May 24- shopping!

May 24- Shopping!

Some might say that I am an avid shopper. Let’s just say I know my way around every Target and Walmart within 100 miles of our house in Cave Creek. Well, today I had a shopping first- I was completely overwhelmed!

The shopping trip started by hiring a taxi driver to take us to the shops because you have never seen crazy drivers until you come to Africa. There are no street lines, few traffic lights, and even fewer rules. Basically there is one rule- push your way through- whether you are a person or a car. And there are people everywhere- dodging in and out of the cars and selling all sorts of goods to the cars stuck in traffic. Moses is our taxi man around here. He is trust worthy and reliable. He doesn’t just drop us off and come back, he stays in the car the whole time and guards our stuff from sticky fingers. Thank God for Moses!

 Big buildings, small shops that specialize in one kind of item such as toilets, roadside huts, smoke, red dust, beggars asking for money, and a million items for sell can be seen all around in town.  Sights of green or nature are few and far between. There is hustle and bustle everywhere. Sounds of horns honking, people yelling, and loud radios fill the air as we drive through town with our windows down.

Aleta and I are shopping for goods that we cannot get in Central African Republic. I think we went to 4 shops to get what we need/wanted. I didn’t take pictures because it is not allowed which is a shame because there is no way to describe these stores. The best way I guess is to think of a dollar store in a small town that has a little bit of everything- some groceries, some home goods, some clothes.  You know the general stores that are dusty and have really random stuff.  There were name brands that we have in the states like huggies diapers, pantene shampoo, and Nutella. But these have a name brand price! For example there was a box of Reynold’s wrap aluminum foil for $25! Twenty five dollars! But then there were “dollar store” type knock off brands for $3. The stores had names like “Price Leader” and “American Shopper,” but the missionaries here call them the $3 store because most things were $3.

So what does one buy to live in the bush in Africa? That is what I asked Aleta! In the first store, I just wandered around aimlessly. By the 2^nd one, we were on a roll. I ended up just buying whatever Aleta bought! Here is a sample of our goodies- huge bags of powdered and brown sugar, toiletries such as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, balsamic vinegar, canned green beans, towels, ant spray, and bouillon cubes. We even bought Kraft mac and cheese, Ghirardelli brownie mix, Jiff peanut butter, and Tide detergent (these were not quite the Reynold’s wrap prices!). In fact we filled the taxi up completely and are headed back tomorrow!

For lunch we went to a bakery. I have never smelled anything so wonderful! We got croissants with ham and cheese! And even a flat Coca-Cola lite!  All in all, it was a great day!

May 23 (this was yesterday's post, but couldn't get it up due to internet :) And no pics because I can't figure out how or if we can do it...

We made it to Africa! … finally!

Two weeks ago, Josh, Charlie and I were blessed to spend some relaxing time in San Diego with family. The awe of the ocean scene and the crashing waves was soon overtaken by a week of moving madness. From the day we go home, until literally an hour before we left for the airport, we cleaned, packed, and moved what remained in our house from the yard sale. We also completed 5 million pieces of paper work.  We also had a beautiful going away party in which our friends and family prayed such sweet prayers over us. I was covered in tears and snot, that Is how emotional it was. We also were able to laugh and reminisce on the good ‘ol days. I wish we could have spent more time like that in our last days, but instead it was a frantic mess. I got one hour of sleep the night before we went to the airport.

We were at the airport at 4:45 in the morning with our 9 pieces of checked luggage and WAY too many pieces of carryon items which made loading and unloading from the planes painful. After a tearful good bye with the Shinar parents, we left for Chicago (3 hours). There we met up with the Danforths. Then onto Frankfurt (8 hours) followed by an hour flight to Brussels then to Yayonde, Cameroon (6.5 hours).  When the 5 of us arrived it way mayhem. We had 20 pieces of checked luggage between us and again WAY too many carryons. But the missionary friends who came to get us had paid some men to delivery our stuff to the trucks which were guareded by more paid men. Only 1 bag was missing! All in all, Charlie did wonderful on the flights. Thank God that she had her own seat and her hippo!

On our drive home from the airport, I did my first truly African thing- hold Charlie on my lap in the car. No car seat law here. It made me nervous. I guess I will be stretching my comfort zone!

Some things are already challenging me on my first day- such as ants. They are everywhere. We have to keep our sugar in the fridge  to keep it safe and all other food must be  wrapped thoroughly. I don’t think it helps that we have a toddler that leaves chunks of food in her wake. I swept our floor 4 times today!  I asked Aleta how to get rid of them and she said, “Oh it is really hard.” I asked, “Do you really mean just deal with it?” To which she replied, “Yeah.” Another missionary put it this was, “Make your peace with all small critters. We put our houses on top of their houses. They were here first,”

The other thing that I am having a hard time is how un baby proofed the houses are! Today I chased Charlie all over. It wore me out. She really likes to turn on the gas stove!  I am looking forward to moving into a place that I can modify more to make life easier.

The heat and humidity are also a challenge. Charlie’s head was wet all day from sweat- poor baby. But we have a fan that really helps and every once in a while there is a cool breeze.  I am sure we will learn to adjust.

We got phones today. They are hilarious. They look like phones from ten years ago and they have the loudest most obnoxious ring tones. Think soccer game Latin American music mixed with Bollywood tones.  They have sim cards- a pay as you go type plan. The cards also double as the internet access. Crazy.

We also had our first intro to African living lesson. I learned that we have to soak produce in a bleach solution to prevent getting worms or bacteria. We must also wash dishes with a bleach solution. When you enter a room, you have to shake everyone’s hands. When you shop or do business, you have to have small talk even before you ask a question, otherwise you are rude. No using the left hand and no crossing legs.

Things that I am loving so far- a simpler life in many ways. We do not have a tv and our internet is limited, so today we napped and talked with people. It was a nice change from our hectic last week.  It is exciting to be in a new place and learn a new way of life.

Things I miss- diet coke, convenient food, baby gates.

Things I am praying for- Charle to adapt to the time change. She is all messed up with days and nights. Safety for shopping tomorrow. Less ants. 

The stress of being a missionary

As I was cleaning up stuff today, I found a paper I had written in seminary about the stress of being a missionary. Whoa. What timing. I thought I should share this with those walking this journey with us, then I hesitated because I don't want to look like I am fishing for comments about "how brave we are" or to come off as pitiful martyrs. But I decided to be transparent and let you in on what being a missionary really looks like- beyond the smiling pictures and emotional videos we see at church. I hope it will help you know how to pray for us more specifically.

Here are my warnings- 1. This is a long post and there are no pictures. I mean it was a graduate paper after all- about 10 pages. 2. Mom don't read this (or anyone else prone to worrying about us). 3. Knowing all of this, we are still leaving on Monday because we trust God is in control and his children in C.A.R. are worth it.


Read on....

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7) While the Church upholds the beauty of the feet carrying the Gospel message, it far too often ignores the painful scars and sores acquired while walking in the mission field. “Being a missionary can be very dangerous. . . . Overseas ministry can be peppered with years of direct experience with an exposure to crime, psychological intimidation, military and terrorist threats, kidnappings, armed coercion, torture, rape and murder. Repeated robberies and home invasions by burglars, soldiers, and terrorists are not uncommon.”[1]  One research study revealed 94% of missionaries reported being exposed to trauma while on mission and 86% of those reported repeat exposures.[2] “Trauma, by definition, involves experiences that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope and hence to make sense of certain life event.”[3] The trauma experienced by missionaries has been compared to the stress and combat endured by Vietnam soldiers. International relief and development workers are listed alongside fireman, police officers, and soldiers as having a high potential for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.[4] Even ordinary life events can be traumatic on the field. Far too many missionaries are the “walking wounded,” thus closer attention needs to be paid to missionaries, their families, and their care.

            For married missionaries, the marriage relationship often suffers greatly while serving on the field. One of the first obstacles missionary couples must overcome is relocating to a different country. The moving process has been reported to be among the most traumatic experiences in a missionary’s life. The couple faces new and different languages, cultures, and lifestyles. This culture shock can have a profoundly negative effect. With relocation, couples leave behind the familiar, including their support network- their family and friends. High levels of stress occur during this transition which in turn affects the marriage. For some couples working over seas, the adaptation period takes a few months, yet there others take years to adapt. A study of 38 missionary couples found that the first term appointment (the time between candidacy and the first furlough) produced the greatest level of stress in marriage. Marital dissatisfaction increased more during this time than any other time in the missionaries’ careers. However, the dissatisfaction did not decrease during subsequent appointments- they did not return to their pre-missionary baseline. Time was not enough to heal all wounds. While marriages may be jeopardized during missionary service, they are extremely important in the effectiveness of the missionary. Often, spouses are the only available support system while the couple is adapting to a new and foreign lifestyle.

            Men and women experience the stressors of missionary life differently. Female missionaries in particular report feeling stress during transition periods. Women often overeat, lose interest in sex, and experience periods of crying, headaches, fatigue, and depression when struggling to adjust to life abroad. Men on the other hand do not exert the same severity of symptoms. Surveys show this is partly due to the fact that the men are often the ones engaged in the full time ministry and thus they temper their stress with the satisfaction from their work. [5] Data shows women may not be at more risk for experiencing trauma than men, but they are more prone to permanent change resulting from the stress and trauma of mission work.[6] Isolation and confinement, both social and cultural, seems to affect women far more than it does men.

Burnout may be higher for women than men due to the roles they feel they must take on. Women face unique cross cultural stressors due to the multiplicity of roles they assume and the constant changing of those roles. Female missionaries report stress in representing the whole religion of Christianity to the country they reside. Such representation causes pressure to fulfill unrealistic role expectations. A major influence on role stress is the differing expectations of the host country from the woman’s country of origin. Roles for women may be limited in countries that hold traditional gender views. For example female missionaries in Islamic countries will only be allowed to minister to other women. This can be particularly frustrating to women who are highly educated and trained, yet limited to the roles they are allowed to fulfill based on gender and not ability. Role strain for women occurs not only while ministering, but also in their homes. There is a tension in missionary women between family demands and their work. Women correlate the amount of satisfaction in their marriage with the amount of freedom they had in choosing their roles whether it be staying at home or actively working in the field. Missionary wives ranked “spousal support” of their role choices as one of the most important factor to marriage well-being.[7]

            Missionary life not only affects husbands and wives, it also has a great impact on the rest of the family. The birth of a baby is one of the most stressful events in the lives of any couple. This experience can be exacerbated while serving in a foreign land. Couples entering parenthood during their first term will experience significant parenting related stress. One pregnant missionary in Romania faced an impossible decision: have her baby in the unsafe Romanian hospitals, cross the border to Hungary where the healthcare was somewhat better, have her baby at home which is illegal in Romania, or leave her ministry to travel back to the United States. For the birth of her first child, the missionary and her husband opted to go to Hungary. She was unable to communicate effectively with the staff because she did not speak the language. This caused a great deal of stress and she was unable to have the kind of birth she desired. She felt she had no control over her body or the situation. For the birth of her second child, with much distress she felt she had to leaver her ministry and travel back to the US. This is just one example among many of the stressors facing new parents.[8] “Coping with the task of adjusting to both parenting and a new culture can be presumed to be very taxing for missionary couples, and parenting habits that become relied upon at this stage will have a large impact on the emotional health of missionary children.”[9] Some studies suggest that the transition to the mission field is slightly easier for families with older children because they do not have the added stress of adjusting to parenthood while on assignment. But parents with older children face other obstacles. One of the most stressful periods for missionary parents in the raising of their children is the adolescent phase. In addition to the normal stressors of adolescence, growing up in a foreign environment brings extra challenges. The teens are faced with two models of adulthood- that of their parents and that of the host environment. Parents struggle with the proper guidance of their children as they help navigate them toward becoming adults. Whatever developmental stage missionary children are in, it is extremely important to safeguard them. Research has shown that men who do not adequately balance their family life with their ministry life end up damaging their families. Wives and children experience frustration and depression if the husband/father’s first priority is his ministry and not his family. Often the damage is not seen immediately. [10] Missionary stress has even been linked with dissociative disorders in adult missionary kids.[11]

            Other factors such as finances and age affect the well being of missionaries and their families. Missionaries often make extreme financial sacrifices. While it is essential for husbands and wives to be independent of their extended family, as Genesis 2:24 says for a man to leave his father and mother, missionaries often rely on the financial support of family, friends, and churches. Frustration is a natural result of such a dependency. Also, there is an unrealistic and unhealthy expectation in the minds of missionaries that they must live the most aesthetic life possible. Adhering to strict aesthetic guidelines can not only be stifling to a family, it can also become a hindrance to their ministry. Couples with children feel more pressure when it comes to finances. Missionary parents often worry that they are not providing enough for their children’s needs.[12] As far as age is concerned, missionaries under the age of forty experience more stress than their older peers, are less likely to extend their commitment, are more vulnerable to trauma and burnout, and have higher frequency and intensity of emotional exhaustion. The data suggests that it is not a matter of maturity as much as it is a matter of difference in generations.[13]

If missionaries manage to endure the inevitable stressors of relocation, marriage conflict, children, financial strains, and age, there still lies the potential that which is uncontrollable- trauma. “Traumatic incidents are particularly common in unstable socioeconomic environments marked by prevalent poverty and high crime rates. Politically unstable countries have a reduced ability to enforce law and order and, therefore, may have higher rates of burglary, robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, rape, assault, civil unrest, or war.”[14] These unstable socioeconomic climates are often where missionaries go to meet the unreached. Over 200 missionaries in West Africa were surveyed and 91% reported that they had experienced at least one severe traumatic event while working overseas. The traumatic events included sudden and immediate evacuations, serious medical illness, exposure to fighting, civil unrest or war, violent robberies, and threats to family members or close friends. Overall, 20.6% of the missionaries surveyed qualified for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.[15] Surprisingly, the severity of the stressor has not been correlated with the severity of stress. Studies have shown that non-catastrophic events have caused more permanent damage than catastrophic events. One study found that over a third of missionaries studied with traumatic stress related to their missionary endeavors had continuing symptoms ten years after leaving their position.[16] Trauma can destroy the physical, mental, and spiritual well being of many dedicated missionaries.[17]Irvine quotes one missionary’s experience with traumatic stress, “There’s a deep place inside of me that knows what it is like to feel incredible pain. A friend with whom I’ve shared much described it as having my soul raped.”[18]

Amazingly, missionaries have proved to be quite resilient in regards to the overwhelming amount of stressors and traumatic events they face. Research done by Bagley reveals missionaries in fact have a greater resistance to trauma than the average person from North America.[19] Missionaries may be less susceptible to post traumatic stress than other people due to their pre-established coping skills. Since missionaries choose their occupation with the anticipation of hardships, they have a better ability to adapt to the challenges. Missionary coping ability may also be related to their faith. Missionaries tend to have a higher acceptance of risk and suffering for the sake of a purpose to which they are strongly committed.[20] They also have a greater capacity for finding good in the bad. Two thirds of the missionaries analyzed by Irvine identified positive outcomes from the trauma and stress they endured while serving. One participant in the study said he experienced a deeper trust in God’s sovereignty and a greater awareness of God’s presence even in the midst of suffering.[21]

However resilient missionaries may be, frequent and repeated stress may overwhelm their coping skills.[22] Therefore, member care is extremely important for missionaries. Member care is a term describing the efforts of missionary agencies, human resource agents, and mental health professionals working together to meet the needs of missionaries. While the church has had a tenuous relationship with psychotherapy, more and more missionary organizations are providing mental health services to missionaries, seeing it as a “Biblical responsibility.”[23] The practice may be growing, yet the majority of missionaries are still an “unreached people group.” One study showed only 10% of the missionaries questioned received any kind of stress management training before starting their missionary journey.[24] Usually only missionaries in severe emotional or physical distress receive attention. Those that do no meet the extreme requirements are often left to care for themselves. If they are unable to recover from the trauma on their own, many missionaries feel powerless, shamed, inadequate, and angry. Feelings of moral and emotional weakness are also common. According to Grant, many missionaries in such scenarios look to dissipate the pain by engaging in various addictions. “Addictions serve several purposes. They provide predictable, consistent, private, and readily available ways to alter distressing and uncontrollable feelings and thoughts. The best addictions are those which are hard for others to discover, e.g., alcoholism, compulsive masturbation, as well as workaholism, and codependency.”[25] The absence of a caring and understanding environment is often more damaging than the trauma itself.

      There have been many proposed plans for the prevention and treatment of the stress and trauma amongst missionaries, unfortunately the research on effective treatment plans has not been as plentiful as the research on the cause of the stress and trauma. Grant criticizes referring missionaries to outside agencies unfamiliar with the missionary lifestyle.[26] However, research by Rosik and Richards has shown missionaries actually prefer professionals not related to their sending organization because they are perceived as less biased. They are also more assured of the confidentiality of the sessions. The same missionaries reported dissatisfaction with the support provided by their organizations. There was an overall sense of lack of concern on the organizations’ part. The missionaries felt more emphasis placed on the agenda of the agencies and interests rather than on their well being. The same study revealed missionaries highly favored pastoral visits as a form of member care, reporting pastoral visits from their home church demonstrated a real concern and love for them. [27] Regardless of who provides care, treatment needs to include a safe and trusting place where missionaries can discuss the traumatic events and their feelings. This provides awareness for the missionary and allows them to make sense of what has happened. Empowerment should be the focus of care. Grant recommends a five tier approach to treatment: 1. regular debriefing and renewal processes, 2. experientially oriented group work to help missionaries connect with their hearts and bodies, 3. ongoing support groups, 4. adequate preparation for missionaries to be able to identify and prevent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and 5. a development of spirituality of missions not based on martyrdom.[28]

Missionaries are exposed to stressors that go beyond the normal work environment. They face new, unpredictable work situations and an around the clock work schedule. In addition, they have the pressure of representing God. Without proper care, stress and family dissatisfaction can result in missionaries leaving the field. In 1994, the cost to the agency per family that left their appointment was $60,000. No doubt the number has increased in the last 15 years. The emotional cost to the family is exponentially higher.[29] The first term appointment is critical for missionary well-being. It has been identified as the key time for mental health care. Missionaries entering parenthood and guiding their children during critical years need to be closely monitored. Men and women may experience missionary life and need tailored interventions. Both will require intense help in times of crisis and trauma. The feet of those who bring the good news may be beautiful, but we should always be mindful of Proverbs 6:28, a man cannot walk on hot coals without his feet being burned.

---

[1] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries." Journal of  Psychology & Theology 31.2 (Sum 2003): 98

[2] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries."

[3] Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life." Missiology 23.1 (Jan. 1995), 71

[4] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries."

[5] Christopher H, Rosik, and Jelena Pandzic, "Marital satisfaction among Christian missionaries: A longitudinal analysis from candidacy to second furlough." Journal of Psychology and Christianity 27.1 (Mar. 2008)

[6] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact." Journal of Psychology & Theology 34.4 (Dec. 2006)

[7] Elizabeth Lewis M. Hall and Nancy S. Duvall.. "Married Women In Missions: The Effects Of Cross-Cultural And Self Gender-Role Expectations On Well-Being, Stress, And Self-Esteem." Journal of Psychology & Theology 31.4 (Dec. 2003):

[8], Marlene Waechter, "A Home Away From Home Birth." Midwifery Today (Sep. 2003)

[9] Christopher H, Rosik, and Jelena Pandzic, "Marital satisfaction among Christian  missionaries: A longitudinal analysis from candidacy to second furlough.", 13

[10] Christopher H, Rosik, and Jelena Pandzic, "Marital satisfaction among Christian missionaries: A longitudinal analysis from candidacy to second furlough."

[11]Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact."

[12] Christopher H, Rosik, and Jelena Pandzic, "Marital satisfaction among Christian missionaries: A longitudinal analysis from candidacy to second furlough."

[13] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a

Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact."

[14] Frauke C Schafer.; et al. "Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in cross-cultural mission assignments." Journal of Traumatic Stress 20.4 (Aug. 2007)530

[15] Frauke C Schafer.; et al. "Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in cross-cultural mission assignments."

[16] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact."  

[17]  Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life."

[18] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact." 332

[19] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries."

[20] Frauke C Schafer.; et al. "Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in cross-cultural mission assignments."

[21] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact."

[22] Frauke C Schafer.; et al. "Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in cross-cultural mission assignments."

[23] Christopher H., Rosik, Alicia Richards, and Ty Ann Fannon. "Member Care Experiences and Needs: Findings from a Study of East African Missionaries."

[24] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries."  

[25] Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life.", 79

[26] Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life."

[27] Christopher H., Rosik, Alicia Richards, and Ty Ann Fannon. "Member Care Experiences and Needs: Findings from a Study of East African Missionaries."

[28] Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life."

[29] Christopher H., Rosik, Alicia Richards, and Ty Ann Fannon. "Member Care Experiences and Needs: Findings from a Study of East African Missionaries."

A song in my head

We leave for Central African Republic in 1 week! Ah! Yeah! Boo! Oh my! I am a storm of mixed emotions- excited to start the next part of the journey, overwhelmed with the final logistics, and sad to say goodbye to loved ones.

Sometimes in church, I feel like the music or message is aimed directly at me. Today was one of those days! We sang two songs that are perfect for me right now- and maybe you too!

Blessed be Your Name- You give and take away, my heart will chose to say, "Blessed be Your name."

Trust and Obey (not the hymn)- All of the things that I could do for You and all the things that I could say, nothing is better Lord than to simply obey.

What's going on round here

It has been way to long since I last updated our blog, so join me as I recap some of our Shinar shenanigans: • We are preparing to get on a plane to Africa! May 21 is the day! The tickets are purchased and everything. There is sooooooo much to be done, it kind of makes my head spin.


• We sold almost everything we own! You might remember the “Contentment Tree,” well now we have a “Contentment Dresser” otherwise known as paper bags. We had a yard sale a few weeks ago so now our underwear and socks reside in Safeway bags, we eat all meals on the couch, have nothing on the walls, and find ourselves constantly looking for things and saying, “oh yeah we sold that.” But lest you think we are altogether holy and pious in our humble abode, we still haven’t sold our Ijoy chair. I fear someone will have to rip it from my hands the day we leave. I love that chair, so therefor it will be sold at the very last moment (unless we can find a way to get it on the plane)


• I am becoming a hippie. You have been warned. Please do not gawk when you see me. I have stopped dying my hair and my wardrobe is looking more pitiful every day. I have a lot of gray hair which is weird because I am hardly 21 (snicker)! Usually I cover the gray with whatever box dye is on sale, but a few months ago I started down the au natural path. I decided I didn’t want to scare the Africans when in a few short months I go from looking like Angelina Jolie to Kathy Bates. I doubt they have Loreal Haircolor in “Stary Night” or the concept of denying your age by covering up unsightly gray hairs so I worry that they might think I am sickly, diseased or cursed when I “age” rapidly. And my wardrobe. Sigh. It is depressing. After almost a year of being pregnant and wearing maternity clothes, another year of trying lose the baby weight and wearing whatever kind of fit, and the fact that in a few months I will be dressing like an Amish hiker- it is safe to say that I am a good candidate for “What not to Wear.” I also rarely wear makeup or dry my hair. Hippie.


  • We are trying to pack in as much family and friend time as possible. Charlie and I (Josh still has to work) went to Georgia to spend time with family and friends. It was so hard to say goodbye. In May, we will be going to San Diego with Josh’s parents to visit his brother and family. We also are trying to spend time with friends. If you want to hang out- let us know! I hate goodbyes and I am not looking forward to this part of the journey.


• We are still trying to raise our support. We have raised about $70,000 (thank you Jesus!) and still need about $30,000 more. If you planned on supporting us, but haven’t got around to it yet- NOW IS THE TIME! You can do that here. Just a gentle reminder :)


• I am learning about tropical diseases. Did you know water filtration is the best method to stop the spread of guinea worm?


• Speaking of diseases, we are going to every doctor we can. I think every part of my body has been poked, prodded, and examined. I even got my wisdom teeth taken out today. On the plus side, I got to read a lot of magazines in the waiting rooms.

• Up net on the to-do-list- pack everything we will need for 2 years, get malaria meds, rent our house, sell our cars, and the list goes on…..

The Great Shinar Yard Sale of 2012

Everyone is talking about it. Some have even called it “the sale of the lifetime.” I call it “my worst nightmare.” I am talking about “The Great Shinar Yard Sale of 2012.”




Moving to Central African Republic means that Josh, Charlie and I will each take 2 Rubbermaid bins of supplies. Everything else must go! And I mean everything!
In preparing for the sale, I have learned a few things:

1. It is amazing how much junk a family can accumulate
2. It is not fun packing/pricing/moving said junk when you feel sick
3. Cleaning out every nook and cranny in our house was refreshing
4. I was surprised at what items mad me sad to get rid of like the little mirror Charlie an d I look at every day when we walk up the stairs
5. I was also surprised that some things, like my seminary books, were not as difficult to get rid of as I thought they would be
6. We really do have a lot of junk
7. We really are moving across the world
*Our sale is this Friday-Sunday. Come by, buy our junk… I mean treasures and help send us to Africa!

Should we give an ambulance?

There once was an African village on top of a hill. Every year during the rainy season, the trail to the bottom of the hill would get very slippery and inevitably several people would slide off the hill and get hurt. The nearest clinic was very far away and many people died because they could not get care in time. An American church came to this village to help the poor people with their problem. They decided to go back to their church in America and raise money for an ambulance that way the people could get to the clinic sooner. The church was excited to help the needy people and soon the village had a shiny new ambulance. The church people showed them how to use it and then they left. Like always, people fell down the hill in the rainy season, but were whisked away in the ambulance. They were able to get to the clinic in time and were healed! The African people were happy and the American people patted themselves on the back. After a while the ambulance started to break down. The African people asked the church for more money and more people to come out and fix it. The church was hesitant, but they complied. Every year the African people needed more time and more money to fix the ambulance. Eventually the church said they could no longer help because they needed all of their money to go toward their new building fund. The ambulance sat unused and broken down. Once again the people were falling down the hill. Another foreign church came and saw the problem. They decided the solution was to move the clinic closer and provide antibiotics that the Africans did not have. The village people fell down the hill, but were able to get to the clinic sooner and were healed. Eventually the clinic ran out of supplies. The Africans asked the foreign church to help replenish the medicines. The church was unable because it was involved in another short term mission project. Once again the villagers were at risk for dying from falling down the hill. Another missionary came along and saw the problem. The people asked him to help. He asked them if they had any ideas how they could solve the problem. One man timidly spoke up, "what if we build a railing on the trail? I was going to suggest it before, but the ambulance was so shiny and the clinic so close." Everyone agreed that it would be a good idea to build a railing. They talked about how they could gather supplies- there were plenty of trees for wood. The community joined together to clear the path, build the rails, and put them in place. They were very proud of themselves and grew closer and stronger. The next year when it rained, no one fell down the hill because there was a rail to hold onto. After a few years, the rail started to breakdown, so the people rebuilt it and it was as good as new! Although this story is fictional, there are many real stories like it.



The last missionary is what an example of a CHE (Community Health Evangelist). Josh and I just completed our CHE training last week. It challenged our saviour complex to say the least, but opened our eyes to the fact that sometimes helping does hurt. We have been inspired to help in ways that are sustainable, reproducible, locally funded/supplied, and most importantly "owned" by the people. This type of helping is transforming and redeeming!

This article is a fascinating read about how foreign aid is hurting Africa. Here is an exerpt:
Giving alms to Africa remains one of the biggest ideas of our time -- millions march for it, governments are judged by it, celebrities proselytize the need for it. Calls for more aid to Africa are growing louder, with advocates pushing for doubling the roughly $50 billion of international assistance that already goes to Africa each year.

Yet evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that aid to Africa has made the poor poorer, and the growth slower. The insidious aid culture has left African countries more debt-laden, more inflation-prone, more vulnerable to the vagaries of the currency markets and more unattractive to higher-quality investment. It's increased the risk of civil conflict and unrest (the fact that over 60% of sub-Saharan Africa's population is under the age of 24 with few economic prospects is a cause for worry). Aid is an unmitigated political, economic and humanitarian disaster.