Membership verses Conversion 6/27/13

In this weeks reading discussion class we read Escobar and another author. According to Escobar there has been an unfair "black legend" about the Catholic church amongst those that classify themselves as Protestants. I have been exposed to that "black legend" and if I were to admit it I had a strong biases against the Catholic church. If I am to be 100% transparent I still do however not as strong and the biases is more of a concern.

Now those that are Catholic or are easily offended about self righteous Christians, PAUSE, BREATH and continue reading so you can understand what I am talking about.

I have a deep concern for any religious group that considers themselves to be Christian and in fact does not seek to understand the person or the characteristic of Jesus the Christ. Based on what I have been told by many people who were Catholic, they stated that they were Catholic because it was a family religion, or they were it by default due to their culture. They shared that it was filled with holidays, rituals, actions but experienced no personal connection with the Trinity, not really understanding the Bible, and not experiencing any transformation. I am VERY aware similar attributes can be used when describing other religious groups under the Christian umbrella and with those groups I feel the same.To be fair there is a new generation of Catholics that are serious about their faith and has been more geared on bible studies, youth groups, discipleship and learning about Christ.

 I begin to wonder if those that proclaim Christianity as a whole has fallen into traditions, rituals, and building up membership and not focusing on real conversion of an individual to Christ. I still become nervous and a little annoyed when people boast about the amount of people they have dunked in the water (baptism). I truly believe that baptism is essential, however it seems that some people have forgot the part of really believing (of having faith) and being baptized (Acts 2:38). It seems that we are more excited about increased membership and not putting enough information into retaining those new members and their understanding of what it means to follow Christ. I understand the purpose of explaining salvation into steps however has the steps become more about membership criteria and not the circumcision of peoples hearts?

The question we had in our reading discussion was: What are we converting people to?

• power                                     benefit
• family                                      change or
• experience                               Jesus/Truth
• institutional structure

People will have their reasons for coming "to Christ" regardless on how you share Christ with them, and that is understandable however, that should not stop our investment in reconciling them back to Christ. The point is the language of membership, it is a call to the masses to follow Christ; which is a calling to people to live a disciplined holistic life, to be disciples.

One pressure that missionaries may feel and also some congregations, is the wanting to produce more Christians. It is the case of quantity over quality. Is it more important to baptize 40 people per month and they not live a Christ centered life but come to EVERY single church function? or Baptize 4 converts that has made the decision to dedicate their lives, ( "dedicated disciples" as Greg states), entirely to the mission Christ commenced when he came to this Earth? The answer is seen by the language churches utilize and the way they function. Greg emphasized that among their group worked to socially be in touch with the people they plan to minister to. The team made the decision to not live in a gated community instead live among the people they want to minister to. In one of the readings the term "conosis" was used which is a Greek word that describes the process of emptying oneself the way Jesus did. I would say that the team aims to be this way.

This is why it is important to contextualize the gospel, socially, economically, and religiously. The gospel should be incarnational (not an outside analysis that can create blind-spots), but from a place of identification and solidarity from the inside. So when the word of God is brought to a particular demographic the gospel is contextualized from an informed position. Another important point that Greg shared was that not only is it important to know where you are but also to realize where you come from and how it affects your worldview. Basically, allowing yourself to let go of privileged notions and realize things about yourself to relate to those you want to work with. This lesson was a perfect way to prepare the interns for home stay. 

Home-stay is the opportunity where the interns get to stay 3 days and 3 nights with one of the church members. This could be an imposition for some church members however it shows the wonderful spirit of hospitality that was extended to each of us.This opportunity will allow for us to spend personal time with church members as well as seeing the way they live. 

Writing this journal entry so late I can say that spending time with that family was fulfilling and more than I can pay for. It is a humbling experience to have someone that you barely know give up their personal space for your comfort. My experience allowed for me to experience the love Christ among fellow sisters in Christ. 

Working w/Others 6/26/13

If one were to ask another how I work/interact with people, depending on where they are from, their personal temperament and other factors, you would most likely get a variety of responses that will sound like the following: she is difficult to get along with, I do not understand her, she seems mean, Gerina is very honest, she is great at pushing one to be their best, I adore her, when you get a chance to know her heart, everything else makes sense. Although I know that I can be difficult to be around for some there is not much I have changed about who I am because the things that makes certain people uncomfortable are not really my issues it is there's. However the things I can control that I recognize as a problem I attempt to change.

One of the things is taking charge of situations and dominating which is easy because I have a strong personality. On this trip I have recognized strong personalities, insecurities and sensitivities so I told myself to put manager Gerina to bed and relax and go with the flow...well that can only last for a few weeks and that it did. Going along with the flow all the time to avoid tensions and hurt feelings will cause exactly that because when people make decisions that are not the best I get very annoyed and hyper critical which makes me a not so nice a person.

Therefore I prefer to work and do particular things alone (however that is not wise in this context nor in ministry). So what should I do? Compromise, and I am a fan of the theory of compromise however that does not always work. I realize that I am only good at working in groups when each person has their own thing to work on that assists to paint a larger picture. Or if I work alongside a person that is very logical, has a steady temperament and is very competent in their skills. This is important to me because these type of people I can trust and respect.

This trip is assisting me in realizing more things about myself which is important so when I am working alongside people I know what to adjust and what to share about how I work. On the Myers-Briggs Assessment I score as a Field Marshall and Producer a person that delegates and oversees. This trait of mine is considered masculine and manifests in other ways that causes tension with males especially in romantic relationships. In relationships it is important that mates are partners and work with one another. I am learning that I need a partner that is confident (not arrogant), intelligent, compassionate, understanding, logical and even tempered. A man that is not offended by my "me-ness".

I realize that I am speaking of relationships and that was not my point of this entry...oh well I am at that age.

Spanish and New Converts 6/21/13

Today I saw a quote that was posted by a friend "I am a perfectionist with a procrastination complex." When I read that quote it resonated with me because I know I can be a perfectionist and sometimes perfectionism takes a lot of work and time I then avoid it thus me becoming a procrastinator. Another aspect is that if I do not get things the way I want or it does not turn out the way I wish it to I then become apathetic. Would I then be an apatheticist? (lol I know this is not a real word.)

Any who when it comes to my learning of Spanish I am not able to get things right nor am I picking up on the language as quick as I think I should. It also does not help when I feel that I am getting mixed signals. Verbally I hear, "Learning a new language is like a baby learning how to speak, it takes time." However I receive through actions "You should be getting this quicker now." Due to the mixed signals I perceive to be receiving I push myself to a limit, get frustrated when it does not seem that there is much improvement and then become apathetic. #Pride #FearofFailure

As I reflect on these feelings I think about how I interact with those that are learning English or where English is not there first language and are still struggling. I would say that I am pretty patient however I will be more aware of the signals I send because the slightest hint of frustration or impatience can be very discouraging to people. I believe this same practice can be applied to new babes (converts) to Christ. As older or more seasoned Christians, we should be patient and not expect a 180 in a new convert from when they are baptized to a year.

Now do not get me wrong I know there should be some significant changes and attempts to purge from bad habits however it takes time and it is difficult. More than anything we should be supportive, encouraging and available to new converts. There are too many times when "church people" (which are different from Christians, but that's another post) have unrealistic expectations and push new converts to be a certain way. From what I have seen, heard this causes new converts to put on a good show while at church but they are suffering and more lost than ever because they want to share their struggles with people they can confide in but are afraid of being ostracized or being a disappointment. Therefore they play the Christian role at church but their lives are a mess and others that are not Christians see this dual lifestyle and think "what's the point?"

In conclusion, whether we are dealing with new babes in Christ, people learning a new language, culture or we are the ones that are learning there should be an amount of patience, forgiveness, grace, empathy and respect to get through the process. My Spanish experience related to new converts is quite a stretch but now as I am re-reflecting it helps me remember what I have learned and how I can apply that to different facets of my life.

Reflection on Culture in my own Context 6/17/13

In culture class this particular Tuesday we discussed the importance of understanding culture, your culture and others within the context of missionary work. I began thinking about how there seems to be so much more effort and research done when it comes to cultural intelligence. Researchers and scholars from the US sees the importance and the energy that is needed when interacting with other cultures from other countries. However I see a lack of concern and energy when it comes to the understanding the variety of cultures that is within the USA. I find all too much that different cultures that are living in certain parts of the US try so hard to assimilate to the "dominant culture" without the general dominant culture attempting to understand, and live life with those that are different. It seems that the idea of missionary work is only when people from the US goes and helps poor people in need in other parts of the world. However, missionary work can be done anywhere and the same sensitivity should be applied.

I remember reading a missionary book and one of the statements that was made was if you have not been a part of doing missionary work where you live then you should reconsider doing missionary work or ask the question that I have asked myself and others, "Why is it easier to go to other places where the culture and the language is almost the complete opposite of yours and immerse onseself in that culture but when it comes with working within ones larger culture and working within the subcultures of that, there are excuses made? Is a possible answer that  there is a potential fear of feeling guilty and taking on a higher sense of duty? Or it can be not wanting to sacrifice the sense of comfort in their own lives. Imagine having to restructure or changing ones perspective/personal viewpoint about how  they see themselves and the world they live in; it can be scary because with knowledge and building relationships comes expectation and action.

There is such thing as being called to do traditional missions work in another country, and that should be taken very seriously however that does not mean that as Christians living where ever you live are off the hook for being a local missionary. There has been research on people that has a sincere passion for assisting those that lack resources, suffer injustice and oppression. The commonality is that most of these people come from lower middle and working class backgrounds and are mostly African Americans and Hispanic Americans.Now there are some Hispanic Americans and African Americans that are very successful that has no interest with "giving back" or rebuilding the communities that were not as fortunate as them.

WEB DeBois, who was an African American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, graduate from Harvard, author and editor,wrote about the "Talented Tenth" among African Americans. The talented tenth as I remember it, is that "the Best of the Black ethnicity may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the Worst, in their own and other races." In class there was also a discussion of collectivist societies, that with progression they begin to take on individualistic characteristics. I see this in the Black community after the 1920's especially once integration took place instead of the "best" pulling up those that were in the worst conditions you saw a divide. A division between the haves and the have not.

I must admit that I suffered and still suffer from wanting be viewed as separate from negative stereotypes. Now it is not that it is a problem from being raised to a way that does not fit with negative stereotypes or other stereotypes that is seen to be attached to the color of my skin. However it becomes a problem when it becomes extreme and manifests itself  as condescending. I realized how bad my attitude was when I listened to white Texans talk about other ethnic groups and my own and realized how ugly and ignorant my thoughts were. The core of my being is not evil however my fear of being undervalued and lumped in with certain groups had me sounding like those that were ignorant and/or racist.

I constantly thank God for having real friends that will point out some of my unsavory characteristic traits. In this context, my friends Masci and Stefanie have pointed out things that I say or do that contradicts with who I should be as a Christian, the heart I have for people, and an example to others. Although I do not say these things in public settings it is the fact that I am saying it.  It is very important to be self aware and I am working on that part of me. I am not as bad as I used to be however there is always room for improvement especially, since I have a passion to work with inner city youth. A part of my effectiveness is based on how I work on myself. 

To close out my reflection on culture I will say that missionary work does not only mean someone that goes to another country into another culture to share Christ and assist in other efforts but it also a duty and responsibility that is shared by the body of Christ to be a missionary where they are currently living and take the time to get to build sincere relationships and understand the culture of those you minister to. Keep it real, be honest with yourself and in result you will be able to be honest with others.

Sunday 6/15/13

Today was celebration Sunday. Celebration Sunday is when most or all of the house congregations gather together and celebrate the wonderfulness of God. Due to Celebration Sunday falling on Father's Day and that there are members that live really far from where the meeting was, there were more Americans present than Peruvians. The similarities of these house congregations gathering together to worship like how we do in the states is a lot of singing, there is praying, scripture reading, and communion. The differences is that the following three things are integrated into worship service such as: children's worship service, lunch and sharing with the group what the Lord's Supper mean to them. It had a family feel to the service which I very much appreciated.

Later that Sunday night Megan suggested we began a group devotional/share time with those that lived in the McKinzie's household. Without sharing what was shared I appreciated how seemingly appropriate and sincere Greg and Megan were when they shared. I was especially surprised that Greg shared as much given his disposition that is obviously misunderstood. Greg does not do or say things just to say them (which I appreciate because you can almost always trust that he means what he says and does). The missionaries appear to be aware and be caring of the members in their church group.

Greg and Megan shared the frustration they feel at times based on their concern with the decisions their members make. They also shared the lessons they have learned and are learning as they continue to grow and live in Peru. I found share time to be insightful as well as free flowing because although each person shared it still was conversational and intentional. After this particular Sunday night there will be devo's added to share night and it will focus on the book of 1 Peter. Sunday nights may become very interesting....

Explanation about the Blog

Late Entries

The next few entries will all be from the entries I have written in my journal. I have kept up with reflecting and  documenting the things I have done and the thoughts that have followed along with those experiences. However, I have not yet sat down to transfer the thoughts I had written down on the blog that would be appropriate for a public form.

Therefore what I am writing may sound as if it is in present tense or may fluctuate from pass to present. Please forgive me.

Lean on Me- Sisterly Love

Another journal entry that was written on Saturday, June 15th:

Saturday morning I met up with an LTGroup that consisted of: Megan, Emillia, and Areli. They read and discussed Marcos 1:1-15. There were some shared concern about a new convert named..let's call her Nadine as she does not seem as connected like she used to be. Emilia shared some things that were frustrating her which, led her to tears. Areli offered words of encouragement, actually it seemed as if Areli was really speaking some profound words from her heart to Emilia's heart. During this exchange Megan consoled Emilia (by rubbing her back) but listened intently while the two ladies had a discussion. I guessed that the reason Megan remained quiet was because Megan wants to get the Peruvian members to be able to run meetings and bible studies when she is not there.

I did not know exactly what was exchanged between Emilia and Areli at the time however the vibe I felt and the non-verbal as well as verbal inclinations that I was able to observe seemed very straight forward and vulnerable. From what I gathered it seemed as if Emilia had some questions that are being left unanswered, and that it may be causing feelings of loneliness. As we sat in the cafe, I thought how wonderful it was to see women gather together in a public space and have enough trust and comfort to share their hearts with one another. How refreshing!!!! It is a pattern that keeps coming up while I am here. Also who gets up on a Saturday morning to intentionally share their lives with one another? And if you know them in the United states let me know. As I sat there listening to Emilia, I yearned to understand all that she was saying so that I can communicate with her, encourage her and share our lives together. After that particular discussion, Megan and Areli prayed over Emilia and Nadine.

After the prayer they were about to go into the study of a Purpose Driven Life in Espanol, but Megan remembered a scripture she wanted to share with the group. From what I gathered Megan shared that some Christians believe they will and should only receive the good things not realizing that becoming a Christian does not mean that there will be no stress or problems but it's by living a Christian life that those problems will produce good fruits later. They read 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 and Mark 10:28-31 which refers to going through tough times so that we learn to not rely on our selves but on God; and how the disciples sacrificed ALL for Christ. Megan reminded the ladies that the perception of Christianity today is not right (I agree, it seems that some Christian do not know what it means to be a Christian and that there are people in the world that do not understand what real Christianity is about).

After that part of the conversation was over, Megan invited that ladies to a pajama party which they were really excited about and then we talked about the interns experience when they went dancing.

Random side note: I realize I understand Spanish better when people are speaking to one another and not directly to me. I do not know what that is about.

As Megan and I walked back to her house, I asked her if what I thought I comprehended was correct and she generally said I got the gist of it. She then began speaking of her time with the members of the church and I was able to see her heart and passion for what she is doing. Her idea of mission work, correct me if I am wrong Megan, is something that should be integrated in life and that all people are called to be missionaries (based on one's definition of being a missionary).

Due to me filling in the rest in my journal two weeks later I forgot the rest of what I thought and experienced. However to get a better understanding of Megan you should check out her blog: gregandmeg@blogspot.com If this is wrong I will provide a correct one.

A Frustrated baby- an Ode to Emi Yamada

I wrote the following in my journal 6/14/2013:

Have you ever experienced the cuteness of a baby learning how to speak? I have and I still am as I live in the McKinzie household and interact with their adorable son Cohen. Any who they muster a few comprehensible words and the rest is adorable jibber jabber. Well learning how to speak and understand Spanish is analogous to the cute baby you are imagining, the main difference is that I am NOT adorable and the process is not only humbling but frustrating as I know how to communicate effective (even if I always do or not) in another language. Then I think of my dear graduate school buddy Emi Yamada and I relax.

As you may have seen me express in some of my vlog posts on facebook, yo queiro apprender espanol so much!!!!! I want to be able to communicate with the people here without it taking an hour to ask a question. I almost cried out of sadness and frustration. Yes, I have only 6 hours of Spanish lessons and have been here for a complete week but that reality does not diminish the desire I have.

When learning a new language in a new culture it is extremely humbling. You become dependent on those around you to help you do almost everything and pray that they don't lead you astray or teach you to say offensive phrases. Also the proverb verse that states to be quick to listen and slow to speak is something that  I have been practicing.

I think of my dear friend Emi Yamada that is self-conscious about her English speaking abilities in large groups since Japanese is her first language. Emi was (well she still is a) very sweet, humble, helpful and considerate person. Living here in Arequipa, my respect for Emi has skyrocketed. Due to Emi wanting to learn English and obtain two masters from the US, she constantly put herself in a position where she needed the help of others that were younger than her whether it was spiritually, academics, social norms. What tenacity! What boldness!!! Emi will go very far with the spirit she has and her determination.

Thank you Emi for being a good role model.

Later that day, I had an opportunity to converse one on one with a church member named Areli. She knows some English and I spoke very little Spanish however I understood what she was communicating. It was a good experience and I see that I need to be constantly confronted with Spanish without the help of a translator to force my mind to click over.

Here's to learning Espanol.

The Gospel, Kingdom, and Mission work

In the last post, I spoke about the author Arias but not Costas. The chapter we read on Costas focused on evangelization and mission work. From the reading and discussion my mind began to fire thoughts linking the functionality of the gospel, the Spirit's role, and how this ties in to the work that is being done here in Arequipa.

A quote I recently posted on facebook was from Costas. The quote covers basically the function portion, and the Spirit's role. The quote is as follows:

 "Evangelization involves persons and communities working for the transformation of their respective life situations. Any person or community who cannot give evidence (through the efficacy of love (service, taking action)) of a transformed life is not capable of evangelizing others".

 I liked this quote because it states "working" not worked or has already transformed, indicating that Coastas recognizes that transformation is an ongoing process, however it is a process that must be taking place continuously, otherwise those that claim to have "it" or are done transforming does not understand the purpose of evangelizing.

Costas continues with stating that, "To participate in the transformation of one's life situation implies, first and foremost, having experienced God's grace, forgiveness, restitution, and liberation for service." There are those that wanted to transform peoples lives but not allowing themselves to be transformed (I was one). I did not the true meaning of forgiveness, restitution and liberation for service because it was based on my puny mortal power. I was stuck in a box because I was focusing on the wrong things. Therefore my idea of transforming other people's lives was just me wanting to create duplicates. I did not truly understand and experience transformation until three years ago and I am still transforming. It is difficult to push past old habits and what I consider "safe" tactics that does not serve any purpose but causing self-alienation.

Any who, my transformation was able to begin when I sat down and let God do the work in my life and in the lives of others. Yes, I can share, encourage, support and practice accountability, however it is not my power or how "good" I am that will transform people, it is the Holy Spirit that allows for one to come into contact with the Creator. Costas states, "The Holy Spirit enables men and women to hear God's voice both personally and collectively, and allows them to respond to God's call in creation, history and the (human) conscience. The Spirit breaks barriers and facilitates the communication of the Word of God, seeking and finding lost people. The Spirit opens their ears that they may hear God's saving message."

Now is and was the kingdom of God hidden? Yes and No, it was revealed and spoken about through Jesus' parables however, it took a while for even the disciples to get it. But if one were to look at the big picture of the Messiah's life (I am still talking about Jesus the Christ, I just wanted to switch it up), Jesus lived among those he was discipling (sp?). He taught through his teaching and lifestyle which embodied the very model of being holistic. Read the whole book of Mark.

As I am here I see that CUDA (Christian Urban Development Association) forms relationships with those that are "under-sourced" (term used by Greg) to share the Kingdom of God. Hence their vision of  "justice, well-being, and joy in the city" leads them to "promote physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being through projects in the areas of education, health, finance, and the environment." Check out their website for a more accurate description about what they do at: http://cudaperu.org/About.aspx. 
CUDA also makes sense of the the Kingdom of God being active through their developmental initiatives. (Even if giving/lending clothing and items to an intern in need. THANKS LARISSA!!!!!!!! #Shoutout)

I have heard some people say the church is the kingdom of God and I will have to respectfully disagree because the church is at most times an expected hot mess (we are all sick humans seeking healing) and the Kingdom of God is no,t however, the church should constantly pursue the goal of reflecting the kingdom of God. The church=the body=followers of Christ should want to create communities that demonstrates the holistic mission and love Christ had when on earth.

 Did any of that make sense?

 

The Gospel and the Kingdom of God

Two Thursdays ago ( June 13th) was our (the interns) first reading discussion with Greg our teacher. we each shared our personal gospel that we wrote for our pre-internship assignments. One thing that we all had in common in our gospel was the idea of love. (Sidenote: If you are interested in reading what I wrote please ask in the comments and provide your email and I will send it to you).

Greg asked us a few questions for us to consider when thinking about our gospel. They are as follows:

• What is the story your gospel comes from (your personal story or bible story)?
• How does your gospel relate to the gospel of Christ?
• In interacting with the Peruvians, how does your gospel relate to the experiences?
• What problem does your gospel answer? 

As we let those questions marinate we went to discuss the reading by the famous Bruggeman (he is mostly popular amongst seminary students of an evangelical background).  Bruggeman describes evangelism as a three part drama, there is conflict, announcement and appropriation (reaction), he continues to stated that it is an unfinished drama because God is still actively working in this world and as his children we are to work with God.

Discussing Bruggeman's ideas and technique's for evangelism, it led me to thinking about Narrative Therapy and Theology. The story a person creates for themselves impacts the way they see the world,their purpose in the world, and relationships with others. This story also affects their response to the idea of religion or seeking truth. Understanding the stories people have created about themselves and the way they think the world works can assist with producing 2nd order change (permanent, long lasting change). In the area of evangelism there needs to be a use of alternative biblical stories that counteracts/contrasts with the unhealthy stories that they have been holding on to. (Side note: I will be writing a blog about my frustration with the misunderstanding of being a Christ follower and the people that are perpetuating this false understanding).

There are no limits on the gospel, in fact there is most likely a misunderstanding on what the gospel is (yes the gospel does not include steps). Since I consider myself to be a Christ follower I look to Christ to explain what the gospel was/is. Greg challenged us to think beyond this idea that the gospel is love or the 5 steps to salvation  and to read what Jesus stated in Mark 1:14-15 when he stated the good news (the gospel) is that the kingdom of God is near. Bruggeman talks about the gospel referring to a new governance and speaks about love. I strongly believe, from reading that the gospel is about love, however not the love people like to focus on. You know? The love that means their life is going to be lemon dots and gum drops. I mean the true sense of the word love that involves intimacy, discipline, and freedom. To prove my point on the gospel being about love, God is love and if the gospel is that the kingdom is near and wherever God is that is where his kingdom is proves my point that the good news is that love is here. Does that make sense? Most likely not.

Okay so when Jesus states the kingdom of God is near what does he mean? Another book states that Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is within you..." The Greek word that is used is "enthos." The kingdom of God was stated to not come with observation. Well I guess the best next question is "what is the kingdom of God? When Jesus told a scribe that he, the scribe, was close to the kingdom of God, it was in response to the scribe stating that one has to LOVE God  with all of one's self and that loving others is more than sacrifices. So the kingdom of God has to do with love....and the gospel is that the kingdom of God is near...so does that mean that the gospel is that love, unlike human love, is near and accessible?

For last Thursday's reading, the theme of evangelism and the kingdom of God was continued from the perspective of two Spanish theology scholars: Arias and Costas.

Arias states in his writing that, "...the kingdom of God is the NEW order of love- depicted by God's motherly tenderness and fatherly authority." Sounds familiar? Jesus proclaims and teaches about the kingdom of God through his parables, the way he treats the people he encounters, and the acts of dying on the cross. Jesus is showing that this concept of love and grace is here and active now. 

Jesus's parables are evangelical in nature, they share the old order and the new order and leaves the listener with a decision: forgiveness of sins (a total holistic healing that involves the physical, mental and the spiritual) or remain an outcast (because in those times those that were labeled as a sinner were outcasts). Jesus came to reconcile the sinners to God. This reconciliation allows for the person to have a new life. 

The kingdom of God is also the kingdom of life? It would seem that the kingdom of life manifested itself through Christ to affirm human life (physical, psychological, spiritual, and social) and then to restore that life. Another example of Christ reconciling is the idea of breaking bread with people at a table. The idea of eating with different types of people at an open table proclaimed unity and this is where communion takes place to to honor the one that brought all people together.

The kingdom of God is operative in the here and now.

The Old Testament God versus the New Testament God

The CeDe-te taught by Greg, I attended late due to my unexpected long conversation with John. The part that I got out of what I did attend (it was all in Spanish) was the idea of the representation of God in the OT and in the NT.

This is what I "grasped" with my meager vocabulary words:

The concept of Christ and Joshua are not separate from God. It seems as if the Old Testament is not only in tension with the New Testament but some seem to think that the New Testament contradicts the Old Testament. However to attempt to understand the whole concept of God, there needs to include studying and the working of the Holy Spirit in this all (Efesios 1:15-23).

The God of Joshua that commanded him to kill and destroy villages, raid lands and then take the land to distribute among the Israelites, is the same God that loves, forgives and sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us. Now of course the usual reaction you hear is, "Why can a God that is love allow certain things to happen, or command for things that are analogous to genocide? That is a great question, and my answer is...because God is God. I know that sounds lame and a cop put answer but it is true.

People try to hard to figure God out to a T and that's impossible, because we CAN NOT so stop it!!!!! There are truths that God has revealed through the testimony of people in the bible and the way he operates in the lives of others (I acknowledge that this can be an iffy notion as well) however we as mere humans can NOT  know for a fact ALL there is about the Supreme being we name as God. Despite this, we should try to get to know and become intimate with him.

I digressed....anyway the overall message that I got from the Spanish theology class was that the YAHWEH
 mentioned in the Old Testament does NOT contradict the God mentioned in the New Testament. Both YAHWEH and GOD are the same and the testaments reveals the different aspects of God.

Now what was really stated and in detail you would have to ask Greg McKinzie, the teacher of that class, now of course I asked to see if I was correct in what I gathered and from his response I got the gist of what was stated.

Religion and Satanism...Oh boy....

Wednesday and Thursday of last week I have had some interesting and mentally stimulating conversations with people or listened to a class to learn about the bible more in Spanish. Let's just say that my mind is happily stretched. However due to the fact that it was a week ago and I have so many thoughts swimming in my head this post will most likely be incoherent.

Wednesday began with my Spanish class, which was entertaining and helpful. As usual, with each lesson I attempt to use what I have learned in that lesson and I was able to that night, however before I get to my evening I must share the philosophical conversation I had with a man by the name of...let's call him John. John approached me upstairs in the cafe' because he has seen me a few times at the Cafe because....well...he has made Cafe Connection his office.  Any who we began with the pleasantries (where are you from, why are you here, what school did you go to and what for, etc).

I do not remember how we got into the topics of  self discovery, philosophy and religion but we got really deep and our conversation lasted for about two hours. Some of the things we discussed was the pros and cons of religion and how it affects people that are in a religion or are victims of the things that religion has done to others. John used to be a Zoroastrianist and left that religion when he felt he longer needed it. From what I remember, since I am writing this post a week later, he feels that religion can help people get to a particular point but it is not necessary for a person to grasp the rest of life for themselves. I told him indirectly that he seemed to have the same ideas of those that ascribed to being Satanist, as in hating the idea of living under a higher authority and having "rules".

To explain where I was coming from I will attempt to share what I understand of Satanism. My understanding of the basic principles of Satanism is from a fellow young adult at my congregation in Brooklyn. She shared that she has an associate that used to actively practice Satanism and that there seems to be more people that are Satanists without realizing it. It also seems that the Satanist principles were written from a standpoint that pushes back on misunderstood Christian principles.There are two things that I agree with however maybe not the same way in that it was meant when written.  The nine main principles of Satanism:

1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!

Nothing is to be gained by denying oneself pleasure.  Satanism is a world-affirming, not world-denying, religion. However, the encouragement of indulgence does not equate mindless submersion into pleasures. Indulgence requires one to always be in control. If satisfying a desire becomes a compulsion (such as an addiction), then control has been surrendered to the object of desire, which is never encouraged.

2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!

Reality and existence is sacred, and the truth of that existence is to be honored and sought at all times, never to be sacrificed for a comforting lie or an unverified claim one cannot bother to investigate.

3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!

True knowledge takes work and strength. It is something one finds rather than what will be handed to you. Doubt everything and avoid dogma. Truth tells of how the world truly is, not of how we would like it to be. Be wary of shallow emotional wants, for they frequently can only be satisfied at the expense of truth.

(I actually agree with two and three in that knowledge is something that is learned and not just handed to you as pure dogma from one human to another, it is sad that people view Christians as mindless drones that are afraid to ask questions).

4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it [not] love wasted on ingrates!

There is nothing in Satanism that encourages wanton cruelty or unkindness. There is nothing productive in that, but it is also unproductive to waste your energy on people who will not appreciate or reciprocate it. Treating others as they treat you will form meaningful and productive bonds while letting parasites know that you will not waste your time with them. (This sounds like what most people think).

5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!

Leaving wrongs unpunished merely encourages miscreants to continue preying on both yourself and others, and those who do not stand up for themselves end up being trampled. This is not, however, an encouragement for misbehavior. Becoming a bully in the name of vengeance is not only dishonest but it also invites others to bring vengeance upon yourself. The same goes for illegal actions of retribution: break the law and you become the miscreant that the law should come down on swiftly and harshly.

6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible...!

Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires! Real leaders are determined by their actions and accomplishments, not their titles, and real power and responsibility should be given to those who can wield it, not to those who simply demand it.

7. Satan represents man as just another animal...!

Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all! Elevating the human species as somehow innately superior to other animals is blatant self-deceit. Humanity is driven by the same natural urges that other animals experience. While our intellect has allowed us to accomplish truly great things (which should be appreciated), it can also be credited with incredible and wanton acts of cruelty throughout history.

8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins...!

Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification! In general, the concept of “sin” is something that breaks a moral or religious law, and Satanism is strictly against such following of dogma. When a Satanist avoids an action, it is because of concrete reasons, not simply because dogma dictates it or someone has judged it “bad”. In addition, when a Satanists realizes that he or she has committed an actual wrong, the correct response is to accept it, learn from it, and not do it again, rather than mentally beat himself or herself up for it or begging for forgiveness.

9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had...!

Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years! This last statement is largely a declaration against dogmatic and fear-based religion. If there were no temptations, if we did not have the natures that we do, if there was nothing to fear, then few people would submit themselves to the rules and abuses that have developed in other religions (specifically Christianity) over the centuries.

I am not sure what my original reaction to this piece of information was however, I did find it very interesting. Ok I digressed so back to the conversation...

We talked about God and our concepts of God. Him and I are in similar places in our lives as we search for truth and wanting to be a better person however, I look to Christ as a person I model my life after and he looks to himself. It seemed as if he had a bad experiences with religion and have been around people that have been burned hence him not wanting to deal with it. I agree that religion has generally become a man made institution that lost the point of serving God, what it means and what it looks like. The way Christianity is displayed I can see ones apprehension to being a follower of Christ. I feel that Christianity (generally, not all) no longer accurately reflects the life and messages that are in the Bible. This saddens me because I feel there are people that will thrive from following the teachings and examples of Christ. Due to the fact I cannot recall all that was said I will share that it was a VERY interesting conversation.

As I told John, it is interesting that we have reached similar conclusions however my perspective gets clearer as I step away from man and closer to God. As he admits he is still searching and does not know it all, it is evident that he seeks freedom and strays away from the thought of being "governed" and to him I would imply that being a part of a faith is enslavement. However if he read the Bible, and were introduced to the real Christ he would see that a lot of what he is coming to believe is almost similar (besides the being ones own god). Being here in Arequipa, I am observing how and what it means to live out the gospel and have it be a part of your life as you share it with others.

A Special Shout Out

It would be a tragedy if I did not give a shout out to the people that helped me get here. I have been blessed with supportive family members, church family, friends of the family, and people that I have gotten close with in the past year or so.

First I would like to give a GREAT big shout out to Georgia Davis (my mother). This lady gave birth to me, raised me, and sacrificed so much of her life for me so that I would have much more than she had. As her only child she has been great at allowing me to venture out and travel since I was 16 years old. Her ability to let go and let GOD is AMAZING and telling of her faith. I know she would prefer for me to stay by her side but she understands that in order for me to grow, learn and be successful I need to
MUCHO GRACIAS!!!!!!!

Now time to share who these people are, I would share the amount of money they donated...but I am unsure if that is tacky or they would prefer me not to, therefore I will just leave that information out. My goal to raise for the trip was approximately $2400 and with these people I raised ALL of it and then some.

My lovely supporters:

Carol Anne Allsop (my older sister)
Deitrich Parker (church mommy)
John Allsop (my father)
Doris and Alfred Porter (my cousin)
Kings Church of Christ (my NYC church family)
Umilta and Michael Allsop (aunt and uncle)
Anna Allsop (my little cousin)
Dr. Stephanie Hamm (mentor and friend)
Sandy McGee (god-aunt)
Natasha Meusa (church family/old summer babysitter)
Sis. Iris Meusa (Natasha's mother)


Thank you all so much. I hope I did not forget anyone, if I did please charge it to my head and not my heart.

Wait what Exactly is this trip about?

I realize that many of you may not FULLY understand what this internship entails, therefore I was given a great detailed yet clear breakdown on what we will do, what we should learn, and how that plays out and I will share it with you.

2013 Team Arequipa Internship Overview

Internship Overview:

A cross-cultural immersion learning experience that engages the student in missiological theory and practice.  The purpose of the internship is to help the student to perceive the nature and scope of long-term cross-cultural mission work.  Emphasis is given to cultural intelligence, language acquisition, contextual evangelism, the dimensions of holistic ministry, and spiritual disciplines.  Field workers will guide the student in the spiral between practice and reflection.

Primary Objectives:

1. To cultivate the student’s inner life.
2. To navigate the challenges of culture grief.
3. To increase the student’s cultural intelligence.
4. To build missions competencies specific to Peru and thereby perform case studies in missions principles and practices.
5. To build holistic ministry competencies.
6. To expand the student’s vision of the kingdom of God and its implications for Christian mission.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To strengthen the Peruvian church
2. To collect data on Peruvian culture
3. To help the student attain a clearer vision of how God is calling him or her to live missionally.  

On-field Requirements:

1. Abide by internship policies.
2. Complete reading, journaling, language, and practical assignments.
3. Participate actively in group discussions and lead one group discussion.
4. Attend scheduled meetings with one’s assigned mentor.
5. Complete all shadowing assignments (TBD at orientation).

I hope this helps!