Michael's Moments…
Where is the
hope?
Where is the
peace?
That will
make this life complete for every man, woman, and children
Looking for
Heaven in the Real World?
-Steven
Curtis Chapman- “Heaven in the Real World
I can imagine, there are moments in the life of this
community, there are sometimes cries for freedom beyond the miles, cries from
their heart to find the missing part- to fill the God-shaped hole in their
lives. But today, I do not hear those
types of voices. Right now, I hear the voices of children playing at Agape
Mission, a local partnership between CMF International and a local church here
in Picanco, Brazil. It is the sound of
children happy and content in playing, and at peace. Agape Mission provides
hope and restoration to children in this town normally during the school year,
but right now school is not in session.
This week, the focus is on children in the community.
We, Mountain Christian Church, and our sister church,
Familia de Fe, are hosting an VBS, along with Agape Mission this week. Our
prayer during this VBS is that we may point them to Jesus. Jesus is the only one who can be heaven in
the real world to these children when we are gone. Jesus can be heaven in the real world to
these children through being a safe haven that can run to, in times of trouble
and distress. However, most of all, we want Jesus to fill the God-shaped hole
inside of them.
Agape Mission
will continue to do their great work in this community long after we are
gone. Our hope is that because of
Mountain Christian Church and Familia de Fe this week, we will have planted
within them seeds of faith.
“To do or be?
This is a age-old question that has been on the minds
of many who have gone on short-term mission trips. Perhaps it is in the American mindset to do,
that we forgot simply to just be.
I (Michael), have gone on thirteen mission trips, but
yesterday this question, arose within me more deeper than ever. After Vacation Bible School, we have face
painting, hair-cutting, dentistry, nail-painting, among other things. I am not
skilled in any of those things, so I was wandering around, just looking for something to do. The moments, however, when I felt most
content, were when I simply was talking with my fellow team members or getting
to know the Brazilian children in the community. I think, sometimes, perhaps, often, is to
wrestle away the mindset of doing, and just be.
Relationships are the stuff of life. We, as C.S. Lewis
said, will get our hearts broken in relationships. It is inevitable. We are sinful
creatures. People will hurt us, betray
us, perhaps even wounded us in deep and painful ways. However, in it all, we
must remember that in every encounter we have in this life, we meet people-who
Jesus died for. If we don’t reach out to people, who will? It is the
responsibility of the church, regardless in Brazil or in the United
States, I believe, is simply “to be”
with people. Yes, we do need to do
things to point people to Jesus, but most of all, we simply need “to be”.
“The joy of the Lord is my strength”
On Sunday, mentioned earlier by Tom, I had the great
blessing in talking about the vision of love laid out before us by Jesus. I am told, people were inspired, and
encouraged to hear this communicated to them. I am humbled, to say the
least.
If they were encouraged by me in a simple way such as
preaching, they have encouraged me more.
I see a simple joy in the Brazilian church, that is rooted in the Bible verse “the joy of the Lord is my
strength”. Their joy in worship, and their passion for Jesus in church and in
every-day life, is inspiring. Is the joy
of the Lord my strength like theirs us?
If there is one thing I want to come away from during this trip, it is
that the joy of the Lord has become my strength in more deeper and profound
ways.
Linda's Learnings...
By most modern standards the people in Pianco are poor
but they are rich in laughter, family, and simplicity. With help they have
enough, but without industry there are few good paying jobs. Typically they
have a small home and somewhere else they have a small plot of land to grow
food for themselves and maybe a little extra to sell.
The homes are small with a tiny bit of land, if any,
most are attached, some with a small areaway between. Those with nothing built
beside them will probably soon have another house attached. There are many
unfinished houses, as they build a portion of the home whenever they have saved
enough to add a little more. However, during home visits we were often ask to
come inside and sometimes offered coffee.
Each day we are here is full. After VBS they go to the
mission and receive lunch. After lunch with face painting, a bouncy house, and
games, it sounds like a festival. The children are so joyful. A few sets of
balls and Velcro paddles drew lines. Face painting was done for hours! Simple
“tic tac toe” was enough to keep the lines calm.
The children and teens love to see Americans and try
to speak with us. Relationships are formed without a common language. I’ve come
to love them. The Moms seem so appreciative with what is being done for the
children. Everyone is friendly.
Lunch, with our Brazilian Team, turns into a party
with laughter and a spontaneous round of praise song. Why should I be surprised
at the success of this trip, nineteen people from Mountain CC turned up at the
Life Center to pray for us before we board the bus. So amazing, as has been
ever hour since then!
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