Roger
I am sitting in a hot internet café in a small town in Madagascar. Someone nearby is smoking a cigarette. As you can imagine, there are no laws here regarding such things. But hey, if I were not smelling the smoke, I would be tasting the other aromas of Africa which are often hard to describe: very musk-like at its best and very sewage-like at its worst (in the more impoverished parts of town).
I am trying to figure out what to write regarding our last two weeks at the YWAM training base in the coastal town of Tamatave. Our experiences were so rich, on the one hand, and so unique, on the other. Also, I find myself wondering what would interest folk back home in the midst of their busy lives!
We affectionately refer to this particular YWAM base as "the monastery" because of the dorm-like room situation, the cold showers, and the basic food (mostly rice and beans) prepared daily for the local students. We love it, but also enjoy "sneaking" out on the weekend for an evening dinner at a local restaurant: skewered zebu and French fried potatoes.
I wish there were some way to pull you into the heart of our experience here which was spending 10 full days pouring into the lives of 20 incredible, passionate, young, Malagasy church planters and health care workers (bush clinics). The fact is, I do not know how to make this real to you in a way that would allow you taste, touch, and feel it.
Most of these young people are born and raised in the cities of Madagascar. To go live in the bush to reach and care for others requires a complete change of lifestyle (and sacrifice) for them. What do I compare this to so that you might understand? Although their city-living is not as posh as ours, it still might compare to one of us moving to rural Mexico: no "facilities," outdoor cooking, strange food, and mat-sleeping on dirt floors. Yet they have given themselves wholeheartedly to this task, loving God passionately and serving him with total surrender by going to care for and reach people in great need.
So, what is it like to partner with this team of young people, pour into them, and get caught up in their contagious faith and commitment? For me, it's life on the edgebeing led by the Spirit, learning and teaching, finding and solving problems in strategies, exploring new ideas and tools with them, seeing them have "ah-ha" moments, and feeling part of something that is potentially very big that is changing the lives of people in the remotest parts of the world. To what might I compare this? I really don't know, but perhaps you can simply catch a taste of my own excitement.
Finally, what is it like to coach, equip, father, and mentor the phenomenal team leaders of this group? To see transformation and growth in their personal lives? To see a renewal of vision and commitment in their ministry? To see apostolic leadership develop that has the potential for changing the course (literally) of nations? What does the visa commercial say? "Priceless!"
In any case, the fulfillment and excitement keep us going through the smoke-filled cafes, the roads from hell, the mosquitoes with potential malaria in their little stingers, the food served on a dirt floor on top of banana leaves (another story), and the hot, sometimes-sleepless nights.
God has been at work, we feel privileged to be a part, and so appreciative, always, of your involvement with us.
PHOTOS FROM THE BUSH:
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