The Wince

His smile was amazingly bright as this “20-something” security guard handed me his AK-47 to handle and examine. It was a well used gun, nothing new about it, dings and scratches each with their own story that I was not sure I wanted to hear about. As I held the gun I imagined the many people who at one time may have been on the other side of the weapon. My mind raced through scenes of the movie “Blood Diamond” and I could picture how intoxicating one could feel as the power of the weapon was combined with greed, hate and evil. As I slung the AK-47 over my shoulder I was reminded of the young man who recounted to me his story, the story of a small boy who was taken by force from his village and made into a killer as part of a militia.

Mani was just like any other eight year old boy playing in the fields when an armed group of men entered the village. The militia went from house to house rounding up as many of the men as possible bringing them into the center of the small village. Women fled screaming into the nearby fields trying to hide. Some of the soldiers who chased them did unmentionable and despicable things to those they caught.

The militia leader came and put a pistol to the head of one the village men…

This is one of the many stories of what is called the worst humanitarian disaster ever in human history. For more than a hundred years, starting with King Leopold II who owned this country as his personal possession, this nation has been ransacked and raped of it natural resources and people. Finally in 1908 the world spoke with one voice and said no more… but the disaster just continued as Leopold handed control over to his country, Belgium. With the fear of a communist takeover in the 1960s the United States installed a “friend”, Mabutu Sese Seko, a brutal dictator who perpetuated the disaster and lived like a leach off his own nation. Recent wars and fighting have resulted in more than 6 million people murdered (some place the dead near 20 million), hundreds of thousands of women raped, families destroyed and a nation left in complete ruins. Even today 25,000 a month die from disease and isolated trouble.

With a new democratically elected government lead by, President Joseph Kabila, the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo have some hope. The largest United Nation peacekeeping force in the world occupies this nation allowing the government to begin to bring some stability. There remain some areas where fighting still breaks out but the people are hopeful that peace will one day come and a new nation will emerge.

I am working with an international partner, Congo Initiative, as they are building a bi-lingual Christian University with educational tracks in business, engineering sciences, journalism/communication, family health, and theology. I recruit Master’s level teachers to be instructors for two weeks to two years. I am also connecting churches and businesses into a collaborative partnership to help with everything from training to construction. Today we are starting our third year with approximately 260 students. When I visit, it is not unusual that I meet a parliament representative or a government official touring the facility encouraging the faculty to be strong and faithful as they grow new leaders with a different mindset; new leaders who will not perpetuate injustice and corruption as they enter the market place, political arena, and church leadership. While visiting one student residence there was an inscription scrawled on the wall in French. It said, “We had no future… We did succeed… It was no accident”. Having seen the future through the eyes of these students and knowing the past I weep every time I have to leave. What a difference between the past and this new future.

“The militia leader ordered the man to his knees as he cocked the gun. Mani winced as the he heard the shot. There was no more resistance, everyone join the militia as they marched off into the bush.”

January 7th I take a church to interact with Congo Initiative leadership to determine if a partnership can emerge. Pray for this work and partnership. The hope of a nation rests in the hands of a new generation and those God brings to partner with Congo initiative.

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Blessings,
Mark

We're Plunging into the Ocean!

“Sir, please place your belongings on the table for inspection.” All toothpaste, gels, fluids are removed and taken away to be destroyed. This is the sixth time I have been searched as I walked through the Manila Airport. I wonder what is happening. Why is the security so tight? Finally in the holding area I find out that there is a security threat to blow up a US bound airplane departing out of the Manila Airport by Al-Qaeda. As you recall all the inspections, watch all the police dogs walking around sniffing you and your bags and observe officers watching you as you wait for the plane to lead up, you can’t help having a feeling in your stomach. Will this flight be the last one? Do I feel like flying today?

Finally we are able to board the plane. Taking my seat I lean back and begin to think of home. I wonder what the family is doing and I long to see them. Traveling isn’t bad but it can be tiring as it leaves you emotionally fatigued. Every trip is a torrent of dealing with issues, problems, strategy development, encouraging those who serve and a level of member care. But it is worth it as you know new churches are being started, lost people are finding Jesus and hope is coming to many new believers. You think about this and remind yourself, Yes, It Is Worth It! Oh, the announcements are done and we are beginning to take off. The taxi and familiar rumble down the runway now the gentle swoosh into the sky. Aahh, closing my eyes I imagine being home again.

Roughly two hours into the 14 hour flight we are over the Pacific Ocean and the seatbelt sign flashed on at the same time the captain’s voice comes over the intercom, “Please make sure your seatbelts are fastened as we are experiencing turbulence that will get worse.” Moments later over head bins begin to shutter and a few fly open spilling their contents on top of passengers and into the aisle.

I heard the captain say turbulence but this is not very normal. We are swaying from side to side, being tossed up and down, people begin to scream and clutch each other. The plane is being tossed around violently. Your mind races back to all the security inspections and you begin to wonder if something more is happening. If so would they tell us and risk chaos? You remember that Al-Qaeda was plotting to kill hundreds of people on an east bound US plane. Maybe this is it! Quietly I begin to pray and ask God for another chance to see my family. I think, “Is this how it all ends for me, a plunge into the ocean?” I now am moved to begin to pray for the people on the plane. I look down the aisle and extend my hand to a flight attendant who has fallen. Helping her up she smiles and rapidly gets to a seat and buckles in.

This violence buffets the plane for about three more minutes. In all my flying more than a million miles I have never experienced this type of turbulence before. Then we begin to smooth out, finally it is over. Silence fills the plane. Everyone is just sitting and collecting their emotions. I hear small whimpers here and there but for the most part all are fine. The calm voice of the captain is once again heard over the intercom, “folks, please remain seated as our crew comes through the cabin and checks are made to make sure everyone is okay. We just experience a wind shear and the plane is fine.” The flight attendants walk the aisles and a few of us help get the luggage back into the overhead bins. Reflection time!

Have you ever thought about the end? I did. I wondered what it will be like. What will my family feel? Have I told them enough times that I love them? Internally I sob as I realize the love I have for them. The privilege of life itself. Have I shown it? How can I be more to those I love? I think about the gift of another life to come that is with the Eternal God of peace and love. The one I have a chance to know personally. Am I doing all I can to know Him? Change, I have to ask Him to help me change. I need to tell those I love more often that I love them!

During this Christmas make sure you show your love to all!

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski@earthlink.net

A Tale of Three Men

“You have got to be kidding me,” was my response to Cathy’s sobbing voice. I listened in disbelief as she told me that due to a lack of parking at Charlotte Douglas Airport she arrived five minutes late at the check in counter and they would not allow her on the plane to Costa Rica. We were looking forward to spending time together after I was finished with my work in Costa Rica, Cuba and discussions about new partnerships in Chile, Peru and Colombia. Bottom line, since she couldn’t come to me I changed my flight and headed home. When I get home we would head to one of favorite places, Charleston South Carolina for four days. I am looking forward to this time away, the first time in two years. As I reschedule my flight back to the United States I had to acknowledge that God was in control even though we planned this time away for months. Perhaps He was protecting us or as the Apostle Paul once wrote, “I wanted to come but the Spirit kept me from coming.” I wondered what all could have awaited us. This was a time for me to just trust.

The next day I arrived at the airport and as I was sitting down two men joined me as we waiting for the flight to board. As a discussion ensued the first man described his sexual exploits with other women even though he was married with six kids this just seemed fine to him. The second man was asking about different parts of Latin America and where he could learn and sharpen his Latin style dance skills. I just sat there, listening and praying for these men. I know the depth of my own selfishness and sinfulness. I thought “who was I to judge,” if my heart was an open book what would people really see? I know I need God every day. So how do I enter the conversation?

The dichotomy here was that the first man who described is exploits told a story of growing up without a father and having to raise himself. He concluded that he was worried about his children and how they would turn out. Later I asked him if he felt he was being the kind of father his kids would be proud to follow. There is no guarantee our kids will follow us, but are our lives attractive enough that our children may want what we have? Was he setting the example he wanted his kids to fallow? Life comes at us and all we can control is our reactions to the serendipitous circumstance we face, good choices. He decided he had to charge his cell phone and off he went. Though my life is not like his we did have something in common… love of children and concern for how they will grow and mature. God help me to make the right choices…

The second fellow was traveling alone as his wife passed away two years ago from a horse riding accident. He described the horror of receiving the phone call and having to make the hard decisions that come with a loved one suffering a several brain injury. I was choking up inside as I told him I was sorry to hear that. After listening I shared about how my father passed away two years ago suddenly. This man decided to do something about his grief. He writes poems. If you want to read them here is his link: www.florineandjohn.blogspot.com. Though my life is not like his we did have some things in common… pain and some level of singleness. Now you have to hear me, on this one. I shared that one of the greatest things I miss due to extensive travel is the ability to touch. Yes, that’s right, touch. This is a powerful sense. Almost half my present life I am away from home and the thing I miss is the ability to touch. I realize that singleness is hard. Married people come home to their wives and children but singles go home to empty rooms and quiet. This man also struggles with this too. Again I realize the gift I have, my family. God help me to love with all my might…

So, now that I am back in the United States and with my family during Christmas of 2009 I am thankful for the gift of family. I wonder if this was what God wanted all along. So He cancelled our trip and allowed me to share some of my life with two other men and hear their story too! I trust you God to maneuver my life.

The three men in this story all need your prayers, the first man who seems all about himself, man number two who is seeking healing and intimacy, and man number three who is seeking God’s continued leading. Pray for us all. I am reminded of how needy we all are and how the Father of all life is so willing to give His life to us. God, help me to want you…

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
mski@earthlink.net
www.mszymanski.com