This week I finished an amazing month of training at the Anglican Church in Gaborone and continued training at Believers Destiny Academy. For the past 3 Saturdays we have spent 4 hours with 30 children leaders from the local Anglican churches here in Gaborone. Our training is built around developing biblical based leadership with passion and purpose that ends with being intentional in our choices to be leaders of disciples, the children. This group understood and got what we are teaching. Their dedication was amazing; all of them gave up three Saturdays and sat in a hot, 98 degree F room to listen to man who speaks funny English. They connected well on every point we had to teach and were able to use it on their own without me. One of the leaders commented they were looking forward to seeing if someone could come into their church and bring energy to the children's sunday school time. I quote, "from this training, I have learned I have been equipped to bring energy to the children. This has been wonderful and thank you." This is from a teacher of 30 years in public schools who is also teaching children in the church, "You have taught us new ideas and new ways to be intentional teachers of children using bible stories as process of action. This is refreshing for all of us. We are ready to use what you have taught us." There is planning under way to teach all of the locations in Botswana so all of the Anglican churches are equipped, not just in Gaborone.
We had another training with Believers Destiny Academy this week. It was an amazing day with them as well. We have been working to connect them to why they should be intentional with how they teach and reach children. It is more than working from a syllabus, completing tasks and just being there for the children. Children need to know teachers want to connect with to help them mature. We have to be focused on reaching the whole child: mental, physical, social and spiritual elements of a child. There mission statement is based on this point. They admitted they find themselves focused on the everyday items and not the growth elements of a child. They are realizing the Bible story telling process with the intent to see how the story impacts children lives for change, a heart change, is powerful. Advertising and media work very hard to do the same thing but not based on Biblical truth. How are they to know truth if they do not hear it from parents, teachers, or other important adults in their lives. We discussed levels of spiritual maturity to help know what the "next step" should be for a child. They worked through several Bible stories and discovered how this can be effective in child development. The "win" during this session: Hearing truth is not a guarantee; it has to be learned, felt and put into action (head, heart and hands). Their effort must be intentional and well planned by them for behavior change to happen. They were nervous but excited to start seeing how they can be deliberate in developing the "whole child" God has put in their care.
February has been a good month kicking off our work here for 2012. I know God has big things coming our way this year and what we have to share is relevant. I mentioned in a previous blog the "real-life disciple process": Share, Connect, Minister and Disciple from Jim Putnam's book. This is how God is leading me to equip here and it is working. If fits perfectly with Alice Drive Baptist Church process of everyone has a next step with Christ. Continue to pray as more churches are asking for training and this process begins to work for the leaders and the children. We are seeing Jesus making changes in the lives of people.
Tonya is still doing well with her neck and boys are doing well in school. Makenzie and Hunter have busy schedules with school and work but doing well. Chandler is on a camping adventure in the desert with friends this week. He might be able to spot the "big five" animals of Africa; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Praying for his safety and no "getting lost" trips this time and that he can outrun his three friends on the trip, LOL.
Thank you for continued prayers and support.
Scott and Tonya Shipes
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Are you being sifted?
Dumela lang!(Hello to all my friends and family). Thank you for praying for the things I mentioned in my last blog. Tonya is doing much better and is back to being her active self again. She was released from physio today! Makenzie got a Nursing Externship this summer in the Cardiovascular ICU at Roper Hospital in Charleston. She is excited to have the opportunity for the experience and to work in critical health care. Hunter is doing well adjusting and is very busy with life and getting ready to attend Charleston Southern University this with his sister. Parker and Tonya are settling into a homeschool routine. Josh and Joe are practicing their reading everyday and keeping us on our toes as always. Chandler is doing well in school. He is going camping in the Kalahari Desert next week with some friends and is looking forward to that. So things on the homefront seem to be okay for now. Thank you Jesus!
Today, I want to share a verse that convicted me, about how am I letting God's Word make changes in me? I read this verse the other week and felt no need for comment but today was different. Luke 22:31-32, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." I missed this over the years and and never fully realized Satan asked permission to deal with Simon Peter. Jesus explains this will happen but He prayed for Simon Peter that his faith will not fail.
"Sift like wheat." I kept processing this statement over again in my mind. I can visually see it now since we moved here. The local people grind maize and sorghum and sift the grain by letting the wind take away the husk and fiber and leave only grain in the their basket. The "good" is in the grain and they want to remove the other dead material. I was seeing a new picture here. Satan wanted to take away the good from Simon Peter. The process of sifting, is to shake in an upward circular motion the sieve or basket to create turbulence to remove the dead from the good. A biblical way to say it is the inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow. Our faith and self-control keeps the good away from the dead. So where am I going with this?
Every day in this world we are given to the agitations and turbulence. A world that Satan is in and all over it with his lies and hate. Jesus tells Peter He prayed his faith may not fail. Then Jesus tells him "when once", meaning at some time you will fail,but you will return and encourage everyone. The "when once" suddenly started to sink in for me. The times I am the most agitated and torn within is when others are impacting my life or when I can not do the work I want to do here.
Peter and I are starting to be too much alike, or maybe I'm just starting to notice. Quick to speak and stubborn to think others may be right. Always too busy thinking I'm the one that's right. It is during this sifting, inward, turbulent process that I have the opportunity to display my faith. God allows this happen to strengthen me and others. We have to protect and maintain the good in us which is from Jesus Christ and not from our selves. If good is of man, it is corrupt, destructive and fleeting. My self confidence creates sorrow and shame if I do not keep it in check. This so apparent to me sitting in traffic while drivers are darting in and out and everyone is trying to get a better spot in the waiting line. I feel helpless in long lines paying bills, buying food, filling out documents and government paperwork. I have been hearing too many roosters crowing lately when I blow my horn or make remarks about people.
Just as Jesus restored Peter, He restores me. He gives me a chance to gain strength and learn from my actions. I need to encourage others not just in our training times but in my life times in the daily "world" stuff. Discipling is not just at specific times we choose, it is all the time and everywhere. I have to be prayerful about this to keep my "wheat" from getting taken away or I should say, "given to Satan"?
Thank you for your love, support and prayers. We are busy doing the work God called us to and are enjoying it. Finishing training at the Anglican Church this weekend and starting the next level of training for the school. I have such a desire to disciple and am praising God He keeps discipling this modern day Peter.
Scott
Today, I want to share a verse that convicted me, about how am I letting God's Word make changes in me? I read this verse the other week and felt no need for comment but today was different. Luke 22:31-32, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." I missed this over the years and and never fully realized Satan asked permission to deal with Simon Peter. Jesus explains this will happen but He prayed for Simon Peter that his faith will not fail.
"Sift like wheat." I kept processing this statement over again in my mind. I can visually see it now since we moved here. The local people grind maize and sorghum and sift the grain by letting the wind take away the husk and fiber and leave only grain in the their basket. The "good" is in the grain and they want to remove the other dead material. I was seeing a new picture here. Satan wanted to take away the good from Simon Peter. The process of sifting, is to shake in an upward circular motion the sieve or basket to create turbulence to remove the dead from the good. A biblical way to say it is the inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow. Our faith and self-control keeps the good away from the dead. So where am I going with this?
Every day in this world we are given to the agitations and turbulence. A world that Satan is in and all over it with his lies and hate. Jesus tells Peter He prayed his faith may not fail. Then Jesus tells him "when once", meaning at some time you will fail,but you will return and encourage everyone. The "when once" suddenly started to sink in for me. The times I am the most agitated and torn within is when others are impacting my life or when I can not do the work I want to do here.
Peter and I are starting to be too much alike, or maybe I'm just starting to notice. Quick to speak and stubborn to think others may be right. Always too busy thinking I'm the one that's right. It is during this sifting, inward, turbulent process that I have the opportunity to display my faith. God allows this happen to strengthen me and others. We have to protect and maintain the good in us which is from Jesus Christ and not from our selves. If good is of man, it is corrupt, destructive and fleeting. My self confidence creates sorrow and shame if I do not keep it in check. This so apparent to me sitting in traffic while drivers are darting in and out and everyone is trying to get a better spot in the waiting line. I feel helpless in long lines paying bills, buying food, filling out documents and government paperwork. I have been hearing too many roosters crowing lately when I blow my horn or make remarks about people.
Just as Jesus restored Peter, He restores me. He gives me a chance to gain strength and learn from my actions. I need to encourage others not just in our training times but in my life times in the daily "world" stuff. Discipling is not just at specific times we choose, it is all the time and everywhere. I have to be prayerful about this to keep my "wheat" from getting taken away or I should say, "given to Satan"?
Thank you for your love, support and prayers. We are busy doing the work God called us to and are enjoying it. Finishing training at the Anglican Church this weekend and starting the next level of training for the school. I have such a desire to disciple and am praising God He keeps discipling this modern day Peter.
Scott
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
What Are You Really Saying?
Hello family and friends from hot Botswana. It starts off hot here and ends way hot when the day ends. Hard to describe how intense the sun is here other than you move around in a oven broiler when you are out in it. I have gotten adjusted to it but the rest of Shipes, not so much. Also, thank you for the prayers concerning the adjustment for them. I think they are in a good place right now and working through it. We had the three Davis children staying with us for 10 days so their missionary parents could go out the country and experience what God is doing in other parts of Africa. We missed their parents but we had typical Shipes family time: loud, laughter and tears. Shout out to Mica, Meredith and Peyton for hanging in their with us.
We rejoice that we have done 2 training session this week. We ask them to complete a survey to help us understand where they think their ministry is at right now and where do they want to take it. Also, this provides where they excel and where they have needs for the ministry. Here was some facts we discovered from this information that I would like to share. We worked with 80 people in the classes who have weekly contact with 2,396 children. A 30:1 ration leader to child means to reach all 800,000 children of Botswana, 27,000 teachers would need to be equipped. Remembering God's math I shared last time, this could easily happen in 3-5 years if everyone trains someone else with what they have been equipped. I feel like David sometimes standing there with 5 rocks looking at something big and overwhelming when I think about how many children there are and how few workers are out there, (sounds like a familiar verse). We know the reality it is a "big thing" and God's way means we have got to face it and not shake in fear. I pray I can see beyond the "big thing" in front of me and ready to take on all the "big things" out there. All David needed was one God and one rock to do the job at hand. I love how he picked up 5 rocks. David knew the "big thing" and 4 other "big things" were out there to do battle with. He was equipped and ready for them. He was ready for Goliath, Goliath' father and three brothers. This is what equipping ministry is about being prepared with a new way of thinking. David did not need Saul's armor and army. He needed God and what God provided.
This brings me to the title of this blog, "What are you really saying?". In the survey, they provide me what resources they need to be effective in reaching the children. Overwhelming there was a consistent request: flip boards, felt boards and CD's. Almost everyone asked for them. At this point, I could have made requests and gone out and found the items for them, be the hero of the week and take pictures with everyone happy and smiling. I resisted this power trip and asked the question in the title. The response was the same from all them. They want to be able to tell bible stories to the children the same way missionaries and teachers did with them. It was all the knew and that is why they asked for it. I was speechless, (for those who know me, that does not happen a lot). The training I have developed with God's help is teaching with Passion, the right Attitude, working as a Team and Honoring one another; using only the Bible in a story telling format. I told them I had something different in mind that would do the job. After the first session, no one wanted flip charts, felt boards and CD's. The bible is all they need plus using a teaching method of learning how to read and tell stories from the bible with a goal of showing children how to apply it to their lives. We are teaching how to share, connect, minister and disciple the children using only the Bible as the source for the answers. The Word of God is all Jesus used and look how well that turned out. He trained 12 men how to bring the world in the greatest relationship it will ever know, one with God eternally and helping others along the way.
The training has opened more opportunity to equip for us here. The Anglican Church has requested we train all of their 50+ churches in Botswana this year. Pray we can make arrangements with the Botswana Baptist Convention to train their churches. We are having discussions, but have not finalized anything at this point. They see the potential and need but have to work out a number of logistics issues to make it happen. We are finalizing the details to go back up to Selebi-Phikwe in a few months to continue the next step in their training and also, host a kids camp for a day with another local organization here.
Thank you for support and prayers from all of you. Also, for taking time out to read this blog and posting comments. Pray for the training in the planning stages and for a good response. We continue to receive feed back on how wonderful the training has been for their children's ministry in the churches we have trained. Continue to pray for Makenzie and Hunter back in the states. Makenzie had a job interview for the summer she really would like to have for her nursing career. Hunter has adjusted well to being back in the US. Leaving them in God's hands is a rock I sometimes have a hard time putting in the sling shot. I know who has the power and possibilities for them. Praise God. Pray for the muscles in Tonya's neck. I guess I am not the only pain in the neck for her anymore. She has been experiencing muscle spams that come and go that are making it difficult for her to get around. It is happening more frequently and the pain has been pretty bad. She is seeing physicians here but not getting relief.
Love all of you and keep the prayers and love coming,
Scott and Tonya
We rejoice that we have done 2 training session this week. We ask them to complete a survey to help us understand where they think their ministry is at right now and where do they want to take it. Also, this provides where they excel and where they have needs for the ministry. Here was some facts we discovered from this information that I would like to share. We worked with 80 people in the classes who have weekly contact with 2,396 children. A 30:1 ration leader to child means to reach all 800,000 children of Botswana, 27,000 teachers would need to be equipped. Remembering God's math I shared last time, this could easily happen in 3-5 years if everyone trains someone else with what they have been equipped. I feel like David sometimes standing there with 5 rocks looking at something big and overwhelming when I think about how many children there are and how few workers are out there, (sounds like a familiar verse). We know the reality it is a "big thing" and God's way means we have got to face it and not shake in fear. I pray I can see beyond the "big thing" in front of me and ready to take on all the "big things" out there. All David needed was one God and one rock to do the job at hand. I love how he picked up 5 rocks. David knew the "big thing" and 4 other "big things" were out there to do battle with. He was equipped and ready for them. He was ready for Goliath, Goliath' father and three brothers. This is what equipping ministry is about being prepared with a new way of thinking. David did not need Saul's armor and army. He needed God and what God provided.
This brings me to the title of this blog, "What are you really saying?". In the survey, they provide me what resources they need to be effective in reaching the children. Overwhelming there was a consistent request: flip boards, felt boards and CD's. Almost everyone asked for them. At this point, I could have made requests and gone out and found the items for them, be the hero of the week and take pictures with everyone happy and smiling. I resisted this power trip and asked the question in the title. The response was the same from all them. They want to be able to tell bible stories to the children the same way missionaries and teachers did with them. It was all the knew and that is why they asked for it. I was speechless, (for those who know me, that does not happen a lot). The training I have developed with God's help is teaching with Passion, the right Attitude, working as a Team and Honoring one another; using only the Bible in a story telling format. I told them I had something different in mind that would do the job. After the first session, no one wanted flip charts, felt boards and CD's. The bible is all they need plus using a teaching method of learning how to read and tell stories from the bible with a goal of showing children how to apply it to their lives. We are teaching how to share, connect, minister and disciple the children using only the Bible as the source for the answers. The Word of God is all Jesus used and look how well that turned out. He trained 12 men how to bring the world in the greatest relationship it will ever know, one with God eternally and helping others along the way.
The training has opened more opportunity to equip for us here. The Anglican Church has requested we train all of their 50+ churches in Botswana this year. Pray we can make arrangements with the Botswana Baptist Convention to train their churches. We are having discussions, but have not finalized anything at this point. They see the potential and need but have to work out a number of logistics issues to make it happen. We are finalizing the details to go back up to Selebi-Phikwe in a few months to continue the next step in their training and also, host a kids camp for a day with another local organization here.
Thank you for support and prayers from all of you. Also, for taking time out to read this blog and posting comments. Pray for the training in the planning stages and for a good response. We continue to receive feed back on how wonderful the training has been for their children's ministry in the churches we have trained. Continue to pray for Makenzie and Hunter back in the states. Makenzie had a job interview for the summer she really would like to have for her nursing career. Hunter has adjusted well to being back in the US. Leaving them in God's hands is a rock I sometimes have a hard time putting in the sling shot. I know who has the power and possibilities for them. Praise God. Pray for the muscles in Tonya's neck. I guess I am not the only pain in the neck for her anymore. She has been experiencing muscle spams that come and go that are making it difficult for her to get around. It is happening more frequently and the pain has been pretty bad. She is seeing physicians here but not getting relief.
Love all of you and keep the prayers and love coming,
Scott and Tonya
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Is it real life?
As we have been getting back in the swing here in Gaborone, Botswana, the reality of life here is apparent. We miss our family, we miss our friends, school is different for our children, the culture is different and most all we are different. The way we do things, from everyday items, to planning for the future is centered around life in Botswana and how to move forward in ministry and with family. Moving daily around long lines, traffic jams and going to multiple places to complete your shopping list can wear you out, especially when it is hot. When people around you behave in a manner you do not like, it is unreal how frustrated you can get dealing with the attitude. After all, people who are real in life behave the way we do, right? Everyone should do things the way we do it because it is better, right? People should not be so selfish, right?
I know God did not send us here to find people like us, who think like minded and confirm how great it is to know the Lord and do His work. He has blessed us with wonderful missionary friends who encourage us and help us. God has blessed us with African believers who are such a joy to spend time with and share their life stories. We have connected to believers here but I have to admit I have not connected to many non-believers here. It takes time and it can be messy sorted out their life problems and how it relates to God. I live in a country who know Jesus as Spiritual Infants and Children who were not discipled further than the day they accepted Christ. Infants and children are loud, messy, time consuming, selfish and need direction. That is why we are here in Botswana, to lead people through their next steps with Christ. Everyone has a next step, learning to read the bible and memorize, learning how to serve in church, learning how to disciple others and learning how to lead others to disciple.
I discovered a new name this week in my study time, "Carnal Christians". A Christian who is only concerned about themselves in their church life. You know them by the comments they make. "This church is too big, I liked it better when it was smaller and everyone knew me." "They keep changing the music all the time. I liked the music when I first started attending here 15 years ago. It was good then, why should we change a good thing. I loved it." "Why should I attend a small group? The pastor speaks to me just fine every Sunday. People in small groups just want to get in my personal business." Just a few of my favorite comments I have heard over the years in church. I have said similar comments on why it is hard to live in Botswana. How selfish is it to think everyone should change their behavior because I am here to do God's work.
Real life for a believer in Jesus Christ is WWJD not WWID (What would I do). Jesus had a great ministry format and taught it to his disciples. share, connect, minister and make disciples. Twelve men shared the gospel message with the command from Jesus to "Go" and "Disciple" and changed the world. By the third century, the Roman Empire declared Christianity their official religion. We are all called to do work like this. Being aware others around you spiritually maturity so God's can say here is your "go". Share, connect, minister or disciple to the one I love who is before you. Think about it, Zacchaeus was a person no body liked to be with. God ran him up a tree so Jesus and the disciples would notice him, single him out and fellowship with him, a person different from them nobody liked. God taught Zacchaeus and the disciples during this event, Jesus is here for the lost, we are here for the lost. Are we being internal Christians thinking about us or intentional Christians who see a "go" moment and serves others.
Last thought, God has exponential numbers when it comes to His math. Reading from "Real Discipleship" by Jim Putnam, this is one of the best books and work books I have read for God's perspective of His work. After all, He names a book Numbers to clarify how important numbers are to Him. Jim said, "If one person disciples three disciple-makers every five years. If those disciples do the same every five years, in ten years there will be almost 180,000 disciple-makers in this world. If they continue this process for seventy years, (average life span) there are potentially 14 billion disciple makers. Twice the number of people currently occupying our planet." God can start with one and do amazing things. The one has to "GO" to be the one who God uses to start the process. A real life for a Christian is Sharing, Connecting, Ministering and Disciple-making, that's what Jesus did.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read. Please pray for us as we start training next week and have a full schedule through April. Pray for our children's schooling here in Botswana and in the US. Pray that God would rise up disciple-makers to carry His Word to the world. I excited about the potential for this year.
Scott Shipes
I know God did not send us here to find people like us, who think like minded and confirm how great it is to know the Lord and do His work. He has blessed us with wonderful missionary friends who encourage us and help us. God has blessed us with African believers who are such a joy to spend time with and share their life stories. We have connected to believers here but I have to admit I have not connected to many non-believers here. It takes time and it can be messy sorted out their life problems and how it relates to God. I live in a country who know Jesus as Spiritual Infants and Children who were not discipled further than the day they accepted Christ. Infants and children are loud, messy, time consuming, selfish and need direction. That is why we are here in Botswana, to lead people through their next steps with Christ. Everyone has a next step, learning to read the bible and memorize, learning how to serve in church, learning how to disciple others and learning how to lead others to disciple.
I discovered a new name this week in my study time, "Carnal Christians". A Christian who is only concerned about themselves in their church life. You know them by the comments they make. "This church is too big, I liked it better when it was smaller and everyone knew me." "They keep changing the music all the time. I liked the music when I first started attending here 15 years ago. It was good then, why should we change a good thing. I loved it." "Why should I attend a small group? The pastor speaks to me just fine every Sunday. People in small groups just want to get in my personal business." Just a few of my favorite comments I have heard over the years in church. I have said similar comments on why it is hard to live in Botswana. How selfish is it to think everyone should change their behavior because I am here to do God's work.
Real life for a believer in Jesus Christ is WWJD not WWID (What would I do). Jesus had a great ministry format and taught it to his disciples. share, connect, minister and make disciples. Twelve men shared the gospel message with the command from Jesus to "Go" and "Disciple" and changed the world. By the third century, the Roman Empire declared Christianity their official religion. We are all called to do work like this. Being aware others around you spiritually maturity so God's can say here is your "go". Share, connect, minister or disciple to the one I love who is before you. Think about it, Zacchaeus was a person no body liked to be with. God ran him up a tree so Jesus and the disciples would notice him, single him out and fellowship with him, a person different from them nobody liked. God taught Zacchaeus and the disciples during this event, Jesus is here for the lost, we are here for the lost. Are we being internal Christians thinking about us or intentional Christians who see a "go" moment and serves others.
Last thought, God has exponential numbers when it comes to His math. Reading from "Real Discipleship" by Jim Putnam, this is one of the best books and work books I have read for God's perspective of His work. After all, He names a book Numbers to clarify how important numbers are to Him. Jim said, "If one person disciples three disciple-makers every five years. If those disciples do the same every five years, in ten years there will be almost 180,000 disciple-makers in this world. If they continue this process for seventy years, (average life span) there are potentially 14 billion disciple makers. Twice the number of people currently occupying our planet." God can start with one and do amazing things. The one has to "GO" to be the one who God uses to start the process. A real life for a Christian is Sharing, Connecting, Ministering and Disciple-making, that's what Jesus did.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read. Please pray for us as we start training next week and have a full schedule through April. Pray for our children's schooling here in Botswana and in the US. Pray that God would rise up disciple-makers to carry His Word to the world. I excited about the potential for this year.
Scott Shipes
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