Preparation

New Moon (Sighted Monday Night)

It’s here!  For weeks people have been talking about its approach.  It nearly arrived yesterday but  the new moon wasn’t visible on the islands on Sunday night, so it started today and it changes everything.  Okay, maybe we’re being a little bit dramatic, but a lot of things will change, for one entire cycle of the moon.  Yes, whether you are aware of it or not, millions of people were looking at the sky this week to see the new moon which ushered in the month of fasting.  For us and for islanders I think it is fair to say that this is both a difficult and joyful month full of it’s own challenges and difficulties, blessings and opportunities.

A quick review, for those who what we are talking about: the month of fasting involves no food or water from sunup to sundown.  Nights are spent feasting with family.  In this month, islanders believe good deeds count more and religious observance gets more religious merit than at any other time of year.  A properly performed month of fasting is believed to forgive sins and greatly increase one’s chances of reaching paradise.  Everyone, excepting children and the sick, are required to fast.  Restaurants are shuttered.  Public eating or drinking can result in jail.  For those who choose not to fast the community pressure can be intense.

Many years, the month has started before we’ve thought about how to approach it thoughtfully. That is why this year we decided to be pro-active and for the past few weeks we have been preparing.  How?  Most of it is mental and spiritual preparation: What will we do?  What will we say?  How will we respond to questions?  What can we do to be encouraged?  How can we encourage one another?  How can we make the most of this month which is so full of both darkness and blindness and yet opportunity and hope?  

Finishing class before the month begins

We have been praying and thinking about these questions, but we wanted it to be more than just about our team. We wanted the body here to be unified. So we prayed and were very encouraged to see that our island brothers and sisters were thinking about these things too. But could we agree on one way forward? We sat down and started to discuss. Many people spoke, different ideas were passed around, but we clearly had similar hearts. Encouragingly we quickly decided to mark each day with a different group coming together for times of intercession and encouragement.  Some days will be mixed gender, other will be mixed nationalities, some in the capital, some in other villages. Then to mark the beginning and end of the month, we will gather as a larger community to feast together. 

We hope this will give the month a new feel both for us and for all the islanders involved. It is a new step.  We hope it will bear much fruit, where each person is encouraged by others to endure and remember that none of us is alone.

There is one part of it that we haven’t mentioned yet.  That’s where you all, our faithful blog readers, come in.  We’ve been thinking about you for the past few weeks and the role we would like you to play as well.  We were reading a book recently about the power of the intercession of friends back home, not just praying for us, but that things would happen among islanders.  Would you join us in our goals for this month?  We’ve got everything prepared to have you join us.  All you need to do is let us know you want to be a part of the action.  We’re ready to send you more information, answer any questions you have, and bring you into the work for the next 30 days.  Interested, send us an email at this address: tmislands@fastmail.net!

Our preparations are complete.  Let the month begin!

Our daughter turns 11!

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We are thankful for the meeting with islanders and the united plan for the month! Our teammate’s family has had a wonderful visit and lots of good interactions. The consultant checking went well and they were able to finish checking a small book!  We are very thankful for our daughter who celebrated her 11th birthday! She is a gift to us! 



PRAYERS REQUESTED
Tom’s friend continues to wrestle with the truth. He is praying for a dream to help clarify what is true, pray that he has one. Megan’s dad blew out his knee, still waiting to hear if he needs surgery, but at the very least he has a long recovery ahead of him. Pray for fast healing. Megan’s grandmother’s health is failing. They hope to put her in hospice care. Pray for peace and clarity for everyone in how to proceed. The first day of fasting and all our kids woke up feeling sick. Pray against attacks on our health and well-being during this month.