A Myriad of Questions

After moving to a foreign country in 2007, I think that the Lord really allowed me to see and understand the great importance of asking the right questions. Coming into a culture that I had learned little about in my research on the internet and books, I had many questions. The problem was, I wasn't sure what to ask in order to find out what I wanted to know. I wanted to know about their culture, but I had no idea where to start. During our month long orientation (40/40) as new missionaries, one of the greatest things that I learned was how to ask questions in order to put pieces of a puzzle together. I believe that asking questions not only allows us to learn from others but also allows us to learn things that we may never have known to ask about. I am learning every passing day how to better ask questions in order to gain knowledge rather than merely asking questions for clarity.
This week seemed to be the week of questions for Kendall and me. Some of them we chuckled at, others we pondered, and still others shook our hearts and caused us to be saddened. The questions were asked in homes, churches, front yards, and in a moving truck. Each of these questions came from the mouths of children, youth, and adults. All of them have taught us one thing, they have opened doors for us to see places that we need to spend time teaching and encouraging believers and non-believers alike.
Asking questions in this culture can sometimes be seen as questioning the authority of the teacher, not seen as wanting to know and understand more. In all of the contexts that these questions were asked, we rejoiced. We rejoiced because we know that there has to be a relationship and a trust built in order for the nationals in our area to feel free to ask questions from their hearts.
This week, during one of these times of teaching and encouragement, I asked a friend of mine if she was ready. She answered, "No, all of these questions from the Bible, you will have to answer." I said to her, "but you can learn from these questions!" I then encouraged her with 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.." She agreed and was challenged, then I prayed that I would be ready to answer according to God's Word.
God is always good and shows us where to find the answers in His Word, if we truly seek Him. I am not going to share with you all of the answers we gave to the questions that were asked this week, but for fun, I wanted to share with you the myriad of questions that were asked. So thankful for the fact that as people, we can learn so much from one another by simply sitting down and asking each other about life, family, God's Word, and our experiences.
The myriad of questions from a wide range of God's children, praying that we answered with wisdom that only God can give:

Do all of the pigs here have the demons that Jesus sent to them from the demoniac? Are they still considered unclean like in the Old Testament?

Who is the mother of Amminadab? Why aren't the mothers listed as much as the Fathers in the Bible?

Is Ephesus a real place or is that in Heaven? How come we never hear of President Sata visiting Ephesus?

So why did the veil tear in two pieces when Jesus died?

How can I walk with God if I am sick and dying without Him?

Why were people arguing that they were sons of Paul or sons of Apollo?

What do the people in Ephesus and Antioch look like? What do they make there because all of my bowls say "Made in China"?

Were Adam and Eve white?

Where did all of the people in the world come from?

What is Judiasm?

When was God created?

What Scripture can we use to show that we receive the Holy Spirit, not through the gift of tongues?

How much money did Kendall pay to marry you?

Why do those certain churches teach that you have to pay money for salvation?

Never stop learning and asking questions, you never know what door of knowledge and understanding you might just open next! So thankful that we serve a God that desires to impart to us His wisdom and understanding!