Dear Family and Friends,
Over the last few weeks,
we have had lots of affirmations.
Some
think we are holding fast to historic beliefs and Christian practices.
Some offer to help.
Some ask how they can help.
We also recognize that much of what we do does
not fit the contemporary boxes of how Christianity in America functions.
Those questions lead me to think we need to
do a newsletter that answers the why and what questions with a closure about how
you can pray and be involved.
First, why are we in
western North Dakota?
One of the oldest historic
missionary practices is to follow the relationship webs and we followed those
webs here. A couple of weeks ago I
preached in a small rural church that until the 1970’s was still using
German. After church I drove about an
hour to a mid-sized town. I ate lunch at
a Mexican restaurant in which the staff was speaking Spanish. Then I went to Walmart to grocery shop. In Walmart I heard the African languages of
Kinyarwanda and Afrikaans plus a couple African languages I did not know well
enough to identify. (Usually, I also
hear Ukrainian and Tagalog at our local Walmart.) We are living in an old missionary’s dream
posting. Our nearby counties still
remember immigration experiences from places like Germany, Russia, Sweden, and
Ukraine. Our economy is one of
opportunity and many recent immigrants come here for those opportunities.
By God’s grace when
I was hospice chaplain one of my colleagues’ parents had an available ranch
home in the Killdeer Mountains that we rent.
We get all the benefits of ranch living without ranch responsibilities. It is a tremendous blessing. The mountains lift our spirits. This also is a fantastic location for our
son, Timothy’s complex disabilities.
Another old missionary
practice goes back to our theological roots.
Jana and I grew up in a tradition called the American Restoration Movement. In simplest terms our heritage calls us to
preach the Bible and pursue unity with all other believers. We honor our heritage every week.
Second, what are we
doing?
Good missionaries
listen and serve before they preach. We
are at a point of preaching. With my
work as hospice chaplain, I developed a wide network of churches in western
North Dakota. As this year started, and
Jana and I told people we were available our Sunday schedule has filled up
quickly. Most Sundays we are in at
least two and sometimes five pulpits. Since
being in western North Dakota, we have preached to seven different
denominations. Most of the time we preach
from an assigned Bible text or on a requested topic. We try to understand the congregation and
treat their heritage with honor. We so
much enjoy this role as we come away wiser listening to country insight. Also, like so many of the immigrants, we are
doing the work that others will not do.
There is a beauty to America’s rural churches that is lost in many
genres of American Christianity.
We also increasingly
recognize that by having lived in so many global cities we have a network that
spans continents and people who want to hear from us.
As we started doing our Killdeer Mountain
Table Talks on Facebook, we now get some Sundays over 1,000 views from around the
world.
We also shepherd people. There are 112 Rwandan adults on the mailing
list within an hour’s drive of our home.
I was one of the speakers at their Kwibuka – Commemoration of the Genocide
Against the Tutsi (for news stories on Kwibuka in North Dakota see: https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/kwibuka-30-north-dakotas-rwandan-community-commemorates-1994-genocide-anniversary?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1xgICF1g4_QJiUv8h-ghhsS0VDNtBECX9Rj3PgozsKeANfHKwl4__B1Hs_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw,
https://www.kfyrtv.com/2024/04/28/kwibukas-30th-anniversary-hosted-dickinson-state-university/.) Jana stays busy also with her contract as a
lay health ambassador making sure that African immigrants nearby have health
insurance, a primary doctor, and understand the American medical system (For more news stories on Jana's work see: https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/breaking-healthcare-barriers-for-women-in-western-north-dakota?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar.)
With the young ages of immigrant communities in western
North Dakota we also function as adopted grandparents for many. Often young families are over for dinner, we
hike in the mountains, and share the wisdom we have learned from raising five
kids in a multiple of nations.
All of this feels remarkably familiar to us as missionaries.
Third, how is this
happening?
With the
graciousness of many. We do look
remarkably like the faith mission circuit preachers of old. The
local churches pay a bit of a range, but it usually is about $250. Jana has a part-time contract as a lay health
ambassador. We still have a few families
who send us missionary support. I have kept up on keeping the financial
books. So far, each month our gross
income is about the cost of our housing, mileage, and of running a home
office. Until the last couple of months,
we have been fortunate to have few vehicle repairs.
Also, we keep
getting surprised by practical gifts that really push us through.
When we needed vehicle repairs salvage yards
and parts stores sold us parts wholesale.
One mechanic mounted tires for free.
Another rounded down his labor costs.
We did not ask for any special favors and they all responded graciously
when we answered the question, “What are you doing where you drive so many
miles on weekends?”
Jana received a
cooler full of recently processed beef from a rancher at a local church where
she preached.
Two retiring pastors
donated significant portions of their libraries to us. With their donations and past donations, we now
have an exceptional pastoral library at home.
I am aware of few pastors who have so many quality books at their
fingertips. We are extremely well equipped to preach, teach,
and write.
We are so thankful
and all these type of gifts confirm we should continue. God’s people on the prairie want us here
doing ministry.
Fourth, are we as
vulnerable as it appears?
Yep.
In some ways that vulnerability feels remarkably
familiar and in a way comforting.
Yet, we know that without more stability the
odds are high that a couple unfortunate events could stop what we are
doing.
We do not have a
single local church who has us in their missions’ budget. We do not get any denominational or foundation
support. Our 2017 Ford Escape has
165,000 miles on it. Our 2006 Ford Taurus
has 130,000 miles on it.
We do sense that we
are in a place where Dave’s childhood hopes of living on the northern plains
and African immigration have come together. What would the odds of that have been 30 years
ago?
We do find that rural congregations have been
neglected and our teaching skills are utilized and appreciated. We also see where our first 9 years of living
in America at poverty level created a skill set that allows us to weather this
season of vulnerability.
Fifth, how can you
help?
First, many of you
already do it. This journey can be lonely. We recognize that our advocacy for rural America,
immigration, and the disabled places us quickly in conversations that many find
uncomfortable or offensive in the contemporary American church. Those of you that stay aware, affirm what we
are doing, send messages of encouragement, and then trade ideas of how to do this
better are a true joy. We so much
appreciate you sharing the journey. We
do face opposition. Thus, advocates
are a treasure.
Second, your prayers
matter. Some things that come to mind beyond
God’s glory and national renewal that are very practical include matters such
as:
1 Our son, Timothy’s health. It is extremely complicated. When one matters resolves many times another
arises. He has gone 3 months without a
grand mal seizure. We hope that this
summer will be one where his health stabilizes and, in the fall, we will find
some new opportunities.
2. For us to get RDC (Rural Diaspora Community) administrative
details set up. We need to keep preaching to pay
bills. The work is before us. Yet, it leaves little time for developing
and processing 501c3 status.
3. For us to find new partnerships.
We are hopeful for conversations we have with local businesses and the
North Dakota Office of Legal Immigration. (For more information here’s a news
story with links https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/05/22/study-dives-into-how-legal-immigrants-can-boost-north-dakota-workforce/)
4. To develop rhythms that better communicate the wisdom God has given us across
continents.
Our Facebook stays active. Substack
seems like an option that would maximize our diverse network and
experience. With the juggling of family
health, economic vulnerability, and administrative set up we do not believe we
are yet maximizing our impact online.
As we read trends we sense we’re in a good position to influence both
the American and global church (For insight into online use by Christians see: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/who-is-attending-online-church.)
Third, financial
contributions are a real key to ministry function. Besides just the cost of living and
ministry our Taurus is likely on her last legs. She is thoroughly rusted underneath, and we
doubt she will make it another winter on the prairie. An all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive would
be immensely helpful next winter as we preach in rural congregations. If you would like to give to us personally you
could send a check to 11309 Main St. Killdeer, ND 58640 or you could send us a
gift through Venmo (@mzee-Jenkins), PayPal (mzeedavejenkins@gmail.com), Zelle
(mzeedavejenkins@gmail.com), or Cash App ($mzeedave).
Thank you to each one
who has read this and put us into your thoughts and prayers.
Mungu akubariki (May God bless you),
Dave