Grits, Theology, Mission, and Life

We’re back!!  We made it back in the “256″ area code about 4 PM on Sunday.  As great as it is to go, it is great to be home again with my family and His church in AL.  In a few days, I will post a trip recap along with some thoughts that come from being pushed out of your culture and placed where everything from the food to the language are foriegn.  So stay tuned!  But in the mean time you can check out all the pictures on flickr.com . 

Thanks to all who have supported this effort in help, prayer, and giving.  May God continue to advance His kingdom through His church in Nicaragua!

But Life Rolls on . . .
I can’t believe that July is almost over and school will start in a few days.  This summer was a whirlwind that pulsed with vacations, trips, and activities.  But now the school year will begin the drumbeat of life until the end of the year.  

As is normal, our church family has been scattered this summer with people headed literal to all parts of the globe.  I am looking forward to everyone coming back together in the coming weeks to worship, pursue Christ, and touch this community, and to do it together.  I hope you are too! 

See you in person in the coming days back in “the 256″!

Andy

Well, we are done teaching for the week.  We managed to sprint from Matthew to Revelation in one week.  And I am tired.  It was incredibly fast and very fun to cover that much scripture that fast. 

I was reminded both as I taught and listened how the nature, person, and work of Jesus saturate the pages of scripture and especially the New Testament.  Looking at such a wide scope brings such a clear and refreshing picture of our Savior and our God, Jesus Christ. 

I am thank to Him that we were able to serve His church in Nicaragua this week.  I am praying that He shined clearly through us as we communicated about Him.  I am also praying that what was imparted this week will continue to reverberate for years to come in this country.

For You Animal Lovers
One intersting incident from today.  Not long after we started this morning we noticed what appeared to be large clouds of smoke coming out from the surrounding neighborhoods.  What we found out a few minutes later was that it was the exterminator coming around fogging for bugs.  So it wasn’t long before we were surrounded with white smoke.  It was preatty bad, but in a few minutes it cleared.  However, “the smoke” brought out all kinds of  bugs from their hiding spots, including very large flying cockroaches.  They were only about 3 or 4 inches long.  Needless to say they made a mighty “crunch” when you danced around and finally stepped on one.  (I just realized that I have just scared a bunch of you from ever coming down here.  Now what do I do?)  But they were very friendly bugs!  In fact I think a few tried to speak to me right before I step on him.  But unfortunately for him, I don’t speak spanish!

We will have a day to recoop and then we head back to the states on Sunday morning.  I am looking forward to seeing you all in a few days. 

Thank you again for your prayers.

Serving Jesus and His People in the Deep South for a few more days!

 Andy

The day is drawing to a close but before I call it a night I thought that I would give you a brief update on the last few days.  Things are going well and, to our surprise, on schedule.  We have finished most of Paul’s letters and will begin with 2 Timothy tomorrow.  Everyone is doing well and is in good health.  And I can’t get enough of the fried plantains!

Tonight we had the priviledge of having dinner with a few pastors from the area.  We talked about ministry and our continued effort to train pastors and church leaders.  It was very encouraging to hear their stories what the training has done in their lives and in the lives of their people.  It was especially encouraging to me to hear that what has been imparted to them has been passed on to others.  2 Timothy 2:2 in action!  Continue to pray that what is taught is applied and taught again in a growing legacy of faithfulness.

A Cross Cultural Note:
There is a phenomon that I have never quite understood.  Until this point I thought that it was just an American thing but I have learned this week that that is not the case.  Women’s bathrooms are always much nicer then Men’s.  I have heard that sometimes they have benches and fresh flowers along with beautiful art on the walls.  Men’s rooms however are completely about function.  They are made to get in and get out.  So they have no benches, flowers, and especially no art.  In Nicaragua it is no different.  Here is a picture of the Men’s room at the church.  Yes, it is in the middle of the horse pasture/stable.  And yes, it does smell from both humans and horses.  While I have not visited the women’s restrooms I hear they are much nicer and may even include art!  Maybe there are some things that cut across cultures.

Thanks again for your prayers.  They are appreciated and felt as we continue to be Christ’s hands and feet in this adventure for the kingdom.

Andy

Well, the first day of teaching is finished.  It is time to take a breath and possibly a siesta.  But first I wanted to drop a couple of pictures and updates to u’all. 

First, thank you to everyone that has prayed for the pinch in my back.  It is almost gone.  By tomorrow it should be ready for the next bumpy car ride! 

One thing I love about coming back to the same place is seeing people that you have ministered with and to in the past.  Today was a great day of reunions, greetings, and hugs. Many familiar faces have returned for another round of teaching.  But it was also good to make new friends.  It is the first time that I have met Arlen, one of our translators.  It was great to hear how God had rescued Him and now made him an able instrument for His service.  I praise God for men like this and how He uses frail instruments like us all! 

While the day happened on Nicaragua time it went off fairly smoothly.  We were able to cover the gospels and will begin with Acts tomorrow.  Only one book off schedule!  We hope to cover through Galatians tomorrow.  We will see.

Only one more thing to add.  I know that many of your are lurking but not commenting.  In fact, I am a bit blown away that we are almost up to 200 views  since the start of the blog.  So keep coming back, but don’t be scared to comment.  Really its almost painless.

Now its time for that siesta!     

Andy

After a fairly uneventfuly two days of travel we have arrived at our final destination of Estili.  When I say uneventful I mean the normal in-flight bumps, horse and cow dodging while driving, and the unpredictable condition of the roads.  We have settled in to our hotel and are being preparations for the week of teaching and training.

We had the oppurtunity last night to see our pastor friend, Emilio as well as Liz Cabot.  (Dave is currently in the states!).  It was good to hear updates on health and ministry from them all.  I am reminded that God chooses to do His ministry through us and we gain partnerships along the way as we work for His glory. 

O.k. class what is the key word to remember for all misions? Flexibility!  That’s right everything has not gone perfectly.  There are some bumps like a missing adapter for my laptop (either went missing in transit or didn’t some how get packed.)  which will not allow me to charge the battery.  And I currently have a pinch in my back (worthy of prayer but it is improving.  Better living through chemistry!)  But God is in charge and knows what is needed when and how.

Pray that God will go in front of us as we finish up preparations and begin teaching tomorrow.  Thanks for your prayers already. 

 Andy 

Saturday morning our team from Hope church heads out to Nicaragua to minister for a week. From the US side, the team will consist of Vern Stork, Storm Swendsboe, and me. From the Nicaragua side there will be Cairo (who some of you met last year) and a group of 2-3 translators. The trip will include spending a little time with a national pastor that we have ministered and cared for in the coastal region of Nicaragua and spending time with our missionaries, the Cabots, in the same area.

But the bulk of the trip will be teaching and training church leaders in the Estili area. The course of instruction will be a survey of the New Testament. We will be moving at warp speed as we will try to cover each book of the New Testament in 45 min to an hour. (I know many of you that have heard me preach think that is impossible. That’s one of the reasons I am asking for prayer!!)

I would be grateful to you if you would support us first and especially with your prayers. Here are a few requests.

1. Pray for diligence and wisdom as we make final preparations for the trip.
2. Pray for the health of the team so that ministry can go forward.
3. Pray for the team to be unified as we lock arms for the advance of the church in the region.
4. Pray for safety and protection for our families as we are away (You can pray for our safety too).
5. Pray for humility and teachability for our team members and for the church leaders.

Secondly, you can support us by caring for our families while we are away. You could be an answer to my prayers (and I am sure the other guys as well) by coming alongside our families. (SSHH, Don’t tell Melissa I asked. I am trying to keep it a secret!)

Finally, I am looking for someone that would be willing to loan me a small (“fit in your pocket” small) digital still camera for the trip. I would like to just get some good “point & click” shots for the web, but don’t want to carry a big camera.

Thank you for your prayers as we live for His Glory and Fame in another place for a few days.

Andy

PS: Don’t forget to check back in a couple days for another update.