Nativity Play

On Dec 20 we hosted our first annual (hopefully!) "Cookies and Carols" Christmas party. Amy (one of the moms) organized a special nativity play for the kiddos... they're all pretty young, so there weren't many lines! It was ADORABLE and the kids all did a great job. Micaiah got to be a shepherd along with her friend Brie.
This is the rest of the cast, or most of it anyway. We had angels, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wisemen, inn keeper, stable animals and an excellent performance by the donkey (not pictured-- it was one of the Dads!).
It was lots of fun and we're hoping to get the video soon!

-JLR

Pictures

I've been contemplating what I wanted to write here for... well, it's been months now, I think! To be honest, both Tim and I have been using Facebook much more and Blogger much less. Not that it will necessarily stay that way, but for now that's how it's going. Anyway, I thought the easiest way to catch everyone back up would be with some current pictures. Enjoy!

This is our old house-- #23-- which we moved out of on Dec 8. Our landlord needs to use this house for 2 nuns beginning in January. We only moved across the driveway into our friends' house, so while it was hard to say goodbye to #23, it could have been worse!


Micaiah's been learning how to pitch, catch, and hit a baseball. She's got a good teacher even if he doesn't remember to keep her hair out of her face. :)


Playing the Viking Game at our monthly missionary fellowship... so much fun!


-JLR

Critters

These are a few of the animals we have around our home here in Musoma, Tanzania. There are others, to be sure, but I managed to get pics of these in the past few weeks, so they are the lucky 3 to appear on the blog.

1. Mongooses. Yes, it is actually monGOOSES not monGEESE, contrary to popular belief. And they travel in a group that is called a troop (not a gaggle) of 15-20. These little guys make a giggling sort of sound and sort of migrate through our yard from time to time. I don't mind them a bit as they are scared of people and eat snakes and lizards! Karibu kwetu!
2. Geckos. If you only knew how many of these we see on a daily basis... inside, outside, everywhere! They eat spiders and other small bugs, so I don't mind them too much. The only downside is the droppings they leave. FYI, we don't usually see them when they're shedding their skin.
3. Lake Flies. Ok, I realize that you can't actually see the flies in this first picture. But if you look at the tree in the middle, remember that its not Christmas and those spots aren't lights-- they're a swarm of tiny flies! Closest I've ever come to understanding a plague of flies, that's for sure! They come up from the lake when it rains and are attracted to lights. The second picture is all the dead lake flies below our outside light. They don't live very long and the sheer volume makes a huge mess!
So there you go. A glimpse into some of the strange creatures we see from time to time around here.

JLR

Velvet Elvis Discussion

Now, I’ve got a discussion question. I recently read Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell. I’ve started reading some books by some emergent (emerging?) authors, because I want to understand what’s going on with this movement and try to understand the issues. I had a good friend recommend several of these books to me. I’ve heard criticism of these authors (Bell and McLaren) and the movement itself, and have looked into critiques of this particular book online. To be honest, I’ve not been satisified with the critiques that have been offered. Having actually read the book, what I have seen is people quoting out of context and then attacking those portions without giving attention to that wider context of what he is saying. Bell seems to write in a way that leaves him open to this sort of attack. So, my question: If you have read the book, and disagree with Bell, could you please comment on your main issues of disagreement?

Having read the book, I have to say that I agree with a lot of what he’s saying. The book made me think. I’m still thinking about it. I think sometimes we’re too afraid to think about ideas that we may or may not agree with. Let’s not be afraid to think.
Just to summarize some of my musings about the book:

(1)If my behavior does not match up with my doctrine, what good is my doctrine? I could have perfect, doctrinal precision and still be a royal jerk. So, if my behavior is not matching up with my doctrine, I need to be evaluating myself, instead of thinking that I’ve got things together because my doctrinal statement is in order. What is the goal of sound doctrine? In looking at 1 and 2 Timothy in particular in thinking about this, sound doctrine is linked with the godly behavior that flows from it. “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart…” (1 Tim 1:5) Sometimes I get fooled into thinking that the sound doctrine is the end in itself.

(2)I have to wrestle with the fact that God seems to be accomplishing his kingdom purposes through churches/Christians who do not adhere to Reformed theology. I happen to think that this theological framework most closely resembles what the Bible says. So even if I’m wrong and some other sort of theological framework is better, the point is that God is using Christians from all sorts of backgrounds, churches, etc. (who don’t necessarily have all their theological ducks in a row) to accomplish his global redemptive purposes. This is something I knew before coming to the mission field, but have definitely seen in action. My conception of the Anglican and Mennonite churches, for instance, has definitely changed. Also, God is just hammering home that He is using imperfect sinners who don’t have it all together, and I am one of them.

(3)Jesus was a Jew who lived 2,000 years ago. I need to stop making him into a 21st century Westerner when I read the Bible.

(4)Jesus associated with lepers, tax collectors, prostitutes, poor fishermen, etc. What does this tell me about what our churches should look like? Who should we be interacting with? How does this affect my actions?

(5)I need to be open to questions and doubts.

(6)God is not distant.

(7)Joy. “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.”-Piper (Bell does say in his footnotes to read everything Piper has ever written.)

(8)What’s wrong with “repainting the Christian faith”? All this means is translating. The Gospel needs to be communicated in the terms of the proper time and culture. The problem is if you have a poor translation that either (1) distorts the original or (2) doesn’t communicate into the receptor language effectively. What Bell seems to be saying is that this postmodern culture is not getting the 1940’s way of communicating the Gospel (2). What I hear critics of Bell saying is that he is distorting the original (1). So, what’s true? I think it’s quite possible that both are true. That the Gospel needs to be communicated in a new way to this postmodern generation, and that Bell’s “translation” needs some work to maintain fidelity to the original. However, I think it’s equally possible that people don’t like Bell’s “translation” simply because it’s “new” and different from how things have been thought about and done recently. People tend to not like change. Thoughts?

-T.M.

Currently and Recently

Currently listening to:
Counting Crows, August and Everything After
Chevelle, Vena Sera
Ben Harper, Fight for Your Mind

Recently read:
Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell
The Pearl, by John Steinbeck

Currently reading:
The Gospel of Mark
Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck

Recently watched:
Monk, Season 5
Shooter
Amazing Race, Season 10

Currently watching:
24, Season 1

My fantasy baseball team is now officially terrible and in last place (but not without hope)

Yes, that’s right. Last place. The Hudson’s got hurt (Tim Hudson and Orlando Hudson). The Mark’s went to the American League (Mark Teixeira and Mark Kotsay). I traded guys like Hanley Ramirez, Brian Giles and Roy Oswalt.

But hopefully the Makoko Redbirds are not like the Kansas City Royals. I’d like to think that we’re at the start of being more like the Minnesota Twins or Oakland A’s. I feel like I’ve torn apart the original team, and made some good trades to get young players for upcoming years. So, here’s the players in on the Redbirds’ youth movement:

Stephen Drew, Hunter Pence, Chris Young, Nyjer Morgan, Ryan Spilborghs, Dan Haren, Chris Volstad, Adam Wainwright, Clayton Kershaw, Johnny Cueto, Colby Rasmus, Carlos Carrasco

Redbirds in 2009!

-T.M.

Camping in the Serengeti

This past week I had the privilege of camping in the Serengeti with my good friend Nate Chisholm. We hired a guide, used my truck, and borrowed some camping supplies from some friends. We spent only one day and one night in the park, but were able to see quite a bit. Here's a glimpse:

This gives you an idea (if you didn't already have one) of the general landscape of the Serengeti. And by the way, it was very dusty (it's the dry season).

The Serengeti is much busier than Ruaha, and you can always tell when a fairly unique animal(s) been found because there's 43,000 trucks circling around it.

This is what we were circling around to see--a female lion. However, moments before this shot was taken, she was feeding on a large carcass.

The closest I've ever been to a hippo in the wild. They're incredibly huge.

A pretty neat close-up shot of a giraffe with some freeloading birds.

The men. The truck. The dust. Enough said.

Cheers.

-T.M.

Why does my fantasy baseball team stink?*

So, possible answers to this question:

A. Something is very wrong with math and statistics.
B. My team got off to a really slow start.
C. Baseball doesn't make sense after all.
D. The Makoko Redbirds are waiting to make their push until after the All-Star break.
E. All of the above

I would like to think (B) and (D). Hopefully some of the roster moves I've made will help in the long run. If you're interested (the main new guys are in bold):

C Bengie Molina
1B Mark Teixeira
2B Orlando Hudson
SS Hanley Ramirez
MI Stephen Drew
3B Garret Atkins
OF Ryan Spilborghs
OF Brian Giles
OF Aaron Rowand
OF Rick Ankiel

P Roy Oswalt
P Dan Haren
P Todd Wellemeyer
P Adam Wainwright
P Tim Hudson

CL: Chad Qualls

*The Makoko Redbirds are in 6th place (out of 8) so it could be worse.

-T.M.

My Dawning Conviction

Currently reading:

How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil, 2^nd Edition
by D.A. Carson

Currently listening to:

Jeremy Enigk, Return of the Frog Queen (1996)

I have to say that reading the above book by D.A. Carson has been a real breath of fresh air. An Australian missionary friend let me borrow it, after raving about it for weeks. Again and again, Carson says things in this book that I don’t really hear many other people saying (perhaps being willing to say?). For example, in his chapter on death he says:

There is a cultural factor at work in the Western world that must be squarely faced. Death has become the last taboo. I can write about sex and breasts, discuss homosexuality in public, and debate the ethics of abortion, but I must not mention death in civilized company. (103)

How about that. I really like an author’s willingness to point out inconsistencies in a belief system, and bring the authority of the Word to bear on it. That element of hard-hitting truth has been very welcome.

So (as you may have gathered from previous blog articles perhaps) lately I’ve been feeling a little worn down by many of the very issues he talks about in the book: social evils, poverty, war, illness, death, etc. He even brings this up in the first chapter of the book, using the example of a Christian who goes to the Third World for a time, and he says the problem really for many people struggling like that is “the dawning conviction that there is something wrong with one’s belief system somewhere.” And I think that’s exactly it. I haven’t really been able to put it into words before.

I think from reading the book so far (I’m still only halfway through, but I’m sure it won’t take longJ) one of the major problems in my belief system has been my consistent underestimation of the vileness of sin. I underestimate it in my own life, in the lives of others, the world as a whole; and that pain and suffering in a very real sense show us how wicked our sin really is.

Fresh air.

I'll keep you posted (there's even a whole chapter on the mystery of God's providence!)

And oh, by the way, the Jeremy Enigk (Sunny Day Real Estate) album is amazing. I couldn’t believe it’s been out for over 10 years. Where have I been! It’s really quite mellow, somewhat depressing, but he makes good use of instrumentation and they’re quality songs. So there you go.

-T.M.

Tanzanian Drive-Thru

Last weekend (May 1-4) we were able to get away to Mwanza for a short trip. It is a 3 hour drive on all paved roads. Mwanza has many things that Musoma does not, including supplies (certain canned goods, cheese, bacon, etc.) and restaurants (Chinese, Indian and Pizza). It was a lovely trip and the weather was beautiful. We stayed at our friend Naomi's house-- check out this beautiful view of Lake Victoria!Between Mwanza and Musoma is a little area called Kiabakara. It's not quite a town-- I think it's most accurately described as a produce stand with a nearby village or 2. Local farmers stand on the side of the road and have buckets of fresh produce. The selling process was culturally stressful to us for such a long time. Then a few months ago we were traveling home from Mwanza and started to really appreciate not getting out of the car to do our produce shopping! Now it's often one of the highlights on the drive back from Mwanza. Here's how it works. First, a car or bus pulls over between the 2 speedbumps (these mark a "slow zone"). This is an invitation for all the women to approach your car (or bus as you can see above) with buckets piled high with produce. You choose what you want, bargain the price, pay and take the fruit through the window. Sounds easy, huh? It usually is. Sometimes, though, you get someone who is being really pushy about their rotten bananas and will actually put them inside your car trying to get you to buy them. Oh, another fun thing is to just tell one person what you want (ie: naomba ndizi na matango-- I'd like bananas and cucumbers). They'll call out NDIZI! or MATANGO! Then 3-4 people selling those items will run to your car so you're more likely to buy theirs. It's quite the event.
We can usually tell how we're doing on the culture stress scale by how we look at this event. If we're homesick and culture stressed, the Tanzania Drive-Thru is really overwhelming. When we're doing well, though, it's a lot of fun!

-JLR

Expectations of a Missionary: Rejecting the MHC

So, the last article I wrote concerning poverty and missionary lifestyle got me thinking about a slightly related issue I’ve been bothered with as of late.

It has to do with expectations of a missionary; both his own expectations of himself, as well as others’ expectations of him. Specifically, in regards to the concept of the “missionary hero”, and how this concept changes these expectations. William Carey. Adoniram Judson. Hudson Taylor. David Livingstone. These and more are our “missionary heroes”.

I find hearing about the lives of these missionaries to be extremely encouraging. The reoccuring theme that I find so encouraging is the constant response of faith to suffering. And so it’s interesting that the very thing I find so encouraging is also the thing that bothers me the most. And here’s why. The problem is not the missionary hero’s response of faith to suffering, and the application of that needed encouragement to my own faith, it’s this: that others expect on some level that those sufferings will be the same today (or very similar), and if they’re not, then the modern missionary does not measure up. Plus, I find that I have those same sort of expectations of myself, whether I want to or not. I’ll call it a missionary-hero complex (MHC).

These missionaries never went on furlough.

These missionaries never took a vacation.

These missionaries never saw their families again.

These missionaries lost many of their children.

These missionaries lived with malaria, and a lack of drugs to treat.

These missionaries had to travel by boat for months on end.

Etc.

Should I compare myself to this?

This is what Dr. J. Herbert Kane says:

We usually think of the missionary pioneers as making a great sacrifice when they went to Africa and Asia in the nineteenth century. This is not altogether true. When Hudson Taylor arrived in China he didn’t find any indoor plumbing, central heating, electric light, or telephone service. So what? He didn’t have them back in England either. Where then was the sacrifice?...There is a sense in which today’s missionary candidates make greater material sacrifices than their predecessors a hundred years ago. This should be borne in mind when we are tempted to criticize the younger generation for their reluctance to forego the amenities of Western technological civilization.

Thoughts? Thanks for reading.

-T.M.

Please check out Blood:Water Mission

If you haven't checked out this website before, I highly urge you to do so; and if you have, please do so again:

http://www.bloodwatermission.com

Blood:Water Mission is an organization founded by the lead singer of Jars of Clay, Dan Haseltine, "committed to clean blood and clean water to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to build clean wells in Africa, to support medical facilities caring for the sick, to make a lasting impact in the fight against poverty, injustice and oppression in Africa through the linking of needs, talents and continents, of people and resources."

These are areas (poverty, the need for clean water, the need to fight HIV/AIDS) which we have witnessed firsthand here in Tanzania. We assure you these problems are very real.

God bless.

-T.M.

Missionary Haircuts

Where do missionaries go when they need their hair cut? Guys often revert to the buzz cut or some variation. But for us girls, the answer is a bit more complex. If traveling to a major city is a possibility, then a side trip to a real salon is not out of the question. I did this when we were in Dar following language school.

But what if one doesn't have such plans on the horizon? The answer is to find the person in your town who would do the least suckiest job. It must be an expatriate (Mzungu) since I have yet to meet a Tanzanian who knows what to do with my hair besides touch it with an astonished expression on their face! Here in Musoma I have become the resident hair-cutter. Not that my skills are profound or that they wouldn't embarrass the likes of my hair-stylist friend, Sunshine. Still, I pride myself in dabbling in most things artistic or crafty and I can do some of the basics pretty well...

My challenge was what to do for my own hair. I was getting bored with my hair, so I started to hack it off. I layered the mid and bottom levels and cut long bangs, but I still needed someone to cut a nice straight line for me at the bottom-- about 3-4 inches shorter than it was. I found a great helper. Kim was quite nervous, especially when I told her how much I wanted cut off, but she did a good job. Here are a couple of the "result" photos. No negative judgments, folks, unless you've cut your own hair and did a better job than this! It sure beats having "Missionary Hair," which is one of my most profound yet superficial fears in being a missionary.

The front-- just for the record, the sides are NOT uneven. Tim and I had trouble getting a good picture because of the angle I was sitting at and the light and all that. This was the best of the many we took! It is actually quite even on the sides in the front.

The back-- it curves down a bit in the center. I haven't decided if this is a problem yet, since it seems to lay well the way it is. Any thoughts?

-JLR

(photos deleted March 2011)

A Tale of Two Situations: Rich and Poor

So, the question I posed around a month ago was, “Who should a missionary live like?”

75% of you answered that the missionary should live like the people he’s serving, while 25% said that he should live with less than the average American. But what does that even mean? My desire is not to fault anybody for their answers, as I merely wanted to use the question to spark some discussion. A little background information: The CIA World Factbook ranks Tanzania as the 5^th poorest country in the world with around a $600 GDP-per capita. The United States is ranked as the 3^rd richest nation in the world with a GDP-per capita of around $37,800. Just a note: that’s 63 times the GDP-per capita of Tanzania. So, how should a missionary live?

Jeana and I have experienced a struggle in regards to this question. How do we handle appearing to be extremely rich in a very poor country? In regards to the first question, it seems we could err in two extremes: (1) Try to create a mini-United States here in Tanzania. Buy a new Toyota LandCruiser. Try to keep up with all the newest entertainment technology. Bring shipment after shipment of items from the States. (2) Sell everything we own. Walk or bike everywhere. Live in a mud house and eat ugali every meal, every day.

Both of these extremes are potentially wrong. In the first, we may be denying the fact that we live in Tanzania, and are trying to compensate by creating an area of “comfort” for ourselves. In the second, we may be denying that we come from the States and the people we are ministering to know this. In fact, in this area of the world, at least, it is very offensive to try and live like the people do. People think you’re crazy (and not in a good way). You lose your effectiveness in ministry. But you also lose your effectiveness in ministry by being greedy and hoarding your wealth. Then, what is the right thing to do?

I’ve been reading in 1 Timothy lately and Paul has some things to say about all of this. In 6:6 he says, “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment...” and in 6:18-19 he says, “ [The rich] are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” Paul points out several pertinent things in this chapter, mainly that God desires a certain type of heart. Hearts consecrated to Him, concerned with His kingdom, hopeful on Him, thankful, humble, content, and generous.

It seems then that the best thing to do is any circumstance we’re in is to have this kind of heart. Whether we have a lot or a little. It seems more effective to minister by providing work for Tanzanians, helping them financially when their kids get sick, or giving them food when the rains don’t come. To be generous with what we’ve been given by God for the purpose of extending His hand of mercy to the poorest of the poor.

-T.M.

Rollerskates

I can't remember the last time I wore a pair of skates... but doesn't this look like fun? Thanks Uncle Jeff and Aunt Ally for the great birthday present! Micaiah is loving them. (and I am loving the knee and elbow pads-- they really calm a nervous mother's heart!) Micaiah is able to skate inside our house since all the floors are concrete. It's just as well-- we only have rocks and some sandy soil/grass outside, so that wouldn't be much fun.

-JLR

Confessions of a man with an identity crisis

I’m about to confess something pretty serious. Something I’ve been struggling with. I just want to prepare you all: you might want to take some time after I say what I’m about to say. Maybe go get a tonic water or some warm milk and just kind of calm down a little bit. I have to say I’ve been carrying it around for awhile, at least since late last year. But I think it’s best now to just get it out in the open.

I think I might vote for a Democrat.

Yes, that’s right. I know, I know, I know. But this doesn’t mean I have to start listening to Fleetwood Mac, or liking Michael Moore movies. It doesn’t mean I have to hate Rush Limbaugh, or be really happy for Al Gore and his Nobel Prize. Or does it?

If we moved back to the States, would I have to move to the west coast? Would I have to start driving a hybrid? Would I be obligated to recycle?

I’m having a bit of an identity crisis.

I think I’m an Obamacan.

I should have expected this. I knew this whole “experiencing life in a foreign country” thing would affect me.

In all seriousness, here’s some of my thinking:

1. I’m disillusioned with what the Christian right thinks a President can actually accomplish and/or change while in office.

In past elections, for example, my main reasons in voting for a particular candidate revolved around his/her views on abortion and homosexuality, i.e. social conservative issues. I haven’t changed my views on these subjects, only in how to go about changing them. Abortion and homosexuality are evil. But does change revolve around having a socially conservative President, or making laws against these things, or having the right Supreme Court justices? Or does change revolve around Christ so invading a culture as to bring about widespread social change, to one day making these rare things instead of common?

What good does it do to have a law against something, and yet the root problem still remains in the hearts of a majority of Americans? What are some of those root problems? Selfishness. Pride in possessions. Individuality. Consumerism. Focus on productivity. Naturalism. Denying God.

The question is: can any President change these heart issues?

2. The Bible does not mandate having a Christian President.

The Bible mandates that we are submissive to the government that God has established over us, regardless of what that government looks like. (Romans 13; 1 Peter 2:13-17) But who are we to vote for? Is our main obligation to vote for whoever looks to be the most Christian? Who is that even in this election?

3. The War in Iraq.

I don’t have any easy answers. Honestly, I’m torn. I just want to say one thing: I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s flawed to say that the answer for all the governments of the world is democracy. Democracy will not work in many places around the globe, and it’s naïve at best and arrogant at worst to think that it’s a one-size fits all solution.

4. Foreign policy.

This has become probably the most important issue to me (for good reason, I think). I have experienced firsthand a glimpse of what the rest of the world thinks of us. I think the U.S. has generally taken a very isolationist approach, while at the same time being a world superpower and being very active in foreign affairs. To explain more of what I mean, I think the rest of the countries of the world (or more specifically countries who are part of the U.N.) take being part of the U.N. very seriously. It’s very important to be a part of that community. The U.S., even though a part of the U.N., are seen as putting themselves above/outside that community.

I also think that Bush has made a habit of not meeting/negotiating/engaging in diplomacy with his enemies. I think these are exactly the people the U.S. President needs to be meeting with.

I also want to see more interest taken in African nations. Tanzanians are still talking about Bush’s trip here, and the generosity of the U.S. in giving money to fight AIDS/malaria and to help build roads/infrastructure. That trip went a long way in combatting the common image people have of Bush/America.

5. The environment.

I’m much more inclined to be environmentally conscious now than ever before. I would probably recycle now in the States. I’m rethinking my ideas regarding global warming, i.e. I think there’s a lot more we could be doing to curb our greenhouse gas emissions, even if Al Gore’s wrong.

6. Concern about Darfur, Sudan.

It seems to me that there’s a lot more we could be doing that we’re not. Did we not learn anything from Rwanda, Somalia, etc.?

Please send your comments/questions/concerns/violent verbal backlashes, etc.

Thanks for reading.

-T.M.

Do you know what VORP is?

Until the end of last year, I always avoided playing fantasy baseball because:

1. It seemed really nerdy.

(not that I’m necessarily opposed to being really nerdy, after all I’m a linguist, but maybe it’s just the combination of too many nerdy activities at once)

2. It seemed potentially addictive.

3. I never understood why it was called Rotisserie League baseball.

(and it kind of bothered me that it was called that—the French don’t even play baseball).

However:

It seems like a lot of fun.

Yes, it seems really nerdy to know Chad Tracy’s OPS from last year (exactly .800!), and to know what WHIP and VORP are. But, I had a knack for knowing these sorts of things anyways, so what do I have to lose?

Here’s the summary of my team for this year:

C Bengie Molina
1B Mark Teixeira
2B Orlando Hudson
SS Hanley Ramirez
3B Aramis Ramirez
OF Andruw Jones
OF Mark Kotsay
OF Aaron Rowand

P Roy Oswalt
P Barry Zito
P Jeff Francis
P Adam Wainwright
P Adam Eaton/Matt Morris

CL: Jason Isringhausen

-T.M.

Easter Pictures

We enjoyed a wonderful Easter weekend this year. Sunday morning we had an indoor Easter egg hunt and Easter basket for Micaiah.

She got to wear a special Easter dress to church-- an outfit Tim had gotten at B'r'Us for around $1 more than 2 years ago now! As you can see, it is a sleeveless dress, a little jacket and a hat. The hat is kind of goofy looking. I almost just had her go without it, but by that point Micaiah was really attached.
The church service was nice, even if the sound system was up a bit too high. We're enjoying the church we've been at and are looking forward to getting more involved. In the evening we went to our neighbors' house for our weekly "hymn sing." It was nice to be able to sing some traditional Easter music in English!
Hope you all had a great Easter, too!

JLR

And now for something funny

So, I discovered something pretty funny when I was language learning this weekend. Background info: I've started to meet with our gardener Richard to try learning a local language (Kuria) for a few hours each week. So, last Saturday it was raining and my other plans had to get scratched, so I elicited words for body parts (which is always somewhat dangerous). More background info: Bantu languages have noun classes. Basically, there are different groupings for words with certain meanings, as well as singular or plural. So, we eventually got to the word for "butt", but which is actually (evidently) more like "buttcheeks". The word is "amatoro" which is plural, but the singular is "iritoro". Richard said you only really ever used "iritoro" if somebody had lost a cheek somehow, and he gave an example of maybe somebody riding a bike through the village with only one cheek and you wanted to say something to your buddies like, "Hey, there goes 'one cheek'."

I love languages.

-T.M.

Reflections on the resurrection: why do I live like a practical deist?

Just so you all know, there might be a flurry of posts from me over the next few days/weeks because I have a lot of ideas for this blog at the moment. However, something I’ve discovered about myself recently is that I’m very impulsive. I get an idea in my mind about something I want to do, and I have to do it right then and there. Why wait? So, after the flurry of posts there might be silence on my end for awhile, but just realize that’s situation normal.

On to the subject at hand. Recently (even before Easter), I’ve been thinking a lot about Christ’s resurrection and the impact that it should have on my life. This has come about mainly through my 3-year old. Micaiah loves watching Narnia, as well as a version of the Jesus film for children. Her favorite parts by far are guess what (as if I hadn’t led you here already): the scene when Aslan rises from the dead and appears to Lucy and Susan with the bright light behind him and when Jesus rises from the dead and appears to the disciples. The joy she has when she sees these scenes is incredible. She jumps up and down and says, “Jesus (or Aslan) is alive again! Jesus (or Aslan) is alive again!” (By the way, she does realize that the Narnia story is fiction, and the story of Jesus is real. And for the most part, she gets the connection between the two.) My main question: why don’t I have that same childlike joy and excitement? or why am I afraid of having that childlike joy and excitement?

Do we as Christians live in light of the resurrection on a daily basis? Or do we crowd it out with other things, and pretend it’s irrelevant to our daily lives? Do we live out the joy that we should have, or do we let the fear of man (or something else) drive that away? Do we really believe the Gospel is true on a daily basis? I mean really believe it, that these events—the very Son of God coming into this world 2,000 years ago, His crucifixion, His resurrection—really happened. This is remarkable! It’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened! In a recent issue of Modern Reformation, one author equates a type of deism with being unable to accept the uniqueness of Christ. What am I doing, practically speaking, but not accepting the uniqueness of Christ in the Gospel in my life and others by thinking of the resurrection as something that’s true but is far off and distant from where I’m at?

And isn’t our God amazing that I can only see the difference when He shows me using my little daughter! And then I finally see my heart’s not all that it should be. I want to live with that same pure innocent joy and excitement because of the Gospel.

-T.M.

Micaiah's Birthday Bash

Micaiah turned 3 yesterday (March 21). We celebrated with a swim party for all the other missionary families in Musoma. March 18 was Tessa's 3rd birthday, so we were able to do one big party together. I made a fish cake and Kim made a Frog cake. Both were a hit. Some of the ingredients may have been hard to come by here, but thanks to care packages we were all set!

As a random piece of Swahili trivia, the word for candy is "pipi" (pronounced pee-pee). So you do have to be careful when you talk about decorating a cake using M&Ms and other candy! Don't want anyone to get the wrong idea!

JLR

Introductions

I suppose this being the first post and all, some introductions are in order. My name is Tim Roth, and I live in Musoma, Tanzania with my wife, Jeana, and our 3-year old daughter Micaiah. We are an American family living as missionaries here on the shores of Lake Victoria. We arrived in Tanzania in January 2007.

I work as a linguist with Bantu languages and peoples in the area to try and give them user-friendly orthographies (alphabets), so that one day soon they can have access to the Bible in their own language. I'm privileged to be here with my better half, Jeana, who holds down the fort with a wily 3-year old while I'm gone all day.

So, what's this blog about? We really want the blog to revolve around one main question: How does God call us to live as missionaries in the 21st century? We would really like it to be about our everyday lives here in Tanzania; our struggles, questions, relationships, highlights, lowlights, successes, failures, reflections, changes in perspective, etc. We want it to be serious, but lighthearted and easy to read at the same time. What's the point of sharing your life in such a way that people are bored to tears by it?

I will probably do most of the posting, but Jeana will contribute as well. (Micaiah might try, but be warned: there might be a lot of talk about Dora the Explorer.) We also hope to provide ample opportunity for feedback from you all as well.

-T.M.