How this party started
In early January 2002, I arrived on the doorstep of Chalet Bellevue at L’Abri in the Swiss Alps. Full of discouragement, confusion, and angst regarding the purpose of my life, I had to get away and deal with myself and ultimately, my Maker. For four months, I lived in this community while studying philosophy, psychology, and theology related to my questions/issues. Here I met, Nathan Clendenin, a great friend to me, as well as, kindred spirit. On a break from L’Abri, we explored Spain for two weeks and found a compatible travel buddy in each other. In the summer of 2002, I returned to Atlanta to start working in real estate consulting with Deloitte & Touche and Nate moved to Chapel Hill to pursue a master’s in photojournalism.
In the summer of 2004, Nate told me he wanted to go to Mexico, visit some friends, and maybe do a service project. The problem was, that he really wanted to drive there, but did not have anyone to join him. “Hello!”,I said, “I’ll go with you!” So several weeks later, he picked me up in Atlanta around midnight, and off we went. I remember us both praying at the beginning of the trip, that we did not want an ordinary vacation. We wanted to be impacted and hopefully, impact others. Throughout our tour of Mexico, God showed up in unexpected ways, and we began catching a vision for something we did not fully understand.
One summer later (2005), Nate calls again. This time, he told me that he was going to South Africa to work on his master’s thesis. (See, Nate is an artist, a free spirit, and lives that life well. Meanwhile, I’m living the corporate life, dying for adventure.) “Well”, I ask, “Can I come?” Nate says, “Hmm…Let me find out”. Maybe six weeks later, I was on a flight to Johannesburg. Seriously, neither one of us could ever know how much we would be forever changed upon our return.
We stayed with an indigenous pastor, Vincent Nyathi, and his family, who lived in Mamelodi, outside of Pretoria, South Africa. Here, I tagged along as Nate documented lives interwoven with the effects of AIDS, Poverty, & Faith. The only preparations I made for this trip were related to my work responsibilities…I had no idea what I was getting into.
The love & joy in the people of Mamelodi juxtaposed with the devastating affects of AIDS, apartheid, & poverty impressioned upon our hearts and minds something that will never leave us. Over the next year, I remained largely silent about these stirrings within me, but in late winter of 2006 that would change.
An aside: My roommate in Atlanta, John Alexander, and I decided that many of our “southern” friends have never experienced real southern barbecues. Not a grill or a braai, but an all day pig roast…an experience…our culture at its best. With the advice of my redneck cousin, Jared “Jarhead” Long, John built a pit out of concrete, tin, and steel in my backyard the day before our party. It was met with much more success than we expected, and we continued the tradition of at least one ridiculous barbecue every fall and spring. In just a few times, the crowds grew from 60 to over 115 people in my little house and yard.
So, in winter of 2006, I began planning/dreaming of making our barbecues even better with live music. Now, this was as far as MY PLAN made it, but the next morning an idea came to my mind in a matter of ten seconds that was NOT ME. Any of you who know me well, know that I hate mornings and there is practically nothing on my mind until after my second meal of the day. From me rising out of my bed and walking to the bathroom, the following came to my mind: Our barbecue, live music, Nate’s photography, a benefit for South Africa, THAT’S IT!!! I could not contain myself at work that day, and called Nate immediately after work to tell him. Just as Nate and I discovered vacation “with a purpose” in Mexico and South Africa, God had given me a vision for a party/barbecue “with a purpose”.
On September 30th 2006, Nate, Rebecca (his fiancée at the time), my family, neighbors, friends, and I put on “Saturday Night Soul” a benefit for Mamelodi, South Africa in Whittier Mill Village. That night, we raised more than $8,000 in donations, which kick-started a building campaign at the Powerhouse-within two months Vincent Nyathi’s parishioners built a church and skills training center for their community. The next morning, unbeknownst to me, Nate said that he received a calling to return to Mamelodi, but did not know how or when.
One year later, Nate calls me again with news to share. He and Rebecca are considering quitting their jobs and moving to Africa…
The rest of the story to come…
