In the link to the post below I mention one of the people groups that our team in Russia is working with. I didn't mention the actual group because this gal they have met is so connected and it might make trouble for her that she is interacting with Christians.
I will say though that the Muslim republic she is from is right next to Chechnya. And actually just heard that they just completed the Jesus film in the her language maybe in the last month. While they were working on the project there were no known believers that they could ask to help work on the project with them. And then they were deciding about how to distribute the film among these people and our team in Nalchik gave it out to a bunch of orphans from this republic and in just a few weeks the film had been pirated and was on every illegal market for DVD's on every corner! It's the only film in their language! Praise God for piracy!
Do pray for these Thursday night targets of trying to interact with students from every unreached people group. (To understand what I am talking about, you will have to read that post on at STINT Leaders if you haven't already.)
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
On the Alert - Jamin and Emily
'Jamin (say ‘Benjamin’ but drop the ‘Ben’) and Emily are leading in the Caucasus region of Russia. Ashley (in the Latvala family pic) is the Women’s Coordinator and Joyelle is the team princess. 
Before he graduated from Washington, 'Jamin stinted two years among the Buyrats in Ulan-Ude while Ashley was on a team in EA under Matt and Krista Mikalatos. Emily, who is in her 2nd year as Co-Leader of the STINT team, also co-led the 2nd ever summer project to K-town between her Junior and Senior year at CU. (For a good laugh, check out Emily's new hairstyle.)
Their team works with not only Russian students but students from over all over the Caucasus. In fact, there over 50 people groups in the Caucasus and the mothers and fathers and grandfathers and grandmothers pray to Allah every day that their son or daughter can go to a prestigious university like the one on which they serve. So we have this short time while they are students... and are taken out of their Muslim republic where there is so much pressure to conform... to reach them with the Gospel in hopes that they will take it with them when they return home!
'Jamin, Emily and their team have begun to designate Thursday nights specifically for targeting students from these minority groups. They are trusting God for persons of peace like this gal from this certain people group that 'Jamin met while visiting a friend in the dorms.
"She just knows everyone!" Emily said. "We asked her if she would be interested in bringing over some of her I. (abbreviated for security sake) friends and we could have a cultural dinner exchange. While we were hanging out with her she got on the phone right then and there and started to call her I. friends and invite them! So as of now we're scheduled to have a bunch of I. people over Thursday night! (tomorrow - Nov 30th) It's going to be a night of I. and American food! I. and American dancing! And hopefully and night of sharing our I. and American faiths! I can't wait!"
While they are excited about some new changes in ministry to target these nations, it has been difficult. Emily said, "A lot of our time is spent just learning about these new cultures and learning how to more effectively minister to Muslims. Also, we need to empower our Russian believers to lead the Russian movement to free up our time to really go after these Caucasus people."
I am sure you are like me and when you read this you are amazed and overjoyed at what God is doing to reach the nations. But someone is not too happy. He is peeved. I am afraid that he is not gonna take this sitting down.
This week the Spirit keeps taking me to I Peter 5:8-9. I will share it in the version I have been reading lately: "Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
Perhaps like me you have heard sermons/talks on this passage where the speaker says something to this effect (in a very pejorative tone perhaps) "Yes, but this lion is declawed" or "He has no teeth. " The audience chuckles: "Silly, toothless lion." We walk away no more sober or alert than we were before. In our minds he is like the lion in the Wizard of Oz.
My dear dear brothers and sisters I believe this is a wicked, evil, deceitful lie!!!! If this lion Peter is describing is declawed, for Heaven's sakes why do we need to be alert?!? If he has no teeth, why is there a warning that he wants to devour us?!? Maybe Peter didn’t pen exclamation points like the Holman Christian Standard version has but I don’t think he put a little smiley face at the end either. Yes, Peter writes in chapter 1 that we are secure and protected by God's power, but he also writes in chapter 2 about the evil desires that wage war against our souls. We are in a war zone. You are in a war zone!
I fear we that walk around like my son Luke when he was two and I took him to the Denver zoo. The first place we went to was the new lion adventure exhibit where you can walk up to this glass and be inches from wild lions. All Luke could saw was, "Eyes." Eyes?!? I am thinking "Teeth! Claws!" I am thinking, "how secure is this glass? And what will I do to protect my wife and son if that lion breaks it?" To my son he was as fearful as a bunny rabbit.
Our enemy is no pet. He is real. He is wicked. He came to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to take you out. He wants to take me out. He wants to destroy our marriages. He wants to destroy our teams. He wants to devour you. He wants to do everything he can to stop the advance of the kingdom. This is War!
Men and Women, let’s don’t be like George Clooney’s character, Everett, in O Brother, Where are Thou? when Delmer is getting whacked up side the head by John Goodman's character and he just sits there on a blanket taking another bit of fried chicken saying "I don’t get it Big Dan".
I am at a lose of words. Perhaps that's okay. You have heard enough talks on how to combat the enemy and Peter gives plenty of advice. Shoot just take about every command in this epistle.
But let's just meditate on what he says here in Chapter 5: Be sober. Be alert. Act in the Spiritual realm like you would if you were walking through a dangerous part of town. Act as if you were in Iraq. Get in combat mode. Resist him. Resist him. Stand firm in the faith. Don’t give in – not for a second. Know that every one of your peers all over the world are facing this same battle. Go to bat for them. Watch. Pray. Stand guard. Do not lose sight of the reality of the enemy and his wicked evil intent to take you out.
... and know that greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. That He will redeem people from every tribe, tongue and nation. That He will win! That He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Monday, November 27, 2006
What in the World have you done?
I got this from my second cousin's Terry's blog (Alone on a Limb) who got it from his sister' Carol's (The Median Sib) blog. She got it from their younger sister Beth's (Blue Star Chronicles) site.
Okay, I am game...
(Copy and paste the list below. Highlight the things you have done. And delete my green comments, of course.)
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain (Though sadly not one of Colorado's 50 14ers yet.)
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula ('Rosie' a Chilean rose-haired tarantula at Butterfly Pavilion in nearby Westminster, CO.)
07. Taken a candlelight bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it.
09. Hugged a tree (Maybe as a joke.)
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise.
14. Seen the Northern Lights.
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars (Most memorable was in Mongolia.)
20. Changed a baby’s diaper (Yesterday and probably again before the day is out.)
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight (Most memorable was with neighborhood kids in Kazakhstan.)
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse (Through wielding helmet as a Freshman in college along with other workers on my work-study job of maintenance. About all I can remember doing in that job other than painting a laundry room, cutting some grass and going to one of the girl's dorm to change light bulbs was this.)
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking (On a Neva river cruise in St. Petersburg Russia.)
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day (Couple of times had a British accent in college plays - so maybe not all day like in "When Harry Met Sally" but used the accent for several days.)
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends (My wife is tops.)
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country. (see #36; was pulled up on stage.)
44. Watched wild whales (off coast in San Diego, got a little sick too.)
45. Stolen a sign (Some 'curve ahead' sign off of a construction truck parked at a hotel when I was in college. Stupid.)
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing (Mt. Yonah between Cleveland and Helen Georgia.)
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love (everybody prior to Robin.)
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan (Just the airport though I have seen Mt. Fuji from the plane window.)
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke (I am sure it was not pleasant to the audience.)
59. Lounged around in bed all day (maybe not all day.)
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China (Five times.)
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken (Robin.)
69. Toured ancient sites (Seen ruins of the ancient Mongolian empire in Karakorum among other places.)
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie (Was in a Chinese TV movie where I played a US soldier visiting Chiang Kai Shek as part of General Marshall entourage. Had no lines.)
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason (Bought and gave flowers for no reason.)
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas (Though only traveling through - did eat at a breakfast bar at one of the big hotels for real cheap.)
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date (On the first and only date I had in high school.)
89. Gone to Thailand (One of coolest places was Koh Hai - an island where I stayed in my own private bungalow for $10 a night and we rented fins and goggles for 50 cents a day to swim among the tropical fish. Never have a desire to visit Bangkok again though.)
90. Bought a house (does a town home count?)
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship (no desire to do that again.)
94. Spoken more than one language fluently (Not fluently, though I know a little Chinese and Russian.)
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (In process.)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country (Not sure it counts as exotic but I have rented a bike for a day in Switzerland. And owned two bikes in China.)
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge (well not all the way just on it.)
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived (brakes on the 1950's van I drove for a summer job as a chimney sweep in Athens gave out as I came down hill on College avenue.)
105. Wrote articles for a large publication (Wrote a small one for Worldwide Challenge magazine once. So not articles and not sure if its a large publication.)
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray (see #6 and #89.)
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery (Not sure it was really major except to me.)
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours (maybe when jetlaggin'.)
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states (not even if you counted airports.)
124. Visited all 7 continents (all but Antarctica.)
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper (Once was because of #104. Front-page news in Athens Banner Herald.)
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about (It's my job.)
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (Only fish.)
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream (Especially when I look over most of these and realize I did them because of my job.)
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head (well had it shaved by students. Fulfilling a promise if we had 100 students from our Crusade group at University of Northern Colorado attend the Denver Christmas Conference.)
149. Caused a car accident (see #104)
150. Saved someone’s life (if you count #129!)
Okay, I am game...
(Copy and paste the list below. Highlight the things you have done. And delete my green comments, of course.)
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain (Though sadly not one of Colorado's 50 14ers yet.)
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula ('Rosie' a Chilean rose-haired tarantula at Butterfly Pavilion in nearby Westminster, CO.)
07. Taken a candlelight bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it.
09. Hugged a tree (Maybe as a joke.)
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise.
14. Seen the Northern Lights.
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars (Most memorable was in Mongolia.)
20. Changed a baby’s diaper (Yesterday and probably again before the day is out.)
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight (Most memorable was with neighborhood kids in Kazakhstan.)
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse (Through wielding helmet as a Freshman in college along with other workers on my work-study job of maintenance. About all I can remember doing in that job other than painting a laundry room, cutting some grass and going to one of the girl's dorm to change light bulbs was this.)
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking (On a Neva river cruise in St. Petersburg Russia.)
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day (Couple of times had a British accent in college plays - so maybe not all day like in "When Harry Met Sally" but used the accent for several days.)
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends (My wife is tops.)
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country. (see #36; was pulled up on stage.)
44. Watched wild whales (off coast in San Diego, got a little sick too.)
45. Stolen a sign (Some 'curve ahead' sign off of a construction truck parked at a hotel when I was in college. Stupid.)
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing (Mt. Yonah between Cleveland and Helen Georgia.)
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love (everybody prior to Robin.)
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan (Just the airport though I have seen Mt. Fuji from the plane window.)
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke (I am sure it was not pleasant to the audience.)
59. Lounged around in bed all day (maybe not all day.)
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China (Five times.)
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken (Robin.)
69. Toured ancient sites (Seen ruins of the ancient Mongolian empire in Karakorum among other places.)
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie (Was in a Chinese TV movie where I played a US soldier visiting Chiang Kai Shek as part of General Marshall entourage. Had no lines.)
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason (Bought and gave flowers for no reason.)
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas (Though only traveling through - did eat at a breakfast bar at one of the big hotels for real cheap.)
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date (On the first and only date I had in high school.)
89. Gone to Thailand (One of coolest places was Koh Hai - an island where I stayed in my own private bungalow for $10 a night and we rented fins and goggles for 50 cents a day to swim among the tropical fish. Never have a desire to visit Bangkok again though.)
90. Bought a house (does a town home count?)
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship (no desire to do that again.)
94. Spoken more than one language fluently (Not fluently, though I know a little Chinese and Russian.)
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (In process.)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country (Not sure it counts as exotic but I have rented a bike for a day in Switzerland. And owned two bikes in China.)
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge (well not all the way just on it.)
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived (brakes on the 1950's van I drove for a summer job as a chimney sweep in Athens gave out as I came down hill on College avenue.)
105. Wrote articles for a large publication (Wrote a small one for Worldwide Challenge magazine once. So not articles and not sure if its a large publication.)
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray (see #6 and #89.)
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery (Not sure it was really major except to me.)
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours (maybe when jetlaggin'.)
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states (not even if you counted airports.)
124. Visited all 7 continents (all but Antarctica.)
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper (Once was because of #104. Front-page news in Athens Banner Herald.)
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about (It's my job.)
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (Only fish.)
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream (Especially when I look over most of these and realize I did them because of my job.)
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head (well had it shaved by students. Fulfilling a promise if we had 100 students from our Crusade group at University of Northern Colorado attend the Denver Christmas Conference.)
149. Caused a car accident (see #104)
150. Saved someone’s life (if you count #129!)
Friday, November 24, 2006
Giving Thanks
We had a good Thanksgiving day - just the 5 of us. Robin made a turkey, some cranberry cutney, asparagus, stuffing and gravy. I made a sweet potato souffle. The sweet potato of course with the marshmellows were a hit with our picky boys.
Before we said the blessing, I asked Luke what he was thankful for. He said his brothers. Which amazed both Robin and me.
I am thankful for my family: for my sweet incredible wife, my little boys each with a unique personality. I am thankful for my extended family. I am thankful for the friendship I have with my sisters. I am thankful for our church. I am thankful for role I have with WSN and the host of incredible friends I get to work with - especailly the three men whose leadership I am under (Ken, Chip and Keith). I am thankful that I get to take part in a small way what God is doing around the globe. I am thankful for the Spirit and that He is transforming me day-to-day into Christ's image... seems like an impossible task.
Before we said the blessing, I asked Luke what he was thankful for. He said his brothers. Which amazed both Robin and me.
I am thankful for my family: for my sweet incredible wife, my little boys each with a unique personality. I am thankful for my extended family. I am thankful for the friendship I have with my sisters. I am thankful for our church. I am thankful for role I have with WSN and the host of incredible friends I get to work with - especailly the three men whose leadership I am under (Ken, Chip and Keith). I am thankful that I get to take part in a small way what God is doing around the globe. I am thankful for the Spirit and that He is transforming me day-to-day into Christ's image... seems like an impossible task.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Work blogs
I have updated a couple of my 'work' blogs of late.
Every week I highlight a couple of STINT Team Leaders on this blog. I had the opportunity to lead our training time with them last summer. Actually it was more like a community of leaders than a training week and that's what I am trying to continue with the weekly posts. It's fun for me because I love all of these leaders dearly. If your interested you can visit it each Wednesday and get a small feel for what's going on around the world. I just wrote today about a couple leading in Salerno Italy who are seeing some amazing things happen.
Another blog I have that I treat more like a website is Here I am Send Me! It is a recruiting blog for our region highlighting all of our international partnerships. I just updated it recently with info for students looking for opportunities both for the summer and next year. The next few months our big pushes for both.
Every week I highlight a couple of STINT Team Leaders on this blog. I had the opportunity to lead our training time with them last summer. Actually it was more like a community of leaders than a training week and that's what I am trying to continue with the weekly posts. It's fun for me because I love all of these leaders dearly. If your interested you can visit it each Wednesday and get a small feel for what's going on around the world. I just wrote today about a couple leading in Salerno Italy who are seeing some amazing things happen.
Another blog I have that I treat more like a website is Here I am Send Me! It is a recruiting blog for our region highlighting all of our international partnerships. I just updated it recently with info for students looking for opportunities both for the summer and next year. The next few months our big pushes for both.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
If this is true, Luke loves to flatter his friends.
We have noticed for a while that Luke will talk like his friend Danya when talking about him and will talk like Charlie when he talks about him. So the other night, I decided to ask Luke if he could do another friend's voice. I asked him if he could talk like Quinton and he did. He couldn't do a few other friends but I bet if he hung around them long enough he could,
I tried to do Charlie and can't even come close.
His 4 years old and on the road to either be an impersonator or a pest. Hopefully his friends will see its the sincerest form of flattery.
We have noticed for a while that Luke will talk like his friend Danya when talking about him and will talk like Charlie when he talks about him. So the other night, I decided to ask Luke if he could do another friend's voice. I asked him if he could talk like Quinton and he did. He couldn't do a few other friends but I bet if he hung around them long enough he could,
I tried to do Charlie and can't even come close.
His 4 years old and on the road to either be an impersonator or a pest. Hopefully his friends will see its the sincerest form of flattery.
Rejoicing and Giving Thanks - Drew and Francine
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Drew and Francine are two Southerners in southern Italy.Their team, while following up a number of new believers from this summer, have seen seven more students in Salerno trust their lives to Christ this fall! (I think this number is right. Francine had said four in her last letter and I read on Drew's blog where they saw three new believers this week.)Drew and Francine attended a National Leader's Forum where they met with leaders in our ministry as well as leaders from churches that want to partner in reaching their country for Christ. Francine said that tears sprang to her eyes as she listened to one pastor testify that he has prayed for God to do something in his country for many years, but he always felt as though he was driving through the fog. But now, the fog is lifting and God is allowing him to throw the car into fifth gear and speed on ahead to claim this country for Christ.
Francine's own grandfather would spend hours on his knees, crying out to God for “the old country,” and always regretted never having the opportunity to return to Sicily to share the Christ with his relatives that were left behind when he came to the States. To think that God sent his granddaughter to live and see and taste and breathe the answers to his prayers is pretty awesome!
In the midst riding this supernatural wave of God, their team has learned that will need to leave Italy within the week!! Both their team and the Rome team need to go back to US for at least until January 10th to get proper visas. Crazy!
Reading their story and honesty about how they are feeling, I don’t know that my heart is as quick to run to Jesus in stressful times as precious is. I can’t help but think of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. Here they were in southern Europe too as an answer to cries. They had just seen the first Europeans come to faith. And while they were going back for a follow-up appointment they get sidetracked by a demon-possessed girl. (Not sure of her name but I think it was Claire Voyant.)Now publicly beaten and throw into prison, feet fastened in stocks, its spanking midnight and they… hold a prayer and praise service.
I don’t know about you but I would not be singing hymns! (And I am certain that if I did, the other prisoners would not be listening but telling me to knock it off!) What joy they had transcends understanding. We get to read the rest of the story - an earthquake happens and a church is planted from their captive audience. But, they still had their visas revoked and had to leave these young believers behind.
Paul later wrote to this same church from another prison found in Phil 4:4-7. We need to read it slowly. "Rejoice in Lord... Do not be anxious about anything In everything ... with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. The peace of God,which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Here are some things I know I need to remember as I seek to rejoice always…
~ God is in-control.
~ Joy is not circumstantial.
~ Often He causes these things to work for the expanse of the kingdom.
~ Always He causes them to work for my good.
~ My worship (not necessarily my work) is what He desires.
~ It’s about Him and not me.
This American Thanksgiving, let’s lift up Drew,Francine, as well as Dan and Lauren in Rome, as they lead their teams through these trials. Let’s thank God by faith that He will use this for His glory in Italy and their lives.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Why can't new teeth all come at once?
That was what Robin said after we spent most of the night tag-teaming with crying little boys. Drew popped out a couple of new teeth and Jack has some on the verge.
At one point in delirium in the middle of the night, I picked up my pillow to go lay on the sofa as Robin was giving Jack some ibuprofen. I was thinking Drew was back in his crib. I get downstairs and there is Drew on the sofa waiting on me. Robin had left him to come give medicine to Jack who was in bed with me. Drew calmed down for a while sleeping on my chest on the sofa but went nuts when I took him back up.
Somehow, sometime Robin and I switched. I can't recall how it happened. But I found myself with Jack on the sofa in the same position and he finally zonked out and stayed calm when I took him back upstairs. Don't know what I would do without coffee. Not sure how Robin is making it. I should stop typing and go home and relieve her.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
In the Harvest - A and J
A and J are in a large East Asian nation. While A was not able to be at the training, you will not doubt remember J from our time in Fort Fun. I am not sure but I think A and J as leaders make folks on their team take turns driving the pedicab for them.As most of you know where they serve is a place of incredible reaping right now. But we know this is not the case everywhere. Actually for the devotion this week, I thought I would just edit an email J sent to a fellow team leader as a word of encouragement. It’s a good reminder that we should not gain our significance as leaders in results but in faithfulness. I edit it a little as I can tell that J has a little bit of his Presbyterian pastor father in him. (BTW, you can leave a message for J @ (347) 408-0703.)
“Keep persevering brother. You are right where God wants you to be and you are there at the precise time that he desires for your team to be there. Just focus on being faithful and obedient when you are with students and God will do the rest. Know that you have been called to take part in the harvest and you don’t have to worry about the end product because we know what it will be – God’s great and glorious gathering of people from all the world.
We have the privilege of being his workers. You might be this incredible planter of seeds that will bear much fruit. You might be that person that is so great at watering and taking care of those seeds making sure that thorns don’t come around them to choke and kill them. Or you might be that worker that is able to see the seeds reap fruit. But in this whole process we know is God who does it all. He is in charge of the growth and yet He chooses to use us redeemed sinners to bring His message.
Be encouraged brother! Also know that you are there not only hoping to see people come to faith. God is using this time to grow you as well as you go out into His fields and work. He desires your personal growth in Him. So take so much joy in finding time to be with God and to allow Him to mold and shape you.
I have found it so easy to get lost in everything that is going on in terms of ministry, looking after a team, etc… that I forget about myself. I forgot to take care of my body. I forget to take care of my spiritual well being. And basically I forget that God is inside of me. Don’t forget in the midst of doing ministry that you do have a great opportunity to bring glory to God through doing ministry but more importantly you have the privilege and opportunity to bring glory to God in the way you life your own life. You yourself get to experience the healing power of the gospel. Allow the Spirit to work in you. It is so easy to get so wrapped up in what we do that we forget that we also have to focus on just ‘being.’ We are free! Free from sin and free from ourselves!
We have a God who says, ‘Go out and love people and tell them about me. Don’t worry what will happen because I quite honestly I am the one doing all work. I saved you from darkness and I give you the words to use. I also send my Spirit to work in the hearts of those you talk to and so even if your presentation comes out so poorly, I will still use you.’ God delights in using us. I have been so humbled here because there have been times where I have definitely not been there at all with students and yet God decides to work in that person’s heart and bring them to faith. We work for the Lord of the Harvest! Awesome! There is no greater ‘boss’ to work for and more importantly to work with.
We can live in total freedom of results because there is no where better to be than in the middle of God’s will for our own life and other people’s lives. Live in freedom! Seek to be faithful and obedient! Pray, pray, pray!! Above all – enjoy it! Enjoy seeing what seeds are planted, what seeds are watered, and what seeds come to bear fruit!! Enjoy it because God is enjoying using you and your team in such a great way. What you are doing is not little. It is great stuff. It will have an impact on eternity and we know that eternity matters!!!! Blessings in the work that lies ahead!”
Why does 'why' not start with a 'y'?
Luke has been learning phonics at pre-school. He already knew the alphabet but now each day he goes (Mondays and Wednesdays) a letter is highlighted. Monday was 'I' and I imagine Wednesday will be 'J'.
When he comes home he likes sounding off words he knows that start with the letter of the day and as a game we quizz him on another letter and words he knows. The problem arrives when our English language takes a detour from normal rules. So like yesterday I have to tell him that the word 'eye' doesn't start with 'I'. It makes no sense to him and he is just follwoing what he has been taught. It's sad to correct him on things like why 'kite starts with a 'k' but 'cat' doesn't.
Yes 'pea' starts with a 'p', 'bee' and 'be' start with a 'b' and 'tea' starts with a 't' but...
Why do 'see' and 'sea' not start with a 'c'?
Why does 'eye' not start with an 'i'?
Why do 'inn' and 'in' not start with an 'n'?
Why does 'are' not start with an 'r'?
Why does 'you' not start with a 'u'?
Why does 'double u' not start with a 'w'?
and the coupe-de-grace
Why does 'why' does not start with a 'y'?
The English language makes no sense sometimes to a 4 yr old but also to a 42 yr old.
When he comes home he likes sounding off words he knows that start with the letter of the day and as a game we quizz him on another letter and words he knows. The problem arrives when our English language takes a detour from normal rules. So like yesterday I have to tell him that the word 'eye' doesn't start with 'I'. It makes no sense to him and he is just follwoing what he has been taught. It's sad to correct him on things like why 'kite starts with a 'k' but 'cat' doesn't.
Yes 'pea' starts with a 'p', 'bee' and 'be' start with a 'b' and 'tea' starts with a 't' but...
Why do 'see' and 'sea' not start with a 'c'?
Why does 'eye' not start with an 'i'?
Why do 'inn' and 'in' not start with an 'n'?
Why does 'are' not start with an 'r'?
Why does 'you' not start with a 'u'?
Why does 'double u' not start with a 'w'?
and the coupe-de-grace
Why does 'why' does not start with a 'y'?
The English language makes no sense sometimes to a 4 yr old but also to a 42 yr old.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Three Books
I thought I would post on 3 books that I have finished recently. The first two are ones I started this summer and neglected for a while before I finished them this past month. (It is not a reflection on their quality just on how distracted I get from time to time. My 'library' is full of unfinished books though I have tried to be more faithful in this of late. )
1. Night
(Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback) - Powerful, Powerful firsthand account of the Holocaust. Sad, poignant, bitter are words that come to my mind. And yet in reality my feeling after reading this is undefinable. It's incomprehensible that human beings would treat others so inhumanely. This period in our history is deeply troubling but even more heartbreaking (can it be more?) given the personal face of the author. A lot of books are given the title 'must-read'. But every person on the planet must read this book so we do not forget, so we do not think it is over exaggerated, so we do not let history repeat itself. My fear is we will forget and present events show us we are still capable of these unspeakable acts.
2.
A History of the Jews - I read this book because my pastor Gene highlighted it a few months back in his sermon, The Dead Elephant in the Room (I highly recommend that you click that link and listen, because it is like no other sermon you have heard!) The events in Night and the Holocaust are the zenith of the hate and persecution that God's chosen people have faced throughout history. Hitler, the nazis, Stalin, and terrorists are the pinnacle of this evil but it has persisted throughout the history of man at least since the time Joseph was forgotten in Egypt.
I was flabbergasted and embarrassed at how little I knew of this history. I could not believe as I read this. How could this happen over and over again? How can this nation of people still survive apart from God's mercy? This cruelity that still goes on today (Johnson wrote this hostory in the late 1980's) is from the pit of hell. God has promised that all the world would be blessed through Abraham the first Jewish man but there also is a condition with this in verse promise. Nations and people are blessed if they bless the Jewish people - the people loved by God - but cursed if they curse them. My conclusion as believer in Messiah Jesus is that we are guilty. Like Nehemiah who confessed the sins of his people we need to confess the sins of acts done in Jesus name. We owe a humble apology to every Jewish person on planet earth.
3.
The City: A Global History - This is a good little read of the accounts of cities. It's an easy quick read but insightful into how cities have affected our world and how cities themselves have changed throughout time. As we enter a future where 3 billion people on planet earth will soon live in metropoliton areas, it necessary that we have a good idea of what the implications are for our environment, our way of life, and most of all for our mandates of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. As believers we need to figure out how to reach the cities in new ways that enable us to present and demonstrate God's love. We need to help cities recapture the sacred places.
1. Night
(Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback) - Powerful, Powerful firsthand account of the Holocaust. Sad, poignant, bitter are words that come to my mind. And yet in reality my feeling after reading this is undefinable. It's incomprehensible that human beings would treat others so inhumanely. This period in our history is deeply troubling but even more heartbreaking (can it be more?) given the personal face of the author. A lot of books are given the title 'must-read'. But every person on the planet must read this book so we do not forget, so we do not think it is over exaggerated, so we do not let history repeat itself. My fear is we will forget and present events show us we are still capable of these unspeakable acts.2.
A History of the Jews - I read this book because my pastor Gene highlighted it a few months back in his sermon, The Dead Elephant in the Room (I highly recommend that you click that link and listen, because it is like no other sermon you have heard!) The events in Night and the Holocaust are the zenith of the hate and persecution that God's chosen people have faced throughout history. Hitler, the nazis, Stalin, and terrorists are the pinnacle of this evil but it has persisted throughout the history of man at least since the time Joseph was forgotten in Egypt.I was flabbergasted and embarrassed at how little I knew of this history. I could not believe as I read this. How could this happen over and over again? How can this nation of people still survive apart from God's mercy? This cruelity that still goes on today (Johnson wrote this hostory in the late 1980's) is from the pit of hell. God has promised that all the world would be blessed through Abraham the first Jewish man but there also is a condition with this in verse promise. Nations and people are blessed if they bless the Jewish people - the people loved by God - but cursed if they curse them. My conclusion as believer in Messiah Jesus is that we are guilty. Like Nehemiah who confessed the sins of his people we need to confess the sins of acts done in Jesus name. We owe a humble apology to every Jewish person on planet earth.
3.
The City: A Global History - This is a good little read of the accounts of cities. It's an easy quick read but insightful into how cities have affected our world and how cities themselves have changed throughout time. As we enter a future where 3 billion people on planet earth will soon live in metropoliton areas, it necessary that we have a good idea of what the implications are for our environment, our way of life, and most of all for our mandates of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. As believers we need to figure out how to reach the cities in new ways that enable us to present and demonstrate God's love. We need to help cities recapture the sacred places.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Asking God for the Impossible - Emily and Bryon
Emily Preston and Bryon Scharenberg are serving in Merida, Venezuela. On Monday, Bryon sent me the picture on the left with dos Llaneros. He said the old man on the left is thrilled, so don't let his face fool you. Last night, Emily sent me another picture. She asked me to use this second one because said got a haircut and that she looks cuter in this one
but that Bryon looks dangerous in both. Maybe it’s just me, but I think Emily looks cute in both and that Bryon looks more dangerous in the cowboy one because he has a holster around his waist… second that, maybe that’s a fanny pack.Bryon and Emily have a 'dangerous' path step for their team: "Pedir a Dios continuamente Lo Imposible". It means "Ask God continually for the impossible." They hold to the value of trusting God for more than they could do on their own, to stretch their faith so that He would have to show up. On his blog, Bryon’s mentions this and lists a number of ‘impossible’ things that they are praying for right now. Note that one of these impossible things is for is for 50 students to attend to their retreat this upcoming weekend.
Another huge impossible thing they are having to trust the Lord for right now is their team. Bryon and Emily recently faced a difficult issue with one of their national teammates and the hurt it has caused among their team. Bryon wrote, “I can honestly, with all my heart, say that He is in control, and very much active through us- I've been running on 'Spirit fumes' about every day for the last couple weeks, which I suppose has caused me to beg the Lord to show up, and do what is impossible for me to do... whether it's having hard conversations with teammates, believing that He'll do something incredible in our ministry, or just giving me the strength to keep loving and leading.”
A few weeks ago Dan Weidner shared with me a story he got from a Tim Keller sermon that follows the line of asking a God for things beyond ourselves. Being the skeptic I am, I have tried to verify the veracity of this story but can’t find it on any urban legend website. So as my former regional director, Eric Swanson, used to say, “If it’s not a true story, it should be.”
One of Alexander the Great's soldiers approached him about a loan for the soldier's wedding. The amount of the loan was larger than any amount previously asked. The cost to Alexander would be great. (But I guess that is his last name). His entire group of advisors said that it should not be paid, and furthermore the soldier should be punished for asking for such an amount. Instead of heeding the advice of his advisors, Alexander was instead pleased with the soldier. When asked why he was pleased rather than upset, he commended the request of soldier because the soldier assumed Alexander was BOTH wealthy AND generous. Alexander the Great was pleased that his men had the faith to believe in the resources and generosity of their leader.
Dan adds, “how much more true is this for us and our requests of God? Do we not have a God who is both wealthy AND generous? Let's not ask for small things, instead let's together approach with God with boldness to do that which is impossible for us to do.” I would add that finding yourselves where Bryon and Emily are (and I am sure many of you as well) running on Spirit fumes, begging and believing the Lord to show up and do what only He can do, is a good place to be. I'll end with the verse on Bryon's blog post.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
Al que puede hacer muchísimo más que todo lo que podamos imaginarnos o pedir, por el poder que obra eficazmente en nosotros, ¡a Él sea la gloria en la iglesia y en Cristo Jesús por todas las generaciones, por los siglos de los siglos! Amén Efesios 3:20-21
Monday, November 06, 2006
Friday, November 03, 2006
Cool News In K-town
One of the teams we oversee is in Russia in a city that is a gateway to the Caucasus region. The Caucasas region is home to 50 unreached Muslim people groups and the campus were our team is has students from numerous Muslim nations studying there.
I just read this morning on a blog from our STINT Team Leader about one of these Muslim Int'l students who recieved Christ this past week. Thought you might like to read it too.
I just read this morning on a blog from our STINT Team Leader about one of these Muslim Int'l students who recieved Christ this past week. Thought you might like to read it too.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Personal Leadership - Graham and Nova
Graham Bryant and Ashley Lavigne (aka Nova or Linear Lady) are in Sarajevo, Bosnia, where it’s always winter and never Christmas. It’s the 2nd year there for both. Graham, who played hooky and skipped 2006 STINT Team Leaders Trg, was at the 05 Training and led the year before too. This is Nova’s first year as a Co-Leader. The ministry in Sarajevo that they lead consists of ‘straight up evangelism’ for the most part. If you haven’t already you can read how they look for ways to transition to the gospel.When I asked Nova who are some people of influence in her life, she mentioned - in addition to Sara Groves - Cindy Stephens who is her discipler/mentor at her church back in Dallas – Georgia, not Texas. Nova said, “I’ve known her family for years. I was in the youth group with her daughters. When I graduated from high school, she and I served in youth ministry together. I discipled her youngest daughter for years, and Cindy has discipled me for the past several years, too. She’s in the lay counseling ministry at my church, so she’s always speaking truth to me, talking most of the time about our identity in Christ and the battle between the flesh and the Spirit.”
Thinking of this dear lady’s influence on Nova I am reminded of what I heard this past week at our regional staff conference in Estes Park. (Ironically we were at the Stanley Hotel a week before the SciFi Channel was there ghostbusting.) We heard from Reggie McNeil who has written several books like Practicing Greatness (on the side bar) and The Present Future. Reggie said “leadership is not positional, it is personal.” (Or at least that is what I wrote in my notes.)
I keep thinking about that phrase and what it means. These are some comparison / contrasts along those lines that I came up with…
Positional Leadership is lording it over others. Personal Leadership is serving others.
Positional Leadership is self-centered. Personal Leadership is others-centered.
Positional Leadership thinks of how to change what is bad in those under us. Personal Leadership thinks of how to champion what is good in those under us.
Positional Leadership evaluates others. Personal Leadership elevates others.
Positional Leadership is overbearing. Personal Leadership is bearing one another in love.
Positional Leadership is about pride. Personal Leadership is about humility.
Positional Leadership is being parental. Personal Leadership is being a peer.
Positional Leadership is exalting self. Personal Leadership is dying to self.
Positional Leadership is all truth. Personal Leadership is speaking the truth in love.
Positional Leadership is top-down. Personal Leadership is bottommost.
Positional Leadership inspects. Personal Leadership inspires.
Positional Leadership is commanding. Personal Leadership is compassionate.
Positional Leadership cares about what others think. Personal Leadership cares about others.
Positional Leadership is about demanding respect because of our headship. Personal Leadership is about commanding respect because of our heart.
Positional Leadership is concerned about fame. Personal Leadership is content with being found faithful.
Positional Leadership is ‘do as I say’. Personal Leadership is ‘follow my example’.
Positional Leadership is thinking it’s about me. Personal Leadership knows that is not about me – it’s about Him. (You didn’t really think I could go long without coming back to “The Warning” did you?)
My final parting thought is that we often seek to elevate those of you like Graham and Nova who are peer leaders. But maybe we have it backwards. Maybe those of us who are in leadership and on staff (the professionals with the positions and super long titles if we didn’t use so many abbreviations) need to lower ourselves to lead on a personal level as peers. Are not we all peers in the body? No one is higher than anyone else since the playing field is level at the foot of the cross. That’s something we all can noodle on this All Saint’s Day. Selah.
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