Shipotro

 Last week, we mentioned our friend Muki.   Since Megan traveled, Muki’s taken it upon himself to look after me (Tom).  He’s come by everyday to check that I’m okay.  He’s let me know, that if I’m going out in the morning I need to call him and let him know I’ll be out.  On Saturday morning, when we slept in, he came by and let me know that he had stopped by at 7am and seen we weren’t up yet.

What keeps Muki coming each day?

Every time he comes he asks for, and I bring him a cup of coffee.  Most times we then sit and read a translated story together.  As we read this morning, he said something that he is fond of saying. He points to the text and says “shipotro.”  Which is a way of saying, “This is clumsy or incorrect.”  (For you left hander’s out there , you should be offended because he’s literally saying, “This is left.”)  I am yet to see him find an actual mistake in the text..  I think he says it a lot, because he likes that he is the teacher and the one with the knowledge of the island language (which is true) and because he finds things in the text difficult to understand at times.  Often time this is because he doesn’t agree with the orthography.  He wants it spelled a different way.  Sometimes he wants it to be more clear: “Not ‘he said’ but ‘Moses said’ because, unless you really understand, you’re going to be confused about who is talking.”  I smile and thank him for his corrections.  

But today, he said, “shipotro” because of the content of the story.  We were reading about the blind man who is healed.  When it says, “Your faith has healed you”, Muki said it was shipotro.  He told me it should say “My faith has healed you.”  And when it says, “See!” it should say, “You are going to receive your sight.”  “But no,” I said.  “That’s not a mistake. Those are the actual words.”  I went on to explain how it does seem strange.  The words don’t seem right—at first.  But then we went on to talk about why the Son of Man might have said things that way.  I could see Muki processing it—the light turning on.  It wasn’t “shipotro” at all. The Son of Man said it that way because he has the power to say things directly.  “See” and people see.  And then, it says, “Your faith has healed you” because the blind man showed great faith—and that’s important too—having faith.

Megan reunited with our kids for the weekend break

We finished our time together with a plan for him to return the next day.  He left with a big smile on his face and a joyous heart. Each little insight that brings joy to his heart.  Small victories yet it feels like we still have so far to go, still a great journey for his soul to take.  But I’m still thankful for each little spark of understanding.

There’s a part of kingdom work that can feel a sense of hurry—there’s a urgency of people dying, lost, broken, in need.  People like Muki.  Who will go to them?  Who will share the good news with them?  The needs are great.  We need to act, to move, to go. If nothing is happening, or things are moving slowly, is it because we’re messing up?  Are we doing something shipotro?  

On the other hand, I know, that sometimes things take time.  Sometimes we have to be satisfied with a trickle before the flood.  Sometimes, we have to leave a seed to germinate.  The acorn grows slowly before becoming a mighty oak.  And I am reminded that in God’s economy there is no need for hurry.  The great teacher and thinker, A.W. Tozer once said, “Those who are in [the kingdom] share with [God] all the riches of limitless time and endless years. God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves. For those outside of [the kingdom], time is a devouring beast; before the sons of the New Creation, time crouches and purrs and licks their hands.”  

Our son excited by chores?

So I’ll drink another cup of coffee with Muki, study another story, and thank God for the way He uses even things that are shipotro to bring about His Kingdom.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Muki is learning a lot.  We even had a chance to study with another guy who comes by the house a lot.  The three of us had a great time reading about the calming of the storm.  Megan and our two kids have been enjoying their long weekend together.  Tom and the youngest continue to get along just fine!  First week of local school went very smoothly for our youngest son!  Our teammates cistern is up and running—finally! Megan’s back has done well through travels and meetings!

PRAYERS REQUESTED 

Pray for Muki’s heart to be open.  Pray for continued opportunities to share the good news and for more glimmers of hope among our island friends and neighbors.  A family on the big island who have struggled with health problems is now facing yet another heavy health challenge.  Pray for healing, strength and wisdom for them.  The kids go back to boarding school and Megan comes back to our island this week.  Pray for the goodbyes, travels and transitions to all go smoothly. The women will have their monthly gathering this week— pray for a meaningful study and that they would be encouraging each other in the Kingdom. Pray especially since it will be held at a woman’s house (who doesn’t usually host) that it could have an impact on any family or neighbors who might observe or listen in.