Author: Dana

Hernato works hard in his dad’s seafood business in Natal, Brazil. He knows the city well, but Christmas night Hernato was focusing on a part of the streets he confessed he always ignored – the homeless. A group of thirty or so Brazilians and sixteen Americans sang songs, shared food and clothes, and befriended a group of men and women (and one baby) who, for one reason or another, found their home on the streets.

Hernato and another young man, Michael, came up to me and said, “Come with us! We want to find the friend you met last year.” All the homeless in that location knew Perecles. They said he slept a few streets over. They said he was probably ‘high’ from sniffing glue. Perecles taught the Americans about generosity last year, giving back a pair of shoes someone had given him. I shared the story with the group that gathered. “He still has no shoes!” someone laughed. An American had brought a pair of shoes especially for him, but Perecles was not there.

So a little after midnight, I found myself in the car with two young men driving up and down dark streets in a rough part of town. The searchers were not just going through the motions. They drove everywhere. They called strangers to the car window to ask questions. They shouted into the alleys. They got out of the car to search. I thought of Jesus’ parable of the shepherd looking for his lost sheep. Michael is a pastor’s son and such adventures are not uncommon for him. But this was new for Hernato and he seemed crushed that we could not find Perecles.

Hernato saw us off at the airport when we flew home the next week. “I’m going to keep looking for Perecles,” he told me. I’ll bet he finds him. This New Year I want to search for the lost with this passion I witnessed in Natal. It is not just a homeless drug addict with no shoes we’re looking for – we’re searching for a soul, a man with a name, created in the image of God. It is not just a teenager from an affluent family I am instructing – I am teaching a soul, a kid with a name, created in the image of God. It is not just a child I’m taking on a summer field trip – I am caring for a soul, a six-year-old with a name, created in the image of God.

“Remind me every breath I take, Lord, of your love for people. Fill me with that same love and bring the lost into your fold. Amen.”

“‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I have invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:8-10

It is always exciting to go to new places, but, in my opinion, it is even more exciting to make return trips. Last year, you may recall, we took a December mission trip to Natal, Brazil. (Natal is the Portuguese word for ‘Christmas’.) Many good things happened as we worked with precious brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord willing, next week we will fly again to Natal to celebrate Christmas… and something else.

On December 27, Renata from Brazil will marry Pete from the United States. Parents spend a lot of time praying for God to bring just the right mate to their son or daughter. Who can predict how God will answer such prayers? We are excited to witness Him bring these two young people together for His glory. Jesus loves weddings!

Though the prophets had foretold, few anticipated the way the Savior would come into the world. A King born in a stable? A peasant virgin giving birth to God in the flesh? A heavenly host bringing glad tidings to shepherds in a field? Wise men from the East following a new star to worship a Jewish child? God must take great delight in bringing about His will through creative and mysterious ways. And don’t you marvel at His tendency to allow normal people to participate in His story? Elizabeth, Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, Anna, Simeon, shepherds, star-gazers…

So since His story is ongoing, we should not be surprised to see God continue to bring about His will through creative and mysterious ways. By His grace, He still allows normal people, from all over the world, to participate with Him. May Christmas be a time we remember Mary’s child-like trust and present ourselves to the King for His glory.

“Lord, you are all I need! I praise you for life and love. I am your servant. May it be unto me as you desire.”

Merry Christmas!!!

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:33-36

So… do I want to know God so I can do mighty exploits which would allow me to tell exciting tales? Selfishness and pride are always lurking to poison motives and taint fruit. Even the apostles fell into the trap of wanting to ‘be the greatest.’ Jesus does not invite followers (or churches) to compete with one another, but he does give a secret: “He who is least among you all – he is the greatest.”

The motive of ‘knowing God’ is not to be better than someone else but to be more like Jesus. Am I willing to become the least? Am I willing to become of no reputation? To better know God requires getting rid of ‘self’ and allowing the Holy Spirit to have his way in correcting, teaching, and molding me into the image of the Son. And my journey will not be alone. Jesus has a beautiful understanding of community. The Son prayed for unity – “that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you in me.” Wow.

The mighty exploits are the works of Jesus. He said, “You shall do even greater things!” When our son Taylor was in Cambodia, one of the team members was physically touched in a miraculous way. A leg that was shorter than the other from birth literally grew as friends prayed in faith. The miracle was the work of Jesus, but believers participated in God’s mighty work by believing and praying. As you might imagine, there was a great celebration as a young man jumped for joy with an improved body.

“So why didn’t God heal you instantly of your cancer? Do you have to go to Cambodia to witness such exploits?” God knows the answer to these types of questions; I don’t. I can tell you of exploits though. People brought food, sent cards, encouraged my family, visited me in the hospital, and prayed fervently. A sister in Christ drove six or seven hours one way just to see me in person. While in town, she served and loved my wife and children. She also sang in my hospital room with her beautiful voice and encouraged me in faith. To me, these actions were mighty exploits. No friend boasts that he was my greatest supporter and no one should feel guilty, saying he did not do enough. God brought about what was needed… and he received glory.

Jesus loves to bring his Father glory and we have the wonderful honor of joining him. Read afresh the story in the first ten verses of Luke 7. A Gentile centurion grieved because his loyal servant was sick and about to die. When he heard Jesus, the healer, was in town he sent some people get him. The ones who went to Jesus were Jewish elders! Though very different from their friend, these Jews loved the centurion saying he was a deserving man who had built the town’s synagogue. Jesus agreed to follow them, but before they arrived, the centurion sent other friends to give Jesus a message. “I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. I know what it is like to receive orders and to give orders. If you just say the word, sir, I know my servant will be healed.” Jesus was amazed at the soldier’s faith and encouraged the crowd to take note. Jesus then spoke the word and the sick man was healed. What a tale! One guy had great faith, one group went to get Jesus, another group delivered a humble message, the crowd received instruction, and (my favorite) the sick man was healed! I’ll bet everyone celebrated!

Our principal, Scott Harsh, has recently been diagnosed with lymphoma and started treatment this week. Lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma are the three main blood cancers, so I know a little about Scott’s struggle. I also know this: brothers and sisters in Christ will love, serve, and encourage the whole family through this trial. There will be fervent prayer and much burden-bearing. Scott and his family will feel God’s strength and in those times when little is ‘felt’ or understood, God will still be with them. Though mighty exploits may not occur in the exact way we desire, faith, hope, and love will shine forth and God will receive glory. Please pray for the Harsh family.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13