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
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Your family has been on my heart and in my prayers so often since you left. Knowing that another piece of your hearts is here stateside, is a reminder of the poured out offering that your lives are for Jesus. Discipleship is the greatest key to multiplication of rock solid Christians. The biggest most life impacting gift someone gave Don and I as new Christians was their life in Christ poured into us as they purposely discipled us. It required so much of them: unconditional love, a willingness to always go the extra mile, patience, their time, investing in our lives by giving of themselves to encourage, teach, exhort and just share messy lives with. BUT this person made an impact for many for eternity because of the investment they put into our lives. You, Tonya and your family are making that same investment for generational impacting for Christ. May God encourage your hearts, strengthen you for the journey and wrap His arms tightly around you when you hit the wall. Praying for you!
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