Of Unity

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has helped support me on this grand adventure of mine.  I have almost raised all of my tuition funds, which means I get to stay in the program.  Yay!  Thank you all so much.

This week in lecture phase we are learning about worldview.  I have been around the block on this subject, having had lots of and lots of worldview training.  I expected to be a little bored.  False.  I have never heard world view taught in such a fascinating, intelligent, well-rounded, and freeing way.

Our speaker is named Joseph...Something...and he is Armenian.  (Shout out to Marissa and Reaber, you all have the same nose.  Jk.)  He speaks seven languages and has lived all over the world.  He is probably the smartest person I've ever come into contact with and I have the utmost respect for him.

The problem with the worldview classes I've taken in the past is that they are decidedly western.  I compared it to being taught one side of a rubix cube.  Having lived almost everywhere, Joseph is well aquainted with many different cultures and many different worldviews.

When thinking about our worldview we have to understand that the way we see things is largely cultural.  So our view of God is reflective of, and limited to our environment.  Worldview is so much more than answering the questions, which religion is the right one, and what is the proper social order according the gospel.  

Culture is very very very important.  A friend of mine told me that if I encountered someone on my trip who finds God in a coconut, to let them be, and don't burst their bubble by telling them He's not there.  Actually He probably is there, and He loves that person so much He died for them.  So if singing into a coconut connects his/her heart to their creator...swell.  

The beautiful thing about Christianity is that it has been (until recently) trascendant of culture.  You can love Jesus in a way that is culturally revelent to you.  In fact, He put you there, He created your culture and He likes it.  We are losing sight of that kind of thinking and beginning to say that everyone has to do things just like us.  This is incredibly damaging.  

We discussed, also the various splits in church history.  There are so many it's kind of laughable.  We discussed how, in the name of Jesus, tragic atrosities were performed against people and whole people groups.  By saying you are a Christian you carry with that name two thousand years of baggage brought on by the church.  And we wonder why people want nothing to do with Him.   

We are being challenged this week to look at God outside of our cultural lens, and ask Him to reveal to us his true nature.  He is a personal God, He has feelings and emotions and He loves all of His creation so so dearly.  We are being challenged to set aside our theological differences and focus on the things that are close to the heart of God.  

It would be a beautiful marriage of diversity and unity.  What would it look like?  Well, following the words of Jesus.  Laying down your rights, your opinions, your pride, opening your ears, asking for His eyes, and walking in a place of servanthood and love.  It's not about being right.  It's about celebrating differences and bringing glory to God through them.  It's by being in a relationship with God, which is the reason we were created in the first place. 

  

So also I should mention that I'm going to Fiji and the Line Islands for outreach.  They include Christmas Island, Washington Island, and one more I'm forgetting.  But I'll fly into Fiji, then fly to Christmas Island, then sail to the other islands before flying home.  I'm stoked!

Of Crunch Time

So I'm gonna just be very honest and vulnerable.  I need $2525 by Thursday or I have to go home.
If you feel led to help you can give here:
http://ywamships.net/give/

Thanks guys.

Of Creative Roommates

My roommate Alyssa made a very informational and entertaining video.  Check out how rad this place is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XTsGsMUqo0&feature=share&list=UUEyLXFYmD2clf_wpfyfXZCA

Of Laughter, Tears, and the Father Heart of God

A DTS is not for the faint of heart.  During my first three weeks in Kona I felt like a fish out of water.  Then right as I was suffocating and begging God to let me go home, he showed me that I don’t have gills.  And that I’m not even a fish.  And that all I had to do was breathe.  Oh right.  

They waste no time in a DTS.  Week one they break you down to your core and strip the walls and layers you’ve so carefully built over the years to protect yourself until you are a puddle of tears and bleeding wounds in front of your entire class.  Then, when you think you’re done for, God reminds you of who you are and how much you are loved.  

Then you walk around all raw and new and you learn how to laugh again.

Day one as I wept during worship, He said, “I want you to call me Abba.”  I said it out loud.  Something broke.  Romans 8:14-16 “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.  For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba!  Father!’ The spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.”  Yeah.  So own it, walk it out in freedom.

Most helpful with this laughing business are my roommates.  Helga, Alyssa, and Helen.  I like Helga alot cause she is Norwegian, merciful, goofy, and always down for an adventure.  I like Alyssa alot cause she plays ukulele, talks about God, and is learning how to be a sailor.  Helen’s pretty legit cause she quite a cool job as a fashion designer in Brazil to come rough it with three other girls who don’t particularly like to shower or pay to do laundry.  Other than an exciting brush with maggots, our room is relatively clean. 

We have one on one mentors, and that’s a good thing on account of they come up to your room to pray for you when you can’t get out of bed cause you’re too afraid of everything.  Mine is named Neko and she's from Germany.  She has awesome hair and a legit accent.  

I have developed a new morning routine.  Coffee in my mug and two hard boiled eggs.  Unless they don't have eggs and unless there are bugs in my mug.  Then it's toast and a paper cup.  Then "ship shape," which is what our morning chores are called.

We live in a vintage hotel in the heart of downtown Kona with an ocean view from our front deck.  The Iron man triathalon just happend in our front yard.  I fell asleep to the music of "...YOU! ARE! AN IRON MAN!" Till one in the morning.  But it was amazing.

We have class from 8 to 11 and then again 1 to 3.  Then we have a work duty from 3-5.  I most recently have demolished a room.  

Things that I really need prayer for:  

My insurance company decided to reject me for "pre-existing conditions."  Which is weird cause I'm pretty darn healthy.  Also, it's probably cause America is silly.  I love living with people from other countries.  Puts us in perspective.  Not a good perspective.  I can't get insurance and I'm a healthy 27 year old.  

I also need a lot more financial support.  If you feel so led, here is where you can give: http://ywamships.net/give/