Well, it has certainly been a time lately! We have had some great praises - our crate arrived! That has made us quite busy, but in a wonderful way. We have put together shelves and finally starting unpacking boxes! We even have an armoire and hung up clothes! It's amazing! There are quite a few stories of how Africa works - or doesn't - with all this, but I won't bore you with that.
We had a great meeting with the Eastern clusters. During that time, God began to show me a vision for our ministry and I want to share that with you so that you can be praying with us.
One thing we have not done is worked on a people group world view. This is done by surveying random people as you drive through the area and ask questions about their life and beliefs. Examples of questions might be: Do you believe in a single god or many? Who do you worship? What is love to you? What does friendship mean to you? These questions can give us important insight as to how we communicate the gospel.
Another idea that I feel God is leading us to is providing clay water pots that clean water for drinking to some of the people in the neighborhoods around our two town churches. These pots are made by local people in Kenya. As water seeps from the original pot to a second pot it is cleaned enough to be drinkable. This project would communicate the love and concern of our Baptist churches to the community and create a more known presence. Baptist are almost unheard of in this area and we need to communicate who we are and why we are here. Of course, an important part of this project would be deciding who would receive the pots. We would probably focus on older people and ones who are taking care of orphaned family members.
The last idea that God has led me to is the most important and, in some ways, the most intimidating. I will tackle that one in my next entry as it is a long explanation.
Please be in prayer for us as we approach our pastors with these ideas. If they agree then we will begin to make plans to proceed. Pray for our wisdom in all these decisions and that God will use our every action to His glory.
Blessings.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Discouragement vs. Gratefulness
This has been a difficult few weeks. That is one of the reasons why I have not updated the blog. When I am discouraged I turn inward and have a hard time communicating, which is not good because that is when I need prayer the most.
It has seemed as if everything conspires against us. The littlest tasks become long, drawn-out challenges because something breaks or can't be gotten in town. Ministry tasks are thwarted by sickness or flat tires. All the little things build up and even the normal annoyances that we live with become great burdens to bear. These sound like little things, but when you are thwarted, frustrated, and downright blocked on every side it becomes too much to bear. And there were some quite larger disappointments and struggles which I cannot share so publically.
And I started wishing we could just go home. I think that in the last month I have wanted to give up more than I have since our first term - and that is a very normal first term reaction to all the major adjustments of living here. For the first time I have truly regretted moving from our beloved (though also annoying at times) Malawi. I have been pushed to the point of asking God what more He expects of me, how He could possibly ask any more of me, how He expects me to make it.
Then He, also, conspired against me, but for my good. A dear lady wrote concerning my last blog - where I waxed eloquent about a thankful heart. I was reminded that this is foundational to me, to what I believe, to how I manage to make my way through life.
My Bible reading was then a mild scolding.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Romans 9:20
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
I could go on with the verses. This is also where Paul talks about missionary call, how can they believe if they have not heard? So, basically, God told me to get over it. I cannot fathom the mind of God. That is not my place. It is my place to glorify Him in my life through thanksgiving and through doing the task He has set our hands to do. Even if the task is hard. Even if it is impossible - for nothing is impossible with God.
The more positive voice would say, "I can't wait to see how God is going to overcome in these situations." I sometimes have a hard time being positive. Right now it feels as if we are buried under an avalanche. But the cornerstone is that God is good. I am blessed. I can't forget that.
If you think of us, pray that we would pursue thankful hearts, for it is a choice. Pray also for protection against all the things that drag us down, especially ongoing illness. And pray for our children. The two at boarding school are extremely content. They have so many wonderful things in their lives. The youngest will homeschool at least another year. For reasons that I can't share here, she is not ready to go to boarding school. And yet, this is also a great trial because there is nothing for her at home and she is often very unhappy. Our children are a higher priority than ministry, and yet they also sacrifice.
But God has also promised through many rich verses in Isaiah that He will love and take care of our children.
In all things we will remain thankful. Any other way leads to death of the spirit.
Blessings.
It has seemed as if everything conspires against us. The littlest tasks become long, drawn-out challenges because something breaks or can't be gotten in town. Ministry tasks are thwarted by sickness or flat tires. All the little things build up and even the normal annoyances that we live with become great burdens to bear. These sound like little things, but when you are thwarted, frustrated, and downright blocked on every side it becomes too much to bear. And there were some quite larger disappointments and struggles which I cannot share so publically.
And I started wishing we could just go home. I think that in the last month I have wanted to give up more than I have since our first term - and that is a very normal first term reaction to all the major adjustments of living here. For the first time I have truly regretted moving from our beloved (though also annoying at times) Malawi. I have been pushed to the point of asking God what more He expects of me, how He could possibly ask any more of me, how He expects me to make it.
Then He, also, conspired against me, but for my good. A dear lady wrote concerning my last blog - where I waxed eloquent about a thankful heart. I was reminded that this is foundational to me, to what I believe, to how I manage to make my way through life.
My Bible reading was then a mild scolding.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Romans 9:20
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
I could go on with the verses. This is also where Paul talks about missionary call, how can they believe if they have not heard? So, basically, God told me to get over it. I cannot fathom the mind of God. That is not my place. It is my place to glorify Him in my life through thanksgiving and through doing the task He has set our hands to do. Even if the task is hard. Even if it is impossible - for nothing is impossible with God.
The more positive voice would say, "I can't wait to see how God is going to overcome in these situations." I sometimes have a hard time being positive. Right now it feels as if we are buried under an avalanche. But the cornerstone is that God is good. I am blessed. I can't forget that.
If you think of us, pray that we would pursue thankful hearts, for it is a choice. Pray also for protection against all the things that drag us down, especially ongoing illness. And pray for our children. The two at boarding school are extremely content. They have so many wonderful things in their lives. The youngest will homeschool at least another year. For reasons that I can't share here, she is not ready to go to boarding school. And yet, this is also a great trial because there is nothing for her at home and she is often very unhappy. Our children are a higher priority than ministry, and yet they also sacrifice.
But God has also promised through many rich verses in Isaiah that He will love and take care of our children.
In all things we will remain thankful. Any other way leads to death of the spirit.
Blessings.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Always Joy in the Journey
I am sitting at our Baptist guest house in Nairobi. Doctor appointments again. David has not ever fully recovered from the terrible bout of stomach problems over a week ago. We threw one medicine at it and it seemed to help and then he got worse, so we threw another medicine at it and had the same results. Figured it was time to go to a professional.
All the problems that we have experienced in our 6 months back on the field can be very disheartening. Living is more difficult, our home situation a little more unpleasant than we'd like (still bucket bathing - and that never gets fun). We've had a lot of illness, disappointments, and unforeseen challenges. And when we really get to ministry the attacks snowball. It is enough to make us want to throw up our hands. Life would be so much more predictable in the States. Sometimes predictable is pretty good. It can be easy to regret our move to Tanzania and long for the joys we had in Malawi.
But then God reminds me of all the ways He has blessed us in this stage of the journey. We did not choose Tanzania - in fact our plan all along was to probably move back to the North of Malawi where ministry was greatly needed after helping the very established area of Zomba get a new vision. But God changed that in a way that could never be doubted. We were then given two job options in Tanzania and were encouraged to take this one. In doing so we went from a 2 1/2 hour flight (or 1 week's drive) from Malawi to RVA where the kids go to school to just a 7-8 hour drive. It has meant that we can see them every six weeks instead of every three months and that we can attend band concerts, plays, and other important events. This blessing has kept us going through many difficult times.
Even since we have been back this 6 months, God keeps reminding me that for every trial there is a blessing. Chloe has had several difficulties - some of which we have shared through prayer requests, but not all. If we were still in Malawi we would have to fly to Johannesburg (another 2 1/2 hour flight, but in the opposite direction) for help. We would have gone down for a week, hoping in that time that we could figure out the problem and figure out the solution. We might have to stay for longer. We might have to return home and rely on our own wisdom and the guidance of the Lord to see if our plan of action was working or not. Any adjustments would be through email, phone calls, or another flight down. From Tarime, Nairobi is an 8-9 hour drive. We can come up for a few days and then return later if we need to. It takes a great deal of stress out of an already stressful situation.
For this, I really do not have words to express my gratitude to the Lord. This is my child and He has taken care of her so very well. He knew three years ago that she would have these issues and He began making provision for her even then. How can I be anything but thankful? How can I refuse to go through any trial that God sees fit - to lovingly take care of my child and to reach the unreached?
If I had any word of wisdom for you it would be to maintain a thankful heart. Even in the bleakest moments God provides blessings of joy - but we have to look for them and we have to appreciate them. Dear missionary friends lost their 12 yr old to cancer just last month. How can I compare our current trials to that? And through it all they have searched for the blessings - and found them. What an encouragement to my heart. If you are working to further to the kingdom of God there will be even more trials. And if it seems that you are disappointed and waylaid at every turn, perhaps the answer is to look for contentment and gratefulness in what you do have.
Enough preaching. I do not claim to be an expert at this - I fall down on the job often enough. But my experience has been that one of the greatest tools for a Christian to conquer in this life in thankfulness.
Be thankful, my friends.
Blessings.
All the problems that we have experienced in our 6 months back on the field can be very disheartening. Living is more difficult, our home situation a little more unpleasant than we'd like (still bucket bathing - and that never gets fun). We've had a lot of illness, disappointments, and unforeseen challenges. And when we really get to ministry the attacks snowball. It is enough to make us want to throw up our hands. Life would be so much more predictable in the States. Sometimes predictable is pretty good. It can be easy to regret our move to Tanzania and long for the joys we had in Malawi.
But then God reminds me of all the ways He has blessed us in this stage of the journey. We did not choose Tanzania - in fact our plan all along was to probably move back to the North of Malawi where ministry was greatly needed after helping the very established area of Zomba get a new vision. But God changed that in a way that could never be doubted. We were then given two job options in Tanzania and were encouraged to take this one. In doing so we went from a 2 1/2 hour flight (or 1 week's drive) from Malawi to RVA where the kids go to school to just a 7-8 hour drive. It has meant that we can see them every six weeks instead of every three months and that we can attend band concerts, plays, and other important events. This blessing has kept us going through many difficult times.
Even since we have been back this 6 months, God keeps reminding me that for every trial there is a blessing. Chloe has had several difficulties - some of which we have shared through prayer requests, but not all. If we were still in Malawi we would have to fly to Johannesburg (another 2 1/2 hour flight, but in the opposite direction) for help. We would have gone down for a week, hoping in that time that we could figure out the problem and figure out the solution. We might have to stay for longer. We might have to return home and rely on our own wisdom and the guidance of the Lord to see if our plan of action was working or not. Any adjustments would be through email, phone calls, or another flight down. From Tarime, Nairobi is an 8-9 hour drive. We can come up for a few days and then return later if we need to. It takes a great deal of stress out of an already stressful situation.
For this, I really do not have words to express my gratitude to the Lord. This is my child and He has taken care of her so very well. He knew three years ago that she would have these issues and He began making provision for her even then. How can I be anything but thankful? How can I refuse to go through any trial that God sees fit - to lovingly take care of my child and to reach the unreached?
If I had any word of wisdom for you it would be to maintain a thankful heart. Even in the bleakest moments God provides blessings of joy - but we have to look for them and we have to appreciate them. Dear missionary friends lost their 12 yr old to cancer just last month. How can I compare our current trials to that? And through it all they have searched for the blessings - and found them. What an encouragement to my heart. If you are working to further to the kingdom of God there will be even more trials. And if it seems that you are disappointed and waylaid at every turn, perhaps the answer is to look for contentment and gratefulness in what you do have.
Enough preaching. I do not claim to be an expert at this - I fall down on the job often enough. But my experience has been that one of the greatest tools for a Christian to conquer in this life in thankfulness.
Be thankful, my friends.
Blessings.
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