Ministry From The Far Side

The Cost of Nondiscipleship

"Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God's overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stand firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil.  In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10)."

--Dallas Willard

Life and Death

One of those interesting days.  We are celebrating Lauren's birthday today.  She is so excited about turning 7, singing all morning "I love my birthday, I love my birthday!"

Then we received the call last night about Ilia's death.  There will be a service at the house tonight at 7 pm.

So we celebrate both life and remember death today.  Quite the contrast.

Communication

Life as a missionary is a constant tension between the work on the field and the connections with the senders.  We attempt to balance between two demanding forces, pushing to minister and labor in our country yet recognizing the need to share victories and needs with those that support us.

I feel like the load here in Moldova has increased recently where I am finding it hard to communicate with supporters like I should--to write e-letters, send newsletters, and even to ask for needs.  We DO have some huge financial needs, i.e. finishing Home of Hope, the elderly home in Sarata Galbena, a couple of village churches.  Part of me resists asking for money (I know, I shouldn't!  We are building God's kingdom, not our kingdom).  Part of me is just too busy working to think about sharing needs.  And part of me just wants to trust God for each and every dollar that comes.

How can I communicate our dreams and vision?
How can I communicate our needs?
How can I communicate our thanks and appreciation?

I can probably never communicate enough!

Christ's Church

I love the church in Moldova, despite its faults! 

I say that because I understand that this church, though wonderful, still has its problems and issues.  As missionaries, we are to blame for conveying the image of a problem-free church overseas.  When we share about the work overseas, we share the great things, the miracles, and the powerful acts of God.  We never share the headaches. 

But the church will always be imperfect as long as people are involved.  The church in Moldova has strong points--great faith, great holiness, great prayer, great desire to serve him, great loyalty.  I know many of the opposite weaknesses, and I wrestle with how to best influence change.  How can I still keep positive about the Church when I face glaring weaknesses? 

I have heard this question from more than one intern or MA.  They get frustrated with things in the church, and want something different.  And I agree!  I have had (and still do have) many of those frustrations.  I would love to see a great church with empowering leaders, full of grace and mercy, powerful worship, relevant to the culture, with open doors for all to come, both sinners and saints.  But I also realize that is the desire of most people, both in Moldova and around the world.

I have not lessened my desire to bring needed change here, but I understand that it comes through relationships.  I comes when we rub shoulders together and we have become brothers or sisters in Christ.  We influence most when we are already close to another person.  My proverb is that the wounds of a friend will strengthen, while the wounds of others only destroy.

I will continue to work with my brothers and sisters here.  They are changing me in areas of my weakness.  And I pray that I am able to change them in areas of their weaknesses.

Having Fun with the Watts'

We have had a lot of fun with friends this weekend.  We took our guests up to meet with the building team from Bismarck that is here this week.  Our girls had some great Moldovan fun...riding horse carts and riding ancient sidecar motorcycles!

Here are some photos.

Living An Oddball Life

I often feel like I live an oddball life.  There is so much to do in Moldova, and our lives appear quite hectic and frazzled. 

Last Saturday a team of 12 arrived to work in the village of Mihaeleni.  We picked them up from the airport, settled them in for a day at the ministry center, then went north and began the construction.  I spent the time with the team until Tuesday noon, then drove 3 hours back to Chisinau.  I then drove to the airport that evening to pick up a trailing suitcase, talking my way through the baggage man to get it, and got home about 9 pm. 

Off to the office this morning, expecting to drive to the airport at midnight to pick up a friend from Convoy of Hope.  BUT he dropped a note saying that he was delayed with flights, and I STILL don't know when he is to come in.  In the meantime, I am still coordinating some of the team activities, waiting for news from my friend's arrival, and planning for the arrival of another family on Saturday, 2 a.m.  I still need to find out when I will meet the building team at the Teen Challenge center, how to get a box of tools to them, and squeeze in some hours to rebuild my webpage with Igor.  Add to the mix about a day of doing financial reports, checking in on 3 interns, and trying to get the Home of Hope finished. 

The reality of missions---so many days seem like I am going around and around, trying to keep a lot of balls in the air.  I sometimes wish I could just check into the office and put in 8 hours.

Actually, I don't think I could handle that. 

Back to the oddball life.

Prayer Request

A team from Bismarck, North Dakota, is leaving today to come to Moldova. They will be working in Mihaileni, building and ministering.  With twelve people and twice that in luggage, they would appreciate the prayers of everyone as they travel.  Pray that the entire team makes it without any problems.  Pray that all their luggage arrives without any difficulties.  Pray that they will be a blessing and strength to the church there.

Thanks.

Helena Team 2

Here is another video that that Helena team made.  It is showing why we are working toward clean water wells in Moldova.

Helena Team Video

One of the guys on the last Helena team made this video afterwards.  Hilarious!

He Had Compassion....

I read Matthew 9:36 this morning and the description of Jesus struck me. It says that "when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd."

As we stare at this world, we can so often feel a myriad of emotions, from righteous indignation to anger.  We can look at the sin in this world and feel frustration.  I have been judgmental, irritated, and saddened.

But Jesus felt compassion.

It seems like the rhetoric of this world is often vocal and critical.  Our political ads attack, attack and attack.  Christian radio and TV constantly talk of "us" and "them," about the evil decisions that come from the courts or from the legislature.  People complain about the immorality and sickness in this world.

And they are right.

But Jesus had compassion.  I think that he understood that all those "bad" things, from immorality and perversion, sickness and corruption, originate from the sin that has ensnared this world.  He understood that they were just lost sheep.  They didn't know better because their moral compasses were twisted and bent, and only His blood could ever redeem them.

Righteous indignation is not necessarily wrong.  Protests and voicing our concern is never wrong.  But unless we have it wrapped in compassion and understanding, we will never allow true change to happen.

Lord, give me compassion to see the true needs.  Give me eyes to see Moldova as you see it, lost and helpless.

Praying for Our Kids' Teacher

We have been tremendously blessed this year with Shauna Caldwell, a great teacher that has really been a blessing to us and to our girls.  Our girls are homeschooled, and Shauna has made the level of education even better.  BUT...we are going to be losing her soon.  She will be heading back to the states after her year here.  We are praying for the teacher for next year, and she is already located. 

Corrina Holcomb is a graduate of Valley Forge Christian College.  She is a Missionary Associate, committed to coming one year as a support role to us and the ministry here.  With the launch of the Home of Hope, Nancy's time is stretched, so please pray that Corrina can get the last of her funds raised ASAP.  We would love to have her here next month.

And if you want to help here out, click here for a link to donate to get her to Moldova.  I don't ask for help very often, but this is one where we could use a little help from everyone.  Thanks.

Great Quote

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.

C.S. Lewis