Romance me, O my Husband!
You lavish Your arms around me.
Where could i go where i would be outside of them?
There is no where You are not!
I dance and sing before You.
There is nothing You do not possess.
Yet You want more of me.
Haste the day when We become one flesh!
You are God of the universe!
You know every harlotry i've done,
Yet You find me beautiful.
I am captivating to You.
Your mercies are too much for me.
I cannot bear it!
Your grace is too deep for me.
Thus You swim with me.
O Your reckless Love for me!
O the price You paid!
Am i worth it?
You make me so!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Futbol!!!
In case you were unaware, futbol=soccer.
Last Friday night. Quito (Liga) vs Guayaquil (Emelec). Playoffs (i think). 40,000 fans in the stands.Ben Haley, another IMB missionary, and i got to the game 30 minutes late. No matter. Emelec was up 2-1. We were at Liga's stadium but the only section left was the one reserved for Emelec fans. Ben was wearing his Liga jacket so we had to sneak past the guards. As soon as we got to that section a woman, wearing and Emelec jacket, looked at me, pointed at Ben and started punching her fist as if to say she was going to hit him, since we were in the wrong section. We got away from her and went to the other end of those bleachers.
Liga scored in the 2nd half and tied it up, 2-2. Then one of the Emelec players accidently scored on his own goal, putting Liga in the lead. Ben was jumping up and down so i had to remind him to not celebrate too much cause we were still in the wrong section.
One of the ball boys for Liga was slow returning the ball so one of Emelec's players started a fight. 20-30 police officers flooded the field and there was a 5 minute fight among the players. They cleaned it up and continued playing. A fight broke out behind us in the stands next. A police officer got shoved down and so 3 other officers pulled out their night sticks. People scattered like cockroaches.
The time ran out with Liga ahead and we rushed for our car, as to beat the crowd. Riot police blockaded the exit stairs for the Emelec fan section. I was in the front of a line of people shouting, "WE'RE LIGA!" All of a sudden the started pushing me from behind, my face against a plexi-glass riot shield. We busted through the line of cops and i had to run fast to keep from getting run over (sorry Dr. Jennings).
Once back in the car, we had to pass the road that was in front of the stadium. Pedestrians flooded the street, making it impossible to drive more than a few feet a minute. Another fight broke out in front of my car! Some guy kicked another and the victim fled, being chased by the kicker. What a night! So fun!
I've never seen anything like it.
Last Friday night. Quito (Liga) vs Guayaquil (Emelec). Playoffs (i think). 40,000 fans in the stands.Ben Haley, another IMB missionary, and i got to the game 30 minutes late. No matter. Emelec was up 2-1. We were at Liga's stadium but the only section left was the one reserved for Emelec fans. Ben was wearing his Liga jacket so we had to sneak past the guards. As soon as we got to that section a woman, wearing and Emelec jacket, looked at me, pointed at Ben and started punching her fist as if to say she was going to hit him, since we were in the wrong section. We got away from her and went to the other end of those bleachers.
Liga scored in the 2nd half and tied it up, 2-2. Then one of the Emelec players accidently scored on his own goal, putting Liga in the lead. Ben was jumping up and down so i had to remind him to not celebrate too much cause we were still in the wrong section.
One of the ball boys for Liga was slow returning the ball so one of Emelec's players started a fight. 20-30 police officers flooded the field and there was a 5 minute fight among the players. They cleaned it up and continued playing. A fight broke out behind us in the stands next. A police officer got shoved down and so 3 other officers pulled out their night sticks. People scattered like cockroaches.
The time ran out with Liga ahead and we rushed for our car, as to beat the crowd. Riot police blockaded the exit stairs for the Emelec fan section. I was in the front of a line of people shouting, "WE'RE LIGA!" All of a sudden the started pushing me from behind, my face against a plexi-glass riot shield. We busted through the line of cops and i had to run fast to keep from getting run over (sorry Dr. Jennings).
Once back in the car, we had to pass the road that was in front of the stadium. Pedestrians flooded the street, making it impossible to drive more than a few feet a minute. Another fight broke out in front of my car! Some guy kicked another and the victim fled, being chased by the kicker. What a night! So fun!
I've never seen anything like it.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Faith Healing
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." James 5:14
That's just what i did. But first...I've been dealing with a shoulder problem for close to 2 years. I had surgery on it at the start of that time and it was never 100% since. Bone spurs were removed and they seem to have come back sooner than expected. Especially during the summer, i started having severe pain in my right shoulder. It's actually been so bad that i was able to do my push-ups in order to get in shape for the Xtreme Team. It's been a rough ride-- all these ailments. Nevertheless, i was continuing to try my push-ups on my own strength and failing miserably. Last week i tried doing the 6 sets of 30 push-ups according to the workout schedule. Discouragingly, i could only pull of 3 sets of 15 girl push-ups (leaning forward on a wall instead of pushing off the floor). I was desperate.
Last weekend at the 5-10 member dirt floor church in Pesillo, i asked the pastor, my friend, Jose, to follow this verse in James 5:14. Since the church was so small and everyone was older than me, they all got up and Jose spread a handful of vegetable oil on my head (I think it's silly to buy special "blessed" oil at the Christian bookstore. The grocery store has some oil that works just as good for a lot cheaper.) Now, i'd like to say this: I don't believe that the oil itself has any healing power, in and of itself. I believe the power of healing to come from God alone through faith. Like baptism, anointing with oil is symbolic of an act of faith that God is doing through me.
Not feeling any better, i was still certain that my shoulder had been healed. That's what faith is: Knowing without seeing. So the next day, it was time for my push-ups. Just before starting, i thanked the Lord for healing me, even though it still hurt a little. I did my first set on the ground (real push-ups)... all 30 of them. Then another set, then another. Within 10 minutes all 6 sets were complete. I had a moment of praise to Him, not that i wasn't doing it since the anointing the day before. Yes, i still felt a little discomfort in my shoulder, but the difference was night and day. I have been able to do all my exercises this week free of severe pain. I'm very excited about this and wanted to share what God is doing with this old wine skin/clay jar that He's chosen to reach the nations with. Glory to Him!
That's just what i did. But first...I've been dealing with a shoulder problem for close to 2 years. I had surgery on it at the start of that time and it was never 100% since. Bone spurs were removed and they seem to have come back sooner than expected. Especially during the summer, i started having severe pain in my right shoulder. It's actually been so bad that i was able to do my push-ups in order to get in shape for the Xtreme Team. It's been a rough ride-- all these ailments. Nevertheless, i was continuing to try my push-ups on my own strength and failing miserably. Last week i tried doing the 6 sets of 30 push-ups according to the workout schedule. Discouragingly, i could only pull of 3 sets of 15 girl push-ups (leaning forward on a wall instead of pushing off the floor). I was desperate.
Last weekend at the 5-10 member dirt floor church in Pesillo, i asked the pastor, my friend, Jose, to follow this verse in James 5:14. Since the church was so small and everyone was older than me, they all got up and Jose spread a handful of vegetable oil on my head (I think it's silly to buy special "blessed" oil at the Christian bookstore. The grocery store has some oil that works just as good for a lot cheaper.) Now, i'd like to say this: I don't believe that the oil itself has any healing power, in and of itself. I believe the power of healing to come from God alone through faith. Like baptism, anointing with oil is symbolic of an act of faith that God is doing through me.
Not feeling any better, i was still certain that my shoulder had been healed. That's what faith is: Knowing without seeing. So the next day, it was time for my push-ups. Just before starting, i thanked the Lord for healing me, even though it still hurt a little. I did my first set on the ground (real push-ups)... all 30 of them. Then another set, then another. Within 10 minutes all 6 sets were complete. I had a moment of praise to Him, not that i wasn't doing it since the anointing the day before. Yes, i still felt a little discomfort in my shoulder, but the difference was night and day. I have been able to do all my exercises this week free of severe pain. I'm very excited about this and wanted to share what God is doing with this old wine skin/clay jar that He's chosen to reach the nations with. Glory to Him!
Well Butter My Behind and Call Me a Biscuit! Happy Thanksgiving, America!
The meat and taters: (for the skimmers)
The milk and cookies: (for the non-skimmers)
Dear cloud of witnesses,
First, i want to ask yall if there's anyway i can be praying for you. As i asked this back in the summer and ask it now because Satan wants to put things in your lives that will stop you from thinking/praying for your brothers and sisters overseas (including me). We can't afford that. Plus, this is not a religion where you have my back but i don't have yours. Back to back, we fight our spiritual battles.I was able to lead a local named Edgar to Christ! PTL! Read the story . A week later, we visited him again and his family was there. Maria (mom), a little girl (sister?), and a boy/girlfriend couple (sister?). They are not believers but are interested in learning more. We shared the Creation story. Edgar has started reading the book of John in the Bible we gave him. He has a tough living situation with a women who is married to someone else.
Jose and i are working on a very small bathhouse on the weekends. We started last weekend. Once i realized he had no intentions of making it square and i could stop worrying, i felt a lot better. Laying blocks is very different in the States. We hope that this bathhouse will attract the town´s people to the church, many of whom don´t have a shower or toilet. Glory to God!
We celebrated Thanksgiving at the house with about 50 missionaries from Ecuador. As you might have gathered, the Pilgrims didn´t settle the coast of Ecuador, so it´s not a holiday most of the nationals know or celebrate. It was some good eating though! I even met a girl named Katie Kaley who was a camper at Snowbird the last 2 summers! What are the odds?!
PrayeRequests:
- A guy named Edgar got saved, God tested my faith, and God is teaching me some strange things. Several stories like these are posted on the blog.
- Jeff Hill, from Texas, will be joining the Xtreme Team in February with me.
- Prayer requests are below.
The milk and cookies: (for the non-skimmers)
Dear cloud of witnesses,
First, i want to ask yall if there's anyway i can be praying for you. As i asked this back in the summer and ask it now because Satan wants to put things in your lives that will stop you from thinking/praying for your brothers and sisters overseas (including me). We can't afford that. Plus, this is not a religion where you have my back but i don't have yours. Back to back, we fight our spiritual battles.I was able to lead a local named Edgar to Christ! PTL! Read the story . A week later, we visited him again and his family was there. Maria (mom), a little girl (sister?), and a boy/girlfriend couple (sister?). They are not believers but are interested in learning more. We shared the Creation story. Edgar has started reading the book of John in the Bible we gave him. He has a tough living situation with a women who is married to someone else.
Jose and i are working on a very small bathhouse on the weekends. We started last weekend. Once i realized he had no intentions of making it square and i could stop worrying, i felt a lot better. Laying blocks is very different in the States. We hope that this bathhouse will attract the town´s people to the church, many of whom don´t have a shower or toilet. Glory to God!
We celebrated Thanksgiving at the house with about 50 missionaries from Ecuador. As you might have gathered, the Pilgrims didn´t settle the coast of Ecuador, so it´s not a holiday most of the nationals know or celebrate. It was some good eating though! I even met a girl named Katie Kaley who was a camper at Snowbird the last 2 summers! What are the odds?!
PrayeRequests:
- Pray for Igancio and i as we disciple Edgar and minister to his unbelieving family.
- Pray for me as i have no face-to-face accountability with English-speaking guys my age. There are none here. This has been the biggest loss i've suffered thus far. Props to my accountability guys back home who email me.
- Pray that i would not miss opportunities to serve and witness to souls that are ripe for the harvest.
- Jeff Hill is in training in VA at the moment. Pray he doesn't tear his ACL, etc.
- Unspoken request. Just kidding! Those aren't in the Bible. (Think about it.)
Love yuns!
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrassThursday, November 23, 2006
wo who!!!
This weekend Mirjam and I are planning on taking Felipe to the mountains across Guimaca. We´re going to hike to the highest point in Guimaca and are praying for opportunities to share Christ with the peoples in the mountains. A friend of mine that teaches at the Catholic school in town tod me there are quite a bit of people living up there that never come down and need to hear about Christ. Please pry that God would open up opportunitie and that we would get the official go ahead from the Jefe. Everything else here is going amazing. I cannot believe snowbird gets here friday. Please pray fr healing of mine and Mirjams ankles. We took a group of 10 older boys to the mountains for a camping trip this past wekend and it was amazing but we both twisted our ankles. Ironic eh? Mine is actually getting a lot better. Tuesday night I had the opportunity to talk to one of the watchimen...Modesto. We talked for about an hour in the 40 degree...yes i said 40 degree weather here in Honduras. I asked him about his beliefs and shared with him the gospel, but he stated he knows the gospel but isnt ready to be obedient. Pleae pray for him and for further conversations. Helene has been asking more and more questions about the Lord and salvation, she even talked to Wade about salvation. She is searching and seeking hard cre, PLEASE pray for her and This morning i was doing my Bible study in the living room (usually i do it in the bed room) but Sabrina came to me and asked me what I was doing and why and i was able to show her how to have a Bible study and show her the many reasons elievers study the word daily instead of only in church. It was a very fruitful time please pray the Lord would continue to work on her heart as well.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
"Ok, corey, POP QUIZ" -Jesus
Ever had a pop quiz from God? I had one Saturday night.
Jose and i were at the church in Pesillo, getting ready to spend the night and have church the folowing morning. We needed to go to a neighbor's house but, even though i´d managed not to wreck the car this week, i did lock the keys in it. I started to call AAA but 1) They aren´t in Ecuador and 2) i'm not a member. I´d seen coat hangers used in the movies so i began describing a coathanger to Jose with hand motions since i lacked the Spanish word. We came up with one and jimmied the window space for about 15 min.
Jose is a wonderful man. He says "Glory to God!" about 4 times an hour for ever situation, good or bad. He spits in his hands to wash them. He has a heart for Jesus as hot as i've seen yet in Ecuador.
He suggested praying. So i began praying with faith that God would open the lock. I have often thought of myself as a person who is able to seperate scientific explicable situations from the reality of God´s unexplicable works and power. But, is faith knowing that God can do miracles, or is faith knowing that He´s going to do it, period. The latter is much harder, in my case. Sure, i knew without a shaddow of a doubt that God could unlock the door with or without our seemingly endless failures with the coathanger. I told Him that i knew He could do it. He replied, "But do you know that I will do it?" This was the pop quiz. I confessed that i did not, but i asked Him to give me this kind of faith, something i have very rarely experienced. He gave it to me. Jose continued with the coathanger a few more minutes and it popped open! We danced hugging one another in the field for a few moments. What joy!
We had a very fruitful conversation with the man and i believe he accepted the Lord. We´ll be following up with him next week.
Jose and i were at the church in Pesillo, getting ready to spend the night and have church the folowing morning. We needed to go to a neighbor's house but, even though i´d managed not to wreck the car this week, i did lock the keys in it. I started to call AAA but 1) They aren´t in Ecuador and 2) i'm not a member. I´d seen coat hangers used in the movies so i began describing a coathanger to Jose with hand motions since i lacked the Spanish word. We came up with one and jimmied the window space for about 15 min.
Jose is a wonderful man. He says "Glory to God!" about 4 times an hour for ever situation, good or bad. He spits in his hands to wash them. He has a heart for Jesus as hot as i've seen yet in Ecuador.
He suggested praying. So i began praying with faith that God would open the lock. I have often thought of myself as a person who is able to seperate scientific explicable situations from the reality of God´s unexplicable works and power. But, is faith knowing that God can do miracles, or is faith knowing that He´s going to do it, period. The latter is much harder, in my case. Sure, i knew without a shaddow of a doubt that God could unlock the door with or without our seemingly endless failures with the coathanger. I told Him that i knew He could do it. He replied, "But do you know that I will do it?" This was the pop quiz. I confessed that i did not, but i asked Him to give me this kind of faith, something i have very rarely experienced. He gave it to me. Jose continued with the coathanger a few more minutes and it popped open! We danced hugging one another in the field for a few moments. What joy!
We had a very fruitful conversation with the man and i believe he accepted the Lord. We´ll be following up with him next week.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
New brother: Edgar!
Last night, i went with Ignacio to the small town of Llano Grande, where he had a contact of this guy named Edgar. We found his house and talked to him for maybe an hour and a half. Ignacio presented a clear message of the Gospel. He kept making excuses why he couldn't be saved. Most dealt with his past sins being too many to deserve forgiveness. We went through John 3:16, Romans 3:32, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, and finally Romans 10:9. I told him that he would make a decision tonight to accept or reject the salvation of Jesus. I explained, "You know in your heart that Jesus is real and He can be your Savior. [He agreed] Also, you are listening to Satan giving you reasons to not accept Jesus. How long will you listen to Satan?" He decided to stop listening to the Devil. He prayed for Jesus to save him and forgive him of his sins. He asked Jesus to make him a new man. He told us he meant it in his heart. That gave way to me jumping around the table and hugging him big time, telling him he is my brother. Rejoice with me, Church!
We will visit him again next Tuesday.
Monday, November 13, 2006
... Obedience ...
"The flesh is impatient in all delay, both in decision and action; therefore all carnal choices are immature and premature, and all carnal courses are mistaken and unspiritual. God is often moved to delay that we may be moved to pray, and even the answers to prayer are deffered that the natural and carnal spirit may be kept in check and self-will may bow before the will of God."-George Muller
"The workman of God needs to wait on Him to know the work he is to do and the area where he is to serve Him."
"...the safe guide in every crisis is believing prayer in connection with the Word of God; and that continued uncertainty as to ones course is a reason for continued waiting."
"conviction compelled action for in him there was no spirit of compromise"
"For every defect in our service there is a cause, and the one all sufficient remedy is the throne of grace, where in every time of need we may boldly come to find grace and help!"
2 Tim 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
I am constantly and consistantly being encouraged by the life of George Muller. I can only pray to follow in the foot steps of such a man of faith as i seek the Lord following the example of Christ as he did.
Because of our culture and selfish, impatient hearts a lot of us struggle with waiting.
God keeps telling me to share this so, here you go...
Journal Entry:
10Nov06
These quotes by George Muller hit it home for me. So often i struggle with waiting. With wanting to know and plan for my future. This first quote above is similar to my struggle. So often i make quick desicions. I dont wait on God and say this is what I am going to do. My planning for Peru last year, my first summer at snowbird, my entire previous relationship. God says no... You're not ready, be patient, seek my face, grow in the knowledge of My truths and promises. Yesterday i ended up at the Xtreme team website viewing the missionaries and the work going on down there. I desire so badly to be a part if it, but God decided I wasn't ready last year, and now I agree. I am blessed to have the freedom in Christ to serve God as a single woman. God has graced me with a clear mind and focused heart in that area. As i read George Mullers autobiography in so many ways we have a similar story. Both sinners, saved by grace, dying to the sin of minipulation and leaving one we chose to love in the passion and desire of our flesh. He left his "love" for Christ as have I, and I can only pray that He blesses me as He blessed George Muller. He sent Muller a spouse with the same self sacrificing mentality, the same passion for Christ and Godliness. They were like minded, true servants, true partners. They were one. I desire to experience that passion as a bride of Christ. I want to be completely consumed with Christ that nothing matters...my hopes, dreams and passions become that of Christ. Muller is such an inspiration. He consumed himself with Christ to the point where he wouldnt make a single decision without Him. I jump on the opportunity to do something new. I always want change, adventure, I want to LIVE, to live life abundantly, but sometimes i mix the abundant life with the hard, adventurous life of suffering for Christ, not the daily abundant life in which i pursue holiness and grow in love, patience and diligence. Where people see the gentle Spirit of Christ in me and are drawn to his character. I see at times when i allow myself to become distracted, selfish. Focusing on what God is going to use me for (not for the glorification of others, but for my own "self fulfillment")... assuming it is something huge! Something spectacular. Using me to bring people to know the Lord in the jungles of the Amazon or in the mountain tops of the Andes in the peoples heart language. Who am I that God would even use me?!? I have to have an attitude of self-denial. Deny myself all things of the flesh so that Christ can use me to the fullest. I need to be patient and wait on the Lord, allow Him to open doors instead of minipulating situations so that i pry the doors open. This step in faith to Honduras was the first time I did not orchastrate anything. God provided everything and sent me as He willed. And it has been the most amazing time of growth and insight into the heart of God. It is the first time I have ever been able to follow through with something because it wasn't me tearing my way through, but God clearly paving a narrow, straight path for His work to be done. Praise God! It is my prayer that God would give me the strength, teach me to persevere, teach me to consume my mind, heart and spirit with His character and nature. My biggest battle is in my mind. I constantly wrestle with my decietful heart. A godly man i respect and look up to once said to me, "Racheal, I want to see you wearing alpaca fur in the mountains of Peru telling those people about Jesus whether you are single or married." If thats what God has called you to than do it." He is 100% right. I know myself and several other woman who desire to be missionaries struggle with going on the field as a single woman, but to wait on a man to be sent out to your field and work along side you is unscriptural and therefore wrong! I don't know if God will take me to the Amazon, but i pray that i would have a patient, persevering heart. And that I would continue to have opportunities to share Christ with the people here, and where ever i go! Whether its family members or people in Graceville. Whether its children in Honduras or the people at the end of the earth, that i would always proclaim the saving power of Jesus Christ!
Be encouraged!
"The workman of God needs to wait on Him to know the work he is to do and the area where he is to serve Him."
"...the safe guide in every crisis is believing prayer in connection with the Word of God; and that continued uncertainty as to ones course is a reason for continued waiting."
"conviction compelled action for in him there was no spirit of compromise"
"For every defect in our service there is a cause, and the one all sufficient remedy is the throne of grace, where in every time of need we may boldly come to find grace and help!"
2 Tim 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
I am constantly and consistantly being encouraged by the life of George Muller. I can only pray to follow in the foot steps of such a man of faith as i seek the Lord following the example of Christ as he did.
Because of our culture and selfish, impatient hearts a lot of us struggle with waiting.
God keeps telling me to share this so, here you go...
Journal Entry:
10Nov06
These quotes by George Muller hit it home for me. So often i struggle with waiting. With wanting to know and plan for my future. This first quote above is similar to my struggle. So often i make quick desicions. I dont wait on God and say this is what I am going to do. My planning for Peru last year, my first summer at snowbird, my entire previous relationship. God says no... You're not ready, be patient, seek my face, grow in the knowledge of My truths and promises. Yesterday i ended up at the Xtreme team website viewing the missionaries and the work going on down there. I desire so badly to be a part if it, but God decided I wasn't ready last year, and now I agree. I am blessed to have the freedom in Christ to serve God as a single woman. God has graced me with a clear mind and focused heart in that area. As i read George Mullers autobiography in so many ways we have a similar story. Both sinners, saved by grace, dying to the sin of minipulation and leaving one we chose to love in the passion and desire of our flesh. He left his "love" for Christ as have I, and I can only pray that He blesses me as He blessed George Muller. He sent Muller a spouse with the same self sacrificing mentality, the same passion for Christ and Godliness. They were like minded, true servants, true partners. They were one. I desire to experience that passion as a bride of Christ. I want to be completely consumed with Christ that nothing matters...my hopes, dreams and passions become that of Christ. Muller is such an inspiration. He consumed himself with Christ to the point where he wouldnt make a single decision without Him. I jump on the opportunity to do something new. I always want change, adventure, I want to LIVE, to live life abundantly, but sometimes i mix the abundant life with the hard, adventurous life of suffering for Christ, not the daily abundant life in which i pursue holiness and grow in love, patience and diligence. Where people see the gentle Spirit of Christ in me and are drawn to his character. I see at times when i allow myself to become distracted, selfish. Focusing on what God is going to use me for (not for the glorification of others, but for my own "self fulfillment")... assuming it is something huge! Something spectacular. Using me to bring people to know the Lord in the jungles of the Amazon or in the mountain tops of the Andes in the peoples heart language. Who am I that God would even use me?!? I have to have an attitude of self-denial. Deny myself all things of the flesh so that Christ can use me to the fullest. I need to be patient and wait on the Lord, allow Him to open doors instead of minipulating situations so that i pry the doors open. This step in faith to Honduras was the first time I did not orchastrate anything. God provided everything and sent me as He willed. And it has been the most amazing time of growth and insight into the heart of God. It is the first time I have ever been able to follow through with something because it wasn't me tearing my way through, but God clearly paving a narrow, straight path for His work to be done. Praise God! It is my prayer that God would give me the strength, teach me to persevere, teach me to consume my mind, heart and spirit with His character and nature. My biggest battle is in my mind. I constantly wrestle with my decietful heart. A godly man i respect and look up to once said to me, "Racheal, I want to see you wearing alpaca fur in the mountains of Peru telling those people about Jesus whether you are single or married." If thats what God has called you to than do it." He is 100% right. I know myself and several other woman who desire to be missionaries struggle with going on the field as a single woman, but to wait on a man to be sent out to your field and work along side you is unscriptural and therefore wrong! I don't know if God will take me to the Amazon, but i pray that i would have a patient, persevering heart. And that I would continue to have opportunities to share Christ with the people here, and where ever i go! Whether its family members or people in Graceville. Whether its children in Honduras or the people at the end of the earth, that i would always proclaim the saving power of Jesus Christ!
Be encouraged!
Well, well, well. Look what the catfish drug in.
Attention skimmers!
The essentials (meat and taters):
Thanks to the wisdom of one, Carrie Stallings (IMB missionary to Spain), skimmers no longer have to search for the pertinent information. It's all here at the top.
I'm learning more Spanish. I've been doing research and evangelism in smaller mountain towns. I wrecked my car. I don't want to clutter anyone's email box so everyone that wants to continue to receive these updates must reply UNLESS you did so to the last email or joined since then. Prayer requests are below. If time and love permit, read on...
Ok, now for the milk and cookies:
Dear people who have time (ha ha),
Here's my usual schedule so you can be praying for me during the week, if you like:
Mondays-Wednesdays: Might be in the office, but hopefully i'm in a rural community doing research and evangelism where few or no evangelical church exists. I have Spanish class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-4:30.
Thursdays: My off-day. Usually doing yard work at the house and reading in the hammock
Fridays: Same as Mondays-Wednesdays minus the Spanish class.
Saturdays: Go to Pesillo (2.5 hour drive), a Quichua mountain community, with Jose and visit with families, evangelizing.
Sundays: Morning church with Jose, the pastor of the church in Pesillo. i return to Quito and go to the youth meeting at a local church in the afternoon. I usually get to hang out with some of boys from there and disciple them.
Here's a journal entry i made this weekend about the wreck:
"Nov. 11, 2006
"Here's a nice scene from Thursday, my off-day. I was wrapping up the last couple of chapters from A.W. Tozer's Knowledge of the Holy in my hammock, strung up to a couple avocado trees, beneath my rain tarp sounding the pitter-patter of a light rain of the early afternoon. So relaxing.
"Now contrast that with what just happened: Today [Saturday], Jose and i were traveling to Pesillo. Passing through Cayambe, a truck in front of me slammed on the breaks. Not wanting to give him a Rock Hudson [hit him in the tail] i switched to the right lane. Low and behold, this was occupied by a parked car very close. Realizing my situation had not improved, since my car was not slowing down fast enough, i pulled onto the sidewalk which was free of pedestrians. That's when i realized that i was on a collision course with a 3ft wide concrete planter, full of earth. Boxed in by the wall to my right, i was searching for the words to Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel." The planter was disintegrated, as was my car's alignment and my pride." We were unscathed, but i can't say the same for my car's front suspension. It's currently at the mechanic of Cayambe getting well.
PrayeRequests:
* That God would speak through me. My Spanish is lacking and i'd rather Him give me the words, even if it was in English. Just this weekend i had conversations with people in Spanish about biodeisel, relationships with the opposite sex, nuclear fusion, and all the local foods i need to try (rodents and intestines, etc.). All these complex conversations make me want to learn Spanish. I've also been invited to speak to the youth group.
* Pray that i'd be able to effectively and efficiently do research in these communities. Pray that Christian churches would be planted. Catholicism exists but it's quite different from Catholicism in the States. If you ask someone if they are a Christian they are likely to reply with, "No. I'm Catholic." In some communities the local Catholic church is known to incite violence against Evangelicals, who are in the vast minority.
* God would be glorified.
Finally, be sure to check the blog on teote.com as other missionaries and myself update it more regularly than this email newsletter.
Love yall,
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass
Friday, November 10, 2006
Stop It, America.
This is getting old...
Contrary to popular opinion people don't see these and say, "Oh Christians are so witty! I want to be one!"
Societal Conotations vs Definitions
I was musing the other day about how many catagories of people i could fall into by definition only. Of course, i couldn't say i'm most of these things because of the conotations our society attaches to them, but it was still interesting to me. Negating society's perceived ideas of these, by definition, i could say...
I'm Orthodox: of, pertaining to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, ideology, etc.
I'm a Muslim: one who submits to God
I'm Messianic: of or relating to a messiah
I'm Episcopal: based on or recognizing a governing order of bishops
I'm Pentecostal: of or relating to (the day of) Pentecost
I'm a Jehovah's Witness: practitioner of active evangelism
I'm a Baptist: person who baptizes
I'm a Hippie: person who opposes and rejects many of the conventional standards and customs of society
I'm a Methodist: person who relies greatly or excessively on methods or a particular method
I'm Christian: of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings
I'm Liberal: characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts. Also free from prejudice or bigotry. Also favoring or permitting freedom of action
I'm Catholic: having broad or wide-ranging in tastes, interests, or the like. Also pertaining to the whole Christian body or church
I'm a Protestant: one who protests against the decision of the Diet of Speyer in 1529, which had denounced the Reformation
I'm Evangelical: pertaining to or in keeping with the Gospel and its teachings
I'm a Sinner: a person who sins
I'm a Saint: a person of great holiness, virtue, or benevolence
I'm an Adventist: a member of any of certain Christian denominations that maintain that the Second Advent of Christ is imminent
I'm Apostolic: of or relating to or deriving from the Apostles or their teachings
I'm an Animist: one who believes in spiritual beings or agencies
Presbyterian: pertaining to or based on the principle of ecclesiastical leadership by elders
Quaker: one who quakes and trembles
What are you? Just some food for thought..
Thursday, November 9, 2006
I am ALIVE!!!
With knowledge comes responsibility. This is true not only for the Word of God and gospel of Jesus Christ, but with missions as well. When i first came to Emmanuel i was captured by these children, their need for love and desire for attention. I was overwhelmed with the desire to give them just that. At that point i was a volunteer... Playing with the toddlers in the morning, taking the boys to the mountains in the afternoons. It was a blast! Amazing... i was blinded to the powers and principalities at work in this ministry. Then, i started working on the farm. For some reason i am always drawn to work with my hands, to be more constructive. The farm is absolutely amazing and I am learning more than i couldve ever imagined. From raising chickens and continuing the entire cycle of life to death, and providing food for these kids whether it be the vegetables we grow or the pigs we raise. It is amazing. But after working on the farm for a week i was put in charge of the chicken process and some of the boys. The first two weeks were the worst experience and hardest struggle i have ever encountered in my life. I delt with boys with little to no respect for women, who think women should be in the kitchens and cleaning their rooms. They wouldnt listen to me and cursed me at every opportunity. Every day i would go to my house broken and weaping for these boys and the condition of their hearts. But God heard my cry, he gave my the strength and determination to fight for these boys and it was amazing, over the period of a week it was as if they just realized i wasn't going any where, and that they were going to have to work with me, listening and respecting me. Now, if someone says something hurtful or ugly to me my boys are very quick to protect me. This gave me just a glimpse, and I cant imagine how broken, angry and disgusted Christ is over our sin. He died so the world could have life, and so many people push him away, cursing His name and spitting in His face. Yet, to encounter suffering for the sake of Christ for the love of those people is a blessing, a priviledge, yet we arent even worthy to suffer for Christ. As i spend more and more time with these boys, speaking with them and encouraging them, they have begun to grant me this level of trust that i dont deserve. They pour their hearts out, their pain, suffering, frustrations everything in search of what they lack. The one thing they need and the only thing i have to give them. Christ. They hear the Word of God daily, they memorize the Word of God in abundance yet they lack true, intimate fellowship with Jesus CHrist. They miss the nessecity of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Sure they believe in God, they even believe in Jesus... they know who He is, but they do not know Him! They have not experienced CHrist. Knowing and believing is not enough! The demons believe in God and they shudder! You have to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and that is what i am trying to teach these boys through my actions. My spanish is improving by the day, but as the days pass they seem to pass faster and faster. The farm never stops... never! You are always moving, always going. This is good for production, but awful for ministry! I find myself getting frustrated because i don't have time to talk with the boys about there days any more. The more responsibility that is given to me, the less time i have with the boys on an individual bases. It seems as though i wake up, go to the farm, work and in no time the day is gone and the boys are locked in the houses. This issue has effected me quite a bit lately. It seems as though i am doing more work than ministry, and I am here to give these kids Christ... They have teachings, they have rules, but they need relationships. They need true examples of how to live! They need someone to be a shoulder to cry on when theyre angry and frustrated, they need someone to guide them in the ways of the Lord face to face... not only from the pulpit! They need arms of grace and compassion, but also Godly discipline and guidance. Not some one saying hey...work faster, move quicker... youre lazy, be a man! They hear it to often and it breaks my heart! I have had little opportunity to build realtionships with the girls which is also something that I am praying about changing... I have built three stong relationships with the girls. They all actually turned twenty last week. Gloria, Dilcia and Yenny. Amazing ladies. We can just sit down and talk forever about what is going on in their lives and see what the bible says they need to do. Yet, i am blown away, because they will tell me there problems and they know what they need to do. So we pray for strength, wisdom and endurance.___________________--Mirjam and I have been taking groups of kids to the mountains every Saturday when we have time off. We have found some amazing views and a water hole we take the kids to swim in. I have found that this is the time where i get to know the kids the most. I finally was able to share the gospel message in Spanish with one of the boys Saturday in the mountains. He is one of the new boys and as I was asking them all questions leading to the gospel he said he wasnt a Christian and he wanted to know what it was, and why we were Christians...it was amazing. Please continue to pray for these children and staff here at Emmanuel. I love you guys.
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
and then there were 18
sometimes i just don't trust God to take care of things. i tend to go about my life as if my worry and insecurity were gonna add days to it. why do i do this?
hank and i have been worked up into a frenzy (ok, I'VE been worked up into a frenzy.. hank's just playing cool) trying to plan these spring break 07 trips to honduras. in august as i was writing the application & reference letter/forms, sending emails, calling youth pastors, and answering endless questions, i thought for sure we would fill up the 24 spots in no time. but as of last wednesday (1 month out from the absolute deadline) we only had 3 students committed to going. i was really discouraged because we weren't getting the feedback i hoped for after i put all of me into planning this trip. so that morning, i decided to take the initiative and put out an email to anyone at all who had remotely inquired about the trips. i wanted to give all these youth pastors the benefit of the doubt, in thinking that with everything going on in their individual ministries, that honduras just slipped their minds. well, i was right! not even an hour after i clicked send, the phone started ringing and the second week was OVER booked! for the rest of the afternoon, people kept on calling and emailing me wanting to know more about the trips! they were all so thankful for my email... they only needed to see the words Honduras and Spring Break in the same sentence to remind them! God turned those 2 weeks and my doubtful heart upside down in a matter of hours, in the way only He can!!
earlier that very same morning, i started studying through the book of john. for me, it's just good to go back from time to time and read stuff that i think i already "know". often i try to sell myself the lie that if i heard it in awana that i've already mastered it. see? not true! so.... i opened God's word to the fourth gospel, sat back in my chair, sipped my coffee, and prayed for God to make real to me the miracles that the multitudes were becoming bored with in chapter 6. and little did i know that just a few hours later, He would make chapter 1 verse 16 as tangible and nourishing as food.
from the fullness of His grace we have received one blessing after another...
hank and i have been worked up into a frenzy (ok, I'VE been worked up into a frenzy.. hank's just playing cool) trying to plan these spring break 07 trips to honduras. in august as i was writing the application & reference letter/forms, sending emails, calling youth pastors, and answering endless questions, i thought for sure we would fill up the 24 spots in no time. but as of last wednesday (1 month out from the absolute deadline) we only had 3 students committed to going. i was really discouraged because we weren't getting the feedback i hoped for after i put all of me into planning this trip. so that morning, i decided to take the initiative and put out an email to anyone at all who had remotely inquired about the trips. i wanted to give all these youth pastors the benefit of the doubt, in thinking that with everything going on in their individual ministries, that honduras just slipped their minds. well, i was right! not even an hour after i clicked send, the phone started ringing and the second week was OVER booked! for the rest of the afternoon, people kept on calling and emailing me wanting to know more about the trips! they were all so thankful for my email... they only needed to see the words Honduras and Spring Break in the same sentence to remind them! God turned those 2 weeks and my doubtful heart upside down in a matter of hours, in the way only He can!!
earlier that very same morning, i started studying through the book of john. for me, it's just good to go back from time to time and read stuff that i think i already "know". often i try to sell myself the lie that if i heard it in awana that i've already mastered it. see? not true! so.... i opened God's word to the fourth gospel, sat back in my chair, sipped my coffee, and prayed for God to make real to me the miracles that the multitudes were becoming bored with in chapter 6. and little did i know that just a few hours later, He would make chapter 1 verse 16 as tangible and nourishing as food.
from the fullness of His grace we have received one blessing after another...
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
What Is Church?
As an U.S. American Christian (more specifically, a Southern Baptist) i’ve always been surrounded by elements of "church." But how many of these are Biblical? Choirs, buildings (and building funds), preachers (and preaching), pews, senior pastors, youth groups, sanctuaries, Sunday school, church clothes, people being "slain in the Spirit," baptisteries, parking, tithing, and switching pastors (and members for that matter) are a few things i have yet to find in the New Testament (If they’re there, please show me. Granted, tithing is mentioned but always in a negative or time specific context.). I don’t mean to imply that any of these things are wrong (though some may be so), these are just ideas that don’t come from the New Testament and, therefore, just aren’t necessary to have Biblical "church."
What about elements which aren’t taught against in the Bible (rather, possibly condoned) but are generally frowned on by U.S. American churches? Church on the Sabbath ("Sabbath" is the Hebrew word for "Saturday" that somehow remains untranslated in English Bibles after all these years.), lay-people baptizing others, women baptizing others, the gift of tongues (only taboo in some U.S. churches), deaconess (see Romans 16:1), informal atmospheres, and eating during meetings.
It’s constantly becoming more evident to me the honor and responsibility i have to introduce the idea of church to people who've never experienced or even heard of church. When i join the Xtreme Team in February (and hopefully before then here in Ecuador), i'll be taking the Gospel to people groups who will most likely believe whatever i say church is supposed to be. I have no aspirations of turning the indigenous of South America into U.S. Americans. So, here’s my dilemma: I feel like i have all this church baggage that i’m accustomed to, some ok, some bad. I need to separate the Biblical and the extra-Biblical. The only way to do that is to study the Bible myself. Please be praying that i would be able to present the Gospel and the concept of Church and church in a Biblical way to the indigenous of South America. Also, your incite on Bible verses could help. Thanks, friends. Love yall
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