Visiting a Crecé

Today was an awesome day in Guatemala. This whole week has been.

It has been exam week at Shalom School. So it has been pretty low key which means there is a lot of free time between tests to talk with the students. So today, the middle and elementary school patojas (kids) were taking exams. I was able to hang with some new friends and then some of my old friends.

My friends of 2 years, Karen and Jennifer

But the best part was tonight. I had the opportunity to watch youth study the Bible. These Bible Studies (called Crecé) take place in students’ homes. They are lead by students and are attended by only students. Tonight, Cristian lead a group of students through the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. There are 5 Crecé groups throughout Zona 18. They are practically neighborhood bible studies. Ivan and I are in the beginning stages of recruiting new student leaders to create new studies in more neighborhoods. So please pray for these students, student teachers, and future opportunities!

It is just amazing to see students engaging with God’s Word. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word.” Psalm 119:9

My First Weekend

I am all settled in!! I flew out on Friday morning and arrived early in the afternoon. This is the first of many updates I will write about my Guatemala Calling. Many of them will include stories about the youth or testimonies regarding our ministry. I want to give a quick update about my first weekend.

Friday: I was picked up by Ivan (youth pastor) and two of my youth friends (Christian and Fabio). We dropped my stuff off at Ivan and Sonia’s place. I am so blessed by them to allow me to live with them and stay in their awesome place. We then ran some errands and met some of the other pastors!

Saturday: We woke up and had breakfast. Then we began to prepare for the afternoon events. Every Saturday there is a youth group event, whether it be bible study or recreation. This week was recreation. So we bought some lunch (tortillas and beans) and fed some youth. Then after all the youth came, we played two team games. We played human foosball (which is awesome) and then basketball. These were fun for the kids but also was great for me. I was on a team with a few youth. We laughed, smiled, and won together. I created a great bond with a few of my teammates. I met so many new people and am slowly beginning to talk to them and remember their names. It is amazing to see how easy it is to connect to youth with little Spanish.

Sunday: This was an amazing day. We woke up and went to Shalom Baptist Church. This is where I will be interning at. I was able to observe a youth Bible study. Following that, we attended the service. We worshipped in songs, offering, and in Bible Teaching. I know little Spanish, but took some notes. I was amazed at the authenticity of worship in the congregation. During the service, Pastor Alvaro called me up to pray for and over me. With the support and prayers of the church, I was commissioned. This was just so touching…i love knowing I am supported and encouraged. Then following the service, I had the wonderful opportunity to give some gifts to friends! I had printed off many pictures of kids and adults to give to them. My favorite moment this morning was with two young girls named Karen and Jennifer. My first trip to Shalom, 2 years ago, I met them. I took many pictures with them. The following year, I brought these pictures to them. So, I did it again today. As I gave pictures to them, their faces light up so brightly!! I have been so happy since. I also got to see my dear friends Jonathan, Fabio, Blanqui, Evelyn, and Patty.

This weekend has been great because I have been getting extremely comfortable living here. But this is the most low key weekend of my whole summer. Starting tomorrow, I will be helping at the school, in the poor neighborhood of Las Conchas, and teaching the Youth.

So please pray for me throughout the week!! Pray I continue to connect with students. I continue to grow in my knowledge of Spanish.

Here are some Pics below. I have uploaded some more on my Facebook.

Miix, Jonathan, and Fabio.

Karen and Jennifer

It’s Time

Hey Everyone!!

I am sitting at terminal D-4 in Miami. I am about 25 minutes away from boarding my trip to Guatemala!! I am so excited to see the mountains and arrive!

Continue to pray for safety and that I get settled in today! It’s been a good day so far, cant wait for this summer.

Troy

Guatemala Update

Hey Everyone!

Today is Monday, May 21st. I am 4 days from my trip to Guatemala. For those out of the loop, click here. The next few days will include packing, last minute errands, and much prayer. My flight leaves at 6:00 am in Nashville. I will fly to Miami and then on to Guatemala. My plane arrives at 1:15 Guat time (which is mountain time in the USA).

For those in the Nashville/Hermitage area on Wednesday night…

• I will be prayed over at the 6:00 service at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church.
• I will then speak to the youth ministry about my trip, journey, calling, and the Gospel.
• Bring some T-shirts and shoes for me to take down to Guatemala!

So if you are in town, please come! I could use your encouragement and prayers.

I am very excited to arrive and get into the groove in Guatemala. I am excited that I have an affection for both Guatemalans and the Gospel. What a perfect combo. Paul said in Romans 1:15, “So I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome.” For me, I am eager to preach the Gospel to the Guatemalans.

You guys can pray for me in these ways:

• Travel and Safety
• Health throughout the 9 weeks
• Language Barrier
• Guatemalans desire the Message (Gospel) rather than the messenger (me).

Thanks for all your encouragement through conversations, financial giving, and messages. I feel really supported, encouraged, and affirmed that God has shown me my path (Psalm 25).

Troy

I will blog throughout my 9 weeks, so keep checking back here, on facebook, and twitter!

Second Response to Kony 2012

My first response, found here, has changed a bit. But I am still not fully supportive of both the Pro/Anti Invisible Children debate. It is only fair and moral for me to respond to my first blog, after a tad bit has changed. I am still weighing the pros and cons. But Invisible Children released their response to all the criticism that has come in the past few days. Find it here.

One of my biggest concerns was the financial part. They spent 1/3 of their money on actual hands on mission. While the rest went to media, merchandise, and salaries. That shocked me at first. But as I read the response from Invisible Children, I saw their perspective. Look at there 3 purposes that are all interdependent:

1. Make the World Aware (Purpose of the movies)
2. Begin a large-scale campaign (Response of the movies)
3. Operate programs to help those in need (Action)

So the reason that only 1/3 of their money goes to the hands on programs, is because that is just 1/3 of their mission. The other 2/3 focuses on information and advocacy. So according to their response, approx. 80% of their finances go towards these 3 purposes. The other 20% covers management/salaries/etc.

This makes me feel better that have cleared up the financial issue.

I have a few questions that I necessarily do not have the answers to.

1. Is Invisible Children willing to partner with other organizations that are more focused on the “hands on”? I think their advocacy system is really effective. Everyone is aware of Kony 2012. So the government will hear about it. But, will they do anything about it? Only time will tell. And even if they do, do they have a planned solution? I think this organization would benefit as a partner to another well-funded organization. One focuses on advocacy and one on hands on. Thoughts? Pretty much the question is: Is Advocacy enough? I honestly do not have even a general opinion on this!

2. Invisible Children works along side of the Ugandan Army. This army has been known to also be involved in abduction and rape, just like Kony’s men. The only info I can find on why Invisible Children works with them is because they are more equipped and organized than any other affected country ( On their response). So pretty much, they are working alongside of them because they are a lesser evil? The question then is: “Is it ok to partner with the better of the two even if they both commit the same crimes?”–hard to answer.

3. Kony and his troops (only a few hundred left) are no longer in Uganda. They are spread out and are no longer a threat to 60,000 children. I think they still must be caught for their wrongdoing but is there a greater issue than just finding one guy? Is it stopping abduction through all of Africa? Providing physical needs in Uganda? Is kony the end all be all? Does anyone know where he has been the last few years? According Invisible Children’s website, there have been 477 abductions this year and 98 civillian deaths in Uganda. Is kony the reason? Or are there others as well? Is the issue more than just kony? I believe so.

These are a few questions that I would love responses on. I am so glad that Invisible Children released their response because it cleared up a huge part of the issue for me…unclarity in financial area. I still want to challenge all, even myself, that before donating or supporting, know the facts/purpose/means and determine if it is right.

Again, I want to clarify I am for ending all of this injustice! I just want to make sure I support the correct organization. It may be Invisible Children…i just need to see a few more answers. The end goal is to stop injustice in Uganda, Africa, and the world. Will the end goal be reached or closer through this plan? How will this plan affect the future? Will another unjust leader step up and repeat?

What you think? Who can convince or help me out?

Kony 2012: A Perspective on the Hype

A newer response since this original blog can be found here.

This blog offers perspective. I gathered opinions and facts and have laid them out below.

Over the last day, #stopkony and #kony 2012 have been the top trending phrases on Twitter. The Youtube Video “Kony 2012″  has over 7 million views. The organization behind all of this media hype is Invisible Children. Invisible Children is a “movement seeking to end conflict” in Northern Uganda. The conflict consists of soldiers abducting, raping, and forcing children to join rebel armies.

Kony 2012

This is an issue that must be addressed. Joseph Kony is considered the “biggest criminal” in the world because of the tens of thousands of children he has kidnapped and manipulated. Invisible Children started a campaign by making a movie and a lot of merchandise. They intend to have the story of Ugandan children and Kony spread throughout the world. They want people to call the government, publish statuses on Facebook, and put up posters to show their concern.By showing a popular concern, the American government will support the cause financially and with man power. This is what Kony 2012 is.

I have seen the video, statuses, tweets, and blogs all about this. I am not here to glorify the campaign or completely tear it apart. But before giving to any cause or any organization, the pros and cons must be sought! These are pros and cons from news stories, reports, and blogs.

Possible Pros:
- The issue has been publicized. Media, government, and schools are all aware of the injustice being done.

- This shows that if there is a cause/issue, that it can be heard because Americans do desire to help. This campaign shows the care and justice that humans desire.

Possible Cons:
-Invisible Children has been criticized for their poor finances. In the year 2010, there expenses totaled over 7 million dollars. That comes from the donations and fundraising…like buying the Kony braclets and posters. But only 32% of the money went to the actual cause. The money went to salaries and film budgets. See the report here. The question here is “Is advocacy the means to the solution?” If it is the solution, then this may not be a con?

-Invisible Children has repeatedly stood up for armies and groups that have acted improperly to children (Like the LRA-Lord’s Resistance Army). But they support the Ugandan army, who has been known to also rape and violate children (reports here and here). So money that is given to Invisible Children may not go “directly” to the Ugandan army, but will afford resources and man power to work alongside of the Army. This seems like support to me.

-The Internal Affairs have regarded Invisible Children as a deceiving and fact altering organization (here).
End Remarks: Whichever side you may lean towards, I think we all would agree that Kony, abduction and rape, and injustice everywhere must be stopped. God frowns upon injustice and commands us to act justly (Micah 6:8). We must stand up for those who need us and this blog served to show perspective. I believe we all must act to help stop this injustice, but always must examine the best way to do that! Is it through Invisible Children, another organization, or other means?

Invisible Children Posing with Military

Articles to explore:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/invisible-childrens-stop-kony-campaign/2012/03/07/gIQA7B31wR_blog.html

http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/

Fear, God, and You.

The Question.

We all have been asked this question while participating in a lame icebreaker- “What is your biggest fear?”

Typical Answers: Snakes, Heights, Bugs.

Well wasn’t that a predictable icebreaker. I’m so glad we learned so much about each other (Note Sarcasm). The reason I think this question is so lame is because all of the answers are so typical and are not very personal. This question is one of the worst to ask for this game….because everyone is ashamed of their true fears. So by the end of the game all i know about Bob is that he is afraid of high heights. Wow Bob, I feel so connected to you right now (Note Sarcasm again).

Just imagine  Bob asked me, “What is your biggest fear?” and I answered like this:

“I fear rejection”

“I fear that one day no one will love me”

Stand Firm.

“So then brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15
“test everything; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
“Let no one deceive you in any way .” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

“Students these days were taught to listen to the last smartest person they had talked to…that’s why they lose their faith in College.
The last smartest person a Christian should talk to is God.”
-Dr Zuber, Moody Bible Institute

Groaning.

Have you guys ever groaned? Have you ever let out a sound of frustration, pain, or grief? I have. As I asked myself this question, and I thought of several moments. I remember the groanings of when I saw my family ride away after being dropped off at college. I remember the groaning that followed when I realized my friend died. I remember making those painful noises, wishing those moments would be different. I desired for something to change. I desired for my friend to still be alive and my family to be close, not 8 hours away. I groaned.

The Road is Guatemala

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5

These two verses in the book of Psalms have been on my heart the last three weeks. I have been reading and praying them daily because of a wonderful opportunity that has arisen. Since last August, a somewhat distant thought has been in my mind: spend a summer in Guatemala. I have visited Guatemala City the last two years and have built a strong relationship with a youth pastor at Shalom Church. Jokingly he told me as I was leaving last summer that he always needs an intern. Without much thought, I said “maybe, we’ll see.”