3000 Strong - Women's Congress

With firewood & pots, mattresses, basins and soap, bags of flour, cooking oil, vegetables, and luggage filled with pretty dresses and uniforms – and their Bibles – 3000 women arrived for the Congress.  We reached the school grounds to find the ladies carrying heavy loads on their heads and with no hesitation, setting up make shift kitchens around the compound. The excitement was building for this long awaited spiritual retreat. They had traveled from the deep interior, from villages and mountains, in buses and matatus, on motor bikes and on foot.  The Turkana group voyaged for 18 hours and they wouldn’t miss it!

The early birds landed a dormitory bunk while others found sleeping space on the concrete classroom floors of the Mudavadi Girls Secondary School.  A hint of panic set in when there was an obvious overflow of delegates. Extra tents were quickly ordered and before long the green grass became the additional sleeping space, a nocturnal crib under the stars. Despite some minor complaining, none of these ‘inconveniences’ tarnished the ladies’ eagerness and expectancy.  For many, it was their ‘vacation of the year’ filled with sunrise to sunset dancing, singing, worship, and prayer – plus lots of fun and laughter.  Like many such events around the globe, women love being together. It’s in our DNA. This scene was no exception. The ear to ear smiles and their never ending energy for ‘moving to the music’ spoke volumes of their vigour to be together for hours of praise and thanksgiving to God.  Our two guests from The Salvation Army US Southern Territory, Commissioner Barbara Howell and Major Brenda Raymer, were immediately thrilled to meet and mingle with the ladies. Soon they too were dancing the African way. Warm welcomes and ‘join us’ are never in short supply for visitors!  

The messages and teaching supported the theme “Women Serving Christ Positively”. It was quite appropriate that Major Brenda reminded us to ‘pause’ this weekend and hear God speak. The days sped quickly, moving from times of worship and Bible study to limitless presentations of gospel dance, choir, drama, timbrels and poems along with life lessons about women’s health, parenting skills and child development, and a tutorial on uniform wearing.  The highlight for many, including myself, was our final session on Sunday morning.  Commissioner Barbara shared stories of several women in the Bible whose godly influence was effective despite their imperfect circumstances. It germinated our thinking about the influence we can have on our families and communities. She declared the truth that the measure of our worth is not found in the opinion of others but in whose we are and “if we belong to God, our influence is about what matters in His kingdom”, she said.  Covering her head with a crimson scarf, and mobilizing herself around the field, she relayed the story of the woman who was full of shame and despised by her village because of a bleeding condition that was out of her control. “After a very long time of enduring feelings of disgrace, this woman’s dignity was finally restored when she reached out, desperate yet determined, to touch Christ” Barbara reminded us.  She beat the odds in her life to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7) and found herself empowered by God’s healing spirit. The application - this can be our story too. Many of us may battle with shame and personal worth. Sometimes our circumstances defeat us.  The woman in Matthew 9 is a great example of how faith in Christ can restore our value and release the inner beauty, strength, and compassion within us which can overflow to the lives of others.  As Barbara knelt on the grass, allowing the head scarf to slowly drop to her shoulders, she invited the women to come before God, without any fear of hiding.  "With full confidence of His grace and courage to believe that His Spirit can help us, we are invited to Jesus."  Hundreds of women walked onto the field, kneeling humbly in prayer. We came together - in one accord - to confess our need of God’s help to serve from the inside out with godly impact and influence.  Loud murmurs of heart felt prayer filled the field as Commissioner Grace prayed fervently over the seeking crowd. These days were so worth it. 

Events like this are not always easy to measure in terms of impact. It is never only about what happens during the time together but perhaps more importantly, it is about how it propels us forward. What difference will this gathering make for these women personally? What impact will it have in their family life, in the church and the community? While sharing in corporate worship, praying together, and learning new truths are great blessings in the moment and well worth the planning, we long to know that deep and meaningful effects have truly taken root and will bloom with a fragrance that touches many lives in the days ahead. Some of these we will never know but others will be quite evident in the local setting. For this we now pray. 

I am very grateful to have been part of this event.  It was energizing to glimpse the traditional expressions of exalting God with voices and motion. Sometimes I had to catch my breath after joining them for a gospel dance!  It was enriching to hear God’s Word spoken with clarity and truth.  It was defining to remember the commonality of our spiritual needs as we internalized the message spoken.   When we waved good bye on Sunday afternoon, I was jolted within as I acknowledged that normal every-day life for some of these women is far from easy and some of them returned to challenges that may burst their bubbles very quickly. I prayed for God’s protection against any situations which could potentially harm any of them in body, mind, or soul. I continue to pray and hope for support and on the ground partnering to help these women find courage to overcome any circumstances that may rob them of their joy in places where they may be quite vulnerable. I pray for justice and mercy. I pray for a daring obedience for each one of them, and for myself, to follow God in ways that will translate into better lives and generational good.

God bless the women of Kenya.

Here are a few of the hundreds of pictures taken over this weekend!

Arrival & Settling in

Our Guests

Two TPWM's

Translators are such gems!

Commissioner Grace welcomes the crowd!

And the dancing begins ...

DDWM from Turkana in her native dress

I love meeting little girls :) 

Timbrels 

She can't keep still :)

An amazing crowd!

The District officers who hosted us.

They do not hesitate to pray 

I'm tryin'!! 

And it's Sunday morning ... 

Taking the salute to 3000 women takes time. 

Brenda's last Bible Study 

Sunday morning sermon

A stirring moment

Love this image of Barbara clasping hands with one of the ladies as we all pray together. 

And when it's all over, he's always there ... 

Inspired

Blog #42   Inspired

Over the past week, Morris and I have found ourselves deeply inspired by several people and experiences. On Wednesday, our staff said farewell to two officers who are being transferred. Captain Nancy Zazi is assuming the role of Finance Secretary and her husband, Captain Fredrick Zazi, will be the Assistant Projects Officer in the Malawi Territory.  These competent and passionate officers will contribute much in their first ‘away from home’ appointment, beyond just their skills.  Captain Nancy shared with me how besides fulfilling her Finance appointment in Malawi, she wants to “find at least ten children and start a Sunday School!”   I have witnessed Nancy’s passion for God’s Word, her gift of teaching, and her heart for mission. She is a humble, genuine, and intelligent leader.   In her farewell words, she left three thoughts with her colleagues, perhaps unexpected for the occasion but truly thought provoking.

1.       Just because you think you’re right doesn’t mean you are right

2.       Don’t trust your mouth when your heart is bitter

3.       I am so, so grateful to The Salvation Army for all they have given me - especially a house that has floor tiles, water, and electricity.

We won't soon forget these honest and straight forward words. As I listened to her third comment, I was personally challenged to deepen my thankfulness.

On Thursday morning, we left our compound very early for a field excursion. We love visiting remote areas of the Territory to see the Army engaged in the isolated or far-off places.  One of the District leaders arranged to take us on a tour of part of his area, including one corps located high on the slopes of Mount Elgon, bordering Uganda. We were eager for the adventure.  On route that morning, however, we received a message that saddened us. One of our dear friends, Max Porter, had died. At the age of 88, this energetic, kind, ‘young at heart’ man, still engaged in his accounting business, had taken a stroke in early July. His recovery did not go well and to the regret of his loving family, he passed away. But Max did not leave this earth or us unaffected. His positive influence was wide spread across Newfoundland - in church, community, and with his business associates. Our friendship with Max began as corps officers at Grand Falls Citadel. He was a faithful encourager in our ministry and an unofficial mentor to Morris. Max had a keen mind, particularly in the fields of business and music. His active music days were mostly behind him when we met, but his contribution to effective business strategies remained.  He offered his finance skills as a helpful support to the corps. He was wise and jovial and cared about others. Max had a gift of focusing attention away from himself and onto you whenever you were chatting. (I hope I always nurture Max-type conversations).   There was no ‘fluff’ with Max but he sure knew how to make you laugh.  Max helped the corps face a challenging fiscal reality and prepare for a better desired future.  “Let’s face the situation we have and move forward in the best way possible” Max would say. We won’t ever forget that or him. The tears that fell on Thursday and the reflections Morris and I have shared about this kind man in the past few days are evidence of a life which inspired us.

We continued our journey that day to our first destination - a steep drive up the mountain. The view was spectacular, miles and miles of rich fertile land strewn along the slopes with endless acres of maize, vegetables, and coffee crops growing.  We climbed higher and higher over a rough, twisty, narrow terrain, driving sometimes within what seemed like inches from the edge of the road. Our four wheel drive vehicle was a blessing and a bit of a contrast to the local modes of transportation maneuvering alongside us - motorbikes, tractors towing trailers, and donkeys.

The breath taking scenery captured our gaze til we reached the summit to find Kebee Corps, and two Salvation Army sponsored schools in the adjoining compound. The corps building was a semi-permanent structure with an unfinished floor and walls made of stone and wire mesh, held together with mud on the inside and the exterior covered with plaster.  A small group of Salvationists and the corps officer gathered to greet us. These faithful few were keeping the flag flying and the mission moving in this faraway place, in spite of many deficiencies.  We shared some time listening to their reality, praying for their encouragement, and thanked them for their commitment and faithfulness. Insisting on a group photo before we left, we knew they were happy to see visitors. The schools next door welcomed us to greet the students, parents, and teachers. It was the day before their school break.  The high school was celebrating their first year to have a graduating class, a worthwhile achievement for the area.  Devoted soldiers of the Army and several hundred beautiful energetic pupils with potential and hope for a brighter future warmed our hearts on that mountain. 

After a couple hours in Kebee, we descended the mountain to visit more joyful and loyal Salvationists who met us with contagious enthusiasm. Singing, drums, tambourines, and dancing are never in short supply! We were thrilled to hear stories of how the church is growing and impacting their communities in some of these out-of-the-way areas whose life and ministry is often in less than ideal circumstances.  In my heart I pray that the joy of serving God and my faith in Him will never be hinged on personal comfort or perfect circumstances.  We were reminded that day that The Salvation Army is so wide spread in many obscure places, sharing the truth of the gospel and influencing both the current and next generation with a message of the love of God. We are so grateful that we have the privilege of seeing this up close.

Our inspiring week continues. On Friday, The Salvation Army welcomed a new international leader – General Brian Peddle. We have known this man for many years and have a deep respect for him and Commissioner Rosalie.  We have seen how congruent their private and public lives are since our days of being Cadets in the same city where they were Corps Officers.  They have remained committed and competent leaders with a passion for the mission of the Army.  They are not faultless. They are ordinary, though gift, people with a deep personal faith in God who will lead with purpose and sincerity. They inspire us.

Morris and I ended our week at the Rondo Retreat Centre, a haven in the Kakamega rain forest. Rondo was initially established to provide solace and refreshing especially for Christian missionaries and continues as a faith based business.  For us, it is a place to nurture a rhythm of rest and reflection.  Besides losing ourselves in some great reading over the weekend, we took a walk through a small section of the forest. The dense and tangled tall trees delighted our eyes, nose, and ears. The wide spread tree roots criss-crossing the narrow trails under our feet illustrate how deep roots of faith can propel lasting growth and enable you to withstand many changes and challenges. The fragrant smell of dark green foliage, both the decaying and new, remind us of the cycles of life that are intrinsic to all creation. The sweet hum and chirping of several species of birds gently denting the stillness of the forest was music to our ears.  We are inspired.

Thank you God for these days. 

Captain Nancy Zazi 

A few pics of the drive up the mountain 

The Corps at the top of the slopes 

Primary School kids love getting their picture taken

Couldn't resist posting this close up! :) 

High School students 

Kimobeli corps at the base of the mountain 

Just enough

She casually stood on the side of the dirt road, dressed in multiple layers of shirt and sweater hanging loosely above her ankle length paisley skirt. The morning air was cool from the late night rains. Her mission at daybreak was a pint of milk. Not a gallon – insufficient funds.  With her back to the passersby, she held out her plastic jug to the lady with the large yellow canister to acquire the ‘just enough’ needed for the day.  A few moments of comradery and she’s on her way.  A stone’s throw down the road a teenager fills a ½ litre water bottle with milk too. It’s routine on the streets of rural Kenya. Fetching daily supplies for the needs of the next 24 hours.  Milk, firewood, water, cooking oil, eggs. Small markets and individual businesses supply the appropriate portions as a strategic response to their customers. It makes commercial sense for several reasons including the size of storage space many have in their homes as well as what the locals can afford.  For the lady I saw retrieving milk, I wondered if her daily hope is whether there will be a sufficient supply. No waste. No excess. No extra. Just enough.

A natural trend for lots of us is to ‘stock up’ on what we think we need. (Pause on that a moment).  If we find household or personal items at a discounted price, we fill our shopping carts or maybe we simply want to avoid frequent trips to the store. But that’s not the way of life for many in the world. Realistically it doesn’t make sense.  Either the funds just aren’t available and there is no choice, or perhaps the routine of gathering enough for the day is simply the norm and even enjoyable.   One of the nicest things is seeing lots of people outside walking, sidewalk shopping, exchanging handshakes and hugs, talking and socializing in their communities. There is something refreshing about it. No one is in a hurry. Relationships are more important than the clock.

Many years ago, a nation of people were pilgrims on route to a better land and for a time they wandered in a dessert. Funds were low and supplies were bare.  Amazingly every day, they found manna from heaven on the ground and “each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed” (Exodus 16:21).  A sufficient portion at each break of dawn. No mega super stores. No Costco. No storing up – they were actually warned against that. But just enough for the day.   Fast forward a few centuries and Jesus is teaching his followers, and by extension us, how to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.”

One of the beliefs of the Christian faith is that God is our provider. His nature is good. He loves and cares for all He has created – people yes, but also the trees, the sky, the ocean, the stars, sun and rain,  elephants and butterflies, the mountains, the birds … oh yea, the birds – “they neither sow or reap or store away in barns, yet their heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6) – just enough.

I stop to ponder.  Is having an abundance kind of life what leads us to feel self-sufficient and faith deficient? Can ‘storing up’ cause people to overlook the value of believing in and depending on a loving Creator? And is that why we exceed more in getting and feeling satisfied than in giving, sharing, and loving our neighbor?   

What’s on your ‘just enough’ list today?  Money, security, love, faith, hope, opportunity, rest, adventure, health, courage …? Perhaps the lady on the side of the road can help us all remember that ‘just enough’ is not so out of reach after all.

Warm hugs from Kenya J

Wanda

Take up your chair and walk ...

Blog #40

Take up your chair and walk …

Driving to church, I was struck by a familiar Kenyan sight – people walking with chairs on their heads. (I guess I hadn’t noticed this particular exercise for a while.)  Two young children were strolling along nonchalantly, each with a chair lifted high, as if quite routine.  A mile later, a woman was carrying two chairs on her head, probably on her way to worship.  Having a chair or pew to sit on may not be dependable (I think) so she brings her own. In both cases, I had no idea how long their walk would be but likely a bit of a distance. Before we reach the Corps where we were headed, I see a group of students also carrying chairs on their heads, crossing the road between their school and a church. Perhaps they shared chairs between both buildings.   

A few thoughts emerged. Starting with - don’t let small obstacles stop you from pursuing what you need to do; take nothing for granted; accept your limitations and adjust; don’t sweat every inconvenience.  It’s life. Be thankful for the littlest of things.   

Okay, carrying a chair may not be that difficult for most of us but, let’s face it, when was the last time we needed to do that to ensure we had something to sit on?

Much greater challenges and struggles exist I know. This week, Japan experiences torrential rainfalls – worst weather disaster in a decade, millions flee their homes. A Thai soccer team are trapped in a cave for more than two weeks, one man dies in the rescue effort.  An hour from where we live, six students are charged with burning two school dormitories. 

It isn’t always the major crisis though that affects us every day. What about our personal situations?  Most of our private problems don’t make the news or show up on social media.  Yet, the battles we face are real and can wear us down. Not all our predicaments are solved as easily as ‘taking up your chair and walk’.  Sometimes the problems have no perfect answers. The ‘walk’ might be impossible or the ‘chair’ just too heavy. The sickness isn’t healed. The marriage dissolves. The work issues remain. And more often than we would like, we have to ‘dig deep’ for every day courage. I actually learned the Swahili word for courage yesterday – ushujaa (pronounces: ooshu – jaw).  Perhaps there are days when many of us need an extra portion of ushujaa.

For me, when life isn’t always what I want it to be, I turn to my faith. I pray. I confess my need. I confirm my belief in a greater power than human ability or simply resilience. I seek to trust this Power for my life and others. I also reach out to a friend – a confidant, a sounding board.  I take a walk or read a book. I hug my husband extra tight. I listen to the birds or I video chat with some pretty cute kids I know.  And through all of this, I find that inner strength to literally or figuratively ‘take up my chair and walk’.

Just a few thoughts on a Sunday morning …

Intense weather and silver linings

Intense weather and silver linings

Climate change and global warming are hot topics of discussion around the world. Not surprisingly, it was an agenda item for the recent G7 Summit in Quebec.  The implications and impact continue to perpetuate dialogue as scientific and political sectors keep trying to understand and address inevitable consequences for thousands of people and hundreds of communities universally.   Extreme weather patterns appear sporadically in so many places. Families and civic infrastructures experience havoc and loss from the effects of severe storms, drought, floods, hurricanes, erupting volcanoes, etc.

Arriving in Kenya in early 2017, the relentless high temperatures were causing intense drought which meant poor crops, loss of human and animal life, and accelerating poverty. Fast forward twelve months and the environmental pendulum has swung the other way to excessive rain falls instigating destructive flooding. Who would have thought?

A few weeks ago, a dam burst in one Kenyan town, due to substantial rainfall, resulting in the loss of many lives and substantial ruin of property. A news story detailed how the “flood waters swept away power lines, homes, and buildings, including a primary school.” The Salvation Army was part of the emergency response teams.  In an even broader context, the news relayed how “hundreds of thousands of people across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Uganda have been displaced by torrential rain in the last two months.”

Soon we discovered how flash floods had reached the northern county of Turkana, the same area in our Territory where harsh drought struck a year ago. Many people are displaced because the floods have destroyed their houses and livestock. Some roads are impassable increasing the challenge for families seeking refuge. Various agencies and humanitarian aid groups are responding to provide for the immediate needs of food and shelter.  The county government is assessing the emerging and long term needs too. Our Salvation Army Territorial Projects department has been on the ground doing its review and are currently partnering with International Headquarters in a “rapid response” to support the area.  The Army’s motto, ‘heart to God and hand to man’, steps into high gear. 

While pondering the hostile effects of acute weather, I saw a small, silver lining in the cloud of unpredictable climate.  The few rivers we see around Kenya have reached new levels of rising water.  While driving by one not far from our house, I caught a glimpse of a young man standing knee deep in the middle of the river with a long pole extended into the water. I knew he wasn’t fishing. Our driver, Arnold, enlightened my curiosity. The high rolling water actually provided great conditions for harvesting sand from the river bed. The flooded water way meant the ground below was stirring up, allowing easier access to the sediment at the bottom.  Attached to the end of the submerged pole was a net that would catch the soil enabling the harvester to sift it, leaving behind what was not useful and harvesting a quality sand product.  Even without a net, using your hands for this work is also common. The sand would be carried out of the river in sacks thrown across the harvester’s shoulders.  I imagine the young man’s back was aching and sweat pouring down his face as he labored in the hot sun for many hours, another example of the local physical work required every day. A good result of this strenuous job, however, would be the valuable sand resource, an essential ingredient for making cement and asphalt, very useful for the expanding construction industry in Kenya.    Despite the tiring work, this could at least be one benefit from excessive rain and flooding.  

Another step back to scan the bigger picture though enlightened me a little more. In 2014 the UN reported more than 40 billion tonnes of sand are extracted annually around the globe, initiating a potential calamity. The concern is whether the frequency of harvesting sand exceeds nature’s rate of replenishing it.  I learned that sand harvesting has the potential to “destroy vegetation, affect the flow of water along the rivers, erode the waters’ holding capacity of the river bed, and destroy ecosystems. With the depletion of sand on riverbeds, harvesters target farmland.”  (https://www.nation.co.ke/oped/opinion/-increased-sand-harvesting/440808-4300774-178uig/index.html )   To help alleviate this fear, the law dictates sand harvesters must have a licence and adhere to regulations in an attempt to manage the environmental impact. I soon realized there is more here than meets the eye. I know my inquiry is very limited so I make no assumptions. But I did recall again the wide reaching complexities of atmospheric forces on our fragile world and the quest many have to find ways to live within current realities.

This reflection can leave me unsettled. I can't underestimate the challenges and threats which surround people every day but it also conjures up valuable principles.  I am still inspired by those who can extract something good when circumstances are tough, even when that good isn’t perfect. 

As well, I remember there are a myriad of perspectives in any given situation.  A broad outlook and an inquisitive mind can help deepen our understanding and potentially better our responses, or certainly our judgments.  I also consider every precious gift of life as a resource worth handling with care. And I see once more how interdependent we all are.  

The ‘refining’ process of harvesting sand also elicits a moral and ethical response. How important is it to ‘sift out’ what is not needed in our lives or what may tarnish the best in us. A good question for all of us - what purging or refining might be required on either a practical or spiritual basis? Could it be about eliminating the ‘stuff’ that is seriously not necessary (de-cluttering) or does it mean removing habits or behaviours that are just wrong?  I wonder what spiritual or moral filtering would allow greater portions of goodness, kindness, integrity, honesty, generosity and compassion to rise to the top.  As a leader, how can I ensure the pure ‘fine sand’ of humility, wisdom, and justice to be the products that shape my heart and mind as I influence and lead others?   

Extreme weather is intense and unfortunately reaps devastation for many. Let’s pray that there will be more silver linings to discover, other lessons to learn, and increased ways to own our part for the world we all long to see.

In the meantime, the promise of God from the prophet is: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned … do not be afraid for I am with you.” (Isaiah 43)

A picture taken on my phone by the side of the road

To see or not to see ... is that the question?

Of all our five senses, sight may be choice number one in ‘not ever wanting to lose it’.   A recent visit to The Salvation Army (TSA) Mitoto Secondary and Primary Schools where some of the students are completely blind or visually impaired caused me to think more deeply about the affects of blindness. A donation from TSA London Citadel Women’s Ministry group enabled us to purchase two new braille machines for the Secondary School. The students were so excited to receive the new equipment. Big smiles all around!  Our Social / Sponsorship Secretary, Major Beatrice Musieni, had presented the need and was thrilled when a sponsor was found.

We were pleased to spend time in both schools.  The visually impaired primary students have their own classes whereas the Secondary School incorporates all students together, though the administration is hoping for an alternative unit for the visually impaired high schoolers. “We want to have additional one on one supervision and designated teaching strategies just for them”, was the teacher's perspective. 

Our tour of the compound began by dropping in on the younger students. In a relatively bare classroom,10-12 first graders sat together on the floor having fun with building blocks. Sitting beside them, one child kept reaching out to hold our hand.  Some children were completely blind, others had a percentage of sight, some could not speak, and others had additional physical disabilities. “This little one arrived three days ago”, the teacher whispered to us, gently touching a sweet little girl on the back. “She was rescued and brought here.”   We didn’t learn the details but I knew wherever this child had come from, being brought to this school was likely something better for her. I had rarely thought of a school as a place of refuge. How thankful I am The Salvation Army offers such a safe haven.  The playful interaction among these precious little ones was evidence they were being well cared for.  

Both the Primary and Secondary Schools are boarding schools.  In the boy’s dormitory, we met the ‘house father’ caring for both the older and younger boys who bunk together. Every bed was covered with a mosquito net and each student has a footlocker for their belongings.  It didn’t seem ideal for boys of such varied ages to stay in the same room. We were told the school is searching for assistance to construct separate rooms to accommodate the different age groups. 

Rounding the corner outside the dormitory, we met 20 high school students – again, some totally blind and others visually impaired.  The group was taken out of class to greet us and receive the gifts we brought.  As we approached, they were huddled together practicing items to present.  Once we were warmly welcomed, they sang a beautiful song with amazing harmony.  Joshua, the oldest in the class, had an incredible base voice and Joy, a bubbly and confident girl, was an obvious high soprano.  They quickly introduced themselves as ‘singers’ and told us about an upcoming competition. They were thrilled to have us listen to their song and grinned shyly as we applauded!  One girl recited a poem followed by another musical item with more singing plus dancing, accompanied by Joshua on the flute and another boy using an upside down water container for drumming. 

These students expressed themselves eloquently with their musical talents and speaking in clear English. Joshua, an obvious leader in the group, volunteered to say thank you on behalf of his peers when the braille machines were offered. “I thank God for these gifts” he said. “Now we can learn more and pass our exams. Please tell the sponsors how much this donation means to all of us here.”

Driving home, my heart was full of gratitude to have met these students, their teachers, and The Salvation Army Chaplains who provide Bible lessons each week. The pupils inspired us with their resilience to overcome limitations and disabilities, their courage and confidence in front of strangers, and their joyful spirits. They genuinely appreciated our time together and the gifts given from strangers in another part of the world. It was a meaningful example of being partners in mission.

At the end of the day, I couldn't help but ponder - is it possible that those who are blind, or visually impaired, can still actually see? I don’t mean physically (though some may view shadows or fuzzy images). But can those who are not as sighted as I am and you are, still ‘see’ in different ways?  In Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to walk in the Dark, she suggests when the sense of sight is missing, other senses are more pronounced.  Hearing and touch and smell can actually become like ‘eyes’.  Her studies about darkness revealed how the sound of different kinds of trees swaying in the wind can enable a person to distinguish which type of tree it is without seeing it.  And what about touch?  Taylor tells of a blind person who proposes “to feel a table is a much more intimate activity than seeing it. Run your hands across the top and you can find the slight dip in the middle of the center panel that you might otherwise have missed, proof that this table was planed by hand.”   

In the Bible, we read that God often appeared in dark places. He spoke to Abraham in the dark of night. The evening sky was key to Abraham’s trust in God.  Jacob wrestled with God after the sun went down.  The Israelite’s exodus from Egypt happened during the cover of darkness and manna was supplied during the night time. Jonah spent three days in the dark belly of a whale, while Paul spent three days blind in Damascus.  On Mount Sinai, God’s glory came to Moses in a cloud of darkness.  Is it possible that darkness, perhaps even blindness, can be a source of spiritual revelation?  To see may mean more than just physical sight.  In John 9:39, Jesus makes a statement that may seem strange ‘til we probe it a little.  “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” (Might need a full exegesis of the text to tackle the depth of that comment).

I make no assumptions about the experience of a person who is blind or visually impaired.  I do remember a very jovial man in one of our corps appointments who was almost fully blind yet he loved to play Santa Claus for the kids every Christmas!  As for the students of Mitoto, they sure energized us with the buoyancy of their spirits. They helped us remember that physical sight is a precious gift and so is tenacious determination when darkness falls.  I may never forget one of the students greeting us warmly: “Welcome to our school. It’s nice to see you today.” 

Presenting the new braille machines 

Two of the teachers 

Grade 7 class using machines

Grade 7's introducing themselves to us 

Primary class

The sense of touch is also a great way to learn. 

Grades 5 & 6 

High School students 

Gospel dance with flute and drums 

Joshua says "thank you so much!" 

Wish you could hear them sing!

Group photo with our Social Sponsorship Secretary and School Chaplain