Starbucks and the Heart of God

The title itself is quite an oxymoron, I know. But let me begin by saying, I'm not supporting Starbucks, but I do enjoy a nice Starbucks frappuccino once in a while. However, I'm also not supporting Christians who have nothing better to do with their time than complain about a disposable cup. I have to wonder, are these same Christians praying or sharing the gospel as much as they're complaining? And if they aren't, then quite frankly, I don't really want to hear their opinion on the color of a cup or the lack of holiday spirit.

This month Missions Month at my church here in Peru. Last week for the kick off, the young adults (feels weird saying that as I don't feel that old myself yet) came in at the beginning of the service carrying flags from varying countries and lined up along the walls of the auditorium. My eyes began to water and my throat tightened as I tried to keep myself from becoming a ball of weeping flesh in my seat.

As I sat there, eyes watering and lips quivering, I thought two things.
1. Why am I responding like this? They're just flags.
2. Am I doing enough? Am I where I'm supposed to be or is God calling me elsewhere?

Then, as the announcements ran and the pastor got up to speak, I began to think and respond to these questions.

1. I responded in this way because my heart is broken for this world. The sinful nature of humanity, the downward spiral even Christians are facing, hate for our brethren, judgement that should be left to God, hidden sins, pride...I could go on an on. Each of those flags represent people who are lost and dying. Each of those flags represent nations where missionaries are working to spread the Gospel, and some of those flags represent nations where the Gospel is forbidden, yet God has sent His chosen ones to go and discretely share the Word.

2. I don't think I am doing enough. So, God sent me to Peru as a teacher, but I should be doing more to share His message, too. What's the next step? It's no longer me who decides where God is calling me, but I have to convince my husband as well. What is he thinking? Are we called to be missionaries somewhere? Are we called to be more involved with a missions organization here?

Honestly, I know I'm not doing enough to be an ambassador of Christ. My last blog post is proof of that, and I can't say I've stepped up my game much since that post either. I also honestly believe that if God calls me to be a missionary somewhere, He'll give that calling to my husband as well. As far as being more involved in missions here in Peru, Javier and I have that talk on a regular basis. It's just so difficult with his schedule to both be highly involved somewhere. We're working on it though.

I've spent this week in earnest prayer for missionaries I know and miscellaneous missionaries around the world. I admire them and what they're doing, and I sometimes wish God had given me that call rather than calling me to be a teacher. But then I'm reminded that being a teacher is one of the greatest callings. It allows me to work with young minds, to shape their thinking and to set an example for them that they may not see elsewhere.

Then there's the Starbucks issue. While I'm over hear worrying about the spiritually dead around the world and praying for missionaries in places much worse than where I find myself, Christians in North America are in an uproar over a disposable cup. First world problems at their finest.

Okay, I get it; the so called "Holiday cup" lacks holiday decorations. But, would you say snowflakes and pine trees represent Christ more than a simple red cup does? As a friend stated tonight, "I don't think the snowflakes of years past had anything more to say about our sinful nature and our gift of a Savior than the color red." She also stated that the red color of the cup could be argued that it represents the cleansing blood of Christ spoken about in many church hymns.

Dear Brethren,

We're missing the bigger picture!! Wake up!! Open your eyes and look around you! While you're boycotting Starbucks and tweeting/posting about how awful they are for eliminating holiday decor from their cups, people are being killed around the world. Christians are being jailed and/or killed for their faith. Have you stopped to pray for them, or are you too busy telling everyone how awful Starbucks is for choosing a red design for their cups? What if they used their normal cups year round, would you complain about that, too? At least the cup is red, right? That must stand for something.

Are you worried about seeing your lost friends saved? Are you taking a stand for Christ and speaking out against sin in a loving way, or are you spreading hate to those who believe different than you? Have you stopped to consider that it's absolutely ridiculous to even think that someone who is not saved should support the Gospel or even find it necessary to have Christmas decorations? Why celebrate Christmas if you don't believe in Christ? Yeah, the gifts are nice, but I could buy the same gift for myself if I wanted.

The unsaved have no reason to think, believe, or act as Christians should. They don't know Christ, they don't know His redeeming power, and they don't know they are lost.

It's our job to get off our our high horses, leave judgement to the Lord, and start sharing the Gospel in a way that causes others to desire what we have. It's time to make a change in our thinking, to change our point of view and to put our priorities in order. We need to stop expecting non-believers to act like believers. It's time to stop spreading hate and to quit making Christianity distasteful to the lost. It's time to start making Jesus desirable and attractive. It's time to bring the Kingdom to the people and make them long for eternal life in heaven.

It's time to stop complaining about all the bad, but to be the positive change.

Yours truly,
Jessica


So in conclusion, think about your words and actions, pray for the lost, and go out and share the Gospel. The world is waiting for you!

1 Corinthians 2:14 - The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.


**Disclaimer: I am not perfect, and I have a long way to go before I am. I've written this post as much for myself as I have for you. Accept the challenge.

**Disclaimer: I am fully aware that Starbucks has made comments in the past contradictory to our Christian faith. I fully expect that; it's a company ran by non-Christians. I know that due to these previous comments, the removal of winter decorations from the cup comes as another sign that they are not for Christ. However, I will say it again - it's absolutely ridiculous to think that non-Christians should understand the importance of holiday decor when for them Christmas is just a day for gifts that most of them could by for themselves.

Public Transportation

I must admit, I'm a people watcher. At sporting events I'm generally more focused on the people entering and leaving the game or seated around me than I am on the game. At church, if you put me in sight of a doorway, sadly, I can guarantee you my thoughts will jump to whoever I see coming and going rather than the sermon.

I remember sitting in the lobby near the large window in my dorm during college attempting to study, yet finding my eyes and my thoughts wandering to the people walking by outside. I'd look at them and observe - what were they thinking, what fashion trend were they showing off, where were they going, what made them tick, etc.

Recently, I find myself doing the same thing whenever I use public transportation here in Lima, which is nearly ever day. Sitting in the taxi with music playing, I observe the taxi driver. Usually to make sure he isn't going to do anything to me or to be sure he's watching the road, but I often wonder about the person behind the wheel as well. Does he have a family at home? What is his background? Is he from Lima or does he come from the provinces? When was the last time he slept? Rarely, do I talk to these men that drive me around the city, but I wonder about them the same.

Then there's the busses. You have 10-50 people crammed like sardines into a tube on wheels. There's music playing, the cobrador is shouting names of streets and urbanizations, asking riders to pay the fare, and a driver shouting at the other drivers in his way on the road, but there is minimal conversation between the riders. Occasionally you'll find a few people on the bus who are riding together and conversing, but those who embark on their journey alone are entertained by their cellphones, music and newspapers. It's awkward if you make eye contact and even more uncomfortable when the bus is silent and one must ask their neighbor for directions.

Again, I find myself observing. In my mind I create life stories for the people around me based on how they are dressed and what they are carrying with them.

Woman A has just left the office since she is wearing a skirt and high heels. She looks freshly powdered, so I bet she's on her way to meet a friend for a coffee.

Woman B must have gone to the gym and then stopped to pick up a few groceries on the way home. She's wearing sports clothes and is carrying a gym bag. She's also wearing a wedding ring, and I see baby formula in the Wong grocery bag, so she must have a husband and baby at home.

I could go on and on, making stories for all of the passengers, but I'll spare you from reading my thoughts.

The moral of the story...

We're living in a globalized world, rubbing shoulders with people of different races, ethnicities, backgrounds and lifestyles on a daily basis. Yet, we have become a world of lonely, self-focused people. We plug our ears with our headphones, listen to our choice of music, and hide in the seat of the bus (if you're lucky to get a seat) avoiding even the slightest bit of eye contact until it's time to fight our way to the door. Even then, one might push and shove through the crowd, saying perdón, disculpa, permiso or any other phrase that kindly implies those in the way should squeeze themselves tighter together so that the passerby may get through. However, despite stepping on someone's toes or knocking someone in the head with your bag little eye contact is made.

Then there's days when I come home and think about the uniqueness of situations like these. As a Christian, am I missing opportunities to evangelize and share the gospel? What if the person standing beside me on the bus today is going home lonely tonight wondering why he is even on this Earth? What if the little girl I saw crying on the bus lives in an abusive home and she's running away? And I sit, guilty as charged, without saying a word, avoiding eye contact, and bopping my head to the music playing through my headphones.

When people ask me why I'm here in Peru I have a few responses:
1. I teach at a bilingual school here in Lima.
2. I came to volunteer with a children's home.
3. My husband is Peruvian.

Yet, maybe, just maybe I am here for more than that. Maybe I am here to be a witness to the other passengers riding on the same bus as me. Perhaps, I'm here to talk about the love of Jesus with the taxi driver who happens to give me a ride home from the grocery store.

Maybe it's time to take out the headphones, look people in the eyes, and smile at them as they board the bus and sit or stand beside me.

It's not an easy challenge, and I'm a pretty reserved person when it comes to talking to complete strangers. But it's a risk I'm challenging myself to take, and I'd ask that any of you in similar situations consider as well.

Blessings to you and yours.

Living to Serve - Prayers Please

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~ Matthew 25:35-40

One of the most important lessons I have learned in the last year is that anyone can serve the Lord. You don't have to have a huge bank account of money or even the grandest of all houses. It simply takes a willing heart and a desire to help others.

One of the first things that drew me to Javier was his desire to help others. We met at the Children's Home in 2009 and every time our paths crossed here in Peru he was one of the first ones to call and make sure I was settled and had everything I might need. At the time neither of us had even thought about a relationship beyond friendship, but God has a way of altering our plans and doing things in his timing.

Upon my arrival to Peru last year, Javier was one of the first people to call me, to help me look for an apartment, and to make sure I was settled into my new home. After a month or two, we both began to realize our relationship was changing, and the rest is history.

Anyways, our relationship is not the purpose of this post.

Upon meeting Javier, I noticed a love for the children of Kids Alive. He'd come and play with the kids, buy things they might need, and he usually returned from his trips abroad with something for each of them. He loved them and loved spending time with them.

Since our relationship has begun, he has taught me so much in means of serving others. He uses the car to give some of the guys at work a ride home who many make less or live further away. A few weeks ago we picked up a young girl and her 15 month old baby walking along the road at 12:30 at night to take them home - a 10 minute drive which would have taken her about an hour walking, not to mention the danger aspect.

We've recently decided together to use our resources, knowledge, and love for the children to begin to help the adolescents at the Juniper Tree (Kids Alive) Children's home. Our desire is to find interests they may have and provide classes or training so that upon leaving the home they have a skill that they can use to support themselves.
A few weeks ago we were able to pay for one of the teenage boys who is a phenomenal artist to take a 2 day course in which he was able to learn techniques for 3D painting using ceramic material and a wooden board. Javier picked him up and drove him downtown both days for his class. After the course finished, we were able to purchase the supplies he would need to continue to practice this new art he had learned.
We'd love to do this with other children as well. However, the key is finding what the children are interested in and then looking for ways to help them to develop these interests. It also takes coordination with schedules and money.
In the future we'd love to open our home (when we have one) to the kids to come a few at a time and stay for a weekend. Our desire is for them to see how a family functions outside of the children's home and to be an example of a Godly marriage.
It's a mission/ministry we both feel very called to, but we are still trying to figure out how exactly it may develop and function.

Please be in prayer for us as we continue to develop our ideas and work with the children to determine their interests and the best way for us to help. Pray for us as we run ideas by directors of the home who thus far have been very supportive - although I've heard rumors that they're praying for us to be house parents and live at the home with 6-7 kids in our care once we are married (a field of ministry we do not feel called to at this point). Pray for time and resources - both of which can at times be limited. Pray also that the Lord would continue to guide us and direct us in the way that He has paved for us to go and that if it means a change in our vision that we would follow as He leads.

Much love from Peru! ~ Jessica

Dear Complacent Christian,

Disclamier: Let me begin by saying this post is a reminder for myself as well.

You go to church on Sunday {when you feel like it}, but you seldom touch your Bible otherwise. Maybe you even have multiple Bibles lying around your home collecting dust. {I know I have a few!}

Considering today is Independence Day here in the USA, I can't help but be grateful for the freedom I have to worship the Lord, when I want, how I want, and where I want. I don't have to worry about being taken to jail for listening to Christian music with my car windows down. I don't have to fear that I will be killed if someone catches me walking into my church on Sunday morning or Tuesday evening.  I can take my Bible outside on my patio and read with a cup of coffee while enjoying the morning sunrise and songs of the birds, and my neighbors aren't persecuting me for it.

Do you know how many people around the world would give their right arm for the opportunity to attend church without fearing for their life? Do you know how many Christians around the world attend church in secret for many hours a week knowing that if they are caught they may face imprisonment or death? Do you know how many people around the world are begging to hold the Word of God in their hands maybe even for the first time? Check out this map entitled World Watch List Countries {Click on the link, I dare you.You may be shocked by the widespread "suffering" of our brothers and sisters.}

Our Christian brothers and sisters around the world, particularly in the 10/40 window, are those people! Many of them have little, living on less than $2 a day. Many of them are separated from their families, suffering from disease and/or malnutrition, and are mocked and taunted for their faith, yet they still praise Jesus. Many of these Christian brothers and sisters sneak to "church" on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Saturday {whatever day they may decide on}. They congregate in homes, they congregate in small, unmarked buildings, they congregate in secret not IN a church but AS a church. They passionately pray about everything, have deep desire to follow the Lord, and long to see their lost ones saved. Their Bibles {if they have them} are their most prized possessions.

*Another Disclaimer: I do believe that these secret congregations probably include those of mediocre faith, but overall I do believe the vast majority are deeply committed believers.*

If you are living in a nation or state where you are free to attend church when you want without fear of severe persecution or even death, consider yourself blessed. However, I also believe that the easy manner in which many of my friends and family attend church has made us numb to the true demands of the Bible - to give up everything and follow Christ. {How much do we truly sacrifice to follow Christ here in the grand 'ol USA?} We've become content simply attending church, checking it off our list first thing Sunday morning and putting God on the back burner until the following week. Some of us may pick up our Bibles as time permits, and we bow our heads before meals. Yet, how deep is our true faith? Do we trust God with every aspect of our beings or only with the things we can't do on our own? What are we doing to see the lost save? Do we risk our lives for the sake of the cross?

Read 2 Timothy 3:12-17 {below or click the link}.

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When I think about my persecuted brothers and sisters my natural instinct is to feel sorry for them. However, more and more, I'm realizing that feeling sorry for them probably isn't the best response. I'm jealous of them. I'm jealous of their deep passion and commitment. {You'd have to be deeply committed to attend church in their situations.} I'm envious of the unity and willingness of the congregations to help one another out and to pray for one another. They are blessed because of their suffering and endurance, and I long for the deep faith they have due to their persecutions and full dependence of God to carry out His will for His glory.

Romans 5:3-5 says, "We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

Now, I don't think this suffering here explicitly means persecution, but it definitely hints at it. Our persecuted brothers and sisters have hope. They have hope and faith that God will protect them against the wills of Satan. They have hope of what's yet to come. They long deeply for that day when Christ returns and His people are brought into His eternal presence. They live for that, and they persevere because they trust with their whole being that in the end it will be worth it.

Ask yourself, "How deep is my faith, really?" If day in and day out you were mocked for you faith would you keep believing in God? If you had to attend church in secret knowing you could be imprisoned or lose your life if you were to be caught would you keep going? How important is your Bible to you? If your house caught on fire would you grab it with your other "special" belongings or would you leave it behind to burn? Are you willing to share the gospel with the lost at the risk of being made fun of or cursed at? Are you willing to live out the gospel, say no to sin, and be the odd man out even when your friends are pressuring you otherwise? 

I think it's time for those of us who aren't persecuted for our faith to reexamine our commitments to the Lord. Are you seeking Him with your entire being, or are you content checking church off your list on Sunday mornings, leaving your Bible to collect dust through the week, and fitting in with the crowd rather than speaking and living truth? Are you daily in the Word and on your knees in prayer or do you only participate when you have extra time? We need to be daily on our knees, in communion with our Creator developing a deeply committed relationship with Him.

Let me leave you with this from Matthew 24:36-41: But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

How well do you truly know Him? How passionate are you really? Are you ready for His return?


*If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior or have questions about faith, please do not hesitate to ask me. I would be happy to discuss what I know with you or lead you to others who can help. All comments are moderated, and I will not post anything that I feel should be kept private.*

Christian Materialism

As the days disappear and my 'big move' quickly approaches, I've begun to think about what things I'll take with me, what things I'll store, and what things can be gotten rid of. As I look around my apartment, I feel a sense of pride for the decor I've added and the 'stuff' that makes my apartment home. It's sometimes hard to think that I'll have to part with my cute lamps and wall decorations, and even my comfy bed. I don't want to give up my 12 piece, nonstick Pampered Chef pan set, and I don't want to leave my plates and silverware that are just my style sitting in a box for 2 1/2 years.

Then, I read Operation World, and the conviction comes rushing over me. I read statistics that inform me that 2.8 billion people live on less than $2/day {less than $730/year) and 1.2 billion people live on less than $1/day {less than $365/year}. That's less than I make each pay period as a teacher here in the US. I think of a dear Peruvian friend that lives with her teenage daughter in a 3 room house smaller than my apartment without a proper bathroom.

I read these statistics on a Christian blog that I follow:

• If you have any food in your fridge, any clothes in your closet, any small roof, rented or owned, over your head, you are richer than 75% of the rest of the world. We are the Esthers living inside the palace.
• If you have anything saved in the bank, any bills in your wallet, any spare change in a jar, you are one of the top 8% wealthiest people in the world. We are the Esther’s living inside the gate.
• If you can read these words right now, you have a gift 3 billion people right now don’t, if your stomach isn’t twisted in hunger pangs, you have a gift that 1 billion people right now don’t, if you know Christ, you have a gift that untold millions right now don’t.

Suddenly packing in 2-3 suitcases and a carry-on doesn't seem so bad. 

Remember the story of the Rich Man in Mark 10?
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

I firmly believe that the church in America (and around the world) is allowing materialism to slip in. Our churches keep getting bigger. We have more lights, sounds, and entertainment in churches than ever before. Prosperity theology {the health and wealth gospel - If you follow God, He will make you wealthy and keep you healthy} is being preached from the pulpit around the world misleading multitudes of people. We have fallen into the belief that bigger is better and all of our 'big' things are blessings for our good faith.

Satan, is lying to you and he's lying to me. Our earthly possessions are by no means a direct result of how strong our faith is. What about Christians in the deserts of Africa living on $1/day? If you believe your material possessions are a direct result of your faith, then you also must believe your African Christian brother who lives on $1/day must not be giving God his entire self. Do you believe that's true? I certainly don't. In fact, while working with people in living in poverty in Peru, I've realized that some of those people have stronger faith than I do, and they live with a whole lot less than I have.

Satan wants us to believe that bigger is better. He wants us to think that our possessions are a result of our faith in God. If he can get us to focus on our material things, then he is successful at taking our focus off of Christ and the cross. Isn't that exactly what Satan wants?

On the flip side, I believe that God has blessed each one of His followers rich and poor. I do believe that I am blessed, and my material possessions are a blessing. I believe that God has blessed me so that I can be a blessing to others. Each year when I go to Peru I take money I have saved with me, and I use it to bless those I encounter. I take a friend out to a meal she may not be able to afford for herself and we share life together over dinner, I've used it to buy clothing for a family in need, I've been able to support a family business by buying some of the product.

I also believe that my Christian sister living in poverty is a blessing to me. Her passion to serve the Lord and the depth and honesty in her prayers brings a tear to my eye. I want the faith she has, I desire to be as dependent on God as she is. Another friend has taught me what it means to trust God's plan while living in a home with a drunk father and absent mother. Even on the tough days, he admits that God has blessed him and he seeks to look for the good in everything rather than complain.

Life isn't about having money and things, and bigger definitely isn't better. Sometimes having an abundance of things is daunting (especially when it comes to sorting and packing everything to store or get rid of). Next time I start to think about what I'll take with me to Peru, I will choose not to complain about the limited weight and space I can carry with me. Will all of my favorite kitchen utensils, children's books, and clothing fit in my suitcases? Probably not, but I will choose to thank God for the things I do have room for, and I'll silently stow away the things that I don't.

A Night to Forget

"Boooooo!!!"

Do you hear that?

That's the sound of mockery my dear friends.

I've heard it in the presence of sporting events mostly, until just recently that is.

When I heard the boo-ing, I couldn't help but remind myself of the popular quote I had hanging on my door during my teen years, "What's popular is not always right. What's right is not always popular."

What had I been doing to have this mockery directed at me, you might ask. The reality is that the answer is quite complicated.

I was at a party. A party in fact that I didn't want to go to in the first place, but I went because I was visiting a friend in her hometown, and she wanted me to meet her friends.

What else was going on?

I was seated in a circle with the crowd, but completely disconnected from them while playing games and reading my Bible via the app on my phone in effort to avoid my surroundings of drinking, smoking, cursing, and other inappropriate, unsettling conversation.

No one knew what I was doing aside from playing on my phone, but I know they noticed my discomfort. Yet, even my good friend didn't seem to care.

Later in the evening one guy started chanting shots, and the discussion of everyone doing tequila shots sprang up. He went around asking everyone who was in. Of course, they all said yes. Except me that is.

And that's when the boo-ing began.

"You can boo me all you want, but I'm not going to do a shot," I demanded.

I wasn't sure if I should be hurt or peace.

Hurt because for one of the only times in my life I truly was absolutely unable to camouflage into my surroundings. I didn't fit into any part of the evening. Not the activities, not the conversations, not even the show on television in the living room was appropriate to engage my interest.

My tattoo was even mocked during a discussion on tattoos. "The Bible scares me," one girl said. As I tried to ask questions, she said she didn't want to talk about it and went back to the conversations on pornography, graphic novels, and conspiracy theories.

I felt hurt even for these people, including my friend, who are so far from understanding the grace and peace that only Christ can provide. I hurt because even when Christ was brought up by a fellow partier, the discussion quickly died in fear.

Then I felt a sense of peace.

Peace because I have faith that God loves me despite what these mere humans may have thought. Peace because I have security in the cross and death and resurrection of my Savior. Peace because I know that His plans for this world are far greater than the conspiracy theories I heard discussed that evening.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm thankful that I have a Savior who comforts me in times of hurt and frustration. I'm thankful that God gives me wisdom to make choices and strength to go against what the popular choice might be. I'm thankful for friends and family that I could talk to later who stand by me in trying times.

The only one I'm here to impress is the Lord, and I will stop at nothing to satisfy His calling upon on my life. 

B is for Broken

After a sermon on hospitality today at church, we sang the following song in closing. I would encourage you to listen to it, meditate on the lyrics, and pray that God would move you to love more, help more, and invite others in often. In our culture, we're too self focused, and we lock ourselves into our own bubbles. That is the exact opposite of what Peter tells us to do in 1 Peter 4:9 -
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Use my hands, use my feet
To make your kingdom come
To the corners of the earth
Until your work is done
'Cause Faith without works is dead

And I give all myself.
Yes, I give all myself.
And I give all myself... to you.

And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.

Who do you rub shoulders with on a daily basis? Who have you rubbed shoulders with in the last week? The last month? When was the last time you invited someone into your home for a meal? When was the last time you helped someone in need? Are you being the hands and feet of Jesus?

Don't take me wrong - I'm not pointing my fingers at you! I'm just as guilty as most of you probably are. My heart is broken for this world, yet I, too, get sucked into my life, my schedule, my work, my...(you fill in the blank). I forget that I don't have to be in Peru to make a difference. I can be Jesus's hands and feet right here in my hometown. I can be His hands and feet in my job every day.

The more I read Operation World Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation, the more my heart breaks for this world. I feel a little piece of me being left with each nation as I pray for it. I feel more empowered to change this world through prayer, and I feel a deeper passion to continue to pray, pray, pray.

This week I spent time in prayer for three nations. See below on how you can continue to be praying for the nations I prayed for this week. 

Belgium (Europe)

• Answers to Prayer
• Evangelical faith has never been stronger.
• There is a developing vision for missions.
• Challenges for Prayer
• Belgium is a deeply divided nations. Pray for unity.
• Catholicism is in rapid decline with atheists and nonreligious on the rise.
• Rapid secularization has brought liberal laws that undermine the sanctity of life and marriage.
• Increasing drug use and sexual immorality. 
• Spiritually one of the most needy in Europe - Spiritual apathy and faith nearly banished from the public sphere.

Belize (Latin America)

• Belize has the highest cost of living in central America, yet poverty is very widespread.
• There is a largely professing Christian population, yet only 10% attend church regularly.
• Syncretism is common - many believe in and practice superstitions, black magic, and paganism from traditional religions.
• Widespread legalism.
• HIV/AIDS is a serious threat with a 2.4% infection rate - the highest in Central America.

Benin (Africa)

• One of the world's poorest countries. 
• Average yearly income: $828
• Literacy Rate: 33.6%
• One of the world's 20 least developed countries.
• High black market (75%)
• Child smuggling to other countries for labor by the ten thousands.
• Great freedom to minister and evangelize.
• Current leader is an open Christian.
• Evangelicals have grown from 50,000 in 1980 to over 770,000 in 2010.
• Christianity is poised to become the main religion, yet many who attend church on Sunday continue to visit witch doctors during the week.
• Pray for deepened, true faith and discipleship for believers.
• Media opportunities are highly strategic due to the low literacy rate. Very few Bibles translated into the native language.

Prayer - Finishing Off the A's and on to the Bs

The end of February and the beginning of March have left me busy, worn out, and lacking the desire to blog. However, I haven't quit praying for the nations, and I've had an amazing time studying the book of Daniel and seeing how faithful he was to the Lord despite unpleasant events he faced. He never quit trusting in the Lord, and he prayed with fervency. Reading his passion in the prayers he offered up really challenges me in my prayer life. Honestly, sometimes it turns into a mundane task to be done before going to bed at night. Of course, there are times throughout my day I pray also, but seldom with the passion that is so evident in the life of Daniel.

Sunday evening we had a praise and prayer night at my church. This sort of stemmed from the worship benefit my Bible study did in order to raise money for my Peruvian friend JP. However, this time it wasn't established as a fundraiser but rather a night of praise and prayer, a night to rejoice and thank God for all He has done for us while also offering up prayer on behalf of those in need. Even though the attendance wasn't high, it was an amazing night. I was blessed to hear the voices around me praying in unison in small groups for various situations. Tears were shed, and God moved.

I do believe this year God is teaching me about prayer. Last year, I felt Him calling me to "know" His word, and I decided to do a chronological study of the Bible. This year He's taking that challenge a bit further and challenging me to really dive into the word and study books in depth while also learning passionate prayer. In doing so, I felt called to pray for the nations as a way of holding me accountable for daily prayer and teaching me about intercessory prayer for my brothers and sisters around the world. I feel like a complete failure most days in comparison to Daniel, but I know that the Lord is working on this area of my life, and already I feel the change that is taking place.

It's awesome how God works and moves in so many different ways for so many different people. I'm still awed by the fact that He desires a personal relationship with me even though there are 6 billion (or more) people on this Earth that are probably a lot cooler than I am. I'm nothing special - just a girl who fails Him daily. Yet, despite my flaws, He still chose to die for me. His blood covers my filthy stains left behind by sin. He loves me for me, and He reaches down to me with love, grace, and mercy.

So because I'm behind, I'm not going to list each country with prayer requests that I've been praying for since my last Prayer for the Nations update, but I will give you a list to pray for, and if you would like more information on any one in particular feel free to comment, and I'll give you specific information. Please join me in praying for:

Australia (Pacific) - including Christmas Island and Cocos Islands
Norfolk Island (self governing dependent territory of Australia)
Austria (Europe)
Azerbaijan (Asia)
Bahamas (Caribbean)
Bahrain (Asia)
Bangladesh (Asia)
Barbados (Caribbean)
Belarus (Europe)

Main concerns for prayer would be the devil's movement through intensifying persecution as well as the intertwining of Christianity with secularism and materialism.

Crazy Love

A few months back I walked into our local Family Christian Bookstore in search of a Spanish/English Bible with the KJV in Spanish and NIV in the English translation. I found exactly what I was looking for but not before came across the bestsellers shelf. One copy of Crazy Love was standing on this shelf among other bestsellers, and I couldn't help but gravitate towards it. This seems insignificant, but might I add that friends had told me to read this book long ago. For so long I had avoided this book because I was afraid it might convict me and cause me to have to change my lifestyle. However, this cold, snowy day, in early 2011, God spoke to me and clearly told me to buy this book. Knowing it would put me over my budget for the week, I hesitated, yet I found myself moments later in the check-out line with this book and a Spanish KJV/English NIV Bible in hand.

You see, I'm cool with God. I love Jesus with my whole heart, but living in complete abandonment of self, can be a scary thought for this girl that likes to have everything under control. I like to convince myself that God is in control of my life, but often times I find myself worrying, stressed out, and clinging to MY LIFE while God is pushed to the backseat.

Currently, I'm about 3/4 of the way through the book, and I could not be more pleased with this purchase. It has made me think, and it has convicted me, but most importantly, it has developed within me a burning to desire to love God and know Him more. Many times throughout the book, I have had to stop right where I am, put the book down and pray. It has helped me to see more clearly my areas of weakness, but also it has shown me many of my strengths.

Something that stuck out to me tonight as I read was the word obsessed. Am I obsessed with Jesus, the Creator of the universe who loves me with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love? Francis Chan goes on to say that being obsessed with Christ means we hold NOTHING back...love others despite their flaws...take risks for Him...give Him the credit for all of our accomplishments...give to the poor even in tough times...sacrifice...serve.

And in the end...Being a Christian isn't about a list of do's and don'ts. It's about it's about falling in love with God. It's about living in reckless abandonment to him, because when you fall in love with someone, you become obsessed, and EVERYTHING CHANGES.

Love is a Motive

God's been working on my heart this month. He's put in my place many times, and He's been reminding me each day that He's the one in charge. The convictions keep coming my way, and while it can be frustrating, it's also rewarding.

I've been reading through the book of John with a friend. God has really been convicting me of being a true Christian. As I read I've been questioning my faith, and I've been challenged to make it stronger. My faith is big in my heart, but my actions in this world are small.

I had a conversation the other day with a Peruvian friend about serving and prayer. We had a very similar conversation last year around this time, and it actually again was brought up in Bible study tonight. You see, this man is a man of faith. He is prayer warrior for Christ, and his faith that Christ can and will provide for each one of his needs is stronger than most people I know. In all three conversations the basis of the topic was love...love for Christ leads to love for others.

Tonight at Bible study we read 1st Corinthians 13...the LOVE chapter. We talked about love as a motive, and I related this to the ,conversation I had with my friend earlier this week and year ago. In that conversation, my friend was telling me about all of the Americans that come to Peru to glorify themselves. He told me that he could easily spot someone who came down to serve in the ministry because they loved God and loved his people. He also told me that he has learned to easily spot those people who come to Peru to serve themselves and return home saying, "look what I did." He, too, mentioned love being the motive.

Serving because you want to bring glory to yourself leads you to be an ineffective witness and can sometimes turn others away from Christ. You get easily frustrated with the work, you lose patience with the lack of available resources, you become irritated at the different way of doing things, etc. However, when one chooses to serve others out of love for Christ and the mission Christ has set before us, the stakes change. Those you are serving see your heart, they notice your act of kindness, and they feel loved because you are loving on them through service. People are drawn to you when you serve in this way, and they want to know why you choose to serve them when you have "better things" to do with your time. They are drawn to Christ because you are a model of Christ's love to them.

Last year I was in Peru to serve. I was not there to bring glory to myself or have people say great things about me. I was there because God gave me a love for the people of Peru, and God provided an amazing opportunity for me to share life with them, even though it was only for a short time. Viewing love as a motive has really helped to shape my perspective in the last 18 months. Love is more than a word, it isn't just a feeling. Love is action. Love takes work and perserverence, but love always wins.

On a side note, through this friend, I've also been challenged to step up my prayer life and my faith that God does answer prayers. I've got a lot to work on, I suppose!!