Saturday, August 29, 2009

Work Camp!



Location: Dining room at the camp, nearly 8am on August 29.

Though many of you think I am crazy, I enjoy waking up at 4am and spending time without interruptions--usually! Today, however, I was the only one up and around when a lady came searching for lost and found at about 7:15! Thus, I do not have as much time as I hoped to write you.

But I have to tell you a little about Work Camp this week...
You probably know that I enjoy hard work. It is a good think, because this week has been a lot of hard, physical work. As you can see from the slideshow above, it has flown by because we have been so busy and worn out by the end of each day. My jobs have included building four stories of scaffolding, wheelbarrowing LOTS of dirt and concrete, running the cement mixer several days, and helping build a stone staircase. In addition to the staircase, the projects have included building a stone wall, varnishing the front of the main building, fixing shower drains and a water heater in the restrooms, etc. We have worked despite rain and sun, delays from materials and broken pipes, and weary backs and bodies. I am in one piece, fairly well rested, and rather tan for fair-skinned me--only half of it washes off in the shower! My clothes and shoes have taken a beating, and I am being careful of my back, but the LORD has really blessed me with health and strength and everything else I need to serve Him in this way during this time. We did have an elderly lady fall of a ladder and fracture a leg, and another worker wrenched his back pretty good, so your prayers are greatly appreciated. Today is clean-up day, so we hope to dismantle the scaffolding and finish up the stone wall. Everything else is pretty much done, just in time for the next group to arrive tomorrow.
Unfortunately, with all of this excitement, there have been several goodbyes, with more to follow. G.'s family, pictured above, headed to the States on Thursday morning; two other couples left yesterday. A. will leave tomorrow, and my roommate S. will probably leave the next day. The folks that camp for work camp will be departing tomorrow, also. While I enjoy solitude, no one really enjoys seeing people go, especially after having worked and laughed and worshipped with them.
But alas, life is like that, and without goodbyes, people would just disappear. And with goodbyes come hellos. I am happy to have made so many new friends this summer, even if that means saying goodbye sometimes. And more people will be coming tomorrow. Furthermore, S., whose surgery you prayed for (with the kidney stones), had a follow-up operation this week to remove the piece they left inside of her, and she is due back at camp in the coming week. A missionary family from the camp will also be returning this month after a year-long furlough. The cycle continues.
Besides, I will be leaving soon myself. Plans are falling into place--thank you for your prayers and your encouragement. Many of you have written me, and I appreciate it very much, even when it takes me some time to respond sometimes. Romania, here I come!
It is almost time for breakfast, so I had better get going. Actually, second breakfast. They tease me about being a hobbit, but I have to eat several meals to put out the work that I do. Besides, when I get up at 4am, it is really my lunchtime when we begin work at 9! But do not worry, I am friends with the cook here, and several people watch out for me and Miguelito (my appetite), so I am well-fed!
By the way, I have posted some photos below and many on the Picasa site; check them out!
Oh, I almost forgot, I was going to tell you about "Qui suis-je?"
"Qui suis-je" means "Who am I?" That is a question many people are afraid to ask themselves, yet in my opinion the answer is vital for the rest of life. We talked about it in a small-group discussion after work the other night, and many people made some very good points. But what I love is a French particularity: "Je suis" means both "I am" and "I follow." In other words, in answer to the question (posed in French): "Who am I?" (or Who are you?), it would make sense to say, "I follow Jesus."
You see, if you are confused about who God is, life will not make sense. And if you do not understand that your personal identity is directly tied into God's identity (because He made you and designed specific plans for you and loves you deeply), again life will not make sense. Jesus came to reveal God to us, to help us understand who God is. He also came to give meaning to our lives, to give us a purpose and an identity. Therefore, at the very core of who I am, I follow Jesus. You cannot know who I am without knowing that.
You might not like that. Maybe that offends you. But nonetheless, it is true. If you are reading this, you likely know me. You probably do not hate me, and you may have been encouraged by me. Maybe I met you during my travels, maybe I worked with you in the States, maybe I lent you a hand with something. Maybe you even like or admire me. But the reason I am who I am is because I follow Jesus. In fact, it is because Jesus lives in me, giving me His identity, His character traits, His love. Daily I am renewed and reformed; He is building me into the man I was created to be. I would have never made an impact on you save Jesus living in me.
He wants to be the reason for your life, too. He wants to reform and renew you. He wants His identity to be the core of your identity. He wants you to let Him love you, lead you, teach you, help you, forgive you, and build you up.
You do not have to believe me. Take God's Word for it. Read Psalm 37 and Proverbs 3:5-6. Read John chapter 4. Sit silent before God in prayer and let Jesus reveal Him to you.
I bless you in the hard work ahead of you! Thanks for joining me in the work before me!
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A Rose From Home

A Rose From Home

My Story (As prepared for my church congregation this spring--2009)


I have a story to tell you. I am the main character, but the story is not about me. I have traveled several parts of the world, but my adventure has been closer to home. I am twenty-six years old. My story begins like many of yours…

I grew up going to church. I had been born into a family who labeled themselves “Christian,” in a country that labels itself “Christian.” Every Sunday found me attending a worship service and Sunday school in a mainline denomination church. I served as an acolyte, attended Vacation Bible School, helped my dad count and record the offering money, sang in the youth choir, was a leader in the youth group, and occasionally served as liturgist. Baptized as an infant, I was confirmed at the age of twelve, thus becoming an “official” member of the church. Then, hurt by the church, my family left to find another.

Have you ever been hurt by the Church?

After months of searching, we settled into a very large independent church. Things were different there, and I was quickly welcomed and at home among new friends that truly had a passion for Jesus. The Word of God was taught boldly from the pulpit, and I was introduced to a missions-aware lifestyle. So it was with regret that I said goodbye only a couple of years later to move with my family to another church. I purposely remained aloof, not wanting to make new friendships before I left for college a year later. Besides, I was loosing my faith—or so I thought—and I didn’t want anyone to know. I was asking scary questions like “Is there really a God?” and, if so, “Is He the Christian God?” and “Would I be Christian if I had been born in another part of the world?”

Have you ever asked yourself unsettling questions about what you believe?

So I headed into college under a cloud of confusion that only worsened for the next two years. Though I didn’t know what I believed anymore, I continued to go to church every Sunday, and to help lead worship in chapel. Most importantly, even during this questioning, I continued my morning habit of daily study of the Bible. I had begun at age twelve, reading at first a chapter per day, then ten minutes each morning, then an half-hour, and so on. So, only by the grace of the very God I doubted, I remained anchored in His Word and in His community, though I felt like a fake most of the time. Since then I have learned that “fake” is the worst insult the world can give us; that is why the label of “hypocrite” is so offensive.

Have you ever felt like a fake?

Six weeks with missionaries in South Africa followed by a year in France began to teach me what life with God is all about. I began rebuilding my faith, this time it belonged to me, in contrast to me borrowing the faith of my parents, church, or anyone else. In my parent’s basement in 2003, on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, I invited Jesus to live in me; perhaps I had done so before, but I didn’t recall—but since 2003, I have never forgotten that moment. Unfortunately, nothing changed. I continued to do my best to act like a Christian, as I had done for so long.

Have you ever found yourself “doing your best” to be a good person, or to act like a Christian?

Though I did not realize it at the time, I was quenching the Spirit, even though I had welcomed Him into my life. During the next few years, the LORD continued to nurture me, and slowly things began to change. Several tough months in Idaho birthed my prayer-life. I spent three years being humbled in a job that was my informal seminary training. In 2007, a short stint in Mexico helped me to see things as they were, and not long afterward, I was baptized by immersion. No baptism of any kind can save a lost soul—only Jesus can do that. However, this baptism was an important covenant between me and God, symbolizing not only my death and resurrection with Jesus and my public profession of faith, but it also my life change, the beginning of my bearing fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit…”according to Luke 6:44. During the past year and a half, the LORD has provided me with an informal pastoral internship in my church, teaching me every aspect of discipleship. Simultaneously, I have been studying unceasing prayer and worship. I am now very different than I was five years ago.

In the Book of Acts (which tells the story of the earliest years of the Church) every time a person decided to follow Christ, two things took place—though not always in the same order. Each person experienced a life change, which I call the “baptism of repentance,” as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which I call the “baptism of the Spirit.” Looking back, I realize that the Holy Spirit was living in me in 2003, but it wasn’t until I surrendered everything to God, as represented by my immersion, that I allowed the Spirit to have His way in me and transform my life. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)”

Have you invited Jesus to live in you? Have you allowed the Spirit to transform your life?

I tell you this story for two reasons. First, I tell this story in order to boast in the LORD! May God our Father get all praise and glory forever! Second, I tell this story because it is relevant to you. Likely you have heard that I am leaving the country: I have let my light shine before you; please let your light shine within the Church, too! This congregation is in revival, and as each of you allows the Spirit to revive you, the entire Church will be revived and utterly transformed, to the glory of the Most High God. And for His glory is the reason He created us; the reason He sent His only Son to reveal Himself to us; the reason He became Sin for us and died for us on the cross—while we were still sinners; and the reason that He conquered death and offered us eternal life with Him.

It will cost you a lot—in fact, it will cost you everything, your very life. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ Jesus, if you have never invited Him to send His Spirit into you and to transform your life, then do it right now. Just let go of everything to which you are desperately clinging; stop trying to do it yourself! This is the very reason you are still breathing in this physical life—God has been delaying His judgment of this sinful world because He is waiting for you—2 Peter 3:9 says He wants none to perish!

If you have already invited the Spirit into your life, then live like it! Bear fruit! Anyone and everyone who meets you or knows you or sees you or hears you should know immediately and clearly that Jesus the Christ lives in you and loves them! That is how stark the contrast should be between your life and the world around you!

Have you immersed yourself in God’s Word and in prayer in the last twenty-four hours?

If you call yourself a follower of Christ, then there is no excuse for not communing with Him daily! Anchor yourself in the Word! God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is a complete and accurate record of that revelation. And prayer is humbly letting Him love us. Let Him love you! God doesn’t need us, but He wants us! God doesn’t need us to live for Him—He wants to live in and through us! Let us love and fellowship with one another, even when you disagree! Pray for each other—the names in the church directory are a great place to start! Church, we are not only the Body of Christ, but we are the Bride of Christ. We have allowed ourselves to get bedraggled and stained—now let us stand to the glory of God! Let’s let Him purify us, restore us, and love us!

My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have ever once been blessed by God our Father at work in me, then I urge you, please, take seriously His desire to love and work in you, beyond anything you can ask or imagine! I have told you the beginning of my story—may it end in glory to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by way of His Spirit.

Now, what is your story?