Preach It, Sister

This week we've been in our Institute class (seminary classes we take once a month) on "Missiology."  It's been pretty amazing reading through the New Testament through the lens of how God's entire story revolves around the idea of spreading his love, grace, and glory to the ends of the earth.


It's also interesting to note how Jesus "preached" in His day.  Of course He taught large groups which probably looked like sermons, but I doubt He ever lost His temper while condemning people to hell and telling them how to live their lives, (very much like I imagine listening to Jonathan Edwards would have been....)  Maybe there is a time and place for such a sermon.  But when you look at the way Jesus preached, He wasn't behind the pulpit screaming.  He was


sitting at the well with the Samaritan woman instead of preaching to the crowds about the sexual sin...


having a dialogue side by side instead of speaking one-sidedly from a pulpit...


asking thought-provoking questions instead of giving people answers... 


I have never felt gifted in preaching.  I get so distracted and nervous in front of large groups that I can barely articulate thoughts in my head, let alone deliver them somewhat coherently in either language.  I actually looked into changing my major in college when I found out I had to take public speaking.     


But get me one-on-one with a friend, telling stories and sharing life (preferably with a cup of coffee at hand,) and talking about Jesus?  Shoot...  That's where I feel right at home!  That's where I feel God putting words in my head and heart to say at the right time to the right person.  That's where I finally feel like I can preach the Gospel, sitting side by side.


We're not all called to the pulpit.  But we are all called to preach.  And the whole idea of "missions" doesn't always mean packing your apartment up and moving to another country.  But it does mean making disciples - sharing life and Jesus' love with others and teaching the Bible to people wherever they are at.   This is the greatest calling we have!  Which makes sense that it would also bring the greatest joy.  


    

Before time snatches it away again

So there are so many times when I think.

  "Man the guys and gals in the States would love to hear about this.  I've got to blog about this..."

And yet time snatches the opportunity away and the event, conversation, class, day, experience isn't shared.

With that being said...we just finished an amazing Sunday School class and I can't  wait to tell you guys all about it.  Give me 24 hours :)

Hope your Sunday has been blessed.

Extremely grateful for your love and support!
Tracey

Welcome to the world, Simon Carl Reeve!

While we did get a puppy this week (which we will write more about later, don't you worry...) something WAY more cool and important happened - at 1:55pm Wednesday afternoon, little 

Simon Carl made his way into the world!

Seriously, could he be any more precious?!?

Needless to say, we are very proud tíos.  My sister-in-law, Lydia, was amazing.  And I heard my brother has already displayed his natural daddy skills in diaper changing :)

So grateful for the technology that allows us to hear news when it happens and talk to our family!  Even got to "meet" our new nephew, thanks to Skype :)  

Welcome to the world, Simon Carl! 

Eli & Eli

If you've ever taught Sunday school you know exactly what I mean when I say, "that kid", that kid that's a part of your ministry that you just wont ever forget.  I had a a few during my years over at Hicky G, but one that stood out a lot to me was Eli Bright.

And yes he's about to get his hair straightened at Camp Paradise... gotta love church camp!

When I first meet him in 6th, let me just be honest and say he was a pain in my butt.  He drove me crazy and I just wanted to knock the little squirt out (yeah yeah I know harsh words for a sunday school teacher to say) but (1) it's the truth and (2) I never did it :).  I did kick him out of my classroom numerous times and would celebrate un "poquito" when he was out of town playing baseball.

I can only say all of that because of the amazing young man that he's grown up to be in the past 6 or so years.  I respect him and had such a good relationship by the time I left Hickory Grove.  Last time I saw him he was doing pretty good and I hope and pray he continues in that trajectory.

I started teaching Sunday school down here in January and it's been a blast.  The kids are high energy.  You've got your too cool for school guys, your girls who just want to be 4 years older, the 6th graders, oh the sixth grader who are just special in their own way and I've also got Eli.

Same name, different pronunciation of course.  He's actually 11, a year below my age group 12-15ish, but  he's already made an impression.  Not as out of control as his American counterpart, but still a bit of a pain.  But I see the potential, so I resist knocking the little squirt out.

I think that's what gives me the most joy when it comes to teaching Sunday school.  Kids just have so much potential unlike us grown up farts who are dang near impossible to change.

We've started a serious, Principales Básicos, which is hitting on some fundamental principales of what it means to follow Christ.  We started out with The Fall of Humanity and God's Grace this past Sunday and it's exciting to see the kids truly read the bible, grow and watch the Holy Spirit move.

Pray for our youth.  Pray for your youth.  Better yet, if you have some time go invest in the youth at your church, find one that you want to knock out and watch him grow...hopefully in the right direction!

I loved it, so I stole it.

So one of the other missionaries, Tracie lives in Cusco Peru with her husband Ricky and their two kids.  They're doing amazing work up there.  You should check it out.  

I ran across this picture and I absolutely loved it.  I always think, "What do people think I do?"  I think this states it perfectly.

I was just informed that although I thought this was really "neato"...everyone is passing around these sort of life explanations via Face and Twitter.  Always delayed with the technology.  

I don't care, it fills a void in my explanation of life and I love it.  Plus her name's Tracie.  What a spectacular name.

:)

Keitt Update - February 2012

(También tenemos la traducción en la página "Español" arriba.)

Sharing Life

So as most of you guys know, we've got our house, pictures soon to come.  What an amazing feeling to finally be settled in knowing that there is no intention of packing up anytime soon, but then again do we ever know what God has up his sleeve?  God, please don't have another move for us anywhere up that sleeve for a good little while.

One of my favorite parts of getting our more permanent settings is how we are becoming part of a community; neighbors, almacenes (house/corner stores), grocery stores, the trash guys, the security guy at Jumbo who watches our bikes, the employees at Easy (our Lowes/Home Depot), even the dogs that I like/hate at times (depending on whether or not they chase me when I cruise by on my bike).

They're all beginning to recognize our faces, our accents, our demeanor, our daily comings and goings, the smells coming from our house which are usually good unless I've had too many vegetables or black beans :) etc.  This leads to intriguing/comical/interesting questions, statements and conversations.

 "My friend from el país más grande del mundo (Brazil)..."  "I'm not actually Brazilian although I'm the mix of Raw Umber and Tan (Crayola) and have a Brazilian accent when I speak Spanish."  "Why did you guys move all the way down here to Chile?"  "How come you've come to Easy 4 times today?"  "When are we having the cookout to welcome you guys to the neighborhood?"  Watch out don't hit your head on the... I hit my head on the low running cross beam in the Almacen.  "Whatcha cooking with these tomatoes and cilantro?"  "Oh you guys go to the church behind the meat store, we should visit with you all sometime." 

We're different and I love how it sparks so many conversations and opportunities to get to know our community.  I truly feel that God has placed us here for a reason and a crucial part of that is reaching out, serving, loving and sharing life with this community.