A team of friends went to Senegal for computer work and networking. The whole world needs this stuff!
This week has been an amazing week of answered prayer.
Inspired by Karl Bastian's childrens book "Order of the Ancient" I have taken to making a specific intercessory prayer each day for something to occur that day.
I pray many things in a day but chose to focus on only 1 thing to have answered in a short amount of time.
Monday - Lord please let our support break the 37% barrier. When I got home my wife told me we were at 39.5%
Tuesday - Lord please let the team in Senegal successfully complete their installs by Saturday ...today I got an email that they were successful.
Weds - God please help me to understand [a complex problem at work I'd been having trouble with for weeks] by 11am something clicked and I finally understood the issue.
Thurs - (I can't remember, I should journal this stuff)
Friday - God please let us get a check in the mail tomorrow. Today - for no reason AT&T sent us a check for $79.00. Admittedly I meant a new partner, but God still answered my literal prayer. I think I shall be more specific from now on (-;
And so today, is Saturday and I've saved my short term answer prayer for you the blog reader.
Lord may everyone who reads this blog today be filled with your joy and may you be glorified somehow in their lives today.
We are at 40.5%... that's almost 50%! We've been doing this PD for almost 3 months now, but honestly it's YOU who has been doing it and God.
Our second newsletter is complete and we'll be mailing in out early this week.
I will also be putting up a link for information, so please stay tuned.
4/29/2006
4/18/2006
progress
We have been at 37% of our promised monthly funding for a few weeks now. We are praying that our trip to Southern California would increase this number as well as prayer partners.
We are also hoping that those who have committed to joining us will communicate at what level so we can get an accurate read of how close we are to our financial goal.
Please pray that God would advance this number towards 100%. Thank you.
4/17/2006
God Answers Prayer
We've come to rely on answered prayer.
I personally get a kick out of watching God work! This last week, our trip down to Southern California was an experience in worship and faithfulness.
Worshipfully we recognize that as men after the fall, we have to toil. It's a plain truth, and toiling without complaining and grumbling, and is a form of worship to God. It brings with it encouragement and faith building.
Praying that God would work, and then being blessed when He shows you a glimmer of what He is doing, is faith building.
This week was one moment after another of being blessed and excited by the Holy Spirit. Seeing small groups study the Bible, hearing personal testimonies, hearing sermons, seeing old friends and family, visiting churches, seeing old friends in new ministries, all these things glorify God and we have become so encouraged seeing God's hand at work!
When people study the Word, when they worship and praise, we are filled.
When you are raised in the church, the idea of going to several churches in a week can either be exciting or can seem like more of the same.
At some point in your walk, you may get the impression that you've heard it all before. Church services can become mundane. But when you find a heart of worship, which is what God has shown my family these last two years, when you find that heart, suddenly the services take on a new light. The songs you've heard a million times before, take on a new life.
It was so exciting to praise God and worship Him in these new and old settings. WOW.
I got so energized we drove the night through to get home. I'm not a night driver, but I spent the quiet and dark hours praying and praising God.
One specific example is that, since we've grown somewhat addicted to seeing God provide (please Lord don't let me get too spoiled) I asked if He would give us one new Partner on Saturday. One day away. "God tomorrow when I wake up, will you please provide one new partner."
God did it.
How encouraging is that? How awesome is that?
I am convinced, that we need to focus our hearts into hearts of worship, and that will establish a relationship with Christ that surpasses anything that might sap our joy. And that relationship will grow and all things will spring from there. Loving others will grow, prayer lives will grow, all things will grow from that relationship which comes from a submissive heart of worship.
WOW! the Me of 2 years ago is envious of the me now. Two years ago I'd see people on fire and think "I have been a christian for 27 years now, the fire is strong but not explosive, I want to be explosive again." and now, 2 years later I am!
God we praise you and thank you for your faithfulness.
God this easter, you were victorious over death and sin. The world seeks heroes and Christ is the largest hero of them all. Beaten and bruised and conquered on Friday, with justice and strength He arose on Sunday to defeat all foes, death, sin, and prove to the world who will one day admit it, that He is GOD!
He proves to us daily that He is God.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us!
I personally get a kick out of watching God work! This last week, our trip down to Southern California was an experience in worship and faithfulness.
Worshipfully we recognize that as men after the fall, we have to toil. It's a plain truth, and toiling without complaining and grumbling, and is a form of worship to God. It brings with it encouragement and faith building.
Praying that God would work, and then being blessed when He shows you a glimmer of what He is doing, is faith building.
This week was one moment after another of being blessed and excited by the Holy Spirit. Seeing small groups study the Bible, hearing personal testimonies, hearing sermons, seeing old friends and family, visiting churches, seeing old friends in new ministries, all these things glorify God and we have become so encouraged seeing God's hand at work!
When people study the Word, when they worship and praise, we are filled.
When you are raised in the church, the idea of going to several churches in a week can either be exciting or can seem like more of the same.
At some point in your walk, you may get the impression that you've heard it all before. Church services can become mundane. But when you find a heart of worship, which is what God has shown my family these last two years, when you find that heart, suddenly the services take on a new light. The songs you've heard a million times before, take on a new life.
It was so exciting to praise God and worship Him in these new and old settings. WOW.
I got so energized we drove the night through to get home. I'm not a night driver, but I spent the quiet and dark hours praying and praising God.
One specific example is that, since we've grown somewhat addicted to seeing God provide (please Lord don't let me get too spoiled) I asked if He would give us one new Partner on Saturday. One day away. "God tomorrow when I wake up, will you please provide one new partner."
God did it.
How encouraging is that? How awesome is that?
I am convinced, that we need to focus our hearts into hearts of worship, and that will establish a relationship with Christ that surpasses anything that might sap our joy. And that relationship will grow and all things will spring from there. Loving others will grow, prayer lives will grow, all things will grow from that relationship which comes from a submissive heart of worship.
WOW! the Me of 2 years ago is envious of the me now. Two years ago I'd see people on fire and think "I have been a christian for 27 years now, the fire is strong but not explosive, I want to be explosive again." and now, 2 years later I am!
God we praise you and thank you for your faithfulness.
God this easter, you were victorious over death and sin. The world seeks heroes and Christ is the largest hero of them all. Beaten and bruised and conquered on Friday, with justice and strength He arose on Sunday to defeat all foes, death, sin, and prove to the world who will one day admit it, that He is GOD!
He proves to us daily that He is God.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us!
4/10/2006
Anatomy of Partnership Development
A large part of the appeal of Wycliffe to me is our view towards "financial support". This is more accurately called Partnership because of the equality in ownership of a ministry that God is doing. He puts different people with different abilities and hearts together to accomplish something that otherwise would be impossible. I will hopefully put more detail later, but the gist is...
you're not asking for money, you're asking for people excited who want to join, and letting them decide the level of that partnership. Will they be prayers, encourages, come visit us, help financially support us.. what?
Thus we don't go on "fund raising trips" we go out seeking to do 2 things:
1 - glorify God by telling people, anyone, what God has done in our lives
2 - find the people who desire to get involved in some way.
number 1 above, is what planted the seed in our family years ago. We pray that God would be glorified through us and that we wouldn't be an obstacle (firewall) to His glory.
so... with that said... there is a reality to the fact that you have to pray for people to talk to, they don't know us or they do, they are excited to hear us or they aren't. We don't know how long we'll have or what the topic should be, or sometimes we do.
It can definitely sound like a chore. Pack the family up, get in the car, drive to a church, speak in front of the church, find a small group, get to know them and share what is going on. It sounds energy draining, laborious even.
It isn't. The reality is, yes it is work. Since Genesis man has had to toil. But...
God is SO awesome.
He is encouraging us every step of the way. How exciting is it when you find someone who really cares about what you are saying? It blows me away when people enjoy being around us and hearing what God is doing. I am deeply honored by the people who are joining us as partners.
I find that in my heart I am uplifted... seeing God work in Southern California is great! Some churches here are really catching on fire.
I can't describe what it is to not want to do a job, but know you must, set your mind to the point of sacrificing whatever you do, all the work, to God as worship, and then aligning your heart with God's because there is no point in grumbling while doing this chore, you need to be absolutely submissive to God's heart and will.... (excuse the run-on sentence) and then, when you've put everything you have into it, and are drained, God fills you through relationships and experiences. You find His Word, you meet people you love and who love you, you receive encouragement.
This process is a process of recognizing that God meets you when you work towards Him and for Him with the right heart.
We're in the middle of the week down here, and have visited 2 churches and a small group, we've spoken 2-3 times, and are anticipating one more church visit.
That's the work part... the blessing list is huge:
-we heard an amazing sermon
-we experienced an absolutely amazing testimony from one of the vp's at pepsico
-we saw people we haven't seen in years which is always so great
-we were able to meet other missions minded folks
-we spent time in family's homes and friends homes which is always an honor and a privilege.
-we saw the power of God in this process.
Honestly, I'm the kind of guy who finds leaving the home, packing, and driving 400 miles a huge chore. Staying in other people's homes you're always worried that your kids will behave etc.
But once I got my heart and mind to the point of... this is not a chore, it is a task that you are doing because God called you to the field, you are doing this out of obedience and out of worship to God.
Once I got there, and I got there pretty quick, God showed up and changed my attitude into one of flexibility, and awe.
God works like that, always has... working for Him, when you're in that zone, that right place, is ALWAYS more filling than anything else.
To me, the fact that serving is energizing and filling and encouraging and strengthening your walk in Christ, is the most important signal that you are in God's will.
I've been in "ministry" my whole life, some jobs are really draining, others pump you up.
This job, has pumped us up, and we've only jsut begun!
Thank you to all who have been praying and reading... HI to all our new friends and readers!
Prayer:
----we would LOVE to see more people come on board as a result of this trip, we would love to find great prayer warriors and ... because we like making a task so huge only God can accomplish it and thus be glorified we are praying that within a month of this trip we'll be at 50%
Could you join us in that prayer?
I'll throw out the biggest one, we're praying for 100% by July, 2006.
Only God can accomplish this task. If He opts not to, we realize we will submit to his timing and clock, but our passion is to go in January.
you're not asking for money, you're asking for people excited who want to join, and letting them decide the level of that partnership. Will they be prayers, encourages, come visit us, help financially support us.. what?
Thus we don't go on "fund raising trips" we go out seeking to do 2 things:
1 - glorify God by telling people, anyone, what God has done in our lives
2 - find the people who desire to get involved in some way.
number 1 above, is what planted the seed in our family years ago. We pray that God would be glorified through us and that we wouldn't be an obstacle (firewall) to His glory.
so... with that said... there is a reality to the fact that you have to pray for people to talk to, they don't know us or they do, they are excited to hear us or they aren't. We don't know how long we'll have or what the topic should be, or sometimes we do.
It can definitely sound like a chore. Pack the family up, get in the car, drive to a church, speak in front of the church, find a small group, get to know them and share what is going on. It sounds energy draining, laborious even.
It isn't. The reality is, yes it is work. Since Genesis man has had to toil. But...
God is SO awesome.
He is encouraging us every step of the way. How exciting is it when you find someone who really cares about what you are saying? It blows me away when people enjoy being around us and hearing what God is doing. I am deeply honored by the people who are joining us as partners.
I find that in my heart I am uplifted... seeing God work in Southern California is great! Some churches here are really catching on fire.
I can't describe what it is to not want to do a job, but know you must, set your mind to the point of sacrificing whatever you do, all the work, to God as worship, and then aligning your heart with God's because there is no point in grumbling while doing this chore, you need to be absolutely submissive to God's heart and will.... (excuse the run-on sentence) and then, when you've put everything you have into it, and are drained, God fills you through relationships and experiences. You find His Word, you meet people you love and who love you, you receive encouragement.
This process is a process of recognizing that God meets you when you work towards Him and for Him with the right heart.
We're in the middle of the week down here, and have visited 2 churches and a small group, we've spoken 2-3 times, and are anticipating one more church visit.
That's the work part... the blessing list is huge:
-we heard an amazing sermon
-we experienced an absolutely amazing testimony from one of the vp's at pepsico
-we saw people we haven't seen in years which is always so great
-we were able to meet other missions minded folks
-we spent time in family's homes and friends homes which is always an honor and a privilege.
-we saw the power of God in this process.
Honestly, I'm the kind of guy who finds leaving the home, packing, and driving 400 miles a huge chore. Staying in other people's homes you're always worried that your kids will behave etc.
But once I got my heart and mind to the point of... this is not a chore, it is a task that you are doing because God called you to the field, you are doing this out of obedience and out of worship to God.
Once I got there, and I got there pretty quick, God showed up and changed my attitude into one of flexibility, and awe.
God works like that, always has... working for Him, when you're in that zone, that right place, is ALWAYS more filling than anything else.
To me, the fact that serving is energizing and filling and encouraging and strengthening your walk in Christ, is the most important signal that you are in God's will.
I've been in "ministry" my whole life, some jobs are really draining, others pump you up.
This job, has pumped us up, and we've only jsut begun!
Thank you to all who have been praying and reading... HI to all our new friends and readers!
Prayer:
----we would LOVE to see more people come on board as a result of this trip, we would love to find great prayer warriors and ... because we like making a task so huge only God can accomplish it and thus be glorified we are praying that within a month of this trip we'll be at 50%
Could you join us in that prayer?
I'll throw out the biggest one, we're praying for 100% by July, 2006.
Only God can accomplish this task. If He opts not to, we realize we will submit to his timing and clock, but our passion is to go in January.
4/04/2006
April 10-easter
WE will be in the Los Angeles area from April 10th through to Easter.
IF you are in the area and know of anyone who would be interested in hearing about our ministry and might be interested in partnering with us for financial and prayer support, please contact us at
email:
owens@gimpel.tv
Status:
We are at %37 of our financial support. We hope to see that number grow as we continue approaching churches for partnership, however thus far the trend is about a 25% success rate. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad rate, but it's God's plan so it's good regardless.
We anticipate hearing from many of you who are still deciding at what level you wish to partner with us financially, once we know that we will be able to get an accurate reading of how much more work we have to do.
We have been working on a second newsletter. We have also completed our ministry portfolio which is a folder containing introductory information to our family and our ministry, intended for churches and groups who may be looking to support missionaries with a shared passion.
If you know of any groups or churches who would like to hear from both or one of us, we are more than happy to come share or even to give you one of our portfolios.
We are excited to say that Bethany Church (where we were married) is the first church to partner with us financially on a monthly basis.
A few churches have declined financially supporting us in an ongoing way but are still encouraging. A few have shown no interest, and even fewer haven't liked where our organization stands theologically.
It is an interesting process, but we are confident that God will pull us through it with a stronger faith.
Prayer Requests:
--that God would move in the hearts of people and churches to partner with us
--that we would be at 100% ($3700 p/month promised committment) by June 2006
--we would be guarded against spiritual attack in the form of discouragement (or any form)
--that our kids would be protected against attack and would grow up wise in Christ.
thank you
also if you are praying for us, and happen to think of it, drop us a line, it would be very encouraging to know who is praying and who is reading the blog.
IF you are in the area and know of anyone who would be interested in hearing about our ministry and might be interested in partnering with us for financial and prayer support, please contact us at
email:
owens@gimpel.tv
Status:
We are at %37 of our financial support. We hope to see that number grow as we continue approaching churches for partnership, however thus far the trend is about a 25% success rate. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad rate, but it's God's plan so it's good regardless.
We anticipate hearing from many of you who are still deciding at what level you wish to partner with us financially, once we know that we will be able to get an accurate reading of how much more work we have to do.
We have been working on a second newsletter. We have also completed our ministry portfolio which is a folder containing introductory information to our family and our ministry, intended for churches and groups who may be looking to support missionaries with a shared passion.
If you know of any groups or churches who would like to hear from both or one of us, we are more than happy to come share or even to give you one of our portfolios.
We are excited to say that Bethany Church (where we were married) is the first church to partner with us financially on a monthly basis.
A few churches have declined financially supporting us in an ongoing way but are still encouraging. A few have shown no interest, and even fewer haven't liked where our organization stands theologically.
It is an interesting process, but we are confident that God will pull us through it with a stronger faith.
Prayer Requests:
--that God would move in the hearts of people and churches to partner with us
--that we would be at 100% ($3700 p/month promised committment) by June 2006
--we would be guarded against spiritual attack in the form of discouragement (or any form)
--that our kids would be protected against attack and would grow up wise in Christ.
thank you
also if you are praying for us, and happen to think of it, drop us a line, it would be very encouraging to know who is praying and who is reading the blog.
3/13/2006
What about Burnout?
What about burn out?
(thoughts by Chad)
I do not know how many of these thoughts I should share. They are personal and not completely matured. Yet we desire to remain sincere and open to those who support us, because the end goal is to glorify God. Sincerely voicing the thoughts and struggles are part of the missionary process. People can never truly know unless you share, and unfortunately for the reader, when I am passionate I am also verbose (well on paper anyway). Keep in mind as you read, the context, we haven't been in the field for many years and thus we consult those who have been and are encouraged. We're aware we probably represent the youthful vitality one expects from "newbies".
Reading: Romans 9,10 and 11
I see friends in professional ministry being absorbed by the frustrations of the professional side of their work. I see movies about priests that have lost their faith. Always these movies show men who once had a lively relationship with God and now are consumed with selfish desires and have lost that connection with God. I hear of missionaries who burn out and return home from the field.
This concerns me as in Romans 9:
I desire to serve God with my life. God can search my heart and know that I am a wickedly selfish man. I know that I am no good on my own. I know that I seek out selfish pursuits, but also, if I possess any wisdom at all, I know that these pursuits will not end in happiness, and the only true contentment can be found in God’s presence. On top of that I know that all of these things are temporary. My life is flying past my eyes, and the only investment worth making is in God’s eternal kingdom.
Worship helps me with my focus and motivation. I read the Scripture and I see God’s character and in a world where all is failing me, where many things are empty and devoid of goodness I see God shining above it all. God is so good and so Holy. And when I concentrate on that, little else matters to me. My self fades away, my soul desires to be with God’s holiness. As if I’m taking a huge drink after years of thirst, soaking in God’s holiness. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, so long as I’m worshiping God through thought and action, and whatever I end up doing, I need to be convinced that I’m doing it to worship the goodness of God. Right now, I’m convinced the way to do that is to go to PNG and take my family. The risk is that we would be consumed by the process and lose sight of worshiping God, which would be the failure of the project. But I see no evidence that in not going that risk becomes any less. In fact, I am anxious for the opportunity to throw my life into a situation where I am stripped of my American culture and comforts and thus can measure how much I truly depend on God for all things. And continue to live a life where I am dependant upon God.
As a westerner, there is much I do not understand about dependence.
My selfish nature and Bible study already tell me what I will get out of serving God, assuming I do it correctly. But I also know that none of these rewards will be sufficient motivation to forebear the suffering that will most likely accompany any faith developing scenario. (I use the term faith-developing instead of testing on purpose). So these rewards are not what motivates me. There is a sense of duty, yes. A sense of doing what is right also. There is a sense of not losing face among those invested in our success as well. But these motivations will crack under the pressure too. The motivation that will truly uphold us during the times when we can’t take any more, will be because we are convinced of God’s grace and purpose in choosing us. And we are. God’s grace is immeasurable. The fact that He chose us is inconceivable. We are fully confident of this. Couple that with a daily dose of worshiping His goodness and Holiness and what you have are addicts for God.
Perhaps this pushes the illustration a bit extreme. A drug addict, will do anything for their next fix. But they also know when they’re getting fake stuff. It doesn’t have the same effect.
That is how we intend to let the Spirit be our rudder. When entering God’s presence and sensing even a sliver of His holiness becomes something we can no longer do we will know that there is an issue we need to work out and right before God.
We desire to be submissive to Him, so we can stay close to Him, because He is good. We are addicted to God's holiness, we breath it in as often as we can. When you remain in this state, you eyes and ears and heart maintain a sensitivity to the Spirit that helps guide.
The risk of losing sight of God's plan is the same at home as it would be in the field. The pressures are strong against you whenever you are doing what God would have you do. The cultural adaptation stress can be a huge factor. As a missionary you are more in the public eye. A spiritual failure at home can go unnoticed, but a spiritual failure in the field will not go unnoticed. Also though, the stigma that comes with a missionary returning before retiring is that perhaps they failed in their mission. It's sad but that is an assumption that some folks make "what went wrong?" Maybe nothing went wrong at all. But that is a different topic.
We refuse to disobey God's call because the risk for failure is great. The risk of embarrassment is great. Failure is simply not an option. My family has been specifically prepared for this, we have been specifically called. We have the qualities required for success both in faith, character and personality. I can give you a very convincing resume of why we are very well suited for the work before us, and odds are you already know us and are convinced of our abilities yourself (otherwise you would not be supporting us). But none of that matters. There is only one requirement God needs and that is willingness. We are obedient and willing and submissive to what God puts on our hearts. God does the rest. In fact He even accomplishes the obedience and willingness simply by means of being who He is. He is completely good, and completely Holy. We are compelled to Him. We are not relying on odds or on pedigrees, we are relying solely on God's provision. God will not fail, and thus we will cling to His coat tails the entire way.
Yes the pressures of cultural adaptation will be great. Yes the spiritual warfare will be present. Yes financial pressure will be a stress. There is a long list of reasons why we can fail. God is greater than all of them, God does not fail. We can fail, we will fail. God will prove faithful and compensate.
As partners in this ministry you have opened yourselves up for failure as well. You have committed to pray for us, and the more effective our ministry is at tearing down the strongholds of Satan, the more the people who pray for us will be under attack. Few consider this. Know that God overcomes. God is faithful.
And so, when the times come where we feel we want to give up, we will first go to God and admit it. We will ask God to shore us up, to meet us and supply. No one truly seeks to suffer, but we will not shy from it when it comes. We expect hardship, something that as Americans who have been blessed our entire lives is not something that we confront often. So when it comes, many people will wonder if we will be able to handle it or not. We don't know ourselves, but we do know that our instinctive reaction will be to plead to God for help through it. We do not ask to avoid pain, but we desire to seek God's face in the midst of it, and in the end, be more fit to glorify God.
We look forward to blogging the great stories of God proving faithful. For where the odds are their worst, when things seem impossible, those are the places that God absolutely shines without doubt. We are so anxious for those times, because it brings us all closer to God. Pray for those times for yourself and each other. Pray that this ministry would be a collective of submissive servants who live only so that God can be glorified.
Burnout is a reality. Stress can be overwhelming. Wycliffe has mandatory counciling and has good training and preparation for handling stress. We have been reading books and studying to prepare. Many practical steps have been taken to assure the full success of this ministry, but in the end, it comes down to the reality of every situation in life. How much are we going to try and handle without God? The answer is 0.00% There isn't any success to be had on our own.
---
p.s.
after re-reading this I realize that we have already undergone some spiritual attack and stress and suffering. In each instance, as a couple we immediately turned to God in prayer. In each instance, God met us there quickly and completely and so amazingly "God-like" that it was undeniably Him. The term "God-thing" applies because it is during these moments of sorrow, stress, weakness, complete humanity, that God is glorified because only He fit those jigsaw like missing pieces of the puzzle.
The story we blogged about my daughter carrying the backpack for my wife was such an example of God supplying for us when we were needing encouragement greatly.
(thoughts by Chad)
I do not know how many of these thoughts I should share. They are personal and not completely matured. Yet we desire to remain sincere and open to those who support us, because the end goal is to glorify God. Sincerely voicing the thoughts and struggles are part of the missionary process. People can never truly know unless you share, and unfortunately for the reader, when I am passionate I am also verbose (well on paper anyway). Keep in mind as you read, the context, we haven't been in the field for many years and thus we consult those who have been and are encouraged. We're aware we probably represent the youthful vitality one expects from "newbies".
Reading: Romans 9,10 and 11
I see friends in professional ministry being absorbed by the frustrations of the professional side of their work. I see movies about priests that have lost their faith. Always these movies show men who once had a lively relationship with God and now are consumed with selfish desires and have lost that connection with God. I hear of missionaries who burn out and return home from the field.
This concerns me as in Romans 9:
All those people who didn't seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. 31And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. 32How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their "God projects" that they didn't notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. 33Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together:
Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion,
a stone you can't get around.
But the stone is me! If you're looking for me,
you'll find me on the way, not in the way.
I desire to serve God with my life. God can search my heart and know that I am a wickedly selfish man. I know that I am no good on my own. I know that I seek out selfish pursuits, but also, if I possess any wisdom at all, I know that these pursuits will not end in happiness, and the only true contentment can be found in God’s presence. On top of that I know that all of these things are temporary. My life is flying past my eyes, and the only investment worth making is in God’s eternal kingdom.
Worship helps me with my focus and motivation. I read the Scripture and I see God’s character and in a world where all is failing me, where many things are empty and devoid of goodness I see God shining above it all. God is so good and so Holy. And when I concentrate on that, little else matters to me. My self fades away, my soul desires to be with God’s holiness. As if I’m taking a huge drink after years of thirst, soaking in God’s holiness. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, so long as I’m worshiping God through thought and action, and whatever I end up doing, I need to be convinced that I’m doing it to worship the goodness of God. Right now, I’m convinced the way to do that is to go to PNG and take my family. The risk is that we would be consumed by the process and lose sight of worshiping God, which would be the failure of the project. But I see no evidence that in not going that risk becomes any less. In fact, I am anxious for the opportunity to throw my life into a situation where I am stripped of my American culture and comforts and thus can measure how much I truly depend on God for all things. And continue to live a life where I am dependant upon God.
As a westerner, there is much I do not understand about dependence.
Romans 11:
4And do you remember God's answer?
I still have seven thousand who haven't quit,
Seven thousand who are loyal to the finish.
5It's the same today. There's a fiercely loyal minority still--not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think. 6They're holding on, not because of what they think they're going to get out of it, but because they're convinced of God's grace and purpose in choosing them. If they were only thinking of their own immediate self-interest, they would have left long ago.
My selfish nature and Bible study already tell me what I will get out of serving God, assuming I do it correctly. But I also know that none of these rewards will be sufficient motivation to forebear the suffering that will most likely accompany any faith developing scenario. (I use the term faith-developing instead of testing on purpose). So these rewards are not what motivates me. There is a sense of duty, yes. A sense of doing what is right also. There is a sense of not losing face among those invested in our success as well. But these motivations will crack under the pressure too. The motivation that will truly uphold us during the times when we can’t take any more, will be because we are convinced of God’s grace and purpose in choosing us. And we are. God’s grace is immeasurable. The fact that He chose us is inconceivable. We are fully confident of this. Couple that with a daily dose of worshiping His goodness and Holiness and what you have are addicts for God.
Perhaps this pushes the illustration a bit extreme. A drug addict, will do anything for their next fix. But they also know when they’re getting fake stuff. It doesn’t have the same effect.
That is how we intend to let the Spirit be our rudder. When entering God’s presence and sensing even a sliver of His holiness becomes something we can no longer do we will know that there is an issue we need to work out and right before God.
We desire to be submissive to Him, so we can stay close to Him, because He is good. We are addicted to God's holiness, we breath it in as often as we can. When you remain in this state, you eyes and ears and heart maintain a sensitivity to the Spirit that helps guide.
The risk of losing sight of God's plan is the same at home as it would be in the field. The pressures are strong against you whenever you are doing what God would have you do. The cultural adaptation stress can be a huge factor. As a missionary you are more in the public eye. A spiritual failure at home can go unnoticed, but a spiritual failure in the field will not go unnoticed. Also though, the stigma that comes with a missionary returning before retiring is that perhaps they failed in their mission. It's sad but that is an assumption that some folks make "what went wrong?" Maybe nothing went wrong at all. But that is a different topic.
We refuse to disobey God's call because the risk for failure is great. The risk of embarrassment is great. Failure is simply not an option. My family has been specifically prepared for this, we have been specifically called. We have the qualities required for success both in faith, character and personality. I can give you a very convincing resume of why we are very well suited for the work before us, and odds are you already know us and are convinced of our abilities yourself (otherwise you would not be supporting us). But none of that matters. There is only one requirement God needs and that is willingness. We are obedient and willing and submissive to what God puts on our hearts. God does the rest. In fact He even accomplishes the obedience and willingness simply by means of being who He is. He is completely good, and completely Holy. We are compelled to Him. We are not relying on odds or on pedigrees, we are relying solely on God's provision. God will not fail, and thus we will cling to His coat tails the entire way.
Yes the pressures of cultural adaptation will be great. Yes the spiritual warfare will be present. Yes financial pressure will be a stress. There is a long list of reasons why we can fail. God is greater than all of them, God does not fail. We can fail, we will fail. God will prove faithful and compensate.
As partners in this ministry you have opened yourselves up for failure as well. You have committed to pray for us, and the more effective our ministry is at tearing down the strongholds of Satan, the more the people who pray for us will be under attack. Few consider this. Know that God overcomes. God is faithful.
And so, when the times come where we feel we want to give up, we will first go to God and admit it. We will ask God to shore us up, to meet us and supply. No one truly seeks to suffer, but we will not shy from it when it comes. We expect hardship, something that as Americans who have been blessed our entire lives is not something that we confront often. So when it comes, many people will wonder if we will be able to handle it or not. We don't know ourselves, but we do know that our instinctive reaction will be to plead to God for help through it. We do not ask to avoid pain, but we desire to seek God's face in the midst of it, and in the end, be more fit to glorify God.
We look forward to blogging the great stories of God proving faithful. For where the odds are their worst, when things seem impossible, those are the places that God absolutely shines without doubt. We are so anxious for those times, because it brings us all closer to God. Pray for those times for yourself and each other. Pray that this ministry would be a collective of submissive servants who live only so that God can be glorified.
Burnout is a reality. Stress can be overwhelming. Wycliffe has mandatory counciling and has good training and preparation for handling stress. We have been reading books and studying to prepare. Many practical steps have been taken to assure the full success of this ministry, but in the end, it comes down to the reality of every situation in life. How much are we going to try and handle without God? The answer is 0.00% There isn't any success to be had on our own.
---
p.s.
after re-reading this I realize that we have already undergone some spiritual attack and stress and suffering. In each instance, as a couple we immediately turned to God in prayer. In each instance, God met us there quickly and completely and so amazingly "God-like" that it was undeniably Him. The term "God-thing" applies because it is during these moments of sorrow, stress, weakness, complete humanity, that God is glorified because only He fit those jigsaw like missing pieces of the puzzle.
The story we blogged about my daughter carrying the backpack for my wife was such an example of God supplying for us when we were needing encouragement greatly.
3/08/2006
Preparations
well, since we're not really sure at what time we'll be leaving or ready to go, we're in a mode of.... preparing. Faithfully working towards the idea that the money will come in before January '07.
we're planning to pack for a trip to a place we've never lived in.
so what do we bring?
Well first we talk to a lot of folks who live there or have lived there, and take in all their advice.
Then we look at our belongings and consider what can stay and what needs to go. Ironically we look forward to simplifying our lives, and yet have been advised to buy many things unobtainable over there. Like advil.
In the midst of this we are keeping in mind the idea of simple living. Depending on God. And balancing that with our passion to create a home environment for people.
for me personally, it seems very silly to be asking "how many computers should I bring?"
one for me, one for the wife, one for the kids, one for spare parts, one as a server...... really how many is "enough".
For my wife the question is photo albums, we're told not to bring anything we can't afford to lose at first... should something go wrong somewhere in the shipping process.
and then... we'll most likely need to move all of this stuff multiple times a year.
Managing this issue of "stuff" is a blessing to us from God because my wife and I are rather compatible in this area. Neither of us are too materialistic. Both of us have our areas of "i need this..." and each of us can be stretched and challenged enough to adapt that it makes it an adventure.
We both loved "colonial house" (a pbs special). The idea of getting away from dependence on technology, of a return to simplicity.
Now we are facing the reality of making choices... what stays, what goes, and what needs to be purchased for whatever reason to take with us?
Whatever decisions are made, we'll survive and be strengthened by any "lack" we might experience.
We also hope that it will develop a truer sense of priorities. Even if we think our priorities are right now, there is nothing like good old fashion testing your mettle.
-----Prayer Requests----
-that financial partnership reaches 100% by August 2006
-someone will be able to supply storage for our belongings that stay behind
-a partner that will pray daily for our children
-a partner that will pray daily for us
-physical conditioning to be able to handle the training camp 3 day backpacking hike.
we're planning to pack for a trip to a place we've never lived in.
so what do we bring?
Well first we talk to a lot of folks who live there or have lived there, and take in all their advice.
Then we look at our belongings and consider what can stay and what needs to go. Ironically we look forward to simplifying our lives, and yet have been advised to buy many things unobtainable over there. Like advil.
In the midst of this we are keeping in mind the idea of simple living. Depending on God. And balancing that with our passion to create a home environment for people.
for me personally, it seems very silly to be asking "how many computers should I bring?"
one for me, one for the wife, one for the kids, one for spare parts, one as a server...... really how many is "enough".
For my wife the question is photo albums, we're told not to bring anything we can't afford to lose at first... should something go wrong somewhere in the shipping process.
and then... we'll most likely need to move all of this stuff multiple times a year.
Managing this issue of "stuff" is a blessing to us from God because my wife and I are rather compatible in this area. Neither of us are too materialistic. Both of us have our areas of "i need this..." and each of us can be stretched and challenged enough to adapt that it makes it an adventure.
We both loved "colonial house" (a pbs special). The idea of getting away from dependence on technology, of a return to simplicity.
Now we are facing the reality of making choices... what stays, what goes, and what needs to be purchased for whatever reason to take with us?
Whatever decisions are made, we'll survive and be strengthened by any "lack" we might experience.
We also hope that it will develop a truer sense of priorities. Even if we think our priorities are right now, there is nothing like good old fashion testing your mettle.
-----Prayer Requests----
-that financial partnership reaches 100% by August 2006
-someone will be able to supply storage for our belongings that stay behind
-a partner that will pray daily for our children
-a partner that will pray daily for us
-physical conditioning to be able to handle the training camp 3 day backpacking hike.
3/06/2006
What's next
well we are working on finding the people who want to partner with us in prayer and or financially. We have spoken in a few groups, and right now see our ministry as a process of informing and discovering. Our home church is having a missions emphasis month and so we're involved in helping other missionaries where we can.
We're writing a lot of letters right now, and seeing where that leads.
We're at 23% of our goal right now, and we're hoping to be at 100% before August but that all depends on God's timing.
This part of the process is the part where there might not be as much to blog primarily because financial matters inherently involve a bit of privacy.
But we can still talk about what God is doing and what He is showing us. Right now He is showing us how wonderfully excited so many of you are about us as friends and about our joining together in ministry!
We're writing a lot of letters right now, and seeing where that leads.
We're at 23% of our goal right now, and we're hoping to be at 100% before August but that all depends on God's timing.
This part of the process is the part where there might not be as much to blog primarily because financial matters inherently involve a bit of privacy.
But we can still talk about what God is doing and what He is showing us. Right now He is showing us how wonderfully excited so many of you are about us as friends and about our joining together in ministry!
2/17/2006
Newsletter #1
We are dropping our newsletter in the mail soon. To save costs we have put it online and hope that everyone who prefers to read such things online enjoys it.
click here for our newsletter in PDF format
or go here
http://www.gimpel.tv/newsletter1
thank you!
---------------
in training camp we were told that for some folks making their newsletter was stressful for them because it is something you do together, and because it is informative as well as creative people have differing styles and facts they want to present. My wife and I actually found this process enjoyable and simple, but perhaps that is because we're an email and blogging generation. The struggle with a newsletter is to be informative, and not boring, to be interesting but not noisy. I'm no graphic artist, so please, as you read it, give us feedback.
For those who want to know we used iWorks'06 -Pages on a Mac to put it together.
__was it informative enough?
__did it catch your eye?
__would you scan this and then throw it away or would you feel you could read the whole thing?
__what could we do to improve it?
thanks for your time, email your comments to owens@gimpel.tv
thank you
click here for our newsletter in PDF format
or go here
http://www.gimpel.tv/newsletter1
thank you!
---------------
in training camp we were told that for some folks making their newsletter was stressful for them because it is something you do together, and because it is informative as well as creative people have differing styles and facts they want to present. My wife and I actually found this process enjoyable and simple, but perhaps that is because we're an email and blogging generation. The struggle with a newsletter is to be informative, and not boring, to be interesting but not noisy. I'm no graphic artist, so please, as you read it, give us feedback.
For those who want to know we used iWorks'06 -Pages on a Mac to put it together.
__was it informative enough?
__did it catch your eye?
__would you scan this and then throw it away or would you feel you could read the whole thing?
__what could we do to improve it?
thanks for your time, email your comments to owens@gimpel.tv
thank you
2/09/2006
God's Lessons
First a praise:
God your timing is wonderful, your plan is excellent, you answer prayer faithfully and powerfully! Thank you for showing yourself to my family these last few weeks.
--
I haven’t blogged much recently and the reason is because God’s been talking to my heart and teaching me things through multiple sources. I’ll try to share and be brief.
Missions is not the purpose of the Church.
Worship is.
Missions needs to have a focussed aim on glorifying God. The Church needs to have a strong understanding of what worshipping God is and then do it. As part of the Church I have spent 2 weeks learning the many ways to worship God. (please understand I do not mean singing but the true meaning of worship. These last few weeks we daily found a new way to worship God in action.)
I finally have put my finger on what has been on my heart, and here it is:
the easiest status check I know of one’s committment to worship is to ask yourself this question - “Why do you want to go to heaven?”
Honestly my first response was “because it’ll be paradise.” Not a bad answer but I realized as I contemplated it, that it was a purely selfish answer. (we can debate the good vs. bad of selfishness in another forum). Another answer came to mind “because it’s better than the other place.” Still I find that completely geared towards my own personal comfort.
Psalm 84, a psalm I’ve read nearly daily for a year now, has jsut popped out in yet another way to me:
1What a beautiful home, GOD of the Angel Armies! I’ve always longed to live in a place like this,
2Always dreamed of a room in your house,
where I could sing for joy to God–alive!
It strikes me that in heaven we’re going to be worshipping God forever. Why would we want to go to heaven if we don’t enjoy worshipping God? Why would we want to spend our eternity worshiping God if we haven’t fallen totally in love with Him, totally in awe of Him, totally filled by His presence?
Because it’ll be nice there? Because we’ll be without sin? Because we won’t have ’stress’?
I’m convinced that my life, my attitude, my inner self that no one else sees needs to be completely committed to denying my sinful self, and making choices that put God on the throne.
It’s hard, and it’ll get harder. I fail at it miserably.
I believe that until I can honestly answer the status question with “because I want to spent eternity worshiping God” that my character here on earth still needs to be worked on.
I can say today, that during my best moments, like I had in the last 2 weeks, that is my answer. But I slip up. I act in ways that do not tell others that God is God, but instead that I am God… or rather that I am the king of my own life.
I do not believe that I can change my heart manually, and so I pray that the spirit of God would influence my heart, and would strengthen me during my weak times.
That’s where I am at. Working with the Spirit to transform my life until every thought and action is one of proper worship instead of self-serving.
Our life, our ministry, and our aim as a family is to worship God through word and action and to diminish our own selves in such a way that when people look at us, they see God's glory reflected. We need your prayers to accomplish this feat, and rest assured we will also be praying for you.
God your timing is wonderful, your plan is excellent, you answer prayer faithfully and powerfully! Thank you for showing yourself to my family these last few weeks.
--
I haven’t blogged much recently and the reason is because God’s been talking to my heart and teaching me things through multiple sources. I’ll try to share and be brief.
Missions is not the purpose of the Church.
Worship is.
Missions needs to have a focussed aim on glorifying God. The Church needs to have a strong understanding of what worshipping God is and then do it. As part of the Church I have spent 2 weeks learning the many ways to worship God. (please understand I do not mean singing but the true meaning of worship. These last few weeks we daily found a new way to worship God in action.)
I finally have put my finger on what has been on my heart, and here it is:
the easiest status check I know of one’s committment to worship is to ask yourself this question - “Why do you want to go to heaven?”
Honestly my first response was “because it’ll be paradise.” Not a bad answer but I realized as I contemplated it, that it was a purely selfish answer. (we can debate the good vs. bad of selfishness in another forum). Another answer came to mind “because it’s better than the other place.” Still I find that completely geared towards my own personal comfort.
Psalm 84, a psalm I’ve read nearly daily for a year now, has jsut popped out in yet another way to me:
1What a beautiful home, GOD of the Angel Armies! I’ve always longed to live in a place like this,
2Always dreamed of a room in your house,
where I could sing for joy to God–alive!
It strikes me that in heaven we’re going to be worshipping God forever. Why would we want to go to heaven if we don’t enjoy worshipping God? Why would we want to spend our eternity worshiping God if we haven’t fallen totally in love with Him, totally in awe of Him, totally filled by His presence?
Because it’ll be nice there? Because we’ll be without sin? Because we won’t have ’stress’?
I’m convinced that my life, my attitude, my inner self that no one else sees needs to be completely committed to denying my sinful self, and making choices that put God on the throne.
It’s hard, and it’ll get harder. I fail at it miserably.
I believe that until I can honestly answer the status question with “because I want to spent eternity worshiping God” that my character here on earth still needs to be worked on.
I can say today, that during my best moments, like I had in the last 2 weeks, that is my answer. But I slip up. I act in ways that do not tell others that God is God, but instead that I am God… or rather that I am the king of my own life.
I do not believe that I can change my heart manually, and so I pray that the spirit of God would influence my heart, and would strengthen me during my weak times.
That’s where I am at. Working with the Spirit to transform my life until every thought and action is one of proper worship instead of self-serving.
Our life, our ministry, and our aim as a family is to worship God through word and action and to diminish our own selves in such a way that when people look at us, they see God's glory reflected. We need your prayers to accomplish this feat, and rest assured we will also be praying for you.
2/03/2006
The Kind of People
To give you an idea of the kind of people we're being blessed by:
Last night was our tenth wedding anniversary, and we're at training camp without a car and really no place to go.
There is a little hot tub here, and I realized the last time my wife and I had some quite time to relax and talk was 2 weeks ago, and the last time we were in a hot tub together was before kids.
another training camper offered to watch our kids... we politely declined, but later I took them up on the offer.
well, I called and asked at 8pm. "we wanted to hang out at the hot tub for a few minutes, the kids are asleep could you come stay in our room until we return."
at 8:15 there is a knock on the door.
"sure... I left a jar there, could you bring it back."
sure.. we did....
when we got to the hot tub, the "jar" was a large candle, lit and placed romantically near a nice plant. The effect of the warm wind and the candle on the leaves made it a romantic setting much more than sitting in the dark would have.
How did she get a candle there lit, and then get back to our place in time?
She remembered that another couple had said in class they bring candles wherever they go to feel at home, CALLED them, they ran the candle over and lit it while she walked to our room.
Okay WOW.
all we wanted was a few minutes to ourselves to quietly discuss what God has been doing and relax and celebrate.
What we got was blessed by two friends, and a romantic night together.. which we didn't have to plan or were not expecting.
THAT was awesome.... at the same time a preparation for PNG culture in that everyone knows what you're up to at all times.
"This is GREAT! But you know now everyone knows where we are..." --me
"yeah but if they know, they'll stay away!" --my bride.
we chuckled and had a very nice, impromptu, but wonderful evening celebrating ten years, and celebrating the fact that God is going to make the next ten years a completely different and wonderful time for us as a family.
Last night was our tenth wedding anniversary, and we're at training camp without a car and really no place to go.
There is a little hot tub here, and I realized the last time my wife and I had some quite time to relax and talk was 2 weeks ago, and the last time we were in a hot tub together was before kids.
another training camper offered to watch our kids... we politely declined, but later I took them up on the offer.
well, I called and asked at 8pm. "we wanted to hang out at the hot tub for a few minutes, the kids are asleep could you come stay in our room until we return."
at 8:15 there is a knock on the door.
"sure... I left a jar there, could you bring it back."
sure.. we did....
when we got to the hot tub, the "jar" was a large candle, lit and placed romantically near a nice plant. The effect of the warm wind and the candle on the leaves made it a romantic setting much more than sitting in the dark would have.
How did she get a candle there lit, and then get back to our place in time?
She remembered that another couple had said in class they bring candles wherever they go to feel at home, CALLED them, they ran the candle over and lit it while she walked to our room.
Okay WOW.
all we wanted was a few minutes to ourselves to quietly discuss what God has been doing and relax and celebrate.
What we got was blessed by two friends, and a romantic night together.. which we didn't have to plan or were not expecting.
THAT was awesome.... at the same time a preparation for PNG culture in that everyone knows what you're up to at all times.
"This is GREAT! But you know now everyone knows where we are..." --me
"yeah but if they know, they'll stay away!" --my bride.
we chuckled and had a very nice, impromptu, but wonderful evening celebrating ten years, and celebrating the fact that God is going to make the next ten years a completely different and wonderful time for us as a family.
night time answers
Tonight after dinner, we were heading back to our apartment, which is about half a city block away.
My wife stayed behind to read an email, and as we walked Sydney said "oh I forgot my backpack."
she said "I'll catch up."
of course I waited and when she finally came out, she had her backup, my wife's backpack, and my wife's coat.
I saw her trying to make her way towards me with this heavy load and went to help her.
She politely insisted on taking her mom's pack and jacket.
"it's heavy!" she said.
"I know, I want to carry it." I grabbed it but she wouldn't let go. In fact I got it from her and during that time she reconfigured her own pack to take both the pack and the jacket.
"Don't let it touch the ground or drag, we don't want it getting worn out or holes in it." I said.
"I won't, I figured out how to take it."
after she cleared the entire path I asked her.
"Sydney, why do you want to carry that backpack so badly?"
"because it's mommy's and I wanted to carry her load for her so she could walk here more easily."
I started to tear up as I let my daughter trudge on difficultly ahead.
All this time I've been thinking about how we can lighten our kids' loads in this missions transition and I never paused to think about it the other way around. Of course as a parent you don't willingly burden your child, but God has used them repeatedly as encouragements to us and for some reason today of all days, my daughter wanted to lighten my wife's load.
Today was a particularly tough day for my wife. At dinner time we prayed together "God please encourage my wife today, please lighten her load a little bit today." And God answered that prayer in the form of my daughter.
Seizing the moment to make a parallel I said to my daughter at the door:
"sheesh, that's heavy, I'm glad we're home and it's bed time" she said.
"You know kiddo, it's hard work to take one someone's burden, but even if you can jsut lighten their load for a short while, it could be enough to encourage them and make them happy. I'll bet you made mommy happy."
She thought about that....
not without humor though.. when mommy got home not knowing what had transpired, my daughter hopped up on mommy's lap and said with pride.
"mommy I carried your backpack and coat all the way home!"
"you did!? thank you."
"maybe you might want to give me a penny for that."
so I took out a penny and said,
"kiddo, I'll pay you a penny. What you did was a very nice thing for mommy as a favor, but if you accept this penny then it's a chore you did for money. Do you want the penny or do you want it to be a job you did for pay?"
she thought for not even a second:
"I want it to be a favor for mommy."
so I gave her the penny and said, "then it's a favor for mommy, and I'm giving you this penny because I love you."
then Calvin put his hand out, "do you love me too daddy?"
I said "yes."
he said, "then please give me two pennies, one because you love me and two because I won the race."
I laughed... before I had noticed my daughter carrying the backpack, I challenged my son to a race home, which I lost since I got wrapped up in a more important dialogue with my daughter.
I have to laugh.
Not only did God lighten my wife's load through the kindness of my daughter, He lightened my load through the comedy of my son.
My wife stayed behind to read an email, and as we walked Sydney said "oh I forgot my backpack."
she said "I'll catch up."
of course I waited and when she finally came out, she had her backup, my wife's backpack, and my wife's coat.
I saw her trying to make her way towards me with this heavy load and went to help her.
She politely insisted on taking her mom's pack and jacket.
"it's heavy!" she said.
"I know, I want to carry it." I grabbed it but she wouldn't let go. In fact I got it from her and during that time she reconfigured her own pack to take both the pack and the jacket.
"Don't let it touch the ground or drag, we don't want it getting worn out or holes in it." I said.
"I won't, I figured out how to take it."
after she cleared the entire path I asked her.
"Sydney, why do you want to carry that backpack so badly?"
"because it's mommy's and I wanted to carry her load for her so she could walk here more easily."
I started to tear up as I let my daughter trudge on difficultly ahead.
All this time I've been thinking about how we can lighten our kids' loads in this missions transition and I never paused to think about it the other way around. Of course as a parent you don't willingly burden your child, but God has used them repeatedly as encouragements to us and for some reason today of all days, my daughter wanted to lighten my wife's load.
Today was a particularly tough day for my wife. At dinner time we prayed together "God please encourage my wife today, please lighten her load a little bit today." And God answered that prayer in the form of my daughter.
Seizing the moment to make a parallel I said to my daughter at the door:
"sheesh, that's heavy, I'm glad we're home and it's bed time" she said.
"You know kiddo, it's hard work to take one someone's burden, but even if you can jsut lighten their load for a short while, it could be enough to encourage them and make them happy. I'll bet you made mommy happy."
She thought about that....
not without humor though.. when mommy got home not knowing what had transpired, my daughter hopped up on mommy's lap and said with pride.
"mommy I carried your backpack and coat all the way home!"
"you did!? thank you."
"maybe you might want to give me a penny for that."
so I took out a penny and said,
"kiddo, I'll pay you a penny. What you did was a very nice thing for mommy as a favor, but if you accept this penny then it's a chore you did for money. Do you want the penny or do you want it to be a job you did for pay?"
she thought for not even a second:
"I want it to be a favor for mommy."
so I gave her the penny and said, "then it's a favor for mommy, and I'm giving you this penny because I love you."
then Calvin put his hand out, "do you love me too daddy?"
I said "yes."
he said, "then please give me two pennies, one because you love me and two because I won the race."
I laughed... before I had noticed my daughter carrying the backpack, I challenged my son to a race home, which I lost since I got wrapped up in a more important dialogue with my daughter.
I have to laugh.
Not only did God lighten my wife's load through the kindness of my daughter, He lightened my load through the comedy of my son.
2/02/2006
ten years
today is the last full day of training.
tomorrow is the "goodbyes" and "packing" phase of the trip.
We'll be staying in Orlando to see friends, speak to some youth, and generally relax.
It seems odd, but after two weeks of fully concentrating on ourselves, equipping ourselves, submitting ourselves to God, and filling our brains... the idea of seeing other folks and hearing about their ministries and what is exciting about their lives is very exciting to us.
We are very passionate about what we're doing, but we're also excited about what YOU are doing, so please drop us a line, we'd love to pray for you.
also!!!
my wife and I have been married ten years today.
Groundhog Day
WOOHOOO!...
excitement ensues... about the ten years not so much about the groundhog.
Prayer Requests:
-Refreshing time with friends for the next 4 days
-Health for the family as we visit and fly
-Safety in flying (although honestly we feel like we're in the safest place in the world, smack dab in the center of God's will. Would the plane truly crash while before we got to PNG? Well God is sovereign and so anything can happen.... perhaps pray as well that we can be a blessing to people while on the plane - IE kids well behaved, perhaps conversations and such)
on the plane ride over Sydney spoke for 3 hours with the lady sitting next to her about how she was going to PNG to "make bibles".
you know there is SO much to having "faith like a child"... in acclimating to new cultures, making new friends, and understanding new ideas.
Thank you, and we love you.
We are praying for you, and want to know how to pray more specifically for you
owens@gimpel.tv
tomorrow is the "goodbyes" and "packing" phase of the trip.
We'll be staying in Orlando to see friends, speak to some youth, and generally relax.
It seems odd, but after two weeks of fully concentrating on ourselves, equipping ourselves, submitting ourselves to God, and filling our brains... the idea of seeing other folks and hearing about their ministries and what is exciting about their lives is very exciting to us.
We are very passionate about what we're doing, but we're also excited about what YOU are doing, so please drop us a line, we'd love to pray for you.
also!!!
my wife and I have been married ten years today.
Groundhog Day
WOOHOOO!...
excitement ensues... about the ten years not so much about the groundhog.
Prayer Requests:
-Refreshing time with friends for the next 4 days
-Health for the family as we visit and fly
-Safety in flying (although honestly we feel like we're in the safest place in the world, smack dab in the center of God's will. Would the plane truly crash while before we got to PNG? Well God is sovereign and so anything can happen.... perhaps pray as well that we can be a blessing to people while on the plane - IE kids well behaved, perhaps conversations and such)
on the plane ride over Sydney spoke for 3 hours with the lady sitting next to her about how she was going to PNG to "make bibles".
you know there is SO much to having "faith like a child"... in acclimating to new cultures, making new friends, and understanding new ideas.
Thank you, and we love you.
We are praying for you, and want to know how to pray more specifically for you
owens@gimpel.tv
2/01/2006
history lesson weds
we heard a man speaking today who had been a missionary since 1942. He spoke on prayer and the miracles he's seen from answers to it
but he also spoke about a people who's language he worked with. They can speak, but they communicate in whistles as well. Their language has vowels, consonants and pitch relative to the words around it. The whistles were the tones that were reached when speaking, so in speaking the language the tones heard, are replicated in the whistles.
It was VERY cool to hear, and a fascinating aspect of the language, having a pitch.
Yesterday we learned of a language that has no past tense. Only present and future.
on dating this man referred to looking for a wife as "prospecting" he "struck gold" when he found her.
what a great thing to spend time in the presence of a man who has spent his life in service of God.
It was inspiring at times, humorous at others, but sincere and genuine the entire time.
I look at men like this, men who in their old age are still glorifying God, founders of Biola and missionary organizations, and I think "I would love to finish well for God like that, if I reach that age."
I see a common element of dedication to reading Scripture, prayer and fasting, and actions of service in these men and it is my model to which I strive.
Is it okay to be impatient to become the man you want to be for God? It sure is a daily process of self-denial and hard discipline.
Discipline to pray, to read, to memorize, to deny flesh. a daily thing.... something that can't be put off, because otherwise you end up with years full of wasted days.
but he also spoke about a people who's language he worked with. They can speak, but they communicate in whistles as well. Their language has vowels, consonants and pitch relative to the words around it. The whistles were the tones that were reached when speaking, so in speaking the language the tones heard, are replicated in the whistles.
It was VERY cool to hear, and a fascinating aspect of the language, having a pitch.
Yesterday we learned of a language that has no past tense. Only present and future.
on dating this man referred to looking for a wife as "prospecting" he "struck gold" when he found her.
what a great thing to spend time in the presence of a man who has spent his life in service of God.
It was inspiring at times, humorous at others, but sincere and genuine the entire time.
I look at men like this, men who in their old age are still glorifying God, founders of Biola and missionary organizations, and I think "I would love to finish well for God like that, if I reach that age."
I see a common element of dedication to reading Scripture, prayer and fasting, and actions of service in these men and it is my model to which I strive.
Is it okay to be impatient to become the man you want to be for God? It sure is a daily process of self-denial and hard discipline.
Discipline to pray, to read, to memorize, to deny flesh. a daily thing.... something that can't be put off, because otherwise you end up with years full of wasted days.
1/31/2006
Tuesday
today is “depending on God.” day…. We heard from a man who has been a member of our organization for 63 years… and he told about how God has provided for him his entire life and having money in the bank always worried him because he wanted to depend on God for everything. It was an amazing testimony.
that is the theme of our worship. The point is to learn that independence is not a virtue that God respects but it is a dependence on God and on fellow believers that brings unity and is truly worship.
The weekend was relaxing and fun.... and now we're back to work.
that is the theme of our worship. The point is to learn that independence is not a virtue that God respects but it is a dependence on God and on fellow believers that brings unity and is truly worship.
The weekend was relaxing and fun.... and now we're back to work.
1/28/2006
Saturday
today is family day....
we went to moss park and played near the water and cranes (very bold birds that like to try and eat children's noses).
we played and relaxed and enjoy resting after a long and hard week of work.
we went to moss park and played near the water and cranes (very bold birds that like to try and eat children's noses).
we played and relaxed and enjoy resting after a long and hard week of work.
1/26/2006
Thursday
Last night was interesting, as we dealt and confronted a lot of stuff and faced a lot of anxieties and fears about our future, we came to a point where either we decide to give up on our passion because it's too hard and dig a hole and hide,
or to turn to God in prayer and trust and wait on Him to meet us there.
The temptation to run and hide is very strong and we recognize that as spiritual warfare.
We are confident in our calling, and yet still that confidence can be shaken by getting inside our own heads with doubt.
So there we were.... weak. In our weakness God is proven great. We decided as a couple to turn to God and pray and ask for help and strength to withstand it all.
Weds was a tough day for many of our new friends, with illness and energy level low and being assaulted with spiritual warfare and all kinds of emotions.
After we prayed, I jsut sat it silence and waited on God.
A thought popped into my head, "tomorrow morning's worship theme will comfort you."
this morning's theme was "Worship is acknowledging God in the midst of our fear."
a tear streamed down my cheek as I marvelled once again at God's provision.
We were weak, using discipline and forcing ourselves, we took a step towards God instead of away, and HE took care of the rest.
As if He said, "you need to do work, and it will be work, but fear not, I will meet you there and carry you."
Each class today was so perfect, in that it was God reminding me over and over that each of our fears were in His hands.
It is a good place to be, totally relying on God, but it is a daily place to force yourself into, not to be taken for granted, because the enemy will take any chance he can get.
--------
We discussed written communication and blogs. We need to be very careful what we blog in that it can not be associated with our work, where we're going or the organization we're working with. In fact it needs to pertain mostly to personal thoughts and feelings rather than specifics of work. So, this blog is going to be edited soon, to comply with those regulations, but STILL is geared towards communicating with our partners, so that our relationships are upkept.
The goal of this blog is to communicate with you, so that our relationship is strengthened by an open communication. It will not be our only form of communication but it will be the most current. If you wish to be on a mailing list and have not yet filled out a form to do so, then please go here:
http://www.gimpel.tv/partner.pl
they are truly equipping us... nuts and bolts, spiritual, emotional, financial info, etc. we are being filled up and prepared for the field.
or to turn to God in prayer and trust and wait on Him to meet us there.
The temptation to run and hide is very strong and we recognize that as spiritual warfare.
We are confident in our calling, and yet still that confidence can be shaken by getting inside our own heads with doubt.
So there we were.... weak. In our weakness God is proven great. We decided as a couple to turn to God and pray and ask for help and strength to withstand it all.
Weds was a tough day for many of our new friends, with illness and energy level low and being assaulted with spiritual warfare and all kinds of emotions.
After we prayed, I jsut sat it silence and waited on God.
A thought popped into my head, "tomorrow morning's worship theme will comfort you."
this morning's theme was "Worship is acknowledging God in the midst of our fear."
a tear streamed down my cheek as I marvelled once again at God's provision.
We were weak, using discipline and forcing ourselves, we took a step towards God instead of away, and HE took care of the rest.
As if He said, "you need to do work, and it will be work, but fear not, I will meet you there and carry you."
Each class today was so perfect, in that it was God reminding me over and over that each of our fears were in His hands.
It is a good place to be, totally relying on God, but it is a daily place to force yourself into, not to be taken for granted, because the enemy will take any chance he can get.
--------
We discussed written communication and blogs. We need to be very careful what we blog in that it can not be associated with our work, where we're going or the organization we're working with. In fact it needs to pertain mostly to personal thoughts and feelings rather than specifics of work. So, this blog is going to be edited soon, to comply with those regulations, but STILL is geared towards communicating with our partners, so that our relationships are upkept.
The goal of this blog is to communicate with you, so that our relationship is strengthened by an open communication. It will not be our only form of communication but it will be the most current. If you wish to be on a mailing list and have not yet filled out a form to do so, then please go here:
http://www.gimpel.tv/partner.pl
they are truly equipping us... nuts and bolts, spiritual, emotional, financial info, etc. we are being filled up and prepared for the field.
1/25/2006
side note
a lot of folks have been sharing about something dubbed a "eureka" moment, where God finally put their life in perspective, and they received an excited spirit and a passion for God's work.
in talking with a good friend, I referred to this training camp as "hitting the motherload" which I now realize extends the "eureka moment" analogy. (or gold digger theme).
Only we don't have to dig for gold here, it's being poured on us in large (and sometimes heavy) quantities. The riches are bountiful.
The motherload refers to finding that place where you can draw on the experience of mature believers and discuss things of the Spirit with them.
For me and my friend, the search for deep "mentor" like relationships is an ongoing challenge, and yet here, there is an endless supply of excellent, loving, giving, knowledgable, and experienced believers with whom we get to spend time with daily!
in talking with a good friend, I referred to this training camp as "hitting the motherload" which I now realize extends the "eureka moment" analogy. (or gold digger theme).
Only we don't have to dig for gold here, it's being poured on us in large (and sometimes heavy) quantities. The riches are bountiful.
The motherload refers to finding that place where you can draw on the experience of mature believers and discuss things of the Spirit with them.
For me and my friend, the search for deep "mentor" like relationships is an ongoing challenge, and yet here, there is an endless supply of excellent, loving, giving, knowledgable, and experienced believers with whom we get to spend time with daily!
Weds
we didn't start with worship and my energy level reflects that.
Ever been around a christian who jsut really exudes Christ-likeness to you? Imagine spending an entire week with several of these people, mature people, young people, all strong believers, and then imagine you're discussing the thing you're most passionate about for days on end.
That's this experience.
It's emotional, exciting, tiring, energizing, and really it's a great time. It feels like a home, it feels like how the church is supposed to be. We pray for each other, we share, we learn.
Things I'm learning
-listening - I've found that I am not an active listener, and thus need to work at the discipline of putting away distractions while I listen. It was HARD to do. I kept fidgeting with paperclips and pens. When I'd realize I was doing it, I'd put them down, and then before I knew it they were in my hands again and I didn't remember picking them up.
I confess, there are so many disciplines one must take seriously that I have not.
Perhaps it is my personality, perhaps my culture, but I need to develop these disciplines to be a successful missionary and not get dragged down in spiritual warfare.
Reading the Word - who can't get better at this? I love God's Word but find that I "schedule" it and in PNG we're told that there is no ability to "schedule" a day. One must find time to worship in a daily way that is flexible to people dropping in.
Listening - caring and loving more about what others share than what I feel is important to share. I believe this discipline will be the hardest for me as I get so excited to speak WITH people that I often forget to listen TO them. God has been touching my heart that truly, what I have to say is not near as important as what God wants to tell me through other people. Even when I may disagree with them, God's glory can be shared by listening.
but the content in general is great.
they did a fun thing in culture clas
on each table was a dish with a cover on it saying "do not open"
and we were told that we were all required to eat what was under the dish.
but we would do so at the end of class.
we began to talk about cultural issues,.. etc... but people kept wondering what was under the dish.
and worried about bugs, worms, etc.
at the end, we lift the dish, it's chocolate bar.
the point was, anticipating is often much worse than involving.
The point made by one of the seasoned missionaries about offending other cultures in reference to the "pushy American" syndrome was well put:
-the pushy american refers to the impatient and demaning american tourist who is either insensitive to other cultures or doesn't care. As missionaries we're going to other cultures in love and are trying to be sensitive. We will make mistakes but if you approach each situation in love, you will do well.
Some folks were sharing their different takes on how to handle food situations in as much as not wanting to eat something and how it may offend hosts.
A humorous take was from one of the students:
"Well my friend found that if he invited a guest to places he was invited, in most cultures the "GUEST" is the guest of honor and will be given the "best" part of the food, even if he himself doesn't think it the "best" and can then opt to say "well I brought this person, and they are MY guest, so I will pass this onto them to honor them." and has humorously gotten out of eating odd things.
That was pretty funny.
It is so very interesting to me to watch us all voice what we know to be real and sometimes petty, concerns (will I have to eat bugs) and yet simultaneously be able to trust God for providing for us in impossible ways. You can virtually see the faith of people overcoming the humanity in the class.
By that I mean, someone will voice something and then start to realize "well God can handle that" and they will become calm knowing that others have the same concerns, and see real ways to deal with it, or even hear stories of miraculous ways God took care of that for someone else.
In some ways it's one big encouraging support group.
Ever been around a christian who jsut really exudes Christ-likeness to you? Imagine spending an entire week with several of these people, mature people, young people, all strong believers, and then imagine you're discussing the thing you're most passionate about for days on end.
That's this experience.
It's emotional, exciting, tiring, energizing, and really it's a great time. It feels like a home, it feels like how the church is supposed to be. We pray for each other, we share, we learn.
Things I'm learning
-listening - I've found that I am not an active listener, and thus need to work at the discipline of putting away distractions while I listen. It was HARD to do. I kept fidgeting with paperclips and pens. When I'd realize I was doing it, I'd put them down, and then before I knew it they were in my hands again and I didn't remember picking them up.
I confess, there are so many disciplines one must take seriously that I have not.
Perhaps it is my personality, perhaps my culture, but I need to develop these disciplines to be a successful missionary and not get dragged down in spiritual warfare.
Reading the Word - who can't get better at this? I love God's Word but find that I "schedule" it and in PNG we're told that there is no ability to "schedule" a day. One must find time to worship in a daily way that is flexible to people dropping in.
Listening - caring and loving more about what others share than what I feel is important to share. I believe this discipline will be the hardest for me as I get so excited to speak WITH people that I often forget to listen TO them. God has been touching my heart that truly, what I have to say is not near as important as what God wants to tell me through other people. Even when I may disagree with them, God's glory can be shared by listening.
but the content in general is great.
they did a fun thing in culture clas
on each table was a dish with a cover on it saying "do not open"
and we were told that we were all required to eat what was under the dish.
but we would do so at the end of class.
we began to talk about cultural issues,.. etc... but people kept wondering what was under the dish.
and worried about bugs, worms, etc.
at the end, we lift the dish, it's chocolate bar.
the point was, anticipating is often much worse than involving.
The point made by one of the seasoned missionaries about offending other cultures in reference to the "pushy American" syndrome was well put:
-the pushy american refers to the impatient and demaning american tourist who is either insensitive to other cultures or doesn't care. As missionaries we're going to other cultures in love and are trying to be sensitive. We will make mistakes but if you approach each situation in love, you will do well.
Some folks were sharing their different takes on how to handle food situations in as much as not wanting to eat something and how it may offend hosts.
A humorous take was from one of the students:
"Well my friend found that if he invited a guest to places he was invited, in most cultures the "GUEST" is the guest of honor and will be given the "best" part of the food, even if he himself doesn't think it the "best" and can then opt to say "well I brought this person, and they are MY guest, so I will pass this onto them to honor them." and has humorously gotten out of eating odd things.
That was pretty funny.
It is so very interesting to me to watch us all voice what we know to be real and sometimes petty, concerns (will I have to eat bugs) and yet simultaneously be able to trust God for providing for us in impossible ways. You can virtually see the faith of people overcoming the humanity in the class.
By that I mean, someone will voice something and then start to realize "well God can handle that" and they will become calm knowing that others have the same concerns, and see real ways to deal with it, or even hear stories of miraculous ways God took care of that for someone else.
In some ways it's one big encouraging support group.
1/24/2006
Tuesday
we get going at 7am, eat, get kids to class, worship starts the day the right way
then we go to class, where we hear how the day is different from every other day during announcements.
we have 5 or 10 minutes between each class but it's nice since the teachers do the rotating instead of the students,
there are about 28 students and 32 kids.
today I mentioned to someone "the kids make friends so fast here, two days and they've got 4 best friends"
the reply was "yup that's wycliffe mk's for you."
that was the first time someone called my kids MK's and it had a mixed feeling to it, awkward, at first but we're starting to get a feeling of "we belong". Truly the staff here are the type who love you instantly and are honestly rather invigored by our presence. It is mostly older members volunteering here in the US who have been on the field for a while, and still desire to serve.
One older gentleman named Bud, who is one of Calvin's teachers (5 teachers for preschool) said "I teach here because it's boring at home." he used to be a teacher/principal in some tough gang areas. You know someone loves kids and teaching when during their break, they venture into the game room to see what the kids are doing and "be around" them.
classes over we meet with whatever STAFF that day, a PA or whatever... during meals and daytime personally kendal and I try to rotate who we sit and talk with, to get to know old and new members alike, and we've found quite a few people with PNG ties or aims. We've gotten a lot of our questions answered that way as well, well.. same questions different perspectives... all great.
Tomorrow is "chapel" for the entire Wycliffe campus, and we're told it is the most attended chapel because everyone loves to hear our 3 minute testimonies. It really excites them to hear the "new" members and what they have to say.
Kendal and I gave our 3 (6 total) minute testimony on day 1, wanting to get it over with, and be able to focus on others. We went first, and really you can say a lot about what God is doing during those 3 minutes.
It is interesting to me, having been at conferences before and going through the standard "getting to know you" drills, that never quite work. Here, we all share for 3 minutes, we all repeat the correct pronunciation of the names, and we all really bond during that 3 minutes as tears are shed and laughs burst out. We already feel very close as a body both to the other members and to the staff. We are trying to get to know them more deeply as we can.
WE learn a ton of stuff, not only technical about how Wycliffe works, but the spiritual preparation side of it as well, communication skills, survival skills (interpersonal relationships) etc.
The pace is faster than I remember back at Biola. It is much like drinking straight from a firehose, but the great thing is they recognize that and equip us with tools for reference later. Also they use what seems to be an effective building block method so as we understand, we progress. Personally I'm finding myself very interested and engaged.
You can jsut tell when material and teaching is honed and when it is poor, and this place is honed (training camp #24).
(it rhymed.. didja notice)
We spoke with a couple who were at PNG for 36 years and the Calvin loved to hear how to say "4 and a half" in Tok Pisin. (pidgin).
We were able to socialize tonight for a bit with a gal from PNG , Maggie, and a couple 1 month married, and we played "Settlers" (a board game). Maggie had announced it once and got a big excited shout, so we invited her over to teach a "newbie" course on it and had quite a lot of fun. She kept saying to me "you are a Geoff Russell Jr." whatever that meant.
It was in reference to my strategy thoughts and plain orneryness I think.
The game was a lot of fun, socially, and that says something because I won't like a game if I don't like the people playing it and these were good people.
The kids are doing very well, Calvin is adapting to a pre-school schedule of 7:45am - lunch - 3:30pm splendidly, and even voluntarily takes naps.
For now that's the pace. It sort of "flash rained" here.
It was a praise as well or a blessing because we visited a doctor here on campus that understood going into the field and so he knew PNG and knew what to prepare us and ask us about, as compared to our home doctor who looked at us like we were crazy when we mentioned PNG.
God is stretching us in many ways right now, and as you probably know, that invigorates and exhausts you.
The campus is great, it's exciting to see so many people after the same purpose, some living here on furlough, some visiting family, many in training, some staff and workers.
Everyone here treats us so warmly. It's not a creepy "we want your business" kind of welcome but more of a "we're united in serving the one true God." warm.
then we go to class, where we hear how the day is different from every other day during announcements.
we have 5 or 10 minutes between each class but it's nice since the teachers do the rotating instead of the students,
there are about 28 students and 32 kids.
today I mentioned to someone "the kids make friends so fast here, two days and they've got 4 best friends"
the reply was "yup that's wycliffe mk's for you."
that was the first time someone called my kids MK's and it had a mixed feeling to it, awkward, at first but we're starting to get a feeling of "we belong". Truly the staff here are the type who love you instantly and are honestly rather invigored by our presence. It is mostly older members volunteering here in the US who have been on the field for a while, and still desire to serve.
One older gentleman named Bud, who is one of Calvin's teachers (5 teachers for preschool) said "I teach here because it's boring at home." he used to be a teacher/principal in some tough gang areas. You know someone loves kids and teaching when during their break, they venture into the game room to see what the kids are doing and "be around" them.
classes over we meet with whatever STAFF that day, a PA or whatever... during meals and daytime personally kendal and I try to rotate who we sit and talk with, to get to know old and new members alike, and we've found quite a few people with PNG ties or aims. We've gotten a lot of our questions answered that way as well, well.. same questions different perspectives... all great.
Tomorrow is "chapel" for the entire Wycliffe campus, and we're told it is the most attended chapel because everyone loves to hear our 3 minute testimonies. It really excites them to hear the "new" members and what they have to say.
Kendal and I gave our 3 (6 total) minute testimony on day 1, wanting to get it over with, and be able to focus on others. We went first, and really you can say a lot about what God is doing during those 3 minutes.
It is interesting to me, having been at conferences before and going through the standard "getting to know you" drills, that never quite work. Here, we all share for 3 minutes, we all repeat the correct pronunciation of the names, and we all really bond during that 3 minutes as tears are shed and laughs burst out. We already feel very close as a body both to the other members and to the staff. We are trying to get to know them more deeply as we can.
WE learn a ton of stuff, not only technical about how Wycliffe works, but the spiritual preparation side of it as well, communication skills, survival skills (interpersonal relationships) etc.
The pace is faster than I remember back at Biola. It is much like drinking straight from a firehose, but the great thing is they recognize that and equip us with tools for reference later. Also they use what seems to be an effective building block method so as we understand, we progress. Personally I'm finding myself very interested and engaged.
You can jsut tell when material and teaching is honed and when it is poor, and this place is honed (training camp #24).
(it rhymed.. didja notice)
We spoke with a couple who were at PNG for 36 years and the Calvin loved to hear how to say "4 and a half" in Tok Pisin. (pidgin).
We were able to socialize tonight for a bit with a gal from PNG , Maggie, and a couple 1 month married, and we played "Settlers" (a board game). Maggie had announced it once and got a big excited shout, so we invited her over to teach a "newbie" course on it and had quite a lot of fun. She kept saying to me "you are a Geoff Russell Jr." whatever that meant.
It was in reference to my strategy thoughts and plain orneryness I think.
The game was a lot of fun, socially, and that says something because I won't like a game if I don't like the people playing it and these were good people.
The kids are doing very well, Calvin is adapting to a pre-school schedule of 7:45am - lunch - 3:30pm splendidly, and even voluntarily takes naps.
For now that's the pace. It sort of "flash rained" here.
It was a praise as well or a blessing because we visited a doctor here on campus that understood going into the field and so he knew PNG and knew what to prepare us and ask us about, as compared to our home doctor who looked at us like we were crazy when we mentioned PNG.
God is stretching us in many ways right now, and as you probably know, that invigorates and exhausts you.
The campus is great, it's exciting to see so many people after the same purpose, some living here on furlough, some visiting family, many in training, some staff and workers.
Everyone here treats us so warmly. It's not a creepy "we want your business" kind of welcome but more of a "we're united in serving the one true God." warm.
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