Category Archives: Home Assignment / Furlough

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Radio Interview

About a year and a half ago, slightly after the Lord laid on my, Robin’s,  heart the idea of earning my group fitness instructor certificate, I contacted Theresa Rowe to seek her council.  Theresa is a wonderful Christian lady, with an amazing testimony, who not only teaches fitness classes at my home church in Owensboro but has developed her own ministry, Shaped By Faith, to encourage the shaping of both hearts and bodies for God’s purpose.  I knew she’d be able to give me advice on what kind of certification I would need, from where to get it, and how to get started.

Since we’ve been somewhat settled in Owensboro for the school year I’ve been able to attend several of Theresa’s classes each week and talk with her a bit more about fitness and how I desire to use that with ministry.

One extension of Theresa’s Shaped By Faith ministry is that she has a weekly radio show.  Several weeks ago she asked if she could interview us for her show – to ask about us and our ministry.  We were excited for the opportunity to share about our ministry, both what God has done and the vision He has given us for the future.

We missed hearing it on the radio since we were out of town on both it’s air dates, however we’ve since been able to listen to the podcast of it.  We thought perhaps some of you might like the opportunity as well.

I will say, on the podcast link page you’ll see three blue arrows.  Those are individual segments of the show so click on the first one to begin.  When that section is over you’ll need to click the middle arrow and finally the last.

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Some challenges of Matthew 5-7

I, Dan, have been studying the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew ch. 5-7) for my quiet time since the beginning of the year. As I have read, and re-read the same verses, I have begun to see thing differently and be  convicted of many things.   It has been very challenging during the past 10 months.

Recently I was challenged again, specifically by Mat. 7:7-11.  As I looked at the ideas of asking, knocking, and seeking, Jesus seems to be saying, “don’t give up. Keep on asking; keep on seeking; keep knocking.”  I’m sure there are many life areas in which I need to continue asking, seeking, and knocking, though currently, this furlough, the context often in my thoughts is that of our support raising.  In light of that I have a few questions that are also prayers.   First, “what is the balance here?”  Second, “how do I continue to seek, ask, and knock without offending you, God, and without offending churches we are trying to talk with?”

I, (we), have been praying about certain churches and general support raising since mid 2012.

The struggle I have is not with the many “no’s” and the few “yes’s'” we have gotten.  The struggle is in the silence.  The struggle is in the wait.

During the silence and waiting, I need a balance of not being pushy with churches/people.  But, I also can’t let us fade into the backgroud. After all, the stark truth is that we are but one of thousands of ministries that are seeking funds.  I know that God is working in the heavenlies.  I know that people are working here weighing our ministry against other ministries, looking at church budgets, dealing with time constraints, and handling their own work and ministry.  Also, I know our time constraints.  We have less than 7 weeks left to support raise, we need to balance spending time with family, study/work on ministry training, pack up so we can go back to Mozambique and prepare our transition to Portugal.  I know once we are back on field support raising becomes much more difficult to do.  Going back under funded increases stress levels; it can mean cutting our budget…both my personal salary and that for ministry.

So the struggle is in the wait time, in the silence….do give myself over to worry?  I can’t, as worrying is dealt with in Mat. 6:25-34.  There goes that conviction thing again!

Do I keep asking, knocking and seeking?

Yes.

But God, please give me wisdom and balance in how to ask, knock and seek in a way that honors you. Give me peace in the wait and silence.

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A Soft Reminder

During this furlough we’ve been reporting to each of our supporting churches, updating them on what God has been doing over the last 4 years and talking with them about the ministry transition we’ll soon be making.  For as long as we’ve been processing a transition (2 years or so), we’ve been praying that each of our supporting churches would choose to stay with us through this transition and continue to support our ministry.  Our church visits have gone well.

Another job this furlough has been to try and increase our support base.  We’ve talked with several new churches and so far 3 have decided to partner with us.  We know that is a huge blessing and we’re grateful.

But last week we had a frustrating phone call.  We called one of our supporting churches, one we’d already reported to, only to hear that they’ve actually decided to discontinue support of our ministry at the year’s end.

Dan was actually the one on the phone and I walked in to hear his side of the conversation.  As Dan looked at me I could tell it was not a good phone call.

He and I had a variety of emotions:  frustration, anger, feeling let down….

We both wanted to rant a bit.  After a bit I decided my frustration wasn’t due so much to the fact that they weren’t going to continue supporting us but rather that we were just now being told.  But we were frustrated none the less.  To be completely honest, we were in quite a tizzy.

And then God reminded . . .

  • we might have been surprised but He wasn’t.
  • Of ALL of our supporting churches only one decided to not transition with us.
  • He has and will continue to provide.
  • New churches have partnered with us.
  • He has and will continue to provide (I know it’s a duplicate statement – it was a duplicate reminder).
  • There was no reason for us to stew in frustration.

Quiet.

A bit of frustration remained, but we were calmer.  And then came the further reminder to rejoice and be thankful for this church.  They may not be transitioning with us, but they have still been faithful partners for many years and we are glad in that.  We are thankful for them.

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A Sunday on Stage

This weekend we were blessed to be part of the service at one of our supporting churches.  Since it was here in Owensboro we didn’t have to travel, and the kids were able to attend classes with the friends they’ve been making through youth group activities.

It was a good weekend.  Scott, the preaching minister, gave a short sermon and then we were “interviewed” by Shawn Green, the outreach minister and good friend.  It was a great format to allow the congregation to get to know us, give an update about our ministry, gain a few new prayer partners, and (hopefully) challenge people.  At the end, the kids joined us on stage for prayer.

Having 5 kids come into the sanctuary and then up to stage can prove a bit interesting.  Here are a few funny (and unspiritual) things which happened during the church services which may or may not have been observed by those in the congregation.

  1. Last night, for the Saturday service, there was a miscommunication on when the children would come into the sanctuary.  Therefore during Scott’s message, before the interview started, here came four children.  Robin got up as discretely as possible (rather difficult when sitting up front) to usher the kids back to their classes and come back in to sit down.  When the kids came in for the 2nd time it wasn’t as quietly as we’d have hoped.  Jeremiah proceeded to bounce around in the pew and run around.  It took everything in Dan to not get down off the stage during the interview to discipline him.
  2. During Saturday evening’s prayer Jeremiah took great delight in watching himself dance in the tv monitor.  When the prayer was over he didn’t want to come down off the stage and had to be carried down (with some protesting).
  3. Sunday morning first service:  the older kids were sitting in church with us.  Karunia exited at the appropriate time to get the smaller kids however, when they came into the sanctuary Jeremiah came running down the aisle and immediately up on stage in the middle of our interview.  Esperansa followed suite, though at a slightly slower pace.  Thankfully they went and sat down without too much fuss.
  4. When it was time for all children to join us on stage for prayer (still Sunday 1st service), Josiah walked up and immediately showed Dan the tooth he had pulled – in church, during our interview.   If you know us well then you know Dan’s laugh.  It took everything in him to hold that laugh inside at that moment.
  5. During the 2nd Sunday morning service Dan zoned a bit while Robin was answering a question and quickly had to refocus to handle his part of the answer.
  6. Finally by Sunday third service all the funny/awkward moments seemed to have passed.  At least we aren’t aware of any glitches.

Despite the funny or slightly embarrassing moments (at least, if there was any doubt, people now know we aren’t a perfect family), we were glad for the opportunity.  We pray the Lord was honored.  Thanks OCC for your support and the chance to share with the congregation.

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Summer Missions

The summer isn’t over but so far we’re in our 3rd week of church camp and have also participated in 6 different Vacation Bible Schools!    We have a few more to go before the summer ends.  For those who may not be familiar with missions involvement in a week of VBS or Camp, it’s a time for a missionary to share with the kids about missions.  Depending on the missionary that might mean presenting the idea of missions in general.  Sometimes it’s presenting their specific ministry or facts about the specific country in which they serve.  Sometimes the mission time slot is 5-15 minutes during an opening or closing session and other times they become a station which children rotate through and can last 25-40 minutes.  In any case it’s a wonderful opportunity to expose kids to the idea of missions and raise awareness.  Usually the kids participating in the VBS/camp bring offerings throughout the week to contribute to that missionary’s work.

Our younger kids can participate.  Our older kids can help and still have fun.

Dan and I really try to engage the kids.  We show pictures and talk about various things but also let them play.  They’ll fill out passports and take their immunizations (various candies for a malaria prophylactic, tuberculosis, and a de-wormer), do chores just as kids in Mozambique do (hauling water on their heads, washing dishes with sand and water, collecting firewood), they play Mozambican games (rolling hoops, jumping strings, playing soccer with plastic sack balls), and try some Mozambican food.

It’s been a ton of fun!  It’s been tiring!  It’s been a great fundraiser for our Netia Project.  I’m sure we’ll post more pictures later but for now, here are a few we’ve collected.

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Proud

Karunia

   Karunia

With a decision made regarding Josiah, Asher, & Esperansa’s schooling we then began to discuss what to do with Karunia, who would be beginning high school.

The day we’d visited the elementary and middle schools and returned home discussing how pleased and surprised we were you could see her guard going up.  When we commented that perhaps we should at least go visit the high school she balked.  Later that afternoon she clearly explained to my mom all the reasons she couldn’t go to the public school, parroting back to her every reason she’d ever heard us discuss with each other (and some with her) over the past year plus as to why we needed to put the kids in a private school.

We tried to way-lay her fears.  We explained how we’d been wrong in our assumptions and that the public schools were going to be flexible and could accommodate us.  We tried to assure her we’d be able to get to know her teachers, that people would be willing to help, and that she would be able to make friends.  She didn’t relent.  Her fears and concerns could not be laid to rest.

We went to visit the school and talk with a guidance counselor.  Dan and I were once again pleased, despite not being able to tour the school on that visit since testing was in session.  Karunia wasn’t impressed.

We were torn.  We could force her to go to the public school, but we know our daughter and she’s strong willed just as Dan and I are.  Of course she couldn’t disobey if we told her she was going to the public school but she most certainly could develop a bad attitude and refuse to enjoy the school year.  She could most make everyone miserable.  She could resent us for that.

We force our children to do so many things (rightly so – we are parents and in that process there are obviously times we must make our children do things they don’t want to do), but was this an area we needed to force.

One night, in the middle of the night, Dan woke up (because I’d thrown all the bed covers on him and he was sweating to death) and couldn’t get back to sleep.  As he prayed about Karunia’s schooling he clearly felt the Lord speak to his heart, “allow her to choose.  Show her all the options, ask her to pray about it and allow Me to direct her.”

So the next morning we told her she could choose.  That we were going to take her to visit the four options in town.  That we wanted her to pray about it and then tell us where she wanted to go (and why).

We visited the small Christian school option – the one she was so convinced was where she needed to be.  She was completely and thoroughly unimpressed.  We visited another small private school.  We then went to the catholic high school.  Karunia liked it.  Dan and I did also.

I confess what I saw as the main advantage over the public school was simply that it wasn’t as big but still offered the advantages of a full school.  Personally I wasn’t sure I felt that advantage was worth the cost of tuition but we’d entrusted the decision to her.  The next day we re-visited the public school, this time being able to get a tour.  She did confess it wasn’t as big as it appeared but other than that comment we couldn’t discern anything.

A few weeks went by.  Finally Karunia came to tell Dan she’d made her decision.  She said she wanted to go to the public high school.  Dan asked her why.  How pleased and proud we felt with her response.  She said she felt God wanted her to attend the public school so that she might be able to tell people there about Mozambique and more importantly about Christ.  She wanted to attend the public school that she could be a light.

Did I say we were proud?  Proud of our eldest for wanting to be a light.  Proud of her for not succumbing to fears that she might have trouble making friends and connecting with people in a large school.  Proud that she truly took the opportunity to choose on her own and really prayed it through and allowed the Lord to lead her heart.

She’s growing up. We pray she continues to allow the Lord to lead her.  We trust he’ll honor this decision and that she’ll have a great semester.  We pray she can be a light!

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The Schooling Decision

An 8 month furlough means we had to make schooling decisions for the kids.   During our last furlough we were homeschooling which meant that simply continued and didn’t require any great transition.

Since the kids now attend the Portuguese school in Nampula we knew we needed to put them into a school while Stateside (the school there want to see transcripts that they were in school).  As we considered the situation, we assumed given all the extenuating circumstances:

  • they’ve never been in an American school
  • they don’t study in English
  • they look and sound American but in many respects aren’t (they’re 3rd culture kids . . which will merit it’s own post at a later date)
  • they technically missed their last trimester of this school year (so while the school there still said they could pass on we don’t have transcripts showing they finished their current year)
  • we’ll return to the field 2 weeks before a fall semester of school is truly finished so they’ll need to take finals early

that perhaps we’d need to put them in a private school so they’d be in a smaller class and we’d know the teachers well to form a team with them and help the kids in their transition.  Our parents were willing to help cover the tuition and we’d talked with the private school who was super flexible and willing to help us.

I should say we, but particularly Dan, had wrestled with the private school choice.  We both agreed that if we lived Stateside all the time we’d most certainly have the kids in the public school system.  By no means to criticize those who choose differently but we want to rub shoulders with those not in the church.  We want to be engaged as much as we can with the community – to be salt and light in as many ways as possible.  BUT we don’t live here all the time and . . . .

Then we arrived Stateside.  Dan continued to wrestle the matter but off we went to the private school to begin the registration process.  We walked in the door, check in hand, and Dan stopped short.  He really felt we couldn’t register the kids there, at least without making inquiries at the public schools.

 

Off we went . . . .we first investigated the 7/8th grade school where Josiah would be and were super impressed!  The guidance counselor felt transferring in and out wouldn’t not be a problem.  She commented how due to the refugee population that teachers are used to working with kids who don’t have an English education language.   We discussed foreign language options and sports teams and took a tour.    Then we visited the elementary school for Esperansa and were equally impressed (plus the vast majority of the teachers we met were making comments of, “oh my church supports missionaries in ____ and ___)” or “I go to church at ______.”    The 5/6 center for Asher was also nice and we walked away feeling most certainly the kids could attend the public schools (at least these 3; we still needed to think about Karunia – but that’s another story of it’s own).

So our kids will begin school this fall in the public system.  We’re excited for them.  We know there will be adjustments and we know there will be issues to work through but we trust the Lord to protect them and pray Christ is seen through each of us as we engage in the schools and rub shoulders in this community.

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Exponential – our experience

In our ministry transition we’ll be joining a church planting team.  Knowing that, and knowing we’d be on furlough (which is a great time to take advantage of extra training opportunities) we’d asked our future teammates if they thought it wise for us to attend a church planting seminar or conference of some type.  Roberto highly recommended a large conference called Exponential.  We were able to arrange our arrival in the States with just enough time to visit some with Dan’s parents, drop the kids with my parents and head to Florida to attend the conference.

Exponential’s website (www.exponential.org) describes the group and subsequently the conference as follows;

“Exponential is a growing community of leaders committed to accelerating the multiplication of healthy, reproducing faith communities. We equip movement makers with actionable principles, ideas and solutions.
We are passionate about accelerating multiplication through movement makers!

Jesus.  Leaders.   Acceleration.   Movements.   Multiplication.”

Absolutely amazing is the short version of what we can say.  Dan & I each participated in different workshops for the pre-conference.  Once the main conference started we were together some and split at other times.  We came away challenged.  We came away with so much material to chew on and process.  We look forward to sharing ideas with future teammates.  We look forward to seeing what God does, not just in us and our church planting team but throughout the States and world.

You know those times when you can sense God is moving?  Of course He’s always at work and doing things, but sometimes you can really sense an undercurrent.  We felt that energy . . . . and await with anticipation to see what God does.

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Changing our website / blog

The post below was made to our initial website/blog in order to reference people to this one.  Please do not be confused, this is our new website but in efforts to transition from one to another (and link or reference the two until that transition is very clear) I am republishing it here for those new to our ministry.   Blessings and thanks for tracking with us.

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Dear friends,

As many of you know, though perhaps some do not, we are in a phase of ministry transition. For eight years we’ve been ministering in Mozambique, Africa, working in the area of leadership training and development. From the beginning our goal was not to plant ourselves in one permanent location but to minister and work within the local church training their leaders so they might become better equipped to reach their own people for Christ, plant new churches and disciple those who come to know the Lord. We now feel it is time to pass the ministry off to the ministers with whom Dan has been working. In December we will return to Mozambique to finish preparing each group with whom we’ve worked take on Dan’s responsibilities. We will then be transitioning to a new church-planting ministry in Lisbon, Portugal (late July or August 2014). To ease the transition and not abandon those with whom we’ve worked with in Mozambique Dan will continue to make short-term (one week) trips to Mozambique (approximately three times per year for this term). Since our ministry is moving from Mozambique (which is part of the name of this website: mozambiquemessages.com) we felt it wise to change the name of our website. Additionally when we officially move from Mozambique we will no longer be a part of the organization there (Good News For Africa) and so we’ve decided upon a new name for our ministry. Lusofona iDear friends, As many of you know, though perhaps some do not, we are in a phase of ministry transition. For eight years we’ve been ministering in Mozambique, Africa, working in the area of leadership training and development. From the beginning our goal was not to plant ourselves in one permanent location but to minister and work within the local church training their leaders so they might become better equipped to reach their own people for Christ, plant new churches and disciple those who come to know the Lord. We now feel it is time to pass the ministry off to the ministers with whom Dan has been working. In December we will return to Mozambique to finish preparing each group with whom we’ve worked take on Dan’s responsibilities. We will then be transitioning to a new church-planting ministry in Lisbon, Portugal (late July or August 2014). To ease the transition and not abandon those with whom we’ve worked with in Mozambique Dan will continue to make short-term (one week) trips to Mozambique (approximately three times per year for this term). Since our ministry is moving from Mozambique (which is part of the name of this website: mozambiquemessages.com) we felt it wise to change the name of our website. Additionally when we officially move from Mozambique we will no longer be a part of the organization there (Good News For Africa) and so we’ve decided upon a new name for our ministry. Lusofona is an adjective meaning, “Portuguese speaking.” As we transition out of the ministry in Mozambique (a Portuguese speaking country) and begin to minister in Portugal (obviously Portuguese speaking) we felt it was a fitting description of the work God has called us to – to reach out to those in the Portuguese speaking world – to minister in Portuguese speaking “Lusofona” countries. Thus our new website is https://lusofonaoutreach.wordpress.com. Even with this transition, our sending church will remain the same and we will continue to be accountable to the Elders of 1st Christian Church of Wood River, Il. In Portugal we will be part of a church plDear friends, As many of you know, though perhaps some do not, we are in a phase of ministry transition. For eight years we’ve been ministering in Mozambique, Africa, working in the area of leadership training and development. From the beginning our goal was not to plant ourselves in one permanent location but to minister and work within the local church training their leaders so they might become better equipped to reach their own people for Christ, plant new churches and disciple those who come to know the Lord. We now feel it is time to pass the ministry off to the ministers with whom Dan has been working. In December we will return to Mozambique to finish preparing each group with whom we’ve worked take on Dan’s responsibilities. We will then be transitioning to a new church-planting ministry in Lisbon, Portugal (late July or August 2014). To ease the transition and not abandon those with whom we’ve worked with in Mozambique Dan will continue to make short-term (one week) trips to Mozambique (approximately three times per year for this term). Since our ministry is moving from Mozambique (which is part of the name of this website: mozambiquemessages.com) we felt it wise to change the name of our website. Additionally when we officially move from Mozambique we will no longer be a part of the organization there (Good News For Africa) and so we’ve decided upon a new name for our ministry. Lusofona is an adjective meaning, “Portuguese speaking.” As we transition out of the ministry in Mozambique (a Portuguese speaking country) and begin to minister in Portugal (obviously Portuguese speaking) we felt it was a fitting description of the work God has called us to – to reach out to those in the Portuguese speaking world – to minister in Portuguese speaking “Lusofona” countries. Thus our new website is https://lusofonaoutreach.wordpress.com. Even with this transition, our sending church will remain the same and we will continue to be accountable to the Elders of 1st Christian Church of Wood River, Il. In Portugal we will be part of a church planting team with the Christian Church of Portugal. Throughout this furlough we look forward to meeting with you in person. We desire to update you on all God has done and to share the vision He has set before us. Feel free to ask questions and we invite you to subscribe and follow along with us through our new website. Blessings, Robin & Dananting team with the Christian Church of Portugal. Throughout this furlough we look forward to meeting with you in person. We desire to update you on all God has done and to share the vision He has set before us. Feel free to ask questions and we invite you to subscribe and follow along with us through our new website. Blessings, Robin & Dans an adjective meaning, “Portuguese speaking.” As we transition out of the ministry in Mozambique (a Portuguese speaking country) and begin to minister in Portugal (obviously Portuguese speaking) we felt it was a fitting description of the work God has called us to – to reach out to those in the Portuguese speaking world – to minister in Portuguese speaking “Lusofona” countries. Thus our new website is https://lusofonaoutreach.wordpress.com. Even with this transition, our sending church will remain the same and we will continue to be accountable to the Elders of 1st Christian Church of Wood River, Il. In Portugal we will be part of a church planting team with the Christian Church of Portugal. Throughout this furlough we look forward to meeting with you in person. We desire to update you on all God has done and to share the vision He has set before us. Feel free to ask questions and we invite you to subscribe and follow along with us through our new website. Blessings, Robin & Dan