tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51160276304599526462024-03-13T19:31:41.507-07:00Blairs in ArequipaJake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-35057494010285434792018-08-03T21:43:00.001-07:002018-08-03T21:43:17.877-07:00A Pharmacist or a Missionary? (And 51 Other Questions)Am I a pharmacist or a missionary? What does it mean to be both? Did God really want me to move to Peru? Why here? Why me? What has God given me to share with people here?<br />
<br />
What does healthcare have to do with the Gospel? Does God want us to be healthy? Is it a sin to be unhealthy? Can God use illness for good? Are sick people being punished? Disciplined? Did God create harmful germs? Does He send diseases? Is that blasphemous to say? Can sin cause us to be sick? Can good health cause us to sin?<br />
<br />
What role do evil spiritual forces play in illness? What does it mean to be possessed by a demon? Are “demonic possessions” really just mental illnesses? Were things very different in Bible times?<br />
What changed in the world after the Fall? Was the Fall necessary? What can we learn from suffering? What hope do we have for relief?<br />
<br />
What are we composed of, spirit and body? Soul? Mind and flesh? What does it mean to be made in the image of God? What happens after we die but before the Resurrection? What will my resurrected body be like? Why treat people if we’re just delaying death? Is there a Christian way to die? What is the Christian way to mourn?<br />
<br />
What did Jesus’s healing ministry have to do with the kingdom of God? As his follower, does Jesus expect me to heal people? To exorcise demons? Do miraculous healings even still happen nowadays? What’s with faith healers? Are shamans in league with the Devil?<br />
<br />
What have Christians historically done well on “medical missions”? What have they done poorly? How do you bring God up during a medical consultation? Is it ever inappropriate to pray with a patient? How do you get from treating diabetes to treating the spirit? Am I qualified to do that? What message am I sending by the way I care for people? Am I receiving the credit or is God?<br />
<br />
If we pray before meals, why don’t we pray before we take medicine? How can I as a pharmacist help people to medicate their relationship with God? What has God given me to share with people? Are my eyes open to see what they have to share with me? Am I a pharmacist or a missionary?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-50819236911055615362016-05-26T19:26:00.000-07:002016-05-26T19:26:04.827-07:00Favorite Podcasts - Part 2<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7H69j_UzQs/V0eqFLd8x4I/AAAAAAAAAhg/9UcelEQHfY4bM2wYMaI2f_eT5AMbDVXwgCLcB/s1600/podcast%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7H69j_UzQs/V0eqFLd8x4I/AAAAAAAAAhg/9UcelEQHfY4bM2wYMaI2f_eT5AMbDVXwgCLcB/s200/podcast%2B2.jpg" width="195" /></a>This is a postscript to my previous blog on podcasts. If you haven’t read that one, go back a few months and read it. Since then I’ve found a few more podcasts that I like and wanted to share them.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECguCBEwBqo/V0er4ili02I/AAAAAAAAAh8/rAYwwV0HslI7Uc2isatdnx-OlpqRa2qZgCLcB/s1600/The%2BNaked%2BBible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECguCBEwBqo/V0er4ili02I/AAAAAAAAAh8/rAYwwV0HslI7Uc2isatdnx-OlpqRa2qZgCLcB/s200/The%2BNaked%2BBible.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>The Naked Bible Podcast</b><br />
Dr. Michael Heiser specializes in ancient cultures and Semitic languages. He speaks on this podcast about various interesting topics, but he is probably most well-known for his recent book, <i>The Unseen Realm</i> and his “divine council theology.” It’s interesting to see how one of the foremost world experts in the Hebrew language handles biblical passages and doctrinal perspectives. I recently heard him explain something I’ve seen to be very true. He said that theology is becoming a wild west of sorts with various pseudo experts on the internet handling and mishandling deeper biblical content in hopes of feeding a growing multitude of Christians hungry for something meatier than your typical Sunday morning sermon. Meanwhile serious biblical scholars are sitting on a gold mine of substantial content but lack the ability or will to relate it to the everyday Christian. I think his aim with this podcast is to connect the world of the scholar with the average Christian in the pew.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I58SE0whtIQ/V0eq_QZK1EI/AAAAAAAAAhs/F3XyXUPfVeoajWxMt9qp5O2m1-K1vVHBACLcB/s1600/kingdom%2Broots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I58SE0whtIQ/V0eq_QZK1EI/AAAAAAAAAhs/F3XyXUPfVeoajWxMt9qp5O2m1-K1vVHBACLcB/s200/kingdom%2Broots.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Kingdom Roots with Scot McKnight</b><br />
Scot McKnight is a well-known Christian blogger, author, and New Testament professor. The topics on this podcast aim to help us think about “how the kingdom took root then [in the first century] and how it is taking root now.” I like the approach he has to taking biblical example and background context and applying it to ministry and everyday discipleship. The format is an interview, with a young guy hosting who asks Dr. McKnight questions on their topic of the week. Shows are shorter, ranging from 25-35 minutes. This podcast is fairly new, so at the time I am writing this there are only 18 published episodes. Agree or disagree with Dr. McKnight, you are going to learn something by listening to this one. I think this is geared towards folks in full-time ministry, but I would recommend it to any serious Christian.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KReKa96lSEc/V0erItpyq4I/AAAAAAAAAhw/nQOAkzdXsxcUyfCyfD_0LsWc4Ztf_S8YACLcB/s1600/bible%2Bproject.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KReKa96lSEc/V0erItpyq4I/AAAAAAAAAhw/nQOAkzdXsxcUyfCyfD_0LsWc4Ztf_S8YACLcB/s200/bible%2Bproject.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>The Bible Project</b><br />
I’ve been plugging the Bible Project for a while now. It’s a series of short videos on YouTube that summarize books of Bible in a very visually appealing way. This podcast is borne out of the interesting and in-depth discussions the creators of the Bible Project have before and after making the videos. Tim, the narrator of the videos, is a biblical scholar and Jonathan, the lead illustrator, does a good job hosting the podcast and interviewing Tim about the subject at hand. My favorite ones they’ve done so far are the ones on the image of God and the follow-up to that called “The Glory of God.” Definitely check this one out if you’ve seen and enjoy their YouTube videos.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-81602594345782888072016-05-11T18:12:00.002-07:002016-05-11T18:12:47.366-07:00Deeper DependenceI was listening to one of my favorite authors and teachers, John Eldredge, on his podcast the other day. He said something that has really stuck in my mind over the last few weeks. It’s just been on repeat in my head and the more I think about it, the more it changes me and how I see my walk with God. Take a listen to this short clip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lKtWD4cjBFU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lKtWD4cjBFU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
I've found my dependence on God growing lately. May we all recognize more and more that dependence on God isn’t weakness, it’s part of the design.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-88871367057967434792016-04-04T21:10:00.000-07:002016-04-04T21:10:07.317-07:00Dr. Farrar and Living ForeverI went to a medical missions conference a few times while I was in college. There was an old hunched-over missionary surgeon named Henry Farrar that would usually speak at a few sessions. We all loved to hear him tell stories about his work at a small rural hospital in Africa. He had a funny demeanor and was always smiling and chuckling to himself as he went about. I heard someone ask him one time why he was always smiling and in his thick Tennessee accent he said, "Well, I'm gonna live forever, so it's hard not to be happy about that." Dr. Farrar has since passed on and I never got to know him personally, but this short, off-hand response changed my life. He really believed that what Jesus did meant he would live forever and that gave him real joy.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>1 Timothy 6:11-13 (NIV)</b>But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.</blockquote>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-44770829400688607642016-04-02T20:49:00.000-07:002016-04-02T20:49:43.409-07:00Made to Fly: A Theology of Good Works<div class="MsoNormal">
Birds were made to fly. When you see a bird soaring
overhead, it’s a beautiful thing. It’s beautiful because it’s doing exactly
what God made it to do. It is fulfilling its purpose in life. Do you ever wonder
what our purpose here is? What were we created to do? Ephesians 2:10 plainly answers
that question, “<span class="text">For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Humans are
</span>doing what we were made to do <span class="text">when we are doing good
works.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Of course, good works aren’t what save you
from your sins. That’s a common mistake and the topic of much debate in
Christendom. The two verses immediately preceding Ephesians 2:10 are the ones
that say we’re saved by grace through faith, not by works so that no one can
boast. We were made to do good works, but good works have no power to save us
from our sins. Jesus’s blood is the only thing that can erase the sin and make
us free. But that begs the question, “Free to do what?” Answer: good works –
the stuff "God prepared in advance for us to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Many think that working is part of the
curse, but carefully consider what we know about Adam. Adam was doing good work before the fall. Good work
was what he was created to do from the beginning. When he sinned he was not
only estranged from God but the fear, guilt, and shame that ensued stifled
Adam’s ability to do good works and things became much harder. He needed atonement at that point. He tried, by the work of his hands to do something to cover himself. He sewed a garment of fig leaves but it wasn't sufficient. Only God can provide an adequate covering: “</span>The Lord God
made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them”<span class="text">
(Genesis 3:21 NIV). Compare this verse
to Romans 13:14 where we “put on” Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">How do you define good works? Shalom is a
great Hebrew word. It is often translated “peace”, but it means
more than just the lack of violence. It also means harmony, health,
completeness, contentment, and overall well-being. I would define “good
works” as anything that brings shalom back to this fallen and chaotic world. Adam’s
tending of the garden was a good work. Jesus said even something as small as giving
a cup of cold water in His name is a good work. Caring for orphans and widows
is good work. Good works
reflect God’s creativity and lovingkindness and give the lost glimpses of what
their Creator is like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">For me, it is helpful to think, “what will
heaven be like?” Well, there won’t be any sickness in heaven, so we need to do whatever we can to bring about health. There won’t be corruption, contaminated water,
discrimination, or poverty – let's work towards eliminating those things. Everyone
in heaven will know God and be living under his authority – “Go and make disciples
of all nations, teaching them to obey everything I commanded you.” We all have
a capacity to do this in whatever sphere of influence God has given us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Jesus told us to pray that the kingdom come
and God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Because of his sacrifice,
the shackles of guilt, fear, and shame that hold us back from accomplishing the
mission are broken. Jesus declared that the kingdom of heaven (the place where
God’s will is done on earth like it is in heaven) is “at hand.” In other words,
it’s about to explode onto the scene when Jesus sends out his Holy-Spirit-inspired disciples. If we could
truly wrap our minds around the fact that our sins are taken care of and that
we are literally going to live forever in the presence of God, we would be unstoppable
difference-makers and this world would be more like heaven every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">You may by this point be starting to think
that I would advocate some kind of social gospel. So-called “social gospels”
are those versions of the good news that focus on society’s systemic
evils and work to correct them through good works. The problem with social
gospels is that they tend to under-emphasize the atoning sacrifice and
resurrection of Jesus. I am not arguing for a social gospel, although I do
believe the Gospel is deeply social in nature. What I believe in is a Gospel so
focused on Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection that we are so
filled with love for our neighbor that we can’t help but tell them about Him
while we care for his or her physical and social needs. Our Gospel needs to affect every part of our lives and compel us to make a
difference in the world. In the process we won’t be able to keep quiet about
the One who changed our lives and the very course of human history. If anyone
asks something like, “Why are you volunteering at the clinic when you aren’t getting paid to
do it?” we can say, “I do this because the King and the Kingdom have come near.
Haven’t you heard the good news?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text">Like the birds, we were made for a purpose.
The Good News is that we’ve been liberated to fulfill that purpose as we live
in the presence of God starting now and extending on into eternity. That’s a
beautiful thing. Let’s get the word out to more folks who don’t know yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-60169620932931860482016-02-06T20:21:00.001-08:002016-02-06T20:24:26.485-08:00Rogue Molecules<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6DSwJixnlw/VrbEwucx5GI/AAAAAAAAAd8/VJDtm7DqBLQ/s1600/glyburide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6DSwJixnlw/VrbEwucx5GI/AAAAAAAAAd8/VJDtm7DqBLQ/s1600/glyburide.jpg" /></a></div>
These are just some notes I took watching a presentation by Duke University professors Ray Barfield and Jeremy Begbie entitled, "Unexpected Intersections: Arts, Medicine, and Theology." I've included the video below if you are interested in watching it. I especially liked how Barfield presented the problem modern western medicine faces in his "rogue molecules" explanation.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Training to be a medical practitioner in a nutshell:</b><br />
1. Anatomy: how the molecules are statically laid out.<br />
2. Physiology: how the molecules move in the right direction.<br />
3. Pathology: how rogue molecules sometimes slow down or move in the wrong direction.<br />
4. Practicals: how to make the rogue molecules act right via surgical and medical techniques.<br />
<br />
<b>What medical practitioners acquire in their didactic training:</b><br />
1. Definition of life: molecules moving in the right direction.<br />
2. A vocation: human body mechanic.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What's the problem?</b><br />
1. This biological reductionism is insufficient when applied to suffering and illness in human beings.<br />
2. Practitioners speaking the language of biology and patients speaking the language of human experience aren't hearing each other clearly.<br />
3. Practitioner burnout is high due to improper equipping for the problem.<br />
4. Patients don't receive the help they need at the most important times in their lives.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vZ_36Z6OkTk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vZ_36Z6OkTk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<b>The Bottom Line:</b><br />
1. Human life and illness are so much more than molecules and biology (we have emotions, relationships, faith, etc.)<br />
2. Treatment of illness must be enriched beyond how it is often practiced today.<br />
3. Theology and the arts (and the social sciences) have a lot to bring to the table.<br />
<br />
<b>Challenge</b>: Use story, art, music, theology, and whatever other means necessary to enrich the experience of suffering, illness, and dying with the patients you serve.Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-25160786199940443772016-01-18T21:27:00.000-08:002016-01-24T13:56:13.165-08:00My Favorite Podcasts<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>WHAT IS A PODCAST?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
pod·cast [pod-kast,
‐kahst]<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZZZTORA-5E/VqVIY9XLv3I/AAAAAAAAAdc/Hw5RtjCx7zg/s1600/podcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZZZTORA-5E/VqVIY9XLv3I/AAAAAAAAAdc/Hw5RtjCx7zg/s200/podcast.jpg" width="200" /></a><i>noun
<br />
</i>1. A digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a
computer or portable media player, typically available as a series, new
installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A podcast is basically a radio show broadcast to the public
via the internet. There are thousands of podcast shows on various topics ranging
from talk shows, news, religion, science, tech, etc. If you have a smartphone,
you probably have the ability to download podcasts via a “podcatcher” (AKA an
app that subscribes to and manages your podcasts). iPhones come standard with
an app for this. Other podcatchers include Stitcher Radio and Overcast. The
neat thing is, when you subscribe to a podcast, they will automatically
download to your phone when new episodes become available.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of my favorite podcasts are religious talk shows. I
love to listen to them while I’m in a car or bus while traveling. My faith and
knowledge of the Bible has increased due to the convenient technology of
podcasts. In an age when we often see technology being used for such evil
purposes, podcasts can be such a blessing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MY FAVORITES<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My good friend and teammate, Jeremy Daggett, <a href="http://postmod.co/blog/2015/11/21/my-favorite-religious-podcasts">recently
blogged</a> about his three favorite religious podcasts and inspired me to do
the same. Here are my recommendations in
no particular order:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1030" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:25.8pt;width:92.15pt;
height:92.15pt;z-index:-251658240;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Jake\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ylb3ABNNvYk/Vp27cevbXzI/AAAAAAAAAck/SYna4bblf1w/s1600/norsworthy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ylb3ABNNvYk/Vp27cevbXzI/AAAAAAAAAck/SYna4bblf1w/s200/norsworthy.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Newsworthy with
Norsworthy</b> <br />
This one was also on Jeremy’s list. It’s an interview show hosted by a young
Texas preacher named Luke Norsworthy. He interviews writers, theologians,
preachers, bloggers, and professors about various theological topics. I think
one of his goals is to get Christians thinking about the issues and open the
conversation up to different points of view among believers. Many interviews
are from authors promoting their new books. I think Luke asks a lot of the same
questions I would ask coming from a Church of Christ background and does it in
an entertaining, sometimes sarcastic way which I enjoy. He seems like just one
of the guys I would hang out with. He’s always done his homework and has read
the book the author is promoting. Regulars on the show include Jonathan
Storment, Scot McKnight, Richard Beck, and Rob Bell. My absolute favorite
interviews have been N.T. Wright and Richard Rohr. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1029"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;
width:92.15pt;height:92.15pt;z-index:-251657216;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Jake\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHjCtA_g6Fg/Vp28AIA0TwI/AAAAAAAAAcs/RzbNyoiXT68/s1600/ransomed%2Bheart.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHjCtA_g6Fg/Vp28AIA0TwI/AAAAAAAAAcs/RzbNyoiXT68/s200/ransomed%2Bheart.jpeg" width="200" /></a><b>John Eldredge and Ransomed Heart</b> <br />
This podcast is hosted by one of my favorite authors, John Eldredge (from <i>Wild at Heart</i> fame). He’s usually
accompanied by his friend Craig McConnell. Eldredge is a counselor with a background
in theater. I think this mix gives him such an interesting and unique
perspective on the human heart and what captivates and speaks to us on a deeper
level. Most of what he says and believes is based on life in the trenches counseling
real people with real problems, never just theoretical jargon. Eldredge and
McConnell are long-time friends and you can tell they draw out the best in each
another. McConnell brings to the table his own wealth of experience from his
ongoing battle with cancer. One disclaimer is that some of the episodes of this
podcast are hosted by other staff members of Eldredge’s “Ransomed Heart”
organization. I listen to these too, but the ones with Mr. Eldredge are the
best. I would highly recommend the ten-part series of episodes they did this
summer called “The Sacred Romance” and a four-part series they did on the topic
of suffering.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EZk73BuBIc/Vp28A_rSwxI/AAAAAAAAAdA/usVGN5bCK3Y/s1600/theonauts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EZk73BuBIc/Vp28A_rSwxI/AAAAAAAAAdA/usVGN5bCK3Y/s200/theonauts.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1028"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;
width:92.25pt;height:92.25pt;z-index:-251656192;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Jake\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><b>The Theonauts</b><br />
Here you have two guys whose hobby is talking about the Bible and Christian
life. They will pick a topic in theology, both study it separately and come
together on the podcast and work through what they learned and believe. They
show us that serious theology can be fun when you do it with grace in
community. Apart from the theological topic of the show, they also do a segment
on Christian current events and compete against each other a few minutes every
show with Bible trivia questions. I recommend scrolling through their episodes
and picking one on a theological topic that you’ve always had questions about.
The strengths of this podcast are 1.) their way of bringing complex biblical
topics down to a level we can all understand and weigh the options and 2.)
their manner of “doing theology” with grace and humility that is a model for
the rest of us to go out and have meaningful conversations about topics that
really matter with our friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1027"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:-.2pt;
width:92.25pt;height:92.25pt;z-index:-251655168;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Jake\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXJoSF3IlSo/Vp28AExyJZI/AAAAAAAAAcw/vfg_XmR_GWA/s1600/the%2Bvillage%2Bsermons.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXJoSF3IlSo/Vp28AExyJZI/AAAAAAAAAcw/vfg_XmR_GWA/s200/the%2Bvillage%2Bsermons.jpeg" width="200" /></a><b>The Village Church – Sermons</b><br />
I do enjoy a good sermon via podcast every once in a while. Matt Chandler is
one of the preachers for The Village Church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He’s
not always the one preaching on this podcast, and when it’s not him, I usually
skip that episode. Chandler is a no-nonsense type with a flair for the comedic.
He’s always passionate and keeps your attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1026"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:24.65pt;
width:92.15pt;height:92.15pt;z-index:-251654144;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Jake\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.jpg"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8O8Yt7PBpw/Vp28AyREJcI/AAAAAAAAAc8/8PY4Y5H0aKQ/s1600/timothy%2Bkeller.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8O8Yt7PBpw/Vp28AyREJcI/AAAAAAAAAc8/8PY4Y5H0aKQ/s200/timothy%2Bkeller.jpeg" width="200" /></a><b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>Timothy Keller
Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life</b></b></div>
<b>
</b>Tim Keller is one of the best preachers/teachers I’ve ever heard. He is
consistently good, especially in the area of apologetics of the Christian
faith. This podcast publishes the sermons he preaches at his home church,
Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City. All of his sermons are good, but my
favorite in recent memory is titled “Friendship.” <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are some of my favorites. I'm always looking for good new ones. Share yours in the comments section below.</div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-47487457206186659662015-09-04T11:16:00.000-07:002016-04-14T12:07:11.791-07:00Ministering to Patients with "Diabetes Emotiva"Through <a href="http://www.cudaperu.org/">CUDA</a>, several members of our mission team have been able to work with a local clinic doing diabetes screening and follow-up. One thing we’ve encountered here is the common belief that Diabetes is caused by an emotional trauma or stressful situation. Many patients have expressed that they have emotional Diabetes, or “Diabetes Emotiva.” This is something I’d never heard of before. The idea is very pervasive and even some healthcare providers seem to be propagating it.<br />
<br />
The best scientific research suggests that type 2 Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as obesity and sugary diet. Ever since we’ve been at the clinic, we’ve been trying to dispel the rumor that Diabetes Emotiva exists. The regional doctor over preventative disease at the clinic we work at has also expressed his wishes to correct this misunderstanding. I have always imagined we’re doing people a great service by saying, “no, your Diabetes wasn’t caused by your sister’s death and the depression you felt afterwards.” To me, it would be a relief to know that I’m not responsible for giving myself a chronic illness, rather that it is something genetic that just happens sometimes. The funny thing is, some people fight to hold onto the Diabetes Emotiva belief.<br />
<br />
In researching the roots of this old wive’s tale, I stumbled upon an article that theorized something about Diabetes Emotiva that seems to make some sense. What it says is that chronic illnesses like diabetes often are absorbed into someone’s personal narrative and in their mind can become linked to trauma they’ve experienced. Talking about the disease opens the door to talking about deep wounds in their lives that otherwise would have no voice. If this is true, no wonder people want to blame the Diabetes on domestic problems, trauma, stress, and grief and will fight to hold on to that explanation. You can’t just open a conversation with, “my husband died and it is still affecting my everyday life.” But, unconsciously, you may rearrange the story so that any time your physical ailments are talked about, there’s an open door to finally talk about what you’ve been bottling up.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtpjUi1yCtw/VenffW9ktBI/AAAAAAAAAbg/XJTmfybzPDY/s1600/Bible%2BMedicine.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtpjUi1yCtw/VenffW9ktBI/AAAAAAAAAbg/XJTmfybzPDY/s200/Bible%2BMedicine.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
What are the implications for ministering to Diabetes Emotiva patients if this theory is correct? Do we still need to dispel the false causation beliefs? Is Diabetes Emotiva a direct inroad to discussing deep heart issues that there is only one cure for – Jesus Christ? I don’t have any answers right now but this is a theory I will be investigating in the upcoming weeks and months.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you're interested, here's a link to the article I mentioned: <a href="http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca_Seligman/publication/44675221_Speaking_through_diabetes_Rethinking_the_significance_of_lay_discourses_on_diabetes/links/0912f50d09c6eb4ca1000000.pdf">http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca_Seligman/publication/44675221_Speaking_through_diabetes_Rethinking_the_significance_of_lay_discourses_on_diabetes/links/0912f50d09c6eb4ca1000000.pdf</a></div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-9228923412101848352015-09-01T20:57:00.001-07:002015-09-01T21:37:48.861-07:00Defining "Kingdom of God"<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The
most misunderstood phrase in the whole Bible is ‘kingdom of God.’ ” I heard
someone say that a few years ago. I decided that I didn’t really know exactly
what the “kingdom of God” (KOG) was. The problem wasn’t that I didn’t have a
definition, it was actually that I found two different definitions floating
around in my head. Sometimes when I heard or read “KOG,” I thought of heaven.
Other times, I would mentally insert “the church.” I think I’d done this for
years without really recognizing it.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How would you answer the
question? What is the kingdom of God?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> a. heaven</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> b. the
church</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> c. an
erroneous first-century idea about Jewish nationalism.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> d. some
weird combination of the choices above</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> e. none
of the above</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I set
out to study this by doing a complete Bible search for this peculiar phrase. I
looked at each occurrence and tried to substitute the word “church” and the
word “heaven” to see which made more sense. Neither substitution fit the
context of every passage. But, I discovered why I had these two competing
definitions. In some places in the Bible it clearly talks about the KOG in
terms of a future entity. For example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter
the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.<b><br />
Mark 9:47 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Truly
I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day
when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.<b>
<br />
Mark 14:25 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There
will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown
out.<b> <br />
Luke 13:28 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What’s
more, Matthew sometimes uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” interchangeably
with “KOG.” This only complicates things and further contributes to the idea
that it has something to do with life after death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In other
places, we see the KOG talked about like it is already present among us. This
is why I had that other churchy definition in my mind. For example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come
upon you.<b> <br />
Luke 11:20 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste
death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”<b> <br />
Mark 9:1 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus
said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are
entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.<br />
<b>Matthew 21:31 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once,
on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus
replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be
observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the
kingdom of God is in your midst.”<br />
<b>Luke 17:20-21 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It seems
the Jews of Jesus’s day also had some confusion about what the messiah’s
relation to this kingdom would be. As you read the gospels, you see that the
disciples are constantly expecting Jesus to do something to overthrow Roman
rule and restore Israel’s kingdom like back in the good old days of King David.
Word even got around to the regional Roman governor, Pilate, who asked Jesus about it directly.
Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would
fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from
another place” (John 18:36, NIV).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If the
messiah was to usher in the KOG, how could he die at the hands of the Romans? The
disciples were devastated. You see them asking themselves, “Did we back the
wrong horse?” It was the rising from the dead thing that started to open up
their minds to kingdom on a much larger scale. It wasn’t just victory over
Rome, it was victory over sin and death – much more imposing oppressors of Israel,
in fact, of all mankind. Yes, it’s bigger than just overthrowing the current
regime. It’s what Daniel described as a kingdom that will never be destroyed,
greater than all the world empires before it (Daniel 2:34).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus
corrects the disciples’ lingering misunderstanding of kingdom just before the
ascension. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then
they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to
restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the
times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”<b> <br />
Acts 1:6-8 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Here Jesus
doesn’t come right out and say to them, “that’s a bad question.” He gently
redirects them with his answer, almost as if to say, “It’s not that Israel has
nothing to do with it, but think bigger! This kingdom thing is going to go
viral around the globe.” After all, that’s what God promised Abraham way back
when. He told Abraham, “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be
blessed.” The mind-blowing thing about all of this is that Jesus commissioned his
followers to <i>participate</i> in this
world-changing blessing. Like a dad who asks for his son’s help building a treehouse,
Jesus allows his clumsy disciples to help him build his kingdom! He promised to
be with us the whole time and sure, he’ll come back and tighten up the bolts at
the end, but in the meantime he wants his children to participate in his
kingdom as it infiltrates all nations, social networks, and strongholds of
darkness unto the ends of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The key,
to me, to defining “KOG” is in the Lord’s Prayer. “May your kingdom come and
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” There’s an obvious difference
between how God’s will plays out in heaven and how it plays out currently on
earth. We all know that heaven will be perfect. I think the reason we see some verses
that talk about a present kingdom and other verses about a future kingdom is
because it’s both. Jesus commands us to pray for and do things that bring the
future heaven into the present brokenness. That’s what Jesus was doing the
whole time he was here – giving us glimpses of the heavenly kingdom on earth. The
kingdom began penetrating the darkness everywhere he went. Sick were healed.
Blind received sight. Lame walked. And the good news – the news that the God
himself had finally arrived to set things straight – was preached to the poor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I love
to ask people, “What will heaven be like?” because their answer can help
clarify the kingdom mission. For example, there will be no starving children in
heaven. Our mission: feed the hungry. There will be no sick people in heaven.
Our mission: make people well. There will be no loneliness, suffering, or oppression
in heaven. We have opportunities every day to fight against these things –
sometimes in very small ways and sometimes in big ways. Perhaps most
importantly, in heaven there won’t be anyone who doesn’t know the king and
submit to his rule. There are plenty of people out there who still don’t know
Jesus and he has asked us to make the introductions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQaDxR-8hfA/VeZ7QuDrErI/AAAAAAAAAbI/vx1wewQucv4/s1600/oasis.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQaDxR-8hfA/VeZ7QuDrErI/AAAAAAAAAbI/vx1wewQucv4/s400/oasis.png" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The KOG
is wherever and whenever God’s will is done. That’s the working definition I
have right now and it’s a call to good deeds, prayer, holiness, and speaking
out about the king. It’s not just a future thing; it’s an eternal reality bleeding
into the present age. It’s not just a restored national Israel; it’s the
Abrahamic blessing coming to fruition for the benefit of all nations. As
Christians, we’ve already received our naturalization papers to the future
kingdom and as we walk about in this present shadow world there should be a
shimmering wake of heavenly goodness behind us. Hospitals, clean water,
adoption agencies, counseling centers, beautiful art, honest businesses, caring
neighbors: the world is getting glimpses of heaven here and there in small
pockets but when the king comes back, those glimpses will become a permanent
reality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well.<br />
<b>Matthew 6:33 (NIV)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As you
may already know, Jaclyn and I work with a Peruvian non-profit organization
here in Arequipa called the Christian Urban Development Association (CUDA). We
spend about half of our week involved in CUDA programs. It’s a Christian organization
with a KOG mindset and goals. While CUDA is not a church, it is led by
Christian people and it provides Christians with a platform to get involved in
kingdom work and share the good news. It is recognized as a legitimate
non-profit organization by both Peruvian and American governments and focuses
on three areas of kingdom work: education, business, and health. The education
branch is called “Living Libraries” and seeks to improve reading comprehension
in Peruvian elementary schools and promotes the formation of school libraries
(which many schools here lack). The business branch of CUDA promotes small
business development by offering vocational training, savings and investment
training, and Christian business ethics classes. CUDA’s health branch, called
Pura Vida (Pure Life) works with preventative health and health education
programs in local Peruvian clinics. All of this is designed to be a blessing to
the world and show them how good our King really is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If you
would like to learn more about CUDA, you can visit their website at www.cudaperu.org.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-78863368720926942882015-01-29T19:06:00.001-08:002015-01-29T19:06:24.619-08:00Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello everyone! We have been in Peru for officially three
months now. I wanted to give you an overview of what our lives are like here.
We have been in language school full time (minus the holidays) This
consists of four hours a day with two Peruvian teachers: Rene and Chari. Jake
and I both spend two hours one-on-one with each. Our Spanish teachers have been so great and have continually
encouraged us even on the days when “hola” comes out wrong.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MCkGglMUxaU/VKhlP6L8tbI/AAAAAAAAAJA/jlMmvwAjSNM/s1600/IMG_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MCkGglMUxaU/VKhlP6L8tbI/AAAAAAAAAJA/jlMmvwAjSNM/s1600/IMG_0460.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jake, Chari, Claudia, Me, Rene, Paty, Alfredo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The first nine weeks we lived with the Ugarte
family.They a Peruvian family that agreed to host Jake and me as a part of
Passport Language School’s homestay program.The idea of this program is to enhance
language learning. However, it turned into something much, much more. They have become like family to us here in Peru. From day one they have been
extremely patient with us and have gone above and beyond what they needed to
do. We have had many meals with extended family on both sides and we just can’t
express enough gratitude to God for allowing us to meet this family. Most of
our afternoons were spent with them hanging out with the kids, going to
birthday parties of relatives, and once I even went to the dentist with them. We tried to participate in everything we could. It was an intense, hands-on way to learn language and culture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEIyKIhKp8k/VKhpZue3mhI/AAAAAAAAAJM/KqbmIu0w9hg/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEIyKIhKp8k/VKhpZue3mhI/AAAAAAAAAJM/KqbmIu0w9hg/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jake, Me, Rodrigo, Mijalko, Maria, Ana Paula</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We recently moved into our new apartment! We are
living in the district of Hunter. This is where we will be doing medical work
in the near future. Moving in has been a full time job, but it is finally
starting to feel like our home. The queen-sized bed frame was too big to fit up the stairwell so we had to lift it four flights up the side of the building onto the roof with ropes, with the help of random passers-by and Chari (our language teacher).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-at83bledsWc/VKityGbJ8eI/AAAAAAAAAK4/PE0E-qCZD7s/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-at83bledsWc/VKityGbJ8eI/AAAAAAAAAK4/PE0E-qCZD7s/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BY7f5AEZunw/VKiuKoKw6UI/AAAAAAAAALA/AVyTd8ygt3g/s1600/IMG_0435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BY7f5AEZunw/VKiuKoKw6UI/AAAAAAAAALA/AVyTd8ygt3g/s1600/IMG_0435.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now we are in a transition period. With the New Year
starting the McKenzie clan said their gooodbyes and made their way back to the states. In just a
few short months the Smith family will be moving back too. And a few months
after that our beloved Aussies head back to Australia. We just completed CONFIA, <b>Con</b>ferecia del <b>fi</b>n de <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>a</b>ño, w</span>hich was a conference with the missionaries and the church here. The infamous
Bill and Holly Richardson joined us for a three-day meeting with the church
family. We planned for the future and prayed for God to be with us and guide us
as a family. It was a beautiful time together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MT4oXlXDmCc/VKirnpF6i3I/AAAAAAAAAKk/YEhctnqa-Rc/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MT4oXlXDmCc/VKirnpF6i3I/AAAAAAAAAKk/YEhctnqa-Rc/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Bill imparting his wisdom and leading a discussion about the cycle of vision.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not always easy. We miss our families and the familiarity of home. Things take time here. I took for granted how easy it is to get into a car and drive through a fast food restaurant. Here there are a few American restaurants but no drive-throughs and going there requires catching a bus. When I make food I will look at recipes online and for some of the ingredients
listed I have to look up a recipe to make that too. Some days are hard and it is
frustrating that we can’t always communicate exactly what we want. This can make for some good stories. For example one time I took
the trash literally onto the roof (techo) instead of the larger trashcan
outside (tacho.) I will never forget the word “tacho” from now on after the
look I got. And one time Jake asked “What age of pizza would be sufficient for
us?” He meant size rather than age. We are learning to take everyday in stride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have had so much fun too! We got to go to the Peruvian circus, a bull fight (no bulls die),
celebrate Jake’s 28<sup>th</sup> birthday here, attend many school
functions (with Rodrigo and Ana Paula), hiked at 19,100 foot mountain named
Misti (some may debate the “funness” of this), attended an Arequipa vs. Lima
soccer game, saw the most amazing 360 degree view of 1 million inhabitants
creating their own fireworks show... twice (Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fD8JoOat2X0/VKivwHMpQDI/AAAAAAAAALU/P7rI7rM8i_8/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fD8JoOat2X0/VKivwHMpQDI/AAAAAAAAALU/P7rI7rM8i_8/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peruvian Circus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PS5rGMpx4pM/VKivwf3cRwI/AAAAAAAAALY/5CG5CjlWj3A/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PS5rGMpx4pM/VKivwf3cRwI/AAAAAAAAALY/5CG5CjlWj3A/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me and Katie giving this bull a pre-match pep talk.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdVx7URElvA/VKiz5XPzMjI/AAAAAAAAALo/iAHElT7RZ6w/s1600/IMG_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdVx7URElvA/VKiz5XPzMjI/AAAAAAAAALo/iAHElT7RZ6w/s1600/IMG_0178.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Birthday Jake!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlq4WHZTk10/VKhrngEgInI/AAAAAAAAAJg/mbV3yC01FHc/s1600/IMG_0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlq4WHZTk10/VKhrngEgInI/AAAAAAAAAJg/mbV3yC01FHc/s1600/IMG_0229.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from Misti.</span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NevGxB0J8qc/VKi0Sb1CT1I/AAAAAAAAALw/y_hVwniL_cI/s1600/IMG_0372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NevGxB0J8qc/VKi0Sb1CT1I/AAAAAAAAALw/y_hVwniL_cI/s1600/IMG_0372.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Melgar (Arequipa) vs. Alianza (Lima)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our tourist visas expired at the beginning of January so we had to bus across the border into Chile and return to renew them for another six months. Though only two hours were actually spent in
Chile it was a breath of fresh sea air. We ate dinner in a restaurant overlooking the ocean. On the bus back I thought to myself “I’m glad we will be home
tonight.” Home. We have a home in Peru. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13631201511329794896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-20734055568839184742014-11-02T18:17:00.000-08:002014-11-02T18:17:38.651-08:00Year 1: As Wise as Snakes
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9M3DnbbYOsM/VFW1rS4uJcI/AAAAAAAAAHs/gmiFCQ5-N2s/s1600/worldview.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9M3DnbbYOsM/VFW1rS4uJcI/AAAAAAAAAHs/gmiFCQ5-N2s/s1600/worldview.png" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t think the first phase of our mission will be all that
glamorous in terms of baptisms and bible studies. At the recommendation of
previous missionaries, we are trying to take the first full year on the ground
to be full-time learners of the language and the culture. One of the things
we are doing as a team is collaborating on a study of religious customs, rituals, and rites of passage. Over
the next several months we will be conducting surveys and compiling all the
knowledge we can on Catholicism and its rituals and practice, weddings,
funerals, birthdays, the rite of confirmation, infant baptisms, Andean animism,
superstition, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In every culture
there are things that point towards Jesus, things that point away from Jesus,
and things that are more or less neutral. We have to be well-acquainted with
the underlying meaning of things as we approach church-planting as cultural
outsiders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the field of missiology (the study of missions) the word
“contextualization” is thrown around a lot. Contextualization is the craft of
relating something in a way that is understandable to people from a different
culture. In actuality, everyone participates in some contextualization because
we all deal with subcultures within our own culture. For example, your parents and
your children (if you have children) are members of different subcultures.
There is a generation gap between you. You might have to explain something to
them in a different way than you would with someone your own age. This same
concept is amplified when it comes to communicating cross-culturally. Creative
and judicious contextualization is of vital importance when communicating the most
important thing in the world: the Gospel.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbhy_ZYwW0A/VFbiW83tZ2I/AAAAAAAAAIE/vSrVEqLJtS8/s1600/Potted%2BPlant%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbhy_ZYwW0A/VFbiW83tZ2I/AAAAAAAAAIE/vSrVEqLJtS8/s1600/Potted%2BPlant%2B2.png" height="163" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When contextualizing biblical truth, we must be aware of
the cultural baggage we bring along with us to a new place. We are not
commissioned to spread American culture to those who are lost, we are
commissioned to spread the transformative Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must, therefore, critically analyze our own ways of doing things. Do we do the things we do
because they point towards Jesus? If so, those practices can be shared. Many
times American cultural practices are spiritually neutral but end up getting passed
along to the natives because that’s just how the missionaries have always done
it. The spiritually neutral things are often the things the sending churches
back home get upset about when missionaries decide not to impose them on the natives. Thirdly,
there are things in American culture that we bring along with us that actually
point people away from Jesus. God forbid we infect other cultures with our
sinful cultural baggage!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other pitfall of contextualization is syncretism.
Syncretism is what God constantly warned the Israelites of doing when they
entered the land of Canaan where people were practicing false religions. It’s
the mixing of the worship of God and his message of good news with the pagan
religions of the world. There’s a fine line between contextualization and syncretism.
Trying to spread the Gospel without first taking time to carefully analyze the
culture often results in syncretistic churches. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m reminded of the words of Jesus as he sent
out his disciples “be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matt.
10:16). Our goal as newcomers to this culture is to become culturally savvy so
that we can skillfully contextualize the Gospel and help the church make decisions about what’s good, what’s bad, and
what’s neutral in Peruvian culture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLHx6MFghiE/VFbjrf6HRyI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/jMZkszCXX8E/s1600/Entire%2BTeam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLHx6MFghiE/VFbjrf6HRyI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/jMZkszCXX8E/s1600/Entire%2BTeam.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our whole team is finally together in Arequipa!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-41325167237399538642014-10-24T14:54:00.000-07:002014-10-24T14:56:06.177-07:00Seven FAQs<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many people have asked about our mission plans in Peru.
These are the seven most common questions we’ve fielded. Jaclyn also answers
another FAQ, “are you ready?” in this month’s team newsletter which should be
out in a few days. If you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to the
team newsletter at </span><a href="http://www.teamarequipa.net/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.teamarequipa.net</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where will you live? In a mud hut?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No, not a mud hut or in the middle of the jungle.
Arequipa is a city of almost a million people. That’s about the size of San
Francisco or Indianapolis and it has a higher population density (people per
square mile) than New York City. For about the first six weeks we are staying
with a Peruvian family in their home. Home stays help immensely with the
language and culture acquisition process. After that, we plan on renting a two
bedroom apartment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is it like there?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Arequipa is a city with one of the fastest
growing economies in all of South America. People from the rural areas are
moving to Arequipa for jobs and opportunities. It’s a major hub of culture and
economics in southern Peru. The city is about 7,500 ft above sea level. Andean mountains dominate the skyline.
There aren’t many buildings higher than four or five stories because of the periodic earthquakes. In Arequipa you
can find malls, movie theaters, banks, and department stores downtown, but you
can also find cinder block houses with no electricity and no running water on
the outskirts of the city. It’s a dry, mild climate. Temperatures stay between
50-80 degrees year-round. There are really only two seasons, the dry season and
the rainy season.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bSFYTV2oRU/VErH7cTcH2I/AAAAAAAAAHI/0DO08DvYMgE/s1600/Arequipa%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bSFYTV2oRU/VErH7cTcH2I/AAAAAAAAAHI/0DO08DvYMgE/s1600/Arequipa%2B2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Arequipa skyline with "Misti" in full view. Misti's peak is 19,101 ft.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What will you do on a day-to-day basis?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we get acclimated, we will be
volunteering in a medical clinic in one of the lower-income districts of the
city. Our main push is preventative medicine. Because there are so many
patients to see each day, the providers don’t usually have time to educate
people about how not to get sick in the future. That’s where we come in. We’re
starting with diabetes screening and education. There are also opportunities to
work with schools doing health education and eventually we would love to do follow-up
home visits for patients who visit the clinics. Our plan is to offer our
services as “expert volunteers” and use this as an avenue for sharing the good
news about Jesus. Our goal is to love our neighbors by providing exceptional
healthcare and make disciples of Jesus along the way. Jesus’s model of
discipleship creates exponential growth of the church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who supports you? You know, where do you
get your dinero?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Several individual families and a couple
small churches support us financially. My (Jake’s) home church in Bonne Terre,
Missouri is our official “sending congregation” that collects the funds and
provides accountability and spiritual oversight. A Christian grant program
called Project MedSend is paying our student loan payments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will you have a car, or will you ride
llamas?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We do not plan on getting a car. Public
transportation in Arequipa is cheap and easy. City buses, or “combis” travel
through all the main districts and one out of every two cars on the street is a
taxi. If you’re willing to cram into a combi, you can take it from one side of
the city to the other for about $0.30. Riding in a taxi is about 4-10 Soles
($1.50-$3.50), depending on how far you need to go.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAGyPCBg_i8/VErIh_70d1I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/RkU8EmGBGsw/s1600/hBC9ECB4C%5B1%5D.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAGyPCBg_i8/VErIh_70d1I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/RkU8EmGBGsw/s1600/hBC9ECB4C%5B1%5D.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is it safe?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pick-pockets are more common here than in
the states, but violent crimes are less common. Crime tends to follow the
illegal drug trade and, based on what we’ve heard, Arequipa is not part of
their route. Peru’s government is historically one of the most stable in South
America and is not opposed to missionaries coming here. Of course we don’t know
what will happen, but we rest assured that God is in control and that He has
led us here. Is following God safe? Probably not by most people’s definition of
safe. Is NOT following God safe? Absolutely not!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you scared? What is your biggest fear?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course uprooting and moving into a whole
new culture is scary. It will be tough, but we know God will be with us. The
most overwhelming thing here in the beginning is learning the language.
Although we have some Spanish background, we have a long way to go. Our biggest
fear is looking back at the end and not feeling like we accomplished what we
came to do. We need the prayers of everyone reading this. Please make it a
point to pray specifically for our cultural adjustment and for receptivity
among the people of Arequipa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFJIyZxDsPw/VErALXSEasI/AAAAAAAAAG8/8ErEnS9r4Y0/s1600/city%2Bpanorama%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFJIyZxDsPw/VErALXSEasI/AAAAAAAAAG8/8ErEnS9r4Y0/s1600/city%2Bpanorama%2B2.JPG" height="176" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Panoramic view of the Plaza de Armas including the cathedral
in downtown Arequipa. The city was founded in 1540.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5116027630459952646.post-39084524441597907062014-08-18T15:03:00.000-07:002014-08-18T15:03:46.769-07:00God's Hand in it
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We boarded the plane at the airport in Arequipa and looked
at each other as we buckled our seat belts. “Let’s just stay another week,” she
said. I looked over at my wife and smiled, “You know, I’ve always been so ready
to get home after trips like this, but I really wish we could stay too.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you know me, you know I’m not really the “feeling” type. But
I felt something as we left Peru in January. I felt a strong sense of purpose
that I believe God put there to confirm us. Jaclyn did too. We left there with
a clear answer to our question, “Is this what God really wants?” Now it’s
August and we’re slated to punch our one-way ticket to Peru in two short
months. Looking back, we think we see what God has been up to for quite some
time to get us to this point:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We know that God was behind the scenes getting
us to go on all of those short-term mission trips in college that got us all
fired up to make a difference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeremy and Katie Daggett’s invitation to come
meet with their prospective mission team in April 2012 was most definitely an
answer to our prayer as newlyweds asking to be a part of God’s mission in the
world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2013 we found out that our newly formed team
has what the Team Dimensions Profile (a team-building workshop) calls an almost
perfectly balanced mix of “creators”, “advancers”, “refiners”, and “executors.”
It seems to me that the composition of this team was no accident. Besides being
well-balanced, the Frouds, Morgans, and Daggetts have become our close friends
through this process and we are excited to embark on this adventure with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A big gift God gave our team is allowing us to
skip the much of the hard stuff and jump right into a ready-made mission. The
McKinzie and Smith families (we call them “Team Arequipa 1.0”) have been
working diligently in Arequipa for six years and we (Team Arequipa 2.0) get to
springboard off of the foundation they have laid there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as we moved to Houston two years ago, God
swept us up in the start of a home Bible study at Nathan and Lindy Ingram’s ranch.
Strangely, it ended up being almost exactly what we picture our house churches
in Peru being like in the future. We even had a token Latin American man named
Jorge. Leading that bible study every week taught us some very valuable things.
It’s like God was saying, “Here, I’ll let you practice this once before you
go.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The confirmation Jaclyn and I felt when we visited
Peru in January was due in large part to a young Australian couple’s
hospitality. Andrew and Bethany Gray call themselves “missionary apprentices”
and have been helping Team 1.0 for almost a year now. They housed us and spent
every free minute they had showing us what life is like living in Arequipa. We
would all do well to become “hospitality apprentices” under these two immensely
Christ-like Aussies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was a glitch in our budget plans in April of
this year and we worried we wouldn’t be able to raise enough financial support
to pay our student loan payments. God was way ahead of us. We had just enough
time to apply for a grant program called Project MedSend, which pays medical
missionaries’ student loans while they are on the field. MedSend approved our
application in June and we literally danced for joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Bill and Holly Richardson were a God-send
when they came to our sending congregation in Bonne Terre, Missouri in June.
They did a primer course for the leadership there on what to expect when sending
missionaries to South America. This was really the icing on the cake! God has
been so good to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most importantly, God gave us both parents who
love Jesus. Their dedication to the scriptures and living example have been
preparing us for 27 years to step out in faith. Ed, Carolyn, Jack, and Janet
have been God’s most miraculous intervention in this whole process. Thank you
God for these four pillars that we stand on.</span></div>
Jake & Jaclynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566196400500520965noreply@blogger.com4Keysville, VA 23947, USA37.0404287 -78.48332770000001837.0150787 -78.523668200000017 37.0657787 -78.442987200000019