FACT: 70% of people living in North America have access to the internet; in Africa that number is a mere 4%.

How would your life be different without access to the world wide web?

(Fact from; Williams, Jessica “50 Facts that Should Change the World“)

Debre Birhan; Ethiopia

Ginghamsburg Team

With the summer months coming to a close rather quickly I feel it is a perfect time to reflect on some of the amazing experiences that occurred through the multiple trips to Africa LIA took with some amazing new friends.  I will be periodically sharing stories over the next few blog posts regarding this summer’s travels to Africa and truly hope you will be just as inspired and encouraged through these stories of true community development and transformation.

In late July a dedicated team of five from Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio traveled to Ethiopia with a heart to serve and a desire to learn about the new initiatives underway in the community of Debre Birhan, Ethiopia. 

LIA has been empowering churches in Debre Birhan for over 7 years now and the results have been astounding.  The lives of those a part of this community have been changed in so many ways, and we have been so fortunate to watch the development and transformation take place.  With the start-up of small businesses, HIV care and support associations, and educational programs teaching on abstinence and health issues, the churches of this local community have been able to assess and meet the needs of the people in many essential ways.

Full Gospel Church is one of the key partners with LIA in the Debre Birhan community and has a great presence within the community.  In a community that is known to be only about 2% Christian, Full Gospel Church and its 700 members is in a strategic position.  This church’s work in the community is both inspiring and encouraging seeing how with a youthful demographic of 15-35 year olds they have been able to plant 8 churches around the area, as well as plans to start a feeding program for the poorest and most marginalized children that reside near a military camp.

Being able to watch the churches within and around Debre Birhan impact and meet the needs of their community is a powerful process to watch.  Their desire and passion to serve their local community members and share the good news of the Gospel is one to be marveled.

Please pray for the Full Gospel Church and their impact on the lives of people in Debre Birhan.

Check back to to read more about Debre Birhan, Full Gospel Church, and two special boys we had the privilege of meeting in the next blog post!

Fact: 30 million people in Africa are HIV positive.

Percentage of people in Africa living with HIV/AIDS.

…that is almost the total population of Texas and Arizona combined.

Texas Population: est. 24,326,974 Arizona Population: est. 6,500,180

Hard work and extreme talent should never go unnoticed!  That is why we are excited to share that the Rule 29 crew in collaboration with Creativille, Neenah Paper and Spark Stationary was featured on the FPO (For Print Only) blog in response to the LIA TOUCH posters.

“FPO is a blog dedicated to both the visual stimulus and the detailing of the development and production of printed matter: Annual reports, books, business cards, stationery suites, collateral materials, posters, packaging and anything else where ink meets substrate.”

The unique design that evolved from this form of creative collaboration is not only beautifully constructed but serves a much greater purpose.  All of the proceeds from this visually engaging piece will go to support LIA’s work in the rural and urban slums in Northeast Africa.

Purchase your very own TOUCH poster here and help empower the communities in Africa on their journey to wholistic development and transformation.

Traveling from Southeast Christian Church in Louisville Kentucky, 26 college students have spent the last few weeks experiencing life in Kenya.  The trip began with much anticipation and a great desire to serve from all of the eager college students.  Looking back over the short time we have been here it is amazing to see how God is working in the African communities, as well as the hearts of those on this trip.

Traveling to Kisumu, 200 miles west of Nairobi, the Post College Ministry team got to witness firsthand the first phase of our three year street children program.  Throughout the week, the students walked the streets in the slums, prayed for the sick, learned from the church leaders and pastors, and met many people; especially children of the community through a youth rally and soccer games.

I have been simply amazed and encouraged by the hearts of these students and how they have boldly supported their brothers and sisters in Kisumu.  Upon leaving this area we knew that we were not simply friends, but now family with those belonging to the Kisumu church and community.

Our hearts have been changed forever through the time we spent sharing meals, conversation, worship time and our shared passion and desire to serve.  The Post Team’s bond with the field team in Kisumu has created the opportunity for a lasting level of support; one that will carry over even after the the students are back in the states.

The Post team will be partnering with the Kisumu community for the next three years.  Having experienced firsthand the way of life in Kisumu, while also having met the people within the community, the Post Team will be able to communicate a much more compelling message being able to share stories of transformation experienced throughout their trip.

Check out our website to read more stories about the people apart of the Kisumu community.

Yesterday, I challenged the kids to refrain from wearing shoes for six hours of their day.

So, wanting to take the challenge myself, I walked out of our cabin this morning shoeless. As I walked out of the cabin, my sweet little girl looked up to her mom and said, “Daddy needs his shoes on – he’s going to slip” (it rained all day yesterday and is drizzling this morning). At the same time, our little boy was excited, thinking that he might be able to roam free throughout the camp without shoes. My wife gives me the, ‘what are you doing’ look and I just laughed. We walked to breakfast. I didn’t have shoes on.

But really – what am I doing? What is the point?

Today’s lesson is focused on expanding our perspective. In his seminal book “Rich Christians in an age of Hunger”, Ron Sider makes a provocative statement, “Christians in the United States live in one of the richest societies in the history of the world, surrounded by a billion desperately needy neighbors and another two billion who are poor.” (93)

Due to no other factor than our birth, we have literally been born wealthy, privileged, and blessed with opportunities that half of the world will likely never experience, let alone contemplate. Many people experience a perspective/paradigm shift when serving on a short-term mission trip. Yet, after a few months it seems that the impact of the experience wears off . Unfortunately, I can’t take everyone with me to Africa to see the reality that has been discussed this week. Therefore we are going to discuss the small dose of perspective that comes from not wearing shoes.

So, I broke the kids into groups of 5 with one adult in each group to help the conversation going. And, for a few minutes each, the following questions were discussed:

1.    How many pairs of shoes do you own?
2.    How often do you buy new shoes?
>What is typically the reason?
>Found a “cuter” or “cooler” pair?
>Damaged beyond wear?
>Old shoes to small or too big?
3.    What was the hardest part about not wearing shoes?
>What surfaces hurt the worst?
>Was it uncomfortable or liberating?
>A hindrance to daily activity?
4.    Think about your daily life outside of camp;
where are some of the places you think would
be the worst to be barefoot and why?
5.    What sorts of normal activities would you have to
alter or forgo if you really had no shoes for your feet?
6.    What breaks your heart the most when hearing
about children without the means or access to shoes?
7.   What are ways that you can challenge yourself to
not take something as simple as shoes for granted?

Moving on, I proceeded to show the Sarah McLaughlin music video for her song ‘World on Fire.’ After watching the video, with the kids remaining in their discussion groups, we discussed the following questions:

1.    What was the point of the music video?
2.    What did you like about it? Dislike?
3.    What would happen if we made a video of your life?
>Things that you’d be ashamed of purchasing?
>Could the money be better utilized?
4.   Does what we buy really matter to God?

Ultimately, the activities of our lives matter and the ideas that we have about our perceived reality have consequences. Therefore, what are we going to do with the resources that we have (not purely talking financial here)? Will we pursue the expansion of our personal kingdom or will we pursue the expansion of God’s Kingdom? I don’t think the biblical concept is that we need to sell all of our possessions and become poor. Rather, I think that we need to hold our possessions loosely enough to realize that we really don’t own them and that they are nothing but tools.

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

This week, I’m the ‘camp missionary’ representing LIA to a group of 112 high school students. In an effort to disclose what I’m sharing to the students, I’ll shall briefly summarize my ‘sermons’ from each day.

I’m about 90 minutes away from teaching today’s message, which I’m calling ‘Idea’s have consequences’. The beginning of the message starts out with a few probing questions to test the pop culture knowledge of the students.  Very deep and spiritually meaningful questions such as; how many Jonas brothers are there, and can you name them?, were included in the mix.

Shortly thereafter I switched the conversation to actual deep and troubling questions regarding the statistics on how many children died of preventable diseases yesterday, and how many people are infected with HIV/AIDs worldwide.  I have a feeling that we’ll have a lot more fun with the light questions than the intense ones!

My point however is not to make them feel guilty about these students extensive awareness and knowledge of the pop news and icons in fact, they have no reason to feel such way. The ideas that they have about the world are shaped by their perception of the world. Their perception of the world is typically not wide, or deep, or broad in terms of understanding issues of global poverty and justice. This isn’t their fault – it is our fault! It is the responsibility of those who speak wisdom and truth into the lives of teenagers to ensure that their worldview is expended and in line with the things that God cares about.

This week, I’m making an effort to give a voice to the people that I think God cares deeply about: the poor, marginalized, oppressed (particularly in Africa). So, my transition question is this – Do God and I Care About the Same Things?

Today, I’m going to share from Genesis chapter 18/19, Ezekiel 16:49-50 and Isaiah 1:10-17. Without divulging the entire message in this space, I’ll share the general overview below.

God tells Abraham and Sarah that he is going to make a great nation from Abraham and that Sarah is going to give birth at her ripe old age. As God is departing from the scene with some ‘visitors’ he shares his frustration with Sodom and Gomorrah. They are wicked and he has plans to to destroy them until Abraham negotiates with God.  Upon the discovery of 10 righteous people in the city, God will change his course of action and not destroy the city. Abraham has some serious negotiation skills! But, why is God so upset with Sodom & Gomorrah? Typically, we think of their sexual perversion (rightly so), but is that all?

Looking at the Ezekiel passage sheds some different light on the subject. God through Ezekiel tells that Sodom’s sin was ‘[that she was] arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned: they did not help the poor and needy’.  The passage goes on to state that they were haughty and were detestable in the sight of the Lord. Is it possible or even likely that one element of Sodom and Gomorrah’s wickedness was their lack of concern for the poor and needy? Was it possible that their self-indulgence and lack of concern for their neighbors was detestable?

I believe it is very possible.

Moving on to the first chapter of Isaiah, we see God giving a strong message to the nation of Israel through the prophet Isaiah. He actually refers to the nation of Israel as Sodom and Gomorrah, and then calls all of their religious activities detestable to him. In verse 17, he juxtaposes their religious activity with righteous activity (seek justice, defend the cause of the fatherless, the case of the widow)

Bringing that all back together with the theme for the week, I’ll carefully suggest that our lives must align with the heart of God. Our passions must be rooted in the foundation of God’s heart, which seems bent toward people who are in the margins of society. We must learn, pray and respond to what God desires from his people – who are his manifestation on earth.

Then, I’ll share about the work of LIA, and our goal for raising money to support our community development initiatives among the street children in Merkato, Ethiopia.  Check out the video to hear more!

Check back with our blog this week to read about the next very relevant and pressing topic for these high school students; consumerism.

Upon reading and processing through the book “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” by Ronald J. Sider, an interesting point is presented that demands reflection. Throughout part two of this book Sider continually references the lacking distinction between the act of being an active participant in the exploitation of others in comparison to those that remain static and apathetic to the suffering in the world.

Using the biblical example of the poor beggar Lazarus in Luke 16, the story tells of a rich man that would pass by Lazarus everyday never seeking to help, yet never intentionally abusing.  His lack of concern for Lazarus and his situation however was judged just as harshly as if he were to have been the cause for Lazarus’s impoverished and hopeless state.

How are we to feel about the proclamation of Christ as our Savior yet living in a complacent state remaining static and unmoved by the most desperate needs of others around the world?  We may not be physically fighting the innocent, exploiting the poor, or consciously hording resources from those with nothing, however what are we doing to stop it?

Sider brings this concept of exploitation and apathy full circle regarding the presence and abundance of possessions that tend to fill our lives.  Consuming our time and energy we must not let our worldly goods become the center of our daily lives; clouding our desire to serve others.  We must also seek to be educated consumers, making a conscious decision to be weary of perpetuating the cycle of exploitation from our investments and purchases.

Ignorance to the issues and needs of the world only goes so far.  As Christians we must let our passions drive us to fight social injustices actively, not merely by not directly participating.  It is a bold call to action and requires a great deal of effort and giving of oneself.

Knowing the needs of the poorest and most marginalized communities in Africa, what are we doing to help, transform and empower?  Check out LIA’s programs and learn more about how you can get involved giving yourself and taking an active stand against injustice and suffering throughout Eastern Africa.

If you want to learn more about Sider’s view on living as a Christian in a wealthy society check out his book; “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” and challenge yourself to empower others with your resources.

People young and old joining together with a common goal and purpose to live out Christ’s call as dedicated full time missionaries.  The people that I have both seen and met throughout the Wi-Ne-Ma conference has truly proven to be a highlight and joy of this week.  Seeing how various people at all different stages of life are able to unite; sharing stories, sharing experiences, and sharing a passion for their work.

Presenting to the elementary classes brought a rush of memories back as the children sang the song, “Be A Missionary Every Day”.  Seeing their joy and smiles as they sang these words was both uplifting and inspiring for i was watching the next generation of dedicated disciplines.

On the other end of the spectrum was Margariete;  an 82 year old women still serving on a children’s ranch in Idaho.  I had the privilege of chatting with Margariete a little about her work and heart for missions and ministry.  Here is a little video to share of our conversation. Check it out!

Our President, Dr. Florence Muindi, and I are up in the beautiful Northwest at the Week of Missions at Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp.  I grew up going to this family camp and can trace much of my love for missions and cross-cultural work back to this yearly conference.

It is an unbelievable week completely focused on mission work that is taking place around the world.  Located both next to the mountains and a lake this breath taking landscape on the Oregon coast truly adds to the experience.

According to the conference purpose statement, “The purpose of the Week of Missions is to further the cause of New Testament Christianity through cross-cultural missions by:

• Informing participants about current mission work

• Equipping participants through mission education and training

• Challenging participants to cross-cultural service and spiritual growth

• Providing opportunities for participants to contribute and minister to missionaries in order to increase personal involvement in making disciples for Christ around the world and in our communities.”

We are seeing this being lived out at every session, class, and discussion over meals.  It is only the beginning of the week, but we are already having an amazing time.  LIA is one of the featured missionaries with Florence and myself speaking 9 times this week.  Below I have some videos from bits of the week.

The first one is from the opening ceremony and the second one was taken right after we finished speaking at a main session.  I had handed my camera to my friend Bryce and he decided to record a few videos.  Here is the one I can post.

We can’t wait to share more with you about what we have learned from the different speakers and organizations! Please pray that God will bring us the right connections to continue empowering the people of Africa in new and exciting ways.