Author Archive

“Ease and predictability are not among God’s promises.”
Patterson, Waiting, p. 69.

Our apartment obviously looks out at many more apartments. This shot is toward the left. Looking right we seem a similar sight: apartments. The small lake is a park and right now a very hot park.

Sunday night Spain and Italy played in the quarter finals of the 2008 Euro cup. Renee and I watched some of the game at another missionary’s home but left early to get some needed rest. Back at our apartment we sat out on the balcony for a few minutes to wind our day down. It was about 23:30. Every now and then we would hear what seemed to be a small crowd cheering. We simply thought that maybe a large group of Spaniards were gathered at one of the local taverns for the game.

By the end of the game, and overtimes, the score was still tied. They then went to penalty kicks. Each time Spain scored there was a great roar as if we were in a stadium. Each time Italy scored there was a similarly loud scorn. There was no traffic on the road. There were no visible signs of people on any street anywhere.

Our little lake is surrounded by thousands of apartments with open windows. Few apartments here have air conditioning. Each successive Spain score produced such a rousing response that we felt that we were in a stadium even though not one person was visible to our eye.

The Spanish goalie kept back two shots. The Italian goalie was only able to stop one. When the game was over it was like being in Tiger stadium. But there was still no one to be seen. During the maddening cheers of the final score lights in apartments began flashing on and off. It was like a light show in a stadium. People began to fill the streets, shirts off and waving. Cars and scooters began to flood the roads with horns blaring. Many carried the flag of Spain while running down other streets. There was quite a celebration and quite a long one at that, beginning at about 00:30.

I was amazed at these moments. I couldn’t see or hear the game but I could hear the response from all those open apartment and bar windows. I knew Spain had won.

Fellow missionaries tell us, “Wait and see what it’s like if they take the whole thing!” I can’t wait.

What does a believer do when “hemmed in” - you know, that place where there are seemingly no options? Oftentimes we Christians do all within our power to stay out of or at least away from those places that would possibly bring us terror. Instead of running we should turn to the Scriptures.

“When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lordwill fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:10-14, ESV)

The children of Israel were on the banks of the Red Sea by God’s own leading. They were obedient in following Moses to that very spot. As Pharaoh’s army approached they found themselves hemmed in and began to rebel against God’s direction for their lives. He had made His Name famous by demonstrating His power over the gods of the Egyptians. And even though they arrived at the Dead Sea not too many days after the Passover, they had already forgotten His works. But God was not yet finished.

We find ourselves between a veritable rock and hard spot. We are living in two countries. Our home in TX has not yet sold. We are living some 60% behind the euro in southern Spain. The high prices affect us on both fronts. We seem to be hemmed in. But unlike the Israelites we don’t want to find someone to blame. We don’t want to  cut and run. But the temptation to do so is often unbearable.

I am grateful for those who have prayed for us during these months. Sometime the pressure is more than I think we can stand. But we will find that God is faithful. He will bring us through and make His Name famous in our lives.

Though I had seen photos and video clips of the cliffs of El Chorro, I was taken back at the grandure of this group of mountains. To rock climbers it is one of the top climbs in Europe. To us it was simply breath-taking and allowed us a few hours off the city beat.

As we traversed the large-stoned road up the side of an adjoining hill, we did our best to act as though this was just another walk in the park. But the oppressive heat, steep incline, and slippery stones challenged us much differently than our 6-mile path back in Longview. Water is such a blessing.

Rock climbers were coming down for the day as the THI rose. They probably thought, “Idiots!”, as we passed them going up as they departed for the day. Fortunately there are natural and man-made caves so there was respite from the tortuous sun. After a bit of surveying of the area, we just sat back and enjoyed the moment.

What a great day!

Sixty-four years ago today Allied forces invaded German held France at Normandy Beach. The mission was called “Operation Overlord” though it is generally knows as D-Day; 06-June1944.

As I sit in Europe hearing and seeing so much blatant hatred for the United States I am taken back. However, I also sit in a free Europe and remember the deeds of my American forefathers with gratitude.

My hope is that Europe will take notice of the significance of this day and once again give thanks to our Lord for the intervention of the United States of America in WWII.

Mike Baker photo taken 01-June-07

Thirty-two years have passed by swiftly.

Happy Anniversary.

“Hope is…essential to waiting. Why wait unless there is something worth waiting for? There is logic to the world’s frenetic grasping for everything now - not only does it lack humility, but it has given up on a future that is anything more than an extension of the present. Eternity is a vague unknown; the here and now is what is substantial. The world reasons that since there is no great eternal hope to wait for, why wait for anything else?

Christians are hard hit by this attitude.” (Ben Patterson, Waiting, pp 12-13).

Summer is on its way to Spain. Soon dust from the Sahara will blow across the miles and across the Mediterranean as a reminder of our climate change. Climate control is the exception here, not the rule. Central heat is replaced by space heaters. Air conditioning is, well, not so prevalent. Our apartment is set to rise to temperatures that the Sahara dust only serves to exacerbate. We tell our fellow missionaries that we are from Texas. They tell us in return that we have yet to experience heat. We’ll see…

But changing seasons do not prevent the ever present work of getting the Gospel of Christ to the Muslim and Spanish worlds. ‘B’ from Morocco writes, “My faith in Christ is getting stronger even though there is some pressure that [is] facing me.” ‘I’ from Iraq writes, “Please pray for us so that His peace and love come down on our beloved country.” Pressure… Beloved country… Believers in the Muslim world continue to astound me with a deep abiding faith and hope in Christ; in spite of the odds.

Not only do we continue our work in print, radio, television, and internet, but also on projects within North Africa that not only propagates the Gospel but aids believers in a tangible way.

That same need exists for church leaders as well. One cannot simply be a pastor who receives a salary from the parishioners. At tax time the question is, “How did you earn this money?” Since there is no such trade as pastor, officials could readily assume that they have discovered a drug dealer. After all… how else could he make this money? So we help create jobs.

We are grateful to play a role in the work of the underground church in the 10-40 window. Our task here is to provide administrative talent to undergird the work of Arabic and Spanish ministers so that they do not waste their precious

time over the many administrative tasks that are part and parcel of this mission: properties, facilities, grounds, maintenance, accounting, IT, personnel, hospitality, etc. It is our joy to perform these tasks.

We give thanks for all who make our ministry here possible. Without your prayers and financial support we would not be able to continue our task. The dollar may be falling in comparison to the euro, but God is faithful. He will complete the work that He began.

We receive letters from many parts of the world in response to our radio and television programming, as well as our internet site.

A couple of days ago a letter arrived from Iraq written by a woman. Many gracious statements were made in her letter clearly revealing a grateful heart for our part in her spiritual journey. One line struck me particularly, “Please pray for us so that His peace and love come(s) down on our beloved country.”

Far too often the word “beloved” does not cross my mind when I think of Iraq. But for believers in that country, many of whom are suffering terribly, their love of the Lord brings with it love of a country as well.

The Church is made of people from all tribes, nations, and tongues. I pray that my view of Iraq would change to agree with the brethren who live there.

Practice for the Sunday morning worship team was ending when we arrived. The team is currently shy some members due to moves and other issues. But these people love the Lord and play/sing their hearts out. The guy up front is Pedro. He is a classical guitar teacher. But he surely can light up that electric guitar.

Most of the songs we sing are new to us. They are from the Spanish church and for the Spanish church. Periodically we will sing translated American praise/worship songs. It is not near as difficult to keep up with those, though admittedly I am still not accustomed to the cadence of Spanish words and music. But no matter where it happens, we enjoy worshiping with the Body of Christ. God is calling out a people to Himself, dedicated to His will and His ways.

We count ourselves blessed to have a share in building the Body of Christ in Spain and among the Arabic world. Thanks for your prayers. May the Lord’s glory be manifest as He builds His invisible Church.

We had a great quadruple birthday party. Four of us MMC-ers have birthdays this month. Based upon my best calculations I am the senior of the four. The old dude gets the little green birthday hat. Siesta time (2pm-4pm) was a fun-filled time of sharing stories. We come from so many backgrounds. I really enjoy these times because memories are jostled. Good times indeed.

One of the satellite broadcasters that has requested our programs uses a 30-minute format. The other two companies have a 15-minute broadcast format. A group of us met today to brainstorm ideas for filling in the other 15-minutes. The meeting began with 4-Americans and 2-Brits.

The initial idea was to use Arabic music videos to fill the time slot. We determined that the pace should be energetic and exciting, fast and furious (maybe with a young host). Then came the ideas about using humor. There were ideas about using a computer generated avatar in place of a person. For about 30-minutes we threw around ideas of such concepts. Then one of our Arabic ministers joined the discussion.

His insights were invaluable. He understands the people. He has lived their needs. First: no jokes - they devalue the message. Muslims have high regard for “God” and when humor is used the message is lost. No avatars - it’s almost like using jokes. If a host is used he must be an adult for you will only reach youth with another youth. An adult reaches all for adults are respected.

The shows must demonstrate an extremely high regard for the God you teach. You must have a clear message and you must know what you talk about. There are also opportunities for basic programming on health, education, or marriage. He even spoke of the great need for a husband/wife team to speak on various topics related to marriage and family issues. In North Africa these topics are not studied or understood.

Though this particular Arabic minister is principally involved in our radio broadcasts, he gave invaluable Occidental insight to our Western minds. Every word used in the radio broadcasts are carefully and throughly considered. Every program is formatted to teach very specific Christian concepts. There is no time for light-heartedness. The message of the cross is not light-hearted.

My American mindset was gently but thoroughly rebuked today. There is much to learn about the Arabic way of thinking. Thank the Lord for our Arabic ministers. They are truly the ones who best reach Muslims.

Today we heard the story of a man who is vitally connected with the ministry of the Church in North Africa. His position is very important, particularly for seekers of the truth. He has a young family.

Last week a North African newspaper carried an article on the efforts of Christianity in their Islamic country. It was not in support of Christianity, of course. Due to this article this young leader’s full name and address were elsewhere made public. It is thought that someone who knows him very well must have done this deed.

He has asked for prayer and for the safety of his family. Most likely he will not abandon his post. 

It takes courage to be a believer on hostile soil.

May we all face such a choice.

 Yesterday our friends Dom and Tanya had a birthday party for their daughter Isabella. Tanya is expecting their second daughter any day now so she was not in the middle of many of the activities.

Friends began gathering at their home at 3pm. It took a couple of hours for all of us to get acquainted and dig into great times of fellowship. During this time the children, who hardley ever meet another kid they don’t like, began playing games, some of which I have never seen the likes of. Obviously most birthday parties I am familiar with are over within a couple of hours. But we had just started.

Around 5pm we all gathered around the cakes. Happy Birthday was then sung five different times: English, Spanish, Welch, German, and Afrikaan. I then enjoyed a cake that was baked by 10-year-old Carolyn. It was really good too. And then fellowship and more children’s games commenced. At 6:30 we parted with the party still rolling along. The sun still had at least two hours remaining.

The world is really such a small place. Gathered on that small acreage were brothers and sisters from all over the world who are in Spain for various business and missions reasons. But we had come to celebrate a two-year-old’s birthday. What a day! Happy Birthday Isabella!

We We pray regularly for the leadership of the North African church. Those leaders are always called by a pseudonym (a fictitious name). Once I queried whether we could post the names that we hear. I was given a positive nod to do so. But for the continuing sake of confidentiality and safety I still choose not to divulge those names.

Though they remain unnamed they are leading the churches of North Africa in extraordinary ways and oftentimes in very difficult and dangerous situations. These leaders will probably never speak to large crowds. They will probably never have large buildings with great attendances. They will most likely continue to meet in small, humble dwellings (as in the photo from Morocco) wherein the church will grow, oftentimes exponentially.

The Lord knows His own. He continues to call them by name. They hear His voice.

What a privilege we have - sharing the Gospel of Christ with those who await His call.

Over the centuries Europe has died to the claims of Christ. The people of Europe feel they have no need for the Gospel. The church is “official” and just about empty. Evangelicalism is viewed as a cult. Islam is on the rise above all religions. Missionaries face a difficult task in Europe. The spiritual battles are very real and loom very large before the missionary.

Other challenges face the missionary:

In other words, it takes $1.56433 dollars to equal 1-euro. The other day I had to make an ATM withdrawal. I requested 160-euros. The next day my bank statement showed a debit from that transaction of $256.44 with only a $1.50 of that as a transaction fee from my TX bank.

For missionaries who have to travel to meet the ever changing demands of ministry and society there are additional challenges. On this day cheap fuel is 1.12/liter. The calculations in US currency is a cost per gallon of $6.63.

And for those of us directly involved in Arabic ministry the challenges grow even more exponentially.

Missionaries need funding. The financial challenges are sometimes overwhelming. With tremendous spiritual battles throughout Europe, working within the 10-40 Window, and Muslim ministry, a high level of prayer commitment is demanded.

All missionaries that I know are in their field because of God’s gracious plan and provision. Please continue to pray for us. We may be the ones on the field but we are not here without our supporters standing alongside us.

As we were preparing our move to Spain, one of the issues was convenient, low-cost communications with our friends in the States. After researching several companies I felt we should try Skype first. Skype has many different approaches to internet telephony but I was intrigued by the up-front low cost as well as the ability to communicate via computer, Skype to Skype, for free. Video imaging is also free when connecting Skype to Skype.

As is typical for the internet there are times when connection speed is sufficient for clear communication with friends and family. However there are those many times when strange echos and other interferences somewhat prohibit us from getting anything intelligible in either conversational direction. One of the issues we spoke of with several supporters was the possibility of using Skype to communicate to larger groups. This past Sunday we were given that opportunity by our old Sunday School class.

One of our friends signed up with Skype, passed his connection information to me, we tested the system on a prior weekend, and we anxiously awaited to talk with this 40-something class. What a delight we had this past Sunday to once again see our friends via the internet and speak with them for a few minutes. And even though it was one of those bad Skype days we felt connected to a small group of friends for a few minutes and we were greatly encouraged by them.

A challenge: set up your own Skype account. Contact me with your screen name. Let’s talk. We will all be blessed.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18, ESV).

“To escape affliction is a cowardly thing to do; to sink under it is natural; to get at God through it is a spiritual thing.  Most of us have tried the first, a good many of us have known the second, and the Spirit of God in us knows the third, getting through into the weight of glory. That means we become people of substance spiritually; we can be relied on when others are in pain or sorrow, and after this war is done there will be a call for every one of us to be of use for God in that direction, not to be didactic and set on our own views, but simply to be ourselves rightly related to our Lord Jesus Christ so that through us the presence of God may come to others… We have to learn to live in the reality of eternal things.” (Oswald Chambers, The Place of Help (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, New York, 1936), 187)

The The latest Arabic video shoot is complete. Nineteen new programs were taped and now go into post production. Plans are already underway for another shoot in May or June with some fifty-one programs to film. All programs are broadcast via satellite into much of the Arabic speaking world, Asia, and soon North America. We are blessed to participate with this international team.

My view of the production is shown in the photo. My task: taking notes for the editing department for post-production. Though the task was small I am grateful that I was asked to participate in the video shoot. These occasions bring the MMC staff together while post-production sends all back to their cubicles or other tasks.

May the Lord use these programs to build His Church.

This week we will be in the midst of a video shoot for our Arabic ministry. Eighteen programs are slated for production. Guests will come to the Center to participate in this effort.

All of us will continue to work in our regular capacities but we will also participate at various levels in the video shoot. A wiseacre informed me that my job will be to press a button. Missionaries have humors.

Renee is responsible to feed the participants - about 20 people each day. Folks here love her Southern cooking. I am proud.

I ask that you pray that all the participants will be in good health (good voice for those who are on-camera), all the equipment will function at 100%, that final script preparations would go smoothly, the message of the gospel of Christ would be crystal clear to our intended audience, and that post-production would run smoothly.

 This is the church that we have been attending (mostly) since we came to Spain. The pastor is from Ecuador. His wife is from Germany. They have four very nice children; two of whom are out of the nest and two that remain.

I cannot say that we have actually “heard” one sermon though the pastor preaches for some 45-min to an hour. All aspects of the service are in Spanish. We are learning Spanish. Words and short phrases are all we can capture at this time. But then, the first Sunday that we were here we couldn’t understand one word or phrase. We thought the guy spoke too fast. Now we find that he has tremendous diction and works diligently to make sure that his international congregation can follow his sermons. He is currently teaching from Ezekiel.

The song service is typically songs we have never heard so we don’t even have a tune to work alongside the Spanish words. Every now and then there comes a song that we know (at least in our English understanding) and we can keep up. But we have noticed that we are keeping up better as the days, weeks, and months pass. For this we are grateful.

The Church has a very important place in our lives. As we continue to work on our language skills, as we continue to work on culture adaptation, as we continue to serve the Lord at the MMC, we hope to begin to once again understand the services we participate in. We worship the Lord in an “unknown tongue” for the time. But the language will come.

Please continue to pray for us that the language will come.

Though football was an option to me, basketball was the sport I loved during my high school years. While my friends were practicing on those hot Mississippi Delta afternoons in the late summer and fall, I was in the gym, alone, with a basketball until way past dark. And since I was not able to turn on the gym lights I practiced in the dark. This helped me to always know the exact position of the basketball without ever putting my eyes on it. Practice, practice, practice was the mantra if I wanted to make the team.

But personal practice cannot be compared to when the coach finally hits the floor with his whistle in hand. He knows full throttle, nothing else. We would do the standard drills on half court and/or full court: layups, figure eights, bouncing the ball off the backboard to the guy behind you, team drills, etc. Inevitably the dreaded time came when the coach said, “Hit the line!” It was now time to die to the one man practices, the frequent water breaks, and the ability to quit when you felt like it. He was about to run us until we dropped or died, whichever came first. And he didn’t care which.

First it was the lines: back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, until you had touched every line from one end of the court to the other and back - once was never enough - and we ran more lines. We ran backwards, sideways, and front-ways to the tune of his whistle. We ran the stands: up and down, up and down, up and down. Each whistle meant more running and more running and more running… Over the course of a season you were most assuredly in shape, but running those lines was always awful. And the day after Thanksgiving the coach would state, “Now we are going to run that turkey out of you!” Not one of us wanted to finish last. That meant more whistles; more running.

Game day was always just around the corner. Each practice was preparation for game day. Each practice was a stretch of our abilities so that when game time came we were ready. I hated those drills. But I loved the game. And game day was so much better when you outplayed your opponent (though that was not always the case). Losing is part of playing the game.

I find that serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is somewhat similar to practicing basketball. There are solo times at the hoop for fun. There are ”pick-up” games when we play hard, take water breaks, and just enjoy the hoops. But the Coach - the King, our Lord - will place us through the necessary practices that will prepare us for forthcoming battles, trials, tests, traumas, growth, etc. Far too many times (in prayer) we beg the Lord to give us a water break for we think we can’t take anymore of His apparent indifference to our prayers.

Funny how I would never have asked my basketball coach for a break. He would simply have blown that nasty whistle in my face and made me run twice as much - probably until I did die. Either I would run or quit. But quitting was no option.

Paul admonishes us to “run with endurance” the race that is set before us. Our Coach knows our limits. But he also knows His game plan perfectly and doesn’t even need to review the opposition’s game videos.

Any of us who love a sport would love to play on a team that never loses; especially as a starter. In service to our King we are starters. There is never a loss. We are the champions. Our trophies are secure. There is an end to the practices and the final game will be ours. But in the meantime - practice, practice, practice - game day is upon us.

After two months in Spain we realize just how out of shape we really are. Our Coach lovingly blows the whistle. And we run.

As of this post we have been in Spain for two months. The question I contemplate is, “What does it feel like to be a missionary?”

The answer can only be theological. The mandate for disciples is to go into all the world. For the Jew this was a difficult concept and the book of Acts tells us as much. All the world… this statement means what it means: all the world. So wherever Christ places a believer then that is a square foot of all the world. In other words one does not need to move somewhere to fulfill this commission.

Another statement from our Lord is that disciples are to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. The book of Acts again tells us how difficult that statement was to the Jew. The gospel is to ripple throughout the earth beginning right where God plants a person (Jerusalem). So if a disciple was to stay in their Jerusalem they would be able to fulfill this command as well.

Since beginning my walk with Christ (20-July-1975) I have believed that wherever I am planted I am a minister (though certainly not to the neglect of job responsibilities). I taught my four boys that regardless of their age and regardless of their station or location in life, they are to be salt and light in this tasteless and dark world. Though one may be employed in the “secular” market, we are all, always, ministers of the gospel. Our lives are to display Christ Jesus in whatever marketplace we are placed. Our Soverign God places us there.

So putting on the tag of missionary is somewhat difficult in that I have always seen myself, my wife, and my boys as being active missionaries - sent forth to whatever part of the world He may choose for us whether Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, or the ends of the earth.

All believers are ministers of the gospel. We should never sell ourselves short to believe that seminary, or ordination, a license to preach, or being on a foreign field makes us more of a minister. This world is fallen. Every field is one for missionaries.

If we take seriously the mandates of scripture we will study, we will listen, and we will follow our Savior to whatever end of the world He takes us. And that includes the square foot of land you are perched upon at this moment.

I took 3-years of Greek during the course of my college and seminary studies. Greek is quite challenging but there were great advantages to taking Greek that I did not realize until taking Spanish here.

1) The Greek texts were written to English speakers with clear instructions prior to taking on each lesson; 2) The textbooks were written for higher education; 3) English was the first language of all my classmates; 4) My professors spoke English (though Russian was Dr. Nick’s first language); 5) When I walked out of class the culture was ‘my’ culture and my classmates and I could debate finer points we learned even though we may have come from different parts of the States.

Taking Spanish in Spain is quite different: 1) The books are entirely in Spanish; 2) The books are probably on the 4th grade level (very humbling); 3) My fellow students are from different countries (there is no common language except Spanish); 4) Our teacher is very hesitant to answer our English-based questions; 5) I leave the class to another culture with little understanding of the language around me (but there is no discussion - we don’t know one another’s language or the Spanish language well enough to debate the lessons).

Over the years I have utilized Greek but not to any extreme that would keep me really sharp. I attempted to take Spanish on several occasions while in the States but since I knew few who regularly spoke Spanish my studies turned out to be quite frustrating. So we made the decision to wait till coming here and take on studies via immersion.

Immersion will probably work very well for us. After all, it is sink or swim now.

A ”level playing field” is one where all contestants involved have an equally good chance of winning. The phrase is typically used of sporting events but can obviously be used of other items as well.

As we came to the field I had the opinion that the talents we brought to the table were in no way to be compared with those who had high technical skills. After all, in the States one is rewarded greater (paychecks) when their skills create an environment whereby a Company profits. CEO’s profit the most for they take ultimate responsibility in leading a company to greatness. As one works their way down the corporate ladder salaries begin to diminish until you ultimately reach the part-time hourly wage earner.

The church is afflicted with this type of thinking as well. The Pastor is the great wage earner followed by “lesser staff” on down to the hourly staff. For all the time parishioners put into serving they can only hope for some sort of eternal reward. After all, they are the “tithers” as well as the back upon which churches operate. Unfortunately this approach causes a typical church member to view themselves as less in God’s eyes than paid staff.

Far too often this system also causes a believer in the workplace to view himself as less of a servant of the Lord. After all, he/she has had no special college or seminary training; they don’t perform weddings or funerals or deep counseling sessions with the hurting. When they visit the hospital they feel they can’t offer a beatitude prayer like a staff member. And even if they do they feel that God was certainly humored at best by a pithy prayer. They just work a “secular” job.

Amazingly, this pyramidal system of thought does not exist on this mission field. All are paid the same salary (based upon family size). We all were hats of many responsibilities. We are all vital to the success of projects whether in Arabic or Spanish. We are col-laborers in this field. We are dependant on one another. And we are all certainly dependant upon the Lord to get us here, keep us here, and to keep us safe and healthy.

A level playing field… another great reason to serve the Lord in missions.

Prayer is not as easy as it used to be. We pray for someone not to be jailed (they are later jailed). We pray for vias or passport miracles (they are usually denied). We pray for open doors (they stay shut). We pray for sick missionaries to be healed (others wind up sick).

Gone are the days of praying for some remote aunt, uncle, or their distand cousin’s issues. Gone are the days for standing for someone else’s miracle though you couldn’t for one moment believe the same prayer for yourself. Gone are the days of praying for a mall to allow distribution of tracts. Gone are the days of praying that the doors we knock on will be opened by receptive hearts (visitation is not done among the people we try to reach). Gone… well, it could go on.

Now don’t take me wrong. Missionaries are real folks with real needs. We have mothers, dads, children, aunts, uncles, etc. We have sicknesses amongst ourselves and our family back home. We have houses in the States that need to sell. We do have needs.

Prayer is now about life and death; whether families will survive or risk demise. Oh yes, I remember reading about those types of events in magazines like “Voice of the Martyrs” and the like. But now you don’t just read about them. These people have faces and they live just around the corner, not on the other side of the world.

We are daily involved with some of the gutsiest people with some of the greatest faith imaginable. Names are changed to protect their identities. But they are real people with real needs in a very real world.

So pray for us as we relearn prayer. It is much more difficult now.

The telecom industry has been my home since 1988 - primarily in the tower industry. Towers, of course, mean that the world is worked in a vertical manner rather than horizontal (towers are built from the ground up). The tower world is very challenging. Competition for contracts is great. Risks are also great.

Obviously the news I focused on in that industry varied: products, services, suppliers, contractors, contracts, etc. Additionally there is the day-to-day news that spreads quickly; particularly when that news carries accident and/or death reports. Every industry has its hot topics. Accidents and/or death news travels quickly in the tower industry. This particular topic made it very easy for me to pray for those whom I worked with or those contractors whom I hired. Every person has a name, a family, a place to call home.

I am now in a related telecom area - the MMC. But here our job is to successfully share the Gospel of Christ to the lost of Arabic and Spanish speaking people of the Mediterranean region. And hot topics of this world travel quickly as well. We regulary hear of the persecuted believers to whom we minister.

Recently our morning prayer time included praying for some in a North African assembly. We sought the Lord diligently for protection for these believers from governmental harassment. We called out their names before the Lord. We desired that they would receive miraculous intervention. They were arrested nontheless, taken from family, friends, and fellowship.

I can’t help but comparing the parallels. We pray for the best that we could imagine for someone (regardless of the industry) and we are grateful when they return safety. But in this type of ministry we too often hear far too many tales of persecution instead of rescue. My American mind can’t altogether capture this. Apparently either I am accustomed to praying for easier issues, or my faith is only challenged when it comes to believing the Lord for my own faith and not the faith of others.

Great prayers with great faith for others comes rather easily. Why? I think it’s because it doesn’t cost us anything. And if the prayer is answered we feel pretty good about it. But if that prayer is not answered, well, what challenge have we yet experienced? We go about our daily grind with a simple wondering as to why God chose not to answer. But my faith is typically not challenged. I move on with my life.

Moving on doesn’t happen so well here. Hearing daily of the trials of my brothers and sisters in closed countries reminders me that my responsibility is ever before me: effective fervent prayer regardless of the outcome. Our God is Supreme above all gods. He is sovereign over all peoples. He sets up rulers and He brings them down.

He will complete the work that He began, though at times the disparaging differences between Scripture and what our ears/eyes behold seem so distant.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:12-13).

I have so few words. 

Each day I hear information that humbles my heart. Letters/emails/calls from men, women, and children all about the Mediterranean (and literally the world over) who have come to Christ through this ministry burns into my being. The typical stories shared come from those who live in very religiously suppressed countries.

There are hardships that this American boy cannot comprehend. The trials that most of the worldwide Body of Christ experience cause me to hang my head. Why? Because I was more asleep than awake while living in the US. I feel as though I gave so very little to win the lost, relieve the suffering, or disciple those who have little or no schooling available.

Now I am in a ministry that exists to win the lost, relieve the suffering, and disciple those who are to be future leaders of a church movement that cannot be stopped regardless of threats from multiple sources.

I believe it will take a good while for me to take this all in. But right now I certainly feel like a dwarf among giants.

The church in Algeria has enjoyed something of a reprieve with the government officially sanctioning some 32 churches. It is estimated that there are some 70k believers in country; an astounding number to the praise of His glorious grace; (and obviously many unsanctioned churches). But we understand that the honeymoon is now over. Militants in Algeria have forced a change in position and the church is now troubled by both militants and government officials.

It appears that a so-called bible school student was really a mole and was passing identities of church leaders and members to the government. Arrests have been made and subpoenas have been issued for others. One subpoened believer lives in Spain. He as decided to go back to Algeria. Why? I do not know.

But I have tried to reflect on my possible response to such a challenge to my faith. Would I do likewise. It is easy to rationalize and say, “No, I will stay and pursue my faith and ministry here.” And when I consider challenges to my faith as a believer in the States, it falls quite short of such a challenge. Is, “I choose not to supersize” really a stand for something? Maybe the beltline or one’s health, but not much else in comparison. No, this believer from Algeria has taken a Bonhoeffer type of stand.

Bonhoeffer, the brilliant theologian of the WWII era, undertook the challenge of going back to Germany in lieu of the potential comforts of the States. He chose participation with the suffering church. In the end it turns that he chose a death sentence. But what a legacy and example he left for us.

Could I do likewise? I pray that I could. But until such a time comes I will probably not know. Only daily, as He changes me into His likeness, will I be molded for such a call. And only our wise and gracious God knows who will pass the test.

This past Sunday we were invited to lunch with one of the MMC Arabic couples. Both work in the radio/internet portion of the ministry here. Upon arrival we learned that we were not the only couple invited. There would also be 1) another Arabic couple that works the Bible Correspondence Course (BCC) ministry, and 2) a pastor, his wife, and one-year-old child from North Africa. 

As I later told the hosts, I was initially fearful of the gathering. Most of the conversation, I presumed, would be in Arabic so I didn’t think we would fit in very well. I thought, “We’ll just enjoy our lunch and then excuse ourselves early.” But I could not have made a more incorrect assessment. 

Though the time started somewhat slowly with intros, small talk, and the like, when the meal was placed and we were all seated, communion in Christ began. Though Arabic was often spoken, English was the common language. There were times when French and Spanish were spoken as well. The food was fantastic. We sat together for three hours.  

Renee and I listened in amazement to the grateful heart of a North African pastor for His amazing grace in the midst of his homeland. This man is as thoroughly committed to his parishioners as any dedicated pastor in the States. He had a zeal for God’s Word, a desire for the Truth to fill believer’s lives, and a heart to reach fellow countrymen with the Gospel of Christ. The best word to describe his life: passion. And gathered around that table were others who were of the same passion. 

We shared, we laughed, and we cried together. We heard information that unfortunately cannot be revealed due to great risks involved for the North African church. And all were just as interested in our part in sharing the Gospel with Christ in their Muslim world. 

Our gracious God and Savior Jesus Christ is calling a bride to Himself from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. His purposes for His church will be fulfilled. People of passion are called forth each day to join in this great work. 

Is it possible that you are one of the passionate? If so, go. But if you do not go, please, send someone.

Each morning at 9:15 a.m. the MMC family begins the day with prayer. On Friday the emphasis is on the Spanish ministry. Today Jeber (pronounced Abear), short-term from Brazil, spoke to the group regarding the christian witness in the country of Spain.

Spain has over 500 cities with populations over 5000 that have no christian witness. Renee and I were given the prayer card for Alora, population 13,013 - no christian witness in the town. According to the 2000 census, Kilgore TX has a population of 11,301. Imagine Kilgore as totally void of a christian witness; churches but no christian witness. This is unthinkable but this is why missions like the MMC exist.

When our eldest son Joshua was 10-months old he contracted pneumonia. After our pediatrician diagnosed his condition we immediately checked him into a local hospital in Baton Rouge. Renee and I grieved over so little a child having such a sickness. After about a week in the hospital he was declared well and we took him home to his new world of discovery; and three brothers yet to come.

A—- is 9-months old. He was born in North Africa with congenital kidney failure and is currently in a local hospital receiving life-saving treatments. Due to restrictive passport issues his mother is unable to depart her country to be with her son. His dad is currently here but will soon return to North Africa in an attempt to get his wife here and reunite the family. The passport process is extremely difficult and while that process is working A—- will be under the complete care of the local church while still confined to the hospital.

A—-’s dad has always been an outspoken man. Because of this, for many years he was a political prisoner in his North African home country. These years cost him much in terms of his health, his future, his family. But it was these very years that brought him to a place where he could receive the message of Christ. This same outspoken man now speaks out for Christ. God grows His church in mysterious ways.

With continued treatment, and quite possibly a kidney transplant, A—- could grow up in a loving Christian home in Islamic North Africa. Please pray for him, and pray that his dad would quickly and successfully complete the legal processes that will allow all to be together during this very important time; and may God’s church rise to meet this challenge.

Jet lag remains though I have been here for 10-days. I cannot blame the weather for if January in Spain is as good as this then I have arrived in quite a wonderful climate.

There is much work to be done here but observation is key at this early juncture. I don’t want to appear to have immediate and concrete answers for all the departments; and I certainly don’t want to interfere with my co-workers. After all, the support role I have entered is about undergirding the technical group in order to release them to perform their highly skilled tasks.

I will be “behind the curtain” in my responsibilities. This is how I best enjoy serving the Lord. Many years ago I thought that the up-front person was the coveted position. But dear friends challenged me to re-think my place in the service of Christ. I was overloaded and desperately burdened. They provided insight to my life that I had missed. Now I am very satisfied serving in the background and assisting others to perform great tasks.

Schedule: The sun doesn’t rise until about 8:30 a.m. here and before we are back in our apartment the sun has dipped behind the mountains just west of here. Siesta is from 2-4 each day. This is very enjoyable since we love to read good books aloud. At night we find that going to bed by 10:30 p.m. is a must in order to shake jet lag. Still… jet lag is with us but hopefully will a bygone memory shortly.

Prayer for our adjustment to this culture is appreciated. We want to learn and handle the language so that we can enter society without a personal translator. I understand that this comes in different seasons for different personalities. There is definitely an early frustration in this area but language will come.

I should hope to blog regularly so that this doesn’t seem to ramble on. But then getting a good handle on blogging is also a new task to learn.

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