Scholarship Fund

Over the past several days I have been filling out applications and forms in order to apply to the Bible Certificate program of Moody Bible Institute. I learned today that I was accepted!!

ACTION has set up a scholarship fund for me. Gifts made out to ACTION are only assessed 5% administration fees and can be designated to "Mary Ann Anderson Scholarship Fund". ACTION will send these donations directly to Moody. Send donations to:

ACTION
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

An alternative way to give is online. Go to this link and fill in the information. Be sure to write in the comment box that your donation is designated for my scholarship. Otherwise it will go into our regular support.

Please pray for God's leading and strength to be diligent in my studies. My long-range goal is work toward earning a Bachelor's degree so this is just the beginning.

Never too late to learn

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. Ezra 7:10 (ESV)

This verse was brought to my attention by my youth group leader when I was in high school. When I was in 9th grade, I attended a missions conference at my home church, Edina Baptist Church (now it is called Grace Church Eden Prairie. The message was a missionary call through the text in Exodus 3 where God called Moses from the burning bush. Despite Moses’ protests and claims of inadequacies, God made it clear that he had an assignment and God would provide what Moses needed. I went forward that night at the end of the service to dedicate my life to long-term foreign mission service.

As soon as I was in high school, I began planning my courses to study topics that would enhance my missionary service. I took whatever was available to me such as French and electronics. I studied English with a passion to know how to communicate well. In 11th grade, my parents transferred me from a public school to a private Christian school, Chapel Hill Academy. They did not offer French or electronics but I was able to take a missions course and other classes that I believed would help prepare me for missions.

When I graduated from high school, my plan was to study graphic arts at a vocational technical school since I did not have enough money for college. The summer before I started, my grandma had a heart attack and my parents and relatives asked me to move in with her and watch over her for a few months while she recovered. There was a college nearby that I could attend and my parents and aunt would cover my school bills. That along with free room and board at my grandmas got me started in my college education. When I started, I decided to jump right into taking 3rd year classes in business and music so that I would have some skills after 1 year in case I could not afford to go any longer. That was the case. After one year, I had to drop out and work. The secretary skills I had acquired enabled me to get a job as a secretary in a ministry for drug addicts in Minneapolis. I made an effort to save money while I was working there but did not make much progress.

During my 2 years at Midwest Challenge, a few significant things happened to help me along the way. I went to visit the campus of Northwestern College and really wanted to attend there someday. I did not have the funds for school and I had the conviction that I should not go into debt. But one thing they offered was Ground School and airplane lessons for a private flying license. I went through the course and began the lessons. Another thing that happened was that I met Jeff Anderson. Although we were close friends during my 2nd year at Midwest Challenge, we did not have a formal courting relationship.

In January 1978, the pastor of my church had just returned from a missions trip to Africa and India. I was deeply stirred in my heart for missions. I began to realize that God was renewing that calling in my life and now was the time to begin moving in that direction. I still had no idea how I would pay for college but decided that in order to determine what type of study I should undertake, it would be helpful to serve on the field short term so I can learn first hand what type of training I would need. When I realized that Jeff was not called to missions, I felt that our friendship was not going to develop beyond friendship. This also released me to pursue missions more intently at that time.

By June, I received a call from SIM telling me of an emergency need they had in the country of Niger for a secretary. They wanted me to serve for a year and they wanted to know how quickly I could get there. I was stunned. After training someone in on my job (by then I was a live in counselor in the women's residential program), raising support and going through a very brief orientation, I was on my way.

Much happened during that year. I learned much about myself, the mission field, what it would take to live there as a single (being unsure of whether or not I would get married) and what kind of training I should get in order to return. Two significant things happened that year which would have an impact on my return to the US. One was that my dad informed me that a friend of his was offering a full scholarship to me to go to Bible college at one of the colleges on his list of 10 schools. I could pick which one I preferred. The other thing I learned was that Jeff had attended a missions conference and clearly felt the call of God on his life to serve Him in full-time, foreign missions. I was happy to learn this but did not realize right away that this would have any importance to my life.

I returned to Minnesota in June 1979 and began applying to a couple of the colleges on the list. I also inquired at Moody Bible Institute because I knew they had an aviation program and I wanted to become a missionary pilot. They turned me down because they did not have a place for women in their aviation program. But I also learned that the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music did have offer aviation for women so I began to apply to attend school there in January ’80. However, God had other plans. In the months after my return from Africa, God drew Jeff and me into courtship and by the end of the year, we were married.

At the time, I did not think my aspirations for college were over. I was planning to apply to a local community college but again, we did not have the funds for me to go to school. Later we had our 2 kids and in 1984 joined ACTION. As we were looking for a mission agency, I thought for sure I would have to go to Bible school first, in order to qualify. But ACTION accepted us based on our work experience and training that was offered by our home church. Since that time, I have not been able to fulfill my dream and desire to get a college education.

Jeff and I have served on the field for 23 years. It has been a very intense and fruitful time. I have taken several seminars, workshops, attended Bible studies and done things to keep growing and learning. I learned how to do desktop publishing and served my husband and mission for several years with those skills. In the past year and a half, we have needed a personnel coordinator to handle the applications of new missionaries and help them become established on the field. I have loved this work but feel woefully unqualified and ill-equipped.

A few years ago a friend asked me what my talents are, my spiritual gifts and my passion. I couldn’t really answer her at the time but spent several months seeking the Lord to gain understanding for each of these. I discovered that I have a great passion for helping people who are called to missions to get to the field and then once they are on the field, help them to succeed. Being the Human Resources Coordinator has helped to facilitate that vision. I have been able to recruit, encouraged and assist several toward long-term missionary service.

As parents, by God’s marvelous provision, we have been able to help our children earn their education. They attended Faith Academy in Manila from kindergarten through 12th grade. Our son Amos went to the University of Minnesota and earned a degree Magna Cum Laude in chemistry with a double minor in math and physics. He is close to earning his PhD in chemistry at Caltech in Pasadena, CA. Our daughter Micah graduated from Northwestern College in October ’07 with a degree in Kinesology and a double minor in Intercultural Studies and Bible. She did not have an easy education because for several months she was involved in military activities, including a deployment to Iraq. She took Distance Ed courses for that year and earned 30 credits. I am thrilled and praise God that our kids have gone as far as they have in their education.

As missionaries we have also assisted financially or helped raise funds for numerous former street children to earn their high school diplomas or to go to college and Bible school.

My passion for going earning a degree has never faded, it has only intensified. I have been realizing that this may be the opportune time to work toward that goal. However I have the same issue as before, no money designated for that purpose and we still hold to the same conviction that we will not go into debt.

Northwestern College was my original school of choice. It would be the fulfillment of a dream if I could earn my bachelors degree there. Because I am still a missionary and not free to attend school fulltime, it would take a combination of Distance Ed courses and some classroom courses during our furloughs. We purchased a condo in Roseville so our daughter could live near the campus. Now that condo may serve as the housing we need if I am able to take classes. Our next furlough will begin in August 2010 and although I don’t know yet if I will be able to take college classes at that time, I would like to begin my college education by earning a Bible certificate through Distance Ed. I am also applying with Moody Bible Institute.

Since I do not yet know how it will be funded, I want to step out in faith and apply while praying for God to lead and provide. My long-term goal would be to earn a degree in Bible and Human Resources Administration so I can continue to even more effectively help those who are called to go and serve on the foreign mission field until God releases them. My desire is to learn, put into practice what I learn and teach others. I know that if this passion is from the Lord, He will provide the means.

Give me the Word

For the past several years, I have been reading through the Bible using different translations. I am just a few pages away from finishing reading through this year in the Holman translation. I have selected ESV to read through for next year and I will use a guide to read chronologically this time.

Some people think this is not a good discipline because it is easy to just quit and not finish. I am the type of person who would normally quit. I start and quit a lot of good habits because I don't like habits. But for some reason, I've been able to keep up with this goal. I hope that I will read through the Bible every year for the rest of my life.

The Word makes more sense to me each year. I admit that some days what I read is sort of a blur. Some mornings I have to reread something because I caught my eyes just skimming the lines. But the more familiar I am with the Old Testament, the more the New Testament makes sense. The bigger my view is of God, His holiness, love, justice, patience and many attributes. I am humbled that He would save a sinner like me. Now I just want to know more of what He says.

I am still weak in my prayer life. I try to concentrate in prayer and some times I can for a bit. But I guess if there is one discipline I think may be more important, it is to listen to God more than to talk to Him. But I know, both are very important so I want to grow in the discipline of prayer. I don't feel like I do much right in my life. I wish I had more energy and drive and ability to work harder. I wish I could concentrate better and not stammer when I try to express myself. I wish I had skills that could really make a difference. I wish I could read other great books--I have many on my shelf that I'd love to start but most likely will never finish. I wish I was a better wife and mother. I have so much to learn. I trust that as God's Word penetrates my life, I will change and become more like Him. I am so hungry to know Him.

I have been thinking for a long time that I'd really like to take a year to study online and get a Bible Certificate but I fear that I will fail in the discipline of it and therefore I would waste the money. It will be difficult to balance my time and keep up with my work. I would like to finish my college education some day but realize it isn't likely to happen. But I can read and I now have a 5 1/2 year discipline of reading God's Word almost every morning. And I can read for free because we have several copies of the Bible in our house. In fact, someone is going to give me a new ESV Study Bible. I am so excited to receive it. Even though I most likely will not make it to college, it will provide a lot of resources to enhance my reading and studying.

Thank you Lord for your Word. In it I learn of the hope I have in You.

Psalm 27

When I was in high school, I memorized Psalm 27. It has been an encouragement to me in many ways through the years. It comforted me when my father-in-law and sister-in-law died. It calmed my fears when I didn't think I could move forward on how God was leading us. Whenever I was fainthearted, I remembered that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Even though my daughter is in a war-zone, I am not afraid. When my heart yearned for God, it beckoned me to see His face. I would have to say now that Psalm 27:4 is my favorite verse in the Bible and the theme I want to center my life around. This is what I seek after. 2 Corinthians 3:18 is a companion to this verse:

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Oh Lord, I want to see your face. I want to change into your likeness. Thank you that this metamorphose is an act of grace. The more I behold Your beauty, the more I become like You.

(Anyway, I had fun making this banner for my blog. The photo was taken from my office window early in the morning on a heavy pollution day. Oh well, the sunrise was still beautiful.)

Help Wanted

I have been praying that the Lord would send my way a woman who is gifted in organization who could come and help me for about 3 weeks. I really need help in organizing our home office and getting some systems set up. I don't know who to ask or where to look for this kind of assistance. Any ideas?

Called Higher

This morning in my quiet time I was challenged by a devotional book I have been reading. Several years ago I was given this book, One Minute Bible, Women in Leadership, from Anne Harper. At the time I thought "boy, did she miss the target with this gift, I am not a leader". Now a few years later I realize that Anne had vision for me. She saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. She hit the target but it has taken time for me to see the potential she saw. Today I read:

"Some days you wish you could just go through the motions and fill in the blanks. But you've been called higher than that."

I pray I will allow God to use the talents and gifts for His higher purpose and that I won't just go through the motions. One way I believe God would have me do this is to be more faithful with this blog and share what God has placed on my heart.

More on raising a Warrior Leader

Last month I was talking to a couple of moms with toddler daughters. We were talking about how fast our little girls grow up--we need to cherish every moment. I said "before you know it, they are going off to war." No one laughed. I think we were all stunned at the thought.

Today, 10 days after her engagement, we picked Micah up from the airport. She arrived from LA, 24 hours later than she was supposed to arrive. She should have come Sunday afternoon, had a restful evening and left for Camp Ripley this morning. But she was on 2 flights that had 4 to 6 hour delays so she finally asked to be rebooked to leave this morning. So in about 2 hours time this afternoon, we picked her up at the airport, took her home, she ate, put on her uniform, and lugged 3 duffel bags of equipment to her car. We helped her load her car, prayed together and had long hugs goodbye.

These days have been quite interesting and emotional for me. I knew when we came home for furlough that this would be a challenging time as we help Micah prepare for her deployment in August. What I didn't realize is that we would also be preparing for her marriage to John Mark.

There were many times in the last 2 years when Micah would be discouraged that God had not brought the right person into her life. She longed for someone to come home to after this deployment. It has been very hard for me to grasp that we can no longer provide the sense of family that she longs for. God has called us to the Philippines. I tried to encourage her many times by reminding her that God was preparing both the right man and the right time for her. Those two have to come together. I shared that although she may be ready, God is preparing 2 people. When it comes to God's timing, He may seem to be working very slowly but then things can move quite fast. That seems to be what happened. Her meeting John Mark and the following engagement seemed to go rather fast, but I don't think it is as fast as seems on the surface. I can see how God worked over many months and even years to prepare Micah. The question of her wedding date has not yet been settled but will probably be soon.

Engagement is supposed to be a very happy time and indeed, it is. But there is quite a seriousness attached to this one. How often does a bride go off to war? What a paradox! Lord help us!

The missionary on furlough

Yesterday I was listening to KTIS as Jeff and I were driving from Cloquet to Roseville. The talk show featured a counsellor, Dr. Randy Carlson and he was talking with a man who was grieving the tragic death of his 20 year old son. Dr. Carlson recognized that this man and his wife had not yet had time to properly grieve and were sailing down the highway of activity on fumes. This analogy struck me. "That's me", I thought.

For the past year and even maybe the whole last term, I have been exceptionally busy. I took on the task of handling Personnel for our field last May and had much to do to get that department set up and organized while also processing several applications. The work load only intensified in the following months and I kept my hand to the plow. I carry a great heaviness in my heart for the work, our co-workers, the suffering children, new missionaries who are striving to adjust and also for my own family and their needs. We worked until just before getting on the plane. When we got home we worked in taking care of domestic things. The we had our trip to the West Coast (which I thoroughly enjoyed). But the last two weeks, I have reached the point of mental and emotional exhaustion. I am running on fumes but I now have many other responsibilities and unfinished tasks from Manila. I have not had an opportunity to sit and reflect and be restored. Being able to identify what is going on inside of me is half of the problem.

Several years ago I was very much dreading furlough. I realize that most churches are not able to understand the needs of a missionary family so they don't know how to minister to them. There are few people who are able to really listen to a missionaries' heart. I realize how hard it is for them to know what to do. At times I fight jealousy when I would hear people talk about going to the lake to "get away from the pressures of work." On that furlough God gave me 4 verses that helped me put these things into perspective. I learned that while continuing to minister and serve, God will give me strength. I learned to gratefully receive every act of kindness and not expect others to be able to minister to my deepest needs. As I serve, God will sustain me.

1. Whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple will never lose his reward. Mattnew 10:40-42
2. Strength belongs to God and He will repay me according to my work. Psalm 62:11-12
3. God will satisfy me and fill me with joy. He will enable me to rejoice after adversity. His favor will be on us and He will establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:14-17
4. He will enable me to speak with boldness. "On the day I called, You answered me; and made me bold with strength in my soul." Psalm 138:3

The ministry of furlough takes on a different nature entirely from what I do in the Philippines. It becomes challenging for me to give when I am totally spent. So I look to the Lord to provide what I need and He is faithful. As I go through this furlough with its many challenges, I pray He will fill my empty tank in due time so I can carry on effectively. I pray I can continue to serve, to not be ornery or short tempered with my family, to take the time to go for walks, to remain in the Word and look to God for refreshment and to joyfully receive every act of kindness.

Friday was Family Day

Last Friday we held our monthly team meeting. It was an unusual day. I was very exhausted before it even began because I had been at camp and had spent 2 days in debriefing for a short termer. On Monday we had learned that the husband of Ann Magalong had passed away and the ACTION funeral for him would be Friday after our team meeting. The day began on a somber note. I had just learned that a pastor from our church, Greenhills Christian Fellowship, was going out for Valentine's day date with his wife on the 14th. Their car was hit by a bus, killing both of them and leaving 2 children ages 10 and 8. Pastor Kevin shared a special concern for Micah as a soldier and prayed for her last December.

We had many guests there, Kathy Fothergill who is a former ACTION missionary was there with her daughter Ruth and Ruth's husband Paul Ortiz as well as their 3 children. Their testimony was full of memories and stories of what God is doing in their lives today. Kathy left Manila after her husband Kent passed away from a heart attack. Fond memories of Kent were shared.

Then we had a testimony from Carmen Salacsacan. She is a Filipina missionary whom we sent to serve in Mexico. This is her first furlough after 7 years. Some of what she shared was how she had learned how to conduct Kid's Clubs under the teaching of Kent Fothergill. Our other Filipina missionary--Raquel deJesus is holding Kid's Clubs in Colombia.

We also had a despidida for Mike and Rebecca Watters. It is hard for our field to loose them but they will remain with ACTION and serve in the US or Africa. They will depart on March 2. I am glad that I will get to see them in April and then again in Minnesota. They will be greatly missed.

Then we went to the funeral home where we held a service for Pastor Jun Magalong. It really felt like I was with family as I traveled there with the ACTION staff. We care so much for Ann and her two boys, Paul who is going to graduate from high school in March and Timothy who is in 3rd grade (those are the names of my brothers).

This past year I have been learning what it means to bear one another's burdens. In one regard, we have to bear our own burden and I can't totally take away another's burden. But my love, presence, serving, caring, can help to lighten their load and give them hope.

What My Obedience to God Costs Other People

I read this devotional today in My Utmost For His Highest and wept. I am in the Philippines out of obedience to God and I actually have joy in serving Him on the mission field. But I know that at a time like this, it causes pain for Micah. She would like us to be there for her at this time as she prepares for deployment. She has many challenges and I am limited in how I can help her. But I know she loves the Lord and wouldn't have it any other way--even though it hurts.

My Utmost For His Highest, January 11, 2008
As they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon . . . , and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus —Luke 23:26

If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the pain begins. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything— it is a delight. But to those who do not love Him, our obedience does cost a great deal. If we obey God, it will mean that other people’s plans are upset. They will ridicule us as if to say, "You call this Christianity?" We could prevent the suffering, but not if we are obedient to God. We must let the cost be paid.

When our obedience begins to cost others, our human pride entrenches itself and we say, "I will never accept anything from anyone." But we must, or disobey God. We have no right to think that the type of relationships we have with others should be any different from those the Lord Himself had (see Luke 8:1-3).

A lack of progress in our spiritual life results when we try to bear all the costs ourselves. And actually, we cannot. Because we are so involved in the universal purposes of God, others are immediately affected by our obedience to Him. Will we remain faithful in our obedience to God and be willing to suffer the humiliation of refusing to be independent? Or will we do just the opposite and say, "I will not cause other people to suffer"? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but it will grieve our Lord. If, however, we obey God, He will care for those who have suffered the consequences of our obedience. We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God what consequences you would allow as a condition of your obedience to Him.

More about time

Our situation regarding plans for this year continues to get interesting. We learned that it is possible Micah will not begin her deployment until July. This will have an affect on our furlough plans as well as the plans of several other people. We are at a place right now where we can't even book our flights because we don't know what will be happening and when. We can pray, however, because God has these details and many other events in His hands. The Phillips Translation gives this name to God "The Blessed Controller of All Things". Amen.

He will bring you quietness with His love

Last week we learned from Micah that her training date for deployment has been moved up from March 29 to the 24th.  With the 2 conferences in Manila that Jeff and I are coordinating, it is nearly impossible for us to go home any sooner than March 20. This will give us only 3 days with her and we don't know yet if we'll have any time with her in April.

Recently I was encouraged by the reminder of Ecc 3. The caption in the Holman Bible is "The Mystery of Time" "There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven... a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing..." Someone gave to us and Micah a plaque with a verse of Psalm 31:15 in nice calligraphy by her father, John McTaggart Carson in 1932. The plaque says "My Times Are In Thy Hand" and then there is a poem:

I would be quiet, Lord,

Nor tease, nor fret:

Not one small need of mine

Wilt Thou forget!

I am praying for God's direction and perfect timing for all of us.  Sometimes I fret over how many things I have to do in the next couple months and over the fact that I wish I could go to Minnesota earlier to help Micah prepare. But my personal prayer is that I won't fret but fully trust God's perfect time. In my quiet time this morning I was very encouraged by Zephania 3:16-17

16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.

17 The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness [He will renew you] with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy."

With a God who loves me so deeply, I have no need to fret. He will bring me quietness and will renew me with His love.