Adopted, Accepted, and A Son of God

Many people are saying in Christian circles to those who argue against Christianity that, "It's not a religion; it's a relationship." I couldn't agree more. But isn't the word 'relationship' rather vague? I mean, shouldn't we keep going to not only speak of what this relationship is exactly, but what it practically means for every human being who has ever lived? What about this quote, "All I need is God...nothing else, just Him." It sounds mighty fine and pious, but is it true? Is God really all we need? I'll come back to these two things in a second.

As I sit here a mere 2 days away from marrying the woman I not only fell in love with over the last 4 years, but also the woman I know God wants me to marry, I am overcome with many thoughts and feelings. Now I don't want to make a huge deal as though I'm the only person in the history of man to ever get married, but as I sit halfway across the world away from the land I so often called home, away from the people I call Dad, Mom, brother, sister, niece, and nephew, I can't help but feel scared and lonely.

Why am I scared? Well for starters, it's the unknowns: What kind of husband will I be? Will I always protect her? Will I always honor her? Will I always fight for her? Will I always be there for her in a way that lets her know that she is a special and loved daughter of God? Will I always sacrifice for her over and above myself? Always?...I'm afraid the resounding, truthful, albeit unromantic answer is, "No, not always."

Will I fail her? Yes.

Why I am I lonely? Though I grew up as a boy, and thus never played house or dreamed of my wedding day, I had always assumed that when my wedding day would come, my family would be there. The ones who love me and know me so dearly are so far away. I and they cannot change this reality. It was in part my choice and a huge part God's.

Though I struggle with these thoughts and feelings, I also get to experience God's grace and love in a way that I probably wouldn't in other circumstances. This is the point. Christianity is so much more than a relationship with Jesus...it's a relationship with our real Father...a relationship with the Holy Spirit who never leaves us...and the countless relationships of brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the world. It's a family. Though everything is so obviously about God, He created us in such a way that He is NOT all we need...He is the main thing we need, but He designed us for fellowship and community within a family.

The truth is that Christianity is not a religion, it's a family. And all we need is God...and His family.

I am a son of the Living God...rightful co-heir with Christ to His Kingdom and His Glory. I did nothing to earn or achieve this. He simply chose to adopt me. As Dudley Hall puts it, we are in the kitchen and we don't have to work to get into the kitchen though all the orphans are trying. If you know Jesus, you are my brother or sister. And I love you.

In this upcoming part, I want to thank my family here in country with me as well as my family back in the States.

Miles, thank you for being my team leader. Thank you for listening to me as I struggle and for encouraging and challenging me to grow as a leader. Thank you for coming to be here for this occasion. I have a great deal of respect for you and what you have been through and the man you are becoming. I love you brother. Carla, thank you for teaching me how to cook more. I still suck at it, but you took the time to show me some things. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of your family and for celebrating with us as though we were your family. You are a wonderful wife, mother, and friend. I love you, Miles, and your children so very much.

Tim & Joanna, I love the courage and insights you have from above. You have been a constant source of joy and love in a place that so desperately needs salt and light. Though you have many concerns and fears, you have always faced them and continually work through them. You have always supported me and helped me. Thank you both so very much for being an amazing example for me those around you. You both have my upmost respect and love...I love you both.

Lenissa, you taught me how to say, "No." It's a rare trait and it's one I needed to learn badly as a leader. You have grown so much from the time that I first met you over 4 years ago, and I love the woman of the Lord that you have become and are becoming. Thank you for bridging the gaps between the last team and our team. Thank you for always listening, considering, and caring for each of us so consistently and lovingly. I love you sister.

Drew & Leslie, I have been overcome by the love you have for me, our team, and so many other teams and brothers and sisters. You guys are doing such an amazing job and I hope you don't ever feel unappreciated for what you do. I have so much love and respect for you both. Thank you for loving me so well and for being awesome parents for little Eliana. I love you three so very much.

David & Jana, wow...words cannot begin to express...but I will try. David, you were one of the first guys to be the hand of God to pick me up when I was at my lowest. You welcomed me back to being with the family again and you personified grace in so many ways to me. You listened as I shared my deepest, darkest secrets and sins. You loved me not less, but more as I sought healing from my past. You are a friend that is closer than a brother. Jana, I'm so thankful you and David are growing and learning what it means to be married as you look to disciple Italians for years to come. You are a free spirited and creative. I love you and David so very much.

Hugh & Dana, again...words are difficult to truly speak my heart as I recall the 2 plus years you put up with me and never gave up, even though I'm sure you wanted to at times. Hugh, you showed me a leadership that is rare, raw, and powerful in Christ. You personified the power of God's truth and light in penetrating the deepest, darkest, hardest parts of my heart and past. I would not be in the process of becoming the man and leader God wants me to be if you had not faced me, my pride, and my sin and called it what it truly was. I owe you more than words can speak. I'm proud to be one of your graduates at KAM and to have had the time with you that I had. Dana, thank you both for being faithful to each other all these years and for loving me with words of encouragement and prayer. I know Hugh is the man he is today in large part because of the woman you are. I love you and Hugh so very much.

There are so many others of you that I want to thank and write to let you know just how much I love you and am thankful that God has placed you in my life as my brother and sister. I need you in my life. You have supported, prayed, and encouraged me in more ways than I could write about. Due to time limits, I am now going to make mention of my family.

Paul, God could not have given me a better older brother. Though our personalities are polar opposites in many ways, you are one of my best friends and great confidants. You were there for me when I was so far from Jesus I didn't know how to come back to Him. You have been such an awesome example of what a godly husband can be. Thank you for being there for me when I was down and for becoming the godly man you are becoming today. Yours is a truly blessed family. Dani, thank you for being so thoughtful and caring as a mother to Isaac and Eli, and for being an amazing sister-in-law. Thank you for loving Paul so faithfully and for becoming the Godly wife you are today. I love you, Paul, Isaac, and Eli so very much.

Karyn, you and I know have had our dark days, and that is no secret. Though you were hurting and searching for peace in all the wrong places for so many years, you finally surrendered. You showed me a truly broken soul and a humility to learn that so few people have these days. I needed to see it...to know that it is possible. I hate what you had to go through, but I can't help but be over come by the grace that you are so obviously wrapped and caught up in. Thank you for learning what it means to be a godly wife and mother. Candon, you had your share of fears and hurts from the past, but you have been learning what it means to be healed and grow through these fears. Thank you for marrying and staying faithful to Karyn. You both have come such a long way and I am so very proud that you are my brother and friend. You both have such wonderful gifts in Madison, Deuce, Ariel, and Logan. Thank you for raising them in the way of the Lord. I love all of you so very much.

Jeremy, we were so close in age and growing up together in terms of space. However, I didn't do enough to be closer to you as a brother. For that, I'm so very sorry. I love you and the man you are. As the years have gone on and technology has advanced, you have always been there to answer my questions and to share fun times of playing games together. I want to know you more brother. I am proud that you are my brother. Anna, thank you for loving Jeremy and sharing your life with him. I that you have been through some difficult things in the past and I'm proud that you are working so hard to have a home that Grace and Max can grow up in knowing that they are loved and protected. I love you, Jeremy, Max, and Grace so very much.

Anya, I don't know when you'll be able to read this, but I am sorry I wasn't there for all those years you grew up in our family. I know it wasn't necessarily my fault as I was in the military, but I tried and will continue to try to be there for you as you struggle to learn what it means to live this life for what counts. Know that I think and pray for you often, and though you are going through scary, difficult times right now, I will always love you and will do what I can to be there for you. You are my little sister and I love you so very much.

Robyn, I picked on you a lot. A LOT. So much so that it was incessant and downright wrong at times. I saw the love that everyone showed you and I took it upon myself to be your humbler...yeah, not a job description for any human being. I'm SO sorry Robyn. In spite of me and my hooliganisms, you have become quite the strong, sassy, and beautiful woman. Now you are a wife and a mother of two. I can't imagine how rewarding and difficult it can be. You have much courage for this task and I'm thankful that you were willing to be that woman for Jake, Taitym, and Takota. Jake, I wish I knew you better. I always enjoyed watching a Rangers game or Mavericks game with you. Thank you for taking on the responsibility to love, cherish, protect, and provide for my youngest sister. I love you, Robyn, Taitym, and Takota so very much.

Mom 2 (Dawne), you came into my life when it was shattered and you filled the role of mother with dedication and desire to see us united as a family...one family. You cleaned the clothes, cooked the food, washed the dishes, taught me how to work in the home, and you taught me to do what needs to be done. Though you are hurting and have made some painful choices, I still count you as my second Mom. I hope our relationship can truly be restored as your relationship with God is restored. I love you so very much.

Mom, though our relationship was broken all these years, you have prayed and waited steadfastly. This is what I have done for over 3 years of pursuing my soon-to-be bride...prayed and waited. Thank you for never giving up hope that one day we would be united again in our relationship. O how I, too, wish you were here to dance with me at the wedding celebration. You are a beautiful soul and the most listening, loving person I know...and you fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. I pray to have that same courage as well. You have taken such amazing care of Gary, Grandma, and Gary's Mom over the years. Gary, I don't know if I have ever heard you complain...once. You are such a thankful and loving person. Thank you for marrying Mom and taking care of her as you can all these years. I love you and  Mom so very much.

Dad, I love you. I know you know it, but I always want to tell you just how honored and proud I am to be the son of David Schrodt. I know you haven't been perfect, but you have always tried to be the father I needed, even when times were most difficult for you and the pressure was so immense you could feel it at every turn. You have given me quite a template of what a man is. I hope one day to be at least half as faithful, steadfast, and true in my life as you have been in mine. Over the last few years you have become my best friend. I love you Dad so very much.

There is so much to be thankful for...ultimately, I'm thankful to Jesus who came to this earth, took on my humanity and reality and sin and died in my place. I'm thankful Father chose me to be His son, Jesus' brother and the Spirit's home. I'm thankful for the family he gave me to grow up with as well as the family He continually surrounds me with here in C. Asia.

BOOZ KASHI

So this last Sunday, I have the privilege of attending my first ever Booz Kashi event here in C. Asia. I've heard a lot of hype over it the last few weeks and I finally understand why.

The Objective: While riding a horse, getting beat & whipped mercilessly by other riders, take the dead goat carcass and place it in the big tire in the middle of a field.

Why: Prizes range from Televisions, to Persian or Turkish rugs, to cash rewards.

Now this game goes back for centuries, so I got to experience some history while dodging horses running full speed in every direction (including mine). I'll let the videos and pictures tell the rest of the story:

While trying to capture the intensity and thrill of this C. Asian sport on camera, I was nearly trampled by horses a few times as the videos will show. I was fortunate. However, this man was not:

But please don't worry about him...he turned out to be just fine. Tim & I got our picture with him since he was such a trooper:

Here is where the riders are supposed to place the dead goat to get the prize...inside this tractor tire:

If the goat is dropped before the tire, the riders fight over it and it has to be taken outside the field of play before being brought back in for another try. Here is a tug-of-war that doesn't work out so well for one of these 2 guys:

Before the afternoon fun was over, Miles, my team leader, talked some of the leaders of the village into letting me ride one of the horses:

Hugh...I hope you would be proud: I didn't get thrown off the horse.

Conceiving, Warming, & Hatching Business Ideas

Have you ever had a business idea? If so, what kept you from trying to start a business? Lack of education, guidance, finances, or advice? Maybe you have never attempted to start a business before and felt inexperienced and unqualified, or maybe you didn't believe it would be successful or worthy of trying.

What if there was a business solely devoted to helping you not only start a business, but also seeing you into the first 3-5 years of operation for the mere cost of consulting fees? Just as egg incubators provide warmth and an environment conducive for growth to hatch chickens, so a business incubator provides direction and an environment to help hatch entrepreneurial businesses. Entrepreneurs in an incubator would receive guidance in every aspect of business:

• Business-Planning
• Book-Keeping
• Government Registration
• Tax Administration 
• Investor Relations
• Financing Options
• Marketing & Sales
• Business-Process Refining

Business incubators are programs designed to accelerate the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services, developed and orchestrated by incubator management and offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts. Incubators vary in the way they deliver their services, in their organizational structure, and in the types of clients they serve. Successful completion of a business incubation program increases the likelihood that a start-up company will stay in business for the long term: older studies found 87% of incubator graduates stayed in business,^[1] in contrast to 44% of all firms.^[2]   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_incubator

This is what we are starting here in C. Asia as a new paradigm for creating lasting, sustainable, and deeply-impactful relationships. But why business? Aren't businesses focused more on making a profit for financial gains? What benefit does a business model offer that an NGO or other model does not? 

Accessibility, credibility, and most importantly...sustainability. Working in certain countries entails that you have legitimate purposes for being there for any extended period of time. Most countries in the world will recognize the legitimacy and need of businesses for its economy, thus there is access. This leads to credibility. As businesses are developed and jobs are created, any government will see the benefit of such a model for its economy and people. Sustainability is the crucial part. What happens when an NGO or other non-profit closes up and leaves a location? The work stops. But what if we have spread the knowledge and ability for "like-minded" individuals to help create business relationships that would train others in ethical, profitable, reproducing ventures and relationships? The impact would continue to spread like a drop on the pond long after we are gone.

Fifty three percent (53%) of the population here is below the poverty line (est. 2009). Forty percent (40%) of this country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from Russia. There are few jobs here in this struggling economy. Therefore many fathers and sons leave their wives, daughters, and sisters for Russian to find work as minimum-wage manual laborers to support their families. As anyone can imagine, this causes tearing in the family structure here and sometimes divorces ensue. This is especially true of the area in which we work.

The survival rate globally for business start-ups is 44%. A business that begins in a business incubator stays in the incubator for an average 3 years and has an 87% success rate. Three years is a long time to build impactful relationships.

We believe Father wants us to change change lives on every level. With His guidance through a business incubator, we believe we can have an eternal impact. 

2011 In Review

Here are a few pictures looking back at my last few months here in C. Asia:

This is the room I moved into when I arrived.

Jet-lag...

The monument in the center of the capital city

Breaking bread for Eed Corvon

I have been named after a Turkish actor who, unlike me, has far more hair on his head than on his face.

Mark gave me a tour of the various water wheels in the Dust Valley.

Our company's leaders personally flew in to see the work that has been going on and to encourage us in this new chapter!

We enjoyed a Halloween Party at the Gleaton's!

Mark & Shabnam moved to the capital, so they had a going away party...it got a little crazy...

We continue to build relationships and make wedding appearances when invited. There was plenty of food and dancing to go around.

Our company helped sponsor a Judo Tournament for the surrounding village's children.

Miles, Joanna, Tim & I look on at our new office building...New Beginnings!

Welcome 2012!!

Repentance: "Turning Away" or "Trading Up"?

We've all seen those old men with scruffy faces and intense eyes standing in the streets of the cities crying out, "Repent or burn in Hell!" or "God hates sin!". People walk by looking on with disdain thinking, "Why would I want to listen to a nut like that?!" If the kingdom of God is near, why does that need to sound like a bad thing?

Before I flew across the pond (Atlantic Ocean) and a few mountains to where I live today, I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with a mentor and a friend of mine at a retreat put on by Dudley Hall. At this retreat, many ideas were presented from the scriptures that had a fresh, albeit biblically accurate perspective. We discussed many things including what the old covenant law means for us as participants in the new covenant today, time management, and the different views of repentance.

Repentance is the idea I wanted to write about today. Over that weekend Dudley shared with me a book he had written about repentance and the typical views we all hear about what this word truly means. I've heard many arguments over what it means and the arguments themselves make it clearly a highly disputed and misunderstood topic.

Is repentance necessary for salvation? If not, is it necessary after salvation? Does it apply to only the Jews and not the Gentiles? Who really preached repentance in the new testament?

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." -John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2)

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." -Jesus the Messiah (Matt. 4:17)

"The time has come...the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" -Jesus (Mark 1:15)

"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." -Jesus (Luke 24:46-47)

"So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life." -The Jewish believers after hearing Peter's explanation of why he went to Cornelius' house (Acts 11:18)

"I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus." -Paul [Preacher to the Gentiles] (Acts 20:21)

I could continue on and on with many more examples, but I believe what is written will suffice. Here are 3 observations:

1. Jesus, John, Peter, and Paul all spoke of or preached about repentance
2. Repentance was preached and granted to both Jews and Gentiles
3. Repentance is spoken of in positive terms, not negative (i.e. "turn or burn")

When repentance occurs, it is ALWAYS a positive thing. Why? It brings the kingdom of heaven into the life of someone new. It brings acceptance of what God has to offer (salvation, His rule, His resurrection power). No longer are we bound to the power of this world and it's rulers. No longer do we have to operate on our own understanding. No longer do we have to live as orphans working, striving, competing for acceptance, forgiveness, love...but now we can live as sons or daughters of the Living King, accepted, forgiven, loved unconditionally and forever.

Repentance, though it does involve turning away from our sins, is ultimately focused on TRADING UP to what God has to offer as opposed to what we, ourselves, or this world has to offer. It is the releasing of what you currently have (sin, shame, guilt, orphan-status, no acceptance, pride, hate, fear) and taking hold of what God offers (forgiveness, righteousness, blamelessness, adoption as sons/daughters, acceptance, humility, joy, love...and SO much more). Repentance is absolutely and always necessary to take hold of what God is offering...whether you are a believer or non-believer. Repentance is a lifestyle.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Eid Corbon (Holiday celebrating Abraham's sacrifice of Ishmael)

The typical spread at everyone's home on Corbon

This was my first experience with a Muslim holiday. According to Muslim tradition, this was the day that commemorates the sacrifice of Ishmael by his father Abraham. Early in the morning, the children go to all the different homes and ask for candy (mainly gum) and balloons. If it sounds familiar, it's because it's very similar to our Halloween, except all the candy gathering is done during the morning and day hours rather than in the evening. 

Starting around 9am, the day consisted of our team driving around to different people's houses with whom we had established relationships with and sharing in food and conversation. I haven't even been here 2 months (including the time back in 2008) and I visited 11 homes yesterday. Each home had a spread about like this one pictured above...and they want/expect you to eat. So eat I did. 

In spite of the fact that I was eating tons of food and understanding little of the conversations, I actually enjoyed the day. Our team discussed many of the reasons why they celebrate. We later found that the reasons for the traditions and the prayers for the dead (especially in homes where someone had died this year) were rooted far more in folk ancestor worship rather than in Islam itself. 

This is wonderful for giving us further insight into this culture and understanding ways we can connect and share the Message that gives life and freedom.

If I eat another bite, I don't think I could bear it...

I have a new roommate. He is a national, "like-minded" fellow whom I affectionately refer to in my blog and email updates as "V-ball" since he and I both love to play Volleyball. I'm learning a lot about this culture as I get to live, work, and enjoy recreation with my new friend and brother.

So one morning, I awake around 6:30am to him knocking on my door to tell me some important news. One of his friends in another village about 45 minutes away had shot a bear and wanted to give him and his friends the meat. So he comes in and sits on my bed to tell me about all of this and that I needed to go with him to help cut this bear up and bring it back to our village. 

I listened...thought...listened some more and then told him I would have to pass on this opportunity. It's getting real cold here and I figured this would be a whole-day ordeal that I was not interested in getting stuck in. So I told him to have fun and take some pictures.

After V-ball returns, he brings home 2 arms/shoulders and part of the back-bone with ribs. So then begins the work of cutting all the meat away from the bones. I have never done anything like this before in my life, but it seemed simple enough. We did it in our kitchen and here is what it looked like:

Notice we used wonderful tools such as a wood-axe and a knife bought from the hardware store that day.

It's tedious work cutting away all that meat from the backbone...but I was hungry for bear.

I haven't lived here a month and already I have had numerous "firsts" in terms of my experiences. God is blowing me away and teaching me ways of living which provide numerous examples of finding the spiritual significance that I can relate to the locals.