Does God Celebrate Christmas?

I was thinking about something earlier today...

For those who manage to keep their minds and hearts set on Christ in the midst of all the paganism and materialism, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, the Messiah, our Savior.

The thought crossed my mind earlier today about celebrating this "birthday" from the perspective of God the Father. Does He celebrate the day that His one and only Son gave up His rightful place in Heaven to take on the form of a man? Does He celebrate the day that marked the beginning of Christ's humiliation, suffering, and death? If I was sending my one and only son into battle in the middle east, with the full and sure knowledge that he would be captured, mocked, spat on, tortured, beaten, and illegally murdered, WOULD I CELEBRATE THE DAY HE LEFT FOR HIS SERVICE?

I am confident that God celebrates the results of what Christ accomplished, just as I would be thankful for the accomplishments of a faithful soldier-son, killed in battle. But would I celebrate the day I sent him off to his death?

Just a thought.

I will continue to celebrate the ENORMOUS SACRIFICE that Christ made in the incarnation - not annually, but daily. But I will celebrate it somberly at times, trying to put myself into the mind of God the Father - the One who sent His Son to His Death the very day He was born.

Home for the Holidays

We are currently staying with family in the San Diego area. We just wanted to let everyone know that we are safe and we did get our luggage back eventually. We'll be visiting with family through the end of December. Then, in January, we'll be visiting churches to share about the ministry in Kigoma before getting things together for our return home. I'll post our speaking schedule soon in case you'd like to come and see us. So far we're doing two Sunday mornings, one Sunday night, and two Wednesday nights. May God richly bless you with every spiritual blessing during this season of remembering Christ's birth.

December 2007 Update

A Cow's Feeding Trough...

December is a time when we focus our thoughts on remembering the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. When we lived in America I always struggled with the emphasis on commercialism and obligatory gift giving during this time of the year. I love giving gifts, whether it's December or June, but I think any honest person will admit that 90% or more of Americans are 90% or more focused on the bundles of goods under the tree rather than the bundle of Good in the manger. Now please don't read this as an excuse to be a Grinch and hold back on gifts to those you love, because giving from the heart is a truly beautiful thing. But what I'm really trying to communicate is a word of encouragement and remembrance to everyone who reads our updates regarding the true beauty of Christmas.

The older I get and the more time I spend getting to know the Word of God and the God of the Word, the more I long for humility. I wish that I could humbly say that I had it... but I don't. That's why Christmas is so beautiful; because humility is so beautiful. And the humility of our Saviour is so powerfully evident when we consider His birth.

If you read the Nativity Story from the Gospel of Luke or the other Gospels, and then think through what was really happening, it is truly amazing and humbling. Meditate for a moment with me. Imagine that the Almighty Creator of the heavens and the earth was going to send His One and Only Son to the earth. Why would He choose to do so through a human birth!? That's so messy and complicated compared to other methods available to Him (which are infinite). Why would He choose a poor, young, working-class girl instead of a rich and powerful queen or empress? Why would He choose a girl from Nazareth in Galilee - a very poor village in an ill-regarded region of Israel - instead of a woman from a big city like Jerusalem in Judah? Why wouldn't He send throngs of Angels ahead of Mary to the Inn in Bethlehem to clear the Inn of all sinners and saints alike, making a place for His Son to be born in the best room at the best Inn available? Instead, the Inn was full and God looked on as the poor, young, unwed, working-class girl, from a poor village in an ill-regarded region of Israel, was escorted by her husband-to-be from the entrance of the small Inn to the stable area outside. Instead, the Father looked on as Mary settled into a bed of straw like one of the animals and began to push and cry in the pangs of childbirth until finally the Son of God came forth from her womb, bloody and wet and cold and in need of His mother's breast for warmth and nourishment. Instead, God looked on as His Only Son was wrapped in simple swaddling clothes and laid in the trough from which the cows ate their food. It doesn't get any more humble than that!

There is a beauty here that I fear I cannot express with words in this short letter (or any length of letter for that matter). I could write an entire book trying to accurately express and appreciate the beauty of Christ's humility - from Heaven, to the birth in a cow's feeding trough, through His life and earthly ministry, to His willing submission to the death on the cross, to His heavenly ministry now. But truly, that Book has already been written - the Bible. I've come to understand that a truly humble person is not one whose life is defined as one of humility. Rather, the qualities and characteristics of their life's actions are themselves the very definition of humility. If you read in the Bible about Christ - from His pre-incarnate state to His birth, life, death, and resurrection - you will read the very definition of pure and true humility. And one of the outstanding characteristics of that life was its beginning... "the first Christmas".

The reason for Christ's humility is also evident from reading the Bible. It is as one of my favorite songs phrases it, "the Kingdom in reverse". The King became the servant. The first became the last. "The Shepherd is the Lamb". The reason for Christ's beautiful humility - in His birth and otherwise - is because God loves each and every one of us SO MUCH, that He chose to come and serve us in order to make a way for us to truly know Him. He chose to give up that which was rightfully His in order to give us what we had no rights to. And for those of us who willingly choose to follow Him, He clearly teaches us to do the same because we have chosen to be His servants, making us no greater than Him who became a servant of all.

This is a difficult thing for me; humility. But when I think of Christmas and the awesome beauty of what Christ did in humbling Himself on my behalf, I am encouraged in my inner man and desire to be like Him in his humility. I am reminded of 1st John chapter 3, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us." This GREAT LOVE, demonstrated by a life of humility that began with His humble human birth in a cow's feeding trough, inspires and instructs me to follow in His footsteps. I am encouraged to "Have this attitude in [myself] which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be held onto, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

For me, this is the true beauty of Christmas: my humble Saviour. May we recognize what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us this Christmas. May we recognize the very definition of humility in the birth, life, and death of Christ. May we have the same "mind" or "attitude" as Christ did.

That's the end of my preaching... for now.

As for the field...

The students finished up there semester at the Bible College. Most of them did very well. It's difficult to adjust to teaching in a culture where most of the students have only completed 3rd or 4th grade. I’m learning to teach "how to be a student" along with the actual teaching of each subject. I guess I can say that we are all learning!

We’re moving towards getting the church here officially registered with the government. This will take some time and money, but we hope to have it accomplished next year. We are also VERY EXCITED about the vision and plans for ministry to the youth and women. We are planning to start a monthly youth concert for the whole Kigoma area next year, and pray the Lord will bless it and provide for a way to eventually have a full-time youth center. We are also working with the women of the church - who are very poor and are often widows or have husbands who do not provide for them and the children - in order to assist them in generating an income for their families to survive. The 15 women in the group worked hard in a small garden last year and were able to sell the fruits of their labors to raise capital to buy materials for making clothes and mats and soap. We hope to assist them in generating income from these items by offering them to our friends, family, and supporters in the States in exchange for donations. We are bringing some dresses, shirts, and mats with us this winter, so if you're interested let us know.

May God richly bless you this Christmas with a closer walk with Him, in all humility and service to Him and those He desires to touch through you.

In Christ,
Jon and Carrie,
Kevan, Keenan, Caleb, & Jada

Safe and Sound and Naked in Los Angeles

We made it safely to LAX about one hour later than expected on Wednesday, December 5th. Unfortunately British Airways "misplaced" the two pieces of luggage with ALL of the kids' clothes and Carrie's clothes (except for a couple pair of shoes). So we're safe and sound and staying with my grandpa and his wife in Hawthorne. My wife and kids have a choice of wearing my clothes or going naked! Just kidding. As of now we're washing their clothes while we sleep each night and re-wearing the same clothes each day. The British Airways agent at LAX said that they cannot offer any financial help for clothing at the airport, but that we'd have to contact "Customer Relations" in New York and gave me their business card. WHAT A JOKE! Anyhow, I don't want to get fleshy and irritated again. I'm done with that. What's important is that we're here, we're safe, we have at least one set of clothes, and our family is feeding us well! I even convinced them to turn the heater on for us because, believe it or not, Southern California feels VERY COLD to us compared to Kigoma! Bwana asifiwe!

Let's eat tacos!... er... um... I mean burritos!

This past Saturday evening we had a birthday party for Keenan at our house. We invited all of the others missionaries we know as well as several of our Tanzanian friends with children. Carrie decided to make tacos and Mexican rice to serve at the party. Because there was so much to make - in addition to the cakes and cupcakes and cinnamon rolls she made - she enlisted the help of a few mamas to cook the taco meat, make the tortillas, cook and make the Mexican rice, prepare the toppings, etc.

Well, the mamas that were helping us didn't finish until just after the party officially began and people had arrived. Carrie invited them to stay and enjoy the food before they went home - after all, they made half of it. The problem is that Carrie forgot about one little cultural/translation snag when referring to this particular Mexican dish. In fact our friends in Nairobi had just told us about this very thing, but it must have slipped her mind.

So... she invited the mamas to stay and eat "tacos". Well, Swahili is pronounced identical to Spanish. So the Swahili word "tako" sounds identical to the word "taco" that we are accustomed to. Unfortunately, the Swahili word "tako" is the word for the part of your body that you sit on. That's right. Carrie invited the mamas to stay and eat "rear ends" with us!

One of the mamas that speaks a bit of English and is a little more familiar with us Wazungu (Westerners), retranslated what Carrie said to "chakula", which is the Swahili word for "food". But the looks on the faces of the other two mamas were absolutely priceless!

Live and learn.

Giving Thanks

First and always... thank you Jesus. To quote some famous lyrics, "You didn't have to love me like you did, but you did, but you did, and I thank you." You didn't have to leave your throne, set aside your glory, release your grasp on the honor and power of equality with God. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to come as a helpless baby boy, humbly born in a cow's feeding trough. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to submit to imperfect parents and humbly learn and grow under their care. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to humbly submit to the symbol of baptism. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to raise the dead, heal the sick, give sight to the blind, strength to the lame, speech to the mute, freedom to the demon possessed. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to patiently explain the truth. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to humbly demonstrate the truth in your every word and deed. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to suffer personal persecution and hatred from the very souls you give life to, the very lungs you give breath to, the very hearts you allow to beat. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to be beaten, mocked, spat upon, abused, and tortured. BUT YOU DID IT FOR ME, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to WILLINGLY go to the cross and WILLINGLY offer yourself as The Lamb of God, slain for MY SIN. BUT YOU DID IT FOR ME, and I THANK YOU. You didn't have to send Your Spirit to guide me into the Truth of Your Word. BUT YOU DID, and I THANK YOU. You don't have to intercede for me even now. BUT YOU DO, and I THANK YOU. You don't have to love me even now, even when I fail You, argue with Your Word, question Your authority, and run like Jonah from Your instructions and requests. BUT YOU DO, and I THANK YOU. You don't have to finish the work You started in me. BUT YOU WILL, and I THANK YOU. You don't have to snatch me away from the great day of tribulation and judgment to come. BUT YOU WILL, and I THANK YOU. You don't have to reward me for my obedience, seeing that the very will to obey and knowledge of how to do so comes from Your Grace in my life and Your Spirit in my heart. BUT YOU WILL, and I THANK YOU. You don't have to let me live forever with You in glory. BUT YOU WILL, and I THANK YOU. You don't have to CONTINUE TO WAIT FOR THOSE I LOVE SO MUCH WHO HAVE NOT YET CALLED UPON YOUR NAME FOR SALVATION. BUT YOU WILL, and I THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

If you just read that and completely understand my honest and sincere expression of thanks, THANK YOU JESUS! Please post a comment to let me know what you are thankful to Jesus for.

If you read those words and you're not sure what the big deal is or even what some of those items of thankfulness were all about... please post a comment and ask so I can tell you!

Have this mind among yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:5-11

Kumbi Kumbi

Today (15-NOV-2007), I arrived to teach my Thursday morning class at the Bible College. As I walked across the campus, I noticed thousands of wings lying on the ground, as well as hundreds upon hundreds of bugs. This isn't a new sight for me. There are dozens of species of bugs that I had never seen before in the States that I have now become accustomed to, and I am usually introduced to their existence when they swarm, mate, and then lie dead by the thousands the next morning. So the sight at the Bible College was nothing new, just a new bug to me.

We began the morning as usual with singing and group devotions. During the devotion time I noticed several of these bugs that seemed confused and wandering. They had only shed one of the two wings and were not burrowing with the rest of the group. At one point - I admit my cruelty - I squashed one of them and watched a white, pasty, goo explode from within it's body cavity!

After devotions, the students have a "tea time" (called "chai" here), and then we begin the morning class. After lecturing for a couple of hours I gave them a break to stretch their legs, use the choo (toilet), or whatever. During the break I walked over to the car to check my phone for messages. It was then that I smelled a new smell. It wasn't really a bad smell, but it wasn't good either. I figured it was dagaa (sardines) being dried for lunch later in the day. I even heard one of the students mention something about dagaa, so it strengthened my incorrect assumption about what I was smelling.

After checking my messages, I looked over my shoulder to the right and saw a large pile of something small and dark spread out across a piece of plastic on the ground. This is a typical way to dry dagaa in the sun, and not really focusing in on the small objects, I continued to assume that to be the case. As I walked closer, the students who were standing around the pile of food and taking from it and eating, began to snicker and laugh as they saw me approaching. This piqued my curiosity and I looked closer at the pile of "food".

It was then that I realized what they were eating. BUGS! Yes, the very bugs that had swarmed and mated and lost their wings the night before were now burrowing by the thousands into the soft dirt all around the campus. The school cooks and watchman had gathered a couple of thousand of them, washed them (I hope), and then fried them.

The students could tell by the look on my face that eating these grubs was not my custom (and I controlled my expression so as not to offend them). I asked what it tasted like, to which they replied, "try it". NOT! I eventually got them to tell me that it tasted similar to ground nuts. Oily and nutty is what they were trying to tell me. I watched them eat dozens of them and even bring some piles of them back to the class with them for snacking on during the second half of the lecture! When I asked what they were called I was told "Kumbi Kumbi" was the Kiswahili word for them. Westerners would call them HUGE TERMITES.

After I finished up the teaching for the day, I walked towards the car to leave, when suddenly the urge to try one of the bugs struck me! I can't explain it. I just didn't want to be that guy who lived in Africa and never tried different things like this. SO... I asked one of the students to show me how to eat it. I know that sounds funny, but I noticed that they would pick at it first so I figured this might be important. So one of the students grabbed one and picked off any remnants of the wings/legs and then handed it to me. I pretended to put it into my mouth several times as a joke and they all laughed. Then I took the plunge! I popped it into my mouth and ate it. POP! Remember the white, pasty, goo that exploded from the bug I stepped on earlier? Well, now it was in my mouth!

It really didn't taste bad. I can see the similarity with the taste of a nut. That white goo was oily and probably had some nutrients in it. But while it didn't taste horrible, it didn't taste good either. Nuts are definitely much better and I think I'll stick to them from now on.

When in Rome...

A Visual Aide - of course the one I ate was cooked and de-winged!