Johannesburg. Ndaba Mazabane.
After a total of 26 hours of travel time, I have finally reached Africa. However, I am not yet at my final destination for what may be considered the first portion of ministry. I am in Johannesburg, South Africa for one night and tomorrow I depart for Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to meet with Emmanuel Kopwe from African Enterprise (who I will be journeying with for the rest of the trip). My good friend and trip advisor, Bob Lehnhart, gave me a few tips for the journey. One of those tips is to always carry 3x5 note cards (Bob even provided those for me) with a pen in my front shirt pocket because, he said, “You will constantly be meeting fascinating people and you’ll want to write down their names and contact information in order to build relationships.” Well, I’ve met my first friend, Ndaba Mazabane, who sat next to me for the 18 hour flight from New York to Johannesburg. Ndaba is the President of the Association of Evangelicals of Africa (and formerly worked for “Focus on the Family”) , and he was in D.C. and New York for a week, gathering clergy from mainline denominations along with members of the U.N., to meet with the purpose of partnering together as advocates for the poor, brainstorming and creating strategies to end poverty. He’s from Durbin, South Africa. It’s pretty awesome that he’s the first person I’ve met, before I even reached Africa. We had a wonderful conversation. I miss you all dearly and I’m afraid my separation anxiety from Devon and my community will only get harder as time goes on. It’s only day one! Please pray that I won’t feel alone, but connected through the bond of Christ with Emmanuel and the other friends I will make here in Africa. Until next time…
posted by Chris Pritchett | 10:18 AM
6 Comments:
Chris, we don't know if you can read our notes or not. If so please confirm. Awesome how you were placed next to Ndaba. All of us here are praying urgently for your safety, comfort, your ministry, and that you would feel our presence as well as God's. Iknow there will be MANY miraculous circumstances that occur on this trip. We are all counting the hours since you left and until you return. Great Picture! henryp
Hi Chris! I knew Bob's tips would come in handy. Please don't let us all know when you make use of the ziplock filled with toilet paper. :) Ohhh...this is day one without you and I miss you tremendously. I keep finding myself in group settings where someone will ask where my husband is. When I respond you're in Africa the conversation then gets really interesting and I see a small spark in their eyes...not sure if they think you're crazy or if they're starting to get (you know what I mean). I am so excited for you and your adventure through Africa. I love that you're able to share with us your daily activities and look forward to your next Post each day. I know you look forward to reading our comments and I'll spread the word regarding your blog. Be prepared...I think you're going to be overwhelmed with the number of comments thta will show you how many loved ones you have behind you. You know I'm your number one fan (eventhough your dad beat me to putting in a comment...thanks Henry). I can't wait to talk to you tomorrow morning. In the meantime I'll pray for you and your journey. p.s. Don't forget to pray for the little one. I love you!
Hey Chris,
What a great picture! I'm so excited and happy for your journey (it's kind of like Joshua parting the Jordan River and leading his people out of Egypt). Well, not really, but it is quite a "fearless" adventure. You're an awesome guy and we miss you and love you very much! (Devon, sorry for "getting on first" with the comments, I facilitated that one. We know you're the biggest fan.) We will be thinking of you, praying for safety, and looking forward to all of your upcoming "posts". God Speed! karene
Gitch, I tried calling you Friday morning to say goodbye but you're phone was cutoff. Sorry I didn't call on thursday, like I said I would. I'm lame. When you get back, there's a book I think you'd be into. "When Jesus Came To Harvard: Making Moral Choices Today" by Harvey Cox. You might have heard of it. I started it and so far, so good. I'm praying for your safety daily out there and I'm really glad Devo sent me the e-mail about this. Thanks, Devon. Be safe and I'll continue praying for you. I would say I'm jealous that you get to go to Africa and I don't, but I'm more just happy for you than jealous really. So, live it up. Jesus is working and what-not. - Saur
Gitch...I just got off the phone with your wife and she loves you very much, and all ready missing you. I told her any night in the next month, if she needs a bed buddy, I will be there in 15 minutes. I may not be as good of a spooner with her, but I will do my best to be a good bed buddy. She said she is going to take me up on my offer. I get to go to PCOM this wednesday (class was cancelled...yeah). Praying for you brother.... your little sis, tiff
What up Bud? Hope all is well. I am sure you will have an amazing experience and I pray you would meet wonderful people along the way. Don't be to much of a STAR when Devon arrives.
Late
Brian Ong
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