"I must be about my Father's business" by Connie Inglis

I've been thinking about this writing prompt for a few weeks now, wondering what to say about the business of writing. I have not been in the personal writing "business" for long. I've had a few pieces published and realize the importance of submitting your work, but I've never even thought about marketing. So what do I write that is blog-worthy?

Then the Spirit reminded me that my husband and I have actually been in the writing business all our lives, but not in the traditional way. What business is that you ask? The business of Bible translation and literacy work. 

Acts 13:1,2 in the Shatikha language of Myanmar

There is nothing typical about the process of writing, publishing and marketing the Bible for Bible-less people groups. But before the translation even starts, being a member of a faith-based mission requires raising support. In a lot of ways, raising support is like marketing--"selling" who you are, "selling" God's calling in your life, "selling" the work you are called to and "selling" the need for Bible translation. It's actually a tricky balance of sharing your heart with people but also listening to other people's hearts and praying that what you say strikes a cord in their lives. To be a missionary of a faith-mission these days requires trust in God first but it also requires marketing. 

Then the business of translation begins which takes training, takes study, takes language learning, takes working with a team of nationals and takes years of checking and re-checking with both the nationals and the consultants. It's a long-term commitment, an arduous business. That's what my husband does. 

Primer for the Ngochang language, Myanmar

My work in literacy has been less intense but also a necessary part of what we do. It's sort of the pre-publishing, pre-marketing work done before the Bible is printed. The literacy track within Bible translation can include:
- helping write an orthography if the language has not been written down
- making primers, picture books and transitional readers
- formatting books for publishing
- teaching the nationals to read and write, adults & children
- training nationals to become teachers and trainers themselves 

This list may not sound that difficult but remember, these books are not in English, the training is often not in English, the language itself may be written in non-Roman script (as in the Shatikha writing above), never mind communication problems with nationals in setting up workshops and finding appropriate trainees as well as a myriad of other cross-cultural contingencies.

From a Shatikha reader about rice-planting

Ambiguous? Yes. Demanding perseverance and flexibility? Yes. Seemingly impossible? Without God's guidance, YES! But "with God all things are possible." Matt 19:26. It is God's doing and it is God's work. My husband and I are mere servants to His glory in it all--because ALL the glory goes to Him. But I will say, it is worth ALL the training, the ambiguity, the sacrifice. I can't imagine a better way to spend my life.

There was also a verse that kept replaying in my mind. Luke 2:49: "And He [Jesus] said to them, How is it that you sought me? Knew you not that I must be about my Father's business?" And what was Jesus' business? Two chapters later Jesus tells us: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free." Luke 4:18

Powerful words--words for us all. Because no matter what kind of writing we're doing, if the Spirit of the Lord is on us and has anointed us in our writing, then that's what we should be doing. That's the Father's business for you and for me.
 
I had to close with this video of a language group receiving the Bible in their own language for the first time. Such emotion. Such love for God's Word. It grips my heart.
(www.worldteam.org. Filmed by Dianne Becker. Editing by Zach Ruble.)

My commodity as a writer, whatever I'm writing about, is me. And your commodity is you. Don't alter your voice to fit the subject. Develop one voice that readers will recognize when they hear it on the page, a voice that's enjoyable not only in its musical line but in its avoidance of sounds that would cheapen its tone: breeziness and condescension and clichés.
Read more at: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/599682

My commodity as a writer, whatever I'm writing about, is me. And your commodity is you. Don't alter your voice to fit the subject. Develop one voice that readers will recognize when they hear it on the page, a voice that's enjoyable not only in its musical line but in its avoidance of sounds that would cheapen its tone: breeziness and condescension and clichés.
Read more at: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/599682

My commodity as a writer, whatever I'm writing about, is me. And your commodity is you. Don't alter your voice to fit the subject. Develop one voice that readers will recognize when they hear it on the page, a voice that's enjoyable not only in its musical line but in its avoidance of sounds that would cheapen its tone: breeziness and condescension and clichés.
Read more at: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/599682

The Year of Writing Dangerously by Connie Inglis

                                       (artwork by my daughter Kendra)

When I look back at this past year of writing and look forward to this coming year, I am thankful for the many ways God has encouraged me and instilled confidence in my writing. So I am proclaiming thankfulness here by sharing some of those ways.

1. I can say that it has been a good year of writing for me, but don't be deceived in thinking that it has been an easy year. It has not. In fact, it has been a difficult year, especially the past 3 1/2 months. However, in the midst of pain and heartache, questions and more questions, I found time to journal my journey and put my pain to poetry. God met me there and I found release and healing--and freedom. This inspiration is spurring me on in 2015. Thanks God for who You are.

2. I have also been exhilarated by books written by writers for writers. The most recent two books have been The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield and Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle. Reconnecting with L'Engle's works has touched my soul in a beautifully unexpected way--her poetry has been especially powerful. Have you, as a writer, ever come across a fellow writer that feels like a soul mate? THAT'S how I feel about Madeleine L'Engle. Her faith and perspective on life spur me on to be a better writer and to persevere in 2015. Thanks God for leading me to these writers.

3. NaNoWriMo (November writer's month) changed my writing outlook. In November I committed to writing the memoirs of my family's two years living in the Philippines from 1992-1994. By the end of the month I had written 30,000 words and completed my writing project. Prior to this, I hesitated writing our memoirs of living overseas as missionaries because the project was too daunting. Now I know I can do it, if I give myself a goal of words per day and NOT think about the whole project. So for 2015 I am committed to writing 500 words/day. For some of you that sounds miniscule, but for me it is doable and I'm excited about where I will be by the end of the year. Thanks God for giving me the courage to sign up for NaNoWriMo.

4. The InScribe Writer's Conference was also motivating--interacting with fellow-writers, sitting under a bit of Phil Callaway's tutelage and gaining wisdom in workshops--all good stuff to help me persevere. Thanks God for a conference right in my own city.

5. My other inspiration this past year has been my writer's group. I cannot thank God enough for this Spirit-filled group of ladies. As Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend," so these ladies have sharpened me in my writing, prayed for me and my family through tough times, and have become my close friends and co-fighters in pressing on in writing. Words seem so trite in my thanks to each one of them but thanks God for bringing them into my life.

Which brings me to my theme phrase for 2015. This past week, our fearless writers' group leader referred to this coming year as our "Year of Writing Dangerously." That resonated with me and even after a few days the phrase would not leave my conscious thoughts. Then I knew it was the Spirit nudging at my mind--giving me the courage to claim it as my writing theme for 2015--to call this my year of writing dangerously. Could I? Would I? So with fearful expectancy I proclaim the phrase as mine for 2015: It is the year of writing dangerously.

 I already know that the year ahead will not be an easy one. After 5 years of living in Edmonton, my husband and I will be returning to our missionary work in Southeast Asia, living in Thailand. The city and the work we will be returning to will not be new. However, for the first time we will be leaving our children and granddaughter behind. I already know the good-byes will be difficult--that my heart will be torn. But I have learned that God is faithful--that He will provide what I need. And I have learned that I can lean on my trusted pen to name my feelings and help me process pain. In that too I am thankful.

Thanks God for words and the ability and opportunity to write. May I always write for YOU!

The Good News of Great Joy, the Angel Brought...-Sulo Moorthy

"What...you haven't done your Christmas shopping yet?" my co-worker asked rolling her eyes heavenward. Fearing she might gasp to death, I didn't dare to tell her that I hadn't even put the Christmas tree up or done any kind baking for the season.

Usually by this time, a week before Christmas, a fir tree donned with twinkling lights and dangling ornaments would stand elegantly at the corner of our living room with beautifully wrapped up packages skirting its base. I would have also baked the traditional Sri Lankan Christmas cake-the moist black fruit cake a month ahead, cut into pieces and wrapped them up in silvery paper and stored away somewhere in the cupboard. This time somehow, I had put off all things till the last minute, including the blog I needed to post four days prior to Christmas on Inscribe Writers online.

So, when I went home that day, I hurried to my computer to complete the blog which needed to be posted on the 21st. Since I've already given a title and written half-way through,I thought I could finish it in no time. But to my annoyance, words refused to come down my brain and I was in no mood to sit and glare at the screen. Neither was I in a mind to decorate the tree or bake cookies. So, I did what I always did when I'm upset or bored. I turned on the television and scanned the movies on NetFlix to find something new and interesting to watch.

A documentary titled Mama Heidi soon caught my attention. It's the story of Heidi Baker who went with her husband Rolland to Mozambique in 1995 to take care of a horribly dilapidated orphanage with eighty children,when the country was ravaged by civil war and famine. Heidi,lovingly called Mama by the orphans looked fearless and angelic in her mid forties. She walks down dusty streets to rescue dirt crusted unloved and unloveable children from starvation, prostitution and diseases like cholera, malaria, tuberculosis and scabies. She even takes five to six kids from the orphanage to her house every week to give them shower, food and bed and made them feel at home.

"If God doesn't show up, we are dead." said Heidi in one of her interviews. The government tried to close down their center, refused to give the licence to operate the medical clinic,banned them from singing and praying, God showed up in a big way to provide, protect and lead. Bakers' house was robbed and shot at many times. Heidi says, whenever she felt overwhelmed with what she was doing, she heard God saying to her. "Just love the one in front of you, " and He would do the rest.

So,after soaking in God's presence for long hours, Heidi gets back on her feet to seek and minister to the poor, sick and unloveable. Sometimes, the road leads her to the dumpsites where the children live and work amidst swarming flies, smoldering garbage and indescrbable stench.

In such an area, where no foreigner dare to tread, Mama Heidi stands like one of them, singing, preaching and praying in the children's native language. "God has done wonders at the dump,"she says as she lovingly hugs a young man who had once threatened to kill her. Heidi has become the Good News to those abandoned children and unloveable teenagers in Mozambique. They see, touch and experience Christ through her. This is truly the Good News of great joy the angel declared to the shepherds two thousand years ago.

By 1999,the number of orphanaged children has grown from eighty to thousands and Bakers had built two hundred bush churches and trained local pastors.

Watching Mama Heidi made me not to fret any more about Christmas shopping, baking and wrapping done on time. Instead, it shifted my focus to change the title of my posting for Inscribe Writers online and write something different. After all, Christmas is never about me or mine. It's more about Him and His.