What's mine to do?

In a recent blog post, Lynne Hybels spoke of her commitment to join Bread for the World and other Christian leaders in fasting and prayer on behalf of the world's most vulnerable on the 21^st of each month .

By example, Hybels encourages us to fast and pray for those experiencing physical hunger on a regular basis and for those whose decisions affect them. To pray for our own hearts to be broken more deeply for the vulnerable and marginalized. She also shares many other valid prayer points and concludes with the prayer, she says, “that has so often changed the trajectory of my life: God, what is mine to do?”

My discomfort today reminds me that too many in our world live most every day with hunger pangs. But my discomfort also provokes me to action. As it should. Because the kind of fasting the Lord expects is the kind that loosens the chains of injustice and shares food with the needy (Isaiah 58:6-9).

I know I can't do everything or be everywhere, but I can ask, O Lord, what's mine to do? Friends, let's join together to fervently fast and pray, and then let's decisively act on behalf of the hungry and the oppressed in our world today. 

Visit Bread for the World for ideas on how you can be involved.

Likewise, consider contacting local ministries in your area (like The Rescue Mission in Fort Wayne).

Wherever you are, feel free to share a link in the comment section (here or on Facebook) to a non-profit, a ministry, or even a missionary dedicated to ending hunger, poverty, and injustice.

Believe, Pray, Act

(Strength to Love, by Martin Luther King)

Although Martin Luther King did not compose this particular prayer, I believe it embodies his life and legacy. May we believe it, pray it, and act upon it today. 

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your hearts.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Amen.

(A Franciscan Benediction, Sr. Ruth Marlene Fox, 1985)

*previously posted here

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

I love this season of anticipation and joy; of Christmas carols and kids pageants. I love connecting with friends and family who share warm wishes of good cheer as well as photos of their holiday gatherings on social media. Early in the season, silly issues tried to mar the holiday spirit (red coffee cups, anyone?). Yet recently, other more serious matters have since taken center stage. Extreme violence, racist posturing, and xenophobic chatter have dominated social media. Sadly, I finally understand the words by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

Still, I can't help but remember Isaiah's prophetic message of peace has been pealing through the ages since he foretold of the coming Prince of Peace. At our Savior's birth, the heavenly host quieted the shepherds announcing peace to all the earth. On a mountainside so long ago, Jesus blessed the peacemakers calling them children of God. Even in the deafening cacophony of fear and hate, I can choose to join my voice with heaven's proclamation this holy season to share God's message of hope and peace.

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men

Saint Francis once prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Alone, my small voice and unassuming presence can't change the world or the great city of 25 million that Stuart and I live in. But I can change the atmosphere around me by carefully choosing my words and my actions to allow God's peace to be heard and known. Better still, why don't we all lift our voices together with the prophet Isaiah, the heavenly host, even Jesus himself this holy season and become God's instruments of peace by choosing to overcome hatred with love; despair with hope; and darkness with light.

Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

Merry Christmas 

Stuart & Wendy

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP)

Printable PDF: Christmas.Winter 2015

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God bless the misfits and the outcasts

In recent weeks, a new friend asked us to pray for him. Of course we said we would. And we did. Then in a conversation a few days later he asked again, but with more urgency. This subsequent conversation proved more revealing as he shared his feelings of rejection and loneliness.

My heart really went out to him. No one wants to feel like a misfit or an outcast; these feelings conflict with our created purpose. God created us for relationships and when we feel like we don't fit in (misfit) or we've been rejected (outcast) it cuts to the heart of who we are and our deep need to belong.

So what's a body to do? How can we the convince the misfit or outcast they can belong - they do belong within the family of God? Certainly Jesus invited the misfit and the outcast to his family. But how did he make them feel welcomed?

Well, I recall that he healed the lepers (and commended the foreigner who returned to give thanks); he shared a lively and deeply theological conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well (who then evangelized her neighbors and brought them to him); he publicly defended the woman who anointed his feet with oil (whose tale would be told whenever the gospel is preached); he rebuked the disciples in order to bless the children (and certainly gladdened the hearts of all their parents); and he endeared himself to a tax collector (who repented of his cheating ways and promised to make restitution).

How did Jesus make the misfit and the outcast feel like they belonged? By embracing the foreigner, respecting the rejected one, defending the courageous, showing compassion to the tiny ones, and befriending the despised. 

In other words, he loved them as his own. 

Because they were. 

Even if they didn't know it yet.

Because our encounter with our new friend had me thinking a lot this week about how we could best pray for him and cultivate this friendship, I wrote this prayer:

Lord Jesus, we pray for all the misfits and outcasts in the world to find refuge in the family of God. Draw them by your Spirit so that they may recognize and embrace your merciful love. And because so many of us have felt like misfits and outcasts, may we treat everyone we meet with kindness and respect so that they may discover their self-worth through the knowledge of being created in your image. Amen. (WMB 2015)

*****

As you can see, because of you, we have the privilege of meeting and befriending some truly beautiful people. Thank you again for your faithful prayers and support. Your partnership in the gospel makes this all possible.

Fall Newsletter 2015 Printable PDF

Watch, Pray, Act, Give: Teen Challenge Mexico City

Watch: Three Teen Challenge residents share their testimony in this video. Although it is all in Spanish even if you don't speak the language I think you can understand their story as they share through art. Enjoy and please pray for Teen Challenge Mexico City/Reto a la Juventud and its directors Gamaliel and Alejandra.

Pray: Blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen. (BCP)

Act: “This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” Isaiah 58.6-7

Give: Every heartfelt gift or monthly commitment (no matter the amount) brings us closer to our return to Mexico City (and we are very close). Thank you for your support.

May God bless you with discomfort

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your hearts.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Amen

(A Franciscan Benediction, Sr. Ruth Marlene Fox, 1985)

A full week of miles and smiles

Feels like we spent a lot of time due north as well as in the northwest part of our state this week. 

Last Monday we enjoyed a marvelous time of prayer at the Christian Celebration Center in Midland, MI before meeting with the Latin America/Caribbean missions council and team members. 

The evening began with a time of worship, a faith declaration, and then prayer for every supported missionary and the various regions of the world.

Look! They support our former neighbors and missionary colleagues Randy and Linda Lindsey!

On Tuesday, Stuart dropped me off in Fort Wayne and then headed down to Princeton, IN for the Southern Area Ministers Meeting. He arrived home late on Tuesday, rested up on Wednesday, and then we found ourselves in Merrillville once again on Thursday.

We stayed at the home of Christian and Cristina Pellegrini-Rath. A native of Tuscani, Cristina served a meal to die for :) After an update with missions committee members Tedd and Lexa, we spent a better part of the evening talking food and missions. Which come to think of it, is usually the topic of conversation whenever cross-cultural servants get together!

The following day, Stuart and I participated in a missions update and thank you video before speaking at the Oasis luncheon at Living Hope Church. 

What a fun group of people!

So thankful to Beverly (Oasis pastor), Cristina (phenomenal hostess), Living Hope Church, Pastor Todd Matchett and the missions committee for a great couple of days and their faithful support all these years.

On Saturday, Stuart shared breakfast with Pastor Bob Monroe and the men of Kendallville Assembly of God. Unfortunately, Stuart is out of town today and with him the photos he took of the event :) I'll put them up when he gets back.

Yesterday, we headed down to Diversity Church in Indianapolis with Pastor Jonathan and Nicole Ember. We are thankful for their support and vision for their community and the world. If you're in their neck of the woods next week, be sure to stop by Garfield Park Art Center for a Taste of Diversity. Looks like a lot of fun!

Interested in partnering with us to proclaim release to the captives of drug addiction and to set at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade? Just click here to donate on line!

Before you grill out today ...

Let's pray for the unemployed - men & women, young & old who desire to utilize their education and their experience to care for themselves and their families.

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From The Book of Common Prayer

Photo credit

Be free like the lilies and the sparrows: Remembering St. Francis

*photo of Saint Francis taken behind the Old North Church in Boston

Today, Christians around the world commemorate the Saint we know and love as Francis of Assisi. It seems I have always known about St. Francis; I've prayed the prayer attributed to him for as long as I can remember. And as the patron saint of the environment, we often see his likeness keeping vigil in backyard gardens.

However, today, we can remember St. Francis not just as a kindly friar who communed with nature, but as a young man who took seriously the call of God on his life. Born in 1182, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, Francis spent his early years as a frivolous youth. 

Eventually, though, Francis became disillusioned with his carefree life and began to reflect on its true purpose. As the story goes, one afternoon, Francis heard Christ whispering to him: “Repair my church, which is in ruins.” But an act of charity toward the church outraged his father who disowned him. Francis, though, renounced his father's wealth and devoted himself to serving the poor.

A quote attributed to Francis illustrates his sentiments toward materialism: 

The more stuff we have, the more clubs we need to protect it. Be free like the lilies and the sparrows.

As a missionary, I often wonder how much more we could accomplish as the body of Christ, if we were not so worried about acquiring more stuff. If we were truly free of material concern, like the lilies and the sparrows Francis mentions.

St. Francis sought out the poor, the leper, and other outcasts. He traded a life of wealth for a life of service. He depended on the generosity of others to help those in greater need.

As Stuart and I look forward to returning to Mexico City and reaching out to those in greater need, we too, are depending on the generosity others. We ask you today, to please consider partnering with us in ministry. A one time gift or a monthly commitment will help us reach the marginalized in Mexico.

We would love to share our vision for proclaiming release to the captives of drug addiction and setting at liberty those who are oppressed by the sex trade in Mexico City with your church, your small group, or missions board. Please let us know how we can best serve you.

Blessings,

Stuart & Wendy

Lord, Make me an instrument of your peace.


Where there is hatred, let me sow love.


Where there is injury, pardon,


Where there is discord, union,


Where there is doubt, faith,


Where there is error, truth,


Where there is despair, hope,


Where there is sadness, joy,


Where there is darkness, light.


O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

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Dear Cape Christian School

Thank you for praying for us this year. 

We enjoyed all your sweet letters and words of encouragement.

We love serving God in Mexico, and we love that you love Mexico too!

Dios les Bendiga, Mrs Stevens and the 1st grade class at Cape Christian School in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Go Lions!

I Was A Stranger / Fui Extranjero

Take the "I Was A Stranger" challenge: 40 Days of Scripture & Prayer

El Desafío "Fui Extranjero" 40 Días de la Escritura y Oración

I Will Rest in You . . .

Last week I preached at our home church in Mexico City on Resting in God's Rest. You would think resting would be easy, but as I've learned these last few years, it's not as easy as it sounds. For instance, whenever I face a challenge I like to think it through, make a plan, and then to the best of my ability make it happen. But sometimes, no matter what I try to do, nothing works. Or it gets worse.

Much worse.

Pray with . . . Pray for . . . Mexico

Let's Do Something

Let's pray for Mexico.

Today is election day in Mexico. We appreciate your prayers for God's guidance and peace in the land.

Ministry in the City

I just realized I had some ministry photos hiding in my phone! 

So here's to Ministry in the City over the last few months.

Tranquility

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

Lord, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.