Before we left for Sri Lanka, I was warned, you will be asked to preach when you are in Sri Lanka. I've "preached" to teens and kids, but to an entire church congregation...sounded a bit daunting. I was reminded that the Lord tells us the Holy Spirit will give us words at the hour we need them.
As the first Sunday approached I began to feel a bit nervous. A few days ahead of time our team was given our speaking assignments (this in itself is a bit a of a trip...we are treated so well by the church members and they graciously want almost all of us speaking to various congregations on Sunday). Initially I was not given an assignment, but remembering the stories from my friend who came on the first trip, I mentally prepared myself to get a last minute assignment and that was what happened. I was asked to speak to the youth. I was told this on Saturday afternoon and so preparation happened that night. Earlier in the day the Lord showed me what He wanted to speak to them, but as I began to actually outline I eventually felt the Lord tell me to just stop and let it be simple. He gave me a couple verses to share and I knew He'd have to fill in all the rest when the time came. I didn't know how long I was supposed to speak so I knew it was up to the Holy Spirit to give me words anyway. That Sunday morning came and I was given an hour to speak to a small group of youth. I shared what the Lord put on my heart from 1 Peter 2:9 that they have been chosen and they are royal and holy. I told them to let God define them and the Lord directed me as I spoke for an hour.
I don't know if it was my willingness to let the Lord use me or simply His grace and love for me, but since that morning I haven't felt nervous at all as different speaking opportunities (or maybe better named assignments) have come up. I recently read in Acts where the apostles asked for boldness and the Holy Spirit came on them and filled them with boldness. The Lord is filling me with boldness and I have a new confidence to speak to people. The confidence isn't at all about my ability, it's rooted in recognizing God wants to speak through me and He can use me if I'm submitted to Him. So since that first Sunday I've had a few more opportunities to speak. One was sharing a short word with a group of church leaders, the next was preaching at a house church, and just today I gave a message at a church conference. All of these have been so humbling. I know myself. I know my own ability. I know that what is coming out is from the Holy Spirit. He is using me through my willingness to be used, but it is humbling to see people sitting in the congregations listening to me speak to them. Me. I'm not a "preacher," but the Lord is using me to preach (so maybe now I am a preacher? haha). I don't know how to explain it. I don't feel worthy to stand before a group of church leaders and speak to them. I don't feel worthy to preach to a house church and have everyone in the congregation ask for me to pray for each of them, including the pastor and his ministers. I don't feel worthy to stand before a congregation at the church conference and be one of the session speakers. But it's not about what I feel. It's about what God says....kind of like what I told the youth. I must let God define me and use me based on His definition. He says I'm worthy because He has made me worthy. I'm worth listening to because He fills me with words. I carry His presence and am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am His servant and proudly carry His name, doing His work. When you see that it has little to do with you or what you have to offer, but it's about what God can do with your willing heart and the things He's already put in you, it's fun. I'm having fun and feeling incredibly blessed as I get to minister to God's people in Sri Lanka. My God is so very very good!
So cool today too, I spoke about freedom. I told the congregation that God's freedom is so much bigger than what we know and He wants us to be free. I told them He's already paid for our freedom and freedom goes far beyond just having forgiveness. He died that we could have abundant life and He has freed us from be bound to sin. We are no longer bound. We are free. As I spoke I realized that my speaking was a testimony to what I was sharing. Not so long ago I would have been so nervous to stand before those people and bring God's word. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to do it. It is because of the freedom the God has brought me into that I could confidently stand before these people and declare to them that God paid for their freedom and wants them to live free. So cool.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Foreign Living
I love being in a foreign place. There is always so much to learn and take in. It's fascinating. A few days ago we walked into to town to pick up dinner. Just the walk along the street was exciting in itself. Traffic is....different here. I found the walk a bit thrilling and a test of trust as drivers zoomed past us making four lanes out of two. Everyday as we drive to various places I observe the cars and pedestrians, what one person here referred to as organized chaos and I know that the though it may appear chaotic, like a pedestrian is in danger of being run over, there actually is a strategy to it where people don't get run over. As I walked along the street I had to remember that the cars zooming by me wouldn't hit me.
So much to be learned here. I haven't seen much below the surface. I'm sure that if I were to actually move here there would be much more underlying that I would have to learn, but even on the surface there is so much to take in. When grocery shopping for produce you must give your produce to a worker who will then weigh and price it. When eating you use your right hand and no silverware. Orange coconuts are for drinking and brown ones are for cooking.
I love this. I love all there is to take in. I love the cultural nuances, but more than that I love the people to get to know and the stories that have shaped them.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Community work fueled by the Holy Spirit
It's amazing to me to see all that is coming out of what appears to be such a small church here in Sri Lanka. Aside from all the church services that happen on Sundays in various parts of the city and even county that have come from connections with this small church, they also support an organization that the pastor started which ministers to so many people in all different communities.
A few days ago our team had the opportunity to go north. This in itself was a gift. Only three years ago the north was completely war torn as it was the location of the the Tamil Tigers, a rebel group in Sri Lanka. The church saw needs in this area. God gave the pastor vision, and now there are a number of ministries happening. We only got to see a handful of them, if that.
The second day we were in the north we went to breakfast. As we sat eating a sort of pancake-ish thing (not really a pancake considering you eat it with curry....) I listened to a woman describe all the services the organization runs and talk about how they were literally started off faith and are now largely supported by the church we have been working with. I can't even remember all the programs that are happening, I just remember sitting there amazed by the way God is moving through this church and all that is happening in His name because of the people that are willing to walk in faith and watch the Lord provide for the things He's asking them to do.
I was impacted by the programs we did get to see. We first stopped at a girls home. The war ended in 2009 after many many years. It was brutal. There were child soldiers. We walked into the home and were greeted by beautiful young women. Then we were told some of their stories. Able to assemble a weapon or bomb in a matter of seconds. Dared to go into the enemy camp and slit a soldier's throat. Watched family members killed. And on and on. They are beautiful, sweet young women. The program doesn't force the girls to participate in any religious activity, or preach to them, but the workers there love the girls in the name of Jesus. The girls watch as the workers do their devotions. They get prayed for, and are prayed for constantly by the workers. Most of the girls choose to come to Jesus and girls that were once child soldiers are completely transformed and renewed. It was so so awesome to see.
The second place we visited was a vocational training school. The young women at the girls home along with other young people from the community receive vocational training here. They learn IT, sewing, leather work, and I think a few other things. They get to choose which classes they'd like to take and learn the skills and have a chance to practice them as well. It was really neat to go and see a group of students learning leather work to make bags, and hear about how they will then be able to run a shop in town as part of the class to learn all aspects of business.
The third place we visited was a school for children with special needs. There were 8 children in class when we visited. I've been in a number of classrooms for students with special needs in the states. This room had only the basics. Students, workbooks, a few manipulatives, and teachers that really care and really pray. We heard a few students' stories. One boy that was very violent and unpredictable when he came, but now is much better and came and greeted us when we arrived, very inquisitive though non-verbal. One little girls who has very brittle bones and did not walk when she first came. She stood up, walked around, and sang to us while we were there. Another girl we were told had recently left the school because she had been brought up to a level where she could attend the local school.
I was impressed by all that is happening, but I think even more impressed by all that God is doing. The people running these places are mostly pastors. They provide a lot of services, but what I saw was kids and young people that weren't just given good skills or education, they were prayed into transformation. The little girl with brittle bones....I looked around that room and saw nothing that would make it so she could walk. Jesus did it. The young women at the girls home were clearly restored through Jesus and we were told that the judge who makes decisions about homes like these has made comments about how the young women from this home are noticeably different.
For a long time I thought that a good program would change people's lives. I thought that the right kind of community work could do it. Here I got to see a beautiful picture of programs empowered by the Holy Spirit. Transformation like I haven't heard of before takes place there. Being there, seeing the humble means that they have to work with, but the significant changes that are happening in people's lives, points directly to the power of Jesus.
A few days ago our team had the opportunity to go north. This in itself was a gift. Only three years ago the north was completely war torn as it was the location of the the Tamil Tigers, a rebel group in Sri Lanka. The church saw needs in this area. God gave the pastor vision, and now there are a number of ministries happening. We only got to see a handful of them, if that.
The second day we were in the north we went to breakfast. As we sat eating a sort of pancake-ish thing (not really a pancake considering you eat it with curry....) I listened to a woman describe all the services the organization runs and talk about how they were literally started off faith and are now largely supported by the church we have been working with. I can't even remember all the programs that are happening, I just remember sitting there amazed by the way God is moving through this church and all that is happening in His name because of the people that are willing to walk in faith and watch the Lord provide for the things He's asking them to do.
I was impacted by the programs we did get to see. We first stopped at a girls home. The war ended in 2009 after many many years. It was brutal. There were child soldiers. We walked into the home and were greeted by beautiful young women. Then we were told some of their stories. Able to assemble a weapon or bomb in a matter of seconds. Dared to go into the enemy camp and slit a soldier's throat. Watched family members killed. And on and on. They are beautiful, sweet young women. The program doesn't force the girls to participate in any religious activity, or preach to them, but the workers there love the girls in the name of Jesus. The girls watch as the workers do their devotions. They get prayed for, and are prayed for constantly by the workers. Most of the girls choose to come to Jesus and girls that were once child soldiers are completely transformed and renewed. It was so so awesome to see.
The second place we visited was a vocational training school. The young women at the girls home along with other young people from the community receive vocational training here. They learn IT, sewing, leather work, and I think a few other things. They get to choose which classes they'd like to take and learn the skills and have a chance to practice them as well. It was really neat to go and see a group of students learning leather work to make bags, and hear about how they will then be able to run a shop in town as part of the class to learn all aspects of business.
The third place we visited was a school for children with special needs. There were 8 children in class when we visited. I've been in a number of classrooms for students with special needs in the states. This room had only the basics. Students, workbooks, a few manipulatives, and teachers that really care and really pray. We heard a few students' stories. One boy that was very violent and unpredictable when he came, but now is much better and came and greeted us when we arrived, very inquisitive though non-verbal. One little girls who has very brittle bones and did not walk when she first came. She stood up, walked around, and sang to us while we were there. Another girl we were told had recently left the school because she had been brought up to a level where she could attend the local school.
I was impressed by all that is happening, but I think even more impressed by all that God is doing. The people running these places are mostly pastors. They provide a lot of services, but what I saw was kids and young people that weren't just given good skills or education, they were prayed into transformation. The little girl with brittle bones....I looked around that room and saw nothing that would make it so she could walk. Jesus did it. The young women at the girls home were clearly restored through Jesus and we were told that the judge who makes decisions about homes like these has made comments about how the young women from this home are noticeably different.
For a long time I thought that a good program would change people's lives. I thought that the right kind of community work could do it. Here I got to see a beautiful picture of programs empowered by the Holy Spirit. Transformation like I haven't heard of before takes place there. Being there, seeing the humble means that they have to work with, but the significant changes that are happening in people's lives, points directly to the power of Jesus.
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