Newsletter February 2019

A happy New Year to all those we haven’t spoken to. We pray that we can really:

Reach forward to those things which are ahead (Phil3:13); into 2019 with an attitude of Victory.

God is faithful, today and every day.  We ended off last time explaining that Carl has come to a point of recognising that he was having a burnout. He has written an update:

After the festive season, it is so easy to go back to life as usual. But is hasn’t been exactly the same for us. We had a chance to move into a house off the project, and so we took it. So, end of December, we moved to a house of a friend, about 20km away, moving from the flats to a hill. We have a lovely view, green everywhere (especially after the good rains), and beautiful birds. But that is not the best. The best is the rest because the work is not always around you, starting the day without feeling guilty because you want to be quiet. It sounds so silly, but it is part of what brought me to the burnout.  

I don’t want to cause a whole discussion, but if your work becomes more important than your relationship with God, it is not possible to keep going. No matter how religious your work might be. One of my mistakes was not putting good boundaries in place. Being busy (being under satan’s yoke;)). The Bible is full of the good we can do for our neighbours, but it is prideful to think that I need to do it all by myself. Our old nature has a way of telling us that if we won’t do it, no one else will: too proud to ask for help, too proud to realize there are other people that can do the job just as well. 

The time in South Africa was very precious to me- I got to know myself better, had some good conversations with people who understand what I am going through. So, I came back with the best of intentions and hope, but it soon became apparent that nothing has changed in our current situation. I am thankful for Martijn who was there, a volunteer from the Netherlands. He was able to keep the work going, and brought a lot of laughs- a gift from God. We started to look around for another place to stay, but at first nothing wanted to work out. Until a friend’s cottage became available- the choice was easy. So, we moved between Christmas and New Years. So, many little things have become easy: state electricity- we just switch on the switch. Nothing broken that waits to be fixed. We come home, and we are home. We go to the project daily, even Ilne and the children do their school there. But we can have a little distance afterwards.

We had to reorganize to make it work. Three of our volunteers have moved into management positions. James is in charge of the agriculture and mechanics, Happy all animals and Emma the shop with overall finances. They have been coached for a long time, now the hope is that they will step up and own the responsibility. I will be there as their adviser and encourager, and for the bigger problems (Exodus 18:17-24)

As you can imagine, it has been a time of intense introspection with the necessary guilt and repentance. It has not been easy letting go of the project- Carl has still not moved over his last things. There were some very practical reasons that made the move necessary:

• ·         The project needs our Zambian brothers to take ownership. We need to help them to do what God has gifted them to do. (This is Hope Builders Ministries foundational principle)
• ·         The termites were eating away all wood around our ears. After moving out we’ve been busy breaking down all wood partitions, and they will be replaced with bricks.
• ·         We were hoping that the new gentleman that we wrote about last time, would move in and begin his role as general manager and local language outreach coordinator. Unfortunately that didn’t work out. But we are really praying for a second young man to move in with Happy, and focus on Tonga ministry around, since the Seventh Day Adventists are really dominant in their bounding teaching.

SO, I (Ilne) struggled with moving off the project but God has given me Peace that this is indeed His Will- best for the project, and best for our family. Hard as it may be, we need to let go, and allow God to do His Will, instead of us telling Him what we think He should do. 

After all that, it hasn’t been all negative.

Carl has found back a big chunk of his Joy in God, who He is and what He created.

Ilne has had a nice break from school, Sunday school, home school group, and all church activities. Now we can resume with lots of enthusiasm.  

The children ended the school year well, greeted lots of friends, and love the new house even if their pets (wanted to unwanted) had to stay behind. Isabel is responding well to the speech therapy, and is currently saying hi/hallo to everyone.

Our extra child;) (Someone thought Martijn was Carl’s son) was a great blessing to us, and I asked him to tell a little about his two months with us

I will introduce myself: I am Martijn, I am 25 and came to Carl and the family, to help with all kinds of things. At this moment, the two months are almost over and I am preparing for the next adventure. Ilne asked me to write a piece, now, what to write? I have seen so much that to tell you everything, I would have to write a book, and I won’t do that to you. So, let me just say: it has been a privilege to experience. To live in a part of Zambian culture with the local people. To speak a few words Tonga, to watch the way people live. I know for sure when we look at the pictures of the small round huts, we think: A, the poor people, how can they live like that? Yes, you can live like that, and you can even be happy. Our luxuries do not determine our happiness. And of cause, as you read it, you agree. But the awareness is so much more real when you see it for yourself.

To live in another culture asks that you are open minded and accept things that you would have condemned otherwise. This costs energy and time. But it is worth it to build a lasting relationship. I discovered this. I also found that if you want to work here, you have to be very creative to make it work with what is available. And no, it is probably not according to the health and safety regulations, but don’t worry, no one knows what the rules are anyway. All that counts, is that it works, no matter how it looks or if it is safe.

I was privileged to live with this lovely family and be part of their family for two months. I have to say, going from a one person family to a six persons home, is very intense, but worth it. Unnoticed, you learn a lot. Also helping Carl, was good for both of us. It is always good to be with someone with a lot of knowledge. Also, very interesting to hear their life story, and the things they have experienced. I am thankful. God bless you.

And on that note: may you be blessed