Missions

Categories Following Christ, Missions

Tiempo menos doce horas (T minus 12 hours)

1 Comment by

Twelve more hours before my plane lifts off. I’ll be on my way. Layover in Houston, arrive in Laredo. A few days in Laredo and we’ll go down to Juamave. I’m leaving. It’s actually happening. A month in Mexico. Wow.

I can hardly believe the words that I see appearing on the screen before me. Mexico? It’s surreal. A month? It’s so long, so short.

I’m not a missionary. I’m not a traveler. I’m not anything spectacular. I’m not a teacher. I’m not brilliant. All I’m doing is trying to be obedient.

I don’t know what God has planned–which is why I’m going to have to leave the planning up to Him. From the first nudge in my soul ’til now, I have been apprehensive, doubtful, nervous.

How could I even dare such a thing?

I don’t think I really can. Instead, I must rely on God to do the daring for me.

Five and a half years ago, I stood in a wood in Kansas and stepped through a tree-door. I heard an invitation from the lover of my soul. He invited me to come and see. I had to leave my mundane, attractive, well-planned world. I had to leave the tame I’d always known. I had to fix my eyes on my wild man lover–and follow Him wherever he led.

Five and a half years later, I stand twelve hours from a plane trip that may well change my life. Maybe I’m over-dramatizing the situation–but I tend to think not. The last time I heard such clear direction, my view of ministry was transformed. The time before that, I came to understand justification–and had my shame taken away. How can this time be any different?

I don’t know what the next month may hold–but I know what my role in it shall be. I shall lock eyes with my wild man lover. I shall take hold of His hand. I shall respond to His ever invitation. I will go and see.

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him…
John 1:38-39

Categories Everyday Life, Missions

Every spare moment

3 Comments by

In 9 days, I’ll get on a plane to fly to Laredo, TX. I’ll spend a few days with the family in Laredo while the kids attend a conference, and then I’ll be in Mexico. Until then, I need to spend every spare moment preparing.

There are some things that I just need to get done before I go–the two quilts sitting in the living room, the pile of library books on my desk, final arrangements for the 20S Sunday school when I’m gone. I have a date with a friend Wednesday afternoon to work on quilting. Nytejok had her baby last Friday–so I’m already late on that quilt (I still need to sandwich, baste, quilt, and bind it). I haven’t heard from Nyayan–but she’s due the 17th, so it should be any day. I only have to bind her quilt. Sunday School is almost all arranged–I just need to confirm everything. The library books, on the other hand…

I just checked my account and I have 39 books currently out. All are due before I’ll be back from Mexico. Some are personal reading: Dr. Seuss, The Essential Canon of Classical Music, books on environmental issues, books on managing allergies. Others are specifically related to Mexico: a Spanish dictionary, a “learning Spanish” book, grammar references, math references, reading references, spelling references, creative writing references.

The real task that’s eating my spare time? Preparing for any possibility. I have no idea where my student is at academically except that she’s fourteen years and she’s behind. She could be working anywhere from fourth grade level to eighth grade level–or be at multiple levels. She could have all sorts of gaps in her education–or she could be completely on track. I don’t know.

I know that they haven’t been using a set curriculum–instead they’ve been using a lot of internet resources. Which means I have no way to gauge what her education has consisted of heretofore. I know that Caroline wants me to focus on Math and English.

So, I’ve looked at a Middle School scope and sequence. I’ve determined the large scale topics that I may need to discuss. I’ve begun preparing review sheets–basically a text that I can use as a resource to “fill in” any “holes” that may exist. I have a long way to go.

Today? I reformatted a review sheet on using the dictionary. I began a review sheet on parts of speech. I started working on a summary of spelling rules. I read part of a grammar resource. I read part of a spelling resource. I played some Spider Solitaire on my computer–why did I do that? I don’t have time for that. I know I don’t have time for that.

I’m overwhelmed by the intensity of this task. I’m overwhelmed by how much there is to prepare, by how much there is to do once I’m there. I feel incredibly insufficient for the challenge. How can I even dream of doing this? How can I even think that I can impart something meaningful in one short month? How can I think that I can prepare something meaningful in one short week?

There’s no way. Which is why I’m spending every spare moment praying.

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Categories Faith, Missions

The stretching begins

1 Comment by

I’m going to Mexico in two weeks. I don’t have my plane tickets yet. I tried calling the family I’m staying with to check on what times it would work best for me to arrive (since they’ll be at a conference that week–and I don’t want to make them miss too much). The first time I called, someone answered “Bueno”. I asked to speak to Jim or Caroline. I heard the audible click of the phone hanging up. I call right back. Maybe they thought I was a salesperson or something. “Bueno.” “Hi, this is Rebekah Menter. May I speak to Jim or Caroline?” A torrent of Spanish that I can’t understand. Then they hang up.

I know it’s the right number. It’s the same one I called weeks ago and got ahold of them with. It’s the same one listed in their e-mail. It’s a Nebraska number that rings in Mexico–for Pete’s sake, it’s the right number. But I can’t do anything about it. I take a nap.

Wake up from my nap. Maybe I’ll try again. This time I’ll try out my Spanish skills. “Bueno.” “Hola, me llamo Rebekah Menter. Puedo hablar a Jim o Caroline?” I don’t understand the Spanish they respond with. I’m trying to think on my feet and I completely bungle my next question. Another Spanish answer–it sounds like someone else speaking this time. I try again. I speak in English this time. I’m frustrated that I can’t figure out how to ask them to give Jim and Caroline a message to call me. I’m frustrated because I can’t understand what they’re saying. Finally I apologize, “Perdon. Lo siento. Adios.” “Okay, bye” they say. I hear the click again.

I’m going to Mexico for a month. I leave in two weeks. And I don’t have my plane ticket yet. I’m not even sure the James’ are aware that I’m going to be flying rather than driving as we originally discussed. I don’t know if they’ve gotten my e-mail. I can’t get ahold of them by phone.

This is way out of my comfort zone. I created a three ring binder with descriptions of all the attractions in Yellowstone, a list of animals and birds to identify, and the most likely hikes to take for our family vacation to Yellowstone last year. I thrive on detailed itineraries and advance planning. I like to have something ready for every eventuality–but I like to know the way things “should” go too. I don’t have any of that here.

I know that God told me to go. I know that Jim and Caroline are expecting me. I know that I’m going to be tutoring their daughter. I don’t know when I’m leaving or coming back. I don’t know what I’m going to tutor their daughter in when I get there. I’m not even sure what level exactly she’s at. I know her age, but I’m not sure her grade level–and I’m even less sure about her ability level. Is she mathematically bright and an English dunce? Or maybe she’s an arts and literature person but not at all interested in science? I don’t know. I don’t know what curriculum or resources they currently use. I don’t know what subject matter she’s currently studying. I don’t know what books she’s read. I’m completely in the dark.

It’s incredibly uncomfortable.

I tell God that I’m having a hard time with it. He responds, as usual, with “Be still. I’m God.” But it’s awfully hard to continue to be still when the deadline is racing up and NOTHING IS CERTAIN! But, I guess, I have to learn to be like Abraham, to pick up my tents and leave when God says “Go”, even if I have no idea where He’s taking me.