NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

Today I was reading a friend’s Facebook status & the comments written about it.  They are joining our mission.  The status was about how they came to this decision and what their current plans are.  And of course the comments are in response to this news.

This status, along with others (pics of crazy things like spiders, snakes or weird food) often causes (some) people to say things like, “I could never do that!”  Here’s the funny thing…neither can I!!!!  I don’t like HATE spiders & snakes.  And just to be honest, I’m kind-of a picky eater….no weird foods for me thank you!  But the truth is, God still uses me/us here.  And He loves us so much that we even have ‘perks’. Granted, there is a great deal of sacrifice.  We give up being close to our family & friends.  We have to learn to adjust to a new language & culture.  We may not get to enjoy some everyday things like AC & fast food.  But it’s not all sacrifice.

Here’s one perk that I have.  Please ignore the crazy make-up & costumes…these are the best pictures I have could find (without wasting a TON of time!) that shows a good view of my kinky, wild, crazy hair.

Note that BIG mass of black to the side of my head...that's just a little view of my hair that night!

I know. That's a CrAzY look (hair is in a ponytail now). But it was for a good cause.

My hair is NOT three times the size of my head! Love it!

Is my hair issues important?  No.  Can I live with wild, kinky hair?  Yes.  Do I want to?  No.   When I think about it, it’s kind of silly.  But at the same time, I am in awe of how much my God loves me.  I know a lot of people read way more into things than they should.  And I really try not to do that.  But this little issue just makes me thankful.  Thankful because it was something I always wanted to take care of.  God made a way…even though it’s not important.  Thankful because I’ve finally learned what it’s called in the States.  And it’s CRAZY EXPENSIVE!  But I/we can afford it here.  And last, but not least, thankful that even though we (missionaries) give up things, God gives is so much more in return…things like nice hair (at least for me), fresh fruit year round, new friends & experiences and He grows and stretches us so that we are drawn closer to Him.

 

So although it’s true, missionaries give up lots.  It’s also true that we gain a lot too.  Just thought you should know.

 

We just want to recognize how BLESSED we are.  God has provided for us in ways that we know & ways that I’m sure we don’t have a clue about.  Just wanted to share a few ways the Lord is blessing us….

• We have a house to live in this summer.
• We have a vehicle to drive.
• We were given gifts to take some family vacation time.
• We are going to get to see/spend time with family.
• We are going to get to see/spend time with close friends.
• We are going to get to worship & fellowship at our home church.

These are just a few of the many blessings the Lord is showering upon us.  We are overwhelmed by His loving care & the the love and care of our brothers and sisters in Christ!  Thank you!!

Looking forward to seeing many of you soon!

Sometimes I let this question get the best of me.  “What if”….

my kids get sick & need medical attention?

the river floods our house?

our support level drops below what we need to live?

I can’t fit back into my clothes after home assignment? (This could be a real problem…I am SO TOTALLY EXCITED about the foods I have been missing!  Which means I might am going to get fatter.)

LOVE this place!

we don’t have enough staff for PQQ next year?

my kids don’t like being MKs (missionary kids)?

my MKs are weird?

None of these MKs are actually my children...but they are students at our school. And they looked pretty weird for "Wacky Day."

I don’t get to eat twizzlers for 4 YEARS? (No twizzlers here.)

my kids are not ‘with it’ on using technology (tablets, smartphones, laptops, etc.)? (Ummm, this is true.)

I’m not ‘with it’ on using technology either? (Stink, this is true too!)

we seriously STINK when we get back? (Everything has a musty/moldy smell here.)

a cockroach hides/dies in our luggage? (I would be SO EMBARASSED!)

So gross!

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”