Disclaimer

A note to the wise (and not so wise): this blog is not a traditional blog.

I don't simply write day-to-day. Instead, I have chosen to write by topic while still maintaining chronological order.

So, be sure to check out every topic (the archive is on the right), and if it looks incomplete, come back later, as I will likely update it with all kinds of new features!

PS-If you like my mission and my work, remember that it is 100% volunteer, so please consider DONATING
(Designation #2686)

My EMI Videos


Saturday, February 9, 2008

3 1/2 Weeks, 6 Bosses, and a Roommate

NOTE: Colorado Springs (COS) pictures are here.
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A lot has happened since coming to the office, and there is more to do before I go overseas on Thursday.

Aside from daily morning prayers and devotional lessons, just about every staff member has asked me to do some task for them:

Randy, my main boss, has had me working on a few tasks. I started with graphic arts: some finishing touches on a promotional brochure for a currently running project of his, and AutoCAD layouts for pictures from an architect on that project and a site survey for my upcoming project trip. I then moved to administrative: compiling team member information for flight itineraries and ordering health insurance for the trip. Before I left, I started working heavily on 2D and 3D modeling, using AutoCAD and Google SketchUp. I successfully translated the master plan AutoCAD drawing (with a little advice from Jeremy, our staff drafter) from Randy's project into the EMI standard layering scheme, so that it would print correctly when we needed to print it, and I also created a 3D map of the terrain at the site of my project, complete with an animation that allows the viewer to take a virtual walkthrough of the 38.5 acre parcel in about 2 minutes.

Donna, the semi-IT-staff structural engineer has been having me fix printers (for everything from CAD drawings and reports to thank you letters for supporters), work on network connections and mapping, write scripts to run routine tasks, and take care of hardware and software for some of the computers (both in the office and going overseas to other staff).

Danna, the intern coordinator, needed my help with packets for interns coming in next semester, and also name lists for the intern placques on the (memorial?) wall.

Kelly, our finance and administrative staff, and sole paid employee in the whole office, had me working on copying and stamping support checks, and also vacuuming.

Bob, another of the project leaders, is my office mentor. He and I go to weekly prayer meetings and lunches together. He also had me work on information packets for his Mexico team.

Chris, our resident graphic artist asked for my help with web scripts and HTML; I gave some advice, but since that isn't my expertise, I haven't really had the time or the body of knowledge to truly solve any problems or make his job easier.

Rex, also a project leader (going to China), asked me to house sit for him while his family was away on a youth retreat. His cats weren't too demanding, but his dog, a "Golden Doodle" named Buddy, needed to be walked about twice a day for about a half-hour each, just so he would go to the bathroom.

I also am running errands for my roommate who is working on a hospital and power generator in Liberia. But it's not all one-sided. He is perhaps the first real accountability partner I've had as pertains to staying within YHWH's word and ways.

One thing I've really enjoyed about working at EMI is the daily devotionals and communal prayer. I've even led one myself (some poetry from a friend back home named Jim Eliot).

There are so many other things too small to mention, but it will suffice to say that I've been quite busy.

Rituals of a Christian Nazirite

NOTE: My shaving pictures are here.
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The Law (Hebrew: Torah) was made to show man’s insufficiency without God. Given this background, I knew going in to my vow that I did not have doves, lambs, rams, or much in regards to possible modern-day equivalents in order to make such a costly offering. While I hoped that YHWH would bless me with the abundance to pay the price, he blessed me some in this area, but more so through less tangible possessions. Thus, I could not rightly say that I fulfilled the vow and the Law; I could only give everything I had (time, money, computer, automobile, body, etc.) to Him and become a slave (willing of course). This is analogous to the Christian Life: In view of our sin and Christ taking our death penalty for it, YHWH paid a price greater than we could pay and gave a gift greater than we could give, and so the only reasonable course for us is to repent, plead for mercy, and offer ourselves as servants in his household (that is, if we don’t want to face prison and punishment, which I certainly don’t). I am now a more joyous servant than ever for this experience and newfound appreciation of the YSHWH, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, and this vow, rather than being a burden and curse to me, has proven to be life.

I did try to follow the rituals involving hair, cleanliness, and the non-consumption of the fruit of the vine; I did not do it for the sake of adherence but rather as an outward sign and a personal dedication to experience and learning. Of course, even this process involved reliance on the Messiah, one reason being the communion of bread and wine. Not only did I again need to recall the body broken and the blood poured out that I might be healed and pure, I knew that YHSHW took on the fruit of the vine conflict when he said that he would not drink it again until he did so in the Kingdom of God. Thus, all things point to the need of and submission to Him.

A Week of (Intense) Spritual Growth

NOTE: Orientation pictures are here and there's a video
(as soon as I can get it onto youtube).
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EMI began orientation in Colorado Springs on January 13.

Suffice it to say that this was an intense week: I, along with the other interns this semester, underwent an intensive training on team-building, cross-cultural customs and communication styles, people groups, history of missions, elements of good design, personality profiles, and prayer.

Team building activities included such things as rock-climbing, team games involving communication skills and handicaps, trust walks, and intimate small-group bible study.

Cross-cultural training involved everything from discussing movie clips, personal narratives, and invented scenarios to insight into stumbling points and sensitivity awareness, to playing games designed to enhance observational and conflict-resolution skills to enacting mock character interactions and even diplomacy meetings.

People groups lessons were sometimes presentations, sometimes integrated into games, but always aimed to show different standards of work and social activity and interaction among various cultures and areas of the world.

The lessons on the history of missions involved presentations on scriptural calls and mandates for service to God, major movements in missions history, and even how God has worked on his own (without missionary help).

Lessons on elements of good design practices reinforced the concept of serving the ones who call upon us, and forced us to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to needs and problems.

Near the end of the week, a personality profile test and discussion helped each intern to uncover some of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as leadership and interaction styles. In showing how each of us was likely to behave in a certain setting, it better prepared us for adapting ourselves to work best in a diverse group with varying skills and needs.

Lastly, worship and prayer played an important role in individual and team development, unity, and strength. Communal worship demonstrated unified commitment to our one Lord and Savior. One-to-one prayer following bible studies built up stronger servants, and a multi-hour team prayer session at the end of the week confirmed and commissioned every member through petition to and revelation from God.

Indeed, this was a powerful week in discovering the things within ourselves and drawing close to God. It will stand as one of the major growing times of my life.

The Cost of Working for EMI

NOTE: The main EMI site is http://www.emiusa.org/
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Engineering Ministries International (EMI) is a "without cost you have received, without cost give" type non-profit that depends almost exclusively on the support/donations given to its staff, interns, and volunteers in order to carry out its ministry of providing plans for orphanages, schools, hospitals, community centers, churches, etc. in poor communities around the world. I liken it to the building of YHWH's original "Tent of Meeting" in that He provides the vision and the skilled workers for each project, which are in turn supported by the resources collected by the congregation.

In order to join them in this work, I, too, have had to ask friends, family, and members of the church (the body of Christ) for help. In some areas, there has been little reception, but among others, YHWH has been generous. He even called a missionary friend (in Venezuela), who I assumed would be poor and have all his funds already spoken for, to donate an amount that matches the largest gift of all my supporters. So now I am up to around $5000 of my $6000 (for about 5 months of service, including airfare) goal.

Would you be interested in contributing? The EMI donation page is https://emisecure.org/donate.html, and my account is 2686.

Friday, February 8, 2008

What's the Point?

I started this blog to chronicle a new stage in my relationship with YHSHW Emmanuel the Messiah (for those who do not know the Hebrew names--Jesus/Joshua the Christ, who was "God with us"); namely, He has called me to become a messenger and servant to the middle east. This new adventure begins with the end of another which lasted about a year and a half, and can only be well understood with a knowledge of the main events and motivations that accompanied it, so if what I'm about to share seems long, stick with it, for you will be well rewarded.

In late August of 2006, I had been reading the first 7 books of the bible, and had come across a little-understood passage regarding a personal vow. This passage makes up what is now known as numbers chapter 6: The Vow of the Nazirite. In Hebrew, nazirite is related to the word for separated, and referred to a Hebrew sect that began before the time of Moses. Thus, those who took this vow were dedicating themselves to be separated according to God's commands, and for his purposes. Just as honesty and giving are not passe (sic) in God's new covenant, so neither are vows (including marriage!); however, vows are very serious matters, as God expects the person making the vow to live up to its conditions (so if you vow to stay married "till death do us part" then you had better do so, or have a very God-fearing excuse!).

Anyway, the nazirite vow was dictated to Moses, and came with its own conditions, which included (in brief summary): not shaving hair or beard, not drinking wine or any other strong drink, various laws on cleanliness (such as not coming in contact with dead bodies), and sacrifices to be made, either in the case of error (relatively cheap) or the case of fulfillment (expensive throughout the era which the bible was written). I later also discovered that, according to tradition, the person making the vow set a length of time for the vow, usually no less than 30 days--I imagine partly to do with the large cost.

The famous biblical figures Samson and Samuel each were nazirites from birth, and each was granted a measure of power from YHWH and His Holy Spirit. Samson had great strength by which to carry out YHWH's mission to free His people, and Samuel had great wisdom and leadership by which to turn around the corrupt (and therefore dying) dynasty of the priesthood, and the whole nation of Israel under Eli and his sons.

As my main interest in beginning my reading in the first place was to come to know YHWH better and dedicate my life to Him. So, this kind of vow/activity seemed very appropriate to me. I decided to take this adventure, knowing full well (and trusting with much gratitude) that YHSHW was the fulfiller of the Law of Moses, and has set me free from bearing the burden of it. Some have jeered it as wierd, some have been awed by my zeal, others have called it unchristian or unscriptural, but no one has yet challenged me on grounds of a single verse which clearly applies--save for that it is a curse to take the Law upon oneself, a charge which I answered above--much less two, three, or more verses in concert and which reveal God's character and views regarding this general kind of behavior.

Once I understood the self-set timeline tradition, I decided to schedule it around an activity I had been interested in for some time: Peace Corps service. I decided to end my vow either when Peace Corps said to shave for service (which in retrospect would only have been a token gesture, as my dedication to YHWH comes first, and unless a country has laws against all beards, even religious ones, I would not be obligated to do remove it), or when my service with Peace Corps was done.

Once I had filled out my application for Peace Corps, the Regional Recruiter interviewed me and gave me a favorable nomination. However, Headquarters was much more reserved, even standoff-ish. My placement officer, from some very vague statements in my application and nomination, before having even spoken with me even once, formulated the opinion that because my faith seemed strong I would be too vocal about issues of religion and therefore a risk to myself, the reputation of Peace Corps, and perhaps any community in which I served (such a blanket attitude is prejudiced subjugation of religious belief and expression to secular and often relativistic philosophy, and this "don't step on any toes" fear-based policy is, sadly, far too common in circles of administration, governance, and popular philosophy--it allows no room for faith or the good works that can com from it). So, from my understanding, to catch me in a trap, my placement officer had me re-write my application essays, but would not tell me that suspicion regarding religion was the motivation, only that my originals did not appropriately answer the question (as though the regional recruiter was incompetent for passing me) or that I should "explain in full" my reasons for joining the Peace Corps (as though I was lying or hiding something). During the interview I had with her, she did not bother to ask me about anything besides religion; When she inquired what I would do if I was asked to participate in festivals with religious components different that my own, to which I stated that I could participate in any activity, so long as it did not force me to deny my God or disobey Him, and she responded that "that might not be good enough for some people," I knew that I could not pass her tests and still follow after YHSHW (Jesus). From there on out, all I could do was appeal that my faith would not cause harm to anyone and pray that either she would soften up or I would find a friendly ear somewhere higher up. I soon realized however, that the bureaucracy was more interested in self-preservation than in providing a fair and objective assessment to someone whose life's goal was to emulate history's most loving (and yet controversial) man. My appeals regarding this treatment basically fell on deaf ears; I had been thrown into a battle of persection for believing in and failing to deny God before men. Thus, it appeared I would be ending my Peace Corps service (and therefore my vow) much sooner than expected.

As a final appeal, I filed a formal discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), in case I could find favor with someone outside the Peace Corps heirarchy. During this process, I knew I still needed to move on to some other activity, and yet I still felt YHWH's (God's) call to service overseas. So, I applied for Engineering Ministries International (EMI), whom I had heard about from one of the bible study leaders who first reconnected me with the scriptures, and by proxy, YHSHW (Jesus). After a one-hour interview and two weeks of praying, both Danna (the intern coordinator) and I agreed that I should join them for the Spring semester (mid-January to June).

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I worked for two and a half weeks with Habitat for Humanity in Mississippi (I still have a heart for domestic service, too). When I returned home to California, Danna informed me that I had the option of working both in Nicaragua on a school and Mexico on an orphanage, or exclusively with the Middle East group on a full youth/community/vocational center, and that I should pray about which to be part of. When I called back later that week, I told Danna that I should go both where there was most need and where I would be of best service and best mentored. She said that, in all cases, this was the Middle East project. I had never seen myself as one called to minister in the Middle East, but it was clear that this was the most appropriate fit.

EMI began orientation in Colorado Springs on January 13. During this week, I, along with the other interns this semester, underwent an intensive training on team-building, cross-cultural customs and communication styles, people groups, history of missions, and prayer. Though there were no ceremonies to commemorate the completion of this week (save for a very powerful prayer session on the last night at our retreat, in which many had prayer and words directly for the spirit and ministry of others in the group), I had already decided that the time to finish my vow and shave my dedicated hair was when I finished the last affidavit/rebuttal regarding my Peace Corps discrimination complaint with the EEOC. Coincidentally (or, more likely, YHWH's perfect timing), the deadline for this document corresponded with the first day of work in the EMI office (January 21). Thus, I seamlessly transitioned from nazirite timed around Peace Corps, to intern/disciple timed around a semester at EMI.

Through much reflection, study, and the wise words of my Sunday school teacher back home, I realized that though it had been my intention to draw close to God and serve Him how I best knew how, in actuality, I was falling into the mistakes of Abraham and Jonah: thinking I needed to (or even could) help God out with His promises to "give you the desires of your heart" and running away from my true commission (I had earlier rejected a strong urging to go to the Urbana youth missions conference in 2006, where I would have met up with EMI and possibly have become an intern much sooner). Nevertheless, YHWH is faithful, and throughout the past three weeks at EMI, he has confirmed to me that He has brought me back to where I belong.


So, that is the story of how I began and ceased to be a physical nazirite, and am now commissioned to be a "Middle East Messenger" and servant.