Back to Africa...

Our time here in the Philippines has been a whirlwind.  From the second we landed back in Malaybalay, we felt like we were right where we were supposed to be, and now, two months later, we're headed back out.  Tara still tells people we were only down there for a month because that's literally what it felt like at most.  In a little over eight weeks, we hosted our four different summer camps, two week long basketball tournaments, and two church camps also rented out our facilities.  Needless to say, we did a ton of laundry and a ton of dish washing.  The good news is that hundreds of people were able to come and see our new facilities and hte projects that are yet to come.

Aside from the very public ministry that we have been doing with the camps, God has begun to place a vision on our hearts of what the future will look like.  Here, in the Philippines, there is a ton of need brought about by unemployment, poverty, a high birth rate, and a viscious cycle being past down from generation to generation.  I'll never fully grasp the weight of this culture because I have no idea what it would be like to be born and raised in the same house my great great grandfather was born and raised in and be doing the same thing he was doing decades ago.  People hand down this cycle through the generations because no other option is presented.

Now, it would be easy for me to say that other options exist, but is that actually a reality for the average Filipino in the provinces?  Probably not.  But when another Filipino from your village or tribe stands up and tells a testimony of his journey out of the cycle, then your hopes start to rise.  We believe this is what we need to be doing out here.  Giving Filipinos a jump start and then getting them to return to their home and passing the blessings on.  Here, Americans can easily draw a crowd because of the infatuation with our culture, but Filipinos listen to Filipinos. They need our crowds and we need their voice.

So what do you do with a vision on hold?  Later tonight, we'll head back to Mozambique, Africa to continue the work with another children's home for the month of June.  Our role there is dying down, but we still have to finish what we started and make sure they're still operating decades from now.  We're excited to return to our boys and check in on the status of the last few months, but it is still hard to leave our new home.  Over the next month, we'll be trekking up and down the southern coast of Africa with 30 hour bus rides to wrap up the work we've been doing out there.  It will be yet another big culture shock for us, but I think our emotions are starting to handle it by now.

Once we finish up in Africa, we'll be heading back to the States for the summer.  Please pray for us as we try to manage our ministry here from long distance, wrap up the work with our children's home in Mozambique, and head back for the reverse culture shock that is returning to the States.  We look forward to seeing everyone in a couple of months.  Let us know where you'll be!

Is It Worth It?

I remember a couple years ago, I saw this ad on tv about children starving in Africa. I remember thinking: these people aren't going to guilt trip me into giving money. Then I rationalized to myself, even if I do give money, half of it won't even go to the child. The truth is, I probably just spent that money on Starbucks or a cute dress. WAS IT WORTH IT? I just want to remind you all to think before you buy. As Americans, we often buy because we CAN or because we WANT to. I want to encourage you to say    NO to a bunch of the "little things" and do a big thing.  Save and give it away.  It is worth it. Each time I JUST SAY NO, I have been able to invest the money into a precious life. Whether it be feeding a sweet mother who is in downtown Phoenix, or helping a Filipino go to school...IT WAS WORTH IT! It's not that investing spiritually or emotionally into the lives of people isn't important, but it is harder for me to invest financially for a variety of excuses I have made. In truth, if you are paid more than 20,000 USD per year, you are in the top 90% of the world. You are blessed and you can bless others. "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,"He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way TO BE GENEROUS in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 ESV) The less you spend the more you can give away!!!  So next time you go to buy that fancy dinner on Saturday Night that you DESERVE or that shirt that was "on sale", please just think about it.  IS IT WORTH IT?

Not just crafts and Otter Pops...

It\'s hard to believe we\'ve been here for two weeks already. We\'ve been catching up with friends we haven\'t seen in a year and telling everyone the story of our wedding and showing off the pictures. The week we got here was the calm before the storm that is the camp season. One of the biggest uses of our camp and the property we run is a summer camp for underprivilidged kids in various areas around the island of Mindinao. During our summer break (March-June), we host a new group of children, varying in age and background. Our first camp finished yesterday.

During the week, I found myself flashing back to the various summer camp experiences I\'ve had over the years. Going to camp was our family vacation each summer and it\'s exciting to see these kids getting the same experience. We had over 150 children from around our own city join us for our day camp, and the only phrase I can use for it is controled chaos. I\'ve you\'ve ever experienced a summer camp, you know that phrase well. The energy level is at an extreme high and is the sugar content, which is always a dangerous combination.

But, we made it through the week alive, and Monday brings in another group. By the end of the summer, there may be close to 1000 children and teenagers from Northern Mindinao that have set foot on our campgrounds, experienced all of the events and games we have for them, and ultimately heard about the Gospel and the sacrifice of Jesus. After all, camp isn\'t just about crafts and Otter Pops. It can actually be exciting to love Jesus and fellowship with others that believe the same.

Tara and I are still waiting to see what the Lord could have for us and our time out here in Malaybalay, but until then, we\'re content with leading the conselors, washing the dishes, and playing tag with the kids since the campers don\'t understand a word we say. It\'s been incredible being here and setting up our home in the midst of outreach and loving on our kids at the children\'s home. we\'re excited to see what else God could have ahead of us...

Remembering the Vision

Sometimes it's hard to stay focused. OK, for those of you that know me, most of the time, it's hard to stay focused. Each new conversation and new friend opens up new possibilities and new doors. So how can you stay focused? Every morning I wake up, new needs and priorities pile up, and along with that, so do the "half-jobs" (tasks started but not finished, thank Tim Reed for putting a term on it). There have been many times in my life where I've stepped back to survey the shrapnel of the jobs that were once top priority, now left unfinished. So the question remains; how do you stay focused?

Tara and I have been reading through the Gospels, and I've always had this picture of Jesus being completely available as the ultimate multi-tasker. During his time on earth, I know he caouldn't have been everywhere at once, but it seemed like mentally he was. When he spoke too long and the crowds grew hungry, he didn't send them on their way, blind to that fact it was dinner time. He broke bread and multiplied it, making sure everyone had their fill (Matthew 4, Mark 6, Luke 9, John 6). When he was asked to come and heal the daughter of one of the most important religious leaders, he didn't neglect the people he met along the way. And, he still made it to his appointment with the little girl (Mark 5, Luke 8). So how did he do it with a million things going on? How do he stay focused?

Many people have lists of priorities or annual goals that can help them task manage, but we also have New Years Resolutions that excite us if they last until Valentine's Day. So I've been thinking about this whole focus thing and the example that Jesus set for us on how to attain it. I would venture out to stay that focus has less to do with looking ahead and more to do with remembering what has already happened and the promises that have been made. The Israelites turned a four month journey into 40 years, because they forgot (pretty much all of Exodus). King David nearly destroyed his character and his kingdom, because he forgot (2 Samuel 11). Peter denied and turned his back on his best friend and mentor, Jesus, because he forgot (Matthew 26). True focus is fueled by remembering.

Personally, I've torn down the to-do lists and plans for what is to come, because lists will always grow and plans will always change. I've replaced them with promises from Scripture and the vision that God gives us to go into the nations to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and to go with the power of His spirit (Acts 1:8), because they are timeless truths that never eb and flow or change with the season. Jesus was an excellent multi-tasker NOT because of his morning coffee and daily schedule, but because he remembered his vision and never strayed from what was promised to him. He reminded himself by regularly retreating to his "lonely place" (recorded countless times in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). The daily schedule then just fell in his lap because of his memory, not his planning.

I will make one tag onto this as I close this blog. Stewardship and planning is also stressed in the Gospels and is a desired characteristic of a true disciple. However, the more we rely on our good stewardship and wise planning, the easier it is to forget that the only reason we can be good at either is due to the fact that God has enabled us to do so. If we spent more time remembering that God rescued us out of darkness and depravity and has issued the promises that he will strengthen, guide, and never leave us, our focus would be on a "true north" that won't change with the season or pile up on us like a heap of dirty laundry.

To finish this, I'll make the strong statement I've been building up to. In reading the Gosples and dissecting the life of Jesus, true focus and vision has less to do with planning and preparing but is truly founded on remembering.

Please don't forget...

You may think you have the best, but...

Before I get into the purpose for this blog, I will give a quick update. We've officially made it back to the Filipino people and are in the capital of Manila now. As we were praying after our wedding in December about our future plans, a tropical storm devastated one of the cities we've worked in past. After many prayers and some wisdom seeking, it was clear God was leading us back. Now, our goal is to figure out what that looks like. Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring the possibilities here and praying for the direction. After that, we'll head back to be with Elias and the boys in Mozambique to finish up the buildings for one last month. There will be many more updates to come as the story unfolds.

Now, I have to write a disclaimer before I make this next statement. This is William writing. While Tara would support me in my next statement, I know there's still one person that would take her top spot...

You may think you have the best, but my mom, Tina Miller, should be at the top of everyone's "Mom List". It's her 30th birthday today, again, and we're celebrating it in different countries, again. It's always tough to miss special days like today, but luckily the internet helps us out a bit. I won't write this long message about why my mom should be at the top of everyone's list, because if you know her, I'm sure she's already there. I will say one quick thing though. My mom treats everyone like a son or daughter. Literally. I have at least 8 brothers or sisters every Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Sunday, because they're typically at our lunch table, getting the same treatment as me. Seriously, half of the Alabama campus calls her Momma.

I have to say, that God must really think highly of my mom's work because everywhere I go, someone picks me out to be their special son. I can go into a city not knowing anyone, and within a day, someone will pick me out, open their home, wash my clothes, and feed me dinner. The same thing my mom does for countless people around Tuscaloosa, especially students. It's a blessing to know someone or have someone like that in your life because it becomes a lot easier to make friends.

So, in short, my mom should be at the top of you "Best Moms" list. If she isn't, go spend a weekend with her. I promise you, you won't stop smiling, unless you're allergic to dogs. That could be a problem. But, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! You'll always be at the top of my list...

What if I'm tired of being dirty?

Shortly after writing my last post, I was severely humbled (feel free to read the last blog if you want as well).  I rolled out of bed a few mornings after and noticed the incredible tan line on my feet.  A few moments later, I kicked over my water bottle and the tan I was so proud of quickly washed away and into a muddy puddle on the floor.  I walked outside of the concrete oven that is our room this time of year to see all our boys surveying what had been stolen the night before and I knew we had a day ahead of us.  It then took us about 40 minutes to start the fire in order to boil the water for our instant coffee, and all I could do was just plop down on the ground and think, "What if I'm tired of being dirty?"

It's been nearly three years since I left on the World Race and started this life as a missionary.  I've had several trips back and forth, but it's been three years living out of a backpack, sleeping in someone else's bed, using someone else's shower, wearing roughly the same clothes, and mostly living in poor, rural countries.  I don't say this to complain or say, "Woe is me", because I've not only chosen this life, but I prefer it.  However, some days I can't help but think that answering the call to help is hard.

I feel like this expanded world view and serving the poor and impoverished in many of these countries has become rather trendy.  High percentages of college students and graduates are spending a year abroad in poorer countries, and many professional businesses are involved with relief trips and aid throughout the year.  But how do you survive committing your life's work to it?  How do you make it on the days that you're just tired of being dirty?  What happens when you just want to roll out of bed and not get tangled in your mosquito net and have to stare at last week's dirt still on your feet?  After three years, I'm beginning to see why people just don't make it long term any more.

BUT...

But I know what I'm called to do and I know the One that is calling me to do it.  If I were living this life for myself, my resume, my karma, my own pleasure, or even just because it's a much needed profession, I would've been home for good months ago.  We're able to post so many blogs and pictures of our stories and successes, that oftentimes, this life looks rather appealing.  And if you're anything like me and my wife, it is extremely appealing.  But there are hours of frustration and misery that turn to days, and days that turn to weeks.  During those times I find myself counting down the clock until dinner because bedtime comes shortly after that.  Those days are the days we're not supposed to write about.

BUT...

But it's specifically in those days that I hold on to the promise that was made to me that God cares for his people, and he never leaves them or forsakes them no matter what the circumstances say.  And I cling to that thought, knowing that the work we are doing is powerful, but it may also take a lifetime (or longer) to ever come to fruition.  So as I stand over the first foundation that we dug six weeks ago and left untouched since then, and I drop the first stone in that will soon become the concrete foundation, I can't help but see a dream begin to materialize, even if it is very delayed and with hardships.  I can't help but envision the orphans and widows that will have solid homes to live in for the rest of their days.  I can't help but picture the kid that we left sleeping on the dirt floor with his elderly grandmother, jumping off of his bunk bed and running to play with his new brothers and sisters.  I can't help but dream of what this will one day become.

BUT...

But we are merely a drop in the bucket and even Jesus said the poor will always be with us (Mark 14:7 is my favorite).  We don't do this for the successes or even the life changes that we are able to see in the people around us.  We don't do this because we are staring in the faces of hungry widows and orphans.  We don't even do this because we have the funds and means necessary to.  We DO this because our Father, who is in Heaven, has left us to be His picture of love to the world.  We DO this because if the world can't see Jesus or God face to face, then we need to do everything in our power to make sure they at least know he exists.  Because I wouldn't be in Africa with dirty feet, mosquito nets, and only a wood coal fire to cook on if God didn't send me.  But he sends us out to our hometowns, counties, nations, and worldly neighbors to be His messengers and pictures of love and power (Acts 1:8).

That's why when my tan washes off, I can have joy; when my showers are pretty much pointless, I can have joy; when I wake up to more stolen items, I can have joy; and when things don't follow my plan, I can have joy.  My joy isn't based on my circumstances.  Nor is my love.  When my emotions don't respond the way I expect them too based off of my situation, I can't help but think I'm living someone else's life.  I'm living a life I thought I could only dream about.  Unfortunately, not all of our dreams are good, but I still go to sleep each night, hoping for another one.  With that, tomorrow is a new day, and I can't wait to see what it holds...

The American Way...

Before we even landed in Africa, I knew what was expected of me.  Everytime I walk down the streets random children will pick me out of the crowd, run up to me, and shove out a hand for money.  The American Way, and the African view of it, says, "White skin equals money".  The kids are begging for the equivalent of about 5 cents and it would be easy to just throw coins in the air and be everyone's hero.  But the longer I'm here, the more I realize the last thing these people need is another person showing them the American way.

Many foreigners when they come here, can afford to stay in the nicest places in town.  Tara and I can even afford a long term stay in the nicest areas in town.  But God has called us to live a little differently.  When we're here, we live with Elias in his concrete, tin roofed home, cook over his fire, go to the market and buy his vegetables, shower with his very same buckets (filled with the water we fetch), and even poop in the same hole in the ground (sorry, but it's true).  Africans have certain views on how Americans should act and what Americans should do, and we're not really fulfilling that stereotype.  They could maybe believe a couple would live or survive a week with them, but three months is beginning to make them think differently.

We had a meeting with the pastor of our church yesterday because he will help us train and disciple the widows that will serve as our house mothers, and it was an encouragement to hear his thoughts.  Many Africans see white skin and rush to "serve" and work hard, but with the expectation of a handout.  Once the Americans leave, so does the work ethic and service of the locals.  However, each day we are here, the locals see us less like an ATM and more like a friend that they want to serve beside.  Our hope and dream is to leave Elias with a team of widows and other leadership that believe in the dream and this vision.  Sure, we will help fund it and bring the physical buildings to life, but our prayer is that when we leave, the children's home will not change at all.

The longer I do this work, the more humbled I get.  When I know that if somoene would just do the job they were paid to do, our process would move so much faster, but the culture says to wait and not upset the government, I have to be patient.  When someone steals our eggs, our headlamps, our bikes, or anything else we leave out, I have to know that's just the price we pay for choosing to live here (don't worry mom, our valuables are in a safe place).  When the guys we need to help us work wake up, and just don't feel like working that day because it's too hot, I have to bite my tounge because I need them to work tomorrow.  The American Way says to get it done today.  But the way to best serve Africans is to make sure it's still being done tomorrow.  This is humility at its finest.

So that's why we're here for three months when the process should barely take us three weeks.  It may take time, require us to face many trials, and not work the way we planned, but the work keeps moving forward.  We're blessed to be a part of this journey.  Each day may be harder than it should be without running water, electricity, or a stove top, but it's a blessed life we live and I couldn't imagine it any other Way...