Namaste Ji! Here I am standing on the top of Flag Hill. We hiked some three hours there and back to a spectacular view of the Himalayas to the north and the river valley to the south. I posted all of my India pictures on Flickr so please click this image and browse them to see what I see (though I lament it does no justice!).
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Father Abraham
This morning we walked down the hill to meet some new friends at HIM - Himalayan Inland Mission. There we had tea and cookies with Swanee, a very wise Indian man. He and his wife shared with us their story. What a story!
Swanee shared with us the importance of Christian missionaries. The work started by William Carrey and others in India resulted in the gospel taken through north India and to his town in the eastern part of Uttarakhand, the other side of the state. I think he told us that his great grandfather became a believer as a result of this early mission work. Swanee was saved and felt a calling to preach the gospel in the hills. He thought he would be "a big man" but God made him a servant.
He joined Team Mission or something of the sort and was sent to Mussoorie where he lived and eventually began a children's home with his wife. They have been there since 1974 or so. Swanee was inspired by George Mueller, and held strong in trusting in God and not man. When there was no money, he trusted in God and God provided. When the mission planned to pull out of Mussoorie, he trusted God's calling to stay and God helped them stay. His stories were amazing - as if from the Bible! He knows God. And so well that as God has spoken to him through the word and through prayer, Swanee trusted the promises and calling God has given to us all.
He shared with us the great history of the missionary movement throughout Uttarakhand. If you don't know, its 90% hills and mountains! Young missionaries (not much older than you young men, he pointed to us) forsaking luxury and comfort traveled through the foothills (on foot!) and into the mountain villages to preach the gospel. For a long time there was no success, but with persistence and prayer, God opened the hearts to some of the villages. They started clinics and schools and were able to share the gospel with thousands. Swanee is a testament to the faithfulness of these men and women who gave their lives for the gospel in Uttarakhand. And he continues that legacy in Mussoorie!
One night in 1984 he was waken from his sleep and met with God in his home. He had been struggling to register and start a new mission organization to spread the gospel in Garwhal. God spoke to him to name the ministry HIM - which is both symbolic of Him who is God and Sanskrit for snow (Him+alaya=place of snow). From there he got the name Himalayan Inland Mission and finally the ministry was registered (they are picky about Christian organizations and missionaries).
About that same time God spoke to Swanee that the Team Missionaries were going to come to close the mission of which he was caretaker in Mussoorie. But God had clearly called Swanee to this mission and to the orphanage he and his wife were running! He shared this vision with his wife and with all of the children, telling them that the next day these missionaries were to come to announce this closing. And sure enough they did! Without bitterness and anger he told these men of their purpose before they had spoken a word of it, that they were coming to close the place. They spoke with all of the children and they attested to his vision and they were deeply moved. Several weeks later when they came again to close the mission, they instead offered some 5000 rs to continue the ministry. Swanee declined the money because he knew their hearts were not right with God in their gift - trust God, not men. Soon after God blessed their ministry by giving them the opportunity to by the land and home for themselves!
The past 25 years, they have hosted dozens of children, many who continue to serve the Lord with them. All of their sons and daughters are believers who are doing God's work in medicine and education all across India! They have sent out dozens of missionaries to plant churches in the Garwhal region with the goal of sending at lest 200 missionaries to spread the gospel. There have been times where there was no money, yet somehow God provided - often through last minute, anonymous donations at their doorstep! Through uncertainty they have simply trusted in God's promise to provide. They have planted churches, founded many clinics, and built a few schools in the region. The gospel is being proclaimed in Garwhal though there are still thousands of villages who have not yet heard!
I am so blown away by what Christian missionaries have done for the world. Why have I believed that missionaries have always been biased white men force-feeding Christianity upon the world!? That they have been breeders of hate and war and disease and trouble?!
The history of mission work is filled with love and compassion. It has set the captive free! Would there still be slavery if it weren't for bold CHRISTIAN men willing to stand against an evil system?! It has made men equal! Would we live in such a great nation if it weren't for God-fearing Christian, yes Christian men who insisted that we are endowed by our CREATOR, with CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS?! It has clothed the naked, fed the hungry. It has brought knowledge to people in hard to reach places. Given children education. It has taught people to read and write. They have been builders of clinics and hospitals. Why go to the ends of the earth and risk a healthy, luxurious life to tend to the wounded and sick in India, in China, in South America, in disease ridden Africa?! Name one man who feared not God and had compassion on the poor, the sick, the uneducated and there are hundreds (thousands?) of Christian men and women who gave up their entire lives to give hope AND a better life to people the worth might call unworthy, outcast, unclean!
Why do we point the finger at the close-minded Christian and yet embrace such blatantly destructive and inhumane religions of the East? Am I close-minded because I am disgusted by caste?! That I believe that no man is greater than any other? That all men deserve not grace but yet are entitled to Salvation by the act of a loving God? Am I a bigot for believing that God has called all people to love their neighbor, to love their enemy? Am I ignorant that I believe that God has revealed himself and asks all people to serve one another? I hate the sin of what man has done in the name of Christ, but there has been no greater force of good in the world than by what Christ has done in the hearts of those who have followed His word.
Should I trust in the goodness of man who has started war and killed in the name of ethnic or religious cleansing? In the name of corrupt political systems? Should I have faith that men will do the right thing when I can so easily look around me and see what destruction, oppression, and injustice has been dealt by man?!
Or should I look to the God of the Universe who HAS given man dignity? Who rules with justice? Who is incorruptible when man so obviously is!? Who stepped down from his HEAVENLY THRONE to wear the skin of a man and die for his sins?! How can one possibly call this God unloving?! How can one possibly call this close-minded and hateful.
Even in a week in India I can see the oppression of Hindu belief. There is no dignity in caste. Their culture may be beautiful in its temples and festivals and colours but tell me if the poverty and oppression it has created is in any way redeeming?! There is no hope for the Dalit. You are dirt. You cannot change your stripes. You cannot hope for improvement in this life. All that can be done is to accept your fate as karma and die! If that is considered beautiful and worth perpetuating then I will live a life ugly to the world in my "close-mindedness"!
These last three days I have heard from two of the wisest men I've ever been with. They have opened my eyes to what mission is about. It is giving up oneself - dying to oneself - and obediently following God in doing his GOOD work in RECONCILING the world to himself. It is not glorious, it is not often pretty. But as Swanee said, there is no greater honor.
The world may say we have a human obligation to help our fellow man - but in fact we have a God-given mandate.
Are you making your world a better place? Are you giving God glory by righting wrongs, by supporting good, by serving your community? Or are you even just simply guilty of believing that the world, your town, your neighbor, does not need Christ. For there is no other name by which men are saved, but that of Jesus Christ. The world doesn't need a populist leader. It doesn't need food and medicine and clothing. It certainly doesn't need an accumulation of wealth. It needs Jesus. It gives men hope - in this life and the next. It gives man a reason to live and a reason to love.
Jesus called us not to be haters of people - but to see that every person was created by God. To be defenders of truth. To stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves. To be advocates and intercessors.
Swanee shared with us about George Mueller, often known for his great prayer life and faith. But most importantly he knew God's word. He so well knew the promises of God that faith was simple - if God promises, then he will provide. God promises to give us strength. He promises to give us peace. To be our comforter. To stand beside us in uncertainty. To weep with us in sadness. To dance with us in times of joy. God is never far. His ears are open to all who cry out to Him. I hope you are challenged to KNOW God.
Swanee shared with us the importance of Christian missionaries. The work started by William Carrey and others in India resulted in the gospel taken through north India and to his town in the eastern part of Uttarakhand, the other side of the state. I think he told us that his great grandfather became a believer as a result of this early mission work. Swanee was saved and felt a calling to preach the gospel in the hills. He thought he would be "a big man" but God made him a servant.
He joined Team Mission or something of the sort and was sent to Mussoorie where he lived and eventually began a children's home with his wife. They have been there since 1974 or so. Swanee was inspired by George Mueller, and held strong in trusting in God and not man. When there was no money, he trusted in God and God provided. When the mission planned to pull out of Mussoorie, he trusted God's calling to stay and God helped them stay. His stories were amazing - as if from the Bible! He knows God. And so well that as God has spoken to him through the word and through prayer, Swanee trusted the promises and calling God has given to us all.
He shared with us the great history of the missionary movement throughout Uttarakhand. If you don't know, its 90% hills and mountains! Young missionaries (not much older than you young men, he pointed to us) forsaking luxury and comfort traveled through the foothills (on foot!) and into the mountain villages to preach the gospel. For a long time there was no success, but with persistence and prayer, God opened the hearts to some of the villages. They started clinics and schools and were able to share the gospel with thousands. Swanee is a testament to the faithfulness of these men and women who gave their lives for the gospel in Uttarakhand. And he continues that legacy in Mussoorie!
One night in 1984 he was waken from his sleep and met with God in his home. He had been struggling to register and start a new mission organization to spread the gospel in Garwhal. God spoke to him to name the ministry HIM - which is both symbolic of Him who is God and Sanskrit for snow (Him+alaya=place of snow). From there he got the name Himalayan Inland Mission and finally the ministry was registered (they are picky about Christian organizations and missionaries).
About that same time God spoke to Swanee that the Team Missionaries were going to come to close the mission of which he was caretaker in Mussoorie. But God had clearly called Swanee to this mission and to the orphanage he and his wife were running! He shared this vision with his wife and with all of the children, telling them that the next day these missionaries were to come to announce this closing. And sure enough they did! Without bitterness and anger he told these men of their purpose before they had spoken a word of it, that they were coming to close the place. They spoke with all of the children and they attested to his vision and they were deeply moved. Several weeks later when they came again to close the mission, they instead offered some 5000 rs to continue the ministry. Swanee declined the money because he knew their hearts were not right with God in their gift - trust God, not men. Soon after God blessed their ministry by giving them the opportunity to by the land and home for themselves!
The past 25 years, they have hosted dozens of children, many who continue to serve the Lord with them. All of their sons and daughters are believers who are doing God's work in medicine and education all across India! They have sent out dozens of missionaries to plant churches in the Garwhal region with the goal of sending at lest 200 missionaries to spread the gospel. There have been times where there was no money, yet somehow God provided - often through last minute, anonymous donations at their doorstep! Through uncertainty they have simply trusted in God's promise to provide. They have planted churches, founded many clinics, and built a few schools in the region. The gospel is being proclaimed in Garwhal though there are still thousands of villages who have not yet heard!
I am so blown away by what Christian missionaries have done for the world. Why have I believed that missionaries have always been biased white men force-feeding Christianity upon the world!? That they have been breeders of hate and war and disease and trouble?!
The history of mission work is filled with love and compassion. It has set the captive free! Would there still be slavery if it weren't for bold CHRISTIAN men willing to stand against an evil system?! It has made men equal! Would we live in such a great nation if it weren't for God-fearing Christian, yes Christian men who insisted that we are endowed by our CREATOR, with CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS?! It has clothed the naked, fed the hungry. It has brought knowledge to people in hard to reach places. Given children education. It has taught people to read and write. They have been builders of clinics and hospitals. Why go to the ends of the earth and risk a healthy, luxurious life to tend to the wounded and sick in India, in China, in South America, in disease ridden Africa?! Name one man who feared not God and had compassion on the poor, the sick, the uneducated and there are hundreds (thousands?) of Christian men and women who gave up their entire lives to give hope AND a better life to people the worth might call unworthy, outcast, unclean!
Why do we point the finger at the close-minded Christian and yet embrace such blatantly destructive and inhumane religions of the East? Am I close-minded because I am disgusted by caste?! That I believe that no man is greater than any other? That all men deserve not grace but yet are entitled to Salvation by the act of a loving God? Am I a bigot for believing that God has called all people to love their neighbor, to love their enemy? Am I ignorant that I believe that God has revealed himself and asks all people to serve one another? I hate the sin of what man has done in the name of Christ, but there has been no greater force of good in the world than by what Christ has done in the hearts of those who have followed His word.
Should I trust in the goodness of man who has started war and killed in the name of ethnic or religious cleansing? In the name of corrupt political systems? Should I have faith that men will do the right thing when I can so easily look around me and see what destruction, oppression, and injustice has been dealt by man?!
Or should I look to the God of the Universe who HAS given man dignity? Who rules with justice? Who is incorruptible when man so obviously is!? Who stepped down from his HEAVENLY THRONE to wear the skin of a man and die for his sins?! How can one possibly call this God unloving?! How can one possibly call this close-minded and hateful.
Even in a week in India I can see the oppression of Hindu belief. There is no dignity in caste. Their culture may be beautiful in its temples and festivals and colours but tell me if the poverty and oppression it has created is in any way redeeming?! There is no hope for the Dalit. You are dirt. You cannot change your stripes. You cannot hope for improvement in this life. All that can be done is to accept your fate as karma and die! If that is considered beautiful and worth perpetuating then I will live a life ugly to the world in my "close-mindedness"!
These last three days I have heard from two of the wisest men I've ever been with. They have opened my eyes to what mission is about. It is giving up oneself - dying to oneself - and obediently following God in doing his GOOD work in RECONCILING the world to himself. It is not glorious, it is not often pretty. But as Swanee said, there is no greater honor.
The world may say we have a human obligation to help our fellow man - but in fact we have a God-given mandate.
Are you making your world a better place? Are you giving God glory by righting wrongs, by supporting good, by serving your community? Or are you even just simply guilty of believing that the world, your town, your neighbor, does not need Christ. For there is no other name by which men are saved, but that of Jesus Christ. The world doesn't need a populist leader. It doesn't need food and medicine and clothing. It certainly doesn't need an accumulation of wealth. It needs Jesus. It gives men hope - in this life and the next. It gives man a reason to live and a reason to love.
Jesus called us not to be haters of people - but to see that every person was created by God. To be defenders of truth. To stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves. To be advocates and intercessors.
Swanee shared with us about George Mueller, often known for his great prayer life and faith. But most importantly he knew God's word. He so well knew the promises of God that faith was simple - if God promises, then he will provide. God promises to give us strength. He promises to give us peace. To be our comforter. To stand beside us in uncertainty. To weep with us in sadness. To dance with us in times of joy. God is never far. His ears are open to all who cry out to Him. I hope you are challenged to KNOW God.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Worship in Mussoorie
So this morning we walked a few kilometers to Community of Nations Church to worship. Not your average church. I don't even know where to begin.
We entered a long room full of locals - chairs spread out around a worship area. A simple overhead projector with transparencies displayed the lyrics. The worship team were three young women singers, two guitarists, a drummer and a bassist. We took our seats and soon worship began.
Our first song was in English. I forget the name and I didn't recognize the words, but the last verse we sang in Hindi! I was standing in a room full of Indian followers of Christ - praising God in Hindi! The music was upbeat and rockin' and I have no idea what we were singing but I could feel God moving in the place as men and women cried out to the ONE TRUE GOD! Amazing. During prayer, I could hear people praying for healing, for peace, for reconciliation - some in English, some in Hindi. Some were dancing for joy as we sang, others prostrate on the ground before the Lord. It was intimidating at first but I knew that God has done a great work in the people around me.
As people were moved, they prayed out loud their prayers. One man shared a vision of a cage full of birds. They flew around and knew not of the outside. And when a man came to let them out, some were too afraid to leave. And he shared the verse of how Jesus asks us to lay our burdens upon Him - our worry and fear, our insecurities. I swear to you in that moment I was asking God for peace and thinking of that exact verse and when he shared it aloud I wept in amazement! I felt God really moving in my heart and in the entire service.
A woman stood up to deliver the message. Another man stood up to translate. She shared a very passionate message about how God asks us to forgive others. She shared the verse about how IF we forgive others, THEN God will forgive us. She talked of how Christ died for us though we had sinned against Him. It was so amazing.
Got to run and have chai with a new friend!
We entered a long room full of locals - chairs spread out around a worship area. A simple overhead projector with transparencies displayed the lyrics. The worship team were three young women singers, two guitarists, a drummer and a bassist. We took our seats and soon worship began.
Our first song was in English. I forget the name and I didn't recognize the words, but the last verse we sang in Hindi! I was standing in a room full of Indian followers of Christ - praising God in Hindi! The music was upbeat and rockin' and I have no idea what we were singing but I could feel God moving in the place as men and women cried out to the ONE TRUE GOD! Amazing. During prayer, I could hear people praying for healing, for peace, for reconciliation - some in English, some in Hindi. Some were dancing for joy as we sang, others prostrate on the ground before the Lord. It was intimidating at first but I knew that God has done a great work in the people around me.
As people were moved, they prayed out loud their prayers. One man shared a vision of a cage full of birds. They flew around and knew not of the outside. And when a man came to let them out, some were too afraid to leave. And he shared the verse of how Jesus asks us to lay our burdens upon Him - our worry and fear, our insecurities. I swear to you in that moment I was asking God for peace and thinking of that exact verse and when he shared it aloud I wept in amazement! I felt God really moving in my heart and in the entire service.
A woman stood up to deliver the message. Another man stood up to translate. She shared a very passionate message about how God asks us to forgive others. She shared the verse about how IF we forgive others, THEN God will forgive us. She talked of how Christ died for us though we had sinned against Him. It was so amazing.
Got to run and have chai with a new friend!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Holy Cow I'm in India!
Greetings everyone from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India!
We arrived in Delhi Tuesday evening to a dark and strange world. People were everywhere and it was so foreign to me. Cars and people inches apart. Weaving through traffic blaring your horn. Tiny vehicles and mopeds all over.
We stayed at the Cottage Yes Please in a dark and sketchy part of town (sketchy to me). Stray dogs everywhere. Homeless and destitute. But we got into our small rooms fine and Ko and I laughed at how crazy it all is. Goodbye flushing toilet paper. Goodbye showers (bucket baths all the way!)
The next morning we were up by 5:30 and in a cab on the way to the train station by 6. We lugged way too much stuff up and down way too many stairs. Lots of strange people (who woulda guessed). We got on a sketchy looking train and were soon off for a 6 hour ride to Dehradun. We were served breakfast and lunch and it was delicious! Looking out the window we saw slum after slum and wastelands and then finally sugar cane and mustard plants and scattered villages. And finally mountains!
We got out at Dehradun at the foot of the foothills and took an hour cab up the mountain. Crazy! Shoulda feared for my life but it was soooooooooooooooooo beautiful! Tiny cars and motorcycles SPEEDING up and down the tiny road with hair pin turns and shear cliff drops. Awesome! We arrived safe and sound at Oaklands and saw the Himalayas and the Great Plains of India by simply turning around. Beautiful.
More to come.
We arrived in Delhi Tuesday evening to a dark and strange world. People were everywhere and it was so foreign to me. Cars and people inches apart. Weaving through traffic blaring your horn. Tiny vehicles and mopeds all over.
We stayed at the Cottage Yes Please in a dark and sketchy part of town (sketchy to me). Stray dogs everywhere. Homeless and destitute. But we got into our small rooms fine and Ko and I laughed at how crazy it all is. Goodbye flushing toilet paper. Goodbye showers (bucket baths all the way!)
The next morning we were up by 5:30 and in a cab on the way to the train station by 6. We lugged way too much stuff up and down way too many stairs. Lots of strange people (who woulda guessed). We got on a sketchy looking train and were soon off for a 6 hour ride to Dehradun. We were served breakfast and lunch and it was delicious! Looking out the window we saw slum after slum and wastelands and then finally sugar cane and mustard plants and scattered villages. And finally mountains!
We got out at Dehradun at the foot of the foothills and took an hour cab up the mountain. Crazy! Shoulda feared for my life but it was soooooooooooooooooo beautiful! Tiny cars and motorcycles SPEEDING up and down the tiny road with hair pin turns and shear cliff drops. Awesome! We arrived safe and sound at Oaklands and saw the Himalayas and the Great Plains of India by simply turning around. Beautiful.
More to come.
Blogging on the Plane
5:55 PM Delhi Time
I can't believe on halfway around the world and nearly in India. We left Colorado Springs for Denver International Airport around 8:40 AM Monday morning. Said my goodbyes to Nick and everyone that I had met at orientation and arrived at DIA to find out that our flight to Newark was delayed an hour. No big deal, we had a three hour layover in in Newark anyways. We board the plane about 12:45 or so and don't leave until 1:45. I met an interesting man on the plane who works as a civil engineer for the New Jersey department of transportation. Intersection design. It was actually quite interesting. I also learned nearly everything else about his life - his kids, his skiing, he's been playing Ultimate Frisbee for 25 yrs. You know, the basics. The 3.5 hr flight was spent talking with him for proabably 3 of them. Tiring.
We got to Newark with about an hour before the flight. By the time we got our food we were being paged to our flight! I was actually in the restroom when I heard in a very distinctly Indian woman's voice "Edwing Chee-ang and Hah-rissun Stay-ab, and Matther Per-ko-lap to Gate C121, your plane will be leaving shortly." Uh-oh. Ran out of the restroom and saw Edwin hobbling down the terminal with our really heavy Total Station (surveying equipment) and my carryons. We weren't the last to board, but no more than 3 minutes after we sat down they had pushed off from the terminal and our plane waited in line to be de-iced.
We flew on a big 777-200. Biggest plane I've been on I think. Very sleek and comfortable. Each seat had built in entertainment screens that you could watch hundreds of movies on demand. Pretty cool. So I watched Election for the first time and tried to recognize all the scenes (it was filmed in Papillion).
I'm really excited to be on this adventure but now it feels even bigger than I thought. I've been flying nearly 6000 miles since Newark and we still have another 1800 to go. I thought the world was a small place! I feel so far away from home. I miss Kelly.
The week was amazing getting to know everyone who will be involved all over the world with EMI. I've never been around so many people so passionate about the Truth. I wish them all the best and I hope God does amazing things these next 6 months. As I told Nick after prayer Sunday night, "Don't you dare come back the same."
Thank you everyone for all of your support and I look forward to sharing my stories.
I can't believe on halfway around the world and nearly in India. We left Colorado Springs for Denver International Airport around 8:40 AM Monday morning. Said my goodbyes to Nick and everyone that I had met at orientation and arrived at DIA to find out that our flight to Newark was delayed an hour. No big deal, we had a three hour layover in in Newark anyways. We board the plane about 12:45 or so and don't leave until 1:45. I met an interesting man on the plane who works as a civil engineer for the New Jersey department of transportation. Intersection design. It was actually quite interesting. I also learned nearly everything else about his life - his kids, his skiing, he's been playing Ultimate Frisbee for 25 yrs. You know, the basics. The 3.5 hr flight was spent talking with him for proabably 3 of them. Tiring.
We got to Newark with about an hour before the flight. By the time we got our food we were being paged to our flight! I was actually in the restroom when I heard in a very distinctly Indian woman's voice "Edwing Chee-ang and Hah-rissun Stay-ab, and Matther Per-ko-lap to Gate C121, your plane will be leaving shortly." Uh-oh. Ran out of the restroom and saw Edwin hobbling down the terminal with our really heavy Total Station (surveying equipment) and my carryons. We weren't the last to board, but no more than 3 minutes after we sat down they had pushed off from the terminal and our plane waited in line to be de-iced.
We flew on a big 777-200. Biggest plane I've been on I think. Very sleek and comfortable. Each seat had built in entertainment screens that you could watch hundreds of movies on demand. Pretty cool. So I watched Election for the first time and tried to recognize all the scenes (it was filmed in Papillion).
I'm really excited to be on this adventure but now it feels even bigger than I thought. I've been flying nearly 6000 miles since Newark and we still have another 1800 to go. I thought the world was a small place! I feel so far away from home. I miss Kelly.
The week was amazing getting to know everyone who will be involved all over the world with EMI. I've never been around so many people so passionate about the Truth. I wish them all the best and I hope God does amazing things these next 6 months. As I told Nick after prayer Sunday night, "Don't you dare come back the same."
Thank you everyone for all of your support and I look forward to sharing my stories.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
One More Day
As I reflect on the events that have led me to where I am today, I am absolutely blown away by God's sovereignty. I am so blessed that God has all my days had a hand in my life and I am so grateful for the people he has crossed me with, the trials he has allowed me to endure, and the doors that he has opened and closed. I cannot believe it. By Monday evening I will step foot in an entirely different world. A world so completely foreign from everything I have known. What an adventure I am on.
This week has been so amazing. I have grown to know so many new friends - some joining me in India, others in Uganda, Costa Rica, Canada, and Colorado. We've shared our strengths and passions, and I've wept at how God has drawn each and every one of us to Himself, and to the edge of this cliff - asking us to simply jump and trust in his faithfulness.
I have come to the realization that there is no such thing as a boring testimony. Christ's saving work no matter how seemingly insignificant is amazing. Grace is amazing. That God would find it worthwhile to save a broken and sinful people is beyond my understanding. That he would come to this world and forgive me of a self-centered life full of pride, lust, greed, idolatry, lies, malice, hateful thoughts, and bitterness, and make me a new creation - a new and forgiven person. Redeemed and reconciled.
There were stories of broken homes, abusive fathers, drug addictions, emptiness, hopelessness, struggles with acceptance, jealousy, family death, health problems. There were stories of Christian homes, Sunday School, youth groups. Whether a blessed childhood or a broken one, there was not a single one of them who found satisfaction in anything else but through Jesus Christ. There is no hope found anywhere except by Him. It is by Him alone that men are saved and by Him alone that men are made right before God.
And I know this to be true because I know Jesus. It isn't because I went to church every Sunday. It isn't because I was force fed some foolish dogma. It isn't because my life was easy and painless and the Christian bandwagon sounded peachy. I was a broken and messed up person and Christ saved me. I spent most of my life looking for acceptance and could find it nowhere. I longed for relationship with my father. I got caught up in shameful addictions that trapped me in destructive cycles of guilt and sin. I was a hypocrite and a liar. A thief and a murderer. An adulterer and a blasphemer.
I was not worthy of grace and yet for some reason Christ came into my heart and fixed my brokenness. My Father in Heaven filled the voids in my heart. Jesus looked at my heart and my life with all of my screw-ups and mistakes and he not only told me that He loved me anyway, but He showed me. He gave me purpose and joy and peace. He took every one of my sin which made me deserving of death upon himself and died for me. What greater love is there than that.
None.
And I'm on this crazy adventure and I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. But it is only because of Christ that I am doing such a thing. Not to see a new place, or to experience a new culture, but because He has done such a great work in my life that I want to see Him move in this world and in another people.
One more day.
This week has been so amazing. I have grown to know so many new friends - some joining me in India, others in Uganda, Costa Rica, Canada, and Colorado. We've shared our strengths and passions, and I've wept at how God has drawn each and every one of us to Himself, and to the edge of this cliff - asking us to simply jump and trust in his faithfulness.
I have come to the realization that there is no such thing as a boring testimony. Christ's saving work no matter how seemingly insignificant is amazing. Grace is amazing. That God would find it worthwhile to save a broken and sinful people is beyond my understanding. That he would come to this world and forgive me of a self-centered life full of pride, lust, greed, idolatry, lies, malice, hateful thoughts, and bitterness, and make me a new creation - a new and forgiven person. Redeemed and reconciled.
There were stories of broken homes, abusive fathers, drug addictions, emptiness, hopelessness, struggles with acceptance, jealousy, family death, health problems. There were stories of Christian homes, Sunday School, youth groups. Whether a blessed childhood or a broken one, there was not a single one of them who found satisfaction in anything else but through Jesus Christ. There is no hope found anywhere except by Him. It is by Him alone that men are saved and by Him alone that men are made right before God.
And I know this to be true because I know Jesus. It isn't because I went to church every Sunday. It isn't because I was force fed some foolish dogma. It isn't because my life was easy and painless and the Christian bandwagon sounded peachy. I was a broken and messed up person and Christ saved me. I spent most of my life looking for acceptance and could find it nowhere. I longed for relationship with my father. I got caught up in shameful addictions that trapped me in destructive cycles of guilt and sin. I was a hypocrite and a liar. A thief and a murderer. An adulterer and a blasphemer.
I was not worthy of grace and yet for some reason Christ came into my heart and fixed my brokenness. My Father in Heaven filled the voids in my heart. Jesus looked at my heart and my life with all of my screw-ups and mistakes and he not only told me that He loved me anyway, but He showed me. He gave me purpose and joy and peace. He took every one of my sin which made me deserving of death upon himself and died for me. What greater love is there than that.
None.
And I'm on this crazy adventure and I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. But it is only because of Christ that I am doing such a thing. Not to see a new place, or to experience a new culture, but because He has done such a great work in my life that I want to see Him move in this world and in another people.
One more day.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hiking near Monument Colorado
Me and some of my new best friends!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Tree
Pretty picture from Castlewood Canyon! See my flickr for lots more neato bo beato photos of my hike.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Castlewood Canyon
This afternoon, EMI took all us interns and volunteers out for a leisurely hike in Castlewood Canyon. It was a beautiful trail with an icy stream and big boulders all around. The experience so far has been so amazing. I've never been around so many people who are so passionate about furthering God's Kingdom. There have been great lessons and we can all feel the excitement building for the next 6 months. I'll have some pictures up tonight. Hope you all are well.
The Hideaway
I'm in Colorado Springs at a beautiful retreat center called "The Hideaway." It's in a wooded area outside the city and has a great view of the mountains to the west. Thought I'd share this picture so you could see what I see from the window every meal.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Support Letter
In case you missed it, here is my support letter I sent out this fall. If you wish you may still support me financially, just email me for details. Otherwise I appreciate your prayers!
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Designing a World of Hope
15 October 2008
Greetings everyone:
These past three and a half years have been amazing. I’m more than halfway through my collegiate experience, studying architecture in my fourth year at Kansas State and I’m engaged to the beautiful Kelly Sue Kramme! I would never have imagined how much I would be blessed and how far I would be stretched. I’m learning and growing as a designer and God has given me great opportunities here in Manhattan. I teach Sunday school to high school youth at a local Korean church, am a part of a couple of great bible studies, and have found an fantastic group of friends who are passionate about seeing God move on campus – and He is moving! This spring semester the College of Architecture has asked all 4th year students to either study abroad or intern with an architectural firm. Many of my friends will be experiencing Europe, but God has opened the doors to an incredible opportunity to serve an internship with Engineering Ministries in India!
I am blown away by how awesome God is. A little over a year ago I was challenged with a vision to live my life to glorify God and advance His Kingdom. God gave me a passion to be a light in the world and to use my time and talents to serve others. Working with Engineering Ministries International will give me the opportunity to use the skills I’m learning to provide people in need with free, professional design services. EMI has been involved in over 700 projects in more than 85 countries, designing hospitals, churches, schools, orphanages and water systems in places where those facilities are desperately needed. As an intern at EMI’s India office, I will help produce final reports for projects the office completes throughout South Asia as well as work alongside professional architects and engineers actively taking part in the design process. I will have the opportunity to experience Indian culture, travelling throughout the country to visit sites, and serve the community of Mussoorie - volunteering with local churches, playing with children at the orphanage and helping out in the community. I will surely grow in ways I can’t even imagine.
I am writing you today because I want you to be a part of this experience with me. I need your prayers. When we pray, God moves. I have seen God move so much in my life and on campus. Prayer is powerful and effective – and I am convinced of nothing less. I ask that you pray for my endurance as I finish this semester. Pray for my preparation, for travel arrangements and safety. Pray that I would model Christ in every moment wherever I am. I also ask you to prayerfully consider supporting me financially. Because EMI provides their services free of charge, their entire staff and interns are asked to raise support to cover their expenses. I need to raise $7000. God will provide because he has promised it. He has called us to be intimately involved in His work and I ask you to please support me in any way that you feel led to give. Whether or not you feel called to support me financially, please pray for me.
I cannot imagine what God will do in the six months I’ll be in India but I know that it will be amazing. I am so excited to see what He has in store for me and for the work of EMI. May God bless you and move in your life as powerfully as I see Him moving in mine.
Love,
Harry Staab
Sunday, January 11, 2009
In the beginning...
Yesterday afternoon I left Omaha for Denver to mark the start of the biggest adventure of my life so far. Along the way I met a wonderful old woman who did a crossword puzzle with me on the flight. My buddy Nick picked me up and we hung out with his friend playing video games all day. I can't wait to meet all of my fellow interns tomorrow in Colorado Springs. It's late but I just wanted to update this blog so everyone knows that I am doing well and hanging out in Colorado for a week. I leave Sun, Jan 19 to Newark, NJ and then to Delhi, India. Hope all is well!
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