Savell Crossover

In 2 Samuel 10, Joab went to battle with the odds stacked against him. I found what he said to really resonate. “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” I just arrived back in San Jose from Reposo, the first pastor’s conference put on by ESEPA, AMCA, and funded by Grace Evangelical Church. Imagine a location full of pastors and church leaders from different cities, backgrounds, denominations, and financial resources. It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but that was the scene. In total, there were about 70 of us there. And in my experience, when there are that many leaders in one place, especially leaders who obviously talk a lot, the potential for one-upping and out-doing is there. The Lord has to be glorified because the humility among these men was unforgettable. The comrodery was strong as was the teaching on Sabbath Rest, and we couldn’t have imagined a better conference. These men walked away from these few days rested – in the Biblical sense – and ready to return to there congregations.

I was able to stay in the background for the most part…except for one day. Fully depending on the Spirit, I made my way to the stage and, in Spanish, gave a 15 minute introduction to the new Pastoral Training Department in ESEPA that I’m heading up. Despite all of my inadequecies, I had ringing in my head, “May the Lord do what seems good to him.” Now the truth is, I can hear my mistakes. I’m not like a contestant on American Idol who thinks they’re good but not. I hear them all, and man there were plenty for that 15 minutes. I’m becoming more certain each day that the Lord will not allow me to leave a stage or any other ministry endeavor thinking about how good of a job that I have done. He is proving each day that He will receive His glory that is due Him. I found myself reveling in that thought as, despite my mistakes, the Lord brought over 20 more potential students our way – students who have a hunger and excitement for an education about who God is and who they are in Christ.

In this moment, I have been given a full time ministry all though out the Northwest part of the country with an entire group from the South waiting. Well, I sign off by giving God the glory for a great retreat – anticipating the next one. To give you an idea of what it was like, click here.

Over the past couple of months, there seems to have been an intensity that has come over me when it comes to this new mission / job / what have you. It’s not quite at the level of obsession, which I am fully aware that I have the capacity to have. But I will certainly say that it’s intense. I feel as though the Lord has placed a heavy focus on my heart, and I’ve been busier than ever. All that to say – I think it’s a good thing.

But it was this past weekend that my family and I had to make a run up to Nicaragua for a visa renewal trip. It was a good trip – Nicaragua is pretty – there was a pool – we met fun people. But even during these days out of the country, I was intensely focused on Gospel mission.

And then we started the journey back down to Costa Rica. It was at the border when we almost missed our bus, was extorted by the immigration officials, and then boarded a horrible bus that had my son vomiting in zip lock bags (sorry for the details). Needless to say, I wasn’t happy. In fact, I was upset, mad, frustrated, etc.

Of all the words that one could use to describe me this past Sunday, I think think the word that is haunting me is “distracted.” I became distracted. I became distracted for hours and hours – dwelling on the wrong that I felt was dealt to me.

Here’s the thing: I understand the idea of justice and the hate for sin. Those are Biblical principles. I get it. Believe me. If you would have seen me screaming like a crazy man at the border patrol, you would know that I get it. But when it bleeds over to a point of distraction, I think I must reconsider.

Without getting preachy, it seems to me that the apostle Paul understood an intense focus on Gospel mission when he wrote about his hardships and then their resolve to keep fighting (and obviously those guys dealt with a bit more than border crossings and nasty buses). They had a Christ-centered goal, and they were impassioned for it. They didn’t let those things like, well, shipwrecks, stonings, imprisonment, and other persecutions distract them. And man I feel like such a wuss after writing that considering my little distraction.

But maybe that’s the point for all of us. Let’s consider our life and mission. Let’s recognize the frustrations, roadblocks, or whatever we want to call them – in whatever form they come in. Let’s hate them for what they are. But then, let’s keep moving forward in our efforts to expand the great Kingdom of our Savior.

Last night I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet with the first pastor to be trained through ESEPA’s new extension program. Through the connection of my friend Fernando, I was introduced to Elian, a pastor from Upala, a town just below the Nicaraguan border. After spending about an hour with him, he expressed that we could begin “yesterday”. He also has a couple of men in his church that are interested as future church planters. From now until August (when I finish school), I will be taking a few trips up there to get to know these guys and be scouting out short term opportunities for churches in the States.

The Lord is continuing to be kind to us in the mission. Gracias a Dios.

I realize that I haven’t written in a while, and for those who have kept interest in the mission, I’m sorry for the lack of communication. There seems to be a busyness with this “pura vida” here in Costa Rica. And I want to tell you about it.

Family:
Before I begin, know that you can always go to our family blog to keep up with all of our family life. Elaine is really good at telling our story. For me, I think the biggest change that we’ve gone through since our return in January has been Emma switching schools. She is now going to Colegio Metodista which is on a Costa Rican school schedule. All that means is that she has now just begun second grade. It also means she is finally immersed in Spanish (with a touch of French and Mandarin throughout the week). Our day now starts about 5:15am and she returns about 4:00pm. To say the least, we’re all getting adjusted to this, but we feel blessed for her to be able to go to this kind of school.

School:
What can I say about school? School is school. And for those who know me, you know exactly how I feeling right now. The irony is that I’m moving into the position of professor – at a school. Truthfully, school is difficult. I much rather be involved in the actual mission but I keep reminding myself that this is a necessity and a blessing to be able to have a year to learn the language. Since Christmas, we have crossed over into learning the past, future, and conditional tenses – and now we’re on participles. If you’re scratching your head wondering what that means, don’t worry. So am I.

Friends:
I feel like this was the one area that Elaine was most concerned about before we moved to Costa Rica. She had some real fear that we wouldn’t have friends – something very important to her. I can say that this is an area where we have seen much grace given to us. The Lord has brought into our life some good friends. I can foresee a great sadness when this year is over because everyone will be going to their countries of service. However, and I realize that it’s very difficult to look forward to providence because it’s always dangerous to speculate what the Lord is doing, but if I could make a good guess, I can see the Lord doing big things through the relationships that have been formed this year that just might have an affect for the Gospel all over Central and South America.

Personal:
I’ll let Elaine speak for herself in the family blog. For me, I’m doing well. I’m trying my hand at Insanity. Elaine has talked me into it, and it’s a killer for sure. That’s about all there is when it comes to physical activity, except walking a lot. Spiritually, my Bible has never been more read and marked up. For the first time in a while, I’ve put down the books and jumped face first into Scripture. Every morning I am blessed with a really great time centered around the Word and prayer. It’s in these times when I recognize personal inadequacies yet a resolve in Christ. As of today, I’m finished the book of Hebrews which has become one of my personal favorites – one that I would submit to you all.

Work:
This is where it becomes interesting. Honestly, I don’t have enough room to write it all. The goal was to come to CR to learn Spanish and find a ministry partnership involved in pastor training. This goal was set merely a year ago. From that time until now it seems as if the Lord has just shot us into the mission world at rocket speed. And this is part of the feeling of inadequacy. If you’ve been keeping up then you know that I’ve partnered with ESEPA, a seminary in San Jose. Since that partnership formed, I was honored to give my first lecture. I’ve also been calling some of the greater theologians of our day to speak at the Seminary. And, I’m busy working on a proposal on how to reach the pastors throughout Costa Rica. Lastly, our first pastor’s conference has been planned for April. I was able to travel 3 hours South on Monday to visit with about 20 pastors who were all interested in attending it and who knew of others who would be interested.

All in all, things are going great. A friend asked me on Monday while driving back from meeting with the pastors how I thought it went. I was a little lost for words, and then I got something out. I said that I thought it went like I thought it might – really, really well, almost better than anyone could expect. I said that for a reason. I explained that since this crossover had begun, it seemed as if the Lord has flung open opportunities. He has made everything happen. I know this because in this context I am inadequate (seriously not looking for encouragement either). I really don’t have connections or even a language. However, I feel as though big things are happening and the best action that I can take is to simply drive a car or just keep my mouth shut.

It’s certainly a humbling place to be right now, but I’ll take it. I’ll keep communing with my Savior, learning Spanish, loving my wife and kids, and driving throughout Costa Rica to meet with random groups of pastors – all to see how the Lord can glorify Himself.

Thanks for reading the update. And thanks for being a part of the Crossover.

I have to confess that around this time every four years I become quite the political enthusiast. It’s like a spell that comes over me. I find myself scanning through the major news stations to find just one more political debate or commentary. As you know, right now we’re in the throes of the GOP race. And in the months to come there will be the incumbent, Barack Obama, facing off with whoever the GOP nominee will be. And for me, and I know this is a little sad to say, but it’s exciting.

However, this isn’t to say where I personally stand when it comes to politics and things of that nature. Because honestly, this sort of political debate is more entertainment to me than anything else.

I realize that might not set particularly well with some because the thought is that an upcoming election like this one is a “do-or-die” type of moment. To some, there is the ultra-liberal sitting in office, ready to take the United States further and further away from our forefather’s fundamental desires – even to teeter toward the edge of the “S” word.

And the answer: The ultra-conservative to balance out the scales. I mean, what else? Who will it be to take on this political machine and bring salvation to the masses???

I sort of hope that you’re catching my small amount of sarcasm. Now this isn’t to say that I don’t think that our great country isn’t hurting. I certainly do recognize the pain on both the moral and financial level. Who doesn’t? However, I feel that it’s important to remember a little bit of history.

I’m in the book of Isaiah in the mornings, and I happened to be in chapter 9 and 10. And understanding that this is a bit out of context, I was considering our country (sidenote: I don’t necessarily think that Isaiah had the U.S. in mind when he was writing this). And although out of context, I do think there can be found a lesson learned. This is a little of what I read:
8 The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel; 
9 and all the people will know, 
 Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart: 
10 “The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.”

It is because of this pride and arrogance that the prophet says four different times in the next handful of verses:
“For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.”

Is the Lord angry at our nation? I don’t know. Possibly.

But this is what I do know because I see and hear it each week when there is another debate. I haven’t found a politician yet that is interested in the presidency who refuses to say…
“I will build…I will put…I will change…I will create.”

And I guess that is why I view politics as nothing more than a game – as nothing more than entertainment. For what else should we view it as? Maybe sad and a bit scary – whoever your man might be. I can’t foresee any rational follower of Christ hanging their hats on the farce that Newt, Mitt, or Barack could seriously be associated with anything qualifying as do-or-die.

Brothers and sisters, as history has shown (something Newt should appreciate), a nation never truly prospered until it put aside arrogance and pride and humbly fell on their faces and cried out for the Lord.

When I see that posture in any of the candidates, I will then begin to take them and their polical desires a little more seriously. And until then, may we hang out hats on the One who establishes governments and rulers, and not those governments and rulers themselves.

After some humiliating correction from my teacher, here’s how I’ve been progressing lately in this new language. We had to write an impromptu Bible story in past tense. Forgive the lack of accent marks but my keyboard doesn’t have them.

Un dia, los multitudes estaba suguiendo Jesus y tenian hambre. Pero, Jesus y sus discipulos no tenian alimentos para la gente. Un nino fue a los discipulos y les dijo que el tenia cinco panes y dos peces. El se los queria dar a los discpulos. Los discipulos se los dieran a Jesus y El le dijo la multitude sientense. Jeus le oro a su Padre y les dijo su discipulos tenian que darle alimentos a la gente. En todo, habia muchas familias – como cinco mil muchachos. Todos personas estuban satisfechos y habia pan peces extra. Era un milagro. Despues de milagro, Jesus salio y fue al mar. El proximo dia, la multitude venio encontrar Jesus por mas pan. Entonces, Jesus empenzo a predicar que pan no era suficiente. El le predico que El era el pan de vida. Si los gentes comio el pan de vida que ellos pidia esta satisfecho y lleno y no tenia mas hambre. El punto era que Jesus era y es pan espiritual y que El puede dar vida real.

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We seem to be progressing

I think it’s good to have questions. I think it’s good to go into life looking for the questions to be asked. But sometimes when you start asking questions, even the right ones, you might become just a bit bothered. Now the goal is not to stop with the question, but to seek some sort of answer, and for that answer to be rooted in truth.

I came across a conversation yesterday that led me to a question, and I think it’s a question worth asking. Let me try to set it up.

I’m in the office of the administrator of the seminary (in Costa Rica for all those who are new to this). In this office was the admin, the director, and me. Within our conversation, the need for theologically trained professors was mentioned – specifically PhD’s since this seminary offers Master degrees. The truth is that there aren’t many PhD’s who are willing to come to another country and teach.

So the question: Why not? Why won’t, supposedly the best and smartest in their field, be willing to leave the States and go to a foreign country? I mean, the fact is that there are plenty of out-of-work PhDs all over the place in the States that can’t get teaching jobs right now. So what is the glitch? Surely some of these men who have studied under some of the greats and have immersed themselves in the writings of the greatest theologians of yesteryear wouldn’t be opposed to committing within the context of another country (at least not if they’re reading the same people who I had to read).

With these questions circling in my non-PhD mind, the conversation continued by the other two men in the room who had been working at this Costa Rican seminary for years. They answered my questions by pointing out the obvious – the difficulties of dropping thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars for this education, going to a foreign country under massive debts, never being able to pay it back. Many can’t see putting their family through that situation, so they choose to try to find a job in the States, and not based on support.

Now that is a nutshell version of the answer from the men who see this every day, but it made me think.

I’m becoming convinced that we need to rethink this. Maybe the seminaries need to rethink their structure altogether – maybe offer massive scholarships to those who commit to going to an impoverished area in order to teach. Maybe individuals and churches would do well to think through the support of these men who would commit to a mission field during and after their studies. Maybe both, I don’t know.

What I do know is that there is a need. We need something that the States have a lot of – highly educated theologians to train the church leadership in some of these countries.

Now the question lingers – why won’t they come? Help me think through the answer to this question.

Happy New Year to all who are keeping up with the SavellCrossover. We made it back to Costa Rica after a three week visit back to the States where we were able finish off 2011 with friends and family. Now we have returned, and we begin this new year with a great sense of blessing.

As many of you know, we left the states in August being commissioned by our sending agency, LAM, to not only attend a year of language school but to also find a ministry to connect with that would allow us to participate in pastor training and leadership develop in some of the more under resourced and rural areas of the country. Therefore, since August, this is what we have been doing.

The interesting part for us is that unlike the states, we have lost all sense of control down here. We have little to no connections and very little language skill – at least not enough to make a lot of plans and to scheme some job. We came to find out very quickly that if a real connection was to arise, then it would have to be from the Lord. And this is obviously where the Lord wants someone like me because no credit can be attributed to my scheme.

Over the past few months, part of the crossover entailed more praying and more depending – and that is something that I think we needed. Those things in themselves are certainly spiritual blessings, and we begin this new year still in that posture.

But other blessings have come too, and I’m happy to write about them.

Before Christmas, I was contacted by one of the major seminaries here in Costa Rica called ESEPA. We began our talks about pastor training outside of the city limits – something that they had once been involved in, but had diminished over the years. Without going into all of the details of the meetings, the Lord saw fit to work out the details in this way: We have a new ministry partnership!

My new job will be the Director of Pastor Training where I will develop ways to educate and support the pastors of Costa Rica and beyond that are interested in coming under the umbrella of the seminary. I will also be teaching one class at the seminary that is to be determined. And lastly, I’ll be helping out with the Spiritual Emphasis week each year.

Talk about feeling blessed. We could have never orchestrated a better ministry opportunity, that was as far reaching. We thank the Lord for this future opportunity. Last year was a crazy ride, and it looks as though this year could be even wilder.

Thanks for keeping up with us in the crossover so far. Please continue in 2012!