Posts Tagged ‘Women’s Movement’
“How Far Will God Travel?”
“How far will God
travel…to bring
refreshment and
His love?
This was the question I asked over and over again to myself and Sarah Jane B. I asked it to friends and audiences during conversations and public presentations while in Coventry, Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Mokokchung, Kohima, Dimapur, and Enkoping, Sweden.
An ancient Hebrew Proverb reads, ”Like a cold glass of water to a weary soul, is good news from a distant land.” The theme of this, my second, trip to India and Nagaland and Europe was this proverb. Early on in Coventry, England as we, Sarah Jane and I, said our “first” of many goodbyes to our many hosts we were told, “Your visit refreshed us!” My reflection upon our effort and extent of travel caused me to meditate upon God’s effort expended in reaching human beings with His love. After all, “God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to give us everlasting life.” If there ever was a long distance traversed to refresh the souls of mankind it was Christ’s first missionary journey from heaven’s throne to earth’s soil.
God’s love produced the desire within me to refresh friends and strangers alike in the nations that we would visit. My timeline would extend across 41 days and 41 nights, over 24,000 miles on 11 different air flights. I slept in 7 different beds, ate 7 different cuisines, and drank from 7 local water sources (after boiling, of course!). My carry-on and two luggage pieces were filled with clothing for 3 different cultures and 3 different climates. During travel slots within my itinerary I experienced several 24 hour periods with absolutley no sleep. One of the gifts given to me by the Lord were ”prayer nights”, all mentioned in my journal, during which 2 or 3 hours of sweet sleep met my need and the rest of the night was spent in intercessory prayer and worship. These nights I loved especially!
“Health is Number One!” – Ask Sarah Jane how often I declared this. When travelling in a developing nation staying healthy has to be on the top of the list. Despite my lack of sleep and the arduous & rigorous schedule, excellent health was mine from start to finish! Your prayers for me were effective, my dear Morning Star family! “Beyond my human ability!” was a frequent thought and statement from my lips.
With regard to bringing refreshment, my target audiences were three: 1) Morning Star Mission partners in Mokokchung, Nagaland, India and specifically Tiala Ao, Moa & Sentila Jamir, and the administrators, staff, and students at the Nagaland Bible College and the Nagaland Children’s Residential School; 2) both current and prospective HOPE FOR CHANGE (www.H4Cinternational.org) partners; 3) those Indian and South Asia Christians who have experienced or who are experiencing human rights discrimination and suffering for living the Gospel message.
In 7 different locations I was given opportunity to speak about The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) to those who were previously unaware of such a day and such a global prayer event. On seven different occasions my listeners were held in rapt attention as I explained the breadth of modern-day religious persecution in fifty-five nations affecting 800 million Christian believers. Each one pledged to pray on Sunday, November 8, 2009 and to observe IDOP in coming years.
On IDOP Sunday I was in a church service in Enkoping, Sweden and given “as much time as I needed” to teach about IDOP, share a personal experience, and lead the congregation in prayer for persecuted Christians. In my absence, Cynthia Peters graciously agreed to lead Morning Star’s annual observance during MSCF’s Sunday morning meeting. I thank Cindy for her heart and committment to this message and that, together, we both serve International Christian Concern (ICC) as volunteer representatives. In every location I left ICC’s literature and web site address (www.persecution.org).
I did not have to think long about which of the numerous personal testimonies to share with the Enkoping congregation. While at the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Bangalore base on Tuesday night, October 13th, my last night there, a young woman named Mercy sat at my table during my last supper there. I had seen her earlier in the day as she was cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms in the YWAM Hospitality Suite. I noted that she had done a superb job and the whole place was immaculate.
Mercy poured her heart out to me and told me that her father’s life had been threatened twice, her family had to flee their home, and that her home was ransacked in their absence. Mercy was giving me a first-hand account of the horrific violence that broke out in Orissa State during late August and continued during all of September, 2008. During last year’s visit to India I had met a pastor and Christian brother who told me their own compelling personal tragedies.
Mercy’s faith was shaken, her mind filled with anxiety and stress, and she told me that she repeatedly asked the Lord, “Why was He allowing this persecution to come to her people?” and “Since You are allowing it, why are You not helping my people?”
One week later I was in Gurgaon in Haryana District outside of Delhi. It had been a week since checking my email. When I saw my incoming mail, there was an email from Mercy…MercyOrissa to be exact. She told me that my words to her had answered her two questions which had plagued her for thirteen months. My words were,”On November 8, 2009 Christians in thousands of American congregations would be praying for Indian Christians, that India was on top of my list for IDOP 2009, that audiences all the world over were learning about persecution because of what happened in Orissa State, and that the courage of the Indian Christians was an inspiration to all of us.”
This part of her email read, “You are such a blessing sis for me. After talking to you I feel so relaxed in my mind and in my body. Because from a long time I been filled with sadness and pain. But when I meet you my heart filled with joy. Because the whole (Christian) world is praying for me. Thank you for telling me that on november you people are praying for Orissa. Your sis MercyOrissa”
“Like a cold glass of water to a weary soul, is good news from a distant land.” Proverbs 25:25
How far will God travel to bring His love, His refreshment, His peace? The answer that I have experienced is…as far as it takes.
In His grace always,
Sarah Anne Smith
OVERVIEW OF WEEK IN BANGALORE
Well, if one picture is worth a thousand words, then I have just sent you eight thousand words and I must say with great effort Ask James about using other’s computers while depending upon multiple servers across the globe and Internet capabilities in developing nations. In fact, James, you may have to straighten this blog article up a bit!!!
Our week in Bangalore included the teaching sessions with the DTS students (PICTURED BELOW), a visit to LIVING FOUNTIAN GATES CHURCH on Sunday, lunch with Jojou (YWAM STAFFER) at THE EMPIRE BUFFET, and attendance at YWAM’s South India Annual Conference. That is not all we did since there were spontaneous discussions, prayer gatherings of the 2/3 sort and enthusiastic fellowship interactions over tea. Judging from the enormous amount of feedback directed to me everyone was refreshed by our visit and by the ministry of the WORD OF GOD through the PARABLES OF JESUS. The REMA WORD to many was Galatians 6:9 – DON’T GIVE UP! Many took the time and effort to thank me with tears in their eyes and deep gratitude. The honor was mine.
Please take time to read my blog on MBELE! REGARDING OUR CHANGE OF PLANS. Our Lord Jesus moved with swiftness to protect us and supply unplanned lodging for ten days here in Gurgoan, India. A day or two is needed to publish the story on he Internet.
I am thinking of all of you and praying for your strength and comfort during this time of loss of dear brother, Frank Amodeo. I send my deepest condolences to Pris, Neil & Lisa and their families, and Marie.
Your prayers for me are being answered. His peace, security, health & provision, and purpose are being manifested. You are my spiritual family!
Finally, to the man I admire the most & love, James, and to our three sons and their families, I send my deepest affection and admiration.
In HIS GRACE always,
Sarah
“With My Last Breath!”
Recently I was privileged to be in the audience when Tanneken Fros delivered her passionate update of work among the bereft orphans of Beira District, Mozambique. Twenty miles outside of Beira is the town of Dondo where Tanneken Fros has been residing since 2001.
A rapid synopsis of her life beginning with ancestral Holland went like this…born in Paraguay, educated in the USA, worked with handicapped youth in NYC & Connecticut, then with drug-addicted adults in Israel. After this brief introduction her listeners are NOW held in rapt attention since her personal history tells us that she has ” been around!”
For 450 years Mozambique was a Portugese colony. Over one million people were taken as slaves during the 1700′s alone. Revolutionary war began in 1962 and ended in 1975. Civil war followed, leaving more than one million dead, and thousands of war orphans. Aggravated by droughts and famine, Mozambique plunged into economic collapse. Fighting stopped in 1992 and two years later UN troops oversaw the country’s first free election in years. Today there still remains much need for rehabilitation and development.
During the last decade, Mozambique has vied with other African nations for an unenviable status – the world’s poorest country. The average age of death is 35 years old, and the average annual income is less than $900 USD. Due to poverty, war, diseases, AIDS, and natural disasters, Mozambique has an inordinate number of orphans. It is estimated that the nation is now caring for more than 1.5 million orphans. Many choose to respond to these statistics by throwing their hands up in the air. Tanneken and we, at HOPE FOR CHANGE, have chosen to throw our arms open wide.
To accomplish this, Tanneken pairs local families with the forlorn children in holistic ministry to their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. Education is on the top of her list for all of “Tanneken’s Children” as she oversees and directs funds for school fees, housing, medical, transportation, clothing, and training in cottage industries, carpentry & woodworking, and farming projects. Sounds like a tall order…and it is!
Go back with me to that Sunday morning during Tanneken’s presentation and I’ll take you to the part when she answers the often put-to-her question, “How long will you stay in Mozambique?” Her enlivened eyes roam across the faces of all present and after a pause pregnant with hush, she shouts, “With my last breath I will remain and care for my children!”
Staying Behind
People ask me questions before, during, and after my husband leaves for Africa. Family members, friends, Morning Star & Good Shepherd people, new acquaintances, and even strangers are interested in, “How do I do it?’
What is “it”? How do I allow my husband to go so far away facing obvious travel and health risks and how do I manage staying behind at home. Hmmm… One category of inquirers stands out from the rest. When asking this question they steady their eyes to look deeply into mine, expressing warm interest and concern; they are the women and, more precisely, women who are married.
I’ve done the summer 2009 tally and James and I have 27 other-continent trips between us. I’m the rookie traveler weighing in with 4 (disputable since my trips have been to Africa, Asia, and India) and James the “seasoned traveler” with a whopping 23. We’ve done two trips together but for twenty-two times I’ve said goodbye to him and stayed behind.
Here’s my answer to the “it” question…I allow my heart to embrace what the Lord’s purpose is for James. I allow my mind to envision the impact of his visit upon his listeners whether in Arusha or Sakila, or Manilla or Davao or where ever. My man has a destiny in God as every man does. I’ve chosen to do what I can to propel him towards that. Consider reading II Thessalonians 1:11-12 and apply to whomever is important to you.
Sarah Anne Smith