Lisa Newland

First week at Missionary Training Institute: there are 25-30 students, all of us heading to our mission fields in the next few months.

We've had several sessions on adjusting to new cultures. Yesterday, after lunch, we came back to our classroom to find the doors barred and the windows covered. We were informed that we were entering a new culture and to be aware of the "knee-jerk" reactions we feel throughout the experience. Our teacher turned into a gruff gov't official who only knew a few words in English. We were told to "Come, come!" To line up, no talking, march in single file. The classroom had been turned into a complete wreck, tables, chairs, and trash strewn everywhere. Signs on the wall said, "Be silent", "Women at the back", "Fill this out in no more than 3 min." We women moved to the back and stood around, not sure what form was to be filled out. After several long, awkward minutes someone started uprighting tables and chairs, thinking it was better to do something than nothing. We started picking up trash, hoping to find some kind of form. Finally a "form" started circulating that was written backwards with questions that made no sense. We tried our best. "You..come,come." The "gov't officer" lined us up and we filed out.

Whew! Though no specific place or culture was being simulated, we definitely experienced being out of our "comfort zone!"..not knowing what to expect or what was expected of us.

One of the thoughts that drive the philosophy of MTI is "What you don't know about yourself controls you." How we reacted during this simulation, may be a hint of how we'll react in the midst of real cross-cultural situations; and the more we can be aware of, the less "shock" we'll feel in culture shock.

So how did I react? What did I learn about myself? Knowing there was no real danger, I was just nervous. Actually, I wanted to giggle and make goofy comments to make others giggle to lighten the awkward feeling. I would have too, if I hadn't been afraid of possible consequences of breaking the "be silent" rule. I've heard some Tanzanians react the same way when they're nervous- laughing. Maybe I'm more African than I thought! :-)

Posted by Lisa Newland at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You may have read a previous entry where I asked, how can one learn to live simply in our materialistic culture? Materialism is such an evil-sounding word. I didn't grow up in a wealthy family. Neither did my parents. One grandpa was a plumber and the other an electrical engineer/sales rep. My dad is also an electrical engineer and has served faithfully as an electrician/maintenance man for the same Christian organization all his life. Wealth has never flowed freely through the Newland/Jardine families (that I know of).

"Wealthy" is such a relative term though! Maybe you've heard the statistic that we average Americans are wealthier than 95% of the world's population! We run to Walmart as soon as we run out of something. Our grocery stores are FULL of food, and perishable items are thrown out every day. We buy each other gifts for birthdays and holidays. Our houses are full of things; our garages or sheds are full of more things.

Is there a way to break the cycle? Are there some practical ideas for changing some of our habits? I'm sure there's some good books on the subject. I need to find them.

I've had a few respond (and maybe this entry will spark more response). Here are their thoughts:
*Learn to get by with less. I love this one for my situation, because I'll be arriving in Mwanza in a few months with only three 3 pieces of luggage. I'll be purchasing all appliances and furniture in Mwanza. This friend suggested- only buy the bare essentials for the first month or so, and see what you can live without.
*Be creative. What do I already have that could be used for something else? e.g. plastic trunks set on end and covered with a cloth make great lamp tables. :-)

What are your thoughts on the subject? Any book recommendations?

Posted by Lisa Newland at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've spent the last 2 wks catching up at home and now it's time to catch up on my blog!

I enjoyed a great service in Tucumcari, NM before heading home a few weeks ago. What a joy to meet Pastor and Mrs. Stewart and the church family at Temple Baptist Church! I shared about 20 min and showed my DVD in the Wed eve service. Staying with Pastor and Mrs. Stewart that night, I got to hear how God brought them together a few years ago. God works in wondrous ways!

Two weeks at home. What does a missionary on deputation do with 2 wks at home? Celebrate 3 birthdays (dad, brother, and nephew) and mother's day, visit a sick nephew in the hospital, sleep, make cookies! :-), sort through all storage items, have a 2-day garage sale (with Becky Pope-another BIMI missionary), go out for breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa, babysit nephews, watch some movies to unwind, go hiking in the gorgeous CO mountains, spend a day alone with the Lord, do lots of laundry, read, visit churches in the area that already support me, keep studying Swahili, catch up on letters, take Mom out for coffee and furniture shopping for her living room, help with the garden, and catch up on emailing. For about four days I also ignored my cell phone and all emails. Nice break, huh?

Tomorrow I head 30 min north to Palmer Lake for a missionary training called SPLICE. This training focuses on the trials that cause many missionaries to the leave the field prematurely, including culture shock and interpersonal relationships. I'm looking forward "sitting at the feet" of experienced missionaries for 3 weeks! I'm told it is a very personal and interactive training. I'll let you know what I learn. :-)

Posted by Lisa Newland at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

*I'm starting the search for plane tickets. Please pray for just the right ticket at just the right price. Thank you, VBS kids at Valley Forge Baptist Church last summer for providing money for my ticket through the penny offering! Whew! I'm so glad I won't have to swim to Africa. I'd hate to have my arms fall off from trying to swim so far!! :-)

*I need to take advantage of my last few months with my Swahili tutor in the states. Pray that I make time to study every day.

*The next two weeks at home, I have one priority. Go through all my worldly possessions and decide to store, garage sale, pack for TZ, Goodwill, or trash each item. Ugh! After some research I've decided not to pack a container for Africa. I can get most all that I need in Mwanza (a city of several million people where I'll be living.) More than anything I want to change my American habits. Please pray that I would learn how to live simply. How does one do such a thing? I would love to hear any suggestions that anyone might have (tz4him@yahoo.com). I don't want to be too connected to this world or to things. It's all going to burn up anyway!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My first welcome to New Mexico last week was WIND!! Ugh! I'm so glad I wasn't called to be a truck driver! :-)

First stop: Aztec Baptist Church, Aztec, NM. Pastor Don Stackpole made it clear that I was to arrive with an empty gas tank and in need of an oil change. What a blessing! (Pastor Harris in IN took care of my oil change last week though.) I also was able to catch up on some much needed rest at the Step Back Inn (cute hotel with a bed and breakfast feel!), attend the senior luncheon on Friday, and enjoy their mother/daughter luncheon on Saturday.

It amazes me how similar the ancient native American cultures and beliefs are to the traditional African lifestyle. I got to tour the Aztec Ruins, dated around 1000 BC.

The ancient Puelbos were an agricultural and community based society that centered around their animism and ancestor worship. From what I've learned so far, village life in Tanzanian is the same! It amazes though that the same lies from our enemy have worked so well in ancient and modern people groups.

Next stop: Grace Baptist Church, Farmington, NM. I've discovered many connections to this church. I'm staying with the parents of some good friends in OH, met several ladies I knew in college, and from working at the Wilds of the Rockies. Pastor Mauldin knows my pastor in CO, and his daughter knows my sister-in-law from Northland. How fun! I almost know more people here than in my CO church (I haven't been there in so long!) :-)

I enjoyed sharing in the morning service, teaching the junior church, and sharing with the ladies in the evening. This morning I got to share pictures of Africa and challenge about 50 students in elementary chapel, then shared about the will of God with the teen girls this afternoon. All for the glory of God!!

Last stop in NM is Tucumcari this Wednesday.

Posted by Lisa Newland at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our blogsite was having some problems. Nice to be back online! :-)

My prayer letter (previous entry) gives a brief rundown of the last few weeks.

Some highlights:

*Visiting with Fred & Sharon Conley (Ironton, OH) who used to be missionaries in Tanzania. I got some tips from Sharon on what to pack for life in Africa, like good sharp kitchen knives and a fillet knife (for fresh Tilapia right out of Lake Victoria!)

*The Lord lead Pastor Jerry Harris & Crossroads Baptist Church to provide an oil change and 2 new tires! While the car was in the shop, the mechanic couldn't get the car started. Just perfect timing for the car to quit!! :-) Turned out to be a worn out terminal on the battery, easy and inexpensive repair!

*Sharing my testimony at the annual ladies' tea at Grace Baptist Church in Red Oak, IA.

*Surprising Mom & Dad, home for a 2-day visit... and getting to hold my 2 new nephews!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear friends and family,

These last few months have been full of God’s blessings!!

Mar 6-8 I love snow, and I love getting snowed in. I didn’t expect it to happen in Kentucky though! After passing quite a few accidents on the interstate, I pulled over and stayed three nights in a hotel. God is answering your prayers for safe travels.

Mar 19 The Harvest Kids at Harvest Baptist Church in N. Vernon, IN gave me a GRAND welcome. Praise the Lord for churches who are training their children to love missions! I shared my passion for Tanzania in 13 churches these two months!

Mar 20-29 Ten glorious days to stay in one place, get caught up on “to do list” items, and reorganize/repack my car. An unofficial spring break!!

April 1 I reached 75%!! Hallelujah!! Thank you to all the churches and individuals who have recently taken me on for support, and those who have been faithfully supporting me since the beginning!! I’m three-quarters of the way there!!

April 4 Missionary Medical Intensive. Twelve days of classes, labs, and studying diseases and medicine in a third-world country.

April 11-12 Ladies Retreat at the Wilds. This ministry has been used by the Lord greatly in my past to help shape who I am today. What a treat to finally see the NC campsite, and to enjoy it with Tammy Brouwer (I’ll be serving with Bill and Tammy in Tanzania in a few months)!!

April 14 Tour of Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s home) and Montpelier (James Madison’s home) in Virginia.

April 18 Time for more immunizations and a sore arm. ☺

April 23 Started driving toward my CO home, stopping for meetings in IN, IA, and NM.

Our God is SO GOOD! Pray that I will finish these deputation days “strengthened with all might according to His glorious power.” Col. 1:11

Trusting His Goodness,
Lisa

Posted by Lisa Newland at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)