Check it out!

Well... I'm back... and planning to be around more consistently... now. But no promises on how consistent that will exactly be! Why?

celebrating reaching the summit of La Chouenne

It has been a crazy nine months, and in the craziness, this place has been sadly neglected:

• 2 months of single parenting while Tim was working up in Quebec last winter
• An online class with a 2 week practicum (in Montreal... Yeah - Tim got 2 months and I got 2 weeks. Sound like a fair exchange to you?) But now I am Cambridge University ESL certified and hoping to use that skill here in Quebec.
• A Homecoming Queen and a graduating senior
• A "graduating" kindergartner
• "international"  company and some amazing visits from some wonderful people
• An international move - without the help of a moving company but with the help of a lot of amazing friends
• Learning a new place
• Settling two adult children into their lives far away - one studying Biology in Michigan and the other studying Missionary Nursing in Iowa
• Helping the other 6 children transition into school, in a foreign language (French) - just trust me when I say it is a lot of intensive work! I already knew how hard it was, but before it was always one child at a time. Now, it is that same amount of work times 6!
• A new church
• Another graduation year and making sure everything is in order for her to begin community college (studying elementary education) next fall, here in Quebec.

Yikes! See why there are no promises?

But I have missed this place ~  It is hard to think when I best think with my fingers on a keyboard and I've not had time to do so very much lately.

For now, though, the house is silent - except for my tapping away: Tim is away at the studio, busy editing programming for Aujourd'hui l' Espoir. The kids are all at school. And I'm at home, taking care of  "mom"-stuff, including figuring out ways to use leftover coffee as part of an afternoon snack! This quiet time at home is like a healing balm after the crazy busyness of recent months!

And, to launch it all, 

I'd like to call your attention to a new tab above 

called 

Longevity in Ministry...

If you have a minute to check it out, I'd appreciate any feedback you might have!

There's a short "teaser" below!

 A series 

~ first inspired by a sermon preached by the senior pastor of my sending church ~ 

It took much longer to write, went much deeper than I expected, and will, I believe, continue to mull around in my head and heart for a long time. I wanted to collect everything here... Just for that very reason. 

And I pray that God allows me a part in His work for as long as He chooses to keep me hanging around...

Longevity, defined in its most basic terms, refers to length of service or tenure. After all of the work, time, goodbyes and oft' painful transitions into new cultures and languages, those who call themselves international workers or missionaries typically hope to have long, productive careers. Just like a doctor wouldn't want to change career directions after one or two years of work, most career missionaries do not leave for the field planning to only stay one or two years. And while there are many legitimate reasons to change that plan - "leaving before we planned to" or even "without planning to" because something preventable prevents us from staying, leaving is something most of us would like to avoid.

We want to be able to say, right along with Paul: 

For I am now ready to be offered, 

and the time of my departure is at hand. 

I have fought a good fight, 

I have finished my course, 

I have kept the faith: 

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, 

which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: 

and not to me only, 

but unto all them also that love his appearing.

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Click on the tab in the header above... or follow this link... to continue or for access to all posts in the series!

Across the Great Divide

As a kid, I vaguely remember watching a movie called Across the Great Divide. I don’t remember a ton of details – essentially two orphan kids have to get across the Rocky Mountains and to the West Coast to get their inheritance. In the process, they meet up with… and end up partnering with… a con man which ends up being key to reaching their goal.

The title of the movie has an obvious meaning. Those orphans had to cross the Continental, or Great, Divide – a hydrological boundary that runs from the Bering Strait in Alaska to the Strait of Magellan, at the tip of South America. This line divides two great watersheds. To the east of the divide, all water drains, ultimately, into the Atlantic Ocean. To the west, it courses to the Pacific.

There is, however, another more symbolic meaning to those words. The Great Divide was not just that place where geologically, water flow separated. It was also the converse – it was the place where, for a moment, those ultimately heading in very different directions actually met. Thus, metaphorically, what could be seen by some only as only a source of division could, conceivably, also become a summit meeting place, a place for conversation and dialogue, a place for challenge, growth and change...

Within Christianity, there are a number of these “great divides,” and missions is no different....

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To read the rest, join me at a life overseas: the missions conversation, where I'm posting today!

Longeivty in Ministry ~ Go fast or go far. It IS your choice...

"Like longevity in life, some basic things are needed -

right genes [to be a child of God], right diet [God's Word],

right exercise [involvement in ministry]

and right environment [a place in God's community - the Church].

The Apostle Paul set it as his goal to walk worthy and finish well. So should we!"

Yet what does the practical outworking of this look like in real life and ministry? How do expats working, ministering and seeking to be Christ’s  “…witnesses… [in] Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1.8, NASB) sustain long and productive careers?

Based off of a sermon by my home church pastor and some additional, subsequent study, I’ve identified priorities, seven of them, that when practiced, can help protect those in ministry, particularly cross-cultural ministry, from burnout and temptation. Even more than protect, these priorities can also give direction and hope as they help us remember that all is grace and a gift from God.

Those priorities are:

1.       Seeking the Lord, consistently and continually

2.       Praying without ceasing

3.       Balancing personal growth, rest and ministry

4.       Welcoming accountability

5.       Committing to marriage and family

6.       Choosing to be teachable, even in difficult circumstances; and

7.       Determining to be a genuine team player.

This post considers that final priority – determining to be a genuine team player.

I’ve always been competitive. As a young person, I competed as both a gymnast and a swimmer. I swam in college (until a torn rotator cuff ended my years as a swimmer). And while I was always part of a team… the nature of the beast in both of those sports was highly individualistic. There was always a lot of rhetoric about self being the toughest competition – and always reaching for a better score or a faster time.

But? The bottom line…at least for me?  

I wanted to be first and the one standing at the top of the podium with the blue ribbon, biggest medal, the tallest trophy... not just winning out over competitors from other teams, but also scoring higher than/touching ahead of my “teammates.”

And I was okay with that. In fact, my introverted, very private, very individualistic self actually preferred it that way. I could publically cheer for my friends and teammates, but privately celebrate when I was the winner.

So I didn’t, really, learn how to play on a team until...

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To read the rest, please join me over at Missionary Mom's Companion, where I posted yesterday - finally finishing (except for the wrap up post) - a long series on longevity in ministry! Be sure to let me know what you think by commenting!

Longevity in Ministry ~ Dressed in Humility

"Like longevity in life, some basic things are needed -

right genes [to be a child of God], right diet [God's Word],

right exercise [involvement in ministry]

and right environment [a place in God's community - the Church].

The Apostle Paul set it as his goal to walk worthy and finish well. So should we!"

Yet what does the practical outworking of this look like in real life and ministry? How do expats working, ministering and seeking to be Christ’s  “…witnesses… [in] Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1.8, NASB) sustain long and productive careers?

Based off of a sermon by my home church pastor and some additional, subsequent study, I’ve identified priorities, seven of them, that when practiced, can help protect those in ministry, particularly cross-cultural ministry, from burnout and temptation. Even more than protect, these priorities can also give direction and hope as they help us remember that all is grace and a gift from God.

Those priorities are:

1.       Seeking the Lord, consistently and continually

2.       Praying without ceasing

3.       Balancing personal growth, rest and ministry

4.       Welcoming accountability

5.       Committing to marriage and family

6.       Choosing to be teachable, even in difficult circumstances; and

7.       Determining to be a genuine team player.

This post considers that sixth priority – choosing to be teachable, even under and in difficult circumstances.

What does it mean, then, to be teachable?

According to Your Dictionary, teachable can mean:  1) capable of being taught and apt to learn; 2) willing to receive instruction or to learn and/or docile; and 3) that which facilitates instruction. But, teachability involves much more than “smarts” and just being a good student in a traditional academic or teaching situation….

…which reminds me of an African proverb:

“If your only tool is a hammer, you will see every problem as a nail.”

Because teachability, in fact, has a lot less to do with academic ability… and has a lot more to do with willingness-to-learn-ability, regardless of the situation, regardless of any personal cost to pride and regardless of thoughts of fairness/rightness. Perhaps it has a lot more to do with character… and very little at all to do with ability.

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To read the rest, please join me over at Missionary Mom's Companion, where I'm continuing an extended series on longevity in ministry. Hope to see you there!

Longevity in Ministry ~ Passionately Committed to Marriage and Family

"Like longevity in life, some basic things are needed -

right genes [to be a child of God], right diet [God's Word],

right exercise [involvement in ministry]

and right environment [a place in God's community - the Church].

The Apostle Paul set it as his goal to walk worthy and finish well. So should we!"

Yet what does the practical outworking of this look like in real life and ministry? How do expats working, ministering and seeking to be Christ’s  “…witnesses… [in] Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1.8, NASB) sustain long and productive careers?

Based off of a sermon by my home church pastor and subsequent study, I’ve identified seven essential priorities that help protect those in ministry, particularly cross-cultural ministry, from burnout and the temptation to sin... ones that direct and give hope for the future... ones that remind that all is grace and a gift from God… ones that will hopefully allow us serve well for exactly the time God has chosen for us…

Those priorities are:

1. Continuously and consistently seeking the Lord
2. Praying without ceasing
3. Balancing personal growth, rest and ministry
4. Welcoming accountability
5. Committing to marriage and family
6. Choosing to be teachable, even in difficult circumstances; and
7. Determining to be a genuine team player.

This post is looking at priority number five – committing to marriage and family.

Let me start off by saying that I do not believe there is one hard and fast way to do this… this commitment thing. How I demonstrate my commitment to my marriage and family might look quite different than how you do. Key is that 1) an intentional, purposeful choice to first made - choosing commitment, 2) a continuous effort is made - working on commitment, and 3) a covenant relationship is kept, clinging to commitment… regardless.

Regardless of the difficulties.

Regardless of the inconveniences.

Regardless of the words and opinions of others…

So what do I mean by commitment to family, in a biblical sense, if you will? I wasn’t exactly sure. It is something we talk about, casually throwing into edifying conversation – but what does God say commitment looks like? To try and find out, I searched both commit and commitment in an online concordance.

First, there are verses like...

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To read the rest, please join me over at Missionary Moms Companion, where I'm posting today!

Hope to see you there...

Be sure and pop over to at least look at the photos... as you'll see our Tim and the kids exploring this new place of ministry!

Want to read our current prayer letter?

 Then follow this link!

There's lots of pictures and a current list of praises and petitions!

"It's hard to believe, but we leave for Quebec in less than two weeks! Lots of changes... lots of unknowns. Please pray our family through this time of transition."

With our two oldest girlies at CBA's Jr/Sr Banquet

Rebekah and friends - jumping for joy!
The end of the school year and graduation was right around the corner!

We actually had two graduates this year: M&M from K5 and Rebekah from high school! 

Longevity in Ministry ~ Hoping to resume an abandoned but not forgotten study

Last summer, I began a series that has certainly been challenging and searching for me.

Then life happened: a transitioning college student, four high schoolers with their crazy schedules and homework load, working at a local pregnancy resource center, volunteering at a wildlife rehab clinic with a few of my children and teaching English as a second language (ESL)… I managed to keep up with all of that and blogging… Then hubby traveled for a couple of months and I enrolled in an online course to get my ESL certification.

Something had to give and that something ended up being blogging. I’ve missed writing and I’ve been wanting to finish up the final posts scheduled for this series. 

Since it has been so long, however, I decided to do a “recap” first and summarize some of the key points from each post to date. Clearly, this will help me as I look at finishing the series. But hopefully, it will also summarize what I’ve shared so far and pique your interest for the final two to three posts remaining. 

A sermon preached by the senior pastor at my sending church provoked this series. My notes start with these words: 

"Like longevity in life, some basic things are needed - 

right genes [to be a child of God], right diet [God's Word], 

right exercise [involvement in ministry] 

and right environment [a place in God's community - the Church]. 

The Apostle Paul set it as his goal to walk worthy and finish well. So should we!"

Yet what does the practical outworking of this look like in real life - not just a paragraph of pretty words in a complex simile?...

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To read the rest, please join me at Missionary Mom's Companion, where I'm posting today - for the first time in several months. 

Glad to be writing again!

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Series: Longevity in Ministry

• Just Think About a Horseshoe (26 July2014)
• Trusting in the Sufficiency and Sovereignty of God (9 August 2014)
• If you don't want to shorten your ministry... obediently abide (23 August 2014)
• The essentials? Or merely superfluous? (13 September 2014)
• Habituate yourself? (27 September 2014)
• One Priority that can Never be in Excess (11 October 2014)
• Of rest and rescue (23 October 2014)
• Dare to Disclose (8 November 2014)
• “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear” (27 November 2014)

When Trust Stands Tall

I saw or heard that phrase somewhere this last year, and it has hung with me…

…because I need trust to stand tall. Like now!

A few days back, I went with my freshly graduated 18 year old to her yearly physical (she won’t have her license for a few more weeks). As the nurse measured her height, she encouraged her to stand tall – to push her back and heels flush against the wall, lengthen her neck and spine and look straight ahead.

Trust must stand tall.

Our seemingly forever season of transition/waiting is about to heat up, and not just because it’s summer time.

God has finally opened the doors for us to transition to the new place we’ve been thinking-praying-talking about for a few years now. Lord willing, we move in just a few weeks. We’re excited. We’re scared and nervous.

New ministries, new and more responsibilities, new church, new house in a new city, new friends, new school (and in a new language for several of our children). New grocery stores, new measures like liters instead of gallons and Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, new identity as we will no longer be those seemingly confident veterans but the very insecure and unsure newbies. For this introvert, it’s the stuff nightmares are made of!

Even in the busy excitement of preparations and hope-to-see-you-sooner-rather-than-later-get-togethers with family and friends, even in the well-known of “having been here done this,” I find myself continually having to choose to trust the One leading us this direction.

Trust must stand tall, especially as I think of what this transition means… will mean… for my family...

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To read the rest, please join me at 

a life overseas: the missions conversation, 

where I'm posting today!

“I would I had a thousand lives that I might give them...”

On Aug. 27, 1888 while working in Zhenjiang, Lottie Moon made the above statement finishing with the words "...for China."

It's one of those inspirational missionary quotes likely to land on a striking or haunting photo featuring those in this world who most likely don't know Jesus. The desired response is conviction and motivation. Get people moving, doing, giving, going, supporting, praying, partnering... something... anything! Animate and embolden others so that they engage and global missions benefits.

It is also one of those quotes that usually prompts me to self-evaluate, asking: "Can I say the same...?

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And please click here to head on over to  a Life Overseas to read the rest!

Spring 2015 Prayer Letter

Can a Person be an Answer to Prayer?

«Alors il dit à ses disciples:

La moisson est grande, mais il y a peu d'ouvriers.

Priez donc le maître de la moisson d'envoyer des ouvriers dans sa moisson.»

Matthieu 9.37 à 38

Have you ever had someone tell you, on more than one occasion, that you are an answer to their specific prayer? It is at one moment bewildering, and at the next, humbling. Our response is first one of wonder, knowing our own insufficiency. Later, we are overwhelmed by thankfulness for the graciousness of God in our lives.

The amazing adventure God has been writing in our lives now includes our biggest transition chapter yet: from overseas missions in Niger, West Africa… to North American missions in Quebec City. We thank God daily for this new opportunity to proclaim His precious gift of salvation.

In the front hallway of the office of Aujourd’hui Espoir (Hope for Today), hangs a picture of a sower in a field. Underneath the picture is the following Bible verse:

“Then saith he unto his disciples,

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers

into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:37-38

Tim had the privilege of spending January and February in Quebec City, helping with the daily production of Hope for Today’s French radio and television programming. On several occasions, studio staff would say to him, “You know, we’ve been praying for two years that God would send us someone like you to come and help us with this ministry.” Wow! That’s encouraging! Tim had the opportunity to attend weekly prayer meetings with our new ministry colleagues and was heartened to see the commitment and energy devoted to prayer as the board of directors, leaders and volunteers met for an open prayer time via Skype every Thursday evening.

We believe that what has seemed, at times, an interminably long and open-ended research of God’s will for our future has actually been a God-orchestrated and Holy Spirit guided 4,800 mile ministry transfer. God hears the prayers of His children, He has a plan of redemption for His world, and He moves His team members from place to place to fill these roles.

A large portion of Tim’s recent volunteer time up in Quebec was spent editing episodes of the television program Words of Life. You can view a sample of these programs on Hope for Today’s website: http://espoir.ca/2015.La-parole-vivante.htm

Preparations

Sounds like the title of an article on home remedies!

For us it is the myriad of details to be taken care of before moving day: dentist appointments, weddings, travels, a high school graduation, visits with friends and loved-ones, assembling all of those things we need to set up house (and left in Niger), and PACKING. Lord willing, July 1st we will begin our trek to Quebec and jump feet first into this new ministry. We sincerely appreciate your prayers for this new step in our lives. 

Could you also pray with us about all of these small details and big preparations?

Leaving the Nest

Both Brendan and Rebekah will be staying in Michigan when the rest of us move north.

Brendan will continue his studies at Saginaw Valley State University. He is currently pursuing a degree in Biology and has secured an internship this summer, working at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Please pray for him as he studies, interns and keeps up with his part-time jobs.

Rebekah has been accepted at Faith Baptist Bible College. She plans to begin studying missions nursing this fall. She’ll be living with family and continue working here in Midland this summer. Either Tim or Richelle will make a trip back in August to help her with those first steps of transition into college life.

GRATITUDE CORNER

“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”

~ from Philippians 4 ~

It is a privilege for us to partner with you for world evangelism. We’ve got such an amazing team of friends and family standing with us!

Churches 20

Families 38

Individuals 4

100%

of our recommended monthly support has been committed!

Thinking of Friends in Niger

If you follow world news, you may have seen Niger prominently displayed there more than once in the past few months. In the eastern part of the country, spill-over violence from the Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has displaced thousands of Nigeriens from their homes. In several of the larger cities of Niger, dozens of churches, schools, and homes and businesses were burned by mobs angered over the depiction of the prophet Mohammed in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Our own church, EEB Harobanda, was attacked and burned at that time. Please pray for our dear brothers and sisters, the Christians of Niger, missionary workers, and their Muslim friends who protected them. We know that God will never abandon His children… that they are always in His Hands.

Outfit and Passage

We are thanking God! He has moved in the hearts of His people and He has provided our recommended support to live and serve in Quebec. We have been stunned by the generous and sacrificial response to our presentation of this work. We thank God for both those who have committed to support us and for those who are currently investing in this ministry.

We are now putting together our O/P budget for our move to Quebec. Please pray with us for wisdom as we approach the process of budgeting for the expenses of moving the family up to Quebec City, getting set up in a home, securing uniforms and educational supplies for a new school, and significant setup at the studio for Tim’s ministry. We are trusting the same God who is moving us on our way, Who already knows all of these details and expenses, and Who has already planned for how they will be funded.

We also don’t want to forget to thank many of you – you who have gifted us with dressers, mattresses, bed frames, chairs, dishes… and other items – all of which are God-sends as we look forward to the business of setting up house again on this side of the water.

Living Water / L’Eau Vive

We thank God that one of the few Christian schools in Quebec is located in Quebec City. Our new furlough schedule (traveling to the States for several weeks each summer) will allow us to keep the children in the same school for several years at a time. This will be extremely helpful, as the children are re-entering school in French.

Please pray for each of them. Could you imagine showing up at a new school for a new school year knowing that it was going to be in a language which is not your mother tongue?

Founded in the 1980s, L’Eau Vive has about 280 students. Initially organized as a Christian school within the public system, L’Eau Vive was privatized in 2001. It is the only accredited Christian school in the province of Quebec. Again, we thank God for meeting this educational need for our family. It fills a very important niche for Christian parents seeking a quality education for their children. We know the school would also covet your prayers.

Back to School

In January, Richelle began an online program and is working towards her certification, providing her with the necessary qualifications to teach English as a second language. Since she is working with the ESL class at Calvary this year, she’s already able to use much of what she is learning.

In April, she will be heading for Montreal for two weeks to complete the teaching practicum portion of the class. Please pray as she travels… and for Tim, as it will be his turn to handle all family logistics while she’s gone!

Praises

• Family time over the holidays
• Great ministry visit for Tim to Quebec in January and February
• Two teenagers on their way to getting their drivers’ licenses this spring
• A new-to-us used vehicle (4 wheel drive & seats 8) to carry our family to Quebec
• Rebekah has been accepted at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankney, Iowa for the fall semester
• We have located a house to rent, located halfway between the studio and the Christian school children will be attending in the fall
• An amazing family of mission, studio and ministry partners

Petitions

• Details of the secondment agreement with our Canadian partners
• Provision of Christian worker’s visas from the Canadian government
• A very busy Spring schedule this spring - pray that we will not get lost in or distracted by all the activity
• That our family grows in godliness and thankfulness

Thankful to be serving our Lord together with you,
Tim, Richelle,
Brendan, Rebekah Joy, Nadia, Anna, Victoria, Jonathan, Elsie Mae &
Mary Michelle Wright

Five Minute Friday ~ Open

I opened my email and boy, was I surprised.

There was my girl's name, chosen to be a representative on homecoming court, an actual nominee for queen. 

We didn't expect it.

Other young women in her graduating class are amazing, talented, delightful and godly young women - every bit as deserving of such an honor.

Not too many days later, I opened my email again. Another surprise.

Her daddy was flying home from his business trip just to be here for the homecoming festivities that we never dreamed would be such a big deal.

Calvary Baptist Academy Homecoming Queen, 2015

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Linking up with Kate for a 5 Minute Friday... after a long hiatus.

"...tell us plainly."

The Jews make this statement at a very specific time and at a very specific place: the Feast of Dedication (while celebrating the remembrance of miraculous provision) at Solomon’s Colonnade (where God had traditionally accomplished great things).

Can you identify with "the Jews" in this passage?

Have you ever prayed to the Lord and asked Him to show you, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that He is the Messiah? That you are on the right path, doing what He’s asked you to do?

Photo by C Marine

I have... I still do...

Just like the Jews in this passage.

The question they asked, as some versions literally render it, “how long dost thou take away our soul?”

"Tell us plainly... Have you come to take away our souls?"

My husband and I have often discussed conundrum. He rarely doubts God; he rarely questions if He is true, if He has a plan and we are following it, if Jesus is Who He says He is and really did come and do what He said He would. I, on the other hand, struggle more with doubt… a lot more often than I care to admit. I easily identify with the Jews’ question.

I start thinking about God, trying to figure Him out, trying to make Him and what I think I see Him doing make-sense-according-to-me.

My mind gets overwhelmed...

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Please join me at a life overseas: the missions conversation, where I'm posting today - and read the rest. Then, I'd love for you to join the conversation.

Competing, contrasting or complimentary?

Our last January in West Africa, we took the family camping at a nearby game park.

We camp a lot in the States – sometimes even in some pretty out-of-the-way places, but that was the first time I’d ever camped in Africa, under an African sky, in a really remote location. No city lights. No electricity. No paved roads. No leaving the campsite without a guide in a vehicle or with an armed guard when on foot. Hippos and elephants nearby in the river. Lions hunting on the other side of the rocky ridge that sheltered the campsite.

In some ways, it was surreal, like something I’d only see on a television show on one of those nature or documentary type channels back in the States; I had to keep pinching myself to make sure it was really real. Yet in other ways, it really felt a whole lot like “regular” camping with our gang back in Michigan.

Except for one thing.

Want to know the one thing that was totally, vastly, drastically different?

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To read the rest, please head over to a life overseas: the missions conversation, 

where I'm posting today.

Five Minute Friday ~ a South Carolina welcome

It was a bit of an impromptu, impulsive decision...

We'd had such a great time last year, we missed our friends, we really didn't need any excuse to head back.

We just had to decide to do it.

And we did...

All of those miles?

They were definitely worth it!

It is such a gift to have friends where the welcome is always warm (especially when you live in Michigan and it is wintertime!) and the simple delight in another's presence is easy and comfortable.

It was a welcome too short-lived... at least from our perspective!