CHRISTmas in America

 

After being on mission trips or in the field for long periods of time, Christmas seems like the worst time of year to come back.  Have you ever heard of ‘reverse culture shock’?  It’s when people leave their natural culture, spend time in other culture, and then return to their home land unable to ‘fit back in’.  Culture shock happens when you enter a place and have no idea what to expect: the way people live their lives, what they value, how they act are all foreign to you, something you have never experienced and haven’t leaned how to respond to.  I have experience both culture shock (going) and reverse culture shock (coming).  I am learning that the more you come and go, the more you understand how to cope with the differences in cultures and how to not be a critic and judge, when injustice seems to reign high. 

This year was probably the best year I have had reintegrating into my culture here in America.  I can remember most of the other times I have come home and not handled readjustment the way I should, but thanks to God, people showed me grace and love in spite of it all.  Coming home this time and looking around at everything: decorations, how people spend money, how they spend their time, how they act towards one another, etc; instead of being angry like years past, my heart just broke.  A time of the year when our focus should be on Christ and celebrating Him, who he is to us; is now a time focused on buying the most presents, spending 30+ hours at the shopping mall, decorating the house with Santa’s and Nutcracker’s, running around, being stressed out…loosing the joy of the holiday.  America seems to be one of the luckiest nations in the world, a history marked by favor from God, something we so easily take for granted and now that He has blessed us to be where we are, we toss God to the side because we no longer need him.  How can  a people group so easily turn from the one that has brought them to where they are??  Well history shows us that it is pretty easy, seeing as how the Israelites constantly turned from God even after he parted the red sea, gave them food from heaven, walked with them day and night, delivered them from their enemies, and performed miracle after miracle right before their very eyes.  With the fall of man, we are destined to walk away from our Creator, but in those moments Christ reaches out to us and brings us back to him, giving us his Spirit to draw nearer to God, we as Christians have a new obligation.  It is not up to the world to bring Christ into Christmas, for them it is just a pagan holiday where a jolly man brings presents to boys an girls who already have rooms full of them.  We can’t be mad at “America” for allowing Christ to be forgotten, we can only hold ourselves responsible for letting it come this far.  As the church, we are the body of Christ, it is up to us to stand against our culture, to proclaim the gospel in the darkest places, to not allow ourselves to be tainted by the world around us, to not forget the reason Jesus Christ was born…he was born to save US!  And that is what we should be celebrating every Christmas season.

As you take time to reflect on the year 2011, ask yourself if you are doing all that you could possibly do to make Christmas all about our Savior and not the commercialized meaning of the holiday.  For each person and each family it will look different, but what should be the same is our desire to glorify God throughout the whole holiday season, to turn people’s eyes up toward heaven…

 

This Christmas I was able to spend the whole weekend with my family and my extended family.  It was such a blessing and joy to work with my mom to serve everyone dinner, to play games late into the evening, to sit around catching up, to share stories of how Christ has been moving in our lives, and to just rest in the assurance that Jesus Christ lives and he loves us so much!!! 

I hope each and everyone of you enjoyed Christmas with those you love most and are excited about what the new year will bring…HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!

Across the Atlantic Once More…

 

December 6 I boarded a plane in Johannesburg to head back to the states for Christmas.  Committing to MOL, I had planned on not taking a trip home until April/May next year, but with the surprising news about Jeremiah (the new baby) I started considering coming home for the holidays way back in May.  The issue was up and down for awhile, then in October everything was solidified and I purchased a ticket.  Thankfully no one was expecting me, so I got to sneak back and slowly surprise people.  What a blessing it is to be welcomed home with open arms and smiling faces…thank you to everyone who greeted me with a hug and a word of excitement and encouragement.  It is so great to be here with the family and friends that God has provided for me.  For the first few days of being stateside, no one knew I was here, so I was able to hide out at my parents house and recover from the long flight and begin to wean myself back into western culture and civilization.  I must say I enjoy sleeping in my own bed, having heat on cold nights, driving on smooth roads, and being reunited with the body of Christ over here.  As a missionary, it is very easy for me to pour myself out and get so wrapped up in “doing” God’s work that I don’t take time to fill myself back up with the Word of God, just spending time with my Father.  I am looking forward to this break being a time of refreshment, rest, and reflection, so that I can better understand all that God has been teaching and showing me since sending me to Zambia.  I plan to be in the states until January 23, when I will board a plane and head back to South Africa to meet back up with Amber and Jako. 

 

 

 

If you would like to get together while I am here, please contact me and we will make a plan!!

E-Mail:  a.lynne317@gmail.com

Cell:  240-691-8399

Zambia - Botswana - South Africa

Operation Baby #2 began at the end of November as we deployed our home in the bush, heading for South Africa.  Usually, it takes two days to drive from our place, through Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa before we reach Jako’s home town: Vereegining.  Well, like everything in Africa, nothing goes how you plan it…we were already leaving three days after we ideally wanted to be on the road, and then on day 2 we had an unexpected break down.  The first day we made it all the way through the boarder and to Botswana with no problems…we camped out in Elephant Sands just as night was setting in.  The next morning, we got up bright and early and headed back on the road through the desert…about 30 minutes into our drive we start smelling something and hearing a noise that a car should not make.  We pulled over and our master mechanic diagnosed the problem…there was nothing we could do without parts, so we climbed back in a prayed the car would make it 2 more hours to Francistown.  Well 5 minutes later we pulled over again because the band had broken and we couldn’t go farther.  From this moment on we are without a dull moment on the car ride…so, like anyone would do, Jako hopped in the back of someone’s truck and hitched a ride to town, while Amber, Jakob, and I watched the car…hehe.  In the 6 hours that we were on the side of the road (mind you Amber is 8 months pregnant and Jakob is running around like crazy) we only had two people stop to offer help and check on us…we thought that was pretty hilarious!!  After running all over Francistown, Jako made it safely back to the vehicle where Amber and I were still entertaining Jakob in the desert!!  As we started fixing the car, some dark clouds rolled in and two minutes later it started pouring in the rain…we were soaked!!  Thankfully, Jako got everything in place and w were back on the road just as the rain started to slow down (that’s always how it works….haha).  Most of day 2 was shot, but we did make it to the boarder and into South Africa before it got too late.  Then day 3 we made it safely to Vereegining with no car problems and only 1 casualty. 


Whew…after that adventure I don’t know what to expect!!  I thank God that he kept us safe and provided everything we needed to get down to South Africa before Jeremiah…He is a good God, ALWAYS in control of every situation!

Home Sweet Home…

 

Well I remember a time, back in May, when a certain house started being built and like everything in Africa, it always takes longer than it should.  With unintended interruptions, financial slow downs, village builders, and much more, the progress on the house was delayed over the months.  Thankfully with God’s provision, my house is finally compete and livable.  I moved in on the 18th of November and have been getting settled ever since.  It was just a short time I had living in my house before leaving for South Africa, but it was very enjoyable and exciting to have a place to call my own. 

 

God has blessed me with so much in my house…already he has provided furniture for the sitting area, a desk to work at with all my school work, a wardrobe for all my clothes, and a wonderful bunk bed to sleep in at night.  He provided Amber and Gretchen to work along side me in painting all the walls and getting the windows working and putting together the furniture.  Thank you, thank you to them both for all their time and hard work. 

 

 

Lord willing, I will have space for one more single bunk bed and have space for 4 other women to stay when teams come, or friends to visit (wink…wink…nudge…nudge).  Since there is no space in the school for a desk, I will be doing most of my teaching work here at the house and I am excited that the place it so pleasant to spend time in. 

What a joyful blessing!!

 

 

A Vision Comes to Pass

 

 

 

After spending days painting my house, it was now time to move up to the school and paint those walls as well.  The first priority was getting the store room primed and painted so we could get shelves on the walls and then move all the supplies from the library here at camp, up to the school where they all belonged.  Gretchen and I first had to clean all the lime off the walls and then sweep the floors before we could do anything.  Two hours later, we were white as snowmen, but the walls were ready for primer…so we got to work.  At the end of the day, we had most of the school primed (finishing the 20 L we had) and the store room painted as well.  Luckily we were going to town in just a couple days, so we could get more primer and paint color for the rest of the school.  In the next couple of days flew by and once we had the paint, we finished the whole school in just one day.  We put two very nice coats on the walls, cut in around the floor and all the windows as well.  Whew…when it was all said and done, I think I had painted 8 days in a row…my fingers and hands were sore for the following week…hehe.

Over in the store room, the shelves went up and everything got moved into the school.  They are now organized by category (science, math, reading, writing, art, music, building, puzzles, etc.) helping me to see what I need more of and the things that I am good with.  It is safe to say that I think we have enough crayons to last for a few years…

I was so excited to have all the painting completed and the store room stocked, so I could bring in all the furniture that Jako and I had made.  I had a vague idea of where I wanted each “area” to be, but until everything is in there, it’s hard to say.  I currently have the art studio set up, a book nook, a writing center, a table for math and science, a discovery table, and a music center.  There is a large space in the middle, where I plan to make a stage for in the new year and then have an area for dramatic play.  Now that I have everything set up, I just need things to fill each center with (educational toys) and children and it will be perfect!!! 

As with everything else, God had already ordained a young, beautiful woman to be an assistant teacher at the preschool.  She is from Lusaka (the capital of Zambia), has completed grade 9 and started grade 10, speaks impeccable English, is good with children, active in her church, and really enjoys teaching.  Please pray for Stella as she has never formally taught before, but is eager at the opportunity to be a part of something different and to impact the lives of so many children. 

God has provided so much for this school, I pray that the children are blessed to feel His love every single day they come, that they hear and see the gospel frequently throughout the year, that they benefit from God’s blessing of this school, and that they each feel unique and treasured as God has created them to be. 

Please be praying for each of the 80 children who will be attending the MOL Preschool starting in February…this is a  totally new experience for every one of them! 

 

 

Never too Old to Help

 

In the middle of November, we had two wonderful ladies from South Africa come visit us to lend a hand where we needed.  There was one particular unique thing about these women…one was in her 60’s and one was in her 70’s and they worked harder then some of the young, strapping men that come through here. 

 

 

 

 

Sonny, the older one, worked diligently on mended clothes and my couch cushions, taught a bible study, helped Amber in the kitchen and with laundry, looked after Jakob, organized many supplies for the store room of the preschool, shortened Amber’s window curtains, built relationships with the mothers at the house and Charles’ family, and always willing to step in wherever was needed. 

 

 

 

    Marion was a spit fire of a woman…she held nothing back.  Her first morning here she helped finish painting my house, and jumped right in to help me get the school completed in one day.  Marion also journeyed out of the bush with me to take Isaac and Ennie to the hospital, once again.  She helped load supplied and move them to the preschool, she assisted us in putting on doors (for my house and the school), she helped moving furniture in and around my house, cooked many meals for us, cleaned the kitchen regularly, also looked after Jakob (filled him with sweeties) and she even helped Jako with the roof he was working on. 

 

These women came here to see what is doing here through Amber and Jako, but I don’t think they ever thought God would use them in such big ways to bless what He has started.  I never thought they would work so hard, or be so willing to get things done…they really helped us finish many projects that had been hanging over our heads and eased the days going into preparation to leave. 

I just love these unexpected blessings in life!!  God is so good…

 

Isaac Still Needs Your Prayers…

 

For all of you following the story of Isaac, I have another update for you.  As you know, last month we had a scare with Isaac being so ill, we had to rush him to the hospital (3 hours away) and thankfully God performed a miracle and saved the little guy.  He has been doing so well, eating several times a day and going from 2.6 kg to 4.2 kg.  One night this past month, Isaac was having diarrhea, vomiting, and unable to sleep.   Knowing how quickly a little baby can go from bad to worse, we decided to be cautious and take him to the hospital right away.  We went to the same place, 3 hours away and again they admitted Isaac.  Since it was his second time back, in such a short time, the doctors think that he has been exposed to HIV and most likely is infected with the virus.  He was in the hospital for 4 days before they released him…this was the second time they have tried to take blood to check his HIV status, and they were unable to see anything, so they have to wait until he is 6 months.  When babies are HIV positive, they struggle to survive the slightest cold and illness, so please be praying for his health.  Ennie is doing a wonderful job caring for him and is making sure that he is kept warm and healthy as best as she can, but we know that ultimately God is the only one who can ensure his safety and wellbeing.  I trust that God still has great plans for this one and that he will be protecting Isaac through anything that comes his way. 

If baby Isaac crosses your mind, please say a little prayer for him; pray for his health and growth, pray for Ennie (the mother caring for him), and pray that if Isaac has the virus, that God will remove it from his body and restore it, so that he can grow up to be a big, healthy, wonderful boy! 

 

 

Thank you all so much for your prayers and love of God’s children all the way on the other side of the world!!