Day 1: Amsterdam Airport

Hey y’all, flight here went smooth.  It’s about 1:10am Central time, about 8:10 here in Amsterdam.  I spent a good chunk of the time reading “Bearing the Cross” which is a long book about the life & times of Martin Luther King, Jr.  I’m fascinated with how movements get started and interested to see what I can apply to Our Response. 

In 1956, King was speaking in San Francisco at the NAACP National Convention and denounced “an economic system which takes necessities from the masses to give luxuries to the classes.”  And I thought about what we are doing is fighting the same system that still exists… as I drank the pop & water they gave me, ate the peanuts, then supper, then breakfast they fed me while having my own personal TV in front of me to entertain me while I flew.  What an interesting thing to reconcile as I’m flying to 3rd world Africa.

Another interesting pieces is that at the end of 1956, the 382 day boycott of the busses in Montgomery ended (what started as a one-day boycott), they had achieved their goal of “reasonable segregation” but actually saw bus segregation totally abolished in Montgomery.  But King was clear that the real goal was not to defeat the white man, but “to awaken a sense of shame within the oppressor and challenge his false sense of superiority… the end is reconcilation; the end is redeption; the end is the creation of the beloved community” where all men would treat each other as brothers and equals.  And there is consistency with what we are doing in that as well.  It’s about an awakening of the injustice in this world rather than the fight against a specific individual or group.

Well, I’d best get going.  Thanks for your support… hopefully will connect again when we get to Nairobi, Kenya.  Thanks for all your encouragement.

2 days!

So today I’m frantically running around trying to tie up some loose ends.. .buying gifts for the kids we are sponsoring; setting up an Our Response display at Community Pride Bank; picking up new sponsorship packets (15 now!); and a whole bunch of other stuff to get ready for this trip.  I had the pleasure of having lunch with my Mom today, just the two of us for the first time in way too long – we were talking about the trip and I found myself getting teary eyed so many times.  Maybe I’m just tired or maybe my heart has caught an earlier flight and is already over there — talking about things like orphanages and African community & generosity made me quite emotional; seeing the gift my mom had prepared for Dantine, the child she is sponsoring that I will be to meet was emotional.  

Interestingly I found that my emotions were very different this time as I was talking about the pushback this effort is having from people who feel that we should only be doing stuff here or that we should only be handing out tracts or that the Africans deserve what they have; instead of a bit of anger it was more of sadness as I thought about the fact that anyone would have anything contradictory to say about people trying to feed, clothe, and care for the poorest of the poor.  I will admit a little anger when I shared with her that when people tell me we should be doing something here, I typically include in my response to them a question about where they are involved locally.  My perception is that there are a number of people sitting on their recliners who have an opinion on where we should be putting our efforts; I agree that not everyone should be involved globally; that there is need locally – but that we should all be doing something; and that those of us who are concerned about the plight of others are all on the same side – it just might look different to each of us.

So, with 2 days to go I’m working out final details and trying to spend time with my family.  I am going to try as much as possible to keep this blog rolling; I have people that will help me get stuff onto Facebook and a couple local newspapers who are going to try to keep people update too.  Thanks for the encouragement – I look forward to sharing with all of you either 1:1 or at the December 3rd kick-off.  Keep it real…

Prepare to be ???

I am now about six days away from hopping on a plane that has the potential to change my life in dramatic ways.  A number of people have asked me if I am “ready” and I have no clue how to respond to that.  In the area of logistics, I guess I’m fully ready – I have my passport, visa, shots, flight, and meds for malaria and diarrhea (TMI I suppose).  I guess I’ll be ready in terms of packing, bringing cash & ID, getting to the airport, etc.  I’m ready in terms of having had most of the meetings I want to have to build momentum; I have some work to do in getting volunteers who have said they can help equipped to do so.  

But I think people I’ve talked to generally want to know if I am emotionally or spiritually ready to embark on this.  I have been getting many questions like, “Are you scared?”  “Are you nervous?”  “Are you excited?”  It seems like the questions are as inconsistent as my answers seem to be… because I don’t know what I am feeling and I don’t know how I should feel.  I am scared, nervous, & excited to get to know the people.  I am scared, nervous, & excited about seeing the current situation & our opportunity to help.  I am scared, nervous, & excited about what the experience might do to me.

I am known as a guy who tries to manage expectations, but in this case I’m fully at a loss.  Frankly, I don’t want to “expect” anything from my emotions; I don’t want to have a preconceived notion of what I will feel.  I frankly want to get my life in order here so I can leave without stress and fully immerse myself in the experience… and then allow my emotions to occur without any expectation from my mind.  I know many of you who read this are so gifted in your ability to “be” in your emotions and to fully experience all life gives – you are probably saying, “duh, Fredlund, you need to think about that?”  For those of you who know me, you also know that I’m not wired to naturally do that.  It’s a big change for me to simply allow my emotions to be my emotions – perhaps that is why I’m scared, nervous, & excited.  Hmmm, didn’t start this entry knowing I was going here, but that might be the insight that helps me….. perhaps I am scared, nervous, & excited because I will be allowing my emotions the freedom to exist (whatever they are) without my preconceived ideas or constraints I have put on them in the past – and that lack of control is contrary to just about any experience I’ve had in my life.  

Hey, thanks for listening and giving me the avenue to think about these things… that’s kinda cool (and scary, nerve-wracking, & exciting!)

Jesus

I’ve been in an email dialogue with someone who is hopefully reading this and can join in the discussion.  This person was offering a challenge to this blog and to Our Response because of the limited mention of Jesus as it pertains to our efforts in Rwanda.  He/she likened Our Response to Habitat for Humanity in that it appears we are doing “good work” but not letting people know about Jesus (i.e. evangelizing). 

I understand that perspective as someone who is passionate about seeing the world come to know and accept Jesus as their personal savior.  My challenge is that I see the gospel as something bigger than that – something bigger than a single moment of praying a prayer to accept the gift of salvation.  When I read the Bible I see the God who created the heavens, earth, and creation and “it was good” and He created us and we were “very good.”  Then there was sin/rebellion and ever since then the world has not been as God originally created.  For thousands of years God promised through His prophets to send a deliverer; one who would redeem the world.  The Bible talks about Jesus being the fulfillment of this hope; the one who was to come and that since that time, the kingdom of heaven has been advancing as the body of Christ joins forces with the power of God in restoring the world.  Ultimately we will see the full restoration of all things.

This is a more complete gospel that starts with creation & ends with restoration; it is not limited to simply the rebellion & salvation.  Under the view of this complete gospel, we participate in the restoration of all things – we care about the environment; we feed the hungry; we clothe the naked; we house the homelss; we teach the uneducation; we create economic security; we build wells.  For many of us, our faith motivates this action – we are compelled by Christ to do these things.  But all are invited in the movement of restoration – regardless of faith system.  Feeding the hungry and and caring for widows & orphans is a human attribute of compassion – and all are welcome to respond to that.  Frankly, the church too often doesn’t get involved in “pure compassion” because they are so worried about the evangelism. 

It is tough for me to accept a Christ-follower not engaging in compassion because the salvation message is not being shared when the full salvation message includes being compassionate.  Care to engage in the discussion?  I’m open to wrestle with it….

Child sponsorship

The primary mechanism for our financial response in Kivuruga, Rwanda is the child sponsorship program developed by World Vision.  Working with community leaders and residents, the on-the-ground World Vision staff identifies those children who are the most at-risk among all of the children.  These children become those which may be sponsored through the program which asks for a $35 per month commitment from the sponsoring person, family or group.  Since much of Rwanda lives on $1 per day or less, a full gift of $35 per month would move that child into the highest tier of income earner in that community.  For this reason, as well as our goal of reaching long-term sustainability, about half of the money goes directly to the child and their family with the remainder going toward the overall community to meet the short-term & long-term needs.

The beauty of this program is that sponsors are given the potential of building a relationship with their sponsored child and family through exchanging letters, pictures, and occasionally a gift for their birthday or Christmas.  Over the years, these relationships have resulted in great stories of transformation for both the sponsored child as well as the sponsor.  Being a sponsor has impact beyond the financial response to the child and the community, it impact the sense of belonging & value in the sponsored child and a sense of purpose & compassion for the sponsor.

We are heading to Rwanda in less than two weeks now and I wanted to make sure you were aware that you can become a sponsor even before we go.  We have seen 8 children already sponsored and have several more children available to sponsor prior to our trip.  The exciting part about sponsoring a child before we go, is that we will be able to meet at least some of the children while we are there and, for sure, can bring a card, gift, and photos from their sponsor for them to receive at an appropriate time (if we aren’t able to give to them directly).  If you feel you will become a sponsor of a child (or children), please get in touch with me ASAP and we can complete the form before we go and I can try to arrange to meet your child and take pictures.

For some, the $35/month is too much.  We are challenging you to get a couple others together (co-workers, fellow students, extended family, etc) and sponsor a child together.  You can also submit a one-time gift (or ongoing gifts) to Our Response and we will combine extra monies and sponsor additional children that way.

If you have any questions about how the sponsorship works, please don’t hesitate to ask.  You can also check out http://www.worldvision.org

Getting Close…

We are now almost two weeks away from setting sail (ok, wings) for Rwanda.  Most of the money is raised; all the shots have been received; our visas & passports are back or en route.  It’s really starting to sink in the magnitude of this venture.  I’m painfully excited and curious about the impact this will have.

We are very encouraged about the support we have received and the momentum that is building about Our Response. This past Tuesday we had an informational session with about a dozen people; we have been in the Isanti County News and expect to be in there again soon along with the Cambridge Star.  We will be sharing with the City Council next week and for an extended time in December.  We will be presenting at the Cambridge-Area Chamber of Commerce next week as well as at the Mission Vision Sunday at First Baptist Church.  We have been mentioned in churches such as First Baptist, River of Life, New Hope, Evergreen (Pine City), and North Isanti (those are the ones we know of).  We’ve had people start to sponsor children and ask how they can get involved.

All of this is leading up to our trip which will then be followed by the Community-Wide public launch on December 3rd at 6:30pm at Spectacular Events in Isanti (thanks to them for their generosity).  Please mark your calendars now and start inviting people – it’s going to be a great night of vision casting, sharing stories from our trip, and rallying a greater movement of global compassion in our area.

Thanks to those who have already engaged and an invitation to those who are thinking about it.  We can still have a couple more children sponsored in advance of the trip and be able to meet those children and bring them a gift/card.  If you are planning to sponsor in Kivuruga, Rwanda, then think about doing it soon so we can meet your child and visit with them.

Info Session 10/13

This post is to let you know that there will be an information session regarding “Our Response” held on Tuesday, October 13th from 6:30-8:00pm at the MinnCo Center in Cambridge (236 2nd Avenue SW; Corner of 2nd & Birch).

“Our Response” is a new non-profit, volunteer-led partnership between East Central Minnesota and Kivuruga, Rwanda.  Our ultimate goals are to financially resource the transformation of Kivuruga toward self-sustainability while raising the overall level of awareness and compassion for global poverty, HIV/AIDS, other diseases & suffering.  The primary mechanism to achieve these goals is a partnership with World Vision utilizing their child sponsorship program and on-the-ground staff, connections, and expertise in Rwanda.

Recently Our Response was featured in the Isanti County News (http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6935&Itemid=1) and much more will be heard about this effort as we march toward the official public launch on December 3rd (Spectacular Events, 6:30pm).  This information session, however, is geared toward those who are very interested in this effort and/or willing to consider being involved directly in the effort through volunteering of time and skills/abilities.  There is much to be done and if this is something that you feel pulled to be involved with, the information session is a great opportunity to hear more, ask questions, and meet others who have the same feeling.

More info is available about Our Response at ourresponse.wordpress.com which includes an ongoing blog on the effort as well as some background information and introductory video.  There is also an “Our Response” group on Facebook to keep you updated of all that is happening.

I’m asking that you not only consider attending the information session, but also that you forward this to others to both make them aware of this community-wide effort but also specifically of the upcoming information session.  There is no need to register, but if you are planning to attend, we would appreciate knowing as we plan for the appropriate amount of cookies, coffee, & materials.

Thank you so much – Steve

Who are the poor?

Yesterday I had a tremendous opportunity to chat with a man who has been serving as a doctor in Kenya for 13 out of the past 18 years.  We talked about the culture, climate, people, & history of Kenya and Rwanda and had a chance to hear his heart about the differences between African culture and American culture.  At one point I asked him about how we try to communicate the “state of emergency” in Africa to our fellow U.S. residents in an earnest and sincere way without trying to bang them with guilt.  In his wisdom he said the first thing you have to get in your head is the answer to this question: “Who are the poor?”  He acknowledged that they certainly have less food, water, medical treatment, education, and economic infrastructure…. but they have far more sense of community, relationship, and generosity.  He went on to discuss things that affirmed that we (in the United States) are, in fact, the poor.

He shared the story of an area of Kenya that he served in where they went about 18 months without rain and lost all of the cattle that they had – which was their only source of food.  In a response to that situation, some U.S. aid was sent to the region and this man brought it to the residents.  However, the census calculation was wrong and more food was sent than what was really needed.  They were trying to provide 3 months of food using half-rations… instead there was about 50% extra.  Enough for either an extra month of half-rations or an increase in the rations.  Certainly this was cause for celebration by those residents.  However, in an act of unabashed generosity, the residents told him to bring the extra rations to the neighboring villages.  They fully realized that these half-rations would only last 3 months with no guarantee of food beyond that… but they shared what little they had to help their neighbors. 

Back in the U.S., last night someone was sharing the story of their friend who was so excited because they finally were able to move into a new home in a very exclusive neighborhood.  Am I judging them as individuals… no (at least I’m trying hard not to).  Am I furious that we live in a system that the desire for “more for self” is the cultural norm… yeah.  I’m furious that I watch TV and see that if I buy a $50,000 car I will be happier than ever imagined; that I can open a magazine and be told that I can be the “talk of the neighborhood” if I own this $2,000 gas grill.

So who are the poor?  As I look at my relationships, sense of community, & stuff and then compare with other cultures, I’ve never felt more poor in my life.

Kivuruga

Today, I had a details meeting with our representatives from World Vision who is our partner is building a relationship with the people of Kivuruga, Rwanda.  We were able to discuss specifics of the partnership and discussed in more detail the community we will be partnering with.  Kivuruga (pronounced Keev-ur-ooh-ga) is about 35,000 people (roughly the same population as Isanti County) which is comprised of small towns & villages.  Many issues face these residents, but their primary concerns are in the area of HIV/AIDS care & education, agricultural enhancements, and reconciliation & healing (most of which is related to the carryover from the genocide that happened about 15 years ago stemming from the Civil War between the Hutus & Tutsis).

As we get to know the region better and hear stories about these residents, I’m already developing a love & compassion for these people I’ve never met.  I have received 50 child sponsorship packages in the mail and have been looking through the pictures of these kids of different ages, genders, hopes, & gifts.  I am struck with the realization that the only difference between my kids (and their abundance) and these kids (and their lack) is a geography issue — mine happened to be born in one of the wealthiest countries there is.  If my child had as little as these young Rwandans, I would be devastated… but until a couple of years ago I didn’t give it any thought.  What a gift and a burden to have the realization that there are such extremes in this world.

I’m excited to go forward (now about 38 days away) and see what becomes of this entire effort.  Our fundraising is not yet complete, but we’ve seen a number of great partners come forward to invest in this project (you know who you are – THANK YOU).  If you are interested in sponsoring a child before we go over to Rwanda, there is a chance I will be able to meet your child and take pictures of them, their families, & their home (I can’t guarantee this, but I would try to make this happen).  So, if you are thinking of sponsoring a child in Kivuruga, we could set that up ahead of time and then I could try to meet them (and likely bring them a small gift on your behalf).

Thanks to all of you who have provided encouragement and financial support; it means a lot to me and us.  Please mark your calendars for December 3rd – we’re not sure of the exact time & location, but we are going to have an all-community-invited event to officially launch Our Response; we will be sharing from our trip and inviting people to join in this community wide effort. Also, we are expecting a significant article in the Isanti County News in late September / early October so watch out for that!

About 45 days to go

The reality of our trip is starting to sink in; we have our flights, passports, shots, & in the process of getting visas.  Although we are still 45 days out, at the same time we are only 45 days out.  There are still a lot of details to figure out (for example, I found out I’ll need to wear khaki pants while in Rwanda – no shorts!).  If any of you have ever seen me sweat in 50 degree weather, it might get ugly in Rwanda… but I’m sure it’s a “dry heat”.  Actually the weather right now is about what we have here… mid 80’s, lows in the mid 60’s; about 75 percent humidity.  Not too bad… but I still want to wear shorts!  

Thanks to those of you who have decided to partner with us in this adventure.  The total cost for the four of us with the cost of the trip, lodging, airfare, local transportation, meals, shots, etc will end up around $15,000.  So far we have partners for $8,400 which we are very excited and grateful for… but we still have another $6,600 to go.  Frankly, we are excited to get the fundraising for the trip behind us so we can start doing the fundraising for the cash that will go directly to that community. The trip is a huge step because it is an investment in building relationships for the next 15 years as we work hard to see the transformation of Kivuruga.  Our goal is to funnel over $1 million into Kivuruga over the next 10 years and we feel trip is a necessary part of building that awareness and momentum.   If you would like to financially partner for the trip, send a check to “Our Response” with the attention to Steve Fredlund, 31465 Cedar Crest Trail NE, North Branch, MN 55056.

We are also expecting to get Child Sponsorship packets within the next two weeks for people to sponsor children in Kivuruga through World Vision… the cost is $35/month for each child sponsored.  The four of us will have the huge privilege of getting to meet the children we sponsor while we are over there.  We are also going to try to arrange a visit with all children that have been sponsored through the connection with Our Response; we would then be able to take pictures of them, their families, and where they live.  If you are interested in sponsoring a child and would like to start that prior to our trip, contact me… I can’t guarantee we’ll get to speak with your child, but we will certainly try.  I could also bring a picture and/or letter to them from you and hand deliver it (I have to verify if I can bring a gift, etc, on your behalf, but I believe I can).

We are starting to build momentum and getting opportunities to share this effort with local groups.  I will be at a local chamber event on October 24th with a table and the opportunity to do a 20 minute presentation; I will also be at First Baptist Church of Cambridge during their Sunday School hour on their Vision Mission Sunday showing people how they can get involved.  Our other trip team members will be involved in other activities such as a group of Senior Adults, a youth group, a gathering of East Central Minnesota clergy, and other opportunities.  We are tentatively planning a December 3rd event (time/place TBD) that will serve as the official community-wide launch of Our Response.  We will be building momentum into that and inviting the community to come and participate.  We will be asking for donations and sponsorships at that event!  If you are a planner of any kind and would like to help plan that event or with details of the other events, let me know. I do have a couple people already interested so we can hopefully create a team to do this.  Also, if you have influence to create an opportunity for us to share our story in front of a group, please let us know… we are willing to go about anywhere to share our story, raise awareness, and hopefully get more people & resources involved.

Finally, if your belief system includes prayer, we would love for you to pray for us and our safety as well as all the details of the trip.

Thanks for your engagement and support.