Pictures

These are a few pictures from Africa!  Enjoy!

From my Roommates Blog

I am roomming with two amazing women.  We have alot of fun.  I have to share this funny story with you.  This was actually written by my roommate Sara.  Enjoy!

So, I have to share a Classic Sara Story. For those of you who know how my stories go and are disturbed by them either hang on for the ride or, well, skip to the next blog. 

I'm going to use initials for names in this. I think you'll understand why. 

This story takes a tad bit of background information. I have two fabulous roommates. AM, I've known for two years now. AF I just got to know. Both are very honest and authentic people who aren't afraid to be themselves and have fun; both are smart and vibrant people—I have grown to love, love, love them on this trip. HL is our TA  He's a very good listener and good intercessory for any, well, problem situations—he's become a good friend of mine this summer.  He stays down the hall with Dr. D. and D. These are my good friends on this trip. 

Our room has been difficult. It's very cold here right now since they're just coming out of winter. There are two panels on the wall that are supposed to heat our room. Um, not so much. At one point AM reached up to flip the 'on'-switch on (in the corner of the panel) and it broke off. So we've really only had one working panel for the majority of the trip. We've been putting water in our coffee pot to heat it up and pour in the bath-water, wash our faces, and help heat up the room a little. The bathwater is only warm for the first person in it. The lights go out every single night—I've spent a lot of time at the breaker-box (Americans and their crazy-voltage appliances). 

Ok, there's the background information. 

We got in last night and as usual I ran to the room to start the bath (before everyone else at the complex got the bright idea). AF had to get in and out of the bathroom before I grabbed my 5 minute bath. Well, on her way out of the bathroom, the door got jammed. We got it open and attributed it to the fact that I'd left a towel-wrap on the top of the door and she has closed the door on it. No big deal. 

So, I got in the bath. It's the best part of the day because it's the only time I'm warm. Right when I got in the lights went out. This is a nightly occurrence by now so I griped for a minute, let my eyes somewhat adjust, and got on with my pitch-dark bath (fumbling around for my shampoo. I think everyone, at least once in their life, needs to try to shave their legs in the dark). When I got out, I wrapped a towel around me (even though I had clothes in the bathroom to put on) and reached for the handle (I was going to go ahead and dress in the room because it was warmer—the coffee pot was on!). Jammed. I looked up and the towel was still over the top of the door. I beat myself us for a minute having just repeated the same mistake AF had made. BUT the handle wouldn't even turn, so it obviously wasn't the towel that was the problem. I jiggled. Nothing. I pulled and pushed and kicked—nothing. The lock was stuck out (not in) so it wasn't as if the door was stuck in lock-mode. The door-knob was broken. 

I yelled for my roomies, standing in the dark with a towel around me and beginning to feel the anxiety. Anyone who knows me, knows that my biggest downfall as a human being is that I absolutely cannot manage small spaces—elevators, airplanes, locked, dark bathrooms......AF ran to flip the breaker switch. AM went to get help. 

The next thing I know, a very worried D. (a fantastic father figure on this trip) is on the other side of the door telling me not to worry (as I begin to cry). I said, “D! I don't have clothes on!” His response was, “Sara! I'm not gonna look!” (I cried harder). I quickly put the clothes on that were in the bathroom. By now I've really warmed up. 

About 5 minutes later, I'm sitting on the toilet (no longer crying) anticipating sleeping in the bathroom. By now 3 men are on the other side of the door—Dr. D. (our professor), B. (the home owner who comes to our room at all times by now carrying a screw-driver), and D. who's still trying to calm me down a bit. I hear all sorts of jiggling, banging, scraping. Things sound intense at the door. 

All the sudden I get this brilliant idea! I'll just climb out the window. I'm small enough that I can get through! So, I open the window only to find bars on the other side welded to the frame. Ugh. It's cool outside and because I'm hot from freaking out it feels good. I climbed up on the counter and sat at the open window singing “Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.” K. and L. (other girls on the trip) stick their heads out their backdoor laughing and me and asking me what's going on. I tell them I am locked in the bathroom and they geta good laugh. AF walks around to the window to keep me company. HL stuicks his head out his window next door to talk. By now B. has gone us to his house to get a drill. About 20 minutes have passed in the dark, wet, cold bathroom when Dr. D. and D., complete with Superman theme, bust through the door with a bent and broken knife in hand that has rescued me from my prison cell. I hug them both, remind Dr. D. that he has a daughter too, and ask D. if I can use his phone to call my mom whom I immediately call to tell this story. She didn't sound a bit surprised. Trouble seems to follow me and although I've not elaborated, this is not the first trouble of the trip for me. 

One would hope that the story ends there. Not-so-much. 

Things have calmed down. Dr. D. and D. have gone to bed. HL is hanging out with us watching Alias and snacking (we've been very hungry at night). AF grabs a quick bath. AM gets ready for hers. It's best to grab them while there's hot water. I tell AM before she goes in the bathroom, “Don't close the door!” The door still has what B. refers to as a “Buggard” door-knob. I won't venture to explain the English-equivalent of “Buggard” here. 

AM starts the water and gets ready for her bath. AF, HL, and I are hanging out when all of the sudden we hear a choice expletive from the bathroom. AM has closed the “Buggard-knobbed” door. Dr. D. and D. are already in bed. We grab the knife and start at it. AM is just as frustrated but a bit more embarrassed than I was on the other side of the door. We have no luck with the door. 

HL. runs to wake up Dr. D. (who by the way, actually gives us grades for this trip!) to come to, once again, jiggle the door. Dr. D., in all of 2 minutes, breaks AM out of the bathroom. He then asks us to come and get him when AM is finished with her bath so he can come back and put a breath-right nasal strip over the knob so that we CANNOT POSSIBLY get locked in the bathroom again. (The whole time I'm thinking, “I'm not so sure that's going to work.”) 

Oh what a night. 

Dr. D. and HL, later, rigged our “Buggared” doorknob so that we wouldn't lock ourselves in the bathroom again (and consequently, have to come wake him up again). 

This morning has been full of embarrassed giggles all around. 

Off to the market in a bit and to a fun dinner tonight with our new professor of Homiletics friend from Oklahoma. I'm sure this day will be filled with blessings and positive, with my luck, more Classic Sara Stories.

On the Plane..

Today has been a very long day.  I couldnt go to sleep last night because I was so excited.  I went to lunch with my best friend at our favorite restuarant and then headed to the airport with my parents.  I am on the plane and currently had this post for about 13 hours.  I am sitting on the aisle, no one is sitting in the seat next to mine but someone is sitting by the window.  It was nice having the open seat so we had more room.  We have about two more hours to go until we get there.  Hooray!  I am thinking about everything I packed and I think I forgot PJ pants.  Oh well, I can use my sweat pants.

Anytime I travel, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins always call to tell me that they are praying for me.  I love getting those phone calls because it makes me remember how much I am loved but also it is neat to know exactly who is praying for you.  Prayer, like communion, is something the entire body of Christ can do together.  Knowing that people halfway across the world from me are praying for me is uplifting. 

We are going to be given a directory of all the pastors that we will be coming in contact with.  They challenged us to lift each one of them up in our prayers.  I think I might send names out to my family members so they can have people to pray for by name.  This is all pending on the internet access oh course.

In 2 hours we will be in AFRICA!!!!!!! :)  

Im off to watch a movie before we land.

Grace and Peace,

asf

Sunday August 16, 2009

We arrived in Africa after a very tiring plane ride.  After we made it through customs, immigration, and baggage claim we were welcomed with open arms by our host pastor and his team members.  We learned upon arrival that we were going to be staying in a place that was different than originally planned.  We are staying at a guest house that can host up to 37 people.  We had a yummy dinner and then went to bed.

Today we woke up bright and early (about 1 AM in the US..7 AM in Africa) and  got ready.  The big problem is that none of our adapters that we bought work in Africa even though Radio Shack said they would...fun fun!  We had breakfast and then divided up and went to two church worship services.  I had the joy of going to a diverse community where the service was beautiful.  Everyone welcomed us with open arms literally, because we all got many hugs upon arrival.  Most of the songs were in another language but the words were on the screen so it made it easy to sing along.  I love knowing that we were all praising God even though I was not exactly sure what we were saying.  There is something really special about that and very ecumenical.  The pastor spoke on who is really God.  He was talking about the basics of Christianity.  After worship we went and had tea (at every meal they serve tea....its SO SO SO yummy!!!  I love it alot! )  and cakes, cookies, and fellowship with the congregation.  I talked with several very open and friendly women.  One even offered to make me jewelry.  It was very sweet.  I enjoyed talking to them about the church as a whole in Africa and about there church in general.  They said that alot of the white members were leaving the church and doing a similar “white flight” which makes me very sad.

We had lunch and then went to go get our money converted.  The funny thing was that the place we had to convert our money was at a casino.  We then went to a market and I bought an African drum, flute, and a wooden serving set.  

After that we went and had dinner at the Methodist center and then had a lecture from a former bishop who now serves in parlament.  We talked about the social change that needs to take place in South Africa, Africa, and the world as a whole.  Issues of poverty, racial discrimination, and church concerns were all discussed.

Monday

Today was a wonderful but very tiring day.  We started off leaving the guest house and having breakfast at the center.  We ate poruage for breakfast which I had never had before.  We left the center and went to the most amazing ministry.  It is a church that truly has a heart for the poor, orphanes, abused, and sick.  Its name is Amcare.  We learned how it got started and what they are doing today.  I cant wait to share my pictures with you.  I decided to give them alot of my spending money as a donation because I dont need lots to take home with me besides memories, pictures, and understanding of Africa.

After that we made a short trip to the mall to get money and headed to Capital Hill.  Capital Hill is where people were held priscners (some just reasons, others not) and also where the Supreme Court is held today.  It was powerful to read their stories and to see how mean governments can act.  The prisoners lived in the most disguiting and sad living situations.  They were treated like animals (or worse).  They had many pictures and stories there.

We had dinner at the guest house after driving around lost for a while.  The dinner was so yummy!  

Tuesday Reflections

Today we started off by making a special stop at a wonderful ministry.  It truly warmed my heart to witness it.  Momma Carol started a ministry for children whose parents were affected by HIV/AIDS.  Some are orphanes and others needs food.  She tries to empower them and help them get out of their situation by education.  She started her dream for helping others with nothing but her passion.  She is the most brave, passionate, and humble people I have ever met.  

We also went to the home of Nelson Mandala.  It was a humbling experience to see where history was made.  

The most touching moment happened after lunch.  I saw two boys that wanted to sing for us so that we would give them money for food.  I gave them 20 RAN each which is about 2.5 dollars each because I am running out of the local currency.  I would have given more if I had it.  But we were able to give them 6 boxes of leftovers that we had.  Hopefully it would be able to feed them for a while.  Others gave them money as well.  They were so smart, outgoing, and fun personalities.  I have never in my life wondered where my next meal was coming from.  I have always had food on my plate.  It broke my heart that they wanted to sing us a song in order for them to be able to have the possibility of being able to eat.  I cant get these boys out of my mind.  There are millions of others like that.  

Another thing that broke my heart is that the stadium for the world cup is huge.  I saw it today.  It is right in the section of great poverty.  A huge staduim which could house many homeless...

We started the conference today.  The opening worship service was so powerful.  The music was uplifting.  I have no rythem or dance moves but I was getting into the service.  

I met several amazing people of great faith today.  One lady offered me to come stay with her during the world cup.  She is a fisty lady with a great atittude.

One thing that breaks my heart about the conference is the lack of women.  Most of the people that are pastors are males.

Wonderful Wednesday.

I was very tired when I woke up this morning but excited about the day.  I was able to continue to interact with so many wonderful people and truly enjoyed my time with each one of them.  

I heard 4 lectures today.  The first one was by Eddie Fox about Faith-Sharing.  I already had read the book and enjoyed the lecture alot.  He has a gift for speaking and a fire.  The first breakout section I attended was lead by Momma Carol.  She shared such wisdom and I have great notes.  The third session was about Youth and missions.  These two things are such great passions of mine.  Finally the last session was held by my “best friend” Josiah.  Great!

The most touching part of my day was the Wesley Group.  Wesley Groups are small groups that meet daily to lift each other up in prayer.  They are suppose to be your family for the week.  We shared prayer concerns.  The prayer concerns were so deep and sad.  There are great needs.  I wont list them here because of privacy but I ask that you pray for these needs.

I got my FIRST hot shower of my trip.  I have been here for several day and havent gotten a hot shower.  The water is always cold.  It stinks.  Its very cold and I am glad I packed warm clothes.

Thursday Reflections

Instead of having a run down of my day, I want to share some of my reflections thus far on how God is working in me.

While I love my job alot and so blessed I find it hard to worship always there.  I attend the worship service every week but since I am on staff, I have to think about the confirmation class I am about to teach, leave early for parent’s meetings, be the worship leader, etc.  Its hard for me to give 100 percent of my soul to worship every Sunday.  I try to have private worship every week or at school so I can worship God without having to think about my job.  Every day at the conference we are worshipping.  At least one song isnt in a language I understand and one prayer isnt in English either.  I have had the most powerful worship experiences.  I want to give God all the praise and glory.  I want to be changed and moved by the worship.  This has been happening this week.  The worship is alive and moving.  Praise God for the worship!

I cant get the boys that I wrote about earlier in my blog that wanted to sing for money in order to get food for dinner.  There faces are so precious and I can see Christ in them.  I keep waking up thinking about them and how I can make a difference in poverty in the world.  I already have an idea from Candler, where I go to seminary!

I had another wonderful Wesley group, my small group.  The pastors and preachers in my group are so uplifting.  Today we discussed how we become Christians.  Some of their stories broke my heart.  They have been through so much and they still trust and love God through everything.  I am not going to give any details due to privacy but its an honor and privilege to learn and grow with them.  

I am asking for prayers for some attitudes in my group.  They are negative and dont want to listen to others.  They are focusing on themselves and not on the reason we went to Africa for two weeks for - God, learning, teaching, growing, and giving of yourself.

Ashley in Africa

Hey Everyone!

No internet till today and maybe no more :(

Things are going awesome!

I only have a second because I am at an internet cafe...I have enjoyed my time alot. I am so grateful for safe travels. I cant copy and paste in this cafe so its going to have to be quick.

I have seen alot of poverty, AIDS/HIV orphanes, an AIDS clinic, homeless men and women, boys that have asked for food and didnt know where there next meal was coming from. I have met people of great faith and work hard to make an impact in the community and tell others about Christ. I am preaching on Sunday which is quite scary for me. I am excited to see what all God is doing in Africa and how God is working in me. I am loving the conference and cant wait to share more about it with you when I get more time.

All my love,
Ashley

I forgot to mention..

I forgot to mention that I will be going to a ministry that focuses on HIV/AIDS, Constitutional Hill, and Nelson Mandala's!

I am especially excited to go to the ministry that focuses on HIV/AIDS.  This past year I have become very passionate about health, pastoral care, and ministries surrounding those.  As part of my seminary experience I worked as a student chapel and LOVED IT!  It was such a transformational experience and helped shape my future ministry.  It was such a privilege and honor to sit at the bedside with hundreds of people in the hospital.  I cant wait to see the ministry in South Africa and learn from what they are doing there.  Helping those with HIV/AIDS is such a wonderful ministry and it will be an honor to be a part of it for a day.

So I have blogged before and been bad, really bad at writing posts.  I became inspired at a meeting tonight to blog during my trip to Africa.  I am very excited about this adventure in my life and I know that I will be transformed.  I am getting slightly nervous about the long 15 hour plane trip.  But I know that it will be nice watching movies, reading, and hopefully sleeping.  

I have felt called to go to Africa for quite some time now.  I felt a burning call that I was suppose to go there...and now is my time!  I have seen the hand of God being able to make this trip possible and God preparing in me all summer.  

I had the joy of going to Costa Rica earlier this summer which was one of the ways God was preparing me for my latest adventure to Africa.  It was such a joy going there.  I love being in other countries and meeting Christians from all over.  I was able to meet the Bishop of the Methodist Church in Costa Rica and Im sure that I will meet some bishops while if Africa.  I get so excited to meet Methodists from all over the world.  Since the Methodist Church is a connectional body, we have so much in common.  What is even more special is that all Christians around the world are able to pray together, worship together, and celebrate communion together.  In Costa Rica I had the joy of going to a worship service in all Spanish.  I took Spanish in high school, but dont remember alot sadly.  Even though the service was in a language I didnt really understand...I still felt the spirit and the love of Christ while worshipping.  Today, in our meeting about going to Africa, a few fellow travelers prayed in other languages.  Even though I did not understand what they were saying, it was still powerful. 

Its late and I need to go to bed before my adventure tomorrow.  Hopefully I will be able to update while I am there pending on internet service.