I feel so blessed to be allowed to be a part of God's work in La Merced once again this year. As we are making our final preparations and becoming frantic making sure we are "ready", I am reminded that we should constantly be mindful that God already has a plan for what He wants to accomplish there and our preparations aren't that important. What is important is that we are open to the fact that His plans for the trip may be very different than ours and, of course, much better than our best laid plans. We found this to be oh so true last year. He will bless us equally as much this year if we follow His plans as He reveals them and easily let go of our own plans. Keep La Merced in your prayers and also pray that the team has open minds and open hearts to see and follow God's plan for this trip.
In Christ,
Laura Lucey
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
I've finally got it
After several emails back and forth with Matt, I finally learned how to post on here! :) You'd think with me being 19 I'd know all this computer stuff! Our time is getting so close and I personally feel so unprepared. I haven't started my packing list because I have no idea what I need! I suppose that is why we are making our packing lists, huh? I'd just like to ask everyone for their prayers. I'm sure others of us are getting the jitters about going and whether they be excited jitters or nervous jitters the need to be God focused jitters.
"DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING...."
These last few days before our trip I need to remember this passage in Philippians 4:6 more than ever. I need to finish work on my devotional, my contribution to the marriage workshop, complete necessary shopping, and I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting!! Life hasn't come to a halt, though, so there's caring for my grandchild, keeping up with my gardens (Lord, stop the rains!), maintaining business bookkeeping efforts, Stephen Ministry involvement with a care receiver who needs my attention, and again, I'm sure I forgot something!!
But I hear God calling me to this passage and into quiet time with Him who is in charge of the outcome of this trip. Yes, I need to be prepared but not anxious. Use my time wisely and in that time I MUST do as Jesus did and go off by myself and commune with my Heavenly Father. If I don't, then why am I doing this? Is it for me; how I will look to my teammates or is it for the HONOR AND GLORY OF GOD???
This immediately puts me in a place of more peace, more focus. It's a good place to be!!!
But I hear God calling me to this passage and into quiet time with Him who is in charge of the outcome of this trip. Yes, I need to be prepared but not anxious. Use my time wisely and in that time I MUST do as Jesus did and go off by myself and commune with my Heavenly Father. If I don't, then why am I doing this? Is it for me; how I will look to my teammates or is it for the HONOR AND GLORY OF GOD???
This immediately puts me in a place of more peace, more focus. It's a good place to be!!!
Predestined According to His Plan
As I have followed Chris and his teachings these past years, I am truly amazed at thow much I do not know and how little I really do understand in scripture. I read the words and my understanding is so different than the teaching staff at church. One little paragraph and they can teach for 30 minutes,yet it only took me 30 seconds to read it. It is no wonder to me that it was for this reason the bible was written for us and not to us.
But I have hope for myself and my fellow christians as in Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". I understand that it is by Grace that we are saved, God's Grace. For it is by Grace that we are saved through Faith, A gift from our God, not a gift from man, nor by works, so that no man may boast. This is what I think about mostly. As a child I was taught mostly by works, follow what other men have done and your reward is in heaven. And when I think about it how much work could I possibly do to please someone who built the earth and the heavens? When would I have done enough to get my ticket in. I am quite sure my little life here on earth is way too short to be impressive enough for my master. And when you think about it, would he have made the possibility of getting to be with him that difficult knowing how small we really are?
So as I stumbled most of my life doing as most of us do, work hard, make money, so we can have more Stuff, I always knew it would never be enough and wondered what was going on inside of me, what was the plan, why not make it simple and just tell me in my sleep and I would do it. Then the Mission Trips came along and my lights came on said JUST DO IT. I am so excited to bring more people to this level of understanding of our world. I want to see the faces of our team members as the Spirit takes them out of the box and guts them out of their day to day routines. I want to see them in a new light. For them to feel what I did on my first trip with Ben Zimmerman, to realize who the father really is. To feel the Holy Spirit working inside of them is just a super feeling. When they see with their own eyes some more to of the world and smell it, they will know just how small the world really is , yet how far away from reality most of us are. I will cherish the late nite tears, the honesty, and the bonding that will occur. "Who is your Wingman"?
We are only a few weeks out and then off to the jungle heat, mosquitos, sweat, dirt, smells, grass huts, chicken poo, dirt floors, and a happy little community. How can this be? What is our Job? What will change in me? Will I be a better person for going? Will one team member be changed? Can I get one more follower for Jesus? Or will nothing change at all? BET YOU THIS RIGHT NOW, I know someone will change alot, and it might just be me!
Jack Mlsna
But I have hope for myself and my fellow christians as in Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". I understand that it is by Grace that we are saved, God's Grace. For it is by Grace that we are saved through Faith, A gift from our God, not a gift from man, nor by works, so that no man may boast. This is what I think about mostly. As a child I was taught mostly by works, follow what other men have done and your reward is in heaven. And when I think about it how much work could I possibly do to please someone who built the earth and the heavens? When would I have done enough to get my ticket in. I am quite sure my little life here on earth is way too short to be impressive enough for my master. And when you think about it, would he have made the possibility of getting to be with him that difficult knowing how small we really are?
So as I stumbled most of my life doing as most of us do, work hard, make money, so we can have more Stuff, I always knew it would never be enough and wondered what was going on inside of me, what was the plan, why not make it simple and just tell me in my sleep and I would do it. Then the Mission Trips came along and my lights came on said JUST DO IT. I am so excited to bring more people to this level of understanding of our world. I want to see the faces of our team members as the Spirit takes them out of the box and guts them out of their day to day routines. I want to see them in a new light. For them to feel what I did on my first trip with Ben Zimmerman, to realize who the father really is. To feel the Holy Spirit working inside of them is just a super feeling. When they see with their own eyes some more to of the world and smell it, they will know just how small the world really is , yet how far away from reality most of us are. I will cherish the late nite tears, the honesty, and the bonding that will occur. "Who is your Wingman"?
We are only a few weeks out and then off to the jungle heat, mosquitos, sweat, dirt, smells, grass huts, chicken poo, dirt floors, and a happy little community. How can this be? What is our Job? What will change in me? Will I be a better person for going? Will one team member be changed? Can I get one more follower for Jesus? Or will nothing change at all? BET YOU THIS RIGHT NOW, I know someone will change alot, and it might just be me!
Jack Mlsna
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Vulnerable...
My Outside Skin may be whiter than the Peruvians I will meet and interact with...
but my Inside Heart looks identical to theirs...
But they won't be noticing that...
They will only see the stark differences...
My clean clothing...
my comfortable well fitting shoes...
my freshly cut hair...
an occasional cell phone or high tech camera seen in my hands....
Unintelligible foreign words spoken...
Green and Blue eyes seen...
Differences....
How will I establish trust with these people?
What can make the playing field even?
I desire to connect with them Heart to Heart...but how?
Vulnerability....
It's the thing...
My life story reads the same as many of theirs....
But they don't know that...
So I will share...
become vulnerable...
Trust will arrive then...
Arrive and Hopefully be welcomed in LaMerced...
and God will take care of the rest....
Cool....
~Gretty~June 15th~
Friday, June 13, 2008
Love Him and Serve Him
Just as Matthew West asked in one of his songs, "What's your story?" we all have a story as to how we became Christ followers. Some may be through a time of joy, or a time of wandering and needing direction, or we were in a very lonely and dark place in our life. No matter how it happened, one thing is certain. Jesus was and is there for us. In less than a month we will be in Peru serving Our Father and some of these stories will be shared during our time in VBS, adolescent camp, or adult workshop. The mission is His and He has called us to do His work.
The team is excited and working very hard in preparation of this opportunity to serve the Lord. In addition to teaching, we will help construct classrooms for Sunday school and a playground. We will have community time where a movie will be shown with the use of a generator. We'll play games with them and have craft time too. Much like Blackhawk Church, building a community with the village of La Merced is strongly encouraged.
As we prepare to handle the conditions that are foreign to the team, we thank the Lord for speaking to us to do His work.
We will leave Madison on July 10th and return July 25th. We want to thank you for joining our team with your interest and desire to pray for us. Please pray for the community of La Merced that lives are soon transformed which will turn them away from alcoholism and domestic abuse. Marriages are cherished and infidelity fades. Please pray for the light of Jesus to shine in that community and please pray for the team too. Prayers of team bonding, strong leadership, wisdom, cohesiveness, humility, patience, God's direction in our preparation and our hearts to be open to His will.
Jeanette
The team is excited and working very hard in preparation of this opportunity to serve the Lord. In addition to teaching, we will help construct classrooms for Sunday school and a playground. We will have community time where a movie will be shown with the use of a generator. We'll play games with them and have craft time too. Much like Blackhawk Church, building a community with the village of La Merced is strongly encouraged.
As we prepare to handle the conditions that are foreign to the team, we thank the Lord for speaking to us to do His work.
We will leave Madison on July 10th and return July 25th. We want to thank you for joining our team with your interest and desire to pray for us. Please pray for the community of La Merced that lives are soon transformed which will turn them away from alcoholism and domestic abuse. Marriages are cherished and infidelity fades. Please pray for the light of Jesus to shine in that community and please pray for the team too. Prayers of team bonding, strong leadership, wisdom, cohesiveness, humility, patience, God's direction in our preparation and our hearts to be open to His will.
Jeanette
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
COMPELLED
(II Corinthians 5:14-15)
Why in the world go to far-off Peru,
Take part in a mission to La Merced?
It's so hot there, and humid, not cool,
Why not stay home, and lounge in bed?
There are bugs, mosquitoes, and food unfamiliar,
And people whose language I cannot speak;
I am sure there are things I will find peculiar,
And wish I was back home within the first week!
But I cannot stay here......hang out at the Mall,
I'm compelled by God's love to serve and to share;
"Go to the world," this the Master's clear call,
Announce the Good News to all everywhere!
What a privilege and honor to be part of a Team,
Where this vision is shared, and hearts are united;
There are needs to be met, and lives to redeem,
And in serving others, God's love is requited.
Dedicated to the Peru Mission Team
Eric Bakken
Why in the world go to far-off Peru,
Take part in a mission to La Merced?
It's so hot there, and humid, not cool,
Why not stay home, and lounge in bed?
There are bugs, mosquitoes, and food unfamiliar,
And people whose language I cannot speak;
I am sure there are things I will find peculiar,
And wish I was back home within the first week!
But I cannot stay here......hang out at the Mall,
I'm compelled by God's love to serve and to share;
"Go to the world," this the Master's clear call,
Announce the Good News to all everywhere!
What a privilege and honor to be part of a Team,
Where this vision is shared, and hearts are united;
There are needs to be met, and lives to redeem,
And in serving others, God's love is requited.
Dedicated to the Peru Mission Team
Eric Bakken
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
GRACE REORDERING OUR CATEGORIES
Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Philippians 2:5-7
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, being made in the likeness of men."
Last Sunday, Tim Mackie began a new sermon series titled "Following Christ Without Exception". I was impressed by the implications of the truths he shared from Colossians 1:9-14
for our Peru Team. He made reference to Titus 1:11-14, where Paul sketched the Christian's
response to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ's redeeming sacrifice: He redeemed us from every lawless deed and purified for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for
good deeds. Tim defined "good deeds" as "meeting the urgent needs of other people." He
said that "good works" permeates the New Testament, also stating that Grace has reordered
the Christian's categories; it gives itself outward to other needy people, seeking their good.
"Good works" are simply nothing more nor less than our response to God's good work done on
our behalf by and through His Son. We are commanded to do good works (it's not optional) not
to gain His approval or favor, but because we are already approved and favored by virtue of
our position in Christ. Our proper response to His love for us is one of love and service to those
who are--as we once were--living in the land and shadow of death (Matthew 4"16).
In the doing of good works, a specific attitude is called for within the parameters of a specific
example: The example is that of Jesus Himself, and the attitude is that of a servant. He came
to serve us. This is utterly astonishing! Jehovah-God became a man in Jesus Christ in order
to serve you and me, and to pay redemption's price, which we could never pay.
In my case, this call and command to serve tends to go against my grain; if I am honest, I am
(because of my sinful nature) self-serving, and disinclined to put others first. Paul recognized
this about man when he wrote to the Philippian Christians: "Do not merely look out for your
own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (2:4). It takes a work of Grace to
change our fallen focus! Wanting to serve others rather than to be served isn't natural; it's
supernatural! It is a desire that God implants in our hearts as the Holy Spirit does His
sanctifying work within us, conforming us to the likeness of Jesus. "You shall receive power,
after the Holy Spirit has come upon you......"(Acts 1:8). It requires nothing less than the power
of the Holy Spirit to transform us from self-servers to God-servers and servers of those who
are needy. We cannot serve God effectively in our own strength!
I have been impressed over the past several months with this call and command to be a servant in practical ways to those in need. I am convinced that going to Peru is a first step in the right
direction. I have had opportunities over the years to use my spiritual gifts, but they have been
oriented to teaching (word-oriented). At this point in my journey I have a strong desire and
conviction that I need to be deeds-oriented, to not be a hearer [or teacher] of the Word only,
but also a doer (James 1:22). For me, it's time to "put up or shut up!"
I look forward to serving with the other members of our Peru Team. I believe the experience
will be life-changing for all of us, and that as a consequence of our going and doing, we will
sense the approval of God. After all, did not the Father say of Jesus at His baptism, "This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased"? (Matthew 3:17) He was the Servant par
excellence. By taking advantage of opportunities to serve others instead of ourselves, we
follow His example (I Peter 2:21). And in serving others, we may very well discover the same
joy that He knew as He served us (John 15:11).
Eric Bakken
Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Philippians 2:5-7
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, being made in the likeness of men."
Last Sunday, Tim Mackie began a new sermon series titled "Following Christ Without Exception". I was impressed by the implications of the truths he shared from Colossians 1:9-14
for our Peru Team. He made reference to Titus 1:11-14, where Paul sketched the Christian's
response to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ's redeeming sacrifice: He redeemed us from every lawless deed and purified for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for
good deeds. Tim defined "good deeds" as "meeting the urgent needs of other people." He
said that "good works" permeates the New Testament, also stating that Grace has reordered
the Christian's categories; it gives itself outward to other needy people, seeking their good.
"Good works" are simply nothing more nor less than our response to God's good work done on
our behalf by and through His Son. We are commanded to do good works (it's not optional) not
to gain His approval or favor, but because we are already approved and favored by virtue of
our position in Christ. Our proper response to His love for us is one of love and service to those
who are--as we once were--living in the land and shadow of death (Matthew 4"16).
In the doing of good works, a specific attitude is called for within the parameters of a specific
example: The example is that of Jesus Himself, and the attitude is that of a servant. He came
to serve us. This is utterly astonishing! Jehovah-God became a man in Jesus Christ in order
to serve you and me, and to pay redemption's price, which we could never pay.
In my case, this call and command to serve tends to go against my grain; if I am honest, I am
(because of my sinful nature) self-serving, and disinclined to put others first. Paul recognized
this about man when he wrote to the Philippian Christians: "Do not merely look out for your
own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (2:4). It takes a work of Grace to
change our fallen focus! Wanting to serve others rather than to be served isn't natural; it's
supernatural! It is a desire that God implants in our hearts as the Holy Spirit does His
sanctifying work within us, conforming us to the likeness of Jesus. "You shall receive power,
after the Holy Spirit has come upon you......"(Acts 1:8). It requires nothing less than the power
of the Holy Spirit to transform us from self-servers to God-servers and servers of those who
are needy. We cannot serve God effectively in our own strength!
I have been impressed over the past several months with this call and command to be a servant in practical ways to those in need. I am convinced that going to Peru is a first step in the right
direction. I have had opportunities over the years to use my spiritual gifts, but they have been
oriented to teaching (word-oriented). At this point in my journey I have a strong desire and
conviction that I need to be deeds-oriented, to not be a hearer [or teacher] of the Word only,
but also a doer (James 1:22). For me, it's time to "put up or shut up!"
I look forward to serving with the other members of our Peru Team. I believe the experience
will be life-changing for all of us, and that as a consequence of our going and doing, we will
sense the approval of God. After all, did not the Father say of Jesus at His baptism, "This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased"? (Matthew 3:17) He was the Servant par
excellence. By taking advantage of opportunities to serve others instead of ourselves, we
follow His example (I Peter 2:21). And in serving others, we may very well discover the same
joy that He knew as He served us (John 15:11).
Eric Bakken
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I'm even dreaming about our trip!!
Last night I dreamed of the children of Peru. I know for sure this trip is weighing on my heart and, I guess, especially the children we will serve. I just know that God has a plan that includes leaving these children in a better spot than when we first came. Maybe it's the grandma in me, but I am excited and find it hard to wait till July 10th. Pray for our individual groups to cohese in our mission to do God's work!
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