January 5, 2013, 8:45p.m., Macau: As I am now only two full days into this journey, I realize my inherent need for discipleship community; a community of people committed to transparency and a willingness to succumb to the Lord's changing, molding grace rooted in love.
During the trip to Asia, I was among a group of fairly unacquainted individuals. It is no secret that I value relationships of depth with intentional investment, and so a three-week journey at surface level would not make for a personally positive relational experience. Although unintentional, at the onset of the trip I was able to assess potential opportunities for encouraging community investment. On the fifth day while waiting an hour for a bus, I became engaged in an extremely meaningful conversation with one team member. Learning his story leading up to and at Taylor, what he valued, cared for, and desired led me to respect this young man and be grateful for the origination of meaningful friendship.
Conversations at meals were frequently developmental to the making of a new community. Sharing ideas and stories, asking tough questions, and displaying emotions cultivated a body of individuals previously unbeknownst. Opportunities arose throughout the trip to engage in conversations with several team members. Each uniquely meaningful as authenticity, vulnerability, honesty, sincerity, grace and love were personified.
The experience of being a part of a new community was not only refreshing but inspiring. I am encouraged by the team members I traveled with for demonstrating many blessings, seeing many skills and gifts, and taking an invested interest in how stories are unfolding in the Kingdom.
Perhaps this experience most taught me that my own failings do not preclude the cultivation of community. One student shared with me that he appreciates that I deeply interact with situations and communicate "profound" thoughts. I admit the words he spoke sounded nice, but surely if my wretched soul should be so fully exposed, would not all respect be dismissed? I do hope I continue to express freely that where there is any good in my being it is not I but the Lord for I am nothing good of my own accord.
This lesson transforms my understanding of the establishment of community: relationships rooted in honesty to the self and others expose shared brokenness and celebrate the presence of Christ's redemptive work.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Africa to Asia: Uncertain Moments
I tend to be fairly cognizant of my surroundings and in most instances prefer knowledge to enable me with the ability to control my interaction with such surroundings. It must come with the passport: traveling relinquishes control.
There were several instances in Africa and Asia that demanded I recognize my lack of control. I was held-up entering Kenya due to customs, feared entering mainland China, and interacted with the natural environment that seemed to possess the power to finish my days.
December 17, 2012, 5:04p.m., Naivasha, Kenya: Our [hippo] boat guide was Peter. He was a bit older, but was quiet and wise like my father. I felt safe going on this adventure with him. We went near the shoreline and were able to see several hippos. Whenever Peter saw a hippo he got closer so we could take pictures. At first it was a tad nerve-wracking knowing that hippos do attack and kill boaters, but Peter was an expert.
The exhilarating moments of seeing and hearing a hippo rise from the water certainly made the adventure worth the minor stress. As if the hippo boat ride extravaganza was not enough, a game drive at the Nairobi National Park a few days later certainly exceeded my expectations. We began the drive before 6:00a.m., hoping that by doing so we would see wildlife. And wildlife we saw...
December 20, 2012, 4:00p.m., Nairobi: I was closer to death today more than any day thus far on my Kenyan adventures...within fifteen minutes we crossed paths with a rhino that had a very pointed horn. Quickly the rhino began chasing our vehicle...within seconds we could hear it huffing as we decided to speed away from our perceived dangerous predicament...The vehicle became lodged deep in the mud and there was no way out but to push - which required us to get out of the car in the Nairobi National Park with hundreds of dangerous creatures.
Despite moments of frustration, uncertainty actually led to moments of dependence on the Spirit and the fellowship of friends, which brought great joy. This reminds me of the Israelites as they wandered in the desert, relying on the Spirit of God going before them and providing insight to the community leaders. Too quickly the Israelites pleaded to make their own way, to maintain control, in a foreign land. The amenities of my travels were certainly incomparable to those of the Israelites, yet I sought independence despite my ignorance and limited perspective.
While I was waiting at immigration control to be admitted to mainland China for the first time, I was surprisingly anxious. The thought of entering this unknown governmental and cultural nation with stories of persecution did not seem appealing in the moment. I decided, somewhat unconsciously, to relinquish control: I stood alongside fellow believers and hummed "Holy Spirit, you are welcome here, come flood this place and fill the atmosphere." It was one of the more peaceful moments of my adventures.
While waiting in the Ft. Wayne International Airport December 13, I wrote: I fail to trust Him when I am not in control, which ironically is all of the time. And from the Beijing International Airport on January 23, I reminded myself that from the African plains to the Great Wall of China, I have seen His handiwork and declare Great is Thy Faithfulness.
In the midst of great uncertainty, the certainty of my uncertainty demands my submission to the One who is greater and has remained faithful.
There were several instances in Africa and Asia that demanded I recognize my lack of control. I was held-up entering Kenya due to customs, feared entering mainland China, and interacted with the natural environment that seemed to possess the power to finish my days.
 |
| Friends Elle Wightman, Mark & Audrey Statler, boat guide Peter |
The exhilarating moments of seeing and hearing a hippo rise from the water certainly made the adventure worth the minor stress. As if the hippo boat ride extravaganza was not enough, a game drive at the Nairobi National Park a few days later certainly exceeded my expectations. We began the drive before 6:00a.m., hoping that by doing so we would see wildlife. And wildlife we saw...
December 20, 2012, 4:00p.m., Nairobi: I was closer to death today more than any day thus far on my Kenyan adventures...within fifteen minutes we crossed paths with a rhino that had a very pointed horn. Quickly the rhino began chasing our vehicle...within seconds we could hear it huffing as we decided to speed away from our perceived dangerous predicament...The vehicle became lodged deep in the mud and there was no way out but to push - which required us to get out of the car in the Nairobi National Park with hundreds of dangerous creatures.
 |
| Gongbei Port of Entry, Zhuhai, China |
While waiting in the Ft. Wayne International Airport December 13, I wrote: I fail to trust Him when I am not in control, which ironically is all of the time. And from the Beijing International Airport on January 23, I reminded myself that from the African plains to the Great Wall of China, I have seen His handiwork and declare Great is Thy Faithfulness.
In the midst of great uncertainty, the certainty of my uncertainty demands my submission to the One who is greater and has remained faithful.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Africa to Asia: Malls to Slums
Since enrolling three years ago at Taylor University, I knew the opportunity to travel to Asia for an international business study tour would be available during January of my senior year. But a leisure vacation to Africa during Christmastime was an opportunity I could not forgo. Kenya is home to my friends Mark and Audrey Statler who teach and live at Rosslyn Academy, an international Christian school in Nairobi.
Although the purposes of my visits differed, both provided a glimpse of global business and economic diversity. The Kibera slum of Nairobi is the largest urban slum in Africa and sits within minutes of westernized malls, restaurants, and homes. It is no secret that this sort of economic divide is a global reality.
December 19, 2012, 10:01a.m., Nairobi: We went along the exterior of Kibera, Nairobi's slum. I felt scared, maybe terrified in this place. Was I fearful of poverty? Of instability? Of being the minority?
If answers exist to my questions, I know them not. The agony of the unknown produces fear. Economic insecurity is no exception. The lack of clean water, adequate shelter, and consistent income are realities I have never known. In the midst of that reality though, there are people living moral, ethical, and opportunistic lives. Perhaps they know this better than I.
Within days of visiting the third-world, developing-nation of Kenya, I took part in one of the fastest-growing economies of the world. The rapidly transitioning economy of China consists of economic diversity that seems to challenge communism's aim.
A visit to Janes Lock Company, which produces door locks for Brinks sold in Walmart, Ace Hardware, and Home Depot, gave me a glimpse of Chinese manufacturing. The facilities and infrastructure reminded me of the Industrial Revolution. The company employs 1,500 workers who live on site and are allowed to go home, often in rural China, one week per year during the Chinese New Year. Starting wages: USD $30 per month.
January 10, 2013, 2:30p.m. Doumen, China: Since workers are paid by piece production they are permitted to work whenever possible to increase productivity and thus increase wages. I know as an American consumer lower labor costs mean a lower final goods cost, but I have a deeper and more meaningful appreciation for products "Made in China." I have seen the hands and faces of thousands of human beings, people, with souls, producing goods.
Equipping people with the resources of business and the values of personhood demonstrated through the Church engenders the opportunity to develop communities. Humanness inspires a wealth of opportunity where economic circumstance would hinder development. The walls and chains of economic divide crumble under the weight of human potential. Resources benefit growth, but the Redeemer, through His people, changes lives both in malls and slums.
Although the purposes of my visits differed, both provided a glimpse of global business and economic diversity. The Kibera slum of Nairobi is the largest urban slum in Africa and sits within minutes of westernized malls, restaurants, and homes. It is no secret that this sort of economic divide is a global reality.
December 19, 2012, 10:01a.m., Nairobi: We went along the exterior of Kibera, Nairobi's slum. I felt scared, maybe terrified in this place. Was I fearful of poverty? Of instability? Of being the minority?
If answers exist to my questions, I know them not. The agony of the unknown produces fear. Economic insecurity is no exception. The lack of clean water, adequate shelter, and consistent income are realities I have never known. In the midst of that reality though, there are people living moral, ethical, and opportunistic lives. Perhaps they know this better than I.
Within days of visiting the third-world, developing-nation of Kenya, I took part in one of the fastest-growing economies of the world. The rapidly transitioning economy of China consists of economic diversity that seems to challenge communism's aim.
A visit to Janes Lock Company, which produces door locks for Brinks sold in Walmart, Ace Hardware, and Home Depot, gave me a glimpse of Chinese manufacturing. The facilities and infrastructure reminded me of the Industrial Revolution. The company employs 1,500 workers who live on site and are allowed to go home, often in rural China, one week per year during the Chinese New Year. Starting wages: USD $30 per month.
January 10, 2013, 2:30p.m. Doumen, China: Since workers are paid by piece production they are permitted to work whenever possible to increase productivity and thus increase wages. I know as an American consumer lower labor costs mean a lower final goods cost, but I have a deeper and more meaningful appreciation for products "Made in China." I have seen the hands and faces of thousands of human beings, people, with souls, producing goods.
Equipping people with the resources of business and the values of personhood demonstrated through the Church engenders the opportunity to develop communities. Humanness inspires a wealth of opportunity where economic circumstance would hinder development. The walls and chains of economic divide crumble under the weight of human potential. Resources benefit growth, but the Redeemer, through His people, changes lives both in malls and slums.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)