TRUST!!!

For those of you new to experiential education we use initiatives and challenge courses to help people develop life skills and learn how to work as a team.  Experiential education is a very western idea which makes it difficult when bringing it into a ME context.  

The idea of processing or debriefing after a learning activity is not very common here.  Students do not mind expressing their ideas or answering questions but it is typically aimed viciously towards other students.  I have only been here for one week and a tough one at that.  Originally I was supposed to be in an interim position before I go full time in running all the organizations programs.  For right now  I have focused on its core program core Global Leadership.  The goal of the program is develop basic team building skills and leaders out the students.  I absolutely love the challenge of working with the students with this goal in mind.  

The challenge is developing a western concept into a successful ME program in schools when we only have 25 - 35 minutes a week with them.  Thats extremely difficult when theses themes could actually be more important than basic math.  We are talking about life skills here.  The things that will transform a community that has been greatly affected by regional events in the past.  

Today was my first official day taking students through programs.  Some groups were not able to do the activities due to behavioral issues.  Apprarently I am the first person to be really mean and do not allow students to jump around hitting one another.  After they were able to compose themselves we proceeded to due a sherpa walk.  Basically we blindfolded students and gave them a rope and they had to depend on one another to get around the school.  They only had noises to give them directions.  They had to climb over things and fully trust one another.  

We had some bullying, some people showing genuine concern, and others that just didn't care.  We started processing through what trust is and what it means to be a trustworthy person.  Then I asked students to relate it to their lives.  I was amazed at how many students were able to relate trust to their life in context of dealign with their family or trust in a different ethnic group.  The sad thing is that we only had 5 minutes to debrief when these kids really wanted to ask questions about how do we build trust after its been broken.  We never really got to get into that too much but a foundation has been laid for a future generation that could change a seemingly never ending conflict in ME.

Here are some photos of two different schools that we worked at today.  The first is with a school completely in Arabic with 6 graders in a mediation program.  The second is with the American school with students that speak pretty darn good english.    

HOW IMPORTANT IS TRUST TO YOU

    

CHICK PEAS, FAX MACHINES, and OLD SPICE

I have never imagined that so many things could happen in one week of time.  I have officially been in M.E. for one week.  Of all the hard times in my life that I can remember going through this one has been one of the toughest.  This week has left me searching for answers . . .  searching for a reason . .  . searching for God’s will. 

Before I go much further – I want to thank all my family, friends, extended support group for you much sought after counsel, advice, and for speaking TRUTH into my life during the past week.  When after a couple of days I wanted to give up, you spoke the truth of God’s word which has deeply encouraged me to persevere through these trials. 

Two nights ago – I felt like I was surrounded by Satan himself attacking me from every angle.  I would read through the Word and feel peace and then something else would happen and I would lay in my bed praying for hours.  I don’t think I have spent more time in prayer than I have this week.

For the past several months God has been transforming my world by first removing the things that used to consume it.  I never even felt remorse for giving up the American dream and financial security in the new job offer that I had.  Now I get to where I am now and through out the week Satan has been speaking non truths into my life making me regret giving up my job, house, and comfortable lifestyle to live in a rats nest in ME. 

Without going into too much detail about the very complex situation that I am in right now I can let you know that I will be transitioning back to the states much sooner than imagined.  The original plan was to decide which opportunity to pursue long term in this area.  One very much reflected my interests in life, professional interests, and allowed time for ministry.  The other allowed me to teach in a local school and disciple students.  It has been a disappointing week because I had so much hope in the organization that I am working for right now that I would be able to impact the community through various programs while playing a role in a discipleship ministry.  Things can be quite a bit more deceptive than ever imagined.  My desire is to follow Christ.  And from every approach imagineable I can seem to make that fit within this organization and truly live to the standards that Christ calls me too.  There has to be a reason why I am here though?  So many unexplainable things have happened over the past several months for this to be a waste? 

My spiritual life, believes, even the reason I exist has been questioned by so many individuals this past week.  I have been conversations with so many believers and unbelievers that it has been very hard.  I have had people trying to get me to loosen up and just experience life.  I have had people trying to convince me that the God I love and believe in does not exist.  I have had people laugh at me when I explain why I am here.  I have had people mock me for standing firm for my faith in Christ.  Isn’t it crazy that all this exists in the context of that I am 5 miles from the birthplace of Christ himself.

Today I have felt God has reassured me that He is in control.  That He is with me despite the evil around me.  That He wants to be my source of strength and that life flows from him who lives within me.  God wants me to give him control.  To surrender every bit of my life – my emotions in anger, frustation, my heart, my mind, etc. 

A friend of mine had recommended reading through the book of James.  Sometimes when I experience these things I don’t know where to even turn in the Bible.  I am glad the HS speaks through other people.  The entire of book of James has either convicted me of things or reassured me of things. 

James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

You too be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

I am not worthy of having such an amazing creator.  God thank you for your guidance even when I want to be in drivers seat, thank you for your provision when I attempt to still do things on my own at times, thank you for your power that trumps all evil in this world and that with it you can accomplish many things through this servant of yours.  Thank you for your grace that covered my sinful life.

I know that if you read all the way through this you may be confused.   I don’t even know exactly what I just wrote especially when I am not the writing type but it does help me express and process through what is occurring in life right now. 

This next week will be even more difficult as I expect to do some transitioning between things.  I ask that you pray that God would open up the hearts of individuals buried in a sinful life, that believers would be showed truth what it means to live a life more that of Christ, and that they would be firm in their faith when interacting with the international community present in ME.  Pray that God would transform the minds of students across P as this will be my first time actually leading students through classes.    

THREE DAYS LEFT!!!

The past couple of weeks have been quite interesting:  we got close to 2.5 feet of snow over the past couple of weeks. 

We are not supposed to get this MUCH SNOW!!!

THREE DAYS LEFT

It is three days before I leave for the Middle East.  Time has flown by pretty fast over the past several weeks.  I am increasingly amazed at how God crushes the box that I typically confine him too.  As much as I say sometimes that I am fully depending on Christ to provide for everything and I still find myself attempting to do some of the work and outsource the hard stuff to Jesus.  This past week he has reminded more and more that he has my back on all the small things as well. 

Over the past couple of weeks I have been blessed to attend some amazing perspectives classes, go to some challenging seminars, and meet with some amazing believers.  In the midst of trying to prepare for this endeavor while trying to read 37 books covering topics from discipleship, community development, experiential education, Islam, and group therapy interventions.  And at the same time saying goodbyes to co-workers, friends, family, selling my vehicles, house, possessions, etc.

I was sitting in perspectives last night listening to the speaker as he spoke about all the things that keep us from going abroad in a missions context.  Out of nearly 3.1 million people that travel internationally for short term mission trips every year nearly 75% are between ages 18-24.  Why?  Because people in this age bracket have not started careers, families, own a house, have car payments, or many responsibilities.  This resonated with me because for the first time in five years I can say that I feel completely FREE to fully serve Christ to the ends of the Earth.  The reality is that I have been free to do this for some time but I have become consumed in the BLESSINGS of God that I don’t fully them it to bless others.  I hope and prayer that I am not 50 years old and catch myself obeying God because I can barely manage all the blessings that He has given me. 

So I may be 25 years old, far from getting married, dirt poor in a worldly sense, and considered crazy for giving up my job, lifestyle, and leisurely comfortable life.  But I know that my eternal reward will outweigh any pain, suffering, sacrifice, or even joy that I may experience on this Earth. 

If you are following along with this blog and want to continue following what happening with Paidia and the work being done in the Middle East feel free to join the monthly newsletter with the link on the side of the page.  If you want to pursue making any financial contributions there is a link on the side of the page directed MEI support giving website.  Lastly I ask for your support in prayer as I embark on this journey.  This blog will updated on a rare occasion and will be used to express my thoughts and things that I am processing through. 

God Bless