And yet, I must force myself to please these powerful men to show honor to the God who put them in my life as authorities and for the success of the translation of the Bible. As one of our friends told us, “If you do not have the favor of those in authority, you might as well go back to the States because no one will listen to your message.” So this is just what we have to do for the sake of the Gospel. Overall, our meetings with the “higher-ups” have gone well, but there have been times where I have had to sit there, look at the ground with my mouth shut while absurd accusations were being hurled at me. I must force myself to please them in order for them to give me permission to develop their language and translate the Word. And when it is published, I trust that it will challenge the culture where it needs to be challenged.
Hares,
This was very encouraging and informative.
The Stockers are praying for you and praising God with you.
Your labors are not in vain.
Being in a similar situation in Benin, it is *so* true about people not knowing how to deal with you when your language is minimal. Other missionaries used to say "just go into the village and visit, people love have visitors", but they were usually missionaries who were using French, so had relatively easy communication. I found it really hard … but I kept trusting that if I persevered things would get easier, and they did! I don't understand everything, but I can joke around with women now, which is a bridge-builder! And I have some good friends too. Keep at it!
Hi there,
My name is Courtney and I happened to come across your blog a while back. My husband is in seminary right now and we feel called to overseas missions, specifically somewhere in the 10/40 window. So, right now we're in the "preparation stage" as we like to call it.
It's so encouraging to hear how God is working in your life and how He's revealing things to you. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing because as someone mentioned above, it was very informative and gave me a little glimpse of things I may have to deal with overseas. Because I too often think of Africa the way you described your thoughts at first and that may be the place where God calls us. So, hearing this and your experiences are very helpful for me.
I mainly just wanted to encourage you though and say that I'm so thankful for you and your family living out the call that God has placed on your lives. Praise God for faithful servants like you! I'm praying for you all the way over here in North Carolina and hope that God continues to bless your family and your ministry.
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" Isaiah 52:7
Blessings,
Courtney
Thanks, Sister, this is beautiful. I have found that being here is much harder than coming here, as well, in ways I didn't expect. I think meekness is one of the hardest, and I haven't had to sit like you have while accusations were hurled. I'm so thankful for the Father's beautiful work in you for the sake of His name among the Bakoum! Jeremiah 16:19-21 has been encouraging me this week: "O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, 'Our fathers have inherited nothing but falsehood, futility and the things of no profit.' Can man make gods for himself? Yet they are not gods! Therefore behold, I am going to make them know – This time I will make them know my power and my might; and they shall know that my name is the Lord." Love you guys!