First Things First
January 20, 2010
My wife, Karyn, asked me to blog about The Forsaken Children’s hopes for 2010, which I thought was a great idea. As I sat down to do that, thinking through all the Board meetings and strategizing, I got a little bogged down and decided I wanted to make this blog a little more personal, from my heart. I want to tell you about MY hopes for TFC in 2010. After an incredibly productive 2009, I am full of ideas regarding what could happen in this new year. My hopes revolve around one thing though, and that is making life worth living for the Ethiopian children I have gotten to know since moving to Ethiopia last year. I have come to the conclusion that focusing on ministry (sharing Jesus and teaching new believers how to follow him) is the key to seeing this happen.
Keeping first things first. I don’t know if you have ever experienced this, but for me, being surrounded by extreme need constantly last year caused me to lose sight of the importance of ministry. What I mean is that I slowly began to focus more and more on fulfilling people’s physical needs rather than their spiritual needs. When Ashenafi, a CHE beneficiary who accepted Christ in early 2009, came to me, I didn’t think much about his spiritual health/growth, but rather I concentrated on things like the condition of his clothes, whether he was clean or not, did he look hungry?, etc… I know all those things are extremely important, but I also know that they will not last.
During my brief trip to the States over Christmas, I had the opportunity to clear my head a bit. As I processed through the past year I saw my tendency to focus on the practical and physical elements of my work in Ethiopia. I also remembered how sweet it was when I sat with Ashenafi during those first months of living here, and saw him weep as he accepted Jesus as his Savior. These integral elements of ministry – physical and spiritual provision – became competitors for me, physical often replacing spiritual. I saw my error was in dividing these two elements that must go hand in hand, and if either must be the champion as is the case sometimes, It must be spiritual provision, because it is the one lasting thing that exists in the absence of physical resources.
I have therefore come back to Ethiopia with a renewed excitement and commitment to ministry. As the foreigner here, I am mostly excited about the prospect of equipping Nega, Director of Children’s Home Ethiopia, and his staff with the time and resources to be first and foremost ministers of Jesus Christ. I want to see 2010 filled with opportunities for them to share Jesus in strategic and effective ways with the community of children and extremely poor families they work with daily. This will provide the lasting change that this community needs more than anything.
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11 Responses to “First Things First”
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Awesome Joe. It was a pleasure to sit in the Young Married’s class and hear from you and your wife’s heart! I look forward to seeing God continue to work through your ministry in 2010! God bless!
I totally agree. Amen.
it was a pleasure to hear from you. I have been praying for the
young boys and girls who have accepted Christ for their
growth, comfort and protection/ I will continue to pray for Nega to
grow in Christ.
The first thing that came to my mind after reading your blog,.
was to ask you how we can help meet the physical needs, to ease
the load , so that you and your family and Nega and staff can
be freely concentrate on the spiritual needs more.
let us know here inMemphis
Keep up the great work, please remember my greatgrand children they all live with my daughter your cousin Cheryl. Their Dad Justin needs to be a provider for his children, they would be out on the streets if Cheryl and her husband Carlous did not let them live there. Remember them all please most of all their relationship with the Lord, I know God is working on them all. We always keep you and Kayarn and children in our prayers. Love Bev.
Joe – wow- what insight–seek ye first the kingdom of God—–the rest will be added——Keep seeking and He will continue to supply—-We think of you guys often——
Blessings—Warren and Kimm
Joe,
Your story shows the struggle many of us have with regards to losing sight of our spiritual needs and responsibility and having it overshadowed by the aspects of our environment.
I applaud you and am thankful that you have recognized and addressed your struggle and are attacking it with a renewed sense of spirituality, vision and understanding. Your strength in understanding the needs of the children of this area of the world amazes me. In my eyes, you are such a warrior for the Lord. I thank you and your family for the ministry you are providing.
I’ll continue to pray for you all.
George
PRAISE THE LORD. BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY. THANKS JOE. STEVE RICE
My son has become so wise! It humbles me to know you so personally and again I just PRAISE the Lord for your surrender.
always my love and prayers
Since it is Jesus that makes everything possible the rest will follow in the best way – His way. Praise God for all of you for giving Him the opportunity to work in the lives of all these lovely children.
Hey man sounds super great..I pray more wisdom and revelation to you regarding your ministry. you rock Joe!
Bless you guys!!! We will be praying for all you do in 2010!
Dave and Tiff, NZ