So to start off with I have to apologize for the lack of updates in the last 3 weeks. It has definitely been a busy time but thankfully I have some time now to rest. It's hard to believe that this trip is already half over. When I got here it felt like time was creeping by the first couple of weeks and once things picked up and I began to get into my routine, time has gone by much faster. I guess the saying is true that time flies when you're having fun.
The last 3 weeks have been filled with our team taking on a little bit more than what we already do. Our missionary spent a week in London with the IMB and that week my two team mates and I held the fort down so to speak. Once he returned the next two weeks were devoted to doing things to help get our Haiti team all ready to go. They are currently in Haiti this week and I would like to ask you to pray for them as they help rebuild homes for people who haven't had one in a long time.
If there is one thing that I could pass along that has really stuck out to me, it would be the Bible Study we had a couple Thursday nights ago. We are going through the book Radical by David Platt and in one of the first couple of chapters he talks about Christians and missionaries who are in countries where they have to have church in secret. A couple of the girls here thought that it would be a good idea to have our Bible study in the same fashion that week and so we did. As I walked to the study that night, I tried to put myself in the shoes of those missionaries who have to do that. Walking alone to a place that is a secret and showing up at different times and then sitting in a pitch black room with no heat, no music, no chairs...no nothing. We kept the heat off that night so it was kind of chilly (some people might say it was cold), didn't turn on the lights, didn't play any music and sat together as a group in the midst of candle's. We whispered as we talked about our subject that night and it was incredible what was felt that night. I think it is something that everyone should try at least once with a study. I think that sometimes the Gospel can get lost in the middle of trying to make everything else around you fancy to a certain degree but when you gather as believers in a place with just the Gospel, you're mind focus' in because honestly the Gospel is all you have and need in those moments. Thus is the case with our brothers and sisters in Christ in certain parts of the world.
I would also be lying if I said that I didn't hit a couple day stretch where I had low points of just wanting to be home. I figured that it would happen at least once but before I came I had wondered how I would respond in a place with no family or really any friends. As I reflect on the time that I have spent here so far, it has been a great experience and I have learned a lot about God and about myself in God. I think living in a place where the Gospel is so common can blind a person to the lost world around them. I know this has been the case for me. I don't think I can or could ever look at people the same again when I've spent everyday for the last 2 months in a place where 99.5% of the people I walk by could spend an eternity separated from Christ.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
After a month I can say that a lot has happened, personally and with others. I've met some awesome people and built relationships that have felt older than just a month, I've seen some good times in this ministry and some frustrating ones. The past 3 days have been the most revealing as far as my personal life goes.
While here, I'm taking a Intro to Missiology class for Seminary which has been a great class to take while out in the field. Over the weekend, I watched and listened to my first two lectures of the class which were introductory lectures and the foundation to what we will study later on in the semester. As I watched the constant theme and message was go, go, go. On our second lecture outine, there was an outline that had the percentages of the world as far as evangelism goes. They were labeled World A (unreached areas), Evangelized (break through areas) and "Christian" (areas with easy access to the Gospel). The other column was the percentages of where full time ministers were serving. A shocking 91% were in the "Christian" areas, 8% were in the evangelized areas and only 1% were in World A. 1%...that's it.
While all of that was marinating in my mind, yesterday I had sort of an "off day" where I had a lot of down time to catch up on rest, hang out or do whatever. After shoveling snow (sounds like a blast I know!) I decided to start reading a book for class. The book is called Bill Wallace Of China. It's a book about Bill Wallace (didn't see that one coming did you!) who was from Knoxville and his story of how he left his comfortable life in Tennessee to go do medical missions in China right before and during World War 2. Talk about a brave man with courage! I read the first 3 chapters and then went to the girl's apt for dinner. As I was walking and listening to music, tears began to come to my eyes. My first thought was God why do I tear up when I think you are telling me something?!? I continued walking and began to realize that God was revealing to me that my life was meant to be served Internationally long term! As I started to process this and wonder about it at the same time, the song By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North came on my ipod. The only words that stuck out to me to make me realize this song was on was, "Please don't fight these hands that are holding you."
Wow. So much so fast. As I have had time to sit back and process this a lot has gone through my mind and a lot of emotions have been felt. Joy, fear, excitement...you name it I probably felt it. But looking back it makes perect sense. I went to Spain to get my feet wet Internationally. I came home and had a lot of questions that could only be answered by going back out for a longer period of time. I came to Canada to experience and find out that this is going to be my life!
It is definitely an exciting time and a sense of awe that I'm being used for this amazing task. I ask that you be praying for me as I continue to go through each day here and as God reveals more.
While here, I'm taking a Intro to Missiology class for Seminary which has been a great class to take while out in the field. Over the weekend, I watched and listened to my first two lectures of the class which were introductory lectures and the foundation to what we will study later on in the semester. As I watched the constant theme and message was go, go, go. On our second lecture outine, there was an outline that had the percentages of the world as far as evangelism goes. They were labeled World A (unreached areas), Evangelized (break through areas) and "Christian" (areas with easy access to the Gospel). The other column was the percentages of where full time ministers were serving. A shocking 91% were in the "Christian" areas, 8% were in the evangelized areas and only 1% were in World A. 1%...that's it.
While all of that was marinating in my mind, yesterday I had sort of an "off day" where I had a lot of down time to catch up on rest, hang out or do whatever. After shoveling snow (sounds like a blast I know!) I decided to start reading a book for class. The book is called Bill Wallace Of China. It's a book about Bill Wallace (didn't see that one coming did you!) who was from Knoxville and his story of how he left his comfortable life in Tennessee to go do medical missions in China right before and during World War 2. Talk about a brave man with courage! I read the first 3 chapters and then went to the girl's apt for dinner. As I was walking and listening to music, tears began to come to my eyes. My first thought was God why do I tear up when I think you are telling me something?!? I continued walking and began to realize that God was revealing to me that my life was meant to be served Internationally long term! As I started to process this and wonder about it at the same time, the song By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North came on my ipod. The only words that stuck out to me to make me realize this song was on was, "Please don't fight these hands that are holding you."
Wow. So much so fast. As I have had time to sit back and process this a lot has gone through my mind and a lot of emotions have been felt. Joy, fear, excitement...you name it I probably felt it. But looking back it makes perect sense. I went to Spain to get my feet wet Internationally. I came home and had a lot of questions that could only be answered by going back out for a longer period of time. I came to Canada to experience and find out that this is going to be my life!
It is definitely an exciting time and a sense of awe that I'm being used for this amazing task. I ask that you be praying for me as I continue to go through each day here and as God reveals more.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
He's Not That Far
As I sit here and do some reflecting, the one thing that continually comes to mind is how frustrating spiritual warfare can be (if you allow it to get to you) in a place that is dead as a doornail. The biggest thing is how mentally draining it is when Satan has a stronghold on a place and uses it to try and peck away at the light that enters. Even while I'm typing this, the internet keeps going in and out.
The spiritual deadness of this place is everywhere. It looks dead, feels dead and can find you at any moment. Today it seemed to find me more than normal. This morning as I was walking to campus on a nature trail close to my house, I was praying and enjoying the brief 10-15 minutes of being away from people. This is a good spot to say it's not uncommon to see students pass by while walking but usually no eye contact is made or words are spoken. This morning was different. I passed two girls that were having a conversation outloud that I didn't want to hear. It was a conversation that just screamed spiritual darkness and came in a moment while I was praying. The next thing came while having a meeting with the guy who is over the athletic facility about using the gym for a night for only an hour to start a sports ministry. Even though it was positive, it felt like a win/lose situation. We can have the gym to start our ministry but we have to wait until after basketball and intermural season. This only leaves us with a month to try and get it off the ground. The last thing that happened today was being informed that a package of children's supplies we are intending to use at the French church to get a children's ministry started failed to reach me because I didn't live at the address that was placed on the package. UPS thought this was reasonable grounds to send it back to Tennessee.
After all of this that has happened today, it was easy to feel like I'm fighting a losing battle in which God seems far off. This, in a sense, felt like my Goliath. I was simply reminded in a couple different ways that God hasn't gone anywhere. Tomorrow night I'm leading a study on chapter 3 of the radical book and the topic is titled "Beginning at the end of Ourselves" and as I looked at my notes I saw the story of Joshua and Jericho. This is a great image of what can do with our limitations and it encouraged me that God loves to put us in situations where only he can come through. Wow! Me of all people should realize this by now with the way the past few months has gone but it's great to be reminded.
The second thing was while discussing about a Sports Night on Friday night. This night is to raise money for the people going back to Haiti in a couple weeks. I remembered that Lecrae had made a video after he returned from his trip and I showed it to the girl who is in charge of the Sports Night. As we watched the video and listened to the words, some in particular screamed out to me. After Lecrae goes through the song talking about how there seems to be no hope and God seems to be far away, he ends the song with verses from Psalm 62 and with the words "Even though he seems far, we can trust that he is not that far away." Wow again! So sitting here tonight and typing this, I know more days will come where it seems nothing can be done to break through the walls of darkness that surround this place but after two short and reassuring times, I know with God's power anything can be accomplished and I can trust that he is not that far away.
The spiritual deadness of this place is everywhere. It looks dead, feels dead and can find you at any moment. Today it seemed to find me more than normal. This morning as I was walking to campus on a nature trail close to my house, I was praying and enjoying the brief 10-15 minutes of being away from people. This is a good spot to say it's not uncommon to see students pass by while walking but usually no eye contact is made or words are spoken. This morning was different. I passed two girls that were having a conversation outloud that I didn't want to hear. It was a conversation that just screamed spiritual darkness and came in a moment while I was praying. The next thing came while having a meeting with the guy who is over the athletic facility about using the gym for a night for only an hour to start a sports ministry. Even though it was positive, it felt like a win/lose situation. We can have the gym to start our ministry but we have to wait until after basketball and intermural season. This only leaves us with a month to try and get it off the ground. The last thing that happened today was being informed that a package of children's supplies we are intending to use at the French church to get a children's ministry started failed to reach me because I didn't live at the address that was placed on the package. UPS thought this was reasonable grounds to send it back to Tennessee.
After all of this that has happened today, it was easy to feel like I'm fighting a losing battle in which God seems far off. This, in a sense, felt like my Goliath. I was simply reminded in a couple different ways that God hasn't gone anywhere. Tomorrow night I'm leading a study on chapter 3 of the radical book and the topic is titled "Beginning at the end of Ourselves" and as I looked at my notes I saw the story of Joshua and Jericho. This is a great image of what can do with our limitations and it encouraged me that God loves to put us in situations where only he can come through. Wow! Me of all people should realize this by now with the way the past few months has gone but it's great to be reminded.
The second thing was while discussing about a Sports Night on Friday night. This night is to raise money for the people going back to Haiti in a couple weeks. I remembered that Lecrae had made a video after he returned from his trip and I showed it to the girl who is in charge of the Sports Night. As we watched the video and listened to the words, some in particular screamed out to me. After Lecrae goes through the song talking about how there seems to be no hope and God seems to be far away, he ends the song with verses from Psalm 62 and with the words "Even though he seems far, we can trust that he is not that far away." Wow again! So sitting here tonight and typing this, I know more days will come where it seems nothing can be done to break through the walls of darkness that surround this place but after two short and reassuring times, I know with God's power anything can be accomplished and I can trust that he is not that far away.
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