Go and See Ministries: Interns and Economics

COMING SOON!   Interns and Economics.

Keep an eye on our website http://goandseeministries.org/ over the next several weeks as we will be adding two new pages detailing the two new ministry focuses we have been working on developing. In addition to hosting short-term missions teams we want to begin an internship "program" and work in an area of economics that we are very excited about.

Interns:

We have shied away from labeling anything we do a "program" because we believe that ministry is just "life", the things we do as we "live". That describes perfectly what we want to do for young people, mainly between the ages of 17 and 21. We want them to come and live with us, join in with what we are doing and experience life in another culture. We have, over the past several months, begun talking to some of our acquaintances about the possibility of inviting their teenage children to come to Honduras for a visit when we get settled in. This has been met with such an overwhelmingly positive response that we have decide to make this a part of what Go and See Ministries does.

We believe that spending several weeks to several months in a foreign country, experiencing another culture, learning the language, helping in ministry and giving of oneself, especially during these critical late teenage years, can be one of the most rewarding and potentially life changing events one may ever encounter. We want to do our part, as a family and as a ministry, in making that happen.

We are currently working on laying a foundation for this ministry. We want to make sure that the time spent with us is a quality experience, that it is geared specifically towards the intern's gifts, interest and personality. We want to make sure that those who come are coming for the right reasons.

As with everything we do, we want our part in it to be free of charge. Obviously, there will be cost for the interns, both prior to and during the time they are with us, but our hope is to make this extremely affordable so that anyone will be able to come.

Because we are a small, family ministry, space will be limited. Already we have had a number of people, parents and teens alike, interested in doing this. If this is something you or your teen is interested in, please email me at wolfeent@copper.net for more information or watch our website as we will be putting detailed information there soon.

Micro Economics:

I call this dream of mine "micro economics". The term, micro economics, is actually used to describe something different than what I use it for, but because the words "micro economics" or "economics on a small scale basis" describes perfectly what I want to do, I use it. This idea for ministry is something that I, personally, am very excited about and one that has been growing in my mind and heart for sometime now. It fits naturally into my life's experience and something that I have always been passionate about and I know that it will be life changing for those who partner with me.

Watch our website for more information as we develop this new aspect of Go and See Ministries!

Fear: What's to worry about?

I've been thinking a lot about fear lately. We've had many people concerned for our safety when we tell them we are driving to Honduras. These concerns come from well intentioned people who love us. To be honest, I have had to work through the same fear myself and it still occasionally pops up. But what is fear and why does it so often rule our lives and limit our choices? How can we combat it? What are some of the ill effects of  fear?

I think "fear" comes in different forms for different people and exhibits itself in different ways. Fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear of rejection, fear of being different (peer pressure), fear of poverty, fear of being wrong; the list goes on and on. Fear is very often illogical. Mostly it has no basis in reality. It's the monster under our bed. It's the burning in the belly, the sense of impending doom, the reason we don't...

Why does fear often rule our lives and limit our choices? Because we allow it to. Bottom line. We have, as a society, become obsessed with personal safety and protection and because of that, fear has seeped into other areas of our lives. The what ifs are always there waiting in the shadows of our minds. What if the plane crashes. What if my child is abducted. What if... If you are over 40, stop and look at the changes in the attitudes towards safety that have occurred since you were a child. Have we allowed personal safety and the fear it creates to rule our lives? I think so.

How can we combat fear? One word...perspective. This past week I crossed the great state of Nebraska. Interstate 80 follows the N. Platte river and much of the old Oregon Trail. At one of the rest stops I stood in the still visible ruts caused by the passage of thousands of wagon wheels only 160 years ago. I was struck by the courage these settlers must of had to brave the physical hardships of the journey, the constant threat of attack from Indians and the regular occurrence of sickness and death. Many did not make it to Oregon and yet thousands left the security of the east coast each year to follow their dreams of a better life. We must keep all things in the correct perspective. Life is uncertain. Always has been, always will be. Is it really anymore dangerous to drive through Mexico today in a car than it was to cross the continental US in a wagon? Or for that matter, is it any less dangerous to drive to your hometown Walmart? I personally know many people who have died from or who are battling cancer and know not one person who has been killed in a drug cartel shootout and yet I, without a second thought fill my stomach everyday with chemical laden, preservative, laced, processed food knowing that these things cause cancer, but I fear the "unknown" of driving through Mexico, even though the Sate Dept's. travel site says that "millions of US citizens visit Mexico safely each year and over 150,000 US citizens cross the border each day." Perspective.

What are the ill effects of fear.  Fear is often exhibited through self protectionism. Because we are afraid of being hurt we refuse to love or to trust unconditionally. We look down on and deride those who are different than ourselves hoping to cover our own insecurities. Because we are afraid of the future, we are unable to live for the day. Because we are afraid of poverty tomorrow, we hoard today and call it good stewardship. Fear of rejection keeps us from giving of ourselves wholeheartedly. We often hide the fear behind jokes, doctrines, rules, masks and it is that same fear that keeps us there, in hiding.

I don't know how safe or unsafe travel in Mexico really is. It may be that we will meet with disaster. I hope and pray that is not the case. In a few moments I will publish this post, get behind the wheel of my tractor trailer and drive down the highway. Out here on the road for the past 28 years I've seen enough to know that it can be dangerous. I don't dwell on the danger. I rarely even think about it. It's what I'm used to. It's called Perspective.

I want to live my life without fear. I really do. The Apostle Paul says that, "Perfect love cast out fear". Imagine a world where there is no fear because "perfect love" has driven away every reason to fear. Imagine a world where rejection is unknown, bigotry and prejudice...gone. Cruelty no longer exist. Generosity and caring, the social norm. Edmund Burke is attributed with saying, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." I don''t know about you, but I'm tired of doing nothing. I'm tired of evil prevailing.  I like Michelle Perry's thoughts on the subject, "Darkness flees when light shows up". I want to show up. Wanna' join me?

Go and See Ministries: Short-term missions

One of things I love to do is lead, train, plan and develop short-term missions teams (STM). For me, when I see people getting excited about missions, coming together as a team, seeing their faith increase as God provides funds, I can't help it...I get excited. I love seeing people stretched as they move out of the comfort zone. I love helping people work through the inevitable problems that occur as they are stretched. I love watching people grow through the experience of traveling to another country. Opportunity after opportunity exist for God to work in our lives when people and churches commit wholeheartedly to short-term missions. I LOVE IT!

And now we will be hosting teams in Honduras as well as working with them before they arrive. An entirely different side of the the STM experience and one I am very much looking forward to. Our goal is to build relationships with existing local ministries as well as developing the Living Waters Well Drilling Project and then incorporate your team or family into the needs or plans that already exist.

One the projects that I will be developing is the Living Waters Well Drilling. I will be working with Camino Global  to bring clean drinking water to villages that have no clean water source. We would love to have your family or church raise the funds to drill a well (about $4000 USD) and then come over and help us while we drill. We will arrange projects for you to do in the village that we are drilling in based on your team's abilities. For more information on this go to the Ministries page on our website.

Many other opportunities exist. Children's homes, medical needs, construction, VBS, etc. If you have a particular interest, let us know and we will do our best to find a fit for you.

Take some time to explore our website at http://goandseeministries.org/. In it you will find information about our vision for STM. Cost involved in coming to Honduras. Travel information regarding safety, health and accommodations while you are there. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding short-term missions.

Currently we have one team scheduled for mid June. As the rainy season progresses it will be more difficult to host teams. Weather wise, scheduling to come between the months of November and June are best, but we are willing to work around whatever schedule is best for you. We'd love to have you bring your children and teens. We firmly believe that STM is for all age groups, young and old alike.

So, in my last post I raised the question, "Why should you go and see?" There are so many different answers as to why you should go, but I want to suggest one that for our family has been extremely important. Memories. I know, kind of self centered isn't it, but for our family the STM trip we lead to Huehuetenango, Guatemala in 2008 remains one of our family's most treasured memories. Those memories continue to affect us today. Those memories are part of the reason we are embarking on this adventure. Bring your children. Make your STM trip a family event. You won't regret the time and money spent. Come and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Below are a few of my favorite photos taken in the mountains above Huehuetenango (2008). Memories!



Just of a few of the 150 or so kids who showed up for VBS





Big smiles after doing crafts at VBS

 

Barbe (far right) and some of the team at a small mountain church.

Go and See Ministries; how we got our name.

Go and See Ministries is the name we have chosen for what we, as a family, will "officially" be doing in Honduras. For me, it says exactly what I would like to see all Christians and non Christians do. Go and See! See what? As my friend Pastor Park would say, "I'm glad you asked."

For most of this post I'm going to be writing to Christians, those who profess to not only know Jesus Christ as Savior, but also call him Lord. I'm not going to be getting all theological or preachy on you, so please...keep reading. I just want to tell you from my heart why you  need to Go and See.

I want to begin with a question. Have you ever wondered why you were born here in America and not say, in one of the slums of New Delhi (right) or perhaps as a child, grown up in a Sudanese refugee camp? (below)

No I don't have guilt complex and don't worry, I'm not asking for donations. Instead, I'm asking you to imagine. Stop for a moment, close your eyes and and try to put yourself for just a moment in the body of this little Sudanese boy. You are naked, you have never known what it is like to have full tummy. You used to be hungry, but the ache has been there for so long you don't even notice it anymore. You're hot, brutally, inescapably hot. You have never been wrapped in the embrace of parents who were glad that they had brought you into the world, smothered in their kisses. Your mind has never been challenged to grow, to imagine, to dream. What if this was you?

It's hard to imagine isn't it? Why? Surely it's not because you haven't seen enough pictures, heard enough stories. No, the reason you can't imagine it is because you haven't been there. Go and See! If you had been there, if you had taken that child in your arms, his weight light as a feather as you lifted him, felt his bones only thinly layered in skin, felt the heat of the sun scorching your own skin, parching your throat...you could imagine. Would you feel compassion overwhelming you? Would you empty your pockets to buy him a meal. Would you weep because it just hurts so much to see what sin, poverty and sickness has done. Would you come back a different person? Go and See!

Why should I go and see you ask. I can't bear the sight. My heart won't take it. Besides, what good will it do? I can't change the world. I probably can't even change that one life. Why should I go and see?

Let me bring to your mind just a few words and phrases which might help answer that question. Perspective. Compassion. Love. Family of God. What would Jesus do?

Perspective: I guarantee that when you go and see you will have a different perspective on what is important in life. A different perspective on the "things" we have, the "needs" we think are absolutely necessary to life and happiness.

Compassion: "a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering." The Bible speaks of compassion as a critical aspect of the Christian life.

Love: True love. The kind of love that cast out fear. Love that walks the extra mile. Love that cares for the widow and the fatherless in their distress. Love that lays down your life for your brother...or even your enemy.

Family of God: Would you turn your back on your own family if they were hungry and had no shelter? There are multitudes of believers around the world that are lacking the simple, bare necessities of life. If you are part of the family of God...they are your family too.

What would Jesus do? So what would He do? You answer the question and then ask yourself this. If my Master would do it, should I His servant do any less?

Unfortunately, it is very easy to sit in our air conditioned churches and feel good about ourselves. It's easy to stand in our pulpits, well fed and tailored and preach on what it means to be a Christian and to love God "with all our hearts, souls and minds". Oh, but how difficult it is to actually do the things He did. (I wholeheartedly put myself in this category) Go and See. To whom much is given, much is required.

I challenge each of you to go and see. Come down and visit us in Honduras. We'll shut off the a/c in the van, maybe even get out and walk the dusty streets. We'll share the love of Christ with others, visit in their homes, talk to them about their dreams, hopes and fears. We'll eat beans and tortillas, three times a day. I guarantee that you will not return the same person you were when you you left!

That's one of the reasons  Go and See Ministries exists. We would love to host your short-term missions team or your family in Honduras. This is not an advertisement, everything we do is free of charge ( see cost tab )

In my next post I will be highlighting some of the opportunities we want to offer you through Go and See Ministries when you visit us in Honduras. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Mike and Barbe