The Great Banquet

One of Nicaragua's most powerful advocates is a gentleman named Eddie Morales, and it is my privilege to call him my friend.

Actually, Eddie has many friends - he's just that kind of man of faith (that I can only aspire to be) with an amazing vision, plus the gift of communicating his vision for those he serves.  His faith and confidence in his God using him for His purposes courses through his being, which is so contagious, one cannot help but be uplifted by his certainty that the vision he shares will be achieved and surpassed.

Tuesday July 9th, our Team had the honor of being visited by Eddie.  His smile and enthusiasm emanates from his deep faith as he met many for the first time, making instant friends.  (Note:  He remembers names well, even if you see him once a year!  Amazing!)

In the past year, the number of kids OrphaNetwork serves (through the spectrum of their initiatives) grew from 4,000 to 12,000 kids, causing the organization to "dream a bit bigger" and consider the story of Esther.  Our role, and that of many O'Net partners is to take Esther's being called for "such a time as this" to heart and act on that call.

If you recall, Esther wasn't sure if she had the strength to save her people from a holocaust.  Her uncle told her that God is God; he'll accomplish His purposes - he's God, after all.  So if Esther didn't stand up, someone else would.  Of course, Esther decided to take action by approaching her husband, the king, and telling him of the evil plot to destroy the Hebrews.  Her action required bravery, for merely approaching the king uninvited meant certain death.

We know how the story ends and it leaves me thinking of another story of God doing God's work, and that is in the parable of The Great Banquet.

Luke 14:12-24 (I love Luke - he was a physician, so scientific and detail-oriented, ensuring that what he was writing was accurate - I digress).  Luke 14 records the parable of the Great Banquet where God the Father invites many to his table for a banquet.  So his messenger goes out and invites many of the social elite to the banquet, only to find the potential guests making excuses for not coming.  As a result of the returned RSVPs, God says, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame."  

The host is God the Father.  The guests are the Pharisees and other "elites" that end up turning down the invitation, so God searches for the poor, lame, and others considered social outcasts so that they can take their place in the Kingdom of God.  Some theologians believe that the parable should only be interpreted this far, but I'd like to add (and I am no theologian).

I am so grateful for those who supported me prayerfully and financially - you are all truly committed to supporting our efforts here and in Nicaragua.  

You have been invited and accepted an invitation to affect those in Nicaragua, as have those on our Team that travelled just a few short weeks ago.

God will restore the world, and as such, we've been invited.  As the Church, we've been not only invited, but summoned to affect others in a positive way.

Part of Eddie's vision is "affecting one person at a time," meaning - if we allow ourselves to be overcome and overwhelmed by the vast expanse of poverty, we may not take action (i.e. accept the invitation).  But, if we can affect one child, and that child grows up healthy and educated, loving the Lord, that child can graduate from the orphanage.  

When the child graduates, he/she makes a transition in the church and marketplace, then turns around to mentor another child.  Over time, this duplication can, and will, affect a nation.

"Lord, Father, count me in on your plans.  I know you can do it without me, but I need to be part of what you're doing.  Here I am.  Openly submitting my will to yours.  Use me as you will.  It's all yours anyway!  Amen!"

Linda

Last summer in Nicaragua, our Team and the kids from Casa Bernabe went on an outing to a local pool.  The place looked rather peaceful, but when we arrived, the scene was similar to the pool scene in the movie "Caddyshack" on Caddy Day.  Nerf footballs, Frisbees, and beach balls flew as diving catches were made, all worthy of slow-motion NFL highlight reels.

One of the girls, Linda, and I played volleyball the entire time we were there.  Apparently, Linda arrived at Casa Bernabe less than a month before at the tender age of 11.  (I found out later that her family lives in a remote and extremely poor area in northwestern Nicaragua, a 10-hour drive from Managua)  This past January, our family sponsored Linda and we've corresponded with her on a regular basis ever since.

Now, Linda is an amazing 12 year old girl, having her sights set on becoming a doctor.  In the meantime, she takes full advantage of her athletic and musical abilities playing futbol and the flute.

This year's trip would be special - being able to see the kids again and how they've grown physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  I was careful, though, to not have any expectations for time spent with Linda and her friends.  It seems that she's a bit on the shy side and is still adjusting to her surroundings.

Throughout the week, we were able to compete against each other in pick up soccer (we lost) and baseball (lost again), and it was as much fun to watch Linda interact with her friends as it was to play.

As amazing as the week was, my entire trip was made when I received a letter from Linda (She was so shy, she had one of her friends hand-deliver it to me).  My heart melted as one of the staff translated it for me.

In part it read, "Thank you for the things you've sent me and for sharing your time with me during your visit.  May God bless you and give you a safe journey back home.  Remember that you are part of my family."

That last sentence got me.  How could we affect a child to the extent that she would consider us part of her family?

I fully believe that our newly formed relationship is part of God's plan.  Psalm 139 tells us that our days were planned before we were born, even before time itself.  That means that, in this tiny sliver of eternity, we have a plan to live by.  We have a plan even though our entire lives are like a vapor compared with timeless eternity.

Through our exchanging letters, a bond was made to encourage and nurture each other.  It's so amazing to realize that Linda counts us as part of her family while we cared for her as a child in need.

Our families are bound by a 12 year old girl named Linda.

Home Again!

HUGE thanks to those of you who supported me (and our team!) with prayer and financial resources for the trip to Nicaragua!  Due to your support, we were able to provide spiritual, emotional, and physical encouragement to kids and staff at Casa Bernabe, as well as feeding those in need at Nueva Vida and Verbo Sur.

Below are just a few pictures!  More to come with insights included!

"All Yours" - Nicaragua Update July 4, 2013

For those of you who've read my post, "How I Got Here," this video will make sense.  It's a GREAT Kutless song and I've made it my prayer for daily surrender and guidance.

 http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kutless+all+yours&mid=E8C2D344FD530C9DA6F7E8C2D344FD530C9DA6F7&view=detail&FORM=VIRE2

CHORUS
It's all your anyway
You gave me life
Give it away
It's all yours anyway.
With blood you bore my broken heart
So here I am
Take everything
It's all yours anyway.

Packing Thoughts

As I get my bags packed for Nicaragua, I've been thinking of the "full-on" faith experiences our team had last year.  

For a solid week, we lived together, worshiping, praying, in The Word, serving, eating, laughing.  We had to adjust to flight cancellations, stormy weather, lots of mud - and love for the kids we helped, making new friendships that I hope to strengthen on this trip.  I wouldn't trade these experiences for the world!  

My prayer for all of us serving - on our Nicaragua Team and back home - is that God empowers us all so radically that we would get absolutely no glory.  

That, instead of mustering up willpower, we focus all our energy and time on asking for help from the One who has power to change us.  

That the fruit of His spirit is manifest in our lives.  

That we become more like Jesus.

On to new experiences with a new team, new friendships.  All the while, continuing to press forward the work that has already begun.

SDG

What, me worry? Nicaragua Update July 1, 2013

As our Team's departure approaches, I have to admit I'm feeling a bit of anxiety this time, and I'm not sure why.  I'd like to be a bit more like Alfred E. Newman of "MAD" magazine fame, who's famous (or infamous) line is, "What!  Me worry?"

I read in a book recently that the author was dealing with worry.  As he cleared his mind before he prayed, he imagined himself standing in a river with Jesus alongside him.  As he prayed for releasing his worries, Jesus said, "Look upstream at the water coming toward you.  It will come in its time whether you worry about it or not.  Now look downstream.  The waves and logs that passed us are in the past.  You cannot reclaim the past.  Look at me, my brother.  I am with you always, beside you.  Here.  Now."

As I let the story sink in, I realized there's another part to the story that applies.

When I try to swim upstream, anticipating what is coming, I lose my time and focus with Jesus.  It's exhausting swimming upstream - I can never swim hard enough or fast enough against the current to truly grasp the future.  If I try to swim downstream, I can never capture what debris is in the river that already went by.  

Eventually, I can't swim any more; carried downstream to what's past, living in what should have been - standing with Jesus, I being by his side, moment by moment.  Relying on his love, strength, and purpose.  Remembering that, whatever is to come, we are together.

As I thought of my worries this week, I found the source to be my pride and need for control.  Yes, planning on who can help with the dog, mowing the lawn, etc. is important (and I'm blessed to have such great supporters who have offered to help!).  But when planning becomes an extension of my need for control of the outcomes, I'm swimming upstream.

The "letting go" of those things I cannot control, and to a certain extent, the outcomes, are things I absolutely must place in God's hands, trusting Him so that I can be used by Him on the mission.

My goal is to post and/or send an update each day this week on my personal blog.  I also found out that I may have an opportunity to write a post for the team while gone.  Please see my Team Blog by clicking HERE and the Facebook page click HERE.  

SDG