I am currently sitting in Colombia writing this update surrounded by sounds of a river and jungle. We are at a mission base of New Tribe Missions which is on a Finca (farm) on the outskirts of a town called Fusagasuga. What was once a place that was robbed of its life because of guerilla warfare is now a place that is filled with students and families that have all dedicated their lives to the furthering of God's Kingdom in unreached tribes in Colombia.
When we first came here in 2011 and worked digging trenches and re-routing sewage lines, they wanted to sell the place, but we soon discovered as we interceded that God was for sure not done with the place and that it would once again be a place of equipping and sending...well that is indeed what it has become and we as a team have the privilege of working and living alongside these amazing people for the next two weeks.
We are building a playground, putting up, renovating houses and rooms for the staff that live here, building gates, doing ground maintenance and digging draining systems amongst other things. We then also just get to hang out and learn from both the staff and students at the institute and are discovering what it really means to give up your life as a living sacrifice, first in response to Jesus and secondly for those tribes that have not heard the Good news that Jesus is alive and saves.
The last three weeks have been a time of being challenged both physically but also a time of being challenge to really evaluate our understanding of the Gospel, particularly our ability to explain it using scripture and standing on our sure foundation so that when winds do blow we will stand firm. You see the parable of the house being built is speaking to believers and is challenging them that the only way to live in response to the word is to walk in obedience, this is the ONLY life that will withstand the storms of life and judgement at the end of the ages. Christ must be our cornerstone, He must be the one that we stand on and build our life on, if not we have NO hope. NONE! We don’t just need Christ, He is ALL that we have! What a privilege to know that my salvation is sure because I believe on Him my cornerstone and because of Him i am no longer in haste chasing after things of this world that will never satisfy! (Isaiah 28:14-16).
And sommer on that point I want to share a little about the people that we hung out with at the institute. Something I have been journeying on for a while now is my response to Jesus when He says deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me. And we have a warped perspective of what it means to deny self, we think that it is us giving up the wicked things that we love to do the righteous things that we hate. No, if I am a new creature and Christ lives in me then i love the things of God an hate what is evil, because I have been given a new heart and His Spirit compels and moves me to do His will (Ez36:26). so it really has been a joy to meet and live with people who are so unaware of the sacrifice because they truly live in the joy of their salvation.
some favorite moments on base:
-tea parties and dress ups in students clothes
-painting the tower of pyramids to make them look like fruit loops
-becoming a skilled fence builder and drill wielder
- becoming a part of the family at NTM and having epic ladies evenings eating yummy treats whilst chewing on some truths about womanhood.
Favorite fu moment: creating a stage with mud and using the tools and utensils as instruments for the best performance of "build your kingdom" yet!
things learnt about leadership: offer your life as a living sacrifice! man i lay myself on the alter before i begin to sacrifice others (point out their mistakes) Vulnerability really unlocks relationships and discovering people's hearts. Also that i am always being called to meet people where they are at...
Next stop Santa Marta
will keep you posted