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.
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