Snugglin' Sisters and a Stuffed Pooh

Heading Home

Please pray for our family today - we are driving back to Michigan from the west side of Iowa. It's a long trip... a long day... and we've been fighting a nasty virus almost the whole time we've been gone.

Thanks, in advance, for your prayers.

Anyone Identify with THIS?

"Why am I so afraid of death?"

from Forty Loaves: Baking Bread with the Father each Day

by CD Baker

When I was a little boy I had quite a fright. My parents took me to visit a great-aunt, an elderly woman who lay dying in an upstairs bedroom.

The house was scary. Its wallpaper was musty and faded and the woodwork was dark. Creaking staircases led to spooky Victorian towers, and noises came from the cellar. But deciding to test my mettle, I sneaked away from the kitchen conversation and slowly climbed the stairs leading to a shadowy corridor through which I carefully crept.

Suddenly the old woman emerged from a dark doorway, ghostlike and terrifying. Her white hair flowed over the shoulders of a long white gown. Her yellowed eyes could not have been wider than my own. My m outh opened but I couldn't scream.

Startled, the woman froze in place until the hall clock chimed. That's when she leaned toward me and whispered, "David, I am so afraid of the G-R-A-V-E."

I bolted.

Thinkng back on it, I believe this may be why I'm afraid of dying and secretly clausterphobic. I can see the tight dirt walls closing in on me. I'm envious of those who have no such concerns. But as a Christian, I feel guilty for being afraid of anything, especially death. Where's my faith hiding?

I hope not in that old house because there's no way I'm going back!

Paul boldly wrote, "O death, where is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15.55)

Good for Paul.

David wrote, "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me." (Psalm 23.4)

Good for David.

I'm still scared.

The fact is, unlike the very faithful, I do fear death and I have a hunch many others do too. The question is, why?

Well, why not?

We weren't made to die.

We were made to live eternally. So I don't buy the line that "death is natural." It isn't. God created the world to live. And so I abhor death. When those I love die, I cry. I weep when I bury my pets. When gazelles are torn to bits by lions on television, I'm saddened. The whole realm of death is dark and horrible.

Death is our enemy, and I think it is good to call it what it is.

But death is a fact of life, and there's no escaping it. So what do we do?

First, let's not feel ashamed. Fear of death seems pretty natural. Death is a great mystery from which no one I've ever met has recovered.

So we're left with three choices: we can deny our fears, rationalize them, or admit them.

I've decided to admit mine. That doesn't make me brave, but I've learned that it's often eaiser than the alternatives. Besides, I find it liberating.

Admitting something is like expelling poison.

And when we do it, we take in something quite different: relief.

Admissions like this are really confessions. After all, fear of death really is grounded in a lack of faith. The Bible makes it very plain that death has been overcome by Christ's Resurrection and that heaven is our destiny. But plain or not, some fears are hard to overcome, and confession is the first step in turning them over to God. It's a way of handing him our burdens -- which is exactly what he invites us to do.

Confession of fears helps replace them.

Why is that? "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4.18). God tells us earlier in that same chapter that life in Christ brings the promise of confidence, even confidence in death. Confessing to him fears of death allows his love to replace such fear with confidence.

So I will ask him to walk closer to me, to hear my confessions, to replace my fears with the confidence of his love. And in time, I hope to join Paul and David and lift my chin against death, reinforced by faith.

~ A few silly pics from our Iowa road trip ~

Thanks for the photos, Pastor Rick!

A Girl and her Grandpa Gene

Hanging on to Grandpa is a pretty good place to be...

...especially when he comes up with scary propositions like this for Baaba and Mama!

**insert little girl belly laugh**

Wordless Wednesday ~ Niger or Michigan... They're strange fascination with all things creepy-crawly ~

We can't believe how quickly our furlough year is coming to an end, and Lord willing, we will be heading back in July. We wanted to share our presentation video, the one we share with friends and supporters as we travel around, for those people we won't **very sad face** have the opportunity to catch up with in person this year. Make sure the music in the side bar is paused before starting the video.

I can't Believe it's the Whole Elementary School

And if you can find our three girls in that fuzzy mass of kids, you are doing tons better than I can. Don't they sound great?

I knew we were in trouble the moment ~

~ with this "Look what I did!" expression on her face,

and sitting proudly on our bed.

Why was this troublesome?

She'd been hanging on to the covers and sliding down to get off our bed for a few months. I'd gotten used to that and was actually relieved that she knew how to get down without falling and hurting herself.

This, however, was the first "documented" time we found that she could also climb up and get onto the bed. I've still NO idea how she does it. I find this a scarier prospect: if she can climb up here... what other heights can she reach... and that I don't yet know about?

STAR WARS LEGOS = Lots of Fun for Boys...

... and for their mama after she opens up unexpected photos in photoshop!

Look! It's Magic!

Elsie Mae's favorite part of the Hand's On Museum...

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Few Glimpses of our Busy, Exhausting, Delightful and Encouraging Calvary Baptist Church Missions' Conference

Thanks, Sandy & Cathy, for the photos! =D

No doubt about it ~ I...

really needed to read this...

Brendan's FOURTEEN!

Actually, he's been 14 for several months now. I'm just way behind in posting photos. But I'm trying to catch up... one of these days! (Thanks, Gammie, for the birthday cake... it was waiting for us on a Sunday afternoon after we drove home from a meeting with one of our supporting churches.)

Fwiw, Brendan had his Star Wars Lego gift from Gampy and Gammie finished before he went to bed that night... and I think the book might have been read before the end of the week. He's obviously into devouring things. Maybe that's why he keeps growing so fast!

We so thankful for the privilege of training up this particular young man!

Our God is AMAZING...

...He works in mysterious ways that are so often so hard for me to understand... but I wouldn't even WANT to imagine following someone else.

Last night, I had the opportunity to share with a small group of ladies a little bit about our lives in Niger... I was so blessed by their interest... I am so blessed that God has allowed us the privilege so serve there, to raise our family there... and we truly can't wait to get back home...

A few memories...

~Elsie Mae helping Safana peel potatoes~

~Nadia and two of her three best friends: Anna and Zeinabou~

~Musician recording Scripture songs at the studio~

~A precious fellow missionary kid... her big sister and family needs lots of prayer right now (see below)~

~A photo from church, a delightful sister in Christ, a truly special grandma who literally does all she can for her little orphaned granddaughter - she's loved much by both her grandchild, Elsie Mae and Elsie Mae's mama!~

~Street food prepared by our neighbor, a dear friend with whom we hope to someday have the language skills and opportunity to share God's Gospel message. God allowed our family to minister to her and her family when their little girl was deathly ill... and now we have the privilege of rejoicing with her every step that little one takes!~

...and a few links from some of our friends in Niger, both walking through incredible circumstances clinging to our amazing God. Please take the time to check them out (I'm sure you'll be challenged and encouraged) and immediately take a moment to pray specifically for them...

Makalondi with Joy: "Blessing Others"

Five Nomads: "'May the Name of the Lord Be Praised' - Job"

Wordless Wednesday

Looking forward to July ~

~ and our imminent return to Niger always brings with it a huge temptation to worry, because between here and there are several flights... in a plane... and frankly, planes, particularly flying in them, terrifies me... even more than snakes.

And so, this post was a huge comfort to me today. Different "fear," but the same truth. As a missionary mama who is terrified of flying, I cling to the truth that the Lord is with me – everywhere – EVEN (especially) on that plane – and I'm never alone. We landed back on this continent nearly 8 months ago… 4 months more and I'll be back on a plane, quaking inside, but clinging tenaciously to that truth. I have to. The battle against worry, however, begins.

I must add, nevertheless, that I'm so thankful for this struggle every single time, for it confirms that was God Who called, is still calling, our family to go… that it is not something I do in my strength because I know that I couldn't.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me… for when I am weak, than I am strong."

Anyone Else Love this Song?

(Don't forget to turn off the music, down at the bottom of the sidebar, if you want to listen.)

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

Oh to see the dawn of the darkest day

Christ on the road to calvary

Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then

Nailed to a cross of wood

This the pow’r of the cross

Christ became sin for us

Took the blame, bore the wrath

We stand forgiven at the cross

Oh to see the pain written on Your face

Bearing the awesome weight of sin

Ev’ry bitter thought, ev’ry evil deed

Crowning Your bloodstained brow

This the pow’r of the cross

Christ became sin for us

Took the blame, bore the wrath

We stand forgiven at the cross

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath

Quakes as its maker bows his head

Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life

‘Finished!’ the vict’ry cry.

This the pow’r of the cross

Christ became sin for us

Took the blame, bore the wrath

We stand forgiven at the cross

Oh to see my name written in the wound

For through Your suf‘fring I am free

Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live

Won through Your selfless love

This the pow’r of the cross

Son of God slain for us

What a life, what a cost

We stand forgiven at that cross

Hmmmmmm.... Random Thought I've been Pondering

Given an inch... why do I often feel like I'm entitled the whole mile? Given the command to "have dominion," why assume that domination is acceptable?

Dominion... ruling... a powerful sphere of influence or authority... is a legitimate privilege and responsibility. Domination has an abusive, uglier undertone,... an overpowering, smothering influence that grasps, tramples, destroys or renders impotent.

Gorgeous glimpses of Spring's arrival have prompted serious reflection on how we should be caring for God's creation...

What do you think?

The Creation of the Animals, by Raphael, 1518-19 (detail from the Stanze e Loggia)

"Why am I so uncomfortable with doubts?" by CD Baker

A young woman I know recently remarked that her life is made miserable by doubts. She said that her unhappiness started when she began to doubt a few points of her church's doctrines. She began to panic. She thought if she doubted a few things, she would soon doubt everything, and that would leave her in a place of disbelief.

I told her I doubted that would happen. She didn't appreciate that.

Another friend doubted her salvation to the point of depression. Her church insisted that "knowing" was to be the source of her assurance.

I invited her to doubt her church. She was too afraid.

I wonder: Are doubts the bane of faith or faith's driving edge?

In the examples above, healthy doubts and hard questions could have been doorways for many to know God more deeply. Instead, a desperate need for certainty prevented authentic encounters with God.

Doubts threaten our sense of control, don't they?

As church communities and as individuals we prefer to be sure about things, but doubts have a way fo disrupting our confidence -- our control. They lead to worry, fear, and insecurity. But here's an idea to consider:

What if our discomfort with doubt is really a symptom of an addiction to control?

Doubts also threaten our foundations. We think we must be absolutely certain about the things we believe. Otherwise, how could we survive? We've come to trust our knowing. So, what about this:

What if our discomfort with doubt is a symptom of misplaced faith?

Maybe we should look at doubting a different way. After all, who said doubting must always be a bad thing? Jesus instructed Thomas to "stop doubting and blieve" (John 20.27, NIV). Does that mean that all doubt is bad? What if doubt and faith are sometimes related?

Martin Luther observed that the opposite of faith is not doubt or unbelief but rather self-reliance. Healthy doubt can actually drive us to faith by putting us beyond ourselves.

Most of us see doubting Thomas in an unfair light. Few of us want to be like him, do we But, if we're honest, most of us are like him. We do secretly wonder about the things we say we believe. That's reality.

At least Thomas had the courage to admit his doubts.

Did that make him a bad disciple? What did Jesus do when he learned of Thomas's doubts?

Did he rebuke him? No.

Did he shame him? No.

Jesus invited Thomas to explore his doubts... to come close to him and touch him so that he might believe.

Healthy, humble doubt simply wants to know Truth (Jesus) better.

So what if we gave ourselves permission to doubt, at least once, the spiritual ideas we've been taught to believe? Now, I'm not talking about close-minded cynicism like Zacharias's dismissal of the angel's promise (see Luke 1.18). That earned him a pretty stiff rebuke.

I am talking about sincere, yearning doubt like Mary revealed to the angel who foretold her virgin birth (see Luke 1.34). This is not scoffing dismissal; this is the kind of humble doubt that longs to believe. This is the kind of doubt we find in Matthew 28 when some of Jesus's disciples came to worship the risen Lord... while still doubting.

Humble doubt offered in a spirit of honest suspicion invites the Holy Spirit to teach and to inspire deeper and deeper faith within us. It liberates us to cry, "I do believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).

------------------------------------

from 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with the Master, by CD Baker

February, 2010 Prayer Letter

Then said David,

"Ye shall not do so, my brethren,

with that which the Lord hath given us,

who hath preserved us, and delivered the company

that came against us into our hand.

For who will hearken unto you in this matter?

but as his part is that goeth down to the battle,

so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff:

they shall part alike.

And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute

and an ordinance for Israel unto this day."

1 Sam 30:23-25

It is Sunday night… we are home after visiting one of our supporting churches, the house is somewhat picked up, kitchen ready for the attack by breakfast hordes in the morning, piano is practiced, homework mostly done (a few touches need to be finished in the morning), the kids are all clean and in bed (except for the energizer bunny baby) and in the quiet, we've a few moments to reflect and catch our breaths. It seems like almost every time we come home from a meeting, we are completely stunned, overwhelmed by the love lavished upon us by the many partners with whom God has privileged us to work as we seek to glorify His name in Niger.

This Sunday, we were at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Bay City, MI. While there, Pastor Wood reminded his congregation, and us, of something very important… the principle (laid out in 1 Samuel 30 above) applied not only to Old Testament battles and warfare, but also pertains to missions today. God has called our family to a front line battle ministry; those of you who remain here, vibrant and active in your local churches, faithfully praying, encouraging, remembering and giving… guarding the supplies (or "tarrying by the stuff") on the home front, your part is just as great as that of those on the front lines. Please don't ever think that we don't need or value these, your faithful contributions to the fight for souls in Niger.

We thank each one who has been praying specifically for our family. We are enjoying a wonderful time of home assignment here in the States. As we come to the end of February, we are reminded that our furlough year is 2/3 gone: "Hmm, what are those things left yet to do? A couple of doctors' appointments remain as to a few more trips to the dentist, some vaccinations (the kids love those), one more trip up North… think we could fit in a swing through Québec City?" Seriously, we have certainly accomplished much of what we needed to do, including some much needed rest and relaxation. We even have been able to enjoy watching the Winter Olympics. ;-)

Our thoughts, however have been returning often enough though to Niger. To say we left a lot of "irons in the fire" would be an understatement! We are excited to return to the ministry of the Niger Radio Project, the churches, and to so many of our friends and neighbors. Many of you have already heard that on February 18, there was a coup d'état. The president was overthrown and the military has placed a civilian prime minister in office to help the country transition back to complete democratically elected civilian rule under the jurisdiction of a new constitution. We are trusting that this has diffused much of the political tension in the country and trusting that the new government will be as open to our presence as previously. We are keeping as up-to-date as possible regarding this situation through the news as well as via information communicated by our many friends and colleagues still ministering in Niger. We are also hearing that many parts of the country will be struggling to meet food needs as last year's harvest was a lean one.

We are still in the process of visiting our many supporting churches and friends. We thoroughly enjoy this part of our ministry! Many that we have spoken to are facing significant budgetary challenges. We are still looking for 20 new supporters at $100 per month. This additional support is key as we return to Niger. These funds allow us to live and conduct our ministry effectively. We are trusting God to provide for these needs and our presently planning on a departure date in mid-July. We know we still have a long way to go, but we also know that our Almighty God is well capable of providing our every need, as well as those of all the other ongoing ministries here and overseas. We serve the God of the Remarkable.

Because of this firm belief, We are going to go one extra step and provide you with information on 3 special needs.

1. Our Passage account has roughly half the money needed to pay for our return plane tickets to Niger. We need to raise approximately $5,000 for our one-way tickets. We do fly economy on the most economical routes we can, but the need is what it is.
2. A second need is new tires for the 4x4 we use for family and ministry. Niger roads take their toll. We have not replaced the tires since we purchased the vehicle almost 3 years ago, and those tires were not new when we bought it. One even has a large chunk out of its side. All tires in Niger are imported and must have customs paid on them, so our purchase price will probably be close to $1,000. Any gifts for tires can be designated specifically to our "Vehicle" subaccount.
3. A final need we would ask you to consider is the studio. Over the last 9 years, we have been producing a large volume and variety of quality radio programs, evangelistic cassettes, music, scripture recordings, and audio film tracks – working from a studio control room that is about the size of a small bedroom in the States. With trained Nigerien technicians, we have often been working simultaneously on multiple projects (i.e. 3 or 4) in this small space. We have asked and been approved by our mission board to raise funds for an addition that would provide us with a second control room and small recording booth. If you would consider giving towards this special need. Please send any designated gifts to the Niger Radio Studio Expansion (account number – 043312).

Praises:

• Excellent meetings with our supporting churches and prayer partners! Y'all are AWESOME!
• Several small increases in support. Now, instead of hanging just under 80%, we are a little bit above!
• A couple of very positive contacts with churches new to this ministry and who are considering having us visit for a meeting.
• A few individuals/families who have indicated that they are interested in and are praying about taking on our monthly support.
• Several consecutive weeks of relatively good health for our family.
• Safety on the road.
• Daily provision – even when we aren't sure the night before exactly where it is going to come from.

Petitions:

• Please pray for Niger at this time of political and economic difficulty. We are praying specifically that God's will be done in the heart of the Nigeriens and the missionaries working there, that God's peace would spread out over the country, and that His name would be glorified.
• Pray as well for those new churches and folks that are currently considering monthly support.
• Pray for diligence and a good focus as we are starting to make plans to return to Niger.
• Pray for church meetings: *In already scheduled meetings, pray that God alone is glorified and that we accurately represent "His"-story as it is taking place in Niger. *Also pray that we'd be able to schedule visits with churches who are seriously interested in considering partnering with us in this ministry.

Two final thoughts (the first one is a repeat because it is so true… and we find it funny!):

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito."

–African saying

"…or we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."

–Romans 8.24-25

Thankful to be serving the Savior together with you,

Tim, Richelle, Brendan,

Rebekah Joy, Nadia, Anna, Victoria,

Jonathan, Elsie Mae and Mary Michelle Wright