Perspective: what's yours?

Our perspectives on things affect our entire lives: world views, the way we make decisions, what we value. Oftentimes we allow our perspectives to be shaped by our environment, instead of absolute truth. A few weeks ago, Patrick's parents graciously watched the kids (for the entire week. all 3 of them.) while we went to Louisville, Kentucky for an intensive "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" class. It was highly recommended by our organization, and many others, but to be honest, I went into it not really understanding what it was we were supposed to be learning, and doubting if we really needed to hear it anyways. As they explained it, the "program" (if you can call it that. I really don't like that word.) is not a class, but an introduction to a movement, designed to connect you to something so much greater than yourself. After scores of emails going back and forth on mundane things such as what drink mixes and toothpaste brands are available in Nairobi, I definitely needed a perspective refresher! Just a few of the many insights we came away with:

1. Our God is, and always has been a missionary God. It didn't start with the Great Commission. It started way back in the very beginning. God covenanted with Abraham to bless all the families of the earth through him and his seed. That was fulfilled through Jesus, and continues to be fulfilled as the Church today continues to be a blessing to the nations. God orchestrates every event in history, and is able to use it for His purposes. Looking back, we can see how He used events in history. Something I learned: God didn't throw all those heathen tribes out of the Promised Land simply because He liked Israel better and wanted them to enjoy the best real estate. He put the Israelites at the very center of the ancient world, a crossroads through which all other nations would end up traveling. Why? Because even then, they were a living testimony to the one true God, even though that testimony was often one of being disciplined for rebellion. All throughout the Old Testament, God reached out to other nations through the Israelites, and many of them believed. All the peoples of the earth were not an afterthought, because the Israelites didn't work out. They were His chosen people to reach the nations. 
2. God is about His own glory. I know this isn't news to most of us. But it still bears remembering. Because all the time, without meaning to, we still often make it about us. Act like its about us. Its reflected in the way we view church, our prayer lives, the way we talk about God with other people, and the way we respond to His authority in our lives. Just try reading the Bible, Old or New Testament, and not notice this theme. No matter what is taking place, the end result is ALWAYS more people believing in God, and/or worshiping God. Miracles among the Israelites? Pointed people to God. Miracles Jesus did? People believed in His name and worshiped Him. The miracles that were done were always for a greater purpose than that one individual. Not saying God doesn't have great concern and interest over each of us individually. I believe He does. But in the end, its all about Him. (And ironically, in this Kingdom of upside-downs, that is the only way we will every be truly satisfied. And He knows this. Which is why He commands us to seek Him first. Its a win-win!) 
3. Our perceptions of 'church' are just much too small! The Church is so exciting to study! The history of it, the foundations, its leaders, how it has influenced history, what is happening with it today, and most of all, to me, its diversity! The Creator God invented diversity; it is important to Him. He loves, and longs, to hear prayers coming before Him in different languages; He has foreordained that every tongue and every tribe will worship His Son, and lift up His name. WE ARE PART OF SOMETHING GREAT. SOMETHING HUGE. SOMETHING THAT WILL NEVER END. It is so big, we can't comprehend it. But it's all about the Church. Jesus died for the Church, and He's coming back for the Church. And the Church is bigger than we think! 
4. It takes alot of effort, training, preparation, time, and most of all PRAYER to properly introduce the Gospel to an unreached people. Now I know a movement of God is just that: of God. And He can use whatever and whoever He wants. He doesn't even need anybody. If He chooses to do that, fine by me. But if we are giving ourselves to that task, we need to do it well.  If the strategy we're using isn't working, change it! Which means taking the time to really know the people with whom we are sharing; to enter in to their world, as much as we need to; to be wise and respectful and patient; to have a long term plan, for the birth and growth and multiplication of the Church; to perhaps let go of some of our own ideas of church. To be willing to take a back seat, and slowly invest deeply into a few native believers who will end up being the Pauls and Barnabases of their world. In the end, it isn't about strategy or skill, its about a merciful loving God reaching out to a hurting, lost people, whom He has loved since He brought them into being, and calling them for His own. 
5. The nations are coming to us in an unprecedented way. This brings amazing opportunities! Sometimes the best way to reach a people might actually be to stay here, and just find them. Many are students, who will go back and be leaders in their countries. Often these are countries which do not welcome missionaries in the traditional sense. Many others have come for jobs and are regularly sending money back to their families. Many, many are refugees, and have endured unimaginable sorrows. This is called Newcomer or Welcoming ministry, which I got a taste of while living in Minnesota. Churches all over our country are welcoming hosts of different nationalities in many creative ways. There are abundant resources for this type of ministry, and its really exciting how it is growing! 
6. Last thing I learned: all our roles are important! We all know about the Navy Seals of the missionary world: they live in huts, wear only native clothing and eat fried grubs. They are the real deal. None of us could ever do what they do! Right? But think about the whole group of people involved in getting them there, and keeping them there. All the way from the Sunday School teachers who planted seeds in their hearts, the individuals and churches who send them, the family members who let them go and support them, the sending agency, and the host of people who make it work for them on the ground. You're a missionary, oh, what do you do? I run a guest house. I work in an orphanage. I teach English classes. I work in the business office, in the field. I teach mk's. I am a pilot, and I take that Navy Seal his mail, groceries, and parts for his truck when they break down. I brought his wife to the hospital when she was having a baby. Which role is most important? None! Even if our direct involvement is not personally actively planting churches among unreached peoples, we are still working towards that goal together. We can't all be the tip of the sword. Every single Christ-follower can be working towards, can be literally consumed with, glorifying God and reflecting that glory to the world, sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and encouraging those disciples to go out and make disciples. (And I will go out on a limb and say that "missionaries" can lose sight of this goal as they get bogged down with daily life just like anyone else!) It isn't about our 9-5, in ministry or not, overseas or not. It's just about our "perspective" on life, and the purpose of it! 

Extra Extra! Read all about an extra special announcement from the Crisps

For years, anytime we thought about pursuing missionary aviation full time as we felt God was leading us, there were two major obstacles. We took a year preparing for the first one, and passed the technical evaluation last fall. Then we somewhat apprehensively focused our efforts on the second: finding enough people that believed in us and the Kingdom to commit to supporting us financially, enough that the physical needs of our family could be met while we serve missionaries and national pastors church planting among unreached people groups in East Central Africa. 

We are beyond thrilled to tell you that we have reached our monthly support goal! (Still working on our onetime Outgoing Fund.) Miracles do happen! God is so big! We could never ever have made this happen. I was in complete shock when Patrick told me that two more churches had decided to share in our vision for Christ centered churches grow and flourish among the unreached, and those two churches put us at 100%!!!! Two months before our deadline! We are so excited, and humbled. So humbled that the Lord, and you, our partners, would see fit to send us to be ambassadors of His Gospel of redemption and reconciliation, to the ends of the earth. We want nothing more than to see God be worshiped among every tribe, tongue, and nation on earth. Thank you for being a part of making that happen, both here in our hometowns and cities, and in parts where His great name is not yet known. Each and every one of us has the chance to live our lives for the fame of His name! 

Here in this worn and weary land, 

Where many a dream has diedLike a tree planted by the water, 

We never will run dry

So living water flowing through
God we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls
With one desire

Just to know You and
To make You known
We lift Your name on High
Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Into Your word we're digging deep
To know our Father's heartInto the world we're reaching out
To show them who You are

So living water flowing through
God we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls
With one desire

Just to know You and
To make You known
We lift Your name on High
Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Joy Unspeakable

 Faith Unsinkable

Love Unstoppable

Anything is possible!

A year from now, when I am looking back through the blog, these are the kinds of posts that will tear my heart out. So much so, that it almost makes me not want to do it in the first place. There is simply no way to mitigate the pain of leaving. I just wish I could enjoy the next 6 months without thinking about it constantly. About ready to pull this bandaid off. But I digress. 

We have been enjoying some really special times recently. Memorial Day Weekend Brett, Jessica and Isaac  came out from North Carolina for a visit, and nearly all of Patrick's extended family on one side got together for a barbecue. It was so much fun, and I don't mind telling you, when I look back at these pictures, the food will also be missed. I may like goat cheese and balsamic reductions, but there is always  place for fried chicken, ribs, baked beans, potato salad, and garlic bread! (one thing i will not miss, from this picture: the wind!) 

My kids had so much fun with their cousins. They are in between Patrick and I and the kids. And normally, what interest would college students have in playing with 4 yr olds? But they do, and it means so much to my kids! Hannah said she had so much fun, she wanted to go live with them. 

Another special activity that weekend was the zoo, with some friends and partners who drove up from Oklahoma to hang out with us. (so the orange shirt is mine, the brown shirt is the friend :-) We, of course, especially enjoyed the Africa exhibit. It wasn't too hot, and the animals were really active. It is still surreal to me that very soon we will be living in safari country. (in the city, but it's pretty close.) What will that be like? 

This lion was a little too active! He came right over and kept hitting the glass and roaring. I was actually scared. And I've even been on safari before, and seen a lion without a glass in between us. But this guy here was something else. Other kids were scared, but Caroline was thrilled. 

Isaac is so precious! He knows all our names, which is really impressive. He talks alot in general, and never got our names confused. He loves to say hi and bye to every person in the group, and come over and hug you. He'll be 2 in a few days. We are looking forward to getting to spend more time with him in the fall, along with the cousins on my side, before we go! 

Eating watermelon, playing in the sprinkler, ice cream, and relaxing on the porch. 

This week the kids (Hannah) had to figure out a word puzzle during breakfast. (Which was oatmeal, blueberries, almonds, and molasses. if you question my judgement when you see the next picture. ;-) It took a little help, but they were pretty excited about the announcement for a Crisp Family Fun Day.  School Schmool. 

We had really (REALLY) been needing some time together. After a mid morning snack, we headed to walmart for supplies, then went to the local Wildlife and Parks nature museum, on a 'hike' at the 'lake', and then had a picnic. The next day, Patrick went back to work, and we went back to, well, whatever it is we do all day. 

Stay at home moms have all the fun! (its like a permanent vacation, right? ;-) 

"My sunglasses fell out of my shirt pocket at the hayshed west of town. Why don't you and the kids run over there and look for them?" - Patrick says. Uh huh. I was doubtful. 

But thank God for small blessings! (especially that they didn't even get trampled by a child inadvertently, during the search and recovery mission. 

This is a loader, in case you're interested. 

It stacks the bales just like this. (I haven't lived in KS for so long that I don't remember there are lots of people in the world not yet familiar with farm equipment.) 

Last Sunday was really special. In the morning, the kids and I shared in a SS class at another church. Actually, the same SS class that Patrick went to when he was a kid. Every month, they have a God's World Sunday, and those kids are really learning about different countries, peoples, and the missionaries their church supports. So neat to see, and share with them! 

In the evening, we zoomed up to the other end of the age spectrum. We had the honour of sharing with about 25 people at a get together hosted by Patrick's grandparents. Many of these precious people have known Patrick since he was born, and have prayed for us all along this journey. (And, I might add, many missionaries that have come and gone before us.) It was a typical early summer night in Kansas, with severe thunderstorm warnings. But no tornado warnings, so we continued as scheduled. It meant so much to us that they came out, knowing it was going to be hailing and thunder storming. Being in that community center, singing traditional hymns acapella, during the storm, and listening to faithful person after faithful person tell us they were praying for us was very humbling for me. I will take that experience with me, and hold on to it for the future. And then this beautiful rainbow came out, another reminder of God's faithfulness. (It was complete in real life. I just can't get the panoramic setting on my camera figured out!) 

With people like this behind us, how could we doubt? ;-) Thank you Cadence. We love you too.