Wow tomorrow I leave for Africa!

As I am packing for my trip it has hit me just how dependent I am on technology. I need this charging cord, that backup cord, this plug-in adapter, these batteries. I have needed to charge battery paks, load batteries, download music and movies to the borrowed Ipod (my son's - thanks Doug), had to get a global phone (just in case as my wife says), etc, etc etc. Wow it can be really overwhelming. We don't realize just how connected we really are and the price we have to pay for that.

Now contrast this with where I am going. Ouagadougou (wa-ga-dough-goo)in Burkina Faso (burr-keen-a faa-so), Africa. Most kids won't have shoes let alone an Ipod. From the reseach I have done their life looks so simple, yet they have so much freedom and joy. Maybe they have it figured out.

Why do we get all these gadgets that allow us to set schedules, keep our schedule, listen to music, watch videos, take pictures and video, download pictures and video, post blogs, facebook, etc, etc, etc? To be more connected and efficient?

Is it that we are just so busy running around in this world that we don't take time out to enjoy the freedom, beauty and peace of God's creation and people? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for staying connected and everything, but have we really stopped to think about all the stuff we have in our lives that make it so complicated?

I was reading last night in my "Prepare Your Heart - A study booklet for your short-term mission trip" and there was a quick comparison of vacuums vs. brooms. We in America use a vacuum cleaner, because it is efficient, does a great job picking up dust, and we can get onto the next thing quickly. Compare that to a third world country that for thousands of years have cleaned the floor the same way - with a broom. Their not looking for efficiency. They are are happy to sweep and may choose to spend time talking to family or a friend who just stopped by (ahh -a form of multi-tasking). But efficiency never enters their minds.

All this to say that I am sure this culture places a high value on relationships while placing a lesser value on technology and doing tasks efficiently. A lesson I am sure to learn while I'm there?

So pray for our team. That we are servants with humility and the love of Christ. That we can slow down to show openness and acceptance of our hosts' way of life. And that we can take time to work on our task with efficiency, but also take time to focus on relationships. After all that is why we are going over there. We are going over there to learn, to serve, and to build relationships that honor God.

T - 3 Days Left

(this image to the left is the steel cross that was erected on site at the Village of Hope recently)

As I was blowing the snow off the driveway this morning I was thinking about how it is going to be quite a physical shock to my body to go into 100 degree weather in a few days. But then I thought, when I return to Sioux City, I will be shocked by the cold again. But I think I will be going through more than "physical shock" to my body once I get over to Africa.

For instance besides the climate change and jet lag... food, language, dress code, social differences, waking and walking around in unfamiliar surroundings, wierd noises and sights, and even unmet expectations are a few I will experience. These are called "cultural shocks" and God will be using these to show us on the team that our way "in America" is not always the only way to do things. I will have to look at things in the light that "it's not wrong, it's just different."

Paul, known for his short term missionary trips in and out of different cultures, addressed this in 1 Corithians 10:23-33. First he states that whatever we eat, drink or do, we need to do it all for the glory and honor of God. And secondly, we need not offend our hosts by not eating, drinking or doing only what we would normally, but if it blesses them for us to accept what they give us, we must accept it in faith and bless them. This is putting others first and not being judgemental and critical of another culture.

Please pray for our team as we enter this "culture shock". That we are open minded and accepting of foods and activities, and even their church "worship" style as not wrong, but different. And give it a try so that it will bless them, and that we have the right attitude also.

T - 10 Days Left

As I am going about preparing for my trip to Africa, God has really been speaking to me about quite a few things. I thought I would share a few today.

First, as I have had to have all these vaccines (yellow fever, hep A & B, tetnus, meningitis, etc) and take these pills (malaria and typhoid) it makes me realize how as a christian nation we are blessed. In the US we have civility and order when it comes to health care, so we don't have to worry about getting these diseases in our country. That is a daily threat for 10/40 world countries. How can this be changed?

Second, as I have done research on Burkina Faso, I see a country with lots of poverty and a nation that doesn't have much (materially speaking). Then I think about how we in the US have much of what we need and some of what we want. If we want it we go buy it. God has blessed this nation, so what are we going to do with that?

Third, I was reading last night a short book the ministry gave us to prepare for our trip. It is called "preparing your heart for short term mission trips". I read Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus is teaching his disciples about the final judgement. This is when he says, " for I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and you visited me." As I was reading this I started to realize that all these things that Jesus was talking about were basic needs. And the example was about filling the needs of others.

So as I pondered that, I realized that when I go on this trip and stay at the Village of Hope with 450+ plus grade school children, that not only am I filling a need of helping to master plan their future university campus, but that also I am going to fill the needs that they have today. Whatever that may be. And by filling those needs I am sharing Christ's love with them. All these kids at the school, which is a boarding school, are there away from there parents and families. So a few hugs and smiles will be necessary.

So how can we fill the needs of those around us? We don't have to jump on a plane and travel to Africa to do this. We can love our family, neighbors, co-workers and strangers by filling their needs in that moment. To have an attitude of "whatever it takes" and to act with enthusiasm, smiles and hugs if necessary.

Mission Trip Entry: T minus -12 days

This is my first ever attempt to setup a blog, which just happens to be about my mission trip to Burkina Faso, Africa and my experience before, during and after. I am not too up on these technologies of blogs, ipods, downloading pictures and videos. But I'll do my best for you to keep you posted. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks anyway?

Today is the count down of 12 days until I leave for Africa. Laurie, my wife, and I have been fasting and praying for 21 days now for the preparation for this trip. And I must say that God has been closer than ever and giving me visions for the trip, waking me up in the middle of the night to pray for our trip, the other 10 people of our team and other missionaries. It has been an exciting time of fasting for my first experience in doing this. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't craving pizza or hamburgers, but I have learned to focus on God when the cravings get bad.

Don't worry, we have been eating, though I have lost 13 pounds over this fast (like I need to lose 13 lbs!). We did a Daniel fast which is eating fruits, veggies, nuts and water. I never thought I would last, but the Lord has strengthen us both.

Tomorrow we break our fast before we go to church. I know Laurie is going to have a Starbucks (yep she made it 21 days without one - can you believe it I am so proud of her) and I am going to make a nice pancake breakfast for the kids and I. I am really excited about that :]! And so are the kids - they have had to fend for themselves for meals.

Thank you to all who have been praying and have sent financial support. I feel so blessed and I know God will bless you for giving.