Well, our team arrived back home safely, the home team (mom and kids) all had ugly colds to welcome Dad home with, and we immediately began our family vacation. That's the long and short of the lack of update. The away team was asked to share during the morning services at our church the Sunday following their return, so I will be posting about that shortly, when the link goes up.
In the meantime, I found this video, which I thought was thought-provoking. It details a father and son's mission trip to the Amazon in Brazil and how it affected them. The father states that it was his dream to go on a mission trip with each of his kids! What a really neat dream!!
Showing posts with label Amazon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amazon. Show all posts
Friday, August 22, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Summer Update
In December 2007 Steve and 5 of our church leaders set out on a 10-day trip to the Amazon. These men were hand-picked by Temple Baptist’s leadership, believing they had the greatest potential for impact.
These expectations were met and greatly exceeded as one pastor, three Sunday School teachers, and a military leader all returned with GREAT, entertaining, and moving stories of God’s care and provision throughout their trip.
Although this team was already missions-minded and well-traveled, for the first time they came face to face with missionaries on their own turf. Some of these missionaries are fellow Americans, some are native to South America and others are indigenous (tribal) brothers, but all share the same heart which is reaching the tribes with the gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping and empowering them to carry out the Great Commission.
Our group also attended church in a tribal village, which required a one hour boat ride and walking through about a mile of mud on a Sunday morning! (Apparently, there is an unspoken rule in the Amazon that if there is heavy rain, church is cancelled. Our team was unaware of this though. So after slogging through the mud to reach the village, the villagers took pity on them and joined their visitors at the church! J)
Upon their return, the men relayed how the trip personally impacted them as they shared during their classes and morning services. (You can listen to their accounts from January 6, 2008 at http://temple-baptist.org/. Click on pictures in the slideshow on the right for more detail.) Months later, their experiences continue to trickle down thru classes and sermons as God brings things to their minds. It’s such a joy for us to see how God has used this one trip in the hearts of this amazing group of men!
Many of our group have expressed and a desire to return to Peru after seeing the many needs. There is much that can be done to support and empower the missionaries to focus on their work. One example is construction at the Amazon Focus property. You may recall the property was purchased several years ago to use as a base for missionaries and visitors. When construction is completed, it will also house AF Field Director Irma Espinoza when she is not in the more remote villages. Sadly, construction has been slow since there is no permanent presence there to supervise or coordinate activities. Because of this the property was looted last year by people scaling the surrounding walls, peeling off roofs, and taking away doors and things of that nature. As you may imagine, without doors and roofs there is not much security!
Upon their return, there was a great excitement about partnering with the missionaries in Peru, and a desire to return this summer. Several of the men from the previous trip have been unable to return this time around, but in the interim we have picked up two “newbies”: our senior pastor and a graduate student from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) who also speaks Spanish. This trip will run August 1-10, and is quickly approaching, so we would ask you to be in prayer—both for the trip, and for Heather and the boys who will be staying at home.
These expectations were met and greatly exceeded as one pastor, three Sunday School teachers, and a military leader all returned with GREAT, entertaining, and moving stories of God’s care and provision throughout their trip.
Although this team was already missions-minded and well-traveled, for the first time they came face to face with missionaries on their own turf. Some of these missionaries are fellow Americans, some are native to South America and others are indigenous (tribal) brothers, but all share the same heart which is reaching the tribes with the gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping and empowering them to carry out the Great Commission.
Our group also attended church in a tribal village, which required a one hour boat ride and walking through about a mile of mud on a Sunday morning! (Apparently, there is an unspoken rule in the Amazon that if there is heavy rain, church is cancelled. Our team was unaware of this though. So after slogging through the mud to reach the village, the villagers took pity on them and joined their visitors at the church! J)
Upon their return, the men relayed how the trip personally impacted them as they shared during their classes and morning services. (You can listen to their accounts from January 6, 2008 at http://temple-baptist.org/. Click on pictures in the slideshow on the right for more detail.) Months later, their experiences continue to trickle down thru classes and sermons as God brings things to their minds. It’s such a joy for us to see how God has used this one trip in the hearts of this amazing group of men!
Many of our group have expressed and a desire to return to Peru after seeing the many needs. There is much that can be done to support and empower the missionaries to focus on their work. One example is construction at the Amazon Focus property. You may recall the property was purchased several years ago to use as a base for missionaries and visitors. When construction is completed, it will also house AF Field Director Irma Espinoza when she is not in the more remote villages. Sadly, construction has been slow since there is no permanent presence there to supervise or coordinate activities. Because of this the property was looted last year by people scaling the surrounding walls, peeling off roofs, and taking away doors and things of that nature. As you may imagine, without doors and roofs there is not much security!
Upon their return, there was a great excitement about partnering with the missionaries in Peru, and a desire to return this summer. Several of the men from the previous trip have been unable to return this time around, but in the interim we have picked up two “newbies”: our senior pastor and a graduate student from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) who also speaks Spanish. This trip will run August 1-10, and is quickly approaching, so we would ask you to be in prayer—both for the trip, and for Heather and the boys who will be staying at home.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Breaking Down The Barriers
A brief note from Paul Johnson, regarding the Amazon Consultation (ALTECO):
God is breaking down the barriers ... that has throttled true partnerships, and now the spirit of cooperation is stunning.... Four years ago, many skeptics told us it would take a "Red Sea caliber miracle" to get mission agencies to work together! Well guess what? He opened the sea again, and we're now learning to walk across on dry ground .. hand in hand, and shoulder to shoulder with our tribal and national brothers as well!!
- We had 72 participants - 23 returnees & 49 first timers .. more than 100% increase from 2005!
- Delegates represented 41 distinct organizations - 22 previously involved, and 19 new ones!
- In three Amazon Consultations to date, we've had a total of 142 delegates, from 54 organizations!
- There are 12 individuals from 10 organizations who have attended all three consultations to date!
- We are now in touch with a total of 86 organizations, about the annual consultations!
- We anticipate another 100% increase in 2007, and are planning for 150 - 200 participants next year!
ALTECO's focus is the 400+ tribes of the Amazon region, but the Asians and Africans have approached Alteco leaders for help in replicating what we're doing in their areas of the world as well. Of course, we're thrilled to help our brothers anywhere, and anticipate - in God's time - the formation of "GLECO" - the Global Empowerment Coalition!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Better Than Nothing?
3/16/2006
On Friday night, we heard updates from the Amazon, delivered by nationals through interpreters. The first to speak was Henrique Diaz, a Brazillian national pastor and member of an organization called CONPLEI, which is a council of indigenous pastors and evangelical leaders. In September of this year, CONPLEI will be holding a tribal conference in Brazil. Organizers are expecting 3000-4000 Indian leaders and non-tribal participants.
The story that Henrique shared at the end that most affected me was this: “In the past when someone came to speak to the native, they did not speak the language of the native… When missionaries came and gave them scriptures [in Portuguese?], the native gave back the Book and said, “If God is so interested in us, why doesn’t he speak our language?”
Maybe you're thinking, what’s the big deal?!! Imagine that you are part of an Amazonian tribe in Peru. You speak the language of your tribe, and if you are a man, you also speak some Spanish, but if you are a girl, probably not much. If there are no translations of the Bible in your tribal language, you may be given a Spanish translation instead. Though you may accept the book, it is not written in the language that speaks to your heart, and you may not understand it that well. Surprisingly, some organizations would declare your tribe to be “reached” with the gospel, because you have access to a Spanish translation.
Incidentally, I found this article about Henrique and his work, if you are interested in learning more: Son Shine in the Amazon Valley.
On Friday night, we heard updates from the Amazon, delivered by nationals through interpreters. The first to speak was Henrique Diaz, a Brazillian national pastor and member of an organization called CONPLEI, which is a council of indigenous pastors and evangelical leaders. In September of this year, CONPLEI will be holding a tribal conference in Brazil. Organizers are expecting 3000-4000 Indian leaders and non-tribal participants.
The story that Henrique shared at the end that most affected me was this: “In the past when someone came to speak to the native, they did not speak the language of the native… When missionaries came and gave them scriptures [in Portuguese?], the native gave back the Book and said, “If God is so interested in us, why doesn’t he speak our language?”
Maybe you're thinking, what’s the big deal?!! Imagine that you are part of an Amazonian tribe in Peru. You speak the language of your tribe, and if you are a man, you also speak some Spanish, but if you are a girl, probably not much. If there are no translations of the Bible in your tribal language, you may be given a Spanish translation instead. Though you may accept the book, it is not written in the language that speaks to your heart, and you may not understand it that well. Surprisingly, some organizations would declare your tribe to be “reached” with the gospel, because you have access to a Spanish translation.
Incidentally, I found this article about Henrique and his work, if you are interested in learning more: Son Shine in the Amazon Valley.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Orality
We were privileged to have Dr. James B. Slack for two sessions last week. He gave an excellent talk on “Orality”, which recognizes that many cultures (including the tribes of the Amazon) put the emphasis on storytelling to preserve history and culture and to educate their people. Historically, missionaries have brought the Bible and “non-oral” teaching to oral cultures, and ignored oral methods of teaching.
Oral cultures have very distinctive traits, which must be addressed if we are to reach the “orals” their hearts. We can come to them with our words, our expository preaching and our examples. By the grace of God, some may “get it”, but the teachings are unlikely to be taken to heart, remembered or reproduced by someone who grows up in an oral culture.
Having studied American Sign Language and having lived with and ministered to the Deaf, I confess that I found this particular topic absolutely fascinating. Jim was rattling off the many characteristics present in an oral people group, some of which are:
Another application of this address is the education of small children, since they love stories and are (as yet) unable to read and think logically. It really made me think about how I can better communicate with Ian in the future.
Oral cultures have very distinctive traits, which must be addressed if we are to reach the “orals” their hearts. We can come to them with our words, our expository preaching and our examples. By the grace of God, some may “get it”, but the teachings are unlikely to be taken to heart, remembered or reproduced by someone who grows up in an oral culture.
Having studied American Sign Language and having lived with and ministered to the Deaf, I confess that I found this particular topic absolutely fascinating. Jim was rattling off the many characteristics present in an oral people group, some of which are:
- Emphasis on storytelling to teach and to preserve culture
- Reluctance to ask questions
- Unfamiliarity with rationality and logic
- Respond emotionally to ideas contrary to accepted teaching
- Very tight cultural relationships which orals are reluctant to severe
- Repetition is important
- Inability to understand or remember outlines
Another application of this address is the education of small children, since they love stories and are (as yet) unable to read and think logically. It really made me think about how I can better communicate with Ian in the future.
Thursday, March 9, 2006
The Challenge Before Us
Thursday night’s sessions began with Paul Johnson laying out “The Challenge Before Us”. Some time ago, the question was asked to missionaries, “If we take all the missionaries out of the Amazon, how many of the tribes could stand on their own?” The surprising (to me) response? 2-5%! So the challenge placed before us is that our strategy must change dramatically and soon.
What Paul was talking about, in a word, is self-sufficiency. Another word? Empowerment. Think of a father-son relationship. Within tribes, a father will teach his son to hunt or to fish. The father doesn’t teach so he can sit back and let his son do all the work. He also doesn’t teach so his son can go off on his own, disregarding the family either. The father teaches his son the skills that he needs to help contribute to the family, and to be able to take care of himself, if he ever needs to.
In an ideal world, the relationship between missionaries and tribes would be like the relationship between the father and son just mentioned. But missionaries have been reluctant to teach the skills, or to step back and encourage the tribal Christians to exercise their gifts. The issue is full of cultural complexities on both sides, but the end result has been that the missionaries believe that the Amazonian church will not be able to function when and if they leave. Clearly, this is not what God intends for the Amazonian churches.
The Bible teaches us that we all need each other. We are all part of one body, and we are each given a gift by the Spirit that is meant to be used within the Body. The key is in the equipping. “…these entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” So the challenge before us is to equip and empower the Amazonian churches. The difficulty is that empowerment is difficult to accomplish and hard to measure. The fruit will come in the long run, but we are a results-oriented society, so we (our donors, our organizations and churches) want to see the fruit now.
The harsh reality is that many of the South American countries have already begun kicking out the missionaries. More are thinking about it. Peru is currently moving to block access to the tribes. A candidate in the current Peruvian election has stated that he wants the missionaries out. So the time is now to move from dependency on the missionaries to dependency on God.
What Paul was talking about, in a word, is self-sufficiency. Another word? Empowerment. Think of a father-son relationship. Within tribes, a father will teach his son to hunt or to fish. The father doesn’t teach so he can sit back and let his son do all the work. He also doesn’t teach so his son can go off on his own, disregarding the family either. The father teaches his son the skills that he needs to help contribute to the family, and to be able to take care of himself, if he ever needs to.
In an ideal world, the relationship between missionaries and tribes would be like the relationship between the father and son just mentioned. But missionaries have been reluctant to teach the skills, or to step back and encourage the tribal Christians to exercise their gifts. The issue is full of cultural complexities on both sides, but the end result has been that the missionaries believe that the Amazonian church will not be able to function when and if they leave. Clearly, this is not what God intends for the Amazonian churches.
The Bible teaches us that we all need each other. We are all part of one body, and we are each given a gift by the Spirit that is meant to be used within the Body. The key is in the equipping. “…these entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” So the challenge before us is to equip and empower the Amazonian churches. The difficulty is that empowerment is difficult to accomplish and hard to measure. The fruit will come in the long run, but we are a results-oriented society, so we (our donors, our organizations and churches) want to see the fruit now.
The harsh reality is that many of the South American countries have already begun kicking out the missionaries. More are thinking about it. Peru is currently moving to block access to the tribes. A candidate in the current Peruvian election has stated that he wants the missionaries out. So the time is now to move from dependency on the missionaries to dependency on God.
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