Archives for 2008

Divine Appointment

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Divine appointments, scheduled by God, come at some unusual times. Divine assignments often seem stranger than fiction. Beth Moore, a Bible study author, speaker, wife, and mother, wrote her Hairbrush story in her book Further Still. Hearing others’ stories can help us tune our ears to the voice of our Father.

April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville, waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I’d had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego.

Sacrifices

“Thank you for coming; you’ve sacrificed so much to be here,” a sweet-faced, old Chinese woman said to me. Thoughts scurried through my mind: “It isn’t hard here. I don’t have to live in the bush with hot and cold running snakes. I didn’t have to learn another language. I haven’t sacrificed at all!” But with a smile, I answered her, “I’m happy I can be here.” And I truly am!

Jesus promises blessing for those who follow him to new homes outside their cultures: “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land–whatever–because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land–but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life!” (Mark 10:29-30 MSG)

Need Refreshing?

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Is rest and refreshing wrong?
I hear most of you say, “Of course not!” Yet in practice we sometimes act as though rest and refreshing are sins for PWs.

We arrive on the field full of zeal for the work and buoyed by the sense of our calling. During months of adjusting to the climate, setting up our home, learning the language, and taking on our new responsibilities, the gloss of sacrifice begins to tarnish. Real exhaustion sets in. We feel tired and guilty for it.

We feel guilty if we sleep-in one morning or sneak off for a catnap in the middle of the day. We become irritable, but try with super human determination not to let it slip out. We compare what we are doing to what others seem to accomplish in a day. Depression or condemnation steals our joy.

Sometimes older PWs allow the daily routine or constant interruptions to numb their need for rest. Being so used to doing it all they don’t think anyone should need additional rest. The result is judgment of those needing rest as “weak.”

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Little Shoe in a Big City

One of my Christmas gifts this year was a copy of Sue Eenigenburg’s new book, Screams in the Desert, Hope and Humor for Women in Cross-Cultural Ministry. What a delightful, insightful, encouraging book! Sue gave permission for Peter’s Wife to reprint a chapter from the book. All 52 chapters are designed for personal reflection and group discussion. It was hard to pick a favorite chapter, but this definitely tops my list! Diane

Little Shoe in a Big City. . .Little Faith in a Big God

We were riding in one of the thousands of taxis in the capital city of our new host country. My youngest daughter had just gotten a brand new pair of shoes from her grandma. They looked so cute on her little feet. When we arrived at our destination, I got out of the taxi, paid the driver, and went on my way carrying Katie. As we were walking into the store, I noticed that one of her new shoes was missing. It had fallen off her foot in the taxi. I ran outside, but I was too late. The taxi was already gone.

Remember Why You are Here

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Home for the holidays. That is every PWs dream. At this stage in our lives Mike and I get to do it every year. We always visit our family, parents, friends, and supporters. Almost everywhere someone asks, “Are you really happy in Asia? Are you OK there? How can you leave your grandson? When your granddaughter arrives in April, won’t that make it harder?”

I have a ready answer. It is not hard for us to live in Asia. We love the people, the country is peaceful, the food is great, and we have work to do that we enjoy. It is the truth! I am happy there, and I know that is right where God wants us, at least for now.

In less than two weeks we will be back in Asia. I know there will be good days and bad. There may even be seasons when I wonder what possible good am I doing there. On the good days and especially on the bad days, I need to remember why I am there.