Ministry glimpses
Grandparent Week and afterwards
Last week was officially dubbed “Grandparent Week“. The reason you didn’t hear more about it was because it was only at our house. We had a great time with two sets of grandparents visiting, for a while both at the same time. One day we even threw in an uncle, aunt and cousin! Yes, it was a little chaotic at times, but pretty fun. I made up a quick video in memory of the event – visit our Photo Gallery to download it if you’re interested. No doubt in time I’ll throw up a few pictures of the big week.
Also last week I was told that no, I hadn’t completed my seminary course. There was a secret hidden assignment that I didn’t do! Well, now I’ve done it, and it doesn’t look like I’ll be penalized for my oversight. However, I’m still waiting to hear back from the school before I can order my next course, so I’m a little antsy about that.
We’re getting ready for two kids birthdays in the next 11 days, and also a trip north later this month. The Meximize Team has a meeting coming up too, so I’m trying to get things ready for that. And we’re trying to get details nailed down regarding our trip to Mexico in July – where we’ll be when and who we’re staying with and all that. The good news is that the tickets have been bought, to both Mexico and to Sudbury (for a training weekend). So things are coming together. You can visit our Yahoo! calendar for dates.
So there’s a little about what these missionaries are up to right now. We’re praying that we’ll be able to join our fellow Christians in Mexico this fall, to live in an area where the light of Christ is so desperately needed. Please join us in your prayer time!
Pioneers, missionaries and hats
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Pioneers have a lot of work to do that most people don’t even have to think about. Simple things, like “Where can we get water?” or “What can I sleep on?” As I went about my work today, I realized that missionaries often have the same problem.
Missionaries have to wear a lot of hats. Of course, it’s obvious if you’re thinking of a missionary among a stone age tribe. They have to deal with true frontier medicine, basic food and water issues, and culture and communication challenges.
But missionaries going to any unreached area have to do a lot of their own legwork. Take us, for example, going to an unreached part of Mexico. Imagine going to a city that has only one tiny church, or no believers at all (that you know of). There’s no Christian library down the road, or even Christian books in the library or at the bookstore. There’s no fellowship. You have trouble even communicating properly with people you do know, not because of language but because of culture. There’s no Christian schools, Bible colleges, or megachurches with resources to sponsor Christian ministries. You have no office, no secretary, few resources. And far less materials available that are culturally and language appropriate.
It’s always harder to start from scratch, but when you’re starting a church in an unreached area, that’s what you’re doing. But even here, we have to wear a lot of hats! Take for example some of the things I had to do today.
Today I was communicating with Mexico about various details the Meximize Team will have to be aware of. I was at a travel agent, working through various details for flights to Mexico. I had to consider what insurance might be needed, and when the best time would be to buy it to save money. I had paperwork and questions regarding our personal medical insurance. There were some financial issues I had to discuss with Shari. I deposited a cheque. I had vehicle registration to deal with. I had banking details I needed to discuss with someone at the bank. I had to help my kids with various activities. I discussed some details with Shari regarding our trip to Mexico. I have to consider immunizations that may be needed. I worked on training that the team will need before they go to Mexico. I tried to take care of Nathanael, who I think is a little sick. Oops – I forgot my cell phone some place, so I had to go back and pick it up. I updated something on the computer. I updated my spring/summer calendar. I got the mail. I communicated with the Meximize team leader regarding some training issues. And alas, just when I was getting rolling I ended up with a bad migraine attack and…well, I still had enough energy to write this little note. And really, that wasn’t much of a typical day – the typical things I didn’t even get to! And no, I didn’t list everything I did today.
I knew it before, but I know it again. The life of a missionary is anything but typical. Next time, I’ll just call my office and let them take care of all the details. Wait – I am the office! 😯
A long short trip
Do you have a picture in your mind of the “typical missionary family”? If you do, I hope it’s not the picture many people have – of a frazzled mother with hardly any control of her wild kids, while her oblivious husband talks with a variety of important looking people in the church, apparently not hearing the chaos that his children are causing. And if you do have that picture of a typical missionary family, I hope it’s not the way you see us – even after last night.
Yesterday we went to Three Hills. We had a typical time of packing – actually, better than most packing times, in my opinion. We left after lunch and met some friends in Three Hills for a delicious supper.
We had a good time with our friends, but as we started to get ready for prayer meeting, things starting to go just a little wrong. We had one or two of your normal minor childhood injuries as we got ready, and one or two more minor problems, and pretty soon time was running out. By the time we arrived at the Prairie Tabernacle and started to set up, time was really getting gone.
As the meeting was just about to start, I had the worry in the back of my mind that we ourselves were becoming the above mentioned imaginary family. I had an armload of stuff that I needed for my presentation (don’t worry, no slide presentation ending in a sunset), and I was trying to watch Hannah and get her under control at the front of the church in front of the crowds. They started singing the hymn…
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
No, I didn’t miss the irony as I tried to sing along, find my notes, and pull out what I needed for my presentation. Were my notes in order? Was my guitar tuned? Was I ready? Er..no no no…
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
I fumbled with the hymnbook (remember, I’m in the front of the church here), kept singing, and got my Bible ready, trying to catch a breath.
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
It was one of those times when I simply asked God to use me in spite of myself. I certainly felt in need of a steady Guide! But I wasn’t really worried or upset or frustrated. Just rather…out of time.
I shared from my heart last night, but I did scramble around with my notes, flub my song, and forget important things that I was going to say. These are gracious people – this church family has prayed for us since we started in full time ministry – many of them have been praying for us even longer. They gave nothing but encouragement afterwards (one person gave me some suggestions for my singing – and she was absolutely right. Someone else was there who gave me some guitar training 12 years ago – perhaps he was shaking his head wondering why I’ve lost so much ground! But everyone was very gracious). So this was a forgiving crowd, and I hope they know how much we appreciate them. We had a great time of prayer together and a good time visiting.
We got to see some other friends in the evening, which was great. When we went to go to bed we did make a discovery. Nathanael is at that stage where he simply won’t sleep if he’s in the same room as us. He sees us and thinks it’s time to get up. So time and time and time again we got up and tried to quiet him. Hannah was not feeling well and was coughing, and I ended up with a tremendous headache in the middle of the night. So…not much sleep for us. So…we’re a little tired. We were going to try to see some more people, but other than a brief stop we decided we’d better get home. But in the end, the trip was a blessing for us – I hope a blessing to others, in spite of it all!
As I reflect, it occurs to me that God really does understand real life. Somehow through His Spirit He can allow us to learn holiness – even when life seems to be out of control. We can commune with Him and let Him speak in any situation, no matter how crazy. And perhaps it’s those times when we need Him most – and those times when He can teach us the most.
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
I’m tired!
I’m tired! You know how sometimes you don’t really know how tired you were until you get a good night’s sleep? Well, I know I’m tired already. It really has been a pretty crazy few weeks.
Generally Shari and I don’t have trouble sleeping, but lately there have just been so many reasons to get up in the night. Hannah gets up, or Nathanael wakes up, or I wake up with a headache…and of course, there’s getting to bed too late. But whose fault is that?
Anyway, we’re trying to get the rest we need, or catch up, I should say. We’re looking forward to a day off tomorrow.
Despite tiredness and headache issues, I was able to put in a full days work. We’re getting ready for our trip to Three Hills this week, so we’re looking forward to that. On Tuesday night we’re speaking at the Prairie Tabernacle. So I took some time to get ready for that, did some organizing I needed to do, some prep for training the team going to Mexico, paperwork, etc.
We can always remember that in the end Jesus Himself is our Rest, when rest in the real world evades us. As Paul said,
We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen. (2Co 4:16-18 CEV)
Meet the Meximize Team!
I’d like to introduce to you the Meximize Team! These are the people that will be going into the urban wilds of Central Mexico in July to serve God and be a part of what He’s doing there! You can see a picture of them and read a bit right here at the Lansing Avenue Baptist Church website. I’m really excited about what’s being cooked up for us in Mexico as we speak. I’ll tell you more about it as the details come together.
The team will be working primarily with Bryan and Lori Smith. If you get our newsletter you may remember the feature we did on the Smiths a year ago February. (read the newsletter here) I’ve been in touch with the Smiths quite a bit, but I’ve never met them in person. They came to Mexico after we were there. If you prayed for the Smiths, you can find out the latest way to pray by reading their prayer requests here.