Give This Christmas Away

Well the calendar tells me that tomorrow is December 25^th.  Other than that, there are very few things indicating that Christmas is here.  My December in South Africa has been so vastly different from any December I have ever experienced that it just doesn’t seem possible that it is Christmas Eve.

I’m not getting papers filled with catalogues of toys and gifts that I am pressured to buy for family and friends.  I don’t have a television so I’m not seeing commercials for store specials or holiday movies. A few stores in town have put up meager decorations attempting to incite festive spirit but there are even fewer decoration around my site. Oh, and it was 95 degrees two days ago.

Believe me, I’ve tried everything to make it feel like the Christmas I am used to in Nebraska.  I have been listening to Christmas music since Thanksgiving, I’ve been watching Christmas movies that my parents sent me, I walked the crowded mall in Pietermaritzburg with Elise this week, and I’ve even been drinking hot chocolate on the evenings when a cold front moves through and the temperature gets below 70.

I kept thinking to myself that this isn’t really Christmas. I know that the true meaning of Christmas is so much more than the lights and wrapping paper but for over twenty years those signs have helped prepare me for this season.  Like Kevin McAllister in Home Alone 2 I was thinking, “How can you have Christmas without a Christmas tree?” And at first I thought it wouldn’t be hard being away from home this holiday season because everything is so different that it doesn’t even seem like Christmas.  But then I began to see and hear about people being excited to be home for Christmas and happy to be spending time with family and I felt like I was missing out on all of that.  Last weekend, for example, my family was at the family Christmas on my dad’s side while I was at a Zulu wedding.  And although that was a great and memorable experience it just made Christmas seem so far away this December.

Then today I came across a song, “Give This Christmas Away,” by Matthew West.  You should definitely go look it up on YouTube or buy it on iTunes so that you can listen to it but here are a few of the lyrics. “Give this Christmas away if there’s love in your heart.  Don’t let it stay there.  Give this Christmas away and your life will be changed by the gift you receive…For God so loved the world, He gave His only son so we could be His hands, His feet, His love.” 

Through this song I am, once again, reminded of the best gift that we receive at Christmas.  I have been so distracted by not having the distractions that I am used to that I have been looking past the birth of our Savior.  Through God’s infinite love we were given gifts of hope, joy, peace and love.  And the best thing to do with these gifts is to share them and spread the good news that was first shared over 2000 years ago to a few shepherds outside of Bethlehem.   

So I know that we are only a day away from Christmas and everyone already has everything planned with their families and friends but these gifts don’t have to end on the 26^th.  I think we should be giving Christmas away every day.  It is the little day to day things that can make a difference. Volunteer, give money and time to charity, hold the door for someone, take a friend out for coffee, shovel the neighbor’s driveway, etc.  We have been given so much and it would be a terrible waste to keep it to ourselves.  Be the love in the world!

This Christmas and holiday season has been very different for me but it has also been a great learning opportunity and chance to grow.  I definitely miss my family and spending time with them but I know that I am here for a reason and that I can share the gift of Christmas in the things that I am doing in South Africa! I pray that wherever you are in the world and whatever you are doing this weekend that you remember what this season is about and think about how you can share this great gift that we have all been given.  Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!  Ukhisimusi Omuhle!

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” 

–Luke 2: 8-14

Learn Your Lessons Well

I have now been away from Lincoln for almost four months, I have been in South Africa for three and a half months, and I have been living at my site for a little more than three months.  Although this does not seem like a lot of time in the grand picture, there are a lot of things that I have learned already and I wanted to share with you.

1.  Enjoy Your Grass

There is the old saying that the grass is greener on the other side, and sometimes it may look that way, but I have learned that it is all a matter of perspective.  One of the initial challenges that I struggled with was the sub-conscious expectations that I seemed to have for myself, for the work that I would be doing, and for my overall experience here.  As the first few weeks passed I had seen and heard about what many of the other volunteers were doing and what their sites were like.  I began to compare my experience with the experiences of others and felt that my time here had not been as fulfilling. However, I quickly realized that having a pity-party for myself would not be a good way to help my situation.  Although my experience is different than everyone else’s it is still worthwhile.  As Desmond Tutu said, “A life of wholeness does not depend on what we experience. Wholeness depends on how we experience our lives.”  So there may be green grass on the other side but, with a little nurturing and care, mine can be just as nice!

2. Africans Own the Time

When I was in Tanzania a wise and wonderful man once said, “Americans own the watches, Tanzanians own the time.” I believe that this statement is also true of South Africans.  For many people here, time is just a grouping of numbers with little significance.  This concept has been a true test of patience for me.  It is usually safe to show up half an hour late for most events and still be one of the first people there.  I am always nervous, however, that the one time I do go late will be the time that it starts on time and then I will look like a fool.  The lack of punctuality can be frustrating having grown up in a place where “Time is Money,” but I am trying to have a more relaxed mindset and I have become much more flexible instead of worrying about the numbers on my wrist because I have also learned that…

3. Being Present Matters

I often wonder, as I am sitting in a meeting or a four hour church service where I do not understand anything that is being said, how it would be different if I was not there.  I do not think that it would be different, per se, but I know that people would notice.  I think that a lot of us can take the ELCA Global Mission’s model of accompaniment and apply it to our own lives whether we are living in another country or not.  Simply put it is all about relationships.  During my short time here I am not going to solve the HIV/AIDS crisis or world hunger but I can be a friend and I can be there for support.  I can build relationships that cross barriers and break down walls and stereotypes that people have.  It might not seem like the most exciting way to make a difference, but sometimes just being can be enough.

4. Smile More

It seems so simple but just taking the extra time to smile at the people you walk by or taking a few minutes to talk to them and ask how they are doing or how their weekend was can make a huge difference.  It might not seem like much but it can be bigger than you know.

 5. Attitude of Gratitude

People want to feel appreciated but people are not thanked enough for the things that they do.  I am not doing what I am doing so that people will thank me but I know it is always nice to hear.  I have been making an effort to be more thankful, not only to the people that I am around but also for the overall experience that I am having.  There are times when things are frustrating but it is much better to look at the positive things and be grateful for all that I have.

6. Dig Deeper

One of the best things that I have learned to do is ask questions.  There is no better way to get information or clarification or to find out someone’s point of view. There is a very long and harsh history within this country and there are many things from the past that still affect things today including economic disparity, political tension, and racism. Many people that I am around are more than willing to talk to me and answer questions that I have which has been a huge blessing and has opened my eyes to many of the problems that people of South Africa face.  I think that in the age of internet we often think we can find the answers online much easier than taking the time to talk to someone.  At times it may be easier but you won’t always get the best answer.

7. A Person is a Person through Other Persons

The spirit of Ubuntu is a concept that I cannot get enough of.  The more that I think about all the people that have been in my life to make me the person I am today the more grateful I get.  It does make me miss a lot of people that are back in the States but, at the same time, I know that I am also being changed through the people here.  And the best part is that we are all connected as humans and we make each other more human through our relationships with each other.  As Frederick Buechner said, “You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.”

8. Embrace the Tension

The biggest lesson for me to learn has been being okay with struggling.  When things are going bad I can get very down on myself instead of using the situation to learn about and challenge myself.  There are going to be more days that are not easy and I am going to continue to encounter difficulties throughout this journey.  The thing that is most important, however, seeing these situations as opportunities to grow both as an individual and within this community.

December already?!

Sanibona! I realize that it has been a month since I have written a new post and I apologize for the lack of communication with all of you. The last month has been quite eventful so I will try and fill you in the best I can now. I'm sorry if I jump around and some of it seems random but try to be flexible with me! First off, I can't believe it is already December and I have been at my site for three months with less than eight more to go. The weeks seem to be flying by!


Part of the reason I have not put anything on here in a while is that my laptop has been out of commission for four weeks now. I foolishly left it plugged in during a storm one night and a power surge came through after a strike of lightning hit close by and my charger has not worked since. There is supposed to be one on the way but it has not yet arrived. Fortunately my iPod has internet capabilities so I am still able to check email and things but it is difficult to type with. But because I like you all so much I am working through it to give you this update!


The days are getting very warm here as we move from spring into summer. Most days it is at least 85 degrees and we have not had much rain in the past month so things are just hot and dry. I've never appreciated cold showers so much! 


The warm weather also makes this holiday season very interesting. Spending my whole life in Nebraska I am used to the cold and snowy holiday season but the weather is far from that right now in South Africa. Spring in the northern hemisphere is associated with Easter and the new life that is found in the risen Christ following His death on the cross. Here, however, the emergence of new growth can be paralleled with the new life that is found in the birth of our Savior. Although they are very different they also have many similarities which allows me to spiritually grow in a new way. 


My days are still spent doing work at the KwaZamokuhle Diaconic Centre but I have much more of a schedule now of what I am doing. Mondays and Wednesdays I am usually going into town with Goodness to do errands for the centre such as picking up groceries and getting the mail. Tuesdays are the day that I package the wafers that are then mailed on Wednesday. And Thursday and Friday are usually a little more open with just helping out with tasks around the centre such as painting, cooking, etc. I have started work on a website for the centre which has been slow going but good. You can check it out at www.KwaZamokuhle.yolasite.com.  It is still pretty basic but if you want to learn more about what is going on around here that is the place to start!


All of the schools are now on their summer break for a little more than a month and then they will start back up in January. I am going to try and help out at the crèche down the road a few times a week when they are open again if my schedule will allow. 


A few weeks ago all of the churches from the Ondini circuit came to Ephangweni, my home church, for a rally celebration. I am not sure how circuits are made up but there are some churches in this circuit from over an hour's drive away. Anyhow, they were all here to celebrate their partnership with a church in Germany that they have had for over 20 years. There weren't any Germans here for it but everyone was still so excited for the day and they even had special shirts made to celebrate!


Having now seen partnerships from several sides(being celebrated in Tanzania, watching the celebration in South Africa, and celebrating them in the United States) I am truly amazed by the impact that they can have. I think that in America we can lose sight of how important they are, more than just financially. As Bishop Zulu said, "The partnership was not made to be built on money but on friendship and spiritual unity." I think that this is what ELCA Global Mission's statement of accompaniment is getting at also. Both sides have gifts to share and areas to grow and it is by this partnership together that everyone benefits.


Over the last full week of November we had our first retreat with all of the volunteers here in South Africa. The retreats happen every three-four months and just allow for a little renewal and growth as a group. There will also be one at the beginning of March. 


For the four guys who are here we started a little early. On Monday I travelled the two hour kombi ride to Durban to meet up with Isaac, Steve and Taylor. We went to the beach that afternoon and although it wasn't the warmest day I couldn't not swim in the Indian Ocean! Isaac's site is in Durban so we were able to stay at his place before heading to Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday.


When we got to PMB our country coordinator, Brian, picked us up and we headed towards Howick to do the Karkloof Canopy Tour. It is a series of ziplines that have been built into a forested area complete with a stream and waterfall and spectacular views! Then we went out to dinner and I finally got some Mexican food which I have been craving! It was only nachos but with fresh guacamole it definitely hit the spot!


All of the girls arrived on Wednesday so the 12 were reunited once again! Although it was raining on Thursday we played some soccer before having a big Thanksgiving meal. Everyone made a dish that they love from home and although a lot of things had to be substituted everything turned out great! Brian's wife, Kristen, made the turkey and mashed potatoes and homemade stuffing that was all delicious!  


Thanksgiving is a day that we use to be thankful for all that we have and most Americans celebrate the day with their families. Even though nine months ago I didn't even know the people I spent this Thanksgiving with, we are all now a part of a MUD family. We might be a little random and weird and we get on each other's nerves sometimes but I know that I can count on them to be there for me if I need them. When I get back to the States no one will understand what I have been through nor the transition time except these 11 other people. I am so grateful for them!


On Friday we traveled to a hostel outside of Royal Natal National Park, dropped off our bags and headed to the park. We spent the next four hours hiking through the mountains to a large rock lookout with a spectacular view. It was truly a breathtaking sight. It was a great chance for all of us to be together in the majesty of God's creation. Following the hike we stopped at one of Brian's favorite restaurants, Tower of Pizza. I had a pizza called Camel's Hump which had bacon and bananas as toppings. I love bacon and I love bananas but I can now say that I don't love bacon and bananas together. 


On Saturday we took a guided trip to the nearby country of Lesotho. For those that don't know, it is the only country surrounded by a country. In other words, Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa. It is also the third poorest country in Africa with very minimal infrastructure and opportunity. South Africa has offered to make it a state but the government of Lesotho refuses. Anyways, the trip consisted of some hiking that was often climbing up the faces of rocks, looking at old cave drawings and a little culture lesson. It was an eye opening experience to continue to see how diverse southern Africa is. In five days I had seen the beach and bustling city of Durban, the Drakensberg mountains, and now the rural and impoverished country of Lesotho. 


On Sunday we had the amazing opportunity to go to a rally in Durban to kick start the beginning of the COP17 climate negotiations. The rally was put on by a group called We Have Faith and featured speaking by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others as well as several performers including Ladysmith Black Mambazo. We were able to get down onto the field and were less than 50 feet away from 'the Arch' as they called him. He even saw some of the group taking a picture of him and waved to us. He is a truly incredible man and it was very humbling to be in the presence of someone who had such an impact on South Africa and who continues to inspire people around the world. Truly a moment I will never forget!


All in all, the retreat was a great opportunity to reconnect with my MUD family and be able to speak English for a few days and share each other's joys and burdens of the past few months. 


On my journey back on Monday I had to wait an hour and a half for the kombi in Pietermaritzburg to fill before we left for Estcourt. When I finally made it back to the centre I dropped off my things at my flat then walked up to the office to say hi to my host, Constance. She instantly gave me a hug and said, "We missed you. Welcome home!" 


"Live life to express, not to impress. Don't strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt."--Anonymous