Well, it is my last night at school until 2009. I leave tomorrow morning to head home for Christmas break. I'm nearly all packed. It's that place where you've packed everything except what you are going to use later that night (like my laptop) and what you will use the morning of and will pack after you use it (like my toothbrush, which fits in both categories).
God has revealed quite a few things to me this semester. As I have grown, matured, been pruned, I continue to look for the high places that need to be torn down. This was particularly difficult this semester. This is because the high place that has dominated the horizon for so many years is "nearly gone." I believe Christmas break is a major checkpoint, but God has been pruning it away this entire semester. Thus, I asked myself, "Where will Satan attack me now? What high place in my life is giving him a foothold?" It took a whole semester before I realized what it is.
This semester has had some themes to it. They overlap and weave in and out of each other, but there are some themes nonetheless:
-Tensions
-End with prayer.
-Confession without transformation is just vain honesty.
-Why am I filled with so much pride?
-Intellectual ascent to the guidance of the Almighty without heart support isn't much of an ascent at all and only leads to fraction-hearted obedience.
-Trust the Holy Spirit for your memory, and He has gifted me with a good one.
-Listen
-Self-burdening: Christ's yoke is easy and His burden is light, and I often pick up other burdens to carry. His cross is all I need, and yet I pick up other crosses to carry.
-I fear rejection, but I am learning to not live or act in fear.
-I still need to learn better self-motivation. It is a good thing God has surrounded me with such a wonderful community to spur me on.
-I desire to lead from within than from above.
-Some things are worth doing well, other things are worth doing, and some things just need to be thrown in the "to hell with it" basket.
-Discipline means doing what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, in the manner it needs to be done, regardless of how I feel.
-Relationships do not increase in depth naturally. One must be intentional in going deeper. No one touches the bottom of the deep end of a pool by accident. You have to intentionally dive down and push your way to the bottom.
-Broaden my prayer life.
-How you break a fast often reflects the spirit of the fast itself.
-It's fun to have a big long go-t.
-Donald Miller is an excellent author. Please read Searching for God Knows What and Through Painted Deserts. They are excellent books and have been a blessing to me this semester.
-Hold what you think you have in an open palm.
-In reference to a past post, gains and losses.
-Women's roles in ministry is a ticksy issue.
-Consistently reading blogs (which Google Reader makes very easy) and The Adventures of Dr. McNinja.
Not a bad summation. Not exhaustive, but not trivial. Each of these could be a blog/note post in of itself. Maybe one, or a few, or some of them will be developed further. It is likely they will continue to develop as they already have, in quiet reflection or conversation. Needless to say, I am excited to go home. To take a break. To get recalibrated. To realign myself with God. It's not easy to stay aligned, even though I'm at a Bible school. Life happens here just like anywhere else. This is no Eden, and neither is Texas, but they are home nonetheless. They say, "Home is where the heart is." Well, ultimately my heart is with Christ, thus my home is heaven. Earthly my heart is here and in Texas. They may not be Edens, but they are home nonetheless, and I am at peace in either. Goodbye cold, wintry, dry, slippery Chicago (for now), and hello warm, sunny, humid (The air is like natural moisturizer.) Texas. See you in a few hours.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Gains and losses
A friend wrote a note a couple months ago. It had no title. The note consisted of a picture and the statement, "Sometimes something really good has to end."
Gains and losses, just one of the many tensions our lives and faith is built on. I have gained so much this semester, and at the same time, I have lost as well.
I have gained relationships with greater depth. I have gained new friends. I have gained new opportunities in leadership and ministry. I have gained new knowledge and wisdom. I have gained. This is without question.
I have lost. I have lost the confident feeling of a home church to return to. I have lost the confident feeling of close friends to return to back home. I have lost consistent connections. I have lost the ability to be home for more than three weeks (at least for now), and I have now been told that I, along with all the men on our floor, will be losing our RA.
In this life, we must remember to hold everything in an open palm. Nothing is ours, and Greg (our RA) is God's son before he is our shepherd, friend, mentor, brother... I have been learning a lot this semester from a man named Dr. Sauer. He is my professor the my Hebrews class. He and his wife were told this week that she has breast cancer, and the day he was told he comes to class and speaks on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Everything in an open palm. God is sovereign; He is all knowing; He is all powerful, and He has our deepest good at heart. It is a wonderful thing that God is more interested in our holiness than our happiness. It is all part of the great reversal - last-first, first-last, weak-strong, strong-weak. I may have lost, or it may feel like I have lost, but they are all gains: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).
I am full of joy. It is amazing that we can be sad, grieving, and yet be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Emotion does not affect our salvation. Emotion does not affect our distance from God. It is wonderful to know there is a constant that is steadfast in the storms of life, whether they come from without or within.
I am moving through the application process to do my internship with Josiah Venture in The Czech Republic. I have taught in the youth group I serve in, and I currently lead a small group. I am a part of The Calling, which is the new men's ministry on campus. I am on the promotions team for Moody Campus Radio and host a show Monday nights. I play intramural sports with the men on my floor, and I love it. I am going to Erwin McManus speak today. My sister is coming in this weekend. The JV vision night is next Thursday. Tim flies in next weekend, and Thanksgiving at Kyle's is just around the corner. I have so much to be grateful for, and this is just the surface.
Life happens to us all. Friends are called to fight wars. Friends lose loved ones. Friends have family who become deathly ill. Life happens, and yet we are told to thank and praise God in all circumstances. Our speaker in chapel spent three days going through Psalm 73, and he ended with this, "Always remember that the nearness of God is your good." No matter where you are, no matter what is happening, no matter what you are doing or not doing...close your eyes, and remember that the nearness of God is your good." I will remember. I will close my eyes and remind myself of this. I will seek God's face. He is our refuge. He is our strength.
Friends may move geographically, but one of the many gifts of God is that we are unified by the Spirit, and that means we are never alone. We can always be coverd in the prayers of the saints no matter where we are. You or I may be gone physically, but we can say that we are still present in Spirit because it is the Spirit that unifies all believers into the Church, the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head, and this is wonderful.
Gains and losses, just one of the many tensions our lives and faith is built on. I have gained so much this semester, and at the same time, I have lost as well.
I have gained relationships with greater depth. I have gained new friends. I have gained new opportunities in leadership and ministry. I have gained new knowledge and wisdom. I have gained. This is without question.
I have lost. I have lost the confident feeling of a home church to return to. I have lost the confident feeling of close friends to return to back home. I have lost consistent connections. I have lost the ability to be home for more than three weeks (at least for now), and I have now been told that I, along with all the men on our floor, will be losing our RA.
In this life, we must remember to hold everything in an open palm. Nothing is ours, and Greg (our RA) is God's son before he is our shepherd, friend, mentor, brother... I have been learning a lot this semester from a man named Dr. Sauer. He is my professor the my Hebrews class. He and his wife were told this week that she has breast cancer, and the day he was told he comes to class and speaks on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Everything in an open palm. God is sovereign; He is all knowing; He is all powerful, and He has our deepest good at heart. It is a wonderful thing that God is more interested in our holiness than our happiness. It is all part of the great reversal - last-first, first-last, weak-strong, strong-weak. I may have lost, or it may feel like I have lost, but they are all gains: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).
I am full of joy. It is amazing that we can be sad, grieving, and yet be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Emotion does not affect our salvation. Emotion does not affect our distance from God. It is wonderful to know there is a constant that is steadfast in the storms of life, whether they come from without or within.
I am moving through the application process to do my internship with Josiah Venture in The Czech Republic. I have taught in the youth group I serve in, and I currently lead a small group. I am a part of The Calling, which is the new men's ministry on campus. I am on the promotions team for Moody Campus Radio and host a show Monday nights. I play intramural sports with the men on my floor, and I love it. I am going to Erwin McManus speak today. My sister is coming in this weekend. The JV vision night is next Thursday. Tim flies in next weekend, and Thanksgiving at Kyle's is just around the corner. I have so much to be grateful for, and this is just the surface.
Life happens to us all. Friends are called to fight wars. Friends lose loved ones. Friends have family who become deathly ill. Life happens, and yet we are told to thank and praise God in all circumstances. Our speaker in chapel spent three days going through Psalm 73, and he ended with this, "Always remember that the nearness of God is your good." No matter where you are, no matter what is happening, no matter what you are doing or not doing...close your eyes, and remember that the nearness of God is your good." I will remember. I will close my eyes and remind myself of this. I will seek God's face. He is our refuge. He is our strength.
Friends may move geographically, but one of the many gifts of God is that we are unified by the Spirit, and that means we are never alone. We can always be coverd in the prayers of the saints no matter where we are. You or I may be gone physically, but we can say that we are still present in Spirit because it is the Spirit that unifies all believers into the Church, the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head, and this is wonderful.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
My calling...for now...What's your calling?!
Here are the basic overview details of what I will be doing for my internship in The Czech Republic this summer!!! I am so pumped. It will have been a year and two months since I was last there, and I can't wait to go back. Evangelism, discipleship, maturing, learning, growing, relationship building, team building...I am stoked.
Also, if you read this and think to yourself, "I would love to do this too!" You can!!! Let me know via email, phone call, or Facebook, and I can put you in touch with the people who will get the information and application to you. However, before you contact me and say, "I want in," take some time to pray about it, and put your heart in submission to God's heart, and if you get the sense that the Holy Spirit is saying, "Go for it!" then by all means, GO FOR IT!!!
If you want more information, visit www.josiahventure.com as well.
Czech 2009 Summer Intern Fact Sheet – English
General Description
You will be involved in leading evangelistic English camps for high school and university-age students. The English camps are a vital tool in bringing the gospel to the youth in a relevant and relaxed environment. During the first month you will be involved in a week of training and visiting schools and youth groups to promote the camps and participate in a variety of youth ministry related activities. The next six-weeks are spent at camp. At the camps you will teach conversational English, build relationships with non-Christians through activities (sports and free time), lead small group evangelistic discussions, and help lead evening programs consisting of music, drama, games, and testimonies.
You will experience a balance of evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training of national students and youth leaders. This is a high-energy ministry that requires a great love for students. Be prepared for a very busy and draining schedule that will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!
Dates of Service
May 26 (depart US) – August 14 (depart Czech)
Cost
$3,000* (includes training, administration, in-field travel, food, and lodging) and airfare ($1200-1500).
Support
The support raising deadline is May 1. The JV office will open an account and the intern (me) will receive a username and password to access their account online. The account will be updated once a week. These donations are tax deductible and should be made payable and mailed to the JV office. Donations made payable to JV cannot be transferred to the ministry of another organization or used for educational purposes, nor can they be returned to the donor.
Travel
The Josiah Venture Summer Intern Coordinator will arrange international flights. Costs differ, depending on your departure city. A visa is not required.
Insurance/Vaccinations
Overseas health insurance coverage and up-to-date tetanus shot required.
Location
Various cities and camp facilities in your country of service.
In-Field Transportation
Cars, trains, trams, buses, walking, etc.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
People, parties, and nature
The last week has been quite a ride. Like the title says - people, parties, and nature.
I guess you could say this note picks up at youth group Wednesday night. We had about 5 - 8 new visitors (Sweet!), and I spoke on John 4 -- seeing everyone as those for whom Christ died and capturing every conversation for Christ. Overall, it went really well. Still room for improvement for sure, but I am getting better every time. The two main things to improve -- be myself when I'm up there. I was great at doing this in my class last fall, but I have been losing part of who I am when I speak at the youth group. It's not a good thing. It's time to get myself back. Second, I need to get back to writing specific applications, which was one of the main points of my teaching class last fall, and I have kind of forgotten it. I need to make specific applications so students can go through the week and concretely say, "I applied God's word to my life," or, "I decided not to do what the teacher recommended/said I needed to do."
Jump ahead to Friday night. Melissa and Ramiro have their cell group on Friday nights, and I have been a part of three of them this summer (maybe more, but three sounds right). A great thing about them is that someone always makes dinner, which means I have gotten to enjoy some great authentic Mexican food this summer, on Fridays and other social gatherings. I helped Melissa make about one zillion chicken tamales for the cell group, and they were flippin' good. Don't doubt my tamale making potential ever again (wink or monocle eye glass if your Grace and Melissa).
This summer, besides helping with the youth group, I have had the joy and privilege of being a part of Melissa and Ramiro's ministry - Cosas Poderoses (I think that's how it's spelled.). I have seen Christian life daily practiced in a different culture. I have found that amongst the differences in belief, I am completely unified with them in the Spirit, that we are one big family of Christ, and just like a regular family, everyone is an individual within the community, and Christianity in different cultures is no different.
Through being welcomed in I have been able to build some great friendships with their cell group attendees - Erec and Grace, Noemi, Liz, and through this Eduardo, Arturo, and Otto.
I was invited to partake in a surprise birthday party for Noemi last Saturday. It was incredible, and just another reminder that you don't need to speak the same language to experience community (It does help that Melissa can translate and many of them speak good English.)
The food was incredible. Melissa made a homemade chicken pot pie, Grace baked some chicken that just fell off the bone and alfredo pasta and salad. For dessert we had tres leches cake (first time I ever had it) and flan. Needless to say, I was stuffed by the end, and my mouth was saying, "So good...oh so good," and my stomach was saying, "Why the heck do you listen to your mouth so often."
However, even better than the food was celebrating Noemi's birthday. I did not know this going in, but it was the first time anyone had ever celebrated her birthday. Wow! Being welcomed into this, being invited into group pictures, being able to help celebrate a sister in Christ's birthday was amazing. To say the least, being welcomed into this community has been one of the greatest blessings of this summer.
The next day, still feeling full from the party's delicious food, I was invited to Erin Syzdek's going away to college party. Being invited was enough of a joy for me, but God decided to grace me with more and more joy and good things throughout the day.
First, the Syzdek home is the ultimate party pad. Their backyard is huge! In their backyard is a full size trampoline, pool, fire bit, and huge lawn for all kinds of games (football, frisbee, neighborhood golf, etc.). In their garage is a ping pong table, popcorn maker, and for the party they had tons of food (pulled pork and big beef sandwiches (so good)), and they also had drinks and slushee makers near the fire pit and in the pool area.
The other great thing is that most of the students I have gotten to know over the past year were at the party, and I was able to meet some of their parents too (always a plus in youth ministry).
I spent the whole day swimming, playing water basketball, pushing people in the pool, getting pushed in, playing neighborhood golf, playing ping pong, eating, and talking with some incredibly friendly and interesting people all with their stories to tell, and in the evening we played a rousing game of farkl (which I won in case you were wondering). Good conversations, good times, good food, it was a great day.
Tonight (Monday night) I played sand volleyball with Paul, Patrick and Mike. Lots of fun, and it was great hanging it out with the guys. We then invited some others to join us in 4 on 4, which was a lot of fun, and it opened up the door to meet some new people. Two of them were from San Antonio. Small world! The two were visiting their uncle for the summer. She is going into her freshman year at Madison, and he is going into is sixth grade year at Harris, and she goes to Youthquake, which is the Wednesday night youth group meeting at Community Bible Church.
And this is all going to be topped off with meteor shower and sunrise watching at 5:00 a.m. with a few students from the youth group. I am totally stoked to get out and just marvel at God's creation. I'm hoping there will be some good conversations as we marvel, and we're going out for breakfast following the sunrise. Can't get much better.
Seven days and counting...if they're anything like the last seven, I'm in for a real treat, and then I'm back at school for freshman orientation. Another summer past, another semester of college begun.
God really is incredible, and people, parties, and nature are just a few of the ways He shows us that.
I guess you could say this note picks up at youth group Wednesday night. We had about 5 - 8 new visitors (Sweet!), and I spoke on John 4 -- seeing everyone as those for whom Christ died and capturing every conversation for Christ. Overall, it went really well. Still room for improvement for sure, but I am getting better every time. The two main things to improve -- be myself when I'm up there. I was great at doing this in my class last fall, but I have been losing part of who I am when I speak at the youth group. It's not a good thing. It's time to get myself back. Second, I need to get back to writing specific applications, which was one of the main points of my teaching class last fall, and I have kind of forgotten it. I need to make specific applications so students can go through the week and concretely say, "I applied God's word to my life," or, "I decided not to do what the teacher recommended/said I needed to do."
Jump ahead to Friday night. Melissa and Ramiro have their cell group on Friday nights, and I have been a part of three of them this summer (maybe more, but three sounds right). A great thing about them is that someone always makes dinner, which means I have gotten to enjoy some great authentic Mexican food this summer, on Fridays and other social gatherings. I helped Melissa make about one zillion chicken tamales for the cell group, and they were flippin' good. Don't doubt my tamale making potential ever again (wink or monocle eye glass if your Grace and Melissa).
This summer, besides helping with the youth group, I have had the joy and privilege of being a part of Melissa and Ramiro's ministry - Cosas Poderoses (I think that's how it's spelled.). I have seen Christian life daily practiced in a different culture. I have found that amongst the differences in belief, I am completely unified with them in the Spirit, that we are one big family of Christ, and just like a regular family, everyone is an individual within the community, and Christianity in different cultures is no different.
Through being welcomed in I have been able to build some great friendships with their cell group attendees - Erec and Grace, Noemi, Liz, and through this Eduardo, Arturo, and Otto.
I was invited to partake in a surprise birthday party for Noemi last Saturday. It was incredible, and just another reminder that you don't need to speak the same language to experience community (It does help that Melissa can translate and many of them speak good English.)
The food was incredible. Melissa made a homemade chicken pot pie, Grace baked some chicken that just fell off the bone and alfredo pasta and salad. For dessert we had tres leches cake (first time I ever had it) and flan. Needless to say, I was stuffed by the end, and my mouth was saying, "So good...oh so good," and my stomach was saying, "Why the heck do you listen to your mouth so often."
However, even better than the food was celebrating Noemi's birthday. I did not know this going in, but it was the first time anyone had ever celebrated her birthday. Wow! Being welcomed into this, being invited into group pictures, being able to help celebrate a sister in Christ's birthday was amazing. To say the least, being welcomed into this community has been one of the greatest blessings of this summer.
The next day, still feeling full from the party's delicious food, I was invited to Erin Syzdek's going away to college party. Being invited was enough of a joy for me, but God decided to grace me with more and more joy and good things throughout the day.
First, the Syzdek home is the ultimate party pad. Their backyard is huge! In their backyard is a full size trampoline, pool, fire bit, and huge lawn for all kinds of games (football, frisbee, neighborhood golf, etc.). In their garage is a ping pong table, popcorn maker, and for the party they had tons of food (pulled pork and big beef sandwiches (so good)), and they also had drinks and slushee makers near the fire pit and in the pool area.
The other great thing is that most of the students I have gotten to know over the past year were at the party, and I was able to meet some of their parents too (always a plus in youth ministry).
I spent the whole day swimming, playing water basketball, pushing people in the pool, getting pushed in, playing neighborhood golf, playing ping pong, eating, and talking with some incredibly friendly and interesting people all with their stories to tell, and in the evening we played a rousing game of farkl (which I won in case you were wondering). Good conversations, good times, good food, it was a great day.
Tonight (Monday night) I played sand volleyball with Paul, Patrick and Mike. Lots of fun, and it was great hanging it out with the guys. We then invited some others to join us in 4 on 4, which was a lot of fun, and it opened up the door to meet some new people. Two of them were from San Antonio. Small world! The two were visiting their uncle for the summer. She is going into her freshman year at Madison, and he is going into is sixth grade year at Harris, and she goes to Youthquake, which is the Wednesday night youth group meeting at Community Bible Church.
And this is all going to be topped off with meteor shower and sunrise watching at 5:00 a.m. with a few students from the youth group. I am totally stoked to get out and just marvel at God's creation. I'm hoping there will be some good conversations as we marvel, and we're going out for breakfast following the sunrise. Can't get much better.
Seven days and counting...if they're anything like the last seven, I'm in for a real treat, and then I'm back at school for freshman orientation. Another summer past, another semester of college begun.
God really is incredible, and people, parties, and nature are just a few of the ways He shows us that.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
I can count down using my fingers and toes.
11 days...! Holy stink (I've never said that before, but it just came to me. It seemed to fit. Don't look for any hidden meaning. There isn't.)!! One more day and I'll only need my fingers OR toes to count down the days.
I taught tonight on John 4:1-26. It's the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. My two points: See everyone as someone for whom Christ died, and capture every conversation for Christ. I think it went well, and I'll be going through some more evaluation tomorrow. One of the leaders told me he really liked it, and he thinks I'm getting better with every message I give, and he always likes my messages. God definitely knows when I need encouragement, and He always delivers.
I got to go to lunch with Jesse today (going to be a sophomore), and through this I got to share something I like a lot that he had never experienced - sushi and maki rolls. Heck yeah! First sushi of the summer, and I got to share it with a friend who had never had it before. We got spicy tuna rolls, eel rolls (because I wanted to kick his butt the first time), and a assortment of pack of sushi - tuna, salmon, whitefish, shrimp, eel, and a couple other ones I don't remember. We then finished our meal with a desert of tapioca pearl smoothies. I got mango, and he got honeydew, very awesome indeed. He liked it, and we have another sushi lunch planned for Saturday afternoon. Good deal.
Now, there are 11 days left. What's going to happen? Well, I'll be reading (mostly "Courageous Leadership"). I'm planning a two night trip to my good friend Matt D's place down in Peoria, and I will be trying to spend a lot of time with students. Also, I will probably going to the 101 discipleship class at church.
Then, I'm back to school on the 18th for Sigma Phi and freshman orientation, and then I will hopefully be able to go on the Indiana Dunes camping over nighter with the youth group. If I can't, well, there will be more awesome events I will be able to go to, and if I can, it'll be flippin' sweet.
For those of you that have prayed for me this summer, I am incredibly grateful. I don't even want to think of what the summer would have been like without your prayers behind it. I ask that you not stop but continue to pray for me and the ministry here as it closes out for the summer and I begin my junior year of college.
Also, if you haven't, read "TrueFaced" by Bill Thrall and Bruce McNichol. It's incredible, and I hightly recommend it.
I taught tonight on John 4:1-26. It's the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. My two points: See everyone as someone for whom Christ died, and capture every conversation for Christ. I think it went well, and I'll be going through some more evaluation tomorrow. One of the leaders told me he really liked it, and he thinks I'm getting better with every message I give, and he always likes my messages. God definitely knows when I need encouragement, and He always delivers.
I got to go to lunch with Jesse today (going to be a sophomore), and through this I got to share something I like a lot that he had never experienced - sushi and maki rolls. Heck yeah! First sushi of the summer, and I got to share it with a friend who had never had it before. We got spicy tuna rolls, eel rolls (because I wanted to kick his butt the first time), and a assortment of pack of sushi - tuna, salmon, whitefish, shrimp, eel, and a couple other ones I don't remember. We then finished our meal with a desert of tapioca pearl smoothies. I got mango, and he got honeydew, very awesome indeed. He liked it, and we have another sushi lunch planned for Saturday afternoon. Good deal.
Now, there are 11 days left. What's going to happen? Well, I'll be reading (mostly "Courageous Leadership"). I'm planning a two night trip to my good friend Matt D's place down in Peoria, and I will be trying to spend a lot of time with students. Also, I will probably going to the 101 discipleship class at church.
Then, I'm back to school on the 18th for Sigma Phi and freshman orientation, and then I will hopefully be able to go on the Indiana Dunes camping over nighter with the youth group. If I can't, well, there will be more awesome events I will be able to go to, and if I can, it'll be flippin' sweet.
For those of you that have prayed for me this summer, I am incredibly grateful. I don't even want to think of what the summer would have been like without your prayers behind it. I ask that you not stop but continue to pray for me and the ministry here as it closes out for the summer and I begin my junior year of college.
Also, if you haven't, read "TrueFaced" by Bill Thrall and Bruce McNichol. It's incredible, and I hightly recommend it.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Summer Update
Wow, it's been just over one month since I left San Antonio to intern at Des Plaines Bible Church here in Des Plaines, IL. It's been a roller coaster ride, which, in my opinion, is the best way to describe it - ups and downs, twists and turns, lefts and rights, acceleration and deceleration, unexpected turns. You get the idea.
Honestly, like a roller coaster, it started off slow, going up, click click, click click. I was here for a week while the students were still in Mexico on their mission trip. I spent the time trying to find a job, which has not actually been found.
Then the students and the youth pastor got back. Time to get serious. Time to throw it into fifth gear. Nope. Click click, click click. It was and still is a challenge. I was intimidated by the situation to say the least. Intimidated by some of the students, intimidated by the new area, intimidated by a lack of community, intimidated by my own weaknesses. It was a struggle to trust God as my foundation to stand on when everything else seemed as fragile as glass and as unsteady as jell-o.
I spent many days reading and watching movies, and slowly things started to pick up. We had a pretty successful movie night, and gradually, I was able to spend more time with students - dairy queen after Wednesday night youth group, a lunch here and there. Though not how I pictured things starting up and taking shape, I had reached the crest of the hill and was increasing speed.
I taught a couple weeks ago on Joy vs. Happiness, and I believe it went well, and I received some positive feedback overall. Still improving, but I am also satisfied with the improvement that has already happened.
I have also been able to spend more time with the students. Swimming, eating, going downtown, watching movies, talking, and I am currently helping with VBS. The name is "God's Big Backyard" and the theme is serving - family, friends, community, etc.
I am doing puppets, secret room stuff, and leading a group of kindergarteners and first graders (Little kids can be so much fun!). I also taught today (technically yesterday) on Mark 2:1-12 on the friends who cared about their paralyzed friends so much that they made sure he saw Jesus no matter what it took (They dug a hole through the roof in case you had forgotten.).
I have also been to some great concerts, and the church allowed one of the bands that needed a place to stay to sleep at the church. Mike, the youth pastor, had a ton of food leftover from a barbecue earlier that day. It was great, and it was also one of my favorite bands - Blessed By A Broken Heart.
I have also been trying to help around the house of Ramiro and Melissa Cruz (the couple I'm living with). Whether it looks like cash payment, going to Blockbuster to get movies, picking up random groceries, doing dishes, vacuuming, or giving her younger sister rides; I am trying. Granted, I am not always successful, but I am trying and trying to improve. They have been a huge help in making it through this first month. They have truly made me feel at home while away from home, and I am incredibly grateful.
Ramiro and Melissa also have a ministry to the Hispanic community in Des Plaines and the surrounding area. In fact, Ramiro is the pastor of the Spanish ministry at church. They have introduced to many of their friends, and it has been a great joy to fellowship with them. I have gotten to know some great people, and it has mostly been in Spanish, but I always feel welcomed when around them. The 4th of July barbecue is a highlight of this experience. Enjoying great food and company and playing soccer. It was a fantastic afternoon.
Needless to say, the most difficult aspect of this summer has been living without friends. My friends from school are not here. My friends from home are not nere. Both my mentors are not here. My family is not here, and though I am surrounded by people that care about me, there are times when I really miss the community back home and the community at school, but I am learning a lot about myself and about my future ministry from this test.
I have seen many parallels from ministry this summer to what will probably take place in international youth ministry, which is what I believe to be God's call for me. When in a new country, I will be faced with many of the same experiences, the same intimidations. New place, new people, new language, and my friends and family will be thousands of miles away, an ocean away quite literally. I believe one of the purposes of this summer is to further prepare me for my future in ministry, especially international ministry.
Well, that about covers it. It's been a wild ride so far, and I don't expect it to stop any time soon. I'll be back at school to help with freshman orientation August 18, less than a month away. It's all going by so quickly.
P.S. You can now sign up for automatic emails to be sent to you whenever I update this blog, which means you never have to worry about remembering to check this page. Just enter your email in the subscribe from in top right of the page.
Honestly, like a roller coaster, it started off slow, going up, click click, click click. I was here for a week while the students were still in Mexico on their mission trip. I spent the time trying to find a job, which has not actually been found.
Then the students and the youth pastor got back. Time to get serious. Time to throw it into fifth gear. Nope. Click click, click click. It was and still is a challenge. I was intimidated by the situation to say the least. Intimidated by some of the students, intimidated by the new area, intimidated by a lack of community, intimidated by my own weaknesses. It was a struggle to trust God as my foundation to stand on when everything else seemed as fragile as glass and as unsteady as jell-o.
I spent many days reading and watching movies, and slowly things started to pick up. We had a pretty successful movie night, and gradually, I was able to spend more time with students - dairy queen after Wednesday night youth group, a lunch here and there. Though not how I pictured things starting up and taking shape, I had reached the crest of the hill and was increasing speed.
I taught a couple weeks ago on Joy vs. Happiness, and I believe it went well, and I received some positive feedback overall. Still improving, but I am also satisfied with the improvement that has already happened.
I have also been able to spend more time with the students. Swimming, eating, going downtown, watching movies, talking, and I am currently helping with VBS. The name is "God's Big Backyard" and the theme is serving - family, friends, community, etc.
I am doing puppets, secret room stuff, and leading a group of kindergarteners and first graders (Little kids can be so much fun!). I also taught today (technically yesterday) on Mark 2:1-12 on the friends who cared about their paralyzed friends so much that they made sure he saw Jesus no matter what it took (They dug a hole through the roof in case you had forgotten.).
I have also been to some great concerts, and the church allowed one of the bands that needed a place to stay to sleep at the church. Mike, the youth pastor, had a ton of food leftover from a barbecue earlier that day. It was great, and it was also one of my favorite bands - Blessed By A Broken Heart.
I have also been trying to help around the house of Ramiro and Melissa Cruz (the couple I'm living with). Whether it looks like cash payment, going to Blockbuster to get movies, picking up random groceries, doing dishes, vacuuming, or giving her younger sister rides; I am trying. Granted, I am not always successful, but I am trying and trying to improve. They have been a huge help in making it through this first month. They have truly made me feel at home while away from home, and I am incredibly grateful.
Ramiro and Melissa also have a ministry to the Hispanic community in Des Plaines and the surrounding area. In fact, Ramiro is the pastor of the Spanish ministry at church. They have introduced to many of their friends, and it has been a great joy to fellowship with them. I have gotten to know some great people, and it has mostly been in Spanish, but I always feel welcomed when around them. The 4th of July barbecue is a highlight of this experience. Enjoying great food and company and playing soccer. It was a fantastic afternoon.
Needless to say, the most difficult aspect of this summer has been living without friends. My friends from school are not here. My friends from home are not nere. Both my mentors are not here. My family is not here, and though I am surrounded by people that care about me, there are times when I really miss the community back home and the community at school, but I am learning a lot about myself and about my future ministry from this test.
I have seen many parallels from ministry this summer to what will probably take place in international youth ministry, which is what I believe to be God's call for me. When in a new country, I will be faced with many of the same experiences, the same intimidations. New place, new people, new language, and my friends and family will be thousands of miles away, an ocean away quite literally. I believe one of the purposes of this summer is to further prepare me for my future in ministry, especially international ministry.
Well, that about covers it. It's been a wild ride so far, and I don't expect it to stop any time soon. I'll be back at school to help with freshman orientation August 18, less than a month away. It's all going by so quickly.
P.S. You can now sign up for automatic emails to be sent to you whenever I update this blog, which means you never have to worry about remembering to check this page. Just enter your email in the subscribe from in top right of the page.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Mission Trip to the Czech Republic Over Spring Break
The mission trip to The Czech Republic was incredible. God showed me so much while I was over there. God revealed a lot to me on this trip - a lot about future ministry and a lot about me. The team I was able to go with was incredible. The national leaders and missionaries were incredibly welcoming to us. This was by far the best mission trip I have ever had the privilege of being a part of.
We left
We left Sunday morning to go to Ceske Budjeovice, which is south of
Monday, March 10, we split into two teams and went to two high schools to teach English classes. We then used the English lessons as an opportunity to invite the students to a youth group party at the local church. After school, about 20-30 students came to the church. We played some group games that were a lot of fun. Jason, one of the team members, gave the message, which was on the faith of the friends of the paralytic when they dug through the roof. Matt gave his testimony following the message. He talked about the time his father died, and it was very powerful.
We then left Ceske Budjeovice and traveled to Tabor by train. We were again welcomed at the station by the leaders of the youth group. Tabor seems like it almost escaped communism. It is a beautiful little city, and the church we stayed at was a block away from a castle. We arrived in the evening, and we were all quite tired from the traveling. A few of us did not sleep well at all the night before, and it was catching up to us. I was asked to speak to the youth group after dinner that night. Giving a message while you are tired is difficult. Also, being asked to cut about five minutes out is difficult too. Again, the message went really well, and again I was humbled by God's use of me to communicate His word to others.
Tuesday, March 11, we went to a high school in Tabor, and we taught English classes most of the day. We then had the opportunity to play big group games in their gym. We played a lot of tag games, and it was a lot of fun. Throughout the day, students who were a part of the youth group were inviting other students to an American Party that the youth group was having that night. At the end of each class, we would invite students to the party. Well, over 50 students showed up. It was incredible. We played some cool group games, had some food and drinks, and Ben gave a message/testimony, which went very well. Following the message, they showed some videos for summer English camps. The organization we went through is Josiah Venture, and English camps are a main part of their ministry. We then got to talk with students for a while, and it was great getting to know them and help establish some connection with the youth group.
We left in the early afternoon of Wednesday, March 12. We missed our train because four of our team members got stuck in an elevator, but we were able to make it to Strakonice in time to hang out with the students in Leah's (missionary there) after school English class. Nik gave his testimony, and we had grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. We were then split up and sent out to "host" homes. Tom and I went to Evicka's house. It was great. Her family was very welcoming, and it was the first night I was able to sleep in a bed since the hotel in
Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14, we taught English lessons all day at the local high school. It was a lot of fun. We got some students who were more talkative than usual, which always makes the lessons easier. Students there are usually pretty quiet and do not talk much, but once in a while the class clown(s) are in your group, and it is much easier to just have a conversation.
One of those guys was Mark Holub. Talking with him and the group was a lot of fun, and I was able to eat lunch with him and some of his friends. We were able to organize a trip to a pizza place after school. He and a friend came to Leah's apartment and picked Matt and I up. We went to a pizza place and met a few of his friends, and we got to talk for 2-3 hours. It was great.
After lessons on March 14, we traveled by bus to Pisek, which is where nearest youth group is. It's about 30 minutes out of Strakonice. We helped the youth group run their Friday night meeting, and we were able to hang out with a lot of the students who were there. I got to play ping pong and do some flips when a few of the students started break dancing to the beat of two djembe drums. This was also our first encounter with gypsies - descendants of Indian immigrants who settled in The Czech Republic. This is where the hip-hop culture has found its home. Also, there is still a lot of division and prejudice between Caucasians and gypsies, and the division in the youth group is palpable, which is incredibly unfortunate.
We were able to play ping-pong with the students, and spend time in prayer as a team for the small groups. Stacey gave the message to the youth group on the apostles' conversation with Jesus in the boat after feeding the 5,000; and Matt gave his testimony again.
Saturday, the 15th, was my birthday. I got to turn 20 in The Czech Republic. We got ice cream, and we began planning the sports afternoon. We played some tag games, soccer, volleyball, and Viking, and it was great opportunity to get to know some of the students more and build some relationships. Saturday night was the English Camp
We went to church Sunday morning, and we left right after to travel all day to Malenovice Hotel near the Czech-Poland border. Josiah Venture owns the hotel and uses it for staff training, staff meetings, and they also use it for some supplemental income. We spent three nights in Malenovice. This was our decompression, reflection time.
We went to
He also showed me what a works based salvation would be like. It would not be salvation at all. It would only lead to death. The tour guide said again and again that the Nazis only saw a prisoner as worthy of life if they could produce, if they could work/labor in factories or in fields, and etcetera, and it only led to death. If you could not work, you were executed. If you could work, you worked until you could work no more, and then you either died or were executed. There is no salvation. Thank God for His amazing grace and the death and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ who gives us a true salvation and an abundant life right now.
March 18, we went to a house being repaired/remodeled/nearly completely rebuilt. This house is going to be used as a missionary retreat house, a place where missionaries and national leaders can just get a way and spend some time with God and family. We also took out the internet for the whole city. The tower that supplies internet to the whole city was about 200 feet from the house. We had two fires going to burn dead branches and limbs around the house, and unbeknown to us, one of the fires was on top of the power cable for the tower. Well, we burned right through it, and they sent a repair man out to fix it.
That evening, Nathan joined us at the hotel. He oversees The Czech Republic for Josiah Venture. Getting to spend time talking with him was great. We also watched Transformers and The Princess Bride.
Wednesday, March 19, Dave Patty joined us. He is the founder of Josiah Venture. Getting to hear his story and talk to him about JV's ministry and vision for the future was encouraging and inspiring. Some of us even took notes.
After meeting with Dave, we traveled by train back to
We then flew home on March 21, and school started back up March 24. It was a wild ride.
I believe God may be leading me to
If you are interested in learning more about Josiah Venture and/or getting involved, you can visit their website: www.josiahventure.com. You'll be able to see the countries JV is ministering in, people involved, opportunities to get involved yourself, and more.
Do you know that God has called you to the
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