Last night I went to visit my Irish girl friends before they flew out today to go home for the summer. I showed up late around 10 and stayed out till past 1. Shhh, dont tell. Thats not the point of the story. There were 5 girls and one guy living together in this condo by the beach. THey are so sweet and so fun to be around. I sat down to chat and the boy Rob started asking me why I was here. After explaining myself he said, are you like a Jehovah's witness? I asked him what the believed and he gave me this crazy image of a hellish purgatory that you spend time in after death and then go to some hypothetical heaven. Then he asked me what I believed. First words out of my mouth was Jesus. So we spent the next few hours, with another girl named Sinead, discussing so many aspects of the gospel. I got to share my story of faith and even my testimony. I would break out into random smiles as I considered my surroundings. Sitting on a couch in California, sharing my story of grace with these Irish kids. The Church in Ireland sounds so dead. Everything I told them was backwards from what they encounter, its irrelevant to their generation. Its old and boring!!! I told them about what it means to be saved, and have a relationship with Christ, and why I don't drink or have sex, and why I live my life the way I do. I explained to them the meaning of grace and freedom in Christ. It was the most beautiful picture. THey listened intentfully. Their minds are blocked by the need for physical evidence of the validity of Christ and the Bible. I asked them, I wonder if you tasted the way I have been raised for a day, would you be satisfied? I know that God is doing a great work in the lives of these people. I love them with the love of Christ and want so badly for them to not only believe but live a full and abundant life. I got their email addresses and look forward to keeping in contact with them.
Today Amanda, my deaf friend flew home. Its hard to believe and I can hardly comprehend it. She has been sick since weve been here. Everything from pink eye, to pneumonia, a bladder, kindey, yeast, and gall bladder infection. She needs surgery and thats why she went home. It happened in a matter of hours. I choose to believe again the good things I know to be true of GOd. I am continually considering the things that GOd taught me this summer through dealing with her. I Still dont know what she learned or what changed in her this summer. My heart breaks, I want so badly for her to be changed. I praise God for my time with her and trust in expectation of the good things He will do in her life. OUr God is a master planner and uses abrupt endings in His stories.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
A God Who Sees Us
Hi friends. I only have 9 days left. Pretty crazy. Things have been pretty drastic and radical around here. Things at Sea World are going well, I feel like my attitude is progressively getting better. I had a wonderful birthday! I went surfing, ate blueberry muffins for breakfast, shared the gospel on campus, had a party at a local coffee shop, and got a free piece of Kahlua cheesecake. My birthday rocked. I got to spend two hours reflecting on what God is teaching me here in California and also on my last 20 years of life. I spent some time wondering about what adulthood looks like for me. Im really excited. I find alot of freedom in it. Its like I have the freedom to make my own decisions and trust God in them. I feel like my childhood closed and the doorway to living a Godly adult life was flung wide open.
I had an incredible experience at church the Sunday before my birthday. By the way, my friends form Texas came to surprise me for my birthday. Brian and Christy are so much fun! They used to live twenty minutes outside San Diego. We checked out some beaches, at Hawaian food, Starbucks, and they dropped me off at the Padres game. THey are so good to me and a true example of pursuit in friendship. So the Sunday they were in I had a chance to really sit before the Lord and express some of the true raw emotions I was feeling. Alot of the hard times Ive gone through this summer were just straight up not fair. And what I thought this summer was going to be like has been nothing like that. And inspite of all that God is good and has a wonderful plan for the things that He planned for me to learn this summer. So after many tears and honesty before the Lord, this thought came to mind and has stuck with me ever since. I have to "choose to believe the good things I know of God to be true." That brought so much ease to my pain. Thank God for church a Sunday morning to refresh me. I have also learned this summer that God is a God who sees. He sees HIs people, and what goes on amongst them. HE sees me and my hard times, my laughter, my tears, my thoughts, and what happens to me. I feel so often that I have to be heard, but when I believe that He sees me- all that goes away.
I spent an afternoon with my friend Danae, who I met through our biblestudy at the Deaf coffee night. She is learning ASL, is married, and has two kids. I went to the park with them and I asked her oldest son Nikeo (meaning conqueror- we are more than conquerors in Christ found in Romans). I asked him, age 5, what the thinks about Jesus. He says, and I quote, "Jesus- He is good. He died on the cross to save me from my sins, He raised from the dead, He walked on water, He does good and not bad, and He heart is sooo big." It was the sweetest thing Ive heard. Made me choke up, oh to have the faith of a child.
I had an incredible experience at church the Sunday before my birthday. By the way, my friends form Texas came to surprise me for my birthday. Brian and Christy are so much fun! They used to live twenty minutes outside San Diego. We checked out some beaches, at Hawaian food, Starbucks, and they dropped me off at the Padres game. THey are so good to me and a true example of pursuit in friendship. So the Sunday they were in I had a chance to really sit before the Lord and express some of the true raw emotions I was feeling. Alot of the hard times Ive gone through this summer were just straight up not fair. And what I thought this summer was going to be like has been nothing like that. And inspite of all that God is good and has a wonderful plan for the things that He planned for me to learn this summer. So after many tears and honesty before the Lord, this thought came to mind and has stuck with me ever since. I have to "choose to believe the good things I know of God to be true." That brought so much ease to my pain. Thank God for church a Sunday morning to refresh me. I have also learned this summer that God is a God who sees. He sees HIs people, and what goes on amongst them. HE sees me and my hard times, my laughter, my tears, my thoughts, and what happens to me. I feel so often that I have to be heard, but when I believe that He sees me- all that goes away.
I spent an afternoon with my friend Danae, who I met through our biblestudy at the Deaf coffee night. She is learning ASL, is married, and has two kids. I went to the park with them and I asked her oldest son Nikeo (meaning conqueror- we are more than conquerors in Christ found in Romans). I asked him, age 5, what the thinks about Jesus. He says, and I quote, "Jesus- He is good. He died on the cross to save me from my sins, He raised from the dead, He walked on water, He does good and not bad, and He heart is sooo big." It was the sweetest thing Ive heard. Made me choke up, oh to have the faith of a child.
Friday, July 20, 2007
I see You in the shoreline breaking, Im stepping over my Maker's line
Here's a picture of what it looks like out my kitchen windown. Pretty awesome, I'd sure say so.
So I went and ate Vegan food last night with my friend Alexis and of course "my Vegan friend Tony." Its was great. I had a pad thai soy chicken wrap. It was delicious, seriously I'm not lying. After that we went to Trader Joe's an ever famous health food store and bought soy ice cream. Sounds crazy, but once again it was delicious!!! I really enjoyed my time with him. We continues to ask me these challenging controversial questions that come up in Christianity. My prayer is that my answers will be less of me and more of Christ. Im still praying for Tony. Im home that one of these days he might come to church with me. That would be great.
Sea World is still working me over. Im thankful cause I got today off. I spent some time with Amanda. My group around me has been the biggest support for me. My time with the Lord is of so much value to me. I literally retreat to the beach after a blow up with Amanda. I find so much rest at the beach, to me it is one of God's greatest inexplicable expressions of creation. I love it. And I love meeting Him there and reading His word. I dont know where I'd be this summer with out those times. God has used so much scripture from Psalms and Isaiah to speak to my heart. Its great! Things with Amanda are hard to explain. Her out bursts are less frequent but worse everytime. Its hard, I am learning so much about patience and in many ways parenting. Her reactions more often then not are that of a child. So I am thankful for that. The more I read this verse the more it becomes apparent to me what I am learning from dealing with Amanda. 2 Corinthians 3:8-12 "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So that death is at work in us, but life in you." That is the basis of my time with Amanda. I continually die to myself so that Christ will be made more apparent to her and others. More death in me, more life in Christ. Its hard, really hard, and Im not a champ at it. But I am thankful for the experiences to have the chance to say such things.
Other cool story showing God's specific purpose for me here this summer. I continue to meet more Irish people here and I learn something new everytime I do. There is so much prior understanding of Christ in these people. They know full well who He is, but they are lacking the understanding of experiencing Him in their life. Time and time again I hear, "I was raised in a Catholic family. My grandparents are really strict and religious. My parents not as much. But my generation has very little reguard for religion. Churches are full of old boring people. We drink, we party, we live our lives, and we sometimes go to church." But when they meet my friends and I from Crusade and see how we make Him first in our life and everything falls in line behind they are astounded. They say we have nothing like you in our country. They dont know what it means to live and experience God fully. They are totally missing it! Drinking is in their genes, which comes with the life of sex and parties. Its been so interesting to ask questions and pick their brains about dating, marriage, religion in Ireland, the church, the culture, drinking, etc. Last night I celebrated my friend Sean's birthday after vegan food with Tony. They all work at the bike shop together. Which is the same place I met my long lost cousin Decklan Lavelle. :) Who by the way, yelled "Hey Lavelle" from across the street two days ago. I smiled so big. It was grand! Its the little things that God does to bless us. So we celebrated his birthday at a resturant and then went back to their place for a little bit of substance abuse for lack of better words. Which I did not partake of. My point in being there (with my friend Alexis who is a boy and could have my back) was to show that I am not above them even though I dont drink. That I do not condone their lifestyle, but I dont judge them and that they are still my friends. There were three Irish girls there and I got the number of one of them. I love how God opens doors to those who are wise and look for opportunities to do what might not look right but trusting God at the same time. Sean, the birthday book, asked me if I thought less of him for what he was doing. And I explained my purpose in being there. And he looked me in the face and said, "well whatever you came here do to, you have done." Meaning, he got my point and did not feel condemned. What freedom in Christ we have to do that. I enjoyed myself and learned alot from going. And... I love Ireland so what a blessing.
Thank you for supporting me in my efforts to relate with workers from Sea World, Irish friends, and Vegan surfers. I know I may only be one encounter, but for some of these people I am one of the first they have met like me. Someone who loves Christ and puts him first in my life. I am so grateful for all of the people I have met and look forward to praying for them and relating with them in the next few weeks to come. Blessings!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy Forth of July Everyone
Hey all. Its been a while since I posted. Here are some great things the Lord has been doing.
-My relationships at Sea World are definitely growing. I pray for my co workers alot while Im working. Im learning what its like to be a witness by setting a good example. Alot of people are watching me constantly to see my attitude and how I react to things. So obviously its crucial for me to be Christlike in that way. I work alot... so that wears me out and Im not always super excited to be there, but it is a blessing either way.
- My vegan friend Tony and I have many more conversations about faith, food, and drinking. He is way into the party scene, but he is becoming more and more open to the truth. Which is exciting. And plus.... Im making new friends which is never a bad thing. The other day we were discussing animal sacrifices in the Bible and how a compassionate God could condone such a thing. So I explained the need for an atonement for peoples sins and how animal sacrifices fulfilled that need. Then Tony put two and two together and said (and I quote) "So that means that Christ is the atonement for our sins." BINGO! Sad part is, he gets it intellectually but not in his heart just yet. But, all in all I am excited about our friendship and the many more conversations to be had.
-My Deaf friend Amanda that is hear is continuing to struggle to be here. And to be really honest, its not becoming any easier for me. Every day is a constant stretch to die to myself. And to be even more honest, I run out of patience after so many days in a row. We have our good days, but everyday is something new to work through. Amanda gets frustrated rather easily, and it doesnt take much for her to get aggitated. She expects alot out of me and demands for people to cater to her needs. Sounds like a rough time, however she has lived a reallllly hard life and alot of her attitude results from these trials. This is no excuse, mostly an explaination as to why. So... I interpret for her and try to serve her while still drawing some personally boundaries. Its funny because more often than not, her attitude reminds me of how we are to Christ. When I try to serve her and she is being completely stubborn, I am reminded of the perfect patience Christ has for me in my sin. So, please pray for life change for Amanda, and patience for me as God uses me to sharpen her and myself at the same time.
-Cool thing, every Friday night after our large group meeting called Friday night live (worship and a speaker) we split into small groups for discussion. My group has the opportunity to go to a Deaf coffee chat so Amanda can interact with the people there. Myself and my friend Jenna serve as interpreters at the Deaf coffee chat. Every Friday Deaf people from the local Deaf community come and hang out at the coffee beanery. So we join towards the end and start our biblestudy, inviting anyone to join. There are usually 6-10 people that join us each time- most of them believers. Its a wonderful way to end the week, and a highlight of my role here on project. Best part is, they said they want to keep it going after my leave. Praise God.
-Last story, as some of you know my family is of Irish heritage and it has been my dream for many years to meet someone from Ireland with the same last name as me. As I have mentioned before there are thousands of Irish students here on Visa for the summer. The other day, at the same bike shop I met Tony (the vegan) I met this kid named Dacklyn from Ireland. So I tell him my story of how I'd love to meet someone with the same last name as me in Ireland. And he says whats your last name and I say Lavelle. And he looks at me like no way... thats his last name!!!!! We had a good laugh, I was so excited. I told him we are probably long lost cousins. So heres to God blessing me in an awesome silly way.
Love you all. Thanks for your prayers.
-My relationships at Sea World are definitely growing. I pray for my co workers alot while Im working. Im learning what its like to be a witness by setting a good example. Alot of people are watching me constantly to see my attitude and how I react to things. So obviously its crucial for me to be Christlike in that way. I work alot... so that wears me out and Im not always super excited to be there, but it is a blessing either way.
- My vegan friend Tony and I have many more conversations about faith, food, and drinking. He is way into the party scene, but he is becoming more and more open to the truth. Which is exciting. And plus.... Im making new friends which is never a bad thing. The other day we were discussing animal sacrifices in the Bible and how a compassionate God could condone such a thing. So I explained the need for an atonement for peoples sins and how animal sacrifices fulfilled that need. Then Tony put two and two together and said (and I quote) "So that means that Christ is the atonement for our sins." BINGO! Sad part is, he gets it intellectually but not in his heart just yet. But, all in all I am excited about our friendship and the many more conversations to be had.
-My Deaf friend Amanda that is hear is continuing to struggle to be here. And to be really honest, its not becoming any easier for me. Every day is a constant stretch to die to myself. And to be even more honest, I run out of patience after so many days in a row. We have our good days, but everyday is something new to work through. Amanda gets frustrated rather easily, and it doesnt take much for her to get aggitated. She expects alot out of me and demands for people to cater to her needs. Sounds like a rough time, however she has lived a reallllly hard life and alot of her attitude results from these trials. This is no excuse, mostly an explaination as to why. So... I interpret for her and try to serve her while still drawing some personally boundaries. Its funny because more often than not, her attitude reminds me of how we are to Christ. When I try to serve her and she is being completely stubborn, I am reminded of the perfect patience Christ has for me in my sin. So, please pray for life change for Amanda, and patience for me as God uses me to sharpen her and myself at the same time.
-Cool thing, every Friday night after our large group meeting called Friday night live (worship and a speaker) we split into small groups for discussion. My group has the opportunity to go to a Deaf coffee chat so Amanda can interact with the people there. Myself and my friend Jenna serve as interpreters at the Deaf coffee chat. Every Friday Deaf people from the local Deaf community come and hang out at the coffee beanery. So we join towards the end and start our biblestudy, inviting anyone to join. There are usually 6-10 people that join us each time- most of them believers. Its a wonderful way to end the week, and a highlight of my role here on project. Best part is, they said they want to keep it going after my leave. Praise God.
-Last story, as some of you know my family is of Irish heritage and it has been my dream for many years to meet someone from Ireland with the same last name as me. As I have mentioned before there are thousands of Irish students here on Visa for the summer. The other day, at the same bike shop I met Tony (the vegan) I met this kid named Dacklyn from Ireland. So I tell him my story of how I'd love to meet someone with the same last name as me in Ireland. And he says whats your last name and I say Lavelle. And he looks at me like no way... thats his last name!!!!! We had a good laugh, I was so excited. I told him we are probably long lost cousins. So heres to God blessing me in an awesome silly way.
Love you all. Thanks for your prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)