Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Is It a Call?


We came to Texas to care for my mother who has Alzheimer's. As the situation has become less of a transition and more a way of life (my mother is in a nursing home, receiving around-the-clock care, as her condition has advanced rapidly), John and I have asked God for an update on our status--in other words, are we still right where He wants us? (If you've ever asked this of God, you know to be prepared for change. He's not a cobwebs-on-the-Samsonite kind of God.) We have been amazed at how well He's orchestrated our travels from Natal to Texas via Florida just in time to be here when Mom needed us. But we've been wondering lately if this is still God's best use of our family. We are burdened by the fact that we have one lifetime to make the biggest impact possible on this earth and have been struggling to find the time necessary to evangelize and disciple--something we are both drawn to--and make a living at the same time. So, we began a prayer and fasting campaign, asking God if He might want to take us back to Brazil. We spent almost five years doing mission work there and had two of our children during that time. It's our home away from home.

Halfway through the fast it occurred to us to remove the parameters of "Brazil" we had placed on our request and to instead open it up to wherever God could "best use our family". That prayer seemed more of a necessary factor in the process of elimination than an honest appeal, because we assumed if we were to ever go back to a mission field it would be to Brazil. And, we had talked a lot about working with orphans or doing some other kind of humanitarian work in conjunction with sharing the gospel the next time around. On the last day of our fast, a friend of ours who's a medical professional told us about an African man who came to his clinic that day to get a physical before going overseas to his homeland for a short-term mission trip. During the checkup, the African shared with our friend the great need for humanitarian workers and missionaries in Africa, specifically Malawi.   

Though we had to admit God might be speaking to us, we were a bit surprised and none too happy that it wasn't about Brazil. To put it plainly, Africa represented an inconvenience at this point. We know Brazil, we don't know Africa. We looked into Malawi--where it is and what it's like--only to discover that it's almost surrounded by Mozambique, a country that speaks Portuguese. Interesting. We also remembered that we met missionaries from there at a conference back in November of 2007. We contacted them and found that they agree Malawi does need more workers. (This may seem like a no brainer but we have found that it's not always the case. In 2006 we considered moving to a city in Brazil that we expected would welcome the help. They did not, and we learned a valuable lesson--not every established mission point needs or wants more missionaries.) But need doesn't, in and of itself, constitute a calling so we asked God for clarification. 

John and I arranged for child care and went to a local organization to talk with some seasoned evangelists who have dedicated themselves to equipping would-be missionaries and their sponsors for effective ministry together. We sat and chatted with the very pleasant man who has spent the better part of his life serving in Africa and now heads up the Africa branch of that organization. He told us about a young family who recently moved to Malawi--that they've been praying for help on the field. We were intrigued. But the answer to someone's prayer doesn't, in and of itself, constitute a calling so we asked God for more clarification. 

We were affirmed during a recent visit to a church we chose for convenience of schedule. The preacher quoted James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Having read that many times over, it was the first time anyone had pointed out that the "and" (that I have put in italics) is not part of the original Greek text. That changes the meaning a great deal and, as John noted, was a word from God for our situation. It answers how to remain unstained by the world and, at the same time, scratches our itch to work on a more tangible level, addressing the world's ever-increasing humanitarian need. We were convicted. But a well-crafted, poignant sermon doesn't, in and of itself, constitute a calling so, again, we asked God for clarification.

I'll spare you the details of every dream and coincidence (that we think are more than simply dreams and coincidences, by-the-way.) I wonder, based on what I have shared so far, what you think. Are we being called to Africa?

For now we visit with my mom regularly and mourn her loss as she gradually slips away. We facilitate Bible studies when we find people who are interested. The kids' sports program we started in the spring just came to a close and Samantha is studying the Bible with two of the moms from that. John is working at the local community center which is a modest paycheck but a great ministry potential. I home school the kids and together we manage my mom's estate. It's a lot to do and we stay busy, all the while, waiting for a little more clarification.

20 comments:

  1. Paying for you guys daily! I know God has put you guys in my life for a reason, there's no doubt in that. I can't wait to see where the Brazilian Jewels end up next and what God has in store for them.

    p.s. I really can't get over how big the boys have gotten!

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    1. Thanks, Scott! That means the world to us.

      The boys are growing up fast, aren't they. We're very proud of them. When we tell people about our time at RIP, they can't believe we're talking about Jonah. We've been able to help a lot of people because of our difficulty early on. You were a big part of that.

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  2. You know how we feel. When are we going to talk on the phone?

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  3. I love your heart and the prayer you prayed asking God to show you exactly where He can best use your family. I just want to affirm you. I can see details lining up that seem to point you toward Africa. But like you said, that in and of itself does not constitute a calling. So just know that I will continue to pray for you guys as you seek clarification from Him.

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    1. Thank you so much. We really appreciate the prayers.

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  4. I believe that you will make the right choice. You are needed in so many places but you can't be there at the same time. You must pick the country, the state, the area that you feel is best for you and your family to not only educate and do ministry but to also ensure your family's safety and well-being. I truly believe that you were put on this earth to do exactly what it is that you were doing.
    I love you all.

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    1. Wow! Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. It's very encouraging to know that people care about what we're doing.

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  5. Praying for clear direction in God's presence and joy and dancing on the journey....

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    1. Thank you, Christy. We count on your prayers. I especially like the part about the dancing.

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  6. This "Africa thing" sounds exciting and I can't wait to see what God works out.

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    1. Ya, we're pretty excited about it too. I'll keep you posted.

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  7. This is such a great testimony! Thanks for sharing. We are still praying for you guys.

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to read this and give us feedback. Thanks most of all for the prayers. We need those desperately.

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  8. I believe you belong with your mother until the Lord takes her into his arms. He will always be there for you, but your mother will not. She may not appear to know you, but that should not be something that makes the decision any easier for you. She needs you as much as your ministry needs you. He will always be there for you. Take advantage of this time with your mother, love her, hold her, pray with her and learn from her. It, too, is a beautiful gift.

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    1. Thank you, Sydney.
      I appreciate your words. It's difficult to see clearly in the midst of a crisis and it helps a great deal when others take the time to help. You're a nice lady and I'm glad you read my blog.

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  9. Thanks so much for being transparent in all this! I read this shortly after you posted and have been praying and thinking about it since...We are returning the the states in April 2014 in part due to aging, ill parents. We are trying to listen to God as to where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do. It seemed like we were getting no answers, but now, it seems that sometimes (many times) God "talks" to us in ways that are different from regular talking...Our prayer for us and for you is for the ability to discern what it is that God wants vs what I/we want...Your testimony through all this Brazil to US to Brazil to US to wherever is part of your story that God is creating for you to bless others. That WILL happen wherever you are and whatever your ministry looks like!

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    1. Thank you so much, Penne. The back and forth has taken its toll but we know God has a purpose for all of it, and it's so nice to hear from someone who gets that. We appreciate your prayers. I would love to talk to you more through e-mail about your future plans. I don't know if you are on Facebook but I will try to find you so we can exchange emails.

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  10. Keep up the GREAT WORK. God Bless

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  11. I heard about the two of you through a "God" moment over breakfast at a spiritual retreat. I met Duane Jenkins, who knows the two of you and your heart. As we sat and visited, I told him of our work in Sweetwater, TX with outreach to children and families. We were about to drive away, and he came out quickly to tell me that he had thought of just the couple to apply for our outreach/equipping minister, and it was you. We need someone willing to go out but also someone to equip and help the church with what their part is in it all. I am the children's minister at 4th and Elm in Sweetwater.....and God has just blessed us with open doors to children in our community and in turn to their families. We are looking for a minister to add to our team. I know it's not Africa....btw, I loved your post, but if outreach in the community excites you and getting in the Word with folks....then please consider....you may email me at hisimage02@gmail.com and I will send the job description on to you.

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