From America to Africa and Back…Thank YOU

To those gracious and generous souls who supported Timothy and me on our trip… thank you!  Your prayers and connections through Facebook and emails greatly encouraged us and our team while we were in Africa.  And I can’t help but wonder how differently our trip would have felt and progressed without your prayers?!  After all, our flight to Liberia was to take only two days.  Instead, it took six!  I truly believe our team was under attack as time after time our progress was delayed or halted altogether.  But the enemy can only bring what the Lord permits and in the end we did arrive and do what we felt God had called us to do. 

Once in country, our shortened trip took us directly to the Bush (jungle area).  When we arrived at the small jungle village, we were greeted in the dark of night by over 50 pastors and teachers, many which had come from miles away for the training we would lead.  Amidst dancing and singing, a welcoming ceremony unfolded in a little church where only a few years ago people had never even heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Now, pastors were assembling to learn how to better handle God’s Word.  I’m a bit emotional and greatly humbled to think I had the opportunity to minister amongst them. 

There were 22 “hopeful” and “hungry” pastors in all, some of whom had walked several hours just to attend.  “Hopeful” that amidst the persecution they face in this area –  that the blinders would be removed from the hearts of those with whom they share Jesus.  “Hungry” that more materials, more Bibles, and more training would come to their obscure little part of the world. 

Kerry Buttram, Robby Wisnewski, and myself spent hours teaching through II Timothy (we only made it up to chapter 3!) and parts of Acts.  The pastors themselves had many questions, some dealing with various passages and some dealing with practical issues facing the African Church. “What is the sin unto death?” and “What should we do with a man who has four wives and becomes a believer?” were just two examples.  Just everyday, run-of-the-mill questions…

…I was seeing what it is like for pastors, many of whom were just young Christians themselves – who live in hostile environments – gulp down whatever spiritual water was shared with them and they still wanted more.  Some of these “pastors” had taken the role because out of the few believers in their area, they may be the only one who could read.  And so they try to faithfully follow the Savior, relying on the Spirit and the knowledge that only Jesus satisfies.  Their parting words to us:  “Please come again.  Come again with MORE.”  So, as I write, I’m asking the Lord to make that a reality.

As we were greeted by the Elders of the town, we heard them say, “we are glad you have come.  You’ve even brought your children to meet our children.  Thank you.”  God is definitely up to something!  Please pray for the pastors in this area.  The opportunity is there, but because of the established religion in the area, my heart tells me that the persecution is going to grow.

After three nights in the jungle, our team did return to the capital city, Monrovia, on Thursday the 16th.  After three days of “bucket baths” in the jungle, we were able to enjoy a shower with running water!  Oh the comforts I take for granted!  But it felt sooooo good.  Later that night, we also went to a restaurant and enjoyed a nice meal.  

On Friday, we were greeted by 57 teachers from 4 different Christian Schools on the campus of E.L.W.A. Christian Academy.  Rob Marks, Karen Rigsby, Lisa Romines, and myself taught on a variety of topics … everything from assessment to worldviews.  The teachers were separated into two groups:  preschool – 1^st grade, and then all the other grades above them.  The teachers received our seminars gladly and readily.  It is humbling to be used as an encourager to men and women who are being used by God to repair the lives of a city that has been crushed and destroyed by a war that went on for 14 years… most of those years without education. 

I don’t think our team ever met anyone who hadn’t experienced loss, who hadn’t had their lives turned upside down.  There is still no electricity in homes or businesses unless there is a generator to run things.  Poverty is rampant.  Traffic is chaotic.  Pollution is suffocating.  And yet, God is working, moving, unfazed by a lack of technology and commerce.  These things will come and indeed are coming back even today.  And so is Jesus and the church He is building there. 

Pray for Liberia.  Pray for Samaritan’s Purse.  They have HUGE opportunities to affect this country for Christ.   So does Water of Life, another organization that we partner with in Liberia.  The wells and clean water they are bringing to people in Jesus’ name is showing Christ’s love in very powerful and practical ways. 

Thank you again for your prayers.  And for those of you who gave financially – Timothy and I are so appreciative.  May the Lord richly repay you for your kindness.

P.S.  There is some intentional vagueness on my part related to locations and religions.  If you want more information, get in contact with me.  🙂

The Credit Line of Jesus…

Spurgeon had a way with words and imagery…

“Do not give me ready money now; give a cheque book, and let me draw what I like. That is what God does with the believer. He does not immediately transfer his inheritance to him, but lets him draw what he needs out of the riches of His fulness in Christ Jesus.”

Charles Spurgeon, The Lord is my Shepherd

“…this wonder fills me with astonishment.”

What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of Days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infant’s bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness.

John Chrysostom

Tributes of Thanks

I had a chance to watch some of the Football Hall of Fame enshrinement on Saturday evening.  The Class of 2008 included Fred Dean, Darrell Green, Art Monk, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett, and Gary Zimmerman.  As I watched I was struck by the fact that to a man, these great ballplayers, while physically gifted, never considered their success to be an individual accomplishment.  As a matter of fact, the three speeches I did hear were basically tributes to family, friends, and teammates who helped them to become the players they had become.  And the two words from these speeches that stick out the most in my mind are simply:  “Thank you.”

There were thank yous to coaches and owners, teachers and mentors, parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, grandchildren, cousins, fans, friends, and spouses.  Thank you after thank you went out to people who either gave them a hand up, a shoulder to stand on (maybe even to cry on), or perhaps a much needed, kick in the pants.  For the most part, these men had the necessary physical assetts, but there are many players who have great talents and never amount to much…  These men not only succeeded (I would submit that anyone who makes it to the pro level in a sport has succeeded at their trade) but became “great” (isn’t that part of the definition of a Hall of Famer?  someone who was “great” at their position?) And they did so because they had people who loved, encouraged, touched, and buoyed them when no one else would.  At the end of the day, the only fitting tribute to give to someone like that is a word that wells up from the heart… “Thank you.” 

In some small way, this blog is supposed to point people to the fame of the God who is worthy of praise.  As I listened to these speeches, I found myself thinking that my journey toward God is also really nothing short of a journey of thanks.  Some of the Hall of Famers talked of improbable odds.  I’m no Hall of Famer (in any category), but as a sinner (Rom. 3.23) and one time enemy of God (Eph. 2.3), it is only fitting for me to speak of impossible odds.  The Bible is clear that without faith, it is impossible for me to please God (Heb. 11.6).  The Bible is clear that without being radically tied into Jesus, it is impossible to have a life that produces a Jesus kind of fruit (John 15.4-8).  The Bible is clear that left to myself, it is impossible for me to chose Jesus or even seek after Him (Romans 3.10-12; Ephesians 2.1).  The Bible is clear that without the Spirit, it is impossible for me to comprehend the plan (wisdom) of God (I Cor. 2.7, 14).

That’s why I am so thankful for a God who specializes in the impossible.  The Bible is clear that with man these kinds of things are impossible, but “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19.26).  My life was faithless but Ephesians 2.8 tells me that faith is the gift of God and I have it now.  I was like a branch severed from the life giving vine of Jesus but Colossians 3.4 tells me that now, Christ is my life.  I wasn’t even looking for God, but Ephesians 1.4 tells me that God was looking for me and chose me before the foundation of the world and now I am His.  I was blinded by Satan who was keeping me from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, but God said, “Let light shine out of darkness,’ and He has shone into my heart to give me the light of the knowledge of the glory of god in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4.6). 

When I let the weight of the glory of these statements press down on me, I find myself with a thesaurus of words to appeal to, but capable of using only two that really captures what my heart truly wants to say… “Thank you.”