Roger Thoman’s Posterous

All of my ramblings about simple church, church planting movements, intimacy with Jesus, reaching the unreached, and caring for the poor in one place. The good stuff from here ends up at one of the following two sites:



February 15, 2010
 

In the days ahead, you will either be a mystic (one who has experienced God for real) or nothing at all...

"In the days ahead, you will either be a mystic (one who has experienced God for real) or nothing at all... In times of persecution theoretical Christianity will collapse."  Manning/Rahner -- Furious Longing of God.

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February 12, 2010
 

Firing Up Our Travel Blog: Mexico

We are getting our Travel Blog up and going as we prepare to leave for Mexico in a week.

We will spend several days there working with a dynamic missionary team in Oaxaca.  Here is what their team leader says about their work in this unreached part of Mexico:
Our state, Oaxaca, has over 150 distinct indigenous people/language groups.  Many of these groups are still fairly unreached with the gospel.  (Oaxaca has the highest concentration of least-reached people groups in all of the Americas.) Our town, Tlaxiaco, is a market town centrally located to the Mixtec (and Triqui) region in western Oaxaca.  This region is the least-reached area of the state.  Our town has several churches, but many of the thousand or so mountain villages within a few hours of us have very little or no gospel witness.  We are working to make disciples of indigenous people in our town and then help them take the gospel back to their home villages.  We are integrating some community development work into our church planting efforts and currently have a well drilling project and a diabetes project that are just getting off the ground.
What a wonderful opportunity to see God raise up disciple-making leaders who can plant fruitful seed throughout this needy state in Mexico!

We leave Friday morning, February 19, fly to Atlanta to spend the night (the joys of flying with frequent flyer miles) and then into Mexico on Saturday...

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October 25, 2009
 

Becoming Accustomed to Life in Developing Countries

I just wrote these words to a friend in an email:
We have now hung out in developing countries long enough to become surprisingly accustomed to a different standard of life.  It's funny how you can walk into a hotel that faces bustling city streets, walk up uneven stairs, walk down semi-clean hallways, step into a room with a hard mattress for a bed with a mosquito net covering, sit on a toilet seat made of plastic or no seat at all, turn on a shower that dribbles hot water, brush your teeth with bottled water, order food that tastes exactly like last night's meal (because it is exactly the same) and then say to each other: "Wow, what a great hotel this place is... We are living in luxury this week!"
It's been an exceptional trip!  We have many more reports to share, and can't wait to catch up with YOU on all that has been going on here at HOME!

Shower Head in the Aforementioned 3-Star Hotel:

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October 13, 2009
 

Madagascar: Hot, Sleepless, Exciting, Fulfilling

I am sitting in a hot internet café in a small town in Madagascar.  Someone nearby is smoking a cigarette.  As you can imagine, there are no laws here regarding such things.  But hey, if I were not smelling the smoke, I would be tasting the other aromas of Africa which are often hard to describe: very musk-like at its best and very sewage-like at its worst (in the more impoverished parts of town).

I am trying to figure out what to write regarding our last two weeks at the YWAM training base in the coastal town of Tamatave.  Our experiences were so rich, on the one hand, and so unique, on the other.  Also, I find myself wondering what would interest folk back home in the midst of their busy lives!

We affectionately refer to this particular YWAM base as "the monastery" because of the dorm-like room situation, the cold showers, and the basic food (mostly rice and beans) prepared daily for the local students.  We love it, but also enjoy "sneaking" out on the weekend for an evening dinner at a local restaurant: skewered zebu and French fried potatoes.

I wish there were some way to pull you into the heart of our experience here which was spending 10 full days pouring into the lives of 20 incredible, passionate, young, Malagasy church planters and health care workers (bush clinics).  The fact is, I do not know how to make this real to you in a way that would allow you taste, touch, and feel it.

Most of these young people are born and raised in the cities of Madagascar.  To go live in the bush to reach and care for others requires a complete change of lifestyle (and sacrifice) for them.  What do I compare this to so that you might understand?  Although their city-living is not as posh as ours, it still might compare to one of us moving to rural Mexico: no "facilities," outdoor cooking, strange food, and mat-sleeping on dirt floors.  Yet they have given themselves wholeheartedly to this task, loving God passionately and serving him with total surrender by going to care for and reach people in great need.

So, what is it like to partner with this team of young people, pour into them, and get caught up in their contagious faith and commitment?  For me, it's life on the edge—being led by the Spirit, learning and teaching, finding and solving problems in strategies, exploring new ideas and tools with them, seeing them have "ah-ha" moments, and feeling part of something that is potentially very big that is changing the lives of people in the remotest parts of the world.  To what might I compare this?  I really don't know, but perhaps you can simply catch a taste of my own excitement. 

Finally, what is it like to coach, equip, father, and mentor the phenomenal team leaders of this group?  To see transformation and growth in their personal lives?  To see a renewal of vision and commitment in their ministry?  To see apostolic leadership develop that has the potential for changing the course (literally) of nations?  What does the visa commercial say?  "Priceless!"

In any case, the fulfillment and excitement keep us going through the smoke-filled cafes, the roads from hell, the mosquitoes with potential malaria in their little stingers, the food served on a dirt floor on top of banana leaves (another story), and the hot, sometimes-sleepless nights.

God has been at work, we feel privileged to be a part, and so appreciative, always, of your involvement with us.

   
Click here to download:
Madagascar_Hot_Sleepless_Excit.zip (181 KB)

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September 28, 2009
 

War-Time Wedding in the Congo

Steven, our Congolese team leader, met his wife, Angel, while they were both fleeing from their hometowns during the war of 1998.  The idea was to find a village where the rebels had already passed through: pillaging, killing, raping, and decimating. Hopefully some time would pass before the rebels would return to that particular area.

On foot for several days, Steven and Angel became traveling companions and then friends as they hid out with many others in the jungle village. There was little to eat except nature’s mango trees, yet they remained there for three months where they married and began a life together in the midst of war and terror.

Finally, they headed back to Steven’s hometown of Uvira. For two more years, the fighting continued and every night they would hear gunshots and screams from those who were being killed and/or raped. They said, “Every day we lived knowing that our time might be up and that during the night we would be the ones being killed.”

Peace was finally restored in their region in 2002. Now, seven years later, it is remarkable to spend time with Steven and Angel, to see the way that God has blessed their faithfulness to Him, and to see their passion for sharing God’s message, care, and provision with others.

Women’s Lives Changed

Angel works daily with other women to help them out of poverty mindsets and to equip them to change their own lives. She described to us the way she effectively empowers women:
I begin by debating with women that I meet.  I ask them, “Why do you think that I have some financial resources and you do not?”  Women often see themselves as inferior to their husbands and not able to get ahead.  So I have to challenge them in ways that will make them think.  I have to help them see the opportunities that they have around them to make something and sell it or to learn a skill that will help them support their family. “If I can do this, then you can do it also,” I tell them. I sometimes speak strongly to them, “Yes, you are going to have to work hard, but it is worth it. If not for yourself, do it for your daughters so that you will have enough money to put them through school and they can then have a better life than yours.”

I try to provide them with training in simple sewing skills or other crafts they can make so that they can see that they are able to do small things to get ahead.  I also show them that God's principles, when applied to their life, lead to success and strength.

Churches Multiplying Among the Poor

Steven’s work is equally amazing.  After starting a church in 2006 he felt that his influence in this needy country was limited.  He contacted us looking specifically for ways to multiply his effectiveness so that more Congolese could be reached spiritually and practically. He is now becoming a church-planting trainer, starting over a dozen churches during the past year and, with our help, is now training over 20 new church-planters. These leaders are working in bigger cities like Uvira, in smaller villages that are still reeling from the impacts of war, in prisons, and among unreached tribes (such as the Pygmy people). Wherever churches are started, ministry to needy people is part of the kingdom message that is shared: the hungry are fed, children are given school fees, widows and handicapped are helped, and generosity becomes a way of life.

YOU Are the Key To All of This

Steven and Angel, along with a host of growing leaders in the Congo, represent some of the most remarkable kingdom-minded, God-loving people we know. Yet over and over they tell us how much strength it brings them to have people come and support them from so far away.  Tears streaming down Steven's face, as we departed, emphasized this.  We feel so privileged to partner with them AND so aware that our partnership with them happens because YOU stand with us.  We are ever so aware and appreciative of this!

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September 26, 2009
 

Summoned by Congo's Central Intelligence Office

We had been in the Congo for about four hours when the phone call came to one of the conference coordinators. “We want to see the visitors in our office right away.”

The message was relayed to us, “Our head intelligence officer wants to see you.  We must take you to the ‘Security’ office immediately.”

We had already been through the border crossing that morning, met with the city mayor in order to fulfill proper “protocol,” and we had been assured that there were no more hoops to jump through.  So, what was this about?  This is a country that is still reeling from recent times of war so suspicions can still surface and/or corrupt officials can be looking for a little extra personal income.

Our Congolese team leader, Steven, was dealing with conference details so he sent us to the office with another translator.  “Don’t worry,” Steven said.  “This is just a formality.” OK, only a slight rise in the beating of the heart and a quick prayer.

Yet, our hearts did race just a bit more as we were ushered through the front door of a concrete building, guided by two men into a small back-room office where a very serious-looking man sat behind a small desk with a set of handcuffs sitting very conspicuously within inches of his left hand.

I have to tell you, this did not feel like just a formality.

He introduced himself through the translator and explained, in so many words, how important his office was.  He compared his job with, in his own words, “the FBI.”  Brooks and I were both thinking, at this point, that the FBI does not routinely haul people into their office for a chat unless there is something seriously wrong! Our heart rates increased yet another notch.  Our prayer life jumped another level.

Then, a long dialogue took place between this man and our translator. We were left out of the loop since we could understand neither the French nor the Swahili that they would alternate speaking with. The man behind the desk was pointing to files on his desk, to paperwork he held in his hand, and was clearly lecturing our translator who was making notes. What was our translator writing? The list of crimes we had committed in the four hours we had been there? How many transgressions had we done?

This little conversation went on long enough that we did start to wonder where it was headed and if we were going to leave that room with our hands free or behind our back (ok, so the imagination begins to run a bit when you cannot understand the conversation and the setting is so ominous).

Our heart rates were now at the pace achieved by a good 30-minute run.  Hey, who needs to exercise, just visit the Congo!

Finally, finally, the essence of this important meeting comes to light. In order for this very important man to file the very important documents, he needed $20 from each visitor so that this can be properly done. Our Congolese friends later assured us that this is not an official government fee, just one of the ways that officials find to pad their incomes.

So, yes, we were set free. Not until our translator promised he would return with copies of our passports (the “Security” office did not have a copy machine), the very important forms properly filled out (no need to take this official’s time to do it right there), additional photos of the visitors (none of us could figure out why the passport photos were not sufficient), and, of course, the requisite forty dollars.

Such is the system in the Congo and, indeed, in many African countries.

For our part, the intimidation worked quite well. We would have gladly paid forty dollars and much more just to get out of that small office, away from the “FBI agent,” and to stay clear of those handcuffs!

Thankfully, our hearts are no worse for the wear. At least I am fairly certain of this. Today, several days later as I write this, the pulse in my neck is now only partly visible.  Oh, and our prayer life?  Much improved still and much gratitude for all of our praying friends back home!

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September 21, 2009
 

Great Experiences! No Time for Writing Yet!

Sidenote: pictured below with me is NOT a child.  This is 20-year-old David from one of the Pygmy tribes in the Congo.  Yes, he is 20 years old; he is completing his high school education this year with plans to enter law school so that he can defend his own people in legal matters.  His people experience a lot of prejudice here.

Hopefully Brooks will get some updates out as I have not had time, yet, to write.  We have faced a few challenges in the Congo only because we have not traveled here before.  But our times with leaders and in ministry to a neighboring village has been wonderfully exciting and we are seeing God at work beyond our expectations.

Will write more when I have time...

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September 17, 2009
 

Pray for Border Crossing

We have arrived in Bujumbura (Burundi) for a couple of days to recover from jet lag, lack of sleep, swollen feet (Brooks), and two days of sitting in airline seats.  OK, it's not really as bad as it sounds, but why not play it up?

Our team leader from the Congo, Steven, will pick us up tomorrow to travel across the border into his country.  This is probably our most difficult border crossing because of the instability of the country and the corruption of officials (like border patrols).  Thus, our request for your specific prayers.

We are very excited to soon be re-united with our Congolese friends and to meet many new leaders there who are bearing fruit in a very troubled country.

Stay in touch!  Roger

   
Click here to download:
Pray_for_Border_Crossing.zip (88 KB)

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August 22, 2009
 

Inline Photo attempt

Here is my article.  I will write it here.

Second, to Madagascar where most of the people still live primitive lives in bush villages.  One friend described life there this way: “80% of people are so isolated, living up in the mountains or deep in the bush, that they have no access to basic healthcare services. The sadness in the villages is striking. It seems as if the only times of feasting and celebration are the annual visits to the tombs to re-clothe the dead when ancestors' remains are removed from the ground, washed, put back into shrouds and carried in a long procession…”
Because of your help, we will be training church-planters and leaders who are taking hope to these villagers along with clinics that are being set up to provide basic healthcare.  Where sick people used to have to walk for 2 days to receive care, often dying en route during the grueling journey; today they are able to receive care in their own villages.

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August 22, 2009
 

Testing posting by Email

Here is my article.  I will write it here.

Second, to Madagascar where most of the people still live primitive lives in bush villages.  One friend described life there this way: “80% of people are so isolated, living up in the mountains or deep in the bush, that they have no access to basic healthcare services. The sadness in the villages is striking. It seems as if the only times of feasting and celebration are the annual visits to the tombs to re-clothe the dead when ancestors' remains are removed from the ground, washed, put back into shrouds and carried in a long procession…”
Because of your help, we will be training church-planters and leaders who are taking hope to these villagers along with clinics that are being set up to provide basic healthcare.  Where sick people used to have to walk for 2 days to receive care, often dying en route during the grueling journey; today they are able to receive care in their own villages.

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