Tuesday Topic: Discipleship and literacy

From a reader: I would like to hear some discussion on discipleship. What are some unique ways you have found for discipling? What suggestions are there for discipling illiterate people? If you have taught someone to read, how did you go about it??

(If you have a “Tuesday Topic” question, please email it to me at fylliska@gmail.com. Provide your blog address if you would like to be linked to, or specify if you would like to remain anonymous. Thanks!)

When You Serve in a Support Role—Part 2

"Going into missions" had always been at the back of my mind throughout my university days and beyond. It started when a lady I'd met in chapel (who works for a missions organisation in the US) heard I was studying to be a teacher and suggested I teach on the field. Hmm, now there was an idea.

So I did what every missions-minded uni student did and went to Urbana. But I never went anywhere because God's timing is different from mine.

When I graduated from uni, God landed me at a missions-minded church near my home town. I still imagined that one day God would send me off to teach missionary kids somewhere.

Fast forward 4 years to when I met my husband who is—yup, a missionary in England (missionary dating anyone??). :)

To make a long story short, I'm now serving with my husband in England. But I'm not teaching missionary kids like I thought I would be. We serve in a different role from some missionaries. We serve in a support role. In a previous post, I wrote about serving in a support role as a wife and mother. My husband's and my role in our organisation is more or less behind the scenes, with my husband working in IT and myself writing Sunday School materials... but how is that being a missionary?

In the beginning days, I had a difficult time believing that what we do for our organisation is worthy of being supported by our friends and families. After all, we sit at a desk doing IT work or writing Sunday School materials... how is that "missions?"

Leon teaches an IT course so that others can do the IT stuff for their own fields

Think about it: Paul and Barnabas probably had support from their sending church. Without that support, Paul and Barnabas wouldn't be able to do their work as effectively. We work at the international headquarters, where a lot of services are provided for fields around the world. These services enable the rest of the missionaries to advance the Gospel! With the way people use modern technology, if people like my husband weren't working to better the IT systems and keep them running, ministry would probably not be as effective. Doing children's work would also be a lot more challenging without the people who write the materials.

We like have to have fun every once in a while (even if it's playing geeky vintage video games). :)

We're all a part of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). We can all have different roles within the Body. Some of us are going to be better at teaching, preaching, etc, while others of us are going to be better at serving behind the scenes (Ephesians 4:11). This realisation has given me great freedom because I'm better at serving in the background rather than up front where everyone can see me.

"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts."
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (ESV)

Don't you just love how diverse the body of Christ is? Your role is important no matter how you serve! Now let's discuss. How do you serve in your ministry?

Moving Across the World:The Big Day(s)

 Do a little dance folks because You Made It!! You have purged, gotten rid of, donated, sold most of what you own.  You've figured out a storage situation that works for your family.  You've weeded through toys and clothes and favorite things.  You have done your marathon packing.  You now know way more about storage containers and suitcases and what cloth napkins weigh than is deemed normal.  But you've made it.  You are now at that crazy moment of getting ready to get on a plane with all your stuff and kids in tow and moved to ANOTHER COUNTRY!!  Stop for just a minute and look around you.  Yep, this is your life, this is a dream and a vision that God gave your family and He has brought you to this day(s).  Crazy, huh?  So just take a moment and enjoy it!

And then some kid is going to puke on you or jar you back to the reality that you have to get your crazy brood and your (insert number of bags here) bags from your hometown to your new town somewhere else in the world.  Take a deep breath.  You got this. You already did all that I just listed, you can totally make it through the traveling part.

Before we get too far into all of this, start praying now for your move days.  Seriously, pray for the check in people, the security people, the porters, the flight attendants and pilots.  We've seen God have scales zeroed out at -1 lb and people not charge us for bags and make special provision for us getting on and off the planes.  One time we even got free domestic tickets!

 And yes, this moving thing is a lot.  So much so, we asked my sister and her husband to help us move.  They are late twenties, no kids yet, but stable, able bodied adults who can help.  It also means that the adults will outnumber the children, which is always a good thing!  Tip #1  If you have someone in your life that could help with the move, ASK them!!  Seriously!

The logistics for this part of the journey can be a bit intense.  How are you getting to the airport?  How are you getting all your stuff to the airport?  What are you doing with those car seats?  Bringing a stroller?  A sling or a wrap for baby? Who is carrying the passports?  How in the world are the two of you going to corral those kids and all those bags?

I am going to say it again, this is just what we do.  If you figure something better out, please tell me!!  But at least you have a place to start.

About 5 years ago we moved across the state and some friends of our had us stay at their house the night before we left.  At first I didn't think too much of it, but wow, what a difference that made!  It meant I didn't have to wash towels and sheets and what not the day of.  All that was finished the day before we left.  And we did it again before we moved for language school and we are doing it again this weekend.  We are blessed enough to have my parents just 20 minutes from the airport. So there is Tip #2 Stay somewhere else the day or two before you leave the country.

So airport.  We have asked both sets of parents to help with this.  One minivan will take the luggage and the other most of the people.  And there will be plenty of bodies to haul those 50 pound bags all over the place.  This also means it will be a good time to say that last goodbye. 

Once in the airport, especially if you don't have extra help, Pay for a porter!! (that's Tip #3, by the way).  The going tip (not to be confused with the other Tips in this post) rate is $1 a bag, maybe $2 if they are really heavy or if he or she helps out in other ways.  Budget this into your travel expenses, it is totally worth it!

And kids. So I am sure you have all thought of new small activities and toys for the flights.  We have a backpack for each of our kids, and they get to carry it on and off the plane.  They also get to pick some of what goes in their backpack, but I add stuff too as a surprise.  Keeping them corralled in the airport can be interesting, but we have found a stroller is a big help (remember, our kids are little still).  It gives them a safe place to sit, they still want to fall asleep sometimes, so it's a help then too.  The stroller also helps you section off a part of the terminal for your family...sit on the floor, it will give you more space.  Also, if you can, carry a small, light blanket, to spread out on the floor picnic style, that's great too.

My philosophy with life has always been be prepared so you can be flexiable.  That's a good thought for flying internationally as well.  Be as prepared as you can, but know that at some point along the way you will probably need to rework the plan.

So, what is your best travel advice?    

Want more?  Check out these other posts!

Want more MAW?  Check these out
Moving Across the World:  The Beginning
Moving Across the World:  Toys 
Moving Across the World:  Buying and Acquiring 
Moving Across the World: Packing 
Moving Across the World:  Helpful This and Thats

Tuesday Topic: Sharing negatives?

From an anonymous reader: What are your thoughts about sharing stories on blogs and from other public platforms about some of the shocking and less attractive sides of your home country? My husband and I recently had a discussion about this after finding out that often times our public pre-schools do not have toilet paper for the children. (When it’s out, it’s out until the next allotment comes in.) He thought this would be an interesting cultural fact to share with our friends back home, but I felt it would be talking ill of our host country even though it is true. It opened up a long discussion about what is more important in our communication about life here; is portraying an accurate picture of where we live (including these less than attractive things) most valuable, or is helping people to form a better opinion of this country and in my thought perhaps a greater capacity to love the people here more important (we live in a country often not thought of very highly by Americans). What is your personal view of how to publicly speak of your host country? Is your aim to give an accurate representation that encompasses the good and bad, do you steer more towards the good to perhaps try to help people correct wrong stereotypes, or maybe do you focus more on what is broken to help inspire compassion? How do you decide?

(If you have a “Tuesday Topic” question, please email it to me at fylliska@gmail.com. Provide your blog address if you would like to be linked to, or specify if you would like to remain anonymous. Thanks!)

Calm My Anxious Heart, chapter 6

I'm blogging through Calm My Anxious Heart: chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, chapter 4, and chapter 5.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

Psalm 119:14

This chapter is called "Never Enough," but if following the theme of earlier chapters ("Content with Circumstances," "Content to be Me," etc), I would call it "Content with Stuff." Linda Dillow addresses three barriers to being content with what we have: greed, lack of purpose, and anxiety. This chapter is about the first of those three.

She gives us these Biblical principles about material possessions:

1. Everything belongs to God.... 

2. Heart attitude is the issue.... You can quickly identify where your heart is if you will survey the things you own and then answer this question: Suppose this treasure were lost, destroyed, or stolen tomorrow. Would I miss it to the point that it would harm my trust in God, my contentment, or my relationships? If the answer is yes, then your treasure is on earth.
3. God comes first and possessions come second.... 

4. Possessions are to be used, not loved... (pages 87-89).

I find the timing of this chapter to be very interesting in my own life, but I don't think I can share about that right now. So, instead I will go back a little. Apartment living used to be a huge struggle for me! I used to dread visiting friends who had houses, because I knew I would be jealous. I would cry about it often and beg God for a house... or contentment. This sounds simple and trite, looking back and skipping over so much, but He did eventually give me that contentment. Now I usually love living in an apartment. And now, after many years in cramped, cluttered apartments (not our clutter), we have really  been enjoying a bigger, empty one, with wide open spaces. But we're coming to the end of our time here, and I've really been struggling. It's not likely that we'll find another place like this. (Although, God could surprise us; He's good at that!) My goal is to look around at this lovely home every day and relish it, without a twinge of "I'll be so sad to leave." That would poison the time that I do have here. This quote was really inspirational to me today:

God has recently give Jody and me a wonderful gift of a house in the beautiful Colorado mountains. After eighteen years of living overseas in rented houses and apartments, I am very grateful for this gift, yet I am also afraid. It would be so easy to let the leech [greed] get a hold of me. Once something becomes mine, my human tendency is to grasp it tightly. God wants me daily to hold out my house to Him with open hands and say, "It is Yours, Lord" (page 89).

I'm also challenged to take another step. Looking at the two Bible verses I quoted above, being content and not coveting aren't so hard right now. But am I really rejoicing that much in the Lord? Daily? Oh, how I want to!

What advice do you have for someone struggling to be content with what they have? What lessons have you learned yourself in this area?

Third Culture Kids

They speak multiple languages,connect easily with someone from a new culture, and take global issues very seriously. They may have more in common with a Chinese student in their European school then they do with peers from their passport country. They also learn at a young age about loss and saying good-bye. They've moved many times and "home" is hard to explain.

They are Third Culture Kids or TCKs as they are commonly called. American sociologist David C. Pollock describes Third Culture Kids with this definition: "A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside of the parents' culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background. "

I've noticed this TCK phenomenon in my own kids. They think in terms of having two different national anthems, and speaking in two languages. They relate better to kids from other countries living in El Salvador than they do to their own cousins. 

I had to smile while we were in the States this summer for the Fourth of July for the first time in years. When the fireworks started my five year old son turned to me and said , "Mommy, this is just like Christmas!" Because he is growing up in Central America my son's cultural association with fireworks is Christmas, not the Fourth of July. It is definitely different from my childhood!

In some ways it seems strange to be raising children who have experiences so different from the ones I experienced. It is strange, but I don't feel sorry for them. In fact I celebrate the richness of their lives. Their lives include picnics at the sites of ancient Mayan ruins, four stamps on their passports by the age of five, and the gift of being effortlessly bilingual. But more important than that, they are living out God's call right there with us. They are learning to walk in faith and experiencing what it means to be a part of God's global Kingdom.

How do you feel about raising TCKs? How has it changed your family? In what ways are your children experiencing life in a different way than you did?

Tuesday Topic: 9/11

Where were you when you heard the news about 9/11? Did it affect your life in your location at all? I ask because I kind of felt like we missed the effect it had on America for a while, and... I'll share my thoughts in the comments. I want to hear about your feelings from that day!

(If you have a “Tuesday Topic” question, please email it to me at fylliska@gmail.com. Provide your blog address if you would like to be linked to, or specify if you would like to remain anonymous. Thanks!)