Category: Kingdom

“The Floor Moves”

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We’re having a group visit for a few weeks for a short-term missions trip next month, and between the guys and the translators coming from long distances, we’re likely going to have to put up quite a few people here in our home. The kids will all bunk up in one room, leaving a couple of twin beds free, and we have a couch and a couple of extra mosquito nets. As Marc was talking to one of the guys the other day about accommodations, he was explaining that things might be a little tight. He said (not an exact quote, but close): “We have a big living room with a carpet and normally there would be plenty of room to sleep on the floor, but you might not want to. Once the sun goes down, the floor moves.”

Yeah, if there’s anything we’ve had to get used to, it’s the critters. Ants (tons of them), cockroaches (blessedly few, though, praise God!), fleas, chiggers, crickets (everywhere), flies, and spiders. It’s impossible to keep them out, given that the kitchen is pretty much open to the outdoors and the doors stay open most of the day. The saving grace is that we see very few during the day (save for flies and crickets), so it’s kind of “out of sight, out of mind.” But, once the sun goes down, the floor does move… We sit down for family devotions in the living room and count the ants on the carpet and notice the crickets hopping here and there. The ants come into the kitchen for their nightly feast, so we just make sure to keep the food covered and the fresh fruits and veges in knotted bags.

When Jesus said to “count the cost of being a disciple,” I don’t know if this is what He meant.

 

Problems with Children

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Quite unexpectedly, one of the frustrations we’ve encountered here in Africa is…the children.

This is a very small group. The number of children gawking at the fence has gotten into the teens, if not twenties.

They line up, sometimes in great numbers,  along our fence at all hours of the day, hoping to get a glimpse of us–or better yet, be invited in to play. However, it can be hard to discern which ones have pure motives and which are…not so good–because there is definitely a distinction. While many of the children try to communicate with ours, there is another portion who simply laugh and mimic whenever our children try to speak to them in Swahili. Even though it’s Kenyan custom to ask to enter someone’s home (they  will ask, “Hodi?”–may I come in?–even when they are specifically welcomed), some of the children frequently ignore this gesture of respect. While we are schooling in the morning, the Kenyan children who are too young for school or too poor to attend will often make games of sneaking inside our gate and running to our open veranda or through the yard, only to dash off again when I step outside to ask them for privacy while we’re doing our work. When the children go to gather water, some of the local kids will help, while others pull hair, pinch skin, and generally make nuisances of themselves. Some nights when the sun goes down, we’ll still hear a lineup of children at the fence hooting and hollering–just to annoy. All in all, the negative behaviors haven’t been anything “over the top,” but still something we’ve had to address.

Our children love to play with the neighborhood children, but it has sometimes been a challenge to deal with the “bad” along with the good and maintain some boundaries for the health of our family. Helping our children to deal with this issue in a way that honors Christ and leaves them feeling secure has been an occasional test of my parenting skills and a matter of much prayer.

This past week, we had a couple of successes that leave us hopeful that we can have a positive impact in our relationships with the local children, while at the same time maintaining those necessary boundaries.

One day, after the children had been complaining about harassment on their way to the spring for several days in a row (with my advice being just to ignore it, since it seemed annoying but not hurtful), I figured something had to change. We talked about what the Bible might have to say about the subject and Jesus’ command to, “Love your enemies” came up, as well as the Scripture “return evil with good.” So, when the kids went out for their afternoon free time, they invited the neighborhood children into the yard and everyone had a small candy as a treat. Then, when it was time to gather water, I reminded the children about how it was written in Thessalonians that Christians should be taught to “work with their hands,” and about some of the Biblical admonitions not to be idle. So, my advice was that if any of the children had nothing better to do than poke and prod them and be bothersome, they should give the child their water jug and cheerfully insist, “Saidia, tafadali.” (“Help me, please!). Happily, this seems to be a successful strategy so far.

This past weekend, we had a yard full of kids for the morning on Saturday, playing ball and digging in the dirt. There was another whole bunch of kids at the fence as usual but we had an unlikely ally helping to separate the wheat from the chaff–our neighbor across the way (who doesn’t speak a lick of English but who seems very nice and has spoken with Marc through another neighbor who translated). He made sure to keep the gate shut against those kids that he seemed to recognize as “troublemakers” and chased them off with a barrage of Bukusu (the local dialect). We chuckled when he even brandished a switch at one point, though I don’t think he used it. As a result, the morning was relatively quiet and very enjoyable for all of the children involved. Come lunch time, I sent out a bunch of food and we enjoyed a picnic under a shade tree. I insisted to our kids that we should not let in anyone who had not already been here playing–I wasn’t about to feed the whole neighborhood! So anyone who came to the gate while we ate was politely told, “Hapana!” (Quite simply, “No!”) I am hopeful that this showed the kids who were just there for the sake of curiosity (or trouble) that there are benefits to being respectful of rules and boundaries.

We’re still navigating the waters of helping the children to develop and nurture healthy relationships in the community, and I’m thankful for recent progress on this front. Would love for you to share any thoughts you might have about how to deal with this type of situation in a positive manner.

Differences between America and Africa, in pictures

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I enjoyed spending some of our first few days in Africa talking with our neighbor, Patrick, and his wife, Lois. During one conversation, Marc and I were sharing with Patrick about the wonders of dishwashers (yes, just put the dishes in, press a few buttons, and they’re clean!) and clothes washers. He was amazed that such things were possible. Indeed, the many differences between America and Africa are striking. I was amused to see a pictoral representation of this in a grade-school workbook that we are currently using in our Swahili studies:

 

 

Although here in Africa our family has a home and some amenities that are not typical of the native Kenyan, at the same time we are striving to integrate into the community such that we are not obviously “set apart.”

Though one might be tempted to feel sorry for these folks, that they can’t enjoy so many of the conveniences that we have as Americans, I actually think that a simple life of non-accumulation is to be envied. After all, Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Likewise, I believe that worldly attractions often blind us to the blessing of Kingdom simplicity. Unfortunately, from what I perceive of Africans thus far, they instead covet the American life and strive to imitate it in as many ways as possible.

Lord, give us eyes to see and hearts to receive the Gospel of Your Kingdom. Let us enter by the narrow way and help us to willingly set aside all those things which hinder us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blessing, or Suffering?: A Holiday Message

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Here is the most recent newsletter sent out by Values-Driven:

We strive to make our newsletters practical and helpful, whether you are a homeschooling family or not. However, this time I just want to share what’s been on my heart in hopes that you may be spiritually encouraged.

I know that many of you appreciate Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals because these sales help you to be a good steward of what God has given you. But frankly, I can’t help but feel upset that companies are just pandering to the lusts of our flesh and asking us to buy into the world instead of investing in the Kingdom of God. However, this only happens to the extent that we allow it. I am praying that each one of us will separate ourselves unto the Lord this holiday season and serve Him wholeheartedly.

Personally, we have been burdened by the plight of our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering. It makes the typical holiday self-indulgences seem the most egregious of sins.

A colleague of ours on the mission field, Joe Jones (founder of Christian Family Network, http://www.cfnetmissions.org.uk), has been keeping us abreast of his work in Sudan. Perhaps you have been following in the news about the fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North forces in Blue Nile state, which has forced thousands of refugees to flee to South Sudan. Many Christians are caught in the crossfire, according to a report published in Mission Network News (http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16488). Joe recently led a mission into North Sudan to bring members of a Sudanese church out of the war zone and provide medical care. This latter effort was most necessary, as during the trip they came under fire from an Antonov plane. (You can see an update on the CFNet Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CFNetMissions).

This is just one example of the suffering of Christians around the world, yet brought close to home in a way that is hard to ignore. Sad to say, I think most of us pay lip service to the persecution of Christians because very often there isn’t a “face” on it. When it becomes personal, however, we are more likely to pray, but also hopefully to self-evaluate.

We’re tempted to ask ourselves, “Is it right for us to be so blessed when others are facing such trial?” But a better question might be, “Are we really “blessed”…or are they ?” First Peter 4:12-13 says,

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

Further, the Apostle Paul shares his desire to know Christ “and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). Through suffering, we are drawn closer to Jesus, who is our example. If we are, indeed, to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24), then it follows that we will not experience “blessing” as the world would recognize it. Instead, Jesus Himself promised us trials (John 16:33) and even persecution (Mark 10:29-31). But He also promised that He would be with us and that as we abide in Him we will overcome.

Recently we read in Martyr’s Mirror the account of three steadfast martyrs named Tharacus, Probus, and Andronicus, that showed a true Christian response in the face of extreme suffering. You will no doubt be impacted by their story, which you can read online here: http://www.homecomers.org/mirror/martyrs018.htm. During his examination, the President said to Probus, “Thou wretched man! do spare thine own body; for the earth is soaked with thy blood.” Probus answered, “Be assured, the more my body suffers for the name of Christ, the more my soul is healed and quickened.” All of these men (and many more like them) gladly endured extreme bodily suffering and ultimately, death, with true joy and confident witness of Christ. Our earthly blessings may, perhaps, blind us to the true blessing of suffering and the reward of drawing closer to Christ in our trials.

We have been meditating on all of these things at that time of year when so many are coveting the latest and greatest gadget, shopping for the best deals on things that they don’t really need, and forgetting in their over-indulgence that many are lacking even their “daily bread.” This is not to say that we can’t enjoy things that the Lord truly desires to give us as blessing; but it is to say that it’s sometimes easy to confuse the distractions of satan with the gifts of God.
We pray that your  holiday season will be filled with true blessings–with every good and perfect gift that is from above. Fix your eyes on Jesus and glorify God in everything; He is worthy!

"Woe to you who are well-fed now…"

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We have been making an effort to simplify our eating and rely on what’s coming out of our garden or what we have in storage (I’ll be posting more on that later). As a result, we had a very hearty garden vegetable soup with some Indian fry bread for supper last night. Knowing how much my husband likes spice, I had put about a cup of salsa into the huge pot of soup, trying to strike a balance between Marc’s tastes and the children’s (who prefer things a little milder). Though it tasted fine at first, by the time it simmered and got put on the table, I suspected that it would be a bit spicy for the kids. I was right. So for supper, they had Indian fry bread and complained through a few bites of soup. Only the boys and I finished our whole bowls full.

This morning, Marc awoke to emails from our partners in Kenya.We’ve already been hearing about the many refugees who are fleeing the drought in Somalia to find relief in Kenya. Now, Patrick tells him that food prices in Kenya have tripled, as the drought is affecting crops there as well and the influx of people is driving demand higher.

Patrick had already planned a Kingdom-Expansion training meeting for this coming week in Kajiado. Kingdom-Driven Ministries had sent him a small amount of money to fund the transportation, accommodations, and food for the approximately 45 people who will attend. Today, Patrick asked if he might have more money, to bring needed food to the locals–to put the Gospel of Jesus into practice. He said,

“We have to purchase and carry food from Nairobi as Kajiado is currently under severe drought. If we had relief food even for $100 we could get 5 bundles of maize flour: 60 packets of 2kg; we could reach 60 houses with 2kg packet each. Faith without works is dead in itself.”

With all this in mind, I sat down for morning devotions with the children. As we talked and prayed, I was nursing 6 week-old Enoch. I told the children that the mothers in drought-affected areas would not be able to produce milk for their babies if they did not get water and adequate nutrition for themselves. Our baby is colicky and everyone hates those times when Enoch cries and refuses to be comforted; tears came to my eyes as I told the children that these mothers listen to their hungry babies cry in just the same way…until they get too weakened to cry any more…and then, they die.

And I thought about our meal the night before, the soup that many of the children barely touched. Maybe you grew up hearing about “the starving children Africa” and how much they would have appreciated the food you complained about. Well, I told my children the same thing this morning–and I was dead serious. We know people there who are affected by the current drought, and others who are trying to do something about it. In fact, we’ll be living in that area in February of next year! It is real. The only thing I could say to the children after sharing my heart was to tell them the words of Jesus:

“Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry…” (Luke 6:25)

“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?… The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25:37, 40)

Needless to say, we will be doing all we can to help in this situation. If the Lord prompts you to give to the physical needs of the people of East Africa, so that our partners there may also minister the Gospel to them, please visit Kingdom-Driven ministries and contribute. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and we trust that the Lord will bless your giving.

When You Feel Miserable, Stop and Ask Yourself Why

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“[Jesus] said, Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it!” (Luke 11:28, AMP)
Some time ago, when it seemed like all the children were doing was bickering and grumbling, I asked them how their behavior made them feel. They all admitted that they were pretty miserable. After reading Luke 11:28, I presented them with a challenge: “If you are feeling miserable, just stop and ask yourself why.” After analyzing some of the more recent circumstances, we could see that, almost without exception, feelings of misery resulted from not walking in obedience to God’s Word.
Interestingly, I have been reading The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchangeable Person by E. Stanley Jones (written at the ripe old age of 87), and his life-conclusions about the Kingdom of God have been enlightening and encouraging. As I read his opinion about how we, as people, were actually created to obey the Kingdom laws, I recalled the conversation that I had had with the children, and could see how this was so. He says,
Tertullian said the soul is naturally Christian. Reinhold Niebuhr says the soul is naturally pagan. Dr. Walter Horton says the soul is naturally half-pagan and half-Christian. I vote with Tertullian. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Why? Because he puts nothing on you? On the contrary, when you follow him he dumps the world and its troubles into your heart. Then the Christian way is the hard way? No. What is the law of happiness in the world? It seems to be this: The most miserable people in the world are the people who are self-centered, who won’t do anything for anybody, except themselves. They are centers of misery, with no exceptions. On the contrary, the happiest people are the people who deliberately take on themselves the sorrows and troubles of others. Their hearts sing with a strange wild joy, automatically and with no exceptions. We are structured for the outgoingness of the love of the Kingdom. It is our native land.
And further,
So the starry heavens above and the moral law within speak of the dependableness and utter surety of the Unshakable Kingdom. And that kingdom is without us and within us—“the kingdom of heaven is within you”—therefore you break its laws written within you and you get broken. On the other hand, you obey its laws and its principles and its attitudes and at any period of life, in any circumstances, you can say to yourself, “What a life!”
I’m trying to apply this conclusion and this challenge to my own life, moment-by-moment. Historically, my tendency has been to blame others, or circumstances, for my own lack of joy; I’ve made progress in this area but…I can always do better. Sometimes I fail to be thankful. Other times it’s my selfish desires that get in the way. Or my attempt to control a situation is what brings misery. No matter what recent (or past) instance I analyze in light of this Kingdom-living-and-joy paradigm, I can honestly say that my feelings of “miserableness” do always seem to have a root in my failure to live as Christ, by His example and His Kingdom principles.
If we’re not experiencing joy, let’s stop and ask ourselves honestly, why? If we’re not in line with God’s Word or Christ’s example, let’s simply repent…change direction…and get in line with where God wants us to be. Will you take this up this challenge with me?

The Line

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For those who live lives of violence and revelry, the murderers and rapists, it’s safe to say they have a keen understanding of where their end leads. Scripture is clear that the Creation itself declares God’s existence and qualities, and the Spirit has placed eternity in the heart of all men. In spite of the greatest of efforts by the secular humanists and professed atheists to deceive the multitude, the spirit of every man is aware of God’s presence and essence. Conscience alone will convict such men to eternal fire, and no recourse will be attested on that fateful last day.
Likewise, the Kingdom saint, those “radical” believers who sell their possessions and give to the poor, selflessly pour their lives out as a drink offering to the Lord, committed to holiness and righteous living, wanting nothing other than to glorify their God who sent His Son, their loving Savior to the cross in their stead, they know their fate ends in glory in the presence of the King, forever praising His glorious name. Heaven’s gate is wide open for those who have sold out, surrendered all: their wants, their dreams, their wealth, their pleasures, their hurts, and even their sin, to their loving and worthy God.
The murderers and rapists, the “bad sinners,” certainly deserve hell for their deeds, most will agree. In Scripture, the devilish ones were called out as “sinners and tax collectors,” the most repugnant of all of society. Today, we single out the abortionists and homosexuals, or maybe the terrorists and child molesters. Regardless of their sinful label, there is a general cultural consensus as to the horror of their sin and the justice in their eternal consequence.
Yet most folks are not open “sinners,” the vile by the standards of the world. Sure they cuss at times, and may have a temper under their oft jovial demeanor, but for the most part, they are good people. They work their job, pay their bills, care for their family, and mind their own business. Their personal entertainments are sealed in the privacy of their hearts and homes. They aren’t hurting anyone with their appetites. Certainly hell is not a fitting place for such as these; but heaven? Hmmm.
Then there are “normal” Christians, you know, the ones who you can have a regular conversation with, not all that “in love with Jesus” freaky talk, out trying to “save” everybody all the time. They are “real” people, not the holy rollers. They might drink a beer with you, watch the game, and don’t try to make any pretense that they are any better than you–they don’t judge. Yes, they go to church, and might even occasionally read their Bible, and financially support their church with their excess. They are normal folks, they are not perfect, but who is, they surmise? They prayed to receive Christ as a youth, and were baptized in short order. But they didn’t turn into freaks. Life went on as usual: work, play, sleep, work, play, sleep…
So what of these folks, the “normal” Christians? With the sides of the line so clearly discerned, those doomed to eternal torment, and those blessed with God’s glory forevermore, what of all of men falling somewhere in the middle? Certainly God’s grace is extended to the “good” people, especially those who profess the name of Christ. No doubt, we may conclude, the line is so very clear…or is it?

Must-See Video

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Marc and I were both greatly impacted by a YouTube video that our friends Derek and Lisa Guyer shared on their blog, Rise of the Home. It vividly portrays just what Christ has done for us. Honestly, it brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. After you watch the video, please head over to visit Derek and Lisa. Their story is phenomenal and through their testimony and the power of God, broken marriages and families are on the road to restoration. Praise God!

Preparatory Work

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Our children are pretty well-trained to help out around the house. They have scheduled chores that they do on a daily basis, but I can also ask them to give me a hand with odds and ends that are needed throughout the day.


However, sometimes they need help in order to be so helpful to me.  For example: as my little ones napped this afternoon, I thought ahead to what job they would be doing when they got up…dishes! Now, one can wash and the other can rinse, but they aren’t yet proficient at putting in “just enough” dish liquid or getting the water temperature just right. For that matter, they get a bit frustrated by things that are too heavy for their little hands, or pans that are too tough for them to scrub. So my job—before they did their job—was to wash a couple of pots and pans, then make sure the sink was just full enough of warm water and bubbles. As I blog, my three and five year-old daughters are now busily washing and rinsing

the remaining dishes! They are not even aware of the work that I did beforehand.


How does this relate to family and ministry? Well, sometimes (given the number of young children we have), I wonder if we’re “doing” enough. We want our children to have a heart for the lost and to be “ministry minded”—but if actual, hands-on opportunities get to be few and far between, how do we facilitate this process?

It helps me to remember that in ministry (just as in this example with my girls) there is the work that we immediately associate with a given task. But there is also preparatory (and often unseen) work as well.

So even though, as a family with lots of “littles,” I’m not (ever) out there witnessing in the streets, I try to think of what we can do to help out before, during, or after others (like my husband) do the actual work of the ministry. At one time, I helped out by making lists of visitation possibilities for evangelistic outreach. I also followed up with phone calls after the visits. When we know of someone who is doing the work of evangelism, we pray for them and for those with whom they come into contact. Prayer is an important, unseen work in the process of sharing the gospel!

We can also encourage others in their ministry, whatever it might be, by sending cards or making occasional phone calls. Letting people know that we are praying for them or that their work is appreciated is never a wasted effort. Such encouragements often provide a boost to someone who may be weary in serving, and can be an impetus for them to press on in whatever God has called them to do.

As parents, we are constantly engaged in “preparatory work” when we make the effort that is needed to disciple our children: training, instructing, encouraging, and disciplining them. We help our children to grow in Christlike character as we live a life of example, teach from God’s Word, encourage proper behaviors, and correct misbehavior—always with their heart and their relationship with the Lord in mind. So when we do get an opportunity to engage in more active (or “obvious”) ministry as a family, we are all prepared to be a true witness for Christ, glorifying Him in the way that we behave.

So if you, like me, are a home mom, don’t be discouraged because you are not “doing” any ministry. Think about how you, and your children along with you, can continually participate in others’ efforts—even (and especially) in unseen ways. And remember that very moment of every day, you are on the front lines, preparing your children for a lifetime of serving the Lord.