tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50171799184307306092024-02-02T03:38:31.712-05:00Making Disciples in CameroonRichie Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743033741245749791noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017179918430730609.post-39900737452934522182019-02-22T21:08:00.000-05:002019-02-22T21:08:12.033-05:00How the Lord is Working<b>What's New</b><br />
In January, we decided to transition to a new church in Louisville. The Lord has been at work at Bashford Manor Baptist, bringing in several families and two new pastors to help strengthen and revitalize this declining church. Things are still very new, but we are excited about the opportunities this will bring for us to be sharpened for ministry, and to be used by God to see this church nursed back to health. We're hoping to get involved by teaching/discipling, showing hospitality, and helping the church grow in its love for the nations and the Bakoum people. Jesus loves his church, and he will continue to build and protect it through all eternity.<br />
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<b>What's Next</b><br />
As we look forward to bringing our daughter home in April, we're continuing to network with churches and individuals to finish the support raising phase of our journey; please pray for God's provision and prayerfully consider supporting us personally as well as connecting us with others who may be interested in doing so. We're looking forward to the next steps of linguistics training, pre-field training, and French language training. Mostly, we look forward to taking part in what God is doing among the Bakoum!<br />
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<b>Working Toward Literacy</b><br />
Speaking of the Bakoum people, a lot has happened among them as well. The biggest news is that the Kwakum language now has an official alphabet! A group of Bakoum people, along with about 10 village chiefs, recently conducted a meeting to complete this important step toward a Bible translation. The potentially contentious gathering was peaceful and productive, and now the Kwakum language is no longer oral-only! Praise God! (Read more on <a href="http://haretranslation.com/2019/01/15/kwakum-no-longer-oral-only/" target="_blank">Dave and Stacey's blog</a>.) The alphabet will be inaugurated on March 30, along with the Kwakum House, a new literacy training and translation center. Also, Cameroonian Wycliffe worker Jean Yves just began a one year internship to work with Stacey and help develop a writing system, complete with a teaching method. With so many exciting things happening, we long to be a part of it all. But the kingdom of God is infinitely bigger than any one person or family, and he does not need our help. Nevertheless, we want to go! <br />
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<br />Richie Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743033741245749791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017179918430730609.post-33425399003345434752018-04-08T21:17:00.001-04:002018-04-14T21:20:24.185-04:00Interview with a Translator<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I (Tabitha) was in Cameroon, I had the true privilege of meeting the team of Oroko translators. Along with World Team missionaries, they recently completed the translation of the New Testament and the book of Genesis. One of them, Pastor Elias Bea, has agreed to answer a few questions for our blog.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Pastor Bea. Please tell us a little bit about yourself -- how you came to know Christ and how you became a pastor.</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My name is Elias Bea. I am an Oroko, from Big Bekondo in the Mbonge subdivision of the southwest region of Cameroon. I am married to Emilia and we have 5 children. I am a pastor with the Apostolic Church Cameroon (TACC), pastoring in Kumba.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was a rascal, smoking Indian hemp as young boy in primary school without the knowledge of my parents. I was a member of a very young group of thieves, and I was involved in skirmishes. I took the First School Leaving Certificate Exams two times and failed. After that, I decided to go back to the village, and my parents were not happy about it at all. However, I actually started my primary education in my village, Big Bekondo. One day I asked myself about the habits of smoking, going out with girls, and playing football very well. Nobody smokes among my relatives; am I the one to lay this foundation? Once, in 1996, I went to church, and when I returned home I wrote in my diary that,"l Bea Elias, started fellowshiping with TACC, and l promise never to backslide again." Then l signed, and so it has been since then.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>How did you get involved with the Oroko translation project?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some missionaries came to Big Bekondo while I was at TACC Bible College (2006-2009). These missionaries organized inter-church football games and taught children’s Sunday School; later on, ecumenical programs were organized. I was very active in all of these. A form was given to those who were interested [in translation]. I got the information from a friend, and I was given the last form. I filled out the form and I took the competitive examination and was declared successful. That's how I became a translator! Later, we attended [training] courses during translation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>How has the Oroko Bible translation affected your church?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, I am not pastoring in the Orokoland community. However, the project has helped me explain certain texts in the Bible. When I'm in the village, I preach in the dialect. It was not like that before. Translation has given me a push to discover the Bible in my mother tongue.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What have been some of the joys of being on the project?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My joy is that I am privileged to be one of the translators. I always remember the good moments when we used to share our past and our ideas. We were always happy to see each other. Also, God has used me to leave a legacy for life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What have been some of the challenges?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is no project without challenges. People outside of the translation [project] will never learn how to read until it goes into the schools for people to be taught. Also, there is no permanent translation office. It will take a long time because translators are not permanent.</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The work is not finished -- all of the Old Testament except for Genesis has not been translated. When do you expect the rest of the Scriptures to be finished?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, good question. God, who planned the translation of the New Testament, will do it.</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do you have to say to those outside of Cameroon who want to work in Bible translation or missions in general?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They should pray well for God to help them choose God-fearing people who are dynamic. The Holy Spirit should be at work so that there is no addition or subtraction of God's original Word.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you very much for the recognition. If any you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Have a wonderful time and stay blessed.</span></span><br />
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Richie Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743033741245749791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017179918430730609.post-4034565629742513632018-02-27T22:08:00.000-05:002018-02-27T22:28:01.596-05:00The Same God on Every Page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The wrath of God is an unpopular subject. A lot people, including many Christians, prefer to think only of God's grace. Some say that God was angry and vengeful in the Old Testament, but he changed his ways when he sent Jesus, whom they think was only meek and mild. But this false dichotomy undermines the gospel by which we are saved. The Old Testament is full of God's mercy, and the New Testament is full of God's wrath. Together, they paint </span><span style="font-size: large;">one coherent picture of the God with whom there is no shadow due to change (Jas 1:17). And that's good news for you, me, and the people of Cameroon.</span></span></div>
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<b>Merciful From the Beginning</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A careful reading of the Old Testament shows that God was merciful from the start. In the garden of Eden, after sin entered the world and in the midst of God pronouncing judgment on Adam, Eve, and Satan, we read the promise that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15). In this grievous moment, God was already promising to be gracious. Adam and Eve trusted in God's grace when they had children, obeying his command to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" (Gen 1:28). Even though God had pronounced death, which certainly did come, Adam and Eve trusted God to keep his promise and provide the woman with a seed. And this promise was ultimately fulfilled when God "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame" through Christ's sin-atoning death on the cross (Col 2:13-15). </span></div>
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God's mercy was evident toward the ungrateful, idolatrous Israelites as well. After they were delivered from Egypt, God was meeting with Moses to give them his Law, by which they (and we) would learn to please him and love one another. God had just split the Red Sea and delivered them, and w</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">hat were they doing in the meantime? Making a golden calf to worship! </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">God would've been right to strike them down then and there. But instead, through his appointed mediator Moses, God showed them mercy. Sure, he disciplined them with a plague, but after that he reiterated his promise to give them the land he swore to their fathers; he even listened to Moses' pleas to remain with the people (Ex 32-33). What incredible mercy! And time doesn't allow me to write about his patience during the time of the judges or his promises to deliver his people from captivity after 70 years in Babylon. Just like you and me, the Israelites were constantly earning God's just anger, and he was constantly pouring out mercy and grace.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wrathful Until the End</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The New Testament continues to reveal not only the grace and forgiveness of God, but also his wrath. His wrath is clearly seen in the ministry of Jesus, who called his contemporaries to “repent, for the kingdom of God is near” (Mk 1:14-15). After 400 years of silence from God, Jesus came to inaugurate God’s kingdom on earth, and he presented his hearers with a choice: either repent of their sin and enter into the kingdom, or remain on the outside and face God’s wrath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The wrath of God was what sent Jesus to the cross. The apostle John wrote that those who do not believe in him are already condemned (Jn 3:18). But Jesus took God's wrath upon himself when he hung on the cross. His propitiatory death removed the wrath of God for all who are united to him by faith! He came to die in our place so that God’s righteous wrath could be satisfied and we could be reconciled to him and welcomed into his holy presence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The death of Jesus removed God’s wrath for all who believe, but the New Testament tells us that all who do not believe will be judged. The apostle Paul wrote that there will be wrath and fury for those who don’t obey the gospel (2 Thess 1:7-10). The book of Revelation describes the terrifying scene of Jesus’ return to the earth. John writes that Jesus will come on a white horse wielding a sword and that he will “tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.” Those who have not trusted him will cry out in fear and long for the rocks to fall on them rather than stand before him in all his terrible holiness. (Rev 6:15-17, 19:11-16). All people of all nations have sinned against the holy and just God, and he will have his vengeance. This is made clear from Genesis to Revelation, and we do well to not overlook the sobering revelation of God’s wrath in the New Testament; our salvation hangs in the balance.
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Good News for the Nations</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even as I write this, I tremble at God’s holiness, even though I have been saved by grace through faith. How can such a terrifying reality be good news? Here’s how: it means that God does not change. The consistent revelation of God’s character in the Scriptures gives confidence that he can and will keep all his promises. If the Bible revealed two pictures of God, we wouldn't know which God we were dealing with (or better yet, how he would deal with us) from one day to the next. The trustworthiness of God is why the gospel is true. Everyone who believes in the Son will be saved, and we know that promise is true because he does not change. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. This is what gets me out of bed in the morning, and it’s why I want to get on a plane. The people of Cameroon need to hear of this faithful, promise-keeping, never-changing God. They need to trust and treasure him. There is no hope to be found anywhere else. </span></span></div>
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</style>Richie Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743033741245749791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017179918430730609.post-6825034148781963142018-02-20T17:24:00.000-05:002018-02-21T09:32:34.469-05:00On Being Called by God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" 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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Tz0VAjg7MXeUPOxpepjeM924qM8u8NZcvdD9TApI5j47adHHo25TBB2EjaOCJWdqofcx7xqMeCwNfIxrRDh6lDWZo9CHv42wqxeCqPpL1NCWNz5zrbqjEzmLq6kVN4wU_xAgBsrYQgUB/s1600/luca-baggio-68369-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Tz0VAjg7MXeUPOxpepjeM924qM8u8NZcvdD9TApI5j47adHHo25TBB2EjaOCJWdqofcx7xqMeCwNfIxrRDh6lDWZo9CHv42wqxeCqPpL1NCWNz5zrbqjEzmLq6kVN4wU_xAgBsrYQgUB/s320/luca-baggio-68369-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We've all heard it, and many of us, including me, have said it. <i>God has called me into ministry.</i><i> </i>I've often said that I'm called to make disciples in Cameroon. It's easy to talk about the tasks and ministry we feel led to be involved in as a <i>calling, </i>and sometimes we mean that God has told us directly (whether audibly or within our own spirits) the specifics of how we are to serve him. But does the Bible speak of the ministry God gives us as a <i>calling?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God Hasn't "Called" You, But He Has Called You</span></b><br />
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href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The New Testament rarely describes someone receiving a call directly from God to engage in a particular ministry. Paul and Barnabas were set apart by the Holy Spirit for ministry, but that was in the context of the local church and not on their own (Acts 13:2). Later, when on his second missionary journey, Paul saw a vision of a man urging him to go to Macedonia, which he did (Acts 16:9). But this was hardly a call to ministry; Paul was already engaged in missions. The normal pattern of Christians assuming ministerial roles in the New Testament did not include a call from God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Conversely, the overwhelming thrust of God's will in the New Testament focuses not on individual occupational or ministerial decisions, but on obedience to him. We are all given the objective calling to seek God's kingdom and his righteousness, and to love him and neighbor (Mt 6:33, 22:37). Paul writes that God's will for our lives is our sanctification (1 Thess 4:3). God gives us biblical parameters in which we are to live, and as long as we do so, we are within his will. The Bible doesn't tells us to search for his will regarding where to live or work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are only able to trace God's specific, individual calls in our lives as we look back on how circumstances in our lives have unfolded. Matt Chandler, speaking on how he knows he is called to be married his wife Lauren, said, "You know how I know I'm called to be married to my wife? I married her. She said Yes." This is the only sure way I know of to discern God's call as it pertains to particular tasks and circumstances in our lives. Under God's sovereign providence, things comes to pass. And that confidence comes on the back end, not the front. Even if you experience a strong inclination in your spirit that God wants you to do something, it is only confirmed afterward. When we are living in the new heavens and the new earth, we will be able to trace all of God's calls on and purposes for our lives. Until then, just seek his kingdom and love him and others. It's that simple. Don't try to be more spiritual than God is. It's time to hang up on "the call."</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My Story</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: 400;">Do you want to know how God "called me" into missions? Through the preaching of his Word in the local church. Through simple, expositional preaching, God began stirring in me a desire to serve him overseas. I went on a two week trip to get my feet wet and came home knowing God wanted me to pursue foreign missions. That's it. Not a very exciting story, is it? No voice from heaven or writing in the sky. No dreams or visions. Just his Spirit using his Word to guide me. Some people are led by God in more dynamic ways, but that's not my story. And it doesn't have to be yours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I do think that Tabitha and I are called to serve God in Cameroon. But we're still in the support raising phase, and we can't go until we're done. So, I don't know for sure that we are called. I fully believe that God will provide all we need and get us to Cameroon, but until it comes to pass, I cannot know with absolute certainty. But I do know with absolute certainty is that he calls us to trust him and lean not on our own understanding through this rigorous process.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My Call Is Better Than Yours</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One problem with saying one is "called to ministry" is that it implies they are better or more signifiant than those who "aren't called." When's the last time someone told you they're called to be a plumber or a software engineer? Probably never. Yet the pastor or missionary who has received the "calling" is surely more spiritual and important than the faithful factory worker, right? Wrong. The Bible never exalts one occupation over any other. Nor does it say that pastors or missionaries have a more prestigious ministry than the man with the 9-5 job who serves faithfully at his church on Sunday, or the tired Mom seeking to share the gospel with her kids in word and deed day in and day out at home. So let's stop making other Christians feel inferior just because they're not being paid for ministry. We all have equally significant work to do for God's glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes I'm treated as if I'm special because I'm planning to be a cross-cultural missionary. I've been told that I'm doing "the Lord's work." Well, yes, I am doing the Lord's work. But so is every other Christian that does their work for God's glory. To be a missionary is to simply use one's gifts in a cross-cultural context. Sure, moving overseas will bring unique challenges, but at the end of the day, I'm no different from anyone else who is walking by faith and trying to please God. I'm only going where I think God's leading me and my family.</span><br />
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<b>So, what now?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You may be thinking, "This all seems great, but I still don't know what to do with my life!" World Team taught me a helpful way to answer this question. When deciding where and how missionary candidates will serve, World Team will ask them to consider their skills, knowledge, abilities, and gifts. God uses our life circumstances to mold us into the kind of persons he wants to be in order to lead us into in the good works he has already prepared for us (Eph 2:10), and along the way we often acquire the abilities he wants us to have for later use in service to his kingdom. Are you skilled at exegeting Scripture, applying it to yourself and others, and public speaking? Maybe you should be a preacher. Do you find it easy to understand engines and machinery? You should consider being a mechanic. Do you have medicinal knowledge and a love for animals? Maybe you should be a veterinarian. And as long as you are loving God and others, and seeking to advance his kingdom in your work and decisions, you are free to do what you want!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I would add two more things to consider when figuring out which direction your life should take: character and circumstances. No matter how skilled you are at pastoring, if you do not have godly character, you should NOT be pastoring! A seminary degree does not qualify anyone to shepherd God's people; the Bible gives clear qualifications for elders and deacons (1 Tim 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9). If you do not meet them, God does not want you serving in that capacity until you do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also, if your circumstances do not allow you to take a course of action, you should redirect your course. The saying is true: when God closes one door, it's so he can open another. Tabitha and I are planning to spend our lives serving in Cameroon. By God's grace, we have the right skills, knowledge, abilities, gifts, and character. And God has thus far opened the doors for us go. But if we're unable to raise the support we need, we may need to consider doing something else with our lives. We may need to listen to God telling us not to go to Cameroon through those circumstances, should they arise. Of course, God often tests us to see if we will persevere through hardship. Difficulties are no reason to immediately give up. But we should hold our plans loosely and allow God to send us wherever he chooses, even when we don't see it coming.</span><br />
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Richie Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743033741245749791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017179918430730609.post-85018623339645653792017-12-06T17:27:00.000-05:002019-01-02T20:25:32.392-05:00The Babe of Bethlehem and the Babes of the Bakoum: Jesus Became a Man to Sanctify Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we meditate on the incarnation of Jesus Christ this Christmas, it is good to remember all that he came to accomplish in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension 2,000 years ago. For many, remembering Jesus' humble birth in a barn is awkward because they haven't done so since last Christmas. For others, it's a joyful time of refreshing reflection as we remember that the immortal God put on mortal flesh so that by his death he could save all who would believe in him from the penalty and power of sin. And that's a glorious, worship-inspiring, God-glorifying thing to do.<br />
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<b>More Than Just Justified</b><br />
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But it doesn't come as natural for us to remember that Jesus came not only to secure our justification, but also our sanctification. Do we remember that the effects of the incarnation had a worldwide scope, not to mention a cosmological one? You may know that the gospel will reach every tribe and tongue, but have you ever considered the fact that the baby born in Bethlehem came to make mature followers of himself? If you’re growing in Christlikeness, it is because he became a man, died for you, and sent his Spirit to dwell in you. </div>
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<b>He Comes to Make His Blessings Flow Far as the Curse is Found</b></div>
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Our Immanuel came so that Americans, Africans, Asians, and every other ethnicity could be empowered by his Spirit to strive after the holiness without which no one will see the him (Heb 12:14; Gal 5:15-26). He has already purchased the sanctification of the fledgling Bakoum churches with the price of his precious blood. <br />
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As you think on the glories of the coming of Christ this Christmas, remember that he came to make his name great and purify his church over all the earth. And then purpose in your heart to not let these churches remain full of spiritual babes. Purpose to pray and to <a href="http://ricesincameroon.blogspot.com/p/support-raising.html?m=1" target="_blank">give sacrificially</a> so that Tabitha and I can play a part in teaching them the knowledge of the glory of the LORD (Hab 2:14). The babe of Bethlehem grew into a man, shed his blood, and rose again in order to sanctify you, me, and the nations. It will be done, and the only question is what part we will play. What can you do, what can you <i>give</i> to be a part of their sanctification?<br />
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This Christmas, don't stop at just remembering that Jesus was born in a manger in order to save you; remember the fullness of the work of the God-Man. Remember that he saves and sanctifies people from every tribe and tongue. And remember that he calls us all orient our lives around his promise to complete what he began the night Mary gave birth in a feeding trough.<br />
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Richie Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743033741245749791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017179918430730609.post-45328381167477419072017-11-30T15:42:00.002-05:002017-12-01T11:43:00.392-05:00Could You Be Our Next Teammate?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I look forward to serving Jesus by investing in the men leading his church in Cameroon, I feel a deep sense of humility and excitement. Who is sufficient for such work? Who am I to take part in the King's expansion of his sovereign rule over the hearts of men? God is immeasurably kind and gracious. And as if this wasn't enough, he's provided an incredible team of godly co-workers. But we will be small in number. </div>
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Now, God does amazing and impossible things, and he needs no outside resources. He spoke creation into existence and authored the salvation of mankind before anything or anyone existed. He killed the warrior Goliath through the sling and stone of David the shepherd boy. He defeated 120,000 Midianite soldiers with 300 Israelites. He defeated death when Christ rose from the dead.He will finally and decisively destroy sin and Satan when Christ returns. And in the meantime, the Lord Jesus Christ can and will build his church among all nations of the earth. He does not need you or me. But our triune God graciously invites, commands, and empowers his people to partner with him in advancing his kingdom at home and to the ends of the earth.<br />
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God has designed us to be interdependent, made to love him and one another. We cannot exist in isolation and thrive as humans. When we partner together in life and ministry, by God's design and with his blessing, we flourish more and experience greater success and fulfillment. The sad reality is that missionaries often leave behind deep fellowship and community to serve God in hard places. That's why having a sizable team with whom to serve and fellowship can make a significant difference in a missionary's spiritual health and ministry effectiveness. But my team will be small and our focus narrow. We will not be able to spend much time helping people with things like clean drinking water, medical care, or addiction counseling. Having a smaller team will also mean more years of labor before we see healthy churches thriving and a translation of God's Word. Not to mention travel and sickness stretching us even thinner. So a larger team that is partnered together in life and ministry will, Lord willing, provide more resources to benefit the ministry team and the people we serve.<br />
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This is where you may come in. Are you looking for a place to serve? Why not use your skills, knowledge, abilities, and gifts in Cameroon? No matter your unique gifts and life circumstances, there's a good chance there's a place for you. The video below shares more about the need for more workers. Are you ready to join us?</div>
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Richie Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743033741245749791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017179918430730609.post-50986663178030425582017-11-30T15:30:00.000-05:002019-01-03T13:37:14.377-05:00Learn and Rejoice: God, The Hupla Bible, and MissionsThis video from Mission Aviation Fellowship features the presentation of the complete Bible to the Hupla people of Papua, Indonesia, translated into their heart language. God's Word is for every tribe and tongue! This is glorious!<br />
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A few things to note:<br />
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1. One of the men of the Hupla tribe was eager to read the Bible in his heart language to understand it on a deeper level. Learning a local language, codifying it, and teaching literacy to the indigenous people are often necessary components of Bible translation. Why would someone go through so much trouble, especially when producing a new translation can take over 20 years? Why not just teach them to read English? This is why, and it's worth it! Translating the Bible into the heart language communicates God's love for every tongue (compare this with Islam, which teaches you must know Arabic to read the Qu'ran), and it allows his people to understand him on a deeper level. <br />
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2. The translator hoped that local theologians would begin digging into the Word and applying it to the lives of the Hupla people. This shows a philosophy of ministry that is biblically essential -- foreign missionaries should always be working themselves out of a job by empowering local men & women to do the work of the ministry. One of World Team's core values is developing & releasing leaders. Paternalism and dependance on missionaries and outside help must be avoided! This happens by engaging in ministry in ways indigenous Christians can reproduce with only the resources available to them.<br />
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Richie Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02743033741245749791noreply@blogger.com0