Ministry From The Far Side
Missionaries are humans too! Observations from a missionary to Moldova.
What Have I Been Given? 8 Feb 2010, 5:45 am
What have I been entrusted with by God?
I read Luke 19 this morning, the story of how a master entrusted three servants with some money. He left different amounts of funds with each servant, then when he returned home, he called for a report. The one with 10 minas had earned 10 more, the one with 5 have earned 5 more, but the servant with 1 mina had done nothing but sit on the money.
He didn't lose the money, but he did nothing to build on it.
So...what has the master left me? What has God placed into my possession? What gifts and talents has He given me to use to build His kingdom? What resources have I been blessed with? And am I doing anything about them?
These thoughts have been on my mind lately, partially due to my thoughts on my life and my purpose. I am going through a workbook, True North, at the same time as Nancy, dealing with one's personal leadership strengths. We have been in Moldova 7 years, doing plenty of ministry, working wherever we could to help build and strengthen the Church.
But with what am I personally gifted? Am I using my gifts? I have talents, but I don't think making great newsletters is one of them. I don't want to include raising funds, though I do a decent job at that. I am not a gifted counselor, though have sat with many people through marriage and family crises.
I am a decent teacher and preacher. I enjoy writing, and my words do have a way of challenging people. I enjoy the camera and the power of the image. Creativity is a strength, along with vision. I can see the future in people, and love to convey the potential of what could be (with God's help). I am a voracious learner, not content with doing piddling work but prefer deeply transformational ministry. I can rally the troops, but don't always remember the details to keep things rolling. I am NOT a good manager, but believe in people.
What I am mulling as of late is a simple question: what are the 10 (or 5) things that God has given me? NOT--what are the things that I have taken on, or gifts that others assume of me. But what has GOD given me? And what am I going to do about it?
What has God given YOU?
Source: Ministry From The Far Side | Raatz
Future Preacher 7 Feb 2010, 7:02 am
God blessed us with the three most beautiful girls in the world. I've never wished to change a thing about our girls (unless to add a couple more to the mix). Even when people say "Are you going to keep trying until you have a son?", I've never considered that important. Our daughters are enough!
But I do get to be a uncle/parental figure now to another batch of kids--the children at the Home of Hope. When Sasha was born, there finally was another male in the house! He and I are the only ones there, so we have to keep solidarity.
"Past results are no guarantee of future earnings." So says every mutual fund prospectus. Just because they made a killing last year, doesn't mean it will happen this year.
For the Home of Hope, I want to change it to "Past results will be CHANGED to future victories."
Sasha's past is not good. The children (and mothers) have never had much good in their past, nothing but bad family memories, horrendous memories from their trafficked years, and repressed memories from things they don't want to remember.
BUT...as I hold Sasha, I keep sharing how this little guy is going to be a future preacher, a man of God. His mom has that same thought now, seeing that his past will be changed into a great future.
That is the miracle of Christ, His ability to resurrect, transform, inspire, re-create, renew, and restore. From our churches to the Teen Challenge center, from the Home of Hope to the youth center, God is changing the future, one life at a time.
Source: Ministry From The Far Side | Raatz
Not the Way to Wake Up 1 Feb 2010, 4:09 pm
As you can see from the photos below, Monday did NOT start off right. We woke up find our STL Toyota RAV4 pounded, as ice slid off the roof in the middle of the night. The chunks of ice slid off the roof, smashing off the side mirror, breaking the front windshield, and denting the hood and car roof.
Ouch.
I HATE to waste money, and this just seemed like an expense that is useless. Since Moldova doesn't have any kind of comprehensive insure, this is a cash affair. Mirror--$200, windshield--$100. Probably cost another $200. Lot cheaper than in the states, but still no an enjoyable experience.
Lessons learned:
- I have to watch what accumulates. A little won't hurt you, but when it all adds together....That goes for both snow and bitterness.
- I have to watch where I stop. If I park in a danger zone, I might get smacked. Applies to both ice and temptations.
- Harsh falls are non-selective, hitting whomever, irregardless of guilt or innocence.
- Some Mondays are better off skipped. Couldn't I just go back to bed and wake up Tuesday?
Source: Ministry From The Far Side | Raatz
Goodbyes 25 Jan 2010, 5:56 pm
There is one thing about being in missions that I HATE---goodbyes. I can't afford to think about it often, and I'm always putting a positive spin on it with our girls. But to be honest, it is really the pits to say goodbye to people all the time.
We say goodbye to friends because they are circulating out of Moldova. We say goodbye to Moldovans because they are immigrating from here. We say goodbye to people from the international community and missions community. Embassy people are usually only here two years, so that is always a hello and goodbye routine. Even though we've been in Moldova almost seven years, we've already said goodbye to countless fellow missionaries from a number of organizations. And some of our best friends immigrated to the US 3 years ago.
Positive spin? We have friends in 6 of the 7 continents (no one has moved to Antarctica yet, but you just wait). We have places to visit if we can ever afford to fly there!
Positive? We have friends from at least a dozen different nationalities and languages (I learned some more Australian last night--"Spat the dummy" and "rug up." We both speak English but trust me, it is a different language!).
Positive? We will enjoy some great ethnic potlucks when we meet in heaven? I assume the heavenly feast with have jalapenos that do not cause pain, but just spice!
Negative? We aren't together enough. Miles mean less time together. We drift apart over time. And I hate saying goodbye.
We have been blessed with some wonderful friends, and tonight I want to sound like the Apostle Paul, thankful for the partners I have in Christ, all over this world! Thanks...Vitor and Evanir, Fulcu and Jeanine, Nate and Tammy, A/G pastors, missionaries, Chip and Elizabeth, Maile and Hannah, Jackie and Tasheena, Vasile and Natasha...and unfortunately soon to be Mike and Lynn, Paul and Susan, and more.
When I stop to think about it, I've been blessed, more than I probably even deserve. Thanks for the friendship.
Source: Ministry From The Far Side | Raatz
Just Enough Oil 19 Jan 2010, 8:32 pm
At times I feel like I am living in the Old Testament story of the widow and the oil, who every morning found just enough oil in her kitchen to cook another meal. She always thought it might be the last meal, but God kept giving just enough.
Every month I come to the end of an increased load, increased responsibility. I wonder where in the world there will be enough money to cover the bills, pay the expenses for the Home of Hope, expand the ministry. There is never an abundance, but there is just enough.
I would prefer that the amount would increase, just one month so that the jar would be a little fuller. But instead, we end up with just enough to go another day, another month.
I guess I am called to live a life of trust. I do pray that God will move in the hearts of people to help out just one more month. I pray that our expenses will be covered for one more day. And that I will always know Who is the true Provider.
Source: Ministry From The Far Side | Raatz