Poetry in Action; Poetice — M I T C H B A K K E R

Poetice is an organization I have been engaged with for nearly a decade, seven of those years as a board member. What excites me about this organization is their commitment to living out what it means to be true Jesus followers. It’s easy to say you’re a true Jesus follower, words often spoken cavalierly in our American culture, but this team, most of whom are in the field, has a deep and experiential expression of their faith. These Jesus followers daily pour themselves into the lives of the less and least.

I love how the Poetice team talks about “kingdom” over everything. They even created some clever t-shirts with the word kingdom positioned over the word everything. For them, this is more than words taken from the Lord’s prayers - ”thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” - this priority is lived out within the context of poverty of both the body and the soul. This is where they experience his kingdom, this is where the light shines brightly, this is where the Poetice team is having an eternal impact.

I will never forget my first trip to Zambia in August of 2012. My son Seth (shown above) spent ten days soaking in the culture of Zambia and observing the impact of the Poetice team. I wrote some reflections from that trip on the flight back on August 12, 2012. I find it fascinating that I am writing this blog exactly eight years to the day of our flight back, which is also Seth’s birthday! While much has changed over the course of eight years I thought it would be interesting to share my reflections from my first trip. What hasn’t changed is the Poetice team’s commitment to lifting up and empowering the Church to bring good news to the poor in tangible ways.

Reflections on various ministries from 2012…Poetice, Zambia:

I love this name and the meaning behind it – poetry and justice. Merging the beauty of a poem with the action of justice. A mission at the heart of what God cares about, what breaks his heart and his biblical mandates for Christ followers. Poetice fights for the poor, hungry, forgotten youth as an example of sacrifice for many to follow. Their eternal stock will rise and their sacrifice will be rewarded. The Music Academy was such a great demonstration of boys and girls coming together to develop their skills against all odds - many traveling long distances to learn to play their instrument, many infected with HIV-AIDs and most orphans or double orphans. This was miraculous to me. Reading, hearing, and talking about it creates awareness and a "this makes sense" mentality. But seeing it and experiencing it firsthand creates a "how is this possible" mentality. While I swim in the creative world (design is my business), creating music or song is outside of my spectrum. I may understand the transformative power of music from documentaries or hearing about programs in the States, but seeing these Zambian students come together to learn a skill, create beautiful music, and dedicate their days to collective expression juxtaposed against the abject poverty that surrounds them is so powerful that it left me speechless.

Again, the words that come to me are “against all odds.” Against all odds music raises from despair, poverty, and hardship and ushers in a bright future for kids caught in the web of hopelessness. God’s hand is on this work. I watched as one witnessing a miracle likened to the blind seeing, or the deaf hearing, or the voiceless speaking. After witnessing this I realize that I have not just witnessed a miracle, I have experienced one within my own heart. For I have been blind to what is possible in disparaging circumstances, but now I see.

How can one not be awakened to the God who uplifts the helpless and poor when one witnesses it firsthand? Children not just being handed bread to eat but an instrument to play allowing them to discover God’s gifts within them, all the while unearthing their potential.

Hope Fest/Camps: Wow, what a cool time. So great to have had the experience to pray with some of the students to receive Christ and be released from bondage. The teaching was so powerful and the music from CCC Church and the Nationals was amazing. Something wonderful happens when different cultures are brought together to praise God in unity. The relationship formed between the team and youth in such a short time was heartfelt. I can't recall laughing, smiling and being filled with such joy at one time.

Orphans and Vulnerable Children Program (OVC): The OVC program parallels James 1:27. It is so difficult to see the humble conditions some of the program children and their families live in, coupled with the sickness they experience. This was tough to experience because it’s so conflicting. Our visit, encouragement, prayer and gift for them and their families, felt so small in the face of their need. It was nice to hear Richman explain how much our presence and encouragement meant to them and how they will remember this time and us for a long time. That was good to hear but tough to grasp. I walked away with a voice in my head screaming, "It’s not enough". Simply walking by so many in need to encourage and lift up one feels so inadequate in light of the immense need. Oh how I need God to help me to help more. I walked away simply aware of my impoverished condition.

I have a great appreciation for the on-the-ground work that Poetice does in this region. They are reaching out and making a difference for a select few and trusting God for the results like the boy who only had a few loaves and fish amongst a vast number of hungry people. May God multiply these efforts along with fundraising to do what only God can do - miraculous multiplication. It’s so important to give generously to the poor and to encourage others to do likewise.

In closing my thoughts on this amazing experience I recall a fictional story I read about and a certain man who would say – “I can't wait to get to heaven so I can ask God why he allowed so much pain, hunger and injustice in the world?” Then one day the man died and to his surprise, before he could ask his question, God asked him the very same question. The resources God gave this man had been intended to eradicate so much pain for so many.

It is special to know people on this Poetice team who will not be asked that question.

I thank God for his grace to allow me and Seth to experience a week with such profound examples of generosity. I pray that as the days, weeks, months and years unfold before me and my family, that I can be counted as one who not only witnessed but was willing to put into practice what God revealed to me through this ministry.