The Big Bye.

A lovely snow in Detroit to send us on our way or try to hinder us.  Amazingly, our plane was not deterred (nor the pilot), and off we went after a 2 hour deicing!  Here I am with my little sister, Leah.

 Mom, Dad, Zach, Leah, and myself right before we go through security.  Daddy got us to the airport with plenty of time to spare!  It took us over 5 hours in the weather...going 45 down the interstate!

Zach asked me what I'd miss about Leah tonight as we reflected about our time in the States.  What is there not to miss in this beautiful face? She's so delightful in so many ways.  From making trips to the bathroom in the airport to going to Arby's for curly fries, she giggles at the simple prospects in life and reminds you all along that you are loved, one of her favorite people, so happy to be with you.  Oh, Leah, I'll miss just about everything that makes you, you! 

 So many happy moments over tea, talking at breakfast with mom this time around.  Leaving with little baby in my womb making the tears flow freely (I never had an excuse before) made this time a hard one!  Everyone changes so much when I'm gone.  If they'd all just fall asleep for a couple of years like in Sleeping Beauty, that would be nice.  On the other hand, as they change and I change, we have a more dynamic time returning and rediscovering how God's working in each other's lives.  Reminds us this earth is not our forever home, but that we're getting closer to it...where we never have to say goodbye, in a place of divine beauty with the One we treasure for eternity!

The Lord's Prayer for Neighborhoods

You can use the Lord's prayer to pray for your neighborhood, or to join us in praying for our neighborhoods.  I like to pray based on weekdays (but of course you can pray through this any way you like!):

Monday: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name

Father, you reign in heaven, this neighborhood belongs to you.  Let the people in this house know your awesome holiness, righteousness, and unending unfailing love.  Let them know your almighty power, your bountiful goodness, your creative authorship of this world and salvation, your demonstration of power in this world through miracles like the parting of the red sea and the feeding of the five thousand, your eyes which range throughout the earth to strengthen those who are committed to you, your faithful love, your gentle grace, your humility as you washed the disciples feet, your immense omnipotence, your j... (continue through the alphabet!)

Tuesday: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Lord, you are king over all kingdoms.  Your kingdom is not of this world.  Please let the people in this neighborhood know your will and do it.  Let me follow after you and do your will.  Father, is there anything I do which is against your will?  I am sorry for these forgive me in Jesus name!  What is your will for me today?  I give myself to you.  Please do as you please in this neighborhood, because what you please is always good . . .

Wednesday: Give us today our daily bread

Father, please provide for the daily needs of the fathers in this neighborhood.  Give them strength as they go to work to work with integrity.  Please provide all that the families need to eat, for their schooling.  Heal their sickness.   Please take care of the mothers . . . the youth, provide them not only with their physical needs, but also with their need to do something useful, give them the employment they need . . . the children . . . .

Thursday: Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us

Father, thank you so much for taking away all our sins in Jesus name.  Please forgive our brothers and sisters of sin, even as you have forgiven me.  Forgive us all for seeking after earthly treasure, rather than heavenly treasure, for not trusting you as we should when we need help. . . . Thank you that each sin you have already paid the penalty for.

Friday: And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

Oh, God, please guide our friends in this neighborhood on paths that please you. For those who are stuck in bad patterns and addictions, please set them free.  Considering the many temptations that distract, please renew our friends minds' with your truth.  Please protect our brother's hearts from the small, almost imperceptible sins.  Uproot them now before they grow into bigger problems . . .

You can take my stuff, but . . .

Tomorrow we set foot back in Nigeria.  I started this post in December, with just the title.  However, today I have been thinking about its theme again.  We are traveling with about 300 pounds of things.  They aren't really that valuable... clothes, gifts for friends, some electronic "toys" which we use to get our work done more effectively, like the camera I used to take this picture or the laptop I am writing this blog with. 

At times, my mind wanders.  What if, somehow, we lose all our stuff.  You, know baggage goes missing, between airports; someone decides to play Robin Hood and thinks that I am rich--and decides to help me with this load; one can imagine all kinds of scenarios.  Oddly, I am less concerned about losing the stuff as losing all the pictures which remind me of so many people and experiences.  Once Christy had a laptop stolen at knife-point and along with it many pictures and journals.  Of course, I make back-ups and take precautions, but I sense at times I go beyond careful to obsessed.  "You can take my stuff" I find myself saying, "but don't take my back-up hard drive."  Am I really willing to "give myself away" as one song says?  Please pray with me as I struggle to give myself fully to God.

Neighborhoods we pray for

Christy and I have been desiring to grow in prayer this year.  (We asked some of you to pray about this.)  One of the ways in which God answered that prayer was through a book called Why Pray?  We are learning to see prayer are the first and most important work we do.  We are learning to pray first, before doing anything.  We would love to have you join us in prayer. The great thing, is you can pray anywhere and impact places far away!  For several months now, Christy and I have been praying regularly for four specific neighborhoods. 

Hwolshe
This is the neighborhood where Christy and I lived for a year and a half.  We have good friends there including a young couple with a child, and a small group of children.  We have seen homes broken through poverty, alcohol, and lack of commitment in marriage.  Most of the people profess to be Christians (many Catholic, but also many from various protestant denominations including pentecostal ones), and we know sincere believers who are growing in God in this neighborhood.  Some prayer starters are: God thank you for chosen ones in Hwolshe . . . let them shine brightly . . .please bring healing to marriages . . . take away the destructive selfish forces of alcohol . . . provide all that each family needs . . . especially for orphans and single mothers and their children . . . let the truth of your word rest.

Gidan Ragu ("House of the Ram")
I used to frequently walk through this neighborhood on my way to work.  Some parts are quite different from the neighborhood where I live now, having narrower streets and houses built in a different style more closely together.  We have a friend who lives in this neighborhood, and have been praying for God's blessing on the neighborhood since early this year.  Some prayer starters are: Lord, thank you for these people's contentment with what they have . . . please provide their daily needs . . . please let your light of truth shine bringing hope and healing . . . please embolden your children who live in this neighborhood to forgive those who have wronged them.

Our mobile home park, Dallas, TX
This is where we were living for the past year.  Most of our neighbors are students or people working to support the work of Bible Translation and minority language development internationally in one way or another.  Others commute from nearby neighborhoods to work here.  On the center we have a mobile home park, a retirement home, a guest house (which also serves as a student's dormitory), and various duplexes, and other multiplex housing situations.  Some prayer starters: God thank you for establishing this center . . . it belongs to you . . . please renew vision by your Holy Spirit for your work. . . please bring complete unity to each of the different organizations and departments . . . provide all the needs . . . please send more workers, thank you for each of our brother's and sisters of all ages.

Friends, Colleagues, and Neighbors of Building the Kingdom Community Church
This is this church where Christy and I now attend.  We have started walking in the neighborhoods surrounding the church, just to pray.  Also, because of the church's recent "Each one reach one" initiative, we have decided to start praying for co-workers, friend, and family of the church members.  Some prayer starters:  Father, thank you for the amazing miracles you have done in the lives of members of BKCC . . . thank you for Pastor Vic and all the other ministers who assist him . . . please give the choir unity as Christy and Zach lead it . . . let Christy and Zach quickly learn and worship you through Gospel songs and let the choir learn other songs . . . let all the music be focussed on Christ for your glory . . . let the people living in neighborhoods around BKCC know your daily provision . . . set people free from the bondage and deceit of sin . . . bring those who don't have church homes into fellowship with the body of Christ, where you best please!

Q and A

When are you going back?
February 1st

What will you do when you go back?
We will begin by meeting the translation project leaders, asking them how their communities are accessing Scripture, and what their felt Scripture needs are.

Where will you live?
We will return to our rented house in Jos, Nigeria.

Do you want children?
Yes! Our baby is due mid-July.

How can we pray?
*For a doctor who can deliver the baby
*Wisdom as we meet project leaders and identify how we can be part of what God’s doing through his Word.
*Transitioning back to life in Nigeria.
*Wisdom defining our roles in Nigeria in Scripture Engagement.

A New Years Poem!

“I will instruct you and teach you which way you should go,

 As you trust, my love will surround you so you know,

I am here, I am enough,

I catch your tears when the road is rough.”

In 2014 we lived in the US,

We wrote a thesis, and passed a test.

We return with titles, but know the Master true,

Our Counselor, who lovingly foreknew,

We would know loss with a baby at 11 weeks in the womb,

Returning to Jesus, a resurrection with no tomb,

We would have grace to carry another as well,

His praises we declare as this redeeming news we tell.

We would be reunited with friends from long ago,

Building new memories before the changing winds blow.

We would a diverse faith family find,

whose moving stories revealed a Father kind.

We would accept a position to lead our team,

In Scripture engagement, helping communities dream.

Using our complimentary gifts to connect them with the Word,

For on that day ‘round the throne every language will be heard!

In this new year as the road unfolds,

We pray we trust the one who holds,

The moon, the stars in his hand,

As we journey to another homeland.

Peace

"I will instruct you and teach you which way you should go

I will counsel you and watch over you." -Ps. 32

These words came back again and again over the time I was studying for comps. 

During the 6 hour test I had full peace, peace that I've never experienced before during test taking.  I have always been fearful of tests.  I still don't know if I passed...I will find out in a few days. 

However, I am so very thankful for the many that prayed with me during this time. I felt God's presence, and look forward to hearing how I did!