So I'm not sure what the general consensus is about me posting my homework on here, but I personally think it's cool and haven't gotten any complaints so far so am gonna keep doing it. :-)
For spiritual Warfare, we didn't have an "exam" per se, we had a 'take home exam' in the form of a hypothetical mission team situation that was based off of real life situations, and we had to 'diagnose' if they were dealing with personal, worldly, or demonic spiritual warfare. Then we had to give a detailed outline of how we would advise the incoming teams and future teams. We also had to find ways to involve the missions team with the local church. So anyway, here is what I wrote. Hope you enjoy.
DHAKAN MINISTRY STRATEGY AND TEAM ASSESSMENT
Dhaka, Bangladesh is a place filled with lost people in desperate need of the Good News of Jesus Christ. While Good News International is hard at work trying to meet this need, the organization has experienced some severe challenges and setbacks with its missionaries. While all team members go in with the best intentions and a zeal to reach the lost for Christ, this last team especially has broken apart and over half the members have left hurting and beyond discouraged. Good News International, or GNI as it will hitherto be referred to, is now working to determine why the previous team encountered so much opposition and what can be done to prevent this from happening again. It is also important to determine how to encourage the remaining missionaries who are still working amongst the people of Dhaka.
The city of Dhaka itself is a cesspool of dysfunction, oppression and spiritual strongholds. While the official religion is Islam, most of the population is uneducated and has mixed animistic beliefs with the doctrine of Islam. Superstition rages rampant and effects the daily lives of the people. It is important for GNI to realize that while many of the main issues may have started simply as personal indiscretion and lack of education, it is now very easy for Satanic forces to influence people as they regularly consult witchdoctors and other authority figures deeply involved in cultic practices. Consultation of spirits and petitioning of dead saints is a regular practice. While GNI does not believe in ‘territorial spirits’ or blaming all problems on demons, it is safe to say that through consultation of the dead and petitioning for spiritual manipulations through magical practices or incantations, demons are able to take advantage of the situation. Any mission team must be aware of this spiritual factor and create a plan for proactive spiritual warfare in their mission strategy.
A large Spiritual stronghold in Dhaka is the attack against the family unit. Men are valued far more than the women who are not respected and taken advantage of in several ways. Brothels are common. The rising problem of HIV/AIDS amongst both married and unmarried seems to indicate that marriages are unhealthy and not expected to be a very functional unit of society. The view of children is skewed as well, as it is permissible to abandon or murder a baby daughter. A healthy society must have at its core a healthy family unit. In Dhaka, this family unit is being culturally and spiritually ripped into shreds. A missionary team must take this into account, as it will not only effect their ministry strategy and experiences, but will subconsciously effect any married couples working as missionaries. They must be careful to be proactive in their relationship and not allow these unhealthy ideas to creep into their marriage and cause disunion. In order for a society to be strong, there must be a strong family unit at its heart, as that is where most issues in society arise. Crime is committed by those who do not have good moral or ethical codes. Ethical codes grow out of how one is raised and treated in a family. How a man treats his wife is based on how he saw his father treat his mother and other women as a boy. A woman will expect a man to treat her very similarly to how her father treated her mother and her as a little girl. How adults interact with one another is largely based on how they were raised by their parents to treat others and how they interacted with their siblings as a child. Not to mention how a culture’s social structure works is based around what type of family is found in that culture. The economy is based of families as customers buying items for the home. So many aspects depend on a family. Religion is taught in the home. If Satan is able to bind the family unit in a cesspool of lies, dysfunction and trauma, his job is half done.
The corrupt government, regular natural disasters and high poverty is a worldly stronghold that may overwhelm and discourage any missionaries from America or the Western World. Humanitarian aid may be a viable method of opening doors for the Gospel, but it is important for all missionary teams to remember that their main goal in Dhaka is not to change the world but to present the people of Dhaka with a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The people of Dhaka are either incredibly discouraging or outright hostile to minority religions outside of Islam. Persecution occurs sporadically, especially against any converts from Islam to Christianity. This is a demonic issue that has occurred ever since the formation of the church. While it is true that “the blood of the Martyrs watered the seeds of the church” it is frightening and discouraging to local believers. Fear of persecution is natural, yet it must still be addressed with biblical truth. The early church in Acts saw persecution as to be counted worthy of suffering for Christ. In a sense, it was a matter of honor. However, viewing pain and suffering as honor is a matter of spiritual growth and sanctification that the Christians in Dhaka have yet to gain.
The small Christian presence in Dhaka struggles with discouragement and apathy. This is an issue of great concern to any thing GNI may try to do for the city, as a spirit of apathy may undermine a great deal of potential work. The issue is partially due to ignorance on the Church’s part as to how to begin ministry and evangelism. It is partially due to fear and discouragement when persecution repeatedly breaks out in response to evangelistic work in the area. However it is very likely that a good part of it is due to Spiritual oppression that should be addressed both by the Church and by the missions team.
In the previous team, several members appear to have been unprepared for their time in Dhaka. This can be seen in the outcome of one couple’s relationship. The couple’s Muslim neighbor claims their marital problems to be a result of a curse cast on the husband. While a curse may have been cast on the husband, there are too many spiritual factors to take into consideration to blame the issues on only one event. The couple did not appear to be very involved with the mission organization, but were rather isolated. They lived close to another single team member but did not have regular contact with her, and were able to successfully hide their problems from the mission leadership until it was too late. The leadership and the couple were not responsible in their relationship to one another in this case, as it is the job of the leadership to help protect their missionaries from such issues, and it is the job of the missionaries to seek help, accountability and discipleship when such issues arise. The local culture has a very unhealthy view towards the family, towards women and towards a man’s role in the family unit. As has previously been discussed, missionary couples need to be aware of this and proactively take a stand against any demonic influences, temptations, or attacks in the area of family. This is done through prayer and accountability with other believers.
The husband cannot be the only one to blame. While less is known about the wife, it is disappointing to see that instead of going to the leadership or missions team for help and counsel, she chose instead to start secretly taking anti-depressant medication. While there is nothing sinful about taking medication, it is concerning to see that she hid this fact from other members of the team. Deceit did not help the situation at all. The medication may have led to the neglect and malnourishment the children suffered, as psychiatric medication often will effect the patient’s ability to care for others and be aware of the surrounding situations. This family may have suffered from demonic oppression, but it is apparent that they did not understand the situation they were going to, nor did they understand how to utilize the resources available to them. Ignorance, isolation, lack of communication and team work may be the core issues that allowed these spiritual issues to take root and effect the couple. The apostle Paul warns the church to not forsake fellowship with other Christians, and the consequences of this can be seen in the unfortunate events that took place in this family’s life. It is also unfortunate that the leadership of that team allowed the couple to get so isolated and did not seek to check on them regularly, disciple them through adjusting to the local culture or teach them how to become effective missionaries in that area.
The young woman who lived nearby this couple also suffered from isolation and discouragement. However in her case it appears to be more obvious that she did not understand the culture she was working in. A Muslim neighbor reported repeated harassment of the girl by other Muslim men because of her repeated appearances in public “uncovered.” She was also the object of “the evil eye” of a neighbor’s wife. The evil eye was more probably the angry glare of a jealous wife who was unhappy that a single, independent, educated woman took up nearby residence and could become a potential threat to her marriage. It is unknown if the Muslim wife did more than just “cast the evil eye,” but it is probable that this neighbor did not make life easy for the young woman.
In man-centered cultures like the one in Dhaka, it is important for American women to understand that their missions experience will be completely different than their male co-workers, and that their ministry will be effected by how they engage the culture. While it may not be necessary for them to adopt local dress and ‘covering’ traditions completely, it is usually a good idea to show an attempt at respecting the local view of modesty. It is also often a good idea for single women to make it clear that they are connected to a man’s household, that they are women of good report and have the approval of the “head” of “their” household. This head may be the leader of the missions team, an older married man on the team, or a local Christian who is willing to “adopt” the single woman into his household. This will help keep the lady from being too isolated as well as better enable her to engage the local culture in an appropriate way, while still retaining her own cultural, personal, and spiritual identity. If men continue to harass her she can defer them to her “household head,” although it is doubtful that this will be an issue if the locals see these cultural issues addressed.
The single man on the team appears to have been grossly effected by the sexual immorality that permeates almost every aspect of life in Dhaka. Again, however, the young man’s issues lie rooted in lack of Christian fellowship. It is commendable that he was able to make friends amongst the local Muslim young men, however his fellowship should not have been exclusive to the unbelievers of the area. This led to conformity and sin on his part, and allowing demonic influences take root in his life. Proverbs 12:26 says that a righteous man will choose his friends carefully. Even righteous people can be led astray if the friends they choose to socialize with wish to lead them astray.
The remaining team members consist of a couple with two teenaged children and another single young woman. None seem to suffer from any overwhelming Spiritual issues such as the previous five members did. However, the daughter of the married couple is struggling with self-abusive issues and the single woman is struggling with anxiety and apprehension.
The teenage daughter is currently enrolled in a private school with several affluent, wealthy Bangladeshi colleagues. Several of them struggle with cutting themselves on the arms and legs, and the daughter is also currently practicing this self-mutilation. She could be struggling with the constant pressures of being a foreigner and a Christian in a climate hostile to non-Islamic religions, as well as not having the material affluence and flexibility her classmates have. It is advisable for the parents to take time with their daughter to explore what the underlying issues are. They might even strongly consider taking her out of that school for a while and home schooling her to help her heal physically, emotionally and spiritually, as well as equip her, before putting her back in that situation.
The remaining young woman on the team is struggling with fear that she may be the next ‘victim’ of the Spiritual battle that has effected her co workers so profoundly. Her fears are completely understandable, yet if she is reminded of who she is in Christ and understands why things turned out the way they did with her co-workers, her fears should soon be alleviated. There is no need for her to worry, she is actively involved with the Christian community, has fellowship and accountability and is developing a dynamic ministry amongst the poor Muslim women of the slums. She does not appear to be culturally naïve, but is finding a good balance between acculturation and maintaining personal identity. As long as she continues proactively staying strong in Christ, she will be a strong asset to the missions team. “Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression. But a good word makes it glad.” (proverbs 12:25) The young women will find this verse to be especially true in her case.
Future team members in this ministry should be made aware of the issues struggled with by the previous team members. Not, of course, in a way that spreads gossip or will hurt the previous team members, but in anonymity. The incoming members should be made aware of the seriousness of the situations they may be dealing with and how important fellowship and standing firm in the Spirit is.
The future team members should also be engaged in regular prayer, fellowship, Bible study, and accountability with one another. They are all in a strange place with a common goal, and there is no reason why they should not be involved in each other’s lives. It will help them encourage one another to have their concerns, struggles, fears and frustrations validated, as well as to hear each other’s successes and joys on the field. “We have no witness when we are living in the flesh.” It is also important to remember that Satan is a predator trying to kill the mission team’s witness. How does a predator hunt? By isolating it’s prey. It is when the hunted remains in packs that the hunter leaves them alone. Only the stragglers, the foolish who run off independently are the ones the predator targets to kill. This is an important lesson for Christians who believe they should “run off and do their own thing.”
There are many Spiritual strongholds in Dhaka that need addressed, but cannot be acted upon all at once. However, prayer walking around Dhaka as a group may be a way to keep the team from feeling overwhelmed with their inability to do more, and will also begin addressing needs on a spiritual level that they do not have the physical time or energy to do more about. This is also a very basic activity that the local church could begin to engage in.
Regular check-ups, follow ups, and discipleship meetings should be implemented with the team members. If a team member begins missing meetings or not coming to fellowship gatherings, this should be cause for concern. Isolation is unacceptable. Missionaries should be encouraged strongly to fellowship with their neighbors, make friends amongst the locals and unbelievers, and try to reach the community in as many ways as they can; but not to the extent that they or the team suffers.
Fellowship with the local church should begin more proactively as well. The foreign missionaries need local encouragement and the local church can benefit greatly from the many resources and fresh zeal the foreign Christian brothers and sisters can bring. “Two are better than one… though one may be overpowered by another, two can with stand him.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
The Bangladeshi church and the missions team should partner together to fight the fear, apathy and ignorance found in the church. This can be done through community prayer and Bible study, discipleship, fellowship, and teaching programs. The church needs to have a healthy understanding of the Great Commission and why it is important for the individuals of the church to step up and answer the call. They must take ownership for the evangelism of their people. If the mission team and the church work in opposition or in indifference to one another, it will complicate matters when they go out into non-believing circles. Not only is it silly for the two entities to have the same goal working in the same city yet work apart, but it will raise questions amongst the non-believers. In a Muslim world, a Christian convert is leaving a tight-knit community. While Dhaka seems to only have gleaned the dysfunctional aspects of this close-knit community, it will still be important for converts to know they are entering into a close Christian community and family of believers. They should not be any more alone than the missionaries. While the missionaries can help and disciple the Bangledashi converts, it would be ideal if the church could step up and begin to take over the discipleship. They are far better equipped linguistically and culturally to address issues that will come up that the Western team simply will not understand or be able to handle as effectively as the local church.
The church and team should also begin addressing the grossly unhealthy way that the family is viewed and treated. The population is severely uneducated. Programs may be started addressing basic education and health, but the focus should be to open doors for the Gospel and addressing these morality issues, not merely making life more comfortable or decent. Comfort, health, education, and a decent living standard are good things, but not the reason why the team is in Dhaka.
Abortion alternatives should be explored, although beginning a ministry such as an adoption and women’s center may be met by strong opposition from the government and abortion clinics. However, it still is an option that could be explored. The local Bangladeshi church should be as involved in this investigation as much as possible.
The team and church should begin equipping themselves for all of this primarily through prayer. Prayer is essential for effective ministry and has been proven time and again to have remarkable effects. The team should also be sure to enlist a very strong prayer network from their home churches and Christian communities.
In-depth Bible studies need to take place on a regular basis, and team members should take turns in leading the study and sharing how the lesson has challenged them and what they are going to change in their ministry because of it.
GNI has targeted an extremely challenging part of the world to do ministry. However, few places could need a mission team more than the city of Dhaka! Satan has had his way far too long in this city, and it is time that the Spiritual strongholds are knocked down with the Gospel Truth. Missionaries interested in partnering with GNI and working in Dhaka must understand the challenges, trials, and possible tribulations they may encounter while in the city. Potential missionaries must understand thoroughly who they are in Christ. They must not be afraid of Spiritual encounters or opposition, as they will experience much of this in Dhaka. However, it is sure that if they are sincere in their desire to share the Gospel in this difficult field, they will find themselves standing before the Lord and hear Him say one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Me and some Hungarian Gypsy friends chillin' on a cold day. Down comfortors and feather pillows. I can live with that. ;-)
A mall in Debrecen, Hungary, where my dear hostess Johanna (blond girl) arranged for me to meet my dear friend Rebeka and Zsolt Gergely and their cute daughter Arien.
Johanna says in this picture I am not wearing an American smile but a Hungarian or Romanian smile. :-D Well, it never hurts to be mistaken for a native.
The main building of Johanna's University where she is getting a Ph.D in molecular biology and research. The steeple is of a Reformed/Lutheran church on campus, that has a sweet coffee shop in the basement where I met the IMB missionary. Anyway I think this picture looks like something out of "The Sound of Music."
Hungary from the view of the plane.
The two kids climbed tree's and fought over who 'claimed' which tree first while the two dogs investigated smells, rolled around, listened to the killdeers singing across the bank and got plenty of burrs in their fur and leads.
We headed back so the kids could start schoolwork and I decided to give the older dog, Diamond, a bath, which she hates. The new pup, Ursa, on the other hand, thinks that water and baths were the best thing invented. So between the pup jumping on my feet, Diamond's feet, and her own feet, and Diamond turning her cowardly tail and trying to escape as much as possible, most of the mud and dirt from the dogs ended up on me and they still didn't end up smelling as sweet as I had originally hoped, and I am sore and slightly bruised. Dumb animals!!
I went inside and chatted with Mom a little more and got some lunch between helping pick up here and there before I decided to plant a few of the seedlings that were growing out of their little containers on the porch. (The picture is of mom doing the laundry while we were chatting in the living room)
The next thing I knew, there was a family wide weeding and planting fest going on. It was fun, but we all got a little sunburnt and light headed from the heat.
Its been warm in the south where College is at, but I haven't been sitting in direct sunlight for hours on end at all this year, and it's just starting to get above the 40's and 50's during the daytime here. It was about 70 maybe, but we were all HOT and sweaty by the end of it. 
Before we knew it, it was 5 pm and we were all bushed. Flower picked some lilacs and she and I took turns pozing. She's still trying to learn that when one takes pictures, it is a good idea to hold the camera STILL while pushing the shutter button. So most of the pictures she takes are still a bit blurry. But hopefully you get the idea, and it's the thought that counts, right?
So now we are going to crash in front of X-men 1, which no one but me has seen yet. :-D And eat dinner, not sure if the two will happen symultaniously, but whatever.
So anyhoo. I took the dogs and kids for a walk, washed the dog, weeded the garden, harrassed the teenager, helped clean, and had interesting discussions. WHEW. Been a full day. Life at home. And they say homeschoolers live sheltered, boring, unsocial lives. ;-)
In the pool at the hotel on our way back from the eastern midwest to the WEST midwest. Sorry it's so blurred. :-) Me with tweedle Dee and tweedle Dum. Or Flower and Cub as Mom calls them on her blog. :-D
Cub and Flower looking out the window so it appears. But in actuality, they are trying to determine if they should leap into the door between the worlds and go visit Aslan and Narnia while no one is looking. ;-) Or at least thats how I think this picture looks. ;-)
Da boys doing a better job looking military-ish with the picture of the "real army man" from WWI or something. Can you tell they are all related (not the cardboard guy, the real dudes) ?
Flower and I trying on plastic army hats. Not sure they are quite the right style. Whadaya think, should we try these at the Kentucky Derby next year?
Cub playing soldier on the mock-cannons on the river-side. He REALLY got into it. 
This is how I play soldier on the cannons. Hehehe. More on the melodramatic, Celtic-warrior-maiden side, less on the G.I. Joe side. :-D
Fashion and cannon-balls. A winning combination, no? 
