It has been a good bit of time since the last post but it doesnt seem like it. Time has been clicking by at a high rate. Alot has happened since I left for ecuador. I was in ecuador for about 10 days, which was such a great time. What a country also, it is beautiful, I am definatly trying to get back there. My brother, ryan day and ben munson arrived the day i got back. Actually exactly 4 hours after i got off the bus from ecuador which was a total of 42 hrs. on the bus. Being on a bus that long is interesting to the body. It really is not as bad as it seems. The man i was sitting next too was continuing on to Santiago Chile which is another 2 days. No thank you, 42 is good enough for me. So we had the boys with us for 7 days. We had a good mix of church time, evangelism, raps, hanging out, goofing off, playing hoops, hitting the beach, having p.stan show us around the city, hitting some good all you can eat peruvian restaraunts (other then one night that ryan and ben would like to forgot, and bens experience with beach seafood which you would think would be fresh. Nope..), and hanging at the airport for 5 hours playing cards into the wee hours of the morning. It was such a good time. Great being with my bro, I loved it. Ryan Day is a great man of God, it was great having him down here. He taught class monday night which was awesome on the book of Philemon. It was good having munson also, he was preaching it up also, letting it rip, he did an awesome job. Visits are allways blessings.. Thanks Boys!!!
Ecuador was a great time with P. mike stevens, and the crew with P. Ray from Carlisle. what a group of people. It was great spending a good portion of time with them getting to know them. We were in Guayaquil for about 4 days or so being with the church, teens, eduardo (my favorite ecuadorian) and also sucking down some of the finest highly potent double espressos, loved them. We had great time being together at eduardos house, he and his wife are the hosts of all hosts. Especially because of Anna making the greatest juice on the face of the plantet "tomato of the tree", such sweet nector. I could probably kill myself on this stuff because i cant stop drinking the stuff. Perfect combination of thickness, bursting flavor, and refreshability. Basically everything you look for in a juice. I have been looking for it everywhere down here in lima but no luck. Mabey someday i will find it down here.
Great teens there in p. mike's church. Stambo and I had a Saturday afternoon session with them where we talked about having convictions. How your parents hand them down to you but mabey we have no understanding why we have them but then God giving you understanding in them. How we all have libertys but with no wisdom are liberties turn from foolshness into sin. Great time with them. They were tuned into what we were saying. We had fun with them. We are planning on having a teen weekend with our teens here in lima with the teens from Ecuador. It would be about a 20 hr. trip to hook up with them so we are praying when for it to happen..
From guayaquil we travled up through the Ecuadorian mountains into one of the coolest places I have ever been. Mabey my Favorite spot where i have been in the world. P. mike rented a bus for all of us. Team peru, p. mike and the carlisle crew hit the road taking an amazing ride through the beatiful jungle highlands of ecuador. It was sweet!!! It was about an 8 hr. trip. We arrived in this beautiful little town settled in the mountains. Everywhere you looked were high peaks with blue skies. Tripled teered waterfalls, hot springs, rivers, and an active volcano that over looked the town. It was some what of a tourist spot so you had many options for things to do. We all stayed at this sweet lodge just on the outside of town. The lodging was 2 room cabins that over looked the valley, with little front porches, perfect for chilling. The few days I was there i got up with the sun to get in as much as i could. It was a fantastic place to be in the moring, with the sun coming up over the beautiful mountains, the fresh air, and the cool weather, I could definatly get use to it. It was awesome to be there at that time in the morning, with no one but me, the word and God.
The first day we got there it was later in the afternoon so we just hung out around the lodge and relaxed after a few full days at p. mike's church and the 8 hr. bus ride. I ventured around the property which was cool, and to my enjoyment I discovered they had an awesome looking single seated sauna boxes with little cold water baths next to them. The whole sauna situation turned out to be mabey best sauna experience ever. These things were tourterously hot, but with the cold water baths it made you feel amazing! I could have lived in there. The first day i did it, i probably did the whole routine that they have planned out 3 times in a row. I couldnt stop. I probably lossed a few pounds, seriously, and was so dehydrated, but it was so worth it. My skin was like i was a new born babe. I of course passed out hard after. Woke up to discover no water in my body. I could barley blink my eyes they were sealed shut. I needed a solid diet of a few gallons of agua all night. By the next morning i was ready for it again. I loved it....
The next morning the girls ventured out into the town with me, willis and stambo hanging back taking it easy. (I was really waiting for that sauna to open). The girls came back minuets later telling us that they had rented 4 wheelers in town. That's all i needed to hear, the sauna can wait. I ended renting this sweet dun buggie. Me , rachel and age took them through the mountains then took them off onto this little trail. Going up the mountain was cool for the sights but coming down the mountain on the trail and rode was a rush. It was so good, thank God he covered us, we were crazy on these things. We then returned them but i didnt have enough. So when we dropped them off i noticed across the street another rentel shop with this 250, 350 dirt bikes. I was all over it. So for the next 2 days i dirt biked all over the place. The next day all of us rented scooters and dirt bikes for the day and took them all over the place. Me, stambo, and rachel pointed in a direciton and just rode for 2 straight hours through the mountains. It was amazing, so much fun. Waterfalls, all over the place. We had waterfalls that actually were dumping onto the road and then leading into the river below us. Winding roads, dark, dark tunnels through the mountains. We drove so far that we actually ended up in "Shell" which is the same town where Jim Elliot and Nate Saint where years ago. The air strip that i guess they built is still there. The houses exactly like the ones in the book still standing, it was a cool surprise. After 2 hours we pulled a u turn and headed back to enjoy the same ride again. I rode my bike up to the minuet I had to return it. A few hours before we had to bring them back, me and stambo discovered that right next to our lodge was this awesome dirt bike track. We were a little cautious at first, him on his four wheeler and me on my dirt bike but after a couple laps around the track we built our confidence and starting catching air, then some more air to the point I was loving it and screaming so much in the air i figured i had to call it quits before i kill myself. Dirt biking on a track like that is unbelivable fun. Me and Stambo were loving it. Next time we go up there that is the first place we are going.
We did have a couple injuries up there vehichle related. One of the kids from carlisle bit it on his 4 wheeler going of a jump. Stambo was watching him and he said he was doing great until he hit this one jump going off the jump from the wrong angle. So he hit it with the jump sending him straight up into the air then straight back down. Stambo said he just saw him go straight up then disappear to then see a cloud of dust just fly up into the air. Then a few sec. later the 4 wheeler cruising into the woods with out the kid on it.. Big James was ok. Thank God he is 6'6 260, he could take it. He was banged up but ok.. Age also dumped on her scooter going through one of the tunnels. The tunnels were so darked that if you didnt have lights on your bike you couldnt see anything. So Age was going through and while in the tunnel tried to find her lights but couldnt while once in the tunnel. So she hit something and spilled. She was a little banged and is still healing but survived. The crazy thing about this place is that they rent out there bikes to anybody. You dont have to show proof of anything. You just throw them 30 bucks then next thing you know your cruising down the street on 350 dirt bike. It is a little crazy but if you like riding its amazing... But other then that we were all ok. It was so much fun. I cant wait to go back....
The word was awesome up there. P. Ray is a loaded ggwo weapon. he preached every day fresh words from God. Very refreshing, and life giving. P. Mike had all the men share. Monday night Willis , Stambo and I preached, it was alot of fun. Willis preached an awesome one on taking risks in life. Faith risks. He sayed that people come to the end of there life and there one regret is that they played it safe. How God wants us to step out in faith, out of our comfort zones, and live above what we can by his grace. Great Word!!!! Then on wednesday night at around 11 pm my and the banged up Age hopped on a bus out of town leaving everyone else behind who were continuing on up to Quito for a few days. I had to get back to meet my bro and Age had to get back to recoop from the scooter slide. We left Wed. night and arrived in Lima friday afternoon at 5.00. Yes my brain and body was mush but thank God after a quick shower and nap I was refreshed and ready to pick up my Bro, Ryan, and Ben...
There is really alot to say about what is going on down here. The Church is Flaming, the Bible School also. I have to say that the Bible classes have been such a joy for me. We are teaching in 2 hr. slots and they have been annointed, fresh, and so much fun to be partaking in. I know that people are recieving but in one way i dont even care if anyone is listening because i have enjoyed them myself so much. Stambo's class has been aweosme, P. Lajos, and P. Stan's just the same. We are all provoked in the calling that God has for all of us, and for the men and women in the church. It is happening down here in South America only because of the Grace of God.... This is Gods abudant Life and it is amazing to be partaking it.... The theme in my class has been so far the "Holy Spirit" with a sub point of "Possesing you Possesions", it has been rich. We are believers that are and want to continue "Possesing" what has been freely given to us. It is there for us, we just have to accept it as though it is....
Great Days, Thank you Jesus!!! Great messages from the Euro Con that we just listened too and also the messages back home have been of the charts. Annointed and on time. Thanks to Dad, and P. Scibelli.. Thanks for the prayers and please continue in them, we are all effected by the words of brothers and sisters around the world praying for each other in the Spirit... God Bless,
Jay...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Smithers and Jedge
Hey smithers and Jedge, hopefully you get this sometime... I was trying to write you an email but realized i didn't have it... I just wanted to tell you guys thanks for everything you have done and are doing. You two have been huge for whats going on down here.. Really thanks for everything, I am so blessed by God with the family he has given me..Love you guys...
Me, willis, age, and jules are jumping on a bus in 3 hrs. for a 24hr. bus ride up the coast of peru into ecaudor. P. Stan , stambo and rachel are meeting us up there. We will all be up there for 7 days for a conference with P. mike stevens and the carlisle crew that is coming down from the states with P. Ray.... Looking forward to it, we are expecting a great annointed time...
It has been an amazing time down here, really... Bible college has been on fire. God has been fitting his words in the teachers lips to preach with authority. Putting firery messages in our hearts so we can let it rip... It is so much fun... We have some faithful disciples that are experiencing the same thing. Continue praying... Thank you!!!
Jay
Me, willis, age, and jules are jumping on a bus in 3 hrs. for a 24hr. bus ride up the coast of peru into ecaudor. P. Stan , stambo and rachel are meeting us up there. We will all be up there for 7 days for a conference with P. mike stevens and the carlisle crew that is coming down from the states with P. Ray.... Looking forward to it, we are expecting a great annointed time...
It has been an amazing time down here, really... Bible college has been on fire. God has been fitting his words in the teachers lips to preach with authority. Putting firery messages in our hearts so we can let it rip... It is so much fun... We have some faithful disciples that are experiencing the same thing. Continue praying... Thank you!!!
Jay
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Spontaneous Faith Experiences
Yesterday I had a thought. Which is an amazing experience if its from the Lord!! The thought started off from Acts 8 with "Simon the Sorcerer", who wanted to buy the Power of the Holy Spirit. He wanted what the apostles had in the sense of their POWER!!! He wanted to experience what they were experiencing. But he thought that all he needed to do was buy it. Oh Baby how wrong he was. Peter said "Repent" for your "heart is not wright before God". You want it for your own benefit. Your in it for yourself. So here is my thought on this.....
I dont try to experience things that I want by trying to create them. This is frustration. Have you ever had a fantastic time with a group of people, or a person (hopefully you have) that happened with no effort at all. Then at a later time you try to recreate the same experience you had to find its not the same. You find that it is rather hollow, empty and frustrating. Yoy try to do all the same things but it has not the same feeling or result in experience.
I think the reason is because I am to wrapped up in producing a experience that I forget about relationship. There of course is nothing wrong with wanting experience but neglicting relationship is the problem. I rather should simply walk in a relationship that is living and through the DYNAMICS, experience is created. That in my words is "spontaneous living experience". But as I experience things, I may want to reproduce them but I find that it is not the same. I have to instead be consumed and concerned with the person and the relationship where there is Love. Because if my concern is experience I may become a junkie who ends being disobedient and frustrated in my effort. But When you have Spirit Filled Believers who are all focused on Christ in Realtionship, spontaneous experience happens.
People who see a person that is living a Spirit Filled life may want the same experience. If you are a disciple you follow a man that has something you want. There is a quality in his life that produces spiritual experience in his interaction with people. In his demener, the way he carries himself or herself, the way he ministers. The power in his life. We want it (this of course is a great desire). But people may Substitute the spiritual life that they have in for the other persons experience. They may want the experience but not the relationship which brings the person to the cross. So they try to Re-create the experience through their own ability , effort, personality , even know how. But Produciton of spiritual experience through effort and concentration of only experience results only in frustration and no life is given or recieved. But rather if I see spiritual experience that I want I must see the one who they are relating too and engage with the Him. When I engage with him He produces a living relationship that produces spontaneous experiences. Because mabey experience doesnt happen the same way as another or it doesnt come out the way I think it should. If so, this is ok because I am satisfied in Relationship that produces Uniquie experience. You have diversity in that, as we see in the Body. You have liberty in who you are in Christ. You have freedom, Joy, Peace...You have the real life were I actually lose my mentality of what I think it should be and live in Christ's life. When I do that, All my pre-disposed Ideas of my life, experience in my view, my want's and desires are thrown out the window and I experience something completly different. I experience a completly different life with experiences that I never expected. THAT IS REAL LIVING, THAT IS REAL LIFE!!! That is a life that is engaged with the most dynamic being in the universe who produces Dynamic Ministry and which produces experience in Human Life that is seen and enjoyed here. The most unique, interesting, joy filled, life giving people on the planet are people who have this relationship daily and are spirit filled....
THAT IS A LIFE OF FAITH...
Last night we had outreach in downtown Lima with the church and I had a fantastic experience in the Lord with a young 18 yr. old girl. I approached her and her friend sitting on a park bench. They were wondering what I was trying to say and get at, the first few minuets because I refused to speak anything other then my 2yr. old level spanish. We joked around for a bit then I found that the one girl spoke english well. So we began speaking about life. She was a seemingly happy fun filled girl that enjoyed conversing. But the Lord lead me to start talking about hating your self and drug abuse to off set the hatred. She was locked onto ever thing that I was saying. She began to teer up. I spoke about the love of Christ for her personally, and How he knows her by name. How he wants to engage with her and give her Personal love that fulfills her. She then explained to me about how she had recently been through a period where she was cutting herself and doing drugs to quite the hatred she had for herself. She sayed that she wanted to receive christ and experience this life I was talking about. We prayed together, and I have to say that this salvation was the most beautiful and precious one I have ever experienced . The love of God flooded both of our hearts. After, I stood there speech less, not really trying to say anything. You could see that what she recieved was this new life. We exchanged phone numbers, emails, and departed planning on getting in touch today. I am going to give her a call tonight. It was an awesome Experience from God... I am praying this girl will be placed in our church by the Lord....
God Bless,
Jay
I dont try to experience things that I want by trying to create them. This is frustration. Have you ever had a fantastic time with a group of people, or a person (hopefully you have) that happened with no effort at all. Then at a later time you try to recreate the same experience you had to find its not the same. You find that it is rather hollow, empty and frustrating. Yoy try to do all the same things but it has not the same feeling or result in experience.
I think the reason is because I am to wrapped up in producing a experience that I forget about relationship. There of course is nothing wrong with wanting experience but neglicting relationship is the problem. I rather should simply walk in a relationship that is living and through the DYNAMICS, experience is created. That in my words is "spontaneous living experience". But as I experience things, I may want to reproduce them but I find that it is not the same. I have to instead be consumed and concerned with the person and the relationship where there is Love. Because if my concern is experience I may become a junkie who ends being disobedient and frustrated in my effort. But When you have Spirit Filled Believers who are all focused on Christ in Realtionship, spontaneous experience happens.
People who see a person that is living a Spirit Filled life may want the same experience. If you are a disciple you follow a man that has something you want. There is a quality in his life that produces spiritual experience in his interaction with people. In his demener, the way he carries himself or herself, the way he ministers. The power in his life. We want it (this of course is a great desire). But people may Substitute the spiritual life that they have in for the other persons experience. They may want the experience but not the relationship which brings the person to the cross. So they try to Re-create the experience through their own ability , effort, personality , even know how. But Produciton of spiritual experience through effort and concentration of only experience results only in frustration and no life is given or recieved. But rather if I see spiritual experience that I want I must see the one who they are relating too and engage with the Him. When I engage with him He produces a living relationship that produces spontaneous experiences. Because mabey experience doesnt happen the same way as another or it doesnt come out the way I think it should. If so, this is ok because I am satisfied in Relationship that produces Uniquie experience. You have diversity in that, as we see in the Body. You have liberty in who you are in Christ. You have freedom, Joy, Peace...You have the real life were I actually lose my mentality of what I think it should be and live in Christ's life. When I do that, All my pre-disposed Ideas of my life, experience in my view, my want's and desires are thrown out the window and I experience something completly different. I experience a completly different life with experiences that I never expected. THAT IS REAL LIVING, THAT IS REAL LIFE!!! That is a life that is engaged with the most dynamic being in the universe who produces Dynamic Ministry and which produces experience in Human Life that is seen and enjoyed here. The most unique, interesting, joy filled, life giving people on the planet are people who have this relationship daily and are spirit filled....
THAT IS A LIFE OF FAITH...
Last night we had outreach in downtown Lima with the church and I had a fantastic experience in the Lord with a young 18 yr. old girl. I approached her and her friend sitting on a park bench. They were wondering what I was trying to say and get at, the first few minuets because I refused to speak anything other then my 2yr. old level spanish. We joked around for a bit then I found that the one girl spoke english well. So we began speaking about life. She was a seemingly happy fun filled girl that enjoyed conversing. But the Lord lead me to start talking about hating your self and drug abuse to off set the hatred. She was locked onto ever thing that I was saying. She began to teer up. I spoke about the love of Christ for her personally, and How he knows her by name. How he wants to engage with her and give her Personal love that fulfills her. She then explained to me about how she had recently been through a period where she was cutting herself and doing drugs to quite the hatred she had for herself. She sayed that she wanted to receive christ and experience this life I was talking about. We prayed together, and I have to say that this salvation was the most beautiful and precious one I have ever experienced . The love of God flooded both of our hearts. After, I stood there speech less, not really trying to say anything. You could see that what she recieved was this new life. We exchanged phone numbers, emails, and departed planning on getting in touch today. I am going to give her a call tonight. It was an awesome Experience from God... I am praying this girl will be placed in our church by the Lord....
God Bless,
Jay
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Back In Peru
It has been fantastic to be back down here with the new team peru. What a team to be apart of. P. Stan and Karen, P. Lyeosh and Mychel, Stambo, Adrianne Witt, Julianna, Rach Wilzchek, and the new addition Wilvis O'Brian who has been great to have. We also have an Argentin young guy that left all to come here to peru to go to bible college. He is an awesome guy, and reminds me and will so much of Dubsy (matt webb), we cant put are finger on it, but its something. He didnt know much english when he came here but is picking it up amazingly. I think because he just points at everything and asks questions non stop. The other night i woke around 3 to use the facilities and he was up playing music, so he caught me for a solid 15 min firing questions at me. I was thinking, man this guy is die hard, he never gives it a rest. I think thats how you got to be to learn a language cause he is allready speaking well. I have to implament that with my slow developing spanish (Me and rachel W. started spanish class this monday with a private tutor so hopefully this language stuff happens). He lives with me, stambo, and will in a room above the church. We have 2 bunk beds in this little 10 by 4 room that over looks a busy lima street. You should see it. There is stuff all over the place, clothes, books, guitars, bags, food, its real dorm living, its awesome. We have such a good time. We have 4 peruvian men living in the room across the hall. Its great being with these guys at night, talking, laughing, praying together. It gives us a good chance to invest in are men that are the future of this work..
I have been here since the 5th of Jan. and it is amazing how much has happened. We have been to the Jungles of Peru. Up into a northern city in the Andes. Have done alot of sketchboarding, evangelising, preaching, teaching, radio, and hooping. And also the entire Team Peru went downtown to watch the Baltimore Tennesse battle in the first round of the playoffs. Rachel W. was sporting her titans jersey as I represtented my Purple Pride Ray Lewis Jersey. There was actually a couple Baltimorians in the Restaurant we were watching the game. I didnt think I would ever hear that accent anywhere other then the states and let me tell you it doesnt sound any better. Ha ha.. And what a great victory. I reminded rachel for days, mabey even weeks. But then of course the sticking steelers. We will leave it at that.... The team life is fantastic. Great team members that are so excited about what they are doing, and excited to be apart of what is going on down here. This place is an awesome place to be at this time and I am so privelaged to be apart of the work and to be with these people. We are serving together in the Lords work and having alot of Fun doing it!! Its pretty cool to be motivated by the same life. Its not a competive motivation to promote self, but rather a group of people that have found a better way and that is to serve. To lose your life to have a new one, christs life, which is to serve. There is great liberty living your life that way, and we are experiencing it!!!
Are two mission trips in the month of January started by going to the amazon jungle of Peru. We went up and over the andes mountains. I think the highest point we hit was about 15,ooo ft. Let me tell you, there is not much air going on up there. I was sucking mini breaths, rapidly. It is not a fun feeling fighting for air. Beautiful ride up and over the snow capped andes. Once we got over and started descending into the jungle it was awesome. The deep green color of the trees, the foliage, the winding rivers, the fresh air, it was amazing. I think the whole trip to are final destination which was "masamare" was about 12 hrs. It is a small little village of a few thousand. One of our girls in the church in lima is from this town. Her father has been pastoring a small little congregation there for about 20 yrs. His doctrine has been somewhat legalistic for yrs. but has seen the change in his daughter who has been in our church for the last few years. He has seen this main theme of grace has transformed her and giving her real life. He wanted us to come and visited him and his people and preach to them. So before we left P. Stan told me and stambo that we want to "really pour the grace message on them". That is what happend there for 3 days. We would be with the people during the day and then at night preach in the church. The people in the church are very simple in there lifestyle. You can imagine thatthere really is not much happening in the jungle.
While I was there i was reading a bio on Robert Moffat. His adventures and labours through the deserts of South Africa. The stuff he went through and the conditions he lived in was severe and in some ways insane. I am thinking how is that possible, who would want to do that. It sounds adventures after the fact as I am reading it but to really live like that, "come on". To actually be like Bruce Olsen "Bruchko" in the jungles of South America, battling illness, hunger, boredom, frustration in a uncomfortable living situation. You got to be out of your mind! But that is why we like to read these bios of these wild people, and to see that they were hard workers. They were tough people that really worked hard under immense pressures and doubts. they were not softies. Its intriguing to think about how they did it. It was because they had a motivation that kept them cruising through all the difficulties. Isnt that amazing that people actually lived in situations like this, not so that they could tell amazing tales of adventure (cause mabey nothing would happen) , but rather because they were motivated too. They found a real source to tap into that gave them motivation to lose all and work for the Lord in his grace. That the uncomfortable deserts of South Africa would become beautiful because of the work that was going on there. That the insect infested jungles of South America would be the only place I could imagine myself because I am motivated by a Heavenly source to be there for the people. Heart motivation is an amazing gift and with it we can do anything. That is why we like to read about these Missionary Heros because of there unceasing drive there enourmous capacity and desire to reach people with the gospel no matter what the cost. Livingstone, Studd, Moffat, Olsen, these guys did amazing things for the Lord in very common and primitive settings. Most of it going unnoticed by man. Imagine working tireless week after week, month after month , year after year investing in primitive people and not seeing results wright away. They definatly came no question but alot of patience was required. But these guys had something that we love to read about. They had something that all of us want. They had a real walk with the living God that resulted in there practical living. They received from God a desire to be motivated and to be able to see that what they were doing was impacting the people. They didnt have time to be dealing with such lowly buisness as who they were naturally or if any one noticed what they were doing. They were to involved in the Kings buisness and were motivated by him. I was thinking the other day, while thinking about these men, that as christians we should not be to concerned about being known here on earth but rather to be really well known in the unseen realm. That to be known in the unseen is really what matters. To be concerned about the great cloud of wittness in heb 12, and to be known of the enemy. These guys didnt care about articles written about them unless it was promoting the Work that they were so motivated in. They knew that in the unseen they were very well known.
So I think the result of me saying this is that as I was walking the streets of this small village thinking on these men of God and if I could live in this place. I came to the conclusion I would not want to do what they did. I know there stories are amazing and so fun to read because of the adventures. After you finish a bio book you want to be on the next plane out to Africa. We all know this and have proably felt it. But if your really honest with your self I think most people would come to the conclusion that they rather stay behind at home and pray for the crazy person that actually does go. I being one of those who would stay home and pray (which by the way is just as important, really). To live in such a primitive place. To live day to day, not being to comfortable, not being entertained, probably not eating to well, mabey not to many friends. (I am sure each case has its pros and cons). To be serving in such simplicity. But I am sure if you were to talk to these men they would say the same that you were saying. But they would add if God would give you divine motivation which is his love you could minister any where. Really the muddy streets , and broken down buildings, the primitive uncomfortable life would be awesome to you! The natural stuff would not matter much, which naturally is hard to take but it would be his grace upon your life. Robbert Moffat had no time to complain he was to busy in the Lords buisness. He knew this was not his home, he was motivated and called to preach the gospel, to translate the Bible into a tribal language and teach the people the things of God..... So I like to think that these men were nothing special in one sense other then the fact they Possesed there Possesions in the Lord and recieved amazing motivation in the Lord... What a gift motivation of the heart is, in getting to know the Word of God, minstering to people and reaching this lost and dying world with the gospel no matter what circumstances i am in. He can do it!! My conclusion was dont put a Limit on God, these great men of God didnt and they recieved heart motivation that took them way beyond capacity.....
So we had a great time there ministering to the people in the jungle. It was really a cool place with by the way the most unbealivable fruit. I have never had fruit like this, not even close to fruit you get at the grocery store. The guys house the girls stayed at took me and stambo and p. stan out to his orchard to help pick fruit. He gave me a bag and stambo a bag to pick of the trees for about an hour to bring back to every one. The whole picking didnt last to long. I think I picked for about 3 min. and stambo mabey a little longer. I had to try some of this goodness that i was picking and once i did i didnt stop. I must of eaten 13 of these huge monster oranges called "tangelos". These things were awesome. I ate them for days after I discovered this majical fruit. I estimated I ate about 40 of these grapefruit sized oranges in 3 days. I couldnt stop.I also found that consuming fruit at the rate i was is not too healthy for the digestive system. Pure fruit gluttony is cursed by God. There is a limit... I think it was the last time this guy was bringing us to help him out. He didnt seem too excited when he came back too me an hour later, with a couple hundred stuffed in his bags to find me face first in two tangelos. He took one look at me and knew that not to much happened. I had Tangelo juice all over my face, skins up to my shins and pure guilt on my face. I opened my bag to show a couple shrievled up worm eaten tangeloos. You cant bank on the gringos to do to much when you got free fruit available... It was a good time....
The trip to the the mountains was Crazy... Long Story but i dont have time to write, so later.. But it was a really a fun time...
Bible college started up last week.. It has been ANNOINTED TEACHING... Be praying for it, and thank you for allready praying for it. There are real disciples down here that need good teaching so that they could teach themselves and make disciples. It is happening. Be praying for this place, God is doing a awesome Work.. Praise Him
Jay
I have been here since the 5th of Jan. and it is amazing how much has happened. We have been to the Jungles of Peru. Up into a northern city in the Andes. Have done alot of sketchboarding, evangelising, preaching, teaching, radio, and hooping. And also the entire Team Peru went downtown to watch the Baltimore Tennesse battle in the first round of the playoffs. Rachel W. was sporting her titans jersey as I represtented my Purple Pride Ray Lewis Jersey. There was actually a couple Baltimorians in the Restaurant we were watching the game. I didnt think I would ever hear that accent anywhere other then the states and let me tell you it doesnt sound any better. Ha ha.. And what a great victory. I reminded rachel for days, mabey even weeks. But then of course the sticking steelers. We will leave it at that.... The team life is fantastic. Great team members that are so excited about what they are doing, and excited to be apart of what is going on down here. This place is an awesome place to be at this time and I am so privelaged to be apart of the work and to be with these people. We are serving together in the Lords work and having alot of Fun doing it!! Its pretty cool to be motivated by the same life. Its not a competive motivation to promote self, but rather a group of people that have found a better way and that is to serve. To lose your life to have a new one, christs life, which is to serve. There is great liberty living your life that way, and we are experiencing it!!!
Are two mission trips in the month of January started by going to the amazon jungle of Peru. We went up and over the andes mountains. I think the highest point we hit was about 15,ooo ft. Let me tell you, there is not much air going on up there. I was sucking mini breaths, rapidly. It is not a fun feeling fighting for air. Beautiful ride up and over the snow capped andes. Once we got over and started descending into the jungle it was awesome. The deep green color of the trees, the foliage, the winding rivers, the fresh air, it was amazing. I think the whole trip to are final destination which was "masamare" was about 12 hrs. It is a small little village of a few thousand. One of our girls in the church in lima is from this town. Her father has been pastoring a small little congregation there for about 20 yrs. His doctrine has been somewhat legalistic for yrs. but has seen the change in his daughter who has been in our church for the last few years. He has seen this main theme of grace has transformed her and giving her real life. He wanted us to come and visited him and his people and preach to them. So before we left P. Stan told me and stambo that we want to "really pour the grace message on them". That is what happend there for 3 days. We would be with the people during the day and then at night preach in the church. The people in the church are very simple in there lifestyle. You can imagine thatthere really is not much happening in the jungle.
While I was there i was reading a bio on Robert Moffat. His adventures and labours through the deserts of South Africa. The stuff he went through and the conditions he lived in was severe and in some ways insane. I am thinking how is that possible, who would want to do that. It sounds adventures after the fact as I am reading it but to really live like that, "come on". To actually be like Bruce Olsen "Bruchko" in the jungles of South America, battling illness, hunger, boredom, frustration in a uncomfortable living situation. You got to be out of your mind! But that is why we like to read these bios of these wild people, and to see that they were hard workers. They were tough people that really worked hard under immense pressures and doubts. they were not softies. Its intriguing to think about how they did it. It was because they had a motivation that kept them cruising through all the difficulties. Isnt that amazing that people actually lived in situations like this, not so that they could tell amazing tales of adventure (cause mabey nothing would happen) , but rather because they were motivated too. They found a real source to tap into that gave them motivation to lose all and work for the Lord in his grace. That the uncomfortable deserts of South Africa would become beautiful because of the work that was going on there. That the insect infested jungles of South America would be the only place I could imagine myself because I am motivated by a Heavenly source to be there for the people. Heart motivation is an amazing gift and with it we can do anything. That is why we like to read about these Missionary Heros because of there unceasing drive there enourmous capacity and desire to reach people with the gospel no matter what the cost. Livingstone, Studd, Moffat, Olsen, these guys did amazing things for the Lord in very common and primitive settings. Most of it going unnoticed by man. Imagine working tireless week after week, month after month , year after year investing in primitive people and not seeing results wright away. They definatly came no question but alot of patience was required. But these guys had something that we love to read about. They had something that all of us want. They had a real walk with the living God that resulted in there practical living. They received from God a desire to be motivated and to be able to see that what they were doing was impacting the people. They didnt have time to be dealing with such lowly buisness as who they were naturally or if any one noticed what they were doing. They were to involved in the Kings buisness and were motivated by him. I was thinking the other day, while thinking about these men, that as christians we should not be to concerned about being known here on earth but rather to be really well known in the unseen realm. That to be known in the unseen is really what matters. To be concerned about the great cloud of wittness in heb 12, and to be known of the enemy. These guys didnt care about articles written about them unless it was promoting the Work that they were so motivated in. They knew that in the unseen they were very well known.
So I think the result of me saying this is that as I was walking the streets of this small village thinking on these men of God and if I could live in this place. I came to the conclusion I would not want to do what they did. I know there stories are amazing and so fun to read because of the adventures. After you finish a bio book you want to be on the next plane out to Africa. We all know this and have proably felt it. But if your really honest with your self I think most people would come to the conclusion that they rather stay behind at home and pray for the crazy person that actually does go. I being one of those who would stay home and pray (which by the way is just as important, really). To live in such a primitive place. To live day to day, not being to comfortable, not being entertained, probably not eating to well, mabey not to many friends. (I am sure each case has its pros and cons). To be serving in such simplicity. But I am sure if you were to talk to these men they would say the same that you were saying. But they would add if God would give you divine motivation which is his love you could minister any where. Really the muddy streets , and broken down buildings, the primitive uncomfortable life would be awesome to you! The natural stuff would not matter much, which naturally is hard to take but it would be his grace upon your life. Robbert Moffat had no time to complain he was to busy in the Lords buisness. He knew this was not his home, he was motivated and called to preach the gospel, to translate the Bible into a tribal language and teach the people the things of God..... So I like to think that these men were nothing special in one sense other then the fact they Possesed there Possesions in the Lord and recieved amazing motivation in the Lord... What a gift motivation of the heart is, in getting to know the Word of God, minstering to people and reaching this lost and dying world with the gospel no matter what circumstances i am in. He can do it!! My conclusion was dont put a Limit on God, these great men of God didnt and they recieved heart motivation that took them way beyond capacity.....
So we had a great time there ministering to the people in the jungle. It was really a cool place with by the way the most unbealivable fruit. I have never had fruit like this, not even close to fruit you get at the grocery store. The guys house the girls stayed at took me and stambo and p. stan out to his orchard to help pick fruit. He gave me a bag and stambo a bag to pick of the trees for about an hour to bring back to every one. The whole picking didnt last to long. I think I picked for about 3 min. and stambo mabey a little longer. I had to try some of this goodness that i was picking and once i did i didnt stop. I must of eaten 13 of these huge monster oranges called "tangelos". These things were awesome. I ate them for days after I discovered this majical fruit. I estimated I ate about 40 of these grapefruit sized oranges in 3 days. I couldnt stop.I also found that consuming fruit at the rate i was is not too healthy for the digestive system. Pure fruit gluttony is cursed by God. There is a limit... I think it was the last time this guy was bringing us to help him out. He didnt seem too excited when he came back too me an hour later, with a couple hundred stuffed in his bags to find me face first in two tangelos. He took one look at me and knew that not to much happened. I had Tangelo juice all over my face, skins up to my shins and pure guilt on my face. I opened my bag to show a couple shrievled up worm eaten tangeloos. You cant bank on the gringos to do to much when you got free fruit available... It was a good time....
The trip to the the mountains was Crazy... Long Story but i dont have time to write, so later.. But it was a really a fun time...
Bible college started up last week.. It has been ANNOINTED TEACHING... Be praying for it, and thank you for allready praying for it. There are real disciples down here that need good teaching so that they could teach themselves and make disciples. It is happening. Be praying for this place, God is doing a awesome Work.. Praise Him
Jay
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