Press On

We just finished a two week module class on the Major Prophets. I had never studied them in depth before. There is so much prophesy, truth, fulfilled truth, truth to come in those 5 books. So often we claim to be “New Testament Christians” and forget that we are “Whole Bible Christians.” The New Testament does not replace, it fulfills and completes. After reading Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel, I couldn’t get over the justice, judgment, righteousness, and love of God. He is immutable—same God as He was in the OT. Oh to fear Him more!

Although still a mild annoyance, language is progressing. I’m to a point now that I can just laugh at mistakes, and yet still show eagerness to learn. The first 4 weeks were great, but around week five, things started to really bother me—anxiety and frustration at the littlest things. But the Lord proved faithful and has brought me through this battle of “culture shock.” I praise God for strength and victory, and plead for grace in further struggles in the near future. The newness has worn off and I’m in it for the long hall.

I’m building relationships with the guys at church—Daniel, Watson, Moises, David, David, and others. They are you typical guys—active, rowdy, hilarious, and in great need of discipleship. Even though not too much discussion of God’s Word exists, a little Bible here, a little soccer there, and just always being there to build relationships—that is the key for ministry everywhere. Much of the world is people / relationship oriented, and not as much task oriented as the States. I have been learning even more than before that ministry is PEOPLE, not just “programs, events, reunions, tasks, etc. for people.

Last Saturday we hiked through the ceros (foot hills) of the Andes. We climbed one of the highest peaks around, and then crossed the tops of several peaks. There was a path down the last peak to get back to our home, but I didn’t take it. I chose the path less traveled by. From the top, I literally climbed almost strait down into the value of the two highest peaks. I got about half way down, and thought to myself “what have I gotten myself into.” I thought about making my way back up to the path, but I realized it would be just as dangerous and hard to go back up as it would to progress forward. Interesting metaphor—we’ve come so far, what have we gotten ourselves into. Sometimes we as Christians are nervous to look at all we have gone through, and as we look at the future all we will go through is equally frightening. When we are tempted to look back and give up, the trek backwards will be equally difficult—or harder—but you get no where giving up and retreating. Your destination is not reached, the prize is not won, and the goal is not accomplished. I’ve made it this far, through high school, half way through college, and to the short term mission field. Giving up and retreating is not an option at this point. Press On!

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13-14