As I was waking at 5:30 this morning, I was praying for the Kenyan people Neil will be visiting. In the picture above from a few years ago, Neil had the honor of holding a brand newborn baby. In the midst of a world in turmoil, if we take time to get off the Merry-Go-Around, God will allow us to touch the lives of His precious ones. This was my morning quiet time passage today:
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)
Now, may I introduce you to our son, Joe, who God gave us through a prophetic word many years ago? Our friend, Keith Hazel from Canda, prophesied that although our children were unable to live, the Lord had filled Neil's quiver with arrows that would be shot to distant places around the globe, and that in coming years we would visit them to encourage and strengthen them in ministry. Joe is one of those arrows.
When Joe arrived at the University of Minnesota, Morris in the early 1980's to earn his B.A. in theatre, Joe was suffering from depression and confused by drugs and alcohol. As I helped him figure out how his transfer credits fit our degree requirements, I looked into his empty eyes and it was as if no one was home. Neil was also completing his degree. Neil and I would meet for lunch and read a chapter in the Bible to each other and pray. We didn't notice at first, but there were students who began sitting in the tables near ours so they could hear the Bible readings. Then students began asking if they could join us at our table. Joe was one of those students. I hardly recognized Joe, his countenance had changed so much! Joe had a radient smile and such tenderness and grace. Jesus gave Joe a servant's heart. He met a group of elderly ladies at a cafe who were caring for their mothers at home. Joe soon was taking turns sleeping on the floor of a mother's room to carry the mother to the toilet during the night, allowing the daughter one good night of sleep a week.
Joe had given his heart to Jesus, having made friends with some of the Christian students. Joe heard that we had a weekly Bible study at our house in the country and asked if students could join us. Soon cars met us on Friday afternoons outside my office building and followed us home where Neil sent me upstairs for a quick nap, while Neil and students put our house in order and made dinner. They enjoyed petting our horses and even conversing with our pigs and chickens before the study began. When we moved to Morris in 1983, the students gathered there several times a week, bringing instruments, playing games, and discussing the Bible. As Neil and I headed to bed, we would ask the students to turn the lights out as they left. Our door was always open, and the keys were in our car in case anyone needed it. My how times have changed. We lock everything now.
Just before Joe completed his degree, he brought the students to our house for one last night of singing and prayer. That was the first group of our college students. Joe and his friend Dave, who had become the worship leader at our church, were graduating. I cried all evening. Joe came over and put his head right in front of mine begging me not to cry. He wanted to remember me happy, but I couldn't stop. I told him I might never see him again until heaven! Then as I made my way up to bed, the Holy Spirit comforted me, "There, there now, Mother Hen. It's time for your chicks to leave the nest and go out to lay their own eggs!" By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I was laughing, but Joe didn't get to see that.
About two years passed. It was summer. I was crossing the campus mall on my way home for lunch as I saw a head of someone coming up the steps from the Science Building parking lot. Then the shoulders, and a tall lanky frame of a young man stood at the top of the stairs slowly gazing at the campus from one side to the other -- as our eyes met -- it was my Joe! Of all the children the Lord gave me from my 34 years working on the Morris campus, Joe is the one in whom we have stayed in closest touch. Whenever he was home for itineration, he spent time with us as he and Karin performed some of their teaching skits in our church. We missed the funeral for Joe's dad, but were able to attend his mother's funeral with his dear college friend, Dave.
Joe joined Covenant Players soon after graduation using his theatre skills to share the gospel. It was while he was practically hitch-hiking in a team of 4 all the way from Nigeria across the African continent to Kenya, praying in provision for travel, sleeping accommodations, and food, that he met his wife Karin. Joe thought he would remain single, but God had better plans. Then the year Joe was turning 50, he called to ask if Neil and I would agree to become the American grandparents of their children. That was their way of announcing they were about to have a baby. Of course, we said, "Yes!" Then Neil and I realized we needed to begin visiting Joe and Karin.
We have visited them in Germany and in Australia as their children have grown. When Joe and Karin completed the years they covenanted with Covenant Players, they accepted a training position to become leaders of the Nairobi base for a ministry training Christians how to reach their Muslim neighbors for Jesus through hospitality. The German founders of that ministry mentored Joe and Karin for a few years before turning the leadership over into their capable hands.
Joe and Karin will be in Minnesota soon, from May 23 - July 27. If you would like them to come to your church to teach on ministry to your Muslim neighbors:
- send a text to Ruth at 701-729-5697
- or send her an email at thielkeruth@yahoo.com.
Ruth will help you get in touch with Joe. When Joe heard about the Somalians in Joe's hometown of Minneapolis, Joe began looking forward to meeting them. The war in Somalia has sent many Somalians into Kenya. Our Minnesota tax dollars have funded some of the major building projects in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, where large skyscrapers have been raised in the last few years.
We can be upset about so many Somalians in Minnesota, or we can see their presence as an opportunity from God to introduce them to Jesus. We get to choose whose eyes we use to see them, because Jesus is sharing His eyes for us to gain a heavenly perspective. There is a saying that goes something like this, "When you are given a basket of lemons, make lemonade." But Ruth, you may be thinking, isn't that going a bit too far? Don't you think Jesus thought that, also, when he asked his Father three times in the garden, "If you are willing, remove this cup from me"? Where would we be if the Father had replied, "Yeah, Jesus, that is asking bit too much. I was just kidding." Why do you think our Father said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him."
When Neil began in ministry, he asked the Lord to send him where no one else wanted to go. There have been times after Neil arrives at a new location, he isn't so sure he wants to go there either. But then the tears come as he sees Jesus making a home in their hearts.
Prayer & Practical Needs:
Joe and his family need:
- a vehicle to accommodate a family of 4 tall people and their luggage from May 23-July 27.
- speaking engagements & accommodations
- help funding Christian education for their two girls that is now over $20,000 a year at the West Nairobi School.
Joe hopes to meet the new principal for the West Nairobi School who is from right here in Minnesota attending Grace Life Church in Marshall, and will soon be moving his family to Kenya. Their new high school principal has borrowed Neil's canoes and canoe trailer to take young people from Marshall on canoe trips to the Canadian Quetico wilderness just across the northern border of Minnesota. Karin has helped teach at the West Nairobi School, so they can help the new principal learn what to expect once he arrives in Kenya. God weaves such beautiful tapestries as he intertwines the lives of his children from various locations around the world.
Pray also for Neil who is hoping to win at least one game of Cribbage before he says farewell to Joe's family and heads into his 3 weeks of ministry. [Tongue in cheek]