The plunge into refugee ministry in the good ole U.S. of A. has been interesting. I already knew, at least intellectually, that they were facing some incredible challenges, but now that we're in the midst of it, the reality of what they face daily has been driven from my head down into my heart and soul. When a refugee encounters an urgent problem it doesn't just effect them indivually or their immediate family. A "domino effect" is initiated that hinges on the willingness of others, sometimes many others, who are open to being inconvenienced.
Here's one example: Yesterday, while talking with Pastor Ramey about the vision for the church and some planning issues, we interrupted by a phone call. A young woman named Eh Wa was on the phone and it was obvious she was very upset and had been crying. In her broken English, she told Pastor Ramey that her 22 year old brother Daniel, (many of the Karen have been assigned English names for the ease of the non-Karen congregation members,) had been having very severe epileptic seizures, was vomiting regularly, was bleeding from his tongue after biting it, and had a headache so bad he was incredibly lethargic. She was in a panic, neither she nor Daniel, nor her Karen neighbors drive or have a car, and so we stopped what we doing and drove over to the apartment where they live.
We knew Daniel needed medical attention immediately, but which hospital should we take him to? Which hospital takes the type of insurance that refugees have? We had Eh Wa call his social worker to find out, and as you can imagine, that wasn't a quick or easy conversation. We decided to take him to Phoenix Baptist hospital, and knowing that he wouldn't be able to answer the questions the doctors would ask and Eh Wa's English wouldn't be sufficient to translate, we had to call Tansy to see if she could come and help translate. Well, she needed to pick up her daughter from pre-school about 45 minutes after we were scheduled to meet her at the hospital, and that was across town. So, her husband had to leave work around 11:00 a.m. to go and pick up her daughter so she could meet us at the hospital.
It's a much longer story, but suffice it to say that after a brain scan and blood tests, it was determined that Daniel didn't have enough of the prescribed medicine in his blood--the medicine that keeps the seizures at a minimum. Turns out that he had put medicine he had recieved in the refugee camp in Thailand into an empty prescription bottle from the medicine he had been given here. And somehow, he hadn't ended up taking the right medicine, and thus the huge seizures had come upon him. He should be fine now that we know what the cause was, but it would be great if you could keep him in prayer.
This episode, along with a few others, has convinced me again that I need to get serious about learning the language. With all that has gone on with the move and getting established, I have put language study on the back burner and it's clear it needs to be moved to the front. Additionally, I need to move more intentionally in getting English as Second Language opportunities set up for the Karen. I'd very much appreciate prayer for these two things--my learning Karen and them learning English.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Pre-dawn view of Sheriff's Joe's tent city
I'm sure most of you have heard about the hard-nosed, no-nonsense law enforcer, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. Turns out we now live in his county, and so do the Karen living here in Phoenix. VERY early last Saturday morning, (3:30 a.m.), I accompanied Pastor Ramey and a Karen man who had gone awry from the law and had to surrender himself to serve 15 days in Sheriff Joe's tent city. I now know where Sheriff Joe's county jail is located, that he doesn't make anything easy for those who break the law under his jurisdiction, and that at least the few deputies we met were all-business, probably like their boss if you know what I mean.
A few hours later, Helen and I played limo drivers with our two cars in order to get a number of Karen children and teenagers to a local park for their soccer league picture day. About 45 Karen kids play in a soccer league of about 200 kids that is sponsored by a large Baptist church. Self-less servants of God go out of their way to make it possible for not only the Karen kids, but many refugees from African countries to play in this league. It was a joy to serve in this way and to see this type of ministry in action. This type of thing is CRUCIAL for refugee kids in particular, helping their acclimation to life here in America, obtaining English skills, and avoiding too much free time--where trouble is usually found.
On Sunday, I was blessed to teach at the Karen service and then the English service. I shared from Acts chapter 2 on the three foundational reasons for the existence of the local church, and the response was very positive.
And finally, we unpacked our last two boxes today and even put a couple of pictures up on the walls. And believe it or not, I've even been doing some handy-man type things and I haven't injured myself yet or done damage to the apartment--which is no small thing!
A few hours later, Helen and I played limo drivers with our two cars in order to get a number of Karen children and teenagers to a local park for their soccer league picture day. About 45 Karen kids play in a soccer league of about 200 kids that is sponsored by a large Baptist church. Self-less servants of God go out of their way to make it possible for not only the Karen kids, but many refugees from African countries to play in this league. It was a joy to serve in this way and to see this type of ministry in action. This type of thing is CRUCIAL for refugee kids in particular, helping their acclimation to life here in America, obtaining English skills, and avoiding too much free time--where trouble is usually found.
On Sunday, I was blessed to teach at the Karen service and then the English service. I shared from Acts chapter 2 on the three foundational reasons for the existence of the local church, and the response was very positive.
And finally, we unpacked our last two boxes today and even put a couple of pictures up on the walls. And believe it or not, I've even been doing some handy-man type things and I haven't injured myself yet or done damage to the apartment--which is no small thing!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Headline: Asian street gang unloads Pastor & Wife
Today, (Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008) marks the culmination of our first week in the Phoenix area! It is definitely strange to be back in the "big city" and have so many stores, restaurants, and gas stations less than 10 minutes away, along with literally millions of people...and I absolutely LOVE IT!
We had about 10 guys help us load in Mesquite, and it took us right at one hour. When we drove into our new apartment complex here in Glendale, there were so many Karen young people hanging out waiting for us that it looked like an Asian street gang gathering. I'm fairly sure that's what many of our neighbors were thinking as they peered out their windows towards the parking lot here in the complex. Of course, that would have been what they thought until we arrived and they observed all these Asian kids joyfully unloading the Budget truck of the tall, slightly overweight, gray on the sides, goofy looking white guy and his good looking wife. There were at least 20 of them, along with Adam and Tansy, and believe it or not, we had that 24 foot truck unloaded and everything into our upstairs apartment in 45 minutes!
The reality of what we've actually done is smacking us in the face pretty much everyday as we arrange furniture and unpack boxes in this apartment that really is spacious compared to most apartments but seems so confining compared to the large home we've been living in. Everything has to be put in just the right place in order to maximize the space we have. And sometimes, much to Helen's dismay, something can't be placed where it would have the most visual appeal because to do so would be to not adequately make use of the limited space we have in the most efficient way. In contrast to our house in Mesquite, functionality in this small apartment many times must take precedence over the placement of things in the way that is most pleasing to the eye.
Finally, the Lord has impressed upon me afresh that it's time again to seriously resurrect the "Pilgrim" mentality and worldview that we had when we went to the mission field. I'll explain what I mean in my next few posts.
Thanks for praying for us...He responded to your prayers.
We had about 10 guys help us load in Mesquite, and it took us right at one hour. When we drove into our new apartment complex here in Glendale, there were so many Karen young people hanging out waiting for us that it looked like an Asian street gang gathering. I'm fairly sure that's what many of our neighbors were thinking as they peered out their windows towards the parking lot here in the complex. Of course, that would have been what they thought until we arrived and they observed all these Asian kids joyfully unloading the Budget truck of the tall, slightly overweight, gray on the sides, goofy looking white guy and his good looking wife. There were at least 20 of them, along with Adam and Tansy, and believe it or not, we had that 24 foot truck unloaded and everything into our upstairs apartment in 45 minutes!
The reality of what we've actually done is smacking us in the face pretty much everyday as we arrange furniture and unpack boxes in this apartment that really is spacious compared to most apartments but seems so confining compared to the large home we've been living in. Everything has to be put in just the right place in order to maximize the space we have. And sometimes, much to Helen's dismay, something can't be placed where it would have the most visual appeal because to do so would be to not adequately make use of the limited space we have in the most efficient way. In contrast to our house in Mesquite, functionality in this small apartment many times must take precedence over the placement of things in the way that is most pleasing to the eye.
Finally, the Lord has impressed upon me afresh that it's time again to seriously resurrect the "Pilgrim" mentality and worldview that we had when we went to the mission field. I'll explain what I mean in my next few posts.
Thanks for praying for us...He responded to your prayers.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Still here...just incredibly busy
Just a quick note to let everyone know that I'm still alive and that I've been extremely busy with details and preparation for the move to Phoenix. We pack up a 24 foot Budget truck on Dec. 27, in Mesquite, and then will be unloading at our two bedroom apartment in Glendale, Arizona the next day.
Please keep us in prayer as we take this next MAJOR step in the journey that He has prepared for us.
Please keep us in prayer as we take this next MAJOR step in the journey that He has prepared for us.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Discontent with deeds alone
Last night I had the unexpected opportunity to teach the Wed. night service at the church we fellowship with here in Mesquite when we're not traveling. It's too long of a story to give details as to why this took place, so I'll summarize: My brother, who pastors the church had to spend the day at a hospital in Las Vegas with a former family member who had been stabbed out in a small Nevada town and then was Life Flighted in to Vegas for treatment. His body will heal, but he is in major need of a spiritual overhaul--pray for Randy if you think about it.
When I found out at 5:00 a.m. that I'd be teaching in just over 13 hours, I immediately sought God's direction on what He would have me share with His people that might be a source of challenge and encouragement considering all that is happening in the world, in the U.S., and in many of their lives.
I settled on an interesting request made by Moses in Exod. 33:13. For him to ask God to "show me Your way," was astounding, based on the depth of relationship Moses already had with God and the incredible deeds he had seen God accomplish. Moses was on a continual pursuit for more and more interactive relationship and thus knowledge about God and it was this desire that prompted his request.
Unlike the majority of the nation of Israel, Moses wasn't content to know God only for His deeds--deeds graciously done on their behalf, deeds that brought them pleasure and comfort and blessing. Their problem was that if God wasn't constantly acting in this way toward them, they immediately questioned His goodness and regularly longed to be back in slavery.
And God did respond to the cry of Moses' heart. Psalm 103:7 makes clear that He did show Moses His ways, but Israel only saw His deeds because in their mind that was all that mattered, God meeting their needs as they understood and defined them.
And so it is with many of His people today. It is so easy for our heart's cry to be for God to act, to do great deeds, to do the things that we think He should do for us so that we can have pleasure, an easy life, more convenience, and so forth.
With Moses, I want to know His ways--His pattern of thinking, His manner of making decisions. I want to have understanding His priorities and to grasp the wisdom behind what He does and what He permits that moves everything towards His ultimate goal. I long to know His ways too, so that regardless of what He permits in to my life, I'll be able to trust that it has come with his permission and in some way, will move me towards being able to glorify Him more effectively.
I closed with Psalm 86:11,12. Check it out.
When I found out at 5:00 a.m. that I'd be teaching in just over 13 hours, I immediately sought God's direction on what He would have me share with His people that might be a source of challenge and encouragement considering all that is happening in the world, in the U.S., and in many of their lives.
I settled on an interesting request made by Moses in Exod. 33:13. For him to ask God to "show me Your way," was astounding, based on the depth of relationship Moses already had with God and the incredible deeds he had seen God accomplish. Moses was on a continual pursuit for more and more interactive relationship and thus knowledge about God and it was this desire that prompted his request.
Unlike the majority of the nation of Israel, Moses wasn't content to know God only for His deeds--deeds graciously done on their behalf, deeds that brought them pleasure and comfort and blessing. Their problem was that if God wasn't constantly acting in this way toward them, they immediately questioned His goodness and regularly longed to be back in slavery.
And God did respond to the cry of Moses' heart. Psalm 103:7 makes clear that He did show Moses His ways, but Israel only saw His deeds because in their mind that was all that mattered, God meeting their needs as they understood and defined them.
And so it is with many of His people today. It is so easy for our heart's cry to be for God to act, to do great deeds, to do the things that we think He should do for us so that we can have pleasure, an easy life, more convenience, and so forth.
With Moses, I want to know His ways--His pattern of thinking, His manner of making decisions. I want to have understanding His priorities and to grasp the wisdom behind what He does and what He permits that moves everything towards His ultimate goal. I long to know His ways too, so that regardless of what He permits in to my life, I'll be able to trust that it has come with his permission and in some way, will move me towards being able to glorify Him more effectively.
I closed with Psalm 86:11,12. Check it out.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Refugee suicide...my first exposure
On Tuesday of this week, one reality of ministry to refugees forced its way into my life for the first time. I received a call informing me that one of the Karen refugees that attends the church in Phoenix--a young man in his early 20's, had taken his own life earlier that day!
He had been in the U.S. for a year already, had been working, had purchased a vehicle, and yet was struggling learning English and adjusting to life in America. He had been in an accident a few days before, an accident that didn't cause any injuries, but which totalled his car. What pushed him over the edge?
It could have been his inability to communicate with those involved in the accident, the police at the scene and his own insurance company. It also could have been the reality that the pay off from the insurance wasn't sufficient to cover what he owned on the loan of the car and he was now looking at owing a few thousand dollars and having nothing to show for it. Ultimately, only God and the young man really know why he did what he did.
But personally, I know one thing for sure. I need His grace to be able to minister to these people so that the abnormally high suicide rate among Southeast Asian refugees isn't reinforced by the Karen or Chin people.
I'd appreciate your prayer for them individually and as a group, and for Helen and I to be able to love them and help them make the huge adjustment to life in America--an adjustment that seems so challenging to some that they would choose death over trying to make it.
He had been in the U.S. for a year already, had been working, had purchased a vehicle, and yet was struggling learning English and adjusting to life in America. He had been in an accident a few days before, an accident that didn't cause any injuries, but which totalled his car. What pushed him over the edge?
It could have been his inability to communicate with those involved in the accident, the police at the scene and his own insurance company. It also could have been the reality that the pay off from the insurance wasn't sufficient to cover what he owned on the loan of the car and he was now looking at owing a few thousand dollars and having nothing to show for it. Ultimately, only God and the young man really know why he did what he did.
But personally, I know one thing for sure. I need His grace to be able to minister to these people so that the abnormally high suicide rate among Southeast Asian refugees isn't reinforced by the Karen or Chin people.
I'd appreciate your prayer for them individually and as a group, and for Helen and I to be able to love them and help them make the huge adjustment to life in America--an adjustment that seems so challenging to some that they would choose death over trying to make it.
LIFE and LIGHT, a summation
As you can probably tell, I've only scratched the surface of what the Lord has shown me regarding LIFE and LIGHT. And to be honest, it would take much more time than I have to give in order to express on this blog even half of it. So I think it's best for me to summarize as succinctly as I can the key points I've learned and then leave it alone.
In John 8:12, Jesus said that He was the LIGHT of the world and that those who follow Him will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of LIFE. To follow Jesus is to no longer walk in darkness, where proper interaction with everything external to us, never actually takes place. Because He is the LIGHT, He brings illumination, He makes it possible to see everything as it really is--as God designed it to be seen. But that's not the key point. The key aspect of His being the LIGHT of the world and illuminating things properly, is that now those things can be interacted with as God intended them to be. This is crucial to understand and it's the thing I had missed for so long.
And in His LIGHT, seeing everything properly, God Himself is also seen in a new and proper way. When He is seen for who He really is, there will be an insatiable desire to interact with Him properly. And when we take that step to interact with Him properly through the death and resurrection of His Son, we actually receive LIFE as He intended us to have it.
For the first time ever, we begin a proper, ongoing interaction and exchange with our Creator--dependent on Him and receiving an "abundance of LIFE" that we had never experienced before. This is a "fullness" of LIFE, where we are alive at every level, as we were originally designed to be. And once He gives us this LIFE--proper interaction and exchange with Him, He then gives us the desire and the ability to interact and exchange with everything else around us in the way He originally designed us to do so. He is in His proper place and everything else in its proper place--all of which magnifies His greatness, His splendor, and His glory, yet also brings satisfaction to us.
If you think about it, one of the things that made the earthly LIFE of Jesus so unique, was the fact that He interacted with everything: God the Father, the Holy Spirit, HIMSELF, the devil, His parents, His siblings, and every other person--He interacted with all of them in a way that no one else ever has--because He did so in the way God designed--for His glory, and their good!
As followers of Jesus, we now have and live in His LIGHT--which makes true LIFE with our Creator possible. And because we now have LIFE as He intended us to have, we then can function as LIGHT in the day to day world in which we live, interacting with everything in the way He designed, and having the blessing of perhaps being a vehicle of providing LIFE to others.
In John 8:12, Jesus said that He was the LIGHT of the world and that those who follow Him will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of LIFE. To follow Jesus is to no longer walk in darkness, where proper interaction with everything external to us, never actually takes place. Because He is the LIGHT, He brings illumination, He makes it possible to see everything as it really is--as God designed it to be seen. But that's not the key point. The key aspect of His being the LIGHT of the world and illuminating things properly, is that now those things can be interacted with as God intended them to be. This is crucial to understand and it's the thing I had missed for so long.
And in His LIGHT, seeing everything properly, God Himself is also seen in a new and proper way. When He is seen for who He really is, there will be an insatiable desire to interact with Him properly. And when we take that step to interact with Him properly through the death and resurrection of His Son, we actually receive LIFE as He intended us to have it.
For the first time ever, we begin a proper, ongoing interaction and exchange with our Creator--dependent on Him and receiving an "abundance of LIFE" that we had never experienced before. This is a "fullness" of LIFE, where we are alive at every level, as we were originally designed to be. And once He gives us this LIFE--proper interaction and exchange with Him, He then gives us the desire and the ability to interact and exchange with everything else around us in the way He originally designed us to do so. He is in His proper place and everything else in its proper place--all of which magnifies His greatness, His splendor, and His glory, yet also brings satisfaction to us.
If you think about it, one of the things that made the earthly LIFE of Jesus so unique, was the fact that He interacted with everything: God the Father, the Holy Spirit, HIMSELF, the devil, His parents, His siblings, and every other person--He interacted with all of them in a way that no one else ever has--because He did so in the way God designed--for His glory, and their good!
As followers of Jesus, we now have and live in His LIGHT--which makes true LIFE with our Creator possible. And because we now have LIFE as He intended us to have, we then can function as LIGHT in the day to day world in which we live, interacting with everything in the way He designed, and having the blessing of perhaps being a vehicle of providing LIFE to others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)