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| The open road |
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| My college buddy now teaching at Cedarville University |
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| Mini-reunion with some college friends |
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| Sunset over Lake Michigan |
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| Got to attend a friend's wedding. Congrats John & Molly! |
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| Enjoying the sunset from a friend's boat |
Miles to go before I sleep
Travel Adventures
Early Monday morning, when the sky was still dark and the city was still quiet, I began my long journey back to the States for my 6-month home assignment. My travels got off to a beautiful start with one last sunrise over the desert as I was walking across the tarmac to catch the plane for my 6:30am flight to Johannesburg. After 5 hours in Joburg, it was on to Doha. Most people were sleeping on that long flight, but I was trying to stay awake to help my body clock adjust to Eastern Standard Time. So I ended up chilling with a bunch of the flight attendants in the little area where they store all the food trays and drinks and stuff. I had some great spiritual talks especially with one young lady from India who professed Hinduism, although she was more generically pluralist than Hindu. She had lots of great questions about God and the Bible and things like how Jesus could be God and why God allowed evil in the world. After probably an hour's conversation, interrupted only by the occasional flight attendant rounds, she let me pray for her and I encouraged her to keep reading her Bible, especially the Gospels. Sometimes you never find out what happens with the seeds you plant, but I pray hers bears some fruit.
On my next flight I was seated next to an elderly, atheistic, South African man who was on his way to the States to visit his daughters. He kept going on about evolution and how everything is just random and the Bible is just stories. I asked him, "If somebody gave you indisputable evidence that God exists, would you even then be willing to change your mind?" And he said, "Yes, but no one can," which basically means "No." Interestingly, I later overheard him talking about spiritual things with the guy seated on the other side of him. But of course everything is just random, so that couldn't be Providential. ;)
I landed in Philadelphia with a 1:50hr layover. The immigration room had 56 counters but only 4 people working, though after a long wait I finally made it through. I collected and then re-checked my luggage, and proceeded to security for my next flight. On my first attempt, my boarding pass was denied. So the elderly gentleman at the desk, who also happens to be the slowest walker ever, walked over to his supervisor to ask what was up. I was told I needed to go downstairs to get my boarding pass reprinted. So having done that, on my second attempt going through security, they decided that they needed to search through my carry-on bag. By now my flight had already started boarding. Not finding anything even remotely dangerous, they finally let me through. But I had arrived into Terminal A and my flight out was from Terminal F, all the way on the other side of the airport. So I caught the slow-driving shuttle to Terminal F, convinced that I could've walked faster than that, and of course my gate was the very last gate in the farthest terminal in the whole airport. Naturally. Speed walking through the terminal I made it to the gate with 3 minutes to spare before they closed the doors. Not exactly the way I had hoped to be welcomed to the States.
All that to say, 35 hours, 4 flights and 3 continents later, I finally arrived safe & sound.
All that to say, 35 hours, 4 flights and 3 continents later, I finally arrived safe & sound.
One Day
Every year in the middle of July my church organizes a youth event called One Day. This year was my first, and I was asked to play on the worship team. The theme of the day was #Relevant. We started with fun ice breakers and loud worship music. Throughout the day there were sessions with talks about how Christianity is relevant in our world today. Then the youth were divided up by age into small discussion groups led by our young adults.
According to the schedule, to close the day we would have an evening "Jam Out Session." But before we cranked the amps up to 11, our pastor sensed that people really needed an opportunity to respond to what they'd heard, so while the band played softly in the background, he gave an invitation for people to follow Jesus. Twenty-one people came forward that night, some to follow Jesus for the first time, others to recommit their lives to following Him, and others just for prayer. Those twenty-one lives ignited and motivated our worship celebration! After that the room was electric as we sang and shouted and danced and lost our voices worshipping our Savior.
According to the schedule, to close the day we would have an evening "Jam Out Session." But before we cranked the amps up to 11, our pastor sensed that people really needed an opportunity to respond to what they'd heard, so while the band played softly in the background, he gave an invitation for people to follow Jesus. Twenty-one people came forward that night, some to follow Jesus for the first time, others to recommit their lives to following Him, and others just for prayer. Those twenty-one lives ignited and motivated our worship celebration! After that the room was electric as we sang and shouted and danced and lost our voices worshipping our Savior.
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| Over 130 youth and young adults attending One Day 2016 |
Spitzkoppe
Spitzkoppe is a natural rock formation in the desert of Namibia and popular tourist destination for photographers, climbers and campers. My parents have never been, so we took along a few friends from Arandis to climb around the rocks for the day.
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Anistemi Training College
The vocational training school opened earlier this year offering programs in Information Technology (IT) and Tourism & Hospitality. As they continue to grow in the future they plan to add Office Management, Woodworking, Hair Design, Agriculture, and more.
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| Computer lab |
My parents and I visited the school just before all the students left for their mid-year break.
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| My dad brought along some storage drives for the IT students to take apart. |
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| My mom sharing her testimony with the students |
What is "Home Assignment"?
After about 2 years and 3 months in Namibia, next month I'll be returning for my first Home Assignment (HA). Historically, mission organizations used the word "furlough," but such terminology often caused confusion that this is just a long vacation, so now they use the term "home assignment" because it better communicates the purpose and goals of our time in our home country. So to help clarify what this is all about I thought I'd write a post addressing some frequently asked questions concerning Home Assignment.
What is Home Assignment?
This is missions lingo for when missionaries periodically come back to spend time in their home country. Missionaries will typically spend anywhere from 2-4 years on the field in their host country, then spend anywhere from a few months up to a full year on HA. My projected plan is to have a rotation of 2.5 years in Namibia and then a 6-month HA back in the States.
Why do missionaries take a Home Assignment?
There are many reasons why missionaries periodically return to their home countries. Sometimes, beyond initial culture shock, missionaries experience ongoing culture stress from living in a foreign culture with a foreign language, foreign worldview, different foods and cultural expectations. So on HA they can experience much needed emotional rest and recovery from such anxiety. Other purposes for HA can include recruiting new workers for the field, or new ministry partners for their support team, or even continuing education opportunities to be better equipped for their ministry.
But one of the primary purposes is reconnecting with their ministry partners and sending church. Writing blogposts and monthly newsletters only go so far in helping you stay connected with the ministry in Namibia. Plus, those can only communicate so much. Spending face-to-face time with people can help clarify questions, quell rumors, build mutual trust, renew interest, and it's just a whole lot more personal! But beyond that, there's nothing like the mutual encouragement of hearing what God's been doing in your lives! Paul told the Romans that one reason he wanted to visit was "that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith" (Rom. 1:12).
Aren't you just giving ministry reports?
Financially supporting a missionary is not simply a business transaction. It's not like you're investing in a business venture and now I'm reporting on the results of that investment. Ministry partnership is relational. So Home Assignment is about investing in relationships. It's about helping you stay personally connected with what God's doing in Namibia, answering your questions, and reinvigorating your passion for the vision of ministry here.
Why six months?
Last year I came home for 3 weeks, primarily for a special family occasion, but secondarily to reconnect with my ministry partners. I did that mostly through large group events where I would share about my ministry and then only get to talk to individual people for 5 minutes or so. But in such a short amount of time it was impossible for me to individually connect with my over 60 ministry partners who are spread throughout the country. So a solid 6 months will give me opportunity to spend quality time with people and to deeply reinvest in my sending church. After all, when Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch after their first missionary journey, "they stayed there a long time with the disciples" (Acts 14:28)!
Is this just a long vacation?
Absolutely not! SIM gives me a set number of vacation days each year, just like any of you might get from your employer. I will use some of those days while I'm back in the States to get some R&R, but primarily HA is an extension of my work in Namibia. That's why it's called "Home Assignment," because it's still a ministry assignment, just in my home country rather than my host country. So, as one author says, "returning from the field means a change of venue, not a vacation" (Hawley, Furlough or Home Assignment?).
Is this just a code name for a fund-raising trip?
Sometimes missionaries need to return home because their support levels have dropped below what's needed to fund the ministry, or their support needs have gone up over time, and therefore they do need additional support before returning to the field. But that is not always the case. Home Assignment can be just as much about maintaining existing relationships as well as building new ones.
Do you still need support while on Home Assignment?
Yes, because this is an extension of my work in Namibia, I will still be living on support while on Home Assignment. In other words, this is still part of my job as a missionary, so I will still be receiving my income as a missionary.
Who will teach your courses at NETS while you're gone?
NETS assigns courses to lecturers at the beginning of each semester. So knowing that I would be away, they haven't assigned me any courses for this semester. The course I specialize in, "Ministry to Children & Youth," is only scheduled to be taught again next year.
If you have any other questions, then feel free to drop me an email or leave them in the comments. And hopefully, I'll get to see many of you while I'm back!
What is Home Assignment?
This is missions lingo for when missionaries periodically come back to spend time in their home country. Missionaries will typically spend anywhere from 2-4 years on the field in their host country, then spend anywhere from a few months up to a full year on HA. My projected plan is to have a rotation of 2.5 years in Namibia and then a 6-month HA back in the States.
Why do missionaries take a Home Assignment?
There are many reasons why missionaries periodically return to their home countries. Sometimes, beyond initial culture shock, missionaries experience ongoing culture stress from living in a foreign culture with a foreign language, foreign worldview, different foods and cultural expectations. So on HA they can experience much needed emotional rest and recovery from such anxiety. Other purposes for HA can include recruiting new workers for the field, or new ministry partners for their support team, or even continuing education opportunities to be better equipped for their ministry.
But one of the primary purposes is reconnecting with their ministry partners and sending church. Writing blogposts and monthly newsletters only go so far in helping you stay connected with the ministry in Namibia. Plus, those can only communicate so much. Spending face-to-face time with people can help clarify questions, quell rumors, build mutual trust, renew interest, and it's just a whole lot more personal! But beyond that, there's nothing like the mutual encouragement of hearing what God's been doing in your lives! Paul told the Romans that one reason he wanted to visit was "that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith" (Rom. 1:12).
Aren't you just giving ministry reports?
Financially supporting a missionary is not simply a business transaction. It's not like you're investing in a business venture and now I'm reporting on the results of that investment. Ministry partnership is relational. So Home Assignment is about investing in relationships. It's about helping you stay personally connected with what God's doing in Namibia, answering your questions, and reinvigorating your passion for the vision of ministry here.
Why six months?
Last year I came home for 3 weeks, primarily for a special family occasion, but secondarily to reconnect with my ministry partners. I did that mostly through large group events where I would share about my ministry and then only get to talk to individual people for 5 minutes or so. But in such a short amount of time it was impossible for me to individually connect with my over 60 ministry partners who are spread throughout the country. So a solid 6 months will give me opportunity to spend quality time with people and to deeply reinvest in my sending church. After all, when Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch after their first missionary journey, "they stayed there a long time with the disciples" (Acts 14:28)!
Is this just a long vacation?
Absolutely not! SIM gives me a set number of vacation days each year, just like any of you might get from your employer. I will use some of those days while I'm back in the States to get some R&R, but primarily HA is an extension of my work in Namibia. That's why it's called "Home Assignment," because it's still a ministry assignment, just in my home country rather than my host country. So, as one author says, "returning from the field means a change of venue, not a vacation" (Hawley, Furlough or Home Assignment?).
Is this just a code name for a fund-raising trip?
Sometimes missionaries need to return home because their support levels have dropped below what's needed to fund the ministry, or their support needs have gone up over time, and therefore they do need additional support before returning to the field. But that is not always the case. Home Assignment can be just as much about maintaining existing relationships as well as building new ones.
Yes, because this is an extension of my work in Namibia, I will still be living on support while on Home Assignment. In other words, this is still part of my job as a missionary, so I will still be receiving my income as a missionary.
Who will teach your courses at NETS while you're gone?
NETS assigns courses to lecturers at the beginning of each semester. So knowing that I would be away, they haven't assigned me any courses for this semester. The course I specialize in, "Ministry to Children & Youth," is only scheduled to be taught again next year.
If you have any other questions, then feel free to drop me an email or leave them in the comments. And hopefully, I'll get to see many of you while I'm back!
Zeal for Spiritual Fidelity
Throughout the OT, the nation of Israel was challenged to stay faithful to the one true God while living amidst cultures that worshipped many false gods. Similarly, our culture today entices us toward spiritual adultery. In the face of these cultural influences, do you passionately pursue spiritual fidelity? This was the topic of my message from Joshua 22 at church today. You can download it here or listen below if you'd like (sorry for the slight audio issues).
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