Worship Driven Missions

2007-08-06T21:02:00.000-06:00

I am Bambi

2006-11-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

SO when I was little I hated and loved the movie Bambi. Like Gollum hated and loved the "precious." There was always something joyful and hopeful about it, but I always ended up sad at the end anyway. I've come to recognize that in my own life. There is always something hopeful and joyous about life, but life is always sad. It's like we get to see little glimpses of something beautiful but never get to see the full picture and we must content ourselves with the much less glamorous mundane (which is what the mundane is). I look around and I think we are all sad and almost waiting to wake up. Like this life isn't all there is. I remember right at the end of Bambi the Great Daddy Deer just looks at Bambi with a look that says, you're a man (I mean Deer), but you've had to go through sorrow to get here. I feel like my life is all about, "Ben you're a man now, but you'll continually go through pain and hard times. Bambi always made me feel tragically heroic. It wasn't a false bravado, but a willingness to take on this curtain called life and live for that joy of seeing the Great Daddy Deer (I believe the technical term for all the sportsman out there is Buck). Life is sad. Bambi was sad. But there was always that glimmer of Joy and it comes at the end, when suddenly the sheet of this life is ripped away and we see it. Not some mumbo jumbo pie in the sky feel good happiness. But a certainty. We'll see Glory. We'll see Joy, We'll see life. And this thing we call "Life," will have been the opening credits to the Story called "Glory and Honor be to our Lord and of His Christ." So I am Bambi and not ashamed to say it!

Why do we call it summer?

2006-08-01T08:28:00.000-06:00

When I was younger I always considered summer a time for fun, relaxation, no school, etc. However as the last update on my blog was like back in may you can only imagine how my ideal of summer has been shattered this year. I feel like I've grown up and that no more can I call summer fun. In fact I can't wait for it to get over. Well, in June Canyon Ridge had our VBS and every week in June we had a different youth group come help us promote, decorate and then actually assist us in our VBS. We had some great times but man it was a whirlwind trying to coordinate these youth! Well, July has turned out to be no better. First, a trip to Chicago preparing for a new vision at my church, and this week, I am at GMA in the Rockies. It is a competition for aspiring artists and songwriters. I am here for free b/c Lifeway (my side job) has a booth up here and so my boss asked me if I wanted to come and I was like do penguins have feathers? So I am here and I get to go to concerts every night go to seminars and most importantly scope out how good you have to be to win the competitions! Hopefully next year I'll be able to come (with my band www.bvcband.blogspot.com) as a competitor! Well, so this WDM blog is going to be about my life and what God is doing in my personal life and whatnot and any musings I have on my life. The Reformationaries blog will be dedicated to what God is teaching me and so I'll be sharing that sort of reformationary stuff there. And the band blog will be for any updates as far as if we ever make a CD or play a show or lead worship at a conference or whatever!
Oh and before I say adieu at our booth every night during the concerts, this lady sneaks in, we assume, and pretends to be an attender but she comes to our makeshift store and tries to shoplift. I am so aggrivated. The first night she got like 3 CD's last night she would pick up a t shirt unfold set it on something and was gonna try to walk of with the something she set it on. But she like stood there and read the same 3 t shirts like 15 times. All the while I just stood right next to her and gave her no opportunity to get a 5 finger discount. She's the best shoplifter I've ever seen and supposedly she'll be here every night. I don't think my patience will last that long! Oh and she looks like the bird lady from "home alone."

El $15,000 los por favor (Dude, that costs $15,000)

2006-05-16T21:09:00.000-06:00

Anyway, why would anyone be reading my blog after nearly a month or more of silence, what could be so compelling to recapture my faithful reader's attention. So in an effort to regain my lost audience and spur Vince to blog once more, I created a meaningless title and an intriguing story with a valuable moral to it!

So, as you've gathered I work at a small Christian Bookstore in Denver, Colorado. Most days we make around $2000 in profits. So I was stunned one day to discover that we had made $17,000! I was like, what happened! I found out that a nearby church had spent $15000 silver cartwheels on not building a church, or a missions trip, or a ton of Bibles to give away, or VBS supplies, or facility renovations, but on

yep....choir robes!

I was dissappointed! And discouraged. Now, I'm not dissing choir robes, I always loved the way they made you feel like you could praise the Lord with freedom and joy! The way the sleeves just kind of slung off your wrists in a way that always made me feel holier! But I do think that a church could have spent that money on a much more noble and worthy cause. I know pastors in Tanzania and Romania who would be blessed by one-fifth of what this church spent on choir robes, which will be eaten by moths! Imagine how many churches, orphanages or what-not could be blessed by such an investment. The reason many churches across America are dying is not because of the culture, or lack of religious freedom, (although that can certainly be an issue) it is because they (we) have failed to be Kingdom-minded. How can we expect a church to grow when its focus is on itself and its pursuits. The church will never survive as an institution because that is contrary to the nature of what Jesus called it to be. Now I'm not propagating "anti-all-institutions." But I am saying that the church is an organism and is most healthy when its focus is on community and family, because Jesus has always been about the family and relationships. Not institution and organizations. Now Christ has and can use Institutions but I believe he called us to spend out smackaroos on widows, orphans, trips to starbucks to answer an unbeliever's questions, or building the church worldwide!

Next time you consider buying that item that you think will contribute to your further happiness and comfort, consider the $15000 that church spent on choir robes. We could spend our bucks on more worthwhile activities!

?No habla espanol?

The astonishing price we pay!

2006-03-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

I have heard it said sometimes that there is such a "high cost to low living!" This cartoon reminded me of that fact!

As a person who gets 37 miles to the gallon (praise God for Honda!) I don't relate to this comic very well, but as someone who deals with depravity on a regular basis I totally comprehend this feeling! You know we laugh about the cliche "it'll cost an arm and a leg." We make jokes, comics, sermons, etc. about this cliche but I think we live this way more often than naught. How often do we willingly sacrifice a lasting reward of righteousness for a passing moment of pleasure. We surrender an eye, a leg, a thought, a hand, a word, a limb, a kiss, a stomach, a leg, just to gain a momentary and passing pleasure. I was reading CS Lewis recently and he said, "Joy is never in our power but pleasure always is." That is so true! Pleasure is just a website away, a liquor store away, a phone call away, a night away, an act away, a word away. Sin is always around us and as I look around me I realize that the passing pleasure of sin is just a breath away. However, isn't it amazing that Joy is inside of us. "For the Joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame!" Jesus is the Joy inside of every believer. I think that we must understand that low living has a high price (an arm and a leg) but righteous living is only imparted by the One who gives righteousness, and He is our Joy.

Come, Come let us join our cheerful songs
With angels round the throne
10,000 thousand are their tongues
But all their Joys are One.

-Isaac Watts

Worthy Worthy Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy Worthy Worthy our humble lips exclaim.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive honor and praise
'Cause Jesus You were slain

-Ben Zornes

Bowling in the Dark

2006-02-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

"Hey Ben, you wanna go bowling tonight to celebrate my new job and my last night of Joblessness."

Those were the words of Michael, the Youth Pastor at my church, Canyon Ridge Baptist Church. I was hanging out with my pastor buddies, Kelly, my church's lead pastor, and the college pastor of Immanuel Community Church, Jeff. I was going to be staying with Jeff and his roommates Vince, my praise team's lead guitarist, and Brent, who I'm not exactly sure what he does. Needless to say, Jeff and I were like, "Yeah, totally." If you know Jeff, you'd know how he said it, like "Yeah, totally," with a Mississippi drawl. Anyway, Jeff informed me that Vince hated bowling. So we started collaborating on how to get him to go! After, Vince and I had practiced for Sunday morning on Thursday night, we headed to his house (where I was staying for the night, long story). We started hanging out; Jeff, Vince and I. Vince innevitably asked, "So, what do you wanna do." And Jeff and I were like, "We're, totally, going bowling." Once again imagine the mississippi drawl of Jeff.

Vince was angered, Vince was flustered, Vince was (distraught) Shift+F7. So, we were like, dude you're still totally going! So, since bowling didn't start till 9:30, we played indoor basketball "H-o-r-s-e." I think I won every game but don't ask Jeff or Vince, they'll tell the truth and otherwise (I didn't win any of the five games played)! I spun, I dove, I slid down the bannisters, I even invented an off the wall (no literally, off the wall) shot, but I still ended up spelling the stupid five letter word. Anyhow, at 9:20 we (Brent was then there, with Jeff and Vince) Loaded into my Honda Civic two door and sputtered to the alleys! As we walked in, guacamole, I knew I was in for a new experience. At the door you had to show your ID so if you wanted to drink (alcohol) you would get a wristband. When my turn came I just said, "Um, I'm not gonna be having anything anyway." The guy looked at me funny, I must've offended him, and then marked my hands with a huge red sharpie X's (still trying to wash them off 3 days later). I told our group (Michael, Jordan (Michael's Wife), Jeff, Vince, Brent, and me) that the X's represented my score.

We had to wiat 45 minutes before a lane opened and even then, I couldn't find any decent balls. The balls that my fingers fit in were too heavy for my wimpy lil' arms, and the balls whose weights were right, the holes were too small! So, I settled on stealing balls from the people in the next lane when they weren't looking.

Anyway, we started our friendly game and I quickly became atuned to the fact of some slight disadvantages of bowling at 10:00 at night on college night at "Chippers Lanes" in Ft. Collins, CO. For one you've got a whole ton of college students who are already pretty much drunk, trying to bowl! That was very humorous, it really isn't easy bowling drunk, or so I gathered from the drunk bowlers there. For two, some genius thought that if you turn off all the lights, put on strobe lights, use some fog machines, blast 80s rock music, you can make people enjoy their bowling experience more. I guess you can call me old fashioned but I like to be able to SEE when I bowl. Maybe its just an insinificant thing but it matters to me! For three, but perhaps this is the one advantage, you learn a lot about worship in a dark bowling alley with drunk college students!

I learned something that the church has yet to grasp. Worship was happening at the bowling alley alright, the gods of drunkenness, rage, sexual immorality, opposite sex, music, etc. Were all being glorified and adored. I remember one girl who every time she bowled would shake her hips, move seductively with the music and then bowl (she didn't score very well!). She had the eye of all her male companions and yep, there it was, worship of pretty woman. Another guy was so wrapped up with himself he would look around and make sure everyone was watching before he bowled (he scored rather well!). Yep, there's the god of self and pride being lifted higher. The couple sipping away their sorrows at the bar, yep there's the god of "covering the pain(they didn't score anything)."

But what I saw was full-on worship. These people were sold out to themselves, a member of the other gender, a drink, a game, a kiss, a betrayal. It made me wonder, why don't we see such devotion and "all-out-ness" in our personal and corporate worship. We sit on our hands when they should be lifted high to a Holy and Righteous God who cleansed our hands of all their filth. We shut our mouths in protest, when they should be pouring forth praise to the King who has touched the coal to our lips to purify them. We stand (or mostly sit) still when our feet should be dancing and becoming "even more undignified" for a Jesus who freed our chains so we could dance the dance of praise!

My heart broke for the lost and sad state of those drunken, self-consumed, lusty, bowlers. But I wish I could catch the fire that they have for their litte "g" gods. What a testimony would it be if Christians worshipped the only worthy God with the same abandon that the sinner worships his?

Well, I am sad to say, I'm not very good at bowling in the dark. I, uh, guess its not my cup-o-tea. I scored a 84 (out of 300 points for the non-bowlers) the first game and 76 the second game. I have bowled like a 150 before, but I guess me and fog machines while bowling don't have much affinity for each other. However, Vince bowled and 70-something his first game (and he the one who despised bowling) and he "woopa-d" me the second game and came in second with a huge score of 119!!!!! Go Vince, we're discussing joining a bowling league and coming up with cleverly designated names like Mullet, Santiago, He-man, The Skuller, etc. If we do, I am so stoked to get inspired by the worship going on. And maybe, through the Spirit's divine guiding, I'll be able to help someone redirect their full-on worship to the Source.

So, so, go midnight bowling sometimes. See how good you are at bowling in the dark. Hmm, isn't that what we do within our Christian walk, we're really spiritual bowlers, bowling in the dark.

Eyes wide open,
BenZ

Go To Church to Worship?

2006-01-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

Ahh...Louie Giglio. If you've never heard the name please become well aquainted with it for it constantly reminds me of the worship journey to the greatness of God I am on. The above book, "The Air I Breathe" is a perfect devotional. The chapters are split into well sized sections, etc. Anyway, that's not my point, my point is this. This morning I was reading in it and a huge thought Louie was presenting struck me silly. And FYI this is my paraphrase, digestion and regurgitation (gross) of the thought...

We go to church to worship right? I mean isn't that the point of why we go to church, to fellowship with other believers in spiritual and truth worship. Well, to be honest, no...! You see we don't GO to church to worship. That would be almost as redundant as Jumbo Shrimp or Dry Ice. Rather we SHOULD go Worshipping TO church. When we arrive at a building whether it be a church, office or school, when we enter it we should still be worshipping. When we go to bed we should be worshipping, when we are crawling in the crawl space we should be worshipping, when we watch TV we SHOULD be worshipping (which is usually very unlikely to happen!), when we rise or lay die, when we sit along the way, or stand in the assembly we should be worshipping. So, we don't go to church to worship, that's like saying we go to pharmacy to get sick, or to the IRS to make money! The reason we go to church to be with fellow worshippers is to gather together and join as one what we've all being singing, living, praying, dancing, during the week. The rest of the week is our solo; joined believers is the choir anthem. Worship happens, it isn't attended. When we cease to see worship as a moment by moment expression of worth to an infinitely worthy Savior Jesus, we cease to be the worshippers the Father seeks, those that worship in (or through the Holy) Spirit, and in Truth (Jesus=truth).

So rather than going to church to worship, go worshipping to Church.

Garbage, Flip Flops, and Astronomy Textbooks

2006-01-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

So last night I decided that since I had to get up early to go to work that I would take the trash out on Monday night (obviously because trash comes on Tuesday morning, amazing!). Anyway, it was pretty nippy Monday night, and not wanting to belabor my task I put on the pair of shoes closest to the door, my bazooka bubble gum flip flops. As I was hauling out the garbage cans, and as my toes began to feel the icy bite, the silvery stars grabbed my attention. You see I spent all last semester taking an astronomy class where we had to study the constellations and what-not. So, I tried locating some of the objects that I had learned about. And then as I was pondering Orion's belt and my frostbit lowermost digits, it struck me and I was appalled, no not that frostbite is fast but the amount of time my Astronomy textbook spent on explaining the origin of the universe. So, when I got inside I ran to my textbook and counted 11 of 24 chapters and numerous uncounted passages that discussed a Secular explanation for the origin of our universe. Literally, well over 1/2 of the text was dedicated to origins. However, what percentage do our churches dedicate to origins? Why don't we hear about Genesis and the story of our Creator and His marvelous creation? When I look at the heavens I cannot help but wonder at the genius of our Creator's mind. He made the Eskimo nebula (see above). God said let there be and there was the Eskimo Nebula. I want to remind you that although the orange band around it is 6,000,000,000,000 miles across and it is 5,000 light years away, God has it in control. He made it and it is his. The secular humanist understand that a universe without a Creator will produce the exaltation of man (the epitome of Adam's folly) which is what we all desire in our depravity. However, when we recognize God as Creator of everything, including the Eskimo Nebula, we will be able to give up our desire for self-exaltation and seek the Exaltation of the Almighty. So, that's the corolation between Garbage Cans, Flip Flops, and Astronomy Textbooks!

For His Renown,
BenZ

565

2006-01-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

Some may be wondering, with my cool new template if the numbers "565" stand for anything. The simple answer is...no! Here are the two verses in the bible that have those numbers, and startlingly, they fit!

Ps 56:5 "All day long they twist my words;they are always plotting to harm me." NIV

Isa 56:5 "...to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters;I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off." NIV

LOL,
BenZ

Acccidents Happen

2006-01-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone who has commented thus far I submit my humble apologies! In the vain act of trying to get a cooler template for my WDM blog I forgot to save all the comments. So, if you have already commented please feel free to spend all day rewriting exactly what you said originally. Just Kidding. Comments from now on will be more cherished!

BenZ

I AM IS GOD

2006-01-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Woah! Does this scream I AM?! You see when the scripture says, "The heavens are declaring the glories of God," it is true! This is the center of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51). The one "crossbar" is 100 light-years across. This entire picture is 1100 light years across. And this puppy is 51,ooo,ooo light years away. FYI a light year is the distance light travels in a year. Light is moving on...6,000,000,000,000 miles in a year. Now multiply that by 51 mil and you are at the Whirlpool galaxy! Now when Christ sacrificed himself on the cross he became the cross at the centerof the universe. The cross is one of the greatest glories of God and the Whirlpool galaxy is screaming night and day, "this is for real guys! Hey, you in the Milky Way, He's given you redemption! Salvation! Life! Freedom!" That is truly the heavens declaring the Glory of God.

So the Next time you look at the big dipper lower your eyes about 10 arcseconds and you'll be staring face to face with a message to heed!

Far out...
For His renown,
BenZ

Measuring Cup for Worship

2006-01-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

How do you measure worship? Do you scoop it up with a measuring cup, can it be contained in a book, can words describe it? I began thinking how as believers we tend to put worship in a measuring cup of music. Can music really contain worship? Can a thimble contain the ocean? Can an Atomic particle challenge the ranks of stars and Galaxies to a feat of size and expect to win? Does the child give birth to the mother? Only when we begin to view worship not as the thing to be measured by the thing by which we measure the Measureless One. You see worship of an Infinite God cannot be contained, contrastingly, worship of finite things can be contained and put in a measuring cup. We must cease to contain worship in music and other vehicles and allow revelation to take place and see that music is contained by worship. Worship for God cannot be contained in music, but music can be contained in Worship for God. Music is limited, Worship (the kind directed solely towards Almighty God) is not limited. Music cannot measure God, but spirit and truth worship can begin to stretch the limits of our measuring cup! Stop measuring worship by music, but measure how big God is in your life by your worship!

For His Renown,
Benz

Summarizing and Futurizing

2006-01-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Majesty...Finally...Here!

One year later!

Supposedly absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Five missionarries were killed 50 years ago yesterday.

A year ago a brother and sister duo had their lives altered by an alter built to God.

Life gets rough.

A church, Canyon Ridge Baptist Church, starts.

Worship happens.

Missions go on.

FUTURE IS NEAR!

What about You?

We are still alive...

2005-06-13T10:38:00.000-06:00

Ben and I are still alive. We did not die from any strange African diseases. Life has been so busy lately. Ben graduated. Summer set in. Vacation is coming. For more thoughts from Jaclyn, see her personal blog.

We do have thoughts and ideas for our next mission adventure. Please pray that God will lead us and that the doors will open to ministry!

More details will follow soon!

Me, an evangelist???

2005-02-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

"You have GOT to be kidding me, God!" I have exclaimed many times over the last few years. It is not a statement of frustration, nor of disgust. Sometimes it has been a statement of sheer surprise or downright excitement. Other times it has been a statement with a, "Please, God, not me... I am scared to death!" tacked on the end!

Have you ever just looked up to the sky and shook your head at the thought of what God is doing with your life? I have laughed with Him and cried with Him. And you know what? When it gets right down to it, I just enjoy God. This has been an amazing year in my life. Not because I have been bubbly and happy, but because of the trials. I have learned more about God than EVER before.

So what does that have to do with me being an evangelist? I have learned that the desire to share Jesus with people overflows from a grateful heart. I have been rescued from the dominion of darkness... saved from a life of sin and an eternity separated from the HOLY One, God! God sent His only and His perfect Son to die for me, while I was still an enemy of His. My debt to God is HUGE. He is righteous. I am full of wrong. He paid the price of sin- death- with the life of His Son. My heart should yearn for nothing else than sharing with others what He has done for me!!!

Some say, "Well, I am not called to be an evangelist." Humm... show me where the Bible says any one person will receive the gift of evangelism. As far as I understand, we are all called to be evangelists.

First, if Jesus has set you free and paid the price of your sin, why would you keep it inside???

Second, thinking that you are not "called" to be an evangelist is dangerous… and could be used as an excuse. We are ALL called to be witnesses of God's great mercy and grace. True, not all are called to leave our country and be a missionary overseas. Yet, we are all commanded in the Scripture to share what Jesus has done for us!

Third, I am glad that the early Christians did not sit back and say, "Well, I'll just let me life be the witness." Think of where Christianity would be if the Apostle Paul had kept silent. Now, you may say that he was "called" to be an evangelist. I would say true, but as I read his writings he was overflowing with the response of a grateful heart forgiven of much!!! Many of the great evangelists of the last few centuries say they did not feel "called" to be an evangelist… but because they loved Jesus so much and were full of thankfulness, they could not help but share!

Lastly, I will say this… I know I do not share my faith as I should. So many times the people will come to ME and I stay silent. Yet, when I share… in whatever fashion… I feel free and obedient!!! It is God who does the converting anyway… so no one needs to feel like a failure!

God is teaching me that TRUE love is the desire for all men to know God personally. If I loved God, I would want people to know Him. If I loved others, I would want them to know God. Simple as that. I think if we saw God face to face and truly understood His grace… we would all be dying to share with everyone we met! There is one thing we cannot do in heaven- share the message of Jesus. We will see Him face to face in all of His glory and TRULY understand His mercy, love and grace… and at that point it will be too late.

For God Alone,
Jaclyn

Home Sweet Home

2005-01-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

We have been home almost one week. How time flies! It is amazing to think of all we saw, heard and tasted. Adjusting to home has been difficult in some regards, but refreshing in others! I have been able to catch up on the sleep I have missed the last three months! Yet, I am no longer seeing the faces of my dear new African friends. Ahhhhhh... the memories are precious and I cannot wait until the next time God allows me to travel His beautiful earth! (And a trip to Cheyenne does not count. Although, wait, there is plenty of missions to be had in my own family!)

I must say one thing before I close. The faith of the Christians in Africa blew me away. Genuine. Strong. Passionate. They ask God for miracles, healings and wonders. And they get them. God had already been working on my heart in this area before I left. Why don't I see miracles? Why don't I ask for them? I do not see because I do not ask and I do not ask because I do not see. My faith of God is small. I have faith IN God, but what about my faith OF God. Confusing, huh? I want to see miracles. I want to taste the mysterious side of God and walk away with faith that moves mountains! Several times while in Africa, I felt like God was saying, "Jaclyn, watch. Jaclyn, did you see that? Jaclyn, ask. Jaclyn, ASK!" I am not meaning ask and put God to the test. I am meaning ask and believe. Believe and trust when the requests are not granted. Yet, I think we have been taught a lie. I think the enemy has tried to convince us that asking of God is testing God. (And I think it CAN be sometimes.) But, how many times, if we would just have the faith to ask, would God lavishly pour out and therefore increase our faith to ask for more!?!? Am I making sense? God is a God worth trusting. If He was not worth trusting, He would not be God. It is me that falters. And although I do not trust as I should, that does not change God's trustworthiness. Each answered prayer, each blessing, each thing I learn about God is another reason to trust.

So there are my first thoughts, as jumbled as they are! I will post with more details on the trip happenings soon! Thank you for your prayers and support! We saw God do some incredible things with us and through us.

Grace and peace,
Jaclyn

Going Well

2005-01-11T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone sorry we haven't posted anything! It has been really busy! If you have any questions call our mommy!!! We led about 14 children to the LORD Tuesday at a school! We met one of our team member's Compassion International Child, that was a neat experience, and we have spoken at church's, and we have visited a blind school and other schools! I need to go eat breakfast. Hopefully this satisfies your questions. Today, Wednesday we travel for four hours to another village, pray that we drive safely! Lova ya'll!!

For His renown,
BenZ

Schedule

2005-01-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

The following is our projected schedule for while we are in Tanzania. We have listed Denver time, as well as Tanzania time. Tanzania is 10 hours ahead, so we will be awake while you are sleeping and sleeping while you are awake, with several hours of overlap! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and as we minister!

-> Denver Date: Friday, January 7

Denver Time: 10:11 AM
Location: Denver International Airport
Action: Leave Denver

Denver Time: 1:58 PM
New York City Time: 3:58 PM
Location: New York City
Action: Arrive in New York City

Denver Time: 4:25 PM
New York City Time: 6:25 PM
Location: New York City
Action: Leave New York City

Denver Time: 10:45 PM
Amsterdam Date: Saturday, January 8
Amsterdam Time: 7:45 AM
Location: Amsterdam, Holland
Action: Arrive in Amsterdam

-> Denver Date: Saturday, January 8

Denver Time: 1:50 AM
Amsterdam Date: Saturday, January 8
Amsterdam Time: 10:50 AM
Location: Amsterdam, Holland
Action: Leave Amsterdam

Denver Time: 11:20 AM- 11:00PM
Tanzania Date: Saturday, January 8
Tanzania Time: 9:20 PM- 9:00AM
Location: Kilimanjaro Airport
Action: Arrive in Tanzania! Drive for several hours to the city of Moshi and SLEEP!

Denver Time: 11:00 PM
Tanzania Date: Sunday, January 9
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Action: Spend the morning at local churches and the evening relaxing and preparing for the first pastor's conference.

-> Denver Date: Sunday, January 9- Monday, January 10

Denver Time: 11:00 PM- 11:00 AM (12:oo PM- 9:00 PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Monday, January 10
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM (10:00 PM- 7:00 AM Sleeping!)
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Action: Pastor's conference, backyard Bible club with village children, visiting orphanages, Compassion International schools and attending a crucade.

-> Denver Date: Monday, January 10- Tuesday, January 11

Denver Time: 11:00 PM- 11:00 AM (12:oo PM- 9:00 PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Tuesday, January 11
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM (10:00 PM- 7:00 AM Sleeping!)
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Action: Pastor's conference, backyard Bible club with village children, visiting orphanages, Complassion International schools and leading a section of the crucade we visited the night before.

-> Denver Date: Tuesday, January 11- Wednesday, January 12

Denver Time: 11:00 PM- 3:00 AM
Tanzania Date: Wednesday, January 12
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Action: Finish conference with a worship celebration and lunch.

Denver Time: 4:00 AM- 8:00AM
Tanzania Date: Wednesday, January 12
Tanzania Time: 2:00 PM-6:00 PM
Location: Traveling
Action: Traveling from Moshi to Babatti- a four hour drive.

Denver Time: 8:00 AM- 12:00 PM (12:00PM- 9:00PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Wednesday, January 12
Tanzania Time: 6:00 PM- 10:00PM (10:00PM-7:00AM, Sleeping!)
Location: Babatti, Tanzania
Action: Arrive in Babatti, prepare for second pastor's conference and SLEEP!

-> Denver Date: Wednesday, January 12- Thursday, January 13

Denver Time: 11:00 PM- 11:00 AM (12:oo PM- 9:00 PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Thursday, January 13
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM (10:00 PM- 7:00 AM Sleeping!)
Location: Babatti, Tanzania
Action: Pastor's conference, backyard Bible club with village children, visiting orphanages and Complassion International schools.

-> Denver Date: Thursday, January 13- Friday, January 14

Denver Time: 11:00 PM- 11:00AM (12:00 PM- 9:00 PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Friday, January 14
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM- 9:00PM (10:00PM- 7:00AM Sleeping!)
Location: Babatti, Tanzania
Action: Pastor's conference, backyard Bible club with village children, visiting orphanages and Complassion International schools.

->Denver Date: Friday, January 14- Saturday, January 15

Denver Time: 11:00 PM- 3:00 AM
Tanzania Date: Saturday, Janyuary 15
Tanzania Time: 9:00AM- 2:00PM
Location: Babatti, Tanzania
Action: Finish conference with a worship celebration and lunch.

Denver Time: 5:00AM- 9:00AM
Tanzania Date: Saturday, January 15
Tanzania Time: 3:00 PM- 7:00 PM
Location: Traveling
Action: Traveling from Babatti back to Moshi- a four hour drive.

-> Denver Date: Saturday, January 15- Sunday, January 16

Denver Time: 11:00 PM- 11:00AM (12:00 PM- 9:00 PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Sunday, January 16
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM (10:00PM- 7:00AM Sleeping!)
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Action: Traveling to area churches, encouraging and bringing materials to the pastors.

-> Denver Date: Sunday, January 16- Monday, January 17

Denver Time: 11:00 PM- 11:00AM (12:00 PM- 9:00 PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Monday, January 17
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM (10:00PM- 7:00AM Sleeping!)
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Action: Traveling to area churches, schools and orphanages, encouraging and bringing materials to the pastors.

-> Denver Date: Monday, January 17- Tuesday, January 18

Denver Time: 11:00 PM-11:00AM (12:00 PM- 9:00 PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Tuesday, January 18
Tanzania Time: 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM (10:00PM- 7:00AM Sleeping!)
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Action: Traveling to area churches, encouraging and bringing materials to the pastors. Travel to Arusha for safari. Spend the night at Manyara Sopa Lodge

-> Denver Date: Tuesday, January 18- Wednesday, January 19

Denver Time: 9:00PM- 9:00AM (12:00 PM- 9:00 PM, we will be sleeping!)
Tanzania Date: Wednesday, January 19
Tanzania Time: 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM (10:00PM- 7:00AM Sleeping!)
Location: The Serengeti at Ngorongoro Crater. Spend the night at Manyara Sopa Lodge.
Action: Safari

-> Denver Date: Wednesday, January 19- Thursday, January 20

Denver Time: 9:00PM- 12:00 PM
Tanzania Date: Thursday, January 20
Tanzania Time: 7:00 AM- 10:00 PM
Location: The Serengeti at Ngorongoro Crater, spend the night at
Action: Safari, return to Kilimanjaro airport.

Denver Time: 12:20PM
Tanzania Date: Thursday, January 20
Tanzania Time: 10:20PM
Location: Kilimanjaro airport
Action: Leave Tanzania

-> Denver Date: Friday, January 21

Denver Time: 12:05 AM
Amsterdam Date: Friday, January 21
Amsterdam Time: 8:05AM
Location: Amsterdam, Holland
Action: Arrive in Amsterdam

Denver Time: 8:15PM
Amsterdam Date: Friday, January 21
Amsterdam Time: 2:15 PM
Location: Amsterdam airport
Action: Leave Amsterdam

Denver Time: 2:20PM
New York Time: 4:20PM
Tanzania Time: 12:20AM (January 22)
Location: New York City
Action: Arrive in the United States!!!

Denver Time: 6:00PM
New York Time: 8:00PM
Tanzania Time: 4:00AM (January 22)
Location: New York City
Action: Leave New York City

Denver Time: 10:30PM
Tanzania Time: 8:30AM (January 22)
Location: Denver
Action: Arrive Home!!! Greet our family!!! Go home and sleep!

The New Year is Here!!!

2005-01-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

2005 is here!

I hope that all of you had a blessed holiday as we welcomed in a new year! Our family had so much fun! We journeyed about 45 minutes to the home of some friends to celebrate! Our two families totaled 17 people and lots of excitement! With children ranging from 21 (me) to 10 months (my little brother Samuel) there was noise, laughter and a few tears as we played and talked. We began the evening at an attempted bonfire, which was quickly forgotten amidst the cold weather and inviting dinner. We ate, played games, talked, ate again, had a music/worship time, played games, ate some more, set off fireworks at midnight, played hide-and-go-seek in the dark on their 2 acres (at this point it is about 2AM!) and finished the evening with a game of Spoons (which I won, by the way... sorry Caleb! ;) It was the most fun I have had in a long time and such a blessing to us all! I praise God for all of them, their passion for God and for our friendships!

This time of year always prompts a reflective spirit inside of me. What happened in my life this last year? What did I learn about life? How has my relationship with God changed? How have I changed and grown? Are old weaknesses gone? Have new ones come? What will I do with the next year?

I cannot answer all of these right now, nor do I want to on a blog! The year started out with a major trial. Quickly, God renewed my passion for life and for the most part this year has been wonderful! I praise God for teaching me so much and for carrying me through all I faced. He has used the pain to energize passion for His name. I went to Summit Ministires' two-week leadership conference in May. That alone has left me changed forever. May we be more radical and influncial in this world than we ever have been before! Our family went to visit my dad's parents in North Carolina. A very refreshing trip to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and experienced hurricane Jeanne! I also voted in my first presidential election... and a good one to start with too!!!

Most of all, I have truly learned that God is faithful. Never before have I called on Him in such times of confusion, grief, joy and contentment. God keeps His promises. Simple, profound and life-changing. When you grab onto it with your whole being, you will never be the same again! If I believe that God is faithful and keeps His promises, I should be willing and eager to do anything for Him. Whatever He asks... whether it makes sense or not. He is worthy of my trust because He has proved Himself faithful before- to me and to the generations before me!

So, this is what I have learned. I am looking forward to the lessons I will learn in the year to come! May all of you be blessed with the presence of God in your life. Trust Him. All the rest is an overflow of grace!

For God Alone,
Jaclyn

I have the most awesome brother ever!

2004-12-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

Just in case any of you were wondering if you had the most awesome brother ever, I have to inform you that you would be wrong. I do.

He has a huge heart, great sense of humor, passion for the Lord and cute toes. (Or at least he thinks so :) I have been learning a lot about Ben the last few months. Although I can be overly critical and him extremely goofy, I am honored to say that he is one of my best friends. I wish all of you reading this could know him and see him as I do... from his highs to his lows. He stands strong and is being proven as gold.

Benny,
To my brother, friend, fellow Christian and laborer for Christ! I love you more than you will ever know! Thank you for your love and patience with me. I am so excited to yet again journey overseas with you! I love your passion for the Lord and His people. Let's go, spread His fame and give glory to His name, despite our weaknesses and failures! To God be the glory!

Much Love,
Your Big Sis
P.S. I was humored at your attempted poetry. ;-)

Why I am not a poet.

2004-12-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

I was going to attempt todo a cute little poem along the lines of:

Twas' the 'fore Tanzania
And all through the house
Was littered clothing items
And some sort of blouse.

But obviously poetry skills evade me. I have been realizing, however, something very, very profound. Everything was created to point to Jesus Christ. No matter if it is the Atheist or the snow outside or the deserts of Africa! God created them to glorify Jesus. As the Scripture says, "One day every knee will bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!" Isn't it interesting how we try to avoid this fact and deny Jesus' supremecy? I mean daily I try to point to myself and glorify me, but Jesus uses my sinful strivings to glorify Himself in the longrun. So, here is the thought that has been chewing on my brain. Why don't I just give in to His desire and just glorify Him already?! I mean He's gonna get the glory anyway so why don't I try to get started now?! It's because His grace is made perfect in my weakness, and therfore He is glorified. And even my willing glorification is done through His shed blood.

So there stood my Jesus
All in Glory and Grace
And he chose me despite my fuss
To look on His face

Ok, I'll quit with the poetry!

For His name is the desire of my heart,
BenZ

Merry Messiahmas!

2004-12-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

I doubt I will post again until after Jesus' birthday celebration. I wish all of you a very joyfilled Christmas. Remember to ponder the miracle of God becoming man. He left His throne, His majesty, His glory to take on human flesh and bone. He was God and man. He ate and drank. He slept and yawned. He had a mother and a father. He stubbed His toe and cut His finger. Divinity became humanity. The King of all became a servant to all. The Creator became creation. Baby. Helpless. God. Man. Jew. Life. Death. Messiah. Redeemer.

Remember the cross. There is no Easter without Christmas. And Christmas is meaningless without Easter. Thank You, Father, for your love, mercy and grace You gave us when you sent Jesus as a baby. My mind cannot truly comprehend the full reality of God becoming man. Thank you for the manger. Thank you for the cross.

Happy Birthday Jesus!
Jaclyn

Single Digit Temperatures

2004-12-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

It is freezing outsize. The last couple of days we have had cold temperatures and snow. This morning beats them all! We now have 6 inches of snow and the high in Denver today is 4 degrees. Add windchill on there and we are at -11 degrees! Burrrrrrrr! This is the bone chilling kind of cold. The kind of weather where you freeze the moment you step outside and it takes you 30 minutes to thaw once you are inside. As I walked out the door to come to work, my mom said, "Just think, you will leave this and go to Africa." Current temperature in Dar es Salaam is 91 degrees. Here I am wearing a sweater... while contemplating what sandals to wear in 2 weeks! It takes a little brain stretching to assemble a wardrobe for 90 degrees while looking at snow out your window.

Just Give Me Jesus,
Jaclyn

Down the homestretch...

2004-12-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

To do List:

Two and a half days until Christmas. Sixteen days until we leave for Tanzania. We have so much to do in the next few days and a TON to do in the next two weeks!

Finish wrapping Christmas gifts
Clean-up the house
Choose wardrobe for trip
Get hair cut
Buy vitamins
Order Malaria prescription
Finish my nanny job
Celebrate the new year
Pack our team bags
Spend time with the family
Mail bills and balance checkbook
Celebrate the coming of the magi
GET SOME SLEEP!

That should be enough to keep an army busy! We finished our Typhoid pills on Monday with neither of us suffering ill side effects- a major blessing!

Team Scavenger Hunt!

Our team has been collecting supplies for 200 care packages, both individual and family. We had a meeting on Sunday and counted all of the supplies that had been donated to our team. Praise God for all that people gave! We are still short on the following:

Toothbrushes- need 75-100 more
Toothpaste- need 100 more (regular or travel size)
Washcloths- need 150 more (18 for $5 at Walmart!)
Shampoo- need 100 more (travel size)

We also need supplies for crafts:

65 pairs of tube socks (the ones without heels)
Gospel colored beads (red, black, white, yellow and green)
glue sticks
Staplers (5-8)
Staples

December 30th we will meet to assemble the care packages and decide what final purchases need to be made! Pray that we can make more care packages than we planned! Thank you to all for your support and prayers!

For His Renown,

Jaclyn

Ten Commandments for mission trip participants

2004-12-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

This also came from missiontrips.com

1. Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou has them at home, for thou hast left thy home to find things differently.

2. Thou shalt not take anything too seriously. A willingness to accept things as they are lays the foundation for a good trip to another country.

3. Thou shalt not let other group members get on thy nerves. Thou raised good money and set aside this time to enjoy thyself.

4. Thou shalt not forget that, at all times, thou dost represent thy own country and the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Thou shalt not be overly worried. He who worrieth hath no pleasures. Few things people worry about are ever fatal.

6. Remember thy passport (or other identification document) so that thou knowest where it is at all times. A person without documents is a person without a country.

7. Blessed is the person who says "thank you" in any language. This is worth more than tips.

8. When in Country, do as the Local's do. If in difficulty, use common sense and thy American friendliness.

9. Do not judge all Tanzanians by the one person with whom thou hast had trouble.

10. Remember, thou art a guest in Tanzania. He who treateth his host with respect shall be treated as an honored guest.

Admittedly, these 10 commandments weren't given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. They are, however, based on some foundational principles of success in short-term cross-cultural experiences. So, breaking them can spoil your short-term experience and even tarnish your witness for Christ.
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Pray that our team will follow these 10 Commandments for missions with an attitude of humility and patience. We are there to serve and to grow! May we come away knowing God better because of what we have seen and done!

For God Alone!
Jaclyn

Ten ways to ruin a short term mission trip

2004-12-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to missiontrips.com for the following:

Believe it or not, it's possible to have a bad short-term missions experience. Usually, this has less to do with the situation or organization than it does with the short-termer's own attitudes and expectations.

To help you maximize your short-term experience, here's a checklist of what not to do!

1. Keep narrowly focused on spiritual activities. You want to win that country to Christ. So, focus on your loftiest expectations. Avoid doing such menial work as data entry, loading trucks, or working on buildings. Such things will only distract you from your primary task.

2. To tighten up your schedule, eliminate personal prayer and Bible study. Likely, you will be so rushed that you really won't have time anyway. Besides, can't you get all the spiritual food you need from church services and from group devotions?

3. Stay organized. Set goals before you go. Establish a detailed schedule. Do not deviate from that schedule. Refuse to accept delays, last-time changes, and impromptu visits and invitations. Those things will just keep you from getting things done for God.

4. Help the missionaries by pointing out their mistakes. Bring them up to date on what you've heard are the latest missions trends. Missionaries can sometimes be stubborn. So, you may need to enlist some support among the nationals for your views about how the mission should be running.

5. Get involved romantically with someone. Being away from family and friends make this the perfect time to get involved in a romantic relationship. While it may distract you slightly from the work, you will be able to expose national Christians to America's progressive dating customs.

6. Don't embarrass yourself by trying to pick up the local language. People are always saying that English is spoken all over the world. So, insist that those people use it with you.

7. Immediately begin pointing out your team members' faults. Time is short. It may be difficult for people to make the needed changes in their lives if you don't help them from the start. Especially focus your criticism on team leaders.

8. Make hygiene a top priority. Don't eat any of the local food. To be sure, you may miss some friendly opportunities with "the natives," but you'll avoid all those germs!

9. Keep your distance from team members who couldn't raise their full support. They may try to mooch off you. Don't give in. Letting them sweat out their finances will build their faith.

10. When you return home, castigate your home church and friends for their lack of commitment, for their weak prayers, and for their inadequate giving to missions. This may be one of the few times you will have their deferential respect; so make the most of it.

These things truly CAN ruin a mission trip. Pray that our team will be open, flexible, adventuresome, healthy and God-glorifying!

Just Jesus,
Jaclyn

Getting Closer!

2004-12-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Three weeks tomorrow, actually, before we leave... but as Ben said, it is really two weeks, for one week is full of holidays! Our team is trying to finalize plans and review details before the holiday rush sets in. We have a group meeting tonight and then our next all group meeting will not be until January 4th!!! Three days before we leave!

I cannot believe that Christmas is nine days away! I am not sure if I will ever again go on a major trip like this right after Christmas. My schedule has been crazy. Not just busy, but insane. I think I might sleep for a month when I get home!

Climate
The climate of Tanzania is tropical on the flatlands with cooler weather as you travel up the mountain. The current temperature in Dar es Salaam is 81 degrees, with a high of 90 degrees and a low of 77 degrees, with 84% humidity. January is part of their rainy season, which makes for lush landscape and frizzy hair!

Swahili
The language we will most commonly hear and communicate with will be Swahili. Although there are many different family dialects, Swahili is the "language" of Africa. The following phrases are some that we are learning:
- Jambo! Hello, welcome!
- Asante Sana. Thank you very much.
- Sahara! Good-bye!
- Pole sana. I'm sorry.
- Tafandhali. Please.
- Lala salama. Sleep well.
- Hakuna shedia. No problem. (The most frequent Swahili phrase used in America, yet we say it, Hakuna matata. The natives know what you mean, but it can also mean a strong alcoholic beverage!)
- Uio Mbwana. Good-night.
- Bwana as a feway. Praise the Lord.
- Yesu anakupenda wewe. Jesus loves you.

Housing
At our meeting tonight we saw some pictures of the lodge we will be staying at in Moshi. It is like a resort! It is fairly new, indoor bathrooms, nice mosquito nets, fans, closets and I am sure a gorgeous view out the window! The other places where we will be staying are not as nice, so I am sure that we will enjoy it while we can! It is from this town that we will have a vast view of the Ngorongoro Crater (where we will finish our trip with a 2 day safari!). It is absolutely beautiful.... I hope 20 rolls of film and our digital camera are enough.

Dress
I have started scrutinizing my wardrobe. I have no idea what shirts I am going to take. I have many broomstick skirts, but limited shirts to go with them that will be cool. I also do not have a good pair of walking shoes/sandals. I broke my favorite pair of sandals in Romania and have never replaced them. I may have to break down and visit my favorite store... Goodwill! Although, I might go ahead and get some new shoes. Wow, what a treat that would be! Ahhh, I am sooo cheap!

Finances
Ben and I received an update on our financial donations. Wow. What a blessing. We are almost fully covered for our trip expenses! God is so faithful and perfectly good. He has supplied for all our needs. Thank you to all who have supported us!

That is all for now! Sahara! Bwana as a feway!
For His name and renown,
Jaclyn

Drumroll...please!

2004-12-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

Does anybody know how long it is until we leave? It's like 2 stinkin' weeks! Only 2!!!!! I'm so excited and I pray that anyone reading this can catch our enthusiasm and apply in their daily life while we're gone. God is getting a thing going in our hearts and I pray it catches your heart ablaze with His passion as well! Fan the flames!

For His renown,
BenZ

Sleepy

2004-12-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

:::Yawn::: That's what I have been doing all morning. Yawning. I really need to go to bed earlier. Or, as my dad put it this morning, I could just begin to adjust to Tanzanian time (10 hours ahead). But, that would make it difficult to come to work or run my errands. Instead, I think I will try to get to bed before 11:30PM tonight! :::Yawn:::

Tired Girl,
Jaclyn

There, Here and Everywhere

2004-11-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

We were there... at Grandma's for Thanksgiving. We are here... at home, laying ceramic tile. We seem to be everywhere... church, meetings, Bethany's house, work, the store and to Home Depot several times a day (or so it seems). We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior!

We braved the blustery snow this afternoon to have another Africa "youth" team meeting! Tomorrow night we will all gather together to discuss what is being done, what has been done and what needs to be done between now and January 7!

While the men on our team lead a conference for native pastors, the "youth" team will be busy on the streets! We will be leading several mini vacation Bible school lessons, visiting Compassion International schools, pulic schools, a crucade and speaking at a variety of churches. The Biblical accounts of Zacchaeus, Peter and John, and Jesus calming the storm will become increasingly familiar to all of us! Our youth team will sing fun kid songs, do puppet shows, clowning, mimes and crafts!

I will post more details later! For now, please pray for our team as we finalize our plans! Pray that we can all keep our sanity in the next 5 weeks! Pray that we will all reach our financial needs!

I have been learning lately about God's beauty. I have realized that I want to be enthralled by God's beauty and grace. His grace is enough. Without it, I am nothing. It may seem strange to call God beautiful. But He is. Do you know what God's beauty looks like? God's beauty is made seen in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is God's beauty. We are called Christians, meaning "little Christ". We are a "little beauty of God" for the world to see. Do we act like it? Do I show God's beauty by how I live, speak and act? Hardly. Oh, that I would be so consumed by the beauty of God that I, like Moses, would glow with the light of God's glory for all the world to see! This is the cry of my heart, "Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we (I) wait for You; Your name and renown are (is) the desire of our (my) hearts (heart)."

For His Name and Renown,
Jaclyn

Prayer, Praise and Oppression

2004-11-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

Tonight, while I was janitorizing (my job), I began singing and worshipping God. I sang new songs and old songs, I poured out my heart to God while scrubbing a toilet! Suddenly, I began to pray fervently for this trip to Africa. I prayed for this trip like I haven't before. God has really been showing me how to pray through the Spirit lately. But, as this time of solitary/sanitary worship carried on I began to feel a spirit of Oppression from the "dark side." Now, part of that may have been the coyote's howl, or the other wierd noises, but nonetheless I felt it. I began to pray and praise even more desperately, depending on God completely for my "salvation" from the boogieman. As I continued to rest and hide in Him I realized that this is what He wants from me all the time. Not just when I'm scared, but when I'm a "million" miles from home in the Great Rift Valley of Africa on the base of Mount Kilimanjaro! AHA! I think I am starting to get it!

Praising and polishing in Him,
BenZ

Cultural Differences

2004-11-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

Differences between cultures will never cease to amaze me. I was informed before my first mission trip to Romania of the differences I would encounter. Still, I was not adaquately prepared for what I would face. Going to Africa will be even more drastic.

Several weeks ago our team was able to share a meal and fellowship with Pastor Glorious, a native pastor, that we will be working with while in Tanzania. He shared stories of the people, his family, missionaries and gave us all an insight into the culture we will be living in for two weeks. These are some of the things we are to keep in mind:

Treat God's Word with the utmost of respect. (This is one area where many American Christians fail miserably. I am guilty as well, of setting my Bible on the floor, etc. Think, though... many of these people do not have the Word of God as their very own. They respect it with fear and awe. We should too, yet we take it for granted.)
Do not motion with a single finger for someone to come to you. That is reserved only for dogs. Instead, bend all fingers back toward you when calling to someone.
When an older person drops or needs something, the nearest next younger person is to pick up or get what the older needs. This is not just in reference to the elderly, as we think of in America, but anyone older than you.
Under no circumstances should the women on our team wear pants. Neither should the men wear shorts or be tieless. If we have come all this way to share God's love with the people , they will expect us to act and dress like it.
All people greet and call one another with respectful titles. Wives call their husband's by the first name of the oldest child. My mother would say: "Father of Jaclyn" when talking to or talking about my dad. My dad would address my mother in the same fashion: "Mother of Jaclyn". Never would a child call their mother "mommy", but I would address my mom as "Wife of Tom". (For the children on the team, this will be easy. We are used to calling people Mr. and Mrs. A benefit of strict homeschooling parents! Side note: I still do not know some adult's first names!)
Expect delays... Major, hour long delays. People in Tanzania (and most of Africa) walk wherever they go. Therefore, many people are walking 6 plus miles to come to church. And we don't start church until everyone gets there. :-) Other people are able to take the bus. But, the bus does not leave until it is full. So, it could wait two or three hours until it leaves. And we don't start church until everyone gets there. This is where flexibility applies!!! It is a very laid back society. No schedules. No routine. Approximate starting times. No appointments. Remember, Americans have all the watches, Africans have all the time!
Absolutley no nose rings or toe rings and only small rings and earrings allowed. Muslims, generally, are the only people with extensive jewelry (extensive meaning mre than a wedding ring!).
Do not eat fresh fruit. No fresh water. And only extremely cooked meat. They sometimes inject fruit with water so that it is heavier. Weight equals money, you know.
If they offer you bugs, including fried locusts, bugs mixed with spices, etc., politely refuse to the host. Banana soup is fine, though.
Dancing in church is acceptable.
Do not try to barter with the natives, they will suddenly have a prince inflation.
Women may, very freely, nurse in public. (Which, most of us on the team have no problem with seeing a woman nurse. Two of our households currently have nursing mothers. Yet, we are not talking in home nursing on the sofa. We are talking show all nursing in public.
Sew up any holes in your mosquito net before you go to sleep.
Do not tell the driver he is going to fast. Nor correct him that he is driving on the wrong side of the road. We are advised to enjoy the scenery and pray we stay alive!

This list is not exhaustive. I will add more as I discover them! I am sure that I will have a list to share when we get home!!! There are many more travel precautions we have to consider as American-Christian travelers. Probably should not shout too loud in Muslim neighborhoods that we are Christians. Also, it is generally not advised to wave a U.S. currency $100 bill in the air and other common sense reminders.

Pray that we would all be sensetive to the culture. Pray for the people we will minister to even before we meet them! Pray for the pastors of Tanzania. Pray for our health. Please pray for our safety. Pray that we will be radically changed and never be the same again! Thank you for your prayers!

Until His nets are full,

Jaclyn

Happy Birthday Dad!

2004-11-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear dad, Happy Birthday to you!

Last night, we very successfully kidnapped and distracted my dad while we set up a surprise party for my dad's birthday. I was the kidnapper. He followed my every plan. Thanks to Katie, who "locked" herself out of our office, we had to go rescue her. It happened to be in the middle of Denver rush hour traffic... by design, of course. My dad was fretting about the youth group and him not being there on time. I reassured him that mom was there and she would make sure everything went well until we got there. We arrived promptly at 6:15Pm, a so called 15 minutes "late", but right on time, actually. He was greatly surprised and we had a wonderful evening.

We had titled our surprise plans as "Operation Spicy Pickle" so that my dad would not know what we were talking about if he overheard us. They decorated in green, served pickles and played a pickle game. Then they explained on the card the reason for the spicy pickle title... Tom, you are just like a spicy pickle. You may get old, but you'll never go bad.

Happy Birthday, dad! I love you!
Jaclyn

We Don't Love God!?

2004-11-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hey all you millions of people reading this blog! I'm sure our zeal for this blog will diminish with time, but for now we'll post a lot.

The Apostle Paul said in Rom. 7:15 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. NIV"

I can so identify with Paul. Why do I keep on sinning when I want so badly to honor and glorify Jesus? I have come up with the problem. It is the root of every sin. It is why I don't go out and lead the whole world to Christ right now. You wanna know why? I don't love God.
(Gasp) You don't love God?
Yeah, I love Him. I sing songs to him but I love Him like a child loves her parents. I love Him for what he gives me, not what I can do for HIM!!! If I truly loved Him with all my heart, soul, mind, strength and will I would have no problem being willing to do ANYTHING for Him. I would never blink when I felt that urge to witness, or to preach, or whatever the Spirit says to do! So, I have decided to begin to Love Him. No, not a superficial love, but I'm going to strive to love the LORD my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength!!

Help me love you Jesus,
BenZ

Worship is the Fuel of Missions

2004-11-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Last night I was thinking of this new blog adventure. Ben and I are excited to have joined the blog world, for those who read and for the discipline of journaling. It will be exciting to read this blog to remember what we have thought and felt in these last weeks of preparation!

I wanted to share with you an article by John Piper that I read years ago. When we are worshipping God, our natural response will be missions. We know God, we give Him praise- we have to tell others!!! Piper said:

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists becuase worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.

Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions. It's the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white hot enjoyment of God's glory. The goal of missions is the gladdness of the peoples in the greatness of God. But worship is also the fuel of missions. Passion for God in worship precedes the offer of God in preaching. You can't commend what you don't cherish. Missionaries will never call out, "Let the Nations be glad!" who cannot say from the heart, "I rejoice in the Lord...I will be glad and exult in Thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O Most High." (Ps. 104:34) Missions begins and ends in worship.

When the flame of worship burns with the of God's true worth, the light of missions will shine to the darkest people on earth. Where passion for God is weak, zeal for missions will be weak.

It is our desire to worship God. In worship, we cannot help but telling others about Him. Pray for us as we do missions, not for missions as the end, but to see God glorified as the end. We challenge you to worship God though missions however you can. From grocery store clerks to your family, they all need Jesus. This is a challenge for us as well, for sometimes it is easier to go across the world to do missions... and we forget to share right in our own neighborhood. He alone is worthy, let us proclaim it to the nations! First to our own people and then to those around the world!

Blessings,

Jaclyn

Number 1

2004-11-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

Jaclyn just thought of number one, so without further adeu...

1. Is it bad to let a lion lick an open wound?

18 Things Not To Do (or Say) in Tanzania

2004-11-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, well, Jaclyn's already posted like fifteen times today so I figured it was my turn. Enjoy!

18. Mmm, these malaria pills taste like that stuff in the back of the refrigerator.

17. CHARGING RHINO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

16. Jaci, what's that colorful arrow doing in your neck?

15. Where's the Bathroom? No not the BATroom!!!!

14. Speaking of bats, don't pet them if they are flying around in circles in the middle of the day they might bite you, and they have rabies!

13. Here big kitty, kitty, kitty.

12. Can you eat that?!

11. Why is my steak still moving?!

10. Time to go ELEPHANT TIPPING!!!

9. This meal is really...um...unique!!!

8. Don't eat the yellow snow...or not.

7. Wow! Big Misquitos!

6. Sir, why are you wearing a sweater when it is 102 degrees? You're cold?!!!

5. Oh, how lovely, this flower sniffs back!

4. Sir, did you know you are driving on the wrong side of the road!

3. What's your favorite pastime? Oh, eating tourists, that's, well...um...uh...bye!!

2. Never walk alone in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is not in Africa you, say? Oh-ho-ho, you've never been to Amsterdam have you?

1. Well, 18 was just a random number and I ran out of funny things to say so number one isn't gonna be funny! So, HA!

0. BenZ

How Many Shots???

2004-11-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

Little did we realize, when we agreed to participate in this mission, that we would under go massive physical immunizations before we could go. We are going to Africa, we should have known better! We arrived promptly to our appointment, were drilled on every disease we would be exposed to, including rabies, yellow fever, polio, AIDS, Typhoid, Malaria etc., etc. The nurse recited every possible situation we should aviod, how the diseases are contracted and how to identify rabid animals. In the end, I received 4 shots, while Ben escaped with only 3. We were both a mite bit yellow and sore, but have managed to survive. In a couple of weeks we will begin taking our live Typhoid virus pills that are currently in the refrigerator. The thought of these live viruses (Yellow Fever and Typhoid) entering our body has been an interesting feeling, to say the very least! Then, while we are gone, we will take Malarone to protect our systems from Malaria. I am sure that I will be immune to almost everything by the time we are through with this trip!

Until His nets are full,
Jaclyn

Africa, Here We Come!

2004-11-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

Seven weeks from this Friday we will be boarding a plane for Tanzania, Africa. The journey will be long and exhausting, but the mission will be worth the sacrifices and sweat. When you compare our so called "sacrifices" to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus' death on the cross, ours are nothing. Thus the reason we go. His fame is worth it.

We pray that you will sense our passion through this blog. Please check back regularly for updates on our mission trip preparations and our life in general.

To the King!
Jaclyn