In love with God's Word

I had a chance to video chat with Kuya Ding, one of the many great friends that I made in the Philippines. He told me that the Bible we gave him was the first Bible that he had ever owned. This was the first time he was able to open the Bible and read it by himself. He told me that he and his his wife have fallen in love with reading God's Word. 

God is always at work and will always be at work... even when we don't see it.

Please pray for Kuya Ding and his wife. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to speak to them through the scripture.

-Jadon

Impact Cebu, Philippines

Do you Really Know?

I recently got back from a summer trip spent in Southeast Asia that consisted of nine other teammates all told to say the same thing to Immigration or anybody else when asked, “Why are you here?”- because where we went, it was illegal to share the gospel: the 10/40 Window. The 10/40 Window is a term coined by Christian missionary strategist and Partners International CEO Luis Bush in 1990 to refer to those regions of the Eastern Hemisphere, plus the European and African part of the Western Hemisphere, located between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator. It's a general area that was purported to have the highest level of socioeconomic challenges and least access to the Christian message and Christian resources on the planet. That was my location- in the country with the world’s largest Muslim population.

Here, I encountered people who were kinder and more joyful than anyone I had ever known. These people who were more lost than words can say, taught me more about my faith than a lot of Christians I know today. I watched as they devoted every part of their life to their Muslim faith. I saw them at the end of Ramadan lay out newspapers in every part of the streets to bow down and pray. Five times a day they followed the call to prayer and spent their lives believing that their good works will get them into heaven, and that because of their fasting they will be forgiven of all their sins. I witnessed thousands of wonderful people bow down and pray to a god that does not even exist; a god that never hears their prayers, never sees their offerings, and can never give them a hope into eternity. So how is it that these people who get absolutely nothing in return from their god can be more devoted than the church today who receives graciously and endlessly from a loving Savior? I know “Christians” today that never even spend alone time with Jesus outside of church, community groups, house churches, or bible studies, not to mention spends five times a day with Him. They think they are spending eternity in heaven, when in reality they don’t even know Jesus personally any more than these Muslims do.

This was one of the most significant and challenging things I learned while being there: Do you really know Jesus intimately or do you just know about Him? My heart breaks for these people whose good works are all in vain, and for the American Christians who find their identity in their church than in Christ Himself.

Now am I saying that you have to stop everything you’re doing and bow down and pray five times a day in order to know Jesus personally? Well, no. But I am saying, try to spend some alone time with Him, because He has a lot to tell you- and it is more worth it than anything this world can tell you

M. Hibbard

It's okay to get ugly... cry ugly... be ugly

This summer, I had the opportunity to go to a city in Southeast Asia. This city was very diverse. It had Chinese, Indians, Malays, Europeans, Africans, etc. I love that about the city! With so many different cultures and backgrounds the city has, it brings a variety of religions as well: Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Free Thinkers, etc. It was so cool to meet different people and learn about their cultures and beliefs. 

For about a month during our summer, we had a condominium up on the forty-first and forty-second floors. We had amazing views from every angle of that condo and I loved to go out on one of the porches and just sit, look, and pray over the city. 

Then, it started to get hard. One of the first nights we were there as I was looking over the city, reading my Bible, and listening to music, a single tear escaped my eye. I quickly wiped the tear away, but the tears kept coming. At first, I thought I was doing something wrong. There was no reason to cry. I’m a big girl. But, the city. Most of the people I am looking out at are . . . lost. They have no hope. Then, I saw this mountain far out beyond the city with just a few lights on the tip of it, allowing me to be able to see it. The tears kept flowing. I can remember getting on my knees and saying, “hold on, just you wait. I’m coming. I’m coming.” Because, how can they call on the One they have not believed in, and how can they believe in the One of Whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (See Romans 10:14) I do not know anything about the people up on that mountain. I don’t know if they are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or something else. All I know is what the evidence points to: they are lost. The reality is, if I believe the Bible is true without any mixture of error, if I believe that Jesus came, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, performed many miracles, died on the cross, rose from the dead three days later, if I believe Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus was, is, and is to come, and if I believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, then I have to face the fact that those who do not believe in Jesus as Lord are lost for all of eternity. And sitting up there, overlooking all these people, it broke me. 

I was broken, and I still am convinced I don’t need to be fixed. 

All I could do was pray. I cried out to God with deep, deep sobs. My heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest. This prayer happened quite a few times during our stay in the condo. The more I prayed these tearful, ugly prayers, the more I realized that it was okay. It’s okay to get ugly before God. It’s okay to show Him our hearts. And the more I did it, the easier it was to hear His still small voice to go and talk to that girl on the train, to let the Holy Spirit work speak through me to my grab driver, and to lead with the Gospel and filter with the Gospel. 

Then I grew hungry. I could not get enough of His Word. I wanted it more and more! I wanted to not just read it, but to know it. AND I COULDN’T KEEP IT TO MYSELF. I had to go out and share it with people. All of this is because I believe broken and ugly prayers get the attention of God. 

It is okay to get ugly, cry ugly, be ugly. We are the most beautiful when we get ugly before God. And don’t let it stop there. Allow God to use your brokenness to further His kingdom. 

Let me say one more thing and then I am done. Please do not think that what I did this summer was in any way significant. Do not think I am qualified for the work He has set before us. I am not. If anything, I am disqualified. I have messed up in countless ways. But God, by His infinite grace and mercy, has qualified me. And God has qualified all who have carried their cross and followed Him. When we have done that, we have surrendered our rights to Him. We have given up all we have and all that are we are to do the work He has called us to! So if you think about it, what I did by going to Southeast Asia was not so significant, it was simply obedient. We are all called to GO, be obedient, and complete the Great Commission! 

So let’s go! Let us carry our crosses. Let us surrender our rights to Christ. Let us allow God to use us in ways we never thought we could be used. Let us shine our lights from the highest of the mountaintops to the bottom of the valleys. Let us follow Him into the Great unknown. Let us sing with all of our hearts, “take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.” Let us need the Word of God like we need the water that we drink. Let us fight the battle of which the enemy has a head start. Let us plunder the gates of hell! And let us with every breath and every tear and every step fulfill the Will of the Father, starting on our knees with broken, wholehearted, ugly prayers. 

So Others May Hear and Live, 

Alex

Shared from Alex's personal blog, http://alexgraceanthony.blogspot.com/2016/08/its-okay-to-get-ugly.html?spref=fb

God Continues to Work

I'm wishing with all my heart to be back on the river with my team, but praying that God will continue to work in the lives of those who we made contact with.

-Kara
Dolores River, Philippines

Best summer of my life

I cannot find the words to describe this summer! I have seen God's faithfulness, His power and His love on full display. I have met the kindest people, shared in the crazy adventures, and had the blessing of doing life and growing with seven amazing teammates. I have had the best summer of my life! I'm so thankful. Part of my very full heart will forever be in a city half way across the world. Until next time!

-Andrea
Global City Outreach Team

Exciting News

I heard exciting news today! My friend from the (summer) was baptized yesterday morning! PTL!! Please continue to pray for the growth of our brother. Also, please pray for the other brothers and sisters. I have heard news that they are experiencing persecution. Their cost for following Jesus is completely different than what it is for us here in America. Yet how amazing it is to see that they consider Jesus worth it all. What an encouragement for all of us to be standing up for our faith. Thank y'all for your prayers!!!

-James

Reverse Culture Shock began with Automatic Toilets

Today marks two weeks back “home.” I put “home” in quotes because while I have been back with my family and some friends, life has not slowed down one little bit! It kind of feels like I’ve traveled across the world again in the two weeks I’ve been back. I wanted to write this blog post a little earlier than now, but with family vacation, retreats, and other events here and there I simply haven’t had a chance to sit down and write.

That being said… Reverse culture shock DID begin with automatic toilets, but that’s not all this post is about. Adjusting back to life in the US and the crazy busy schedule I had almost forgotten about has proved to be quite a challenge, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Getting back into an incredibly fast-paced life and full schedule is a challenge in and of itself, but trying to remember all that I learned this summer and attempting to process what it could mean in regards to my future brings a new sense of challenge to returning home. Sharing about how God moved this summer can be hard because 1) I still don’t really know what to say, and 2) some people simply aren’t really interested in listening – especially if too much rambling is involved. Both of these things are okay. We were warned about them at debrief, and they have probably been the most challenging to me when it comes to reverse culture shock, but it’s okay. I may not be sure who I need to share with or even what I need to share, but I know I need to share. God didn’t send me overseas this summer for me to stay quiet when I returned. So, knowing that reading someone’s personal blog is a completely voluntary, I’m going to start sharing what I learned via this blog post.

What is a World Christian?

At debrief, we were given advice about many things in preparation for returning home. Much of that advice has probably been forgotten due to jet lag, but thankfully I took lots of notes during our sessions. I’d like to share some of what I learned in those sessions with you today.

This summer, we did a Bible study that taught us what being a World Christian means and what roles we can play as a World Christian. At debrief, we were taught about how we can continue striving to live as World Christians once we’re back home and back at school.

A World Christian is a Christian who has discovered the truth of God’s unfulfilled global purpose to reach all peoples. There are three main things one must focus on to successfully live as a World Christian. These are God’s Word, God’s World, and God’s Work.

A World Christian knows what God’s Word says about missions beyond the four or five verses that are typically the “go-to” verses used for mission trip themes and t-shirts. Our calling as Christians to reach the nations, to reach ALL the nations, is found throughout the entire Old and New Testaments. God wants to be known among ALL peoples, and WE have the task of working to make that happen.

Check out these verses to see God’s desire to be known:
Genesis 1:28, 9:1, 12:1-3, 26:4; Deuteronomy 4:4-6; Joshua 2:9-10; 1 Kings 4:34; Matthew 24:14, 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; and Revelation 7:9.

A World Christian also knows about God’s World. He or she knows about the 10/40 window where 80% of the world’s poorest people live and where 95% of the world’s unreached people groups can be found. They know that most of the 3.5+ billion people that live in this part of the world are following religions that do not know Grace. A World Christian knows these statistics and wants to play a part in doing something about it.

Finally, a World Christian knows about God’s Work, about how he or she can play an important role in reaching the Nations with the gospel. Whether a goer, sender, prayer, mobilizer, and/or welcomer, a World Christian is involved in God’s Work no matter where they are geographically. Different seasons of life may equal different habits or roles as a World Christian.

[GO – SEND – PRAY – MOBILIZE – WELCOME]

World Christian: A Christian who has discovered the truth of God’s unfulfilled global purpose to reach all peoples, and knows that he or she has a part in that task.

The Challenge

During our last night at debrief, we were given a challenge and an opportunity to commit to being a World Christian in thoughts and actions. I will leave you with that same challenge today.

Really believe the Gospel. The Good News is the answer for the whole world, and saying you believe it is saying you accept your role in the Great Commission.
Really count the cost. This means understanding that your life is His, your plans are His, and your future is His. ALL for His glory.
Really love Jesus more. Love Jesus more than the things, people, and opportunities of this world.

{Believe the Gospel // Count the Cost // Love Jesus More}

With graduation a mere four months away, the possibilities of what could be next never stop swirling in my mind. As I try to understand what the next chapter of my life is to hold according to God’s will, I pray I am successful in really believing the Gospel, really counting the cost, and really loving Jesus more. 

“I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” Acts 20:24

Is your schedule more important than your relationships?

What I learned about relationships while living in the Philippines.

During school, I often feel the weight of time on my shoulders. I run from class to class, from activity to activity, desperately trying to get everything done before I collapse into bed at night. It seems like an awful way to live when it's verbalized, but every single day I seem to repeat the cycle. I also continuously watch many of my peers enter into the same rushed lifestyle.

While spending time in the Philippines, the biggest culture shock to me was the relaxed attitude of the Filipino people. I could handle sleeping on the floor, cooking over a fire, having a very small house and bathroom (bathroom and house being a very loose term), even hand washing clothes, but sitting and waiting was awful. We would schedule a Bible study and an hour later, sometimes longer, it would finally start. Nobody seemed to care about the time or doing things in a timely manner. Everyone seemed to be oblivious to the urgency of our schedule. The first week in the Philippines I almost pulled my hair out. Read more of Cassidy's story....

-Cassidy W, 2016 Advance Team, Philippines

Willing

Willing. We say we are willing to go... so, why aren't we? If God's heart is to make Himself known among the nations, why aren't there more workers? Why are there so many unreached? Why are we still trying to justify our disobedience and disguise it with this idea of a mystical calling, as if God should have to... on top of leaving us with the great commission and the Bible... have to personally beg us to go to the lost. How do we not understand that we follow a God who sacrificed all to save us so why would we expect anything less? No longer can we justify our disobedience with the excuse of not having "a calling." We don't need a calling because we are commanded to go. Maybe we aren't as willing as we say we say we are. What is it that is holding us back? There is no sacrifice too great! As believers we have an eternal hope TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN, therefore there is nothing to fear! Let's nail the colors to the mast! We have been given the chance to be part of something bigger than our short lives, we can make them count for eternity. The Lord is sovereign and His name will be known among the nations. All I know is I want to be one of those who are part.

-Hannah A.
Nehemiah Teams 2015, Philippines

Listen to their stories

Pray for my friends as they return home and are experiencing jet lag and reverse-culture shock. Transitioning back from two months is one of the hardest parts of the summer. God has shown them so many things and has changed their lives in so many ways this summer. They are not the same. If you see any of them at church, ask them about their summers and all that God has done. Give them a lot of love. Please listen to their testimonies, because God has brought them back to share about of their summers for a reason. Their summers never ended when they get home. Their experiences have had eternal impacts on their lives and the lives of others. As you listen praise God for what He has done and continues to do around the world we are all a part of.

-Caleb & Impact Cebu Team

Challenges in coming home...

If you know somebody coming home after living in a different country for a couple of months (aka NTers) love on them. Listen to them, act interested, set up coffee dates, pray for them, and be patient with them. One of the biggest challenges I have faced coming home after living overseas for the summer was transitioning from living like a minimalist to.... not. 

In this pic I'm holding a basket with clothes in it. Those are all the clothes I had for two months. I could wash all of them at once. And I LOVED it. Every aspect of it. (Side note: contentment comes when worry goes away. That's a battle for all females I know for sure when it comes to outward appearance.) Coming home to having much more than that made me angry honestly. Extremely angry. (Which isn't good, I know. I have had to work through that.) 

There's a lot more I could say about that, but the Lord molds people into who He wants them to be through times like that. Two months isn't that long at all, but it can leave it's effect on someone without outsiders ever knowing. So love on those around you who did just come back or will be back soon. It is a struggle.

For those who stay months or years longer, you are my heroes. I respect you more than most on this planet and want you to know that I am praying for you, by name if I know you personally. The cost is great but the rewards are greater.

-Carley H, Riverboat Team, Philippines

What Overwhelms You?

At Nehemiah Teams debrief we are asked to come up with a one sentence response to the question "How was your summer?" My answer? "It was powerful, because the Lord showed me that even in the darkest and hardest places His light shines and His kingdom comes."

Though I am overwhelmed by the lostness and darkness of Laos, I am even more overwhelmed by the Lord's patience, kindness, love, and mercy. We truly serve a good, good Father who will never forsake us or the people of Laos. The task in reaching Laos is great, but our God is greater. The Lord is in Laos. The Lao people are His people, not the enemy's. There will be Lao people worshipping Him for all eternity (see Rev. 7:9). Thank you Lord for a life-changing summer, and most importantly thank You for who You are.

-Jacob B., Village Homestay Team

Zambia Sports Team Video

Josh and Joseph served in Solwezi, Zambia for two months. They worked in the secondary schools doing sports ministry and teaching Bible studies. They also taught weekly Bible studies at our home and participated in weekly Christian radio shows that reached thousands of people in the area. Get a glimpse into the ministry of the Zambia Sports Team.

Don't believe the lie...

You know you've been through Nehemiah Teams when you have a dream that you are Jim Elliot.

Spending the past two months in Southeast Asia has been a life changing experience. Not only did I get to see God's incredible work on the other side of the world, I came to better understand how He is calling all Christians to share in His heart for the nations.

This is still far away, but I want to encourage anyone who is a college student to consider spending their summer abroad on mission through Nehemiah Teams. Never believe the lie that God can't use you in His mission for reaching the lost people of the world because you are still a student. God wants to use this generation to reach every nation!

-Matthew L, Urban Trekker Team

There's a difference...

There's a difference between knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus. When you truly know Jesus, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him.

-Moriah, 
Southeast Asia

Messy but Beautiful Business

Over the last 2 months I have seen the undeniable truth of God's heart for the nations found in scripture in such tangible ways while in Thailand. I saw a city so lost and enslaved to idol worship, sex, and money. There were many days I walked the crowded streets of Bangkok convinced that this place was too far gone for The Lord to save. However, it is so clear, and God has been so gracious to reveal to me in spite of my lack of faith that indeed this city is not forgotten. He is working in mysterious and creative ways because He's the God who loves his people. He has always been a God at work to redeem his people and reconcile them back to themselves. It's a messy business but it's beautiful. God, I believe and I have seen your unchanging heart!

-Conner R
Urban Rescuers Team

Riverboat & Mountain Trek Summer Video

Take a few minutes and watch an overview of the ministries of the Mountain Trek & Riverboat teams
from Leyte & Samar, Philippines.

Don't waste Your Accidents

Last week as I was pulling into a parking spot I turned too sharply, and my back tire cover broke the plastic tail light cover on a pickup truck in the space next to me. Face palm. Due to various complications, it cost not only the money for the tail light replacement, but multiple hours and meetings with the other party and the traffic police to figure out the solution.  I found myself frustrated and thinking that the problem could have been easily fixed in 15-20 minutes if I had my way.

While sitting with the other driver and the traffic officer in the station I told them that I was a missionary in the area. They asked the normal questions like how long have you been here and where have you gone. However, when we were almost done the officer asked me, “Since you are a missionary, do you have any words of wisdom from God to share with us?” I replied that I did and proceeded to share the gospel with them, which led to the officer asking 3 questions related to salvation that he had clearly been wondering about before. The next day we gave him a gospel tract and he sent me a friend request on Facebook.

1 Peter 3:15 says “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” God continues to teach me about this. I was frustrated over some lost time and money, which in the grand scheme mean nothing. He has greater and eternal purposes He wants to use us for.

-Joe

Read more about Joe & Elizabeth's Journey to the Philippines on their blog