Are You Willing to Listen?

 “I just don’t think it’s good for someone to be alone.  Everything tells me that it’s not right.”

These were more or less Mtsa’s thoughts a few days ago when we were talking about marriage and celibacy/singleness.  After that Mtsa proceeded to make his case:

Island bride at recent wedding event

God said to Adam, “It’s not good for man to be alone.”

He said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”

“A man by himself, who will take care of him when he gets sick?  Who will bury him when he dies?  It just isn’t right.  I think it is a sin.”

How would you answer?  Islanders grow up being told that it is a sin not to marry and have children.  And it’s not just islanders but people in many African cultures believe the same.  To present an alternative is to suggest a major shift in life’s purposes, of what is right and wrong, of what is good and bad.  One might ask—is it necessary?  Why not let them believe as they do?  Why are we imposing our views on them?

If I were imploring them to follow my own culture, it would not be right.  As cultures around the world have rejected the importance of marriage and children and birthrates plummet across the world, who am I to tell them they have it wrong?  The truth is, Mtsa makes some compelling arguments. So we talk and we try to listen.  But really listening means being open to have your ideas changed.  Is my heart open? Is his?

“Marriage is good,” I respond. “Children are good.  There is no doubt about that.  But is it the only way?” I ask.  “What if God called you to do something difficult?  Go to a far away land where people will try to kill you.  Would you go?  What if God calls some people to not get married?  Their life will be hard, they won’t have people to look after them.  There will be many times when they are alone.  But if God has called them to do that, isn’t it more important to do God’s will? What about people who get married and can’t have children—are they sinning?”

Enjoying having kids home

“Moreover I see that people here get married for lots of bad reasons,” I continued. “They accept a fiancé because they are rich.  Or they say, ‘I’m 30 years old, it’s time that I must get married.’  I ask someone, ‘Tell me about your fiancé, are they a good person?  Are they honest? Are they kind?’ And more often than not they say, ‘I don’t know.’  This is the person you are meant to spend the rest of your life with and you don’t know them?  Is this better than not marrying?”

Mtsa listened and agreed that these things weren’t good.  But he still wanted to make the case: better a bad marriage and kids than being alone.  “We are meant to fill the the earth.” 

“Perhaps we are meant to fill the earth in a different way.  Just as we are not the actual blood of Abraham, we are called children of Abraham.  Just because we don’t have a blood family, God will give us a spiritual family.”  At that point a recent anecdote came to mind:

“You know my teammate came to our house the other day, but her neighbors hadn’t seen her leave.  When she wasn’t back at dusk, they became concerned and started calling all around trying to reach her.  When she didn’t answer her phone (we were having a prayer meeting) they called even more people.  They were that worried about her.  Our teammate is unmarried, and many times it is not easy for her.  She lives alone.  And yet, God has given her a family.”

Mtsa listened and thought.  I fell silent and thought too.  I have not changed my mind about the rightness or wrongness of singleness, but Mtsa has helped me appreciate the difficulties of the issue (perhaps especially for islanders). I know our single teammates are dragged into these kinds of conversations all the time and have much better answers. They use these hard interactions to share the eternal hope that they have.  I hope to listen to my single teammates and to continue to grow in my understanding and appreciation of them, their joys and hardships.  I don’t know if Mtsa has changed his mind on this issue, but I saw that Mtsa was listening and I want to be a person who listens too.  

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Our colleague on the big island was able to get to mainland Africa quickly with her son and get him the medical evaluations that he needed. Our daughter got some more information which has helped her be very close to making a decision about college— she is waiting for one more response, but assuming no surprises she is feeling good about making that decision (and we are too). Tom has been encouraging Mtsa for a long time to bring his adolescent daughter home to Clove Island (she was sent to French Island years ago, but was never sent to school there and has been mistreated)— after lots of meetings and struggling for funds, it looks like she will come home tomorrow. 

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Our younger son needs to do some educational assessments over video-chat this week— the required internet speed for the assessments is only possible from the islands when we are having a good internet day. Please pray for good internet (especially our Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons). Pray that the assessments would go well and not stress out our son too much. We have a big decision looming (beyond our daughter’s college decision), pray for wisdom, clarity and peace about it. There is a group meant to visit the work on the islands next week but their incoming flight was just canceled and rescheduled for several days later (severely impacting their short trip)— pray for wisdom on whether they should try to rebook with a different airline and for the needed finances for any changes they need to make. There are two young short-term workers visiting different locations on the islands this week— one is coming to stay with our teammate, another is going to the small island and staying with a worker there— pray for good visits and that their exposure to different workers’ lives might inspire them to long-term work. Pray for our colleague who is in the process of saying goodbyes and leaving the islands—she has left her home today and will have some time visiting other locations— pray for good interactions and closure for her. 

Favored Status?

 This past weekend, we celebrated the fact that the price has been paid for our irrevocable citizenship in heaven— a citizenship for new life available to people from every people, language and nation— uniting us and giving us unrelenting hope for the future. Alleluia!

Back together for school break

The reality here on earth is that we are not all united under one citizenship and things are not equal across every nation. Generally, we have been privileged as US citizens to have passports that allow us to travel to almost any country in the world. The favored status has been something that we’ve taken for granted—there is a meeting in Europe, or a reason to pop over the French Island next door, or we’re invited to meet someone for vacation in a country we’ve never been to before. For us, the decision to go comes down to our finances and making time in our schedule. We don’t have to think about if we are allowed to be there. 

But as our organization has diversified, we’ve become more conscious that for many people from other nations, they can’t assume that they will be allowed into another country.  They always have to check, apply and wait to see. 

This severely impacts their plans. Our regional director was denied the opportunity to attend a large conference. A colleague couldn’t go to a family wedding. Another colleague wasn’t allowed to visit his in-laws. We couldn’t organize a meeting on the French Island because we knew not everyone would be allowed entry there. Beyond just finances and timetables, others have to factor into any trip the visa application procedures and the likelihood that they will or will not be allowed in the country. For people considering long-term work, they sometimes have to fight the battle twice— first to be allowed into the country and then to be allowed to stay. 

On Clove Island, our family has been blessed by always having an easy time getting and renewing our annual service visas, but we had one colleague who was forced to pay a large fee for her longterm visa like a business person because of her passport country. We’ve taken it for granted that our passport country has been a benefit… but could that tide be shifting? 

Four countries in Africa have enacted visa bans for US citizens in the past year. It might seem like a small thing, but we have a lot of friends and acquaintances who suddenly are not allowed to stay in the countries where they have lived and worked for years (even decades). Some of these Americans who have had their country of service closed to them, are looking to see if they can claim nationality with another nation so they could re-enter their countries with a different passport. Even on the islands, anti-American rhetoric is higher than we have ever seen. Suddenly having a US passport doesn’t seem like a promise of favored treatment abroad.  

Passports back with new island visas

Tom was trying to finalize our visa renewal this past month. He got the recommendation letter from the department of education like normal, but when he went to the immigration offices, they said it wasn’t enough. He needed to get a letter from the island governor as well.  While this change didn’t seem directed at us as Americans, we did wonder if it was showing a shift in attitude, a desire to scrutinize more closely the foreigners in their midst.  

Thankfully it didn’t end up being a big deal. It was annoying and time-consuming, but everyone was friendly and Tom was able to finalize our visa renewal without much trouble. We are thankful. We don’t want to take that ease and goodwill for granted. We know that on this side of heaven, we can’t put our trust in the reputation of our passport country or on the favor of men. Reputations change and favor can be fleeting, but the power and love of God is unchanging and forever. 

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We thank God for our risen Savior and the chance to remember and celebrate Him this past weekend. Tom sent out messages to all our island contacts for the holiday and got back lots of positive responses. Megan was able to study with Hashiri and encourage her in her new job situation. There was a nice study at women’s gathering despite some missing people. Generally our kids have recovered well from their travels. Our daughter had a rough day on Sunday, but is improved today. 

PRAYERS REQUESTED
The Easter gathering didn’t really happen. We were supposed to gather and picnic outside by a river, but it was rainy. There ended up being some smaller gatherings. We have started planting seeds about the idea of doing a bigger gathering in May for Pentecost— pray that this would gain traction and be planned in good time so that many can participate and be encouraged. Pray for a mainland African family that often hosted events but after some backlash has stopped hosting anything— pray for them to know how to continue to be both wise and bold. Pray for the island body— it seems a bit disjointed at the moment. Two brothers have traveled to the big island to talk about plans for the coming few years for the islands— pray for unity and for God to be the director of their plans. Men’s gathering probably won’t happen until they are back— but pray that it does happen this month. Pray for our daughter as she makes her decision about where to go to college— pray for peace and a clear way forward. A bar has reopened across from us (after being quiet for more than a year) with loud music until 2am on both Friday and Saturday this past weekend— pray that this doesn’t become a new trend and that the neighborhood would pressure it to respect people’s sleep (something they have done in the past). A colleague on the big island had to evacuate to mainland Africa with her young son for medical care— pray for healing for him and peace of mind for his parents. 

Not On Our Radar

 A young man called a greeting at our gate. It was late morning on Eid— the biggest holiday of the year. Big groups of kids walk around in their brand new outfits claiming candy from every house with an open door. It was starting to thin and our candy stores were very low, so while our front door was still open, we had closed the metal gate knowing that kids and adults who knew us would still come, but it would discourage the hoards of kids coming from farther and farther away who had no idea who we were. 

Dressed up for Eid

So I knew this young man must know us, but I didn’t recognize him. For a second, I wasn’t sure if I should treat him like a kid or a man. For a kid, I would wish them a happy Eid, say one of the holiday blessings over them and give them some candy, after which they would immediately leave for the next house. For a man, I would invite them into the seating area inside and offer them some cake and a drink. 

As soon as I opened the gate for him, I knew to treat him like a man. He greeted me properly and asked after Tom (not the candy-crazed kid behavior). Tom and our son had already arrived back home from their morning of visiting, so the young man came in. 

‘Ari, Wow, you’ve grown up! How is Bwe? What about Mnyawe?” 

Out greeting friends

From Tom’s greeting and questions, I knew where this man came from, even I didn’t remember him coming to our house before. He must have been part of a group that centered around Bwe— Tom would go to Bwe’s house and some men would join them. He studied the Word with them for close to 2 yrs. In that time, Bwe fluctuated from seeming to be a true brother and seeming to fall away, while Mnyawe eventually expressed a sincere faith. Bwe and Mnyawe were the main ones on which we focused our prayers. They were the ones who sometimes came to our house and with whom Tom built a deeper relationship. But I had never seen Ari. He had just been a kid that sometimes joined Tom and the group. But that was years ago…

Every year during the month of fasting, we write about different islanders, usually one for each day and a small group of dedicated people pray for them. We try to pray and reflect as we pick the people— sometimes opting for groups of people if a single individual doesn’t stand out to us. But this year, we didn’t have Bwe and Mnyawe on the list, though they have been on the list in the past. They have fallen off our radar. They stopped making time to study with Tom and changed their priorities a long time ago. I don’t think Ari was ever on our list of key people to pray for— but something about what he heard and read those years ago has stayed in his heart, so that he made his way on Eid (a time to visit friends and family) all the way to our house. 

He stayed longer than any other Eid visitor. He asked Tom about studying again. He misses it. He wants to start again. 

Ari may not have been our radar. But we know that God sees everyone. It isn’t uncommon when we are studying or discussing serious things with someone that there are others on the edges, perhaps participating, perhaps just listening. We’ve often taken comfort in the idea that even if the person we are talking to isn’t really open to what we are saying, perhaps someone on the outskirts is. Perhaps our focus was mostly on Bwe and Mnyawe and we should still pray for them, but God has everyone on His radar and He continues to be working in Ari’s heart. 

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Our two older kids made it safely back home. Thank you for praying for their travels, there were some obvious answers to prayers as a few usually tiresome processes went really smoothly and easily.  Our older son is 16 years old today! We are so thankful for him— for the wonderful young man that he has become and how God is working in his life. A plan for Easter is starting to come together! 



PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for the Easter gathering— as plans have come together we have noticed some dynamics between some people that don’t seem entirely healthy. Islanders often talk positively even if it doesn’t represent what is going on in their hearts. Pray that there can be healthy conversations and that the gathering can be well attended and encourage unity. Pray for the women’s gathering this week that it would be an encouraging time of study and fellowship, and also as we discuss what to study next (this is the last in a series). Pray for our two older kids as they recover from their busy school term and travels— pray especially that our daughter won’t have a flare-up of her rheumatoid arthritis. Future decisions are still looming/undecided but we are hoping to make some progress this week— pray that we’d know when to move forward with them. 

What is He Up To?

 Throughout the month of fasting, Tom saw almost nothing of his study buddy Mtsa.  Muki would still come by everyday, but Mtsa hardly at all.  He did keep in touch via WhatsApp, and we saw each other on the street a few times.  But before the month began both he and Muki made it clear that they were not interested in studying.  (Incidentally, the day after the holiday at the end of the month of fasting, they were over at the house to study again.)  I couldn’t help but ask myself…What is he up to? Staying at home? Going to prayers? Shopping?

Ready to host a breaking the fast meal

Last year we invited Muki, Mtsa and his family to our house to break the fast with us, so naturally we did that again this year.  The funny thing is, Mtsa wasn’t able to come.  He was supposed to have someone come and relieve him at work, come for dinner at our house, and then return to his post.  But his relief never showed up!  We ended up piling up a large serving of the meal into tupperware and bringing it over to him at work.  It was good to see him, but a bit strange to have shared a meal with his family without him there.  Still, we had a good time, and shared some truth as well as a delicious meal with his family.

Being Americans we tend to see things individually.  That certainly is the case when we think about truth.  What do I believe?  What do you believe? What does he or she believe? Rarely is it, what do we believe?  And yet there are many passages that talk of what whole families believe.  “Believe…and you will be saved, you and your household.”  We’ve had to train ourselves to see more than just the individual person we are connecting with—to remember that person is connected to a whole network— a household who will be affected by anything that they may say or do.  

Food and a passage ready for guests

The night of Eid (the holiday celebrating the end of fasting) we had another visit from Mtsa’s family.  It’s traditional to dress up in your nice new clothes and go out in the evening, visiting friends or going to some special performances, dance routines, or sporting events.  Mtsa’s family decided to make a visit to our house their evening event.  Strangely enough, Mtsa was unable to come, again.  Apparently something he had eaten had disagreed with him and he was quite ill.  So once again, we found ourselves enjoying the company of Mtsa’s family without Mtsa.  I can’t help but ask myself…What is He up to?  I’m not wondering about Mtsa  I know what he was up to.  (Busy running to the toilet.) No, rather, what is He up to?  The One who arranges such coincidences in the first place.  Why did He want us to have these times with Mtsa’s family without Mtsa?  The truth is I really don’t know.  Maybe I never will.  But it’s interesting that it happened. 

It is not easy for us as Americans, we still often forget to think of the group and not just the individual.  So perhaps this was just meant to be a reminder—for us not to forget the greater family that Mtsa represents. Our Father hasn’t forgotten.  He sees both Mtsa and his family and has a plan for them too.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
The big holiday on Saturday went well, we had lots of interactions with friends, neighbors and acquaintances, including more longer, deeper conversations than we usually have on the holiday. We have heard that the ship with more gas has made it to the islands— still waiting to hear if it carried enough to calm islanders’ fears. Our daughter has been having a good time on her school trip, and so far the balance between downtime and activity has been okay and she hasn’t been too exhausted by it. We did the new extra step and got our visas renewed— everyone in the different offices were very friendly. 

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for Tom as he continues to study with Muki and Mtsa, for continuing growth and understanding. Still no clear plan for a bigger Easter gathering— pray that the details would come together in such a way that everyone will feel comfortable and able to participate. Our two older kids have their final week of school before their month-long break— filled with tests, projects and mock-AP exams (not to mention deep cleaning their dorm and packing for home). After that they have long travels (two overnight connections) before they get back home to Clove Island. Pray that they can continue to get the rest that they need and have the energy that they need to make it home without being too exhausted. There are several big decisions looming— pray for clarity and peace moving forward. 

Word and Deed

 Ananas came to our house on Sunday, as he faithfully always does.  He brings us eggs and bananas.  We pay him far more than they are worth, but we appreciate having these things on hand and he needs the money.  Ananas is one of the “old guard.” As different workers have come and gone the local ‘family’ has also grown or shrunk with them.  A few of the old guard— the legacy of workers long past—remain part of the family until today.  A greater number have gone their own way.  And a few, like Ananas, linger on the fringes.  Neither part of the family, yet neither wholly alienated from it either.  Why is it like this?  I think a recent incident gives some insight.  Ananas came for a visit and shared a story with me.

Bananas from Ananas

“The shop owner was so angry,” he said.  “He caught her putting a dress into her bag.  ‘What do you think you’re doing?  Are you a thief?  You walk around here stealing things from shops.’ He had grabbed her arm and was shouting at her.  But I told him to calm down.  It would be okay.  People shouldn’t act that way.  People are poor.  They can’t always afford to buy things.  I told the woman to come with me.  The shop keeper yelled at me, ‘Hey what do you think you’re doing.  She needs to pay for that.’  So I took out some money and I paid for it.”

It should be mentioned that Ananas is not a rich man.  This was a beautiful act of generosity on his part.  His story continued.

“I took her over to my stall and had her sit down in my chair.  I told her she could just sit there for a while and calm down. She was crying.  She said thank you again and again.  I told her it was okay, that people shouldn’t do things like that.  Shopkeepers are rich men, they don’t need to treat a poor lady like that.”

I was moved by his act of kindness.  What an opportunity for him to share the good news! I asked him, “Did you tell her why you helped her?”

“No,” he replied.  “I just did it.  I didn’t say anything.”

Perhaps I’m being too hard on him, but it seems like an opportunity missed.  Islanders believe in good deeds—especially in this “holy month”—because they believe it gets you faida: good points on judgment day, blessings, good karma.  You might call it “heavenly money.”  “That woman probably left thinking Ananas did it for the heavenly money, never knowing that he may have had a better reason all along.  

Visiting a newborn

I feel this story shows some of the wavering we see in Ananas.  He is both bold and timid.  Courageous and fearful.  Open and yet closed.  Obedient and yet disobedient.  Sometimes I think Ananas is “trying to have his cake and eat it too.”  He seems eager for his neighbors to see him as a good member of the community.  He seems happy for people to think he is doing his deeds for faida.  But he also wants to be welcomed among the family.  But most of the family does not accept him.  They see him as two-faced.  Untrustworthy.   I know a famous saint once said, “Share the good news and if necessary use words.”  This seems like one of those times when words were necessary.  The longer we live here, the more we find, words are almost always necessary, as our good deeds are almost always misinterpreted as just people looking for faida.  

We aren’t looking for faida.  We don’t need faida. We want to show the love of the one who loves us first.  We want it to be more about Him and less about us.  Obedience means being willing to speak up.  

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We were able to have Muki and Mtsa’s family over for a breaking of the fast meal last night. Unfortunately Mtsa wasn’t able to come because the person relieving him at work never showed up. Still we were able to have some good conversation with his wife, and Tom and Muki were able to deliver food to him at work. The chikungunya epidemic seems to be calming down— with the news being about people recovering instead of new people getting sick. Our daughter is doing better. Thanks for praying. The men’s gathering was short as men were tired and had things to do, but there was still some good conversation— we’re hopeful that the regular monthly connection will eventually lead to deeper relationship. Hashiri agreed to go to the doctor (something Megan has been pushing) if Megan went with her— so they went last week and got some answers about Hashiri’s ongoing health issues.  Hashiri also applied for a job this week (something else Megan has been encouraging her in). 

PPRAYERS REQUESTED
It is the final week of the month of fasting with the big holiday likely to be on Saturday (some people say it could be Friday, but we won’t know until the new moon is sighted the evening before). We often see and interact with lots of people on the holiday, pray that we could opportunities to be witnesses of the good news in both word and deed!  The fuel shortage has continued and we have several friends who have been struggling to find fuel for cooking, but thankfully a ship with more is supposed to arrive tomorrow on the big island. Pray that this shipment would not be hoarded by a few, but would be well distributed so that everyone can get what they need. Pray for our daughter as the upperclassmen split up and go on multi-day field trips— pray that she stays healthy on the trip and can still get the rest she needs with her health condition. Pray for wisdom about celebrating Easter this year— there are some obstacles to a big gathering, so pray that it would be clear how to proceed. Clove Island has added a extra step for getting our visas, pray that we could get our visas renewed this week before the holiday (as they expire soon). 

Fear of Shortages Causes Shortages

 Fear has gripped the islands—Crowds amassing at gas stations get bigger and more desperate, especially for kerosene. People who would normally only buy 5 or 10L of kerosene are bringing 20L containers and more than one if they have the containers and the money. We passed the line of containers, long and unmoving.

Line of containers waiting for kerosene

Gas on the islands comes in three different forms. There is the gas for cars, the gas canisters for western-style stoves/ovens and the kerosene gas that most islanders use for their simple cookstoves. There is now a shortage of all three forms of gas in our town. Wealthy people who own personal cars probably use all three on a daily basis. The poorest islanders only use the kerosene, but they use it everyday. They buy it in small amounts— enough for a few days or a week.

It began with a rumor…”The war in Iran will cause gas shortages.” The rumors of potential shortages spread like a kerosene fire, and without delay those with money in hand went to buy as much gas as they could hoard. 

The islands are used to shortages, usually they are caused by poor management and planning or by a long stretch of bad weather stopping shipments. But this shortage isn’t from mismanagement or weather. This shortage isn’t caused directly by the war. This shortage is from fear.

Fear is not a healthy motivator— it usually does not point us in the right direction. But fear is powerful and can override reasonable arguments and advice. Fear combined with selfishness is a combination that can lead to all kinds of problems and hurts. 

How do you stop a rumor?  How do you stop fear?  The hydrocarbons company, which is responsible for importing gas, has sent out appeals and official statements telling people not to panic, that there is enough gas on the islands, and that there is even another ship already en route to deliver more. They have tried to make people understand that if everyone buys normally that there will be plenty for everyone. No one has been listening to them. The government has warned people of the danger of hoarding and storing gas at home. Finally, the big island has forbidden people from filling up containers with car fuel— it has to go straight into a vehicle. 

These fears of a shortage may be realistic. War causes lots of problems and shortages are not uncommon, but the reality is that there wasn’t a problem on the islands until fear caused the problem. The reality is also that some richer individuals are sitting on stockpiles of gas while poor people are struggling to find someone to sell them the kerosene that they need to cook today’s meal.

People/vehicles crowding gas station

Our friend said she saw a neighbor earlier in the week (before the rush for gas got bad) arrive home with some huge containers and a barrel of kerosene. A day later our friend asked this neighbor if she’d sell her some kerosene, “I don’t have any” was her reply. Our friend didn’t call her out on the clear lie, but instead kept looking. She waited in a line for a few hours but as she couldn’t spend her whole day doing that, she traveled to a neighboring village on the promise that she’d be able to buy 5L there.  When she got there she was only able to get 2L. She’s heard that the port is supposed to release some more kerosene for sale, so she’s hoping on that. 

We hope she finds it. We hope that fears will calm, that the shortages don’t come to pass and that everyone, including the poor, has what they need.  Meanwhile our friend is wondering about looking for firewood (which is hard to come by here in the capital) and contemplating whether it would be safe to build a cooking fire on their rooftop…

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We facilitated the first half of an online debrief with the team on the small island last week.  It went well and we’re hoping for another good session this week.  Women’s gathering went well despite some smaller numbers—those who came seemed to get a lot out of it.  We’ve all had some good conversations this week with various friends about fasting and why we don’t fast like they do.  We were able to visit Bako’s family and see his newborn baby boy.  The month of fasting is a good opportunity to get some administrative work done (less visits, no classes)  Praise that that work is getting done!

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for the panic to stop and for there to be enough fuel for everyone. The men will gather this week.  Pray that many will come and that they will continue to grow in trust and vulnerability with each other.  The mosquito-borne illness chikungunya continues to spread all over the islands.  Many, many people have gotten sick.  Thankfully it doesn’t seem too serious most of the time, but some are struggling with on-going joint pain which can last for months.  Pray for healing and for this epidemic to dissipate. Pray for our daughter who has been having a hard week with her rheumatoid arthritis— pray for a lowering of her stress levels and healing for her body. The month of fasting continues and we continue to pray for opportunities for light to shine in the darkness—if you want to be receiving our personalized emails for prayer during this month, let us know. 

War and AI

 As we are all aware, missile strikes and other sorts of warfare have broken out in the Middle East.  Islanders are generally not very interested in world politics, but they know when something big is going on.  Rarely do you come across someone on the street with very strong opinions, and usually they have only the vaguest viewpoints to express about fighting in places like Ukraine, Gaza, Libya or Venezuela.  Those places are far away and have little effect on them (at least as far as they are aware).

Looking down on major road

But facebook is another matter.  Just like everywhere else in the world, social media with its perceived anonymity, is a place for promoting opinions (at least those opinions that won’t get you in trouble with the government) brazenly and broadly—mostly through forwarding others' pictures and videos with your own tag added.  This is new to no one.

But what is different now is the prevalence of AI generated content.  My island facebook page is full of “pictures” and “videos” from the present conflict.  Most of them show missiles approaching and blowing up American airplanes, aircraft carriers, oil tankers, battleships and military bases.  Some of them are obviously fakes, but many have become so realistic it is hard to know what is true and what isn’t.  Based on what we see there, and if it were our only source of information, we would be convinced that the US is losing badly and sustaining terrible losses.  We know this is not the truth, because we have other sources outside of facebook, but what if we didn’t?

We know this is just as much a problem in America as in Africa.  We can no longer trust what we see in a video to be real.  And just like here, some people are getting their news from forwarded facebook photos and videos.  The content might be different—even opposite, but equally false. 

Word spreads just as quickly and powerfully person to person as a post on a facebook page.  This morning our house-helper walked in telling us about the war going on and how all of the oil tankers have been destroyed.  “We’re going to see a rise in gas prices, because they’ve destroyed so many boats.”  We asked if the price has already risen.  She said not yet, but it’s coming—an increase of 20%!  

We wonder where she gets her news.  We don’t think she watches, reads or listens to a regular news programs.  And yet, she told me about all the oil tankers that were being destroyed.  Where did she get this information?  Did a neighbor tell her?  Did someone show her a Youtube video?  And what are we supposed to tell her?  How are we supposed to respond?  

We are constantly telling friends not to believe everything they see on facebook. Years ago, we were having to tell them about how digital photos can be doctored and faked, and “No, I don’t believe a woman gave birth to a baby with a fish tail, even if there is a photo to prove it.” Now I tell them how AI makes videos now that can make it sound like someone is saying or doing things that aren’t real.  They nod their heads and agree, so perhaps we are raising some awareness.  But, we wonder if they think they are smart enough to tell the difference (which we usually assume about ourselves as well).  

Back together again!

Where does this all lead?  We’re not sure.  At the end of the day, perhaps it doesn’t matter very much to islanders which country bombed which country more successfully and came out on top in a war that’s far away from them and has not effected their lives except for a spike in gas prices (which would probably have happened no matter who is winning or losing).  Perhaps it’s just one more lie floating out there among the many that we’re exposed to all the time.  It is hard to know what’s true anymore.  Many people have given up trying to find it, and settle for what feels true.  And yet, something in us longs for truth.   

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  

We long for the truth.  We long to be set free.  It is there in all of us, no matter how many facebook videos we believe.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Megan is finally home on Clove Island— after some unexpected extra time on the big island due to canceled flights. It is nice for the three of us to be back again! The leadership meetings went well and were encouraging. Our daughter was accepted to the colleges she was most interested in. Our older son was part of their school music tour this past weekend that went well. Our youngest is feeling all better now, we are thankful that he didn’t have a serious case. 

PRAYERS REQUESTED 

We pray that people would seek and know truth. We will be facilitating a team debrief online tomorrow and next week that we were meant to do in-person in October. It was disrupted because of a team crisis at that time and postponed— pray that it can still be a meaningful process despite the delay and that the internet connection stays strong for it. We are supposed to have women’s gathering this week which can’t be at our normal time because of the month of fasting— pray that it would still be well-attended and that we could have good discussion about whether to do a larger Easter gathering this year. One of the island brothers who has not been as involved lately just lost his mother. Pray that the brothers could respond with love and that he might be drawn back into community with them. The month of fasting continues—if you want to be receiving our personalized emails for prayer during this month, let us know.