New Things

I really like to learn new things, to think new thoughts. It is one of my favorite past-times to sit and think about ideas and how to make them happen.

I just finished attending a class on contextualization at Bethel Seminary. If you don’t know what contextualization is I want to empower you- look it up in a dictionary. It is a critical issue when cross-culturally teaching or preaching. I know that it can be badly done. I have heard preachers come from the States to Thailand and use sermon illustrations that are totally irrelevant to the people or culture. One was hilarious- the preacher talked about using appliances in a village where there wasn’t any electricity and the poverty level of the church he preached to would have clearly sent the message that they did not have appliances.

I once read a paper online that stated that missionaries were decimating the hill-tribe peoples’ culture faster than Thai society could. That thought made me shudder and I have to admit that as I concluded this class on contextualization, that I do not want to be contributing to this destruction of the K’s culture.

Another perspective was that by importing western teaching it will erode or affect change. I know just from living in the village that my presence on a daily basis was causing a change. I am teaching constantly even if I am not in a classroom. The way I did things were constantly being watched, filtered and examined. Now this can be a positive change, like washing hands to control disease or filtering contaminated water. I guess I have a whole new realization of responsibility. One that I take very seriously.

We really are watched, aren’t we? I am new in a neighborhood and people are watching me. Not in a creepy, paranoid, sinister kind of way- but they don’t know me and they wonder what I’m about- or maybe why I am there. It underscores the responsibility of living a life that is transparent, that does not cause destruction, but brings blessing to others.

(Today I met my neighbor for the first time. I’ve lived there three weeks. He has noticed my coming and going. Now I know someone from my neighborhood!)

Starting Over

I’m new in town. Yeah, I think of the cheesy movie with that title and oddly, I feel like I could identify with the character in that movie. I don’t know where any thing is- I’m using a GPS to get to the grocery store and yesterday I tried to find an office supply store but the road wasn’t really there.

It can be lonely at times. I go to the coffee shop (yea, free internet!) and see people hanging out chatting over coffee. I am at a table alone. No one to talk to. I drive back home. It seems rather sad.

But on the upswing, there’s a whole mess of people to get to know that I’ve not met yet. It is just a matter of time. I’m looking forward to that day.

Does everyone do life this way? So autonomous? Independently moving through their day? It really takes a lot of fun out of living in the city.

I went to church last Sunday and was so happy to get to talk to people. It is a new church for me- new friends to discover. I don’t know how people who don’t go to church do this.

Each day I tell myself I am one day closer to knowing where things are. I am one day closer to making good friends I can hang out with. It is a good day.

Discouragement

What do you do to keep from being discouraged? I think that blog sites can be interactive and should allow for two way interaction. There is a place to add comments… so feel free!

I just had a discouraging week. So many things seemed to go wrong. I am learning something through that though. How many times do I link blessing to success? If things are easy I am doing well and in the flow of God and if they move contrary I’m not? As I study scripture I feel I can debate this logic. Paul’s life really was difficult a lot of the time. He was blessed enormously but his life was far from easy.

Last week I lost my phone. I feel like my communication has just been crippled. With the loss of a phone I cannot “reach out and touch someone” and it is amazing how many people you think to call and want to talk to when it is impossible. Also, I’m staying with my son, and for that I am very thankful. But, he does not have internet. So for you who check my blog and live in Thailand, it is just like being back in the village in many ways- no phone service or internet. But in the village setting it is acceptable. That’s just the way it is. Here it is just plain frustrating.

I’m working on getting back in the flow of communication. Awesome coffee shops like Caribou Coffee are helpful as they have free internet. Not convenient, but a tasty alternative.

I’m setting up a new schedule of meetings with churches. Please keep me in mind as I go through this process of fund raising. Any tips would be appreciated.

Blessings-

JJ

Alex is my best friend

If there was a book to sum up my day it would be ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. There are no words that seem adequate.

We all have good days and bad days. I hear a little fairy (with my mother’s voice) on my shoulder saying, “It’s what I do with the day that matters”. I don’t want to hear it right now.

Tomorrow is a new day. I’m looking forward to it. How many people had a bad day today? I’m sure in this world there are many.

If you had a good day today- I’m very glad for you.

Ok- I wrote that about an hour ago and I have to say that since then my day has just done a 180 degree turn. It is a wonderful day and I’m grounded in the truth. I pray if you had a bad day today, tomorrow is absolutely off the charts for you in a good way.
JJ

Clean Water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZEbEm77pE

The above link will show you a short ad about water- promoting awareness for the many countries where people do not have clean water.

This is a reality. Not only for drinking, but washing. Dishes washed with dirty water have grit on them. Rice made with river water is brown, not from the healthy hull left on the kernel, but because sewage and agricultural run-off contaminates the water- and anything cooked with it. Taking a shower with river water does not cause you to feel clean. In fact in less than 30 minutes you start to itch. Rashes happen from contaminated water. Chemicals that run off of fields are carried away in streams and rivers and end up in showers, drinking water, and food. Small children and aged adults are the most vulnerable to illnesses from contaminated water.

How can you help? Contribute to a fund that will help a poor Karen family purchase a water filter. Help to buy a mold so that a large number of filters can be made. Sponsor a workshop for many villages to come and learn how to clean their water and care for their families.

Did you know that 60% of water born illnesses can be reduced by filtering the water? Teach people to wash their hands and you reduce the number of illnesses by 20%. 80% is a large number when it comes to bringing real life to a people group that have already suffered so much.

We have so much in America. We have clean water that flows from the tap. The water in my toilet is cleaner than what most people have to drink. Please consider helping me help Karen people and the project to bring clean water to the Karen. You can donate money to bring clean water to the Karen on my website. Thank you!

God’s Faithfulness

Do you ever doubt that God is in something? Maybe you have a big decision to make, you pray, you think you have an idea, and you run with it but wonder if God is really in it?

I don’t know if you can identify with this, but I know that I have just had a week where I have wondered if I was doing the right thing. Each day had a bit of uncertainty as I tried my best to do my job of speaking about the Karen to new groups of people. Now that it is Friday I can say that God was in midst of my week. I made some new friends that I know I will have for years to come. I got to share my heart, my pain, and my joy with many. It is Friday and I can see how God wove each opportunity together and He is fully in each one. I am so thankful to see this- to thank Him for his faithfulness and make what I really thought was going to be a difficult job and made it very enjoyable.

I really think my greatest sin is making God so small in my mind. He called me to this work and he will equip me. He has promised this in His word to us. I don’t know if you are struggling or in the midst of decisions that need to be made. Ask for His help and depend that he will answer. It is the truth.

Just do it!

I was sharing today in church about my work in Thailand. Someone asked me if I was teaching from the Bible. I said yes, and no. I told them that I cannot just walk in and start teaching. Well, I could but few would really listen. That if they didn’t know me- how arrogant it would be for me to just walk in and begin to teach. No, I had to see where they lived. I had to experience life as they did, showing them how much I cared. I would live in the same style, Karen style. I learned to eat different food, live without the comforts so often seen on TV and in movies. It also challenged me. I know what I believe. I know that God has a message that he wants me to bring them, but they are also teaching me. They are catalysts for change in me. I am not an expert in their culture, I am a student.

The Bible is my favorite book. The words I believe are the words of God for man- for me. It brings me life, it tells me how to live, it defines life for me. But, in a world that seemingly is a mad place- I am challenged to live what I believe before I can ever open my mouth to teach it. I think that this is what St. Augustine meant when he said “Share the Gospel and if necessary, use words.”

St Augustine also said, “Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.” This is so true. So, if I know about nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene, am I not obligated to share this information with others? If I know comfort because I have been comforted by others, shouldn’t I also comfort those who need comforting? Paul wrote something about that.

I think we need to stop sitting on our hands and get busy. We have been given much- and there is much we can do in this hurting world- especially since 2/3’s of it does not have clean water or good nutrition. Yes we can share the Gospel, but if necessary use words. Share from the riches that you have been given whether that means finances or knowledge. But don’t take my word for it- ask God what He wants you to do.

Who Am I?

Hi. My name is Joanna P- also known as Joanna Java and I am a Converge Worldwide (Baptist General Conference) Appointee Missionary. I have been involved with missions since 1994 when I took a youth team to Texas for a 10 day mission trip. I have not been the same since! I heard the audible voice of God ask me if I was too spoiled to serve Him. I was when He asked me that question, but it has been a journey of growth- desiring more of what God wanted to develop in me and letting him pierce my heart and open my eyes and ears. In 2001 I moved from working full time on staff with a BGC church to full time missions. I love my work. I am located in northwestern Thailand where I work with Karen people. The Karen are the poorest people in Thailand and their origin is from the country to the west.

Originally I arrived with a goal of starting an indigenous Bible school to train pastors for rural mountain communities. Currently there are many churches that stand empty, built with the hopes that a pastor could come. I also noticed that there were many churches that had struggling pastors, ones that did not have enough money to support their families- to buy food, to send their children to school, or pay for much needed healthcare. I asked the question, why would we train more pastors if we couldn’t keep the trained ones in their churches? They asked me, “How can we teach that God is good and generous if we are starving to death?”

My eyes were opened to see the condition of the Karen church. My ears were opened to hear of their troubles. My heart was broken when I was served water from the river to drink. When the food was barely enough to nourish the children. When Karen people were refused medical care because they did not have money to pay. The people make up the church and they needed help.

I am involved with training pastors and encouraging people who are doing full time ministry. The Karen have great needs for community development in micro business, health, sanitation, and hygiene. I teach how to make and use a bio-sand water filter to clean water. I also teach classes on sanitation and hygiene as well as Bible study.

I am an appointee until I am fully supported. If you would like to be a ministry partner please contact me via my blogsite.

The Perfect Birthday

I’m not sure what the perfect birthday would be. I would not have woken up in the night with a nightmare. I dreamt that our village was being attacked. I woke up with a scream in my throat. It took a while to shake that off.

I started my day with coffee and was thankful. Thankful for many things actually- for my life, for my many years, for 3 great kids (though I wonder if they know when it is my birthday), that we have peace in this nation, that we have been blessed to be a blessing.

I think about Thailand (I am in the States right now) and I miss my home. If I was there for my birthday the perfect day would begin with peace, not war. That there would be equality for my K friends. Then we could have a cup of brewed coffee grown from our own mountain villages, made with clean water. We could ride elephants into the jungle and spend the day at waterfalls. (That is one of my favorite things to do). The perfect day would end looking west at a beautiful sun setting over the mountains. Birds would sing because they weren’t all killed so someone could eat. There wouldn’t be so much hunger.

But I know that the sun rises and falls everyday on Burma to the west. It is still beautiful despite the things that occur there. I have hope for a better day- the perfect birthday.

This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. God made a great day and I was certainly glad about it. I spent the day with friends and we laughed and had a good time. We ate too much and I got to take a long walk along the Chippewa river in the beautiful setting of nature. I long for the day that everyone can just enjoy life like I did today. Thanks for helping me celebrate.

Guided Footsteps

I sat in the lounge at the gate waiting to fly standby. There was no guarantee that I would get on the flight. Suddenly, I had this thought: What if I just made up that it would be fun to go and spend time with my friend Dee and that was why I was doing it. No, I wanted to do what God planned for me to do and not what I wanted to do. I let Him know that I was good with his plans for me, even if it meant missing this flight and looking for something else.

I heard my name called from the counter and had the last open seat on the plane. I was on my way to Idaho. Compared to flying from Asia it was a short flight from Minneapolis to Idaho. I finished my book as we started our decent.

Suddenly, I had a craving for pop-tarts. Now that was a weird thing. I had not thought about pop-tarts since arriving 2 weeks prior. But America is home to many of those tasty and not-so-nutritious treats. I asked Dee if we could go to get some organic pop-tarts at the local Costco. (Somehow the “organic” offsets the lack of nutritional value). We did. And, as I waited in line to pay for my goods we met someone that Dee knew. Someone who just returned from a short term mission trip. In fact, this lady had been in Mae S- last year looking at ways to help the Karen people. She felt that from what she had seen, their needs had been met.

I was blown away by this. For one thing, I didn’t know that the Karen were in Idaho. For another, this lady was located just a few hours from a place where the Karen have no access to decent healthcare. She is working with a health care team.

I am going to their church on Sunday- and meeting the people who work with the Karen in their church as well as the people who have a heart to do outreach to the Karen people in Thailand. I am so thankful for this connection. It showed me that if I remain open to what God wants to show me- he will be faithful to show me what I cannot know.

I think of Jeremiah 33:3 NLT Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. It is true.

I’m having a great time. Times of relaxing and times to share. I am meeting with old friends and new ones. It is also a great time to let people know what I’ve been up to lately. Be blessed- JJ