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November 8, 2001
Hi Folks,
Having fallen so far behind in my personal correspondence and
e-mails that catching up is an impossibility at this point, I’ve
decided this is the only way to let you know—in response
to more recent enquiries—that yes, I am alive, yes, I am
well, just waaaayyy behind in keeping in touch. So let me say
thank you, dear ones, for your patience and tell you some of what’s
been happening here in the last three months or so.
Visits to Uganda and Rwanda
A real highlight—and dream come true—was to finally
visit our Africa Enterprise teams and other ministries and organizations
involved in AIDS-related work in Kampala, Uganda, and Kigali,
Rwanda. The exposure to the various works, the gathering of information,
and the realization that many wonderful things are happening,
particularly in my area of interest relating to children impacted
or affected by AIDS, was tremendously encouraging. It also confirmed
that some of the concepts developing in my mind were not only
workable but already effectively in practice in those places that
have been responding to the ravages of this disease for some time
now. It becomes, then, a matter of accommodating those approaches
to the South African context which, though similar in many ways,
also has its own unique considerations.
In addition to these exposures, seeing the land, cities, and
peoples of the countries was a special gift in itself. I love
Africa, predictably unpredictable with all its mayhem and madness,
hooting horns and hair raising driving, dust and din, potholes
like pools, humidity and heat, rains carving new pathways in ravaged
roads, people of grace and graciousness, laughter, dark and silent
nights broken by far off celebrations or crying babies, matoka
and chapati, local coffees. Contradictions of beauty and poverty,
serenity and suffering, peace and pain, lightness and darkness.
Mesmerizing, agonizing, exciting, addicting, heartbreaking, and
hopeful. Africa and its people continue to grab me by the heart,
unwilling to let go. I’m drawn in deeper and deeper, longing
and desiring to understand it but feeling I never will. Like an
elusive butterfly, metamorphosizing from one form to another,
always intriguing, never boring or drab.
In Kampala I met a group of young men who had formed a group
called "Street Voice." Former street boys, they had
been taken in and cared and provided for by a woman missionary
who has since returned to her country. Through the gift of her
love, they came to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord
and their lives were transformed from fearful, angry boys to young
men who now testify to young people through their music, drama,
and mime of the healing power that Jesus can bring into our lives.
Marvellous!
In Kigali I stayed with a young family that had just returned
from studying in Scotland only to find very few of their friends
and almost no family members left as a result of the genocide
in 1994. Elsie, a Tutsi, spoke of how she was so traumatized for
about three years following the genocide that she was like the
walking dead, carrying the weight of her murdered family and friends
on her shoulders. Following the massacres she had returned to
see sights that would haunt her night and day. Even her husband,
a Hutu, couldn’t help. She told how, just before Christmas
one year, God performed a miracle and brought her back to life,
healing her completely. The weight of the memories of those who
had died was lifted from her, the burden of their deaths taken
away. She now speaks openly and freely about what she saw and
experienced, knowing the power of God’s Spirit has renewed
her and revived her as no one else could. She and her husband,
Nicholas, have returned to this still traumatized country to be
part of its rebuilding and healing, knowing that only through
God can such miracles come about.
I also met a group of young people who, as children, were orphaned
during the genocide and were taken in under the wing of an AE
schooling program there. Over time, they too moved from anger,
hatred, and bitterness, as they came to know God as their loving
heavenly Father and came to accept Jesus as the way to find healing,
peace, and joy through forgiving those who had brought such deep
pain and hurt into their own lives. Today these young people—a
mix of Hutus and Tutsis—are prepared to go into the very
prisons that hold the murderers of their own families and share
the love of Jesus through song and testimony. To hear them sing
is an incredibly powerful experience. The first time I did, goose
bumps raised on my arms and I could have sworn I was in the presence
of angels! I was absolutely shaken and humbled by the witness,
once again, of God’s power, might, and unyielding love to
those who are willing to receive it. These youth were proof of
His miracles, of that there is no doubt.
Since then…
In September I spent 10 days in Cape Town, finally seeing that
glorious city firsthand, as I was able to mix visiting dear friends
there with other exposures to responses of ministries and organizations
to the AIDS problem here in the country. Thrown in there was a
MUST DO for me—a trip to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela
and other political prisoners were held during the apartheid era.
All I could think of was the Scripture that says even those things
meant for evil God can bring to good. Because from that place
that was meant to isolate and destroy, forgiveness, freedom, and
human dignity were being forged and the shaping of a new nation
was taking place. Definitely a "must see" if (when?)
you come this way!
In October was the annual AE-USA ministry tour to South Africa,
so for about two weeks I accompanied a group of six Americans
who came to be exposed to and learn about aspects of the AE ministry
here and about our varied cultures and the current dynamics in
the country. Others here were able to hear in turn their firsthand
responses to the terrorist attacks in the U.S. and to the government’s
handling of it in response. So hopefully, in it all, new understandings
were gained and seeds planted for further nurturing and growth
over time.
The children’s shelter…
As I prepare to come home for a time (work-related, for about
four months beginning January 1, 2002) I’ve had to wean myself
from various ongoing projects, including the establishment of
a larger working team at church to carry on with our involvement
at the daycare centre (shelter) there. We’re beginning a
new phase in which the families or caretakers of the children
will become involved in developing small businesses of their own
to help provide for their families, which should be quite an exciting
aspect to our involvement. At the end of the month we’re
holding a gathering of church and community folk to dedicate the
centre, have lunch, and then hold a Christmas party for the children,
so plans are madly underway for that at the moment.
Between these marvellous events I’ve struggled with problems
with my computer, which you must know are catastrophic for those
so dependent on them! Hopefully that has all been taken care of
for now, but that is part of the reason for my delinquencies over
these months as well. Love them or hate them—computers, that
is, huh!
Homecoming…
More on this another time, but I do hope to be in touch with
many of you when I reach the States. I plan to be with Mom and
Dad for Christmas in Sacramento and will use them as my "contact
base"—at least they’ll know where I am and my schedule
by then, so jot their number down for future reference, please:
(Bill & Mary) (916) 729-8385.
If you’re still awake and reading, accept my blessings and
love—and stay in touch!
Cindy
The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 47
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