Live a life of love

For about a year now I have not had any regular ministry responsibility.  After James was born I took a break from volunteering at the preschool, then shortly after that the preschool closed for various reasons....and I kept praying and asking the Lord where I fit in at the mission.  What can I be doing to serve and love people right now, in the season I am at home caring for our young children?

And I felt like the Lord was inspiring me with the following ideas:
(I'm sharing this mostly to encourage other Mom's like me.  Because you may want to reach out in love and serve more but are not sure how...)
* Reach out to the single missionaries on campus, feed and encourage them...do their laundry.
* Write encouragement cards to people
* Love and serve my family well, setting a good example to others watching us
* Pray for and encourage 'Osi in his full-time ministry responsibilities
* Give, when I see a need
* Pray for and encourage all our friends and missions partners in the U.S.
* Help out in the campus kitchen, chopping the garlic because nobody likes that job.  haha
* Plant more flowers around campus
* Help fellow Tongan missionaries write newsletters...
* Pray with people
* Bake and give it away
* Sew things for people, especially mending and hemming for the singles
* Share the word of God with someone - something the Lord shows me during my quiet time
* Sit with another Mother in their home -visit and encourage them
* Babysit another Mom's children
*Take them all out to the park or beach
* Invite people over for dinner
* Bless someone secretly
I guess the more I added to the list I realized these are things I love doing anyway, because God has uniquely gifted each believer with talents for building up the body of Christ.   So my prayer is that God will challenge me to choose one thing off the list everyday, and above all "live a life of love".  Because its not about what we do but the attitude/motive for why we're doing it, right?  =)

"Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." - Ephesians 5:2

Outreach continues - on two fronts!

Bittersweet day yesterday, part of the DTS team left for Vanuatu to finish their outreach and 'Osi is staying here in Tonga with the rest. Lord willing we'll go to Ha'apai next week.....so excited to see how God will continue working through both teams to love lost and hurting people to Jesus!

Whoever loses his life for Christ's sake, will find it

I wrote this letter to a loved one, and thought I should share it with more people....because concerned friends and family in America and in Tonga ask us regularly why we are living in Tonga instead of the America, a.k.a Disneyland =)  On the other hand there are some sweet but misguided friends who put us up on a pedestal of holiness that we can't even touch.  SO can I just throw out this disclaimer first?  'Osi and I are missionaries, but we are also just average Joe normal people, we don't have extraordinary talents or holiness. That being said, here is why we do what we do. 

'Osi and the Discipleship students have started their 3 month outreach.  They have been living in the village of Kolomotua, Vautu'u, and Patangata doing community service, door-to-door ministry, and outdoor evangelism programs.  But every few days he comes home to check on us, bring us food, and sleep overnight.  I know its a little bit of a sacrifice, but honestly we have been praying for this opportunity to work with the Discipleship students for years now, and it has been AWESOME to see them fall in love with Jesus, and catch a fire to live for him, start sharing with other people and making disciples of their own....so it multiplies, get it?  =)  

That's what Jesus told us to do "Go and make disciples" and it totally makes sense.  The world would get saved SO much quicker, and be nurturing mature Christians if we were multiplying disciples rather that merely evangelism.

So I am ridiculously excited to be doing this with 'Osi.  The students came over to our house last night, and we were eating bread and butter and tea on the porch sharing stories about all the great ways God is opening hearts and opening doors in the villages.

Tongans make the BEST missionaries, and this place here in YWAM Tonga is the only campus we know of that is sending out missionaries. Besides the Mormons, lol  they are sending out missionaries by the Bushel.

I just think its sad that so many of us Christians just don't  get it.  God has amazing plans for our life, but so often we settle for less.  Maybe we're scared that if we really surrendered our life and future completely to Him He would  tell us to go live in the bush in poverty, nursing aids orphans or something, and that scares us.

So instead we Sing  on Sundays  "Your all I want, You're all I ever needed...."  But we LIVE as if our aim in life is to make ourselves as comfortable and happy as possible here on earth. 
And the world says that is our Right and the natural thing to do.  And if at the end of our life we have a spouse and kids and a house and a good job with benefits or whatever, and are thin and beautiful.... then we are "successful".

But Jesus said "Whoever finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."  

When I was 16, I had just returned from the Mexico missions trip that opened my eyes to see the rest of the world does not live like we do.    And I remember driving my nice new car over the Camano Island bridge during this georgeouss sunset, and I was thinking how incredibly blessed I was.  What a life of privilege I was born into!

And I was talking to Jesus, out loud, ( because thats what I normally did while driving  =)  remember how our parents made us wait a year before listening to the radio??

And I started, spontaneously praying the same prayer David did in 2 Samuel 7:18-22
"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?...What more can David say to you? For you know your servant...  How great you are, Sovereign LORD!  There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears."

I told Him that I was so in love with Him and SO THANKFUL for everything he's done for me, that I would follow him to the ends of the earth and back.  Just whatever and whenever He wants....

And you know, he was right.   When he said.   "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ..."
  In losing my life to Him, I really found it.  =)

Its really good.  I know we don't have alot of "stuff".  But its good.....

We are so honored, and humbled to be used by God out here.  And I know at the end of our life we can look back and see that it counted for something.
We won't regret giving up the temporary comforts we could have had in America.

He is worth it.

And this is what its like riding the bus

Standing in line for the AOG church conference....I couldn't help myself, this is exactly what it feels like taking the bus to town, except with 3 children.  Ah!  Scary but really fun, because they play loud music and we meet new people. I always forget to take my camera on the bus - but now you can imagine.  If you ever visit Tonga, you MUST experience the bus!

Standing room only ladies and gentlemen - its THAT popular  =)

DTS Outreach!

The YWAM Discipleship Training Course is divided into 3 months of classroom lecture phase, and then 3 months of outreach where the students put into practice sharing their faith and loving people with the love of Jesus whom they have come to know so dearly during the lecture phase.
Our DTS staff and students feel God is leading them to outreach in Vanuatu and Australia....however they are still awaiting approval of their visas to travel there. So in the meantime they have begun reaching out to Tongan villages. 

A typical day may start with a prayer meeting, then going out for community cleanup work.  Then door to door evangelism - and a couple of days a week they do a big outdoor evangelism program in the village square.

God has truly gone before 'Osi and the team in their outreach to the villages of Kolomotua and Vaotu'u.  The Holy Spirit has softened hearts of the people, and there have been many open hearts to the gospel and renewed commitments to Christ!

I personally enjoy seeing the love God has given these students for lost and hurting people.  They truly understand that life is not just about them and our own personal walk....God wants us to serve those around us by ministering to their practical needs and their spiritual life.

Kids Camp!

I had an awesome time with the kids camp this 3-day weekend, and was reminded WHY kids are the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Part of the Royal Tongan family came,and although we had set aside a special seating area for them, as part of honoring them and setting them apart...a little prince and princess ran around and joined in with the other kids.  I was so touched to see them dancing that evening with my kids and lots of other kids who went up to the front of the chapel during worship, singing and dancing, hands in the air praising Jesus! 

That's how children are, they are uninhibited by propriety and protocol.  When asked questions they answer honestly,they don't worry about sounding intelligent or holy.  When they pray they do it with a simple faith that whatever they asked for will actually happen.   Its no wonder why Jesus said  "Whoever humbles himself, like this little child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."   Matthew 18:4

Evangelism ki ai!!!

Awesome time of outdoor evangelism on Sunday, in the village of Ha'atafu. 'Osi did a fantastic job sharing his testimony, and also one of the students.   The students' led in drama and music, which was very powerful, and the Holy Spirit moved the hearts of the people... Afterwards 20+ people stepped forward to receive Christ! 

Now our DTS students are totally fired up for outreach - 3 months of divine appointments just like this!

Check out our video!

Pastor Greg asked us to record a video greeting from our family to our church in Texas. and upload it onto youtube....If you would like to see a glimpse of our life and discipleship ministry in Tonga, you can check it out here http://youtu.be/1eN1n8OuzoE

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Why pray for patience when you can pray for humor?

Lately I have been asking God to help me face stressful situations gracefully by giving me a fantastic sense of humor.  I think it will be great having the ability to "laugh at the days to come".  So many of my friends (mostly Mothers with small children) say they are "praying for patience".  Praying for patience...Yes, it sounds nice, but what does that mean exactly? 
When I ask God to do something in me I need to be as specific as possible, because I truly believe He will answer in that specific awesome way, so I can give Him credit for it later. 
That said...Lord, please help me to laugh when I discover we're on "Island time" and absolutely nothing happens when and how I planned for it to happen.  Give me great joy, when all of a sudden with no warning, various Tongan relatives show up at our house (Surprise!) and announce they will be staying with us for weeks....or indefinitely.  Gleefully I will receive them, and delight in the way you ALWAYS provide enough for all of us.
Help me to count it all joy when facing challenges in ministry and the occasional back stabbing....Finally, help me not to compare my life to other people who look like they have it easier, because Erma Bombeck says "The grass is always greener over someone elses septic tank."  I am so excited for what today will bring...the good the bad and the hilarious. 

Umu anyone?

On Sunday, we have a tradition in Tonga, to cook food in an underground oven. 
'Osi loves this tradition, and is pretty much the only one on campus who makes the oven every Sunday, then other families bring their food to throw inside too.  Its alot of work, but tastes great! 
   We gather our supplies on Saturday night, because the shops are closed on Sundays.  Also on Saturday we pick all the "Lu" taro leaves we need, and dig up the root vegetables, because Tongans are not supposed to break the Sabbath by doing this kind of farm work on Sunday. 
Early in the morning 'Osi digs a huge hole and fills it with big rocks, then builds a fire on top.  He lets the fire burn for at least an hour to heat the rocks.

  Meanwhile I layer about 6 taro leaves on a square of aluminum foil, and pour chopped meat, onions, and coconut cream in the middle.  We wrap it all up, and after putting out the fire we pile the foil packages and peeled root vegetables on the hot rocks. We cover it all with coconut stalks, banana leaves big old blankets, and a mound of dirt .
And an hour later we feast!

He gives good gifts to His children

I know its cliche but I can't think of a better way to say it  =)  "Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get."  Right? 
Serving Jesus is like that - and in all the mystery you know He wants to give you something delicious.
We experienced this lately.  In our December newsletter we finally worked up the courage to ask our friends/family to consider giving toward a car.  We said we would need to raise about $3,000 U.S. for a reliable used car, because that is about the going rate in Tonga (almost everything here is as expensive or more than what it costs in America, including food and cars because it all has to be imported.)
So we waited, excitedly, full of faith...and then the days and weeks went by and we were surprised that, out of 70 or so friends and family we sent letters to, not a single person gave a donation for the car.  So we started thinking maybe it was presumptuous and wrong to have asked, after all its not a basic need.  And of course the enemy tends to kick us when we're down, and make us feel like we don't even deserve a car.  After all we were not even good stewards of our bicycle, (a thief came last month and stole the wheels right off our bike in the middle of the night!)
But then on Monday 'Osi said he wanted to visit a cousin in a far away village whom we had not seen all year.   So he did, and turns out the cousin had a mechanic neighbor who was selling a car super cheap because he's in a rush to move back to New Zealand!  He only wanted $250 U.S. for it, because the engine was shot, but the crazy thing is 'Osi's cousin happened to have the exact same make and model engine in one of his cars that had a beat up body! 

Apparently there were a few other people who wanted to buy the car too, but the owner still lives with his Momma  who laid down the law.  She said "You WILL save that car for the nice missionary kid with the pregnant wife."   So then we had to find the money, which God quickly provided in its entirety through my college roommate who had just recently heard from God that she needed to donate to our ministry.  (Another cool story)  Plus we also had some savings to pay for the mechanic's labor...  
So they swapped the engines out and we have a fantastic car now....and a great story to tell of God's goodness and compassion.  God is so good friends, so generous. 
Never give up praying, God loves to bless you and He is able....but often it comes in a way we don't expect.  So that He will get the glory for it.
"'Its not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6b

Beautiful, but deadly!

My boys love to pick flowers and bring them to me, sometimes they put them up in my hair like a real island girl  =)  A vast variety of flowers grow in Tonga, many have medicinal value.
One day in Eua I was sitting outside with my boys and a bunch of neighbor kids, and they kept bringing me these gorgeouss pink flowers.
Isaac started climbing the bushes the flowers were growing on, and I overheard the kids chattering in Tongan that he shouldn't climb those trees because they're poisonous.
"Say what??!"
I quickly called Isaac over to me, and the children explained that some people don't even touch that tree because the flowers are deadly.  After thoroughly washing my babies I asked the neighbor children "Why do you even plant these all over your yard?"   And they replied, matter of factly, "Because they are beautiful."

"Now isn't that just like sin?"  I asked 'Osi later.  Sometimes we don't even want to touch it, while other times we let it grow all around us, if its beautiful, and just hope it won't poison us or our children. 
Hmmm.  Makes me wonder...what kinds of flowers are growing around my family?   Are we flirting with anything poisonous?
  

Osi preaching

'Osi has been given more and more opportunities to teach and preach every week, since taking the Bible School for the Nations course.  The emphasis for this course is studying the entire Bible and learning how to teach it in story form, and also to put together sermons to teach the people. 
We recognize that 'Osi has a gift for teaching, and have been praying that God will use this course to develop it further in him.  Thankfully, God has been answering this prayer.  He has been growing in wisdom and confidence to share all that he is learning.

The Fakalolo Family

For weeks before we left for Eua, we had been praying for the host family we would stay with.   Praying that we would be a blessing them, and that they would enjoy our children...(Isaac and Allan are pretty active little boys, and lets face it not everyone enjoys active little boys right?)   We were not surprised when the Lord blessed us with a very special family to host us. 
Tevita and Naite Fakalolo and their 3 children were so kind to us.  We spent many hours together talking and laughing, cooking and chasing all the kids.  
      You can learn alot from living temporarily with another family.  We learned about generosity; yielding our rights; teaching our children not to jump on furniture before we bring them to visit other people;  learning to cook familiar food in new ways;  thinking the best about another person when "I don't really understand what they meant by that" .  haha
All in all a good time was had by all - and like 'Osi said "I am just so thankful to have a nice safe place to bring my wife and kids."

That infamous ferry ride!

We were really excited about taking the ferry boat over to Eua island.  For days we were psyching up the kids about it "We're going for a ride on a huge boat to Eua!"
But about an hour into the trip the waters became incredibly choppy and our huge boat was being rocked violently back and forth.  Back and forth...
That sucked all the awesomeness out of the ride as we all began losing our cookies, over and over again for hours....it was horrible.
By the time we got to Eua I told 'Osi "I am not leaving this place, there is no way I am taking that boat back in 10 days!  We might as well settle down here and start YWAM Eua, because I felt like I wanted to die!"
10 days later we loaded back on the boat again, but this time God calmed the sea and we sailed smoothly home.
This experience made me so thankful to be living in modern times though.  I have been reading a Biography of John Williams, one of the first missionaries to the Pacific islands.  And he and his wife Mary had to sail for 9 MONTHS from London to the Pacific!
Many of the missionaries on that boat were sick, and some didn't survive the journey.  I'm afraid I wouldn't have,  so I praise God for allowing me to live and serve in the Pacific in the 21st Century.   And thank you Jesus for airplanes!

Tongan youth

'Osi is gone for a couple of hours today to lead a small group of boys in another village boarding school. 
Its a Christian school, but the boys got into some trouble with the law a couple of months ago for fighting/violence with a rival school.
So they are under house arrest or some kind of punishment, and 'Osi and a few other men from our mission campus always go there on Sunday to encourage the boys.  They break up into small groups to for Bible study and discussion (please pray for 'Osi, for wisdom and an ability to speak straight to the boys about humility, and growing in the Lord instead of revenge and the ways of the world...)
The wonderful thing is young guys are attracted to 'Osi like a magnet, he tells them funny stories, and encourages them, and they just feel the love he has for them.   I see it all the time, and it humbles me.  Reminds me that our ministry in Tonga is not about the programs, but about the people. 
I'm so thankful God has given him such a heart for the young and misdirected boys in Tonga  =) they remind him of himself as a young teenager  =)  
Please join us in praying that God will turn them into great men of God also someday.

God bless our DTS students!

There are four schools running at the YWAM University of the Nations (missions campus) where we are living.  The first school, the foundation and entrance gate for all the other missions schools to follow, is the Discipleship Training School (DTS). 
Osi and I have a great love for the DTS because it is 6 months that can truly change your life.  We have seen hundreds Tongan young people take the DTS and their lives were transformed...so were are really excited that the campus leaders have invited us to run our own DTS someday.
While 'Osi felt he should take this time to prepare in knowledge and experience, he is taking the Bible School for the Nations course which is 3 months of intense Bible study and memorization and 3 months of outreach.  Where his team will go to Eua (a small Tongan island)  on a mission trip, and also to China for 7 weeks to share the gospel there.
So we are excited for what we are learning now - and at the same time we are wildly excited for the DTS.  The current DTS students have just finished their first month of the school, and they are just the sweetest bunch of kids.  They are working hard from 5a.m. until 8p.m. studying and learning in the lecture hall, and doing special programs in town, plus work duties around the base....but they always find time to stop and play with our kids or sit around on our porch at night to drink coffee and tell us what they are learning.
We just love these guys.
Please pray for them, that God will continue giving them energy and good health throughout this rigorous course.  Please pray for provision, that all of their school fees will be paid.  Also pray for open ears and open hearts to hear and receive all God is speaking to them.  Some of these students will go home in 5 months to bring their new knowledge and experience of God's love and plan to their village....and some will continue training here and go out into the world, like the hundreds of Tongans we have sent before.
Tongans make the BEST missionaries.

Home Sweet New Home!

There were 3 families who moved out of the missions campus this month, and it was very difficult for us to say goodbye.  We really loved them and their children.
But at the same time their house vacancy allowed us the option to "move up" to a cabin with running water and a bathroom!  Yay!
So here we are sitting in front of our new home.

Finger painting!

Allan and Isaac love to paint.  These were a gift from friends, but normally we make our own.  Here's a recipe you can try with YOUR children or grandchildren!
Mix 1 cup flour and 2 Tablespoons salt, whisk together with 1 and half cups cold water until smooth. 
Then bring it to a boil, and stir for a minute or two until it thickens.  Allow the mixture to cool then pour into separate little dishes, add food coloring to each dish to make different colors.  
Have fun and get messy!