July Newsletter

 

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