Tuesday, October 14, 2008
One small step at a time
Temba just received the first bill this month (there are 2 payments/month) for the internet. It was a whopping 15 million. That's probably around 200USD ... I don't know the exchange right now. That is not even for past usage. It's payment simply for the priviledge to use their snail-paced, wonky service. Gotta love it ;)
Public transport, on some very dodgy, probly-shouldn't-be-driven minibuses, has jumped from 200ZD when we arrived to 3000ZD per person one way. They only leave when they are full, and by full I mean jammed in like sardines and then left out in the sun for awhile. It's most likely that you will have someone sitting partly on your lap along with all their blankets, groceries and the occassional chicken. All this combined with the distinctive scents of BO, woodsmoke and gasoline intermingle to make sure you have a pleasant,somewhat heady experience before being dumped on the side of the road to walk the rest of the way to your destination. It's fun, you really should try it sometime.
As you may have gathered by this point in our exciting tales of Zim life, it is extremely difficult to do ANYTHING here. For example, in order to make a phone call one must purchase airtime for one's cell phone. In order to purchase airtime, one must travel into town on foot, bicycle, public transport or catch a lift with a gracious host/passerby. Next one must locate a certain individual on the streets who has airtime cards for sale, and hope that one has enough cash to make the purchase. Should one find oneself short on cash (Zim Dollars) one must locate another person (usually a woman standing looking suspicious with a bag over her shoulder) and exchange foreign currency for ZD's. Then one is free to return to streetside entrepeneur number one to complete the airtime purchase. All the while hoping that a) the rates don't go up in the interim and b) that one does not get scammed by said individuals. Fortunately, for Ann and I, our dear friend Temba is usually the one who goes through the hassle on our behalf.
And if this sounds like I am complaining, I assure you I'm not! I wouldn't trade this time for anything. The lessons we are learning, the friends we have met and the amazing answers to prayer we have received more than make up for the minor inconveniences we have experienced. God is good, and He is working in Zimbabwe in ways that I cannot even begin to write about. Simply know that God cares about every little part of your life, and He is always paying attention and actively working in it.
One small step at a time
Ann and I made it to a location or township yesterday (Wednesday) called Nkhulamani. We have a couple of local volunteers out there who are helping us with the Care & Compassion ministry. One of the volunteers, Gertrude, is a counsellor at the hospital near us and has an amazing story herself. She is a mother of three, struggling to feed her family on a small income and is 'living positively' (she is HIV+). When she got sick she decided to help others going through the same thing, instead of 'feeling sorry for herself and giving up on life'. She encourages so many people both at the hospital and in her community - she is an inspiration to us as well.
We visited 4 families yesterday in their tiny little homes. None of the patients were bed-ridden, but all had similar stories of how hard it is to find food, medications and work. It will be a challenge to meet even the simplest of their needs, but God is good and he will come through for them. We plan on returning Friday to give what we have and visit with them some more. I tell you it's a pedestrian life over here. We walked from house to house with a backpack and some water in about 98 degree weather. But the only way to get to know a city is to walk it. We miss so much of what is true and real about the people and buildings and life of a place when we blow by it in a car. At least that is what I keep telling myself as we plod along.
It has been an awesome experience so far, even with all the challenges we have faced. Thank you all for the prayers, emails and words of encouragment.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Jason's post
Sometimes in all the heartbreaking stories there is one that ends happily, and shows the power of a church that cares enough to get involved in the life of a stranger.
Bonani Hadebe, a local pastor, told us the story of a 14 year old boy who found himself in a Bulawayo government hospital with 'prostate issues'. Both of his parents had passed away, and he lived with his sister in the rural areas near Kariba. He had gone to a clinic in Kariba to seek treatment, but had been loaded into an ambulance and sent to a hospital in Gweru. When they couldn't help they sent him to Bulawayo. The poor guy had no idea where he was, because he had never left his home area before. His sister didn't know what had happened to him either. The hospital refused to treat, feed or even clothe him, because he couldn't pay the hospital bill and he had no one to feed or bathe him. He was simply lying there in pain, neglected and far from home.
The church decided to cover the costs of the treatment, they clothed him and prepared meals for him. A couple of ladies from the church would come daily and care for him. They prayed for him and whatever was causing him to be unable to urinate was healed. But now the doctors refused to discharge him and wanted to proceed with surgery anyway. Eventually they conceded that there was no need and they discharged him with a clean bill of health. The church bought him a bus ticket so he could go up to Kariba where he could find his way back to his sister's home.
Sorry that reads like a news bulletin, but it's still a good story. Thank God for churches who don't just talk about doing good, they do it.
Bonani Hadebe, a local pastor, told us the story of a 14 year old boy who found himself in a Bulawayo government hospital with 'prostate issues'. Both of his parents had passed away, and he lived with his sister in the rural areas near Kariba. He had gone to a clinic in Kariba to seek treatment, but had been loaded into an ambulance and sent to a hospital in Gweru. When they couldn't help they sent him to Bulawayo. The poor guy had no idea where he was, because he had never left his home area before. His sister didn't know what had happened to him either. The hospital refused to treat, feed or even clothe him, because he couldn't pay the hospital bill and he had no one to feed or bathe him. He was simply lying there in pain, neglected and far from home.
The church decided to cover the costs of the treatment, they clothed him and prepared meals for him. A couple of ladies from the church would come daily and care for him. They prayed for him and whatever was causing him to be unable to urinate was healed. But now the doctors refused to discharge him and wanted to proceed with surgery anyway. Eventually they conceded that there was no need and they discharged him with a clean bill of health. The church bought him a bus ticket so he could go up to Kariba where he could find his way back to his sister's home.
Sorry that reads like a news bulletin, but it's still a good story. Thank God for churches who don't just talk about doing good, they do it.
what I'm thankful for
What I'm thankful for:
Since coming to Zimbabwe, I have started realize how blessed I am. I don't say this casually, not in the least. I am blessed with conveniences and luxuries, not necessities, although I am abundantly blessed with those as well. As I was sitting outside tonight, looking at the stars, it all started to come to me; not just a realization, but a humbling awakening. I pray the sting of reality will never leave my eyes, my heart, my soul or my mind. I pray I will never, ever view my blessings as something I am entitled to, but something that has been graciously granted to me. The humbling part; why me? Why not every one of these precious lives, whose hopes and dreams are much like mine? I don't have the answers to those questions. The knowledge of them is far too complex and deep to be answered or understood. What I do know is that I can never view my life at home the same. Never again.
I am thankful that I have and know my grandparents and knew two of my great-grandparents. Most children here will hardly know their own parents. Mom and dad will have died of AIDS.
I'm thankful that most of my family live in the same town. We could be scattered all over the world, but we are fortunate enough to live near each other. I know my uncles, aunt and cousins. I know my nieces and nephews. None of them have AIDS.
I'm thankful for my reliable car. I'm thankful every gas station in town has fuel; all the time; anytime. I'm thankful I don't have to travel to a neighboring country to buy fuel for my vehicle. I'm thankful that when my car breaks down, all the parts needed to repair it are available and I don't have to go and fetch a mechanic to come to my house to repair my vehicle. I'm thankful that when I need a new car, I can find one that is used and is affordable. I'm thankful that banks give loans for cars.
I'm thankful that I don't have to get up at 4am, walk to the bank and stand in line for hours every day of the week and only receive enough money to buy a few basic items; porridge, tomatoes, cabbage. I'm thankful that when I get a paycheck from work, I don't have to wait 7 days for the check to clear to even get a small amount of money from that check; all the while my family and I go hungry. I'm thankful I can withdraw 100% of the money in my bank account whenever I need it. I'm thankful that$1 today is worth $1 tomorrow. I'm thankful a loaf of bread doesn't equate to 500 US dollars and the next day cost $1000. I'm thankful I can keep my job, because it doesn't cost me more in transport to and from my job than what I am actually being paid. I'm thankful I can pay my bills by mail and not worry about the post office raiding the mail and stealing the money. I'm thankful I can pay bills on the internet if I want to, because the internet is reliable.
I'm thankful that electricity is available 99.9% of the time and I don't have to plan my life around when the power is available. I'm thankful I have clean drinking water, straight out of the tap.
I'm thankful that if and when I need a doctor, there is always one available. I'm thankful that when those I love are in the hospital, I don't actually have to bring food and supplies in for them. I'm thankful they will be cared for and not left naked and hungry. I'm thankful I can go to the pharmacy and what I need will be available. I'm thankful that as a nurse, I can actually help my patients instead of just watch them suffer. I'm thankful that in the U.S., generally the dying don't die in agony; they die with medication to make them comfortable.
I'm thankful that the store shelves are full. I'm thankful that if I enjoy a meal out with family or friends, I will still be able to eat the rest of the month. I'm thankful that I know what hunger is and it is not the feeling you get in between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner or dinner and bedtime. Hunger is when there is no food in your house and little in the stores. If there is food in the stores, the prices are far too high and if you aren't among the more fortunate to travel to Botswana or South Africa for food, you probably will starve. Hunger is when you finish your one and only meal for the day, and your stomach still aches for more. This is the same meal you have had night after night after night. Hunger is when you have a little food in your home, but your dare not indulge today, because you may not eat tomorrow. Hunger is when you set out on a journey to find food and leave your 3 little ones at home who are too weak to travel with you, only to return 5 days later to find that each of your children have died from starvation. Now, both your stomach and soul are empty. (This is a true story, folks.)
I'm thankful my eyes have seen the difficult and tragic reality of life here in Zimbabwe. I'm thankful I have truly been awakened to the fact, like I said, that most of what I have are not necessities, but convienences and luxuries. I only pray that God will show me what to do with the sights I have seen and how best to respond to the needs of the world. I pray that compassion and sensitivity for this country are forever etched in my soul and that I will not go home and become complacent and calloused. I pray that whenever I begin to become frustrated with circumstances I face at home, that I will quickly remember, I am blessed. I pray I will remember the faces and stories of those who, as Temba says, are "living miracle lives". People are truly, truly amazing here. They have so little and face the obstacles and hardships of daily life with joy, vitality and a faith in God that would bring most of us to our knees. I was awakened today to another humbling truth; I came here to encourage and teach, yet that is what I have received by each and every person I have met. I am humbled.
Dear readers, may you remember today that you are blessed. Take time this moment to thank our almighty God for the life He has given you and pray He will show you how to bless the world He loves, in return.
Since coming to Zimbabwe, I have started realize how blessed I am. I don't say this casually, not in the least. I am blessed with conveniences and luxuries, not necessities, although I am abundantly blessed with those as well. As I was sitting outside tonight, looking at the stars, it all started to come to me; not just a realization, but a humbling awakening. I pray the sting of reality will never leave my eyes, my heart, my soul or my mind. I pray I will never, ever view my blessings as something I am entitled to, but something that has been graciously granted to me. The humbling part; why me? Why not every one of these precious lives, whose hopes and dreams are much like mine? I don't have the answers to those questions. The knowledge of them is far too complex and deep to be answered or understood. What I do know is that I can never view my life at home the same. Never again.
I am thankful that I have and know my grandparents and knew two of my great-grandparents. Most children here will hardly know their own parents. Mom and dad will have died of AIDS.
I'm thankful that most of my family live in the same town. We could be scattered all over the world, but we are fortunate enough to live near each other. I know my uncles, aunt and cousins. I know my nieces and nephews. None of them have AIDS.
I'm thankful for my reliable car. I'm thankful every gas station in town has fuel; all the time; anytime. I'm thankful I don't have to travel to a neighboring country to buy fuel for my vehicle. I'm thankful that when my car breaks down, all the parts needed to repair it are available and I don't have to go and fetch a mechanic to come to my house to repair my vehicle. I'm thankful that when I need a new car, I can find one that is used and is affordable. I'm thankful that banks give loans for cars.
I'm thankful that I don't have to get up at 4am, walk to the bank and stand in line for hours every day of the week and only receive enough money to buy a few basic items; porridge, tomatoes, cabbage. I'm thankful that when I get a paycheck from work, I don't have to wait 7 days for the check to clear to even get a small amount of money from that check; all the while my family and I go hungry. I'm thankful I can withdraw 100% of the money in my bank account whenever I need it. I'm thankful that$1 today is worth $1 tomorrow. I'm thankful a loaf of bread doesn't equate to 500 US dollars and the next day cost $1000. I'm thankful I can keep my job, because it doesn't cost me more in transport to and from my job than what I am actually being paid. I'm thankful I can pay my bills by mail and not worry about the post office raiding the mail and stealing the money. I'm thankful I can pay bills on the internet if I want to, because the internet is reliable.
I'm thankful that electricity is available 99.9% of the time and I don't have to plan my life around when the power is available. I'm thankful I have clean drinking water, straight out of the tap.
I'm thankful that if and when I need a doctor, there is always one available. I'm thankful that when those I love are in the hospital, I don't actually have to bring food and supplies in for them. I'm thankful they will be cared for and not left naked and hungry. I'm thankful I can go to the pharmacy and what I need will be available. I'm thankful that as a nurse, I can actually help my patients instead of just watch them suffer. I'm thankful that in the U.S., generally the dying don't die in agony; they die with medication to make them comfortable.
I'm thankful that the store shelves are full. I'm thankful that if I enjoy a meal out with family or friends, I will still be able to eat the rest of the month. I'm thankful that I know what hunger is and it is not the feeling you get in between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner or dinner and bedtime. Hunger is when there is no food in your house and little in the stores. If there is food in the stores, the prices are far too high and if you aren't among the more fortunate to travel to Botswana or South Africa for food, you probably will starve. Hunger is when you finish your one and only meal for the day, and your stomach still aches for more. This is the same meal you have had night after night after night. Hunger is when you have a little food in your home, but your dare not indulge today, because you may not eat tomorrow. Hunger is when you set out on a journey to find food and leave your 3 little ones at home who are too weak to travel with you, only to return 5 days later to find that each of your children have died from starvation. Now, both your stomach and soul are empty. (This is a true story, folks.)
I'm thankful my eyes have seen the difficult and tragic reality of life here in Zimbabwe. I'm thankful I have truly been awakened to the fact, like I said, that most of what I have are not necessities, but convienences and luxuries. I only pray that God will show me what to do with the sights I have seen and how best to respond to the needs of the world. I pray that compassion and sensitivity for this country are forever etched in my soul and that I will not go home and become complacent and calloused. I pray that whenever I begin to become frustrated with circumstances I face at home, that I will quickly remember, I am blessed. I pray I will remember the faces and stories of those who, as Temba says, are "living miracle lives". People are truly, truly amazing here. They have so little and face the obstacles and hardships of daily life with joy, vitality and a faith in God that would bring most of us to our knees. I was awakened today to another humbling truth; I came here to encourage and teach, yet that is what I have received by each and every person I have met. I am humbled.
Dear readers, may you remember today that you are blessed. Take time this moment to thank our almighty God for the life He has given you and pray He will show you how to bless the world He loves, in return.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)