My Mission Monday

Inconceivable Love

By Shelli Littleton

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3–4).

There is a child, only ten years old, who is married and giving birth. Inconceivable. Her youth should dance with playing dolls, catching butterflies, twirling in her dress, and galloping on a stick horse. Her eyes should glisten and thoughts be carried away with Cinderella’s fairy-tale ending. Her heart should only know the love she witnesses between her mommy and her daddy. This is painstakingly not so for young girls in Nigerian—particularly Muslim—lower-class societies.

There is a child whose youth and purity have been stolen. There is a child giving birth to a child before her precious body was prepared. Instead of dancing on her daddy’s toes, picture her limping down the way, leaking human waste. These young girls are suffering with vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), a condition caused when girls give birth at a tender age, often in labor for over three days, resulting in a permanent limp and a chronic leakage of human waste. Their babies often die, as the young girls die to society. Because of their condition and odor, they are forced to divorce their husbands, and they become social outcasts confined to small huts outside the community. Tears well up in the eyes at the mere thought.

Yakubu and Diana Bakfwash are involved in the Evangelical Church of West Africa’s (ECWA) mission hospital in Nigeria that reaches out to these young girls. Yakubu is senior pastor and head chaplain for this hospital; his wife, Diana, serves as matron. In 2001, it was estimated that the number of unrepaired VVFs in Nigeria alone was between 800,000 and 1,000,000. The hospital ministers to these children and to women who have lived with this condition for some 20 to 30 years.

The hospital’s mission is to enable these women to regain their mental and physical health in order to undergo a surgery that will heal their condition. This leads to healed hearts, as many of these young girls and women receive Christ as their Savior—new birth into a living hope.

There is a child who is so greatly loved, and many more Nigerian Muslims and outcasts like her, that Yakubu and Diana sold everything they possessed to purchase one-way airline tickets for themselves and their three daughters to the United States, to study at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Back in Nigeria, Yakubu is an instructor at Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (jetsnigeria.org) where he teaches Islamic studies. Desiring to make an impact for Christ in the hearts of Nigerian Muslims, he is pursuing a Southwestern master of divinity and also yearns to obtain a master of theology in missions, with an emphasis in Islamic studies.

Diana is focusing on “homemaking” at Southwestern to aid her in the mission’s rehabilitation center where such skills are taught to these girls and women, enabling them to survive and thrive. She and other staff teach sewing, knitting, soap and bead making, Kampala, Batik, tie dye, pomade making, baking, and more. The rehabilitation center lovingly houses them for up to three months for proper mentoring, disciplining them to grow into maturity, before returning to their families.

There is a child—Salamatu. Seeing her changed life, she declared, “Rayuwu ba tare da Isa ba, ban’zane, na gan Isa, na taba shi, nakuma zama da shi,” which translates, “Life without Jesus is a miserable life. I have seen, touched, and even leave with your Jesus.” Because of the Bakfwash family and the mission hospital, Salamatu now reads, writes, has learned basic sewing and hand-craft skills, owns her own sewing machine, is empowered economically, and is physically healed. But above all, she has “Isa”—Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. For her, there is nothing like it.

Love for Africa has Yakubu and Diana eagerly awaiting their return home to put into practice the knowledge they have obtained here. They know nothing is important apart from making disciples for Christ. They offer a challenge to people with a heart for missions to think twice, get involved, and partner with them to do God’s work in northern Nigeria. They covet prayer for financial support toward their studies’ success, good health, their sick parents’ health needs back home, the resources to make a yearly visit to the mission hospital, and for the growth of the ministry in their absence.

They long to return to the mission hospital to support the more than 1,000 former patients who revisit every year for a glorious celebration, where the young girls and women receive a spiritual growth check-up and a revelation of what their heavenly reunion will entail. Yes, there is a child awaiting attendance at that sweet heavenly reunion because of the Bakfwash family’s love—God’s faithful, inconceivable love.

And there will be no more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain, and no more shame. She will have that Cinderella fairy-tale ending and will be a beautiful bride prepared for her Groom just as intended—taintless, spotless, and whole-hearted, with renewed youth and innocence. She will dance on her heavenly Father’s toes. And He will bestow on her a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isa. 61:3)—an inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6–7).

Shelli Littleton loves writing. She and her husband, Brian, live in Fort Worth, Texas, with their two daughters, Karalee (11) and Katelyn (9), and serve Travis Avenue Baptist Church.

My Mission Monday

The Effect of a Simple Missions Trip

By Davette Tilley

No, I was not 13 years of age, or 17, or 22, or 30. I was 46 and on my first missions trip that left me wanting more.

This missions trip led others and me from our church to a place not far from where we lived. There was a family nearby and we were to do painting inside the home.

The first day we arrived at the home we began to unload our supplies, while some began to set up a tent for the Backyard Bible Club. Others and I went on to the house to find out where we would begin. As I entered the house and looked around, I remembered a feeling that I once knew. When I refused to let God into my life, a very empty feeling filled me so that no matter where I turned there seemed to be no hope.

We worked our first and second day there. From early that morning till evening I remember being so tired every muscle ached. I worked to let this family know they were not alone. God was there and so were others who wanted to share hope with them.

By the third day I was ready to go home. I remember thinking, “I have used up my vacation time from work. It’s hot here, and nobody except me is doing any work.” I wanted to be back in my comfort zone doing my own thing.

The fourth day arrived. When we went back to the home that morning I knew that to do missions work I should not be judging others. I realized when I looked out at the world I could have been these people. This could be my family. Then God whispered, “This is my people, my family, they are yours.” I realized this is not about me, or any other person who came here. It was about going out into the world. Getting out of my comfort zone and showing this family, through words or actions, that God offers salvation through the unconditional love I shared with this family that God is hope.

On the fifth day two children were saved at the Backyard Bible Club. I don’t believe I have ever walked any closer with God than I did on this trip. This experience has left me with a burden for others. I thank God for this missions trip.

 My Mission for the Week...

Before you fill your calendar up with trips to the beach or other relaxing places, why not book a week devoted to missions.  Check with your church or other local churches to see if short mission trips are planned.  A family mission trip can help a family grow spiritually and create wonderful memories!

My Mission Monday

Courage, a Suitcase, and the Lion Queen

by Shelli Littleton

 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6).

 

Nancy Gayle Cobb did not want to go to Zimbabwe the summer of 2000. In her lifetime, she traveled to 21 countries on 5 continents for Jesus. And in that time, she had seen God deliver smuggled Bibles from her hands to the Chinese. She had even seen God allow her to witness in Russia in spite of the police watching her every move. But this trip was different. Fear had swiftly set in.

 

She was purely afraid of AIDS. Africans were falling left and right from the dreaded disease. She had read that 50% of 15-year-old boys living in Africa at that time would die of AIDS; and she was afraid she would contract it.

 

Nancy had also learned that political problems were stirring; Zimbabwe nationals had murdered 38 white farmers. What if she were murdered, too? But International Crusades assured her that she would be in the city of Gweru and would not be working on any farms; she would be in no danger.

 

God placed Psalm 91:7 on Nancy’s heart: “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” And the following Sunday her pastor, Dr. Bob Price’s sermon was titled, “Here am I, Send Me.” She knew God was confirming her to go in spite of her fears and witness to the very location she had prayed for as a little girl in GA^®’s (a girls’ missions organization). God gave her peace, courage, and she felt His promise of protection.

 

Nancy soon realized this trip would surely prove to be spectacular, for “Old Slewfoot,” as she refers to the enemy, was working overtime. Her plane ticket had not arrived; but incredibly, with suitcase in hand, she received it at the airport. When the missions team’s plane began departing Dallas, much to her horror and dismay, she realized the travel agent had made a mistake—her airplane had left 30 minutes prior.

 

But God paved the way, got her on that airplane, and when there was not a seat available on her connecting Atlanta flight, through God’s amazing orchestration, someone graciously gave up their seat so that Nancy would indeed step foot in Zimbabwe.

 

Nancy’s first assignment on African soil was at Senga Baptist Church; but a change was made, and she was taken to White Water Church, an hour from Gweru, on none other than a white farmer’s plantation. Her heart sank, and she knew that it was one of the plantations where white farmers were being murdered. But she was not afraid. God orchestrated a meeting of 30 people to hear her testimony, and 9 people received Christ that day. God’s protection was with Nancy. There were transportation system problems, she was only taken to that particular mission 2 nights and was able to stay the remainder of the mission at Senga Baptist Church.

 

AIDS seemingly proved inconsequential on her mission, as well. Nancy never knowingly met anyone who had the disease. But her safari trip for rest and relaxation proved much more risky. On that safari, she was given the special treat of spending time with two stunning 8- and 10-month-old lion cubs, P.K. and Quazy.

 

Upon turning her back to the cubs, she was playfully pounced upon. Standing on its hind legs, as tall as Nancy, the cub’s right front paw hit the top of her back, and its left front paw came down on her left arm piercing two holes through her four layers of clothing and her arm. Though bleeding, Nancy didn’t fall down, and even fearlessly escorted one stubborn cub back into its cage. Unmistakably, she was dubbed “the Lion Queen” for the remainder of her stay.

 

“The fact that [the cub’s] force did not knock me down,” Nancy says, “remains a puzzle to this day.” Yet, she remembered her prayer warriors back home were praying Psalm 91 over her: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways . . . You will tread upon the lion . . . ”

 

Nancy may have walked away with lion cub prints on her body that year, but she left Zimbabwe with the fingerprints of God marked all over 82 people’s hearts who received Jesus—children, women, and young men. Altogether, 4,385 people were led by their 27-member team to receive Jesus.

 

Six months back home in Texas, Nancy received shocking news that the pastor’s wife of Senga Baptist Church had died from AIDS; she had been closer to the deadly disease than she ever imagined. “She had taught me how to play the drums,” said Nancy, “and probably had had AIDS while we were there.” Nancy greatly loved the pastor’s wife and felt they were sisters from the moment they met. Regardless of her initial fear of AIDS, she wouldn’t have missed out on that relationship for anything in this world.

 

God had protected Nancy in Zimbabwe just as He had promised—she didn’t contract HIV and wasn’t murdered, and she gives Him all glory. “A promise is a promise,” Nancy said, “and when God gives it, one can take it to the bank.” And the missions trip that she had been the most afraid to undertake turned out to be the most spectacular and her favorite of all.

 

Visit Nancy Gayle Cobb’s Web site at NancyGayleCobb.com and read all about her many mission adventures in her book, Suitcase Carrier for God.

 

Shelli Littleton and her husband, Brian, live in Fort Worth, Texas, with their two daughters, Karalee (12) and Katelyn (10), and serve Travis Avenue Baptist Church. She read Nancy’s book to her family round-trip from San Angelo, Texas, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, through laughter and fought-back tears.

 

Wednesday Wisdom

You would think after 36 years I would have accrued some wisdom about life.  I have lost loved ones, experienced job losses, and have constant fears about the future.  All the while, lifting my hands to the Father and declaring my love and trust of Him.  He has certainly carried me through all of the above circumstances so why do I continually find myself asking for the "why" and "how".  Today, I try to shed a little wisdom on why a 9 year old girl must be buried before she becomes a wife, a mother, a grandmother.  I wonder how it is possible for an intelligent, politically- minded woman to ever get over the physical and mental trauma she has experienced.  God never promised us that life would be easy.  As He shooed his two most precious creations out of the garden, I am sure He wondered if they would be wise enough to survive what was ahead of them.  Thus, the need for a true Savior...the one who has all the answers, the one who gets his wisdom from The Most Wise.  For the past few days, I have been reading Beth Moor's "So Long, Insecurity" and came upon a brilliant revelation straight from Mrs. Moor's wise writings.  She tells of the danger of knowing too much information in our lives.  That maybe there are things that only God should know and can handle with His infinite wisdom.  After all, this was His first command to Adam and Eve..."Don't eat from that tree of knowledge.  It is not for you!"  To sum up my grief and sorrow these last few days, maybe it is not for me to understand or to make heads and tails of such tragedies.  Maybe the wisdom is not in the why but the Who.  


May God bless and heal those hurting this week...not only in Arizona but on all of God's great earth.


wendy-

My Mission Monday

Green Gals

by Lindsey Little

What was once a colorful adjective, the word green now refers mostly to a specific lifestyle. Sure it’s been overused and abused like anything else in pop culture, but there is a very significant connection I believe between being “green” and the Christian walk.

Any believer who has read the Word and has a relationship with God knows we are to be good managers of what we are given. I truly think this includes our bodies, the earth, our relationships, our homes . . . and everything else He’s allowed us to have in our possession. Let’s explore what this looks like through a few girls’ lives, their convictions, and how they’ve chosen to live out a more economically efficient and simplified lifestyle for the Lord.

As long as I’ve known Cara she’s been one to truly pour into the people around her, deeply care for what she’s been given, and give her all in any and every situation. It is very evident in her daily life as she devotes her heart to her community, her husband, and her disabled students. Through these relationships, Cara says she’s discovered her significance in God by simplifying and slowing down. Because of this, she’s able to encounter God in new and creative ways.

Cara and her husband have adopted 1 Timothy 6:17 to live by: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

Instead of filling a house with nice “stuff,” they’ve chosen to fill a home with an eclectic collection of hand-me-downs, flea-market finds, thrift-store treasures, and borrowed furniture.

“Our hope is that our home will be a place you’ll want to stay, not because of the fancy furniture or big screen TV, but because it’s a place where God abides.” This life of simplicity they live also provides more freedom. If God called them to pick up and move, they could be ready in an instant, because there is nothing they couldn’t just leave behind.

In addition to this, they also buy organic and local foods, carpool, recycle, and avoid stores that have unethical practices. They view this as a way in which they can love and respect God’s creation in a more honorable manner, and make the world a better place for future generations.

                                                                       

Jaclyn, on the other hand, has chosen to live a similar lifestyle but in an urban community house with five other women. They are committed to a life dedicated to Jesus and follow Him by pursuing His love as well as loving their neighbors. Their “green” way of life doesn’t leave much room for “serving self” which in turn makes more room for serving God and loving people.

Some ways in which they represent this love are through sharing everything they own with each other, recycling, buying locally and/or secondhand, and avoiding wastefulness. Like Cara, they choose not to support corporate businesses that use slave or child laborers. Jaclyn does say that this type of lifestyle does require more thought, planning, and discipline—but since the beginning of the simplifying process, she’s felt a huge weight lifted off of her shoulders and a newfound freedom.

“I believe this way of life does make an impact on the world around us and helps to spread awareness of cultural norms that can be harmful to our world and fellow humans. Above all, I hope to live a life that is focused on my Savior. It may seem like a daunting task to completely change your daily routine, or to get rid of your beloved belongings in order to simplify, but believe me, it’s worth it! And as a result, you will have so much more space in your life for relationship!” says Jaclyn.

 

So maybe to be “green” is to find freedom through simplicity, to lose stuff and gain relationships, to slow down and truly enjoy God’s creation for what it is, and respect everything He’s given us to manage.

Or perhaps you have your own version? Whatever the case may be . . . my prayer is that you find significance in the Lord alone and find a freedom within that relationship that only He can give.

With a lifelong desire to live to the absolute fullest, Lindsey Little hopes to encourage, inspire, and motivate others along the way to do the same! She loves to see people who know the Lord live in complete abandonment, to take risks, and to be Jesus to all people by being the hands and feet of God. Nature is her absolute favorite place to be with future aspirations of living in a tree house . . . and any spare time is spent traveling the world, taking photos, listening, writing and telling stories, making things with her hands, laughing, being loved by the Father, and loving others with that same extravagant love!

Mission for the week:

How can I take better care of the world around me?  Teach your children about loving their little piece of the earth...beautify your yard and home to your best ability.  Plant a garden, grow flowers, and help neighbors who may not be able to rake their own leaves.  There are great parables that can be shared while digging in the soil!  Happy planting!

Take A Deep Breath...

Breathing Space

Three secrets to creating more room in your life for God

Keri Wyatt Kent

When my children were small, I was a stay-at-home mom—except I was rarely at home. I volunteered, carpooled, and took the kids on excursions to museums, the zoo, even the mall. When I was home, I worked part-time as a freelance writer. My pace was intense.

I remember having coffee with an older friend, describing my life to her—mothering my children, keeping my house in order, volunteering at three places, working for four different clients.

My friend looked at me sympathetically. "You have 'focus creep,'" she said. I was scattered, going in too many directions.  I knew I had to simplify. So I pulled out colored pencils and turned to a fresh page in my journal. On one side I put the months of the upcoming school year. Along the top I listed all I'd said "yes" to: leading a Bible study, coaching my daughter's soccer team, volunteering at school, and so on.  Then I drew arrows down from each commitment through the months to see how long I was committed to them. Soccer season ended in late October, so it was a two-month commitment. Next to each arrow I wrote the hours per week required. What emerged on the page was the picture of an over committed woman. I'd committed to more hours than there were in a week!  Next came the hard part—asking God where I should prune. What should I focus on, what activities should I let go?  That exercise began my journey toward what I call Sabbath Simplicity, which I define as a "sane-paced, God-focused life." Here are three spiritual practices that helped me.

 

Slowing the Pace

So often I mistakenly assumed that if I wanted a richer spiritual life, I needed to do more religious stuff. But activity, even cloaked in Christian window-dressing, is still activity.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world"—and our world is hurried. The pace of life for Christians should be counter cultural; we should be known as people who have time to listen, to care. The mark of a Christian is love, and you can't love in a hurry.

I talk to many women who say "yes" to as much as they can because they think it's the nice Christian thing to do. Or they feel pressured to stay busy. What they forget is that every time they said "yes," they automatically said "no" to other options—such as snuggling on the couch with their husband or kids, or having a few moments alone.  Rather than doing more, I realized I needed to do less so I could see God at work, listen to his voice. Slowing my pace began with one little word: no.  When my friend Patti felt God invite her on a Sabbath Simplicity journey, she realized it meant dropping the number of hours she spent volunteering to concentrate on her four young children. While it wasn't easy, Patti discovered she became more loving, more joyful, more peaceful. The fruits of the Spirit flourished when she slowed her pace. Say "no" wisely so you can say "yes" to what truly matters.

Simplifying

Christian simplicity has been practiced for centuries (way before Real Simple magazine). It's about focus—our focus on God. The possessions we have, the foods on our table, the clothes we wear, aren't to be held tightly; we're to be willing to let them go. Jesus taught that when we seek God's kingdom first, everything else takes its proper place.  When Marlene Eissens, a teacher, decided to change careers, she radically simplified her life. She kept some clothes, a computer, and books, but only as much as would fit in her car. Marlene went to graduate school, became an intern, and had to raise her support. She depended on other people to provide housing.

Eventually Marlene was able to stay in the home of a Marine who was serving in Iraq. "God met me and provided," she explains. Today Marlene, 47, is a pastor in Endicott, New York. She has a house, but resists filling it with stuff. Anything she hasn't used or worn for six months gets donated to charity. "Less is more," she says. "I feel real freedom in that. If there's less stuff, it's easier to focus on God.  Simplicity begins with saying "enough": You have enough stuff, you have enough activities. Adds Marlene, "I think simplicity really starts with each person going before the Lord, saying, 'Help me, and teach me, what it means for me.'"

 

Sabbath-keeping

In the Bible, God commands us to take one day a week to put aside our regular work and to rest and focus on him. Most of us have no idea how to do that. Sabbath is about trust—taking time to let God run the world without our help for a while.  To begin keeping the Sabbath, I had to learn the word stop. Stopping meant putting aside work even if it wasn't finished, resting even though my to-do list beckoned.  Engaging in this practice has transformed my family. We worship at church, then play board games, nap, or go for bike rides. We abstain from housework, laundry, shopping. Everyone chips in to get necessary chores done, like putting dishes in the dishwasher. We eat simply—leftovers or carryout.  Part of our Sabbath often includes serving others—at church or in our neighborhood. It's a day to focus exclusively on what Jesus said were the most important things: to love God and to love others. It's a day when we aren't too busy to talk to each other, when there's no agenda other than being with one another.  Slowing my pace, simplifying my needs, and taking a Sabbath rest are what rescued me from "focus creep." I'm still tempted to hurry; I still sometimes wish for more or nicer stuff. And I still work, have kids, and drive carpools sometimes. But I've chosen to cut out a lot. Deciding to be content with what I have, living life slower, and taking time to rest and notice God's work in the world have brought me closer to God—because there's more space in my life for him.

Keri Wyatt Kent is author of Simple Compassion (Zondervan). www.keriwyattkent.com

A Wonderful New Year

While many feel the after holiday blues, I am quite the opposite.  I love the holiday season and treasure every cookie baking, ornament hanging, Rudolph the Reindeer moment that comes with it.  But, just as I wrap up delicate ornaments in tissue paper, I enjoy wrapping up the sweet moments I have accrued the last few weeks and tucking them into my memory.  January is an exciting time for me.  I am elated at the possibilities that lay before me.  Each Christmas, my husband puts a brand new year planner in my stocking and before you can say Happy New Year, I have taken my favorite ink pen to the pages to begin planning for the months to come.  Great joy comes with being able to start anew.  Whether it is a bunch of hopeful resolutions or prayerful new directions, a new year can fill you with the promise of great new things.  As you anticipate the new year, remember the one who cleaned the slate for you and left you with a fresh, new page to write upon.  Christ wiped away the old years and set upon you the promise of change and spiritual prosperity.  Pray to God that you can fill this year's blank pages with wonderful memories to cherish and spiritual missions that need to be accomplished.  God bless everyone in 2011!

2 Corinthians 5:17

In Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.