Author Archives: Robert
A New Kind of Christmas
Since we moved to Albania, we’ve downsized our consumption in so many ways and the deconstruction of our consumeristic mindset was a difficult transition to make. (actually, i’m not sure we’re 100% there yet, but we’ve found a happy medium.) Being content with what you have is such a daily battle. As Albania modernizes, we find that it’s becoming easier to get distracted with the new “stuff” that’s available here. Big box retailers are finally finding their way to Albania. There are mutliple super-stores that have opened or are opening in the next few months. Advertisements have popped up everywhere in and are Tirana, when just 3 short years ago, it was shockingly void of most marketing.
In the midst of these changes, it has reminded us that one of the blessings of being in Albania is the gift of contentedness. As the kids get older, we are thinking more and more about how to instill this value in their lives as well. We love the message of this video and are trying to figure out how to integrate this into some new family traditions. Presents will still be part of the tradition, but not the centerpiece. What about you? What do you do differently for Christmas to give your PRESENCE?
What I’m thankful for…
my AMAZING family
the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
taking a stroll thru the park and playing frisbee with the boys
unconditional love
praying supporters
experiencing the variety of different cultures
laughter that makes my gut hurt
friends that stick close to the end
skype and google (communication enhancing technology)
deep conversations
witty humor
Jadyn’s smile
Tyler’s art
Austin’s athleticism
Jenny’s compassion
parents who are committed to their marriages for life
and most of all, for God forever changing me from the inside-out!
Cheers!
When we were raising support to serve in Albania, it became a regular occurrence for anyone over the age of 35 to ask me about this classic episode of Cheers. You gotta love Coach.
Do you remember this clip?
Heart of Worship
Kristi is one of our teens who gave his life to Jesus last year. He is 13 yrs old, but is much more mature than his age. He really has a heart for worship and loves to play the guitar. Recently he’s been leading worship for his guys small group that we just started.
Last spring he wrote these lyrics to a song:
une pas teje dua te shkoj (I wanna go after u)
rrugen tende dua te ndjek (I wanna follow your path)
emrin tend do te nderoj (I will honor your name)
biri i zotit shpeton jete (the Son of God saves lives)
ty degjoj te adhuroj (i hear and worship you)
se si ty ka vetem 1 (like you i have only one)
ty te shoh une ty te ndjej (i see you, i feel you)
biri i zotit shpeton jete (the Son of God saves lives)
une e di mire kush je ti (i know well who you are)
une e di qe ti jeton (i know that u live)
une e di se cke bere ti (i know what u have done)
zeri yt kudo jehon (your voice echoes everywhere)
kur une lutem dicka ndjej (when i pray i feel something)
thelle ne zemer me godet (i feel it deep in mu heart)
me godet nje fryme e shenjte (holy spirti hits me)
biri i zotit shpeton jete (the Son of God saves lives)
kur une krahet i ngre lart (when i lift my arms up)
degjoj engjejt te kendojn (i listen as the angels sing)
dhe pastaj nje shkendi (and then a spark)
vret te keqen shpall lavdi!!!!!!!!!(kills the evil and proclaims glory)
This pretty much sums up our lives in Albania (both physically and spiritually)
You have an idea of what the new country looks like. Still, you are very much at home, although not truly at peace, in the old country. You know the ways of the old country, its joys and pains, its happy and sad moments. You have spent most of your days there. Even though you know that you have not found there what your heart most desires, you remain quite attached to it. It has become part of your very bones.
Now you have come to realize that you must leave it and enter the new country, where your Beloved dwells. You know that what helped and guided you in the old country no longer works, but what else do you have to go by? You are being asked to trust that you will find what you need in the new country. That requires death of what has become so precious to you: influence, success, yes, even affection and praise.
Trust is so hard, since you have nothing to fall back on . Still, trust is what is essential. The new country is where you are called to go, and the only way to go there is naked and vulnerable.
It seems that you keep crossing and recrossing the border. For a while, you experience a real joy in the new country. But then you feel afraid and start longing again for all you left behind, so you go back to the old country. To your dismay, you discover that the old country has lost its charm. Risk a few more steps into the new country, trusting that each time you enter it, you will feel more comfortable and be able to stay longer.
–Henri Nouwen
I couldn’t be a Muslim even if I wanted to!
Why? Because I can’t grow facial hair…at least not very well. I’ve joked for years that I’m follicly challenged. After doing a search on Google, I’m thinking of joining the following advocacy group: People for the Expansion and Advancement of Comprehensive Hair (P.E.A.C.H.)
So, I’ve been trying to grow a FULL beard and here are some pics after 2+ months…but now I’m at a crossroads.
When discerning God’s will, I know I must first consult the Scriptures.
I received hope from the following passage from Numbers 6:5 “They must never cut their hair throughout the time of their vow, for they are holy and set apart to the Lord. Until the time of their vow has been fulfilled, they must let their hair grow long.”
But, then, I read Ezekiel 44:20 “They must neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow too long. Instead, they must trim it regularly.”
Being even more confused than before, I prayed and ask God to reveal His truth to me. He reminded me of Hebrews 4:12 “God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything.”
That is to say, everything but hair. So, obviously, God is neutral on the subject.
Therefore, I’m leaving it up to you. I need your discernment…
Exercise in Futility?
Cut my losses and stop the bleeding? (yes, both awful puns were intended…I blame Von and Matt)
OR
Persevere and Fight the Good Fight!
YOU DECIDE! Post a comment and cast your vote.
Obama or McCain?
I sent in my absentee ballot a couple of weeks ago. it’s amazing how much the American election has captivated the attention of the world. The first question my Albanian friends and neighbors have asked me lately is, “who is going to win?” and quickly followed by, “Who do you like?”.
As a one-time aspiring politician (granted I was in high school), I have long believed in the privilege and responsibility to vote. When I think of my Albanian friends who have only had this privilege for the last 16 years, it makes me appreciate this even more today…
However, I’ve also long believed that the government cannot change hearts. Therefore, it is limited in what it can accomplish. No laws or economic policies or health care initiatives can provide the “audacity of hope” that God alone can provide! This is why when I became a Christian, my political aspirations began to die a slow death and my loyalties moved to a much wiser authority! As I’ve gotten older, I find myself believing more in more in the power of the church and less in less in the power of the government or it’s leaders.
No matter who you vote for tomorrow, remember these words by the author of Jesus for President,
“WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW WE VOTE ON NOV.4 IS HOW WE LIVE ON NOV. 3 AND NOV. 5. WE VOTE EVERYDAY WITH OUR FEET, OUR HANDS, OUR LIPS, AND OUR WALLETS…ULTIMATE CHANGE DOES NOT JUST HAPPEN ONE DAY EVERY FOUR YEARS.” –SHANE CLAIBORNE
AMEN!
What is HMA?
Most of you are probably like we were before we started this journey…unfamiliar with the how-to’s of international missions. We didn’t grow up in any churches that really had a history of sending missionaries overseas and, therefore, the learning curve has been huge. Over the last two years, we’ve tried our best to familiarize ourselves with the norms within the missionary community. (Although, there’s quite a bit of diversity with every mission sending organization.) I would say the majority of missionaries we know here come from churches with a long history of sending missionaries and/or are 2nd or 3rd generation missionaries. Many have spent the majority of their adult lives on the mission field (10-20 years).
One of the expectations that we were unaware of was the need to go home to connect with and report to our supporters in America every couple or three years. This has traditionally been called a furlough. Frontiers, our mission agency calls it HMA (Home Ministry Assignment). In the days before airplanes, it was common for missionaries to go home for a whole year every 4-7 years. This was because it was a several month journey on the boat home, not to mention extremely expensive.
There are some missionaries here who still do this. In fact, many churches even have a missionary house for missionaries to stay in when they come back for HMA.
Now, typically, the length of time for HMA is 3-4 months. Some of you might be wondering, “why on earth would you need that long to be home? I don’t get a 3 month vacation.” Don’t feel bad, I had the same question. Let me unpack it a little.
1. It’s not a vacation. In fact, most missionaries have told us that it’s actually more work and more stressful than being on the mission field because…
2. There’s a ton of travel time. As you know, missionaries are supported by churches and individuals who hear the call to “go and make disciples of all nations”. This summer we will be travelling by car over 3000 miles from Colorado to Chicago to Ohio to North Carolina to Oklahoma. I’m exhausted already! All of this to share the vision God has given us and ask people to join our effort, because the truth is…
3. It takes money to build God’s kingdom. Fundraising is a big part of a missionary’s job. This summer, while back in the States, we will be raising funds for the Youth Center, salary for an Albanian assistant youth pastor (Egli), and shortfalls in our own budget. And I can tell you from personal experience that this can really drain you. We’re happy to do it, though, because, we see what God is doing in our midst. But, it means that at the end of HMA…
4. missionaries need time for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual renewal. This can’t be done in a quick 3 or 4 day getaway. I was reading a leadership blog (swerve.lifechurch.tv) recently encouraging American pastors to take at least 2 weeks at a time for vacation to relax and truly unwind. I think it requires a little more for missionaries because of the added culture stress, jet lag, travelling time in the states, etc.
So, we just arrived back in the states and are starting our first HMA. I’ll keep you posted on dates and locations over the next week. Please pray for our times to be joy-filled, for deeper relationships with our friends and supporters, and for patience with each other as we travel.
P.S. Sorry for the marathon post!
