Airplanes and Mongulus

Dad and Mom are going to Cameroon in a few short days! I am so excited for them! Please pray with me for safe travel and a God-glorifying time of fellowship between them and the Baka team. How I wish I could go with them, but alas, I could not fit in the carry-on (I nearly tried). Pray also that they would be well received by the Baka, and that their trip, in some way, large or small, would help to pave the way for me to go back in the near future.

Contentment

We all have moments when we are not nearly as content as we should be in the love and presence of God. I am reminded of a Chris Tomlin song that always prompts me to find my fulfillment and contentment in God Almighty.


Enough

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
And still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

YouÂ’re my sacrifice
Of greatest price
And still more awesome than I know
YouÂ’re my coming King
You are everything
And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can see
You are more than enough for me

Making Disciples

Another letter came from the Abbots today. They recalled the events of a "typical" day in Cameroon when they transported two ill children to a nearby hospital. I thought of many things as I read their letter. The nurse in me wanted to ask more questions about the children's symptoms and wondered if the illness was preventable. The missionary in me pondered the lack of resources. The Christian in me was proud that Barry and Desma took the time to use this situation as an opportunity to pray with the Baka. The overwhelming thought, however, was the desire to be in Cameroon, caring for the medical needs of the Baka with the goal of making disciples.

Jubilant Spirit

I just received another update from the Baka team. They spoke of a "jubilant spirit" that is causing the Baka to sing praises to a good God. It seems that the Baka are beginning to understand that Komba, the creator-God, cares about them and deserves their praises. This is a huge step toward the building of a reproducing church among the Baka!!
My friends also spoke of the old oppressive forest spirit, Jengi, who seems to still have a tight hold on the hearts of the people that live in Mayos. You see, though the Baka are learning that Komba cares for them, they also know intimately the slavery that spirit worship brings. They have been appeasing Jengi for generations and are, quite literally, in spiritual bondage.
Most of us in the West have no idea what it means to be cursed by someone or to be the subject of an evil spell. We spend a good amount of money and effort seeking out experts in medicine, finances, even home decorating, but the Baka, and many other people groups who are spiritually enslaved spend money and energy seeking out the expertise of witch doctors. Just as you and I see necessity in seeking out medical and financial help in certain situations, the Baka cannot imagine a life without appeasing the spirits.
Please pray with me that the God who created the universe, moves mountains, calms the seas, and changes the hearts of men would continue reveal His good purposes and His character. Pray that He would work among the Baka to free them from their long bondage.
(To see the full text of Barry and Desma's letter, please see the comments section.)

Dawn

Who is this babe that has caused such a ruckus? Why do millions of people stop to worship a little infant every December? What is so enchanting about the nativity? Why were the shepherds and the wise men so impressed? About whom did the angels sing their chorus?
In church today I was reminded that Israel was in the midst of a very dark night when their Messiah came. Some did not recognize Him, but for those who did, dawn began to break and hope returned. This dawn quickly spread throughout Israel and the neighboring areas. Since then, it has crossed cultures, seas, and language to reach some of the uttermost parts of this globe.
However, there are still so many people living in that dark night waiting for a Messiah. In many places of this world, whole people groups wait and wonder for God to end their night.
Lord, please light those dark places with the dawn of the nativity.

Present Sufferings

I can't describe to you what heaven will be like. I can't even imagine it myself. A little gem from the sermon this morning, or rather from Romans 8:18, reminded me that heaven will be beyond my wildest dreams.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
-Romans 8:18
Paul was no stranger to suffering. By the time he wrote Romans, he knew what it was like to be beaten, persecuted, near death, shunned… Perhaps some of you know what it is like to have sufferings that are overwhelming and seemingly unbearable. Weigh your sufferings, however mighty or overwhelming they might be and then try to imagine heaven. It is not even comparable!!! Heaven is not just a consolation prize for saints who have served their time on planet earth; it is what God had planned in the first place, a place full of love and peace and God’s very glory. Not only is heaven the opposite of suffering, but it is monumentally immeasurable, incomprehensible, and far beyond any of our wildest dreams.

Charlie Brown's Christmas tree

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Yesterday our apartment manager had the common areas decorated with lights and garland. Today, my roommates and I bought a live Christmas tree and some poinsettias to decorate our own space. We had some difficulty deciding on a tree as some were more expensive, but prettier and bigger, and some were not the right color or the right kind of branches. Eventually we all agreed on a cute little stone pine that stand about 3.5 feet high and leans ever so slightly. It's funny, because the fact that it leans was one of the deciding factors. We all agreed it reminded us just a little of that sad Christmas tree in Charlie Brown's Christmas. Our meager Christmas decorations will be more than enough to decorate our little tree, and I am sure it will look quite festive once it has lights and decoration. Not only that, but we can give it a spot in the backyard once Christmas is over.

Anthem for Christmas

Since Thanksgiving has officially passed, I have given myself permission to begin celebrating Christmas. This, of course, means that I can now legitimately listen to Christmas music. One of my favorite Christmas albums, Michael W. Smith's "Christmas," captures the celebration of the season quite well. The song that is quoted below puts joy in my heart and a new Christmas hope in my mind. It recounts what God intended when He created this world, reveals how He chose to remedy the problem of sin, and gives us a glimpse of what to expect when His kingdom is fully established. What an awesome God we have that He would first create such a wondrous world just to communicate love to us. And then, when we chose sin instead of simply accepting His love, He sent and even more precious gift, His own Son. I can't wait to see what He does next!!

Anthem For Christmas - Michael W. Smith
In the space of the beginning
Was the living Word of light
When this Word was clearly spoken
All that came to be was right

All creation had a language
Words to say what must be said
All day long the Heavens whispered
Signing words in scarlet red

Still some failed to understand it
So God spoke His final Word
On a silent night in Judah's
Hills a baby's cry was heard

"Glory!" sang the angel chorus
"Glory!" echoed back the night
Love has come to walk among us
Christ the Lord is born this night

All creation sing His praises
Earth and heaven praise His name
All who live come join the chorus
Find the words
His love proclaim