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30
Oct 09

The Theme of Justice

The definition of justice in the Old Testament is vital to our understanding of justice today. Many theorists have placed the idea of inherent rights in the fourteenth century. If justice was not rooted in the Bible, then the fourteenth century definition (Wolterstorff, 2008) would be irrelevant to the contemporary Christian practice of justice. It would be based on the evolution of human thought instead of the basis of Christian faith, the Word of God.

In the Old Testament, justice was not an institution, it was a way of life (Wolterstorff, 2008, p.74). The institution came out of an understanding of inherent human rights. God loved the people of Israel, and all people, so he called them to practice justice. He held them accountable to just standards not for justices’ sake, but because of the worth that people had to God. Through the Old Testament especially, sacrifice for wrong doing is a central theme. Before God’s written law, the Patriarchs had to burn offerings to God for their repentance. Sacrifice, especially to God, would be completely unnecessary in a justice as right order context. The importance of practicing justice was made evident not only to Israel, but also to the surrounding nations. If God’s definition of justice lay in the institution of justice only, he would have no grounds for expecting the other nations to practice justice. How would the other nations know what justice really was if they didn’t have the Law of God? How did the Patriarchs know of justice or Joseph when he distributed grain for all of Egypt and the surrounding people (Genesis 41 & 47)? There was no Law at that time, but people knew because God created everyone with a sense of what is right and wrong.

The entire basis of what is right and wrong is dependent on worth. Since God has infinite worth, we ultimately deprive him of the rights in which he is due( Wolterstorff, 2008, p. 81). He created humans in his image and to deprive them of inherent rights is stripping them of worth. This is not only an act of injustice against the other person, but an injustice against God for defacing his image. This idea is fleshed out in the New Testament.

Jesus is God bringing justice to earth. It is God’s love that motivates justice. Because of God’s love for the world, he brought forgiveness, but also justice. For forgiveness to take place, the victim and perpetrator must recognize the inherent rights that God has as a perfect being and the value that he gave to humans by creating them in his image. Forgiveness cannot be separate from justice (Wolterstorff, 2008, p. 101). Jesus proved that justice was inherent and not defined by social order when he defied the social order of the day by reaching out to the diseased, afflicted, and oppressed. The forgiveness of sins by Jesus’ death on the cross is the central point of the New Testament. Since there cannot be forgiveness without the concept of justice, the entire theme of the New Testament is love and justice. The writers of the gospels showed Jesus’ love for those he came in contact with (2008, p. 117). His public interaction showed that he cared about the equality of people and highlighted the injustices that were being done to them so often. Not only was he there to lift up those who were oppressed, he came to show the backwardness of those who oppressed.

In the Old Testament, God is constantly reminding the Israelites of the bondage he brought them out of in Egypt. In the same way, we can look to Jesus as a constant reminder of the freedom from sin that we have been brought out of. We can also look back to the Old and New Testaments and see the value that God sees in every individual, whether they were called his people or not. The freedom that Christ brought on the cross and the example of love and justice that he showed during his life and death are the basis for all actions that we take as Christians. The idea of the inherent worth of humans, and the treatment of them that follows, is not an idea that originated a thousand years after Christ’s death, but is an idea that is foundational to the writings of the Old and New Testaments. Not only is it conceptual, but practical as well. God called the Israelites and the surrounding people groups to act justly in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, he lovingly gave himself as an example of the practices of justice and forgiveness. As we seek justice, we see Jesus as the perfect example of defending the poor and oppressed, and turning the idea of justice as social order upside-down.

Wolterstorff, N. (2008). Justice: Rights and Wrongs. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

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11
Oct 09

love’s firm grasp

I was able to spend a significant amount of time with my parents, my sister, and her two young boys recently. On our way out of town back toward the airport to fly back to Seattle, my sister, her boys, and I stopped by the historic part of town, parallel parked, and walked around for a bit. As we got back to the car, her oldest started to walk around the street side of the car where his seat was located. I grabbed him just in time and spun him around. “I told you to wait!!! It’s dangerous out there on that side,” I told him. “I was just going to my seat!” he said, noticeably upset that he had been scolded by me… and his mother who had also told him to wait. “You may not have even made it there!”

After it was all over we started to be pals again. As we drove through the desert I started thinking about how foolishly I act without even knowing it. I am ready to go a certain way and do a certain thing without any regards for the danger around me. I am in such a rush with a single track mind, just wanting to get to my seat, to my life, to my purpose… to my future. I am spun around so quick with an, “I told you to wait!!” from my Father. I get noticeably upset, unable to comprehend the danger I would have stepped into.

After my tears dry He speaks again, “I get after you because I love you and I want the best for you.” I smile at him and know that He’s right. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

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28
Sep 09

News from St. Ameria and a related post

I recently received word from Edith at St. Ameria in Jinja. Some of the children that she cares for are from the war torn north. Some of the children went back to the north to visit any guardians they may have up there. Some were sent back having learned that there guardians were no longer around. This could mean that over the course of the last few years, they have been victims of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) or that they have moved on, forgetting or dismissing these children as a part of their responsibilities. Either way, these children, already misplaced, are now without whatever family or relation that they had. Please keep them in your prayers.

Response Post to a film about child soldiers in Uganda.

The Lord’s Army (http://www NULL.pbs NULL.org/wnet/wideangle/video/watch-full-episodes/lords-children-video-full-episode/2188/)

Tribal Conflict

Africa has only recently known borders. Most of Africa is populated by tribal people. Most of the borders in Africa have not been drawn along cultures, people groups, and languages because to do this would be impossible. Instead of tribes being able to live on their land in peace as they had done for generations, country lines demanded country rulers.

Janina Matuszeski and Frank Schneider (2006) examined the correlation between ethnic lines and civil war within the boundaries of recognized 189 recognized countries. The economists found that people, even within the confines of a national border, adhere to other people that think and speak like them and at the fringes of those ethnic lines is where the conflict zones and civil wars break out. The government body usually only represents a fraction of the population who, in turn, watch out for the interests of their ethnicity causing rebel groups to rise up.

This is a pattern that occurs in many places. I am sure that when Joseph Koney first started his resistance, his intentions might have been good. That was a long time ago and since then he has produced evil deeds beyond belief. Many tribal communities have also been introduced to the Gospel and claim to be “Christians” yet still hold strongly to animistic traditions as well. Koney’s kingdom does not sound like the one that Jesus talked about. There is obviously something wrong with his thinking.

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and many other rebel groups who abduct child soldiers are able to brainwash the children at a very vulnerable age. Even though the family structure is much different and community based among many societies and tribes in Uganda, there is also a sense of caring for one’s-self even among children. Most children go to school away from their parents and when they get back have a lot of responsibility. It is also good to have a lot of children among the Acholi and birth control has generally been looked down upon until recent years. There are a lot of children to take care of and because of HIV and AIDS, there have been fewer parents to care for them. The caretakers, whether it be aunts, uncles, or grandparents have many mouths to feed and have to concentrate on those children who are most likely to succeed. Former child soldiers have been changed, and reintegrating them back into society at any level is a risk. Fear us a big driving force in animistic cultures and fear is what keeps guardians from having their children back. Therefore, social aid not only has to address physical, mental, and emotional care, but also spiritual for the child to succeed.

Matuszeski J., Schneider F. 2006. Patterns of Ethnic Group Segregation and Civil Conflict. Harvard University. Retrieved from http://www.cgdev.org/content/calendar/detail/12518/ on February 18, 2008

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13
Sep 09

The House of War

For our first assignment in Globalization, we were asked to explore the relationship between Globalization and Terrorism. Are they linked? What aspects of Globalization make it more likely?

I was torn on this subject due to hating the fact that 75% of terrorist acts relates in some way back to Islam. Since I have traveled a little bit, I have spent some time with Muslim people. I don’t like the way that they are portrayed in the mass/global media. They are some of the warmest, nicest, and most genuine people I have ever met. But, terrorism still happens (not always relating to Islam) and the issues are so much deeper than I addressed, but this was what I finally came up with. Please comment/discuss.

The House of War

Wherever cultures collide, there is going to be a struggle for what a culture determines as right. Due to globalization, people from all over the world have traveled to new places to learn, take jobs, and seek other opportunities as well. Muslim people do not assimilate very well into the new places that they live in. Western Europe has seen a huge influx of immigrants from Muslim countries. Many Muslim men travel to find greater opportunity for themselves and their family. Some of them have been persuaded by greed or comfort to pursue more Western ideals, dress, and ethics. Young Muslim children are growing up without their father’s present, whether physically or emotionally (not unlike the US). This leaves them open to search for value in other places. Eventually, some are picked up by the local imams and religious leaders that are usually from places such as Saudi and the Gulf States, Egypt, Morocco, and other places where well-educated imams are being sent from to be the religious leaders for the immigrants. These leaders are often more radical in their ideologies and interpretations of Holy Scriptures. They see the West as Dar al-Harb, or the House of war, and part of their purpose as good Muslims is to convert it to Dar al-Islam, or the House of Islam. Once an area has been converted, it cannot revert because it is the house of God.

Globalization affects the Muslim world in many ways. On one hand, you have Muslim people going out, taking their money, investments, and manpower outside of Muslim nations, and on the other hand, you have a huge influx of mostly Western companies, advertisers, and ideals invading Muslim nations as well. Dar al-Harb is taking strides to overcome Dar al-Islam. Along these lines are the battlegrounds for global terrorism. The young, mostly educated men are fighting against the evils of the West, attempting to establish Dar al-Islam for future generations. But, they are also unwilling to address the conflicts of their own worldview, interpretations of their religious leaders, and the responsibility of the demand for Western influence. Others who engage in terrorist acts, like female suicide bombers, do so under coercion from extremists capitalizing on their economic status. The poor have always been among us Globalization has increased the gap and put more money in the hands of the middle class and wealthy, and made the poor much poorer. The poor have often become the recruiting grounds for terrorist organizations who promise poor families an increase in wealth and honor, which they would see nearly impossible to get otherwise.

To conclude, global terrorism and globalization are linked due to the clash of civilizations, values, religions, and markets. Global diversity and technology enable those who want to commit terrorist acts, whether Muslim or not, to find each other and do so relatively easily. Because of Globalization, terrorism isn’t limited to ideological extremists, but effect people who are easily coerced into terrorism (but not limited to terrorism) for a variety of reasons: money, honor, family status, or provision.

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15
Aug 09

Don’t Forget to Breathe

“So keep your head above water, but don’t forget to breathe” – Alexi Murdoch

Since arriving in the Northwest more than 6 months ago, my blog posts have reflected what has been going on with me; disconnected and distant. The transition from YWAM hasn’t been the easiest for me. I went from a family where every one knew each other, shared meals together, cried, laughed, fought, got sick, danced, prayed, and believed together in an environment where we saw new and exciting places every day. We met people, walked in the footsteps of Jesus, Paul, Peter, Moses, Plato Aristotle, and others I have never known or heart of. It wasn’t always glamorous, but it was a constant adventure where we saw immense beauty, but also immense sadness in affluent and developing countries alike.

So, I come back to the worst Northwest winter that anyone can remember, only knowing a couple of people. Is this really where I am supposed to be? It was like stepping into a new country, different people, different types of communication, a different way of life. At first (and sometimes still) I didn’t like it. It is difficult. Nothing made sense, but slowly, the pieces started coming together about why I had been led to such a place, and those pieces are still coming, being fit together in ways I couldn’t imagine to form something that I still cannot make out.

I haven’t been patient, or made all the right decisions, but God has been faithful still. I am learning to be patient, learning about a good community, and most of all, learning to be content in all things, whether it is the location or job of my dreams, or whether I am happy all of the time or not. I have a lot to learn about the difference between my timing, my plans, and what God has for me. He is trustworthy even though I have shown that most of the time I have not trusted Him.

His ways are higher than mine, and he leads me to quiet waters, even though to me they don’t seem so still. He is calling to me, “Don’t forget to breathe,” He says. “Your life and breath is a gift and you can choose to be miserable if you don’t accept it. No matter where you are, no matter how hard the struggle is to keep you head above the water, don’t give up, but don’t forget to breathe. Don’t be so lost in the waves around you that you can’t see that I have given you the opportunity for abundant life every day. Don’t miss this opportunity to take hold of life and live it with everything that you have, to find fulfillment and joy in Me even though the waves are crashing everywhere around you. I’ve got you in the palm of my hand and I have a purpose for this time.”

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19
Feb 09

Lent – Giving up Ignorance

Lent starts in a week.

Different denominations celebrate or observe Lent in a variety of ways. As I was growing up, my parents took (often dragged) my sister and I to church. I never remembered observing lent, and I am not sure if I ever have. This year, however, that is going to change.

Traditionally, the 40 days of lent represents the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by the devil at the beginning of His public ministry. Why they chose to have it be the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, I don’t really know, but I am sure there is some tradition that many people have fought and died over. Lent is a tradition. Some argue that it is a pointless tradition not based in the Bible at all. During Lent, observers give up, or fast something that they are generally accustomed to, some take it to the point of fasting everything but liquids.

Even the number 40 has significance in the Bible. Not only is it the number of days that Jesus fasted in the wilderness, but it is a number repeated throughout the Old Testament. Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai meeting with the Lord, then spent 40 years in the Sinai Desert with the Israelites. God made it rain on the earth for 40 days during Noah’s time. Elijah’s walk to Mt. Horeb took 40 days and 40 nights. It’s also the number of days God gave to Ninevah to repent of their sins. People even believe that Jesus spent 40 hours in the grave from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning.

This year, I made the decision to observe Lent. It may be the first time that I have, but I have recently had this urgency to do so. I want to invite you to going with me this season to observe it. I’m not going to ask you to give up food, or sugar, or alcohol, or any dietary “fast”.

I am going to invite you to give up something that all of us are accustomed to – Ignorance. We are all guilty of omitting from our minds many of the issues that are close to God’s heart. Jesus spent 40 days resisting the devil’s plans for His life and I want to spend the next 40 days resisting the devil’s plans for this world.

I am committing to spend only 15 minutes every day of Lent to researching and praying about issues such as Human Trafficking, HIV/AIDS, Orphans, Foster Children, the treatment of Widows, Poverty, Racism, and Violence and telling people about it. 15 minutes a day adds up to 10 hours over the course of 40 days. I firmly believe that with these 15 minutes a day, God can break our hearts for issue of injustice in the world, and use us to do something significant. I am hoping that this will create a hunger to know, learn and share even more.

There are so many evils that we have the power to do something about. Ignorance is our greatest enemy because it is so easy to be unaware of what is really going on, even in our own cities and countries. To help combat this ignorance, I am willing to send a copy of the 30 Days of Prayer for the Voiceless Booklet to each family that responds and commits to spending 15 minutes a day in research, prayer, and awareness.

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When Jesus laid out His mission statement in Luke 4, He proclaimed that the Spirit of God was on Him to bring the Good News to the poor, proclaim that the captives will be released, the blind will see, the oppressed will go free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. As followers of Christ, this is our mission too, and if you aren’t a follower of Christ, this is what being a Christian is truly about.

Give up Ignorance for Lent. If you would like to commit 15 minutes a day, either comment on the blog or email me at john.vicory@gmail.com (john NULL.vicory null@null gmail NULL.com) and I will be in touch on where to research and how to get the copy of the 30 Days of Prayer for the Voiceless Booklet to you as quickly as possible.I have seen the way that people’s lives are transformed through the eye-opening experience going through this book can be. I don’t want you to miss out.

Lent starts in a week from today (next Wednesday), so let me know!

In Christ, who gave everything.

John Vicory

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1
Dec 07

Yesterday, Today, and Forever!

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Fear gripped my heart, but reached its fingers much deeper in the very essence of who I am… I could smell the sulfur and feel the heat from the evil on my face as I heard the boy’s uncontrollable shrieks. Was this how the disciples felt the first time they had encountered an evil spirit after Jesus had told them they had authority over every evil? I had spent the entire week learning about the Power of the Holy Spirit and how he is alive today, just as he was in the book of Acts. We had been challenged to set Acts as the standard for our lives and our relationship with the Spirit of God who was within us. I had prayed that I would expect to do things like the apostles did… now it was real.

I waited and watched Kate walk to the back corner of the Ferry. Everyone who had been in that area were on their way out because of the repulsion that the boy brought to their comfortable ride. Sarah Jo and I soon followed and came upon a gipsy boy of about 12 writhing in the carpeted isle. Kate had received very broken English that the boy was starving, but his body wouldn’t let him eat. I sat with Kate at the boys head and Sarah was at his feet. We asked if we could pray for the boy, but as soon as we did the boy started getting violent, throwing shoes and eventually hitting himself in the face with his fists. We instantly laid our hands on him and commanded the evil spirit to leave his body in the name of Jesus. We did so for a few minutes, but then prayed the peace of Christ would overflow in his spirit. Others from the track had come over at this point when all of the sudden, he stopped screaming. He opened his eyes and they were bloodshot and glazed, but as we were watching because white and clear. I caressed his dirty head and hair with my hands repeating the name of Jesus over his life. Finally we sat him up and he was finally able to eat.

The girl that Kate had been speaking to about the boy and his family grabbed her violin and had taken off as soon as the evil spirit had left the boy. Kate ran after her and looked for her literally everywhere (but the men’s restroom) to at least get her name, but she couldn’t find her.

After a little amount of time, a group of people came to us and asked us to leave because we were at our destination (the boat was still taking passengers to another island). We quickly shared as best as we could about Jesus and his love that set the boy free, but the language barrier was difficult to get past and we had to leave. Those of us who were there know that the Kingdom was present on that day and now we have confidence that He wants to move today, just like he did in Acts.

Will we continue to be used? God wants to use those who are willing to walk in obedience to his leadings, so the question is; will be obedient? I also want to encourage you to be obedient to where the Spirit is leading you. Are you ready to be used by him? It will take some sacrifice of comfort and pride, but it is well worth it when you see with your own eyes the physical and spiritual freedom that is found in Christ. I challenge you to ask God how he wants to use you every day, but to be confident that he will use you. Walk with open eyes to what he wants you to do and expect him to bring people your way who need a revelation of Christ.

- Oh yeah… I am in Turkey; after visit to Corinth, the island of Chios, and a short drive through Izmir to Selcuk. We were even able to visit ancient Ephesus on Wednesday. It is beautiful here; the people are warm, but the weather isn’t. Pray that we will be open for being used to do even more by God in proclaiming the name of Jesus here. Turkey is 99% Muslim, but like I said, the people here are very courteous and hospitable.

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[Columns of an ancient temple in Corinth]

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[The last remaining pillars in the temple of Apollos, Corinth]

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[The entrance to the Celsus Library in Ephesus]

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[Carla and Tim reading an Epistle of Paul close to where it was read for the first time]

That about does it for this week. I want to say thank you for those who are sending encouragement and words that you get from the Holy Spirit. Its great to see what God is saying to you.
in Service to Christ
John Paul

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11
Nov 07

I can't think of any creative names for the updated

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11-11-07

Blog Update –

Who would have thought that studying the Bible would be so involved? When we started, I didn’t really know what to expect. A couple of days ago, I turned in a 60 page paper on the Gospel of Mark. Later that day, a few peers and I started into Luke by doing our first of 5 readings as well, just so we might be a little ahead of the work for this week.

Sure, it may be intense, but so much was revealed to me while taking section after section of the text, researching the ancient Greek words, and formulating both an interpretation relevant at the time and in our lives today. I am not, by any means, an expert and probably will never be, but I can’t believe how much closer I feel to the Father as a result of the study.

In other news, Brandi, who was in Compassion DTS and also a friend from Colorado, went to a Christian university in the States called Harding University. After the first blog update she emailed me informing me that Harding had an overseas program in the same town of Porto Rafti. Please understand that since we have been here, we haven’t seen any tourists or native English speakers. I wrote Harding in Arkansas and told them who I was and my relation to Brandi. Within a day, Jerry, the director of the Harding program here, had emailed me. I stopped by to see them and meet some of the 23 American students that reside here. We were pleasantly surprised when Jerry invited all of us to their campus for pizza and ice-cream last night… on them! It was such a blessing for us to be able to make connections with some other Christians in Greece, sharing stories and encouraging each other. They will leave on Monday to spend a week and a half in Israel. When they get back, we will be leaving, but it was good to be able to connect with them.

It was actually an answer to prayer as well. I had prayed the day that I sent out the blog update, that a valuable connection would be made, a divine appointment made. I was feeling a little disconnected from the community in Porto Rafti and didn’t have any connections to anyone. Needless to say, that God answered my prayer and I am excited to see what God has for the newly established relationship in the future. A few of us are going into Athens today for church with the students and staff. It is an international church which could also provide some valuable ministry partnerships in the future. God knows.

While studying the Bible, and Jesus’ life, I noticed that before Jesus made decisions or actions, he would spend time in prayer. I thought that maybe we could start praying for the future trip to Turkey. There are only about ten to twenty thousand Christians in all of Turkey. There is also some unrest and civil war in Turkey, but we won’t be anywhere near that. It would be a blessing if prayers could also be started for the time there and the travel from Athens by boat to Turkey. I really want the light of Christ to shine bright in Turkey and that connections could be made for future work with Not Alone. He can do some amazing things, and I want to be prepared as well.

Until next week, God bless! If you have any feedback, let me know!

John Paul

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[Whom will you serve?]

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17
Oct 07

Guguletu: A Study of Hope

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“I was coming home from school and the G’s [Gangsters] took my phone; they put their gun on me”. – Anda

He said it without any surprise or novelty; as if it happens every day. Wait… it does happen every day. Over the last year, Anda and Michael have had 4 phones stolen by local gangsters in the Gululetu township.

At 19 years old, Michael and Anda have tremendous pressure placed on them by the gangs in their township to conform and join the gang; starting a sick and endless cycle of violence and drug abuse that lands thousands of teens in prison each year. Instead, the two have their applications in for college beginning next year and are the star players for a Football Club [soccer for Americans] in Guguletu. Because of the choice to stay in school, stay off of drugs and alcohol, and even play soccer, they have been called everything except men due to the overwhelming numbers of teens involved in gang activity. Children as young as 14 (the lowest I have heard) are carrying around guns and knives and commit murder in townships like Guguletu and neighboring Nyanga every day. The murder rates in these two communities are through the roof and everyone is affected. In 2003/2004 (April to March), the murder rate was over 2.4 per 1,000 (in contrast to Aurora, CO where I live had .09 per 1,000 people [which is worse than the national average]. Where is the hope in Guguletu?

Simply trying to do something positive with their lives, Anda and Michael are breaking the mold in their communities. They are truly a light in the darkness. I was able to spend the night with these young men and talked with them for hours about their lives and what its like to spend every day in Guguletu. I fell in love with them and their township as a result. While there are so many things that are wrong and dangerous, the beauty of Guguletu is overpowering. We seem to concentrate on the statistics of the bad rather than on the statistics of the good; the statistics of Hope. For some reason people think that we are crazy for going there, but in my mind we are crazy for not going there. In the midst of the most hopeless situation is where we find the true hope that Christ brings. Churches like JL Zwane have been there for years, doing the good work; reaching out to a community in need when no one else will. JL Zwane, a church with a congregation numbering in the hundreds, has gained international recognition for their community work in areas like Child Development, Teen Programs, the JL Zwane Football Club (of which Anda and Michael are part of), and one of the most HIV/AIDS community programs in Western Cape [which is absolutely necessary considering Guguletu and Nyanga have a HIV prevalence rate of 29.1% (2005)].

I first heard about Anda, Michael, and JL Zwane from a Westmont alum named Justin Zoradi. He had traveled to South Africa in 2006, leading a youth related ministry. The impact that Anda and Michael (and their coach/mentor, Eric “Ace” Kombela) was enormous. Justin returned to the States and started a Non-Profit Organization called “These Numbers Have Faces”, their first and pioneer project being the JL Zwane Football club. I knew that Justin had been here and that he had started this organization, so I gave him an email asking if I could help out with pictures and updates. He set me up with ACE who has been an amazing host. He even let 4 young women from our team stay with him and his wife while I stayed with Michael and Anda.

The experience was outstanding and eye-opening. Walking the same streets with the boys turned my mind around to the conditions that they were living in. When the girls weren’t around, many men would come up to me and vent their hate (sometimes justly) at white people. There wasn’t much I could do except for listen silently, hoping that by finally letting it out towards a white person would help with the healing process. After they were done, I would try to explain who I was and why I was there; mostly to no avail. We even met a few gang members on the street as we were walking back to Michael’s house from Anda’s. They (Michael and Anda) said that it was okay because “We grew up with these ones and know them”. The smell of delicious Bar-ba-que filled the air and there were sounds of music being played from all around. Open fires, cooking the meat, blazed along the road illuminating the words, “Japan” or “Gaza” (local gangs) tagged on most of the walls. At the end of the night, after talking, after eating; the boys showed me to my room where we all fell asleep… in the same bed. Since there are so many people per house in townships, its not uncommon for 3 or 4 people to share 1 bed. A unique and heartfelt experience (since sharing a bed with friends is like sharing one with family).

If we continue to focus on the negative in the world, how will we ever see past that to the amazing beauty that is buried just beneath? I would encourage you to find the beauty in your own community, in the “inner-city” areas, and especially the homeless shelters. So often we go to these places to “be Jesus” to them, when in reality, it is his face that we see in them. Sure, there will be some uncomfortable and possibly even dangerous experiences associated with these areas, but I believe that even just one person hearing about the Hope that is found in Christ is worth my life.

Matthew 25:37-40 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Thank you so much for those who were praying during the time in the township. If you would like to be placed on the Prayer list, contact me and I will add you!

May God guide your steps in every area of your life and mine

John Paul Vicory

Check out These Numbers Have Faces on line here (http://www NULL.thesenumbers NULL.com/) or in the Links Section on the Right!

(http://bp2 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYmb2vvz7I/AAAAAAAAAEY/eAkWgizcRs4/s1600-h/IMG_2082a NULL.JPG)[Hard Times Never Kill]

(http://bp2 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYo72vv0BI/AAAAAAAAAFI/7QVaUkiUZVg/s1600-h/IMG_2093a NULL.JPG)[Where Michael and Anda Sleep]


(http://bp1 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYmbmvvz6I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/
P7H7TRJEO14/s1600-h/IMG_2074a NULL.JPG)[Anda's House]


(http://bp2 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYlz2vvz4I/AAAAAAAAAEA/81WhQp373Ac/s1600-h/Anda+Sequence NULL.JPG)[Anda Stealing the Ball]


(http://bp3 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYl0Gvvz5I/AAAAAAAAAEI/oAcwxaFdkYI/s1600-h/IMG_1982 NULL.JPG)[Michael Heading against Manchester (They won 3-0)]


 (http://bp1 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYnTmvvz8I/AAAAAAAAAEg/ovSbrG85Y18/s1600-h/IMG_2478 NULL.JPG)[Michael]

 (http://bp2 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYnT2vvz9I/AAAAAAAAAEo/YDVz5S80gyU/s1600-h/IMG_2487 NULL.JPG)[Anda]

 (http://bp2 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYkJ2vvz1I/AAAAAAAAADo/6bwphFdFVpw/s1600-h/IMG_2484 NULL.JPG)[Anda and Michael]


(http://bp2 NULL.blogger NULL.com/_qnp_-5yGoRQ/RxYkJ2vvz0I/AAAAAAAAADg/HoR-602W5Zk/s1600-h/IMG_2134a NULL.JPG)[The Pulpit at JL Zwane]

Uncategorized — 6 Comments
21
Sep 07

Face the Horizon

Reflecting upon the last few weeks, I realize now that it has been a blur. Everything happens so fast. It is hard to believe that I leave the country yet again on Tuesday morning at 8. Harder to believe is the fact that I probably won’t see the beautiful city of Denver, and many family members and friends for another 17 months…

Expectations are ideas that creep into my head of what the future holds… Not only with regards to my life on the Track, but with regards to my ideas about what will take place here so out of my control. Is there a better place to be than there? Out of control? I am reminded of the parallels of Paul’s thoughts when he explained in his second letter to the Corinthians that in His weakness, Christ has the most power. When I am furthest from control, He can have the most. And his arms are the safest place that I could ever be.

God has been teaching me that the Christian life is not necessarily one of One decision, but more of a hallway. We have to take the step into the doorway of the hall, but still have Life to walk through. Each step along the way affects the direction that I take in the future and sometimes I need to be picked up and put back on track again because there are distractions along the way. So, because making Christ my Lord is such a continual process, it requires almost a constant re-evaluation of my stance, path, and direction. Not only a re-evaluation, but a response to what God is showing me about myself. Action is key.

The last few months have been such a blessing to me. You, who supported the vision raised over $10,000 on behalf of the Orphans and future missions. The Not Alone Benefit Photography Show was just the beginning. Offers for more assistance and even building teams continue to pour in. God knew what he was doing that day when he introduced me to the vision. It continues to be his, but I am honored to be a part of it.

He has also led the way to share his heart for the world with America, on the tour and more recently when I was invited to speak at Metro State College in Denver. I had written a formal speech to take up my 20 minutes, but ended up sharing from the heart on my experiences in Africa, finishing with a call to action even in the secular environment. The overarching message of the summer is that there is Hope in a seemingly Hopeless situation. God continues to be the source of that Hope and encouragement for a world that is dying. Praise be to Him!

So now what? I am excited… Excited to see what He continues to do in and through me. It also comes with almost a sense of sadness. Sadness because I do value the relationships and friendships that God has given me here, back home. But those same relationships in his hands and surrendered to him are in the proper place. I have confidence that when we walk in His ways, we can never go astray. Philippians 4:19 [The same God who takes care of me, will take care of you!]

I look forward to sharing more experiences of my upcoming travels with you along the way. Who knows what will happen this time? Thank you for your faithfulness to reading and the encouragement that you provide as well. It is an interaction that I don’t take lightly, and one that I take with Joy!

May God richly bless your lives.

In Him,

John Paul

[Love is the Movement]

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