Encouraged This Morning!

I am encouraged this morning as I reflect on the activity and ministry that happened this weekend among our little fellowship of house churches.  

 

On Saturday afternoon, Martin and Rosa called from La Piedad—just to connect and see how our week had gone.  They shared about their week and their ministry among addicts and their ongoing desire and efforts to see God’s kingdom come more powerfully to their own family.  Martin told me that his older sons and some of their teenage friends were planning to be together with the church that meets in their home on Sunday—that he was praying about the time they would have together and was preparing himself to tell them the story of Jesus’ encounter with the leper.  I wonder how it went.  But I’m encouraged to know how they are thinking and trying to live into their faith…

 

A few hours later on Sunday morning early, Jose Luis and Juliana called me from the street.  My family and I were with them and their church last Sunday in their colonia the week before—as about 25 members of their family and friends met to eat, sing, pray, share their hearts and read the Bible together.  Yesterday, they called saying they were on their way to visit and meet with Omar and the band of Jesus followers in and around Omar’s house in Jocotan (another area of the city).  Since the group with Jose Luis and Juliana doesn’t usually meet until the late afternoon, they wanted to take advantage of the early part of the day to visit and meet with the other church.  Nancy and I felt so encouraged at the news of their leadership…their initiative…the sense of love and responsibility that is developing among these groups.  They seem to grasp the importance of living in and incarnating Christ in their own neighborhoods and among their own families—yet they also know they are part of something larger than just this—they form a part of the larger body of Christ in their city.  

 

I had breakfast this morning with Omar—he told me that the day was great—he told of the encouragement he and his group felt from Jose Luis and Juliana—of how Omar’s wife is being drawn to Christ by the transformation in Omar’s life and by the community of Jesus followers around Omar.  

 

At the same time all of this was happening on Sunday, Gerardo and Carola and a few of those from the church in their colonia had plans to begin something new among a family on the other side of the city.  They planned to enter into this “house of peace” and to begin sharing and proclaiming Jesus as God gives them opportunity.  Their prayer is that this will be the beginning of a new Jesus community—a new church.  I wonder this morning how it went. 

 

But I’m encouraged to see evidence that God is moving among my dear friends… 

Open Source Learning

My friend, Tim Pynes pointed me to this video–amazing ideas and implications.  Its got me thinking today…

Conversations that Interest Me

So many things to talk about—so little time!  I’ve been thinking of all the conversations going on around me—and in my own head sometimes.  There are countless books to read, news to scan, websites and blogs to visit, podcasts to download and listen to, videos to watch…  Information overload!   

With all of it, my tendency is to feel overwhelmed and burdened down—to have a mind that is cluttered and unfocused.  How do I decide what is really important?  Which conversations to engage?   

Sometimes, I just need to unwind—catch a movie with my wife, watch some sports on TV, check out my fantasy baseball team, shoot some baskets with my daughters.   

I like talking about lots of things… 

But as I think about the conversations that really interest me right now—three of them rise to the surface.  They continue to draw me in…

A Conversation about Church 

What does it look like for a group of people to form around Jesus—to live as a vibrant community with Jesus as the head?    

What does it mean to be Christ’s church?  What are the essential DNA, the understandings and practices of the church of Christ?  In what ways is this being lived out in the real world around me?  What difference is it making in the lives of Christians and the world around these Christians?  What are the stories—what does this look like?    

A Conversation about Mission 

What does it look like to follow Jesus on mission?   

What is Jesus doing in our world?  In what ways can we join Jesus in his mission?  In what ways can we incarnate Christ and engage real people around us with the gospel of Christ?  How is that going?  What are stories of people on mission?   

I’m especially interested in mission among and to those who are “unreached” and even “unreachable” by normal Christian churches (traditional approaches).  I’m especially interested in those who are separated by too much cultural distance to have a meaningful encounter with Christ and the gospel in typical, traditional churches.   I wonder how many people are interested in Jesus–but not able to have a meaningful encounter with him in existing churches. 

Of course, I’m interested in this conversation regarding mission in Mexico—reaching those who are unreached in my region.  I’m also interested in this conversation regarding mission among unreached people in the U.S.   

A Conversation about Jesus and Following Him 

What does it look like to follow Jesus and be transformed by him?   

Who is Jesus and what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?  For sometime I’ve been especially intrigued with Jesus’ words:  “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21).  I’m interested in practicing this individually and with others.  I’m interested in the questions:  “What are we hearing from God?” and “In what ways are we responding?”  I’m impressed with how conversations around these questions are usually vibrant and transformational.   

These three conversations have my sustained attention lately.  I’m especially interested—especially listening.  

A Grace-Filled Weekend: On Mission to Kids with A House Church in La Piedad

We spent the weekend on mission with a house church in La Piedad, Michoacan.  This church began 2 ½ years ago.  Martin and Rosa are people of peace who invited us into their home and into their network of relationships to demonstrate and proclaim the Good News of Jesus and the Kingdom.  From the beginning of our relationship, they have wanted us to help them grow to be a vibrant spiritual family of Jesus in and to their neighborhood.  Experiencing God’s work through their lives has been one of the highlights of the past couple of years.   

Martin and Rosa—and virtually everyone around them—live in a world marked by alcohol and drug addiction.  Almost everyone they know fall into at least one of these categories:  addict, recovering addict, codependent family member of addict.   

They believe that God has rescued and graced them so they can participate with God to rescue others.  They especially feel fashioned by God to help kids and youth to choose a better path for their lives.   

This past weekend, we accompanied them in their 2^nd kids/youth weekend.  The 1^st one was back in November.  This time, four leaders from 2 of the house churches in Guadalajara joined my family and me and almost 30 kids and youth from their network of friends and family.   

We spent about 28 hours in and around Martin’s house ministering to, playing with, and talking and listening to kids.  It was messy.  At times it was wild.  There were really 2 groups of kids.  There were about 20 young kids (5 to 11 years old).  There were 8 youth (13-17).   

It felt good to be useful in God’s hands—to really feel like God reached in to the lives of desperate and hurting kids.   

We told and played three stories from scripture.  Early on Saturday, we told the story of Creation—were able to really talk about God’s dream for humans and for the world God made.  We listened to each other admit that the world we live in seems a lot different than the perfect one that God called “good.”   

Later on that afternoon, we told the story of the 1^st humans and their choice to not trust God and to disobey—we were able to really talk about the lies being spoken around us—about consequences—specifically the ones we’ve seen with our own eyes and experienced.  We discovered together again that God looks for people even when we’ve messed up.   

On Sunday morning we told the story of Adam’s and Eve’s children and how as 2^nd generation humans, they had to suffer consequences of their folks’ disobedience—and how they also got a chance to choose for themselves.  We challenged one another to not live as victims. 

In the hours after each story, there were conversations and games.  There were activities and some really powerful skits and object lessons.   There was singing and praying…and some crying. 

It was a great weekend—great to feel used by God for good in the lives of kids who really need some good.   It was especially good to see God work through my friends—to see people very dear to me live more fully into God’s design for their lives–and for them to know it. 

Guadalajara Partners’ Meeting

Today, I’m in reflection mode as I think about the last few days—and the days leading up to them.   

This past weekend we hosted our 4^th Partners’ Meeting for the Guadalajara Multiple Church Planting Project.  We’ve hosted four such meetings since our mission effort began here 10 years ago—in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2008.  The general idea of these events are to invite representatives, church leaders, ministers, etc. from the U.S. churches that partner with our mission to spend a long weekend with us—seeing, experiencing, discussing, and evaluating with us the ongoing mission partnership we share in our region.   

This year we hosted 26 representatives from eight Churches of Christ in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Washington.  We chose the theme “The Story Continues…” and tried to facilitate the presentations of multiple perspectives of the ongoing story in which we find ourselves.  This year was unique because we invited a couple of missionary families who are living a similar vision in Mexico City to join us in the telling of the story.  All and all there were 41 adults—seven missionary families and the stateside partners.   

We started off on Friday night with a Noche Mexicana eating tacos, listening to Mariachi music, and allowing everyone to get acquainted with one another.  Saturday morning was spent with presentations, stories, videos, break out sessions and group discussion related to “Telling Our Story” from the perspective of the missionary families.  We especially focused on telling and trying to interpret what has happened since our last meeting in 2005.  Saturday afternoon and evening was spent in smaller groups as the partners went with missionary families to their homes and/or the homes of Mexican Christians—a taste of Mexican family life and culture.  On Sunday we spent several hours at a park with the fellowship of Mexican house churches.  Five groups were represented as we spent time in worship, food, fun and fellowship.  After eating, we invited people to stand and tell a story of God working in their lives.  It was cool to hear the stories of both Mexican and U.S. Christians.  On Sunday evening, the missionaries and U.S. partners met for a wrap-up session where we asked the partners to reflect honestly on  and share their perspective of the story—to give us feedback on what they had seen and thought.  Monday morning was spent shopping in a tourist area of the city—everyone boarded planes and were gone from Guadalajara by mid-afternoon.   

The weekend was full.  I was overloaded with multiple conversations, ideas and feelings.   

Today I’m tired.  I sense the need to reflect and collect my thoughts—to discern God’s word in this weekend—to seek clarity. 

I sense it was an important weekend.   

Today, I’m thinking of the story recorded in Luke 8:19-21.  I want to live as “family” with Jesus.  I want to clearly hear God’s word.  I want to put it into practice. 

10 Years in Guadalajara

10 years ago last night, my family and a team of 4 other families began arriving in Guadalajara.  We were very “green” yet really wanted to be used by the Lord for good…for the expansion of God’s kingdom.  Our twins were 4 1/2 years old.  We were all young!  

I’ve been reading my journal entries for those days.  So much has changed in our thinking, understanding of the culture, understandings of our task…

Yet, so much remains the same:  a deep desire to follow God’s lead and be empowered by God, a deep desire to trust God, a deep desire to see the gospel make a difference in the lives of the Mexican people, a strong awareness of our imperfection and our need for God and for one another. 

I’m especially thankful to God for our coworkers today:  Joe and Elaine Pruett, Robert and Shelley Herrera, Pat and Malissa Sheaffer, Jason and Beth Gossett.  Lots of memories! 

Right or Left?

I’ve left my blogging for a few weeks–have lots to catch up on.  I ran on to this link earlier today…

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html

What do you see?  According to this, I’m “right”…

I wonder to what degree this is accurate…to what degree the way we see this picture is connected to the list in the article.  Thoughts?

Living with a Broken Watch

“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.”

(1 Chronicles 21:1)

“Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish.  Wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David.” 

(1 Chronicles 27:24)      

My tendency is to measure, to time, to weigh and to count.   

A few days ago in my daily reading of scripture, I came across the passages above.   Reading this section always makes me wonder what all was going on there.  What about counting the people was understood as offensive to the Lord?  I suspect it had something to do with their desire for control—that it indicated a lack of trust in the promise-keeping God they were learning to follow.   

This morning while I was running my watch stopped.  I had gone for an early morning run at a park near my house.  As I made my way around the park, I was very aware of my slow pace and my poor condition (I hurt my foot a while back and have not run in a couple of months).  I kept glancing at my watch and fretting that my pace was so slow.  

In between the regular checking of my watch, I also worried about the bathroom scales and the fact that they show that I’ve gained a few pounds lately.  I argued with myself about whether I should go on a strict diet and make myself lose a few pounds or whether I should just focus on healthy living and eating.  I gave myself an ultimatum.   

As I thought about that, my mind also went to our meager savings and mutual funds.  I went over again in my head the figures:  balance today, monthly investment, average rate of growth, projected balance at retirement, etc.  I wondered if we have waited too long to start saving seriously for the future—I worried about the erratic behavior of the stock market lately as I notice it daily on my computer screen.   

As I ran along, I also found myself fretting about the “measurable fruit” of our mission work in Mexico.  As full-time missionaries, we tend to think about concrete results.  What do we have to show for all these years in Mexico?  How can we measure it, count it, log it and report it?  Is there enough to justify the investment of time, energy and money given for world missions?   

I looked up and I had made it to the end of my run.  But as I reached to push the button to stop the timer on my watch, the display quit—the numbers frozen and meaningless.   As I stood there tinkering with the buttons, I thought again of the passages in Chronicles—along with the conversation I had been having with myself the last bit as I ran.  

I think there is something very healthy about not counting.  How I long to learn to live without worrying and fretting about counting it and measuring it and weighing it and logging it and reporting it…just to trust and listen to God…to respond to God’s word…to trust God with the counting. 

Fugitives Among Us

One day a young fugitive, trying to hide himself from the enemy, entered a small village. The people were kind to him and offered him a place to stay. But when the soldiers who sought the fugitive asked where he was staying, everyone became very fearful. The soldiers threatened to burn the village and kill every man in it unless the young man was handed over to them before dawn. The people went to the minister and asked him what to do. The minister, torn between handing over the boy to the enemy or having his people killed, withdrew to his room and read his Bible, hoping to find an answer before dawn. After many hours, in the early morning his eyes fell on these words: “It is better that one man dies than that the whole people be lost.”

Then the minister closed the bible, called the soldiers and told them where the boy was hidden. And after the soldiers led the fugitive away to be killed, there was a feast in the village because the minister had saved the lives of the people. But the minister did not celebrate. Overcome with a deep sadness, he remained in his room. That night an angel came to him, and asked, “What have you done?” He said: “I handed over the fugitive to the enemy.” Then the angel said: “But don’t you know that you have handed over the Messiah?” “How could I know?” the minister replied anxiously. Then the angel said: “If, instead of reading your Bible, you had visited this young man just once and looked into his eyes, you would have known.”

From The Wounded Healer, by Henri J. M. Nouwen

I am struck this week by this story and the way it seems to read my thoughts.  Will the leaders who have power and influence today recognize those future “saviors” among us?  I think I know some of those “fugitives.”  I am challenged by Nouwen’s two questions:

How do the men and women of tomorrow look today? 

How can we lead them to where they can redeem their people? 

Playing Together With God

Last weekend was a lot of fun!  About 30 of us spent Saturday and Sunday playing together with God in and around Martin and Rosa’s house.  Since they and their family began following Jesus a couple of years ago, they’ve wondered what God wanted them and their house church to do to make a difference in the lives of the children who live around them.  Though they are always ministering to and providing surrogate “parenting” for the kids around them, the idea of a “kid’s weekend” began to emerge…  They asked Nancy and me to help them.  It needed to be simple.  It needed to be reproducible for normal Mexican Christians.  It needed to be cheap.  So, after praying and describing to one another what we believed God was leading us to do, we decided to dive in.   

Beginning about noon on Saturday, we began the party.  There were seven adults and 25 kids (ages ranged from 3 to 16 with the average being about 9).  As we described what we were doing, two images were used over and again.  One image was that of caldo (Mexican soup).  Although Nancy provided a basic framework of organization, we talked about the weekend being like a soup that we make together, each one adding their ingredient and trusting that in the end it will taste good.  The other image was “playing.”  We reminded each other that we were just “playing together with God.”  And play we did!  We “played” three stories from the life of Jesus.  We “played” each one at least three times with different kids playing the parts in each telling—afterwards we talked about what we liked about the story—we wondered and discussed together what the stories mean to kids like us.  We played games.  We played soccer.  We played musical chairs.  We played with clay.  We had a campfire and roasted marsh mellows.  We sang songs to the Lord and to each other.  We sang silly songs.  We prayed together.  Everyone brought bedrolls and we “camped out” there in the house.  We ate simple meals that we prepared and cleaned up after together.  We talked and listened to one another talk about real life in a place where poverty, addictions and abuse are the norm.  There were tears.  And did I mention that there was playing?   

I wonder what God will do with the seeds planted in all of us last weekend?  I’m not sure, but I think something significant happened in the hearts of the adults.  Martin and Rosa want to do this again in January or February—maybe plan to have a kid’s weekend every month or two.  They see it as their way to incarnate Christ and his missional presence among children in their little corner of the world.  I wonder about some of the other small Christ communities around us and how they might choose to incarnate Christ among the children in their neighborhoods.