Beth and Jon are getting closer and closer to their departure for India... as i read their blog today it reminded me of my own feelings as I've moved back and forth from one continent to another.
Beth says, "I remember my youthful zeal during my college days when the thought of leaving everything behind and forging ahead on a grand adventure overseas seemed so glamorous. I was so full of anticipation that I couldn’t seem to wait for the day that I would finally set my foot down on foreign soil. I guess a few things have changed since then.
"I am still very excited for the adventure that lies ahead, however, reality has a way of abruptly knocking off the rose colored glasses that I have worn for so long. I am suddenly aware of the huge sacrifices that we will be making..."
Jon wrote last week, "I wonder if anywhere will ever feel like home again. I suppose India will, in time become home. Our friends who live there assure us that India has become home for them and their children.
Then again, if I’m really living in the reality that I am God’s and His Kingdom is not of this world… then this world will never be my home, and perhaps this alien feeling is just the way it is.
"Either way, I am at peace, knowing I serve a good God who, in the grand scheme of things, is the only home I’ll ever need. Which is a nice thought at the moment, but needs to become a way of life for me."
It's a great blog and I'm sure there will be lots of great reading in months to come. Take a look! http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/india/
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Get Help!
by Patrice Tsague, Nehemiah Project International Ministries
" Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side." II Kings 4:4
So many entrepreneurs fail or do not achieve their fullest potential because they do not want or know how to motivate others to work with them. The Bible is full of passages that encourage us to work together to accomplish a common vision yet many of us still insist on working solo out of mistrust or ignorance.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:18
No one ever achieved success in the marketplace without a competent team of people to assist them. Are you rallying the assistance of others in the development of your business? God never intended us to work alone and independent of each other. In the Garden of Eden it was God, not Adam, who noticed that Adam was alone and He decided to make Him a helper suitable for him. If you have a family you must include them in the development and implementation of your business idea for they are the team the Lord has given you. Your spouse is your partner, whether or not he or she is actively involved in the business.
Should something happen to you tomorrow guess who must take responsibility for the business? Your spouse of course, unless you have grown children who can handle it. Is he or she prepared to do so? I have seen so many married entrepreneurs who, for whatever reason, operate their businesses independent of their spouse which is always a recipe for disaster and even divorce. An uninvolved spouse can become jealous of the business and even feel insecure because he or she does not share that area of your life with you. It is your responsibility to involve them in what you are doing even if they act as though they are not interested.
The prophet Elisha encouraged the widow in II Kings 4:4 to get the assistance of her children in manufacturing the products she sold in the market place to pay back her debt. He recognized that she could not accomplish this task by herself and her children needed to have ownership in the process. It also allowed her children to experience the supernatural power of God. The types of help you need in the development and growth of your business may include:
· Family assistance - If you have family, involve them as much as possible, this includes the children. By involving them you will save money and bring the family closer.
· Professional assistance - There are areas of your business that you are not skilled to handle. Consider getting other professionals to assist and counsel you so that you can focus on what you do best. As you know "in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). The key to success is to focus on your strengths and allow others to support you where you are weak.
· Friends and associates - Remember that the only meaningful friendships you can have are with those who relate to you based on God's purpose and plan for your life. Anyone who does otherwise may be a tool the enemy will use to distract you from accomplishing your purpose. You can test a meaningful friendship by whether or not your friend or associate is willing to assist you in the development and growth of your business. Invite them to be a part and you may be surprised at their response.
In order to effectively get the help of others, you must be able to overcome the enemies of team work and togetherness which include pride, shame, ignorance, self confidence, and fear.
" Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side." II Kings 4:4
So many entrepreneurs fail or do not achieve their fullest potential because they do not want or know how to motivate others to work with them. The Bible is full of passages that encourage us to work together to accomplish a common vision yet many of us still insist on working solo out of mistrust or ignorance.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:18
No one ever achieved success in the marketplace without a competent team of people to assist them. Are you rallying the assistance of others in the development of your business? God never intended us to work alone and independent of each other. In the Garden of Eden it was God, not Adam, who noticed that Adam was alone and He decided to make Him a helper suitable for him. If you have a family you must include them in the development and implementation of your business idea for they are the team the Lord has given you. Your spouse is your partner, whether or not he or she is actively involved in the business.
Should something happen to you tomorrow guess who must take responsibility for the business? Your spouse of course, unless you have grown children who can handle it. Is he or she prepared to do so? I have seen so many married entrepreneurs who, for whatever reason, operate their businesses independent of their spouse which is always a recipe for disaster and even divorce. An uninvolved spouse can become jealous of the business and even feel insecure because he or she does not share that area of your life with you. It is your responsibility to involve them in what you are doing even if they act as though they are not interested.
The prophet Elisha encouraged the widow in II Kings 4:4 to get the assistance of her children in manufacturing the products she sold in the market place to pay back her debt. He recognized that she could not accomplish this task by herself and her children needed to have ownership in the process. It also allowed her children to experience the supernatural power of God. The types of help you need in the development and growth of your business may include:
· Family assistance - If you have family, involve them as much as possible, this includes the children. By involving them you will save money and bring the family closer.
· Professional assistance - There are areas of your business that you are not skilled to handle. Consider getting other professionals to assist and counsel you so that you can focus on what you do best. As you know "in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). The key to success is to focus on your strengths and allow others to support you where you are weak.
· Friends and associates - Remember that the only meaningful friendships you can have are with those who relate to you based on God's purpose and plan for your life. Anyone who does otherwise may be a tool the enemy will use to distract you from accomplishing your purpose. You can test a meaningful friendship by whether or not your friend or associate is willing to assist you in the development and growth of your business. Invite them to be a part and you may be surprised at their response.
In order to effectively get the help of others, you must be able to overcome the enemies of team work and togetherness which include pride, shame, ignorance, self confidence, and fear.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Cameroon
John Mulford is in Cameroon at present, working with Patrice Tsague of Nehemiah Project International Ministries. They are doing some entrepreneurship training and investigating possibilities for future projects. We'll update you more when he returns!
The official announcement:
John Mulford will travel to Cameroon Jan 18-27 with Patrice Tsague and Tyrone Grigsby, Nehemiah Project International Ministries. They will assess the cities of Douala and Yaounde as potential pilot sites for a comprehensive business development center as part of joint effort in global transformation. In addition, they will teach biblical entrepreneurship to current and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The official announcement:
John Mulford will travel to Cameroon Jan 18-27 with Patrice Tsague and Tyrone Grigsby, Nehemiah Project International Ministries. They will assess the cities of Douala and Yaounde as potential pilot sites for a comprehensive business development center as part of joint effort in global transformation. In addition, they will teach biblical entrepreneurship to current and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Five Talents bloggers share their experiences
Five Talents’ mission is to fight poverty, create jobs and transform lives by empowering the poor in developing countries using innovative savings and microcredit programs, business training and spiritual development.
Right now, Five Talents has three volunteers from the UK who are blogging about their adventures in South America and East Africa. Read about their work: Simon Lee in Uganda, Erik Josephson in Peru, and Edd Parker in Tanzania.
Right now, Five Talents has three volunteers from the UK who are blogging about their adventures in South America and East Africa. Read about their work: Simon Lee in Uganda, Erik Josephson in Peru, and Edd Parker in Tanzania.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Godly Contentment, a Learned Behavior (by Patrice Tsague, NPIM)
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" Philippians 4:11
Contentment is an interesting concept in an entrepreneur's world since all entrepreneurs are looking for more business, more customers, and more money.
How do we remain content in a process that rewards the pursuit of more and views lack as defeat and failure? We find ourselves in a market place environment that rewards the pursuit of more and puts no limitation on how to achieve it except to not get caught. The reality is that in order to understand godly contentment, we must first change our paradigm of business. It is impossible for us to be content with the world's approach to business because it uses discontentment as a tool to motivate people to be innovative and productive.
A new Biblical Entrepreneur Certified Instructor told me that his supervisor in a company he once worked for took him to a dealership to finance a brand new car in order to motivate him to increase his sales. TV advertisements are full of images that are designed to cause us to be discontent with our current circumstances so that we want more. Contentment is not something we are born with, nor does it come automatically with the born again experience. It is a learned behavior. I read of a Quaker who placed a sign on his house that stated, "I will give this house to any man who can prove to me that he is content." After some time, someone came knocking at the door and said he saw the sign and wanted to claim the house, he stated that he was perfectly content. The Quaker asked what he meant. He said, "I have everything I want, all the money I need, everything in life that could satisfy me. I am perfectly content. "The Quaker said, "Friend, if thee so content what does thee want with my house?" Many of us are like that man; we claim to be content while still seeking for more.
What does it really mean to be content? Contentment is the Spirit-led ability to accept God's will for our lives no matter what our circumstances may be. It is a learned behavior that gives us the ability to achieve great gain in Christ. I love the definition Ray C. Stedman gives; he defines contentment as only wanting what you have. This is a great way to view contentment. Since most of us are always looking to get what we do not have, Stedman reverses it and gets our focus on what we do have. How do you achieve godly contentment? How do you get to the point where you only want what you have and no longer focus on trying to keep up with the Jones' or the Gates', especially as an entrepreneur. To achieve godly contentment you must keep the following seven things in mind:
1. Recognize that you have brought nothing into this
world and you will carry nothing out. I Timothy 6:7,
Job 1:21
2. Recognize that both riches and poverty are from
God. 1 Samuel 2:7
3. Learn the lessons taught in the times of lack.
James 1:2-4
4. Master the art of stewardship. I Corinthians 4:2,
Luke 16:1-13
5. Learn to appreciate every blessing no matter how
great or small. I Thessalonians 5:18
6. Put your trust in Christ and not your resources.
Matthew 6:33
7. Guard against the love of money. I Timothy 6:10,
Luke 12:15-21
Recognize that implementing these things cannot be done by might but must be done by the Spirit. You cannot will yourself to be content; Christ must empower you and give you the grace to achieve contentment. The dangers of not aspiring towards this virtue are great. I Timothy 6:9-10 explain it best: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Therefore, pursue contentment and with it, godliness and you are assured to avoid great failure and have great gain in Christ.
visit www.nehemiahproject.org for more information on Patrice Tsague and the Biblical Entrepreneurship program
Contentment is an interesting concept in an entrepreneur's world since all entrepreneurs are looking for more business, more customers, and more money.
How do we remain content in a process that rewards the pursuit of more and views lack as defeat and failure? We find ourselves in a market place environment that rewards the pursuit of more and puts no limitation on how to achieve it except to not get caught. The reality is that in order to understand godly contentment, we must first change our paradigm of business. It is impossible for us to be content with the world's approach to business because it uses discontentment as a tool to motivate people to be innovative and productive.
A new Biblical Entrepreneur Certified Instructor told me that his supervisor in a company he once worked for took him to a dealership to finance a brand new car in order to motivate him to increase his sales. TV advertisements are full of images that are designed to cause us to be discontent with our current circumstances so that we want more. Contentment is not something we are born with, nor does it come automatically with the born again experience. It is a learned behavior. I read of a Quaker who placed a sign on his house that stated, "I will give this house to any man who can prove to me that he is content." After some time, someone came knocking at the door and said he saw the sign and wanted to claim the house, he stated that he was perfectly content. The Quaker asked what he meant. He said, "I have everything I want, all the money I need, everything in life that could satisfy me. I am perfectly content. "The Quaker said, "Friend, if thee so content what does thee want with my house?" Many of us are like that man; we claim to be content while still seeking for more.
What does it really mean to be content? Contentment is the Spirit-led ability to accept God's will for our lives no matter what our circumstances may be. It is a learned behavior that gives us the ability to achieve great gain in Christ. I love the definition Ray C. Stedman gives; he defines contentment as only wanting what you have. This is a great way to view contentment. Since most of us are always looking to get what we do not have, Stedman reverses it and gets our focus on what we do have. How do you achieve godly contentment? How do you get to the point where you only want what you have and no longer focus on trying to keep up with the Jones' or the Gates', especially as an entrepreneur. To achieve godly contentment you must keep the following seven things in mind:
1. Recognize that you have brought nothing into this
world and you will carry nothing out. I Timothy 6:7,
Job 1:21
2. Recognize that both riches and poverty are from
God. 1 Samuel 2:7
3. Learn the lessons taught in the times of lack.
James 1:2-4
4. Master the art of stewardship. I Corinthians 4:2,
Luke 16:1-13
5. Learn to appreciate every blessing no matter how
great or small. I Thessalonians 5:18
6. Put your trust in Christ and not your resources.
Matthew 6:33
7. Guard against the love of money. I Timothy 6:10,
Luke 12:15-21
Recognize that implementing these things cannot be done by might but must be done by the Spirit. You cannot will yourself to be content; Christ must empower you and give you the grace to achieve contentment. The dangers of not aspiring towards this virtue are great. I Timothy 6:9-10 explain it best: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Therefore, pursue contentment and with it, godliness and you are assured to avoid great failure and have great gain in Christ.
visit www.nehemiahproject.org for more information on Patrice Tsague and the Biblical Entrepreneurship program
Friday, January 11, 2008
Unexpected Productivity
From our colleague "Sarah" in a developing nation, where a new business has begun:
The ladies are making bracelets much faster than I could have calculated. My mistake was I measured the base production time based on what I and other western ladies can do! You should see their fingers fly – it’s obvious they’ve been doing beadwork and sewing all their lives! It means what we’ll spend in artisan salaries for the first 6 months is quite a bit more than I had budgeted! I had planned we would double production 6 months after starting, but now that will just be spread out over the year instead.
The artisans and my supervisor are so happy to be working at our office and doing the work they’re doing. It is a rare opportunity for them, and because it is a culturally appropriate environment (no men), their husbands and fathers give them permission to work without reservation. A woman’s reputation is so important here. If it is tarnished, it cannot be restored, and it affects her whole family, everyone’s ability to be set into a good marriage, ability to earn income, etc. So they guard their reputations like precious treasure. Even though it is so precious and tied to livelihood, it can be easily damaged by a stray word by the wrong person so women guard it fiercely as do their husbands and fathers.
and related to lifestyle changes:
Today is day 5 without running water. The pipes are frozen and snow is still everywhere. I’ve resorted to melting snow over the stove to have water to flush the toilet. I’ve even been using bottled water at 20 cents/ a bottle to take a washcloth bath, wash my hair (only every 4th day), and then, of course, to flush the toilet! Today I used a bottle of a 7up-like drink someone left at my house to flush the toilet – crazy!
editor's comment:
I remember times like that as well from a different part of the world! I guess we learn to adapt to whatever our situation is. :) Let's remember to uphold "Sarah" and the ladies she is working with!
The ladies are making bracelets much faster than I could have calculated. My mistake was I measured the base production time based on what I and other western ladies can do! You should see their fingers fly – it’s obvious they’ve been doing beadwork and sewing all their lives! It means what we’ll spend in artisan salaries for the first 6 months is quite a bit more than I had budgeted! I had planned we would double production 6 months after starting, but now that will just be spread out over the year instead.
The artisans and my supervisor are so happy to be working at our office and doing the work they’re doing. It is a rare opportunity for them, and because it is a culturally appropriate environment (no men), their husbands and fathers give them permission to work without reservation. A woman’s reputation is so important here. If it is tarnished, it cannot be restored, and it affects her whole family, everyone’s ability to be set into a good marriage, ability to earn income, etc. So they guard their reputations like precious treasure. Even though it is so precious and tied to livelihood, it can be easily damaged by a stray word by the wrong person so women guard it fiercely as do their husbands and fathers.and related to lifestyle changes:
Today is day 5 without running water. The pipes are frozen and snow is still everywhere. I’ve resorted to melting snow over the stove to have water to flush the toilet. I’ve even been using bottled water at 20 cents/ a bottle to take a washcloth bath, wash my hair (only every 4th day), and then, of course, to flush the toilet! Today I used a bottle of a 7up-like drink someone left at my house to flush the toilet – crazy!
editor's comment:
I remember times like that as well from a different part of the world! I guess we learn to adapt to whatever our situation is. :) Let's remember to uphold "Sarah" and the ladies she is working with!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Happy New Year!
Well, here we are, January 3rd and suddenly it's 2008! I've been going through emails and working at some projects to get a good start to the new year.
Over the break, one project at home was to clean out and organize my closet. Wow, it's amazing how I accumulate things when I'm not being careful! When I moved to Asia a few years ago, the freedom that came with moving with a couple of carry-ons and only 2 suitcases (even if they do weigh 70 pounds each!) was wonderful. Every successive year, though, I took two more suitcases and slowly built up quite a collection of books, clothes, and household items... moving back to the States was quite an adventure, since I could only bring those 2 pieces of luggage back with me. ;) (My favorite things for that world are still waiting for me to move back to the other side of the earth and put them back to use.)
Over the break, one project at home was to clean out and organize my closet. Wow, it's amazing how I accumulate things when I'm not being careful! When I moved to Asia a few years ago, the freedom that came with moving with a couple of carry-ons and only 2 suitcases (even if they do weigh 70 pounds each!) was wonderful. Every successive year, though, I took two more suitcases and slowly built up quite a collection of books, clothes, and household items... moving back to the States was quite an adventure, since I could only bring those 2 pieces of luggage back with me. ;) (My favorite things for that world are still waiting for me to move back to the other side of the earth and put them back to use.)All that said, the new year has me thinking about all the baggage I carry around: in life, in my mind, in my heart: isn't it wonderful that God gives us new chances to start again? New days, new weeks, new months, and now a new year to make a new beginning.
I know this isn't an original thought, but I still think it's a worthwhile exercise I want to think through: what can I clean out of my life, to make more wide open space to breathe freely and consider my priorities?
Another thing I treasure from my time in Asia is the deep relationships that were built up with my teammates, with whom I shared a strong sense of calling and vocation, even with many other differences in background, temperament and theology. Our team here at the Center is similar: we come from different nations and backgrounds, but we are called to work together at this time to see God's plan to reach the nations extended through kingdom business.
For myself, I want to renew my commitment to working and serving well this year; though not on the front lines myself, I know that my work in the RCE office is what the Lord has called me to for this time and He is the One I want to please.
May 2008 be a year of blessing for you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)