“But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance.”
-Rom 8:25

Greetings from the heat and humidity of Virginia! We’ve had some great times catching up with friends and family since we’ve been back. We’ve also had some great times of ministry.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the next several months and years coming up. But thought without action is pointless, just like faith without works, as James said. I have also had some time to reflect on our time in Africa and wondered if there can be a “theology of waiting.” Having heard a lot of teaching in Mozambique on rest and entering into the rest of God one can get the idea that nothing will get done in the church. Honestly, I don’t think Africa needs that kind of teaching. Most of the men and women I met have no problem sitting around, waiting and enjoying each others company. I don’t think they don’t feel the pressure to perform like us Westerners.

But waiting is never a purely passive event. I’ve thought about all the saints who waited things out: Noah who sat in the ark for forty days and forty nights (not so much fun in a zoo!); Abraham and Sarah waited to inherit the promise of a son and further promises (Heb 6:15, 11:9); Elijah and Israel waited for rain and the disciples waited in the upper room in Jerusalem as their Master instructed them.

In many ways Africa has prepared us for this time as waiting is something most Africans can relate to. I recall asking a man from Kenya what he did when his bus broke down on the way to Mozambique. He responded, “I waited for several days for the next bus.” In my western amazement, I asked, “Yes, but what did you do?” His reply, “Nothing, what could I do but wait?” Transitioning from that kind of event oriented culture to the western time oriented culture hasn’t been easy.
I imagine that the saints of old kept themselves busy during their waiting time.

Either through prayer or deepening relationships, I think the characters in Scripture were diligent in what was set before them, whether it be grooming animals on a boat or shepherding sheep. I gather it was a completely different lifestyle than our western culture, which emphasizes time, numbers and efficiency. An acquaintance once told me that the best way to wait things out is with your sails up ready for the wind to take you to the next place. This is fine as long as your sail doesn’t have holes in it!
We’ve been gearing up for the arrival of our son and taking care of the various immigration and visa issues we’ve encountered. Fortunately, some of the UK visa requirements for US citizens have been eliminated, which relieved us of a huge burden. 

The author of Hebrews once wrote, “so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.” In an effort to pursue the promises Janico and I have kept quite busy despite what the nurse at the ultrasound clinic said, “rest”. A week ago I was able to sit in on an advanced research methods course at a local Christian university. It was really helpful to be in an academic environment after being in Africa where issues of narrative discourse and textual criticism a far from every day conversations. The following week I sat in on a course on the miraculous in the biblical tradition, which was insightful. I also felt I had something to contribute academically and spiritually as I had been privy to quite a few wondrous events in Africa. Both courses helped me get a jumpstart on my research as well. I’ve been meeting with a friend to go over Greek on a regular basis and I’ve been reviewing German and French.

Janico and I have had various medical appointments and I imagine they will increase as we arrive closer to the due date. There seems to be no consensus on the due date among the nurses and doctors. Only 5% of babies arrive on their prescribed date, so we’re not too worried. I guess the more concerning factor is where the baby will be born. The hospital that we are scheduled to deliver at is moving its maternity ward to another location as of August 1. With the uncertainty of the due date and the uncertainty of the transition happening on August 1, we’re not quite sure where to go. It would be a bummer to go to one hospital only to have them turn us away to the other. So, we’ll see. Onward and upward we go for Jesus!
Thanks for all your prayers and support during this time as we hurry up and wait.