Training--Week #4

This past week was full of fun things. Last weekend we went without electricity so that we could go ahead and begin to prepare for what is sure to be a regular occurrence in each of our lives. Third world countries are notorious for shutting down power at random and unannounced times to conserve electricity because they cannot produce enough for everyone. We got very used to reading, showering and using the bathroom by flashlight. That's just how the week started.

We have been having these lunches called "cultural meals". Everyone is required to eat them because there purpose is to teach us to be gracious recipients of what is put in front of us. That truly is a great lesson. We had our 3rd cultural meal this week. They really have all been wonderful and easy to eat, except for one of them--beet soup. I can honestly say that meal was not my favorite, but I ate it and was thankful for it.

We also started our shots this week. Many of us have to have multiple shots to go to our locations so they spread out giving them to us in multiple clinics. The first of those was this week. I got 3 shots, not so bad. This week I will get 4 more and then at the final clinic I think I'll get 3 more. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Glad to report that we had no fatalities and no one passed out, although I did see a little girl get away from her parents and make a run for the door. She almost made it out, but they caught her. Needless to say, this is a pretty traumatic time for kids around here.

On Saturday night at 3:30 am our fire alarm went off so our building, which consists of myself, my roommate, and 3 other families quickly evacuated and waited to see what was going on. After a half hour, security determined it was an electrical malfunction and let us go back in. They said that they would disconnect it and get it fixed. On Sunday afternoon because we were all exhausted from the lack of sleep the night before, we all laid down to take naps. Of course, the alarm went off again, and yet again, so we all pretty well gave up. Then Sunday night, hurricane Bill hit and woke us all up. Needless to say, our building was very tired today during class. I'm hoping that we all have an uneventful night's sleep tonight.

On a more serious note, this past week's training was probably the most convicting of our entire time here. We spent 2 days learning about the persecuted church and hearing stories about the suffering of our brothers and sisters around the world, how to partner with nationals, how to start churches and how to NOT harm the work being done. I wish that I could pour out to you all that the Lord is teaching me through that training, but honestly it will probably take me months to process through what I heard just in those 2 days. I will say, that in a room of 250 people, after the first session finished you could hear a pin drop, and it took a very long time for anyone to move.

Once again, I am praying that the Lord would guard my steps so that I would not harm the work He wants to accomplish, that I would not be unwise in what I do, and that He would put in my mouth the words that He would have me to declare among the africans I will be working with. I pray that He will accomplish all that He wants to accomplish through me.

Training--Week #3

First of all let me say that I can't believe I am already finished with week three of training. It has gone by very quickly in lots of ways. I am almost halfway finished. Thank goodness!

This week we have focused primarily on worldviews where we will be going and church planting methods. We looked at the model in scripture first and then looked at how that model can be fleshed out in different ways around the world in a variety of settings using many different tools. I am amazed at how God is working among people groups all over the world using so many different talents and gifts. The diversity of the way that He works is amazing.

At the same time, thinking about learning someone's worldview and trying to share the gospel with them in a way that is meaningful to them culturally and is Biblically grounded in their language is overwhelming to comprehend. I have been left thinking at various times this week, "Lord, this is an impossible task. How can I do this well and not mess everything up?"

The answer that I got back was, "It is an impossible task...for you. It is not impossible for me." I was reminded of the story of the rich young ruler in Matt 19:16-30. Salvation is an impossible task for any of us, but it is not an impossible task for God. He alone is able to bring life to the sinners heart and change him. The task seems very overwhelming, and in fact, it is overwhelming, but I cling to the fact that God is able and that is where I take my stand.

How comforting it is to know that it's not up to me. Although I need to do my best to be culturally relevant and to present the gospel as clearly as I can in the people's heart language, ultimately I rest in the fact that God has bought for Himself people from every tribe, every language, and every nation on earth and one day we will all worship HIM around the throne. Thank you God that YOU have done it!

Training--Week #2

This past week we focused mainly on spiritual warfare and the battle that is around us. I know that is something that I forget, and need to be reminded of daily. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (ESV)


At the end of the week, the emphasis was on sexual purity both for married couples and singles. In adjusting to a different culture, most people do not realize how difficult it is to stay focused and to not give in to our enemies attacks. It, I'm sure, was not by coincidence that we had both of these trainings this week. The President of our organization said in his talk earlier this week that in the time that he has been president (I think since 1993) he has sat through 96 board meetings and at each of those meetings they have had to let a worker go because of moral failure of some sort. At times, multiple workers. Please let that sink in.

The battle that we face as believers to stand firm in purity is a real one and it is one that must be won for the sake of the gospel of Christ. Our enemy takes no greater joy than to cause us to fall in this area because the gospel is displayed so dramatically in this area. Please pray for workers not just on foreign fields, but for pastors and leaders all over America to remain pure in their message and in their conduct. So that, the gospel of Christ will be honored and not dishonored among those who do not know Christ. This one issue alone should bring us to our knees and keep us there.

Training--Week #1

I arrived at my training on Tuesday of this week and will be here until the end of September. So far, so good. I'll have to admit having come to training before, I was not really excited about having to come again. However, it has been good to get to meet other folks going to the same city and country as me, as well as people going all over Africa and the world. This is the 4th largest training group sent out in the history of our organization--approximately 350 total including kids.

Yesterday, we had a spiritual retreat and then a time of sharing afterwards. There were many convicting and encouraging things that were said, but the most compelling thing shared was by a lady of Asian descent who talked about what had happened to her during the time she was waiting for her house to sell. She said that 3 times she fasted during the year of waiting. The 3rd time she fasted, the Lord asked her, "Are you willing to die for me?" Her answer was, "I love you Lord so yes." Yesterday, she said, "Now I don't know if I will have to die, but I think in that day, the Lord will take care of it."

Those statements put fully into perspective what all of us are facing. We do not know what is around the bend, but we trust, that in that day, the Lord will take care of it. We are given the grace to handle what is before us on the day that we need it.

I pray that this time here will be a time of surrender and preparation to all that is before and I'm glad to be here.