Forward!
One of the biggest obstacles when working in the missions field anywhere is the one thing that makes its people function: culture.
I "happened" to flip through the Barbarian Way and I just so "happened" to read a few paragraphs that really encouraged me.
The invitation of Jesus is a revolutionary call to fight for the heart of humanity. We are called to an unconventional war using only the weapons of faith, hope, and love. Nevertheless, this war is no less dangerous than any war ever fought. And for those of us who embrace the cause of Christ, the cost to participate in the mission of God is nothing less than everything we are and everything we have.
I have always thought myself as a lonewolf. The definition of a barbarian is, "A member of a community or tribe not belonging to one of the great civilizations." As I think on everything that I've done, everything that I've seen, and everything that I'm currently doing, I realize it was all to build up to this next six months. To fight for the heart of humanity in Nicaragua.
Last night (Thursday, December 15), a group of people and I sat down and watched "To Save a Life" and it spoke to me beyond what I can explain here. Following the movie, the girls were kicked out of the room and the guys got chairs and sat in a circle and I asked them questions such as, "How can you help make a difference in Pochocuape?", "Is it possible for you to invite your friends and even people who aren't your friends to church on Sundays?" and we did a slight transition into Matthew 22:37, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind." We focused on priorities and talked about how God doesn't want 99% of anything He wants 100%. So in the music we listen to - is it Holy and directed towards Him? In the conversations we have with our friends - is it wholesome and pure and of the Lord? Or what about in the things that we think about when we're alone - are they seen as righteous and holy by God?
God is doing a mighty work in the lives of everyone here. And I can't wait to see what God has in store for me in the next few months.
Tomorrow night the community of Pochocuape will be worshipping with people from around the world as my home church livestreams a big-time worship service.
Your continued prayers are highly appreciated and I can't express that enough.
