In times of change and uncertainty, like the current economic situation worldwide, it is good to know we are anchored on a rock, The Rock.
My personal role in ministry continues to change. Personally, I don’t like “swirl” and am dead-set against “chasing after the wind.” But change makes space for me – the more chaos, the more room for me to make my own kind of order. But I do like some stability. Presently each day is different, and I just make the most of each situation. For example, just today …
Donna (20 months) joined Mayme and I around the breakfast table. She asked me to read from the Bible and seemed to be saying (in her active baby talk) that the stories there are real important. (Or maybe she just said she knows them all.) So as Mayme had breakfast before going off to kindergarten, I read to both girls. “In the beginning, God …” Everyone left in a good mood today. You know that made my day. My role? Grandmother, spiritual guide, reader, and short-order cook.
One ministry leader stopped me on the way to the office. “Linda, it looks like we are having a problem with our bookkeeper. Things like paying herself twice, signing off on bank documents as though she is the director. Of course we confronted her on these things and strengthened accountability. But then she did it again. And I just found out that she had done some goofy things with money before I was in this position. What should we do now?” Thanks to my experience in personnel management I could truly contribute. My role? Personnel coach, advisor, counselor and encourager.
Elmira stopped by, “Linda, how can I know if God wants me to succeed at being a real estate agent? I’m just helping me friends sell their home and now all the potential buyers are referring me to their friends. Is this God’s way of providing? Or Satan’s way of interrupting my life? How can I know for sure it is from God?” My role? Speaking truth, praying, career counseling, encouraging, asking the obvious questions and loving.
One of our church leaders stopped by to ask, “Linda, you know Ainur at church, right? She seems to be spiritual, but she said she needs help growing and doesn’t have any ministry. What do you think about her hosting a small group in her home? Surely that is something that she could do. What other options are there for her right now?” My role? Teacher, advisor, counselor and maybe mentor to someone new.
Leonid came in late. “We have just been to see the doctors. My wife’s heart is pretty much blown out, it seems all four of values aren’t closing. No wonder she is always tired, she just never gets enough oxygen in her system. But she does not want to miss work and rest. Tomorrow more tests, and then probably she will be going in the hospital. But she would rather just work. How do I get her to take care of herself?” My role? Praying, praying, praying, and offering friendly words of advice like, ‘Why don’t you just go home and be with her right now and play checkers?’
Mimi called, “Linda, my teacher said it would be a good idea for you to be part of my Kazak lessons – maybe help us both. And you know I would like to have a small group of ladies, the not-so-young set, to meet with – both to practice my Kazak and also as outreach. And, well, my mission has told me I need a local accountability partner since I’m alone here. Will you be my accountability partner? And can you help me with my small group?” My role? Well, now I’m committed to helping with another group and being an accountability partner for Mimi, asking the hard questions, asking the easy questions, and mostly just being there for her.
And that is probably my biggest role right now in this time of change – just being there. I’m no rock to be compared with Jesus. But I can be there, adding some stability amidst the uncertain times, being an encouraging presence when stress surrounds others. And more than just a bump on a log, I can pray, teach, offer advice, encourage, walk with someone, or sit and listen. I can ask questions, and ever so occasionally even provide answers. More than anything, I can point people to Jesus, Our Rock.
And what will tomorrow bring? Maybe more of the same. Maybe it will be a quiet day when I can focus on e-mail, newsletters or our blogs.
Please pray for the people here in Central Asia. The financial crisis here is much the same as you see stateside, except that here people remember the complete financial failure surrounding the time of independence from the Soviet Union just 17 years ago and are a bit more paranoid. Maybe with good cause. And in parallel is the withdrawal of financial support from many ministry organizations, as organizations wrestle with issues of creating dependency. Pray that those affected will find the types of work they need and not feel defeated by the situation. And pray for those who are asking for my counsel, that they would hear truth and see answers from Jesus.
Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the closed countries of Central Asia who are under the constant stress of persecution. Pray for boldness and calmness, and deep roots of faith that cannot be shaken. Pray that the people of Central Asia will become more open to the gospel, that the believers of Central Asia will be active in sharing their faith, and that the church of Central Asia will take root and grow.
And pray for me, that I would be bold and proclaim the truth of the gospel fearlessly. And that I would be patient and understanding in the process. And please continue to pray that I could speak the Kazakh language.
