Jun 30 2009
What comes to your mind when you think of the word “missionary?” Some closely related terms might include “ambassador,” “disciple” and “messenger.” As Christians, we tend to view a person who is a missionary as one who is called by God to serve and minister in a foreign land. This may indeed be true, but, according to the Word of God, all who profess to be Christians are considered disciples of Christ and have been given a mandate to make disciples of all nations.
Jun 29 2009
Have you noticed how quickly time flies when you are serving the Lord? It is hard to believe but it has been almost two years since Rivers of the World (ROW) started building the orphanage in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic (DR) of the Congo.
Jun 28 2009
I have discovered a new term that I hope you will include in your life’s vocabulary. What word do you use for when you know that something is just not right and it is not on the up and up? How about when you are curious about a situation and you’re not exactly sure how to describe it? In both cases, call it a post turtle. You’re thinking, “What?”
Jun 24 2009
Do you ever have trouble focusing on things? Recently, I literally had trouble focusing on things. I got frustrated because I couldn’t find my glasses, which of course made it difficult to focus and see. I realize it is just a matter of age and I am certain I will eventually find my glasses!
Jun 21 2009
There is a lot happening in June for Rivers of the World (ROW) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. ROW’s Congo-Kasai director is Jimmy Shafe, who is a wonderful, wonderful man. He and several others are currently in the region conducting several projects, including a stop at the School for Single Mothers in Tshikaji, located just outside of Kananga.
Jun 19 2009
The world is vast, yet small in many ways. I simply have a tough time keeping my life organized because I am in a different country every month. I returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo this month and I am scheduled to be in Argentina in July and Venezuela in August. In the meantime, by a wonderful miracle, I will be able to spend Father’s Day with my dad, Dr. Gordon Mathes, who lives in Memphis, Tenn. The miracle is I’ll be preaching on Father’s Day at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Tenn., less than 90 miles away from Memphis. What are the chances of that!
Jun 17 2009
I recently had so much fun that I just can’t wait to tell you all about it! If you are even remotely familiar with Rivers of the World (ROW) then you know we serve in four of the seven continents of the world. This includes the countries of Vietnam and Cambodia in Asia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa, Brazil and Venezuela in South America and the Dominican Republic and Honduras in North America.
Jun 15 2009
One of my most favorite words is twasakadila. It is a Tshiluba word that means thank you. It comes from a term that expresses buying a bag of beans in the marketplace and asking somebody to put a little more on top.
Jun 12 2009
I’m curious. What do you do when your world just blows up? I have two mechanical giants in my life. The “Booger” is my 1979 FJ40 Land Cruiser and the Southern Empress is my boat. I live on a lake. I recently blew the engines in both the Land Cruiser and my boat. Can you imagine blowing an engine in your vehicle and boat at the same time!
Jun 09 2009
I don’t mean to sound judgmental but do you ever get tired of listening to people blame everybody else for their problems? Let me tell you what happened to me recently in the Dominican Republic. Our car wouldn’t start and we were simply abandoned out in the middle of nowhere.