Good News for Zambia and Beyond

Off To Africa 2012

2012-01-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

It's New Year's Day and I'm starting the year off right -- with a short-term missions trip to Africa. I was supposed to leave New Year's Eve morning via New York but my flight was cancelled due to weather. So, I'm leaving today via London Heathrow. Flying on British Airways always gives me a secure, solid feeling.

I'm flying into Johannesburg, South Africa where I will be met by my missionary hosts, John and Ruth Kerr. I leave Sunday and arrive Tuesday. We'll be heading back to Zambia in a day or two, hopefully via Kruger National Park. We'll pass through Zimbabwe on the way up to Zambia.

So, what's involved in getting ready for a missions trip? Here are some thoughts as I wait it out at Pearson.

1. Getting the best airfare you can. This year I booked on something called CheapOAir. So far, it's living up to its name!

2. Getting your health/medical up-to-date. This year all I had to do was take some Dukerol as a digestion problems preventative. My Yellow Fever is still good. I've got enough Doxy to get me started on anti-malaria meds and will get more -- the cheap stuff -- when I get to Africa.

3. Getting as much stuff to Africa as you can. I've been perfecting my system over the past several trips. For this trip, I used two cardboard boxes for luggage -- cardboard weighs next to nothing and is good for a one-way journey. Two times 50 = 100 pounds of Christian books and stuff for Africa! I packed my roll aboard bag with clothing I will use on the trip. To top things off, I packed an extra 18 pounds of books in my travel vest, travel jacket, and raincoat which I wore to the airport-- there's no airline restriction on extra stuff in pockets! Downside is I could be mistaken for a penguin, but, hey, you have to make sacrifices for the team, right? In order to pack as much in as possible, I'm wearing a pair of travel pants under my dress pants. At some point I may discreetly shed a pair, but not before I'm aboard the plane.

4. Preparing your materials. I have a 319 page Apologetics presentation. I found a way to print it 8-up, meaning I get eight slides to the page. So, I pack 319 pages into 40 printed pages. I'll make the copies when I get to Africa. Each slide is small, but readable.

5. Prepare for your return. I'll be returning out of Ndola, Zambia. Flying down to Johannesburg, then across to New York Kennedy, and then up to Toronto.

But that's not for nineteen days.

6. The last thing you have to do is prepare spiritually. I've got my eyes fixed on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith -- I'm good to go!

I appreciate everybody's prayers and look forward to giving you a trip report when I can.

--
Rick Ball.

2011: Oxford/Reading/Kitwe Zambia Adventure

2011-01-26T06:11:00.000-08:00

1. I flew the British Airways overnight red-eye from Toronto to LHR Heathrow, and took a morning bus up to Oxford. At Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, I dropped off a box of books kindly donated by Dr. Craig Keener of Philadelphia.

Mr. Ralph Bates - Librarian, OCMS

2. Next, I took a bus over to Reading, where I briefly visited St. Giles, where Fr. David Harris of Charlottetown PEI is slated to be the new rector. I over-nighted in Reading.

St. Giles, Reading UK

3. Next evening I flew down to Lusaka, Zambia on a 10-hour British Airways overnight red-eye flight. Was met by John and Ruth Kerr, my hosts in Zambia.

4. We drove up to Kitwe, a 5-hour drive, and settled in.

Mosquito net plus pills = no malaria!

5. I delivered a box of theology books that I had brought for Dr. Kerr.

6. I also brought with me a spanking-new white projector screen which I had bought last summer from Staples in Charlottetown, PEI. The screen was used to great advantage during the seminar I presented, and will be an ongoing asset to the college. It is nice to come "bearing gifts"!

The projector - with some of Dr. Kerr's books strapped to the OUTSIDE of the box!

7. I taught six days at the Trans-Africa Theological College, plus exams on the seventh.

TTC Apologetics Class 2011

8. I treated Rev. Matieu Mufika of D.R. Congo to lunch at the Sherbourne and gave him some supplies including a used digital camera and some money for his ministry in the D.R. Congo, which includes churches, a small theological college, and an elementary school.

Rev. Matieu Mufika - wearing my old hat -- fits like a glove!

He needs French theological books, so I am going to have to work on this in 2011! (If anybody knows of a source, let me know!)

9. I visited two African churches. Worship is always vibrant and enthusiastic.

Not as nice as St. Giles -- but just as precious to God

10. There were 26 students for this session. I brought them each three small devotional books and bag from Trader Joes in Arizona to put stuff in. The students included 16 4th year TTC students and 10 continuing ed. students who are already serving as pastors in African churches. It was a great honor to be their teacher; many of them minister in very trying conditions which include poverty, witchcraft, traditional religions, and syncretism.

11. I hitched a ride with Dr. John and Dawn Elliott back down to Lusaka on Wednesday, exam day. Stayed with the Elliotts overnight. Because I was flying on a special BA humanitarian fare, I was able to move up my departure date to Thursday from Saturday!

Thank God for safe travel to/from Lusaka

12. Thursday am. the Elliotts dropped me off at the Lusaka airport and I was "on my own" again.

Dr. John and Dawn Elliott - American AOG Missionaries

13. I made the 10-hour flight back up to Heathrow; stayed at the Heathrow Sheraton overnight (after a trip to the nearby McDonald's for therapeutic fries and a burger!).

14. The next day I took the 8-hour flight over to Toronto, and was soon home again and in the land of high-speed internet (the Internet in Zambia was at a snail's-pace!). It takes three days to travel to Kitwe, and another three days to get back -- it is a very tiring trip!

15. My health was great -- better than expected and better than usual.

It is a wonderful thing to be involved in the spiritual thrust of the great commission.

Thank you for your prayers which fueled this adventure.

Trans-Africa Theological College January 2011

2011-01-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

I'll be teaching Christian Apologetics again this year at the Trans-Africa Theological College in Kitwe, Zambia.

Features of teaching in Zambia include

- malaria meds
- mosquito nets at night, in which I manage to get myself all tied up
- "iffy" internet
- "iffy" electricity
- wonderful African students

You can't beat worship in the African dirt!

Some more highlights...

2010-01-31T01:47:00.001-08:00

1. Handing the books donated by Dr. Craig Keener over to T.T.C. was a definite highlight moment.

2. Dinner in Lusaka with the Kerrs on my final night.

3. Marking the papers and reading one student's top-rate book reports.

4. I think I already mentioned attending the 4 1/2 hour church service with signs and wonders following. One fellow had been in chains in a mental institution. He had been prayed for in Jesus' name (African-style!) and stood before the congregation completely normal, sane and articulate.

I thank God for safe travel. Driving on an African road is a dangerous action. On the road down to Lusaka from Kitwe, we saw one freshly over-turned truck still on the road, a recently derailed Mercedes (lost a wheel), and one or two other accidents of various vintage.

In Africa, you realize how tentative and provisional life is. Our life is contingent -- that is why we look to the One whose life is eternal -- necessary, and necessarily eternal. The Great One!

2010: It's a Wrap

2010-01-29T02:10:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting in the Kilimanjaro Cafe in the Manda Hill Mall in Lusaka, capital of Zambia. The Presidential motorcade went by on the way -- we were stuck in traffic with a Zambian truck in front of us spewing its noxious fumes on us for at least ten minutes. I tried breathing through my Tilley hat. It didn't hurt; it may have helped.

What was accomplished?

25 students have received up-to-date training in Christian Apologetics, including some recent DVDs. African worldviews differ from western views, but "the West is coming" and encroaching upon traditional African beliefs -- so they need to be prepared.

Apologetics is all about training in how to think, as well as providing actual content. Strobel's The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith are always highlights of the class for the students, and I always try to bring enough copies so they can purchase their own copies if they wish.

This year, we added in the Holman QuickSource Guide to Apologetics, which is like an Apologetics Course in a book. Really well done, with lots of value-added pictures and the like.

In addition to the training, I was able to bring the students some supplies -- a backpack, a music CD, an MP3 CD on Romans 6-8, a pocket Bible commentary, vitamin pills, and a small anointing bottle. "The equipping of the saints" writ small!

Highlights:

1. The Sunday service in which numerous persons testified of dramatic miraculous healings. The anointing breaks the yoke! (The service lasted 4 1/2 hours.)

2. Watching "Miracle on Ice" with the Kerrs. I always try to bring a hockey video if I can. Hockey night in Zambia!

3. The enthusiasm and general joie de vivre of the beleaguered Zambians.

It has been challenging, from a health standpoint. I'm feeling a bit woozy right now, so I'm hoping it's not a spot of malaria. Probably just the cold bug I picked up earlier and which attempted to make my time here miserable. With the Lord's help, I prevailed!

Tomorrow, I head up to London on British Airways and on to Oxford for a week.

Over and out.

Thursday

2010-01-28T05:35:00.000-08:00

Exams are marked. We're going for a braai (a BBQ) at "the dam". Looking forward to it. Tomorrow, we head down to Lusaka (the capital city). Saturday, early am flight on British Airways (yeah!) up to London, and then by bus up to Oxford for a week.

My faith has been greatly strengthened this past 10 days. Better to be centred in God than self.

Internet is spotty. Gonna try to get this out.

Wednesday: Exam Day

2010-01-26T20:32:00.000-08:00

The internet has been down since Sunday morning. I'll try to get this post out. The students are writing exams today. We are showing videos on Jehovah's Witnesses and the Marks of Cults.

Day Four - Friday

2010-01-21T20:01:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we finished watching "Ben Stein's Expelled", and we started listening to Greg Koukl's "Answering the New Atheists". We are continuing to discuss epistemology -- how we know what we know -- as well as the relationships between science and Christianity and science and atheism.

For textbooks, the students are reading Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for Faith". In addition, we are using a new textbook this year -- the Holman QuickSource Guide to Christian Apologetics -- a marvelous condensation of Christian Apologetics -- an Apologetics course in a book!

The students have papers due on Monday.

We have several topics remaining to cover, including:

* Christ -- Christian vs. non-Christian views; his resurrection, etc.

* Faith vs. Reason

* Christianity vs. Other Religions and Cults

* Miracles

* Theodicy -- Justifying God's Ways, including

* The problem of pain/evil

* God's hiddenness

* The scandal of the particular

* Evidential vs. Presuppositional Apologetics

Please continue to pray for strength, clarity, and anointing.

Thank you.

Day Three - Thursday

2010-01-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we took a look at the Ontological, Cosmological, Teleological, and Moral Arguments for God's existence. We watched Lee Strobel's The Case for Creator DVD, and a bit of Ben Stein's Expelled. We also covered a bit of epistemology (how we know what we know) and the relationship between the Christian faith and science.

At chapel, I passed on the books kindly donated by Dr. Craig Keener. The student body was very excited and appreciative to receive them. Thank you, Dr. Keener!

Day One - Tuesday

2010-01-19T09:54:00.001-08:00

I woke up at 4:30am. after a fitful night, and put the coffee on. The water's a bit brown, but a good boil should help things. And, I brought some strong, fresh COSTCO Colombian coffee.

* * *

I introduced the class to western Christian apologetics, and then had the class compare/contrast with the situation on the ground in Africa. In Africa, belief in God is a "given", and the question becomes which religious view of God represents truth. The Church also suffers from syncretism where Christians attend Church but continue with other practices, including witchcraft, which they hope will "work".

Each student received a snazzy backpack from Canada -- pictured above. "Equipping the saints" -- in more ways than one!

* * *

Tomorrow, I plan to show at least one DVD.

The Eagle Has Landed

2010-01-18T07:25:00.000-08:00

The Thursday night flight on BA to London Heathrow (LHR) didn't happen -- mechanical problems. I arrived back home in Toronto at 2:30am. after eight hours at the airport. Left again on Saturday, and made it to Lusaka Monday morning. Met by the Kerrs, my missionary friends. Drove up to Kitwe, Zambia.

All set to begin classes tomorrow (Tuesday). I've arrived with gift backpacks for each student, along with a fresh supply of textbooks and other various items. When you come to Africa, you try to bring a "drop in the bucket"!

Please pray for strength, health, and anointing.

Right now, we've got a solid internet connection -- let's hope it holds!

Hanging At YYZ

2010-01-14T16:56:00.000-08:00

My boxes for Zambia were all overweight -- but British Airways check-in lady graciously whisked them through. I think it was because I was on a missionary/charitable trip.

X-ray guy made me open up one of my taped-up boxes because I could not tell him what a shape was. We had to cut the box open and take everything out. It was granola in a plastic shoe box!

Security guy checked all my stuff and confiscated my spray-on deodorant, and my little pocket knife that I used to cut the tape.

Oh yes, and, previously, taxi-guy dropped one of the big boxes, smunching an end.

So, taxi-guy, BA check-in lady, X-ray guy, and security guy -- I'm good to go. This should be a video game!

Right now, I've got a strawberry blueberry yogurt parfait and an Odwalla Berries GoMega happening.

Life. Is. Good.

And I am on my way!

Mission to Zambia 2010

2010-01-13T08:22:00.001-08:00

I'll be heading to the U.K. on B.A. Thursday evening, and then a 10-hour flight down to Lusaka, Zambia on Friday evening. Saturday morning, breakfast and then a 5-hour drive up to Kitwe, Zambia and the Copperbelt. What a privilege to be invited once again to teach Apologetics at the Trans-Africa Theological College.

I'll be taking three 50-lb. boxes with me -- books, supplies, and food.

It is a joy to go, and an even greater joy to be "sent".

Please pray that the Spirit of God will move to make this a fruitful visit.

Internet is spotty; I will post if I can.

The Way the Ball Bounces to Africa and Back

2009-02-20T05:40:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting in the Kilimanjaro Cafe in the Manda Hill Shopping Center in Lusaka, Zambia. The Kilimanjaro has a good, solid internet connection, and a decent cappuccino.

Life is good!

I've just completed a 7-day intensive Apologetics course at the Trans-Africa Theological College in Kitwe, Zambia. We had 31 students this year. For pre-work, I had them read and review The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith, two excellent apologetical books by Lee Strobel. For the exam, I asked them to write on African Apologetics, and an African Response to a Rival Religion On the Ground in Africa.

I got some very thoughtful responses.

Here's a photo I took on the bus trip down to Lusaka this morning. The bus was packed! (They always are -- they don't leave until they are full!).

Update -- can't upload the photo... life IS good; but it's not THAT good!

I'll upload the photo when I can...

And that's the way the stymied Ball bounces.

Zambia 2009

2009-02-20T05:27:00.000-08:00

Oxford, UK

2009-02-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

I visited Oxford on the way down to Zambia.

For more pictures of my Oxford, trip, check out my MobileMe Gallery:

http://gallery.me.com/rkball/100286

While America Sleeps...

2008-03-13T04:47:00.000-07:00

An Illinois high school has made a novel featuring explicit homosexual sex required reading for its students.

This is the response of the media, so far:

Nothing.

Increasingly, the US is breaking away from its judeo-christian foundation, and an understanding of human sexuality rooted in intentional creation rather than darwinian evolution.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/03/12/gay-porn-required-reading-ill-high-school-media-silent

This just in...

2008-03-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

One in four American teenage girls have a sexually transmitted disease.

The cause?

According to Good Morning America, I just learned the cause of these sexually transmitted diseases is "Abstinence-Only Education". I almost spilled my coffee.

I thought the cause might be sexual promiscuity.

Enabled by a permissive, amoral society that shows utter distain for abstinence and fidelity to one's marriage partner.

And that's the way the Ball bounces.

2008: It's A Wrap

2008-03-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

I'm back in Charlottetown.

Saturday - Lusaka, Zambia
Sunday - London, UK
Monday - Toronto, Ontario
Tuesday - Charlottetown, PEI

On this, my fifth, missions trip I taught two one-week Intensives at Trans-Africa Theological College in Kitwe, Zambia. The first was Apologetics, the second, New Testament Theology. The classes were composed of fourth-year and degree-completion students. The degree-completion students were pastors and bishops of the PAOZ and also of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

These people are doing a fine work for God in Zambia.

As they go forth to serve, may God's grace and glory go with them.

In addition to teaching, I was able to bring 20 French-language Bibles compliments of friends of ours in Charlottetown. I also brought some theological books that were sold to the students and donated to the library. I also brought some food for missionaries John and Ruth Kerr as well as some "sweets" for the students -- which were enthusiastically received!

I thank God for this opportunity as well as for my safe return.

Over and out.

For now.

Life and Death in Zambia

2008-03-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

Death is never too far away in Zambia.

Today, there were two deaths that hit close to home.

The first: on the way into school this morning, we noticed a car overturned at the side of the road, with a crowd looking on. We found out a bit later that the car was taking a couple of elders from one of the local PAOZ churches who were on their way home after visiting their Pastor, Cephas Musolo, who is ill. We received a report that one of the elders died.

Zambian roads are generally unsafe due to either road conditions, people walking at the side of (or on) the road, the condition of vehicles, or the recklessness of drivers. It's a toxic combination.

The second: at TTC, one of Canadian Frank Bonazzo's construction crew, Boyd, was uncharacteristically late for work. His son had died. Of malaria.

During classes these past two weeks, at least one pastor was late for classes because he was busy conducting funerals.

And I was ready to chew out one student for missing classes when I learned he had gone down to Lusaka because his wife had given birth. He was back in class the next dry.

People being born, living, and dying. In Zambia, you are just one accident or illness away from death.

It is in this light that Zambians embrace the kingdom of God and the promise of eternal life graciously offered and provided by God in Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow Steve Kemp and I are hitching a ride with Simon and Luce down to Lusaka.

We're heading home.

This week

2008-03-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

We attended a three-hour service at Acts Community Church in Kitwe. A great, great service. God was powerfully present in the service.

The power was out all day. We went for lunch at Mona Lisa's pizza -- Mona sure knows how to make a good pizza - who knew?!

Then stir-fry dinner at Simon and Luce's by candlelight.

Next week, I'll be marking papers and finishing up Monday - Wednesday, and then begin a journey that will, D.V., bring me back to Canada. The journey begins on Thursday, when we travel by car down to Lusaka. Steve Kemp's flight leaves Friday; mine, Saturday.

That's it for now. Africa was really jumping with praise today, I hope it reverberates and jump-starts your week.

May you have a week that is blessed in Jesus.

Two Down, Now What?!

2008-02-29T22:32:00.000-08:00

It's Saturday morning in Kitwe. Yesterday there was a thunderous thunder storm that only people who have been here can understand (that's you, Celia!). I mean, the thunder was thunderously thunderous.

We got through the New Testament Theology course. It was peppered with lively discussions. Although it was New Testament Theology (which is primarily descriptive), and not Systematic Theology (which is more prescriptive), we got into debates on doctrinal schools of thought -- what about dispensationalism?; what about calvinism vs. arminianism?, etc. etc. The joint was jumping!

And the Spirit of God was with us!

I received a tripartite award at chapel on Friday. An engraved plaque with a horned animal on it; a plaque in the shape of Zambia; and a scarf with the colours of Zambia. The plaques are nice; the scarf, awesome!

Now what will I do for the next week?

Well, I have to mark the exams from the NT students. That'll take a day. And I have some clean-up to do on both courses. John Kerr said we will look and see if there are some short-trip opportunities at Global Travel. If not, I plan to just hang-out at the college next week and perhaps see if I can help build some distance-learning modules.

That may not be as hard as it sounds. Before I left, Jack Whytock of Haddington House in Charlottetown told me of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis -- they have over 20 online courses available for free.

That's right, folks. You could take a course in NT Theology, for free, in the privacy of your own home. How good is that!

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

2008-02-25T04:10:00.000-08:00

I preached Sunday at Mufika's church on "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize".

The message was about how the saints of old endured, as seeing him who is invisible, and how Jesus for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and how He is our example. We need to regulate our lives by the assurance we have of Christ's coming kingdom.

The worship, as usual, was great. I told the church that the Lord, who by covenant, promise, and immanence attends every church service on the planet each Sunday, gets himself ready for the sometimes staid and dreary worship of North America by the exuberant, lively worship of Africa. The scene of 30-40 worshippers in the school room of Mufika's church is multiplied by the thousands all across Africa -- it is as if all of Africa is aglow and throbbing with all-out worship of the living God.

As usual, God condescended in his mercy and grace to visit us, and the presence of God filled the room. The treasure indeed is found to occupy earthen vessels.

I think that God perhaps dwells more in the heart and in the feet and hands than merely in the head.

Having said that, it is my task in Africa to help fill the minds of pastors and leaders with the truth of the gospel.

One down, one to go.

2008-02-23T20:29:00.001-08:00

There were 29 students in the Apologetics class this week. About 19 regular 4th-year students, and about 10 more who are mature, degree-completion students. The degree-completion students are pastors and bishops from the PAOZ -- Pentecostal Assemblies of Zambia.

Saturday I was busy marking papers. Then, Saturday evening, it was Hockey Night in Kitwe! We watched an NHL hockey game on DVD -- an Edmonton Oilers -- Montreal Canadiens MegaStars game that was played outdoors in Edmonton back in November 2003. We got a new sound-system working, and we projected the DVD onto the wall, so it was a blow-out event!

Next week I begin the New Testament Theology class. I've spent many hours in preparation and am (nearly) ready to go. There will be about 20 students in this one, pastors and bishops.

Thank you for your prayers as we continue to seek to be of service to God in Zambia.

It's 4 O'Clock in the Morning!

2008-02-19T18:38:00.000-08:00

4:39 am, actually, but I've been up since 4.

The power was off yesterday morning, but it came on before we left for the school, and we managed to make some coffee. The power was back off again during they day, and then again in the evening, so I went to bed early.

The Apologetics Class is going well. We have close to 30 students. The students love the Lee Strobel books -- The Case for Christ, and The Case for Faith. If you haven't read them, I would highly recommend them!

I think I should go back to bed...

Zambian Dirt - Heaven's Air

2008-02-17T20:24:00.000-08:00

A typcial Zambian church is much closer to the earth, and dirt, than a typical church in Canada/US. Often, in fact the floor, is made of dirt. With far simpler facilities, and with much closer proximity to nature and the open air around you, and with the presence of people simply dressed and without much by way of any material goods, you are much more reminded that you are a son of Adam, crafted from the dirt and formed by God -- a creature of this Earth.

How is it then, that when I attend a Zambian church service, I rather feel that I am breathing the air of heaven, and have entered through the portals of the Kingdom of God?

We attended Acts Church in Kitwe on Sunday. The presence of the transcendent One, the Almighty, was palpable.

Shall the King of heaven
Descend to live in earth's dust?
Shall He condescend to live with us?

Shall the God who rules high above
Reach down with human hands of love?

And shall those hands, once crucified
Yet hold us, hold us, in his love?

We are flesh, dirt of Earth. He is the Lord God Almighty -- and we were reminded of this on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon the power went out. It got dark. We went over to Simon and Luce's. They've got satellite TV!

This morning, Monday, the birds are chirping, the rooster's crowing, and the neighborhood pack of dogs are exercising their lungs.

Morning has broken.

Arrival Zambia

2008-02-16T22:57:00.000-08:00

I took the 10-hour flight down to Lusaka and was met by John and Ruth Kerr, and, as a bonus, Jim Cantelon.

Jim is a leader in the evangelical church. He established King of Kings Church in Jerusalem. He is the author of several books, including his latest When God Stood Up: A Christian Response to AIDS. He is over here in Africa conducting conferences, seminars, with the aim of building up church and society.

This morning we have water, electricity, and 3-light high-speed internet service. Thank you, God. (Isn't it interesting how we don't even bother to give thanks for the basics in North America!)

Next week I'll be starting the Apologetics class at TTC.

London Heathrow

2008-02-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

I found a "Quiet Room" at Terminal 4 at London Heathrow. Rested up during my 10-hour lay-over.

I'm on my way down to Lusaka now.

It's a 10-hour flight.

I will be met by the Kerrs.

At least, that's the plan.

Plans in Africa are always subject to change!

Zambia, February 2008

2008-01-11T08:10:00.001-08:00

It's official.

I'll be going back to Zambia in February of 2008.

I'm scheduled to teach Apologetics and, a new course for me this year, New Testament Theology.

In order to prepare for the NT course, I'm currently attending a New Testament Theology and History course at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto.

Zambia : "E" for effort

2007-03-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

Zambia is trying to build a middle-class economy.

The Kariba Dam is a hydroelectric dam in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi river basin bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. At 128-meter high and 579-meter long, it is one of the largest dams in the world and controls 40 percent of the total runoff of the Zambezi River. (Source: Xinhua)

It was built by the Italians in the early 1950s.

On the road from Lusaka to the Kariba Dam, there are some Zambian attempts at a fledgling motel system. We stopped for a bite to eat at one of them, and I asked to see some rooms. The rooms went for something like $25 a night and were rough attempts to mimic a western-style Motel 6 grade of accommodation. A bedroom area, with a couple of beds, maybe a mirror, a bit of a light of some kind. A bathroom with a shower, a sink, and a toilet.

As the manager showed me the rooms, I noted the features and suggested that he might want to consider adding toilet seats to the toilets. He appeared to make note of this.

The point is, they're trying. But they still fall short of what a westerner expects, and they probably charge too much for a typical African to pay, so who's going to stay there? Maybe they had toilet seats when they first opened and they were opportunistically stolen by the first guests; I don't know. The whole place has a half-finished feel to it, and I was told that this is typical; they plan, they start, and their plan is to finish things off with the money that will start rolling in.

Except, very often it doesn't.

Time and Money

2007-03-08T18:28:00.000-08:00

I realize the dangers of generalization, but it seems to me that, culturally, Africans have a different sense of both time and money. When you've got them, you spend them, and then you run out.

Let me explain. Rev. Mufika had an important essay that had to be typed and emailed on the Monday we arrived in Kolwezi. As he put it, he would be in trouble if he didn't get it in that day. Instead of going directly to the guest house from the airport so I could type the essay (and have lots of time to do so), we swung by Pastor Jean Louis' house for a meal. We waited 3 1/2 hours while the meal was prepared -- it was about 1:15pm before we finally ate, and this was our first meal of the day!

Meanwhile, the evening classes were starting at 5pm, and I had an essay to type! We arrived at the guest house and I literally sat in the chair at the desk and typed until the essay was finished.

It seems to the African mind, there is "now", and there is "then (or, perhaps, "later"). Rev. Mufika didn't seem to appreciate the fact that I needed several hours to type his essay; there was a meal pending, this was "now", and the essay would be "then", or later.

The same seems to go for money. When you've got it, you spend it, and then it's gone. There seems to be little planning for the future, or rationing to make something last. A good example is "talk time". Instead of having a monthly account, which wouldn't work because Africans typically would run up a bill in the month that they would have no ability to pay, Africans buy "talk time" which they load into their cell phone accounts. I recall one time there were at least four Africans and me and I was the only one who had "talk time" on his cell phone. Everyone else was talked out.

The solution to poverty is not money. Let me say that again in case you missed it. The solution to poverty is not money. It is attitude change, or attitude development. It is acquiring the western ideas of planning for the future and its corrollary, deferred gratitude in the present.

My luggage felt like it weighed a ton...

2007-03-07T14:20:00.000-08:00

A flashback to the day of my departure from Toronto to Africa:

I arrived at the Air Canada checkin at around 7 am., having packed my two cheap duffel bags the night before. I hoisted the two bags onto the Air Canada conveyor belt. The first bag weighed in at the limit -- 70 lbs; the second, 76 lbs.

I had just lifted 146 lbs. Let's round down for the sake of convenience -- 140 lbs.

Air Canada wasn't set-up to accept the British Airways re-booking caused by the pending BA cabin crew strike. An AC supervisor looked over my flight details, grimaced, and informed me, very officially, that I would have to remove my bags from the conveyor until they sorted the problem out. Problem was, the conveyer doesn't work in reverse, so there I was scrambling up the conveyor to fetch my bags and drag them off the conveyor belt.

That's 280 lbs; plus I had helped the limo driver put them into the limo and take them out at the airport, another 140 lbs (at half-weight), so I was up to 420 lbs.

Air Canada worked out the glitch and invited me to put my bags on the conveyor. I complied.

That's 560 lbs.

I arrived at Heathrow Terminal 3, but my flight the next evening was going out of Terminal 4. You have to take a train to get to Terminal 4 from Terminal 3, and you cannot take the luggage cart to the train platform area. You have to ditch the cart, and hand-carry your bags to the train. So I do.

That's 700 lbs.

Only problem was, there are two types of trains that stop at Terminal 3, the kind that actually goes to Terminal 4, and the kind that doesn't. The kind that is a "Heathrow Express" -- into London. Unfortunately for me, I found myself on the train into London.

The conductor scribbled a note to allow me to return back to Heathrow from London Picadilly at no cost. But, I would have to leave the train and board the train across the platform.

I arrive at Picadilly Station, and lug my bags out of the train and fetch a luggage cart to wheel them across the platform to the train opposite.

That's 840 lbs.

The train is virtually empty. I wait for about 5 minutes for the train doors to open. They don't open, and at some point the train just saunters away from the terminal. I cart my bags back to the other train where a young homeless man helps me load my bags on the train. He also knows enough to press a button to open the door to the train. Typical British way of doing things! You could stand forever outside the train and its doors wouldn't open -- and there was, of course, no sign near the doors saying "Press button to open door". You're just supposed to know these things. (Someone should do a book on "the things you're just supposed to know".)

I take the train I had been on back to Heathrow T4. I lug my bags off the train.

That's 980 lbs.

A staff person sees my dilemma and calls for a cart. I lug the bags onto the cart.

That's 1120 lbs.

I head for "Left Luggage" where I plan to store my two heavy bags for the night and lug them up onto their conveyor.

That's 1260 lbs.

The guy looks at the scanned image and asks me what food I have in the bags. I tell him -- cereals, trail-mix, dried-fruit; I'm heading for Africa. He informs me that the company does not permit food items in luggage left at Left Luggage.

I lug the bags off his conveyer and onto the cart.

That's 1400 lbs.

I go off to think. I decide to buy a smaller bag from Left Luggage, put all the food items into it, and lug them into London on the Underground.

I go back to Left Luggage to buy the bag and sort through the luggage for food items. He informs me that he is closing in two minutes. I look at him, stunned.

This is London.

This is Heathrow.

And they're closing?

Yup.

Heathrow basically shuts down by 11pm.

After mulling it over some more, I decide to take a London Cab. I help the taxi driver load the luggage.

That's 1470 lbs, at half-weight.

We have a black taxi ride into town. I get to see Picadilly. I get to see Harrod's. I get to pay 65 GBP for the trip (about $130 dollars -- as much as my hotel room).

We arrive at the hotel. I help the cab driver/porter lug my bags off the taxi and onto the luggage cart.

In Britain they have little elevators with little doors. So, of course, I had to lug the luggage off the cart into the elevator, then off the elevator and back onto the cart, and then, off the cart and into the room. At the half-weight rate, I figure that's another 140 lbs (1610 lbs).

And that's why my luggage felt like it weighed a ton.

And why it was a very tired and deflated Ball that bounced up into bed that night.

At the Manda Hill Mall

2007-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm at the Manda Hill Mall in Lusaka, Zambia. It's Thursday afternoon, and I'm here until my Saturday am. flight on British Airways out of Africa and into London.

When you go on a missions trip, your goal is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and make a positive impact in the lives of those you meet.

Here's some of the things I was able to accomplish:

1. Brought two 32 kg (70 lb) bags full of supplies and books. My bag for the trip home is around 20 kg, for a next contribution of 44 kg (around 100 lbs)!.

2. Taught a one-week intensive Apologetics course to the senior students of TTC (Trans-Africa Theological College - John and Ruth Kerr PAOC - you can look them up online!).

3. Hired and paid Gary Bufuku to function as a teaching assistant (TA). The money was a help to him, since he is currently without work.

4. Travelled to Lubumbashi, Congo and taught another one-week Apologetics class. My stomach was not happy, and it let me know in no uncertain terms. But I soldiered on, and the Lord blessed me with his presence and his anointing. We stayed at the Restawhile Guest House, run by the Brethren.

5. Flew to Kolwezi, Congo, where I continued my weight-loss regime and taught a one-week Christian Doctrine class, once again translated into French.

The Congo Christians deal with a lot of false doctrine, including those of the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Seventh Day Adventists, local African heresies (including one church which believes its leader is the Holy Spirit!) and "Branhamites" -- those who follow the teachings of American preacher William Branham, who denied the trinity (they believe the modalistic heresy that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are merely three "masks" or modes that God successively wears, a bit like how you could alternately act as a father, a brother, or a husband -- three roles, but only one you.

6. Typed two essays for the Rev. Mathieu Mufika.

7. Marked approx. 40 exam papers from the students of Lubumbashi. What made this interesting was they were written in French! I had Rev. Mufika translate a bunch of them until I caught on, and then did the rest myself.

8. Preached for about an hour at the Sunday 10 am. service at Rev. Mufika's Kolwezi Church. The fact that it is translated helps a bit -- you have time to think between sound bites. I preached on the importance of a) baptism, b) the Lord's Supper, and c) the anointing with oil for those who are sick -- three tangible aids to faith (and means of grace) that God has given us.

9. Sunday night I gave a quasi-impromptu 30-minute radio talk encouraging Kolwezi Christian married couples to keep their marriages strong.

10. Returned to Zambia in time to help the Kerrs purchase a (badly-needed) new washing machine. Their washing machine had totally conked out and was over 20 years old. As just one evidence of the way God watches over us, the new one they wanted went on sale today, down in Lusaka, where we are now, and we saved ONE MILLION KWATCHA (!!!) on the purchase price when we bought it this morning. When was the last time you saved one million anything?!

John Kerr has now headed back to Kitwe (about a 4 hour drive north); I'm relaxing and waiting until Saturday. I'm staying at the Baptist Guest House tonight; I've got the entire Lion guest house to myself; it's a one-bedroom cottage with a kitchen, dining/living area, and porch. All to myself. For $15 USD a night. The keepers of the BGH are from South Carolina.

Thank you for your prayers. I have prayed that they would rebound in providential care and blessing upon you.

Now, back to my coffee.

More later...

Hello from Zambia!

2007-02-11T05:35:00.000-08:00

I arrived in Lusaka, Zambia eight days ago. Celia Anand (a fellow missions person from Canada on a five month mission) and I were met by John and Ruth Kerr, our hosts. We stayed at a Baptist Guest House run by some Americans from South Carolina the first night. Sunday we went to a church on the outskirts of Lusaka, and then headed north to the Copperbelt.

Monday through Friday I taught an intensive one-week Christian Apologetics class. The Rev. Gary Bufiku is assisting me this year with all the marking of papers and exams. The students are Spirit-filled men of God; when they pray, the heavens shake!

Today I preached at the Rev. Mathieu Mufika's church in rural Kitwe. I preached on the kingdom of God: a) distant, b) imminent, and c) within you. "The kingdom of God is at hand -- within our reach -- reach up and grab it!" We ate lunch at Rev. Mufika's.

Tomorrow, Monday Feb. 10th, we head up by car to the DR Congo border, then by taxi to Lubumbashi. I will be teaching another round of apologetics courses at the college there. It is French-speaking, so I will be translated. Rev. Mufika and I will be staying at a Guest House. Classes start at 5pm and run until about 9pm.

On Monday Feb. 17th, we'll be flying up to Kolwezi, where I will be teaching Christian Doctrine.

On Monday Feb 24th, we'll fly down to Lubumbashi and reverse our trip back to Kitwe.

Upon my return to Kitwe, I plan to finish up, and then hope to do some kind of R&R before my return to Canada via London the following Saturday.

Sorry I haven't posted sooner. The internet hasn't been working well.

Having said that, I look forward to reporting on my exploits upon my return from DR Congo, and seek your continued prayers on my behalf and on behalf of the mission.

May God bless you, and all who worship the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth.

Poolside - InterContinental Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia

2006-03-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

If the theme of the last post was "Endure hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ", the theme of this one could be "I know both how to be abased and to abound". With the emphasis on the abounding part. Both quotes from the pen of the apostle Paul.

I finished marking the TTC Apologetics class papers around 3 pm. today and headed poolside at the luxurious InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka, where I, along with the British Airways crew who call this place home when in Lusaka, will be heading for the airport at 6 am. tomorrow.

Ten-hour flight up to London; overnight at the Thistle Kensington Gardens (booked using www.londontown.com); then down to Toronto Friday afternoon, arriving around 7 pm.

For lunch today I trotted over to the LA Fast Food court, a place trying to be western, and ordered a burger. On the way I had bought a fire-cooked corn on the cob that tasted approximately like popcorn, from a Zambian local lady, for the grand sum of 1,000 Kwatcha (about 35 cents).

The LA Fast Foods place is "strictly Hallal" or whatever it is; Muslim. The burger didn't taste good to me; too fatty or something. Maybe not completely cooked. Maybe it's laced with grain. Just didn't taste right. So what do you do? I had only eaten a couple of bites, so, on the way back to the hotel, I called out "hello" to the Zambian lady and offered it to her. You should have seen her face light up. She squirelled it away in her bag. Her family will eat meat tonight! I don't think she understood a word of English, but I could be wrong. She certainly didn't say a word in any language to me. But I made her day.

What about the fact that I had taken a couple of bites, wasn't there a health issue there?

This is Africa, my friend, and having food to eat, and meat at that, takes precedence.

It's time to go home.

Congo Mission - it's good to be back!

2006-02-28T08:05:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

I’ve just returned to Zambia from a nine-day mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Zambia is poor; crossing the border into the Congo, you realize that the Congo is poorer still. A barely functioning banking system. A postal service that is simply not used because you cannot count on your letter or package arriving. A country strongly rich in natural resources -- hydro-electric power, copper, minerals, but poor in management skills and rich in corrupt officials who siphon off the wealth and leave the people dirt-poor.

I stayed in Kolwezi at a guest house run by Brethren, along with my Congo host the Rev. Mathieu Mufika, and a couple of World Vision types. Guest houses are the African version of an inn, and are often run by Christian churches or missions. Conditions were basic. A toilet that worked, but a water supply that did not. Water was brought in each morning by local women. We heated water in a pail to add to the cold water for bathing. The conditions were much closer to those that you would actually find in the Bible, and it was into this world, and not our world of luxurious convenience, that our Lord Jesus came. It is humbling.

I taught Introduction to the New Testament, and an Introduction to Systematic Theology, over the course of seven days. There were about twenty students, most pastors of local churches, and the most resources any of them probably had was Bible. I was teaching, and my African colleague Rev. Mufika, translated into French. From English, into French, mediated through an African mind. I think the students got most of what I said. Classes were in the afternoon-evening, as everyone had jobs or duties during the day. We generally ran from 4:30 pm. to 7:30 pm.

Most mornings we had a simple breakfast consisting of either cereal (Harvest Crunch brought from Canada) or bread along with peanut butter and honey which I brought in from Zambia. Both the cereal and the peanut butter and honey delighted the Rev. Mufika, who was, I think, suprised that I would share what I had with him.

Most evenings we ate a generous meal at a pastor or elder’s home. Prior to a meal, a basin of warm water is provided, and the hostess pours this water over your hands as you wash them with soap and then rinse. After that, you eat. The women never ate with us; I suppose they ate afterwards, or perhaps, before.

A typical meal consists of some combination of chicken, beef, and small smoked fish. I avoided the fish, but Africa still caught up with me. Along with the meat and fish was a green vegetable dish, spaghetti (!), and the world’s best french fries, at least that’s the way they seemed to me, taken with mayonaise. (French fries were invented by the Belgians, and this is, after all, the former Belgian Congo.)

And, we also ate Nshima at every meal.

Nshima is to the Africans what rice is to the Japanese. It’s made of corn meal and water, and is like American grits or sticky porridge. If an African has eaten a buffalo, but no Nshima, and you ask them, they will say they haven’t eaten. The homiletical point is that Jesus is the nshima of life.

I tried to dress up my guest house room a bit. I went out and bought a power adapter so this western guy could be charging his computer, his iPod, and his rechargeable batteries while running the fan he brought with him from Zambia. At least I think I had as many as three on the go at any one time. I also bought some plastic hangers to replace the tired metal ones sadly hanging in the closet. I put a calendar I had bought up on the wall. I used this as an example to my Congo friend, Rev. Mufika, about how a Christian should try to be a blessing, and leave a “challenged” place like the Brethren guest house, in better condition than he found it. He was, I think, rather amazed at this. But he entered into the spirit of things and went out and bought an inexpensive plastic table cloth to cover the sadly tattered one on the dining room table.

The teaching was done in a classroom rented from the Catholics. There was a blackboard, but no electricity. Once I forgot to charge my laptop, and the Africans volunteered to connect it to two wires coming down a wall. I declined. Another time, the heavens opened, the power failed, and the students scurried around to rearrange themselves to avoid getting wet. I kept right on teaching/preaching over the din of the rain on the metal roof.

I visited the mayor, the burghmaster (which I gather is like the mayor but of a burgh (as in “Pittsburgh”) rather than a city, the security official, the magistrate’s court, a public school Rev. Mufika started, the local copper mines, and the power generation plant (that sells power to Zambia and South Africa, as well as other countries.) Everywhere I went, I was expected to say something, and to pray, which I did.

We also visited Rev. Mufika’s former home, bombed during inter-tribal warfare about 20 years ago. Rev. Mufika had preached against corruption and spent a month in jail. He said his home was one of the first to be destroyed. He still owns it, and hopes to restore it someday.

A major problem, along with official corruption and HIV/AIDS, is child labour. The western countries are fine; it’s the Indians, Pakistanis, and Asians, I was told. Of course it is illegal, but the underpaid police are easily bribed. So children are out “mining”, instead of being is school. They get a taste for money, get status and girls with the money, and before long, many of them have gotten HIV/AIDs.

While in Lubumbashi prior to Kowezi, I did a radio interview and preached a message; the potential radio audience was 400,000. While in Kolwezi, in addition to teaching, and going around everywhere, I preached a 50-minute sermon at a local church (founded by the Rev. Mufika) and also did a radio show on Sunday evening. I was told that the congregation said I preached like an African! High praise indeed!

My departure. We were supposed to be at the airport at 9 am. for a 10 am. flight. At 9 am we were in a prayer session at the Brethren guest house. We left for the airport around twenty after nine. Got to the airport around twenty to ten. And were among the first passagers to arrive. The plane left around ten forty-five for Lubumbashi; from Lubumbashi we took a 75-minute taxi ride to the squalid border town we had entered nine long days prior. We first processed our way out of the Congo, and then processed our way back into Zambia. This took about an hour, but only because Rev. Mufika was there to keep things moving.

Rev. Mufika returned with me to ensure my safety and to spare me the harrassment and delays associated with a border crossing. His plan was to return to Kolwezi after seeing me across the border. But, this time, by an arduous overnight train, rather than the luxury of a no-frills 45-minute plane.

God’s presence, power, and providence was evident during this trip. The people insisted I must return to help them further. This I shall seek to do.

Updated Plans for the DR Congo

2006-02-17T12:41:00.000-08:00

Rev. Mufika called Thurday evening to indicate that our Friday flight to Kolwezi had been re-scheduled from 3pm to 9am. This meant we had to leave the next morning for the Congo border at 6am. We started to prepare on this basis, but then I realized the numbers didn't add up. Leave at 6am. 90 minutes to the border. An hour by cab into Lubumbashi. Another 20 minutes out to the airport. This wasn't going to work. We tried to contact Rev. Mufika to clarify, but could not reach him (a common Zambian occurrence.)

John Kerr, my host, called "Joseph" in the Congo who had bought the tickets. We didn't even know the name of the airline. We managed to determine the airline -- ITAB Air. But no flight number. Tried to look up flight on internet -- unsuccessful.

Joseph called back -- his information was that the flight was leaving not at 9:00am but at 8:30am, with us supposed to be at the airport at 7:30am and the border opening at 8:00am. We decided not to try to make the Friday flight.

(The scuttlebutt on Friday was that a government official had commandeered the plane to go electioneering, and this was the cause for the sudden and drastic schedule change.)

Our current plans are to leave by car for Lubumbashi on Saturday. We'll stay in Lubumbashi over the weekend, and be in the Congo for the Monday flight to Kolwezi. We'll probably stay seven days, and return on Monday February 27th.

Lubumbashi is the former Elizabethville; apparently it has retained some of its European flavour and charm, albeit in a run-down kind of way. There's a theological college there, so I may have a chance to visit it and perhaps even do a guest lecture or something-or-other.

Then on to Kolwezi on Monday. I've stocked up on peanut butter and crackers, Harvest Crunch (brought from Canada), dark chocolate bars, and some honey, so I should be OK. I'm going to try to take a fan with me to help with the nightime heat and humidity.

The pastors in Kolwezi need solid teaching, and I hope to be able to bring a refreshing drink of water to them in the name of Him who is the water of life.

I picked up a Zambian bottle opener for St. George's Anglican Church in Montague, PEI. You have to see it. It's a block of wood carved into an elephant, with two screws acting as the opener. I'll look forward to sharing it with the saints of Montague upon my safe return.

I appreciate you remembering me, and the people of Zambia and the DR Congo, in your prayers.

Plans for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2006-02-12T06:50:00.000-08:00

This week, I will be teaching on Monday, overseeing an exam on Wednesday, and marking the exams on Thursday.

Friday, I leave for a seven-day mission to the DR Congo (formerly Zaire). I will be teaching pastors Introduction to the New Testament and also Systematic Theology. My teaching will be translated into French for the French-speaking audience.

Here's the plan:

We will drive next Friday, Feb. 17th to the Zambian border.

Then, Rev. Mufika and I will cross the border into Congo. (Only someone who has crossed a border in Africa knows what this means!)

From the border, we take a taxi to the nearest town, Kasumbalesa. A local pastor friend will drive us to the airport. We will take a short 45 min. flight to town Kolwezi, which is where we will be holding our college.

Friday Feb. 17th is prayers. Saturday is teaching all day. Sunday I will be preaching in the am. and teaching in the pm. (I am planning, God willing, on preaching on being a new creation in Christ -- all things new; old things passed away.)

From Mon. through Thurs. the students will be working in the copper mines from 8-4pm, and then I
will be teaching them from 4pm - 8pm.

The following Friday, Rev. Mufika and I will fly back together to Kasumbalesa. Cab ride back to border. My host, John Kerr, or someone else, will be there on the Zambian side to pick me up. Then, Rev. Mufika flies right back to Kolwezi, where he
will continue the college!

So, Rev. Mufika is escorting me "door to door", so to speak. (Rev. Mufika is a "bishop" within the African church; he has been thrown in prison at least twice for his fearless presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is a very worthy man, and I consider it an honour to be under his authority for this trip.)

I'll be taking in Harvest Crunch and Peanut Butter into the Congo for additional nourishment.

Needless to say, I would appreciate your prayers for me and for the success of this mission.

Teaching at Trans-Africa Theological College, Kitwe Zambia

2006-02-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

On Monday Feb. 6th I started teaching my Christian Apologetics class to 18 4th-year students at Trans-Africa Theological College, Kitwe Zambia. The week has now ended.

I brought with me 18 copies of Lee Strobel's book, The Case for Christ, six copies of The Case for Faith, and 6 copies of The Case for a Creator.

Some of the students wanted me to sing in chapel, so I sang two songs -- "Let
me tell you all a story", and "Your Love Lifted Me".

For evening entertainment, we are watching the Canada Cup '76 on DVD - I think Daryl Sittler
scores a big goal to win the series, but we'll see!

The phone/internet is "out" where I am staying, at the Kerrs'. The electricity has also been off this week-end. To top things off, there was a major thunderstorm during the week that flooded the 3rd bedroom. Fortunately, I was in bedroom number 2!

My back has been bothering me quite a bit, so I am making use of a cane. Got some bites from bugs. That's about it.

Saturday, we had an excellent BBQ out at "the Boat Club".

Today, Sunday, we worshipped at a small church being held in a school room out at a "compound". Rev. Mathieu Mufika is the pastor, and his daughters did a wonderful job singing with joyful hearts to the Lord.

Such exquisite worship offered in such a lowly setting!

Next post, I'll tell you about my planned trip to the Congo.

I would appreciate prayers from all who read this.

Good news!

2006-01-31T10:20:00.000-08:00

I've arrived in Toronto after a two-day drive from PEI, through the States.

The good news is, my passport with the Congo visa has arrived! I'm so relieved to be reunited with my passport, and thankful to have the visa for the Congo all ready to go.

Now, for final packing -- textbooks, gift items for the students -- it all has to fit within the British Airway guidelines. I must fetch our Costco scales and get busy re-packing everything for the trip -- I leave tomorrow.

Where's my courier envelope?

2006-01-26T16:36:00.000-08:00

I sent my passport, along with about 10 pages of application material, to the DR Congo Embassy in Ottawa. Mailed it Wednesday, January 18, 2006. It arrived Friday, Jan. 20, 2006. No sign of the return courier envelope, so I phoned today. It would be signed and sent today, Thursday Jan. 26th.

No record of it in the Canada Post website. Tracking no.: LT099851200CA.

Here's what I think happened. I sent them a Canada Post Xpresspost envelope. So, I guess no courier comes; you have to drop it in a mailbox (or off at a Post Office), and then and only then does it get "expressed".

I'm sending it on to Toronto. If it leaves tomorrow (Friday), it should be there Monday or Tuesday. My flight leaves Wednesday.

Cutting it close.

Watch closely, but don't panic, yet.

International Driver's License and Cipro

2006-01-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

The countdown began today.

I went and got my International Driving Permit at the CAA.

Located my old Cipro tablets (anti-diahrhea).

I got the Visa? (And the meds)

2006-01-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

Well, I applied for it. Sent my passport, 3 photos ($30), money-order ($115), letter of reference, banking information, travel itinerary, application form, notarized letter from my sponsor in the Congo, and return courier envelope ($10) to the Democratic Republic of Congo Embassy in Ottawa. Should have it all in a week.

Also, picked up my malaria medication at Shoppers'. I forget the name; it's the kind you take two-days before you arrive, and 7 days after you return (and once daily while you are there!). This cost about ($185).

I didn't intend to get into costs -- but there they are!

Speaking of money, if anybody reads this, and wants to make a small donation, I will take it for you and personally put it in the hands of a needy, deserving person, where it will have about 100X the impact it would have if you spent it on yourself!

Only do it if you want to feel good!

I'll even post on the blog what I did with your money!

And take a digital photo to commemorate the moment! (If only I knew how to put pictures on the blog!)

I got the fever!

2006-01-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

I visited the Charlottetown Travel Clinic last week. My hep-B must be OK. I got a $100 yellow fever shot -- good for 10 years. Also, a malaria prescription that I need to get filled.

What's this blog all about?

2006-01-15T18:55:00.000-08:00

Two years ago I was invited by the Rev. John Kerr to visit Trans-Africa Theological College in Kitwe, Zambia, Africa, to teach Christian Apologetics. (Apologetics is the "defense of the gospel".)

I had to look up Zambia on the map, to find out where it is.

www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/za.html

I will be returning to Zambia on February 1st, 2006, for my third visit.

We also plan on visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo, north of Zambia.

This blog will chronicle the journey.