Nicaragua has been an experience that I will never forget. All the sweating, all the working, all those awesome bible studies with my team. We went through several of Paul’s incredible letters. All the soda I ingested(way too much). The family we created with our Pastor and his family. My new Nicaraguan brothers Mario and Louis. It has all been such a big blessing to be apart of. So what the crap have we been doing these past 3 months??? It all started with PVT or parent vision trip. It was a week that was created to bring the racer and if so desired parents, to walk side by side in ministry. And it was one of my favorite weeks on the race. To see my parents come and dive back into ministry was beautiful. We were paired with REAP Granada for PVT, an incredible ministry down in Granada, Nicaragua. We did construction projects and also jail ministry. That jail was incredible. For the first time in my life, I saw free men behind bars. It made me think of all the “free” people I know who are spiritually shackled and imprisoned. These men may have earned their way into that jail, but most discovered and understand how much they have gained eternally. God is the ultimate opportunist, cleverly and practically using every situation for his glory. And in that jail, I saw the glory of our King. My parents and I ate meals together, served in the army of the Lord together, and worshiped together. The last night, we had the opportunity to wash our parents feet. One of the most humbling, exhilarating experiences of my life. I will forever be their boy, son, baby. But through that act that night, I became their brother in the eyes of Christ. Making that transition was not only essential but it was equally beautiful.
After PVT, my team and I traveled north, to the mountains of Palacagunia. Here, we have been working with a local pastor, doing construction projects of all types. For the first month, our focus was a church on top of a mountain. After we accomplished what we could, we did painting projects for about a week. In addition, we partnered with other teams in the area and helped out however they needed. We have church several times a week, and even ice cream walking distance away. Needless to say, I have enjoyed my time here and have learned so much from my team and the Lord.
Frick this trip is nearly over, and for the first time in my life, I think I get “it”. So naturally the next question has to be asked, “what is ‘it?’” Let me tell you what it is not. It’s not understanding Spanish, man have I tried. Its not fasting from soda for a week because you have little to no money left. Its not trying to figure out what the heck I’m doing next year, or planning the next 10 years of my life because society has made it a theme of life to figure it out as soon as we entered 7th grade. No, “it” is so much more than that. “It” is freedom if so chosen, “it” may be the hardest truth to swallow, and even more so, harder to live in. “It” is simply this, we have a choice.
We have always had a choice. In the garden, we had a choice. We could chose to walk, talk, and live with God, or indulge in our own clouded sense of independence and grasp the only thing God hates, sin. Throughout the entire Old Testament men and women such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Deborah, Esther, Ruth had a choice. They had the choice to hear and respond to God and triumph in his victory, or fail in an attempt to gain something no one ever deserved, grace. The New Testament comes around and the Father provides his Son to a world so enslaved to sin that the blind see more clearly that the religious teachers and priests. But where was the separation between the blind and the supposed holy men who were thought to see more clearly than anyone? It was again, a choice. A choice to hear, recognize and run after the son of God, or be so tangled up with legalism and status that there was a plot and execution to kill the son of God, in an attempt to “save themselves and their power”.
So my question has always been, “why do we have a choice”. Why would God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, give us a choice. We who have been so easily represented as a creation who takes the “choice” and runs in a polar opposite direction of the path that God has intended for us to walk. God saw all of this coming, all the good but also all the bad. It would have been so much easier if He just chose for us. I would be pure, not struggling, happy all the time. Why would God create us? Why would God send his only Son for us? Why go through the effort to create a people who chose wrong? The answer is simple but at the same time complex, the answer is love. And it is because of this love that we have a choice. Wayne Jacobson writes, “ For we shall see that all disobedience flows out of a mistrust in God’s nature and of his intentions towards us. Thus the experience in the Garden and throughout life itself has not been to demand obedience but to incubate trust. He knew that the first step toward him might well be a step away from him in disobedience. He knew the lesson would be painful and costly-for him most of all- but he chose it because he desired people who would relate to him in love rather than obey him in fear.”
Would it have been easier for him to eliminate the “choice”, yes absolutely. But God knew that true love could only exist where trust does, and that real trust could emerge only where we are free to reject it. See, genuine love cannot be forced, it must be “chosen”. And so Christ gives us the life changing, eye opening, heart lifting choice to be a beloved son or daughter with him, in love. All we have to do, is believe, and “chose” it. We chose everyday to walk in the truth and the light, instead of lies and darkness. The Father has taught me this year what it means to “chose”. To chose Him, the life he directs, the strength he abundantly has for me, the overwhelming and unforgettable love he awakens me with. I have chosen to embark on the journey he has already written for me, and I am learning to walk through his truth and wisdom.
This has truly been the most unbelievable time of my life. I have seen the face of God, and seen prayers answered in hours. I have seen mountains moved, and tears shed. I have seen warriors added to the army of the Lord, and seen believers washed clean through the act of baptism. I have seen healed relationships, healed spirits. I have found a family, a family who pushes and encourages. A family that is united in the pursuit of holiness. God has completely destroyed the box I had him in, and has shown me how great his mercy, grace, and power are.
So my last question, have you chosen? Gerard Hargraves puts it this way, “Did is a word of achievement, won’t is a word of defeat, might is a word of bereavement, can’t is a word of defeat, ought is a word of duty, try is a word each hour, will is a word of beauty, can is a word of power.” You can chose, you can chose into the power and might of the Father. My prayer for this generation is that christians and non believers alike chose to be a part of the miraculous work of the Lord. It is the first step into a life full of challenge, there is danger, but there is love also. It is a choice to pick that love over fear, fear which like a crutch for a broken leg, is only a temporary fix.
I want to thank everyone for supporting me on this great adventure. Mom and Dad, grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, friends. Whether it was financially or spiritually, I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. All the laughs, all the lessons. The constant drive from each of you to see me challenged, encouraged, engaged. Sometimes its a quiet conversation, sometimes its a kick in the butt, sometimes its just a quick smile. But everything that you guys have done for me, has helped direct and refine me into the man I am. Again I thank you for all the time and energy put into this adventure of mine, and I ask as well, that you continue it with me for as long as you can. Technology makes connecting easier than ever before, and I would love to keep in contact with each and every one of you. I will be back in the States on May 16th. My plans for the future are quite simple and as I have learned, should be kept in an open hand. They say the way to make God laugh is to tell him your future. However, as of now, I plan to attend community college for 1-2 years and get some General Electives done. Im still not sure what I would like to major in, so its a great way to get some schooling done, and for a fraction of the cost. I am going to be heavily invested in my church, and hope to actually get decent on my guitar this year. Although I am excited to be back home, I have made missions part of my life. I plan to continue to get back out as often as I can, hopefully leading trips in the summer though AIM. This summer is quite laid back, consisting of yard work, and hanging out with my best friend Raed! I have had the enormous pleasure of having him on my team for 9 months. He loves the Lord with every fiber of his being, and happens to be my best friend. He is a worship leader in my book, with an incredible voice and talent with instruments. Also he is hilarious and likes video games, this is going to work. In addition to mulching and call of duty, Im hoping to help out with my local congressman however I can. I love politics and would love to get some experience with him and learn as much as I can before the next presidential election. One thing I know for sure, Hilary wont be getting this vote, and I can safely say not my Fathers either. LETS GO RED ELEPHANTS!!!
Love you guys, Ill forever be grateful for each and every one of you. May God bless you all the days of your lives.
Contact information:
Home Phone: come on, its 2015
Cell Phone: 610-573-4184
Email: [email protected]
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