Somalia

I was pleased to find a comment on my recent post about Somalia. I had to go back to see what I had said. I went and browsed through Pray4Somalia's blog. This young Christian wants to go to Somalia and spread the gospel there. That takes a lot of commitment and more especially courage and faith right now. The persecution of Christians there is one of the highest in the world. The links provided on this blog have some wonderful information about the history of Somalia, the Somali people, and ways to pray for this situation.

The summer before we went to Africa, I went to a presentation to our mission committee about evangelizing Africa. Several things remain in my memory. Preparing and equipping Africans to do the evangelism is a good thing for many reasons. They can do it more efficiently and they have ways of reaching more people. Reaching out to Muslims is more difficult for many reasons. At this presentation, it seems to work when Christians move in to Muslim areas to live and work. The association and influence gradually makes a difference. More recently in articles I've read, many times Muslims are surprised when Christian workers include them in the agricultural education or well drilling projects. I've also heard about some miracle stories where God has opened the eyes of Muslims and made them receptive to the Word.

So . . . for my Christian readers today, I hope you will take time and look through Pray4Somalia's blog and its links. But above all, please pray for Somalia. It is a war torn land, with corrupt war lords making life very miserable for its people. The needs are great . . . the difficulties for Christians to provide aid may seem insurmountable, but our God can do great things. May He touch other people's hearts with desire to go and help the people of Somalia, may He provide financial support for Christian workers and humanitarian aid, may He open doors for mission work so that Christians be allowed to come in and help alleviate the suffering there, and may He touch the hearts of the Somali people and its leaders so that their land can return to peace and prosperity.

Namwianga

The first three weeks of our Africa trip, we were the tourists at the safari camps. And we throroughly enjoyed seeing all the animals that we had only seen in zoos in their natural environment. It was amazing how many new birds I have seen - some similar to the North American cousins, others totally different from anything I've seen in North America.

This week we are at the Mission. It is an impressive place. Started in 1932, it recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. There is a basic school nearby. At the mision are a secondary school 8-12, and a college - both boarding schools. Both are rated among the top schools in Zambia.



There is also an orphanage for babies and children up to two years old. There is a clinic with a physician's assistant who provides medical care. And each summer a group of physicians comes and does an extensive medical clinic for about 10 days. There are plans to build housing for doctors who might be able to come at other times of the year.



I think it will be these precious orphan babies that will haunt me when I return home. They would each come up for attention and wanted to be held and cuddled.












Before I left there were 5 or 6 children sharing the swing with me - all wanting and needing the simple cuddle and pat on the back.

Teaching God's Word

At the end of our African trip, we are visiting our friends, the Gregersens at Namwianga Mission. I am looking forward to having opportunities to teach African women.

I keep debating exactly what I'm going to teach. And I'm human . . . I have not met these women, I have not experienced their culture. I want to do a good job. While I have experience teaching women at home, I also have a good idea what their "issues" are and I have an idea how to present topics that will be beneficial. With the African women, I'll have to make guesses. If I get to go back a second time, I will have a better idea what to teach. And, after teaching at the first village, I'll know what adjustments I need to make to my lessons.

But . . . I do have ideas - I have many Bible stories or object lessons I could teach. I've been planning to teach from the Life Lessons Book I've written - changing it from "the desert of grief" to "suffering from loss - dealing with grief", "suffering caused by sin," etc. And while some people have told me they think the African women have already mastered those lessons, I got confirmation again from one of the women at my church who has been over there six times. These women deal with a lot of grief in their lives. They are just as human as we and they hurt as badly as we do when their loved ones die. And most of them have lost someone in their family recently due to all the health problems there. And perhaps - the lessons need to focus on the story of Job interwoven on other passages that are encouraging to me when I'm dealing with grief.

I will also be doing a workshop teaching younger women on being good wives and mothers. My topic immediately came to mind - I'm going to use Timothy's mother and grandmother and talk about teaching your children. I'm going to keep that topic as my back pocket idea to use elsewhere.

I've always used music in teaching children and women. For one thing, it is an element of worship. It is also a bonding experience. I've already learned one song in Tonga. I got music and words tonight. Hopefully, I will be able to get the women started singing (I've heard they will greet us singing as they walk). My desire is to let them know I've come to worship God with them. I want the songs to be an ice breaker to unite us as sisters in Christ. I'm sure I will want the words in front of me so my "middle aged" memory won't fail me at a critical time. I'm sure as well that I will mangle the pronunciation of some of the words.

Every time I've prayed asking God's guidance so I can do meaningful lessons, I seem to hear the words from the gospels - I don't need to worry too much (other than good preparation) - God will give me the things to say that will touch these women and help us grow closer to him.

As I prepare to travel, please join me in prayer that this trip will glorify God - both in the photography, in the blessed time spent with the Gregersens, and in the teaching ministries.