TeamDuggan

Forty-seven today…

The guy in this picture never imagined what life would be like on his birthday almost thirty years later. Less hair (but not as little as he feared), kids across three different decades, and traveling throughout the part of the world in which he dreamed he’d one day become a missionary. God has a terrific sense of humor. I had it all figured out back then. I had the plan all mapped and the steps lined up. But detours, failures, disappointments, odd circumstances and many many happy surprises made those plans silly and obsolete. How would things be different now if I had seen the future then? No way to tell, but I can’t think of any other way God could have put me where I am now other than to take Cathi and me through the crazy events of our lives up to this point.

Forty-seven doesn’t sound too bad from where I am right now. But I will still claim to be in my mid-forties for at least another year or two.

I wouldn’t mind if I got to keep the rest of my hair though.

Glass half empty – What will break next?

How many times have you changed the water pump in your car in the last year? The fan clutch? Battery? Twice each for this car, plus a radiator, clutch, transmission, window motor and other parts I can’t even remember. Every month it’s something different. Every month it’s at a time we can’t do without a vehicle. Every month we wonder what part is going to fall off next.

Glass half full – a mechanic that makes house-calls

One phone call and a mechanic comes to our house, evaluates the problem-of-the-month, fetches new parts, fixes the van, and charges less than it would cost to have a mechanic back home even open the hood. Yesterday our water pump went out (second time in a year). Total cost for the whole repair including parts … $75. No waiting in lines, no towing charge. It’s much less inconvenience than at home.

So I choose to see the glass as half full. Sure the thing breaks more than a Yugo (remember those?), but ya gotta love the way it gets repaired.

What strikes you as you look at this picture of the man standing next to me? My first thought is “Antonio Banderas”. Actually, his name is Giovanni Mora and he is the president of a denomination in Colombia, a denomination committed to seeing new churches planted in Colombia and sending missionaries throughout the world. This photo was taken at Boca Grande in Cartagena where the group is looking for ways to grow new leaders and church planters. They have a number of missionaries already. One, Mario, has just arrived in Haiti. And Mercedes will be going to Venezuela to spend six months under the mentorship of one of our key church-planter coaches. Our mission is changing…we are seeking for and partnering with key leaders and organizations throughout Latin America, then using our various resources to equp them to carry out the vision of multiplying healthy churches among all people. I am privileged to be part of this exciting transition. Not to mention the wonderful places I get to visit. Missions can no longer be patronistic. If you can read faces at all, you’ll see a man standing next to me not as a “poor Latin brother”, but a full partner who has as much to offer as to receive. Thanks to all of you who help make this possible with your prayer and your support.

The year was 1898, and a 22 year-old named David Finstrom followed God’s call to go to Venezuela to share the Gospel. For decades he labored and gave his life in a way that made it clear to the Venezuelans that he was there to help them. But pioneers don’t necessarily make great team members, and soon after other missionaries followed in his footsteps there were striking differences in opinion and approach. Nevertheless, David Finstrom is highly regarded by the Venezuelan church and the last one he pastored in Palo Negro still bears his name.

David Finstrom never wanted to leave Venezuela. He took very few home assignments and stayed in ministry many years after his official retirement. Just one month after his eightieth birthday, he passed away in his home in Palo Negro. His funeral was attended by hundreds, representing churches, government and many who simply knew him as the man who would help in need. His grave is simple, marked with a Bible verse and his name.

I had the privilege to visit this grave and remember that all of the mission work our organization has in Latin America began with this one man. Would he fit the model we seek for missionaries today? Perhaps not. But he was a pioneer when that meant real hardship, and he stayed at it for 58 years. That is amazing, and I am grateful to him for the doors that opened as a result of his commitment made at the young age of 22.

These wonderful folks have hosted me in Cartagena.

I am in hot and humid Cartagena, a beautiful historic city on the coast of Colombia.  This is my first Internet access so I have much to catch up on here from my trip to Venezuela and visit here in Colombia.  Pictures and updates will come as I can find access.  Right now I am in an Internet cafe but later hope to be able to post some updates and pictures from my computer.

Today Cathi and Keri went to a very poor church in the hills to help with a ministry outreach to children. As usual, Keri was a kid magnet, drawing kids to her with a smile and twinkle in her eye. Almost two hours of jump-rope just about did her in though!
We are privileged to have these opportunities to see our kids develop and exercise their gifting in settings that are so different than our own.