Ministry From The Far Side

Good Day

As we spend this year in the US, my life is one of constant motion.  My responsibilities are predominantly speaking, traveling from church to church, group to group, lunch to lunch.  I'm here to

REPORT on what God has been doing, sharing about the past 9 years. 
I am here to RAISE funds for the future, both the $4500 we need each month to support Freedom Home plus the variety of church projects we are working on. 
And I am also trying to RECONNECT with all my friends and family.  We feel the relational stretch from being gone from so many activities: weddings, birthdays, reunions. 

So services are wonderful.  Some are just OK.

But yesterday was a special day.  Not because of the location, though I thoroughly enjoyed the church in Austin.  Dave Simerson and the crew there have a wonderful church, and I enjoyed both services as well as lunch with friends. 

But it was special because Natalie came with me!  Every once in awhile, one of the girls sacrifices their chance for youth group and "their" church to come with me, listening to my stories for the 1000 time.  We had a great time...talking about salaries, vets, working at Coldstone (after we stopped for our afternoon treat), friends, Moldova, and music. 

I am not a missionary with a family.  We are five missionaries, each knowing that Moldova is where God has us for this moment of time.  We love the work, love the churches, and especially love the girls at Freedom Home. 

Thanks, Natalie, for being such a great daughter.

 

Pursuit

"Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."

I read this verse this morning while traveling. That verb "pursue" seemed to leap off the page at me.  It is an intense word, full of a myriad of connections.

Years ago, I “pursued” my wife, interested in getting to know her more.  For years, my Novembers were filled with hours of pursuit for antlers and furs.  I've pursued a good sale, a good investment, and an old book.

But Paul admonished us to pursue a godly character.  I think he knew what was truly important.

If I gain all the money, all the fame, or all the knowledge, but not know Christ, I have pursued the wrong thing.

My prayer this morning has been simply for strength to make sure my greatest pursuit with be God, knowing the Father, Son, and Spirit more today than yesterday. 

Today, I will chase after Him.

Faith Based Mission

In AG World Missions, we do not operate with a predetermined salary, given budget, or central organization.  We are a faith-based missions organization, dependent on individuals and churches.  We raise our support and pledges, and out of that, the organization gives us a salary, with the rest going to the work.

Before we leave, we ask people if they would be willing to make a faith pledge to support the work in Moldova for the next term (or longer).  There is never a bill sent, thus the element of trust and faith.  No one is under no obligation to fulfill their pledge, and no debt collector will show up at one's door! 

This is the concept behind itineration, our travel schedule during our year in the U.S.  We travel back to supporters and churches, reporting about the work and raising for the years ahead.  We preach, speak, meet, drink coffee, have dinner, and in a myriad of other ways, toss out our vision for ministry and missions in Moldova.

We are totally dependent on churches and individuals to support Freedom Home each month.
We are dependent on them to finish a church building or purchase a new church.
We are dependent on them for the gas money to run our vehicle for outreaches.

The list could go on.  Outreaches, translation projects, education for Freedom Home kids and women, even the Summit we are organizing next month to start other ministries to survivors of trafficking.  All dependent each month.

Yes, we are a faith-mission, but we don't just leave the U.S. without a backing.  We budget and plan on the pledges that are sent in.  We work to find enough pledges to estimate the support.  If I raised a million dollars worth of support, I don't benefit personally.  It just gives us more work money to put into ministry and churches.

So that is the reason and method of our life.  And for that reason, we want to say thanks...to all those that have supported and pledged to build God's Church in Moldova.  Without you, none of this would be possible.  Thanks for your support.

 

 

 

STL

Last Sunday I had the privilege of sharing at Abundant Life Community Church in Alton, IL.  They did something this year that will turn out to be a huge blessing to Freedom Home in Moldova.

Their youth group bought a car.

Actually, they made a committment to raise money for Speed-the-Light, an A/G program that helps buy vehicles, sound systems, and other tools for missionaries.  And it is the youth that do the work.  It's their vision, their responsibility, and their way to GIVE.

This youth group raised over $25,000 to help buy a vehicle for Freedom Home, the aftercare home for Moldovan survivors of trafficking.  Incredible!

This is FAR beyond anything they had ever done, but with the vision of their youth pastor, Eric Hoffman, and a bunch of high level youth leaders, they somehow pulled it off.  They broke the old paradigm.  

It is interesting how often we have mental limits.  We think that we can only give $20 to a need.  Or that we are only capable of this one task or ministry.  Or that we can never read the Bible through in a year, or memorize a verse a week.  We think that believers can never tithe, never give to missions, never go on trips.  

We have these mental limits.  But faith is sometimes simply believing that those limits can be shattered.  And when we do, our entire perspective is changed.

What is the advantage of this youth group giving $25,000?  Well, it showed them that ridiculous dreams are possible.  That God blesses generosity.  That they can do incredible things.  That they can actually play a part in a Moldovan girl's healing.    That they have a purpose.

So I celebrate with these youth today.  And I wonder what paradigm's I need shattered?  What limits are you living with, barriers that need to be stretched and broken.  What are the big dreams out there for your church and your life?

Who Am I?

Yesterday I heard a comment that I've heard a thousand times.  Someone was introducing us to a group, and he said, "Andy and Nancy are missionaries to Moldova."

Something stopped within me. 

Is that who I am?

I think I am a person, who serves in the role of missionary.  I am a man, a follower of Christ.  But a missionary?  No...that is something I simply do.

Perhaps I'm splitting hairs, but there is something dangerous when we start to think what we DO is who we ARE.  It is especially dangerous if that DOING can set you apart from you you are.

This situation where this comment was made was a small group, a place where people come for safety, counseling, and encouragement.  I had visited with a couple of guys earlier that I am not sure if they knew much about church or God.  The last think I want to do is for people to label me "missionary," mostly because in Christiandom now that means "super-Christian."

I am far from super.  I am far from sainthood.  I am far from perfect.

I do happen to serve in a unique situation, doing some unique work.  I think God has called us there, His strength and my stubbornness help me stay there.  We are trying to do work that I am unsure of, struggle with, and at times, pray that survives.  I get frustrated with traffic, imperfect churches, and the stress of going to grocery stores.

And I'm a missionary?

No, I'm just an ordinary guy, doing what he can do to show God's grace and mercy.  I want to glorify God in all I do.  Some days that desire is greater than other days.  Some days I'd rather quit and go milk cows, or sell shoes, or mow lawns. 

So next time introduce me a Andy...an ordinary guy trying to serve God, be a good husband and father, serve in ministry...and who happens to serve as a missionary for some strange reason.  Just ordinary...Andy.

Stumbling

I have a few minutes before I head over to Church on the Move in Plains, MT, for the service this morning.  I am going to do something I haven't done much of for the last few weeks.

Write.

I am not sure why I haven't been writing.  I'm behind on newsletters, blogging, even emails.  We arrived back in the US the end of July, and something happened.  I just lost the words. 

Nothing there.  Nada.  Zip. 

I wanted to write, but it was if my system had gone into shock mode...from the culture, from the exhaustion, from the overload.  My one creative outlet felt draining, not refreshing.

Am I the only one who's ever been in that type of condition or mood? 

You would think I would have loads of energy.  I'm back where life is easy (grocery stores, convenience, smooth roads).  I'm back where I can speak English, with friends and family. 

But life has seemed to become one ENORMOUS to-do list.  I have hundreds of support letters to get out.  I still haven't finished painted and setting up our house.  I have services to schedule, calls to make, pastors to see, newsletters to write...plus I'd kind of like to take care of myself.

Sorry...this isn't meant to be a woe-is-me kind of note.  Not intending that.  I know every one has there own enormous load of life, some much more strenuous than mine.  It is meant to be MY exploration of why I let that load stop me from writing.

I am trying to stumble my way back to stability.  I want to emerge from this  shocked-state of life, and get back to running.  And I want to do it with passion and joy.

Through Thick and Thin

We have now been back in the US over three weeks.  Of course, within those three weeks we have already been to six states, covering thousands of miles.  We have said hello to only a fraction of the people we want to see. 

But even in three weeks, I am starting to feel that "stretching" feeling.  We have been away from our friends now for over 9 years, and life has just gone by.  When you only see someone once every 5 years, the friendship can never grow, and time has a way of stretching out those connections thinner and thinner each passing year.  I have a million friendships, but the vast majority are only an inch deep.

I am looking forward to rebuilding some of those connections this year, but I am also realistic that I can never build them with everyone.  To some, I am just a "missionary" friend that comes by once ever few years.  We just don't live here anymore. We will always be old friends from the past.

I am now understanding why missionaries of 40+ years overseas have a hard time coming back to the US.  Everyone they know well doesn't live here!

I'm praying for some time with FRIENDS this year (as well as family).  Looking forward to time with some people where we can just relax and be ourselves, rather than just their "missionary."  And I'm challenging myself to not let the thousands of inch-deep relationships tire me out from the time with those friends with whom I can go deeper.

 

Roots

I am up in the middle of the night.  I already gave up the fight for sleep and decided that 3 am would be a nice time to get a few things accomplished!

We have now been in the US 30 hours.  We find ourselves in the state of trying to establish life here: hunting for a vehicle to buy, shopping for furniture to use this year, and getting things set for our one year of itineration.  We are trying to get some roots down--FAST.

Roots.  It is probably the key issue for us right now, the reason we have mixed feelings about returning to the US this year.  We love Moldova, and we have deep roots there.  Our relationships with the pastors is deep.  Our love and connections to the girls at Freedom Home is heavily invested. 

We have deep roots there.

But we also have strong relationships here in the US.  The girls are thrilled to see their cousins and friends again.  Nancy and I are looking forward to reconnecting with our family and friends as well.  We are going to enjoy a year of smooth roads and the ease of life in the US.  We look forward to rebuilding some roots here.

But we want to be there. 
And we want to be there.

This year of itineration will be different.  We've left deeper roots in Moldova, and a larger portion of our heart has never left.  But we are starved for time with you...our friends that we've missed. 

So if we sound rather multiple-personality about this whole year in the states, please understand.  No matter where we live now, Moldova or America, part of us still resides in the other. 

Perhaps that is the life of a follower of Christ anyway?  Always anticipating the "other side?"

Checklist

We are only days away from our departure to the US for our year of itineration.  This is the stage of transition that I dislike the most.  I know we MUST leave, so I'd rather just get it over with and fly to the US!

But then I think of all the things we need to do and buy, I get overwhelmed.  I start building mental checklists (and some physical).  I keep thinking of:

1.  Car--somehow we need to buy a car or two, figure out how to finance it...all in 2 days?
2.  Cell phones--get a plan started up so we can get back into communication with everyone.
3.  Get our house set up with furniture, none of which we own at this time.  Shopping again...
4.  Mattresses--it would sure be nice to have beds eventually.
5.  Services--and on every weekend, start the itineration services!
6.  Clothes--since most of our clothes need to be burned (so wore out and old), I have to go clothes shopping, all without breaking the bank.
7.  Do a newsletter, write a e-letter, and get a photobook done.

OK.  Stop, I'll never get them all done.  Unless I start right now.

Change

Transition has been the only thing on my mind as of late.  It is hard to NOT think of it, since we have spent the last month packing boxes, giving away excess, and prepping for our one year move to the US.  We have a lot of things still to do:  furnishing our house, getting vehicles, and scheduling services and meetings while in the US.  We are trying to close up shop here, transferring responsibilities to fellow team members and staff.

And we are trying to say good-bye. 

We learned a lot the last time.  I kept too busy before we left, and was pressed to say goodbye.  I know we are returning next summer, but there are many people that won't be here when we return.  Many friends will be leaving this country, both expats and Moldovans.  Last time we left Moldova, some of our closest friends decided to immigrate to America that year, leaving the week before we returned.

We've never seen them again.

Life is full of lots of goodbyes.  In our situation, that number is increased.  So much transition...so much moving...so many goodbyes.

The greatest danger is that I would become tired of trying.  I don't want to become so jaded that I don't bother to make friends anymore.  After all, why bother if I'm just going to say goodbye in a year!  But I keep fighting that desire, and I'll keep trying.

So there is one change that will continue.  We'll keep saying goodbye to friends....and we'll keep saying hello to new ones.  The transition of goodbyes is a constant, but I can also recognize the transition of hellos, new friends, and a list of friends now that are scattered around the world.  We are rich with friends...and about to get richer.

 

Transparency

In a few hours, I am going to be leading a small study at Freedom Home.  I normally don't lead a weekly study, but I think it will be a help to do so for the next month.

I am doing the study on our identity in Christ.  Sounds pretty simple, but WHO we are in Christ is probably the key truth the girls at Freedom Home need to understand (as well at the rest of Christians around the world!).  Our views of ourselves are so distorted, maybe just more obvious at Freedom Home.

I am printing off photos of each of the girls.  I have transparency sheets that we are going to lay over top of the photos.  I am then going to have the girls write on the sheets, views of themselves that they may have.  Perhaps it is words that people have said to them.  Perhaps it is ideas that Satan has told them.  Perhaps it is just how they feel about themselves.

But then we will pull the sheet back and see the photo--the way GOD sees them.

He sees us as valuable, wonderful, created in His image.

We see ourselves as worthless, performance-driven, incapable, limited.  Some see themselves as fat (thus anorexia).  Others see themselves are perfect (thus narcissists).  Some see themselves as unholy (thus driven to DO, even in regards to their faith).

The problem has never been how God sees me.  The problem is really all the junk I've allowed to be written on top of that image. 

What have you written on top of your image?  Allowed to be written there?

[Would appreciate your prayers as I share--8:30 am CST]

Worries

I've had a lot on my mind as of late.  Different kinds of worries.  Different kinds of thoughts. 

I tend to try to work ahead in my mind all the things I need to do.  I've never needed anybody to add to my to-do list.  I keep that list building ahead of me constantly.

But more and more, those worries are turning into prayer requests.  I know that should be obvious, but I think that many times I've spent more time worrying that praying.  Maybe I shouldn't admit there, but even as a pastor, the leap from problem to worry was far quicker than the leap from problem to prayer.  And many times, even my prayer times were prayer-worry sessions!

It is funny how God keeps reminding me over and over of the need to pray.

We've been fighting the situation with the well-drilling rig, running into problem after problem.  This morning, as Don and Phil were heading out the office to drive down and work on it one more time, we prayed together.

Three hours later, I get the text, "It is working out."

Should we even be surprised?

But prayer isn't about "things working out."  It is about trusting God, laying those concerns at His feet.  Whether it works out or not is insignficant.  Living with the peace of God in the midst of the storm is what is important.

We need breakthroughs in people at Freedom Home.  Why worry?  Pray.
We need young people to step forward to become church planters. Worry?  No, pray.
We need need favor by a mayor for a church property dispute.  What to do?  Pray.

The challenges are there each and every day.  Perhaps our missions life even reveals bigger and more severe problems than the usual.  But our God is more than capable of granting us His peace in the midst of them all.