a poem by Dan EricksonOur friend and fellow missionary Dan Erickson wrote this poem for a missions conference early in 2017 and read it at Hatfield's missions conference this afternoon. We are sharing it with his permission. BlessingWe are goofy, unstylish, odd. Most of us. We drive the worst cars if we have cars. We wear what fits, we fit in, eventually, almost. We eat what is put in front of us, and find we relish it. We speak with accents and stutters. Sometimes we are not understood even in the places we were born. We are the weird redheaded cousins to our families, the black sheep, some of us, others the glowing saints, sometimes on the same day. They think we’re clumsy, muddy, tainted, pure, scrubbed, antiseptic. We are placed on pedestals or in the jumble closet, depending on the mood and fashion. But when there is an explosion we run into the smoke we run towards screaming while others run away. We compare scars sometimes matching stab wounds in our backs, some of us. Burns, scrapes, blisters, bruises in all the same places. We have beautiful feet though. That’s what the old prophet said. People who bring good news have lovely feet. So I bless your feet in Jesus Name. Every calloused toe, you explorers, you pioneers, you aliens, travelers with only one true home, I bless your feet. I bless your hands in Jesus Name. Your fingertips feel for the pulses of your worlds, finding, God willing, heads to touch, hands to squeeze, brothers and sisters to embrace. I bless your hands. I bless your lips in Jesus Name. You speak life, peace, healing. Fear is afraid of your voices because they are full of the Gospel, full of love. I bless your lips. I bless your hearts in Jesus Name.
They are overgrown, overflowing, they hurt for foreigners, refugees, children, for the least stylish, the least influential, the least. I bless your hearts.
Last Sunday a beautiful multi-racial congregation were worshiping together in Pretoria, South Africa, when the worship pastor stood to facilitate communion.
Joining the congregation that day were about 50 children from Berakah Education Foundation in Mamelodi, and a few of the parents (see video and photos below). Everyone in attendance was invited to partake in communion. But I wasn’t sure if the parents or staff from Berakah understood what was happening (possible cultural and linguistic barriers). As I explained to them how Jesus paid the price to take our punishment for our sins and how communion helped us to remember this act of love, one of the parents asked an unexpected question.
"Is this free?"
I was taken aback. I couldn’t fathom someone thinking that she had to pay for the communion elements. But then I became disturbed by the trap of false religion that held this beautiful woman back from experiencing the depths of the grace of God – His unmerited favor, unearned and undeserved love.
The question and the look on her face said, "Is this really for me?"
My immediate answer to the asked and unasked questions was a resounding, "Yes! His finished work is for all of us! Yes! You are qualified! Yes, He has paid it all! Yes, it is free!"
The bigger question
Does everyone know? How could it be possible that someone can attend church over and over and not know that Jesus paid it all--that it cost Him everything and us nothing, that we can neither pay for it nor earn it, and so He has given it to us freely? Oh, what a Savior! I wonder how many people are in our own circles of friendship, sitting right beside us, not knowing. Trapped by false religion--whether it's Western performance or Eastern mysticism or African traditionalism--into trying to earn something that is already paid for and given. Free.
Do we live like it ourselves? Do we affirm with our heads what Jesus did on the cross, but live as though we have to earn it? Do we share what He's freely given with those around us?
Is it really for me? Is it really for everyone around me?
Yes!
Yes, it is!
Berakah kids visit Hatfield Christian Church, sing on stage
It's crowded spiritually, too. Churches work in a space increasingly encroached upon by Islam and various traditional religions. The Muslims are aggressively proselytizing and taking over business interests, while traditional belief systems remain entrenched and undetected.
There was also practical ministry. They learned the basics of how to maintain and balance finances for the church, in the interest of good stewardship and accountability. They learned that churches should compensate vocational pastors: many pastors have been working full-time in their churches with no salary at all! The earnest in their faces was precious as they realized that one leader had served them for twenty years, without ever receiving a cent.
Couples were ministered to, and some leaders were counseled one-on-one.
It was a fast-paced and beautiful week. Our friends Waldir and Deomilia da Silva, Portuguese-speaking pastors from Pretoria and long-time friends of Pastor Henrique, led the week and facilitated the counseling times. I'm so grateful to have been a part of it: ministering on the Father-heart of God and doing some much-needed computer repair for Pastor Henrique.
We plan to continue training the pastors and leaders in Maputo with one or two more visits in 2018. I am already looking forward!
As missionaries to Southern Africa, our sending team makes everything we get to do possible. We are so very grateful. Thank you to everyone who continues to make this incredible journey possible.
Ps Henrique "went live" with me from outside his home in Maputo!
Then it occurred to me: I'd like to be so unavoidably connected to my Father in heaven, that His name and His reputation follow me around everywhere I go. Do I remind people of Him? "If my people, who are called by my name," He says. He says it several times in the Old Testament. Called by His name. May our lives be worthy of it. May His character shine through, and His name be glorified. He's worth being named after.
Some time in the late 1990s, our friend Sophie Mashego left her work in the shebeen (a bar) so that she could serve her needy community. The work she began in her home developed over about twenty years into what Berakah is today. On 19 August, Berakah celebrated those twenty years as well as some recent exciting milestones, not the least of which is the acquisition of the title deed for Berakah's property. Berakah's staff and board were joined at Cre-ate Cafe in Pretoria by donors from South Africa and from Texas, as well as service providers and other community individuals who have helped Berakah become what it is today. Chandra hosted the celebration, honoring each individual and group for their contribution. Attendees were greeted at the entrance by a display featuring photos from different seasons in Berakah's history. We are grateful to Avril Elkington, Annette Swart, Meleney Kriel, and Bryan Hill for providing wonderful photos from years before we came to Pretoria, to Alex Vasquez and Kendall Meyers for the amazing professional photos, and to Olivia Swart for designing the beautiful display. Special thanks to Duane White, who along with his church The Bridge in Denton, Texas, is a huge friend to Berakah, for serving as the keynote speaker for the evening. Duane brought an inspiring word on being thankful in all seasons. We are thankful for your friendship, Duane! We were blessed to have the Octone Trio, whose members are all instructors at Hatfield Arts Centre Music Academy, provide smooth jazz during the meal and afterwards as guests were leaving. The music was outstanding! A great atmosphere for a great night of celebrating God's faithfulness. We are so grateful to serve Berakah and be a part of her journey, and so grateful for the friends that have entered our lives through it. We're believing God for greater things in the years to come!
The local church here in Pretoria is currently busy with a theme called Faith for Tough Times. One of the first things I thought when I saw the phrase "faith for tough times" is that perhaps one of the greatest, and most important, acts of faith during tough times is to avoid closing oneself off from God and from others. Closing offMaybe it's related to the whole "fight, flight, or freeze" thing. But often, when hard things come, we humans close off. We close off relationships when someone hurts us. We stop investing in organizations, family, or church when we a group or leader fails us. We stop tithing or giving offerings in times of broad economic or personal financial crisis. It's natural, and intuitive. But I'd like to suggest that it's counterproductive. Counter-culture richnessA dear friend of mine said something crazy to me in 1993. He'd just been betrayed, profoundly and painfully, by one of his closest associates. The individual had quietly conspired with about a third of my friend's contacts, luring them away to start a competing venture. It was a costly, difficult, and painful time. As the dust was beginning to settle, we were chatting late one night in a parking lot and I asked him what he was going to do. "I'm going to trust again. Eventually, I'm going to get burned again. But, Mike, I'd rather get burned a hundred times and still love people than close myself off." I've never forgotten this. I was pretty young in 1993 (and pretty stupid, but that's another story for another day...), and I've always been grateful to have heard this message of forgiveness, trust, and living richly before I ever went through anything difficult myself. What a response! It's easy to be cynical. It doesn't take a lot of courage to believe the worst in others. But this: this took courage. My friend wasn't planning (or advocating) blind trust in folks with proven poor character. He was resolving to continue to build relationships, allow others to share in his life's work and passion, and to continue to live richly towards others, even when at times he gets "burned". Counter-intuitive. Counter-cultural. Brave. Living richlyI took a decision that night in that parking lot, and I'd like to invite you to join me in the decision. The decision? I will live richly towards others, regardless of what offenses are committed against me. I've chosen to love and trust the people God's allowed me to have in my life. I don't "check the wind" to determine whether or not to love and invest in others. As another friend of mine says, "I love you, and there's nothing you can do about it!" The Message paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 6 paints a beautiful picture of living richly towards others, in good times and in tough times. Check it out: People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. He's described a few good times and a lot of hard times. Now, dig his response: Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! Christ's life inside of us is so magnificently, expansively, great! He is greater than every offense, every betrayal, every economic downturn, every "you-name-it"! And that's why--He's why--my family and I have decided to always live richly towards God and towards others. Won't you join us?
Sometimes a picture says it best!So many wonderful things have been happening. The season is rich with opportunity. So much is happening, we thought some photos would be better than a few thousand words! We hope you enjoy the photos. Here is sunset on the Zambesi River, taken on our 20th anniversary.
After arriving, we split into teams of two and three and walked with the teachers to their homes. Each teacher and their family received prayer and encouragement before heading to another Berakah family’s house, who was prayerfully chosen by the Berakah staff a week beforehand. It was exciting to put the ministry in the hands of Berakah's staff, so they can grow in confidence in hearing the Lord's voice and loving their community. In preparation for the visits, I was particularly stirred by two passages. I was reminded of the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector hated by his community, but chosen by Jesus. “Come down from that tree, Zacchaeus; I’m coming to your house today.” Also, while praying for the teams, I was reminded of Jesus sending out the disciples two-by-two and the miraculous reports with which they returned. We asked for signs and wonders to follow… and, they did. Sophie shared the following testimonies with us:
It's always exciting when God sovereignly moves! But our hearts are so full, because the leaders who we have been working with were able to see His response to their faith and their obedience. Sophie commented how amazing it was to experience a day that remembers something so negative in South Africa’s history to be redeemed by the people of God carrying the gospel of hope and reconciliation in such an intimate and authentic way. Thank you so much for sending us to Pretoria and empowering this ministry with your support and your prayers. You all have a significant part in every miracle that we saw last week, and every miracle we'll continue to see.
Yesterday a team of young people, adults, and children from Hatfield Christian Church converged on Berakah for a unique ministry outing.
This week I was invited by South African Worship Academy and Year of Your Life to host a joint class day. The group was a beautifully diverse gathering of Sotho, Zulu, Afrikaner, South African English, Venda, and South Korean, and the goal of the day was to worship together and to explore Psalm 139 and how it relates to worship. As I write this note to you, Chandra is hosting Divorce Care for Kids at a local school. DC4K has also attracted a diverse group of students who are handling the trauma they've experienced in their own unique ways. The DiscoveryBoth groups of students, the young adults on Wednesday and the primary school children today, are discovering the same beautiful, profound reality: God knows us. And, not like you might know engines or I might know computers--He knows us. Intimately. Tenderly. Deeply. Entirely. He knows the joys and the pains we have experienced on our journey. He knows our strengths; He knows our weaknesses. He knows what's amazing about us; He knows what's ugly about us. And He embraces, even celebrates, all of it.
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Mike & Chandra Noviskie,
missionaries to South Africa CCF Missions is a ministry of Christian City Fellowship. |