Student Post | 7.3.18

Hi guys! We're here in Costa Rica and loving ministry in the forest so far. I'm going to let you hear from our students what they have been up to. They have been split into three separate work groups, so each group has a representative writing from their perspective.

Nach-yo Group
After being lost in the jungle of Costa Rica for two days we are still alive. Just kidding,the camp of La Montana is beautiful place up in the cloud Forrest. WE have experienced many different aspects such, as nature to just how the kids interact with each other. So, far we have done many helpful tasks around the camp and it has been awesome, but the best part about camp has been doing worship with the Ticos. They know how to have a fun time while worshiping our God.

-Haydn Prater

Salty Seven
We are only three days in to this trip and God has shown us many awesome things. From new types of worship to different types of nature. The times we have worshiped with the kids has been a new experience for all of the missions team. The way the kids worship is amazing. They take worship to a whole new level compared to what we are used to. So far on this trip we have had many experiences that we never dreamed of having. We are only three days in and we are having a wonderful time with the kids.

-Grady McCall

Spicy Spuds
For starters, the Costa Rican locals ("Ticos") are quite amazing. The staff is very friendly, and they are passionate about God or "Dios." On the environment, the rainforest makes Indiana's forests look tame. Yes, there are spiders and moths, but there are also butterflies, cutter ants, and monkeys! God is definitely at work here! At times, the Holy Spirit seems to flow from the lips of Americans and Ticos alike. If just one child becomes a little more open to talk about God, our mission will be a success, because, at the end of the day, that is what counts. To wrap up, here is some food for thought.
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant -Matthew 20:26

-Isaac Smith

We will attempt to keep you up to date with the happenings here in Costa Rica with more blog posts and Facebook posts. Thanks for trusting us and trusting God with your kid this week. 

Life or Death

Take some time to read John 15:1-17. Seriously, go do it. I'll be waiting here...

OK, now you're done reading (you did read it, right?). Go back and look for some things in this passage. Take some time to do this. Really slow down, let it soak in. Don't worry, you don't have to respond to these below.

• Look for the main theme.
• Look for words/phrases that repeat.
• Find the different "characters" that play a role in this section. Who do they represent?
• Ask yourself, "Why is this in Scripture?"

Now you have a pretty good understanding of what's going on here.

If you really read into what Jesus is saying, this is a matter of life and death. Not necessarily physical life here on earth. But eternal life. A better life for now and the future (note: better doesn't mean more comfortable, without difficulty, etc...). By following this Scripture, you can remain in Christ, which is a better life than life without Christ. He really does care about you. He knows you. He allows you to remain "attached" to him. And as we remain attached, we grow.

Hopefully you have experienced this in your own life. Sure, we aren't perfect at remaining attached to Jesus. But I hope that you have grown in your faith as you've spent time with Jesus.

This is what we want to give to other people. We want them to experience this life with Christ, a better life both now and in the future. We want others to be able to attach themselves to Christ, to experience His love, to experience the love of His people.

We aren't going to Costa Rica to be saviors, have a cool experience, or because we are obligated to go. We are going to point others to the Savior so they can experience Him, and to allow others to desire to walk close to Him and serve Him.

That's my story - that Jesus saved me, that I can experience God through Jesus, and because of that I want to follow and serve Him wherever He leads.

This is what we are called to, to invite people into life. Will you follow the call? Respond to these questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus used the imagery that He used in this passage?
2. What's love got to do with it? Why was love referenced so much when talking about remaining in Christ?

Getting On Mission

After Jesus was arrested, Peter was hanging out in a public space. He was afraid of what people might think of him or do to him if they knew he was a follower of Jesus. Three times people asked if he was a disciple, and each time he denied being a follower of Jesus.

I imagine that Peter felt a lot of shame from his denial. Not only was he one of Jesus' followers, but he was one of Jesus closest friends. He failed Jesus during a really hard time.

Fast forward to after the resurrection. Go and read John 21:1-19. Go ahead. This will be here when you get back.

Peter denied Jesus three times. But Jesus wanted to show Peter that He had grace for him, so he asked three times if Peter loved Him. Jesus restored Peter. He accepted Peter, even with Peter's failure.

We are not perfect people. If Peter, one of Jesus' closest friends and followers, could mess up that bad, then so can we. There will be a time when we need to experience grace from God, and grace from others.

God will still use you despite your shortcomings and failures. After you mess up and you encounter Jesus, will you run away from Him or run towards Him like Peter did?

Respond by answering these questions:

1. What was Peter's response when he saw Jesus?
2. Why do you think Jesus gave Peter a second chance?
3. How do you think Peter felt after receiving a second chance from Jesus?

Take time to pray, confessing any failure and sin to God, and asking for forgiveness. Allow God's grace to restore you and allow His truth to sink deep. He is not done with you.

WORKING OUT THE DETAILS

Man, this is crazy. I don't know about you, but I get excited about all of the details of a mission trip. Think about this - our team is going to raise $36,000 together! Isn't that crazy? We will be spending an entire week with people who, just a couple weeks ago, were complete strangers, in a foreign land, experiencing foreign things. And there will be hundreds of people praying for us as we go.

Why do we do it though? What's the purpose of all of this? Why does it matter? It matters because Jesus matters. It matters because Jesus has changed us, and we want to share that transformation with the world.

The whole purpose of Jesus calling disciples was to spread His teaching, to share about salvation, to show the world God. Just a handful of guys changed the world. Look at Jesus' last words to them:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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.” -Matthew 28:16-20

 Then in Acts, Luke writes:

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8

Those are the words Jesus leaves His disciples with. We don't always know the plans or how they will be fulfilled. That can bring anxiousness. The promise isn't that the future will be made clear, but that the Holy Spirit, God's very presence, is with us, giving us power, even to the ends of the earth.

Be encouraged today - God is working. He is working out the details. He is preparing the way. We can't always see how He works, but He does. When we follow His call, when we are His witnesses, we receive the power from the Holy Spirit.

Respond to these questions below:

1. How did the disciples respond to seeing Jesus again? Did they immediately trust the plan?
2. What did Jesus tell the disciples to do?
3. Based on these passages, what do you think we need in order to accomplish what God has planned for us?

THIS IS IT!!!

Hey guys! Welcome to the blog where you will do your weekly devos, get updated information, and whatever else we need to use this blog for. I'm excited to start this journey with you.

Let's do a test using this post. Most devos will ask you to respond in some way, whether it's answering a question or writing a prayer. So for this post, respond below with:

1. Your name
2. Your school
3. What you are looking forward to most on this mission trip

Be looking for more posts. We'll try to post every Wednesday and Friday with a devo, information, etc...

Also, don't forget to mark March 11 as our next meeting date. I look forward to seeing your responses below and seeing you March 11.

If you have problems commenting, email me at no.more.name.calling@gmail.com so I can try to help troubleshoot with you.

Norm