Tag Archive for 'missions'

“The Missionary Call” by David Sills

David Sills is on faculty at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before SBTS, he served with the IMB in South America. But, more than all that, he’s a really cool guy. I led a group from 9th and O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY of which David was a part. We explored an area just outside the city of Cuzco called Anta.

David’s love for the Latin American people, wisdom in helping them connect with Jesus, and encouragement to me had a significant impact on me.

I’m excited about his new book. David deals with questions that a lot of people struggle with as they think about missions. Questions like . . .

Do all Christians have the missionary call?

How can you know whether you have the missionary call?

Is the missionary call a lifelong call?

How does being single impact the missionary call?

What should you do if your spouse does not share your sense of call?

You can find out a lot more about the book here. The Missionary Call is officially out in bookstores and online.

Namibia

I went to Namibia, Africa in 2000. I spent 2 weeks with a group of students from Ouachita Baptist University in Windhoek, the capital city. Our main offering was an allegorical drama called “The Kingdom”. I played the evil knight (Satan). That’s me up there . . . the good-looking one with horns.

Because I didn’t become a follower of Jesus until I was 17-years-old, this was my first mission trip. And, it was amazing. My world was turned upside down. My understanding of myself and role on this planet was shaken to the core. Needless to say, I was changed. And, in a lot of ways that trip was the beginning of a call to missions that has led me to lots of short-term trips to Mexico and Peru and a two year stint with the IMB in Peru.

Calling . . . that’s a tricky one. I’m pretty pumped about this book coming out in July. I spent a week in Cuzco with Dr. Sills and a group from his church back in 2006. His love for Jesus and the Peruvian people was so evident and infectious that I am still encouraged today by the memories of that trip.

At any rate, if you’d like to see more pics from my trip to Africa click here. I digitalized a scrapbook that I put together shortly after the trip. The link should take you to a slide show of it.

Higher Trails Cowboy Church

This guy was tall anyway, but standing on a stage, with worn cowboy boots, and a gray cowboy hat, he looked a good 7 feet tall.

“Everyone knows missionaries have to adapt to the culture they find themselves in.” he began in slow, cautious cowboy speak.

They have to learn the language, the customs, the traditions. Missionaries have to dress like the people and eat what the people eat. After working in Senegal, my wife and I returned to Jonesboro and found a culture that nobody was reaching out to.

Ya know, a lot of churches have fights over what style of worship music to use in the services. We don’t have that problem at the Cowboy Church. We use both: Country and Western. We don’t care what you stepped in before you got there and we don’t care how you look. Our doors are open.

A few weeks ago a pastor came to our service. I asked him why he was there and he told me that he had a couple friends he rode horses with and they wouldn’t go to his church. He said he was going to bring them to Cowboy Church. They were willing to come to Cowboy Church. Sure enough, the next week the pastor showed up with a friend. After the service I went up and shook his hand. He wouldn’t turn loose of me. He gripped my hand and started sobbing. When the Lord throws a loop it’s hard to get loose. We’ll be baptizing him in a horse trough in a few weeks.

The crowd of a few hundred men were hanging on this soft-spoken cowboy’s every word. For the second time this weekend I found myself fighting back tears. My friend Larry said it best just after the breakfast as we were getting in his car. He said “It’s amazing to see a big ol’ boy like that being used by the Lord in such a great way.” I know what he means. Had I passed that cowboy on the street I probably would have thought this guy capable of eating a cactus whole. Yet, humility and grace is what I noticed as he spoke.

The Higher Trails Cowboy Church is a mission of Central Baptist Church of Jonesboro.

For more information call Phillip Brown: 870-761-0614 or email him: philkaren[at]writeme.com.

Pray for Audra

Toni Blackwell is asking that this message get to as many as folks as possible:

I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM DAVE HUGHEY REGARDING AUDRA HINSON. AUDRA IS ONE OF THE MAIN PEOPLE SCHEDULED TO LEAVE ON THE PERU MISSION TRIP TOMORROW. HOWEVER, SHE IS VERY ILL AND WILL BE GOING TO THE DOCTOR AT 1:40 P.M. TODAY. DAVE SAID TO PLEASE GET EVERYONE WE POSSIBLY CAN TO PRAY FOR HER NOW!!! PRAY THAT THE DOCTORS WILL FIND THE PROBLEM AND THAT SHE CAN GET OVER THIS QUICKLY. THEY DESPERATELY NEED HER ON THE TRIP.PLEASE PASS THE WORD TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

THANK YOU,

Doyle Moore

Driving

Jeff and his family sold it all and moved to another country in obedience to Jesus. Here is part of an email he wrote about driving in his new country of residence. It is an very accurate (and funny) picture of the struggles one goes through when adjusting to a new culture.

I think I speak for all of us when I say that my greatest concern in living here isn’t the possibility of quakes and tsunamis, it isn’t fear of dengue or malaria, and it isn’t the potential of civil war or extremist violence. Don’t get me wrong. We aren’t reckless in our approach to all of those threats. We take precautions, but we won’t be frozen in fear of them. No, the thing I most worry about, most obsess about, and am most challenged by is…driving.

In training, you are always reminded not to impose your own cultural expectations on that of the culture you join. This can be hard at first, but you learn to be flexible (as a guy, I have to admit that letting go of certain hygiene and politeness norms were probably easier for me than for the ladies).

However, driving is different. I can handle driving on the opposite side of the road and now it is second nature to go left on red or circumnavigate traffic circles in a counter-clockwise direction. However, it is the practices of those with whom I share the road that totally get under my skin.

Motorbikes outnumber cars and trucks by a ratio of about 10 to 1…probably greater. Stop at a red light (which apparently is very optional) and every empty space between you, the curb, and the other drivers is immediately filled by someone on a bike. No space is too small. I get nervous just standing still. Once the light turns green, you have to wait for the swarm to begin to flow and pick an empty spot and head for it.

While there is an age restriction on licenses here, the cultural expectation is that nearly anyone of any age can (and will) drive on the road. The first 20 times I was passed (at a high rate of speed) by a motorbike piloted by a child that couldn’t have been older than 10 years old, I was shocked. Now I don’t even blink…I can’t afford to.

I owned a motorcycle when I was in junior/high school. I know how fun they can be…especially doing the “s” swerve maneuver. However that little maneuver is standard practice here. You know what I’m talking about – the biker is following you close to your bumper in the left lane, he abruptly swerves to the right lane, passes you, and just as he clears your front bumper, he swerves back to the left lane. Any slight miscalculation can be deadly.

There is a helmet law here. I’ve seen the signs. However, compliance follows an odd if/then pattern: If someone has a helmet, then it is usually the driver. The passengers (generally your wife/girlfriend and/or children – up to 3 others on the same bike) go without one. If someone is wearing a helmet, then it is generally a small plastic one — the kind I used to wear while playing Army in my yard as a kid. Generally helmets aren’t fastened and I’ve literally seen them blown off of people’s heads by the wind.

When new, all motorbikes come with two mirrors – one on either side. However, the first customization a rider here makes to his bike is to remove either left one or both. Evidently, if your bike has both mirrors on it, the locals ridicule you and ask “is your bike praying?” (The posture for prayer here is to have your hands raised with your palms up.) Frankly, more folks need to be praying while driving here…I do.

I guess it is ok not to have mirrors because no one would use them anyway. The rule of the road appears to be, you only concern yourself with what is directly in front of you. This means that the rest of us have our heads on constant swivel…anticipating that someone will come out of nowhere.

Something as simple as a turn signal can have an entirely different meaning. I’ve been behind people that signal for a right turn and then pull over and stop on the left shoulder. I’ve finally realized that they are signaling so that I know it is ok to PASS them on the right…not that they wanted to turn right. It is hard enough to learn one new language…

Big Question

Everybody always asks me this question in one form or another: “So, what are your plans? Are you going back to the mission field after you get your seminary?”

Hhhmmm. That’s a tough question.

First of all, I am on the “mission field”. So, I would never say that I am trying to get to the “mission field” or that I plan on going back to the “mission field.” People who follow Jesus are where they are because Jesus put them there . . . for a purpose . . . with a mission. I guess that makes you a missionary too.

The next tough part of this question is the word “plans”. The problem is . . . we don’t really have any plans. That’s not to say that there aren’t things that we’d like to do. And, we definitely have some options. But, the bottom line is this: Jesus has called us to the Promise House. It’s that simple. So, that’s where we are.

I guess we do have a plan . . . to do what Jesus tells us.

How long are you we going to work at the Promise House? We don’t know. 1 year or 50 years. We’re here until he says go.

Skype

We’ve just been introduced to the wonderful (and cheap) world of VOIP communication.

If anyone out there uses Skype . . . . let us know! We will be able to talk for free!

If you’re interested in getting Skype (so you can talk to your favorite Peruvian missionaries) got to www.skype.com. It absolutely free. All you need is an internet connection and a headset.

Give us a call!

Hot Potato

Potatoes! For more than just eating. Posted by Hello

Check out this resourcefulness! The stove’s lowest burner setting is too hot to simmer.

Violinist

Violinist, Downtown Lima Posted by Hello

Forgetfulness

It’s easy to think that someone who has the title “missionary” or “pastor” or “minister” automatically has it all spiritually together. I used to think that too, then I got one of those titles.

The fact is following Christ is hard a lot of times. And I don’t mean hard because I am facing persecution (which I am not) or anything like that. I find it hard to just remember God. I’ll literally go hours in a day where I don’t give a single thought to Christ . . . my savior, my guide, my life.

And now, in Peru, we’re learning a whole new way to live, a whole new culture, all new processes. The challenge for us now is to live in this new way as followers of Christ. This is our #1 priority in all of life: Live this moment as a fully devoted follower of Christ. That will play out differently depending on the situation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Today, I’m going to try and just remember . . . who sent me here, who He is, what He has called me to do.

Shots

One of the joys of going over seas is getting vaccinated. Amanda and I both got about 9 shots each. We had to be vaccinated for things like Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Malaria, etc. And each one is usually about a three shot sequence. Ouch!

Eatin’ Out.

It’s the last week and we’re scrambling to make the most of it. We spent Saturday with the Worthy’s at Potomac Mills (apparently the original of the Mills outlet malls). Monday night we went out with Bob and Lourdes. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory. Tuesday night we ate dinner with David and Janene, our regional associates. We went to Casa Grande, fittingly Mexican. Then last night we had a quad outting to Cheeburger Cheeburger (hold the s). I (Ryan) didn’t go, I was sick in bed. Tonite, cafeteria. But who knows what tomorrow holds!!!

Christie, Jayson, and Arwen

XTREME TEAM Posted by Hello

XTREME TEAM

One really cool thing about this orientation is that we have gotten to hang out with the XTREME TEAM folks. Since they are going to South America, they have been in our house church and small groups.

XTREME TEAM is a group that focuses on getting to the people in Peru that no one else can get to. Lots of people groups in Peru are isolated due to their geography, either far up in the mountains or deep in the jungle, where there is no 7-11, no Wal-Mart, no roads, no nothin’.

When the XTREME TEAM finds a tribe or village they will begin to story through the Bible, giving them a foundation of biblical truth. After the Holy Spirit draws some of them to faith in Christ, they help get them formed into a church so that they can reach their neighbors, even farther from civilization.

WE LOVE THE EXTREME TEAMERS!

To find out more about what they do, check out: http://www.thextremeteam.org/

Sick Again!

I’m (Ryan) sick again! I’m starting to get over it now, but ever since Sunday I’ve been feeling bad. I hate being sick. I took the day off yesterday to try to give my body a little bit or recovery time. Again, our quad Doc, Vance, got me some meds. I’m currently taking the oral typhoid too . . . which is not helping the condition of my stomach.

But, it’s all good. I feel like I’ll be good as new soon. God is taking care of me. I’ve been reading through Matthew. Jesus healed all kinds of people. I think He’s healing me.

Sad Goodbye

Friday night Ryan and I and Brad and Cassie went to the Fore’s quad to play cards and eat snacks! (The Fore’s are the family in our small group that play the violin and are going to Brazil.) We had a lot of fun. We had a spades tournament. The Fore’s two oldest are boys, and they played, but the girls colored and drew while we played cards. They are really good kids. Jennilyn is the youngest (seven), and she and I have become good buddies.

Yesterday, Cynthia (the mom) got word that her dad’s lung had collapsed (He is battling emphazyma), and he was in ICU. Cynthia was really upset. Over the past six weeks, our small group has prayed for her dad a lot because he is not a believer.

Today the Fore’s decided to go ahead and leave for Texas to go be with Dad and Grandpa. They had a long drive ahead. They were headed to Texas. It was really hard for me to tell them bye. I have gotten really attached to them. They have the kid of family that I hope I will have someday. I cried when I had to tell them bye.

If you read this, pray for Cynthia’s dad. Pray that he will remain stable and that his lung won’t leak, and pray that he won’t get pneumonia. Pray also for his salvation.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise~
Amanda

Lomo Saltado

Just prior to Amanda turning her Lomo Saltado into a happy plate. Posted by Hello

Metro

Amanda & Rebecca in the Metro (Red Line, Shady Grove!) Posted by Hello

Embassy

At the Embassy Posted by Hello

Holocaust Musuem

Some of the activities that were part of our D.C. “assignment” included observing internationals, listening for foreign languages, bringing an international closer to Jesus, and prayerwalking. After we fisnished our assignment, we had some time left, so our group went to the Holocaust Musuem. It’s hard to describe the experience. As I walked through the musuem, I was swirling with emotion. It was eery, sad, and sobering. At times I felt angry and confused. The museum itself is amazing. It is very well laid out, and a lot more family oriented than I expected. The more graphic footage and pictures are behind walls that warn you. I have visited D.C. twice before but never been to that museum. Some of the things I saw and read are absolutely unimaginable. Even though the experience was far from lighthearted, I am really glad we went.

Ryan wrote earlier about the persecuted church service we had. Instead of all meeting together for worship, we met in our small groups. We had to meet back in a bedroom with only a candle lit. In the scenario, all the Bibles had been confiscated, but we had two pages out of John to read. Since we didn’t have a Bible, we had to quote a lot of scripture from memory, and we had to sing very quietly. Some people were not part of the small groups because they had been designated as “police,” and different small groups were found out and taken to “prison” in the auditorium. After the service, we all met together to debrief our experience. I always knew that there are people being persecuted for their faith but that service (even though it was pretend and I knew it) really made it real to me. I have really been burdened to pray for the persecuted church. While I don’t understand everything, I know God is good and faithful, and he loves us.

I thought about the service as I walked through the museum. It is hard to think about what happened during the Holocaust, as it is hard for me to think that things like that are happening today.

Amanda

Embajado del Peru

We also made a visit to the Peruvian embassy. Here we ran into the xtreme teamers. They were able to get there visas.

We, ourselves, our still waiting for our visas. We heard that there could be a possible delay because the visa lady in Peru is on vacation (welcome to latin america). We’re not to worried about it. It would be nice, however, if they could come in before March 1st because we have to pick them up in D.C. We’re close to D.C. now, we won’t be after March 1st.

There wasn’t much going on at the Embassy. We didn’t get to talk to anyone except the secretary.

We’re Flying, But Not On a Plane.

Time is FLYING here!! We have one more full week after this one. Then back to LR, then to Lima. It seems unreal, but is slowly becoming more and more real each day. It’s hard to imagine stepping off the plane and standing in the somewhat overwhelming Lima airport and thinking . . . “Home sweet home.” For the next two years at least . . .

Lunch

We ate lunch at David and Janene F. house yesterday. They are the Richmond Associates for SAM. The food was great! Especially after eating in the cafeteria for four weeks straight. Dickey and Dee N., the SAM regional leaders, are here in Richmond as well. They live in Santiago, Chile, but were in town for SAM evaluation and have been spending RLT time with us.

We just ate and visited. We heard some great stories. We have met so many people here and I feel like we are gaining family members here. We have grown really close to some folks. It will be sad to leave.

South America

This week is RLT week here at MLC. Regional Leadership Time (I think . . . too many abbreviations!). Basically we are spending our day just with our region and the Richmond Associate for our region. This is really exciting because now we are learning specifically about OUR region.

Some things I learned today:

350 million people live in South America.

315 million don’t know Christ.

There are 428 unique languages spoken in South America.

There are 650 people groups in South America.

500 of these people groups are less than 2% evangelized.

300+ of these are unengaged by any evangelical group.

To put it in perspective: For every 100 people who die in South America today, 92 will spend eternity separated from God.

Sunday

There is a lake here at MLC, and Ryan and I walked down to it Saturday afternoon. It was a really sunny and beautiful day here, and we sat by the lake and talked a lot. I feel that I am growing a lot in my walk with the Lord, but I had a few questions for Ryan. He is such an example to me and such a source of encouragement. When I feel down about myself, I just tell myself that I can’t be too bad because Ryan picked me! Oh how he lvoes Jesus!

Today we had church with our small group. I have really grown to love that time. Ryan leads worship and we have the family that plays the violin. Last week, we began meeting with our small group every morning, and we will continue to meet everyday until training is over. On Friday, our small group leader made us pancakes. It was a lot of fun!

Tonight we had our ethnic worship service–it was African and boy was it exciting. All the women wore long, colorful skirts. There was a lot of dancing and bongo playing. Afterwards, everybody went over to the auditorium to watch the SuperBowl. Ryan and I just came from there. It is amazing how you can bond with a group of people in such a short time.