2009 - A Year of Challenge

We are entering a brand new year that has a lot more questions than answers. The economy is in a tailspin, and nobody really knows yet where the bottom is. Jobs are being lost at a record pace. At the same time, we are on the verge of an historic occasion as a new president is inaugurated in two days.

I've had to write my very first "state of the ministry" message to Mission of Mercy supporters. As people in our country have had to contend with one piece of bad news after the other, many businesses and ministries are feeling the economic pinch. We have placed a limit on pay increases, cut travel and expenses, and have done everything that we can to prevent reducing the amount that we are sending to the children around the world. Their needs continue - and we are called to bring hope to children that would otherwise fall through the cracks of the system in their countries.

These have been difficult times - and there have been some sleepless nights as I've tried to "figure things out." In the midst of one of those sleepless nights just before Christmas, I put on my headphones and just hit shuffle on my iPod. The first song that played was December Leaves by Beth Nielsen Chapman. In the song, there's a lyric that says, "How heavy the heart that is empty. How light the heart that's full. Sometimes I have to trust what I can't know." That spoke a lot to me about being glad that I have a faith and a family that will help sustain me regardless of what happens in the future.

The Christmas season was full of wonderful family times. We spent time in South Dakota on Christmas eve at my brother's home with a house full of people. On Christmas day, we stayed with Dee's parents and spent time with her side of the family. A quick drive back to Colorado the day after Christmas to have all of our kids at our house. Our daughter Kate, with husband Aaron and grand daughter Montana, were able to come back from Washington state. Our son Mason joined us from South Dakota, and daughter Emily, with her husband Heath, came in from Wyoming. It was loud and busy - and awesome!

I was speaking to someone a couple days ago that said there may be some very positive side effects of the down economy. There will be far less travel in the year ahead, and people are being forced to consider their priorities. Many will focus on relationships - family, friends and church. This is also a time to make sure that we don't cut back on our benevolence. Families across the street and around the world need our help.

I pray that 2009 will be a year of blessing for you. I pray that you find your peace with God, and that you are strengthened by the relationships around you. I know that it is easier said than done, but, place your trust in the Lord and not in your own wisdom. Let's hope that when we look back at the end of the year that we will see that 2009 was a time of renewal of faith and family!

A Matter of Perspective

I was going to title this a "Question of Balance," but since the Moody Blues used that back in 1969, I decided against it.

This has been a tumultuous fall. The markets have been dropping, housing market crashing, financial institutions failing - everywhere you turn, you hear the bad news. We've been praying for the kids at Mission of Mercy, while looking to cut internal costs any way we can. A drop in giving means that our ability to help the children will be impacted. This has been a very stressful time in leadership at Mission of Mercy. Even though Americans are struggling, the need is growing greater for the kids in developing nations.

On the personal side, I found out what African Tick Bite Fever was - about 10 days after it knocked me for a loop. A few days back from Swaziland and I was ill, but still trying to go into the office every day. Just as I was starting to recover, a doctor confirmed the diagnosis, and the fact that it just needs to run its course.

I was not having a good end of November. But, on Friday, the 21st, Dee and I flew to Seattle and then drove up to Lynden, where our daughter Kate, her husband Aaron, and our grand daughter Montana now reside. Aaron's parents were also there for his ordination ceremony Sunday evening. On Saturday evening, we celebrated Montana's 1st birthday (just a few days ahead of schedule). What a joy it was to spend time with her again. She is a delightful baby and we miss being near her.

Sunday evening, we all headed across the street for Aaron's ordination ceremony. Seven churches in the Lynden area are supporting him as he seeks to plant a church, probably in the Bellingham area. The church was full. As leaders from each of the seven churches surrounded him and laid hands on him in prayer, we were deeply touched. We can see that Kate and Aaron already have a base of people that love and support them. At the end of the evening, we addressed the Reverend Aaron Walters as an ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church. We are very proud of Aaron and Kate, and pray for their success as they establish a new home.

On Monday, we flew back to Colorado, then drove to South Dakota on Tuesday. I met up with my son, Mason, and we headed up to a little trailer house on Iron Creek Lake to spend a couple days. Thankfully, there was a neighbor who hauled us, and our stuff, to the trailer on his snowmobile - there was lots of snow on the ground. We beat the brush, in vain, looking for the great whitetail buck for a couple days, but still managed to meet up with Dee, her sister and her parents for a great Thanksgiving feast.

After the pressures of the past couple weeks, and fighting things healthwise, the change of scenery was just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes we allow things to grow larger than life, and they begin to consume us. There are challenges ahead, and they'll be around for a long time to some. But, in the middle of all of that, we need to remember the blessing of family and of children. It was a lesson I needed to learn all over again.

As we look ahead to the Christmas season, I hope I can remember to balance the troubles of the world with the blessings that God has given through family and friends. My hope is for a balanced perspective for you, as well.

Mozambique - Swaziland

Traveling can sometimes be a real challenge. Dee and I just returned from a trip to Africa to attend the dedication of a couple of Mercy Centers. On the way there, a flight cancellation resulted in a day's delay in travel. Two days after we got there, I got my suitcase. The night before we returned, Dee got her suitcase! It's amazing how little you really need.

I am always moved by seeing the work of Mission of Mercy. In Swaziland, where the rate of AIDS is the highest in the world, virtually every family has been impacted. The Mercy Centers provide these kids with a sense of community and stability. The workers are deeply dedicated to the children.

This was my second trip to Swaziland, but just my first to Mozambique. Most of southern Africa was influenced by the British, but Mozambique was a Portuguese colony. So crossing the border into Mozambique made you keenly aware of the differences in language and culture. But you know what? Kids are still kids. They love to laugh and play - and they are grateful for the meal they receive every day they attend at the Mercy Center there.

The last time I was in Swaziland was August, 2008. Our entire family was there, along with others, on a Mission Trip. We helped break ground on two new centers. It was great to go back and see both of the centers completed, and to see the great number of kids that are already being impacted.

Our last day in Swaziland, we got to spend time with Sophie, our sponsor child. We took her to a candle factory, where she got a few instructions on candlemaking. Sophie has really been on our hearts since we started sponsoring her. Both of her parents have died of AIDS and her life has been very difficult. She has become a very special young lady to us.

One final note. Our trip took place during the week of the US Presidential election. The night after the election (which would have been the morning after in the US) we had dinner in Mozambique. Someone showed us a newspaper. The full front page was a picture of Barrack Obama with the huge headline (translated) "Obama, President for the World." The next day, back in Swaziland, at a dedication of a Mercy Center in a remote area, there were several tribal elders in attendance. They all thanked us, as Americans, for electing Obama. We definitely live in amazing times! It will be interesting to see what is in store for us in the next few years.

A Sad "See You Later"

Earlier this month, we had to say goodbye to our grand daughter, Montana, as well as Kate, our daughter, and Aaron, our son-in-law. We were there for Montana's birth, and for the first 10 months of her life, we have been very close. Aaron graduated from seminary last November and has been waiting for his first position, which he now has taken in Lynden, Washington. For much of that time, they have been living with us. I was there the night that Montana crawled for the first time. It has been an awesome experience.

A sad part of our culture is the away movement of our families. I grew up with both sets of grandparents living in the same small town, and I got to see them regularly. I have fond memories of fishing with my grandfather, and getting jelly beans every time we saw him. There is something that grandparents add to a child's life - a peace and acceptance of the child, and the ability to love in a less disciplinary manner. We loved having Kate, Aaron and Montana living with us.

The Bible says that children are a gift from God. If children are a gift, then grandchildren are like all of the presents under the tree! Dee and I already miss seeing Montana's daily discoveries in life. But, she is in good hands - Kate and Aaron are wonderful parents. We did send Montana a camera for her computer, and got to see her online last night for the first time. I'm sure we'll also be burning some miles flying into Seattle on a regular basis.

Because Kate had a special birthday in August, I can no longer say I have three children in their 20's. Life is marching on. I am enjoying our children as they have become adults. I am proud of all three of them. Our youngest child, Emily, just opened her own business in Laramie, WY. Her husband, Heath, is a school teacher. Our middle child, Mason, is completing his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering at South Dakota Tech in Rapid City, SD.

Attorney John Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute is the source of one of my favorite quotes. He said, "Our children are living messages sent to a time that we will never see." I may never meet Montana's children. Nonetheless, she carries a part of Dee and me. Through the life we shared with Kate, and the life she shares with Montana, it is our prayer that our "grand-message" will live a full life, and impact the world around her.

Children, and grandchildren, are such an important part of our lives. In addition to our own, I guess you could say that Dee and I have another 37,000 children in 16 countries around the world. We are truly blessed!

But right now, we're really missing Montana. Oh yeah, you too, Kate and Aaron!

Hope in Bangladesh and the Philippines

Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to travel a great deal on behalf of Mission of Mercy. When I talk with people about my travels, I'm often asked if I get to see major tourist attractions in each of the countries I visit. Sometimes when we host a group of people, like a Mission Trip, we'll try to spend a day sightseeing and shopping. But, for the most part, I travel to see Mission of Mercy projects and meet the people who are serving the children. I love that aspect of what I do - experiencing life as it really is.

That was the case on my recent trip to Bangladesh and the Philippines. Bangladesh has a population of over 150 million people in a country slightly smaller than the state of Iowa. You can't escape the mass of humanity wherever you go. Over 80% of the population is Muslim. We drove for hours, including transport over the river by ferry, to see a couple of the village schools. Most of the Mission of Mercy projects are in the rural areas, and are inaccessible at times during the monsoon season. One of the things that really struck me was how little that they have as a point of reference to us in America. We encourage the children to write their sponsors regularly, but there is nothing in their culture to relate to. In these areas they have no mail service, and no need to communicate with anyone beyond their living area. There's no soccer league or dance school to write about. They live very simple lives - no electricity, no running water. Yet, you can see the hope in their eyes.

When we went to the Home of Hope Children's Home, I saw children who are being raised to become leaders. The first of the children are now graduating and contributing to the church and the community in Bangladesh.

In the Philippines, we also traveled a great deal. On the island of Malapascua, there is a small population which relies primarily on fishing. With solar power, a few lights can be lit at night, but the homes are very simple bamboo homes - all cooking is done outside over an open fire. Since we were going to spend the night, our afternoon included a walk around the island, and some time just sitting on the beach speaking with the fishermen. I met one sponsored child and his mother. She was sewing ripped fishing nets, and we had the opportunity to speak. She is extremely happy that her son is able to participate in the Mission of Mercy program. He gets help and encouragement in his studies, and receives nutritious meals on a regular basis. Our last activity of the day was attending a children's church service. The kids led the singing - and were enthusiastic participants. Over 150 Mission of Mercy kids crowded the church, and I had a wonderful evening with them.

The next day we visited several families whose homes were destroyed earlier in the summer by a typhoon. Upon my return, I had the joy of sending funds from Mission of Mercy to help eight of these families with sponsored children. Their homes will be rebuilt - and they will be able to move ahead with their lives.

After two weeks of exhaustive travel in Asia, my last full day was a Sunday. We were to attend church at the Happy Horizon's home. I was told that the children of the home, some of whom were rescued off the streets after much abuse, always led the worship. I thought, "this will be cute." I was totally unprepared for what I experienced. These kids are talented singers and musicians - and they know how to worship. Any church in America would be blessed to be a part of that service. I came out of that service refreshed and encouraged. The abuse that some of these children have suffered in their lives is unimaginable - yet they have hope in a God who deeply loves them and cares for them.

My final activity was to speak at the two year anniversary of a church. We traveled on rocky roads almost straight up the mountainside. The church started two years ago with about 15 people. There were probably 200 at the service that afternoon. The kid's from the orphanage came to help with the music. The worship was led by the pastor's wife. After the service, I found out that the pastor's wife was one of the first five girls taken in years ago when Happy Horizons had just started. Talk about ministry coming full circle!

Though I didn't hang out on any popular beaches, or visit any tourist attractions, I experienced a side of life that very few of us in this country get to experience. I saw poverty, to be sure. But I also saw something that all of us need to experience daily - Hope!

Kenya

I spent three days in Kenya this month. This was my second trip to Kenya in less than a year. When you have been to some place that impacted you, you wonder if it will have the same impact when you go back a second time. In this case, the answer is, "definitely, YES!" Dee joined me on this trip as we traveled to see two projects with the Massai tribe, plus visited New Life Home and Hope Academy in Nairobi.

Over the course of the three days, we were able to visit New Life Home twice. New Life Home rescues discarded and abandoned children. There were 51 babies, ranging from infants to toddlers. The level of care these children are provided is amazing. Between the staff and volunteers, these children get almost one-to-one care. This is one of those places that you get lost in time. Just holding and playing with the children blesses your heart - and to think these are the children that are the throw-aways of Nairobi! God has a plan for each of them!

Our trip south to the Massai tribe was amazing, as well. Because we were on such a tight time schedule, we were not going to be able to visit a game park or zoo. On our drive in the bush though, we happened across a giraffe and herd of zebra's! Dee said afterward, "Let's give the Lord a hand - he has blessed us!" Everyone else felt the same.

When we got to the first project, which is pretty isolated, we were greeted by the children singing for us. They are amazing kids. They face living conditions that most of us cannot relate to. Yet, because of the assistance of Mission of Mercy, they have hope. When we were there last November, we became concerned about the quality of the water. It was tested and found to be contaminated. Since then, we have provided a water purification system that allows the kids to drink safe water. The families are allowed to draw water for drinking, also, so the children are able to drink safe water in their homes, as well. I believe this will make a difference in the health of our Mission of Mercy children and their families.

During the trip, we also visited the home of one of our sponsor children. These are huts with sheet metal roofs, with hardened mud over a basic stick frame. The families do much of their cooking indoors, but the only ventilation is through the doorway, and two very small openings at either end of the hut. The last time I was in Kenya, when we visited a home they were cooking indoors. It took us several washings of the clothes I was wearing to get the smoky smell out.

For those of you who read this that support a child through Mission of Mercy, I deeply appreciate your support. Your sponsorship makes a big difference in the lives of these children. If you have not yet sponsored a child, you can do so by going to the Mission of Mercy website at www.missionofmercy.org.

I continue to marvel at how blessed we are in the US. Even in the midst of an uncertain economy, we can still reach out to "the least of these" and make a difference. This past week, I fell in love all over again with the people of Kenya. And I'm again encouraged by the work that we are doing, not just in Kenya, but in countries around the world!

Watching Montana Grow

Dee and I have been blessed to have our grand daughter, Montana, live near us. She is now six months old. I had friends tell me that being a grandparent was a wonderful thing, but I always thought they were being a bit "gushy." Now, I believe them. It is fun to watch her grow up. She is very curious about her surroundings, and I think she's partial towards her grandpa!

Children are a blessing of God. In Psalm 127:3, the Message Bible says, "Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?"

Whenever I spend time with Montana, though, I'm mindful of the children that don't have parents who can provide for them. It's not because the parents don't love them. They are just born in a different country, amidst the poverty that surrounds them. Poverty exists in America, to be sure. However, we have many safety nets that are available for those who seek help. In the case of the poor, part of the safety net in a developing country is having children who can work at an early age to help support the family. These children often fall through the cracks of the system.

Even in a difficult economy, I often wonder if we can't do more? According to the Census Bureau, there are 110 million family units in America. If every family helped one child in need in a developing country, we'd see the world change. That's not going to happen. However, if you happen to be reading this - and you don't sponsor a child, I'd invite you to our website at www.missionofmercy.org. There is a child waiting for help - and for about a dollar a day, you can give them hope for the future.

I know God has a plan for Montana's life. I am excited that God has given us the opportunity to be part of her life. I pray for God's blessing for her - and I pray that when she grows up, she will be a world changer! I pray the same for the 37,000 children that we reach daily through Mission of Mercy. Children are a joy to watch and to be with, aren't they?