Missionary Chronicles

Oh the life of a missionary! I still remember that day I told God I would be thrilled to go for him. What was too much to ask compared to what He had done for us? Giving up the life of luxury my husband's job afforded us and the kids to be trusted to give love to the poor wasn't so hard at the time. We had faith but there was a little uneasiness in the camp. How would God support us? We didn't know! Our nine-year old was not impressed! He didn't want to move! We had a huge estate sale selling all our collectable antiques, sold the house and cars and moved to the inner city. Ten years later we sold everything we had again and moved to Cape Town, South Africa. God had been faithful in those ten years. We hadn't always lived comfortable and there were times even when I cleaned houses to pay for school tuition. The ministry needs were met, maybe not always when we needed it but surely God never abandoned us! So we trusted him for Africa, too! Whew! How we trusted Him!

Thinking about that word missionary brings me to a realization. Missionaries are usually seasonal. They don't normally give their whole lives up, but serve God for a certain time. So what does that make us? We've given our lives to live for Christ wherever He would ask us to go. This is no light statement. It basically means that no matter what, where, when or how we say, "We will go for you, Lord."

I've come to realize that is a lifestyle statement rather than a career choice. We will literally go for God wherever we are whenever He chooses. So that is at the grocery store, the pharmacy, post office, library, school, work, bus stop, train, traffic light, etc. Once we've made that commitment there is something else required. Like Jesus, we need to be in such relationship with God that we know what He's doing! How can that be? Well, we don't promise to know everything God's doing only that which He has asked of us. How? John White used to call it 'unbroken communion with God'. He was constantly in conversation with our Lord. Perhaps telling him what was on his heart, what he saw, experienced, lamented about, cried out for, had compassion for, etc.

So obeying, following and making that commitment to God brings me to the place where asking for donations seems a bit trite! Almighty God has asked me to go for Him into the nations! Why should I ask you to help? Why should I think I deserve anything from you? Good news, I don't! When I ask it is truly offering you a position to serve God with me, where you actually partner with God. Your financial giving not only supports me and my family but enables us to go places, meet people and reach out to them to supply their needs as God leads us. How can you trust me? What accountability is there in this day and age that assures you that I am not living off your money alone for myself? Trust,faith and this little scripture in the Bible that says 'if you are faithful to obey and follow my commands as I lead you then I will bless you!' He is faithful to pay back all those who loan to Him. As I write that for you I realize it is the faith with which we have moved to South Africa and spent our own funds to go to places like Rwanda, Uganda, and other nations. Because we believe God will provide. This is where He gives folks like you the opportunity to go for Him!

Well, sometimes all that gets a bit clogged up and people like us who gave up permanent paychecks to share life with the poor get held up by those obstacles. This puts us in situations where we might need to sell our car to pay the bills for the month. There are times when God has given us the opportunity to give our car away to others who are in need. We have always trusted that He will provide even more when He asks us to do things like that. So we don't shake our heads and hide in the sand, we do it! People get blessed, God gets all the glory!

Right now we are in great need. Monthly support dwindles. Some have said because there is skepticism about our name and locating in South Africa could link them to people thinking we are a terrorist organization! Some are unsure how to hold us accountable, not because we've done anything wrong, but they maybe have been burned by others. Some are just going through tough seasons themselves and don't really have any to give. Grace and peace to all of you! Please pray for us. Please ask God for those who can give to be obedient. And for heaven's sake, please trust us. We live our lives completely in God's eyes and presence. And as God counts on you to be extensions of His provision, we do too as we go to those who are crying out to Him here and in the nations of Africa. We really do have a heart for the poor, for the youth and the nations. We really are raising funds to build family homes for many children left orphans due to the genocide in Rwanda and neighboring countries. We really are working as hard as we know how to bring hope, peace, joy and God's presence to those formerly unaware of Him. But we can't do it without you. Thanks for believing with us and in us. Most of all, we covet your prayers and relationship!