Whirlwind Summer

So I'm going to lay it out straight for all of you guys:

This experience has been amazing!

The ways that God has showed himself day in and day out on this trip to me still shock me as I reflect on my experiences and pack up to go back home (or, to college, actually).

On a personal level, I believe that this trip to Southern Peru has been like God's project to shape and mold me.  What I mean by this is that I can feel God preparing me for something exciting in my life.  He has been shaping me by each of the patients that I translate for and everyone I've come into contact with, increasing my ability to communicate, showing me how to care and reach out to people in diverse and sometimes surprising, unexpected ways; which all of course teaches me to be flexible and creative in serving and working.  Even though I may be done my trips (almost), I would ask that you pray that I would be able to have the wisdom, humility, and diligence in these upcoming crucial weeks, months, and years to seek out and follow God's will for me in this life.

Regarding the actual work at the clinic, it was fantastic!  Each of our patients was so grateful to be able to get physical and spiritual help in a place where this is not always readily available.  Those who could brought small gifts, and almost everyone gave hugs, kisses (kissing on the cheek is a common greeting here), and thousands of heartfelt thank yous.  It was an indescribable blessing to be able to relay life-changing knowledge, advice, and instructions to people who were many times hearing it for the first time.  Making sure patients understood their conditions and encouraging them in their recoveries and sometimes seemingly hopeless situations was a great responsibility that I am very thankful to have been trusted enough to have.  The physical therapy "knowledgees" and us translators/general handymen(women) were touched by our patients stories, and shared in their grief, laughter, and hope.  Being that the entire clinic (or "campaign," as the locals call it) was a huge, cohesive effort of an entire team, I would also encourage you to check out the team blog for all the daily details at sruinperu.blogspot.com!

I don't really know what else to say, besides I am so thankful to God for the opportunity to serve like this.  The experience and memories I've gained in these short two weeks will last a lifetime.  I am also extremely thankful to all of my supporters for reading my blogs, donating medical supplies, making this trip logistically possibly with your donations, and most of all, supporting me with your prayers.  

See you soon on the other side!

Insert Title Here

So you’re probably wondering at this point what I’ve been doing this entire week in Southern Peru, and this is now the point where you’re about to find out!

Each day, five physical therapists and seven physical therapy students pile into a bus and head through the crazy, beep-happy downtown on our way to our Physical Therapy clinic.  For these two weeks that I am here, Medical Ministry International has launched a “campaign” to match the people of this Southern Peruvian city who are in most dire need of physical care with free treatment, evaluation, and medical equipment and supplies.  As an interpreter, I spend my time hopping from therapist to student breaking down the language barrier, making sure patients fully understand their situations and how to improve them, and writing up information sheets for our patients to take home.  However, because the work here with the community is so intimate, many times my job description sporadically morphs from translator to wheelchair repairman, to tent builder, to friend.  I also got the special opportunity to travel to a high-up mountain city for another special “campaign” to distribute wheelchairs to those who have no other options.

Every job and every responsibility is met with a laugh, a tear, and six and a half dozen pounds of adventure.  I would love to sit on here all day and type them all up for you, but being that I am with a team, this job is divided up amongst all of us (and computer time is limited).  So I would encourage you to also check out the team blog, where you can find all the minute and major details of the day-to-day adventures and tasks of this evermore fulfilling trip.

I would also ask that you keep a few things in your prayers.  For example, it seems like we’re all getting wacked pretty hard by some sort of cold/flu/plague, so if you could keep our health and safety in your prayers.  For me specifically, I want to ask you to pray for me that I would be able to put aside personal gain (in other words, the work I’m doing here is excellent experience and is ever-so-useful for personal advancement, but I need to have my heart solely focused on serving the needs of the people).

Oh, and we’re really high up down here.  When elevation is measured in the same units that you use to measure the distances between continents, you know you’re really high up (That would be miles, [or kilometers], ladies and gentlemen; 1.5 to be exact).

The Beginning... Of Part Two

Helloo thuuur!

So it seems like I’ve been in Peru for about a week, but I just counted the days, and it’s been two and a half days!  Our team has done so much in these two days!  We’ve seen cliffs, mountains, deserts, llamas, the mysterious Nazca lines, and the great Pacific Ocean (which looks and tastes just like the Atlantic)!  We finally made it to our final destination where we will be setting up shop for a Physical Therapy Clinic in Medical Ministry International.  Today we settled in, transported wheelchairs for distribution to those who can’t afford them, and got to see the local Plaza De Armas (Main Square).

Me, and my teammates are safe, sound, excited, and a bit tired.  Please pray for our health and safety, and that we would be able to be flexible and enthusiastic to serve God in whatever way He may call us to in the upcoming weeks!

The End...of Part One

My trip in a nutshell:

At times overwhelming, many times full of tears of laughter and sadness, most times mixed with both adventure and sitting around, almost always interesting, and very fulfilling and rewarding in the end.

I’ll be leaving Namibia for now, but I have a feeling that Africa and I aren’t quite done yet…

Thank you once again for your prayers, your comforts, and your support as brothers and sisters in Christ!! I look forward to seeing you all on the other side! J

So...What Exactly Did I Do?

VVVRREEEUUUM! That was the sound of my month here at Children of Zion zooming past me in the blink of an eye. And in my last full day, as I’m packing, saying goodbye, and preparing my final devotion, I’m also reflecting on the work that God has allowed me to accomplish.

What is the number one thing that I spent my time doing? That would, hands down, have to be spending time with children, staff, and the people of the surrounding area. The bulk of my experience has been with people, encouraging others (and being encouraged), watching after little ones, taking the kids on walks (they spend most of their time inside the Children’s Home, so any chance to get out and explore their surroundings is very appreciated by them), fishing (even though I’m a vegetarian… needless to say we didn’t catch much), teaching new games and songs, helping out with everyday jobs, and most of all just building relationships and solidifying the trust and friendship between the Namibians and Americans who work together, side by side, every day in order to serve God. Much time was also spent worshipping beside my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in devotions, Sunday worship, and the random outbursts of singing that sometimes occur here. J

This time around in Africa, I was able to go out into the surrounding area and town a bit more, and I even got the chance to minister with some South African missionaries who drove up to the Caprivi region to pray, encourage, and distribute gifts.

Another large chunk of my time was spent in the school here at Zion. Here, a larger extent of the community is also felt as more and more “outsiders” (as in non-permanent residents of Children of Zion) are coming in to be schooled. My main jobs included grading tests, monitoring, and especially tutoring kids one on one (mostly in Math and Literature).

I also got the chance to do some financial work for the Children’s Home. I spent a good chunk of my evenings entering receipts and organizing related papers.

In my free time, I re-landscaped the area around the school and did minor maintenance jobs, such as helping the “uncles” to put a new ceiling on the school.

Throughout this whole month, I could feel your prayers at work, and GOD worked at least a hundred wonders a week (I started counting actually, and gave up around day 3 because I was becoming too busy).

Let me just say some of them, though:

-Safety and Health: The opportunities to get hurt, get sick, or get in an accident in everything I was doing were more than plentiful, yet her I am typing away in one piece, with a clean bill of health, and nothing more than a few scratches. J

-Logistics and Timing: Exactly the right amount of support was raised for each trip at exactly the right time I needed to have it. The dates worked and transportation worked out so that I would be volunteering exactly in the time frame when there was a need, I left New York at the exact same time as my friends who were visiting from Spain (so that made transport and accommodation A LOT easier), I will return to New York just in time to see my sister at her White Coat Ceremony, see my family, turn around to leave for Peru, and I will arrive in DC exactly in time to start my classes for school for the fall. God is good when?… All the time!

-Every Day A Blessing: Every struggle, every problem, every worry- God, God, God. He gave me the focus, wisdom, and responsibility to serve Him in ways that I am 100% sure that if I were to take on the tasks alone, I would failed and ended up embarrassed, discouraged, and fallen flat.

Psalm 121:7-8

Working In Africa

I wanted to take this time to give you a taste of a short-term volunteer’s life here by describing some things that I have learned about working in Africa.

Working in Africa can be very slow.  The jobs needed to be done are very necessary, but many times several different jobs need to be done to accomplish just one.  Factor in the concept of “African Time” (which just means that being on-time is a rarity), the many distractions (i.e., screaming children, daily chores, hospital visits, crazy chicken-eating wild dogs, etc.), and limited resources, and you have yourself a very potentially discouraging situation.

Alone and with no purpose, it would definitely be very discouraging work, but I know why I am here.  I am here to glorify Him in everything I do, and to be a light unto others and an encouragement while serving. 

So, I’m very thankful that He gives me purpose and a reason to be doing the seemingly crazy things I do every day!!  And many times, distractions and frustrations are really blessings in disguise!  When operating by His plan, everything just works out better. :-) 

“The LORD will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore,” Psalm 121:7-8

Please Pray For:

-The kids and their schooling.  Pray that the kids will see the importance of their education, especially in a developing country, and that they would be motivated to study and do well despite certain difficulties.

-The growth and integration of the older kids into the real world.  Pray that they (and me, as I’m going off to college soon) would keep strong faith and be a light in a dark world.

-RESPONSIBILITY: I know that this trip will be an exercise in responsibility for me with the different tasks that I will be taking on.  Please pray for me as this trip challenges me and stretches me.

-My own personal growth as a follower of Christ and as an individual.  My hope is to come out of this experience as a stronger, more mature, dedicated believer.

Good To Be Back

My first full day in Namibia and I have already done so much!  Hours have been passed juggling kids, hugging and shaking many, many hands, and various around-the-village chores (i.e., washing dishes, sweeping, organizing, preparing meals, etc.). I also had the opportunity to participate in a special, all-day church service outreach in the middle of the bush about a 45-minute walk and a short canoe ride from the village.  I was blessed to be able to worship among such enthusiastic voices, share up front a bit of my testimony and about my experiences and values (specifically related to fellowship), and even teach the congregation some American-style songs for worship. 

Also, now that I’ve been here for about 24 hours, I’ve found out that I will not only be the only volunteer here for the duration of my stay, but for this week, I will also be the only Westerner in the entire village!

Please Pray For:

-FOCUS: In handling every day tasks and getting work done

-WISDOM: In making work-related decisions, especially when I will be working without direct supervision.

-PATIENCE: I can already feel that God will be testing me this trip.  Please pray that when frustrations come, I would be able to let God take over and not become anxious.

Arrival

After 4 and a half days of traveling, I have finally arrived!  It is such a blessing to be back!  I still can’t believe that I’m here!  God made everything work out, and after several cancelled flights, two extra overnights, a canoe ride through the swamp, and other delays, I was picked up by a friend’s cousin in Windhoek (the capital city of Namibia), and because of the delays I was able to see his church and meet with some of the members.  I got to the village around 4 o’clock in the afternoon two Fridays ago.

It’s been a crazy ride, but I am safely settled in and now it’s time to get to work!

Please Pray For:

-Safety in and around the village.  The potential for danger is limitless.  Just today there has been a bush-fire which we are working to keep away from power lines, gardens, buildings, and most importantly, people.  I am also driving stick shift on the left side of the road, and cows seem to like grazing asphalt here more than grass.

-A continuation of good health

-Wisdom in serving

-A great attitude, and to be focused on the reason I’m here!

By the way, sorry for the absence of pictures and the delay in getting these posts up here.

Praise the Lord I've raised enough support to serve abroad!  Thank you SO much for your support I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart!  Now, I would ask you to continue supporting me in prayer (see Prayer Requests)

Thank you so much! :)

You may still make donations to MMI and COZV if you feel so led.

More to Come...

So you can see your support in action, I will be updating this blog with pictures, stories, reports, and everything you would ever want to know about my trips!

Kids lined up to eat at another orphanage that
I will be working with, called Mafuta.

 

How You Can Help

Your support makes a world of difference.  By considering supporting me prayerfully, you are helping the most.  Prayer is a powerful thing (James 5:16) and I can always feel your prayers  when on the field.  That is why I would ask you to pray for me while I'm on my trips, while I'm preparing for my trips, and for the people that I come into contact with on my trips.   


Here are some crucial prayer requests that you may consider:

• Travel Mercies
• Health and overall safety
• That God would bless me with wisdom while serving.
• That God would be preparing me to become less like me and more like Him, so that I can use the talents and abilities that He's blessed me with to serve Him and others precisely how He wants me to so that He can receive all the glory.
• For the "transition-home" and schooling of the older kids at COZV.  
• For the Bible study that I will be leading with some of the older boys while there
• That people may be exposed to the gospel in Arequipa, Peru
• For the health and wellness of the patients in Arequipa, Peru
• That there would be deep, caring relationships developed between Americans and Peruvians in Peru.

Certain items are needed by both the Children of Zion Village and the Medical Ministry International team.  If you have any of these that you would like to donate, please notify me by email or phone:

• Children's clothes (up to young adult sizes) in good condition
• Canes
• Wheelchairs in good condition (especially quickie types)
• Theraband
• Vitamins (adult multi, calcium, children's gummy or flinstone type)
• Baby wipes
• School supplies/Toys (crayons, coloring books, stickers, bubbles, beanie babies, matchbox cars, interactive toys, etc.)
• Children's sneakers and socks in good condition
• Pediatric walkers
• Therapy balls

Finally, your financial support makes the trips physically possible.  Expenses like air travel, room and board, visas, insurance, and other volunteer fees cost several thousands of dollars, and I can't do it all by myself.  So if you feel led to make a tax-deductible donation through the organizations I will be volunteering with, you may do so by a check, or online.  

To support my trip to Namibia by mail, please make your check out to "Children of Zion, Inc." and specify on the check that it is "For Samuel Mason."  Then, mail the check to the following address:

Children of Zion, Inc.

PO BOX 413

Churchville, MD 21028

To support my trip to Peru by mail, please make your check out to "Medical Ministry International" and print and attach this slip to your check.  Then mail both to:

Medical Ministry International

400 N. Allen Drive #204

Allen, TX 75013

To support my trip to Namibia online, click here.  Click "Donate" on the right side of the page.  Make sure that before you submit your donation, you specify in the "Message to Children of Zion, Inc." portion that the donation is "For Samuel Mason."

To support my trip to Peru online, click here.  Please make sure that in Step 3, you chose the "My gift is in Honor of" option, and specify "Samuel Mason" in the blank.  

For step-by-step directions with pictures for how to make your donation online, click here.
Your willingness to contribute is extremely appreciated and it really makes a difference!

Serving Him In Namibia & Peru

     I have been praying about the opportunity to serve in two locations south of the equator (both around 17°S, to be precise) since about January.  I feel led to serve God in two different locations this summer doing two very different things for one common purpose; to serve others and glorify God.  Firstly to Namibia, Southern Africa and secondly to Arequipa, Peru.     
     For Namibia, I plan to leave the 18th of June and come back the 20th of July, 2012.  I will be a full-time volunteer at the Children of Zion Village.  Children of Zion Village (COZV) is a home for orphans of the AIDS epidemic, which is rampant in the area and leaves almost no one unaffected.  My "job description," as you could call it,  will be to serve in any way possible to assure that things run smoothly for the directors, staff members, and children of the home.  Because in Africa every day brings a new challenge, each day will mean a different job.  This job could be distributing food or supplies, aiding with the up-keep of the village, working in gardens or digging fish ponds for self-sustained food growing, tutoring kids in school, chopping and searching for firewood in the bush to cook food, or any number of things.  But mostly I will be there to minister to those I come in contact with, whether that be through sports, talking and hanging out with the kids, leading a bible study with the older boys, or teaching or learning a new talent or activity.  This particular home encourages the children raised there to use the skills and lessons that they may learn to go back and help their own villages and country.  So rather than "giving fish," we are "teaching to fish" at this village.  I am extremely excited to return to this village and reconnect with the kids and adults there because each and every one of the kids and adults at this home have a special place in my heart.   
     For Peru, I plan to leave the 11th of August and return the 25th, right before classes start for college.  I will be joining a team of Physical Therapists and medical students who will be setting up a clinic to provide medical assistance to the poorest of the poor in Arequipa, Peru.  As the Physical Therapists and medical students will be American, and the patients, Peruvian, there is an obvious language barrier that needs to be overcome.  This is where I come in.  I am extremely excited to use my knowledge of Spanish to break down the communication barriers between the Peruvians and Americans.  Additionally, because this trip is a volunteer trip, and everyone will be quite busy, it will also be my job to perform any task that anybody without medical or Physical Therapy experience can perform.  

Any questions?  Feel free to shoot me an email at samuel.s.mason@hotmail.com!

Below is a video made by Becca Mason with some facts and depictions of the AIDS epidemic in Africa narrowing down to the Caprivi Region of Namibia, where Children of Zion Village (COZV) was started. COZV now cares for 58 children physically, emotionally, medically, nutritionally, and most importantly, spiritually. All pictures were taken in the villages where the the COZV kids came from.  

We will be helping people like this woman with physical and spiritual healthcare.

A woman in Arequipa, Peru