This week, I’m leading a missions team to Costa Rica to support The Abraham Project, and two full-time missionaries that we (Grace Community Church) sent here to Costa Rica, Jason and Kerby Harpst. I’ll be blogging daily about our progress here.

God made dirt…

My once gray shoes are now a dull shade of brown, their soles are peeling back from the toes to the heel.

My shorts have the same dusty look and feel.

My favorite UT hat has lost its orange luster.

My face is a mix of burned red/brown, and my legs hurt like they’ve never hurt before.

But it’s the best kind of dirty/hot/sore/tired kind of feeling possible.

Today was our last day of work on the field, and it was by far the hottest. Wiping sweat and sunscreen from our weary eyes, we trudged to grade a bit more. It was all I could do to swing the pickaxe for a few hours to break up that dry, packed dirt. And I’m pretty sure that the dirt that we wheelbarrowed out weighed more today than yesterday. That’s possible, right?

The girls got manicures/pedicures this morning…but not so that they could sit around and be pampered. One of the families that’s a part of The Abraham Project does nails on the side, and our girls’ business today was a big blessing for her. It gave her family a little boost in income for the day/week.

The orphans

This afternoon, we had a chance to play with the children one last time. While playing soccer, I got the ball kicked right where it counts…but afterwards, I wowed them with my lame, amateurish magic trick. Had them thinking I was pulling a rubber ball out of their ear. Got ‘em every time.

It’s hard to believe that anyone would want to leave their child behind and cease to take care of him/her. These orphans are the sweetest children you’ll ever meet.

Leaving them to get on the bus was much more difficult than anyone on our team anticipated.

On to our last day here.

¡hasta luega

the field we worked on all week

All of the guys that we worked with.

me and my buddy, Victor, the 2nd man in charge on site

wow-wing with a little magic

 

This week, I’m leading a missions team to Costa Rica to support The Abraham Project, and two full-time missionaries that we (Grace Community Church) sent here to Costa Rica, Jason and Kerby Harpst. I’ll be blogging daily about our progress here.

But you know it’s going to be a long day when a team member gets excited right out of the gate because there’s a piece of broken concrete where only dirt clods should reside.

As our day progressed and we continued connecting with the workers, one of them asked me, “Do you like country music?” Not wanting to sound pretentious with my nuanced love of New-grass music, I said, “Yes.” I tried explaining that country music started in Nashville, close to where I live. I asked if he knew Garth Brooks. Nope. Then they asked if I liked music videos. Again, a simple, “Yes” was easiest. Castillo wondered if I’d seen a music video with a guy that had long hair, a pony tail, wore a kilt and played a harmonica. That wasn’t ringing a bell with me, as I’m sure it’s not with you.

Then he sang the chorus. Instantly, it was “Karma Chameleon” by Boy George.

It’s a shame that, of all American music, a Boy George song would stand the test of time. Even Boy George fans would say that’s a shame.

Today, in addition to the same schedule as yesterday (some of us digging, some of us teaching children the Bible), we got to hear from Pastor Jorge, the founder of The Abraham Project. Over a decade ago, Jorge came to speak at a local church here in Costa Rica. There were 7 people present, and they planned on soon shutting the doors forever. After the service, through praying with some of the members, the Lord spoke to Jorge. He began to see the potential that was here for building a children’s home that would house orphans, but he only had $20 in his pocket.

He said

Abraham took a step of faith even though he didn’t know where he was going.

God had planted a big vision into the heart of Jorge, but it was a vision bigger than Jorge could do on his own.

He went on to say:

Before you get to the promised land, there will be many battles, but if He’s called you there you’ll get there.

Now, his $20 has multiplied into The Abraham Project, an organization worth over $2,000,000.

He challenged our team with this:

Take the $20 in your project and start a project that will grow to over $2 million.

Pastor Jorge addressing our group

After lunch, we took a tour of the new piece of property that The Abraham Project owns, a 2.5 acre plot valued at $750,000 (but bought for ~$250,000). Their future plans including building 4 more children’s homes and a parking lot (the current building has very little space for parking). A river snakes around the edge of the property…it’s going to be beautiful once complete.

Currently, the land is full of coffee trees and banana trees. I got to try my first ever coffee cherry. The green coffee bean resides in the center of the cherry. If the cherry’s ripe, it’ll be red. It was as delightful as I expected.

Unpicked green (unripe) and red (ripe) coffee cherries.

This man graciously shared some of his picked coffee cherries with us.

 

This week, I’m leading a missions team to Costa Rica to support The Abraham Project, and two full-time missionaries that we (Grace Community Church) sent here to Costa Rica, Jason and Kerby Harpst. I’ll be blogging daily about our progress here.

Buenos Dias

I seem to wake up earlier and earlier every day.

Maybe it’s because of eager anticipation.

Maybe it’s because God has big plans and wants me up extra early.

Or maybe it’s because of that crazy bird just outside of my window that I hear squawking directly in my ear. I digress.

Today was another tough work day, but was broken up by one of the founding members of The Abraham Project, Steve Thomas. Steve helped us understand more of what The Abraham Project is all about, and the massive amount of children they’ve taken in. He shared countless tear-enducing stories of children that had been treated worse than any human being should ever be treated. Steve had our group at rapt attention, then he dropped this nugget of wisdom on us:

I can tell you more and more about where they have come from. But I’m more excited about where they’re going. Steve told us about how so many of their children had been adopted by loving, God-honoring families.

our team, listening to Steve, with the church building in the background

He went on to say that he sees The Abraham project as an organization sending out future missionaries and preachers to the ends of the earth. They are playing a pivotal role on these young men and women’s journey to sharing the Gospel with people of all nations.

To those of you who think your work this week is meaningless…it’s not.

Today and tomorrow, our team is splitting up during part of our day, with half of us leading a Bible study with the children at The Abraham Project day care. The other half are shoveling dirt, making snail’s progress on the field, building relationships with the workers, and getting so dirty that our white towels still look brown after a shower.

Oh, and I broke my once-every-two-decades self-imposed rule: I played soccer again.

And I told an old lady that I loved her. My Spanish is admittedly weak. And apparently hilarious to a group of women.

And being 11 degrees from the equator means that the sun is hotter. Which, for a gringo like me, means a sunburn. Even if you slather it on twice in 6 hours. Being closer to the sun really matters. (there’s probably a cheesy Christian bumper sticker somewhere in that last sentence, something like: “Stay close to the Son and you’ll get a tan”)

Here’s to the power of sunscreen.

Buenas noches.

 

This week, I’m leading a missions team to Costa Rica to support The Abraham Project, and two full-time missionaries that we (Grace Community Church) sent here to Costa Rica, Jason and Kerby Harpst. I’ll be blogging daily about our progress here.

So I played soccer for the first time in 15 years.

I also played soccer for the last time I’ll play in 15 years.

I got roasted. I did score the most goals for all the ‘gringos,’ but I think I’ve had my fill.

Where's Waldo?

said field, see below for details

Today was our first work day. We’re clearing a field that’s been used as an outdoor soccer field for decades. We’re prepping it for concrete. The whole project, concrete and all, will be done by March. Which may sound crazy, except that it’s all being done by hand. What would take a day and a half with a Bobcat will take months by hand. Back home, I built a patio in my backyard by hand, doing the exact same prep work that I’m doing here. Except that my backyard patio is 10′x16′. This field is at least 100′x100′.

Working alongside the Costa Ricans has been great. Working through a combination of broken English/Spanish must be humorous for the Costa Ricans, but makes me want to learn Spanish.

The foreman on site, Oruca, has an amazing story of faith, having fallen over 200 feet while working at the Abraham Project to what should have been his death. He was rushed to the hospital, woke up, and asked his friend, who drove him, “Am I in heaven?” Turns out that his fall, which included crashing through two roofs, left him with only a few bruises. Which meant that the next day, he was expected back at the worksite.

Oruca runs a tight ship. But he’s a great man of God, with a deep faith. He’s consistently ministering to people who are deeply entrenched in gangs and drug trafficking. In fact, one of the guys he’s been ministering to came to church on Sunday. He heard the sermon I prepared, and “las cadenas se desprendió” (translation: “the chains came off.”) I tell you this not to brag, because I didn’t preach my sermon. It must have been God working.

I prepared the sermon. Byron Wolfe delivered it. Joseph translated it. And God was working through the whole thing. Pretty amazing, if you ask me.

Well, it’s on to supper. We’re throwing Jason and Kerby Harpst a baby shower tonight. They don’t know it’s coming. And believe me…they deserve a surprise. They’re working their tails off here, and are absolute super stars, ministering hope and life to children that the world has said don’t deserve anything. And last time I checked, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

¡hasta mañana

top left: Jason and Kerby Harpst, Laura (my wife), me, Oruka, John Lachowicz, Jo Blease // bottom left: Kris and Byron Wolfe, Shelly Goodman, Justin Winn

 

This week, I’m leading a missions team to Costa Rica to support The Abraham Project, and two full-time missionaries that we sent here to Costa Rica, Jason and Kerby Harpst. I’ll be blogging daily about our progress here.

We have arrived

We arrived yesterday in Costa Rica. It was, quite possibly, the longest day of my life.

We started the day at 2:30, a.m., in Clarksville, TN, and  didn’t land in Costa Rica until 6:00 pm.

On top of that, I’m sick.

What’s the only thing worse than getting sick in an airport? 

You’d be correct if you answered, “Also getting sick on a plane.”

I started getting sick in Miami, and I haven’t stopped that process. I’m on the mends now, but not back up to full strength yet.

I was super excited about preaching this morning, on the value that the Gospel places on community. This hits squarely in the middle of my passion. I was really excited about it, but since I’m sick, I’m having to hand my notes off to another team member. He’ll do a great job, for sure…I just hate that I’m not going to be able to deliver the sermon myself.

Our team is headed to an amusement park this afternoon to spend some time with the children. It’s going to rock…even if I’m not there.

Thanks for the prayers.

 

Right now, I’m on my way to Costa Rica.

I’m leading a team from Grace Community Church to support a couple of missionaries that we sent down, Jason and Kerby Harpst. Before they left, I interviewed them HERE. They’re affiliated with The Abraham Project.

We’ll be doing some construction and cleanup, as well as working with the children at the orphanage, teaching them stories from the Bible.

Please pray for our team, that we would lead well, proclaim the Gospel with much fervor, work hard, and that God’s favor would be on our team and on the people we’ll be ministering to, and with.

I’ll be posting updates, and pictures, throughout the week. 

 

image credit: Sandara Lee

We write because we want to effect change.

So why are we not consistently effecting the change we want to see?

Because the words and phrases we use often convey a lack of conviction. When we communicate with a lack of conviction, it shows a level of fear and disbelief.

Often, our words hold the beauty and power of our message hostage.

If we have the most beautiful, life-changing, hope-inspiring message in the history of humanity, shouldn’t we desire it be communicated with courage and conviction?

If we’re convinced that Jesus really is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, shouldn’t our words reflect the courage and commitment we experience in our hearts?

I recently wrote a blog post expanding on this idea for Jeff Goins’ blog. You can read the whole thing HERE.

* Image credit: Creation Swap user Sandara Lee

 

We’ve constructed a new leadership development pathway for our small group leaders at Grace Community Church.

I talked about it on a guest post I wrote for Matt Steen right HERE.

Here’s a video that I put together for our leaders, with help from Dustin York and Brian Coleman. *Make sure you watch about the 1:50 -2:05 mark for a cool effect that we incorporated.

 

image credit: Creation Swap User Rob Gros

I grew up in a Christian home. My parents were, and still are, amazingly solid followers of Jesus. I look to them and, when I grow up, want to

• Have a marriage like theirs
• Follow Jesus like they do
• Lead like they do
• Find wisdom like they’ve found

They did a great job pointing me to Jesus and, at the ripe age of 6, I began following Him. I didn’t understand it all. But I understood enough to know that, without Jesus, I didn’t have a relationship with God. And I desperately wanted a relationship with Him!

So my journey began.

As I got into high school, I started hearing “those testimonies.” You know which ones I’m talking about. The radical conversions. The “I was a drug addict when I walked in tonight, and now I follow Jesus and I don’t even want for those drugs anymore.” The “I slept with every guy I looked at for 5 years…and now I love Jesus.”

Part of me, the sinful part of me for sure, wished I had a testimony like that. I mean, come on…I began following Jesus when I was 6. What kind of serious trouble can I get in by then? If I’d waited a few years, say, at least 10, maybe I could’ve added a bit of flair to my testimony. I wish I had a cool story. For a few reasons:

1. I bet they had a crazy amount of fun. Sure, it was empty. Sure, it didn’t ultimately satisfy. But dang, they had a good time doing it! (I know…don’t judge me. You’ve had those thoughts too). I know Christians can, and should, have fun, but…

2. They can look back on their life and assuredly say, “I’m different now that I follow Jesus.” From drugs to hugs. From passionate love with the opposite sex…to passionately following Jesus. From fights with classmates to fights with the devil. From…ok, I’ll stop. You get the picture.

That second reason really hung over me. And if I can be honest, some days it still tries to hook me in. “You’re not really different” I hear whispered. “What has Jesus really done in your life?” is shot my way. “Are you sure you’re following Jesus?” enters my doubt.

If I only had a sexy testimony!

The homely testimony

But wait. My testimony is sexy. It is radical. It is powerful.

Once I was lost, and now I’m found. Once I was an enemy, and now I’m a son. Once I was bent against God, and now He’s my friend. Once I was pointing towards an eternity apart from Jesus, and now eternity with Him has begun.

The radical part of anyone’s salvation isn’t the “sin” part. It’s not in highlighting the depth of depravity that the human soul can dive. It’s in highlighting the love of a beautiful King who’s kind enough to save a sinner like me. It’s in pointing people to a God who rescues the powerless. Pointing people to a God who is gracious enough to save someone who, at the age of 6, doesn’t even fully grasp the depth of His love. Someone who, at the age of 6, has no idea what life holds and how grace will be such a powerful part of it.

A word to the doubters

I share this because I know I’m not the only one who has doubts. I’m not the only one who doesn’t have a radical conversion story. I’m not the only one who has sinned more after I began following Jesus than before.

And I’m not the only one who needs a reminder that salvation is about highlighting the love of a good King whose willing and able to rescue.

Question:

Ever doubted?

*image credit: creation swap user Rob Gros

 

I ask small group leaders often, “Who is your apprentice? Your Co-leader? What potential leaders do you have in your group?”

The reply I get more than any other is this:

Nobody in my group is anywhere near ready to lead other people.

I guarantee you, though, if I were to sit in their group meeting, I could pick out a handful of potential leaders.

I’ve found that the word “potential” is a tough word to grasp. We often jump right over it. Instead of “potential,” we hear “proven.” Or “ready.” Or “perfect.”

photo credit: Ahisgett (Creative Commons)

“Potential” is different. Think back to your days in science class, where you learned about the difference between potential energy and kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. It’s the energy of work. The more work you do, the more kinetic energy you produce. The faster you move, the more kinetic energy you build up.

Potential energy is energy that’s stored up, waiting for an outside mover. Waiting for a nudge, a kick, or a “suggestion.” It’s hard to “see” potential energy. A roller coaster, at the top of a hill, has potential energy. A ball, just before it’s dropped, has lots of potential energy. A spring, when fully outstretched, has lots of potential energy.

When I’m sitting with a leader, asking what other “potential” leaders are present in their group, they are looking for “kinetic energy” leaders. They’re looking for someone who’s already leading. They want to suggest someone whose kinetic energy is building, not someone who has potential energy stored up.

Someone who has potential energy may look uncommitted and unmotivated. They may appear lazy. It may seem that they’re far from being ready to lead.

Seeing Potential

Seeing potential is tough, because you can’t look at who, or what, is in front of you. You’re looking at what’s in front of someone else. Often, what’s in front of them is something that they haven’t seen themselves. Potential energy isn’t moving mountains and creating waves. Potential energy may be sitting calmly, not realizing the kinetic energy right in front of them.

Which is exactly why they need a nudge. From you.

Here are 6 easy ways to nudge to a potential leader

1. Tell them that you believe in them. And mean it. Encouragement goes a long way in nudging a potential leader.

2. Tell them the potential you see in them. Help paint a picture for them of what could be if they were to lead.

3. Give them a chance to lead, and set things up for an easy win.

4. Ask for feedback on your own leadership. Ask them how they think you could improve.

5. Read a book on leadership…together. Meet as you’re reading through it, and discuss observations you find.

6. Give them authority over an area of your organization, or over a special project. Trust them to make decisions and lead well, and follow up to ensure they feel supported and are growing.

Question:

Do you find it difficult to spot potential leaders? How do you give them a nudge?

* photo credit: Ahisgett