Hope Church

We have too much of a hero complex. Maybe it is our Americanism coming out, in thinking we are the superior saviors of the world. But I think it is mostly our pride manifesting itself in a sense of superiority over anyone at anytime that we deem as inferior. It so easy, even on a missions trip to think, “I’m here to teach you! Now quietly sit and listen to my pearls of wisdom fall from my lips.”

 

Life in our times continues to amaze me. Not that long ago going on a missions trip meant long days of travel, encountering dangerous conditions and obstacles en route, complete separation from friends and family, detachment from all things familiar, and many days of learning and adjustment before effective ministry could take place. But, not in today’s world.

 

A little over a month ago our team returned from Nicaragua after a great trip to train church leaders and pastors in Theology. Below is a brief video showing some of what they did. Check it out.

You can also check out the audio of the testimonies of the guys that went.

Hi All,

 

Thanks so much for praying for us. Today the bulb finally gave up the ghost. BUT that was really a blessing to us - there was so much material to get through that I was concerned I would be able to finish. With no projection, I was able to teach without getting bogged down in eschatology diagrams, etc. so that really worked out fine. It was also so hot in the church I don't think the added heat near the podium from the projector would have been welcome!

 

We began the day at breakfast with Mark Griffin, who had invited us over to his house (right around the corner) earlier in the week. We all had VERY good coffee and breakfast with him.

 

Morning

 

 

When you order toast on Nicaragua, it is PERFECTLY toasted. It is sold toasted, unlike in the US where you can only buy toast "ingredients". It also seems quite stale to an American palate.

 

Evening

 

Hello from Nicaragua!

 

Hello all,

 

Tuesday was a good day. Cairo taught first today on the doctrine of Christ. Then Steve taught on the Holy Spirit, and I taught the first part of the angel doctrine. Overall it went pretty well. We had a couple of questions that seemed to come out of left field that we needed to go back to the books to answer.

 

Morning

Of course, bottled water is de rigeur in Nicaragua. We are really going through it!

 

We are getting final printing done this morning after a long power failure last evening. Then it's off to the institute to begin the course!

 

Evening

Here is the day 2 update

Morning

 

Met with Mark Griffin for breakfast at the hotel; my first "gallo pinto" experience. Nicaragua coffee is THICK, and contains plenty of caffeine.

Today our focus is on finalizing preparations for the course starting tomorrow morning. Vern is "up" first with the introduction to the course and is working hard to finalize his material.