Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

The Importance of Our Fireplace

The other night, the weather was cool and breezy outside - just the perfect kind of weather for a fire.  Seems weird to be able to be able to build a fire living just a few degrees south of the equator, but that is life here.  Anyway, we have discovered that this is a great way to have family time without calling it that!  The boys love to help build and watch over the fire.  Marti and Sarah (and myself) love to watch the flames and feel the warmth.

And as we enjoy it together, just about anything comes up in conversation.  Somehow, Sam started the time off by teasing Sarah...."Sarah likes so and so."  Of course she was quick to deny it, and Sam started laughing.  But as we sat there, the conversation eventually turned to issues of relationships and so on.  We pointed out the importance of understanding ourselves well before getting "serious".  We talked about how it will be important for the kids to let us help them understand their strengths and weaknesses and then help point out the way they should look for a mate to compliment those traits.  Amazingly, both Sarah and Ben where interested in hearing our thoughts on this.  It was an awesome time around the fire.

It was one of the few times I was glad Sam teased Sarah.

Perspectives on Suffering

I have documented quite extensively on this blog some our personal struggles and difficulties of living as missionaries in Kenya.  They have been intense and discouraging at times.  But over the past couple of months I have been following the challenges and struggles of three other missionary families on three different continents.  We personally know all of the families and went through several training sessions with them.  We all "graduated" from the same approval process so they have been on their respective fields for the past 2-3 years.  I share their stories below because I realize that "suffering" comes in many different forms and events.  And I think during this holiday season it is important to pray for folks who are struggling in very real ways.

Our first family is very similar to us...a doctor and his family.  About the same time that God was calling us to adopt, this family felt a similar call.  They decided to adopt a baby from the country they were living in.  Several weeks after completing the first round of paperwork, they were asked by a single young mother to adopt her child.  They did so, taking the baby in at age one week.  Over the past six months they have been raising this girl as their daughter.  About 3 months ago, a local judge refused the process their second round of paperwork.  The past 3 months have been a grueling and emotional struggle.  Over a week ago they ran out of legal options and had to give the child up.  They continue to fight for this precious baby but things look bleak as they are being persecuted; apparently the only thing "wrong" with their application is that they are Americans.  They need big time pray.

A second family is also struggling.  They have 6 children.  After 2 years on the field, they went back to the U.S. for what they thought would be a 3 month Home Assignment.  While there, they had one of their children tested for some learning disabilities (he was really struggling in school).  It was determined that he needed to stay in the U.S. for this school year to get him "back on track."  Although disappointed, they felt at peace with this decision.  Sadly, two months ago, the house they were renting back in their field of service caught fire and wiped out all their earthly possessions.  It has been a difficult time for them sorting through that emotional disaster.

Finally, another couple whom we love dearly has spent the better part of the past two years constantly harassed and threatened by the local officials in the country where they were serving.  They were eventually kicked out of the country on trumped up charges.  Their team mates were also kicked out.  Subsequently, the team has undergone a lot of turmoil and has disbanded.  This dear couple is going back home to the States for a period of reevaluation and refreshment.  They are waiting on God for the next step.

These situations almost shame me about "whining" about my own circumstances.  But I realize in the bigger scheme, that the enemy is real and prowling in all situations.  Life is full of disappointment and discouragements.  As my international director likes to say, "Missions is messy."  It sure is.  Living in countries that are not your own has its inherant risks.  Nothing is to be taken for granted.

And so, during this time of year with all the hustle and bustle and fun of the Christmas season, pray for these missionary families.  Lift them up.  Pray for others that you know that are struggling.  Pray that the Light of the World will shine mightily in all these situations.

Our Christmas Tree

Our first Christmas in Kenya was unique in that for the first 3 weeks after Thanksgiving we had a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree with homemade ornaments.  It was not ideal but it certainly made a memory.  This weekend we set up our "real" (well artificial) tree and as we put up the ornaments I was reminded of more memories.

Setting up our tree is a special time.  We have so many ornaments that invoke pleasant memories from the past.  We have received special ornaments or picked them up in a special place.  We have collected some from ornament swaps.  And we have collected some with special themes.  Some are unique and some are weird.  Below is a list of some of the special ornaments we have on our tree. 

1. Oldest Ornament - A 37 year old "bunny rabbit" ornament that I received when I was just one month old. 

2. Most Unique ornament - a painted camel dung ornament sold in Kenya (now that is recycling!!)

3. Places Visited Ornament - ornaments from Williamsburg, Charleston, Mt. Vernon (George Washington's home), Victoria BC, Newberry.

4. International Places Visited Ornaments - Russia, Holland, UK, Kenya

5. Themed Ornaments - We have 9 St. Louis Cardinal ornaments on the tree (guess I need to get another to match the number of World Series Championships they have won!).  We also have another 3 baseball themed ornaments.  We have 7 Ballerinas, 4 Pineapples, and 17 Snowmen.

Another Birthday In Kenya

I celebrated another birthday in Kenya yesterday.  As it was a weekday, I had to go to work.  I didn't have much motivation to be at the hospital but got some paperwork done and attended a mandatory meeting.  After that meeting, I decided to go home early. 

It was a good decision as I really enjoyed the afternoon home with the family.  When I arrived we had an impromptu birthday party.  The kids are like their mom - they are great gift givers.  They all gave me gifts that were thoughtful and enjoyable.  Marti gave me some cologne and a gift certificate for a movie date.  Sarah gave me a gift certificate to download some music (or books) for my iPod.  Ben gave me some ankle weights to help me get stronger for my next marathon.  And Sam gave me a beaded belt he bought at the local craft market.

After this party, Marti had to take Sarah to ballet and so I went for a "hard" running workout.  I decided to do a "hills" workout and although it was difficult, I felt great afterwards.  When I got home, Ben wanted to play baseball and so he put on his catcher's gear and I pitched to him.  He said afterwards it was the best pitching I had done!! (Such an encouraging child!).  Then, after a quick shower, I enjoyed the homemade vegetable soup Marti made and topped it off with an ice cream sundae.

Finally, the boys and I sat around the den reading.  It was a great way to spend the day as far as I am concerned....with my family, doing the things I like to do...run, read, eat good food, chat with the family.  As far as I am concerned, birthdays never get boring.  I look forward to my next one already!

Today in History

Today is my 37th Birthday.  I came across these factoids that I thought were interesting.  Enjoy.

On this date:

In 1718, English pirate Edward Teach — better known as Blackbeard — was killed during a battle off the Virginia coast.

In 1890, French president Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille, France.

In 1928, “Bolero” by Maurice Ravel made its debut in Paris.

In 1935, a flying boat, the China Clipper, took off from Alameda, Calif., carrying more than 100,000 pieces of mail on the first trans-Pacific airmail flight.

In 1943, President Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek met in Cairo to discuss measures for defeating Japan.

In 1963, President J.F.Kennedy was assassinated in Texas.

In 1965, the musical “Man of La Mancha” opened in New York.

In 1975, Juan Carlos was proclaimed King of Spain.

In 1990, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, having failed to win re-election of the Conservative Party leadership on the first ballot, announced her resignation.

In 2001: With a tap on a laptop, Pope John Paul II for the first time sent out his official word over the Internet, apologizing for missionary abuses against indigenous peoples of the South Pacific.

Today’s Birthdays: Movie director Arthur Hiller is 83. Actor Robert Vaughn is 74. Actor Michael Callan is 71. Actor Allen Garfield is 67. Animator and movie director Terry Gilliam is 66. Actor Tom Conti is 65. Singer Jesse Colin Young is 65. Astronaut Guion S. Bluford is 64. Tennis player Billie Jean King is 63. Rock musician-actor Steve Van Zandt (AKA Little Steven) is 56. Rock musician Tina Weymouth (The Heads; Talking Heads; The Tom Tom Club) is 56. Former baseball player Greg Luzinski is 56.  Actress Jamie Lee Curtis is 48. Actress Mariel Hemingway is 45. Actor Stephen Geoffreys is 42. Baseball player Ken Griffey Jr is 37.  Actress Scarlett Johansson is 22.

Final Exams

3 of the guys in my discipleship group are taking their final exams in medical school today.  They have actually been at it for the past three weeks when their rotations finished and they had exam prep time.  Exams started two weeks ago and they have had an exam every couple of days. 

I spent Monday night with them and they seemed a bit tired and stressed.  I guess I would be as well.  When I was a senior medical student, our "finals" were really between our 2nd and 3rd years of school.  We then moved onto our clinical years.  By the time the final month rolled around in school, it was low key and lots of fun.  These guys have to suffer through exams.  Such a pity really.  They have to finish their med school years stressing out about exams.  I guess that is life.

We plan to celebrate with them next week (I know they will all pass).  We are taking them to a nice restaraunt in town.  They wanted to get dressed up so it will be a coat and tie affair.  I would prefer dressy casual, but they want to go all out.  But hey, it is their party!  I look forward to the party, but am sad that they will be moving on and away for internship.  It has been a great two years spending time with them, learning from them, teaching them, encouraging them, and growing with them. 

Ministry as Industry?

Once again, I am going to post an entry from my friend, Dr. Michael Johnson.  He usually hits the nail on the head, and this entry is no different.  Enjoy...and be uncomfortable!

Ministry as Industry

This is an ugly concept, but a good friend of mine laid this on me today.  He talked to me about ministry as industry.

We need the poor.  Our job security depends on hungry, naked, ignorant, thirsty and unhealthy people.  If our donors perceive that we are no longer needed in our sites of service, they will quickly find someone else, somewhere else to send their money.  We need to be needed.

The poor need us.  Their future jobs, family, health and financial security depend on our ability to adequately portray their plight with compassion and conviction. 

Our donors need us.  Our donors like the pictures.  They feel good as they reach into their pockets to give.  We give them that chance to feel good.

The problem with these three very extreme points of view is that much of it is true. We are incapable of ourselves to discern when our hearts slip from ministry to industry.

This can only be done by keenly listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that ‘our hearts are deceitful above all things…, desperately wicked…, who can know it?’ Jeremiah 17:9

We must allow the Holy Ghost to constantly reexamine every single thing we do in Christ’s name to determine our true intentions.

When does what we do become the objective as opposed to whom we serve and why we serve?  How do we assure we are not just tantalizing our donors as opposed to informing them?  How do I know that I don’t create a co-dependency climate with the people I serve?

Do we create our own ‘niche’ in ministry in order to remain relevant? Do we seek to invent and carve out needs in the missionary market?

Is our ministry fulfilling a need, advancing the gospel or giving us relevance as missionaries?  Is it a ministry from which people have a chance to meet Christ, or a place where we can build institutions, programs and industries?

Ministry is becoming big industry around the world.  Faith industry around the globe is producing mega-churches with mega-bucks.  This same industry influences politics, medicine and many issues of economic and social planning.

Can we continue to do the work being hypnotized by the success in the work?  Is our ministry an industry?  Are we really serving Christ? 

To keep our ministries from becoming industry, we must pray as the Psalmist prayed.

Ps 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Ps 139:24

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Poetry Night

Last Friday night, we had a Homeschool Poetry night with another homeschool family.  It was a great night to allow the kids to share what they had been learning the past 2 months in their poetry class.  In total 6 kids presented poetry recitations and original works. 

Sam participated with his rendition of "Georgy Porgey" which he loves since his middle name is George!  Sarah of course was her usual graceful self.  But in my opinion, Ben was the star of the night.  Ben, who can barely stand to be in front of people, stood up and did a fabulous job with his poem "The Archer".  He did a great job with motions and voice inflections.  Then, he wowed us with the following poem that he composed.  Enjoy the work of this budding poet!

Robin Hood and Little John

Now, I’ll tell you a tale of Robin Hood.

He led some men, true and good.

He fed the poor by stealing from the rich.

He did it all with hardly a glitch.

He lived in

Sherwood Forest

, I’m told.

Alike he helped the young and old.

And then one day he got a call

From one of his archers thin and tall.

“Someone will pass the bridge today.

Come, he is south, just this way !”

When Robin got to the bubbling stream,

There was the stranger all dressed in green.

“Let the better man pass,” the stranger said,

“Besides, 13 miles I have had to tread.”

“Get out of my way, you dog,” said Robin,

“I’m not a dog, but you are a goblin.”

“What is thy name?  You are like Goliath.”

“My name is John Little, and you’re not going byeth.”

“Come on, little David; let us fight.

The winner we shall dub a sword-bearing knight.”

“I’ve a better idea,” said Robin Hood,

“The winner shall cross, just as he should.”

“I accept!  But, what shall it be…

swords, arrows?  We can shoot at that tree.”

“Nay,” said the great archer, “it will not be that.

“We could use clubs.  We have no time to chat.”

“A duel of staves will do me fine.

Will you wait for me to cut a vine?”

And, then the two began to fight.

And just one blow would sting as a bite.

Then a blow took Robin off balance.

For staying on a bridge, he had no talent.

The water burst out laughing, as did John.

“Would you be my man?  Let us move one.”

“I’d be honored,” said John, thinking of the fall.

“Let us go.  I can hear my men call.”

And he lived with the men, true and good;

Saving the poor with Robin Hood.

And from that day forward, he was called Little John.

They’ve been friends ever since, with a very strong bond.

Is He Here Yet??

The other day we had an interesting experience here at the hospital.  As many of you know the hospital was started by a Muslim organization. It's current leader (of the whole organization) came for a "surprise" visit of the hospital.  Not only is he the leader of the worldwide organization (with hospitals, schools, universities, hotels, and businesses as part of its portfolio) he is the spiritual leader of this group of Muslims.

Well, the buzz around the place was pretty profound.  As this leader is a VIP, he received a State motorcade to the hospital.  There were secret service types all over the place.  And the hallways were cleared out.  And the Muslims were very giddy, asking, "is he here yet??"

I couldn't quite understand there anticipation until one of them shared this.  "He is our spiritual leader.  Catching a glimpse of him is important.  It is even better if he makes eye contact with you.  Even better if he smiles at you.  It is a real blessing."

And even though I thought it was kind of sad to earn for just a glimpse of him, I realized that I have done the same thing for my baseball heros.  I have stood outside stadiums waiting for a chance to get an autograph or a photograph.  All that anticipation for just a few seconds of interaction.

And then I began to examine whether I had the same enthusiasm and anticipation for the return of my spiritual leader.  Am I ready for Jesus to return.  Do I look around and say "is He here yet??"  And if I don't, why not.  What does it say about me if I am willing to stand around waiting to catch a close up glimpse of Albert Pujols, but show very little anticipation for seeing Jesus??

I have learned something this week from my Muslim friends......

Using Rocks to Fill the Potholes

Well, the teenage years are here.  And boy am I glad that I spent the summer training for a marathon.  I think the extra fitness will give me the stamina needed for, oh let's say, the next 10-15 years!!

Actually nothing really "big" has happened, but we have been dealing with some attitude issues with Sarah.  She really is a sweetheart, but when she flashes her alter-ego, watch out.  For instance, yesterday she and Marti had a school related issue come up.  Sarah answered sarcastically and acted a bit disrespectfully.  Marti, not wanting little things to become big things, tried to work through this with Sarah.  It took most of the day, back and forth, in between school.  I had to weigh into the situation at dinner.  At one point, after dinner, I needed to discipline Sarah.  And this of course lead to more time being invested in the situation.

After a while, after Sarah went through the range of anger, sarcasm, tears, and softening, she blurted out, "I just wanted us to have a happy evening."  I understood what she wanted, but I didn't like how she was getting there.  She said she was tired of having to "talk so much" and just wanted to close the issue.

At that point, I was reminded of the numerous potholes we have here in Nairobi.  I then thought about the "solution" that is usually employed to fix the potholes - they are filled with rocks.  This of course gives a "smooth" road for a few weeks, but then the hole just reappears, usually deeper, and more annoying.

I shared with Sarah that she was just using rocks to fill the potholes in our relationship.  She wanted to be happy.  She wanted to just cover up the problem, and go and do something fun.  But I explained that we needed to first reconcile, and then go and have fun.  And I explained that reconcilitation is harder and more costly to fix the hole in the relationship.  It usually took a bit longer than to just smile and be happy.  And fortunately, I think she got this.  She complains about the potholes and the stupid way that they are filled with rocks to fix it for a short time.

And so, at least for now, we are working on fixing this pothole the right way.  It will take a bit of time, but it will last.  And of course, we know there will be other holes to fix in the future, but at least then we will be encouraged to fix it before it gets too big and causes us to blow out the shocks in our relationship.

Marathons and Ministry

As the week has progressed, I have been very pleased at how quickly I have recovered from my marathon on Sunday. I have already seemed to have forgotten the difficulties encountered and have tentatively set my sites on another race in March 2007. I am either crazy, committed, forgetful, or a combination of all three.

Since this was a recovering week (no running), I was able to do some thinking. And as I did, I began to realize there are many similarities between running a marathon and serving as a missionary. If you take the time to read this, I think it will help you be able to better understand the challenges of both running a marathon and being a missionary.

Marathons and Ministry

First, there is the preparation phase. To properly prepare for a marathon, you must put in a good effort in training. This requires commitment and focus. But besides preparation you need to keep balanced with appropriate rest intervals. Too much training leads to burn out and injuries. And on top of all this you must maintain good nutrition. The stresses of training can be offset with a properly balanced diet.

Ministry requires the same. You have to be prepared. You must spend time working hard. But you need to keep rested. And you must constantly be fed on the Word. All of this is extremely important to the ability to finish the race set before you.

Second, in a marathon, you must not get distracted by how others are doing. It is easy to begin comparing yourself early in the race with other runners. Others may seem to be going faster and smoother. You will be tempted to keep pace with them. And this can lead to problems down the road if this is not the pace for which you have been made or prepared for.

Ministry is the same. Others seem to land in a new place and "take off." They have many successes. They are growing faster and bigger and "better." And yet, we must avoid this temptation. It proves nothing except how much we want to be personally recognized (pride). It can lead to terrible burn out as the race progresses.

Thirdly, pain and problems are inevitable in a race. It doesn't matter whether you are a world class marathoner or a back of pack jogger. Eventually the grueling race will challenge each runner physically and emotionally. And this pain will cause doubt and discouragement. There may even be a sense of loneliness and despair as you fight off the urge to quit and the negative thinking that you won't be able to finish well.

This is very obvious in ministry. Pain and problems are inevitable. It may be a sense of loss and missing home. It may be a sense of losing control. People will disappoint you. And there will be an incredible urge to quit at times. In ministry, there is a temptation to believe that no one understands how painful this particular situation is. And right in the middle of the race, there doesn't seem to be much comfort in thinking that others are also suffering. Pain is painful. Period.

And this is where the lessons from running marathons has really helped me in dealing with the pain and problems of ministry/missions. During a race, it's not about how painful the pain is, it is more of matter of how am I going to deal with it. Am I going to sit down and cry? Am I going to quit? Am I going to slow down, take a short break, refuel, and carry on? These are the questions that arise when the cramps and fatigue start hitting you in the middle of a race.

Obviously, one must decide whether the pain is a normal part of pushing yourself, or is it a warning to something more serious at hand. If the answer is just that this pain is a normal "to be expected" type of pain, the ability to finish the race well totally depends on the following: preparation and commitment. If I am well prepared, if I have trained adequately, I will be able to finish the race. But, I must be committed to this and perservere even if it means swallowing my pride and finishing slower than I had planned.

And this, I am finding, very adequately relates to dealing with pain in ministry. If the pain is life threatening, I need to quit before it is too late. And there should not be any indignity in this. But, if it is the "to be expected" type of pain, then I must rely on the preparation I have done and recommitment myself to perservere. This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where we learn to suck it up and ask God for the grace to push on. This is where we learn to humble ourselves to our expectations and rely on God to give us the second and third and fourth "winds" to carry on. This is where we find out how big God is in His ability to "carry" us to the finish line.

I find it very comforting that the Apostle Paul used the race metaphor when he told us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2). The Christian faith is a race set before us. We need to prepare for this race, we need to find times of rest, we must be nourished, we must not focus on others, we must expect pain, and we must persevere. All for His glory!

Security Threat??

I received another travel warning from the U.S. Embassy in Kenya yesterday.  It cautioned against the possibility of suicide bombers from Somalia.  "Peace talks" there have broken down and there is apparently some evidence that the extremist Islamists have made some serious threats to both Ethiopia and Kenya. 

Usually when I get these warnings I don't think much about them.  Today I was a bit more concerned as I heard the warnings reported on both the BBC Worldnews and the Voice of America Radio network.  They even had a statement from a State Department spokesperson in Washington.  This is a little bit more serious I guess.

For now, we will just keep our ears and eyes open.  I will in fact make sure we are prepared at the hospital to take in casualties if necessary.  Sounds surreal, but I guess that is one of the possibilities I need to be prepared for here.  Do keep us in your prayers.

Still Waiting for Kate

Last night I was turning out the lights in the house as I was preparing to go to bed.  I went into the room that we have converted into a nursery and got a little sad.  It seems the wait is getting harder and harder.  I looked around the room at the freshly painted walls, the crib, the rocking chair and wondered if we would ever get around to actually seeing and holding and loving on our little precious adopted daughter. 

At this point we are still waiting for our paperwork to clear Department 1 to go to Department 2.  Department 1 is the clearance department from the Chinese side.  Department 2 matches us with our baby.  We are now into our 15th month in the adoption process.  We are still waiting....