The Princess and the Letter

Are you a missionary or a missionary supporter?
I have a story to tell you that may change the way you do something. I will make this as pleasant and fun as possible. (Who doesn't love a good story?)

****

Long ago in a land far away there lived a princess.
(Actually, it was a missionary, but princess stories are more romantic.)

The princess and her family had exciting news to share. She knew that her friends and family in distant villages would be thrilled to hear the exciting news. She sat down at her royal writing table. She picked up her royal quill and ink well, and pulled out 300 of the finest quality papers. She began to write. (OK, so it was a computer and printer, but that isn't as fun as ink and quill, is it?)

The princess began writing 300 letters to the people she thought would care the most about this happy news. She poured hours into the letters. Her excitement graced every swipe of the pen. She didn't leave out any details. The princess, after all, was known for being verbose. When the letters were finished, she carefully addressed each one and gave them to her royal messengers. They quickly dispatched each letter. The princess was a fountain of energy anticipating the responses to the letters.

Months passed by and the princess grew discouraged. Of all 300 letters written, only five people took the time to reply. She was heartbroken. She could not figure out what had gone wrong. Did the people not care?

****

Did you know?

The average missionary has around a 3-5% response rate to prayer letters.

That means for every 100 letters that goes out, only 3-5 people take the time to reply.

****

The princess visited the wise old woman in the royal clock tower.

"Why did so few respond?" the princess asked through tears. "Have they forgotten me? Did I do something wrong? Do they not care?"

The wise old woman sat in her rocking chair. She was silent for several minutes. The chair squeaked as she rocked back and forth. The princess's sobs were interrupted when the woman's voice creaked through the air.

"Princess, you must search out the reasons, for each reason has hidden lessons all their own. Disguise yourself and travel to these distant lands."

So the princess put off her princess gown and donned the threads of a peasant girl. She purchased an old mare and galloped away in search of answers. (Alright. I posted some questions online, but the princess on the mare is definitely more fun to read.)

The princess first visited a farmer friend. He was busy working in the fields. She struck up a conversation with the man. After a few minutes, she gained the courage to ask, "Did you receive a letter from the princess?"

He continued hoeing and breaking up the sod as he spoke. "I did, but the letter was so long I have not read it yet. I am so busy in the fields all day. When I finish working, I am too tired to sit down and read. I hope the princess does not think I have forgotten her. She was always so kind to our family. We pray for her every night."


Keep It Short and Simple

As the princess left the farmer, she was deep in thought. She never realized people would be too busy to read her letters. As she wrote, she always added in every detail and even added details that had nothing to do with the news she wanted so desperately to share.

****

Soon the princess, still dressed as a peasant, arrived at her next destination. As she approached the artist, she noticed he was painting a lovely landscape as he sat beside a pond. She began talking with him. Soon she asked the artist if he had received a letter from the princess.

"Oh yes. It is on my table waiting to be read, but I must admit I struggle reading the princess's letters. I love portraits and landscapes more than hundreds of words. When I see a picture I am captivated. The writing comes to life. I just struggle reading things when I can not see what it is talking about. But perhaps the princess does not draw like me."

Include Lots of Pictures to Bring to Life the Details and the People

The princess was stunned. She had never thought about how pictures could also tell the story. She loved to draw.

****

She continued her journey down the road and came to the home of a woman with a dozen children. The children were clamoring around the house as the woman hung laundry outside. The princess began to chat with her. Then it came time for the question. "Did you receive a letter from the princess?"

"I certainly did! I read every word to the children the very night I received it! It was such happy news!"

"Did you reply to the princess?" the princess casually asked.

"Oh no. The princess probably does not want to hear from me. I doubt she even remembers who I am." The princess was surprised at this answer. This woman was the kind lady who helped the princess one day when she had fallen from her horse. The princess had played many times with the children.

Dear Friend, Your Reply Means the World to Missionaries

"I am quite sure the princess would be very encouraged by a letter from you. I am very close to the princess and know her well."

****

The princess continued on to the bridge keeper's home. The guard at the bridge stopped her before she could cross.

"Stop right there young lady! You may go no farther!" The princess was surprised by his gruff voice.

"But I need to see the bridge keeper," the princess pleaded.

"Sorry. No one or nothing may pass this bridge without my permission."

Make Sure Your Missionary Has a Current Address

The princess looked down and saw a box. Sticking out of the box was her letter.

The outside of the box was labelled:

Stock Pile All Messages

Apparently the bridge keeper never received her letter because it had been captured into this box by the guard. The princess sighed in frustration.

****

The princess had one more place to stop. She came to the seamstress's shop. "Surely she read my letter," thought the princess.

As she approached the seamstress, she saw the seamstress busily stitching a garment. She sat down on a stool near the seamstress and began chatting. Soon the princess asked, "Did you get a letter from the princess?"

"I am sure I did, but I did not read it."

The princess was surprised. "Why ever not?"

****

Did You Know?

The overwhelming number one reason people read a prayer letter

is that they have personal knowledge or connection with the missionary.

****

"Well, I have been receiving letters from the princess for many years, but here lately every letter the princess wrote was asking for something. The princess's letters began sounding more like business propositions than a letter from a friend. I have given so much time and effort and money for the princess's projects that I have nothing left to give. The past three letters I simply threw away. She was probably just asking for more things. Sometimes I just wish the princess would write to me as the friend she used to be to me."

Missionary, sometimes people become wearied when they are constantly asked for money.

The princess was deeply saddened by this last visit. She had not realized how impersonal her letters had become. She wanted a closer friendship with these people. They had done so much to help her throughout her childhood.

****

Immediately the princess returned to the castle and pulled out her ink and quill. She began to write all of her friends again. This time she wrote with their needs in mind as well. She was considerate of their busy lives. She focused on the important details. She even drew pictures. She made the letters very personal because she was writing to dear friends and family. She didn't ask for anything but simply shared some happy news. Then she closed the letters with a simple sentence:

"It would mean so much to me to hear from my dear friends

so that I know I am not forgotten."

****

This story was a lighthearted look at a real situation. Missionaries spend a great deal of time working on prayer letters. I asked a group of missionaries what their response rate was to these letters. The conclusion was that few people respond. The truth is that missionaries are greatly encouraged when people take the time to reply. It helps us know that we are not forgotten and that our supporting church family and friends are doing their part to help us by praying and staying connected with us.

For the supporter:

Take the time to read the letters. It matters to us. We are sharing news from the field that you are investing in. We see you as part of the team. Then after reading the letters, take time to reply even if it is only a few words.

"Praying for you!"

"Great prayer letter!"

"I am excited to see what God is doing there!"

For the missionary:

Be considerate of the reader. People are busy and don't have time to read a prayer letter book. Keep it short and to the point. Make it personal. Use pictures to make it come alive. Pictures really are worth 1000 words! Consider bulleted highlights. Don't ask for something in every prayer letter. (You start sounding like that relative who only comes around when they want something.) Consider using social media to help supporters get to know you personally so that there is a connection. When on deputation and furlough, do your best to meet people in supporting churches and allow them to become familiar with you.

The Bulldozer and the Butterfly

Once upon a time...

(Isn't that how all good stories are supposed to begin?)

There was a bulldozer and a butterfly. They were close friends. They were so very different, though. No one could understand how they could be such good friends. There were even times they asked themselves how the friendship could have blossomed into such a lovely arrangement.

The bulldozer was strong and confident, sometimes loud. The bulldozer was a mover and shaker. She accomplished many things, and her favorite things were neatly organizing mountains, creating straight roads, and being productive.

The butterfly was quiet and happy, flitting from here to there, bringing joy and beauty to everyone she lighted upon. She was sensitive and kind, gentle and fragile. She loved bright, happy colors and happy orange pumpkins. Her favorite things to do were to enjoy sunshine and to bring smiles to those she encountered.

There could not have been more opposite friends, and yet they treasured each other dearly.

*************

This story is actually a true story. Well, it's not literally true, but it is about two very real and extremely opposite friends serving on the same mission field.

If you haven't guessed, I am the bulldozer. The butterfly is a fellow missionary wife and treasured friend serving here in the same country as me.

We are as different as night and day. Yet we have a thriving friendship. How is that possible? After all, missionaries on the field often struggle to get along in general, much less ones who are so different!

Cultivating a Bulldozer Butterfly Friendship

Appreciate Differences

My friend is beautiful like a butterfly. She is a flutter of generosity, hospitality, and compassion. She has the ability to truly weep with those who weep. If someone is hurting, she aches with them. People come to her to pour out their hearts, seeking encouragement and hope in their crisis. I imagine the Shunemite woman who prepared Elisha's chamber was much like my butterfly friend. (2 Kings 4) The Shunemite woman thought of everything to make Elisha's visits pleasant. The chamber was perfectly set up for his needs.

Me? I am whirlwind of activity: organizing, planning, preparing. I love the physical labor that often comes with ministry. I love the schedules and calendars. People often come to me for practical counsel.

"How do you balance home and ministry?"
"Do you have homeschooling advice?"
"I need help being more consistent in my devotions."

I imagine Phebe was probably a bulldozer, working behind the scenes to get things done and assist Paul and other believers. (Romans 16:1-2)

Butterflies and bulldozers each have a beauty of their own. They minister differently. God designed them for specific ways to serve Him. Do not compare butterflies and bulldozers in their individual ministries. When we do that we devalue both. Appreciate the differences.

Identify Potential Weaknesses

Along with beautiful strengths also comes potential weaknesses. Bulldozers, in their excitement and zeal, tend to push and run over people. They may have great intentions, but their approach is sometimes overbearing and aggressive. As a bulldozer, I have often had to apologize for these kinds of actions. Sometimes it presents itself as unsolicited counsel or advice. Sometimes its taking control when I shouldn't. Sometimes it's a lack of meekness and compassion.

Butterflies tend to perceive injury when injury was not intended. They are sensitive to the needs of others, but they are also tenderhearted. That leaves them vulnerable to being wounded easily. They tend to be more passive and avoid conflict.

Bulldozers can run over butterflies, and butterflies can be intimidated by bulldozers. But if they both recognize their own weaknesses, they can learn from each other and make a beautiful team. Bulldozers can learn from butterfly friends to be more sensitive to the needs of others. Butterflies can learn from bulldozer friends to be more confident.

Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpeneth iron; 

so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

Embrace the Ministry of Confrontation

Confrontation? A ministry?

Absolutely! Most people do not enjoy confrontation. But when there is division, injury, or sin, God's Word teaches us to go to that person. It's really the ministry of restoration and reconciliation. The goal is to help bring the person back in fellowship with either the Lord or yourself.

Be careful though. Butterflies tend to avoid confrontation while bulldozers tend to confront without meekness.

I love the counsel God's Word gives:

Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

Butterflies, God's Word teaches us to confront.
Bulldozers, God's Word teaches us to confront in meekness.
And the key is "ye which are spiritual." When we walk in the Spirit, we will embrace the ministry of confrontation because we realize it is the ministry of reconciliation.

If you want to flourish in a bulldozer/butterfly friendship, you have to learn to talk things out the right way when division creeps in. Good communication is key to any relationship.

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And they lived happily ever after...

That's how good stories end. And this one is no different. My butterfly friend and I will live happily ever after. Christ is preparing a place for us. That's the unifying factor that helps our relationship grow. We may be complete opposites, but we have some things in common. Christ died for us. His blood cleansed us. We have the same heavenly Father and are part of God's family. The same Spirit dwells in us both. Our hearts are both thrilled by serving our amazing Saviour. I sure am glad we get to do it on the same field.



So, which one are you? Are you a bulldozer or a butterfly... or a crazy combination of both?

Learning to Sweep

One day a young missionary wife went to seek counsel from a veteran missionary woman that she respected greatly.

"I want to be a good missionary and I want to reach my neighbors, but I am struggling. I try to visit my neighbors and share the Gospel with them, but they will not even let me in the door. I haven't been able to give them a single tract. They all refuse them! How can I be a better missionary?"

The wise older lady stopped and thought for a moment. Then she walked away. The young missionary was left sitting on the sofa confused.

In a few moments, the older woman returned with a broom in hand. It was a traditional broom like the people of their country used.

"If you want to be the best missionary you can be, learn to use this broom properly."

With a quizzical look on her face the young lady took the broom in hand. How hard could it be? If this would make her a better missionary, she was determined to learn to use the broom. She thanked the older woman and traveled back home.

Nepal

The young missionary set out immediately to her task. She began sweeping her house with the short broom. As she bent over to sweep, her back began to ache. She stood up many times to stretch her muscles and rub the sore spots. This was nothing like the broom she was used to using. She wanted to give up and use her own broom, but she persevered.

Zambia

For an entire week she used the new broom. The more she used it, the stronger her back became.

Wales, U.K.

That Saturday she went to visit her neighbors again. Once again, door after door was shut in her face. Tract after tract was refused. The young woman became discouraged. She returned to the home of the older missionary with the broom in hand.

"I did what you said and nothing changed. Here is your broom."

"I am sorry you are discouraged, but you have not completed the task. You have not learned to use the broom properly," replied the veteran.

"I used this broom and nothing else for the entire week. My floors are immaculate!"

"If you want to reach these people, you must learn to use this broom."

The young woman sighed, but took the broom in hand. She didn't understand, but her heart ached to reach the people. She returned home.

Belarus

One day, the young woman was outside sweeping her patio with the short broom. Neighbor after neighbor passed by, stopped for several minutes to watch the young woman sweeping, and then moved on. As another neighbor, arms loaded with vegetables, stopped to stare, the woman stood and greeted the neighbor. The neighbor smiled shyly.

"You are using our broom," the neighbor said. Then the neighbor quickly walked away. That was the most any of her neighbors had said to her kindly.

That Saturday, the woman went to visit her neighbors. She had great expectations, but once again the doors were closed to her.

Samoa

She returned home crying. That following Monday she took the broom back to the older missionary.

"It isn't working," she declared.

"You have not learned how to use it."

"But my house is spotless and even my patio area is perfectly cleaned. I don't think I could use this broom any better than I already have." The young missionary was exasperated.

"Please, take the broom again. You will know when you have truly learned to use it." The compassion in the veteran's voice and the love in her eyes compelled the young missionary to once again take the broom.

Zambia

That week, the young woman again swept her house every day. She could now do it in half the time. Her back no longer hurt as she used the broom. Again, she swept her patio. Neighbors stared and smiled. She greeted them and they passed on quickly. She continued to sweep the patio, determined to learn to use the broom and unlock its hidden lesson.

As she was finishing her patio, she looked across the street to see her elderly widow neighbor sweeping her own patio. As she observed the grey haired woman, she saw the woman stop her work and quickly sit on the ground. The old woman closed her eyes and began to weep. Compassion welled up in the young missionary. She dropped her broom and walked to the widow's patio. She sat down beside her and began speaking gently.

Basque Spain

"Is everything alright? What can I do to help you?" asked the young missionary.

"I am sorry. I do not mean to weep like this. But I am so tired. Since my husband died I am left alone. There is so much work to do, and today I do not feel well." The exhaustion dripped from every muscle of this poor widow.

"My work is almost done for the day and I have time. May I help you with your tasks today?" The young missionary reached her hand out and placed it on the widow's hand. The widow in return patted the top of the young woman's hand.

Paraguay

The missionary helped the woman to her feet and helped her sit on a makeshift seat on the patio. The missionary picked up the widow's broom and began sweeping the patio. She looked down at the short broom. As she swept, suddenly her heart was filled with joy. She smiled as a tear threatened to trickle down her cheek.

Georgia (Europe)

When the patio was done, the widow invited the young woman into her home for tea. The widow held open her door for the young woman to enter. They had a lovely afternoon talking. Before the young missionary left, the widow invited her to come visit again.

That week the young missionary returned the broom to the veteran for the final time.

"I finally learned how to use this broom," the young missionary reported with joy as she told of the events of the past few weeks.

The older missionary smiled. "Indeed, I think you now know how to use this broom. You had to learn to persevere even when it was difficult. Your back ached and you wanted to quit, but the more you used the broom the stronger you became.

"You also had to learn to value the people for who they are. We are different than them. We look different. We talk different. We are not here to make the people Americans like us. When they saw you were sweeping with their broom instead of your American broom, it planted seeds that you weren't trying to force your American culture on them. You are beginning to understand them as a people.

"And the most important lesson that you learned is that sometimes you have to use a broom before people will listen to your Bible. The love of Christ can often open doors that are closed. Let the people see Christ living and loving through you and then they will listen to you."

James 1:27  "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

Every Morning Bells

Every morning...

My front porch...

     A cup of hot tea...

          My Bible...

               And the bells.

As I meet with my Saviour in prayer and in His Word, the stillness of the moment is interrupted.

Bells.

     Bells...

          Bells......

First one neighbor to my left. Then another to my right. Then behind. Then across the street. They ring them for several minutes, and with every new tinkling my heart breaks.

First it breaks for sadness for my neighbors.
Then it breaks for sadness for my Saviour.
Then it breaks... for me.

I imagine the Muslim call to prayer over loudspeakers each day has the same effect to missionaries serving in Muslim countries.

The ringing starts as early as 5 AM and continues throughout the morning. It will be repeated again in the evening.

They are ringing the bells to wake up their gods.
The gods that cannot hear...
     The gods that cannot help...
          The gods that bind a people in darkness and hopelessness.

My heart breaks for them to know the one true God who loves them and gave His Son to save them.

My heart breaks for my Saviour because He deserves their adoration and praise, and yet He is not receiving it.

And my heart breaks for me...

I see their dedication.
     I see their faithfulness to false gods.
          And I am ashamed.

I am ashamed every time I rush through prayer... and they spend several minutes ringing bells.

They do it in bondage and fear and the hopes of earning a better standing in the next life.

What is my motive?

My debt was paid for me...
     I have liberty...
          I have a living Saviour who loves me...

I can call out to Him and He hears and answers!

Gratitude.
     Love.
          Hope.
               Closeness and intimacy.

They should call me to my knees. They should draw me to His throne. They should drive me to faithfulness and worship and praise.

Bells.

     Bells....

          Bells.......

I hate them. And yet as they ring I hear my Saviour call out...

"Call out to me. You need no bells. I hear you clearly. I am not sleeping. I am waiting for you."

Bells. So I sit out on the front porch and hear the bells that remind me how precious the Bible in my lap is and how priceless my time with my Saviour is.

Missionary Lock-Picking

So what do you do when you are 10,000 miles from the States and July 4th is coming?

You invite fellow missionaries over and plan an adventure!
OK, so I invited them over to teach them how to steal, pick locks, and plunder. Let me explain.

Holidays like the Fourth of July can be tough for missionaries. No fireworks. No familiar decorations in the stores and no large family cookouts.

Many missionaries make the best of what they have. Their family dons the red, white, and blue. Mom finds a way to make a red, white, and blue dessert. They grill a hamburger if they can. And they pray to thank God for His goodness on America.

Many missionaries live quite a distance from other missionaries, so they celebrate quietly as a family.

What does our family do? We have chosen to reach out to other missionaries from around the valley and invite them to celebrate with us. Some of them have to travel long distances to get to our home, so we try to make it worth their trip.

The first year we hosted this event, we had confetti poppers filled with treats and played a trivia/charades/Pictionary style game to earn the right to pop the confetti poppers.

The second year, there were tons of children, so we planned a carnival with a ring toss game, knock the cans over game, and more. The children earned prizes when they won their game.

We could not host the Fourth of July party in 2015 because of the national disaster we had here. It also fell on a church day, but we we were all so busy with disaster relief work that it would not have worked on any day of the week. We missed getting together with them. In 2016 our family was on furlough. Again, we missed this special event with our friends.

It's 2017 and our family refused to miss another year. We longed to see our friends smiling, laughing, and enjoying fellowship around the goodness of God for our country.

Once again we planned a special day that I hope they will remember for a long time.

Here is what we did:

Food:

Everyone pitched in on the food. We had barbecue sandwiches, potato salad, fruit, veggies with dip, corn on the cob, cole slaw, chips and dip, fried apple pies, and no-bake cookies. Since everyone pitched in on the food, no one was overwhelmed with preparation.

Devotion:

Yes, missionaries treasure any time we get to fellowship around God's Word. The devotion was wonderful! We are thankful to be Americans, but we also long to see God exalted in our host country.

The Games:

For the younger children we set up a play room. One of the moms of two of the younger children helped me set this room up. Toy train, Hot Wheels cars, a road floor mat, Tinker Toys, a puzzle, balloons, and more.

Game #1

Red, White, and "You"
About half the people were given white clothes pins to wear on their shirts. If they said the word "you," someone without a clothes pin could steal their clothes pin. If they kept the clothes pin throughout the game time, they got 5 points. (Limit one clothes pin per person)

Game #2

Oh Say Can You See?
I had hidden red clothes pins around the house. If they found one, they got 5 points. (Limit one clothes pin per person)

Game #3

Wear Oh Wear?
If they wore red, white, and blue, they got 5 points. It had to be clothing, not accessories, nail polish, or undergarments.

Game #4

Freedom
Have you ever heard of the escape/breakout rooms that are so popular in the States right now? We created our own version. Instead of locking people in the rooms, we locked our little dog MoMo in a room with a combination lock on the door. (Everybody loves our sweet dog, MoMo. She was good motivation to rescue her from her prison.)


Here was the story line:

Captain MoMo of the American Army was captured by the British. She has lots of information that the American Army doesn't want the British to have access to. The Army has selected three groups to try to rescue Captain MoMo. They have to solve clues to figure out the combination to set her free. The first group to set her free gets national appreciation as well as a promotion in the Army.

We divided the missionaries into three groups. I set up three rooms with all the exact same clues. I also included some distractions that had nothing to do with the game just to make it a little tougher.

The three groups went to their assigned rooms and began working feverishly to solve the clues. There were eight clues total. They had to have all eight clues in order to get the combination. 

Here are the clues:

Clue #1:

I taped numbers and a plus sign on the spine of books in a series. To get the right number, they had to put the books in series order with the math sign at the beginning.

This clue was +267.

Clue #2:

I removed covers from DVD cases and put white paper on the inside. Then I used permanent marker to write the number for the clue. I wrote other numbers on the case with dry erase marker. In order to get the number, they had to figure out that some of the numbers could be erased. The answer to this clue was -982.

Clue #3:

I wrote a thank-you note thanking my mom for a shoe. This clue actually held a hint for clue #4. On the left side, I drew a picture of a shoe with Morse code that when solved read "plus 12." They would have to use their phones to look up Morse code. The solution for this clue was +12.

Clue #4:

In the room I had a couple of pairs of shoes against the wall, but then with those shoes I had a single shoe. Inside that shoe was a paper that read "-117."

Clue #5:

Hidden in the room were two index cards. One card had numbers and math signs. The other had holes. When the holey index card is placed on the other card, it reveals the correct numbers.

The solution to this one was -181.

Clue #6:

I wrote the number on the back of a greeting card cover. Then I cut it into a four-piece puzzle. The pieces were hidden around the room. One piece was hidden in the dry erase DVD cover.

The solution to this clue was +345.

Clue #7:

I opened a hymn book to a patriotic song. I took some wooden letters and wrote the number for the clue on the back. In order to get the order of the number right, they had to remember from music class "Every Good Boy Does Fine."

The solution to this clue was +1037.

Clue #8:

In the room, I placed batteries and I placed a flashlight without batteries somewhere else in the room. The goal was to get them to try to place the batteries in the flashlight. But inside the flashlight battery compartment was a small part of an index card with a number on it.

The number was -45.

The solution to this clue was -45.

The lock was tried many times.

When all the numbers are totaled, the final number is 336.

That was the combination to the lock.

Distractions in the room:

A receipt

a pile of coins

Other books

Other DVDs

A plate, bowl, and fork

Other greeting cards

A pencil

It took them 45 minutes before someone solve the puzzles. Many said the time seemed to fly by because they had so much fun.

The winning team members all received 5 points each.

We tallied the points up from all the games. The winner received a basket full of American goodies that everyone pitched in and donated. Ranch mix, chili powder, banana nut muffin mix, nutmeg, a Yankee candle, Bath and Body Works lotion, and much more!

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From our field to yours, we hope you all had a wonderful July 4th. Please remember to pray for missionaries who may not have other people to celebrate this special day with each year. Reach out to them and encourage them.

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The Road Less Traveled... for a Reason

People love to ask us questions about our field.

And I love to share about our field!

But sometimes they ask questions that are difficult to answer. They seem like simple questions, but in fact they are quite complicated and have a "long story" explanation.

Take, for example, this simple question:

"How long does it take you to get to church?"

Of course the person who asks this question is expecting me to give a simple time answer ( hours and/or minutes.)

If you are wanting a simple answer, the best I can do is to tell you it takes us anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour and a half... and there have been a couple of occasions where we never made it there at all.

For those who enjoy the "long story," just keep reading.

Here is how it works in a third-world country: We must have plan A, plan B, plan C... and so on. And it isn't necessary to go in alphabetical order either. Our family has found life more exciting when we skip to plan F and come back to plan D if plan F fails. It keeps things lively and fresh.

On the way to church, we may encounter a plethora of obstacles. We have learned how to skillfully navigate those obstacles with a laugh and a Facebook post.

Some of these obstacles are nature. Cows, chickens, ducks, dogs, goats... usually these are pretty easy to get around. Occasionally the cows take a little more effort to dodge. If the chicken decides to cross the road (for whatever reason) and we hit it, it costs us 1000 rupees. That's about $10 USD. Ducks are $14 USD. 

Monsoon season brings its own road adventures and obstacles such as washed-away, slippery, or soupy roads.

Then there is the construction. Construction is never announced. There are no signs or cones in the road. We just come upon it and deal with it. Either we find a way to remove the obstacle, or we must turn around and try plan N. Plan N is not that fun, but it is better than plan Q.

On many occasions, the men have had to remove large rocks where construction crews decided the best place to dump the rocks was right in the middle of the road. Sometimes the construction crew helps. Other times they stand and watch in awe that the foreigner is willing to get dirty by picking up these rocks.

 A few times this dumping practice has forced us to park the car and walk.

Sometimes the obstacle is people, political demonstrations, or festivals held in the streets. We just have to wait until they move on or some kind person clears the way for us to pass through.

Often there are traffic jams caused by narrow road ways and impatient drivers.

All these adventures remind me of another road:

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

It's not the easiest road to navigate, but it is the only one that takes us to the place we want to go. Yes, there is an easy road, but destruction isn't the destination I prefer. That's where the easy road leads.

So as you think about all our physical road adventures, stop and think about those who are on the wrong road spiritually. What are you doing to get them on the right road?