In the United States Julia Ward Howe suggested a Mother's Day dedicated to peace in 1872 and held annual celebrations in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1907 a campaign to make it a national holiday began. By 1911 almost all the states held a Mother's Day celebration with President Woodrow Wilson proclaiming it a national holiday in 1914. That is 42 years from the first one to being a national holiday.

Long road to national Father's Day

However, Father's Day took 58 years from the first one to national holiday status. The first known celebration of Father's Day was on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia. Grace Golden Clayton is believed to have suggested it to her pastor after a deadly explosion in nearby Monongah in December, killing 361 men.

Sonora Dodd thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. She wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. Smart was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. As an adult Sonora realized the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Since her father was born in June, she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910.

Not until 1924 did President Calvin Coolidge support the idea of a national Father's Day. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. What happened to the idea of national holiday for 42 years is a mystery. In 1972 President Richard Nixon signed the law which finally made it permanent

Father's Day took 42 years from the idea of a nationalizing the day to actual proclamation as a national holiday, while Mother's Day took just seven years. What's a father to think? I can almost hear Rodney Dangerfield saying, "No respect! No respect!"

Mixed message confuses fathers

It seems to be getting harder and harder to be a father because of the sometimes confusing, even conflicting voices. One of the biggest dilemmas for fathers relates to providing for the family, which takes time or playing more with the family, which takes time. Both are important, but there are only so many hours in a day? So what is a father to think?

On one extreme we find men who do neither and barely deserve the dignity of the title, Father. Popularly known as deadbeat dads, they sire one baby after another, disown or abandon their children, refuse to pay child support. Closely related are dysfunctional dads who don't physically leave, but neither do they provide basic needs nor personal interaction time. Instead they refuse to get a job or keep a job, often having criminal or substance abuse problems. This leaves the mother virtually a single parent working and parenting; leaving the children virtually fatherless.

Almost opposite on the providing scale, but resulting in the same lack of personal involvement are the absentee workaholic dads. Work, work and more work, all with the purpose of providing well for the family. Every complaint about the amount of time he spends at work is met with, "I am doing it for you. We couldn't afford the lifestyle you enjoy, if I didn't work overtime." Nearly all requests for special times together by the children are met with, "I'll make the next game. This client is too important to miss." Or, "Tape the show and I'll watch it with you when I get home." But the child is fast asleep when dad gets home and dad is gone again when the child wakes up.

While the latter dads provide, they still have little or no interpersonal time with the children. An unknown author wrote, "Love is spelled T-I-M-E." Billy Graham echoes that thought, "Enjoy one another and take the time to enjoy family life together. Quality time is no substitute for quantity time. Quantity time is quality time."

Is anyone saying, "That sounds nice, but who is going to pay the bills?" Here's my suggestion for trying to find some balance: Learn to be content with less and teach your children to be content with less. Less cost for "needs" equals less work time to afford it and more family time together. Unless you are one of the 159,000 married, intentional stay-at-home dads in 2006, who actually parent while they are home with the children, then please do provide financially and emotionally for your children.

On the far end of the "play more with the family" spectrum, there are dads who work on and off whenever they feel like it or go from one job to another, chasing fantasies. Technically they are kids themselves. They pretty much do as they want, when they want. These dads can be great fun, if what they want to do is play with children. However, often in an effort to be the children's buddy, they indulge them with every whim. Children love the attention and freedom, but never learn responsibility, setting them up to be the next generation of irresponsible fathers and mothers.

Here is my suggestion for these dads: Grow up! Here are a couple closing quotes: "If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right." — Bill Cosby. "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do" Dr. Benjamin Spock. I hope that gives you some encouragement! We all appreciate and honor the fathers who are striving to find a balance in providing and playing. Make Sunday a play day with the children! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

© 2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

In honor preferring one another (May 31, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Any "Three Stooges" fans out there? Picture Moe and Curly walking toward a door. They get there at the same time. Moe says, "After you." Curly says, "No, after you." Moe, "No, after you." Curly, "No, after you." Finally in exasperation they both say "Fine" and both try to go through the door at the same time. They won't both fit, so they back out, brush themselves off, go through the "After you," "No after you" bit several times and again decide at the same time to go for the door. Stuck again. Back out! "After you." "No, after you." Go for it again. Stuck again.

This goes on until either the crowd gets bored with it or one of them breaks through the door first. Then Moe pokes Curley in the eyes and slaps his face back and forth. Obviously the Stooges are not examples of common courtesy or civilized human behavior. They started out pretty well, but Stooges never end up very well!

Typically, if two people are approaching the door, one stands back to let the other one through first. In "olden days" if it were a man and a woman, the man would always step back in honor of the woman. Nowadays it may be a toss up as to whether the man or woman goes first. If it is two women or two men approaching the door, it might depend on who's the nicest, who's the oldest, who's the biggest, who's the richest or who looks meanest. Or they may end up like Moe and Curly, stuck in the door.

What is the basis for honor?

Protocol almost seems to be a thing of the past. Now people do whatever seems right in their own eyes. People do still stand when a bride comes down the aisle. But more and more people do not stand for the "Star Spangled Banner." Fewer put their hand over their heart. And fewer still actually sing the song. Even when the Queen of England visited, the colonists showed themselves to be right crude. On May 7 Mickey Rooney had the audacity to kiss the back of Queen Elizabeth's hand, well I never! Never touch the queen! Fortunately she lets minor protocol faux pas slide by without demanding, "Off with your head!"

Funeral procession protocol is very confusing. When I have ridden in the hearse to the cemetery for the graveside service, some on-coming cars pull over and stop. Others don't. One funeral director said sometimes the stopped cars actually are traffic hazards. Once while traveling on the interstate in a hearse, one "hotdog" sped by the whole procession and cut right in front of the hearse to get off at an exit. He swerved into the grass along the exit and then got back up onto the exit road. He wasn't about to honor any one—dead or alive.

I doubt if this person was as learned as a biblical scribe or expert in Jewish law, but these words seem to fit his attitude, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widow's houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation" (Luke 20:46-47).

Jesus actually had quite a bit to say about honor and banquets in Luke 14. Basically, wait to be invited to sit in the places of honor. Don't sit there assuming it is your place and then get demoted when the true guest of honor comes. How humiliating! In addition, don't even invite your family and friends to your dinner. They will just invite you back to their house and that's your reward. "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" (13-14). Ouch! Who of us does that on a regular basis? At all? Who of us even invites friends over anymore? But I digress.

Outdo one another in showing honor

This little instruction in Romans 12:10 was instilled in us when we arrived in Zambia. Actually it was instilled before with the reading assignments we were given to help us understand the culture. The first morning after breakfast we were given a crash course on Zambian protocol in greetings. It always makes a big impression when Westerners at least try to speak the language. So we practiced saying a three-part traditional greeting. I'll give it in English. One person says, "How are you?" The response, "Fine or very good!" Then that person asks the first person "How are you," who responds, "Fine or very good!" Then both of them put their hand over their hearts and say, "Thank-you."

However, I think while we were having Tonga language lessons, our Zambian brothers and sisters were having English lessons! As we stood in the receiving lines, they were saying, "Welcome" or "How are you?" or "Glad you are here." I don't think any of us got all three parts out, because they were speaking English! While we were trying to honor them, they were trying to honor us. We were trying to outdo each other in showing honor.

A few other interesting things: hold your left hand under your right hand when you shake hands (I think it is something to do with proving you don't have a weapon in the left hand); women do a little bow when shaking hands with men to make them shorter; sit in silence when you enter a person's home and let the host begin and guide the conversation; spend a little time in chit-chat about anything before you get to the business; don't yell to get someone's attention across a room or even outside (instead either send someone to get that person or you go to them). We Americans are much too loud!

Doing such little things to try to adapt to another person's world speaks volumes. Big grins came across people's faces when they heard us speak Tonga. They also got some good laughs at our attempts. The funniest thing was when our tall white men joined the conga-type line with the women. I'm not sure if that was disrespectful or not, but they sure laughed. One custom we had a bit of a problem with when the men guests were told to go first in the food line, then women guests, then other men, then children, then other women and the workers.

Trying to enter another person's world is a way of giving honoring. This works not only in cross-cultural settings. It works in cross-generational settings. In nursing homes a sure topic of interest is asking about how they survived The Great Depression. One said, "My dad was a plumber, so we got along better than most." Another mentioned, "We ate a lot of soup and with eight kids, we had pretty thin soup." There is hardly a person alive that doesn't enjoy taking about their interests: family, job, music, school, church, health, travels etc.

"If one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it" (I Corinthians 12:26b). So if you want to rejoice this week, honor someone else! Don't wait to be honored. Outdo each other! "I'll honor you first!" "No, I'll honor you first!" Don't get stuck in the door and no poking eyes!

© 2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

Mission myths and misconceptions (May 24, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Jim just came in from mowing lawn between rain showers. Some of it was very tall, which reminds me of the saying on his "Demotivators" calendar for the month of May. "Underachievement: The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the lawnmower." Some other popular pessimistic sayings include: "A day late and a dollar (kwatcha) short." "If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong."

So often unbelievers only hear of the victories of the Christian life because we want to make it attractive. The Gospel is definitely Good News, but by never knowing the struggles many get the misconception that Christians, especially missionaries, must never have things go wrong. Their prayer requests must get "front of the Throne" priority. After all, being a missionary comes with a special protective shield, doesn't it?

During our January trip to Zambia even we were surprised, though we shouldn't have been, at the number of things that did not go according to plan. Then in addition to the unexpected, there were also challenges that typically come with any mission trip. Here is a short list of examples from our trip called, You might be a missionary if . . .

1. . . . you are served food and drink that you can't pronounce or identify.

It is amazing how many foods around the world require acquiring a taste (smell, sight and feel too). The challenge is being willing to thankfully receive it, respectfully try it, while refraining from making disgusting faces or sounds. Actually, only one thing was very unpleasant. Fortunately, we had been warned ahead of time, "just make a good try of it, but you don't need to drink/chew it all." I'll never forget that chewable drink! However the fried chicken was fabulous. When we asked about the seasonings, we were just given polite smiles. Must be a secret recipe!

2. . . . your vehicle only breaks down on planned travel days.

On our first long day of travel from Lusaka to Choma, a back inside tire went flat. Remarkably the rented mini-bus could hobble along a few miles to a service station. However, in the small-middle-of-no-where village there was no Tire Barn or Goodyear store. So someone had to bring out the specific replacement tire from Lusaka. Eventually we were on our way.

A few weeks ago in "Thursday Thoughts," I mentioned the hole in the radiator caused by going through a huge, deep pothole. As a result we spent an entire unplanned day at one place and were even discussing sleeping arrangements there, when alternative travel was arranged. Our host spent the morning of the next day, Sunday, getting it fixed and back to the mission. The next day, while traveling with a smaller group not including us, it broke down again. Gratefully, it was fixed enough to continue our trip and get us to the airport.

On our last day we went to a game preserve near Victoria Falls. One of the Safari jeeps even got a flat tire. Fortunately, no flesh-eating animals are in that preserve as we stood around waiting.

3. . . . your vehicle gets stuck more than once in an hour.

Country roads go from paved to gravel, to dirt to two tire tracks, to make your own road. City roads go from paved to gravel, to dirt to near impassable one lane alleys. During the rainy season getting stuck is just a matter of time. No wonder so many Zambians walk!

While we were making home visits on AIDS patients in a very poor section of Choma, a taxi with part of our group got stuck. When the mission SUV that we were riding in attached a chain to pull it out, one of our tires just ground itself about 12-18 inches into the mud. With brute strength and mud flying, both eventually got out. We went on to the next home, but the taxi full of teammates did not arrive. We went ahead since the home was too small for all of us to get in at once. When they finally arrived, they had gotten stuck and unstuck again.

4. . . . your schedule has no specific times listed, just "morning, afternoon and evening."

Many world cultures have a different view of time than Americans do. Relationship is much more important than promptness. We were warned and were prepared for "African" time. Any attempt to make a schedule is normally approximate at best. But instead of us having to wait for the Zambians, over and over groups waited patiently in the hot sun to welcome us with their banners, dressed in their Sunday best. No matter when the bus pulled into the driveway, the welcoming committee was there to greet us with singing and dancing.

5. . . . you have to run for your life!

No lions or tigers or bears! No cannibals! No poison dart guns! But beware of the stuck taxi gunning it to back out of a mud rut. During the unsuccessful attempts to get the cars out I was standing way back behind the taxi to stay out of the way. Not paying attention to what was going on, I suddenly heard several team members yelling, "Lois, run! Run!" I didn't even know why at first, but I did run!

After I realized a speeding car was backing up toward me, I ran even faster. The road had a ditch of water on each side and muddy vegetable gardens beyond the ditch. I guess I should have leaped over a ditch of water, but I didn't want to embarrass myself by falling in. By avoiding the ditch, I ended up splashing through a huge puddle at a T-intersection of two alleys. But that was the least of my problems.

I stopped to make sure I was safe, assuming the car would stop at the intersection. The car came barreling backward through the puddle and around the corner toward me. I'm not sure why he chose to turn the way I'd run instead of going the other way. Still trying to get out of the way, I kept running into a short driveway. Wouldn't you know that car followed me into that very driveway to turn around? I jumped into the yard and escaped with my life, but not much dignity.

Several families were outside watching and laughing. We had learned earlier that often the Zambian response to impending tragedy is to laugh. For example, during skits portraying a person dying of AIDS we were told not to be offended if people laughed. I guess I will never know whether they were laughing because it was funny or dangerous.

Actually I was laughing too—release of tension. But the guys who had first yelled for me to run were really shaken up. I guess it was closer than I realized. I think they were shocked and relieved that I could run so fast! It has been said that pastors and I assume missionaries too need to be prepared to pray, preach or die at a moment's notice. I would also add, "Run!" at a moment's notice.

You will have trouble

This short list demonstrates that missionaries and guests of missionaries do have problems, frustrations, delays and scares. However, our hosts did say that there seemed to be more troubles than normal. Perhaps having all those pastors in one place made it a prime testing ground. Jesus said to the disciples, including modern day missionaries, "In this world you WILL (not might or probably will) have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world!" That includes overcoming the troubles of the world along with it.

Even those troubles are included in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who and are called according to his purpose."

© 2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

Comments

I just finished reading your devotional. I can identify!!!! Although I have not been turned down by mission agencies, I have stepped off the path of three [agencies] because what they wanted me to do was not what God called me to do. . . . the language school I am applying to will accept those who are not part of a sending organization. Either way, God will get his way, even if once I am in California and it becomes necessary to begin a new ministry start-up, I believe God will provide the people for the team. Your writing spoke directly to my heart. Thank you for sharing this single woman of God! NW

A dream becomes reality (May 17, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

What is the difference between a dream and reality? Being awake! Dreams happen while we are asleep with no power to make them take shape in reality. Dreams do not become reality by magic, by wishing upon a star, simply thinking them into existence or any number of "keep your fingers crossed" methods. But when we are awake and if we are willing, we can begin to put brains, legs, feet, hands and heart into action. We can expect to experience blood, sweat and tears. Add to all that a determined "can do" attitude, an ability to overcome setbacks, a willingness to break the mold and an unwillingness to take no for an answer.

With huge doses of patience and perseverance, one would hope that any dream would become reality. Even then, there is no guarantee. So what does it take to make an impossible dream become reality? All of the above, plus an affirmation that the dream is from God and the end reality will bring glory to God. Last week the legacy of Zambian missionary, Claudia Peyton (1894-1984) was highlighted. She was also a woman with a calling and dream.

Courage to believe when only God says yes

Shortly after 17-year-old Claudia received Christ as her Savior in 1911, she consecrated herself to do God's work. Going to Africa as a missionary was not only a dream, but a deep conviction. Her confidence was severely tested many times by her family, who were not supportive at all. As the next to the youngest of twelve, the older married siblings kept her busy looking after their children and helping out. They affectionately called her Aunt Candy because of the molasses candy she made on the wood-burning stove. With her many domestic skills such as canning, washing and tending the sick, she was most criticized for not even trying to find a husband. "Fiddlesticks!" was a common adult reaction to her dream of going to Africa.

Her first real step in preparation was going to God's Bible School and Missionary Training Home in Cincinnati, Ohio. Again though her family objected, she declared her independence to follow her dream. What could they do? Dreams were dreams. Talk was cheap. She would never go! When her mother died suddenly, it appeared they were right. She left school disappointed to go home and cheerfully "keep house" for her father.

Yet her calling found an outlet at home, even in Cyrus Creek, West Virginia, where she helped establish a mission work, which is a church yet today. Claudia continued to tell anyone who would listen, "Oh, I'll go someday. When God calls a person to do a thing, you won't convince me that He won't make a way for them to do it—but in His own good time. There's a reason for the delay. It may be that He has many lessons for me to learn now that will be of use to me when I finally get to Africa."

Courage not to take no for the final answer

When her father remarried, she was free to go and finish her schooling. By the time she graduated she was 32 and more than ready to be sent to Africa. Part of preparation was to have a thorough medical exam, which she failed! The doctors sent a report to the mission board, "We have given Miss Claudie a thorough medical examination and we find her to be of frail constitution. It is our unanimous and considered opinion that this woman could not possibly live more than a year in the African climate."

Even professionals can get it wrong. No doubt by all human estimation she wouldn't have survived. But nothing is impossible with God. Somewhere along the fifty years she lived and served the Lord in Africa, I am sure they changed their mind about her ability to live more than one year in the African climate! Not only was her body stronger than people thought, but also her mind, will and spirit. They were even stronger.

No amount of pleading and begging would change the mind of the "powers that be" to let her go. She was advised to go home and forget the whole thing. Was this the death of her dream after so many years and so much work? No was not an acceptable answer. Rather than admit defeat, she went to work at an orphanage at God's Bible School for four more years. (It reminds me of Jacob who worked for seven years thinking he would be able to marry Rachel. Instead he was given her sister, Leah, so he willingly worked another seven years for Rachel too.)

It seemed all her life, so far, except for the years as school, was spent caring for her nieces and nephews and then orphans. Is there any doubt that God was preparing her during the years of delay? During the four years she saved up money to pay for her own passage on the S.S. Majestic from New York to Africa via England.

Courage to following God's calling

How many others would hold fast to a seemingly impossible dream for nineteen years and more than one time of disappointment? How many other single women would head off to Africa independently with no mission organization sponsoring or supporting her? Some would call it stubbornness or stupidity or worse. We cannot judge her heart, but we can see God's blessing in the fruit of her labors.

In addition to the changed lives of the eighteen orphans that she adopted, she gave many other children the gift of education at the Choma Compound School. Reading and religion were part of the curriculum, but so was hygiene and care for the body. Instead of witchcraft and superstition, she helped them understand that sickness came from eating bad food and germs.

During World War II the government wanted to fly her home, but she refused for two reasons. First, she wouldn't leave those who needed her in time of trouble. Second, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to get back. In fact, she only took one six month furlough in fifty years, only after the family agreed to get her a round trip ticket.

Here is a clipping she kept from a paper that shows how her dream became a reality with God's help, "Pay as little attention to discouragement as possible. Plough ahead as a steamer does, rough or smooth, rain or shine. To carry your cargo and make your port is your point."

[Picture: three of Claudia's children; Quotes and details from a 1962 article in The Herald-Advertiser of Huntington, WV by Dorothy Peyton—niece-in-law of Claudia Peyton]

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

A mother's living legacy (May 10, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Telling or reading stories is one of the best parts of being a grandmother. Nothing quite compares to having a little one snuggle up to look at and read a book. Here is a story that honors motherhood, through a woman who technically was not a birth mother. Yet her qualities, which we will look at next week, are ones to be admired by mothers and fathers alike.

At the age of seventeen Claudia Peyton was a single, young woman, who was dedicated to going to Africa after receiving Jesus Christ as her Savior on June 16, 1911. Her family was opposed to the idea, feeling she was getting too religious, and never believed that she would actually leave Cyrus Creek, WV. They were frustrated with all the suitors she turned down. One relative sighed, "She'll turn her nose up at all the tablecloths and end up picking a dish rag." They just wanted her to meet a nice man, get married and have children; be a normal woman!

Thank God, not everyone is normal

However, the calling God gave her did not include a husband. She did go to Africa after nineteen years (more on those years next week), but her family's last wish did come true. She had children by adopting eighteen Zambian orphans at various ages and over several years. That was not her intent, nor her primary work, but it certainly is her greatest legacy.

As we rode the bus into Siechetema settlement, a single well-kept gravesite surrounded by small trees and beautiful flowers was pointed out: Claudie Peyton 1894-1984. This former mission station was her home for fifty-four years. She originally went as an independent missionary, joined with an independent mission society, which merged with the Pilgrim Holiness Church, which merged with The Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1968 becoming The Wesleyan Church. Now under the control of the national Zambian Wesleyan Church, it has become the centralized location for the Siechetema Community Trust for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Time to meet the peyton family

As we were going about our activities, we kept seeing the bus driver under the bus. Not a good sign. Later we learned that the radiator had broken when we had gone through a huge pothole on the way there. We remembered hearing a crunching sound when we drove through it, so it was quite miraculous we even made it to our destination.

While we were stranded waiting for some other form of transportation, I sat on a bench where the people had gathered to receive the food distribution from the trust. An older gentleman was speaking excellent English, so I asked him where he had learned it so well. With a huge grin he began to tell me the story of how he had come to be adopted at six weeks old by a United States missionary by the name of Claudia Peyton.

As was the case with many families, who brought their children to Miss Peyton, his parents had too many children to support. Bobby had learned English through growing up in her home. We also met Stanley, who was six years old when he came and the wife of David, who was the youngest and now tends her gravesite. Five are deceased and five of the remaining thirteen still live at the mission station or nearby; six others live in other parts of Zambia and two in neighboring Botswana. Nearly 100 grandchildren and innumerable great-grandchildren share in the Claudia Peyton legacy.

Motherhood goes beyond giving birth

In 1940 she brought home her first orphan, Dorothy, quite by accident or "God-incident." While visiting the Choma Hospital, she walked by a man who was trying to feed a tiny baby with a spoon. He asked her to take the baby because his wife and children died when their grass hut burned. She had gotten the little one out and went back for the other, but could not make it out.

Ill-equipped for caring for a baby, she put the little one in a large cardboard box under the wash stand. At first she wondered if Satan had brought this time-consuming little one to distract her from her mission. God reassured her that this was an important part of her mission: to be a mother to the motherless (1962 article in The Herald-Advertiser of Huntington, WV by Dorothy Peyton, niece-in-law of Claudia Peyton ).

They all worked together raising the subsistence garden and getting water from the nearest source three miles away. Can you imagine how much water eighteen children would use? The older children would watch the younger while she walked miles to preach at various churches. Years later most of the parents came to meet the children and see if they wanted to "rejoin" the family. All of the ones we know of chose to stay with their "mother" who had raised them.

Highlighting and advocating adoption, in no way diminishes the honor birth mothers deserve. Being mothers involves a deep love and willingness to sacrifice for their children. This coming Sunday is a special opportunity to celebrate all that mothers provide.

Legacy of God's care continues

God's great love is described by the prophet Isaiah, "Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands" (49:15-16). While this is written to Zion, not to orphans, it certainly brings great assurance and comfort to all who may feel abandoned and rejected. Regardless of the circumstances of how a child is orphaned, these precious children need care, safety and nurture; loving human hands to work on God's behalf.

Modern orphans in Zambia are not abandoned because of lost love or lost income, but most often because of lost parents, who die from AIDS or related diseases. Well over 34 percent of the children younger than 15 have been orphaned and the numbers continue to rise. Zambia is a nation of over 10 million people with 1.6 million orphans.

While traditional orphanages have a place, they also displace children from their familiar surroundings. Not so with the genius of World Hope International's Community Trusts. Means of developing a self-sustaining community is brought on site. Caregivers, whether related or not, can keep the orphans in their home communities and schools to grow up among familiar people and culture. Bobby Chirwa Peyton was grateful for everything Miss Peyton did and even came to stay with her in her dying days. "She did what she could and did the best that was available. But this (sweeping his hand to indicate the trust program) is the right way."

Now the legacy continues to live on. Bobby, who is a retired pastor, had "quite a crew" of children of his own. He is now raising orphans who have lost parents. Some are his grandchildren and some are not. Of the others raised by Miss Peyton several became school teachers, some work in the medical profession or in service jobs such as mechanic, railroad, truck farmer and driver. So many are involved in helping the helpless, nurturing children and helping people in general.

What legacy are you and I leaving for the next generation?

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

Like no other power (May 3, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Late afternoon on a Thursday is unusual to be finishing one of these essays. I hope it is not an indication that my life-week is passing more quickly than I thought (see original Thursday Thoughts in the archives.) Usually they are done early morning. But it was not this time and the rest of the day was filled with caring for our two-year old granddaughter until Jim finished his work day on the computer. Speaking of grandchildren (smooth transition!), we are pleased and excited to announce that our family tree is growing this year. By the end of 2007 we will be double grandparents again! Micah will be joined by a brother or sister in late September and Hannah will be joined by a brother or sister in mid-December.

Babies may be helpless but they are definitely not powerless (another smooth transition!). Even before birth babies have the power to turn normal, rational adults into a puddle of gooey emotion, well beyond the effects of morning sickness. Within seconds of birth a strong burly man's heart can be wrapped around that new minute pinky finger by the power of ownership. Baby owns Daddy and Mommy.

Cave man and woman got their first exposure to power through natural forces like sun, wind, water and fire. Millennia later those powers have not yet been completely controlled. These raw powers can so quickly render the strongest to be powerless. These naturally occurring powers, when harnessed have been used in an attempt to improve the quality of life. Human ingenuity has also developed and used many other types of power: mechanical, electrical, medical, nuclear and communication technology. Who knows what is next?

In addition to the power of nature there is the power one person or group over another. In 1960 French and Raven identified Five Forms of Power: Coercive Power such as bullies and dictators who use physical or political force; Reward Power such as exchanging or withholding benefits in order to control behavior; Legitimate Power as in authority roles or recognized leadership positions that breed trust or at least obligation; Referent Power such as fame and charisma that draws and influences people; and Expert Power based on skills and knowledge.

All powers—all powerful

As Christians we believe that the source of all power and ultimately the control of all power rest in God alone. In both the Old and New Testaments God's power is expressed in words and demonstrated in actions. Consider the praise in Jeremiah 32:17-19 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. . . . O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds." Those deeds include Creation, the miracles surrounding the Exodus and forming the nation of Israel, as well as signs and wonders through the prophets.

In the New Testament the power of God in Jesus Christ is described in Colossians 1:15-20: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."

Although the power of God may seem obvious, acknowledging it is a choice each person must make. Human choice does not change the reality, but it does change the relationship. Great power can cause great fear, helplessness and a sense of obligation. Great power can cause rebellion towards it or an uprising of prideful resistance. People can and have chosen those responses to God's power. However, God's desired response to this great power is willing trust and loving obedience.

What manner of power is this?

The Bible and Christian history are filled with examples of God's miracles of nature, healings, blessings, wisdom, authority and dramatic answers to prayer. For example, a raging river in Papua New Guinea was literally parted like the Red Sea, when a church planter wanted to reach a new people group with the gospel. Rather than turn back, he took a stick like Moses and put it into the water. All the computers in the world could not hold the large and small demonstrations of God's power.

But in Christ we see additional types of God's power. One is the power of love demonstrated through surrender and sacrifice on the cross. In Jesus, God made himself nothing, becoming a servant, humble and obedient, even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8). Yes, Jesus still demonstrated the power of God through miracles, but often he expressed a powerful compassion and desire to connect, dwell with and after his resurrection, dwell in believers through the Holy Spirit. A second additional power is resurrection power.

As hard as it is to comprehend what tremendous power is involved in raising a person from the dead to a new state of never-ending life, it is even harder to realize that same power is at work within you and I as believers. "and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead. . ." (Ephesians 1:19-20a). "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. . ." (Ephesians 3:20)

No doubt it is like our brain power, we use such a small fraction of it on a daily basis. Even greater than the power for tremendous miracles and answers to prayer, is the power for lowly human believers to obey God's commands to turn the other cheek, love their enemies, pray for those who despitefully use them and forgive seventy times seven. When we see it lived out or experience it ourselves, it is as awesome as any miracle.

Living resurrection power

This power is not humanly natural, normal or possible. It is not gained by grasping for it, but rather by surrendering to it. Oswald Chambers in the April 12 "My Utmost for His Highest" reminds us, "Even the weakest saint can experience the power of the deity of the Son of God, when he is willing to ‘let go.'" But any effort to ‘hang on' to the least bit of our own power will only diminish the life of Jesus in us."

Perhaps you have seen the movie "The End of the Spear" about the 1956 massacre of five Christian missionaries while making contact with the Waodani tribe in the Equadorian rainforest. Members of some of the families returned to demonstrate God's love and forgiveness. Steve Saint was only five at the time his father was murdered, but he lived with the tribe years later. His choice to forgive his father's killer and refusal to commit a revenge killing demonstrated the power of both the cross and resurrection life.

Now from time to time he does missions trips with Mincaye, the man who once killed his father, but is now a believer in Jesus. In an interview Nate was asked if it was true that he traveled and slept in the same room with the man who had killed his father. First he said "yes" then he had to reword it. "Yes, it is the same man, but it is not the same person!" This man's life has been transformed by the power grace and mercy of God. Now that's power beyond comprehension!

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

Two-thousand-year-old records (April 26, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Who doesn't like to see records broken—other than the former record holder? Who wouldn't like to participate in breaking a world record?

Guinness World Record Day gave thousands of people around the world that opportunity on November 9, 2006. In Canada, The Hummingbird Centre, Breakfast Television and the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes broke the record for the "Longest Single Line of Dancers" when 1,681 people lined up to take part in the dance. Parisians got their lips into action when they set a new record for "The Most People Kissing Simultaneously." Nearly 1,2000 participants puckered up to take part in the attempt at La Defense. Now they need to go for "The Most People Kissing Simultaneously While Forming the Longest Single Line of Dancers"! Any couples game?

The records range from the Insane—In New York, Jackie Bibby reset his own record for "The Most Live Rattlesnakes Held In the Mouth," managing to hold 10 snakes in his mouth for 10 seconds; to the Amazing—Liam O'Connor became "The Fastest Accordion Player" performing "Tico Tico" at an incredible speed of 11.67 notes per second; to the painful—Norwegian Narve Laeret smashed his way into the record books by breaking 90 concrete blocks with his hand in one minute.

For 27th year the Flora London Marathon 2007 began at the Greenwich start with a staggering 36,396 participants. Ian Sharman broke the record for "The Fastest Marathon Dressed as Elvis" in only 2 hours 57 minutes! It took a little longer for Oliver Holland and his 16 companions, who were chained together as convicts. They finished in 5 hours 25 minutes as the "Most Linked Runners to Complete a Marathon."

Some records were inspirational and beneficial such as Susie Hewer, who raised money for dementia research and knit a scarf at the same time. She set the record for "Longest Scarf Knitted Whilst Running a Marathon" making her scarf an impressive 1m 20cm. Lesley Iles marked her 50th birthday by running the marathon and breaking the record for the "Longest Working Pacemaker" (25 years).

Nearly 2000-year-old records still stand

Several records set around 30 A.D. have yet to be broken, but don't hold your breath! Here are some of the categories: "First Body Resurrected from the Dead"—Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 28:5-7); "First Person to See and Talk with a Resurrected Body"—Mary Magdalene (John 20:10-18); "First People to Eat with a Resurrected Body"—couple from Emmaus (Luke 24:30).

Some would argue intensely that the widow's son (Luke 7:11-15), Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:49-56) or Lazarus (John 11:38-44) should hold the "First Body Resurrected from the Dead" record. However, technically they were raised from the dead, only to live and die again at a later date. They were not resurrected to new life, but the same old life, with the same limitations and frailties. No doubt they had a new outlook and passion for life, but still it was regular human life.

Supporters of Moses and Elijah might argue that they were resurrected at the Transfiguration and that Jesus talked to them and Peter, James and John saw them. Although they were recognizable and talked with Jesus, they were not resurrected bodies. Their bodies were glorified bodies—spirit bodies, not flesh and blood bodies. Jesus' resurrected body had substance, walked, talked, ate, had scars and cooked breakfast.

Some might argue that Jesus did not actually eat with the couple from Emmaus. Rather he just gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to them and then disappeared. So if they lose the record on that technicality, the prize would go to his disciples when Jesus showed his hands and feet. At that same time he was given broiled fish and "he took it and ate it in their presence" (Luke 24:36-43).

New resurrection life is divine life

When Jesus rose from the dead it was indeed a record of cosmic proportions. His body was not just brought back to life, his body contained new life, which would never see death. Jesus was brand new in so many ways. Read the resurrection accounts again in all four gospels. While this body could be physically held (Matthew 28:9), it could also disappear into thin air (Luke 24:31); reappear in a room with locked doors (John 20:19, 26); and ascend into thin air (Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:9).

This new life was divine life—eternal life for the believer both in this life and in the life after death. Jesus told his disciples, "I have come that you might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10b). John's gospel has more references to eternal life than the other gospels combined: believing in Jesus to receive eternal life comes five times; eternal life is compared to water welling up, harvest of a crop, a gift from God; eternal life belongs to those who obey Scripture, eat Christ's body and drink Christ's blood (remain in), loses life for Jesus sake.

New resurrection life is shared life

John shared his purpose in writing, "But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (20:31). Jesus said, "This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (17:3). This new resurrection life demonstrates Jesus deity as nothing else does. All the human world record holders want to prove they are superhuman in some way by their efforts. Maybe not superhero status, but being able to do something that no one else can do or has done. Jesus does something that no other human being could do, because it is only something God can do; demonstrate resurrection life and grant eternal life to all who believe.

Next week we'll look at resurrection power.

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

'Come and see the place' (April 19, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Along with Thanksgiving, celebrating the resurrection on Easter seems to get short-changed among the holidays. For Christmas there are four Sundays set aside for Advent in the Church. Commercial Christmas promotion begins anywhere from July on. There seems to be an unwritten competition to see who can be the first to get out Christmas merchandise and get up Christmas decorations.

Halloween decorations are up around mid-September. Valentine's Day supplies come out the day after Christmas. Yes, the celebration of spring with the bunnies, duckies and decorated eggs starts right after Valentine's Day. And, yes, there are over six weeks of Lent, but that seems more like preparation for Good Friday than Easter. So including last week, we will honor the resurrection with four weeks of thoughts. The next three will focus on the Place, the Person and the Power.

What's the big deal?

When confronted with the information about The Lost Tomb of Jesus, one person said, "So what if they found the bones of Jesus. It won't shake my faith." Evidently in an attempt to demonstrate how strongly he held to his faith, he forgot the words of Apostle Paul. "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that we are found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. . . . And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:14-15, 17).

Evidently simply dying on the cross was not sufficient to remove sins. Resurrection was necessary to make it more than just another blood sacrifice for sin; just another spotless lamb. While the salvation work was finished on the cross when Jesus breathed his last, the divine plan was not yet complete. God offers more than just forgiveness of sin. Resurrection proves Christ's power over the wages or consequences of sin—death. Rising from the dead demonstrates the effectiveness of Christ's human-divine blood to both cleanse sins and also the Father's acceptance of the Son's sacrificial death as payment in full. It initiates a new life and a new way of life. It positions Jesus Christ for a new identity and relationship with his Church.

Vernon C. Grounds contributed an article on the resurrection in "The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary" which gives many more benefits of the resurrection. "In sum, by virtue of His resurrection, Jesus is now perfected Man, seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high, victorious and vindicated, the Destroyer of death, a life-giving Spirit, the Savior, Head and Priest of His people, the world's future King and Judge" (page 716).

Now, that's a big deal!

'Where have you put Him?

When Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were given permission to take Jesus body, the women followed to see where he was laid. The plan was to come back after the Sabbath to prepare his body with spices and perfumes for permanent burial Yet, when Mary Magdalene found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, she said to the supposed gardener, "Tell me where you have put him and I will get him" (John 20:15b). Obviously resurrection was not on her mind. Grave robbery was more her first thought.

What does scripture tell us about that tomb that Mary found empty? First, it was a customary place of the dead. In Mark 15:42 Pilate confirms with the centurion that the body of Jesus was in fact dead. Jodi Magness, Professor of Early Judaism at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill described early Judean burial customs in an article called, "Has the Tomb of Jesus Been Discovered" for the Society of Biblical Literature newsletter.

Poor people were simply wrapped in a shroud, laid in individual trench graves and buried with dirt, much like today—minus the casket. Only rich people had rock-cut tombs prepared for families. Burial chambers were lined by single rows of burial niches about the length of a person's body. As the family chamber filled, the earlier remains were removed and placed in ossuary boxes to make room for the next generation.

Secondly, Jesus, who was earthly poor and never owned property or anything else, was buried in a rich man's borrowed, rock-hewn tomb that had never been used and was close by Golgatha. Joseph's primary concern was with following Jewish burial laws which required burial to take place within 24 hours of the death. No doubt he also wanted his Savior (he had been a secret disciple) to have a respectable burial.

Charles H. Spurgeon in an April 8, 1855 sermon called "The Tomb of Jesus" makes several other points about the importance of the tomb in light of the resurrection. It had never been used so no one could say it was another person who rose or that previously an old prophet had lain there and Jesus rose because he touched his bones. He felt it was significant that "the rock of Ages was buried in a rock—a Rock within a rock." In addition to a rock tomb making it nearly impossible for the body to be stolen, a rock tomb is permanent and stands yet today.

Where is the tomb today?

There are two very good choices with "evidence" for both. In 135 Roman Emperor Hadrian erected a large platform over the area where The Church of the Holy Sepulcher now stands to construct a temple to Venus. What better way to desecrate a Christian holy place than worshipping a pagan goddess on the spot?

The church was originally built there in 330 A.D. after Christianity had become the official Roman religion. It was built to commemorate the hill of crucifixion and the tomb of Christ's burial. It was destroyed by Persians in 614, rebuilt, destroyed by Egyptians in 1009 and rebuilt by the Crusaders. With the ornate church built over and around it, it is very hard to envision the original landscape.

Some have said the area was originally like a gravel pit. It is disputed as to whether this site was inside or outside the first century city gate. To be authentic, it needed to have been outside. The tomb site itself was destroyed by a Muslim ruler 1000 years ago, but this does remain the historically revered location. There are other first-century tombs still preserved inside the church, so it was a burial ground. Watching people kiss the rocks and show deep reverence, it is certain that people believe this is the true location of Jesus' empty tomb.

A second option was discovered in 1881 by General Christian Gordon. I am not sure why the quarry rock formation, which looks like a skull was not noticed and investigated before. The place of the crucifixion is referred to in Scripture as outside the city gate at "the place of the skull" (Golgotha in Greek and Calvary in Latin. John 19:41 indicates, "In the place where he was crucified there is a garden and in the garden a new tomb . . . since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. Halley's Bible Handbook records Gordon's find, "under five feet of rubbish he found a tomb of Roman times, cut in a wall of solid rock, with a trench in front where the stone rolled to the door." (The trench and stone are not there today.)

This place was originally a garden area with an ancient cistern and winepress. It was owned by a rich man with a rich man's tomb on the property. This tomb has only one niche that has been used, which makes you wonder if Jesus wasn't buried in a tomb originally planned for Joseph of Arimathea's family and then he carved another one not wanting to desecrate Jesus' tomb. Perhaps that second tomb was where The Church of the Holy Sepulcher stands. People would logically associate Jesus' tomb with Joseph's family tomb.

The Garden Tomb more closely fits the scriptural description, perhaps because there is not a church built around it. However there are crosses inside which seems to indicate it was at one time viewed as a place of worship or at least a holy place.

It is hard to determine whether nearly 2000 years of tradition is right or this more newly found, more scripturally accurate place. While it really isn't a big deal to our faith which, if either, is genuine, just walking into the Garden Tomb gives a sense of reality. An even better reality is that it is empty! The best reality is the person and the power which explains why this place is empty.

Stay tuned for next Thursday.

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

Weighing the evidence (April 12, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Eyewitness evidence is usually the clincher in proving a case beyond a shadow of a doubt. Witnesses who testify on the stand in court take an oath to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God. As strong as an eyewitness may be, we are also told that evidence does not lie. An eyewitness may intentionally lie or at the very least innocently misinterpret what has been seen. CSI shows live by the mantra, "Follow the evidence." However, evidence itself can be misinterpreted.

Although tampering with evidence, planting evidence or manufacturing evidence is itself a crime, people do it every day. How many innocent people are in prison because of false witnesses or falsified evidence, we will never know. Just this week the rape charges against three Duke lacrosse players have been dropped after a year of presumed guilt in the media courts. Some may still believe they are guilty and got off because of money, influence and political pressure, but with the witness recanting her story, there is no case.

2000-year-old conspiracy

Literally from day one a religious cover-up has been propagated and is still alive and well 2000 years later. From the very day disciples of Jesus claimed he rose from the dead and showed an empty tomb as proof, those who refused to believe have spun a different explanation. Note they do not argue that the tomb was not empty, just the explanation for it being empty is disputed.

Matthew 28:11-15 tells of those who guarded the tomb going back to the chief priest to report the empty tomb. After consulting with the elders and paying a large sum of money to the guards this was the plan, "You are to say, ‘His disciples cam by night and stole Him away while we were asleep'" (verse 13). They then promised political protection from the governor. "and this story was widely spread among the Jews and is to this day" (verse 15).

People often point to the fact that there is no secular history or documentation of the resurrection event. Duh, it was deliberately covered-up; hidden from the government authorities. Money was exchanged, lies were told and lies were believed, both in the arrest and trial of Jesus, as well as the resurrection. Jesus did not appear in secular paces, he appeared to believers who had followed him and would tell the story. Even most of them did not recognize him whenever they first saw him. It is likely the general public would not bat an eye if they had seen him. Evidently investigative reporting was not what it is today!

Throughout the centuries Christian believers have spread the good news of Jesus rising from the dead and non-believers have claimed either he did not die at all on the cross or that his body was stolen to fake the resurrection. Actually the chief priests anticipated this possibility when they asked Pilate to secure the tomb until the third day, "otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead' and the last deception will be worse than the first" (Matthew 27:62-66).

Now in 2007 Simcha Jacobovici and James Cameron of Titanic fame release a movie called Lost Tomb of Jesus. They claim a first century family burial cave with ten ossuary boxes (after a year the bones were retrieved and placed in these boxes), which was found in 1980 in the East Talpoit district of Jerusalem, have the names of Jesus and relatives. To them this is proof that Jesus' bones were buried just like a common "Joe," who had a family; parents, Mary and Joseph, a wife, Mary Magdalene, a son Judah and miscellaneous other relatives.

The core of this "discovery" is that the 2000-year-old conspiracy to cover-up is still believed. Or perhaps it is more of a case of wanting to believe it. Because to disbelieve the conspiracy theory is to have to openly consider the alternative "theory" of resurrection. "Proving" Jesus did not rise and his bones are here to prove it, is a more appealing option to unbelievers.

Suspension of disbelief

Good fiction writing often has the element of suspension of disbelief. For example, for the sake of the Back to the Future movie a person will choose to believe that a person can in fact travel backward in time, but if Marty McFly actually received a "Pepsi Free" from the diner, that would be unbelievable. If a person suspends disbelief on one major point they expect that all the other details to be accurate.

Ah, there's the rub! If a person chooses to disbelieve the resurrection story and believe these bone fragments at best are in fact Jesus' bones, all the other details better be accurate. In other words no leaps in logic or irrational assumptions. After all we are people of a scientific age, who are trained to suspend all critical thought in the face of "scientific fact." In this case it would have been well for those involved to have researched first century burial practices, first century Jewish names and social status practices, as well as simple well-known facts about Jesus' life.

Of course maybe the purpose was not so much to be accurate, but to make a lot of money and take a swipe at the very basis of Christianity. "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (I Corinthians 15:14). One person from the East Talpoit area was excited, "House prices will go up, because Christians will want to live here." Why would a Christian want to live anywhere that casts doubt on the core belief of their faith?

However, don't lose faith so quickly! Here are some brief historical facts that would counter the "family plot" of Jesus theory:

Proof goes poof

Professor at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY actually worked on the discredited claim of finding the ossuary box of James, the brother of Jesus, along with Simcha (on a first name basis). A couple things from his blog on February 26, 2007: "Jesus, son of Joseph" would be a term used by outsiders, not disciples trying to fake a resurrection. Remember, the whole virgin birth belief? No disciple would refer to Jesus as Joseph's son. Secondly, Jesus was from Galilee, not Judah. Why would Jesus and his family be buried in Jerusalem rather than Bethlehem, family of origin hometown or Nazareth, his hometown. Thirdly, any DNA samples found would not have a control sample to test against.

An April 10, 2007 article in The Jerusalem Post by David Horovitz reports that Israeli archaeologist and Par-Ilan professor, Amos Kloner, who oversaw the original investigation at the Talpiot site in 1980, puts no stock in the claim that it has anything to do with Jesus. "There is no likelihood that Jesus and his relatives had a family tomb," Kloner said. A big deal is made of finding all the names associated with Jesus in one burial cave. However Klomer countered that Jesus, Mary, Joseph etc were very common names. Twenty-one percent of women at that time had the name of Mary. Joseph is the second most common name and Jesus the sixth among first century Palestinian Jews. Having the name Jesus on a box (if even that is authentic), does not prove that it is our Jesus Christ.

Yet, some are clamoring for this spot to be opened to the public just like the other two places that hold claim to being the "empty" tomb of Jesus. Yes, there are two other places in Jerusalem. More on that next week. As John Stott wisely notes, "Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection". The before and after picture is dramatic! Why would cowering disciples turn into willing martyrs to protect a lie? They wouldn't! Here is their eyewitness account, "What was from the beginning, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands concerning the Word of Life" (1 John 1:1). "Follow the evidence."

Remember this week you are also living proof of the resurrection. LIVE THE PROOF!

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

Maundy Thursday thoughts (April 5, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Maundy Thursday begins the passion of Christ. Probably no four days have had so much written about them; from the gospel records, to Pauline letters, to early and modern church historians and theologians, to poets, hymn writers and authors to modern day bloggers. So my mind has been whirling trying to think of something to share that hasn't been covered in thousands of creative, heart touching, life changing writings.

As with anything so familiar, it may be easy to assume we know all the facts and deep meanings. We may skim over the scripture passages just to refresh our memory, but not really live the story or real life principles. Hopefully each year during Lent something different impacts you in fresh, life changing way.

Here are a couple challenging, even disturbing observations that I have been processing.

Evil may be closer than your think

1. Pastor Steve DeNeff in a recent sermon on the Lord's Supper highlighted, "As soon as Judas took the bread from Jesus' hand, Satan entered into him. . . . he went out. And it was night." (John 13:27, 30). Luke's account has Satan entering him before the meal (22:1-6). I had not thought before how profound it is that Satan, indwelling Judas and God incarnate, Jesus were in the same room at the same time, either for the whole meal or even for just that moment from Judas taking the bread to leaving,

Pastor Steve described the scene as a room divided down the middle between good and evil; a cosmic stand-off of sorts. If human eyes could see the spiritual realm, that divide probably was as wide as the Grand Canyon. But through the human eyes around the table, everything that night seemed so familiar and normal. No doubt they had shared two other Passover meals together. Evidently, Judas did not seem any different to the others that night, since they all were sad and surprised by Jesus announcement of a betrayer among them.

Evidently Judas was not a glaring prime suspect. As Judas had followed Jesus along with the other eleven, as he witnessed the miracles and healings, and as he listened to the stories and the insider interpretations, he did not stand out in the crowd. He did not have a huge red letter "B" for betrayer on his chest. He was even trustworthy enough to handle the finances.

They were quite sure it wasn't them, but still they asked just to be sure. Each disciple asked, "Surely not I, Lord?" (Matthew 26:22). Perhaps it was just to clear their name and make points with Jesus. But as Pastor Steve noted, it is as if they were asking, "What do you know about me that I don't know about myself? I don't think it's me, but could it be?" Too many "good" people have fallen because they assumed, "It can't happen to me." It is far better to acknowledge our own potential for sin, then make it a decision of the will, "It won't happen to me."

Beware! Evil or even the capacity for evil in others and ourselves may not be as obvious and easy to detect as we might think. "The heart is deceptive above all things and beyond cure. Who cajn understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Evil and good may at times occupy the same room, share a meal together or appear so familiar and normal. Evil attitudes may reside in the same body as righteous actions. Remember Jesus' description of the Pharisees? "You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. . . . You are like white-washed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean" (Matthew 23:25, 27).

Points to ponder: Since Lent is a time for reflection and repentance, what better time to seriously check how near evil is right now? "Surely not I, Lord" and listen for the response. Is evil at the door or already inside? Is it too familiar to recognize? Is it lying in wait for our moment of weakness or over-confidence? Can what we believe is righteousness virtue actually be evil or become evil?

Jesus demonstrates loving your enemy

2. Focusing on Jesus' interaction with Judas demonstrates very plainly what it means to love your enemies. By the time of the Passover meal, Judas had already made his deal with the chief priests to betray Jesus. So although he still held the title of disciple, he was actually in the enemy camp. Yet, Jesus washed Judas' feet along with all the other disciples as "he now showed them the full extent of his love" (John 13:1). He shared the Passover meal with him (Luke 22:20). Luke also indicates that Judas was still present when Jesus initiated the new significance of the bread being his body and the wine his blood (19-21). Actions certainly speak louder than words, especially when the actions embody words.

Point to ponder: Who are your enemies? Any friends who are betrayers? Who would you walk across the street to avoid? Would you be willing to be made willing to love that person? What would it take for you to love that person? In what ways might you show love to them?

Living the passion

As we go through the hours leading up to Sunday morning, read the gospel accounts again slowly. Enter the story emotionally. What does it feel like to be alone in the garden carrying the weight of the world's sin alone? How do you respond to friends who disappoint and abandon you? What about a friend who betrays you and leads to a downward spiral of events? How do you withstand false testimony, mockery, unjust punishment, humiliation, or torture (physical, mental or emotional), and being publicly denied by one of your closest friends?

Even though Jesus knew that all this was a necessary part of getting to his final destination—the cross, he was still experiencing it as the Son of Man. He was not divinely insulated from the pain. None of us will ever know the full extent of what Jesus suffered. That is not our calling, thank God. Jesus has already fulfilled that need. Yet, we can be assured from his example leading up to the cross that He "has been tempted in every way just as we are—yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

We live out these four days with the full knowledge of the resurrection. But try to put yourself in the place of the disciples after Jesus' death and before the resurrection. Jesus tried to warn them, but they didn't get it (so like us). What would you think was happening? Where would your faith be? What would you be doing? Where would you be hiding? What would happen to your dreams of being a ruler in Christ's Kingdom?

As we live through each scene and try to fully take one the despair and fear of the disciples, we will more fully be able to celebrate the joy and renewal of resurrection morning.

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

Adoration by association (March 29, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

After traveling in Zambia with World Hope International Director, Jo Anne Lyon, we know a bit of what celebrity groupies or roadies feel like. These people surround the authentic celebrity and share in all the whoopla. Hearing the joyous shouting and cries of welcome, can begin to feel like the adoration and excitement is deserved by them too. Harsh reality would remind them of their rightful place. They are not the focus or even worthy of such celebration. Workers or support crew at best are all they will ever be to the enamored crowd. In any other setting they would not warrant a second look. Sharing in the attention is only a reflection of the company they are with at the moment.

Zambian royal welcome

Zambians know how to celebrate and welcome their guests. At every trust we visited the welcoming committee greeted us before we even got on the property. Our bus was greeted with singing, dancing and Zambian shouts. This joyous group continued to sing and dance along side of and ahead of the bus on into the meeting area. Then they lined up and we lined up and shook hands and gave greetings of "Muli buti" (How are you?) and "Welcome" and "Hello" and "Twalumba" (Thank-you). We were each trying to impress the other with speaking the other's language. The difference was many of them did speak English because it is the official language.

As wonderful as all the celebration was for all of us, we really knew that the overwhelming welcome was for Jo Anne. No doubt if we had come without her, we would have received a special welcome, because it is the Zambian way. But the true star was the "Queen Mother" as the Zambians affectionately call her (no doubt because of having been a British colony).

When you realize the scope of benefits the people have received from World Hope Community Trusts, it is no wonder she was received as royalty. In 2004 Jo Anne and some WHIZ (World Hope International—Zambia) staff met with the first community where the concept of trusts was introduced (see Archives February 22). Helping caretakers of AIDS orphans and vulnerable children took on faces as she heard an 84-year-old man explain that all of his children were gone (deceased) and he was responsible for nine orphans. Even though they were his grandchildren, it was still an overwhelming responsibility and cost. A young women shared that both of her parents were gone and she was responsible for five younger siblings. These are the very people the trusts were designed to help.

Now less than three years later this woman whose organization has brought opportunity, dignity and hope to their community, had returned. A lavish celebration was a fitting demonstration of gratitude. Many of the trusts had never met the director, so meeting her was extra special. At each place people gave us tours of their gardens, livestock, sewing rooms with great excitement and pride. We were able to be a part of food distribution, school supplies distribution and Mothers and Children under 5 weekly meeting, including a hot meal. These services are appreciated, but of even greater importance is the sense of growing independence and self-sufficiency as a community.

In addition to celebrating our arrival with singing and dancing, one celebration included waving branches. How could I not think of the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem? "On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him" (John 12:12). With Palm Sunday approaching, my thoughts went to the disciples walking to Jerusalem along side of Jesus as he rode on a colt, a young donkey to fulfill prophesy (Zechariah 9:9).

Responding when others are praise

The Twelve had been up close and personal with this celebrity, who was catching the attention of the crowds. Throngs of people were surrounding him, throwing down their coats as if he were royalty. People ahead of him and behind him. I can see the disciples acting as body guards, a tight circle around the donkey to keep the crowds from crushing this one they greeted as a King and Messiah. These disciples were used to being the inner circle.

No one else was privileged to hear the interpretations of parables or know Jesus'deepest desires. Peter, James and John were the inner-inner circle and got to see things that human eyes had never seen, such as Jesus in his glorified body at the Transfiguration. They all had been a part of the healings, witnessed raising from the dead and casting out demons. They had seen the crowds grow along with their responsibilities and authority.

Envisioning them in the midst of this joyous celebration, hearing "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!" (John12:13), I wonder what they were thinking. One would hope they would be focused on Jesus. Perhaps they would be pleased that Jesus was finally getting the recognition he deserved; finally others were getting on the bandwagon and were praising him for all the miracles they had seen (Luke 19:37). Hopefully they added their own praise from a heart overflowing with gratitude and worship, not just because of the miracles.

However, their record for maturity up to this point would indicate their thoughts might not be so noble. Jesus often rebuked them for faulty thinking. When others were working in Jesus name, John tried to stop it, because they weren't from "our" group. When a Samaritan village refused to let Jesus stay, James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to consume them (Luke 9:51-55). Remember James and John asking for special positions of honor in Jesus Kingdom? One to sit on his right side and other on his left (Mark 10:35-40). Then the other disciples got ticked off with them for asking. No doubt because they thought of asking first! They argued about who would be greatest (Luke 9:46-48).

Recognize anyone you know?

Jesus chosen disciples were very human like each of us. We might fault their attitudes, but we had better look in the mirror for a long time first. How would we react? What would we be thinking? In the following possibilities substitute we for they to bring it to present day. It might have been tempting to get caught up in the hosannas and thinking they (we) deserved some of the attention for all they (we) had given up to follow Jesus. Perhaps they (we) were awed by they size of the crowd, thinking like little children, "Look at all these people. And we helped!"

Perhaps they (we) felt protective of Jesus and wanted to keep the strangers (those not of our group) away. Perhaps they (we) judged people for only following Jesus because of what they might get out of it and not really believing. Perhaps they (we) strutted around Jesus making sure they (we) were seen and recognized as one of Jesus trusted disciples. Perhaps they (we) shouted out, "We're with Him!" People are great at name dropping!

Lent is a season of reflection, repentance and preparation for the death of the sinful, old life and readiness for the new life of resurrection. Think about the blunders the disciples made. So often they just didn't get it. So often we just don't get it. With the Psalmist pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart . . . and see if there be any wicked way in me" (139:23-24). "Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow" (51: 7).

Any praise we receive is merely a reflection of the praise that belongs to Christ, who alone is worthy of glory, honor, and power (Revelation 4:11).

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

Celebrate women's history month (March 22, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Basketball tournament time is called March Madness. In addition, March is also Women's History Month. Our local newspaper listed some interesting career firsts among women. Here are some:

1650: Anne Bradstreet published, The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America making her the first published woman writer.

1707: Henrietta Johnston became the first known professional artist in America in Charles Town (now Charleston), S.C.

1809: Mary Kies became the first woman to receive a patent for her method of weaving straw with silk.

1849: Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the U.S. with a medical degree.

1887: Susanna Medora Salter became the first woman mayor in the U.S.—Argonia, KS.

1921: Edith Wharton became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction, for "The Age of Innocence."

1934: Lettie Pate Whitehead became the first woman tin the United States to serve as director of a major corporation (Coca-Cola).

1967: Muriel "Mickey" Siebert became the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.

1997: Madeleine Albright was sworn in as first woman U.S. Secretary of State.

2007: Drew Gilpin Faust was named president of Harvard University—the first woman in the school's 371-year history.

2007: Nancy Pelosi became the first woman U.S. Speaker of the House.

Source: www.infoplease.com

Celebrate Rev. Maxine L. Haines

In the next section are a few firsts specifically related to The Wesleyan Church, of which I am grateful to be a member and ordained minister. Because these firsts are hardly known by anyone outside of my denomination and probably most people in it, I want to celebrate how I came to know them (and how you can, too). Three of the "first" women below and many more would have been lost and forgotten, if not for the extensive five-year research and story writing of Rev. Maxine L. Haines. Her research and two-thirds of the stories were compiled and the others finished for publication by her husband, Dr. Lee M., after her death to cancer in 2002. Their book, Celebrate our Daughters (Wesleyan Publishing House, 2004), not only represents, but also is the capstone of their lifelong ministry together from being ordained together in 1950.

She found nearly 2000 licensed and ordained women between 1841, when the Michigan Conference (district) of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection (Church) was organized (two years before the denomination was organized) and 1968, when the Pilgrim Holiness Church with its many Missionary Bands and Holiness groups merged to form The Wesleyan Church. To make the writing of their stories manageable, she limited the scope to only ordained women. Of the 2,000, nearly 1,000 were ordained with a few others added, who had contributed significantly to the ministry of the denomination in some way.

On a personal note, when I was attending Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) Maxine's was the first face you saw when you entered the Religion and Philosophy department. At that time her husband was a professor and she held the whole department (up to eleven professors) together. She had monthly meetings in her home for students who were engaged or married to ministerial majors. (Some of us did not realize yet, and would not for many more years, that we had been called to pastoral ministry as well). In those meetings she shared her wisdom and life experiences.

When Wesleyan Women in Ministry conferences began in the late eighties, she was present and preached at some services. By that time I was graduating from seminary and beginning to pastor with my husband, as she and her husband had done. Through the years that shared experience bonded us in spirit. Any time I saw her, she had an encouraging word. Her example and advocacy for Wesleyan Women in Ministry influenced many. May we not forget our sisters and brothers who have worked to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ side-by-side.

Women's firsts in the Wesleyan Church

1844: Laura Smith Haviland, though not officially ordained, was the first woman to be given conference appointment in Michigan on the same level as a pastor or evangelist for her abolition work. She made trips into the South and personally escorted bands of escapees through Michigan to Canada and freedom. (The LaOtto Wesleyan Church in Indiana, where my husband and I were pastors, was an Underground Railroad Station along the trail to freedom). At one time she had a three thousand dollar bounty on her head—dead or alive. Her ministry also included prison ministry to those convicted for assisting slaves. She pled with President Andrew Jackson for the life of a convict and successfully pled for the freedom of 3,000 Union Soldiers imprisoned on islands in the Gulf of Mexico (Ibid., 16-17).

1848: The Wesleyan Methodist Church in Seneca Falls, New York was host to the first Woman's Rights Convention. Although being slavery abolitionists is a well-known, celebrated aspect of our church history, our "involvement in the women's rights movement has not been well-publicized . . . . This convention called for fairer treatment of women and for their right to vote" (Ibid., 15).

1853: Antoinette Brown—became the first woman ordained in the U.S. by any organized religion, the Congregational Church, which later disavowed her ordination. However, Luther Lee, one of the founders of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America (1843), forerunner of The Wesleyan Church, preached her ordination sermon. He made it very clear in no uncertain terms what he believed concerning women's ordination. One would assume as the leader of his denomination, he carried great influence.

1861: Mary A. Will was the first woman ordained in the Wesleyan Methodist Connection by the Illinois Conference. When someone commented that she was a "joint pastor" with her husband, a layperson from her church insisted that she was the pastor. However, rather than automatically opening the door for other women, it raised hot debate in the 1864 General Conference. First they voted to not ordain women by an evenly split vote with the chairman casting the deciding vote. Then they voted to decline to take action on the subject and to allow districts to decide. But still Illinois deposed her from ordination due to the dissention. It was appealed in 1875 and found to be an irregular and illegal action. In 1879 it was decided that women could be licensed, but not ordained. Further debates and rulings occurred until the 1891 General Conference allowed district conferences to ordain women, which several did (Ibid., 17-18).

1912: Iva E. Crofford was elected the first woman conference president in the Wesleyan Methodist Church of America (Ibid., 15).

For more information

I know there are many inside and outside of The Wesleyan Church who strongly disagree with women's ordination and leadership in general. I encourage you to go to my husband's Web site for several excellent articles by evangelical scholars, including one by Dr. Lee Haines, which give further understanding.

There is also a newly established resource center called The Center for Women in Ministry

. © 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

An ounce of prevention (March 15, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

With two twenty-three-month-old grandchildren, I am constantly reminded of the adage, "an ounce of prevention is worth an ounce of cure." Preventing a child from standing on a table sure beats bandaging a cut or dealing with a broken collarbone. Spending time to secure them in a car seat is time well spent when compared to the consequences of having free-range children.

Considering the rising costs of medical treatments many insurances are covering wellness measures. Some employers give financial bonuses for exercise. Others allow siesta naps because people who nap have a 37% less chance of heart attack. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. . . Ah, I feel better!

Anti-smoking campaigns emphasize not only the money saved by not buying cigarettes, but also the enormous savings of avoiding lung cancer or heart disease. We are bombarded with information on portion control, eating fruits and vegetables, getting enough fiber, cutting our bad fats and exercise. Why? Because all of them are linked to healthier hearts, lower cancer rates, less risk of diabetes and digestive problems.

Yet, the sad truth is that even correct information does not make people do what is healthy. In lots of life choices most of us prefer to be creatures of habit, creatures of pleasure and creatures of cure-seeking, rather than prevention-practicing. If a behavior is going to change, we first have to admit that what we are currently doing is not working or worse, is killing us slowly.

Truth or consequences

However, if admission of a problem were all that was needed, Zambia and many other nations would not be in the life and death struggle with the broad consequences of HIV/AIDS. They are well aware of the ever-widening ripples from immediate family, to extended family, to friendships, to community health care, to unemployment, to poverty and on and on. Both misinformation and preferred ignorance continues the spread of this deadly infection; the consequences of not knowing truth.

Even though 130,000 Zambians die from diseases caused by AIDS destruction of the immune system, stigmatization and abandonment keep people from telling the truth. Schools, health facilities, public service programs and even churches are using creative ways to bring the truth about AIDS and prevention out in the open. Giving people safe places to face the consequences of their choices (or choices others imposed on them), receive accurate information and free antiretroviral medicine, as well as openly sharing their experience with safe people, may be a start toward prevention.

As I mentioned last week, one way the Zambian government is striving to stem the tide is with a publicity campaign, including very pointed billboards. Three phrases convey the A-B-C's of AIDS prevention: Abstinence (outside of marriage), Be faithful (inside of marriage) and Condom use (if the person does not choose one of the first two).

WHIZ churches address AIDS

February 22 and March 8 Thoughts focused on the work of World Hope International-Zambia (WHIZ) and the AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Community Trusts. During one of the special church services this original song was beautifully performed.

Father, have your way.
Abstinence, faithfulness, purity and righteousness,
These are all we need for our lives and AIDS will run away.
AIDS is a killer disease—Father, have your way.
Stop abusing the young ones. God is watching. Father, have your way.

"Stop abusing the young ones" refers to younger and younger girls, even as young as eight or nine, being sexually abused because they are assumed to be free from infection.

Unfaithfulness as means of spreading AIDS to the innocent was portrayed in this pantomime. Scene 1: Husband and wife are arguing and husband storms out. Scene 2: Husband is drinking and being with concubines. Scene 3: Concubines go to the man's wife and taunt her, wife lashes out at husband, husband beats up wife and takes off with other women. Scene 4. Ambulance (made of four women saying, "Beep, beep, beep, beep" while they pick up the beaten woman and take her to a hospital. Scene 5: Woman is checked at hospital and has been infected. Scene 6: WHIZ caregivers are at her house to explain services available and help.

Abstinence and faithfulness are the only sure solutions for stopping the spread of AIDS. No doubt that is one reason it continues to spread. People there and here do not want to face the moral issues. Just like smoking and over-eating, there is a natural human bent to resist making life style changes that require imposing limits or external rules. Ideas like "it's my body" and "no one is going to tell me what to do" are cross-cultural.

WHIZ focuses on youth in schools

In Zambia half of all new HIV/AID are among young people 15-25 years old. Around the world nearly 7,000 young people become HIV positive each day (United Nations (2003) HIV/AIDS and Young People on pages 334-369 in World Youth Report). As discouraging as these statistics are for the future, there is hope. In 2006 WHIZ conducted three large-scale youth rallies that celebrate personal purity along with hope and transformation that is found in a deepened personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

In addition Hope Clubs, which are extra curricular activities for secondary school youth, provide a forum for honest dialog and encouragement from peers and young adult mentors. A truly hopeful step is found in the follow-up piece to the rallies. Reach4Life discipleship journey is for use in churches or schools. The "textbook" is a $10 Reach4Life New Testament, which includes teaching to apply biblical truth to issues teens face. Topics such as sexuality, pressures at work and school, self-esteem and a very clear discussion of HIV/AIDS issues are covered. Groups have already started.

Sharing in prayer and action

Prayers for WHIZ, pastors and nearly fifty Wesleyan Churches coordinating Community Orphan Trusts, youth programs etc. are essential. Other actions steps include visiting www.worldhope.org, participating on World AIDS Day event of joining the One Campaign (www.one.org) or consider organizing a Reach4Life group within your school, church or civic group to adopt a school in South Africa or Zambia.

Rent and learn from a true to life movie called, "Beat the Drum." Buy and read a 2006 release called, "A Skeptics Guide to the Global AIDS Crisis" by Dale Hanson Bourke. This easy to read book gives direct answers to tough questions. AIDS will not disappear magically.

A Kenyan saying: "If you think you are too small to make a difference, you have never spent the night with a mosquito." "This is the greatest opportunity for the Church to be the Church and meet hurting, suffering people at their point of need," Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church.

© 2006 Lois E. F. Watkins

Hope epidemic (March 8, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Combining the word "hope" with the word "epidemic" may seem cruel at worst; an oxymoron at best.

I love how the word oxymoron is formed. "Oxy" means "sharp" and "moron" (an antiquated term once used to describe an adult with the mentality of a child) in this case means "dull," so "sharp dull." It is a figure of speech used to indicate the combining of two contradictory or opposite ideas. Not only is it a fun word to say, the conflicting ideas even sound silly together: jumbo shrimp, pretty ugly, working vacation, silent scream, virtual reality, etc..

Typically, an epidemic is thought as the uncontrollable spread of a contagious disease, a plague or pestilence. So placing hope with such a dire situation does seem contradictory. However, Webster's dictionary gives a broader definition. The literal Greek meaning is "among the people." So in a general sense, epidemic means "prevalent and spreading rapidly among many individuals in a community at the same time." Applying it to just sickness is a more specific meaning.

So, does hope "prevalent and spreading rapidly among many individuals in a community at the same time." seem less contradictory? Just as sickness can be contagious, hope can be too! While it is not a reality yet, there are pockets of growing, rapidly spreading hope in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zambia.

HIV/AIDS epidemic is undeniable

As has been mentioned before, one in five people (20 percent) in Zambia is infected with HIV/AIDS. In Swaziland it is 43 percent. Life expectancy has plummeted to age 32-35 (23 in neighboring Botswana) with over 130,000 dying each year. Cemeteries have to keep expanding in the capital city of Lusaka where sixty people a day are dying. Although it has been only 25 years since the first AIDS case was reported in the United States, according to the World Health Organization extensive spread of HIV appears to have begun in the late 1970's or early 80's among men and women with multiple sexual partners in Central Africa.

The nation is fighting for survival. It is an epidemic, even pandemic, that is sapping the nation and much of the continent of its youthful strength and hope for the future. Stigmatization of those who have HIV/AIDS is keeping available help from reaching those in need. Only 17-18,000 are receiving the free antiretroviral medicines, hopefully that will rise. Over a million people need to take the first step of being tested. Most do not get tested for fear of the results and the social impact of others knowing if they have it. Often family members isolate the patient and in too many cases physically desert the patient. Customers will not buy from an AIDS vendor. In addition, AIDS orphans are often shunned or mistreated out of fear, so families don't want neighbors to know why the parents died. AIDS is the modern day leprosy.

Not knowing keeps the cycle going. Husbands and wives unknowingly infect each other through one of the partner's unfaithfulness. Many women are infecting their babies before, during or shortly after birth. Expectant mothers do not receive preventative medication or have C-sections that nearly eliminate infecting the baby (again not wanting others to know they are infected). When we attended the women and children's weekly clinic at a Wesleyan Church in Choma, the lesson for the day was information about how AIDS spreads through the breast milk.

Information epidemic is visible

Stopping the spread of the virus is critical. One tool is making open conversation about it natural and common. A national marketing campaign is evident with all the AIDS billboards along the highways. "What do you Know About AIDS?" is a simple one. Some address the desertion and stigma problems, "It's Your Duty to Care for those with AIDS" and "Join the Fight Against AIDS Stigmatization."

Since the rampant spread of HIV is placed at the foot of truck drivers in their travels, another billboard reads, "Drive Safe! AIDS Kills!" Three life boats, which have the words "Abstinence," "Be Faithful" and "Condom Use" on them, has the slogan, "Life Saving Boats in an AIDS Flood." Because half of all new cases are found in youth ages 15-25, another challenges young people, "Our Future is in Your Hands—Keep it AIDS Free."

Pamphlets, awareness concerts, school programs, sports programs, even footballs with preventable health education messages about HIV and malaria are everywhere. Do you wonder why it still seems like the elephant in the middle of the living room, which no one mentions? Because talking about it, knowing it and dealing with it requires accountability and a change in behavior.

No one wants to be told what they can and cannot do. The World Health Organization admits, "The fate of many will depend less on science than on the ability of large numbers of human beings to change their behavior in the face of growing danger." Uganda has seen a dramatic drop in new cases by promoting a monogamous campaign. So simple!

Hope epidemic is starting young

World Hope International believes that young people are essential to the future and believes that investing in their physical, social and spiritual well-being is an urgent priority. During 2006 three large youth rallies celebrated personal purity and hope and transformation that are found in a deepened personal relationship with Jesus Christ. More than 3,800 attended with a total of 64 salvation commitments and 650 formal abstinence commitments were signed.

Reach4Life is a 40-lesson, 40-week teenage discipleship focused program sponsored by World Hope International. Lessons include: sexuality, drugs and alcohol, poverty, self-image, dating and pressures at work or school. A special $10 study New Testament, which encourages a personal relationship with God and applies Scripture to important issues facing youth including HIV/AIDS is used. Because it is not labeled as a HIV program, students are more apt to come and still receive the vital information.

HOPE Clubs are extra curricular activities for secondary school youth that provide a forum for honest dialogue and encouragement from young adult mentors and peers. Nothing promotes purity like seeing that it is possible through the lives of respected adults.

As we met with and prayed with patients during our stay in Zambia, these parents always requested prayer for their children, their education and their future. No matter what culture, every parent wants better for their children. Children keep hope alive.

© 2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

Let My people go (March 1, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

In the last ten days of Black History month three remarkable events occurred. At least two were pre-planned to coincide. Nonetheless, a powerful message emerges not only from history, but also from current events.

State of Virginia proves me wrong

Two weeks ago I lamented that it seemed there was no interest in even giving a simple apology for the past atrocities of slavery and the ongoing consequences. The basis for that observation was the negative reaction to former legislation for a simple one-sentence official apology to African Americans that was introduced in Congress in 1997. On the national level it seemed little discussion continued.

Imagine my surprise to learn that Saturday, February 24 the Virginia General Assembly met on the grounds of the former Confederate Capitol and passed a unanimous resolution to express "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery. While it is not law, the supporters hope it sends an important symbolic message. It is fitting that Virginia should be the first to apologize, since Jamestown is where the first Africans arrived in 1619 and Richmond became a slave-trade hub.

The resolution says government-sanctioned slavery "ranks as the most horrendous of all depredations of human rights and violations of our founding ideals in our nation's history, and the abolition of slavery was followed by systematic discrimination, enforced segregation, and other insidious institutions and practices toward Americans of African descent that were rooted in racism, racial bias and racial misunderstanding."

Missouri has a similar action pending, but had not yet brought it to a vote. Is this the beginning of a trend for individual states to express regrets or make the apologies? Will there be more discussions about further actions to be taken? Is re-opening a hundred civil rights era cold cases related in any way to trying to right wrongs?

Abolition: a story of amazing grace

On Friday, February 23rd the movie, Amazing Grace was released. Politician William Wilberforce gave his lifes energy to abolishing the slave trade in the British colonies. His pastor and mentor, John Newton is best known for writing the famous hymn, Amazing Grace (originally called Faiths Review and Expectation). It is believed that the song reflects his sense of wretchedness of having been a captain of a slave ship and his amazement at Gods grace.

Unfortunately justice and change often move slowly. It took fifty years to officially abolish slavery. Dr. Kevin Shillington, historian of Africa and author or History of Africa figures that through the late 19th century at least 12 million young adults were sent from Africa to the New World as slaves, some 2 million of them dying en route. Combined with the millions of African slaves sent to the Mediterranean and Middle East, and the millions more who died in the process of capture, transportation, and detainment within Africa, the total number of productive young Africans lost to the slave trade exceeded 20 million. How many could have been saved in those fifty years?

But never give up! Here are a few events that led toward success over time:

1783-Society of Friends in Britain presented an abolition petition; 1791-Wilberforce presented the first abolition bill, which was defeated; 1807-Slave Trade Act passed and received royal assent. (However, this bill only made it a crime for British ships to transport slaves with a fine of 100 pounds per slave, if caught. If a threat of arrest arose, ship captains simply had the slaves pitched overboard. As long as there was a need for slaves, there would be those who would risk meeting the need and raking in the money.) 1833-Slavery Abolition Act finally passed Parliament. Slavery in all British colonies was outlawed. Due to poor health Wilberforce had retired his seat in Parliament in 1825. Three days before his death he celebrated that the bill had passed a third and final reading in the Commons. However, he died a month before the official passage. (Information taken from Wilberforce 2007 Hull Committee article).

A powerful message comes through Wilberforces struggle between serving God in the ministry or becoming a politician. He did both! He served God by becoming a politician and letting his faith be expressed through his actions. Faithfully showing how he combined his spiritual beliefs and work in social reform, the movie dramatizes his beliefs. Faith without works is dead. (James 2:17). Social reform and spirituality are inseparably intertwined.

Twenty-first century abolitionists

To coincide with the movie release, Amazing Grace Sunday was commemorated February 18 in North America and February 25 in Britain. Over 5,000 churches, in fifty states and ten provinces honored this 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. However, it was more than remembering history. David Batstone has written a book, Not for Sale: the Return of Global Slave Trade and How We Can Fight It.

Most people do not realize that slavery is alive and well in the world. Over 27 million people are captives in some type of slavery or trafficking. Over half are under age eighteen, some starting as young as four. Twelve-year-old girls were rescued from rolling cigarettes for hours a day. A father was forced to start slave work at the kilns at twelve and then his children were born into the same slavery. Now they have been freed along with nearly 80 other kiln workers, plus family members. In addition the owner was fined.

A pervasive and growing problem is sex trafficking. Young girls are captured and kept enslaved to satisfy the cravings of adults. World Hope International, with which we went to Zambia, is having a tremendous impact in countries such as Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and South Africa. Rescuing exploited children as young as five and pressing for prosecution is making Cambodia a perpetrator unfriendly country. Caring for mental and physical health needs, referrals to long term care and educational and vocational training are included.

International Justice Mission is a group of human rights professionals, lawyers, and public officials. Many other groups are also modern abolitionists including Free the Slaves, Rugmark (Napal, India and Cambodia), Child Voice International, Persecuted Church International and United States Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking of Persons.

Each group has a web-site which gives more information and examples of successes and needs. In addition, coalition organizations such as Stop the Traffik, Faith Alliance Against Slavery or Trafficking (FAAST) provide an umbrella and networking for many faith based groups.

It's our turn

Amazing Grace Sunday celebrated the abolition of 19th century slavery and decried the inhumanity and injustice of the 21st century slavery. Lansdowne Baptist Church in Lansdowne, PA began worship with this question: How can we worship you, the LORD of justice and mercy while millions still lie in chains?

Do we do nothing and in fact approve of modern slavery in all of its forms? Do we do nothing and let evil thrive? To know how to be an effective modern-day abolitionist check out http://www.theamazingchange.com/ for links to various groups or search by name of organization.

© 2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

You gotta have a plan (February 22, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

In the 80s our family all participated in a then popular childrens musical called, Kids Under Construction. One snappy (literally snapping our fingers) number chanted, You gotta have a plan, man. You gotta have a plan, man.

What would a construction site become without an architects plan. What teacher hasnt spent hours preparing lesson plans or health care professionals developing care plans. Plans bring together a need, a resource and a desired outcome.

In Zambia an ingenious, workable plan is saving physical, emotional, social and spiritual lives. A needy rural community was gathered to hear of an opportunity for genuine hope for the first time. The elders mentioned a few relief groups that had visited them before and given aid. But this was different. You are the first ones to come to us with a plan.

What is this plan? World Hope International community trusts.

A plan to address the needs

Multiple, multi-layer needs plague Zambia. Addressing any one need would help but not solve the needs. Each need is inter-connected. The issue of AIDS compounds every other need: health care, family dynamics, personal incomes, over-all economy, education, grief/depression issues and the list goes on.

One in five people in Zambia are HIV positive. The saying goes, Either you are infected or affected. As a result the adult population is decreasing along with the viable work force. Poverty escalates. Most trusts we visited had many women and children. However, there was a large gap between children and older adults. AIDS equally affects men and women, but more men have already died. Currently more women are dying than men.

Children often are forced to grow up way too soon and take on adult responsibilities. Many cannot go to school because they are home caring for family or the cost of uniforms and books dont fit into the budget. Without education the hope for escaping poverty is diminished. A growing number of children are left orphaned as their parents die or leave due to the stigma. Children without family ties are often left to fall back on illegal means of surviving. Girls are drawn or snatched to prostitution. Some teachers take advantage of their power by promising better grades or less work to cooperative children/teens. A complicating factor is the never-dying myth that sexual relations with a virgin will cure AIDS. Younger and younger girls are targeted to ensure the virgin status.

HIV women needlessly give birth to HIV positive children. Even though medication is available to prevent the transfer between mother and child, again the stigma of having AIDS is so strong that mothers refuse to admit they need it. Often family and friends reject and leave the patient physically or emotionally.

Stigma also keeps many from getting the free medication for AIDS. Or some are willing to get the medicine but have to chose between using their day to provide or find food for the family or using it to walk or try to get a ride into the town clinic. Tough decisions for anyone to make.

A plan to connect resources to the need

What kind of plan could address the needs? Resources have been directed to abstinence programs, food distributions, orphanages, hospitals and clinics. Each one plays a role, but none stems the rising tide of desperate lives.

Any plan requires money and personnel. Current events demonstrate that resources are abundantly available. As billionaires such as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and others are touched by the African plight, enormous amounts are pouring in and hopefully will make a difference. While we observed several functioning community trusts, a pastor from Wyoming and a lay person from New York visited a potential new trust. (Churches can share a trust.) The local church spread the word about an initial meeting with the World Hope International-Zambia representatives. The plan was offered.

A church, individual or organization is willing to provide the one-time start up money to sponsor a community trust in this place. The money will be used to buy supplies to begin self-sustaining, income-producing work. It is made clear that this is an offer, not a command. The members of the community and local church have the right to decline the offer. If the community chooses to accept the offer, the community selects a local board of directors.

Options of projects are discussed. Decisions are made based on the local resources available and the interests of the people. One community was so depleted that at first thought they did not see any resources. But with some exploration, they began to see their land, a few able-bodied people and willingness to work as sufficient resources to begin a gardening project. Other project choices include tailoring, raising chickens, pigs or goats. The limiting factors are only creativity of the people, the workability of the project and the marketability of the product.

These projects allow the people to work close to home. The work is shared so those who are caring for sick family members or have taken in AIDS orphans can work, but not be away for long periods of time. Obviously the first goal is to sustain those involved. Next is to make the projects profitable to sustain the project, add other projects and generate income.

Part of the income goes back into the trust for seed, more animals, cloth for sewing etc. Part is divided among those who join and work in the trust projects and part is pooled to purchase food and education supplies to be distributed. Outside resources joined with the local resources all people to see direct benefit to themselves and the community.

A plan to sustain help and hope

What a thrill it was for the trust members to show the fruit of their labors! Self-respect and pride in being self-directing and self-sustaining was evident. Communities see a new ripple effect. Instead of a downward spiral, the ripples are lifting the entire community.

At the center of the trust is the local church. Trust families must have at least one person affiliated in some way with the church. Distributions are made through the church. The church offers emotional and spiritual health and hope. Pastors carry out the funerals, sometimes multiple funerals a week.

The three legged plan of Opportunity, Dignity and Hope is working. Outside and local resources provide the opportunity. Local involvement and management provides the dignity. Hope grows as needs are met, prayers are answered and faith in Christ is shared within The Church.

2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

NOTE: For photos from the trip, click here

Righting old wrongs (February 15, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

In the first six weeks of 2007 several historic events have either been remembered or have occurred. January 15 was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which remembers a civil rights leader, who gave his life seeking a remedy for racial injustice and inequity. February 12 was President Abraham Lincolns birthday. His legacy includes the Emancipation Proclamation for slaves, as well as the Civil War.

Two days before Abraham Lincolns actual birthday, only the third black senator since the Reconstruction era (1870s), Barak Obama announced his bid for the presidential candidacy. Standing in front of the Old State Capital in Springfield, Illinois only magnified the link between him and Lincolns anti-slavery legacy. In addition both have served eight years in the Illinois state legislature and two years in Congress.

The day before Lincolns birthday Tony Dungy became the first black NFL coach to win a Superbowl, when the Colts beat the Bears. If they had won, Coach Lovie Smith would have had that distinction. Both men are winners, especially in the area of Christian living and witness. Whichever team had won, God would have gotten the glory.

With February being Black History Month, one might get the impression that all is equal and settled in the race arena. To conclude that would be acting like an ostrich with its head in the sand. Racism is alive and well. Obama feels the United States is ready for a person of color in the White House. Although I do not agree with some of his stands, it would be great if our nation were ready. But lots of evidence leads to a different conclusion.

Racial reality

Dr. Derrick Bell, professor at New York University School of Law writes, Lulled by comforting racial stereotypes, fearful that blacks will unfairly get ahead of them, all too many whites respond to even the most dire reports of race-based disadvantage with either a sympathetic headshake or victim- blaming rationalizations. Both responses lead easily to the conclusion that contemporary complaints of racial discrimination are simply excuses put forward by people who are unable or unwilling to compete on an equal basis in a competitive society. . . .

"Modern discrimination is, moreover, not practiced indiscriminately. Whites, ready and willing to applaud, even idolize black athletes and entertainers, refuse to hire, or balk at working with, blacks. Whites who number individual blacks among their closest friends approve, or do not oppose, practices that bar selling or renting homes or apartments in their neighborhoods to blacks they don't know.

When legislation for a simple one-sentence official apology to African Americans was introduced in Congress in 1997, by Tony Hall, an Ohio Democratic Congressman, polls showed that 61 percent of those surveyed did not favor such legislation, although the African Americans surveyed favored the legislation two-to-one. Without an admission of guilt and at minimum an official apology for the evil of slavery, there can be little hope of meaningful reduction in racial tensions.

In the 1980s government reparations through taxation were made to Native Americans for stealing their land and in 1988 to the Japanese for being interned during World War II. However, it seems there is little interest in either financially acknowledging the past and ongoing wrongs or considering meaningful social and cultural alternatives to the trillions of dollars it would take to individually pay the 22 million African Americans.

Whatever progress has been made, there is still much evidence of believing in white supremacy, entitlement and privilege. In addition, many are working hard to hindering forward progress and actually reversing benefits gained.

A little righting of an enormous wrong

Race relations and issues took on very different perspective during the eight days Jim and I spent eight days in Zambia. Events of one particular day were like a bolt of lighting.

Part of our tour of World Hopes community trusts was to observe and in one case participate in the projects. We observed the sewing, chicken and pig projects. At Siechetema we helped set cabbage plants that had been grown in the nursery. They had worked up the soil to perfection and made the rows. We just had to make a hole with our hand, put the plant in and fill in the hole.

Later in the day we filled plastic bags with bath soap, laundry detergent, cooking oil, beans, rice, sugar, salt, plus a 50 pound bag of mealy meal (maize). These bags were distributed to those who had worked in the projects.

Something struck me about being supervised and instructed in the garden by the Zambians, distributing the groceries to them and the men of our group carrying the heavy bags to some of their homes (some were quite a distance). This felt like a very small piece of justice being done. We white people were serving Africans on their property. We were working without pay to benefit their productivity and livelihood. It also gave a sense of what it would be like to be at the mercy of a different race in their country, with their language and their purposes.

In no way does this replicate slavery. We chose to go to Africa of our free will and paid the price to go. We gladly helped in whatever way we could because we cared for the people. The Zambian masters were gracious and did not demand our participation. There were no whips and no punishments. We were very well fed. Mercy was not needed that day. Perhaps I was the only one that viewed our work as righting a wrong, but it certainly felt right.

One evil—double jeopardy

What also struck me was how Africans have been violated on two continents; once on American soil and once on African soil. We are well aware of the American side of slavery. But we dont know nor can we imagine the results of slavery on the African continent. A continent was literally robbed of its strongest and healthiest children and adults. A generation of those most likely to be parents of the next generation, most likely to earn an education, most likey to rise to positions of leadership and become the strongest, most productive workers just disappeared into slave ships.

How does a community recover from that? Who fills the void and takes up the slake? And for what? To be treated inhumanely (by many); to have their families ripped apart, sold, worked, whipped and killed as animals. To add insult to injury, the well intended Emancipation Proclamation gave freedom without giving education, training, opportunity or dignity. Without thinking through and planning for the consequences, it may have actually contributed to breeding ongoing frustration, anger and sense of displacement.

Opportunity, dignity and hope

That is the beauty of World Hope community trusts. They are built on a three legged stool of Opportunity, Dignity and Hope. The common saying, a hand up, not a handout fits. As communities become self-reliant and self-sustaining, hope thrives. (More next week on how the trusts work.)

2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

Where nobody knows your name (February 8, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Before sharing a thought for this week, let me pause to commemorate the one year anniversary of "Thursday Thoughts" and Next Steps Ministries. Thursday, February 9, 2006 both were initiated. Many thanks for the comments, encouraging words, and opportunities to minister during this first year. Now I am one year closer to being on Friday in my life, but the Lord willing there are a few more years of Thursday left. (Click here for an explanation.)

Now back to our regularly scheduled program:

Witness protection programs have become masters at creating a new identity for people willing to testify against life-threatening felons. People, who want to fall off the edge of the world to hide from the law or simply start life over, can find abundant "make-over" resources on the black market. No doubt I watch too many criminal shows, but it seems about every other week one show or another has someone who did not exist before a few years ago or someone who has taken the identity of a deceased person.

One day you are the person you were born as and the next day you are a totally different person. If you want to recreate yourself, go to a foreign country. Falsified documents don't seem to be too difficult to get. Then tell people anything or nothing about yourself and your past. Just stay under the radar and out of the newspapers.

Who are you really

Now, I admit that my mind works in strange and mysterious ways. As I sat listening to yet another extremely glowing introduction of our "Pastor's Visioning" tour group in Zambia, this whole idea of changed or hidden identity seized me. Certainly there were a few in our group that warranted such stellar introductions. Even at that, none of us would make Barbara Walter's "Top Twenty Most Influential People" list. Most of us were very ordinary people with very little influence even in our small circles.

But since nobody in the community trusts knew any of us, it could make a perfect setting to present a changed identity. We could be introduced as grandly as royalty. We could tell all sorts of grandiose stories about ourselves. No one would know the difference. No one knew our names. It does seem a couple thought we were doing auditions for a new talent search show called, "Zambian Idol" as they insisted we listen to them sing before we left. They definitely would have made the finalist group.

Of course the Zambians could privately tell us "muzungu" (white people) fascinating stories about themselves, too. We would never know the difference. Pretense is easier when you are a stranger. Yet, many are able to pull off a false identity even among family and friends. Years ago I attended a women's workshop called "Image of Loveliness." In fun Jim quipped, "Just remember, it is an image."

What kind of image are you and I trying to present? Is the image similar or very different from reality? An image can become an illusion and an illusion can become a delusion. A lifetime can be spent building a faade, hiding our true selves, even from ourselves.

Dr. John Townsend writes about helpful and harmful hiding in the book called, "Hiding from Love." While experiences with unsafe people can make hiding necessary for survival, hiding can become such a natural reaction that we end up hiding from the very ones who would accept us and help us heal, especially God.

The Psalmist, David, wrote about the futility of trying to flee from God's presence. God's Spirit is everywhere we would try to hide. Psalm 139:13 reminds us how intimately God knows us: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. . . . My frame was not hidden from you . . . . Your eyes saw my unformed body. . . ."

Being really real

Our brother's and sisters in Zambia were not trying to hide or be someone they were not. They wanted us to know their name, their family, their story. They graciously welcomed us into their homes and hearts. One very sick pastor said, "Please tell my story." They might not admit to having AIDS because of the social stigma, but they definitely wanted us to know them, to take a picture and to remember them. More than one pled with members of the team, "Don't forget us when you go back!"

Remembering someone comes easily when you know them. When with a photograph or mind's-eye you can picture a person in his or her home, walking along the path, sitting on a bench, sharing a meal together, it is easy to remember. Of the hundreds of Zambian Christians we met (shook hands with) the ones we will remember as individuals are Hilda, Cleaver, Anita, Regina, Leenorah, Charity, Stanley, Bobby and the WHIZ (World Hope International-Zambia staff. We know their faces. We know their names.

Coupling this deep need to be remembered and the common sight of seeing women nursing their children, Isaiah 49:15-16a couldn't help but come to mind. "Can a mother forget her baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;"

The question, "Can a mother forget . . .?" implies a negative answer. Of course she can't forget. But in the unlikely event that she can forget, God says, "I will not forget you!!"

One of my favorite verses demonstrates how God knows and loves real people in real situations and real time. "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them . . . and bring them up out. . ." Exodus 3:7-8a.

As I read it, I can picture the real, historic Israelites to whom it refers. Or I can picture my real, 2007 Zambian friends, who are in such great need because of the ripple effect of AIDS. Or I can picture my close, very real family, friends, and even myself at times. Whatever the situation the good news is that God sees, hears, cares and rescues "up out" and into a new future. (Disclaimer: It happens in God's way, in God's time and for God's purpose.)

Along with that good news is the challenge that Christ said to his disciples, including each of us, "Love each other as I have loved you" John 15:12. When believers see, hear, care and rescue (pray, give, go), others do not need to hide. They can risk being really real.

2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

NOTE: For photos from the trip, click here

Heart-lag (February 1, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Seeing the "Welcome to the United States" sign at the Dulles International Airport was the first indication that we were back on American soil. Standing in the "Citizen" line rather than the "Non-citizen" line was a second proof. Our ten-day adventure of being warmly welcomed as muzungu (white) foreigners in Zambia was over. After four flights, one of which was nineteen hours actual time, plus about an hour drive, we were at our home in Indiana.

They say, "Home is where the heart is." Six days back in the USA and I don't think I am completely home yet. Part of it could be jet-lag, which can be a very real ordeal for some. Professional fliers advise drinking a lot of water, limiting caffeine and carbohydrates, plus forcing yourself to stay up until it is bedtime in your present time zone. However, I am realizing that my condition has more to do with "heart-lag" than jet-lag. If Tony Bennett can leave his heart in San Francisco, I can leave mine in Zambia.

I caught the Zambian "bug"

The blame for my malady lies squarely on the shoulders of two people. First, I blame my friend, Jo Anne Lyon, Founder and Director of World Hope International for my lost week. This trip was called a pastors' visioning tour. One of her goals was to expose a group of pastor's and laity to the realities of life in Zambia, as well as the hope-filled work of WHIZ—World Hope International-Zambia. By seeing the work first hand it was hoped that pastors, district superintendents and laity would not only publicize, but also want to "buy into" the community trust concept of developing self-sufficiency. (More on that in later issues.) In fact, my husband, Jim's purpose in going was to be the official reporter and send out news releases and articles to a variety of publications.

But it was her second goal that really got to me. She wanted us to be able to put names and faces to the AIDS crisis, not simply quote the statistic that one in five Zambians is infected with the AIDS virus. She wanted us to see, hear, smell and touch the daily lives of people living in poverty. Yet, they live with dignity because of the opportunities afforded them by WHIZ. She wanted us not to see pictures in the abstract, but to personally know both urban and rural people, as well as the faithful staff that serves and leads them. She wanted us to experience almost overwhelming need being met through hope in action.

The second person I blame for my heart-lag is Jeff Johnson, International Community Health Director for World Hope. He did an excellent job of trying to prepare us the first morning with Zambian Culture 101. Armed with a few Zambian phrases, plus a list of cultural dos and don'ts, we rode to the other side of the capital city of Lusaka. We drove through an open market with three sided booths on either side of a rutty, dirt road to get to the John Howard Trust. As soon as the vehicle entered the church property, we were welcomed with singing and dancing, which I have named the sanctified shuffle.

A day in one Lusaka compound

One of the endearing aspects of Zambian culture is their welcoming rituals, which includes lining up to shake hands with every person. No one is left out. After a welcoming service of music, introductions and speeches we observed three pre-school classes and a group of women sewing clothes and making mats by poking strips of the cloth scraps through a tight-weave mealy meal bag. Nothing is wasted. Later we saw several used as a welcome mat outside of houses.

Late afternoon we got our first opportunity to get out into the community to visit in a couple home. In this "sub-division" the houses are like row after row of one story apartment buildings. Houses share a back and side wall with a 3-4 foot dirt path in front of them. A muzungu really needs a guide, as each house looks alike and begins to form a maze. There is no running water or electricity.

We were warmly received in both homes we visited. Each host was so gracious and entertained the many questions we asked. One woman was an older grandmother, who was a caregiver for several grandchildren in a three room house. The other woman was a young widow living with her sister, who was also a widow, and the three children between them. Both widows had each also lost a baby before the age of one. Yet, even in their grief and hardships, there was a sense of future; one day at a time.

Before the evening service children were amassing outside the church enjoying unstructured play time with the team. Since it was the rainy season, the day would not be complete without a shower or storm. A downpour helped get people into the church, but in short order the electricity went out. With no microphones and no lights as the sun slowly set, it was a challenging setting for singers, speakers, and congregation. Candles and flashlights helped a little bit.

What would it be like?

When we returned to the warm, dry, clean, well-lighted guest house that night for a debriefing time, Jeff gave us point to ponder which was to haunt me for the rest of the trip and since we have returned. He said, "Remember the homes you were in today? I want you to think of what it is like for the church people walking home tonight in the dark. Think of the dirt paths you walked on that are now mud and the ruts filled with water. Think of not being able to take a hot shower or really feel dry. Think of no electricity or light until morning. Think of getting the children home and in bed without getting muddier."

Thoughts of those realities have been emblazoned in my mind. This week, when I look at the clock, I add seven hours and envision the lives of those we met. While I huddle under my blanket to keep warm, I think of them in the hot sun bending over their gardens. While in church, I think about the Zambian services we experienced. Even as I cared for our precious granddaughter, I was thinking of the little children with whom I had played ring-around-the-rosie later in the week. I think of the many children who are permanently living with their grandparents because they have been orphaned by AIDS.

Thanks a lot Ba Jeff and Ba Jo Anne (Ba is a term of respect used with first names. Otherwise a person is addressed as Mr. or Mrs.). Because of your ministries not only does part of me remain in Zambia, but a small part of the Southern Province is living in me. But then, that was your intended purpose. Right?

2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

NOTE: For photos from the trip, click here

Danger: Pray at your own risk (January 11, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

A senior citizen husband was given one wish. He wished to have a wife fifteen years younger than himself. When the poof of smoke cleared (don't all wishes come with a poof of smoke?), he found himself fifteen years older, looking at his same wife who was now fifteen years younger than himself. While a wish is not technically a prayer, some prayers can be just as dangerous.

Like the wish, one danger is that the consequences of God's answer may be far different than we expected. What we think we want or why we want it is not always best. Remember when the people of Israel were discontent with the leadership of God through the priests and judges (I Samuel 8). Wanting to be like all the other nations, they demanded a king and the rest is tragic history.

Not only can the unknown consequences be dangerous, but also not knowing how the answer will be fulfilled. Praying, "God, give me patience" is popular, yet very dangerous. Patience is something we all need. It is just dangerous in what it takes to get the answer. Patience comes with endurance (Colossians 1:11). Endurance includes tense waiting, even suffering. Still want patience, when it means affliction (Romans 12:12)?

Patience also comes when we bear with other people (who may be bears), forgiving grievances against them with humility and gentleness (Colossians 3:12 and Ephesians 4:2). Basically when we ask for patience, it is like saying, "Come on, give me your best shot! I'm asking for patience."

The danger of praying for trust

A visitor asked Mother Teresa to pray for him to have clarity in what to do. She responded, "I never pray for clarity. I pray for trust." Praying for more trust can be dangerous. Again, asking for more faith is commendable. Just realize what it takes to increase faith. First, faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). God's word is a dangerous two-edged sword (Hebrews 12:4). Handle with care. James 1:3 says the testing of our faith develops perseverance. While becoming mature and complete, not lacking anything is the end result, the testing can be excruciating.

Faith is tested when answers do not turn out as we expected or at the time we felt we needed or during times of disaster. We may not see the hand of God for a long time. The lonely, dark night of the soul seems never-ending. What do we do? Do we keep trusting or despair? Do we hold on or give in? Do we give praise that God knows what is best or do we protest that God has abandoned us?

When Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, Genesis 22:1 reads, "God tested Abraham." Even though he knew Isaac was to be sacrificed, he had faith to say, "God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" (22:8). Whether that meant obedience through sacrifice or salvation through a miracle, Abraham was trusting God's character.

If we are going to increase trust in God, there must be a time when our resources and abilities are not adequate. We have to trust. Think of a toddler who has managed to climb up on a book case. Hearing the cries for help, the parent encourages him to jump into her waiting arms. Because there is trust between the two, the child jumps and is caught. The leap is terrifying, but the waiting arms are proven trustworthy.

But what if the parent decides to test that trust and teach a lesson about climbing on the book shelves? The next time the child climbs on the book shelf, the catch is delayed until almost to the floor? As the child is falling, falling, falling, questioning thoughts arise, "Where are the strong arms? Can I really trust I'll be caught? How badly am I going to get hurt?" (catch) "Whew! That was close! But I really trusted you all the way!"

The danger of a presuming trust

As God's children, when we are not in a situation where we are desperately waiting for God to catch us when we jump, it is easy to be come lulled into a sense of false-security. When the bills are paid and health is good and the job is secure and the family is thriving, it does not require persevering faith. When God gives us abundant blessings, it is easy to presume upon God's goodness. We come to expect blessings. Christianity falls prey to that mentality. God's blessings are promoted as guarantees. Give this much money, come to this crusade, follow XYZ rules and God will prosper you. Pray XYZ words and God is obliged to answer. We get to the point of being mad at God when we have trouble.

Yet, Jesus told his disciples, "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). No secrets there. No false advertising. He goes on to say, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." It requires a continuing faith to keep trusting and proving God's faithfulness. Trusting God and increasing faith in the prosperous times builds a strong foundation to weather the terrifying storms of life. Here are three situations where life had been seemingly very safe and secure one day and up-ended the next.

One person was dismissed from a middle management job after over 25 years. The only reason was simply, "We are choosing to go a different direction now." A mid-fifties pastor, who has given care to many cancer patients and families, finds himself with a large brain tumor. So far treatments have been unsuccessful and the prognosis for physical healing is not good. A friend's dream of owning a business was shattered after having a verbal agreement in place and spending hours preparing to take possession. With no explanation the offer is pulled out from under him and quickly sold to a stranger.

What do these situations do to a person's faith? In each of these cases the person has sensed God's presence, peace and strength. Yes, they are being tested, but they had trusted God in the good times and are trusting even more through the test. A very comforting verse is found in the story of the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:6). After he had asked the disciples about feeding the people, it says "He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do?

Take heart, God already knows what he is going to do!! How will you do with the test?

2007 Lois E. F. Watkins

Note: We'll be leaving for a missions trip to Zambia Tuesday (January 16) and returning Thursday (January 26), so there will be no Thursday thoughts for two weeks. Lots of thoughts, just no printed thoughts.

Ebenezer or Scrooge (January 4, 2007)
Lois E. F. Watkins

Perhaps over the holidays you watched one of the many versions of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

I wish I knew if Dickens had a premeditated reason for naming the main character Ebenezer Scrooge. The notes I checked made a point of the symbolism of the name Scrooge, but nothing was said about the potential symbolism of the name Ebenezer to the story. Maybe I am seeing something that isn't there. See what you think.

Defining Scrooge

Webster's New World College Dictionary first defines scrooge as, "character in Dicken's A Christmas Carol" with an alternate meaning of "a hard, miserly misanthrope." Don't you just love dictionaries! Actually it is a conspiracy to keep you looking up words by defining a word by a word that needs defining. To save you time, I looked it up and a misanthrope is a person who hates and distrusts all people. Scrooge is really a made-up word, which comes from two words—screw and gouge.

Nothing could better define Scrooge than Dickens own words in the book: "Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind- stone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. . . . He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog days; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas."

Defining Ebenezer

Now, looking in the Bible we find Samuel naming a rock Ebenezer saying, "Thus far has the Lord helped us" (I Samuel 7:12). Webster agrees calling it a "stone of help" and references I Samuel. Ebenezer was a city where some events required God's dramatic help.

Scene 1: The Philistines stole the Israelite's ark of the covenant, which contained the presence of God Almighty. Everywhere the Philistines took it there was destruction. So putting two and two together, they returned the ark to a field where a group of harvesters could get it. Scene 2: (twenty years later.) The Philistines came against Israel, but "God thundered with a loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites" (I Samuel 7:10). Then the Israelites chased them away, so that the Philistines were subdued and did not invade their territory again.

So a stone was set up and named Ebenezer. There was no doubt that "Thus far has the Lord helped."

Since Dickens is not here to ask, we will never know if Ebenezer was just a cranky sounding name to go with Scrooge. Or was it an intentional subliminal message that a scroogy person can be changed into an Ebenezer person. In this case a "scroogy" person is a "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!" (Dickens words, not mine.) He or she is all about self, money and independence. It is hard to even think about a Scrooge becoming an Ebenezer, who admits needing and having the Lord's help thus far. Yet, that very change is the heart of the gospel: life transformation.

Deciding Ebenezer

"Thus far" is a perfect New Year's phrase. At midnight on New Year's Eve past, present and future up wrapped up in one moment in time—ending then, living now and beginning new. In my childhood church we would have a New Year's Eve party with table games and food. At 11:30 we went to the sanctuary and had communion at the altar, so we were on our knees when the clock struck midnight. In other places communion comes a bit earlier, so it is over before the time for midnight noise-makers and screaming and kissing and toasting.

Whether literally kneeling or bowing our mind, heart and will, New Year's is a perfect time to consider all the ways God has helped thus far. The most obvious is that you are alive and able to be reading this. Hopefully there is an additional long list of "thus far" for all of us. Even if circumstances are crummy, God is with us, helping us each step of the way.

So as the new year begins we have an attitude choice. Try to forget that 2007 is the Chinese Year of the Dog. Instead ask yourself, will 2007 be the Year of the Scrooge: all about me and no one else? Or will it be the Year of the Ebenezer: with dependence on and praise for God's help?

Difficuly of Ebeneezer

Before flippantly answering Ebenezer, remember that Ebenezer implies exercising faith. Exercise implies effort, hard work and discipline. Most New Year's resolution lists include more exercise. Most New Year's resolutions are broken by now. Ebenezer implies believing and allowing God to do things we cannot do. God will never intervene, if we allow ourselves to only be in "safe, controlled" situations where we can handle things. It implies believing that "all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes" (Romans 8:28). If things have to "work together" for good there must be things that are not good that need working together.

Ebenezer implies trusting without tangible evidence. It implies stepping out where there seems to be no step. Remember Indiana Jones stepping out into the chasm to walk over to the cave to find the Holy Grail? Remember Moses in Exodus 14 stretching out his hand over the Red Sea expecting a way to be made for them through the sea? Remember Abraham who "went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8)?

2007 is a bit like that. We are all going out into a new year, not knowing where we are going. In "My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers says it best for January 2, "You don't know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don't know what God is going to do next."

Here is my toast to 2006 and confidence for 2007: "Ebenezer!"

2007 Lois E. F. Watkins



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