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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!
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 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.
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.
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| Teaching in the public schools. When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out! |
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 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.
SIMGo
During the next two weeks we will be inundated with teaching from former missionaries to better prepare us for the journey that lies ahead. We will practice sharing our testimonies and giving support raising presentations. We'll get all shot up with vaccinations. They even have us prepare our will, a reminder of the sobering reality that some who leave for the mission field never return. That makes me think of the missionaries of old who used to ship their belongings to the field in their coffins. I would love your prayers over these next two weeks that God would humble my heart and use this time to help me soak up all the knowledge and wisdom from those around me that I can.
Endings and Beginnings
I find myself standing in a doorway. I look back and see four enjoyable years in Charlotte spent making great memories with great friends, learning theology by the book but also experiencing it worked out in real life, and learning how to both give and receive true community. Charlotte will always have a special place in my heart. But as I pack up my life, say my goodbyes and do many things for the last time, I'm reminded that life comes in seasons. As I walk through the doorway into a new season, I'm excited to see what new lessons God has to teach me, what new experiences he has planned for me, and what new friends he will give me. As much as we love the past, we can never live there again. We can only allow ourselves to be molded by it as we blaze a new trail into the future.
No sacrifice
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