“I really enjoy reading your blogs”
My mom innocently tells me during my call home during Thanksgiving. In no way
was she alluding to the fact that I hadn’t recently posted one (If you know my
mom you’d agree), but it did trigger my mind the fact that I need to post a
blog. So here is an overdue blog about what’s going on with me right this
second.
First of all I shaved my beard. I
look like a normal human being again, although people may no longer immediately
think I can navigate myself through the woods and live off of berries and wild
game over long periods of time (mountain-man joke). I am feeling physically
well and have by the grace of God stayed free of Malaria, Typhoid, Amoebas,
parasites, and any other illness that has inflicted about half of our squad. I
will officially be out of Africa as of December 3rd, and moving to
Bangkok, Thailand. Ministry in Thailand on the World Race is dubbed as
“man-istry”. This is aptly named, as all of the guys get together as a group,
while the girls work with women stuck in the sex trafficking rings prevalent in
Thailand.
Before landing in Nairobi, I wasn’t
sure that I would enjoy my stay here in Africa. I knew that I would be able to
adapt, make the most out of the conditions, and power through ministry. I never
thought I would honestly be telling people in Uganda and Tanzania that I hope
to come back and visit within the next decade. In Tanzania we taught English
and computer classes. We also helped at an orphanage and lead youth services at
the church. Throughout the entire month our Tanzanian contacts praised us for
our efforts and thanked us for the difference that we were making. I’ve been
learning that you don’t have to end world hunger, or convert an entire village
to successfully serve God and follow his commands. We taught a 20 year old how
to turn on a computer (you read that correctly). We answered simple questions
about the Bible and the American church. We practiced creating and answering
Who, What, Where, When and Why questions in English. At times I would think to
myself, ‘why am I here?’ ‘anyone can
do this’. It was when these thoughts were at the forefront of my thinking that
one of the pastors would come up, firmly grab my hand, and with almost tearful
eyes express their gratitude for us being there. A few times Pastor Bone came
to me with ‘Mr. Chad, when I see you, I see apostle’. Part of me was thinking…
‘dude, I didn’t even do anything special’, part of me grateful that God was
reinforcing the fact that I am doing his will.
In our last week in Tanzania we
were fortunate to spend a day and a half on a 44 foot sailboat. We slept, ate,
fished, kayaked, snorkeled, and swam in the beautiful Indian Ocean around
Zanzibar and other smaller private islands. There were 9 of us (plus the
skipper and helper Ian) on the boat, but many times I felt like I was all
alone, floating on the clear blue ocean, staring into God’s untouched,
uncorrupted creation. I thought (as one is forced to in Africa) how fortunate I
am, how great our God is, and how I need to ask Uncle John to find me a boat
down in Ft. Lauderdale. In all seriousness I am blessed, in the spirit of
Thanksgiving I have a lot to be grateful for. I hope to send all those who’ve
supported me a postcard soon, but at times it’s easier said than done. I’m also
thankful for those who read my blog, especially my mom!
