A 2008 Report Card

As the New Year approaches I think it is a natural human thing to review the year past as we anticipate the year ahead. I believe it’s one of the things that sets us apart from God’s other creatures. As we reflect on the year past we Christians naturally, and I think rightly, begin by reflecting on what God has done in our lives this year. This process is analogous to what Samuel did in placing an Ebenezer Stone – recognizing that “thus far the Lord has helped us” (see previous post). As I look back on 2008 I do clearly see God’s hand of provision and protection in so many ways, in so many places in my life. I also know that there have been battles fought and victories won that I have no awareness of. For that I am as grateful to God as I am for his more evident work in my life.

But as we reflect back on the year we not only remember God’s goodness and faithfulness, we also reflect on our own responses, accomplishments and results. Here in South Africa the school year coincides with the calendar year and so provides a very fitting analogy. Tomorrow the senior high school “matric” students (matriculates) will be able to go to their schools and receive their test results from their teachers, finding out if they passed the tests. At this time of year we are like the “matrics” getting our final report card for the year. As we evaluate ourselves on this past year we are also receiving the evaluation of our Instructor.

How did I do? How do you think you did? If we are honest with ourselves I think we all conclude as I have, that I did OK in some areas but I know I fell down in other areas. But what does my Instructor think? Does it depends on the "curve"? What will the standard be and did I make the passing cut off?

I believe the only place we can get a look at the standards that will be applied is in the Bible. And the standard I see there is an extremely high one. The curve is steep. The standard that was applied to the Ephesian church will also be applied to me. In Revelations chapter 2 we find Christ’s assessment of the church in Ephesus.

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men… You have persevered and have endured hardships in my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place.

Did I pass this test in 2008? Or have I forsaken my first love? My first love that is described in Psalm 73:25. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you?” Why do I desire heaven? Is it only because God is there? Are there other people or things that I desire when I think of heaven? And what does it look like (feel like) to desire nothing besides God on earth (in this life)?

I'll share some more thoughts on this last question in the next post, but obviously I am convicted that I have not received passing marks on a critical test this year. Fortunately just as those "matrics" who failed to pass all the tests get a second chance to take and pass those tests again in the next few months, so God is giving me another chance, a New Year to improve on my results from 2008. I praise God for his patience and grace. Lord I want Psalm 73:25 to be true of me. I desire that I would desire nothing besides you. Lord make the needed change in me.

An Ebenezer Stone

One of our main partners in doing AIDS work here in KwaZulu-Natal is Project Positive Ray (PPR), a ministry of a local congregation of the Evangelical Church in South Africa (ECSA) and SIM (Serving In Missions). This past week we were asked by PPR if we could help arrange and host a children’s Christmas party for one of its sister congregations in the district. As we work with several community children’s projects we were able to assist even though we had already had Christmas parties at all our projects. We knew another party would be an additional blessing for these kids that have so little at Christmas.

We arranged a local Zulu church in the community as a venue and made plans to transport approximately 20 children from the nearby crèche to the church for the party. The visitors coming from the ECSA church would bring presents for the children and KFC (yes that KFC) for the meal. On the day of the event the heat and humidity were very high. We managed to get all 19 children and 3 or 4 helpers to the church on time and I went to meet our visitors to bring them to the rather remote site. At the agreed upon meeting time I received a call from the visitors saying one of them had some medical problems and they would be an hour late. Meanwhile Robin, Onnie, the children and the women were cooking in the small church with little ventilation and almost no nearby shade outside. I offered to pick up the KFC to save some time (15 min drive each way). Fortunately Robin had planned a couple games for the kids and brought some music to dance to (they love to dance). The sweat was rolling by then!

Eventually our visitors arrived and the event was a blessing. One of them named Mike could hardly walk due to his back problem but he was committed to come and so was there and shared a message with the children. We had a time of prayer for Mike’s healing and the kids loved the food and gifts.

- Kids with their Christmas gifts

We learned that our visitors came from a church named Ebenezer Church. Obviously being Christmas time and giving a party for children brought to mind Ebenezer Scrooge from “The Christmas Carol”. An interesting name for a church we thought but Robin and I remembered it was a Biblical name and that at one time we had studied (and forgotten) its meaning.

Back home we looked up the “Ebenezer” passages in 1st Samuel and found this reference to an Ebenezer Stone in 1 Sam 7:10 & 12: “Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel. … Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’” A footnote in my Bible says Ebenezer means “stone of help”.

“Thus far the Lord has helped us”. The truth and significance of that statement rings deep in my heart. Where would I be on this journey if the Lord had not helped me? How many Ebenezer stones should I have erected this year, this month, this week? I mentioned in an earlier post that I believe I am in a war, that we are all in a war. What battles have we come through recently? Did we recognize the Lord’s thundering in our defense? Do we realize we are only here standing because “thus far the Lord has helped us”? We probably don’t feel like the enemy has been routed but he has, time and time again. What will be my Ebenezer stone that I and others who see it may remember his help and victory?

Disconnected

Our home phone and internet service has been out of order for 3 days. I'm logging on now through a cell phone hook up just to check some email and update a few things so this will be short. Its frustrating being so dependent on the technology (I guess phones count as technology here in Africa). It's especially frustrating feeling disconnected right before the holidays. We are praying that our service is restored by Christmas. I wanted to make a post before Christmas but it may have to be after. I'm trusting in His timing and not the Telkom repair man.

A Visit to Sinothando Creche

Today's post will hopefully be a little lighter and more encouraging than the last. It will also be more of a story of our activities this day and an opportunity to hear about someone with an awfully big heart. More about that later but first a little background.

Since early this year Robin and I have been developing and implementing a Two Tunics' program to help support orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) that are being taken care of in their communities. These communities here in the Ugu District of KwaZulu-Natal are being devastated by the AIDS epidemic. 40% of women of childbearing age are HIV+ and as the epidemic matures women in their twenties and men in there thirties are dying at high rates. This is leaving thousands of children (more than 1.2 million in South Africa) without moms and providers.

Orphanages are not an approved or acceptable way to care for orphans in South Africa (as it is not in the US) and nearly all of these children are cared for in their communities by extended family or neighbors. But this often leaves the children vulnerable. Schools provide an important protection and safety net for many of these children. But for those younger pre-school children it is the neighborhood "creche" that provides this support. Many creches are started by women who have a heart to care for the children in their community. They often give sacrificially of themselves and what they have to provide a little something for the children. We have been finding these people and their projects (creches) and coming along-side them with some encouragement and support.

Today we returned to visit one of these women and her project in the township of Gamalakhe. Nomapasika (Pas for short) is a big woman with a huge heart. For about 2 and 1/2 years she has been providing daycare for up to 25-30 children in her shack of a home. Often the children's parents/guardians leave the children with her into the evening and on the weekends. Although she has little, she provides amazing care for the children. Anyone who visits is quickly aware of her love for the children and their love for her.


In the picture Pas is on the left with some of the children. This was taken a couple months ago as Robin gave her a new (used) crib for some of the many babies she cares for. The small shack in the background is the only indoor space she has to care for all of these children. When it rains (often this time of year) the yard turns to mud.



Today we went back to visit her creche to make a plan to provide her with a better facility for the creche. We hope to be able to help her build a 5x3 meter building with attached toilet and wash basin. Our friend Ian went with and has offered to act as the contractor and work with a local builder. Hopefully the work can get underway in January. We also hope to provide some playground equipment so the children have something to do during the day. As you can see in the picture on the right the kids are often quite bored.

In our work we must be very careful about coming into situations and trying to rescue or provide free easy solutions. But over a period of months we have observed Pas and the work she is doing and believe she and her project are the type deserving of Two Tunics help. We believe that our assistance will help provide loving care to many OVCs over the years. It will help Pas sustain the work of her heart to meet a growing need in her community. It is a priviledge to be a part of this work and thank you to Two Tunics donors who are making this possible.

The Big Question

I and my wife are living and working in AIDS affected communities of South Africa where the challenges are great and the rewards many. But recently my heart has been drawn a little farther north (towards the sun for those of you on the other end of the planet). The situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate daily. The country that used to be called the "bread basket of Africa" has been turned into a land of starvation and death. This is basically the result of the policies, abuse of power, corruption and general evil of one man, President Robert Mugabe. In the last month a cholera epidemic has infected tens of thousands and killed hundreds officially, and more likely thousands. Hospitals are closed due to lack of medicines and inability to pay the staff.

Many relief agencies have either been prevented from working in the country or have chosen not to, until Mr Mugabe lives up to his pledge to "power sharing" and a new more balanced government is formed. In the meantime people are dying; of starvation, of cholera, of AIDS (without ARV access), of political violence, all the result of - evil. Which raises "The Big Question" as John Eldredge calls it in his book Waking the Dead. "What is really going on here? Good grief - life is brutal. ... Has God abandoned us (the people of Zimbabwe)? Did we not pray enough? Is this just something we must accept as 'part of life', suck it up, even though it breaks our hearts?"

As Eldredge says, most of us conclude that either "(a) we're blowing it, or (b) God is holding out on us. Or some combination of both..." The truth as he points out, and as I am learning more and more to really believe in my heart and not just my mind, is that WE ARE AT WAR. The life that God has and desires for us is being opposed. God has not abandoned you, me or the people of Zimbabwe. But a war is being fought there and in many areas of our lives. "Until we come to terms with war as the context of our days we will not understand life. We will misinterpret 90 percent of what is happening around us and to us."

I do believe I am in a war. And being a soldier dealing with AIDS here in South Africa others may see me as being on the front lines. However, most of the time I function in the rear, shuffling papers in the office. I feel drawn to the front lines in Zimbabwe. But then I realize the front lines are right here if I would only join the battle. Lord give me spiritual eyes to see and a heart to join the battle.

Thread-like Faith

This week I was struck by the analogy of our faith being like "slender wires" used by Charles Spurgeon in his book All of Grace. It is easy for us sometimes to fall into the error of making our faith an idol. The power is not in the faith but in the God upon whom our faith relies. We are saved not by faith but by God's Grace (Eph 2:8). Grace is the fountain and faith is the conduit through which the fountain's living water comes to us. "Great messages can be sent through slender wires, and the peace-giving witness of the Holy Spirit can reach our hearts through thread-like faith." So often my faith seems thread-like. Praise God that "even though a hand may be trembling, it can still receive the golden gift".

These last 3 years in South Africa with Two Tunics have been an incredible faith journey (as well as the nearly 2 years leading up to are being here). At times it felt like I've was drinking from a large pipe as God overwhelmed with his clear and active provision. At other times it has felt like I've been holding on to a slender wire listening for and not hearing that "still small voice". Those were feelings of mine that changed. God, his plan and his faithfulness didn't change. My faith was ever thread-like and yet that was enough for God to pour out his grace.

I wish I had been more faithful over the years in journaling the stories of this faith journey. I am starting this blog as a means of recording my experiences living on a "slender wire" of faith. I hope it will also be a way to keep friends, family and supporters updated on progress and challenges of the work of Two Tunics in South Africa. I hope you will check back from time to time and be blessed as you do.