3ForADifference

Hey all!

Today was a fairly full day with basketball and traveling. After church at the Arthur Center, where Lee (one of the guys on the USA team preached) we headed out to our first game at two. We played a good game, but came up with a tie (88 to 88). Apparently there is no overtime. From there we ate at KFC and drove to the next game. Our second game was against one of the top college teams in the nation (probably the best team we have seen so far) and had a solid victory. We leave for the airport at 5 AM (4 PM Central Standard Time in the USA).

Here is the Buhay Blog link to see a few pictures of action and interaction so far:
http://www.buhaysports.blogspot.com/

More will be posted on our blog when I get the time to do it!

Here is my take on the trip as a whole. Think of it more as a regurgitation of random thoughts in my mind…perhaps a scary thing to ponder.


All too frequently I get caught up in the mission and forget the reason. We serve a big God, one who chose to degrade Himself into human form; not for the life of luxury, but to be mocked, beat, kicked, spit on and nailed to a cross. What for?

The Christian faith is meaningless without the personal realization of what Jesus’ mission was (is). God knew us before we were created (Psalm 139). He knew me before anyone who ever lived on this planet existed. He knew every sin I will ever commit, he knew every time I will turn my back on him. And still he came to be mocked, beat, kicked, spit on and nailed to a cross…for that; for a sinner, for love. (2 Corinthians 8:9) Jesus had a mission…a huge mission, one that no mere man could ever accomplish; to give a FREE gift of eternal salvation for the entire human race. By definition: Grace.

So what is the purpose of our mission…to be mocked, beat, kicked, spit on and nailed to a cross?

I hope not…I didn’t sign up for that.

If honesty is the point, I get annoyed at the constant heat and humidity; the inescapable smells and noises of a poverty stricken city (My American nature). If I have trouble putting up with that then where does humility and torture play a roll?

Many faithful servants give their lives for what they believe in. Does God, the being of ultimate love call people to die for him? I don’t believe so. I believe only one death was required for all of humanity.

I believe we live in a fallen world where bad things happen to good people because God gave bad people free will; the same as good people. He gave everyone the same chance to love him when Jesus’ blood ran down the cross.

Bad people do bad things too good people.


Our purpose on this trip is to glorify our God, the One who gave us the choice to come here. Could bad things happen to us? Of course.

Will I meet the modern day Saul? What then? Will my immature faith be strong and wise enough to lead me in the way of everlasting? Will God really supernaturally give me strength in my moment of potential weakness? (Luke 12:11) (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I pray for that. I have confidence in that. But do I truly, wholly believe it?

I pray for the chance to be tested even though my flesh wants exactly the opposite.
Its not what I want...but what He wants that I wish to seek.

Comfort, being rich, ignorance…are these the qualities God looks for in modern societies? I think not. (Matthew 19:29-30) (Luke 12:22-23) But that is what my flesh wants.



Perhaps this trip was designated for reinforcement.

Too often we leave seed along the path, in rocky soil or in the thorns to be quickly dismissed by the enemy. Seeds in our environment are numerous. Perhaps we are here to make sure the seeds end up in good soil (Matthew 13:3-9).

Will we be called to spread new seeds? I hope so!

Where will the seeds need to be planted? In the places that require our lives to be given? I hope not. But what if? I realize I can keep myself up all night thinking about “what if’s”, but concerning biblical history and our current situation, perhaps it’s an appropriate “what if”. Don’t worry…I don’t have any weird feelings about this trip turning martyrdom; I just like to let my brain run and see where it ends up. I have no idea if any of this makes any sense, but its getting late rather quickly and 5 am isn’t getting any further away.

All in all, this trip has made me think a great deal about biblical missionaries, the Apostles and how they lived (and died). It keeps my mind on the single purpose we are here; the reason behind spending thousands of your dollars we didn't earn...all for the deliverance or reinforcement of an eternal message; the gift of Jesus Christ.

Keeping all of you in our prayers!
DSR