That’s the title of a song that I really liked back in high school, by a Christian artist by the name of Steve Green. And it came on cassette! Yes, it’s old! By sheer age itself, it can definitely be branded an ‘anthem’.
The lyrics of the song really grabbed me back those many many years ago, and from time to time, I still hum the chorus in the shower! The chorus still grabs me today for it reminds me that it is the love of God that makes our hearts tick for missions, and that everything we do springs from that relationship with Him. Mission is therefore not an obligation but a love-response to God! My prayer, echoing the words of the last verse, is that we like the candle become consumed by the passion for God, and that by burning to know Him deeper, we would radiate His glory to the nations!
Song words below, and I'm sure there would be some thing on Youtube.
~ Pete
____________________________
The Mission
By Steve Green
There's a call going out
Across the land in every nation
A call to those who swear allegiance to the cross of Christ
A call to true humility, to live our live responsibly
To deepen our devotion to the cross at any price
Let us then be sober, moving only in the Spirit
As aliens and strangers in a hostile foreign land
The message we're proclaiming is repentance and forgiveness
The offer of salvation to a dying race of man
Chorus:
To love the Lord our God
Is the heartbeat of our mission
The spring from which our service overflows
Across the street
Or around the world
The mission's still the same
Proclaim and live the Truth
In Jesus' name
As a candle is consumed by the passion of the flame
Spilling light unsparingly throughout a darkened room
Let us burn to know Him deeper
Then our service flaming bright
Will radiate his passions
And blaze with holy light
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
"How ARE you?"
Generally, before you can go on missions, you need to raise financial support and prayer. To do this, you go around churches and share with them your plans. This comes once your application is successful.
Financial and prayer support is important, but what about emotional support?
Having been on a short term mission before, I know that can be easier for people to pledge prayer and even financial support than it is to maintain emotional support. Yes, it's great to know that people are praying and that we have food on the table to eat, but it is also important to know that people haven’t forgotten you. When I was all by my lonesome self in Ethiopia last time (Pete was stationed in a rural part with only twice-daily publicly broadcasted radio contact), I remember wishing that people from home would email me. Having said all that, I too am guilty of not keeping in touch with missionary friends.
I've been feeling depressed and down lately. Feeling like nobody cares. I feel that no one cares enough to listen to me. Like talking to a brick wall. I'm feeling anti-social and hiding away from people.
This feels all too familiar. I've been here before. I was here years ago in my 'Dark Days'. I thought it was strange that this was happening again now. I thought I was better now. I thought I was over that. Out of the valley.
It all started when I got upset after what I felt was a lack of response from friends after sending out a message about how I was going. Is this what sending out missionary newsletters is like?
4 weeks on, and it finally dawned on me last night. This is a 'spiritual attack'. This is Satan's way of snuffing out my passion for missions, finally rekindled after being 'in the wilderness' for years. This is the first time I'd felt like this since my Dark Days, though not to the same degree. He's doing this now because things have been hotting up in the past few weeks as we began the application process to SIM. The devil is trying to bring me down because he knows this is where I'm vulnerable. My greatest weakness is the need for friends to show care. I was just sharing with my Bible Study group this week that I was worried because if I've been feeling depressed and 'friendless' now though I'm surrounded by friends, how then will I survive being away from all this in the middle of Africa?? How can I go on the mission field??
This is exactly what the Enemy wants me to feel!!
I know Jesus is my friend and he is all that I need, but sometimes I also just need to ‘see’ Jesus through people, to feel a hug, to hear a kind word.
So where to from here? I think it might be wise for us to begin to make plans to raise 'emotional support' for when we leave for Africa, to form a 'home support team', as suggested by a friend from my Bible Study group. We need to form a group of close friends who will pledge to maintain emotional support. I've heard that there are mission agencies out there who train up friends and family at home to care for missionaries, to educate them about the emotional peaks and troughs of missionary life, so people know how to show care. What a superb idea!
Perhaps part of the 'training' to care for the Ongs, would be for me to tell friends how I need to be cared for. Everyone perceives care differently. I'm sure people care, but people just have different ways of showing it. All I need is friends to sincerely asks me, from time to time, the simple question of "How ARE you?" and listen when I tell them. What I need is for friends to care and ask me how I'm going in the everyday things of life, not just when I'm in crisis mode. I don't need dinner made for me. I don’t need a babysitter. I just need a message. I don't need an essay, I just need a simple "how are you? thinking of you".
I know :o) As one of my close friends told Pete at our engagement party: "You know Jo's high maintenance, right?!!" :o)
I am, but like anything, the more effort you put in, the more satisfying the results :o)
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Makki 14-01-2002
Gradually working through the Makki diary...
~Pete
____________________
Photo: Mursi Kids
~Pete
____________________
Mon 14th January 2002
Went with Thomas to the Mursi Village on top of the hill in the afternoon. It was quite an experience to see all the huts, people especially the children playing. The people are really friendly and very curious about seeing me. They would marvel at my hair on my legs, chin and my facial features too! (Post entry note: The Mursi do not have facial hair nor do they have hair on their arms or legs so it was a facinating sight for them to see me).
The kids are very friendly and they seem to be so joyful all the time. Some of the kids I've met have the most beautiful smiles I have come across... It's a great lesson for me as I think of the 'western' culture I have come from... having so much yet people are so joyless... discontent. The kids here are content. They enjoy the simple things that they have. They have shown me a joy that I should have!
Photo: Mursi Kids
Was woken up this morning by noises on the roof. Wasn't sure at first what it was but found out that it was Bryon. He had some how managed to escape the front verandah and was trying to find his way back into the verandah enclosure. Had to wake up a few times until I finally was able to let him in. I think he was hungry and was looking for food! He would only eat mangos!
Photo: 'Bryon' the African Civet... the cause of many sleepless nights!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Going through the motions
I've been challenged lately during my Mums Bible Study group, about the concept of 'going through the motions' as a Christian. I can totally relate with that, having 'gone through the motions' myself. I remember my 'Christian high' days of doing lots and appearing on the surface to be godly, but on the inside, I was lacking in a daily personal relationship with my Saviour. People see the outside, but God sees what's inside.
I've always believed that missionaries are just ordinary Christians who are willing to work overseas, willing to sacrifice home comforts in order to serve God. Missionaries are just Christians, like me and you, who is open to God leading them to serve anywhere.
Some people put missionaries on a pedestal, like they are super Christians. Likewise with pastors. Maybe it's because I've grown up as a pastor's kid that I know that pastors are just ordinary people at home. They are people with the same struggles.
I don't want to go on a pedestal. When we become missionaries, I want people to realise that I am still the same old Jo. I will not grow a halo the day I step on the plane headed for Africa. I will still struggle with things I struggle with now, and I will still have my ups and downs.
I don't want to go on a pedestal, because then everybody is watching when you slip and fall. They expect you to stand tall and firm, incapable of falling. But on this side of heaven, we are all sinners and all capable of falling.
How often we see people who can 'act' and make all the right moves as Christians, but yet lacking the 'real stuff' on the inside? Being a missionary or a pastor or a Bible college student doesn't make you any more 'godly' than the humble church goer who dutifully sweeps the church steps every sunday. Being a missionary, or a pastor, or a Bible College student is just a CHOICE that we make with our fallen human minds. Anybody can decide with their minds to do these things. But it is much harder to actually have a genuine heart that seeks to please God.
I think what matters is not so much that you appear to have it all together on the outside, to be 'perfect' - because no one is until the day of Jesus' return, but that you show and have a genuine desire to walk with God and live by his grace each day. As Christians, it's not that we don't fall, but that when we fall, we can be sure that God is there to catch us.
I recently saw a poster outside a church that I thought was really clever, it read: "Don't let Christians put you off Jesus."
Only by looking to Jesus can you really know him, if you look to people, they will inevitably fall and let you down.
I hope when we serve in Africa in a few years time, I can help people see Jesus clearly. That I won't just go through the motions of being a missionary. That people will see that I am a fallen being living by God's grace and strength each day. That I am just like them. That my God is what carries me through my struggles, not me.
~Jo
I've always believed that missionaries are just ordinary Christians who are willing to work overseas, willing to sacrifice home comforts in order to serve God. Missionaries are just Christians, like me and you, who is open to God leading them to serve anywhere.
Some people put missionaries on a pedestal, like they are super Christians. Likewise with pastors. Maybe it's because I've grown up as a pastor's kid that I know that pastors are just ordinary people at home. They are people with the same struggles.
I don't want to go on a pedestal. When we become missionaries, I want people to realise that I am still the same old Jo. I will not grow a halo the day I step on the plane headed for Africa. I will still struggle with things I struggle with now, and I will still have my ups and downs.
I don't want to go on a pedestal, because then everybody is watching when you slip and fall. They expect you to stand tall and firm, incapable of falling. But on this side of heaven, we are all sinners and all capable of falling.
How often we see people who can 'act' and make all the right moves as Christians, but yet lacking the 'real stuff' on the inside? Being a missionary or a pastor or a Bible college student doesn't make you any more 'godly' than the humble church goer who dutifully sweeps the church steps every sunday. Being a missionary, or a pastor, or a Bible College student is just a CHOICE that we make with our fallen human minds. Anybody can decide with their minds to do these things. But it is much harder to actually have a genuine heart that seeks to please God.
I think what matters is not so much that you appear to have it all together on the outside, to be 'perfect' - because no one is until the day of Jesus' return, but that you show and have a genuine desire to walk with God and live by his grace each day. As Christians, it's not that we don't fall, but that when we fall, we can be sure that God is there to catch us.
I recently saw a poster outside a church that I thought was really clever, it read: "Don't let Christians put you off Jesus."
Only by looking to Jesus can you really know him, if you look to people, they will inevitably fall and let you down.
I hope when we serve in Africa in a few years time, I can help people see Jesus clearly. That I won't just go through the motions of being a missionary. That people will see that I am a fallen being living by God's grace and strength each day. That I am just like them. That my God is what carries me through my struggles, not me.
~Jo
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Challenges Ahead
While we have taken decisive steps to start the application process with SIM, with the plan of departing Australia for Africa in 2012, it is still over 2 yrs away which can feel like a long time. Anything can happen in this time! The door to going may remain open or it may close.
One of the things that I have learnt in my role as a project manager at work is the need to constantly look out for "obstacles" that may stop or hinder a project from progressing, and to take the necessary steps to overcome them. I think this lesson is also true for this journey towards the mission field too, but the only difference being that God is the one in control and He directs the steps. However, the exciting thing is that He invites us on this journey and gives us the wisdom and capacity to plan; and the courage to take the steps to get to where He wants us to go.
One of the obstacles (or should I say challenges to put it more positively) that we will face is our parents. For Jo, this is not an issue as her mum is very supportive of our decision to go. My parents on the other hand will be more challenging to deal with. I know full well that my parents will not be supportive of this move to uproot our family and go to Africa, especially now that we have kids and they love these precious grandkids to bits!
Prior to going on short term to Ethiopia about 8yrs ago - this was when I was still unmarried and just finished uni - my parents basically told me not to go and not to even bother with "backward" places like Africa. Being in my family, when something is a big issue it often involves the wider extended family. On this occasion my grandmother was informed and she called my uncles to try to persuade me that it was a bad idea to go. It was a real discouragement and at times I had to bite my tongue and not get frustrated explaining myself over and over again! Nevertheless, I found encouragement from my two older brothers. One of them even gave me a generous sum of money towards the trip.
I remember after the Ethiopian trip when I came home, Dad had written me a lengthy letter to outline the reasons why I should not consider doing mission work for the rest of my life. I love my dad and I know he has good intentions but there are certain values and passions that we do not share. Like many other Asian parents, for their children to having a good education and a good job that generates a good income and reputation, was very important to them for they want the security of knowing that they will be looked after in their old age. Dad tried to convince me that becoming a career missionary would be a waste of my private high school education and a waste of my engineering degree! I have kept that letter, and its contents still remains clear in my memory to this day. It serves as a reminder to me that serving God will involve putting Him first above our desire for status and financial security. Convincing my parents of the generous provisions of God for me and them to release me to do His work will be perhaps the biggest obstacle to overcome.
It has been eight yrs since that letter, and nothing has been said about missions. Mum and dad perhaps thought it just just a passing phase that I went through and that I've probably come to my sensesnow that I have kids. Driving home from college today, I thought to myself that breaking the news to them in a years time about quiting my engineering job and going to Bible college would be a difficult one! I have mixed feelings about telling them for it will be an emotional struggle but at the same time I know it will also be a great opportunity to share my faith with them and tell them of the grace of God which will be sufficient for the road ahead.
~Pete
If you are family relative reading this, please do not tell my parents of our mission plans as I would like to tell them myself rather hearing it from someone else. We plan to tell them in due course. Thanks!
One of the things that I have learnt in my role as a project manager at work is the need to constantly look out for "obstacles" that may stop or hinder a project from progressing, and to take the necessary steps to overcome them. I think this lesson is also true for this journey towards the mission field too, but the only difference being that God is the one in control and He directs the steps. However, the exciting thing is that He invites us on this journey and gives us the wisdom and capacity to plan; and the courage to take the steps to get to where He wants us to go.
One of the obstacles (or should I say challenges to put it more positively) that we will face is our parents. For Jo, this is not an issue as her mum is very supportive of our decision to go. My parents on the other hand will be more challenging to deal with. I know full well that my parents will not be supportive of this move to uproot our family and go to Africa, especially now that we have kids and they love these precious grandkids to bits!
Prior to going on short term to Ethiopia about 8yrs ago - this was when I was still unmarried and just finished uni - my parents basically told me not to go and not to even bother with "backward" places like Africa. Being in my family, when something is a big issue it often involves the wider extended family. On this occasion my grandmother was informed and she called my uncles to try to persuade me that it was a bad idea to go. It was a real discouragement and at times I had to bite my tongue and not get frustrated explaining myself over and over again! Nevertheless, I found encouragement from my two older brothers. One of them even gave me a generous sum of money towards the trip.
I remember after the Ethiopian trip when I came home, Dad had written me a lengthy letter to outline the reasons why I should not consider doing mission work for the rest of my life. I love my dad and I know he has good intentions but there are certain values and passions that we do not share. Like many other Asian parents, for their children to having a good education and a good job that generates a good income and reputation, was very important to them for they want the security of knowing that they will be looked after in their old age. Dad tried to convince me that becoming a career missionary would be a waste of my private high school education and a waste of my engineering degree! I have kept that letter, and its contents still remains clear in my memory to this day. It serves as a reminder to me that serving God will involve putting Him first above our desire for status and financial security. Convincing my parents of the generous provisions of God for me and them to release me to do His work will be perhaps the biggest obstacle to overcome.
It has been eight yrs since that letter, and nothing has been said about missions. Mum and dad perhaps thought it just just a passing phase that I went through and that I've probably come to my sensesnow that I have kids. Driving home from college today, I thought to myself that breaking the news to them in a years time about quiting my engineering job and going to Bible college would be a difficult one! I have mixed feelings about telling them for it will be an emotional struggle but at the same time I know it will also be a great opportunity to share my faith with them and tell them of the grace of God which will be sufficient for the road ahead.
~Pete
If you are family relative reading this, please do not tell my parents of our mission plans as I would like to tell them myself rather hearing it from someone else. We plan to tell them in due course. Thanks!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Makki Diary 11-01-2002
It has been good being reminded again of what I learnt those many years ago. It still holds true today. ~Pete
Photo: Gilbert (Owl) & Naretae (Dog)
_______________
Friday 11 Jan 02
Didn’t sleep very well last night. Wasn’t able to get to sleep until the early morning…kept being woken up by noises outside. It must have been Bryon (pet African Civet) and Naretae (Pet dog) having a go at each other again…
Didn’t sleep very well last night. Wasn’t able to get to sleep until the early morning…kept being woken up by noises outside. It must have been Bryon (pet African Civet) and Naretae (Pet dog) having a go at each other again…
The Geddes left yesterday for Jinka and they’ll be heading to Aber Minch today. It rained in the early morning… hope their 4WD don’t get bogged down on the way there!
Jon left me with a list of things I could do while they are away. I’m not too sure how to approach things at the moment. Need much wisdom to know which things are important to do first and how to relate with the Mursi.
Had a good time of fellowship with Thomas last night over dinner. It was good to have a chat with him and find out abit more about him.
Got a radio message from Jo this morning. She says she had a good birthday… her front door was decorated… her hair got plaited like that of an African’s! And her mum called to say “Happy Birthday”. Miss Jo very much… hope to see her soon.
Got a radio message from Jo this morning. She says she had a good birthday… her front door was decorated… her hair got plaited like that of an African’s! And her mum called to say “Happy Birthday”. Miss Jo very much… hope to see her soon.
Have been reading about the sovereignty of God in Chuck Swindoll’s book. I’m finding it a very appropriate book to read at this time... being alone in the Geddes’ place… being a stranger in a strange place, not knowing the language nor the culture very well is very humbling indeed. I am at the mercy of God! I too need to acknowledge God’s sovereign rule and right over my life. Until I do, I will never feel at peace in my heart and mind. God's sovereignty is indeed unfathomable! He works in ways that we cannot fully understand. For myself, I need to keep asking God to take control of my life and to surrender everything to Him no matter what the cost. It is one thing to know it in theory but another to actually do it or know how to do it....There is no need to fear the uncertainties when you surrender every aspect of your life to God, trusting His sovereignty and faithfulness. I need to take God at His word that what He has in stored for my life is for my good and most of all for His glory!
Father, please help me to have an unwavering trust in you… taking you at your word because you have proven to be sovereign and faithful. Give me the peace of heart and mind that comes from fully trusting you. Amen!
The Road Ahead
As Jo has already mentioned, last Friday (9th October 2009), we went into SIM to discuss the process for becoming long term members of SIM and some possible placement ideas.
After our initial discussion with SIM 8yrs ago, enquiring about short-term mission with Steve Turner and Kaye Shooter back at the old SIM office in Kingsgrove, the meeting on Friday was a significant step for us (although it didn't really feel like it as Jo has already explained). It was the first step of the membership process! As Jo has already mentioned in her previous blog entry, this process can take up to 2-3 yrs, so we have commenced at the right time as we had planned to leave for Africa by 2012.
So what will the road ahead look like? SIM's application process is as follows:
1. Enquiry/Discuss placements
2. Application completed & received by SIM
3. Reference forms sent out & received by SIM
4. CRC Interviews conducted & Reports received
5. SMD/Personnel Director Approval
6. Assessment material sent by Personnel Department
7. Assessments:
a. Doctrinal
b. Personality
c. Medical/Dental
d. Endorsing SIM material
8. Placement finalised
9. Summary of Assessments to State Leadership Team for Interview
10. Appointed
Orientation (SIMCO - 2wks in April) happens between Assessments and production of brochure
11. Production of Brochure/Prayer Card
12. Raising Support Team/Further courses
13. Departure 2-4 yr term
We should be getting the application forms and some ideas of placements in the next few weeks.
The plan is to complete the forms by end of 2009, and complete the doctrinal assessments by end of 2010.
For myself, 2010 will be my final year of working with the view of doing one year full time study at SMBC in 2011.
Things are gaining momentum after a very long build up, but it is all in God's perfect timing!
~Pete
After our initial discussion with SIM 8yrs ago, enquiring about short-term mission with Steve Turner and Kaye Shooter back at the old SIM office in Kingsgrove, the meeting on Friday was a significant step for us (although it didn't really feel like it as Jo has already explained). It was the first step of the membership process! As Jo has already mentioned in her previous blog entry, this process can take up to 2-3 yrs, so we have commenced at the right time as we had planned to leave for Africa by 2012.
So what will the road ahead look like? SIM's application process is as follows:
1. Enquiry/Discuss placements
2. Application completed & received by SIM
3. Reference forms sent out & received by SIM
4. CRC Interviews conducted & Reports received
5. SMD/Personnel Director Approval
6. Assessment material sent by Personnel Department
7. Assessments:
a. Doctrinal
b. Personality
c. Medical/Dental
d. Endorsing SIM material
8. Placement finalised
9. Summary of Assessments to State Leadership Team for Interview
10. Appointed
Orientation (SIMCO - 2wks in April) happens between Assessments and production of brochure
11. Production of Brochure/Prayer Card
12. Raising Support Team/Further courses
13. Departure 2-4 yr term
We should be getting the application forms and some ideas of placements in the next few weeks.
The plan is to complete the forms by end of 2009, and complete the doctrinal assessments by end of 2010.
For myself, 2010 will be my final year of working with the view of doing one year full time study at SMBC in 2011.
Things are gaining momentum after a very long build up, but it is all in God's perfect timing!
~Pete
Friday, October 9, 2009
Visit to SIM thru Jo's eyes
We visited SIM today to chat with Steve Shooter (NSW director) about our plans. We know Steve from being involved with SIM over the past years, so it wasn't a daunting experience. It wasn't even as huge a thing as one would expect such a meeting to be. Afterall, we were practically there to sign on the dotted line to go serve in Africa! I guess it was because we'd known for the past 9 years that we were going, so this hasn't come out of the blue for us, nor is it a surprise to those who know us. The huge event happened 9 years ago when we first approached SIM about our short term trip to Ethiopia. Back then, it was huge for us and for our families to take that first step.
We decided to bring Teaghan and Lucas with us, so they could meet us as a family. The last time we set foot in SIM, we didn't have kids! Symbolically, it was important to us that all four of us were there as we are in this together. Team Ong: two Ongs and two Onglets :o)
The whole meeting lasted about 2 hrs, during which time Lucas had a nap in my arms (which he has never done before!) and Teaghan made a mess of the playroom there.
Teaghan's trail of destruction from the playroom to the meeting room.
It was a very informative time, and we had many of our questions answered. Here are some things that we nutted out, as well as things we're still thinking thru...
1. God's timing is perfect. Our plan was to be 'on the field' by 2012, in 3 yrs time. Without knowing how long the application process will take, we approached SIM today. We found out that the process will take 2-3 years. So we are at just the right time. We plan to submit our application by the end of this year.
2. God wastes nothing. All our experiences, gifts, and skills are coming together to point us to areas in which we can be involved. At this stage, we are excited about the possibility of being involved in training up teachers in Christian schools to teach Christianly and/or training up people to minister to children. Having worked at Pacific Hills, where we were daily encouraged to be Christ to those we teach, this is something that excites me. I can also draw on resources and experiences of those from PHCS to help us in our journey too. Pete is very excited about this as he gets to work with people, which he prefers over engineering related ministry. I had thought he'd want to use his water engineering, but it turns out that he's much more excited about children's ministry possibilities. This works out well as Steve tells us that placements are decided based on the guy, and the wife is generally 'free', as her primary responsibility would be for her kids. So this way, I can still be involved as much as I can, as it is an area I'm passionate about, while still doing what I love - being mum to our little monkeys.
3. We did the right thing in buying a home now, and we've been advised not to sell it before we go. This cleared up this part of the puzzle for us, as we were also unsure about housing.
4. We've narrowed it down to a part of the African continent - East Africa. It was acceptable for me to say NOT Ethiopia, as having been there, I didn't feel drawn to return. I couldn't stomach the local food and just generally didn't feel at home there. I felt 'at home' when we were in Kenya in 2005/6.
5. We can take a 2-3 week 'survey trip', once a placement has been decided. This will help us prepare ourselves to work there long term, as well as preparing Pete's parents in getting them used to the idea of us going. We haven't budgetted for this in our 3 year plan, but I'm sure God will make a way if he too thinks this is a good idea. We'd love to visit our conuntries of birth (Hong Kong and Singapore) before we go to Africa, but at this stage with the survey trip in mind, it is highly unlikely that we can afford it. Poo. Double poo.
6. There's a 'doctrinal test' somewhere in the process. I'm a bit worried about this. I feel as though I've just wandered back from the wildreness, as Pete put it. What if I fail??!! Gosh I need to really get back into reading the Bible regularly. Is it wrong to want to read the Bible just so I can pass this test??!! I should be wanting to read it for personal growth... Eeek, sometimes I feel like maybe I'm not 'holy' enough to serve overseas where I need to be really strong spiritually to fight off Satan's attacks. He already knows I'm good target, having gotten me once! I need to 'stock up' on holiness before we head off!!
7. Third child. Should we have another one? If so, when? It not, then will we live to regret it? Should we alter our original family plans for our ministry plans? We can delay missions for a year or 2, but once we miss the time frame to have one more, we can't go back!
Oh so much to process!! Sometimes I find myself thinking, oh gosh this is all so real now! and the reality hits, esp when we do things that I know we'll miss when we're overseas, like visiting my mum. At those times, I think: I don't know if I want to go anymore!! I guess that's all part of the sacrifices we make.
At the end of our meeting yesterday, Steve prayed that "If it is God's plan that we stay in Australia, then may there be such blockages in the way that it will be very clear to us. And if it is indeed God's plan for us to go, then may He open door after door for us."
And to that, I say amen!
We decided to bring Teaghan and Lucas with us, so they could meet us as a family. The last time we set foot in SIM, we didn't have kids! Symbolically, it was important to us that all four of us were there as we are in this together. Team Ong: two Ongs and two Onglets :o)
The whole meeting lasted about 2 hrs, during which time Lucas had a nap in my arms (which he has never done before!) and Teaghan made a mess of the playroom there.
Teaghan's trail of destruction from the playroom to the meeting room.
It was a very informative time, and we had many of our questions answered. Here are some things that we nutted out, as well as things we're still thinking thru...
1. God's timing is perfect. Our plan was to be 'on the field' by 2012, in 3 yrs time. Without knowing how long the application process will take, we approached SIM today. We found out that the process will take 2-3 years. So we are at just the right time. We plan to submit our application by the end of this year.
2. God wastes nothing. All our experiences, gifts, and skills are coming together to point us to areas in which we can be involved. At this stage, we are excited about the possibility of being involved in training up teachers in Christian schools to teach Christianly and/or training up people to minister to children. Having worked at Pacific Hills, where we were daily encouraged to be Christ to those we teach, this is something that excites me. I can also draw on resources and experiences of those from PHCS to help us in our journey too. Pete is very excited about this as he gets to work with people, which he prefers over engineering related ministry. I had thought he'd want to use his water engineering, but it turns out that he's much more excited about children's ministry possibilities. This works out well as Steve tells us that placements are decided based on the guy, and the wife is generally 'free', as her primary responsibility would be for her kids. So this way, I can still be involved as much as I can, as it is an area I'm passionate about, while still doing what I love - being mum to our little monkeys.
3. We did the right thing in buying a home now, and we've been advised not to sell it before we go. This cleared up this part of the puzzle for us, as we were also unsure about housing.
4. We've narrowed it down to a part of the African continent - East Africa. It was acceptable for me to say NOT Ethiopia, as having been there, I didn't feel drawn to return. I couldn't stomach the local food and just generally didn't feel at home there. I felt 'at home' when we were in Kenya in 2005/6.
5. We can take a 2-3 week 'survey trip', once a placement has been decided. This will help us prepare ourselves to work there long term, as well as preparing Pete's parents in getting them used to the idea of us going. We haven't budgetted for this in our 3 year plan, but I'm sure God will make a way if he too thinks this is a good idea. We'd love to visit our conuntries of birth (Hong Kong and Singapore) before we go to Africa, but at this stage with the survey trip in mind, it is highly unlikely that we can afford it. Poo. Double poo.
6. There's a 'doctrinal test' somewhere in the process. I'm a bit worried about this. I feel as though I've just wandered back from the wildreness, as Pete put it. What if I fail??!! Gosh I need to really get back into reading the Bible regularly. Is it wrong to want to read the Bible just so I can pass this test??!! I should be wanting to read it for personal growth... Eeek, sometimes I feel like maybe I'm not 'holy' enough to serve overseas where I need to be really strong spiritually to fight off Satan's attacks. He already knows I'm good target, having gotten me once! I need to 'stock up' on holiness before we head off!!
7. Third child. Should we have another one? If so, when? It not, then will we live to regret it? Should we alter our original family plans for our ministry plans? We can delay missions for a year or 2, but once we miss the time frame to have one more, we can't go back!
Oh so much to process!! Sometimes I find myself thinking, oh gosh this is all so real now! and the reality hits, esp when we do things that I know we'll miss when we're overseas, like visiting my mum. At those times, I think: I don't know if I want to go anymore!! I guess that's all part of the sacrifices we make.
At the end of our meeting yesterday, Steve prayed that "If it is God's plan that we stay in Australia, then may there be such blockages in the way that it will be very clear to us. And if it is indeed God's plan for us to go, then may He open door after door for us."
And to that, I say amen!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Dark Days
The journey to where we are today in our desire to serve God overseas hasn’t always been an easy road. In fact there have been some dark times along the journey. As Jo and I were recently talking about Reachout 2006 (See previous blog entry) and how that was a milestone for us in our journey, we came to realise that this event came after a period when Jo had gone through some dark times battling what we think might have been depression.
This event in lives was not something that I have openly shared before but felt it was important to record as a milestone to serve as a reminder of God’s grace in getting us to where we are today. I remember those days as being the lowest point in our lives, our ministries at church, and certainly it was perhaps the lowest point in Jo’s relationship with God. I remember the times when she questioned her own worth in God’s eyes; she didn't want to go to church even though she had been so actively involved for a number of years; she didn't want to meet with her friends and instead just wanted to be alone. I can remember making excuses to get out of meeting with friends and feeling that I couldn’t tell them what was really going on. We have shed many tears during that time, and it was also perhaps the lowest point in my life so far to see my wife go through what she went through and feeling helpless to do anything about it.
The Jo today is a very different Jo to back then, and I praise God for the love and support from dear friends such as Steve and Jan who walked with us through this period and supported us in key decisions that we made. I am also thankful to God for giving her the courage to see a professional counsellor during this time which really helped her in talking through the issues. It was also around this time that we also started attending DBC, which the counselling office was part of.
As I reflect back on this period, I remember thinking about our mission plans and what would become of it. I was not optimistic and selfishly felt disappointed. I knew in my heart that the plans to serve God overseas would be parked indefinitely. At that time I had also made the decision to step aside from the church ministries I was involved with at CBC in order to focus my emotional energy in dealing with the circumstances at hand. I had tried to make things work by juggling ministry and Jo’s needs but after some time, I was not getting anywhere with anything. I felt that I could not give adequate attention to both Jo and my ministries and that one had to give. Given Jo’s circumstances, the choice I had to make was clear but it was not personally an easy one to make. The love to serve in the ministries I was involved in was strong but God was teaching me through this that the love for my wife should be stronger. Serving my wife (and family) should always be my primary ministry and everything else second no matter how important I may have thought of my ministry. Back in my uni days, I remember listening to a talk by Josh McDowell and he said something that has stayed with me to this day (and more relevant now that I am married and studying Bible college) He basically said that if you are not loving your wife by looking after her needs then you should not be in ministry or studying Bible College. I guess he was addressing a potential pitfall that all in ministry may face from time to time and that is the elevation of ministry or ministry plans over serving your primary ministry of spouse and children. Of course the wife and kids aren’t just passengers on your ministry but partners! As partners in life and ministry, it was important that Jo and I had the same goals and outlook in life. This dark period in Jo's life was a disjunct in our goals and outlook, so the desire and plans to serve God in missions overseas had to take the back seat while we dealt with the more fundamental issues of our personal relationship with God.
The significance of these dark days in relation to Reachout 2006 for us was that it was a realignment of our mission goals and rekindling of our passion to serve God overseas. It was the first step after having parked those ambitions and plans for a number of years to once again bring it to the foreground of our thinking. In light of this, Reachout 2006 was a very significant milestone for us!
~ Pete
Oh how I remember those 'dark days'. I remember feeling like I was worth nothing in anyone eyes and worst of all - an unimportant speck to God. I also remember questioning my belief in God.
I'm thankful to God for blessing me with Pete. Part of my memories of those days, in the midst of the darkness, was of Pete supporting me thru it. He never once made me feel guilty that I was not where I 'should' be in my walk with God. Never once did he force me to 'step up' in my ministries. Never once did he get upset at me for not wanting to be involved in church activities, though at the same time quietly encouraging me and praying for me. I knew that the thought of our mission plans being put on hold would be on his mind and that he would be disappointed about it, but he never made me feel like I was to blame, but walked beside me all the way. Pete trusted that God will bring about healing in his timing, and that He did! Thru all this, he loved me for who I was, as he vowed to do on our wedding day.
As Pete mentioned above, it wasn't until we talked about the significance of Reachout 2006 the other day, that we realised how God has worked everything according to His perfect timing. We had both initially thought that we made that decision as a couple before/during the dark days and had both wondered how that could be. Then after doing some maths, we realised that it was actually about 9 months down the path of recovery that God again reaffirmed his 'calling' for us, not just as individuals, but as a couple to serve him whenever wherever. This is huge, as I believe that unless if God calls us as a couple to serve overseas, neither of us can coerce the other into going if they do not feel that that was what God wanted them to do. That just wouldn't be loving to each other nor obedient to God. Perhaps what happened was a bit of a 'test' for us?? that if we can survive that as a couple, then we can survive working as a couple overseas?
~Jo
This event in lives was not something that I have openly shared before but felt it was important to record as a milestone to serve as a reminder of God’s grace in getting us to where we are today. I remember those days as being the lowest point in our lives, our ministries at church, and certainly it was perhaps the lowest point in Jo’s relationship with God. I remember the times when she questioned her own worth in God’s eyes; she didn't want to go to church even though she had been so actively involved for a number of years; she didn't want to meet with her friends and instead just wanted to be alone. I can remember making excuses to get out of meeting with friends and feeling that I couldn’t tell them what was really going on. We have shed many tears during that time, and it was also perhaps the lowest point in my life so far to see my wife go through what she went through and feeling helpless to do anything about it.
The Jo today is a very different Jo to back then, and I praise God for the love and support from dear friends such as Steve and Jan who walked with us through this period and supported us in key decisions that we made. I am also thankful to God for giving her the courage to see a professional counsellor during this time which really helped her in talking through the issues. It was also around this time that we also started attending DBC, which the counselling office was part of.
As I reflect back on this period, I remember thinking about our mission plans and what would become of it. I was not optimistic and selfishly felt disappointed. I knew in my heart that the plans to serve God overseas would be parked indefinitely. At that time I had also made the decision to step aside from the church ministries I was involved with at CBC in order to focus my emotional energy in dealing with the circumstances at hand. I had tried to make things work by juggling ministry and Jo’s needs but after some time, I was not getting anywhere with anything. I felt that I could not give adequate attention to both Jo and my ministries and that one had to give. Given Jo’s circumstances, the choice I had to make was clear but it was not personally an easy one to make. The love to serve in the ministries I was involved in was strong but God was teaching me through this that the love for my wife should be stronger. Serving my wife (and family) should always be my primary ministry and everything else second no matter how important I may have thought of my ministry. Back in my uni days, I remember listening to a talk by Josh McDowell and he said something that has stayed with me to this day (and more relevant now that I am married and studying Bible college) He basically said that if you are not loving your wife by looking after her needs then you should not be in ministry or studying Bible College. I guess he was addressing a potential pitfall that all in ministry may face from time to time and that is the elevation of ministry or ministry plans over serving your primary ministry of spouse and children. Of course the wife and kids aren’t just passengers on your ministry but partners! As partners in life and ministry, it was important that Jo and I had the same goals and outlook in life. This dark period in Jo's life was a disjunct in our goals and outlook, so the desire and plans to serve God in missions overseas had to take the back seat while we dealt with the more fundamental issues of our personal relationship with God.
The significance of these dark days in relation to Reachout 2006 for us was that it was a realignment of our mission goals and rekindling of our passion to serve God overseas. It was the first step after having parked those ambitions and plans for a number of years to once again bring it to the foreground of our thinking. In light of this, Reachout 2006 was a very significant milestone for us!
~ Pete
Oh how I remember those 'dark days'. I remember feeling like I was worth nothing in anyone eyes and worst of all - an unimportant speck to God. I also remember questioning my belief in God.
I'm thankful to God for blessing me with Pete. Part of my memories of those days, in the midst of the darkness, was of Pete supporting me thru it. He never once made me feel guilty that I was not where I 'should' be in my walk with God. Never once did he force me to 'step up' in my ministries. Never once did he get upset at me for not wanting to be involved in church activities, though at the same time quietly encouraging me and praying for me. I knew that the thought of our mission plans being put on hold would be on his mind and that he would be disappointed about it, but he never made me feel like I was to blame, but walked beside me all the way. Pete trusted that God will bring about healing in his timing, and that He did! Thru all this, he loved me for who I was, as he vowed to do on our wedding day.
As Pete mentioned above, it wasn't until we talked about the significance of Reachout 2006 the other day, that we realised how God has worked everything according to His perfect timing. We had both initially thought that we made that decision as a couple before/during the dark days and had both wondered how that could be. Then after doing some maths, we realised that it was actually about 9 months down the path of recovery that God again reaffirmed his 'calling' for us, not just as individuals, but as a couple to serve him whenever wherever. This is huge, as I believe that unless if God calls us as a couple to serve overseas, neither of us can coerce the other into going if they do not feel that that was what God wanted them to do. That just wouldn't be loving to each other nor obedient to God. Perhaps what happened was a bit of a 'test' for us?? that if we can survive that as a couple, then we can survive working as a couple overseas?
~Jo
Sunday, October 4, 2009
To Live is Christ
Really liked the lyrics of this song that we sung at church today.
To live is Christ
I make a vow
My life will always honour you
Whether I live or die
I belong to Him
He bore my sin
I owe this life to my saving King
Hallelujah, I´m not my own
You´re in control
Hallelujah
For me to live is Christ
And to die is gain
No matter what price i pay
I choose to give this life away
Only by the Cross I´m saved
To live is Christ
I make a vow
My life will always honour you
Whether I live or die
I belong to Him
He bore my sin
I owe this life to my saving King
Hallelujah, I´m not my own
You´re in control
Hallelujah
For me to live is Christ
And to die is gain
No matter what price i pay
I choose to give this life away
Only by the Cross I´m saved
Friday, October 2, 2009
Smells of Africa
Today as I was walking with Teaghan and Lucas to playgroup, I was reminded of Africa.
When I was in Addis Ababa (capital of Ethiopia), it was a combination of the smell of burning bodies from the hospital across the road, burning rubbish, and burning whatever else I didn't know about. In Makki (rural Ethiopia), it was burning crops. In Kenya, I suspect it was probably burning rubbish and organic matter.
Whatever it was that was being burnt, together it gave off a smokey smell which to this day still brings me back to Africa. Every time I smell it, I am reminded of our plans to return one day to serve the people there. Perhaps it's God's way of 'keeping the fire burning' in us to return to Africa?
It was in the air. Always around this time - the season of bush fires and backburning, especially in the semi rural area in which we live, the smells remind me of Africa.
When I was in Addis Ababa (capital of Ethiopia), it was a combination of the smell of burning bodies from the hospital across the road, burning rubbish, and burning whatever else I didn't know about. In Makki (rural Ethiopia), it was burning crops. In Kenya, I suspect it was probably burning rubbish and organic matter.
Whatever it was that was being burnt, together it gave off a smokey smell which to this day still brings me back to Africa. Every time I smell it, I am reminded of our plans to return one day to serve the people there. Perhaps it's God's way of 'keeping the fire burning' in us to return to Africa?
~Jo
Ethiopia 2002 (short term mission with SIM)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Reachout 2006
Reachout 2006 (missions conference at Katoomba) was another milestone on our journey. Reflecting back on the event, it was a milestone because it was the first time that we had made a commitment as a married couple to serve God wherever and whenever. Previous to this, we had made separate commitments. We had been married for 3.5 yrs by then and Jo was about 3mths pregnant with Teaghan!
I can't remember the specific theme of Reachout 2006 but I remember we had responded to a challenge issued by the speaker. One of the things he spoke about was giving your life to serve God whatever/wherever/whenever He calls you to do, like giving your life as a blank cheque to God for Him to do whatever He wants with your life. The speaker also spoke about how often when we consider about serving God in missions, we tend to think of the personal sacrifices we need to make. He said something that has stayed with me today and that is... it is not so much the sacrifices we make for God but rather whether Jesus was worth making the sacrifices for. Do we consider Jesus more valuable than the things we are sacrificing in order to serve Him in missions? Is He worth it?
I remember the trip home down the Mountains talking about the commitment we had made that night and pondering what that would mean for us now that we’ll be starting a family soon. We know that our decision will now directly affect another person, and not knowing what the impacts on this little life will be was hard. Teaghan is now 2.5 and three years on we are still pondering on what the impacts may be if we follow through on our commitment and this time with Lucas thrown into the equation. But I am always brought back to that question I heard at Reachout 2006, "Is Jesus worth it?"
~ Pete
I can't remember the specific theme of Reachout 2006 but I remember we had responded to a challenge issued by the speaker. One of the things he spoke about was giving your life to serve God whatever/wherever/whenever He calls you to do, like giving your life as a blank cheque to God for Him to do whatever He wants with your life. The speaker also spoke about how often when we consider about serving God in missions, we tend to think of the personal sacrifices we need to make. He said something that has stayed with me today and that is... it is not so much the sacrifices we make for God but rather whether Jesus was worth making the sacrifices for. Do we consider Jesus more valuable than the things we are sacrificing in order to serve Him in missions? Is He worth it?
I remember the trip home down the Mountains talking about the commitment we had made that night and pondering what that would mean for us now that we’ll be starting a family soon. We know that our decision will now directly affect another person, and not knowing what the impacts on this little life will be was hard. Teaghan is now 2.5 and three years on we are still pondering on what the impacts may be if we follow through on our commitment and this time with Lucas thrown into the equation. But I am always brought back to that question I heard at Reachout 2006, "Is Jesus worth it?"
~ Pete
Monday, September 28, 2009
Makki Diary 09-01-2002
Another diary entry... on Jo's birthday!
~ Pete
9th January 2002
Again, writing in the morning rather than in the night time... Can't really remember what happened yesterday... my brain is still waking up even after doing the radio this morning. Boy! were there heaps of messages this morning... at least I was able to say "Happy Birthday" to Jo. Miss her very much. Hope she has a good birthday.
Yesterday, the Wiegand family left to go back to Arba Minch. Danielle, the STA from Germany remained behind to leave with the Geddes. The Geddes will be leaving tomorrow. Helped Rohan cleaned the storage tent yesterday and also had a look at the literacy project. The Mursi are producing their own newsletter! This is truly amazing! Barb has asked me to keep an eye out on the Literacy press when they leave for Addis... and also try to work out a sorting system. Yesterday also fixed up the broken door handle on the bathroom door!
Also had time to do some reading and personal reflection. Reading Chuck Swindol's book, "The Mystery of God's Will". Been thinking about what are the things that keep me from taking risks to do God's will, and whether I'm willing to take risks to do God's will. I guess the things that make me hesitant to take risks to do God's will are: fear of the uncertainties, the costs involved... personal sacrifices... and sacrifices on the family, loss of creature comforts, not living a 'normal' existence.
Having lived with the Geddes family for nearly a week now, I can see the great costs involved in living as a missionary family... I admire their courage and dedication to God, and their love for the Mursi that they would stick at sharing the Gospel with them. There has certainly been great rewards and sacrifices.
Being here has really challenged me about the promise I made to God that I would go wherever He leads and do whatever He tells me. Being here has opened my eyes to the reality of what the promise may entail. I pray that God would empower me with the courage and faith to follow through on the promise.
Makki Station (Photo courtesy of The Mursi Team)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Makki Diary 05-01-2002
I have been reading my Makki diary entries and reflecting on the experience I had in Ethiopia in 2001/02. This was a 6-7 week short term mission that Jo and I went on with SIM (Jo was posted in the capital city, Addis Ababa while I was posted down in Makki). Makki is a place in Mago National Park in the southern part of Ethiopia where a team of SIM missionaries serve a nomadic people group called the "Mursi". Makki is one of about 5 Mursi settlements (I think?).
I thought i would pick out some diary entries to put on the blog... lessons and thoughts that I learnt there that I would want to remind myself of in the future. Some of them make interesting read! Here goes!
Saturday, 5th January 2002
Woke up at 5:30am today to fly to Jinka! Went to the airport by taxi which cost me 35 bir. It was pretty scary catching a plane down to Jinka especially when you are not familiar with the way people do things. e.g. not knowing where to line up to check in luggage and not knowing Amharic made things even more difficult.
Thank God that I was able to find out about the way boarding flights work in Ethiopia in time. I was getting worried that I would miss my flight. Eventually, got onto the plane and arrived in Jinka about 10:30am! It was quite a view from the plane... seeing the terrain and things from above.
Jonathan picked me up from Jinka with his evangelist friend. We spent some time in Jinka before heading down to Makki. we visited some Mursi believers in prison, visited a sick Mursi believer and his wife, did some shopping in the market, got fuel. Also had lunch... Ingera and Wot! It was authentic Ethiopian cuisine!
On the way down to Makki, out 4WD got bogged in the mud and spent some time getting our hands dirty putting chains on the wheels. As we were doing this, 2 other 4WDs turned up with some tourists from Holland and Belgium. And we got stuck! It was quite an experience ! Talk about being flexible!
Arrived in Makki at around 7:30pm. had dinner and spent some time with the Geddes and Thomas.
Hope Jo is not feeling too lonely up in Addis! I pray that God would really look after her!
Mount Mago, Mago National Park (Photo courtsey of Thomas Kuhley)
Timing timing timing
We've been talking about having no.3. I know, I feel crazy just saying it.
We've always wanted 3 kids. We have our girl and we have our boy, people say to us that we can stop here now... but it feels incomplete, in our minds we still have no.3 waiting to join our family.
Our original plan was to have 2 year gaps between kids. So far so good.
But we keep coming back to when to have no.3, as the timing seems to coincide with when we had originally planned to leave for Africa...
We've even discussed the possibility of getting pregnant now with an 18 month gap between Lucas and he/she. Yes crazy.
Or having no.3 later and have a 4 year gap.
Or get pregnant while we're in Africa and possibly even have the baby there! I like the sound of an Australian Chinese born in Africa! :o)
Here are a few scenarios we've discussed so far. Haha...multiple choice for God, or he'll probably choose 'none of the above'!!
Scenario 1 (Pete does 2 year degree):
2010 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time. Jo gets pregnant. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year.
2011 - Pete studies at Bible College full time 1st semester, no.3 born, Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission). Raise support.
2012 - Put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teaghan 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool), no.3 1 year. Leave mid 2012.
Scenario 2:
2010 - Pete works part time (pays off debts), studies part time. Jo gets pregnant. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year.
2011 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time, no.3 born, Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission)
2012 - Raise support, put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teaghan 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool), no.3 1 year. Leave end of 2012.
Scenario 3:
2010 - Pete works part time, studies part time. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year.
2011 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time. Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission)
2012 - Raise support, put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teaghan 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool). Leave end of 2012.
2013 - no.3 made in Africa :o)
2014 - no.3 born. Teaghan 7 years, Lucas 5 years. Pete Jo 36 years.
Scenario 4:
2010 - Pete works part time, studies part time. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year. no. 3 born end of year.
2011 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time, Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years, no.3 0.5 year. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission)
2012 - Raise support, put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teaghan 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool), no.3 1.5 years. Leave end of 2012.
Scenario 5 (Pete does 1 year degree):
2010 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time. Jo gets pregnant. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year.
2011 - no.3 born, Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission). Raise support.
2012 - Put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teagha 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool), no.3 1 year. Leave beginning of 2012.
We've always wanted 3 kids. We have our girl and we have our boy, people say to us that we can stop here now... but it feels incomplete, in our minds we still have no.3 waiting to join our family.
Our original plan was to have 2 year gaps between kids. So far so good.
But we keep coming back to when to have no.3, as the timing seems to coincide with when we had originally planned to leave for Africa...
We've even discussed the possibility of getting pregnant now with an 18 month gap between Lucas and he/she. Yes crazy.
Or having no.3 later and have a 4 year gap.
Or get pregnant while we're in Africa and possibly even have the baby there! I like the sound of an Australian Chinese born in Africa! :o)
Here are a few scenarios we've discussed so far. Haha...multiple choice for God, or he'll probably choose 'none of the above'!!
Scenario 1 (Pete does 2 year degree):
2010 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time. Jo gets pregnant. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year.
2011 - Pete studies at Bible College full time 1st semester, no.3 born, Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission). Raise support.
2012 - Put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teaghan 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool), no.3 1 year. Leave mid 2012.
Scenario 2:
2010 - Pete works part time (pays off debts), studies part time. Jo gets pregnant. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year.
2011 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time, no.3 born, Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission)
2012 - Raise support, put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teaghan 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool), no.3 1 year. Leave end of 2012.
Scenario 3:
2010 - Pete works part time, studies part time. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year.
2011 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time. Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission)
2012 - Raise support, put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teaghan 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool). Leave end of 2012.
2013 - no.3 made in Africa :o)
2014 - no.3 born. Teaghan 7 years, Lucas 5 years. Pete Jo 36 years.
Scenario 4:
2010 - Pete works part time, studies part time. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year. no. 3 born end of year.
2011 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time, Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years, no.3 0.5 year. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission)
2012 - Raise support, put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teaghan 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool), no.3 1.5 years. Leave end of 2012.
Scenario 5 (Pete does 1 year degree):
2010 - Pete studies at Bible College (SMBC) full time. Jo gets pregnant. Teaghan 3 years (preschool), Lucas 1 year.
2011 - no.3 born, Teaghan 4 years (prep), Lucas 2 years. Apply with SIM (Serving in Mission). Raise support.
2012 - Put house up for lease. Pete Jo 34 years. Teagha 5 years (kindy), Lucas 3 years (preschool), no.3 1 year. Leave beginning of 2012.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Dirty feet
Today we were washing our car after the recent dust storm...
'We' as in Pete, Teaghan, and I.
It was all going well, until Teaghan started her dramas...
"My feet are dirty!!"
"My feet are wet!!"
"Err...errr.... daddy daddy, my feet are dirty!!!!"
"Waaaaaah!!! I go inside now!! Wwaaaaah!!!"
And our plans are to go to dusty Africa.
Let's hope this is a passing phase!
'We' as in Pete, Teaghan, and I.
It was all going well, until Teaghan started her dramas...
"My feet are dirty!!"
"My feet are wet!!"
"Err...errr.... daddy daddy, my feet are dirty!!!!"
"Waaaaaah!!! I go inside now!! Wwaaaaah!!!"
And our plans are to go to dusty Africa.
Let's hope this is a passing phase!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Crossing home cultures
We've been going to Dural Baptist for more than 3 years now. We'd come out of a Chinese church background into this majority caucasian church.
Many of our chinese Christian friends who go to Chinese churches ask us why we'd decided to go to a caucasian church.
Well, we decided that with missions in mind, we wanted to stretch ourselves to 'cross cultures', rather than going to a church where it would not take much effort to understand the culture. Though we've grown up here in Australia, sometimes it still takes a little time to warm up to caucasians. I guess growing up in Chinese families means that you automatically understand the culture of others who have also grown up in Chinese families. It is not strange for us to see plastic on couches or shoes at doors, because we've grown up in that culture :o)
We thought, if we don't even feel comfortable attending a caucasian church -the culture in which we are immersed and have grown up in, then how are we to feel comfortable in a third culture when we reach the mission field?? or when we are surrounded by other caucasian missionaries when we are in Africa, as will most likely be the case. At least this way, it is one less thing to have to adjust to when we get there.
So with that in mind, we started at Dural Baps and have not regretted it. It did take us a little while to warm up and we did feel a bit strange the first few weeks there being the only Asians walking into a sea of white...! But now we don't even think twice about it and at times probably even forget that we look a little different! People know us, the Ongs, now and I no longer wonder if poeple are wondering if we can speak English!! We have learnt so much from being at DBC. It's great to see how another church does things.
~ Jo
Many of our chinese Christian friends who go to Chinese churches ask us why we'd decided to go to a caucasian church.
Well, we decided that with missions in mind, we wanted to stretch ourselves to 'cross cultures', rather than going to a church where it would not take much effort to understand the culture. Though we've grown up here in Australia, sometimes it still takes a little time to warm up to caucasians. I guess growing up in Chinese families means that you automatically understand the culture of others who have also grown up in Chinese families. It is not strange for us to see plastic on couches or shoes at doors, because we've grown up in that culture :o)
We thought, if we don't even feel comfortable attending a caucasian church -the culture in which we are immersed and have grown up in, then how are we to feel comfortable in a third culture when we reach the mission field?? or when we are surrounded by other caucasian missionaries when we are in Africa, as will most likely be the case. At least this way, it is one less thing to have to adjust to when we get there.
So with that in mind, we started at Dural Baps and have not regretted it. It did take us a little while to warm up and we did feel a bit strange the first few weeks there being the only Asians walking into a sea of white...! But now we don't even think twice about it and at times probably even forget that we look a little different! People know us, the Ongs, now and I no longer wonder if poeple are wondering if we can speak English!! We have learnt so much from being at DBC. It's great to see how another church does things.
~ Jo
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Throw it away or sell on ebay
Our house is full of stuff, some days it feels as though our house is shrinking. Especially with two kids' worth of stuff. It's an ongoing project of ours to clear stuff, to sort out our garage, throw stuff away or sell on ebay :o)
I'm a keeper, I keep all sorts of things, mainly for sentimental reasons, and to me everything has a sentiment behind it! Seeing as we will probably sell our house when we head off to Africa, as we again tackle our garage full of stuff, I have come up with a new reminder for myself in order to be ruthless in throwing stuff out, and that is: 'If we can't take it to Africa, throw it out.'. This will include my M&M dispenser collection.... :o)
That's a good reminder for heaven too :o)
~ Jo
I'm a keeper, I keep all sorts of things, mainly for sentimental reasons, and to me everything has a sentiment behind it! Seeing as we will probably sell our house when we head off to Africa, as we again tackle our garage full of stuff, I have come up with a new reminder for myself in order to be ruthless in throwing stuff out, and that is: 'If we can't take it to Africa, throw it out.'. This will include my M&M dispenser collection.... :o)
That's a good reminder for heaven too :o)
~ Jo
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman
When we came up with the idea to 'blog' our journey, we discussed what would be a good title for it. Then we remembered that one of Teaghan's favourite songs recently is Steven Curtis Chapman's 'The Great Adventure', she likes the part that goes "saddle up your horses..."! We thought it was very appropriate for our journey, as it is a God adventure that we're going on!
Here are the lyrics for the song:
Started out this morning in the usual way
Chasing thoughts inside my head of all I had to do today
Another time around the circle try to make it better than the last
I opened up the Bible and I read about me
Said I'd been a prisoner and God's grace had set me free
And somewhere between the pages it hit me like a lightning bolt
I saw a big frontier in front of me and I heard somebody say "let's go"!
Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure
Come on get ready for the ride of your life
Gonna leave long faced religion in a cloud of dust behind
And discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for
We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey that the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far beyond our wildest dreams
Yeah... oh saddle up your horses... come on get ready to ride
Life of obedience
Missions is part of who we are. We'd answered the call, and looked forward to one day being on the field.
But we've often talked about the possibility of: What if God has other plans and decides to call us to stay in Oz instead? How will we feel then? For so long, we've had our hearts set on going.
After much discussion and heart-searching, we admitted that we'd both be very disappointed. It'd be like something's incomplete. But then we asked ourselves: Isn't life about living in obedience to God? God does not say that being a missionary is the highest Christian achievement, nor does he say that if we were to stay put that we're any less of a Christian. Yes serving cross-culturally involves a life of physical and practical sacrifices, but at the end of the day, all it matters is that you've lived a life of obedience to Him. Wherever that may be. All he wants is for us to follow him and be obedient to him.
It made us feel much better having 'nutted' that one out. That no matter what and where we are. God will use us to serve Him.
But we've often talked about the possibility of: What if God has other plans and decides to call us to stay in Oz instead? How will we feel then? For so long, we've had our hearts set on going.
After much discussion and heart-searching, we admitted that we'd both be very disappointed. It'd be like something's incomplete. But then we asked ourselves: Isn't life about living in obedience to God? God does not say that being a missionary is the highest Christian achievement, nor does he say that if we were to stay put that we're any less of a Christian. Yes serving cross-culturally involves a life of physical and practical sacrifices, but at the end of the day, all it matters is that you've lived a life of obedience to Him. Wherever that may be. All he wants is for us to follow him and be obedient to him.
It made us feel much better having 'nutted' that one out. That no matter what and where we are. God will use us to serve Him.
Whenever wherever
Pete was in year 12 when he made the commitment to serve God whenever and where he calls, even if that's overseas. It was a growing conviction that God planted in his heart since high school through the faithful examples of missionaries who shared at church over many years. I (Pete) still remember the moment in the backyard of my parent's house those many years ago when pondering on life after Year 12 and what it means to trust Him that I made this promise. I remember feeling scared because trusting Him may mean serving Him in positions and places where I would be out of my comfort zone. But at the end of it all, it was the realisation that my life was in His hands that enabled me to make that promise.
Jo later made the same commitment during Uni, when the Doulos ship came to visit. At the end of one of the talks, the speaker asked anyone to stand who was willing to let God use them whenever and wherever. I (Jo) stood, though with much apprehension. When God calls, he calls. I knew it was God speaking, cos I felt this strong compulsion to stand and commit myself, though I was scared at the same time and didn't want to stand. I still remember clearly the shivers going up my spine as I stood there wondering what I was getting myself into.
Pete was keen to explore going to Asia. Jo was keen to go to Africa. Pete didn't mind Africa, Jo didn't want to go to Asia at all... so we settled on Africa :o) Now we're both equally passionate about using our gifts to serve God in Africa.
We went on a 7 week short term mission to Ethiopia before we were engaged. Pete was stationed at rural Makki, and Jo at the capital of Addis Ababa. The trip opened our eyes to the 'real world' of missions and we came back to Oz, keen to return to Africa in the future. In 2005, we took a group of teens to Kenya for a 3 week mission trip as part of the mission program offered by Pacific Hills Christian School - the school at which Jo was teaching kindergarten at the time.
It has been over ten years since God has planted the conviction in our hearts to serve Him overseas. Since then, we've been working out this 'calling', and in the process, got married and had two kids. We feel the time has come to take some decisive steps. We know that ultimately, it is God's will whether or not we end up where we think we are going and it is His timing when we get there. So we commit to Him our plans and look forward to going on this great adventure with Him!
Jo later made the same commitment during Uni, when the Doulos ship came to visit. At the end of one of the talks, the speaker asked anyone to stand who was willing to let God use them whenever and wherever. I (Jo) stood, though with much apprehension. When God calls, he calls. I knew it was God speaking, cos I felt this strong compulsion to stand and commit myself, though I was scared at the same time and didn't want to stand. I still remember clearly the shivers going up my spine as I stood there wondering what I was getting myself into.
Pete was keen to explore going to Asia. Jo was keen to go to Africa. Pete didn't mind Africa, Jo didn't want to go to Asia at all... so we settled on Africa :o) Now we're both equally passionate about using our gifts to serve God in Africa.
We went on a 7 week short term mission to Ethiopia before we were engaged. Pete was stationed at rural Makki, and Jo at the capital of Addis Ababa. The trip opened our eyes to the 'real world' of missions and we came back to Oz, keen to return to Africa in the future. In 2005, we took a group of teens to Kenya for a 3 week mission trip as part of the mission program offered by Pacific Hills Christian School - the school at which Jo was teaching kindergarten at the time.
It has been over ten years since God has planted the conviction in our hearts to serve Him overseas. Since then, we've been working out this 'calling', and in the process, got married and had two kids. We feel the time has come to take some decisive steps. We know that ultimately, it is God's will whether or not we end up where we think we are going and it is His timing when we get there. So we commit to Him our plans and look forward to going on this great adventure with Him!
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