When you come from a family that is mostly Christian, and being a Christian is encouraged, it is hard to understand the struggle that people go through around the world to follow Christ. I got to see this struggle first hand this week.
Last week Inusah trusted Christ as his Savior. Friday when I was at his house having a Bible study, his mom came to call him to go to the mosque. He was very bold and told her that he was a Christian now, and will not be able to go. Well, that was Friday.
Sunday came and went, and I did not see Inusah at church. Tuesday when I went for our normal Bible study I asked him why? This is the story that he told me: Saturday the family elder called a family meeting. Inusah did not know what it was all about so he attended. He has a older brother that has been attending a Pentecostal church now for about 6 months, though he is not a true believer. At the meeting the family came to discuss this brother. The family elder said that Inusah's brother was no longer a Muslim, that he was now dead to the family. He went so far as to say, that if the man's mother died, or was dieing, he would not be permitted to she her. He was now dead to them all.
The family meeting really sacred Inusah. Tuesday, when we talked we talked about fear. The amazing thing about fear is that it is Satan number one weapon. In Revelation 21:8, the first sin that is named is fear! I am learning a lot more people go to hell because they are afraid to accept Christ, than any other reason. If you want proof of this, just read up on any nations where there are a large group of Muslims. Anyway, Inusah and I where able to talk, and he seemed encouraged! Near the end, he looked at me and said, "Pastor, tell me what to do!" I told him, that I could not make this decision for him, I showed him what the Bible said, and told him that now that he was a believer the Holy Spirit lived inside of him. He just needed to ask God what He wanted.
Please pray for Inusah. Pray for courage. Pray that God gives him grace to be a disciple of Christ. He is young in the Lord, but he will have to make his decision soon. Pray that when he does come out for Christ, that he will sense and know God's mercy and hope when the family seeks to punish him.
Also pray for the Muslims of Ghana to come to Christ. There are ruffly about 600,000 of them!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Only You Can Prevent...
I was talking to my wife today, or should I say complaining about my language skills today, and in the middle she said this famous line, "Only you can prevent Forrest fires, John, the choice is up to you!" You know the truth is that simply. It is just a choice. Why does it seem so hard to do what we really need to do.I figured it out today. I have be in Ghana now for 1,516 days. In all that 1,516 days I am still am not able to give the gospel completely in Twi. That is a lot of days and a lot of missed opportunity! It is scary when you start to add up your life.
The thing is that it is a choice. If we wait for a light from heaven, a voice, a great moment of enlightenment, then we will not do it. Most of what God wants us to do is just hard work. Time to roll up my sleeves and do it. I have 58 days until my translators go on Christmas break, the count down is ticking...
Prayer Requests:
1. God help me to be Spirit filled.
2. With the Spirit give me the self-control that I need to do this.
3. Give me a burden great than the cost
4. Give me wisdom to understand, memorize, and use the language I am learning
5. Help me to read, write, and speak Twi.
6. God, when I learn this language let me use it will all my heart, ability, and strength for You and Your glory!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Forever Father Christmas!
A day in the life of an African missionary is something wonderful, joyful, but also odd. You have the greatest life and greatest mission in all the world. The odd part is how you stand out. When you are a missionary, that happens to be white, in a sub-Saharan African country, you are an oddity. For example, of the 3 million people that live in Kumasi, maybe 500 of them are non-African. By this I mean, they are the Lebanese, Chinese, Indian, European, or American - all the groups that make up the 'bronifuo' (this is the term for all foreigners). The thing that really makes the missionary different is how he interacts with the people. All other foreigners are here on business, and personal interaction is simply that - business. But the missionary's job is people, and this fact takes him to the local people everyday.
Now this said, you have to understand that most children here do not see white people that often. Also, the average adult rarely interacts with a white person. So, the broni (white man), just like all things in the world that are little understood, has ascended in the mind of the average African to the level of a myth, a legend, a demigod. They are special people who come from the lands of promise, and in their pockets are unlimited resources, plane tickets, visas, and toys. They are the Santa Claus (Father Christmas) of the world. They come with red sweaty faces and jolly smiles carrying bags full of presents for all the good people in the community. (This idea has been greatly encouraged by the UN and other Aid Organizations that visit local communities). The foreigner is greeted, cheered, and loved, just as Santa is welcomed. No one would dare to turn away this benevolent spirit, this embodiment of the hopes and dreams of happy children. You might think that I am being trite, but it is true.
I was reminded of this today as I visited some new people. I had to visit a few new areas, and I had to go back to some places that I had not been in a while.
Now this said, you have to understand that most children here do not see white people that often. Also, the average adult rarely interacts with a white person. So, the broni (white man), just like all things in the world that are little understood, has ascended in the mind of the average African to the level of a myth, a legend, a demigod. They are special people who come from the lands of promise, and in their pockets are unlimited resources, plane tickets, visas, and toys. They are the Santa Claus (Father Christmas) of the world. They come with red sweaty faces and jolly smiles carrying bags full of presents for all the good people in the community. (This idea has been greatly encouraged by the UN and other Aid Organizations that visit local communities). The foreigner is greeted, cheered, and loved, just as Santa is welcomed. No one would dare to turn away this benevolent spirit, this embodiment of the hopes and dreams of happy children. You might think that I am being trite, but it is true.
I was reminded of this today as I visited some new people. I had to visit a few new areas, and I had to go back to some places that I had not been in a while.
I'll give you a brief description of my walk: I'm walking through the streets; the first child sees me; I begin to hear the whispers, "Broni! Broni!" At each door, at each corner, I see the faces of smiling children pointing, laughing, waving. Some will be brave and shake my hand; some will just follow along for a few blocks sounding the call that a white guy is visiting the community. Today I had five children, starry-eyed and in wonder, run up the road and hug my legs. Normally after a while a few adults join in and greet me, laughing with joy when they hear me speak Twi. Overall I feel like the Santa Claus of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I am the last hurrah, the grand finale. I now know how tired he must get after waving at all those children.
When an African missionary first comes to the field, he feels like every day he must face an overwhelming papparazzi. He feels like a Santa at the mall with tired knees, just waiting for the day to be over so that he can go home. But, in time it becomes part of life. You adjust, you learn, and you grow. And though you cannot give a bike, an orange, or a football to the children that ask you while you walk down the road, you can give them something - HOPE! Hope, because a gospel-preaching church is being started in their area. Hope, because they can be invited to Sunday school. Hope, because you get a chance to invite their family to Bible studies. And with this hope comes strength!
Because this hope gives you a mission, you learn to live. Just like all overweight, elderly men with beards in the States around Christmas, you live with the association. So, to all those odd Father Christmas missionaries out there that are tired of all the attention... just remember with the job comes great rewards. Just like old Saint Nick, we get the blessing of giving every person a gift. Not one wrapped in paper, but one straight from Jesus Christ - the gift of salvation.
When an African missionary first comes to the field, he feels like every day he must face an overwhelming papparazzi. He feels like a Santa at the mall with tired knees, just waiting for the day to be over so that he can go home. But, in time it becomes part of life. You adjust, you learn, and you grow. And though you cannot give a bike, an orange, or a football to the children that ask you while you walk down the road, you can give them something - HOPE! Hope, because a gospel-preaching church is being started in their area. Hope, because they can be invited to Sunday school. Hope, because you get a chance to invite their family to Bible studies. And with this hope comes strength!
Because this hope gives you a mission, you learn to live. Just like all overweight, elderly men with beards in the States around Christmas, you live with the association. So, to all those odd Father Christmas missionaries out there that are tired of all the attention... just remember with the job comes great rewards. Just like old Saint Nick, we get the blessing of giving every person a gift. Not one wrapped in paper, but one straight from Jesus Christ - the gift of salvation.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
My Trip to the Hospital!
I had to go to the doctor's office today. I have been having a little trouble with my eyes lately. But today my right eye became very irritated, and after Patty and I looked at it, we thought that there might be a chance that I had damaged the cornea. I figured that I couldn't make any excuses when Patty told me to go to the doctor, since that is the last thing that Patty ever says!
So I started getting ready to go. Now this might not sound so bad to the person thinking in a western, first world frame work. Here we do not have doctor's offices, everyone goes to the hospital. Also we do not make doctor's appointments, everyone just shows up in the morning, you get in line, and it is first come first serve. Well, it was already 11:00 when I was getting ready. All I could think was: "I have to preach tonight, I have my sermon to finish, I do not have four hours to wait in line to see a doctor!!!" To add to my lovely mode I did not want to pay the 50 to 75 dollars that it would cost to see the doctor. So by about 11:30 I was standing at the bus stop waiting for a mini-bus looking like Patch the Pirate, covering one eye so that the sun light did not bother it. I have to honest, I was not to full of faith when I entered the hospital compound.
The great things is that God is always previous!
It was amazing to see how God did everything. As I walked in, the man at the front desk greeted me, and somehow remembered my name (as a foreigner in Africa everyone knows you, even when you do not know them). To my wonder, in three minutes I was seated in front of the doctor's personal office, with my medical folder, and only had one person in front of me. For those of you that have never waited in a African hospital, this is nothing less than a miracle! I was able to see the doctor after about 10 minutes.
He said that I had not damaged my eye, but had an eye infection that had irritated the eyes so that it had swollen and that is why I had the discomfort. After checking me out he gave me my prescription and told me I could go. I was about ready to follow the nurse and go to the pharmacy and the cash register, when they told me that I could just pick up the medicine at the local pharmacy. I was free to go. I was shocked again! We always have to pay, at least a doctor visit fee. But the whole thing was free. So after just about 15 minutes of waiting, and after buying a antibiotic eyes solution (that only cost me 50 cents) I was on my way home!
God is great! He turned my fears of a four hour expensive ordeal into a reminder that He does take care of the little things. He gives to us all the time (because He is good), and today He gave to me mercy. He withheld the normal so that I could see that nothing goes beyond His notice. I should have had to pay, but I didn't, I should have had to wait, but I didn't! He gives and gives, I think that sometimes we are just to busy, worried, or frustrated to notice! I am just glad that sometimes he touches our eyes so that we can see His gifts!
So I started getting ready to go. Now this might not sound so bad to the person thinking in a western, first world frame work. Here we do not have doctor's offices, everyone goes to the hospital. Also we do not make doctor's appointments, everyone just shows up in the morning, you get in line, and it is first come first serve. Well, it was already 11:00 when I was getting ready. All I could think was: "I have to preach tonight, I have my sermon to finish, I do not have four hours to wait in line to see a doctor!!!" To add to my lovely mode I did not want to pay the 50 to 75 dollars that it would cost to see the doctor. So by about 11:30 I was standing at the bus stop waiting for a mini-bus looking like Patch the Pirate, covering one eye so that the sun light did not bother it. I have to honest, I was not to full of faith when I entered the hospital compound.
The great things is that God is always previous!
It was amazing to see how God did everything. As I walked in, the man at the front desk greeted me, and somehow remembered my name (as a foreigner in Africa everyone knows you, even when you do not know them). To my wonder, in three minutes I was seated in front of the doctor's personal office, with my medical folder, and only had one person in front of me. For those of you that have never waited in a African hospital, this is nothing less than a miracle! I was able to see the doctor after about 10 minutes.
He said that I had not damaged my eye, but had an eye infection that had irritated the eyes so that it had swollen and that is why I had the discomfort. After checking me out he gave me my prescription and told me I could go. I was about ready to follow the nurse and go to the pharmacy and the cash register, when they told me that I could just pick up the medicine at the local pharmacy. I was free to go. I was shocked again! We always have to pay, at least a doctor visit fee. But the whole thing was free. So after just about 15 minutes of waiting, and after buying a antibiotic eyes solution (that only cost me 50 cents) I was on my way home!
God is great! He turned my fears of a four hour expensive ordeal into a reminder that He does take care of the little things. He gives to us all the time (because He is good), and today He gave to me mercy. He withheld the normal so that I could see that nothing goes beyond His notice. I should have had to pay, but I didn't, I should have had to wait, but I didn't! He gives and gives, I think that sometimes we are just to busy, worried, or frustrated to notice! I am just glad that sometimes he touches our eyes so that we can see His gifts!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
What is in a word
We have been working on the language for about 2 years now. It has been a blessing to see our language skills greatly increase in the last few months as we have started work in our new church. Moving from an English-based work to a Twi-based work has really pushed us and helped us.
One challenging part of learning Twi is that it is a tonal language. This means that you can have two words that are spelled exactly the same, but by raising the sounds or dropping the sounds the meaning of the word can change. In Twi we have three tones for each consonant and three tones and two sounds for each vowel.
Let me tell you a little story to explain how one sound can make a big difference. I was preaching about 6 months ago in our old church. I normally preached only in English (in that church), but I was trying to work on my language skills and was trying to preach the sermon in Twi (with English subtitles :) ).lI came to a point in the sermon where I was trying to communicate to the people the joy of Christ, and I used a local expression. Yesu eye de! That was supposed to mean that Jesus is very sweet to the taste. I repeated the statement about three times for impact. After the sermon I found out that I had used the wrong sound and instead of saying, "Jesus is sweet!," I had said (and very loudly, I might add), "Jesus is noisy!"
Language learning is a challenge, but it is a blessing. It teaches you so much about yourself and your people.
Here is a little free Twi lesson. In Twi tones are important, as I said. Each one of these words is spelled and sounded out the same way, but by raising, dropping, or holding the tone, you change the meaning of the word. Here are a few examples:
Twi: English
papa: good, father, fan, man, to patu
akonta: arithmetic, brother-in-law
esono: It is different, elephant
boa: to tell a lie, to help
hwe: something, to whip
fa: to take, to be hoarse
nsa: hand, alcohol
kura: co-wife, to hide
As you can see, one word can make all the difference!
One challenging part of learning Twi is that it is a tonal language. This means that you can have two words that are spelled exactly the same, but by raising the sounds or dropping the sounds the meaning of the word can change. In Twi we have three tones for each consonant and three tones and two sounds for each vowel.
Let me tell you a little story to explain how one sound can make a big difference. I was preaching about 6 months ago in our old church. I normally preached only in English (in that church), but I was trying to work on my language skills and was trying to preach the sermon in Twi (with English subtitles :) ).lI came to a point in the sermon where I was trying to communicate to the people the joy of Christ, and I used a local expression. Yesu eye de! That was supposed to mean that Jesus is very sweet to the taste. I repeated the statement about three times for impact. After the sermon I found out that I had used the wrong sound and instead of saying, "Jesus is sweet!," I had said (and very loudly, I might add), "Jesus is noisy!"
Language learning is a challenge, but it is a blessing. It teaches you so much about yourself and your people.
Here is a little free Twi lesson. In Twi tones are important, as I said. Each one of these words is spelled and sounded out the same way, but by raising, dropping, or holding the tone, you change the meaning of the word. Here are a few examples:
Twi: English
papa: good, father, fan, man, to patu
akonta: arithmetic, brother-in-law
esono: It is different, elephant
boa: to tell a lie, to help
hwe: something, to whip
fa: to take, to be hoarse
nsa: hand, alcohol
kura: co-wife, to hide
As you can see, one word can make all the difference!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Feeling the Nail
"I don't want to..."
Those would be the words to describe my feelings this morning. I was walking out of the house to go to the pharmacy and buy medicine for my foot - I stepped on a nail this weekend and have not enjoyed walking on it since! As I got to the junction and waited for a car, I kept debating with myself - should I go and see Inusah or skip it today? I had a good excuse! I had a hole in my foot and would have had to walk about 1/4 mile to get to his house. I mean, come on, did God really expect me to walk that far with a hole from a nail in my foot? Did I have to hobble around like a person with polio? I could just wait until Friday.
Then God put this thought in my mind. Jesus hung on a cross for hours, pinned by three nails for me, and here I was complaining about a small hole. That thought won the arguement. How could I fight against that truth? When I got on the tro-tro (mini-bus) Philippians 3:10 came to mind. 'That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.' I was not really suffering but simply getting to understand a little more of what Christ did for me. He bore the pain of nails for me, so couldn't I take the discomfort of one for someone else?
I am glad God won.
After getting to Inusah's house and waiting for him to finish the last few minutes of a movie he was watching, we started our Bible study. Currently I have been assigning him chapters in John to read and then he asks me questions about them. The goal was to get the Word into his mind and let It answer the questions that were still plaguing him about Christ.
Well, to my suprise he had some questions out of First Corinthains chapter six. After we talked for a while, Inusah looked at me and said, "I am going to become a Christian today, I am going to confess Christ!" Before I could say anything he said, "I today believe that Jesus is Christ, that He is God, and that He died for my sins, and I choose to follow Him, with all my strength, power, will, and mind. I am a Christian. I will not turn back!"
At first, I just sat there. I have witnessed to him for so long. I have asked him so many times if he was ready. And after all the waiting, it seemed so sudden. It had finally happened!
After a moment Inusah asked me what I thought. I took him to Romans chapter ten and showed him God's Word - if he really believed what he had just said, then God said he was saved. I asked him what would happen if he died, and he told me that he would go to Heaven. Then he added, "If my family asks me now if I am a Muslim, I will tell them that I am Christian now." Then, "Pastor now that I am a Christian, what do I need to do?"
I talked to him about the five basic things a Christian should do: read the Bible, pray, go to church, witness, and give. After that, we talked about baptism. On Friday we will continue our study on baptism. Baptism will be a big step. Confession is important to the individual converting from Islam, but not the family. Confession can be hidden, but when a person gets publicly baptized, there is no turning back. Often that is when the persecution starts.
I was still in shock when we parted, and he walked away with a big smile on his face. You never know when the fruit will be ripe, and God will allow it to be picked! I guess that is why faithfulness is so important.
I believe God wanted me to see the truth of Philippians 3:10 today. I must be willing to fellowship with His suffering and die to self, before I can taste the power of His ressurection. There is no resurrection without death, and there is no cross without suffering. God, please let us be willing to feel the nails so that we can see Your person and power!
Those would be the words to describe my feelings this morning. I was walking out of the house to go to the pharmacy and buy medicine for my foot - I stepped on a nail this weekend and have not enjoyed walking on it since! As I got to the junction and waited for a car, I kept debating with myself - should I go and see Inusah or skip it today? I had a good excuse! I had a hole in my foot and would have had to walk about 1/4 mile to get to his house. I mean, come on, did God really expect me to walk that far with a hole from a nail in my foot? Did I have to hobble around like a person with polio? I could just wait until Friday.
Then God put this thought in my mind. Jesus hung on a cross for hours, pinned by three nails for me, and here I was complaining about a small hole. That thought won the arguement. How could I fight against that truth? When I got on the tro-tro (mini-bus) Philippians 3:10 came to mind. 'That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.' I was not really suffering but simply getting to understand a little more of what Christ did for me. He bore the pain of nails for me, so couldn't I take the discomfort of one for someone else?
I am glad God won.
After getting to Inusah's house and waiting for him to finish the last few minutes of a movie he was watching, we started our Bible study. Currently I have been assigning him chapters in John to read and then he asks me questions about them. The goal was to get the Word into his mind and let It answer the questions that were still plaguing him about Christ.
Well, to my suprise he had some questions out of First Corinthains chapter six. After we talked for a while, Inusah looked at me and said, "I am going to become a Christian today, I am going to confess Christ!" Before I could say anything he said, "I today believe that Jesus is Christ, that He is God, and that He died for my sins, and I choose to follow Him, with all my strength, power, will, and mind. I am a Christian. I will not turn back!"
At first, I just sat there. I have witnessed to him for so long. I have asked him so many times if he was ready. And after all the waiting, it seemed so sudden. It had finally happened!
After a moment Inusah asked me what I thought. I took him to Romans chapter ten and showed him God's Word - if he really believed what he had just said, then God said he was saved. I asked him what would happen if he died, and he told me that he would go to Heaven. Then he added, "If my family asks me now if I am a Muslim, I will tell them that I am Christian now." Then, "Pastor now that I am a Christian, what do I need to do?"
I talked to him about the five basic things a Christian should do: read the Bible, pray, go to church, witness, and give. After that, we talked about baptism. On Friday we will continue our study on baptism. Baptism will be a big step. Confession is important to the individual converting from Islam, but not the family. Confession can be hidden, but when a person gets publicly baptized, there is no turning back. Often that is when the persecution starts.
I was still in shock when we parted, and he walked away with a big smile on his face. You never know when the fruit will be ripe, and God will allow it to be picked! I guess that is why faithfulness is so important.
I believe God wanted me to see the truth of Philippians 3:10 today. I must be willing to fellowship with His suffering and die to self, before I can taste the power of His ressurection. There is no resurrection without death, and there is no cross without suffering. God, please let us be willing to feel the nails so that we can see Your person and power!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Hind Sight is 20/20
It is always amazing to me how God can take the things that we think are annoying, frustrating, or bad, and make them work together for good. I have seen this happen before, but it still amazes me.
Well, we had another very personal and wonderful lesson about this again this week. We got back from Bible study last night around 9:30pm. Every one was tired like usual, and when the taxi pulled into our street, I heard the one thing that I hate to hear at night here, the generator was on at the hotel next store. Our lights where off!
Now for us this was one of the first things that God used on us when we came here, and we have really gotten used to it. But, we have been spoiled lately. I think that our power has been on for three weeks straight. Anyway, we started the regular power out at night routine, move the girls mattress and bed into our room where it is cooler, turn on the rechargeable lamps, and pray that the lights come on, or that it rains so that it is cool, and you can sleep. Well, I was laying there trying to be comfortable, frustrated, the girls where not sleeping, and I asked God: 'why do the lights have to be off tonight?' I never knew how important it could be for the lights to go off.
Well, Ella and I finally fell asleep, but Carey and Patty stayed awake, or should I say Carey kept Patty awake. Carey said that she was afraid and wanted mom to lay next to her, and after some time of talking Patty told her that if she was afraid that she could pray to God and ask her not to be afraid. Well, Carey thought about that for a while. Then Patty said that she bowed her head and prayed, "Jesus, please forgive me for all my sins, and wash me with your blood, I believe Jesus died for me, thank you!" Well, needless to say, Patty was stunned. She asked Carey why she had prayed that and Carey said that she was afraid of going to hell, and needed forgiveness. After talking for a while Patty felt that she had a firm understanding of everything. Patty said that the best part was after Carey seemed to be at peace. After blowing out the candles she just laid in her bed singing 'Jesus Loves Me'.
I was oblivious to the whole thing. The next morning I was in my office praying when Carey came out and said, 'Dad I prayed to Jesus last night, and He washed my sins away, so I am going to heaven.' We got to talk, and I could she that she was really happy. I have prayed since my daughter was born that she would trust Christ, and I never thought that the power going out would be so important.
You know if we are not careful we start to wish that we can remove the hard things in life, but the truth is that I am starting to learn that they really are a gift. Like last night, some times they give God the chance to do amazing things, that you praise Him for after, and sometimes I think that they are given to us to grow through. I do know one thing: they make life all the better. It is like the Moracon food we have come to love here, the spicy always makes the sweet more wonderful.
I just want to say: Thank you God for letting the lights go out for 12 hours on October 17th 2008, the day my daughter got SAVED!
Well, we had another very personal and wonderful lesson about this again this week. We got back from Bible study last night around 9:30pm. Every one was tired like usual, and when the taxi pulled into our street, I heard the one thing that I hate to hear at night here, the generator was on at the hotel next store. Our lights where off!
Now for us this was one of the first things that God used on us when we came here, and we have really gotten used to it. But, we have been spoiled lately. I think that our power has been on for three weeks straight. Anyway, we started the regular power out at night routine, move the girls mattress and bed into our room where it is cooler, turn on the rechargeable lamps, and pray that the lights come on, or that it rains so that it is cool, and you can sleep. Well, I was laying there trying to be comfortable, frustrated, the girls where not sleeping, and I asked God: 'why do the lights have to be off tonight?' I never knew how important it could be for the lights to go off.
Well, Ella and I finally fell asleep, but Carey and Patty stayed awake, or should I say Carey kept Patty awake. Carey said that she was afraid and wanted mom to lay next to her, and after some time of talking Patty told her that if she was afraid that she could pray to God and ask her not to be afraid. Well, Carey thought about that for a while. Then Patty said that she bowed her head and prayed, "Jesus, please forgive me for all my sins, and wash me with your blood, I believe Jesus died for me, thank you!" Well, needless to say, Patty was stunned. She asked Carey why she had prayed that and Carey said that she was afraid of going to hell, and needed forgiveness. After talking for a while Patty felt that she had a firm understanding of everything. Patty said that the best part was after Carey seemed to be at peace. After blowing out the candles she just laid in her bed singing 'Jesus Loves Me'.
I was oblivious to the whole thing. The next morning I was in my office praying when Carey came out and said, 'Dad I prayed to Jesus last night, and He washed my sins away, so I am going to heaven.' We got to talk, and I could she that she was really happy. I have prayed since my daughter was born that she would trust Christ, and I never thought that the power going out would be so important.
You know if we are not careful we start to wish that we can remove the hard things in life, but the truth is that I am starting to learn that they really are a gift. Like last night, some times they give God the chance to do amazing things, that you praise Him for after, and sometimes I think that they are given to us to grow through. I do know one thing: they make life all the better. It is like the Moracon food we have come to love here, the spicy always makes the sweet more wonderful.
I just want to say: Thank you God for letting the lights go out for 12 hours on October 17th 2008, the day my daughter got SAVED!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
What We Leave Behind
I read something yesterday that really made me think... it said that if a mother dog is crippled and limps on one or more legs, all her puppies will learn to walk the same way. It is strange how the physical world can mimic the spiritual world so much. When you start to work with people, try to train them and mentor them, you start to see your own faults in them. If you lean to the left, they lean to the left. If you struggle with a sin, they seem to struggle with the same sin. That is the same thing that I see in my kids. Sometimes Carey or Ella will do something wrong, and when I am talking to them about their sin, God will be saying, "That is just what you have been doing today!"
The thing that is so dangerous is not that we fail, but that we will not be honest about our failure. When we get into leadership, it is easy to feel that we have to know everything. We have to have all the answers, never make mistakes. We are afraid that if people know that we struggle, or that we are not the be-all and end-all, then they will think less of us. The sad thing is that all this does is teach the puppies that our limp is normal and acceptable. And, if we are not careful, we even keep the puppies from others so that they will not know that we have a limp. In the end, we do not help them, we hurt them.
We have to be honest. I have a responsibility not to be a little 'god' but to point them to the real God. I am to point them to the Bible. I am to tell them that I failed today, and I might fail tomorrow, but that there is a God that never fails, that never changes, that has given us a Word that will never be broken. I must be honest with them so that they can learn from my faults and see when God gives me victory over those faults. I must show them and tell them of the multitude of others that are following Christ so they can learn from them all and be spiritually balanced. We were never called to build kingdoms. We are called to lead people to Christ so that He will lead them and build His kingdom.
Long ago there was a king with a speech impediment. When he spoke, he could not speak some words properly. The king was very embarrassed with his problem and commanded all his court and attendants to speak the way that he did. They did, fearing to anger the king. Soon the habit of the slur became second nature, and the people began to use it outside the presence of the king. Slowly the habit began to spread. As visitors came to see the king and heard the whole court speaking with a lisp, they would leave thinking that they must speak incorrectly, for no king or court could be wrong. In time the whole country began to slur some words, all because a king was too embarrassed to tell the truth.
Now you may say that that is a crazy story, but it is true. The king was King Ferdinand and because of his pride Castilian Spanish will never be the same.
Lord help me to remember this: Let me hate my sin and faults, but be honest about them. Let me point men to you so that I do not lead them to limp.
The thing that is so dangerous is not that we fail, but that we will not be honest about our failure. When we get into leadership, it is easy to feel that we have to know everything. We have to have all the answers, never make mistakes. We are afraid that if people know that we struggle, or that we are not the be-all and end-all, then they will think less of us. The sad thing is that all this does is teach the puppies that our limp is normal and acceptable. And, if we are not careful, we even keep the puppies from others so that they will not know that we have a limp. In the end, we do not help them, we hurt them.
We have to be honest. I have a responsibility not to be a little 'god' but to point them to the real God. I am to point them to the Bible. I am to tell them that I failed today, and I might fail tomorrow, but that there is a God that never fails, that never changes, that has given us a Word that will never be broken. I must be honest with them so that they can learn from my faults and see when God gives me victory over those faults. I must show them and tell them of the multitude of others that are following Christ so they can learn from them all and be spiritually balanced. We were never called to build kingdoms. We are called to lead people to Christ so that He will lead them and build His kingdom.
Long ago there was a king with a speech impediment. When he spoke, he could not speak some words properly. The king was very embarrassed with his problem and commanded all his court and attendants to speak the way that he did. They did, fearing to anger the king. Soon the habit of the slur became second nature, and the people began to use it outside the presence of the king. Slowly the habit began to spread. As visitors came to see the king and heard the whole court speaking with a lisp, they would leave thinking that they must speak incorrectly, for no king or court could be wrong. In time the whole country began to slur some words, all because a king was too embarrassed to tell the truth.
Now you may say that that is a crazy story, but it is true. The king was King Ferdinand and because of his pride Castilian Spanish will never be the same.
Lord help me to remember this: Let me hate my sin and faults, but be honest about them. Let me point men to you so that I do not lead them to limp.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Help!
That old sound bit from the Beatles just keeps running through my head, "Help, I need somebody, help, not just anybody..." That idea has become more real all the time to me here in Ghana.
I believe that in time our churches here will become strong, self-supporting, but that will take time. Right now we just need help! (And I do not mean paychecks or money orders from overseas) This is the one prayer request that Jesus Christ gives in the Bible, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers..." The thing that I have to remember is that He is the Lord of the harvest. He knows what He is doing, and does not want any corn wasted.
Now that I have stated the faith side, I want to talk about the physical side that I see each day. I go out visiting four times a week. Most weeks I have to go alone twice. We are making ground, but the work is so great.
I was visiting Inusha, (the guy that wants to convert from Islam) and found out some hard news. For every one time that I sit with him and study, the Jehovah's Witness come to his house twice. That seems to be a repeating theme here. My wife just last week had to stop meeting with a lady named Rose, because JW's influence had become so strong that she would not believe the Bible anymore.
I know that God is in control, and with the eyes of faith all becomes very clear. But, can I just vent for a second. I have one question: We have the truth, and we believe it is the only way to heaven, than why is it so hard to get people to help and spread the truth???
Well, today lets make so decisions: #1 to do what ever God what us to do in our part #2 that we will pray for God to move people #3 that people will make the decision to do their part!
I leave you with this quote-
"I believe that in each generation God has called enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth... It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!"
-Isobel Kuhn, missionary to China and Thailand
I believe that in time our churches here will become strong, self-supporting, but that will take time. Right now we just need help! (And I do not mean paychecks or money orders from overseas) This is the one prayer request that Jesus Christ gives in the Bible, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers..." The thing that I have to remember is that He is the Lord of the harvest. He knows what He is doing, and does not want any corn wasted.
Now that I have stated the faith side, I want to talk about the physical side that I see each day. I go out visiting four times a week. Most weeks I have to go alone twice. We are making ground, but the work is so great.
I was visiting Inusha, (the guy that wants to convert from Islam) and found out some hard news. For every one time that I sit with him and study, the Jehovah's Witness come to his house twice. That seems to be a repeating theme here. My wife just last week had to stop meeting with a lady named Rose, because JW's influence had become so strong that she would not believe the Bible anymore.
I know that God is in control, and with the eyes of faith all becomes very clear. But, can I just vent for a second. I have one question: We have the truth, and we believe it is the only way to heaven, than why is it so hard to get people to help and spread the truth???
Well, today lets make so decisions: #1 to do what ever God what us to do in our part #2 that we will pray for God to move people #3 that people will make the decision to do their part!
I leave you with this quote-
"I believe that in each generation God has called enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth... It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!"
-Isobel Kuhn, missionary to China and Thailand
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Willing to be Nothing
You know, when I decided to follow Christ, I surrendered all. But the longer that I walk with Him, the deeper that the surrender seems to need to go.
Some people are called to do great things for Christ, to be the ones that move nations, reach cities, start movements. Then there are others... the others at the end of Hebrews chapter eleven. The unnamed ones, the ones that never had the chance to see the impact they made, never seemed to move anyone, and even in some cases died misunderstood. Am i willing to be a Jeremiah that followed, loved, wept, but still had to watch the judgement come? We talk about Jim Elliot, and he was a great a man, but he had no idea what his death would do. I wonder when those Auca Indians came with spears and arrows how he felt. I am sure that grace was there, but I am sure it was easy to have felt a failure. I am sure in his mind he thought, "God, but I have just started, who will reach them now?" Little did he know what his death would do.
God asked me something today. Am I willing to follow Him, do everything that He says, and in my life not be understood, and maybe even in some peoples' eyes be a failure?
Why do we serve, for Him or them?
Some people are called to do great things for Christ, to be the ones that move nations, reach cities, start movements. Then there are others... the others at the end of Hebrews chapter eleven. The unnamed ones, the ones that never had the chance to see the impact they made, never seemed to move anyone, and even in some cases died misunderstood. Am i willing to be a Jeremiah that followed, loved, wept, but still had to watch the judgement come? We talk about Jim Elliot, and he was a great a man, but he had no idea what his death would do. I wonder when those Auca Indians came with spears and arrows how he felt. I am sure that grace was there, but I am sure it was easy to have felt a failure. I am sure in his mind he thought, "God, but I have just started, who will reach them now?" Little did he know what his death would do.
God asked me something today. Am I willing to follow Him, do everything that He says, and in my life not be understood, and maybe even in some peoples' eyes be a failure?
Why do we serve, for Him or them?
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Fear vs. Hope
As missionaries our work is people.
The funny thing about working with people is that they are all different, and you can never work the same way with each person that you meet. Though our work is people, it is not our goal. I have learned this is an easy mistake to make. We get this idea that the more helpers and attenders that we have, the stronger our ministry. Sometimes in this rush for workers, we place people in authority that are not ready or do not really want the best things. After a time of them helping, we start to see that they do not want to change, that they are content with the little instead of the much.
At this point we have some choices:
We can choose to fear - what will we do without them? what will I do if people get angry? what if? what if?... Because we fear, we try to overlook the problem and try not to rock the boat so that they stay. This is not real love. I read a quote that broke me the other day over this very point.
"If,
one whose help I greatly need appears to be as content to build in wood, hay, stubble, as in gold, silver, precious stones, and I hestitate to obey my light and do without that help because so few will understand, then I know nothing of Calvary Love. "
We can choose to reject without feeling - You say that this guy has caused you trouble; he has been a thorn in the flesh; he is carnal and deserves to be punished. We may need to step away, but we have no hope! This is not love. Here is another quote from Carmichael.
"If,
I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points, if I adopt a superior attitude forgetting "who made thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary Love. "
So what do we do? We let go of fear and follow Christ. I have found that those that do not want to follow Him will not stay long with those that do, but the real freedom comes in what we pray for them as they go. We pray that in time they will return, that they will be blessed (the goodness of God leads to repentance), and that someday they will be the person God created them to be.
The funny thing about working with people is that they are all different, and you can never work the same way with each person that you meet. Though our work is people, it is not our goal. I have learned this is an easy mistake to make. We get this idea that the more helpers and attenders that we have, the stronger our ministry. Sometimes in this rush for workers, we place people in authority that are not ready or do not really want the best things. After a time of them helping, we start to see that they do not want to change, that they are content with the little instead of the much.
At this point we have some choices:
We can choose to fear - what will we do without them? what will I do if people get angry? what if? what if?... Because we fear, we try to overlook the problem and try not to rock the boat so that they stay. This is not real love. I read a quote that broke me the other day over this very point.
"If,
one whose help I greatly need appears to be as content to build in wood, hay, stubble, as in gold, silver, precious stones, and I hestitate to obey my light and do without that help because so few will understand, then I know nothing of Calvary Love. "
We can choose to reject without feeling - You say that this guy has caused you trouble; he has been a thorn in the flesh; he is carnal and deserves to be punished. We may need to step away, but we have no hope! This is not love. Here is another quote from Carmichael.
"If,
I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points, if I adopt a superior attitude forgetting "who made thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary Love. "
So what do we do? We let go of fear and follow Christ. I have found that those that do not want to follow Him will not stay long with those that do, but the real freedom comes in what we pray for them as they go. We pray that in time they will return, that they will be blessed (the goodness of God leads to repentance), and that someday they will be the person God created them to be.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Should we ever pull back?
As a young missionary, I think that the one thing that we (young missionaries) always struggle with is the feeling that we must always be advancing. Whether this feeling stems from our enthusiasum or the press that we feel from our supporting churches, I am not sure. But, it is real. I remember how I first felt when we arrived in Ghana. I wanted to hit the ground running, and I am sure that it is that way for most people.
The problem is that we confuse activity and advance with productivity and success. God has been trying to teach me this truth the last two weeks. I tend to think that just because I am active, it means that I am moving forward. But, you know, activity does not mean that the direction I'm going is forward. I had to admit a really hard thing today. I think that God wants me to reverse a little bit and redirect. I know. I know. As a Baptist, that is a dirty word! Going back means defeat; it means weakness; it means giving up! But does it always? Many times in Christ's earthly ministry things were busy, the crowds were great, the work was expanding, and then.....Christ would leave it all, go to another city, or a desert place to teach His disciples.
If you have ever read War and Peace, you know that sometimes pulling back is the key to victory. It was the year 1812. Napolean had 800,000 men marching through Russia, and all there was to face them was the small Russian army. General Barclay did the unthinkable. He kept moving back. He even gave up Moscow! But the funny thing is, he won the war!
I am not saying that I should quit, but today God showed me something. I have been fighting to advance, fighting to do more visiting, but that is not what He wants right now. He wants me to spend some time sharpening my ax. When we came to Ghana I was thrown into the ministry. I have strived to learn the language, but it is not easy to do without full-time school. Now is my chance. If I can use the time I have now, to learn the language and be totally free from needing translators... than this time of stepping back will really be a victory.
It can be a fearful thing to pull back and wait, but God is showing me that real faith and courage are in doing the right thing, not the easy thing!
The problem is that we confuse activity and advance with productivity and success. God has been trying to teach me this truth the last two weeks. I tend to think that just because I am active, it means that I am moving forward. But, you know, activity does not mean that the direction I'm going is forward. I had to admit a really hard thing today. I think that God wants me to reverse a little bit and redirect. I know. I know. As a Baptist, that is a dirty word! Going back means defeat; it means weakness; it means giving up! But does it always? Many times in Christ's earthly ministry things were busy, the crowds were great, the work was expanding, and then.....Christ would leave it all, go to another city, or a desert place to teach His disciples.
If you have ever read War and Peace, you know that sometimes pulling back is the key to victory. It was the year 1812. Napolean had 800,000 men marching through Russia, and all there was to face them was the small Russian army. General Barclay did the unthinkable. He kept moving back. He even gave up Moscow! But the funny thing is, he won the war!
I am not saying that I should quit, but today God showed me something. I have been fighting to advance, fighting to do more visiting, but that is not what He wants right now. He wants me to spend some time sharpening my ax. When we came to Ghana I was thrown into the ministry. I have strived to learn the language, but it is not easy to do without full-time school. Now is my chance. If I can use the time I have now, to learn the language and be totally free from needing translators... than this time of stepping back will really be a victory.
It can be a fearful thing to pull back and wait, but God is showing me that real faith and courage are in doing the right thing, not the easy thing!
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