Ultimately

I really enjoy frisbee, disc golf, ultimate frisbee... all good!
In 2005 there were two groups of summer project students who visited Chile. I joined a team from Mexico for two weeks. Both groups got to know Gabriel, a physical education student at the Universidad Andres Bello. Gabriel came to know Christ personally during that time. He continued to be involved when I arrived in Chile long term in 2006. But during the second semester of 2006 we lost touch with Gabriel. He had decided not to continue in discipleship.
The marvelous tool of facebook reconnected us last year. Gabriel now teaches at the Universidad Católica, one of the most prestigious schools in Chile. While in the USA he learned to play frisbee. And when he came back he began to teach others to play. Through facebook he invited me to come. A couple weeks ago we finally were able to meet up. I had not seen Gabriel in person for a couple years.
Today a group of young men, Lisset and I were able to go to the Universidad Católica and play Ultimate Frisbee with Gabriel and his class. Gabriel has not grown much spiritually, but he has a clear conviction about the new life he has in Christ. He also has a desire to know the Scriptures better, serve God and be in community with other believers. Pray that these desires would grow to be stronger than his desire for others good things.
For me it was an awesome afternoon, playing a game I enjoy with eight young men representing five universities and Lisset, seeing the fruit of years of sowing…
And Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
(Mar 4:26-29)

Personal Stuff

On Sunday morning June 7th I was taking the summer project students to church. As we walked to church a friend of mine called and informed us that the service had been canceled due to a swine flu outbreak. So we changed plans and went to another church nearby. We arrived 30 minutes early because of the different service time.
Before the church service I ran into Jeff and Aki. They led a small group at the church I go to several years ago. It turns out that Jeff is studying the same program, MA in Religion at Reformed Theological Seminary, and is in the same course, History of Christianity I. Although adding studies to my responsibilities is a challenge, this seems like a good time. I am more established in ministry here and finally have a bit of learning community while on the mission field.
We will be meeting Friday afternoons to discuss the study questions and try keep each other on track with readings. In addition last week I met Tim, who is Australian, but teaches at a pastoral training institute here in Santiago. Hopefully he can be my mentor, which is a requirement for each course.

I spent the afternoon of June 7th with Lisset. The month not dating allowed us to work through some issues. I am grateful that God has put a godly beautiful woman in my life. We covet your prayers as we continue to pursue God’s purpose in our lives and in relationship with each other.

2009 Santiago Summer Project

Sowing and Reaping

The week before classes start students were on campus arranging their class schedules and financing for the new semester. I went to campus to meet with Diego, a young man who is trusting God to reach his peers in the electrical engineering department. We refreshed our minds and hearts with what the Word has to say about living the Spirit-filled life. As we were talking a student that I had met years ago walked by, and I immediately remembered her name, Fernanda, but did not have the opportunity to say hello.
About an hour later I was standing at the entrance to the university with one of our staff. And there was Fernanda making her way towards the metro on her way home. I called out her name and we got to chat for a few minutes about how things were going in her life. Three years ago we had met her and some of her class mates as freshmen. She had come to a few things and had the opportunity to hear the gospel but did not stay involved or trust Christ. It had been about two years since I had talked to her.
I asked her how her family, studies and plans were going, and then asked her what her experience has been spiritually for the past few years. She admitted that for most of that time she had distanced herself from God and been very focused on her studies. But she recently had started to think more about God. I asked Fernanda if she considered herself to have a personal relationship with God. She said yes. Then I asked her how confident she was that she would be with God for eternity. She said that she thought she probably would but that it is hard to know. My next question, "If you could experience greater confidence and intimacy with God, would you want to?" She replied, "Sure!"
So we got a drink at the cafeteria and sat down in the grass for about 45 minutes. She was very honest and genuine in her desire to know God. We talked through the 4 Spiritual Laws. But more importantly God was talking to her heart if a special way and she received Christ with the joy. Her hunger for truth was evident in the questions she asked as we finished our conversation. She immediately accepted the invitation to study what the Bible says about growing a relationship with God.
Three years ago during my first semester, I do not remember anyone coming to Christ all semester. And without a doubt there are no new believers involved with us from that first semester. But we sowed. And now it is time to reap.
Over 40 students have trusted Christ in the past year. Most of them are studying the Bible with us. Just today on campus three young men from electrical engineering met over lunch to plan how to reach out to the freshmen class. All of them have trusted Christ within the past two years. And two of them just came to the Lord last semester. Seeing their desire to study the Word, reach out to the lost and encourage the body of Christ is a tremendous joy for me.

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."(Psalm 126:5-6)

Re-purchased

Saturday I bought my own bike back, it was a pretty cool experience, living out Luke 6.

"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

(Luke 6:27-30)

While waiting in the long lines at the bank. A couple thieves stole my securely locked bike just 15 feet from armed guards. Life in Chile is usually normal, but defies common sense at times.

When I realized it had been stolen it I immediately... was angry.. and then prayed that God would work in the lives of the thieves. Then I told the cops of the incident, which felt like wasting my time. A week later a bike suspiciously similar to mine appeared on a eBay-like website in Chile, for the same price I had bought if for in December. I made the purchase online and arranged to meet with the individual.

I gave it the normal test ride and bargained him down a bit. After paying him for the bike I let him know that it was absolutely my bike. He offered to give me my money back. Assuring me he did not know the bike was stolen when he bought it from his friend. He was lying and I was telling the truth. I told him that I forgive him and even though I had little reason to believe him, I would give him the benefit of the doubt. So I asked him return to me what would have been his profit from the sale. Then I shared the gospel with him, and with his little brother who accompanied him. And exhorted them to repent and live lives of self sacrifice not selfishness. I am praying for Cristian and Esteban. And plan to send him and email and or give him a call next weekend to see if he would like to get together to talk more about the extraordinary love of God.

God works according to His word, answers prayer and is in control, even when it feels like the world is evil and we suffer loss. This could not be any clearer; the cross screams these truths at us every day.

I am the only person alive who can tell that thief, "I forgive you for stealing from me." And show him the generous mercy of the King by paying him for my own possessions. And Jesus is the only one who can truly forgive his sin, and I am forever indebted to Him for paying for mine.