Raising Resilient MK's

Are you a MK (missionary kid)? Do you know a MK? Do you have a MK? Is there a MK in your church? Do you think you will one day have an MK?

One of the books I have been reading for my assignment is called Raising Resilient MKs: Resources for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers. it's actually a collection of over 50 articles/talks that address a whole lot of different aspects of being a MK, the advantages they have and issues they face as well as ways we can help them. There are over 35 different authors - so I don't agree with everything every author says but most of what is written is very interesting.

One of my classmates found that as Rasising Resilient MKs is out of print Missionary Care Resources has gotten permission to offer it for free as a PDF download. I highly recommend downloading it if you fit into any of the categories I mentioned above.

Missionary Care Resources also have a number of other missionary related titles for download, I haven't read any of them yet, but they look very interesting.

King of the Cannibals

Growing up as a missionary kid in Vanuatu I knew of John G. Paton. He was one of the pioneer missionaries to Vanuatu (then known as the New Hebrides's). But that was about all I knew about him so I was interested to read King of The Cannibals by Jim Cremarty and find out a bit more about what he did.

I was interested to learn he grew up in Dumfries in Scotland which is where my Dads Grandparents lived before they migrated to Australia. It's kind of cool to think that our ancestors might have known about John Paton or heard about the work he was doing in New Hebrides.

The thing that struck me the most was that the New Hebrides described in this book is so different to the Vanuatu I knew. Cannibalism and murder seem normal and the fighting between villages saddens me. There was also alot of guns from trading with merchant ships, which seems so foreign to me. Reading this book makes me understand what people were talking about when they would tell us the missionaries helped turn Vanuatu around.

Paton began to learn the local language to hep translate the Bible into the local language and he worked hard to make conditions better for women and children - though I recognised the way that many of the Ni-Vanuatu acted as cultural ways of relating to one another which were still prevalent when we lived there. That being said, I didn't exactly agree with everything that Paton and his other missionaries did (At one point while complaining to his friends about the Ni-Vanuatu lying constantly Paton then decided to 'trick' them by claiming he had links with the Queen and asking a merchant ship to pretend to be a war ship to frighten the villages into returning some things they had stolen). As humans even missionaries make mistakes. I tried very hard not to judge Paton as I'm sure that some people looked at some of the things my family and our contemporaries did and thought it was inappropriate.

However I was frustrated  that the author seemed to take the missionaries side every time, rather than explaining that there were two different  cultures within the story that had different ideas/values. He seemed to (at times) take the position that because the Ni-Vanuatu did not act the way people from a western culture would act then they were automatically wrong or stupid. I feel that part of the job of writing a historical story would be to understand where all people in the story were coming from, not to excuse their behaviour but describe the story accurately.

Once you get past these parts, it is an inspiring story. The missionaries face a much harsher environment than I could ever imagine. Paton's wife and baby son die not long after they arrive in Vanuatu, and missionaries on a nearby Island were murdered while Paton was on his Island. These people took a step of great faith to tell the people of the New Hebrides about God, never knowing of they would ever see their family and home again.

Good technology, Bad technology

Normally I love technology. It's useful, fun and so handy.


Except when both registers crashed at work on weekend. We pulled out the manual credit machine and stared at it blankly for a few minutes - I've never used one before!


But technology can also bring us together in ways never possible before. A lady from our church works as a Bible translator in PNG and last Sunday we were able to ring her from church and speak to her in real time. She had a mobile phone with her in the village she was working in, and our minister used his mobile connected to the sound system to ring her.

I was sitting there marvelling at the possibilities. How amazing that we can learn how our missionaries are going right now, that a whole church can talk to one of our members in a 3rd world country, that we can get prayer points in real time - without the several weeks delays that post takes.

I'm willing to put up a few more technology breakdowns if it means we can use it in such amazing ways.

Parallel lives

Yesterday was Diwali, the Indian festival of light. I only know this because I worked all day in the candle shop and we had people come in all day either gathering supplies or buying gifts to give. I have little idea of what Diwali is about but from talking with one customer I know they light lots of candles and have sparklers.

I was still thinking about this when I came home, as I walked through the complex our flat is in I noticed that one of our neighbours were obviously setting up to have people over for Diwali - they had fairy lights up everywhere and were cleaning furiously. Later that night I could hear the laughter and talking coming from their balcony.

It seems strange that people live so close to us, yet we have nothing to do with them. I wouldn't have thought they were celebrating a festival except that I knew about it from work. People around me have significant days and festivals that I have no idea of.

I'm not exactly sure why I thought about it so much. It all seems so disconnected and fragmented - living within cms of people and yet having no idea what makes them tick.

(photo credit)

Creatively work to transform it

At the camp book store I picked up Daughters of Islam by Miriam Adeney. Its a very informative read.

One paragraph caught my attention;

Christ calls us to be 'salt' in our societies. We are to remind the world continually that God is King. He reigns over nature since he created it and maintains it. So we care about deforestation. We care about water management. We care about public health - nutrition, immunization, family planning programs. In the same way God reigns over people since he created us and redeemed us. So we care about schools and jobs and national heritage.

Every country, every neighbourhood, desperately needs such citizens. People who neither condemn or condone their culture but creatively work to transform it. People who know that evil is powerful but that God is even greater. People who can look sin in the eye without losing sight of grace. People who can affirm that beyond every cross there is the possibility of resurrection.

(Miriam Adeney, Daughters of Islam, p.82, my emphasis)

In amongst the information about culture and customs, among the stories of real women and the real life they lead were these two paragraphs which took my attention and caused me to think. These paragraphs don't just apply to 'missionaries', but reminds Christians everywhere to be activiely working to bring Christ to all cultures.

Praying with our missionaries

At camp, as I said, the focus was on mission. Our speaker was Bruce Dipple, who lectures at SMBC, and was also a missionary in Niger for a number of years.

He spoke of quite a few things, but something that struck me especially about how we at 'home' are partners in the work that missionaries are doing around the world (be it church planting in Western Sydney, translating the Bible in Asia, or teaching in a Bible college in the Pacific).

There was of course the encouraging that we can do for our missionaries; by sending letters or emails, visiting if able, sending care packages to show you are thinking of them.

Bruce talked about how when we send missionaries out, our missionaries are an extension of our church's ministry. It's not something separate that they do over there, but something we are all a part of as Gods people reaching out to the world.

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Romans 15:30

Bruce pointed out the part of joining with Paul by praying for him. The Roman church was a part of Paul's ministry, a vital one which. Praying with our missionaries is missionary work - we are all of one body and prayer can travel the space and time between our home church and our missionary.

Can I encourage you to find out about a missionary you have a connection with, learn about their ministry in detail so that you can be a partner in their work. God does amazing things when we pray.

(photo courtesy of sxc)

Refugee camp in my city

On Tuesday Joshua and I went to visit a refugee camp. Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) have a travelling awareness campaign which sets up a replica “Refugee camp in your city”. I heard about it on the radio and convinced Joshua to come check it out with me. In the middle of Martian place was a collection of small tarp covered structures. There were tours given by volunteers with MSF who had worked in refugee camps around the world.

There were little tents, about the size of my bed. In this space a family of 8-10 people could live!
Around the tents were artefact's made by actual refugees. As our guide explained, people can spend years in a refugee camp, so they begin to create a life for themselves using whatever bits and pieces they can find. In this picture you can see thongs (flip-flops) made from old tires. A toy truck made from old tin cans.

I especially loved the collection of pegs fashioned from wood, in a caved bowl.

This is the inside of a ‘permanent’ structure (basically corrugated iron and wood). There is the usual mosquito net to prevent malaria, and a collection of cooking bowls made from gourds.

In a refugee camp MSF tries to make sure each person has at least 20L of water a day. Compare that to the 282L that Australians use per person per day.

We were shown the ration that is ideal for a person in a camp for a day. In the bowl was rice, a high protein bean and a powdered solution which was high in protein and added vitamins which could be made into a porridge type meal. This is similar calories to a Big Mac and a thick shake. Ideally this is what is allotted for each person per day, but as the rations are handed out once every three months towards the end of that period food starts to run out.

The things I found most interesting was the way that ordinary people lived in the camps. They also showed us a lot about the medical side of things (seeing as how that’s what MSF is most concerned with). Looking at how they determine if a child is malnourished, how they vaccinate people, and the education programs they set up to tell people about hygiene and how to stop the spread of diseases. As many people who come to refugee camps are use to a nomadic/traditional life style the way they would normally go about these practises are inappropriate once they are in a concentrated area with over 10,000 people.

It’s sad to think that the main 4 causes of death in a refugee camp are; Malaria, chest infections, diarrhoea and measles, all of which do have easy cures in a normal context. Our guide explained that technically most people don’t die from malnutrition, but that when people are malnourished they are more susceptible to diseases and are less able to fight the diseases.

I was so interested when she showed us a new way of detecting malaria which doesn’t need microscopes. You just put a drop of blood in the bottom of the test, and if the second line shows that’s a positive for malaria, but if only one shows that’s a negative. These would be great to send to missionaries in remote places that have malaria!

(unfortunately I didn't get a photo of the test, but I did a search on the net and I think this is the one they showed us)

One of the stories which touched me was of a man who had been born into a refugee camp, and had lived there his whole life. He was now 30, and there was little chance of leaving to live a ‘normal’ life. I sometimes worry that my life has little direction, but really I have nothing to complain about.

The main thing is that the camp made me aware of how little I know about the rest of the world, even though I like to think of myself as well informed. This all could easily have been very depressing experience. But it was done with great sensitivity and I left feeling positive. Yes there are big, huge problems around the world, but organisations like MSF and many others are working to make the lives of these people better.

Third Culture Kids

What does it mean to be a third culture kid? Is it knowing 2 national anthems word for word? Is it smiling to yourself when you hear another language? Is it feeling a sense of bitter-sweet but undefinable longing whenever you smell something familiar? Is it never feeling like you belong in any one culture, or have a home anywhere?

I’m not sure, I don’t think it’s anything you can fully describe.

Third culture kids are children that spend a substantial amount of time in their youth in a culture that is not the culture of their parents, not the culture in their home and not the culture they are expected to spend the rest of their life in. These children’s parents are generally missionaries or international workers and the third culture feeling strikes hardest the more different the two cultures are, and often when returning back to their ‘home’ culture.


These children spend most of their time in their host country but may come back to their ‘home’ country every few years. They have friends in the ‘host’ culture but often do their schooling in their own language and following their home country’s curriculum. Their home life is a mix of the home culture and the host culture – it varies depending on where they are and how involved the family is in the host culture.

They know they do not fully fit into their host culture. They probably look different, they speak a different language, they most probably have had a bit of experience in their home culture.

But they do not fit into their home culture either. They may speak with an accent, they may dress differently, have social habits form their host culture, they have had a wide range of experiences, they may be unfamiliar with many parts of the home culture we take for granted. Some bits of the home culture are bewildering and they prefer the way things are in their host culture.

Many third culture kids are expected to spend the rest of their lives in their home culture, so what do they do? They develop a third culture to try and bring the two together. They become good at observing and pretending. They build up defence mechanisms in both cultures to make sure they are accepted, but they know they will never have a ‘home’.

At times it seems hard, but it’s not all bad. As much as I had a hard time growing up I would not exchange my childhood for anything. I would change how I reacted and how I behaved but I would not exchange it.
I got to see the world. I can speak two languages. I have seen Christianity in two cultures. I can make up my own world view to try and make sense of things. I know there are so many people beyond my own little circle, I have had my horizons broadened.


What’s the point of all this? I’m not exactly sure. I guess just to make people aware that there are third culture kids out there and to take special care of them when they get back ‘home’. They may never adjust to being anywhere; accept that. - I still like to find the lowest and most inconspicuous place in a room full of people (especially if it’s mixed society) and I trace that back to my Vanuatu up bringing. I have been in Australia 10 years, but I still don’t feel like I’m Aussie – I don’t think I ever will. But I also know I will never be Ni-Vanuatu.

You know another great thing about being a third culture kid? I can not wait for Heaven. Then I will finally be home.

photo by Dad :)

Being A Christian Writer

I just finished listening to the key note talk from last years The Faithful Writer conference. I thought I’d share some thoughts that Tony Payne spoke on about being a Christian Writer.

(If you are interested in writing as a form of ministry, I really do encourage you to listen to the audio)

Christians have a different world view, a different reality to those around us which should be conveyed in our writing

Christians believe in the power of words. The world was made by words; words have the power through which to change people’s lives. God speaks to us through his word.

Thus Christians should place great importance in words as a form of ministry – especially writing which is a form of hyper speech.

Look at Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do, whether by word or deed do it all for the glory of God.”

A piece of writing does not have to mention Christ, does not have to be an allegory or have a conversion in it to be a piece of Christian Writing. The fact it is written by a Christian means that it should be from a Christian world view, it allows non Christians (and Christians) to walk a while in a world created by Christians.

As Christian writers we need to soak ourselves in Gods word so that when we write we are able to more clearly communicate Christ in our writing. It would be great if all Christian writers (fiction and non fiction but especially non-fiction) could go to Bible collage but if it isn’t possible we have a responsibility to learn as much as we can by reading books and self study.

Writing is a great ministry, take seriously the responsibility to be drawing others to Christ. Be serious about knowing all you can.

Remember that the world we live in, while tainted by sin, was created by God. It is a real place with many wonderful things in it so worth writing about. Place your characters in a real world [not the airy fairy ‘everything is beautiful’ world that is the context for so much ‘Christian fiction’ and which I have been frustrated by myself when reading].

Know your craft. Writing takes practise, write a lot and learn to edit
Learning to use the right word, phrase takes wisdom, time, creativity – this is what makes it so exciting!
Learn to hear ‘your voice’ when writing.
Read your work out loud to make sure that it flows smoothly.
Read great writers. Learn to recognise great writing.

Know your readers. Write for them, not yourself. Write the truth in love, use your words to build up your readers and encourage them. Use your words sparingly, be precious with your words, don’t babble on, just write what is necessary. Write for the readers God has given us (e.g. write for the 10 people who will read your work, rather than the 300 you wish would read your work).

Remember that everything we write will be judged by God at the end of time. God gives the talent of writing to people; we have a responsibility to use that talent to serve Him.

Evangelism thoughts

The speaker at our camp was Randy Newman. He works for Campus Crusade for Christ in USA and is the author of Questioning Evangelism. (After hearing him speak I am interested to read his book, but as I haven’t read it myself yet I won’t recommend it or not just yet.)

He spoke on Acts 17:16-34, the passage where Paul is in Athens and speaks to the people there.
I really enjoyed the points Randy discussed. Two points in particular struck me and I thought I’d share them with you and the thoughts I had about them.

Firstly; are you distressed about the idolatry around you?
In Acts 17: it states that “while Paul was . . . in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.” Idols in our culture are harder to see. We can’t walk down the street and see the temples dedicated to other gods.

Or can we? You can’t drive anywhere without running into a shopping centre where the idol of materialism and greed is worshipped.
There are bill boards everywhere with scantly clad men and women that glorify the idols of pleasure, self gratification, lust.
I see my friends only doing things that they want and spend their time on making themselves happy and I know that they are worshipping the idols of selfishness and pleasure.
So idols are around us all the time and I know that I am tempted to follow after them as well.

There are times when I am overwhelmed by sadness when I see people striving after things that are ultimately unfulfilling and that lead us away from God. But so often I am self-righteous in my anger. I think things like “Well, it’s obvious that they’re not Christian.” Or “If they would only copy me than they would not sin so much.” (ahem); self righteousness is a sin and an idol in itself

We should not let ourselves be desensitised to the idols around us. We need to be distressed when confronted by idols – not just mildly bother or a bit saddened. We should also be distressed by the idols in our own life. We should use that distress as a reminder and an urgent call to tell people about the saving knowledge of Christ.


Secondly; Are you able to relate to the people that you are trying to reach?
Paul does not start out by insulting the Athenians, instead he acknowledges that the men were religious people (v22) and then uses the Greeks own poets (popular culture) to back up his ideas (v 28).
Randy said that it is important to know the culture that surrounds the person you want to evangelise. Instead of quoting the poets of Greece, quote the poets of today – i.e. the songs and movies of popular culture. (many pop songs speak about a longing for fulfilment and a feeling like there should be more to life – we can use that as a starting point to point people to the giver and maker of life to the full) And to do that you need to know the songs and movies. Randy reminded us not to be emersed in the culture but to be aware of it.

This is where it gets tricky. How do you be aware of the culture without being emersed in it? I get easily distressed by violence, bad language and immorality. So I don’t watch the TV shows/movies, listen to the music or read the magazines that most girls my age do. Because of that I often find myself unable to have conversations with non-Christians. There are very few common interests that we share, our conversations are stilting and generally one of us has a blank look on our face. I think it is important for my spiritual growth that I don’t let myself become desensitise by sin in the world. But I am sick of spending my life feeling like a goody-goody who is spoiling other people’s fun. (Of course there are times when it is important to take a stand against sin and have nothing to do with it)

It is a hard balance to find, and something I have thought about before. It would be so much easier and almost a relief to just divorce myself from the world and disappear away with only other like minded Christians, but if I do that how do I reach out to non-Christians and tell them the gospel which they need so badly?

I guess it is that balance of being in the world but not of the world. Does anyone have any practical thoughts on how to do that?

Live your life with Eternity in mind

On my wardrobe I have pieces of paper with favourite Bible verses, or ones I’m trying to memorise. Above that, in big writing I have the phrase “Live your life with Eternity in mind”

I can’t remember where I got that from, if I read it or adapted it or if it comes from somewhere in the Bible (I really hate it when people say that, but honestly I’ve had it up on my wardrobe for so long I can’t even remember when I first put it up)

It has served as a good reminder to me through the years to remember what is important.

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This life I’m living now is short and fleeting, just the smallest part of the eternal life I am part of.

The troubles (and pleasures) I have now are only for a little while, until I get to spend forever in paradise.
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This part of my life, though it seems to drag on, is fleeting; I can not waste any moment of it. Every chance needs to be used to further the kingdom of God.
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What is really important? So many things I spend my energy on are pointless, how can I justify the time I spend on them if they take away from spending time with God, or sharing Him with others?
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My life is not my own, it is Gods. It should be for the glory of him and not me.

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(photo courtesy of stock.xchng)

There is a season for everything under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

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I have just finished reading My Seventh Monsoon by Naomi Reed. It’s the story of an Australian woman as her family minister in Nepal.

I always enjoy reading books about missionaries, but this one is different. Naomi looks at her life as a series of ‘seasons’. Seasons in the sense that there are different periods of life, each which have their own purpose – their own joys and trials. Each season must be completed before another can begin, each season leads into another and each season has it's own purpose. Each season is part of the journey God has placed us on, each season is the next step to where He wants us to be at the end. We must learn to say good bye to the joys of one season when a new one comes along; and we can face trials knowing that they are only for a season.
Just as we can not have the beauty of spring without first having the frost and winds of winter; we can also make it through the heat of summer - knowing that autumn is just around the corner.

It is a reminder to me to enjoy this season I am in now. A reminder to not spend this ‘season’ looking backwards or to spend it looking ahead constantly with longing for a new season, wishing this one away. God has put me here, now, in this season, for a reason. Whether it is to learn the things He wants to teach me, or to experience the joys He sends my way.

As I look at what this season has in store for me I see many challenges. I see having to move twice in the next six months; I see more than two years of full time study; I see a continual battle with the darkness inside me; I see a period of time watching dear friends welcome in new little lives or beginning married life while I sit with empty arms and a longing heart – neither which will not change anytime soon.

And yet, if I stop and think I can see many blessings I can enjoy in this season which may not be possible in other seasons. I am able to spend time just ‘being’ with people; I can read and indulge my love of craft; I am learning so much about my Lord and also in my childhood studies; I can go and enjoy the ‘new little lives’ and be a blessing to their mothers.
I can wait on God and see what it is he wants me to learn in anticipation for the next season – what ever it will bring.

I can not know what God has prepared for me, what each season of my life will bring. I can only live where He has put me here, now. I do not write my story, I only record it in retrospect and marvel at the amazing things He has done.

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(Photo courtesy of porah at stock.xchng)

I need of a bit of encouragment

I work casually at a church run day care. By church run I mean Christian. At least half of the staff is Christian, we sing Christian songs, have Bible stories, say grace before every meal and do other 'Christian' stuff.

Most of our children are not from Christian homes. I always thought that if they send their child to a church run center they would understand that we, the staff, are positive towards Christian things and God in general.

The last half hour of each day we put on a DVD. Normally its things like Hi-5, The Wiggles, Thomas the Tank Engine, etc,etc. Today our director put on a Colin Buchanan DVD. For those who don't know Colin Buchanan - he's great.

I love his music. He is the best Aussie Christian kids singer I have heard (He also does cool adults stuff too.). I love to use his CD's for Sunday school, in church, just to have on when looking after kids and (I admit) I even have some of his stuff on my ipod to listen to. But seriously He is THAT GOOD. The songs are fun, catchy, and explain profound Biblical truths in simple ways, and he does a lot of Bible verses put to music. All the kids I know love to listen (and dance) to them.

Anyway, today I happened to be the only staff in the room with 5 kids and two of the Mum's who had come to pick up their kids. The DVD playing was Colin's Favourites (I don't usually endorse things but this is great. I really encourage everyone to check it out); one song came on called Jesus Rocks the World.

Here are some of the words

Shout it out, tell every body, Jesus rocks the World!

He rocks it cos he made it

And His kingdom will endure

When Jesus Christ returns

He's gonna rock it to the core

I had been so glad our director had put on the DVD becasue (I case you haven't yet got the idea) I love listening to Colin Buchanan and I love hearing the kids singing along to words like "Remember the Lord, remember that he's in control, He's watching his children, He cares."

But the two Mums were horrified.
"That is so offensive!" Said one "It's okay if they pray before meals - but putting on a DVD like that!"
I was aghast. What can be offensive about it? He wasn't putting anyone down, only saying how great God was.
"I really don't like all the religious things. I don't want my daughter exposed to all that. I'm going to talk to [the director] about this, and I want in writing their religious policy."
(Which she would have already got when she signed her daughter in.)
"Do they get the kids to sing songs like that? We have to speak up and stop this."

This was all between each other and went on for a good 15 minutes. I was getting more and more upset but I didn't know what to say. And I didn't know if it was my place to say anything; I'm a causal and a girl in her early-twenties (I look even younger when I pull my hair up and have no make-up on).

Then the mother that was most upset said "Come here" to her daughter "I do NOT want you watching that." Then to me "What is the name of that video? Do they watch it often?"

I tried to stammer out a response but I'm so shy when people are snapping at me and I was fighting back tears and I never know what to say in those situations anyway. I hate to think what she told her daughter on the ride home.

On the way home I was so upset, I rang Dad up and had a cry to him. I would have expected that sort of response if I had put on that DVD at a public/state run child care, but the mother knew it was a Christian day care, we don't hide what we do, the denomination of the church is even in the centers name for goodness sake.

I wish I had thought of something good to say or that the director had been there to say the right thing, but she was having an interview with another parent.
So I'm just a bit fragile and teary at the moment. Anyone have anything to say to cheer me up?

Ministering to Missionaries - Sending Christmas gifts

There are so many people around the world telling others about the great gift of forgiveness that God offers.

I know how encouraging it is to have people sending letters and little parcels while we were away from 'home'. So first let me encourage you, especially with Christmas coming up, to remember to email, write or send little care packages to the missionaries you support.


Other fun times to send things is birthdays, anniversaries or just becasue.


But it's important to think about what you send to people. While I've made this list specific for Christmas, it's can be used for any time you want to send something to a missionary.


The most important consideration is if the missionary you are sending things too is in a closed country, that is if they are in a country that is not sympathetic to Christians. If that is the case there is a few things to consider;

• Don't send Christmas cards that are explicitly Christian. Try and find ones that say Seasons Greetings, or Happy Holidays rather than ones that mention Christmas


• Be careful what you say in letters, when mentioning your church call it something like "your family at . . . " rather than your church name. Don't mention God or the Bible. If you want to let them know you are praying for them say something like "Everynight I speak to HIM about you."


• If the missionary has given you guidelines about what not to say, follow it!


• Be aware that your mail could be read by authorities (Not mentioning politics etc about the country either you or they are living in is also a good idea)


• If you not sure about something, always verge on the safe side and don't write/send it.


• This all goes for emails to, I have heard of missionaries having their emails screened
  

Most missionaries have a contact at home that you can ring/email to find out about what is or isn't appropriate to send, they may also be able to give you ideas about what would be appreciated.

The parcel you send doesn't have to be big. Anything that shows that someone is thinking/praying for them is appreciated

• Always fill out the documentation that needs to done. It's better to be vague in the declaration, simply saying 'gift' or 'documents' is fine.


• Always put the value of the parcel as '$0', some countries have a high customs tax, putting the value as $0 will ensure that the parcel is indeed a gift and the missionaries don't have to pay tax. (one way to say tis is to write 'no commercial value')


• Smaller parcels are often better, they may have to pay to pick up larger parcels. The things I'll mention to send are smaller and easy to post.


• Before you send things like CD's, DVD's or computer programs check that they will be able to be used. (Most places are fine, but if your missionary is living simply in a village then they may not have electricity etc)
  

Some ideas of things to send to adults

• Tapes/CD's of sermons (not to closed countries)


• Magazines (Find ones that you think will interest them; craft, cooking, science, music, family related) (Once again make sure there isn't anything that could hurt them in a closed country.) It's a good idea to go through and remove any adds that are inappropriate, even a simple add about swimwear could be classified as p*rnography in some countries.


• Music


• Newspaper articles about their home town, their favourite sports team etc


• Books on preparing sermons or Sunday school lessons


• Nice stationary or cards
  

Some ideas for children

• CD's of kids music


• Stickers, coloured pencils, colouring/activity books


• Story books that are relevant to their age


• T-shirts, or baby clothes


• Paper dolls, hair bands, ribbons, simple jewellery for girls


• Marbles, quiz books, small cars for boys

Some other thoughts

• It's not a great idea to send food (unless asked to) We had many parcels destroyed by melted chocolate. (yes, it will escape any wrapping put around it. Believe me.)


• Nothing war related - this includes water pistols


• Remember where your missionary is. If they are ministering to people that are very poor it can be awkward to get lots of 'useless' gifts. Consider something that can be shared, such as a packet of balloons, or pens.


• Don't send money or checks


• Ask before you send. If mail is unreliable consider helping out some other way.


• Don't send junk. If you wouldn't want it, don't send it.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know. And for other ideas head to Rocks in My Dryers.

(photo courtesy of alitaylor at stock.xchgn)

Useful Gifts

It's that time of year again, Christmas catalogues start filling your mail box, Christmas carols are playing in the stores and you start planning what on earth you'll get everyone for presents.



I'll let you in on a secret - I find the whole gift-giving thing extremely stressful.


Going to stores full of too-many-people, walking around and around, trying to find the perfect gift, agonising over if the person will really like it or only just kind of like it. Gift giving stress tends to take away from the real meaning of Christmas.





Here is a great way to combat all those things.

TEAR is a Christian organisation that ministers to the poor in the world. One of the ways you can support them is to buy something from the Useful Gift Catalogue.


You browse the catalogue and decide what you think your loved one would like the most. A goat, or a mosquito net, or a toilet, or a women's self help group or go really crazy and get them a well.


There are 25 gifts ranging in price from $5 - $5000 (heaps of them are under $100).



You then 'buy' the gift from TEAR - TEAR will allocate your donation to one of their local partner organisations in the country this gift is from. All their local partners are 'grassroots Christian organisations who work alongside the poor in their own communities'.



You receive a card that you can give to someone. 'All cards include a picture of, and some information about, the gift you've bought. They do not mention the item's cost. They also feature a short description of TEAR Australia plus space for you to write a personal message.' Useful gifts can be purchased by anyone - you don't need to be in Australia - check out their FAQ for more info.
(phrases quoted are from the gift catalogue website www.usefulgifts.org)





I have personally supported TEAR for many years, and I know they are a reputable organisation. I know many other charities run something like this, but I like that TEAR is a Christian organisation that works with people in their own country to empower themselves. They reach out to all people in poverty regardless of religion and culture.



Useful gifts benefit us in the west by stopping excess materialism that happens at Christmas, gives our gifts meaning and helps us take a positive step towards global inequality.



And it doesn't just have to be for Christmas, Useful gifts can be used for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or just because. Why not buy a few to have on hand for a present emergency? Or get together a group of people to raise money for one of the more expensive items.



You know what I also love? - no crowds!



TEAR website http://www.tear.org.au/

Useful gift website http://www.usefulgifts.org/

Thoughts - Mini-skirts, Mothers and Muslims

I re-borrowed this book from Felicity that I read ages ago.
Mini-Skirts, Mothers and Muslims by Christine Mallouhi is a book aimed at western Christian women wanting to reach out to Muslim women. Christine is a Christian, married to an Arab Christian and has lived many years in the Middle East.

In this book she shares many of the things she has learnt about the best way to reach out to Muslim women and explains the many cultural mistakes that Christians can make without realising that will put a wall up between them and the women they want to reach.

I wish I could explain how much I enjoy this book. Reading the stories of many different Christians working for God, and hearing both their mistakes and triumphs touches something deep inside. I can identify with Christine as she cringes at the many mistakes that people make thinking they are doing something good, when in fact they are hindering the gospel. How important it is for missionaries to do their research and not rush in blindly!

As a Missionary kid I have cringed myself at so many well meaning people making things harder for established missionaries, not that I or my family are blameless,I know we made many blunders.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to do cross cultural ministry, not just to Muslims. It raises many ideas about our western culture and how we are viewed by the world, not just by the Muslim world. It looks at the many thing we would not even think about that can create a stumbling block to our Lord.

Some of Christine's ideas may at times seem outrageous to some people (like her decision to veil in some countries) but she explains them with gentleness and humbleness, bringing us constantly back to the Bible.

I will be posting again about the issues she brings up that I found interesting.
Here's a few quotes to get you started (I could easily have 'quoted' the whole book, so much of it is so good!)

"In Egypt, I dressed in accordance with the hijaab requirements (long sleeve and head covering) and it opened the way for spiritual discussions with women" (p.28, 1997 edition)

"Egyptian friends in Cairo were very careful of their reputation. Whenever a male relative or couples visited, the husband always put in an appearance on their balcony to make sure neighbours knew he was home [and the wife not home alone with a strange man]. People are suspicious. We are naive." (p.41)

"The fact that people behave in a certain way or dress in a particular style, even when it's part of the society does not make it acceptable for us if we desire to present ourselves as God-fearing women." (p.37, my emphasis)

Happy Birthday Quiz Worx!

On the weekend I went to the Quiz Worx supporters evening.

Quiz Worx is a ministry that uses puppets to present the gospel to kids in a fun and understandable way.

Quiz Worx has been going for 10 years! Hip, Hip, Hooray!

The main guy at Quiz Worx is Matt (his puppet is Scruff -see right-). Matt's wife and I are good friends and I babysit their little boy (and also hopefully the little one on the way!). So I'm a little biased, but I think Quiz Worx is great. Kids love it when they visit their church or school (adults too!), they adore the puppets. Also kids really understand the Biblical concepts that Quiz Worx present. (besides presenting the gospel they also do shows about things like 'Why God lets bad things happen to Christians' and 'How the Holy Spirit is God in Us' so help build up kids who are already Christians)

Also Quiz Worx do a lot of stuff in the Outback, going to do shows in schools that are tiny (one school had 4 kids!) and have never heard the gospel before. It's a great witness that a Christian kids ministry is willing to go all over Australia, even where many other people don't.

May God bless them as they continue in their great work.