What Is An Apprentice

When I was in Tanzania, East Africa, I realized that they had an apprentice type system. Most well to do families had some sort of trade, craft, or expertise. They would pass this expertise down through generations in their families. Weather it be making baskets, pottery, jewelry, or in this story, making sandals out of old tires, this would be their livelihood.

My family and I was walking through the Market area of Musoma, Tanzania. We came across a vender who were selling sandals in front of his house made from what appeared to be old tires. Josh (my son) was interested in them, so we started looking more closely at the various ones on display. He tried on several. One was to tight the other to loose. The vender said "Naweza kurekebisha" which means "I can Adjust". He sized Josh's foot up to one sandal, took it in the back part of the house, came out a little later with sandals that fit perfectly.

Now for me, there were no sandals on display that would fit. I am picky when it comes to sandals. I do not like the designs that split my toes and my feet are a bit bigger than locals. So, no surprise to me, there was not a single pair of ready made sandals that would do for me. I liked the big treads, of course, and he looked me in the eyes with a warm glance and held up a perfect tread to my liking.

He then motioned me to follow him across the small shop secluded from the rest. Josh and I followed. As we walked across the floor and into a cramped place between two buildings, the smell of tires, sweat, and heat filled the air. I stood there gazing about. In one corner were tires in a pile. In the center were two tables with stools. On the one table were various types of tools, Hammers, pliers, and other small implements that looked hand made. On the other table was a small grinder of sorts. A small boy sitting on a stool watching an older man work on some sandals. Over at the grinder was another gentleman working a sandal across the wheel. In the back playing with what seemed to be grandchildren was an older man with a white beard. Several generations occupied the work shop.

The first gentlemen measured my feet (his name is Radhi - pronounced RAA-DHHiy, meaning, God the Highest, I found out) he shook my hand and smiled as he went back to his post near the street. I guess he was convinced that I was in good hands. I watched as they began to work on my sandals. Each person doing a particular task. One small boy was putting on decorate beads, another young man was cutting straps, and still another was attaching those straps to precut sandals. Everyone seemed to have a job to do. Then I saw the old man with the white beard carrying a small child as he walks around looking at each station. He was nodding his head as if approving each task. He stopped at one of the smallest members of the clan. He sat the small child down as he wrapped his arms around the boy putting straps through the sandals. With a continuous flow he guided the young child's hands as he meticulously threaded the straps through the small holes. The boy smiled and nodded as he continued his work.

Later, I found out that it was an honor to be in the back room where many of the unique processes were done. the people were called Fundi or craftsmen. They did not want other people to know the complete workings of the trade. This was their livelihood, and they kept the trade secrets in the family. Me,I was not a threat to them. They knew I was not going to go off and start my own sandal shop.

I left there with a very beautiful pair of tire sandals on my feet and could now say that I have walked miles in their shoes. More importantly I learned a very valuable lesson. Being an apprentice is more than learning a trade. It is knowing that you are a part of something more than yourself. You have a place in the family. Your presence is valued.

I believe these young folk stayed and worked long hours each day perfecting what they were taught. They were under the watchful eyes of the master. I have seen many beautiful tire sandals over the years, but none as beautiful as the pair that was made for me. It was because they were made for me that made them beautiful. I was not into all the paint or beads. I only wanted a pair that felt comfortable, and they did!

Now, Are you ready to be an apprentice?

The Apprentice Prayer

Dear Jesus, I ask You to orchestrate the events of this day. I trust You, Lord, that You know what I need, You know what others need from You, through me. So, no matter what problems, hardships, or injustices I face today help me not to worry or get frustrated, but instead to relax in Your providence.

Lord Jesus, I seek to live as your apprentice in all that I do today.  I relinquish my agenda for this day and I submit myself to You and Your kingdom. "Your will, your way, your time."

Yes, today I will rejoice because I am living in Your Eternal Kingdom, You love me, and You are teaching me. I am Your apprentice!

You are my Creator and Redeemer. I devote my whole day to You. I want to be all and only for Jesus! I am Your apprentice!

Today, I love You with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, all my strength. for I am Your apprentice!

Today, I depend on You, Holy Spirit, not my own resources. Help me to keep in step with You. Help me be Your apprentice!

Today, I look to love others as You love me, dear God, blessing everyone I meet, even those who mistreat me. Help me be Your apprentice!

Today, I'm ready to lead people to follow You, Jesus. For I am Your apprentice!

Amen!

Practice God's Presence

The Father's love was enough for Jesus on the cross and it is enough for us in our trials!

You can use your own songs and favorite bible verses to sing your own praises to God. The purpose is, to stay in conscious contact with God throughout your day, to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to Rejoice always! (Philippians 4:4-8). As often as you can remember to praise, pray, and give thanksgiving to the one and only God, He will be your teacher and you will be His apprentice.