Here I will attempt to sum up what God has taught me on my mission trips, and I will discuss my opinion on spiritual growth because, really, that's what mission trips do. They grow you spiritually. And because you don't necessarily have to go on a mission trip to grow, I will break what I think spiritual growth means into three parts.
Like I said before, I didn't go to seminary. This is just MY OPINION, formulated based on what I believe God has taught me and when I examine my life, these are the three things that I had to learn most to get from where I was, to where I am now, and I pray with all my heart I don't ever stop growing.
First, you need to LOOK AT WHERE YOU ARE NOW. Examine where you stand with God. I mean really, be honest with yourself. You have to start somewhere, and you can't move forward if you don't know where you are to begin with. How much do you trust God? How's your knowledge of Scripture? Do you follow God's laws well, pretty well, or not at all? Are you satisfied with where you are with Christ? (here's a place to start: "yes" is the wrong answer) Analyzing where you stand is important. If you're a believer, you may remember that this is the first thing you had to do before you became one. You had to look at where you were and realize that it was not with Jesus. Now, you've got to do that again and take another look at where you stand in relation to Him. If you're off by a few spiritual degrees, you're going to have to figure out how to get a little closer. This is what they call conviction, and I felt this big time on my first mission trip to Japan. If you read my post "Missions Overseas part I: Japan," you know what I mean.
Second, YOU'VE GOT TO TRUST GOD. This is a big deal. Trust is something you may be familiar with, but if you're like me, tend to struggle with. In society, you judge how "close" someone is to you based on how much of yourself you share with them. Relationships develop as two people open up to each other. I don't just mean the dating kind--friendships, too. Think of the people you trust most: maybe family, your spouse, or best friend. Think of how much they know about you-- all your hopes, dreams, desires and sins. Do they really know everything? Granted, they might...but consider this: God already knows ALL OF IT and you didn't have to tell Him! As much as you've told that one person you trust most in the whole world, God knows far more than that. So isn't He the One you should trust with helping you with your problems and drawing you closer to Himself? Don't you think He can handle your little broken heart? Not that you shouldn't cry with your best friend about your problems (by all means do, I recommend it) but don't forget about God. YOU CAN'T GROW IF YOU DON'T LAY EVERYTHING OUT ON THE TABLE. Don't hold anything back. There's no point, He already knows about it. So just get it out there and let Him turn it into something beautiful.
Thirdly, YOU MUST STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE. Leave base camp. Point yourself toward that mountain and start walking. You've probably already stepped outside your comfort zone by completely opening yourself up to God and laying everything out in the open for Him to use, but here's the crazy thing about a relationship with Christ. It's dynamic. It's a spiritual walk, not a spiritual sit. God intended for you to keep moving along beside Him--He's got so much to show you that you just can't see being still. So when you get comfortable--and you will, eventually. You'll sit back and think, "Wow, God is so awesome. I've learned so much. I've even shared the Gospel a couple of lost people. This is great!" Then He'll shake you. He'll take something away, or throw something in like a wrench in the gears of your happy, contented spiritual sit. Not because He's cruel, but because He wants you to move! It's completely necessary. Paul said to the Corinthians (I use Paul a lot because, let's face it. He's done it all): "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" This is the same guy that wrote about a spiritual thorn that was growing Christ's strength in Him; our bodies wasting away but our spirits being renewed; being beaten, driven down, pressed on every side by troubles and sharing in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus could also be seen in our bodies. So you've got to be pruned if you want to grow any blossoms.
So, to sum it all up: examine, trust, move. In Japan, God caused me to examine where I was standing in relation to Him because of the incredible work I was seeing around me. I was seeing fruit everywhere, but I myself wasn't growing any. So I made a commitment to move closer, to get rid of whatever was standing between myself and God. To do that I had to trust Him. Like you'd trust a surgeon with your body, you must trust the Lord of the universe with your all. Because, honestly, who else are you going to trust? In Bolivia, the danger I was often in and the chaos of feeling unsure and insecure led me to become totally and completely dependent on Him. And once I was, I moved closer. Once I was closer, He moved me forward. I had to step outside of my comfort zone. I tried things I'd never tried before. I had to put it all on the line. But I became braver, stronger, more assured in Christ's safe hold over me. That is what Christ wants. He wants us to put it all on the line for Him. And remember that we're not alone. We'll climb higher and higher, grow closer and closer, and experience more and more of this incredible experience called the walk with Christ.
"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but God is our solid rock? God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights."
Psalm 18:30-33
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Overseas part II: Bolivia
I decided to go to Bolivia in August of 2011. A good friend of mine had lived in Bolivia on mission with International Teams several years ago and had returned each year with a team since then. I told her I was interested in going, so we began fundraising. Mostly we had bake sales. After months of baking and selling everything from brownies to sugar cookies to pumpkin *fill in the blank* I was ready to never crack another egg again. We also held a 5k, sold handmade hats, and the very generous members of our church gave their support, so we soon had the funds we needed. January of 2012 came, and I was going to Bolivia!
The team consisted of the five of us from Texas, four from Ohio, and five from Bolivia (but several others joined us from time to time along the way). We traveled with a doctor who was part of a ministry called Red Vida de Epseranza (Life of Hope Network) that brings medical and dental attention to people in needy rural communities. They also take donations of hygiene products, toys, school supplies, clothes, food.....you name it. Our job as volunteers was to bring as many donations with us as we could and then help distribute them in the villages we traveled to.
Each of us brought at least one suitcase (some brought five) packed full of donations. It wasn't easy to get these suitcases there. First, the team from Texas arrived a day later than everyone else because of a canceled flight (and every flight after that was delayed), and a suitcase was lost. Our other team members had luggage lost by the airline too, that weren't found until much later.
When we finally arrived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, we visited two orphanages. This proved to be a kind of warm-up for what we would expect in the villages later. Children grinning from ear to ear, heartbreaking testimonies from adults, and the overwhelming feeling of being completely unworthy of the work. I didn't feel like I was ministering to anyone as much as being ministered to. Each time a little kid smiled.
Then, when it was time to depart for Potosi (what would be our home base)--OUR BUS LEFT WITHOUT US! After we'd loaded half our luggage onto it! We gathered up the rest of our luggage and ran after the bus! We made it part of the way down the road when the good doctor pulled up and we loaded what remained of our luggage onto his Jeep. He told us he would try to beat the bus to its next stop in a town not far away and try to convince it to wait. My eyes locked onto my suitcase tucked into the rack atop the Jeep as it pulled away and I pictured my passport and cash zipped safely (I had thought) inside. It didn't seem so safe anymore!
Well, we didn't catch the bus in the next town. Or the town after that. After two cabs and another bus (and sleeping overnight on said bus) we procured a van to take us the rest of the way to Potosi. We crammed ourselves into that van and prepared for an eight hour ride. We quickly got used to very long rides in a not-so-comfortable vehicle.
Upon arriving in Potosi, we caught up with the rest of the luggage (though one suitcase was never found) and sorted out the donations. We divided everything into little gift bags; each bag was designed to go to either a boy or girl and had a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, a toy and a snack. We took enough bags with us for the children of several villages. Another bus arrived that would be our personal transportation for the next week. We grew very, very, very, very, very grateful for our driver. We were basically entrusting him with our very lives on those roads (did you know that the most dangerous road in the world is in Bolivia? ...before you get excited, we didn't drive on it. But there's little difference, they're all death roads).
We visited three villages. In each one we distributed donations and two clowns that were travelling with us did a show, and the good doctor treated some patients and gave a short sermon. In each one we felt our hearts break for the children who were sooooo happy to receive the little gifts we gave them. We heard stories from adults, and wished we could stay longer! Years! It would really be a full time career to meet all the needs there. Nutrition, exposure to harsh weather, disease, and children being abandoned by their parents who leave for the cities to drink are a few of the terrible problems we saw in the campo.
In the States, yes, we do have issues. But it is appalling that so many problems people face in other parts of the world (well, in the States too) are so fixable! I saw toddlers with no pants or shoes, walking around in the cold, shivering. Elderly folks with pneumonia. Many, many people with diarrhea from bad water. It wouldn't be hard for us, who have so much, to fix some of those problems. And they are just grateful that you took a little time to come visit them (and brought some clowns for a show).
God taught me many things on that trip, but I'll break it down. First, he taught me that I am not helpless. It's easy to feel like I'm not going to make much of a difference. Who am I? I'm 5'4'', not very strong, I don't have many skills. I couldn't even speak Spanish that well. But God can use me anyway, in spite of what I lack. I felt useful there, even if it was just making kids smile.
Second, He taught me that there will be problems. You can't avoid them. I foolishly thought that once I had my ticket everything else was going to be a cakewalk. WRONG! It seemed to us that once one problem was taken care of, another one dropped in to take its place; we dealt with everything from canceled flights and missed bus rides, to broken axles and a twelve mile hike (two out of six total hours in the dark, and we weren't 100% certain where we were going). We soon decided that nothing was ever going to be easy. But the work was worth it. After that very long hike to the last village we visited, the people there told us they knew God was with us, and what a blessing we were. We prayed with dozens of people, and tears of joy were shed by everyone. No way I would have missed that!
Third, God showed me that He is in control. Actually, He beat this one into me. And you know you're going to get it when the Creator of the universe is beating a point into you. Satan threw problem after problem at us, and God turned it into another lesson of how wonderfully awesome He is. For example, our bus broke an axle so we had to stay another day at a church in Uyuni until it could either be fixed or alternate transportation could be arranged to get back to Potosi. Did I mention we had a flight to catch, and we still had to get to Sucre and then Santa Cruz to catch it? But God had a plan! While we were waiting, we each began to share what we thought God had taught us on the trip. It turned into people sharing testimonies, family members sharing with family members testimonies they'd never heard, and two got saved. People were crying all over the place. Who knows if that would have happened if we'd left on time? God has His Master Plan. We're just along for the ride. And what a ride it is!
So if you're thinking of going on missions, or if you are already, remember to trust God and keep your eyes open. It is so worth it.
"But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the One who speaks to them.
How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!"
Isaiah 52:6-7
The team consisted of the five of us from Texas, four from Ohio, and five from Bolivia (but several others joined us from time to time along the way). We traveled with a doctor who was part of a ministry called Red Vida de Epseranza (Life of Hope Network) that brings medical and dental attention to people in needy rural communities. They also take donations of hygiene products, toys, school supplies, clothes, food.....you name it. Our job as volunteers was to bring as many donations with us as we could and then help distribute them in the villages we traveled to.
Each of us brought at least one suitcase (some brought five) packed full of donations. It wasn't easy to get these suitcases there. First, the team from Texas arrived a day later than everyone else because of a canceled flight (and every flight after that was delayed), and a suitcase was lost. Our other team members had luggage lost by the airline too, that weren't found until much later.
When we finally arrived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, we visited two orphanages. This proved to be a kind of warm-up for what we would expect in the villages later. Children grinning from ear to ear, heartbreaking testimonies from adults, and the overwhelming feeling of being completely unworthy of the work. I didn't feel like I was ministering to anyone as much as being ministered to. Each time a little kid smiled.
Then, when it was time to depart for Potosi (what would be our home base)--OUR BUS LEFT WITHOUT US! After we'd loaded half our luggage onto it! We gathered up the rest of our luggage and ran after the bus! We made it part of the way down the road when the good doctor pulled up and we loaded what remained of our luggage onto his Jeep. He told us he would try to beat the bus to its next stop in a town not far away and try to convince it to wait. My eyes locked onto my suitcase tucked into the rack atop the Jeep as it pulled away and I pictured my passport and cash zipped safely (I had thought) inside. It didn't seem so safe anymore!
Well, we didn't catch the bus in the next town. Or the town after that. After two cabs and another bus (and sleeping overnight on said bus) we procured a van to take us the rest of the way to Potosi. We crammed ourselves into that van and prepared for an eight hour ride. We quickly got used to very long rides in a not-so-comfortable vehicle.
Upon arriving in Potosi, we caught up with the rest of the luggage (though one suitcase was never found) and sorted out the donations. We divided everything into little gift bags; each bag was designed to go to either a boy or girl and had a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, a toy and a snack. We took enough bags with us for the children of several villages. Another bus arrived that would be our personal transportation for the next week. We grew very, very, very, very, very grateful for our driver. We were basically entrusting him with our very lives on those roads (did you know that the most dangerous road in the world is in Bolivia? ...before you get excited, we didn't drive on it. But there's little difference, they're all death roads).
We visited three villages. In each one we distributed donations and two clowns that were travelling with us did a show, and the good doctor treated some patients and gave a short sermon. In each one we felt our hearts break for the children who were sooooo happy to receive the little gifts we gave them. We heard stories from adults, and wished we could stay longer! Years! It would really be a full time career to meet all the needs there. Nutrition, exposure to harsh weather, disease, and children being abandoned by their parents who leave for the cities to drink are a few of the terrible problems we saw in the campo.
In the States, yes, we do have issues. But it is appalling that so many problems people face in other parts of the world (well, in the States too) are so fixable! I saw toddlers with no pants or shoes, walking around in the cold, shivering. Elderly folks with pneumonia. Many, many people with diarrhea from bad water. It wouldn't be hard for us, who have so much, to fix some of those problems. And they are just grateful that you took a little time to come visit them (and brought some clowns for a show).
God taught me many things on that trip, but I'll break it down. First, he taught me that I am not helpless. It's easy to feel like I'm not going to make much of a difference. Who am I? I'm 5'4'', not very strong, I don't have many skills. I couldn't even speak Spanish that well. But God can use me anyway, in spite of what I lack. I felt useful there, even if it was just making kids smile.
Second, He taught me that there will be problems. You can't avoid them. I foolishly thought that once I had my ticket everything else was going to be a cakewalk. WRONG! It seemed to us that once one problem was taken care of, another one dropped in to take its place; we dealt with everything from canceled flights and missed bus rides, to broken axles and a twelve mile hike (two out of six total hours in the dark, and we weren't 100% certain where we were going). We soon decided that nothing was ever going to be easy. But the work was worth it. After that very long hike to the last village we visited, the people there told us they knew God was with us, and what a blessing we were. We prayed with dozens of people, and tears of joy were shed by everyone. No way I would have missed that!
Third, God showed me that He is in control. Actually, He beat this one into me. And you know you're going to get it when the Creator of the universe is beating a point into you. Satan threw problem after problem at us, and God turned it into another lesson of how wonderfully awesome He is. For example, our bus broke an axle so we had to stay another day at a church in Uyuni until it could either be fixed or alternate transportation could be arranged to get back to Potosi. Did I mention we had a flight to catch, and we still had to get to Sucre and then Santa Cruz to catch it? But God had a plan! While we were waiting, we each began to share what we thought God had taught us on the trip. It turned into people sharing testimonies, family members sharing with family members testimonies they'd never heard, and two got saved. People were crying all over the place. Who knows if that would have happened if we'd left on time? God has His Master Plan. We're just along for the ride. And what a ride it is!
So if you're thinking of going on missions, or if you are already, remember to trust God and keep your eyes open. It is so worth it.
"But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the One who speaks to them.
How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!"
Isaiah 52:6-7
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Overseas part I: Japan
Ok so now I'll talk about missions overseas. Well, mostly I'll talk about the two mission trips I've taken outside the country, and from my experience maybe give a little advice that may or may not help if you're considering a mission trip to another country. And I'll begin at the beginning.
In July of 2009, I applied to go on mission to Tokyo, Japan. When I was accepted, I was both excited and slightly terrified. I'd never been outside the country before, and the trip cost about $6,000. I had no idea where I was going to get the money, but I was determined to go. I had one year to raise the money, and I can say that without the very generous (and patient) members of my church, there's no way it would have been done. I designed and sold t-shirts, baked and sold pies, sold over 200 breakfast tacos in my church courtyard (and a few at school), held a 5k race, and anything else I could think of. By April I had the full amount I needed. When the date of the trip rolled around, I had no idea what to expect, but I was SO EXCITED!
After a 14 hour flight, my team and I landed at Tokyo airport. Thanks to jet lag, we were dead tired. We took a train from the airport to the International Hostel (I slept the whole way). My first impression of Tokyo was that it was so clean. Public areas in the States aren't usually filthy, but you can expect some litter on the street, or maybe a dirty table every now and then at a restaurant, but in Tokyo everything is squeaky clean. You could lick the sidewalk if you wanted to (though somebody would probably get upset and disinfect it).
My team and I spent each night at the International Hostel, where you could expect flat pallet beds, a hot shower, and toast, eggs and.....salad? for breakfast. Salad with your choice of dressing--not kidding. After breakfast each morning, we left the hostel to go to church at a Christian school a short train ride away. It was the only Christian school around, so we prayed every day that it would get to stay there and give kids a Christian education. From there we went to our assigned part of the city where we would do our mission work.
Our main goal as volunteers was to make friends with the Japanese people. To get the significance of this, you've got to understand that depression and suicide are a pretty big epidemic over there. Because of the Japanese emphasis on bringing honor to the family, there's a lot of pressure on Japanese young people to be successful in their endeavors. A LOT of pressure. You think you stress a lot about school? Imagine growing up in a culture of zero individuality, and your whole purpose in life is to have a successful career and contribute to the good of society. There's a Japanese saying that goes, "the nail that sticks up gets hammered down." In other words, disappear into the humming machine of society. For them, not getting into a good school or failing to find a career basically means you're worthless. So, feeling dejected and depressed, many people take their own lives. 80 people a day. Not joking. It's a horrible way to live, only finding worth in work or school, and, not surprisingly, people can't handle it anymore so they end it all.
So simply making friends with the Japanese people doesn't seem as superficial now, does it? We literally stood on the street and talked to anyone we met. Well, actually, we offered free 5-minute English lessons. The Japanese LOVE to practice their English, even though most of them are really good at speaking it. But when we "practiced" with them, we asked questions like, "What do you like to read?" or "What do you like to do?" and when they asked the question back, we would talk about the Bible, or church. That opened up potential for a discussion, and we could share the Gospel. More than that, though, they received exclusive attention from a complete stranger. Once I was able to talk to someone, I asked their name, where they go to school, what they like to do with their free time, and when, the opportunity came, I explained the Good News of Christ. Most had never heard of Jesus before, and that He died for them. It was unthinkable! They could not believe that somebody could love them, individually, regardless of what they did or whether they were rich or successful, and that He willingly died for them. I remember vividly when a man, when He heard of Jesus and what He did for him, started crying. I'd never seen a man cry before.
I hate to admit it, and I'm sure many Christians will agree, but I've taken the Gospel for granted. It's the curse of growing up in church. When you're old enough to speak you learn to recite John 3:16, and the story of the crucifixion loses it's weight and terror. Then I spoke to people who'd never read a Bible before or even heard of sin or that there was a payment to be made for it--and it blew my mind. I felt so convicted for EVER taking my salvation for granted.
We also visited the temple in Asaksa, and it was there that God reminded me just how powerful He is. It was the largest Buddhist temple in Japan. Outside the temple are two stations. One is a pot filled with water that people ladle out and drink, to purify their insides. The other is an incense burner where people waft the fumes over themselves to purify their outsides before entering the temple. Inside and outside the temple were dozens of statues--some dressed in clothes so they don't get cold at night. I was reminded of Isaiah 40:18-31, which compares the mightiness of God to idols. But what was made painfully clear was that idols aren't always statues of people or gods, like you could find anywhere in Tokyo. Money, academic success, your job--any of those things could be an idol. Just like the statues in Japan, that material thing you're worshiping is worthless until you give it worth. A stone statue is just a statue until it's dressed up.
If you're thinking of going overseas, remember to keep your mind open. I was prepared to go in like Mother Teresa, or Lottie Moon, and teach the Japanese the good news of Christ, and instead I was smacked in the face with how eagerly the Japanese soaked up everything I'd been taking for granted most of my life. It happened again when I went to Bolivia. Knowledge of salvation, unconditional love, having a deeply personal God--since I'd become a Christian those things had just kind of settled into the back of my mind and I hadn't really given them another thought. That sounds really horrible, but it's true. Other things like church, having a Bible handy whenever I want it, I'd taken those for granted to. I pray that I never take any of it for granted again. As Christians in America, I think that tends to happen. But God will remind you--it may not be with a trip to the other side of the world, but one way another you will be reminded, and you'll never look at the Gospel the same way again.
"'To whom will you compare Me? Who is My equal?' asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? We brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of His great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you not heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth."
Isaiah 40:25-28
In July of 2009, I applied to go on mission to Tokyo, Japan. When I was accepted, I was both excited and slightly terrified. I'd never been outside the country before, and the trip cost about $6,000. I had no idea where I was going to get the money, but I was determined to go. I had one year to raise the money, and I can say that without the very generous (and patient) members of my church, there's no way it would have been done. I designed and sold t-shirts, baked and sold pies, sold over 200 breakfast tacos in my church courtyard (and a few at school), held a 5k race, and anything else I could think of. By April I had the full amount I needed. When the date of the trip rolled around, I had no idea what to expect, but I was SO EXCITED!
After a 14 hour flight, my team and I landed at Tokyo airport. Thanks to jet lag, we were dead tired. We took a train from the airport to the International Hostel (I slept the whole way). My first impression of Tokyo was that it was so clean. Public areas in the States aren't usually filthy, but you can expect some litter on the street, or maybe a dirty table every now and then at a restaurant, but in Tokyo everything is squeaky clean. You could lick the sidewalk if you wanted to (though somebody would probably get upset and disinfect it).
My team and I spent each night at the International Hostel, where you could expect flat pallet beds, a hot shower, and toast, eggs and.....salad? for breakfast. Salad with your choice of dressing--not kidding. After breakfast each morning, we left the hostel to go to church at a Christian school a short train ride away. It was the only Christian school around, so we prayed every day that it would get to stay there and give kids a Christian education. From there we went to our assigned part of the city where we would do our mission work.
Our main goal as volunteers was to make friends with the Japanese people. To get the significance of this, you've got to understand that depression and suicide are a pretty big epidemic over there. Because of the Japanese emphasis on bringing honor to the family, there's a lot of pressure on Japanese young people to be successful in their endeavors. A LOT of pressure. You think you stress a lot about school? Imagine growing up in a culture of zero individuality, and your whole purpose in life is to have a successful career and contribute to the good of society. There's a Japanese saying that goes, "the nail that sticks up gets hammered down." In other words, disappear into the humming machine of society. For them, not getting into a good school or failing to find a career basically means you're worthless. So, feeling dejected and depressed, many people take their own lives. 80 people a day. Not joking. It's a horrible way to live, only finding worth in work or school, and, not surprisingly, people can't handle it anymore so they end it all.
So simply making friends with the Japanese people doesn't seem as superficial now, does it? We literally stood on the street and talked to anyone we met. Well, actually, we offered free 5-minute English lessons. The Japanese LOVE to practice their English, even though most of them are really good at speaking it. But when we "practiced" with them, we asked questions like, "What do you like to read?" or "What do you like to do?" and when they asked the question back, we would talk about the Bible, or church. That opened up potential for a discussion, and we could share the Gospel. More than that, though, they received exclusive attention from a complete stranger. Once I was able to talk to someone, I asked their name, where they go to school, what they like to do with their free time, and when, the opportunity came, I explained the Good News of Christ. Most had never heard of Jesus before, and that He died for them. It was unthinkable! They could not believe that somebody could love them, individually, regardless of what they did or whether they were rich or successful, and that He willingly died for them. I remember vividly when a man, when He heard of Jesus and what He did for him, started crying. I'd never seen a man cry before.
I hate to admit it, and I'm sure many Christians will agree, but I've taken the Gospel for granted. It's the curse of growing up in church. When you're old enough to speak you learn to recite John 3:16, and the story of the crucifixion loses it's weight and terror. Then I spoke to people who'd never read a Bible before or even heard of sin or that there was a payment to be made for it--and it blew my mind. I felt so convicted for EVER taking my salvation for granted.
We also visited the temple in Asaksa, and it was there that God reminded me just how powerful He is. It was the largest Buddhist temple in Japan. Outside the temple are two stations. One is a pot filled with water that people ladle out and drink, to purify their insides. The other is an incense burner where people waft the fumes over themselves to purify their outsides before entering the temple. Inside and outside the temple were dozens of statues--some dressed in clothes so they don't get cold at night. I was reminded of Isaiah 40:18-31, which compares the mightiness of God to idols. But what was made painfully clear was that idols aren't always statues of people or gods, like you could find anywhere in Tokyo. Money, academic success, your job--any of those things could be an idol. Just like the statues in Japan, that material thing you're worshiping is worthless until you give it worth. A stone statue is just a statue until it's dressed up.
If you're thinking of going overseas, remember to keep your mind open. I was prepared to go in like Mother Teresa, or Lottie Moon, and teach the Japanese the good news of Christ, and instead I was smacked in the face with how eagerly the Japanese soaked up everything I'd been taking for granted most of my life. It happened again when I went to Bolivia. Knowledge of salvation, unconditional love, having a deeply personal God--since I'd become a Christian those things had just kind of settled into the back of my mind and I hadn't really given them another thought. That sounds really horrible, but it's true. Other things like church, having a Bible handy whenever I want it, I'd taken those for granted to. I pray that I never take any of it for granted again. As Christians in America, I think that tends to happen. But God will remind you--it may not be with a trip to the other side of the world, but one way another you will be reminded, and you'll never look at the Gospel the same way again.
"'To whom will you compare Me? Who is My equal?' asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? We brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of His great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you not heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth."
Isaiah 40:25-28
Friday, March 16, 2012
Because it's an issue.
Yes, I know I said I was going to talk about overseas missions today, but because what's trending on Facebook these days is that many people are getting engaged and that seems to have some repercussions for everyone else, I thought I would throw in my two cents about the "engagement explosion" (as always, you can take it or leave it).
If you are engaged, congratulations! That's wonderful, and I wish you and your honey a wonderful life happily ever after! This is for the rest of us. You may have noticed the ripple effect that an engagement announcement has. For those in a relationship, it probably means the girl sighs dreamily while the guy's thinking, Crap! The heat's on!
For us singles, it may mean feeling kind of sorry for yourself, finding a couch and some ice cream and watching a few old films, wondering, When is going to happen for me? I'm here to tell you DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!
Guys, here I'm going to talk to the girls for a second.
Girls: there's about a million things that I could say to you, but I'll keep it simple. Just because you didn't get married before your friends did doesn't mean you're an old maid. It doesn't mean there's something wrong with you, that you're less attractive than the girl who just got her ring, or the one who's in a relationship. It also does not mean that you need to go out and hunt yourself a guy. Don't chase men. Don't chase men. Don't chase men. Repetition implies emphasis. Forget about that feminist crap about being a liberated woman and taking what you want; it's not cool to be a slut anymore. Be yourself, live your life, read some books, go on some adventures, and the right man will come to you. And then he'll fight for you, and win your heart, and want to keep you. And that's when there's generally a ring involved. But the point is that it happens on God's timing, not yours. Besides, if you spend every day worrying that you're never going to find "the one," you miss out on the experiences of every day leading up to then. A very smart lady named Elisabeth Elliot said, "The important thing is to receive this moment's experience with both hands. Don't waste it." (Good reads: Passion and Purity and Let me be a woman, both by Elisabeth Elliot).
Now, gentlemen: I'm not a guy. I don't know what you like to read, so I don't have some recommendations for you. Talk to a mature Christian male friend about that. However, to you I will say this: be the guy that a girl can trust. If you're in a relationship, this means that she won't stress about the ring as much because she knows that you care about her more than anything in the world. If you're single, it means building companionship. Girls love a guy they can trust (that business about being mysterious is more attractive isn't necessarily true; be the real deal). There is a girl out there specially made by God just for you; just be patient. In the meantime, be mature. Have some life experiences, and figure out what it is you're looking for to begin with. Paul said that being single is a gift; now calm down, that doesn't mean being single is better somehow and that you must stay single forever. Every stage of life is a gift by God and has a purpose. Don't rush through it. And if you like, spend a little time with the ones who have "figured it out." Maybe they could give you a little advice? Who knows? Personally, I don't believe God would have given you such a romantic heart with the intent that you'd never find the one to share it with.
So there it is. Now, quit complaining and congratulate a pair of friends who just got engaged!
"Trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will make your innocence shine like the dawn, and the justice of your cause shine like the noonday sun."
Psalm 37:3-6
If you are engaged, congratulations! That's wonderful, and I wish you and your honey a wonderful life happily ever after! This is for the rest of us. You may have noticed the ripple effect that an engagement announcement has. For those in a relationship, it probably means the girl sighs dreamily while the guy's thinking, Crap! The heat's on!
For us singles, it may mean feeling kind of sorry for yourself, finding a couch and some ice cream and watching a few old films, wondering, When is going to happen for me? I'm here to tell you DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!
Guys, here I'm going to talk to the girls for a second.
Girls: there's about a million things that I could say to you, but I'll keep it simple. Just because you didn't get married before your friends did doesn't mean you're an old maid. It doesn't mean there's something wrong with you, that you're less attractive than the girl who just got her ring, or the one who's in a relationship. It also does not mean that you need to go out and hunt yourself a guy. Don't chase men. Don't chase men. Don't chase men. Repetition implies emphasis. Forget about that feminist crap about being a liberated woman and taking what you want; it's not cool to be a slut anymore. Be yourself, live your life, read some books, go on some adventures, and the right man will come to you. And then he'll fight for you, and win your heart, and want to keep you. And that's when there's generally a ring involved. But the point is that it happens on God's timing, not yours. Besides, if you spend every day worrying that you're never going to find "the one," you miss out on the experiences of every day leading up to then. A very smart lady named Elisabeth Elliot said, "The important thing is to receive this moment's experience with both hands. Don't waste it." (Good reads: Passion and Purity and Let me be a woman, both by Elisabeth Elliot).
Now, gentlemen: I'm not a guy. I don't know what you like to read, so I don't have some recommendations for you. Talk to a mature Christian male friend about that. However, to you I will say this: be the guy that a girl can trust. If you're in a relationship, this means that she won't stress about the ring as much because she knows that you care about her more than anything in the world. If you're single, it means building companionship. Girls love a guy they can trust (that business about being mysterious is more attractive isn't necessarily true; be the real deal). There is a girl out there specially made by God just for you; just be patient. In the meantime, be mature. Have some life experiences, and figure out what it is you're looking for to begin with. Paul said that being single is a gift; now calm down, that doesn't mean being single is better somehow and that you must stay single forever. Every stage of life is a gift by God and has a purpose. Don't rush through it. And if you like, spend a little time with the ones who have "figured it out." Maybe they could give you a little advice? Who knows? Personally, I don't believe God would have given you such a romantic heart with the intent that you'd never find the one to share it with.
So there it is. Now, quit complaining and congratulate a pair of friends who just got engaged!
"Trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will make your innocence shine like the dawn, and the justice of your cause shine like the noonday sun."
Psalm 37:3-6
Thursday, March 15, 2012
On getting involved.
I write this post in response to a question posed to me by a reader. First off, I'll define what it means to be on mission. To be on mission does not necessarily mean trudging through some jungle to reach a remote tribe of people with the Gospel (though that would be pretty sweet). My definition (you can take it or leave it) of BEING ON MISSION means that you are working to GROW THE CHURCH. In obedience to the Great Commission, you are spreading the Gospel, and that can be done overseas or right on your street.
That being said, there are three ways to be involved in missions: pray, give or go.
Prayer is absolutely essential. In his letters to churches Paul frequently spoke about the power of prayer: "For we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding....we also pray that you will be strengthened will all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need" (Colossians 1:9,11). Prayer works, and extremely encouraging to those being prayed for. You can form a group in your church and pray for those on missions, or that God will lead you to some kind of ministry.
The second thing is giving. You can give money, time or space. Open up your home to your fellow church members, give a little bit of your spare time to teach Sunday school or mentor a new believer. If you've got money to spare, give it to a ministry. In answer to the question of some overseas ministries: there is the International Mission Board, possibly the most well-known world ministry and an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention (the Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon offerings are seasonal offerings that give to this ministry); other quite well known ministries include International Teams, New Tribes Ministries, iGo Global and Youth With a Mission. There are many global and local ministries that you can look up, or I can and list them in the next post.
Lastly, you can go. This is what is usually thought of first when one thinks of missions because it is generally seen as the most daring, or at least the most conspicuous form of ministry. Traveling to another country risking life and death is dramatic, romantic in a way; and truthfully, not everyone can do it. But not everyone is called to do it either. There are those who can't go because of work or family obligations, but those are the ones who can provide the way for the people who are free from such obligations and are willing to go. If you can devote the time, find out where you're called to go and then get to work raising the money. If you must stay, then do what you can to support those who are going. Whichever you are--one who stays or one who goes--don't neglect each other. The church is meant to work together, and simply can't be effective any other way.
I hope that answered some questions. If you're thinking of going overseas or getting involved locally, pray about it and talk to some smart, experienced people in your church. Stepping out and being an active Christian, taking the Gospel to places untouched is unlike anything else in the world. Believers aren't supposed to be passive, or comfortable--but that's for another conversation. Next post, I'll talk about overseas trips--from talking toilets in Tokyo to llama-skin beds and the great outdoors in Bolivia.
"But thank God! He has made us His captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?"
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
That being said, there are three ways to be involved in missions: pray, give or go.
Prayer is absolutely essential. In his letters to churches Paul frequently spoke about the power of prayer: "For we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding....we also pray that you will be strengthened will all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need" (Colossians 1:9,11). Prayer works, and extremely encouraging to those being prayed for. You can form a group in your church and pray for those on missions, or that God will lead you to some kind of ministry.
The second thing is giving. You can give money, time or space. Open up your home to your fellow church members, give a little bit of your spare time to teach Sunday school or mentor a new believer. If you've got money to spare, give it to a ministry. In answer to the question of some overseas ministries: there is the International Mission Board, possibly the most well-known world ministry and an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention (the Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon offerings are seasonal offerings that give to this ministry); other quite well known ministries include International Teams, New Tribes Ministries, iGo Global and Youth With a Mission. There are many global and local ministries that you can look up, or I can and list them in the next post.
Lastly, you can go. This is what is usually thought of first when one thinks of missions because it is generally seen as the most daring, or at least the most conspicuous form of ministry. Traveling to another country risking life and death is dramatic, romantic in a way; and truthfully, not everyone can do it. But not everyone is called to do it either. There are those who can't go because of work or family obligations, but those are the ones who can provide the way for the people who are free from such obligations and are willing to go. If you can devote the time, find out where you're called to go and then get to work raising the money. If you must stay, then do what you can to support those who are going. Whichever you are--one who stays or one who goes--don't neglect each other. The church is meant to work together, and simply can't be effective any other way.
I hope that answered some questions. If you're thinking of going overseas or getting involved locally, pray about it and talk to some smart, experienced people in your church. Stepping out and being an active Christian, taking the Gospel to places untouched is unlike anything else in the world. Believers aren't supposed to be passive, or comfortable--but that's for another conversation. Next post, I'll talk about overseas trips--from talking toilets in Tokyo to llama-skin beds and the great outdoors in Bolivia.
"But thank God! He has made us His captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?"
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
So here it is.
All right, here it is. I'm writing this blog because I want to give you all a bit of insight into what it is I do. I'm a student. I'm studying biology at a medium-sized school in Texas. I love to run, watch movies and travel. Actually, I love to travel on mission (for those of you who don't know what that is: it means I want to travel the world and tell people about Jesus. If you don't know what THAT means, stay tuned, and I assure you, I will talk about that soon).
I believe God has called everyone to go on mission. For some people, that means staying put in the States and serving those placed around you. For others, it means going to another state, or another country--maybe for a short time, maybe permanently. Anyway, to start this off, I'm going to tell you in three points what every person needs to know before going on mission (overseas or locally).
First, you have to know (very thoroughly) what you believe. Because if you don't know what you're talking about you'll do more harm than good. STUDY THE BIBLE. Learn the Word inside and out. Take a few Bible classes if you need to. Read some books on theology (I personally recommend C.S. Lewis. That guy's a genius--even better if you can read him with a British accent). Think to yourself, why do I believe in Christianity? It's a tough question, but imagine a nonbeliever asking you that, and it'll get you studying so that you can answer!
Second: PRAY. This is a big issue for me, because I like to think that I can do everything by myself. I have to tell myself every day to take a little quiet time and tell God how I'm doing, what's worrying me, and then thank Him for always being there for me. He already knows everything that's on my mind, but that doesn't mean He cares any less. And it's a huge comfort to know He's taking the time (out of the infinite time available to Him) to listen.
The third thing about missions is to remember you're not alone. You're not the whole Body of Christ, just a part of it. There's a whole population of believers out there all working toward the same goal you are: spreading the Gospel. Don't try to take on the whole mission yourself. Paul describes this quite beautifully in 1 Corinthians 12. As a biology major I find this analogy especially moving. It's perfect because in the human body, one part truly can't operate without the rest of the body. A hand on its own is useless; an eye, very intricate complicated in design, is pointless without a body to use it (for a deeper dive into this analogy, read Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Dr. Paul Brand, orthopedic surgeon and medical missionary to the lepers of India--you'll never look at 1 Cor. 12 the same way again). So don't separate yourself from your home church to go out and serve. You won't accomplish nearly as much, and you'll miss out on the support.
So that's my two cents in three points. Prayers are extremely welcome. God bless!
Upcoming trips:
-Nicaragua (Aug 18-26)
-Potosi, Bolivia (Dec 31-Jan 18(?))
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation---the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God."
Philippians 1:9-11
I believe God has called everyone to go on mission. For some people, that means staying put in the States and serving those placed around you. For others, it means going to another state, or another country--maybe for a short time, maybe permanently. Anyway, to start this off, I'm going to tell you in three points what every person needs to know before going on mission (overseas or locally).
First, you have to know (very thoroughly) what you believe. Because if you don't know what you're talking about you'll do more harm than good. STUDY THE BIBLE. Learn the Word inside and out. Take a few Bible classes if you need to. Read some books on theology (I personally recommend C.S. Lewis. That guy's a genius--even better if you can read him with a British accent). Think to yourself, why do I believe in Christianity? It's a tough question, but imagine a nonbeliever asking you that, and it'll get you studying so that you can answer!
Second: PRAY. This is a big issue for me, because I like to think that I can do everything by myself. I have to tell myself every day to take a little quiet time and tell God how I'm doing, what's worrying me, and then thank Him for always being there for me. He already knows everything that's on my mind, but that doesn't mean He cares any less. And it's a huge comfort to know He's taking the time (out of the infinite time available to Him) to listen.
The third thing about missions is to remember you're not alone. You're not the whole Body of Christ, just a part of it. There's a whole population of believers out there all working toward the same goal you are: spreading the Gospel. Don't try to take on the whole mission yourself. Paul describes this quite beautifully in 1 Corinthians 12. As a biology major I find this analogy especially moving. It's perfect because in the human body, one part truly can't operate without the rest of the body. A hand on its own is useless; an eye, very intricate complicated in design, is pointless without a body to use it (for a deeper dive into this analogy, read Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Dr. Paul Brand, orthopedic surgeon and medical missionary to the lepers of India--you'll never look at 1 Cor. 12 the same way again). So don't separate yourself from your home church to go out and serve. You won't accomplish nearly as much, and you'll miss out on the support.
So that's my two cents in three points. Prayers are extremely welcome. God bless!
Upcoming trips:
-Nicaragua (Aug 18-26)
-Potosi, Bolivia (Dec 31-Jan 18(?))
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation---the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God."
Philippians 1:9-11
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