After proof reading, I hope my transparency isn't offensive to anyone and they hear my heart.
Well...did they get it? Who knows. I woke up this morning very discouraged, what I had planned was a 1 hour discussion, things we would do for the next few weeks. Give them some bible stories that we would discuss in the future and share with them that they would have ownership in the youth group.
What happened was that, they continually stayed confused on what I was trying to say. One hour turned into 2 hours of complete confusion.
It all boils down to one thing. My inability to speak the language. Will it ever come? Will it come before I cause any irreversible damage to any of the youth group?
I have prayed all week, for God to show me how I can make a difference in peoples lives. I see daily through the paper, news and other media how people are touching others. I so want to help people with their struggles, but always see my inability to grasp hold or where and how to do it.
I have heard over and over, it is your call that keeps you on the field. Yes I feel called, but what then, you just can go day to day saying " ye boy, I was called, God use me!” There has to be some kind of direction, some kind of confirmation on the field. When will that happen? One thing is for sure...Only God knows.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Uruguay
I thought I would share a general overview of Uruguay as well. Again this is not mine. I apologize if this offends any one. Hope this is informative and not to much detail.
History of Uruguay
The only inhabitants of Uruguay before European colonization of the area were the Charrua Indians, a small tribe driven south by the Guaraní Indians of Paraguay.
The Spanish arrived in the territory of present-day Uruguay in 1516, but the Indians' fierce resistance to conquest, combined with the absence of gold and silver, limited settlement in the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Spanish introduced cattle, which became a source of wealth in the region. Spanish colonization increased as Spain sought to limit Portugal's expansion of Brazil's frontiers.
Montevideo was founded by the Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold; its natural harbor soon developed into a commercial center competing with Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires. Uruguay's early 19th century history was shaped by ongoing fights between the British, Spanish, Portuguese, and colonial forces for dominance in the Argentina-Brazil-Uruguay region
Montevideo was founded by the Spanish governor of Buenos Aires in 1726 to secure the area against Portuguese infiltration from Brazil. It changed hands frequently during the Spanish-Portuguese rivalry of the early 19th century, until, partly through British intervention, it became the capital of independent Uruguay, established in 1828 as a buffer state between Spanish Argentina and Portuguese Brazil.
History of Uruguay
The only inhabitants of Uruguay before European colonization of the area were the Charrua Indians, a small tribe driven south by the Guaraní Indians of Paraguay.
The Spanish arrived in the territory of present-day Uruguay in 1516, but the Indians' fierce resistance to conquest, combined with the absence of gold and silver, limited settlement in the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Spanish introduced cattle, which became a source of wealth in the region. Spanish colonization increased as Spain sought to limit Portugal's expansion of Brazil's frontiers.
Montevideo was founded by the Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold; its natural harbor soon developed into a commercial center competing with Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires. Uruguay's early 19th century history was shaped by ongoing fights between the British, Spanish, Portuguese, and colonial forces for dominance in the Argentina-Brazil-Uruguay region
Montevideo was founded by the Spanish governor of Buenos Aires in 1726 to secure the area against Portuguese infiltration from Brazil. It changed hands frequently during the Spanish-Portuguese rivalry of the early 19th century, until, partly through British intervention, it became the capital of independent Uruguay, established in 1828 as a buffer state between Spanish Argentina and Portuguese Brazil.
"Carnaval" in Uruguay
I found this some time ago and pasted it in my personal documents. I don't have the original author. This is not me for sure. But this give a general overview of "Carnaval".
Carnival Week is considered the annual national festival of the nation. While the Carnaval extends to all the country with important events in several cities of the interior, the main activities are made in the capital of Montevideo.
Although this ‘fiesta’ is officially only given two days of public holiday for the Carnaval Monday and Shrove Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday, most shops and businesses close for the entire week. Homes and streets are grandly decorated, humorous shows are staged at open-air theaters, "tablados" or popular scenes (fixed and movable) are erected in the commercial districts. There are many competitions for murgas, black societies and lubolos, humorists, parodistas and magazines
The preparation of the Carnival begins months earlier with the election of the zonal queens; often in December of the previous year. The Carnival of the Promises or the children's parade occurs at the beginning of the month of January
The official launching of the Montevideo Carnival done with significant pomp and ceremony calling upon representatives of the national government, carnaval groups, and various local officials including members of the commissions responsible for the preparation of the celebration in each Zone of Montevideo. The Department of Culture is the main organizer of this annual national festival.
A great highlight of the Montevideo Carnaval is the Parade of the Calls in the old districts Sur and Palermo. The Calls evoke the encounter of the "enslaved black" of the colonial days and in the freedom of the Candombe, which has made a fundamental contribution to Uruguayan culture. A featured event of Montevideo Carnaval, the attracts the most visitors "Desfile de las Llamadas" is a big united parade on Montevideo's Avenida 18 de Julio.The 'black' carnaval is called "Las Llamadas" ("The Calls", because in former times the different carnaval groups "called" each other with their tambors). Many seats are sold in advance for this parade.
There is also usually a major parade on January 6th, as the observed holiday of the epiphany marks the beginning of the Carnaval season in many cultures
The local commissions are very important in making the Carnaval great each year. Besides establishing a citizen partnership for the administration of the Carnaval with local government, they hold the Queen contest and raise funds for prizes and other expenses of the Carnaval. The decentralized quality to the Carnaval is part of the long heritage of these citizens committees dedicated to improving the quality of life of the neighbors and, fundamentally, deepening the democracy.
Candombe is the afro-black influence that is the star of Montevideo Carnaval as it salutes the African origins, the trials of the enslaved black during the colonial time and the great capacity for renewal through the Carnaval arts. Candombé is a drum-based musical form of Uruguay. Candombé originated among the Afro-Uruguayan population of Montevideo and is based on Bantu African drumming with some European influence and touches of Tango.
The barrel-shaped drums, or tambores, have specific names according to their size and function: chico (small, high timbre, marks the tempo), repique (medium, improvisation) and piano (large, low timbre, melody). An even larger drum, called bajo or bombo (very large, very low timbre, accent on the fourth beat), was once common but is now declining in use. Tambores are made of wood with animal skins that are rope-tuned or fire-tuned minutes before the performance. They are worn at the waist with the aid of a shoulder strap called tali and played with one stick and one hand.
Carnival Week is considered the annual national festival of the nation. While the Carnaval extends to all the country with important events in several cities of the interior, the main activities are made in the capital of Montevideo.
Although this ‘fiesta’ is officially only given two days of public holiday for the Carnaval Monday and Shrove Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday, most shops and businesses close for the entire week. Homes and streets are grandly decorated, humorous shows are staged at open-air theaters, "tablados" or popular scenes (fixed and movable) are erected in the commercial districts. There are many competitions for murgas, black societies and lubolos, humorists, parodistas and magazines
The preparation of the Carnival begins months earlier with the election of the zonal queens; often in December of the previous year. The Carnival of the Promises or the children's parade occurs at the beginning of the month of January
The official launching of the Montevideo Carnival done with significant pomp and ceremony calling upon representatives of the national government, carnaval groups, and various local officials including members of the commissions responsible for the preparation of the celebration in each Zone of Montevideo. The Department of Culture is the main organizer of this annual national festival.
A great highlight of the Montevideo Carnaval is the Parade of the Calls in the old districts Sur and Palermo. The Calls evoke the encounter of the "enslaved black" of the colonial days and in the freedom of the Candombe, which has made a fundamental contribution to Uruguayan culture. A featured event of Montevideo Carnaval, the attracts the most visitors "Desfile de las Llamadas" is a big united parade on Montevideo's Avenida 18 de Julio.The 'black' carnaval is called "Las Llamadas" ("The Calls", because in former times the different carnaval groups "called" each other with their tambors). Many seats are sold in advance for this parade.
There is also usually a major parade on January 6th, as the observed holiday of the epiphany marks the beginning of the Carnaval season in many cultures
The local commissions are very important in making the Carnaval great each year. Besides establishing a citizen partnership for the administration of the Carnaval with local government, they hold the Queen contest and raise funds for prizes and other expenses of the Carnaval. The decentralized quality to the Carnaval is part of the long heritage of these citizens committees dedicated to improving the quality of life of the neighbors and, fundamentally, deepening the democracy.
Candombe is the afro-black influence that is the star of Montevideo Carnaval as it salutes the African origins, the trials of the enslaved black during the colonial time and the great capacity for renewal through the Carnaval arts. Candombé is a drum-based musical form of Uruguay. Candombé originated among the Afro-Uruguayan population of Montevideo and is based on Bantu African drumming with some European influence and touches of Tango.
The barrel-shaped drums, or tambores, have specific names according to their size and function: chico (small, high timbre, marks the tempo), repique (medium, improvisation) and piano (large, low timbre, melody). An even larger drum, called bajo or bombo (very large, very low timbre, accent on the fourth beat), was once common but is now declining in use. Tambores are made of wood with animal skins that are rope-tuned or fire-tuned minutes before the performance. They are worn at the waist with the aid of a shoulder strap called tali and played with one stick and one hand.
A Taste of Home!!
What a surprise day before yesterday when I found cilantro on the counter of our fruit stand. It was the only pack. You rarely see fresh herbs here like cilantro. I bought it and guess what we did with it. you guessed it. Salsa... I went today and bought tomatoes, onion and garlic. We had some jalapenos that we bought by the gallon at the Brazilian border and whala.. Salsa. We don't have any type of corn chip so we are going to attempt to make some chips after lunch. The smell just flooded the house and what a tasty odor it was. The kids where besides themselves with excitement. Especially CoraBeth, who likes to eat jalapenos with popcorn. Anyway just something I thought I would share.
A friend from the states was asking about Carnival here in Uruguay. I tried to explain a little, but to be honest I don't know the origin and why it is still celebrated in detail. So I'm trying to put together something that will explain it better than I did.
A friend from the states was asking about Carnival here in Uruguay. I tried to explain a little, but to be honest I don't know the origin and why it is still celebrated in detail. So I'm trying to put together something that will explain it better than I did.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
"Facing your Giants"
My mother sent me this book, not knowing exactly what I am facing daily. She knows of what we are going through but doesn’t know what we are going through. This book keeps pulling me back to read some great illustrations, examples of David’s life and how he failed but also how he pleased God. I recommend this book to all facing giants in your life, small or large, most of the time it is an accumulation of the small ones that usually bring us down.
In the first chapter he leads out with this verse. “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.” 1 Samuel 17:48 (NLT).
48 Now when the Philistine made a move and came near to David, David quickly went at a run in the direction of the army, meeting the Philistine face to face. 1 Sam 17:48 (BBE)
I love these two translations. For us First term folks, it seems we face so many Goliaths. The Language Goliath, The Culture Goliath the Ministry Goliath, The Health Goliath and even the Family Goliath. It seems we focus so much on the Giants and that is all we see.
I like what he brings out in verses 45-47 of chapter 17. It almost sounds like David is arrogantly bragging about God but it wasn’t that he was bragging it was the only thing he was thinking about (God). The soldiers we mentioning nothing of God only their enemies, so I keep reminding myself when those Giants keep arising to attack, focus on God and not the “Giants”.
As Lucado says, “Giants. We must face them. Yet we need not face them alone. Focus first, and most, on God. The times David did, giants fell. The days he didn’t, David did.
In the first chapter he leads out with this verse. “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.” 1 Samuel 17:48 (NLT).
48 Now when the Philistine made a move and came near to David, David quickly went at a run in the direction of the army, meeting the Philistine face to face. 1 Sam 17:48 (BBE)
I love these two translations. For us First term folks, it seems we face so many Goliaths. The Language Goliath, The Culture Goliath the Ministry Goliath, The Health Goliath and even the Family Goliath. It seems we focus so much on the Giants and that is all we see.
I like what he brings out in verses 45-47 of chapter 17. It almost sounds like David is arrogantly bragging about God but it wasn’t that he was bragging it was the only thing he was thinking about (God). The soldiers we mentioning nothing of God only their enemies, so I keep reminding myself when those Giants keep arising to attack, focus on God and not the “Giants”.
As Lucado says, “Giants. We must face them. Yet we need not face them alone. Focus first, and most, on God. The times David did, giants fell. The days he didn’t, David did.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Here we Are.....
Tonight we have met for the first time. We are missing three others. The one in the orange shirt is deaf and mute. He is apart of the deaf ministry the a young adult female started before she left to go to the capital city to study more sign language. With these fairly new believers we are going to attempt to turn Treinta y Tres and surrounding areas upside down in the next year and half. I believe I will be introducing a whole new concept to these guys except Garrett. About sharing your faith publicly and aggressively fishing for men. I'm praying that these guys get hungry for souls and we see a revival spread through our little town.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Scary thought..
I receive a variety of devotionals via email. This is a scary one for me, do to the fact there are several churches wanting to model after this church. For me it is disturbing that they would want to try to interpret Matt. 28:19 into making friends instead of making disciples. I can make friends all day long but when I really care about someone is when I share the Gospel. God did not call us to make friends he called us to make disciples and he would give all the Blessing (friends) we could ever need. This is just one of the reasons that Christianity is declining.
Friends first
by John Fischer
The Great Commission is all about making friends. Now I know Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples …” (Matthew 28:19 NLT), but Jesus himself showed that you can’t make a disciple until you first make a friend. “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” (John 15:15 NLT)
So what Christians have called “witnessing” for some time really should be more like building relationships. It’s what you do over the long haul of a relationship that counts so much more than door-to-door canvassing of the neighborhood.
In the movie The Big Kahuna starring Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey, a young salesman fresh out of Baptist college goes on his first business trip to a convention with a couple seasoned veterans from his company. In an attempt to land a CEO (“The Big Kahuna”) of a very large account as a new client, the young Baptist, played surprisingly close to a real Baptist by Peter Tarrantino, ends up the unlikely one of the three who has the best shot at talking with the CEO.
But instead of talking about the company he represents and setting up his partners with a meeting, the Baptist ends up spending the whole conversation witnessing to the man about Jesus. When his co-workers find out about this, Spacey goes ballistic. A hot-headed argument ensues between Spacey and the rookie salesman over the place of religion in business, and Danny DeVito, the oldest and wisest of the three, tries to calm them both down and provides some very sensible advice. What he says to the young Baptist should be heard and considered by all Christians. It goes something like this:
“The minute you lay hold of a conversation in order to steer it in a certain direction, it ceases to be a conversation, it’s a sales pitch; and you aren’t a human being anymore, you’re a marketing rep. If you really care about the man, ask him about his kids … his wife … his dreams ...”
It’s the difference between pushing an agenda and truly caring for somebody. If you care about somebody, you want to know what he or she is thinking, what is the person’s hopes and dreams, joys and disappointments – in other words, what are the things that make that person human. Friendship is all about finding common ground, and it is out of this common ground that what is shared will have credibility.
Friends first
by John Fischer
The Great Commission is all about making friends. Now I know Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples …” (Matthew 28:19 NLT), but Jesus himself showed that you can’t make a disciple until you first make a friend. “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” (John 15:15 NLT)
So what Christians have called “witnessing” for some time really should be more like building relationships. It’s what you do over the long haul of a relationship that counts so much more than door-to-door canvassing of the neighborhood.
In the movie The Big Kahuna starring Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey, a young salesman fresh out of Baptist college goes on his first business trip to a convention with a couple seasoned veterans from his company. In an attempt to land a CEO (“The Big Kahuna”) of a very large account as a new client, the young Baptist, played surprisingly close to a real Baptist by Peter Tarrantino, ends up the unlikely one of the three who has the best shot at talking with the CEO.
But instead of talking about the company he represents and setting up his partners with a meeting, the Baptist ends up spending the whole conversation witnessing to the man about Jesus. When his co-workers find out about this, Spacey goes ballistic. A hot-headed argument ensues between Spacey and the rookie salesman over the place of religion in business, and Danny DeVito, the oldest and wisest of the three, tries to calm them both down and provides some very sensible advice. What he says to the young Baptist should be heard and considered by all Christians. It goes something like this:
“The minute you lay hold of a conversation in order to steer it in a certain direction, it ceases to be a conversation, it’s a sales pitch; and you aren’t a human being anymore, you’re a marketing rep. If you really care about the man, ask him about his kids … his wife … his dreams ...”
It’s the difference between pushing an agenda and truly caring for somebody. If you care about somebody, you want to know what he or she is thinking, what is the person’s hopes and dreams, joys and disappointments – in other words, what are the things that make that person human. Friendship is all about finding common ground, and it is out of this common ground that what is shared will have credibility.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Another First.
I know that this might be a regular for some in different parts of the world. Even here, it is pretty common occurance with others but for us it is the first of I’m sure many. You asking all right already what is it? "Lice" Teresa found the critters last night in Cora Beth’s hair. It was pretty large, you could see its legs. Well Teresa entered the living room with her finger on it and asked me, "What is this thing?". I shrugged as any good husband would do and said not sure. Why not go over to our neighbors, who I’m sure have had experience with this and ask her. Well Teresa returned and it was confirmed. Cora has lice but they didn't see any more so we felt confident that a good medicine wash and treatment we would be safe. So off we went to do the first treatment. After the treatment you take a fine tooth comb and pull out any that may be dead and also to locate eggs. Well... guess what, I'm figuring she might have had them for while. We found or the comb rather found many more. Needless to say Teresa and I started itching pretty good at this point. Well after all and all, we treated Teresa's hair and what little of my hair and we didn't find any. The directions say to wait another 10 days and treat again. I'm surprised that it took this long for any of us to get them. Oh... you might be asking what about Garrett. Well he keeps his hair cut down to his scalp that he is not a good candidate for the littler critters. I apologize for not having pictures. Our camera was damaged we waiting on a few things. If any more spawn in the future I will attach pictures. Hope you enjoy. Oh yeh, if anyone has some home remedies on killing the buggers please let us know. We using some expired stuff we brought back in 2004. Thanks again.
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