The Wheels are Turning

When you serve in ministry you have the privilege of being with people in some of the most important times of their lives: births, baptisms, weddings, and when they face their own mortality.  When I am invited into some of the holy moments, I take it with reverence and with humility.  Occasionally, I come across more than one of these moments on the same day.  Those times always get me thinking.  

 One day recently, I saw a young family who has just moved into the area.  They are a picture of potential and possibility.  A new community and new job and new friends are just within arms’ reach.  Their beautiful young children are friendly and polite.  What a joy to see.  As their mother pushed them away in the stroller, I thought about the wheels that were taking these young ones to new adventures.  They thought nothing of the means to get there, but only the adventures before them.

 My next stop was to see a former colleague.  He has moved into an assisted living facility.  His health is failing and he can no longer take care of himself.  He gets around with a motorized scooter because he now lacks the energy to walk the halls that his nurses cover in just a few purposeful steps.  I thought about the dichotomy of those wheels of his scooter and the wheels of the baby’s stroller.  It is almost as if we could say: “From your wheels as a child you came and to your wheels you will return.”  

 However, let us not necessarily linger on these “bookend” moments.  What matters is the middle.  I wonder if we are living as if to make our days in the middle count for something?  Are they days where we would sit in that motorized scooter, near the end of our time here, and be glad for the choices we made and the people with whom we associated?  Would we wish we had taken more chances?  Would we wish we had tried some things that seemed too crazy at the time?  Will we be full of regrets of the choices we had made or the ones opportunities we passed by?  From my observations of those moments, it is when we ignore the call of God in our lives that while we live on this earth, we mourn our death in other ways.

 Sarah Corson writes: “...the realization came to me that there is more than one way to die. We will all die physically.  But if we are afraid to follow God, if we are afraid to step out into the unknown when He calls us, then we can die mentally and spiritually while sill existing physically...If we had been afraid to do what we knew we should do, if we had stayed in our comfortable situation at home...we would have dried up and died in another way.  I knew in that moment that God was reminding me that it is far better to die physically than spiritually. (Sarah Corson.  Risking Everything.  SIFAT Publications, Lineville, AL, 2010.)"

What is God calling you to do with your days in the middle?  Are you living or are you drying up and dying?  We will all come to an end of our days on this earth, but we can live these days and countless more.

 “Jesus said ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”  John 11:25-26

So Begins a New Journey

Some years ago, I came across this statement: “Theological study is worship with the Mind.”  That truth has resonated with me even since I laid eyes upon it.  We can worship our Lord not only in our hearts and souls, but also in our thinking and reasoning.  This desire has continued to grow in me.
Simultaneously, many of you have participated in missional service with me.  Together we have held little children who--until they felt your arms--felt as though they had no hope.  We have built homes so that others may live in peace and security.  We have treated God’s people who suffer from all sorts of diseases and illnesses.  We have removed trees from the homes of our brothers and sisters after storms.  We have sat and cried together as a stranger went through the shambles of her home.
When returning from a mission journey people will often say, “I got more from those people than I gave them.”  No doubt, serving others is a great blessing.  We may all be poor in different ways--financially, spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc.  By serving someone else, we often see our own poverty and those we serve minster to us with their abundance.  I have seen it in many of you, many times over.
Now all of these experiences and desires are coming together.  I have been accepted to study for a PhD in Theology at Durham University in Durham, England (www.durham.ac.uk).  My family and I will move to England in August and study there for one year.  For the two remaining years of the Doctoral Programme, I will study how missional service is working in the people of The United Methodist Church in the United States, while returning to England regularly for follow-up study.  If the Lord provides, I will continue to study full-time.  Or if He leads us to do so, we will serve a church in our Annual Conference while completing my studies part-time.  My dissertation’s working topic is: "The Long-Term Effect of Short-Term Mission: The Relationship Between Holistic Missional Service as an Act of Mercy Upon the Recipients and a Means of Grace for Missioners."  God is moving in the Church around the world.  It is my desire to study how cross-cultural service is growing the Church at home and abroad.  The world is getting smaller, and the Church needs to be prepared to minister to the increasing numbers of people who are within our reach.  It is my desire to use my research findings to make a lasting and positive impact churches in the US and abroad.
I will continue to serve through the end of June.  Bishop Leeland has appointed Rev. Laura Parker as the new Associate Pastor.  She will begin in July.  I look forward to all that God will do through Laura in the coming years.
Beth, Joshua, Meg, and I have been very blessed by our nine plus years at Fairhope United Methodist Church.  You have been wonderful to us.  I am not sure how we could ever express our gratitude.  We look forward to how we might continue to partner together for the Kingdom in years to come.  You will always have a special place in our hearts--and a place to stay in England!

Real Social Network

I am fascinated by the way people connect to one another.  We have dozens of options to attempt to connection through Social Media.  We live in a TGIF world: Twitter, Google Instagram, and Facebook.  YouTube is now the second largest search engine.  Millions us have our phones always on and always on us.  Technology drives a large portion of our lives.  I too use many of these technologies on a regular basis.  I’ve connected with friends, love ones, and new acquaintances.  So have millions of others.

But are we more connected than we ever have been? I mean TRULY connected.

On Sunday, August 19, we begin looking at the Real Social Network and power of community.  We are going to study Social Networking and Scripture’s call to live in community, the effects of the (Cloud?) Crowds on our lives, and power of a few faithful friends in our midst.  I invite you to be present each in worship as we look at these in The Gathering.  Remember, you can always find our sermons online at www.fairhopeumc.org or on iTunes.  And if you want to connect with me, you can find me www.facebook.com/rob.haynes or Twitter @rob_haynes. :->

In the August 19 message, I reference these videos.  I offer them to you here if you want to learn more:

Psychologist Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Xr3AsBEK4

The Marketing Revolution of Social Media:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aconjR6uH4

Ecuador Medical Mission Team--April 20

Ecuador Medical Mission Team

April 20

The Least of These

Have you thought about the "least" these people in our world? Jesus certainly does. He proved that in His life and work in ministry on Earth. He was about God's business in serving and ministering to the people that seemed seemed to have forgotten. Among these were the sick, the poor, the lame, the blind.

This week we've seen our team serve some of these same people here in Ecuador. They have looked past their impressions or even preconceived ideas. Instead they have looked for Jesus in each face they've seen.

Today our work in Quito drew to a close. We were blessed to serve hundreds this week with medical care, dental care, and provided glasses. These children, youth, and adults were able to get the referrals they needed and all medicines and vitamins for each.

We won't have the opportunity to serve in this exact same way again. But this experience encourages us to look for the least, the last, and the lost that are within arms' reach in our own contexts back home. Those that we seem to pass each day on the way to work. The ones we forget about that live near us. The ones that Jesus would spend time with--the least of these.

How about you? Who are the least of these in your own context? Are you ready to serve as Jesus did? Are you ready to use the gifts and graces that He has given you to serve? It doesn't have to be across the world. Maybe it is to be across the street. Maybe it is across the hall. Wherever it is, ask God to show you who you can serve and how. He'll show you. He wants to show compassion and love to His children. And He wants to use YOU to do so.

 

We have been very blessed to work with SIFAT (Servants In Faith and Technology). To learn more about their work and how you can also be involved visit www.sifat.org.

In Ecuador we've worked at sites where Compassion International is making a difference in the lives of children as they release them from poverty in Jesus' name. Visit www.compassion.com

In early blogs, we mentioned the work of Dr. and Mrs. Paul and Flor Fellers and Bayside Medical Mission. Visit them at www.baysidemedicalmissions.com

To learn more about the ministries of Fairhope United Methodist Church, visit www.fairhopeumc.org 

May we all take seriously the word of Christ in His call to serve and to bring life, life more abundantly (see John 10:10).

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.


34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

 

Ecuador Medical Team 2012--April 19

April 19

Quito

Medicine can do so much. There's only so much that medicine can do.

I couldn't be more proud of this team. They have done a remarkable job in service to God's people so far this week. They have done an excellent job with every aspect of the experience: the travel, the food, the time with one another, and most of all time in the clinic. They have shown amazing love to these beautiful people in Ecuador.

We have seen people for well check ups. We have also seen them for life-changing illnesses. We have been able to share medical care and offer them the medicines and procedures they need, anti-parasite medications and vitamins for all. We can definitely say that we have made an impact on the people of Ecuador. There is much that medicine can do.

Today, we were also reminded that there is only so much that medicine can do. A poignant lesson came when we saw a middle-aged woman who complained of insomnia. As we asked more questions we realized that she has suffered a great deal. She lost her father and fifteen-year-old daughter in tragic incidents. She was unable to find work. The weight of the world was upon her. He problems were not physical, but spiritual. Our doctor offered some of the most profound healing I have heard in a while. "I've studied medicine a great deal. I also know that there is much that I don't know. In your case, my medicines won't help. This healing can only come from Jesus Christ.". We called the leaders of the church to come pray with her. We offered her encouragement and a community of love and support that she so desperately needed. It was the right medicine and a much needed time.

There is much that medicine can do. But there's only so much medicine can do. My prayer is that we will continue to offer both types of healing wherever we may go and to whomever God may bring our way.

 

Ecuador Medical Team 2012- April 18

April 18

Quito

What's the difference?

When you see someone, what do you see? Do you see the things you have in common? Or the differences? Here in Ecuador it is often easy for us to see those differences. The differences in skin color, hair, language, customs, foods, etc. Differences abound.

But the members of the team are challenging themselves to see the similarities. The similarities in our families, our friends, our children, our parents, OURSELVES. It isn't difficult to see the similarities when we open our eyes. I think about the parent who rode 4 hours by bus, one way, with her pre-schooler today. He has a rather serious orthopedic condition. She wanted to see our Dr. Fellers because she wanted to continue a relationship they'd built. Quite simply she wants the best for her child. That's a similarity many of us could see.

I also think of the way that we share a common grief when children suffer. We have seen children suffer at no fault of their own. This continues to break the teams's collective heart. And it spurs the team on to our work. Certainly we share this similarity in our own relationships.

Above all, we have our common love of God and His love for us. Though we may worship in different churches, different denominations, different languages--we share this common love of the One God and His love for us. This unites us beyond any external differences and breaks down barriers. Only God can break these walls with this much love. It is a joy to witness and to partake.

How about you? What did you see today? Differences? Similarities? May God open all of our eyes to the common love He has for us. Look around you today in your own context and the people you'll see. You'll be amazed at the similarities that God will show you.

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012--April 17

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012

April 17

Quito

Tonight Hutch, during our nightly devotions, gave a great reminder to the team about the power of leaving a legacy. We have all received a legacy from our parents, our grandparents, pastors, teachers, coaches, and other leaders. They make up so much of who we are, what we do, and the decisions we make.

 

Today, in the work of the clinic, the team saw the effects of legacies. Some of those legacies are healthy families. Some are much darker: babies having babies, difficulties in marriage, unhealthy parenting, and the exploitation of the youngest of God's children. The team was able to shine light in these darkest of places. The light of Christ shone upon these and others. This light came in the way of love and compassion. It came in the beginning of physical healing. It came in the way that the leaders of this church are now able to minister to these beautiful people. If we had not come, those lights may never have shone. Today we began BREAKING legacies. We began breaking destructive legacies and working to replace them with lasting, loving legacies.

 

It causes us to pause. What are the legacies we are leaving? Are we shining the light of God's love on those to whom we are passing our legacies? Are we willing to stand up to those who are passing on these destructive legacies? Are we willing to shine light in these dark areas? My prayer is that we all would so let the Love of God shine through us that we may an impact on this generation and those to come.

 

 

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012--April 16

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012

April 16

Quito

Today was the team's first day of clinic. The work was exhausting and rewarding. That is often the case when you are working in the gifts that God has given you. You work hard and you are tired, that good tired. It is the good tired that comes when you finish strong in the race, work hard on a project, or pull together with your team to do what seemed impossible-until you tried. Thats's exactly what happened today, all of the above.

 

We saw about 100 patients in the Villaflora region of Quito. We saw kids, youth, and adults of all ages. They all had a chance for a visit with a physician, an eye exam, and a visit with the dentist. In addition, they all received the medications they needed, vitamins, and anti-parasite medications. We have relationships with medical personnel here in Ecuador that allows us to make all necessary referrals.

 

Despite the loud and busy atmosphere, the team worked hard and did a great job. Loud and busy, they realize, just means that there are children (of all ages) whom God loves all around us. And they are within our arms' reach to serve and love. The most important encounters we had today were the spiritual ones. People came to our team members for help in their marriages and spiritual lives. We are blessed to do so.

So the team members lay their heads down tonight with that good sort of tired feeling deep down in their bones. We do some expecting more great things tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012--April 15

Ecuador medical mission 2012

Quito

 

April 15

 

The team's first day on in Ecuador has been a cultural experience. The day began with a tour of the Mitad del Mundo monument and indigenous museum. We got to see examples of some of the native tribes of Ecuador, see some fascinating science demonstrations on the Equator, and grow together while doing it.

 

After the tour and lunch, we worshipped at Mama Yoli's in the Atacucho barrio of Quito. This is the site of our 2008 medical clinic. We worshipped at the Methodist Church Aqua de Vida. It was a lively service. We were blessed with dancing and singing by the children and folk dancing. They wanted us to see more of Ecuadorean culture and the ministry to the children and families in their community. It was a blessing. The work of Lord there is growing and it is exciting to see.

 

During the service, a member of the church brought flowers to the members of the team. The bouquet was like one that we'd find in the grocery store in the States. She pulled flowers out of the bouquet and passed them out to the team members. By the time she got to me, she had only baby's breath left. She passed that out to me like any other flower. Some people may look at baby's breath as a cheap filler. At that moment, however, it was much more. It was an offering of thanks. The church doesn't have extra money to buy us flowers. And they used every bit of the gift the best they could. I felt grateful for the offering. When she handed it to me I thought of the widow's mite from Luke 21. They smallest of offerings was given, and received, with gratitude. I wonder if I do that often enough? How often do I give of the smallest parts of me? How often do I receive the smallest parts with gratitude? It is this attitude of the heart that makes the offering not the smallest, but among the greatest.

 

Tomorrow we begin work in the clinic. May this attitude infect us all.

 

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012, Day 3

Ecuador 2012
Day 3
Portoviejo

Today is a clinic day. While the doctors and others run the clinic, I have offered to help in any way I can. I most stay in the background until I'm needed.

That allowed me to spend time with a local pastor. He serves a church here in town. It sounds like a growing, dynamic congregation. His heart is to serve his people in their discipleship and their learning to serve others in some very real and practical ways. They are working on developing their DNA in that realm. Another important part of their DNA is the multiplication of this model. They feel that to become manageable and effective, they must plant more churches in this same way. I applaud him for his vision of ministry: multiplication undergirded with service and service undergirded with multiplication. We had great discussion and the sharing of ideas about how to continue ministry, each in our own contexts, and encourage one another along the way.

Speaking of service, I stumbled upon an intereststing conversation about justice today. I was talking with a couple of 20 somethings about what it means to bring justice. Can justice be found in our world? How does justice come? For that matter, what does justice mean at all? First of all, biblical justice does not mean as we think of it terms of the court system. It is not necessarily a blinded woman balancing scales. There is a place for that. But that is not the kind of biblical justice we mean. Biblical justice seems to side with the poor, the disenfranchised, the oppressed, the outcast. Look at the people with whom Jesus spent His time. Jesus was faulted for spending his time with the lowly and the outcast. He was faulted by people who were supposed to be defending the causes of these "lowly" people. Instead these religious leaders were casting stones at the oppressed, lame, blind, and outcast. What about in the modern church? Do we side with the religious leaders of New Testament times and put our noses up and those who are "beneath" us? Or do we side with Jesus who decided to extend an open hand to all God's children? Jesus was about the work or healing relationships, setting the oppressed free, helping others see their captivity and then releasing them from it (or maybe the other way around). He took the side of the poor, the downcast and the brokenhearted. Shouldn't we do the same?

In order to truly work for justice in this world, we must practice the justice that Jesus practiced. We have to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must be on the side of those that society has forgotten (or wants to forget). That means that we must be willing to do so in the places at our doorstep. It means that we must be willing to go even to the furtherest reaches. It means that we must begin to model, in our own lives, the things that Jesus did.

How do we even begin such an endeavor? We cannot do it of our own works or our own merit. We must remember the greatest commandment. Jesus says that is to love God and love our neighbor. How do we serve? We fall in love. We fall in love with God. We fall in love with His people. Then we cannot help but to do the things of love.