If you had told me a year ago that I’d be leaving for Africa tomorrow I would have laughed at you and said, “Where did you get that silly idea?” Yet I’m leaving for Africa tomorrow. In my field of work – organizational development – we participate in a lot of change management efforts, leading them at times. There’s a normal curve associated with change which people travel along at different rates – and, depending on when the change initiates for them...find themselves at various heights on the acceptance “mountain.” I feel like I’ve been on an accelerated change curve this year, and it's becoming rather comfortable.
First, and late in 2009, I read Don Miller’s book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years which got me thinking about my life as a story. So I asked God if I was writing a story He could use…and, if there was anything different I should explore to improve my story. Not long after, Africa came to the forefront of my mind in several ways, which I’ve blogged about in earlier posts. And, all through 2010, I kept running into the question: What do you want? I’ve encountered this question in so many places and ways that the question is beginning to feel like a dear, comfortable friend. (I smile and nod whenever it approaches me these days.)
In talking with God about it, I’ve learned He does want to know what I want. (And when I think about it, I can see why He doesn’t want an almost non-thinking person waiting to be used for His glory. After all, a relationship requires active participation by both parties.)
Well, as it turns out, I want to visit Africa. And I want to write my grandparents’ stories, my own story, and perhaps more... All so that fellow followers of Christ will be encouraged in their walk on this earth, and non-followers of Christ will consider checking this relationship-with-God-thing out...
I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, for sure, with God’s help and blessing, to seek to write a better story with my life. And not so that Annie will be praised, but so that all who encounter even a page of my story will find their heads turned toward our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the new life that is possible with Him.
So many of you are keeping each day of this trip in your prayers... I’m so blessed by you and can't thank you enough! And I’m praying, with certainty, that you will be blessed for your kindness and caring. And, I'm trusting with my whole heart that if God has called me to write, in order to encourage others in the faith, others will be encouraged. That He will do that... And perhaps together our faith will increase. And together we will reflect our loving God more and more. While you work out writing an even better story with your life, and I with mine...
I hope to greet you soon from Africa!
Always,
Annie
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The crazy trip
So I leave for Cameroon in four days... Here’s what God’s been reminding me of...and some planned trip highlights.
First, the words He’s given me for this new year and this trip:
And some words which have made me smile for several years now:
This “craziness” has led me to use every drop of vacation I have right now, and a significant sum of savings in order to go to Cameroon, Africa, to see the place my grandparents lived and worked for much of their lives. My desire is that this trip will - somehow - bring much glory to God.
People are asking me what I’m going to do while I’m there so I thought I’d share a few things that are planned:
- We will hire a driver to take us from N’Djamena, Chad (the city we fly into) to Bongor, Chad – about 130 miles.
- At Bongor we will cross the river into Cameroon by dugout canoe – the same way my grandparents traveled so many times!
- A driver will meet us on the other side of the river and will take us the remaining miles to Yagoua – my grandparents’ village – where we will stay at a Catholic mission, which is also where meals will be prepared for us when we aren’t out visiting.
- The first full day in Yagoua is Sunday, Jan. 30. We will go to church – perhaps even give a greeting, as we heard that our arrival was being announced. And then we are hosting a meal (no, I’m not cooking it) for about 50 people, which will give us a chance to meet and greet some brothers and sisters in Christ.
- A day trip will be from Yagoua to Kaele, where my Grandma is buried, and I will visit her grave site. Friends and family of Dieudonne Djoubairou will meet and visit with us in Kaele, too.
- The rest of the time we will be visiting my traveling companion’s friends, as she used to live in Yagoua, and I will be sure to visit the house my Dad grew up in, which I’ve seen pictures of my whole life.
Beyond this, I don’t know a lot about what the trip will hold. It’s definitely not a vacation with beaches or safaris or crowded tourist attractions. Yet there is much attraction there for this tourist. I can’t wait to simply experience being in the place where my grandparents lived and where my dad spent his first eight years. And I do plan to write and perhaps post a blog or two, if I can, while I’m there.
How awesome it is to know that my God delights in every detail of my life. And holds me by the hand…
First, the words He’s given me for this new year and this trip:
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
For the Lord holds them by the hand.”
(Ps. 37:23,24 NLT)
And some words which have made me smile for several years now:
“If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us.” (2 Cor. 5:13,14 NLT)
This “craziness” has led me to use every drop of vacation I have right now, and a significant sum of savings in order to go to Cameroon, Africa, to see the place my grandparents lived and worked for much of their lives. My desire is that this trip will - somehow - bring much glory to God.
People are asking me what I’m going to do while I’m there so I thought I’d share a few things that are planned:
- We will hire a driver to take us from N’Djamena, Chad (the city we fly into) to Bongor, Chad – about 130 miles.
- At Bongor we will cross the river into Cameroon by dugout canoe – the same way my grandparents traveled so many times!
- A driver will meet us on the other side of the river and will take us the remaining miles to Yagoua – my grandparents’ village – where we will stay at a Catholic mission, which is also where meals will be prepared for us when we aren’t out visiting.
- The first full day in Yagoua is Sunday, Jan. 30. We will go to church – perhaps even give a greeting, as we heard that our arrival was being announced. And then we are hosting a meal (no, I’m not cooking it) for about 50 people, which will give us a chance to meet and greet some brothers and sisters in Christ.
- A day trip will be from Yagoua to Kaele, where my Grandma is buried, and I will visit her grave site. Friends and family of Dieudonne Djoubairou will meet and visit with us in Kaele, too.
- The rest of the time we will be visiting my traveling companion’s friends, as she used to live in Yagoua, and I will be sure to visit the house my Dad grew up in, which I’ve seen pictures of my whole life.
Beyond this, I don’t know a lot about what the trip will hold. It’s definitely not a vacation with beaches or safaris or crowded tourist attractions. Yet there is much attraction there for this tourist. I can’t wait to simply experience being in the place where my grandparents lived and where my dad spent his first eight years. And I do plan to write and perhaps post a blog or two, if I can, while I’m there.
How awesome it is to know that my God delights in every detail of my life. And holds me by the hand…
Monday, January 17, 2011
Where was God?
The previous post had been published only minutes when I knew who the next post needed to be about: Ralph and Esther Fuglestad. Ralph was a missionary back in the 1920s whose red sea appeared to come crashing down on him and his young wife. You might, in fact, say: “If God had his back, where exactly was God in this situation?"
Ralph and Esther Fuglestad married in June 1927, and in July they left for Africa. A little more than a year later – on August 12, 1928 – in Lere, Chad – Ralph become suddenly and terribly ill with black water fever. He died a day later, leaving behind his young bride, Esther - now a 20-year-old widow.
Right after Ralph died, Esther prayed fervently that God would raise him from the dead just like Jesus raised Lazarus. She was alone in remote Africa…surely God knew she needed Ralph to be with her! But God took her beloved husband home and did not raise him up again on this earth.
Esther prepared his body for burial by pouring perfume she had brought from America on his body. She buried him with the help of some Nationals and the Commandant from the nearby French post. She read scripture and prayed and wept… I can’t imagine her extreme loneliness and grief.
When my Grandpa got news of Ralph’s sudden death that week he rode his horse like crazy to get to the young widow. God was with Grandpa and helped him arrive to her in lightening speed. A trip that normally takes five days by horseback – this time only took two. (The second day Grandpa rode 53 miles by horse!) He arrived to grief-stricken Esther and consoled her somewhat with God’s promises of eternity. Then he brought Esther back to live with my Grandma and him, and Esther’s grief was lessened as she became the teacher for my young Dad.
So, where was God when Esther was praying for her husband’s healing – and then for his resurrection? How exactly did God have Ralph’s back by allowing him to die and leave his young wife all alone in a country she was still getting used to?
We, who believe, know that it’s not because God couldn’t have prevented Ralph’s death, or because He couldn’t have miraculously healed him, or even because He couldn’t have raised him from the dead. But the thing is: God chose not to. Ralph’s days here were up.
We all have a big, bloody red sea to cross someday, and we don’t know how soon or how distant that someday is. If we trust in Christ, we will be safely brought through that sea into eternity – where our fiercest enemy will not be allowed to follow, nor ever torment us again. If we don’t trust in Christ, we will still need to cross the bloody red sea…but will we make it safely to the other side?
Like Grandpa couldn’t turn a five-day horseback ride into a two-day one without God, we should not expect to safely cross our final sea without trusting in Christ. God has our back because He sees the big picture. He’s got eternity in view and He knows how, and when, He will bring each of His children safely home.
Ralph and Esther Fuglestad married in June 1927, and in July they left for Africa. A little more than a year later – on August 12, 1928 – in Lere, Chad – Ralph become suddenly and terribly ill with black water fever. He died a day later, leaving behind his young bride, Esther - now a 20-year-old widow.
Right after Ralph died, Esther prayed fervently that God would raise him from the dead just like Jesus raised Lazarus. She was alone in remote Africa…surely God knew she needed Ralph to be with her! But God took her beloved husband home and did not raise him up again on this earth.
Esther prepared his body for burial by pouring perfume she had brought from America on his body. She buried him with the help of some Nationals and the Commandant from the nearby French post. She read scripture and prayed and wept… I can’t imagine her extreme loneliness and grief.
When my Grandpa got news of Ralph’s sudden death that week he rode his horse like crazy to get to the young widow. God was with Grandpa and helped him arrive to her in lightening speed. A trip that normally takes five days by horseback – this time only took two. (The second day Grandpa rode 53 miles by horse!) He arrived to grief-stricken Esther and consoled her somewhat with God’s promises of eternity. Then he brought Esther back to live with my Grandma and him, and Esther’s grief was lessened as she became the teacher for my young Dad.
So, where was God when Esther was praying for her husband’s healing – and then for his resurrection? How exactly did God have Ralph’s back by allowing him to die and leave his young wife all alone in a country she was still getting used to?
We, who believe, know that it’s not because God couldn’t have prevented Ralph’s death, or because He couldn’t have miraculously healed him, or even because He couldn’t have raised him from the dead. But the thing is: God chose not to. Ralph’s days here were up.
We all have a big, bloody red sea to cross someday, and we don’t know how soon or how distant that someday is. If we trust in Christ, we will be safely brought through that sea into eternity – where our fiercest enemy will not be allowed to follow, nor ever torment us again. If we don’t trust in Christ, we will still need to cross the bloody red sea…but will we make it safely to the other side?
Like Grandpa couldn’t turn a five-day horseback ride into a two-day one without God, we should not expect to safely cross our final sea without trusting in Christ. God has our back because He sees the big picture. He’s got eternity in view and He knows how, and when, He will bring each of His children safely home.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Don't cry, move?
Continued from the previous post...
The trauma for the Israelites increased. Not only were Pharoah and his army coming after them but they caught up with them, while the Israelites were camped beside the shore of the Red Sea. We all know the story of the Red Sea parting to let the Israelites walk across, with the Egyptians following, and the Sea closing in on them after the people of God were safely across… But I had never noticed the significance of what exactly happened just prior to this famous event.
The Israelites look up from their camp and see the Egyptians right there. They panic (as I would have) and cried out to the Lord (as I would have), then yelled at Moses (as I would have) for bringing them out of Egypt, saying, “Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!” (Ex. 14:12 NLT)
What did Moses tell the Israelites? “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today… The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Ex. 14:13,14 NLT) Yes, that’s perfect! That’s the kind of God I want. One who tells me to just be calm, stand still and I‘ll take care of everything for you. Thanks Moses.
But, um, what did the Lord say to Moses? “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” (Excuse me?) “Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.”
Picture this dramatic situation, in order:
1. The Egyptians are closing in on the Israelite’s camp.
2. The people are crying to Moses.
3. Moses is instructing them to stand still and be calm.
4. God is saying, “Get moving!”
5. The angel of the Lord and the pillar of cloud are moving from the lead position – in front of the Israelites – to the rear – settling between the Israelites and the Egyptians.
Does God protect and rescue? Does that mean we’ll be sitting on our you-know-whats? God is not always an easy God to follow. There will likely be drama. And there will be ultimate victory! He may instruct us to “be still” at times, and at others He may say ask why we’re crying and not moving when He’s promised us victory?
Yet…how do I dare move forward? Please show me the spreadsheet that indisputably explains this success formula for me. This is so awesome... He places His very own angel between us and our enemies. He’s got our back when he tells us to go forward.
Does anyone doubt that we all have seas to cross in 2011? Each day may have little ones; we may have a handful or more of medium ones to cross; and there may even be a big one or two, as well. It’s time to be the children of God that we are called to be and get moving in God’s name – straight ahead on the path He will open in front of us. He’s got our back. His angel will settle between us and our enemies. We will not be drowned. This is the kind of God I want. This is the kind I've got.
The trauma for the Israelites increased. Not only were Pharoah and his army coming after them but they caught up with them, while the Israelites were camped beside the shore of the Red Sea. We all know the story of the Red Sea parting to let the Israelites walk across, with the Egyptians following, and the Sea closing in on them after the people of God were safely across… But I had never noticed the significance of what exactly happened just prior to this famous event.
The Israelites look up from their camp and see the Egyptians right there. They panic (as I would have) and cried out to the Lord (as I would have), then yelled at Moses (as I would have) for bringing them out of Egypt, saying, “Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!” (Ex. 14:12 NLT)
What did Moses tell the Israelites? “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today… The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Ex. 14:13,14 NLT) Yes, that’s perfect! That’s the kind of God I want. One who tells me to just be calm, stand still and I‘ll take care of everything for you. Thanks Moses.
But, um, what did the Lord say to Moses? “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” (Excuse me?) “Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.”
Picture this dramatic situation, in order:
1. The Egyptians are closing in on the Israelite’s camp.
2. The people are crying to Moses.
3. Moses is instructing them to stand still and be calm.
4. God is saying, “Get moving!”
5. The angel of the Lord and the pillar of cloud are moving from the lead position – in front of the Israelites – to the rear – settling between the Israelites and the Egyptians.
Does God protect and rescue? Does that mean we’ll be sitting on our you-know-whats? God is not always an easy God to follow. There will likely be drama. And there will be ultimate victory! He may instruct us to “be still” at times, and at others He may say ask why we’re crying and not moving when He’s promised us victory?
Yet…how do I dare move forward? Please show me the spreadsheet that indisputably explains this success formula for me. This is so awesome... He places His very own angel between us and our enemies. He’s got our back when he tells us to go forward.
Does anyone doubt that we all have seas to cross in 2011? Each day may have little ones; we may have a handful or more of medium ones to cross; and there may even be a big one or two, as well. It’s time to be the children of God that we are called to be and get moving in God’s name – straight ahead on the path He will open in front of us. He’s got our back. His angel will settle between us and our enemies. We will not be drowned. This is the kind of God I want. This is the kind I've got.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
God has reasons
This will be a different sort of post for me, but then I’ve had an interesting start to 2011. I can honestly say that I’ve been sick all year. It started as a sore throat which got super nasty fast. Then some infection settled in, adding to the misery, and by mid week it had also taken away my voice. While I’ve been said to be somewhat soft spoken, there’s almost nothing I love more than a great conversation, so it’s been frustrating to not even be able to answer the phone these past few days. I had to hand the doctor two pages of notes with my ailment woes because I couldn’t say a word. (He asked to keep the notes, so I must have done a good job.) Thankfully, the meds are kicking in and I heard a little sound emerge when I formed words with my mouth today. And it’s definitely not too soon to be getting healthy, because this is the month I leave for Africa...
During this sickness I’ve had lots of time to think and read. And I’ve been literally mesmerized by parts of Exodus 13 and 14 – reading them over and over. Perhaps I noticed this because of how miserable I was feeling, but take note I did - to three things. Two for today, and both pertain to what could have been perceived as frustrating or worse to the Israelites, followed by what God’s reasoning actually was.
First, God led the Israelites out of their captivity in Egypt by an indirect route. It says he “led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness…” Now if I’m an Israelite I’m thinking “Why all this winding around? Don’t you know where you’re taking us, God? Can’t we just take the civilized, main road to our destination?” God’s reason: He said that on the main road they might be faced with a battle and “they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” (Ex. 13:17 NLT) He knows us doesn’t he? He sometimes needs to take us in a roundabout way or we may turn around and march right back into captivity. His bewildering leading may be keeping us from giving up our freedom...from being the fools we can be prone to be.
Second, the dreaded, horrible thing happened to the Israelites: Pharaoh changed his mind and came after them. And God actually admits to hardening Pharaoh’s heart so he would do this! So what redeeming reason does God have for virtually encouraging their worst enemy to come storming after them? He said, “I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” (Ex. 14:4 NIV)
Now as an Israelite, I’d be furious with anyone but God over this. Well, maybe I’d be furious with God too. I mean He is actually causing my enemy to chase me. Why? So that He can receive glory and be known as the Lord. Well, I’m all for His glory, but meanwhile I’m chased by my enemy and my life is in danger! Can’t there be another way for you to get glory, God? Well of course. But were the Israelites harmed? No, they were saved. And how did God get the glory? By demolishing their fiercest enemy.
Does God get to be God and write the story however He wants? Yes, and He always has reasons.
Next post: The third thing I noted in Exodus this week, and it directly ties into thoughts about the new year.
During this sickness I’ve had lots of time to think and read. And I’ve been literally mesmerized by parts of Exodus 13 and 14 – reading them over and over. Perhaps I noticed this because of how miserable I was feeling, but take note I did - to three things. Two for today, and both pertain to what could have been perceived as frustrating or worse to the Israelites, followed by what God’s reasoning actually was.
First, God led the Israelites out of their captivity in Egypt by an indirect route. It says he “led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness…” Now if I’m an Israelite I’m thinking “Why all this winding around? Don’t you know where you’re taking us, God? Can’t we just take the civilized, main road to our destination?” God’s reason: He said that on the main road they might be faced with a battle and “they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” (Ex. 13:17 NLT) He knows us doesn’t he? He sometimes needs to take us in a roundabout way or we may turn around and march right back into captivity. His bewildering leading may be keeping us from giving up our freedom...from being the fools we can be prone to be.
Second, the dreaded, horrible thing happened to the Israelites: Pharaoh changed his mind and came after them. And God actually admits to hardening Pharaoh’s heart so he would do this! So what redeeming reason does God have for virtually encouraging their worst enemy to come storming after them? He said, “I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” (Ex. 14:4 NIV)
Now as an Israelite, I’d be furious with anyone but God over this. Well, maybe I’d be furious with God too. I mean He is actually causing my enemy to chase me. Why? So that He can receive glory and be known as the Lord. Well, I’m all for His glory, but meanwhile I’m chased by my enemy and my life is in danger! Can’t there be another way for you to get glory, God? Well of course. But were the Israelites harmed? No, they were saved. And how did God get the glory? By demolishing their fiercest enemy.
Does God get to be God and write the story however He wants? Yes, and He always has reasons.
Next post: The third thing I noted in Exodus this week, and it directly ties into thoughts about the new year.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy new year
I recently read that there are three forms of happiness. This, at least according to research by a Dr. Martin Seligman… (From “A Whole New Mind” by Daniel Pink, Penguin Books, 2006.) It seems quite true to me, so I want to share the basics here, as we start a new year. And it ties into my third reason for writing this blog. (Which is to tell my grandparents’ stories from their lives as pioneer missionaries in Cameroon, Africa, so that in hearing these stories of faith, our own faith in God will grow…)
First of all there’s what Seligman calls the “pleasant life” which contains elements of things like “engaging in satisfying work, avoiding negative events and emotions, being married, and having a rich social network.” Then there’s a higher level of happiness, called the “good life,” which is when one is using their “signature strengths.” Essentially, when work is a calling, and is “done for its own sake rather than for the material benefits it brings.”
But the highest form of happiness, according to Seligman, is “knowing what your highest strengths are and deploying them in the service of something larger than you are.” That’s what my grandparents did, I believe. My Grandpa was a great pioneer missionary because he was using his strengths for a purpose larger than himself. My Grandma was called to partner with him and enrich his life. She had amazing strength for this. (Read the post “Falling off horses” if you doubt it.) She loved pretty things, afternoon tea and making beautiful Norwegian tablecloths. She also loved my Grandpa, my Dad, and clearly loved the African people enough to give her life so that they could have a chance to hear about freedom from sin through Jesus Christ.
What form of happiness do I want? I’ve had the pleasant life and currently am blessed with the good life. Yet, it’s time to go for it all. At least as I figure out what that means for me... I want to be part of something larger than myself with my remaining days or years on earth. Possibilities swirl in my mind often, as I consider what God may be calling me to – service that is much larger than myself. I will not give up because I’ve not landed on it yet. With the start of a new year comes continued opportunity to work and pray and seek God’s guidance. After all, aren’t we all called to be part of something larger than ourselves? We are never too young and never too old to pursue this deployment.
So, what about you? What do you want for 2011? God will help you answer this if you ask Him. He’s not out to keep us from deeper happiness, but to bless us with it – at least as Seligman defines happiness, which is clearly different from the way much of the world defines it.
First of all there’s what Seligman calls the “pleasant life” which contains elements of things like “engaging in satisfying work, avoiding negative events and emotions, being married, and having a rich social network.” Then there’s a higher level of happiness, called the “good life,” which is when one is using their “signature strengths.” Essentially, when work is a calling, and is “done for its own sake rather than for the material benefits it brings.”
But the highest form of happiness, according to Seligman, is “knowing what your highest strengths are and deploying them in the service of something larger than you are.” That’s what my grandparents did, I believe. My Grandpa was a great pioneer missionary because he was using his strengths for a purpose larger than himself. My Grandma was called to partner with him and enrich his life. She had amazing strength for this. (Read the post “Falling off horses” if you doubt it.) She loved pretty things, afternoon tea and making beautiful Norwegian tablecloths. She also loved my Grandpa, my Dad, and clearly loved the African people enough to give her life so that they could have a chance to hear about freedom from sin through Jesus Christ.
What form of happiness do I want? I’ve had the pleasant life and currently am blessed with the good life. Yet, it’s time to go for it all. At least as I figure out what that means for me... I want to be part of something larger than myself with my remaining days or years on earth. Possibilities swirl in my mind often, as I consider what God may be calling me to – service that is much larger than myself. I will not give up because I’ve not landed on it yet. With the start of a new year comes continued opportunity to work and pray and seek God’s guidance. After all, aren’t we all called to be part of something larger than ourselves? We are never too young and never too old to pursue this deployment.
So, what about you? What do you want for 2011? God will help you answer this if you ask Him. He’s not out to keep us from deeper happiness, but to bless us with it – at least as Seligman defines happiness, which is clearly different from the way much of the world defines it.
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