Here are 10 things you may or may not know about me. This is list #7 of 10 lists Beth and I are completing. I have tried to include facts from all stages of my life.
I was born in Joseph, Oregon. This city has recently become noteworthy because it is the setting of the New York Times bestseller The Shack. I have also lived in Idaho (4 summers), Wisconsin, and Somerset KY.
I took 2 years of square dance lessons (I even dropped out of boy scouts to do so). I know Basic and Mainstream moves, as well as a few Plus calls. What many people do not know is that Square Dancing is competitive. We would have banners that could be won and defended based on the number of “squares” you could take to another club’s events. There is even a video of me dancing with my lunch lady — as I am sure you can understand, that is in the vault.
I was a Senior in High School before I got more television stations other than PBS. I only had cable the 4.5 years I was in college.
Beth and I attend two of WKU’s greatest sports achievements of the last decade. Their basketball upset of UK at Rupp Arena, and their Div I-AA football national championship. I even have a piece of the field goal posts from that game.
I am directly above Big Red on the far post facing the camera.
I took the ACT three times in High School and my score dropped each time.
When I was in fourth grade I won a scholarship to go to handbell camp. (Yes… I really said handbell camp). The problem was that I had such bad rythm the only thing they could do was put me on the biggest bell (the one that was only rung 1-2 times per song) and then they would point to me when it was my big moment.
Random Picture - the author is not pictured (but did look just as nerdy 17 years ago)
I have never seen the movie Titanic.
My longest relationship before Beth was 3 weeks (Beth and I dated 5.5 years before we got married). I almost broke up with her the first month because I thought she was too good for me and I figured she was about to dump me.
I once drove 28 straight hours on my way home from Idaho. I came in early and wanted to surprise Beth, so I shaved with a straight edge while driving through South Dakota.
I have no problem cleaning the toilets, or changing diapers, but I refuse to put away the Tupperware.
Beth and I have taken a short break from our 10 top 10 lists in order to spend some time with family. Today we are on list #6, which looks at the most influential books for us. Many of the concepts raised in these books will be revisited with our final blog post, which will examine the 10 ideas that define us as people. I have listed them in a way that illustrates how each builds on the others.
Is there a text in this class?, Stanley Fish – This book examines the nature of truth as it relates to the authority of texts. As you will see, many of the books that follow rely on an interpretation of scripture to direct a community to action. Fish provides a framework for understanding how interpretive communities shape truth.
Nature of Doctrine, George Lindbeck – Whereas Fish looks as the authority of texts, Lindbeck looks at the nature of religion to determine how they practically function. It is his conclusion that religion is like language and culture in that it explains the world around us, but it also helps us experience it.
Life in Biblical Israel, Philip King and Lawrence Stager – Once we have discussed the role of community, religions and texts, it is essentially we understand the communities of Scripture if we are going to allow it to shape our lives. This book is approachable and practical as it outlines the world from which the Old Testament was born. Concepts such as kinsman redeemer and house of the father unlock amazing depth in the Hebrew Scriptures.
New Testament and the People of God, N.T. Wright – No other theologian / historian has shaped my understanding of Scripture more than N.T. Wright. He does an excellent job of allowing the historical setting to inform a reader’s understanding of Scripture. He is a prolific writer, but this book in particular has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of the world of the New Testament.
Prophetic Imagination, Walter Brueggemann – Once the world of scripture is established, we must understand how that affects the modern people of God. Brueggemann (my favorite OT scholar) outlines the role of the prophet in projecting a world in line with God’s will. Sometimes it requires critisizing an existing establishment, and at other times it requires energizing a new possibility. I always try to keep both of these sides in tension in my own life.
Challenge of Jesus, N.T. Wright – Whereas Brueggemann outlines the implications of the OT prophet, in this book Wright outlines the implications of the person of Jesus. By showing Jesus in his historical context he allows the reader to grasp the importance of the Messiah beyond simply “personal salvation.”
Resident Aliens, Stanley Hauerwas – After understanding the role community plays in shaping an understanding of truth, and then exploring the implications of the communities of scripture, Hauerwas explores what it means for Christians today to live as a community wherein we are in the world but not a part of it — living in a colony of hope.
The Politics of Jesus, John Howard Yoder – I have already confessed that deep down I am a Mennonite. I have the utmost respect for people who are consistent in their views of the world, and practical in their faith. This book captures Yoder’s approach to understanding Christianity by outlining a way of life that the modern people of God can follow that is consistent with the person of Jesus.
Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis – Moving away abstract and into the practical aspect of being a Christian, I most often turn to the tested words of Thomas à Kempis. This is one of the most read texts of all time. Since we are talking about books today, I will include this quote from him: “At the Day of Judgment, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done.”
Walden, Henry David Thoreau – I end with the timeless work of Henry David Thoreau. While his existentialist thought may seem out of line in light of the previous 9 pieces, for me it is the culmination of the list because in the pages of this book I have always found the honesty and connectedness to the world that is necessary to live daily. It was Thoreau who said “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation,” and it is he who provides the most poignant commentary on my life as I flip through the pages of his works.
With the publishing of this post, Beth and I are half way through our 10 lists of 10. Today we are listing our 10 favorite places. I intended this to be more specific, but I realized there were specific types of places where I felt most comfortable at and ease and I have mostly listed those.
Around a campfire – For most families, the TV is the thing which people gather around. That was not the case for me — we gathered around the fire. In fact, there was only 1 seat facing the TV at my childhood home, and 4 facing the wood stove. There is something mesmerizing about flickering flames. They hold the power to sustain life and the power to take it. It doesn’t matter if it is a small warming fire on a wilderness hike, or the fire ring in our back yard where we watch movies on the side of the house, I feel at peace with the crackling wood and the dimly illuminated faces of close friends.
127 Yellowstone Ct – My current address. I like being at home. I like curling up on my ratty couch with my dog and surfing the internet. I love laying in bed with my wife on a lazy morning. I love walking into the backyard to get something out of the garden. I love our neighbors, especially the kids who always greet us when we get home. Our home is not elaborate or large. We have all used furniture and the house is never all the way picked up, but that doesn’t matter. I like being here.
Coffee Shop with friends – There is something about sitting around a table with a hot cup of coffee and friends you love. Some of my most meaningful conversations have happened in these settings. Right now the place I frequent the most is Spencer’s (especially since it is a half block from the distillery where I work). Great people, great coffee, and a kick-ass chicken salad sandwich. I also enjoy Greener Grounds (formerly Bread n Bagel).
University Libraries – I know people who never set foot inside the library while in college. That was not me. Not only did I frequent the library, but I had places I considered my own and would get pissed is someone was sitting there. There is something about being surrounded by such a wealth of knowledge. Books are calming to me. When I visit another campus, I always go into the library and browse the stacks. I find comfort in book stores for the same reason.
Missoula, MT – I haven’t been there in a while, but this is my favorite city in America. It has a great atmosphere and vibe. It is a university town nestled in the foothills of the Bitterroot mountains. Great micro-breweries, great gear shops and a great cultural scene. It is also the city I most closely associate with my time fighting fire. My first two years we had to drive an hour into Missoula to get our groceries.
Mountain Lakes -This is more of a western phenomina than an eastern one. I love sitting in a wilderness area staring off across a crystal clear lake with vast mountains around me. I have experienced this in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Oregon (Austria as well) and each time I find the setting to epitomize the beauty of creation. (Give me a campfire and some coffee and things could be perfect).
Mountain Lake in the Weminuche Wilderness Area
On the road – Some people hate being in the car, but that is not me. For 4 years I traveled out to Idaho by myself. It was about 32 hours each way, and believe it or not I looked forward to that time. Even when I was commuting to Asbury, I loved the time in the car (even when it meant leaving at 4:30 in the morning). For me, it is a time to think and process ideas and let my mind wander. I often drive in silence and enjoy taking in the passing scenery. I also love listening to some NPR while driving.
In the air – Growing up I had several opportunities to fly in single engine planes. In college I worked on helicopters. And while it has been a while since I have been off terra-firma, I love the experience of soaring over the world. I think it is because of the way it alters your perception. You see the world in a new way from hundreds of feet above it (I also love looking at satellite imagery on google earth, and Microsoft’s new “Birds Eye” view for the same reason).
Gear shops – I don’t consider myself materialist, but if I am ever going to be drawn in to the “things of this world” it will be in a good gear shop. I love the small local shops where the employees know all the best routes and trips, but at the same time I enjoy purusing all the high end gear at a place like REI. If I have a weakness… it is gear. I have piles of climbing gear, backpacking gear, mountain biking gear….
In the garden – This is a (relatively) recent addition to my list of favorite places. This is our third year of gardening and our first year to do it at our home (see this post about it). I love growing our own food and being able to eat it fresh. I love the way gardening forces you to slow down and spend time outdoors. I love the mix of hard labor (tilling) and monotonous tasks (weeding).
Today Beth and I look to the future with our list of 10 things we want to do before we die. Some items on this list represent things we already have in the works. Other items represent things we simply need to make happen. Finally, a few things on this list are so far out there, I have no idea how to make them happen, but by listing them, hopefully I will move that direction.
Live overseas – Beth and I are very serious about spending a significant amount time in a place where our worldview is forced to expand, and where life is redefined. Furthermore, we want to make sure Mikayla is a part of this experience. You can read more about our plans to move to Swaziland in the next few years here, here and here.
Know everything about something and something about everything – This is taken from a quote by Thomas H. Huxley, but does a great job at summing up my educational goals. I do foresee a time when I pursue a Ph.D., but even if I don’t, I want to be intentional about knowing enough about one subject that I can be a resource to others. Likewise, I want to know a little about everything so that my perspective of the world is more rounded, and so I can share in the appreciation others have for their passions. (I love talking with people about what they do for a living — especially if they are really excited about their job).
Adopt a child – Beth and I have been committed to adopting a child since our first conversations about our future plans. It just makes sense — with so many children without families, why wouldn’t we bring on of them into our home. Plus, Mikayla is so perfect (healthy, content, good looking), I think we could only go downhill. I am even ready to get fixed. Chances are we will adopt while overseas.
Get my pilot’s license – This has been a goal of mine for quite a while. There is a good chance I will begin training in the next 6 months. While it is expensive, when you compare it to other educational costs, it is no more than a semester of graduate classes.
Live off the grid – There are two reason behind this. 1.) I want to be a better steward of creation. 2.) I want to live more simply. There is a good chance this will occur while we are in Swaziland, but if it doesn’t, I want to make sure it happens when we get back.
Speak at least one other language fluently – So far I have ancient Greek and Hebrew under my belt from my days at Asbury. But being able to ready 2,000 year old texts doesn’t do you much good when you want to communicate with someone today. Right now Beth and I are beginning to work on our siSwati so we can speak the second national language of Swaziland. It might not be the most practical language (only 1M in the world speak it), but it will certainly help us with our time overseas. Once we are back, I may work on my Spanish.
Watch a space shuttle launch – Not as profound as some of the other items on my list, but ever since my 5th grade class did a whole unit on space and learned about the whole launch process, I have been fascinated. I think it would be awesome to see a launch live — especially a night launch.
Visit all 7 continents – I have 2 down and will get a 3rd shortly. Antarctica will be tough, but if I get the other 6, I am pretty sure I could make it happen. I actually have several friends who work there during the southern summer.
Complete an epic backpacking trip – I doubt I will ever complete the AT, the CDT, or the PCT, but I want to do something major. Maybe it won’t even be stateside. I want to experience the thrill of completion along with the time to reexamine life that comes with such a trip.
Grave Peak sunset. July 4, 2001
Celebrate my 50th anniversary, walk my daughter down the aisle, die content – How is that for a final goal? I list these last and together because these require a lifetime of dedication. I want to be happy with my life when it is through and be able to say I have been a good husband a good father.
Honorable Mention: Camp overnight in an interstate medium – Here is the place I have my eye on… easy access, wide area, cover of trees. Anyone up for it?
As Beth and I list out our top 10 lists of 10, we come to the discussion of food with day 3. Here is a list of my favorite dishes. Beyond #1, there is no particular order.
Mom’s Vegetable Soup – Far and away my favorite dish. When I got married, I made sure my wife added this delectable delight to her stable of regular meals. Thick and healthy, this slightly spicy soup heats up well and can be eaten for 5-10 meals straight with no complaints!!
Lettuce Wraps – Perhaps the famous dish from the classy Chinese chain P.F. Chang’s. I could eat these alone and be very happy. We have tried to copy the recipe at home. Our dish is good, but not the same.
Thai Food – I know that is a broad category, but I love the mix of sweetness and spiciness with lots of noodles/rice and fresh vegetables. Thai food can be bold, light and filling all at the same time. Two favorites are Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) and a Green Curry / Coconut milk soup served over rice from our local Thai Restaurant.
Sushi – I would consider myself a moderate sushi eater. I don’t shy away from the raw fish dishes, but at the same time I prefer the rolls with tempura. My favorite is the Special Roll from Ichiban which is fried shrimp, cream cheese, avocado served with spicy crab on top and special sauces below.
Chicken Fajita Gyros – Available at a small shotgun style restaurant just off the square of Bowling Green. Great mix of flavors on delicious pita bread. You must have it along with the pita and hummus appetizer.
Stuffed Jalapenos – Beth has a recipe that she makes that uses fresh jalapenos (straight from our garden), cuts them in half, and bakes them with a cream cheese and sausage filling.
Pizza – But not just any Pizza. I am talking about a hand tossed masterpiece with thin(ner) crust in the middle and a nice soft crust on the outside edge. Not too much cheese or sauce, and topped with ham, banana peppers, garlic and onions. Throw some peppery spices on there and you are good to go. Honorable mention goes to a good chicken white sauce pizza with lots of garlic.
Stew – I love a good thick stew, especially on a cold day. Lots of bay leaves for flavor along with crushed black peppers, big chunks of potatoes and an abundance of meat makes for a great dish.
Mongolian BBQ – I was first introduced to this at a restaurant in Missoula, MT. Usually it consists of thin slices of meat, noodles, veggies, and your choice of sauces. You mix it up and then hand it off to have it cooked in front of you. To make it even better, it usually is all you can eat.
Candy – Come on… if you know me, you know my favorite food of all time is candy. I will eat it all, but I love chewy sweet and sour stuff. Give me some chewy sweet-tarts, or sour patch kids, or sour watermelon slices and I am golden. But… don’t leave it laying around if you ever expect to save some for yourself.
We continue with day 2 of our 10 lists on 10 days. Today, Beth and I have listed the 10 people we would most like to sit and have coffee with. Of course the consumption of coffee is optional — surely it would make more sense to share a beer with a few of these folks, and others, I would rather talk with as we hiked through nature. As always, these are in no particular order.
Martin Luther King Jr. — Surely no surprise here. After all, my daughter Mikayla Lillian is named after this civil rights leader. King is best known for his role in fighting for equal rights for minorities. However, he was also a passionate pacifist. He was as opposed to the Vietnam War as he was Jim Crow laws. I would want to share a drink with him to ask him what issues he saw as most pressing? Would he concentration on gay rights? Would he address war and torture? Would he shift his attention to international issues?For me, MLK embodies the concept of the prophetic imagination (a concept we will explore in a later list). I still cannot hear his I Have a Dream speech without tearing up.
Desmond Tutu – Since we are talking about baby names, I must mention Desmond Tutu. If our firstborn had been a male, I was advocating for the name Desmond. Originally we were going to go with Douglas (my middle name), but I realized I would prefer my child to emulate him than me. Tutu was instrumental in ending apartheid and symbolizes for me how a pastor can lead social change in the name of Christ. His work on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is awe-inspiring. I want to know from him, how we can apply these concepts to our daily societal fissures.
Bono – I wouldn’t have a string of questions for the lead singer of U2 like I would with many of the others, but in terms of having a good time, hanging out, discussing the ebbs and flows of life, I would think Bono would be the man. Plus, his lyrics are so deep and harmonize the secular and the sacred.
Peter Abelard – Perhaps the most obscure on my list. Abelard was a tormented theologians in the 12th century (read about him here). Theologically he is best known for going toe to toe with Anselm over atonement theory. Abelard advocated for a Moral influence understanding over a substitutionary understanding. He was quite eccentric and misunderstood. Here is a paper I have written on him.
Henry David Thoreau – I love his unfiltered commentary on life and society. In addition to his emphasis on self reflection and the awe of creation, he is always honest with his understanding of faith. I also have been influenced by his thoughts on civil disobedience.
Stephen Hawkins – I have been fascinated by theoretical physics since I was in Middle School. It is only a short jump from physics to philosophy and then to theology. Hawkins not only provides an entryway into this crazy world, but the way he has approached life’s struggles epitomizes focus and direction. As you will see in susequent posts, I am convinced quantum physics provides insights into truth. Here is an approachable clip that will force you to reexamine your understanding of the world. (Not Hawkins, but he works in the same areas.)
John Howard Yoder – deep down I am a Mennonite, I just have not admitted it yet (well except to Brett). I have learned more from other theologians, but I have yet to find a person who such consistency in their life, faith, theology and philosophy. Politics of Jesus should be required reading for… well… everyone.
N.T. Wright – There is not a simple person who has been more influencial in shaping my theology and understanding of the world and scripture than Bishop N.T. Wright. I have listened to so many of his lectures I can hear him speak when I read his books. I find so many of the concepts I regularly explain and rely on come from Wright. I doubt I could keep up with him, but I would love to drink from the fire hydrant of his knowledge. Plus, he has a that super cool British accent. Here is a great resource for other lovers of his work.
The Tank Man – Bravery is not something that is planned. It is not something that is sought out. It is something that occurs when we stand up for what is just. I am fascinated by the story of the Tank Man – the young man who stopped a whole line of Chinese tanks through a simply act of resistence. There are a couple reason he makes my list. First… I want to know who this person is (to this day, it unknown). But more importantly, I am drawn to this person because they were able to change the world with simple acts without demanding fame or recognition.
Jesus – rounding out my list is the God-Man Jesus Christ himself. I almost didn’t list Jesus. That is not because I don’t think it would make for excellent conversation, or because I don’t have the ultimate respect, love, and devotion to Jesus. Rather, it is because I realize I am way too like Peter (see below) and rather than sitting down with a whole list of questions, I would love simply follow Jesus as he navigated the world today.
Beth and I are embarking on a 10 day blog series beginning today. Each day we will post a top 10 list covering a variety of subjects from 10 favorite meals to 10 ideas that define us as people.
This first post we are listing top 10 movies.
Now, for my disclaimer: I am not claiming these are the top 10 movies of all time, but rather I am listing 10 movies that, a.) I could watch at any time and be happy; b.) if I only had these movies, I would be satisfied; and c.) have impacted me as a person.
Here is the list (in no particular order):
Shawshank Redemption– A story of perseverance, improvisation and deep friendship. It shows the humanity of those on the edges.
Fight Club – This movie, perhaps more than any other, demands that the view reexamine life and evaluate what is important and what is superfluous.
Top Gun – Considering I have 95% of this movie memorized, it had to make the list.
Gandhi – One of the most inspirational movies of all time for me. I constantly return to the wisdom of Gandhi conveyed in this movie.
American History X – One of the first movies that actually “changed my life.” The story of hate and redemption is tangible.
Schindler’s List / Hotel Rwanda– Okay, so I am cheating with two movies here. Schindler’s list reminds me of the depth of human depravity and Hotel Rwanda reminds me of our tendency we have to constantly hide from this depravity and deny its existence, even in the face of modern genocide.
Slumdog Millionaire – The only movie from the last couple years to make the list, and it is well deserving of the honor with its story of global struggles and individual perseverance.
Braveheart – The best battle epic of all time. Makes you cheer for the little guy.
Forest Gump – a social commentary framed through the eyes of an ordinary man.
Dumb and Dumber – While not nearly of the significance of the movies listed above, in my opinion, this is the best comedy of all time.
This is the third post in a series on the decision Beth and I have made concerning a long-term move to Africa. In the first post I detailed how the process started and in the second post I walked through the specifics of the nation we are strongly considering: Swaziland. This post will cover the whys and whats.
Most people are considerate enough to assume we have a reason for going there, so the most frequent question has been “What will you do there?” In fact, in one conversation I had with an Embassy employee, I was told after explaining our plans that “No one just comes to Swaziland.” Well, we are hoping that is hyperbole.
The most honest answer to the question of what will we do is quite simply “we don’t know yet.” It isn’t that we are planning on moving our family 9000 miles away with no plan, but instead, we don’t want to rush our decisions. We don’t want to align with an organization without first knowing the impact (positive or negative) they are having. We don’t want to commit to helping with AIDS victims if we would be better suited to work in the educational system. We don’t want to live in Manzini if we would be a better fit in the eastern plains. (you get the picture). So right now we are being very intention about our research. We are getting to know the groups currently there, and what opportunities may be there for us. We are speaking with both Americans and Swazi citizens about the needs and resources. We are investigating job opportunities in the public, private, government and non-governmental sectors. We are looking at faith-based and secular openings. Here are a few things we may consider:
I may apply for work at the University of Swaziland teaching Theology and Religion at the University of Swaziland.
Beth may try to work in the Ministry of Education to put her special education training to work.
We both may work in an orphanage working with orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC).
We may work with an NGO doing AIDS prevention and education.
I may work in the private sector doing web development while Beth volunteers in the community.
We may work as “missionaries” with any number of faith based groups in the country.
We may figure out these are not the opportunities / needs of the country and do something like sugar cane harvesting… who knows!
I realize that does not answer the “what” question, but I hope you understand our motives. I fear too many people decide what needs to be done without ever stepping foot in the country or assessing the impact of their decisions. That is why we are planning a trip there next summer to serve as the capstone of our state-side research.
Now, let me comment a bit on the why of our decision. The most straight-forward answer is this: we want to experience life outside the United States in a setting that forces us to reexamine our lives. (so yes, you could say our motivation is primarily selfish). Despite the fact Beth and I have spent the last 2-3 years trying to simplify our lives and work towards making the world a better place, it is so easy to get caught in the rat race of life and forget there are things larger than us. As Rob Bell as put it, “one of the greatest dangers of life is assuming our world is the world!” Put another way, it is easy to get caught up in things that don’t matter when most of the world is struggling to survive. (Let us not forget every day 30,000 children die of hunger of preventable diseases, while Americans alone throw away 25% of our edible food.)
I was reminded of this tonight while watching Schindler’s list. At the end of the movie, after the war has ended and the Jews have been freed, everyone there is greatful for the fact that Schindler has saved over 1,000 Jews and he can only weep and wonder about how much more he could have done. He breaks down when he realizes the gold pin he is wearing could have been used to save one additional life, or his car could have saved 10 more. He says “why did I keep the car…”
Here is the clip:
We have realized that the questions we ask, and the issues we care about are directly related to our surroundings. Our goal is not to go somewhere to “fix” things, but rather to be in a place where we are concerned with the things of more significance than what we eat or what we will wear.
The experiencing of living in a country life Swaziland is more than just something Beth and I want to go through. We want Mikayla’s formative years to occur in a society where the day to day struggles are litterally a matter of life and death, yet where community is something much deeper than who you hang out with when you are not holed up in a comfy suburban home with 1000 channels, a maid and a wardrobe of clothes you never where because they are out of style.
Will it be tough? I am sure it will be. Will we miss our friends and family? Absolutely? Will we regret it, or encounter problems beyond what we expected? Perhaps. But, do we feel this is something we must do? Without doubt.
As for a finish… we are looking at returning in 2019 or 2020. That would be the year Mikayla would start Middle school. Our rationale is this: we want her to get the best education possible so she can do whatever she wants with her life. At the same time, we want to return to the US, because we feel this nation has the resources — both financial and individual — to change the course of the world.
As you can tell, we still have a lot to figure out, but I am excited about the direction we are heading.
To wrap things up, I want to give you a few blog links of people who are in Swaziland:
A Hipster’s Adventures in Swaziland – a researcher on the Swazi judicial system – he does a good job at commenting on the “real world” in Swaziland.
Mfomfo’s Blog– regular commentary on the shortcomings of the Swazi government.
Swazi Secrets – Blog – Entrepreneurs who are trying to make a living selling nuts and oils
Yesterday I posted about the decision Beth and I have made about moving to Africa. Today I want to take the time to give a brief overview of the country of Swaziland, where we are strongly considering moving. Tomorrow, I will write a bit about why Beth and I made this decision and what it may look like.
Swaziland is the second smallest mainland country in Africa (trailing only Gambia). It is landlocked and roughly the size of New Jersey. It lies to the north-east of South Africa and is surrounded on three sides by that country. Southern Mozambique is along the eastern border of Swaziland. The population of the country is 1.1M, which is about the same as Rhode Island (by comparison Kentucky has a population of 4.3M). That gives a population density of roughly the same as Tennessee, but the differences is that Swaziland is more spread out with its capitol and largest city of Mbabane having only 81,000 people. Only 4 cities have more than 10,000 people and only 10 are over 4,000.
Map of Swaziland
The country has a rich history and remains as the only remaining monarchy in Africa. Currently King Mswati III is the ruler of the country. He currently has 14 wives and 23 children. Swaziland is navigating a fine line between democracy and monarchy with a (relatively) newly adopted constitution. In the early 1800’s the Dlamini royal house established themselves in the area. By the turn of the next century, the area known as Swaziland was under British colonial rule even though the royal family was still in existence. In 1968 the country was granted independence and a constitutional monarchy was established. This however was short lived as in 1973 the constitution was dissolved by King Sobhuza leading to a absolute monarchy. Eventually the monarchy was passed on to the current king Mswati III in 1986. Under his rule (and thorough the pressure of underground political parties) a movement to more democracy was initiated. National elections begain in 1993 and in 2006 a new constitution was established that declared the king the head of state and a prime minister and parliment along with a judicial system under him. While power is now shared, the king still has an abundance of control (for instance, all the land is considered to be the King’s).
King Mswati III
Swaziland has two languages, siSwati and English. SiSwati is the traditional langauge spoken in most of the rural areas and English is the language of business and government. SiSwati is a derivitive of Zulu; you can hear it spoken here.
By far the greatest issue facing the Swazi people is the AIDS epidemic. Currently nearly 40% of adults are infected that number is on the rise. According to the UN, it is one of the few areas of the world where the quality of life is decreasing. The AIDS rate is the highest in the world, the life expectancy is the third worst, and of 177 countries, it listed as being 141st in terms of human development. 77.8% of the population lives on less than two dollars a day and 47.7% lives on less than a dollar.
Despite these staggering problems and a transitioning government, Swaziland is relatively stable. There are not major uprisings, civil conflicts, or major border disputes. There are not rebel groups attempting to overthrow the government like there are in other African countries.
The crime rate in Swaziland is relatively high, especially in terms of violent crime. However, it should be noted that its overall crime rate is 20% lower than that of the United States. This compilation report highlights crime statistics as well as human rights issues, which I will address next.
While Swaziland is a stable country, it does have major human rights issues as this detailed report from the State Department explains. Here is part of the the abstract (emphasis mine):
Swaziland is a modified traditional monarchy with executive, legislative, and limited judicial powers ultimately vested in the king (Mswati III). The king rules according to unwritten law and custom, in conjunction with a partially elected parliament and an accompanying structure of published laws and implementing agencies. The population was approximately 1.1 million. The most recent parliamentary elections, held in 2003, were not considered free and fair. Political parties continued to be banned. Political power remained largely with the king and his circle of traditional advisors, including the queen mother. The civilian authorities maintained effective control of the security forces; however, there were some instances in which security forces committed abuses.
The government’s human rights record was poor, and government agents continued to commit serious abuses. The country faced a serious socio?economic situation characterized by sluggish economic performance, poverty, drought, an HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 42.6 percent, and growing unemployment. The following human rights problems were reported:
inability of citizens to change their government
arbitrary killings by security forces
police use of torture, beatings, and excessive force
police impunity
arbitrary arrest and lengthy pretrial detention
infringement on citizens’ privacy rights
limits on freedom of speech and of the press
restrictions on freedom of assembly and association
prohibitions on political activity and harassment of political activists
restrictions on freedom of movement
discrimination and violence against women
poor enforcement of women’s rights
child abuse
trafficking in persons
societal discrimination against mixed race and white citizens
antiunion discrimination
child labor
I want to end on a bright note. The country of Swaziland is absolutely beautiful with high plains, majestic mountains and pristine valleys. I have included some pictures below.
Finally, here are a few websites I have found useful in addition to those linked above:
My tagline mentions faith, doubt, family and future (not sure where that “d” word came from). So far we have covered the first three, so what about the fourth… our future. Well here are the big plans Beth and I have been mulling over recently.
About a year ago Beth and I realized we had divergent life plans. It was not that my plans were different from hers; rather, it was that we were holding on to various life plans that could not all happen together. Were we going to commit to our community in Bowling Green? Where we going to spend time overseas? Was I going to pursue a Ph.D. and then teach in a university? Was Beth going to transition into special education and working with students with Autism?
After much thought, prayer, and discussion it was clear that the path we were most dedicated to was an extended period overseas; specifically, we wanted to experience life in Africa. We wanted to live 5-10 years in a developing country where we could raise Mikayla during her formative years. We began doing research and setting goals. We even went as far as creating a giant pro/con list of every country in the continent. We were looking for a country:
that is relative safe with no major civil conflicts
where english is at least a secondary language
where travel is cheap enough so it is possible to come back to the states or have people visit us
with a near temperate climate and varied terrain (okay… really we were just looking for a place that wasn’t a desert)
with a rich history and culture
where communities addressed societal issues together
It was not our goal to go somewhere to “fix” things, but rather to allow a different set of circumstances to expand our worldview and then work along side those there to bring about a better world for all.
Our search kept returning us to the small country of Swaziland (technically “The Kingdom of Swaziland” since it is the only remaining monarchy in Africa). This landlocked country is to the north-east of South Africa and is about the size of New Jersey with about the population of Kentucky’s 4 largest cities (Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Owensboro). It has the third lowest life expectancy in the world due largely to the fact that it has the highest AIDS rate in the world. I will write a follow up post explaining more about Swaziland in the coming days and then another one explaining what we may do there, but until then you can read about the country here.
Our current plans are to travel there in 2010 to research jobs and organizations we may be able to work with, then in 2011 or 2012 make the big move. Mikayla will be 2 or 3 then and we expect to stay until she is ready for Middle School and then move back.
Of course all this is flexible. We decided it was better to have flexible goals that we could move towards rather than ambiguous goals that may never materialize.
For now, we are beginning to make contacts over there and have started looking into learning the second language of siswati, we are also researching organizations and institutions that we may be able to align ourselves with.
