"He sees you and remembers you today."

For the last seven days, I feel like God has been showing off. 

In my Bible Study this week (Beth Moore:1 & 2 Thessalonians), one of the points in the video was this: 

"Often we hope God is at work, but sometimes we get to know it (1 Thess 1:5)". 

This has been my experience the last seven days - KNOWING that God is at work. 

Really it started last week Wednesday, when I gathered the email addresses of those who wrote to say they'd like to join our prayer team, and I sent out the first prayer team email. This is something we've needed for a long time, finally asked for, and are so grateful to those who are joining us in more intentional prayer about our future here at HOPAC and in Tanzania. So I sent out the email in the afternoon, we had our church Life Group that night, and we went to bed. 

Thursday morning, I woke up and for whatever reason, decided to check my email before even getting out of bed. 

First email: "We just made a donation of $2000 to you through CRWM. While we know that you will be grateful for the gift, our desire is for you to see this as God's gift to you - a reminder that He sees you and remembers you today. We're just excited to be his hands to transfer the money to you."

WHAT?!?! I actually started laughing and crying at the same time. I'm actually tearing up reading this again. Not only because of the incredible financial gift that it is, but because of the heart behind it. Isaac heard me and came into our room, asking if I was laughing or crying, and why. I was able to share with him what the email was about, and he had to wipe away his own tears. Our kids are learning some valuable lessons right along with us. 

And if that wasn't enough, God continued to work. 

Second email: A church is having a conversation about possibly supporting us.

WHAT?!?! The pastor of this church is someone we've known for around six or so years, and he and his family have personally supported us from the beginning. The church will have a meeting in December, but the deacons of the church are proposing that the church begin supporting us in 2016. Again, this is an incredible financial gift and answer to prayer, but with a church partnership comes so much more than money. We will have another WHOLE CHURCH to share with about what God is doing here in Tanzania and to have praying for us! This is incredible!

And if that wasn't enough, God continued to work.

Third email: A church is going to take a special offering for us.

WHAT?!?! The missions committee of this partner church felt burdened for us after our last prayer letter, so requested a special offering from the deacons and it was approved. How can you deny the hand of the Lord in all of this?

Many tears have poured from my eyes these last seven days. I just cannot keep from being so overwhelmed by God's goodness and faithfulness. We feel humbled and affirmed. We feel, as the first email said, that God has "seen us and remembered us".

It's been a week of KNOWING that God is at work. He is working in out situation. He is working in us. He is working in the world around us. I am praising God for his sovereign hand and that he has shown us so many glimpses of his work in our lives!

57 Days til Christmas! Shop & support us at the same time!

There are only 57 days until Christmas. Our friend, Rachel, is hosting a fundraiser to help us meet our financial needs.

She is a Compassionate Entrepreneur for Trades of Hope! I love this business, because it provides sustainable work with dignity for women coming out of dire circumstances. So when she approached us about this fundraiser, of course, we were excited. They have amazing products that I think many women on our gift lists would be honored and excited to wear or use. 

Would you consider purchasing something for someone on your Christmas list? A parent? Teacher? Friend? Pastor? Mentor? Yourself? :) 

Please see the details below: 

Empowering women
Empowering families
Empowering generations

This is Trades of Hope!

You have been invited by Gretchen to help inspire hope + create change worldwide. Trades of Hope partners with small groups of artisans who are working their way out of poverty and desperate circumstances including slums, sweatshops, and the sex trade. They live all over the world: Haiti, Uganda, Guatemala, Costa Rica, India and Cambodia... even here in the United States. These women don't want charity, they want opportunity!

In addition to these women being given opportunity, you have the opportunity to help SUPPORT the Driesenga Family!! 

***ALL proceeds from this party will be given to Marc and Gretchen to aid in reaching their goal to continue missions work in Tanzania!!***

What's better than giving back in multiple ways?

Join us for this purposeful party for the next month right here on this event page to learn more about the mission of Trades of Hope and to shop beautiful fair trade, handmade jewelry, accessory and home decor items.

View the entire collection now through the Driesenga Family link~

http://bit.ly/DriesengaFundraiser

THANK YOU!

QUESTIONS?
Email Rachel Cunningham at rachel.tradesofhope@gmail.com or call 805-390-329

Hope & Evangelism

I wrote the following blog last April, I think. I'm not sure why I never posted it, but here you go. Thoughts from 6 months ago.


Last weekend a member of our church was driving here in Dar and was struck in the face with a bullet from what they suspect was an armed robbery taking place near where he was driving. He, his wife and newborn child flew to South Africa to try and save his eye. They were unsuccessful.

Also last weekend, the brother of a woman at our church was shot in Johannesburg, South Africa, so she flew there to be with him.

Yesterday, a friend and life-group member with us excitedly shared the picture of her newborn niece and we all celebrated with her over WhatsApp. By morning, the baby had died and even as I type, they are at the baby's burial.

Garissa. 148 people dead in our neighboring country Kenya and heightened security around Tanzania since due to rumors of threats.

So much pain. So many unanswered questions. So much tragedy and heartbreak. So much brokenness.  So much loss. The stories are endless near and around me- I'm sure the same is true in your life and in your context as well. No matter where we live, we cannot escape this brokenness.

I wonder...how does one cope without Jesus?

How do you cope if you only know death, abuse, injustice, disease, loss...the Good Friday story.

How do you hold onto hope when you don't know about Easter - Resurrection Day...Or if you know, but reject it? What do you hold onto? What do you hope in?

Perhaps people's hope is in humanity and the idea that deep down people are good? Perhaps hope is in a god-like figure, some spiritual being, some idea that there is something 'bigger than us out there'? Perhaps hope is in oneself - trusting that you can, in the end, work it all out in your own strength? Perhaps hope is in science, or money, or education, or relationships, or chariots, or horses...

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

Psalm 20:7

Putting our hope in anything but Christ is futile. And seeing the brokenness and pain around me only increases the urgency I feel in sharing that hope with others.

Yesterday's sermon was about Evangelism. During worship, after we sang "Mighty To Save", I invited people into a time of prayer for those who don't know Jesus. A few people came to my mind and I prayed for them. During the sermon, however, someone new came to my mind. And I wrestled with God. I was literally telling God it was too complicated and overwhelming - this person was too 'messy'. I felt hopeless. I felt like this persons brokenness is so deep that the gospel just might not be enough. I know in my head the power of the gospel, the love of the Father, the forgiveness of the Son, the transforming work of the Spirit...but my prayers do not reflect that for this individual.

Who has God placed in your life to pray for? To share the gospel with? Is there someone who you, like me, consider to be too 'messy'? Let's repent of our lack of faith and earnestly pray for the salvation of those God has put in our path. Let's pray for boldness in sharing the gospel message. Let's pray for the unconditional love of the Father to pour out from us to others and for us to cling to the hope of Christ!

He Is able. More than able.

THIS SONG has been in my mind today. It's an OLDIE, but it's still true and it's a message I need to focus on. (Can you tell which era I grew up in!?! ha!)

He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today

He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way

He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream

He is able, more than able, to make me what he wants me to be. 

We owed our government $1500 on September 15th for estimated self-employment tax for this year. We owe another $1500 in December. Geneva needs to get to the dentist for a cavity. We should really take care of our remaining dog (we had two - one died mysteriously this week) getting neutered. Our van needs a new engine. Yes, a new engine. Selfishly, we found an inexpensive used A/C unit for the kids room for during the hot season - certainly not a necessity, but would be nice for our kids to sleep through the night during the hot season and not have heat rash.

HE IS ABLE.

We budget for these things.
We have line items for them.
We've planned for circumstances such as these.

In October, our actual received income is only 59% of our budgeted amount. When we aren't fully funded, we don't have the money for car repairs, or taxes or medical expenses. We should have money in our savings set aside for these things, but for two years, we've been living below our budget, meaning there is no savings.

HE IS ABLE.

Is God using our circumstances to redirect us? To move us? Is God using our circumstances to test our faith? To cause us to more fully rely on Him? Is God using our circumstances to display His Glory? To display is power? Are these hardships evidence of spiritual warfare? Is it the enemy who wants us to be done here? Have we been foolish to continue on without full support?

We're in the midst of a storm. We're in a fight. We're trying to keep our focus on Jesus. I have to admit, though, I'm growing weary over the constant battle of fundraising. There have been many days recently when we feel ready to throw in the towel and move home, get full time jobs and not have to rely on others. Neither of us wants to do that, though, when we press ourselves. We want to be here. We came here out of obedience and have not felt God telling us to leave this place or ministry. He might yet, but so far, we feel called to stay in Dar.

HE IS ABLE.

This morning I was lead to Mark 4, where Jesus calms a storm. After rebuking the wind and the sea was calmed, Jesus says to his disciples,

"'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" 

And they were filled with great fear and said,

 "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'"

Mark 4: 40 & 41

Our God controls the wind and the sea. He is the Creator and Provider. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the Great I Am. He is our Savior. He is sovereign over all. Surely a few thousand dollars is not too much for him to handle. Surely HE IS ABLE! We are choosing to continue on in faith, trusting the Lord to guide our steps and to make His will know for our present and our future. 

HE IS ABLE.

Maybe we won't get the van fixed. Maybe we have to move home in June and get full time jobs. Maybe our other dog will die. Maybe we can't pay our taxes. Guess what? HE IS STILL ABLE. He is the one to decide these things, not us. By continuing on in faith, it doesn't mean we expect God to bend to our will, but more that we bend to His. Perhaps, maybe, through all of this, he is just making us who he wants us to be. And that is enough. 

We are looking for a few people to join us in prayer for these next few months - from now until mid-January, which is when we expect to need to make a decision about our future here in Tanzania. If you're willing to commit to pray for us and with us, will you email us at thedriesengafamily@gmail.com and let us know? We will send out prayer updates weekly (ish) to keep this specific group of prayer warriors up to date on what's going on. 

We also realize that our situation and story is not unique. You might be going through something yourself, where you feel worn down and weary. Maybe you also need the message today that God is able. Maybe you also need to be reminded to reach out to your community for prayers and support, as we are trying to here. Maybe you feel uncertain about where God is leading you in your future and need to know you're not alone. Maybe you're feeling like one of the disciples, full of fear and little faith and need to be reminded that 'even the wind and the sea obey him'. Maybe you need that reminder of the power of God today. Whatever your circumstances, may God's grace and power be evident in your life and may you trust that HE IS ABLE. Let us know if we can pray for you. 

If you feel led to give, please visit the tab above "GIVING" or click HERE to be instantly directed to Christian Reformed World Missions website. 

A bit quiet - let's catch up!

It's been months since we've posted anything here. We've been to the States and back again and experience so much in the last several months that it would be impossible to play catch up. So, instead, I'll start with where things are at now.

We're 4 weeks into the school year and 5 weeks into our 3rd year of being here in Tanzania. In some ways we've settled back into 'normal life' easily, although that looks a little different than it has in the past. 

Marc is teaching grades 9 - 12 this year as opposed to both middle and high school. This helps to lighten what was a heavy load, and also frees him for more intentional time with students outside of class.  Isaac is in grade 2 and has joined the primary swim team. He has practice three days a week after school. I've started to give him piano lessons as we were able to get a keyboard from friends who left at the end of last year.  Hope has started preschool again (2 days a week) and just celebrated her 5th birthday. Geneva is now potty trained and joins me for our weekly adventures of driving people places, worship team rehearsals, swahili class, leading assemblies, going to the market and prayer meetings. 

Our roles at church are different as we've come back. For various reasons, we are slowly phasing out of some of our leadership positions within the church. Marc is no longer doing all the tech/design stuff nor on the leadership team. Instead of leading worship every week, I am now in rotation every other. We are still helping with our life group. One of the things we recognized while being 'home' this summer was that our family time was beginning to suffer under the load of our church and school commitments. We may have a 'large capacity' for ministry, but we sometimes find ourselves saying YES to too much and it not being sustainable or healthy for our family in the long run. When we left for the States, we were there. Between that, some theological differences and the need for more Tanzanian leaders to step into leadership roles at the church, we are phasing out of some of our roles. Its not easy, as we love our Pastor and his family and we love our church! We've had some difficult conversations over the past few weeks, but we are at peace about the changes being made and continue to support God's Tribe and pray for the church, here and worldwide, to grow! 

The other challenge we have faced since returning is the recognition that despite our amazing supporters and our various church and small group presentations this summer, our funding is still low. The past two years have been difficult in regards to fundraising, and we've actual incurred a bit of debt just to stay here as some months we had only enough money to cover rent. We don't believe that's God's plan for us, to go into more (any, really!) debt, and we've come to feel that if we are not fully funded by the end of December, we may need to leave Tanzania at the end of this school year.  Our school will need to know in January if we are coming back or if they need to begin recruiting another Bible teacher, thus the timeline. We're trying to be open to the Lord's leading for our family. Would you please pray for the Lord to make his will clear to us as we contemplate and pray about our future? We would love to see huge breakthrough in the area of our finances and be able to testify to God's provision. We want to stay! We also want to follow Jesus if he's showing us a need for us to return to the States, whether for a year to fundraise and then return or for good.  We get that we don't see the big picture. This is just another way we are daily learning to rely on ourselves and our own abilities less and on Him more. We can't just go out and get a part time job delivering pizzas or something to help our own financial state - we're not in control! Please pray for clear direction and for patience as we wait. Our latest Prayer Letter will be going out later today which lays this out a bit as well.

So those are the big things going on with us. We feel at home here and are enjoying getting to know some of the new faces around the HOPAC and missionary community. 

Stocking up.

We are leaving 2 weeks from tomorrow, so we continue to stock up on things we will need for the next two years. We are trying to save up for rent, but also know that these things are cheaper here than in TZ or are not available in TZ, so would love to get them here before leaving. Thanks to those who have already helped us cross many things off our list.

If you'd like to help by picking up any of the following items, let us know what so we can cross it off our list!

* Bug spray - 4 bottles (pump, not aerosol)
* T-Gel Shampoo (6 bottles)
* 4 tension rods for small windows
* Black Beans (12 bags of dried)
* Deodorant - 6 for G (Dove unscented), 6 for M
* Face lotion for G - 3 bottles - Meijer "elements" with SPF (knock off of Oil of Olay face lotion)
* Nasal decongestant - 5 boxes (Sudafed or Meijer brand with pseudoephedrine)
* Crystal Light packets for pitchers - 10 containers
* Razors for G - venus disposable or something like it. 8 razors
>* Hat for Geneva
* Rain coat for Isaac & Geneva
* Rain coat for Gretchen
* Money for Gretchen to get a pair of nicer 'church' sandals.
* Money for Gretchen to get 2 new bras
* Box of cherrios
* Box of chex cereal
* 3 bags of goldfish crackers
* 3 bags of goldfish pretzel crackers
* 1 container of mixed nuts
* dust buster or small shop-vac
* Make-up for Gretchen
* laser printer + ink cartridges
* Guitar pick up
* Size 6 & 7 bathing suits


There is a lot of music I would love to download for my worship teams, so iTunes gift cards are amazing. Also, we could always use Meijer gift cards or cash gifts to help cover some other costs (guitar strings, guitar repair, gas, immunization costs, dentist visits, groceries the next two weeks, help cover postage for mailings, etc)

Thanks friends!
Gretchen

Car Troubles

Our Toyota Noah is a blessing. Most families in Tanzania do not have their own transportation. Taking the public busses (daladalas), three-wheeled bjajis or motorcycle taxis (pikipikis) can prove to be incredibly time-consuming and dangerous. Our van gives us opportunities we would not otherwise have: we can transport all the music equipment to church each Sunday; we offer rides to our life group (small group) members on Wednesday nights; we transport many worship team members back and forth for practice each Thursday night; we take co-workers without cars to run errands; we pick up kids walking to school in the rain; we are able to bring other church members when we visit the orphanage about 30 minutes away. We recognize the blessing of this vehicle and we intend to use it as a blessing for others.

Today, we learned that it will cost $850 to repair all that is wrong with our van.

The mechanic has said we cannot/should not drive it in it's current condition, as it will only lead to more expensive repairs down the line and that they need the money upfront to begin work. With a group coming in two days from Western Michigan Christian High School, an orphanage visit scheduled for Saturday, church equipment to move on Sunday and much on our plate next week with our group here, we had hoped for simpler and less expensive solutions to the issues. 

If anyone feels led to help us with a special financial gift for these unexpected car repairs, please send us an email and let us know (gretchendriesenga@gmail.com). As always, we appreciate your prayers for the new and faith-building situations we find ourselves in here in Tanzania!

Please let us know how we can be praying for you and your families as well.

With love,
The Driesengas

USA visit!

We are crossing off days on the calendar until we are back in the USA for a visit! We've added a calendar (look to the right) here on the blog to update you all of our comings & goings over the next few months.

In addition to our church visits, we would love to have some 'small group nights' in different peoples homes. Our hope is to have a more intimate time with smaller groups of friends/supporters and enjoy the personal interaction in someones home as well. While we would love to spend time with all our friends and supporters individually, we realize it might not be realistic. We hope to have one in Chicago, one in Muskegon and several in the Grand Rapids area.

Would YOU be willing to host a small group of friends at your home?

You would pick at date/time and help provide some food. We would get the word out and jointly we could invite people who might naturally fall into your 'sphere' of our community. We would share about life & ministry for however long people are interested, including pictures, sharing stories, maybe a video and answering questions while enjoying snacks, etc. To be upfront, this would include a brief update on our current financial needs and asking people to consider partnering with us. We would NOT make that the bulk of the presentation and it would certainly not feel like a sales pitch, but raising support is essential to us continuing here. We would also have a table of items from Tanzania that people could purchase to help our fundraising. Finally, we would want time to just hang out and catch up with people and share life!
 

What do you think? Would you be willing to host a brunch/tea/dinner/dessert night in your home?  We would love to start setting up some dates and talking through it a bit more. Feel free to email us at thedriesengafamily@gmail.com if you'd like to chat more about it!

 

What do carpet, street lights & garage sales have in common?

Besides the obvious joy of seeing family and friends this summer in the USA, here are some things I'm looking forward to, in no particular order:

* carpet
* camping
* meijer
* paved roads
* street lights
* orderly traffic
* not living behind a wall
* cooler temps
* as many chocolate chips, black beans and parmesan cheese as I want!
* salads
* fast internet
* garage sales
* parks
* places to take the kids: meijer gardens, zoo, children's museum, skyzone, etc
* farmers market
* going for walks
* ice cream shops
* drinking water out of the tap
* consistent electricity and water
* being light out past 6:30pm
* Wolfgangs (and a whole list of other restaurants...)

Marc agrees with my list, but wanted to add:
* Brewery vivant

Isaac's additions:
* McDonalds
* going to football (soccer) camp
* spending time with family
* having playdates at other people's houses
* going to Legoland (date with auntie Ker)

Hope's additions:
* going ice skating (a date with Auntie Ker)
* going to get ice cream

Geneva's additions:
* children's museum (date with Auntie Ker)
* playing

Grace like Rain

"Halleluiah, grace like rain, falls down on me"

This line from the song "Grace Like Rain" was in my mind all day yesterday.

I woke yesterday morning and after looking at the sky thought, "Today is the day - it just HAS to rain today!" There were beautiful, rain-filled clouds in the sky and I just hoped they wouldn't pass us by. It's been hot and dry and the crops need a drink. While the rainy season can bring flooding and other problems with the inadequate infrastructure here, it also is essential to life and food and income!

We've been praying for the rains to come.

During our normal morning routine of the girls playing on the HOPAC playground, I heard Hope joyfully proclaim, "Mommmy! It's raining!" It was light and gentle and we held out our hands to enjoy it. It was a little foretaste of what was coming.

A few hours later we sat in the middle of an all-school assembly. As the speaker was walking to his seat after sharing God's word with us, it started to downpour! The whole school broke into cheers of celebration. It didn't last long, but it was glorious! About an hour later it rained again! 

Grand Rapids Christian High School Vision Trip

We have a few friends who teach at Christian High. Almost all of my former youth group students from my time at Plymouth Heights attend GRCHS. So naturally, we suggested a trip to come visit us during their two week "Winterim" term, hoping it would actually happen but thinking realistically it probably wouldn't.

Guess what? It DID happen and it was AMAZING!

The group that came to visit was fantastic. They had humble, grateful attitudes and were ready to learn. They asked insightful questions and were willing to let their ideas/thoughts/hearts be molded and changed. Even the first day, when they were completely wasted after travelling/being jet lagged with little sleep and dealing with the extreme weather change, they did not complain. They may have taken a few cat naps that day, but they pressed on and were obviously ready to embrace their week here.

First day tour of HOPAC on no sleep - they were troppers!

One of our many goals was to introduce these students to what "missions" actually looks like. It can be incredibly vague, and often we think "missions" is living in a mud hut in an African village with half-naked children running around. (See my LAST BLOG POST for more thoughts on this). So throughout the week, we had different missionaries come and share a meal with us and tell us about their call into missions and what they ACTUALLY do as a missionary. We also met with local pastors and friends who have incredible ministry happening here. We heard about church planting, training local pastors, village ministry, teaching, training programs for girls to learn sewing/business skills, Young Life Africa, coffee house buisiness providing jobs/income, midwifery/mother care, and more. It was amazing for me to even hear the stories of some of my friends and their experiences. It was inspirational.

Visiting the Hindu Temples (priest is in the middle of the pic)

One of the things we continued to talk about was both the beauty and the brokenness of what we saw and experienced. It was neat to see the students really grab hold of that. We wanted to make sure that they saw not only the broken things here in Tanzania, but the ways that God's beauty is all around us. Of course in the animals, the ocean, the palm trees, but also in the people, the ministry happening and the ways God is already powerfully at work.

I've previously posted our schedule (SEE HERE), so I won't go into all the details, but I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite moments with this group.

* A conversation on the bus from Mikumi National Park (safari site) back to Dar with a few of the students who were asking incredible questions about systemic poverty, following God's will, entitlement, materialism, faith.

* Being trapped in an open air banda because an elephant was too close to move out of it while we were on safari. He was interested in the trash can, which he tipped over and went through.

* Catching up with two of my former youth group students who came on the trip. Just amazing.


* Discussing spiritual warfare with a few students after hearing about the reality of these encounters by some of the missionaries here. They had doubts and questions, but listened and asked good questions.

* Having 12 people from Grand Rapids, Michigan in our home in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. They've been here! This really is incredible to have 12 more people who have seen and experienced a bit of life here.

* Seeing things through the eyes of people seeing it for the first time. Even after only being here 1 1/2 years, some things have become 'normal' - traffic, bumpy roads, the heat, etc.

* Hearing one of the students say, "I actually never really knew what it meant to be a missionary before, and now I'm starting to understand!"

One of our dear friends and Christian High teacher, Mark VanderWerf, wrote a reflection about his time here with the group:

Mark with Isaac (and a nice photobomb by Kendra!)

"Exploring God’s world, exploring God’s kingdom, and discovering God’s call. Those were our three goals for the Grand Rapids Christian High School Winterim trip to Tanzania…and what a success! Steve Tuit and I and 10 students were richly blessed by Gretchen and Marc’s leadership as they shared their firsthand experience of life in Tanzania. We experienced the rich beauty of Mbudya Island, the rich cultural and religious diversity of downtown Dar, and the stunning beauty of a safari. But more than that, our eyes were opened and our hearts stirred as we experienced some of the deep brokenness present in Dar: false religions, broken families, and systemic poverty. Through all of this, we were constantly reminded that God is at work in and through a whole range of people who have heard God’s call to serve – sometimes in radical ways and sometimes in subtle ways. This trip would not have been at all possible if were not for the amazing work of Gretchen and Marc Driesenga. Thank you guys for sharing your life and ministry with our students! Their lives are changed because of you. Asante sana!"

Living Out Our Sending

On New Years Eve, we had a few friends over to celebrate the coming of a new year with us. Throughout our evening of food, games and conversation, we joked about collaborating together to write a book about our years as "fake" missionaries here in Tanzania. We talked about chapter titles, such as "Arguments that no longer work on the mission field" (i.e. 'at least I'm bringing home the bacon') or "A Survival Story: 15 hours without power" (we complain about it, but only around 20% of Tanzania has electricity to start with).

We joke about it, because we think it and feel it. Not because it's true, but because the term 'missionary' has held such a narrow definition and we do not fit in it. We've felt it as we've spent time with "real" missionaries living in the bush and realize the luxeries and conviences we take for granted by living in a city. We've felt it from some who don't support us because we're "fake" missionaries.We've felt it when we post pictures of our lives here and people make comments about being surprised by how nice our house is (which it is!), or how it must be like vacation because we're close to the ocean and get to visit it frequently. We are "fake" missionaries in some peoples eyes...even our own sometimes.

Where does our definition of "missionary" come from? 

Ponder this for a few moments. What images or stories immediately come to your mind? What causes those specifically to come to mind? Who or what has shaped your idea of what being a "Missionary" means or should look like?

As a child, I remember hearing an older single woman come to speak at our church. She was a missionary, though I cannot remember where. She had on an ugly, outdated ankle-length skirt, had a short and non-flattering haircut, no make-up and seemed to be someone I could not, nor would not want to relate to - at least according to my pre-teen, totally hip and stylish self. In my young, concrete-thinking mind, I judged her as out of touch and well, dorky.

But she - SHE - was a "real" missionary.

And then I grew and read stories of "real" missionaries - stories of people leaving their family and country - not just for a 2 year stint on the field, but for LIFE. Servants of God who packed in their coffins with the expectation that they would die on the field. Followers of Jesus like David Livingstone, William Carey, Hudson Taylor, and Amy Carmichael. I took missions courses at Calvin Seminary and was inspired by the real-life sacrifice and devotion of those we studied. I went to a missions oriented dinner-theater that introduced the story of Jim Elliot and Nate Saint to me. These were the "real" missionionaries.

Then there is us. The "fake" missionaries.

We work at an international Christian school. It's made up of missionary kids, expat kids and local Tanzanian kids who have the money to attend a private school. There are scholorships and some families are truly sacrificing in order to send their kids to HOPAC, but many have the money to do so.

We attend a church plant which meets at a theater in the local mall. Our church is incredibley diverse with a large Tanzanian population but also a large expatriate population coming from the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Uganda, Denmark and I'm sure I'm missing others. Our church reaches out into the community but also helps those in our family with micro loans, school fees, etc., which I love, however, many in the church are well educated and are able to make ends meet.

We have a car, running water (most of the time) and electricity (most days), we have a wall around our home with an electric fence, and as the team from Christian High recenetly noticed, we even have 'fancy' ceilings in our house. We visit an orphanage periodically, interact in our community when we can, but almost all of our time and ministry is currently spent with educated, working Tanzanians or other missionaries/expats.

Where does our definition of "missionary" come from? Where should it come from?

Jesus said to them again, "…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." —John 20:21

Oswald Chambers says in the classic devotional, My Utmost For His Highest, "A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus."

 

Some have been sent by Jesus Christ to serve the poorest of the poor in the world.                          They are missionaries.
Real missionaries.


Some have been sent by Jesus Christ to serve the educated, future leaders in the world.
They are missionaries.
Real missionaries.

Some have been sent by Jesus Christ to stay where they are to faithfully and obediently serve.
They are missionaries.
Real missionaries.

Strip away the images of mud huts, language lessons, selling all that you have, medical clinics, swollen bellies, fundraising, rice fields, dirt floors, school buildings, church plants, village life, city life, orphanages...being a 'real' missionary isn't about these things - it's about one simple question:

Are we living out our sending?

Jesus said to them again, "…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." —John 20:21

 It's really all about being obedient to Jesus' call, isn't it? That's what qualifies you as a "real" missionary - being obedient to the sending of Jesus Christ.

We have felt and continue to feel that God has lead and sent us to teach at HOPAC here in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. While we continue to learn what living out this sending looks like, we are confident that God has sent us to be missionaries, REAL missionaries, here in Tanzania. And He has sent you too, wherever that may be.

Jesus said to them again, "…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." —John 20:21

 

 

We had a group visit - will you be next?

Ever wonder what a visit here might look like? What would you see? What would you do? Who would you meet?

I thought I'd post the schedule from the Grand Rapids Christian High School winterim trip here, so you could get an idea. We have another potential group coming in May from Western Michigan Christian, and we hope that in the summer of 2016 our home church, Plymouth Heights CRC will be sending a group. We love hosting groups, but also individuals as well. This is one of the reasons we picked a house with an extra room. If you've ever considered coming to Africa, we encourage you to come! Send us an email!

GRCHS Winterim Trip

7-January, Wednesday

3:30am            Arrival to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
5:30am            Arrive @ ministry center
9:00am            Karibu Tanzania - expectations/culture/rules
10:30am          HOPAC - tour of school
11:15am          Lunch at snack bar
12:00am          Nuru Center - meeting artisans with disabilities
4:00pm            Young Life Africa ministry center  - Ben & Mary Cook
5:30pm            Dinner @ Dunkers (rice, beans, mchicha, cabbage

Debrief/hangout

8 -January, Thursday

9:00am            Wamama Kahawa - Doug & Lyndi Buckley (pastor & owner of coffee shop)
11:00am          Mbudya Island - boat ride, snorkling, swimming
5:30pm            Dinner with the Dunker & Medina families (training local pastors & church leaders)

Debrief/hangout

9 - January,  Friday

9:00am           Head into City Center - our friend Izzy joins us for the day
10:00am          Hindu Temple Visits
12:00pm          Lunch at Chow Patty Indian restaurant
1:00pm            Textile Markets
6:00pm            Dinner @ ministry center (Ugali, rice, banana, mchuzi)
7:00pm            Lola to size for shirts and skirts made from fabric bought that day

10 - January, Saturday

8:00am            Leave for Green Pastures Orphanage - hear from Pastor Douglas
1:00pm            Ministry Center for lunch
2:00pm            Tingatinga art market and Slipway shopping
5:30pm            Dinner @ Addis in Dar Ethiopian restaurant

11 - January, Sunday

8:15am            Depart for God's Tribe Church          
9:00am            Church
12:00pm          Leave for Mikumi from Mlimani City

 Dinner @ Tan-Swiss Lodge

12 - January, Monday (public holiday - Revolution day)

6:30am            Breakfast at Tan-Swiss
7:00am            Mikumi for Safari - lions, elephants, zebra, cape buffalo, giraffe, hippo, croc, etc
3:00pm            Depart Mikumi for Dar
                       

13 - January, Tuesday

9:00am            Wamama Kahawa - plan Bible story for afternoon kids club        
11:30am          Tegeta Market - split into pairs to buy things from the market

12:30pm          Lunch at Steens House

1:30pm            Meet with Shawn Graham (missionary to salasala area)
3:45pm            Salasala kids club (share bible story to 100 kids - 40% muslim)
6:00pm            Dinner @ ministry center with Sheshi & Trudie Kaniki (church planters)

 14 - January, Wednesday

9:00am            Leave for Bagamoyo Town  - Slave Trade History

2:30pm            Return - down time until football
5:30pm            Football at HOPAC
7:30pm            Dinner @ Driesengas with Lucy & Hosea
                         Worship

15 - January, Thursday

9:00am            Sifa Threads - SIFA THREADS
12:50               Benaco school visit w/ Trudie  (government school - read to kids)
3:00pm            White Sands Resort
6:30pm            Dinner @ Dunkers (Chipsi mayai & Mishkaki)
                          Final debrief/pack
11:00pm          Depart for airport

16 - January, Friday
12:00am          Drop off at airport
4:30am            Depart from Dar

As you can see, we kept them very busy, but I think the experience was worth the exhaustion! :)