Trip to Ghana and Sierra Leone

Fw: Book List for NFLC

2008-03-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: jay.lorenzen@uscm.org Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:47:14 To:"Rich McGee" Subject: Re: Book List for NFLC Rich, I'll look at this tonight. Thks, jay Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: Rich McGee Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:35:39 To:rick.hove@uscm.org,jay.Lorenzen@

In Reflection: A Couple Quotes

2007-10-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

"You know, coming home and finding things all right, thought not quite the same." Sam Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. TolkeinAn effect of traveling in distant places is to make one reflect on one's past and one's culture from the outside." - AudenOne of the problems of the world, I begin to discover, is that there are too many people just like me.--J. EpsteinThe diverting history of John

Some Pics

2007-10-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

Our Meetings in GhanaFor a Quick Look at Some Other PicturesTo See all the Pictures on Flickr

Happily Home

2007-10-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

Made it home....arrived in Denver at 10:15 this morning....left Dakar Senegal at 2:30 am. So glad to be home....my lost luggage arrived here last night in Col Springs. Unpacking was easy, Laurie said, cuz all the clothes in the suitcase were still clean....the only thing dirty was I and the clothes on my back. Those clothes, however, will need a deep cleaning and probably a debugging. I'm

Update on Flights Home

2007-10-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

Our travel agent in Orlando came through. We leave tonite on South African airlines, direct to Washington Dulles....depart from Washington Dulles at 8:30, home to Denver by 10:30 am tomorrow. We had a "missionary fare" with Lufthansa, so they have to reimburse the half-flight that we missed. Lord willing, we'll be home soon. Jay

Chip's Notes on Sierra Leone

2007-10-01T06:25:00.001-07:00

Summary of Sierra LeoneGeneral:• SL pop: 5 mil; 2 mil in Freetown. • F’town feels like one giant slum planted in mountainsides against the ocean. Extreme poverty, terribly inadequate infrastructure (poor roads, intermittent water and electrical supply, housing chaotic, run-down concrete or shanties of boards and tin, etc. • 70% Muslim, but there is a distinct feel of Christian presence in the

2007-10-01T05:22:00.000-07:00

We are now stuck in Dakar, Senegal. We caught the last flight out of Freetown late last night. There are no Lufthansa Flights our of here--so we're stuck flying back to Nigeria for $700 or back to Atlanta for $1300. We hate to waste money, but after our scary day yesterday we may opt to head home. We're trying to touch base with the Campus Crusade leadership here and get a tour of the campus

2007-09-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

It's a mess. Flight not leaving today. We don't want to go back to town. No money, don't take cards, won't put us on the Hovercraft, can't get a hold of Lufthansa. A mess!

2007-09-30T11:18:00.001-07:00

Trip home starts out interesting. We departed Sierra Leone and noticed that we weren't gaining altitude. We started to turn back, making two passes over the airport, the pilot announces that we have a problem with the gear, but not to worry. Everybody is getting nervous and when we land safely, everybody claps, starts praising the Lord (maybe Allah as well), soon some praise and worship, some

2007-09-30T05:35:00.000-07:00

After our meetings with the students, we went to Kroo Bay--the worst slums in Freetown. I wanted to see it. I'm praying that it will someday be the gem of West Africa--evidence of God brining his kingdom to bear here. It will take a 100,000 miracles--maybe more. All I know is that right now heaven can't be happy with the material poverty and the insecurity felt everywhere here in Sierra Leone

2007-09-30T05:29:00.001-07:00

I wish everyone I know could have met Gerarld, Simon, Mathilde, Jacob, and Robert. To be honest, I was beginning to think there is no hope for Sierra Leone--even with God. But having met these student leaders of the Campus Crusade movement at Fourday University I have some measure of hope. Chip and I were blown away by the stories of these kids--ie I was part of a secret society in my village.

House of Hope II

2007-09-29T16:46:00.001-07:00

Chip and I played with kids for about 45 minutes. I felt sad that I didn't have my bags and the gifts we sent for the orphanage and for our sponsored kids at COTN. I bought a bag of rice, some milk, and some fish for the House of Hope. Pastor N and his wife Mary seem great--they are Liberians, bu the way. But the kids are from SL. After our visit, we had to get back to the funeral so Lincoln

The House of Hope

2007-09-29T16:40:00.001-07:00

It's a strange thing to travel across the world to Africa, flight the city crowds of one of the poorest cities of the world, drive on the worst roads for about an hour into a neighboring village, ask locals for directions several times, pulling up to a well kept church and home and getting out of the car to meet two of your grandchildren. Now that I've played with Magyar and Mariama (Zeke and

2007-09-29T16:35:00.001-07:00

We've been underway for two days straight and since the place we are staying has no electricity and no generator. I need this phone for emergencies tomorrow for the flight home--so I'm turning off this phone to save the battery. Till later, Jay

2007-09-29T16:34:00.001-07:00

After grabbing some lunch, we loaded up in the Great Commission pickup truck and headed to the funeral of a friend of Lincoln's. What an experience. Three hours of pure cultural introduction, the only white guys among the 800 people there. Hot, humid, almost fainted, wonderful, worshipful. Lincoln's friend had quite a testimony in the community. After the funeral we made our way to the House

2007-09-28T08:26:00.001-07:00

We made it to Lincoln's by 12am, tired, having walked the last 500 yards thru dark alleys, backstreets, downstairs, thru some ditches and around some corners until we reached his house. Lincoln made some tea for us, led us in prayer and sent us to occupy his bedrooms. I think he slept on a cot in the living area... This morning we met with Lincoln's staff for a devotional. Chip and I shared a

This is a hoot.

2007-09-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

Walked with 100s of Africans on to this ferry, in the middle of the night, getting ready to cross some crocodile-filled, snake hungry,swampy body of water. We're sitting in "first class" waiting room, listening to Sierra Leone's MTV, Chip is looking for the life preservers, we're having what might be called an experience. Jay

The Ferry

2007-09-27T12:47:00.001-07:00

The ferry doesn't leave for two hours. So here we sit. Hurry up and wait. The sun is setting. What a challenge to live and work in a place like this. Sarah and Micah, if you are reading this, WOW, amazing that you'd come to this place. Thanks! Taylor and Joanna, thanks for leading the way. I can't understand a word when Fofanaha or Moses speaks English. Chip has a better ear. At

Oh Lord

2007-09-27T12:42:00.001-07:00

We are here. Fortunately Moses sent a driver to pick us up--who helped us escape the crowd in a taxi to the ferry waiting area. We now have to wait two hours for the ferry. Fofanaha, our driver, is protecting us from those who want to change money, sell us something or pick-pocket something. Someone definitly has to pick Jody and Andy up when they come. We're taking the ferry because the

Sierra Leone

2007-09-27T07:55:00.001-07:00

Chip and I are currently in the airport in Accra waiting for our Kenya Airlines flight to Sierra Leone. It's delayed an hour or so. Moses Abraham Lincoln is sending a driver to pick us up at the airport. Apparently, he will drive us to Freetown---which is a long drive, from what Joanna said. Oops, just heard from Moses. The driver will pick us up with his car and drive us on the ferry...

An African Story

2007-09-26T18:48:00.001-07:00

The son of a great king was anxious to inherit his father's kingdom. His father told him that he must first take a full bowl of water and walk throughout the whole land without spilling a drop. The son took the bowl of water and traveled through every village and town in the whole land and returned to the palace, thrilled that he had not spilled a drop and that he would inherit the kingdom.

2007-09-26T18:42:00.001-07:00

We spent most of the morning cementing the valued of our partnership: relationship first, equality, mutuality, reciprocity, trust, etc. It was fun to share ways in which our partnership will benefit the US campus ministry and US college students. Everyone was thrilled with the potential to bring students to greater maturity as they serve shoulder to shoulder with Africans in Gospel driven

2007-09-26T18:38:00.001-07:00

We wrapped up our meetings today on a great note--strong relationships were built between the US campus leaders and the African campus leaders. Everyone headed out to their respective countries--Zimbabwe, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa, Togo. Chip and I leave for Sierra Leone tomorrow afternoon. Since my bags are still missing in action, I finally went out to buy a few clothes----a long 3 hour

African Sayings

2007-09-25T14:43:00.001-07:00

"No matter how long wood has been in the river, it does not become a crocodile""Never promise a leper a pair of shoes because every time he stubs his toe, he'll remember you forgot your promise." "The chief never speaks. He has someone speak from him, so if he makes a mistake, he can blame it on the one who is speaking for him.""Where He leads me, I will follow; what He feeds me I will swallow."

2007-09-25T14:39:00.001-07:00

A full day of meetings; God has knitted our hearts together. Austin, the Director of Affairs for West Africa reaffirm the African commitment.

A couple comments from our Africans

2007-09-25T08:03:00.001-07:00

1 in every 4 blacks in the world are from Nigeria. There are 80 campuses on Nigeria. There is an evangelical witness for Christ on 6 campuses. In Cameron, we paid all the prostitues in the city 4 dollars to sit for 2 hours. We shared the gospel with them. 20-30 of them have left the street. 6 out of 10 students in most campuses in black Africa are dying of HIV. Thank you for coming to

Meetings have begun.

2007-09-25T05:27:00.001-07:00

We started this morning in sharing the Scriptures and in prayer. It seemed that the Lord was saying, "I must reign and you must love one another if you want to partner."Kennedy, from Cameron, led us in an African song at the end of the time, teaching us how to clap. He said we might have to wait for heaven, before we non-Africans can clap and dance at the right times. Again, as always, I'm

En route back to our meeting center from the airport:

2007-09-24T20:01:00.001-07:00

45 minutes one way. Traffic around the airport is crazy...pollution, etc. You kinda have to entrust your health to God when you come to Africa. I guess you should do that wherever you are.Most of the other guys arrived today--two days of meetings before we leave for Sierra Leone. I need my bags before then--gifts for the kids, camera, etc. I'm trying not to say, "oh well, this is Africa."

I'm starting to smell.

2007-09-24T12:06:00.001-07:00

Well, day two and no bags. I'm surprised at Lufthansa--so much for German efficiency.

Lessons

2007-09-24T08:30:00.001-07:00

Here are some the lessons we are learning about partnering in Africa: 1. Relationships are everything! 2. Africans are rooted in community; family is critical. The American idea of individualism is foreign to Africans. 3. The emphasis in Africa is around the event itself, not the time. If you go by a timeline you'll be disappointed. 4. Don't say to an African, "I'm sorry I don't have

2007-09-24T06:14:00.001-07:00

Dad text me to let us all know that he arrived safe in Ghana....without any bags. He is unable to e-mail, but can receive text messages. Currently he is in a meeting to learn how to send teams to Africa which he finds very interesting! Posted by Joanna

Departing Frkfurt

2007-09-23T01:51:00.000-07:00

We're on board another Lufthansa sardine can--this time stuck in the back. I sense another world already as we pack in here with mostly Africans. 7.5 hrs to Accra--ouch. And since it's day here, I need to stay awake. Still learning a lot from Chip--this international partnership building is a critical skill and Chip's a great mentor. Trusting I don't wear the wrong clothes or say something

Arrived Frankfurt

2007-09-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

We safely arrived in Frankfurt---feeling like two sardines escaping the Germanic packaging of Lufthansa Airlines. Other the oily feeling, cramp muscles, it wasn't too bad. I got 3-4 hours of Ambien induced sleep, some good discussions on partnerships with Chip, read alittle, listened to some podcasts, tried to not be angry with the man in front of me, spilt some chocolate junk all over my pants

Found Chip

2007-09-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Made it to Atlanta, found Chip, boarding in 10 minutes ... Hurry up!!!A profound thot from my readings somewhere over Oklahoma---You already know enough. So do I. It is not knowledge we lack. What is missing is the courage to understand what we know and to draw conclusions.No exit rows, but next to Chip. We'll solve the problems of Africa and of the hearts of us sons of privilege by the time we

Hurry up and Wait

2007-09-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

I wish traveling was more like--slow down and arrive just in time. Instead it's the opposite. Got to the airport 3 hours prior in hopes of working seat assignments with Lufthansa...but Lufthansa was closed til this afternoon and United doesn't have access to Tuetonic files. So, after a quick bkfast with Laurie, I'm awaiting my 10:11 flight. Chip called and is trying to work neighboring seats to

Packing Late into the Night

2007-09-21T20:40:00.001-07:00

It's 10 pm and I'm not packed. Called Lufthansa to work on seats....they said call in the morning at 6 am Eastern, 4 am Mountain. How important are exit row seats? jay

I love Fed Ex

2007-09-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

My passport with visas approved arrived this morning in a package from Fed Ex labeled "Extremely Urgent." Those sentiments mimicked my own. All is now happily in hand. Flight departs from Denver tomorrow at 10 a.m. Laurie is helping me pack--making sure I've got enough underwear and proper "shirts and pants." On the last trip to Africa, I had to borrow a shirt from our African pastor because

Looking for Fed Ex

2007-09-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

I'm anxiously waiting for Fed Ex to return with my passport and visas. We sent them off last week with a hope and a prayer. The Fed Ex van just passed...bummer, he didn't stop. One day to go!

Dove that ventured outside

2007-09-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

I discovered this poem by Rainer Rilke on the benefits of travel. Often I forget that daring to travel can make us "heavier by the weight of where I have been."Dove that ventured outside, flying far from the dovecote:housed and protected again, one with the day, the night,knows what serenity is, for she has felt her wingspass through all distance and fear in the course of her wanderings.The

2007-09-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

Chip Scivicque and I, along with about 15 other leaders within the Campus Ministry are headed to Ghana this next weekend. We’re meeting with most of Campus Crusade’s African senior leadership to discuss a new level of partnership. After these meetings, we’ll all divide and head to particular priority countries. Chip and I will fly over to Sierra Leone to meet with the country director, Moses