Taking shape

I remember learning about amoeba's in school.  An amoeba is "indefinite in shape and perpetually moving."  They're intriguing to watch as their shape keeps changing and their pseudo arms/legs form and disappear.  Amoeba's are fascinating as a science lesson, not so much when they're multiplying like crazy in your GI tract causing severe cramping and, shall we say, other symptoms!  I've had too much experience with that but hope to mimic the amoeba's flexibility in my role as WGM's Compassionate Ministries Coordinator.  

In my last blog post I told you that I'd answer some of the most asked questions I've been getting but on sitting down to write I realize I have too much to share so I'm going to limit what I'm writing about today to part of the Q: What will you actually be doing?  I've been pondering what to write to you about my new role at WGM for some time.  And I've pondered some more, which is why there has been a bit of a lag in communication.  Although I've been keeping busy I'm still pondering what this role will look like . . . because I think it's going to look like an amoeba.  

The 'arms and legs' of ministry may change but I've come up with a list of 7 activities that I've been involved in or that I hope to get involved with.

Networking:  When it comes to Compassionate Ministry or Transformational Development WGM has aligned itself with other organizations who believe what we believe and who are doing what we are doing.  Getting to know the people in these organizations better is one aspect of networking.  In early March I attended the Disciple Nations Alliance Global Forum in London.   I was one of about 100 people who came together from around the globe to be inspired by testimonies of what God is doing through the DNA.  

Can you see me?  Pink jacket - center/right

The DNA's mission is: To help the Church rise to her full potential as God's principal agent in restoring, healing and blessing broken nations. It is such an encouragement to be a part of this movement.  In future blogs I'll share more of the DNA teaching and what God is doing in some of our  WGM ministries as they embrace this truth.  

This saying was repeated multiple times during the Conference.  "The DNA teaching is like a virus and it's looking for a host!" Let's pray for more hosts who are willing to receive Biblical truth and then watch it multiply.  

I was joined at the conference by Pr. Walter Ruto and Sophie Nykobi from the Kenya Africa Gospel Church.  Walter heads Compassionate Ministries in the Church.   It was good to spend time with fellow WGM missionaries, David and Debbie Hawk, field leaders in Honduras and one of the Honduran Pastors they miniser with, Pr. Luis Garcia.  David has embraced the DNA training and is anxious to see the teaching spread throughout Latin America.  I'm eager to learn from him and his experiences. 

Training:

In 1948 Richard Weaver wrote a book called, "Ideas have Consequences." I'm reminded of some Africans I've talked with who believe that malaria is caused by eating too much sugar cane.  The consequence of that idea is fever, really bad sickness and possibly death from malaria.  Mosquito's are feasting on the blood of families who have the wrong idea of what causes malaria.  Instead of protecting themselves from mosquito bites they're taking the path of moderation when it comes to eating sugar cane.  Ideas have consequences!

So in order to help people realize their full God-given potential we believe that helping people see truth instead of lies is foundational.  Training is foundational to transforming individuals, families, communities, Churches and nations. 

Using the model of multiplication I want to continue identifying people with a passion about transforming individuals, families, communities, Churches and nations and help them become trainers who will train others who will train others.  Kind of like the pebble in the pond idea.  This isn't to say that WGM isn't already doing this.  They are!  But there's always room for growth.  

Here's an example of training-of-trainers in action from my ministry experiences in South Sudan. WGM missionaries John and Beth Muehleisen and Billy and Joanna Coppedge, who were all based in Uganda have come alongside Adhanom, our missionary in South Sudan.  They have trained in South Sudan and while training they have mentored Adhanom.  Now Adhanom is holding trainings himself.  And not just that, he's training trainers who are helping him train!

John and Beth are the Africa Regional Transformation Training Coordinators.  I'll be visiting with them next week and am anxious to hear about how they are using CHE in Uganda and what they are learning along the way so that we can share best practices with others.  

Adhanom, kneeling on far right with sunglasses, with the latest class of Community Health Evangelism graduates in Lakes State.

Here is Joseph, 3rd generation WGM South Sudan trainer, teaching a lesson.  Joseph has been mentored closely by Adhanom.  

Sharing Resources: 

If you've known me long at all you will know that I love books.  Kindles and electronic readers are great but I still feel better if I have a few old-fashioned paper books by my bedside.  I love sharing the title of a good read as well as actually handing out a book that has changed my life.  So I feel that part of my new role is to officially share great resources.  

Resources come in all shapes and sizes.  Of course books come to mind first when talking about resources and here are a few of my fav's when it comes to Transformational Development.  

There are also dvd's, websites, and even trainings.  Here's a free online course that will change your world.  Or at least this teaching changed mine! Coram Deo is the material developed by the Disciple Nations Alliance that I talked about under Networking.   This course has been designed for a Western digital audience.  Take a peek here:

Better yet - do the course!  Let me know if you'd like to start a group or individual study.  Two hours a week - 12 weeks.  You can even get a certificate of completion.

In February I attended Orientation Camp at WGM HQ for the newbie missionaries soon headed to their countries of ministry.  I was able to share with them lots of resources including my favorite books, and talk about tools such as Biblical Orality and Community Health Evangelism.

The new WGM missionaries are the 7 younger adults in this picture, 

not to be confused with the 6 kids in front or the 12 WGM leaders fighting for the back row

I know this has gotten long so I'll pause here . . . . to be continued in a week or two.  Some days my activities shape up clearly and quickly.  Other days I feel like an formless amoeba and can't quite find my shape.  Regardless of how I feel on any given day as I send out my pseudopodia and embrace new opportunities I am confident that God has great things in store for WGM as we commit ourselves to wholistic transformation.

If you're interested in learning more about WGM and missions join me and others at WGM's International Celebration of Missions from the evening of June 25th through noon on the 28th at Huntington University, Indiana.  I'll be sharing on Friday morning, June 26th.

If you're interested in Compassionate Ministries / Transformational Development on Thursday, June 25th we will be having a Pre-Conference Compassionate Ministries Workshop.  Come hear WGM missionaries talk about how the tools of DNA and CHE are transforming communities.  Catch a glimpse of how Biblical Storytelling can be used in all types of situations.  Learn a practical skill to help others make their own body lotion and deodorant! And hear the Father of CHE - Stan Rowland talk about Neighborhood Transformation - reaching out to people in the cities.  There will be time for lots of networking over tea time and lunch. Register to attend today at the links above and join me for a great time of learning, fellowship and networking.  I'd love to see you there!

Got Fruit?

Are you up for a long, wordy update on Mango Ministry activities from last year?   I didn't think so:) This is a really long post only because it's mostly all pictures.  Even though I can't introduce you to the people in these pictures I hope you will spare a few minutes, get compfy in your favorite chair and travel to South Sudan with me to see what God has been doing and witness the fruit of your partnership in my ministry.

Adhanom (in the middle) continues to live with and mentor the leaders of the area where he lives.    Peter and Joseph are pastors and have been instrumental in the use of Bible Storytelling within their Church. The pastors of this church district have a hunger to learn more of God's word and now pastors from other districts want to be trained in the approach known as Simply the Story!  How cool is that?

This group of Community Health Evangelism trainees finished their third week of training in November.  They have one more week to go to finish.  That's scheduled for March.  Pray that the security situation will allow the training to take place.  Despite the insecurity these folks are changing the way they think and live.  Less illness in the home is being reported - yeah!  

Adhanom is a farmer at heart.  Here he is teaching about growing moringa trees.  Moringa is called The Miracle Tree and has so many uses.  The leaves are even a complete protein!  Pray for real fruit from agricultural training:  use of Farming God's Way to increase yield, planting moringa and mango trees, and lemon grass.

During the course of our CHE training over the past three years some really sharp people have been identified and we've been mentoring them to be Trainers.  In November a two-day Training-of-Trainers was held for seven of these up and coming trainers.  Seven men who can continue teaching what they've been learning and being role models in their villages!

It's not good enough to hear about building a safe fireplace.  You've got to see it and hopefully even get your hands dirty.  

This mud stove is an improvement over the traditional 3 stone stove, pictured below.  A fireplace like this means many tangible benefits for families - less time for the women to collect firefood each day and fewer burns by falling into the open fire to name two. 

Cooking for the participants during CHE training.  Maybe at the next training we should build an improved mud stove for the cooks! ;/

This is another class of CHE participants who finished their 4 weeks of training in November.  John and Beth Muehleisen, WGM missionaries, have been leading this training for the In Deed and Truth Ministry.  These men and women are changing the way their villages look at health and God. 

Active participation increases understanding.

Please pray for Mary and the 100+ men and women who have had their world enlarged and challenged through Community Health Evangelism training.  It's not easy to change the way you live, even when it's for the best.  (think of American's and their New Years resolutions!) Especially with pervasive insecurity that South Sudan is experiencing.

Dr. Carol Spears and I posed with the Tenwek Surgery team after a time of orientation and prayer before they headed to His House of Hope Hospital in Yei (spoken like yeah!) in November. 

The team operated during the day, and sometimes at night, relieving the staff while one of their Doctors was away.  The Tenwek surgical resident, Dr. John Kanyi, sure got practice with C-Sections.  Seventeen babies delivered during 15 surgeries.  

Here is one set of twins delivered!  Surgical facilities are few and far between in South Sudan.  We love the chance to bring new life into the world and share about new life in Jesus.  

Welcome to morning rounds after a day of cataract surgery! You've never witnessed a more joyful group of people than these South Sudanese when the patches are removed and they can see for the first time in quite awhile.  

Joyce (on the left), one of the Tenwek team, gets lots of hugs and kisses as she removes the bandages.      The staff and chaplains give praise to Jesus for this miracle and 'halleluia' is heard from many a patient.  253 patients received sight during a week of clinic.  

To be honest, it's a lot of work to arrange the logistics that go into sending the Tenwek eye team to South Sudan.  Seeing the smile on this woman's face I relent and exclaim, "It's all worth it!!"

Dr. Ben Roberts and one of his patients say, "Thank You" for giving and praying.  Your participation with Mango Ministries is making a difference in South Sudan.  Although insecurity in South Sudan curtailed much of what we had planned at the beginning of the year we are thankful for the opportunity to do what we did.  Our prayer is that all that was said and done will bring hope, the hope that only Jesus gives, to the people of South Sudan.  

2014 was a transition year for me.  Transitions can be good!  During my Homeland Ministry Assignment I had a welcome chance to take some slow deep breaths while being relieved of my responsibilities of overseeing the ministry in South Sudan.  

As always it was good to visit with all of you who support me through your prayers, finances, and encouragement.  A favorite event of mine - we again had a great time at the Kountry Kitchen last March.  

Sensing that God was about to do something new in my ministry I had the amazing opportunity to explore several aspects of WGM's ministry outside of Africa.  Like visiting this missionary training school in Argentina for Latin American's. 

I was also able to spend a few months in Nairobi this year helping to facilitate our ministries in South Sudan. 

With this New Year I am transitioning into a new role that is very exciting.  I'm now WGM's Compassionate Ministries Coordinator and I'm thrilled! 

As I make this transition the top 3 questions I'm asked are:

• What will happen to Mango Ministries?
• What will you actually be doing?
• Where will you live?

This is plenty long enough so stay tuned for my next blog update when I'll answer those questions and more!

sugar sugar

It's a fact that as American's we eat too much sugar.  You don't have to go far to find an article, health report, or TV talk show about the evils of eating too much sugar.  I therefore won't bore you with those facts.  But the reality is we all enjoy our sugar.  In moderation, I hope.  I enjoy real sugar in my coffee each morning.  And a very small piece of chocolate can finish off a meal nicely.  And we can now buy Oreo's in Nairobi - another little sugary treat!

I don't think I've ever been to a US grocery store and seen the sugar shelves empty.  Occasionally here in Nairobi sugar will disappear from the shelves for a short period of time.  But then there is always the option of buying brown sugar, or caster sugar, or icing sugar.  And these days we even have sugar substitutes.  So, I've never had to go without sugar.  Having a steady supply of sugar and sugary drinks may seem like an inalienable right for those of us living in the West! 

A well stocked shop in South Sudan

Last evening I received a text from Adhanom who is at his base of ministry in South Sudan.  He let me know that the shops in his little village have run out of sugar.  Last week they ran out of salt and clothes washing soap.  Poor ordering of supplies is not the problem.  Rain is.  It's been raining so much over the past 6 month long rainy season that the roads are now practically impassable. 

One of 5 areas where the rains have taken over the road where Adhanom lives

Supplies, fuel, food, all kinds of things are in short supply.  Sugar in South Sudan is not an inalienable right.  Neither are roads that have proper drainage.  Or enforcement of law and order.  There has been terrible fighting and many deaths in the State where Adhanom lives this past week,  originating from cattle raiding and inter-clan revenge clashes.  

South Sudan needs our prayers.  Mango Ministries is also gearing up for several important ministry activities in the coming weeks that need prayer. 

Many of you have been praying for me for years (decades??!) and some of you reading this blog joined my prayer team this past year as I shared on my Homeland Ministry Assignment.  Thank you one and all.  Your prayers are crucial and I want to give you some specifics to pray for.  Whether you are praying on a specific day of the week or every day I hope the following information can help shape your prayer praises and requests on behalf of Mango Ministries.  

  

Pray for the 150 blind men and women who will receive physical sight between Nov. 7^th to 12^th.  Our prayer is that their hearts will also receive sight as they are ministered to by the local pastors and the health care staff.  Pray for our Tenwek Eye Team as they will be traveling on Nov. 6^th and 7^th and 13^th and 14^th.  Pray that all the equipment and supplies that are needed reaches Tonj in a timely manner.

Pray for 50 women and children who will receive surgery at House of Hope Hospital in Yei between Nov. 7^th and 12^th.  Pray as each person is offered real hope through Jesus Christ.  Pray for the Tenwek surgery team of 4 who will have the opportunity to alleviate suffering and as they travel on Nov. 5^th and 6^th and 21^st-23^rd.  Pray that the team will have the equipment, supplies, and meds that they need to best help each patient who comes for care.

CHE 2 in East Rumbek County held in August 2014

Pray for 30 women and men who will be attending their 3^rd week-long training in Community Health Evangelism in East Rumbek County.  Pray for this area that has been cut off from the closest major town by rains preventing transport of food and supplies causing sky-high inflation.  There has also been a lot of fighting in this area.  Pray for Adhanom and Margit as they facilitate the training in early December.

Several of the Trainers in Training who will attend the Facilitators training

Pray for 7 men who will be attending a Training of Facilitators course in Community Health Evangelism on Nov. 14^th and 15^th in Tonj.  John and Beth Muehleisen and Adhanom will be facilitating this.  Pray that each facilitator will better understand the concepts of adult education and improve their facilitation skills as they practice.

Pray for 30 women and men from the Tonj area who will complete their 4^th week of Community Health Evangelism training from Nov. 17^th to 21^st.  Pray for John and Beth Muehleisen and Adhanom as they facilitate this training. Pray as the participants return to their homes to train Health Committees and for those who will go out and teach home-to-home.  Pray for the In Deed and Truth project that is embracing CHE as a ministry tool. 

Farming God's Way

      Pray for folks who recently received training from Adhanom in Farming God’s Way (FGW) who live near Rumbek.  Pray for wisdom in implementing new agricultural practices and for good harvests.  Pray for Adhanom as he spends time visiting those who have been trained in FGW, CHE and Biblical Storytelling in Lakes State. 

      Pray for a good return on investment for Mango Ministries.  Pray that the relationships that are formed between trainers, facilitators, health workers and the South Sudanese men, women, and children God brings us in contact with will reap Kingdom fruit.  Pray also that all of us in Mango Ministries will be changed as we witness the strength and perseverance and hope of a people who have suffered.  Pray for peace for South Sudan.  Pray for an end to the political fighting.  Pray for an end to the tribal and inter-tribal fighting.  Pray for Godly leadership.  Pray for His Kingdom to come to South Sudan.

It often feels like we're in deep water as we navigate our way through ministry.  Your prayers help make a way.  Thanks for investing your time in prayer to help build His Kingdom in South Sudan!

Orientation

Do you ever wake up and need to do a quick orientation?  A few times in the last few months I've found that I wake up and I'm disoriented.  I first look to see where the light is and orient myself to where the windows are - sometimes that tells me where I am.  If not, without opening my eyes too wide, as I wake up very slowly, I take note of where the door is.  If that doesn't do it - I feel around to see if I'm in a double or a single bed. Usually by then I have remembered where I am!

Although my physical surroundings keep changing I know that wherever I am I need not fear for the Lord God goes with me.  The Lord goes before me . . .  how encouraging.  (Deuteronomy 30:6, 8)

I stayed quite busy in September.  My parents came up to NJ from Florida for a few weeks and we had some good family times, like a picnic at the Cape May Point State Park.

Then we were all able to visit with some of my mission champions at an Open House on September 14th.  

Joy and Lindy Phillips chat with Bryce Hogan

And among other things I traveled to the southeast, further disorienting me each night!

It was great to catch up with friends and former WGM volunteers . . .
. . . . like Laura Denison, (volunteer to Tenwek with her husband Dr. Mark Denison, circa 1986) enjoying beautiful mums at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville.

. . . . and former VIA Whitney Smith McMunn who spent 1 year in South Sudan 2012/13 as a CHE facilitator,

. . . . and former Asbury Manor Dinner Club friends (circa 1983-85), Rev. John and Kathy Kearns and their church family at Christ Harbor UMC in North Point, AL

And then I caught up with my long-time Tenwek neighbor from years past, Linda Parks, in Mayberry, oh, I mean Mt. Airy, NC.  

. . . . and others who I didn't get pictures of, including my brother and his family.  Sorry guys!

I loved attending the Missio Nexus Leaders Conference in Atlanta as well.  

"The movement of people brings with it new cultures, ideas, beliefs -- and their hearts are more OPEN to the gospel."  Topics discussed were Immigration and Migration, Globalization, Urbanization and Exploitation.  I'm constantly reminded that God is bringing the Nations to North America - what an unprecedented opportunity to share Jesus love with people that are our coworkers, neighbors, and students in our schools.  

I'm now back in Kenya and preparing to orient some new volunteers who will be going into South Sudan in less than two weeks.  South Sudan is more fragile than ever!  Detailed prayer info in my next blog update.  Praying that Jesus will bring His Kingdom to the people of South Sudan who are experiencing a lot of disorientation.  

. . . crazy days of summer . . . . .

I am attempting to write this update from the beach in North Cape May, NJ.  It's peaceful.  The perfect place to enjoy a Wawa hoagie for lunch and concentrate on writing a blog post, right?

Well . . .  I was wrong.  The seagulls are laughing their hearts out, there are dogs frolicking in the shallow, warm bay water, and there goes someone water skiing!

With the beautiful Jersey shore in front of me South Sudan seems very, very far away!  If you're like me in the summertime I find it really easy to forget about the rest of the world. It's hard not to focus on ice cream, the beach, corn on the cob, fresh fruit, and spending time with friends and family.  It's not that Mango Ministries is not on my mind with daily emails to and from colleagues on the other side of the world.  I'm especially busy between my second cup of coffee in the morning and close of business in East Africa - a period of about 2 hours when our work days overlap.  In an effort to shake off the lazy, hazy and crazy days of summer here is a fresh update from Joy's journey.

Catching up. . . .

"Who said anything about safe.  Course he isn't safe, but he's good."  The Chronicles of Narnia
1.  In the past two months several Mango Ministry trips to South Sudan have either been interrupted or cancelled due to security concerns.  Pray for the people of South Sudan, for those whose lives have drastically been disrupted in one way or another from the 7 month old conflict, and for an end to the fighting that is draining the hope and vitality from the people of this new nation.  Thank the Lord with us for safety for our staff and that all is relatively quiet on the front lines of our ministry.  For the latest on what's going on in South Sudan watch this from BBC news.

2.  As the 'Back to School' season gets underway it's rare to hear about students who want to meet more frequently than what is scheduled but that's exactly what's been happening as Adhanom meets with local pastors.  Meeting once a quarter was not enough so the pastors initiated monthly meetings to practice using the 5 step Biblical Storytelling tool they've been taught and to learn more Bible stories.  Two pastors will be mentored by Adhanom to become trainers and then they will all work together to train the rest of the pastors in their Church area.  Actually Adhanom's dream is that Biblical Storytelling will be used throughout the region where he lives and beyond!  "Even up to Aweil, Darfur, Khordofan, Bejaland . . . .  Only God knows how long we can work in South Sudan as we do now.  I want to use our time to the maximum."  Will you pray for the effective use and spread of Biblical Storytelling in Lakes State, throughout all of South Sudan, and into the neighboring countries?  God's Word is the only foundation that transformed lives, families, churches and communities will stand on.  Will you come alongside Adhanom as he trains and mentors pastors in South Sudan?  Let him know you're praying for him by sending him a quick email or give a financial gift towards his ministry expenses.

Adhanom with his trainer and mentor in Biblical Storytelling, Billy Coppedge

Adhanom with those he is mentoring in Biblical Storytelling!

3.  CHE training
31 expected participants and 4 trainers.    So many details to make a training happen your head would probably spin if I were to list them all.  Our next week long training begins Monday, August 4th.  Please pray for Adhanom as he leads this week of training for a group of folks from Lakes State.

Santino and Andrea will help facilitate and translate at the CHE training

Adhanom and Margit acting out the River Crossing skit last year

4.  Oremos
In my last blog post I mentioned that I was headed to Argentina to visit a Missionary Training school that trains missionaries from all over Latin America.  I spent a great week at the CCMT with WGM missionaries, Don and Glenda Moon, and a dozen dedicated Spanish speaking missionaries.  I learned a lot but it was also fun to be able to share about our Mango Ministry experiences of training pastors in Biblical Storytelling.

Joy with CCMT students and teacher

Sharing at the closing program with Don Moon translating

At 10:02 each morning the students pause for prayer.  What are they praying for?  They've taken the 10:2 challenge from Luke 10:2 and they are praying for workers for the mission field.  Would you join them in taking the 10:2 challenge and pray for workers for Mango Ministries?

 If you've already committed to praying one day a week for me and Mango Ministries please add this to your prayer list.  If you'd like to make a commitment to pray for me and Mango Ministries let me know what day of the week you'll be praying! Prayer is the work of missions!  Oremos!

Time:  10:02

The question was raised while I was with these missionaries in training.  Does God want to send Latin American's to Africa to join Mango Ministries?  You can add that question to your prayer list!

5.  Homeland Ministry Assignment Interrupted
My HMA was interrupted in the month of June for a quick trip back to Kenya to attend several meetings.  It was great to connect with my colleagues and friends and catch up with Mango Ministries first hand.

WGM Africa Regional Leaders gathered for a Leadership Retreat

Adhanom and Joy catching up in Nairobi

Joy with the rest of the Hidug family:  Helen, her sister Martha, Shamna and Fasika

After sharing a meal together Helen honored us by performing an Eritrean coffee ceremony.  Watch out you barista's! 

6.  Percolating

Speaking about coffee. . . . I've mentioned in several previous blog updates that I have sensed God speaking to me.  He's been sending people, thoughts, and ideas my way that have been percolating in my heart and mind regarding a whole new blend of ministry.  He's been opening my eyes to areas of the world that I formerly had no interest in.  He's been breaking my heart for people who don't have anyone to tell them about Jesus.  This new way forward isn't clear just yet so I am committed to wait on the Lord.  I will continue leading Mango Ministries while I wait, pray, listen, and learn.   I'll be returning to East Africa this fall so please join me in praying that God will use me in the here-and-now as well as faithfully guide my steps for the future.  

What's percolating in your life?