How To Keep Focused, a Few Thoughts

Hi Loyal Friends and Followers of this blog.


 It's been a month now since I have felt an urge to put thoughts in this internet square.  Why now, you might ask?


The easiest answer is that upstairs in my house right now are David and Terri Wegener, missionaries in Zambia.  Yes, I want to give them a place for a reprieve from the hectic life of traveling the country telling their story, but then I too am just like all the other hosts who want to "pick their brain" to learn from them.   Last night there was a table of 10 of us sitting around our table getting to hear some of their stories, but oh, through the night I thought  "wish I'd asked them this; wish I'd asked them that."


Am I different?  They spoke briefly at our church last night and our pastor asked them to stand at the front after church to greet people.  I was surprised but am surprised that I am surprised  (if that makes sense) by how few people stopped by to greet or had questions.  But then  I've been in the Wegener's home in Zambia, met  their children, met those with whom they minister, listened to David teach, read their very well done newsletters, prayed for them when they shared deeply personal struggles with all those who receive their newsletters.

So, I guess I answer my question "Am I different?" by saying, YES, OF COURSE, I am different, because I have had DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES that keep on keeping me connected with this continent.


AND SO, I think that means that I write this blog because I think it might be another link in the chain that inspires some of you to either stay focused, get focused, or return to focus.  Get on their mailing list is one suggestion I have, or if not the Wegeners, the Wannemachers, the Sprowsons, the Haase's, Tanya (in a sensitive place)  the Magambis.  Oh, shoot, no reason to make a list of possibilities.  There are countless people, some I know, some I just know by reputation who are pouring out their lives in stretching situations for people we will never know but who need to know the God we do.


How do we keep focused?  Yes, reading newsletters that are well done like the Wegeners is one idea, but besides that, visualize one situation they tell about and focus your prayer on that.  Write them and ask about that after you have joined them in prayer.


And yes, GIVE!  I know, everyone tells you that.  Fundraising is at the core of what most people think when they think of African missions.  It is a sad reality that money is needed from food to educational needs, but you know, THIS IS WHERE I THINK I MIGHT DIFFER from "some".  Don't just GIVE!!!!  Please, please, please, watch carefully where you give.  Make sure that you are educating yourself on your recipients of the donor gifts.  Make sure there is accountability, integrity, a track record. 


READ GOOD BOOKS on missions philosophy.  Be willing to change your mind.
I think I might have given more then just a "FEW IDEAS" of how to stay focused.


Now, let me see if David and Terri will let me take their picture.  If so, I'll share that with you.  Print it and place it in your "focus corner".