Livingloud - The Bowmanblog

Under African Skies - Uganda 2017 (Updated + Thoughts on Travel & Short-Term Mission)

Today is a day we've been counting down to for months.  Today is the day our Mission Team leaves for Uganda, and on that team is our daughter Erin.  I had planned to be on this trip too, leading our young people, building into their lives and into the lives of kids in Uganda.  Dreaming dreams and figuring out ways we can partner with nationals to better serve their community.  Eyes wide open to where God is at work in the area and joining in with what God is already doing... because it is already blessed!   I had so many hopes and expectations for this trip.  I even had some of my vaccinations all in the hope that I would be well enough to be cleared to go, but it wasn't to be.  My recent health issues have sidelined me and it is a huge disappointment.  But I have to face the facts that at this stage it is better for me, my family and the team to stay at home and get healthy.

I'm gutted that I don't get to see Erin have her first experience of Africa or to see her serve on her first mission trip as a teenager.   But I'm thrilled that she has this opportunity to go and I know it will be hugely transformative for her.  When I was her age I could not have imagined participating in something like this.  A young teen, on a mission trip with all the challenges that comes with it.  It sounds daunting and  I guess some might wonder are we crazy for letting her go.
 Let me just address that... Erin has grown up on mission.  She has spent almost every summer of her life on mission in the Czech Republic.   She has had experiences that I at her age could never have dreamed of.  Her first mission trip was when she was just 10 months old, check out those photos from a glorious summer at Malenovice in the Czech Republic back in 2003.  It was our intention that we would be a family on mission.  And as challenging as it was to take our whole family (especially when they were little babies) on mission, it was totally worth it!   I loved it when the girls would have a class discussion in Primary School about what they did during their summer holidays and Erin & Talitha would say they went on a mission trip.  These are the kind of memories I prayed my kids would have.  I wanted them to grow up with these values and as they got older be ready to embrace opportunities to step out of their comfort zones and experience the unprecedented discipleship and ministry training opportunity that a mission trip presents.  

Short term mission really has two key purposes: ministry and mobilization.  I have no doubt the team which Erin is a part of will do many important ministries which will be an enormous benefit to the nationals and the Fields of Life workers on the ground in Uganda.  Just by showing up they will be an encouragement to the kids and the staff.  But I do believe the long-term legacy of this mission trip is in the mobilization value of this experience.  I believe a vision for mission is better caught than taught!  Just think about the potential impact a group of young people (and adults) could have when they come home from mission with a new vision, focused prayer and a heart for world!   I'm excited to see how this trip impacts Erin's life and difference she will seek to make in the world in the light of it.  She is a great kid on a great team and they all have wonderful adults and leaders who will love them and walk them through this experience to ensure they don't miss the meaning.  My prayer is that they love God, love people, build relationships well and finish strong.

"The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page"  attributed to Saint Augustine of Hippo

(Updated 8th July) Since writing this original post I came across an excellent blog post from youth ministry specialist Adam McClane.  You can read his post (click) Why We Travel.   In it he argues for the travel as means of combating cultural ignorance and I wholeheartedly agree with him that travel is like education a gift and investment in our kids.  It is a necessity!  I've certainly seen the truth of this in the lives of the many teenagers I've taken on short-term mission over the years.  And of course I've witnessed it in the lives of my own kids.  Travel and especially cross cultural experiences such as short term mission (when it is done well) widens horizons and they are brimful of experiential learning opportunities as participants step out of their comfort zones.  It is important that we remember growth does not reside in a place called comfortable!  

In his post Adam mentioned a guy called Rick Steves and his excellent TED Talk on the value of Thoughtful Travel.  I'm posting it here and it is well worth watching.  

In his talk Steve makes a compelling argument for the value of thoughtful travel (the 'thoughtful' piece is key here)
He argues:
Travel opens us to the wonders of our world.
Travel connects us with culture.
Travel connects you with people.
Travel challenges our ethnocentricity.
When we travel we gain a better appreciation for people’s baggage.
When we travel we can learn different solutions to our problems.
When you travel you learn to deal with the poor honestly.
When you travel you realize that all people are the same.  (thanks to Adam McClane for the outline to his talk) 

So whether you are about to participate in a short-term mission trip or just visit another culture on your summer holidays; do it thoughtfully and keep in how transformational it can be (if done thoughtfully)  And don't be afraid  “Fear is for people who don’t get out very much.” ~ Rick Steves

The Kingdom Breaking In... Bekoji Ethiopia

Easter in County Down saw us ploughing our way through a snowy landscape, it looked much more like Christmas time than Easter.  And as I packed my bags  I recalled a line from a famous Christmas charity single (a response to the famine that devastated Ethiopia in the 1980’s)... with a lyric change to fit the season ‘There won’t be snow in Africa this Easter time.  The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life.’ 

I was embarking on a life changing journey to Bekoji in Ethiopia.  I would see the most heartbreaking poverty, I would meet some beautiful kids who have indeed been given the greatest gift this year...life itself!’   I would hear their stories; many of which are simply tragic.  I would weep as I held a little boy living with HIV AIDS.  I would marvel at the miracles God is doing and the great and better story He is writing in the lives of these kids.  Weeks have passed  and I still find it difficult to put into words what I have seen and experienced in my  time under African skies.

Setting out I knew this trip would be a terrific opportunity to see firsthand how the funds raised by our young people are making a difference to the children in Bekoji.  It would also allow me to explore future possibilities for mission and service in Bekoji.  You can’t do this effectively by reading a report or visiting a site on the internet, you really need to be immersed in the context; to be in their world.   And of course being in Bekoji gave me the opportunity to get involved, to serve and give a week of my time to care for these kids as Jesus would.

Jesus has entrusted His people with a very special vocation.  He has given us the keys to the kingdom, keys that unlock heaven and allow it to break in on earth... in places like Bekoji.   We unlock the kingdom by announcing to the world that Jesus is the world’s King and that He is making all things new.  We are called to help people discover the love of the King, and many times their first taste of this love is through us.  I spend much of my life speaking to young people and teaching, so in Bekoji I would spend the week teaching in Bethany School, spending time with the kids each afternoon and then visiting families in the community and praying for them.

This big idea that God involves us and uses us to see His kingdom break in is something that I have been pondering since my return from Africa.  In Matthew Chapter 16: 13-19 Jesus is teaching and as my friend Rick McKinley points out in his book ‘A Kingdom Called Desire’:  He presents a Kingdom identity for the church, a kingdom vocation for the church and  a picture of a kingdom destiny when in verse 18, Jesus said “The gates of hades (or hell), would not prevail against it”. 

 Matthew  16: 13-10

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

  Perhaps like me you have always thought of V18 as something of a defensive stance.  Like hell is coming after us, but the gates won’t be able to lock us up and hold us in.  But I don’t think that is what Jesus is talking about at all.  I didn’t realise it until I went to Caesarea Philippi in Israel.  At the time of Christ, Pan the Greek god of hunters was worshipped  here.  There was a rock hewn cave which contained statues of Pan.  It was believed that this cave was the means by which Pan entered and exited Hades.  It was the gates of Hades... are you making the connection? 

I believe in Matthew 16 Jesus is telling Peter that the church is playing offense not defence.  As Rick states: “We are the ones sacking the city of the kingdom of darkness.  We are the great army of kingdom people who are pounding on the gates of hell with love, truth and justice.  We are surrounding the city of darkness!”   I believe  Jesus is saying ‘Peter, here in this place, this dark place, this place where it seems least likely, here the church will be built, not even these gates of Hades can stand against it.’

Every time we share with someone that Jesus is Lord and every time we fight for justice for the poor and the oppressed in places like Bekoji the gates take a blunt hit and the enemy’s strength gives a little more.  I have witnessed the horror of poverty, sickness, hunger and disease, but Jesus assures us that this won’t be the way it always is.  The Kingdom is coming.   We hold the keys of the Kingdom.  Hell can’t stop us!   (If you can't see the video click here)

“It’s not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times.  It’s not an accident.  That’s a lot of airtime! 

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house.

God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. 

God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war.

God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them!” 

Bono

 

 

Photographs - Bekoji Ethiopia

I have just returned from Bekoji in Ethiopia.  I'm still processing my experiences there, it was profound, humbling, heart rending... I'll never be the same.  

I took a lot of photographs... looking through these since my return I was reminded of a poem: 'Photographs'  by Steve Stockman from his book 'Eyes Open, Open Wide'.   So I put a video together; his words, my photographs.  Behind each of these photographs... each of these smiling faces is a story; many of which are heartbreaking.   But these photographs also speak of hope,  because there is a better story being told in Bekoji.  If you can't see the video click here it'll take you right there. 

 

Under African Skies

As I look out on the snowy landscape of Saintfield it is hard to believe that at the end of next week I’ll find myself under African skies.  There won't be snow in Africa this easter time.  

So why and where in Africa?  Well,  for the past few years our young people have really caught the vision for a ministry called Stand By Me. Through the MAD weekend and our annual Lock-In at the.element our students have been hearing about the work Stand By Me (previously Kids Alive) are doing around the world and in Ethiopia in particular.

They have raised funds for the work and been active in raising awareness of the needs. It has been terrific and inspiring to see how they have gotten behind this with enthusiasm and passion. I believe that for many of them it is not just a cause to get behind but rather a movement to be a part of. I’m proud of what our young people have done and in a small but significant way it is a part of what God is doing amongst some of the most vulnerable kids on earth.

They have seen the videos, they have heard the stories of some of these kids; they know their names and a little of their situations and these stories have touched their own. They are not the same. I know that when they wear that little Stand By Me wristband or when they pull on their stand By Me hoody or t-shirt they are saying this is a movement I identify with… these are kids I’m standing with… Standing By. That is a beautiful thing!

At the MAD weekend last October Al from Stand By Me told me about a trip he was planning for youth workers and ministry leaders and that he would love me to think about going. He planted a seed.  So, at the end of next week I’ll be travelling to Bekoji in Ethiopia. It will be an opportunity to see first hand the work going on there, and to see some of these people we’ve been hearing so much about. It will be an opportunity to get involved, to serve and encourage the kids and workers there. It will also be an opportunity to explore what ways we may be able to actively get involved in the future.

I’m looking forward to spending resurrection Sunday worshipping with African brothers and sisters under African skies.

Ah… Resurrection! ‘He is not here! And that means there is nothing left to fear! And things will never be the same again’. Stand By Me practice resurrection… I believe that is why it has resonated so loudly with my students and with me. It’s about bringing hope, love and new life to those Jesus referred to as ‘the least of these’; the orphans, the poor and the oppressed. It’s about telling a better story in the world. It’s about seeing where God is at work in the world and joining him there.

Take a moment and watch the videos below, they say it better than I ever could. I’m grateful to those who have made it possible for me to be a part of this team and in particular my wife Val who made some big sacrifices for it to be possible. I look forward to sharing about my experiences when I return. Have a great Easter and… Practice Resurrection.

Martha

Fekadu

Bringing Hope

Jesus On Location

Back in May 2012 I had the privilege of participating in the GYI Israel Study Tour.  It was a faith changing trip for me, not only in terms of the places I visited and the opportunity to study the life of Christ on location but also in terms of the people I got to do it with.  One of those folks was Ian from Australia who put together this wonderful video.  It is actually a promo for an invitation only trip for Shift:m2m participants in Australia.  

I thought I'd post it here because it gives you a great insight to the trip and what it meant to me and many of the others who got to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.  

 

The Stronghold

 

One of the sights I visited in Israel was Masada - 'Metsuda' in Hebrew - "The Stronghold".  (Here is a panoramic shot I took of Masada).  It is a place that always has fascinated me, I remember as a kid watching a TV mini series about it with my Dad.  It told the story of the revolt led by Menachem Ben-Yehuda and the siege of Masada.  Roman procurator Flavius Silva built a ramp from the western side to the walls of the stronghold (you can still see it in the centre of this picture).  It's an impressive place and another example of Herod the Great's building achievements.  

I don't know for certain if this is the stronghold that David hid in when he took refuge on a mountain in the desert (1 Sam 23:14) but strongholds certainly featured in the life of David (En Gedi for example).  They also featured in his songs as he expressed the security he found in God.  

	The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
		my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
		my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(Psalm 18:2 ESV)

God is my masada, my stronghold.  Do I live my life with God as my fortress, my refuge?  When challenges come do i look to other places of refuge. Do I trust my own strength? Do I find my security and safety in him?

Coffee Break - Bethlehem

Saw this coffee shop in Bethlehem...

GYI Israel Study Tour 2012 - Part 2

Video Highlights - Part 2

 

Back On The Road Again - Mission Czech 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a few hours we will begin our journey to the Czech Republic for our Mission Trip.  We're going to lead an English Camp.  We have a great team, who are well prepared and excited for the time they will spend in the Czech Republic.  

“The people of God are taking part in a quiet revolution.  Gradually and sometimes unseen, the kingdom is growing and breaking in all around us.”  Rick McKinley 

In Romans chapter 10 Paul presents a six-step process: being sent… proclaiming… hearing… believing… calling out… being saved.  Two of these steps directly rest in our hands… sending & proclaiming.   Simply put without going and without proclamation the other steps cannot happen.   
Our young people have the honour and joy of taking part in this quiet revolutiongoing and proclaiming this glorious gospel.  If you are the praying kind we'd appreciate your prayers over the next 3 weeks.

We arrive in Prague and after a few days pre-camp training in central bohemia we will travel to our home for English Camp - Lesni Bouda.  I hope to keep people updated via twitter and our blogsite as internet access permits.  Stay tuned.  Peace 

Short-Term Mission Trips - Getting It Right!

Since I've been blogging about short-term mission trips I thought it might be helpful to look at some of the key factors that I've found are essential to a successful and effective mission trip. 
Before we get to that though I want to briefly explore what we mean by 'short-term mission trip'.   It is a phrase I hear a lot in youth ministry circles but it doesn't always mean the same thing.  Peterson et al. (2008, p68) acknowledge that it is difficult to provide a succinct all encompassing definition of a ‘short term’ mission trip, but they do highlight several defining variables of short term trips.  I'll very briefly consider 3 of them here; ‘time’, ‘activity’ and ‘location’.