I am not going to lie... this has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I mean Liz and I had it ALL - nice cars, a motorcycle, nice place to live, the most perfect youth group and church on earth, friends that we could visit with anytime, each other, everything. Shoot we even had non-moldy sheet rock. I imagine it doesn't matter how close you are to God - sharpening hurts. I have felt things down here I have never had to feel before and everyday, as hard as it is, I learn more and more how to praise HIM through it. I have seen things that should never happen on the mission field and caught myself joining in sometimes because it soothes the sharpening pains. I have learned missionaries are humans and do human things.
At the start of this whole venture, Liz and I were led in a direction that seemed very feasible. Three tiers: Tier One - Work with NICS to learn the culture, language, and all the "unknowns" that would be picked up along the way. While having the opportunity to get our "feet wet" when opportunities arose. Tier Two- Move to the Riberinos, minister to them, share with them the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, tend to their medical needs, teach them how to evangelize, disciple them to "Go Thee Therefore". Tier Three: touch down in the final calling, well prepared to lay the foundation necessary to share the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ. The biggest question that arose from that calling was, and I believe with most people still is, how are you going to do that? The Bible answers this question for us very clearly, the answer is radical and from a human perspective seems crazy, unorganized, and fleshly stupid. The answer is GO. GO! And when things come up that are absolutely impossible to overcome - keep GOING! And when you think that you made the wrong decision because everything around you seems wrong - keep GOING! And when you feel your body shutting down and your mind giving up and your so agitated your on-line at 3 am in the library looking for plane tickets home - keep GOING! No matter what, KEEP GOING!
Liz and I arrived here January 5th, 2011 at 3 o'clock in the morning. We brought with us 4 suitcases and 4 footlockers with things we figured we would need to survive in this new place. We had our jobs lined up, our housing lined up, and our direction squared away. The biggest thing we missed out on was the time to go on a huge "fundraising tour" that all of the other missionaries go on every year. Faith told us to not worry about the money though, because the God we serve owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Plus, should money cause us to not do what the Lord has so obviously called us to do? I guess the answer you give to that question depends on the level of faith you operate on. None the less, Liz and I have survived so far on what little we were able to raise before we left. It is more difficult for us than some of the other missionaries, but that is ok - we are not here to get rich, or retire...
Week one opened my eyes to things that should never happen on the mission field; at least not on the side of the field God's people operate on. Liz and I became aware of some things that were slightly less than good, and without going into much detail over the world wide web, have been used for His glory to show us His plan for our lives. With that, things have changed a little, but flexibility on the mission field hangs sharp on the "missionaries weapons wall".
Liz and I have been through a lot down here. We found out that the Campus Chaplain position was already filled at AVA, and that some of the information we were given concerning the position did not go "as planned". I did not feel like "overthrowing" another missionary's position was my place. I struggled with that for a little while, actually. I mean, I was so excited about getting here and working with the youth of AVA and preaching the English service and doing whatever it takes to fulfill my calling here while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I realized after going behind the "woodshed" with God that although the context of the mission has changed the purpose HASN'T. It took me back to the "drawing wall" and in God's handwriting the new catalyst was revealed. Liz and I sacrificed to come to Brazil to minister, to God's people, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
You know, as hard as we try, we will never fully understand why God does things the way He does sometimes. I cannot tell you why we were put in this position here, but what I can tell you is that we have grown in it. A pastor once told me that God calls us in a broad direction in the beginning and over the course of time narrows it down to the specific purpose for His Glory. In the beginning we accept, then we prepare, then we work, then we praise, then we meet Him face to face.
We have been down here long enough now to understand and grasp what God wants us here for. We have traveled out to the Riberinos and saw the Lord work, people were saved, we were better equipped to understand, and none of those things would have happened until we got there. After all, the Red Sea didn't part till Moses got there with the Israelites. So what are we doing in Belem, Brazil? We are preparing - we have to - you cannot work effectively in ministry if you can't talk to the person you are sitting next to on the bus. You cannot teach pastors in remote areas Discipleship and Evangelism if you cannot speak to them and your translator can't make it. You cannot visit a person's home and encourage them if you do not understand their culture. And you definitely, definitely, definitely cannot be American in Brazil. Paul told us this in First Corinthians 9:
At the start of this whole venture, Liz and I were led in a direction that seemed very feasible. Three tiers: Tier One - Work with NICS to learn the culture, language, and all the "unknowns" that would be picked up along the way. While having the opportunity to get our "feet wet" when opportunities arose. Tier Two- Move to the Riberinos, minister to them, share with them the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, tend to their medical needs, teach them how to evangelize, disciple them to "Go Thee Therefore". Tier Three: touch down in the final calling, well prepared to lay the foundation necessary to share the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ. The biggest question that arose from that calling was, and I believe with most people still is, how are you going to do that? The Bible answers this question for us very clearly, the answer is radical and from a human perspective seems crazy, unorganized, and fleshly stupid. The answer is GO. GO! And when things come up that are absolutely impossible to overcome - keep GOING! And when you think that you made the wrong decision because everything around you seems wrong - keep GOING! And when you feel your body shutting down and your mind giving up and your so agitated your on-line at 3 am in the library looking for plane tickets home - keep GOING! No matter what, KEEP GOING!
Liz and I arrived here January 5th, 2011 at 3 o'clock in the morning. We brought with us 4 suitcases and 4 footlockers with things we figured we would need to survive in this new place. We had our jobs lined up, our housing lined up, and our direction squared away. The biggest thing we missed out on was the time to go on a huge "fundraising tour" that all of the other missionaries go on every year. Faith told us to not worry about the money though, because the God we serve owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Plus, should money cause us to not do what the Lord has so obviously called us to do? I guess the answer you give to that question depends on the level of faith you operate on. None the less, Liz and I have survived so far on what little we were able to raise before we left. It is more difficult for us than some of the other missionaries, but that is ok - we are not here to get rich, or retire...
Week one opened my eyes to things that should never happen on the mission field; at least not on the side of the field God's people operate on. Liz and I became aware of some things that were slightly less than good, and without going into much detail over the world wide web, have been used for His glory to show us His plan for our lives. With that, things have changed a little, but flexibility on the mission field hangs sharp on the "missionaries weapons wall".
Liz and I have been through a lot down here. We found out that the Campus Chaplain position was already filled at AVA, and that some of the information we were given concerning the position did not go "as planned". I did not feel like "overthrowing" another missionary's position was my place. I struggled with that for a little while, actually. I mean, I was so excited about getting here and working with the youth of AVA and preaching the English service and doing whatever it takes to fulfill my calling here while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I realized after going behind the "woodshed" with God that although the context of the mission has changed the purpose HASN'T. It took me back to the "drawing wall" and in God's handwriting the new catalyst was revealed. Liz and I sacrificed to come to Brazil to minister, to God's people, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
You know, as hard as we try, we will never fully understand why God does things the way He does sometimes. I cannot tell you why we were put in this position here, but what I can tell you is that we have grown in it. A pastor once told me that God calls us in a broad direction in the beginning and over the course of time narrows it down to the specific purpose for His Glory. In the beginning we accept, then we prepare, then we work, then we praise, then we meet Him face to face.
We have been down here long enough now to understand and grasp what God wants us here for. We have traveled out to the Riberinos and saw the Lord work, people were saved, we were better equipped to understand, and none of those things would have happened until we got there. After all, the Red Sea didn't part till Moses got there with the Israelites. So what are we doing in Belem, Brazil? We are preparing - we have to - you cannot work effectively in ministry if you can't talk to the person you are sitting next to on the bus. You cannot teach pastors in remote areas Discipleship and Evangelism if you cannot speak to them and your translator can't make it. You cannot visit a person's home and encourage them if you do not understand their culture. And you definitely, definitely, definitely cannot be American in Brazil. Paul told us this in First Corinthians 9:
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
It is sort of neat actually, God has given us the opportunity to learn all the things that we have to learn in order to be prepared to effectively minister to those He has called Liz and I to. In the process, we get to minister and be ministered to everyone God puts in our path. Weekend mission trips to the Riberinos and others allows us to work with our Portuguese and learn the culture more effectively and quickly than Rosetta Stone could teach us. All of my sermons are translated, so I get to hear what I say and compare it to what the translator says. Is it crazy frustrating for an American who wants it now? Yes. It is. But great things take time when you are a human... I mean God created the world in seven days... it took Noah a 120 years to build a boat... The ingredients to successful ministry here is Patience, Portuguese, Brazilian Culture, Flexibility, and Annointing - I am working on most of those things now.
Currently, Liz is teaching at AVA filling in for another teacher as she is Stateside being treated for cancer. I am still preaching the English service on Sundays at AVA - but during the week and on Saturdays I will be working with our new ministry, Amazon Reach, learning Portuguese, and learning the culture of Northern Brazil. This summer Liz and I will begin our training course which takes 5 months. The course is designed to better equip us to work in overseas ministry, specifically in Brazil. After the course is completed, we will return to start tier 2 of the ministry. By this time, we should know the language and culture well enough to begin ministering effectively. We need you to help us in prayer and support. Together, we will be able to effectively minister to a people group that have been casted aside by the world, for the growth of the Kingdom of God!
We are certainly praying for you here. I am here to talk to when you need it. I know you're busy where you are, but if you ever need to get in touch my email is justinwpoole@yahoo.com. I will keep in touch on Facebook whenever I am at the college and have access to it.
ReplyDeleteRest assured, God is using you not only to change lives in Brazil but also in the States.