Simply Go.... And Receive Much

Christ For the City is extremely blessed to have some awesome Short-term Individuals that give of themselves to serve with us on the mission field.  One such person is Sabrina Slater, who just recently arrived to Brazil.  The following is an excerpt from a post of hers titled "Lessons from the Amazon... Day 2".

In the silence of not yet fully understanding and having command of Portuguese, all I can do is talk with GOD, all I can do is meditate on His word, all I can do is pray.  Ah, may I seek Him at all times, but may the lessons of the silence permeate the rhythm of my life.  Behold... "See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43:19).  

If you would like to follow Sabrina's blog, head on over to: sabrinaslater.tumblr.com.  I'm sure she'd love to have you!


Sabrina's not the only one being impacted.  Pam Tullman, who's serving over in Peru, is, too.  A couple days ago, she shared the following story:

On Saturday, I worked with about 40 kids, ages 9-12.  I showed a short video, and shared on the topic of dreams, and trusting God with our lives.  I did a symbolic activity with the kids.  Jamie, a new friend from the church, made a big tree.  I had each kid put their hand (with paint) on the tree like leaves as a way to give God their lives.  They all made the decision to hand over their dreams and futures to the Lord, trusting that no matter what they go through in life, God's plan is best.  Sometimes, life will be hard and we won't understand why things are happening the way they are, but we have to truly know and believe with all of our heart that the Lord is in control, and is worthy to be trusted.  It was beautiful to see 40 kids placing their lives and futures in God's hands.

 Such a cool story, Pam!  Check out what else she has on her blog: followingavision.wordpress.com.

Does being a Short-term Individual with CFCI interest you?  If so, find out more information on our website.   We can't wait to serve with you!

This is Marcia, CFCI's finance manager, with her friends at our soccer club in El Salvador. That's right. Marcia doesn't just sit at a desk in front of two computer monitors and lots of spreadsheets. (Okay, she does do that a lot.) Each year for the past several years, Marcia has traveled to one of our city bases to experience a different side of her service to our Lord.

As you can see, she really enjoys it! As her coworker, I know that Marcia experiences our work on the mission field every day. She talks with our mission workers, pays bills, manages our donor contributions, and  hears tons of ministry stories. Even though it might seem like she isn't a "mission worker," she is. Without her work, CFCI wouldn't be able to reach thousands and thousands of people with the love of Christ each year.

Thank you, Marcia, for your heart for our Lord and making it easier for all of us to do what we do!

Sometimes it is easy to be aware of new beginnings-starting school, a job, a marriage, having a baby, going on a short-term mission trip, etc.  

Sometimes it is not so easy, but I have been asking God to make me aware of the new thing He is always doing, because He is about making all things new (Rev. 21:5).  The other day it hit me that we become old when we no longer look for the newness around us.   We lose the child-like wonder of the gift of a new day or  a beautiful flower.

We have all seen people  around  us-no matter what age-who have grown "old" because nothing is new to them anymore.  

There is no sense of wonder.  Sometimes we don't think we like change, but every cell is in a constant state of change-living things change, and that is part of the miracle of life. There is something of the infinity of God that is  revealed in the continuous cycles of change we experience-both within and without.  

Isaiah 43:18-19 talks about not just looking at the things of the past, but beholding  the new thing that God is doing. The phrase that  captured me was-"now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?"  I often live so unaware.   

He tells  me:

If you will look, you will see-

If you will listen, you will hear-

And if you will be still-you will know that I AM GOD.

Join me in the treasure hunt of discovery-following

after our eternally creative God!  May you look for Him and 

find Him at work in all the new that He is doing in your life!

Here's to a renewal of wonder in our days!

Eyes Open: Check. Ears Open: Check. Heart Open: Check.

The Perspective of a Christ For the City International Summer Intern

A quick introduction is necessary as I am the newest member of the Christ For the City International family.

Name:  Emily Ann Koopmann
Title:  Summer Intern at Christ For the City International
Background:  Recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Studied Marketing and Economics.  Originally from Raymond, NE (pop. 236) Only child of Kevin and Ann Koopmann.
Favorite Things to Talk About:  Jesus.  Diversity.  My Friends.  The Bachelorette.
Future Plans:  Looking to have a full-time job in Chicago while attending Moody Bible Institute to study  Intercultural and Urban Studies.

My Story:

I grew up in a Christian home, but became a Christian in July 2011.  It was during my junior year of college that I began to feel the emptiness of a Christ-less life and was blessed to have friends ready to pick me up, dust me off, and set my feet firmly on the rock that is a relationship with Jesus.  I reevaluated relationships, changed habits, and should have been less surprised by the security I found in depending on someone who is wonderfully perfect.  God is good.  His timing is marvelous.  His teachings are without fail.  And I am none of those without Him.

Here Today:

Here today at CFCI, I celebrate my first job that holds Christian values and motives.  I love talking about life and faith and it is still a pleasant surprise every time I realize that I am surrounded by believers every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.  I can just bring my Bible to work and read it when I need a quick break?  I can send out prayer requests over email to the entire office?  You want to know about my life, my walk, my struggles?  A woman in the office just went where?!  JERUSALEM?!?
THIS PLACE IS SO COOL!!!!  YOU GUYS ARE SO COOL!!!!

My summer internship at CFCI has been a wonderful first stepping stone into the life of full-time ministry I plan to pursue.  During the three days of the week that I am here I always try to soak in as much information as possible.  I keep my eyes open, my ears open, and most importantly my heart open.  The tremendous staff here at CFCI care about my heart and that is apparent in so many ways.  As I learn more and more about CFCI, the people who are a part of its mission, and myself, I thank God again and again for this opportunity.  He is so faithful in the ways He provides and this smiling, loving, gospel-centered family He has given me through Christ For the City International is just one of the many examples of His faithfulness that I can store up in my heart.

Philippians 1:9

And this is my prayer:  that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight

Thank you CFCI for fostering growth in my love for Christ by blessing me with knowledge and experience.

Under His Wings

My wife & I recently celebrated 20 years of missionary service and quite honestly, I originally gave us only 6 months.  We were business people, having no previous ministry experience, who were plunged into missions by our Sovereign God.  I questioned if He knew what He was doing and why us?  But I've come to learn to not question His wisdom but still wonder why He chose us.

As I ponder and reflect on the years, I always come back to three guiding principles that have always sustained me through the good, bad and ugly times of ministry.  These principles are:

1. God is a good God.  He is incapable of doing evil or wishing bad on anybody.  Whatever happens in my life, it will be for my ultimate good. 
2. God loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.  I am the apple of His eye.  I have captured His heart and He is madly in love with me so much so that while I was His enemy, He chose to die in my place for my sins - Now that is love!
3. Because He is a good God and loves me so, I can fully trust Him.  I trust Him to have my very best in mind at all times.  If I can trust Him for my eternity, I can trust Him with my children, finances, retirement, health, everything.

Think about these: Do you fully believe these three principles?  If you do, then you should understand what it is to live in peace and know true contentment.  If however you are wavering on one or more of these, ask God to show you His truth so you too can find that secret place under His Wings.

Randy Fontaine

US Director

I have amazing coworkers. Some of them live in Africa and Nicaragua and San Diego. Some of them live right here in Omaha. One of them lives in my neighborhood! 


Within this great diversity of people is a common thread...the love of Christ. It is exemplified in my workplace every day. We pray for each other. We celebrate each other. We support each other. 


I don't take this for granted...ever. Several years ago my husband and I discovered our son's drug addiction. Since then, he has been in and out of rehab, homeless, and in prison. God heard our cries - and the prayers of my coworker family - and saved his life on several occasions. In prison, he sent pastors and other inmates to witness to my son. All the while, my coworkers were praying. With all praise to God, my son is now a believer in Christ. And with that, we celebrated together!


This week, when a coworker asked for prayers for his ill grandson, I joined my CFCI family in praying for this sweet baby. I consider it a privilege. 


I hope that, wherever you are in life, that you support your friends, coworkers, and neighbors in prayer, celebration, and support that glorifies God!            


Jill Adams, CFCI Communications Director

Testimony of an Urban Plunge Participant

Following a recent weekend Urban Plunge trip, one participant shared this testimony with us:

The Urban Plunge isn’t something you do; it’s something you experience, something you feel, something you see. It wasn’t easy for me to write about this; because honestly how do you describe in detail what your heart feels? We, as a group, heard amazing stories of how God was at work for them. Each ministry has been touched so lovingly, so gently by the grace of God. 

Out of everything we experienced, all we saw, each ministry we listened to, what has stayed with me and been the most powerful was the church of the Empty Tomb. You saw all walks of life. Every nationality, every race…every “class” of people, from those who had a warm house and a bed to go home to, to those with nothing but the trash bag they came in with. You smelled the fragrance of life and saw it on their faces. Everyone in that church had a story. They were all there to come together and praise our Lord and Savior. They all believed! 

I love my church; I feel that this is where I was meant to be. But last Sunday, I was EXACTLY where I was supposed to be. I felt His presence so strongly there. In Matthew 18:20 “for where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” And that is so true. He is here with us, but never before have I felt His warmth, His love so strongly as at that church. I had a smile on my face so wide I think the corners of my mouth actually touched my ears. My cheeks ached. I cried, I laughed, I sang, I praised God, I praised Jesus…and I thanked Him for His mercy, His love, His compassion. 

The Holy Spirit is alive and bright within me!! John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” I will take that light and go light my world. God is great, God is wonderful. I KNOW, because I met him last weekend. 

Do I recommend the Plunge? Yes! If your heart is willing and open, then jump in with both feet!!!

Thanks, Nancy, for sharing about how the Plunge impacted you.

If you're in the U.S. and haven't experienced the Urban Plunge, yet, check out: www.urbanplunge.com.  We'd LOVE to have you!

Reflection on El Salvador

It is very difficult to sum up my experience here in El Salvador but I will try my best. I’ve enjoyed my time here so much that there really aren’t any words to explain the journey that God has blessed me with so far. From the very beginning, the Lord blessed my support to be able to come here and I know it was His plan that I am down here.

           

My initial expectations before I came here have been completely blown away. From the mission house, to the food, to the wonderful hospitality that is offered here, it has been wonderful. The only expectation I had that didn’t turn out quite the way I wanted was the clinic. Initially my heart was set on working only in the medical clinic and learning more on what it means to be a medical missionary. But it’s more of a formal doctor’s office and not much of a fast-paced environment that needs much outside help with the patients. Despite this, I think it has been good because I have learned to work in more humbling areas which still help the clinic out a lot. I honestly didn’t have much interest in teaching English but I think it’s funny how God has completely changed that and it is actually the ministry that I enjoy and love the most. Having this English class in an area that is heavily impacted by gangs has given these kids an opportunity to do something else, rather than be involved in the gangs. It also allow them to learn a language that can help them in the future. Knowing that God is allowing me to be a part of this is such a privilege.

          

I have enjoyed much of this country and all of the people in it. The staff here at Christ for the City is incredible. The thing I love most about all of them is that they admit and know they are not perfect and have much to learn and grow in Christ. Despite recognizing their faults, they give all their hearts into the ministries God has given them. It’s been a true honor to work with the people here in El Salvador, grow with them, and become a close friend. I wouldn’t have traded any of the staff that I have been blessed to know with anyone else. The love that these Salvadorians have is extremely great. They have been so helpful to me in many aspects especially my love and wanting to learn more Spanish. I have had a great experience bettering my speaking skills in a language that absolutely enchants me.

          

I think one of the biggest things God has shown me during my time here is how to love like Jesus without words. He has taught me that a missionary doesn’t necessarily mean you’re always going out into the streets preaching the Gospel. As important as it is to share Christ…it’s more important and even vital to get to know and truly love those that are around you. When I first came here I didn’t know a whole lot of “spiritual’ words in Spanish so I physically was not able to speak much about Christ to the people here. But the Lord taught me how essential it is to truly LIVE with the people here, know their hearts, gain their trust, and love on them. Whether it’s a hug, a smile, or simply listening to that person, it speaks volumes and it demonstrates the kind of actions that Jesus did Himself. But just as the Lord often does, after learning this valuable lesson, He completely opened the door for me to physically speak about Christ and His love. After much prayer and waiting, different opportunities arose where I was able to explain why I have love for them, why I am here, and simply speak the name of Jesus. I was able to encourage a little boy who was getting made fun of and tell him that the only opinion that matters is the opinion of God. I got to share my full testimony to a girl…in Spanish! I even shared a small devotion with the kids at the soccer school…in Spanish. I have no words to say except thank you Lord for giving me the words to speak and the opportunity to do it.

          

The Lord has been so kind to me and the other missionaries that have lived with me by keeping us safe and protected. I have felt very safe while being down here in El Salvador and it has added to a great experience. I know that God is growing this ministry and will send down the right followers to continue to do His work. As Psalm 147:17 says, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made”. God surly has been loving and kind to me while I’ve been here for these 4 months. I praise Him for the opportunity to serve here and prepare me for whatever is to come in my life. All we need to do is wait and listen for the Lord, then once we hear Him call step out in obedience because He is worth it.

         

This time has been so precious to me and the memories will forever be in my heart. One question that I would ask to other believers is…are you willing to serve Christ out of your love for Him? Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few”. The harvest is plentiful in El Salvador, but who will be the worker?

With the sweet love of Christ,

Lauren DeHays