missionary in America

This morning, I finished my latest Francine Rivers book, A Voice in the Wind. Whew! What a heart-wrenching story! If you have forgotten what fun it is to pick up a book, let me introduce you to Mrs. Rivers. I first fell in love with reading again when I opened her book Redeeming Love, and I haven't looked back since. With all the non-fiction I am forced to read in grad school, it is so refreshing to get lost in a make-believe story that comes to life!

A Voice in the Wind is the first of a three-part series based in first-century Rome. Hadassah is the main character, a Jew taken captive after the fall of Jerusalem and enslaved in the home an affluent Roman family. As a Christian, she is torn between her faith in "The Way" and her loyalty to the family she serves.

The faith of the young woman in this book has kept my mind spinning recently. A regret that I have not written more since my three-month adventure this summer. As blessed as I was to spend time serving in Kenya and all over Southeast Asia, my greatest fear is that I have given the impression that mission work or evangelism only takes place overseas. 

Maybe I chose to make overseas missions my life job because it seemed easier for me. It's easy to live without when you are surrounded by people without. It's easy to focus on God when you aren't distracted by  material possessions or the latest media topics. 

But I really missed the mark the last 13 years of my Christian walk. Mission work in America is just as urgently a need as mission work anywhere else. 

I do not blame my parents for protecting me from "the world" while I lived under their roof. I thank them for guarding my heart against the dangers of sin and the dark places where Satan lives. I will say, though, that once I was an adult and started to dig into Scripture more deeply, I recognized an immediate call that Christ issued to everyone with Good News. I had no idea where to find those dark places.

Listen to this challenging writing from Paul to the struggling church in Corinth:

1 Corinthians 14:8-21

⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! ⁹ For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! ¹¹ To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ¹² We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

¹⁴ I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. ¹⁵ Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you to imitate me. ¹⁷ For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

¹⁸ Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. ¹⁹ But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. ²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. ²¹ What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

Ouch. Paul was always so bold in how he addressed issues in the church, but these words particularly cut to my heart. How many times have I lived in my wealth and abundance, strong, honored, and approved of by society? I have been so arrogant in my talking of God's riches to me through the obviously blessed life I have been given.

Health and wealth, right? God blesses those who love Him and keep his commandments. This obviously means nice homes, designer clothing, and a budget for delicious restaurants. I've been subconsciously believing this for many years, but I'm no longer convinced it's true.

So my question is, how can we truly be living the life Christ intended for us? What should our Christian lives look like as Americans? Goodness knows I am still on a journey to find an answer to this.

I have learned this: I have not found God in my home or my things.

I have found Him in the toothless addict that begged me to share with her about the peace of Christ. I saw Him yesterday when she was baptized for the remission of her sins, and prayed the most beautiful prayer of adoration to God beforehand.

I have found God in the lady who is desperately calling me late at night for affirmation that she is not completely worthless. As she battles with overcoming her love for liquor and the tragic loss of her mother, she continues to cry out for answers about the God I serve.

I have found God in the single mother of three who was physically, sexually, and mentally abused by men in her family, doing her best to make ends meet. I see her aching for clarity, torn by homosexual thoughts but wanting to love God's Word even more.

I'll be honest...none of the women I have mentioned were in my social network two years ago. I am a doctor's wife. I am a PhD student. The people I interact with on a daily basis have strong support systems and a little cushion to help them get through life. But I have never loved like I have loved the ladies in my new network of friends.

I have learned that being a missionary in America requires just as much intention as any church-planting strategy Gavin, Michael, Kris, and I will construct for Laos. I have had to seek out the dark places. I have had to overcome the fear of questioning looks from the men in project housing, the vulnerability of being taken advantage of, and the possibility of being stolen from.

I am so far from where I need to be. There are so many brave believers who have chosen to move their families into the darkest places of the inner city. I have heard stories of wealthy, American families taking people into their homes and disrupting their comfortable lifestyles. There are others who have simply decided to wage war on the lukewarm, ineffective American church.

Whatever your call, I pray that you surrender to it. I realize that not everyone is designed to be an overseas missionary. If you are tempted by thoughts that people who do this work are superhuman, please let me discount that myth immediately. There are so many mission fields within our own culture, and Satan is currently ruling over them with pride and joy.

It takes power to enter ANY situation where the Gospel is to be spread. And just as Paul told the Corinthians, the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. We have a God that has not abandoned us, but has given us the power of His Spirit.

^"...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." -2 Timothy 1:7

^"14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being...²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." -Ephesians 14-16; 20-21

Please feel free to share about your own journey of working in the mission field of America!

^"Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches." -1 Cor. 7:17

"As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” -Romans 10:15 

God's mercies are new every morning, and His love endures forever.

-lp

Help!

I have been informed that I have been a terrible blogger since I returned home to the US. My sincere apologies, mom, and to anyone else I've let down :)

I did want to update everyone on a project taking place that you can get involved with!

While I was in Kenya, I learned that one of the major issues facing women and teenage girls is a lack of access to sanitary pads. When a young lady gets her "time of the month," she really has no way to manage it. Most girls stay home from school for the entire week and tell everyone they are "sick." as you can imagine, they are quite behind in their classes when they return to school. This leads to their grades dropping, which causes parents to question the value of education. When a parent doesn't see the value of keeping a girl in school, she is circumcised and married off to an older man at around the age of 14. One of my blog posts from the summer went into depth of "the surgery," or female genital mutilation.

Isn't it interesting to see the chain of events that can lead from the lack of one single resource? My sweet, tender-hearted sister thought so, and she has decided to do something about it.

Meredith is a 17-year-old high school senior who is devoting her final school project to making a difference in a small African village. She is an experienced seamstress, and is using her skills to sew reusable sanitary pads for at least 300 young ladies in Maasailand, Kenya. Meredith and I will be traveling to Kenya is December to personally deliver the feminine products to the sweet girls I met this summer.

While I was writing from Kenya in July, several of you asked what you could do to help. Honestly at the time, I didn't have a good answer for you. I have been so impressed with Meredith and her willingness and commitment to this project. I know that this trip will be life-changing for her, and I am so excited to see the ways God will work in her life through this experience.

SO: What can you do? There are several ways you can help!

1. Pray: Ask God to lead Meredith humbly through this project.

2. Buy a Shirt! The shirt design is at the bottom of this post. They are $15 if you live in Selmer, TN or Greenwood, SC. If you would like one shipped, the cost is $20. They will be in this week!

3. Lend a Hand! If you like to sew and have the time, Meredith is looking for people who can help her make the product. You can visit www.daysforgirls.com to learn more about the need and download a pattern.

4. Donate! If you have extra fabric (or cash!) that you would like to contribute, we welcome that. Meredith is still trying to catch up on fundraising.

I couldn't be more proud of my little sis and the heart she has already developed for service to others. I am hoping that those of you who read this post will help me encourage her by choosing to get involved.

Please feel free to call or email Meredith (731-439-7456) (mere.rhea@gmail.com) to let her know how you would like to participate. She has a running list of Tshirt orders now! For my SC friends, I will be bringing back a load of shirts this weekend from Tennessee, so contact me if you would like one delivered to you (lmpinkston@gmail.com).

Thanks again to everybody who followed the blog this summer and has prayed for the souls of the beautiful people all over the world. And thanks in advance for choosing to get involved!

"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" -Matt. 25:40

-lp

Anywhere With Jesus

It feels very surreal to say that I will be coming home this weekend. Over the past three months, I have stepped foot on 4 continents, 8 countries, and 12 airplanes. Oh, and 1 train and 1 bus. To say that I've learned a lot about myself would be an understatement. I have appreciated the opportunity to travel so freely without obligations back home to worry about. So many people have helped out to look after our belongings, bills, and pet (thanks Carleigh, JT, Matt, Jacob, Carly, and Lauren!).

I must be honest: I have mixed feelings about my return home in a few days. I have missed my friends and family desperately, and am aching to spend time with those I care so much about. On the other hand, I feel a little anxious when I think about the stress that will set in immediately as we land in Atlanta. There will be grass to cut, a house to clean, a dog to walk, bills to pay, jobs to resume, and papers to write. Ahhh...but maybe I will finally feel pretty again with a new haircut and painted toenails! (The nine I have left, anyway.)

Hopefully these lists will help to easily share my feelings.

THINGS I AM GOING TO MISS:
1. Early morning English lessons with the refugee kids at the TB house.
2. People staring at my white skin and curvy hips.
3. Delicious, fresh fruits.
4. The simplicity of the Developing World.
5. Feeling so close to God.
6. Watching Gavin try every disgusting food there is.
7. Hearing kids singing.
8. Haggling for cheap prices in the market.
9. Iced coffee off the streets ($0.30).
10. Chinglish.

THINGS I CAN'T WAIT TO ENJOY:
1. Worship in my own language.
2. Time with family and friends.
3. Mashed potatoes and sweet tea.
4. Napkins and washcloths.
5. My soft bed.
6. Holding a real book.
7. Cooking...anything I want!
8. Packaged meats, grocery stores and sterile kitchens.
9. FOOTBALL. Football games. Football parties. Football dips. Football shirts. Football and chili. Football trash talk. Yes, football.
10. Sweet puppy Lucy.

We had a Sunday evening devotional with the local missionaries this week. We were discussing how we each hear God's call and the Spirit's guidance in our lives. One of the ladies shared a verse of a classic hymn many of us know, and it spoke to me more clearly than it ever has.

"Anywhere with Jesus over land and sea.
Telling souls in darkness of salvation free.
Ready as He summons me to go or stay.
Anywhere with Jesus when He points the way.
Anywhere, anywhere, fear I cannot know.
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go."

I believe now more than ever that a missionary is anyone who has the Good News. I look forward to being a missionary in Greenwood, South Carolina for the next ten months. I look forward to doing the same in Woodbury, Tennessee next fall. And I can't wait to be a Christian living in Laos a year and a half from now. I can go anywhere and overcome anything as long as I'm with Jesus.

Look out, America. I'm coming home!

-lp

Go Blue!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0rfbRCx9jXA

-gp

Thailand Tales

Lauren's Disclaimer: Parents be warned-this post includes some of Gavin's experiences in the delivery room. You may want to screen for your kids' sakes.
-lp

-----

The experience here has been incredible. I spend most of my day in the hospital, clinic, or ER. I've seen malaria, dengue fever, TB, and LOTS of viral junk. I also diagnosed someone in my family with ringworm and traveler's diarrhea. I won't tell you who it was because it would probably embarrass her.

Lauren has been blessed by this trip as well. She has spent time teaching English at a school, doing art therapy at a home for the mentally disabled, and leading aerobics at an elderly care home close by. I think her favorite time, though, has been her mornings at the "Sala," a small housing community on the hospital compound where the families of TB patients stay while the patient is getting treated. She has shared movies, taught the alphabet, drawn pictures, and painted fingernails. The people are beautiful and I know that Lauren's heart and life has been touched by these new friends.

I apologize that we haven't provided more pics. I am blogging on my phone and it is tough to load pictures. When they do load, they show up in random order, so it's impossible to place captions. Lo to the siento.

In other news, I may have decided on this very trip that I do not, in fact, enjoy OB. This stems from a recent encounter with a pregnant laboring lady whose idea of pushing was a two second pause followed by several shrieks and moans. Not to be graphic, but I've done a better job of pushing many times in life with the very mildest of cases of constipation.

Anyway, after over an hour of the "push" pauses and moans, the baby had moved down maybe 2 millimeters. I am not exaggerating. At this point, the missionary doc started pitocin. I guess he thought this would help the baby magically explode out of her nether region because she definitely wasn't going to do anything about it.

The pitocin ran for a while to no avail. Then the decision was made to use the vacuum. In Thailand, this machine is a metal shallow cup connected via tubing to a pickle jar that provides the vacuum pressure. The cup goes on the baby's head, the contraction happens, and the theory is that this pulling with mom pushing will help the baby come out. Needless to say, with this woman's pause/moan "pushes," she would be of no help.

At any rate, the baby finally came and the woman was left with a pretty bad tear. This was the part that got me: usually Gavin would jump at the chance to get to stitch something up. Especially here in Thailand - I mean, there's no rush, my pager is not constantly going off, it's an ideal situation.

But you know what I did? I left. Yeah, the nurse grabbed the instruments, told me to go home, and I did. I didn't want any part of it. It was late, it was raining, I had been there for three hours, I was sweating, I had blood on my pant leg, and I was over it. So I went home.

These are huge moments in life when something you've enjoyed for so long is ruined by a lady who breathe/moans instead of pushes.

Reflecting on this situation, i have a few hopes. My hope is that my frustration will pass. My hope is that my spirits will lift. My hope is that my heart will gain compassion.

And my hope is that she gets a tubal ligation very soon.

-gp

Foreign Worship

Lauren and I have had lots of wonderful experiences working with the people here in Thailand. I have really enjoyed getting plugged in with the hospital and clinic here. And Lauren has been blessed to spend time at a home for disabled patients, as well as at a local school teaching English. There are lots of daily routines we have been a part of and I just wanted to take a second to share an observation I have made about one of those routines.

Each morning at the hospital, we have a devotional period that starts promptly at 8:00 AM Thailand Standard Time. This usually involves an opening song, a devotional message, a prayer, and then the amen chorus "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." The service is usually in Thai. The speaker generally either speaks Thai or Karen (a dialect of Thai that is then translated for the half of the crowd that doesn't speak Karen). Due to a tight morning schedule, there is not enough time to translate into English.

So typically I just sit there, acting attentive, bowing when we pray, and mouthing the words when we sing.

The interesting part is the way I feel after the service is over: I actually feel pretty good. I mean, it does my heart good to see so many Thai Christians who are honoring their Lord in this time of praise. I don't have a clue what they talked about or what they prayed, but it was a nice service so I feel good.

This got me to thinking about my worship experiences back home, in English, a language that I actually do understand. It got me to thinking about what I usually give in worship, and what I usually get out of it. The sad truth is that for some time now I have not been plugged in during our times of worship. I mean, I'm tired of these songs, the speaker is not dynamic at all, and I wish that guy would put a little more thought into his Lord's Supper message.

So typically I just sit there, acting attentive, bowing when we pray, and mouthing the words when we sing.

The interesting part is the way I feel after the service is over: I actually feel pretty good. I mean, it does my heart good to see so many Christians who are honoring their Lord in this time of praise. I don't have a clue what they talked about or what they prayed, but it was a nice service so I feel good.

Sound familiar? It should. Those are the exact two paragraphs I used to describe my experience with the services that we have in Thai.

It is eerie how similar my feelings are after a service here to those I have after a service at home. It is remarkable that I get just as much, or just as little, out of a service in English as I do a service in a completely different language.

The sad truth is that when I am not giving my heart to God in worship, I am missing an opportunity for a Divine appointment. I am missing an amazing moment for a one-on-one experience with the Creator of all that is. And it is so sad for me to think about the countless mornings that I have taken up space in a pew rather than pouring my heart out to the One who loves me more than I could ever deserve.

My prayer for those who read this (all three of you) is that together we can cherish our moments with the Father, completely give Him our hearts, and take one step closer to being the adoring children we need to be.

-gp

The Tempter's Snares

As many of you know, some of our very good friends received frightening news this week concerning their two-year-old daughter. Matt and Charla Cook have been doing the Lord's work in Cusco, Peru, for several years now. I can't begin to describe how much Gavin and I love this family. Matt was the preacher for the church I attended in high school, and Charla went to high school with Gavin. Last summer, we were able to visit them in Peru, and instantly fell in love with their sweet little girl, Gabbi. Three weeks ago, Charla gave birth to their second child, Conner. The plan was to stay in the US for a month's furlough before taking both kids back to Peru to finish their commitment with the church there. Satan had other plans, though.

On Friday, Matt and Charla took Gabbi for a routine heart checkup that resulted in the doctors discovering a large mass in her abdomen. After a CT scan yesterday, it was decided that most of Gabbi's liver was affected from a Hepatoblastoma. This baby girl will be going through surgeries and treatments for many long weeks.

I haven't been able to quit thinking about these dear friends of ours, and already I have been so impressed by their lively spirits and unquestionable faith. I also haven't been able to stop thinking about the ways Satan tries to keep soldiers of Christ crippled from Spiritual Warfare. I spent my morning reading through the book of Job as I thought about this beautiful family.

'There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east...Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

The Lord said to Satan, "From where have you come?"

Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the Earth, and from walking up and down on it,"

And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face."

And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand."

So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.'
-Job 1:1-2, 6-12

The book of Job continues on and on, telling of how Satan destroyed all his possessions, killed all of his family, and left him with sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. His friends sat with him in silence for 7 days as he mourned his losses, but he still refused to curse God. For 30 chapters, the book continues with Job's friends telling him to repent, to turn against God, and even openly deny his faith. Job remains strong and rebukes his friends for their lack of wisdom.

By chapter 31, though, Job had had enough. As any of us would do or have done in tough times, Job made a case before God. He defended his righteous acts and good deeds. In a roundabout way, he simply asked, "Why, God??" Our Lord responded in chapter 38 in an authoritative and humbling way.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements-surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its basins sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed?'

Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?...Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this."

The conversation between Job and God in the next couple of chapters is worth reading. God's words of correction fell on a tender heart, and eventually God restored the fortunes of Job, even twice as much as he had before.

Honestly, there is very little I could add to this story. The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, and it is ALIVE today as it works in our hearts. Through reading this scripture today, I have become even more convinced of these simple truths:

1. Satan causes every bit of evil in this world.
2. Everything good comes from God.
3. Our God is worthy to be praised in every situation because of His power and might.

Matt, Charla, Gabbi, Conner, and family: We are praying for you constantly and fervently. We are praying for Gabbi's healing. We are praying for your strength. We are praying for your faith in the God who loves you and is in control. Thank you for your leadership and example as you glorify God in pure obedience during this difficult time. I know others will be pointed to Christ because of you.

We love you so much and are asking God to show Himself in a big way through Gabbi's procedure today.

-lp

How Beautiful are the Feet of Those Who Bring Good News

It's a beautiful thing to be surrounded by those who love the Lord. This is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about the short 48 hours we have spent so far in Sangklaburi, Thailand. We have experienced God's love to the fullest as we watch His servants caring for the people here. The first day of our month visit was overwhelmingly beautiful.

Yesterday morning, I was able to visit a project the hospital is overseeing called "Safe House." The people who live at Safe House are refugees from Burma, China, and the hill tribes of Thailand. They are 40-50 years old and suffer from mental handicaps, most similar to side effects from post traumatic stress disorder. The majority of the residents came into Thailand illegally searching for a better, safer, and more sustainable way of life. Thailand doesn't grant many immigrant visas, so it is difficult to come and live here as a foreigner. This is unfortunate, because Thailand is like the America of Southeast Asia. It has good schools and a strong healthcare system. Many benefits are provided to Thai citizens, but the government turns a blind eye to anyone who does not fall into this demographic.

Gavin and I are currently located fairly close to the Burmese border. Safe House was started because the Thai government literally "dumps" unwanted residents here in an attempt to kick them out of the country. For example, one of the female residents at Safe House escaped from the war in Burma (Myanmar) and found work in Bangkok, Thailand. Because she was working illegally, her employer repeatedly abused and raped her. He eventually turned her in to government officials, and she was carried to the border in the back of a dump truck. She was dropped here with nowhere to go and mentally disturbed from the abuses she had suffered.

Today, she is healing from these experiences in a safe environment. She is married to another resident at the home, and they are learning back strap weaving as a trade. Each day, they weave beautiful scarves to sell in a small shop at Safe House.

I was amazed at the things taking place at Safe House. The residents were using huge looms to weave fabric, were making gorgeous flowers from wire and stocking material, and playing games to help stimulate their minds. God is to be praised for the work taking place here and for the beautiful hearts of the people He is using as instruments of peace.

I can't testify to all the experiences Gavin is having, but I do know that Day #1 provided him with a page full of notes on tropical diseases he will never see in the US, but he will likely see in Laos. Yesterday's patients included a gunshot victim from a hunting accident, as well as malaria and leptospirosis. It's been raining for 3 days now, and it doesn't look like it will stop before we leave. We've been given umbrellas and "wellies" (rain boots) to help keep us dry. I learned my lesson early yesterday when a spider the size of my fist ran up my leg out my boots. Apparently centipedes like to hang out in there, too. Other than this, we have a roof over our heads and good food to eat. God is good.

-lp

Update

Hey friends. I apologize for the blogging lull. We are safe in Laos and are really enjoying our time here. I wanted to update the blog just to say that Internet issues have kept us from writing. We are excited to share more with you soon. We love you guys.

-gp

Singapore

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is so, then I'm providing about 15,000 words below. These are photos from our short stay in Singapore. This quick leg of the trip was tucked between our time at AMF and our trip through Bangkok. Highlights included our visit to Little India, Lauren getting her nose pierced by an Indian guy with curry fingers, the pigeon with ankle feathers, the beautiful shopping district, the crazy expensive cars, and the jungle black light techno safari joint where we had lunch. I hope you enjoy.

-gp