Weathering the Storm

 One of our island sisters that we’ll call ‘Dunga’ is in the middle of a storm.

Pressure to follow the crowd is strong

Many people ask us what happens here on the islands when people make decisions to follow, when they let go of the commonly held beliefs of the islands and live a life that is different. It is hard to respond to that question because part of it depends on the person and whether they were open during their journey of seeking, questioning and finding answers. People whose families walked through the process with them are much more likely to accept where they ended up. Mostly it is from their own families where trouble and pressure to conform usually comes. If the greater community gets involved it is usually indirectly, to pressure the family to clamp down on their errant family member. If police or other authorities get involved it is often only at the request of the family.

Dunga is not very close to her family. Hurts and conflicts in her younger years means that they have not had a front row seat to her journey. She changed her path several years ago, but it is only now that strict followers of island traditions within her extended family have felt the need to call her out. There was an organized confrontation with her mother’s side of the family (and she’s heard one for her father’s side is being planned). They brought up various accusations (some false, some misunderstandings, some true). She was able to say her piece, but ultimately they left her with the threat that they would give her time to conform or she would have to leave the family home.

One of our brothers knows about the storm. Years ago he went through it and it was hard. He was attacked with words and fists. He was put in prison for a time. But he made it through to the other side and his advice to others is to hold tight, don’t run away, it will get better. Now he is very open with what he believes and how he chooses to live his life differently. He is not keeping any secrets. Everyone in his town knows and leaves him be. He speaks words of encouragement and words of hope to those facing pressure and suffering at the hands of their family and neighbors— they can get through it. The storm will pass.

Pressure to conform starts young

What gets you through a tough storm? The first week of advent (which just started on Sunday) is about hope— not a flimsy hope—but a secure one of trusting and waiting. This is a hope backed with promises, power and assurance. Hope like that is what gets you through the storm. Hope like that allows you to imagine yourself on the other side of the difficulties. Hope like that helps you know that you are not alone even if you sometimes feel like you are. Hope like that sees that there is power working for your good.

May Dunga be filled with hope and peace! The storm won’t necessarily be short or easy and we don’t minimize the suffering that might be ahead of her, but we pray for strength, wisdom and love to flow through her throughout these difficult days.

Thanksgiving feast!

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Our short-termer made it over to the French island where she will be for the next six months.  We had a very good time with her and think she had a good experience too.  We hope it will inspire her towards long-term work.  Though COVID still seems to impede travel, our vision tripper is on her way.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our team and visitors—we even had imported cranberry sauce this year!  The food was delicious and the fellowship was sweet.  It’s been raining the last few days—which is a blessing we are very thankful for as it breaks the heat.  

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Please keep Dunga in prayer.  Especially as she may have to endure another confrontation.  May she be strong, firm and yet loving, humble and patient.  May this time of testing be used to bring many more to the light…who knows, maybe there are many among her family who have been searching.  Keep our medical team in prayer as they are still waiting for the green light to start work at the hospital.  Thankfully they are making the most of this time in the village now to build relationships before medical work begins.  Pray for our vision tripper—she’s on her way, but travel is complicated.  Pray for her good health.  We haven’t had any cases of Omicron here that we know of, but it could easily be coming this way and that could certainly make things more difficult.   We had been hoping to visit our friends and colleagues on the French Island after Christmas but when we went to get boat tickets we learned that all our possible dates were already sold out (a surprise for us), so now we are having to reconsider those plans. Pray for wisdom about how/when to reschedule that visit. Also since Wednesday, Megan has been suffering with vertigo, dizziness and nausea. Evaluation by our medical teammates indicate that her inner ear is to blame. The worst of the symptoms have passed, but please pray that any lingering dizziness and nausea would leave soon too.