Man's Great End

As part of my devotional time, I have been enjoying reading through my leather bound Valley of Vision book (given to me by my sister and brother-in-law for Christmas). The book is a collection of Puritan poems. I highly recommend reading them. While no one talks or writes like the Puritans any more, each phrase and sentence are loaded with deep truth about our God and our proper affections towards Him. I often have to read the poems over and over, but I glean something new each time.

I would like to share the reading for today as a devotional thought on this Lord's Day.

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Man's Great End

Lord of All Being,
There is one thing that deserves my greatest care,
That calls forth my ardent desires,
That is,
That I may answer the great end for which I am made -
To glorify thee who hast given me being,
And to do all the good I can for my fellow men;
Verily, life is not worth having
If it be not improved for this noble purpose.

Yet, Lord, how little is this the thought of mankind!
Most men seem to live for themselves,
Without much or any regard for thy glory,
Or for the good of others;
They earnestly desire and eagerly pursue
The riches, honours, pleasures, of this life,
As if they supposed that wealth, greatness, merriment,
Could make their immortal souls happy;
But, alas, what false delusive dreams are these!
And how miserable ere long will those be that sleep in them,
For all our happiness consists in loving thee,
And being holy as thou are holy.

O may I never fall into the tempers and vanities,
The sensuality and folly of the present world!
It is a place of inexpressible sorrow,
A vast empty nothingness;
Time is a moment, a vapour,
And all its enjoyments are empty bubbles,
Fleeting blasts of wind,
From which nothing satisfactory can be derived;
Give me grace always to keep in covenant with thee,
And to reject as delusion a great name here or hereafter,
Together with all sinful pleasures or profits.

Help me to know continually
That there can be no true happiness,
No fulfilling of thy purpose for me,
Apart from a life lived in and for
The Son of thy love.

Totally Random Observations & Comments

-Don't Waste Your Life

-Latinos sing all verses of hymns/songs in the church service. I like that.

-After listening to Tom Cruise. What would you say to him?

-Latinos seem to enjoy praying longer & often. I like that too.

-Mail is good. Thanks to all who have sent us items in the mail recently.

-I miss reading "non-Spanish" related books. Just don't have the spare time while here in Texas. Here are a few books that have caught my eye recently. I could list more, but I want to be sensitive to you time ; )

*The Transforming Community: The Practice of the Gospel in Church Discipline

*When Sinners Say 'I Do'

*Preach the Word: Essays on Expository Preaching

-Pray for this family (we know them) during this time of crisis/opportunity. (Update)

-I haven't watched more than 6 hours of TV total since we got here...and I'm ok with that...but...the availability of this doesn't help. Just being honest!

-Our family is very grateful for your prayers and financial support during our time preparing in Texas. God is supplying our needs through you and we desire to be like the sole leper who was thankful. So again, Thank You!

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The Dreaded Dialog & The Tip

Every 10 days or so, we need to have an extended fictional dialog memorized for our grammar class. These dialogs are typical conversations that happen in life and include many grammatical structures and vocabulary that will be covered in the unit. On the day of the dialog, two people are chosen at a time to go up in front of the class to "act" out the dialog from memory.


We are graded not only on knowing the right words, but on proper pronunciation, intonation, and fluidity. Needless to say, these "dialog days" can be stressful, since all eyes and ears are on us.

So................

Acting on a tip I received from a friend (now missionary in Chile) who had attended RGBI last year, I spent some time, late last night, rummaging through the kid's bedroom with a flashlight, trying not to wake them, in order to find some "props".


Yes, the picture doesn't lie. The props were wigs to inspire the "Latino" within. My classmate Paul and I were the guinea pigs in this experiment. While our grammar teacher is very nice, we didn't know if she would have a sense of humor with the whole idea.


It was quite a relief to see (and capture) her first impressions of our attempt to get into characters of "Julio" and "Pablo".


While no one else in the class desired to put on the the wigs, it did help break the ice and everyone did a great job despite being nervous.


John pouring on his "Latina" voice and gestures. He is such a card!

Thanks Pedro & Steph for the tip...It worked, (again) and I did well on my grade. I owe you big-time.

One dialog down...eleven more to go!

On the Brink of Salvation or Extinction

I wanted to share the following online news article that caught my attention several days ago. I have highlighted some important phrases, and I would like use this article as an illustration in the closing comments.
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CHILE COASTAL BIRD FACES EXTINCTION

Time appears to be running out for the Gaviotín Chico, a small bird whose coastal habitat extends from northern Chile to southern Peru.

According to the organization BirdLife International, the birds – also known as the Peruvian Tern – nest on broad sandy beaches and dunes. But as houses, hotels, industries and even shanty towns continue to set up shop along the Chilean and Peruvian coastline, the birds are being displaced, leading to a precipitous population decline. BirdLife International, which reports a 70 percent population decline in the past decade, red-listed the species as “endangered” starting in 2005. At the time the organization estimated its total population at 1,000-2,500.

Chilean ornithologists, however, fear the total population may be smaller still – maybe even as low as 200. “The way that people use the beaches make then unattractive to the birds. A lot, therefore, can’t nest and thus they have a very low population,” Juan Aguirre Castro, president of the Union of Chilean Ornithologists (AvesChile), told the Santiago Times.

After studying the coastal area between northern Chile and southern Peru, AvesChile associates identified just three breeding grounds north of the border. In each of the sites they were able to identify no more than a few nests. Their findings were similar on the Chilean side with the one exception being the beaches just north of Mejillones, in Region II (just north of Antofagasta). Considered the world’s last sizeable Gaviotín Chico breeding ground, Mejillones could be home to approximately 80 percent of the remaining birds, said Aguirre.

“These birds are so specialized. They only nest on certain types of surfaces, not just on any beach. And it can’t just be any kind of sand, but rather small stones of a very specific size… There are only a few places they can breed, and (Mejillones) is one of those places,” he said.

Unfortunately for the birds, Mejillones is also what Aguirre describes as a “development pole,” i.e. a hot spot for residential and industrial growth. Located some 45 miles north of Antofagasta (see map below) , the coastal town is home to a large port and is a popular debarkation point for goods coming not just from Chile, but from Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil as well.

Mejillones is also home to a huge, 591-MW thermal-electric power plant that produces a good portion of the electricity for Chile’s Northern Power Grid. Much of that electricity is used by the area’s numerous copper mines, whose energy needs continue to climb from year to year.
As a result, at least two more power plants are planned for Mejillones. Construction on one of those plants began this past October. The 165 MW plant is scheduled to begin operating in 2010. An even bigger plant is still awaiting approval by Chile’s National Environmental Commission.

“We’re taking over the places that the birds normally use, especially in Mejillones, with the construction of the mega-port and with all the companies that are moving in. They’re obviously going to cover up the space where the Gaviotín used to nest. We don’t think they’re able to adapt very quickly, to find another place to nest, meaning it’s possible the species will just disappear. It’s in serious risk of extinction,” said Aguirre.

AvesChile recently sent a letter to the Environment Minister urging the government to protect the endangered bird. Among other things, the organization pointed out how the government itself recently included the Peruvian Tern on its first ever list of endangered native species.

Aguirre, however, is less than optimistic about the future of the species. “At the political level, these types of considerations aren’t taken very much into account…It’s not a scenario that’s very favorable for the Gaviotín,” he said.

(HT: Benjamin Witte)
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My thoughts after reading this article:

- Humans are not birds, and thus will not go extinct...but every human will die at some point. At death, humans have two possible destinations, Heaven or Hell. The Bible clearly teaches that one's destination is determined by whether they have trusted solely on Christ and what He did on the Cross or rejecting Him.

-For the Peruvian Tern, possible extinction can be influenced by some environmental decisions of use of land and whether to increase development. So in some sense, their "salvation" is in the hands of people.

-For humans, sin and the sin nature has, is, and will be the hastening factor for physical and spiritual death. Since Adam and Eve, every human has been born with the sin nature. God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, has provided the answer to the sin problem. Christ paid the penalty for sin and provided the perfect sacrifice on the Cross. Humans are not the answer to their own problem. They don't have a spark of goodness in them. God is the only answer and we must tell them...that is our responsibility.


(click on map for larger view - North is left)

-Mejillones (see map above) was mentioned in the article. This city is real close to the city of Antofagasta, the city where we desire to minister, long term. Using the illustration of the birds needing to be "saved from extinction", the Chilean people in the northern region need to hear the truth of the Gospel soon. The end is coming. When? We don't know. There are many areas around this region of Chile that are growing and expanding. There are so many new communities that need a local church and a Gospel witness.

-Please continue to pray for our family as we prepare to serve in this needy area of Chile. We desire to be salt and light in a dark and decaying world. Many are in need of hearing the Gospel. Your prayers and financial support allow us to come closer to the goal of impacting Chileans with the Gospel and Biblical truth.

Scenes from Campus (Part 3 - The Kitchen)

Every language school student is responsible to work 54 hours per semester somewhere on campus, otherwise they are charged minimum wage ($5.85) for each hour not worked. I choose to work in the kitchen every other weekend. My work shift is only 2 hours long per day. This past Saturday, I worked supper, and Sunday, I worked lunch. Just 50 more hours to go!


Our job is to assist the main cook with whatever he needs. Nothing major. The head cook's name is Pascual (originally from Mexico, but has lived in NJ for over ten years). He is great to work with and even teaches us addition Spanish phrases and vocab during our work shift.

Here is a list of small jobs I had to do this past weekend in the kitchen:
-Make Kool-Aid
-Cut watermelon
-Cut Papaya
-Cut cake and pies
-Shred lettuce
-Refill salad bar items
-Make guacamole (see picture above)


My classmate, Isaiah cutting up fruit for the dessert table.


We wash all of the dishes that we have dirtied with the Hobart machine. Pretty slick and easy. Very similar to the one I used to work with during my college days at NBBC. Now if we could just get three of these at our camps in Chile!

One of the perks of working in the kitchen is, that when you work, your family gets to come and eat that meal for free. It's a no brainer! We are thankful for this provision of food and it helps keep the grocery bill down.

Come back again for Part 4 - Winter Texan Alley

Los Mismos Modismos

Translation: The Same Slang Phrases

This past Friday night, we were invited for supper over at our co-worker's house (Dan & Diana Kunnari). John Tucker (MK from Spain) and Sebastian (BI student from Chile) were also invited to enjoy spaghetti & meatballs and a time of listening to us hack through their native tongue (Spanish). I apologize for the foggy picture to the right. All I can say about that is...no comment.

Kristi and I really enjoyed getting to know Sebastian in a better way. He is in his first year of study here at RGBI and desires to go back to Chile to help in his home church.

Throughout the evening, I attempted to use my limited Chilean slang with him, and he was happy to hear some phrases that he hasn't heard in a while. He is the only Chilean BI student, so all he hears around campus are phrases and slang from other Latin American countries. In several weeks, Sebastian will be my language tutor and I am looking to learning a lot from him.

The kids had a MK pizza party on the other side of campus that same night. J & B went and had a great time playing games and meeting new friends.

Weekends are really the only time were families have the time to get together for fellowship and fun. During the week, it is pretty quiet on campus due to everyone is holed up studying.

Come back again for the next installment in the "Scenes from Campus" series (The Kitchen).

Scenes from Campus (Part 2 - The Bookstore)

The RGBI bookstore is considered to be one of the best bookstores to find not only English titles, but ones in Spanish. Bob, the manager, does a wonderful job running the store and has a true ministry heart for getting Spanish materials into missionary's hands at the lowest cost possible.


All language school students are given a 20% discount of off items. Bob can order pretty much anything for us and the bookstore pays the shipping (as a ministry to us).


We have been encouraged to make a list of ministry items throughout the semester that we would like to use in Chile and Bob will make sure to have them on location before we leave for the field. The bookstore's specialty is their large selection of Christian Education materials in Spanish (SS curriculum, missionary stories, and Bible club material).


Besides books and curriculum, the store also has a wide selection of Christian greeting cards, music, DVDs, home decorations, and candy (more on that in another post).


Of course, I am very thankful for the bookstore here on campus. I am carefully making a list of valuable resources that I desire to use in the ministry in Chile. Bob has been very helpful in researching titles for me. I pop into the bookstore after classes several times a week to ask him about more titles in Spanish.

Here are several resources that I am currently pursuing with Bob's help:
-The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus Workbooks (in Spanish)
-The video series "That the World May Know" put out by Focus on the Family (in Spanish). It teaches Faith lessons through Bible geography.
-Firm Foundations workbooks (in Spanish).
-Several Systematic Theologies (in Spanish).
-A nice leather Spanish Study Bible.

Anyone Cold?

Anyone cold?

Well, come to South Texas and you will be....um...well...a little warmer, but not much. It has been abnormally cold here as well as around the whole country. We live by the "3" in 36 on the south end of Texas (see map below). All the Bible Institute students are freezing and thinking the end of world is coming. If they only knew what -23 felt like...



One student, named, Oscar, just arrived from Equatorial Africa (the only Spanish speaking country in Africa). Unfortunately, he lost his luggage on his trip over. He arrived on campus with nothing but a small bag and the clothes on his back. Then on top of that, south Texas is having a "cold snap". He said that he has NEVER felt this cold in his whole life. Several people graciously gave him a jacket and other items of clothing to get through the first few days.

There are so many other stories of God's people helping God's people here on campus that I could share. Thank the Lord for a bond in Christ that surpasses languages, customs, or countries.

Overview of My Classes

My classes and schedule goes as follows...

Up around 6:30 for Coffee, breakfast, devos, and getting to class early for last minute study.

First Hour (8:15 - 9:05)

MTWThF Grammar 1 - Professor Alma Verela (from Mexico)

Second Hour (9:10 - 10:00)

MWF Phonics 1 - Professor Dave Whisler (former Wycliffe Bible Translator in Eastern Peru)

TTh Chapel (in Spanish)


Breaktime (10:00 - 10:15) - Popcorn, Coffee, Juice, and Fellowship

Third Hour (10:15 - 11:05)

MTTh Phonetics Listening Lab - Professor Moises Figarola

W Missionary Spiritual Life - An hour where Pastor Ray Getz gives us a challenge from God's Word (in English) with special emphasis on dealing with personal struggles, defeat, depression, and relationships between believers.

F Latin American Orientation - An overview of the political, social, economical, and intellectual realities in Latin America. Cross cultural issues and life on the mission field are also covered. Taught in English by Dr. Manny Gutierrez.

Fourth Hour (11:10 - 12:00)

MWF Conversational Spanish - This class is divided into two groups who meet in different rooms. Our class has 4 people in it...Phil, Paul, John, and myself. The goal of this class is talking, by using the vocab and grammar we have been learning in other classes. Our professor is Ken Bennett (former missionary to Peru from Alberta, Canada)

T Special Grammar - Taught in English and is a time to ask any grammar related questions or further commentary on topics covered in Grammar class.

Th Class Group Fellowship/Prayer Time

Lunch (12:00 - 13:10)

Fifth Hour (13:10 - 14:00)

MTWTh One on one tutor session (No English allowed)
Every two weeks we change tutors, in order to hear different dialects from the different countries (for example: Mexico, Chile, Spain, Costa Rica). Obed de la Cruz has been my tutor for the first sessions. He is from Rio Verde, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Look it up on Google Earth!

Scenes From Campus (Part 1 - Aerials)

I would like to introduce a new series of posts that will be called "Scenes From Campus". Over the next few weeks, I will post pictures and commentary periodically on certain places around campus. My goal is to give you a better sense of our neighborhood here at language school.

To introduce you all to our campus, I thought it would be beneficial to give you "the big picture".

Aerial of campus - looking North (click on picture for a better view of the push pins)

In the above picture, can you find:
-Our Apartment
-The Mailroom
-The Classrooms
-The Library
-The Bookstore
-The Chapel
-The Laundry Room


Aerial shot looking Northeast.


Aerial looking East

Come back for Part 2 - The Bookstore

Stayin' Up Late

Staying up late has become a normal thing for me these past few days, but what is abnormal is my children doing the same. Tonight, it has been raining hard and it has caused quite a stir in the next bedroom.



I became aware of the fact, after hearing the crescendoing whispers of...

Kaylee: "I hear some-ping!"

Jordan: "Look out the window."

Ben: "I see lightning."

Needless to say, the original plan of getting the kids to bed early has flopped (once again). The sad part of this tale is that they will be up bright and early even though they "hit the hay" much, much later than usual.

My Classmates (Part 2)

Following the same format as Part 1, here are the rest of my classmates at RGBI.


John & (Cindy) Lopez
-John's heritage is Mexican, but never learned the language.
-From Waterbury, CT, where John is the Assistant Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.
-They have five children
-Going back to Calvary BC to start a Hispanic ministry to the large Puerto Rican community in and around Waterbury, CT.


(Andy) & Carol Patton
-Andy grew up in Peru (not taking classes)
-Originally from Maryland
-They have 6 adopted children
-Serving with ABWE
-Going back to Iquitos, Peru to work in various ministries.
-www.8pattons.org


Isaiah Nordland
-From Altoona, PA
-His parents Paul & Karyn are here at RGBI learning Spanish (2nd Semester students).
-Family serving under Biblical Ministries Worldwide (BMW).
-Going to Ecuador
-At 14, he's the youngest of our class.


Jared Thomas
-From Pueblo, CO
-Learning Spanish to go back and serve in the ministries of Trinidad Bible Church in Pueblo, CO





Tim & Debbie Bryce
-From Bellingham, WA
-They serve with North American Indigenous Ministries (NAIM) by hosting mission trips to Baja California, Mexico, focusing on discipleship.

My Classmates (Part 1)

One of my joys of these first few weeks of classes is getting to know my classmates.

Where are they from?
What are their backgrounds?
How many in their family?
Why are they studying Spanish?
How did the Lord lead them to RGBI?
Where are they going from here?

So in the next two posts, I would like to introduce my classmates to you. Since one of this blog's purposes is to be a springboard for missions discussion in the home, I have provided links for you to learn more about my classmate's ministries.

Please remember them in prayer as well. We are all in this language learning crucible together.
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Brian & (Rosalba) Epps
-From Harlingen, TX
-Brian is taking classes (Rosabla is from Mexico) to work with Discipulos En Accion in Merida, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.




Paul & Roxanne Wilson
-From Westboro, WI
-They have four teenage children.
-Worked 20+ years in Christian camping ministry at Camp Forest Springs.
-Going to Ticuman, Mexico (90 miles south of Mexico City) with WEC International to assist in the El Monte Christian Camp and Conference Center. (View layout HERE)

Amanda Clayton
-From Metamora, Michigan
-Learning Spanish to work as a bi-lingual peer counselor at the Pregnancy Resource Center of Lapeer, MI.



Phil & Pat Thurston
-Originally from Michigan
-Three adult children
-Currently based out of Harlingen, TX
-Served the past four years with Way of the Cross Ministries in Mexico & Nicaragua.
-Currently praying for God's direction in what ministry to be involved in after completing language school.

Come back again to read about the rest of my classmates in Part 2.

Five Biblical Reasons Why...

On this Lord's Day, I thought it would be good to be reminded of...

Five Biblical Reasons Why We Should Love and Serve in the Local Church

Committed to the Lord of the Church
Firstly, Jesus Christ promised to build the Church-therefore, my commitment should be to it (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:39-47).

Committed to Love the Church
Secondly, He purchased the Church with His own precious blood-therefore, I love those for whom He died (1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 3:14-16).

Committed to Labor and Serve with the Church
Thirdly, the Church is the predominate agency through which God's will is manifested on earth-therefore, it is the community with whom I labor (Ephesians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:28-29).

Committed to the Life of One Another in the Church
Fourthly, the Church is the only earthly expression of heaven-therefore, we must daily grow together in conformity to the fullness of Christ (2 Peter 3:10-14; Revelation 4:4-11; Ephesians 4:12-13).

Committed to Lasting Victory for the Church
Fifthly, the gates of Hades will not prevail against the Church-therefore, in light of the assured victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, our worship and toil is not in vain (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58).

(HT: Steve Camp)

RGBI Picnic (Part 2)

After lunch, some of the Winter Volunteers put on a puppet show for the little kids. Each child was able to pick out a stuffed animal to take home. Kaylee picked the Rainbow Bear.


Some were dressed up like clowns handing out candy and animal balloons.
Other ladies had made clown outfits for the kids to wear.





Each child was able to make a colored jump rope with the help of some of the Winter Volunteers. They pick there favorite color of string and then get to "turn" the machine that makes the rope.


Face painting was also a popular station at the picnic.



We are all at our apartment now, after a long afternoon outside in the sun. The kids are tired and so are the parents. Time for a short nap and then back to reality....more homework!

Thanks for stopping in and sharing our experiences via the blog. Come back again to meet my classmates.

RGBI Picnic (Part 1)

Today, the Winter Volunteers hosted a get-to-know-you picnic for all the language school students and families. The family atmosphere here on campus is truly amazing and an added blessing to our time here studying. The Volunteers have an interest in our lives and desire to pray for us while we are here. Many have special skills that they put to use to serve the missionary families on campus (i.e. sewing, handy-man jobs, babysitting, teaching kids club on Monday nights for children K - 6th grade, cabinetry, car repair, and much more.


Much of the conversations around the tables went something like this:

"Hi, my name is _______"
"Are you a new student here?"
"What is your role here at RGBI?"
"Where are you from?"
"What country are you going to?"
"What are your children's ages and names?"
"How long have you been working at RGBI?"


Kettle Corn for everyone!


The Winter Volunteers provided the food, drinks, & deserts for the picnic.


Ben eating in the shade...it was warm today (high 70's).


Jordan preferred the sun, since he was wearing mom's shades.


Kaylee seems to be growing by leaps and bounds according to this picture.