When all was said and done they had gathered salvation cards from about 4% of the 13,000 people who live in Mariental. Then on top of that were the multitude of people who were prayed for or preached to in their homes. In one weekend, hundreds of seeds were sown for the gospel, but what now? A “Jesus Film” team will be spending the next two weeks there, but is that sufficient?
This always seems to be the looming question when it comes to short-term missions. It’s easy enough to descend on a place for a weekend or a 2 week missions trip, collect hundreds of professions of faith, and leave with promises to pray for the new believers. But making disciples has never been a short-term commitment. Jesus shared his life for 3 years with his disciples before they were released to unleash the gospel on the world. Paul stayed in one place for months or even years at a time if he could before moving on to the next city. Making disciples means walking a road with people. It’s not just about “baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” but also includes “teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19-20) This has always been my issue with short-term missions.
But on the other hand, Jesus, Paul, the disciples, they all left. They equipped new believers to carry on the mission in their own community. Missions isn’t meant to be a long-term commitment either. How often do missionaries today settle in a particular community rather than equipping the local believers to fulfill the mission that God has called them to? Maybe we have a sovereignty complex thinking that we’re the ones that make people into good little Christians. But it is “He who began a good work in you [who] is faithful to complete it.” (Phil 1:6) This is my issue with long-term missions.
So do we abandon missions all together? By no means! Part of that mission was to make disciples of “all nations.” We absolutely must take the gospel to those who have never heard. But we must also release new believers to take part in that mission. If short-term missions releases them without equipping them, and long-term missions never releases them, then we must find somewhere in between that equips local believers and releases them in their own communities. In other words, missionaries should be working themselves out of a job by training and equipping local believers to make disciples.
By release I do not mean abandon. Jesus returned to the Father, but sent the Holy Spirit. Paul sent letters back to the churches he had planted to rebuke and correct them as well as encourage them. He also returned to many of those places reconnecting with old friends. In this age of technology and transportation it makes such connections even simpler. Making disciples of all nations has never seemed more plausible. But we may need a major paradigm shift in the way we think about missions. What do you think?
More thoughts on missions (Mariental Part 4)
African teenagers (Mariental Part 3)
Sunday morning we held our last big session joined by several local churches. Afterward, our leadership team gathered with all the local pastors and had a very encouraging time together. Then we moved out like the circus leaving town. The tents came down, the stage and sound system disassembled, and just like that you’d have never known we were there except for the work God had done in people’s hearts.
The train wouldn’t arrive until midnight so we had the whole afternoon and evening to rest and spend some last free time together before I would leave my new friends for possibly the last time. It amazed even me how much I came to care for them after only one week. One of my goals in coming for the year was to learn more about teenagers in Africa. Being the only white guy amidst all these black kids allowed me to approach them on their turf. I was able to experience a whole variety of personalities and conversations that may typically be covered over with cordiality. They were extremely open and accepting and never seemed to mind all my inquisitive questions, probably because I never seemed to mind theirs either.
Three things this weekend were very affirming in my quest for cultural significance: 1) People start talking to me in Afrikaans. That means I don’t look too American. :) 2) At meal times, people tend to group with those they’re most comfortable. All the white Afrikaaners from Emmanuel Church ate together, while I was the only white face amongst the sea of black teenagers. Not that that makes me better than them, but it just struck me who I found myself more comfortable with. 3) In a conversation with Valery, one of the youth leaders, she told me, “I’m not afraid of anybody. If I have a problem with you, I will tell you to your face. If you weren’t so down to earth, I would tell you to come down to earth.”
Everyone asks me about the differences between kids in America and kids in Africa, but I’m more intrigued by the similarities. Teenagers are teenagers. They all deal with the same issues of insecurity and how to find acceptance. Sure, some of the real life problems are different than kids in suburban New Hampshire, but the root issues are often the same. And most of all, kids love to be loved, and to be known. There’s no substitute for greeting someone by name, and nothing more priceless than the smirk when you attempt it in their native language.
I think we’re often afraid of things we don’t understand, that includes people who are different than us. Sometimes that means different age, income, skin complexion, or differently-abled (a redemptive term for our word disabled). Living here has helped me learn not to be afraid, but instead to ask honest questions. Behind every face is a soul in need of God’s love, so I choose to trade intimidation for understanding, fear for friendship, and prejudice for love.
Asanias (Mariental Part 2)
I taught some fundamentals then we started to play around a bit. We took a break halfway through to explain who we were and why we were there. I told them how there was nothing they could do to earn God’s acceptance, and that Christ’s death on the cross paid the penalty that we deserved. I shared a little of my story, and Chris Johannes, my partner, shared a little of his story. Asanias was particularly attentive, but it was Chrisly who raised his hand when we asked if anyone was interested in accepting Christ right then.
At the evening session, we couldn’t get my guitar working so I was sulking again at how useless it felt to be there, but forcing myself not to let that ruin what God had for me, I went down to help with the counseling after the altar call. As I was walking around helping hand out Bibles I saw one of the older teens from our group talking to Asanias. That morning he had said he would come back for the session but I had forgotten to look for him. When I caught him afterward he told me, “I took Jesus. I’m free today.” Praise the Lord!
I got to chat with Asanias one last time when he stopped by our compound Sunday night while we were waiting to leave for Windhoek. It’s not my job to know how sincere people are in their hearts, but it is my responsibility to sow the seed. I showed Asanias that there was at least one person who loved him enough to come all the way from America to hang out and play some volleyball and share the gospel with him. I may never know where that seed ends up, but that was never my job in the first place. Our job is simply to share the message. It’s God that changes people’s lives.
If you think of it, say a prayer for Asanias as he goes back to his drunk parents and friends that encourage him to steal. He has an uphill battle ahead of him, but with God all things are possible.
Mariental (Part 1)
Everything went fairly smoothly on Thursday afternoon getting the group of 100ish teenagers, leaders, and volunteers from the youth camp to the train station in Windhoek, but when our departure to Mariental was delayed for about 2 hours Dieter loving reminded me TIM – “This is missions!” This experienced missionary seized the opportunity to break out the guitar and have a little worship service in the back of the train car. Sleep was hard to come by on the train, but we finally arrived at 4:30am and could catch a few ZZZs at our accommodations before breakfast.
Friday morning was spent setting up the three large tents for Saturday’s outreach. I’ll suffice to say it was the very definition of the cliché ‘too many cooks in the kitchen’ so I mostly kept quiet and just did whatever I could to help.
In the afternoon we hit the streets for some door-to-door evangelism and our first face to face encounter with Mariental. I joined Ronnie, one of the leaders, and Jerry, one of the teens who spoke Damara/Nama. Our goal was to invite everyone we could to the evening session and Saturday’s programs and to pray with them if they’d like. Most of our interaction was done if Afrikaans, but at this point I was still playing observer so I didn’t mind feeling largely useless.At the evening session I met up with Andreas, the eldest child from the Ark in Okahandja who happened to be spending the school holiday at his uncle’s house in Mariental, finally a ministry opportunity I knew what to do with. Andreas is generally a pretty quiet guy, mostly just answering questions, so it’s sometime hard to carry on a conversation. But I think me seeking him out and spending that time, despite the awkwardness, was a valuable investment into that relationship. If nothing else, it was a familiar face in a strange town where he doesn’t have many friends.
The session itself was pretty typical of what I’ve experienced at African crusades. The lively, upbeat, repetitive music stirred up quite a frenzy. The preacher read a passage then used that to talk about whatever he wanted. The altar call was filled with salvation proclamations and prayers for healing. Those who know me know this is far from my idea of effective evangelism, but I don’t limit what God can do and I know He uses these kinds of things in people’s lives, so I was simply glad to have my equally unemotional friend, Andreas, sitting next to me amidst the surrounding commotion.
After a long day, my pillow was a welcome sight, although I had started coming down with a flu so it would prove to be a somewhat restless night.
Youth Camp - Day 3 and 4
As I was walking in the dark Tuesday night, after everyone had gone to bed early, I came across two ladies filling tin cans with sand. I inquired into this unusual behavior and they told me they were going to wake all the kids up for a little midnight snack of cookies, chips, and roasting marshmallows over candles. “We wouldn’t want them to think we’re too normal,” they said. What a great youth ministry motto!
Wednesday night was the camp ‘talent show’. Each of the teams put together a drama. There were some dances, lots of songs from hip hop to reagge to old Afrikaans hymns, and one American shilumbu (white person) with an acoustic guitar. 
At their invitation I gladly joined in and shared For The Moments I Feel Faint by Relient K. When I got to the line “I think I can’t, but I think You can” the whole place erupted. As an encore I got them to join me in singing You’re So Good. It was really a cool moment for me as all these kids that I’ve been getting to know through volleyball and just around welcomed me in as one of their own. No matter how different I look or my musical style, we still worship the same God.
This afternoon we caravan down to Windhoek where we’ll catch a train to Mariental. We’ll arrive about 2am when we’ll move into our accommodations and catch some sleep before a full day of setting up for the weekend. Unfortunately there’s no place to lock up valuables so Dieter suggested I don’t bring my camera. That’s gonna kill me all weekend, but it will make sure I get out from behind my lens and enjoy the experience. It also means I won’t get to update you all until I get back. Please pray for the weekend, for tender hearts in the people of Mariental, courage and boldness for the youth and the rest of the team from Emmanuel, and safety during our travels and everything else. Thanks so much and have a blessed weekend!
Photo of the Day
This is Deborah (pronounced with the emphasis on the O), the girl we took to the doctor, sharing a few songs at the talent show Wednesday night. I've enjoyed watching her joyful spirit as she worships and never stops smiling.Photo of the Day
Tuesday night after everyone had fallen asleepYouth Camp - Day #2
Volleyball went great with the kids today. The whole camp is split up into 5 teams and they send some kids to soccer, some to volleyball, and some to relay games. The points are tallied up for daily winners and an overall camp winner at the end of the week. Today’s volleyball group was a blast. Everyone got involved and even those who’ve never played before jumped right in and had fun. Naturally there’s some competitive spirits, but they were pretty well behaved and didn’t argue with the referee.
This afternoon we had to take a girl in to the doctor. She had eaten an apple which she was allergic to. In the end it was simply hyperventilation with a dose of panic, but it caused quite fright amongst the campers. As we left Dieter told the other kids ‘don’t worry, just pray’. I hope seeing her come back just fine will be a good faith lesson for them all. And on top of that, the doctor who usually charges N$175 per visit and isn’t well known for his charity didn’t charge a thing. Now that’s an answer to prayer if I ever saw one.
What a weekend
It’s been pretty crazy these past couple days, and it doesn’t look to let up anytime soon. Our Bible Study at the high school just finished the Firm Foundations book that they’ve been going through for over 2 years now. To celebrate we had a little Fun Day with the kids. We spent the morning over at Gross Barmen, 
a natural hot spring in the area, enjoying all kinds of pool games like sharks & minnows, Marco Polo, and some chicken fights. Then we headed back to Dieter & Joan’s plot where we braaied up some food and gathered around in my living room to watch The Passion of the Christ projected up on the wall. We had some great questions and conversation following the film. Overall, a great day and a good conclusion to the study.
As I mentioned, next weekend I’m joining Dieter & Joan and a group from Emmanuel Church on an outreach down to Mariental. Joan was put in charge of the volleyball ministry, for her leadership and ministry sense rather than her volleyball skills I’m sure. In fact, no one who joined her team knows much of anything about volleyball! As usual, Joan was excited about the Providence of having an American coach living on their plot. So Saturday morning I held a little clinic for them, demonstrating some of the basics that they can then show the girls next weekend and teaching the rules so they can referee their tournament. They were an attentive class and most importantly, they understand that this whole project is for the sole purpose of sharing the gospel and God’s love with the teens that come.
Have I mentioned yet how thankful I am that God provided good friends my age to hang out with? Saturday night we had a little game night with some of the other ministry volunteers around the area. Markus and JoJo are a German couple who are helping Lon & Val Garber with their ministries. Isabella is an Ovambo girl who’s been staying with them as well, helping with the beading ministry and often used as an interpreter in Vyf Rand. Anna is a German volunteer at the Ark. Then there’s Buddy, Julia, and myself. It was awesome being halfway around the world, sharing the same table and breaking bread with people from 3 different countries and cultures. We quickly decided that there needs to be a Namibian version of Apples to Apples, a perfect opportunity for me to use my print-your-own cards. It wasn’t until I played it over here that I realized how very American that game really is. But it was cool because they could learn a little vocabulary and I could learn how deeply engrained my own culture is in me.
The Judea Harvest Youth Camp arrived tonight. I helped out playing guitar during the opening session and it gave me flashbacks of the crusade back in Arandis. The leader starts singing a song and I have to figure out the key and the chords on the fly, but this time I don’t have Tresford to follow. Should make for an interesting week. :) Dieter keeps telling me how African I’m becoming, but I can’t help but think how American I really am.
Mr Gardener
This is the beginnings of the gardening project I've been working on. Unfortunately I don't have a before picture for you to see the jungle it started out as. It's now a lovely place to sit and read your Bible as the sun first peaks over the horizon, or just pray and listen to the wind rustling the tall grass.
This is what's next...and here you can see the jungle. :)
100
I used to think of Orion as a decent sized constellation, but not that big compared to Taurus or the Scorpion. But that was before I saw the flashing light of a plane flying through the middle of "The Hunter”. I’ve stood next to planes. I know how big they are. But this one, as it inched across the constellation, was no bigger than one of the stars making up his shape. Now I look up at the western sky and Orion looks enormous.
It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. It is he who turns blackness into dawn and darkens day into night; who draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name! ~Amos 5:8~~~~~~~~
Guinea fowl are usually pretty timid, but making it’s home in the Windhoek Botanical Gardens, this one probably sees it’s fair share of inquisitive tourists. It was quite a peaceful walk through the hills enjoying the quiver trees and the bottle trees and the Windhoek Aloe in full bloom. It’s these little things that you don’t have the chance to appreciate when you’re in and out in two short weeks.I’m pretty excited about the Judea Harvest youth camp next week. Like I said, I’ll be teaching a volleyball clinic in the late morning, but I also volunteered to be a part of the worship team. There will be over 100 kids from churches all around Windhoek. They’ll spend Sunday night through Thursday here at the plot learning evangelism training and other life skills. Then over the weekend I’ll join them down in Mariental (an hour and a half south of Rehoboth) for an outreach to put their training into practice. It should be a great week…although it does mean I’ll miss the bazaar in Arandis which I’m kinda disappointed about.
Other random updates: The animal adventures continue…I’ve killed 4 mice in my house within the last week. For those animal rights people, there are still plenty around even without those who desire to reside in my home. I also skidded out pretty hard core on a bike the other day and scraped up my knee pretty badly. It looks rough, but it’s already on the mend. And as surprising as it may sound, I found a juice I think I like better than Juicy Fruit’s Mango Orange. Fruitree’s Clear Apple juice is phenomenal! With every cup it’s as though I’d forgotten how good it was!
April Vacation
This is the Africa I remember, cool mornings, clear skies, and dark by 6. It’s been kinda weird getting used to the time change, but it’s cool. I’ve been up with the sun by 6-6:30am and to bed by 9-10pm. I feel like I’m turning into Dieter. :) Otherwise Bible study’s and things at the Ark are going well. We finished up the Firm Foundations material at the school study so we’re going to throw a little party over break. Their first term ends on Monday so they have a few weeks off before going back for the second term.
School may be out, but I’ll be staying busy over the holiday. There is a Judea Harvest camp of about 100 teens coming to the plot. During the mornings they’ll have sport electives so they want the American coach to teach the volleyball one. Arandis Christian Center is hosting a bazaar to raise funds for their new church building. And Dieter has given me permission to work on the garden that has spent years trying to survive being overgrown and forgotten. Now I’m not much of a gardener, but I’ve done my share of landscaping along the way. I’ll post pics of my progress.
Update on Pearl
Good news! I went to visit with Pearl and her family in the hospital this evening and she’s feeling much better. She’s been on a steady stream of antibiotics which seem to have helped. They’ll take her to the “theater” (operating room) tomorrow morning for some tests to see if they can figure it out, but hopefully she’ll be able to go home by Wednesday. In the meantime she’s been keeping herself busy reading her Bible, helping the other ladies in her room and making lots of friends in the children’s ward. Typical Pearl, she’s a patient in the hospital and she’s still doing children’s ministry! Thanks so much for your continued prayers.
Blazing Sandals
The clock is my friend tonight, or I should say Daylight Savings Time is my friend. Tonight we set the clocks back giving me a whole extra hour of sleep! (That also means the time difference will be only 5 hours to the east coast for those who are keeping track.) 
And what a perfect night for it. Today I set out with some of the volunteers from the Ark to climb the mountain overlooking Okahandja (as seen in the Photo of the Day on March 21). None of us had actually done it before and our word of mouth directions were rather vague, so most of the way we were basically blazing our own trail through the bush. Despite getting their braids stuck in the thorn bushes and some pretty intense rock climbing, the girls were troopers and made it all the way up. After a long day hiking I was more than ready for a shower, a little comfort food for dinner (Kraft Macaroni & Cheese! a gift from home), and pretty soon an early bedtime.
Pearl
Please be praying for our friend Pearl. She’s the teenage daughter of Tresford & Fabiola, the pastor in Arandis, and also leads a dance team during the week. The other day she was admitted to the hospital in Swakop where they diagnosed 3 different infections and were going to keep her there through the weekend. But this morning she was transferred to the hospital in Windhoek. I haven’t heard why or anything more, but she did say she’s been in a lot of discomfort and has had trouble sleeping. Please pray for good doctors, a safe recovery, and God to work throughout the whole process.
