Chile Quiz #3 Answers

1. Chile land area is 285,133 square miles. What US state is closest in land area to Chile?

Answer: Texas (261,797 sq. miles)

2. Why is Chile called Chile?

Answer: There are various theories about the origin of the word Chile. According to one theory the Incas of Peru, who had failed to conquer the Araucanians, called the valley of the Aconcagua "Chili" by corruption of the name of a tribal chief ("cacique") called Tili, who ruled the area at the time of the Incan conquest. Another theory points to the similarity of the valley of the Aconcagua with that of the Casma Valley in Peru, where there was a town and valley named Chili.
Other theories say Chile may derive its name from the indigenous Mapuche word chilli, which may mean "where the land ends," "the deepest point of the Earth", or "sea gulls;" or from the Quechua chin, "cold", or the Aymara tchili meaning "snow."
Another meaning attributed to chilli is the onomatopoeic cheele-cheele—the Mapuche imitation of a bird call. The Spanish conquistadors heard about this name from the Incas and the few survivors of Diego de Almagro's first Spanish expedition south from Peru in 1535-36 called themselves the "men of Chilli."

3. If you have been reading the blog this should be easy. How many varieties of Chilean fruit are exported worldwide?

Answer: 200 varieties

4. The River Simpson (located in southern Chile) is famous for what water sport?

Answer: Fly Fishing

"...in the Midst of..."

Philip Kenneson wrote a book called, Life On The Vine: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian Community. I was intrigued by his chapter headings and how they illustrate the difficulty of living Christianly in a non-Christian context:

* Cultivating Love in the Midst of Market-Style Exchanges

* Cultivating Joy in the Midst of Manufactured Desire

* Cultivating Peace in the Midst of Fragmentation

* Cultivating Patience in the Midst of Productivity

* Cultivating Kindness in the Midst of Self-Sufficiency

* Cultivating Goodness in the Midst of Self-Help

* Cultivating Faithfulness in the Midst of Impermanence

* Cultivating Gentleness in the Midst of Aggression

* Cultivating Self-Control in the Midst of Addiction


Please use these to pray for our family as we minister in the midst of a sin cursed world.

"Put It On My Charge Card"

Divorce rates rise in Chile as the process gets easier

Chilean couples are getting divorced at an unprecedented rate as specialist law firms cut fees and offer easy payment through department-store credit cards.

In late 2004, the South American nation became the last in the Western Hemisphere to make divorce legal, overcoming a decade of opposition from the Roman Catholic Church, conservative groups and lawmakers.

Almost 2,000 couples divorced in the first two months of this year, up from 900 in the year-earlier period and 1,200 in all of 2005, according to the civil registry. The pace may quicken as lawyers compete to make it easier, faster and cheaper.

"Our offices are full practically every day," said Alejandro Krausz, 31, co-founder of Defensas Judiciales, a law firm in Santiago that serves estranged couples.

In February, Defensas Judiciales joined with Johnson's, a chain of 58 department stores, to give holders of the store's credit card a discount on divorce fees and as long as 18 months to pay. Defensas Judiciales is handling 450 to 500 divorce cases a month and plans to open offices across the country, Krausz said.

Another group of lawyers founded a firm called Solo Divorcios (Just Divorces) and has attracted 1,000 couples with Internet marketing and easy-payment terms.(HT: James Attwood)

Read a similar article but with more details HERE.

Adding credit cards to the depraved human condition is a formula that can only add to further and "quicker" destruction.

Please pray for our family in light of this article in the following ways:
-For our family to be an example of Christ-centered living.
-That God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and a verbal Gospel witness will see Chilean families changed.
-Families are hurting. We need guidance to "see" their hurt and minister to them.
-Pray for David as he targets men in conversation, relationships, and mentoring.
-Pray for Kristi as she targets women in the same.

Can I Speak Like a 2nd Grader?

I admit it. I love trivia. Game shows like Jeopardy and even Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? are fun for me.

Learning trivia is one thing.
Learning another language is another.

I follow several blogs by people who are learning Spanish in Chile and write about their successes and failures. They are helpful. The following had a great paragraph that I though you should read.

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When I speak Spanish my train of thought often passes by a lingering preoccupation that hovers in the front of my mind: try to sound smarter than a second grader. It’s not a grandiose goal for a college-educated individual, but it is a realistic one, and these days there is something to be said for unadorned realism. Realistic or not, however, it is not always easy to achieve. A single slip of the tongue, one misplaced letter, and you are back in Dumbsville. It is exactly this fear that paralyzes many language learners, so I recommend that you ignore it. Besides, if you don’t keep talking, you won’t end up with comedies of errors like these.

(HT: Ryan Greenberg)
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So here is how you can pray specifically for me and language learning:
-Be humble. Pride oftentimes limits my language learning.
-God's direction whether or not to go to language school in Texas before moving to Chile.
-To find an experienced mentor in the country that will teach me with patience and effectiveness.
-You do realize that my three kids will be learning Spanish faster than I ever will, and will probably be secretly (and openly) laughing at me their whole lives. I need to be able to laugh at myself.
-That I would have an attitude of a child in language learning. Keep talking.

Questions You Should Ask Us (and Yourselves)

The following are two sets of questions that I would encourage you to ask us periodically. Spiritual accountablility is important on the mission field and in local churches.

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1. How is your relationship with God right now?
2. What have you read in the Bible in the past week?
3. What has God said to you in this reading?
4. Where do you find yourself resisting Him these days?
5. What specific things are you praying for in regard to yourself?
6. What are the specific tasks facing you right now that you consider incomplete?
7. What habits intimidate you?
8. What have you read in the secular press this week?
9. What general reading are you doing?
10. What have you done to play?
11. How are you doing with your spouse? Kids?
12. If I were to ask your spouse about your state of mind, state of spirit, state of energy level, what would the response be?
13. Are you sensing spiritual attacks from the enemy right now?
14. If Satan were to try to invalidate you as a person or as a servant of the Lord, how might he do it?
15. What is the state of your sexual perspective? Tempted? Dealing with fantasies? Entertainment?
16. Where are you financially right now? (things under control? under anxiety? in great debt?)
17. Are there any unresolved conflicts in your circle of relationships right now?
18. When was the last time you spent time with a good friend of your own gender?
19. What kind of time have you spent with anyone who is a non-Christian this month?
20. What challenges do you think you’re going to face in the coming week? Month?
21. What would you say are your fears at this present time?
22. Are you sleeping well?
23. What three things are you most thankful for?
24. Do you like yourself at this point in your pilgrimage?
25. What are your greatest confusions about your relationship with God?

From Gordon MacDonald's book “Rebuilding Your Broken World.”
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1. Am I seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness? (Matt. 6:33).
2. Am I redeeming the time? (Eph. 5:16).
3. Do I have a conscience void of offence? (Acts 24:16).
4. Do I meet with brethren whenever possible? (Heb. 10:25).
5. Do I deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus? (Mat. 16:24).
6. Am I becoming transformed by the renewing of my mind? (Rom. 12:2).
7. Do I search the scriptures daily and study to show myself approved unto God? (Acts 17:11; John 5:39; 2Tim. 2:15).
8. Am I attempting to please God instead of man? (Gal. 1:10; Col. 3:23).
9. Do both blessing and cursing come out of my mouth? (James 3:10; Col. 4:6).
10. Am I a peacemaker? (Matt. 5:9; James 3:18; Rom. 12:18; Heb. 12:14).
11. Am I ashamed of the gospel of Christ? (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 9:16; Matt. 24:14).
12. Do I render evil for evil? (1 Thess. 5:15).
13. Do I shun profane and vain babblings? (2 Tim. 2:16).
14. Do I behold the mote that is in my brother’s eye but do not consider the beam in my own eye? (Matt. 7:3).
15. Am I laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets me? (Heb. 12:1).
16. Am I stumbling my brother? (Rom. 14:21).
17. Am I provoking others? If so, is it to love and good works? (Heb. 10:24).
18. Am I holding fast the profession of my faith without wavering? (Heb. 10:23).
19. Do I love pleasure more than I love God? (2 Tim. 3:4).
20. Am I a respecter of persons? (James 2:1; 3:9; 1 Peter 1:17; Acts 10:34).
21. Am I walking after the spirit instead of after the flesh? (Ga. 5:16-18).
22. Am I putting on the whole armor of God? (Eph. 6:11).
23. Do I follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth? (Rev. 14:4).
24. Am I working out my salvation with fear and trembling? (Phil. 2:12).
25. Am I fighting the good fight of faith? (2 Tim. 6:12).

(HT: Herald Mag & Colin Adams)

Use these questions as pray guides for our family and ministry?

The Devil's Miner

While I am not a documentary reviewer by trade, the following review is well worth your time to read. I ran across this documentary last year while watching our local PBS station. While it takes place in the mines of Bolivia, there are many parallels to the Chilean mines, miners, and lifestyle. I found the DVD today at our local library and plan to watch it again this week.



Synopsis from the documentary's website:

The Devil's Miner is the story of 14 year-old Basilio Vargas and his 12 year-old brother, Bernardino, as they work in the Bolivian silver mines of Cerro Rico, which date back to the sixteenth century. Through the children's eyes, we encounter the world of devout Catholic miners who sever their ties to God upon entering the mountain. It is an ancient belief that El Tio (the devil), as represented by hundreds of statues constructed in the tunnels, determines the fate of all who work within the mines.

Raised without a father and living in virtual poverty with their mother on the slopes of the mine, the boys assume many adult responsibilities. They must work to afford the clothing and supplies vital to their education. Basilio believes only the mountain devil's generosity will allow them to earn enough money to continue the new school year. Without an education, the brothers have no chance to escape their destiny in the silver mines.

View the trailer HERE
82 minutes long
Spanish - with English subtitles
For more information go to www.thedevilsminer.com
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Tio - The Devil
Tio is an ancient word derived from dios (god) and is the title given to the ruler of Cerro Rico. Throughout the mountain, over 500 chambers with devil statues have been constructed to honor him. In the miner's efforts to appease Tio, ritualistic ceremonies have evolved which often include blood sacrifices.

Basilio tells his little brother in the documentary to, "Never stop believing in the Tio. He eats the miner. He kills him and then eats his soul." His brother responds by saying, "I don't want to die in the mines. I want to survive...until I am big."
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If your local library has this documentary, I strongly encourage you to watch it. Watch it with "missions" glasses on. It will tear your heart out and expose you to the Devil's strong grip on the mining people of the Andes Mountains. It will also give you a better sense in how to pray for our family as we desire to minister to the mining families of Northern Chile.

Establishing Indigenous Ministries (Part 3)

Review: In Part 1 we looked at the definitions of self-support, self-governing, & self-propagating. The main point was that self-support is the key element on which the other two function and exist and, therefore, ought to be the primary objective on the road to establishing an indigenous ministry.

In Part 2, we looked at some reasons for stagnation in a ministry and some perspectives from several missiologist.
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Hindrances to Self-Support

1. The blindness of the missionary to the national's ability, with God's help, to supply every need of the ministry.

-He only visualizes a western standard and style of ministry.
-He does not view the national as able vehicles through which God can effectively support the work.
-His desire for instant "success".
-What the nationals can't afford is his personal tastes.

2. The blindness of American pastors and church members to the importance of self-support.

3. The blindness of the nationals themselves to the need of self-support.

Teaching about Self-Support

1. Christ's giving was selective and He resisted producing dependency.

2. God uses primarily the instrumentality of His people to supply the needs of His work. Under ordinary circumstances even the poorest group of people can support a pastor according to their own standard of living. All it would take is ten or more faithful giving families in the congregation. Some missionaries object on the ground that the people are too poor to support their pastor and, therefore, do not stress tithing.

3. The general rule in the New Testament is for every church to support itself. There are few recorded examples in the N.T. of established churches being supported financially by other churches. The overwhelming example seems to be that the new churches soon after their establishment were able to support themselves. They did not stay "mission fields"; they became missionaries

The Practical Application of Self-Support

1. The missionary needs to lead the way but starting from day one.
2. Give the nationals a purpose for their giving.
3. Bring the nationals into the financial decision process as soon as possible.
4. Set wise financial goals.
5. Establish a budget.
6. Turn the accounting of funds over to the nationals as soon as an able, responsible member is available.
7. Give them ample opportunity to experience that God can and will provide through them for the work of the local church.
8. Establish guidelines for church funds.

Conclusion: Deprive the nationals of the privilege of giving and the responsibility of sacrificing to support the work and weak Christians will result. They will likely be inactive also in evangelism and fail to assume the responsibility of church discipline. They will be willing to allow the missionary to do everything. On the other hand, they will cherish a work which has cost them sacrifice and effort.
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This series has drawn to a close, but please continue to pray for our family to be effective in establishing indigenous churches in Chile.

We would also like to hear from you about your thoughts about this topic.

Chile Quiz #3

1. Chile land area is 285,133 square miles. What US state is closest in land area to Chile?

2. Why is Chile called Chile?

3. If you have been reading the blog this should be easy. How many varieties of Chilean fruit are exported worldwide?

4. The River Simpson (located in southern Chile) is famous for what water sport?

Using Google is fair game.
The answers will be posted next Sunday (April 22).

The Unmasked Young Protestors and Christ

I have been following the Transantiago fiasco in the capital city of Chile for the last two months. I ran across the following article today in the Santiago Times that I think you should read.

But here's what I want you to do...
Read the article through the lens of Scripture. If you were a missionary in Chile, how would you approach these young protesters? I have added emphasis (text in bold) to flag certain phrases for your contemplation.

My goal is two fold:
1. An exercise for you to think Biblically
2. Gain a better sense of how to pray for our family and ministry in Chile.
____________________________________

CHILE'S DISAFFECTED YOUTH TURN TO STREET VIOLENCE

Santiago does not see the gang warfare often associated with American or Brazilian cities, but the city’s streets are becoming increasingly violent. In May of 2006, widespread student protests rocked the city, and the government of newly elected Michelle Bachelet suffered its first major setback.

The street violence returned on the September 11 anniversary of the 1973 military coup led by Augusto Pinochet and also started up again shortly after the former dictator died in December of last year.

On March 29 of this year, protesters marked the Day of the Young Combatants, which commemorates the killing of two young brothers by police in 1985, by trashing stores and banks, and buses. Over 800 arrests were made and dozens of police were injured. Chile’s media was filled with pictures of burning tires, tear gas, and riot police, and the American Embassy urged its citizens to stay off the streets. To the world, a normally safe, business-orientated city looked like a war zone.

The current fiasco surrounding the Transantiago public transit overhaul, which made transportation miserable for millions of Santiago residents since February, is also creating a general discontent in the city. Bachelet is at an all-time low in the polls, and students, who started the new school year in March, have been threatening to reactivate their protests.

But Chile is not a poor, violent place, and the country boasts the freest and most successful economy in Latin America. While a large disparity still exists between the rich and the poor, Chile remains the only country that has met the UN’s Millennium Goal of drastically reducing extreme poverty. Problems do exist in the educational system, but Chile is full of opportunity, and the population is increasingly socially mobile.

The recent street violence has put most Chileans on edge and has also perplexed them. Most fail to understand what exactly the protesters are fighting for or why citizens of a free democracy express their discontent in the street and not in a ballot box.

Driving the trend is an increasingly disenfranchised youth, most of whom use the Internet to communicate and have no specific goals other than a shared resentment of society in general. A lax judicial system and increased media coverage are making the problem worse...

Jorge Lizama, a 19-year-old high school dropout, anarchist, and animal-rights activist, has emerged as a poster child in Chile’s current street struggles. He was arrested late last month for attacking the car of Justice Minister Gloria Chevesich during the March 29 protests and is also is accused of tossing a Molotov cocktail at the La Moneda Presidential Palace last year.

While Lizama is now described as a “young person outside of the system,” he had a normal upbringing. “We had a happy life,” said his mother, Juana Soza. “Jorge was happy. He played with his dog. He was a boy scout.”

Lizama’s problems began when his parents separated ten years ago. A student in a dilapidated public school, he was held back a year before he finally dropped out. Socially shy, he took to the Internet and came in contact with a group of vegans, extreme vegetarians who consume no animal products. His activism progressed as he came into contact with networks of animal-rights activists and other ecological causes.

Lizama finally came to feel at home with the many anarchist groups that operate in Chile. Using mostly the Internet to communicate, Chile’s anarchists are not organized, are without leaders, and have no hierarchy. The only thing that unites them is a shared discontent with society.

“These kids are hostile to the system, and they feel threatened and excluded,” said Roberto Méndez, the president of survey firm Adimark. “They take their anger out on anything that represents the system, such as the Transantiago, and they are most aggressive towards the left wing sectors of the governing Concertación coalition because they feel they sold out to the current model.”

One university professor who declined to be named for fear of reprisal said that radical youth had always been present in Chile. “Most intellectual currents that come to Latin American originate in France, and France is very ideological,” she said. “Whenever I see an unmasked protester and ask them why they are vandalizing, they simply say that they are against the system,” she continued. The professor also suggested that Bachelet was a much less foreboding character than former President Ricardo Lagos and easier to rebel against.

Some suggest that Chile’s media is also inciting the violence. After the March 29 protests, Interior Minister Belisario Velasco blamed several television programs for promoting the violence. “A lot of the content on TV was almost a call to violence,” he said in a conversation with Radio Cooperativa. Both print and television media gave widespread coverage to the impending protests, and on March 29, one channel broadcast the live looting of a grocery store in Santiago.

Chile’s legal system is also a problem. Prosecutors must not only prove that the accused committed a violent crime, but also that they intended to commit the crime. When apprehended, most minors are released to their parents as it is assumed that they are incapable of criminal intent. Many bands of youth organize their protests so that only minors commit violent acts to take advantage of the system.

But the free pass may soon be over. Bachelet will sign legislation in June removing the requirement to prove intent in crimes committed by youth, and she is also floating legislation to hold parents legally responsible for the crimes their children commit.

While Bachelet’s firm hand has been applauded by many, it may be too little or too late. Méndez said that Chile’s students are angrier this year than ever and that university students are now joining what were once high school protests. “The risk of another student conflict, one more powerful than last year, is extremely high,” he said. “Chile has changed since last year, and respect for authority has declined. As was the case before, the situation is preventable. But it remains to be seen if the government will take appropriate measures to deactivate the movement or if the situation will be allowed to turn into the third, and possibly fatal, crisis of Bachelet’s presidency.

By Nathan Crooks (editor@santiagotimes.cl)
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So how will you be praying for our family after reading and distilling this article?
We would love to hear from you.

Meet our Family

Jordan
-5 (6 in July)
-Nickname: "Candypants" & "Tigger"
-Typically the last one up in the morning
-In Kindergarten
-Loves candy, fresh fruit, chocolate milk, & ice cream
-Usually in a higher gear than the rest of us
-Enjoys riding his bike


Ben
-4 1/2 years
-Nickname: "B", "Benji", "Eeyore"
-Typically the first to wake up in the morning
-In Preschool
-Loves chocolate milk, Skittles, & fresh fruit
-Enjoys playing with Legos and paper airplanes


Kaylee
-20 months (2 in July)
-Nicknames: "little princess", "Piglet", & "Baby"
-Typically takes long naps
-In diapers
-Loves sugar (in any form) & fresh fruit
-Doesn't play alone, needs to play with others
-Loves to sing


Kristi
-30
-Nickname: "Flaca"
-Typically is napping Sunday afternoons
-Homeschooling J & B
-Loves anything chocolate, watermelon, Olive Garden & Chili's Restaurants
-Grew up on the mission field
-Bilingual (English & Spanish)
-Hobbies: reading & spending time with friends



David
-31
-Nickname: "Swamp Monster"
-Typically falls asleep in a matter of minutes
-Still learning English, let alone Spanish
-Likes any candy that isn't chocolate or sour
-Hobbies: anything golf, geography, reading theological books & blogs, maintaining this blog, & courting books
-Prefers Italian or Chinese food (with chopsticks)

NBBC Missions Conf (Part 2)

(click on photos for larger views)

One of the blessings of deputation is serving local churches in areas of need. During our week at NBBC, we were asked to speak to the Truth Tracker kids at Faith Baptist in Pembine, WI. Deputation isn't about Sunday morning services only, but being available and willing to serve in any context.


J & B had a great time in their own class learning and making new friends. Can you find them at the table?


That night was "cultural" night and the kids dressed up like people from other cultures. Kristi and I were asked to pick the winners of each category.


Be ready for anything, right? They also asked me to lead the kids in the songtime.


One of the girls dressed up like someone from the Island of Fiji.


J & B playing with Legos during closing time.

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Psalm 78:6-7
"That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."

Home for the Weekend

We have no meetings this weekend, so we are home.

Plans are to:
-Babysit some friend's children
-Clean the house
-Sleep in our own beds!
-Work on VBS projects
-Play outside with the children
-Worship at our own church
-Write emails & thank you notes
-Read


(Pancho Villa, Roger Rabbit, & "Barb" the builder)

Pray for our family that we will recharge our "batteries" during this home stay.

Establishing Indigenous Ministries (Part 2)

If you missed Part 1, click HERE.
The following is more highlights from Dr. Mark Batory's workshop on "Establishing Indigenous Ministries".
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Initial growth of ministries subsidized with foreign money typically seems promising. The long-term growth of the national church often plateaus or halts as the works became more and more dependent on foreign funds and materials.

3 Reasons for the plateaus (or stagnation) of the national work.

1. Loss of lay involvement - The lay leadership increasingly came to feel that the work of the church was the responsibility of the paid national pastor or missionary.

2. Loss of focus - They became more and more concentrated on pleasing the missionary.

3. Loss of loyalty - When the churches saw that the missionary was paying the salary of the pastor, they lost their sense of ownership of him, "He belongs to the missionary."

Perspectives on self-support

(The following men, though not in our camp, have been missionaries, done research, and put into practice self-support philosophy of church planting.)

Glenn Schwartz, founding director of World Mission Associates, says,

"We must be able to believe that churches in the non-Western world can do what God is calling them to do with the resources which He has put within their reach."

Jerry Rankin, president of the International Mission Board, said,

"...it is a mistake to try to accelerate growth in foreign works by an infusion of financial aid to build churches and support pastors. One thing inevitable occurs when North American subsidize the work of churches and pastors on the mission field: potential growth in stalled because of a mind-set that is can't be done unless an overseas benefactor provides the funds. People are deprived of growing in faith, learning to depend on God and discovering that He is sufficient for all their needs."

Rick Wood, editor of Missions Frontiers states,

"Many churches in the US have bought into this scheme...But what they don't realize is that this approach to missions...has created a dependency on the mission field to foreign funds that is deadly to the vibrant, reproducing church planting movements...Every church and every people has the God-given privilege and responsibility of supporting its own ministry and cross-cultural outreach. Foreign money robs these people of the incentive to give of their lives and resources to support the ministries of their own churches."
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(click for larger view)

Dr. Batory showed a chart (above) that pictures the results from a study by Wayne Allen did on three different models of missions funding.

The Red line shows the initial growth of totally foreign funded ministries but then a plateau and drop off as the foreign funds are reduced. (Makes for great prayer letters in the beginning)

The Blue line shows the results of a mixture of local and global funds but then another plateau and drop off when the global funds are reduced. (Also makes great prayer letters in the beginning)

The Yellow line shows the slow progress of the ministry only using local funding, but then rises exponentially when the nationals learn and sense ownership of the ministry. (Can cause said and unsaid pressure from supporting churches or the missionary for perceived "lack of" initial growth.)
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Applications and Implications:
-This is not an easy topic and does not have an immediate answer. You and I both need to think through these dynamics as we get involved with Great Commission living.
-Pray for our family to be balanced in ministry and guide others to have ownership in the ministry.
-We desire to train others to train others, not to create a long term dependency on our abilities, funds, and leadership.

Establishing Indigenous Ministries (Part 1)

I attended an excellent workshop during the week by Dr. Mark Batory entitled "Establishing Indigenous Ministries". I would like to take several posts to give you the highlights from this workshop and some personal comments.
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The important role that church planting has in the fulfillment of the Great Commission is undisputed, yet observers can easily note that many new churches ultimately fail while others flourish and continue to reproduce themselves. Many spiritual and divine factors can be identified as to the cause of failure and success; however, from a philosophical standpoint, there is one factor that stands above the rest.

This single factor affects how well the national church itself will survive and ultimately be able to take an active role in fulfilling the Great Commission also. This factor is a church's ability to become truly an autonomous, indigenous church whose members have learned to trust and follow the Lord of the church as its sustainer and guide.

Do we truly know what an indigenous church is?

Why is it important?

How do we develop a church in a foreign culture that is itself active in the Great Commission?

What are the long-term consequences of not implementing indigenous principles in our church planting efforts?

Definition of an indigenous (nationalized) ministry:

1. Self-supporting - Able to provide all material needs essential for the function and advancement of the ministry without dependence on outside sponsorship.

2. Self-governing - Able to administrate affairs of the ministry under divine direction and authority free from outside control or obligation.

3. Self-propagating - Able to extend the Gospel ministry to all peoples through their own efforts, people, and resources without outside stimulus.

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Self-support is the key element on which the other two function and exist and, therefore, ought to be the first primary objective on the road to establishing an indigenous ministry. Using the picture of a hinge, self-support is the hinge pin that hold together self-governing and self-propagation aspects of the ministry.

Come back tomorrow for part two of this series as we discuss three reasons for lack of growth in ministries that are subsidized with foreign funds.

Pray for our family as we desire to focus on the self-support hinge pin in the ministry God gives us in Chile.

NBBC Missions Conf (Part 1)

Jordan loved the many bunk beds in our camp room. He usually makes a jungle-gym out of anything.


Ben eating a NBBC sack lunch in our room.


We always travel with Kaylee's travel high chair. It is so convenient for the numerous living conditions we face on the road.


Kristi with former college friend Carrisa B. Monday night NBBC hosted all the missionary couples to eat a steak dinner with the administration, faculty, and staff.


Three times during the conference week, NBBC supplied student babysitters to watch our three children so Kristi and I could attend events/sessions together.


Kristi & Ben looking at the schedule for the busy week.

Note to Self...

I ran across this missionary blog today (Mexico City) and thought this post was very interesting and informative about Latino culture and the process of learning "a new normal". Although this was written for the immediate Mexico City area, many things are very similar to Chilean day to day life. Also, I have added this culture shock chart to help you understand the process of choices one has to make when living and ministering in a cross cultural context.


(click chart for larger view)
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We were taught to be students of the culture in order to effectively minister. Here are 101 things about Mexico City that we have observed since getting here. They aren’t good things or bad things. Many are just different.

1. There are 31 speed bumps between my house and my work.
2. You will get stood up. Bank on it.
3. If someone talks about “your house,” they are really talking about “their” house. (My house is your house)
4. The banks will be packed on the 15th and the 1st of the month.
5. If you don’t know what it is, don’t eat it.
6. Brain can be served in a tortilla.
7. Stomach can be served in a tortilla.
8. There are many different types of mole (a typical salsa). It takes a while to find one that you like.
9. There is no taco bell.
10. There are more people in the city at night.

11. Asking, how long will it take to get there is considered a stupid question.
12. Never say, just follow the green taxi.
13. Motorcycles don’t have to stay in a lane.
14. Car alarms are ignored. Always.
15. You can get your side view mirrors stolen off your car.
16. You might see cows in your front yard.
17. Dog poop happens.
18. Bus drivers are not afraid to hit you.
19. If you get there on time, you’re early.
20. The electricity can go out for no apparent reason.
21. You can buy almost anything on the side of the road.
22. Dogs are used as a house alarm.
23. Dogs bark at all hours.
24. There will be someone trying to give you a flyer at a speed bump.
25. You will tip someone everyday.
26. Clowns juggle at intersections.
27. Stores might be open at the time they say they are open, but probably not.
28. Nobody will leave a message on your answering machine.
29. Nothing ends on time.
30. You can get knock offs of just about everything.
31. Electronics are expensive.
32. Fruit is cheap.
33. If you miss your exit, you change your plans (usually).
34. The map book has over 200 pages (for the city).
35. If you ask for directions, chances are the person doesn’t know.
36. There’s one gas company…government owned pemex…no competition there.
37. The gas guy for your house may try to rip you off.
38. They paint lines on the street by hand.
39. McDonald’s has gigantic playgrounds.
40. Lunch is at 2 or 3 pm.
41. Customer service…what customer service?
42. Pizza has very little sauce (if any).
43. Movies are mostly in English with subtitles.
44. You should really only plan to get one thing done in a day.
45. If someone will be late or not show up to a meeting, they will probably not call you to tell you about it.
46. Stopping at a red light most of the time is optional.
47. There might be a pothole big enough to eat your car in your lane at any time.
48. The pedestrian does not have the right of way.
49. You will be offered just about any type of “fruit water.”
50. Smog (cough, cough) what smog?
51. You should get your car washed everyday like everyone else.
52. If someone thanks you by showing the back of their hand (in a sort of obscene way), it’s normal.
53. Don’t pronounce English words with an English accent or nobody will understand you. For example, you must pronounce “hot dog” with a Spanish accent.
54. By the way, a hot dog is the full thing (dog, bun, ketchup, etc). A salchicha is just the hot dog and can be used as a pizza topping.
55. Ketchup goes on pizza.
56. Music can never be played too loud.
57. Stores hire dancing girls to promote their products.
58. The best way to park your car is backing it in.
59. A money loan to a friend should be seen as a gift.
60. You can get a piñata of whatever cartoon character you can imagine.
61. The word translated right now can mean anytime in the (maybe) future.
62. Cake can have the milk IN IT (and it’s good).
63. You can watch soccer 24 hours a day.
64. If you need to change lanes, just stick your arm out the window and the other person is obligated to let you in.
65. You can back up in your car even if there are people coming up behind you.
66. You can do just about anything in your car if you put on your flashers.
67. If you need windshield wipers, the best place to buy them is on the side of the road.
68. Hardly anything is open on Mondays.
69. You can get stuck in traffic going to the grocery store.
70. If you see traffic in an unusual spot, chances are there’s a traffic cop directing (creating) it.
71. Pretty much everyone has a cell phone.
72. If you call a cell phone, you pay for the call.
73. You get 100 outgoing calls per month on your home phone.
74. Traffic roundabouts are dangerous. You could get stuck in one all day.
75. You can get a pre-paid minutes card for your cell phone while waiting at an intersection.
76. In just about every parking lot, someone will ask you if you want your car washed, whether it needs it or not.
77. Parking is almost never free.
78. I hope you like mayonnaise. It will be loaded on your sandwich.
79. Left turns are usually a no-no. You must make a u-turn.
80. You better know how to parallel park.
81. You don’t walk on the sidewalk. You walk on the road.
82. Uneven pavement is a fact of life.
83. You can buy corn on the cob smothered with mayonnaise and chili powder.
84. Popcorn at the movies must be accompanied by hot salsa.
85. Japanese peanuts aren’t really from Japan (or are they?)
86. Lots of people wear suits and ties.
87. Pizza is 2 for 1 on Tuesday.
88. Movies are 2 for 1 on Wednesday.
89. Everything is “straight ahead” if you ask for directions.
90. The trunks of trees should be painted white…I think it has something to do with bugs.
91. If you see a cop with his lights on, it just means he’s patrolling the neighborhood. It’s not because you did something wrong.
92. You might get a receipt for the slip of toilet paper you buy at a public restroom.
93. Babies should be covered all the way pretty much at all times.
94. Children are not allowed to drink cold drinks or they will get sick.
95. Baby car seats are optional.
96. A traveling market can take up a whole street (and cause more traffic).
97. Coca Cola from a bottle goes great with tacos.
98. Grasshoppers can be eaten live.
99. You should sweep the street in front of your house everyday like everyone else.
100. The garbage men sit in the back of the truck and sort the trash.
101. Personal space doesn’t exist.
102. You can fit 15 people in a Volkswagen beetle.

(HT: The Poulette Family)

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Pray for our family as we WILL go through culture shock.
There are things that will seem abnormal to us and we need flexibility and patience to deal with life and ministry on the mission field.

Turning Secular Conversations to Spiritual

Back in Feb., I wrote THIS article about the Chilean's love for soccer. During the last days of my trip to Chile in Jan. I picked up a special edition newspaper that detailed every Chilean soccer team, their players, their stadium, their schedule, and their chances for winning (or losing) in the 2007 season. In the centerfold of this newspaper was a chart (see photo) for every game of the "Torneo de Apertura" (Beginning Tournament).

About once a week I check THIS Chilean website to keep track of each team's games and progress. Everyone in Chile roots for at least one team. Like it or not, they are defined by which team they cheer for. Colo Colo fans are knon to be the craziest. They are similar to Oakland Raider fans here in the States (Black and white paint, foaming at the mouth). Rivalries have been formed and established and never to be broken.

Kristi grew up a couple blocks from the Colo Colo team's stadium in Santiago. Her loyalties are with Colo Colo. I on the other hand, in consideration to our possible ministry location in Antofagasta, I have been secretly forming loyalties to the Antofagasta Pumas team. Their mascot is a white puma. Most of the other teams have a local beer as their sponsor, but the Antofagasta team is sponsored by the huge Escondida copper mine and the local water company (see jersey). I'll take water over beer anyday.

Truth be known, the Pumas stink. Currently, they are tied for 13th out of 21 teams, but I don't care. Our desire is to turn secular conversations about soccer into friendships and open doors to talk about spiritual things.

That is the goooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!! (pun intended).

Cell Phones but No Access to the Throne

The following is from excerpts from an online article I read today...
----------------------------
By 2010 just about every Chilean who knows how to use a mobile phone will own one, according to analysts who expect service providers to aggressively target market niches to boost their client base.

The number of cellphones in Chile rose more than 14 percent in 2006 compared with the year-earlier period to 12.8 million, which suggests nearly eight of every 10 Chileans had a mobile phone by the end of last year, official data shows. "Considering that, according to the data reported by companies, Chile has penetration of 79.1 percent, we expect 100 percent penetration by 2010, growing at an average annual rate of 7.2 percent per year in the 2007-2010 period," said analyst Francisco Errandonea.

With the user market mature, mobile phone companies are marketing products to specific niches, such as children or lovers of extreme sports.

Chile has seen explosive growth in mobile phones in recent years, when it also experienced a booming economy.

In 2000, there were only about 3 million users, zooming up to 10.4 million in 2005 and 12.8 million last year.

In coming years, analysts said growth will slow and competition will be more intense for new cellphone users, but they all agreed the vast majority of Chile's 16 million inhabitants will have mobile phones.

(Source: Reuters)
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Ministry Implications:

Chileans believe that their access is through Mary to Jesus to God.
They do not have access into the throne room of God because of lack of true faith in Christ alone for Salvation.

1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

Chileans may have access to everyone due to the technology of cell phones, but access to the throne room of God is only through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Pray for our family to proclaim 1 Tim. 2:5 and that the Holy Spirit will be working in the hearts and lives of those who we meet.

What Makes a National Church Great?

adapted from the "Fellowship" publication...

What Makes a National Church Great?

NOT soft seats, subdued light and a building,
BUT strong, courageous national leadership.

NOT the sweet tones of instruments,
BUT sweet personalities reflecting Jesus Christ.

NOT a big budget,
BUT big hearts in people who love and serve the Lord.

NOT a large membership,
BUT God's presence, direction, and power.

NOT a tall steeple reaching skyward,
BUT people with a lofty vision for souls and their community.

NOT what has been done,
BUT what by faith will be done in the days ahead.

----------------------

Pray that the national church in Chile will progress in spiritual maturity and Christlikeness.

Pray for solid national leadership who train future national leadership.

Pray for our family to train national leadership to think Biblically and critically.

Men for Christ (Part 3)

Highlights from Dr. Doug McLachlan's session - "The Church for Our Postmodern Times"
_______________
Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Modernism = Replacing God with Human Reason
Post-Modernism = Replacing God & Reason with Feelings (No Absolutes)

The 4 Non-Negotionables for building 21st Century Ministries in a Postmodern World

1. God (v.1)
Passionate Exaltation

This goes against Narcissism (The sovereignty of self)

2. Truth (v.2-4)
Courageous Exposition

This goes against Relativism (the denial of truth)

3. Evangelism (v.5)
Redemptive Explosion

This goes against Pluralism (the rejection of exclusivity)

4. Eternity (v.6-8)
Fervent Expectation (seeing beyond time to eternity)

This goes against Secularism (only the here and now)
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Pray that our family will:
-Passionately Exalt God in the face of the Narcissistic culture of Chile.
-Courageously Expose Truth in the face of the Relativistic culture of Chile.
-Be involved in Redemptive Overflow of our lives in the face the Pluralistic society of Chile.
-Have a Fervent Expectancy for Eternal Treasure in the face of the Secular society of Chile.

Updated Family Photo & Prayer Items

Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007

Prayer Items:

-Rest and a time of Recharging during the next two weeks at home.
-For the Holy Spirit to effectively use the Word in our 4 weeks of VBS teaching this summer in the Midwest.
-A continual walk in a Godward direction (personal, our family, and our ministry).
-That we would Set Our Hope in God.
-Effective follow up with college students interested in missions.
-Saftey in travel (big trip coming up from May 12-29).
-Our children's Salvation.
-Balance in ministry.
-For the Holy Spirit to continue to work in the hearts and lives of Chilean believers and unbelievers.
-Future co-workers (Matt. 9:37)

Home for Easter

It was a blessing that my grandma (Leona Nelson) was able to make it to the AM service on Sunday. She currently lives with my parents and doesn't get out much anymore.


We are not at our home church much anymore due to travels, so it was great to sit as an extended family for Easter.


I was able to participate in the music ministry by playing in the brass ensemble.


Kristi and the boys listening to the choir cantata.


Ben fell asleep on my lap and used my tie to shield the lights from his eyes.

Christ is Risen!

The Stone is Rolled Away!
The Stone is Rolled Away!
Tell out the story wherever you go;
Jesus is Risen, the whole world must know.



John 20:1-18
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.
Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.
They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
____________________________

Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!

Men for Christ (Part 2)

Highlights from Dr. Ollila's session entitled "The Believer's Relationship to the World". John 17
____________________________
-We can go to two extremes, both of which fail to accomplish the purpose for God's leaving His children in this world after conversation. One extreme is isolationism - having no contact with nonbelievers. The second is the assimilation of believers into their culture, thus losing all Christian distinctiveness. Isolationism is certainly not the answer, and assimilation leaves us with no clear testimony. God has chosen us, and Jesus has redeemed us and set us apart as a peculiar people for the Master's use.

-Quoting R. Kent Hughes, "Our Christian lives can easily become monastic. We often find our lives arranged so that we are around nonbelievers as little as possible. We attend Bible studies that are 100 percent Christian, Sunday schools that are 100 percent Christian, and church services that we hope of 100 percent Christian. We read only or at least primarily Christian books, send our kids to Christian schools or home school them, listen to only or mostly Christian radio programs or tapes. None of these things are bad, but it is easy to use these so much that we isolate ourselves in a Christian subculture."

-Salt, to be effective, must touch people in the world.
Light must teach truth.
Salt contacts people.
Light contradicts error.
Salt relates to people.
Light reveals the philosophy of the world.
Salt is an example to people.
Light exposes false philosophy.

-Christians should be "out of the world" v.6
But Christians are "in the world" v.11
The world hates Christians because they are "not of the world" v.14
Christ has sent Christians "into the world" v.18

-A ministry direction is set more by what it tolerates rather than what it teaches.

-3 Kinds of Worship
Ritual Worship - God Hates it (Amos 5)
Recreational Worship - Who is the intended audience the lead guitarist? the listener? or the Lord?
Real Worship - Out of the heart and life

Men for Christ Rally Report (Part 1)

We had a group of 7 guys from our church attend the 10th Annual Men for Christ Rally in Watertown, WI. All of the sessions were a blessing and challenge to me. The fellowship with other men was stimulating and encouraging.

Dr. David Cummins spoke on many events and people from American history who stood for Biblical truth and doctrine but were persucuted, beaten, or martyred. For additional reading click HERE or HERE
To hear Dr. Cummins lectures click HERE


Dr. Lance Ketchum's workshop on "Teaching Disciples to be Learners" was excellent and thought provoking. THe session brought together serveral chapters of his new book called "Why are We Failing the Great Commission". Look for it to come out soon HERE.


Special Music provided by the combined singing teams of PBBC, NBBC, MBBC, & FBBC