Towards Reconciliation

Death of a President: The End of an Era

On April 25, 2021

For the 6 ½ years we have lived in Chad, we’ve never taken for granted the relative peace and freedom as missionaries we have experienced. From Josh’s first vision trip, he was impressed by the fact that Muslims and Christians could live side-by-side, selling at the same markets, and that missionaries were legally allowed to work for the church even in Muslim areas.

A landlocked nation surrounded by war-torn countries, Chad’s borders have for years been dotted with refugee camps from surrounding nations: Libya’s ongoing battles, Sudan’s Darfur crisis, Central African Republic’s ongoing civil war. The Chadian military, lead by President Idriss Deby, was committed to fighting Islamists across the Sahel region as well as on their own soil (Boko Haram for example).

We would often reflect together how thankful we were that even though the president had been in power since the 90’s and the people here are very poor, hungry, and lack quality health care, at least there was peace. “When Deby dies, ‘all bets are off,’” we would comment. What we meant is that for the time being, things were somewhat predictable, and peace was likely to continue. We would often stop there, refusing to let our minds dwell on ‘what would happen’ when the president died. We both assumed it could very well mean the end of ministry here.

Now, we’ve just watched the nation bury their president after incurring wounds from fighting rebels on the front lines only 300 km from the capital city. All bets do seem off, in some regard. There is a lot of speculation about what might happen and when. Many workers have evacuated the capital and other remote locations in the country because of the uncertainty of what might come in the weeks and months ahead.

It’s been an interesting week here, feeling the emotions that our Chadian friends also feel:

from the fear after hearing news that rebels were approaching the capital a week ago,
to the outright shock physically and emotionally that the president had died,
to the uncertainty of the future of the nation, to the desire for things to continue like normal,
to the frustration and even anger at the fact that the Chadian people have had no say in who assumes power after the president died (the military transitional council dissolved parliament and the constitution immediately after the news broke that Deby had died).

So much of our lives here is lived trying to understand the hearts and minds of Chadians – we sympathize with their suffering, but we never have experienced the helplessness of the works-based Islamic religion. Nor have we suffered unnecessarily at the hands of incompetent health care providers. We ache at the sight of beggar children on the roadside or malnourished children, but we do not know what it’s like to be desperately hungry. But this week, we have certainly been able to identify with the thoughts of many of our friends.

Thankfully, we have God’s word and character as an anchor. As we have had moments of shock or feelings of uncertainty, we are able to call to mind our sovereign, good Father who is working all things together – even presidents dying, rebels fighting, constitutions being dissolved – for His glory and our good. We commiserate with our Chadian friends but can point them to a God who is trustworthy and faithful because of His promises in His word. We remind people that we may be surprised, but God never is.

We have so much to be thankful for as we reflect at the events of this past week. In addition to a good and faithful God who has given us the gift of His word and the Holy Spirit to comfort us and give us peace, we also have had many people reach out assuring us of their prayers for safety and wisdom. We have had such great communication amongst the other missionary leaders in the country to provide us with a lot of helpful information as we make decisions for our team here in the east of the country. We have felt the support and guidance of our sending organization as news was pouring in and go-bags were being packed. We have experienced peace in our city all week.

Thank you for your prayers for Chad – its people and government – and for us as we have walked through a week of uncertainty. For now, we feel confident that the best thing we can do is stay here and continue with the work God has given us to do. We continue to monitor the news and consult with others who can help us make informed decisions. We pray that many Chadians will hear the good news of a Kingdom that will never fails and that many will trust in Christ as a result of this political crisis.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) founder dies at 98

By josh

On September 16, 2020

In Chad

What an incredible organization MAF is! They have served us so well in the 6 years since we first arrived in Chad and I enjoyed this short account of its equally incredible founder.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/september/died-stuart-king-mission-aviation-fellowship-founder.html

Is He Worthy?

By josh

On August 13, 2020

In Music

This song is several years old now but man, I love it. Came across it again today and remembered the video that goes along with it. Remembered back in 2017 at his Behold the Lamb concert in Huntsville when he taught it to us and we all sung it together. He explained his newfound appreciation for liturgical tradition, and the song is meant to be a liturgy of sorts with questions and answers set to song. anyway, enjoy…

Videos from VBS

By josh

On July 13, 2020

In Chad, Ministry

Back in June we participated in a VBS in East Texas. We had a blast, and part of our participation was creating a few videos about our work in Chad. A big thanks to Covid-19 for exposing my video skills (or lack thereof…). Regardless, we had fun so I thought I’d share them.

Dreams and Visions

By josh

On July 8, 2020

In Ministry

Is God Using dreams and visions to bring Muslims to Christ?

This is a question we’ve heard often, and there are certainly many reports of Muslims having dreams and visions and which cause them to be open to the Gospel or to follow Christ. Many missionaries even pray for God to send dreams and visions to Muslims in order to make them open to the Gospel.

I came across this article from Costi Hinn the other day that provides a lot of wisdom in navigating this issue. Since it pretty accurately sums up our thoughts, I’ll just post a link without a lot of commentary.

How to View Claims About Dreams and Visions

Don’t Waste Your Quarantine

By kimberly

On March 30, 2020

In Ministry, Other thoughts, Suffering

How a Global Pandemic Can Strengthen Your Prayers for World Missions

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads around the world and impacts our own lives, we have a unique opportunity to better understand the circumstances of those in other parts of the world. In very real ways, Westerners have felt the desperation of wondering whether we will have the food and supplies we need for the coming weeks. We’ve questioned whether we’ll have a job and means of supporting our families. We have seen the fallibility of our healthcare system, one of the best in the world but still unable to keep up with the demands of a pandemic. We have experienced the way many of those who are least reached with the gospel people live daily: at the mercy of God to provide the next meal; placing their lives in the untrustworthy hands of ill-equipped doctors and under-equipped hospitals. So many men spend their days idly sitting around, unable to find work that could give them dignity in providing for their families.

Even more, on a spiritual level, we are now faced with the odd and challenging reality that we cannot meet together with our local church family for Sunday worship. Weekly fellowship may be happening, but not in the way we are used to: we are having to get creative. Parking lot coffee dates. Zoom Bible study and prayer meetings. For Christians living in Muslim-majority countries, these challenges are not new. Many are not legally allowed to gather to worship in the name of Jesus. Others, in Chad for example, are technically allowed to meet but are met with death threats, lose their jobs, face beatings or death from family and tribal members. You can see why convincing unbelievers to consider the truths of the Gospel, much less planting a church, is a challenge.

What does this have to do with your quarantine? God is sovereign over this pandemic, and He is working in many ways at once. We cannot attempt to understand all He is doing, but we do know that His character remains the same. This means that His love, mercy, justice, righteousness, wisdom, are all on full display during this season. It also means that His heart for the nations and for His church does not stop. He hasn’t put aside His desire to draw all people to Himself so He can sort out the mess of COVID-19! Your quarantine is meant to draw you closer to God’s character, His truth as revealed in Scripture, and to His heart. Part of that might mean that His Spirit reveals sins and grants you repentance. Maybe He gives you a new love for His church as a result of not having the privilege of meeting together with your church family.

I pray that it also causes you and me to pause and consider how we can better pray for unbelievers in other places who struggle to find food to eat and jobs to provide for their families and who don’t have good health care. These are the ones who are too busy just trying to survive to have much capacity to think about spiritual concepts such as life, death, sin, and salvation. These same ones in the Muslim world are unwilling to consider Jesus because of the severe persecution they will experience as a result of following Him. I pray that this pandemic causes us to love Christ and His Bride more so that we might better pray for believers around the world who don’t know the privilege of freely gathering for worship and preaching of the Word.

This quarantine may seem like a retreat from the world. However, God can use you and me to impact the world for His kingdom through our prayers.

Let’s keep our bodies inside, our hearts on Christ, and our prayers towards the growing of His kingdom. Don’t waste your quarantine!

Timely Encouragement for Anxious Times

By kimberly

On March 28, 2020

In Bible

Our Bible reading plan has taken us through Job, Ecclesiastes, Philippians, and James in the last couple of weeks. I’ve been blessed by God’s timing, knowing that in His sovereignty He knew we would be reading these words of truth during a time of much uncertainty and change. I wanted to share a few passages that seem especially relevant as we navigate these days of COVID-19 under the sovereign hand of God. I am thankful we have His Word and promises to steady our hearts and calm our anxieties.

In the comments below, or in a personal message, we would love to hear what are you reading these days that is encouraging your hearts in these uncertain times? How can we pray for you?

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him…” (Philippians 3:7-9)

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1: 2-4)

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:9-12)

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ “(James 4: 13-15)

“Be patient, therefore brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5: 7-8)

God’s Grace in a Time of Transition

By kimberly

On March 27, 2020

In Family

We wanted to share a short version of how God has blessed us during this Coronavirus pandemic. A couple weeks ago, as we began hearing more news about the growing pandemic, we started keeping up more regularly with the news, knowing that we had flights scheduled for the end of March to return to the States for furlough.

On Sunday March 15, Josh’s birthday, we learned suddenly that Morocco shut its borders and air space. We made the decision that day to book another set of tickets through Ethiopia and Frankfurt, Germany, knowing that getting through Europe and into the States would likely be a challenge.

The following day, Monday, we made flight arrangements with MAF to fly us on Tuesday morning from Abeche to N’Djamena, arriving in the capital only a couple hours before we would fly out of the country. Getting a flight with MAF was a blessing, because otherwise we would have had to take an evening bus on Monday to the capital, arriving at about 2am.

Monday evening, we learned that on Wednesday, Chad would also be closing its borders and air space. This means that if we had not made the decision on Sunday to leave on Tuesday, we would still be in Chad today with no way out! MAF personnel greeted us with sandwiches in hand at the N’Djamena airport, another blessing because Josh wouldn’t have been able to easily get our family lunch in time to make our next flight.

The rest of our 30+ hours of travel went exceptionally smooth. The kids slept on the flights, everyone did great not touching things in the airports, the lines were short, and we were always moved to the front because of having small children. We arrived in D.C. exhausted but thankful on Wednesday. Thursday we walked around the National Mall, practicing social distancing. Friday, still exhausted from jet lag, we decided to drive from D.C. to Madison, AL, a 12 hour drive. It was tiring, but now we have been here a week and we are so grateful to have a place to call home. We were welcomed by Josh’s parents to a fully furnished home and overstuffed pantry of food (and cleaning supplies!) thanks to Grace Community Church.

In many ways, the transition to America has been a sweet one for our family. After such a busy season of ministry and language learning, we are enjoying time together free of outside distractions and visitors. We are still able to enjoy lots of good American food while easing into the social aspects of life here. We’ve decided to wait 2 weeks before having contact with others, so by next weekend we will probably be looking forward to seeing a few church friends while still practicing social distancing.

We are so thankful for all the ways God has provided in perfect timing for us in the past couple of weeks. We know that all of you have had changes to your plans and uncertainty about what the future holds. I pray that you can see even in small ways how God is with you in these times and that He never changes no matter what our outside circumstances may be.

Words, Worldview and the Gospel

By kimberly

On March 8, 2020

In Islam, language, Ministry

When Chadian Muslims ask forgiveness from someone they have wronged, they use a word which we would translate in English as “forgive me.” Embedded in their request for forgiveness from the offending party is a strong sense that God has forgiven them, whether or not the offended party forgives.

The Arabic words for “sin” against God and “error” against man are two different ideas. Biblically, when we sin against our brother, as Psalm 51 shows us, we are ultimately, primarily sinning against God and His law. In Muslim thinking, an “error” against their friend or brother is not necessarily seen as a sin against God.

It is hugely important to communicate to our new believing friends as well as to those we are sharing the Gospel with that when we speak of sin, we are speaking of the big and little things – all are against a Holy God. If I use the Arabic word “zanib”, translated in English as “sin”, with the average Chadian Muslim without explanation they will not understand it in a biblical sense. I may assume they’re understanding me, and they will probably say they are if asked, but they aren’t. For one thing, Islam rejects the idea of original sin. And as long as they haven’t committed the “big sins” (murder, adultery, blasphemy, etc) they’re doing ok. The petty stealing, lying, gossiping, and other fruits of the sinful nature are not that big of a deal. These “errors” are not seen as offenses against the Holy God of the Scriptures. If they don’t understand sin as the Bible describes, then God’s love and mercy, His holiness and justice, in fact, all the gifts he bestows on us through Christ, frankly are not such “Good News” after all. In order to understand this Gospel, they must understand the Biblical definition of sin.

Why spend this much time in language learning? We can’t afford not to! We can’t afford to spend our energy sharing, assuming they’ve understood us, when they really haven’t. The Gospel is too precious. We don’t continue learning language because we’re good at it, or even because we like it. We press forward in order to understand the nuances of the language, religion, and culture so that we can communicate very clearly the richness of the Gospel we are seeking to proclaim.

Would you pray for us to learn to communicate the Gospel clearly? Would you also pray that we would find a homeschool helper/nanny to return to Chad with us next year to allow Kimberly to focus full-time on language for 1-2 more years?

Eye Clinics in the bush

By josh

On March 7, 2020

In Chad, Ministry

A few weeks ago we hosted a team of 4 from Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover, AL. They visited Abeche and we spent 3 nights in the village doing eye clinics. The team included an optometrist, Brian, an old friend of ours. In fact, he was the one who invited me (Josh) on my first trip to Senegal, where I met Kimberly and initially considered doing mission work full-time. Quite an eventful trip, I am forever indebted to Brian for that invitation!

Josh and Kimberly, February 2008, Casamance Region of Senegal
I “just happened” to sit next to her many times during the trip…

Ok (shakes head and snaps out of daydream), back to 2020.

The team arrived on February 12th, and after a day to recover in the capital we headed out by car for the 900km trip to Abeche. Three of the four team members are old hats, having traveled all over West Africa. Regardless, they were good sports and we had an uneventful trip, which is the best kind here in Chad.

We spent the weekend in Abeche, just resting and preparing for our trip to the village. The kids enjoyed having some new activities to play with Mrs. Nancy and Mr. Wayne. Our friend Fatime took the visitors to the Abeche market. Sunday morning we went out to the hills just outside of town. It was great to spend a couple of days showing them our town.

Monday morning early we loaded up and headed out to the village. We had two vehicles, with 10 adults and 5 children. Another worker friend of ours came along in order to do a test on a well near the village, where he’s doing a project to replace an old broken foot pump with a solar-powered electrical pump.

We arrived in the village around lunchtime on Monday, and took Monday afternoon to set up and plan how the clinic would work. All day Tuesday and Wednesday we did eye clinics, with the doctor seeing around 300 people. Many had cataracts and he could only refer them to one of the larger towns for surgery. Lot’s of eyes had been damaged by trauma, usually thorns. The thorns in Chad are often several inches long and can puncture the sole of your shoe, so you can imagine what it would do to an eyeball. We were able to help some with glasses, and most people went away with a bottle or two of artificial tears at least. The desert sun, winds and sand are really tough on eyes!

After finishing the clinic on Wednesday afternoon we rode down to the wadi (a seasonal riverbed) where we enjoyed the huge mango and guava trees. We came upon a family of monkeys playing high in the branches of one particular mango tree, and as we stood below watching they threw several mangoes at us.

Thursday morning it was back to Abeche after saying goodbye to the village and promising that we would indeed be back, but it will be after our time in the U.S. this year. We enjoyed our last afternoon and evening with the team in Abeche, and Friday morning they flew back to N’Djamena with MAF. That night they started the long journey back to the U.S.