American Individualism

We have a little joke game going on in our office these days. It revolves around the fact that sometimes I will say “if God wills.”

Saying this turns out to be very strange to most North Americans and sometimes elicits funny looks and nervous laughs.

I understand.

Our rugged American individualism trumps our submission to God. As a culture do not let anybody tell us how to run our lives from the "outside."

As a missionary in Latin America for 18 years it was normal to say “si Dios quiere” (if God wills) in our everyday conversations and so, this became a normal part of my conversation too.

To me it is a beautiful thing. It represents my always submitting my will and my plans and recognizing that God's will is the Lord over all life – mine included. God is not "outside" me rather I am "inside" God. 

This programs me to anticipate the holy to invade my life, that not all the things that I think are important but what God thinks is important is to become more important than "me."

This is even Biblical!

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:14-15

In our Christian walk we need to see ourselves as missionaries in whatever culture we find ourselves in – especially our own cultures and our own peoples!

We need to remember that we do not sit on the throne of our life having accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord. Everything that we do think and say is under the perusal of God himself. We need to humble ourselves and our egos, especially as North Americans, to His will and His ways.

The Power of Compassion

The Power of Compassion

We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ no matter where we are… as a missionary in language school it is easy to feel as though we are on the bench right now, watching the other players be His hands and feet as we continue to prepare. However, God’s desire to use us for His glory in each moment, as He has accordingly prepared us for that particular moment was made awesomely clear to us through a dinner out with our friends.

We had bussed in to San Jose to visit Mercado Central for Spanish application practice and some of the best tasting coffee in Costa Rica. After purchasing the coffee, our party of four adults and two children retired to a small, very crowded restaurant for dinner and fellowship. The restaurant was so crowded that we were placed at an awkward spot directly in front of the entrance door. Halfway through our dinner, a man entered. He looked dirty and we knew immediately he was a beggar who saw our white complexion through the glass panels of the restaurant door and decided to try his luck. He began an exchange with our friend, who was seated beside me (Lisa). I couldn't hear exactly what they were saying but I really wondered how she would handle this. It was definitely awkward being the only gringos in the restaurant, sitting directly inside of the entrance where everyone coming in could have stumbled into the end of our table, and now having this man enter and interrupt our dinner. After about 30 seconds, my friend rose from her seat and motioned for the man to sit down in her seat beside me. He did so, and commenced to finish off all of the half eaten dinner on her plate. The door man of the restaurant rolled his eyes as she squeezed into the seat across from me with her daughter and began to talk with the man who had joined us.

We learned his name was Gerardo and he had not eaten for 3 days. I tried to finish my own food, but suddenly wasn't hungry any more. We boxed up the all of the other food at our table for him to take with him. He told us that he slept on the street and that if he only had 2,000 colones ($4) he could spend the night in a hotel. $4??? Jesse handed me the money, which I placed on top of the food we had boxed up. When God places you awkwardly in the doorway, it is because he wants someone to run into you.

Gerardo told us many times he wished us blessings and that we would be in his heart, but what stuck with us the most was that he also repeated several times “God is with you all.” Yes, we do have God with us. Others in the restaurant were definitely taking notice, but we knew this was never about us. It was about allowing Jesus to be who they saw. If Gerardo’s statement is true for all of us and God is with us... why don’t we reflect him so clearly more often?

Our dear friend showed that night, when she invited a beggar to our table in that crowded restaurant that God can use us as his hands and feet anytime anywhere… if we are only willing to reflect His light without hesitation.

God bless you!!!

Jesse and Lisa 

Matthew 25:35

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.  V 40  I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of one of these brothers of mine, you have done for me.

Lots going on at CFCI!

It's an exciting time at CFCI! Today, our new missions recruiter, Angie, joins us. Without trying to beat the Bible's "begats" section, I'll try to fill you in on recent staff changes.

Angie (new missions recruiter) is taking over Shawn's job. Shawn isn't leaving us - he's just shifting to part-time to pursue his coaching career. So, we keep Shawn, but add Angie!

Last month, Robin joined us at finance manager. Kathie, our finance assistant, decided to retire, so we hired Alyssa. But, wait! Kathie decided to stay on and help us in a volunteer capacity. Nice! When she's not traveling, she'll be helping in the finance department (much needed).

Now, Kathie's husband, Pete, has been volunteering with us for several months. He helps with all sorts of projects from writing curriculum for Urban Plunge to posting on facebook. 

Bec just got engaged! She's a new FT employee who's been working with us part-time through the summer. She's from Australia, but moved here to be with her fiance' who works at a local church. Bec is working on special projects in many areas. Very creative!

Now, every available cubicle and office is occupied! We praise the Lord for the CFCI staff and their commitment to the Great Commission!

Jill Adams
Communications Director

Sabrina's Urban Plunge Experience

The Bellevue Master's Commission recently took a group of students on the Omaha Urban Plunge. Below is Sabrina's Urban Plunge experience:

I entered my weekend on the Plunge desperately clinging to my faith. A few days before, I had been deferred from a ministry I felt I was called to and then placed in  unknown territory. Disappointed and defeated, I was convinced that I had missed God's call. My spirit instantly became fearful and as a result, my faith was shaken.

After the first night of serving and fellowship, my heart was softened for what God would continue to do in my time at Urban Plunge. On Saturday morning I woke up in a congested haze and I became aware of the conflict between my flesh and spirit. After countless tissues, sneezes and coughs, I began wrestling with God again. "Why did you bring me to this place if my body won't allow me to serve how I desire to?" After I spoke these words, we headed out to the food pantry. During my time there I observed a strange pattern. Whenever I was with a family and doing God's work, my sinuses subsided to allow me to work unhindered. However, as soon as I would get back in line to wait for my next group, sneezing and coughing resumed. My logical side wrote this off as me being distracted by the handiwork and I continued on with my day, spirits lifted by the smiles and thankfulness I was able to see.

Later that night we headed to one of my favorite ministries, Soby Ranch. My sinus infection grew much stronger as I worked around hay, animals, and pollen. Once again I was adapting a pessimistic mindset, however instead of getting mad at the situation and missing out on our activities, I asked one of my friends to pray with me. I'd heard she had been able to heal other people of ailments and went to her, heart opened to whatever God might do through her. As she closed the prayer, I felt my sinuses clearing up in a very obvious manner and got through the night without a single sneeze after her prayer.

Urban plunge isn't about the ministries we visit or the people we get to serve, though all of that is a crucial and valuable component, but it is about the fellowship and softened hearts created by a perfect environment. Our facilitators create comfort and express genuine concern, but our real growth happens in random moments through the day that God uses to speak to us. Our works and willingness to serve allows us to be closer to our savior and as a result, we are able to hear, see, and love Him more than ever before.