Give me 15!

A brief note during this Sunday during dusk:

Today in church the sermon was on prayer and "locks" (sin, self-exaltation, doubt, religiosity, ingratitude) that keep our prayers from being effective and "keys" (repentance, humility, faith and dependence, gratefulness) that unlock our hearts so we can pray effectively. This is a very basic overview of a much-discussed topic. Scripture has a lot to say about prayer (Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 6:5-13, 7:7; James 1:5, Philippians 4:6, and numerous Psalms, to name a few selections) and I won't attempt to write my own cohesive commentary on the topic. However, another encounter during my transition back into La Paz life after vacation reminded me of why we can be encouraged by prayer. 

I was with another foreigner who eagerly practices his Spanish with Bolivians he meets. The mistakes he makes don't bother him - he laughs, asks to be corrected, and works to improve. It's a great way to learn language; I'm not nearly as bold in my attempts, so my learning has been slow. I hate making mistakes and not being able to communicate what I mean. Looking vaguely Latina doesn't help my case because most people assume that I speak Spanish. But my friend stands in stark contast as a very foreign-looking man who is very bold in speaking what Spanish he knows in an earnest effort to learn more. 

So the other day, my friend was leaving his apartment when he greeted the portero (doorman...or woman, in this case...so person?). The portero's children, who looked like they were maybe 2 and 4, were running about and stopped to say hello. My friend enthusiastically greeted the girls and squatted down to be on their level. 

"Quince!" He beckoned, holding up his hand for a high-five. 

"That means 15!" giggled my friend's daughter. 

"Ha! Quince? Give me fifteen? What about cinco?"

We laughed at his gaff (a common one that I've made many times myself), but the best part about this exchange was the little girl from whom he had first asked for "fifteen." She had approached him with a smile and held up her hand as soon as his was offered. It didn't matter that he mangled his words - she perfectly understood what he wanted. More than that, she responded with exactly what was appropriate for that situation. 

Romans 8:26 talks about the Holy Spirit interceding for us when we pray. I'm heartened that when we don't know how to pray or we mangle what we say to God, the Holy Spirit straightens out our communication for us. He speaks into our hearts and helps align them to God's will so what we ask is pleasing to Him. The Holy Spirit does a lot alongside us and for us, but this is one of my favorite truths in Scripture about his role. It's so reassuring to know that when I ask God for quince, He has already come to me with a smile to give me five. 

This is the view from my friends' apartment. The lighting from the setting sun is inspiring. It literally is what inspired me to blog for the first time in months. 

So be inspired to pray. Maybe be bold and ask a friend to intercede alongside you. Feel free to shoot me a message or comment and I'm happy to pray with you. 

Love y la paz,

Sam

End of Quarter Devotional

Pretty soon after our theme verse for the year (1st Corinthians 2:1-5) was announced, I knew exactly what I would want to talk about when I had the chance to lead a spiritual talk. This Monday I was the designated leader for our staff devotional in the morning, so I let loose. Below is roughly the transcript of what I said.

Our theme verse reads:

And I, when I came to you, brothers and sisters, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with eloquence or earthly wisdom.  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,  and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom and persuasion, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

I love this passage and I'm so glad it's our theme for the year. But honestly, I thoroughly enjoy the academics surrounding eloquence, wisdom and persuasion. It is literally my job to study and teach about those things. But those aren't the words that I'm drawn to in this passage.

Instead, I find myself hanging onto verse 3: "And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling."  In the midst of a passage about power and the Gospel, I somehow find this verse very comforting, probably because I have experienced all those things. Being in a place of weakness, fear and trembling is familiar, though uncomfortable territory for me, and maybe it is for you, too.

Weakness? Guys, basically the entire staff has been sick this month. And if you haven't been sick in body, maybe you've felt weak when you didn't have the language, the energy, the patience or the time.

Fear? Maybe you've gone somewhere new and you were afraid of what you would find (or not find) there. Or, maybe you stayed somewhere only to watch it change and become unfamiliar, so that one day you find yourself completely out of your element in a place you thought was safe. Instead of security, your future remains unknown.

Trembling is interesting to me because it's involuntary. We can't help it. Something we do betrays how we're feeling and we lack the strength and confidence we so desperately wish we had. But instead we have an uncontrollable reaction to a world that already is out of our control.

But Paul doesn't leave us there. He instead reassures us that being in fear, weakness and trembling does not mean we are unfruitful. Experiencing those things does not mean we are ineffective.

It is okay to be there.

Paul was experiencing those things because he was obedient to the Great Commission and God used him there. Paul says that he resolved to know nothing but the Gospel, which is saying something if you know anything about his education and intelligence. But in Phil 3:8, he talks about how he considers those things loss in comparison to the surpassing glory of knowing Christ.

So this isn't really about Paul's weakness - it's about God's strength and the power of the Holy Spirit that spread the Gospel and prospered Paul's ministry. In fact, Paul's confession of weakness brings further glory to God, following the example of John the Baptist in John 3:30 when he explains that "I must become less, [Jesus] must become more."

So now Spiritual Emphasis Week is behind us. But we still have families and students around us who need to hear and see Christ crucified in us, despite (or because of?) our fear, our weakness and our trembling. But I encourage you to let those things display God's power with the guidance of the Spirit.

In closing, I want to add something to that list of fear, weakness and trembling. In Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, she writes in bolded letters: "Hope is a function of struggle."  Now if fear, weakness and trembling are signs of struggle, then let hope accompany them. Let an active hope be with you because of who God is and how His power is demonstrated in our struggle.

Literally shivering (trembling?) in the cold
of a La Paz winter

Jumping for joy in the next day because that winter
resulted in beautiful scenery

Ringing in the New Year...in August

For teachers, putting up a new calendar in January isn't the start of a new year. Yes, we recognize its significance, but the new year starts in August when we pull out a new lesson plan book and look over our new class rosters. Our life is measured out in school years and time passes in semesters or quarters.

Setting up our classroom for the new year!

Tomorrow is the official start of my new year - my 3rd year in Bolivia and my 6th year of living and teaching overseas (When did that happen???). Every year has its own stories. For my first two years in Bolivia, my stories were about how God sustains. Year 1: I crash-landed in the country 2 weeks after school started and experienced how God sustained me when I could barely hold myself together. It was a year of renewal and restoration. Year 2 saw God sustaining me for bigger purposes: ministering to others. Emotionally, socially and spiritually, I was in a place where I could bless others when before all I could do was let others to support me. But God showed me that He had bigger plans for me than merely surviving; if I was to thrive, it was because He enabled me to bless and  support those around me.

So what will be my story for Year 3 at Highlands? I'm not sure yet, but if my story arc in Bolivia so far is any indication, then God has exciting things planned. I think our theme verse for the year might give some ideas:

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. - 1st Corinthians 2:1-2

I think God's spirit and power will show up in big ways on our campus. When I compound this expectation with the NICS network-wide theme verse, I  get even more excited:

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. - 3rd John 1:4

When God's power and Spirit are at work, people come to truth and joy results. That is what I'm praying for this year. Join me in praying that this new school year would be one when our theme verses become real in ways that our students, families and staff have never experienced before.

Love y la paz,
Sam 

Our school at dusk features a stunning view of the mountain Illimani

P.S. Speaking of crash-landing in Bolivia, our new principal and his family were finally granted their visas and landed in La Paz this morning! We are tremendously grateful to have them, but we recognize that they will need extra helpings of grace (and possibly oxygen) as they adjust to what God has for them at 11,000ft. Please pray that Todd, Rebekah and their two daughters would be blessed as they transition into life at Highlands.

Summer Newsletter!

I'm back in the Bay Area after an incredible school year. Last Sunday I got to spend time in the Missions Center at Neighborhood Church (3crosses) in Castro Valley greeting people and answering questions about what God is doing in Bolivia.

Here's a link to the newsletter I distributed. It features a semester overview, a few prayer requests and semester highlights.

Check out the newsletter here!

Jungle-bound

Bags are packed with an extra sleeping bag (black pouch in front)
and lots of other "extras" if the kids forget

I've been wanting to write about the theme of "rest and restoration" for a while. It would have been perfect timing: Spring Break as a "restful time" is drawing to a close and Easter Sunday/Resurrection Sunday celebrates the restored relationship we have with God through Christ's death, resurrection and intercession. I also did a chapel on Matthew 11:28-30 to talk about Jesus lifting our burdens and giving us rest. Whatever you are doing, I hope you have ample rest.

But instead, I'm skimping out on sleep (ironic, I know) as I finish packing for the high school mission trip. Tomorrow, 35 students and 10 adults will fly to Rurrenabaque, walk to the Beni River, boat up it, and camp in some rural communities in the jungles of the Beni region to serve the people there. We could be harvesting local crops, building houses for widows, clearing land, visiting the elderly, running sports camps, or doing a host of other things that the communities need from us during our three full days in the jungle. Some of these communities have Christians living in them; others do not. Most of them do not speak Spanish, and clearly not English.

See Rurrenabaque and Beni above La Paz.
Image from:http://www.turismoboliviaperu.com/htmsboing/datgrales.htm

While I look back on last year's mission trip with the fondest memories of ministry, bonding, adventure and laughter, I am preparing my heart and mind for this trip to be a totally different experience. I honestly don't really know what to expect besides insects, humidity, no showers, limited electricity and language barriers. However, I am still expectant about this trip. I may not know what is happening, but snapshots of my life through this blog are enough to remind me that that's fairly typical. Instead, I'm resting in the knowledge that this trip belongs to God and that we are to accomplish His purposes.

So please join me in praying for this trip. Pray for:

• Safety. We're taking 35 students on planes and boats to the jungle. I feel that is self-explanatory.
• Spiritual awakening in some of our students who don't acknowledge Christ as their Savior. These trips tend to be times of tenderness in the hearts of our students. For those who are Christians, may this be a refreshing and strengthening time.
• Student relationships. There's been a lot of drama going down with our students lately. Pray that our students would have grace with each other as they are stretched far beyond their comfort zones for the next few days. Also, may the adults exercise wisdom in facilitating these interactions.
• Service to the community. More than anything, we want this trip to be a blessing to those whom we are serving. This is difficult when we do not speak the local language, but we want to be winsome, humble and helpful to these people. 

Today at church one of my friends handed out prayer cards. She held them up with the text facing away and challenged us to pick one to guide us through our week. I got one that featured Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength." I was taught to read "do" as "endure," since Paul is talking about his time in prison and learning the secret to being content in times of trial and need as well as having plenty. The secret is Christ.

The message at the bottom of the card reads: Hoy pidele a Dios te ayude en esa área en la que eres débil. / Today ask God to help you in this area where you are weak.  I have a long list of areas where I anticipate being weak this week, so this is a timely reminder of what I need to be doing during my weaknesses, not just over the next few days, but everyday.

So as I consider my time on the mission trip, I want Christ to be my not-so-secret method of  enduring the heat, the humidity, the bug bites, the complaints, the frustrations. I want Him to be my reason to rejoice in heartfelt conversations, good work, shared smiles and rewarding rest. I am excited to spend time in a part of Bolivia that is new to me, embrace discomfort with good humor, learn more about my students outside the classroom, open myself to interacting with people in remote communities, serve in ways that are meaningful and worship God in Beni.

What areas of weakness do you need to ask for God's strength in? Check out Philippians 4 for some other reminders of why we don't have to be anxious in God. As always, feel free to post in the comments or shoot me an email if you want me to pray for something!

Love y la paz,
Sam

Quick Update

This gorgeous view of La Paz was taken from the city's teleférico. The new cable car system offers unbeatable views for about $1.50 round-trip.

It's hard to believe that I've been living in this city for nearly a year and a half. Even more difficult to wrap my mind around: how bad I am at blogging and keeping people around the world apprised of what is going on in La Paz. This is only surprising because I care desperately about having friends and family (by blood or by Church) being able to share in victories, laugh at mishaps and most importantly, pray for our ministry. 

But tonight I'll take a break between grading and bed to ask for prayer for this coming week in keeping with Paul's plea in Ephesians 6:18-20.

This week is Spiritual Emphasis Week for the middle and high school. Please pray that God would move in the hearts of our students to bring them closer to Him. Pray that He be with our speaker Bart as the Gospel goes out. Pray that conversations during this week and the days following would be fruitful. The air at 12,000 feet is thin, but pray that teachers and students alike breathe deeply, tasting God's goodness and praising Him with every exhale. 

Love y la paz, 

Sam

P.S. How can my I be praying for you? Comment or send me an email and you will be lifted up! If you want, the HIS staff and my Tuesday Night Bible study will also pray for you!

Orientation and Directions

Perhaps it's not surprising that an English teacher would use word analysis in her updates. When I started my vacation, the word was "home."

The word that resounded with me throughout  my summer vacation was "orientation" and what it means to be properly "oriented." I had to attend Pre-Field Orientation with my missions organization, so I was thinking about what was to come. Would this time help adjust my bearings? Would it bring me a feeling of familiarity? Would it provide me with direction? Where was this orientation going to point me?

The answers were yes and no. We read 1 Peter 1 several times to cement our foundation in Christian community.  I bonded with people whose attitudes and goals aligned with my own. I learned more about what missionary life can look like. I rejoiced with and prayed over sisters who are going to be spread over 4 different continents. I found people like me with completely different personalities. I learned about my own personality.

But I also found myself with more questions and even fewer answers about my future. How long exactly am I planning to teach overseas? If I continue to teach overseas, where will I go? Will I stay with NICS? When (or is it if?) I go to graduate school, might I consider doing comparative cultural studies instead of something directly within education?

With my future. Right now, I'm teaching and loving.

Talks with family and pastors at church heard that answer from me and their answer was overwhelmingly supportive. Not knowing is okay because it means that I'm in a place where God can do anything and send me anywhere. And that's exciting. It's humbling. It's scary. But it can also be good.

Coming back to La Paz was another time of orientation. When I first arrived on August 21st of last year, it was 3 weeks into the school year and I didn't get a teacher orientation. I could only dive in and figure out my directions with God's grace and help from the people around me. We managed and it was a beautiful and blessed year, but I did feel like I was wandering much of time time.

This year I've had a week of work at school before the students arrived. It was a full time of preparations, meetings and information sessions about our new digital curriculum. Along the way, I've been able to help orient my new roommate to her surroundings. She also did not get an "official" teacher orientation because of visa and flight issues. So the cycle continues.

What is my orientation at the beginning of this year? What am I headed towards? A few of the more concrete items are:

• The high school is going through some MAJOR changes as far as curriculum and schedule. 
• My church is looking for a head pastor. 
• Our small group Bible study continues to meet, but our location changes weekly.
• I'm leading a discipleship group composed of several high school girls.
• I'm updating my home church more often and have our high school ministry students praying for my students by name.

But really, when I consider what direction I'm pointed in, these are my foundational answers I aspire to:

• My heart is set on Christ and my mind on things above. (Colossians 2) .
• I am resolving anxiety with rejoicing, thanksgiving and prayer. (Phillipians 4) 
• The theme verse for our school year, Matthew 28:18-20,  answers my question of orientation:

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

Christ himself gives us directions: go make disciples, baptize them with an understanding of who God is, teach them to obey me and know that I am with you. Much though I want a compass, bearing points and a strong place to start from as I try to map out my life, it's really Jesus's ending words that provide the most comfort. We know that as we go, He is with us. An orientation pales in comparison with actually having a guide who goes with you along the way. Right now I don't really have a map, but what I have is better.

I pray that wherever and whenever you are in life, you are aware of Christ being with you and are following His lead.

Please check my updated Top 5 page with information about how to pray for me!

First day of school picture