Living our Faith
Monday Oct 19th
There is a young man here in Puerto Cabezas. He is a
hard working 19 year old, restless but determined. He has long wanted to know God "for real", but the culture here always said he is too young to make that decision. He is the type of guy that says what is on his mind, and does what he says. He has taught me a lot about discipline. Over the last few months he and I have grown close,
serving together on the board of directors for our youth group. He comes over for dinner most nights because he lives alone, and works all day. He has adopted many of the ideas I have shared and put them into practice. He is performing simple tasks with great commitment and
telling others about Jesus. We have talked about forgiveness and humility (something opinionated people like he and I lack) and he asked forgiveness from a girl over a misunderstanding that wasn't even his fault. He has been reading his bible, singing in the Chorus, and
visiting people with me. We have had long talks into the night, which resumed the next day. I am proud to also share that he will be taking his first communion in the coming weeks. Here in Nicaragua that means that you are declaring yourself a Christian, publicly. He says he
wants in to the family no matter what the people say. I want you all to know you have a new brother.
Over the last couple of months there have been great struggles, lack of vision, disappointment and a ridiculous amount of rain, but this story makes me love God even more and want to continue, no matter the cost. Eunice and I have learned these last few months that we cannot
change the church, we cannot even change our youth group, real change only comes from within individuals who then reach out wider and wider. In Mexico it was always taught that discipleship is relationship, and we tried to tip toe around that fact to work with greater numbers for faster results.
With our new perspective we are focusing only on those who respond to God's call. We are still actively involved with our youth group and church, but the stress of changing everyone is being lifted. Change is not going to come overnight, and we are learning to be patient, while God stirs the hearts of those around us. God is slowly infiltrating our neighborhood, teaching grace, forgiveness, responsibility and commitment.
We have now started a group of people that meet once a week to read the Bible, examine it, and discuss. While talking with Eunice and the young man who is a new Christian a few days ago, we had a revelation. Experience. Experience is what has made the bigger impact for Obeth, and others here. Not just reading and analyzing old stories, but getting your hands dirty.
The young man has put into practice what he has learned, and he is a changed man. The people here have grown up around the church their whole lives, and the stories aren't that fascinating anymore, they live in Christian theory. We want them to live in Christian life, which means doing. So now our study is with the bible and with the community. Our focus now is not even practicing, but being. We don't practice to breathe or eat, we just DO, and we believe our communion with God and others should be another DO. We have translated a booklet on the
seven commands of Christ here to help instruct how we should be living. We did it with the help of our friends to put the text in clear simple language and slang from here so it can be easily understood. We hope this can be a quick reference people can use to share with others as they are learning.
Also, for the past week I have been sick. We think I had Dengui or bone breakers disease. I have had an off and on fever for over a week, that just won't let me go, and aches and pains and extreme tiredness. We ran a test of my blood in a clinic but the results came back negative. It's kind of a mystery to us what I have, but I am
feeling better today, and I am able to get out of the house and move around some. We have prayed to God earnestly to heal me and it seems he is responding. I ask all of you to say some special prayers for me and Eunice as she has been so patient and loving with me over the last week. Along with all this there is a potential revolution brewing. On our way to the internet we had to pass various roadblocks with police and the stores are boarding up their windows in preparation for violence, keep Puerto in your prayers an wisdom for her leaders, also our safety.
So, our time has been one of growing by failure. And doing the opposite of what we know we should do, has helped us see the truth behind the teaching. I want to thank personally Rob and Annie for their consistency in our lives, that even after straying these few months on our own, your teaching has guided us through tough times.
Also, to Mark and Kevin who always remind me, just give 'em Jesus. Thank you to all who support us, Friedberg, The Brethren church and the SMS. Without your prayers and financial support stories like these never get told.
Blessings,
phil and eunice
Phil and Eunice Raiford serve in Nicaragua with the youth and at the Moravian Medical Clinic. Phil is a member of Friedberg Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Eunice is originally from Mexico.