May 28, 2010
We can hardly believe it is almost June of 2010. Our time in Guarapuava is half-way finished and Baby will arrive in the next 2-4 weeks. Yesterday we finished getting Baby's things organized and put away so we're ready (although I don't think we'll ever be completely “ready” for how this little one will change our family!)
We have been humbled by the support and encouragement we've received from the Methodist church in Guarapuava as we anticipate the arrival of our baby. A few weeks ago, our Bible Study group surprised us with a baby shower. It was a humbling and joyful surprise and we I received many of the last-minute items I was needing.
As we've continued to build friendships here, we are reminded of how materially blessed we are in the United States. I'll share some examples of how being in Brazil has revealed how Andy and I take our things for granted.
We have been planning to buy a car since we arrived here but because of a higher cost of living in Guarapuava, we have decided to delay that purchase until we move to CLM. When we first realized that we would have to wait for a car, both Andy and I were feeling deprived and frustrated. Andy shared his frustration with a Brazilian friend and his friend sympathetically told him that it must be hard for Andy to got through this because when Andy wanted something like a car in the U.S., he could just work a little harder and save for a few months, and viola, he could have what he wanted. After the conversation Andy said it hit him that he must sound like a spoiled brat complaining about not having a car when many people in Brazil never own one. While we still see a need for a car when we are at CLM, not having one for now has made us more aware of idols of our hearts that we have set up.
In addition to the whole car situation, we forget how financially blessed we are as well. Even though we don't have a large budget by U.S. standards, we are still receiving more per month than many Brazilians couples earn from two full-time salaries. We don't have to choose between paying for my doctor appointment and buying any necessary clothing, we can do both. In fact, we take for granted doing both. One of our friends shared how she accidently broke her daughter's glasses but how she couldn't afford to replace them until the next month. We don't get any sense of complaining from our friends, they share these things as a matter-of-fact.
Yesterday again, both Andy and I were aware of our “pride of possessions” as we spent the afternoon with a Brazilian family who are friends of ours. When discussing jobs, Andy asked the husband what his dream job was. The husband responded, “Just something with regular hours and when I can have the weekend off.” Right now this man works at a gas station full time for about $3 and hour U.S. while trying to complete his degree in mathematics. Andy was humbled by his response because since we have been in Brazil, Andy has been struggling with missing his job, dreaming about what jobs he could do sometime again in the future. He admitted that for him a regular job is an idol he thinks will make him happy.
I was humbled as well yesterday when one of the ladies from church took me aside and gave me some encouraging words and then proceeded to give me R$50 and tell me that she wanted to support us this way each month. Proportionally, that is a lot of money for a Brazilian, and I was humbled by this gesture. I tried to tell her it wasn't necessary but she told me not refuse her the blessing of giving. Lord, teach us!
We share these things with you not to beat up on the U.S. culture or elevate Brazilian culture or condemn the owning of nice things, but to share how our time few months away have made us aware of what we do have materially in the U.S. and how we are learning to, as Paul puts it, “to be content in every situation.” God is using this time to show us what we are truly worshipping, and so far it hasn't been pretty!
Please continue to pray that God will teach us to be content in all situations, and that He will teach us to “keep ourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). Praise God that He is using our time in Guarapuava to conform us into the image of His precious Son and our Savior Jesus Christ!
Love in Jesus,
Katie
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
My web log
Hello people who read our blog. It has been awhile since I last posted something so I thought I would write today. First and foremost, Katie is doing well with her pregnancy. She is healthy, and the baby is healthy. We had our first and only ultrasound done and I could see the baby's face. It brought to mind Psalm 139 :14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it well.” I still don't know if our baby is a boy or girl but I already love that child, even though it is still born a sinner like his or her parents.
Well the last post I wrote was more light-hearted but this one is more serious. I would appreciate your prayer support. First of all I am a sinner and still struggle with issues of worry, discontentment, and spiritual idolatry. These are all sins in God's eyes that are just as bad as murder, gossip, lying, and adultery.
To start off I have been struggling with discontentment here in Brazil. I am not able to live the same lifestyle that I had in the U.S. I can't talk well so it is hard to have any deep conversations with other guys here. More importantly I am struggling with not being able to buy stuff freely. We lived comfortably in the U.S. I had a good job at F.S. that I enjoyed. In my heart I want to turn back and head home where it is easy and comfortable. I have to remind myself and hide this scripture in my heart and meditate on it. Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” I am reminding myself of this truth that even though we went from one culture to another, it is still not as humiliating as Christ coming from heaven and living on this earth as a human. He even died the most humiliating deaths. He is not asking us to do anything that he hasn't done.
This also applies to my discontentment. I think that if my situation was different than I would be happy. I am not content with where God has placed me. I am also having to hide Philippians 4 :11-13 in my heart. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul wrote that and he was ship wrecked, imprisoned, beaten, stoned and left for dead, and that he battled a thorn in his flesh. If Christ can make him content in every situation than he can do the same for me.
I am also struggling with spiritual idolatry. I think that God isn't enough. Only changing my situation to live more at ease can make me happy. I am worshiping the god of pleasure and ease which isn't any better than the Israelites worshiping other gods instead of worshiping the one true God. Isaiah 44:9 “All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame.” Isaiah 44:20 “He [the one who worships idols] feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has lead him astray, and he can not deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
To top it off I also am sinning by worrying about our family at CLM. I am worry about how to protect my relationship with my wife. I also want to raise our baby to know God and glorify Him. I don't want to neglect my wife and children to minister to neglected children. I know if I have to choose between ministry and my family, I have to choose my family according to God's word. 1 Timothy 3:1-13. This could send us off the mission field if I can't spiritually lead my family effectively. I am having to hide Philippians 4: 6-7 in my heart, and continue to give this over to the Lord.
I know this is real heavy stuff but please remember us in your prayers. It is neat how Jesus can redeem sinners like us, and use us while we still are sinners. Better yet, he continues to refine us to grow and become more like Him. Thank you Jesus!
Trusting in Christ
Andy and Katie
Well the last post I wrote was more light-hearted but this one is more serious. I would appreciate your prayer support. First of all I am a sinner and still struggle with issues of worry, discontentment, and spiritual idolatry. These are all sins in God's eyes that are just as bad as murder, gossip, lying, and adultery.
To start off I have been struggling with discontentment here in Brazil. I am not able to live the same lifestyle that I had in the U.S. I can't talk well so it is hard to have any deep conversations with other guys here. More importantly I am struggling with not being able to buy stuff freely. We lived comfortably in the U.S. I had a good job at F.S. that I enjoyed. In my heart I want to turn back and head home where it is easy and comfortable. I have to remind myself and hide this scripture in my heart and meditate on it. Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” I am reminding myself of this truth that even though we went from one culture to another, it is still not as humiliating as Christ coming from heaven and living on this earth as a human. He even died the most humiliating deaths. He is not asking us to do anything that he hasn't done.
This also applies to my discontentment. I think that if my situation was different than I would be happy. I am not content with where God has placed me. I am also having to hide Philippians 4 :11-13 in my heart. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul wrote that and he was ship wrecked, imprisoned, beaten, stoned and left for dead, and that he battled a thorn in his flesh. If Christ can make him content in every situation than he can do the same for me.
I am also struggling with spiritual idolatry. I think that God isn't enough. Only changing my situation to live more at ease can make me happy. I am worshiping the god of pleasure and ease which isn't any better than the Israelites worshiping other gods instead of worshiping the one true God. Isaiah 44:9 “All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame.” Isaiah 44:20 “He [the one who worships idols] feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has lead him astray, and he can not deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
To top it off I also am sinning by worrying about our family at CLM. I am worry about how to protect my relationship with my wife. I also want to raise our baby to know God and glorify Him. I don't want to neglect my wife and children to minister to neglected children. I know if I have to choose between ministry and my family, I have to choose my family according to God's word. 1 Timothy 3:1-13. This could send us off the mission field if I can't spiritually lead my family effectively. I am having to hide Philippians 4: 6-7 in my heart, and continue to give this over to the Lord.
I know this is real heavy stuff but please remember us in your prayers. It is neat how Jesus can redeem sinners like us, and use us while we still are sinners. Better yet, he continues to refine us to grow and become more like Him. Thank you Jesus!
Trusting in Christ
Andy and Katie
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