Presentation Recording

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to present my ministry in Namibia to my home church, Christ's Church of Amherst. If you'd like to listen in and hear a good summary of the ministry challenges in Namibia and what I'll be doing with Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS) you can find the recording online here:
http://ccnh.podbean.com/2013/09/16/called-to-namibia/.

There's a greater reward than money

For as long as I've worked in the youth development field, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say, "Yeah, I actually feel like I'm getting paid what I'm worth." More often it's comments like, "They don't pay me enough for this," or, "We're sure not in this for the money." The natural mindset that's built into us by our culture is that your monetary compensation should be equivalent to the value of your work. Or in an agricultural metaphor, you reap what you sow. But what happens when the world doesn't place a very high value on your work? What if they don't realize how important it is for youth to have mentors, positive role models and influential adults in their lives? Then you end up getting paid more like a babysitter than a youth development professional. As a result you get less and less qualified people influencing your children because the qualified people have to go make their living doing something else.

Now this may sound like a complaint or a rant, but it's quite the opposite. Because the truly qualified people are those who understand that the compensation for being a positive, influential role model in the lives of young people can never be measured monetarily. We truly don't do it for the money. Not because they don't pay us enough, but because the true compensation is in the character of the lives we influence. It may take years for youth workers to see the results of their efforts, and in some cases, they may never see the results. But we do the job because we know those results will come someday, whether we see them or not. One person sows the seed, another waters it, another weeds the garden, and eventually, one day there will be a harvest. Youth workers may not reap an immediate monetary reward for their work, but they reap a harvest nonetheless. So whether you work as a youth pastor, a coach, at a Boys & Girls Club, or somewhere else in the youth development field, "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. . . . Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Gal 6:7, 9).

The God Who Provides

During my time in NH before leaving for Namibia, I knew I would need a short-term, part-time job to help pay the bills. Now that’s not an easy pitch at a job interview. “I’ll only be here until January, but could you hire me anyway?” So way back in the spring I had asked my life group guys to pray that I would be able to find work even with my tough situation and in a tough economy. Now fast-forward a couple months and I had largely forgotten those prayers by the time I made it back home and started my job search. I used to coach high school volleyball which is only a two month season in the fall, so it seemed like a good fit, however I got back only a week before the season would start. I decided to call the high school where I used to coach just to see if they had any openings. The athletic director was so excited to hear that I was back and he immediately offered me the one opening they had left, coach for the JV girls team! I’ve also been able to pick up some temp work with my brother who’s a building contractor. God doesn’t forget about our needs or our prayers. Some choose to chalk up events like this to coincidence, but I see the watchful eye of Providence.

Another pressing task as soon as I returned was getting my car inspected. I knew it would need some repairs which would cost about $560. That Sunday, I came in early to church and my pastor mentioned that there were some envelopes on the office desk with my name on them. Some anonymous person had given a donation of $600 specifically for those repairs or whatever I need most! I hadn’t even asked God to provide for that need, but He provided anyway. He knows our needs even when we don’t ask for help. How many times have I actually asked for things and then doubted whether or not God would come through?! Seeing God provide even when I don’t ask challenges me to have faith and not doubt when I do ask.

Home

According to Google Maps it only takes 16 hours or so to get from Charlotte to NH. It only took me about 2 months. :) While the direct route may be the fastest, it's not always the most fulfilling. I took the long way around to spend time with friends and family whom I haven't seen for a number of years. I think I love reconnecting with old friends because I love hearing their stories. Who doesn't like a good story? And some of my friends are living really incredible stories! Like using their gifts in theater, photography, running, or sales to speak Christ into the lives of their neighbors. Or pursuing advanced degrees and sharing that knowledge with the next generation of world changers. Or walking through incredibly difficult life circumstances, emerging with a stronger faith, and using their experience to comfort and encourage others going through the same thing. God has brought each of us along a unique journey, through our own unique conflicts, and taught us many lessons along the way. A good story uses those lessons to impact the people around them. What kind of story are you telling?

....................

Late Saturday night I finally pulled up the driveway to my home in New Hampshire. With each passing day I'm constantly reminded of why I love NH so much. I eat every meal outside on the deck in the cool, summer air. As the sun sets the darkening sky gives way to a gorgeous display of stars uninterrupted by light pollution. My daily commute takes me through forests and quaint old towns and by shimmering lakes. But mostly what reminds me that I'm home are the people I love. After four years at seminary in Charlotte, I'm still remembered and welcomed back like this is where I belong. People ask me if I'm headed to Namibia then why am I going back to NH. My answer is, because this is home.

A God-sized Vision

I recently wrote in my journal, “May I never pursue a vision so small that it can be fully accomplished in my own power.” Little did I realize how quickly God would take me up on that offer. But let me back up...

I had been in Namibia with a team for two weeks, but after I dropped them at the airport I stayed a few extra days to meet the people I will be working with when I go long-term. I was seeking clarity about what exactly I will be doing and confirmation that this is the right ministry for me. So as the small, white VW Gulf pulled around the corner to pick me up, I felt excited and anxious at the same time. I was greeted by a small German woman with a friendly smile and a handshake. Dagmar, the team director for SIM in Namibia, has been serving in southern Africa for the last 28 years, so she knows a thing or two about young, newbie missionaries joining the team.

Our first meeting was with the Leadership Team at Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS). After getting our hot beverage of choice, Dagmar and I sat down around a coffee table in the principal's office with four men from four different countries who helped run the school. They immediately started firing questions at me about some of my theological positions and how I may respond in certain scenarios. None of their questions were terribly surprising and I feel confident I answered them graciously and well. Then I had my opportunity to ask about the school, their history, structure, student population, and what their ideas were for this youth ministry program we'd been talking about. They said that youth ministry has long been a part of the vision for the seminary, but there hasn’t been anyone to take charge of it. There is really no precedent for an under-graduate training program in youth ministry so I’ll have a bit of freedom to design and develop a curriculum, then we’ll work together on making it accreditation worthy. Setting the course for the future of youth ministry training for this institution seems like quite a daunting task. And with just 5 years of full-time youth ministry under my belt I will be the “resident expert!” Feeling a bit intimidated, I was reminded of that quote I had written in my journal about pursuing a God-sized vision. I’m also reminded of 2 Cor. 12:9, “His strength is made perfect in my weakness.” While it does seem intimidating and overwhelming at times, I’m excited to be pursuing a God-sized vision because then He will get all the glory!

Our next stop was to meet the rest of the SIM team who work in Windhoek. There is one British couple with two kids left at home who have been working in Namibia for about 20 years. The husband is a part-time lecturer at NETS. There is also an Australian woman who serves as the team treasurer and another Swiss/Gambian couple I didn't meet. It's an eclectic group from all over the world, but despite our different accents and cultural backgrounds we all share the common goal of communicating Christ in the Namibian context. I love what that says about both the unity and diversity in the body of Christ! Now that there's an American on the team they said they would have to tone down the American jokes, but I don't suspect that will last very long once this thick-skinned American starts telling jokes of his own. :)

So in the end I got both the clarity and confirmation I was looking for, though not exactly in the ways I expected. I had hoped for more details and specifics, but instead I learned that the details are what I'm there to figure out. I went in looking for red flags, but didn't feel any reservations about working with these people. More than anything I felt excited that this is a groundbreaking venture that has the potential for significant impact for youth ministry in Namibia. Having returned from this vision trip, I now know how to set my compass and start preparing myself for the journey ahead.

There and Back Again

Do you have a favorite book, movie or band that you can't stop talking about and sharing with other people? That's kind of how I feel about Namibia. So when my friend Chris asked me to help take some of his youth group teens on a missions trip, I was pumped. After much training, preparation, and prayer we finally touched down in Arandis on July 15th to partner with Children of Promise Ministries and Arandis Christian Center. Children of Promise is a ministry who places orphans and vulnerable children into forever foster families and also has a private school to provide for their education. Arandis Christian Center is the church where my friends Tresford and Fabiola Banda have been faithfully ministering for the past 8 years.

Teaching in the public schools. When you
squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out!

During the week we had the fullest schedule of any team I've ever taken. In the mornings some people taught in the ministry school, while others assisted in preschool or worked to fix up the ministries athletic facilities. Then we ate an early lunch and went immediately to the public schools to visit with the 7th, 10th, and 12th graders. Our program was a quick message and skit about how, when the pressures of the world come on you, whatever is on the inside is what comes out (see photo). Then we would split up into small groups to ask them some response questions about pressures they experience, and also let them ask us questions. Then we would go back out to the athletic fields to run an afterschool program with the ministry school kids. We led crafts and games for each different age group. By Thursday afternoon word had gotten around the neighborhood and we had over 200 kids participating! Then after a quick supper, we would do evening activities with the church, including youth group, prayer walks, and gender-specific small groups. However our primary objective was not the tasks, but the relationships which God would use to work in both their lives and ours. Because many of our team were so close in age to the ministry kids, they were able to have a peer influence which proved quite effective. When it was time to go, many tears were shed on both sides which indicated our true success in building impactful relationships. However, the fruit of the seeds sown for Christ during that week won't be known on this side of eternity.

Much thanks to all those who were praying for this trip and the teens involved on our team. I know God used these experiences in many of their lives to give them a more global perspective of God's mission in the world and how they might be a part of it.

The Long Journey Home

My two weeks of training at SIM turned out to be a great time of connecting with people involved in the agency. I was one of 16 appointees, all of whom were passionate about seeing God's glory proclaimed among the nations. Over meals we would sit around the tables and glean from the wisdom and experience of long time missionaries. In the dorms and on weekends we would hang out together playing games, working on presentations, and lighting things on fire (don't worry, we didn't burn anything down!). At the end of two weeks it was time to say goodbye yet again as I set Charlotte in the rearview mirror and started making my way north.

My first stop was Indianapolis where I visited two college buddies who are youth pastors at two very different churches. I love how God has uniquely gifted each of them to thrive in His particular calling on their lives. Next up, I stopped in Chicago, then on to Milwaukee where I stayed with my former college roommate and his wife who came to Namibia on a summer team a few years back. Then I turned back east and stopped to see a friend in Indiana and finally landed in west Michigan to see some extended family and more college friends. I went to a small Bible college where we were specifically training for ministry. Now while not all of my friends have pursued careers in full-time ministry, I love how God has spread us out to be shining lights in the different communities where He has placed us. College was a great environment when you have all your friends close by and you could encourage each other toward godliness. But Jesus didn't tell his disciples to stay in Jerusalem and form a little Christian clique. He sent them out into the world. That's exactly what my college friends are doing, going into many different communities taking the light of the gospel and the love of Christ wherever they go.