New Year, Big Changes

I hope you had a joyous Christmas and New Year!  We sure did!  While it was busy with year-end items and preparing for our World Race team, we also managed time for rest and fun in the sun.

Now as we look ahead to a new year, I’m looking ahead to big changes as well, as this year will be one of transition for me.  With my visa expiring in June, I’m planning to move back to the US in May.

The 6 years I’ve been in South Africa have been an incredible journey – I’ve learned a lot, grown a lot, and been blessed to have a job I love that has also blessed others.  But I miss home as well, and feel the time is right to return to be with family.

I wish I could say I knew exactly where the Lord is calling me next.  The director/manager/planner in me would sure feel more comfortable if I was being called out of South Africa into something else.  But He hasn’t revealed that to me yet.

I just know that I feel a release and peace with another missionary joining us soon, someone to whom I can transition many of my responsibilities.  I also know that as I step out in faith the Lord will reveal His next steps and timing.  (It’s strange how returning to the US feels like just as big a faith step as originally coming here…)

Honestly, we’ve been soooo busy the past several months I’ve had little time to pray, plan, or prepare for next steps.  I also wanted to be sure to remain focused on ministry here.  But with this new year, I’ll have to focus more on transition planning…

So for now, I would love your prayers:

• For confirmation and peace about what to do with my beloved dog Zoe

• For God’s revealed will about practical matters such as finances, housing, work, vehicle, etc.

• For doors to open that allow me to live in the US yet still be involved in ministry, missions and Ignite South Africa

• For supporters to stay engaged with me until I return home, that finances don’t dry up once they hear the news

Thank you for everything.  You’ve been a tremendous support and blessing to me.  I appreciate it so much!  

Blessings, Jill

Second-String

“Let’s face it.  Sometimes your past simply disqualifies you from doing certain things for God, but that doesn't mean He doesn't have another great plan for your life. “

So let me ask you this, does God really have a second-string?  I know that second-string isn't the best term to use, but you know where I’m going with this…A team of disqualified people that he’s trying to use by making “the best of it.”  Because I've seen entire churches, ministries, and organizations led by broken, put-back-together people.

Many years ago, a friend gave me this “wisdom” and “consolation” as we talked about being called into full-time missions.  He was sure, bold, moving full steam ahead.  I was less sure, still seeking God’s will, wanting more confirmation and preparation.  He equated my uncertainty with God’s certainty that missions just wasn't for me.

You see, it was my divorce that brought me back to the church. 

I had been raised Christian, but somewhere along the way I missed the part about having a personal relationship with Christ and living for Him on a daily basis.  My faith guaranteed that I would go to heaven when I died, but it didn't really impact how I was to live, if that makes sense.  The result was that good things in my life actually became obstacles or idols.  2 college degrees, a successful career, marriage, a house, and all the other stuff needed to "keep up with the Joneses."  Each of these would be blessings under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, but I didn't know that at the time.  So when my husband and I divorced after 3 years of marriage, my search for purpose and meaning led me back to God and what it really means to be born-again.  I'm eternally grateful that He welcomed me with open arms.

So…Did being divorced disqualify me from entering the mission field?  Or from leading as a witness for God?  Did I have to remarry to serve alongside a husband?  Was remarriage even an option in God’s eyes?  Did I need to remarry my ex, or would being yoked with an unbeliever just compound the sin?  I wrestled with these questions for many years - with God, and with the help of godly leaders, mentors and teachers…all the while feeling increased calling and confirmation to lead His work overseas.

In hindsight, I can see how God used my friend to assure me of my calling.  To guarantee it was deeply ingrained in my heart.  Because through 10 years in missions and now 4 in the South African field, my calling has been questioned, doubted, shaken and attacked more times than I can count.  By Satan, by people, even by me… It happens, again and again.

I know I have been called by God.  And anyone who has walked my journey with me knows it too.  Thankfully, in my moments of doubt and weakness, God uses these loved ones to encourage and remind me.  And now that I’m wiser in faith and stronger in my relationship with Christ, I realize that our pasts don’t disqualify us from being used by God.  Anyone who doubts that doubts the redemptive power of Christ.  Because me being in the mission field, and me leading in ministry, has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God.

I Corinthians 1:27 says “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”  We throw that verse around a lot, often in mock humility.  But God really, really, truly, truly does use the foolish things.  As one of those foolish things, I know this from experience.

The deepest yearning of my heart is to remarry someday.  To be yoked with a man who loves the Lord, lives for Him, and has His heart for reaching the lost.  God knows my desire, cares about it, and will either fulfill it or change it someday.  But in the meantime, He and I have some work to do. 

I don’t think that means as second-string, but I’m ok if it does.  What do you think?

Leave Her Alone

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor.  Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.  Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.  And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”  (John12:1-3, emphasis added)

I’m sure the dinner guests were shocked, but it was Judas who said what everyone else was thinking.  Why such a waste?  Couldn’t this expensive perfume have been used for something better like selling to give to the poor?

His point was valid, even if his motives were less than altruistic.

As a missionary serving the poor in South Africa, it’s challenging to steward resources and meet all the needs around us.  The never-ending needs drive us to sacrifice more and more.

I’ll admit, sometimes I feel deflated, defeated, even depressed because I can’t help everyone.  Another temptation is to become cynical, distrustful, or hardened to the needs that can’t be met.  And sometimes in my desire to serve, in that conditioning to sacrifice everything, I take my eyes off Christ as my number one priority.

Whether talking time, treasures or talents, Christ must get our first and full devotion.  After that, everything else will fall into place.

Yes.  Mary “wasted” a year’s wages to anoint and honor Christ – our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Provider, Creator, Sustainer, Helper.  Do you see where I’m going with this?  How can that be considered a waste?

Sometimes faith isn’t practical, but it’s always priority.

And look what Jesus says next…”Leave her alone”.  (John12:7)

She was just following her heart, obeying her prompting to honor him, fulfilling God’s purpose for what she possessed.  That perfume was intended for Christ.  Jesus goes on to say “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”  (John12:8)

Jesus isn’t discounting the needs of the poor or his love for them.  He's teaching a more important lesson.

About priorities.

There will always be needs swarming around us.  We’re called to do what we can, with the spiritual always taking priority over the practical.  Otherwise our sacrifice, our serving, our giving becomes more about us than Christ. 

And maybe “do what we can” is better said as “do what we’re told.”  That’s what Mary did, and now her example is eternally commended in God’s own Word. 

This was a divine reminder that I can’t do everything, only something.  Fortunately God has the power to multiply that something into something pretty major.  Through my small efforts and those he calls to partner with me, we are making a huge difference. 

And we’ll continue to do so as long as Christ remains our priority.

The picture above is a devoted cook and social worker with the Maluti Child Care Program.  MCCP feeds 500-600 children per day from kitchen containers just like this one.  They can’t reach every child in need, but the 4500 they do receive a nourishing meal served with the love of Christ.

My Favs

So far, my trip to the US has been great.  I’ve been busy catching up with family and friends, meeting with prayer and financial partners, and working to raise awareness and support for Ignite South Africa.  It’s been a great time, but definitely not a vacation!  I’m thinking I’ll need one when I get back to SA!!

One of the questions people frequently ask is what do I miss most about living in SA?  Of course my answer is family, friends and my home church – Kensington Community Church.  In this picture I’m at the zoo with my niece Paige and nephew Brandon.

But just for fun, here are some other things that I’ve been enjoying while I’m here – things that are different, or we can’t get, or are too expensive or far away to enjoy regularly…

Some of My Favorite Things (Easy, this isn’t the Oprah show)

Driving an automatic car!!  Thanks to a dear friend who loaned me his.

So many choices.  Everything from dozens of different cereals, sweets and sodas to being close to so many stores and malls.  Where we live in SA, a trip to the mall or movies is a day-long field trip.

Pizza.  My favorite food.  While here I’ve enjoyed Little Caesars, Jets, Buddy’s, Alibi, Mexican pizza, Mediterranean pizza, you name it!

Fast Food.  Drive-thru Arby’s eaten in the car just because I can (yeah for automatics!)  Also Burger King and Taco Bell. Yum!

Ethnic Food.  Mexican and Chinese (favs!) Arabic. Greek. Thai.  Indian.

Sales.  With my limited budget, I’m like a hunter on safari when it comes to finding great deals, discounts and year-end clearances.  I actually don’t buy much in SA, preferring to stock up when I’m back in the US.

Favorite TV shows.  This year my mom got Bones out of the public library and I’ve been catching up.  I have a crush on Seeley Booth.  And somehow I got addicted to Storage Wars.

Costco.  Cheap jeans, bulk coffee and other goodies.  Unfortunately, since most of my favorite things are food, I’m not sure if my new jeans will fit.  Shame!

Super-spiritual, huh?

But on a serious note, I’m so thankful to be able to visit on a yearly basis and grateful to those who help to make it happen.  Thank you!

Workers are Many

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”  (Matthew 9:35-36)

Yesterday evening at Kensington Training Camp, Steve Andrews taught from this passage.  Jesus saw the needs around him and was filled with great compassion - a word in Greek which actually means a heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, visceral reaction.  Jesus knew he’d soon be leaving, no longer able to teach and heal people in person.  He needed help to carry out his work.

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Steve confessed to wondering, even doubting, how the church could meet an ocean of needs with only a pool of resources.  That’s when the Holy Spirit reminded him that there’s really an ocean of resources - and we’re not talking about money, we’re talking about people. 

Jesus told his disciples to pray for more workers, but then in the very next verse he sends them out themselves.  Hey! (Matthew 10:1)

God expects us to notice the needs around us, to have his heart and compassion, and to be his hands and feet in the world.  He expects us to pray, but not just pray, to also go.  And if we’re not sure where, how, or when…start somewhere.  When we do, the workers aren’t few, but many!

Last night we commissioned 4 mission teams doing just that.  People stepping across time zones and comfort zones as the hands and feet of Christ.  Please pray for them.

And please consider if the Lord may be calling you to lead a team of your own.  If so, I’ve written a blog series to help you get started, and I welcome any questions or comments that you have.

   

Leading Mission Teams:

How to Get Started

Forming the Mission Team

Making the Most of Team Meetings

The Nitty Gritty of Getting There

Managing Team Finances

Fundraising 101

Spiritual Preparation

Team Building

Cultural Preparation

Final Details before Heading Out

Returning Home

More Than Conquerors

Words can’t even describe what it’s like to stand in the middle of 900 high schoolers cheering at the top of their lungs! That’s what our school assemblies have been like.

This week we are blessed by a team from Resurrection Life Church Mid Michigan and the Conquerors International Strength Team. They have been treating our youth to amazing feats of strength, music, and break-dancing and the kids absolutely love it!

But this team is so much more than conquerors. Along with these amazing gifts, they are also sharing the gift of hope in Jesus Christ.

With each powerful testimony shared, we see youth light up with the recognition that God loves them unconditionally and has a purpose and plan for their lives. A purpose that can be side-tracked by poor choices, or a lived out abundantly when lived for Christ.

We were talking to a teacher after one of the assemblies and she echoed the same thing. That her students were greatly impacted as they were challenged, inspired and equipped to surrender themselves to Jesus.

Please pray with us for the many youth who have made decisions to live their lives for Christ.

From Our Coaches

One of the many highlights with our Ignite Mission Team was the opportunity for them to meet our FlashPoint coaches, get to know them, and hear straight from their hearts. I thought it would be cool for you to hear from them as well.

We asked everyone to share their highlights from the year thus far, and here is what they had to say.

Thabang: Seeing kids giving their lives to Christ.

Pheelo: Reading testimonies from the kids and seeing how their efforts are really making a difference.

Joseph: Seeing learners become more open in sharing and seeking help about their personal struggles.

Thapelo: Having an opportunity to teach leadership lessons to his fellow coaches, and that Ignite is building him up as a leader so he can build others.

Pheko: Seeing growth in his learners, and seeing lives changed as kids apply what they learn.

Thulo: The impact Assemblies are having in new schools including many new commitments to Christ.

Amanda: Seeing the growth and boldness of each of the coaches.

Jill: Seeing the coaches use their gifts in mighty ways and also be willing to step out as God calls them to.

June: The huge step of faith each took as we made the transition from Thrive Africa to Ignite South Africa.

Dan: Learning so much from the leadership lessons, and being equipped as a leader and teacher.

Busisiwe: How the coaches work together as a team, and how they allow themselves to be stretched by God.

Amos: Being invited to speak to a 12^th grade class over the holiday break.

Constance: Teamwork among the coaches, and also opportunities to learn new skills and roles.

Dimakatso: Seeing how she is making a difference with her learners.

Nnini: Seeing learners being changed, and also growing as a leader herself including teaching leadership lessons to her fellow coaches.

Disebo: Having an impact and building friendships with the learners.

Sibongile: Teaching grade 9 where kids are older than she’s used to; at first she was intimidated, but now they know and like her, and the class is going so well.

The team was excited to meet our incredible coaching team – their passion for God and raising up young leaders is so evident! Please pray with us for each of our coaches and the impact they are having for Christ.

Cultivating

This has been an incredible time of ministry with our Ignite Mission team. It has been such a blessing to serve together sharing the hope of Christ. As we ministered, the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 kept coming to mind. Gardening involves more than just scattering seeds. It also requires cultivating the soil so that the seeds can flourish. Evangelism is similar with our hearts being like the soil that needs tending. As we cultivated relationships, we also cultivated the soil in which the seeds of God’s Word were planted.

Each person we met had a unique story, a unique need – each relationship we built was divinely appointed by God. Just like soil, our hearts are cultivated in stages, and I loved how the Lord used each team member to do that cultivating based on their own gifts and testimonies.

We met hardened hearts that were softened through kindness, serving, and thought-provoking questions. We encountered rocky soil where we helped to counsel and comfort. We encountered the weeds of traditional, ancestral beliefs and sprayed them with “Round-up” from God’s Word. We encountered strong Believers with fertile soil whom we simply encouraged.

Sharing God’s Word may seem intimidating; something best left to pastors and evangelists. But it’s definitely something we all can do, and are called to do. As we built relationships, God used us to tend the soil of many hearts – sowing the seeds of His truth that will reap a harvest in His perfect timing. And as this happened, the Lord ministered to us as well, tending the soil of our hearts - removing rocks and weeds, and planting His truths down deeper.

I’m excited for the great harvest this will bring in the lives of each of us!

Catalysts

Acts 9 is a pretty amazing story of Paul’s conversion and launch into ministry. And where would we be if Paul has not been obedient to God’s calling on his life?

Paul’s testimony is so dramatic it’s easy to overlook the role of Ananias – the one who obeyed God, went to Paul, and prayed with him to receive the Holy Spirit. Ananias was the catalyst who launched Paul into an amazing ministry. Both men had life-changing and life-giving roles to play purposed by God.

This weekend we welcomed our Ignite Mission Team – 3 wonderful ladies excited to share the love and hope of Christ! Jaime began our first day of Relationship Evangelism by teaching us how Ananias’ seemingly small act of obedience had a significant and eternal impact. Our prayer for the next 2 weeks is to be used by God in similar ways.

As we go where God sends us, build relationships, serve and pray, the Lord is sure to do incredible things in and through us. We have great expectations for this trip.

• To be stretched by God and become bolder in fulfilling the Great Commission.
• To serve people in need as the hands and feet of Christ.
• To hear clearly from God as we step out of our comfort zone and rely solely on Him.
• To sharpen and encourage each other, as we each have unique gifts to share and roles to play.
• To be the catalysts that God uses to encourage, edify, and equip others.
• To expect the unexpected, after all God has more in store for us that we’ll ever know.

While we have great expectations for this trip, we’re sure the Lord will exceed them by far.

Please pray for us. And please ask yourself, how does God want to use me today?

Treasures in Heaven

I hit the ground running when I arrived back in South Africa. We had just 2 weeks before an Enrich conference and then June heading to the US for 6 weeks. We were also blessed with 2 ministry guests who stayed with us for a week, getting to know Ignite and serving with us. I’d like you to “meet” them…

Alison and Doug are fellow missionaries with an organization called Love For the Sake of Love (http://www.loveforthesakeoflove.com/). I met Alison when she served as a summer intern with Thrive Africa 2 summers ago. Afterwards, she felt called to help launch a new ministry for college students. L4L’s heart is to help students discover Christ’s calling on their lives, and to mobilize them to use their gifts to serve others. They accomplish this through both local outreach and global mission trips. I know what a life-changing experience a mission trip can be, so I love that L4L’s heart is to facilitate serving opportunities for students.

While here, Alison and Doug spent time with our FlashPoint coaches, attended an FCG class getting to know some of our local pastors, and served at our Enrich conference. They also helped with a HUGE book project – sorting and inventorying the more than 1000 books we have in storage. Wow! I’m sure there will be treasures in heaven for that tedious project!!

And I’m soooo excited about it because it helps us make these much needed resources available to our coaches, pastors and church leaders. My heart is to have a small library someday where they can study for classes, access books and other materials, prepare for sermons, ask questions, etc.

It has been such a blessing to get to know these young leaders. I’ve been so impressed by their vision, leadership, focus on Christ, and heart for fellow college students. I recommend you check out their site for more information, especially if you have a heart for students, or a student of your own.