Author Archives: Jana Lackey

The Road, The Hair, And A Place Called There- Africa at Last!

29 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by in Life in Africa, Marriage, The Call

≈ Leave a comment

While we were in Southern Africa we did many things. We served missionaries, helping them in their various works, taught in Bible schools, spoke in churches, went into Soweto, where the news was still fresh of tire necklace burning in the battle against apartheid in South Africa. We were offered churches to pastor, bible schools to teach in, many opportunities came our way. But we took a trip to Botswana with a seasoned missionary named Charles Haupt. He was to do a trip to check on his work in the Northern Part of Botswana. During our trip to Botswana, our time was filled with a lot of driving over vast expanses of land. The roads were rough, sandy, and like winter in the desert, the weather was freezing cold. We traveled by day and sat around the fire by night listening to the sounds of the African night. We heard the lions roaring, saw hippos and elephants grazing and awoke in the morning to the magnificent African sunrise.

Until, at last, we reached the beautiful people who live in the remote areas of Northwest Botswana. As we arrived at our first destination we saw such an eagerness to receive us as their special guests. Together with Charles we shared the good news, gave out clothing and shared bright oranges with the kids. Each child lined up one by one, stretching out both hands to receive it as a sign of respect. They respectfully waited, sitting in small circles until all the children were served. They waited for the nod from the Chief and tore into them and ate the whole thing, skin and all! At that point, I looked over at Jerry and he was crying. I was also touched but I could see, for him, there was something more. He had seen something years before, even in his rebellion and time away from God. He saw a vision of himself in this very place with these very people. He knew at that moment that this was where God wanted us to be. I had a call to Southern Africa, but I married a man that had specifically prayed a dangerous prayer, “God, send me where no one else is willing to go, where it’s not popular or glamorous.” So he sent us to the edge of the desert, the mouth of the Okavango Delta in the remote village of Maun, Botswana. The rest of that journey was nothing but solid “knowing” that we wanted to work in this region. The rest of our time in Africa was great, but nothing compared to our experience in Botswana. It shined like a diamond above all else. Our Pastor, John Osteen had a book written from a sermon he preached on “A Place Called There”. It’s about when you know that you know you are in the right place at the right time with a destiny to fulfill. And at that place, God will provide all you need!

I have included an excerpt from his book at this link: http://www.cfaith.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2029:a-place-called-there&catid=57:destiny&Itemid=91

His son, Pastor Joel Osteen has now put out a new book out about the Legacy of our father in the faith, John Osteen at http://www.joelosteen.com/pages/store-product.aspx?pid=b949ef8c-d588-e111-a97a-005056810023

The Couple Pt 7

27 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Life in Africa, Marriage, The Early Days

≈ 1 Comment

As we packed up and prepared to leave for Texas, to try it again, we ran into one of my favorite Professors from Christ For the Nations, named Dr. David Kast. He is from South Africa but was a pastor on staff at Charles Blair’s church in Denver. We had lunch together and Jerry and I eagerly shared our great plans with him about how we were going to “help God” and raise our own money for our trip and work in Africa. I will never forget the all-knowing look he gave us that day when he leaned in close, cupped his hands and said, “God really appreciates your help, he really does, but here is how it works: People NEED to give into your ministry. As much as you need to go, people need to give into the work that you are called to do. It is a principle that cannot be overlooked.” I like to tell the churches and partners where we go to share updates that we get to do the fun part, and “go”. Money comes from hard work, sweat and commitment. When people give sacrificially (which is the way most givers give) it represents their very lives through their giving. In the end, we all share in the same reward!

We left that day with a different perspective and realized that perhaps we were going about things the wrong way. We had to humble ourselves and be open to the way God wanted it to happen. Veteran Missionary statesman, Wayne Meyers says, “Some must go, because the call of God compels them to go and they cannot stay behind. Some must help go, since they have the resources means to send help. Lastly, some must let go, of children, of parents and friends who must go.”

It was about that time that we got a phone call from a friend, Dawn Stallings and she wanted to help us get “incorporated” to become a 501c-3, a non-profit organization that would enable people to give into the work and get a tax deduction, an incentive for Americans that is a benefit to those who would rather give to an NGO rather that it all going to “Uncle Sam” for taxes.

 

We told Dawn that we felt that was a bit premature, since we had our own plans, but our lunch with Dr. Kast came shortly after that phone call and he advised us to go for it as it would be necessary if people were going to help. So, we formed our little board and organization and went from there to Texas. During our time in Texas for a Houston Expo, we started getting letters out to our friends and family about our plans to head for Africa.

We went to see Brother Bill Deerman who is in heaven now. At that time, he was the missions Pastor at Lakewood Church. We told him of our plans and asked for direction. He said, “Africa is a big place and there is a lot you could do.” He went on to advise us to take a trip over to “spy out the land” and serve wherever we could. So we planned a 3 month trip, set our date, and started praying the money in to go!

Now that we are in missions for so many years, we tell people, “Don’t be surprised who will support you and don’t be surprised who won’t.” As we began to plan, things began to fall into place. YWAM needed a group leader to take a group of teens over to the YWAM “Go Festival” in Durban, South Africa. It happened to coincide with our dates, so we accepted the task. When it came time to leave for Africa, we had just enough money to get over there and a little for food and expenses once we arrived. Beyond that, we hoped that people would make good on their commitments to support us while we were away and we set off.

Cleo

26 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Life in Africa

≈ Leave a comment

Cleo looks like a Queen. She has distinctive marks around her eyes that give the that Cleopatra look. But don’t let that fool you! She is sharp, cunning, precise and just like most of her Jack Russel breed, thinks she can conquer anything! She has cornered Cobras, Mambas, Puff Adders and of late, she thinks she can conquer the Majestic Eland, the largest antelope in the world. These giant creatures graze just outside our yard and she has now added this to her usual “snake bark”. So I never know if it is a snake or an Eland, so I go and check it out. They are not bothered by her fierce barking, but once and a while will give her a charge. But that doesn’t stop her. I have a distinctive snake scream that my husband and kids know me by, but mostly it is me screaming at Cleo to stay away. She is truly fearless. Telling her to back off is impossible so why do I try?

ImageA few minutes ago we were sitting on the couch when I noticed her eye catch something high in the thatch roof above our heads. It was a HUGE 6 inch Gecco! It is the very one that day before yesterday I caught with my son Jordan in the pantry. The boys begged me not to kill it. After all they eat mosquito’s and spiders. (comforting) But I decided it had to go outside. I trapped it with a bucket and we let it loose outside my bedroom window (dugh) next to the giant termite mound. It went in a hole and i figured it would have a great life there! Well, not only was it back, but it brought it’s partner! As we were watching, both of them plopped to the ground in the next room. The walls only go half way up so I could see it was near my bed! All the kids are gone at the moment so I told Cleo to “sick ’em!” She is now in the bedroom sniffing them out. At one stage she had one of them in her mouth but Remick’s new pup-Studley tried to get in on the fun and made her drop it! The door is shut and she is on the hunt. I sure hope she get’s them before bedtime! Heartless? I don’t think so.

It’s kind of like that in our lives. When God is on our side, HE can fight our battles for us. I am sitting here on this couch, breathing deeply, determined not to “freak out”. While my gallant, faithful Cleo is in there fighting to keep me safe. Well, they can’t really hurt you but can almost give me a heart attack! I have to remember that when I want to freak out, God is there and if I will let Him, He will undertake for me. I want to encourage you that whatever you are going through, you are not alone and God is there. And if you will let Him, He will undertake for you too.

Wedding Done-What next?

25 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Life in Africa, Marriage, The Call, The Early Days

≈ Leave a comment

I am on a roll today writing. Thanks for taking the time to read!

Once the wedding bells were over and the gifts were packed away in storage, we hitched up the trailer to the old Mercedes Benz we had bought to replace my Toyota Celica and the 2-seater MG that Jerry drove. It was a painful parting, between him and that little red MG. They were quite a pair! For all practical intents though, the old yellow Merc was solid, reliable, and most of all- the right price! There was just one problem. The mechanic that gave it a good work over in Houston before we left for our long journey took a look at all the grease spots inside the hood and said in his broken German accent, “Jerry, every picture tells a story.” So off we went, forewarned, on our journey across the USA to unchartered territories. We were off to raise money for our life’s calling; Africa- as soon as possible.Image We decided early on that we were not going have to succumb to the methodologies of missionaries of old which was, to beat on doors and ask for help and handouts to fulfill the Great Commission. We would handle it ourselves and work for our money. So our plan was in motion. Off to Southern California to host a Christian Expo, which would feature countless Christian businesses and ministries, showcasing their services and products to the wider Christian community. A hall was rented, ads placed and the work was ahead of us. We decided to take the “shortest distance between 2 points” route, which turned out to be a big mistake. Though the rolling mountains of Utah, complete with the Grand Canyon were breathtaking. But we found ourselves praying for the ol’ merc on most inclines and every time we made it over, we would breath a sigh of relief! At long last we rolled into Anaheim, California where our dear friends, the Humphrey’s, our hosts, were waiting for us. We had a nice little room just off the kitchen with a private bathroom, well, almost private, it also was the way out to the swimming pool, which was just outside our bedroom window. Now we are newlyweds mind you! And though this arrangement was only temporary (a few months) it was compounded by the fact that there was no lock on the door! The family had 5 precious children, 3 of which were under the age of 5! I found myself in a state of shock. This Christian girl who had kept herself pure all those years for the man of her dreams, now was at the mercy of a situation with NO PRIVACY!!! When we married, Jerry was not much of a handyman. But after 20 years in Africa he makes McGuiver look bad! He can now fix anything- or get it fixed, But the priorities of a young married man are a little different than the girls’! And privacy was not one of them. We got through those first months and there were some romantic times. Every evening we sat in the front lawn of the big house and watched the fireworks light up the sky as the spectacular grand finale of Walt Disney World displayed itself before us just blocks away. While Jerry was out drumming up business for the show, I was busy helping out the lady of the house, a godly, awesome woman named Sheila. I was privileged to be present at the home birth of her baby, who is now a grown man! I learned so much from her during our time together. Things that stayed with me into my early years of marriage and motherhood on the mission field where I didn’t have a mentor. Things just came back to me that I learned during those early months of marriage. So, even with the challenges of all I experienced, I came away from the experience much richer than before. After the show was over and all was said and done, we had enough money to get to Denver, Colorado where we were being sent to do our own show. We were so excited and happy to be on our way so we could make enough money to get to Africa for our first trip. We would do a show twice a year in 2 different states, and go do mission work in between. At least that was the plan. We spent 3 months in Denver putting things together and held a great expo there. We filled the hall with vendors, had some great Christian entertainment, and met many new, wonderful friends, including Wally and Marilyn Hickey, and many of those with their ministry, who remain friends to this day.

But when all was said and done, we had a great show, thousands of dollars came in and thousands of dollars went right back out and it was a break-even in the end.

Watch for the next post to see how it turned out. How do you think it should work with fund raising for missionaries?

My Moment

25 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Life in Africa

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

It felt so good to be going through all the stuff accumulated over 15 years in one house. It was originally supposed to be a temporary house for us. The miracle money we got from Pastor John Osteen and the Lakewood Church family was supposed to go for a house to be built for us, but we knew how much we needed other houses for missionaries who came to serve alongside us in Botswana. So, with that money and some very dedicated building teams from the USA, we managed to stretch the money into 5 houses. My brother-in-law, Trey Smith, a high-end home builder, helped us adapt a design we found at a hotel in Francistown, 5 hours away. It was a one room, chalet up on gum poles, wooden and thatched roof. It ended up being 2 bedroom and cozy, but he insisted that it needed to be a temporary measure as it was small for our family.

Jerry found the perfect spot on the property given to us by the Tawana Land Board and we staked out where the rest of the houses would be. We started out living in one room, me, Jerry, and the 3 boys. As things got more finished, we established our Love Botswana office in the loft of the house. I don’t know what I was thinking when we decided to put our very first phone line in, upstairs! The problem was that there were no stairs. We used a ladder to get up and down. During this period there was no railing and I am sure if we had been in the USA we would have been reported for endangering our kids! Thankfully, not one of them ever fell off that loft on their head! I do have some head injury stories, but I will save those for another time!

Eventually, we moved into our own room and the 3 kids shared the other. At one time, we had bunk beds stacked 3 high. The highest one would get nosebleeds! (Just kidding) Through the years, we did every configuration we could in that room to give the growing boys their space. Being raised in Africa though, our boys really lived outdoors and rarely stayed in their room for long unless they were being given “time out”. It was the worst punishment we could administer!

We moved out the temp folding tables and made way for the kitchen of my dreams. It was about 4 years into living there. During that time, Mmapula came into our lives and that too, is another story. A beautiful one I might add! We needed a spot for her too! So, she joined mama in her room. (move over dad!)

Now she is 8 and kids have filtered out and some back in! Jerry is in China doing a sourcing trip for the furnishings of the New Building. I wrote and told him that I had “a moment” while packing up some things. He said this, “I have always enjoyed our home together with you there. Many of our dreams have transpired and faith has been activated in our lives during that period.” Its the closing of a chapter. One full of adventure and stories that I am longing to, and committed to share. I appreciate anyone who wants to come along with me and hear what amazing things God can do with a little!

In High School there was a song our Ensemble did written by Lanny Wolf. “Little is much when God is in it. Labor not, for wealth or fame. There is a crown and you can win it, if you go in Jesus’ name!”