Hi, my name is Ted . . . and I suffer from witness envy from time to time. . . It is a condition on our team as well as many other Christians that I know. Feeling a bit ashamed of their "story".
Today has begun to change that for many of us. We were able to speak more with the older kids (10th - college) tonight and exchange testimonies. After our large group time, Liz, Jay, Tim, and Rick did an heroic job of leading all the other kids on massive group games in the schoolyard of a nearby school. These times of sharing were amazing for various reasons. First, the boys (seen in the picture with Andrew and our translator names "Dos"), had never even been to the church building - in fact we were told by a younger kid later that those were some of the bad kids! Very ironic that our main group story tonight was that of Zacchaeus - a notorious sinner. . . Hmmmm, it's as if someone already knew what the night would hold!
Second, the girls all gathered in a circle inside the building and really dove into it in detail!! Most of these girls actually serve as Sunday School teachers - and they have amazing stories. You will hear much more posts on this later, but it is after midnight, and so trying to make this "short."
The night programming ended by us surprising Rick with a birthday cake (he turned 50 today), and all 100 kids singing to him Happy Birthday!! They love Rick!
Back at the "ranch" - pastor Anbuvanan's house - we had a late dinner and then Andrew taught us the "interlude" dance (feel free to google it - or just go down to the 4th and 5th grade room the next time you are at GCC - Granger campus). This is so we can have a "cultural" dance to perform at the celebration event tomorrow night . . . Yes, we had fun!!
Oh. . . One more word for the "witness envy" sufferers - remember that your story often shows others a God that is faithful and true, steadfast and consistent. It gives insight to another (as we heard today) that they don't have to first be "bad" in order to get "saved." Finally, your story might just be the hope that dawns in the mind of another kid that for the first time says "wow, I didn't know anyone ever made it" You know getting through your schooling, college, and 20s without "falling off the wagon!" Don't misunderstand me, I know my sin put nails through Jesus. . . Just maybe though, if you are willing to share your story, as we did today, you might hear and see the reward of someone now saying "I know now that I can 'make it' too with God's help." Hope is a truly beautiful thing!
Keep praying!!!
Ted
It's funny to me how many of Jesus' disciples could probably have been characterized as "the bad kids". Peter was a blue-collar hothead. Matthew was an extortionist who worked for the corrupt ruling government. Simon (the Zealot) was ostensibly a terrorist and would-be assassin. Thomas was a skeptic. Judas was a ... well... we all know about Judas. That gives me hope in terms of the fact that Jesus can (and regularly does) invite ALL of us to join Him in His work to redeem the entire world. That includes those of us whose story of faith has been one of blessing and faithfulness as well as those of us whose story has been rockier and roadier (mmmm... Baskin Robin's Rocky Road ice cream... wait... wait...sorry) than most.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful for what you are learning and can't wait to hear more stories first hand upon your return. Jenn and Jen (or JP and JenA) left yesterday afternoon and are now en route to meet you guys to change guards before heading to Kalavai.
Will be glad to have you guys back, Team! Ted, as a quick note, the Jenn Team will need to take both the Go-Bag and the Ambulance (AOB) with them to Kalavai. I couldn't remember if i told you that or not. They're going to re-stock Jency's Medical Bag if they need to with the AOB and then we'll refill it when they get back.
Praying for you guys!
-samurai jack