As I was talking with a mutual friend today, the copier repair man, yes I see him a lot (lol), I was reminded of a subject that I have been giving a lot of consideration to lately. The struggle to communicate across cultures. There have been scores of books written on the subject, concerning the land mines, helpful pointers, and even explanations about how other cultures think (i.e., other culture's worldviews). I have read several of these books, however, I have never understood the challenges of communicating in another culture, as much as I now do, having lived in another culture for almost 3 years. Don't take that to mean, by any stretch, that I have figured out how to handle it, quite the opposite. I guess more than anything, I have learned that I have much more to learn. Somedays I wonder if I will ever really figure this culture(s) out.
You see the country that we now consider to be our home is a mix of cultures that we are confronted with everyday. Each of them are unique and special, and each of them offer great challenges to understand. Some of these cultures are first world, some of them are third world, and some are somewhere in-between! How hard is it to tell the mechanic what is wrong with your car? Well it took mine several minutes before he figured out I was talking about the central locks and not the headlights????? How difficult should it be to transfer money between bank accounts? It seemed fairly easy, until I did what the banker told me to do, then I discovered that they really couldn't do it that way after all. So, now transfer the money to another business who will send the money to another institution, who will HOPEFULLY make the transfer for me :-0. Now, the worst part is that these 2 examples are dealing with white folks in this culture who think and live in a half-similar manner to ourselves.
NOW, imagine trying to deal with the majority culture here of African folks, whom we love so dearly, yet so often fain to understand and vice-versa. For example, one guy (african) gives me his resume to type up so he can find a job. But, I notice that he has given me 2 different copies. One has more qualifications listed than the other. I interpret that to mean, one is older than the other. Let me combine the information on the 2 and make 1 perfect resume. When I give him the copy back, he asks....'why did you only give me 1, I gave you 2 different ones to type?' I explained my reasoning to him. He replied, 'well the one with fewer qualifications is for applying for general labor positions, the one with more qualifications is for applying for a higher job position'. In other words, if I find a job for cheap labor, and I give them a resume with too many qualifications, then they won't hire me because I'm overqualified? Ok....my head is still spinning from that 'logic'. But, that's just the problem, that was perfectly 'logical' in his mind....that's fine, but my mind doesn't process information that way!
The paradigm shift in worldview thinking is absolutely critical on our part if we are going to be effective in reaching these souls with the Gospel. If you don't understand how a person thinks, it is very difficult, perhaps impossible, to give them understanding of spiritual truths. However, most of us have never thought about how we think (i.e., our worldview). We just assume that everybody thinks like us, or at least they ought to if they don't :-). Until we first define our own worldview, we will never be able to gain insight into how other cultures think (i.e., their worldview). In some further posts, I would like to try and paint a picture for you of a typical american worldview and then a typical african worldview.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Prayer Alert
Many of you have expressed your prayers for the work over here, and for that we are very grateful. It has been a couple of weeks since I updated you, and wanted to let you know how things are progressing over here with the ministry.
Kujwana village. We are still meeting with a small group here on Sunday mornings. Our focus right now is on reaching Silas and his girlfriend Mavis with the Gospel. If we can reach them and see them put their lives in order concerning their present 'live-in' situation, we may be able to build something off the back of that. David has been doing most of the teaching at these studies and has been dealing with Silas as well. Yesterday, Silas admitted that he has realized that he is not born again. When we first met him he said that he was, but his testimony was a very typical Charismatic testimony....not much at all. Pray for Silas and Mavis and Kujwana village.
Motupa village. We continue to meet here on Sunday afternoons. We did baptize 4 men a few weeks back, and they all are continuing faithful to the Lord. It is exciting to watch them growing together into a fellowship of believers. They meet regularly on Wednesday afternoons as well to study the Scriptures together. Pray for David, Fels, Godfrey, Thomas, and Kenyas. There are some others that attend the studies on Sunday as well from time to time. Pray for Sam, Izak, Phetole, and others that these men are influencing with the Gospel. It is a joy to see these men demonstrating a burden for reaching their own people.
As we prepare for furlough, most of our focus is on developing discipleship and leadership into the lives of these men that have shown commitment to the Lord's work. Over the last 3 years, many have been the professors and 'flash in the pan', few have been the gems that weather the tests of discipleship. These men at Motupa are beginning to bear some very promising fruit. Each one of them feels a strong personal responsibility toward the building of a church in their village. We are praying that God will use them mightily, especially in our absence, to see that the work can be done without the missionary here. Please pray with us to that end.
Kujwana village. We are still meeting with a small group here on Sunday mornings. Our focus right now is on reaching Silas and his girlfriend Mavis with the Gospel. If we can reach them and see them put their lives in order concerning their present 'live-in' situation, we may be able to build something off the back of that. David has been doing most of the teaching at these studies and has been dealing with Silas as well. Yesterday, Silas admitted that he has realized that he is not born again. When we first met him he said that he was, but his testimony was a very typical Charismatic testimony....not much at all. Pray for Silas and Mavis and Kujwana village.
Motupa village. We continue to meet here on Sunday afternoons. We did baptize 4 men a few weeks back, and they all are continuing faithful to the Lord. It is exciting to watch them growing together into a fellowship of believers. They meet regularly on Wednesday afternoons as well to study the Scriptures together. Pray for David, Fels, Godfrey, Thomas, and Kenyas. There are some others that attend the studies on Sunday as well from time to time. Pray for Sam, Izak, Phetole, and others that these men are influencing with the Gospel. It is a joy to see these men demonstrating a burden for reaching their own people.
As we prepare for furlough, most of our focus is on developing discipleship and leadership into the lives of these men that have shown commitment to the Lord's work. Over the last 3 years, many have been the professors and 'flash in the pan', few have been the gems that weather the tests of discipleship. These men at Motupa are beginning to bear some very promising fruit. Each one of them feels a strong personal responsibility toward the building of a church in their village. We are praying that God will use them mightily, especially in our absence, to see that the work can be done without the missionary here. Please pray with us to that end.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Family Pictures...
Catch!!
Funny Boy
Piano Girl
I Love You Daddy
We are so grateful for these two precious ones that the Lord has put in our care.
They are the best kids in the world!! We love you two dearly.
Our greatest prayer is that they will know the LORD that loves them.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Thou shalt not kid thyself
"Let no man deceive himself....Let no man glory in men", I Corinthians 3:18, 21. Perhaps two of the most valuable commandments given in the entire book of Corinthians. I have a preacher friend whom I have often heard say that if there were 11 Commandments, the 11th would surely have been "thou shalt not kid thyself". How fitting and forthcoming of a statement for the vanity and carnality that is so common in 'christian' ranks today. Nothing must be more disgusting in the sight of God than to see men parading and promoting themselves as some great one, and using none other than the platform of their 'christianity' to do so. That is exactly what Paul was rebuking here in this very chapter. Of all men who could have 'rightly' paraded and promoted his spirituality, who would dare deny the Apostle Paul that right? Yet, his true spirituality brought forth a stinging rebuke to those who were claiming to be his disciples. In a spirit of humility he declared himself to be nothing more than a servant and a laborer. He assigned to himself the most menial of titles.
We see this same problem in the Lord's churches today, taking on so many various manifestations. If honest, we are all inclined, in our flesh, to brag on our deep spirituality, especially when we are among our peers at church. How very unnecessary are our personal praise reports of how many people we have given tracts to, and how great our sacrifices have been for Jesus, and how deep our humility, and how close our walk with God. Sometimes we are all but saying...."oh, if you could only attain to my level". May we all please give the Lord a great blessing, and do each other a tremendous favor, and stop the parading and promoting of our own great spirituality. It is true that there is no higher calling than serving the Lord.......but servants need not brag!
We see this same problem in the Lord's churches today, taking on so many various manifestations. If honest, we are all inclined, in our flesh, to brag on our deep spirituality, especially when we are among our peers at church. How very unnecessary are our personal praise reports of how many people we have given tracts to, and how great our sacrifices have been for Jesus, and how deep our humility, and how close our walk with God. Sometimes we are all but saying...."oh, if you could only attain to my level". May we all please give the Lord a great blessing, and do each other a tremendous favor, and stop the parading and promoting of our own great spirituality. It is true that there is no higher calling than serving the Lord.......but servants need not brag!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Mine eye affecteth mine heart...
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'.
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'.
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.
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