Dead religion.

I think we are in a time when being progressive has meant

abandoning religious notions.

When I go to rural areas,

I find people are more religious,

but in the big cities,

churches have become museums.

[The album therefore suggests that]

the progressive world is robbing the church.

George the Poet, Rob the Church, British spoken word artist of Ugandan decent

Dead religion.

I opened a magazine on the plane from South Africa to Malawi. I happened to flip to a page about the Lake of Stars festival in Malawi. This is a quote from one of the festival's artists. It speaks of a change coming upon Malawi. It speaks of a people turning to "progress" instead of turning to God.

When I read that article, I was reminded of how life is back in the States. In the States we love being called progressive or forward thinkers. Yet, by being progressive we turn from God. We turn from what good things he has for us.

It is true that the rural villages in Malawi are more religious. At St. Gabriel's Hospital during the morning meeting the staff reads Matthew 25: 35-36 as a daily devotional. Yet, hearing them read scripture is like hearing a robot. There is no life. There is no passion. It is religion for religion's sake. It is not life-giving. It's dead.

My prayer for Malawi is that God will bring vitality to their religion. I pray that he will bring a relationship with him back into their religion. I pray that the ways of the "progressive" world will not touch this village. That instead they will turn their eyes upon Jesus and find life everlasting.

So far it has been an amazing experience in Malawi. The people are full of life, song, and dance. I have never had so much fun performing physiotherapy techniques. The Community Health Workers have the most genuine heart of service, love, and compassion. After teaching them physio skills this morning, I know that they will be the pioneers in Malawi, being the first to bring physiotherapy into the home. I'll update you later, but I have to run off to finish training!

Tionana(See you later)!

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.

I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

Psalm 52:8

Beyond Pacific

Beyond Pacific.

Hello, friends! Here is the blog for my class. It may be more up to date during my travels. I'll be back on this blog whenever I get a chance.

beyondpacificblog.wordpress.com

The beginning of something new.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion -

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of joy instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61: 1-3

The beginning of something new.

It's finally here. T-minus 45 minutes. Soon I will be on my way to SFO where my long journey begins. I'm so excited. I'm so nervous. I hope I remembered the essentials...and, if I didn't, I guess they weren't essentials.

As I prepare for my first departure today, I am reminded of this life-giving chapter. I studied this passage through a Beth Moore women's study a few years back. It rocked my world. The thought that Jesus, the Christ, the Savior, the King, the LORD, desires to share his mission with us blows my mind. Jesus used this passage to declare his authority in the synagogue, yet he also uses this passage to call his chosen people to follow after him. We have the privilege of walking in Jesus' footsteps. We have the honor of being a part of his love story. Words cannot describe how overwhelmed, stunned, and in awe I am at this realization.

Today I leave for Malawi. The Lord has anointed me to proclaim his gospel to the poor in Malawi. He has called me to declare freedom for the captives. He has proclaimed that I will comfort those who mourn there. What a joy. What a privilege. What an honor.

I cannot wait to meet the people in Malawi. Hopefully, I don't cry because I am overflowing with emotions. Or who cares if I do? Maybe I should. It would be humbling.

Though I am scared of illness (I have my pepto ready!), I just can't stop thinking that "it's worth it." Jesus has some radical things prepared in Malawi. He has a wonderful body of Christ that I get to meet, finally. He has a beautiful harvest ready for the good news. It's so worth it.

So before I have crazy dreams from the malaria pills, I want to write down some prayer requests:

- Pray for unity in the body of Christ

- Pray for healing hands

- Pray for radical worship

- Pray for protection from illness, theft, or whatever the enemy is scheming

- Pray for peace and joy

- Pray for a lovely Christmas and New Years with my brothers and sisters in Christ in Malawi

- Pray for fellowship and friendship

- Pray for salvation in the name of Jesus

- Pray for Jesus to interrupt my schedule and my roles to do his work

- Pray for freedom to reign

- Pray for boldness

- Pray for the things I cannot even think of praying for right now

Thank you for all of your support, your love, your prayers, and your friendship. I am so thankful to have each and every one who reads this blog in my life. I am thankful that you are a part of my life. I am blessed to know you and hopefully know you more. I hope to be able to update this blog while I am in Malawi, but, if I cannot, please continue battling in prayer for me. I will update when I have internet service again.

Blessings. Love. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.

Pitani bwino(Go well).

Tsalani bwino(Stay wel).

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

Gungor, Beautiful Things

I in them and you in me.

Enduring high temperatures, dust, sickness, poverty, and hunger continue to plague the southern district of Malawi.

Poverty holds people captive when they continue practicing witchcraft, promiscuity, and drunkenness.

People are very open to Christianity,

quick to respond to the Gospel of Jesus,

but slow to change their traditional ways and beliefs which hinders maturing in Christ.

The majority of believers in the church have

a very shallow faith. Much discipleship is needed.

www.irisglobal.org

I in them and you in me.

We had just landed in Lilongwe. The air was thick and tangible. It enveloped us. As we walked away from the plane, we were consumed by a cloud of darkness. We could not see. Blindly, I searched, but I could no longer see my team. All I could hear were screams from the sea of black before my eyes. I would open and close my eyes, but eventually I could not distinguish the difference. All was lost in the thick, oily darkness. We were swallowed by fear. I was abandoned in confusion.

This is a dream that I had a month ago regarding my trip to Malawi. After many weeks of prayer, I was assured that this was a dream from the Lord. He was telling me about the spiritual climate of Malawi. The spiritual battle in Malawi is evident, tangible. It does not hide. Witchcraft is openly practiced. Superstition strongly influences decisions. Malawians accept spiritual causes for death and illness more readily than scientific explanations.

Compared to my current spiritual climate in the U.S., Malawi is reversed. Here in the U.S. the spiritual climate is hidden and disguised. The spiritual battle subtly infiltrates my life through the media I consume and the articles I read. Practical, scientific explanations are more readily accepted than spiritual. Here in the U.S. the enemy attacks with undercover cops, yet in Malawi the battle is on the front lines. If you do not fight back with the sword of truth, you will be lost in the darkness.

Though the war tactics are different, I find it interesting that the dominant religion in both countries is Christianity. According to the research I found, 73% of Malawians profess to be Christian. Yet, this version of Christianity usually mixes with traditional beliefs of witchcraft and superstition. Similar to Christianity in the U.S., when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are instantly challenged to live in the world, but not of it. It is a battle to be spiritually distinct, yet true to your cultural beliefs and practices.

This is the battle for young Christians in Malawi. As the above excerpt states, Malawians are quick to respond to the Gospel, but slow to change from their traditional ways. This is the present battle for missionaries and Christians in Malawi.

My hope is to be an encouragement to the body of Christ in Malawi during my stay. Though we may have different cultural values and beliefs, we are united under the headship of the same Lord, who is Lord over all. My prayer is that young Christians in Malawi will mature in their faith. That they will value the Kingdom culture above their own, abandoning all for Christ.

Even as I write these words, there is a fear of imperialism engrained in me. I write those words with caution because I believe that it is not right to impose one's cultural values on others. I do not wish to impose American Christianity on Malawi, but rather promote Jesus' Kingdom of Heaven. I do believe in the culture of Jesus Christ, which is radically different than my own. Jesus' culture is profoundly different from the culture of the U.S. and Malawi. Here is a definition of a Jesus culture:

They love one another [...] And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their own homes and rejoice over him as a very brother [...] And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food [...] Such, O King, is their manner of life. [...} And verily, this is a new people, and there is something divine in the midst of them.

Aristides to the Caesar Hadrian

My prayer is that my team (of which I am the only Christian) and the people of Malawi will see the culture of Christ on display. That Christ may be glorified by the body of Christ. That each brother and sister of Christ I meet will display the unity of the body of Christ globally. Though we live in different spiritual climates, though we live on different sides of the world, we are united in Christ. We are one, as He is one. My prayer is that, by witnessing the unity and the power of Christ through my interactions with fellow believers in Malawi, young Christians will be encouraged to live unabashedly for Christ. That they will die to the flesh and live in Christ. That instead of conforming Jesus to their traditional beliefs, they will allow Jesus to permeate their lives and align their beliefs with His.

Pray for unity in the body of Christ. Pray for boldness. Pray for Jesus' culture to prevail. Pray for encouragement. Pray for strength. Pray for radical worship. Pray that we will walk in the power of Jesus Christ, because even the darkness is as light to Him. 

As you sent me into the world,

so I have sent them into the world

[...] The glory that you have given me I have given to them,

that they may be one even as we are one,

I in them and you in me,

that they may become perfectly one,

so that the world may know that you sent me

and loved them even as you loved me.

John 17: 18; 22-23

Zikomo(thank you), St. Gabriel's.

I encourage you to know and show your limits.

The endless freedom, the common expectations, or even your inner search for adventure might push you to do things in a poor country you wouldn't have done back home.

So be careful not to do things you feel unsure about, do not do things just for the thrill of having done them, or where someone (no matter if less qualified)

has more experience than you.

Sophie Lustenberger

Zikomo(thank you), St. Gabriel's.

On Friday I begin my adventure. I welcome it with excitement and nerves. Though recently I have met a handful of people who have visited Malawi (and this is providence), none have heard of Namitete.

Namitete is a small village in Malawi on the road toward Zambia. From what I have gleaned, life in Namitete consists of buying food at the market, walking to the river, and reading lots of books. Namitete offers a simple life, a simple joy. Yet, tucked away in Namitete lies St. Gabriel's Hospital. This hospital will be my backyard for the next month...literally. The guesthouse of the hospital will be my resting place during my stay in Malawi.

So let me introduce you to St. Gabriel's Hospital in Namitete, Malawi. St. Gabriel's serves 205,000 people in its surrounding communities, mostly the rural areas surrounding Namitete. The hospital itself has a bed capacity of 267. Yet, what I love about St. Gabriel's is their Community Health Worker (CHW) program. In this program members of the community volunteer their time and their services to be trained in basic medical care in order to better serve their community. CHWs serve as satellites to the hospital, connected by a mobile phone medical record system. They sacrifice for their community in order to provide palliative care, as well as manage hospital appointments. Many patients arrive to the hospital via bicycle, cart, or walking many kilometers to seek help. Thus, the role of CHW is vital to preserve the energy and health of the sick. Due to its importance, there is high respect for individuals who choose to volunteer. It is as much an honor, as it is a sacrifice.

Alex, the CHW coordinator at St. Gabriel's, has asked our team of physical therapists (3 student physical therapists, including myself, and 1 physical therapy professor) to train the CHW in basic physical therapy techniques so that they can better serve their community. We were specifically asked to train them in palliative care techniques of patient positioning and mobility. As a team, our intent is to "train the trainer" in order to make a lasting impact on the community.

During my stay in Malawi, I will resume three basic roles. My first role will be as a teacher. I will teach CHWs alongside my colleagues in a 3 day hospital inservice. Though I am excited to teach (for I have learned that you do not truly know something until you can teach it), I feel inadequate for I am merely a student. Honestly, I am expecting that I will learn more from the CHW than they will learn from me, because they have more experience with their medical system and their culture. I'm not ashamed to admit my limitations. I find freedom in acknowledging these limitations, because it permits me the freedom to be both teacher and student, simultaneously.

My second role will be as an observer. My team's plan is to observe the community's understanding of burns: sources, prevention, and care. My professor has served this community in Malawi for the last 6 years. During her visits, she has treated many burn cases. We do not want to assume ignorance on this community. We wish to gather data on their understanding of burns in hopes to develop an educational burn prevention program. My participation will be to gather data on the community's perception of burn sources and the location of these sources. Also, we hope to identify who in the community is educating (whether behaviorally, verbally, or visually) the younger generations about burns.

My third role will be as a student physical therapist(or as they say, "physiotherapist"). I will be volunteering at the hospital. Though we have trained for this experience, I suspect I will encounter many challenging experiences in the hospital. I may witness diseases or ailments that are not prevalent in the U.S., such as spinal tuberculosis or cerebral malaria. I may not have access to resources that I am used to having readily available, such as splints or walkers. My efforts to volunteer may not be as helpful as I hope. Yet, I know I will grow, as a clinician and as an individual.

My service project to Malawi is in fact a mission trip in disguise. I know that the Lord has given me this opportunity for a purpose and a reason. Though I am aware of 3 roles that I will assume during my time in Malawi, I do not know what roles the Lord has prepared for me. For all that I know He may have me do something radically different from those roles. Who am I to put Him in a box? All I know is that he goes before. He already knows exactly what is going to take place in Malawi: my triumphs, my failures, my joys, my tears. He is the lamp unto my feet as I step into the unknown.

So if you are reading, please pray for me. Pray that I will walk in the boldness and in the strength of Christ. Pray that I will allow the Lord to interrupt my schedule and my roles for the work of His ministry. Pray for freedom to reign in my heart and in Malawi.

God loves to use the unexpected for his ministry. He uses the foolish to shame the wise and the weak to shame the strong. I'm still not sure if I should take it as a compliment or not, but I know that God is using me for his ministry because I am unexpected. So, Lord, use this foolish, weak and timid girl so that your wisdom may be seen, your strength declared, and your boldness glorified.

And as the bird easily comes to terms with the necessity of bearing wings when it finds that it is in fact,

the wings that bear the bird

- up, away from the world, into the sky, into freedom -

so the woman who accepts the limitations of womanhood

finds in those very limitations her gifts, her calling

- wings, in fact, which bear her up into perfect freedom,

into the will of God.

Elisabeth Elliot