Most of us are acquainted with terms such as "orientation" and "cross-cultural training", but the children I worked with could never understand what these terms meant, so we have chosen to use the plain old term, "Missionary School" where we find ourselves right now. One might ask, "What is Missionary School anyway?" and we would respond, "A place where we learn all the ins and outs of becoming a missionary." After waiting around for months for this time to come we find ourselves rising every day at 6:00 am to get to breakfast at 7 and class at 8. We finish at 3:00 when we get in our 30-60 minutes of exercise and a little quiet time with the Lord before dinner at 5 pm. Then it's "free time" to get our homework done - assignments such as scavenger hunts, medical form updates and reading assignments. We learn how to bravely prepare for numerous immunizations and become part of a team with jobs such as mail room volunteers, administration assistants, facilities set up (a good job for future church planters) and prayer coordinators. We are living "in community" with other "units" which are comprised of singles, young marrieds, old marrieds (us) and marrieds with kids.
We are supposed to be watching our weight, exercising regularly and getting plenty of rest. It looks more like - 3 huge meals each day, sitting in class for 7 hours each day and fitting in sleep when possible. Yesterday we learned we have to run the mile! Are you kidding! I couldn't run the mile when I was 12, let alone 52! We were given a hint that we should make sure we don't run too fast for this mile run because we will have to run again at the end to see our improvement! She mentioned that progress is difficult because of all the food and sitting! Really, I say all of this in fun - even though it is true. We shall overcome and endure to the end! We are two days in and only...hmmm...50 days to go!
I plan on staying up to date as "journaling" is also one of our assignments. I figured this could pass for journaling.
What has God taught me so far? A little patience. He is still refining me. "The job of the sent one is to proclaim salvation to the lost who have not heard." A new vision for evangelism...I can't wait to share my story with you next week.
To close - "Then He appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach" Mark 3:14 NLT
I love you all!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Disappointment to Contentment...
Yesterday I was greeted in the morning with a huge disappointment. It wasn't unexpected, but our hope was to be able to avoid some additional training and so be on the field sooner. As I had my quiet time later that morning I did my fair share of arguing with the Lord and in His great wisdom He decided to teach me a thing or two...
I am currently working through the study, "Believing God", by Beth Moore. The first week is a study on motivations for living and active life of faith. I was on day 5 and we had studied five motivations for living a life of active faith that the scriptures teach us - that day we were blessed to finally learn "HOW" to achieve an active and growing faith life. We talked about things such as reading and listening to the Word, asking God to increase our faith and confessing our unbelief. Lastly, she stated that to grow in our faith we need to 'practice' faith. We need to feed on God's faithfulness. To walk in a way that continually looks to the faithfulness of God in the past, for our today and his promises for our future.
One thing He impressed upon me was that I was not trusting Him for my future. I did not believe that He knew better than I. I realized that I needed to confess my unbelief and trust God for my future. I also needed to take a look at my past and remember the faithfulness of Him who called me to serve Him. I needed to remember that often times He uses other people to get us where He wants us to be. We don't have to understand - we just need to be obedient.
I don't know why our training time is extended. God knows. I don't know why I will be sent to a different city, in a different country to meet new people and develop new relationships. But I think back to the ministry of Paul and his missionary journeys. He knew where he would end up, but he never knew exactly what path God would lead him on to get there. He too had developed many close friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord whom he had to say good bye to. He wrote them letters and encouraged them as they grew in their faith. Some times he was able to return to them and encourage them in their work. Other times he knew he would never see them again.
Yesterday I felt tired. I didn't know if I would be able to continue on. (Now what kind of missionary is this you say?). Today - I am refreshed. I am refreshed because I have relinquished control of my life back to God. I am His sheep - He is my Shepherd. He loves me and cares deeply for me. I can trust Him for tomorrow.
The Lord laid Psalm 100 upon my heart this morning:
"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord; He is God. It is He who has made you, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations."
I am currently working through the study, "Believing God", by Beth Moore. The first week is a study on motivations for living and active life of faith. I was on day 5 and we had studied five motivations for living a life of active faith that the scriptures teach us - that day we were blessed to finally learn "HOW" to achieve an active and growing faith life. We talked about things such as reading and listening to the Word, asking God to increase our faith and confessing our unbelief. Lastly, she stated that to grow in our faith we need to 'practice' faith. We need to feed on God's faithfulness. To walk in a way that continually looks to the faithfulness of God in the past, for our today and his promises for our future.
One thing He impressed upon me was that I was not trusting Him for my future. I did not believe that He knew better than I. I realized that I needed to confess my unbelief and trust God for my future. I also needed to take a look at my past and remember the faithfulness of Him who called me to serve Him. I needed to remember that often times He uses other people to get us where He wants us to be. We don't have to understand - we just need to be obedient.
I don't know why our training time is extended. God knows. I don't know why I will be sent to a different city, in a different country to meet new people and develop new relationships. But I think back to the ministry of Paul and his missionary journeys. He knew where he would end up, but he never knew exactly what path God would lead him on to get there. He too had developed many close friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord whom he had to say good bye to. He wrote them letters and encouraged them as they grew in their faith. Some times he was able to return to them and encourage them in their work. Other times he knew he would never see them again.
Yesterday I felt tired. I didn't know if I would be able to continue on. (Now what kind of missionary is this you say?). Today - I am refreshed. I am refreshed because I have relinquished control of my life back to God. I am His sheep - He is my Shepherd. He loves me and cares deeply for me. I can trust Him for tomorrow.
The Lord laid Psalm 100 upon my heart this morning:
"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord; He is God. It is He who has made you, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations."
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Hot, hotter, hottest...
Here in the Pacific Northwest we have experienced some interesting weather lately. Just yesterday we were driving outside the city and noticed SNOW in the foothills. Rob mentioned how beautiful it was - I quickly stated, "that's beautiful in November, December, January, February and maybe even the beginning of March - but today it's not beautiful". Not long after that we noticed a man driving his convertible down the freeway with his top down! Within moments the clouds opened up and it was pouring! Who does that!?! Maybe he thought, "If I want it bad enough and have faith the sun will shine"? Needless to say, he quickly found an overpass to park under and put his top up. Today the sun is shining beautifully, but the house behind us has frost on it's roof. The trees are blossoming and the daffodils have sprouted and bloomed - a miracle after all this Northwest spring rain!
In Thailand it is said that there are three seasons - hot, hotter and hottest. They are in the middle of "hottest" right now and coming upon the time of the Thai New Year celebration of Song Krang. Mango's and sticky rice are the stars of the season! This will be followed by "Hotter" which will also usher in the rain - badly needed for all that jasmine rice you love - but in too great of quantities everything is ruined. That was last year - I'm sure you heard about it. The rain didn't stop for months it seemed. You've noticed the higher prices on electronics? That's why. When November comes around we can count on temps cooling and changing into what is known as the "hot" season. We were blessed our first year living there when we woke up on Christmas morning and had to turn the fans off and put our sweats on. It was 68 degrees (at least for the morning). I believe it was the coolest day we had in our area of the country the entire 4 years we lived there.
For the most part we have faith that the seasons will come and change on queue. We know when the trees will blossom - when they will get their leaves and when the leaves will fall - leaving dry and barren branches for the winter with hope for spring to arrive and start the process again. Then a strange thing happens, snow falls in April or the rain, which normally falls for an hour and then stops, continues for days and we find ourselves in a bit of despair. We begin to question why? Some may chalk it up to "global warming", others may say "it's signs of the end of days and Christ's return"? God just wants us to know that it's His small way of making Himself known. In the midst of the snow - cherry blossoms and daffodils. In the midst of the rain - love and charity for those who are hurting and opportunities for Thai believers to minister in the name of the One True God.
Tomorrow we celebrate Easter! Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. He was separated from His Father for the first time ever to be the only worthy and final blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Not a normal Passover for those who had traveled to Jerusalem for the feast and celebration - but we know that nothing would ever be "normal" for them again, because we know without a doubt that Jesus conquered that grave, rose from the dead and is even now sitting at the right hand of God the Father Almighty!
When all else seems strange and unsure...God is faithful. "So let us draw near (to God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:22-23 (parenthesis mine)
In Thailand it is said that there are three seasons - hot, hotter and hottest. They are in the middle of "hottest" right now and coming upon the time of the Thai New Year celebration of Song Krang. Mango's and sticky rice are the stars of the season! This will be followed by "Hotter" which will also usher in the rain - badly needed for all that jasmine rice you love - but in too great of quantities everything is ruined. That was last year - I'm sure you heard about it. The rain didn't stop for months it seemed. You've noticed the higher prices on electronics? That's why. When November comes around we can count on temps cooling and changing into what is known as the "hot" season. We were blessed our first year living there when we woke up on Christmas morning and had to turn the fans off and put our sweats on. It was 68 degrees (at least for the morning). I believe it was the coolest day we had in our area of the country the entire 4 years we lived there.
For the most part we have faith that the seasons will come and change on queue. We know when the trees will blossom - when they will get their leaves and when the leaves will fall - leaving dry and barren branches for the winter with hope for spring to arrive and start the process again. Then a strange thing happens, snow falls in April or the rain, which normally falls for an hour and then stops, continues for days and we find ourselves in a bit of despair. We begin to question why? Some may chalk it up to "global warming", others may say "it's signs of the end of days and Christ's return"? God just wants us to know that it's His small way of making Himself known. In the midst of the snow - cherry blossoms and daffodils. In the midst of the rain - love and charity for those who are hurting and opportunities for Thai believers to minister in the name of the One True God.
Tomorrow we celebrate Easter! Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. He was separated from His Father for the first time ever to be the only worthy and final blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Not a normal Passover for those who had traveled to Jerusalem for the feast and celebration - but we know that nothing would ever be "normal" for them again, because we know without a doubt that Jesus conquered that grave, rose from the dead and is even now sitting at the right hand of God the Father Almighty!
When all else seems strange and unsure...God is faithful. "So let us draw near (to God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:22-23 (parenthesis mine)
Friday, April 6, 2012
Are your kids going with you...
In 1992, one of the most common questions we were asked was, "are your kids going with you?" We would grin on the outside and roll over in laughter on the inside as we thought, "who else would want them?" No, really, we love them very much and as Christian parents we are fully aware of the blessing of children and the responsibility we have to "raise them up in the fear of the Lord". So, of course, the children went to Thailand with us.
They were amazing missionary kids (or kids who are missionaries as my son once said). They allowed people to touch their blonde hair and feel their white skin. They did their best to eat strange foods like pigs ears, pigs blood and many strange "green" vegetables. They slept on hard floors and in hot, hot rooms. We had to teach them that they must be prepared to be disappointed because you never knew for sure if the water park we were going to was actually going to be open that day, or the movie would actually be showing (in English). On Sundays they were immersed in church for almost an entire day and mostly in a language they did not understand - but they were little troopers. When we were in town we had to contend with prostitutes who wanted to dote on them and the transvestites who were always friendly and they had to decide whether that lady was a girl or a guy.
On the upside - they had a "helper" who made their beds and cleaned their rooms for them every day (even when their mom said please do not do it). They were done with school by noon every day and had the remainder of the day to play. They lived in a world of continual sunshine and across the street from the beach. McDonald's delivered to our house and the ice cream man came every day.
Well, they are now raised and people continue to ask the question, "what will your kids do?" Well, our "kids" (who are all young adults) will continue to do the things they are doing. We are pleased that they all have special relationships with God and with others. They are all active in their churches and all three of them are maintaining a home and working. They all have an understanding of our call to go to the Ends of the Earth and they have a special place in their hearts reserved for the people of Thailand. A people who helped to form them into the individuals they have grown to be.
Is it easy to leave them here? NO! We praise God for the many means of easy communication we have today. Our biggest obstacle will be the time difference which is 12-15 hours.
In Isaiah 54, God promises the Jewish people that even though He had turned His back on them for a time He will bless them - that His kindness is everlasting and that His covenant of peace would not be removed - a portion of that blessing is verse 13, "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children." This is the promise I continue to claim for my children - that they will continue to have open hearts to learn from the Lord and His peace will be over them forever.
May your Good Friday be meaningful and thoughtful:
"Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. Having said this, He breathed His last." Luke 23:44-46
They were amazing missionary kids (or kids who are missionaries as my son once said). They allowed people to touch their blonde hair and feel their white skin. They did their best to eat strange foods like pigs ears, pigs blood and many strange "green" vegetables. They slept on hard floors and in hot, hot rooms. We had to teach them that they must be prepared to be disappointed because you never knew for sure if the water park we were going to was actually going to be open that day, or the movie would actually be showing (in English). On Sundays they were immersed in church for almost an entire day and mostly in a language they did not understand - but they were little troopers. When we were in town we had to contend with prostitutes who wanted to dote on them and the transvestites who were always friendly and they had to decide whether that lady was a girl or a guy.
On the upside - they had a "helper" who made their beds and cleaned their rooms for them every day (even when their mom said please do not do it). They were done with school by noon every day and had the remainder of the day to play. They lived in a world of continual sunshine and across the street from the beach. McDonald's delivered to our house and the ice cream man came every day.
Well, they are now raised and people continue to ask the question, "what will your kids do?" Well, our "kids" (who are all young adults) will continue to do the things they are doing. We are pleased that they all have special relationships with God and with others. They are all active in their churches and all three of them are maintaining a home and working. They all have an understanding of our call to go to the Ends of the Earth and they have a special place in their hearts reserved for the people of Thailand. A people who helped to form them into the individuals they have grown to be.
Is it easy to leave them here? NO! We praise God for the many means of easy communication we have today. Our biggest obstacle will be the time difference which is 12-15 hours.
In Isaiah 54, God promises the Jewish people that even though He had turned His back on them for a time He will bless them - that His kindness is everlasting and that His covenant of peace would not be removed - a portion of that blessing is verse 13, "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children." This is the promise I continue to claim for my children - that they will continue to have open hearts to learn from the Lord and His peace will be over them forever.
May your Good Friday be meaningful and thoughtful:
"Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. Having said this, He breathed His last." Luke 23:44-46
Thursday, April 5, 2012
In the beginning...
For Rob and I, in the beginning, refers to an introduction of Rob to me by my then boyfriend, Eldon. A friendship develops...an old relationship dissolves...and in a matter of months an assurance in my very being that Rob is the one for me! (You will have to use your imagination if you want more details related to the ...'s) We marry in 1980 -and from then on God has on a roller coaster consisting of youth ministry, pastoring, church planting, seminary, 3 kids and then before we know it God literally shocks us when He says "If you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry." Isaiah 58:10-11.
International Missions! All I knew was that missionaries feed people who live in hot dry places! That day the Lord said to me, "Lori, if you are obedient and you go I will make your light to shine in the darkness and your life will be a well watered garden - your springs will NEVER run dry." We surely desired God's blessing so Rob and I said - YES!
That was 1992. We packed up and moved to Thailand with our 3 children; Bethany - 8, Jared - 6 and Anna - 2. In 1997, we returned to the States with sadness in our hearts and a humble prayer that if the Lord would allow us to return again some day - we would be willing to go. So...after more pastoring, church planting and amazing opportunities to work with ethnic churches, God has said GO! We are blessed!
2012...
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