May 2004

Dear Saints and Aints.

Shalom.

I sigh as I slowly sink into the soft couch in my motel room. The thought of how to get out of it again is postponed till the need arises – no pun intended.  I snuggle deeper into the cushions and with another contented sigh reach for the eye-opening, aroma-dispelling cup of coffee. I understand “Who like me His praise can sing” was not meant for situations like this but – it certainly fits ...

I muse, some crave a faith that makes them rich; I crave a faith that enriches me and lets me sleep worry-free most of the time, in the knowledge that my Father cares and keeps watch over me.

By the same token, some crave to be apostles, others clamor to be prophets. I long to be a little child whose hand is held by His Father and who in total simplicity puts one foot in front of the other - following where Father leads. A child without wisdom of its own, without strength of its own, without courage of its own, without resources of its own but with the faith - should the need for any of those arise - Father will supply. This “child” speaks from personal experience.

When I first heard about Shared Funding, I said to myself, “This will be a hassle.” Then as quickly, “It will only be a hassle if you don’t trust God.” That settled it.

I am quite comfortable with the new system were missionaries are responsible for their funds. It is liberating. Just think you can enter any pulpit in any church large or small, speak to any group young or old and preach and speak your heart out without concern for money. You can share your heart about what God has placed upon your heart to do. You share your experiences: The good, the bad, the ugly; the “walk through the Valley of the shadow of death; the walk through the fire; the walk through the flood and - God’s wonderful faithfulness through them all.  And through your own tears awake again in hearts the wonder of what God can do through the simplest of his saints. And hopefully awake in people the courage to use the “wings of their faith” to follow suit. After the messenger leaves, quickly forgotten and replaced by other messengers, the message is left behind: “Behold your God!” It is my responsibility to minister and God places upon Himself the responsibly to provide through whom He chooses. I don’t have to run around asking pastors, church boards and mission board to support me. The churches now know the score and can now decide whether to support this work or not. This is the only Scriptural approach to mission’s funding. As far as I am concerned, the pulpit is too sacred a place to be misused for fundraising.  And as for my newsletter, I want them to be appealing and not an appeal for money.

Where I failed, and forgive me is to present our needs properly to churches and friends. I am very touchy about God’s honor and presenting our needs should not be construed as asking and thereby insinuate that my Father does not look after us. That would be an outright lie. But even God chooses not to work in a vacuum; He uses people. Hence the following information

I am a year short of 70 and lived and worked for the past 32 years in Nagpur, India. First working on the translation of the New Testament into a tribal language and then somehow ended up with 900 dependants. The translation was planned; the kids weren’t.

The money pays for boarding, lodging, education, medical care, transport etc. The kids pay nothing and we receive no support from the Indian Government.

Out of necessity we retain a large staff who receives wages. Then there are utility bills, maintenance, taxes, insurance, services etc.

From my personal money I pay for the newsletter, Bible Colleges (this year nine student), help pastors and a host of other things plus pay for my own food, utilities, car, phone etc. Still, about 2/3 of my personal funds go back to the homes. I did a lot of other things and while “blowing your own horn might be more hygienic” it need not be part of this letter.

At the present we owe some $100,000 US to various businessmen mainly for food. Churchill’s words about the British Air force in World War II come to mind: “Never have so many owed so much to so few.”

2. We also need more buildings:

 Completing the second floor of the school
New Bathrooms
A Clinic
A New Dormitory
Some 10 Washing machines
A 100’ compound wall to protect our field so we can grow more food.

Over the past few years I have worked hard to work myself out of a job. The result is that:

 
Saints, you have treated me and my kids with great love and kindness -- Thanx and again Thanx.

In His great love

Frank.