Living Unplugged

A friend gave me an ipod and it has been great listening to sermons and music (in Spanish!). Studying in a coffee shop or working out at the gym I can just be in my own world. It helps me also redeem the time at work, able to listen to some good preaching.

However, if I never took off the headphones what does that say to anyone around me? I had a friend in college who used to purposely where a pair of ear plugs around his neck, but not plugged in, just to tell people “Hey, I’m listening.” An interesting fashion statement... As a Christian however, zoning out and letting the world go by is self-focused. By living a life "unplugged" our eyes begin to be opened to those around us, a brother/sister in Christ, someone lost, or even our own family.

This has to begin committing our day with prayer, setting our affections on things above. Then committing to making ministry our life. Rather than fitting in "God-stuff" in our schedule, but giving God our date books.

Two examples of men who lived “unplugged”

Philip - (ready, willing, obedient, eager, apt)
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest (Acts 8:29-30)?”

Timothy - (Christ focused)
For I have no man likeminded who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s (Philippians 2:20-21).”

Here is next months itinerary:
May 1-4 - Faithful Five Gathering – N.Y.
May 7-11 – Missions Conference – Fellowship Bible Church, Methuen, MA
May 18-21 – Missions Conference – Calvary Baptist Church, Whitefield, ME
May 24 – Josiah’s 3rd Birthday!!

The Spanish Institute

I had a great conversation with someone already at the language institute. He and his wife (Brian and Mary Dennett; http://www.thedennetts.blogspot.com/) are missionaries to Guatemala who are currently attending the Spanish Institute along their five kids. His positive attitude and encouragement really got us excited to get there and begin our studies and show us that many of our fears were misguided.

The Fear: Classes would take up the entire day, ending at five, who will watch our kids?
The Reality: Classes end either at noon or one. Our kids will stay in a nursery on campus who we can see during our breaks. I'll see my kids more there and I do now.

The Fears: What will we bring? What do we pack? What can we get there?
The Reality: Most everything is available there. However, electronics, small appliances, and some grocery items are more expensive. There is also a place owned by Wal-mart ...enough said.

The Fear: The class work is intense.
The Reality: Learning a language is a challenge and everyone is at a different level. The teachers want you to succeed and most pressures are self-induced.

The Fear: What if our kids get sick?
The Reality: There is an American doctor who who is on campus a couple days during the week and there is also state of the art hospital that also happens also to be evangelical Christian.

The Reality: It is a great school with quality committed teachers, surrounded by good fellowship and student camaraderie, in a picture perfect climate.

Have you had any Spanish?
Steve: I took about 4 semesters of Spanish in college, but at the same time was taking 3-4 other classes. It will be good to focus on the language and put the time into it?
Becky: I have had no formal Spanish. All I have had is one month in Argentina living with a national couple who didn't speak English.

When do you hope to be in language school?
We continue to pray to be at language school in Costa Rica at the end of this August. Our mission requires us to be at 90% of our monthly support, currently we are at 78%.

How can you be praying?
Please pray that our support level will be what it needs to so we can get there. We are refreshed and excited about embarking on this endeavor to learn Spanish in Costa Rica.

"So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air." - I Corinthians 14:9

Pray that we could learn Spanish well, that we could clearly preach the saving gospel of Christ, and that He would be glorified!