Reflections from our visit to Camenish’s in Ometepe

Reflections from our visit to

Camenish’s in Ometepe

The people: Because of the language and culture differences it’s hard to communicate with the local people but it is not hard to connect. They are gracious and grateful you care enough to come or to send help. To them, moving your family to live among them is the very image of Jesus in Phil 2 who set aside his place in heaven to become serve, die and bring life.

The Environment: Besides the beauty and peace you deal with inconveniences that slow life down to a crawl or create more stress, You more appreciative of simple things we take for granted: the internet barely works if at all so you don’t spend time googling this and facebooking that. There’s no air conditioning but you are thankful if the electricity is on so you can run a fan. There’s no hot water but showers are temporary relief from the humidity anyway so you get used to feeling “sticky.” You don’t have to haul water from a well and you may not have water that day for showers or to flush the toilet but you are fortunate if you have a toilet in your house. You are blessed if you have a house with four walls and something besides a dirt floor. You can’t drink the water and you are careful about what you eat, and you do watch out for scorpions when the rainy season starts, or you might even have a snake come up through your shower drain. A doctor is far away and a hospital is very far away. but there is no persecution, and you have freedom to share Jesus with spiritually hungry and largely untaught people.

Hearing from US and traveling: The people around you are glad to have rice and beans to eat so that makes meat a treat. On the other hand you have to drive 40 minutes just to go to a store half the size of a 7-11, and travel a 1/2 day, one way, including an hour long ferry just to go to a store like Sam’s. You are glad to get fresh fruits if in season along the roadside nearby. You have to drive 40 minutes to get mail but don’t get any mail–not even junk. We have no idea what it feels like to not hear from people and to be so isolated from friends and family.

You don’t have to worry about fashion or hurry to grab fast food (there is none). You don’t bury yourself in tv programs or even busy yourself in the evening news because when the sun goes down at 6:30 you’re glad to read a bit or play a game and go to bed. You are wise to go to bed early because the rooster crows at 3:30, the geckos and frogs sing cheerfully at night, and the sun is fully up at 5:30.

Faith, Word and Fellowship with Jesus: So you value things that truly matter like family and friends and faith, and sharing because you are surrounded by people who need these things. You are especially thankful to know Jesus Christ and his eternal kingdom, because all this materialism is going to pass away anyway. You are so glad to sometimes actually sing worship songs in English, to hear the Word preached in English, to fellowship with someone who understands you tell what God is doing in your life, and how important the Scripture is to you – in fact Jesus, the Word and prayer become a real source of life to you instead just a daily “discipline” of devotion. So instead of being lazy, distracted and taking the Bible for granted, you are thirsty and hungry and you are asking Holy Spirit to some fill you.

Worship: The people in Ometepe don’t have all the distractions we have so coming to church often is central in their lives. They pack out these hot dimly lit buildings. They walk or ride a bike and often are late but they come. And they sing loud and out of tune and very simple songs but this trip I was continually asking God to show me where He was in what was going on. So He opened my eyes a bit to see how He sees them, and hear what He hears – Sometimes I felt God was laughing and enjoying their simple songs like adults enjoy little children. Sometimes I felt his deep love for them. Sometimes I felt deep intercession for the division between churches here in America or the way most Protestants there are so hostile toward the Catholics. I also sometimes wept for loved ones who aren’t seeking God – yet. So let us be grateful to God and not take prayer and Word and fellowship for granted. God help us remember our brothers and sisters and pray for them.

Pray for missionaries and our persecuted brothers.

PRAYER

PRAYER

An Excerpt from Jesus Lives

By Sarah Young

Marvel at the wonder of being able to commune with the King of the universe any time. Please don’t take this awesome prayer-privilege for granted! Don’t let foolish arrogance step in either, making you act as if you’re doing Me a favor by spending time with Me.

The best antidote to such foolishness is recognizing it and repenting of it. Then remember who I Am: King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in dazzlingly unapproachable Light. My eyes are like blazing fire. My voice is like the sound of rushing waters. My face is like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Yet I am also your Shepherd, tenderly leading you step by step through your life. I want you to realize how     precious you are to Me—how much I delight in you. I long for you to reciprocate by delighting in Me.

I listen to your heart as well as to your words. When you approach My throne of grace joyfully, anticipating the wondrous pleasure of communing with Me, both you and I are blessed!

1 Timothy 6:15-16

Revelation 1:14-16

Psalm 37:4

Hebrews 4:16

WHY PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY?

WHY PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY?

By Jack Zavada

Palm branches are a part of Christian worship on Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, as it is sometimes called. This event commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah.

The Bible tells us people cut branches from palm trees, laid them across Jesus' path and waved them in the air. They greeted Jesus not as the spiritual Messiah who would take away the sins of the world, but as a potential political leader who would overthrow the Romans. Their shout "Hosanna" meant "save now."

In ancient times, palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. They were often depicted on coins and important buildings. Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple (1 Kings 6:29). Again at the end of the Bible, people from every nation raise palm branches to honor Jesus (Revelation 7:9).

Today, many Christian churches distribute palm branches to worshipers on Palm Sunday. The people remember Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, praise him for the gift of salvation, and look expectantly to his second coming.

Scripture Reading for Holy Week:

Palm Sunday: Philippians 2:6-11

Monday: Isaiah 42:1-4

Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-4

Holy Wednesday: Matthew 26:14-16

Maundy Thursday: John 13:12-16

Good Friday: Isaiah 53:1-5

Holy Saturday: Romans 6:3-11

Easter Sunday: John 20:1-9

LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME

LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME

By Dwight Cunkle

This last Friday I ended four weeks (20 days) of teaching a sixth grade class at Kaiser Public School. They didn't have a teacher hired so asked me to come in for the first day, then tried to get me emergency certification to be able to teach  the rest of the year, but were unsuccessful. While I was there I was shocked at the needs of families, teachers and the challenges to our inner city school systems. It almost seems as if an enemy has stacked the deck against broad success for our children. Any wonder parents and teachers who are able to make the sacrifice and adjust their lifestyles resort to homeschooling and private schools. As parents our mandate is to teach and train our children. Unfortunately, many are stuck in the public (or "government run") school system. How do you feel about that? Many Christian teachers are doing all they can to help these children and families. It is a Godly calling and they need our prayers and support. It is much easier to criticize than get involved and help. We must act on the words of Jesus, "Whoever receives one of these little ones receives me." What do we believe and why and how do we live it and share it and what difference does it make?

Karen Gale has lead our Whiz Kid program for 18 years and our congregation has often helped Kaiser school. Karen believes the schools provide the key to reformation and revival in our community. Could the Holy Spirit move within that struggling institution? If God can move hearts in the church He can certainly be at work in the world. The reality is God works where there is hunger and need. That's why Jesus said that the Good Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness and goes after the one sheep that went astray.

Our family has had the privilege of being involved in education for generations: teaching in and sending our children to both public and Christian schools, homeschooling our children, involved in co-2ops, even using a Catholic High School. I don't know what is next for us as a family or church but like Karen I am deeply involved in our Whiz Kid program and praying for God's kingdom to come in all our schools and families. Karen believes everyone can be involved in some way to help bring the love and wisdom of God through education. How does that make you feel?  

Let us pray and obey and see what God will do. But let us not be content to remain alone in the wilderness of religious life.

BETTER THAN SUGAR

BETTER THAN SUGAR

By Dwight Cunkle

Oh Taste, and See that the Lord is good

We know sugar is addictive, yet the more we have of it the more we crave, unless we get sick. On the other hand, when we decrease our intake of it we become more healthy and our craving decreases. "Desire begets desire." The more we want something the stronger our "wanter" wants it.  The Psalmist sang, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." How can we delight in God? Prayer and meditating in His word is a good beginning. Why Pray? The more you pray the more you will pray. The more we "will for God to pray in us" the more He becomes prayer in us; the more we will pray.

A highpoint of the week is our Wednesday 7PM prayer time together: quietly waiting on God, worshipping, listening, then prayer begins to rise in us and we become more aware that God lives in us and is praying through us-effortless words or quiet singing meditations flow from our spirits-God breathes in our souls and we rise together in his presence. We become His house of prayer and feel the good effect of His will both within us and his will being effected in the earth through us as we make our petitions known with the help of His Spirit.

It’s not that we love prayer. We are learning to love Him. It's not that we are mighty or skilled intercessors. We love this time because it is for Him and in Him. It is not about us. It is not even so much about prayer or needs, although He helps us know what needs prayer and how to pray. We want to know and love Him more than just have a good meeting.  

Body ministry prayer for one another often flows without strain. Words of knowledge and prophetic prayers simply come, birthed in God's love and comfort to encourage weary hearts. But whatever good comes in any time of prayer it is the sweet gift of our God. So let us seek Him. Ask his grace to draw your heart after him and enable you to pray.

Be prayer not just try to do prayer. Let him pray in you, not just active and vocal, but also heart prayer and wordless contemplation of Him. Let his praise be in your mouth always as a good taste-wanting more all the time. But also be in awe; be still; rest and know that He is God-not only in heaven but in you.

Psalm 34:4 

4 I will bless the Lord at all times;

    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me 

and delivered me from all my fears.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,

    for those who fear him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Imagine Being A Missionary

Imagine Being A Missionary:

Support them, Be With them, and Be one where you are.

By Dwight Cunkle

   Allow me to describe briefly what it can be like to be a new missionary family, alone in a third world country...

   Can you imagine being thankful you can use a bathroom with running water instead of an outhouse. What feels like 99% humidity and being glad to take a cold shower? Imagine in April and May not only does everything turn brown and it is 100 degrees, but water is so rationed that you may not even have any to use all day? Imagine rolling blackouts (we sang worship songs and hymns then played almost an entire board game in the dark) and never know when the lights will go out let alone come on again.

     Imagine no Stop signs, traffic lights, and the roads often are shared by cars, farm trucks, bicyclers, walkers of all ages, plus dogs, cows, goats etc. Can you imagine having to travel several hours including riding on the ferry across a huge lake just to go to the grocery store or get mail? And the road that you use to go to the main part of the island is rock and mud and often you must crawl and bump along in low gear.

   Imagine not being able to talk on the phone with friends and relatives here in the states and having to drive at least five minutes to get on the Internet. The sad part of that is hardly ever does anyone write you emails or Facebook messages and almost never a letter.       

    Imagine the need to be so frugal you wash sandwich baggies so you can reuse them because you want to have extra money to serve and give people in need around you, and you don't know if it may be weeks before you can go to a store to buy them. Imagine having to learn a foreign language while trying to relate with people with whom you cannot communicate.

Imagine the loneliness... The silent pain.

The strangeness of this new environment…

Then imagine the gladness to receive suitcases full of blessings to give others and some to share yourselves. Imagine the sweetness of being able to receive news from the states, share your stories, and be encouraged because people came so far to be with you and to help you in your work.

Imagine that despite the difficulties and hardships you love the Lord Jesus Christ and you give to those around you without expectation of seeing change or accomplishing anything in the eyes of men. Imagine being received with favor by these simple people who sing joyfully out of tune and treat church like it is a high point of the week. Imagine riding a bicycle 20 km just to come to a meeting. Imagine people receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, welcoming teachings on worship and prayer, listening like never before to sense how and what God is communicating with them. Imagine being so appreciative that someone came so far teaching you some new songs and helping you experience the peace and the joy of God in a fresh new way. (One young man testified that he received healing in his heart when we sang the song that God gave me for them).

But also imagine what a difference you can make by praying, writing, giving, going... Imagine doing your part of the Great Commission-by giving your life in small ways through the day to serve others and be a witness for Christ. Imagine offering your life and your family to God for his will to be done. Imagine  not giving up when you can't see clearly what difference you are making? Not quitting everyday. Not feeling sorry for yourself because you have work to do today-living for Christ and being an example of the gospel and love of God together. Imagine seeing your family minister to others and choose Christ over the material things and superficial things of culture controlling their time and desires. Imagine lives being impacted for eternity as you simply do the next task and serve the next person in need God brings near you. Imagine Great Grace and beauty and growth and love and a wholly different way of life. Imagine quiet while looking daily up to the mountains to God from where your help comes from. Imagine peace and contentment in simple things and a slower and simpler lifestyle. Imagine you and God, living as One, with all your weakness but all his fullness and love as a sweet gift in some present moment.

Imagine all you can but then go and love Christ and love your neighbor do the task before you with simple faith and devotion.