Becoming what I preach

"How did I get this strong sense of value for sustainability and local work?" I asked my husband recently. We've been purposefully redirecting our life in various ways toward locally-sourced products and becoming more self-sufficient. I certainly wasn't raised that way. In a conversation a few months ago my mother didn't understand why I didn't want to just go to Walmart or Amazon to quickly get what I needed, instead of spending time considering where my options came from and the whole supply chain that produces them.

"Your mission work," he replied.

He's right. Serving with SIM made me more aware of the exploitation that goes on all over the world and want to do better. But even more profoundly was the fact that TEN3 has had to emphasize everywhere we work with people who want to start an education center, "You have to make it locally sustainable. We don't have money to give you. We can get you some used equipment to get you started, but no more than that. And your center will be better for it. It will be yours to direct how you want, how you feel God leading without being privy to a benefactor's priorities. You will understand how to use the hardware and software so much better when you learn to use free stuff and have to put it all together yourself." Part of our ministry's vision overview explains how dependence on foreign money broke first the Christian base of education in Africa, and then broke the whole educational system.

So it only makes sense that from years of teaching that local sustainability is the best thing financially, environmentally, spiritually, and what will foster quality and longevity, it makes sense for that to be how I want to live my life too. It also certainly helps that my husband argues for it biblically. Not to say that isn't hard. I once came to my husband nearly crying and saying, "You buy the guest bedroom sheets. I can't do it! It's just too exhausting to try to find something affordable, ethically sourced, sold through a small business ... " My lesson from that was that some of the changes have to happen in small steps.

A big step, though, will be buying a house. We've been renting since we got married, but now are ready for our own place, and are praying for the right affordable house and land where we can make a comfortable, productive home. It's a bit of a challenge since this is a seller's market right now--it seems that the houses that aren't taken quickly, there is a reason for it! But, for all the ways I've questioned whether God has for us many successes and good things we hope for, I can be confident that God does have a place for us to live, and will make it clear where that is.

Doing and giving what I can

I suppose my resignation from SIM was timely, considering how overwhelming it's been caring for a baby-turning-toddler and an older toddler. Someone who listened in on my house for an hour could tell they are both boys based on how many times I say "no, don't swing/jump off/climb on/throw that!" and comfort whichever one most recently bumped his head. I'm as busy as can be between that and all the homework we are doing to pursue buying a house (tentatively the one we have been renting), and of course the usual things breaking down. (Currently the oven does not work, my washing machine shakes violently even after hours trying to level it and $250 to replace the damper pads, and I've been cutting and screwing in replacement hardware around our ridiculously drafty doors.)

But I am still doing what I can for TEN3. I did finish that desktop publishing course I mentioned in my May post. I collect the prayer requests and praises for our weekly prayer/admin meeting. I also do the semi-annual reports of what is happening in each place we minister. It's so encouraging to hear Christie report how she is discipling her teachers with our CTO Bible study, and they are teaching it to all their students. You can listen to the teachers' testimonies about how the material has impacted them here. They are working on a project to record our material in audio form.

Collins in Zambia reports that he has been given approval to start computer clubs in public and private schools, where he will disciple students with the CTO.

Our partners in Tanzania are struggling. I have not heard anything from Bunda in a long time. Miriam in Arusha is suffering from health problems, and the two young men who were going to teach for her can no longer put in the time. She has another person who has agreed to teach, and who has a good computer background but he will have to start from the beginning with TEN3 orientation when it comes to our principles and tactics of education/discipleship.

Anthony asked me what I would like to keep doing for TEN3 in the coming years as we face yet another retirement, this time our consulting coordinator. We agreed that my primary job will be to keep records of our homeschooling curriculum, methods, resources, etc., so that the ministry can use it as they see opportunity. I will also be available to Christie as she works on curriculum with the Association of Christian Schools, to consult upon request. I am loosely keeping up with what the team is doing on worldview education. I'm not putting a whole lot of focus on it until it's decided exactly what they want to do with it, but I do want to be available to contribute.

TEN3 members have always had to sit very loose in the saddle, as things have never gone the way we planned. I'm sitting looser than ever now, but that is okay. The Lord blesses what we give, little or much, so long as we give Him our all. He does not use it the way we expected, but His ways are higher than we can imagine.

Thank you, whoever may still be reading this, for keeping with us through this journey of joys, struggles, questions, and revisions. Your faithfulness, and the faithfulness I see in the Lord through all this, reminds me of the refrain,

All the way my Savor leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate're befall me
Jesus doeth all things well.