To Be a Missionary

I spent two weekends ago and this weekend with families of different people from my office. I am not currently living with a Nicaraguan family, but with a Nicaraguan roommate instead. I have been trying to reach out more and more to others in my office and in my community due to the fact I do not live with many people. Also, people have been reaching out more and more to me, as well. They have more confianza (trust) with me- in Nicaragua, one definitely has to gain lots of trust from someone in order for them to begin to get to know you more. Don't get me wrong- people are still very friendly and helpful; however, to get past a surface level relationship you need to invest lots of time in getting to know someone.

Last week I was sharing with Violeta & Carolina, wonderful co-workers from my office, that I sometimes miss teaching and definitely miss being around kids and teenagers. They immediately invited me to stay with them in Jinotepe to participate in a children's bible class on Saturday and a special Mother's Day performance at their church on Sunday. Mother's Day in Nicaragua is on May 30. 

This weekend was such a blessing. Although it was a short time, I got to meet Carolina and Violeta's 4 other sisters (their mom has 8 children in total) and SPEND TIME WITH KIDS. I even had a moment where I got to talk to some of the teenagers who lead the church band. (haha- Sometimes I think I get a little too excited to see young people).

However, I think the most powerful moments were when I could sit, listen, pray and laugh with different family members as they told me their thoughts about Nicaraguan culture, their love for Jinotepe, all about the family, and a few stories. At the same time, I got to share a little bit about my own culture, my home, and my family. I got to partake in the sacredness of sharing a meal with different family members as well. As I headed back to Managua on a micro-bus, I couldn't help but smile.

I think to be a missionary is a lot of just what I did this weekend. To be a missionary is to sit down with others and SHARE. To share stories. To share a meal. To share about culture. To share time. To share the moment of just being. It is as simple as that. When I sit around with Nicaraguans, in the common plastic stackable chairs, and just invest in them in that moment and them in me the Holy Spirit is present. To be a missionary is to share.

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

MGL

A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough. But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.

 -1 Timothy 6:6-10

Merry Christmas!

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
   Peace to all men and women on earth who please him

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Winter Is Upon Us....Finally

Today, down here in good ole' North Texas it finally felt like winter. If I'm correct I think the high was 42 Fahrenheit. That's a big deal for us Texans right now, because it has been hot forever. I'm happy to now experience actual winter weather. Hopefully, we don't have another 75 degree day on Christmas Day. It just makes the holidays feel strange.

It also cracks me up that we have about a three week autumn season. At last, the leaves are looking all bright and beautiful with deep oranges, shiny yellows, and dark reds. However, it won't be long till we just have naked trees.

As I was driving home in the yucky weather from teaching today, the bright leaves still stood out despite the gloominess and the rain. It reminded me of a story involving a tree.

On Sunday, I attended a bible study with a good friend and the good people of Grace Christian Church. The discussion involved the topic of change. During the study/discussion we focused on the story in Luke about Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-12).

It seems like a simple enough story. This little dude with a crazy awesome name and bad reputation climbs up a tree, simply so he can see Jesus over the crowd. Jesus sees Zaccheus. Jesus tells Zaccheus, "Hey let's grab some grub at your place". Zaccheus and Jesus go to Z's house together. Zaccheus is a changed man. The end.

After listening and adding to the discussion, here are some things I remembered from the study as I drove past the beautiful trees.

Zaccheus took great initiative to see Jesus. He climbed an entire tree. Most of the time that's not an easy task, plus people were probably put out by what he did. Chief tax collectors should not be climbing trees. Yet, Zaccheus seems to urgently want to see Jesus. Out of all people, we don't know why Zaccheus is so eager, but in the end  meeting Jesus changes Z's life around. Zaccheus eagerly put effort into climbing each branch in order to be changed. After he put in effort, after Zaccheus seeked Jesus; Jesus met his efforts and called Zaccheus down from the tree.

Zaccheus becomes a new man in Christ. New. Changed.... similar to the autumn leaves.

Anxiousness can overcome a person when climbing a tree. We just want to get to the top. I'm sure Zaccheus felt quite anxious as he climbed to see Jesus. His eager climbing and anxiousness was finally met by seeing Jesus and Jesus calling his name.

Similar to Zaccheus...
We strive. We wait. We seek. We prepare.
...Then Jesus arrives. He is born. 
We are changed.

This season, as many of you anxiously await the birth of Christ, strive to let Christ change you.

 source: We Might Need This

The Season of Waiting

http://www.weekofcompassion.org/updates/2011/11/30/the-season-of-waiting.html

The only people who ever get anyplace interesting are the people who get lost.

Henry David Thoreau

Spiritual Practice

This week my minister challenged us to listen to this song everyday and contemplate how we are  called to act/respond. I challenge you to do the same. 

Mercy by U2

I was drinking some wine... and it turned to blood
What's the use of religion... if you're any good
I know I'm weedkiller honey... and you're sugar
If you're the prosecution... I get away with murder
If you were ice... I'm water
And with your telescope... I can see further
We're binary code... a one and a zero
You wanted violins... and you got Nero
You're gravity... searching for the ground
You're silence... searching for a sound
Your heart is aching... your heart is my home
It's fascinating... I know I'll never be alone

I'm rippin' the stitches
You got two hands to rub
I'm in the ditches
Of someone else's love

Love is when I lie
Love puts the blue back in my eye
Love will come again
I'll be gone again... again

If you're hunger... baby let me feed it
If your heart is full... baby let me bleed it
And happiness is for... those who don't really need it
You love me... too much
You always loved me... too much

When I was rippin' the stitches
You got two fists to rub
I'm in the ditches
Of someone else's luck

Love is when I lie
Love puts the blue back in my eye
Love has come again
I am gone again

Love's got to be with a wink
Only then love gets a chance to speak
Love will come again
I'll be gone again... again

I... I can't escape myself
I hear you talk
Feeling nothing
I fear nothing
Feel....

I can hear so much
Fear nothing
I feel so much
Fear... nothing

Love has come again
I am gone again
Love is the end of history
The enemy of misery
Love has come again
I am gone again

Love is justice, a charity
Love brings with it a clarity
Love has come again
I'm alive again
Alive...

I am alive, baby I'm born again and again
And again, and again and again and again
Again