REALITY...
day09-01
Originally uploaded by yo_paully.
The sunsets in Malawi are absolutely beautiful. They only last for a few minutes, but they are stunning. This country offers some really beautiful landscapes.
Today was a different day. It was a bit of a quiet day, lots of time to reflect. We started out at the job-site and did some hard steel work. The sun was hot and draining.
It was also a learning day (as everyday has been, so far). We have been in contact with so many people since arriving in Malawi, whether it's the people that we interact with at the market, the kids we visit or the guys we work with on the job-site, it's hard to imagine that 1 in every 5 of those people has AIDS, but it is a reality. The AIDS issue is something that no one likes to talk about, it is considered taboo to talk about it among most Malawians. Many people here do not get tested for HIV/AIDS, they do not want to know if they have AIDS. Denial is a reality.
Tomorrow some of us will have an opportunity to visit a clinic that is run by a Doctor who used to practice in Calgary, but has relocated in Malawi. We will be exposed to some of the realities that that AIDS presents.
Despite the AIDS problem, there are many positive things happening in Malawi, there are beautiful sunsets, and there is hope. Hope that we in North America can learn through the reality in Malawi.
posted by Paul Agius @ 5:39 p.m.
9 comments
9 Comments:
Hi to all....thanks Paul for the message and that beautiful sunset!
Sounds like it was a very full day to say the least. Hope you are all able to relax a little and let go and let God at times when you need too. It has to be hard seeing all this and living right there with all those that are so sick.
We really do have so very much to be grateful for and God has His way of showing us through all of you. God Bless and Keep Your Spirits UP UP....God is with you!
Hi Bob all is well here just praying for you that you are OK with all that you are experiencing there.. God Bless you and know that you are loved here! Mum
Thanks for the beautiful photograph. Its difficult to look at that spectacular sunset and not contrast that beauty with the reality of the AIDS disaster in Malawi. It's great to know people personally and see their faces among those that are struggling with so much. It is such a beautiful picture of God's plan in Malawi.
After all that we know about the poverty and AIDS in Africa it would be very easy to ask ourselves, "Where is God in Malawi?" You've been proving to us every day that God is everywhere - in that sunset, in those church voices, in the faces of those kids, at Tova's baptism, even in the eerie silence that surrounds this disease. But most of all, God is so evident in each of you stepping away from the comforts of Canada and venturing into the unknown to demonstrate the love that Jesus has for the people of Malawi.
Can't wait for the full story.....
Cathy
Wow, That is probably the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen and yet behind it's beauty a ravage beast is hidden in the name of aids.
The reality of it all is sad, and yet, you keep writing of the beauty of it all; the love, happiness and joy the Malawians seem to have (even to you strange Azanga.) There alone you'd think we could learn a huge lesson. They have very little (or so we'd believe by our standards) and yet look what they have taught you, me, us. They need nothing more than their hands (clapping), their voices (singing) and a smile (joy).
It is sad to hear that most do not choose to talk about such a topic or choose to be tested but I guess I can understand the reasonings. It's too bad they choose not to discuss it though for that is the only way people will learn how not to infect others.
When you read this you will already have been at the clinic. I'm sure it was probably the hardest thing you have had to deal with since you were there. Emotional toll and probably physical toll has to be creeping up on you. A day in reflection alone has got to be overwhelming after something like this visit so as you do remember the bible says:
'You will have courage because you will have hope. You will take your time, and rest in safety.' Job 11:18
Again let me praise you for the work you have done, are doing and will do as you start to wrap up your trip. I used to count the days you'd been gone (DGB -days gone by) now I have started the counting D2G (days to go). It seems like a lifetime ago we were sitting in the Outreach centre getting last minute details all worked out.
Prayers are with you all.
Andrea
Hey Bob,
Sounds like a big day tommorrow, going to visit the clinic. I hope it gives you an opportunity to pray with them for healing. God is still in the healing business, and honours those who cry out to him. Remember how your prayer helped with my gout. I would just inspire you to be bold. I know your compassionate heart will shine. Daniel
Dear Tova and Riv;
The words of the posting entitled "Reality" brought forth within me a deep feeling of sadness. So much so that it took a few minutes to find other words.
"Village of Hope"... Your team expressing love by constructing a building for people and more: Their daily living, hearing their voices and music, sharing their laughter, working together for good.
Love never fails.
Love and Prayers,
Dad xo xo xo xo
Tuesday May 10, 2005
" take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. " 2 Chronicles 15:7 NRSV
I believe your work has already been rewarded in many different ways and will continue to reward long after you return. What a wonderful, growing, learning, experience this has been for all of you and all of us that share in your journey each day. These children you are building this house for, children you may never know will be affected so positively for the rest of their lives. Good work team, BE PROUD, for you are God's servants, unselfish, courageous, dedicated, hardworking, beautiful, wonderful people.
Now that's a picture of hope! And a picture of God in Africa...the dark foreground with the sun in all it's brilliance surrounding it. And you are definitely helping the sun shine a little brighter in the lives of those you are serving. I'm sure their lives are adding touches of African sparkle to yours as well...I'm sure your emotions ran deep today as you visited the AIDS clinic and you will most definitely never be the same. It's hard to understand why God allows suffering...a question we most likely will never have a satisfactory answer to. But the "Village of Hope" is exactly what the name says, and that is what you have been given the privilege to provide: HOPE. And although your effort may seem like just a drop in the ocean to you as you stand face to face with overwhelming darkness and silence, it will be the world to those who will benefit from it. God's peace to you as you process your day.
Claudia
Hey Guys and Gals:
Its Marc G. from the OC (Outreach center). I hope you are doing well and finding those special moments to process (whether in prayer or silent reflection)the things you've seen, heard and experienced.
This is such a unique season of your lives in that God has allowed you to see the staggering complexity of watching joy emerge out of suffering. Such joy is sustaining and these dear lives have come to know this joy in the midst of such heart-wrenching circumstances.This is the joy of the victor, not the victom. Consider what David said the psalm 126:5-6 , "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest..."
Though some chose denial it may very well be one of the few coping mechanisms they have left. Its probably the only way they have tried to retain whatever little "control" they have left. To choose "not to know" in some circumstances is not always a bad thing.
When you enter the clinic tomorrow, I trust that your compassion and care will have a way of communicating the following: "...the Lord who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The LOrd watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow (Ps.146:6b-9).
Tova I am so excited to hear that you've been baptized.God is pleased with your humble heart. What a stand to take- what a memory to make!
Hey Ann: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon you because he has anointed you to preach good news to the poor." (Isa.61:1-2)
hey Rivcah: "don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life , in love, in faith and inpurity..." (1 Timothy 4:12)
dale, Pat & Bob: I pray for your strength and that you would exude the joy of being privileged to serve the Malawians
dear Julia:
The soveriegn Lord has given (you) his words of wisdom, so that (you) may know what to say to all these weary ones. Morning by morning He awakens (you)and opens (your) understanding to His will. The Soveriegn Lord has spoken to (you), and (you) have listened....Isaiah 50:4-5 (you = I)
I'm so proud of your visionary leadership and spirit of excellence.
Dana: I pray that you will find that "firm settledness" that david experineced when he wrote "lord, my heart is not proud, my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me. But I have stilled and quieted myself just as a small child is quit with its mother. yes, like a small child is my soul within me..." Psalm 131;1-2
As A church, leadership team, brothers and sisters in Christ we are so proud of you and root for you in spirit. thank you for being the Jesus that these people get to experience right now!
Love, prayer & gratitude
pastor Marc
While it may at times be hard to rejoice when you reflect on the bad realities of life there, choose to rejoice anyway. The essence of your journey is to bring God's message of hope and a future ... even to a few. That is a ray of sunshine to those who are needy and who see you everyday. And so while you can, leave a smile, a touch, an encouraging word, a dream. They're so contagious, you'll never know what you're really leaving behind. So keep on keeping on!
Post a Comment
<< Home