Info about Financial Support . . .

Checks can be made out to:

ELIZABETH RIVER DISTRICT UMC

And mailed to: 

ER DISTRICT
PO BOX 12654 

NORFOLK, VA  23541


We are tremendously grateful for each giver and each gift.  It has been so lifting to see how God provides through His people.  Thank you!

Celebrating the 2nd Year in a New Ministy!

Tidewater Regional Jail with the Latinos

Solomon's eyes searched mine as he spoke with a sense of despair, "Of course I can accept Jesus, but how do I know he will accept me?"  This Mexican father of five, had been searching the Scriptures for a few months hoping for some connection with God.  He also desperately longed for a sense that his wife and children would be cared for while he was in jail.  For the next hour I pressed the joyful reality that we can be sure Jesus will accept us, if we simply come to Him on His terms which are repentance and faith.  Solomon opened up and seemed to grasp on the hope found in Christ.
It is greatest to know God's love and acceptance in and through what Jesus' death accomplished for us and certainly through His rising from the dead, defeating death!  The writers of the New Testament tell us that we can "know and rely on" the love of God in Christ!  John the Apostle, bases this confidence on the experience of God's Spirit communicating with us!  Check out 1 John 4:13-16:

¹³ We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  
 ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior
of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives
in him and he in God.  ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love
God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Assurance of God's love and presence in our lives is the privilege of everyone who is trusting in Jesus.  Yet, too many followers of Christ simply do not know what is offered and so, they never seek God for the assurance that the Spirit gives.  The Apostle Paul put it this way: "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children" (Romans 8:16).  I urge you who are reading this, if you do not have the 'witness of the Spirit', seek God for it!  Trust completely in Jesus as your Savior and ask for God's Spirit to come and speak to your spirit.  Press in and seek God until you have an answer.  Our God is a self-revealing God, who rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  Another insightful passage where Jesus addresses this marvelous truth is Luke 11:11-13.  
In the jail cell, Solomon and I prayed together.  I cannot say all that Solomon's tears meant.  However, I'm sure the LORD was at work in him and I'm sure there was a deep longing to just be with his family.  When I went to visit Solomon the next time, I was told he had been transferred. 

Siuna, Nicaragua with Pastor David Ford, Newtown UMC and GO International

It's a tough town where the women wear flip flops and spurs!

We had two options to get to Siuna from Nicaragua's capital, Managua.  Either a 19 hour bus ride or a 1 hour flight.  So it was a 12 seater Cesna, which was a lot of fun, especially landing on the gravel runway.  We saw quickly that Siuna was a cowboy town with horses possibly outnumbering cars.  There were 17 on the team all from Newtown UMC in Williamsburg, VA, except myself and Larry and Jenny Cochran who were the team leaders with Go International. www.gointernational.org
Each morning we traveled a little over an hour by truck (because 17 gringos riding horses was out of the question) to our mission base, Salto Verde Church.  Salto Verde literally translated is "I jump green", for which we never got a clear explanation.  However, it is a beautiful, rural area without electricity or running water, but full of smiling children, a few spider monkeys and of course, lots of horses!  
We served the church and the community in five ways: 1) Medical Mission as Doctor Roberto saw patients throughout the day.  He's a young doctor who is studying to be a Pastor as well!  Brilliant!  2) A prayer and evangelistic ministry to people in the community and those who came to see the doctor.  There was quite a long wait, so opportunities abounded to share Christ and pray over all of those who visited the Doctor.  3) Children's Ministry - Youth Pastor Jonathan Diggs led this charge.  It was beautiful to see the number of kids grow from day to day.  We welcomed about 100 on the last day.  4) Construction of a new sanctuary for the Church.  It was powerful to see the community come together for this with people working who did not attend the church! 5) We brought a few hundred pairs of reading glasses and handed those out as needed.  It was a holistic approach to the community in partnership with the church in Nicaragua.

Doctor Roberto on the left with the Team in front of Salto Verde Church.

There was a young man who looked a bit lost outside the church one day.  I introduced myself and asked him some questions.  His name was Vladimir, which surprised me, as he was 100% Nica.  As we talked it became clear why he looked so lost.  He shared that many years before, his Dad was the pastor of this church; but his Dad was murdered in Managua 6 months before.  Vladimir told me that he wasn't following Christ as he was too hurt and didn't have answers to his many questions.  We talked for a long time about suffering and how God is in the midst of it.  My heart ached for him and after praying together, he headed out for the two hour walk home.

Gabriel, our young Amigo!

We stayed in what was really a hostel, though it was called 'hotel' in Siuna.  It was pretty rough.  Pastor David and I thought we were the only ones in our room, but one morning I almost touched a toad the size of my two fists together!  There was a 4 inch gap at the bottom of our door, so really lots of little critters could come in out of the rain!  The team did well, no complaining and we focused on serving the LORD and the people in unity.  There were great team times of worship, sharing and prayer.  I
We met Gabriel, a 13 year old boy and his mother, Maria, both of whom worked at the hotel.  Gabriel ended up spending much of the trip with us as we received permission from his mother for him to travel with us.  He was a lot of fun and I enjoyed helping him understand why we were there and sharing Christ through interpreting different worship gatherings, ministry times and life events. One of our high school team members, Lauren gave Gabriel her Spanish Bible as we left.

Youth Ministry: Training and Jumping In
I spent a couple days training 8 Youth Interns at Ocean Grove Campmeeting Association in July.  Ocean Grove felt like a hidden treasure as it has it's origin in the Holiness Movement in the late 1800s.  http://oceangrove.org/  There is a square mile there dedicated to the LORD, with tons of happenings all throughout the summer for adults, youth and children.  The Youth Interns reach out through relational ministry, events, programs and small groups.  They were a solid group all of whom are active in College Ministries.  Another bonus was that Eileen and the children were able to come up with me and enjoy some down time on the Jersey Shore.

King's Dominion for Fun Day with the whole group!

I am currently in the middle of serving with New Creation UMC's "Youth Week".  Becky Lambert and Bill Canaday do a great job along with their interns to gather youth from New Creation, other churches and the community for a week of drawing near to Christ, serving, food and fun!  My oldest son, Josiah participated this year as he is going into 6th grade!  We have seen many of the youth growing in their faith and making decisions to turn from sin and follow Jesus!  

I am now in my second year of serving as a Missionary-Evangelist!  Thank you for your prayers and support, I am forever grateful!  Our financial support continues to increase as we work towards our goals.  
We have a new Life in His Name facebook page with extra pictures and information as well!

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14). 

Greg West

Until the IRS recognizes the name change from the Norfolk District to Elizabeth River District, checks need to be made out to:

NORFOLK DISTRICT UMC with 'Greg West' or 'LIHN' in the Memo

And mailed to: 

PO BOX 12654 

NORFOLK, VA  23541

You can put either Norfolk or Elizabeth River District for the address.  It will get there either way; technically it is now the Elizabeth River District UMC.

New Address for Receiving Funds

Sorry about the confusion . . . 

Checks can be made out to:

ELIZABETH RIVER DISTRICT UMC

And mailed to: 

ER DISTRICT
PO BOX 12654 

NORFOLK, VA  23541

Thanks!

"Your very lives are a letter . . . Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God's living Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:3 The Message

MEN'S MINISTRY:
On April 30, a group of men from Virginia Beach UMC gathered, not for a Retreat, but an 'Advance' as Dave Lundquist, the 'Head of Men's Adventures' named it!  Dave and Pastor Ed Johnson Jr. gave leadership to the 'Advance'.  I presented 3 sessions on "the Method of Jesus and the Method of the Methodists."  You could say the focus was "Evangelism and Discipleship'.  However, all the while we were trying to grasp the marvel of God clothing Himself in human flesh, His life among us, the coming of God's Holy Spirit and the overarching strategy to bring the Kingdom of God to earth!  We covered some territory!
Pastor Ed, Dave and the other leaders in the group had been working hard to cultivate a deep commitment to discipleship.  Dave and I thought these presentations could help move the Men's Ministry to the next phase - so I was thrilled when Dave reported that 3 new men's groups have been launched with participation growing from 7 to 27 men!  He said, "At this stage we are in 'boot camp' as we learn and practice the skills of ministry and gain comfort in really looking at ourselves and being ministered to.  We pray that soon we will be reaching out to lost and hurting men outside our usual congregational contacts."  There was a hunger among the men to be who Jesus called them to be, and to do the things He's 

Above and below are two of the slides I use to illustrate the
tremendous growth of the Methodist movement when
the class meetings (small groups) were required.

called them to do!  When that is present it's hard to go wrong!

More than 1/3 of the population!  What I am interested in
here is the recovery of a method, the method of Jesus.  

Pastor Ed shared, "The 'Advance' was a tremendous success as men were reintroduced to the power of the Holy Spirit available to all followers of Christ!  In addition, the concepts that Greg taught have equipped us to empower laity to ministry to laity following the example of the original Wesleyan class model."  
This is a major goal of my calling as an evangelist . . . to assist the church in the formation of Jesus centered groups that shape people in Christ-likeness and send us out as ambassadors of the Kingdom.  These groups welcome all and are able to articulate and demonstrate the Supremacy of Jesus in every way!  They cannot help but to have a redemptive effect, not only in the lives of the participants, but also all those with whom they come into contact!
Most people do not think of evangelists in an equipping capacity.  However, this role is clear in Scripture.  This is Ephesians 4:11-14:


¹¹ It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹² to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."


If you would like to experience one of these groups, I am a part of a weekly group that meets on Wednesday's at 6:30 at Dennis' restaurant in Churchland.  Acts 2:42 summarizes our meetings: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  I am also in a pastor's covenant group meeting in north Suffolk with the same focus.  You're invited!


GATHERING WITH THE LATINOS AND JAIL MINISTRY:
About 15 Latinos among other friends gathered at our home on Memorial Day.  Jason and Delia Gillikin along with Ali Alvarez, Jose Gonzales, Eileen and I are desiring to connect with and minister to this community.  We are asking God what our next step is while continuing the friendships and encouraging them in the faith. 
My orientation at Western Tidewater Regional Jail was eye opening.  This jail holds close to 800 people including Federal prisoners.  My role there will primarily with Latinos, though I will have opportunity for ministry with others.  As I am traveling much of June for ministry, "I'll be in jail" on July 7, with a team from Southeastern Correctional Ministry.

  

STUDIES:

A fascinating account of John Wesley's
understanding of the Holy Spirit, healing,
deliverance, dreams and visions.

I am digging deep into the Scriptures and other books to better understand and be led by the Holy Spirit.  Imagine being one of Jesus' disciples and hearing him say, "It is for your good that I am going away."  
Stunning words, but then the explanation: "Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come  to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)  I am quite convinced that we followers of Jesus in the 21st century have a ton to learn, experience and live out concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit in us and through us.  
The book to the right has been quite an eye opener in terms of John Wesley's ministry and his understanding of the Holy Spirit.
   
SEMINARY ROAD TRIP:

Keith Abraham, Wayne Credle Jr. and Brian Boettcher
hanging out with John Wesley at Asbury Seminary.

Five Virginia Wesleyan College students and I traveled to Duke Divinity School for a tour.  Then three of the students and I traveled on to Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  Eileen and I were there from 1995-9, with me studying and Eileen paying the bills!  A road trip with college students who are listening to God's call in their lives is an exciting experience!  We learned together, prayed together, shared meals and lots of laughter!  It looks like Keith will be going to Asbury.  The others still have another year of under-graduate work.


It was good for my soul to visit ATS.  For Eileen and me it was a wonderful immersion into Christian community.  We were enriched, challenged, equipped and then sent from Asbury in 1999.


NICARAGUA IN JUNE:

Bishop Francis Asbury is one of my heroes.  He gave
himself fully to the LORD, preaching along circuits
through this country from 1771 - 1816.  The movement
grew from 1,200 persons to 214,000 under his leadership.
Tears came to my eyes as I learned that he was homeless
in order to be more effective in making disciples of Jesus. 

While in Wilmore, I visited 'Go International' a missions organization that partners with local churches to help fulfill the Great Commission.  I will be traveling with 'Go Int.' and Newtown UMC in a couple weeks to the city of Siuna in Nicaragua.  We'll be serving a church there with building, evangelism and any other way we can.  I will also be bringing books and teaching resources for the pastors of the Evangelical Methodist Church.  We welcome your prayers as overseas travel always has some challenges.  
On Sunday I had the opportunity to speak at Charity UMC in Virginia Beach.  One of the Sunday School classes is using Francis Chan's new book, Crazy Love.  I read the chapter entitled "Giving Our Leftovers to God."    Chan says that if 100 people represented the world's population, then 53 live on less than $2 a day.  And if you make $4,000 a month then you make more than 100 times what the average person on the planet makes!  This is part of the tug on my heart that keeps me returning to Nicaragua, 3 times so far this year.  The great joy is that each time there are people seeing the poverty of the country for the first time; and at the same time they see a church that is vibrant, doing so much with so little.  We would all do well to go down bringing material resources to help, while they give us spiritual resources unknowingly.


SUPPORT UPDATE:
We have made significant progress towards our new financial goals.  We will continue on as  God keeps opening doors and providing in marvelous ways through the body of Christ.  if you would like any information about my ministry please contact me and check out: www.lifeinhisname.net

I will be sending a new address and information for giving purposes later this month.  We are grateful for your prayers and support! 


In Jesus' great love,


Greg West

'Out of Darkness into His Wonderful Light'

HOUSE OF HOPE ~ Freeing Women and Children from Human Trafficking and Prostitution



The VWC Mission Team: Alan, Brandon, Andrea, Amber,

Devon, Clancey, Katerina, Kala, Wayne and a little amigo

I have been slow writing because the topic is, at times, too difficult.  Traveling to Nicaragua with 9 students from Virginia Wesleyan College last month was amazing and yet so challenging.  We had a fantastic trip working with the Evangelical Methodist Church, Metanoia Missions and the House of Hope; and the team functioned with great unity.  It is a great joy when I hear the students process what the trip meant to them and how they have been changed.  The Evangelical Methodist Church would love to host teams from the United States.  The needs are many and the blessings eternal!  If you and your church have any interest in connecting with them, I can help make it happen.  They have a full time mission coordinator who speaks English.   

I realized that when Eileen, our children and I spent time with the House of Hope in January we received a 'PG' version because our children were present. This time was different. April Havelin, who heads up the ministry, interviewed women and girls who have been rescued from brothels. We heard from a school teacher whose husband abandoned her, leaving her to feed and care for their many children, pay for the home and everything else. She could not make ends meet and was pulled into prostitution to feed her children. This woman though, has been transformed by the love of God in Christ! She leads ministry at the House of Hope including going to the streets to befriend prostitutes and tell them of a better way in and through Jesus! April has a wonderful connection with the children. She invited them into our circle asking them their favorite games, subjects in school and encouraging them to share a greeting with us. April told us what the girls had been through before they entered. I was stunned as a little seven year old girl came in with a big smile, excited to sit with April. As my mind tried to process the heartbreaking information, I resisted the strong urge to fall onto my hands and knees and weep. More girls came in to meet us. We did not want to believe the stories we heard, because the pain was too great. Today as I remember and write of what I saw and heard, I feel the tears coming.    

Eileen sharing recently at 'The Gathering'


The darkness is real.  Yet, ministries like House of Hope, do indeed give hope.  Eileen and I are committed to serving them.  On our trip in January, we brought back jewelry and greeting cards made by the women who have come out of human trafficking and prostitution.  I love working closely with Eileen bringing attention to the tragic realities of human trafficking.  Eileen sent a check to the House of Hope yesterday for $2,000 from items we have sold!  Some of the VWC students and I are making and selling cappuccinos out of my office at the college with the profits going to House of Hope.  For more info on them go to: http://www.houseofhopenicaragua.com/

Jail Ministry and 'On the Outside'
I met 'Tom' (name changed) in the Portsmouth Jail.  When I came by his cell, he and a number of other men gathered so that we could share the Scriptures, pray and be in fellowship with one another.  Tom and the other men studied the Bible daily and I could see a hunger in him to for more of God.  It is so rewarding to see people hungry for the Truth, to be able to help them understand the Gospel and take their next step of faith.  One evening after the group ended, he told me he was about to get out.  Then he asked if we could meet 'on the outside.'  I gave him my cell number and he called me the a few days later.  Tom and I have been meeting in a mentoring relationship.  He has joined a church in Portsmouth and is involved in their Men's Ministry.  He and a friend have also come to our Wednesday morning group.  He is 23 and has 3 children under 4 years old.  His Dad is about to come home from prison for the seventh time.  Tom does not want to repeat the mistakes his Dad made.  I've met his family and I too want so badly to see the pattern of brokenness healed.  I will be going to a different jail, since there is a need for Spanish speakers at Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk.

Preaching and Teaching
I am preaching frequently in churches in the Hampton Roads area.  I just finished a four week series at Memorial UMC with my good friend, Pastor John Cole.  Here is a link to a message I preached at Newtown UMC earlier this year:  Greg's Message - Search and Rescue

Thank You and Support Update
We are so grateful for the financial and prayer support we receive as well as your words of encouragement.  We count it a privilege to be able to serve in this way.  We are actively seeking churches and families to support the ministry.  The Portsmouth District of the United Methodist Church has paid for our health insurance in this first year.  So we need to raise the funds for that cost.  Our goal is 20 supporters at $50 a month by the end of the summer.

The Apostle Peter contrasts those who disobey with the faithful by affirming their new identity and reminding them of what God has done.  Let us continue to walk and live in this reality!
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).


The Board of Life in His Name, Inc. meets regularly to establish this new ministry and map out the future.  We will be losing one of our Board members as Pastor Bob Weeks has been appointed to serve a church out of the area.  For more info on the ministry check out:  http://www.lifeinhisname.net/


Greg at the 'House of Hope' with the son one of the women who has come out of  prostitution

In the transforming love of Jesus,

Greg West
 

Nicaragua - There and Back Again

It will be 6 1/2 weeks for me between the two trips to Nicaragua.  I am taking 9 students from Virginia Wesleyan College (VWC), for Spring Break, March 11 - 18!  We will be working with the same groups that my family worked with while in Managua.  Please pray for Devon, Wayne, Kala, Katerina, Clancey, Alan, Amber, Andrea & Brandon.  Pray that their hearts would be receptive to all that God wants to share as they move outside of their comfort zones to serve.  I welcome your prayers as I lead this team.  

Evangelical Methodist Church of Nicaragua Pastors and  Leaders

While we were in Managua in January, I met with Pastors from the Evangelical Methodist Church.  20 years ago a Pastor from Argentina started the Methodist Church in Nicaragua. They have 15 congregations and are eager for partnerships with churches from the USA.  I hope to help them make some of those connections.  

House of Hope - Making Jewelry and Greeting Cards

One of the ministries in Nicaragua that affected Eileen and I deeply is the House of Hope or Casa Esperanza. Mike and April Havelin of Washington, NC started the ministry to prostitutes in 2001.  They thought they would be working with 50 women.  Today they are working with 500, including children who have been forced into the darkness of sex trafficking.  There is a video on the homepage of their website that tells their story and is well worth seeing:  http://www.houseofhopenicaragua.com/ The human trafficking and sex trafficking industries are on the increase and the body of Christ must stand for justice and be available to lift the oppressed.  

We worshiped with the women of this ministry and watched as they transformed the worship space into a jewelry and greeting card factory!  Eileen and I brought back $4,000 worth of jewelry and greeting cards to sell here in the USA for the House of Hope.  The jewelry and cards make great gifts and can open up  fantastic conversations about the problems of the world and the answers found in the person of Jesus along with his people alleviating and confronting the suffering in His Name. 

Evangelism and Discipleship 

On a recent Monday night I went into the Portsmouth Jail with the men from Southeastern Correctional Ministries http://www.secorrmin.org/ including Chaplain Gary Tingwald, a great friend and brother in Christ.  I went to the 5th floor and met with 2 cell blocks over the course of 2 hours.  Some of the guys 'circle up' when they see one of the volunteers and we invite others to join in and some do.  We share along the lines of the intersection of life and the Scriptures.  How do the teachings of Jesus become a reality in our lives?  This night I met with 15 guys total within the 2 cell blocks.  I asked both groups, "How many of you grew up in the Church?"  Can you guess the answer?  100%!  All 15 of these men now behind bars went to church as children and youth.  On my drive home I was troubled; and I still am.  How is it that we the Church are unable to disciple children and youth?  And Men?  And women?  

Something is terribly wrong with our methods and quite possibly the spirit in which we operate!  There are too many places in which evangelism and discipleship are not happening!  So we must go back to the Scriptures and seek God with all our heart and strength, crying out for the wisdom and understanding that we so desperately need; And then pray for the courage and conviction to follow through.  Really, our greatest need is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  For the Spirit gives us the wisdom, power and guidance necessary for life.  And how does this happen?  Jesus says:

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  Luke 11:11-13 

I'm going to be leading some seminars in the near future dealing with all of these realities.  If you would like to attend, let me know.  I am longing that the body of Christ would be revived (including me) and then minister this revival, renewal, re-formation to others!  In short, a movement of God.

Upcoming Seminars
March 5, Saturday ~ "Wanting the World to Know" Seminar - 9am - 4pm Christ UMC, VA Beach, Pastor Dan Abbot 
March 23, 30; April 6, 13 (Wednesday evenings) ~ "The Method of Jesus" Evangelism & Discipleship - Memorial UMC, VA Beach, Pastor John Cole 
April 9, Saturday ~ Rethinking the Theology of the Bible, Ben Witherington III - Discovery UMC, Richmond, VA  This is going to be an excellent seminar given by a scholar and great communicator of the Scriptures and the challenges facing us.  I will be there.  Take a look at this link for all of the information:  http://www.efumcva.org/events.html  
May 21, Saturday ~ "The Method of Jesus" Evangelism & Discipleship Seminar - Monumental Ministries - Portsmouth, Pastor Bob Friend & Pastor Hank Teague (*times and location to be announced)
I am aware of God at work within me and I am grateful.  There are times of great rejoicing simply because God is with us and for us!  I will leave you with this great quote from Oswald Chambers: 

"When a man’s heart is right with God the mysterious utterances of the Bible are spirit and life to him. Spiritual truth is discernible only to a pure heart, not to a keen intellect. It is not a question of profundity of intellect, but of purity of heart."        Bringing Sons Unto Glory, 231 

I am so grateful for the friendships and partnerships in the Gospel that make possible my serving in the role of Evangelist.  Thank you for your support.

"My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen."  1 Corinthians 16:24

Greg West, Evangelist

Opening Prayer in the Senate - February 11, 2011 - Richmond, VA

O God Almighty, we need Your help –

Today we acknowledge and rejoice in Your greatness, Your power and Your love . . . and in the same breath we admit our sins and are sorry for them.  God, please forgive us and change our selfish hearts.  

O God Almighty, we need Your help here in Virginia –

We need your peace to overcome our anxieties and our violence, Your love to conquer our lusts and our hate, Your truth to free us from our errors and we need a humility that keeps You in first place.

Arise, O God and help us!  Come to our rescue because of your unfailing love.  We know You are able, for nothing is too difficult for You.

Would You give us glimpses of Your desire for planet earth, for this nation and for Virginia, for our cities, towns and our families – even Your will for our lives.  And let Your desire become ours and impart in us the courage to pursue these desires with all our strength so that we, the people of Virginia would act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You.

O God, we pray for these men and women of our Senate.  Give them wisdom and grace from above to lead us.  Give them health and friendships, vision and conviction.  Please break all divisions and rivalries that hinder real progress; granting them a unity in solutions that transcend all lesser loyalties.

We pray also for their families: for their spouses, children and grandchildren – bless them, O God, to be a blessing.  Protect and bless their marriages with joy and faithfulness that their children and grandchildren will receive and pass on a legacy of love and integrity.

Awake the all of us in these chambers and awake the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia just as You awoke Jacob . . . to the reality of Your Presence and let us say with him: “Surely the LORD is in this place and I knew it not.”  With this awareness, what we do and say will work for and not against the coming of Your blessed Kingdom.

We pray together for the Commonwealth . . . that it would be just that . . . a shared prosperity, a shared blessing and peace; a true equality of opportunity and justice, all flowing from Your goodness and abundance, O God.  Above all let us be a people that love You, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

So LORD, with respect for people of all faiths, I submit this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.  

Amen.

Life in Nicaragua - La Lucha . . . the Struggle

Guardabarranco - Nicaragua's National Bird

It’s closing in on 11pm here in Managua.  From our apartment I can hear an action movie going on below us.  Then there is the occasional sound of a whistle outside . . . long, loud blasts.  Some friends informed us that this is call of the ‘Guardabarranco’ Nicaragua’s national bird!  We've heard the whistles each night about this same time.  I took the picture on the right at the National Zoo, where we came closer to wild animals than in any other zoo! 

The time to reflect on what we have seen and experienced each day is so important . . . Driving through the battered streets of Managua with our taxi driver Johanna, listening to 'A Total Eclipse of the Heart' - each block has something new.  The fruit stands invite with their unique colors and shapes . . . papayas, mangos, bananas, guayaba, jocote and more.  The small children weave through the traffic at stoplights selling trinkets & candies or simply begging for money.  The horse drawn carts are common and mix with the crowded traffic of cars, motorcycles, trucks and more.  The 'Nicas' love to use their horns as they drive, some quick honks to say, 'Here I am' and others more robust that demand, 'Out of the way'.  The trash is like kudzu in Carolina and the people are

The people are super open to speak about Jesus.  I've been surprised with how many openly share their belief in Christ and in the same sentence state that they are not following.  Or better said, they have not yeilded to Christ.  They are still in the driver's seat.  The conversations are great and I've shared more of the Gospel with them trying to help them see the deception they've bought in to.

Worship at Cristo Rey ~ Christ the King Church in Tipitapa

Earlier this evening Eric Ferguson and I drove into a part of Tiptapa, just outside Managua. The wild dirt roads made me grateful for Eric's 4x4. We drove through dozens of blocks of homes, pieced together with tin sheets, cinderblock and scraps of wood. The electric lines were tied to the top of trees that had been cut for this purpose, no thicker than my arm and about 12 feet high. We pulled up to the church building which had 2 walls and a roof and 1 light bulb. The music was blaring, letting people know the worship would soon begin.  The Pastor, Alfredo has been walking with the LORD for 6 years, for 3 of those he has been a pastor!
There were no instruments, just the strong leading voices of the 'alabanzas' ~ praise songs.  The people seemed alive to the Good News and there was a real sense of celebration.  The little children were allowed to roam a little while some were gathered by a woman who was teaching them seated on the dirt.  It's Monday night too!  Pastor Alfredo shared his story with me a few days before.  Alcohol, drugs and a lostness overshadowed his life for years.  It almost cost him his family.  Now he and his wife and children serve Jesus!   They host two 'comedores' ~ feeding centers for children.  The one at Christ the King has more than 100 children coming twice a week for food and the Word of God. 
I was asked to preach a couple days before and was a bit intimidated.  What do I know of these people's lives?  Of their dreams and fears?  Of their struggle and family?  Yet the Holy Spirit can take the little we offer and add to it . . . so with that as my prayer, I preached from 1 Samuel 30.  I've studied the passage, but never preached on it, much less in Español!  I chose this passage because in talking to so many 'Nicas' they talk about life in terms of the 'lucha' ~ the fight.  That life is a struggle and they mean for the basics, to have shelter, to be clothed and to eat and provide for their children.  Here's the essence of the message . . .

David has been anointed King, though he’s not yet on the throne.  King Saul who has been rejected as King by God is running out of time.  David and his little army of 600 are returning to Ziklag, the Philistine city where they had taken up residence.  They find the city empty, their families gone and the city looted and burned! 
When the difficulties in life come, how do we react? 
When the crisis shows up, to whom do we go?

David and his men are in the midst of a crisis . . .
"Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept, until they had no more strength to weep." 1 Samuel 30:4 RSV

The situation is so bleak that David's faithful men are on the edge of turning against him . . .

"David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God." 1 Samuel 30:6 NIV 
People in a crisis, filled with fear and pain often look for someone to blame.  David has his own fears and pain and now the possibility of his men taking his life!
"But David found strength in the LORD his God."

Here is an example for us!  Here is someone who turned to the right Source in the time of crisis!  I know you struggle because we all struggle . . . are you finding your strength in the LORD your God, in the times of crisis?

David asks for Abiathar the priest and seeks a word from God. 
"And David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." 1 Samuel 30:8 NIV
David does the right thing asking God for direction, not trusting in his own understanding or strategies.  The result is the promise of victory and the rescue of their families.  So David and his army are now in pursuit.
Do you know any captives? Not like David’s family and the families of his army, but nonetheless captive?  Jesus defined his mission in Luke 4:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."  Luke 4:18-19 RSV

People are captive to sin, to the enemy of our souls.  I remember my own captivity, the time before Christ was real to me, before he set me free.  Do you remember? 
Do we have compassion on those that are captives still? 
Are we willing to battle for their freedom as David was? 

In the pursuit the little army of 600 stops and 200 of the men can go no further because of exhaustion.  So the 400 press on and find a servant of the Amalekites who had raided their homes.  This man led them to the Amalekite raiders and the battle began.  Scripture says it lasted all day long. 

So here is a lesson . . . the promise of victory does not mean the battle will be easy.  200 couldn't even make it and the others had to battle all day long before their families were safely returned to them.

There is a battle in this life.  David fought with a sword, we fight in a different way . . .
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Another potential crisis arises after the battle . . .
"Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Ravine. They came out to meet David and the people with him. As David and his men approached, he greeted them.  But all the evil men and troublemakers among David's followers said, "Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go." 1 Samuel 30:21-22
So David has division in the camp.  David has God's wisdom and speaks it with confidence.  David knows who gave the victory.

"David replied, "No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us.  Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike."  David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this." 1 Samuel 30:23-25

Are you ready for battle?  Do you know Who gives the victory?

Nicaragua

Wow, today marks our ½ way point for our time here in Managua.  It has been a very good and productive trip, so far!  The children have done very well.  It is fascinating hearing them process what they have seen and experienced.  The poverty is common and some of it has troubled the children as well as Eileen and I.  So what we see becomes the launching point for conversations about Jesus’ teachings and the question of ‘How should we live?’  40 years ago Managua was rocked by an earthquake similar in size and devastation to the one that recently hit Haiti.  It was 1972 and a number of Nicaraguans have shared where they were and what they experienced when I’ve asked.  They also remember the war here in the 1980s, yet in spite of all of this, the Nicaraguans are a resilient people.

There is tremendous beauty here with an amazing variety of plants, flowers and trees!  So much green with the palms, the brilliant flowers, seeming to be in every direction.  There is though the trash along the roads and the houses are often put together with so many different materials as they can be found.  In our two bedroom apartment, we cook & eat, play & pray.  It’s simple and comfortable.  We have been tremendously blessed by the Fanjul family who are staying across the street from us.  They are here adopting a little girl.  They have three boys as well, who are ages are close to those of our children!

Evangelical Methodist Church of Nicaragua – I met with most of the pastors from the Evangelical Methodist Church of Nicaragua on Monday.  There are less than 10 pastors shepherding 15 congregations.  It is a young church, only 20 years old.  They have some challenges that make ours look very small – and it is a joy to be with them.  We'll worship with one or two congregations on Sunday.  Then I will meet again with them on Monday morning.  You can see their website at: www.iglesiametodistanicaragua.com

Meeting Our Sponsored Child – Compassion International – With joy we met Christhian on Tuesday at the Compassion Project: “Dios Te Ama” translated “God Loves You”.  Christhian, his mother Arazeles, and his little sister Ruth were dressed up and happy to meet us.  Our children have written him over the years and he has sent letters as well.  This Compassion Project is the largest in Nicaragua with over 400 sponsored children.

Ruth, Christhian (our sponsored child) & Evie, Josiah & Luke

Eileen returned this afternoon from a Bible Study and support group connected with ‘Casa Esperanza’ (House of Hope) a ministry that helps women and children out of prostitution and human trafficking.  www.houseofhopenicaragua.com  It was a powerful experience as she was able to put faces with the women she has heard about.  Thursday and Friday of this week we’ll travel to Tipitapa to help serve in some feeding centers for children.

It's been a joy to share Christ with taxi drivers, people we meet along the way and be in fellowship with the 'Nica' believers here.  I've lined up many of the details for a Spring Break mission trip here with Virginia Wesleyan College and others - March 12 -19. 

On the edge of Lake Granada

We traveled to Granada on Saturday with Delia Gillikin’s parents.*  Granada was founded by the Spanish in the 1500s and is fascinating.  We went on a small boat to see ‘las isletas’ (the islands, there are 300!) that many believe were formed by the massive eruption of the volcano Mombacho.  Further off was the volcano Concepción, which is almost a perfect triangle in contrast to Mombacho which is distorted from previous eruptions.  Monkeys live on a couple of the islands.  The picture though is a captive monkey.  *Delia and Jason Gillikin were married last summer.  Jason and I went to Nicaragua together twice a few years back.  Once with a larger team from Grace Harbor Church.  On a subsequent trip, Jason met Delia.  I had the privilege of officiating at their wedding in the USA.
To experience the beautiful reality that our LORD transcends all geography, cultures and times is glorious!

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."   Revelation 7:9-10


Rejoicing in the LORD,


Greg, Eileen, Josiah, Evie & Luke