John Shrader 15: Welcome to Poisonwood, Caleb

[gustava]

Anyone else notice that he made sure to point out that both midwives (local and Texas) are  not of black Zambians?

[Carol]

5 hours ago, Gobsmacked said:

I truly hate the way John says "before you pillow your head".  It always sounds as though he is going to wear a pillow case for bed. 

Could this be encouraged??

Again, Satan has taken over my keyboard.  I was going to say, "Damn that Satan!!!", but I guess that's already been taken care of.

[Granwych]

8 hours ago, Gobsmacked said:

I truly hate the way John says "before you pillow your head".  It always sounds as though he is going to wear a pillow case for bed. 

A pillowcase over his head would work.

[Palimpsest]

8 hours ago, gustava said:

Anyone else notice that he made sure to point out that both midwives (local and Texas) are  not of black Zambians?

Yes.  But it is also worth noting that the midwives for both Stephen and Isaiah were  Zambians.  And were, apparently, competent.

One wonders why John and Esther chose an Australian midwife for this delivery.  One hopes that she is also trained and competent - but it concerns me that she had to seek help over the internet instead of having local resources on hand.  

Apparently little Caleb is fine and Esther is fine too.   I am so glad. 

However, one of these days John and Esther's luck will run out. 

I will not rejoice if that happens.  Far from it.

I may say - I told you so!

 

[SoybeanQueen]

I just wish I could remember which part of Africa Zambia was in when I read these updates from John. Is it north of the Sahara? Just to the east, perhaps?

[SoybeanQueen]

It would be surprising if John stayed away from Esther or ensured that she didn't have any more kids for a while. Fathering children is literally the only thing he's successful at.

I think one could easily argue that Esther is far better at being a missionary than he is, and she's also managing the children and household.

[Bethella]

1 hour ago, SoybeanQueen said:

I just wish I could remember which part of Africa Zambia was in when I read these updates from John. Is it north of the Sahara? Just to the east, perhaps?

The Republic of Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west.

[Palimpsest]

43 minutes ago, Bethella said:

The Republic of Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west.

I'm pretty sure @SoybeanQueen was being sarcastic.

John likes to remind people that he is in Sub-Saharan Africa every 3 minutes. 

 

[Bethella]

1 minute ago, Palimpsest said:

I'm pretty sure @SoybeanQueen was being sarcastic.

John likes to remind people that he is in Sub-Saharan Africa every 3 minutes. 

Oops, it's late and my sarcasm meter is broken. 

[lilith]

12 hours ago, Granwych said:

A pillowcase over his head would work.

Over his cock would be ideal for poor Esther.

8 hours ago, Palimpsest said:

Yes.  But it is also worth noting that the midwives for both Stephen and Isaiah were  Zambians.  And were, apparently, competent.

One wonders why John and Esther chose an Australian midwife for this delivery.  One hopes that she is also trained and competent - but it concerns me that she had to seek help over the internet instead of having local resources on hand.  

Apparently little Caleb is fine and Esther is fine too.   I am so glad. 

However, one of these days John and Esther's luck will run out. 

I will not rejoice if that happens.  Far from it.

I may say - I told you so!

 

If their midwife trained in Australia she would have to have a nursing degree before specialising in midwifery. We do have some rogue folk midwives, but most are very well trained.

My hippie sister looked into qualifying as a midwife and found that she would get very little recognition for prior credits from her naturopathy degree (from a reputable university) and would have to start a nursing degree almost from scratch before further study and practice to qualify as a midwife. Which, given that at least one of her home births and pregnancies was supervised by a midwife without formal qualifications and she thinks that is just fine, is probably a good thing.

[gustava]

13 hours ago, SoybeanQueen said:

Fathering children is literally the only thing he's successful at.

He doesn't "father".  He merely provides sperm.

[Palimpsest]

Now Caleb is here safely, we probably won't hear a peep about Esther and the kids for another 6 months or so.

Situation Normal still All Fucked Up:  John wants us to pray non-casually for alliterative stuff.  POWER, PROTECTION, and PROVISION (of servant-hearted men, but don't stop sending money and stuff.)   He needs DIAMONDS !!!!!!1111!!!!!!!!eleventy!!!!!111111

Quote

To those who FERVENTLY (not just casually) pray for us here in Africa. Please sincerely and seriously pray for THREE prayer requests. We DESPERATELY need God, or this is all in vain.

I don't want to waste the sacrifices of God's people. There are other more worthy ministries that God is clearly using where those resources can be spent and sent otherwise.

What I beseech you to interceed for us:

1. We need the POWER of God (without God helping, we can't do anything. Nothing that will have lasting value and "staying power." It must God and God alone.)

2. We need the PROTECTION of God (Satan is fighting with all he's got. I should not be surprised, but this level of opposition is simply unbelievable.)

3. We need the PROVISION of God (to raise up genuine, humble men that can be discipled to be "faithful servants able to teach." I am NOT asking you to pray for provision of MONEY, but of MEN! Men that are not seeking Power or Position or earthly Possessions, but that are seeking God with ALL their heart. Oh, how my heart breaks and cries for such men. They seem rarer than the rarest of jewels. I don't need "cubic zarconium" men, that look good but are in reality worthless, but true "diamonds," even if they're "diamonds in the rough." As the Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, pray that the "Lord of the Harvest" would "send forth labourers." We need humble, faithful, servant-hearted African men that love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and desire to reach their own people for Christ!)

These are the things I plead with you to pray for us about.

Power - Protection - Provision (faithful men)

Asshole.

I do agree with him about this bit.  

"I don't want to waste the sacrifices of God's people. There are other more worthy ministries that God is clearly using where those resources can be spent and sent otherwise."

Other a lot more worthy ministries indeed.

[Gobsmacked]

Sounds like things are worse than he is letting on. Good.

Dear Rufus,

Keep Esther and the kids fed. Rescue Esther from all stress caused by her scrote of a husband. Send parents to bring them home. Leave John behind. 

ASAP 

( couldn't find Rufus so sent Ferret to assist).

[Jellybean]

Just a minor thing, but it's cubic zirconia not whatever John wrote (cubic zarconium). 

[Curious]

Part-time prayers need not bother with this request.  We need the A squad for these requests.

 

32 minutes ago, Palimpsest said:

There are other more worthy ministries that God is clearly using where those resources can be spent and sent otherwise.

If it were me, I would not have added this bit.  Kinda makes me wonder if there are already more worthy ministries why would anyone bother with him. 

39 minutes ago, Palimpsest said:

We need humble, faithful, servant-hearted African men that love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and desire to reach their own people for Christ!)

He had those men.  Then he treated them like little more than slave labor and babysitters.

[Palimpsest]

1 minute ago, Curious said:

If it were me, I would not have added this bit.  Kinda makes me wonder if there are already more worthy ministries why would anyone bother with him. 

It made me wonder whether some people or churches actually withdrew support recently.  They could have told him they were donating elsewhere when he spilled all the stuff about being forbidden to preach.  Continuing to support a missionary who is perpetually whining about Satan's attacks and whose "mission" is in ruins makes no sense.  That wastes the "sacrifices of God's people." 

OTOH, most of John's supporters seem fully on board with his idea that he is being attacked by Satan because he is being successful.  Go figure.

Quote

He had those men.  Then he treated them like little more than slave labor and babysitters.

 

Yep.  Those Africans were not sufficiently servant-hearted for John.  They didn't like being treated like slaves.  How dare they!

[Gobsmacked]

Mr GS just leaves me alone When I'm on FJ usually, unless I'm giggling at something, then I give him quick explanation. He does know about the Shrader saga. I've just up-dated him. " What a bloody idiot" he said.  He added other rude words. He also asked why doesn't his wife's parents do something????? . I patiently explained about Esther's mad parents. He rolled his eyes and ordered a beer. We are out for a quiet supper. 

[formergothardite]

1 hour ago, Palimpsest said:

I don't want to waste the sacrifices of God's people. There are other more worthy ministries that God is clearly using where those resources can be spent and sent otherwise.

Sounds like there has been some questioning why more money should be spent on a ministry that has done nothing besides spend massive amounts of money buying the missionary stuff. 

[Palimpsest]

1 hour ago, Jellybean said:

Just a minor thing, but it's cubic zirconia not whatever John wrote (cubic zarconium). 

He spelled intercede wrong too.  His spelling has improved quite a bit over the years.   Sadly, we have yet to teach him that Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia not the capitol.

[Gobsmacked]

3 hours ago, Palimpsest said:

He spelled intercede wrong too.  His spelling has improved quite a bit over the years.   Sadly, we have yet to teach him that Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia not the capitol.

I do try every now and again!!!!!

[Palimpsest]

27 minutes ago, Gobsmacked said:

I do try every now and again!!!!!

I try to correct it EVERY time he does it!

[SoybeanQueen]

18 hours ago, Bethella said:

Oops, it's late and my sarcasm meter is broken. 

It's cool. I laughed out loud when I read it.

[DarkAnts]

On 1/4/2018 at 10:54 AM, Palimpsest said:

 

"I don't want to waste the sacrifices of God's people. There are other more worthy ministries that God is clearly using where those resources can be spent and sent otherwise."

Other a lot more worthy ministries indeed.

Like people who provide for community needs like fresh water and medical services. People who help make the community sustainable without a prejudice of western world standards. I get so mad when I think about the money he wasted that could have done real good in the community.  

[StacyW]

I came across this "Barbie Savior" instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbiesavior/ and thought that John is sort of like Ken Savior.

[Ozlsn]

On 04/01/2018 at 10:48 PM, lilith said:

Over his cock would be ideal for poor Esther.

If their midwife trained in Australia she would have to have a nursing degree before specialising in midwifery. We do have some rogue folk midwives, but most are very well trained.

My hippie sister looked into qualifying as a midwife and found that she would get very little recognition for prior credits from her naturopathy degree (from a reputable university) and would have to start a nursing degree almost from scratch before further study and practice to qualify as a midwife. Which, given that at least one of her home births and pregnancies was supervised by a midwife without formal qualifications and she thinks that is just fine, is probably a good thing.

Previously midwifery was a nursing speciality that you trained in after completing a nursing degree but it's now also offered as a stand alone degree. It still covers a lot of the same ground as a nursing degree, but is obviously much more focused. I was surprised at the change to be honest, not sure why it happened.

A midwife without formal qualifications... so a doula then? 

As to why an Australian midwife would be working in Zambia - a quick search suggests they have a shortage and were offering jobs. I know at least one university midwifery department in my local area has teaching connections with a Ugandan university so that may also be a possibility.