I have been off the grid for a bit due to a short camping/hiking excusrion that I just came back from. It was amazing! Well, ok, the first and the last days were, but not the 2nd day. I got more sick that day than any other. Not going to be too graphic...but let's just say: out both ends alternately most of the morning.
I wish I could post some of the sweet pictures I took! The mountains, valleys, and rivers here are breath-taking! I will be putting them on Facebook soon enough though, so calm down.
There are many cultural differences here that are more difficult to understand and accept than anywhere else I've been: arranged marriages, the things you can talk about, who you can and should talk to, the diet, etc. I really do enjoy the people here though. They are so hospitable and friendly. They love to laugh and joke. They know more about living in community than any American I know...myself included obviously. Most importantly, they believe that God exists (it would be hard to deny that living in these mountains), so it's easy to have discussions about Him. This is definitley a bonus.
The most religious ones here are usually the ones with the saddest eyes. They appear worn down, tired, and just altogether unsure. It's amazing how much we struggle in our lives to attain that which we want most (fellowship with our Creator) and yet it's even more amazing that God has paved the way for us. We don't have to do this or that to earn the unachievable...we just need to believe the Truth...the Life...and the Way.
What is the purpose of life? More importantly to those who follow Christ...what is the purpose of a life in Christ?
Many of us long to snuggle up next to our Saviour and pretend that He didn't give us a decree among many others to go into this dark world and be the salt and light that it so desperately needs. It's so easy to go through the 'gospel buffet' and take the parts we like and ignore the parts that make us uncomfortable. Some tend to think that's God's grace is for this very reason. I tend to think that it's to cause our hearts to strengthen and believe that there is a better world possible, a better Kingdom, a better life. We can stand in His grace and proclaim to a dying and lost world where the Light is. We can cast off the shackles of consumerism, selfishness, ignorance, and all the idols we hold so dear and make a new pledge: " I pledge allegiance to the Cross that my King died upon, and to the Kingdom for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible with euphoric perfection, freedom, and everlasting love for all who believe. Amen."
Here, these people who believe truly know what it cost to follow Jesus. They know what it means to be beaten, sick, looked down upon, laughed at, scorned, shamed, sued, and altogether hated for who they follow and what they believe. They know the cost and yet they follow. I am a coward. I know nothing of this cost but what I read of in the New Testament and the stories I've heard since I've been here. I envy the way these people know Jesus...the way they share in His sufferings and in His blessings. They are hurt by others, and yet they love them. They are crushed, and yet they don't curse God, they sing love songs to Him. Their joy is complete in Him.
I resolve to no longer settle for the mediocrity of the American dream. I resolve to no longer look to the trifles of this world and lust for them. I resolve to love God and my fellow man so deeply, passionately, and yes, violently that it will cost me everything. I resolve to loose my life. I resolve to see the face of my God in the face of the oppressed, the poor, the fatherless, the widowed, the foreigner, the sick, and all those who suffer injustice. I resolve to know them and go through their struggles with them because Jesus did and said that anything we do for the least of these we do for Him.
This is my heart...praise be to God that He has given it to me and shown me that true life exists. He is my all in all.
Above all, when everything else fails, I resolve to love.
I will return soon and can not wait to see your faces and to be encouraged by your mutual faith. I send all who read this my love. Grace and Peace.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
"Get busy living or get busy dying." -Andy from Shawshank Redemption
It is so flippin hard to get on here when the electricity and internet go out so often! I've been meaning to get on here sooner...some really cool things have happened.
So on Saturday, one of the team members who I am rooming with and I went to a village not far from here via a motorcycle. Allow me to say that the roads here are about like the roads in Lousisana...terrible. When we arrived 20 painful minutes later, we were greeted by a family that the team had already made contact with before. The family owns a honey-making business and they are an awesome famliy. The father is distinctly different and his children are as well from the rest of the culture. It seems the hand of God has been upon them, though they don't yet know the Truth, the Way, and the Life.
The oldest son spoke a little bit of English. He was telling me that he longed to NOT get married (not the norm here or in America for that matter) and that he wanted to travel the world. I told him he and I are quite alike and encouraged him. You see, marriages are arranged here and the men get married off around 20 or 21 and the women around 18. If they are even a couple years older than this and not married, they get tremendous pressure from the famliy and the village to get married. It's like the old testament days.
Well, we visited for 3 hours or so, checked out the motorcycle this man owned (it was built in '91 and was Russian made, but it looked like it was from the 1940's...no joke), and then we bought a couple liters of honey (most amazing honey in the world...trust me). The father in many ways reminded me of Cornelius from Acts. He's a God-fearing man just itching to know the truth. Please be praying that he and his families' eyes will be opened when they hear the truth proclaimed from the team.
Another story: The team leader and a couple of the team and I went to their 'Usto's house (An usto is liked a hired hand to do different odds and ends around the house or office...usually contracted and paid for an allotted amount of time) for dinner the other night. He will remain nameless for now, but he and I have tried communicating for a while. He knows a little English and I'm learning a little of his language. He said at the dinner that he wished that he and I could have a good conversation if it wasn't for the language barrier. Afterward, he showed us a bomb casing that was from a bomb that had been dropped right there in his backyard during the civil war in the early 90's. His father was killed in the explosion. It's one thing to hear a story about this civil war and a whole other thing to see the casing of a bomb left where it had exploded years before. My heart sank.
Sorry for being a Debbie-Downer. This is just life here.
In other news we finished painting the office! I'm no longer high from the paint fumes and am excited that most of the team is here and some will be joining soon. There is one state-side who is recovering from an injury sustained here a few months back. Pray for her speedy recovery. She is missed amongst this tight team.
So, one thing to leave you with: I was busy the other day and I really wanted to remember to brush my teeth that night (I had forgot the night before...I know, I'm disgusting), so I left the tube of toothpaste on my bed so I would definitely not forget. Well, I was uber-tired when I got home, I forgot to brush my teeth (again, though I do it in the morning after breakfast anyways) and I hopped into bed. Yeah, I sat on the blooming thing and it shot off all over me and the sheets. I guess I don't have to worry about gingivitis between the sheets now. Toothpaste is way more sticky than honey too.
Anywho, I gotta run. Here's some photos and video if I can add them. Ok..I tried for 15-20 minutes...I promise...I was playing Sudoku while I was waiting. It wouldn't work...I'm not computer savvy. Sorry folks, but use your imaginations! Love all of you and can't wait to see you again! Keep bringing it with the prayers...God's on the move here!
Over and out...
So on Saturday, one of the team members who I am rooming with and I went to a village not far from here via a motorcycle. Allow me to say that the roads here are about like the roads in Lousisana...terrible. When we arrived 20 painful minutes later, we were greeted by a family that the team had already made contact with before. The family owns a honey-making business and they are an awesome famliy. The father is distinctly different and his children are as well from the rest of the culture. It seems the hand of God has been upon them, though they don't yet know the Truth, the Way, and the Life.
The oldest son spoke a little bit of English. He was telling me that he longed to NOT get married (not the norm here or in America for that matter) and that he wanted to travel the world. I told him he and I are quite alike and encouraged him. You see, marriages are arranged here and the men get married off around 20 or 21 and the women around 18. If they are even a couple years older than this and not married, they get tremendous pressure from the famliy and the village to get married. It's like the old testament days.
Well, we visited for 3 hours or so, checked out the motorcycle this man owned (it was built in '91 and was Russian made, but it looked like it was from the 1940's...no joke), and then we bought a couple liters of honey (most amazing honey in the world...trust me). The father in many ways reminded me of Cornelius from Acts. He's a God-fearing man just itching to know the truth. Please be praying that he and his families' eyes will be opened when they hear the truth proclaimed from the team.
Another story: The team leader and a couple of the team and I went to their 'Usto's house (An usto is liked a hired hand to do different odds and ends around the house or office...usually contracted and paid for an allotted amount of time) for dinner the other night. He will remain nameless for now, but he and I have tried communicating for a while. He knows a little English and I'm learning a little of his language. He said at the dinner that he wished that he and I could have a good conversation if it wasn't for the language barrier. Afterward, he showed us a bomb casing that was from a bomb that had been dropped right there in his backyard during the civil war in the early 90's. His father was killed in the explosion. It's one thing to hear a story about this civil war and a whole other thing to see the casing of a bomb left where it had exploded years before. My heart sank.
Sorry for being a Debbie-Downer. This is just life here.
In other news we finished painting the office! I'm no longer high from the paint fumes and am excited that most of the team is here and some will be joining soon. There is one state-side who is recovering from an injury sustained here a few months back. Pray for her speedy recovery. She is missed amongst this tight team.
So, one thing to leave you with: I was busy the other day and I really wanted to remember to brush my teeth that night (I had forgot the night before...I know, I'm disgusting), so I left the tube of toothpaste on my bed so I would definitely not forget. Well, I was uber-tired when I got home, I forgot to brush my teeth (again, though I do it in the morning after breakfast anyways) and I hopped into bed. Yeah, I sat on the blooming thing and it shot off all over me and the sheets. I guess I don't have to worry about gingivitis between the sheets now. Toothpaste is way more sticky than honey too.
Anywho, I gotta run. Here's some photos and video if I can add them. Ok..I tried for 15-20 minutes...I promise...I was playing Sudoku while I was waiting. It wouldn't work...I'm not computer savvy. Sorry folks, but use your imaginations! Love all of you and can't wait to see you again! Keep bringing it with the prayers...God's on the move here!
Over and out...
Monday, July 7, 2008
The simple life
Living in a mountain region is actually quite amazing. Most of you who know me know that I am in love with nature. Growing up I used to dream of living a simple life in the mountains working and living off the fat of the land. I'm realizing how hard this lifestyle would be...but at least it would be simple. I have since realized that life is nothing simple at all.
Sorry for the ramblings.
Ok, so thank you everyone for the prayer...the liquid poo has ceased and now I feel much better. My luggage should be arriving later today...hooray!
One of the national believers here is on the team and has issues with her former employer who is trying to make her replace a peice of equipment that broke while she was using it, though she had absolutely nothing to do with it breaking (electronic issues). She is suffering from anxiety because the guy is threatening to take legal action against her family.
This woman is an amazing believer who has been through a civil war here and is now consistently persecuted whenever she returns home. I will mention more details when I come back (if I come back Robert...ha). Pray for her and this situation.
I will try to upload some pics here soon. I have a lot of video footage as well. The land here is amazingly beautiful and the people are needing the team to point them to the One who made it all.
The team (I've only met most of them and having been working with only a couple of them - Half the team is in another city) is an awesome group of people! They each have amazing stories of what God has done in each of their lives! A couple of the guys asked if I want to go hiking soon...for 2-3 days! You know what my answer was...
Well, I have to go help finished painting the office building so the team can move the office furniture in and and get rocking on the real work that lies ahead.
"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." -Former terrorist, Apostle Paul
Sorry for the ramblings.
Ok, so thank you everyone for the prayer...the liquid poo has ceased and now I feel much better. My luggage should be arriving later today...hooray!
One of the national believers here is on the team and has issues with her former employer who is trying to make her replace a peice of equipment that broke while she was using it, though she had absolutely nothing to do with it breaking (electronic issues). She is suffering from anxiety because the guy is threatening to take legal action against her family.
This woman is an amazing believer who has been through a civil war here and is now consistently persecuted whenever she returns home. I will mention more details when I come back (if I come back Robert...ha). Pray for her and this situation.
I will try to upload some pics here soon. I have a lot of video footage as well. The land here is amazingly beautiful and the people are needing the team to point them to the One who made it all.
The team (I've only met most of them and having been working with only a couple of them - Half the team is in another city) is an awesome group of people! They each have amazing stories of what God has done in each of their lives! A couple of the guys asked if I want to go hiking soon...for 2-3 days! You know what my answer was...
Well, I have to go help finished painting the office building so the team can move the office furniture in and and get rocking on the real work that lies ahead.
"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." -Former terrorist, Apostle Paul
Thursday, July 3, 2008
When you're sliding into third and you feel a .......
Ok, so they have found my luggage! Praise the Lord...now it's going to be another week before anyone drives up to the village I'm at to bring it...ha! God is still so good!
Some of you guys might be able to finish the song in the title of this blog. If not, then I'll tell you. I have had some chronic diarrhea for about a week or so and it hasn't let up. I apologize if that's a bit too much info, but everyone who knows me knows I keeps it real....very real. All that to say, please be praying that the ol' stomach will get rid of this bug.
I am in a mountain village right now and will be until a few days before I depart. I love it here...it's peaceful, quiet, and you can see about a billion stars at night. The people are so incredibly hospitable and kind. I went to a wedding the other day (These take all day) and I left with a gift...nothing like an American wedding. I wasn't in the wedding, but the village has apparently never had foreigners at a wedding.
The internet just came up due to the diligent work of one of the M-workers here. He's a great man and we have long talks about his former work and the Lord.
The team here is pretty awesome! They are fun and generous! I am starting to pick up on the language a little. I can count from 1 to 10 and back and say, "hello," and, "how are you?" It's a difficult language!
I'm working a lot...I'm helping prepare the building that the team will use as office space by painting and cleaning the building. Today is the 4th of July, so we are taking off and going to barbeque and light some fireworks. It'll be grand!
Hopefully, I'll be able to update again soon since we have internet!
Some of you guys might be able to finish the song in the title of this blog. If not, then I'll tell you. I have had some chronic diarrhea for about a week or so and it hasn't let up. I apologize if that's a bit too much info, but everyone who knows me knows I keeps it real....very real. All that to say, please be praying that the ol' stomach will get rid of this bug.
I am in a mountain village right now and will be until a few days before I depart. I love it here...it's peaceful, quiet, and you can see about a billion stars at night. The people are so incredibly hospitable and kind. I went to a wedding the other day (These take all day) and I left with a gift...nothing like an American wedding. I wasn't in the wedding, but the village has apparently never had foreigners at a wedding.
The internet just came up due to the diligent work of one of the M-workers here. He's a great man and we have long talks about his former work and the Lord.
The team here is pretty awesome! They are fun and generous! I am starting to pick up on the language a little. I can count from 1 to 10 and back and say, "hello," and, "how are you?" It's a difficult language!
I'm working a lot...I'm helping prepare the building that the team will use as office space by painting and cleaning the building. Today is the 4th of July, so we are taking off and going to barbeque and light some fireworks. It'll be grand!
Hopefully, I'll be able to update again soon since we have internet!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Lost Baggage, naked boys, and sweat, sweat, and a little more sweat...
I'm probably not going to be getting online anytime soon, so I'm going to try and give as much of an update as possible.
I have been here 2 full days now and my baggage has not shown up. I had to go buy clothes today and some toiletries. I am thankful though...God has been so good to me with the jet-lag and the culture adjustments. The team is going through a move to another area up in the mountains. They are going through some hardships right now as well, but the way they are handling them has amazed me. I would have driven my head through a wall, and they keep on rolling with everything...and it's HOT!! I sweat like it's going out of style, my nose is always full of dust-boogers, and I have cotton-mouth all the time. God is so good though!
I'm slowly picking up a little of the language. It's difficult because it is a mixture of a couple of different languages. The people here are amazingly hospitable and nice! There are some believers here too...they are experiencing some hardships as well. Pray for them...
Oh, the naked boys. I went to see a national monument to an old saint...it's a statue with a water fountain in front. There were young lads playing in their underwear and some were just plain butt-naked...hilarious. I almost took pictures, but then reconsidered and thought, "People get thrown into prison for that sorta of thing." I just laughed instead.
Well, I'm off to go with the team to check out a vehicle that they are considering to buy. One of the guys was in an accident the day before I arrived. His back is hurting, but he's a trooper. Pray for healing for him and one of the gals has just had back surgery in the states. Pray for her as well.
I have to run now...time to go sweat some more...ha!
I have been here 2 full days now and my baggage has not shown up. I had to go buy clothes today and some toiletries. I am thankful though...God has been so good to me with the jet-lag and the culture adjustments. The team is going through a move to another area up in the mountains. They are going through some hardships right now as well, but the way they are handling them has amazed me. I would have driven my head through a wall, and they keep on rolling with everything...and it's HOT!! I sweat like it's going out of style, my nose is always full of dust-boogers, and I have cotton-mouth all the time. God is so good though!
I'm slowly picking up a little of the language. It's difficult because it is a mixture of a couple of different languages. The people here are amazingly hospitable and nice! There are some believers here too...they are experiencing some hardships as well. Pray for them...
Oh, the naked boys. I went to see a national monument to an old saint...it's a statue with a water fountain in front. There were young lads playing in their underwear and some were just plain butt-naked...hilarious. I almost took pictures, but then reconsidered and thought, "People get thrown into prison for that sorta of thing." I just laughed instead.
Well, I'm off to go with the team to check out a vehicle that they are considering to buy. One of the guys was in an accident the day before I arrived. His back is hurting, but he's a trooper. Pray for healing for him and one of the gals has just had back surgery in the states. Pray for her as well.
I have to run now...time to go sweat some more...ha!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
I'm off!
3 hours of sleep and I'm heading out around noon today!
I tried to get my body on C. Asia time so the jet lag would be minimal, but we'll see how effective my plan really was in a couple of days.
I got to see many of you before today arrived and am very thankful for the fellowship, encouragement and prayers! It has meant the world of difference in how I've pursued this! Know that God is truly leading the way and is paving it on your prayers...the prayers of the faithful saints.
I am longing to get to work over there and see what the Lord has in store. I am already missing everyone here and can't wait to see everyone's smiling faces again. Know that if God would have me stay though and not return on the flight back, I would stay without hesitation and trust that He would provide everything that is needed here.
Wherever He leads, whenever He leads, however He leads...I will trust, obey, and step forward. I pray the story of these next few weeks will be of an encouragement to everyone who longs to see God do the miraculous with their own lives...to do the impossible.
Jonathan is over and out. I'll catch on the flip side...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
PRAY!
Well,
I'm about to depart for a few weeks to C. Asia! I'm excited, nervous, and generally overwhelmed as I look at the circumstances and things that I must still accomplish before I leave on Sunday. Then, I decide to take a deep breathe and focus on Jesus. Wow...it's amazing how the waves and winds of life fall still and silent as I keep my gaze focused on Him!
I'm so thankful for everyone who have made sacrifices in terms of time in prayer and finances! It means so much to think of all the sacrifices the Body of Christ is making to send me forth into a strange and dark (spiritually) area of the world. I am excited to engage the culture and peoples of Central Asia and look forward to encourage, challenging, and pray for the team that is in place there now!
Each of you have touched my life and I look forward to the time when we will all enter into the Kingdom and we take a look around...imagine: All the different tribes, tongues, and nations there before our Maker and Creator! We will have an eternity to get to know Him and each other and hear all the stories of how God used each of us to impact this world for the everlasting Kingdom!
Life is so very short and precious. Faith is the ONLY way to live...or rather, "faithfully" is the only way to live.
I was asked recently, "What does it really mean to worship?" I know it's not just singing and raising our hands. That would better be described as praise. I believe true worship is a response to the greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Out of this kind of love, we live, we breathe, we walk in the Spirit. We worship out God in Truth and in Spirit. It's living freely as God allows us to!
To follow on this idea, true service is a response to loving our neighbors as ourselves. This is born out of humility...which doesn't come from humiliation, but rather looking to meet the needs of others and washing their feet so to speak or literally too if provided the opportunity.
This is the essence of the mature, unified, well-studied, Spirit-filled, non-hypocritical Christian life: Worship (Living) and Service all born out of True Love.
Well...I'm done ranting.
Prayer Requests as I go and while I'm gone:
~Travel-luggage and I arrive in one piece and according to plan
~Language Study-That I would absorb as much of the language and culture as possible
~The LT Team-Encouragement and advancement of the Gospel through them
~The Specific Country (Undisclosed)-The Holy Spirit will move through the people and the land to open their eyes and ears to the amazing new of Jesus the Christ
I'm hoping to update the blog with pics and stories while I'm there, but there is no guarantee that I will have any sort of access to a computer as I will be in a rather mountainous region. I will do my best to keep everyone posted.
Thank you everyone again for all the faithful sacrifices you've made! May I be on your mind continually as you walk with the Lord!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Jonathan Neal Schrodt
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