|
KoetsyClaus
|
read my profile
sign my guestbook
Name: Andrew
Country: United States
State: Indiana
Metro: Warsaw
Gender: Male
Interests: Jesus Christ, people, global missions, college students, Biblical Languages, music, guitar, just about any sport, Russia, Kenya, you
Expertise: Being myself
Occupation: Student
Message: message me
AIM:  AndreusMaximus
Member Since:
1/1/2005
|
|
| So what would it look like if we really loved one another? I mean real, Biblical, radical, love God-love others love. I mean like servant-minded, others-focused, agape love. Sorry, getting a little carried away with the compound words-I better be careful, might start sounding like John Piper pretty soon (just read the first chapter or so of Let The Nations Be Glad and you'll understand).
But anyways, in my theology of missions class, we've been discussing the love of God and how it relates to ministry and specifically missions. Our professor related his past and ongoing experience (over 30 years now) with a lack of love in the German culture. Seems that most Germans don't even have the phrase "I love you" in their vocabulary, instead saying "I like you" or something similar. Within the family, husbands rarely display or express affection toward their wives nor fathers toward their children. Many Germans he has had contact with in his years of ministry have gone their entire lives with no memory of a father saying he loves them or ever showing their affection toward them. This cycle of unlove has persisted from generation to generation creating an entire culture of unlove. This lack of love from family members has in turn negatively affected their ability to understand and embrace the love and grace of God. What a troubling void.
To be sure, this issue is not limited to the German culture. This lack of love penetrates every culture in different ways and to different degrees. It's fundamentally not a cultural, but rather a human problem. When looking at this issue from a missions context, in representing Christ, how can we express love (both His and ours) to the people we are ministering to? Right now, how can I show this love to those around me? How can I show you love?
| | |
| Hey all- sorry it's been nearly 4 months since I posted...my geekiness has apparently not transferred into xanga-posting.
But being my birthday today, I have been in a bit of a retrospective
mood and looking back am increasingly thankful for what God has given
me. Thinking of my birth alone, it is rather extraordinary that I
am living today (many of you know the story and if not ask me
sometime). God has shown me again and again His faithfulness to
me though I am undeserving in every respect. How great is our God!
A detailed summary of the last four months would take a novel but here's a few highlights:
-A semester of seminary is in the books. My time at Grace was
slow-starting, but has really been a time of growth in even different
ways than Moody. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to study
God's Word and to learn from others who have been much farther down the
journey than I.
-In Indiana, I am living with my uncle, aunt, cousin, and two
dogs. This has been a good experience of getting to know some of
my extended family better. They have been such a blessing to me.
-In Indiana, I am also working for a used book store. This job
has been extremely flexible with my schedule which has been great.
Basically, I go through boxes of books, evaluating them and then
posting them online to sell. My employers and other employees are
a real riot (we have some good times) so when the books get a little
boring we can always tell a story or two.
-Earlier this fall my friend Josh was married. I was in the
wedding (first time for me) which was quite a puzzling thing since we
groomsmen did hardly anything but party all weekend. Meanwhile
the bridesmaids and bride-to-be worked diligently to make sure
everything was just right. It was definitely a great experience
and it was good to be there at the start of Josh and Jodie's
marriage. Next up, my old roomie Paul (this time I'm best man  .
Well, there's more but that should give you a taste for what has been
going on. Coming up this semester I'll be taking 15 credits and
auditing 3 more so it should be busy busy. So see you in 4 months
...
| | |
| So some of you are probably wondering why my Xanga name is "Koetsy Claus." Sounds pretty random right? Well, there is a method to the madness. While I was at school at Moody, I picked up the nickname "koets" or "kootz" (if you follow my friend dan's spelling), a shortening of my last name. Well, this at certain times of the year would morph to include other season\holiday-appropriate modifiers. Thus, around Christmas-time I picked up the moniker "Koetsy Claus" and since it was so catchy, it was by far the most used name. So look out, Koetsy Claus most certainly could be coming to town...
| | |
| Mexico Trip Overview (July 21-31)
A team from my home church's youth and college-age groups went to Oaxaca, Mexico to come alongside a Mexican team in running a camp for 130 kids (ages roughly 6-15) who live in the rural mountain villages surrounding the camp. For most of these kids, it was the week of their earthly lives. We pray that for some it was just the beginning of an ever-growing life with their newly found Savior.
A Thought
This trip, like any other I take, further cemented within me the thought that God truly is amazing in allowing us to be a part of His plan of reaching the nations with the gospel. By ourselves, we are entirely inadequate. With Him, His work is done and His praises sung.
The trip had its lion's share of difficulty, hardship, and miscommunication. One could sense that the enemy was straining against us and what Christ would do in that place. How refreshingly dependent it felt to be on our knees midway through the camp asking our Father to do His work of reaching these kids despite the circumstances, to triumph in weakness. How freeing it was to open our arms to the grace He so freely offers and spread His love not just as ones who have heard of Him but as ones who have been loved by Him. Praise be to Him...
Pictures
You can find some pictures of our trip at:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/akoetsier/album/576460762309732706#page1
There are more Mexico Pics in the folder labeled "Mexico 2" as well as pics from Kenya and Sudan last year if you missed them. Enjoy!
| | |
| Well, I've finally succumbed to virtual peer pressure and am starting my own blog. Actually I think I started my blog something like 541.3 days ago but finally got to my first entry now.
Now to more important things...as a quick update to those of you who may not know me or once did, I am currently working at a doctor's office in Michigan, leading the college group at my church here, and counting the days till we go to Mexico (July 20th). And when I say Mexico I mean a week plus of camp with 200 Mexican kiddies in Oaxaca (where they shot the famous film "Nacho Libre" . Anyways, I am really looking forward to see what God is going to do during this ministry-packed twelve days.
Post-Mexico plans? Well, I'm heading down to Pioneers for a week to help out with debrief time for 100 college students who just spent their summer reaching out to those who haven't heard the name of Jesus Christ in 13 countries. Then after that, I head down to Indiana to start seminary at Grace Theological Seminary.
Anyways, I think that's it for now. I don't want to play all my cards at once. Gotta have something to blog about right?
Adios amigos.... | | |
|
