Well, if all goes as planned, tomorrow I am going to be going on an outreach to Sahr.
Sahr is about 8-9 hours away...but we are planning on a whole day's drive to get there. We will not be working in Sahr, but in the surrounding area.
A local Church and a group from the EET in N'djamena is going to be coming with us and doing outreach during the day, and then we show the Jesus Film at night. We are probably going to show it in Chadian Arabic, which is different from the Arabic they speak in the Middle East. I am going to be assisting in setting up the film equipment, upkeep of the Unimog, and hopefully I'll be able to do much more photography and videography! Originally we had planned on 5 of us going, but one of the other guys just came down with malaria.
This outreach is a great opportunity, so we know that Satan is going to do everything he can to stop it.
Pray for:
Everyone who is going to view the film
That the equipment work properly
Safety along the road and in the villages
Health for all those going on the outreach
That God would go before us and follow after us, opening doors to spread HIS Gospel!
It will be a week long outreach, so when I get back, I should have many stories and hopefully more than a few pictures!
Thanks for praying!
--Josh Hedstrom
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Jesus Film Outreach
Well, it's been an eventful past few days, which is why I haven't updated recently.
In a rather complicated turn of affairs, I was selected to go on an Outreach to show the Jesus Film in the local villages. I was given a crash course in how to set up the equipment, in a mix of German, French and English, and then we were off, Friday morning! A team from France just arrived for two weeks, so to say the least, our communication issues have just gone through the roof!
The day that we left the morning devotion was on God's strength shining through our weakness. And coincidentally that was the day I started feeling quite sick.
We started out with a 2 hour drive on pavement, so that was fine. 17 people total, 15 in the back, luggage, and two sets of Jesus Film equipment. We arrived at the main place in time for supper, but instead of eating, Kurt and I and one of the French pastors went to start setting up the film. The first set of equipment was owned by the EET, Evangelical Church of Chad, and they showed their film at the main place, and then we took ours about 5 minutes down a dirt road, and we showed ours there, to about 200-300 people. It went very well, except God would only give me energy when I was setting up or taking down. I felt absolutely fine when I was doing something, but the moment I had a break I started to feel lightheaded and had stomach problems.
Two hours later (I had no idea the Jesus film was that long) it was finished. The pastor had us pause the film after Jesus said 'It is finished' and he preached for a while. And then we continued the film, packed up (with Chadian kids crowding around us...less than a foot away), and we started back. And I was so glad, because I was very tired, and starting to get quite lightheaded. And I was starving, and had drank all my water. It was 9 pm, and I was ready to call it a day. And then we got there the national team was having troubles, because their equipment is still reel to reel. There was some problem with the generator, so the generator stayed on low speed, and they said you could see each frame of the video it was so slow!
Kurt told me we needed to set up, and I groaned and got up. But suddenly I was filled with energy and completely healed from my lightheadedness. I lifted all the equipment with no problem whatsoever, ran around like a madman setting it up, and that was that. As soon as it was set up and running, they served us supper. It was rice and some sort of oily meat sauce. The rice was good, once you got past all the sand in it. Crunch Crunch.
And when the movie finished, I was filled with energy again and got it all packed up, set up my mosquito tent, and was out before I hit the non-existent pillow.
Evidently in Chad the time to get up is 4 am, before its even light. I kinda came to about then, and people were walking around and singing (and when Chadians sing, they don't hold back...AT ALL) and dancing, and shouting 'Bonjour!'...it was chaos. I laid in bed another 20-30 minutes, and then rolled out and packed up my tent and mat, and I was the first one up on our team. But I'm glad I didn't wait, because I don't like getting ready in the morning with 200 people watching and laughing.
I can't remember what they called breakfast. It was basically rice mashed up with a bit of water, honey and sugar, and of course, sand. You drink it like a milkshake...runny, but chunky. And gritty. They make all their food in huge cauldrons over an open fire, so you get plenty of sand and dirt. But I'm sure its all clean sand and dirt. It really wasn't too bad...really good when you are hungry!
Kurt and I essentially rested and stayed with the Unimog all day, while the French team and all the Chadian team from the EET (there were about 100 of them) did house to house evangelism. At one point, the President of the Moundou Annex (basically the District President for the denomination) decided he wanted to travel to where we were going to show the film that night. We found out later that the Moundou Annex had been assigned this part of Chad, the very southeast corner (like 5 kilometers from Cameroon) since there are very few churches. I rested in the truck most of the time. I laid on the wooden bench and stared at the tarp ceiling. I got very VERY familiar with those wooden benches...they are actually really comfortable when you get used to them. Just don't sleep on your side, or when you get up all your joints are out of order.
That was the first thing I learned about Chad...the art of waiting, and being able to go to sleep in any position in any situation. Because when it is this hot and humid, if you work for 8 hours, you'll never live. So you have to get a bad American work ethic...work slowly, and take many breaks, so that you survive. So I didn't waste the time that we were waiting...I rested, which is not wasting time.
We eventually made our way back to the main village, and had lunch. Lunch was the famous 'Boul'. Now Boul is a local dish, and the substance dish. They take maize and mash it to a pulp, add water, cook it in the cauldron for a while, and serve it with sauce. There is no equivalent in the US. Its a white (sandy) spongy dough without too much flavor. But everything is good to a man that is hungry.
Finally we went to set up the film. We went back and made the hour long drive through very rough roads to go 20 kilometers, just as we had before. We were driving an Unimog, the German Mercedes Benz equivilent of the M35 Deuce and a half army truck. Absolutely amazing and unstoppable. If you want better, you need a tank. There is absolutely nowhere that Unimog can't go. Incredible vehicle...so much fun. Kurt used to drive one in the German army, and then he drove one for years in Congo and Kenya as a missionary, so he is very familiar with them. Which is good, because the road was a real killer!
Anyways, we got there, set up, and showed the film to about 300 people. Same thing as before...I had no energy until I had to do something, and God gave me strength, and I was fine, and then when I had a break, I was completely overcome with weariness and was fighting just to keep my head upright. But we serve an AMAZING God, who gives us strength when we need it!
We packed up, and went back. We picked up the other film team, and their equipment worked fine this time (go figure, since the guy that they sent to Moundou to get the spare part...something happened and they didn't get the part), and we went back to the main place. There we were greeted by 600 Chadians shouting and singing and dancing. I had no idea what was going on. We found out that these people had walked from kilometers away to get here, and were promised that we would show them the movie about Jesus. It was a huge opportunity, but I just groaned. I was exhausted beyond exhausted, and could barely keep my head up at this point...and I hadn't eaten in 8 or 9 hours. But God gave me strength, and both of the teams set up, one at each end of the clearing, the pastor prayed, and we started it.
Now this night (which was last night for me) we were showing it to a tribe that is the biggest tribe in Chad, and also the tribe that is bringing Islam into the country in force. So I couldn't take any pictures, and we showed them the 'extended version', a 3 hour one that gave the whole creation and Abraham story, and all the prophecies leading up to Jesus.
The film finished, and we got it all packed up, and I finally hit the sack at 1:30 am. We never got supper. Well, the next morning, all the Chadians got up at 4 am, but I was so tired, I slept until 5:30. And so, we missed breakfast, because OBVIOUSLY breakfast is served at 4:30 am...when else would you have it on a Sunday morning? We foreigners, will we never learn?
So today was kinda a rough day for me. Church started about 7 am, and we transported one group of people. The Chadian Christians from the EET spread themselves out throughout the villages, and had church services. Instead of going to the church, I just laid in the truck and listened. I didn't sleep, because I was feeling rather miserable. Oh, and did I mention that we had skipped the previous two meals?
After Church had ended (its about a 2.5 hour service) we went back, bought some bread and peanuts at the market about noon, and then afterwards had some Boul.
Eventually, we were asked to go pick up some of the Chadian pastors who had been scattered along the villages. These pastors weren't ready to leave when the other truck left, and so they were walking. Kurt and I drove off, and picked up 32...which is a lot when you think you're only picking up 8. I wasn't sure what made the truck bounce more...the road, or the 32 Chadians singing and dancing and jumping up and down in unison. To say we were packed like sardines is an understatement. Thank God we had the Unimog!
It was an amazing experience, and evidently we are going to do another shorter outreach later this week. I can't wait.
Hopefully I will get pictures on that trip and be able to post them for you!
A few prayer requests:
-I'm still sick, so pray that I get better.
-That God would work in the hearts of all those who saw the Jesus films.
-That God would work through all the communication issues with the diversity of languages on the team right now.
And Thank God for giving me strength to do what I needed to do! All the Glory goes to God for the whole trip!
--Josh
In a rather complicated turn of affairs, I was selected to go on an Outreach to show the Jesus Film in the local villages. I was given a crash course in how to set up the equipment, in a mix of German, French and English, and then we were off, Friday morning! A team from France just arrived for two weeks, so to say the least, our communication issues have just gone through the roof!
The day that we left the morning devotion was on God's strength shining through our weakness. And coincidentally that was the day I started feeling quite sick.
We started out with a 2 hour drive on pavement, so that was fine. 17 people total, 15 in the back, luggage, and two sets of Jesus Film equipment. We arrived at the main place in time for supper, but instead of eating, Kurt and I and one of the French pastors went to start setting up the film. The first set of equipment was owned by the EET, Evangelical Church of Chad, and they showed their film at the main place, and then we took ours about 5 minutes down a dirt road, and we showed ours there, to about 200-300 people. It went very well, except God would only give me energy when I was setting up or taking down. I felt absolutely fine when I was doing something, but the moment I had a break I started to feel lightheaded and had stomach problems.
Two hours later (I had no idea the Jesus film was that long) it was finished. The pastor had us pause the film after Jesus said 'It is finished' and he preached for a while. And then we continued the film, packed up (with Chadian kids crowding around us...less than a foot away), and we started back. And I was so glad, because I was very tired, and starting to get quite lightheaded. And I was starving, and had drank all my water. It was 9 pm, and I was ready to call it a day. And then we got there the national team was having troubles, because their equipment is still reel to reel. There was some problem with the generator, so the generator stayed on low speed, and they said you could see each frame of the video it was so slow!
Kurt told me we needed to set up, and I groaned and got up. But suddenly I was filled with energy and completely healed from my lightheadedness. I lifted all the equipment with no problem whatsoever, ran around like a madman setting it up, and that was that. As soon as it was set up and running, they served us supper. It was rice and some sort of oily meat sauce. The rice was good, once you got past all the sand in it. Crunch Crunch.
And when the movie finished, I was filled with energy again and got it all packed up, set up my mosquito tent, and was out before I hit the non-existent pillow.
Evidently in Chad the time to get up is 4 am, before its even light. I kinda came to about then, and people were walking around and singing (and when Chadians sing, they don't hold back...AT ALL) and dancing, and shouting 'Bonjour!'...it was chaos. I laid in bed another 20-30 minutes, and then rolled out and packed up my tent and mat, and I was the first one up on our team. But I'm glad I didn't wait, because I don't like getting ready in the morning with 200 people watching and laughing.
I can't remember what they called breakfast. It was basically rice mashed up with a bit of water, honey and sugar, and of course, sand. You drink it like a milkshake...runny, but chunky. And gritty. They make all their food in huge cauldrons over an open fire, so you get plenty of sand and dirt. But I'm sure its all clean sand and dirt. It really wasn't too bad...really good when you are hungry!
Kurt and I essentially rested and stayed with the Unimog all day, while the French team and all the Chadian team from the EET (there were about 100 of them) did house to house evangelism. At one point, the President of the Moundou Annex (basically the District President for the denomination) decided he wanted to travel to where we were going to show the film that night. We found out later that the Moundou Annex had been assigned this part of Chad, the very southeast corner (like 5 kilometers from Cameroon) since there are very few churches. I rested in the truck most of the time. I laid on the wooden bench and stared at the tarp ceiling. I got very VERY familiar with those wooden benches...they are actually really comfortable when you get used to them. Just don't sleep on your side, or when you get up all your joints are out of order.
That was the first thing I learned about Chad...the art of waiting, and being able to go to sleep in any position in any situation. Because when it is this hot and humid, if you work for 8 hours, you'll never live. So you have to get a bad American work ethic...work slowly, and take many breaks, so that you survive. So I didn't waste the time that we were waiting...I rested, which is not wasting time.
We eventually made our way back to the main village, and had lunch. Lunch was the famous 'Boul'. Now Boul is a local dish, and the substance dish. They take maize and mash it to a pulp, add water, cook it in the cauldron for a while, and serve it with sauce. There is no equivalent in the US. Its a white (sandy) spongy dough without too much flavor. But everything is good to a man that is hungry.
Finally we went to set up the film. We went back and made the hour long drive through very rough roads to go 20 kilometers, just as we had before. We were driving an Unimog, the German Mercedes Benz equivilent of the M35 Deuce and a half army truck. Absolutely amazing and unstoppable. If you want better, you need a tank. There is absolutely nowhere that Unimog can't go. Incredible vehicle...so much fun. Kurt used to drive one in the German army, and then he drove one for years in Congo and Kenya as a missionary, so he is very familiar with them. Which is good, because the road was a real killer!
Anyways, we got there, set up, and showed the film to about 300 people. Same thing as before...I had no energy until I had to do something, and God gave me strength, and I was fine, and then when I had a break, I was completely overcome with weariness and was fighting just to keep my head upright. But we serve an AMAZING God, who gives us strength when we need it!
We packed up, and went back. We picked up the other film team, and their equipment worked fine this time (go figure, since the guy that they sent to Moundou to get the spare part...something happened and they didn't get the part), and we went back to the main place. There we were greeted by 600 Chadians shouting and singing and dancing. I had no idea what was going on. We found out that these people had walked from kilometers away to get here, and were promised that we would show them the movie about Jesus. It was a huge opportunity, but I just groaned. I was exhausted beyond exhausted, and could barely keep my head up at this point...and I hadn't eaten in 8 or 9 hours. But God gave me strength, and both of the teams set up, one at each end of the clearing, the pastor prayed, and we started it.
Now this night (which was last night for me) we were showing it to a tribe that is the biggest tribe in Chad, and also the tribe that is bringing Islam into the country in force. So I couldn't take any pictures, and we showed them the 'extended version', a 3 hour one that gave the whole creation and Abraham story, and all the prophecies leading up to Jesus.
The film finished, and we got it all packed up, and I finally hit the sack at 1:30 am. We never got supper. Well, the next morning, all the Chadians got up at 4 am, but I was so tired, I slept until 5:30. And so, we missed breakfast, because OBVIOUSLY breakfast is served at 4:30 am...when else would you have it on a Sunday morning? We foreigners, will we never learn?
So today was kinda a rough day for me. Church started about 7 am, and we transported one group of people. The Chadian Christians from the EET spread themselves out throughout the villages, and had church services. Instead of going to the church, I just laid in the truck and listened. I didn't sleep, because I was feeling rather miserable. Oh, and did I mention that we had skipped the previous two meals?
After Church had ended (its about a 2.5 hour service) we went back, bought some bread and peanuts at the market about noon, and then afterwards had some Boul.
Eventually, we were asked to go pick up some of the Chadian pastors who had been scattered along the villages. These pastors weren't ready to leave when the other truck left, and so they were walking. Kurt and I drove off, and picked up 32...which is a lot when you think you're only picking up 8. I wasn't sure what made the truck bounce more...the road, or the 32 Chadians singing and dancing and jumping up and down in unison. To say we were packed like sardines is an understatement. Thank God we had the Unimog!
It was an amazing experience, and evidently we are going to do another shorter outreach later this week. I can't wait.
Hopefully I will get pictures on that trip and be able to post them for you!
A few prayer requests:
-I'm still sick, so pray that I get better.
-That God would work in the hearts of all those who saw the Jesus films.
-That God would work through all the communication issues with the diversity of languages on the team right now.
And Thank God for giving me strength to do what I needed to do! All the Glory goes to God for the whole trip!
--Josh
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
A few photos from Chad
Below: Driving to Moundou, followed by some flowers.
Below is the main mission house of the Diguna (German) Team.
A mango still hanging from the tree. Anytime the wind blows they fall to the ground; they taste great!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Local Happenings and Church
Now just a little bit about the infastructure here in Moundou. Moundou is the second largest city in Chad, with probably over 100,000 in all the suburbs. We are in one suburb, Koutou. Moundou has a total of 18 cheiftains and one mayor. This cheiftain was really a sub sub sub cheiftain; pretty far down the line of power.
I wasn't even going to bring my camera, since I would probably need to get a license to film such a public event. I can film in the mission and church context without too much trouble, but its when I got out in public that I run the risk of getting into trouble and having my equipement confiscated. But right before I was going to go over, I talked to Paul, one of the missionaries who has been here a while, and he said I might bring my camera, but I should ask him before taking any pictures. I prayed real hard that I wouldn't get into trouble, and then I made my way over to the event. When I got there, Paul motioned for me to come forward, and he talked to the Vice President of the Ceremony, and the VP said it would be fine, but that he wanted an electronic copy of the pictures, which was fine by me.
I talked with Paul and little bit, and he told me to "take some pictures confidently, but don't be too obvious and limit it to group shots, and don't do anything dumb". So I went and sat in the back row, and tried to look confident, meanwhile practicing my french phrase of the day, 'Je suis autorise', which means 'I am authorized'.
Officials continued to arrive, and finally the ceremony and procession started. The procession started off with people dressed in traditional ceremonial clothes, and there was music and dancing, people waving spears and shields...all rather exciting. I looked at Paul, and he nodded at me, so I lifted my camera and took a few quick, confident pictures.
Then the VP motioned rather obviously for me to come forward. Naturally I was terrified, but what else was I going to do? So I made my way around the dancing warriors, and Paul came over too. The synopis was that I should take many pictures, and get as close as I wanted, and get right in with the action.
Well, when the Vice President of Ceremonies tells you to take pictures, you take pictures! So I was terrified. Now I was the offical photographer, and I didn't even know the local customs. How close could I get? Who do I take pictures of, who do I not?
So I tried best to look confident and offical, and took lots of pictures and video. Then when the actual ceremeony got underway, I spotted another Chadian photographer. So I followed him around, took pictures of what he took pictures of, making sure that he got the best angles and shots.
All in all, it was a wild and crazy experience; a once in a lifetime opportunity to get in close on a local cultural event! I praise God that He orchestrated that for me!
That was yesterday, Saturday. This morning we went to church, and that was a good experience.
The church is about 45ft long, and about 15ft wide, a baked brick building with a thatched roof. There were probably over 80 people in there. We sat on stone and concrete benches. The whole event takes over a few hours, starting about 8am, but you can come and go as you please. So we arrived about 9am, and the church takes a break about 10:30. That is when we headed home, even though the service would continue for a few hours after that.
The whole service was in French, so I didn't understand most of it, but I recognized some of the songs, One was 'Stand up, Stand up for Jesus', but it sounded a little strange, since this culture has a 5 note scale, instead of the Western 8 note scale. But I recognized it and sang along what I knew in English!
At one point, they had 9 little children come forward, and one adult. I asked one of the missionaries what was going on, and he said that the 9 little children had recently commited their lives to Jesus, and the adult had recently come back to the faith. They read from Romans 10:9-11
'If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”'
The pastors laid hands on them, and prayed for them, and tears welled up in my eyes, as I could almost hear the heavens rejoicing that one had returned to the flock, and 9 little lambs were added!
It has been an exciting weekend so far! Tonight we will all go to the home of one of the missionaries, and we will have a church service in English. We sing a few songs, and listen to a recorded sermon of a preacher downloaded from the internet.
A few Prayer Requests:
-That God would strengthen the faith of those who gave their lives to the Lord
-That God would continue to keep me healthy, and would heal those on the team that are still a bit sick
-That I would continue to learn the languages
-That God would strengthen our team, through the language and cultural barriers
Thanks for praying! Your prayers really do make a difference for what is going on here...we here can feel when you are praying!
--Josh
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
April 10th
Here in Moundou we are nearing the end of the dry season, and so today it rained a little bit., enough to cool the air a little bit.
I am starting to work on video and photo projects. My first video is going to be for Diguna, the German mission, that they will be able to present at their next mission conference.
In addition, I will be doing two informational videos for TEAM, one on the print shop, and one for a missionary couple.
My biggest problem right now is the technology...getting a computer that I can edit on! With the slower internet, getting a program downloaded is a bit of an issue. I've been trying to use a little laptop, but its not fast enough to play the raw footage!
I am just about over jetlag now, so I'm finally getting a full nights sleep!
I am basically healthy right now, but that could change! I am the only one on the team that has not had malaria yet, and one of the german girls is sick with it right now.
Prayer Requests-
-That God would bring together all the neccesary technology for editing videos
-That I would continue to stay healthy
-That I would continue to pick up French
-That relationships within the team would continue to strengthen
-That God would heal Rebekka, the german girl with Malaria
Thanks for praying, and I'm gonna keep trying to get pictures up!
I am starting to work on video and photo projects. My first video is going to be for Diguna, the German mission, that they will be able to present at their next mission conference.
In addition, I will be doing two informational videos for TEAM, one on the print shop, and one for a missionary couple.
My biggest problem right now is the technology...getting a computer that I can edit on! With the slower internet, getting a program downloaded is a bit of an issue. I've been trying to use a little laptop, but its not fast enough to play the raw footage!
I am just about over jetlag now, so I'm finally getting a full nights sleep!
I am basically healthy right now, but that could change! I am the only one on the team that has not had malaria yet, and one of the german girls is sick with it right now.
Prayer Requests-
-That God would bring together all the neccesary technology for editing videos
-That I would continue to stay healthy
-That I would continue to pick up French
-That relationships within the team would continue to strengthen
-That God would heal Rebekka, the german girl with Malaria
Thanks for praying, and I'm gonna keep trying to get pictures up!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
April 4th- in Moundou, Chad
Well, I am here in the south, in the city of Moundou! It was quite
the trek down here, approx. 8 hours of very very rough roads. but I'm
glad to be done traveling for a while!
I am staying with the Diguna Team, a team of 7 Germans and 1 French
girl, so needless to say, the dinner conversations vary in language
constantly! There are some Americans nearby, so if I want to hear
fluent English I can go talk to them.
It is really hot here! During the day, it reaches 120 in the sun, and
at night, it cools down to 85, and we sleep outside since its cooler.
I am getting used to sweating constantly, even when I'm sleeping!
As for activities, so far I've done some repairs on some of the
buildings, and helped work on building a radio tower. They have put my
wood-working experience to use in various projects.
Because of the heat, we take a nap from 1pm-3pm, during the hottest
part of the day. And i'ts not just us foreigners...literally the whole
town shuts down, and everyone takes a nap!
A few specific prayer requests...language is a pretty huge barrier.
Pray that God helps me learn French quickly, so we will be able to
work better as a team.
Also pray that I stay healthy, and continue to recover from jetlag
Finally, please pray for the Chadian churches in the area, as they work to reach
their community around them!
God bless you all, and thanks so much for praying!
--Josh
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I'm here!
I have safely arrived in N'djamena, the Capital of Chad. After 34 hours of traveling, I'm glad to be here! The trip went smoothly up until Immigration and Customs in Chad. Its a real puzzle trying to read French directions when you don't speak it! I was carrying in my bag 9lbs of oil filters for the missionaries here, and for a while I wasn't sure I was going to make it through Customs!
They grabbed it, looked at it, asked me questions in French (to which I shrugged and said, ‘oil filters´) asked me for my passport, and I gave it to them, they returned it, then they asked for it again. I was starting to believe I would NEVER make it out of the airport, when this Chadian National came in pulling this American woman, and they started talking in Arabic. She grabbed my bag and passport, and we were off! Turns out she works for another mission there. And as for the Chadian Customs Officials...when a nice young American woman speaking fluent Arabic asks you what the problem is, you quickly solve the problem!
Tomorrow we leave for Moundou, and I'll try to update you again, with pictures if the internet allows!
Thanks for praying for me!
--Josh
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