PERÚ: April 2011

My partner, Geremías, and I decided to take today as a “spiritual reflection” day. Our work has grown immensely over the last 2 weeks, and God has really harvested. But one of the requirements of this job is to have an “intimate relationship with God.” One of our professors, Jim Lynch, told us not to let our ministry interfere with our relationship with Him. That’s exactly what we’ve done, and we decided to devote today to renewing our hearts and minds for the One who deserves it most.

I had a profound study in Numbers today, and I decided I should write it down to share, but also to elaborate my own thoughts by writing it out. So here you go, off the normal rhythm of my blogs, but in my mind necessary.

I encourage you to read Numbers 3 before reading this. (Actually this blog is worth nothing if you don’t put your face in the Bible) I will be using the NIV.

Numbers 3 tells about the duties of the Levite clans, being the only non-military clan. All the other tribes and clans of Israel were devoted to military power, but the Levites had been set apart (actually by killing their “brothers, friends, and neighbors”) all the way back in Exodus to do this duty. They even have a whole book in the Bible dedicated to how they’re supposed to be priests. In other words, these guys are a big deal.

So God had just demanded a census of the people, and arranged those people. All of that was military strategy. These people are getting ready to take off to the promise land, out of the Desert of Sinai, where they had received the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses.

Before they take off, they’re going to need a formation and responsibilities as well. Verses 21-26 give duties to the Gershonites. They are, in summary, to handle the curtains, coverings, and cords of the Tabernacle and were to camp to the west of it. Verses 27-32 give duties to the Kohathites. They were privileged with handling the “most holy items” of the tabernacle such as the arc, the table, the altars etc… They’ll be putting their stakes in the ground to the south. Verses 33-37 give duties to the Merarites. They were to handle the structural stuff like the frame, crossbars, and posts and were to camp to the north of the tabernacle.

“Levi” means “unity,” and no son served under another family. Verses 21-37, which I have just summarized for you, are the Old Testament reflection of 1st Corinthians 12. Look at verses 4-6 in Corinthians and look at verses 12-26. God had called the Levites to be serving Him, but they all had different ways, talents, gifts, and duties. But it all honored God. That is the key to being a part of the body of believers. It is only healthy if it is an unselfish talent or gift glorifying God. The OT says it in a different way, but you can obviously see that God has a plan to get things done as one.

If we look at verses 10 and 38 we see a common phrase: “anyone else who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death.” The mediation of the OT could not bring the individual sinner into close communion with God. If a person tried to approach God in the sanctuary, the pain of death was their penalty. That’s the world in which they were living. But in the dispensation in which we live today, we have not only access to God through the Great Mediator but also boldness to enter into His very presence. This is according to Hebrews 4:16 which says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” A beautiful verse, and comparing these two thoughts, makes me realize how blessed I am to be able to boldly approach God, have communion with Him, and He with me.

Finally, a third theme I found comes from verse 15: “Count the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.” The Levites were predestined, were chosen to be hallowed to God, a servant. They were counted to compensate for the firstborns of the rest of the tribes. Taking into account that they were to serve God when they were 30 but they were actually a prospect since they were born. Paul says it twice, in Romans 8:29 and in Ephesians 1:4 how we are predestined to do the Good Work.

Isn’t it great that God had predestined us before we were born to do our part, our own unique part, so that others and ourselves can have a communion of boldness with Him!

God bless!

P.S. This is something I designed using one of the pictures I took in one of my districts. If you like it, click it and download it or set it as your background. I would be honored.

These would be my tweets throughout the day if I had the power to tweet. I carried a pad of paper and wrote what I normally would in a cell phone. All the pictures correspond with their tweets.

This is the account by Twitter of my 17 hour day, the Friday before Easter:

4:03AM – Just finished off the Nescafe Original, since we’ll be unable fast.

We got invited to breakfast, so there was no sense in fasting. Chad had bought a special gift for us…high grade instant coffee. So I decided to finish it.

4:29AM – Normal traffic. Normal day. Just the sun hasn’t risen.

People everywhere, cars everywhere. So that was normal, but it was 4 in the morning and usually the city is deserted.

4:46AM – Rinconada=eerie…

4:48AM – Honked the horn, no signs of life #uhoh

We get there and it looked like the house was dead. This was a bad bad feeling. I was about to be out in the middle of nowhere at 5AM and not be able to climb the hill to pray, because I couldn’t leave my motorcycle out.

5:26AM – Still waiting #lahoraperuana

We started to see a couple faces that we knew and that was great…but we woke them up haha, even though they told us to be there at 5. Turns out the mom had to go out of town for a funeral and didn’t wake up the rest. They always have excuses, this one seemed reasonable.

5:36AM – This kid is owning me.

An 8 or 10 year old kid was just dominating me up the mini mountain.

5:49AM – The wall #dangerous

I had to help these two kids up this 20 foot wall at about an 89 degree angle. It was crazy, even though they told me it was “the best way.”

5:52AM – We have summited #chachani

Got to the top and everybody had candles and were building these rock structures to put their candles in. No one was praying or reading the Bible. I started to pray and had a great time and a great peace. I started to read my Bible. Geremías whipped his out too. I read the story of what happened on Good Friday in John.

7:19AM – Edith is reading John 19 and 20 to me.

I asked Edith, one of our new Christians, if she wanted to read to me. She said yes. I tried to stop her when she was too far in the story. She said, “That’s great” and kept reading. It was cool to see a hunger for the Bible.

7:44AM – We have started the descent.

8:25AM – The matriarch says “Let’s pray and read the Bible.” Ok.

Sticking with the theme, Geremías read in John.

8:48AM – It’s not even 9 and a couple people accepted Christ.

My partner explained what all Jesus did for us and then what we need to do as well. He asked them if they wanted to invite Christ and to make it really short, now the rest of this family has come to Christ!

9:04AM – My partner is still talking. The preacher lives!

9:14AM – Golf clap for the ol’ partner.

He was playing guitar and singing. I was laying in the grass.

10:31AM – Food from Cuzco in Vicki’s house. Tamales. Bread. Tea. #breakfast #notenoughfood

Quick run to Salcedo for breakfast.

10:35AM – Jehovah’s Witnesses just dropped by… #awkward

Vicki says, “Their religion is not correct, like ours.” Good, very good Vicki.

11:31AM – At home for a bit.

To get the equipment ready for the movie tonight. And to grab some papers.

1:02PM – Drunk guy just tried to kiss my hand, then proceeded to spit in my mouth #pleasant #sarcasm

In Jayllihuaya now. This is the same drunk guy that when he sees me it’s the same 4 questions: Is WWE real or fake? What’s the difference between religion and science? Why are their blacks and whites? Where is God? I’ve answered them all. 10 times.

1:47PM – Dang it, I just finished my Pepsi.

Then this lady offers us potatoes straight out the ground and boiled. She tells me not to peel it, more nutrients that way. Great, bad after taste and no Pepsi.

2:08PM – Playing musical chairs up hurr in Jayllihuaya.

My partner decides to buy a big glass of Coke to share. And when I say share, I mean they use one plastic cup. For everybody. So I was hopping around, trying to avoid being next to receive the cup.

2:44PM – Telling people about our movie tonight.

2:51PM – Geremías is talking to the Catholic priest to borrow electricity #trojanhorse

3:21PM – I’m an uncle.

While talking with Betty, I greeted an old man by saying “Mr. Chino” and she said “Uncle Chino.” I told her I didn’t know that he was her uncle. She said that they’re a big family in Jayllihuaya. Then she said, “Don’t you notice that all the kids call you uncle?” I’m part of the family.