courtney michael linda 1987 kenya

9
HERE'S MY HEART by Linda Courtney, R.N. Dear Missionary Recruit, I have been trying for weeks--literally-- to write this letter. It seems I can scarcely make it past the first paragraph without crying. I wish that there was a way I could take my heart and mind; with all the joys, heartaches, praises, recipes, and cross-cultural information; and plant them within you. If only there was a section of me marked, "AFRICA." It would contain every prayer, every packing list, every hot, windy day, every lizard that ever crawled across my kitchen counter, every vacation at the Indian Ocean, every smile on every child's face, every word of encouragement from a supporting church, every tip on how to survive without a refrigerator, and every praise I ever lifted to the Lord for sending me to such a continent as Africa. First of all, I want to confirm my love for you. I want you to be assured--beyond the shadow of a doubt—that I will never stop loving you and never stop praying for your best in God's Kingdom. You cannot do f-f 90 -^ IW

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Page 1: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

HERE'S MY HEART

by Linda Courtney, R.N.

Dear Missionary Recruit,

I have been trying for weeks--literally--

to write this letter. It seems I can

scarcely make it past the first paragraph

without crying. I wish that there was a

way I could take my heart and mind; with

all the joys, heartaches, praises,

recipes, and cross-cultural information;

and plant them within you. If only there

was a section of me marked, "AFRICA." It

would contain every prayer, every packing

list, every hot, windy day, every lizard

that ever crawled across my kitchen

counter, every vacation at the Indian

Ocean, every smile on every child's face,

every word of encouragement from a

supporting church, every tip on how to

survive without a refrigerator, and every

praise I ever lifted to the Lord for

sending me to such a continent as Africa.

First of all, I want to confirm my love

for you. I want you to be assured--beyond

the shadow of a doubt—that I will never

stop loving you and never stop praying for

your best in God's Kingdom. You cannot do

f-f 90 -^

IW

Page 2: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

anything so dumb, so ignorant, or sinful

that I can't forgive if you seek

forgiveness. I will always accept you

right where you are--joyful or depressed,

discouraged or elated. God blessed me

with friends like that during my years in

Kenya, and I want to be that kind of a

friend for you.

Through this letter, I want to give you a

glimpse of Africa as I see it, after

several years of experiencing the joys—

and the sorrows—of that continent.

Africa.

Older than can possibly be imagined.

I/nchanging.

An old, old, mouldering circle.

Nothing is new.

All that has happened will happen again.

Birth, life, pain, love, defeat, conflict,

victory, famine, joy, disease, laughter,

death.

The circle remains

Always

The same.

Only the characters change.

But then came a man—God in human flesh.

Page 3: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

And the black people named him Yesu

Kristo, The old circle was broken —

forever.

The people with whom we worked were

ancient. They would have felt right at

home with Abraham, wearing animal skins

and following their flocks from one

watering hole to another. That brings me

to my first point:

1. "PRIMITIVE" PEOPLE ARE VERY RELIGIOUS

They are not likely to be impressed by

some ugly white man with only one wife, no

cows, and who doesn't even have gray hair.

The possibility that this strange creature

should be able to tell them anything about

God is absolutely preposterous!

We missionaries think we are so smart--at

first. The sad thing is that some

missionaries strut around for years,

secure in the belief that they could teach

God a thing or two about how to "convert

heathens."

I believe that God has placed within the

hearts of all people a hungering for Him.

Page 4: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

We could save ourselves a lot of time--and

money—by getting to know the people and

discovering the ways God might already be

revealing Himself to them. What are their

views of God? Do we have the ability to

speak to the people about God in their own

language? How do we really feel about

these people? Are they just a curiosity

from the pages of a 1946 issue of National

Geographic?

2. DON'T COMPLICATE THINGS!

I suppose one of my greatest regrets from

my years in Kenya was the time when I

participated in the promotion of the

western idea of a marriage ceremony. By

advocating white dresses and veils (and

shoes!), we have placed upon these

Christian churches a burden they cannot

bear without help from outsiders. In

years to come, it will be a hindrance to a

Christian view of marriage in the African

context. I don't think God intended it

this way. The Apostle Paul didn't write

our modern marriage vows. You don't find

John saying anything against wearing goat

skins to your own wedding.

Likewise, we have "westernized" Christ's

Page 5: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

church in many other ways. One of our

greatest frustrations was the idea

promoted by some missionaries long ago

that the people should use American or

European hymns, translated into their own

languages, rather than letting the people

worship God with their own, original songs

of praise.

Decades from now, the church in Africa

will continue to struggle under the weight

of some of the excess baggage of our

western culture.

3. KILLING SNAKES

I became very adept at killing snakes.

Ordinarily I wouldn't even mention the

subject. I am basically opposed to

"missionary horror stories." But I want

to prove a point: GOD IS MIGHTIER THAN

OUR MOST BLOOD-CURDLING PHOBIAS.

Before going to Kenya, I had many

frightening pre-conceptions of what it

might be like there. Some of them turned

out to be true! But my greatest fears

prior to going to the mission field (not

the least of which was my fear of snakes),

were positively anemic when compared to

Page 6: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

the mighty storms the Lord carried me

through.

I could go on for pages--and probably will

at another time--but the most important

thing is this: Total trust in the Lord

Jesus Christ is essential. It is the very

life blood of the missionary. There will

be times in your ministry when you

absolutely cannot see by your own power.

At those times you will need to place your

total life and ministry in the hands of

the One who can see past the valley to the

mountaintop beyond. It is there!

I took you from the ends of the earth,

from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, 'You are my servant;'

I have chosen you and have not rejected

you.

So do not fear, for I am with you,

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right

hand. Isaiah 41:9, 10

Page 7: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

I am calling you away^

Away from home and all that is loved

and familiar^

Away from family.

Away from churches,

Away from friends.

Away from washing machines, running

water, indoor plumbing, lawns, flowers,

cake mixes, microwave ovens, carpeting,

bookstores, new shoes, potluck dinners,

and color-coordinated bath towels.

You are my servant.

In return, I'm giving you loneliness,

illness, outhouses, flat tires, flooded

rivers, sun-faded clothes, thorns,

goat intestine soup, snakes, roasted

termites, sunburn, and dysentery.

And I give you these promises:

I promise resources to meet every need.

I promise strength for your tired body.

I promise light for your darkest hours.

I promise spiritual refreshing.

I promise you My Word.

I promise you wisdom.

I promise a depth of fellowship you have

never before experienced.

Page 8: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

I promise a solid footing in the depths

of your deepest discouragement,

If you will allow me, I will turn every

defeat into a victory.

Every tear you shed will become a diamond

drop of blessing.

The battles waged will become a tool for

your growth and My glory.

And I will never leave you or forsake you.

"For you are precious and honored in my

sight, and I love you." Isaiah 43:4

Page 9: Courtney Michael Linda 1987 Kenya

Mike and Linda Courtney have lived inKenya, Africa with their two childrensince 1980. In 1986, they returned to theStates for an extended furlough, untiltheir children finish secondary school.Mike is currently completing graduatestudies for a Master's Degree inPsychology and Counseling. Linda is aRegistered Nurse and works as aPsychiatric Nurse for a Mental HealthClinic. She also works part time for anadult alcohol and drug detoxification unitand for an adolescent drug treatmentprogram.