Mark Borgetti Weblog

Regret Avoidance

We had our last planning meeting for The Africa Summit Monday night. It goes without saying that the planning team is excited. But as we were finalizing last minute details, I stopped the conversation and said to everyone, "Next week a lot of people are going to regret they did not come to the Summit." I don't think there has been or ever will be an experience like this again for a long time. The conference's laser focused vision, the faculty of speakers, and the creative elements are second to none; competing with conferences that have triple the budget. If nothing has motivated you up to this point to attend, adopt an attitude of "regret avoidance" and come to the Summit. Because I can and because I feel it is important you're there, I invite you to be my guest. Register at www.theafricasummit.org and use GUEST09 as the discount code when prompted to save on registration fees. I will warn you though, discovering you have a heart for Africa could be life transforming. But I promise you won't regret it.

Be the Miracle!

A friend of mine, Rev Ben Tumuheirwe, who started the Juna Amagare Ministry, in Uganda told me the story how everyday children in his orphanage pray for a miracle. This weekend and next at my church, I am hoping that our congregation sponsor another 100 children through World Vision in Derre Mozambique. See, because I believe those kids ... just like the kids in Uganda ... are praying for miracles too. They're praying for clean water, schools to go to, and clinics where they can be cared for ... and the people who sponsor those next 100 children in the next two weeks will be the miracle they have been praying for.

Child Sponsorship in Africa from OSLCMedia on Vimeo.

Last Post From Africa

From Tom

Grace and peace...

This will be my last journal entry of our journey of learning and discerning. I have the mixed emotions of sadness and excitement. I am very much looking forward to getting home to see my family and my OSLC family but there is a sadness in leaving this fascinating land. Very quickly you find yourself caring deeply for the plight of so many men, women, and children. Of course, like anywhere, the children steal your heart.

Yesterday we visited the Apartheid Museum in Jo-Berg which was intense, powerful, and another journey of learning. When one experiences the evil system of apartheid, one also sees through the lens of our own country's struggle with treatment of Native Americans and civil rights. Clearly, while rationale for oppressing others is often given a religious twist, Jesus' prophetic voice calls us to work for justice on behalf of all people. I feel a renewed commitment to lead us in being that voice...in
our words and in our actions.

This has been an intense and grueling experience with very little time for reflection. So, I look forward to further defining my experience in hopes that what is shared is meaningful and communicate where I saw the hand of God in the hearts and lives of God's children in Africa.

Blessings, Peace, Hope and Joy! Pastor Tom

Rebecca

From Tom,

"TIA... THIS IS AFRICA!

Grace and peace...

Rebecca is a 62 year old woman living in Chomoio, Mozambique. She is an expert in needle-work, creating beautiful clothing in the midst of extreme poverty, fight for survival, and suffering from the diseases of AIDS, Malaria, and Cholera. When Rebecca was 49 she was diagnosed being HIV positive. But, she was not about to let that stop her. She started receiving meds to slow the progression of the disease and at 62 she continues to thrive. Why? How? Yes, it is the ARV cocktail of medicine she receives, but there is something else. Rebecca is an "activist"! One of 20 from the Lutheran Church part of a ministry called "Vida Humana" (Human Life) where the activists are trained to be care-givers to over 80 people suffering with AIDS at various stages of the disease. I believe Rebecca's health is due to her willingness to reach out with a servant heart, the heart of Christ.

I was deeply touched and moved by her story and her example. While I may never see Rebecca again I will not soon forget seeing in her face the presence of God. Where is God in this messy world? God is in people like Rebecca.

We need only look.

Peace, Pastor Tom"

Entering Into The Pain of Another

From Tom,

"Grace and peace...

I'm sitting in a chair with a window to the main street of Chomoio, observing the people walking everywhere. While there are some vehicles, most walk everywhere or fill the taxi (mini-van) beyond capacity. We are leaving Chomoio today after an amazing three days of learning, listening, crying, smiling, picture-taking, etc. Nothing can prepare you for walking through the make-shift homes of people, crowded in a condensed area, and then spending a few minutes with a woman 32 years of age and her 3 year old, both with HIV virus.

Entering into the pain of another human being is one of the greatest challenges we have, but it is exactly what makes us human! I saw humanity at its worst (suffering with this dreaded disease) and at its best (AIDS home care-givers) tending to the needs f the suffering. What I observed was care with compassion. Caring is good but to get into the trenches with those who are suffering and be present with them, is compassion. This is the compassion revealed through Jesus words, "As you did to the one of the least of these, you have done it to me". Therefore, God is quite present here in Chomoio, Mozambique...just as God is present in Chicago-land and in all the corners of the world.

Our three-hour worship yesterday was a beautiful experience...my description and my pictures will not do it justice. There was great singing and preaching (I preached! :) I taught them the song, "This Is the Day" The SH choir of a dozen kids sang their hearts out! Two little girls stood at the front to receive the offering while people came forward with their coins...wow, what a display of sacrificial giving!

Well, I could ramble all day...suffice it to say that this has truly been the experience of a lifetime and I believe that Chomoio and the projects going on here will find repeat business from OSLC. These three days here have helped clarify our vision for future partnering possibilities. We travel back to Jo-Berg tomorrow, visit the apartheid museum on Wednesday, visit Soweto, the township that most symbolized the evil of apartheid, and fly home on Thursday.

Thank you for your prayers and for this opportunity.

Lane Lewis and Judi Schultz have been terrific ambassadors and travel  partners. 

Peace, Pastor Tom"

A remarkable day ...

From Tom

"What a remarkable day we had yesterday! We left Beira, a city of 500,000 to travel 3 hours and set up camp in Chomoio, a village of 17,000. But, in many ways this village is thriving, as compared to Beira. Hosted by two outstanding church leaders (non-clergy), Meshak and Armando, we have learned a great deal of life in Mozambique through their own stories. Their little church has big dreams and it is acting on them, thanks to Meshak and Armando, including a home day care for 80 AIDS patients and a garden 45 minutes outside the village that supplies healthy vegetables to these AIDS patients.

Today we take a day trip to see different ministries. On Sunday we will go to church and I have the privilege to preach, though not in Portuguese! Lane and Judi have been outstanding and are great ambassadors of Our Saviour's as well as terrific people. It has been a blessing to be on this journey with them.

My reflection synopsis of yesterday is centered around the power of the priesthood of all belivers...that all are ministers of the gospel. Just as Meshak and Armando have used their gifts to make a difference, so we too have been called to do the same, and blessings will be everywhere! Take care and thank you for being part of this journey!

Peace and Joy! Pastor Tom"

TIA...This Is Africa!

From Lane Lewis via his Blackberry

"K, we visited a farm today 17 km out of chimoio... The church is growing veggies for 80 hiv patients... We see some real partnership potential here..."

From Tom

"Grace and peace...from Beira, Africa

I sent a blog message yesterday but I am uncertain if it reached the states...perhaps it is still hovering over the Atlantic. Regardless, I will attempt again because I will not have internet access until Monday.
We are on our way to another village today to see three projects sponsored by the church. It should be fascinating and we will be there until Sunday.

The people of Mozambique are quite gentle and gracious. Despite astounding poverty (the city of Beira looks like a bombed out area), we have never felt in danger or even conspicuous. In the village of Gorongosa we experienced a taste of rural life and challenges of starvation. While the message in our context is focused on how we can thrive as Christians in the midst of cultural challenges, the focus here is simple survival. People walk or bicycle everywhere, there is an informal economy with
roadside markets and entrepreneurs everywhere seeking to make a living.

There are happy faces and smiles and sad faces of a very hard life. There are children who are happy and look well-cared for, but numerous orphans and children malnourished but distended stomachs. There are no remote controls to change the station on the conditions. Mozambique has an AIDS/HIV rate of 26% of the population. In our Lenten journey we are reminded to take up the cross and follow. Such a command to faithful obedience is not easy but it is not an option as Christ-followers.

I am so proud of Our Saviour's for the commitment to think and act locally as well as to think and act globally! This is a both/and calling from the one who frees us from the "stuckness" in our lives" To serve is to be free. Our love to all.

Peace,

Pastor Tom"

I think I figured out which village they are heading to. Here are some images of Gorongosa I found that I think might best capture what their journey will be like. It appears they are heading Northwest from Beira to get to Gorongosa. Click here for a map. It also appears that there is a major national park in the area so we will have to ask the team about that on their return.

This was the best find of all ... I found a great set of photos on Flickr of the town taken by a person who visited the village. Click here to check them out.

 

The Good News!

The good news!! They have arrived!

• "Greetings! Grace and peace from Beira, Mozambique! I am in Beira and I have discovered the internet! (I've been waiting to use that Bill Curtis line) We successfully arrived in Beira yesterday. This city of 500,000 is quite impoverished. The colonialism of the past provided no infrastructure of educations, jobs, housing, etc. Some make their living on the streets, some hawk their goods on the open street markets, some raise crops, etc. We went to Beira Lutheran Church...a very small, modest building with planks for pews. We were treated to their kind hospitality of rice and maize and I think, beef. There were children, beautiful children on the street by the church and people were drying out after torrential rains and flooding in the lower areas. Today we go to a rural area and spend the day meeting with people and listening. On this Ash Wednesday, where we are reminded of our mortality and need for God, clearly the world needs our hands and feet to serve and give life to others. Our love to all. Peace, Pastor Tom, Lane, and Judi"

The bad news (for the blog) ...  they can't send pictures at this time ... so in an effort to give you a glimpse of what they might be seeing, I have collected the following pictures from others who have traveled to Beira.

Their hotel is suppose to be in the City Center and this picture was supposedly taken their. It's a large image and should be able to give you the feel of the city. Click on the picture for a much larger image.

More pictures of the area
   

Continue to keep Tom, Lane, and Judi in your prayers.
 

World Vision Sponsorship Sunday

As part of Vision 2012 and growing our global missions, this Sunday Our Saviour's takes it's first steps into Africa. Partnering with World Vision, over the next three weekends we hope to sponsor 300 children in Derre Mozambique. Personally, I'm really glad the Borgetti household chose to sponsor a third child when I was in Derre. (Two with Compassion International and now Muvumelene through World Vision). Honestly, I knew I could not ask the congregation to participate if I was not willing to go through the experience of sponsoring a child through World Vision myself. And yes, Caryn and I wrestled with the financial commitment. We fought God on this one for a while. "We're sponsoring two kids God ... isn't that enough?" But yesterday when I received my first letter from Muvumelene, all the doubt about our decision vanished. Even though she had never played soccer before, she loves the soccer ball we gave her and apparently her brother is taking the time to teach her how to play.  She's even got a good sense of humor, giving me a hard time for not being able to pronounce her name. Here ... you try ... Muvumelene ... and the "M" is silent. See ... not that easy! So, my prayer for the upcoming weekends is simply that people are open to hear God's whisper; opening their heart to care for children in need on the other side of the world.

Three Miles is More Enough!

Ok, I woke up and decided to do something out of the ordinary on Monday. I walked to work! Yep, call me crazy but I walked the three miles between my house and Celebration! It was the optimum multi-task opportunity. I got a workout. Needed that! I got to listen to one of my favorite preachers; John Ortberg’s great podcast sermons. Always inspiring! And after this unbearable winter, I got to spend some time outside! Win! Win! Win!

Ok, here are my “walk to work” observations. First of all, when you are walking to work, weather plays a significant role! I froze on the way to work. Spring!! Where are you? Second, carrying an 8 pound briefcase over my shoulder may have done irreparable damage to my skeletal structure. Twenty minutes into the walk and my back and right knee started to ache. Third, I was fortunate to have a bottle of water. Even though it was cold, I worked up a pretty good sweat. Gross, huh? And I know what you’re wondering, “Did he walk home after work?” Heck no! I caught a ride with my wife. Walking three miles is more than enough in one day.

Tonight my mind unexpectedly flashed back to Africa where walking three or more miles is an everyday, seven days a week, occurrence.  As we drove along the road in Quelimane and Derre, we saw hundreds if not thousands of people walking in 100+ degree temperature, carrying 10-20 pounds on their backs and head, and never having the option at the end of the day to “catch a ride home.” And as for water, most of the people I saw were probably walking more than three miles to get water to drink … unclean water.

Would you walk three miles just to get water? Can you even imagine what it would be like to NOT have the ability to walk to the sink to grab a glass of cold water? Unimaginable! But in Africa and around the world, under-resourced people do it every day.

I am so excited to be part of a church that is going global; caring for the needs of the under-resourced around the world. Maybe, just maybe, by partnering with organizations like World Vision, we can make it possible so that people thirsty for clean water never have to walk more than three miles round trip. Because I think you would agree, more than three miles is more than enough.