African Endeavor: Six Months In, ?? To Go

It is bizarre to think that we have been here for six months already. Bizarre because the memory of getting on the plane at DIA half a year ago is so vivid and fresh that it really seems to have been experienced only a few days ago. But when we think of all of our experiences since that flight, it seems as if we have been here for a full year. During our first month here, we figured the six-month milestone would come quick and that we would have accomplished so much. We are happy to report that we were correct on both accounts. We have accomplishments to report, but it seems as if we have only begun. Our ministry is still at such infancy that we know there to so much more work to do- and we could not be more excited about it. Sometimes we step back and see the path still ahead, and we admit it seems overwhelming. But then we take a step on that path. It plants deep and our step is strong. The next step is difficult, but we make it. Then another. With each step, our feet feel heavier. Our legs grow tired and our bodies weary. But then we look behind and see the steps we have taken. We have come so far, and God was with us during each step, sometimes carrying us so we could move forward. It energizes us to take another step, renewed in strength and determination. Focused on our goal, we keep going.

We have so much to talk about since our last entry, but for the sake of your time and avoiding writing a feature that could be published into a full-length novel, we will only summarize some of our favorite events (We are considering launching a full website where we can tell more stories).

At the end of March, a fellow missionary couple from the UK invited us on fact-finding mission to Tanzania. Together with a small team of South Africans, we spent a week visiting various villages in Northern Tanzania, along Lake Victoria. For six days we drove for three or more hours per day going 80mph on rough dirt roads in the back of a Land Cruiser on fold down seats that intentionally allowed us to fully feel the impact of each pebble and stone in the road. The seats were intended to fit two people per bench, but we managed to defy physics and double that. Fully knowing what a sardine feels like, we endured the bumps and 90 degree weather traveling from village to village to learn about a process they have launched to enable their communities to thrive with the resources available to them. Despite the extreme poverty and limited resources, these villages have found ways to improve the community, their health, their food supply and quality of life- all from biblical teaching. Our purpose there was to learn this process and figure ways to implement it in South Africa. Now we are faced with the challenge of executing this process in an environment significantly different from Tanzania. It is like comparing an apple to and orange. However, we know God will show us the steps (and carry us through the difficult ones). There is so much more to tell about Tanzania and our experiences there. We plan to share some of the stories another time.

Jeanine continues to teach the kids at the day care in Rayton. The kids have adopted her as a mother and have given her the name of “mum-J”. She teaches two days a week. Each morning, without fail, the kids ask if mum-J is coming that day. As we pull up to the center, they come running outside to greet their favorite teacher. Beyond the academics and bible lessons, she helps with the feeding and cleaning of the older kids. During their naptime, she helps with the babies. Mike keeps busy with repairs and construction projects around the center. He will sometimes hold the babies and bounce them on his knees, even though the diapers are not as snug as Pampers (that is all we will say about that). We recently realized how acclimated we have become to living here. The other day we were at the center while a baby was crawling around outside and found a peach pit. Although it was covered with grass and very little fruit remained, the child proceeded to eat it. A visiting lady we were standing with cringed at the sight while we both shrugged and thought at least the baby is getting some vitamins (and there was not bugs on it). We realize that sounds appalling, but we have adapted a new phrase: “That’s Africa”. Some things here have to be taken lightly or it just becomes too much.

We have been fortunate to be involved in some events with BEAM Africa this last month. A local church hosted a potjie (poy-key), which is a local tradition of cooking various stews and dishes in cast-iron pots over hot coals. They brought a number of jumping castles for the little kids while the older ones played in a soccer tournament. The church fed over 200 kids and distributed winter blankets to each. A few days later, a local business adopted BEAM and held an Easter party for the kids. They hid eggs and candy in the field for the children to find. They even brought the Easter Bunny- actually it was just the costume. But they did not have a person tall enough to fit into the costume so Mike was nominated to volunteer to be “Bunny”. Despite the inability to see through the little peepholes and the added layer of fur in the 70 degree sun, Mike had the kids running through the fields and hopping alongside.

We did have some obstacles to overcome this last month. We had an unfortunate circumstance with our vehicle, specifically the tires. We were getting ready to head out one morning and found two tires as flat as play-dough squashed by a steamroller. Due to the condition of the tread, or lack of, the garage would not fix them. We were forced to buy new ones. There are some things that are more expensive here than in the US: Internet, fuel, furniture, bed sheets, WD-40, but to top them all: tires. It costs us a month’s salary to purchase tires for our aging Land Rover. We are praying that God will provide a way to replenish our account from the unexpected costs.

We have many projects planned for May and will be certain to keep you informed of our progress. We will also soon post our individual accounts from our own perspective of previous events. Until then, may God bless you and we thank you for all that you do.

God bless,

Mike & Jeanine