Chasing the AMERICAN Dream

Earlier in the year I came across the book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream  by David Platt. In all honesty, it took me a while to get through the whole thing because of the heavy, thought provoking concepts presented. While the book was very challenging and convicting, I have gained new perspective and even some frustration about the way we in America live our lives whether we're conscience of it or not.

Sadly, most of what we do is for selfish gain. (Now I'm not saying this is true 100% of the time for 100% of the population, but we are all guilty of it on occasion including myself.)  Life in America is one giant competition for the flashiest car, biggest home, nicest clothes, etc. Ever heard the phrase, "Keeping up with the Jones"? I'd say most of us are doing a pretty good job of it if we really think about it. Even our insurance companies advertise insurance on television stating that they'll protect your AMERICAN DREAM (American Family Insurance).

I'm heartbroken for all the lives mislead by the drive to achieve this "dream". Life is about so much more than that. Even Christ warns against earthly treasures in Matthew 6:19-21 when he says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and were thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."

David Platt speaks of the emptiness of the American dream versus the call to serve and minister in his book Radical. He challenges the reader to take a step out of the comfort zone and live the life God has called us to live. Maybe that means spending less "fun" money each month to sponsor an orphaned child or saving up pennies, nickels, and dimes to fund a project for the homeless. Maybe God's even calling you to take a trip somewhere to serve the lost, or He could be calling you to meet the needs of someone right in your own backyard. Whatever it is, I believe David Platt hit it right on the spot when he states that the American dream doesn't fit the faith God has called us to live out each day (summarized).

I can't help but compare the American dream to the Peruvian lifestyle. Of course there are Peruvians whom are inward focused, but as a nation, they are very concerned with the well-being of others around them. Especially in the Christian community, they care about their neighbors, and they live life together. It isn't about me fending for me and you fending for you. It's about us helping one another out in times of need. It's about us working together, making sacrifices for one another, and using our time not for ourselves, but to further the kingdom of heaven. It's not about a dream or standard society dangles in front of the face, but it's about surviving and being grateful for what little they do have. For most of my Peruvian friends it's all about faith and following the Lord because earthly treasures are few and far between.

I don't want to settle for the American dream; I don't even want to live my life trying to achieve it. My desire is to live for the Kingdom, storing my treasures in heaven. God didn't put me here to live for my own selfish gain. He gave me this life for His gain, and I pray in all that I do, my life would bring glory to his name. My deepest longings are to reach the lost of this world, and to hear my Lord say to me on judgement day, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

An Answered Prayer

I've learned time and time again that prayer really does work. However, often when I don't get an immediate answer I'm quick to become frustrated and in some situations I quit praying for that specific thing altogether. However, God recently reminded me the power of prayer and His faithfulness. After praying almost weekly for the last couple of years for a friend of mine who had turned her back on Christ, she is finally seeing the Light and surrendering her life to the Lord once again.

You see, recently a friend of mine from college (and ironically originally from about 15 minutes from my home) moved back to the Goshen area after her mother had a near-death bicycle accident. Thankfully, her mother is on the long road to recovery with only bodily injuries and a normal functioning mental capacity. My friend has a nursing background which has allowed her mom to be able to heal in the comfort of her own home and resulted in slightly less medical expenses. While the tragedy her mother suffered and survived is unbelievable and praiseworthy, the renewing of faith my friend has experienced is encouraging and a long awaited answer to prayer. 

During our sophomore year of college, this friend made some poor choices and gradually fell further and further into the trap of sin and darkness. She's lived this life for about the last 5 years, believing she had everyone fooled. Little did she know, but there was a prayer force praying for her regularly, and God was listening. He has answered the prayers of his dear ones, and He has saved the soul of my friend. Sadly, it took a horrific event to bring her back to Christ, but sometimes God must send wake up calls to snap us out of our selfish ways. It's been a miraculous transformation, and it's been encouraging to me to see God not only answered my prayer for my friend, but He's also answered a prayer of needing a Christian friend my age in this town. 

This friend and I have been spending time together every Tuesday evening for about the last month. She randomly contacted me a few weeks after her mother's accident and asked if I'd want to meet up with her. Having not talked in over a year and a half, I was excited to reconnect with my friend, and we've made it a weekly routine. Our evenings usually begin with dinner, and we end them by walking around town or through an area park, taking in the beauty of the creation around us. (We'll have to find something else to do after dinner once winter comes.)

I've really been struggling with my purpose here in Goshen, Indiana, and my strong desire to return to Peru doesn't seem to fade. However, God keeps reminding me to enjoy my family while I have them close, and He's ensured me that there is a purpose at this time for me here. Last week as my friend and I walked the path to the Goshen Dam, we talked about God's plan for each of our lives, and I expressed to her my desire to do ministry in Peru. I talked with her about my longing desire to be there, and she replied by telling me how thankful she was that God has placed me here to help her through this time of "transformation" from her old life back to a Christian walk. As I heard her words in one ear, I heard God say to me in the other, "This is my plan for you here." There it was, clear as day, God's purpose spoken directly to me...enjoy my family, pour into this friend. I immediately became emotional, but I held back the tears and a smile spread wide across my face. I felt peace and contentment rush over me; God's plan started to make a little more sense.

So now, in a little less than a month's time, God has answered three of my prayers. He's saved my friend, provided me a Christian friend (my age) in Goshen, & He's shown me my purpose here.

He also gave me a vision one night while I was praying of me standing in Manchay, Peru with children surrounding me. I strongly believe this was Him confirming His future plan for my life.  

I think it will be a very long time before I doubt God's power through prayer again. 

10 Years Ago

Ten years ago on September 11, 2001, I was a freshman in high school sitting in my first year of Spanish class, when our teacher reported to us that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center tower. At the time, we weren't sure if the malicious act had been an accident or planned activity. As we listened to the radio, we learned that not one but both towers had been hit, and the event was being reported as an act of terrorism. We also learned of the destruction at the Pentagon and the loss of life due to a plane crash in a Pennsylvania field. Moments later our teacher found a mobile TV and allowed us to spend the class period watching the news reports of the event.

Shocked and confused, I silently began to pray as we watched the horrific events and listened to the news reports. It was in these moments that I recall for the first time honestly thinking, "Wow! This world really needs to know and understand the love of Jesus." I knew it before, but I understood that need more than ever when I heard that the men who had hijacked these planes had done it because of their "faith." How misled they had been, and how devastating that they died believing this was the way of salvation.

Later in the year, I recall my Spanish teacher telling me during a one-on-one graded Spanish conversation, that if I continued to pursue my studies of the Spanish language, she knew I would go far with it. It was also in this Spanish 1 class that I began to sense God's calling me to minister and teach overseas. At the time, I didn't put all of these things together, but today, as I sit and recall the events of 9/11, I'm in awe of how perfect God's plan is for me, even ten years ago.

It's amazing how far ten years has brought America and myself. I don't generally consider myself a very patriotic person, but I will never forget the events of September 11th, and I will continue to sympathize with the loss of life on that tragic day.

*Las Estrellas*

Believe it or not, I'm an outdoorsy type of girl. People underestimate me by my style of dress, always done hair, and make-up, but I truly do enjoy the outdoors. (Even my best friends are amazed at the fire I can build with wood, newspaper, and a few matches. They always tell me, I just don't fit the part.) I believe this is in part due to the many weekends my family spent camping when I was a child, but the rest I accredit to the Creator, the one and only God.

Just the other night I was able to spend some time outdoors under a gorgeous night sky talking with a friend. The sky was literally covered in stars, and only a small sliver of the moon was visible off in the distance. It was a spectacular sight, and I sat in awe and wonder for quite some time.

Last evening as mom and I were driving home from church we first saw what mom called a sun dog. As I slowed down to look, we noticed that it wasn't just a sun dog, but what we saw was a rainbow that stretched literally from one end of the field to the other disappearing into the clouds at the highest point. I pulled into Benton Elementary because I wanted to snap a photo. As I pulled in, God displayed in front of us a perfect double rainbow. My heart fluttered with excitement.

As we continued our journey home, the rainbows dissolved behind us and the sky ahead faded from day to night with an astonishing sunset like nothing I've seen in quite a while. As I pulled up to the stop sign, I had to take a picture to capture the beauty of the heavens. I would have loved to take some time to sit outside and relax under the beauty of the sunset, but it was a bit chilly, and I was lacking time to do so. 

Even sitting outside in the evenings for the few moments I'm out there with the dogs before bed, I am amazed at all the noises that surround me...not man-made noise, but noises of crickets and bullfrogs, wind moving the trees, and who knows what other sounds. Peace consumes me, and I am reminded that there is a God in heaven that created the universe yet has time to love on me. The Creator God desires a relationship with me.

It seems to me as if I hear God clearest when I'm marveled by His glorious creation. It shouldn't come as a surprise that not a day goes by that I don't think of Peru...the children, my friends, my church, the culture and the language...Lima in general. When I first returned home, I spoke nearly daily with many of my friends there; however, as time goes on those conversations happen less often. It's the same thing every year; it's not the way I prefer it, but life happens and that's the way things go.

Recently, I've missed those conversations and relationships. Honestly, some of my deepest relationships are with my Peruvian friends.  Throughout the last week, God has shown me multiple times through the beauty of "los cielos" (the heavens) that He is still with me even when human friendships aren't so easily accessible. God is the one friend whom I can converse with on a daily basis without need for technology or time to set aside for a coffee date. He is ALWAYS with me, ready to talk with me and comfort me in my moments of need. He loves me despite my flaws, and He never makes me feel second rate.

I am so thankful for sunrises, sunsets, beautiful night skies, and sounds of nature 
that never fail to remind me that God is in control!

These aren't things you find in Lima very often, so I'm grateful that I'm able to experience them while I'm here.

Sunday Afternoon Drive

I love driving alone, most of the time. Some of my best pondering is done while sitting behind the steering wheel of my car. Depending on my mood, I'm either jamming to the most current pop music, or sometimes I can be found listening to something mellow dramatic that I can pull to relate to my current emotions. However, most of the time, when I'm alone, I've got worship music playing in the background while I think and pray about life.

Recently, I've been talking quite a bit with a few Peruvian friends about them coming to visit me. However, with the price of airfare and the visa regulations, I'm doubting they will be able to visit anytime in the near future. Yesterday as I drove to the store, I had to chuckle at my thoughts as I pondered what it would be like to have Peruvian friends in my country.

I imagined them trying to get around without public transportation -they never believe me when I tell them it's nearly nonexistent where I live. I imagined them using their broken (or no) English skills to strike up conversations with my friends and family. I thought for a moment about their schema and how they would relate what they have in their country to things similar they may find here...McDonalds, KFC, and Plaza Vea which would be similar to our Wal*Mart. I also thought of how pathetic they would find the Concord Mall versus their Chicago style mall in Lima, even the UP or Glenbrook Malls fail in comparison to Jockey Plaza.

I thought about the time of year and the activities we could do. They would love the snow, but they may freeze to death having only ever been accustomed to temperatures 60 and above. We could go sledding and ice skating or even build a snowman. In the summer it'd be fun to take them out on the boat or have a bonfire with hot dogs and s'mores.

I imagine Nilton and Eloy reacting as a small child would on Christmas morning, and I imagine Teresa feeling overwhelmed and slightly stressed. All in all, it would be a blast to have them here, and I pray that one day they would be able to make the trip up here. It would be a dream come true for all of us :)