Waiting on God

There is a song called, "I Don't Mind Waiting on the Lord." Every time I sing it, I feel dishonest. I DO mind waiting.  My birth is proof enough of my impatience as I entered this world two months early.  Even my pastor has told me, "Do you realize that your level of patience is unrealistic at times?"  Yes, I am fully aware of that fact.  I live with my impatient nature every day.  It is hard for me to be still.  I so desperately want to see the hand of God move. I want to see souls saved. I want to see signs, wonders and miracles.  I want to go to India/Bangladesh.  NOW!

My journey to India/Bangladesh is postponed by at least another few months. Some days, it feels like I will never reach the land of my passion and burden.  Sometimes, it feels like my calling will simply die for lack of use.  If I am not careful, my impatience will lead to unrest and fear, certainly not God-like qualities.  The Bible says in Luke 21:19, "In your patience possess ye your souls."

Another powerful scripture is Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God."  I have a tendency to set a goal and then achieve it. I rarely pay attention to the process or enjoy the journey of reaching a goal. Lately, the Lord is slowing me down and stilling my soul. He is postponing my goals, telling me to wait, and teaching me to enjoy the journey. He is showing me how to be still and let Him be God.

I've lived for God long enough to trust that His Timing is perfect and His Will is best.  Recently, He allowed me to peek into some plans He has for me in the near future.  Plans to fulfill a long-lost dream of mine.  Plans I would have totally missed if I went to India on MY timetable instead of HIS.  It humbles me to think He cares so much about the timing of my life.  "My times are in thy hand" Psalms 31:15.  It gives me great peace knowing He is in control and that my times are in His Hand.  And yes, I am thankful for His patience.

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."  Psalm 27:14.

Sarah and Her Missionary Daughters

I recently read a book entitled, "Sarah and Her Missionary Daughters" by Bonnie Markham.  It was a rather unique look at 30 United Pentecostal Church missionary ladies.  It was unique in that their stories tell not what they accomplished on the mission field but their lives before they went to the field.  The stories showed that God calls a wide variety of normal women from normal and abnormal backgrounds to work for Him.

Some of the women grew up in the ministry while others came from non-religious homes.  Some of the ladies received their calling as children while others were called later in life.  (One lady received her calling at the age of 61.  More about her in a few minutes.)  Most of the women were married, while a few were single.

These women faced a variety of challenges leaving North America to go and live in a foreign country.  Some had to leave elderly parents.  Others left behind large and close families to go to a country where they did not know a single person.  Some had children and were concerned for their childrens' health, education and overall well-being.  Every mother testified afterwards about how God met their childrens' needs while living in a foreign country.  In fact, many of the children grew up and became missionaries themselves.

One lady's childhood story was similar to mine.  Her story resonated with me because I often wondered if God could use me with all the problems I had as a child and young adult.  This lady's story gave me much hope and encouragement.  It shows that God can use anyone as long as they are repentant and available.

Another lady was a single widow and 61 years old when God called her to Portugal.  The foreign missions board told her she was too old to apply.  She used her own money and went anyway.  She learned two languages, Spanish and Portuguese.  She did a wonderful work for God.  Foreign missions board contacted her and asked her to apply, so she did.  She continued to work on the mission field until her late seventies.  Her spunky story made me laugh.

I have personally met many of these women throughout the years, yet I never stopped to consider their lives before they were missionaries.  This book and its message was a timely and encouraging read for me.

Bangladesh Tidbits

Here are some quick and easy tidbits about Bangladesh.  Did you know that Bangladesh and Pakistan were once part of India?  In 1947, the country of India was divided along religious lines.  The Hindus remained in India while the Muslims located to the newly formed countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

—Highest population density in the world

—One of three poorest nations in the world

—5000 miles of waterways – a very WET country!

—Longest natural beach in the world

—Capital City: Dhaka

—National language: Bengali  (English also spoken)

—Religion:
 —86% Islam
 — 12% Hinduism
—  2% Other (Including Buddhism & Christianity)

A Change of Plans

There has been a change of plans.  Originally, I planned to split my time between Delhi, India and Dhaka, Bangladesh.  The new plan is that I will go straight to Dhaka, Bangladesh to assist Bro. and Sis. Corbin with the wonderful work God is doing there.  I am in the process of obtaining the new departure date, length of stay, budget, etc.  I will keep everyone posted.

When God first started dealing with me about this new direction, I had many questions.  “Why am I studying Hindi when the main language of Bangladesh is Bangla?  Why am I learning about Hinduism when the main religion is Islam? Besides, You’ve called me to India, not Bangladesh.  What’s up?”  He has not answered any of my questions.  It doesn’t matter.  All that matters is my being in His Perfect Will.  After much prayer and then consulting with my pastor, it was confirmed that this change of direction was indeed God’s will.

I am VERY excited about this new opportunity!

Old-Time Faith

I spent the Fourth of July holiday reading biographies of long ago missionaries Hudson Taylor and George Muller.  Next on the list is Sundar Singh, missionary to India.  George Muller in particular interested me because of his faith in God to provide for 10,000 orphans over a period of 63 years.  He never once asked for money or any kind of assistance; he relied solely on God through prayer to provide for every need.  Once, when there was no food to feed the children, he called one of the little girls to him, took her by the hand and said, "Come and see what God will do."  He then took her to the dining room where he prayed a simple prayer, "Dear God, we thank you for what you are going to give us to eat.  Amen."  A few minutes later, the baker and the milkman knocked on the door with bread and milk, enough to feed 300 children.

In the early days of missions, people simply followed the call of God, traveled to another country, and trusted God to provide.  Sis. Nona Freeman writes of going to the mission field with very little support in the days before Sheaves for Christ, Mother's Memorial, Partners in Missions and other fundraising programs sponsored by the United Pentecostal Church.  Sis. Bobbye Wendell was appointed missionary to Kenya in June of 1978. She started deputation in July and by October 1978 her entire budget was raised. Her budget was $6,000 a month and I'm assuming she had to raise enough for 3-4 years. Missionaries today are traveling 1-3 years to raise their budgets.  I can see how the availability of funds beforehand would free the missionary to do the work of God on the mission field without stressing over financial needs, but have we lost our faith in God to provide?

Since becoming part of the Associates in Missions program, I have seen first-hand the struggle missionaries face in raising support.  I recently witnessed one missionary as she broke down in tears because she was so tired of traveling and longed to return to the mission field, but could not until the budget was completely raised.  What if pastors in the United States had to leave their churches for 1-3 years to raise support?  Something to think about.

What has changed?  God has not changed.  There appears to be a general attitude of apathy in America towards missions today, whereas in the past people sacrificed for the cause.  I recall reading about one lady who hand-sewed items to sell to support missions.  She sewed by candlelight at night because she purposely had no electricity so she could have additional finances to support the cause of missions.  This kind of personal sacrifice is rarely seen in today's society.  We must overcome this spirit of apathy and turn our hearts towards the Great Commission found in Mark 16:15, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

I was wondering what would happen if I simply trusted God through prayer alone to provide the finances for my Associates in Missions trip to India?  No fundraisers, no solicitations, etc.  I would be considered lazy and unwise by some people.  After all, after I have prayed, am I not supposed to do everything I can do to bring the answer to pass?  He's teaching me a better way, and showing me that my self-effort hinders His working.  When I pray and definitely believe Him for anything, He wants me to wait in the spirit of praise, and only do what He directs me to do.

"Spiritual forces cannot work while earthly forces are active."  ~  Unknown

What would happen if I exercised the same faith in God today of those long-ago missionaries?  I suspect I would get the same results they received: a miraculous provision by an Almighty God and a testimony that continues throughout the ages.

A Good Teacher

"A highly effective foreign language teacher is more than a giver of words and the rules that govern them; she is a window on the cultures that have developed through and because of those words. She transmits the culture through vocabulary and grammar, but also through authentic stories, idioms, songs, and sayings.” - Anonymous

My Hindi language lessons are going well.  I am currently learning to read children’s books and conduct introductory conversations in Hindi.  It’s a slow process, but my teacher, Santosh, is building a solid foundation of how the language works.  Thus, I am not memorizing a bunch of conversational phrases for mere survival purposes, but rather gaining a true appreciation and understanding of the Hindi language and culture.  She is a good teacher.

Santosh and I have built a solid friendship in the process.  On May 12, she and her older daughter, Surabhi attended a Mother/Daughter Luncheon held at my church.  A good time was held by all, as the pictures reveal.

Me and Santosh

Santosh, Sis. Bertram (my pastor's wife), and me

Me, Santosh, and her daughter Surabhi

Saying Hello

नमस्ते Namaste.  Hello.

No. I didn’t accidentally turn on the symbols key on the computer keyboard.  LOL.  It’s how you write and say “hello” in Hindi.  I began Hindi language classes three weeks ago with a private tutor.  I love my teacher!!  She is the best!  After one week of study, I could distinguish Hindi from the other script languages.  It no longer looked like Chinese, Greek or Arabic.  After two weeks of study, I could write part of the Hindi alphabet.  Now, I can translate some of the letters to form words.  I don’t know what the words mean, but I can spell them. LOL.

Learning a new language is a HUGE challenge for me with my hearing loss.  I cannot hear all sounds, thus making it difficult to learn audibly, which is how the majority of foreign language courses are taught.  My teacher’s primary focus is teaching me to read and write Hindi; speaking and hearing the language are secondary skills.  This works so well for me.  (See, I told you she was a good teacher.)  I am having fun watching the preschool videos where they sing the alphabets and write the scripts in Hindi.

She is not only teaching me the language, she is also instructing me on the Indian culture.  I love this aspect of our studies together.  I am learning so much from her!  In the process, we have developed a genuine friendship.  She is a special person.  I LOVE and adore my Hindi teacher!