Haystack Gatherings
Karl and Debbie....in the Haystack
Dear friends,
In 1808, five men discussing the theological nature of missions sought shelter from a thunderstorm under a haystack in Williamstown, Massachusetts. As rain pelted down, their debate extended to hours of prayer. God used the storm to unleash the modern missionary movement of America and four years later the first missionaries went to India under the United Foreign Missionary Society. Hundreds and thousands followed to Hawaii, China, and Africa and other countries all over the world. They did Bible translation, medical and educational work, and preached about repentance and reconciliation in Christ.
God uses “haystack prayers”—gatherings of Christ believers who exchange ideas, discuss God’s word and imagine His vision for His world together and pray. The unexpected happens for generations when God’s people gather and submit to what His Spirit is doing among them.
This past month twelve Peace Study scholars and working academicians zoomed together across 14 time zones spanning four continents for a two-hour networking meeting. It was our twenty-first century haystack. For some of these PhD and Dmin graduates and students it was 4 AM in the morning; for others, midnight. They shared their life experiences from Australia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Uganda, Lebanon, Philippines, Cambodia, India, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and the US.
The Peace Studies graduates and scholars (both men and women) with whom we have been privileged to serve, are gathering. Their ideas and discussions about the rain of violence and conflict around them bring them toward haystack prayers. They belong to countries rocked with deep and seemingly intractable conflict—the Muslim Christian conflict in Cameroon and Nigeria; the ethnic conflicts of Ethiopia; the seething, ancient border conflicts of Nagaland, India; the Christian and Muslim Arab conflicts of Lebanon; the past trauma and evil leadership of Cambodia; the socioeconomic and ethnic conflicts of Sri Lanka; the relentless killings, starvation, and cross border migrations in the Horn of Africa; the painful past of Rwanda; the many organizational and power conflicts in Christian organizations, denominations, seminaries, churches and marriages in the US.
There are many peace networks across the world, but one that shares the commitment to God’s working through the hearts of His people in His church is rare. It is not bound by a national or racial, or political or educational identity. There is not a shared political science concensus. It is not a denominational silo. It is simply a global mutual learning and encouragement exchange seeking God’s hand of grace in quieting the hearts of a restless and angry world.
Will you pray for this small, determined group? They have studied and practiced peace interventions for years to develop skills to mediate, counsel and teach in the classroom, pulpit, community, and ecclesiastical structures. They need strength for the long journey ahead. Many live in war torn countries and face persecution and tremendous economic uncertainty and health concerns. We believe God is doing something powerful through them.
About 55 years ago Debbie and I gathered at an Urbana Intervarsity Student Missionary conference and sensed God calling us both to respond to what he has done through the ages. That began our part of the modern missionary movement started at the Haystack in Massachusetts. We hope to finish our 50th year in missions in May, 2024 by helping to nurture a new global movement that meets in the “zoom stack”. We pray it may be a means to facilitate the continuation of growth, exchange of ideas and impact by global peace practitioners. Most importantly, that it may be a way to sustain dialog, prayer, support, and encouragement for the intense warfare ahead, literally and spiritually. No one country or region has clear or easy answers. Only the Peacemaker Himself. He alone transcends the chaos in countries, intercedes in wars and rumors of wars and guides us to reconcile with Himself and one another.
And pray for us.
The first missionaries did not leave the shores of Massachusetts without prayer support and financial support. Neither did we. The Lord has abundantly enabled and blessed us—since 1973 when we first went to Eritrea. This past July marked 50 years since we first went to Eritrea. May marks the 50th year of Debbie’s kidnapping and eventual release. The early modern missionary movement nearly stumbled from inadequate support. We have enjoyed deep prayer and financial support for our many years, but now in spite of reducing our costs and salary, our MTW account is in deep growing deficit. Pray with us that the deficit will be removed so we can retire in peace!
I can imagine that under that early haystack was the sweet smell of the fresh harvest of an abundant God. Join us in our savor of the Saviour:
Two more new PhD graduates in Peace Studies this past June.
Praise for a new Peace Studies cohort of students anticipated to begin in 2024.
Deb recently completed a newly commissioned training curriculum for all staff of World Relief based on their core principles.
Pray for a new Global Peace Network facilitated by the Sychar Well Group.
Pray for time to do more thoughtful pursuit of publications.
Pray for our personal family haystack gatherings with our children and grandchildren.
Pray as we journey to visit our supporting churches, families and individuals. We plan two extended trip this fall and winter.
Pray for our friendship gatherings in the International House. In recent months we have had scholars living in the five bedrooms from : China, Turkey, Palestine, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Bangladesh and one wedding! Quite a number regularly attend Bible Studies either through InterVarsity or Reformed University Fellowship International.
Pray for some major decisions about our home and health. While we feel strong and able, we know we are not getting any younger! We yearn to steward well the time and energy the Lord gives us for His glory.
The International House Baltimore has had two weddings and a birth over the past two years, as well as multiple graduations and many publications. Here are three countries of Asia, best known for being out of the reach of Christian missions.
This year two more Grand children graduated...new jobs, college, and opportunities.
Jesse and Debbie had the same heart procedure on the same day in the same hospital with the same doctor...an hour apart
Karl's mother turns 101 next month. We don't manage to see her more than a few times a year but Karl's sister is with her weekly.
Grandchildren are ever on the design-and-build trail in their
creative growth.
Our support needs are critically low. We have taken voluntary salary reductions to meet MTW's minimal requirements but we must make up the deficit. Please pray with us. Our desire is to finish well.
