Hey Ben. John and I were talking about food and we were wondering about what weights of food we should be buying. Is there a weight limit that we should be shooting for so that we can fit our clothes in our bags as well as the food? Thanks
Jonathan
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
Conn Chapter 2 Questions
In this chapter, Conn begins to layout different aspects of evangelism (evangelism as a call to...). For most American Christians, evangelism consists primarily of proclaiming the gospel of repentance and calling people to reconcile themselves with God. Conn describes 5 different aspects of the evangelism and what he sees as the churches involvement in those aspects. This chapter focuses on 4 of those and leaves the fifth for the next chapter. So the four aspects he discusses in this chapter are: 1. Reconciliation with God, 2. Incorpation, 3. Humanization, and 4. Celebration. And the way the church "evangelizes" in these aspects are respectively: 1. Proclamation, 2. Fellowship, 3. Service, and 4. Worship.
Questions to guide your reading:
*How does Conn define "evangelism"? What is the purpose of evangelism?
*How do each of these aspects partcipate in evangelism? Do you agree or disagree with Conn's perspective?
*What aspects do you find the easiest/hardest to grasp?
*How do the responses of the church match up with these aspects of evangelism? What area/s is your local church the strongest and/or the weakest? What area are you personally the strongest/weakest?
*How do you see these reflected in Jesus' complete work on this earth (birth, life, death, resurrection)?
*How does Jesus' life, death, and resurrection make evangelism in these four areas possible? In other words, how would evangelism in each aspect not be possible without the work of Christ? Or find its culmination in Christ?
*How do you see these 4 aspects played out in the ministry of the apostles and the NT church?
*Anything strike you in particular? Any questions, concerns, or disagreements?
Questions to guide your reading:
*How does Conn define "evangelism"? What is the purpose of evangelism?
*How do each of these aspects partcipate in evangelism? Do you agree or disagree with Conn's perspective?
*What aspects do you find the easiest/hardest to grasp?
*How do the responses of the church match up with these aspects of evangelism? What area/s is your local church the strongest and/or the weakest? What area are you personally the strongest/weakest?
*How do you see these reflected in Jesus' complete work on this earth (birth, life, death, resurrection)?
*How does Jesus' life, death, and resurrection make evangelism in these four areas possible? In other words, how would evangelism in each aspect not be possible without the work of Christ? Or find its culmination in Christ?
*How do you see these 4 aspects played out in the ministry of the apostles and the NT church?
*Anything strike you in particular? Any questions, concerns, or disagreements?
Friday, March 30, 2007
Food
So in general you want to try and think in terms of meals and what you may need in order to make a whole meal and how you can mix and match items to make different meals. In the end, you end up eating a lot of the same thing. i think i ate oatmeal for breakfast for nearly the whole 6 months i was there :) There are also a number of items that you can purchase at the market there, but it will mean that you need to make the effort to do so. Because there is a limited amount of weight you can bring in on the plane, it is important to consider how you can use what is available there. You could also ship some things in, but it's not cheap and sometimes is unreliable. I can help you get your feet wet during that first couple weeks and hopefully you guys can get pretty well stocked up for the next month or two. Some of the items that you are familiar with which are readily available there: rice, beans (although you may have to boil them or depod them), noodles, and bread. I can also show you how to cook some of the more traditional Haitian foods such as banans (not bananas but plantains). Below are some ideas for meals and other things to bring. Remember, you will have access to a freezer, but not a refrigerator!
Breakfast
Oatmeal
"Just add water" pancake mix, bring syrup and stick butter as well
Lunch
Peanut butter and jelly
chicken salad sandwiches (bring mayonaise and relish in individual packets which you can get at sam's club or at your local fast food restaurant-grab a handful every time you go to mcdonalds!)
tuna salad sandwiches
Dinner
Rice and chicken (bring canned chicken and a sauce like teryaki)
Spaghetti (bring in tomato paste and make your own sauce, noodles you can buy there)
"Just add water" potatoes and beef stew
ready to eat meals
dehydrated veggies (maybe canned if you can afford the weight)
Snacks
Nuts
Dried Fruit
Granola bars
beef jerky (can also use this for making dinner things)
Raisins
Breakfast
Oatmeal
"Just add water" pancake mix, bring syrup and stick butter as well
Lunch
Peanut butter and jelly
chicken salad sandwiches (bring mayonaise and relish in individual packets which you can get at sam's club or at your local fast food restaurant-grab a handful every time you go to mcdonalds!)
tuna salad sandwiches
Dinner
Rice and chicken (bring canned chicken and a sauce like teryaki)
Spaghetti (bring in tomato paste and make your own sauce, noodles you can buy there)
"Just add water" potatoes and beef stew
ready to eat meals
dehydrated veggies (maybe canned if you can afford the weight)
Snacks
Nuts
Dried Fruit
Granola bars
beef jerky (can also use this for making dinner things)
Raisins
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Conn Chapter 1 Questions
These are questions to help guide your reading and to prompt interaction. Do not feel as though you have to type out an answer to every question. Also, think of scripture or accounts from scripture which may relate. The Word of God is always the final authority, although Conn may challenge the way that you view and interpret the Word.
One of the foci of this first chapter is culture. Culture is essentially good. God commanded man to fill and subdue the earth in the creation account. To accomplish this, man must develop culture. But after the fall, culture has become affected by the sin of man and the fallness of the world. So culture is both good and evil and, like everything else in this world, is in need of the redemption of Christ. Some aspects of culture are completely irredeemable and must be thrown aside (such as racism in America). This is often easier to see in others' culture than our own. For instance, part of the Haiti culture is a strong belief and connection with the spirit world. We often see this as a negative aspect as they attempt to use the spirits to receive healing or prosperity. But there is also a redeemable aspect to this as Haitian Christians have a better understanding of the spiritual battle which we are truly fighting and the power of prayer to the God who created the heavens and the earth. In America we may hold hard-work and diligence as good aspects of our culture. It helps us to be productive and efficient, but it also tends to dehumanize workers and to devalue the importance of relationships.
All of us live and operate within a culture; it is a part of who we are, the way the view the world, and it affects the way we interact with this world and its people. What are a few of the themes of western culture that Conn points out which have impacted our Christianity (pg 16-18)? What aspects of these themes are good and what are bad? What aspects of our culture can we tend to impose upon others when we bring them the Gospel (think of the era of colonization when missionaries went to not only preach the gospel but also to civilize the natives)? How is this especially difficult in the area of community development? What are ways to we can evaluate ourselves to see if we are bringing the Gospel of Christ or the Gospel of America to another people?
Another focus of this chapter is "scratching where people itch" or contextualizing the Gospel. Conn claims that "God scratches where the world itches; He accommodates His revelation to the agenda set by the world." Do you agree or disagree? How does the way that Jesus lived and ministered on earth reflect (or not reflect) this statement? Where is the line between contextualization and syncretism (changing or distorting the Gospel)? Apart from understanding the Word of God deeper, what is the most essential step in order to contextualize the Gospel for a people?
Is there anything in this first chapter that stuck you, perplexed you, frustrated you, etc.? any lingering questions you have or terms that were confusing?
One of the foci of this first chapter is culture. Culture is essentially good. God commanded man to fill and subdue the earth in the creation account. To accomplish this, man must develop culture. But after the fall, culture has become affected by the sin of man and the fallness of the world. So culture is both good and evil and, like everything else in this world, is in need of the redemption of Christ. Some aspects of culture are completely irredeemable and must be thrown aside (such as racism in America). This is often easier to see in others' culture than our own. For instance, part of the Haiti culture is a strong belief and connection with the spirit world. We often see this as a negative aspect as they attempt to use the spirits to receive healing or prosperity. But there is also a redeemable aspect to this as Haitian Christians have a better understanding of the spiritual battle which we are truly fighting and the power of prayer to the God who created the heavens and the earth. In America we may hold hard-work and diligence as good aspects of our culture. It helps us to be productive and efficient, but it also tends to dehumanize workers and to devalue the importance of relationships.
All of us live and operate within a culture; it is a part of who we are, the way the view the world, and it affects the way we interact with this world and its people. What are a few of the themes of western culture that Conn points out which have impacted our Christianity (pg 16-18)? What aspects of these themes are good and what are bad? What aspects of our culture can we tend to impose upon others when we bring them the Gospel (think of the era of colonization when missionaries went to not only preach the gospel but also to civilize the natives)? How is this especially difficult in the area of community development? What are ways to we can evaluate ourselves to see if we are bringing the Gospel of Christ or the Gospel of America to another people?
Another focus of this chapter is "scratching where people itch" or contextualizing the Gospel. Conn claims that "God scratches where the world itches; He accommodates His revelation to the agenda set by the world." Do you agree or disagree? How does the way that Jesus lived and ministered on earth reflect (or not reflect) this statement? Where is the line between contextualization and syncretism (changing or distorting the Gospel)? Apart from understanding the Word of God deeper, what is the most essential step in order to contextualize the Gospel for a people?
Is there anything in this first chapter that stuck you, perplexed you, frustrated you, etc.? any lingering questions you have or terms that were confusing?
First Response
I commented off one of Ben's post, but I figured I would put it in a post for easier access...
I haven't blogged before, so I am not sure if this is the appropriate response place, but hopefully it works for now.
Ben, I appreciate all of the information, it is very helpful to have someone on this end that has already been there.
Financially, I just sent out my support letters about a week ago and Jonathan is about to do the same. Jonathan and I received a large amount of support from one donor, so that is a early sigh of relief on that end.
Jonathan and I have now two weeks in a row met for dinner and just began to bond and share concerning the trip. We decided that prayer is an essential part of preparation for the trip and during the trip. Therefore, Jonathan and I are going to try to set a time aside each week and meet and pray. We are starting today and hopefully can keep this pattern up weekly.
A few questions that come to my mind:
What is the water situation in Haiti as far as drinkable or do we need to bring something to purify it?
Should Jonathan and I buy our plane tickets to Miami soon and should we do ticketing through CrossWorld? Also, note Jonathan and I are going to buy open ended tickets to make our departure flexible.
What is the situation down there as far as food? Since, Jonathan and I are going to be staying for 2 months, Burce suggested shipping food down there for our time and to purchase some there.
I like the book idea. I am about to order that off Amazon now.
Also, Ben where is your location. You may told me before, but it sleeps my mind. Jonathan and I are at the University of Virginia(#4 seed in the NCAA tourney!!)
That is all that comes to mind right now.
Blessings in Christ,
John
I haven't blogged before, so I am not sure if this is the appropriate response place, but hopefully it works for now.
Ben, I appreciate all of the information, it is very helpful to have someone on this end that has already been there.
Financially, I just sent out my support letters about a week ago and Jonathan is about to do the same. Jonathan and I received a large amount of support from one donor, so that is a early sigh of relief on that end.
Jonathan and I have now two weeks in a row met for dinner and just began to bond and share concerning the trip. We decided that prayer is an essential part of preparation for the trip and during the trip. Therefore, Jonathan and I are going to try to set a time aside each week and meet and pray. We are starting today and hopefully can keep this pattern up weekly.
A few questions that come to my mind:
What is the water situation in Haiti as far as drinkable or do we need to bring something to purify it?
Should Jonathan and I buy our plane tickets to Miami soon and should we do ticketing through CrossWorld? Also, note Jonathan and I are going to buy open ended tickets to make our departure flexible.
What is the situation down there as far as food? Since, Jonathan and I are going to be staying for 2 months, Burce suggested shipping food down there for our time and to purchase some there.
I like the book idea. I am about to order that off Amazon now.
Also, Ben where is your location. You may told me before, but it sleeps my mind. Jonathan and I are at the University of Virginia(#4 seed in the NCAA tourney!!)
That is all that comes to mind right now.
Blessings in Christ,
John
Chapter 1 of Conn's Book
Here's the link for a pdf of the first chapter of Conn's book. http://groups.google.com/group/bennygroup/web/Conn+Chapt+1.pdf
I'll be posting a couple questions tonight to think about as your reading the chapter.
I'll be posting a couple questions tonight to think about as your reading the chapter.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Quick Trip Details
Outgoing Travel Dates
Thursday, May 24th - Fly to Florida and spend the night there
Friday, May 25th - Fly from Florida to Port-au-Prince, then take a hopper to Port-de-Paix where we will be picked up
Cost: $670 plus airfare
Insurance: try the website http://www.missionaryinsurance.org/plans/liaisoninternational/ and be sure to get the additional "sports" coverage as we may be using 4-wheelers and other forms of transportation. the cost should be around $30.
Clothes: (anything you bring, prepare for the possiblity of it getting ruined)
*bring enough underwear and socks for at least a week or two.
*For "work" clothes, bring long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Even though it will be hot, they will protect you from sun exposure and the abundance of thorns. For the shirts, i would recommend even getting a couple "sun shirts" from REI or other outdoor store. They are around $30-$40 bucks each, but provide protection equivalent to 30 spf. For pants, i like either the convertible pants (pants and shorts in one) or dickies. The thorns can be pretty vicious, so if they are not of a semi-durable material they may get torn up.
*Bring a nicer set of clothes for church (a pair of khakis and a polo).
*A pair of hiking boots and/or tennis shoes for work and a pair for after work.
*shorts and/or other clothes to wear at night
*swimming suit
*hat, i will bring both a baseball cap and a widebrimmed hat. this is very important as the sun is intense and you will not want to go anywhere without a hat. seriously.
Other items to bring:
*flashlight (and an extra set of batteries)
*bug spray
*suntan lotion
*Bible and journal
*toiletries
*earplugs (there are a lot of farm animal noises)
*water bottle
*backpack for day trips
If i think of other things, i'll let you know. For suitcases, I would go to your local salvation army or other thrift store and find a couple cheap hard-sided suitcases. We are only allowed to bring 2-50 lb bags per person without additional cost. And whatever weight and space we don't need to bring in clothes and food will be used to bring in supplies for bruce and deb.
How are you guys doing in your financial and prayer support raising? Do you have any questions? Let me know if you do, either email me directly or post your question here.
One more item of note before I hop off to bed. If you have not already, begin to be in prayer for the trip. Pray for our preparation, for our travel, and for God to work out His will both in us and through us. Also, pray for group unity and for our health while we are there. May our time there bring Him glory and praise!!
Thursday, May 24th - Fly to Florida and spend the night there
Friday, May 25th - Fly from Florida to Port-au-Prince, then take a hopper to Port-de-Paix where we will be picked up
Cost: $670 plus airfare
Insurance: try the website http://www.missionaryinsurance.org/plans/liaisoninternational/ and be sure to get the additional "sports" coverage as we may be using 4-wheelers and other forms of transportation. the cost should be around $30.
Clothes: (anything you bring, prepare for the possiblity of it getting ruined)
*bring enough underwear and socks for at least a week or two.
*For "work" clothes, bring long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Even though it will be hot, they will protect you from sun exposure and the abundance of thorns. For the shirts, i would recommend even getting a couple "sun shirts" from REI or other outdoor store. They are around $30-$40 bucks each, but provide protection equivalent to 30 spf. For pants, i like either the convertible pants (pants and shorts in one) or dickies. The thorns can be pretty vicious, so if they are not of a semi-durable material they may get torn up.
*Bring a nicer set of clothes for church (a pair of khakis and a polo).
*A pair of hiking boots and/or tennis shoes for work and a pair for after work.
*shorts and/or other clothes to wear at night
*swimming suit
*hat, i will bring both a baseball cap and a widebrimmed hat. this is very important as the sun is intense and you will not want to go anywhere without a hat. seriously.
Other items to bring:
*flashlight (and an extra set of batteries)
*bug spray
*suntan lotion
*Bible and journal
*toiletries
*earplugs (there are a lot of farm animal noises)
*water bottle
*backpack for day trips
If i think of other things, i'll let you know. For suitcases, I would go to your local salvation army or other thrift store and find a couple cheap hard-sided suitcases. We are only allowed to bring 2-50 lb bags per person without additional cost. And whatever weight and space we don't need to bring in clothes and food will be used to bring in supplies for bruce and deb.
How are you guys doing in your financial and prayer support raising? Do you have any questions? Let me know if you do, either email me directly or post your question here.
One more item of note before I hop off to bed. If you have not already, begin to be in prayer for the trip. Pray for our preparation, for our travel, and for God to work out His will both in us and through us. Also, pray for group unity and for our health while we are there. May our time there bring Him glory and praise!!
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