The Cost of Living in the Field - No. 1

The Cost of Living - Article 1

One of the task that I find very challenging is managing my money wisely.  I have to admit that in my sinner years and in the beginning of my walk with Jesus, financial budgeting was something that wasn't at the top of my list.  I thank God that he has challenged me to look at earning money not as a means of simply self-gratification, but as a force that can bring a powerful dimension into the kingdom of God.

Which brings me to the challenges of doing a work for God in the foreign field.  Especially if your in a country such as ours.  Let me just add that no matter where you are in the world, understanding and managing your support is very critical.  Remember, the support you get every month comes from people who are giving sacrificially to you and your ministry.  That support comes from your church back home and other churches that have linked themselves together in a optimistic attitude that God will do a great work in your respected city and country.  Understand Pastor, that God will hold you accountable.

Brazil is a country that is actually a country that is rich in resources,
but plagued by mismanagement in the financial sector.  Many here believe that the governments mismanagement of money is because of political corruption.  And though that might seem to be the case, their are people here that make more then the average wage.

This is due in part because of decision made by the individual.  The ones that seem to struggle less are those that have made good choices.  Choices to go and stay in school and not live off the credit or the welfare system.  In other words, most of the time it's the individual and their decisions that dictate their lifestyle.

If you want a better way of life, it's starts by making wise choices.  What is wisdom?  Wisdom is simply doing what is right.  It's doing the right thing.  Simple!  First, it's by giving your life to Jesus.  This is by first repenting of your sins and not doing them anymore.  Then it's making a decision to let God be the Lord of your life.  This means total surrender to the things of God.  What God says, goes!  It's as simple as that.

If you seek the things of God first, truly seek the things of God, then everything will fall into place.  Will it be a smooth ride? No, by no means.  Will you have your ups and downs?  Will you have your very, very bad days?  Of, course!  But you will have AMAZING DAYS as well!

But honestly, you have to remember that this life we live on earth is only temporary.  I know that most of you know that.  But, you will be amazed on how many of us don't live life that way.

I've come to realize that just because I live in a country that is very expensive, I can still make decisions that can impact my life for the good, if I make right decisions.  And I thank God that He should me how before I got here.

So, wether you live in the U.S. or in a third world country, you are still expected to make wise financial decisions.  Always remember that someone is providing you with their hard earned cash that has been sacrificed on the alter of grace.

- AXIOM - Four ‘Humble’ Things That Aren’t Humble

When Ben Franklin turned 20, he was determined to become virtuous. He put together a list of 12 virtues (frugality, sincerity, justice, etc.), and worked out a system of regularly focusing on one virtue a week while tracking his progress as he went.

He showed his finished list of values to a minister who pointed out that Franklin was missing humility—the queen of all virtues. Franklin added it to the list bringing the total to 13.

After spending many months working on the virtues, Franklin’s friend asked how he was doing with humility. Franklin responded, “I can’t boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue, but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it.”  The point is, if you’re working hard at ACTING humble, you’re not actually humble.

VIRTUES ARE A LOT LIKE GARMENTS; YOU CAN PUT THEM ON WITHOUT OWNING THEM.

Virtues are a lot like garments; you can put them on without owning them. It’s tricky because we don’t just fool the people around us by playing dress up—we fool ourselves.

Humility is much easier to manufacture than it is to internalize, and as long as we’re more focused on humility’s appearance, we’ll never experience its transformation.

So What is Humility?

Scripture’s packed with references to humility (something God honors), and most of the time it’s used as an antonym for pride (something God despises).


The classic C. S. Lewis quote from Mere Christianity is a helpful place to start:  “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

Humility’s simplicity is what makes it so difficult. It’s simply thinking about, promoting the interests of and celebrating others more than yourself.

Instead of focusing on others, we tend to promote, celebrate and focus on ourselves with a little self-depreciating twist to give the appearance that we really don’t take ourselves that seriously.

Here are four common “humble” things that aren’t actually humility:

1. The humble brag

I used to work with this guy who’d say things like, “My wife’s always telling me that people think I’m weird and socially awkward because I use professor-like vocabulary words instead of talking like a normal person.”

Let me translate that for you: “Folks think I’m weird BECAUSE I’M SO STINKIN’ SMART!”

A humble brag is the delightful technique of saying something awesome about yourself, but washing it down with a chaser of faux-criticism or depreciation.

Only one person in a group can never seem to recognize a humble brag, and that’s the person who’s using it. They’re too busy trying to force feed you a spoonful of their awesomeness.

2. Most Uses of the Word ‘Humbled’

When I had my first viral blog post, I was a bit of a jerk. It was such a big surprise that I didn’t know how to talk about it in a way that didn’t seem awful. So instead of just talking about it, I would post screenshots and stats and say ridiculous things like, “I’m so humbled that so many people are reading my blog today.”

I wasn’t so humbled about it—that was complete nonsense. I was excited. And you know what? That’s OK. What’s not OK is putting on some false sense of humility in order to draw attention to myself.

Now whenever I hear someone tell me how humbled they are, I recognize it for the bull it is. (Also, I can’t read “I’m so humbled” without hearing it in Jeremy Iron’s Scar voice.) Just tell me about the awesome thing you’re experiencing so I can celebrate with you.

3. Not Taking a Compliment

Newsflash: Humble people can take a compliment.

It’s funny to see someone spend an hour doing their hair and picking out an outfit to see them respond to a compliment on their appearance with, “Oh, stop. I look hideous.”

One’s inability to take a compliment (even if they’re sincere) is more about pride than it’s about humility.  Humble people have strengths, positive qualities and nice outfits. It’s OK. Say thank you and move on.

BY ACKNOWLEDGING  YOUR GIFTS, YOU GLORIFY THE LORD. HUMILITY DOESN’T PARADE AROUND IN THE SKINNY JEANS OF FALSE PIETY.

4. Giving the Glory to the Lord

Sometimes when you compliment a Christian on a job well done they’ll give you this kind of response: “Oh, that was just the Lord working through me” or “All the glory goes to the Lord.”

This is the Christian mash-up of not taking a compliment and holy humble bragging. It’s the worst kind of religiosity because it passes off the compliment while doubling down on self-righteousness.

By acknowledging  your gifts, you glorify the Lord. Humility doesn’t parade around in the skinny jeans of false piety.

Truly humble people are amazing to be around. Want to be like them? Focusing on being humble will never get you there. Instead, start by looking for ways to celebrate the awesomeness of others and stop looking for ways to promote your own.

Want New Converts? Go to the Pharmacy!

I wanted to write a wonderful report about a person that has come to our services in our apartment.

It all started when Seth slit his ear.  While he and Aiden were tumbling for P.E., he fell, hitting a wall that had a screw protruding from it.  The slit was as if it was clipped with some scissors.  Seth didn't feel it.  He did need stitches, but I decided that it could be taped together with some medical tape. 

After I taped it, we all went to find some anti-septic to clean it out so it wouldn't get infected.  As we started walking down a street, Ruby asked if we were going to a nearby pharmacy.  I said we were, but we passed by three, and Ruby asked, "Where are you going?"  For some reason, I was fixated on going to this one pharmacy.  The family said, "Are we there yet?"  I said, "We are almost there."  We got there and asked for some anti-biotic ointment, but were told that we needed a prescription.  I thought they misunderstood me about wanting antibiotics, which even in the states, you need a prescription.  So, they asked a Pharmacist that was working there and spoke english to assist us.

The Pharmacist's name is Jefferson and he spoke english very well.  He said that in Brazil, you need a prescription for the anti-biotic ointment. 

After he showed us some other over the counter products that we can use, we started to talk, in english, about a lot of things, especially why we are in Brazil.  We invited him to our services in our apartment and he came.  All of us were so excited.

He didn't get saved, however, but expressed that he wanted to know more about God and he said that he was so happy that we came into the pharmacy.  He said, "I know God has something for me."  Jefferson was raised in another religion, but stated that the religion was dead and not full of life.  He said that he gets nothing out of it and that he wanted more than tradition. 

This past Thursday, he came over for dinner and we met his girlfriend, Olivia.  It was an awesome time of fellowship.  That night Ruby went to a near by mall where she was working.  Olivia is also a pharmacist.  Ruby invited her to Sunday night service and said she is coming.

Here is the most awsome thing that happen as well.  Ruby got home and was texting Yolanda Garza and telling her about Jefferson and his girlfriend when Yolanda said, "His name is Jefferson?"  Ruby said "Yes, Jefferson.", thinking Yolanda was surprised his name was english.  Yolanda went on to say that she 

was prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for a Jeff and said "Okay, even though I don't know him, I'll pray for Jeff."  Thinking that it might be someone from China.  But when Ruby told her everything that happened, Yolanda confirmed that Jefferson was the person God told her to pray for.

Not only was Yolanda's testimony encouraging,  Seth also had spiritual insight about the whole ordeal.  Seth said, and I quote, "At first I hated that I got hurt and cut my ear, but God turned it around for good.  If I didn't cut my ear, we would have never met Jefferson."

Please pray for them, we are so encouraged about this and pray that we can impart into them what was imparted to us.

Joinville for Christ,

Ray

About Joinville, Santa Catarina/Brazil

Joinville (Pronounced: Join-vee-lee) is the largest city in Santa Catarina State, in the Souther region of Brazil.

Joinville is the third largest municipality in the southern region of Brazil, after the much larger state capitals of Curitiba and Porto Alegre.

Joinville is also a major industrial, financial and commerce center in Southern Brazil.

In 2013, its population reached approximately 547,000 people, many of whom are of German descent.  Joinville's metropolitan area is home to 1,212,997 residents according to the 2010 census by IBGE.

Owing to urban development and relatively good infrastructure, Joinville has become a major center for events and business conferences.  The city has one of the highest standards of living in Latin America.

To read more follow the Joinville link highlighted in blue. Please pray for our city.

This article is about the city in Brazil. For other uses, see Joinville

Country	Brazil
Region	South
State	Santa Catarina
Mesoregion	Norte Catarinense
Microregion	Joinville
Founded	March 9, 1851
Government
• Mayor	Udo Döhler (PMDB)
Area
• Total	1,130.878 km2(436.634 sq mi)
Elevation	4 m (13 ft)
Population (2013)
• Total	547,000
• Density	484/km2 (1,250/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-3 (UTC-3)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-2 (UTC-2)
Postal Code	89200-000
Area code(s)	+55 47
Website	Official website

The Fields of Brazil

I love the WEEKENDS!!!!!

This weekend, we went outreaching at the "Park" and what Seth calls, "Smokes Peak".  "Smokes Peak" is where many of the youth of Joinville hang out and smoke cigarettes and pot,  located right outside the mall.  This was the first time I street preached at "Smokes Peak" and the "Park".  It was a blast.

Seth Garnet Jediah

Aiden Onyx Reuel

I made and printed church flyers old school style.  Seth and Aiden helped by cutting them and getting them ready to pass out.


We made a total of 40 quarter flyers.  It seems like a little, and it is, but we do a lot of one-on-one witnessing.

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Old School Flyers

People at the park where responsive.  We had some people come in closer to listen.  I plan to show movies and have concerts there.  On Fridays and Saturdays there's a lot of young people hanging out and parents with their children, playing at the playground.  On one Saturday outreach we prayed with 7 people!  Praise God!

These were all young teenagers.  Five girls and two boys.  Many of them come from broken homes, grow up without a father and sometimes, without a mother as well.

The Bible says that there is nothing new under the sun.  It's true.  Sinners need Jesus.  Doesn't matter if they live in the U.S. or here in Brazil.

But to tell you the truth, I do need to make more flyers.

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At the Music Store: John, Owner

Ruby and "I can't remember."Lol

There are people who want to here the Gospel and will respond to a genuine concern for their lives.  People can tell who is real or not.  And we pray that God is going to raise a church from these precious souls.

Ruby with Barbara

The boys, active as well in preaching the Gospel

One soul at a time . . . . . One soul at a time!  It starts with those who are willing to go, those willing to stay, and those willing to repent and get saved.

Pastor Ray and two precious souls

Ruby with four girls who prayed

Pray for us.  We meet so many people everyday.  Pray that God builds a wonderful CFM fellowship in our city of Joinville, SC . . . . . .

Brazil for Christ

Pastor Raymond Felan.