Since the language conference is winding down on things for us to do, we took a day and explored the market. There are different 'shopping zones' of the downtown area. There is one section that has many tiny stores to walk in and select what you're looking for (these range from groceries, electronics, furniture, clothing, etc.). This isn't too far off from some of our shopping experiences in America. However, the market is a completely different story. There is a section of town where farmers come with their goods to sell (which by the way isn't offered in the other section of the town). This is our target for the day.
We went into the market and almost immediately we had a swarm of boys trying to sell us plastic shopping bags. Then, after we were able to find our way to the actual produce, things got really interesting. When we gave an indication that we were interested in purchasing some tangerines, we had several people trying to sell us the fruit from one person's stand -- the majority of them are 'middle men' who try to get things for us, but in the process jack up the prices. Then, these 'middle men' swarmed around us with various other produce, and once they discovered other things that was on our shopping list, they ran to get them for us. Whew, what an experience!!!
However, this isn't the thing that stands out the most in my mind. When we returned to our vehicle which was parked safely in the other shopping district, we were again surrounded - by about four women. These women were old, and some of them visibly disabled who were begging for some shillings (money) off us. This isn't something I was prepared for. We didn't know how to respond so we tried to get in as quickly as possible closing the door behind us. I'm struggling to get them out of my mind. Our team coach said, after we all were safely in the vehicle, that it's up to us on how to respond to the homeless.
As I've been thinking about this, I came across Proverbs 21:13 - He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered. The homeless in America have a much different situation than those in E. Africa. Those in America can find shelters and other charitable organizations who will provide them with a bed, food, hygiene items, etc. But what about these four old, crippled women? What is their fate? Will anyone give them something to eat? Will anyone have compassion on them if I don't? Who are they anyway? Are they widows who have been left to fend for themselves? Are these women who had a husband, and raised a family only to have her husband and family to die from say AIDS, or other diseases? Who will help those that are physically starving in Africa? And who will help those that are spiritually starving without the Bread of Life?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
A Prayer for the People of the City
This weekend will be some of the most significant days which we have participated in yet. On Friday night we will be showing "The Jesus Film" in this area. Then on Saturday night in the same area we are going to show many of these same people "The Passion of the Christ." And then on Sunday, the 5 of us as a group will teach Sunday School, and I will preach through a translator in the worship service.
Please pray that:
God bless,
Matt and Beth
Please pray that:
- there would be a large turn out for these life-changing events
- the hearts of the unreached who will attend these events will have their hearts open to the Truth of Jesus Christ
- our team would remain healthy (our host family has been battling with a cold - the kids have had it, now the adults are fighting with it)
- Praise God that the stomach pain/upset that I had throughout the night on Tuesday has gone away. Thank you for your prayers.
- the church which we will be working with would be blessed as they follow up with those who will come this weekend
God bless,
Matt and Beth
Adventuresome walks
We went for a walk one Sunday afternoon to attempt to learn more Swahili - mainly the various greetings. It was a fun walk. The first person we met quickly pulled us aside and told us that we're doing it wrong - we're supposed to say 'hamjambo' because there are two of them. She continued to help us a little until a friend came along and started talking with her, and another man came along to see what was going on and started to help us as well. He walked with us for a while towards town, and started to ask if he could be our teacher (basically he was looking for a job). He eventually left us - probably figuring out that we didn't want to pay a teacher, and we continued into town.
Recently, we've moved in with a new host family because our previous one had a housing situation that forced them to move out. We've been invited to join them on a morning walk. Well, on the way we meet many people and practice what Swahili we know - mainly greeting others. We also meet several school children on their way to school each morning. They would play a game on the way kicking some fruit they picked from a tree (probably a green tangerine, passion fruit or something of the like) in front of them. Matt's picked-up on this and will in turn kick it back to them. Needless to say they have really enjoyed their walk to school in the mornings. I suspect they'll be quite disappointed next week when we'll be living in a village.
Recently, we've moved in with a new host family because our previous one had a housing situation that forced them to move out. We've been invited to join them on a morning walk. Well, on the way we meet many people and practice what Swahili we know - mainly greeting others. We also meet several school children on their way to school each morning. They would play a game on the way kicking some fruit they picked from a tree (probably a green tangerine, passion fruit or something of the like) in front of them. Matt's picked-up on this and will in turn kick it back to them. Needless to say they have really enjoyed their walk to school in the mornings. I suspect they'll be quite disappointed next week when we'll be living in a village.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Language Conference - Week 1
This week we had the blessing of working with a number of individuals from a language that, while it does have two books of the Bible - Mark and John, more than likely they will need some revision. The missionary who has been leading the workshop explained to us that this language group has sounds that are not in the trade language (Swahili) which will need to be determined and recorded. Then the books will need to be revised to match the completed alphabet. Beyond this, the workshop will be used to create a dictionary (from Swahili to their language) and to record some Bible stories.
We've had an interesting time with these individuals. They come from a mixed background - of faiths, and education. Some can speak English fairly well while others cannot speak any English. For a large portion of the day, we've been sitting in the back of the conference room entering the word lists they give us into the computer, but during breaks and lunch time we are able to have more interaction with them.
They are so patient with us. They've given us some words and phrases of their language and explained what they mean in English which we'll try to read through to understand their meaning, and then attempt to speak. On the one hand it can be a humbling experience having everyone laughing at us because we can't speak any of their language, but on the other hand it is moving to see how also they respond to us as we continually work on learning from them. We can see their eyes light up and their faces glow because they have never before heard a white person speak their language. And even though the 2 weeks which we have with this people group will not be enough time to learn their language to the point of verbally communicating the Gospel message to them I am positive they are seeing it demonstrated before them.
What would it be like to never have any literature published in your language? Can you imagine never being able to read a magazine or good book? Or what would it be like to be proud of who you are and where you have came from yet have others laugh at or even despise you because of your heart language?
If a person really thinks about it they will realize that language is at the very core of a person's being: it is how we think, it is how we respond to others, it is how we get things done, it is one of the ways we feel and show love, it is a God given gift.
Or could you imagine what it would be like if no one ever took the time to care enough for you to help you meet Jesus? Can you imagine the hopelessness that you would experience when going through rough situations? What would it be like to realize that life is meaningless, and only if you do enough good works maybe things will improve but you can never be certain?
By in large, this has been a reality for the 230,000 people which speak the language we are currently working with. Even though currently the majority of the people we are working are of another major world religion, we can tell that they see hope in the work that we are doing with them. For they are eager to work with us. We were not able to complete all of the work which we were striving for this week but it did not matter to them because they were willing to work on it on their own time. The work must get done was their response--we must know the Truth.
Please pray for this people group here in East Africa. Pray that God would continue to open their hearts to the Good News. Pray that God would rise up all of the workers necessary to complete this work from the translators, church planters, evangelists, support staff, etc. needed to see these 230,000 people saved.
We've had an interesting time with these individuals. They come from a mixed background - of faiths, and education. Some can speak English fairly well while others cannot speak any English. For a large portion of the day, we've been sitting in the back of the conference room entering the word lists they give us into the computer, but during breaks and lunch time we are able to have more interaction with them.
They are so patient with us. They've given us some words and phrases of their language and explained what they mean in English which we'll try to read through to understand their meaning, and then attempt to speak. On the one hand it can be a humbling experience having everyone laughing at us because we can't speak any of their language, but on the other hand it is moving to see how also they respond to us as we continually work on learning from them. We can see their eyes light up and their faces glow because they have never before heard a white person speak their language. And even though the 2 weeks which we have with this people group will not be enough time to learn their language to the point of verbally communicating the Gospel message to them I am positive they are seeing it demonstrated before them.
What would it be like to never have any literature published in your language? Can you imagine never being able to read a magazine or good book? Or what would it be like to be proud of who you are and where you have came from yet have others laugh at or even despise you because of your heart language?
If a person really thinks about it they will realize that language is at the very core of a person's being: it is how we think, it is how we respond to others, it is how we get things done, it is one of the ways we feel and show love, it is a God given gift.
Or could you imagine what it would be like if no one ever took the time to care enough for you to help you meet Jesus? Can you imagine the hopelessness that you would experience when going through rough situations? What would it be like to realize that life is meaningless, and only if you do enough good works maybe things will improve but you can never be certain?
By in large, this has been a reality for the 230,000 people which speak the language we are currently working with. Even though currently the majority of the people we are working are of another major world religion, we can tell that they see hope in the work that we are doing with them. For they are eager to work with us. We were not able to complete all of the work which we were striving for this week but it did not matter to them because they were willing to work on it on their own time. The work must get done was their response--we must know the Truth.
Please pray for this people group here in East Africa. Pray that God would continue to open their hearts to the Good News. Pray that God would rise up all of the workers necessary to complete this work from the translators, church planters, evangelists, support staff, etc. needed to see these 230,000 people saved.
Arrival and first week in E. Africa
We arrived safely on Tuesday June 14, and praise God we were able to get all of our luggage without them charging customs fees/taxes, etc. Then began the long journey to the branch location. Since we were beat from traveling for a couple of days and jet-lag we all slept for parts of the ride. Upon our arrival we were introduced to the majority of the missionaries staying here, distributed our luggage, met our host families and went home them after munching on a baked potato bar (it was delicious!). The rest of the week was more relaxed, we were given further orientation to the area (food safety, health, etc.) and some more serious language training.
Over the weekend, we got to get a brief glimpse of the market, played ultimate frisbee with the rest of the branch members and other Americans that are staying in the area. Sunday was delightful, we were blessed to go to a Swahili speaking church. It was definitely an interesting worship service, and it is amazing how God works things out - the man who preached that day shared about his calling to work as a missionary in another location. God is so amazing how He intertwines our lives together with fellow believers, prayer warriors, and persons of peace (those who the Holy Spirit has been working on, preparing them to hear the Gospel).
Throughout the week, we got to meet with different individuals of the branch and chat with them over lunch, training, etc. One thing that really sticks out in our mind is comment that someone had made to one of the missionaries we are working with when she was in Bible college years ago, they declared that they "could never to the mission field because then [they] couldn't sleep knowing of all the people who were dying and going to hell."
Did you catch that statement? Unless we do something about it countless millions will never know the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. Friends if this does not stir our hearts then maybe we need to repent because we are not where we need to be in our walk of faith.
Jesus said in John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
"O LORD give us a heart for the lost. Do not allow us to have any rest until we are burdened for the lost to the point of action. We pray that You will stamp eternity on our hearts that we may always do the things which will matter on that Day when You return."
Over the weekend, we got to get a brief glimpse of the market, played ultimate frisbee with the rest of the branch members and other Americans that are staying in the area. Sunday was delightful, we were blessed to go to a Swahili speaking church. It was definitely an interesting worship service, and it is amazing how God works things out - the man who preached that day shared about his calling to work as a missionary in another location. God is so amazing how He intertwines our lives together with fellow believers, prayer warriors, and persons of peace (those who the Holy Spirit has been working on, preparing them to hear the Gospel).
Throughout the week, we got to meet with different individuals of the branch and chat with them over lunch, training, etc. One thing that really sticks out in our mind is comment that someone had made to one of the missionaries we are working with when she was in Bible college years ago, they declared that they "could never to the mission field because then [they] couldn't sleep knowing of all the people who were dying and going to hell."
Did you catch that statement? Unless we do something about it countless millions will never know the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. Friends if this does not stir our hearts then maybe we need to repent because we are not where we need to be in our walk of faith.
Jesus said in John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
"O LORD give us a heart for the lost. Do not allow us to have any rest until we are burdened for the lost to the point of action. We pray that You will stamp eternity on our hearts that we may always do the things which will matter on that Day when You return."
Attributes of God
We mentioned in a previous post that during our Pre-Field Orientation (PFO) training we did devotions as a group to begin each day. One morning we listed off any attribute of God that came to mind alphabetically. Below you will find a number of those responses:
A - Awesomeness
B - Beauty
C - Close, creation, Christ compassion, come to us
D - Diligence, depth, daring, deliverance
E - Everlasting, excellence, ever-presence
F - Faithfulness, friendship, forgiveness, freedom, Father
G - Grace, generosity, giving Spirit
H - Hope, help, holiness
I - Ingenuity, integrity, insight, intimate
J - Justice, joy, jealousy, Jesus
K - Kind, kingship, keen awareness
L - Loyalty, laughter, love, languages, lion
M - Magnificent, mighty, merciful, most High
N - Near, new, noble, North Star
O - Optimistic, open, overall, only
P - Patient, perfect, pure, persistent
Q - Quiet, quick
R - Redeemer, risen, righteous, revealer, reign
S - Savior, sustainer, Shepherd, sympathetic, strength
T - Triumphant, thoughtful, trustworthy, tower of refuge, truth, timeless, timely
U - Unchanging, unwavering, uniter, unconditional love, united
V - Victorious, valliant, vigorous
W - Warrior, worthy, wild, watchful, wise
X- Xenagogue (a guide)
Y - Yearn, youthful, yield, yoke-is-light
Z - Zealous
A - Awesomeness
B - Beauty
C - Close, creation, Christ compassion, come to us
D - Diligence, depth, daring, deliverance
E - Everlasting, excellence, ever-presence
F - Faithfulness, friendship, forgiveness, freedom, Father
G - Grace, generosity, giving Spirit
H - Hope, help, holiness
I - Ingenuity, integrity, insight, intimate
J - Justice, joy, jealousy, Jesus
K - Kind, kingship, keen awareness
L - Loyalty, laughter, love, languages, lion
M - Magnificent, mighty, merciful, most High
N - Near, new, noble, North Star
O - Optimistic, open, overall, only
P - Patient, perfect, pure, persistent
Q - Quiet, quick
R - Redeemer, risen, righteous, revealer, reign
S - Savior, sustainer, Shepherd, sympathetic, strength
T - Triumphant, thoughtful, trustworthy, tower of refuge, truth, timeless, timely
U - Unchanging, unwavering, uniter, unconditional love, united
V - Victorious, valliant, vigorous
W - Warrior, worthy, wild, watchful, wise
X- Xenagogue (a guide)
Y - Yearn, youthful, yield, yoke-is-light
Z - Zealous
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Life of a Missionary
Good morning everyone,
Here is a glimpse into the day of a missionary... :-) Yesterday, Friday morning started out as a typical morning, but shortly before arriving at the compound where the office is located, the electricity went out. While we're on power rationing (which is unusual for this time of year since it's their 'winter' and the air conditioners, etc aren't in use) (our days for power rationing are Saturday and Monday) today wasn't our day for the outage, plus it usually goes off like clockwork - at 8:30 AM. Well, anyways, praise God for a back-up generator at the compound so the work could go on. The only problem is that the house where we're staying at doesn't have a generator so they went the whole day without electricity. This is fine, but since it was unexpected, we weren't prepared for it - it was the intern's laundry day. So, the laundry didn't get done which is sorely needed.
Then, after the language workshop was over we returned home to an exciting evening. Another family had planned to have a date night, so their kids were spending the night at our place. So, we got to play with them while Emily fixed dinner -- praise God she has a gas range. We waited for a little while, expecting the power to come back on by 6:30, the usual time, but it didn't come on. So, we ate dinner in candle light - the kids at one table and the adults (Emily and Chris-who have been our host family, and us interns - Kailyn, Matt and I) at another. The topic at the adult's table is Chris and Emily's housing situation -- unless they're willing to pay almost double what they've been paying in rent they have to move - by Tuesday! After dinner, we sat down for a movie - praise God we were able to find a laptop that was charged. We got about 95% of the way through the movie before the laptop lost power. Then it was time for the kids to go to bed... which was another exciting adventure.
The girl got to sleep with Kailyn, but the three boys got to sleep in the living room - we pushed the two chairs together for one of the boys, took the cushions off a couch which was on the porch for the second and the third got to sleep on the couch. Then when we went to stretch the mosquito nets over the kids, we discovered that somehow the nets had collected a bug or two - gigantic cockroaches and a couple small spiders. It jumped on Emily, she just shook it off which sent it my way, so I followed her lead and shook it off. Matt was trying to get me to kill it, but not with the flashlight! But I wasn't going to step on it with my bare feet!!! So he came over and by that time we figured we lost it under the cushions (one of the beds). But alas, it was on Matt's leg (or is this a second one?). He tried killing it, but it was alluding the death pinchers of Matt and instead flew to the shelf above the main doorway - which went back 6 feet. But, it didn't stay there. Soon it was sitting on the edge of the shelf watching what was going on with its bird's eye perch. Well, by that time Matt had grabbed the bug-zapper -- a tennis racket that is geared with an electrical charge that will zap any bug near it, and went after it. With Chris's help the boys have a successful hunt -- the bug got zapped and what a zapping it was! Now we just had to calm everyone down, assure them that a herd of cockroaches wasn't waiting to get them nor would Matt with his amazing bug-zapper. We were able to get everyone settled down for a good night's sleep and went to our own beds. And while we awoke this morning with power, there may be a chance that in an hour from now we'll loose it for the day. Guess the laundry might not get done until Monday, but that's one day in the life of a missionary.
:-)
Praise God this is not the story everyday!
I've been studying the fruits of the Spirit and decided to do a word study on 'joy.' The first passage I looked up was Deut. 28:47-48 which follows the description of curses that God would pour out on the people if they didn't serve God with joy and a glad heart for the abundance of all things. Praise God that we do have many things. We were able to continue to serve Him even when the electricity is out. In fact, electricity isn't necessarily needed to do ministry. Praise God that we do have clothes to wear. Praise God for the wonderful prayer partners that God has surrounded us with.
Here is a glimpse into the day of a missionary... :-) Yesterday, Friday morning started out as a typical morning, but shortly before arriving at the compound where the office is located, the electricity went out. While we're on power rationing (which is unusual for this time of year since it's their 'winter' and the air conditioners, etc aren't in use) (our days for power rationing are Saturday and Monday) today wasn't our day for the outage, plus it usually goes off like clockwork - at 8:30 AM. Well, anyways, praise God for a back-up generator at the compound so the work could go on. The only problem is that the house where we're staying at doesn't have a generator so they went the whole day without electricity. This is fine, but since it was unexpected, we weren't prepared for it - it was the intern's laundry day. So, the laundry didn't get done which is sorely needed.
Then, after the language workshop was over we returned home to an exciting evening. Another family had planned to have a date night, so their kids were spending the night at our place. So, we got to play with them while Emily fixed dinner -- praise God she has a gas range. We waited for a little while, expecting the power to come back on by 6:30, the usual time, but it didn't come on. So, we ate dinner in candle light - the kids at one table and the adults (Emily and Chris-who have been our host family, and us interns - Kailyn, Matt and I) at another. The topic at the adult's table is Chris and Emily's housing situation -- unless they're willing to pay almost double what they've been paying in rent they have to move - by Tuesday! After dinner, we sat down for a movie - praise God we were able to find a laptop that was charged. We got about 95% of the way through the movie before the laptop lost power. Then it was time for the kids to go to bed... which was another exciting adventure.
The girl got to sleep with Kailyn, but the three boys got to sleep in the living room - we pushed the two chairs together for one of the boys, took the cushions off a couch which was on the porch for the second and the third got to sleep on the couch. Then when we went to stretch the mosquito nets over the kids, we discovered that somehow the nets had collected a bug or two - gigantic cockroaches and a couple small spiders. It jumped on Emily, she just shook it off which sent it my way, so I followed her lead and shook it off. Matt was trying to get me to kill it, but not with the flashlight! But I wasn't going to step on it with my bare feet!!! So he came over and by that time we figured we lost it under the cushions (one of the beds). But alas, it was on Matt's leg (or is this a second one?). He tried killing it, but it was alluding the death pinchers of Matt and instead flew to the shelf above the main doorway - which went back 6 feet. But, it didn't stay there. Soon it was sitting on the edge of the shelf watching what was going on with its bird's eye perch. Well, by that time Matt had grabbed the bug-zapper -- a tennis racket that is geared with an electrical charge that will zap any bug near it, and went after it. With Chris's help the boys have a successful hunt -- the bug got zapped and what a zapping it was! Now we just had to calm everyone down, assure them that a herd of cockroaches wasn't waiting to get them nor would Matt with his amazing bug-zapper. We were able to get everyone settled down for a good night's sleep and went to our own beds. And while we awoke this morning with power, there may be a chance that in an hour from now we'll loose it for the day. Guess the laundry might not get done until Monday, but that's one day in the life of a missionary.
:-)
Praise God this is not the story everyday!
I've been studying the fruits of the Spirit and decided to do a word study on 'joy.' The first passage I looked up was Deut. 28:47-48 which follows the description of curses that God would pour out on the people if they didn't serve God with joy and a glad heart for the abundance of all things. Praise God that we do have many things. We were able to continue to serve Him even when the electricity is out. In fact, electricity isn't necessarily needed to do ministry. Praise God that we do have clothes to wear. Praise God for the wonderful prayer partners that God has surrounded us with.
Monday, June 20, 2011
A Reflection of 9 Hours in London
One week ago today, we got the chance to spend 9 hours in a city that many people only dream of going to--London, England. Our 9 hours were fantastic. We were able to see some of the premier sites that London is famous for, Buckingham Palace right at the time of the changing of the guard, Big Ben, and Westminster Chapel. We saw the places where numerous films have been shot; the sites and sounds were so vivid in these picturesque locations that we could easily relive many of those movies which we have seen throughout the years.
Many of these historical centerpieces directed my thoughts to a nation from which countless Christians have called home. People who were willing to give up everything so that others could know the truth of Jesus Christ. Men and women who stood for Christ no matter the cost. People who died for their faith, and others who had to do something even more difficult--they had to LIVE for their faith; they had to love the unloveable, face rejection from friends and family members just because they were a Christian; and they had to persist when they felt like giving up.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:5, "He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments (a sign of purity instead of the filthy garments which our sins deserve); and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and His angels.
Those were the thoughts which ran through my mind for the majority of the time that we were in London. But then while I was buying a juice in a store at the London airport all those thoughts instantly melted away as I took one look at the British currency which I was using to pay for my juice. On the one side was the picture of the Queen of England (as one would expect) but on the other side was the picture of Charles Darwin!
In Revelation 2:5 Jesus says, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lamp-stand (the church) out of its place--unless you repent." This is what has happened to a large extent in not just England but much of Europe; and now unfortunately, it is even in the USA.
The only question that remands for us regarding this reflection of 9 hours in London is our response, because unless the church in the USA heeds this warning the church here for the most part will be just like the majority of the church in London--spiritually DEAD, so much so that our currency will reflect it as well.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:6)
"O Lord, may it never be! Open our eyes to see the need of our generation, and grant us the strength to endure when so many are giving up to the ways of this world because it is 'IN [You], GOD [that] WE TRUST.'"
Many of these historical centerpieces directed my thoughts to a nation from which countless Christians have called home. People who were willing to give up everything so that others could know the truth of Jesus Christ. Men and women who stood for Christ no matter the cost. People who died for their faith, and others who had to do something even more difficult--they had to LIVE for their faith; they had to love the unloveable, face rejection from friends and family members just because they were a Christian; and they had to persist when they felt like giving up.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:5, "He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments (a sign of purity instead of the filthy garments which our sins deserve); and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and His angels.
Those were the thoughts which ran through my mind for the majority of the time that we were in London. But then while I was buying a juice in a store at the London airport all those thoughts instantly melted away as I took one look at the British currency which I was using to pay for my juice. On the one side was the picture of the Queen of England (as one would expect) but on the other side was the picture of Charles Darwin!
In Revelation 2:5 Jesus says, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lamp-stand (the church) out of its place--unless you repent." This is what has happened to a large extent in not just England but much of Europe; and now unfortunately, it is even in the USA.
The only question that remands for us regarding this reflection of 9 hours in London is our response, because unless the church in the USA heeds this warning the church here for the most part will be just like the majority of the church in London--spiritually DEAD, so much so that our currency will reflect it as well.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:6)
"O Lord, may it never be! Open our eyes to see the need of our generation, and grant us the strength to endure when so many are giving up to the ways of this world because it is 'IN [You], GOD [that] WE TRUST.'"
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The real adventure is about to begin
The adventure has only just begun. We've been blessed with two weeks of training - the first week with about 18 other interns preparing for their internship to various locations. We were able to do some team building, culture and language learning... along with some fun. :-) Not to mention the preparation time being in the Texas heat and investigating all of the new critters... from spiders, fire ants, scorpions and the like.
During the first week, we had some amazing devotional times together. One morning we discussed what the Kingdom of God is, and how we might see it expand throughout the summer. Another morning we explored John 15 and shared what stood out to each of us, one of the things that we found is that in verse 16, Jesus told His disciples that He chose them and commissioned them to go and bear fruit. We are to do likewise. Another morning, we went through the alphabet sharing words that described God, or words that we could use to praise Him with. We were able to get some of those characteristics on paper which we'll have to share with you at a later date.
This last week we've had a wonderful, though jam-packed time with more general training with individuals interested in PBT - we've been learning about the various fields PBT is working in, and others that are opening up. We've discussed endeavors that the missionaries have experienced - whether it be transitions, culture stress, or the blessings of spiritual growth. There have been times to chat with missionaries who are preparing to return to the field and others who have recently returned for their furlough time. God is so good.
We'll be leaving tomorrow for the bigger adventure in Africa. We are in the midst of cleaning the mobile home we've been living in for the past two weeks, and finalizing packing. Praise God for such a wonderful place to stay.
Prayer list:
Praise God:
For the ability that we've had to learn and grow in preparation for the internship.
For the wonderful time in Dallas to meet and chat with interns and missionaries from various fields.
For the opportunity to serve Him and further explore His calling on our lives.
Prayer requests:
Please pray that our team is able to experience unity throughout the trip, and that we can gel with the team that is already on the field.
Please pray that we might be able to learn the trade language quickly and be able to communicate the Gospel message clearly to the people of Africa through our actions and words.
Please pray that we would find open doors in the hearts of the people we will be ministering to.
Thank you for your partnership with us in praying for, encouraging, and supporting us as we seek to follow God's will and make disciple-makers throughout the world. Thank you also for the opportunity that we have to pray for you.
Blessings,
Matt and Beth
During the first week, we had some amazing devotional times together. One morning we discussed what the Kingdom of God is, and how we might see it expand throughout the summer. Another morning we explored John 15 and shared what stood out to each of us, one of the things that we found is that in verse 16, Jesus told His disciples that He chose them and commissioned them to go and bear fruit. We are to do likewise. Another morning, we went through the alphabet sharing words that described God, or words that we could use to praise Him with. We were able to get some of those characteristics on paper which we'll have to share with you at a later date.
This last week we've had a wonderful, though jam-packed time with more general training with individuals interested in PBT - we've been learning about the various fields PBT is working in, and others that are opening up. We've discussed endeavors that the missionaries have experienced - whether it be transitions, culture stress, or the blessings of spiritual growth. There have been times to chat with missionaries who are preparing to return to the field and others who have recently returned for their furlough time. God is so good.
We'll be leaving tomorrow for the bigger adventure in Africa. We are in the midst of cleaning the mobile home we've been living in for the past two weeks, and finalizing packing. Praise God for such a wonderful place to stay.
Prayer list:
Praise God:
For the ability that we've had to learn and grow in preparation for the internship.
For the wonderful time in Dallas to meet and chat with interns and missionaries from various fields.
For the opportunity to serve Him and further explore His calling on our lives.
Prayer requests:
Please pray that our team is able to experience unity throughout the trip, and that we can gel with the team that is already on the field.
Please pray that we might be able to learn the trade language quickly and be able to communicate the Gospel message clearly to the people of Africa through our actions and words.
Please pray that we would find open doors in the hearts of the people we will be ministering to.
Thank you for your partnership with us in praying for, encouraging, and supporting us as we seek to follow God's will and make disciple-makers throughout the world. Thank you also for the opportunity that we have to pray for you.
Blessings,
Matt and Beth
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