Today, something amazing happened. A man by the name of "Papa Joe" came to our school to give his life story and the meaning behind the movie created after him called "Unconditional" (Which I highly recommend) To summarize his testimony, Papa Joe grew up with a rough life centered around pride and an absence of a father figure. As he grew up and after a serious downfall in his life leading to 8 years in prison, Joe encountered what it meant to love and be loved by a Father who would never leave or abandon Him. A father that is always protecting and prospering His children that choose to surrender to Him. After being released from Prison, Papa Joe moved down to a very poor area in Nashville where he met his wife and began a new life with her.
Something amazing happened within those first few months in the projects. God gave Joe a heart for children. And not just your average child, but the ones who were broken and without fathers. one after another, children began to gravitate to his home and as his ministry began to grow, so did the love and power of Christ through Papa Joe. He went from just handing out candy to kids, to feeding entire communities and mentoring kids all across Nashville and the rest of the country.
I think it was God's doing bringing that man to my school, for his words and testimony is exactly what I've been needing to hear. At this moment, I have over 100 children in the Dominican who desire a relationship with both an earthly and heavenly father. When I see his ministry, I can picture what I want mine to look like in the upcoming years. I don't see college on this road I'm walking, nor do I see a big house with a cheeky "suburban" family and luxurious lifestyle. But what I do see is myself after a long day, covered in dirt and sweat from helping, loving, and serving the least of these. And in my eyes... right now the least of these are those children who are growing up in homes that are bound to cave in on them if they don't have a father figure to hold up the foundation. I could easily brush this dire need off my shoulder and say "someone else will do it" or I can get up, pack my things, die to myself, and live the rest of my life thriving and loving as Jesus did. I am on this earth to be in complete surrender to God, not in complete surrender to comfort.
I look at Chino, Nino, Angel Manuel, and Angelica Maria, who have lost their father to suicide, and wonder who in the world is going to take them in. Then I ask God... "Did you Oh Lord.. want me.. of all people.. to guide these children." and the Bible verse Matthew 25:35-40 comes to my mind and pierces my heart.
" For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."
As these finals days of preparation for my return to the Dominican Republic approach, I am overwhelmed with the sure fact that in just days I will get to go on a plane, walk into one of the most dirtiest and dangerous neighborhoods, walk up to Chino, Nino, Manuel, and Angelica Maria and give them the biggest hug you could possibly imagine. And I love them, not because they are poor... or because they have no Father.... but because when I see them.. I see Jesus. And I am to treat these beautifully broken children as I would treat my Abba Father. God bless you all and please keep me and the teams in your prayers as we venture out into the unknown next Monday.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
A friend. A brother.
Hey everyone! It has been a while, I know! After 12 years of schooling I am still trying to figure this stuff out. I am now at T-minus 11 days until I return to the Dominican Republic for a 1 week mission trip with my school. It is tough to enter a country for a short amount of time after you've spent an entire summer there, but I'm just happy that in under two short weeks I will be reunited with the same wonderful hugs and kisses from the same wonderful kids that stole my heart this time two years ago.
On another note, God has been doing some amazing work in my life. To start, After going to a Christian convention called "One Thing" with my senior class in December, God has placed a 6 month program called YWAM in my path. I will be attending classes late August. But before I get to the direction God has me headed in, I'd like to talk about someone who he has placed in my life to walk this road of wonder and unknown with me. No relatives who always ask if I have a girlfriend, it is not one of those bizarre creatures. Rather, it is someone I have been praying for God to place in my life for a very long time. For years, in fact.
For the longest time, I was very very infatuated in finding a "bestfriend". Everyone around me all my life had at least one person that they grew closer to than any other friends. And growing up, I never had one. There would be nights where I would question myself and question God as to why others could have the closeness with another person, but I was without that. It bothered me all the way through high school until I just left it alone. I had tons of friends, so why complain? Little did I know, however, that God has plans for our walk and answers our prayers, just not at the times we want Him to.
As I was planning out how my future in missions would look, God decided to place an individual in my path to not only encounter this journey with me, but to help me grow in Christ with him. And of all people, this individual was my last guess as to who God would chose to put in my life to help me strengthen my relationship with Jesus.
It was mid November and I was awake late at night praying and worshipping God when I came across a post about God transforming this young man's life. This young man happened to be the same guy who influenced me my junior year to get involved in partying and things that drew me away from my Abba. Little did I know that God was about to teach me forgiveness in the weirdest way possible. By uniting two people whom would never thought would be friends again after high school. I knew the guy one year and after I gave my life completely to Christ, I never really spoke to him. We were headed into two separate directions, but now... now he did the unthinkable. He realized the path he was on had an end he knew he didn't want to reach. So he simply turned in the opposite direction and fought Satan head on to get back to Jesus.
This whole sudden transformation has happened to many of my friends who are caught up in addiction or lack of faith, and what usually happens is a sudden spiritual high then a defeat followed by a reentering to their old life, but this.... this was different. For some odd reason, I saw potential. For the first time, I saw transformation happening in this boy just by reading the compassion in his post. He meant it... He really meant it. Not 30 minutes later did this guy randomly call me telling me what had just happened in his life. That very next day we hung out and....well.... haven't really stopped. In fact, I went from having one bible study alone once every month to a bible study every other day with my brother in Christ. From Matthew to Revelation, we are encountering Christ together. And we will continue to pursue this unfathomable God together.
In Luke 10:1-4 it says, "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road."
After both me and my new brother discovered this verse, we smiled with Joy and realized the very reason God put is together. So that we may strengthen and lengthen the kingdom of God through His love and power. He is going to YWAM with me. He is coming with me to the Dominican in 11 days and again this summer for a month. Me and Him are experiencing life together. And the transformation won't start when these trips occur, for it has already begun! Every week, we have started leading Bible studies together with new believers who are needing guidance.
God truly works wonders in the oddest of ways. This man has gone from a friend, to a stranger, to a brother! And my forgiveness for him stretches over the ends of the earth. For I would have never met him if I hadn't been invited to those parties..... God works things out and lets things happen so that He may receive the glory. We were both prodigal sons who just came home at different times. But we came back to the same Father who loved us just the same. After years of prayer for that one friend who I can have this closeness to than others can.. God answered my prayer.. and then some. He not only gave me a best friend.. He gave me a fellow disciple who is SAVED and who loves Jesus more than he loves himself. I am proud to call him my brother!
So ladies and gents... That is what is going on right now. I am being continuously left with my jaw to the floor due to the amazing power God shows me. I am undeserving and I need nothing but to be left for dead.. but God loved me so much that he brings me to life every single day. I am destined for Hell, but my God redeems me every second. I should be struck dead but Christ brings life through every breath I take.
On another note, God has been doing some amazing work in my life. To start, After going to a Christian convention called "One Thing" with my senior class in December, God has placed a 6 month program called YWAM in my path. I will be attending classes late August. But before I get to the direction God has me headed in, I'd like to talk about someone who he has placed in my life to walk this road of wonder and unknown with me. No relatives who always ask if I have a girlfriend, it is not one of those bizarre creatures. Rather, it is someone I have been praying for God to place in my life for a very long time. For years, in fact.
For the longest time, I was very very infatuated in finding a "bestfriend". Everyone around me all my life had at least one person that they grew closer to than any other friends. And growing up, I never had one. There would be nights where I would question myself and question God as to why others could have the closeness with another person, but I was without that. It bothered me all the way through high school until I just left it alone. I had tons of friends, so why complain? Little did I know, however, that God has plans for our walk and answers our prayers, just not at the times we want Him to.
As I was planning out how my future in missions would look, God decided to place an individual in my path to not only encounter this journey with me, but to help me grow in Christ with him. And of all people, this individual was my last guess as to who God would chose to put in my life to help me strengthen my relationship with Jesus.
It was mid November and I was awake late at night praying and worshipping God when I came across a post about God transforming this young man's life. This young man happened to be the same guy who influenced me my junior year to get involved in partying and things that drew me away from my Abba. Little did I know that God was about to teach me forgiveness in the weirdest way possible. By uniting two people whom would never thought would be friends again after high school. I knew the guy one year and after I gave my life completely to Christ, I never really spoke to him. We were headed into two separate directions, but now... now he did the unthinkable. He realized the path he was on had an end he knew he didn't want to reach. So he simply turned in the opposite direction and fought Satan head on to get back to Jesus.
This whole sudden transformation has happened to many of my friends who are caught up in addiction or lack of faith, and what usually happens is a sudden spiritual high then a defeat followed by a reentering to their old life, but this.... this was different. For some odd reason, I saw potential. For the first time, I saw transformation happening in this boy just by reading the compassion in his post. He meant it... He really meant it. Not 30 minutes later did this guy randomly call me telling me what had just happened in his life. That very next day we hung out and....well.... haven't really stopped. In fact, I went from having one bible study alone once every month to a bible study every other day with my brother in Christ. From Matthew to Revelation, we are encountering Christ together. And we will continue to pursue this unfathomable God together.
In Luke 10:1-4 it says, "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road."
After both me and my new brother discovered this verse, we smiled with Joy and realized the very reason God put is together. So that we may strengthen and lengthen the kingdom of God through His love and power. He is going to YWAM with me. He is coming with me to the Dominican in 11 days and again this summer for a month. Me and Him are experiencing life together. And the transformation won't start when these trips occur, for it has already begun! Every week, we have started leading Bible studies together with new believers who are needing guidance.
God truly works wonders in the oddest of ways. This man has gone from a friend, to a stranger, to a brother! And my forgiveness for him stretches over the ends of the earth. For I would have never met him if I hadn't been invited to those parties..... God works things out and lets things happen so that He may receive the glory. We were both prodigal sons who just came home at different times. But we came back to the same Father who loved us just the same. After years of prayer for that one friend who I can have this closeness to than others can.. God answered my prayer.. and then some. He not only gave me a best friend.. He gave me a fellow disciple who is SAVED and who loves Jesus more than he loves himself. I am proud to call him my brother!
So ladies and gents... That is what is going on right now. I am being continuously left with my jaw to the floor due to the amazing power God shows me. I am undeserving and I need nothing but to be left for dead.. but God loved me so much that he brings me to life every single day. I am destined for Hell, but my God redeems me every second. I should be struck dead but Christ brings life through every breath I take.
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