Thursday, February 26, 2015

Team of the Week: Refugee School

This summer you can help change the lives of refugees from an unreached people group. After escaping from their home country, these young people traveled & spent time in other Asian countries before they finally found a home in South Korea. In partnership with a GCC, your team will connect with these students by living with them, teaching them English & life skills. Make an impact by showing them that there really is a God who loves them.
 
IMB Job #: 110713  More info!!
Location: South Korea
Team size: 1 team of 4
Field expense:  $695 + round-trip airfare, required travel insurance, passport costs, etc.

Dates for Summer 2015
April 1: Deadline for applications
May 28: Member orientation begins
June 2: Teams travel to the field
July 28: Teams return for debrief
July 31: Students return home

Monday, February 23, 2015

Quotes from the Heart: Chasing Destinie

This past summer, I resided in the Philippines for two months.  It was tough, I was gross most of the time, but it taught me how to love.  The lessons I learned were also tough and gross.  For example, I learned how to hand wash five people’s laundry (even the good stuff, such as undies) in a river before 6:30 AM.  I learned how to rub out stains to the point of blisters and keep smiling.  I learned how to hop from boat to boat; this lesson was a little harder as I took a tumble into the river a time or two and got some pretty sweet bruises.
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I learned how to cook white rice, almost to perfection courtesy of some awesome translators.  I learned sleeping off the ground isn’t actually necessary for a good’s night rest, because “sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much (Ecc 5:12a).”  But more important than all these physically challenging lessons, Jesus met me to show some pretty extravagant lessons.  These were lessons I thought I learned, and maybe I had.  Maybe Jesus just needed to refresh my memory.  That’s the thing with Jesus.  He can refresh your memory, and it is a whole new experience, refreshing and sweet.  His lessons are sometimes bitter to the taste, but we continue to taste until we eventually get to the sweet.  Here’s some of the sweet.



God knew who I was when He called me to career missions.  I’ve known that.  I’ve come to terms with it.  But it is a little harder to believe when your heart’s desire is wicked and you can’t seem to bear another day sharing the gospel.  This lesson was given to me about three weeks into my time there.  The same schedule, the same people, the same Bible study.  I was so sick of it.  I was so sick of being dirty and so sick of those I was ministering to.  I felt they “didn’t deserve the gospel.”  They despised us, so I felt I could despise them back.  It was here that I began to hear whispers, untrue whispers.  “If you’re called to missions, how are you already weary of opposition?  You’re only 2 weeks in, and you can’t wait to pack your bags and grab a 14 hour flight.  It’s pitiful, really.  You say you love Jesus and want to make Him known in a cross cultural way, but it’s clear you’re not cut out for this.”

One night after thinking this over a couple of days, I questioned God.
How is it that I am called abroad, but I can’t bear going to yet another Bible study.  God, am I really supposed to commit my life to this?  If I can’t handle three weeks, how can I handle years?  I understand you’ll be there, but I think we got our wires crossed somewhere.  I think you actually said I’m called to do a lot of short terms.  That sounds right.  You’ve just been silent for so long.
Here is an excerpt from my journal detailing how God was faithful in His word to bring comfort.
This place is so miserable, but we have been motivated by it to continue only through His strength.  God has taught me several things in this baranguy.  1)  I need to soften my heart towards those I’m around.  In Matthew 13 Iv’e been reading the parable of the wheat and the weeds.  I must be okay with growing alongside those who will never accept Him until the day of reaping.  2)  I must be diligent. –from the parable of the unleavened bread and the yeast.  A small amount of yeast takes a lot of work to work through the flour, but after it is done thoroughly will rise all the bread.  3)  I don’t need to understand why I’m not as “spiritual and bold” with those in Bible study.  I’m Mark 4:26-29, I’ve learned we don’t know everything, and seeds grow because that’s what they’re made to do.  I need only have compassion and be diligent in my work for Him as this persecution will probably continue.
Now how does that secure that I’m to continue on in the hopes of becoming a long term cross cultural disciple maker?  Because God taught me those things in such a beautiful way.  I was by a beautiful, slow moving river as the sun set.  My hunger was satisfied with rice and soy sauce.  I heard the breeze shiver its ways through the palm trees as I heard God speak.  But where was He speaking?  On the other side of the globe.  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”  I’ve never heard a voice as clearly speak into my soul as I have heard Jesus’ when I struggle.  If Jesus’ voice is made plain to me on the other side of the globe, that is where I will follow Him.  If Jesus’ voice is made plain to me down the street, that is where I will follow Him.  His voice is the compass to navigate the map of uncertainty, and personally His voice calls from across the globe asking me to follow.  His hand stretches from across the ocean to reach me in my need and one day I must trust His arm to carry me across that ocean.  Then His hand will reach from down the street to guide me, all the while making disciples as I go.


God confirmed my calling abroad, but He continues to confirm it each day in the way He has molded me to love adventure.  It’s in the way He is teaching me to make disciples of Him, not of doctrine or morals.  His disciples are made from love, and He shows me more about love each day than I can even detect.
-Destinie

Read more from Destinie's blog:  https://chasingdestinie.wordpress.com/ 

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Quotes from the Heart: Obedience

Do you feel like you and your team were effective ministers of the Gospel this summer?

At the beginning, I did not feel effective because it just did not seem like anyone was really listening to us. Everyone was so devoted to Catholicism that they seemed to come to Bible studies only because we were a spectacle as a group of white girls. Then, I was reminded of Isaiah 55:11, where it says that God's Word does not return void. His Word is spoken, and it does exactly what He intends for it. It was humbling to realize that it was not about the specifics of what I do or if I think anyone is really listening. It is, however, about being obedient to God's command and trusting Him to use our obedience for His glory.



Thursday, February 19, 2015

Team of the Week: Village Outreach

This job is not for the faint at heart! Join workers in a vast unreached area of villages and wilderness being "salt and light." Your main target people are in a remote area who are steeped in a major world religion and traditional beliefs. Most have never heard the gospel. You will look for creative ways to involve yourselves in the lives of the people through sports, audio-bible, Jesus film showings, campfire chats, praying for the sick and elderly, maybe teaching basic English... whatever it takes to help them hear the Good News.

IMB Job #: 110712  More info!!
Location: Mozambique
Team size: 1 team of 2 males
Field expense:  $1975 + round-trip airfare, required travel insurance, passport costs, etc.

Dates for Summer 2015
April 1: Deadline for applications
May 28: Member orientation begins
June 2: Teams travel to the field
July 28: Teams return for debrief
July 31: Students return home

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Virtual Discipleship


Facebook, like other media sources today, enable us to jump from one world to another, without giving us much time to process.  As I scroll down my most current News Feed, I can be at a friend’s wedding, a nephew’s prom, and watch a video of a friend or family member.  I can join the many others who "Like" this or even make comments that somehow connect me with this virtual community. 

However, interspersed among all these "Likes" I may be confronted with prostitution in Thailand, the horrible face of terrorism, and the realities and results of poverty in some third world countries.

Because I am in charge of the page down button or the swipe of my finger on my iPad, I can choose where I stop and what I read.  I can choose to erase or “unlike” what or who I do not like.  It is really the best kind of world to live in. I can fool myself into believing I can "End it Now" or solve it now by joining a group and then sharing that with "my friends."

When Jesus called His disciples to come and follow Him, He called them to come and die.  They could no longer "erase" or "unlike" what became unpleasant or difficult.  Virtual discipleship was out of the question.  It still is.  The Bible says in I Corinthians 6:19-20, "You are not your own; you were bought with a price." 

-Jess

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Team of the Week: H'Mong Village

Are you Hmong-American or do you have solid Hmong language skills? Then we need you!

You will be living in a remote Hmong village; your main goal will be to train and cast vision for sharing the gospel. You will be teaching Bible, doing evangelism, playing sports, as well as teaching English in local village schools. You will use your Hmong language skills to demonstrate Christ's love to those still trapped in spirit worship, as well as to those who call themselves Christians.

IMB Job #: 110506  More info!!
Location: Thailand
Team size: 1 team of 6
Field expense:  $1018 + round-trip airfare, required travel insurance, passport costs, etc.


Dates for Summer 2015
April 1: Deadline for applications
May 28: Member orientation begins
June 2: Teams travel to the field
July 28: Teams return for debrief
July 31: Students return home

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Quotes from the Heart: Vacation or vocation?



How has your perception of a missionary and mission work changed as a result of this past summer?
 
To be honest, leaving for the Philippines initially was primarily about exploring a new and exciting place and doing some mission work on the side, but throughout the summer, this view changed. I began asking myself, "people are dying everyday without hearing the truth of the Gospel. What am I really doing to further His kingdom?" God opened my eyes to the big picture and began convicting me. I could no longer stay in my nice, comfortable box. God is calling me out to go to all nations and serve my Lord.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Quotes from the Heart: Missions is not an option...

As we look ahead to Summer 2015, let us also look back at a few students from last summer and their experiences and advice for future students. Maybe you are considering joining a team this coming summer or maybe you already have. We hope these posts encourage you.


How has your perception of a missionary and missions work changed as a result of this past summer?

I've known for awhile that I am going to do long term missions, but I always thought of it as a calling. Now I know that it is not a calling just for me, but for everyone. Missions and the Great Commission is why I am here on this earth. Missions is not an option; it is a command.



Friday, February 6, 2015

Advanced Operations Training (AOT) is Here!

Hello from the Philippines! This past week began the first of a nine week training for many former Filipino Nehemiah Teams members! This group of nine trainees from throughout the Philippines (and one from another southeast Asia country) live on a nearby island, sleep on hard surfaces, cook their food over an open fire, and give up time with friends and family (and cellphones & internet) all to spend time in in-depth study of God's Word. This 2-month intensive training will prepare them to lead in NT training, church planting, and mobilization for various Nehemiah Teams franchises all over the Philippines. This will also endorse them to set up new franchises for Nehemiah Teams all over Southeast Asia. 

  • Please pray for these brothers and sisters in Christ as they study His Word.
  •  Pray for open ears and open hearts to follow Him as he leads them.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Team of the Week: Dinagat Island

The thousands who live on Dinagat Island need freedom! A cult that uses witchcraft has held sway over these people since the 1950's. Church planting efforts have been met with apathy & resistance. As a result, there are four counties with less than 1% evangelical believers. Dinagat Island is very remote. Because of living conditions and the scope of the assignment  given, only those ready to take up a cross should apply for these teams. Spiritual as well as physical preparation is needed.

Come be a part of the next wave of Nehemiah Teams obeying the Great Commission by going to this island. Team members will be learning culture & language, making new friends, giving out literature (tract, Gospel film), prayer walking, and looking for people interested in listening to the gospel. The teams will be living in tents or government buildings and washing clothes by hand.

You first stop will be a joint orientation with other Nehemiah Teams. Learning the skills needed to carry out your assignment as well as team building will fill these first few days. Then your team will fly to Manila and on to Surigao City, followed by a boat ride to Dinagat Island. Following your ministry time you will gather again for a joint debrief...sharing all
God has done over the summer.
 

IMB Job #: 110286  More info!!
Location: Philippines
Team size: 2 teams of 4
Field expense:  $1138 + round-trip airfare, required travel insurance, passport costs, etc.

Dates for Summer 2015
April 1: Deadline for applications
May 28: Member orientation begins
June 2: Teams travel to the field
July 28: Teams return for debrief
July 31: Students return home