember how happy she was upon our first encounter; she couldn’t understand why a white person from America would want to learn to Zulu bead! I explained that I too was an artist and my hope was to take the opportunity while living in her country to learn an art form from a local artist. She had a humble nature about her, Thuli wasn’t willing to admit that her work was indeed artistic expression nor anything special. This struck me, because looking at the amazing array of both beaded and woven pieces one could draw no other conclusion. I thought back to the apartheid system and how it programmed blacks and other people of color to feel of lesser value, maybe this was why she felt the way she did. After a bit of a scolding (because I bought the wrong beads, string, and needles ) we started our first session. Her patience was unrivaled and the smile on her face as I messed up again and again will be forever engrained in my mind. We went into Stanger the next day to buy the correct supplies and after a couple more lessons I was mastering the basics. Even though I compensated Thuli for each session her gift to me became so much more than just the knowledge of beading. I have since shared that gift with some friends and family and I look forward to learning more from Thuli in the coming months.
Another example of giving and receiving gifts came in the most unexpected of places. I’m not the best singer (not even close) I like to leave that to the other members of my family, so when the local choir asked me to join them I nearly when into shock. The previous volunteer, Kelly, had joined them during her year of service and I felt almost expected to follow suit. I must admit my hesitancy at first, I hadn’t sung in the choir since jr. high. I was terrified at the thought of being in such a competitive environment with little to offer. As the weeks and months have progressed I’ve learned that the most important part is not the talent we carry, but whether or not we can share it in a way that enhances the whole. Our choir indeed has some of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard, but the magic comes when we learn to blend our voices to make the entire choir sound magnificent. I never would have dreamed that I would be singing at a competitive level at any point in my life, let alone in IsiZulu, in South Africa. These are the delightful twists in the road that remind me how wonderful God’s sense of humor is. I don’t really enjoy singing to be honest, I never really have, but when I get into the room with the members of the Umphumulo Parish Choir to practice or perform, that all changes. I can’t describe it, but I look at it as God’s way of saying, “See, you can enjoy most anything, if you allow yourself to open up to it.” In December the excitement of the previous three months of practicing came to a head as we made our way to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa Music Organization’s bi-annual competition in Gaborone, Botswana. We had performed beautifully at our regional event taking top honors in three categories. Botswana was different though, the competition was tough and our road there was unexpectedly long and weary. We left Umphumulo at 9 pm on Friday, December 11th , and arrived the following evening at 10 pm. What should have taken 12 hours instead spiraled into a 25+ hour journey. With bus breakdowns, stops at weight stations, and a blown tire we arrived exhausted, knowing what we needed to do the following day. I’ve never seen anything like it, the way our group rebounded, hopping onto the bus the next morning. At the event we performed wonderfully, one might say another force took over within us. In the end we came up short, but it didn’t matter really, it was the journey from September to December 13th that mattered. Around 60 individuals from all over the Maphumulo area decided to join together, work hard (sometimes five practices a week) and stay positive to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Each of us took the gift God gave us, no matter how great or small, and used it to glorify Him.
Gifts are an amazing reminder of God’s love for us. Sometimes they are easy to detect within ourselves, other times it takes a group of 60 Zulus to help us find it. The bottom line is that we are all given amazing gifts to use and we mustn’t lose sight of the need to share them with each other. I may be able to paint a portrait, but write a symphony? I can kick a ball, but doubt I’ll ever be able to quilt a masterpiece. I’ll never help to build a rocket, become a doctor, be a preschool teacher, or compete in Hawaii’s Ironman Triathlon. It’s ok though, because God has asked other people to do those things, He’s asked me to do certain things and He’s asked you to do certain things. The beauty in His creation lies in it’s diversity, an idea that only 15 years ago was scoffed at in South Africa under apartheid rule. The shadow of that still casts itself on many of the people here, but signs of it’s dissipation are visible. Sometimes we must look deep within ourselves to bring out these gifts, but by doing so we are respecting the value that God has instilled in us. Think of it as re-gifting in a spiritual sense. So go on, make your joyful noise unto the Lord, whatever it may be!
Before I left the United States I kept hearing a similar phrase being expressed by family and friends. “You have so many gifts share” or “This is a perfect opportunity for you to share your gifts”, it was both a heartfelt message and a challenging one. I appreciate each and every person who encouraged me in that way, who gave me confidence in myself, who lifted me up in this fashion. What I have experienced most in my time here is not just the sharing of my gifts, but basking in the glow of others’ gifts. One of the first examples of this came when fellow volunteer, Kate Hagen and I visited the Rorke’s Drift Arts and Craft Center. For two days we marveled at the beautiful displays of God’s gifts. From the weavers, to the potters, to the textile printers, each artist expressed him or herself in a pure and emotional way. I was swept up in the splendor of it all and left feeling a further affirmation of God’s glory at work. I’ve seen some of the most incredible and genuine expressions of art while here. I can’t get over the vast array of creative energy that flows through the artists and crafters in this part of the world. They take simple things such as telephone wire, plastic bags, and soda cans and turn them in amazing pieces of art. The artistic expression is only half of the gift, harnessing the creativity to take a plastic bag and see an elephant in it, that’s using God’s gifts in wondrous ways.
During our in-country orientation, which took place in Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg, we spent time learning about our new surroundings in both a historical and spiritual sense. We dove into the process that brought us to our year of service and shared our hopes for the coming 11 months. Part of this exercise was focused on looking at what we anticipated from this journey of accompaniment and how it will change us forever. We jotted down things we hoped we would experience, ways in which we might grow, and the result of this new growth. I found myself flooded with ideas and began writing down both concrete and abstract points of emphasis. I remember thinking, “It will be interesting to see how all of these things connect.” One of those concrete ideas was to learn a new type of art form or craft from a local artist here. As I settled into my placement site I began the search for this opportunity. With help from Jabu, one of the women at the church office, I found a woman by the name of Thuli who agreed to share her knowledge of Zulu beadworking. And so one afternoon I set off with Jabu to the next village north of Umphumulo to meet my new teacher. I remember how happy she was upon our first encounter; she couldn’t understand why a white person from America would want to learn to Zulu bead! I explained that I too was an artist and my hope was to take the opportunity while living in her country to learn an art form from a local artist. She had a humble nature about her, Thuli wasn’t willing to admit that her work was indeed artistic expression nor anything special. This struck me, because looking at the amazing array of both beaded and woven pieces one could draw no other conclusion. I thought back to the apartheid system and how it programmed blacks and other people of color to feel of lesser value, maybe this was why she felt the way she did. After a bit of a scolding (because I bought the wrong beads, string, and needles ) we started our first session. Her patience was unrivaled and the smile on her face as I messed up again and again will be forever engrained in my mind. We went into Stanger the next day to buy the correct supplies and after a couple more lessons I was mastering the basics. Even though I compensated Thuli for each session her gift to me became so much more than just the knowledge of beading. I have since shared that gift with some friends and family and I look forward to learning more from Thuli in the coming months.
Another example of giving and receiving gifts came in the most unexpected of places. I’m not the best singer (not even close) I like to leave that to the other members of my family, so when the local choir asked me to join them I nearly when into shock. The previous volunteer, Kelly, had joined them during her year of service and I felt almost expected to follow suit. I must admit my hesitancy at first, I hadn’t sung in the choir since jr. high. I was terrified at the thought of being in such a competitive environment with little to offer. As the weeks and months have progressed I’ve learned that the most important part is not the talent we carry, but whether or not we can share it in a way that enhances the whole. Our choir indeed has some of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard, but the magic comes when we learn to blend our voices to make the entire choir sound magnificent. I never would have dreamed that I would be singing at a competitive level at any point in my life, let alone in IsiZulu, in South Africa. These are the delightful twists in the road that remind me how wonderful God’s sense of humor is. I don’t really enjoy singing to be honest, I never really have, but when I get into the room with the members of the Umphumulo Parish Choir to practice or perform, that all changes. I can’t describe it, but I look at it as God’s way of saying, “See, you can enjoy most anything, if you allow yourself to open up to it.” In December the excitement of the previous three months of practicing came to a head as we made our way to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa Music Organization’s bi-annual competition in Gaborone, Botswana. We had performed beautifully at our regional event taking top honors in three categories. Botswana was different though, the competition was tough and our road there was unexpectedly long and weary. We left Umphumulo at 9 pm on Friday, December 11th , and arrived the following evening at 10 pm. What should have taken 12 hours instead spiraled into a 25+ hour journey. With bus breakdowns, stops at weight stations, and a blown tire we arrived exhausted, knowing what we needed to do the following day. I’ve never seen anything like it, the way our group rebounded, hopping onto the bus the next morning. At the event we performed wonderfully, one might say another force took over within us. In the end we came up short, but it didn’t matter really, it was the journey from September to December 13th that mattered. Around 60 individuals from all over the Maphumulo area decided to join together, work hard (sometimes five practices a week) and stay positive to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Each of us took the gift God gave us, no matter how great or small, and used it to glorify Him.
Gifts are an amazing reminder of God’s love for us. Sometimes they are easy to detect within ourselves, other times it takes a group of 60 Zulus to help us find it. The bottom line is that we are all given amazing gifts to use and we mustn’t lose sight of the need to share them with each other. I may be able to paint a portrait, but write a symphony? I can kick a ball, but doubt I’ll ever be able to quilt a masterpiece. I’ll never help to build a rocket, become a doctor, be a preschool teacher, or compete in Hawaii’s Ironman Triathlon. It’s ok though, because God has asked other people to do those things, He’s asked me to do certain things and He’s asked you to do certain things. The beauty in His creation lies in it’s diversity, an idea that only 15 years ago was scoffed at in South Africa under apartheid rule. The shadow of that still casts itself on many of the people here, but signs of it’s dissipation are visible. Sometimes we must look deep within ourselves to bring out these gifts, but by doing so we are respecting the value that God has instilled in us. Think of it as re-gifting in a spiritual sense. So go on, make your joyful noise unto the Lord, whatever it may be!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Kombi Ride
With the Christmas season upon us I decided to take the liberty of witting some new lyrics to one of my favorite holiday songs. I hope you had a merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year! Enjoy!
The following definitions will help you with
the lyrics to the song:
Kombi: mini bus taxis found throughout Africa
and are usually overfilled with people
and known for blasting local music
House Music: South African Dance music that
originated in the black townships,
also know as Township Funk
Sawubona: Traditional Zulu greeting for “Hello”
Cane: Slang for Sugar Cane, which is the number
one export of KwaZulu-Natal
Tea (afternoon tea): As in many former British colonies, tea time
is still celebrated in much of South Africa
Kwaito: South Africa’s hip-hop music, like house, it
originated in the townships, mostly around
Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town
Braai: South African barbeque, used as both a noun
and a verb
Bohr Voors: South Africa sausages, usually cooked at
braais
Rooiboos: A sweet red tea only grown in South Africa,
also known by the locals as bush tea
Mutton: sheep meat, used in many curry dishes
Vuvuzela: South African horn, usually played at
soccer matches; the sound of thousands
of them is much like a loud bee hive
Kombi Ride
(To the Tune of Sleigh Ride)
Just hear that house music blastin’,
And horns a honkin’ too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you
Outside the sun is shinning
and friends are greeting “Sawubona” to you,
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you.
Rev it up, rev it up, rev it up,
let's go, no ride is the same,
We're riding in a wonderland of cane.
Rev it up, rev it up, rev it up,
it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're flying along with a song
of a hot local house band
Our cheeks are hot and sweaty
and warm and ready are we
For a dip in the Indian Ocean
to cool ourselves before tea.
Let's take that road before us
and sing a kwaito chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you.
There's a braai party
at the home of Baba Khathi
There’ll be so many people to greet and see.
We'll be singing the songs
we love to sing without a single stop
At the braai stand while we watch
the bohr voors pop. pop! pop! pop!
There's a happy feeling
nothing in the world can buy
When we pass around the Rooiboos
and the mutton pie
Vuvuzelas buzzin’ just like crazy bee hives
These wonderful things are the things
we remember all through our lives!
Just hear that house music blastin’,
And horns a honkin’ too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you
Outside the sun is shinning
and friends are greeting “Sawubona” to you,
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you.
It's lovely weather for a kombi ride together with you
It's lovely weather for a kombi ride together with you
(in place of the traditional horse sound add the sound of screeching tires)
The following definitions will help you with
the lyrics to the song:
Kombi: mini bus taxis found throughout Africa
and are usually overfilled with people
and known for blasting local music
House Music: South African Dance music that
originated in the black townships,
also know as Township Funk
Sawubona: Traditional Zulu greeting for “Hello”
Cane: Slang for Sugar Cane, which is the number
one export of KwaZulu-Natal
Tea (afternoon tea): As in many former British colonies, tea time
is still celebrated in much of South Africa
Kwaito: South Africa’s hip-hop music, like house, it
originated in the townships, mostly around
Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town
Braai: South African barbeque, used as both a noun
and a verb
Bohr Voors: South Africa sausages, usually cooked at
braais
Rooiboos: A sweet red tea only grown in South Africa,
also known by the locals as bush tea
Mutton: sheep meat, used in many curry dishes
Vuvuzela: South African horn, usually played at
soccer matches; the sound of thousands
of them is much like a loud bee hive
Kombi Ride
(To the Tune of Sleigh Ride)
Just hear that house music blastin’,
And horns a honkin’ too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you
Outside the sun is shinning
and friends are greeting “Sawubona” to you,
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you.
Rev it up, rev it up, rev it up,
let's go, no ride is the same,
We're riding in a wonderland of cane.
Rev it up, rev it up, rev it up,
it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're flying along with a song
of a hot local house band
Our cheeks are hot and sweaty
and warm and ready are we
For a dip in the Indian Ocean
to cool ourselves before tea.
Let's take that road before us
and sing a kwaito chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you.
There's a braai party
at the home of Baba Khathi
There’ll be so many people to greet and see.
We'll be singing the songs
we love to sing without a single stop
At the braai stand while we watch
the bohr voors pop. pop! pop! pop!
There's a happy feeling
nothing in the world can buy
When we pass around the Rooiboos
and the mutton pie
Vuvuzelas buzzin’ just like crazy bee hives
These wonderful things are the things
we remember all through our lives!
Just hear that house music blastin’,
And horns a honkin’ too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you
Outside the sun is shinning
and friends are greeting “Sawubona” to you,
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a kombi ride together with you.
It's lovely weather for a kombi ride together with you
It's lovely weather for a kombi ride together with you
(in place of the traditional horse sound add the sound of screeching tires)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Africa: The Frontline of Creation Care
Kubanda kakhulu!, which is IsiZulu for It’s very cold today! Kushisa kakhulu!, IsiZulu for It’s very hot today! One day its extremely cold, the next, extremely hot, then cold again. The spring weather in KwaZulu-Natal has been abnormal to say the least. So, what exactly is normal weather these days? The people of Umphumulo don’t seem to know and neither do I. As I write this post, the great climate change debate rages on while world leaders prepare for this month’s Copenhagen Summit. I will try to steer clear of the usual climate change debate in this reflection. This entry will be neither soapbox rant regarding who’s at fault, nor a barrage of statistics and data. Instead I hope that the following will help open the door on what should be the most crucial part of the debate: what will happen to the millions of impoverished people who will be most affected by changes in our climate?...and what are our roles as Christians in this struggle?
I believe the climate debate has long been lost in the wilderness of politics. Each side of the spectrum has done their best to spin statistics, to paint the other as either evil incarnate or tree-hugging fools. They have spent millions of dollars to push their agendas, all the while, seeming to forget what it is they are fighting for. I must admit I’m a little fatigued from it all. While I hope that the Copenhagen Summit provides an opportunity to look at all the facts and leave the Inconvenient Truths and Climategates behind, I think we, as Christians, need to look at the broader theme at hand. Whether we like it or not, humanity is interdependent, and as followers of Christ, we are bound to serve and care for each other. Whether you believe that we humans have or haven’t contributed to climate change has little importance in regards to helping those who are and will be affected by it. If you are still in the camp that believes climate change isn’t happening, I can’t help you here. I’ve seen with my own eyes the potential dangers that lie ahead for the people of South Africa as weather patterns shift and intensify. The changes here in Africa are indeed happening and on a much larger scale than most in the northern hemisphere perceive. With a recent torrent of violent storms hitting our province the people of KZN a bracing for more and feeling the effects on so many different levels. Folks in my village are visibly concerned and overwhelmingly confused. So many questions are swirling around the issue here. How bad will things get? What will this mean for the local farmers? Will the summer growing season be drastically shortened? How will crops respond to these changes? One lady I spoke with even made the suggestion that the recent weather might be the start of the apocalypse. End times aside, there is something odd about the weather patterns here, and it seems everyone has taken notice. With colder temperatures forging deeper into the spring months and sharp contrasts of blazing heat, it’s been hard for the locals to know what to do. What happens when the very livelihood of a community depends on reliable seasons and that which once was reliable is now anything but?
Scientists predict that the largest shifts in temperature and weather patterns will tend to happen in the southern hemisphere and along the equator where the vast majority of the developing world exists*. This means that those most affected will be those least prepared and least able to combat the challenge. For Africa it may mean the complete collapse of an already fractured farming output. One example of this is already happening downstream from Africa’s iconic Mt. Kilimanjaro. For years now scientists have used satellite imagery to show the vast depletion of Kili’s ice fields. In the past century they have shrunk by nearly 80%*! But real story is taking place along Kilimanjaro’s main river, the Pangani, where dwindling water supplies have turned communities against each other. Some of these conflicts have now turned violent, and with no end in sight the future prospects are frightening. This is just one small example of what soon may become commonplace throughout the developing world. The water wars, as it’s been dubbed, may commence sooner that we think, and it won’t be pretty if the global community doesn’t have a plan in place to deal with these issues.
What do we, as Christians, see as our role in all of this? Well, for starters, as with any other international challenge, we mustn’t fall into the trap of finger pointing. The reality is that we must all take responsibility to ensure that those who are suffering have a voice, for we are called to bear the cross for all, to lift up those in need in the name of Christ. If we do not seek justice in unjust times, how can we begin to fully embrace Christ’s path for us? The advent of climate change has begun to further expose the vast injustices between the rich and the poor, the weak and the powerful, the well-connected and the downtrodden. In a country with one of the highest disparities between rich and poor, South Africa is a clear example of why we must take steps now to mitigate the widening gap. We, as Americans, have been blessed with great wealth and opportunity, but what good is any of it if it doesn’t spawn prosperity and growth for others in our global community? God purposefully created us to need one another. It is through this need that we are all bound in communion with our Creator. To reject this notion is to undermine our role as brothers’ keepers and further separate us from our responsibilities as caretakers of God’s creation. If we are to truly follow God’s will we must stop pretending that the world’s problems don’t really affect us, that because they are thousands of miles away they are somehow less important. The era of “It’s not my problem” needs to end, because in the end it will be our problem. God has given us an amazing gift in our planet earth, and with that gift, comes a responsibility to take care of it and all whom dwell on it. If we each look to God for strength our struggles can be met head on. Through prayer, vigilance, education, and a hands-on approach we can begin to make a difference in the world around us. This isn’t hippie-talk folks, this is the cornerstone of faith, it is what happens when the Holy Spirit breathes life into us and sends us forth, no matter the challenge!
Faith is a huge part of the South African community in which I live. Faith in the Lord and the knowledge that more can be achieved by working in unison keeps the wheels of Umphumulo spinning. The people here get what it means to meet needs by tapping into each other’s gifts. Though they might not always have the answers or travel the quickest road to the solution, that fact that the community matters so much goes a long way in meeting their daily challenges. The changes in climate may indeed bring seemingly insurmountable challenges, but some how, they will find a way. It won’t just happen, nothing here just happens. It will take a community effort, which is a lesson for us all. If we can adopt the mentality of Umbuntu: “I am because we are” in a global context the challenges of the future, including climate change, will ultimately be met. We will have to put aside our differences, to swallow our pride, and step way out of our comfort zones, but I believe it is possible. Climate change is one of many emerging examples of why we must find unity in purpose. This not an American issue or a South African issue, this is a global issue…that needs a global solution. God has blessed us with so much including the potential to harness the powers of empathy, humility, and selflessness. These unorthodox examples of power may not necessarily be western society’s understanding of power, but this is where true power lies. Jesus has shown us what true power is, He has shown us the path to follow, now it’s time to leave behind our nets of indifference and follow Him. Reach out to your brother or sister in need, for that is what we are called to do, it is God’s will.
*Statistics were taken from the October 2008 issue of Africa Geographic
I believe the climate debate has long been lost in the wilderness of politics. Each side of the spectrum has done their best to spin statistics, to paint the other as either evil incarnate or tree-hugging fools. They have spent millions of dollars to push their agendas, all the while, seeming to forget what it is they are fighting for. I must admit I’m a little fatigued from it all. While I hope that the Copenhagen Summit provides an opportunity to look at all the facts and leave the Inconvenient Truths and Climategates behind, I think we, as Christians, need to look at the broader theme at hand. Whether we like it or not, humanity is interdependent, and as followers of Christ, we are bound to serve and care for each other. Whether you believe that we humans have or haven’t contributed to climate change has little importance in regards to helping those who are and will be affected by it. If you are still in the camp that believes climate change isn’t happening, I can’t help you here. I’ve seen with my own eyes the potential dangers that lie ahead for the people of South Africa as weather patterns shift and intensify. The changes here in Africa are indeed happening and on a much larger scale than most in the northern hemisphere perceive. With a recent torrent of violent storms hitting our province the people of KZN a bracing for more and feeling the effects on so many different levels. Folks in my village are visibly concerned and overwhelmingly confused. So many questions are swirling around the issue here. How bad will things get? What will this mean for the local farmers? Will the summer growing season be drastically shortened? How will crops respond to these changes? One lady I spoke with even made the suggestion that the recent weather might be the start of the apocalypse. End times aside, there is something odd about the weather patterns here, and it seems everyone has taken notice. With colder temperatures forging deeper into the spring months and sharp contrasts of blazing heat, it’s been hard for the locals to know what to do. What happens when the very livelihood of a community depends on reliable seasons and that which once was reliable is now anything but?
Scientists predict that the largest shifts in temperature and weather patterns will tend to happen in the southern hemisphere and along the equator where the vast majority of the developing world exists*. This means that those most affected will be those least prepared and least able to combat the challenge. For Africa it may mean the complete collapse of an already fractured farming output. One example of this is already happening downstream from Africa’s iconic Mt. Kilimanjaro. For years now scientists have used satellite imagery to show the vast depletion of Kili’s ice fields. In the past century they have shrunk by nearly 80%*! But real story is taking place along Kilimanjaro’s main river, the Pangani, where dwindling water supplies have turned communities against each other. Some of these conflicts have now turned violent, and with no end in sight the future prospects are frightening. This is just one small example of what soon may become commonplace throughout the developing world. The water wars, as it’s been dubbed, may commence sooner that we think, and it won’t be pretty if the global community doesn’t have a plan in place to deal with these issues.
What do we, as Christians, see as our role in all of this? Well, for starters, as with any other international challenge, we mustn’t fall into the trap of finger pointing. The reality is that we must all take responsibility to ensure that those who are suffering have a voice, for we are called to bear the cross for all, to lift up those in need in the name of Christ. If we do not seek justice in unjust times, how can we begin to fully embrace Christ’s path for us? The advent of climate change has begun to further expose the vast injustices between the rich and the poor, the weak and the powerful, the well-connected and the downtrodden. In a country with one of the highest disparities between rich and poor, South Africa is a clear example of why we must take steps now to mitigate the widening gap. We, as Americans, have been blessed with great wealth and opportunity, but what good is any of it if it doesn’t spawn prosperity and growth for others in our global community? God purposefully created us to need one another. It is through this need that we are all bound in communion with our Creator. To reject this notion is to undermine our role as brothers’ keepers and further separate us from our responsibilities as caretakers of God’s creation. If we are to truly follow God’s will we must stop pretending that the world’s problems don’t really affect us, that because they are thousands of miles away they are somehow less important. The era of “It’s not my problem” needs to end, because in the end it will be our problem. God has given us an amazing gift in our planet earth, and with that gift, comes a responsibility to take care of it and all whom dwell on it. If we each look to God for strength our struggles can be met head on. Through prayer, vigilance, education, and a hands-on approach we can begin to make a difference in the world around us. This isn’t hippie-talk folks, this is the cornerstone of faith, it is what happens when the Holy Spirit breathes life into us and sends us forth, no matter the challenge!
Faith is a huge part of the South African community in which I live. Faith in the Lord and the knowledge that more can be achieved by working in unison keeps the wheels of Umphumulo spinning. The people here get what it means to meet needs by tapping into each other’s gifts. Though they might not always have the answers or travel the quickest road to the solution, that fact that the community matters so much goes a long way in meeting their daily challenges. The changes in climate may indeed bring seemingly insurmountable challenges, but some how, they will find a way. It won’t just happen, nothing here just happens. It will take a community effort, which is a lesson for us all. If we can adopt the mentality of Umbuntu: “I am because we are” in a global context the challenges of the future, including climate change, will ultimately be met. We will have to put aside our differences, to swallow our pride, and step way out of our comfort zones, but I believe it is possible. Climate change is one of many emerging examples of why we must find unity in purpose. This not an American issue or a South African issue, this is a global issue…that needs a global solution. God has blessed us with so much including the potential to harness the powers of empathy, humility, and selflessness. These unorthodox examples of power may not necessarily be western society’s understanding of power, but this is where true power lies. Jesus has shown us what true power is, He has shown us the path to follow, now it’s time to leave behind our nets of indifference and follow Him. Reach out to your brother or sister in need, for that is what we are called to do, it is God’s will.
*Statistics were taken from the October 2008 issue of Africa Geographic
Monday, November 16, 2009
Do Drink the Water...But Careful of the Curry!
The first two posts on this blog tackled some pretty serious material. My hope is that I can share both the important information from experiences, as well as the more lighthearted side of my time here. With that said I'm diving belly-flop style into the latter!
For as long as I can remember I have been blessed with what some might call a "stomach of steel". I can eat just about anything someone can dish up, including the ultra hot, super sour, and utterly weird...enjoying every second I might add! Some of the best foods I've eaten have come from street carts and sidewalk stands. From the best tacos (a street cart in Cabo San Lucas) to the best Pad Thai (a night market in Bangkok) I've found international dining to be an utmost enjoyable experience...that was until last month. Now, I will preface this by saying that 95% of what I've eaten here has been great, downright delicious, but that still leaves 5%, 5% accompanied by a whole lotta prayers.:) One of my favorite TV shows is Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on the Travel Channel. If you're not familiar with the show, it follows rebel chef Tony Bourdain as he travels the world downing all that the locals dine on. He respects the food, whether sheep's stomach or sea urchin, to him it is what real food is all about. During his trip to Namibia, however, he got sick, real sick! After sharing a meal of wild boar's colon with the San Tribe, he went down hard, to the tune of an hospital visit (Antibiotic IV included). With that in mind I've cautiously tried every dish given to me, always inquiring before tasting, but always tasting. Some of the bizarre foods I've tried the last few months include cow's stomach, sheep intestines, cow's nose(with steamed bread of course), curries, curries, and more curries! Unfortunately, I have had a few days of agony because I forbid myself to sit on the sidelines during mealtime. My famous "stomach of steel" has been humbled to a "stomach of thin aluminum" at best. I know all too well that goat, crocodile, and any of the various antelope are heading my way soon enough. Like Bourdan, I feel this food should be respected. I'm sure I'll never include cow's nose on my list of top favorites, but by sharing in something so important as a traditional dish with others, one becomes immediately connected to them. I'm sure they'll feel that same connection when I break out some Polish recipes around Christmas time. Few things are as culturally personal as eating. I don't mean grabbing a burger from Mickey D's on the way home, I mean COOKING A MEAL, SITTING DOWN, and SHARING IT WITH LOVED ONES. America is addicted to convenience food, myself included. Something I'm learning here is that tradition trumps convenience, always. Upon my return to the states, I won't be giving up the occasional chili cheese burrito, but I will have a better appreciation for sharing a home cooked meal. I've spent one night a week at our parish pastor's house helping his wife, Ma Shozi, cook dinner. It usually consists of a curry of some sort, rice or maize meal, spinach, and squash. Simple, well made dishes that stick to your soul and leave more than your stomach filled. I may get the occasional bout of "King Shaka's Revenge" (Montezuma never ate Zulu cuisine) but I'll take it, because it is worth the sacrifice to share in another culture. As the saying goes, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". So, with my Tums, Imodium, and Cipro in hand, could you please pass the sheep intestines:)
For as long as I can remember I have been blessed with what some might call a "stomach of steel". I can eat just about anything someone can dish up, including the ultra hot, super sour, and utterly weird...enjoying every second I might add! Some of the best foods I've eaten have come from street carts and sidewalk stands. From the best tacos (a street cart in Cabo San Lucas) to the best Pad Thai (a night market in Bangkok) I've found international dining to be an utmost enjoyable experience...that was until last month. Now, I will preface this by saying that 95% of what I've eaten here has been great, downright delicious, but that still leaves 5%, 5% accompanied by a whole lotta prayers.:) One of my favorite TV shows is Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on the Travel Channel. If you're not familiar with the show, it follows rebel chef Tony Bourdain as he travels the world downing all that the locals dine on. He respects the food, whether sheep's stomach or sea urchin, to him it is what real food is all about. During his trip to Namibia, however, he got sick, real sick! After sharing a meal of wild boar's colon with the San Tribe, he went down hard, to the tune of an hospital visit (Antibiotic IV included). With that in mind I've cautiously tried every dish given to me, always inquiring before tasting, but always tasting. Some of the bizarre foods I've tried the last few months include cow's stomach, sheep intestines, cow's nose(with steamed bread of course), curries, curries, and more curries! Unfortunately, I have had a few days of agony because I forbid myself to sit on the sidelines during mealtime. My famous "stomach of steel" has been humbled to a "stomach of thin aluminum" at best. I know all too well that goat, crocodile, and any of the various antelope are heading my way soon enough. Like Bourdan, I feel this food should be respected. I'm sure I'll never include cow's nose on my list of top favorites, but by sharing in something so important as a traditional dish with others, one becomes immediately connected to them. I'm sure they'll feel that same connection when I break out some Polish recipes around Christmas time. Few things are as culturally personal as eating. I don't mean grabbing a burger from Mickey D's on the way home, I mean COOKING A MEAL, SITTING DOWN, and SHARING IT WITH LOVED ONES. America is addicted to convenience food, myself included. Something I'm learning here is that tradition trumps convenience, always. Upon my return to the states, I won't be giving up the occasional chili cheese burrito, but I will have a better appreciation for sharing a home cooked meal. I've spent one night a week at our parish pastor's house helping his wife, Ma Shozi, cook dinner. It usually consists of a curry of some sort, rice or maize meal, spinach, and squash. Simple, well made dishes that stick to your soul and leave more than your stomach filled. I may get the occasional bout of "King Shaka's Revenge" (Montezuma never ate Zulu cuisine) but I'll take it, because it is worth the sacrifice to share in another culture. As the saying goes, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". So, with my Tums, Imodium, and Cipro in hand, could you please pass the sheep intestines:)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Jesus is HIV Positive
“Jesus is HIV Positive!” Those were the words proclaimed this past Sunday by Bishop Buthelezi of ELCSA’s South Eastern Diocese. In front of a crowd of 10,000 at the University of Zululand he made his message clear. It was the bi-annual South Eastern Diocesan Rally and from the post service response, one that may forever change the role of area Lutheran churches in regards to service-based faith. I knew this fire storm was coming, I had been working with the Bishop on the idea for nearly a month. Our first discussion came just prior to hosting the regional HIV/AIDS workshop at the Diocesan Center (September 30-October 03). Bishop Buthelezi came into my office and said, “I hear you want to get involved in the HIV/AIDS struggle while you are here in South Africa. Are you ready for a battle? Are your ready to dig in and help steer our church in a new direction?” The look on his face was that of determination and poise, he looked like a man on a serious mission, he knew what was on the horizon.
We spent time discussing the fragile relationship between the church and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. For years now many churches in Africa, including ELCSA congregations, have walked a tightrope on the issue, rarely embracing it for what it is…a huge challenge with life and death implications. Of course the church didn’t turn its back on the issue, but one might say it did tend to turn sideways at times.
It is hard to fully understand the many levels of complexity bound to this issue, especially here in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). I am just beginning to peel back the surface myself, and I am starting to realize why the process of embracement has taken so long. Self admittedly, the Zulu people of South Africa are a proud people, a people who connect to their traditions in ways we, as westerners, may find difficult to grasp. For example, it has been common practice for hundreds of years for Zulu men (especially chiefs) to take up multiple wives. This custom, though less common today, is still in practice. South Africa’s newly elected president, Jacob Zuma, for example, is Zulu and has four wives. These polygamous marriage groups are what, for many generations, sustained a productive and peaceful way of life. Men were expected to care and provide for all their wives and not doing so would bring shame upon them. As in many similar cultures the wives played various nurturing roles to ensure a balance within the homestead. We may be quick to judge, to see these lifestyles as irresponsible or even wrong, but we need to be careful. For thousands of years, similar family structures were the norm all over the world. The Bible, for instance, is filled with examples of polygamy. The idea of monogamous relationships is somewhat of a more recent norm in relation to human history. I’m neither condemning nor condoning the practice, for that’s not what’s at the root of this issue.
Here in KwaZulu-Natal is not about discussing whether polygamy is right or wrong, it is trying to forge a new culture of respect and support within all relationships. For years Zulu men and women have played certain roles within the family. Westerners might consider these roles “traditional” with men earning a living and providing for their family while women would take care of the household and tend to the children (usually a lot of children). I’ve had the privilege of getting to witness some of the Zulu culture first hand. Their beautiful traditions are filled with symbolism and heartfelt gratitude for men’s and women’s roles in each others’ lives. These roles can be virtuous paths to lead, yet at times have created a challenge in dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Because of these gender-based roles men have felt the need to always be strong, bold, and protect their families, sometimes masking their feelings in order to better control situations. Women, on the other hand have felt the need to serve their family and remain the caretakers of their husband and children, sometimes finding it difficult to communicate with their husbands.
The challenge lies in realizing that sometimes traditions must be altered to deal with something as dangerous as HIV/AIDS. The most crucial being the practice of having multiple sex partners during the same period of one’s life. We discussed this issue at length during the workshop. The message was that sometimes, in response to difficult times, we must take responsibility and make changes in our habits to protect the ones we love. It will be a challenge to alter some of these practices and focus on a new ways of expressing old traditions. Education will be the cornerstone in developing a new understanding of each others’ roles. Through education and vigilance I do believe that the rate of infection can be diminished in KZN over time. The South African government and other organizations are currently forging a multi-prong effort to educate and empower people to live healthier lifestyles. One of my favorite campaigns is one that focuses on “A New South African Man”. The ad describes a man that lives his life to better the lives of others, a man who respects his wife, never raising a hand to her, and man who doesn’t make excuses, a man who provides for his family and shows them love (maybe we should look into running this ad in the US :). In another campaign an ad focuses on working towards building an HIV free generation. This may seem impossible to some, but the buzz around the campaign has penetrated so many different areas of the community in which I work. I’ve heard it mentioned in our youth soccer program, at the primary school I teach in, and within our church community. Once the lines of communication and education are opened, anything is possible.
Though I have been actively involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS since 2003, I have learned so much in the past two months from experiencing, firsthand, what the people of South Africa are doing to combat its’ spread. Of the over 25 million who have died from the disease* since 1981, the vast majority have been from Sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 9.7 million people worldwide who are in need of immediate ARV(Anti-retro-virals) care only 31%* are receiving them. Since 1981 an estimated 11.6 million children* have been orphaned by AIDS. The South African Department of Health estimates that the province of KwaZulu-Natal has an infection rate of between 34-37% (depending on the study), either way it is far and away the highest rate in South Africa, a country with the highest rate of infection in the world at 28%. The statistics are staggering and the needs are great. Bishop Buthelezi knows this, and he along with others within the church are working hard to turn the tide. In preparing for the HIV/AIDS workshop I worked with Lungile Nyathikazi, the regional coordinator for the ELCSA-SED’s HIV/AIDS Program. I helped create a logo for the workshop and helped her put together informational packets for distribution. She seemed frustrated at times while we were preparing the materials because the number attending was far less that she had hoped. She shared with me her vision of a brighter future in which the church became a visible leader in the struggle not just another “Band-Aid support group”, helping in bits and pieces only when called upon. When the time came for the Bishop to deliver his sermon at the workshop’s closing service, he gave all who attended a much needed wake-up call. The look of satisfaction on Lugile’s face said it all. “If only one member of the Body of Christ were HIV positive, just one, the entire Body is in fact infected, we MUST realize this”, stated Buthelezi. “You cannot separate the Body of Christ from its’ challenges. It is the church that must be the leaders on this issue. It must be the church that stomps out the stigmas, that embraces the infected, and creates an environment of support.” His words rang clear, and he would later expand upon this message at the rally a few weeks later.
This time he used the message as a springboard to the greater question at hand, why do we, as members of the Body of Christ, rarely fulfill our commitment to the struggles of the world? Why do we far too often find ourselves in the passenger’s seat instead of the driver’s seat? How can we ever lead Christ-like lives if we are not willing to make the sacrifices that our Savior made? A bright spot for us as Americans is that we are statistical leaders in allocating aid funding throughout the world. The Bush administration helped significantly by nearly tripling aid to Africa at 15 billion*, with the Obama administration looking to further these pledges moving forward. It’s a great start, but we all need to continually educate and engage ourselves in the world around us to find innovative ways to help in solving the problems of our global community. The time is now for us a Lutherans and Christians to spiritually grow-up, to learn how to fully embrace the greatest commandment of them all (John 13:34), and to live a life of service to all of God’s people. If we choose to walk the easy path, to keep HIV/AIDS and other diseases on the back burner, to ignore poverty, to turn a blind eye to world hunger, to focus on ourselves and not our neighbors, then we will never obey God’s will. By doing so we are in fact turning away from Christ in order to ensure a life of comfort and excess. It is only through selfless service that one can truly lead a Christ-like life. We are saved by Grace indeed, but how do we take this and other gifts bestowed upon us by God and use them to better the world around us…how do we answer God’s call to action? Jesus is HIV positive…what are you going to do about it?
*Statistics were taken from the HIV/AIDS awareness website avert.org)
We spent time discussing the fragile relationship between the church and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. For years now many churches in Africa, including ELCSA congregations, have walked a tightrope on the issue, rarely embracing it for what it is…a huge challenge with life and death implications. Of course the church didn’t turn its back on the issue, but one might say it did tend to turn sideways at times.
It is hard to fully understand the many levels of complexity bound to this issue, especially here in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). I am just beginning to peel back the surface myself, and I am starting to realize why the process of embracement has taken so long. Self admittedly, the Zulu people of South Africa are a proud people, a people who connect to their traditions in ways we, as westerners, may find difficult to grasp. For example, it has been common practice for hundreds of years for Zulu men (especially chiefs) to take up multiple wives. This custom, though less common today, is still in practice. South Africa’s newly elected president, Jacob Zuma, for example, is Zulu and has four wives. These polygamous marriage groups are what, for many generations, sustained a productive and peaceful way of life. Men were expected to care and provide for all their wives and not doing so would bring shame upon them. As in many similar cultures the wives played various nurturing roles to ensure a balance within the homestead. We may be quick to judge, to see these lifestyles as irresponsible or even wrong, but we need to be careful. For thousands of years, similar family structures were the norm all over the world. The Bible, for instance, is filled with examples of polygamy. The idea of monogamous relationships is somewhat of a more recent norm in relation to human history. I’m neither condemning nor condoning the practice, for that’s not what’s at the root of this issue.
Here in KwaZulu-Natal is not about discussing whether polygamy is right or wrong, it is trying to forge a new culture of respect and support within all relationships. For years Zulu men and women have played certain roles within the family. Westerners might consider these roles “traditional” with men earning a living and providing for their family while women would take care of the household and tend to the children (usually a lot of children). I’ve had the privilege of getting to witness some of the Zulu culture first hand. Their beautiful traditions are filled with symbolism and heartfelt gratitude for men’s and women’s roles in each others’ lives. These roles can be virtuous paths to lead, yet at times have created a challenge in dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Because of these gender-based roles men have felt the need to always be strong, bold, and protect their families, sometimes masking their feelings in order to better control situations. Women, on the other hand have felt the need to serve their family and remain the caretakers of their husband and children, sometimes finding it difficult to communicate with their husbands.
The challenge lies in realizing that sometimes traditions must be altered to deal with something as dangerous as HIV/AIDS. The most crucial being the practice of having multiple sex partners during the same period of one’s life. We discussed this issue at length during the workshop. The message was that sometimes, in response to difficult times, we must take responsibility and make changes in our habits to protect the ones we love. It will be a challenge to alter some of these practices and focus on a new ways of expressing old traditions. Education will be the cornerstone in developing a new understanding of each others’ roles. Through education and vigilance I do believe that the rate of infection can be diminished in KZN over time. The South African government and other organizations are currently forging a multi-prong effort to educate and empower people to live healthier lifestyles. One of my favorite campaigns is one that focuses on “A New South African Man”. The ad describes a man that lives his life to better the lives of others, a man who respects his wife, never raising a hand to her, and man who doesn’t make excuses, a man who provides for his family and shows them love (maybe we should look into running this ad in the US :). In another campaign an ad focuses on working towards building an HIV free generation. This may seem impossible to some, but the buzz around the campaign has penetrated so many different areas of the community in which I work. I’ve heard it mentioned in our youth soccer program, at the primary school I teach in, and within our church community. Once the lines of communication and education are opened, anything is possible.
Though I have been actively involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS since 2003, I have learned so much in the past two months from experiencing, firsthand, what the people of South Africa are doing to combat its’ spread. Of the over 25 million who have died from the disease* since 1981, the vast majority have been from Sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 9.7 million people worldwide who are in need of immediate ARV(Anti-retro-virals) care only 31%* are receiving them. Since 1981 an estimated 11.6 million children* have been orphaned by AIDS. The South African Department of Health estimates that the province of KwaZulu-Natal has an infection rate of between 34-37% (depending on the study), either way it is far and away the highest rate in South Africa, a country with the highest rate of infection in the world at 28%. The statistics are staggering and the needs are great. Bishop Buthelezi knows this, and he along with others within the church are working hard to turn the tide. In preparing for the HIV/AIDS workshop I worked with Lungile Nyathikazi, the regional coordinator for the ELCSA-SED’s HIV/AIDS Program. I helped create a logo for the workshop and helped her put together informational packets for distribution. She seemed frustrated at times while we were preparing the materials because the number attending was far less that she had hoped. She shared with me her vision of a brighter future in which the church became a visible leader in the struggle not just another “Band-Aid support group”, helping in bits and pieces only when called upon. When the time came for the Bishop to deliver his sermon at the workshop’s closing service, he gave all who attended a much needed wake-up call. The look of satisfaction on Lugile’s face said it all. “If only one member of the Body of Christ were HIV positive, just one, the entire Body is in fact infected, we MUST realize this”, stated Buthelezi. “You cannot separate the Body of Christ from its’ challenges. It is the church that must be the leaders on this issue. It must be the church that stomps out the stigmas, that embraces the infected, and creates an environment of support.” His words rang clear, and he would later expand upon this message at the rally a few weeks later.
This time he used the message as a springboard to the greater question at hand, why do we, as members of the Body of Christ, rarely fulfill our commitment to the struggles of the world? Why do we far too often find ourselves in the passenger’s seat instead of the driver’s seat? How can we ever lead Christ-like lives if we are not willing to make the sacrifices that our Savior made? A bright spot for us as Americans is that we are statistical leaders in allocating aid funding throughout the world. The Bush administration helped significantly by nearly tripling aid to Africa at 15 billion*, with the Obama administration looking to further these pledges moving forward. It’s a great start, but we all need to continually educate and engage ourselves in the world around us to find innovative ways to help in solving the problems of our global community. The time is now for us a Lutherans and Christians to spiritually grow-up, to learn how to fully embrace the greatest commandment of them all (John 13:34), and to live a life of service to all of God’s people. If we choose to walk the easy path, to keep HIV/AIDS and other diseases on the back burner, to ignore poverty, to turn a blind eye to world hunger, to focus on ourselves and not our neighbors, then we will never obey God’s will. By doing so we are in fact turning away from Christ in order to ensure a life of comfort and excess. It is only through selfless service that one can truly lead a Christ-like life. We are saved by Grace indeed, but how do we take this and other gifts bestowed upon us by God and use them to better the world around us…how do we answer God’s call to action? Jesus is HIV positive…what are you going to do about it?
*Statistics were taken from the HIV/AIDS awareness website avert.org)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)