Dog Days of Summer...

Adjustment to coming back home was at first, pretty easy.  After nearly 24 hours in the sky and 50 hours of being awake (I couldn't sleep on the plane) we found ourselves at home.  The thick Missouri heat made us long for the sunny, 80 degree days and African breeze.

My Super-Dog  :)

But, we were home... back to our friends, our families, our pets...  our house, air conditioning, warm water, Shakespeare's Pizza and Andy's Frozen Custard.  (Yes, I have a weakness for those.)

We all adjusted to our sleep schedules, ate our favorite foods to excess, told our friends all our stories, and answered question after question.  We sorted out the trinkets that we bought and gave to our family or friends.  We laid in bed at night and thought about the times we had, the faces we saw, and the tears we felt but, our cheeks turned upward with the smiles of knowing something good was done halfway around the world... and we contributed to it.

But as the days went by and time kept ticking, the thoughts didn't stop as they do from the typical vacation or business trip.  Everywhere you turn, there is a reminder.  A reminder of something or someone you encountered... its an amenity that you took for granted (like hot water), a great job, a car with windows and air conditioning.  A blue sky and clean air that makes you feel free and happy, no matter what it is, you suddenly realize how much you have that has so often been taken for granted.

Earlier this year, I started into the world of multi-sports... duathlons and triathlons.  I had taken a month off training and such to make the Africa trip, but this past weekend, I had another triathlon.  I was a little nervous.  I felt mentally unprepared to swim a half mile followed by the bike and run.  I had been out of my "groove" for a month and this was the longest competitive swim I'd done yet..  I told myself I could do it and realized the challenge before me was minuscule compared to the challenges I had just witnessed in Africa, their challenge simply to live, and that the challenge I had this day was a personal choice.  I remember as I swam, the brutal sun beat down on my head through the rubber swim cap.  With each breath I took... as I looked up, I could see the sun rays as they sheered through the puffy white clouds, with deep gray centers.  My thoughts were that of "thanks."  Thanks for the world I was living in, thanks for the physical ability to do such a thing, thanks for the freedom, free time, friends, family and other support for such a hobby... once again realizing that the people I just met really didn't live in a world that provided opportunity for a "hobby."  The same thoughts raced through my mind again and again as I watched the asphalt roll under the tires of my bike and I listened to the sound of fine gravel under my feet as I trudged through the run in the heat.  My only request was for God to let me have a good enough time that I could make it to church by the 11:00 service. 

Wow... I really have an easy life.

While the people in Africa were happy people, they had so little.  They had "life"... and often for a limited time.  Sickness, or injury could end the one fragile thing they had.  So many things that we take for granted... in "our" world.  The only fundamental difference between my world and theirs is "where" God put us on this earth.  Simply, where we were born.  It doesn't matter if it is in Africa, the hills of South America, a jungle in Asia, or an island in the South Pacific... too many children are missing out on what they deserve in those places.

That wasn't a choice made by us, but rather at a much higher level.  If you don't believe that, then you must believe it was science, simple chance, probability or heck, even aliens? Whatever the case, it was in no part a choice made by any of us actually living it.  Maybe you call it "luck."  Either way, opportunity is limited for some and I realize more and more that we need to do what we can to provide others some simple "opportunity."  Opportunity to grow, to become educated, to be able to make decisions about their future, and their destiny... because everyone should have the simplest human rights that I have.  To be what they want, to change themselves the way I can choose.  To grow mentally and spiritually.  Without some type of education, where would any of us be?  Did a day ever exist in our modern lives when we didnt have the opportunity to have a basic education?  No.  It was given to each and every one of us.  Some of our grand parents or great grandparents possibly had limited access to it, but our generations progressed, knowing that education was fundamental, we as a society decided that educating our young was a fundamental right, need and mandate.

I'm reading the book "Three Cups of Tea," the story of Greg Mortenson.  Its the story of a mountaineer, who was raised by missionary parents who took him to Tanzania as a young boy where he grew up.  He is somewhat of a strange fellow to say the least, but during a failed mountaineering expedition on K2 in Pakistan, he spent time in a mountain village and found the children to have no school... to be sitting in the cold, scratching with sticks in the dirt trying to learn.  The tells the story of how building these schools in the most remote locations of the world changes people's paths in life.  I'd suggest you read it... it might help you to wrap your mind around what some people in the world are missing and the obstacles and barriers that stand in their way.

It doesn't seem realistic to many of us living the bountiful lives we live, in such a great place... but it is a harsh reality to so many people around the world.  Its not a matter of politics, or religion... its not a matter of "helping our own" before we help others... its about lending simple opportunity to human beings who are willing to help and grow themselves if equipped with the basic tools.  It all begins with basic education and literacy. 

Think about it and do what you can... be the change, make a difference and sleep good at night.

Thanks again to Be The Change Volunteers for bringing this into my life.

--Dusty

Opportunities...

Sometimes in life opportunity presents itself, and often the decisions to
seize such are tough to make.  For some reason, I never second guessed
taking this venture... I'm so glad.

As I sit here on a crowded plane over the Atlantic Ocean... adjusting the
time on my phone realizing it is 3:00 am at home and the sun is chasing us,
shining on the plane from the North East, I realize how surreal this entire
trip has been.

From the first day I was approached about making this journey and over the
one-year wait to make the travel, I realize that I was prompted to do this
from a higher place.

If someone would have asked me just one day earlier, a year ago, if I would
fly to Africa with a bunch of strangers to build a structure in a country
filled with poverty and sickness I would have probably asked them why in
the heck such as question was being asked before I simply said "No, that's
not for me."

At the time I was asked, several people I knew were going on the journey
and joining them filled me with excitement.  As the trip was delayed by
several months, the passenger manifest changed, and although I was hugely
disappointed, my mind didn't once think about changing.  I felt like I was
alone in a way, the only adult male from Columbia besides Jimi, but
something told me this decision was made and wouldn't change.

Even as the bags were packed and we set out on the road, boarded the first
plane, or even stepped off on foreign soil, I still didn't really grasp
what mission I was venturing into.  Africa was a place on a map, far away
and exotic... but not appealing in so many ways, but I was at least going
to "see it."

As we arrived... I expected to be welcomed by a third world heat and smell
that I had previously experienced when deployed to Panama in the military.
I expected to meet people who stared as they wondered why you were in their
world.  I expected to hold my pockets close and keep a straight face as to
not show fear to the predatory thieves that run rampant in these such
domains... and to bear responsibility to watch for the safety of the women
and teenagers who were in our group.  By nature and by my career, I do not
often extend trust to everyone I meet, until I have been able to assess
their character.

Going through Ethiopia turned out to be uneventful... as it seemed the
entire plane was full of either travelers returning to Africa, all who
could afford the plane tickets and probably had much more financial
resource than me, or do-gooders venturing to the unknown land to help
someone they don't know.

In Addis Ababa, we de-planed the Boeing 777 and shuffled through the
airport and back to a smaller plane, a 737, headed for Malawi with a stop
in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  THIS plane felt a little more like I
had expected... boarding to find a rough, seedy man wearing sunglasses in
my seat, it wasn't an argument I needed to engage judging by the other
passengers in the row, so I took the nearest vacant seat hoping I could
stay there as the rest of the passengers walked by and took their seats.
We took off, and soon landed in Congo.  The characters on the plane that
made the hair stand on the back of my neck de-planed.

While on the ground, through the windows of the plane, you could see this
was not exactly a friendly area.  The grass around the runway was scattered
with random walking armed soldiers, or men cutting tall grass by hand.
Just outside our plane stood a military man with beret and automatic
rifle... definitely not the welcoming ambassador to D.R. Congo.  The land
was brown and arid with no living color other than a few dirty green
branches on scant trees.  All of the land was cut into small asymmetric
sections, obviously farmed by hand, unlike the crop circles and squares in
developed countries. A few new passengers boarded and we departed.

As we flew to Malawi, I could hear conversations between passengers, mostly
either local travelers, research students, or some type of missionaries.  I
felt okay about this crew... danger seemed minimal.

As we arrived in Malawi, the airport baggage claim was somewhat "open air"
compared to domestic locations.  Outside of the baggage area, we were
welcomed by Lawrence, John, Harry, and Timothy... accompanied by some older
Makalani village kids, all who were smiling and eager to help with our
baggage.  Departing the airport, the looks were of welcoming faces that
smiled, nodded and waved.

Was I in the right place? Or were these people really good actors?

As we drove down the road, the sights were different than I had expected.
First, the weather was wonderful... probably about 80 and breezy.  The sky
sunny and was covered in haze, a brownish haze that seemed like smoke
and/or dust.  The grass was all dry and brown with very little green
anywhere, other than the same dust covered tree branches.  The roadway was
paved with good asphalt and the traffic was actually calm.  Third world
infrastructure is usually very poor and traffic laws are ignored as drivers
make three lanes out of two with their horn... but not so much in Malawi.
The vehicles were of course older, dirty and all the windows were always
open, but nothing as bad as I had expected... It looked like we might
actually arrive alive.

My mind was quickly believing this was not going to be a beautiful venture
into an exotic territory of National Geographic beauty, or a dangerous
adventure among people who would just as soon see you robbed or dead, but
something very different.

What I quickly experienced is people who have very little, but are happy,
kind and hospitable.  A land that has been used, farmed, and milked of its
resources for people to survive.  Other than dogs, chickens, goats and a
few cows... I did not see a single wild animal.  Panama was full of
wildlife and strange insects.  Africa where we were only had flies and
mosquitoes.  When asking, I found that the wildlife in the area had been
killed off... with some monkeys still scattered around, but few and far
between.  The crops grew small and their yield was obviously low.

Nothing was wasted... One day, I saw two boys who had dropped a sack of
maize (white corn) off of their bike and they were on their knees picking
the kernels out of the fine red dust of the dirt road... intending to
salvage every spilled kernel.  If you had extra food on your plate, no one
would think twice about finishing what you didn't want... it was normal
practice.

The people turned out to be the nicest people I have ever met.  Don't get
me wrong... I'm sure not every soul is nice, but the greatest majority of
people you saw on a daily basis made a point to smile and say "Hello" or
"Wa wa" which is Hello in their language.  As you walked down the street,
you would hear people, especially children shout "Mzungu" in excitement,
which mean "white person." They were tickled when you noticed them and said
Hello, kind of like that simple Hello was a treat... They were GENUINELY
excited to see you.

When we finally went to the villages and build site, like I wrote before...
It was overwhelming at the swarm of attention begged and demanded of you.
A handshake would cause endless giggles.  Taking their picture and them
getting to see the back of the camera created excitement and awe...
Everyone wanting to pose and get their picture changing.

Something as simple was a homemade ball created hours of play... Especially
if you joined in.

So many little faces still sit in my mind, all of them smiling except for
the shy or sick ones.  It still boggles my mind how they find such energy
and excitement in the life they live.  As Americans, we are spoiled.  Upset
when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, or conditions aren't as we
want them... but everyday these people are happy and eager to please the
next person.

Their faith was evident in the things they did.  The adults and children
prayed.  There was order in their tattered lives.  The children wore school
uniforms of pink and blue four days a week, even if they were dirty or
tattered.    It was amazing how a world that appeared from a distance, so
uncivilized... Was remarkably organized.  One note... It may not have
happened in a timely manner, as everything happened in "Africa time" but it
did eventually happen.  Africans don't "sweat the clock" the way we do...
probably because not everyone owns a clock.

All in all, so many of my perspectives on so many things are able to be
viewed through a different lens now.  The children touch your heart.  Their
smiles pierce your soul, and their struggle and strife invoke empathy at
levels not previously known.

Africa was the most color blind place I have yet to find on the planet...
prejudice was not evident in any venue I could note.

They call Malawi the warm heart of Africa and I completely understand why
now.

I look forward to new opportunities with Be The Change Volunteers.  It has
been one of the most emotionally and spiritually satisfying events of my
life, that I know in my soul changed other peoples lives.  Things happened
in the past two weeks that people will never forget.

As it all turns out, this venture wasn't about the far away exotic land,
vacation, or potential photo opportunities... It was about the people.  The
people you meet, you help, your learn from, the way they touch your heart,
and the way you touch theirs.  I'm not sure who benefited more... whether
it was me, or it was them... the experience is life changing for all those
involved and for that, I will be forever grateful.

I hope you can explore opportunities like this either by going on a build
or supporting a build.  Think about it or look into it... It may be the
most profound thing that happens in your life and may bring many parts of
your past to a culmination, an understanding for you as it has been for me.
I will go somewhere like this again, and I eagerly await that day which
will remain in my prayers just as the people I have met in the past two
weeks.

---

We're almost home now, back on US soil in Washington D.C.  Our team breaks
apart physically at this point going to different airports, just as we said
goodbye to John when he headed back to Ireland, we say goodbye to some of
our adventure friends here now.  The goodbyes are serious... not just
handshakes but hugs, with the promise to meet up again on a future build
somewhere in the world.

I wish I could do justice to the feelings each person probably feels.  Its
bittersweet.

I especially want to thank God for this experience and what he provided for
us.  We didn't have a single problem along the way.  Everyone was safe,
stayed well, and he provided for us in every way.  It was truly an
experience that brings one closer to God, probably the greatest experience
of all and some of the greatest physical evidence of his presence a person
can have in this life on earth.

Forever grateful...
--Dusty

The final night...

Well, things are coming to a close.  Today we did the dedication of the library.  We expected about 100 people and then found out that there were three funerals in surrounding villages this morning.  We started the ceremony and as time went on, people trickled in as they walked down the dirt roads to the build site.  We ended with probably over 100... all of them eager to be there.

The school serves 41 villages and over 1000 kids as of the June enrollment... all of them walking to school normally.. Several village chiefs showed up... weathered old men who walked in wearing mismatched clothing, suit coats, and some barefooted.  Their faced told stories of long hard lives.  Dark skin, tangled hair, deeply wrinkled skin, sunken jaundice eyes... dry chapped hands and feet covered with hard leather skin.

The kids were excited that we were there and after playing, sat eagerly as Jimi, Timothy, Lawrence, and a village chief spoke for all of the chiefs.  Once the speaking was done, a group of dancers from the Makalani village walked out from behind one school house and gave us a surprise dance with native headdress, and beating dried animal skins.  Very interesting!

Once the dedication was made to Annie Grace (the child who died in February of AIDS at age four) the ribbons on the door were cut and the spectators got to enter.  The children eagerly lined up for cookies and Gatorade... a treat they do not often get.

The time came to depart and we had to load up.  Saying goodbye and seeing the little faces as we drove away made your stomach turn... Do they know we wont be back tomorrow?  It bothers me.  Sam smiled so big in his wheelchair, and Jimi gave him a big hug.  Left sitting there wearing Jimi's St. Louis Cardinals hat.  It brings tears to my eyes to think about it.

We unloaded the loot we had in our bags... balls, frisbees, candy, books and drove down the red dust road, bouncing through the ruts one last time on this trip.  Its good to have done this, but it is sickening at the same time.  They need so much more, and we have so little to give.  We will all go back to our lives, our homes, our hot water, our beds, our loved ones... and they will wake up tomorrow to the cold Africa air, filled with dust to continue another day in their lives.  One more day that looks just like yesterday.  The only thing in the future is hope, and somehow they guarantee happiness amidst the agony they live in.

After lunch we drove to Derek's ranch about 50 km away.  He is the local contractor that organized the build.  Without his generosity and contribution it would not have been possible.  He invited us for "high tea."  He is third generation removed from Scotland and moved to Africa.  They own about 3000 acres where he farms and has businesses in building, livestock, tobacco, hunting and safari expedition.  His groomed yard hosted us with his wife, two small blond daughters, ducks, dogs, rabbits and the shade of a beautiful afternoon.  While it was wonderful, it wreaks of the third world... where you either "have" or "have not."  The drive back home took us through more mud hut villages, roadside shops, butchers, goats running loose and pedestrians all along the way.

As of the moment, we are at a dining establishment in Lilongwe "Kip's Summer Place" the same place we were for John the Irishman's birthday.  We will eat and celebrate Jacquie's birthday.  (I think she is 29 or so.)  :)

(Look at it in Google maps)

When tomorrow comes, we will organize our things and begin out long journey home, going backwards in time.  We fly out at 3:05pm and will fly a total of 23 1/2 hours with our longest trip being 17hrs and 25 minutes.  We will arrive in Kansas City at 4:19pm (I believe.)

Everyone is still well and in good spirits. A part of us wants to come home, and a big part of our hearts want to stay.  This will not be my last trip to Malawi Africa, and for sure not my last trip for Be The Change Volunteers.  Maybe you can join next time and experience this for another person, and for yourself.

I will end this and get back to the dinner group.  God bless all of you for the love and prayers you have sent.  Send a few more prayers for this final journey.

I will miss these people of Africa, the faces I know with names I do not know.  I will miss my fellow travelers and the feelings we share.  I have so many new friends for life... I am so grateful, I cannot ask for anything more in my life.  (Except some hot water.)

The blog will not end... I will compose on the flight and post when we get to Washington D.C. Sunday morning.  The blog will continue, more pictures, more thoughts.... and live on for future missions.  Something this good cannot just die.

Goodnight....

--Dusty

Today started out with electricity and then quickly became without electricity.  Its kinda funny now because when the power goes out, you hear groans and yells from all over the lodge.  At least we could see to eat. 

We did the usual sardine ride in the van.  i missed the picture of the guy selling chickens on the corner.  I'll try to get it tomorrow.

Once we were at the build site, we started carrying the lumber out to assemble the shelves for the library.

Glazing windows continued... we did finally get all the windows in today, as did playing with the kids.  I broke out a new ball today... an orange spiked ball that bounced really good.  That was a hit!

Everyone was busy cleaning the writing off of the windows, moving dirt around the foundation and leveling the final grade... and assembling shelves.

Once the shelves were done, Grant, Cristi and I headed into town to get some items.  Lawrence took us to a VERY interesting part of town.  We had to gather supplies for the dedication which is at 10am tomorrow.

We walked through fish markets, caged chickens for sale, all sorts of stuff... it was awesome, especially if you held you nose.  Just watch the movie Slumdog Millionaire and you'll have a good idea of what this place was like.  :)

Chickens in a crate

 

 I hate to cut this short... but the internet cafe is closing.... 
Tomorrow is the big day, we get to dedicate the library!!!  I will try to post more tomorrow.

Love you all, keep the prayers going and dont forget your conversations with God.

--Dusty

Blog Changes...

I changed the layout to accomodate larger pictures, and added more pictures from AFRICA!  Enjoy!

--Dusty

Today you get mostly pictures...

Its a good day when you wake up with electricity!  My shirt and shorts still pass the sniff test, by local standards.  I washed them last Thursday but have been wearing them since we got here.  (Don't worry, I do shower, use deodorant and change my underwear.)

The locals learned to make french toast yesterday so guess what they fixed today! 
We are getting ready to load up and head to the build site as soon as a vehicle gets here... we'll start dragging our shelf parts as we go, trip by trip.

Last night we ate and had our usual game of Catch Phrase.  Its funny what you learn when people try to give clues for a word.  Apparently there was a war called the Veterans War in the US, people in Ireland wear a vest under their shirt, "coin" is pronounced "kine"  there also. Apparently "korchine" rhymes with fortune... and yes, an American college student invented that word.  Its a good thing we all love each other.

I tool several pictures as we went through the day and instead of jabbering, I'll post what we see most days...

These shots are a typical ride to the build in the morning.  

The van load... like sardines.

The local prison... they say you dont want to be locked up here.

The road is littered with pedestrians and bicycles.

Even the dirt roads going to the village...

I'll be you couldn't do this... but they do it every day and this is a small load.  Usually it is firewood, charcoal or sugar cane.

 

Arriving at the village... they see us...

Doug greeting a few of the kids.

I just gave this crew candy... and made some great friends.  Sam is in the wheel chair, the little guy I worry about is in the back row, second from the right.  He's sick.  :( 

It was time to put some shelf sections together and my crew that got candy showed up so Cristi and I had them hammering nails.  We're on Africa time so there is no hurry... the kids loved helping us out and did a really good job.  I have to say, I was proud.  Its good that they feel that they contribute to their school and library.

This little guy needed a little help with the equipment.

Sam enjoys hammering... and does a good job of it.  Fingers clear, please.

This little guy thought he needed to carry the rake.

After building the shelves and letting them hammer... and starting the day with a little candy, these two didn't want to let go of my hand.  It breaks your heart when a little kid walks up to you and grabs two fingers of you hand and is just happy to stand there with you.

All they want is your time, your friendship, and your love.

Glenn and Doug start glazing the windows into the front door of the library, John is working on the side windows...

John "The Irishman"  ( I love this guy.)

Glenn, or "O.G." as we now call him.  (Original Gangsta)  Everyday is a great day with Glenn.

Doug... "Our Doug"  Always a happy and helpful Doug!

The contractor's crew finishing the pointing on the back wall and finishing the cement around the edge.  This allows the water to run off without undermining the foundation of the structure.  They do great work considering what they are working with!

Then we went to the village for lunch...

This is the Invest Resource Center at Makalani Village.

Lunch Inside...

Actually a very good lunch, Nsima, Beans, Potatoes, Greens (not so good), Tomato soup (I skipped that) and local tangerines, that were green, but good!

 

Megan and company have been painting the name on the building.

Then there is time to play...

This is a basketball goal, African village style.  :(

I played ball with this crew today, a ball made out of tightly rolled walmart bags, shown in my right hand.  (Works well)  They would have been happy to play it all day.  I'll admit, it was fun.  We made a good team.

Then, leaving the kids is always kinda hard.

They do the Peace Sign Goodbye...

Hug your kids, and don't forget your conversations with God.


-Dusty