Standing Shoulder To Shoulder Together As We Fight the Good Fight of Faith A personal letter of encouragement to You, written solely to "lift up hands that hang down". TO SUBSCRIBE send a blank message to shoulders-subscribe@... . TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank message to shoulders-unsubscribe@... . IN EACH CASE you will receive an automated request for confirmation which you must answer. FOR BACK COPIES go to www.associate.com/digests/shoulders . Click on "Start Reading" Get "HOPE4KYIV", a praise report and prayer request letter of the Tolliver's ministry as missionaries to Ukraine, TO SUBSCRIBE send a blank message to hope4kyiv-subscribe@.... FOR BACK COPIES go to www.associate.com/digests/hope4kyiv. +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #304 ---- 10/6/03 Title: "HURDLES AND HIDDEN ROADS" My Dear Friend and Ministry Colleague: It is good to visit with you again today. This has been another wild but exciting week followed by another good beginning yesterday at church. Our three friends from Cuba shared their testimonies of God's grace, I preached on Salvation as "God's power released into human need by the blood of Jesus Christ", and we had dozens of new visitors including American families, believers from Spain and other countries, and seekers from Kiev. The day ended with an enjoyable time in our monthly missionary worship service that evening; we had a number of businessmen and pastors from America visiting and conducting seminars and conferences. ANOTHER REMINDER: 1. Just a final reminder to use only my lifeunlimited@... e-mail address. My xxx@... is no longer a valid address. 2. Also, I just noticed I had never corrected our website address found below my signature. If you've been trying to visit the site unsuccessfully, that's why. I just checked it moments ago at the corrected address, and it comes up just fine. I apologize for not making that change sooner. OBSTACLE COURSES: Years ago while our four daughters were still teens and pre-teens, we took a fishing trip to Minnesota. Having fond memories of a trip my parents, aunt and uncle and I took when I was six or seven to Woman Lake in the Hackensack region in the 1940's, I wanted my children to have a similar experience. So, off we went to the Brainerd region to fish the Little Whitefish chain of small lakes. We had a wonderful time. Our rented cabin was on Star Lake, from which small outlets and streams connected us to a series of six other lakes. All were clearly accessible except for one . . . . Little Round Lake; the connecting stream was difficult to find, but I was assured it was at a particular place. My instincts told me that this one probably didn't get fished very much, so I was anxious to locate it and try my hand. Our host recommended we tow a canoe behind the boat, because the connecting stream was smaller than the others. He also told us our trek would be rewarded with a good fishing experience on a small lake where probably no other fishermen would be found. So, our daughter, Debbie, and I took off late one afternoon to catch a couple of hours of quiet fishing. We found the connecting stream just as our host had described, beached the fishing boat, loaded our gear into the canoe, and head upstream. The surroundings were beautiful as the descending sun began to cast shadows on the waters and the song birds warbled and whistled their evening melodies back and forth to each other. However, . . . . It didn't take long for us to realize why the host had suggested we bring a canoe. We had gone no more than 100 yards than the stream became so shallow that we had to pull the canoe. Soon thereafter, we began running into fallen trees blocking our way. From one log after another we would either drag the canoe under or over, scratching the sides on rocks and snags as we toiled. I finally stood on top of one of the logs to look around and found literally hundreds of trees lying on the ground, dead. What we didn't know until then is that we had walked and waded into a flat area previously invaded by a party of industrious beavers. In one season they had literally felled (that is the correct word) multiplied hundreds of trees. You could walk no more than ten feet without having to climb over or crawl under another log. It was evident our host had never fished this lake before. By this time I was so upset that I was determined to win the challenge. I loaded Debbie down with the rods, dip net, and tackle box, placed the floatation cushions on my shoulders, and hoisted the sixteen-foot canoe up over my head, and started growling my way through the remaining log field until we finally reached our destination. As we broke through the brush and weeds into a clearing on the lake shore, we were greeted by one of the most beautifully serene scenes I've ever seen . . . . less than ten feet from a small road that connected the two lakes. But, . . . no time to fret over that irritation. Now almost dusk, our time was limited. The glassy surface of the lake still reflected the images of tall pines and the still bright colors of a sinking sun. It was that time of day when the birds are now quiet, and all you hear is the sound of the Loon and the splash of a fish grabbing a bug from the water's surface. The beauty of the moment and the joy of fishing were exceeded only by my amazement over God's creation and the contentment of a dad having time with his adolescent daughter. If you've ever fished a small lake in the evening, you know what I mean . . . . even quiet small talk seems to invade the privacy that belongs only to the animals. But, it's a good place to be. Debbie and I fished until it was almost dark and the mosquitoes were about to overpower us. We threw most fish back because they were just too small to keep. But, back in America stuck down in one of our boxes of pictures, there is a photo of a dad with his six inch Small Mouth Bass standing next to a very proud daughter and her 26 inch Northern Pike. It is still a moment to remember. When we left that little lake, never to return again, we took the little dirt road through the trees. A MISSIONARY'S OBSTACLE COURSE: Some things in life, like hidden fishing lakes, are hard to reach, and even though the joy is Not always in the journey, the destination is worth it and the effort expended brings a satisfaction that exceeds the tribulation. Do you feel you have a clear understanding of obstacles a missionary faces . . . . maybe one of your missionaries? My little fishing story illustrates the daily struggles many of them face. I've come to the conclusion that a missionary life is absolutely unique in itself. It has taken me several months to willingly make that statement because I felt my experience as a missionary has not been sufficient to make an objective and realistic assessment. And, I didn't want to be guilty of sensationalizing, spiritualizing, or idolizing the role of a missionary. Then a few weeks ago one of my readers wrote asking if I could help her with a research assignment. She was to interview an "older" (over 40) missionary and ask the following question: "Identify three significant problems (you face) and describe three effective methods, tactics, or strategies (you use in your) ministry (to deal with those problems." Well, I'm not sure I'm really qualified to answer such a question with real knowledge and authority, but it was good for me to take an honest look at what Jo Ann and I have experienced, and also what we have heard from other missionaries on the field. So, while we are certainly not experienced veteran missionaries, I do think our many short term trips to various mission fields in South America, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and now eastern Europe have given us the opportunity to catch little glimpses into the hearts of career missionaries. Now our multi-year appointment to Ukraine helps us see some things first hand. Responses to this question will certainly vary, depending on the field of service. Answere will probably be more subjective than objective in many cases. So, all I can do is write from my own observations and experience. If I were to identify three major problems or obstacles, I'd probably pick . . . . 1. The culture. 2. The theology of the region. 3. The need to take care of yourself ---- personal well being. Let's consider those three things as simple examples of what your missionary friends and acquaintances go through every single day they are on the field. Maybe this will help you pray for intelligently, specifically, and fervently for these your partners in ministry. + 1. "Culture" is the end result of many influences over a period of generations, passed down from one to the next. It seems the three major influences that create culture are Ethnic Heritage, Religion Practices, and Forms of Government. All three place such tremendous pressure and influence on a people that they literally mold (or alter) the mentality, superstitions, and lifestyles by which they live. In our case, we found the culture to be completely "non-western" even though Ukraine is trying very hard to become "western", at least in terms of wealth, lifestyle, and government. The problem is that they are still clinging to their own culture as well. They have not yet learned that they should retain their culture and "clean it up" by God's grace. This culture has emerged primarily from foreign influences of some type over literally thousands of years. Therefore, a big problem Ukrainians face is the lack of a sense of personal worth and esteem. Outsiders have basically dominated this region for millennia. Consequently, they mask that over with behavior and attitudes that are often abrasive to westerners. Their ethnicity comes from ancient generations that trace back to Noah's grandson, Meshech, and then subsequent migrations and invasions by the Turks, Tatars, Mongols, and Scandinavians . . . . each bringing their own cultural practices and beliefs with them. Their governmental forms have ranged from anarchy to tribalism to imperial rule to Communism and finally to a very weak and embryonic form of democracy. Each ruling style up until democracy has progressively dehumanized a society. It isn't that the people don't want to be motivated, but that for generations they have lived under a system that gave them no reason to succeed beyond survival. Why should you achieve if the government takes it from you? Why should you have incentive for betterment if it creates suspicion among your peers? Why should you interact socially in a sincere relationship if your neighbor spies on you and reports you? Their religion has been influenced by ancient Babylonian mystery religions, pagan Scandinavian gods, Greek mythology, and subsequently Christianity. Tradition says that the Apostle Andrew traveled north from Jerusalem, around the Black Sea and into the region now known as Ukraine. Reportedly, following trade routes and the Dnipro River, he came to a hillside overlooking the river and prophesied that one day a great city filled with churches would arise here. Kiev, a city of nearly three million residents, now stands here with hundreds of Orthodox churches, scores of evangelical churches, and a scattering of other churches, mosques, and synagogues. Whether that legend is true or not, it is a proven fact that Christianity came to this region early in the life of the church, and had a monumental response. However, paganism returned with great flourish in the Fifth Century and remained so until the Tenth Century when Prince Vladimir embraced Orthodox Christianity in 988 A.D. Until 988, pagan worship was a way of life. The Russian Orthodox Church, filled with its own paganistic rituals such as ancestral worship, icon worship, and other such practices, now remains the official state religion. As a result, most people ignore religion totally, or they feverishly strive to gain God's attention and approval by buying icons, worshiping the bones of ancestors, and living somber lives of suffering. Putting these three major influences together, the result is a culture steeped in obligatory performance-based religion built on reinforced unworthiness and futile self effort, tribalistic pride and self preservation, and a fear and suspicion based aloofness that hides behind the modern insatiable hunger for acceptance and approval by western countries. This almost animal-like instinct manifests itself in fear, lying, distrust, and a fanatical self-preservation mind set. It shows in the public arena by unembarrassed approval-seeking exhibitionism in dress (especially younger women), excessive alcoholism, what westerners would view as rudeness and disrespect, political corruption as a way of life, and the strong influence of organized crime. While trying to be more western, this country remains as a culture deeply rooted in eastern values, practices, and reasoning. As a result, nearly every word, act, and expression of ministry is looked on with suspicion, curiosity, skepticism, cynicism, or disregard. There must be an "ulterior motive" behind what we do and say. Living in a culture that is significantly different from your own is never a comfortable experience. It often unsettles you and wears you down, fraying your emotions and tempting you to go hide in your apartment . . . . or go home. How Do We Handle It? We must make ourselves try every day, actually every moment we're out in public, to . . . . 1) Remember that the people act the way they do because a dead performance-based religion, a bloody heritage, and repressive governments have basically squeezed out of their lives any sense of human decency that reaches further than themselves and their families. They are still survivalists first, and then venture into the perimeter of other relationships only when it seems safe. We must remember where they came from. 2) We are constantly having to choose to not be offended when people shove in front of us, spit on the steps and sidewalks, smell like they've not had a bath in months, nearly attack you in trying to sell their produce, and so forth. Being offended is a choice, not a reaction. We cannot afford to make that choice. 3) We also remind ourselves that one man's offense is another man's lifestyle, and that all of us have our own cultural idiosyncrasies that are foreign to and offensive to others. We cannot allow ourselves to respond in kind, but continually manifest the life of Jesus. 4) Of utmost importance is the fact that we remember we did not come to change a culture, but to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is this country's greatest need. One of the greatest offenses a western missionary will commit in a strange culture is to try to change it. Attempting to do so is seen as rejection and as an insult to the people who live in it. 5) We also try to respect the culture ---- or at least the people ---- where we live. We may not like it, but we must respect it because it's the only culture the people to whom we came to minister really know. They know no other way. When a missionary respects a people's culture instead of attacking, rejecting, or criticizing it, he will gain the respect and appreciation of the people. 6) Then, we remind ourselves that the entire world systems is culturally corrupt and that our country is no less offensive and sinful than another. We remind ourselves that the whole world system lies under the control of the "wicked one", and that all of us are depraved to the core. It really makes no difference where we live; the human race, born in sin, retains the propensity toward selfishness, survival, and plummeting self destruction. 7) Finally, we try to remember that our focus is not the culture, but rather the people in the culture . . . . and They are all the same. They were created worshippers . . . . not knowing who to worship. They are driven by the hunger for acceptance, love, and hope . . . . not knowing where to look. They are looking for something meaningful to fill their soul-vacuum . . . . not knowing what to choose. One of the early missionary movement's great mistakes was to try to change the culture of those to whom they came. As missionaries, we follow a mandate that clearly stipulates our purpose for being in a given country ---- to make Christ known. The rest of it will come in God's timing. + 2. "Theology" here is a strange mixture of religious beliefs most commonly characterized by syncretism at its highest level and heretical teaching at its strongest. The result of that is a religious doctrine that is based strongly on human performance, a sense of futility and fatalism, embracing suffering as a way of life, and a fear over the probability that salvation will eventually be lost even if it is gained. This even holds true in some of the evangelical churches. At least part of the reason for that is due to the lineage of their Bible translations, which are derived primarily from the eastern branch of the church which teaches a very strong Armenian doctrine of salvation in a legalistic fashion that demands loyalty, performance, and keeping certain rules and regulations. Because this culture has a long history of living in fear, it becomes easy prey for a theology that focuses on an angry God who is both demanding and threatening. The western evangelical church, for the most part, conversely gains its lineage of translations from the western branch of the church which is much more Calvinistic and based on grace. However, the evangelical churches here are significantly influenced by eastern church doctrines that include "Jesus plus something" salvation, by German higher criticism that denies the supernatural, and by an Armenian theology that teaches you can be saved and then lose it unless you reinforce it with the right kind of "works". This is a constant hurdle we face in our preaching and teaching because even our Bible translations do not always have the same interpretation of a text; the wording may be completely different. Even verse and chapter numbers may vary, and their Bible may have some texts added or deleted, or even relocated. So, we are frequently faced with trying to reconcile the differences between, for example, eternal security and losing your salvation, or salvation by baptism and baptism following salvation, or the seriousness of lying and cheating in a society that openly practices both, even within the evangelical church. How do you deal with subjects like truthfulness, tithing, honesty, faith, holiness, and so forth in a religious system that allows for the opposite because it is the only way the people (including the believers) could survive for the past 100 years. It is a common thing, for example, for a church to have two sets of books ---- one for the "officials" and then one that shows the real facts. How Do We Handle It? Repetition is the word. We do the following over and over and over. 1) We always point the people back to the Bible. "What does the Bible say?" is our most asked question. We try to press them into taking personal responsibility for searching the scriptures for themselves rather than take some other person's word for it. 2) We never argue doctrine with them. We listen, try to understand, and then, without either compromise or belittling, we point them back to scripture. 3) We teach and preach at every opportunity in simple, practical, and easy to understand ways. 4) We never accept their argument that ours is an American doctrine, but we constantly remind them we're not telling them what some westerner believes, but we're simply telling them what the Bible says. It's up to them to accept or reject. 5) We major on the importance of God's Word, and how necessary it is to read it, meditate on it, memorize it, repeat it, and to recognize it to be God's love letter written just for them. We try to help them see it as spiritual nourishment, vital to their growth, and totally trustworthy. 6) We keep things simple and focus on the basics. This is generally not the time or place for discussing things like Eschatology, Spiritual Gifts, and the like. We focus on salvation, forgiveness, sin, holiness, the Holy Spirit, and so forth. 7) We keep preaching and teaching the truth, preaching and teaching the truth, preaching and teaching the truth, . . . . The theology and religious beliefs of a region, whether pagan or Christian, are sometimes seemingly insurmountable obstacles a missionary must constantly be facing. And there are times when it all appears as an impenetrable wall that reaches into the clouds. + 3. "General Personal Well Being" is a major issue with many missionaries. Most missionaries don't discover this until they've been on the field awhile; home based friends and family almost never understand the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual drain being on the mission field creates. As an example, we have a quote that probably describes it better than anything we've seen ---- "Twice as long at triple the effort to do half the work with one tenth the results." We have noticed that missionaries, not only here but many of our colleagues around the world, experience a disproportionate amount of disease, illness, exhaustion, burn out, mental and physical weariness, and chronic health problems. We believe it is because of how Satan takes advantage of the cultural, nutritional, and societal differences and creates an emotional, mental, and physical drain on missionaries. Because of the cultural and societal strangeness and unfamiliarity that is constantly around us, we must be careful to give serious attention to our general personal well being. This atmosphere is constantly around us; there are no days off from things that are "different". And, no matter how long a missionary is on the mission field, and no matter how much he or she may love the people and the work, every missionary knows down deep inside that they are still a stranger who does not belong where they are serving. This plays heavily on a missionary's sense of personal well being. And, If they are weary or sick, they can't do their jobs. This problem is magnified by the fact that missionaries feel a sense of urgency and immediacy to their work. We never know how long the doors will remain open, we never know if it will always be safe, we never know when a family emergency or an agency policy change might call us away from the field, perhaps permanently. So, we're always living on the edge . . . . on the front line . . . . with an unwillingness to spend unnecessary time behind the lines for personal rest and refreshing. Many missionaries are faced with duties that force them to live in two time zones . . . . their own where they now live, and the one back home where the Board offices, home churches, families, and friends live. Seemingly simple things such as e-mail responsibilities create long days and short nights numerous times a week. Then trying to fit in ministry duties to the people whom you serve, who may live by a different body clock than you do, puts added pressure on your body and mind. For example, it is not uncommon at all for Jo Ann and me to get to bed after Midnight because we are seven to ten hours ahead of all our contacts in North America. Sometimes it will be 1:30 or after before I get to sleep. Then other residents in our apartment begin going in and out beginning around 5:00, garbage trucks come sometimes around 6:00, our neighbor lady takes her dogs out around 7:00, construction work on the building begins around the same time, and businesses below and above us begin to open from 8:00 onward. Consequently, we live most of the time sleep deprived, physically and emotionally weary. Add to that the aforementioned pressures of ministry and culture, and it is easy for a missionary to unknowingly neglect his own personal well being. How Do We Handle It? Frankly, we're not very good at it, but here are some things we try to do. 1) We try to be alert to listen to our bodies and minds speaking to us. Progressively, we are trying to pay closer attention to our bodies, minds, and emotions, when they give off tell-tale signals that we need a change of pace or a rest. 2) We try to "sleep in" when possible, which basically means not setting the alarm clock. Even then we seldom get more than six or seven hours of sleep a night, but do try to find at least one or two nights a week when we can actually sleep late. Maybe a better term would be to "doze" for an hour or so in bed after the noises waken us. 3) We try to watch what and when we eat. We try to make our main meal at lunch so that we don't go to bed on a full stomach. We try to avoid foods that are not particularly nutritious, and we try not to eat until we're completely full. 4) We walk a lot. We have no personal transportation, so all of our ministry and movement around the city is either by walking or by public transportation. However, we try every week to just get out and walk for the sake of walking. There are several nice parks and quieter streets throughout the city. On week-ends the main business street is closed to automobile traffic and turned into a huge mile-long walking mall, lined with businesses, vendors, and street performers. Occasionally we go down there. Other times we'll go to our favorite street, St. Andrew's Street, a winding, cobble stoned incline which is lined with vendors and artists peddling their wares. 5) We go out to eat often. In fact, our colleagues have determined that we have a "restaurant ministry" because so many of the servers and greeters know us. Seriously, mealtime becomes a reprieve for us where we can sit, relax, talk, visit with colleagues or other friends, and just throw ourselves into neutral. There is virtually every kind of food you would want here. In our huge city we have several American and European restaurants along with Asian, Ukrainian, British, and other types of foods. As a result, we can have variety as we take a couple of hours three or four times a week to enjoy a break over lunch, and an occasional evening dinner. 6) We try to adapt to our culture's living patterns. Rather than try to maintain a western approach to life, we try to adjust to the pace of life here. Life is not as rushed here as it is in America. For example, if a man says he'll be at your apartment at 10:00 in the morning to repair a faucet, he may show up by 7:00 in the evening. This is terribly offensive to Americans, but we try very hard to not let it bother us. After our travels to so many countries, we've concluded that only America and a few other places are really in a hurry; everyone else lives at a more relaxed pace. Another very good pattern here is that of taking time for coffee or tea (or something stronger) with friends. Outdoor cafe' shops and restaurants are everywhere. It is common to see people sitting and visiting in the afternoons or the evenings, sometimes for two or three hours at a time. Friendships are very important here, although one person won't have many (because of the lingering fears of betrayal that Communism fostered). 7) We dream of taking time off on short trips. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen often. First, we have no personal vehicle, so any travel has to either be by public transportation or with colleagues. But, sometimes we can "disappear" for a day within the city at a park or botanical center. However, there are some beautiful places within a day's travel that we hope to visit. Crimea is a day's journey to the south, Yalta on the Black Sea is about the same, the Carpathian Mountains are to the west toward Hungary. To compensate for that, we sometimes will add a couple of days onto the beginning or ending of a ministry trip. For example, we have three back-to-back meetings this month in Frankfurt, followed the next day by a prayer conference, and then four days later a five day meeting in Prague. So, we're going to try to add a few days at the beginning and the end in November. ON CONCLUSION: So, there you have it . . . . three challenges out of many that a missionary constantly faces on the field that the average person back home never thinks about. I hope this will heighten your senses to the very special need your missionary friends have for your constant prayer support, e-mails, care packages, and the like. Without suggesting a lesser importance for ministry at home, I do unapologetically propose that missionaries generally experience far more intense challenges, pressures, attacks, and burdens than most of us know about. Ask God to help them discover the "hidden roads" that will take them either through or around the debris and wreckage of a fallen society, and enable them to have some quiet moments of refreshing gazing on the majesty of God's goodness and resting in the comfort of His tender mercies that never end and are new every morning. If it were not for the "hidden roads", the journey would be impossible. So, my friend, . . . . covenant with me to become a faithful intercessor for your missionary friends. They . . . . We . . . . need a massive prayer support base to undergird the work to which God has called. In fact, while you're at it, why not build a prayer support team for your own ministry? And, remember . . . . there are probably some quiet hidden roads that circumvent some of your own hurdles and obstacles. Find them. Take them when you can. Have a great week. Thanks for letting me share my heart with you again today. You bless me with that privilege. In His Bond and For His Kingdom, Bob Tolliver -- Psalm 2:8 Copyright October, 2003 Life Unlimited Ministries lifeunlimited@... www.reachukraine.org/kiev/team/tollivers.htm (Personal ministry) www.reachukraine.org/kiev (General team ministry) Subscribe to "Hope4Kyiv", a monthly praise and prayer report of our work in Ukraine by sending a blank message to hope4kyiv-subscribe@.... Please do NOT hit reply to this letter. This is an automated unmanned system. If you want to write Bob, send directly to lifeunlimited@.... Replying to "Shoulder To Shoulder" mailer gets you nowhere. If this letter has blessed you, feel free to forward it, with proper credits, to any and all you wish. Secular News on Kiev and Ukraine will give you interesting views at . . . www.kyivweekly.com www.kievpost.com www.kyivpost.com www.ukrainenews.com Other online Resources on Ukraine are . . . . www.uazone.net www.hope4cee.org www.ukraineinfo.us www.peopleteams.org/ukrainians www.reachukraine.org MAY I RECOMMEND . . . . If you have a heart for God and would like to be encouraged in your life and ministry, and you have a burden for your church, your community, and the world, then you may want to receive . . . A world-wide network for praying together www.worldprayerteam.org To adopt and pray for a special historic city in Iraq, go to www.operationiraqcare.org "National Pastors' Prayer Network" newsletter at http://www.nppn.org ~ email: phil@... Register your PPG: http://www.nppn.org/ppg/ U. S. World Prayer Center at Usprayercenter@... City Reaching/City Impact Roundtable www.cityreaching.com Wolfgang Simpson's "Friday Fax" from New Zealand fridayfax-subscribe@... "Life Action Outreach" at www.LifeAction.org "Bulletin On Revival" by Francois Carr in South Africa at www.revivalcsa.co.za "Youth Interceding For America" at www.yifa.org "Mission America" at www.missionamerica.org. "The Lighthouse Movement" at www.lighthousemovement.com OTHER GREAT RESOURCES: "Christian Communications Toolkit" (using internet wisely) at http://associate.com/camsoc/ctt/ Free software or shareware listings, http://www.associate.com/camsoc/crop/software.html#freewin. "Christian Computing Magazine", www.ccmag.com. CCMag discussion newsletter, ccmag-subscribe@.... Thousands of Free Christian graphics at http://www.christiangraphicdesign.com/premierinfo.htm "We will not Work where we have not prayed." (Todd Golden)