3rd generation Phil

3rd generation wedding

One of the great rewards to what we do is to see 2nd and 3rd spiritual
generations get married.
Here we are Thursday night at Phil and Vumi's wedding. Phil was led
to Christ and decipled by Spho, who I decipled.

Best part of the wedding? The wedding party dancing their way into the
reception!

End of year braai

Casting vision for next year. Thobe leads the way by helping us see
our natural relationships where we can advance the Gospel.

There is no snow in Burundi

Burundi

So we are planning and praying about a move to Burundi.  As I do so I can't help but help give you a bit of a contrast between where in the USA we are from vs. where we are going.

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Dr. Seuss wrote a book that is a must read for just about everyone.  It's a bit of how we're feeling today.  read a bit and see our heart beat...

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You’re off to Great Places!

You’re off and away!

See the sea jumpers jump

November 28, 2010 by Kristy Carlson

Wow am I ever happy to be home! I am grateful for running water, the ability to brush my teeth straight from the tap, the freedom to open my mouth in the shower, my non-bedbug-infested-bed, and ziplocks. Ziplocks really are so handy, and I vow here and now never to take them for granted again. I have been waiting to tell you all about our Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania adventures (oh boy, was it ever an adventure… and FULL of drama from head to toe) because I am moving to a new blog! It’s a really pretty blog too, with enough room to move around in and LOTS of wall space to put up photos. I have NO IDEA how long it is going to take me to put this new blog together though, being that I am totally not tech savvy. In the meantime, I will show you one of my favorite images from the trip.

Cliff jumping is all the rage for the kids in Zanzibar. These kids were having a big competition for the “best moves” while blaring house music from a portable player. It was so much fun to hang out with them… even though, to them, I was a crazy white lady with a sleeping baby strapped to my front and a bag of popcorn. Because they have to get a pretty big running start, and I wanted to be ready, Coffee Guy would stand by the que of jumpers and I would have the camera pointed at the sea with my back to the “runway.” When someone started running Coffee Guy would shout, “Heeeeee’s commmmmmiiiiiinnnnnggggg!” All in the name of unpaid photojournalism.

Luv,

me

Check out more of Kristy's photo's and stories at: http://thedriftwood.wordpress.com/

Back from Burundi!

so you need to wait, as I got back from Burundi then immediately went off to Cape Town for our Navigator National Leadership Team meetings.

I will post some great photos and news of how God is working.
we are excited.

Why we can go without Myles.

Myles and Aunty Thobe.

Burundi: We leave in 24 hours

So the drama is high here at the Carlson household.  Let me give you a taste:

Packing for a week for 3 (Me, Kristy, Neo-yes 10 month old Neo) in 2 cary-ons.  

Wondering if the crying baby is getting a tooth or did that yellow fever injection give a little bit more virus then bargained for (don't tell that to Grandma).  

A videographer is coming by today to film us and teach Kristy some shooting techniques, all with the intention that they may make a documentary about our journey.  

Myles staying behind and mom having a hard time with that already.  

Myles can't get a yellow fever injection because he is allergic to raw egg (yellow fever anti-virus grown in live chickens and egg allergy sufferers therefore can not take the injection.... weird).

Underestimated survey trip cost and still short $250 for the trip, but God has provided in closer calls before.

We need to find ballerina tights.  No, not mine, a gift for a great Navigator family in Nairobi.

Nav Expense reports due today (have I ever gotten to them before the due date?)

No idea if we are going to be able to get 1/2 the things done in Burundi that we want to do, ie look for house to rent, schools for the boys, etc.

Register with Embassy for travel into deepest Africa.

Calm Kristy down.

Make a 1 page vision outline of what we are getting ourselves into... potentially.

Sick of calling it "potential."

Need my third double espresso.

I think Ella just let a nervous toot.  Even she feels the drama.

Did I pay the electric bill?

When next you see a post, it will most likely be when we are back from Burundi.  

Thanks for listening.

Here's a lil' taste of Burundi so you have a bit of an idea of what we are getting ourselves into.  Photos not nearly as nice as Kristy's (as they are mine from the June trip) so come back next week for some real juicy ones.... and speaking of juicy, enjoy the 2nd photo.

Me at my best?

My favorite Burundi take away joint. The "Happy Muzungu (white man)."

floater bucket and Burundi sky.

These ladies make US 50 cents a day to sort 60 kgs of green coffee looking for defects.

Got the double espresso.  Everything is going to be ok.

Burundi in the news... a good thing ever?

Here Are The 20 Poorest Nations In The World

18/21

   

#3 Republic of Burundi

Image: US Army Africa via Flickr

Population: 9.8 million

GDP (PPP): $3 billion

GDP per capita: $400

Summary: Having recently emerged from a civil war between the
Hutu and Tutsi factions, Burundi’s economy faces many challenges.
 It is landlocked, lacking in resources, largely uneducated (only one
in two children attend school), and one in every fifteen adults has HIV/Aids.
Although recent political stability has proven beneficial, poverty remains
extremely prominent

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/poorest-countries-in-the-world-2010-8#3-republic-of-burundi-18#ixzz15CFxSYoq

Our church on Twitter

So you can catch all we do at hope church on Twitter @hopechurchdurbs

Are we in the cutting edge{ish} of cultural relevance?

How helpful is social media?

Do people get affected, moved, respond or change by things such as Twitter?

Weigh in or tweet me.

Loving Life

Here we sit in Durban.  Loving life.  Loving friends.  Loving students.  And we feel a tug.  A Pull.  God is moving. God is moving us.  Where?  How?  Read and better understand... or not:

Psalm 83.3-7, 12

³ Even the sparrow has found a home,
       and the swallow a nest for herself,
       where she may have her young—
       a place near your altar,
       O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

 ⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
       they are ever praising you.
       Selah

 ⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
       who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

 ⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
       they make it a place of springs;
       the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

 ⁷ They go from strength to strength,
       till each appears before God in Zion. 

¹² O LORD Almighty,
       blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Hearts set on Pilgrimage.

Just thinking of friends in Japan.

So here are a couple of the O'Donnells.  Just thinking about these fine people over in Japan with The Navigators.  Good people to support if your into that type of thing! E-mail me to find out how.

Here is a little something to help you understand what people are talking about in SA today:

Oct 20, 2010

liff

Dear Government by Gareth Cliff

This is the letter that started it all. Gareth Cliff wrote this letter to Government on his personal website:

Dear Government

OK, I get it, the President isn’t the only one in charge. The ANC believes in “collective responsibility” (So that nobody has to get blamed when things get screwed up), so I address this to everyone in government – the whole lot of you – good, bad and ugly (That’s you, Blade).

We were all so pleased with your renewed promises to deliver services (we’ll forgive the fact that in some places people are worse off than in 1994); to root out corruption (so far your record is worse than under Mbeki, Mandela or the Apartheid regime – what with family members becoming overnight millionaires); and build infrastructure (State tenders going disgustingly awry and pretty stadia standing empty notwithstanding) – and with the good job you did when FIFA were telling you what to do for a few months this year. Give yourselves half a pat on the back. Since President Sepp went off with his billions I’m afraid we have less to be proud of – Public Servants Strikes, more Presidential bastard children, increasing unemployment and a lack of leadership that allowed the Unions to make the elected government it’s bitch. You should be more than a little worried – but you’re not. Hence my letter. Here are some things that might have passed you by:

1. You have to stop corruption. Don’t stop it because rich people moan about it and because it makes poor

The finished tree

The quiver tree and the boy who's energy sends you shivers!

Murder

I write, just to think out-loud today.

My neighbor (the pastor) road up on his bike today. Stopped to have a chat.  Topic: police being on our road Saturday night.   What happened: murder.
A murder on our street.

Not sure how I feel about that.  Not because it isn't horrendous, scary or just will make the grandparents want to convince us to fly back to USA immediately.  Rather it's because of the circumstances behind the murder.  Would we still call it a horrendous crime if you found out that it was a high school Matric student (Senior) who stabbed his dad?  Probably makes it worse.  Until you find out that he was an abusive father. And that father's wife was trying to divorce him which enraged him, making him more abusive.  Thus the son's act of violence.

One boy had enough.  Took matters into his own hands.  And sent his life down and irreparable journey.  He is forever changed and I can't blame him.  Yet how did it get to that point?

I didn't know the family.  I had met and talked with the boy.  In-fact I gave a talk one friday night at his youth group last year.
But no one could help him (he assumed).

Maybe no one would.

Professional Coffee people

Check some of the people that I interact with when judging or being an
MC for a coffee event.

My office

I'm on my way to a Nav Core team Bible study in Pietermaritzburg.
Thought I would give you a snapshot of my office.
Working out of a bag since 2001. Though beverages do change and I'm
on my 3rd bag.

Love being back in Durban.

Macchiato, Ben's favorite.

I received an SMS from Cyril (Dr/past student with Navs) that said that he wanted me to bring a coffee with for him when he picked me up.  I discipled Cyril for years and never got him to take a sip of God's gift to man.  A follow up SMS clarified that the the drink would be to drop off for his wife who was on call that night at the hospital.

oh well, we can't win them all. 

African Trees

 

So a little creativity and some leftover paint is all it takes.
Doing projects together is what we can do, but do we do them?  Not much.  what stops us?  well... us.  Lazy? Ambition? Creative energy after the end of a day with a 4 year old Wild Thing, an 8 month old explorer, campus ministry and a list of "urgent to do" a mile long?  I think the last one is it.

Any way, a tree was born in Neo's room.

2 Core is better than 1

The joy of being back home.  Seeing students again.  Starting the Core group.  Starting another Core group in Pietermaritzburg (another campus about an hour away).  Drinking my coffee again.  Friends.  

Good to be home.

Chickenpox

No photos please!

The chickenpox are here.

After returning from the USA a couple weeks ago we had a great night with our pastor and his family.  We have come to love our church and our pastor and his family.  We love them so much that we took the chickenpox from them, or rather, we are now sharing it with them or them with us:) 

Neo's pox were minor.  Resilient little immune system.  Myles on the other hand, while tough, has just got the pox (2 weeks after exposure).  We got back from Cape Town (look at next blog for why) and found Myles with a fever, the next morning... the pox.  He is now covered with the pox!  

Myles is sure that a healthy dose of TV and glasses of water should cure him.  Pray for...err, him.

Braai Today

What a better way to reconnect with the students and launch into the 2nd semester at UKZN then with a braai!  Meat, meat, and a little bread and maize pop to go with it.

We will be launching into Experiencing God's Attributes by Warrne and Ruth Myers and catching up on the last few months of life with the Core team.

Now who wouldn't want to partake of that!?

Want to Receive a Snail Mail Letter?

A pretty picture by Kristy.

So I'm thinking of sending out a paper letter.  Kill some trees and contact everyone.  Seeing as I have no real idea who or how many of our partners read this!

Any feedback you can give would be great!

The letter would be all focused on our coming transition and maybe include a new family photo.  What do you think?  email me.

Back Home

It was a long trip home to Durban.  We left Minneapolis at 5 on Mon. got home 2 on Wed. and haven't slept well since!

Meet the Carlsons

Kristy is an amazing photographer.  This is one of hers.  Setting up the greater Carlson clan and running back and forth to set the timer.  Had to happen though as we are only all together only once every 2 years or so.  Add to that a 40th wedding anniversary! and it's a recipe for a family photo.  

From Left to Right: Ben, Myles, Lara, Neo, Zoe, Sue, Keziah, Eldon, Kristy, David, Joe, Jen, Andrew, adn Kyle.

Our Great DA.

What is a DA?  We're not sure, but we sure like ours!  Bruce and Marg Van Wyk the DA's for all American Navs in Africa have shepherded and guided us for about 9 years now.

On our last trip to Colorado Springs we got to stay in their "honeymoon suite" (with our boys.... making it the not so honeymoon suite or something!?).  What an encouragement and good guidance they have been as we process through where God is taking us.

Bwana Bruce... "Pastor/Father Bruce" in Swahili.

What we do while in America

Just a little update on our summer in America.

While we are here to update our partners, meet with family and friends and do a Navigator conference, I can't help but also find some good coffee too.  Here are a few highlights so far.

Visiting the bold and encouraging church plant Epic Life Church in Seattle along with the ever talented and great friends Jason n Shannon.

Cousin time with Austin.

Newest cousin Evelyn.

Fun in the land of 10,000 lakes.

Washing station Burundi

Find Nyurama on a map of Burundi and you get a prize! This is where
I'm at.

Sorting coffee berries

I'm in Burundi helping an organization called Food for the Hungry.
They have started two co-op washing stations for local coffee farmers
to give these people a chance at sustainable living. I'm here to cup
the coffe (looking for the exceptional lots), guidance to the project,
and find ways to increase quality. It is an amaizing opportunity and
a real eye opener to the poorest of the poor in Africa.

Burundi

No pictures yet.  But it is amazing.  A breathtaking scene of beauty.  Burundi is a place to love.

These are a few of my thoughts on Burundi after being here a week.  I have been here as a guest and consultant for two coffee farming/washing station cooperatives in rural Burundi.  FH Burundi invited me to see this unique initiative to holistically reach some of the poorest people in the world.

Internet time is a premium, so I will share pictures and stories aplenty when I return to Kristy and the USA on Sat.
Ben

--
Ben and Kristy Carlson
Durban, South Africa
(011 27) 31 466 6031

What am I doing back in Africa?

I've been asking myself that question for the last hour as I sit in
Nairobi airport coffee shop on rout to Burundi. What I know is that
as Kristy and I had been praying thus past year we new there would be
some change. Is this change? Not realy, but it is a big trip! So pray
with us as we continue to see where God leads and how we will best
live out our adventure.

Fly then Drive??

We are a day away from our flight to America!  Myles has been talking non-stop for the past week about it, waking up each morning and grabbing his suitcase ready to head to the airport.  Finally Kristy had to make a calendar that he could mark off each day until Sat, when we fly. 

Well that day is tomorrow!
Fly we will, but when in the USA we are short one little thing.  A Car.
You got a spare?  We would love to hear from you if you do!  We need it from 31 May - 16 Aug or any days you got to spare within those dates.  And as nice as an Audi TT or Ferrari would be, we do have to fit in 2 car seats, just for your info!

Thanks for reading, praying and maybe even your car!

Friends with Neo

Life in the Evergreen City

Our friends have this amazing waterfall/rock pool/jungle going on at there new house.  It was dry up until the city water pipe burst above there house on the street.  Our ingenious friend Adi diverted the water down a pipe into his waterfall and filled all his little rock pools.  Myles and his buddy Connor loved it.  It was the only day we have been thankful about our cities slow response to anything.

It's our life in the Evergreen City. 

Transform Ya (Nav Camp 2010)

Thursday night, I couldn't believe it, another cancellation by a student who wasn't going to make it to TOMORROWS camp!  I had been praying that God would bring those who "needed to come," but that was the 10th (yes 10th) cancellation.

You ever have one of those days where you wonder why you do what you do?  If your reading this you probably don't think that a (gasp) full time Christian worker with The Navigators could feel that way.  Well I did.  And wasn't feeling great about all the time I had poured into the coming get-away with our group of students.

Friday came and my blues blew away as the adrenaline of going away with a group of students took hold.  I had billed a dynamic international speaker (me) for the weekend's four talks and so I had conscripted the help of a couple past students (Cyril and Marcia) to help with the running of the weekend.

Our theme was transformation. We used John 11, Lazarus' trip to death and back, as the central story for the talks and group discussions we had after every session.  With Linkin Park's theme song from the first Transformer movie as the intro to each talk and enlisting the help of a worship team from our local church, Hope, we set the tone for the weekend as fun as well as one where we were open to hear from God.

I'm not sure if it was the talks I gave, the worship, the mud filled obstacle course or the late night games and chats around the fire, but God did show up.  14 students were moved and made a commitment to hear Christ's call and let Him start the transformation process in their life.  I hope to put onto the blog a few of the 14 stories of transformation.
Each student we love.
Every one has a unique story to tell.

Praying with many of them personally and hearing what God had been doing in their hearts leading up to the weekend camp confirmed exactly what I prayed.  "God bring those who need to be at the camp."

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5.24

He did it.

check out more photos of the camp here.

In the Q at home affairs

Almost to the front of the line to get Neo's visa!

Snow nice

Myles and friends Joe, Jessie, & Amahle are tucking into snow cones
yesterday at a family fun fair. The trio of boys were spiderman (hero
of choice for all 3 year olds) while Myles opted for a daddy pleasing
dangerous dragon. And all girls on the day seemed to lean toward being
beautifull butterflies.
If only ice and sugar-syrup could solve all our problems.

The weekend ends. Mothers day was... Here(better leave that for
Kristy). Tomorrow, home affairs for Neo's visa!
Pray. And if you don't hear from us in a day or two assume the worse.