Our Journey

I do not have words to describe the state of my soul. The outpouring of love and generosity from loved ones and strangers is beyond measure.

Last weekend a group of 80+ United Methodist lay speakers whom I had only known for 10 hours prayed over me and for me and my family as we embark on this journey to Malawi. That same evening we gathered around the table with the Bryant family who welcomed us, served us, offered their wisdom and played with our children. The following afternoon after worship we gathered around the table at the Mather house with Dot Anderson (a lifetime missionary in Mozambique and Belmont member), Landon Taylor (from the General Board of Global Ministries) and Elmira Sally (a missionary in Uganda) where again our family was welcomed and served delicious food, and advised and prayed for.

And if that were not enough, Dot called me Sunday evening to tell me three things. And I will treasure all these words and ponder them in my heart. She said,

1. You must allow people to love you and you must accept their generosity. Find something to say that has integrity for you and that allows people to love you.

2. You are not special. You are simply doing what you want to do and what God has for you. “I heard these words”, she said, “from a doctor as we traveled by ship from Lisbon to Mozambique as he chastised his wife for fawning over us and they have kept me on an even keel.”

3. You are the only one who can parent your children – even when you are afraid you might be offending someone. Take your own water with you and keep your children safe even at the risk of offending someone’s hospitality. They will understand and they will respect you for being a good parent.

My soul is not large enough to hold all these blessings. I’m assuming that all the tears I’ve cried are somehow making room for the blessings yet to come.

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After working for 21 days in a row, I was exhausted. I had to take a day off. Kara and I went to our favorite spot for caffeinated beverages that morning. We talked about the current state of our lives and agreed that there was surely more to life than a stable job, a house in the suburbs, and winning the coveted “Lawn of the Month” award. We talked about our dreams for the future and a desire to live the abundant life God promises. Could we live a year abroad with the kids? How might we use our gifts to benefit the world beyond Belmont, Nashville, and even the United States? We agreed to explore our options further. When I arrived home later that same morning, I received an email from Herb Mather titled “An Invitation”. He asked if I might consider a trip to Malawi in 2009 to meet with church groups about business development. “In addition to the help you may be able to provide the people of Malawi, I can promise that such an experience would be a spiritually challenging and renewing time for you.” In Sunday school two days later, we read from the lectionary that week: Romans 12:1-8, “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Romans 12…seriously!?!? God, are you kidding me? We soon decided to commit one year of service to the people of the Malawi United Methodist Church. We will travel in February to meet with the pastors and lay leaders of Malawi and then we hope to leave this summer on the adventure God has for us.

Since those days five months ago, we have pursued this calling with passion (and at times trepidation). We have prayed. We have cried. We have turned to God and each other, weary. Most of all, we have experienced the loving support and advice of so many friends and family — especially our Belmont family. When I talk to people about our plans I sense a genuine excitement and connection. This connection, I believe, has something to do with the power of risk-taking mission and service that Bishop Schnase describes in his book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. Folks want to be part of the outreach efforts of the church because in doing so we each seek and participate in a greater purpose than ourselves. I have seen first-hand how risk-taking mission and service is a powerful expression of faith. It can bring us and those we serve closer to God. It can transform lives. Without these outward-focused ministries, the church risks becoming complacent, numb, and comfortable — these are not words that describe Belmont!

I must confess to you all I do not see myself as a risk-taker. I’m just a guy who is crazy enough to sell the house, leave my job, move the family 9000 miles from Nashville, and seek the intersection of my gifts, the world’s needs, and God’s call. What’s the big deal with that? As Kara points out, it is more likely that the risk-takers in this equation are God and you. So we go forward on a path that no longer conforms to the pattern of this world, hoping that we will be transformed and renewed. I am humbled by your support and prayers.

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I had a minor break down last night. I’ve been in a bad mood for several days but couldn’t quite name the root cause of my funk. Last night as I lay in bed, allowing myself to think and pray I realized that it centers around all the commotion in our house. The only three items left in the bonus room are a futon, a lamp stand and a bookshelf. The living room and dining room are completely empty because workmen come in the morning to install hardwood floors. We have moved out of our bathroom to share with Claire Marin and Carter for the week while they put tile in the master bathroom. And the granite guy (yes, Tim Taylor, I needed to find a good granite guy) is also coming in the morning to install beautiful new countertops.

But all of this work is for someone else – another family looking for a lovely home to grow up in, throw parties, sit by the fire, make dinners and play games. In some ways I feel like I’m living in someone else’s home. I’m sure this is a normal feeling for anyone sprucing up their home for re-sale, but it feels particularly stressful because I have no idea what our new home will look like or where it will be. How could I? It’s 9,000 miles away.

I will say that after a good cry, comforting words from a compassionate husband, and some prayer I feel much better today. Within a few weeks the work will be done and we can go back to living (and keeping the house spotless for showings). And within a month we will have visited Malawi, met new friends, prayed with new colleagues, and come that much closer to our new home.

I’m sure last night’s tears will not be the last. 2009 will bring new adventures, new challenges, new joys and new tears. But I’m more confident than ever that each experience will bring us closer to the God who has called us and remains ever faithful.

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The bulletin insert at church today…

The goal was $30,000 which would provide the materials to build churches in ten Malawi villages. As of January 7, $52,394 has been received. That will mean at least 15 villages will have a strong church building with a metal roof. Upon hearing that we had surpassed the goal, Rev. Daniel Mhone, the Mission Area Superintendent, wrote the following letter to Belmont,

On behalf of the Malawi Church, I send our very tears of joy and gratitude at what God continues to do even in these days of our Christian journey. God moves among his people connecting us in prayer though separated by a very immense distance. [Belmont's Christmas Miracle offering] is a Christmas miracle at the very beginning of the century as the American economy is in turmoil. Yet in those very difficult circumstances, God moves his very people to give beyond what was targeted by over %50. This is no small achievement, neither of human doing BUT God’s own way of doing things even in our very days of existence. WE will not resist tears of joy and gratitude at God’s own miracle.

Those without shelter will have a shelter and the villages will have a place to teach children and women. These church buildings are the synagogues of our times. Synagogues were centers of education in the Jewish society and so the 15 new churches are forming a “synagogue theology” of Methodism in the newly legislated Missionary Conference.

All participating in this are a part of the history in the making. Please know this that our hearts have been challenged, warmed, encouraged and assured of God’s own presence in all this. We are talking of Emmanuel “God with us”, and we are all witnesses of this happening. God bless each one of us that is part of this doing of God.

The Malawi United Methodist Church has over 90 organized congregations but less than 10 permanent church buildings. Most congregations meet under a tree or in a temporary arbor. The $3,000 per church from the Christmas Miracle offering provides cement, sand, mortar, wood for trusses, metal roofs, and doors for the church. Local church members will make bricks, fire them, and do the construction for their new buildings.

In February, Kara and Jeff Oliver and Sue and Herb Mather will be in Malawi for two weeks. Although it will be the rainy season that makes rural travel difficult, they hope to photograph some of the villages which are receiving help with a church. And later, when the churches are completed, we will have more pictures to share. The Outreach Committee is working on recommendations for people-to-people connections between the people in the villages and their friends in Christ at Belmont UMC.

The miracle is more than buildings. The miracle is the enriching of the fiath for the people of Malawi and the people of Belmont UMC.

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