Why we should go (6.4.13)

 Village in exotic Chad, Africa seeks extremely pale American family for full time residency.  Interested applicants must meet the minimum standards to qualify:

·      You LOVE LOVE LOVE  oppressive heat

·      You are willing to dislike rain for several months and finally wish it would come back soon

·      You have at least 6 recipes for beans and rice

·      You have an aptitude for speaking English slow and loud

·      You enjoy challenging your immune system with mutant strains of virus, bacteria, parasites and worms

·      You feel like Mayberry was too large of a town

·      You are comfortable driving a moto in sand, clay, or water past herds of large horned cattle

·      You think roads should be unmarked, unpaved, and unsafe

·      You like the sound of drums in the night

·      You like the sound of sweeping at dawn

·      You think bugs SHOULD be super loud all night long

·      You can swim faster than a hippo or your swimming partner

·      You believe electricity makes you spoiled, so less is more

·      You are poor at managing money so having no income is a good alternative

That may be a bit of a stretch in some ways but its not too far from reality.

It is true that Chad is a nation with the highest maternal mortality rate in the world and is burdened with poverty, unemployment, illness,  and malnutrition.  However, given the amount of sun exposure, they probably have terrific Vitamin D blood levels.  You just have to look from the right angle to see the balance between good and bad. 

O.k. Despite the not so subtle differences between Chad and the U.S., I found myself drawn to a small village in southwestern Chad.  In the midst of the pain and suffering that is a daily reality, I found welcoming people with huge smiles, children playing and parents doing their best to raise healthy families.  I also felt an inexplicably strong urge to stay.  Bere Adventist Hospital has a tremendous need for willing and able volunteers to join a community of committed missionary expats and locals.  There are amazing families already there who are doing rewarding across the region.  They were the pilgrims and we get to jump in long after the Mayflower crew got things up and running.

I used to wonder how other families did it. How did they "quit" and finally respond to the call? The first step was the hardest, as I convinced myself that the job, house, and money can wait;  After that its just faith and planning.  I do feel like moving to Africa is a calling.  The kind of call that can't be blocked or ignored like a crazy old girlfriend.  Honestly I'm still amazed that I didn’t have to talk Kim into anything.  It was the exact opposite of my marriage proposal when she begged me and I finally caved in and said yes… or something like that.  The details aren’t important.  The point is, I think I had already planned in my head that we were moving to Chad before I returned home.  After speaking with Kim and Maddie and Emmie about my feelings, and praying, and consulting with people we trust, the family actually agreed to make a change.  Our house sold within days of being on the market.  Our belongings are being easily sold too.  The entire process has been…easy.  I'm sure God has a plan for us there and we will face challenges and hardships, I just hope that doesn’t include spiders or olives.

Without a doubt, I am a Christian that sometimes struggles with faith and action. Despite a long, long list of shortcomings, I am focusing on the simplicity of what Jesus called us to do: love God and love others.  And so we are going in June 2014… to Africa, to love and serve in a place where we are needed most. 

Visit us in the U.S., or starting next year in Chad, or online  http://whyweshouldgo.blogspot.com

We will save some beans and rice for you!

Love,

Mason, Kim, Maddie, & Emmie McDowell

            Psalm 139:9-10   

                  9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.