Just got a text from Candie. She slept about 4 hours between Addis Ababa and Rome, where the plane is refueling. She still has 8+ hours of flying time to Dulles, so please pray for more sound sleep.

For those who heard about the Ethiopian Airlines hijacking, Candie was not on the flight. She will be arriving in Addis Ababa in an hour or so and making the long flight back to the US. Please continue to pray for her safety and especially that she can sleep on the flight.

Malawi Adventure: The End is the Beginning

Nine days of discipleship and marriage and parenting instruction and five of those days the classes continued in the evening. The training included three presenters, a lot of small group discussion and individual application time. The staff and volunteers of Fishers, Trainers and Senders (FTS) gave an incredible amount of their time and energy to being trained. In addition, some of the full time staff spent 2-3 hours each day picking up and dropping off volunteers and staff so they could attend the training. Others, took public transport for hours and then were hosted in the homes of staff who live locally. Still others who live closer walked or took public transport every day. Every day, several times a day they gave thanks for the opportunity to attend such training saying that so many other people would love to be able to attend. Volunteers provided lunch and dinner most days. Other volunteers cared for the children of staff and volunteers. The most amazing thing? Unlike in the United States, the attendance did not drop off over the nine days. The final day had the highest attendance of all! One woman who heard about the training took a bus for five hours to attend the final day! These people were very committed and very eager to learn.

My teaching assignment was primarily discipleship. When I came I told them it was going to be like boot camp. They were actually enthusiastic about being challenged to grow in their faith and ministry capacity. I also told them that I would be learning along with them. I had never been to Malawi or even Africa before. Though I had corresponded with Louise, the Founder and Director of FTS, and been tutored by Sheryl France-Moran and two others who have been to Malawi, I was still significantly lacking in understanding of how life and ministry work here. Throughout the training I had to stop often and ask questions and learn before I could proceed. The illustrations, examples, and even images that I had used in the past simply would not work in this context. And though almost all of those attending spoke English well, there was still considerable need to clarify meaning of words and give them time to translate in their own language to ensure understanding. They were so patient concerning this challenge and in the process I learned some Chichewa. All this handicap in their teacher and they never once showed any sign of frustration or boredom. They were like sponges and continually responded and interacted to the teaching with great intensity. I was humbled and deeply grateful for the privilege of teaching these people.

The only reason this teaching assignment had any potential for fruitfulness is because of God's word. The truths hidden in it are not limited to a particular culture or language. God's word is truth across time--over 4000 years since it was first recorded--and God's truth is applicable to every tribe and nation. The important and difficult task for me was to get down to the very basic meaning of God's word so that these friends in Lilongwe could prayerfully and carefully consider what it meant for their lives and their ministry. I knew that this exercise--getting to the basic meaning of the texts--would be as instructive for me as it would be for those I was teaching. It forced me to re-examine every interpretation to try and eliminate anything that was culturally bound. It was so amazing to see how God's word indeed does speak powerfully to very different cultures. We used the teaching of Jesus as texts and we were often in awe of the penetrating power of these texts for such disparate contexts.

Equally as amazing was to see how much we have in common as people trying to be disciples even though our cultures are so different. Like us the Malawi believers  are tempted to look disparagingly at people who are on the margins of their society instead of loving them like Jesus did. I was especially surprised to find out that some churches in Malawi are very uncooperative with other churches and reluctant to partner for ministry to the communities they are trying to reach with the Gospel. Like us they get into a mindset of competition rather than cooperation. And we are the same in our tendency to get so absorbed in doing ministry we neglect our own spiritual growth. In this, especially we identified over and over again that we are the same. Being a disciple of Christ requires daily attention to making sure we are not just going through the motions and that we stay attentive to and dependent on the Spirit of God. He does not only want our service. He wants us. In this we are all the same and God's word speaks powerfully no matter the culture or language.

Tomorrow I start the 36 hour journey back to San Clemente. The discipleship training in Malawi has come to an end. But the adventure has just begun. Our closing exercise for boot camp was a prayer of commissioning sending each of us back to the place God has called us to. In discipleship training every end is a new beginning. How grateful to God I am for this Malawi adventure and the training I have received.

This note from Candie, "Greetings from Maiawi!  The Lord has been gracious and powefully present in my time here.  Give Thanks!  I remain rested amd healthy!  Give Thanks!  I am learning much that will make me a better minister and teacher at SCPC.  Give thanks!  Please pray for the closiing day of our discipleship training today.  Also please pray that I will be able to sleep on the long flight from Addis Ababa to Wahington D.C.  This would help significantly in my return to life in SC without significant jetlag or fatigue.  And, of course pray that the seeds that have been planted in me will come back and sew spiritual fruit for years to come. " 

Here are a few more photos from the FTS Training at Mukani.

Candie visiting the Crisis Nursery in Lilongwe.

 

"Malawian Baby Dolls"

 

Candie in the Nkhoma Hospital Emergency Room

Malawi Adventure: Jesus the Host

A Malawian man told me his story. His mother died at the age of 10. His father died at the age of 14 and he was on his own. He had 7 brothers and sisters. By the time he was 18, four of them had died. Only he and two others remained. This young man's life was filled with pain and loss and he was at risk. Yet, here he is, now a married man in mid 30's in full time ministry and has taken in more children than he can count and currently is paying school fees for several children. Almost every person in Malawi has taken in multiple children and cared for them. Many of them are providing school fees for younger brothers or sisters even though they struggle to provide for their own children. This is a result of their extended family culture. What we call cousins, they call sisters and brothers. It is also a result of the ravages of extreme poverty and AIDS/HIV which has left many parents unable to care for their children and thousands of children orphans. 

So I am in Malawi and one of my lessons is on hospitality. What am I going to do? How can I teach these people anything about hospitality?! It is only God's Word that is truth for all generations, nations that can teach us together about a kind of hospitality that can be practiced anywhere in the world. If our view of hospitality is only possible in San Clemente but cannot be practiced in Malawi, it is not the truth and it is not the biblical view of hospitality. Teaching in Malawi I have learned also. What we discovered together from our study of Zacchaeus about hospitality applies to us wherever we live and whatever we have.  It is the hospitality of Christ that prevented this young man from becoming a fearful, angry, and lost orphan. The presence and love of Christ transformed him. At the very core of hospitality is being with and accepting others.

Biblical hospitality, being with and accepting people, is not location specific. Wherever we are Jesus is the host. It is his grace and mercy that is with us and accepts us--makes us part of his family and given us all that we have. He owns all of creation, and because He lives in us by his Spirit when we invite people wherever we invite them Jesus is the real host. Zacchaeus invited Jesus to his home but it was Jesus who was the host offering Zacchaeus much more than Zacchaeus offered Jesus. Whether we invited people into our home or whether we enter the home of another, or whether we meet somewhere else, the presence of Christ hosts us. It is Jesus who comes to us and because of this hospitality can be practiced anywhere.  Our wealth or poverty does not determine the quality of our hospitality. The presence and power of Christ brings more to us than anything we can provide. When we allow that presence and power to show through our lives we provide hospitable space where others can experience being with Jesus and seeing his gracious accepting love.

Biblical hospitality transforms guests. After being with Jesus and experiencing his gracious acceptance, Zacchaeus was a changed man. He could not remain the same. He who had been a cheat, became honest. He who was a thief became generous. He who was lost was saved. When we offer only our own resources people might be delighted but they will not be changed. But when we offer whatever we have as evidence of Christ's presence and loving acceptance they can be transformed by encountering the present and powerful Christ.

And let's not forget that Zacchaeus was an unlikely character to be transformed. The whole community knew he was a sinner. His job as chief tax collector meant everyone knew he was a thief. They grumbled when Jesus decided to go to his house because his reputation was well known. The least likely guest in our eyes just may be the one most likely to be transformed. 

This is biblical hospitality that can be practiced in Malawi or in San Clemente. We open our homes whatever they are like, we enter others whatever they are like, or with biblical hospitality we can create a third space to meet people. In all three cases, Jesus is the host who by his presence provides more than we could ever provide and when we allow others to see him through us, his presence, his acceptance--love--can transform those we invite and even those who invite us. 

Candie teaching the FTS staff

They Drive on the Wrong Side of the Road

The steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car. And, Oh my, they drive on the wrong side of thle road! They speak  Chichewa. Thank goodness, they also speak English! The men (yes, the men!) are very animated when they sing. They sing loud and  clap and dance and laugh. They skip and hop and pump their arms. (Men in the United States do this particular gesture--arm pumping--but usually for very different reasons.) Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore!

Such are some of the most obvious differences I have encountered here in Lilongwe, Malawi. But capturing my attention far more are the ways that we are the same. Parents are tired in Malawi just like in the United States. They are tired from lack of sleep but they are also tired from the serious challenges of being a mom or a dad. Teachers in Malawi have enormous jobs because they not only teach, they also parent, and counsel, and care for students whose home lives are far from nurturing. People are hungry for meaning and significance in their lives beyond a job well done. They long to make a difference in the lives of others and they struggle with how to do this when the circumstances are very serious and very complicated. My very limited and new understanding is that, at least proportionately, the complexity of the struggle of the people of Malawi is far greater than where I come from. And though with much less resources they are working hard to make a difference.

The Malawians I am coming to know who are in full time ministry struggle as I do to balance work and home. Just like me, they have a heart to train others to multiply the fruit of the work. But it is sometimes a challenge to find others who have the desire and, usually more frequently, the time to be trained. FTS like San Clemente Pres is working to reach out and stretch the impact of their ministry and are not satisfied with being a holy huddle. FTS is definitely a community for the community! And, most amazing of all, because it confirms why God's wise and wonderful and humorous plan has me here, the staff and volunteers of FTS are at a place where they want to go deeper. They want to grow in their love and trust of God so that they are able to live every day more faithfully what they are teaching and preaching and reaching out to others with. They want fresh hope in order to offer real hope to others. They do not want to rest on what they have done in the past or what they are currently doing very well. They want to be grounded deeper spiritually in order to go out faithfully wider. All these things we have in common.

Continents apart, times zones away I am seeing with my own eyes that God is indeed at work powerfully in every place doing the same thing he does in every place--bringing his kingdom to earth one person at a time, one act of love at a time, one word of hope at a time, one generous gift at a time. I am quite sure that after seeing what I have seen here in Lilongwe, I will be better equipped to see what I need to see in San Clemente. The stark differences as well as the clear commonalities are improving my vision. Louise drives on the wrong side of the road and the Lord gets her safely where she is going anyway! What an amazing God we serve!

Learning and Adapting

Their singing is incredible. Twenty people in a small room open to the outdoors and the sound of their voices are fuller and richer than the singing in most worship services I have been in with twenty times as many people. And yes, there is clapping and dancing. Their whole bodies are engaged in worship. No instruments and no amplification. Rhythmic and harmonious, it is difficult not to be taken up in it. I wish I could transport them all back to San Clemente Presbyterian Church for everyone to hear and sing along. Their praise in song prepared us well for the lessons of the morning.

In our first day together the topic was proclaiming the kingdom. A certain issue continued to come up in their discussion and in the role playing that they did. I was encouraged by their transparency but also sensed that there was something in this that needed deeper exploration. However, being in a culture so foreign to me and new to them, I was hesitant. I was trying to pay attention to where this might be leading but also trying to be a good steward of the time and planning for this training. So I consulted with my host and main teacher, Louise. I told her what I had sensed and asked her about whether or not I should follow up on this. After talking with her I decided to change the lesson plan for the next day--to take a risk and adapt the plan.

When I woke up I was having doubts about the change. I told Louise so, and she encouraged me to stick with the plan change as she really believed this was an issue that needed attention. I took her advice. What resulted was amazing.

I have purposely not said what the issue was because it really does not matter.  For different groups at different times the issues are different. This, in fact, is the very root of the problem that came up and needed follow up.  As Christian communities we often get hung up on issues that sidetrack us and actually end up getting in the way of the very heart of why the church was called into being--to share the Good News. In the pursuit of some righteous end we actually create obstacles to people hearing that Good News. But because of our self-righteous blindness we cannot see it.

With Louise's encouragement and the help of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well I led them in this exploration of what sorts of things they might be doing or not doing, saying or not saying, due to routine or tradition that might be keeping them from partnering with God in what he is doing in the world around them. The discussion actually ended up on a topic of even more significance than the one raised the day before. The clear sense that this adaption for the day was a leading of the Spirit of God encouraged by a wise saint was confirmed by what happened in this discussion--acknowledgment of blindness, confession, and a renewed commitment to follow Christ more faithfully--no turning back.

That by the way was also the lyrics to one of the beautiful songs they began the morning with--I am going to follow Jesus and I will not turn back. The sound still echoes in my ears. I am confident the Spirit will continue to echo the message in their hearts. Difficult adapting and deep learning and it is only day two. Boot camp, for sure!

A specific prayer request from Candie

After the first day of teaching and debriefing with Louise last evening, I really believe I need to adjust my plan for today. The response from the staff in the group work they did yesterday revealed something that caught my attention. After talking and praying with Louise about it, I will follow up on it today using a different passage than I had prepared. This is boot camp after all, and we need to exercise the muscles that need the most attention. I told the staff yesterday that it was "boot camp."  They laughed. Then I asked them if they were ready for such a strenuous experience. Their response seemed to say, "Yes, we would like that!" So, today, we go deeper, grounding in Christ where it will take some significant work. Pray for discernment on my part on how deep to go. I do not want to be timid but I also do not want to expect too much of our relationship too soon.
Candie

Louise and Candie at Mukani (FTS headquarters) where there training is happening

Notes from Candie

I have received a few texts and emails from Candie. Here are a few notes on her trip and first day in Malawi.

Louise was waiting at the airport for  me when I arrived--but we were on different floors!! Fortunately I met a young woman who is working in Malawi and she let me use her phone and we found each other!  She is a delight.

The country is very green from all the rain. It is very warm and humid but so far I have not been uncomfortable. A shower sure felt good after all the travel and plane no-sleeping! No bumps along the way. Pretty uneventful. Everything like you described it...at least what I remembered you described.

Thanks for your prayers! I will keep you updated as I am able. I will likely not be blogging every day but try to every two or three days.

I missed this photo from her personal blog -- always so dramatic!  :)

Candie arrived safely in Lilongwe and is with Louise Laubscher

Her most recent post is at http://candieblankman.blogspot.com/ and copied below:

Eh, Sleep Is Over Rated

I slept for 8 hours Sunday night, but very lightly. I was not worried just excited, I think. I had started packing more than a week in advance so as to avoid the last day rush and frenzy. I was all packed and my check list that Sheryl France Moran gave me (VERY exhaustive) was all scratched off. Thanks to Kelly King, Corrie Hawes, and Sheryl, I had all my teaching (and learning) materials packed and ready to go, as well. I was ready. But the anticipation and adventuresome nature of this trip just wouldn't let me go into deep sleep.

My flight left LAX at 10:50 p.m.--past my most optimum bed time. I was tired. The problem was I would be in the air for less than five hours AND would lose three hours going coast to coast so would arrive in D.C. at 6:45 a.m. (3:45 a.m. body time). I did sleep all the way. Sitting up, of course. Though a dear member of SCPC offered to upgrade me for this leg, there were no first class seats available. The flight was full. I slept four hours this time, but very lightly. Two nights short, light sleep.

From this point on I can't really tell you when I slept or for how long with all the time zone changes, the lights going on and off in the airplane, an 11 hour flight to Addis Ababa. They served meals several times on the plane but I could not figure out what meal it was supposed to be. I tried sleeping on and off but mostly off. Then a layover for two or three hours.   Then another 3 hour flight to Llongwe. Thank God for providing a young woman from North Carolina who is working on her PhD in Llongwe who sat down beside me in the Addis airport. Little did she know when she made that choice of seat that she would have a hanger on for the remainder of her return trip to Llongwe! Totally disoriented that is what I am.

Perhaps disorientation with a gracious face mixed in is exactly the kind of training I needed to prepare me for the days ahead. This, too, probably part of God's humorous plan--very little that is familiar but what I need will be provided. And most of all, a gracious host in Louise Laubsher who picked me up at the airport and began my training almost immediately.  I have heard so much good about her that I would trust her with my grandchildren! Here I am, Lord. I am available. Make me usable and use me. (Stolen from Dick Innes.)

The last leg of the journey

On her way to Africa

Candie made it safely to Dulles last night and is now on a plane bound for Africa. In about 16 hours she will be arriving in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a short lay-over before the final leg of her flight, which will take her to Lilongwe, Malawi, to meet Louise Laubscher and the rest of our FTS brothers and sisters. Please keep her in your prayers.

For an update that she wrote while waiting at LAX last night, check out her blog: http://candieblankman.blogspot.com

Prayer send-off for Candie

If you would like to pray for Candie before she leaves for Malawi, please join us at the church library at 3:30 pm this afternoon (Monday, February 3).