We are preparing for our summer mission trips, with the first one to Tanzania leaving one week from today. Partnering with e3 Partners allows us to go where God is working through evangeliazing and planting churches in Tanzania and Venezuela.

Our first trip to Tanzania will include working on the islands of Ukerewe and Ukara. Both islands are located in Lake Victoria, about a 3 hour boat ride from Mwanza. The Lord is at work there. The mother churches on the islands are ready to plant 47 churches in Ukerewe and 11 in Ukara. I am looking forward to see what the Lord does.

Please pray for our team and for the people of Ukerewe and Ukara. I have included a prayer guide provided by e3 Partners.

TANZANIA PRAYER GUIDE

“But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." John 12:32

Week Six – Focus: Unbelievers in Tanzania

Sunday Father, we ask You for the total transformation of the unbelievers we will encounter, that their HEARTS will be prepared for the gospel and changed by You. Matthew 13:23 “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

Monday H for repentant and receptive Hearts. 2 Timothy 2:25-26 “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

Tuesday E for their spiritual Eyes and Ears to be opened to the truth of Christ. II Corinthians 4:3-4 “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Acts 26:18 “…open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

Wednesday A God, give them Your Attitude toward sin. John 16:8 “And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment…” Proverbs 8:13 ”To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”

Thursday R that they will Release their faith when they encounter the truth of the gospel. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Friday T for a Transformed life. Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Saturday S for Spiritual growth leading to these new believers going into the harvest field so that a church-planting movement would result to the glory of God’s name. Colossians 1:1-14 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Mission Trip to Tanzania

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2

Growing up in the Baptist church, I have sung that hymn numerous times, but never really experienced the panting for God, until recently. We just returned from a mission trip to Tanzania, Africa. Our church partnered with a mission organization called e3 Partners, formerly Global Missions Fellowship.

Due to circumstances with the airline, we arrived one day late to Africa, which meant instead of four days of evangelizing on the field, we only had three days. Time after time after time, we would start sharing the gospel with one, two, or three people, and before we finished, there would be 20, 30, up to 70 people who would accept the free gift of salvation. It wasn’t the “muzungu” who brought the people out…it was the Holy Spirit of God. And the hunger for God’s Word and the thirst for His salvation was a miracle. They never took their eyes off the evang-e-cube and they listened with such intensity.

The proof of the hunger did not come with the number of professions of faith, but by the number of new believers who came to the discipleship classes each afternoon. We would go door to door sharing the gospel in the mornings, and then invite the new believers to an afternoon discipleship class to be held where the new church would be planted. We have never seen such an increase in the number of discipleship attendees. Not only were they hunger for salvation, but also for righteousness and training.

At the end of our trip, 51 new churches were planted where there had been no church before, with over 14,000 new believers in the villages where the churches were planted.

What if a teammate drives you crazy?

This post is part of a continuing series of posts to prepare you for going on your first mission trip. There is not always conflict when you are on mission, however, it does happen and if you are prepared you are more likely handle it in a godly way.

The mission project is going great, the team is singing on the job, playing with the neighborhood children on breaks, and seeing people really open to the gospel message.

There is a common story that happens, though the details differ. Put fifteen Americans in another country, sweating over wheelbarrows full of concrete in 100 degree heat, eating rice and beans every day, sleeping on the concrete floor of a church…and someone is sure to get cranky.

Ask the cranky team member privately what is bothering him or her. Amazingly, the response may have nothing to do with the heat or the hardness of the floor. What’s most likely to be driving the cranky team member crazy is a fellow teammate with whom he or she works all day.

Why does this stuff happen? Shouldn’t we all just get along? Or should we just expect these difficulties? It’s important to remember that the enemy of our souls would like nothing more than to have us be defeated within the team. But you need to personally prepare for inevitable friction by looking at some steps for dealing with conflict…anywhere.

1. Take time to identify your feelings. What’s going on inside you? Is it frustration, anger, fatigue? Before taking any action, pray about your feelings. Defeat the enemy by claiming God’s control over the situation. A good night’s sleep may help.
2. Define the cause. Are there external circumstances like the heat or the dirt
causing aggravation? Or are there internal issues like a personality difference or a power struggle?
3. Take some steps. First pray about your side of the conflict. Decide how you are going to respond to the person with whom you have the conflict. Don’t just stew about it.

Remember Jesus’ story about the log and the speck in Matthew 7? Read the first five verses and write out the question to ask yourself in your own words.

From 1 Thessalonians 5: 11-15, make a list of the attitude checks that you want to remind yourself of when facing a conflict with someone.

When you decide to confront someone:
· Find an appropriate time and place when both of you are calm and rested.
· Honor the ground rules of stating only your own issues.
· Honestly confront the issue.
· Ask forgiveness for your part.
· Seek restoration.
· Propose a compromise.
· Consider praying together.
· If you need another’s help, follow the pattern found in Matthew 18.

Being a Team Player

This a photo of the team in Nepal taken in front of the immigration building in Nepal. Anyone who has ever played on a sports team knows the importance of being a team player. Playing next to someone who knows the game and puts in 100% effort makes all the difference in how much you enjoy the game.

The importance of being a team player will become obvious as you begin your trip. Things like giving your best, following directions, and sharing the work load are important to any successful team effort-whether it’s a sports team or a mission team. And remember that few of us have ever played on a team that we live and work with 24 hours a day.

So, how can you get “in shape” for a team like this? As in any team, developing as a team player requires equal parts of good coaching and right attitudes. Let’s begin with some coaching from the apostle Paul. His analogy for teamwork in Romans 12 is the body of Christ.

Read the vision of Paul, the coach, in Romans 12:4-5. Each person will make a unique contribution to the team. How are our relationships to one another described?

Continue reading in verses 6-8. According to what you know about yourself right now, what are the gifts that you will bring to this team?

In Romans 12:9-21 Paul coaches us with about 25 different commands for spiritual teamwork. Read them and write out at least ten that you want to remember and that challenge you the most.

Most likely your team has a coach or team leader. He or she is responsible for the logistical concerns like tickets, schedules, and job assignments, as well as fostering a good atmosphere among the team members and managing unforeseen conflicts and difficult circumstances. Supporting your team leader’s leadership is crucial to the success of your team. Think about how you can support and help your team leader.

Jot down some ideas for supporting the leader of your team.

Recording the Impact of Your Mission Trip

This photo is in Nepal. I am sharing the Gospel using the Evangecube. Six children in this small group accepted Jesus as their savior that day. The Evangecube is a great tool for presenting the Gospel in an organized, understandable fashion. Those who normally would shy away from learning about Jesus are curious when they see it and want to know how it works. If you are interested in more information on the cube go to e3resources.org.

Track what happens on your trip.

You will make memories for a lifetime. You can count on this trip marking your life in many ways. How can you track or record these experiences so you won’t forget the impact when you get home? Let’s explore three ways you can record and share your experience: taking pictures, keeping a journal, and telling about your experience after you return home.

1. Taking Pictures, for most Americans, is one way to record and relive the moment. You will cherish the pictures you take on your trip forever. Your pictures will hold memories that will trigger precious times of learning and significant growth in your life.

However, a side note to remember is that it can be very disconcerting to your hosts to face flashing cameras throughout the days of your stay. It may feel like an invasion of privacy. Be sensitive. One tip to consider is assigning one photographer to take pictures on a particular day (with the permission of your host). Then when you get home, get the reprints of the photos you desire.

Besides the memories of new friends and new experiences, God has much more in store for you. He will be working in and through you in new ways. Your influence on your host will remain. You will have learned much about the culture you lived in. It may mark a new beginning for you in the way you think or the direction your life will go in the future. You won’t want to lose any extraordinary moments of learning and insight.

2. Keeping a journal is an effective way to capture the experiences. Record your feelings about your daily encounters: the stories about friendships with nationals, the way God intervenes in your day, what God is doing in your heart, new insights you learn about missions and doing God’s work.

In the Bible we are encouraged to record and retell the things that God has done. The whole Bible is actually a compilation of the stories of God’s people written by many authors who were God’s inspired journal keepers.

The Psalms are filled with encouragement to remember all God has done. Read Psalm 78:1-7, and understand the far-reaching value of keeping a record of God’s work. In Psalm 77:11-15, the writer is remembering all God has done. From verses 11-12, write out the verbs that tell us to focus on what God has done. In versus 13-15, what are we reminded about God?

3. Talk about your experience when you get back home. Telling your stories to friends and family will be very important to you. Relate how God worked in your heart. Those close to you will want the long version. However, it is good to remind yourself that sometimes those who ask about your trip may just want a short review. You also may be called upon to speak at a church function. God may even open doors for you to share your faith with someone who has never heard. In every case take time to prepare your presentation.

God will honor the preparation you have done for your short-term mission trip. It will be exciting to record what you have learned. You will be grateful that you prepared your heart before you packed your bag.

Missions Trip to India and Nepal

We just returned from completing my first “Hope Bible Conference” ministry trip with Hope and Help International. The trip was February 10-23, 2008. We had the chance to minister in the large southern Indian city of Hyderabad, and we also ventured north of India into a small village in the country of Nepal - two very different places. God put together HIS team to meet the unique needs and opportunities that we would have on this particular trip. Diverse? Completely! But we had a team of mature, spiritually-minded servants who shared the goal of challenging and encouraging fellow-believers to grow in their own relationship with Christ and to reach the lost in their part of the world. The four teachers of the conference were myself, Greg Love, Robin Webb, and Peter Grant. Greg is from FBCE. Robin is from Tabernacle Baptist Church of Arlington, and Peter is from PreVision Partnership in Georgia.

Watching the traffic in Hyderabad, I was reminded of my old traffic enforcement days on the force with Houston Police. After experiencing India’s traffic congestion, I will never complain about DFW traffic again. Imagine bumper-to- bumper traffic, usually about nine cars wide on a four-lane road, tons of people trying to walk across the road, add in a few ox carts among the motorized vehicles, horns beeping constantly, some guy transporting 30- foot bamboo poles on a bicycle and no one every really stopping, just weaving in and out. There you go! The traffic in India helps us make sure that our team members are fully prayed up before the conferences ever begin!

In Hyderabad, we partnered with Victor Nandigam, the Founder and Director of Grace Gospel Ministries. He and the steering committee did a wonderful job of coordinating every aspect of the conference and made sure that the schedule was working with precision.
Peter Grant kicked off the day sessions by teaching on evangelism from Luke 5.
Keith Christie provided very practical training on discipleship.
Robin Webb spoke on the sufficiency of Christ.
Greg Love followed with teaching on the family;
Larry Malone opened the conference by introducing the theme: Jeremiah 29:11.
We had about 120 pastors and their wives who had traveled from northern Andhra Pradesh, plus over 100 pastors and their wives from the local Hyderabad area. In the evenings, we moved to an open venue where the public had been invited for Gospel meetings. What a privilege to gather in an area where you could hear the sounds of a busy city and pray and sing praise to God and then share the Good News. Throughout the ministry in Hyderabad, approximately 90 people trusted Christ.

On the first night, a demon-possessed girl came forward at the invitation. Robin Webb spent over two hours praying with this girl. The second night she was back, and following the service she came forward for prayer again. As Greg Love was praying for her and others who responded to the message, someone stole his backpack, which contained his passport. Greg could not travel without a passport, so as the conference in Hyderabad concluded, Larry Malone and Greg left the rest of the team and went to the American Embassy in Delhi to apply for a replacement. Once the replacement was secured, they would have to go to the Indian Embassy to get a visa, which is a permission from the Indian government that allows foreigners to travel in their country.

The conference in Nepal was scheduled to start the next day, so Lori Overcash and the rest of the team got on a plane and headed for our destination in northern India. We were to fly to Bagdogra, West Bengal and then drive about three hours into Nepal. However, there was a strike in Nepal, which made it unsafe for the team to travel to the location where the conference had originally been planned. As we met Rupak Shankar, our partner in Nepal, we were amazed to learn that Rupak had quickly reorganized the conference in a village just inside the Nepali border. It was safe for us to go into this particular village, but no further. We shared many sweet moments with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Nepal.

One of the most memorable occurred during an evening service when the power went off. It was absolutely dark in the conference center with the lights out, but the attendees kept singing as if nothing had happened. We were so aware of God’s presence. Larry and Greg were able to get Greg’s passport and visa replaced very quickly, but not quick enough to join the others in Nepal. They returned to the States a couple of days ahead of the rest of the team. Since Greg was one of the main speakers, he was missed in Nepal. However, God had a plan in place, even when we didn’t know we would need a plan! Emmanuel had prepared messages “just in case” he was needed. He was! And he more than adequately filled the spots with some great teaching on Biblical principles of leadership. Throughout both conferences, we made a great personal connection with the attendees. It made a tremendous impact that the team took tea breaks and ate lunch with them. The effort to get to know the people on a personal level greatly increased the attendees’ receptivity of the messages.

In spite of the challenges and difficulties we faced, it was one of the most blessed experiences. God put together HIS team for this trip and He guided our steps. Praise be to God for allowing us to be involved in HIS ministry in India and Nepal!

Top ten ways to be a good guest

Today's picture is a community gathering place in one of the barrios in Columbia. This place had a cement floor and a tin roof. It was great to have this gathering place to teach True Love Waits because it allowed us to be out of the sun.

It’s not always easy to be a good guest. When you were little, your mother may have given you a few tips when you went to visit someone. It’s not natural to know what’s expected of you. Here is a list of practical tips on being a guest in a cross-cultural situation. Though you may never fully understand why, it’s a pretty sure bet that these ten social hints (in no particular order) are universally acceptable for acting with sensitivity and humility.

1 Show respect for your host by using the proper greetings and titles, especially to the eldest in the group.

2 Ask your new acquaintances about their families. You can show them pictures of your family, but leave out the ones of your U. S. standard house or car.

3 Be a good observer and listener, and ask polite questions. Try not to talk too much-usually not a problem when you don’t know the language.

4 Dress appropriately to show honor to the culture. Women should dress modestly and have their shoulders covered. Women shouldn’t wear shorts or pants unless given permission by the host organization. Men need to ask about wearing shorts also.

5 Act very discreetly with the opposite sex. Avoid public displays of affection. For singles, avoid being seen alone or talking alone with the opposite sex. You can pursue any new relationships that may interest you when you get home.

6 Always show gratitude for your accommodations and food, whatever they may be.
You are most likely receiving the best they have to offer. Don’t boast about what Americans have.

7 Never show your temper. Many cultures see a display of anger as the greatest of sins.

8 Be sure you get permission to photograph someone. Don’t offend your hosts by taking photos of what may be considered private space or what is considered a negative aspect of the country.

9 Show empathy and appreciation, not pity, for the surroundings. This is your new friends’ home. Show respect for it, and if there are beggars in the area, ask your host how to respond to them since local philosophies and practices vary from place to place.

10 Be flexible with your time. Go with the flow of the culture and the ministry you’re involved with. Go to learn and serve, not to keep track of the time. Remember what they say about Americans: “They have the watches, but we have the time.”

Read Romans 15:1-9. Why should we seek to please others?

In verse 5, what is the worthy goal for being unified with brothers and sisters in Christ from another culture?

In reviewing the ten hints, circle the number of the ones that will be the most challenging for you to follow. Pray about each one. You many want to discuss the difficult points with your teammates.