Madagascar was one of those places I never even dreamed of going. It was so far off the radar that I had to look it up online to even know where it was. I think all of you were intrigued by it from your comments although most of them had to do with the animated movie.
I'll be honest with you. It is a very poor country and it's one thing to visit for ten days, another thing to live in the culture for an extended period of time. It was a learning experience to see people living on a daily basis in ways so foreign to my own way of life. We took public transportation, negotiated cab fare, and walked. Illiteracy, sexual promiscuity, poverty, and family problems are all very big issues there. We were there to help form new ministry partners and so we did a lot of relationship building and I have to say that was by far the most rewarding. My newsletter talks about some of the precious people we have forever embraced. It was also a joy to leave knowing many kids will be reached by a wonderful dynamic person that we helped to train.
I decided the best way to tell you about our work is to show you so click the link below to see a short bit about our work the last several months.
More Madagascar stories from my co-worker Andrea can be found at http://andrearmoore.blogspot.com/
Photos can also be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch/sets/72157607176696373/
Have a wonderful Christmas! And a great 2009!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Heart of Madagascar
I am convinced that the heart of Madagascar lies deep within its people. I have never experienced a more warm, fun-loving and friendly group of people. Contrary to the animated movie, Madagascar is inhabited by over 16 million people and most lemurs live in national parks. 65% of the people are under the age of 24. And the average life expectancy is around 49 years. To say that this is a very young population is to put it mildly. Whenever we go out people are always saying Bonjour Vaza (hello foreigner); of course four blond white girls kind of stand out here. Despite that, we have had tea or dinner with several Malagasy families. Relationships are very important and we have learned much during these times.
Madagascar is where Africa meets Asia infused with a little French. This is a place like none other. Technically Madagascar is part of Africa but it is very Asian. Many of the people look like they’ve come from the other side of the Indian Ocean (above Australia). Rice is a staple. There are animals and plants here that are found nowhere else on earth. The official language is Malagasy, but a lot of French is also spoken, especially for business.
The challenge: To reach over 8 million kids with the gospel. Many of those children do not go to school or read very well. Many of those children do not live in areas that are easy to get to. Book of Hope has been in Madagascar for several years and distributed a lot of books but the task is huge. Madagascar is the fourth largest island; the length of California and Oregon. The roads are winding and few. Many places require 4 wheel drive, planes or boats to get to.
Andrea, Kate, Mindy and I are here to help train a new national coordinator and help expand the partnerships with groups already doing ministry in some of the remote places. This first month was spent getting to know some of our new partners and learning about the culture. The next two months we have many trainings scheduled where we will also be doing a little bit of traveling. We are excited about our coordinator; she has the vision and the connections to get the job done. And while our time is relatively short here, we hope to train many leaders who can carry out this task so that the future of Madagascar will be bright. These people are absolute gems, they definitely have captured my heart.
Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch
Madagascar is where Africa meets Asia infused with a little French. This is a place like none other. Technically Madagascar is part of Africa but it is very Asian. Many of the people look like they’ve come from the other side of the Indian Ocean (above Australia). Rice is a staple. There are animals and plants here that are found nowhere else on earth. The official language is Malagasy, but a lot of French is also spoken, especially for business.
The challenge: To reach over 8 million kids with the gospel. Many of those children do not go to school or read very well. Many of those children do not live in areas that are easy to get to. Book of Hope has been in Madagascar for several years and distributed a lot of books but the task is huge. Madagascar is the fourth largest island; the length of California and Oregon. The roads are winding and few. Many places require 4 wheel drive, planes or boats to get to.
Andrea, Kate, Mindy and I are here to help train a new national coordinator and help expand the partnerships with groups already doing ministry in some of the remote places. This first month was spent getting to know some of our new partners and learning about the culture. The next two months we have many trainings scheduled where we will also be doing a little bit of traveling. We are excited about our coordinator; she has the vision and the connections to get the job done. And while our time is relatively short here, we hope to train many leaders who can carry out this task so that the future of Madagascar will be bright. These people are absolute gems, they definitely have captured my heart.
Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Tarantulas, Scorpions, and Geckos
A summer spent in Honduras has taught me many things:
- Never judge a team from first impressions (they're not quite themselves the first few days
- Honduran heat is relative to US geographical context. (No problem if you are from the Southern half of the US, a big problem if you are not)
- When someone asks you to “come kill a bug” in the bathroom, beware it could be a tarantula or scorpion.
- “God’s Word, Every Child” including the naked one that walks out of a classroom.
- Cross-cultural communication often involves a lot of negotiating for things as simple as dinner and how many schools you will visit that day.
It was a blessing to have three teams from Arkansas, Missouri and Washington this summer; each one of them unique. Each one of them taught me something new. Each ministry location was very different. I literally traveled the entire country: First to San Pedro Sula, a city in the North East; then Choluteca, a small city, very hot and poor to the South West, near the Nicaraguan border; and finally Copan, a very small tourist town in a mountainous jungle area up in the North West by the Guatemala border.
It is impossible to show the beauty of Honduras in pictures: long winding roads, mountains, jungles, mud slides, small villages. I’ll not forget the children of Honduras; all eager to smile, shake your hand, hi-5 and laugh. I played basketball with a group of 4th grade girls, improved my Spanish, but most of all told thousands of kids about my best friend Jesus.
Many more Honduras photos are posted @: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch/
What’s Next:
I finally stopped thinking in French and have been able to converse in simple Spanish this past summer; but all that is about the change. I will be bringing the French back, my next stop is Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. I leave August 22 and will be back in the states December 1st. I don’t know much about it just yet but will be sure to let you know next month.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A Place Called Mango
It was a day that makes your heart full and your feet hurt. It was a day that you dream missions is all about, but to live it was special. We drove in as far as possible on a dirt road by a raging river. Then we loaded up our sound equipment, books, and lunch in our back packs and arms. Then the real journey began.…
The place called Mango was only accessible by a narrow steel cable and board bridge suspended across a very full and fast river below. The bridge swayed with each step and gaps revealed the waters below. Once the team made it across we began our trek to the first school. Up and down the dirt path by the smells of cows and chickens and pigs; the sights of lush tropical flowers and trees and the steep hillsides all around; metal and cinder block homes hidden here and there in the hillside, some brightly painted. Curious children (sometimes naked, all barefoot) would gather by the side of the path, watching us. Sweat pouring out of us by the bucket full in the hot tropical weather. We arrived at the first school, unpacked our gear, took a moment to rest, drank water and motivated ourselves to do what we came for.
The children were all sitting in the shade around a tree, we told them about Jesus, handed out the Book of Hope and salvation bracelets. Hugged several of them, high-fived others, interacted a little bit and then it was on to the next school. This time we went up the hill to a blue building perched on the hillside. We stopped many times to catch our breath, and drink more water. It was a challenge in the heat of the day for all of us, even though this was a very fit group. But the reception at the top of the hill was worth it all: Children hearing and responding to God’s word.
We returned in the evening to a church cut into the hillside to show the GodMan movie. The only advertising we needed was to blast music out of our sound system and curious villagers came near to see what was going on. The screen was positioned towards the hillside creating a natural amphitheater as boys perched high on the hill to watch as the younger ones sat close. In the end the pastor was overjoyed with the response of all those around that came by to watch; seeing the life of Christ perhaps for the first time.We packed up our equipment and made our way back over the bridge in the dark. Very tired but also very happy at what God did through us that day because we were willing to go where few would.
The place called Mango was only accessible by a narrow steel cable and board bridge suspended across a very full and fast river below. The bridge swayed with each step and gaps revealed the waters below. Once the team made it across we began our trek to the first school. Up and down the dirt path by the smells of cows and chickens and pigs; the sights of lush tropical flowers and trees and the steep hillsides all around; metal and cinder block homes hidden here and there in the hillside, some brightly painted. Curious children (sometimes naked, all barefoot) would gather by the side of the path, watching us. Sweat pouring out of us by the bucket full in the hot tropical weather. We arrived at the first school, unpacked our gear, took a moment to rest, drank water and motivated ourselves to do what we came for.The children were all sitting in the shade around a tree, we told them about Jesus, handed out the Book of Hope and salvation bracelets. Hugged several of them, high-fived others, interacted a little bit and then it was on to the next school. This time we went up the hill to a blue building perched on the hillside. We stopped many times to catch our breath, and drink more water. It was a challenge in the heat of the day for all of us, even though this was a very fit group. But the reception at the top of the hill was worth it all: Children hearing and responding to God’s word.
We returned in the evening to a church cut into the hillside to show the GodMan movie. The only advertising we needed was to blast music out of our sound system and curious villagers came near to see what was going on. The screen was positioned towards the hillside creating a natural amphitheater as boys perched high on the hill to watch as the younger ones sat close. In the end the pastor was overjoyed with the response of all those around that came by to watch; seeing the life of Christ perhaps for the first time.We packed up our equipment and made our way back over the bridge in the dark. Very tired but also very happy at what God did through us that day because we were willing to go where few would.More Photos can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch/sets/72157606452447816/
Global Impact in the UK schools
England is always interesting and different. It was refreshing to partner with a group that is already in the schools of York, UK: Global York. For a week we came alongside and boosted their already growing program even more. The exciting thing is that they will still be there long after we leave making a difference one child at a time.
I spent the week with a team going into primary schools. We taught one of the lessons from our teacher’s edition of the Book of Hope about handling conflict. I found myself talking about anger to 983 students, in groups of twelve all week long while the rest of my team did dramas and role playing in stations around the room as new classes filtered in and around every hour or so. (86 sessions in all) It was eye opening to hear some of the responses. It was easy to spot those kids that were in crisis mode and those that were well adjusted. Our High school teams found kids who were very apathetic and wanted proof for everything.
I love having dialog with the students. The common language allows for this to happen along with longer time spent in the classroom. The challenge is that these kids keep you on your toes and you had better be prepared for the hard questions because they really want to know why you believe the way you do.
At the end of the week all the kids that were old enough for Global youth were invited to come out to a loud and vibrant youth meeting. Many of the Year 6 students that we saw came out and many responded favorably. I remember one boy in particular who was struggling at the beginning, left with a wide grin on his face: the results of true transformation.
I spent the week with a team going into primary schools. We taught one of the lessons from our teacher’s edition of the Book of Hope about handling conflict. I found myself talking about anger to 983 students, in groups of twelve all week long while the rest of my team did dramas and role playing in stations around the room as new classes filtered in and around every hour or so. (86 sessions in all) It was eye opening to hear some of the responses. It was easy to spot those kids that were in crisis mode and those that were well adjusted. Our High school teams found kids who were very apathetic and wanted proof for everything.
I love having dialog with the students. The common language allows for this to happen along with longer time spent in the classroom. The challenge is that these kids keep you on your toes and you had better be prepared for the hard questions because they really want to know why you believe the way you do.
At the end of the week all the kids that were old enough for Global youth were invited to come out to a loud and vibrant youth meeting. Many of the Year 6 students that we saw came out and many responded favorably. I remember one boy in particular who was struggling at the beginning, left with a wide grin on his face: the results of true transformation.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Team Henning from Bakersfield, CA
Imagine a team full of energy, young and eager to perform and speak a message of hope before school children. And then imagine a country that says you cannot proclaim the name of Jesus within the schools walls. You cannot hand out religious material on school grounds. These are some of the realities that Argentina faces; legally as well as spiritually.
But some would say: you can come in a talk about values and making positive choices. You can talk about not doing drugs and against violence. You can hand out the books outside the school when the kids are let out.
Some schools said absolutely not and other welcomed us in. Even though the week started off slow, the team prayed and momentum picked up and more and more doors opened up to us until we had more invitations than we had time for. Teachers became excited and allowed little bits of the gospel in.
At the end of the week we held and outdoor festival and despite the cold (it’s currently winter in Argentina) people came. Now imagine this same team of young people from Bakersfield, CA performing powerful human videos to the crowds. Then the youth pastor gets up and preaches a simple salvation message. Hands are raised and many people receive hope. It makes all the struggles worth it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch/sets/72157605689752435/
Friday, May 30, 2008
Art, Ministry and Ice Cream
Argentina—A country of sophistication. A place of Latin and European culture… A place where the kids are lost. Graffiti litters the walls. Evenings are for cruising and hanging out in the streets. And the schools are closed to the gospel.
Through an exchange of art and drama, the schools of Zarate opened their doors to us. We did short presentations on making good choices in life through drama and testimony, and then invited the kids to our evening art clinics. Our team from CBU did clinics in photography, painting, drawing, literature and drama. Relationships were formed and lives changed. Each night we spoke on a different theme from the Book of Hope. We personalized it with testimonies and then encouraged the kids to express themselves in their chosen discipline.
In the end we held an art exhibition as well as a concert night. The mother of a young man, Emmanuel, wrote a letter to us. Thanking us for spending time with her son and in awe over the change in his life and attitude in just a few short days. Another young girl sat with one of our team members, Janai and asked some of life’s difficult questions. It was no accident that Janai had wrestled with the same questions in the past. And it was a joy to see the photography clinic wrap up their sessions with prayer for salvation. I will not forget the faces or the names of the ones that came regularly and showed an interest not only in art but the transformation message.
Through an exchange of art and drama, the schools of Zarate opened their doors to us. We did short presentations on making good choices in life through drama and testimony, and then invited the kids to our evening art clinics. Our team from CBU did clinics in photography, painting, drawing, literature and drama. Relationships were formed and lives changed. Each night we spoke on a different theme from the Book of Hope. We personalized it with testimonies and then encouraged the kids to express themselves in their chosen discipline.
In the end we held an art exhibition as well as a concert night. The mother of a young man, Emmanuel, wrote a letter to us. Thanking us for spending time with her son and in awe over the change in his life and attitude in just a few short days. Another young girl sat with one of our team members, Janai and asked some of life’s difficult questions. It was no accident that Janai had wrestled with the same questions in the past. And it was a joy to see the photography clinic wrap up their sessions with prayer for salvation. I will not forget the faces or the names of the ones that came regularly and showed an interest not only in art but the transformation message.Another note about Argentina: the ice cream is hands down the best in the world. And so is the beef. If you visit Argentina learn two words and you will go home happy: Helado and Asada
The CBU team in front of a mural they also got to paint.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
A Child Shall Lead Them
Our month in Namibia has come to a close and one thing I have learned is that the hope of Africa really does lie in its young people. At one school we learned that the average life expectancy for Namibians is 43 years!
We traveled all over this country talking to learners and asking a lot of questions about family, relationships, sex, lifestyle, religion and beliefs. We have given 4,000 surveys, in classrooms and halls. We have entered the information into spreadsheets and even through someone else will be interpreting the data; we can see the results ourselves in the numbers. The number of parents that are dead is staggering, the religious beliefs vs. lifestyle practices do not add up; the number of kids that have had sex and read or view pornography points to some real problems. The final report will go to the ministry of education as well as to pastors and youth workers around this country so that future ministry can target the real needs of todays children.
Every Sunday is a new experience. We find ourselves in all types of churches with all different kinds of rituals and languages and often times we are the ones speaking. However, several of our church experiences have given us hope for Namibia. At Ombili Assembly it was encouraging to spend Easter with a Missionary friend, Melissa McSurdy, but also see the young people rising up to help in ministry. At a Four-Square church in Ongwediva the worship time was so powerfully led by a nine year old boy. And at a service in Swakopmund, there was a six year old, very capably, playing the keyboard. And so we have seen with our own eyes the destruction of the enemy but also hope for Namibia’s future.
We traveled all over this country talking to learners and asking a lot of questions about family, relationships, sex, lifestyle, religion and beliefs. We have given 4,000 surveys, in classrooms and halls. We have entered the information into spreadsheets and even through someone else will be interpreting the data; we can see the results ourselves in the numbers. The number of parents that are dead is staggering, the religious beliefs vs. lifestyle practices do not add up; the number of kids that have had sex and read or view pornography points to some real problems. The final report will go to the ministry of education as well as to pastors and youth workers around this country so that future ministry can target the real needs of todays children.It wasn’t a glamorous task…it is hot and sandy here. Some of the schools were hard to get to. However, my off-road driving skills have improved. There was heavy flooding on one area and lots of mosquitoes. But the teens have all been precious and eager to talk to us afterwards. Most classes were well behaved, with a few challenges here and there. I actually had a boy arrested during the middle of one of my sessions! But we know that the results of this survey will in the end help to raise-up a new generation that will hopefully live past 43 years and lead not just with knowledge of God but with deep revelation.
I know that this experience has changed the way I will approach future ministry in any country.
Every Sunday is a new experience. We find ourselves in all types of churches with all different kinds of rituals and languages and often times we are the ones speaking. However, several of our church experiences have given us hope for Namibia. At Ombili Assembly it was encouraging to spend Easter with a Missionary friend, Melissa McSurdy, but also see the young people rising up to help in ministry. At a Four-Square church in Ongwediva the worship time was so powerfully led by a nine year old boy. And at a service in Swakopmund, there was a six year old, very capably, playing the keyboard. And so we have seen with our own eyes the destruction of the enemy but also hope for Namibia’s future.Saturday, March 15, 2008
The Road to Hope
Travel with us as bump along on a dusty gravel road out to the rural townships of South Africa. See the multitude of children streaming down the roads towards their school among the goats and cows. Watch the lines of children all wearing the colors of their school uniform in various conditions. 
See the ones with beautiful weaves and others with their head shorn close and sores upon their bodies. See their smiling faces and hear the laughter when we introduce ourselves in a humorous manner. Look into their eyes edged with pain as we talk about our lives and how they relate it to theirs. Listen to their questions as they come up to us after a presentation asking for answers to some of life’s tough questions. See the look of gratitude when we give them God’s word, an encouraging word and our prayers. Travel back down those bumpy roads to the next school and the next and the next. Chug on some water in the hot sun, wipe the sweat from your brow, pray for the children you’ve touched that day and know that God’s word does not return void.
We as Book of Hope Missionaries travel the road to hope every day. God’s Word, Every Child is a reality. I wish I could take you with me. It is quite the sight to behold. I love it when the children get it. When a young girl can relate to our stories and can find hope in our message. When a young person finds the courage to make a change in their life, to stand up to what they know is right and make the difficult choices. When a rowdy crowd of teenagers silence their shouts and strain to listen to our words. I love it when a team member completely surrenders themselves to the Lord and the words that come out of their mouths speak more than they ever would on their own. We are tired at the end of the day, but it the happy kind of tired, one of thanks to God for the privilege of carrying his word to the nations.
Pray for us as we travel around Namibia the next several weeks. We will be working on a research project that will help serve several ministries in the future. This survey will help target the real needs of that country.
Don't forget to visit our team site @ http://www.nomadsouthafrica08.blogspot.com/
See the ones with beautiful weaves and others with their head shorn close and sores upon their bodies. See their smiling faces and hear the laughter when we introduce ourselves in a humorous manner. Look into their eyes edged with pain as we talk about our lives and how they relate it to theirs. Listen to their questions as they come up to us after a presentation asking for answers to some of life’s tough questions. See the look of gratitude when we give them God’s word, an encouraging word and our prayers. Travel back down those bumpy roads to the next school and the next and the next. Chug on some water in the hot sun, wipe the sweat from your brow, pray for the children you’ve touched that day and know that God’s word does not return void.We as Book of Hope Missionaries travel the road to hope every day. God’s Word, Every Child is a reality. I wish I could take you with me. It is quite the sight to behold. I love it when the children get it. When a young girl can relate to our stories and can find hope in our message. When a young person finds the courage to make a change in their life, to stand up to what they know is right and make the difficult choices. When a rowdy crowd of teenagers silence their shouts and strain to listen to our words. I love it when a team member completely surrenders themselves to the Lord and the words that come out of their mouths speak more than they ever would on their own. We are tired at the end of the day, but it the happy kind of tired, one of thanks to God for the privilege of carrying his word to the nations.
Pray for us as we travel around Namibia the next several weeks. We will be working on a research project that will help serve several ministries in the future. This survey will help target the real needs of that country.
Don't forget to visit our team site @ http://www.nomadsouthafrica08.blogspot.com/
Speaking with the Learners
One of my favorite parts of this experience has been speaking with the learners (the South African term for students) one-on-one or in small groups. We started our ministry on the West Coast in the town of Vredenburg (A fishing town on the Atlantic side). Among our regular schools we were able to visit and then follow-up at a boarding school for troubled kids. We got to listen to, speak the word over and pray with several of the young girls and boys. The first night only four of us went to meet with the boys. We thought we were going to just video tape a few testimonies, what followed was a God-sized encounter. The next thing we knew the four of us were speaking to a group of 150 boys. The things that were coming out of our mouths amazed even us. 120 of those boys made commitments to change their lives. The next night we all went to minister to the girls. After 80 of the 90 or so girls prayed the sinner’s prayer with us, we had a time of one-on-one prayer. We prayed for at least a dozen girls each. Their stories were devastating, but it was a blessing to leave them with the one thing that could help them….Jesus. We returned again just to hang out with the girls and love them and pray with them some more. Soon some 
of the regular schools were inviting us back to talk to the students in small groups. We were able to speak specifically to their questions about life and the God we serve. It was great to encourage them.
We then drove back to the East-side of the country to a town called Phalaborwa. It is on the outskirts of Kruger National Park (Mozambique is on the other side of the park and the Indian Ocean). We have seen a lot of wild animals…hippos, crocs, warthogs, monkeys and elephants from a distance. But the most precious thing in this area is its children. We got to spend some extended time in one such school, where an unfortunate but common harassment incident
happened, speaking with the seventh graders in small groups. We spoke about our presentation, the Book of Hope, issues they face, their lives, and of course they are always interested in our travels, America, and how many famous people we have met.
Pray for these children, they are the future of South Africa and this world.
More photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch
of the regular schools were inviting us back to talk to the students in small groups. We were able to speak specifically to their questions about life and the God we serve. It was great to encourage them.We then drove back to the East-side of the country to a town called Phalaborwa. It is on the outskirts of Kruger National Park (Mozambique is on the other side of the park and the Indian Ocean). We have seen a lot of wild animals…hippos, crocs, warthogs, monkeys and elephants from a distance. But the most precious thing in this area is its children. We got to spend some extended time in one such school, where an unfortunate but common harassment incident
happened, speaking with the seventh graders in small groups. We spoke about our presentation, the Book of Hope, issues they face, their lives, and of course they are always interested in our travels, America, and how many famous people we have met.Pray for these children, they are the future of South Africa and this world.
More photos can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
South Africa_The Farm
What a beautiful country! We arrived after a very long flight and have been spending the last few weeks at Shikwaru, a game farm near Mokopane (in the Limpopo province, NorthEast corner of SA). We are a team of ten: Jeremy, Ashley, Kate, Andrea, Jen, Jade, Jessica, Drew, JP and myself. Half of us are Response Team leaders (a few of us in training) and the other half are Nomads or Interns.The last few weeks, we have been training at the “farm” for our ministry as well as doing a lot of spiritual discipleship, but all that will come to an end as we head out to the Eastern Cape for a few weeks. We will be in schools in an area two hours north of Cape Town. It will be a two day drive to get there with two vehicles, one pulling a trailer. Later we will be going to the NorthEast Cape and then over to Namibia for ministry. (Yes, that is a lot of driving, pray for safe travels! However, we do have six drivers.)
Living on a game farm has been an incredible experience. The night skies are amazing! Daily seeing herds of Impala, Wildbeast, Blessbuck, Zebras, Giraffes, Warthogs and more. The rains have made everything very green. The grasses are high making it hard to see a lot of game, but not impossible.We had a once in a lifetime experience our first weekend here when we got to help move their two Cape Buffalo (one of the big 5) from one area to another. A helicopter herded them to the fence where they darted them. Once they dropped we got to see and touch them up close. A vet checked them over (the female is with calf) and then they partially woke them up and literally pulled them across to the other fenced area. Later in the day they wanted to try and herd some Blessbuck and Impala over to a different area. We all hid in the tall grass as the helicopter herded them to a channel area between fences, then we were to close in the area like a human net, but they would not pass the fence line. However, the helicopter pilot blessed us all with rides over the farm, two at a time.
We have an official web site that will contain some video:
www.nomadsouthafrica08.blogspot.comAnd now the ministry begins, we are ready…
Thursday, January 10, 2008
New Web Site/Blog for a New Year
Hi friend
Welcome to my new web site and blog. I had to discontinue my web site and I really wanted to change over my blog to one that was easier to use for you and me. This is it! I also finally got my web address to work on this site...so now the address on my prayer card finally links to something!
Just a quick update on my next assignment. I will be going to South Africa for three and half months at the end of January. I will be in country for exactly 100 days. (with two days travel on both ends). Here is a link to where we will be spending our first three weeks in South Africa for a time of intensive training. http://shikwarugamelodge.co.za/home.asp. We will then be moving around the country doing ministry in the schools. Book of Hope partners with Reaching a Generation, a group of South Africans whose vision is to reach 22,000,000 children by 2015. You can check them out at http://rag.org.za/Home.asp. We will have a videographer on the trip, so there maybe opportunities to post some clips online for you to see. I will alert you to that when it happens. In the meantime, please pray for our team of 11 or 12 as we get together for the first time in a few weeks; that we will have immediate unity and chemistry. Pray for the kids that we will be reaching, our travels; both in the air and as we drive around the country, and that everyone will be healthy throughout the duration of the trip.
I am excited about what 2008 will bring so come along with me on this journey.
Welcome to my new web site and blog. I had to discontinue my web site and I really wanted to change over my blog to one that was easier to use for you and me. This is it! I also finally got my web address to work on this site...so now the address on my prayer card finally links to something!
Just a quick update on my next assignment. I will be going to South Africa for three and half months at the end of January. I will be in country for exactly 100 days. (with two days travel on both ends). Here is a link to where we will be spending our first three weeks in South Africa for a time of intensive training. http://shikwarugamelodge.co.za/home.asp. We will then be moving around the country doing ministry in the schools. Book of Hope partners with Reaching a Generation, a group of South Africans whose vision is to reach 22,000,000 children by 2015. You can check them out at http://rag.org.za/Home.asp. We will have a videographer on the trip, so there maybe opportunities to post some clips online for you to see. I will alert you to that when it happens. In the meantime, please pray for our team of 11 or 12 as we get together for the first time in a few weeks; that we will have immediate unity and chemistry. Pray for the kids that we will be reaching, our travels; both in the air and as we drive around the country, and that everyone will be healthy throughout the duration of the trip.
I am excited about what 2008 will bring so come along with me on this journey.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
THANKSgiving in the UK
November 2007-- After a week in Stafford and Stoke-on-Kent, England with a Book of Hope Impact team (during the week of Thanksgiving) I’ve compiled a list of the things I am thankful for. Enjoy!
- SNOW. More specifically, seeing the joy on the face of a new Brazilian friend, Thiago as he experienced snow for the first time.
- 25 Middle-schoolers from Swan Bank Church, who now have a relationship with the Lord, including a young boy by the name of Dale.
- The primary schools who welcomed us with open arms allowing us to do a full program on anti-bullying and to go classroom to classroom to talk to them in smaller groups.
- The love, acceptance and questions of the pre-school and elementary age children.
- The Y7 RE classes (Middle School, Religious Education) that allowed us to come in and take over their class. The openness of the students and their great questions.
- For the students we met like Amie, Tom, Stephen, & Gwen; Shining lights in their schools.
- For great church workers who spend their time with these kids to help them discover truth: Sam & Amy (who also helped opened many doors for us)
- The ability to communicate with these kids without a translator (which kept us on our toes)
- The “Thanksgiving” spaghetti dinner provided by Swan Bank Church and our wonderful team from places like Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Brazil and Liverpool, UK to share it with…
- Our home base at UCB; their wonderful facilities and the great work that they are doing to reach Great Britain with the gospel through radio and television. And their partnership with Book of Hope.
- Our host, van driver, ministry partner extraordinare: Carl, who has a big heart for the children and youth of the UK and whose enthusiasm is contagious.
I am also very thankful for the opportunities and privilege to bring HOPE to kids all over the world and those who partner with me in this work. (those that pray, give and keep in contact). Thank You
PS. We were not allowed to take photos of the children in the schools but team photos and our afternoon in Chester can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch/
GodMan Showings to the Roma of Bulgaria
October 2007--The sun had just begun to set as we arrived in our van full of US Missionaries and Bulgarian Pastors.* There was a small crowd of children gathered around playing. We heard whip cracks as the boys send their homemade tops spinning through the parking lot. When we disembarked from the van many more people came out of their homes to see these strangers who did not speak their language but were setting up an outdoor movie screen. Part of the group interacted with the babushkas that came out to greet us, complete with head scarves, multi-print clothing and weathered faces. And another part of the group began taking photos of the children and having fun with them while the rest worked quickly to set-up the film equipment as the day faded to darkness.
Crowds gathered, from where we do not know, but they all suddenly seem to appear out of the darkness. The children sat on the ground, the ladies were seated on stools and chairs that they brought with them and the men and teens were scattered here and there standing around the outskirts of the semi-circle. There was excitement in the chilly overcast night. Cars slowed down when they passed at the curious sight. Before the night was over there were people watching from the front and back sides of the screen. As others strained to keep up with the action from their porches, windows, balconies and even roof tops.
The Americans introduced the film, the music began playing, the story began; dubbed in Bulgarian, all eyes were transfixed on the screen. We were using the Slavic version which included a live action wrap of three children who get themselves into trouble by stealing an ipod; interwoven is the animated story of Jesus. This version stresses the fatherhood of Christ, his forgiveness and doing the right thing. It is powerful and those closest to the screen are mesmerized. It is a tough crowd, the ones on the fringes are restless and talkative but they do not leave. (It is hard to expect reverence for a story many are seeing for the first time). We watched the emotions on their faces as they laugh, cry, cringe and gasp as the life of Christ unfolded before them and as they identified with the real characters in the film. Then came the best moment of all when one of the team members comes forward to give an invitation to have a relationship with Jesus. Hands shoot up all over the place from those who prayed the prayer for the first time, including those from the back who refuse to leave, even at the persistence of friends. Then they are introduced to a local pastor, needs are prayed for as others packed up the equipment.
Many disappear back into the darkness of night for their home. The children however stuck around for more love and attention; often asking for "one more photo" or to use the few English words they knew. We are told over and over that this is the first time anything like this has been done in their village; that no one has brought the community together for anything before. And yet, here they were, all together at a crossroads together watching the light of the gospel in some pretty dark places both spiritually and in the natural. Several times we came across elderly women crying with joy that their prayers have been answered with our presence, message and love for their people.
*We showed the GodMan film each night in a different Roma Village. Each had slight differences but the story above was a harmonized account of all the nights.
Crowds gathered, from where we do not know, but they all suddenly seem to appear out of the darkness. The children sat on the ground, the ladies were seated on stools and chairs that they brought with them and the men and teens were scattered here and there standing around the outskirts of the semi-circle. There was excitement in the chilly overcast night. Cars slowed down when they passed at the curious sight. Before the night was over there were people watching from the front and back sides of the screen. As others strained to keep up with the action from their porches, windows, balconies and even roof tops.The Americans introduced the film, the music began playing, the story began; dubbed in Bulgarian, all eyes were transfixed on the screen. We were using the Slavic version which included a live action wrap of three children who get themselves into trouble by stealing an ipod; interwoven is the animated story of Jesus. This version stresses the fatherhood of Christ, his forgiveness and doing the right thing. It is powerful and those closest to the screen are mesmerized. It is a tough crowd, the ones on the fringes are restless and talkative but they do not leave. (It is hard to expect reverence for a story many are seeing for the first time). We watched the emotions on their faces as they laugh, cry, cringe and gasp as the life of Christ unfolded before them and as they identified with the real characters in the film. Then came the best moment of all when one of the team members comes forward to give an invitation to have a relationship with Jesus. Hands shoot up all over the place from those who prayed the prayer for the first time, including those from the back who refuse to leave, even at the persistence of friends. Then they are introduced to a local pastor, needs are prayed for as others packed up the equipment.
Many disappear back into the darkness of night for their home. The children however stuck around for more love and attention; often asking for "one more photo" or to use the few English words they knew. We are told over and over that this is the first time anything like this has been done in their village; that no one has brought the community together for anything before. And yet, here they were, all together at a crossroads together watching the light of the gospel in some pretty dark places both spiritually and in the natural. Several times we came across elderly women crying with joy that their prayers have been answered with our presence, message and love for their people.
*We showed the GodMan film each night in a different Roma Village. Each had slight differences but the story above was a harmonized account of all the nights.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The GodMan Film: http://www.bookofhope.net/pages/page.asp?page_id=8304
The GodMan Film: http://www.bookofhope.net/pages/page.asp?page_id=8304
ROMA PEOPLE: Also known as Gypsies, some are transient but most live in permanent housing often considered squatter communities. The Roma in Bulgaria vary in number between 370,000 (official) to possibly as many as 750,000. It is thought that they originated from Northern India migrating in 1000 AD; mostly to Eastern Europe but can be found worldwide.
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