Jack & Jill Went Down the Hill

In An African Country Not So Far Away:

In the early part of the 2009 canine new year.... 3 dogs decided to celebrate as only arch-canine rivals can...they tore into each other...the fight had been simmering below the surface for quite sometime...minor skirmishes here...a few nips and snarls there...but in commemoration of the new year- it was a no fangs barred firework experience! 

It started as their dear owner a certain Madame "M" was gently caressing one of the three...In a fit of new year jealousy the second dog who we have nicknamed "the little jihadist" bit completely through the paw of the first dog. Madame "M" grabbed the first dog's chain collar to keep the incident from escalating- only to get her hand mangled in the dog's chain..As she started screeching for help the second dog whose teeth were still completely through the first's foot began to drag Madame "M" and dog #1 down the drive away.

Being a loving husband, Monsieur "J", quickly sprang into action- he grabbed his wife and dog #1 to try and stop the downhill descent.  Much to his chagrin, their worker a certain Honorable "C" decided to assist the only way he knew how.  He proceeded to grab dog #2 and pull--- who still had its teeth in dog #1 who had Madame "M's" hand who was held by her husband.  As he pulled the whole group went tumbling down the hill together- dogs, people, fancy French titles, and mangled hands in a way reminiscent of good ol' Jack and Jill. 

The moral to the story- hmm.....there's probably several.....like don't grab a dog by the chain when another dog has its teeth through its paw. 

 However, the one that sticks out the most to me is what a friend of mine often calls taking the "I don't have a dog in that fight" position.  By that he means- let things go that you have no direct  control over.  There's always going to be dogs fighting- the real question is whether we are going to risk a hand or a reputation or a relationship in order to "prove our point" or "get or away".  I, for one, am learning the importance of surrendering these things to God and trusting Him to take care of such situations that I might not be happy with or decisions that I might not be in agreement with.  And at the end of the day- I find I'm a much happier person. 

What God Did Yesterday!

I attended the main BAGF church here in Buja this past Sunday.  The pastor had asked one of the Bible school students to preach. To be honest, I was shocked at this invitation. I had heard the student  speak previously and let's just say....well....STRUGGLE!   In November and December of 2008 I had taught the course "Expository Preaching" at the Bible school.  This dear brother had been in the class as I tried to teach the finer points of homoletical development in French. Not an easy task. 

I left Burundi in December at the end of that course thinking to myself: "not really sure if anything is going to come out of that course." Several of the students seemed quite puzzled by the need to develop a sermon.  In Burundi, just about anything goes in a service.  Preaching is all over the place.  My favorite so far was  the one about why  Burundian Christians need to drive a Mercedes Benz as proof that they are  walking in God's blessings.  Lots of cheers and shouts,  but one year later.....no jobs let alone German specialty cars. 

As this dear brother took the pulpit and opened the Bible the anointing came. So sweet and so powerful. He masterfully weaved together a perfect expository message.  Many in the congregation were stunned--- being challenged and stirred to the core.  I sat there with my mouth open- "is this the same guy???" 

Then he gave the appeal to receive Christ.  A very slender Burundian man came forward and knelt right at the front of the altar.  He was the only person that responded.  He began sobbing.  With tears pouring down his face he surrendered his life to Christ.  It was a holy moment.  How great the power of the Word to convince and the presence of the Spirit to convict!  I walked out of church in holy awe reminded of the fact that  God still uses HIS Word and HIS Spirit to touch hurting lives.  I was greatly encouraged that we are making a difference in Burundi. 

Power Rationing

I returned to Buja to discover the electricity at my house was off.  It stayed out for 10 hours.  Then another 6 hours during the night.  The news reports that the dam supplying Burundi's power is almost dry. For this reason, power rationing has been implemented.  Apparently, the rains have failed in the eastern part of the country where the dam is located.  This is part of the larger drought that is affecting East Africa right now. They are discussing the possibility of 2 days off, one day on.  While talking with one of my friends here, he looked at me and said: "we just need rain!" I couldn't be more in agreement.  For some reason, it has never been so easy to pray for rain. 

As I was thinking about this I was stunned by just how important rain is for human survival. Rain produces crops.  Rain fills reservoirs. And rain brings power.   If this is true in the natural then I am convinced it is true in the spiritual.  In thinking about 2008, I have to be honest. I don't think I have ever been so spiritually dry in my entire life.  I felt a lot like that dam in Eastern Burundi.  No rain. No water. No power.  In my opinion, this is what a lot of believers experienced over the past year.  Dryness.  As I was praying this morning, the Lord challenged me: Expect Rain in 2009.  The rain of the Holy Spirit's presence. The rain that would  produce power.  Power to serve the Lord.  Power to love Him more. Power to be a blessing to those around us.  So my prayer is this "Lord give us the fresh rain of your Spirit's Presence! May 2009 be a year full of the Lord's precious presence leading to great fruitfulness and power." 

Locked Away

The last morning of the recently concluded World Missions Summit I went into the bathroom to gather my effects.  For some reason, I closed the door behind me.  As I did so, the locking mechanism fell off in my hands.  The hotel was constructed very well- thick concrete walls, ornate marble floors, solid wooden doors.... all except for the locks.  Quickly, I tried my hand at picking the lock, putting leverage on the door, pushing, pulling, etc...  All to no effect.

  My ride to the airport was coming to pick me up in 30 minutes. I started to sweat.  A sick feeling engulfed me as I realized there was no way I was getting out of the bathroom without some outside intervention.  My hands began trembling.  I shouted.  I kicked the door.  I pounded the walls with the feeling that I was buried alive in some rock solid tomb.  5 minutes.  "Help! I'm in the bathroom. I can't get out."  10 minutes.  I hit the walls more furiously.  15 minutes.  My voice began giving out. Please I need out!" Just as I was about to give up all hope- "errr.....excuse me...sir....is there something wrong" came the distant voice. I thundered back in response- "yes, I'm stuck in the bathroom".  The voice was incredulous- "you're what sir???"  

With great diplomatic tact I yelled back "I'm stuck in the bathroom...stop joking around and let me out."  I heard the outside door click, then the bathroom door click.  Freedom!!!  I have never been so happy to see the interior of a hotel room in my entire life.  I raced into the hallway to thank my savior. She was moving very quickly the other way.  "Wait ma'am....thank you" I called after her.  "Your business is your business sir!"  "What???? the lock broke!!! You need to fix it " After much persuasion the cleaning maid finally came back to verify my story.  

Doors are such interesting devices.  When they work properly, they are quite useful keeping bad things out and good things in.  BUT when they malfunction.....    2009 is a year of unprecedented open doors for the body of Christ. I believe places where we have been stuck pounding on the walls and shouting are suddenly going to come flying open! Open doors in our ministries, families, and personal walk with the Lord.  May the Lord fling them wide open. And may we  be READY to walk into greater dimensions of freedom, authority, and anointing.....no matter what anybody else thinks! 

God's Agenda or Ours?

At the recently concluded World Missions Summit, I had a conversation with a dear friend of mine. He had shared a very powerful word in the general assembly on not being afraid to try, not being afraid to cry, and not being afraid to die. A very challenging message indeed. As I talked to this visionary, he looked at me and said: "Steve we all have agendas, including me, and God is calling us to lay them down." His statement shook me. I contemplated his words for several days. In Amsterdam, on my way back to Africa God developed the thought further in my heart. "God's blessings only follow God's agenda". So often the body of Christ is consumed with their personal agenda. We pray- "God bless what I'm doing" instead of praying "God how can I be apart of what you are already blessing." I see so much promise of blessing for God's purposes in our lives in 2009. However, I also feel very strongly that only those that lay aside their agenda will experience the fullness of God's blessings. This past Sunday I preached along these lines at Bahati Christian Center in Nairobi from Acts 16:6ff. I won't develop the sermon here. However, I see several key factors in this passage that helped Paul lay aside his agenda and find God's agenda. First, he was lead by the Spirit. Second, he promptly obeyed the Lord. Third, he was willing to minister to hurting people. Fourth, he trusted God with the results. May we be full of the Spirit in 2009, prompt to obey, willing to minister to hurting people, and confident in God's timing for results. In summary, I believe that the Word of the Lord for 2009 is this: "God's blessings always follow God's agenda". God we want your agenda!

JAN 2009

A new year. New doors of opportunity. As I return to Burundi I am optimistic for this little country. I believe 2009 will be the best year Burundi has experienced politically, economically, and regionally in this decade. Everyone is positioning themselves for the upcoming elections in 2010. I anticipate a lot of development in the country as people realize just how much stability has actually returned. From a spiritual perspective, I believe 2009 will be a parrallel great year for Kindgom expansion. I see many new churches being started. Many people encoutering Christ. And many new compassion initiatives being launched. May God be glorified. My prayer is that we would be ready to walk through the new doors of opportunity that will present themselves here in the heart of Africa.