TIMO embodies the missionary spirit of flexibility which adapts to meet the needs of a given situation. Yet, there are twelve core values found among any TIMO team.
4. Lifestyle and Proclamation Evangelism. Living the truth of the gospel message and verbally proclaiming that same message should be two sides of the same coin. One without the other creates imbalance.
We recently had to print out copies of all kinds of documents; one of them being our resumes. At the top of mine is my life mission statement: Share Knowledge and Embrace Restoration. I developed it several years ago while working through the book The Path by Laurie Beth Jones. Looking at it now, it truly is the mission statement God is making real in my life. We are not just going to give knowledge but to share knowledge between us and the San people. The San have so much knowledge that I look forward to learning. I have some basic principles to help them improve their farming, yet more importantly to share the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. I personally have had to embrace restoration from God. Letting God into heal my broken heart has been something very hard to do but so worth it. God is still working on me. I know God wants to bring restoration to the San people. They have been broken and lost their identity. God wants to heal them from all the hurt and reveal their true identity as human beings created in the image of God.
I am currently reading Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development by Bryant L Myers. Here is a quote from the book: “Transformational development is seeking positive change in the whole of human life materially, socially, psychologically and spiritually. Transformational development is a life long journey. The goals for this journey of transformation are to recover our true identity as human beings created in the image of God and to discover our true vocation as productive stewards, faithfully caring for the world and all the people in it.”
I have never thought of myself as a community developer but even my high school classmates were thinking it over 18 years ago by says in our senior prophesies,”Claudia joined the Peace Corps and it’s the toughest job she’s ever loved.” No, I have not joined the Peace Corps but I believe moving to Namibia will be the toughest job that I will love. This is a life long journey. I love how God is pulling everything together my past, my present, and my future. He has created me for a purpose. Though it has taken me 36 years to get this far on the journey, I can step out in faith, confident to Follow Him wherever. I truly pray my life proclaims the gospel message. I am a part of God’s story to redeem the world to Himself. I love how God wants to use each ones of us in His story. How are you a part of the story?
Ha3els in Africa 