Postscript

I’ve never thought of myself as a very materialistic person, but when we had to reduce our lives to a 5 x10 storage unit and eight, 50 lb checked bags to take with us to our new home in Africa, I was suddenly faced with anxiety about getting rid of stuff.

In the months that proceeded us moving out of our three bedroom house, I really struggled with releasing the things that I’d accumulated over the course of my life to that point.  I guess I always had a “keep it, you might need it someday” attitude.  And, although we didn’t live extravagantly and our house wasn’t overflowing useless stuff, we still had more than we really needed.

I struggled to find ways to thin our household.  Jeff and I both had completely different approaches to doing this, which led to inevitable conflicts.  Yard sales, Craig’s List sales, sales to co-workers, and lots of giving away… in the end somehow we did it…and we still love each other!

And, to top things off, at the same time we both we left our regular salaries at that point to live on the road in hopes that we’d raise enough regular income through gifts to our ministry to sustain us while we were in the US and give us a living income when we went abroad as missionaries with Wycliffe.

Honestly, it often felt like we were living somewhere between something extremely exciting and something insane and completely irrational.  Some days I thought, “yes, this is possible!”.  While other days I moped around wondering why we ever started down this path.

That was just the beginning of what God has used as part of a cleansing process for me to help me to come to a better understanding of how He views our stuff and our money.  The truth is, my view of my stuff and my money were rooted in two beliefs I had deep down: 1) I own what I have, 2) I’m in charge of taking care of myself.

God’s truth is that he owns everything (Psalm 50). Jesus (Mathew 25:10-30) and David (1 Chronicles 29:11-14) describe our role as stewards of God’s stuff.  And, Jesus and Paul teach that God will take care of us and all our needs (Matthew 6:25-34; Phil 4:19).

I’ve known this all in my head for a long time and would have told you that was what I believed.  But, when I was confronted with this experience, my true beliefs came out.  Thankfully, God uses experiences to change those deep down beliefs in our hearts.

When we reached our new home in Kenya, I set up a household, and then turned around and sold most of it a year and seven months later, minus seven checked bags, before we reached our home where we live now.  It was easier to sell things and give things away then, maybe because I hadn’t had much of it for very long…but I’d like to think it was also because I’d grown a little.

And, as far as being taken care of, I’m continually amazed at how God has provided for us.  Every month when we get our ministry statement I’m in awe of how God has raised up people and churches who faithfully give to our ministry.  What seemed impossible, he has proved over and over is possible. And, beyond that…I see how God has unfolded an amazing experience for us these last few years, demonstrating his loving care for our needs and desires, while giving us ways to serve him and grow in him.

I’m certain I have a lifetime of lessons to learn in this area, but God is teaching me. He is teaching me look at the things I use differently, to be more generous, to have more contentment with what he provides, and to be more confident in his ability to take care of us.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Jeff’s in Nairobi, Kenya this week for an event called IT Connect.  Computer support staff who support Bible translation and administration teams for several African countries are participating.

This picture above shows the group listening to a presentation on maintaining the specialized translation and linguistic software used by staff in translation and literacy programs.  Some of the programs have been updated.

Sufficient IT staff remains one of the top three personnel needs of Wycliffe.  More IT staff are needed to serve Bible translation and administrative staff in Africa and around the world.   Learn more about current IT needs.

Popularity: 28% [?]

I completed my preparations and lead a session on social media, yesterday, with a small group of YWAM staff.  I think the session went well, and I’ve thought of several ways to improve it for the next time I present on this subject.  I was able to prepare a session that I’ve already shared with others in Wycliffe and can present, and I think the whole course this week would be very useful for our Wycliffe colleagues.  Now, we’ll have to think about the details of how we could do this together somewhere in the future.

Popularity: 12% [?]

The value of good communications in personal ministries and in organizations cannot be understated. What we choose to share with the world impacts us positively and negatively depending on what we say and how we say it. It can inspire, and it can offend. It can generate new interest or cause work to suspend.

In today’s world anyone can instantly participate in sharing messages that impact our organizations simply by posting 140 characters on twitter or updating their facebook status. Effectively training our staff in communications, whether they have a communications role or any other role, is therefore essential.

For part of this week I’m observing and participating as a session trainer in a communications workshop presented by YWAM’s Africa regional communications team (Africom) being held at a YWAM base about two hours from our home. I am looking at how this type of workshop can benefit our Wycliffe colleagues, and exploring the possibility of YWAM hosting a joint workshop with us in the future.

The workshop covers a variety of communications principles that can be applied in personal ministry and organizational communication. Workshop participants began with an introduction to communications and instruction in interpersonal communication.

The other sessions focus on the impact of communications in the globalized world, public speaking, writing, newsletters, fundraising, photography and social media. At the end of the workshop, the training team hopes participants will be equipped to better understand communications and it’s value, and know how to apply what they’ve learned in their environments.

So far, my observations of this workshop encourage me. I think this could work in a Wycliffe environment, and the YWAM Africom team is open to a possible joint workshop. Now to finish my preparations for my session on Friday on social media!

Popularity: 15% [?]

Ruth is conducting a children’s program about missions.
Photo courtesy of Wycliffe South Africa.

We’re on the road with Wycliffe South Africa assisting them with one of several events they are doing around South Africa to raise awareness for Bible translation and missions.  Ruth, a volunteer from Germany, is conducting a children’s program for Wycliffe SA that teaches children about missions.  The church we’re visiting now has additionally invited Wycliffe SA to share with their youth, young adults and share in their Sunday morning service.  We’ll be participating in the activities planned with the youth and young adults.

This is a beautiful part of the country with rolling hills, farms, water falls, and quaint shops and restaurants.  In the early 1900s it was home to a Beor concentration camp.  During the Anglo Beor War, Afrikaans (or Afrikaner) women and children were put in these camps by the British.  Even now some people of Afrikaans decent can tell the stories of their relatives that died or were rescued from one of these camps.

This area is also in the South African province that has the highest percentage of reported HIV/AIDS infections.  We’re planning to visit a community near here where the church has a ministry to those affected by this disease.

We’ll be staying with some church members, and along with helping out Wycliffe South Africa, all this is part of our orientation to South Africa.

Popularity: 9% [?]