All Over the World this Gospel is Bearing Fruit and Growing

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.  Colossians 1:6

Each season of life seems to bring new lessons.  This especially seems to hold true in my walk with God.  I sometimes I find myself longing to go back to the last season, which leads me to lose sight of my current surroundings.

I was recently recounting for one of the awesome medical students that is currently working for us at Baxter a season of life a few years back.  I was telling her about different challenges I was facing then, and how those challenges led me to some of the most intimate times with God that I have ever experienced.  Throughout that season, I would spend hours in the Word and on my knees in prayer in my office.  His presence was so easily felt in the quiet of my small office.  I would sometimes even go to my office on the weekend just to close the door and pray, because I knew that He would meet me there.  I knew that He would give me strength.  I knew that He would remind me of His promises.  He sustained me. He took hold of my right hand and led me through that season.

I look back on that season of my life and remember it with such a mix of emotions.  I remember the pain and hurt, but I also remember the way my God made His presence so tangible and real.  I felt God holding me closer than I had ever experienced before.

Sometimes it seems that God is so easy to feel, but I'm learning to seek Him even when it's hard to feel him.  I'm learning that my faith cannot be built solely on emotion.  I am learning that His character and His presence are not dependent on my feelings.  This season of life I'm learning to see Him in new ways.  What a beautiful adventure it is to serve the one true God.

I believe that God is teaching me something new and beautiful in this season of life.  Recently so many people have been drawing my attention to the beauty of God's work throughout the world.  These last 6 months have taught me so much about the power of God's Word and unity through the love of Christ.

My friend Yariel baptizing a new sister in Cuba!

Living at a school with 10+ countries represented by the students, faculty, and staff opens your eyes to the limitless power of God.  How can so many people who are so different know and love the same God?  God is showing me how He meets his children where they are and draws them to the cross.  He is showing me how the Good News of Jesus is the deepest need across the whole world. He is showing me the beauty of the Church around the world.  This truth amazes me and draws me closer to Him.

Ronald from Venezuela baptizing a new brother here in Honduras!

I know that when I leave Baxter I will have deep relationships with people in Bolivia, Cuba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, Guatemala, Venezuela, Honduras, and beyond.  In this season of life God is teaching me so much through these incredible brothers and sisters.  He is teaching me the beauty of unity in Christ.  He is showing me that His love reaches so much further than I could ever imagine, and I am amazed!

Nine of our new Baxter students from four different countries!

I know that God's Church is growing in beautiful ways.  I believe that Jesus is the Best News no matter your age, race, gender, or economic situation.  I believe that we serve a God who meets us where we are and transforms us into who He wants us to be.  I believe that in this season of life I am learning new and beautiful things.

One Place...Thousands Changed

A few days ago I was filling out a medical school application that required me to list all of the cities that I have had permanent residence in.  The application then required that I indicate which city I spent most of my childhood in, which city I lived in when I graduated from high school, and which city had the greatest impact on my life.  When I think about what city has most shaped my thoughts, goals, and dreams, Tegucigalpa, Honduras is the first place that comes to mind.

I wonder if my parents knew how much that first trip to Honduras 14 years ago was going to change our lives.  I wonder if my parents knew that taking their 3 kids to Honduras was going to completely change the way they thought about the world.  I wonder if my parents knew that a one week trip to Honduras was going to change the goals and dreams of their 3 children.  When I look back on the different circumstances that have shaped my faith and influenced my life goals, the trips to Honduras as a family are at the top of the list.  I'm thankful for parents who knew that their children needed to see a bigger picture of how so many people around the world live.

Honduras has impacted my life and influenced my dreams in so many ways, but I know that I'm not the only person that has been blessed by Honduras.  Since my family started taking trips to Honduras when I was in 7th grade, we have always stayed at Baxter Institute.  I am currently living and working at Baxter until June of 2015.  I always knew that Baxter was a special place, but the last month here has opened my eyes to what a difference this school is making throughout the world.

As I sit in Baxter's cafeteria typing this post, I can look up and see 15 different flags from all over Central and South America that represent the different countries of the students here.  Over the last month and half I have gotten to know the students better than ever before.  They have invited me into their homes to show me how to cook foods from their countries.  They have prayed with me, and shared their families with me.  They have shared stories with me from their home countries.  They have shared their hopes and plans for what they want to do after they graduate from Baxter.  They have become my family 2,500 miles away from home.

One thing that has amazed me most about the students here, is there passion to share The Good News of Jesus.  When you ask these students why they are at Baxter, they all tell you, "Because I want to be an instrument for God."  Each Sunday the students work at different churches around the Tegucigalpa area, and each week they come back with stories of how God worked in the lives of the people around the city.  Baxter is helping to build incredible leaders in the Church, and these men and women have an incredible love for the Lord.

The students at Baxter are using their gifts to grow the Kingdom of God!  When I think about a ministry that is obeying the Great Commission, I think of Baxter.  They are raising up men and women to go into ALL the world.  I have been so blessed and encouraged by the men and women that have taken me in and have made me feel like family!  They have taught me so much about sharing the Good News and about devotion to God.  Please join me in praying for the men, women, and children that are currently at Baxter.  Pray that they will be instruments in the hands of our Mighty God, and that God will open doors for them to share His Great Name with ALL of Latin America.

If you want to find out more about Baxter, or if you want to come see Baxter for yourself...check out our website!  We would love to have your support in this ministry!  www.baxterinstitute.org

Always a New Adventure

Weeks two and three are coming to a close here in Honduras and they have been filled with just as much excitement as the first!  I feel like my Spanish is improving daily, and I am so thankful for the sweet friendships that I am building with so many of the students here at Baxter.

Hanging out with Milena and Hillary!

Things at Baxter have been super busy over the last two weeks, and today finally marks the start of a short break for the students.  In the last two weeks, we have had a two day seminar, celebrated children's day at the clinic, and hosted a 3 1/2 day youth rally.  I would encourage all of you who have a chance to come and visit Baxter and see all of the wonderful things that this school is doing to show the love of Christ and spread the Good News of Jesus!

A little over a week ago the students finished up exam week by participating in a two day seminar with Dr. Allen Black.  Dr. Black is a professor at Harding School of Theology in Memphis, TN.  During his short stay at Baxter he took the time to walk us through the book of Mark.  His wonderful wife Nancy spoke to the women during chapel each day, and was such a sweet blessing to get to know.  I am continually amazed at how hard the students here at Baxter work on their studies, and how devoted they are to learning how to spread the name of Jesus.

This last Friday the nutrition program at the Baxter Clinic celebrated Children's Day!  Children's Day is always quite the party here in Honduras.  The Children's Day festivities started off with a devotional for the kids, and was followed up by games, popcorn, pinatas, and cake!  It was great to watch the kids smile and laugh while participating in all of the activities.  I am surprised that there are not numerous injuries due to pinatas around here!  Hillary even took the time to draw a giant Olaf, and we cut out 25 carrot shaped noses in order to play, pin the nose on Olaf!  The nutrition program at Baxter does a wonderful job at helping those from the community who are in desperate need for food and support for their families.

Sack races during Children's Day!

The final major activity of the last two weeks was the Encuentro Juvenil, which came to a close last night.  This is a youth rally that the fourth year students from Baxter organize for around 300 teens from Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.  Over the last few years I have been to my fair share of youth camps and retreats, and I can easily say that the students here did one of the best jobs I have seen at organizing and executing such a large event.  The theme of the weekend was Dunamis.  We focused on the power that we have because of God living in us.  I pray that all of the students that were here over the last weekend will continue to grow deeper in their faith and love of God and that they will remember that God has given us a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.

The students at the Encuentro Juvenil!

One of the classes during the youth rally!

The last few weeks have also included little activities such as, a trip to the stadium to watch one of the local Honduran soccer teams, a lovely Colombian dinner with one of the sweet families here at Baxter, participating in a soccer tournament, and multiple attempts at baking food from back home that have failed misserably.

The Honduran soccer game was an exciting experience.  Hillary found out that our driver and his two kids had never been to a soccer game at the stadium before because of the price of the tickets...which turned out to be around $5 a ticket. So she offered to take all of us to the soccer game.  You should have seen how excited everyone was to be inside the national stadium watching the game live.  We finished off a wonderful evening with a trip to the mall for a fast food dinner.

Hanging out at the soccer game!

The next day, my sweet friend Monica invited me over to have dinner with her and her family.  She made some wonderful arepas, which is a common food in Colombia.  Her husband Ronald also brewed some strong Colombian coffee for me to try!  It was such a blessing to share a meal with their family and spend some time after dinner talking and playing with their sweet kids.  Their oldest son fell in love with the no bake cookies that I brought over, and quickly downed two or three of them.

The past two weeks there has been a group of women from Baxter practicing in preparation for the soccer tournament at the youth rally.  I'm not much of a soccer player, but I agreed to participate.  I loved getting to spend time with our team each day during our hour of practice, and now feel so much closer to the women that I had the opportunity to play with.  We shared many laughs during our practice times, and improved a little bit due to our wonderful coach, Hillary!  Even with our quality 5 hours of practice before the big game, we just weren't prepared for the wall checking and intense game that we encountered this weekend!  We had a great time together, and it was a real blessing to get to know more of the women on campus.

Our amazing soccer team!

Yesterday, Hillary and I made some attempts at rice crispy treats and oreo truffles.  FAIL!!!  The oreo truffles were decent, and edible, just a much different taste than they have in the states.  I got to hand them out to a few of the students, and they thought they were wonderful, so I guess that was a win.  The rice crispy treats on the other hand...may I just point out that not all marshmallows are equal.  If you think marshmallows in the States are sticky...think again!  O well, it was a good experience, and now I know for future reference.

My new wonderful friend Hillary, and of course OLAF!

In only three short weeks I feel like I have built friendships that are going to last for a life time.  I have been blessed to get to spend the last three weeks with Hillary, and I am so thankful for the time that she has taken to teach me things in the clinic and for her caring, sweet spirit.  She leaves this Thursday and I am really going to miss having her around.  I feel like I am building some wonderful new friendships with so many of the students, and I have loved learning more about their families and the places that they are from.  I have also been incredibly blessed to have the Teels close by.  They head to the states for a month of fundraising on Friday, and I am really going to miss having them right across the street from me.  I am looking forward to seeing what other adventures God has in store for my time here.  I feel so blessed to be able to spend the next 10 months at Baxter growing in so many ways.

An Exciting First Week

One week ago I loaded up my two large suitcases to their 50 pound limit with random foods and different necessities, my carry-on with tons of clothes, and my backpack with a large amount of books, said good-bye to my friends and family and hopped on a plane to Honduras for a 10 month adventure. The last week has proven to be nothing short of an adventure!

Hanging out with some of the Shine girls after Church at Mateo on Sunday!

When I arrived in Honduras, I was greeted at the airport by Steve and Dianna Teel, the president and his wife of Baxter Institute.  We loaded up the truck and headed off to Baxter, where I was given keys to my apartment and a few minutes to unpack before joining the women of the school for a devotional.

At the devotional I was quickly overwhelmed with love and encouragement from all the women that I met.  I struggled through pronouncing names and communicating, but the women covered me in grace and love.  To close off the devotional I was asked to pray in Spanish, this pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but it was a blessing to share that time with such wonderful women.  One of the things that I am looking forward to most, is building relationships with so many different women from so many different countries, who are attending school here, at Baxter.

Hanging out after church with the kids.

Each morning I have had the opportunity to work in the clinic alongside my new friend Hillary.  Hillary is a 3rd year medical student from VCOM, the medical school associated with Virginia Tech. Hillary and Dr. Xiomara, the director of the clinic, have been so encouraging and helpful in teaching me different medical techniques. I have had the opportunity to observe and help with many different procedures, and I have learned so much in only one week!  I am looking forward to spending quality time in the clinic practicing my Spanish and learning more about medicine.

I was also given the opportunity to observe a night shift in labor and delivery at one of the public hospitals.  This experience was challenging, but I was able to learn so much.  I was able to observe 10-12 natural deliveries (and by natural I mean completely natural), 1 c-section, and was given the opportunity to observe a few other clinical aspects.  I now know without a shadow of a doubt, that epidurals are wonderful things!  I was thankful to have Hillary by my side for the 12 hours explaining everything that I needed to know!

Just after Hillary and I completed our 12 hour
overnight labor and delivery shift!

This past weekend we had visitors from my home church in Oklahoma, Norm and Denise Easter.  They spoiled me rotten during their time here by taking me out to lunch, to Walmart, and having me over to share dinner with the students at Baxter who are from Cuba.

Walmart looks the same everywhere!

One of the highlights from my week was sharing pizza with the Easters and the Cuban students.  After we had all had our fill of Pizza and cookies we sat around the living room and enjoyed each others company.  So many of the students from Cuba are very musically talented.  We sat around and listened to them play and sing different songs from Cuba.  It was such a wonderful experience to be able to learn more about their culture and share such a enjoyable evening with them.

I am hopeful that during my time here I will be able to build wonderful relationships with so many of the students that are studying here at Baxter.  I am looking forward to many of the women teaching me how to cook foods from their countries, loving on their children, and sharing our lives with each other.  I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity, and I pray that during my time here I can be an encouragement to all of those that I come into contact with, and that I will be stretched and will grow in new ways.

The beautiful Baxter campus, where I am living!

If you want to learn more about Baxter and the incredible impact this school is having on the Kingdom of God, take a look at our new website, http://www.baxterinstitute.org

Is Jesus Enough?

After practically three years of not going to a Bible class, it is weird to be back in a classroom of my peers on a Sunday morning.  Although I definitely miss the youth ministry, I am really enjoying opening the Word each Sunday morning and discussing with my class.

This morning our class focused on Jesus as the messiah and the different images that people during Jesus’ time would have associated with that word.  Some thought the messiah was going to come and rule over them as a king.  Some thought the messiah was going to be a military leader.  Everyone had developed their own idea of whom Jesus was going to be.

When Jesus showed up, He didn’t fit the mold that most people had made for him to fit.  Jesus wasn’t what most people were expecting as a messiah.  In fact, Jesus was the complete opposite of what many of the religious leaders of the day were expecting.

We talked a little bit about how we sometimes mold Jesus into who we want Him to be.  We mold Him so that He is in support of everything we do or support.  We read Him into the image that we want Him to be.  We view Him in a way that keeps us comfortable where we are.  We pick out the scriptures about Jesus that keep us comfortable and we neglect the ones that might step on our toes or call us to change. 

So many of the old religious leaders missed the messiah because he wasn’t what they expected.  He wasn’t enough for them.  Today as we were leaving class, Josh left us with one final question to ponder, “Is Jesus enough?”  Is Jesus enough, or do we have other expectations that come along with Him? 

That question led me to think about the Garden of Eden and how the serpent deceived Eve.  Satan is really tricky.  He likes to make us think that God is holding out on us.  The serpent tricked Eve by convincing her that God was withholding good from her.  I think He tries to do the same to us today.  He tries to convince us that Jesus wasn’t enough and that God is withholding good from us. 

We sometimes think that we deserve Jesus + ___________________________.  Jesus + a good job.  Jesus + good health. Jesus + a big house.    Those things aren’t necessarily bad, but my hope is that I learn to say no matter the circumstance, Jesus you are enough.  Jesus asked His apostles to give up a lot to follow Him.  They gave up their homes, their families, their comfort, their normal routine and followed our Savior.  In the storm, Jesus you are enough.  On the mountain top, Jesus you are enough.  When this world passes away and we see our Savior face to face, Praise God, JESUS YOU ARE ENOUGH!

“I am THE way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”   

John 14:6

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  

John 16:33