T.I.A.

THIS.IS.AFRICA.

Such has been the phrase of the week. If you’ve seen the film “Blood Diamond,” you know exactly what I am talking about. If you are unfamiliar with this term, it is a best-attempt description of the insane, but frequent, happenings characteristic of Africa. If not to justify, it is used at least to excuse.

It all began last Saturday…

After 4 weeks of going hard ministering to orphans and widows and visiting churches, we completed the first leg of our trip and were headed back to South Africa to regroup and recuperate. To kick things off, our ride to South Africa fell through. “Whatever, T.I.A.,” I thought. We then arranged for someone to take us to the border. The driver assured us that upon crossing, we would have our pick of rides to whatever destination. At the border, we were pleasantly surprised when we made it through in record 30 minute time (it usually takes about 3-4 hours to cross). Quite pleased with how quickly we crossed over, we foolishly thought the rest of our journey would be as pain-free.

Several hours later, we met a man who was willing to take us to Pretoria since he was already traveling in that direction. As we climbed into the back of his pick-up, the man assured us that we would be departing “very soon” as soon as he heard from “someone.”

Slight disclaimer: time is a relative concept in Africa. Africans also have an uncanny ability for being vague.

Here's an example:
Me: How much further until our destination?
Driver: It is just ovah’ there! (Translation: Relax, we have 8 more hours to go!)

Back to the story. 5 hours later, the engines fired up and we pulled out of the gas station. Shortly after, we began circling the highway. It didn’t take long for me to realize something was awry. We pulled over to the shoulder. Out of the bushes, 7 men jumped out and came running towards us. Panic set in. T-I-Freakin’-A. Especially so when I looked to my South African friend for some sort of explanation, only to see him jump and hit the ground running with luggage in tow. Ready to follow suit, I reached for my bags. It was only when I saw a woman carrying an infant child I realized we were out of danger. Even so, we wanted an explanation. As it turned out, the driver was transporting illegals from Zimbabwe. We had heard enough and decided to “bump that…” and walked to a 24 hour diner. After a few more hours of waiting (it was now 3AM), we secured a ride to Pretoria in the back of a small UHAUL like truck with no windows. We rode out the 6 hours in the back of a truck with 14 people plus luggage. This too, turned out to be a truck transporting illegals.

THIS.IS.AFRICA.

Couple T's and Safaris

So...deepest apologies. I have not kept my word in keeping up with this blog. I've got no excuses.

Let me get you up to speed...

My time in Hong Kong was GREAT! Of course my roommate actually came down with swine flu...how's that for irony? But besides that, we had an awesome time getting to know so many great people! I was blessed to meet with so many christian business leaders and had the opportunity to hear their testimonies of how God is using their businesses to bless others. It gave me a lot of encouragement to know that going into business doesn't have to be all about the 'man' but it could be used for greater purposes. It occurred to me that profit no longer had to be the bottom-line!

Following my time in Hong Kong, I had a brief interlude and side-trip to Korea. It had been 14 years since I had last been to what I like to call the homeland. Here is what I discovered about my ethnic origins:

• Koreans love couple t's
• I am not particularly tall for being Korean...a point of great disappointment
• Korean food is far and away the best kind of food!

So if you'll take notice of the picture up top. That is a couple t. Ridiculous. But also hilarious. My friend Marina, who happens to be teaching English in Korea as a Fulbright Scholar, thought it would be amusing if she and I got a couple t just for kicks and photo documentation. Mission failed. However, we did the next best thing to do in Korea. We took pictures in a Korean photobooth with crazy graphics and all! Also in my time in Korea, I got to catch up with family and just to reiterate...ate the best food ever!

Now we're up to speed. I have safely arrived in Zimbabwe and things have been a whirlwind tour of the city and countryside. We will be leaving tomorrow for Kariba, which is a game park area bordering Zambia to the north. There we will be ministering to orphans, widows, and prostitutes. We are taking 1 ton of MealieMeal (Corn Meal), maize seeds, and will be taking part in a feeding program. Hopefully if we have some free time, we can spend some time exploring the game park and perhaps spot some wildlife while we're there!

I have only been here for just over a week, but it has already changed my life. Some of the things we are seeing just absolutely breaks your heart. But we are also seeing how God works through suffering and pain, and it is amazing to see people smile and laugh and even praise God through all their circumstances! The next time I update this will probably be in 3 weeks time when I return to South Africa for a few weeks. The internet is pretty hard to come by up here in Zimbabwe. Until then, take care, and please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers!

Swine Flu and Monsoons...

For starters, welcome to my new blog! If you want the latest and greatest in the life of Edison Lee, you have come to the right spot. I will make good faith, best efforts to update this blog as frequently as I can with all the images, videos, life musings, stories of life threatening illnesses (exposure to H1N1 a.k.a. 'swine flu'), and so much more! I hope you all enjoy!

To brief you on my last 24-48 hours, I began my journey from Seattle to San Francisco en route to Hong Kong Saturday evening at around...let's say 6...didn't actually leave Seattle until 7 due to flight delays and arrived 2 hours later in San Francisco only to wait an additional 4.5 hours for my connecting flight to Hong Kong. One particular highlight of my otherwise exhausting travel day involved watching an older gentleman drink a bottle of Heineken with a bendy straw like it was a juice box. Besides that, I had lots of time to think and pray and catch up on correspondence...another upside to traveling.

...14 hours later, I arrived in Hong Kong. Now, imagine the warm reception (understatement of the year) I received as I disembarked from the cool, air-conditioned, even slightly nippy cabin of the aircraft whence I am greeted by an 85 degree fire-storm and 100% humidity...epic FAIL. And it wasn't yet 7 am!

Once cleared through customs along with my luggage, I took the Airport Express into Hong Kong Central Station. I met Janice, one of the missions training leaders, at the gate and she showed me the way back to the apartment I was to stay at. Along the way, I made a few peculiar observations: 1. EVERYONE had their umbrella out (not just one or two...THOUSANDS); and 2. they were all accessorized with an ever-so-chic and fashionable swine flu mask (which is like a SARs mask, but protects against swine flu...obviously), neither of which I had on me. And not only have I entered into a code-red pandemic cest-pool (right...), but the wet and moppy weather provided the perfect conditions for breeding, incubating, then releasing this viral disease into the masses! Actually, I don't have any problem with either, except that the local Hong Kong ministries we are partnering with requested that all US citizens wear masks and check their temperature everyday (with proper documentation) for a week while we are in their presence...and the rain just adds to all the humidity and makes it more difficult to breathe. Oh, and plus, I am taller than just about everyone in Hong Kong, so when they walk with their umbrellas out, the pointy tips of the umbrella poke me in the face x1000.

So enough complaining. Besides those minor two inconveniences, Hong Kong has been great. I went out with my team and we got a chance to familarize ourselves with the city. The fact that Hong Kong has an amazingly efficient transportation system made it all a cinch. Our apartment is TINY but very nice and clean...very efficient living spaces. Just further evidence that Americans have a tendency to live in excess. It's now about one in the morning, and I am dead tired. I will be sure to update you with further happenings as they arise. Goodnight from Hong Kong!

P.S. I heard a very funny story today. There is this girl from Kansas City who is here with a different ministry, and she was telling us how when she first arrived in Hong Kong, she had a slight cough. Apparently, this was mistaken for swine flu. Immediately, Hong Kong CDC type people dressed in what appeared to be moonsuits and lots of reynolds wrap came aboard the plane, escorted her out, and quarantined her for a few days while she 'recovered' from swine flu. Everyone on the plane took pictures of her as she was taken away by the moon people.