Culture event

Recently, while out on the road with a friend, we came upon a large gathering of people on the side of the road.  We decided to stop and investigate.  My friend pointed out it looked like a traditional funeral procession to the grave site.  The attendants welcomed us to tag along, so we did.

Below are a progression of video clips documenting what we saw.

Funeral Procession @ Yahoo! Video
We followed these men for about a half an hour to the burial site.  Along the way we asked some questions to understand the situation better.  Apparently, by the roadside, several villages had gathered to observe the occasion.  But only the men from a couple of those villages attended the actual burial (along with the wife and daughter of the deceased).

Burial Site @ Yahoo! Video
When we arrived at the burial site, we discovered the grave had not yet been dug.  Apparently, burials in this area are a day long event.  They said after they finished they would have a feast in the evening.  In fact, a friend we met at the site called me later that night in high spirits, inviting me to attend.

Burial Rites @ Yahoo! Video
At one point during the ceremony, this gentleman used uncooked rice to essentially write words in the grave's bottom.  They then  placed a chicken in the bottom of the grave.  They explained that if the chicken was willing to eat the rice, then the place chosen for burial was appropriate.

Burial Rites 2 @ Yahoo! Video
Finally, they lowered the coffin into the ground and began to fill it in.  They added a headstone before covering the entire grave with earth.  The whole process took several hours.  From what I understand, the actual burial is important for two reasons.  First, you want to ensure that your loved one is comfortable in the afterlife.  Second, you want to make sure they don't bring you trouble from beyond the grave by upsetting them.     

Choosing a Fitting Analogy

Analogies can be very helpful when it comes to understanding our role in a project.  For instance, do you see yourself as out in front or behind the scenes?  Are you a trail blazer or a team player?  Sometimes an appropriate analogy can help you think clearly about the present and plan for the future.

The analogy I have been thinking about for this season is that of being on an expedition.  In a race, the goal is to get from point A to point B faster than any of the other contestants.  An expedition is not about speed but success (and in some cases, survival).  Here are some of the more crucial elements of an expedition:

Planning - This is a season to do your homework.  You hunt for relevant resources that will help you to prepare well (materials, people, etc.).  Once you feel you understand the situation as best you can, you decide what steps you will take to move forward toward your goal. 

Execution - You begin taking the steps outlined in your preliminary plan.  You will want to find some way to document these steps in order to effectively incorporate the next two crucial elements.

Evaluation - You must regularly evaluate your progress.  Are your planning and execution moving you toward your goal.  If not, is there a problem in your planning and/or execution? 

Adjustment - As a result of your evaluation, what adjustments need to be made in your planning and execution in order for you to reach your end goal.

Being a bit of a driven person, it is helpful for me to think of our work in this way.  In a race, sprinting toward the finish line can be entirely appropriate.  During an expedition, intentional plodding is preferable.  Both inaction and rash action can take you off course.  Teamwork is also an essential element of a successful expedition.

Ask for wisdom for us as we continue to engage in this process. 

Small Business

Small Business @ Yahoo! Video
Recently, Caleb and I went to a nearby small town on market day.  Once a week in towns like this, people come from all around the area to buy and sell (some folks may walk 3-4 hours just to participate!). A new acquaintance welcomed us to hang around his truck as he sold daily necessities to locals.  This is a video of the perspective Caleb and I had while sitting in his truck during peak selling time.  A customer is haggling with him over price.  He says he deals fairly with people and indeed seems to have a good rapport with his customers.