CHE TOT 1

If the title of this blog confused you, let me explain.

Recently, I had the privelege of being a part of a training workshop for a certain development strategy called Community Health Evangelism, or Community Health Eduation in some parts of the world. It is a really remarkable approach to development work with a basis in biblical principles and an emphasis on relationship and holistic transformation of a community, incorporating every aspect of life: the physical, mental, spiritual, and social.

The workshop, though the days did get a little long sometimes, was well worth it, and it has gotten me so excited to be a part of bringing God's Kingdom to earth! The greatest part (to me) is that I will be able to watch the Holy Spirit transform people as they take ownership of a grass-roots movement to change their community, and eventually see the world as their mission field.

The workshop was facilitated by David Hawk, Rick Morse, and Philip Renfroe, who are a part of the Global CHE Network (Check it out. There's some really great info on there).  http://chenetwork.org/

Here are Mr. Phil Renfroe and co-facilitator Mr. Rick Morse during one of our sessions. Both Renfroe and Morse have spent a lot of time in an African setting (while Mr. Hawk has served for many years-and continues to do so-in Latin America).

The thought of using this approach in Sudan, which excited my team coordinator, Joy Phillips to no end, makes a lot of sense in my mind. However, it will certainly not be without challenges. Because of the extreme crises that have plagued Sudan through war and famine, and even the genocide in Darfur, many NGO's and other aid workers have come in to offer relief, which has been very necesary in some places to save lives. However, much of this has created a dependency upon foreign aid for the Sudanese people.
CHE is a very asset-based approach. The desire is that the community can come together to see what resources they already have (materials, skills, knowledge, etc) to help bring about change. Our prayer and hope is to help show the people of South Sudan that they do have worth and the ability to deal with some of the issues they face without having to be dependant on foreigners. God has given each people such value and worth, just as he created humankind in his image!

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If you would like to learn more about the CHE model of doing development work, feel free to contact me, or check out their website at http://chenetwork.org/ where you can find info about upcoming trainings, as well as loads of other useful information. CHE was developed in a rural context, but now there are strategies for urban and even specifially North American settings, called Neighborhood Transformation.

Unstoppable

So my sister has a pug. Her name is Bindi. She's cute and she can be well behaved. She also has her rebellious streaks, but I suppose we all do in some ways.

Last night I was working on some homework for an online class. The work was due by midnight, which was only a couple hours away. Bindi, upon hearing someone in another part of the house, gets up, whines, and scratches at the door to be let out. Normally, this is no big deal, except that this was about the fourth or fifth time she had come in or out in a period of about thirty minutes, while I'm diligently trying to finish this reading and response assignment.
My patience growing somewhat thin, I turn and say to her, "Grow some thumbs!"

...now obviously this was a rather impossible demand. Especially on such short notice. I reluctantly got up and let her out of my room, knowing full well that she would be back soon wanting in again.

I began thinking, however, about the impossible nature of my command.

What is amazing is that sometimes we are like that little pug, always wanting or needing something we can't do for ourselves. Sometimes we are silly and come in and out of the same room many times in a row for no apparent reason other than we do have or know of nothing else to do.

It's amazing first of all, that God does not lose his patience with us, when we repeatedly do such pointless things. BUT, what's even more amazing is that even though we are so extremely unable to do anything for ourselves, God, in all his sovereignty and majesty, never, ever commands or even asks us to do anything that is impossible. He doesn't ask us to save ourselves. He doesn't ask us to save anyone else.

We are never commanded to do anything impossible because even with the challenging calls he gives us, HE is always with us, making a way possible.

I began to realize, that this is true of everything God asks of us. In all things, He is with us, making the impossible possible! He does desire the world to be changed, for all to know him. And that global transformation can actually come about through the faithful obedience of his children because we know it is not impossible!

Even though fundraising may be slow right now, I know that God makes a way even when we can't see it. And in that promise I am fully confident in God's call for me to travel to Sudan.


You want to know what is even more amazing?? When God calls his children of South Sudan to take rest and refuge in him, in the midst of such turmoil and chaos, it is not impossible! When He calls his Sudanese children to seek peace and to love one another, building each other up, no matter what tribe or ethnic group they are from, it is not impossible! When he calls them to show the world just what He can do, it is not impossible!

God does what no one else can dare to do!

By our obedience and His power, the impossible is made possible.

Please join with me and many others in Prayer for the people of South Sudan. Peace is Possible!

What's Happening in Sudan Now?

BBC News - Sudan objects to UN plans for new border troops

BBC News - Sudan objects to UN plans for new border troops

And you will receive power...

As a part of my preparation for doing foreign missions, I am taking a course called Perspectives. This course has been a great source of encouragement and learning for me when thinking about missions and the purpose of the Church in knowing and worhsipping God and spreading his Kingdom.

When Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago, he came as a human. He was completely human and completely God. He still retained his identity as the Son of God the Father, but he also went through this life on earth in a human body confined to human limitations. He emptied himself of his "God-power." Phil 2:5-11 tells us this: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, adn every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Now, the word messiah means "annointed one." As Jesus followed in obedience God's plan for him, he was baptized at the start of his ministry. At his baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, anointing Jesus with his power! During Jesus' ministry, all he did was through the power of the Holy Spirit, by his anointing to become the "anointed one". His work was by God's power. After his victory over sin and death, Christ was restored to all of which he had emptied himself, and God gave him all authority in heaven and earth (Matt 28:18) and the King of this Kingdom being brought to earth (just like the end of the Phil passage mentions).

The part that is so encouraging to me is that Christ operated by the power of the Holy Spirit! Jesus Christ told his disciples, in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." As we go out to do God's work, in whatever manner or capacity, we are operating by the power of the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus! That same power is availible to us for God's glory. How amazing is that to think about?

That reminds me that even now, as I am still in the United States preparing to leave, that God's power is in me now to join with Christians and encourage my brothers and sisters here in their walk, and in sharing Gods love even while I am in the midst of raising champions to join with me and support me in this ministry and going through training. And, that all of that will be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit!
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There are two churches thus far that have welcomed me to share with them, Lexington UMC All Nations in Lexington, KY, and St. Paul UMC in Fort Payne, AL. I am so excited to meet up with old friends and to get to know new ones and share with them the work God is doing in South Sudan and my call to be a part of that. Check them out!

Lexington UMC:
http://lexallnations.com/

St. Paul UMC:
http://stpaulumc.blogspot.com/

If you or anyone you know would be interested in hearing more about Mango Ministries and South Sudan, I would love to get in touch with you! Whether it is a personal meeting or sharing with a larger group, this is my passion and I truly love every opportunity to share. You can write me at whitney.smith@wgm.org.

Pray that these meetings will be a great time of fellowship and growth.
Also, please continue in prayer for the people of South Sudan.
Pray too for Mango Ministries for we are looking for more people to join our team. If you or anyone you know is feeling a call to missions with a heart for these people or for holistic community development, please, feel free to contact myself or the director of Mango Ministries, Joy Phillips at www.wgm.org/joyphillips.

Peace,

Whitney

Journeys and learning...

It has been a few very busy weeks for me. I am still learning a lot about what is involved in Homeland Ministry Assignment (HMA) - all the work I do prior to getting to the field, including raising support and champions of the cause, and various trainings that will prove very useful on the field.

I recently had some time with Joy Phillips, who is the director for Mango Ministries. We met up in Birmingham, AL, where we had a great time of fellowship, and I was able to hear more insight into what life is like on the ground in South Sudan. Joy was also a tremendous help in discovering more of the ways to get people stateside involved in the work in Sudan, which was very encouraging to me, since I have still have several months to go in the States. Also, while there I had the chance to visit with Ben and Jenny Roberts, who serve with WGM at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya. They were such a blessing!

Joy and I attended a summit there in Birmingham to share ideas and discover possibilities for collaborating efforts and resources with other ministries involved in the region. Given the newness of Mango Ministries, no set plans were made, but it was a good time to connect with other missionaries and churches with a heart for South Sudan.

As for my upcoming plans, I will be sharing at Lexington United Methodist Church in Lexingtong, KY, on 26 September 2010 at the morning service. I am so excited to reconnect with my brothers and sisters there! This is where I was able to help serve the amazing youth of that church for my final semester living in the Wilmore/Lexington area. Everyone is welcome! Also, if any of you in the area would like for me to come and share at an event (small group, school committe event, sunday school, etc) or service around that time, feel free to get in touch. I would love that.

My budget for Sudan, when looked at as a whole can seem a little intimidating, and it most certianly was to me, but I have confidence that God is the one who called me, and he is the one who will work through my efforts to get me there. Praise him for his power and authority. That being said, in addition to many single expenses I will have, it will cost me roughly $3000 a month for the next three years. If there are 150 people out there committed to helping the people of Sudan through the support of $20.00 a month, it seems not really very intimidating at all.

I want to say thank you to all of you who have expressed your support of God's work there. I praise God for your friendship and for your heart, which is a reflection of HIS glory.

Grace and Peace to you,
Whitney

Newness

My name is Whitney, for those of you who don't know me. I am near the beginning of my journey. That is, it hasn't been all that long since I felt a distinct call from God to travel to Sudan, working in the south as part of a holistic community development team. Well, that was over a year ago, but getting there takes some time and preparation. I am working as a part of the World Gospel Mission organization, which is support based. I have been learning a lot over the past year, and not just more about the situation in Sudan, but a lot about myself and about my call. Life there will be very different, very challenging, but also very fertile for growth. I am excited to meet the people who call South Sudan their home.

My hope for this journey is that God will reveal himself in new ways to the people of South Sudan. That in him they will find their source of life in such a difficult place, and that they will come to know the goodness of his grace. My prayer is that the Mango Ministries team will be well equipped to come alongside these communities so that together genuine transformation that will radically change lives may take place. And in all of this, I pray that God will continue to transform my own being into the person he has created me to be.

peace,
Whitney