Journal 2

Journal 2

	A different perspective 9-20 So, where ya from? (“Yes yekel em Amerikyeets, bites im tuna yerkenkum, Hisusa hed”) means: “I’m from America but my home is in the sky, with Jesus”. It always seems to get an interesting response. The reality of that is more than my mind can handle! It changes everything! If you’re a Christian and you’re reading this; you’re a foreigner. This ain’t our home! Most of the people I’m working with here have no hope of having a nice home or good paying job. The idea of financial peace is absurd. Mutual funds IRA’s and insurance plans don’t exist. It’s impossible for me to completely relate. The practical side of me has always said to work hard and save for the future. The Spirit in me says, Where’s your security? If I say “that’s a nice picture” or “I like your coat” most Armenian’s will immediately insist on giving it to me. They’re so generous! “After they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had”. (Acts 4: 31, 32) The disciples were so preoccupied with the resurrected savior that they left everything and followed Him. I think; it’s not the selling or giving away everything we own, but the realization that with Him we already possess everything! I wonder what is more honorable. To die with wealth, or with nothing? Lord make me a generous man. 9-28 The car broke a generator belt and we limped along the mountain road at mid night until we came to a house with a light on. Several men emerged and began to make the diagnosis. My driver insisted that I stay in the car where it’s warm. I usually like to make myself known because Armenians are usually very helpful to Americans, but my driver insisted. One man invited us to his house to rest while he repairs the car. Next thing I know, they’ve got an old washing machine in the middle of the room taking the belt off. But it’s to short. We ended up staying the night in their humble abode and they treated us with unusual kindness! I woke to see my first Armenian snow! There was thunder and lighting also! These people had nothing and I wanted to give them some money for their hospitality. But my friend said no. “It will insult them; they want to help us”. This man was not helping the American. It was dark and I was in the car. He didn’t realize I was part of the traveling party until afterwards. He was helping the person in need. I’m the missionary. The messenger of God, but I was humbled to see real Christ-like servant-hood in action. They didn’t have a bible so I shared a short testimony and gave them one. God didn’t need me to preach. It was time to sit and observe. This is what your life is supposed to look like. My life that is. Our lives. 9-29 I spoke in a Baptist Church on Sunday. Two sisters in their early twenties responded to the invitation. They were so ready to make this decision! The message was based on Acts 17. “From one man God created all nations of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth. And He determined the times set for them and the exact places that they should live. God did this so men would seek Him and perhaps find Him though He is not far from each one of us”. We have no say so in where we are born and raised. But God does! And it’s all by Design! 10-7 As I stand at the door to my apartment there are doors on my right and left. My neighbor said “I Know God brought you here”. “Every morning when I’m leaving for work I have opened my door to see my neighbor’s front door; Jehovah witness’s. Every morning I become very much oppressed. But now your door is between mine and theirs and my heart smiles. God determines the Places we live! “But what will I do when you leave John? Who will help me understand the Bible”? “Let’s Pray about it”. I’m certainly not a bible scholar. Mostly I just have a laptop with a good concordance and commentaries. Most of these people have never owned a bible and never seen a computer. The vision here is to produce indigenous churches. Develop local leaders and move on. That looks good on paper. Making it happen is a God sized task. He could do it in a split second; with just a word! Instead, He’s given us this task. If we have a Bible and any knowledge or understanding at all, let’s not keep to ourselves! We’ve been given much and much is required! “Go and make Disciples” 9-28 The car broke a generator belt and we limped along the mountain road at mid night until we came to a house with a light on. Several men emerged and began to make the diagnosis. My driver insisted that I stay in the car where it’s warm. I usually like to make myself known because Armenians are usually very helpful to Americans, but my driver insisted. One man invited us to his house to rest while he repairs the car. Next thing I know, they’ve got an old washing machine in the middle of the room taking the belt off. But it’s to short. We ended up staying the night in their humble abode and they treated us with unusual kindness! I woke to see my first Armenian snow! There was thunder and lighting also! These people had nothing and I wanted to give them some money for their hospitality. But my friend said no. “It will insult them; they want to help us”. This man was not helping the American. It was dark and I was in the car. He didn’t realize I was part of the traveling party until afterwards. He was helping the person in need. I’m the missionary. The messenger of God, but I was humbled to see real Christ-like servant-hood in action. They didn’t have a bible so I shared a short testimony and gave them one. God didn’t need me to preach. It was time to sit and observe. This is what your life is supposed to look like. My life that is. Our lives. 9-29 I spoke in a Baptist Church on Sunday. Two sisters in their early twenties responded to the invitation. They were so ready to make this decision! The message was based on Acts 17. “From one man God created all nations of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth. And He determined the times set for them and the exact places that they should live. God did this so men would seek Him and perhaps find Him though He is not far from each one of us”. We have no say so in where we are born and raised. But God does! And it’s all by Design! 10-7 As I stand at the door to my apartment there are doors on my right and left. My neighbor said “I Know God brought you here”. “Every morning when I’m leaving for work I have opened my door to see my neighbor’s front door; Jehovah witness’s. Every morning I become very much oppressed. But now your door is between mine and theirs and my heart smiles. God determines the Places we live! “But what will I do when you leave John? Who will help me understand the Bible”? “Let’s Pray about it”. I’m certainly not a bible scholar. Mostly I just have a laptop with a good concordance and commentaries. Most of these people have never owned a bible and never seen a computer. The vision here is to produce indigenous churches. Develop local leaders and move on. That looks good on paper. Making it happen is a God sized task. He could do it in a split second; with just a word! Instead, He’s given us this task. If we have a Bible and any knowledge or understanding at all, let’s not keep to ourselves! We’ve been given much and much is required! “Go and make Disciples”

A different perspective

9-20 So, where ya from? (“Yes yekel em Amerikyeets, bites im tuna yerkenkum, Hisusa hed”) means: “I’m from America but my home is in the sky, with Jesus”. It always seems to get an interesting response. The reality of that is more than my mind can handle! It changes everything! If you’re a Christian and you’re reading this; you’re a foreigner. This ain’t our home!

Most of the people I’m working with here have no hope of having a nice home or good paying job. The idea of financial peace is absurd. Mutual funds IRA’s and insurance plans don’t exist. It’s impossible for me to completely relate. The practical side of me has always said to work hard and save for the future. The Spirit in me says, Where’s your security? If I say “that’s a nice picture” or “I like your coat” most Armenian’s will immediately insist on giving it to me. They’re so generous!

“After they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had”. (Acts 4: 31, 32) The disciples were so preoccupied with the resurrected savior that they left everything and followed Him. I think; it’s not the selling or giving away everything we own, but the realization that with Him we already possess everything! I wonder what is more honorable. To die with wealth, or with nothing? Lord make me a generous man.

9-28 The car broke a generator belt and we limped along the mountain road at mid night until we came to a house with a light on. Several men emerged and began to make the diagnosis. My driver insisted that I stay in the car where it’s warm. I usually like to make myself known because Armenians are usually very helpful to Americans, but my driver insisted. One man invited us to his house to rest while he repairs the car. Next thing I know, they’ve got an old washing machine in the middle of the room taking the belt off. But it’s to short. We ended up staying the night in their humble abode and they treated us with unusual kindness! I woke to see my first Armenian snow! There was thunder and lighting also! These people had nothing and I wanted to give them some money for their hospitality. But my friend said no. “It will insult them; they want to help us”. This man was not helping the American. It was dark and I was in the car. He didn’t realize I was part of the traveling party until afterwards. He was helping the person in need. I’m the missionary. The messenger of God, but I was humbled to see real Christ-like servant-hood in action. They didn’t have a bible so I shared a short testimony and gave them one. God didn’t need me to preach. It was time to sit and observe. This is what your life is supposed to look like. My life that is. Our lives.

9-29 I spoke in a Baptist Church on Sunday. Two sisters in their early twenties responded to the invitation. They were so ready to make this decision! The message was based on Acts 17. “From one man God created all nations of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth. And He determined the times set for them and the exact places that they should live. God did this so men would seek Him and perhaps find Him though He is not far from each one of us”. We have no say so in where we are born and raised. But God does! And it’s all by Design!

10-7 As I stand at the door to my apartment there are doors on my right and left. My neighbor said “I Know God brought you here”. “Every morning when I’m leaving for work I have opened my door to see my neighbor’s front door; Jehovah witness’s. Every morning I become very much oppressed. But now your door is between mine and theirs and my heart smiles. God determines the Places we live!

“But what will I do when you leave John? Who will help me understand the Bible”? “Let’s Pray about it”. I’m certainly not a bible scholar. Mostly I just have a laptop with a good concordance and commentaries. Most of these people have never owned a bible and never seen a computer. The vision here is to produce indigenous churches. Develop local leaders and move on. That looks good on paper. Making it happen is a God sized task. He could do it in a split second; with just a word! Instead, He’s given us this task. If we have a Bible and any knowledge or understanding at all, let’s not keep to ourselves! We’ve been given much and much is required! “Go and make Disciples”

9-28 The car broke a generator belt and we limped along the mountain road at mid night until we came to a house with a light on. Several men emerged and began to make the diagnosis. My driver insisted that I stay in the car where it’s warm. I usually like to make myself known because Armenians are usually very helpful to Americans, but my driver insisted. One man invited us to his house to rest while he repairs the car. Next thing I know, they’ve got an old washing machine in the middle of the room taking the belt off. But it’s to short. We ended up staying the night in their humble abode and they treated us with unusual kindness! I woke to see my first Armenian snow! There was thunder and lighting also! These people had nothing and I wanted to give them some money for their hospitality. But my friend said no. “It will insult them; they want to help us”. This man was not helping the American. It was dark and I was in the car. He didn’t realize I was part of the traveling party until afterwards. He was helping the person in need. I’m the missionary. The messenger of God, but I was humbled to see real Christ-like servant-hood in action. They didn’t have a bible so I shared a short testimony and gave them one. God didn’t need me to preach. It was time to sit and observe. This is what your life is supposed to look like. My life that is. Our lives.

9-29 I spoke in a Baptist Church on Sunday. Two sisters in their early twenties responded to the invitation. They were so ready to make this decision! The message was based on Acts 17. “From one man God created all nations of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth. And He determined the times set for them and the exact places that they should live. God did this so men would seek Him and perhaps find Him though He is not far from each one of us”. We have no say so in where we are born and raised. But God does! And it’s all by Design!

10-7 As I stand at the door to my apartment there are doors on my right and left. My neighbor said “I Know God brought you here”. “Every morning when I’m leaving for work I have opened my door to see my neighbor’s front door; Jehovah witness’s. Every morning I become very much oppressed. But now your door is between mine and theirs and my heart smiles. God determines the Places we live!

“But what will I do when you leave John? Who will help me understand the Bible”? “Let’s Pray about it”. I’m certainly not a bible scholar. Mostly I just have a laptop with a good concordance and commentaries. Most of these people have never owned a bible and never seen a computer. The vision here is to produce indigenous churches. Develop local leaders and move on. That looks good on paper. Making it happen is a God sized task. He could do it in a split second; with just a word! Instead, He’s given us this task. If we have a Bible and any knowledge or understanding at all, let’s not keep to ourselves! We’ve been given much and much is required! “Go and make Disciples”