There have been many things lately that I've had to do to prepare to leave the country for several months.
My heart has been overwhelmed by the grace of our father. Godly perspective on my circumstances is such a beautiful thing that I'm forced to say it and describe it in a poetic tone. To simply say that God has been good to me doesn't do it. Rather, he's opened my heart to understand and appreciate hardships, dead ends, and moments of confusion to be monumental preparation for what's ahead; Nicaragua.
I do know that our "conforming to the image of His son..." (Rom 8:29), or sanctification, is a continuous process and we will never see the full effects of that until heaven, but the Lord in his grace and love has brought to fruition many things for me in the last several months.
The Lord has been preparing me for this trip long before I knew I would go, or even consider going. I usually say these things because I know they are true because they are biblical. Now I am able to say it with full confidence as I understand and have answers for so many "why Father ?" prayers that I have prayed over the last year.
It is biblical that our hardships are essential for our future placement and growth.
Perspective is key to understand and find joy in the midst of frustrating circumstances. This whole thing was never promised to be easy! But, He did promise us complete satisfaction. I pray for God to grant us biblical and Godly perspective in the tough times. There is joy and peace and contentment in all arenas of life, the good and the tough times. Ephesians 4:13 might be one of the most popular verses, but most of the time that it's quoted it's out of context. Read the two verses before you get to verse 13....
Paul says, " I know what it is to have plenty and I know what it is to have nothing... I will be content with both....I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Biblical joy is not always jumping and clapping and smiles and high fives, but a solid rock foundation of truth of the gospel that holds strong when the world fails us and crumbles all around us. Whether we have plenty or none at all, our hope is not in this world! And being content in any if these scenarios is what the Lord desires for us. Pray for that enduring joy and satisfaction!
Thanks to those who already have spread the word around about financial help for my trip. Keep it up.
Love y'all.
Joey
www.amigosstore.org/joeymcginn.html
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Update
Thank you so much for the financial support so far. I am 1/3 of the way to my goal!
Please pray with me that the Lord would continue to provide.
Many of you have let me know that you are following my journey here, and you do not have to follow the blog through a gmail account to read, as you all know. So, please spread the word and pass around the link.
www.amigosstore.org/joeymcginn.html
Joey
Please pray with me that the Lord would continue to provide.
Many of you have let me know that you are following my journey here, and you do not have to follow the blog through a gmail account to read, as you all know. So, please spread the word and pass around the link.
www.amigosstore.org/joeymcginn.html
Joey
Sunday, March 14, 2010
All about Amigos
Please check out this video about Amigos for Christ, the group I am going to Nicaragua with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mpPLS38054&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mpPLS38054&feature=youtube_gdata
Why Nicaragua?
Amigos will host over 600 short term missionaries this summer. They will come from all over the U.S. and are mixed high school and college groups that stay for a week at a time. Looking over the schedule, I spent some time praying for Purdue College, who is the first group of the summer.
After reading the statistics of the Nicaraguan people's daily lives, it became clear to me why this many people come down each summer to serve and help.
2.1 million people (40%) live in houses made from scrap material
2.7 million people (50%) live in overcrowded conditions
Health
477,000 children (33%) suffer from chronic malnutrition
2.7 million people (50%) do not have access to essential medicines
There are only 3 doctors for every 8,000 people.
Jesus fed the 5,000 because they were hungry!
He didn't hand them a bible verse and tell them that God should be their daily bread.
Meeting peoples basic needs as an opportunity to love and show the love of Christ is a biblical concept. You will find it all throughout Jesus' ministry. "What we have done to the least of these, we have done to Jesus."
(Matthew 25, go read it, it's there).
So we have a calling to give to and serve the poor regardless of what they believe or how we are treated in return, not seeking an earthly reward but working for our father in heaven. "For whom much has been given, much is required..." Luke 12:48. We are the "much has been given". We have been given Resources, and talents that the Lord calls and "requires" us to use for his name! And what happens when we use our resources that have been given to us to help meet the needs of brothers and sisters? The doors have opened...why would we ever do such a thing? : they might ask. Becuase his love controls and compels us! 2 Cor. 5:14.
I am not going to just go to Nicaragua because it's a mission trip and it will be good for me and for some Nicaraguans. The Lord has called me to give what I have for this period of time to further his kingdom and his purposes. Please pray with me this week for Purdue college and the rest of the groups coming down that the Lord would start now, today, to prepare their hearts to give and serve relentlessly seeking a heavenly reward.
Please spread the word. Our faithfullness in prayer is crucial.
Joey
After reading the statistics of the Nicaraguan people's daily lives, it became clear to me why this many people come down each summer to serve and help.
2.1 million people (40%) live in houses made from scrap material
2.7 million people (50%) live in overcrowded conditions
Health
477,000 children (33%) suffer from chronic malnutrition
2.7 million people (50%) do not have access to essential medicines
There are only 3 doctors for every 8,000 people.
Jesus fed the 5,000 because they were hungry!
He didn't hand them a bible verse and tell them that God should be their daily bread.
Meeting peoples basic needs as an opportunity to love and show the love of Christ is a biblical concept. You will find it all throughout Jesus' ministry. "What we have done to the least of these, we have done to Jesus."
(Matthew 25, go read it, it's there).
So we have a calling to give to and serve the poor regardless of what they believe or how we are treated in return, not seeking an earthly reward but working for our father in heaven. "For whom much has been given, much is required..." Luke 12:48. We are the "much has been given". We have been given Resources, and talents that the Lord calls and "requires" us to use for his name! And what happens when we use our resources that have been given to us to help meet the needs of brothers and sisters? The doors have opened...why would we ever do such a thing? : they might ask. Becuase his love controls and compels us! 2 Cor. 5:14.
I am not going to just go to Nicaragua because it's a mission trip and it will be good for me and for some Nicaraguans. The Lord has called me to give what I have for this period of time to further his kingdom and his purposes. Please pray with me this week for Purdue college and the rest of the groups coming down that the Lord would start now, today, to prepare their hearts to give and serve relentlessly seeking a heavenly reward.
Please spread the word. Our faithfullness in prayer is crucial.
Joey
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Dates Confirmed
May 11th-August 26th!
My passport is being renewed this week and my first flight is being booked.
The wheels have started turning!
I have set up a budget for myself that will allow me to contribute a substantial portion of the trips expenses out of my own pocket, but I still need your help
Amigos has set up a giving website for me.
For many friends, I will not send an actual support letter, but if you feel led to give it can be done through this link.
http://www.amigosstore.org/joeymcginn.html
All donations done through this site are tax deductible.
Please pass the link around.
My passport is being renewed this week and my first flight is being booked.
The wheels have started turning!
I have set up a budget for myself that will allow me to contribute a substantial portion of the trips expenses out of my own pocket, but I still need your help
Amigos has set up a giving website for me.
For many friends, I will not send an actual support letter, but if you feel led to give it can be done through this link.
http://www.amigosstore.org/joeymcginn.html
All donations done through this site are tax deductible.
Please pass the link around.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Nicaragua '10
About 9 months ago, I was offered an opportunity to come to Nicaragua for the summer and work with the minstry, Amigos for Christ.
I have prayed frequently that my decision of whether or not to spend the summer in Nicaragua would not be influenced by circumstances. There are many things that need to happen in the next 2 months for this trip to be possible and the thought of it all has at times become overwhelming.
It is by his grace that Ive been brought this far and that will continue to carry me. So my approach has not been how can it work if I do go, but does He want me to go? He does.
There are many details such as what I will be doing specifically, the organization that I am going through, etc.... Which I'll write about soon.
For now, the journey has started with confirmation.
I am extremely excited for this opportunity and have been brought to my knees in pleading before the Lord for his desire for me to stay or to go. Through this, He has shown me much about himself and consequently much about myself as well. He has been preparing me for this trip over the last year.
So please pray with me now that God would continue to open my heart to be prepared for this summer. There are still many things I know that God wants me to learn before I go that will equip me while I'm there.
More Soon.
Joey
I have prayed frequently that my decision of whether or not to spend the summer in Nicaragua would not be influenced by circumstances. There are many things that need to happen in the next 2 months for this trip to be possible and the thought of it all has at times become overwhelming.
It is by his grace that Ive been brought this far and that will continue to carry me. So my approach has not been how can it work if I do go, but does He want me to go? He does.
There are many details such as what I will be doing specifically, the organization that I am going through, etc.... Which I'll write about soon.
For now, the journey has started with confirmation.
I am extremely excited for this opportunity and have been brought to my knees in pleading before the Lord for his desire for me to stay or to go. Through this, He has shown me much about himself and consequently much about myself as well. He has been preparing me for this trip over the last year.
So please pray with me now that God would continue to open my heart to be prepared for this summer. There are still many things I know that God wants me to learn before I go that will equip me while I'm there.
More Soon.
Joey
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