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FAQ’s About Missionary Life and Tanzania

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On January 18, 2009

In Other

I didn’t blog last week.

Our entire family came down with amoebic dysentery. I don’t really think you want the details. It isn’t pretty. Google it if you are overcome with curiosity. Let’s just say I am very, very thankful for modern medicine.

But that’s really not the purpose of this post.

I have decided to start a series of posts of Frequently Asked Questions that we get as missionaries. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and originally I thought this series would correspond well with our Home Assignment, which was to begin in March. Now it will begin in October, but I have all these ideas floating around in my head so I’m going to do it now anyway.

There are a few reasons for this:
1. We often receive the same questions from lots of people. We don’t mind answering those questions repeatedly, but there are probably many other people who are too shy to ask or never get around to it.
2. I’m discovering more and more prospective HOPAC teachers or others who are considering missions who are finding my blog, and hopefully this information will be helpful. I would love it if this blog helps to inspire someone to go into missions or teach at HOPAC.
3. Some of you readers don’t really know what we are doing here, and even those of you who get our letters might not remember–don’t worry, we understand.
4. There are a lot of misperceptions about missions, yet sometimes people don’t know the right kinds of questions to ask.

I also want to invite you to leave any questions you might have in the comments section. I will be happy to do my best to answer them. There may be certain questions I can’t answer in detail due to the fact that this blog is open to the world, but go ahead and ask anyway.

Note about comments: Usually the only people who leave comments are those who have their own blogs–because they know how much bloggers love feedback! But FYI, on this blog, anyone can leave a comment, even if you don’t have a Google account. Leave an ‘anonymous’ comment, but just sign your name at the end.

One last thought: You should know that missionaries love being asked questions. We love to share about our lives and ministry; we want you to understand; we don’t want to seem so different. But we get self-conscious because we often wonder if people really want to hear about our lives. So the next time a missionary comes to your church, don’t feel bad because you can’t remember what country they live in or their kids’ names–just ask again. Listen and be excited. You will make their day.

FAQ posts coming soon!

The Darkest Night Comes Before the Dawn

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On January 11, 2009

In Other

Since I’m posting twice on one day, read the previous post first.

WE HAVE ELECTRICITY!!!

Today is Sunday, which means we were without power for 6 days and nights. This afternoon we went over to Gil’s classroom where we all took naps and Gil and I got some work done. We came back home about 5:3O, and I saw our outside lights on. I gave such a shriek that I almost gave my poor husband a heart attack, who later told me he thought we were being robbed or the house was burning down.

Since being home, it’s already gone off again for a half hour, so I have my doubts as to whether the problem is really fixed. But for now, I am enjoying life.

…cold drinking water…warm shower water…fans…the washing machine humming away…the ability to keep leftovers…my husband home tonight!

The simple pleasures of life.

I am thankful!

What More Could I Ask For?

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On January 11, 2009

In Other

I am blessed, aren’t I?

It’s good for me to remind myself of what really is important in life.

Update from the last post:

The power is still off. And in talking to the power company yesterday, it doesn’t look incredibly hopeful that we will see it very soon. The transformer for our neighborhood seems to be un-fixable and the power company doesn’t have money to replace it. We are discussing options like buying a generator or moving out early [instead of March, which was our original plan, since renovations need to be done on the house]. We are in conversation with our landlord. The truth is that no matter how much we work on our attitude about this situation, if it’s going to be long-term, we have to do something about it. We can’t do our ministry this way, and we can’t function as a family when Gil can’t sleep at home! We’re not living a simple, slow-paced village life where we are able to get by without electricity. Our life and ministry depends on it–much like it would if we were living in the States. So we would appreciate your prayers, that God would show us the right course of action–while still granting us joy and perseverance as well!

Again

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On January 9, 2009

In Other

For the second time since we’ve come to live in Africa—almost six years—we’ve been without electricity for more than 24 hours.

The power went off Monday evening. Now it is Friday evening. It is still off.

Tuesday afternoon…I know the routine now. Take everything out of the freezer and lug it to the freezer at school. Take some stuff out of the fridge and put it in the freezer, which is still somewhat cold. Throw out a bunch of stuff. So much for planning ahead by making extra leftovers.

And so the days have progressed.

Keep the kids occupied. I spend more time face-to-face with my kids—that’s a good thing! Can’t work on my computer, can’t bake anything that needs refrigeration, can’t do a lot of things I usually do. They can’t watch TV or listen to music. So we play. Games, puzzles, the sprinkler outside. They get extra time in the bath.

Figure out what to make for dinner. Thankful for my gas stove. Think of something that uses only non-perishables and won’t create any leftovers. Kids get powdered milk. Lots of tuna and peanut butter. My friends in the village have assured me that mayo doesn’t need refrigeration—I am trusting them! After dinner…quick! Get cleaned up, get the kids into the bath and into bed before it gets too dark to see.

Light candles. All the rechargeable flashlights are no longer charged. Gil stays home in the dark. I run to school for a precious hour or so to get some work done….emails written, on-line coursework, lesson planning for my sixth grade Bible class.

I come home; Gil leaves to sleep at a friend’s house. It’s a little cooler than it was when this happened in December, but still too hot for my very warm-blooded husband to sleep without A/C or a fan.

Darkness surrounds me. I’m not used to it being so dark. Or so quiet. I’m used to white noise. The kids sleep fine, of course….but I jump at every noise. I make sure my hair is very wet before going to bed. I watch something on my computer until the battery runs out. Thankfully, sleep comes.

The uncertainty of it all is hardest. We call the power company daily—“It will be fixed today!” they tell us. Every day. So do we wait this out? Go to someone’s house? Certainly it will only be one more day….

And then there’s the battle.

“I can’t live like this!!!”

Yes, you can. My grace is sufficient.

“I’m hot; I’m tired. I don’t get to see my husband. I can’t cook, can’t entertain, can’t get any work done.”

Yes, you can. My grace is sufficient. Get creative. Choose joy.

So I think on Zimbabwe. And the millions there who are starving or sick from cholera because of a tyrannical ruler. Where a day’s wage—if you can get work—will buy you a loaf of bread—if you can find bread.

And I feel ashamed.

A missionary friend laughingly told me this week, “We Westerners are fragile creatures, aren’t we?”

Indeed. Of course, I don’t like to think of myself that way—after all, I am a missionary in Africa! But I am not as strong as I would like to think I am.

My grace is sufficient.

Sometimes, this week, I have won the battle and chosen joy. Sometimes I have been grumpy. I hope I’m doing better this time than last month when this happened.

Hmmm. I wonder how many times God will let this happen until I learn it completely?

She’s Three!

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On January 6, 2009

In Other

Daddy decided to make her a pinata for her birthday party. She was a little scared of it at first…”Put it away so it can’t see me!” but thankfully she was okay with it on the day of her party.

It’s a robot, people. Not a hangman.

She had six friends come for her very first kids’ party.

She had been practicing this moment–blowing out the candles on her birthday cake–for probably about six months.

Picture 1: Fun!

Picture 2: Ow!

Picture 3: Hey…..

And Ethan finally broke open the robot….

We also took Grace and her favorite friend McKayla out to lunch for her birthday. We went to ‘MerryBrowns’–a brand spanking new fast food place [a chain from Malaysia, of all places] that actually looks and feels like a real fast food restaurant. In the States I normally despise fast food, but I have to say that MerryBrowns is pretty exciting….especially the kids’ play ground!

Thanks, Bibi!

Thanks, Grandma!

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