Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
One of the most poignant farewells in Church history is found in Acts 20 where the apostle Paul calls for the elders of Ephesus to meet him near the harbor of Miletus. There, close to the docks, Paul gave a farewell speech that Luke and the Spirit reproduce for our edification. In that speech Paul made a critical charge to the elders of the Church that has clear, though indirect, implications for the Church he leaves behind: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood" (20:28).
Though the charge is directed to the elders there are obvious implications for the Church in those words - and for Thetford Baptist Church too.
(1) You are the flock of God. You are of the Church that belongs to God. You are his possession by purchase, a purchase made with his own blood. One can not help conclude that Paul speaks the way he does here in order to remind the elders that the Church is a flock they do not own. They are tending the Lord's flock. They are in His service. They are not masters of any sort. They are slaves to Christ. Paul wants to remind Church leaders that the Church is no place for sloth, self-promotion, power-trips or entrepreneurialism. It is God's flock.
But surely this truth is a double-edged sword. Just as the flock is not the possession of her shepherds, neither is the flock the possession of the flock. The Church of God is not a democracy. The Church does not exist or gather because of the consent of the flock. It does not organize or re-organize according to its own inventions. The flock exists and gathers only because of the radical mercy of her sovereign Lord who bought her with his own blood. He alone calls her to worship, to organize diaconal care, to pray, to fast, to listen, to shepherd and to be shepherded by those whom the Holy Spirit has made overseers. The Church is not a town, something to be mutually possessed and mutually administered. The Church belongs to God and receives ministerial care and direction as God has determined. "For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care" (Psalm 95:7).
(2) This leads to the second major implication of Paul's parting words for the Church, the saints of TBC: You are to be shepherded. You are to be under the care of (as the ESV translates it) those overseers appointed by the Holy Spirit. This Sunday I will preach more specifically about what this looks like, but for now we can say this much: A Christian bought by the blood of the incarnate God takes on peculiar relationships in this life that those outside of Christ do not take on. In short, a Christian has elders in his or her life. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will it to be so, for you are the flock of the thrice holy God's possession. But unlike worldly overseers, the overseers appointed by the Holy Spirit for the Church's eternal blessedness are men who minister the Word of God. The overseer has no authority but that which is derived from Holy Scripture. As one church leadership manual wisely puts it: "All church power is only ministerial and declarative, for the Holy Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith and practice. No church judicatory may presume to bind the conscience by making laws on the basis of its own authority..." (emphasis mine). This is truly wonderful news for those who are eager to be led and kept in the ways of God. God has provided you, through His Spirit and constrained by His Word, the very kind of leadership soft and humble hearts need to walk in the truth.
With that said, I would now like to comment, in the Spirit of Romans 16, on each of the elders at TBC who shepherd you into the immediate future. I do this so you can give thanks to God for them and take confidence in them and pray for them according to scripture and so be blessed under their care.
First, I commend to you Jim Mauchly. Jim has been worshipping, growing and serving as a member of TBC since 2004. He and Berni have a gift of hospitality and friendship-making that is rare in the Upper Valley. Even now they are boarding Dartmouth student April Daigle and have been a home-away-from-home for International students for a couple years now. As an elder Jim has grown significantly. He has become courageous in dealing with difficult situations and speaking the truth in love. He has a godly sense of what smacks as fake and he resists, for us all, hypocrisy. He has taken the Lord's command, "Let love be sincere" to heart. Pray for Jim as he strives to grow in biblical and theological knowledge (Phil. 1:9). Pray and give thanks for him and he will be an even a greater blessing to you.
I also commend to you Bob Hammond. Bob has been faithfully worshipping, growing and serving at TBC since 1994 when he and Nancy became members. By God's grace Bob has exercised, these many years, his gift of giving - and that with generosity! TBC has flourished in many ways because of this. Bob has also been a faithful man of prayer for TBC and takes great care in preparing when he leads corporate prayer. Bob remains devoted to reading the scriptures and other works of theology that contributes biblical soundness to his leadership. God has graciously used Bob's international experience in missions and business to keep our eyes looking outward. Pray for Bob as he seeks to balance his love for his family and grandchildren with his love for Christ's church (Gal. 6:10). He is much needed by both. Pray and give thanks for him and he will be an even a greater blessing to you.
I also commend to you John Schwartz. John has been worshipping, growing and serving as a member of TBC since 2006. He has served in key positions at both Woodstock Congregational Church and Valley Bible Church. We are so pleased the Lord led him to TBC! John is a peacemaker (blessed are the peacemakers!) John is marked by his humility, gentleness and theological depth. John is what you would expect from a man who has spent decades listening to biblical preaching and participating in small group Bible studies - he is an oak of truth and righteousness. God be praised for his service at TBC. John has also benefited TBC by bringing his 30-plus years at DHMC Finance to TBC. Under Bob and John our financial stewardship has maintained godly integrity. What a joy for us all to see John receive from God the blessing of Caron, his wife-to-be. Pray for John that he would stand firm in the faith as a man of courage and strength (1 Cor. 16:13). Pray and give thanks for him and he will be an even a greater blessing to you.
I also commend to you Doug Gernhard. Doug has been worshipping, growing and serving as a member of TBC since 2002. At TBC Doug has been remarkably productive with his hands. In the midst of his career with the Air Force he has managed to build the east parking lot, the children's play structure ("The Two Towers"), and paint, paint, paint. What a gift from God he and Jennifer are to TBC! They labor in love and joy, motivated by an eagerness to see the gospel of Christ reach the community. Doug has also blessed TBC through his eagerness to learn. Taking theology courses through independent study, Doug has gained a solid footing in the best theology our tradition. He loves the Word. Pray for Doug that he, together with you all, may have power to grasp the majestic dimensions of Christ's love (Eph. 3:18). Pray and give thanks for him and he will be even a greater blessing to you.
Lastly, I commend to you Roger Berger. Roger has been worshipping, growing and serving as a member of TBC since 1987. Roger is a prince of a man. Genial and admirable in all his dealings. How kind the Father is to return Roger to the elder board this next season. Roger too is a peacemaker. He is thoughtful and careful and always moved by the winds of the Word of God. He and Chris have the rare gift of being without guile when they look out upon us all. By God's grace Roger and Chris have been wondrously freed from those love-limiting things that still plague many of us. May their example compel all of us who are, well, a little more suspicious and stingy with our love and concern. Pray for Roger that he would continue to please the Lord in every way and grow in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10). Pray and give thanks for him and he will be an even a greater blessing to you.
And lastly, "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,...pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." (Eph 6:19).
Yours in Christ, John
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
E-Note 7/15: VBS News
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This week we have been having quite a time sailing across the Mediterranean Sea. The seas have been rough, the skies dark and the rains unrelenting. So far our ship, The Seadog, has held together. But we have it on the word of the prophet that our ship is surely to run aground on some island. The word is that tonight is the night we hit the reefs of Malta and see our good ship broken to pieces. Of course we wonder what will become of us then. Yet - and this is the foolish hope we all cling to - the prisoner, Paul, says his God promises that none of us will perish if we stay on the ship until it runs aground. What foolishness rules us now, a prisoner leads us on the hope of a promise from his God. Will the God of Paul keep his word? Does Paul's God really have all authority over heaven and earth?
Such are the important questions of this year's Vacation Bible School where kids discover that Christ is Captain. Slowly the greatness and goodness of God is sinking into the minds and hearts of 23 children. Pray these seeds find good soil and that God would be glorified as children trust in Him!
Last night the Scripture lesson was one we all need to hear. It was about "Waiting" and "Escaping." After 14 nights hoping for land, the depth soundings began to show a shallowing of the sea - 120 feet then 90 feet. Land was near! This news generated excited fear. For the seas still roiled and the crew feared the good ship could hit a rock at any moment and bring death along with the foretold destruction. Some began making plans to get off the ship by using the lifeboat. Catching wind of their scheme, Paul insisted that no one would be saved if the crew didn't wait on the Lord, trust his Word and stay on the ship. The temptation to escape was strong so the centurion made a bold move. He called for the ropes holding the lifeboat to be cut. The crew watched the boat fall away into the sea.
Here we have a striking picture of the foolishness and the power of the Gospel. God calls us to throw aside every scheme we conjure and cling to on the hope we will make it through life...and death. He calls us to throw everything away until we only hope in Christ. As Paul said about what appeared to many the most productive years of his adult life, his years in Judaism: "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." The kids are learning this very lesson through Acts 27-28. We have been given all we need for life and death in Jesus alone. He alone has authority over heaven and earth so we can trust his Word.
Remember, the crew wasn't called to stay on the ship because it was a good tactic of seamanship. In a mighty storm, being driven hard over submerged rocks, staying aboard is not a good tactic. No, the crew was called to stay on the ship because through the foolishness of God they would be saved by God and God would again glorify his Son, "the God of the prisoner Paul," before these men. As Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives up what he can not keep to gain what he can never lose." Lord, give us ears to hear. Yours in Christ, John
Remember, the crew wasn't called to stay on the ship because it was a good tactic of seamanship. In a mighty storm, being driven hard over submerged rocks, staying aboard is not a good tactic. No, the crew was called to stay on the ship because through the foolishness of God they would be saved by God and God would again glorify his Son, "the God of the prisoner Paul," before these men. As Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives up what he can not keep to gain what he can never lose." Lord, give us ears to hear. Yours in Christ, John
Friday, July 9, 2010
E-Note 7/9: Set Apart Christ
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As you know Thetford Baptist Church is on the threshold of transition. In a few weeks I will complete my service among you and you will begin seeking your next pastor in earnest. It is absolutely necessary that we acknowledge that the Lord has woven together the fabric of our lives for 10 years now. The friendships and the hardships and the worship we have shared have fashioned each of us more and more into the image of Christ. This fabric of churchliness and gospelized friendship can not be pulled at without causing some pain and confusion. I could wish it not so - the pain and confusion, that is - but such a wish would be to wish that we had never become more than mere acquaintances. We have become more than that because Christ Jesus is more than each of us and more than all of us together. When Jesus stands at the center of a fellowship, whether it is between two believers or twenty, that fellowship becomes rich with the gravitas of Christ's Kingdom. A sense that we posses everything in Christ and yet nothing of this world settles upon a fellowship where Jesus reigns. Though for Christ and his Kingdom we now lose one another for a short while, you shall not lose Christ nor shall I. He remains Head of his Church and thus with us all.
It is my hope that my departure will be fruitful for TBC in many ways, but I can think of no greater fruit than this: that each of you will have cause to freshly set apart in your hearts Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). A pastoral transition is an opportune time for all of us to examine our hearts by asking, "Why am I in Christ's church?" "What am I after?" "If I could lead my brother to my left and my sister to my right to one thing in Christ's church, what would that be?"
The truth is that too often we set something else apart in our hearts as Lord. Something other than Christ. And that something slowly becomes the answer to the three questions just asked. This is how in all our churchliness we can still become idolaters, worshipers of a god that is not God. Paul Tripp and Tim Lane help us face the truth about church-sanctioned idols. In their book "Helping People Change" they list seven counterfeit gospels. Read through them carefully and "take it by faith" that you have at least two of these counterfeit gospels vying for your affections and allegiance, leading you away from the glory of God in Christ:
Formalism. “I participate in the regular meetings and ministries of the church, so I feel like my life is under control. I’m always in church, but it really has little impact on my heart or on how I live. I may become judgmental and impatient with those who do not have the same commitment as I do.”
Legalism. “I live by the rules—rules I create for myself and rules I create for others. I feel good if I can keep my own rules, and I become arrogant and full of contempt when others don’t meet the standards I set for them. There is no joy in my life because there is no grace to be celebrated.”
Mysticism. “I am engaged in the incessant pursuit of an emotional experience with God. I live for the moments when I feel close to him, and I often struggle with discouragement when I don’t feel that way. I may change churches often, too, looking for one that will give me what I’m looking for.”
Activism. “I recognize the missional nature of Christianity and am passionately involved in fixing this broken world. But at the end of the day, my life is more of a defense of what’s right than a joyful pursuit of Christ.”
Biblicism. “I know my Bible inside and out, but I do not let it master me. I have reduced the gospel to a mastery of biblical content and theology, so I am intolerant and critical of those with lesser knowledge.”
Therapism. “I talk a lot about the hurting people in our congregation, and how Christ is the only answer for their hurt. Yet even without realizing it, I have made Christ more Therapist than Savior. I view hurt as a greater problem than sin—and I subtly shift my greatest need from my moral failure to my unmet needs.”
Social-ism. “The deep fellowship and friendships I find at church have become their own idol. The body of Christ has replaced Christ himself, and the gospel is reduced to a network of fulfilling Christian relationships.”
Do you see how these gospels become counterfeits? They become the only tree in the garden. They become the tree of life to us. They become the one place to which we bring others to feed. And in this we lose Christ and so does our brother.
What then does it mean to set apart in our hearts that Christ is Lord? It means that by faith and through the Holy Spirit we let Jesus have dominion over every quest of the human heart. In Spirit and truth we acknowledge again and again, day after day, that Jesus' covenantal faithfulness through his shed blood is the answer to our heart's every quest. Beneath each of the above "church idols" is your heart on a quest, and you will either find rest in Christ alone or you will peddle on in slavish restlessness looking for a little more control, a little more self-justification, a little larger population of people who really admire you. Praise be to God that Christ still stands in the midst of his church and says to the restless hearts of the redeemed, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Yours in Christ, John
As you know Thetford Baptist Church is on the threshold of transition. In a few weeks I will complete my service among you and you will begin seeking your next pastor in earnest. It is absolutely necessary that we acknowledge that the Lord has woven together the fabric of our lives for 10 years now. The friendships and the hardships and the worship we have shared have fashioned each of us more and more into the image of Christ. This fabric of churchliness and gospelized friendship can not be pulled at without causing some pain and confusion. I could wish it not so - the pain and confusion, that is - but such a wish would be to wish that we had never become more than mere acquaintances. We have become more than that because Christ Jesus is more than each of us and more than all of us together. When Jesus stands at the center of a fellowship, whether it is between two believers or twenty, that fellowship becomes rich with the gravitas of Christ's Kingdom. A sense that we posses everything in Christ and yet nothing of this world settles upon a fellowship where Jesus reigns. Though for Christ and his Kingdom we now lose one another for a short while, you shall not lose Christ nor shall I. He remains Head of his Church and thus with us all.
It is my hope that my departure will be fruitful for TBC in many ways, but I can think of no greater fruit than this: that each of you will have cause to freshly set apart in your hearts Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). A pastoral transition is an opportune time for all of us to examine our hearts by asking, "Why am I in Christ's church?" "What am I after?" "If I could lead my brother to my left and my sister to my right to one thing in Christ's church, what would that be?"
The truth is that too often we set something else apart in our hearts as Lord. Something other than Christ. And that something slowly becomes the answer to the three questions just asked. This is how in all our churchliness we can still become idolaters, worshipers of a god that is not God. Paul Tripp and Tim Lane help us face the truth about church-sanctioned idols. In their book "Helping People Change" they list seven counterfeit gospels. Read through them carefully and "take it by faith" that you have at least two of these counterfeit gospels vying for your affections and allegiance, leading you away from the glory of God in Christ:
Formalism. “I participate in the regular meetings and ministries of the church, so I feel like my life is under control. I’m always in church, but it really has little impact on my heart or on how I live. I may become judgmental and impatient with those who do not have the same commitment as I do.”
Legalism. “I live by the rules—rules I create for myself and rules I create for others. I feel good if I can keep my own rules, and I become arrogant and full of contempt when others don’t meet the standards I set for them. There is no joy in my life because there is no grace to be celebrated.”
Mysticism. “I am engaged in the incessant pursuit of an emotional experience with God. I live for the moments when I feel close to him, and I often struggle with discouragement when I don’t feel that way. I may change churches often, too, looking for one that will give me what I’m looking for.”
Activism. “I recognize the missional nature of Christianity and am passionately involved in fixing this broken world. But at the end of the day, my life is more of a defense of what’s right than a joyful pursuit of Christ.”
Biblicism. “I know my Bible inside and out, but I do not let it master me. I have reduced the gospel to a mastery of biblical content and theology, so I am intolerant and critical of those with lesser knowledge.”
Therapism. “I talk a lot about the hurting people in our congregation, and how Christ is the only answer for their hurt. Yet even without realizing it, I have made Christ more Therapist than Savior. I view hurt as a greater problem than sin—and I subtly shift my greatest need from my moral failure to my unmet needs.”
Social-ism. “The deep fellowship and friendships I find at church have become their own idol. The body of Christ has replaced Christ himself, and the gospel is reduced to a network of fulfilling Christian relationships.”
Do you see how these gospels become counterfeits? They become the only tree in the garden. They become the tree of life to us. They become the one place to which we bring others to feed. And in this we lose Christ and so does our brother.
What then does it mean to set apart in our hearts that Christ is Lord? It means that by faith and through the Holy Spirit we let Jesus have dominion over every quest of the human heart. In Spirit and truth we acknowledge again and again, day after day, that Jesus' covenantal faithfulness through his shed blood is the answer to our heart's every quest. Beneath each of the above "church idols" is your heart on a quest, and you will either find rest in Christ alone or you will peddle on in slavish restlessness looking for a little more control, a little more self-justification, a little larger population of people who really admire you. Praise be to God that Christ still stands in the midst of his church and says to the restless hearts of the redeemed, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Yours in Christ, John
Friday, July 2, 2010
E-Note 7/2: Letter from Cambodia
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Here is an important and timely letter from our missionary in Cambodia, Susan Kana. It will deepen your appreciation for the quote of the week.
Greetings from Preah Vihear Province (PV). Temps are not as hot but with the rainy season, it is quite humid. Joel and I continue to serve alone in PV but Jim and Carolyn stay involved through phone and visits. I have stayed busy here but have also made trips to Phnom Penh (PP) - bringing patients to the MMC (Mercy Medical Clinic). You may have heard me refer to it as CSI which was started several years ago by the Southern Baptist Mission to treat the poor.
I would like to tell you a bit about MMC and some of the changes from the original CSI. First of all - they continue to serve the poor of Cambodia. MMC is not a mission. It is a group of missionaries from several mission organizations - CMA (Christian and Missionary Alliance, World Team, Pioneers, OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship), Southern Baptist, and MTW (Missions to the World). I am not sure of any others.
I have been involved with CSI for several years while I lived in PP. If you remember our Neak Lueng village ministry - it involved Bible teaching, bringing ways of clean water as well as medical clinics with Dr. Modich from the CSI Clinic. The clinic rented a small place at the military hospital in PP but it was not an ideal situation. With the work of Dr. Tim Benadum (WT) and others they were able to acquire a piece of land from a Christian Khmer General...for free. We serve an awesome God!
Building has begun in a site just outside the city. God has provided through some very generous donations and they hope to be completed by April next year. A few years back a new US Embassy was built in PP. The contractor for that facility is a Christian and his kids went to the International School where Marjie Benadum taught. The families became friends but then moved off to a country in South America to build another US Embassy. Well, time came for MMC to find a builder for our Clinic. Tim called Kurt, the builder and said "Hey, how about . . . " Well, you get it. He and his wife left their well paying jobs to come to Cambodia as missionaries and are building the clinic. There is a reason for my excitement and sharing about this with you....
I would like to share with you a portion of a letter I sent out to all of WT Cambodia as well as Asia Leaders and Directors.
I have been in PV for just over 2 years and I have to say it is nice living in the province. I came to Cambodia just before I turned 49 and still had not lost my heart for adventure but it took 8 years for me to make my way out of the city. Although I lived in PP, I had great opportunities for adventure outside the city - - especially with the Cottle's and Dr. Modich in Neak Lueng. Because that ministry was partly medical, I learned a lot about village ministry with Dr. Modich and how his ministry in PP at CSI (now MMC)is connected with what we are doing with the poor in the provinces.
Back in January I told my team, Jim and Carolyn and Joel, that on my 60th birthday which would be November of 2011, I would be re evaluating where I thought God would want me to continue to serve. During these last couple of months, I feel that God is moving that time up. I have a lot of time for reflection and I have really asked God to show me what it is He would want me to do and when.
I feel that God is leading me back to be involved somehow in medical work. I miss it. Most of my relationships have been made that way. You know I am not a nurse, I am not a doctor - - just a simple lab tech. But with that experience and my involvement in the clinic in Irian, I feel I have something to offer. I have talked with Tim and Marjie Benadum and they feel there could be a place for me with their team, MMC. Phnom Penh is the last place I want to be but I feel a call to the work, not the place. MMC is more that just treating patients. It is Bible study with the staff, discipleship, mentoring . . . But still being involved with the poor from the villages.
Poor timing? No, God's timing is never poor. Jim and Carolyn are planning to move back up to PV early August. Joel has been wonderful in allowing me the freedom to explore options. I am thankful to the 3 of them for giving me the time to go to PP and see what is going on here at the MMC. God's timing was perfect for me to ask questions. I would never even consider making any kind of move now but I wanted to put it out in the open for all of you to know. I am not sure of God's timing on when to make any kind of change. I ask for your prayers and I welcome any input from you. I have enough going on in PV. I have promised the team I would work until I felt God say it is time to move on. "I am willing" to be there until I feel sure He says otherwise.
I got positive feedback from leadership. As I wrote, Jim and Carolyn will be moving up early August so I feel now is not the time to make a move. I will be moving out of Jim and Carolyn's house when they return so needed to rent something else. Joel has promised me he can make the place I found free of rats by early August. The contract is for 6 months.
I do love PV and the missionaries I work with but I really feel it is from God that I make this change. As I sought counsel, I felt confirmation from others as well.
Please be praying for all of us as we seek God for His timing. None of this has brought about any loss of love for the Khmer of PV. But please pray that I will continue to pour out the Love of Christ to them as they draw closer to Him. Pray that I, too will draw closer to Jesus every day.
With love,
Susan
susan.kana [at] worldteam.org
Here is an important and timely letter from our missionary in Cambodia, Susan Kana. It will deepen your appreciation for the quote of the week.
Greetings from Preah Vihear Province (PV). Temps are not as hot but with the rainy season, it is quite humid. Joel and I continue to serve alone in PV but Jim and Carolyn stay involved through phone and visits. I have stayed busy here but have also made trips to Phnom Penh (PP) - bringing patients to the MMC (Mercy Medical Clinic). You may have heard me refer to it as CSI which was started several years ago by the Southern Baptist Mission to treat the poor.
I would like to tell you a bit about MMC and some of the changes from the original CSI. First of all - they continue to serve the poor of Cambodia. MMC is not a mission. It is a group of missionaries from several mission organizations - CMA (Christian and Missionary Alliance, World Team, Pioneers, OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship), Southern Baptist, and MTW (Missions to the World). I am not sure of any others.
I have been involved with CSI for several years while I lived in PP. If you remember our Neak Lueng village ministry - it involved Bible teaching, bringing ways of clean water as well as medical clinics with Dr. Modich from the CSI Clinic. The clinic rented a small place at the military hospital in PP but it was not an ideal situation. With the work of Dr. Tim Benadum (WT) and others they were able to acquire a piece of land from a Christian Khmer General...for free. We serve an awesome God!
Building has begun in a site just outside the city. God has provided through some very generous donations and they hope to be completed by April next year. A few years back a new US Embassy was built in PP. The contractor for that facility is a Christian and his kids went to the International School where Marjie Benadum taught. The families became friends but then moved off to a country in South America to build another US Embassy. Well, time came for MMC to find a builder for our Clinic. Tim called Kurt, the builder and said "Hey, how about . . . " Well, you get it. He and his wife left their well paying jobs to come to Cambodia as missionaries and are building the clinic. There is a reason for my excitement and sharing about this with you....
I would like to share with you a portion of a letter I sent out to all of WT Cambodia as well as Asia Leaders and Directors.
I have been in PV for just over 2 years and I have to say it is nice living in the province. I came to Cambodia just before I turned 49 and still had not lost my heart for adventure but it took 8 years for me to make my way out of the city. Although I lived in PP, I had great opportunities for adventure outside the city - - especially with the Cottle's and Dr. Modich in Neak Lueng. Because that ministry was partly medical, I learned a lot about village ministry with Dr. Modich and how his ministry in PP at CSI (now MMC)is connected with what we are doing with the poor in the provinces.
Back in January I told my team, Jim and Carolyn and Joel, that on my 60th birthday which would be November of 2011, I would be re evaluating where I thought God would want me to continue to serve. During these last couple of months, I feel that God is moving that time up. I have a lot of time for reflection and I have really asked God to show me what it is He would want me to do and when.
I feel that God is leading me back to be involved somehow in medical work. I miss it. Most of my relationships have been made that way. You know I am not a nurse, I am not a doctor - - just a simple lab tech. But with that experience and my involvement in the clinic in Irian, I feel I have something to offer. I have talked with Tim and Marjie Benadum and they feel there could be a place for me with their team, MMC. Phnom Penh is the last place I want to be but I feel a call to the work, not the place. MMC is more that just treating patients. It is Bible study with the staff, discipleship, mentoring . . . But still being involved with the poor from the villages.
Poor timing? No, God's timing is never poor. Jim and Carolyn are planning to move back up to PV early August. Joel has been wonderful in allowing me the freedom to explore options. I am thankful to the 3 of them for giving me the time to go to PP and see what is going on here at the MMC. God's timing was perfect for me to ask questions. I would never even consider making any kind of move now but I wanted to put it out in the open for all of you to know. I am not sure of God's timing on when to make any kind of change. I ask for your prayers and I welcome any input from you. I have enough going on in PV. I have promised the team I would work until I felt God say it is time to move on. "I am willing" to be there until I feel sure He says otherwise.
I got positive feedback from leadership. As I wrote, Jim and Carolyn will be moving up early August so I feel now is not the time to make a move. I will be moving out of Jim and Carolyn's house when they return so needed to rent something else. Joel has promised me he can make the place I found free of rats by early August. The contract is for 6 months.
I do love PV and the missionaries I work with but I really feel it is from God that I make this change. As I sought counsel, I felt confirmation from others as well.
Please be praying for all of us as we seek God for His timing. None of this has brought about any loss of love for the Khmer of PV. But please pray that I will continue to pour out the Love of Christ to them as they draw closer to Him. Pray that I, too will draw closer to Jesus every day.
With love,
Susan
susan.kana [at] worldteam.org
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