I had my first truly international mission experience last month. I have been wanting to write about it, but have simply not taken the time. So, now I am going to dive in with my first impression.
1. We are so very fortunate. Americans are so very fortunate to live in the greatest country on Earth. We are blessed in so many ways and I can't express how grateful that I am that I live here in this great place. The rest of the world is not like us and I am going to try to explain this truth.
In America, we complain about potholes in our roads, and there are surely roads with potholes in them. However, in South Africa there were a few places where there was more hole than road. There were some roads, on the map and our driver's GPS that were not able to be driven on. While sitting up front with our driver, there were several times that he would look at the road the GPS had him on and say, "I'm not even going to try that." Roads within towns and communities were regularly tricky and some unusable.
While we complain about the most trivial of things, I found that most in South Africa were thankful for such things. If we have to deal with a water problem at our house for a few hours, we get frustrated. In the town of Kroonstad, which we were warned has horrible water - all we could do is bathe in the water, nothing else - the children of the neighborhood sprinted to the water faucet outside of Emmanuel Baptist Church to get life sustaining, if filthy, water. One of the biggest thrills seemed to be when we purchased cups for the children to use at the church. They were simply thrilled with the blessing of a cup.
We have poor people in our midst. If you open your eyes you will find them all around you. I know this because I force myself to see the need around me, even when I don't want to. Yet, the need of those in our country are far from the needs of the people in South Africa. For example -
American poor - can't pay electric bill
SA poor - have no electricity
American poor - struggle to feed their families, but have some government support
SA poor- struggle to feed their families with no hope of support
American poor - homeless lack adequate shelter, but there are those at work to help in most towns and cities
SA poor- homeless are just that, without a home, and no answers from local, state or federal authorities
American poor - lack access to adequate health care, but can go to emergency room in real emergency
SA poor - have no place to go for help if they become ill
I suppose the bottom line is this - our poor have hope because somebody cares - government, churches, charity organizations, etc. The South African poor really have no hope - life is what it is and then it is gone. Seeing this has inspired me to life life differently. I no longer want to worry or care about the small things that can come against me. Those things are irritating, but should not be able to defeat us. Life is about more than what we want and complaining about not getting how and when we wanted.
Friends, we are so fortunate. We should live our lives constantly giving God thanks for His blessing.
More to come.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Friday, December 9, 2011
So, I was locked out of a monastery. . .
I know, its probably happened to all of us at one one time or another, but Wednesday night I found myself locked out of a monastery in Richmond. I was in Richmond for some life changing training and I made it back from my "city excursion" about 10 minutes after 10 p.m., the time they close the gates.
I stood outside side shivering in the rain as I picked up the emergency phone to let the people know I was trying to get in. The phone should not be called an emergency one, because nobody answered. Every time I tried to use it, I would go through voice prompts and then end up at one of the residents' voicemail. It was very frustrating - not only was I going to have to park my vehicle, the KidMobile (our gold minivan), on the street but I was also locked out myself.
It took some creativity, but I managed to get in without trying to scale the 12 ft high brick walls that surround the just after the Civil War built structure. I called some fellow attendees and they let me in a side door.
Two points from that humbling experience. First, i think I was given a great example of how people who don't know Jesus may feel every day. For many years, those who are Christians have called those without Christ - "lost". I felt what it was like to be "lost". I had left the monastery with about two hours of time before the closing of the gates. I was not a big fan of the salmon cakes served for dinner so I wondered out to find some local Italian fare. Apollo's provided a warm and tasty Stromboli that cured my hunger and excited my taste buds. I left there with 20 or so minutes left to get to Richmond Hill before the gates would close for the night, but decided that I did not want to fight the interstate back to downtown Richmond, near Shockoe Bottom. I instead decided to go back taking Broad Street to my destination as I had done earlier in the day.
I turned the wrong way out of the restaurant and went at least two miles out of the way before realizing I was moving away from the city. After turning around I made it back to the general area with just a few minutes to spare but could not find the corner of E. Grace Street where the monastery resides. I drove back and forth, up an down the streets that surround my destination, but it took me at least 15 minutes to stumble upon the base I was seeking. Then to be unable to get inside was extremely frustrating.
It dawned on me that people who do not know about Jesus, people who did not grow up in a Christian home, those who grew up in a place where Christianity is forbidden likely feel like I felt that night. It is quite possible that they know the direction they need to go to get to Jesus, but have no clue of what to do once they get there. It is also possible that some come to the outside of our churches and stare at the symbols that we no longer pay attention to - like the cross and, during this season, the manger - but feel like they are locked out because they don't know what it takes to get in.
Some may also feel helpless like I did with the emergency phone, it did nothing to let me in. Many who are still without Christ may look at the Bible with a puzzled look needing help and guidance like the Ethiopian that Phillip ministered to in the book of Acts. While I know the Holy Spirit can move without a translator, it would be much easier if one were available. People need someone to share the Truth with them.
It was fortunate for me that I had someone on the inside who could open the door for me to get in out of the rain and cold. I think there are many who are seeking God, whether they realize it or not, who need one of us to open the door of the gospel of Jesus for them. We have a responsibility, as the ones who are indeed inside the arms of our Savior to be seeking those who are looking to find that same place of refuge.
What are we doing to make sure the access to the Answer they are seeking is open and free? What are we doing to open those doors do that everyone can find their way into the safety and forgiveness of our Savior?
That is the point of The Bridge. It is my sincere desire to make sure that there is a place for people to come and find the love and forgiveness that can only come through our Savior. We are here to seek and ave the lost and to disciple and equip those who profess a faith in Jesus.
The second note is a change in my game plan for being the Pastor of The Bridge. Up to this point I have accepted a part-time package to attempt to launch and lead this congregation that was my dream and is still my passion. I have realized that I can't do the job I'm called to and work other jobs that take me away from the task God has given to me. Therefore, I was blessed to be trained this week in raising my own support and doing this new calling as a mission. I have fully accepted this idea and as soon as we get back from South Africa next month I will launch into a season of ministry partner recruitment. I hope to get to everyone and give them the opportunity to be a part of this much needed ministry to the students of Radford University and to the city of Radford at large.
I will need your prayers as I take on this new challenge, but I can no longer sit back and wait for it to happen. I must take a complete step of faith and do my part to fulfill this ministry calling that I have in my heart and life.
To God be the glory, now and forever,
Rusty
I stood outside side shivering in the rain as I picked up the emergency phone to let the people know I was trying to get in. The phone should not be called an emergency one, because nobody answered. Every time I tried to use it, I would go through voice prompts and then end up at one of the residents' voicemail. It was very frustrating - not only was I going to have to park my vehicle, the KidMobile (our gold minivan), on the street but I was also locked out myself.
It took some creativity, but I managed to get in without trying to scale the 12 ft high brick walls that surround the just after the Civil War built structure. I called some fellow attendees and they let me in a side door.
Two points from that humbling experience. First, i think I was given a great example of how people who don't know Jesus may feel every day. For many years, those who are Christians have called those without Christ - "lost". I felt what it was like to be "lost". I had left the monastery with about two hours of time before the closing of the gates. I was not a big fan of the salmon cakes served for dinner so I wondered out to find some local Italian fare. Apollo's provided a warm and tasty Stromboli that cured my hunger and excited my taste buds. I left there with 20 or so minutes left to get to Richmond Hill before the gates would close for the night, but decided that I did not want to fight the interstate back to downtown Richmond, near Shockoe Bottom. I instead decided to go back taking Broad Street to my destination as I had done earlier in the day.
I turned the wrong way out of the restaurant and went at least two miles out of the way before realizing I was moving away from the city. After turning around I made it back to the general area with just a few minutes to spare but could not find the corner of E. Grace Street where the monastery resides. I drove back and forth, up an down the streets that surround my destination, but it took me at least 15 minutes to stumble upon the base I was seeking. Then to be unable to get inside was extremely frustrating.
It dawned on me that people who do not know about Jesus, people who did not grow up in a Christian home, those who grew up in a place where Christianity is forbidden likely feel like I felt that night. It is quite possible that they know the direction they need to go to get to Jesus, but have no clue of what to do once they get there. It is also possible that some come to the outside of our churches and stare at the symbols that we no longer pay attention to - like the cross and, during this season, the manger - but feel like they are locked out because they don't know what it takes to get in.
Some may also feel helpless like I did with the emergency phone, it did nothing to let me in. Many who are still without Christ may look at the Bible with a puzzled look needing help and guidance like the Ethiopian that Phillip ministered to in the book of Acts. While I know the Holy Spirit can move without a translator, it would be much easier if one were available. People need someone to share the Truth with them.
It was fortunate for me that I had someone on the inside who could open the door for me to get in out of the rain and cold. I think there are many who are seeking God, whether they realize it or not, who need one of us to open the door of the gospel of Jesus for them. We have a responsibility, as the ones who are indeed inside the arms of our Savior to be seeking those who are looking to find that same place of refuge.
What are we doing to make sure the access to the Answer they are seeking is open and free? What are we doing to open those doors do that everyone can find their way into the safety and forgiveness of our Savior?
That is the point of The Bridge. It is my sincere desire to make sure that there is a place for people to come and find the love and forgiveness that can only come through our Savior. We are here to seek and ave the lost and to disciple and equip those who profess a faith in Jesus.
The second note is a change in my game plan for being the Pastor of The Bridge. Up to this point I have accepted a part-time package to attempt to launch and lead this congregation that was my dream and is still my passion. I have realized that I can't do the job I'm called to and work other jobs that take me away from the task God has given to me. Therefore, I was blessed to be trained this week in raising my own support and doing this new calling as a mission. I have fully accepted this idea and as soon as we get back from South Africa next month I will launch into a season of ministry partner recruitment. I hope to get to everyone and give them the opportunity to be a part of this much needed ministry to the students of Radford University and to the city of Radford at large.
I will need your prayers as I take on this new challenge, but I can no longer sit back and wait for it to happen. I must take a complete step of faith and do my part to fulfill this ministry calling that I have in my heart and life.
To God be the glory, now and forever,
Rusty
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Saying thanks!
When Jennifer and I felt the call to make the move from our former place of service to Radford we knew that the transition would not be easy. We had a house to sell 45 minutes away and it would be almost impossible to drive back and forth.
We did give the back and forth everyday a try, for a week, but it was a tremendous failure - the kids have to be at school early, Joshua at 7:30, and have different times to be picked up, Jen often needs to be at her building until at least 7, on BCM nights more like 10, up early and back late and it just did not work.
So, we were given a six month window to rent a house and live in Radford while we attempted to sell the house in Wythe County. The six months sped by and we found ourselves paying rent and a house payment for a house we were no longer living in plus utilities for two homes. It was literally killing us financially.
For many months we had no movement on the house. We changed realtors hoping for a spark and although there was a little action up front, still no solid leads. We were less than a week from our short term agreement with the new agent was going to expire and that would mean that we would be forced to rent the house to keep us afloat. Suddenly, a ray of light appeared and then a second ray of light appeared. Two sets of talks were taking place and then on Sunday we received a solid offer that we accepted. Now, don't get me wrong, we are not getting what we thought the house was worth, we are going to be lucky to buy a groceries for a few days with our "profit", but we have a contract to sell our house.
We are not fully celebrating yet. There are still hoops to jump through, but I feel that if God has carried us this far, He will not fail us now. The closing is set for just before Christmas and just nine days before we leave to do our mission trip to South Africa, and we could not be more excited.
I have to admit, there were times in the last 17 months that I didn't know what we could do if the house didn't sell, yet God was faithful. I know some people have though I was crazy for taking this path, but God has shown, once again, that He works in mysterious ways.
I am ever so thankful.
We did give the back and forth everyday a try, for a week, but it was a tremendous failure - the kids have to be at school early, Joshua at 7:30, and have different times to be picked up, Jen often needs to be at her building until at least 7, on BCM nights more like 10, up early and back late and it just did not work.
So, we were given a six month window to rent a house and live in Radford while we attempted to sell the house in Wythe County. The six months sped by and we found ourselves paying rent and a house payment for a house we were no longer living in plus utilities for two homes. It was literally killing us financially.
For many months we had no movement on the house. We changed realtors hoping for a spark and although there was a little action up front, still no solid leads. We were less than a week from our short term agreement with the new agent was going to expire and that would mean that we would be forced to rent the house to keep us afloat. Suddenly, a ray of light appeared and then a second ray of light appeared. Two sets of talks were taking place and then on Sunday we received a solid offer that we accepted. Now, don't get me wrong, we are not getting what we thought the house was worth, we are going to be lucky to buy a groceries for a few days with our "profit", but we have a contract to sell our house.
We are not fully celebrating yet. There are still hoops to jump through, but I feel that if God has carried us this far, He will not fail us now. The closing is set for just before Christmas and just nine days before we leave to do our mission trip to South Africa, and we could not be more excited.
I have to admit, there were times in the last 17 months that I didn't know what we could do if the house didn't sell, yet God was faithful. I know some people have though I was crazy for taking this path, but God has shown, once again, that He works in mysterious ways.
I am ever so thankful.
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Holidays
I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. While I love the season and the reason for it, I get very tired of what both Thanksgiving and Christmas have evolved into.
Thanksgiving is meant to be a time of saying thanks, to God and others, for our blessings. It seems, at this point, to be more the day before the first Christmas shopping day we call Black Friday. Christmas is not celebrated as the birth of our Savior as much as it is a time for exchanging gifts and waiting for the arrival of a man wearing a red suit. While this should be the celebration of the coming of our Savior, it is more now a days a celebration of tradition - some good and some bad.
Christmas, which I have always felt should be a time of reflection and awe, has become a hectic, out of control plant with materialistic roots. I do not even think that many realize why we give gifts at Christmas. The idea that we exchange gifts as a way to remember God's greatest gift to us and the fact that the traveling wise men honored the birth of Jesus with gifts seems almost foreign.
Christmas, I am afraid, has lost its meaning.
So, what to do about this problem? I feel with all my heart that it can be fixed if those who know Christ as their Savior would choose to refocus their hearts and the hearts of their family members to celebrate the true reason for the season. Jesus should be the center of all that we say and do, always, but especially during the time we pause to thank God for sending His only Son to earth to pay the price for my sin and yours.
If all who know the true meaning would put our focus more on the manger scene and less on a velvet red sack filled with toys and credit card bills, then things could change. At our house, we have the nativity scene set up front and center under the tree and it stays there to remind us of the purpose of it all.
God had a similar reaction to "religious" celebrations in Old Testament days. In Isaiah 1, verse 14, God declares - "I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them." I would imagine that God has a similar reaction to our modern holidays. In those days the "religious" festivals and celebrations had turned into something different, often losing their meaning all together. I feel that we are heading that way with our sacred holidays today as well.
So, this holiday season I challenge you to make these days "holy" days, that is how we get the work holiday by the way, for you and your family. Focus on what is truly important and push aside the things that do not matter in the long run. I don't have a problem with Santa, but he should never come before the one whose birthday we are celebrating.
Celebrate and remember true meaning this season. Merry Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is meant to be a time of saying thanks, to God and others, for our blessings. It seems, at this point, to be more the day before the first Christmas shopping day we call Black Friday. Christmas is not celebrated as the birth of our Savior as much as it is a time for exchanging gifts and waiting for the arrival of a man wearing a red suit. While this should be the celebration of the coming of our Savior, it is more now a days a celebration of tradition - some good and some bad.
Christmas, which I have always felt should be a time of reflection and awe, has become a hectic, out of control plant with materialistic roots. I do not even think that many realize why we give gifts at Christmas. The idea that we exchange gifts as a way to remember God's greatest gift to us and the fact that the traveling wise men honored the birth of Jesus with gifts seems almost foreign.
Christmas, I am afraid, has lost its meaning.
So, what to do about this problem? I feel with all my heart that it can be fixed if those who know Christ as their Savior would choose to refocus their hearts and the hearts of their family members to celebrate the true reason for the season. Jesus should be the center of all that we say and do, always, but especially during the time we pause to thank God for sending His only Son to earth to pay the price for my sin and yours.
If all who know the true meaning would put our focus more on the manger scene and less on a velvet red sack filled with toys and credit card bills, then things could change. At our house, we have the nativity scene set up front and center under the tree and it stays there to remind us of the purpose of it all.
God had a similar reaction to "religious" celebrations in Old Testament days. In Isaiah 1, verse 14, God declares - "I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them." I would imagine that God has a similar reaction to our modern holidays. In those days the "religious" festivals and celebrations had turned into something different, often losing their meaning all together. I feel that we are heading that way with our sacred holidays today as well.
So, this holiday season I challenge you to make these days "holy" days, that is how we get the work holiday by the way, for you and your family. Focus on what is truly important and push aside the things that do not matter in the long run. I don't have a problem with Santa, but he should never come before the one whose birthday we are celebrating.
Celebrate and remember true meaning this season. Merry Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thanksgiving
This is the time of year that we set aside to say thanks. I have often wondered if we do a very good job of giving thanks at Thanksgiving.
What is the holiday actually about? Do we focus on the first Thanksgiving where the settlers of the New World had a feast with the natives to show appreciation for what they did to assist them when they arrived grossly unprepared? Do we focus more on the spiritual aspect of taking time to thank God for His provision? Maybe we take one day to step back and give thanks for everything, giving God the praise for it all.
However, if you look at what we actually do, most of the stuff listed above is not the focus on the fourth Thursday of November.
Most people actually do not have a great grasp on what actually happened that first day of feast. The Europeans who made trhe trip here were not ready for the harsh winter of the northeast. Many died and many more would have if it were not for some merciful native Americans who helped the new lighter skinned neighbors. The feast was a celebration of life, survival to be more exact, giving God praise for His grace and thanks for the help of the uncivilized population they rather peacefully invaded.
I believe that we should tink about that at this time of the year as well. There are people all around us who fall ill and pass away. Many of them are elderly and the outcome is ratehr expected, but others are young and seemingly not ready for that final step into eternity. Each and every day we need to give thanks for life and on Thanksgiving maybe we should make a special effort to be thankful for our survival, our continuing life.
The spiritual side of the celebration has been masked by the other activities. It is entirely possible to celebrate Thanksgiving without including God at all. To some, Thanksgiving is a day for a parade in New York City, two football games during the day and one at night, an opportunity to dig into the closet and secure the festive ornaments of the next months celebration and, possibly the most important, the day before Black Friday. None of those activities have anything to do with God and His provision. Some have managed to take the star of the show out of the special day.
Thanksgiving should be a time for reflection, thanking God for what He has done and trusting Him to do what needs to be done in the future. As you celebrate next week, I pray that you not only celebrate a meal and enjoy the traditions, but that we take time, like those who celebrated this time first, to say thank you for His great gift of life.
What is the holiday actually about? Do we focus on the first Thanksgiving where the settlers of the New World had a feast with the natives to show appreciation for what they did to assist them when they arrived grossly unprepared? Do we focus more on the spiritual aspect of taking time to thank God for His provision? Maybe we take one day to step back and give thanks for everything, giving God the praise for it all.
However, if you look at what we actually do, most of the stuff listed above is not the focus on the fourth Thursday of November.
Most people actually do not have a great grasp on what actually happened that first day of feast. The Europeans who made trhe trip here were not ready for the harsh winter of the northeast. Many died and many more would have if it were not for some merciful native Americans who helped the new lighter skinned neighbors. The feast was a celebration of life, survival to be more exact, giving God praise for His grace and thanks for the help of the uncivilized population they rather peacefully invaded.
I believe that we should tink about that at this time of the year as well. There are people all around us who fall ill and pass away. Many of them are elderly and the outcome is ratehr expected, but others are young and seemingly not ready for that final step into eternity. Each and every day we need to give thanks for life and on Thanksgiving maybe we should make a special effort to be thankful for our survival, our continuing life.
The spiritual side of the celebration has been masked by the other activities. It is entirely possible to celebrate Thanksgiving without including God at all. To some, Thanksgiving is a day for a parade in New York City, two football games during the day and one at night, an opportunity to dig into the closet and secure the festive ornaments of the next months celebration and, possibly the most important, the day before Black Friday. None of those activities have anything to do with God and His provision. Some have managed to take the star of the show out of the special day.
Thanksgiving should be a time for reflection, thanking God for what He has done and trusting Him to do what needs to be done in the future. As you celebrate next week, I pray that you not only celebrate a meal and enjoy the traditions, but that we take time, like those who celebrated this time first, to say thank you for His great gift of life.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Leaves are Falling
I love the fall, but only when the leaves are on the trees. Once they fall to the ground it becomes a little bit of a downer for me. The beautiful, vibrant colors become stiff, dry noise makers. Yet, even as they lay on the ground, blowing about and making scratchy noises, they are evidence of our God.
What I know for sure is this, the God of the beautiful spring time and the warm summer is also the God of the depressing fall and bitter winter. Regardless of what is happening around me, God is still God. He does not change and His love for me, and you, likewise does not change.
Maybe you are going through a difficult season in your life. Possibly you are choosing, because of circumstances in your life, to see the dead leaves instead of the living tree. Maybe your life seems to have grown cold like the patches of winter ice on a snowy road - you could feel that life is dangerous and unsure which may draw you further into yourself. When the roads are bad we have a tendency to cancel things not because an accident is sure, but just possible and maybe in your heart you are just sure that there is bad and hurt around every corner so doing nothing seems better than doing something and getting hurt.
It seems that many people live in the down times these days. There is more emphasis put on what could go wrong than what has gone right. Depression is rampant and there seems to be no escape - too much to worry about to ever be happy or joyful. If that is the case, we need to break through the darkness so we can see the Light that wants so very much to shine in our lives.
God's light never goes away. He is always there trying desperately to share Himself with us, but it seems that we choose to either close our eyes or wear blinders that block His glorious light from our spiritual eyes. In Psalm 119: 105, the psalmist calls God's Word a "lamp to my feet and a light for my path." So, if we feel we can no longer see His light, all we have to do is seek Him in His Word.
You are not alone. Your life is not over until you take your last breath. The God who created the heavens and the stars loves and cares for you even when you are having a difficult time seeing or feeling Him. Seek Him in His Word and let His light back into your life. For every season there is reason to praise - our God lives!
What I know for sure is this, the God of the beautiful spring time and the warm summer is also the God of the depressing fall and bitter winter. Regardless of what is happening around me, God is still God. He does not change and His love for me, and you, likewise does not change.
Maybe you are going through a difficult season in your life. Possibly you are choosing, because of circumstances in your life, to see the dead leaves instead of the living tree. Maybe your life seems to have grown cold like the patches of winter ice on a snowy road - you could feel that life is dangerous and unsure which may draw you further into yourself. When the roads are bad we have a tendency to cancel things not because an accident is sure, but just possible and maybe in your heart you are just sure that there is bad and hurt around every corner so doing nothing seems better than doing something and getting hurt.
It seems that many people live in the down times these days. There is more emphasis put on what could go wrong than what has gone right. Depression is rampant and there seems to be no escape - too much to worry about to ever be happy or joyful. If that is the case, we need to break through the darkness so we can see the Light that wants so very much to shine in our lives.
God's light never goes away. He is always there trying desperately to share Himself with us, but it seems that we choose to either close our eyes or wear blinders that block His glorious light from our spiritual eyes. In Psalm 119: 105, the psalmist calls God's Word a "lamp to my feet and a light for my path." So, if we feel we can no longer see His light, all we have to do is seek Him in His Word.
You are not alone. Your life is not over until you take your last breath. The God who created the heavens and the stars loves and cares for you even when you are having a difficult time seeing or feeling Him. Seek Him in His Word and let His light back into your life. For every season there is reason to praise - our God lives!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Family Fun Day
When we launched The Bridge in January, we realized that at the beginning the make up of the congregation would primarily be college students. That was fine, but we have always hoped to eventually expand our scope to reach the greater Radford area as well. Our "flavor" is something that is broader than what would appeal to just RU students.
Our first attempt to do some major community outreach will take place on June 19th. In the second shelter at Bissett Park, we will have what we are calling "Family Fun Day." We will have hot dogs, drinks, an inflatable attraction for the kids and music at the end. We will be canvassing the community with flyers handed out to the local businesses.
Pray for this outreach and come support us if you can.
Our first attempt to do some major community outreach will take place on June 19th. In the second shelter at Bissett Park, we will have what we are calling "Family Fun Day." We will have hot dogs, drinks, an inflatable attraction for the kids and music at the end. We will be canvassing the community with flyers handed out to the local businesses.
Pray for this outreach and come support us if you can.
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