Last Saturday began sunny, windy and hot! I rode with our missionary, Larry Kies, to visit the Agricultural Show in Mutare. If you think "our county fairs," you will have some idea of my experience, though it wasn't nearly as large as the Walworth County Fair! All rutted, dusty dirt roads wound through and around the grounds, with a large grandstand where many folks tried to find shade from the heat and sun. The green grass on the field in front was a stark contrast with the bright red and gold, and blue and white uniforms worn by cadres of children performing various routines, some with batons made from broom handles.
Africa University had beautiful displays of all of their areas of instruction, with folks from Health Sciences taking blood pressures, checking for blood sugar and malaria, and others from the Farm selling fresh yogurt!! All reports show that HIV/AIDS is no longer boomeranging out of control, and that those who have tested positive are able to receive the necessary retro-viral drugs needed to help them combat its effects. The increasing killers here are high blood pressure related to stress levels, and diabetes. (Coca Cola has the franchise throughout the country, and too many people are getting too much sugar from the soft drinks and from the increasing "take away," or fast food booths.) Both faculty and students answered many questions about the University ~~ a great PR event over four days.
Many vendors lined the roads, selling everything from trinkets (I'm sure from China!) to popcorn, oranges, bananas, meat pies, and cold drinks. And very loud music engulfed it all! One building had interesting art work done by elementary school children, plus a wide variety of sewing projects, which reminded me of 4-H projects. Numerous blue ribbons had been awarded for these projects, as well as for some food items.
Various of the Provincial Ministries had displays and brochures, and plenty of people to share what a wonderful job they are doing! One of my tasks was to visit with numerous businesses who had displays, to search out possible internship possibilities for our students. Had some very interesting conversations! They have what would be comparable to our county job center, and various programs offering six specific apprenticeship programs, tied to specific industries with decreasing subsidies for each year of training ~~ in plumbing, carpentry, electrician, hospitality & tourism, etc.
By the time we left about two and a half hours later, extremely long lines had formed at the entrance, with children running off steam, women standing with umbrellas to protect them from the sun, and men getting impatient about the long wait. It seems that those at the entrance were not very well organized!!
Our next stop was at Hill Crest where the Kies children, Carley and Michael, attend school. It is comprised of one-story buildings with several athletic fields for different sports. They were holding a huge fundraiser for the 11-year-old son of one of the teachers who has been diagnosed with cancer. I watched in amazement as two teams, with special attire and helmets, participated in a paintball competition!! Michael had great fun doing this, but sustained a nasty looking bruise on his arm from being hit. Not a sport for the weak!!
Then it was back to campus to change into clothing more suited for a wedding reception! The daughter of Godfrey, an AU graduate and pastor, was being married, and so Larry, Jane and I drove about two and a half hours to their community, arriving about 3:00 pm. In Zimbabwe, the tradition is to have the actual wedding in the morning (this one was at 9:00 am!) and then to celebrate the rest of the day with food and dancing. Often the entire community is invited, and sometimes even friends of friends of friends!!! As many looked on, the wedding party in their beautiful blue and silver attire, danced in front of the stage. A short time later, the music began again (with a DJ), and what appeared to me to be a different group of dancers, dressed in unmatched, torn and shabby clothing, began to dance! These dancers were the same members of the wedding party, who had changed their clothes!!! Frequently, members of the wedding party are chosen, not because of a close friendship, but for how well they can dance!!!!
Godfrey is good friends with Bill and Dona Lou Imler of Indiana, and I was privileged to meet him two years ago when Dona Lou and I rode to the UMC Mission Station at Murewa to visit and spend the night with Lovemore and Julie and their family. Godfrey shared with us that his experiences at AU had really opened his eyes to the need for the church to work to improve not just the church, but the community as well. It had made a huge difference in the way he did ministry, even in the tiny village where he was first appointed. It was wonderful to see him again, and to meet his lovely wife, daughter and new son-in-law. He was recently moved to a much larger church, which seems to be thriving under his leadership!
Another serendipity was to see Lovemore and Julie again!! I had not expected to see them, and so to be with them and with Godfrey and his family brought very special blessings! Lovemore teaches business subjects at Murewa, and thanks to one of our Whitewater church members, I was able to secure and send to him an advanced accounting book so he could work on his M.A. His son is now using that same book in his university program!!
As we traveled home, we watched the sun set behind some of the rocky mountains that comprise the terrain here in the Eastern Highlands. What a serendipity day it had been!!!
On quite a different note, this Sat. Dr. Machinga and I will be doing Mental Health First Aid Training with about 25 student leaders who serve as Resident Assistants in the dorms or in student government. Hopefully it will be valuable for them as they work with all the students in such tight living quarters. Did I mention that most dorm rooms house three, and sometimes even four, students?? The University enrollment has grown by leaps and bounds, and now there is great need for additional dormitory space. In the meantime, about 300 students are living in apartments in town, and must commute back and forth each day. So, if you know of someone interested in investing in the lives of young people eager to learn, please send them our way!!!
Until next time ~~ God is good all the time, and All the time, God is Good!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
All Dressed Up!
Young men all dressed up in suits and ties, and young women wearing 4-in heels in a wide variety of colors and shapes to match their lovely dresses ~~ the occasion was Matriculation Day here at AU! Only a few American colleges and universities conduct such celebrations, so if you didn't experience this when you first entered college, it is the official "graduation" from high school into college or university! The chapel was festooned with flowers, and all the first-year students were seated, wearing black robes, according to their area of study (their faculty).
Prior to the beginning of this very important celebration, faculty and staff gathered outside the chapel, all wearing their own cap, gown, and hood of their highest degree. What a colorful procession as they all processed into the chapel and took their places of distinction in the front! Following introductions of administrators and staff, each Faculty Dean introduced the lecturers in their Faculty, and then led the students in their pledge and commitment to this university. The now famous Africa University Choir sang the glories of God, concluding with "The Dream Is Alive," the song composed and written by Patrick M., the first music/choir director here at AU.
"The Dream Is Alive" refers to the dream of Bishop Hartzell, the local Chief of Manicaland (this province), Bishop Kulah, and Bishop de Cavalho. It is truly the work of God that this University has now become a reality and just celebrated its 20th anniversary!!
The Vice Chancellor gave a very warm welcome to these first-year students, and encouraged them to make the most of their time here, as they learn creative ways to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others in their own countries. Right now 26 African nations are represented among the student body!! And the AU Choir sings in 30-some different languages, many of them the tribal languages of particular countries!!
Matriculation Day is somewhat similar to a graduation ceremony at the end of a college education, except that these students are just beginning their journey to that end. Nation flags fly on the many flagpoles just outside the library, and it is a joyous occasion for students to gather in clusters under their own flag for pictures and greetings from Faculty! For many, they are the first in their family to attain university admission, so it is, indeed, a huge celebration for them to be embarking on this unfamiliar journey of learning.
No lectures were conducted on Matriculation Day, and it concluded with a big party given in honor of these first-year students!! From all reports, a good time was had by all who attended at the Golden Peacock Villa Motel on the edge of Mutare ~~ a large motel complex built by the Chinese, but now operated by Zimbabweans!
So many students told me that they can hardly believe they are here, and believe that only God has made this experience possible for them. They demonstrate strong faith, and hope in the future, as they attend their lectures and participate in practicums and internships. They know that the only way to change things for themselves and those in their country is to receive a highly-prized education.
God is good, all the time, and All the time, God is good.
Prior to the beginning of this very important celebration, faculty and staff gathered outside the chapel, all wearing their own cap, gown, and hood of their highest degree. What a colorful procession as they all processed into the chapel and took their places of distinction in the front! Following introductions of administrators and staff, each Faculty Dean introduced the lecturers in their Faculty, and then led the students in their pledge and commitment to this university. The now famous Africa University Choir sang the glories of God, concluding with "The Dream Is Alive," the song composed and written by Patrick M., the first music/choir director here at AU.
"The Dream Is Alive" refers to the dream of Bishop Hartzell, the local Chief of Manicaland (this province), Bishop Kulah, and Bishop de Cavalho. It is truly the work of God that this University has now become a reality and just celebrated its 20th anniversary!!
The Vice Chancellor gave a very warm welcome to these first-year students, and encouraged them to make the most of their time here, as they learn creative ways to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others in their own countries. Right now 26 African nations are represented among the student body!! And the AU Choir sings in 30-some different languages, many of them the tribal languages of particular countries!!
Matriculation Day is somewhat similar to a graduation ceremony at the end of a college education, except that these students are just beginning their journey to that end. Nation flags fly on the many flagpoles just outside the library, and it is a joyous occasion for students to gather in clusters under their own flag for pictures and greetings from Faculty! For many, they are the first in their family to attain university admission, so it is, indeed, a huge celebration for them to be embarking on this unfamiliar journey of learning.
No lectures were conducted on Matriculation Day, and it concluded with a big party given in honor of these first-year students!! From all reports, a good time was had by all who attended at the Golden Peacock Villa Motel on the edge of Mutare ~~ a large motel complex built by the Chinese, but now operated by Zimbabweans!
So many students told me that they can hardly believe they are here, and believe that only God has made this experience possible for them. They demonstrate strong faith, and hope in the future, as they attend their lectures and participate in practicums and internships. They know that the only way to change things for themselves and those in their country is to receive a highly-prized education.
God is good, all the time, and All the time, God is good.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Making Connections!
Cecilia shared the use of her spoon with me at breakfast this morning ~~ I had gone with the idea of just getting a couple of hard boiled eggs and bringing them back to my flat, but ended up having a full breakfast there, and had not taken any of my utensils!! Cecilia is the mother of 4 boys (think Byrne boys!), the eldest of which is 21; is a 2nd yr. theology student; her husband is a D.S. in Mosambique. She spoke of the difficulty of learning English her first year here. But her English now is quite good! Think of all she has sacrificed to come here for an education!!
Erica sat down near Cecilia and me as we were finishing breakfast ~~ she was in IN, OK, and NC in June with the AU Choir! She said her adjustment here was minimal because her parents attended here and she was familiar with the campus. I have actually met several whose parents are graduates of AU!! Their Alumni Association has grown to over 4,000 graduates now!!
Mary Yelle stopped me as I was returning from breakfast. She was all dressed up and going into Mutare for the day! Mary is in the AU Choir, and met Bonnie and Gene Albert while the choir was touring Indiana in June!! She is the 6th of 9 children, and only the second to go on to university. Her older brother is now a medical doctor, and arranged for her to be on scholarship this year. She is from Nigeria and is a 3rd yr. majoring in Bus. Admin./Mgmt. All of the AU Choir will be going to Harare early in the morning to sing in several churches to promote "Africa University Sunday!" What a lovely young lady, and I am so happy to make connections with her!!
A bit further along the drive I was stopped by Kenneth, a FB friend of Bonnie Albert's from our VIM Team visit here two years ago!! Thanks, Bonnie, for encouraging him to make connections with me!
"Hi, I'm one of the sub-wardens," said Kenneth, as he approached me when I returned from a brief visit with the Kies. We had met with most of the sub-wardens (Resident Assistants) on Thurs.
to share with them all the services being provided through the Counseling Services Unit. Another delightful young man!!
They are a ll God's children, and they are all beautiful!! My "family" is growing by leaps and bounds each day!! Thank you, Jesus, Amen!!
Til the next time ~~~
Erica sat down near Cecilia and me as we were finishing breakfast ~~ she was in IN, OK, and NC in June with the AU Choir! She said her adjustment here was minimal because her parents attended here and she was familiar with the campus. I have actually met several whose parents are graduates of AU!! Their Alumni Association has grown to over 4,000 graduates now!!
Mary Yelle stopped me as I was returning from breakfast. She was all dressed up and going into Mutare for the day! Mary is in the AU Choir, and met Bonnie and Gene Albert while the choir was touring Indiana in June!! She is the 6th of 9 children, and only the second to go on to university. Her older brother is now a medical doctor, and arranged for her to be on scholarship this year. She is from Nigeria and is a 3rd yr. majoring in Bus. Admin./Mgmt. All of the AU Choir will be going to Harare early in the morning to sing in several churches to promote "Africa University Sunday!" What a lovely young lady, and I am so happy to make connections with her!!
A bit further along the drive I was stopped by Kenneth, a FB friend of Bonnie Albert's from our VIM Team visit here two years ago!! Thanks, Bonnie, for encouraging him to make connections with me!
"Hi, I'm one of the sub-wardens," said Kenneth, as he approached me when I returned from a brief visit with the Kies. We had met with most of the sub-wardens (Resident Assistants) on Thurs.
to share with them all the services being provided through the Counseling Services Unit. Another delightful young man!!
They are a ll God's children, and they are all beautiful!! My "family" is growing by leaps and bounds each day!! Thank you, Jesus, Amen!!
Til the next time ~~~
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Cultural Adjustments
I have just finished reading Sarah Lanier's book, "Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures." \it has given me greater insight into the many adjustments I'm aware of making since coming to Africa University! And, actually, the many international students who are here have and are also going through these cultural adjustments!
Sarah has lived in many places in the world, and now lecturers about how culture impacts our lives. She says that the Latin cultures are "hot," since relationship is the basis for everything, including in the work setting. Northern hemisphere folk are considered "col," since efficiency is their ruling value. Think carefully about the ramifications of these differences!! It means relationships vs a task orientation, direct vs indirect communication, individualism vs group identity, inclusion vs privacy, and different concepts of hospitality, time and planning. Whew! That's a lot to take in all at once!
She talks about culture "shock" as well as culture "stress" ~~ that is the need to adjust your familiar routines of life, make new decisions every day based on your new circumstances, learning to shop differently, different expectations of you, your motives, communication, behavior. Dealing daily with the unfamiliar can take a lot of energy and a constant awareness of those differences.
Here are just a few of these cultural stressors for me:
Time: no one seems to be in a hurry to honor a deadline, be somewhere on time, get things done in an efficient manner. Our Counseling Services Unit has been waiting for nearly a month for a mouse in order to use the computer that was installed a few days before I arrived!!
Walking and Stairs: In Zim. folks drive on the left side of the road, and so when I walk from the campus to the gate, I always have to think about which side of the road I'm walking on because it is the opposite of what I do at home! The same is true going up and down stairs, especially to and from the dining hall ~~ I must remember to go UP on the left side, and DOWN on the other side!!
Having no wheels: It is possible for me to take one of the buses into town for shopping, but only on the weekend, since there is usually a long que waiting for the one-way section over Christmas Pass, and it now takes twice as long as normal. I was offered the use of a car, but I wouldn't trust myself to stay in the right lane, or make the turns on the proper side of the road!
Telephones: Cell phones here are very cheap, and almost anywhere you can buy $1, $5, or $10 cards to add time on your phone. TeleCom reps even come to the window of your car while you're waiting in traffic! Most phone calls we make from the office are internal to the campus; but if we do need to call out, it always goes through a switchboard. (Oh, yes, we do have a phone, but it's not connected anywhere yet!)
Laundry: I was not prepared to do ALL of my laundry by hand, including sheets and towels!! It dries very quickly here, though, but then must all be ironed, including underwear ~~ that is because if it was hung outdoors, it might have the larvae of the putzi fly, which, when it comes into contact with human skin, can cause quite severe lesions. Yikes! Can you imagine UW-W with no washers and dryers!!!
Music: "The Sounds of Silence" came rippling through the laundry room yesterday as I was ironing, sung by a lovely young lady with a beautiful voice ~~ but in Portuguese!! Last night as I walked to my Flat from the library, one of the many religious groups on campus was singing in their own tongue, "Amazing Grace!" And the choir this morning in chapel sang in honor of "the Girl Child," an emphasis on raising funds for scholarships for young women. In so many cultures in Africa especially, little value is placed on giving girls an education. But one of the recipients of scholarship funds was wearing a t-shirt that read: "Educate a Woman, Change a Nation." Similar to the phrase Hillary Clinton coined ~~ that it takes a village to raise a child! Now think about what Sarah Lanier has said ~~ in these cultures everyone belongs and is cared for by "the community!"
Time now to leave the ICT Center, so I'll try to return with a few more thoughts on this another day! Please lift in prayers all students here who have tremendous stress over finances, fees, meals, etc.
Till next time ~~~
Sarah has lived in many places in the world, and now lecturers about how culture impacts our lives. She says that the Latin cultures are "hot," since relationship is the basis for everything, including in the work setting. Northern hemisphere folk are considered "col," since efficiency is their ruling value. Think carefully about the ramifications of these differences!! It means relationships vs a task orientation, direct vs indirect communication, individualism vs group identity, inclusion vs privacy, and different concepts of hospitality, time and planning. Whew! That's a lot to take in all at once!
She talks about culture "shock" as well as culture "stress" ~~ that is the need to adjust your familiar routines of life, make new decisions every day based on your new circumstances, learning to shop differently, different expectations of you, your motives, communication, behavior. Dealing daily with the unfamiliar can take a lot of energy and a constant awareness of those differences.
Here are just a few of these cultural stressors for me:
Time: no one seems to be in a hurry to honor a deadline, be somewhere on time, get things done in an efficient manner. Our Counseling Services Unit has been waiting for nearly a month for a mouse in order to use the computer that was installed a few days before I arrived!!
Walking and Stairs: In Zim. folks drive on the left side of the road, and so when I walk from the campus to the gate, I always have to think about which side of the road I'm walking on because it is the opposite of what I do at home! The same is true going up and down stairs, especially to and from the dining hall ~~ I must remember to go UP on the left side, and DOWN on the other side!!
Having no wheels: It is possible for me to take one of the buses into town for shopping, but only on the weekend, since there is usually a long que waiting for the one-way section over Christmas Pass, and it now takes twice as long as normal. I was offered the use of a car, but I wouldn't trust myself to stay in the right lane, or make the turns on the proper side of the road!
Telephones: Cell phones here are very cheap, and almost anywhere you can buy $1, $5, or $10 cards to add time on your phone. TeleCom reps even come to the window of your car while you're waiting in traffic! Most phone calls we make from the office are internal to the campus; but if we do need to call out, it always goes through a switchboard. (Oh, yes, we do have a phone, but it's not connected anywhere yet!)
Laundry: I was not prepared to do ALL of my laundry by hand, including sheets and towels!! It dries very quickly here, though, but then must all be ironed, including underwear ~~ that is because if it was hung outdoors, it might have the larvae of the putzi fly, which, when it comes into contact with human skin, can cause quite severe lesions. Yikes! Can you imagine UW-W with no washers and dryers!!!
Music: "The Sounds of Silence" came rippling through the laundry room yesterday as I was ironing, sung by a lovely young lady with a beautiful voice ~~ but in Portuguese!! Last night as I walked to my Flat from the library, one of the many religious groups on campus was singing in their own tongue, "Amazing Grace!" And the choir this morning in chapel sang in honor of "the Girl Child," an emphasis on raising funds for scholarships for young women. In so many cultures in Africa especially, little value is placed on giving girls an education. But one of the recipients of scholarship funds was wearing a t-shirt that read: "Educate a Woman, Change a Nation." Similar to the phrase Hillary Clinton coined ~~ that it takes a village to raise a child! Now think about what Sarah Lanier has said ~~ in these cultures everyone belongs and is cared for by "the community!"
Time now to leave the ICT Center, so I'll try to return with a few more thoughts on this another day! Please lift in prayers all students here who have tremendous stress over finances, fees, meals, etc.
Till next time ~~~
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
First Cooking Attempt!
What an adventure this is!! My small Flat has a small living room, with a galley kitchen~~sink, small cupboard, one small counter space, and stove. Here there are "on" and "off" switches on all the outlets. When I turned on the switch for the stove, all the burners heated up without actually being turned on!! What a dilemma! Hopefully an electrician can check it out soon.
Thanks to Margaret Tagwira, the Vice Chancellor's wife, I had some delicious, specially-grown mushrooms, some carrots and onions from the Kies' garden, and some tomatoes from the market ~~ so after boiling the mushrooms for an hour, I put them all in the skillet and fixed them as a stir-fry!! Quite delicious, actually!! And nutritious! I used only a little olive oil, as most everything here is cooked in oil, and my stomach has been complaining a bit!
Trying to stay on the healthy side, though, I am logging between 10,000 and 12,000 steps/day around the campus. If I'm short on steps, I take the relatively short hike down to the AU Gate and back again! On the way there is a soccer field, and next weekend there will be many soccer players on campus for a competition among surrounding countries! Everyone seems to be working hard in various ways to promote AU.
Next Wed. the campus will host a conference on World Tourism Day Commemorations, with representation from around Africa, as well as the world. This is in connection with several United Nations organizations working together to promote tourism. So, we're on the map!!
This Fri. and Sat. I will be attending the orientation and induction of all the members of the Student Representative Council (SRC). This will be held at a hotel in Mutare, with presentations being made throughout each day that will be helpful to those serving in this capacity. The SRC consists of representation from all 29 countries that are represented in the student body, and they are charged with huge responsibilities in keeping the lines of communication open with faculty, staff, and administration. Dr. Machinga, with whom I work, will be doing a 30-min. presentation on "Negotiations."
The AU Choir sang at Wed. morning chapel ~~ I plan to video them on Sun. when they will sing again. The Chaplain's message was "Celebrating Successes!" He encouraged students to be the best they can be, with new ideas, creativity, and excellent character. Dr. Chifaku has been here for 14 yrs. as Chaplain. Even with his many responsibilities of overseeing all the spiritual activities on campus, he also teaches two classes in Old Testament.
Today is dawning bright and sunny. Til next time ~~
Thanks to Margaret Tagwira, the Vice Chancellor's wife, I had some delicious, specially-grown mushrooms, some carrots and onions from the Kies' garden, and some tomatoes from the market ~~ so after boiling the mushrooms for an hour, I put them all in the skillet and fixed them as a stir-fry!! Quite delicious, actually!! And nutritious! I used only a little olive oil, as most everything here is cooked in oil, and my stomach has been complaining a bit!
Trying to stay on the healthy side, though, I am logging between 10,000 and 12,000 steps/day around the campus. If I'm short on steps, I take the relatively short hike down to the AU Gate and back again! On the way there is a soccer field, and next weekend there will be many soccer players on campus for a competition among surrounding countries! Everyone seems to be working hard in various ways to promote AU.
Next Wed. the campus will host a conference on World Tourism Day Commemorations, with representation from around Africa, as well as the world. This is in connection with several United Nations organizations working together to promote tourism. So, we're on the map!!
This Fri. and Sat. I will be attending the orientation and induction of all the members of the Student Representative Council (SRC). This will be held at a hotel in Mutare, with presentations being made throughout each day that will be helpful to those serving in this capacity. The SRC consists of representation from all 29 countries that are represented in the student body, and they are charged with huge responsibilities in keeping the lines of communication open with faculty, staff, and administration. Dr. Machinga, with whom I work, will be doing a 30-min. presentation on "Negotiations."
The AU Choir sang at Wed. morning chapel ~~ I plan to video them on Sun. when they will sing again. The Chaplain's message was "Celebrating Successes!" He encouraged students to be the best they can be, with new ideas, creativity, and excellent character. Dr. Chifaku has been here for 14 yrs. as Chaplain. Even with his many responsibilities of overseeing all the spiritual activities on campus, he also teaches two classes in Old Testament.
Today is dawning bright and sunny. Til next time ~~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)