PRAY FOR KIDS

Our family arriving at the Chicago's O'hare Airport on Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

It has now been 4 months since we left our home in Africa following a call to return to the USA because of our hope that our ultimate home is heaven.    The transition has been overwhelming yet our Lord continues His steadfast love and providence.    Our pace has been slower.   In many ways this has been a season to catch our breaths.    This month we ask you to focus your prayer upon children.    In this transition kids occupy our thoughts, prayers, and actions.

1.    First, please pray for the children in our African Great Lakes region.   (In catching our breath Dave blogged about AIDS’ deaths and children at   http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-hate-little-coffins-yet-my-boss-is.html.  It took 19 years to put the wrestling into words.)   There is tragedy, but also great hope.    May the children of Africa’s Great Lakes remain healthy.   May they thrive in exceptional education.    May they bring a new vision of the future to us.

Our kids all together in Chicago for the summer

2.   Second, please pray for our own children.      The sociological term used to describe them is TCK (Third Culture Kids.)    Our kids are a blend of several different cultures.    This gives them great empathy and resiliency.   It also means that during some seasons of life they must make rapid adaptations to assimilate and thrive.   This is one of those seasons.   They have done well:

• Sophia is participating in Wheaton College’s “Chicago” program.   Since her whole life has been overseas she chose not to do an “overseas study,” but to study for a semester with 11 other Wheaton students in Chicago’s Up Town neighborhood.

•   Caleb has shown remarkable resilience as he was uprooted from his home in Kigali for his senior year of high school.   He is taking courses at the College of DuPage and preparing for entering a Christian liberal arts university next fall (To read about the humor of American education and bureaucracy that Caleb has masterfully navigated check out http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2012/09/office-bouncing-in-usa.html)

• Ethan is playing JV2 Soccer for Wheaton North High School.   Two weeks ago he was awarded, “Man of the Match” for his soccer play.   He has enrolled in more difficult academic classes and is doing well.

•     Ruth is in a local Ballet, enjoying Wheaton’s Franklin Middle School, and leading our family in making the most new friends.   It has been delightful to watch her grace and beauty.

• Timothy is playing soccer for the Kopion Junior Academy.   All who meet him are struck by his immense resiliency, rhythm, and outright speed.    God answered his prayer to be on the second floor of Lowell Elementary School.   (To read about Timothy’s journey of blessed persistence check out http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2012/09/give-me-these-stairs.html.)

Six of KICS graduates of 2011 are at USA universities.

3. Please pray for the children of our African neighbors in Chicago (Cyikago is how some of us with Africa roots spell this American city.)   We are amazed at how many we are meeting from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo in Chicago.   Some have come as refugees.  Some have come as working immigrants.   Some have come as students.   The children of our African neighbors are like our own children.   They are TCK’s.    Please pray that they will also grow in their gifting, empathy, education, and resiliency.   Also, please pray that our family will discover how God intends for us to serve our African friends in Chicago.

Mungu akubariki (God bless you),

Dave and Jana

GIVE ME THESE STAIRS

Today is the 10^th Birthday for my youngest son, Timothy David Sanyu Jenkins.    Please share with me in blessing my son.   

 Bible verses that seem appropriate to summarize the Spirit of God living in Timothy are

 "You remember what the Lord said at Kadesh Barnea when he was speaking to the prophet Moses about you and me. Moses, the Lord's servant, sent me to look at the land where we were going. I was forty years old then. When I came back, I told Moses what I thought about the land. The other men who went with me frightened the people, but I fully believed the Lord would allow us to take the land. So that day Moses promised me, 'The land where you went will become your land, and your children will own it forever. I will give you that land because you fully believed in the Lord, my God.'

  "Now then, the Lord has kept his promise. He has kept me alive for forty-five years from the time he said this to Moses during the time we all wandered in the desert. Now here I am, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then. So give me the mountain country the Lord promised me that day long ago. Back then you heard that the Anakite people lived there and the cities were large and well protected. But now with the Lord helping me, I will force them out, just as the Lord said. 

 Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him the city of Hebron as his own (Joshua 14:6-13.)"

            For Timothy a phrase he has used to summarize his approach to life is “Give me these stairs.” 

            Timothy is a surprise adoption.   We did not seek him.  There was no human effort.  The Divine Will of God brought Timothy to our home.    

            Ten years ago, Jana was helping friends of ours; Brent and Inell Slater consider adoption.   Jana went with Inell to Sanyu Babies Home in Kampala, Uganda.    While there, the matron, Mama Joyce told Jana, “I have someone I want to introduce to you.”  Then she placed Timothy in Jana’s arms.   Their eyes met, and Jana said, “I’m a goner.”   

            Jana came home to tell me about Timothy.   Everyone else in our relationship network went to see Timothy.   I did not.   I tried to remain objective.   I counted the cost.   What would our lives be like if we did not adopt Timothy?   What would we lose?   The only thing I could conceptualize was money.  I came to only one conclusion.    I had never made a life changing decision simply by counting money.  I would not start with Timothy.   If Mama Joyce was led by God to place Timothy in Jana’s arms who was I to say, “No.”   Timothy would be part of our family.   This was the Will of God.

            As we left Sanyu Babies Home with Timothy in our arms surrounded by ecstatic Sophia, Caleb, Ethan, and Ruth I remarked, “We came as a family.   We’ve left as a tribe.  God will bless us.”

            We laughed frequently.   Timothy’s first sounds were not the “coos” of a baby.   Instead, Timothy growled and roared.   When I would enter a room he would look at me, and we would affectionately growl and giggle at one another.   Timothy’s strong will and joy were clear even before he could speak.

            At 10 months old, we began to notice that Timothy army crawled only using his left arm and leg.   He drug his right arm and leg.  We saw a pediatrician.   Timothy was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP).

            In a certain way the diagnosis was sobering.    Yet, in a strange way it was a blessing.   We had known other families whose son had CP.   With each one we had observed God giving a special guiding touch.   We anticipated He would also do the same for us.    Who were we to argue with God’s intent to bless us through a struggle of this created earth?

            We prayed for strength that Sunday at the Kampala Church of Christ.    That evening we went to the Nile Hotel to see Ndere Troupe.   We danced.   We laughed.   The dance was prophetic.   The last dance of the evening was traditional Rwandese.   The Ugandan crowd found greater joy in Rwandan dance than any of the traditional Ugandan dances.    Two years later we would arrive in Kigali pondering Rwandan dance.

The Ugandan Drum That Taught The Jenkins' Kids to Walk

            Timothy army crawled.   Then he did what all our children had done.   He pulled himself to standing on the drum.   Then he began to beat the drum.   His body moved in rhythm.   Then he took his first step.   His first step became a run.   Timothy David Sanyu Jenkins has never stopped running since.

            A few notice that Timothy has a bit of an odd step.  His right arm barely functions.   His right leg is shorter than the left.   Yet, when Timothy runs all the disadvantages of this created earth disappear.    He is usually the fastest of his peers at school.   He usually leads in goals scored in soccer matches.  In running God’s pleasure in Timothy is found.

Timothy at Victory Soccer Camp This Summer

            A man of old, named Caleb had a similar spirit.   As a young man his faith and courage far exceeded his peers.   As an old man he went to war with fellow soldiers 40 years his junior.   His strength of both spirit and body was unstoppable.    The Lord was the source of this enduring strength.   His requests to the Lord were not for a life of ease, but for all the Lord intended.   His request was, “Give me this mountain country.”

            Two months ago, I went to register Timothy at Lowell Elementary School in Wheaton.   We toured the school.   Lowell had four classrooms dedicated to fourth grade.   Three classrooms were on the ground floor.   One classroom was on the second floor.   Timothy’s mind like Caleb's of old went to work.   If he carried his books up the stairs each day his strength and speed would increase faster than his peers on ground level.   Timothy asked to be in the class on the second floor.   Few nine year old boys’ minds function this way.   Yet, Timothy has always run up stairs and hills.   He has always created his own special training regimes.  

 

            I considered calling Lowell’s principal with this strange request.   “Give my son these stairs.   Push him hard.    Make him carry many books home.  Ask him to carry other student’s book bags up and down those stairs.”    Yet, my wise wife cautioned me that I’d look like a psycho soccer dad with such a request.   Timothy and I chose to ask God for the stairs.

            God gave Timothy the stairs.   He is in Ms. Kraft’s fourth grade class on Lowell Elementary School’s second floor.   Thank you God.

Timothy in an Uganda Cranes and Dave in a Rwanda Amavubi Soccer Uniform

            Now, may Timothy be blessed with a life of risk.   May his life be one that requires him to seek out hills and stairs.   May his courage, faith, and strength grow.    May Timothy see God’s favor when his peers are full of fear.   May Timothy as a mzee (wise old man) have the strength of youth.    May Timothy be an enduring model of faith that generations of others will emulate.

            Thank you God for giving Timothy those stairs.

OFFICE BOUNCING IN THE USA

A little known missionary fact – Office Bouncing is as much a part of the missionary game as dribbling is part of basketball and soccer.

                Many missionary supporters don’t know about Office Bouncing.

                Many missionaries despise Office Bouncing.

                Some of my better Banyarwanda (Rwandan) friends have whispered that many contemporary missionaries are neither relevant nor influential.   However, if you watch the missionaries whom nationals admire you will notice they are masters at office bouncing.

                A quick Google search of “Definition of Office Bouncing” did not get a single relevant hit.   Let me tell the secret.   In my early days in Uganda I followed two Office Bouncing masters.

                The first was Peter Ngobi.    Peter was the real estate agent who helped us find our first home.   He also kept us safe by letting us know rumors of possible civil strife.     Peter “bounced.”   His family was well connected, but did not land well in the dispersion of inheritances.    He seemed to know everyone.   Without earthly inheritance Peter masterfully used human capital.    His savvy with knowing property owners and potential renters was invaluable.   He moved around making friends and putting friends together.    Peter did with shoe leather what twitter and face book attempt with wifi.

Master Office Bouncer, Gaston Tarbet with wife, Janet

                The second was Gaston Tarbet, Jana’s dad.    During a missionary’s first days in a new nation the first tasks are government documentation.    Many missionaries dodge the office bounce.   Gaston embraced it.    You dress well.   You print business cards.   You write a letter of explanation.   You go and visit government bureaucrats for the first time.    You wait patiently for your turn.   While waiting you read and pray.    When you meet them you treat them with respect.   You never forget to pastor first.   You try to learn a few details about their lives.   After your meeting you pray and bless them.

                Office Bouncing is the act of moving from office to office like a ball bounces with the purpose of making an enduring friendship for an eternal purpose.   Some think it is about ticking off items on a TO DO List.   The TO DO list will be finished at the appropriate time, but Office Bouncing is kingdom work at God’s pace.

                Many missionaries complain about Office Bouncing.   They see it as a waste of time when they “have to preach the gospel.”    Many supporters don’t get the first months and years of adjustment either.   If both are patient they’ll see profound relevance and influence.   Good Office Bouncers register churches and organizations, get visas, keep documents relevant, pay taxes, listen well, and nurture a community’s hopes.   They are the point guards of missionary organizations.

                A few have inquired about what our first months in Chicago (Cyikago for us Bantu speakers) is like.  It is Office Bouncing.

Caleb with Sophia and Ethan at Third Culture Kids (TCK) Camp

                Allow me to tell the story of enrolling our oldest son, Caleb in school.

  

Caleb with friends at KICS 2012 Prom

1.  This was to be Caleb’s senior year in high school.   However, he had the misfortune of landing in a new location in the USA during his senior year.   After some inquiries it seemed the best option was for Caleb to take courses at a local community college (College of DuPage / COD) in lieu of his senior year to prepare to enter a top Christian liberal arts college in the following year. 
2.     Caleb visited a friend over the summer.    In the process of travel he lost his passport.   We assumed he would not need his passport until his next opportunity to travel outside of the United States.
3.    Our family acclimated to life in Wheaton, Illinois by joining the Wheaton Library and Park Association.   In the process Caleb received a Park’s Card.
4. All of our family had physicals and updated immunizations as we returned to the USA.   The kids all needed these to be accepted into educational institutions.
5.   Caleb applied to the College of DuPage / COD and was accepted though he did not have a high school diploma.   We understood he could be accepted as a dual credit student and take credit to both finish high school and receive university credit.
6.      Caleb and I applied for financial aid (FASFA).   As we finished the application we received information that led us to believe that Caleb would receive a Pell Grant and Student Loan to pay for expenses at the COD.  
7.  Caleb and I went to the Financial Aid office at COD.
8. The financial aid office informed us that in order to get financial aid Caleb must have either a High School diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED.)
9.  Caleb and I went to the COD GED office.  (Note in Office Bouncing that eventually it develops its own localized vernacular consisting of acronyms.   The best Office Bouncers are acronym linguistic masters.)
10.    The August GED registration was full.   We inquired about the on-line GED versions we’d seen frequently and were told they were not acceptable to COD.
11. We attempted to register Caleb for the next COD GED in September, but in order to register needed a government issued photo ID.
12.   The COD GED office would not take Caleb’s Wheaton Park’s ID as photo ID. 
13.   Caleb got a COD student photo ID.   The COD GED office would not accept Caleb’s COD student ID as a government issued photo ID.
14.   Jana then joined the journey as we went to Wheaton’s Post Office (PO) to apply for a replacement passport.   We thought this was just a nudge from God to get a passport and be ready for travel.
15.  When we got to Wheaton’s PO they would not take a USA passport application without a photo id of Caleb.   The Wheaton PO would not accept Caleb’s Wheaton Park, nor COD ID as a valid photo government issued ID.   They sent us to the Wheaton Illinois Office of the Secretary of State (IOOTSOS) to get an Illinois State ID (ISID).
16. At the Wheaton Illinois OOTOS we were told that in order to get Caleb an Illinois State ID Jana or I must sign an affidavit affirming that we were Caleb’s parents.   The affidavit required for us to have Illinois State Driver’s Licenses.
17.    We decided since we were at the right office we may be well served to apply for an Illinois State Driver’s License.   As we attempted to fill out the application we were told we needed our USA Social Security Card.    Jana and I knew our Social Security (SS) numbers and filed taxes, etc… but we could not remember having our SS cards in years.
18.  We went back home and looked through our documents for our SS cards, but had no luck.   They must have been lost (most likely for me in the fall of 1985 as I was washing clothes as a freshman at Harding University - HU.)
19.    Jana and I found the on line application for SS Cards and filled out the application.   The application asked for our parent’s (Gaston and Jan Tarbet – AKA GJT; and Lloyd and Lois Jenkins – AKA LLJ) SS numbers.  We called GJT and LLJ to get their numbers.   After getting the numbers we burned the piece of paper it was written upon.   (Just kidding, but DJ’s “little brother”, Tim (TJ) is a US Marine (USMC), we’ve lived in Africa for some time, and we will really make life miserable if we catch an identity thief.)
20.    DJ and JJ went to the SS office and applied for new SS cards.
21.    While at the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State (IOOTSOS) they mentioned if Caleb had 2 pieces of “official mail” plus his SS card he could apply for an Illinois State ID (ISID).  “Personal mail” would not count.  
22. Caleb had “Official mail” from COD, but not another piece of mail.   Caleb also still had his original SS card.  We called John Osborne (JO), Rwanda Outreach Community (ROC) Partners Chairman and Oklahoma Christian University (OC) Director of International Studies to request for OC to send Caleb “Official Mail.”   (We also contacted other universities and the ACT office to see who could get Caleb “Official Mail” to our home the fastest.)
23. A few days later we had “Official Mail” and went back to the IOOTSOS to get Caleb an ISID.
24.  With an ISID we went to the COD GED office and registered Caleb to take the GED.
25.   Last week, Caleb took the GED.

Currently, our unfinished Office Bouncing TO DO List includes:

1. Receive Caleb’s GED scores.   (We’re confident he smoked it.   Remember this is the kid who read encyclopedias and then asked his parents questions to test our intelligence.)
2.  Correct Caleb’s FASFA with a GED.
3. Discuss with COD’s Financial Aid Office how to get the Pell Grant and Student Loan.
4.  Apply for Illinois State Driver’s License.

Yet, Office Bouncing with Masters has taught us that our TO DO List is still filled with many unknowns.   Thus we should expect to bounce just a little more than we anticipate.

The Jenkins' boys with Gabriel Mugisha Jacobs

What have we learned?

1. Office Bouncing is part of life.   Everyone does it.   Every nation and culture requires it.   Anthropologists call these, “Rites of Passage.”   We must go through trials to become mature in a community.
2.   Office Bouncing is Biblical.   Luke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in writing Acts seemed to take special care to let Theophilus know that those following Jesus as the Living Lord did all they could to honor Roman government process.   Paul likely had Office Bouncing on his mind when the Holy Spirit led him to write Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Timothy 2:1-8.
3. Office Bouncing is most pronounced when one is in transition.    If one lives in the same location these tasks have a rhythm and order.   As one starts afresh they feel like drinking water from an open fire hydrant.
4.   Office Bouncing creates opportunities for Gospel proclamation.   One of the fruits of 19 years is the number of people we met Office Bouncing who shared our journey of following Jesus.
5.    If Office Bouncing never produces satisfying ticks on a TO DO List it does shape our character.   For this we are thankful.
6.       May God bless all of our supporters in North America who Office Bounce.
7. May God bless all of our missionary sojourners, both Bazungu (White) and Bafrica (Black) who Office Bounce.

Enjoy your Office Bouncing Journey,

Dave