If I were a butterfly…

How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
~Psalm 104:24

During our vacation in Kenya, we went on a safari to the Masai Mara wildlife preserve. It was my (Kristi’s) first-ever safari, and I loved it! In the short 2 days that we had in the park, We saw lots of animals…some I had never heard of! Did you know that just within the antelope family, the hartbeast, the reedbuck, waterbuck, the dik dik, Thompson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, and the Eland are all common in Kenya?? I was continually amazed at the variety in different species, and how the species interact with each other. We observed how the zebra and gazelle often graze together, and that the Topi can often be seen standing atop a small mound of earth (however small!) as if they are a sentry. We watched in fascination as a mixed herd of impala and wildebeast all stared intently and stood unmoving as a cheetah and her cubs walked by.

 

The word “safari”, in Swahili, simply means a journey….but for us westerners it has come to mean a journey with the primary goal of seeing wild animals in Africa in their natural habitats. Birdwatching is a new hobby for me this year, and I felt like I got to go on a “safari” for birds also when I joined the Nature Kenya society for one of their weekly birdwalks. I struggle to see and identify birds…often I find myself staring at a tree for 15 minutes at a time, listening to a bird singing and knowing that it is in that tree, but failing to locate it. Kids’ books might simplify a bird’s voice to something like “cheep cheep!”. But anyone who has listened to a thrush or a bulbul or a robin-chat in Africa knows that they have elaborate and melodious songs! The more birds I learn to see and hear, the more amazed I become at the variety in their songs, shapes, colors, sizes, and behaviors!

During our week in Zanzibar, we went snorkeling one day in the coral reef off the coast. We stared in wonder at the bright colors on some of the fish, and the variety in shapes and sizes. One fish was long and narrow – like an eel – and another had a string-like tail flowing from its top fin. Some zebra-striped, some with bold spots, some narrow and tall, others small and sprite. Why did God bother creating such extravagant variety?? We commented afterward that we felt like we had been on a “safari in the sea”.

Just on the grounds of the hotel in Zanzibar, I saw more than 6 varieties of butterfly. Zanzibar has more than 50 varieties of butterfly in its national park! Have you ever stopped to wonder why some butterflies have spots, others plain, and others intricate designs like a stained-glass window? Wow!

We stand in wonder at the majesty of God as we enjoy the beauty of His creation. Imagine how much less interesting the world would be if there were only one type of bird, or fish, or cat, or tree…or if each person was the same. Enjoying these creatures was fun – but we realize that it is getting harder to see them as their habitats get reduced and more remote and many threaten to disappear. I was reminded of our calling to be responsible stewards of God’s creation – a task that gives God glory and also preserves our opportunity for seeing God’s fingerprints in the world around us.

What is the purpose of the earth and all of these amazing creatures? Are they just for our benefit? What is the impact of our every-day life on the earth? What will the earth be like in just 30 years if the devastating effects of deforestation, pollution and our level of trash dumping are not drastically changed? I just read a very helpful book called Redeeming Creation written by Fred VanDyke and others. It gives some grounded Biblical perspective the relationship between God, creation, and humanity. I highly recommend it!

…And if I were a butterfly, I’d thank you Lord for giving me wings. But I just thank you Father for making me, me!

On Vacation (Kenya, Tanzania)

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!  Kristi and I are in Nairobi, Kenya, and Zanzibar (Tanzania) for vacation the month of December.  We are thoroughly enjoying our time, being refreshed in body, spirit, and mind.  We have been staying at our friend Eric’s apartment in Nairobi, which serves in part as a veritable theological library. 

For fun, here are the titles of books we are reading, skimming, and perusing.  The first five listed grabbed our attention from Eric’s shelves!  The second five are books we brought with us (mostly via kindle). 

1.  Redeeming Creation, Fred Van Dyke, David C. Mahan, Joseph K. Sheldon, Raymond H. Brand

2.  Evil and the Justice of God, N.T. Wright

3.  Slaves, Women & Homosexuals, William J. Webb

4.  The Radical Disciple, John Stott

5.  Just How Married Do You Want to Be?  Jim and Sarah Sumner

 

6.  Dr. Not Afraid, Winifred Kellersberger Vass

7.  The Space Between Us, Thrity Umrigar

8.  Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins

9.  Portfolios of the Poor:  How the World’s Poor Live on $2 a day, Daryl Collins, Jonathan Morduch, Stuart Rutherford, Orlanda Ruthuen

10.  Dancing in the Glory of Monsters, Jason Stearns

 

Eric’s collection of books is remarkable, one could browse for hours
(pictured is one of his two major book shelves)

 

We send you our warmest greetings!  We will be back to Congo in early to mid-January, and will resume our regular weekly blog posts. 

 

God Bless! 

Bob and Kristi

 

Are you rich or poor?

Recently we meditated on the passage in James 2 exhorting people not to show favoritism to wealthy or “important” people. One verse stood out to me, “…Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5)

I enjoy this paradox, and this reminder that wealth in this world is not what determines the value of a person. Congo, of course, is known for its severe poverty, and we have gotten to know several families in Kananga who really struggle to have food to eat or to get medical treatment when they get sick. Yet, we are repeatedly impressed with the strong faith, the resilience, and the generosity of these people who are desperately poor in material things.

One of our favorite people in Kananga is Mulami (deacon) Elizabeth. She is nearly 70 years old, but arrives at about 6:30 AM each day to set up her stall in the small market across the street from our house. She sells peanuts, coffee, and sometimes boiled cassava all day, in the hot sun and frequent rain. She clears out her stall and packs up to go home around 6:30 PM. Whenever we need a trustworthy source to tell us about something happening in the neighborhood, we turn to her. When we were preparing for the big youth conference last year, she came along to show me where to buy corn in large quantities and make sure we got a good price. She provides food for her children and grandchildren – selling tiny bags of peanuts that cost 5 cents each. She has experienced plenty of hunger, want, and sickness, yet she is full of faith and hope and really has a gift for serving others.

Mulami Elizabeth works her stall selling peanuts and coffee

This year I read a book called When Helping Hurts, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. Using principles gleaned from Bryant Myers’ book Walking with the Poor, they describe poverty as a product of broken relationships with ourselves, others, God, and creation. Our poverty and brokenness in those relationships manifests itself in the economic, social, religious, and political systems we create, which are often unjust and flawed. All of us are or can be poor…perhaps because of a flawed view of our inherent value as a person, perhaps because we don’t care how we are polluting the environment, perhaps because of old wounds in our family that still haunt us, or perhaps because we don’t recognize God’s existence and authority. I think this is an important principle…I need to realize my own poverty before I can really connect in a meaningful way with people who might be labeled poor because of their material status.

In the gospels, Jesus often says things that are unexpected or counter-cultural to his audience For example in Luke 6:20 Jesus says “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.”, and then in 6:24 “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” Some people have said that Jesus is proclaiming a “reversal of fortunes.” In the midst of all the evil and injustice in our world, this is hopeful news! There are unique blessings and gifts that God has and will give to those who have gotten the “short end of the stick” in this life because of where they were born or what happened to them. Those who are suffering, oppressed, or materially poor have riches to share!

Congolese Refugees

God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46: 1 – 2, 7)

Fifteen days ago we sat in the General Secretary’s office on a Thursday afternoon.  We were advised by a missionary colleague to inform him of our forthcoming trip to Rwanda.  We explained to him that we have many friends in Rwanda whom we were planning to visit during our forthcoming vacation.  Dr. Mulumba, the General Secretary, lovingly but directly told us that going to Rwanda at this time was a bad idea.  He warned us that to do so would cause ANR, the Congolese security forces, to track us and suspect us of being spies upon our return.  Deflated and feeling shell-shocked by his advice, we sat below our apartment on a cement block, wondering what to do.  Of course, we could just go to Kenya and not beyond (to Rwanda), but that just felt lackluster and gave no appeal.  We toyed with some ideas over the weekend of how to re-present our case to Dr. Mulumba. On Monday we realized that it was a lost cause when Larry Sthreshley, a veteran missionary colleague based in Kinshasa, affirmed Dr. Mulumba’s fears and advised us not to visit Rwanda at this time.  He told us that relations between Rwanda and Congo are the worst they have been in ten years.  Our decision was made, we would not go.

The next day the city of Goma (1 million people) fell into the hands of the M23 rebels, a group reported by the UN as being supported by Rwanda and Uganda.  The next day Larry emailed Dr. Mulumba from Kinshasa, informing him that M23 was threatening to forge alliances with the political opposition and possibly march on Kinshasa.  Dr. Mulumba acted quickly, advising Larry to inform a group from Charlotte (NC) to not come to Congo at this time.  He also advised us to start our vacation early, catching the Saturday plane for Kinshasa, so that we could leave the country the following week.  His concern was that if we waited, Kinshasa might be a mess in a week or two.  Three days later we were in Kinshasa, and by late afternoon Monday we found ourselves in Nairobi. 

Right now we feel like “Congolese refugees,” though our plight is nothing like the one faced by half a million Congolese in Eastern Congo who have had to flee their homes, now living in internal displacement camps or makeshift living arrangements.  I have read accounts of families living in tents, with wet mud as their floor as the rains have begun.  I have read about M23 killing randomly and at-will in Goma, causing the population to live in fear.  It is the sad, familiar story of Congo.  A corrupt government which isn’t able to protect its people finds itself challenged from inside and out.  The story of Rwanda and Uganda using proxy militias to enforce their own selfish aims and objectives in the volatile east, with almost no outcry from the international community.  A story which may continue with more suffering, more displacement, more killings, more injustice, and more stories of heart-wrenching sadness.

Woman with child, displaced in Eastern Congo 

**photo from BBC article, Nov. 30th 2012

In the midst of this upheaval and tumult, God has given us His peace.  He has provided us a place to stay in Nairobi, and we are feeling grateful.  We continue to pray for Congo and we hope we can return as planned in early January.  Our long-term prayer for Congo is that she would experience lasting peace and good governance.  That prayer feels almost like an impossible prayer, as current events seem to sabotage this land once again.  We trust that God will work out his plans in the midst of the messiness and utter pain so many are currently experiencing.  We, too, are feeling the pangs of being displaced, and we can only trust that God will use this time according to His sovereign plan and purposes.                      

Creative attempts to help

We are surrounded by very real physical needs. There are often people who come to us asking for help – sometimes people we know, sometimes people we don’t know. We do want to interact with individuals and show compassion, but we realize that sometimes our attempts to help could be harmful – to the person we are trying to help, and/or ourselves. Here are a few testimonies of people who we are trying to help in constructive ways.

Tatu Mbuta showed up at our door one day asking for help. He looked extremely thin and obviously poor. He said that he attended the same local parish we do, but we did not know him. We helped him once with a little food, but knew that was not the answer. After he had showed up several times, we started asking about his family and asked for verification from a trusted source who knew his family. His mother is a widow, and neither he nor his mother are physically able to do much manual labor, so they struggle to put food on the table. They do attend our local parish, and she receives a tiny amount of support from the church along with some of the other widows there.

One of the elders we consulted suggested we give Mbuta some occasional work to do as a constructive way to help them. So…we gave him an empty plastic bottle that had been used for cleaning powder, and a sample pastoral collar. He very successfully cut up the bottle to make 4 white strips that could be used for pastoral collars. Lots of times, we have heard pastors request help in getting “vestments” (pastoral shirts, collars, robes, etc.) These are not so commonly used in the U.S. anymore, but they are still seen as important to church life in Congo. We have wanted to find a way to locally produce the collars (pastoral shirts and robes can hopefully be made locally too!). So – he helps us to meet a need for supplies for pastors, and we help him and his mother meet the need to eat.

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Tatu Muanda works in our home – doing laundry (by hand!), mopping floors, and doing a little cooking. He has been a quiet, hard-working, and trustworthy presence in our home for almost 2 years. One of the things we appreciate about him is that he never complains and rarely asks for anything beyond his normal salary. His wife, however, who returned from her home village last year, is a little more outspoken. When we see her, she always mentions the old roof sheeting on their house that is full of holes. She animatedly exclaims “Is this a house? No! It is as if we are sleeping outside! When it rains, we don’t sleep; we get wet!”

We mulled around what to do. We did not feel right purchasing a new roof for him outright, but we know that his meager salary coupled with limited financial tools for the poor make saving for a large purchase nearly impossible. In mid-October, we proposed to him that if he felt getting a new roof was a priority, we were willing to help him save by deducting a small amount of his salary each month. Then, we would “match” whatever he had saved toward the purchase of new roof sheets a few months from now. He was appreciative of the idea, and said he wanted to start the next month. At the end of October, I paid him his salary. He carefully counted out 10,000 Congolese francs and handed it back to me. “Getting a new roof is a good idea. I want to start this month!” So – we’ll see what the outcome is – but we are grateful to have the hope of a better home for him.

Kristi stands with Monique, Tatu Muanda’s daughter, in front of his home.
André, her oldest son standing in front of her, died a few weeks ago.

The needs around us far outstrip our creativity and resources. However, seek to empower the church in their efforts to help the poor, and also be sensitive to God’s spirit and available to try to engage with individuals ourselves in constructive ways.