Mary Puplava, Editor HANDMAIDEN.ORG

   Ky Prevette, missionary servant of God
Editor's Note: I have known Ky and Bill Prevette and their son, Daniel, since 1994. They have served three 4-year term missions to the Far East and were most recently stationed in Penom Penh, Cambodia where Bill has served as District Coordinator for the Division of Foreign Missions for the Assemblies of God. The Prevettes are currently working with Mission of Mercy in Colorado Springs. The following interview appeared in the first issue of The Handmaiden, September 1994.

Our premier issue focuses on being a handmaiden of God. How do you define service to God?

First of all, acknowledging who He is in the vastness of all creation and who He is in relationship to me. Secondly, accepting His sacrifice, atonement, His glory over anything I could ever hope to attain on my own, in my own way, or with my own strength. Then finally, practicing a continuing awareness of His will for me with a willingness to embrace His will obediently and worshipfully. This does not always happen readily. Realization of His sovereignty, acceptance of His sovereignty, obedience to His sovereignty and worship in His sovereignty -- this is what I see as true service to God. Only when all these things are in place do our deeds or actions translate into meaningful work for God,

What is it like to be on the front lines?

Surely being in a Buddhist nation that has solidly fortified itself against the claims of Christianity is a front line of sorts. It is demanding in all aspects of cultural and spiritual circumstance. But, somehow the front lines within each one of us constitute the greater battleground to my way of thinking. "Where am I resisting the Holy Spirit and why?" "What motivates me in all my actions -- good and bad?" "Lord, what response within and what action outwardly do You seek from me in this place, with these people, and at this time?"

These are the front lines that encompass all geographic locations, all outward circumstances, and each of us as Christian women. We are ALL on the front lines. Obviously, I am an introverted thinker rather than a "big picture" seer. I find it sometimes frustrating or inconvenient, often challenging, invariably worthwhile, and always eternally important. What does it feel like to you, sister-with-me-on-the-front-lines?

What are the greatest challenges you face as a missionary and how do you meet them?

One of the first "gasps" I had upon arriving in Thailand five years ago, was the sheer volume of souls - an endless sea of small, black-haired people. I am 6'1" and blonde, so size and homogenous coloring of the Thai people were particularly striking to me. The great number of people everywhere was mind-boggling.

All I could ask the Lord was, "How are we going to reach them all, Lord?" I felt so personally responsible and it was unbearable until He reminded me of His mysterious ways. That gave me faith to just be in the place He wanted, doing the task He provides, and touching the people He places in my path; while I watch for His hand to do the miraculous.

It isn't always so simple of course. I often struggle with feelings of inadequacy and make the dangerous mistake of comparing myself unfavorably with others. My introspection can be my downfall. But I have seen God work and I trust Him to finish the work in me and in Asia!

Do you feel closer to God when you're in Thailand?

I feel closer to my need for God in Thailand. Here in America, all of my cultural clues click in unconsciously. I am American. I know how to act, what to do, and when to do it. In Thailand, my need for Christ's constant care and contact can be overshadowed by my knowing the ropes. Do you understand what I mean?

I think, theologically, Christian women readily admit their need for God. But my own experience and observations show me that in the practical, everyday "natural" realm, we often do things on our own. Once you are in another culture, even crossing the street takes on a whole new trusting in God!

We take so many things for granted in America -- things that are actually a result of our Christian heritage. But as those moorings come loose, here in the USA, we will all see more clearly and urgently that "People need the Lord." It will soon become more than a song to us.

What advice would you give women who feel the call to missionary life?

Be transparent. Deal with issues.

Finally, what is your favorite bible verse and why?

I have to give you two. 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Those words spoke life and hope to me when I was delivered from paranoid schizophrenia prior to my salvation. And the second speaks assurance to me continually as I walk this path knowing, obeying, and trusting the Lord. It is Philippians 1:6 "...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." He will see me through. I can rest in that. Praise His Name!

Tony sent me this story by email. I was very impacted by it. It cuts straight to the heart of service on so many levels. I hope it touches you as it did me. ~ MP

Donuts
from Tony S.
Washington, D.C.

There was a young boy by the name of Steve who was attending private school in Oregon.  In this school, religion classes are held during school hours. Brother Christianson taught all religion classes at this particular school. He had an open-door policy and would take in any student that had been thrown out of another class as long as they would abide by his rules. Steve had been kicked out of his sixth period and no other teacher wanted him, so he went into Brother Christianson's religion class. Steve was told that he could not be late, so he arrived just seconds before the bell rang and he would sit in the very back of the room. He would also be the first to leave after the class was over. 

One day, Brother Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. After class, Bro. Christianson pulled Steve aside and said,

"You think you're pretty tough, don't you?"
Steve's answer was, "Yeah, I do."
Then Brother Christianson asked, "How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Brother Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" Again asked Brother Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I need you to do 300 in sets of ten for a class project.  Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," Brother Christianson said.
Steve said, "Well... I think I can... yeah, I can do it."
Brother Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, Brother Christianson pulled out a big box of donuts. Now these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited-it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend.

Bro. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want a donut?" Cynthia said, "Yes." Bro. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?" Steve said, "Sure," and jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Bro. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk. Bro. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe do you want a donut?" Joe said, "Yes." Bro. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Bro. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was captain of the football team and center of the basketball team. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When Bro. Christianson asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?" Bro. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them." Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then." Bro. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?" Steve started to do ten pushups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!" Bro. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around  his brow. Bro. Christianson started down the third row.  Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Bro. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Jenny said, "No." Then Bro. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten, Jenny got a donut. By now, the students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve was also having to really put forth a lot of effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved. Bro. Christianson asked Robert to watch Steve to make sure he did ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. So Robert began to watch Steve closely.

Bro. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students had wandered in and sat along the heaters along the sides of the room. When Bro. Christianson realized this; he did a quick count and saw 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Bro. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set. Steve asked Bro. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?" Bro. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You can do them any way that you want." And Bro. Christianson went on. A few moments later, Jason came to the room and was about to come in when all  the students yelled, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come." Bro. Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him." Steve said, "Yes, let him come in." Bro. Christianson said, "Okay, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?" "Yes." "Steve, will you do ten pushups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. Bro. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those seated on the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each pushup in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two girls in the room were cheerleaders and very popular. Bro. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut? Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you." Bro. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda. Then Bro. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan.  "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, asked, "Bro. Christianson, can I help him?" Bro. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, he has to do it alone. Steve, would you do ten pushups so Susan can have a donut?"

As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor. Brother Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, plead to the Father, "Into Thy hands I commend My spirit." With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he collapsed on the cross and died.  And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten." 

THE GLASS OF MILK
from Debbie B.
Scottsdale, Arizona

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry, so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said... "Then, I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later, that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown, he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life.

From that day, he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked and something caught her eye on the side of bill.

She read these words...

"Paid in full with one glass of milk." (signed) Dr. Howard Kelly. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed, "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands." 

Note from Mary:  This is a TRUE story! More info.

 Twelve Rules for Happiness 
Adapted from Braude's Lifetime Speaker's Encyclopedia

I.	Live a Simple Life	Be temperate in your habits, avoid self-seeking and selfishness. Let simplicity be your key.
II.	Spend Less Than You Earn	Cultivate frugality, prudence and self denial.
III.	Think Constructively	Think clearly and accurately.
IV.	Cultivate a Yielding Disposition	Don't always insist on getting things your own way. Look at things from the perspective of others.
V.	Be Grateful	Count your blessings and thank God each day.
VI.	Rule Your Moods	Cultivate the spirit of peace and goodwill.
VII.	Give Generously	Give cheerfully and wisely, be guided by your head and your heart in concert.
VIII.	Work With Right Motives	Make your highest goal to grow in spiritual grace and power.
IX.	Be Interested In Others	Spend time and energy in the concerns of others. Listen, share, help, see with their eyes.
X.	Live In The Daylight Compartment	One day at a time, concentration on the immediate task.
XI.	Have A Hobby	Spend your leisure time in things that build and fascinate: studying, gardening, singing, sketching.
XII.	Keep Close To God	Walk with the Lord. Share with Him in reading His Word and talking with Him each day.
Prescription for Un-Happiness  from Crosswalk, Raymond Guterman, Columbus, Georgia
I.	Make Little Things Bother You	Don't just let them, MAKE them!
II.	Lose Your Perspective of Things	And keep it lost. Don't put first things first.
III.	Get Yourself a Good Worry	One about which you cannot do anything but worry.
IV.	Be A Perfectionist	Condemn yourself and others for not achieving perfection.
V.	Be Right - Always Right	Perfectly right all the time. Be the only one who is right and be rigid about your rightness.
VI.	Don't Trust or Believe People	Or Accept them at anything but their worst and weakest. Be suspicious. Impute ulterior motives.
VII.	Always Compare Yourself	Unfavorably to others, which is the guarantee of 'instant misery'
VIII.	Take Everything Personally	With a chip on your shoulder, everything that happens to you that you don't like
IX.	Don't Give Yourself Wholeheartedly	Or enthusiastically to anyone or to anything.
X.	Make Happiness The Aim	Of your life instead of bracing for life's barbs through a bitter with the sweet philosophy

Thanks for Packing My Parachute
from Jody N.
Cave Creek, Arizona

Charles Plumb was a U.S. Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience. One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"

That's What Friends Do
by T. Suzanne Eller ~
eller@intellex.com or http://daretobelieve.org

Jack tossed the papers on my desk -- his eyebrows knit into a straight line as he glared at me. "What's wrong?" I asked. He jabbed a finger at the proposal. "Next time you want to change anything, ask me first," he said, turning on his heels and leaving me stewing in anger. How dare he treat me like that, I thought. I had changed one long sentence, and corrected grammar -- something I thought I was paid to do.  It's not that I hadn't been warned. The other women, who had served  in my place before me, called him names I couldn't repeat. 

One co-worker took me aside the first day. "He's personally responsible for two different secretaries leaving the firm," she whispered. As the weeks went by, I grew to despise Jack. It was against everything I believed in -- turn the other cheek and love your enemies. But Jack quickly slapped a verbal insult on any cheek turned his way. I prayed about it, but to be honest, I wanted to put him in his place, not love him.

One day, another of his episodes left me in tears. I stormed into his office, prepared to lose my job if needed, but not before I let the man know how I felt. I opened the door and Jack glanced up. "What?" he said abruptly. Suddenly I knew what I had to do. After all, he deserved it. I sat across from him. "Jack, the way you've been treating me is wrong. I've never had anyone speak to me that way. As a professional, it's wrong, and it's wrong for me to allow it to continue," I said. Jack snickered nervously and leaned back in his chair. I closed my eyes briefly. God help me, I prayed. "I want to make you a promise. I will be a friend," I said. "I will treat you as you deserve to be treated, with respect and kindness. You deserve that," I said. "Everybody does." I slipped out of the chair and closed the door behind me.

Jack avoided me the rest of the week. Proposals, specs, and letters appeared on my desk while I was at lunch, and the corrected versions were not seen again. I brought cookies to the office one day and left a batch on Jack's desk. Another day I left a note. "Hope your day is going great," it read. Over the next few weeks, Jack reappeared. He was reserved, but there were no other episodes. Co-workers cornered me in the break room. "Guess you got to Jack," they said. "You must have told him off good." I shook my head. "Jack and I are becoming friends," I said in faith. I refused to talk about him. Every time I saw Jack in the hall, I smiled at him. After all, that's what friends do.

One year after our "talk", I discovered I had breast cancer. I was 32, the mother of three beautiful young children, and scared. The cancer had metastasized to my lymph nodes and the statistics were not great for long-term survival. After surgery, I visited with friends and loved ones who tried to find the right words to say. No one knew what to say. Many said the wrong things . Others wept, and I tried to encourage them. I clung to hope. The last day of my hospital stay, the door darkened and Jack stood awkwardly on the threshold. I waved him in with a smile and he walked over to my bed and, without a word, placed a bundle beside me. Inside lay several bulbs. "Tulips," he said. I smiled, not understanding. He cleared his throat. "If you plant them when you get home, they'll come up next spring." He shuffled his feet. "I just wanted you to know that I think you'll be there to see them when they come up." Tears clouded my eyes and I reached out my hand. "Thank you," I whispered. Jack grasped my hand and gruffly replied, "You're welcome. You can't see it now, but next spring you'll see the colors I picked out for you."  He turned and left without another word.

I have seen those red and white striped tulips push through the soil every spring for over ten years now. In fact, this September the doctor will declare me cured. I've seen my children graduate from high school and enter college. In a moment when I prayed for just the right word, a man with very few words said all the right things. After all, that's what friends do. 

T.Suzanne Eller is a speaker and author. Her book, "Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life" will be released in the Fall of 2002 by RiverOak. You can reach Suzie at eller@intellex.com or http://daretobelieve.org