Giving and receiving 9/9/2014

  There is a village far from here that I have never visited. Apparently I cared for a very sick baby who lived there. He died from malaria. One of the younger men who works at the hospital approached me today and called me aside in private. His parents, wife and children live in that remote village but he rents room here in Bere so he can work at the hospital.   I have helped him with food and some other things in the past... He told me his mother was so grateful that I helped him and I cared for that baby. She sent her son to me with a sack containing 9 eggs--40km in rainy season over horrible flooded muddy roads. It was pouring rain (3" in a few hours).  He humbly presented this gift of thanks. 

I'm telling you, Im not sure I've ever received a better gift in my life. 

 I know perhaps not everyone reading this reads the bible but I was reminded of the story of the woman who gave a puny offering 

but it represented all she had. 

Today a woman I never met gave me all that she had. And I'm the one who is supposed to do the helping and giving.  

  I hope I will give as much when it's my turn to prove it.  Some days this place breaks me and other days it lifts me sky high. 

-Mason

The Widow’s Offering

Mark 12:42-44

42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Bad 9/6/2014

 I've been a bad dad and husband. I have been really focused on my work, just as I was before we moved here,  and  haven't given Kim or the girls enough attention. And, I've been too judgmental as well. Kim is feeling really hurt and isolated right now which she only just verbalized today. 

I have embraced "less is more" in a way that has obviously outpaced Kim's comfort level.  When she has expressed frustration, I have been less than sympathetic.  We don't  necessarily have the same expectation/observations of our life here.  A problem is likely I'm a bad listener and we plan differently. 

  Essentially, Kim is overwhelmed by needs presented at our door. Constant requests for physical and financial assistance which we cannot meet are draining. Our network here doesn't share the same sense of organization or prioritization that would help resolve our issues in the short term. 

  I think she is correct about most of the things which are stressful to her. I apologized today and committed to being a better communicator and partner. I'm surely focused on the mission but need to exercise better sensitivity when it comes to responding to my family's concerns.  

  I'm writing in the hopes you will pray for us. Pray for peaceful conversations, reduced worry over  finances, and for grace. 

  This isn't meant to be an alarming message. We are fine. I just feel like I've missed opportunities as the head of this house and I'm asking for your prayers that I would do a better job all around. Transitions are never easy and we still have a lot to learn about serving on the mission field. 

  I appreciate your wisdom, guidance and prayers. Feel free to reach out to Kim if you feel inclined. You can send me a message too and remind me to stop behaving like a moron. 

-Mason

Our mailing address:

McDowell's

 L'hopital Adventiste de Bere

52 Boîte Postale

Kelo, Tchad, Afrique

I-Message & email info: mcdowellcrna@gmail.com