That's Different

     This picture shows a scene that takes place every afternoon.  Children that are fortunate enough to go to school are making their way home for the evening.  There are no car lines full of parents waiting to pick there precious ones up and take them home or to a variety of extra-curricular activities.  There are no big, yellow school buses delivering loads of children safely to their doorsteps.

     These children are simply turned loose and sent home.  Some will walk.  But many will hitch rides with passing vehicles, or take a dala dala (vans that serve as public transportation here).

     I've heard stories in the past few months of parents in the US facing criticism and legal problems because they forced their children to walk to destinations less than a mile away.  I don't know the details of those situations, and my purpose is not to comment specifically about them one way or another.  It is just interesting to observe how starkly different life is for people living in different parts of the world.  Even though we live in the same time, and the world is smaller than it's ever been, people's lives can be so varied that they can't even fathom what it means to live another way.

    When it comes to most aspects of life, it is just fine that we live differently.  Cultures need not be the same.  The differences add spice and variety.  It is really a shame the way that mass media is facilitating the disappearance of local cultures as they meld into a homogeneous global one - but that's a topic for another time and place.  

     Really, I have two points.  First, it is healthy for us to open our eyes to the fact that the way we are living life is not the only (or even necessarily best) way to live life.  "Everybody" doesn't in fact have the latest gadget, nor does everybody even know it exists.  (You should see the Tanzanians marvel at the GPS in my car!)  Everybody doesn't share the same interest.  (The poor folks here think that footballs are round with black spots.)  And that's okay.

     Secondly, there is one aspect of life that is not open to variety and personal preference.  That is Jesus.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  He is not one of many paths, but rather he is THE way.  He is not one of many possible truths, but rather he is THE truth.  He is not one of many acceptable lifestyles, but rather he is THE life.  These points are absolute and non-negotiable.  This conviction is at the heart of missions, and the heart of the Christian life in general.  Spreading Christ must be a high priority for us all, both home and abroad.  Let's not allow ourselves to be so distracted by the differences that don't matter that forget the only one that really does.

Would you like for me to visit your congregation during our next furlough? 

 Dates are still available so contact me if you are interested.

   

Adjustments and Providence

Adjustments and Providence

     One of the greatest challenges that we have faced as a missionary family is trying to do what's best for our oldest child.  Our youngest two kids are ages 3 and 2.  They have each other to play with, and have a pretty great life aside from being separated from extended family.

     But our 12-year old, Abby, is very isolated.  Really she was the one who got the worst deal out of our decision to move to Africa.  When we first got here, there was another missionary family here that had some sweet kids near her age.  They hit it off and became fast friends.  Several months ago, that family returned to the States to begin a new phase of their lives.  Since that time Abby has had a very difficult time.  She is a social being, but she found herself alone without readily available English-speaking peers.

     We have tried to get her involved in various area activities hoping that she would find a friend, but it just wasn't happening.  What could we do?  There are several international schools in the area.  These are expensive private schools where classes are taught in English and many of the students are expats.  We are happy with the education that Abby is getting from home school, but felt strongly that she needed some peer interaction.

     Enrolling Abby in international school full-time was financially out of the question.  Even if we could afford it, I don't think that's what we would have wanted to do.  But we worked out to send Abby for some elective-type classes like art, music, and drama on a part-time basis.  It was still expensive, but we felt that the sacrifice would be well worth it if Abby would be happier.

     It's only been a week now, but so far it seems that the plan has been a success!  Abby came home from her first day ecstatic that she had found an American friend - another girl who new about basketball, R5 (one of Abby's favorite bands), and SEC football (the other girl is a bulldogs fan, but we're willing to overlook it).  It also helps that the school has lots of British touches that my Harry Potter-loving daughter loves (ex: houses, a house cup, a head boy and head girl, prefects, uniforms, etc.).  All in all, we've had a much happier girl on our hands.

     Now, enter the providence of God.  A couple of days ago some friends who are among our most generous supporters sent us a message saying that they wanted to contribute to Abby's tuition.  Through conversation they found out that the expense was "X" number of dollars.  They answered back that it was a strange coincidence, because they had precisely "X" number of dollars available to give to a good work!  I should be accustomed to it by now, but no matter how many times I see it, I still marvel at the ways God works.  His providence is amazing!  Mungu ni mwema!

Preachers' Wives Training

     Yesterday, Tiffany was in charge of the monthly preachers' wives class.  She taught lessons on "Faith and Works" and "Using a Prayer Journal."  Twenty area wives were gathered for fellowship and Bible study.  These gatherings have been a valuable source of togetherness and growth for the preacher's wives in the Arusha area.

Back to Ilkiurei

     After enjoying our special series at the Arusha congregation, we were happy to be back "home" at Ilkiurei today.   But sadly, while we were back "home" we learned about a little boy who isn't.  One of our members has a 7 year old son who ran away from home 3 weeks ago and hasn't been heard from since.  Please say a prayer for this little boy and his mother.

Tidbits from the Week

     We live in a place where scenes like that above are common place.  Don't get the wrong impression.  Everyone doesn't live like this, but there are plenty that do.  We were recently challenged to accept the Ice-Bucket Challenge.  We obliged, but added out own twist.  In light of the fact that clean water is a precious commodity here, we chose to use dirty water for the challenge.  (You can see it here)  Then we donated a large container of drinking water to each of the families at the Ilkiurei church on Wednesday evening... NONE of whom even have running water at home, much less clean water.  With the heavy load of water, we gave everyone a ride home.  (Not to neglect ALS, we completed the challenge with a small donation to pro-life ALS research at the Mayo clinic.)

Romans Class

     This quarter at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, I have the pleasure of teaching the book of Romans.  It is a challenging and rewarding study as we wrestle with the roles that law, grace, faith, and obedience play in the scheme of salvation.  Romans 3:23 reminds us that sin is a universal problem that every person must deal with.  Meanwhile, Romans 1:16 lets us know that the gospel is the power of God until salvation for everyone who believe.  What a wondrous and precious thing the gospel is! What a privilege to be able to preach it, and to teach others who will preach as well!

The One-Cup Issue

     This month I have been teaching a special series on the Parables of Jesus at the Arusha congregation.   However, for the last Sunday of the month, they asked me to deal with a specific "hot topic."  The brothers that bind the belief that the Lord's supper must be taken with a single cup shared by the whole congregation have caused a good bit of division in some parts of the country.  They have recently begun to make a little noise here in this area as well.  So as a preemptive measure, the brethren wanted to study the issue clearly.   It was well-received, and we will continue to prize very highly the unity of the brotherhood.

School Party

    Our friend and sister in Christ invited us to attend a large celebration at her child's school.  We love opportunities like this to experience the local culture and to show ourselves to be members of the community.  We couldn't stay for the whole event (it was an all-day production), but enjoyed what we did witness.  The children showed off a program that they had prepared and school officials made speeches.  Of course it was all followed up by an African feast.  

     It is important to be seen in the community.  Taking an interest in local activities is not only enjoyable, but it also opens up opportunities for the Gospel.  People appreciate when interest is shown in their lives, and a rapport is built.  We try our best to be mindful of who we represent at all times, after all we don't exactly blend in around here.  Anything we do in public might create an opportunity or a barrier.  

     You may not stand out from your community as readily as we do, but the same is true of your public behavior.  Do all in the name of the Lord.

A Place to Lay Their Heads

Elly stands beside his handiwork and this family has a place to sleep.

     Extreme poverty is a part of life here.  We are surrounded by it on many levels and many fronts.  Recently we became aware of a sister in Christ whose already impoverished situation had taken a turn for the worse.  Her husband abandoned her, leaving her with no source of income and 4 children to care for.  That includes twins that are still nursing.  

     Without income she was unable to pay rent and lost her very humble home.  Her church family is helping her in various ways, and she has a roof over her head, but that's about it - a roof, four dirt walls, and a dirt floor.  When we visited her, we were very saddened to see that there was not a single piece of furniture in her home.  All five of them were sleeping on a palate on the dirt floor. It is winter here and it does actually get pretty chilly at night.  

     We couldn't stomach seeing our sister live this way.  Some kind and concerned brethren in America provided funds to buy her a bed.  Given the lack of space, we decided that a bunk bed was the best way to get this family off the ground.  Our brother and expert handyman, Elly Martin agreed to build and deliver the bed. 

     Like many others in the community, this poor sister still faces many hardships.  At least now she and her babies now have a place to lay their heads at night.

     It is such a blessing to be a part of the family of God.  Keep taking care of each other.  Keep loving each other.  Keep being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Some of the Bible studies we had this week.

      Conducting personal Bible studies might be my very favorite part of my job.  Walking an eager student through the Bible's teachings about God's love for them and His will for their lives is a great joy.  People are often willing to stop whatever they are doing and study.  One lady (pictured above left) always receives us eagerly.  On this occasion she was doing her very best to listen and participate while controlling her 3 small children.  No stranger to this struggle myself, we read the situation and made the study brief.  However, eager to learn she still wants us to continue coming to study.