Doing Things That Make Us Uncomfortable

In all honesty, I’ve (Jill) always felt more comfortable teaching children versus adults. My words are basic and perhaps, like Moses, one of my insecurities is that I feel I’m not eloquent in speech. Recently, I heard the phrase, “If you’re comfortable, you aren’t living the Christian life right.” While I understand what the phrase is trying to convey, I’m not sure I wholeheartedly agree.  Either way, I believe God calls us out of our comfort zones to learn more from God, to see different sides of God and perhaps for God to show us something new about ourselves. If we are willing to lean into where the Lord leads us, and honestly obey after we’ve prayed, “Lord, show me where you’re working and help me to be a part of it.”, we’ve got to be willing to be uncomfortable. 

Almost 9 months have passed since our family moved from Lubumbashi, DR Congo to Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. While our responsibilities remain the same in ministry, we find ourselves worshipping in new (to us) local Nazarene churches, with new faces and the kids are in a new school. So, while some things remain the same, others are brand new. Shortly after arriving, I began praying the prayer, “Lord, show me where you are at work and please let me be a part of it.” The Lord answered! Through a chance encounter at the American International school (that our children do not attend), Gavin met a Christian American woman who had been longing for a Bible study she could attend in English. Another week, we met another group of Americans, when finding out we were missionaries, asked if we could start a church in English, so they could attend church while living here. It appeared the Lord was opening a door for an English ministry, to expats. This isn’t exactly the ministry we were looking for, or had in mind we’d be leading, but over the course of a few weeks, we organized a Bible study for English speakers. Because of Gavin’s travel schedule, I committed to leading this weekly study. 

For the last 3 months, about 6 of us have gathered weekly to study God’s Word together in English. It’s not a large group, but it has become a precious time of fellowship and discipleship. Americans, Cameroonians and Congolese have met together to be formed by the Word of God. We are lifelong learners as Christians. God is constantly teaching us new things. Even though I was quite nervous to teach adults for the first time, I pray that this time will be used to mold and shape us to look more like the image of God. 

Hibiscus flowers are everywhere in Brazzaville. Locals use them to make a delicious juice! 

Getting to Gabon

            I think that it is in times of our humbled brokenness that the Lord really teaches us the most.  In those times when we accept that we don’t know what to do or how to move forward, the Lord speaks and makes His presence known.  It’s been just over two years since I was appointed to oversee the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Central Africa.  To be honest, it has been an incredibly humbling experience.  Much of the time, I’ve had to be vulnerable in admitting to myself and others that I didn’t know the way forward; how we ought to undertake the task of planting churches, making Christ-like disciples, and developing leaders in the five countries of our field.  

            One area of specific difficulty for our team has been in respect to the country of Gabon.  For many years, the Church of the Nazarene has proclaimed a presence in the country, although no Nazarene Churches or ministries have ever existed there. No Nazarene ministers had ever visited, to our knowledge, with the hopes of starting the work. I couldn’t even obtain a visa without a contact in Gabon, and our team was completely at a loss for what could be done.

            After more than two years, God provided us with the contact information of two different Nazarene families who had relocated and were living in Gabon.  We were shocked so much by God’s provision, that within a month I had dropped everything and traveled to Gabon with a member of our team.  We didn’t have a lot planned or any real expectations.  We just wanted to get there, meet these two families, and see what the Lord would do.  After more than 11 years of missionary service, you’d think that I wouldn’t be surprised anymore by God’s faithful provision.  Yet again, I was shocked by what we found there.  I’m still learning a lot about African hospitality and what it means to make people feel welcome.  It’s amazing the way people can welcome me into their home and into their lives in such a natural way that it feels like I have always been a part of them.  During my four short days there, we got to know our hosts and their families, we got to see the city, and were able to pray for God’s direction.

            As my plane filled with exhaust and began making an emergency landing shortly after takeoff during my return trip, I thought to myself, “Well, at least I made it to Gabon.” Although I jokingly thought these words in complete assurance that we would land safely back at the airport in Libreville, it’s an indication of how fulfilled I felt on my short trip home.  We don’t know what the future will hold, but we know that a seed has been planted and we trust that God will grow this seed into a beautiful, vibrant church in Gabon during the years that follow.