Safe Arrival in Zimbabwe...

Johanna called home for a just a couple of minutes in the early morning hours on 10/12/09 to let us know that she had arrived safely, was doing well, and to wish her brother a happy birthday! Thanks for your prayers and support!

The NH Beachys

Time to go try it out...

Hi all,

I wanted to let you guys know that I am leaving tomorrow to go on the first part of my outreach. Our class is going to Knysna, South Africa to work in a long-term care home for elderly and paraplegic people. It is around four hours from Worcester and we will be there until Sept. 21st. When we return we have one last week of classes and then on the 28th we leave for Zimbabwe.

Speaking of Zim, I was very blessed this morning to get to visit with my friend Rob from Zimbabwe. I met Rob about two years ago in Manchester, NH way before I ever had plans to go to Zimbabwe. He has since moved back to Zim and was here in SA visiting friends so we met in Cape Town to catch up. I think it is just so cool how God knows our lives before we live them. I had no idea but He knew that I would be in Zim someday. I really am so excited to see this country; from what I hear God is turning things around from what they were like even just last year.

I will write you as soon as I can and definitely before I go to Zimbabwe:)

Isimbi Johanna

I'm alive!

Hi you guys,

Don't worry I haven't perished of a strange tropical disease. I have a lingering cough but other than that I am doing very well. Thank you all so much for your prayers. Here at the base I got prayed for in English, Afrikans, Portuguese, and French so I was pretty well covered. The flu bug thing is going around here and lots of people are getting sick.

I just found out today that I thought I had payed all my school fees but actually I have to pay another 12,000 rand for outreach. Bit of a downer of course but it is actually rather awesome the way God has already begun to provide that for me. I have had people offer to support me earlier this week before I knew that I would be needing this and I found out that I have a 401K check coming from one of my jobs in Montana. I think it is so cool that God knew I was going to be needing to pay this and started to prepare for it before I knew.

Here's how the rest of this school is going. We have 3 more weeks of teaching and then we are going to another part of South Africa where we will be working at a long term care home for paraplegics, quadraplegics, and elderly. Our job will be mainly helping with washing in the mornings and getting them breakfast. We are there until the end of September then we come back here to Worcester for some last minute teaching then off to Zimbabwe. We will be in Zimbabwe from October to December mostly in Komayanga village. After graduation I fly home for Christmas.

I have kind of flopped when it came to fund-raising for this school which I apologize for. Many of you have expressed a desire to support me financially and I am sorry I didn't organize this better for you. I was planning to put off fund-raising until I came back next year when I could do a really good job and send out stuff to make it easier for people. I will still do that but if you are sensing God leading you to not wait until then you can send a check to my home address which I will provide [See blog heading] or give it to my lovely parents if you are in NH. May I just tell you that I already appreciate your prayers because they are the greatest most powerful support you can give me.

Thank you all tremendously! Ndagukunda cyane. I am heading to Cape Town with friends (someone is letting us crash at their house for the weekend) so I will talk to you later.

Isimbi Johanna

The Kenyan Sky!

Hello everybody! The team and I arrived safely in Kenya last Saturday after a horrific bus ride. Athi River, Kenya is definitely out in the bush-bush and so gorgeous. I don't know how to explain the sky here. Its not like anything I have ever seen in America. Its kind of like the land is so beautiful that the sky wants to reach down and touch it. So anywhere you stand you can turn in a complete circle and there are huge, white billowing clouds touching the horizon. Imagine what the sunrises are like...:)

So far for ministry we have just been working at the base slashing grass, which is the African version of mowing the lawn. We have also been pulling down dead branches from thorn trees, which is a very perilous job. Next week we will start ministry in a children's home, do a prayer walk in Nairobi (please pray for us, scary place right now), and participate in small groups with HIV/AIDS affected children.

One benefit at the base every day can be a safari because there are giraffes that regularly graze all around, and a national park with lions, cheetahs, zebras, you name it that borders the base. One downfall is the lack of Internet access, which means this has to be short. Bye!

Love you all!
Isimbi Johanna

Safe Arrival in Kenya!

Johanna's close friend Laura (pictured) posted this on Saturday morning after their arrival:

"We left Soroti at noon yesterday and traveled through the night to arrive in Nairobi this morning at 5 am. We then took another bus to the bush bush and are at the base. The nearest town is a 30 min walk, and there is no internet there. I am using the internet at the base but it is expensive so I won’t really be able to use it much. I am told that if we go out of the base into the bush to have our morning quiet time, we are likely to be met by giraffe and zebra. It is really beautiful but there is nothing here. I am not sure what our ministries will be yet, we will find out on Monday. ... Please excuse the infrequency of my posts from now until I get back in Rwanda…things are a little different now that it is easier for me to see a giraffe than to get to a computer…"

Hello from the other side of the equator!

Hi everybody!

I have to be very quick but I wanted to let you know that I arrived safely in Uganda:)

The bus trip was long and very bumpy. We drove across the equator along the way which was cool. I found it even more fascinating to drive across the Nile! On one side was all big modern buildings and the on the other side down by the shore I looked out the window and saw some fishermen in little dugout canoes. That is what I have found Africa in general to be like; a blend of modern up to date technology and old old traditions that have hardly changed in the past few thousand years. Maybe that is part of the appeal.

Oh, I need to go. I will post a more complete update later that includes what it was like working with little children with AIDS. Talk to you soon!

Isimbi Johanna

Arrival in Uganda...

Hello to all Johanna's friends:

Her roommate Laura posted an update on her blog to indicate that they have arrived safely in Soroti. The highlights are as follows:

• Left Kigali base early on Tuesday morning and were on our way to Uganda by 6 30. We crossed the border in less than 2 hours.
• We raced along the highways until we arrived in Kampala in the afternoon. The scenery is very different here, much flatter and drier. We also crossed the equator, which was cool.
• We spent the night at a friends house in the city and had a late dinner before all falling asleep while standing up.
• The next morning we awoke early again and caught a bus to Soroti. This one was much bigger and full of people. We raced along the bumpy pothole-filled high ways, through flat Ugandan marshlands for most of the day. By the time we reached Soroti, we were all exhausted and our backs were aching from the incredibly bumpy ride.
• We found our way to the YWAM base and were greeted by a small staff. The base here is spread out and each ministry has their own compound. Soroti is much more rural than our base in Kigali, and we are in the middle of a big, hot field.
• We were shown to our very "cozy" room, where eight of us girls will live. However, you could put me in a box for all I am concerned, because we have running water, our own bathroom, and a shower!!! Oh, and there is a toaster here as well, in the kitchen!
• We spent our first night meeting them, looking at the stars, and sweating while being eaten alive by mosquitoes.
• We awoke this morning to breakfast and an orientation about the ministries we will be involved in. Mostly we will be working with FACE (facing aids with compassion and education), a primary school, and Amachet, which is a phenomenal ministry for children with AIDS. We will be working night shifts at the center for children and helping ease the pain of some of those who are very progressed in their symptoms. I know it will be very difficult, but this is an incredible ministry to show children love and dignity before they die, and to nurse those who can be saved back to a healthy and somewhat normal life.
• Please pray for us as this will certainly be an emotional experience.

Johanna's Dad

A President's Visit

President George W. Bush (C) and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame watch dancers perform during an arrival ceremony at Kigali International Airport February 19, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Reed

Those who follow the torrent of media (in whatever form it is rendered or consumed) will be aware that President George Bush has been in Africa this week. In the course of his trip the President will have visited each of the countries where Johanna has spent time in Africa (Liberia, Ghana, and Rwanda). The President and First Lady seem to have a genuine interest in the great needs of Africa (in particular the HIV/AIDS crisis -- see this Time article for more detail) but one is left to wonder how much can really be comprehended on such a quick trip either by the Bushes, by the media, or by those of us watching from a distance.

It is certainly easier to travel around Africa in Air Force One -- but the downside is that it is probably much harder to really see Africa. True, you do get to see the prepared ceremonies, you meet those dignitaries with enough rank to warrant an invitation to the receptions, and you visit places selected by the embassy. But do you see Africa? Almost certainly not.

You still miss the kids who live day-to-day on the streets. You miss the orphanages overflowing with children and joy and African energy. You miss the shoe-string clinics short on help and medicines and funds that nevertheless make a world of difference to the limited extent that they can. And you miss the heros! The heros of Africa are those who have overcome hunger, horror, hopelessness, and hell itself to slowly begin building for tomorrow and for others and for the future that needs to be the Africa of tomorrow.

I'm sorry that the Bushes (and the world) have not yet gotten to see that Africa...

I'm still here everybody!

Wow, sorry it has taken me so long to post anything. I have had a few complications with getting to the internet and then with getting on my e-mail at all. I'll try to write a lot to make up for it:)

Ok, there are two big things on my mind right now. Number one is about my DTS' plan about going to Kenya for outreach. This has been planned since before things got to the place they are right now. The Lord spoke very clearly to our staff that He was calling us to go there. After they announced it to us and we began praying about a number of the students also got confirmation about it. I was praying about it one time and I very clearly sensed God take my left hand and write Kenya across my palm. Ever since then I have heard over and over that our class was not to go with a spirit of fear or trembling. We just had a meeting with the base leadership about the issue because they are all seeking God about whether to send us there or not. The situation is not good at the moment. The base where we would be staying,Athi River, is in a relatively secure area and is not a big concern but the main problem is getting there. We cannot afford to fly so we are going by bus. The only two routes to take go through western Kenya where there is no security. Our leadership has given us all until this Friday to pray and hear from God about going.They are doing the same. One thing they are sure about is that we must go in unity; all 14 of the students and the 2 staff members going need to know that God is calling them to go to Kenya this March. Sooo, any and all prayers in this matter would be great!

The other thing is my friend Selassie. I have written about him before although not for some time. Mainly because I have not seen him in a over a month. The many attempts Laura and I have made to meet with him have not worked. The past week for some reason he has been constantly on my mind; perhaps because we are leaving soon and I could potentially never see him again which bothers me. I don't remember how much I shared about how we became friends. At first glance it would seem rather unlikely. Selassie is a hard-core, reggae-loving Rwandese guy who has a problem with authority because of his past. Crazily enough I have never met someone who reminded me so much of myself a few years ago. Our personalities are very similar; especially how we react to things. We called each other impanga wanjye (my twin). God used the surprising similarities to allow Sel to open up to people finally but after he left DTS he has been even more closed off. Last night during class I suddenly felt a strong pressing need to pray for him. It was like it was being drummed into my head...Pray for Selassie. Now. Pray for Selassie. Now. I pulled two friends aside to pray for him after class and found out that Kate had gotten the same strong need to pray for him at the same time. I don't know what is going on, where he is, or if I will see him again but I trust that my God knows it all. This is my prayer for Selassie as well; that he will be able to believe that God loves him intensely and intimately. That He has never ever left him through all the horrific and frustrating times in his life and that through the power of Jesus we are able to see the bad turned to good.

It will be sad for me to leave Rwanda next month even if I do get to go to Kenya. I have discovered something powerful and peaceful while I was here. I am in love with Jesus Christ. I love Him. Despite growing up in a Christian home and having all sorts of head knowledge about Jesus it has taken me years to reach this point. And get this, He let me take as long as I needed! I have not shared much to many people about the years I spent really struggling and it would take too long to go into them now but I'll just say there were times I did not feel God cared about me at all. I didn't think anyone did because all I could see was pain. It is incredible to look back and see how much bigger God is than our feelings. No matter what I felt at that time He was always there with me and always will be.

My time in west Africa changed my perspective of who God is. He took my Christian girl, middle-class American, view of Him and blew it pieces in Liberia. What I knew didn't alter in truth it just widened in scope. I got to see the God of Liberia who is able to redeem. My time in Rwanda has changed my view of Jesus. I will never look at Him the same again. I couldn't possibly not love this God-man who took the sins of the entire genocide onto Himself on the cross. The things that people did to one another here He took responsibility for so that we might have life. I cannot even adequately begin to understand the weight of what He bore. Because of Rwanda I will always remember Jesus.

I really should be going for now. I will try to write again soon. I love you all!

Isimbi Johanna

Earthquake(s) in East Africa

Those of you aware of Johanna's location in Rwanda will be interested to hear that the Kigali area was not severely affected. Here is the initial BBC news story:

At least 30 people have been killed and more than 300 hurt in a series of quakes in Africa's Great Lakes region.

The two most powerful occurred hours apart in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Rwanda, with magnitudes of 6.0 and 5.0 respectively.

At least 10 people died as a church collapsed in western Rwanda, while the eastern DR Congo city of Bukavu suffered widespread damage.

Police say the death toll could rise, as there are many people trapped.

We spoke with Johanna on Sunday night and she has asked for prayer for one of her classmates from Rwanda, Jean-Paul, whose sister and cousin were both injured in the earthquake. and are currently in the hospital. Since he had already lost family members in the genocide Johanna said it's now even more heartbreaking to watch this happening. She told us that they have been instructed to go outside the building this evening as they are expecting another after-shock around midnight their time.

Please pray for the staff and students who are still planning to go to Kenya for the outreach phase beginning the first week of March. They will be about 30 miles southeast of Nairobi at another YWAM facility there, although she doesn't know yet what they will be doing. We are aware of the unrest in that area and we are trusting God as Johanna belongs to Him first.

On the Road with Johanna!

Today [Thursday 1/31/08 NH time], Joy and I took Johanna with us on our way to see our favorite horses. Well, OK, we called her on my cell phone and turned it on speaker so we both could hear her. At one point the three of us were laughing and it almost felt like she was right there with us! It's really amazing when you think about it. Hearing someone so clearly, talking from across the ocean in another continent!

She is doing very well, pretty tired at the end of the day. On Thursdays they spend time with some street boys. She really loves it - they are LITTLE boys! :-) While we were talking she was in the school dining room and was watching three geckos crawling and chasing each other at the top of the wall. I asked her if she could pick them up and she said she couldn't because they are very fast. !

She asked for prayer as she needs to decide where to do the Introduction to Primary Health Care Course. YWAM offers it in many places and she had been planning on going to the one in Australia but then she found out that it is also offered in South Africa. She would rather stay in Africa, but she also wants the best possible academic training. But first she will need to come home and work and raise money to go again. The Lord is preparing us for the day when our children will leave and won't come back except for quick visits. We are grateful for His grace!

Until then, I'm looking forward to June!
God's blessings to all
Don't forget the orphans and widows who are too many to count...
Gloria Beachy

Laura: Friend & Classmate / SoZo

Those of you who have been following Johanna's experience in Rwanda will also enjoy being able to occasionally visit the blog of her classmate and good friend, Laura Jordan. Laura has been able to post more frequently and extensively and has also been able to upload quite a few photographs of their time in Rwanda (like the one above). You can find Laura's blog site here.

Also, Johanna has been able to participate with a ministry to Rwandan orphans called Sozo which has been started by a couple serving in the YWAM organization. She helped with a Christmas party for the orphans that was quite memorable! You can check out the SoZo website here.

Enjoy!

Giraffes and toothaches

Hi Everyone!

Merry Christmas a little late and happy new year!

I am happy to be able to report that finally on my second trip to Africa I have seen a giraffe:) Actually, I saw an entire family of giraffes and hundreds of zebras and baboons, impalas, hippos, warthogs, birds...It was amazing! I went on a visit to Akagera National Park [Wildlife Conservation Society link and see also park website] on Monday. Definitely worth a day spent in the car. God's beauty is so awesome the more I see of it. His mind is really beyond our understanding which nobody would doubt once they have seen a real live zebra. Who comes up with something like that?

Well, I wish I had more happy news to report but things are not all easy. My friend Selassie has been expelled from the school because of a lot of things on his part. I support the leaders decision but it is still hard. At least, it will not be the last we see of him. My friends and I will not let him go just like that because we need to show him that God does not let him go simply because he is no longer in DTS. One good thing in this is that we took Selassie with us to Akagera. He had a really good day. It is rare that he gets to take a break from life and just enjoy himself.

As for me, I find that there are so many things I want to be doing all the time that I am running short on sleep. Yesterday I had the chance to help out at a Christmas party for a group of orphans. These kids have had very hard lives and are still being majorly exploited. The way the government is set up here you can really make money by taking in orphans especially if you use the money on youreslf that was intended to buy them food. It is a messy situation but thanks to an awesome ministry called SoZo stepping in it is beginning to be brought to light and things are changing. Yesterday was fantastic. The kids each received a box of presents and a new outfit. One little girl that I was watching for the day got a baby doll and she could not stop laughing and bouncing it up and down. It is better than sleep.

I would ask you to be praying for my teeth though! I knew before I left that I needed my wisdom teeth out but I, not very wisely, didn't do anything about it. They have been hurting me a bit so I pray that it can wait until I get back.

I wish I had more time to tell you all the things that are going on but my session [at the Internet cafe] is almost up. I will write again when I can.

Bye! Johanna

The pleasure of a voice!

Finally!! We were able to overcome the nuances of the international telco switching system, the limitations of particular calling cards, and the timing and availability of actual phone numbers and speak to Johanna. It was, of course, a wonderful thing to hear her voice after only just over three weeks.

Johanna is pretty tired and does not have much free time in a very full schedule of classes, work duties, and various opportunities for outreach involving her class. She is in a class of about 15 students - of which 6 or 7 are from North America and the majority are from the eastern region of Africa (Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, etc.). In spite of the attractiveness of the facility in which she is staying (see the YWAM Rwanda link to the left) there is no running water. That means that showers are bucket showers but as she noted, "it's not that bad." Her assessment of her time in Kigali so far was that it has been a very good time - it is hard but she is very happy that she is where she is.

The night before we spoke she had been out to attend a concert. I did not catch the name of the artist but the concert was held at the Hotel des Mille Collines (Mille Collines). For those familiar with the film Hotel Rwanda this was the hotel that was the setting for that movie (which can be seen in the special features if you have the DVD version) where a courageous Rwandan national named Paul Rusesabagina sheltered over 1,200 fellow countrymen during the 1994 genocide.

Current plans call for Johanna's class to travel on an extended outreach to the country of Kenya (probably in late March through May) although the exact location of their outreach has not yet been determined.

Johanna has asked for prayer for one of her classmates. S____ is a young man who lost most of his family members during the genocide (I got the impression that he may have witnessed their murders). His mother and sister are still living but he is having a difficult time believing that he can be loved by God or that his own life is valuable. Please join us in praying for him.

Johanna will also try to occasionally post here on the blog site however she indicated that it took almost an hour to get to a reliable Internet café. Although an hour of Internet time was inexpensive (about one USD) the speed of the connection was very slow by American standards and thus even simple things like checking e-mail on line took much longer than expected. As a result we will 'manage' her online e-mail account to keep the number of messages to a minimum since she also communicates through Facebook.

Still Dealing with Genocide After-effects

The BBC Africa section is an excellent resource for those who wish to take Johanna up on her 'challenge' to learn more of Africa. They carried an article this morning about some of the judicial follow-up from the genocide nearly 14 years ago. You can read the article here.