Saturday, October 10, 2009

I Chose the Lice






Location: Meeting Room of our base in Sighisoara, Romania, about 10:30am on Saturday, the 10th of October, 2009

Okay, so maybe it was fleas, not lice. I like the way lice attracts your attention, though. And when I admit that I do not even know for sure what lice look like, maybe it makes even more dramatic the contrast between my comfortable upbringing compared to the harsh conditions of those to whom we minister.

We concentrate our evangilism ministry in four areas. I learned this week that these are the roughest communities in Sighisoara and its environs. Two are communities that are part of the town of Sighisoara; two are neighboring villages. It was in one of these neighboring villages that we were working on Wednesday. I had stopped football (soccer) soon after we begun because the boys were hurting one another; in particular, one was visciously beating another with kicks. Having tried to talk about being respectful, we still struggled to hold their attention during the program. Soon I was sitting on the tarp with the boys, having disciplined some of them best I could. It was not long before a couple were sitting leaning against me. Even the boys up until their early teens are so hungry for love that they will crawl onto my lap and sit there. This day, however, it was a tiny boy naked from the waist down who crawled onto my lap. Finally, as the peace of Christ in me bled into the boys around me, they began calming down. I made signal to some of my coworkers and we skipped my part in the program, knowing that it was more important for me to stay with the boys. Suddenly, one of the older boys leaning against me snickered and pointed at a bug crawling on the young boy on my lap. I told him to be quiet, not thinking much about it, when I suddenly remembered a similar situation only a few days before when I had learned the word for "lice" from some of my small friends. I realized that I could easily become the next prime real estate property for the population of lice or fleas if I remained there, but then I thought about all I had seen there that day, and their hunger for touch and love.

I chose the lice. Or the fleas. Whatever.

More and more I understand Jesus saying, "Let the little children come to me." More and more I understand why the disciples tried to prevent them. But as we more or less successfully (depending on the day and the moment) present a teaching program to these kids, I constantly am asking myself the profound question that became too cliche several years ago: "What would Jesus do?" In other words, "In what way will the love of Jesus be most clear in me in this situation?"

In that moment, fleas or not, the most effective communication of the love of Jesus was by holding those boys--in particular, the one with the bug who all too often was pushed away by someone bigger or by someone afraid of dirt and stench and lice. Were I him, that is what I would have wanted. To him, I was a strong man with an authority of peace and protection. Interestingly, that is who Jesus so often is to me! How humbling it is to realize that for those few instants, I was Jesus to him...

That is what it means to be the Church, the Body of Christ. That means that the Spirit of God is working in us so powerfully that we are the body, the vehicle, for the work of God on this earth. What a privilege. What a responsibility!

I have more to tell you, but it seems less important. Several of our days of ministry this week were very meaningful in ways similar to the story above. We had special circus theme, so we dressed up like clowns as we drove through the city and walked into the villages--as if I did not already stand out enough! We practiced juggling acts one night (for the future), and this week we used marionettes and a "Stomp" style percussion sword fight in our program. However, most of our team was sick this week, though thankfully I was one of the exceptions. Having had some sort of food poisoning one night early in the week, I felt pretty well after that. I thank the Lord for His care for me (and you for your prayers). The slight tickle of a sore throat that I had never developed into the lost voice, fever, or cough contracted by many of my teammates. I was able to sing at choir rehearsal and teach in the program as usual. Oh, and I should note that as far as I know, I do not have lice or fleas! May God get the glory!

Other highlights of my week include phone and email conversations with many of you, as well as some wonderful prayer time with my Lord. You will notice that I am not writing as often, because of the busy schedule here, but I feel rather well-adjusted to the routine now, and I am happy. Oh, and I received visa authorization to stay in Romania for a year, which is answered prayer! I do not intend to stay that long, unless God leads me to do so, but it saves me a lot of red-tape; as I had hoped, I may now remain here legally throughout the internship.

Finally, I want to share some photos with you. You know that my camera is broken so that I cannot see if the pictures turned out until I load them onto my computer--that is why all the people are so small in the photos (as one coworker pointed out)! I have also mentioned that I have to be extremely careful taking photos where we work because of the aggression of the local people. I hope to get some photos soon from one of our leaders, but for now, I was able to take a few on the sly. Here are ore or two from the program we did (out of a van, not our truck-with-stage) in Targu Mures last weekend, as well as one of me and a coworker with our yellow truck (that turns into a stage). There are also two or three from the worst village we work in, the one where the story above took place. They are from the truck window and barely captured anything. Someday hopefully I can show you more of the village and its people, but perhaps these will prepare you to see worse later. I may through in a photo of my French-Romanian "nephew" that lives with us, and maybe one of my fellow intern with one of the college students. Oh, I almost forgot--I will include one of our team (taken yesterday, and missing only me and my fellow intern and the American college students that often join us.) Enjoy!

Hopefully these photos will help you to pray. Thank you for your prayers. As I was praying early this morning, I was noting how many answered prayers I recognized. I believe God always answers prayers, and not always according to our will, so it is often hard to recognize His response. But when I see drastic change in the life of someone I am praying for, I know God is at work, even if I cannot immediately identify how.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you. May the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
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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?