Clinic #1-With a Hitch!

We bumped and rolled for several miles down a dirty road outside Mbabane, Swaziland for the first Luke Commission Clinic of 2013.  The bus was quiet with prayerful meditation as each of us gazed out the window anticipating the day.

As we arrived—the TLC team greeted the school principal and proceeded to survey what rooms would be set up for each of the clinic stations.  The school campus soon became a flurry of activity as the Swazi leadership team gathered all that had assembled to begin education and registration.  This team is well organized and methodical in compassionate care to each and every one who had come.

Brian, Katie, Peyton and I did our best to quickly learn the triage station.  With many, many patients and hours of practice-we found ourselves getting into a rhythm of greeting the patient and kindly, carefully getting all of their vital information.

As our work continued throughout the day in triage; medical ministry was taking place all over the campus.  Each one who came received the gospel and prayer.   The medical team attended every need, from the smallest to the greatest that could be fulfilled.  Dr. Harry prescribed medications that could be filled immediately, and the surgery team performed many procedures, even late into the night.  In all, over 400 patients came thru the first clinic. 

400 opportunities for this team to love people by meeting their immediate physical needs in the name of Jesus Christ.

Near the close of the first clinic; we met a woman with a significantly sized tumor on her arm. The tumor had been considered a curse against her.  She had scarring on her arm where she had seen the witch doctor, and an attempt had been made to cut the tumor off.  The TLC team took great care in removing this tumor and with it, lifting the curse.  

After everyone had been seen-we packed and loaded the trucks with the same great care and diligence that had been shown throughout the day.  Each one doing his or her part--completely the tasks and closing the clinic.

The rains had come during the evening and brought more and more mud!  As we approached the dirt road--sliding away we went and then....stuck.   It was decided that we should wait it out through the night because it would not be safe to try and push the trucks and trailers on the side of these mountainous roads.  Pretty soon---along came a tractor.  The biggest tractor that has ever been seen in Swaziland!  God had provided and each of the vehicles were hitched up and safely pulled thru the mud.  Soon, we were headed home.  Bumping and sliding along--onto the dirt roads we went, back the same roads we came--but we were changed by the touch of His Hand with us, healing and caring for those in need, as well as for us!

We look forward to His provision, guidance and care for many more clinic days of His healing touch in 2013!

78 Visits.

{It has been a privilege to be a small part of so many people's stories over the last several years.   I am honored to tell this one.}

Almost 10 years ago; I was shopping at Lifeway, in our new town.  I spotted a young lady with great hair.  Now--if you know me at all...you know, finding the right person to do my hair would be top on the list of things to accomplish quickly after a move...right up there with family doctor, dentist, grocery store, etc.  The young lady with great hair gave me the name of her stylist.  Here’s the rest of the story.  

I called the stylist and found that she had a quaint little place in her house.  I LOVED her.  And so began the relationship.  What I didn’t know then was that because of a series of events, she would become unable to continue her business. However; she introduced me to her daughter, who had just completed her training to take over the business. 

The young lady was fantastic.  If I loved her mother, I ADORED my new girl and very soon, she became my friend.  She was very young and had a lot of things going on in her personal life....but she confided in me and I began to pray for her.  Her mom and I had developed a trusting relationship...she even called me “the she-preacher!” 

Soon, my young friend became a single mom.  She would tell you this was NOT the direction she would have taken for her life.  She had other plans, but her life’s choices took her on a detour.

Over the next couple of years, she dated a few different guys and then decided to focus on herself and her little man.   She is a great mom and has really put his interests first; but there was something missing.  She was going to church; but she would say at that time, she wasn’t fully committed to a relationship with Jesus or to a life of faith.

About 2 years ago, a young man she had known for a long time came back into her life.  He was a single dad and a friendship began.  I was so incredibly proud of the way she handled dating this guy. Friendship was their priority, neither of them wanting to rush things; yet both wanting their families to spend time together.   The two of them began to read the Word together. They prayed together and attended church together.  What was missing was found, in a life of faith.  

This young couple has blended their family in marriage and for more than a year now; have been living the life of faith.  They are expecting a 3rd addition to the family in the spring.  I am beyond excited to tell you, they are doing well walking in faith together.

All the while; I have been praying, speaking words of truth, even though at times, they have been hard to hear.   I’m sure she had other people helping her lean to faith in Jesus....but she calls me her spiritual mother.  What an honor for me to have had the privilege of sitting in her chair for 78 visits. 
She told me today, “I’m ever so grateful.”

78 visits of loving a young lady.
78 visits of quietly speaking truth into a life.
78 visits of building a relationship that will last for eternity.  

I tell you her story today to encourage you.  No matter where God has you in life...you can tell HIStory in love with your life and believe me...there are plenty of people who need to hear it.  

It may take 78 visits; but it is worth a lifetime.

m

“Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-8 MSG

Hold Up!

{This post is dedicated to my friends, Maury & Dana, who encouraged me to keep writing.....as it turns out....they read the blog!}

Exodus 17 tells the story of Moses leading the Israelites into battle against their enemies.  While Moses was on the mountain holding up the staff; the Israelites began to win against the enemy. When Moses’ arms became tired and they fell to his side-the enemy would overtake the Israelites and begin to defeat them.  Along came Aaron and Hur-- fellow leaders of the Israelites tribes.  Each of these men raised an arm; so that Moses’ arms and staff would once again be lifted high, defeating the enemy.

While we are certainly not Moses defeating a literal army against the enemy, we most definitely need your prayer support to hold us up.  This enemy we fight seeks to prowl and devour the souls of a nation with sickness, disease, and death.  There is no better ‘arm holder’ than a prayer partner.

Over these years in ministry, we have been so grateful for those prayer partners who remember us to the Father.  We often tell our church family as some have transitioned from one church and town to another; we will cover you in prayer until you get settled into a church that will take over that prayer cover. Not to say that we wouldn’t continue to pray for them-but I think you get the idea. 

Will you hold us up?  We are now about a month away from this new adventure.  Our time of traveling to raise our funds, finish selling our ‘stuff’ and packing up the rest is rapidly coming to a close.  We have received countless emails, facebook messages and words of encouragement.  We are so grateful for your support.

Here are a few things that can top the prayer list for the Schmelzenbachs in Swaziland:

• The smooth transition out of our house and safe travels on the road and in the air
• Wisdom, discernment and teachable spirits when we arrive and as we adjust to our new life and culture, as well as following the Lord’s leading for our place in ministry
• That we would draw close to one another on the tough days of feeling out of place and homesick
• Continued support as we raise our own salary; whether monthly or one-time gifts
• Katie and Peyton as they find their place of service and continue homeschooling (me too!)
• Pray for all The Luke Commission staff as we all land next month and begin the work of compassionate medicine--seeking to save lives by meeting a physical need and bringing the Word of God and the love of Jesus to Swaziland.

Siyabonga.  (Thank you.)

m

96 Days to GO!

We are moving.  I have been fielding facebook messages and emails asking what is going on; so here we go.....

Our family is moving to Swaziland, Africa. We will be working in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Partner, The Luke Commission.  TLC is a compassionate medicine organization that takes a mobile medical clinic to remote and underserved areas of Swaziland.  No-we do not have any medical experience to offer.  We will be ministering along side them in the areas of pastoral and discipleship ministries; as well as administrative support--among other things that we do not even know yet!

We will be serving as Mission Corps missionaries with our denomination, The Church of the Nazarene-which means that we are raising our own salary and partnering with many friends, family and extended family to GO and make disciples in the nation of Swaziland.  We are grateful, blessed and humbled beyond words at how God is answering prayer on our behalf.  Here are just a few ways He has answered:

• Our children are excited and getting more excited as the count goes down.
• The church we currently serve has been incredibly gracious in allowing us to stay, 5 months after our ‘resignation.’
• Our house is being sold--without a sign in the yard or a realtor. Wow.
• We have all our prospective dates for speaking in churches before we go booked and have more on stand-by.
• At 96 days to go, we are at approximately 65% funded.
• Provisions are being made now for a home when we arrive in Manzini, Swaziland.

This list is just what is coming to mind now...He is blessing us in unbelievable ways. 

Some frequently asked questions--

“How do we get a care package to you?” 

• The answer is--hand carry!  We are not assured to receive a package that would come in the mail, so the system would be to send us an email mkschmelz@lukecommission.org or brianschmelz@lukecommission.org,  then-we would send back an email with the addresses of upcoming Work and Witness teams that would be coming over to us.  The package would be sent to them to hand carry or pack in their suitcases to bring to us.....so hand carried from home.  This will be a treat and we welcome packages anytime!

“How can I help? What can we do for you while you are there?”

Prayer is our greatest request.  There are many, many things that we don’t even know yet to ask you to pray for; but here are a few things we can ask:

• Pray that we stay focused on Christ and our relationship to Him above all
• Pray specifically for Brian as he continues to lead our current church-that the Lord would anoint his study time and strongly speak through Brian in our final days here--as well as the church leadership team as they search for the next pastor
• Pray for endurance and strength we continue to pack and prepare our house
• Pray for our health and safety
• Pray that even in the excitement of a new place that we would continue to sense God’s presence and His touch; especially in times that may seem lonely and homesick
• Pray that we will continue to see His Hand of provision as we close in on our final days of fundraising 

One of the memories of this time of preparation will be etched in my mind forever.   My all-time favorite part of the worship services in which we have had the privilege of sharing our story is the close of the service.  Without fail, at the close of every gathering; the pastor has asked us to come forward and kneel at the altar and then we have been surrounded by these loving, wonderful, praying people.  

This, this is how I KNOW we go, covered in prayer by the believers, interceding on our behalf; raising us up to Heaven, and as He hears, He provides. 

Pray.  It’s the most important answer.

We are grateful.

Ephesians 6:18-20a (MSG)

Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.  And don’t forget to pray for me. Pray that I’ll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time.

m

Today.

As I sit writing this today, a precious friend of mine is going through something no parent should have to go through, planning a funeral for her son.  Heart wrenching and just totally wrong.  There are no words at a time like this to comfort or heal.  Yes, Jesus cares, yes, He is present, yes, God heals and all of those spiritual things; but let’s face it, the physical and emotional hurt is bad and it just sucks (sorry Mom, sometimes we have to use sub-standard words). 

Many have faced losses recently, whether tragic and sudden or slow and painful, yet losses none the less.  It’s grief. Denial. Anger. Hurt. Bitterness. Memories. Celebrating a life.  Repeat.  We think about conversations we have had with our lost loved one, places we went, things we did, plans for the future...then sadness that those plans will not be fulfilled how we expected.  We reflect on the life, what we have learned from the one we lost and we laugh and share all the stories that make us giggle remembering good times.

One thing I believe we can take away from these experiences is this, don’t wait. Say what you need to say!  Love people. Make a difference.  Share Jesus. Don’t wait to tell everyone who means anything to you how you feel about them.

As we laid to rest a dear sweet saint years ago; I remember very vividly the story that was told about her and her family.  It was something they lived, making sure that every word counted.  Whenever any one of them was parting from the other, whether just heading home from church or traveling to a country a world away, they would always say to one another, “See you at the house.”  The sentence was far more than 5 little words.  It meant, ‘I love you, you mean the world to me and even if this is the last time I see you on this earth; I will see you on the other side.’

Call your loved ones.  Maybe you need to make amends with someone, forgive, or be forgiven.  Do it, don’t wait.

My love and prayers to you, Teresa.

See you at the house, Josh.

The Lord is my shepherd;

I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green pastures.

He leads me to calm water.

He gives me new strength.

He leads me on paths that are right

for the good of his name.

Even if I walk through a very dark valley,

I will not be afraid,

because you are with me.

Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.

You prepare a meal for me

in front of my enemies.

You pour oil of blessing on my head; 

you fill my cup to overflowing.

Surely your goodness and love will be with me

all my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23 NCV

m

Clutter

Clutter.

We all have it.  

As we begin to clear out closets, drawers, rooms and the garage, we realize how much 'stuff' we have accumulated in the 9 years we have lived in one place.

Having everything we need is a comfort most of us afford; for even more of us, having everything we want is a luxury.

It begs the question, why do we keep so much stuff?  Sometimes even hoarding things...like paperwork, books, 'sentimental' items...just to name a few.  Maybe it's because we don't want to deal with it when it enters our home, maybe the clutter belongs to another family member and we are waiting for them to take care of it.

I have to admit, the clutter is totally overwhelming.  If not for a very good friend who is gifted at seeing a task and knowing where to begin; I may be inclined to just walk away from this mess and wait until it's crunch time to deal with it.

Clutter can be spiritual as well.  How many times do we feel that twinge of the Holy Spirit to do something or take care of a situation, and we put it off until later?  Often times, we know what it is we need to do, we know what is right, but we ignore what we know and do what we want anyway.

When we pile on the spiritual 'stuff,' it can become overwhelming to even know how to get out from under it.  Many times, we may just walk away from the spiritual things (i.e. the church, Christian friends or even God) because we just do not want to deal with our own stuff.

I love the word picture here in Matthew 3:12: 

'He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.'

He is where you start.  You see, what happens when you come to Him, you allow HIM to be the organizer and the detailer.  He will do the de-cluttering.  When you let Him; He will take care of the junk.  The old things that you deemed so important don't seem so earth shattering anymore.  He will change your 'want to.' 


2 Corinthians 5:17
'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.'

De-clutter.  Not just your home, but most importantly, bring your spiritual clutter to the One who is the Master of the mess.

m

First Reaction

We are experiencing some very interesting and unique times in our lives.  Preparing to go to the mission field full-time invokes quite a range of questions from friends, family and even acquaintances.  It is kind of funny to me what the first reactions are.  I wonder if any of the disciples went through similar situations, well, except the hair color!

What?
You are going where?
Where will you live?
What do the kids think about this?
How long will you be gone?
When will you move?
What will you do with Ellie?
How will you get paid?

And a popular one:
What will you do about your hair?

My absolute all-time favorite first reaction to the news of our accepting a mission call comes from a child, well, a tween.  We have a sweet friend who wrote us a letter asking if she can set up a table at our church to have a bake sale.  She intends to sell cookies and cinnamon rolls (which she specified she will make from scratch) in order to help us raise financial support.

Wow.  Now that is a reaction I'd love to duplicate.  Her first response was, 'I see a need.' This is a kid who gets being part of the solution and wants to do her part.  I love it!

Don't get me wrong,  the curiosity from others is well-meaning and we feel blessed to have people in our lives that fully support following God's call wholeheartedly.  I just cannot help but learn a lesson from our little friend.  Why do I sometimes call into question a motive, when I should be asking 'how can I help?'

The truth is this about our missions call.  We have been praying and asking God for wisdom and guidance for years.  If you know us at all, you KNOW that we would not make this kind of decision overnight.  We have sought God and His guidance alone.

Our prayer is that our first reaction to His plan would always be, 'I see a need' and 'how can I help?' Whether the idea is popular or not was not the question.  How will it all come about, we don't know.  God guides, He provides.  He has proven faithful to His followers for centuries, to our family for more than 100 years, to Brian and myself as a couple for 20 years.   We trust He will continue.  We covet your prayers and your first reaction.

Below, I'm answering the above questions.....just for the curious.

What?  Yes, we are moving to Africa.
You are going where? Yes, Africa, Swaziland, to be specific.
Where will you live?
In a home, not a mud hut or tent with a thatch roof.
What do the kids think about this?
They have been part of the process, and while they will be giving up luxuries, they understand they will gain plenty.
How long will you be gone?
Currently planning on 3 years. (Jan-Oct-Swaziland, Nov-Dec-US)
When will you move? We plan on leaving in January 2013
What will you do with Ellie? We have arrangements with a close family friend to care for this 4-legged family member.
How will you get paid?
We are currently seeking monthly supporters and speaking at a few churches to raise our prayer and financial support.

And a popular one:
What will you do about your hair?
This is a good one.  My very special salon girl (Misty) has been on alert and she is helping me by getting my hair color to take with me AND teaching Brian the basics of trimming my hair ;) Love her!

Most importantly, will you pray?

If you would like to know more or learn how you can be involved in joining hands in ministry with us, visit:
missionswazi.org

1 Corinthians 1:4-9
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus,  for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you,  so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by Him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

m