Make 'em laugh

You know those people for whom it is difficult to get them to guffaw? You'll hear a chuckle out of 'em every now and then, but a good, hearty laugh is hard to come by.

Let me just say, mission accomplished today.

Thoughts on mission work

When you look up basic facts about Argentina, you find that it is the 8th largest country in the world. You find that it is a country working toward a democracy, and was even flourishing before World War II (well except for a small period that coincides with the US' Great Depression). However, corrupt government officials, as well as periods of military rule, have caused the economy as well as the people to suffer greatly. It is a country that covers almost every major climate and land mass possible. From desert to coast to mountain to subantartic regions (PENGUINS!!) to swamps: it's all there. You find that the people enjoy tea, specifically a kind called mate (mah TAY), and staying up to the wee hours of the morning conversing and dancing the tango.

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, but stemming from that, particularly when looking to some of the festivals held in the cities, a Spiritist movement is apparent. Amidst all of this, you also find that Argentina is one of the top missionary sending countries in the world.

For some of us, we think "missionary" as Western people going to a jungle or desert and reaching a people who have never heard of Jesus before. That's definitely part of it, but it's not the only way.

Being part of a very strong college ministry, you start to think that "missionary" means giving up a couple years of your life to reach people in another country, perhaps in a city, and specifically people your age with whom you can relate. That's definitely part of it, but it's not the only way.

Other visions of this M-word appear, most likely stressing "un-reached people groups" and Third World countries who lack water or suffer from HIV. This is a great and necessary beginning, however the reality is our scope needs to be much broader than this. We start of with the Acts 1:8:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

We must note that the call to witness starts in Jerusalem, where the disciples were already making their home. Some churches have the sign when you leave the parking lot, "Welcome to your mission field"--to which, I've always felt was a little cheesy, but is nonetheless true.

Before any of this witnessing can even begin to take place, we must additionally remember where the source of power begins. The Holy Spirit will lead you, whether while you are ordering a burger at Wendy's or flying across the pond to serve the tribes in North Africa.

If the Spirit isn't in it, then it is nothing. It's like action without love (and if God is our source of love, the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to love boldly), mere clanging on pots and pans.

A note on those who are called to a specific ministry; a requirement of knowing our roots:

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus who has become for us wisdom from God--that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption." 1Corinthians 1:26-30

Those who follow Christ are called bond servants (thanks to reading from Calvary Road am I reminded of this truth!). Bond servants have no salary, deserve nothing, and are obligated to serve their masters. Not the prettiest picture given to us, but if you couple this with the story of the master over his vineyard, you find that our Master is most gracious. Those who have worked before us will receive just as much as those who come after. We are more concerned about our pay, when we should instead be focused on the great love Christ has shown us!

Where am I going with all of this? Perhaps it threw me (and you?) off to hear that Argentina is sending out plenty of missionaries. Perhaps my own scope needed widening to believe that God put this particular country on my heart for a reason. To believe that all those prayers, the dream, and the other very clear evidences that lead me to going to Argentina was no accident.

This quote struck me from my last book:

"Missionaries should flow ever more freely from and to all six continents in a spirit of humble service. The goal should be, by all available means and at the earliest possible time, that every person will have the opportunity to hear, understand, and receive the good news."

Yes, it is beneficial for countries to have their own workers and missionaries. Yet I look at our own, and I can not help but think that a pair of fresh eyes from a Latin American country or a Southeast Asian one might help the good news of Jesus be more attractive to Americans. Kenya is another country dishing out plenty of missionaries, but extra hands in orphanages will never be a bad thing.

Argentina also happens to be on the rise economically speaking (though I'm currently a fan of the exchange rate). Should I be worried that I won't be getting to serve the poor as much as I had hoped? The books I've read explaining the overall situation for Argentines has only a couple paragraphs and one picture of the slums outside the city. The poor you will always have, I once read, and I actually have a feeling that it's much worse off than it appears.

Then I was again reminded of the caste system in India. There is a great mass of missionaries aimed at the Dalits or Untouchables. Do not the Brahmas and upper classes not need the same grace from God? Admittedly, it is harder, as hard as getting a camel through the eye of the needle. But Jesus soon after says what is impossible with men is possible with God!

I do not feel the need to defend myself, I seek only to address what some people, as well as myself, may be thinking about my next journey. I'm looking forward to more of what God has to show me about this trip. I'm thankful for the time beforehand too, as a chance for more listening and prayer for what He wants to change in me.

Le checklist

• Deactivate and reactivate Rosetta Stone on new computer
• Return library books
• Breakfast with Chelsea and Rachel
• Deposit check
• Recycle paper at work (from the mess previously made at home)
• Recycle old cell phone
• Read 4 chapters in book for staff meeting
• Email placement advisor about questions concerning Argentina and support raising
• Plan Fusion
• Finish "Out of the Comfort Zone"
• Finish details for Denver Mission Trip

Pause. Received letter from a new friend in India! Way cool to see the Devangali script again.

Portatil inauguration

What is a new Mac without playing with Photo Booth?

Noah's best friend David is in town for the week. As his dad Mike says, "Those two are a hoot!" Add me, and it's sorta ridiculous. I don't mind though, it's been hilarious playing some Mario Bros and ping pong with these guys.

How old am I?

Jesus calmed the storm

Read the story by clicking here.

I had another wonderful chat with Yolanda. She's leading a Bible study class each Wednesday that is reading through the book of Mark. Hence our discussion on the parable of the sower not too long ago.

So Jesus calmed a storm. I immediately go to a reading I had in Jesus-centered Youth Ministry back when I worked in Virginia. There was a section about a man reading this story with some indigenous people who had never even heard of Jesus before. As soon as he finished reading the story, he said, "So.. what are some storms in your life that you would like Jesus to calm?"

But the people just looked at him, jaw-dropped. "Wait a minute!" they said. "Your telling me this man just controlled nature?!"

Yolanda told me that it was understood at the time of the storm that only God could control natural events. All acts of the Old Testament (parting of the Red Sea, or the rain that came after a long period of drought in 1 Kings, etc. etc.) were clearly associated with the work of God.

So here was Jesus, a man, and he calmed a storm. Just by thinking logically (don't we love logic, Sharon?), we can figure that the disciples of Jesus were getting a hint. He really was/is the God he claimed/claims to be!! No wonder they were terrified--perhaps even more terrified than if the furious squall had continued!

You're so vain

It's Velma from Scooby Doo!!

Sincerest apologies for how many pictures of me there are here. You see, we played Incognito tonight, and I straight up loved my wig, in case you couldn't tell :P And I like the thicker frames for their nerdiness. Just being myself, I suppose.

Learning to trust

As I talk with more friends and family about the upcoming adventure, I'm also learning about that which is going on in their lives.

The common theme.. er.. prayer request.. is learning to trust in the Good Father. Trust Him with health, with the salvation of others, with the provision of daily needs, with wisdom in making important decisions coming up, with bringing justice.. the list is unending.

And now that a second major earthquake has hit the western hemisphere, learning to trust that He will take care of His people.

For some reason, these verses come to mind:

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:9-12)

Learning to trust that suffering is not the result of an evil dictator of a God, but is a result of an already suffering and broken world (most things are much more complicated as I'm finding out).

We have a really great Father who desires for us to know Him and make Him known. Somehow, we who know this beautiful truth are placed where we are (or are sent out) to heal and give the good gifts and provide relief as a way to personify Jesus. We don't just act out the Golden Rule. We are the Golden Rule.

I feel a bit scatterbrained here. What I'm hoping to say is I'm learning to trust that He even wants to use me. That's overwhelming. Sobering. Scary.

That's all I got for now. Still wrestling with it all.