Speed Bumps

I hate speed bumps.

On a list of 10... okay, maybe 50... things I hate most, speed bumps are certainly on that list. I just want to get where I'm going without some dumb security mechanism ensuring that I either slow down dramatically (only to speed right back up again and waste gas in my small 4-cylinder truck) or break my suspension and risk hitting my head on the roof. I don't know about you, but I feel perfectly safe and able to drive with caution when people are around. The fact that some people years ago decided to control how I drive really just gets on my nerves. Well... got on my nerves. My perspective on speed bumps is a little different than it used to be.

In retrospect, I realize how impatient and insensitive I've been to speed bumps. Those poor guys serve one job: to get run over day after day only to ensure our safety. Speed bumps have been given a bad name, and unjustly so. I blame my American mindset of impatience and urgency.

From Harding's campus to Namwianga's main road, they are everywhere. I thought American speed bumps were bad until I got to Zambia. We actually saw the making of a certain speed bump from start to finish. It consisted of telephone poles and various junk lined up across the road and covered by dirt. It became packed down as vehicles drove across it. Not sure if that's how all of them are made, but that's how they made the one we saw. The 7k road probably had 8-10 speed bumps strategically placed throughout. Flying over those speed bumps in the back seat of a 30-person coaster bus can get you more air than a great white on shark week. Like seriously... watch your head! My first several weeks in Zambia were full of moans and groans caused by speed bumps.

As frustrating as speed bumps can be, I believe there is a beautiful lesson to be learned from them.

Most obviously, speed bumps teach you to slooow dooown. Often (especially as Americans) we are in such a rush to finish one thing and move on to the next... to get somewhere quickly just so we can leave quickly... to beat the clock just so we can take on more obligations that increase our stress and "need" for more time. I am ever-so guilty of this in the past few years.

On a deeper level, I have experienced numerous social and spiritual speed bumps in Zambia and since coming back to the States. Adjusting to a new culture was very difficult, and at times, I felt as though I knew nothing and was starting from the very bottom. When the whole dynamics of everyday living changed, my speed was constantly being checked by new struggles. Suddenly I began to question even the most basic mannerisms and behaviors that have always been the norm. Spiritually, new questions came up that I had never even considered. My comfy, padded, bubble-wrapped faith was bombarded by questions of Gospel vs. Culture and what Christianity means on a global level. Coming back, I have noticed faults in American ways of life like never before. My formerly ethnocentric worldview prevented me from seeing faults in my own culture when I should have realized that every society has its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. Things that used to never bother me have caused me to back up and re-evaluate my own values, beliefs, and behaviors. We all have our own spiritual speed bumps- whether they be questions of faith, struggles with living missionally, slip-ups into old habits, unanswered prayers, or anything else, really.

How do we deal with these speed bumps? Do we get frustrated and slam on the gas pedal even harder? Do we get mad and blame God for messing things up when we were cruising right along? Do we shut down and refuse to realize that one closed door is not the end of the hallway? It is so important to realize that oftentimes speed bumps are placed in our lives by God Himself- or at least allowed by Him. This is not to say that God causes evil or disaster in our lives- that stuff's not His fault. But some of the greatest speed bumps we'll ever experience were put there for a reason.

At one point on the Namwianga road, there is a narrow bridge with barely enough room for one vehicle to cross. Years ago, a truck full of people went speeding down the hill, turned the corner, and lost control on the bridge. The accident ended disastrously. Shortly following that accident, speed bumps were placed about 50 yards on either side of the bridge and spaced throughout the rest of the road. Though these speed bumps may seem annoying, they could be the very things saving people's lives.

I have no doubt that God places spiritual speed bumps in the lives of His children for their own good. Some road planners out there have placed literal speed bumps for the safety and well-being of the people. Similarly, God allows diversity in our lives to shape us into better followers of Christ and servants of Him. When He answers "No" to a yearning prayer... when He allows a relationship to end... when doubts and questions come up in your faith... It's all for a reason. Maybe, just maybe, that speed bump is saving our lives or creating new opportunities we never knew existed. I sure believe they are.

I've grown in areas I never knew needed growth since my study abroad trip in Zambia. I like to believe that my patience, tolerance, and contextual understanding have increased. I hope that the stretches, struggles, and strivings I've experienced will be the very things that drive me to be a better Christian in the future.

But enough about me.

I challenge you to identify speed bumps in your life- whether past or present. When are times that you've been challenged or had to slow down when you didn't want to? Can you look back on any of those experiences and see how God has worked them out for good? If not yet, you probably will someday. And even if you don't see the difference, others will. In the future, may we strive to view speed bumps as blessings rather than curses. This doesn't make them less frustrating; it still stinks to have to slow down and be bumped around when everything was going fine. But it helps me, and hopefully helps you, to be more appreciative of the challenges placed in our lives. Some of the greatest blessings you'll ever experience will come from spiritual speed bumps. 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.

Love God. You are called according to His purpose. Make all your decisions with godly wisdom, and embrace every opportunity you're afforded. Every time you go over a speed bump in a parking lot or even on Harding's campus, I hope you look up and smile, thinking of the ways God works out spiritual speed bumps for good to those who love Him.

Bless & be blessed,

Drew

Comfortably Uncomfortable

Comfortably uncomfortable

Ever considered being a missionary? Now I have. (Mom, pretend you didn't read that)

My HIZ group had the opportunity of shadowing and getting to know 3 young missionary families in Tanzania last week... The families of David Reese, Nathan Thomas, and Jonathan Strasser. Our days were spent in villages, houses, and markets. Our nights were spent eating dinner with and learning from the missionaries. Lemme tell ya... They're great.

Being comfortably uncomfortable is something they've gotten used to. They've been there in Mbulu for less than 2 years and have had to learn two very different languages: Swahili and Iraqw. Most people they interact with don't speak much English, so that adds a whole new element of difficulty to evangelism. But to know that God is global in ALL languages is a great comfort.

Before we came to visit, I had great expectations. It's not that those weren't met, but they were met differently than I expected. I assumed we'd come to see these profoundly pious, unapproachable masters of evangelism who led fire and brimstone Gospel meetings with dozens of converts every week. Little did I know, that's not how it works at all.

They. Build. Relationships.

That is key. Many of the Iraqw people already know some elements of Christianity, but with distorted views due to lack of instruction and infiltration of traditional religions. Many of the people feel as though they're just fine with the little religion they have, so there isn't just an outpouring of truth seeking. (Note: That sounds a bit like our culture as well, doesn't it? Just pointing out that this is a global problem). Contrary to the emotion-filled gospel meetings I expected, these three guys have one-on-one Bible studies in a language they're still learning. They drive an hour on bumpy roads to a remote village where they make an effort to socialize and greet everyone there. They go on extensive walks just talking with the Iraqw people. They stuff themselves with unusual foods and drinks that are provided in abundance for them as guests.
(The hospitality of the Iraqw people is far beyond any American household I've been in. They have little yet they give much. But that's another story.)
They (back to the missionaries again) struggle for weeks trying to explain foreign concepts in new languages. They have to be on their toes all the time, able to tell parables and show love & mercy in any situation.

I believe life is truly experienced OUTSIDE of one's comfort zone. Let's be real- always being comfortable gets boring sometimes. That's a lesson I've been learning the past few weeks, and it's a lesson the missionaries are living.

A carpenter, a youth minister, and a master's graduate make up the men of this team. Each one having different strengths, weaknesses, and personality qualities makes them an awesome team. Wisdom, charisma, knowledge, integrity, and intentionality just pour from the hearts of these men. And a huge shoutout to their wives for the daily and long-term sacrifices they make: from stressful market shopping, to caring for their kids, to being a motherly Christian figure to neighborhood children, they know how to work hard and get things done, all the while shining a light of Christ.

Wanna know the good news? You can do this too. It doesn't take a 5-star graduate degree from a prestigious doctoral program to become a missionary. These guys and girls are humans just like you and me. They have good days and bad days. They burn cookies and fart and stub their toes too. They miss their families. They make mistakes. But by golly, by the glory of God, they get up every time they fall. They are persistent to learn Iraqw. They bounce back from their mistakes and come back still on fire for God's mission.

We can all do that by the power of the Holy Spirit. Not one person is inadequate enough to spread the Gospel of Christ and God's love for His people. We all have different gifts, but are part of the same body. We all have a special function that only we can do best.

Church, the world needs you.

The poverty-stricken family of 10 in a village 80 kilometers from the nearest town needs you. The rich European who drinks himself into depression needs you. Your neighbor needs you.

But before you get too confident, know that it's not really you that they need. It's God. But YOU are able to share that message. YOU are able to help God in the Great Commission. It's called a CO-MISSION for a reason. You + God. And YOU are able to step out of your comfort zone by the power of the Spirit within you. It's time we learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, church... because that's the way we are called to live. Whether it's 7 steps or 7,000 miles, I beg you. Share the message. Be intentional. Spread the love. Bring glory and honor to Him through your actions and words, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you.

I don't know if I'll be a long term missionary. Or even a short term one. But I do know that I will strive to adhere closely to all that I've said here by living missionally wherever God leads me.

I'll leave you with a quote by one of the missionaries, Nathan Thomas.

"If those who want to go don't, then who will?"

Bless & be blessed,
Drew

A Blog About Why I Haven’t Blogged Yet

                Oh, hey everybody! In case you were wondering, I am, in fact, still here. Looking back, I realized that I promised many people the optimistic phrase, “Oh yeah, I’ll blog a lot to keep you updated on what’s going on!” Well… oops.

                The reason I haven’t blogged at all yet is certainly not because there isn’t anything to blog about; it’s actually quite the opposite. I probably couldn’t even fit in a novel all that I’ve experienced in my past month in Zambia. (Don’t worry, I have kept a quasi-daily journal [I really like the word “quasi”]). Allow me to sum up the basics of what’s gone on: the experiences…

·       Training/preparation at HUT. Basically a front-loading of classes plus a high-intensity church camp packed within a few days. It was wonderful preparation for the months to come.

·       Meeting tons of new people at Namwianga Mission: college students, staff, babies, young men, smiley strangers, and more. And trust me, most of the names are harder to remember than what I had for lunch on September 21, 2004. One thing I’ve learned that I must share- Zambians love to smile. Whether you’re strangers or best friends, a big warm smile clears any tension and surpasses all cultural boundaries. They also give a thumbs-up a lot, which is just really cool.

·       A weekend in Livingstone! Some pictures have been posted, but more will come with wifi. A rundown of what we did is as follows:

o   A full day of white water rafting the Zambezi. I came in scared to death and left ready to do it again the next day!

o   Dinner at one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve ever been to.

o   2 nights camping in tents surrounded by crazy little monkeys that like to steal apples.

o   A morning driving safari full of elephants, impala, giraffes, and more. BEAUTIFUL

o   An afternoon safari with the above plus monkeys and hippos and crocs!

o   Dinner at one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve ever been to.

o   Early morning lion walk. That’s right. Lion walk! Several of us got to pet young lions and then go on a walk with them for about an hour! What an awesome experience it was.

o   Jumping off a cliff… backwards… with Kaylen Martin… That’s right. The GORGE SWING. I paid $58 to hurl myself off the side of a cliff and experience a 53-meter free fall followed by a minute and a half swinging back and forth over a gorge. Literally the most terrifying thing I’ve done it my life. And I’d do it again! (Glad you weren’t there, mom!)

o   Lunch at one of the best Italian restaurants I’ve ever been to.

o   A quick trip to Victoria Falls, one of the most beautiful locations my eyes have ever seen.

·       A couple cultural experiences including a gospel meeting, worship services at different places, and a traditional village wedding. It’d take forever to explain the cultural richness of those, but just know that they were one-of-a-kind events that I’d love to talk about in person when I’m back in the States! (That goes for everything here)

·       In addition to spending time and building friendships with young people at the Havens and Eric’s House, I’ve had to opportunity to shadow/volunteer some in the Namwianga Health Centre (a free clinic run on donations, Christian love, and hard work) and at Kalomo Hospital. Although sickness is prevalent, don’t get the misconception that it’s way different or worse than anywhere else. There are different diseases, different methods and availabilities of treatment, and different resources available, but sickness and poor health is worldwide. And I’m here to tell you that the hardy Zambians I’ve encountered do a FANTASTIC job of holding on to their faith, hope, and love in sickness and in health. It’s so uplifting to see the omnipresent nature of God everywhere we go!

·        SINGING! Oh my goodness. There are a select few places in this world where I have taken part in singing that gives me chills. This is certainly one of those places. From village churches to chapel to choirs and more, it is almost ridiculous how good the singing sounds. I feel like 80% of Zambian singing is within the alto-tenor range, because many women sing low and many men sing high. With soprano and bass as icing and foundation, it’s like getting lost in a beautiful whirlwind of notes. And they belt it! As opposed to some singing groups I’ve previously been in, there is no reservation when it comes to dynamics (except when everyone does one verse quietly). Oh yeah, and here’s another thing. I have yet to see actual written notes; it’s all sung by ear! And printed words are only used maybe half the time. It’s amazing to see how this really comes from their hearts. I could go on for days. Just to know that God transcends any human language and hears ALL praises to Him is a beautifully comforting thought. I look forward to singing with Zambians and my fellow HIZzers every day; we’ve already learned a lot of Tonga songs! I also look forward to leading Wabota in HIZ Chapel :)

Okay, enough of the boring summarizing. Time to (try to) get real! Though I feel like I should have a multitude of profound things to say, I’m somewhat speechless (technologically, that is). So I will write some on the new title of my blog and leave it at that until those profound topics do come to me.

I had originally titled this blog “My Adventures in Zambia” or some self-centered thing like that. But after time at HUT and inspiring words from Ba Shawn and Meagan Hawley, I realized that’s exactly what I didn’t want this to be about. Who cares about what I do? I mean, I know my family wants to know, and that’s great. I’ll keep you updated. But that’s not exactly what this trip is about. I couldn’t have justified spending thousands and thousands of dollars and receiving so many donations on simple self-centered adventures. The mission, the purpose of this trip is much larger than that. It’s much larger than even I know.

It just hit me today that God knew I would spend a semester in Zambia since before I was born. As a small child, I never could have envisioned paying so much money to spend a semester in a hot, dusty country thousands of miles from home surrounded by people I’ve known for no more than a year, encountering different cultural customs and trying to learn a totally new foreign language. But God knew.

“So what exactly are you doing there? Spreading the Gospel to hundreds of natives? Building houses and orphanages and church buildings? Saving lives every day at the clinic?”

No. I’m sorry, but I’m not. Not only am I not qualified to do all those things, but I am not even prepared to do so. At least not yet. THAT’S what this trip is about. To prepare myself and the 27 other wonderful students with me… To prepare us for a lifetime of mission. And it’s going great. The combination of classes and field work is on point: exactly what education should be.

“Mission” does not mean selling all your belongings, moving to a village 100 kilometers past Timbuktu, and preaching fire and brimstone every day. Bruce McLarty defined “mission” better than I’ve ever heard before in his inaugural speech. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to that right now, but I encourage you to look it sometime. Mission is living for God, like Christ, through the help of the Holy Spirit in all you do. Mission is working toward being worthy to share the Gospel, and then doing so through your actions (and words when necessary). Mission is doing all you do with 110% effort as though you were doing it for God. Whether it’s 7 steps or 7,000 miles, everywhere we go is a mission. Let us never forget that.

Yeah, I realize some of that may be cliché. But I have the philosophy that “clichés” are cliché for a reason. They work. They’ve stood the test of time in their applicability. They’ve been said by the wise and the foolish, by the educated and the uneducated, by the old and the young, by the poor and the rich. I believe in the power of mission and the power of clichés.

I believe one of our most important missions is to be molded by God. This is a two-way mission, meaning we have to take the necessary steps to be molded, as well as let go and let God when necessary. It means putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations, for I believe life is truly experienced when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone. I’m not much of a risk taker, but this is one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. However, I hardly consider Harding in Zambia “risky.” That is because I have a blessed assurance that as long as I let God work in my life and mold me day by day, the results will be priceless. Realizing that I am broken and marred by sin, and unworthy of any blessings I’ve been given, I delight in the fact that I am seen as holy and blameless in His sight. The sacrifice of all sacrifices has paid my ransom. The least I can do is put my life in God’s hands and let Him work through me. Therefore, while I am here at HIZ, I will strive daily to let go and let God. Through building relationships, health work, outreaches, displaying joy, and more, I commit to answering God’s call & following where He leads me. I apologize if you’re sick of this sappy, deep blog post, but it’s what I’m feeling right now!

In summary, I am LOVING my experience in Zambia so far. To be surrounded by such a pure-hearted group of people who are on fire for God and His mission is so powerful. I thank everyone here and at home for the support and encouragement provided. If you get anything out of this blog post, get this: My semester here in Zambia is not about me. It’s about God-- seeing Him in whole new ways and being a vessel for however He wants to work through me. In humility, I submit to Him as a joyful servant, seeking to bring Him glory in my life and helping others worldwide to do the same.

We are just getting started. I’m so excited for this continuing adventure!

Things you can pray for:

·         Me to be humble, selfless, always joyful, moldable, a shining light, compassionate, intentionally encouraging, and wise.

·         Our group to grow in new, amazing ways. To grow closer to each other and closer to God every day.

·         Zambians… gratitude for their wonderful welcoming hearts and seemingly unshakeable faith for the many here who are Christians. For us to be lights to everyone here, showing not ourselves, but Jesus, to others. And for those that have yet to give their lives to Christ, to find the courage and desire to do so. But that doesn’t apply just to Zambians; that applies to everyone worldwide.

·         For our teachers and elders to continue in their great work. To remain encouraged and motivated, blessing them to be vessels for whatever God wants us to learn.

·         For my mom, to keep doing great back home :) ILY!

That’s all I’ve got for now. Sorry if it was long or a lot to take in, but I just wanted to post before we head to Tanzania for almost 2 weeks! From now on, I’ll take notes of potential blogging topics.

Leave a dent, bless and be blessed, & Leza amuleleke,

Drew