All we know are beginnings and ends. Starts and finishes. Point A to point B. Building houses in the Philippines began with my training on June 2nd, and will end after a debrief on August 4th. As this summer mission comes to an end, it would be so simple and human for this experience in the Philippines to end. This idea is engrained in our very human nature, right?
The apostle Paul knew much about human nature. In Galations, he tells this to the believers: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please." - Galatians 5:16-17
Applying this passage to our lives, we must fight against every part of the flesh which goes contrary to the will and word of God. One thing we must fight is our forgetfulness. As I read through the book of Exodus, I was taken away by how many times the Lord repeated himself. How every ritual and sacrifice had meaning. Passover to the Feat of Unleavened bread, so the people would not forget what God had done. Exodus 20:2 says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."
"Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.” -Exodus 24:7 Yet 12 chapters later, these are the same people who build for themselves a golden calf to worship. How easily do we forget what God has delivered us from.
This summer, the Lord has delivered me from my own chains. I now have desire to dig into the scriptures and to be mentored by a college minister while at my university. I want to learn to live out this love Jesus speaks of, a love by which people will know we are followers of Jesus Christ, not just nice people. I want to grow into being a man after God's own hear, not to be classified as a "college student." Receiving a diploma does not magically make you a man or woman. What I have learned and been taught by God, may I never forget. He has allowed this mission to change my life. Not in a crying, tear jerking emotional way, but in the very core of my being. This chapter of my life is part of the never-ending relationship I have with God. May we learn from the past, and never forget what God has done in our own lives. May we not live for the dot of this life, but for the arrow of eternity.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Dusty Feet
Ironically, on this day, I was actually able to shake the dust off of my feet. The rainy season is at its tail end, and the hot sun now beats down on the currently dry, dusty road. Because our team has finished all the available work for the 4 Habitat for Humanity houses, we are back to our first job, making hollow blocks. Because we now know what we are doing, I split the team into 2. Half working the bricks, and the other doing house to house with our translator Jai.
House to house is as simple as this - walking down the dirt street, asking anyone if they have time to hear the good news of the Bible. The responses vary greatly. Sometimes we are immediately invited in, and the Word is received, and they become brothers and sisters in Christ. Others will listen, but with every word going in one ear and out the other. The most frustrating is when a person is sitting outside, doing nothing, but says in Cebuano "I'm busy working." I wonder the multitude of excuses Jesus' disciples faced when he sent them out.
When Jesus sent out his disciples, part of the charge he gave them was this: "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town." - Matthew 10:14-15. These words rang true as we continued to walk down the street, being denied and rejected from place to place. But God did provide us with a household who was willing to listen to the good news! We will have opportunity to have another Bible Study in the house of Norma!
Jesus wasn't kidding. The passage about shaking the dust off your feet...It became reality today. What is even scarier is the reality of God's punishment upon their sin. Those who died without Christ spend eternity without Him. Jesus knew may would reject the gospel. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that lead to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only few find it.: - Matthew 7:13-14. First, may we examine our life to see if we are on the narrow road which only few find. Second, we must be faithful in sharing the message to those on the broad road, never stopping, but continually sowing seeds. And where we are rejected, shake the very dust off our feet.
House to house is as simple as this - walking down the dirt street, asking anyone if they have time to hear the good news of the Bible. The responses vary greatly. Sometimes we are immediately invited in, and the Word is received, and they become brothers and sisters in Christ. Others will listen, but with every word going in one ear and out the other. The most frustrating is when a person is sitting outside, doing nothing, but says in Cebuano "I'm busy working." I wonder the multitude of excuses Jesus' disciples faced when he sent them out.
When Jesus sent out his disciples, part of the charge he gave them was this: "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town." - Matthew 10:14-15. These words rang true as we continued to walk down the street, being denied and rejected from place to place. But God did provide us with a household who was willing to listen to the good news! We will have opportunity to have another Bible Study in the house of Norma!
Jesus wasn't kidding. The passage about shaking the dust off your feet...It became reality today. What is even scarier is the reality of God's punishment upon their sin. Those who died without Christ spend eternity without Him. Jesus knew may would reject the gospel. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that lead to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only few find it.: - Matthew 7:13-14. First, may we examine our life to see if we are on the narrow road which only few find. Second, we must be faithful in sharing the message to those on the broad road, never stopping, but continually sowing seeds. And where we are rejected, shake the very dust off our feet.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Pure Heart
The ceiling leaked, the fans where noisy, and dogs kept barking from outside. In this building, the congregation of Shiloh Baptist Church met. When we come into the one room church, we quietly take our seats amongst the yard chair rows. Not an overwhelming crowd, just a steady 25 or so Filipinos. Yet in this moment, as we stood to sing, I would rather be no where else.
The praise band had asked our team to lead worship last week, so on Saturday night, Thomas and I went to the church for practice, picking out songs for the next morning. I would sing, and he would play the electric guitar which would not stay in tune. But before we came up to lead in praise, they had their customary opening song and call to worship.
Nothing majestic about the instruments, and nothing magical about the voices. But here, in the most humble of places, this song was sung:
And this, my friend, is the unspeakable beauty of the gospel. I have been reading though Exodus, and for the past few days, the passages where God instructs Moses about the Ark and the Tabernacle the Jews would build for the Lord. Gold, silver, jewels, and acacia wood; the most costly of items. But even with the sacrifices and the glory of the temples, God did not want their sacrifices. He wanted their heart.
Here in the Philippines, in an old, shabby building of concrete and plywood, the God of heaven and earth was meeting with us. We do not need to build beautiful buildings or hang ornaments of gold. You see, God does not care about the venue. He does not take delight in guitars or correctly colored carpet. He only wants our heart.
The praise band had asked our team to lead worship last week, so on Saturday night, Thomas and I went to the church for practice, picking out songs for the next morning. I would sing, and he would play the electric guitar which would not stay in tune. But before we came up to lead in praise, they had their customary opening song and call to worship.
Nothing majestic about the instruments, and nothing magical about the voices. But here, in the most humble of places, this song was sung:
A pure heart, that's what I long for
A heart that follows hard after thee.
A pure heart, that's what I long for
A heart that follows hard after thee.
A heart that hides your word
So that sin may not come in
A heart that's undivided
But one you rule, you reign
A heart that beats compassion,
That pleases you my Lord
A sweet aroma of worship
That rises to your throne.
A heart that follows hard after thee.
A pure heart, that's what I long for
A heart that follows hard after thee.
A heart that hides your word
So that sin may not come in
A heart that's undivided
But one you rule, you reign
A heart that beats compassion,
That pleases you my Lord
A sweet aroma of worship
That rises to your throne.
And this, my friend, is the unspeakable beauty of the gospel. I have been reading though Exodus, and for the past few days, the passages where God instructs Moses about the Ark and the Tabernacle the Jews would build for the Lord. Gold, silver, jewels, and acacia wood; the most costly of items. But even with the sacrifices and the glory of the temples, God did not want their sacrifices. He wanted their heart.
Here in the Philippines, in an old, shabby building of concrete and plywood, the God of heaven and earth was meeting with us. We do not need to build beautiful buildings or hang ornaments of gold. You see, God does not care about the venue. He does not take delight in guitars or correctly colored carpet. He only wants our heart.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Provision
Accidents happen. Or so experience has taught me. When building houses in the Philippines with rebar, concrete, and 40 pound hollow block, this statement remains ever true. One of my team members, while carrying a bag of rocks, dragged the top of his foot across a hollow block. The cut was not too bad, all he needed to do was keep it clean. Unfortunately, this did not occur. Across the next few weeks, I would glance at his foot every now and again, reminding him to keep it clean with a band aide. Yet yesterday, upon waking up, the injured foot was swollen, and I knew the cut was screaming the word "infection!"
In my head, I was already trying to lay out a plan and schedule where and when we could find a private doctor's office to get antibiotics prescribed. I knew I wanted to take him to a place where nosocomial infections would not be an issue. Through all these hasty thoughts, God reminded me of a 2 new believers down the street. A few nights ago, Dexter and Abigail had become believers in Christ through a Bible study. But Abigail is no normal Filipino - she is a BSN RN, speaks English, and is certified to practice nursing in California. What better person to go to!
After our full days schedule, we finally walked the muddy road to their house, giving a good "Ayo!" to let them know we wanted to come in. After Abigail looked and cleaned, she confirmed it to be a soft tissue infection. When I asked her if she knew a Doctor who would prescribe the antibiotics, she looked at me with an intrigued face. "I will have Dexter go to the pharmacy and pick up a pill of the right antibiotic, so you will know what to buy." No doctors appointment, no paperwork, nothing. Because of her knowledge in the medical field, she was able to tell us exactly what we needed to buy.
I had realized this was nothing short of God's provision, but He was not done teaching me yet. I continued to pour out gratitude to Dexter and Abigail, telling them how much of a blessing they had been to us! Dexter's next words, translated by his wife, will never be forgotten. "We are brothers and sisters in the same faith. Its no problem at all."
This touched deep within my heart. You see, there are many who cry out "Lord, Lord!" There are many who will say the prayer of the gospel, but few who mean it. This statement encouraged and reassured me of Dexter's and Abigail's genuine faith in Christ. They did not just enjoy hearing Bible studies from white Americans - they got it. They truly know and understand what it means to live as Christ would. As my teammate and I walked back home dodging puddles and ditches, my heart was lifted with love. Our God truly is the the provider, sheltering us and encouraging us in a time of storm.
In my head, I was already trying to lay out a plan and schedule where and when we could find a private doctor's office to get antibiotics prescribed. I knew I wanted to take him to a place where nosocomial infections would not be an issue. Through all these hasty thoughts, God reminded me of a 2 new believers down the street. A few nights ago, Dexter and Abigail had become believers in Christ through a Bible study. But Abigail is no normal Filipino - she is a BSN RN, speaks English, and is certified to practice nursing in California. What better person to go to!
After our full days schedule, we finally walked the muddy road to their house, giving a good "Ayo!" to let them know we wanted to come in. After Abigail looked and cleaned, she confirmed it to be a soft tissue infection. When I asked her if she knew a Doctor who would prescribe the antibiotics, she looked at me with an intrigued face. "I will have Dexter go to the pharmacy and pick up a pill of the right antibiotic, so you will know what to buy." No doctors appointment, no paperwork, nothing. Because of her knowledge in the medical field, she was able to tell us exactly what we needed to buy.
I had realized this was nothing short of God's provision, but He was not done teaching me yet. I continued to pour out gratitude to Dexter and Abigail, telling them how much of a blessing they had been to us! Dexter's next words, translated by his wife, will never be forgotten. "We are brothers and sisters in the same faith. Its no problem at all."
This touched deep within my heart. You see, there are many who cry out "Lord, Lord!" There are many who will say the prayer of the gospel, but few who mean it. This statement encouraged and reassured me of Dexter's and Abigail's genuine faith in Christ. They did not just enjoy hearing Bible studies from white Americans - they got it. They truly know and understand what it means to live as Christ would. As my teammate and I walked back home dodging puddles and ditches, my heart was lifted with love. Our God truly is the the provider, sheltering us and encouraging us in a time of storm.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Superficial
Externally, everything seems right. Here in Butuan City, religion runs rampant. Over 98% of the country is Roman Catholic, and a cross on every corner bears witness to it. As you walk down the road, you can see people going through the rosary, and a devout Catholic will cross himself every time they pass a church. There are trikes with scriptures painted on the sides, and trucks have "Jesus is love" on them. My personal favorite was the semi truck which had "Jehovah Jireh" (The Lord will Provide) painted on the back. So why are we here? What is our purpose? The word of God is inscribed on the public's transportation!
We are here because the word of God is not inscribed on their hearts. Superficially, the Filipinos speak of God, salvation, and being saved from their sins. But if you ask them why they are going to go to heaven, their answer is not Christ alone. Majority will begin to speak about works. I ran into this situation last Sunday, as we did house to house ministry with a local Baptist Church. After presenting the gospel and my testimony to a woman and her family right outside her house on the street, a shop owner next door gave my translator and I free soda and crackers. As we talked to him, he was speaking the right words about salvation. But the more I prodded, the more he spoke of works. He believed if he died with an unconfessed sin, he would not be allowed into heaven. What a fearful life to live.
I felt the story of the Prodigals Son was in order. The parable is a wonderful witness tool in a place where people believe God only loves us for our works. The pastor from the baptist church walked up and proceeded to give the story of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus. We did not see a change in his heart, but this we did; we preached the gospel and planted sees. This is what the Lord would have us to do.
No matter where we go, who we speak to, or what they claim to believe, we preach one message - Christ crucified. From this conviction and commitment, the Lord opened doors for a bible study last night and salvation of two souls! What started as simple questions of faith and religion has led to souls being saved for eternity. We are overjoyed to see the kingdom being built as we labor on houses. Pray for the people of Butuan, the people who know and see scripture everywhere. May they have a true relationship with Jehovah Jierah, the God who will always provide.
We are here because the word of God is not inscribed on their hearts. Superficially, the Filipinos speak of God, salvation, and being saved from their sins. But if you ask them why they are going to go to heaven, their answer is not Christ alone. Majority will begin to speak about works. I ran into this situation last Sunday, as we did house to house ministry with a local Baptist Church. After presenting the gospel and my testimony to a woman and her family right outside her house on the street, a shop owner next door gave my translator and I free soda and crackers. As we talked to him, he was speaking the right words about salvation. But the more I prodded, the more he spoke of works. He believed if he died with an unconfessed sin, he would not be allowed into heaven. What a fearful life to live.
I felt the story of the Prodigals Son was in order. The parable is a wonderful witness tool in a place where people believe God only loves us for our works. The pastor from the baptist church walked up and proceeded to give the story of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus. We did not see a change in his heart, but this we did; we preached the gospel and planted sees. This is what the Lord would have us to do.
No matter where we go, who we speak to, or what they claim to believe, we preach one message - Christ crucified. From this conviction and commitment, the Lord opened doors for a bible study last night and salvation of two souls! What started as simple questions of faith and religion has led to souls being saved for eternity. We are overjoyed to see the kingdom being built as we labor on houses. Pray for the people of Butuan, the people who know and see scripture everywhere. May they have a true relationship with Jehovah Jierah, the God who will always provide.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
He is Able
It was an average day in the Philippines. My team and I had gone into Butuan City to pick up groceries for the week, and a teammate and I were standing in a hall of the store. Just two normal guys, right? Not here in the Philippines. You see, when girls (and even guys) see us, they may whisper or shout out, "Guwapo!" This means handsome. The Filipinos love white people, and even sell body lotion that will cause you to be lighter. My Scottish/Welsh decent only increases my popularity.
While we were standing in the hall, I noticed two girls who were working in a cellphone shop. They were looking our way, and they wanted each other to go and talk to us. While I attempted to glance around casually, I see one of the girls trying to push the other one out in our direction. I have never received this much attention in my life! People see us as Americans, and they want to be just like us; from the clothes they wear to the American songs they play. To them, we are kings.
Men rising into popularity is no new story at all. In the lifetime of the prophet Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar was such a man. One could say power was his right hand and prestige was his left. His kingdom expanding, his might unequivocal - or so he thought. As he walked on the roof of his palace, these prideful words escaped his mouth. "Is not his the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" Then a voice from heaven spoke the judgment over the King which Daniel had interpreted through a dream. Nebuchadnezzar 's splendor and glory was taken away from him, and he would be driven away from man, eating grass like the ox until seven times pass, and he would acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all the kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.
After all had come to pass, these words came from the most powerful man on earth.
"At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, "What have you done?"
Daniel 3:34-35
How powerful is the Lord! Even the arrogant cannot defy the glory of the Lord. But it is in verse 37 I find a warning. "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Even though I am in a place where I am the popular guy, the rock star, the king, I cannot be prideful. My life has been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives within me. I am nothing more than a bond servant, a slave for the sake of Jesus. As John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." We are here in a foreign land speaking the gospel of Jesus, so His glory may be known among the nations. May I never forget this underlying truth, admits the smiles, stares, and attention. For those who walk in pride, He is able to humble.
While we were standing in the hall, I noticed two girls who were working in a cellphone shop. They were looking our way, and they wanted each other to go and talk to us. While I attempted to glance around casually, I see one of the girls trying to push the other one out in our direction. I have never received this much attention in my life! People see us as Americans, and they want to be just like us; from the clothes they wear to the American songs they play. To them, we are kings.
Men rising into popularity is no new story at all. In the lifetime of the prophet Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar was such a man. One could say power was his right hand and prestige was his left. His kingdom expanding, his might unequivocal - or so he thought. As he walked on the roof of his palace, these prideful words escaped his mouth. "Is not his the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" Then a voice from heaven spoke the judgment over the King which Daniel had interpreted through a dream. Nebuchadnezzar 's splendor and glory was taken away from him, and he would be driven away from man, eating grass like the ox until seven times pass, and he would acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all the kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.
After all had come to pass, these words came from the most powerful man on earth.
"At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, "What have you done?"
Daniel 3:34-35
How powerful is the Lord! Even the arrogant cannot defy the glory of the Lord. But it is in verse 37 I find a warning. "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
Even though I am in a place where I am the popular guy, the rock star, the king, I cannot be prideful. My life has been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives within me. I am nothing more than a bond servant, a slave for the sake of Jesus. As John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." We are here in a foreign land speaking the gospel of Jesus, so His glory may be known among the nations. May I never forget this underlying truth, admits the smiles, stares, and attention. For those who walk in pride, He is able to humble.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Fixed Foundation
Rocks, mud, and sand have been our living reality the last 2 weeks. I am leading a Nehemiah construction team through Habitat for Humanity in the Philippines this summer. The work has been constant and challenging, for we build without many luxuries. The bricks we have helped make weigh 40 pounds each, and it takes nearly 800 bricks to build one house - we are building two side by side. The semi-flat bed truck of cement bags we unloaded were 80 pounds each, and the bags of rocks and sand we carry on our back weigh from 100-130 pounds. Half the time we are able to use a medium size concrete mixer, but the rest of the time, we mix by hand. Cutting 1/4 inch rebar and bending to make supports for the house has also been one of our many activities. Moving piles of rocks and sand can wear us out under the sun, but at last, the foundation is fixed.
Our ministry work had seemed to follow a similar course. When we first arrived in Butuan City, we had to buy supplies, adjust to the time change, and figure out what we were doing. Even as the team leader, I was not overly informed about our activities or opportunities for ministry. We would attempt to go into the neighborhood and engage the people, but with no true success. The little children could finish the bible verses we started, and trying to share Christ after a basketball game did not work the way I envisioned it. Our first Bible Study was nothing less than what I would call a train wreck, and it seemed we could do nothing right. All this time I was fighting within my mind, beginning to wonder if I was even capable of leading this team in the ministry.
We continued to fight exhaustion from our long days, and as much as I tried to encourage with God's truth about our purpose here, my stress and anxiety began to rise up again. It was now Sunday night, and I knew we had to try house to house again. Even if we were only going to lead one person to salvation, disciple one Christian, or just sow seeds without seeing the harvest, I knew we had to be faithful in proclaiming the word. My father had sent me a passage from Isiah 40 which I read over our 3 house to house teams before we went out. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on winds like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. "
The result of our obedience? We were allowed to partake in the harvest! There were 3 salvations that night, and we also found a person of peace of whom we will continue to study the Bible with him and his entire family until God leads him to salvation! We are now moving towards setting up consistent bible studies with people of peace for the hopes of salvation, and discipleship for the new believers in Christ. After we all came back, rejoicing in the Lord and sharing of our different stories, we sang a song, then lifted up our hearts to God in prayer. In 1 John 1, the author writes "We write this to make our joy complete." And that night, our joy was complete and overflowing.
Now when we wake up, we have hope. The Lord has shattered any doubt in my mind, and He has shown his eternal faithfulness, even when my faith is about to run out. Although the beginning labor was strenuous and at times discouraging, the Lord has laid a foundation for the ministry here in this Habitat Community. He is our shelter, our rock, and our firm foundation here in the storm. He is our fixed foundation. In Him, we shall never be moved.
Our ministry work had seemed to follow a similar course. When we first arrived in Butuan City, we had to buy supplies, adjust to the time change, and figure out what we were doing. Even as the team leader, I was not overly informed about our activities or opportunities for ministry. We would attempt to go into the neighborhood and engage the people, but with no true success. The little children could finish the bible verses we started, and trying to share Christ after a basketball game did not work the way I envisioned it. Our first Bible Study was nothing less than what I would call a train wreck, and it seemed we could do nothing right. All this time I was fighting within my mind, beginning to wonder if I was even capable of leading this team in the ministry.
We continued to fight exhaustion from our long days, and as much as I tried to encourage with God's truth about our purpose here, my stress and anxiety began to rise up again. It was now Sunday night, and I knew we had to try house to house again. Even if we were only going to lead one person to salvation, disciple one Christian, or just sow seeds without seeing the harvest, I knew we had to be faithful in proclaiming the word. My father had sent me a passage from Isiah 40 which I read over our 3 house to house teams before we went out. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on winds like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. "
The result of our obedience? We were allowed to partake in the harvest! There were 3 salvations that night, and we also found a person of peace of whom we will continue to study the Bible with him and his entire family until God leads him to salvation! We are now moving towards setting up consistent bible studies with people of peace for the hopes of salvation, and discipleship for the new believers in Christ. After we all came back, rejoicing in the Lord and sharing of our different stories, we sang a song, then lifted up our hearts to God in prayer. In 1 John 1, the author writes "We write this to make our joy complete." And that night, our joy was complete and overflowing.
Now when we wake up, we have hope. The Lord has shattered any doubt in my mind, and He has shown his eternal faithfulness, even when my faith is about to run out. Although the beginning labor was strenuous and at times discouraging, the Lord has laid a foundation for the ministry here in this Habitat Community. He is our shelter, our rock, and our firm foundation here in the storm. He is our fixed foundation. In Him, we shall never be moved.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Disillusion
Well, my online identity use to be safe. You see, today is our first day to walk around the city of Butuan, getting to know the stores and markets of our area. We are here as part of Nehemiah Teams, serving with Habitat for Humanity, building houses for the poor and impoverished. I am leading four amazing Christian guys, and we are learning how to live and grow in community daily. We are together sending updates and messages to family and friends of our safe arrival.
As I look around the Philippino internet cafe, my faith in cyber security quickly begins to plummet. You see, the name "internet cafe" implies a ground floor store with windows, light, and coffee. I'v never been so wrong in my life. The OS is windows 2000, the CPU is older than my childhood bicycle, and I have to abusively pound the space bar to separate every word I type. How often my expectations and preconceived notions are erroneous. How often I delude myself.
Coming to the Philippines, I thought I knew what poverty was. I thought I had an idea of how other people live in these places in the world, of their struggles and lack of things. In this I was wrong. After having an amazing lunch for mere dollars, we were taken by car to the Habitat House we would live in during our stay. When we got off the "highway", we drove down a dirt road in the rain. One of our supervisors called it "chocolate milk" because of the abundance of potholes filled with mud. Rundown shacks had been turned into small shops, people watched us as we drove in the rain. We were told it cost 6 pesos to travel from our house to the highway, which we gladly agreed to pay in order to bypass the wasteland of dirt and mud. "Why not? Its pocket change," one teammate said.
I looked to my right, seeing a man trying to walk where the water had not yet wasted the road. To my left, a woman walked off the road holding the hand of her small daughter, fighting the rain with nothing more than an umbrella. Then it hit me. Our pocket change is their privilege. When you make less than $2 a day, you learn to go without. And many times, its more than a car ride they go without. Whether food or clean water, people live without the very things we find common. My heart still falls heavy.
How can I live then? I have been blessed beyond reason, because of what, my birth? How do I live responsibly as a rich man? For we all are you see. Do not fool yourself as I had. We have the ability to make change, the ability to show people who Jesus is. But how? If I gave away everything I owned, I would not even be a drop in a bucket. I know I am not the first Christian to ever have these questions, nor am I the last. I know there is no simple answer, and I know each person may have a different answer.
But what I do know is this - God has opened my eyes to show me my previous blindness. This summer, through prayer, the word, and seeking God, I hope to find my role in living faithfully for God in this world, being a rich man. May my eyes not be blind with privilege. May I delude myself no longer.
As I look around the Philippino internet cafe, my faith in cyber security quickly begins to plummet. You see, the name "internet cafe" implies a ground floor store with windows, light, and coffee. I'v never been so wrong in my life. The OS is windows 2000, the CPU is older than my childhood bicycle, and I have to abusively pound the space bar to separate every word I type. How often my expectations and preconceived notions are erroneous. How often I delude myself.
Coming to the Philippines, I thought I knew what poverty was. I thought I had an idea of how other people live in these places in the world, of their struggles and lack of things. In this I was wrong. After having an amazing lunch for mere dollars, we were taken by car to the Habitat House we would live in during our stay. When we got off the "highway", we drove down a dirt road in the rain. One of our supervisors called it "chocolate milk" because of the abundance of potholes filled with mud. Rundown shacks had been turned into small shops, people watched us as we drove in the rain. We were told it cost 6 pesos to travel from our house to the highway, which we gladly agreed to pay in order to bypass the wasteland of dirt and mud. "Why not? Its pocket change," one teammate said.
I looked to my right, seeing a man trying to walk where the water had not yet wasted the road. To my left, a woman walked off the road holding the hand of her small daughter, fighting the rain with nothing more than an umbrella. Then it hit me. Our pocket change is their privilege. When you make less than $2 a day, you learn to go without. And many times, its more than a car ride they go without. Whether food or clean water, people live without the very things we find common. My heart still falls heavy.
How can I live then? I have been blessed beyond reason, because of what, my birth? How do I live responsibly as a rich man? For we all are you see. Do not fool yourself as I had. We have the ability to make change, the ability to show people who Jesus is. But how? If I gave away everything I owned, I would not even be a drop in a bucket. I know I am not the first Christian to ever have these questions, nor am I the last. I know there is no simple answer, and I know each person may have a different answer.
But what I do know is this - God has opened my eyes to show me my previous blindness. This summer, through prayer, the word, and seeking God, I hope to find my role in living faithfully for God in this world, being a rich man. May my eyes not be blind with privilege. May I delude myself no longer.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Off we go!
The letters have been sent, the Lord has provided, and tomorrow I will find myself on an airplane to Atlanta for 5 days of training. Where did all the time go? What am I getting myself into? There are many questions in my mind. As my nerves, anxiety, fears, or whatever they are begin to rise in me, I cannot settle my spirit. As if I have ever been able to do so. But this is no new knowledge.
While listening to Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church in Austin, I was reminded this one fact: I am not awesome. For everything I can do, for every accomplishment I have achieved, I am not awesome. I really cannot fix my own problems.
The Greeks have known this from the very beginning. In Greek mythology, when the gods created man, they instilled in them a special knowledge: knowledge of their death. I do not mean the idea that "you will die," but the very year, month, date, and time of their death. From the story, man became so dismayed at this information, he folded into himself and did nothing. Man knew his limits and bounds. Now there was a Titan named Prometheus, who became close to the creatures known as man. Opposing Zeus and the other gods, Prometheus gave man three gifts. First was taking away the knowledge of mans mortality. The writers penned "Prometheus caused blind hopes to live in the hearts of men." He gave man the blind desire to overcome and be more than man could possibly be, and the last gift Prometheus gave man was fire. This is technology, to make food, weapons, and a way to correct the world around me. A way to fix what was wrong. This was all behinds Zeus' back.
Zeus later looked down upon the earth and became enraged when he saw that man had fire. He took Prometheus and explained to him because man lacks foreknowledge, because man could not see all that is, man would cause himself more problems in this state than the previous. So Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock, and sent buzzards to eat his liver, which grew back every day.
Greek mythology is awesome at identifying the problems, but is not able to offer any solutions. The Greeks were trying to explain how mankind understands mortality, yet we do not feel the weight of it. We don't think we are going to die today. Or this week. Or honestly, this year. We act like gods, because we do not think about how our actions today can make a mess of tomorrow.
Every problem we try to fix, we create another problem. From technologies we feed our time into, from antibiotic use leading to more resistant strains, and even the use and abuse of nuclear energy, man has created more problems trying to fix what is wrong. The greeks are saying we are not the answer. Our Bible says the same thing. "All mankind stands as a mere breath." We know this is true. None of us could give us the name of our great great great grandfather. Even if we showed you his picture. And thats our family. And that will also be you in the blink of an eye.
We are a millisecond in the span of history. We are so limited in our scope, we don't know whats going on at our house, our car, our work, or even whats happening behind us. But most of the time, we forget this, because our culture tells us we are great, mighty, and must grasp the power within. Don't believe me? Walk into a book store. Self-helps books. When did we start becoming such great repairers? When did we become fixers? We only try to numb our problems for a second.
I am not awesome. And this is the foundation of our joy. We must go outside ourselves to something else who has the time and scope to fix out problems. Romans 8 - "the mind set in the flesh is death. The mind set on the spirit is life and peace." A grid of moral behaviors leads to death. Christ's life is the fulfillment of the law. His crucifixion pulls off the wrath, and the resurrection is the washing clean of us before the Lord.
No matter what problem I go though, I cannot fix it. I need someone who can transcend my weaknesses. This is only found in the body of Christ. May this remain in my heart and mind this summer in the Philippines, as the Creator continues to fix and mould me. Only the Lord can settle my spirit.
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