Tag: community

  • Water Walk: Taking the Next Steps toward Spilling Hope

    06.09.11 | Comment?

    by Kristina Ponischil

    photos by Matt Gebhart (www.mattgebhart.com)

    How far did you walk to get a drink of water today? For many of us here in Seattle, sources of clean drinking water are so plentiful that we would never even think to ask ourselves this question. Yet when roughly 1 in 8 people throughout the world do not have access to safe, clean drinking water, it truly is a question worth asking. This is exactly what a group from Bethany Community Church did at last Sunday’s Spilling Hope water walk. Together, we carried bright blue jerry cans down to Green Lake, filled them with lake water, and carried them around the lake in order to symbolically walk in the footsteps of those without easy access to clean water. Yet this experience went far beyond mere symbolism. We entered into a story; envisioning ourselves as young children around the age of 6 whose job was to gather water to bring back home to our family.

    Our walk was relatively short, half a mile each way, compared to the average 2 ½ miles many children in Rwanda and Uganda have to endure multiple times a day in order to reach water. What’s worse is that these children are going to such great lengths to bring back unclean, disease-infested water, which often leads to illness and missed school days. I was shocked to hear that fully filled jerry cans can weigh up to 50 pounds, as I began to quickly fatigue after carrying my half-filled jerry can for a few minutes. We were lucky enough to pass along our jerry can to the next water-walker once the weight became too much to bear, and the inevitable question “Should we empty it out a little?” eventually crept into conversation. Out of all the questions we were encouraged to reflect on — What can I do to conserve water? What do I do already? Do I leave the faucet on when I brush my teeth? – it was this question “Should we empty it out a little” that struck my heart. With tired feet and sore arms I thought to myself, this is their lives. When the average household in Uganda spends 660 hours per year collecting water, they don’t have the option of emptying out a little water to make the burden lighter. That burden permeates their lives.

    Taking part in the water walk was incredibly convicting for me as I realized how much I actually take for granted each day. While my daily dilemmas might consist of debating between local coffee shops then deciding between drip coffee or a latte, there are children in Rwanda and Uganda living in constant fear, wondering if the water that they have worked so hard to collect is going to make them sick, or worse. The good news is that there is hope. Spilling Hope is changing lives and through simplifying the ways in which we live, learning about issues surrounding water and poverty, and giving generously, we can help spread this hope to those who need it.

  • From Guilt to Joyful Generosity

    06.08.11 | Comment?

    by Peter Warski

    Earlier this year, I was riding home with a friend. We were returning from dinner at Zeek’s Pizza, which had provided me with some leftovers I was planning to enjoy for lunch the next day.

    Sometimes, God speaks softly, and at other times, He punches you in the gut. On this particular evening, He chose the latter form of communication.

    We pulled up to a red light. As I thought about how tasty the pizza had been, a man came alongside our car, holding a sign: “Hungry. In need of food. God bless.”

    At the bottom of the sign was a drawing of a pizza.

    The box of Zeek’s in my hands suddenly felt heavy. It became instantly clear what I should have done. The man wasn’t asking for anything questionable. He was asking for something to eat.

    As my friend rummaged for her purse, my mind raced. I should give out of my abundance — but then what will I eat for lunch? Before I could complete my thoughts, the light turned green, we were off, and I hadn’t moved an inch.

    When I got home — pizza box still in hand — the pangs of guilt swept over me. Was I really that greedy? So greedy that I wouldn’t give up cold pizza slices just because I’d have to find a different lunch? Guilt soon led to self-condemnation. Self-condemnation convinced me that I simply needed to pray.

    As I did, I was reminded of a few points. First, when it’s clear that God is calling us to do something — whether it be as mundane as giving away your leftovers, or as monumental as moving to the other side of the world — we should be obedient. We should not rely on our own reasoning. Doing so inevitably leads to us putting our own interests and desires ahead of our biblical mandate to love and serve others. I’ve learned that the hard way.

    Secondly, we need to remember that God’s grace is always sufficient: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). The guilt and self-condemnation I experienced was not from God — but the scenario that led to it was. He wants us to be reminded of the responsibility we have as His followers. But He wants us to carry out that responsibility with joy and humility, not guilt or reluctant obligation. That’s why He gave us the greatest gift of all — one that eternally frees us from those latter negative emotions so that we can be a light in a dark world.

    This is what the Spilling Hope campaign is all about. As we come upon Celebration Sunday, I encourage everyone to keep this message in mind — and accordingly, to give with humility, joy, generosity, and obedience to God. By remembering Christ’s sacrifice, and by following His example, we truly begin to reflect His nature in the midst of a broken world.

  • Gifts and Presence

    06.05.11 | Comment?

    by Stephan Bauman, World Relief

    As yet, none of you know Cyprien from our team in Rwanda. He is self-giving, inspiring, and above all, joyful. I asked him once what he believed to be the greatest impact by those who visit from our partner churches. Without hesitation, he said, “presence.” He explained that his people — whether villagers, HIV/AIDs caregivers, microfinance clients, or World Relief staff — are overwhelmed by those that come from across the world to listen to their story, to smile with their children, to work alongside their family, to pray with them. “It’s their presence,” says Cyprien, “that honors them — that humbles them.”

    Soon, I understand, some of you will meet Cyprien as you minister on behalf of Bethany Community Church in Rwanda with the purpose of establishing and building relationships. So, it is with that theme that I wish to write, but not only to those who will travel to Rwanda as relational ambassadors from Bethany Community Church. It is also to the many who will not be there in-country, but who will still benefit by the experiences of those who go on your behalf once they return. You will benefit as you enter into the relationships they bring back and share, as you tap their own levels of transformation, and as you offer your own “presence” through prayer, learning, and financial support.

    Whether you are one of a couple handful who go to Rwanda or one of the couple thousand who remain in Seattle, most importantly, you are ambassadors for Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:21), God-authorized representatives bearing His name. You carry His presence, and the presence of His body, as you give your lives. You are “Spilling Hope” holistically by your presence, your priorities, your sacrifices, gifts, and talents. You make a difference.

    During World War II, Christians in Princeton, New Jersey, held a prayer meeting to intercede for Jews in Germany. Albert Einstein heard about the prayer meeting, left his house at 112 Mercer Street, walked to the meeting, and asked if he could join them. He brought his violin with him, and wondered if he might “pray” with his instrument. He offered his presence during a critical time in history.

    My wife, Belinda, and I were born about 11 hours apart in the same hospital in a small town in Wisconsin. We didn’t meet until age 16, but have celebrated our birthdays together since. One year our two sons, Joshua, age 7, and Caleb, age 5 at that time, woke us by singing “Happy Birthday.” “Now, for the greatest gift,” they said, in unison. . . . “Tada . . . we give you, us!” We all melted together in hugs and kisses and told them they were “the greatest gifts we could ever want!” All of you agree, there is nothing like the unabashed presence of a child, especially your own.

    Agnes Mukashinjo (pictured) fled to the Congo during the genocide after her husband was killed. Sometime later, she returned to Rwanda with only her daughter. In her own words, she was lonely and without hope. Agnes was eventually introduced to a few women from an association of farmers called Twizamura (meaning, “let’s grow together”). Twizamura was founded by World Relief to bring together widows, orphans, and others in order to work and fellowship. The association grows geranium plants that are harvested, distilled into oil, and then sold locally and internationally. Members of Twizamura gave Agnes a few iron sheets and she was able to build a simple house. In time, Agnes was invited to join and, today, Agnes is the president of the association. Each week, she leads the members in scripture reading, worship, and prayer, and, together, they plan for harvest.

    I wonder if the body of Christ is like Twizamura where all of us, orphaned and widowed through the struggles of life, are arm-lifted by the Father into a community of hope, a community where His presence and the presence of our brothers and sisters gives us hope and sustains us.

    Mother Theresa said, “To love, it is necessary to give.”  Ultimately, the greatest gift we offer is our very life. Indeed, Christ asks for nothing less — our life in exchange for His. And then, quite beautifully, he asks us to freely give our lives away — his life in us, a gift for others. You are giving to Rwanda just like those from Twizamura gave to Agnes. I am humbled by your gift, I commend your commitment, and I applaud your humility. On behalf of those you serve in Rwanda — all my brothers and sisters there — thank you.

    (Stephan Bauman is the president and CEO of World Relief — and the former country director of Rwanda.)

  • Thoughts on Health & Economic Development, from World Relief

    06.02.11 | Comment?

    “How Can a Church That Cares About Health Change a Community?” by Maurice Kwizera

    The World Health Organization (WHO) uses a broad definition of health “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

    In Rwanda, WR is partnering with many local churches committed to address people health in broad sense – but with a definition that includes “spiritual health” as well.

    Before I share about their work, here are a few facts about health in Rwanda:

    Health Facts for Rwanda:

    ● 43% of households in rural area are headed by women, widows, or children.

    ● 19% of children under 5 are malnourished.

    ● 1 in 5 children will die before their 5th birthday – most from curable and preventable disease.

    ● 3% of adults have HIV/AIDS.

    ● Life expectancy is 52.7 years.

    Churches are well positioned to minister to the health needs of the vulnerable: more than 2/3 of the population attend church at least once a month. Churches are in the remotest areas where access to health care and information can be poor. The community trusts in church leaders and church members in general; any health initiative from them is recognized as a crucial component in successful delivery of health services.

    A church delivers health services with remarkable cost effectiveness: Churches are able to use their volunteers and influence to cascade information throughout the community in a short amount of time. Rwanda has many health success stories on this:

    Maternal and child health: In one district where World Relief empowered 2,800 church volunteers and 350 church leaders in community mobilization for maternal & child health, more than  29,000 households were regularly visited  twice a month for health education. As a result, the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets increased from 3% to 70% in the target population, severe malaria cases in district Hospital decreased from 570 cases (2003) to 108 Cases (2006), and annual death cases due to malaria among children under 5 years of age steadily decreased from 30 to 0 within a period of five years.

    HIV/AIDS prevention: World Relief worked with the local churches from which 5,800 peer educators were selected, equipped with knowledge and tools and then committed to the education of youth on HIV/AIDS. After 5 years, more than 373,000 youth aged 12-24 years were reached with knowledge and life skills for HIV prevention through small groups regularly meeting at church.

    Fighting stigma & traditional beliefs: Word Relief has also worked throughout the country to help churches overcome the stigma of AIDS and be a leader in the community at accepting the sick for who they are.  Also, church are fighting traditional beliefs and encouraging people to go to hospitals instead of “traditional healers.”

    Where a local church cares about health, a holistic healing is brought to the community.

    Photo: A volunteer from a local church helps weigh a baby as part of a nutrition and child survival intervention in Rwanda.

    (Maurice Kwizera is the community mobilization manager in WR’s Child Survival program and has previously served as manager of WR’s HIV/AIDS program.)

    ~~~

    “Why Is Economic Empowerment More Important Than Giveaways?” by Pascasie Nsanzabozwa

    We’ve all heard the saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” As cliché as it sounds, the concept of giveaways versus economic empowerment is a huge issue in development work. In Rwanda, there are many people with serious and urgent needs and sometimes we just don’t have the ability or resources to take care of the root causes of their poverty.

    As we try to follow Jesus’ example of having compassion on the vulnerable, we instinctively want to help that immediate need as we are able. However, handouts are not going to create a sustainable skill and often rob those we try to help of the self-esteem and independence they could achieve from learning how to improve their economic development.

    “Savings for Life” groups in Rwanda are mobilized by church leaders. WR’s role is to train volunteers from these churches in how to train these groups to save.

    So how do savings groups work?

    1. 15-25 community members are mobilized by local churches to form groups.
    2. Groups meet weekly and each member deposits their weekly savings (usually less than $1) into the group savings fund.
    3. As the fund grows, members borrow from the fund to start small businesses.
    4. A social fund is set aside as an emergency grant for members who experience crisis.
    5. Group members add to savings between meetings using daily savings.
    6. Loans are repaid with interest and the savings fund grows even more!
    7. At the end of the 9-12 month cycle, each member receives their savings PLUS a portion of the interest collected. (They use these funds to pay school fees, buy livestock, and start small businesses.)
    8. The group then decides to disband or begin a new cycle. (Almost all continue for several additional cycles.)

    Because the church is involved, members learn more than how to save in these groups; they form relationships with others who are trying to lift their families out of poverty. Over time, they grow to love and trust each other.

    I visited a group last week called, Twitezimbere which means “let’s prosper.” The 20-member group, almost all of whom are women (78% of the program’s clients are women), are growing in unity.

    Hadidja, a Muslim member has been welcomed into the group. She has been inspired by how the group members, most of whom are Christians, love each other.

    Another women’s husband has been hospitalized for the past three weeks, and the group decided to donate the social fund to his family and spend time together weeding his cassava fields.

    These examples of compassion and caring for people who might have been strangers 2 months ago, is truly moving.

    These savings groups are giving a ministry to churches to empower people to help themselves – rather than making them dependant on support from outside.

    Photo: A savings group gathers at a weekly meeting to contribute to their savings fund.

    (Pascasie Nsanzabozwa is the economic development manager at WR Rwanda.)

  • Dinner in Kandern

    05.27.11 | Comment?

    by Kristi Dahlstrom

    It’s been a year of dinners.

    At Black Forest Academy, the Christian international school where I’ve been teaching since last August, we’re currently whirling our way to the end of the school year, but in general life has been slow since I moved to southern Germany. The village of Kandern rests in a green basin, settling down between the Rhineland and the Black Forest over the last millennium in endless contentment with pottery, apples and wine. Unsurprisingly, many letters from home have included a variation of the question “So, what do you there, in that little town, when you’re not teaching?”

    With hundreds of kilometers of trails weaving between castles and hills, Kandern is made for bright afternoons of hiking and mountain biking, delicious days that end with photogenic sunsets. What it’s not made for, however, is evenings on the town. Our restaurants fall into two categories:

    1.     Expensive, traditional German food, good for treating out of town guests.

    2.     Cheap kebabs, good for takeout on weary Fridays.

    Neither of these are conducive to nights out with friends, and the movie theater only plays movies once in a while and in German. The evenings of food and entertainment I’d grown so used to in Seattle are all but impossible here.

    So we have dinners. Some are planned parties and others impromptu gatherings borne of all living and working together in this small town. We navigate the grocery stores that didn’t prove as scary as I’d been warned, learning German ingredients. Our meals, uneven experiments of young people living abroad, lend themselves to stories, as we tell where we learned this or that, ponder how we’ll do it better in the future. We linger over tables and admire the personalities on display on walls and bookshelves, learning to know one another as we spend time in each other’s homes.

    I grew up hearing stories from East Germans, telling how friendships were galvanized in the late evenings, after the lights went off in the houses and neighbors gathered on each other’s porches. In the necessity of nothing else to do, they invented community.

    In the past, I’ve gone searching for simplicity, trimming corners of clothing and music purchases, miles driven or lights turned off. And while those changes are valuable, for me this has been a year of learning to be thankful for the simplicity that has come, like a free umbrella with a new bank account, with this privilege of living and teaching in Germany. I’m challenged see the quietness of my sleepy town as an opportunity for intimacy, rather than condemn it for refusing to entertain me. And as I follow the work of Spilling Hope, I’m grateful to remember that these dinners, safe and abundant, are sumptuous by world standards, a gift that we enjoy as we grow in life together.

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