Suffering and Eternity

So, I just got back from Conexión. That’s the young adult group. We fellowship, worship, and have a teaching every other Saturday. Something I am very thankful for. A feeding time for me, and a time to… connect.

The topic- Why do we suffer if God loves us?

1. God has given us the freedom to make choices.
2. There are natural laws- for every action, there is a reaction….
Every decision we make has a consequence, sometimes only for us, but usually for ourselves and others. If I decide to ride my bike through a busy intersection without looking I am probably going to get hit by a car. If I decide to drive one of our big vans through the colonia going 40 miles an hour I will probably hit a kid. Consequeses are obvious. In both cases someone suffers- in the second case the kid was completely innocent.
This can also help explain generational sin. If your parents set the example of being drunk all the time, that’s what you learn.

3. God never promised us a pain free life- On the contrary, he promised that those who follow Him will suffer. Jesus suffered more than any of us can imagine. If we are following Jesus and trying to be more like Him, we can’t leave suffering out of that. In fact Paul counts it a joy to share in Christ’s suffering! Being persecuted for Jesus is a good thing! It gets us a bigger crown in heaven, it means we are actually being used by God, He is refining us, we are being effective for His kingdom.

On top of all that, this life is a breath. It will be gone before we know it, and when we are in heaven in God’s presence surrounded by His glory, will any of this suffering matter?
…..who visited us this summer asked us to think about- What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you? Think about it- what is it? Now, what is the second worst thing that has happened to you? Have it in your mind. Now, what is the third worst? Fourth? Fifth? Sixth? I got stuck on number 3. Now- what is the best thing that has happened to you? Second best? Third? Fourth? Fifth? Sixth? I could keep going. Maybe I am a bad example. I know I have had a pretty cushy life and not suffered much in comparison. But even if we look back on our life and all we remember is pain (not likely), it doesn’t even begin to compare with eternity in heaven. Eternity in heaven! Free from pain, sin, temptation, sadness, free from this world- FOREVER! Wow.

This reminded me of reading Desiring God by John Piper. One of the little sub sections in a chapter is titled Living on the Brink of Eternity. This phrase means so much to me- he explains that if we are living on the brink, we can see into eternity, we focus on what will last- we will gladly suffer for God’s glory, for the kingdom, and for our own crown… like, put your hope in heaven, store up your treasure in heaven.

Now for my disclaimer. I’m not doing it. I am focused on things of this world, worrying about what people think, rather that what God thinks. Right now I merely see the need to be more focused on eternity, and I am excited to live it out, but it’s hard. We all know that. Please pray for me. I want to have all of my hope in heaven, to live completely for Jesus alone.

Algo más

While Doug was teaching there were a group of boys outside our building throwing rocks at the door, whistling, knocking on the gate, yelling. They are about 8 to 12 years old, they think they are a gang, they are hurting kids looking for attention and acceptance, and its really sad. They have been hanging around our building for about 2 months now, graffitiing, interrupting our tutoring classes, setting things on fire, keeping the boys awake, and so much more. They are incredibly disrespectful. It is a frustrating thing for the team but so much worse for Stephen and Chris who live there, and deal with it every night.

I share this for two reasons. One- Mary’s response was that if we are not facing opposition, we should wonder who we are working for. In other words- we are working for God, and Satan is our enemy- he is going to attack us in whatever way he can. I don’t think the kids are demon possessed or anything, but Satan sure is using them to discourage us. It has also been helpful to remember: our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

Two- please pray for us! Pray for the kids, pray for protection of our building, the team, pray for patience, love, wisdom, and victory in this battle. Pray we would respond as Jesus would, and that God would use it for such good. That we would be open to being refined by God through this. Pray for our whole team, but especially for Stephen and Chris.

Mayra Jaquelin

Last Friday was a normal Friday. I worked on house money, met with Becca to plan for ESMAT, also had a Club teacher meeting with Érika and Stephen. Then I went to visit two girls in my class. At Gabriela’s house I was greeted by 5 kids between the ages of 2 and 11. They kept me company while I waited for Gabriela to come home. Then we all gathered in a circle outside their house and played memory on the ground. Every time someone got a pair, everyone would cheer and clap. It was a fun time- great atmosphere. When it was time to color we climbed into the back of the van and practiced verse songs while we colored.

Mayra (Left) and Rocio- two of my 8 year olds.
The visit with Mayra was very different. She doesn’t have any siblings. From a few conversations I had with her in past weeks I suspected that she might have a strong faith and a relationship with Jesus. After we read about Zacchaeus, I asked her if she had a Bible. “Yes” I asked if she read it- “When I finish my homework, I turn off the TV and turn off the stereo and read the Bible.” I was speechless. I hope I did not convey anything negative about it in my disbelief. I managed to get out some affirmation. Then I looked- she had a bookmark in Psalms. She had started in Genesis. Again, speechless, mouth hanging open. I attempted a sentence a few time and finally managed to tell her how great it was that she was reading her Bible, and to never stop doing it. She nodded. I asked if someone had told her to read her Bible, her mom, a missionary, a priest. “No, I just get bored playing in the street, so I like to read the Bible.” Very matter of fact. I encouraged her again, and we began to color and practice verse songs. I couldn’t stop thinking about it… I could disciple her! We could have Bible studies! This is SO great! We can pray together. “Is there a part that you don’t understand, or that confuses you?” “The first part, no” She opened to Revelation. “Just this part”

I am humbled, encouraged, blessed, in awe, and praising God. Faith like a child?

photos

Well, we just got DSL here at the Patio, so I am celebrating by uploading some photos! :)

















Here's a more accurate team photo. Normal clothes, having fun... :)
Chris, Doug, Stephen
Katie, Gaby, Becca, Meredith
Jonathan, Christy, Me, Christine, Elizabeth.

















And here I am with David and David "Chicles" teaching the new verse song. (Im doing actions) Oh the verse is Proverbs 5.21 Our paths are in the veiw of the Lord. He examines all of our ways. Literal translation from Spanish.

Spiritually?

God is good. He is so faithful. What does it really mean that God is good? He is all knowing and that means he always knows what is the best for us. And what is the best for us? His best? It means that He gets the glory, and we get the pleasure of giving Him the glory. I cant explain it well. It’s one of the mysteries of God.

I am reading Give me this Mountain By Helen Rosevere- A missionary in Africa.
She was advised: If you think you are here because you are a little better than the rest, or because you are the cream of your church, or for the service you will give the African church, or even the souls you will see God save, you will fail. God has one purpose for each of us- to make us more like Jesus Christ. He is interested in our relationship with Him alone.

I confess that I thought all of those things. I came down here thinking. “I am going to be such a blessing to this team and to the kids in Fresnillo. I am going to be such a servant and everyone will see how much I love Jesus by how I serve. It’s true, I thought that. Sometimes, I still catch myself thinking such loco thoughts. Así es human nature. God is growing me and humbling me. One thing that he uses repeatedly is Spanish. When 7 year olds talk excitedly about something that happened at school, with no reference and cultural differences, I have a hard time understanding. When I stare at them blankly or ask them to repeat 4 times, they sigh and look at me like I know nothing. I am learning how to change the subject. They don’t mind that so much.

Ruth is one of my new friends here. She is one of the Club poster kids. She just finished a year internship as a Club teacher. Now she is a missionary in Zacatecas where she works at an orphanage. She is my hero. I am learning so much from her. This is something else that shows me how much God does not need me to be here. Instead He is using my situation to refine me and grow me.

I know that in my head. I also know that the more I submit to Him and let Him refine me, the deeper, better relationship I will have with Him, the more glory He will get, and the more joy I will have. That is something I want but I am also afraid of. I also know it will mean trials and not being in control of my life- not that I am anyway, but it is nice to feel like I am and pretend like I am. So that’s the battle inside me right now.

Enchiladas

Katie and I stared, mesmerized by the red liquid gurgling and spinning in the blender. We were at Olga’s house learning how to make enchiladas. Salsa- that was the blending liquid. 8 mira sol chiles, 1/2 clove of garlic, salt, water, a stick of cinnamon, and a big chunch of chocolate is what we put into the blender. Yes, cinnamon and chocolate in the salsa.
After about 5 min of blending we tasted it. Katie had a dramatic reaction. Open mouth breathing, gulping water. I took note and took a tiny, tiny taste. I’m pretty sure Olga thought we were kidding at first. She added more salt and got out the spicy chiles. I assured her emphatically that it was spicy enough and her daughters just laughed.
But, we learned how to make enchiladas. Yum.
We also got to hear about how Olga has changed over the years. She told us:
I used to hate having visitors. The missionaries would come to play with my kids and I would hide in the bathroom. And I didn’t let the kids go to Club. When I found out that Liz (6) was going, I hit her. She said, you can hit me all you want, but I will still go to Club. I told her she had to take care of her sisters. She took them to Club with her.
Liz was a Club teacher for a few years, and is studying to be a teacher. Olga’s granddaughter goes to Club, and they all attend church and cell groups.
She loves having visitors now, especially hungry missionaries.
She also loves Jesus now.