Updates
From Jo Anne Lyon
The
“Upside-Down Kingdom”
Two decades
ago, I read what has since become a seminal book,
"The Upside Down Kingdom" by Donald Kraybill.
In his book, Kraybill articulates how the economy
of the Kingdom of God values the things that our society
so often despises. When we see God raise
up seemingly insignificant people and reward meager
efforts on behalf of the Kingdom, it is hard to ignore
this reality. I have seen evidence
of the “upside-down kingdom” over and
over through our work, and most recently through the
influence of the Zambian Orphan Choir.
Perhaps you have been following the
schedule and journey of the Zambian Orphan Choir the
past seven weeks, which drew to a close this past
weekend. On Thursday, we put them on a plane to return
to Zambia, and everyone said their tearful good-byes.
Despite the sadness that came at the closing of this
chapter of our lives, there was a sense of joy as
the kids anticipated telling their friends of the
incredible experiences of the last two months.
 Each
aspect of the Choir’s tour exemplifies the profound
intervention of God that truly points to God's “upside-down
kingdom” in this world. The children
had been practicing for months; the women in the children’s
communities were busy making their outfits, which
meanwhile enhanced their personal businesses. Many
of them did not know their exact date of birth, and
with parents deceased just determining a birthdate
for the passport was a challenge.
Lessons on how to use flush toilets,
how to eat with utensils and the understanding that
food will always be available were just some of the
details in preparation for the long awaited trip.
Finally, the day came when the children would visit
the US Embassy in the capital city of Zambia, Lusaka.
This was the first time for many of them to travel
more than a few miles from their village. They had
been prepped as to the details of their travel at
the Embassy.
On the US side, we had an excellent
law firm providing us with pro bono work in all the
necessary logistical and legal details. On the Zambia
side, the children met the Visa person at the US Embassy
and the interviews for the visa application process
began. Midway through, the Foreign Service Officer
became concerned with the return of the few children
who came to the US two years ago. He wanted to make
sure that they had been returned, and not trafficked!
At that point, she requested to see all the passports
of the children who had been in the choir two years
ago. She gave them 24 hours to bring in the evidence.
The World Hope staff in Zambia went into full motion,
and all the passports were placed safely in a pouch
and given to one of our staff who rode a motorcycle
five hours to the US Embassy. At
that point, it seemed the Embassy would then need
to postpone stamping the visas for a few days, meaning
that the children would miss their flight to the US.
This then brought about another glitch.
The children were due in South Africa the next day
to do a recording, and they could not leave because
we did not have their visas. And we had the added
expense of changing seventeen international tickets!
At that point, the country director phoned our Virginia
office with the problem. We realized this was out
of our league and phoned our attorney.
Suddenly, in 30 minutes,
our Zambian country director called informing us that
"miraculously" everything changed, and the
visas were being stamped as she spoke. As
it turns out, the law firm had connections in very
high places that could make this happen…from
the White House to the Department of State.
Yes, the Choir is an example of the
"upside-down kingdom”. This is where God
is using the most powerful nation in the world to
take care of what would generally be considered the
least influential and powerful group -- AIDS orphans
of Africa. However, this is the value
system of God - this is the “upside-down kingdom”.
Somehow, I am challenged to keep
looking for God's kingdom in this world.
 One
of the ways Federal Employees can participate in this
"upside-down kingdom" is through the Combined
Federal Campaign. Over the last 2 years,
World Hope has been participating in the Combined
Federal Campaign through the Aid to Africa Federation.
All the proceeds from this campaign are designated
towards our programs in Africa, providing clean drinking
water, addressing HIV/AIDS and caring for the orphan
and vulnerable children. All Armed Forces and government
employees are eligible to participate in the Combined
Federal Campaign: World Hope’s number is 9969.
I am asking you to give this number
to anyone you know who would be involved in government
service. Employees are asked to make these decisions
in the next few weeks. These donations greatly help
us to continue the work of the "upside-down kingdom".
Also,
as you continue to be part of the "upside-down
kingdom", consider the Orphans and Vulnerable
children in the world today - 14 million AIDS
orphans - I invite you to share your
resources with these vulnerable ones. Various opportunities
may be found on our website. Thank You.
Blessings,
Jo Anne Lyon
Executive Director
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