God also nourishes our faith in order to fulfill the mission He's given us

25 Oct 2013

Thanks to SIM Australia's Kookaburra newsletter for Aussie missionaries.

"I have discovered that much of the enemy’s plan to destroy us has to do with wearing us out. The missionary life is not a sprint; it is a marathon.

Did you have a tough day? Get some space. Take a nap. Take a walk. Listen to some music. Don’t overact to the day. Rather, respond by the Spirit. Instead of reacting to the daily fluctuations of the “spiritual stock exchange,” choose to be a long-term investor in the Word of God. If you remain faithful, your ministry will reap eternal dividends.

The enemy loves to place a large map of the Sahara Dessert in front of your face and remind you how difficult your journey is going to be. As you look at the many challenges set before you, a demon whispers in your ear, “Even if you make it through this day, look how far you still have to go. It is going to take you weeks,  months, even decades to get across this desert and you are thirsty already. Give  up now! Turn around! Go back to Egypt!” Discouragement is a powerful weapon.The enemy wants you to become overwhelmed and to give up the ground you’ve worked so hard to gain. Remember the Lord’s words: “Do not  worry about tomorrow...each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).  When you are weary, don’t think too much or talk too much. Don’t even glance at the big map when you’re tired. Set your sites on getting to the next shelter where  you can rest."

~ Dr. Robert S. Miller, Spiritual Survival Handbook for Cross-Cultural workers   (p. 37)

What was that story about the man called Jesus?

18 Oct 2013

Here's a cute story:
Pascal and I met one of the mums whose boy is attending our day-long club next Wednesday. We asked if she knew whether another mother would be interested in knowing about our Bible Club day, because we weren't sure of her position on the Christian faith. Jarod's mum replied: "in any case, it doesn't really matter. One hour of Bible stories won't change much. What the kids like best is getting together with their friends. My son Jarod is a bit vague on this Christian stuff. The other day he was telling us about this man called Jesus who drowned in some water and when he came back to life and came out of the water he had holes in his hands!" Obviously Jarod needs to fill in a few gaps in his story!

The Thinker - angelic version

17 Oct 2013

Tatyana, the Ukrainian lady who is very artistic and very evangelical, gave me this angel as a gift after her time in the Ukraine.

 

Her reason? "This looks like you, thinking hard about what you could be organising for Lamastre ! "(meaning evangelical and outreach activities).

 

I may not be an angel, but I do think hard about what we could be doing to open up the way for people to hear about the Lord God. Sometimes, I don't even have to think hard - the ideas come as I wake up or go to sleep and I have to write them down as quickly as possible so as not to forget them.

 

The next stage is the hardest - praying about the ideas and being patient in waiting for the Lord to direct. Then 'selling' the idea in order to build a team, getting it past the Church Council, having their approval and understanding.

 

The easiest bit is the actual organising.

 

My latest idea - organising a St Valentine's Day dinner for couples - firstly in our church, then for so many others whom we know. The French Alpha Course organisation has a package we could use. As a Christian Counsellor and pastor's wife, I'm in touch with so many heartbreaking stories of couples breaking up that I have a real burden to organise things that will help couples.

 

Please pray with me that this idea can come to fruition.

Paracas

11 Oct 2013

This is Spring Break.  Yes, I know, but we are in the Southern Hemisphere!  Sarah's graduating class decided for their Senior Trip to go to Salinas, Ecuador. Sarah decided that she'd rather go on a family vacation somewhere in Peru, so she chose Paracas, an 11-hour drive up the coast from Arequipa where there is a nature reserve that one can visit on boats and see the birds and sea lions.  Lots of birds.  They look like they are computer generated on the hillside darkened by several thousands of cormorants and boobies.  In the 1840s, Peru's economy thrived by exporting guano mined from these islands where it accumulated meters deep due to the lack of rainfall.  There used to be 10 times as many birds, but they say the fish populations have decreased and the bird populations and guano production have gone with it.  The islands have old rusting infrastructure from the glory days of guano that look like the inspiration for the video game Myst.

Help Needed for the Forgotten

09 Oct 2013

I was doing some research trying to learn the latest literacy rates for the Newcastle, South Africa area and was truly surprised by something. I did a google search for literacy rates for Newcastle, South Africa and to my amazement two of the six listings that showed were our own blogs from our missions hub blog page (the other four had little to do with literacy).

Two frames of thought struck me as the information popped on the screen. One it stated very clearly to me that literacy or illiteracy issues in that part of the world isn't at the top of the news and something not too many people are worried about.

Second, I could not help but be saddened that a group 500,000 people living in abject poverty and in dire need are so forgotten. On the other hand I feel honored and privileged that God has chosen us to bring encouragement, hope, love, light and divine attention to these wonderful Zulu people. No other missions organization at present are doing anything in this particular region a region that is desperate for the hand and love of God. 
We are so grateful to Into All the World for believing in us and coming along side and ordaining us in this important mission. Would you please ask God what you can do to help us get there and fulfill what the the Lord is sending us to do. Whether it be prayer, monthly financial support, telling others or providing encouragement, we need you!

Blessings!

Dan

Some wear different hats; I have different bags!

09 Oct 2013

This is my desk. One of the wonderful advantages of this manse is that my husband and I have a room big enough for a proper office and both our desks.

 

You can see that I'm definitely an active person. But note all the bags around this desk. I have a system - all my different activities go into their own bag. So I can grab the correct bag, and my handbag, without messy transfers where you always forget something, and run!

Featured in today's picture: Youth Group, Teens Bible study/catechism, arts and crafts bag (which shouldn't be there in fact - should have put it away in the cupboard!), bag of material to give back to my sister-in-law (whom we never really get to see), African material bag (for I don't know what event ... someone returned it to me recently), 2 filing cabinets, computer bag, box of papers to file. The Ladies' group stuff is in the bookshelves, current articles 'under construction' are on the desk, as are the current reading material and current files, and listening material I want to copy for others.

I know women are into multi-tasking, but maybe this is carrying it a little too far!

Pray for discernment and that we can be encouraging others to develop their skills and capacities.

Nearly forgot to mention that the pile of ironing was at my feet as I took the photo!

Cheap Medical Care in Peru

01 Oct 2013

As the US government shuts down for lack of foresight (couldn't see that coming, could you?) , the Peru economy continues to get stronger.  Paying for one's health care is very much within reach of most average people, and not because medical missionaries are providing all of the care!  Today, yours truly needed some lab work done.  At my favorite lab the desk clerk asked, "Have you had lab work done here before?"  "I don't think so.  I've sent a lot of patients here, however."  She looked at my doctor's order and said, "You're Dr. George!  We get lots of your patients!  Some of them don't speak any Spanish and I have to use what little English I know to communicate."  "Sorry about that," I say, averting my eyes, "I really like your lab and how you send me the results by email.  Very handy."  She put all the lab orders into the computer and told me, "Please take a seat and the tech will call you."  "Do I need to pay first?"  "No.  It's on the house in appreciation for all of the patients you send us!"  "Wow.  Thanks!"  my first kick-back! I think to myself.  

Later today, Mia needed her foot Xrayed.  I doubted she had anything, but after 10 days of a sore 5th metatarsal base, I was starting to worry about a Jones Fracture or stress fracture.  We got the normal Xray in about 10 minutes after walking into the room.  How much?  $7.  Mia didn't believe me when I told her how much it would cost in the US.

My lab was all fine btw.

You never know the impact you might be having?

23 Sep 2013

We serve Jesus in lots of different ways and often never get to find out the impact that we've had.

Today I got a wonderful message via Facebook. For many years I had sponsored a child in Uganda through Compassion. Through the sponsorship he was able to get a good education and support through a local church. His letters were always encouraging and he talked about his love for the Lord. When he finished high school he left the sponsorship program and we lost touch.

Years later my former Sponsor child found me on Facebook - I guess it helps being the only "David Jeyachandran" in Facebook. The fantastic news is that he is now just about to graduate from university with an arts degree in development studies. He is still going strong with the Lord and hopes to work in a child development institute. God willing, he is going to make a difference in many lives. Please read his message below.

Praise the Lord Mr. David, this is Waiswa, your former compassion sponsored child in Uganda. I am so grateful to God for the far He has brought me. This week my final results for my final semester at campus came out and i had excelled. This has always been my prayer to God and finally, He has granted me my heart's desire. Am awaiting graduation which is due in October this year (2013) In the midst of recalling and pondering upon the victory God has given me, i remembered you for the foundation you gave me...perhaps i would have not reached this far, may the good Lord reward you with the very best, you and your family are highly welcome to attend my graduation right here in Uganda.

What a huge encouragement! God willing, as you support us, together we will impact students who will go on to make a difference in many people's lives. You never know the impact you might be having - but we'll share a few stories soon.

Cookies to get students to a conference

18 Sep 2013

In October this year we have our annual conference for our Christian student movement. This year it's in Puno which is a 6-hour bus ride from here. How can we get students to a conference where they can grow in their faith and also get to experience the bigger picture of God's kingdom? One way is to bake cookies and sell them.

Fundraising by Baking Cookies

We'd like to give as many students as we can the opportunity to get to the conference. The profit we make from selling cookies will go to subsidising the cost of getting to the conference. Just the process of getting together, brainstorming ideas to raise funds and then do it together has been a great bonding experience.

This was a great bonding time too for Christine and a bunch of the students.

Please pray that we enable lots of students to get this conference and that they grow in their faith.

Back to school

08 Sep 2013

Last Monday teachers and students went back to 'normal life'!

Ours reported being very satisfied with their teachers and having the relevant important friends in the class with them.

I've finished planning the first term's Youth Group activities/themes. I found they almost all fall into the category 'Social Justice, Integrity and Commitment'. We've lost a couple of excellent elements in the group - one girl is in Canada for 3 months on exchange, another has to stay in Lyon for her studies - and our group is mainly boys 14-17/18 years old! Mmmm....... I'm not exactly the sporting type, so I'm hoping that lively discussions will do the trick.

Our boys can be quite cynical about the world. "It's not worth it the effort!" is the phrase I hear most. They are not very idealistic and not yet all convinced that Christianity is the way to go. I'm hoping the themes will broaden their horizons, will show them that even a drop in the ocean is worth it, and that they will be convinced that committing to Christ is vital as well as a commitment that translates into action and compassion.

Apart from my programme (my co-worker has a heavy workload this year and can't be as involved), the teens have a combined youth group 3 times a year (Sept/Feb/May) and will participate in our Church Union's Youth Gathering beginning Nov. The theme this year: "BE YOURSELF, BE FREE!" - yes, the title is in English - it's cool to pepper one's conversation with English words! Based on 1 Cor 10: 31 '..whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God' and will be about creativity, art, dance, music - expressing oneself and one's faith with the idea of witnessing.

There are 2 generations of French who have no contact with real Christianity. Pray that we can inspire our youth to explore their faith and be relevant to their generation.

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