Through the Seasons

Well, I just finished the first round of my book sorting.  I put all the books I want to take with me to Africa in one pile and all the books I don’t want to take (at least right now) in another pile. 

Yes.  No.  Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  No.  Yes.  Lots of yeses!  But not too much I don’t think.  Jonathan was pleased so that was good!!

Right now I’m leaving behind things like old journals and sermon notes, Bible studies I don’t think I’ll get to yet, marriage books that make me try way too hard, my grandmother’s Bible, and a couple text books. 

My next step is to sort the “going to Africa” pile between the ones I’m taking with me in my luggage and the ones I’m shipping later via airfreight.  That’s going to be a hard process for me! 

With the “staying here” pile I’ll separate the long-term storage from the books I may want to access on furlough. 

As I was sorting tonight though I became aware of books that I should have come across but didn’t.  They may still be stored at a friend’s house.  That stuff is getting delivered here Tuesday so hopefully they’re in those boxes.  I won’t even think about what it means if they’re not.

Are you wondering why I have so many books to take with me?  I’ve been finding books on sale, on clearance…and sometimes, not – and I’ve been storing them up to read in Africa.  I love to read, especially novels, and I have a feeling I’ll have more time to read there at night.  They also give me a kind of comfort because books transport you to other places.  No matter where you are, the feeling of being lost in a book is the same – and I love it. 

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That’s right.  Today we OFFICIALLY reached 100% of our needed monthly support!!  Praise God for His faithfulness and provision!!

Just to let you know what happens now…

If we raise anything above 100% it will help in the following ways:

1.  It will fill in the gaps if someone forgets to send their contribution in or if they discontinue supporting us financially

2.  It will take up where the “for a limited time” supporters leave off (most are supporting us indefinitely)

3.  (this is the most important one)  It will allow us to do more ministry.  We’ll be able to help the needs around us more.  We’ll be able to fund more projects, provide more AIDS and malaria information, and get God’s Word to more people.  We have been gifted with hearts that love giving so the more we bring in, the more we’ll be able to give to those who need it most.

Part of the expense of getting over there is one-time set-up expenses such as language school tuition, vehicle, setting up the house, etc.  We are about $6,000 short of our estimated one-time costs.  God has been faithful to raise these funds so far and we’re trusting Him for the rest.

We do still have speaking opportunities planned for the future.  We’re praying that people are touched by God and for missions.  We also pray that our team continues to be built – with those who will encourage us, follow our journey, pray for us, and support us financially. 

God knows how much we need to effectively do ministry there, He has unlimited resources, and will provide for His work to be done.

Thank you all for praying and for joining us for this ride we’re on!  We’re excited to see what else is in store for us along the way…

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I had an interesting conversation with a missionary who provides women’s retreats to people in various countries around the world.  She just got back from Kenya which borders Tanzania. 

One night at dinner, she sat down with 3 Kenyan women.  At first everyone exchanged pleasantries and small talk.  Until the missionary asked a very interesting, important question.  She said, “I talk to a lot of people who are preparing to go to the mission field in East Africa.  What could I tell them that would be helpful to their transition and effectiveness here?”  At that point, the floodgates were opened. 

The ladies began to bombard her with information.  Here are a few of the things they said.

“North Americans that come here start out greeting you when they see you but after a while they stop.”  Greetings are very, very important in East Africa (and probably throughout all of Africa).

“During coffee break the North Americans are always looking at their watches and rushing back to their desks.  They always seem more interested in how long they spend on break than the conversation they’re in.”  That’s commended in America.  But not in East Africa.  Relationship is so important and for us to be more concerned with time, promptness, and deadlines than the people we’re around – well – that’s unfathomable to them.

“We sometimes say to the North American, ‘Why don’t you come over sometime.’ but they never come.  We don’t think they like us.”  That invitation is a real invitation and at that point they expect you to come over.  Very different than it is here.  Dropping by is also acceptable there unlike most of America.

“The North Americans are more interested in the work than they are about us.”  Yikes.  Our “American work ethic” and time consciousness can easily hamper our ministry.  It’s not that the Africans don’t care about getting the work done.  They do.  But not at the expense of relationships with people around them. 

This made me think of God.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the work of the kingdom, we neglect the God of the kingdom.  He wants our service, but He wants a relationship more. 

I’ve heard many missionaries to Africa say they learned invaluable Spiritual lessons from the Africans they were supposed to be ministering to.  I’m finding that’s already happening even before I get there.

I pray I remember that no matter what work needs to be done, the person right in front of me is the most important person at that moment.  I also pray that no matter how much work needs to be done “for” God, that I remember my relationship with God is the most important thing at all times.

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Okay, I don’t give much play-by-play to what we’re dealing with.  As we go through things daily we don’t even realize the significance of each detail.  This afternoon I began thinking ‘I need to be documenting this stuff’! 

What has happened lately?

We sent our immigration documents to Tanzania last week.  They received them on Monday.  Within the packet were 10 photos of each of us printed on thick white paper.  Apparently this is against a rule we were unaware of.  No light background allowed.  Nothing but glossy paper allowed.  We ended up emailing the photos to the branch and they’re currently trying to find a place where they can print these photos on the correct paper.  No word yet on how that’s going…

We have been looking into plane tickets for a week and a half now but haven’t settled on any yet.  We’re working hard to find the absolute best price we can.  There are a lot of factors to consider.

In shopping for plane tickets we’ve also had to begin determining the best way to get our belongings to Africa – by ship, air, or as excess baggage.  A friend of ours said there’s no economical way to do it and I’m beginning to realize she’s right.  (Not that I ever doubted you, Anita.) 

Outside of those definite steps, I have a million things rolling around in my mind.  Every once in a while one pops up.  I need to start writing these things down…

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I read this by Angela Hunt today.  Very touching.  It brought tears to my eyes and I hope it speaks to you too.

When God was about to create man, says a Jewish legend, He took into His counsel the angels that stood about His throne. “Create him not,” said the angel of Justice, “for if you do he will commit all kinds of wickedness against his fellow men; he will be hard and cruel and dishonest and unrighteous.” “Create him not,” said the angel of Truth, “for he will be false and deceitful to his brother-man, and even to You.” “Create him not,” said the angel of Holiness, “he will follow that which is impure in your sight, and blaspheme you to your face.”

Then stepped forward the angel of Mercy and said: “Create him, our Heavenly Father, for when he sins and turns from the path of right and truth and holiness I will take him tenderly by the hand, and speak loving words to him, and then lead him back to You.”

I praise God for His mercy and for lovingly leading us back to Himself.

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The mark of a successful person is one who has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.  ~Author Unknown

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I’ve been mistaken.  I didn’t consciously decide that becoming a missionary was all about (and up to) me – but I’m living like it is.  Today in my quiet time I read Jeremiah’s prophecy about how the 70 year Babylonian captivity would end, how Israel would be restored.

Why did He restore it?  Here’s one reason:

Jeremiah 33:9, “Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.”

It wasn’t all about the Israelites.  Ultimately it was about God being glorified – and praised not only by the Israelites but by all the nations on earth.

I get so wrapped up in the details of pre-field preparation.  There are so many things I have to do.  But this thing is so much bigger than me!!  And for this I’m grateful!  My worrying and anxiously fretting about doesn’t bring God glory because it doesn’t show that God is in control, in the details, and loves with an everlasting love.  But He is and does all those things and I want my life to reflect that!

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Lord, let my life cause You to be worshiped because others hear of the great things you do for me.  Cause my light to shine before others so that it brings you renown, joy, praise, and honor that You alone are worthy of.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

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(Asante Sana is “Thank you very much” in Swahili.  LIA is “Love in Action”.) 

Love in Action is a women’s ministry at Hickory Grove Baptist Church’s North Campus.  They do many different outreach activities such as inner city, nursing homes, children’s home, etc.  They have done amazing things to help us as we are preparing to leave.  The group just met and collected items from the needs list on our website.  From what I’ve heard they’ve given us things such as ziploc bags, sunscreen, bug spray, kitchen supplies, and many other things…  We’ll be able to pick it up this morning at church and see it for ourselves. 

Thank you all so much for being so generous!  What a huge help this is!

If you’re interested in seeing our needs list it’s on the top toolbar on the main page of our website:  www.jonathananddana.com.  We’ll update the list sometime next week to show what we’ve received so far.  There are some things that we really can’t get too much of.  (sunscreen and bug spray for example…)

Thanks again LIA – you really are love in action! 

Ninakupenda!  (”I love you” in Swahili)

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No more Bible reading plan.  I just can’t do it.  I love the idea of it.  But at some point I switch from excitement to duty.  I no longer read because I love it.  My perspective becomes doing it because I have to.  The bottom line is that the plan ends up controlling me.  (A good therapist’s response:  It can’t control you.  You are allowing it to control you.  And I would give the therapist that.) 

It may seem so black and white to just ditch the plan entirely – and maybe that is a bit drastic.  I just haven’t figured out how to modify it.  If I have sections of the Bible broken up and listed in order I’ll inevitably want to follow it to the letter (and most of the time I’d want to rush through it).  The thing is that I lose the reason for reading the Bible every day.  I love knowledge but it becomes a trap.  What I give up in the process of trying to gain pure knowledge is communion with God.

Have you noticed how many times in the Bible it says something to the affect that God desires mercy instead of sacrifice?  A lot.  At first I didn’t understand that and even now I only have a vague reasoning of it (which should cause me to slow down, ponder, and meditate on things a lot longer). 

What God is usually addressing here is outward religion versus inward devotion.  If I’m following “the rules” only outwardly then that whole act becomes selfish.  If I read the Bible every day only because I’m supposed to and if I have a firm grasp on the history of Israel and nothing else…  what benefit is that to me?  I want to come to God each day and ask Him to change me.  I don’t think that’ll happen if I’m rushing through the Bible just to get through it and follow some “rule” I’ve adopted for myself.  I’ve never come across a verse that says you have to get through the Bible in a year, every year (or ever for that matter). 

It’s all about motive.  Do I want to finish the “task” or walk with God?  Do I want to learn more information or learn about God?  Do I want to follow the “rules” or follow God?  Do I want to change my behavior outwardly by my own strength for my own reasons or do I want to be changed from the inside out by the power of God because it glorifies God and is the best way to live? 

I realize I have to slow down and focus on God and His Word to me.  The reading plan has to go.  I do like some sort of path though so I’ve decided to read the time period where the Israelites came out of Babylonian captivity and rebuilt the temple and wall around Jerusalem so those are the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah.  And I’m going to finish them… whenever.  I can’t wait to see what God is going to show me. 

If anyone has some good tips on daily quiet times (unless it involves reading a book about it), leave a comment (or email me).  I’d love to hear how you do it.  Much to the detriment of my black and white thinking, there is no one way to do it.  You can even leave the comment anonymously if you’d like.

I’d really love to hear from you!  We are in this thing together. 

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A good friend of mine said two different things to me the other night and I’m going to start using them for myself.

The first one is ’so what?’  Anything that I want to fret about (especially body image) I’ll just say ’so what’.  And then I’ll just move on.

The second one is ‘who says?’  I have all these rules for myself.  So I allow or disallow this and that.  But like my friend said, “You made those rules so you can choose not to follow them.”  The next time I feel compelled to follow my own weird rule I’ll just say, ‘who says?’  If the answer is ‘me’ then I can dismiss it and do what I want, even if it’s off-routine, spontaneous, and abnormal.

As the Grinch said, “This…could change my entire outlook on life!”

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