I have all these posts floating around in my head that can’t seem to make it to my fingertips. I’ve been working on a single post for over a week now and it has turned into this monstrous soap box on the failings of the…oh never mind. I’m not ready for the screaming and eye rolling that would happen if I posted it…and there is YOUR reaction to think about as well. 😉 So, back to the old stand by of what’s happening at the Nowell Hacienda.
We spent last week staying up late watching movies, sleeping in only to find all three children happily lounging in front of the TV, and contacting our support team to find out whether or not they intend to continue their support. Up until now I haven’t had much to do with the money end of our ministry. That’s Benny’s area. So as we’ve been updating our donor lists and preparing to raise the additional support for the next year, we’ve been talking about who might like to join our team, and being thankful for those already on it. I was hurt (I’m not sure if that’s the emotion called for in this situation) to learn that a few of our friends had stopped sending their monthly pledges months ago, before their year long commitment was up. WHY? I wasn’t so much upset that I didn’t know, I was upset that these were people I had counted on and they had offered no explanation why they discontinued their support. Thankfully, God provided through other people. Sadly, there have been times I too have failed to follow through on my good intentions or commitments, so I can’t be too hard on them. It reminds me of something a friend once said about marriage. It’s not about commitment but about a covenant – commitments are too easily broken – but a covenant is MUCH harder to break. Good point huh? But it has nothing to do with what I’m talking about here.
I am grateful for EVERYONE that has given to our family so we could do the work God called us to do. I like Jared’s idea of “owning a missionary” – really being involved with our family by knowing our needs, praying for us, and giving financially to make what we do possible if not just ALOT easier. There are a lot of strange (and false) ideas out there about mission work – especially state-side missions. Some of the things we’ve heard and read are:
1. Missionaries should take a vow of poverty. They should not need or want a desirable salary because God wants us to suffer a bit for His cause. They should be grateful for what they get and not complain. Number of children and necessary expenses for them are of no real consequence. Besides, wasn’t Paul a tentmaker?
2. Missionaries are people who go to third world countries. If you serve in a missionary role in the U.S. you’re not really a “true missionary”.
3. Missionaries families are a second priority, the first is the Mission itself. The family should be expected to take a back seat and just be thankful for the “leftover hours” when the “important work” is done. And that work is never done…
Please tell me you read that list and thought to yourself, “Who are these crazy people who think such nonsense?” It is stuff like this that gave “PK’s” a reputation in the first place. That’s Preacher’s Kids. I can also add Youth Minister’s kids to that as well…and missionary kids. My friend Paula was telling me about a book she read that was written by missionary kids. It chronicled their journey through life as a child in a missionary family and I think it included stuff like my list above. I’ll ask her for the title and list it in the next post. For now I’ll leave you with these thoughts and a few questions. Do you agree with any of the above statements. If so, can you explain why?
Sometimes I Write 
I think that list is one of stupid statements. While I’ve nothing against those taking a vow of poverty, who go to third world countries, or who have a keen focus on their purpose, it’s completely unfair to project those expectations on anybody.
One of the most important things I’ve found (having been a missionary kid, preacher kid, and youth minister kid) is to find confidence in who I am and what my purpose is from God and no one else. I know the Nowells are exceptional at this, although it’s a battle to constantly hear God’s yes regarding who you are and what you’re doing. But it’s there, no doubt. And I’ll continue praying for you to hear that yes, to plunder the darkness, and for God’s support to be demonstrated in his vast array of means — and that a lot of those ways will be known to y’all. 🙂
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The book is by Catherine Palmer and I think it is called the Happy Room. You can borrow it from Wendy, BTW. :o)I think it is hers. I borrowed it from her anyway . . .
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Thank You Adam! Knowing you gives me hope for my own kids! 😉 If my kids turn out anything like you and your siblings, I will have done my job right. Thank you so much for your encouragement and your prayers.
Thanks to you too Paula!
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I have seen those statments before too. I think they are pretty stupid too. One of the great things about Jesus that I saw is that he never taught anything that he was not willing to do himself. If our Christian brothers and sisters are willing to teach or project those opionions on missionaries or locals like yourselves, they should be willing to take those same vows and uphold those same principles. If I am behind you guys with all of my heart (which you know I am :)) then I should be willing to give everything I am able to give and pray for the same prosperity for you guys as God has given me. I know you guys. I know your kids. Why would I not want the best things for them?
I don’t really get those arguments, but I have heard them. You guys are doing amazing things and effecting lives. God will lift you up above all of these things. I know he will.
Chris
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Oh, Niki, people are just dumb sometimes….
Ha, that cracks me up, b/c I’m a person and so that includes me, but it doesn’t sound like it, like I’m all above this – I’m not, surely, I’m so not – dumb moments exist in me too 😉
Nevertheless, here are my $.02 on those “rules:”
1. Missionaries should take a vow of poverty
I’m going to be the ugly voice of reason on this one. “shoulds” are funny things. If Missionaries should take a vow of poverty, so should teachers, police officers, fire fighters, social workers, etc. – all of which can be considered missionaries in my book. Now – that’s pretty arbitrary, right? I think so, and I think that this “should” is totally off base! The reality is that our society, even our church society, is steeped so much in the American mindset of “whoever has the most wins” combined with “do it yourself” that these vital servants in our society, be they secular/public servants, or be they spiritual servants are never going to make much money. I’ve talked about this with you before. It’s not that servants like you and I shouldn’t receive fair wages, but rather, it’s that we don’t….yet. It sucks.
2. Missionaries are people who go to third world countries. If you serve in a missionary role in the U.S. you’re not really a “true missionary”.
Can I tell you how much I despise this thinking? Anywhere you are an alien b/c of Christ, you are in the mission field. To me, that means once you walk out the doors of your Christian home and/or church, you’re doing mission work, conscious or not. (hugs) to you as people try to tell you other wise, and shame on them!
3. Missionaries families are a second priority, the first is the Mission itself.
Somehow, I just don’t see the love and sense of Christ in this practice. Anyone knows that if you pour out all your love without being refilled, soon enough, there’s none to give. Families have to be connected for people to minister effectively – and to tie that in a nice bow with number 1 – money problems often do the exact opposite! Hmmmm…..
(hugs) Niki – you and yours are in my prayers, girl.
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Thanks All…more soon…I promise.
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