Reframing Rain: Learning to Worship in a Broken World
In The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus shared His last words before ascending back to Heaven. His final message included one command and one promise. His command is to go and make disciples of all nations. He promised He will be with us.
I’m excited to introduce you to my dear friends and missionaries, Brendon and Naomi Yoder. They live out Jesus’ command to go and make disciples. The Yoders stand firm on His promise to be with them, even when it requires Reframing Rain.
In 2018, they settled into the Papua Province of Indonesia with dreams of their children growing up there. The Yoders facilitate Bible translation into the Abawiri language. Their work includes helping the Abawiri people develop and learn written words for the first time. Can you imagine helping a people group create their first alphabet, their first written words, and even the Bible in their own language?
In 2019 the Sentani flood and landslide decimated much of the village, claiming hundreds of lives and devastating thousands of families. In the middle of the night, Brendon, Naomi, and their three small children escaped to the roof as raging rivers and walls of mud rushed around their home. Through the terror, Naomi sang worship songs to the Lord on the rooftop. She tells of the Lord’s miracles that night and how angels played critical roles in keeping the children safe.
“I’d like to say I worshiped in peace with the faith and abandon of a child. But no, my heart raced as I tried to fight against the visions of our home washing away from under us. As I reflect on that night, I know God was there, using His power to hold back floodwaters and delighting in the small bit of faith I offered.”
A few days later, after moving to safety, Naomi experienced a miscarriage. Baby Faith went to be forever in the arms of Jesus.
“Through worship, I declared who God is and brought my raw pain and fears to Him.”
They spent the next eleven months working side-by-side with their Papuan friends. Together they prayed, healed, rebuilt, praised the Lord, and continued working on the Bible translation.
Just as their rhythms of life began reframing to normal, the government pulled their visas. It is a common challenge for missionaries to get and keep visas.
They returned to Wycliffe headquarters in Dallas, TX, weary and far from family. Naomi carried another child, and they had high hopes of returning to their home in Papua after the baby entered the world.
On January 15, 2020, Naomi experienced an umbilical prolapse at home. Naomi survived a horrific ambulance ride, hurling her up and down and back and forth. While the ambulance drivers got lost, the Holy Spirit gave Naomi worship as a lifeline. She sang “Never Once Do You EVER Walk Alone” between and through contractions, remembering who rode with her. Straight from the ambulance, they rushed Naomi to surgery for an emergency C-section and the welcoming of baby Talia.
Four Days later the doctors shared sweet baby Talia’s diagnosis of Trisomy 13, a life-limiting condition. Brendon and Naomi brought her home on Hospice, but not before a NICU nurse got introduced to Jesus through the tiniest Yoder missionary.
Talia loved worship music and wanted it playing at all times. They worshiped, grieved, and soaked in Talia’s sweetness during the 46 days she lived on earth before going into Jesus’ arms.
The Yoder family returned to Oregon to be near family and continue healing while waiting for visas. During their stay, historic level wildfires broke out, and they experienced forced evacuation from their temporary home, again. By now, the steps for standing firm were familiar. Brendon and Naomi prayed and worshiped together and encouraged others to worship, too. Naomi says, “Worship is the best warfare and the best tool for survival.”
After the wildfires settled down, they realized God was redirecting their path. God made it clear returning to Papua would not be in their immediate future. Obedience, instead of following their hearts, added another huge grief on top of so many others. They mourned not being able to say a proper goodbye or deal with their belongings. They long for their Papuan friends to worship through their trauma, holding onto God’s truth and knowing they can bring their raw pain to His Father Heart.
For now, the Lord has redirected the Yoders to go forward, serving as missionaries stateside. Brendon will continue to translate the Bible for the Abawiri people which they hope to deliver in person one day. He will also teach at the university, preparing others to translate the Bible all over the world.
Floods, babies in the arms of Jesus, wildfires…
How do you reframe the un-reframeable?
Naomi admits, “Sometimes, it felt like Jesus left along with Talia. I’m unsure if I will ever be able to reframe my heart in its entirety, but God is lighting the path forward one step at a time.”
She says, “I’m just a normal person. God has made me more courageous than I ever could be on my own. Songs and Scriptures reminded me of God’s promise He will never leave. I followed the Psalmist's example, crying out to God. Healing began slowly as I worshiped. It is still a struggle, but through worship and gratitude, God gave me a glimpse into what He sees. Without a doubt, worship and gratitude are a part of reframing our way forward.”
Reframing unimaginable loss isn't easy, fast, or something you can wrap up with three steps and a bow. Sometimes we fight hard for reframing one breath at a time and remember God didn't say our lives would be easy, but he did say he would never leave us. May you stand firm on His promise as you Reframe Rain in your life.
There is so much more to the Yoder's stories. If you are interested in following along with their journey:
Brendon & Naomi's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/b772300b1fcc/what-does-daddy-do
Baby Talia's Caring Bridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonyoder2
Partnering with the Yoder Family: https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/bnyoder
This is what the Lord told us to do, saying:
‘I have made you a light for the nations; you will show people all over the world the way to be saved.’"
Acts 13:47 & Isaiah 49:6
Good News Update: The Yoder's just received the keys to their new home. It will be the base for both local outreach and their work translating the Bible into the Abawiri language for the people of Papua, Indonesia.
Thank you, Lord!
