One down...Three to go
I had a spanish test today...and I got my first 100%...woohoo!!! I also have three more tests today for my online classes which I'm not so enthusiastic about...but the good news is that all my online classes end the last week in April...so I'm halfway through this round of craziness.
I have this message floating around in my head and no one really to share it with (mostly because it's for me).
Mark 2: Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
I recently heard a message on this topic. A youth pastor who is planning on coming and being a M.A. spoke on how we are called to be "rope droppers" in the lives of those around us. In this story, because of these men's dedication and faith on behalf of their friend, he was healed spiritually and physically. After she spoke about this, it struck me that we can only drop the rope from where we ourselves are standing. It would have done their friend absolutely no good if they would have dropped the rope from outside the door, or before they created the hole in the roof. These men had to get past the crowds, climb onto the roof, and break through the barrier that existed...before they had access to Jesus so that they could introduce their friend to Him. They knew about Jesus, (I'm not sure on this one)...but it's possible that they had contact with Him before. The paralyzed man didn't need their past experiences. He needed his friends to have an encounter with Jesus that day, in that moment. That was what made a lasting impact in the life of their friend.
So that's it in a nutshell...in other news...our first Chi Alpha team is coming at the end of this week, and then we have three more after that.
Oh, here's a video of some guys practicing marshall arts at a park...It seems to be a pretty popular pasttime here.
Checking in...
Well, I haven't been very good at making myself blog everyday...obviously...and now I'm having a difficult time deciding what I should write about to catch up on things. I think go with random thoughts and hopefully you'll be able to make some sense out of it.
We've started working out the kinks in the schedule...but we definitely have a looong way to go. Here's a rough sketch of my schedule...
7:30 Monday, Wednesday, & Friday- Student Lead Devotions
Tuesday & Thursday- Pray at Cucea (another Universersity)
9:00 Monday- Friday- Spanish Classes at UAG
1:00 Monday& Tuesday- Engage Office Time
Wednesday- Teach English at Christina School
Thursday- After School Program in Paraisos (another community)
5:00 Tuesday & Thursday- Exercise Program
6:30 Everyday- Dinner (A very exciting part of the day)
7:30 Monday- Team Meeting
9:30 Friday- Downtown Homeless Outreach
...I feel like I spend most of my life on a bus...
I started my second week of level two for Spanish classes today. I feel like I've improved a lot with understanding when people are speaking to me...I at least almost always understand the basic idea of what is being communicated. The other day the teacher was telling a joke...and I knew it was a joke...but I didn't understand the punchline...so I laughed to keep from being frustrated. The teacher smiled and asked if anyone else understood the joke other than me...I was so scared that she was going to ask me to explain to the rest of my classmates. (She usually does that.) I got let off the hook though...because she just explained more slowly for "the rest of the class"...and I understood after that.
I've absolutely loved getting to know my classmates. I've was able to spend some time with them outside of class the other week. We had lunch and went to the park. (José is in the tree because a kite got stuck.) Soon, one of my classmates from last month...has adopted me as his "Primera Hija" because he is the same age as my dad. I've also been able to meet "Mi Mama" Sandra, and two adorable "Hermanitas" Lucia and Sara (Sara is the one in the picture.)
It's also been encouraging to grow closer to my team members...Right now we have a prank war raging between the two houses...and it's pretty intense classified information. Other than this recent turn of events... It's been positive overall. We had a Valentine's Day party...which was pretty exciting. Seriously though, I'm very thankful for the oportunity to be living with people who share a passion for missions, and who are so much fun.
I need to take more pictures during ministry!!! The picture on the left is some of the Christina's School kids. Although I always had this knowledge, I have been experiencing that missions is not an event, but it's building relationships. A lot of times these kids don't really care about learning English...but they're starving for someone to care about them.
The picture on the right is Catederal de Guadalajara (which is a very famous post card photo). The architecture is so awe-inspiring... and as Isaac (a pretty smart Engage guy) stated, "It's everything we're supposed to be on the inside." It's heart-breaking because this magnificent building stands in stark contrast to the harsh reality of life that surrounds it. Beside this building is where we hold our weekly Downtown Homeless Outreach. The people are so grateful for the small meal and love that we are able to provide for them...it's truly humbling for me.
Well...I think that pretty much wraps things up...
a full day...and a lot to think about
Yesterday was a very full day...in the morning I went on a University field trip to Tonala, a nearby community. They showed us the workshops where glass, Lupita dolls, and paper maché sculptures were made. It was very impressive to see these people at their work and it was incredible to watch the raw material in their hands take form.
As I was going through the various workshops, I noticed something that was described as "ironic" by one of the other University students. There were several stations where a crucifix, Mary, or the Pope would be right beside pictures of women in bikinis (and in some cases nothing).
When I first saw these, I thought that it was ironic as well. As I continued to ponder this, I realized that, really, this was an honest representation of the state in many hearts. To a majority of the population, Jesus is a part of a religion...and religion is easily put along side all the other facets that make up an individual's identity: Occupation, Family, Religion,Social Group, Political Standing, Economic Situation, Interests and Abilities, etc. There's nothing life changing simply about a religion.
The significance of this hit me like a ton of bricks. (Yes, this phrase is very clichéd...but I can't think of a better was to describe it.) I have been called to preach the Gospel, not religion. It's not enough for me to be saying or doing the right things, or to be helping others toward this as well. If all I have to offer is religious knowledge of a man who taught good principles, they may as well continue down the road they are currently travelling. I have to know Jesus. If I don't know Him every single moment of the day, I am simply plastering religion on my wall along side all of the other things in my life...and some of those things aren't pretty.
So, that's as far as I've processed on this topic. If you have any wisdom to add, I'd love to hear from you!
