Tales From Tyler's Travels

Path-taker

2009-06-29T18:53:00.002+02:00

Hey every, I'm in Kampala.

I have been reading through the book of Psalms as I travel and I've come across some clutch verses. The other night I was reading Psalms 25:4-5:

"make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach my your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me."

As I've been traveling this verse has taken on a whole new, literal meaning; God is showing me what paths he wants me to take.

Here is one path I found today.

I got into Entebbe last night and read an email from my sister, Sarah, who has work with the NGO Invisible Children who do work in Northern Uganda. She emailed me and told me that her boss has a group of people who won the same contest she did a few years ago in Gulu. So as of this morning I was trying to make my way to Gulu. I decieded to go to a hostel called "backpackers" so I could get settled in Kampala before I head out. I get to reception and asked the girl at the desk to help me dial the number for Invisible Children's office in Gulu and she goes "oh, the Invisible Children will be here this afternoon".

So, I'm waiting for the IC group to return to ask if I can tag along north. How good is God?

In another God-path-guiding moment, my former youth pastor in church aka my boss, Steve and his family have FINALLY gotten the committal order to go ahead and adopt a little Zambian girl. I lived with Steve and co. for 2 months and watched them as they persevered through delay after delay after delay after delay (thats how it works here in Africa). The Zambian girl will be able to come home next week.

Praise God.

Air-(mini)bus

2009-06-28T22:03:00.002+02:00

I always joke about how ridiculous transportation is around here. The mini-buses come and go when they please, they cram everyone in, and the passengers are at the mercy of the driver.

I always thought "what would happen if an airline ran like a mini-bus?" Well tonight I found out: not good. I had been in Dar Es Salaam for a week hanging out with 4 South Africans and it was vey fun so tonight I had to fly to Uganda (where I am currently writing this). We left Dar at 5pm, the flight was supposed to take 2 hours. I bought the ticket and on it said "Dar Es Salaam to Entebbe" but when I got on the plane they said "it will take an hour to get to Nairobi" and I thought "hey, hang on a sec, I paid to go to Entebbe". I thought we'd just have a stop off.

An hour later we land in Nairobi and they say announce "the plane terminates here, you'll have to get off"...we walk into the airport to the Air Uganda transfers desk and tthey have no idea who we are, what flight we were on, and where we were going. It was chaos. The people were pissed, especially the Africans - which suprised me since things like this is the norm here.

When I left Steve gave me some advice. He said, try living by 1 Thess 5:18: "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" and I was sitting in the middle of this pack of people demanding to be taken care out, holding their passports in the attendant's face and I wondered "why should I be thankful for this situation. I could be stranded in a country for a few days, who knows". Well, after a while of furious typing we all had our tickets on an Air Uganda flight from Nairobi to Entebbe and as I was walking to the gate I popped into a store to see what they had and what did I see???

My favorite candy in the whole, entire world: Mambas!!!!!! I smiled and said "thanks God."

I'm trying to head north to Gulu (aka my sister's spiritual homeland) to visit Invisible Children.

Take care.

Broken

2009-05-28T23:52:00.002+02:00

Tonight was very a tough night. Maybe the hardest since I've been here. I interviewed 2 pastors for their support blogs and one of the questions was "What are some challenges you face?" I knew this could be a difficult one but I had no idea how hard it would hit me.

One of the pastors, Alfred, who I have gotten to know a bit more than the others, shared the challenges he faces. He talked about how tough it is trying to reach out to the community and share the gospel with people here when they are starving, homeless and jobless. He said "but at the end of the day, they are physical beings, they need food to eat, but due to financial constraints we are unable to meet their physical needs." As he was talking I could see the pain in his eyes about not being able to help the people in his community. It was as if he felt he was failing as a pastor for not being able to help those in need.

I felt the pain he had. I watched as his normally happy face fill with sadness and despair and it tore me apart.

It is in moments like these that I feel guilty for living the life I have had.
Guilty for have never gone to bed hungry when people around me are starving.
Guilty for spending more money on things that people here couldn't even begin to comprehend why I'd spend money on.
Guilty for having a wonderful family while kids here get abandoned everyday.
Guilty for having the means to walk away from this place while pretty much everyone here is trapped in poverty.
Guilty for never knowing how hard life really is.

Guilty for being me.

Still Here!

2009-05-24T16:17:00.002+02:00

Sorry everyone for not updating this thing. I really don't feel like I'm traveling anymore, I am at home here. Over the last couple of weeks I have fallen in love with this place and these people. I know that sounds cliche, but pretty much my whole life has been slowley moving to this continent. I've been thinking a lot about my long-term future here. (don't worry Mom, I am coming home and finishing my degree!)

Speaking of degrees, I am just 4 credits short of my BA but I've been considering going beyond that. I am considering doing a master's in microfinance -or at least exploring the option.

What got me started on the master's idea you ask. well, I was having a conversation with one of the Zambian pastors I know and he told me that an income generation project for his church would drastically improve their situation. He told me that if they could build a small farm and start selling chickens his church would be more likely to grow. So I started thinking, I've always wanted to help Africa but I don't agree with aid - see my next section, so I am going to see what I can do on the microfinance front.

Do you really want to know what's killing Africa? AIDS, no, not HIV/AIDS, AIDS: Acquired International Dependency Syndrome. Don't get mad at me, I heard a member of parliment say that last night at a discussion on aid led by Dr. Dambisa Moyo on her book "Dead Aid." For those who are interested in Africa READ THIS BOOK! It will greatly challenge your beliefs of foreign aid. She basically argues that government to government aid is bad for Africa and that if Africa is to develop it needs to do so without the assistance of foreign aid.

If you think Bono is the best thing to happen to Africa since the polio vaccine you will be quite shocked. I was a huge fan and supporter of the Live 8 campaign a few years ago and this book challenged my views. If anyone reads this book and has questions about it let me know, I'd love to talk about it.

Dambisa Moyo is nothing sort of a genius. She has a Master's from Harvard and a Doctorate from Oxford. She spent 2 years at the World Bank and 8 years with Goldman Sachs' Dept Capital Markets group. Oh yeah, she was born and raised here in Lusaka. So not only is she academically qualified to speak out on this topic she has a right to, because she is a "daughter of the soil".

Read it. "Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working and How There is a Better Way For Africa"

I'd love to hear from you. Email me!

tyler.

When things go wrong here, they go WRONG

2009-05-12T21:06:00.002+02:00

My day was a comedy errors. It was one thing after another.

I took the wrong bus yesterday morning. I told the conductor that I wanted to go into town. It was very eary so I wasn't that alert. I'm on the bus and I look around and don't recognize anything. The drivers sometimes do their own thing and drive where they want to so I figured he was taking a different route. Then we get this clearing, it was like a dirt road interection. And the bus stops.

By this time I knew I wasn't in the right area and I thought "is this it?" the driver looks at me and says "this is the last stop" and told him I wanted to go to the city. They laughed at me and I had quite a sheepish smile on. So I stayed on as we went back into the city.

Then in the afternoon as I took the bus back to Makeni (I have moved to a different area of Lusaka, on the outskirts) I sat in the conductors spot, right by the door. As we past people on the streets they looked and saw a "mzungu" in the conductor seat. They all thought it was hilarious and laughed at me some more. I had to laugh at the situation. Here I am in Zambia being made fun of by everyone around me and I can't understand any of it. I just knew they were laughing at me.

It was a relief to get home.

love much.

t.

I Love Africa because...

2009-05-05T19:20:00.002+02:00

you see the craziest things. Today, I went into the bathroom to wash my hands and I looked down and there was a frog in the toilet. It was alive and must have gotten stuck in a pipe somewhere and gotten carried into the bowl.

I just had to laugh. TIA.

But on the other hand, Africa is exhausting. There is another acronym. AIE. I am absolutely drained and have just enough energy to get through the next class. I've also missplaced some seriously imporant documents from the office.

PRAY THAT GOD WILL HELP ME FIND THEM!!!!!

Love you all,

Tyler.

2009-05-02T13:06:00.002+02:00

Hey Everybody!

I have officially been in Africa for one month! And what a month it has been! I am settling into the swing of things just nicely. This has truely been one of the most remarkable months of my live. I have learned and experienced so much it is amazing.

In one month I have:
Screen "The Passion of the Christ" outdoors in a compound and almost got stampeded.
Taught people who have never used a computer how to "double-click".
Seen elephants, giraffes, zebras, kudus, and lions.
Seen one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls.
Traveled to 4 countries.
Bungee Jumped 364 feet.
Met some of the most incredible people ever.
And so, so much more.

I am very excited for the next month or so. Steve wants me to document these pastors lives and put together a blog/site about each one. This means I'll be heading into these compounds (during the day mom, I'll be safe) to see how they live, how they pastor their churches etc, etc. I am so looking forward to this.

I miss you all,

Tyler.

PS. I'd love to hear from you. Email me tyler.dingman@gmail.com

Culture Clash = Banging my head against the wall.

2009-04-21T20:08:00.002+02:00

Mocha bwanji! (I have risen well, how are you?)

Well my friends, if the Lord hadn't given me an extreme amount of patience I probably would have smashed my head in by now. I have finally crashed in the HUGE wall that culture is.

Zambia has a very high power distance. Power distance, as defined by the Dutch writer, Geert Hofstede, is how superiors and subordinates interact with eachother. The US scores very low on Hofstede's scale because the subordinates can interact and call into question their superiors. Here in Zambia there is a very high power distance meaning what the teach said is essentially the word of God and no one questions him.

(*WOW, I actually used something from university here in Africa! I didn't waste thousands of dollars on a degree. Hurray!!*)

That is why there are a lot of corrupt leaders here, because the common folk won't question and oppose him. It's more complicated than that granted but, in very layman's terms. Anyways, so when the teacher says something the student will do EXACTLY what they say. They are taught to do one thing and do not think outside the box. It is a very linear way of doing things.

If you are reading this blog it means that you know how dynamic and non-linear the computer is. You can do the same thing many ways.

So right now I am trying to teach these men how to create a new folder. I teach them how to create one in "my documents" then when I ask them to create a subfolder they just look at me as if I was a ghost. I'll show someone how to copy and paste and then ask them to do it again, but instead of copying "matthew" just copy the "w" and they can't do it.

I'm getting frusturated, not at them, but at the situation. They are trained to think very 2 demensional. They do exactly as they are instructed by the teacher. So, when a curveball is thrown they cannot adapt easily. And since most of these men have a jr. high education its even worse.

This has really opened my eyes to how complex culture really is.

The Pastor's Conference is going very well. Thanks for your prayers.

Masala bwino (I am leaving, good bye!)

This is a spacebar.

2009-04-18T15:22:00.002+02:00

My first week of computer classes are over. And let me tell you, what an experience it was. On Tuesday I tought a group of 8 men, ages 40 to 60, who had seen a computer but never used one. I cannot begin to describe how complicated and hard it was. Think back to when you first learned how to use a computer. Oh wait, for most of you this is impossible because it is second nature to you. I started out explaining the mouse and how to "double-click". After twenty minutes practicing how to "double-click" we moved on to the keyboard.

I started out saying "this is a space bar". They didn't understand. It blew my mind at how comlex this stuff was. Needless to say 2 hours later I was exhausted.

The next group, 15 men ages 30 to 50, had much more experience. So, I just reviewed and tought them how to organzie folders.

It has been a busy week and next week will be even busier. Pray for strength and energy!

ps. I am trying to upload photos on my blog but the internet connection is giving me trouble when I upload. Look at my facebook.

2 Weeks down...

2009-04-13T18:04:00.002+02:00

Well my friends, I have been in Africa for 2 weeks. I cannot believe it. I feel like I have been here months. I have experienced a lot so far in just this short time.

One thing that has hit me in the last few days is that no matter how long I am here I will never fit into this culture. I will always be an outsider. I was going with Steve to pick up a bed in a part of town and when I got out there was a bunch of kids. Immediately they go "hey, Mzungu!" Meaning "Hey, white person" The conversation went from introductions to football quickly. The more you can relate to them the better, I have found football - aka soccer - is one of the quickest ways..Anyways, the conversation went from football to "I need money for a football" shortly there after. Then for the next 10 minutes or so, while I was gettin the frame on top of the car, they were hitting me up for cash. They were relentless. I replied I didn't have cash and then they said "how did you pay for that, of course you have money" meaning the bed.

For the first time, I was the outsider. While being hit up by a bum in the States is nothing new, this was different because these kids new I had money because I was white. It was a completely new experience. So once they figured out I wasn't going to give them money they left. Sorry kids.

The more I am here the more I realize that handing out money is not the answer to Africa's problems. How much money and aid have we given Africa in the last 30 years? billions? trillions? and yet the problem still exists. So something isn't work quite right. The more time I spend here I have more questions than answers.

Anyways, tomorrow - Tuesday - is my first day of computer classes. I am so excited...and nervous. We have 6 or 7 fully functional computers. we have one that is missing the battery and another that is dead so both die if the power gets pulled out...oh well. TIA. The next couple of weeks are going to be busy so pray for strength and that I can teach these men computers.

Miss you all,

T.

PS. Today I saw my first zebra. We went to this little game park outside of the city, so I don't if you could call it wild but as Steve put it it was, "a live Zebra in Africa".

This Is Africa (TIA)

2009-04-07T18:33:00.002+02:00

Two things that shouldn't happpen no matter where it happens:

Last night, the Allen's housekeeper Miriam's nephew - who is about 18 months - died...

not AIDS, not ebola, not some exotic disease...

from diarrhea.

Miriam went over to see him because he'd been sick for the last few days and he was doing well. 2 hours late he was dead.

When you read this in the paper back home, you think "oh, thats too bad" but when you see how that completely destroys a family here it really sinks in.

Steve has been blogging about a boy, Joshua, who kidney is failing him. I was supposed to stay with this family before he got sick. He is my age, 22. He's been struggling these past few weeks but is getting better. Anyways, today I was talking to his father, John, and he was explaining how the organ donor list works. Basically, the government looks at your age, your education, your skills, who your family is, and who you know. In other words, if you're dying and you need an organ transplant the government decides whether you will live or die based on your future and what you could contribute to society.

The thing I've wrestled with most since being here is reconciling what I see with how I have lived the past 22 years. Why did God want me to be born in the US? Why make it so hard for so many people? It is what it is.

Please don't think that I am depressed by this. This is just a bit of what goes on here daily.

On a lighter note:

I started my internship today. I was in this office for 5 hours help the accountant work through Action's taxes. It wasn't exciting BUT next week I start teaching 25 pastors how to use a computer...in 3 days. I am very excited yet nervous. Please pray that I'll be able to teach these guys.

T.I.A.

Life

2009-04-04T09:29:00.002+02:00

First week in Zambia is done...and what a week it has been. Being sick for the first half made it very interesting; but I think it was God's way of reminding me who is in control. Lesson learned!

What has struck me so far is the normality of life here. Jus because this is Africa does not make it different. People go to work, people have fun, people struggle. Although here, it's a bit different.

Next week I'll begin my internship with Action Zambia. I'll be in the office doing some admin stuff. April is tax season. See, Africa isn't all that different. So it will be an interesting opportunity to look at how a NGO functions in a foreign country.

Flu = Frustration

2009-04-01T13:56:00.002+02:00

On the plane to Joburg I started feeling kind of ill. I thought it was just a cold from being up for so long; well, it has come full circle and became the flu. I'm really tired, worn out, and stuck in bed. So much for hitting the ground running...

Anyways, I have done a few things so far. I went with Megan to a school the other day. While she talked with the teachers I got mobbed by the kids. I noticed the younger kids were excited to see me and begged to be in a photo while the older ones were a bit more stand-offish.

Last night I had dinner with some people Megan knows. One of the guys is here building the American Embassy and the other girls are working with IJM. It was fun; it just felt like hanging out back home...but in Zambia.

I am very excited to start working. The pastors are extremely excited to learn and I feel their energy (now only if I can get over this bug...).

Hope you are all well,

Tyler.

Zambia Finally!

2009-03-30T18:22:00.002+02:00

After many months and hours of preperation I finally made it to Zambia! I almost ran into some trouble at customs but luckily the Action admin lady, Megan, jumped in and saved the day.

I am staying at the Allen's for now; but I may move out later to a different place. As I was driving around with Steve today I couldn't help but think how wierd it is being here. I feel like I'm driving around a different planet. I'm very excited and very, very, tired.

Tyler.

This One's for you Mom!

2009-03-29T23:37:00.002+02:00

I am finally here in Johannesburg safe and sound. Its been quite an adventure already. My taxi driver, Jakks (at least that is what it sounded like), gave me the lowdown on the African drug trade...

The flights were, in one word. l-o-n-g. One thing that already struck me is there sheer size of this continent. My fight from Seattle to Amerstdam was about 8 hours; my flight from Amsterdam to Johannesburg was about 10 hours. I figured it roughly took us the same amount of time to go from Seattle, across North America, and over the Atlantic to Amsterdam as it did to go from the northern coast of Africa to Johannesburg. As I was fyling down here, I had a hard time comprehending how many people were below me. It is very surreal.

So. tomorrow I finally make it to Zambia. Pray that the luggage situation works out, and I think I got a cold on the plane...!

Much love,

Tyler.

Hello/Goodbye

2009-03-25T00:54:00.000+02:00

Hello All,

As most of you know I'm going on a little adventure in Africa. Starting Monday, March 30th I'll be in Lusaka, Zambia for two and a half months. I'm working with Steve Allen, my former youth pastor, and Action International. I'll be teaching pastors how to use computers and then Logos Bible Study software.

After that I'll be traveling around East Africa for another two and a half months visiting Rwana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.

I'm very excited and a little nervous. I'll do my best to keep this up to date.

Thank you for all your support and love!

Tyler.