These classes are often not quite what the student expected. For some, they are too academic. For others, they are too devotional. For some, they are irrelevant. It is easy to feel like there's no good way to teach religion.

This road often produces twists and turns that are unexpected for student and professor alike. Students read the biblical text and find things that they have never read. They wrestle with what they believe based upon what they see and read. Professors share from their experience and knowledge, trying to guide students down a path of discovery. We resist the urge to provide all the answers because we know we will not always be at the student's side. We want them to learn how to find the answers they seek.

When I speak of the study of religion at Belmont, I really speak of the study of Christianity and its interaction with communities. There is more to this than we can do ourselves, so we pick and choose and try to offer students a wide variety of opportunities for dialogue. We know this is a long journey ahead of all of us and we believe that there is something about what we believe that is important for us in our becoming what we were made to be. It is never as clear or simple as we would like, but is is potentially transformative. It is our pleasure to walk along side students as they discover the many ways the biblical text intersects with their lives.

This year brings another year of wonderful opportunities to talk about the biblical text and its meanings for our lives with some of the brightest young men and women around. We look forward to learning about them and from them as we take this journey together.

As we move forward, this blog will now begin to reflect the specific concerns of the School of Religion here at Belmont University. We are concerned about spiritual formation, justice, and faith. We are concerned about how our Christian faith can and should make a difference in the world.

in this place, we will write about things that cause to think and challenge us. We will talk about movies, books, ideas, and only God knows what. We invite you along on the journey.

He walked closer and he stopped about 50 yards away, pausing to shake his head and flare his ears at us, while moving his front legs up and down. This is evidently elephant sign language for "get out of my way." We had no where to go but sit on the road. Our driver told us to be absolutely quiet so he would not think he was intimidating us. As Mavoso came closer and closer he wagged his head back and forth several times. He walked right up along side our truck and turned to face us. We were in an elevated four wheel truck and Mavoso looked down on us. By Marcus' account, Mavoso was within about a foot of the truck. Other students have said that his trunk was brushing against the truck. The driver shouted, "NO! NO! Go away, Mavoso!" Mavoso sort of raised his head and stepped back away from the truck. Then he walked along the side and went behind us. After pausing for a moment about thirty feet behind the truck, he turned and charged us. Luckily, the driver had the trucked restarted by then and away we went. A few students, who shall remain nameless, jumped in the laps of other students for safety. Just ask Brandon. The students on the back row can tell you what he looked like up close and personal.

After we pulled away, it seemed like a universal consensus that it was time to go home. After starting out at Johannesberg Airport at 6:00 p.m. and stopping over in Dakar, Senegal, for an hour to refuel, we arrived in the Washington, D.C. (Dulles) airport at 6:00 a.m. this morning.

We'll be home soon!

This is what Belmont University students brought to Africa, but this is not what they expected to be bringing. Preconceived ideas of what they would achieve here in Africa were banished the moment they arrived and realized that it’s not what they can do for Africa but what Africa can do for them. Opening up eyes to a new world, a new way of life, a life that’s content with what they have and not longing for what they don’t have. And the heart of all they can offer to Africa is simple--love.

And what does this group mean to me? I could only describe it using an analogy of a tidal wave; the tides come and the tides go, a rhythmic repetition indicating a passing of time. And so goes the territory of my job; groups come, and groups go--nothing unusual, nothing extraordinary, just a regular recurrence, no after effect. But every now and again you get a burst of energy that reveals itself in the form of a something similar to what we know as a tidal wave. A tidal wave rises above the tides and connects with the land, land previously unreached by the regular tides. It comes with a force that breaks through barriers and when it retreats it leaves behind traces of its existence and evidence of the energy it carries, remains of its encounter will be left for many years still to come.

In the same way I equate the group from Belmont University to a tidal wave, except instead of leaving behind a course of mass destruction they leave imprints of love and joy, and the energy that they carry, this energy is love, God’s love.

Thank You for our times together, may God be with all of you in your coming lives. Make the most of every moment.
Dominate!
Onwards and Upwards!
Mandy

One of the greatest things about a big group of people, is the celebration of diversity. Each one with unique gifts, talents and character, comes together to form a fascinating, radical team. ‘We can do more together than we can apart’, comes to mind as a wonderful reality. I know that the time, energy and love given has impacted many, the fruit of which may never be seen by you. But more than what you have given, I think is what you come away with. I love the way we intend to ‘change the world’, but come away having been changed ourselves. I pray that you would allow each experience, each relationship, each hardship and each joy to shape you, never to be the same again. There is ALWAYS more than you could ever see, ever dream or imagine, when you co-labour with God . . . He is infinite.

Thank you for being a part of a very significant season in my life. I really hope we meet again. With much love and Blessings…
Catherine, aka, ‘White flash rally driver’.

When we arrived, they gave us the option of either painting on a canvas or creating clay sculpture. I opted for the clay sculpture as my ceramic skills supercede my painting. The only requirement was that themes of the paintings and sculpture had to be African.

It was incredible to watch everyone's thought processes as their efforts slowly evolved into beautiful pieces of art. Daniel was amazing with helping me make my sculpture of a woman kneeling and holding a pot of water.

I must say that I've enjoyed my time here. It has opened my eyes to see how fortunate we are and has shed some light on how I can make a difference. American culture has in many ways replaced the African identity especially when it comes to music. Thus, I want to help create a music industry here because I see the passion for music everywhere but the people don't have an outlet. To see these people from these communities make a better life for themselves wold inspire others to dream big, strive to achieve their goals, and give hope for a brighter future. Grace and peace, we'll be home soon.

William L. McKinney

What I always love about working with children is that kids are pretty much the same everywhere, especially at the toddler stage. They play the same types of games (clapping, sitting, standing, running, yelling, and banging), sing the same type of songs, (“Baa, Baa, Black Sheep”, “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes”), and are fascinated by the same types of things (dirt sticks, bodily functions, and funny faces). Even though they speak only a handful of English words (“Teacher, Look!” being their favorite), and I speak absolutely no Steswana, we could communicate with the universal child language of laughter, tears, hugs, and pointed fingers.

The teacher I got to work with was excellent. Her name was Janet, and she could control 20 toddlers with simple phrases and cute songs in English. We she sings, “Everybody sit down, sit down, sit down, everybody sit down, just like me.” They sit. She really cares about each child in her class and even though taking care of 20 toddlers can be tiring, she never became cross with even the most rambunctious child. I was really impressed with her.

At SOS these kids get a second chance to grow up into well-adjusted adults. The 16 houses are all painted a different bright color. Inside these cheery homes the housemothers develop relationships and care for the children who become brothers and sisters. They are fed well-balanced meals, get help with their schoolwork, and are even provided university education or training in a specific trade. For children from such desperate situations, SOS Children’s Village is an amazing source of hope. I am really glad that I got a chance to work with such an amazing organization and such beautiful children.

by Nicole Loveless

Our group had a good discussion time last night and the general consensus is that this trip continues to change us in profound ways. We all are being changed in different ways, and once everyone returns home it may take us a while to process everything that has been experienced.

We are working now in three locations. Each location is either a preschool or a children’s club for orphans or vulnerable children. When parents die of AIDS they leave young children behind. It is these children we are working with each day. Many children also live in single parent homes or in homes where their only parent is very sick. Many others live in extreme poverty. These are the vulnerable children.

We always say that children are the hope of the future. The many young men and women who are on this trip as Belmont students are many of our hopes for the future. Even these students have been reminded this week that a generation follows them. They have begun to think seriously about how they can impact the future as they serve and work with others.

We arrived at the Big Five Lodge and had a wonderful buffet meal prepared for us by the staff since arrived late. Some people staying in the hotel for a conference thought it was so good that started eating before us! There was plenty to go around, though, and it was a nice meal at the end of they day.

No pictures today because I brought the wrong cable with me to the internet cafe. I'll load more pictures for you the next time I get to log on to the internet. We will have very sporadic internet access here. We do not have any in the Big Five Lodge, yes, the students are going through withdrawal, but I plan to carve out a couple of minutes every other day or so to update all of you.

Watch for more news and insights from the students! We are about halfway into our journey.

As I ascended the jagged rise of Cape Point (in quite an out-of-shape manner), I began to hum the Rocky theme song. There is something about the golden horns in it that sing of the heart of kings and it made me really anxious to reach the zenith (yes, mom and dad, my college tuition is buying me an array of new words). In a moment that seemed to pause all of time, I triumphantly raised my fists to the sky as I gazed upon the 360 degree view warranted by the final vantage point. This was the place that I had always heard about in New England sailing lore; the place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet in a tumultuous love affair. The words of Dr. Smith (or Bon-Bons as we have so titled her) seemed to describe the whole scene perfectly. "We are on top of the world, at the end of the world."

Buffett writes, "through all of the islands and all of the highlands, if we couldn't laugh we just would go insane." I can't think of a more fitting quote for this trip thus far. We have bobbed out to Robben Island and glided our way up to the top of Table Mountain. And it seems that every moment has been accompanied by laughter and smiles. Within these there lies a secret. It is Africa's version of the Trevi Fountain in Rome. We all seem to know that somewhere down the line, we will return. Whether it is as students, missionaries, entrepreneurs, or even just tourists, in the words of the Terminator, "I'll (We'll) be back."

It is amazing to see what happens to people who stand on top of the world, at the end of the world. Some may realize that it is their time to take action and responsibility while others may stand in awe and hum the Rocky theme. Either way, I find that Buffett explains the proper approach to exploring life's possibilities. "Yesterdays are over my shoulder. I can't look back for too long. There's too much to see waiting in front of me and I know that I just can't go wrong." I would say I would have to agree.

By Chris Pilny

We continued exploring the Table Mountain National Park by driving down to the Cape of Good Hope and standing on part of the bottom of Africa. We continue to be stunned by the beautiful scenery, the brilliant blues, sweeping vistas, and crisp air. Today, we took the ferry across to Robben Island to visit the museum there. It was a sobering visit as we learned about how the former government imprisoned its political prisoners on this isolated island as it attempted to maintain its policy of apartheid. We were reminded of everyone's struggle for freedom and the price paid to achieve it.

Very early tomorrow morning, we head to the airport to begin our journey to Gaborone. We start the second part of our adventure. Our internet access will not be as easy so we may be posting only every other day or so, but watch for us. We will have news for you.

CCFM was the first post-apartheid radio station in the entire country and therefore the first Christian one as well. Growing out of a wonderful idea by a local church trying to reach out into the community in 1992, the major adventure began. They had absolutely no kind of experience and no previous station to turn to for help. When inspired, anything is possible and it wasn’t long before they had the whole system built from the ground up.

Avril gave us a tour of the building and taught us about its inner-workings including the 140 volunteers and only five paid staff members who make it possible. They act as any normal station with local news, weather and traffic but they also offer ministry with positive and uplifting messages and a unique prayer hotline. One story described how a woman heard a powerful message at home and called in accepting Christ. The very next phone call was from her husband who was out in the garage with his radio, incredibly weary and tired of fighting so much with his wife. He too accepted Christ. Or, the story of a lady who pulled her car to a halt on a railroad crossing, just waiting for the next train to roll by and end her pain. She heard the broadcast and gave her life a second chance.

By Chris Dorsey

Our caravan of combis (South African for vans) wound through Cape Town and arrived on the other side, already considerably high with an unhindered view of the city and port. Here we met our ride: a 60-passenger cable car that took us the rest of the way until we were approximately 1,086 metres above sea level.

Here. Fully present as I rarely am, struck speechless in the presence of a beauty that more richly resonates in me than anything I have ever experienced. I see, but my mind cannot process, and suddenly I understand a bit more why the Lord hid Moses behind a rock when He passed him by. On one side, the densely-clustered colors of the city and the glassy bay. On another, steep cliffs cascading into the ocean—alternating patches of vibrant green and stone, giant chiseled rocks—and the mountaintops continue before our eyes, crowding out the horizon. Eternity in every direction.

Size, dimension, distance, I now hold loosely. We spanned half the globe in a day and landed in a corner of the world to stand at an unimaginable height and swim where two oceans meet . . . and we find that beauty, however foreign, is still somehow familiar.

The world I know has grown; I, too, am forced to grow if I will embrace it still.

by Rachel Harlow

We have spent a lot of time with children the last three days and they have been a simple delight. Today, we were with ourselves, the South African sun, bricks, pipes, rocks, metal beams, and wire, lots of wire. Our task was to clear debris away from a new fence row to enable the Living Hope gardener to plant shrubbery and flowers. When we arrived, Des, the maintenance supervisor for Living Hope showed us the debris and the pile of bricks and thanked us for our willingness to help in their work.

It was hard work and not nearly as rewarding at the immediate feedback that comes from working with children. There were no hugs, no laughter from smiling children, and no songs in Afrikaans. We could hear the chatter of the group stacking bricks, the swish of spade being pushed into sandy soil, the grunts of digging up stumps and poles, and the low conversation of work. Twice the students filled up the bed of a pickup truck with large stones they had unearthed. Six former fence poles with 150+ pounds of cement were pulled out of their holes. Metal beams and pipe and wiring were dug up and stacked neatly on the back of the property. The team working with bricks patiently moved 3,866 bricks from a huge tumbled pile and turned them into a neat and orderly stack.

At the end of the day, we talked about how the twenty-two of us (Dr. Overby missed all the fun by choosing the day to visiting another university partner) had worked for a total of eighty-eight hours--basically we had done the work that it would have taken one person to do in two weeks . . . in just four hours. As a non-profit organization, attempting to use every dollar (or Rand) to change lives, Living Hope exists on volunteer labor. The money we saved will go directly into making some else's life healthier and better.