mission work and funds

In the first four books of the New Testament, we see that Jesus Christ shared about the Kingdom of God to his own people, other nations, in his own town and beyond. He disciple men and taught women the Way of life. Jesus said, “My will is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish His work” (John 4:34). After his resurrection, he appeared to his followers before being taken up to heaven. The Holy Spirit was given as a gift from that point on to us, who believe in him, in the name of Jesus to teach us all things and to remind us of everything Christ has said (John 14:25).

In the book of Acts we see his disciples Peter and John and others do what Jesus did: heal the sick, deliver the demon possessed, and preach the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We also see that Jesus appeared to Saul, who then became the Apostle Paul when he was chosen by Christ to be an “instrument to carry [his] name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” Jesus said of Paul, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15-16).

Paul and the other apostles travelled from city to city preaching Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). As they preached and people accepted the gospel of peace and salvation through Jesus Christ, the number of believers grew. Therefore, churches were planted as people gathered to worship God and fellowship in His name. “The numbers of disciples were increasing” among many nations, which brought forth dispute about practices. So, the 12 original disciples (including the one that replaced Judas Iscariot) chose seven men among them who were known to be “full of the Spirit and wisdom” to take responsibility of this matter (Acts 6:1-7). When the church in Jerusalem received report of people, particularly Gentiles, converting to Christianity and receiving the Holy Spirit, they would send disciples to these various places to check for “evidence of the grace of God” (Acts 11).

The apostles and disciples committed to the Great Commission (Mark 15:15-16) encouraged each other by the work they were doing for and in the Lord. They shared the vision and work of Jesus Christ and, therefore, carried each other’s burdens in that way (1 Corinthians 7:5-7). There was a married couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who were missionaries preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. They welcomed into their home and encouraged others who were also spreading the gospel (Acts 18:18-28).    

Nowadays, many young people in the modern church fundraise for support to go on mission trips. Is this biblical? some may ask. As for Paul, a son of a Pharisee and an ex-Pharisee himself, says in Acts 20:34-35, “You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.”

Even though Paul did all he could to not be a burden to the church, he considered his “being a burden” a blessing to them (2 Corinthians 12:13). In 2 Corinthians 8 Paul encourages the church, which is the people of God, to be generous. He tells them, “But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (verse 7). Paul says, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” The gifts and donations given by the people of God to support missions is a service to God.

And “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:6-15).

in need of a word

I realized that in the last few months, really since I've been here, I haven't been taking in the Word of God in service. I've had people translate a few times for me in the earlier months, but other than that it's been a routine of going downstairs, hearing a message preached in Spanish, and heading back up to my room once it's all over. I realized that it has taken a toll on me. I am so hungry to hear and understand the Word preached.

I can practice listening in Spanish during service, but this muscle hasn’t strengthened much, especially if I don't feel like I'm being directly spoken to. I find myself thinking about other things, distracted from what Word would be helpful in my current growth as a believer. I’ve been attending church service because I’ve wanted to – each week I tell myself that I am going to be attentive in listening to the message in Spanish. But each week has proven to be the same old pattern of lacking understanding.

So, instead of attending service today, I decided to listen to biblical messages uploaded on my laptop. I also listened a preach titled, "Give up the Good for the Best" by my home church pastor (www.sphac.org). The message was about how Moses gave up his life in Egypt to heed the call of God. It was refreshing to hear Hmonglish and it felt like I was sitting next to my parents on the pew.

I am going to try harder to comprehend the messages in Spanish during service. I am also going to commit my Sundays to going online to listen to sermons. My desire is to know God through His Word, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and deepen in root. Glory to God in the Highest. Amen.

"¿Eres una misionera?"

Since I've been in Mexico various people have asked me this question, and I don't like to think of myself as a missionary. I don't really see myself as one. But as Christians are called to always be ready to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who ask, I am out of place, therefore, questions are raised about what I'm doing here in Mexico. And in response I share how God was and is working in me and opened this door for me to go deeper with Him.

My time here is short, just a year commitment. In the future I would like spend a longer amount of time in another land with my soon-to-be husband Fugie. We are praying and preparing ourselves for the time when He will summon us to Him in a foreign land. Whether we are called to go during the early years of our marriage or much later when our children (God willing by his grace) are grown and in college, when He calls us, we will be ready. Aside from me learning Spanish and him learning Greek that they might become useful for ministry, we continue to learn day by day how to draw closer to Him, to seek His face and will for our life together.

So, though my concept and perception of what a missionary is, I am thankful to be here in Mexico. I have made some amazing friends and have been encouraged in so many ways to see and be a small apart of what God is doing here. Glory to God in the Highest. Amen.

Women with a heart for God's Work: Lizzie, Yer, Karina, Lety, & Susy

state of confusion

These last few days have been very confusing. I've been trying to make sense of words and its effects. I have said things that I've meant, and some of the things I've said haven't manifested itself yet. And some things I believe take time to work itself out before it can be seen. But still, I've been feeling challenged, like a liar for not having produced fruit for the things I've said I'll do. I think I know some things, yet it seems like I don't really know anything at all when it comes to matters of the heart. Going deep and having gone deeper than I've imagined is so confusing. Depth in relationships is what my heart desires...yet it seems like though I've gone deep in some relationships, I lack the faith that I won't drown, that I won't pull the others down with me.

I am guilty of little faith. Such little faith. God help me to believe. My unbelief is killing me, breaking hearts, pushing my one and only love away. I used to be strong-willed, that's how I got to where I am. These last few days I've been wallowing in my will, trying to hold on to what I believe is true. God help me. I don't want to lose the good things in my life. I don't want to let myself down again. Lord, I need strength to fight and I desperately need you to open my eyes, to pierce my heart with your Truth. You're my only Hope.

"There's a warrior and a victim living deep
Inside all of us
We have to choose to fight or surrender
When the world beats us up
I know where my weakness lies, but I know it's a fight that I can win
I may get broken trying to get up
But I can't wait to start again, I'm gonna start again"

Brand New Me by John Michael Montgomery

rehab

What comes to mind is a place for addicts looking to overcome drug habits. Maybe another type of institution, such as physical rehab where people re-learn how to use and coordinate muscles. The rehab that I know is a place where both muscles need to be strengthened and bad habits changed.

Before coming to Mexico, all I knew was that I wanted to love deeper and grow more. While back home in Minnesota around my family, friends, and loved ones I felt a wall keeping me from going deeper. This wall was not physical but mental and emotional. I hadn't noticed much of the love and affection missing in my life until my first stay in Mexico in 2010. I left feeling an emptiness that wanted to be filled with love, a pure love that only comes from God and shown through His people. So the next year I lived at home and practiced loving my family and friends to the best of my ability. And the muscle of loving them was strengthening, yet more work needed to be done.

After a long year of mentally preparing to return to Mexico, back to the place where God had openend my eyes to see how the love in my heart wanted to show itself to others, I bought my flight for November 12, 2012. The days up until then were counted down and filled with love from dear ones. Fugie, my best friend and home, encouraged me to come knowing that I would regret it if I let this opportunity slip through my hands. It's been 5 months since my arrival and I have been extra homesick. I miss Fugie. I miss my family. I miss my friends. And it would be so easy to get up and go home, but I won't until my commitment is completed.

A few weeks ago one of my disabling habits returned. This bad habit is a pattern. A pattern of defeat and self-pity. This self-pity manifests itself in the scenarios I allow my mind to create. I let my imagination run wild, not holding onto Truth and my faith in the One and Only true God. Like a sad movie, I would allow my emotions to write the script and I'd be moping in that nasty pity that sickens me and those that I've given a role in my story, without their permission. When I realized that this habit's name was Self-pity, I put my foot down. I wasn't going to be the puppet of this habit anymore. It was hurting me and it has been hurting Fugie. And I can only imagine how it hurts Christ. When I learned of its name, I looked back and saw how it showed up in my past, how it kept trying to overtake me. And I said, No more. God, help me. Through prayer and meditation, I actually saw myself for the first time through Christ's eyes (or so it seemed like the first time). How heartbreaking to see His child, Ntxawm, so loved by Him wallow back and forth in the prison she created for herself.

I don't think that a person can really love someone or something that they cannot name. Likewise, I don't think a battle can be fought with someone or something that cannot be identified. Up until I learned the name of the habit, I didn't know what I was fighting. But now I know; I can see. And I am determined to get well, to battle this out. It's already done enough harm in my life and to the ones I love. By the strength of God I will overcome.

I thank God for opening the door back to Mexico and for the support system I have back at home, especially my heart, Fugie, who has been my strength through my weakness. He is the second reason why I want to get well, why I must get well. I am thankful for the people He's given me here to encourage me with their friendship on this journey. I also thank God for the work of being a teacher. It keeps me focused and stretches me as I am stretched in other ways for growth. This rehab is not institutional like those we've heard about or have seen, but it is of the heart and mind.

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7