I am at a cross road in life. It is once again time to "step out of the boat' and on to the water. A step of faith. I know I have gotten too comfortable here. Set routine, set working hours. Now these can be/are good things; however I DONT want to become docile and just accept life "as is". I believe I (we) are called to more of that.
Now just to clarify- I KNOW God is using me right here at home. I am in fact, 100% sure of that (and I got stories to prove it if you want to know). Honestly, I 100% LOVE the ministry I am apart of here locally. Just flick through previous posts and you will see how many relate back to youth and youth events and all. I know I have said it before, but I will say it again- they are the reason I am still around. They have blessed and encouraged and challenged me in so many ways during this last year and a half of getting to know them. I know that they too, have changed and shaped me. They are the main reason why it will be hard to leave town...even to do something I want to do/know I should do. Part of my thinking, is that I have no right to challenge/push them to get out of their 'bubbles' or 'comfort zone', when I, myself, can't do it.
This line of thinking (part of it) brings me to this cross road in life where I am now. Although I'd LOVE to stick around, I can not let myself become docile to the world and the needs around me. I truly and fully believe that God's plans for my life, involve me being outside of Canada. Time and time again in scripture- Christ talks about ministering to the poor, helping the sick and looking after the widows and orphans.
Having a love for missions and travel-this is something I constantly wrestle with. Do I "go" or do I "stay"? Let's be honest. God DOESNT need me (either here at home, or abroad) to do His work. HE CHOOSES me and wants me to help in bringing HIS glory to this dark and broken world. After all, we just finished Good Friday and am now on Easter sunday. HE took it ALL on the cross and then rose again on Easter so that THROUGH HIM, we may have life. Other than our sins, we had no part in that process.
However, I cannot ignore the call I am once again, starting to feel on my heart. The call to "GO". So, already I have taken the next step. I am looking at a few different options, not for right away, but within the next year. I will be returning to Zambia, Africa with my church in 212 days (yes I am already counting down! so excited!) but that will only be three weeks (but I will take what I get!) but beyond that- I am also praying and considering another option for 2013. Actually it has been somethign I have looked at in the past but at that point, I didnt have a peace about it. Now, I can feel a peace about it. Although I have 7 months before application deadline-I hope to get my application in by mid summer. There will be a few factors, including time off work for a week mid october but God's hands hold it. They are hands that I KNOW are FULLY capable of holding it. All I gotta do is trust Him with it.
If you think about it, pray for me. Pray for the ministry I am in now, and the ministry I hope to be apart of in the new year. Pray for peace and God's guidence.
Shalom
Showing posts with label home missions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home missions. Show all posts
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Peace...and a blessing!
We had a really good sermon today in church. It was one of those that I could really connect with. It was based in Matthew 13:53-58; which reads "When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
Our pastor went on to talk about biblical faith. About what faith is NOT and what Biblical faith IS. He mentioned something that i found interesting with, but totally agree. He talked about how when people question their faith, or go around and SEEK answers to questions and have questions in general-it is sometimes (a lot of times) looked "down upon". The question is then thrown back at the person-"where is your faith? you should not be asking those things" etc
For myself-those questions annoy the heck out of me! I am a firm believer in asking questions but then also SEEKING answers to those questions (in the right places hopefully). The most important spiritual years of my life-where also the toughest. The times when I seeked answers to questions. Times when I realized that not only did I not have the answers I was looking for, but other Christians way older than me-also didnt have the answers. At the time-this annoyed me too-but now I am so glad they were honest with me as it made me realize that it is ok to have questions, to seek answers. it is not all about theology but about so much more. (dont get me wrong tho-theology is important-something that a prof at college reminded me of in his special way-thanks Prof Gord!)
I hope the youth were listening extra to that today especially-cause I know there are lots of questions especially in that age and they need that reminder that it is OK to ask, to seek. in fact-God tells us to. We are not suppose to take everything we hear, to heart-even with our own pastors and leaders. THey are human and do make mistakes. Scripture is Truth.
he also referenced James and how it talks about 'faith without actions-is dead'. This too-is something I have struggled with in the past (and still do). I still believe that in the long run-I will end up overseas in missions and so I wrestle with why I am here, at home-working isntead of being "out there". BUT then it hits me again-its my youth. this weekend reminded me of that. I went to see a movie with a few on friday, and had one girl over yesterday eve for frappes and a movie. I love connecting with people outside of youth-that is when the real conversations and growth happens-what a blessing it is! Again, for now-it confirmed to me that this, right here and now-where I am, is where I am suppose to be. There is this peace from God. This is my actions being shown-through my faith. My Faith is not dead and its very much alive (through my actions). My hope, my prayer for this next year and as this school year of youth finishes up-is that God will continue to use me espeically in the lives of the young women in youth-to draw closer to HIM and grow a passion desire to love and serve Him. For me to be there for them, when they have tough questions and fears. Not to necessairly lead, but to help guide.
Prayer is huge. I pray constantly for my 'girls' and its awesome seeing the changes in them-even for only knowing them for the last few years-the change is there and its great! Peoplle have no idea, what they are missing out on by not being apart of youths lives!They are a HUGE blessing!
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
Our pastor went on to talk about biblical faith. About what faith is NOT and what Biblical faith IS. He mentioned something that i found interesting with, but totally agree. He talked about how when people question their faith, or go around and SEEK answers to questions and have questions in general-it is sometimes (a lot of times) looked "down upon". The question is then thrown back at the person-"where is your faith? you should not be asking those things" etc
For myself-those questions annoy the heck out of me! I am a firm believer in asking questions but then also SEEKING answers to those questions (in the right places hopefully). The most important spiritual years of my life-where also the toughest. The times when I seeked answers to questions. Times when I realized that not only did I not have the answers I was looking for, but other Christians way older than me-also didnt have the answers. At the time-this annoyed me too-but now I am so glad they were honest with me as it made me realize that it is ok to have questions, to seek answers. it is not all about theology but about so much more. (dont get me wrong tho-theology is important-something that a prof at college reminded me of in his special way-thanks Prof Gord!)
I hope the youth were listening extra to that today especially-cause I know there are lots of questions especially in that age and they need that reminder that it is OK to ask, to seek. in fact-God tells us to. We are not suppose to take everything we hear, to heart-even with our own pastors and leaders. THey are human and do make mistakes. Scripture is Truth.
he also referenced James and how it talks about 'faith without actions-is dead'. This too-is something I have struggled with in the past (and still do). I still believe that in the long run-I will end up overseas in missions and so I wrestle with why I am here, at home-working isntead of being "out there". BUT then it hits me again-its my youth. this weekend reminded me of that. I went to see a movie with a few on friday, and had one girl over yesterday eve for frappes and a movie. I love connecting with people outside of youth-that is when the real conversations and growth happens-what a blessing it is! Again, for now-it confirmed to me that this, right here and now-where I am, is where I am suppose to be. There is this peace from God. This is my actions being shown-through my faith. My Faith is not dead and its very much alive (through my actions). My hope, my prayer for this next year and as this school year of youth finishes up-is that God will continue to use me espeically in the lives of the young women in youth-to draw closer to HIM and grow a passion desire to love and serve Him. For me to be there for them, when they have tough questions and fears. Not to necessairly lead, but to help guide.
Prayer is huge. I pray constantly for my 'girls' and its awesome seeing the changes in them-even for only knowing them for the last few years-the change is there and its great! Peoplle have no idea, what they are missing out on by not being apart of youths lives!They are a HUGE blessing!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Missions
Ah yes, the age old debate (ok maybe not that old..but none the less...a debate)
What are/is missions actually? based on my three years BA at college...I should know, since my major was Global Missions, but really? What defines it? Can we even define it? Lately, I have been wondering if our (the north american church) perspective of it, is warped...
I've been on quite a few different missions trips. Some a few days, a week, a few weeks, a couple months. Everywhere from Inner city winnipeg, to a metis community, to the Native Reserves of Northern Manitoba, to further places like Ex-communist country Ukraine, and countries hit with extreme natural disasters and poverty...Metro Manila Philippines, and to the HIV/AIDS stricken country of Zambia Africa..but i still wonder/ask..What are missions?
I have had it said before to me..."why do you have to go out 'there' when the missions field is coming here? its our back door neighbours, co workers and friends" This is very true, but honestly I am sick of people using that as an excuse. We are told very clearly in Matthew to GO and make disciples of ALL nations. Last time I checked, "go" was/is an action (as in moving/movement) word.
But that is another post for another time perhaps. That said, recently I have been wondering..our we failing, as a church, our young people here in our own midist? Perhaps we are too focused on out 'there' that we forget about 'here", about our own. Shallow? Maybe. but look at our great example-Christ. Sure, HE did speak to massive crowds, all over the area, no matter what back ground or religion they were, but another HUGE part of His own ministry, was discipling His own group of 12 (read it again, 12) disciples.
As I have said before, this past year of working with youth in my church/town has really opended me eyes and challenged me in ways I didnt think were possible. I mean, these are church kids, good kids who know right and wrong and kids you find in the pews sunday mornings, kids, who perhaps some parts are teachers/preachers or actively involved in the community or/and church. "surely they cannot be strugglign if they are so and so kids!?" Wow do we ever fail there as a church!
The youth that I have gotten to know this last year, have changed my world up side down. They are amazing young women and men of God. Young people who will/ARE already making a difference intheir school, friends lives, and community (and even globally). Yet they too, are still hurting. they are still seeking for something that is true and real to them. They are seekig for someting to call their own, something/someone to believe in. I've been there and i think we all have at one point or another in our lives.
If a youth goes to camp as a camp counselor to younger kids, yet comes out questioning their own faith even harder than before because of the poeple they see in leadership positions, people the church has placed there-We, as a church, have failed and serious need to re-evaluate our own leadership/beliefs. If, for running a day camp once a week for a few hours, the coordinator struggles at finding leaders and volunteers to help and few people that DO step up and say yes, are indeed YOUTH, we as the church have failed. If that same person, struggles at finding people to help with summer sunday school, the church has failed.
How are the youth/young people suppose to grow and learn and BE discipled if there is NO ONE there to disciple them? Answer: The church has failed.
Now, this is not a 'church bashing' post-but its something I am wrestling with and trying to figure it for myself. That said too, there are some phenomenal people in leadership spots..people who ARE investing into young people, teens and kids and I thank God for them. but what about the other 90%? Those parents sending their kids to VBS? I realize life is busy, but hello-so is everyone else's.
I need to remind myself of this too, and step up where I can. Encourage each and every day, whatever way that maybe.
We are called to walk this journey together, in community and fellowship. Let's please not forget those walking beside us. Pick up a brother when he falls, Hug a sister when she needs. INVEST into the lives around you. Give back and seek ways to bless others...it is one of the greatest things you will ever recieve..
What are/is missions actually? based on my three years BA at college...I should know, since my major was Global Missions, but really? What defines it? Can we even define it? Lately, I have been wondering if our (the north american church) perspective of it, is warped...
I've been on quite a few different missions trips. Some a few days, a week, a few weeks, a couple months. Everywhere from Inner city winnipeg, to a metis community, to the Native Reserves of Northern Manitoba, to further places like Ex-communist country Ukraine, and countries hit with extreme natural disasters and poverty...Metro Manila Philippines, and to the HIV/AIDS stricken country of Zambia Africa..but i still wonder/ask..What are missions?
I have had it said before to me..."why do you have to go out 'there' when the missions field is coming here? its our back door neighbours, co workers and friends" This is very true, but honestly I am sick of people using that as an excuse. We are told very clearly in Matthew to GO and make disciples of ALL nations. Last time I checked, "go" was/is an action (as in moving/movement) word.
But that is another post for another time perhaps. That said, recently I have been wondering..our we failing, as a church, our young people here in our own midist? Perhaps we are too focused on out 'there' that we forget about 'here", about our own. Shallow? Maybe. but look at our great example-Christ. Sure, HE did speak to massive crowds, all over the area, no matter what back ground or religion they were, but another HUGE part of His own ministry, was discipling His own group of 12 (read it again, 12) disciples.
As I have said before, this past year of working with youth in my church/town has really opended me eyes and challenged me in ways I didnt think were possible. I mean, these are church kids, good kids who know right and wrong and kids you find in the pews sunday mornings, kids, who perhaps some parts are teachers/preachers or actively involved in the community or/and church. "surely they cannot be strugglign if they are so and so kids!?" Wow do we ever fail there as a church!
The youth that I have gotten to know this last year, have changed my world up side down. They are amazing young women and men of God. Young people who will/ARE already making a difference intheir school, friends lives, and community (and even globally). Yet they too, are still hurting. they are still seeking for something that is true and real to them. They are seekig for someting to call their own, something/someone to believe in. I've been there and i think we all have at one point or another in our lives.
If a youth goes to camp as a camp counselor to younger kids, yet comes out questioning their own faith even harder than before because of the poeple they see in leadership positions, people the church has placed there-We, as a church, have failed and serious need to re-evaluate our own leadership/beliefs. If, for running a day camp once a week for a few hours, the coordinator struggles at finding leaders and volunteers to help and few people that DO step up and say yes, are indeed YOUTH, we as the church have failed. If that same person, struggles at finding people to help with summer sunday school, the church has failed.
How are the youth/young people suppose to grow and learn and BE discipled if there is NO ONE there to disciple them? Answer: The church has failed.
Now, this is not a 'church bashing' post-but its something I am wrestling with and trying to figure it for myself. That said too, there are some phenomenal people in leadership spots..people who ARE investing into young people, teens and kids and I thank God for them. but what about the other 90%? Those parents sending their kids to VBS? I realize life is busy, but hello-so is everyone else's.
I need to remind myself of this too, and step up where I can. Encourage each and every day, whatever way that maybe.
We are called to walk this journey together, in community and fellowship. Let's please not forget those walking beside us. Pick up a brother when he falls, Hug a sister when she needs. INVEST into the lives around you. Give back and seek ways to bless others...it is one of the greatest things you will ever recieve..
Monday, April 13, 2009
Local VS. Cross Cultural Missions
There is that age old debate about where to "do" missions. I have been challenged/asked the question/ before that in order to be able to "go abroad" and "Do" missions-What AM I doing HERE at home? In my own "Backyard"? "WHy do I think I need to go overseas to do missions, when the world is coming to me? (SO to speak...) These are all really good, legitamate questions a
nd I myself have wrestled with them before as well. The debate has gone back and forth in myhead lots of times. Do I have a 100% right answer? No I do not, but is there a right answer anyways??? Anyways, with that, here are just a few thoughts to the question about going overseas VS. staying at home (practicum, travel etc everything aside...here is what I have learned
nd I myself have wrestled with them before as well. The debate has gone back and forth in myhead lots of times. Do I have a 100% right answer? No I do not, but is there a right answer anyways??? Anyways, with that, here are just a few thoughts to the question about going overseas VS. staying at home (practicum, travel etc everything aside...here is what I have learned I have totally seen the need for missions here at home in MB and Canada...I have been a part of numerous different youth mission trips/volunteer time etc and the time has been
SO rewarding and I have learned SO much. Mission eXposure North is a latest one that sticks out...(see post on in from January). ICYA-having family involved with that, as well as first year mission X in the Inner City, and 
volunteering my time for a year there as well..all VERY eye opening and rewarding/hard-but I do not (at this point) feel called to those area.
Cliche sounding? perhaps-but its also 100% truthful. I have done some overseas traveling-never missions-but I have had a taste for what cross culture missions would be llike as to being immeresd in a new culture and having to get to know the local people and all and I love it. Again-the argument could be thrown at me that, "UP north and in the city are two totally different cultures as well" This is true-they totally are-no denying that-but they are still "too North Americanized" Even up North-the kids on a remote reserve-were walking around with the latest technology and all of that. SO different culture yes, but in a sense, not really..
THrough different classes here at school-I have also realized that it is the international opportunities that "fire me up". As my missions prof puts it, it is "how I am wired" God gave me these passions, interest and desires. My prof has 20+ years of missionary experience both in Mexico and NIcargua and he said that there are days that he craves to head back...but yet teaching gets him wired now...passing on that experience and knowledge to us students. Through classes and chatting and assignments, he has too seen my passions for missions abroad. While some are called to stay at home and work in the Inner city, others ARE called to go over seas cause there is so much work out there as well. God gave us different passions for different reasons, just like He made each and everyone of us Unique in HIS image. What is ultimately important, is that we follow HIS calling, HIS voice.
I am not saying that my future is set, that I am hard core focused on becoming a life long missionary overseas...though leaving the option oopen...what I am saying is that no matter where I end up in life-missions will always be around-at home or overseas. The opportunity is endless..when ever you are around people-you have the opportunity to "do" missions. I know what I'd like to do someday...that is hook up with an organization like MCC, or MDS or any other one, and take their "promo" photo pictures. To get down to the people in the gutters, where most people fear to go and capture the beauty that is there. To capture God's image (HIS people) in the gutters and ghettos of large cities. To get it on film, bring it back to the local church and through the pictures, show people the beauty that is there, and to make peopel here go "WOW..." and get them excited for missions (either abroad or here at home) through those pictures....How awesome would that be??!
That would get me excited!!
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