Great Commission Churches

October 2008

Dear Sisters,

We have been given a serious mission in the Lord's Great Commission. The fields are white for harvest. We are called to join Jesus Christ to win souls for Him. Yet our God, the blest Controller of all things, is not weighted down with concern or worry. He daily is rejoicing in His children, and all of His creation. So why should His children be so serious?

Kenyon and Timmy Powers have been serving the Lord as missionaries in Ukraine since 1998. It is a challenging task they have undertaken. They have worked so hard to learn, adapt, and love in a foreign land. But Kenyon isn't one to go around with a long face. In fact, she has written a book about some of the funny events that have happened in their lives on the mission field.

Kenyon's words remind me of what my husband has often said: "Laughter" is God's middle name. Why is that? Because the word "Isaac" means "laughter"-and our God calls Himself the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

Enjoy Kenyon's thoughts and an excerpt from her book she shares with us. And together let us seek the Lord with rejoicing hearts as we bring glory to Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.

Rejoicing in Christ with you,
Sandy Hopler

The Lighter Side of a Serious Mission

by Kenyon H. Powers

"You should write a book!" This is what I've been hearing for years after telling people in America about something crazy that happened to me in Ukraine. Well, after hearing this so many times, I decided to do it!

I'm the type of person who tries to laugh whenever possible (and when it's appropriate, of course). It seems like we're surrounded by so much serious stuff. If you watch the news, it can be downright depressing. This is why I decided to write about the humorous things of my missionary life.

Most of the time, I'm not laughing at the very moment of the cultural experience, but have to find the humor in it in order to make it through the rest of the day. Every time I leave the apartment, I have enough material to write another chapter! I'd rather have an uneventful outing, but have yet to do so in the 10 years I've lived here! You would think I'd seen it all by now, but there is still never a dull moment.

I know living in another culture has made me more dependent on God. It's just me and Him most of the time. He's the only one who's with me 24/7, who understands English! I'm really thankful for that. He always understands me. As I say in the book, nothing ever gets "lost in translation" with Him. Knowing He's always with me helps me feel secure in a strange land; a land that is very different from South Carolina.

Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be). Amplified

You know, what I just said above is true for all of you. God is with you all the time. You may feel all alone sometimes even in your own culture, but you're not. He's there to see you through the rough times when there's nothing to laugh about. He listens to you when no one else seems to be listening. You can pour your heart out to someone who speaks your language. You're talking to someone that knows you and the culture you're from. You don't have to worry about being misunderstood. It's very comforting.

I'd like to share an excerpt from Chapter Ten to give you just a taste of what I'm talking about in "The Lighter Side of a Serious Mission." I hope everyone that reads the book will have a good laugh and also be challenged to make their life count.

Enjoy,
Kenyon

The Medical World

I had had foot surgery in the States and after six weeks returned to Kiev. After a few months of pain, thinking it was still healing, I decided to get an x-ray to see what was going on. I went to my neighborhood clinic with someone who could translate for me. I entered into an old building that was dingy and dimly lit. I gave them my passport for information and sat to be waited on. It wasn't too long before I was greeted by the x-ray technician who was a little more cheerful and talkative than most. I didn't have to smell her breath to realize that she had had a little more than corn flakes for breakfast! I did remind her I'd like the lead apron if it wasn't too much trouble. Hey, I was surprised they had an apron! If you had been there with me, I would have given you the official Ukrainian "Yep, they're drunk" sign, by thumping the side of my neck.

The tipsy tech did offer me some medical advice though. She told me to make a paste of sour cream and salt, rub this on my foot, then cover my foot in cabbage leaves and sleep with it like this overnight. I smiled and thought about waking up with this, putting my foot between two slices of bread and I'd have lunch!

You may order Kenyon's book from her website: http://powers.weebly.com/