Last week, I had the great privilege to travel to the neighboring country of Botswana, to preach the Gospel for the 3rd time since July. It was a great time of fellowship and teaching, as two guys from the work here, and a fellow-missionary accompanied us on the journey. How do you summarize a missions trip into words? When we travel to other parts of the world, it seems as though, we allow the Lord to open our eyes and shake off the blinders that so easily cover our sight while we are at home. If you have ever taken a missions trip, you have no doubt experienced this very thing.
Botswana has a very large land mass compared to the 2.5 million people that reside there. As you drive through the countryside for 3 hours from the border to Francistown, you will not find very much of interest to look at. A few cars, a lot of donkies, cows, goats, and vast expanses of open prairie. But, when you arrive in Francistown, you find it to be a very typical African city. Plenty of modern businesses, eating establishments, hotels, etc. Cars, buses, taxis, and people line the streets and sidewalks. There is a small pocket of white folks from various walks of life that you will find living here, but 99% of the people will surely be Africans. It is a strange mix of modern development and poverty all in one. A two minute drive from the modern hotel where we stayed will take you into suburbs of village dwellings that are smaller and far more menial than the average American's back yard shed.
We spend a few hours of our days putting out Gospel tracts within the city limits. We easily distributed 5,000 pieces of literature in a few evening and morning hours. We have found so many people with a seemingly sincere interest in the Word of God. However, the highlight of the time is always spent in teaching small groups of people the Scriptures. We were able to have services with some folks from Zimbabwe, for the third time since July. Every time we leave their place, they pose the question....'when are you coming back to start a Baptist church here?'. In fact, I have lost count of how many people have asked me that question over our 3 trips there. I have not yet figured out how to look these seekers in the eye and tell them that we won't be able to come back. I'm too busy, don't have enough money, don't have enough time, already have another ministry.....they all fail to become acceptable answers when you are looking into the eyes of a people asking you to return. This world is full of people that would give anything to ask you that question...but first we have to go and find them. Perhaps you ask, why go over there, you're already on a missionfield. The answer is simple...'mine eye affecteth mine heart'.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
A Typical Sunday...
A few ladies have asked what a day in our lives looks like, so I thought I'd write about our Sundays.
Sundays are our busiest days. This is true of preachers and their families too. Usually we start our day earlier on Sundays than any other day in order to have time to prepare our hearts, our selves, and our home for the busy day ahead. Most Sundays, we are greeted by sunshine and a chorus of birds, already intent on praising the Lord! One of my favorite things about South Africa is the plentiful sunshine and beautiful exquisite mornings. Sundays are usually always quiet, peaceful days in our neighborhood as well, which I appreciate. We live near a primary school, so it can get really noisy during the week. Our Sunday schedule constantly changes depending on which villages we’re having services in at the time. Right now, George leaves in the morning to pick up Fels at the taxi. He lives the opposite direction of where the morning services have been. He and Fels then drive about 20 minutes to meet David. Currently, because of the situation, the children and I stay home in the morning. We have our own Sunday School time complete with songs, Bible story, coloring, and even an offering. The kids like to bring a stuff animal as a visitor. We have a 2’s and 3’s curriculum and it has been good for them to go through it. That usually takes most of the morning. At times, I miss the American schedule of 9am, 1015am, and 6pm – but I must remember – it is simply that…American. Although not wrong, those ‘times’ aren’t in the Bible! :o) The guys are back around lunchtime. So, I try to have Sunday lunch ready when they get home. After lunch, we hurry the kids to bed, and clean up, while the guys fellowship in the living room. They share blessings from the week, do a Bible Study, or do some translation work. Sometimes, they all fall asleep!
After just a short time, we all load up for the afternoon service. It’s about a 30 minute drive to this village. The guys are in the back having a lively discussion in Sotho, and our kids are half-asleep yet because their naps weren’t quite long enough. :o) Arriving a bit early allows the kids to run off some energy before sitting for a l-o-n-g service! We are currently meeting in a primary school. But there are always lots of goats and chickens roaming the property for the kids to chase, and lots and lots of dirt. We jokingly say that you know you’re a missionary to Africa in the village when…your kids get dirtier at church than they do when they play outside at home. :o)
Village sounds waft through the air as we make our way to the dusty, sun-baked school room we use; distant sounds of music, children screaming and laughing, cows bellowing, and the simultaneous chord of their cow-bells. The birds fly overhead. The wind blows and sends a cloud of red dust everywhere. People are walking everywhere. People are sitting everywhere - always wise to congregate in the coolness of the shade. If you watch for any time at all, you will see several struggling to haul their water or firewood – by hand, by wheelbarrow, or conveniently on their heads. Service begins as David greets us all in Sotho. It is a joy now as we watch the people we love lead their own service – and lead it well. We basically set ourselves up in the back and watch. David leads most of the service – we are grateful to be a part of it. It’s a blessing to be able to sing songs in both Sotho and English. Joel joins in heartily, as he is now learning the songs in Sotho.
We enjoy the service, although if David only is preaching, then it’s all in Sotho. If George is preaching, then we hear it in both languages. Yet after 3 years (George more so than myself) we can follow along enough to know what they’re talking about even in Sotho. When the service is over, we spend time fellowshipping with those who have gathered. We say good-bye in 4 different languages right now: Sotho, Tsonga, Shona, and English. We repack the kombi (van) and begin our trek home. This time it’s just with David since Fels lives nearby this village. As we head back to town, we are weary and tired. Sundays are full but we are grateful to be serving the Lord – and we usually end up the ones being blessed.
Later on in the evening, we will download a service from our home church’s website. Because of the time difference now, we are unable to catch the live broadcasts. However, because Africa does not have Daylight Savings, when the clocks change in November, we will get home in enough time to join into to some of our home church’s Sunday Morning Service LIVE!
Sundays are our busiest days. This is true of preachers and their families too. Usually we start our day earlier on Sundays than any other day in order to have time to prepare our hearts, our selves, and our home for the busy day ahead. Most Sundays, we are greeted by sunshine and a chorus of birds, already intent on praising the Lord! One of my favorite things about South Africa is the plentiful sunshine and beautiful exquisite mornings. Sundays are usually always quiet, peaceful days in our neighborhood as well, which I appreciate. We live near a primary school, so it can get really noisy during the week. Our Sunday schedule constantly changes depending on which villages we’re having services in at the time. Right now, George leaves in the morning to pick up Fels at the taxi. He lives the opposite direction of where the morning services have been. He and Fels then drive about 20 minutes to meet David. Currently, because of the situation, the children and I stay home in the morning. We have our own Sunday School time complete with songs, Bible story, coloring, and even an offering. The kids like to bring a stuff animal as a visitor. We have a 2’s and 3’s curriculum and it has been good for them to go through it. That usually takes most of the morning. At times, I miss the American schedule of 9am, 1015am, and 6pm – but I must remember – it is simply that…American. Although not wrong, those ‘times’ aren’t in the Bible! :o) The guys are back around lunchtime. So, I try to have Sunday lunch ready when they get home. After lunch, we hurry the kids to bed, and clean up, while the guys fellowship in the living room. They share blessings from the week, do a Bible Study, or do some translation work. Sometimes, they all fall asleep!
After just a short time, we all load up for the afternoon service. It’s about a 30 minute drive to this village. The guys are in the back having a lively discussion in Sotho, and our kids are half-asleep yet because their naps weren’t quite long enough. :o) Arriving a bit early allows the kids to run off some energy before sitting for a l-o-n-g service! We are currently meeting in a primary school. But there are always lots of goats and chickens roaming the property for the kids to chase, and lots and lots of dirt. We jokingly say that you know you’re a missionary to Africa in the village when…your kids get dirtier at church than they do when they play outside at home. :o)
Village sounds waft through the air as we make our way to the dusty, sun-baked school room we use; distant sounds of music, children screaming and laughing, cows bellowing, and the simultaneous chord of their cow-bells. The birds fly overhead. The wind blows and sends a cloud of red dust everywhere. People are walking everywhere. People are sitting everywhere - always wise to congregate in the coolness of the shade. If you watch for any time at all, you will see several struggling to haul their water or firewood – by hand, by wheelbarrow, or conveniently on their heads. Service begins as David greets us all in Sotho. It is a joy now as we watch the people we love lead their own service – and lead it well. We basically set ourselves up in the back and watch. David leads most of the service – we are grateful to be a part of it. It’s a blessing to be able to sing songs in both Sotho and English. Joel joins in heartily, as he is now learning the songs in Sotho.
We enjoy the service, although if David only is preaching, then it’s all in Sotho. If George is preaching, then we hear it in both languages. Yet after 3 years (George more so than myself) we can follow along enough to know what they’re talking about even in Sotho. When the service is over, we spend time fellowshipping with those who have gathered. We say good-bye in 4 different languages right now: Sotho, Tsonga, Shona, and English. We repack the kombi (van) and begin our trek home. This time it’s just with David since Fels lives nearby this village. As we head back to town, we are weary and tired. Sundays are full but we are grateful to be serving the Lord – and we usually end up the ones being blessed.
Later on in the evening, we will download a service from our home church’s website. Because of the time difference now, we are unable to catch the live broadcasts. However, because Africa does not have Daylight Savings, when the clocks change in November, we will get home in enough time to join into to some of our home church’s Sunday Morning Service LIVE!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Prayer Alert
Ok, please accept my humble apologies for slacking off here again with the posts this week. As we prepare for the big move back to the States, things get increasingly hectic with each passing week. Seems like there is so much to get done, and time is running out:-). Anyway, I wanted to petition your prayers for services tomorrow.
Sunday AM - Last week we started teaching the Salvation Bible Studies to a new group in Kujwana village. The Lord directed us here, after a few weeks in Dan village turned up nothing to speak of. Silas, our contact from Dan village, has a 'girlfriend' who is from Kujwana, and her family was interested in having us to their place to teach the Scriptures. So last Sunday Silas took us there, and we found a group of 20 Africans waiting for us when we arrived. Pray for David as he teaches lesson 2 tomorrow morning.
Sunday PM - We are planning a special baptism service in Motupa village tomorrow. Please pray for Fels, Godfrey, Thomas, and Kenyas. All 4 of these men have given good testimonies and appear to evidence fruit of repentance. They have been busy inviting friends and other folks to attend the special occasion tomorrow. Won't you take a moment and pray for each one of these men to be fully committed to the Lord and become great leaders in reaching their own peers with the Gospel of Christ. We could be at a very powerful turning point in the work in this village.
Sunday AM - Last week we started teaching the Salvation Bible Studies to a new group in Kujwana village. The Lord directed us here, after a few weeks in Dan village turned up nothing to speak of. Silas, our contact from Dan village, has a 'girlfriend' who is from Kujwana, and her family was interested in having us to their place to teach the Scriptures. So last Sunday Silas took us there, and we found a group of 20 Africans waiting for us when we arrived. Pray for David as he teaches lesson 2 tomorrow morning.
Sunday PM - We are planning a special baptism service in Motupa village tomorrow. Please pray for Fels, Godfrey, Thomas, and Kenyas. All 4 of these men have given good testimonies and appear to evidence fruit of repentance. They have been busy inviting friends and other folks to attend the special occasion tomorrow. Won't you take a moment and pray for each one of these men to be fully committed to the Lord and become great leaders in reaching their own peers with the Gospel of Christ. We could be at a very powerful turning point in the work in this village.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
A Lion on the Loose
Probably one of the most frequent questions we were asked before moving to Africa 3 years ago was....'are there lions just roaming around over there still?'. The touristy, politically correct answer to the question is (in a reassuring voice), "NO, NO, NO, all the dangerous animals are safely kept in national parks, like Kruger Park, etc." After all....we don't want to scare off our visitors:-).
(Kruger Park - September 2001)
Now that we have lived here a while, I still have no desire to meet a lion while I am out and about in the business of life. However, strange as it may be, we are not so weirded out anymore at the thought of lions being kept in close proximity to where we live. That is, until we read articles like this.... http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,157000,00.html
Yes, folks, the truth is sometimes these ravenous beasts DO indeed escape the parks and dwell amongst the locals. These particular 4 that escaped a month ago have already killed around 50 head of cattle, that we know about:-). My question is....how many lions escape the many private game reserves and national parks that are never reported to the public??? After all, how do you maintain fences on a 7,700 square mile park to make sure all the animals stay in (ha, ha, and that's only ONE of the MANY parks that have lions!!!)
Anyway, you can put your minds at ease, I can assure you that we have never seen any lions roaming around anywhere, except inside the parks. But, the problem is not with the lions that you see....it is the ones that see you first:-). When I read the article, it reminded me of I Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour." Why are people so alarmed by a kitty cat with big teeth, on the loose, yet they rarely give one thought to the spiritual lion who is stalking their soul. The truth is that the devil is a far more dangerous foe than any lion ever thought of being. We do well to heed the warning of God today. The devil is looking to devour your life. He is looking to devour your purity, your morality, your posterity, and worst of all, your eternity. He is doing everything possible to keep you from entering into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. He will do everything in his power to steal, kill, and destroy your life for God. Jesus Christ is your only protection from the Devil. There is no fence that can contain him, or place that you can hide from him. You must flee to Jesus Christ for the protection of your eternal soul.
Monday, October 1, 2007
The Road from Pietersburg to Tzaneen
When you head east from Pietersburg (Polokwane), in a matter of minutes you encounter a huge mountain range with some of the most gorgeous views EVER! Tzaneen is at the foothills of the Wolkberg which are part of the breath-taking Drakensburg Mountain range. This plunges you (literally) into a subtropical paradise as they call it. You go from brown, dead, arid desert to lush, green, tropical HUMIDITY instantly. It’s like walking into a greenhouse. Here is a picture tour of the ‘trek’ between your two missionary families over here. I hope it gives you a better perspective of our reality!
What do you Want??? Part Three
Mark 10:14, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet".
After we have met a certain people that God has prepared, and given them a clear proclamation of the Gospel, we are looking for a complete persuasion on their behalf, to the truth of Jesus Christ. Without a doubt, one of the hardest decisions that a missionary has to face, is determining when it is time to move on and preach to other hearers. We realize that it takes time for a person to hear, understand, and apply their heart to the faith of the Gospel, however, there are so many that are in darkness, that one cannot spend all his time going back to only the same crowd that remains unmoveable and seemingly unshaken by God's Word. The difficult question is, where is the line? When is it time to move on to new ground?
Jesus gives a clear directive to His disciples. They were to look for people that received them and received their words. Obviously a people must be willing to receive us before we can do any work in their lives. It does not much good to preach to someone who would rather that you just drop dead. However, we oftimes find people that are willing to receive us, but fain to receive the message we bring from God's Word. So many are cordial, warm, and kind, until you begin to shine the light of God on the darkness of their heart. How refreshing it is when we find one who not only receives us, but receives the message from our Savior! What a joy when we find those who will choose to agree with the Word of God! There is nothing more exciting than to find a people with a complete persuasion of the truth of the Bible. This persuasion must not stop with being born again. Actually, quite to the contrary, Jesus said that "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed". What a great disservice has been done in so many modern churches where all the emphasis is only put on praying a sinner's prayer and being saved from hell. Only to find that these 'converts' disappear just as quickly as they were found.
Furthermore, many churches are full of 'disciples' who have a corrupted mentality that it is the job of the paid staff to do the work of outreach and ministry, rather than a personal responsibility of every disciple! If one is completely persuaded of the truth of God's Word, it will be impossible for them to turn aside to other endeavours, or merely relegate the work of ministry to the 'hired staff', while they pursue their own causes. If the burden of ministry all rests on the shoulders of the missionary, then the work can only continue as long as the missionary is their to pump everybody up. As we labor on the mission field, we are looking for the same thing that is needed in churches back home. We need and desire a people that are so completely persuaded of the truth of God's Word, that they will stop at nothing until they see the Great Commission completely fulfilled for the glory of Christ!
Are you so completely persuaded about the truth of God's Word that it permeates the thoughts, words, desires, and pursuits of your life? What if YOU were the only one that God was counting on for the growth of His church that you have joined....how well would His church be doing? Fully surrendered and committed disciples. Isn't that what Jesus is looking for?
After we have met a certain people that God has prepared, and given them a clear proclamation of the Gospel, we are looking for a complete persuasion on their behalf, to the truth of Jesus Christ. Without a doubt, one of the hardest decisions that a missionary has to face, is determining when it is time to move on and preach to other hearers. We realize that it takes time for a person to hear, understand, and apply their heart to the faith of the Gospel, however, there are so many that are in darkness, that one cannot spend all his time going back to only the same crowd that remains unmoveable and seemingly unshaken by God's Word. The difficult question is, where is the line? When is it time to move on to new ground?
Jesus gives a clear directive to His disciples. They were to look for people that received them and received their words. Obviously a people must be willing to receive us before we can do any work in their lives. It does not much good to preach to someone who would rather that you just drop dead. However, we oftimes find people that are willing to receive us, but fain to receive the message we bring from God's Word. So many are cordial, warm, and kind, until you begin to shine the light of God on the darkness of their heart. How refreshing it is when we find one who not only receives us, but receives the message from our Savior! What a joy when we find those who will choose to agree with the Word of God! There is nothing more exciting than to find a people with a complete persuasion of the truth of the Bible. This persuasion must not stop with being born again. Actually, quite to the contrary, Jesus said that "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed". What a great disservice has been done in so many modern churches where all the emphasis is only put on praying a sinner's prayer and being saved from hell. Only to find that these 'converts' disappear just as quickly as they were found.
Furthermore, many churches are full of 'disciples' who have a corrupted mentality that it is the job of the paid staff to do the work of outreach and ministry, rather than a personal responsibility of every disciple! If one is completely persuaded of the truth of God's Word, it will be impossible for them to turn aside to other endeavours, or merely relegate the work of ministry to the 'hired staff', while they pursue their own causes. If the burden of ministry all rests on the shoulders of the missionary, then the work can only continue as long as the missionary is their to pump everybody up. As we labor on the mission field, we are looking for the same thing that is needed in churches back home. We need and desire a people that are so completely persuaded of the truth of God's Word, that they will stop at nothing until they see the Great Commission completely fulfilled for the glory of Christ!
Are you so completely persuaded about the truth of God's Word that it permeates the thoughts, words, desires, and pursuits of your life? What if YOU were the only one that God was counting on for the growth of His church that you have joined....how well would His church be doing? Fully surrendered and committed disciples. Isn't that what Jesus is looking for?
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