New Year's Post 2of 3

December 31, 2011

Though Christmas came and past relatively uneventfully, New Years has given me the opportunity to stop and reflect on the good things that God has given me and allowed me to enjoy.  He is so perfectly good, yet somehow I more often than not, tend to put my life in cruise control and watch it all pass me by.  Unfortunately in the end, I feel I very seldom stop to give thanks to the author of every good and perfect gift for all the perfect things which He allows to come into my life.

This year 2012 I want to capitalize on with full gratitude every delicious morsel of life, and use it for His glory.  2011 presented me the opportunity to visit eight new countries Argentina, Uruguay, Chili, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, two new states, Wisconsin, and Delaware and revisit some amazing cities like Chicago, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Charleston, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Bogota, Colombia.

Every year seems to be successively more exciting than the last and I can truly say that my life has been more exciting than I could have ever dreamed. 

When I rang in 2009 I was nearly engaged to my girlfriend of over three years.  There is no telling where I would be had she not broken my heart and shaken my world in mid December of that year.  It is difficult to believe that just over two years have passed since I received that phone call.  I have been blessed beyond comprehension and it could never have been possible had she not had the courage to do something that must have been so difficult.  We both knew somehow deep down we were meant for different things.  Life was taking us in opposite directions, but that first step, that decision, that phone call was so difficult at the time.

So here I am sitting just one hour to 12:00-00:00:01 A.M. 2012, in Taiwan.  I am listening to my favorite old country songs, missing my family, counting my blessings, and reflecting on Isaiah 55:8-9.

“’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Before that clock ticks midnight—Be honest do any of us really use a clock that strikes midnight?  Anyway, before that clock points up, I want to take this a fleeting moment and truly count all my blessings.  We get so busy in the day to day that this is such an important time to remember all that Christ has done for us, where we have been, and prepare ourselves to confidently march onward, wherever He leads.  So I raise my glass, and wish you all

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

New Year's Post 1of3

Today Dec. 31st, 2011, I have been reflecting on the things God has given me, the places He has allowed me to visit, and the people He has allowed to influence my life.
Though you were so good to me 2011 and trust me you will be sorely missed, I am quit anxious to meet your brother 2012. I will greet him with equal excitement and anticipation for I know I will readily take every opportunity he presents, and I am sure 2012 will be a great year to be beautiful ;)

Buzios

If you life ever takes you to Rio, take a few days and travel just north to an amazingly quaint little town called Buzios.  Though this is an old city and very historic, it is renown for it's clear waters, spectacular beaches (nearly 100 I believe), and quiet coves that can be explored and enjoyed in solitude.  Due to it's popularity it becomes quit exciting at night and the city lights up with a life of it's own after sunset.

August 14, 2010
I just returned from the Buzios peninsula.  An exciting place with many beaches ranging from quiet and secluded to long populated beaches with great sun and fantastic waves.  Because it was overcast and somewhat rainy this weekend, I was able to enjoy the wildlife.  I observed a sea turtle as he explored a cove where I was meandering.  I also had the opportunity to watch a small penguin darting around the docks in search for something to eat.  He was so cute as he dove and dashed through the water looking for fishes!  With great patience I was finally successful in obtaining a few pictures of him.

As I left the peninsula saddened that it hadn't been sunny but thankful for the chance to have a quiet retreat, I noticed a verse.  I had never noticed Job 12:7-8 until now but here is what it says, "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the fowls of the air, shall tell thee: or speak to the earth and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee."  Thankful to find this verse after a great weekend of observing interesting wildlife.

Pedro de Gavia--Basket Rock

August 7, 2010

Pedro de Gavia

I always knew that when I left Rio I would have experienced more than most cariocas ever will, and explore more of their own city than they dare.  Living in the favelas was one such adventure, but I also recall a leisure trip that I made to one of the highest peaks along the coast, Pedro de Gavia (Basket Rock).  It was a fabulous Saturday and after 10 hours of uphill climbing, hiking, and scrambling we finally reached the pentacle. 

I will never forget that feeling, hours inside the humid jungles of Rio, strenuous uphill trekking and then suddenly the canopy lifted.  We had reached the top, and from that point only lush grasses grew on a flat plain like clearing.  We were surrounded by scenery.  The Statue of the Christ watching over the city, all the famous beaches laid out to our east (i.e. impanima, Copacabana, ect.), and lush jungle mountains to our west.  It was one of the most amazing views I have ever seen.  It truly was a fantastic day, and a much needed rest from the dirt and grim of daily life in the favela.

Weekend by weekend, trip by trip, lesson by lesson, I was becoming a traveler, but I had so many lessons to learn and so much to see and experience.  Taking out all my frustrations on the side of this mountain makes for a relaxing weekend and offers an amazing who go the distance.  Now it is time to take what I have learned and returned Gamboa, my favela.

The Illusion of Safety.

August 5, 2010

Proverbs 1:33, “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”

As I discussed previously I had been experiencing an overwhelming peace of mind and security knowing that Christ had a plan for my life and He was watching over me.  I have begun to notice local firearm possession.  Though it is extremely difficult to legal own guns in Brasil the black market makes the enjoying ownership of a weapon easier than ever.  I have had them flashed at me even, but I quickly walk away and have felt never felt legitimately fearful to date.  I always just continue walking briskly away.  Also I had just learned that only a year prier to my arrival in Gamboa it would not have been uncommon for a foreigner to be shot and robbed if it were known he was carrying a camera!

“Dwell safely” I kept pondering this verse and the more I pondered the deeper the realization that no evil can befall us as long as we are following Him.  Which then raised a new question, “What is safety”? Job was safe because God was protecting him, yet he still suffered many things.

Everyone has the desire to explore new horizons, yet over every mountain we see another, taller, more compelling peak.  South America is my mountain and from the peaks of Brasil I can somehow see clearly.  God is revealing His beauty in nature and through people, the children we spend time with and the adults we encourage are a true inspiration.  Men consumed with anger and alcoholism, churches controlled by Catholicism, women swallowed up by jealousy and husbands living in infidelity, drugs enslaving communities.  Yes, Satan has a hold in Rio, but we “dwell safely”.

I began to realize that safety is just an illusion.  A blanket that many of us need to live out our lives.  I realize however, that the imaginary blanket of safety is much like the nuclear drills conducted in public schools during the cold war.  Children would practice getting under their desks in the event of a nuclear attack.  Anyone would have known that sitting under ones desk would no more prevent injury from a nuclear attack than an umbrella would shield against an erupting volcano!  Safety is a state of being, we are only safe when God is protecting us, regardless of the neighborhood we select, the schools we attend, the job where we work, or the activities we engage in.  In Rio despite a seemingly dangerous environment I was safe, and for the time I was at home.  God was protecting me and no one could stand against us.

The Rainy Season in Gamboa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

August 4, 2010 I remember the night, standing under a shelter on the roof of our mission at the top of a large hill, at the base of a large Gamboa, the poorest, most dangerous favela in Rio. It was apparent that this was very dangerous, filled with drug lords, it was a constant hot spot between police and ‘trafficas’ the drug dealers.

That night rain was pouring down on the streets Gamboa, and on nights like these she seems so mournfully sad.  Typically the sound of samba music filled the air, and boisterous drunks talked loudly amongst themselves.  I loved Gamboa, I knew God had brought me to her I was not sure if I were to have a great impact on this city, or if it were she that would be the impacting force upon my life.   I stared down at her from my rooftop porch meditating on the life of Christ and how he was led around the countryside from place to place.  I wonder if he always knew why or if He took sometimes just took a step of faith not completely sure of what work the Father would have him to do.  The Bible is clear that we cannot control the harvest.  All we can do is pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers.  We can only scatter the seeds that we are given.

Yesterday, the most encouraging thing happened. A man who speaks no English had been watching my brother and I meticulously work, painting and cleaning. He came up to us and using only ‘sign language’ explained that he had never seen any missionaries who cared as much as we did.  He said that he knew Christ lived in our hearts because we not only took time to do a job that desperately needed doing, we did it well.  (Brasilians take shortcuts whenever possible). I can only suppose the American volunteers do also. He would continue to be of the biggest blessing during my time in Rio. With his animated expressions and over the top motions he could explain nearly any concept, idea, or event relying solely on nonverbal communication! It was actually an amazing sight to behold.

My city may be glumy tonight, but I can see beauty in the eyes of the children, the cooks who love to mother their ‘American boys’ and the ladies who have come from such broken and abusive homes and yet giggle like little girls when our blue eyes look their way and we smile caringly at them.   True this city has its share of darkness, but God is protecting me from what lies in the allies and up in the favelas. I pray that He can use me as a light as He reveals the struggles that some of these locals face daily.  He is the Light, I am only His messenger, but I pray that I will allow myself to be used to fullest to accomplish and experience all He has waiting for me here in Gamboa.

Hong Kong!

November 21, 2011

“In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5

A few hours ago I was giddy with anticipation.  Now my heart and legs sink beneath me.  I ease to the ledge to see a thirty five feet plunge to the pool at the base of these falls, in Northern Hong Kong.  I can barely stand much less I fear be able to clear the simple foot or two of rocks in order to smoothly sail into the clear cold waters below. 

I step away, laugh at the decision I am about to make, give myself a countdown, and suddenly find myself hurling from my perch.  My body goes weightless, I feel exhilarated and freed from the fear that held me clutching to the rock just seconds earlier.  Then none to quickly the wait is over and my body crashes into the cold water.  I did it!  I conquered my fear and jumped from a cliff after a tough mountain hike.  What a wonderful feeling!

There is a lesson to be learned.  As I stood on the cliff I kept pondering, for some reason, the words of Dr. Gothard.  He correctly claims that too often we allow our mind to be in control.  We rationalize and attempt to unlock scripture using our minds. But God is bigger than that, His word is more powerful than that, our minds hold us to the things we can know.  I know I am safe on that cliff.  When we however, take our mind out of control—ie taking a few step run and belaying ourselves off the cliff that is when our spirit is truly free to experience all the wonderful things God wants to reveal to us.

My mind is too often in control.  I had to completely shut it down to make this jump.  It just didn’t make sense.  Why would people jump off a cliff and free fall into the water?  But I was not going to be content until I had experienced for myself.  My prayer is that God will help me take my mind off the throne in all other areas of my life so that in my spirit I can feel the same freedom that my mind and body felt free falling earlier.

Which brings to a question that always brings a smile to face in its simplicity yet depth which I cannot fully explain, “How did I end up in Asia?” and also, “What is my true purpose here?”  I do not yet know, I cannot explain, but I am so satisfied that He did.  “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Psalm 34:8

Leaving my Mountain Top

“I’ll live my life to the fullest. I’ll be happy.  I will be more joyful than I have ever been.  I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world.  I will be bold and not change who I really am.”

            “I will wipe away the bad memories and only remember the good.  In fact that is all I remember, just good moments, I will set an example for others, I will pray for direction.”  Brooke Bronkowski

            I found this to be appropriate for all Christians to live by.  Brooke was actually only twelve years old when she wrote this profound mission statement.  After purposing to live her life in this way she gave away hundreds of Bibles before she died—at the age of fourteen.

            As I sit, pondering the depth of this quote and the ramifications of living my life in such a way, my mind wanders back to my first week in Brasil, July 26^th 2010.

Out in the jungles, we spent our days completing grueling manual labor using only the most basic tools i.e. shovel, pick, and hammer.  I truly have enjoyed getting to know my team members and learning character traits from each.  Bob the inventor and civil engineer demonstrated leadership and determination.  From Zack my fellow worker I saw Christ, I saw Him in his patience, sincerity and light-hearted personality.  From Alyssa and all the Brazilians I noticed hard work and determination.  Many of them going from job to job tirelessly, I felt I would give out soon, my knees and back were screaming for mercy, but I will not be a stereo-type.  If they are working I will work, if they rest only then do I rest.  Somehow all the work I was doing was in quiet anticipation of going back, back to my mountain.

            God had giving me a fantastic week.  Upon completion of our 3 days of intense labor, we began a two day VBS for the local children.  They are fantastic and very anxious to practice their English with me.  Much to their surprise I do play volleyball at their level.  As I dove into the sand bloodying my knee and setting the ball smoothly into the air for an easy spike I earned their respect.  “The gringo is here to play.”

After a full day of fellowship and broken communication we sat by a bonfire.  One of the locals began to play his guitar, and as music tickled our ears the flame enticed our vision.  I sat quietly nestled warmly in my coat listening to Rick play love songs from past decades and watched as the flames tried to lick the stars above.

It is so cold there in the mountains at night, the mosquitoes though painfully abundant during the day are nowhere to be found after sunset.  I was so thankful to my sister for encouraging me to bring my pea coat.  I was saddened to think that tomorrow would be my last day here in the mountains.  I was however, quit excited at the thought of catching a bus back to the favela, my home.  I will begin my work, and language studies, I will begin immersing myself in the culture and becoming a wanderer. 

There I was ankles swollen from mosquito bites, muscles aching from working and chasing children, but somehow perfectly relaxed, perfectly at peace, perfectly ready to begin my new mission.  Rio seems so far away now.   Maybe this is what is meant by living life to the fullest, I certainly had never felt so satisfied and so fulled as I did at that very moment.  Sitting at that campfire, observing the beauty of the Southern Cross, a constellation so perfectly majestic yet quietly tucked far out of view from the entire northern hemisphere, listening to the quiet guitar and Portuguese musician, perfectly content and ready to go wherever life would take me.  God had taught me and shown me so much here, but now it was time to go into the world to apply these lessons of faith and self-sacrifice.

My Journey of a Thousand Miles

Brasil the stepping stone toward a new life, it was my Declaration of Independence!  I hope most of my readers have had such an experience.  Most often this occurs at age 3-6ish.  You have stood with your face pressed against the glass your entire life, but then you are given permission to go.  Unsure of the reality of what is actually taking place you cautiously glare at the parent who is slowly opening the door and encouraging you to be—independent!   As you burst out of the house with excitement you undoubtedly tripped within the first 5 or 6 steps, only a minor setback however, in your quest to explore!  They are giving you permission to explore uncharted territory’s sail to the equator, journey to the moon, climb Mt. Everest, or at least wander aimlessly around the backyard drooling and chasing a stupid red ball which is only rolling because you clumsily kick it every time you try to pick it up.  But in the perspective of the young tike this is an equally important and challenging charter.

The Journey of a Thousand Miles, Begins with a Single Step.
~Ancient Chinese Proverb

The Brasilian (They spell it this way so why do we change it) Jungle

Sunlight, it is a fascinating thing when it is being gently strained through the tropical canopy of the Brasilian forests.  The entire area seems to come alive for just a fleeting moment as nocturnal creatures return to their homes, and diurnal animals arouse from their sleep.  As I hiked through those woods, observing all the many creatures, the transition is a fantastic thing to observe.

Life had taken me down, Rio de Janeiro, the land of Sun, Fun, and Samba!  God provided a place for us to live and work, which despite not getting paid, we did to our fullest.  In return we were provided with room and board.  I knew I was exactly where God wanted me for the moment.  Here in the mountains, with a group of U.S. Methodist missionaries, repairing churches in the countryside.  Safely tucked away from the noise and distractions in the city of Rio de Janeiro, I was several hours inland in the mountains.

The previous night I had sat atop a bald mountain top starring in wonder at the constellations.  I had seen them my whole life, leisurely taking note of different stars and their positions.  That night, I saw them for the first time upside down.  My favorite, the Southern Cross, sits so perfectly and quietly just over the horizon, safely hidden from the entire northern hemisphere.  This experience was a stark realization of how far from home I actually am and how uncertain my new life will be.  This is not a vacation this is my new home.  God has given me one week in the mountains as a gift, a retreat, but the time here was not to be squandered frivolously, I must take every advantage of this time in order to be prepared for the work ahead.

As the Sunlight now piercing strongly through the trees, my position is exposed and some very loud birds proudly announce my presence.  All the forest creatures are driven away and I rush down the mountain knowing breakfast is waiting and I am not to be late.  I spend the day working very hard, and counting the hours.  Secretly desiring more than anything to rush back to this mountain in anticipation of seeing the new birds, frogs, snakes, and stars which will certainly come out to dance again tonight!

Taipei, Taiwan

How did I end up in Asia?

Welcome to Taipei.  This is me standing in front of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in the capital and largest city of Taiwan, an independent island nation off the coast of China.  Things eastern can seem very foreign to a world traveler from the western hemisphere, travelling east for the first time.  Being in Asia is very different from life in the west.  The food, language, and culture seem so foreign.  How I got here seems so surreal looking back, the transformation, the heartbreak, the turning of events all worked together to bring me here for some purpose that I may never come to realize.

My name is Jared.  I am in my mid 20's, and have my entire life lived in North Carolina.  I was so ambitious once.  I graduated high school with honors then even earned my bachelor’s degree from Campbell University, also in NC.  I made good grades and took a job in the capital city, Raleigh, NC.  I had a beautiful girl friend, who everyone ‘knew’ would soon be my wife.  Then we would have a few children and I would have ‘arrived’.  Yes, I was soon to realize the American Dream.

Just before my twenty-fourth birthday, I said No!  I woke up and realized that the American dream was not my dream.  I realized that I could not be satisfied with the mundane existence of work, wife, mortgage, kids, and church.  I offered my employer a 30 day notice of resignation despite concerns by my parents, family members, and financial advisor.  I was standing against the establishment.  Standing against the establishment in the middle of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, I had surely lost my mind. 

There is a way that you should do the things you are “supposed to do”.  Good things: go to church, pray, work hard, save for retirement, get married, have kids.  The good things that are clearly the way life is supposed to be lived out, somehow began to get more and more blurry.  As I refocused I noticed something out of the ordinary.  Many of the things I was “supposed to do”, I wasn’t and many things I “wasn’t”, well those were the very things that I was. 

My life was turning south—literally.  I didn’t know how far south it was taking me exactly, but with a one-way direct flight out of the Queen City, Charlotte, NC, to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil life was definitely taking me south!  I was twenty-four and running from everything known, everything safe, everything stable, everything me!  The only problem was I literally, did not know where I was headed, or how I would get there.  They say if you don’t know where your going you might end up somewhere else, ironically enough, I was quit welcoming of this possibility.