Team Five Morris

*I realize that by starting this

out with a quote from The Hobbit I am aligning myself with “Trekkies” and Star Wars geeks.  The truth is I am fantasy nerd, a Trekkie and a total Star Wars geek.  So label me if you will but read on…

I first read The Hobbit when I was 8 or 9 and loved it.  Now my 9 year old son is struggling through it and so I picked it up again recently and couldn’t put it down.  This particular passage spoke to me in an odd sort of way. “So cheer up Bilbo and don’t look so glum…This is your expedition after all. Think of the treasure at the end, and forget the forest and the dragon, at any rate until tomorrow morning.”  (Spoken by Gandalf)

 You might not understand the implications of it at first but from where God has me right now in my life, this was a poignant reminder about where my hope lies.  Bilbo (for those of you who aren’t familiar with this rotund little fellow) is a hobbit who likes nothing more than the comfort and safety of his warm hobbit hole.  He eats well and keeps his larder stocked at all times with good treats.  He has comfy chairs and a beautiful garden and a familiar little pipe that he enjoys.  Basically, he is safe and secure in his dependable world.  Kind of like where I was a few years ago.  I owned my own home, my kids were at a nice Christian school, I was a member of a nice church that I enjoyed serving in and the bills were always paid. 

Bilbo is offered the chance to go on a daring, life threatening adventure with a group of dwarves with the promise of a great treasure at the end.  Long story short, he gives up his comfortable little hobbit hole and ventures out into the vast Wild.  Much like Bilbo, one day I was startled by an invitation to an adventure.   Our invitation was not delivered by a wise old wizard but by a very wise and insistent God.  Dan and I both felt the call to missions at the same time.  In our excitement it was easy to overlook the dangers at first.  Imagining what it would be like to live in Africa seemed so romantic and exotic and we couldn’t wait.  But truth be told the journey anywhere can wear you out. 

We found ourselves in Uganda three years after our initial heart tug to missions.  Once we landed on the red soils of Uganda I began to see the adventure more clearly.  It wasn’t nearly as exotic or romantic as I had made it out to be in my “perfect-missionary-life-fantasy”.  It was HARD.  After almost a year and  a half here life is pretty normal for us.  The early hard times seem to have passed and we feel like Uganda is home for now.  However, often in the daily grind we can struggle more than in the difficult transitions. 

“Do we really have to go through it?” Groaned the hobbit.
“Yes, you do!” said the wizard, “if you want to get to the other side.  You must either go through or give up your quest.  And I am not going to allow you to back out now, Mr. Baggins.  I am ashamed of you for thinking of it…” (Gandalf speaking to Bilbo after Bilbo complains about going into Mirkwood Forest which was an unpleasant and dangerous place)

After reading this exchange between Bilbo and Gandalf I felt like I could relate to Bilbo’s complaint.  Often I grow so weary of the daily life here in Uganda.  The constant battle to fit into a place that is impossible to blend into!  The seemingly uphill trudge against false teachings, superstitions and preconceived notions.  I sometimes feel like Bilbo.  “God do I really have to go through this?  Isn’t there an easier way?”.  And God responds, totally justified, “Yes, you must finish the race.  There is no way you can give up and I won’t let you…”. 

So what I actually see in these passages are parallels with Scripture.  I know J.R.R. Tolkien said this wasn’t an allegory and I’m not arguing that point, but for me these passages reminded me of some well worn Scripture that brought encouragement.   

“So cheer up Bilbo and don’t look so glum”… When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.  Psalm 94:19.

“This is your expedition after all.  Think of the treasure at the end…”…Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12
“Forget the forest and the dragon, at any rate until tomorrow morning.”…Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  Matthew 6:34

Okay, maybe it’s a stretch to compare The Hobbit to The Bible, maybe even silly.  But it is often in funny surprising ways that God reminds me why I am here in Uganda.  It’s not for the adventure or the glamour of a missionary life.  It is for the joy of serving a loving, wise, holy God.  It is for the joy of seeing the Gospel challenge, change, and grow people of any culture.   The TREASURE is the hope of eternal life with Christ. 

And lastly, a good reminder that my trials and misadventures are not pointless, my salvation is not mere luck, and if I could just see past myself I’d see God smiling a bit indulgently at my slow witted understanding of His ways:

“You don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit?  You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!” (Gandalf speaking)

  I thank God for gifting J.R.R. Tolkien with such beautiful stories but even more so I thank God for being the Author of every story, including mine. 

Most people think of missions as a way for US to help OTHERS.  While this is true, I have found that God does just as much for me(teaching me, maturing me, increasing my faith) while in missions as He is teaching me to do for others.  God has stretched our faith in such incredible ways that we often just sit back and laugh in wonder.  I wanted to testify to just some of the miraculous ways He has surprised us with provision. 

Last year we were involved with a short term team in a village doing a medical clinic for a week.  Out in an obscure village town we ran into a large group of missionaries from California.  During the few days we were there I spoke with the leader of the mission group for about 15 minutes total.  He and his wife were the brains behind Blue Letter Bible.com, a bible software program.  We told them briefly about our life in Kampala and that was it.  The day they were leaving, they offered us a stack of free Bible software cd’s to pass out to local pastors and pressed some money into our hands.  They said that they just wanted to bless our ministry in Kampala.  We didn’t want to be rude and look at how much money they had given so we thanked them and went on our way.  I honestly wasn’t expecting more than $20 from perfect strangers (which would have been appreciated regardless) yet when we checked to see how much money they had given us we were surprised and humbled by a whopping $600 in our hands.  God used these generous people who only talked to us for 15 minutes.  The funds they gave helped us in paying off our immigration expenses, and it came at the perfect time.  By the way, check out Blue Letter Bible.com for yourself.  It is a great program and obviously the designers are great people!

A few months later, through a contact with Acts 29, we were asked to host a pastor and church member from Vintage 21 Church in North Carolina.  We knew of this church and we were thrilled to get to play tour guide for three days.  Dan and Pastor Nate hit it off and we enjoyed three days of fellowship with them.  Pastor Nate was such a blessing to Dan, encouraging  him to follow through with God’s call on his life to church plant in our neighborhood.  The encouragement alone was such a blessing to us, especially Dan.  As he dropped these guys off at the airport, Pastor Nate also pressed some money into Dan’s hands.  Again, Dan didn’t check to see how much but said his good-bye’s and thank you’s.  Pastor Nate offered a last encouragement to Dan and was gone.  When Dan got home he sat at the dining room table with me and unfolded the bills Pastor Nate had given him.  Again, we were floored when we realized that we were counting out $800!  Yet again God provided through a stranger at the perfect time.  Since then, Pastor Nate and Vintage 21 have continued to encourage us by sending us new friends and houseguests and offering to pair up with us in ministry.  They asked us the question, “What does REDEMPTION look like in the slums of Wabigalo?”  That is what we are planning to find out with their help.  Thanks Vintage!  (Especially Nate, John Heeley, Meredith and Sarah!)

Our home church, Easthaven Baptist Church, of Kalispell, Montana blessed us with a visit.  Before they came they told the church of our needs and allowed them to fill five suitcases with things for us.  I can’t even begin to describe the HEAPS of love they sent in those cases.  Our dining room table vanished under the weight of such piles of food, books, school supplies and toys.  On top of that they had raised funds to go toward whatever our needs were. (More immigration costs unfortunately)  Aside from the financial gifts and food, the real blessing was having such dear friends share in our lives here.  Seeing people who have known us for years was so amazing.  The Easthaven team filled us to overflowing with love, fellowship and friendship.  Our home church has continued to surprise us with their support and love as we learn how to live here. 

Last night on Facebook, our friend Bryce asked me about our power supply problem.  Most of my friends on Facebook have been hearing our tale of woe as we are going on three weeks with no power.  Bryce said he wanted try some fundraising for us.  I shrugged and though, “Sure, give it a try”.  He posted a brief story about us on Facebook and asked everyone he knew to give $2.65 to buy us a generator or power inverter.  Within an hour he told us that $250 had come in.  After two hours the total was up to $500 and this morning when I checked it was at $600.  These are people whom I have never met, who know very little about our ministry here and whom I will most likely never meet face to face.  Yet they opened their wallets to give to us and many even re-posted our needs on their own Facebook pages.  Can you imagine?  We were more than shocked and grateful.

My father in law also attempted to raise funds for us on Facebook.  He does not share the same religious beliefs we do and has given up getting to see  his grandchildren grow up for us to be here.  Yet after spending three weeks with us he wanted to help us increase our funding.  His helping us showed us that even though he’d rather have us stateside because he misses us, he understands what we are doing here.  His support has been incredibly humbling for us. 

I could continue on and on about all the people who have sacrificed financially for us to be here.  We have a great base of faithful supporters.  Not one has dropped off in the past year and half.  All of them continue to faithfully give each month so that we can be here doing what God has called us to do.  Aside from the financial, we have so many faithfully praying for us.  Money is great, don’t get me wrong…but the prayers are imperative for our lives here.  Everyday I am more and more humbled by the people God brings into our lives.  We are not alone on this journey in Uganda.  We are blessed beyond measure as we learn to trust that God really does own the cattle on a thousand hills!  Thank you to all of you who have blessed us (and even surprised us!) with friendship, fellowship, prayers and financial gifts.  As always, you stand beside us on the red dirt of Uganda and minister alongside us.


(This blog isn’t intended to list everyone who has helped us, and quite often there have been anonymous gifts.  Please know our appreciation is sincere to ALL of you! )

I have spoken about a friend of ours from the Ukraine many times in blogs and updates but I have never formally introduced him.  Dan suggested we do a bio about him so here it is!

Kostya's real name is Constantine Tuskyonovski...or something like that.  (He'll be mad I didn't post his name properly.)  He is 24 and from Odessa Ukraine.  Kostya has been involved with International Messengers for years as a student at their English camps in Odessa.  He went through training with International Messengers the same time we did but was at their European training center.  Kostya came to Uganda two days before us through International Messengers back in January of 2009.  He was here for six months and then went home to fundraise again for a longer term here.  We welcomed him back in December of 2009.

Kostya is the oldest of three kids and has a younger brother who is Aiden's age!  He is pretty mature for his age spiritually but we like to tell him otherwise so he doesn't get too cocky!  Kostya works alongside Dan on the upcoming church plant.  Aside from that he teaches at the local nurses' hostel weekly.  He has a core group of guys there that have been learning from him for the past year.  One guy in particular has become a good friend to him and is involved in some of our ministry here as well.  Kostya also has been discipling two young men every Sunday.  They are sharp young guys and have recently started coming to our community group.  Kostya was so proud last night when both of these young guys contributed to the discussion.

Every Wednesday, Kostya preaches the midweek sermon at Arise and Shine Worship Center.  (The church we work with and Dan is a pastor at.)  He studies all the time and preaches thought provoking messages.  We watch amazed as he masters the English language while trying to learn Luganda here as well.  (He speaks Russian and Ukrainian as well).  Dan, Kostya and Moses are team teaching the Veritas curriculum to local pastors every Thursday.

Kostya is our "adopted son" and my kids think of him like a (mean) older brother.  He is such a welcome addition to our team here.  He went through culture shock with in our first few months and probably understands us better than anyone else here that we work with.

Kostya currently lives off of very little.  He lives with Moses and Betty and their family communally and shares the rent of their home.  He has recently started "bunny ranching" to bring in some income.  He is learning how to breed rabbits for meat which could be very lucrative in the long run.  We make fun of him a bit for this but we are excited to see if it becomes a way for him to supplement his funding.

Please pray for Kostya as he is planning to be here at least a full year.  Pray for his family back home in Ukraine who miss him and pray for his relationships with these young men here as he disciples them.  Prayerfully consider supporting him as well.  He has a heart for missions here and continues to serve God wholeheartedly.  If you feel compelled to support him financially you can do so through the link to International Messengers on this site.

 

Yes, I am an emotional girl.  (Hence the EMO in the title).  Some of you know me well and aren't surprised by this.  When things don't go my way I tend to get a bit...irrational.  Living in Uganda has exacerbated this character flaw in me somewhat.  (I know it's more than a character flaw...)  There are things here that make NO sense to my Western mind that I have absolutely NO control over.  Most days, these things are easy to laugh off but once in a while they build up and I just lose it.  Last week was an example of that.

We live on the edge of what most would call a "slum".  The power and water service is shoddy at best.  Last year we went four days without power or water.  I thought that was the worst I'd have to endure up until last week.  We went without power for six days.  And when it was finally restored it went off again after 20 minutes.  In that same time frame our water went off as well for over 24 hours.  It was more than I could endure and I had a mild breakdown.

During my frutstration and wallowing I relented and opened my Bible.  (Imagine that)  I read through Philippians the other night while laid out on the concrete floor trying to seek relief from the heat.  (Since the power was off my beloved fans were no use to me)  I was reminded again about the suffering that Christ endured and also his disciples.  Paul's tribulations put mine to shame and yet he writes Philippians with hope and joy and encouragement.  I don't detect the weary acceptance in his voice that I find in mine.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Phil. 4:11-13

I asked myself, "Can I ever be there?  Can I ever really say that?" The verse is a familiar one for most of us but it becomes so much more poignant when I am in the midst of one of my self-induced wallow-fests.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice.  Let your resonablness be made known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:4-7

I laid there on the floor mulling over these verses.  Is my happiness completely dependent on my circumstances?  Like Paul I should be able to be content in all things because of my relationship with Christ.  I went to bed and talked to Dan about these verses and my irritation and he reminded me that when the power is off I am mostly irritated because I can't get on the internet or watch a movie.  It disrupts what I think is most important at that moment.  I huffed a bit at his rebuke but continued to think about it.

I read a great book called "Practical Theology for Women" by Wendy Alsup.  She says this: "Stop envisioning the worst-case scenarios.  Stop thinking through all your options to fix it.  You don't have to continue down the path controlled by emotions!".

So long story short: the power came back on yesterday along with the water.  My emotions were joyfull at the return of these comforts but the lesson is still rolling around in my mind.  It 's a good reminder to check our motives and our desires for happiness.  Can we say we are content in all things?  By God's grace I am learning.  My hope is to be like Paul and say, "I know how to read by candlelight and I know how to read by electric light.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing a bucket shower or enjoying a full stream shower when the water is not turned off!  I can endure all things through him who strenghtens me!"