1 Peter 4:8

Sunday, July 27, 2014

It is (Not) Too Late

This past week Molly and I went to Nicaragua so that I could renew my visa here in Honduras. Because Nicaragua is just a quick bus ride away, we were fortunate enough to be able to relax, walk on the beach, and stay in a beach-side hostel for 3 days/nights.
 Due to my slightly modified sleeping schedule from taking care of Alex, I woke up at or before 6:00 each morning. Unlike Honduras where the whole world and its loudest animals rise with the sun before 5:00, no one was up early in Nicaragua. In fact, I couldn't even get a cup of coffee before about 7:30 (tough, I know). Anyway, this meant that I was left to wander around the beach, sit in the hammocks, and have a lot of devotional time before the rest of the world woke up. One morning after my devotional and a walk out on the beach, I came back to find the owner of the hostel sitting outside enjoying his coffee (lucky guy gets it before anyone else there). 
He and I started to chat about how he got there, why I was there, where I was from, etc. When I mentioned that Molly and I live with a ministry in Tegucigalpa, he was astounded and confused about why anyone would voluntarily live there and put themselves in danger each day. We had a long talk about the gangs and their influence on the government, businesses, and communities. I told him about my 'job' doing the accounting, working with communities in the street, and taking care of Alex. After telling him a little bit about Alex's background and why it is necessary for me to care for him, this man said something I will never forget. A string of things, really. 
First, he looked me straight in the eyes and said, 
"He is 11 years old? Well, by then it is already too late. There is no sense in trying to help him at that point. The damage has already been done and can never be undone." 
I responded as kindly as possible to tell him that I believe God can undo any sort of damage, and I will continue to take care of Alex regardless of how difficult it can be at times.
With this he continued to talk about the gangs and the current pact that two of the gangs have in which they are not fighting each other. His insight on this? 
"If it were up to me, I would give them more guns, more access to heavy weapons, and invite them to a free-for-all. These people have already destroyed their lives and it is too late for them to make anything better for themselves. The world would be a better place without all of them."

But the beauty of the Lord is that it is not too late, especially for little Alex. I have seen just in the past two months a drastic change in his attitude, behavior, and overall well-being. In no way could I ever take credit for his progress, though. With 100% certainty I know that God is working through me and through Alex to change his life. I do not know how to raise an 11 year old kid who has been shot out of a life of gangs, drugs, and violence. Thankfully, God does, and for Him, it is never too late.

His words were so strong to me and they show very clearly how many people view street ministry and any sort of ministry to gang members, past or present. It is not worth it. It is too late. Their lives are not worth it. They cannot be changed.
Everything about this describes why I am choosing to commit to Alex, to the people in La Kennedy, and to Honduras. They are worth it. They are worth my love and my time. It is not too late for them to be saved. 

On Saturday we continued our commitment to the community of La Kennedy and went down for the afternoon. The week before I had asked Carla, a 21 year old woman, if she would want to do a devotional with me each weekend and she eagerly said yes. Yesterday, in the midst of empty bottles of paint thinner, broken glass, and strewn garbage, we had our first devotional. Carla and I were joined by Ana Rosa, another woman with two little girls, Maria, one of my teammates from last summer who is visiting, and Dania, a teenage girl who lives with us at the ministry. Together, we read through the first chapter of the gospel of John and talked about what it means for us.
Carla summed up her thoughts on the first chapter of John: 
"God loves each one of us just the same. Even though we have different skin, different houses, and different jobs, He loves all of us equally. No one is better or worse in His eyes, even us [the people living in the dump]. He says that we are all His children."

Carla's perception of God's attitude towards His children is spot on. Regardless of the place of birth, skin color, the amount of addictions, clothes, a house, and every other factor in our lives, God loves all of us the same. In His eyes, everyone is worth it because we are all the same. We are His children. And it is not too late.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
    John 1:12-13

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Not of this World

In chapter 17 of John, Jesus says His longest prayer ever recorded. He prays for Himself, for His disciples, and for the rest of the world who has yet to encounter His glory and His word. In speaking of those who have chosen to follow Him, He says:
            They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (v. 16)
Not of the world; not of this world. As Christians, as followers of Jesus, we should look to others like we are not even part of the world that we live in. We should be so far above it, so far removed from its antics that we are aliens in comparison. We should be alienating ourselves- knowingly and happily. 

With Christ, with His word, things that bother this world or things that this world cares about should not permeate my life. I am not of the world in the very same way that Jesus was not of this world. Any judgement, discrimination, wrongdoing, etc. should be solid bases for me to pray rather than condemn and forgive rather than hold grudges. 

Earlier in John chapter 17 (backtracking, I know), Jesus prays:
             I have manifested Your name to the men whom you have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known all things which you have given Me are from You. (v. 6-7)
The men who You have given, who God has given. All of those who are placed in my path of discipleship are done so by God. It is not a coincidence nor any sort of stroke of luck. We do not chose who we disciple or serve, rather He chooses for us and organizes everything so that discipleship is even made possible. God will not send us disciples that we will not be able to reach. 
Of course, not every person that we encounter or with whom we build a relationship is going to be a disciple in the way that Jesus had disciples. Does God want us to share His love and His word? Of course! But discipleship in this sense refers to the constant, dedicated, devoted teaching of the gospel. Jesus had only 12 disciples while He was on Earth; why would I ever dream that I could have more than that? 
But with those disciples that God has sent us, has given us, He also provides us with the necessary tools to be successful in His name; He will not abandon us. 

These truths have been especially powerful in the past couple of weeks of ministry here in Honduras. Primarily because I am continuing to work with Alex and to show him God's word and His truth, and also because I have re-opened the door to street ministry in La Kennedy. 

About 2 weeks ago I started to read the Bible with Alex each night before he goes to bed. It is beneficial in so many ways (both of us practicing our reading in Spanish, he is learning the gospel, etc.), but my favorite part is talking to him afterwards about what we have read. Almost each night that we read, something new pertains to whatever has happened that day or something that has been consistent in his behavior or daily activities. Most recently we had a conversation about Jesus- how Jesus is God, but He is also God's son, and He came to save us from our sins. For an 11 year old, the depth of this conversation was astounding to me. I know that God is giving me the words to speak to this child, because there is no way that I could do this on my own. Although I am taking care of him as if he were my child for a little while, he has very clearly been placed in my life so that I can disciple him and teach him God's word.

Likewise, I am struggling a bit with 'making disciples' of the people that I am serving in La Kennedy. Since last summer, the community of 30-35 has changed quite a bit. There are much more young people living in the dump, one person has died, and a number of new women have joined the community. I thought ministry was a bit lopsided last summer, but now it is vastly more so. Through the words of John, it is so clear that God will give me disciples in His time, and they will be just that, given by Him. None of this will prevent me from building on the relationships from last summer and starting new relationships, but I must be aware of His guidance in order to disciple them in the correct way. For now, I must love them and serve them in every way that I can. When everyone else walks past their community and shuns them, I must act in a way that is not of this world and love them anyway. I have to alienate myself in order to love them, serve them, and glorify Him.


Here is a little bit more of what has happened in the past few weeks:
 We celebrated Alex's 11th birthday on the 10th of the month with homemade tres leches cake, decorations, gifts, and a trip to the movies; it was his first birthday party ever! Just two days later he climbed onto a wild horse that had wandered onto the property. The horse was spooked by our big dogs and took off running into the street, where Alex fell off. 
One step forward, two steps backwards. 
I am looking to have Alex enrolled by the end of July in a private bilingual school which will start in August. In order to be admitted, we are practicing English each day and studying hard in mathematics, science, and grammar. I am also praying that funds will come in so that this will be covered. It will be $200 for initial registration and $75/month afterwards. 
Last week Molly and I painted the kids rooms so that they are appropriately painted (blue for the boys and purple for the girls). With the fresh coats of paint and a couple of curtains, the rooms finally look like a home! 
I am so glad to say that I have restarted street ministry in La Kennedy! I have committed to going down each Saturday to just spend time and hang out and each Wednesday to read to the kids, teach some English, and hopefully do a simple Bible study with the women. 
Two weeks ago we had a visit from Barbara, the mother of one of the girls from my team last summer. She has been such a blessing to us for so many reasons! Fellowship, blessing the kids' rooms with curtains & nightlights, bringing toys & games, life advice, and many laughs. We are so thankful for her!
We also have a couple visiting us from Portland who is traveling around the world for a year spreading the Word. They have also been a great blessing to the ministry through their eagerness to build relationships with the boys and with us. Josh is an engineer, so I've loved having someone here with whom I can make cheesy science jokes! 

I am so excited to continue all of these ministries here in Honduras and to serve our great Lord. If you would like to partner with me on this crazy journey, please consider supporting through prayer or finances. Donation instructions can be found in the right hand margin of the webpage, and prayers are welcome for all ministries as well as daily life.

Thanks for reading! 

Molly and me painting the girls room
Alex with his new ball! 

Alex with his new Honduras shirt

Just a little bit of frosting!