It only takes a spark

I've gotten into the habit recently of following Dan Edelen's blog over at ceruleansanctum.com. In a recent post he poses for discussion the (to me) doubtful statistic that it takes 15-25 encounters with God before a person is born again.

I don't think that quantitative analysis lends itself to matters of the Spirit. Souls are not widgets, and the second birth is not a statistically predictable outcome which you can relate to a certain number of inputs.

There is only one kind of encounter which can make a difference in a person's life, and that is an encounter with the Holy Spirit. This can take place through any means which God chooses - through the printed word, through persons Christian and non-Christian, or Christians worthy and unworthy. A good description of how diverse influences can bring a person to put his faith in Jesus Christ may be found in C.S. Lewis's Surprised by Joy. In it Lewis ascribes a role to, among other things, Norse mythology which aroused in him a sense of the Sublime which he later found to be realized in its fulness in the Christian faith.

One of Edelen's concerns is the negative effect of a seeker's encounter with the graceless Christian. How many "good" God encounters does it take to overcome the effect of a single professing hypocrite? But the spirituality of the message bearer is not always important. The input which precipitated my decision for Christ was a sermon by a radio evangelist who descended from a gospel presentation straight into a cheesy money pitch. But it didn't matter to me whether his motives were pure or crass; his message resonated within me in such a way that I experienced it as God's invitation, not his.

At some point the good news must be heard to be responded to, but sometimes the critical influence is nonverbal. The clearest feedback I have ever received that something I did or said has had a lasting spiritual effect came 12 years ago when I received a call out of the blue from BC.

"Hello, this is Gurdev, do you remember me?"

Yes, I did. We had worked together 8 years before, but I didn't know him well and hadn't seen him since. He had had a nervous breakdown and checked himself into the psychiatric ward of the local hospital. I had visited him once on the ward, didn't talk about God, just asked how he was. And I prayed for him, not in his presence but later in private. A week later Gurdev was discharged, returned to work very briefly, then quit or was let go and dropped out of sight.

"You're a Christian, aren't you?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"When I was in the psych ward, none of the guys I partied with came to see me. You were the only one who came. I just want you to know that I am doing well now. I'm married with two kids and have a good job."

We chatted a bit and said goodbye, and afterwards I marvelled. Somehow my brief visit had affected Gurdev over the years to the extent that he had traced me down just to say thank me. Not only that, but he had evidently seen enough of Christian grace since that time that he was able to look back 8 years in memory and recognise its savour in that act. I felt deeply blessed that God had seen fit to let me know in this way that He was using me.

I don't know if Gurdev was yet a believer when he called, but if not, I can't help believing that someday he will be. Once one has felt the living water, one gets a thirst for it and wants it for himself.

Do I want to be more effective in my God appointments? Yes I do, and I try to achieve that by cultivating a habit of praying for the people I run into during the day and by listening for the direction of the Spirit in relating to them. But I don't do it with the idea that my little contribution will mechanically add together with others' to produce a new life in Christ after an average of 20 God appointments, with a standard deviation of 5.

The spark of love that God can shed through me or any believer in a single encounter may be the one that ignites a blaze which will burn in that person's life for eternity.

Rachel update

Hello Everyone!

Well, it has been about a year since I visited Costa Rica to pray about coming here as a missionary. I remember the things that God spoke to me on this trip and the people he placed in my path to confirm his calling for me to work here. God really used every moment of that time to show me this, including my flight home. He used strangers to inspire me and to calm my fears and let me know that he had my back. One promise kept being shown to me from that time, which was that there was alot of work to be done in Costa Rica. This has been nothing but true for me, and I am truly blown away by everything that has happened in the last months. This month in itself has been a huge adventure and I´m hoping that you will take the time to see what God is doing here.

I know that some of you may be confused about the work I am doing here in Costa Rica, since I am involved in so many different things. To summarize a bunch of roles in one, my job is to reach the poor in a variety of ways from building relationships, teaching, translating to administrative roles working in partnership with Keith Britton ( a missionary who has been working here for 6 years)

God has been opening up doors for me to work in areas very close to my heart. I have always had the desire to work with the poor and in a more specific light, in the slums. Since my last newsletter, I have started going to a church located in the heart of the slum of Los Guido. I´m looking forward to helping with the youth group at this church and in this way start forming relationships in this community.

Not only has this happened in the last month but another exciting opportunity! Me and Keith (the missionary I work with) will be starting a sponsorship program for the kids in the slum. The focus of this program will be to provide the uniforms and supplies needed in order for a child to attend school. Education is a major key to breaking the cycle of poverty so this is a great place to start. This way individuals can be matched to a specific child and be personally involved in our ministry in this slum. I will be responsable for organizing this feat by going house to house to gather information as well as post write-ups online, purchase supplies etc. God is doing some amazing things here, and I am excited and passionate to be a part of this ministry.

This month, I also had the opportunity to go to the small town of Guapiles with Keith to translate. Keith was invited to share his testimony in front of 3 church services, so my job was to essentially be his voice and deliver his message. This was my first experience translating in front of a crowd of people and it was scary. But God was so faithful and gave me the words I needed. What a stretch this was for me! I am constantly reminded that I am the clay and God the potter. He is forming me and growing me in certain areas all for his kingdom.

So as you can see, I have been really really busy. I am still working at the children´s home teaching English as well as teaching bible lessons on Saturdays at Los Guizaros so my time is pretty much filled. Needless to say....I will not be taking on anything else! Please pray for me and these ministries. I NEED your prayer!

Prayer Requests:

1) Pray that God will continue to give me the confidence needed in my ministries. God has been so good to me but I still struggle with certain insecurities in this area especially in regards to public speaking.

2) Continue to pray for my application process with CTEN (missions organization) that it will go through soon. This would help me raise much needed financial support.

3) Continue to pray for me regarding the stresses of working with those who live in extreme poverty. Its hard to see people live in extreme need, knowing that you can´t help everyone.

Anyways, thanks for your prayers, encouragement and support. All of which are crucial for me to continue in ministry here.

God Bless,

Rachel Garber
God In Action Ministries

On Calvinists, Mennonites and diversity in Christian belief

Not being a Calvinist, I usually refrain from commenting on Calvinism. I follow several blogs published by fellow believers which have a Reformed focus and appreciate their faith and insights. This being the occasion of Calvin's 500th birthday, there has been introspection on the part of some as to whether present-day Calvinism is guilty of being too Calvin-centred at the expense of a focus on Christ.

I will admit that I have issues with the Reform movement as it has manifested itself historically, because it persecuted Mennonites for many years, especially in Switzerland, putting some to death (including a possible ancestor), selling others into slavery and dispossessing and exiling many more (almost all my ancestors).

I don't take this history as a reflection on Calvinist theology, except to say that some aspects of it lend themselves to abuse by the flesh. Specifically, if someone doesn't believe that God loves everyone, then he won't feel much obligated to love everyone else either, especially those he identifies as reprobate. Ideas have consequences, and the fruit of that way of thinking has shown itself in the mistreatment by Calvinists of Anabaptists in Switzerland, Catholics in Ireland and natives in Pennsylvania.

But one might say the same thing about the Christian division of mankind into the saved and the unsaved. The abuse of a doctrine does not invalidate it; it is more a testimony to the ability of fallen human nature to twist divine truth to its own ends. In the hands of the unregenerate even the gospel can become a terrible thing.

As far as Calvinism being a basis of fellowship, and sometimes being more about Calvin than Christ, I can't hold that against Calvinists because it is a mirror image of the attitudes I grew up with. Among all Christian groups, we were the ones who had it right. Menno Simons or Sattler or Grebel were our touchstones. We allowed that there were saved individuals in other denominations, but they were hampered in their Christian life by defective theology. Sound familiar?

Even today, when the mainstream Mennonite movement is influenced more than ever before by the liberal or postmodern ideas of the culture around it, it has not escaped its Mennocentrism. How Menno would spin in his grave if he were to hear how some today refer to the "Mennonite faith"!

While I still self-identify as Mennonite and largely agree with classic Mennonite theology, that is not the focus of my faith. It is Christ alone who counts, Christ the living Lord, and the fellowship between those who know Him transcends the variations in theology which exist within Christian orthodoxy.

All Christian theology arises from the application of human reason to divine revelation, none of it is a substitute for the living water itself; it is at best a signpost to show where that water is. Any tendency to base fellowship upon a man-devised theological system rather than on our common life is really a form of religious humanism, no matter how much that system professes to exalt God.

May God save save us all from that and draw us together in His Spirit, especially as the time grows short!

Rachel in her own words

Hi Everyone,

First off, I would just like to thank you all for your prayers and support as I am settling here in Costa Rica. God has been doing some really amazing things and he has been opening so many doors for me here. I would have never imagined that I would have so many doors open that I would have to pray about which ones to walk through!

Through my ministries, God has really been teaching me to be more of a leader and to step out from the sidelines and take on more responsibility. I am working WAY out of my comfort zone but it is teaching me to not only learn new skills, but to depend on God. I´m also realizing that I am better at some things that I never would have tried. So what exactly am I doing here?

For the last month I have been working in a Children´s home as a English teacher 3 days a week. The director originally told me that I would just be an assistant to him in class to help with pronunciation. Well, I arrived only to be told that I was the teacher and thrown into a class of very energetic kids with only a few minutes to improvise a lesson! This has been a real challenge for me as not only am I learning how to teach but I´m learning how to work with kids that come with so many issues. The majority of these kids were abused and abandoned by their parents. Most of them were old enough to remember it. They crave any type of attention whether positive or negative. So you can imagine what its like trying to not only teach, but teach in a second language. God has truly been good to me though and has given me the strength and patience to teach.

I am also working at a children´s feeding centre in a nearby neighborhood helping with the kids during the bible lessons, washing dishes and handing out food. Two people are leaving soon and it appears that I will be doing yet more teaching to the younger kids. With a bit of extra support last month, I was able to contribute to the cost to install electricity in this building. Thanks to everyone who contributed! The feeding centre is also used for bible studies in the evenings for men and women in this community. This is what I do on Saturdays.

Although I only have 4 set days per week of work, I am finding that God is filling those other days every week. I have been doing a bit of everything from helping with construction to translating for missionaries and missions teams. This week I will be helping with a missions team in Orosi with some translating and other odd jobs.

One door that has opened and that I am praying about, is the opportunity to work in the slums with a local church. I will be meeting with the pastor next week to see his ministries there. I am really excited for this because my heart and vision has always been to work with the poor and to just serve. This pastor´s church is right in the slums so its exciting to think that pretty soon I might be a part of this amazing ministry.

I will end off by asking for prayer in different areas and believe me, it is very much needed:

1. Please pray for the childrens home. They are currently running 4000.00 dollars short every month and have been operating on loans. This has been very stressful for the director there. Also pray for me as I learn how to teach and pray that I would be patient and loving.

2. Please pray for me. As I am surrounded by so much need, sometimes it is so hard to not be able to help in a financial way. Pray that God will give me discernment on which ministries to help with my time and also that God will move the hearts of people who can help in the areas that I can´t.

3. I have applied to a missions organization. Please pray that I will be accepted quickly. The process can take months before and if I am accepted. I know that this would open doors to much needed support financially and it would give me the ability to give tax deductible receipts.

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well, and I would love to hear what is going on in your lives as well. Thanks for being such a blessing to me and to my ministries.

God Bless,

Rachel Garber

Rachel's ministry update

Back in April (it seems like so long ago now) I shared our daughter's move to Costa Rica to carry out independent ministry. Now, after two months in country, Rachel reports that ministry opportunities are multiplying to the point that she has to pray about which to accept. One of the reasons for this is that a surprising number of North American missionaries in Costa Rica don't speak Spanish and therefore welcome her help in their ministries.

At this time Rachel is scheduled for 4 days a week working in a feeding centre and teaching children in an orphanage. In addition to that she will be interpreting for a short term mission tour group which is being hosted by one of her missionary contacts.

An established missionary, Keith Britton, has this to say about Rachel on his blog at http://keithbritton.blogspot.com/ (the caps are his):

THIS PAST MONTH I WELCOMED A NEW MEMBER TO GOD IN ACTION MINISTRY, “RACHEL GARBER“.SHE COMES TO US FROM “HIGHLAND MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH” IN CALGERY ALBERTO, CANADA. TO SAY SHE IS JUST A BLESSING WOULD BE AN UNDERESTIMATE. SHE IS A WONDERFUL BLESSING THAT GOD INSPIRED TO COME HERE TO BE ON MISSION WITH HIM IN COSTA RICA TO HELP HELP THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT LIVE IN POVERTY OR WITHOUT PARENTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HIS LOVE AND MERCY AND GRACE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.

WHAT IS REALLY COOL, IS THAT SHE ALREADY SPEAKS SPANISH AND HAS ALREADY BEEN TRANSLATING FOR ME. (I CAN SPEAK OK, BUT HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING SPANISH). AS OF NOW, SHE WILL BE HELPING AT LOS QUIZAROS (WERE WE FEED THE CHILDREN) EVERY SATURDAY AND TEACHING ENGLISH AT AN ORPHANAGE UP THE ROAD FROM MY CENTER IN CORONADO ON MONDAY AND TUESDAYS. SHE CAN ALSO HELP ME ADMINISTRATIVELY, RACHEL HAS OPENED HER HEART TO SERVE GOD WHEREVER HE IS.

SHE IS AN INDEPENDENT MISSIONARY LIKE MY SELF, …PLEASE WELCOME HER TO GOD IN ACTION MINISTRY ON MISSIONS IN COSTA RICA.

......and strikes back!

I am typing this with 3 fingers of my right hand, primarily to occupy my mind during T3 withdrawal (a decision I am beginning to reconsider). The good news is that I no longer have nausea, the bad news - well let’s just say that I have good minutes and then I have bad minutes. But since I am writing this anyway, I’ll share it to let those who are interested know exactly what happened. By the way, thank you very much to all who have left their prayers and wishes for us. I really desire your continued prayers, especially for Diane.

Diane and I were involved in an accident on our motorcycle at about 6:00 pm Saturday. The situation really blindsided me. We were going 55 kmh west bound in the the left lane of 16th Ave NW a few blocks before Home Rd when a car travelling ahead of me in the right lane slowed down and waved out a guy who was waiting to pull out from a driveway on the right. He peeled out across the westbound lanes to make a left on 16th, saw me and stopped dead across my lane.

I had 50 ft to react. Couldn't go right, there was that car stopped in the right lane, couldn't go left, there was oncoming traffic. All I could do was hammer both brakes and wait. My front wheel locked and we went down and just had enough time to bounce and tumble once before I slammed into the car. Diane missed the car and rolled to a stop beside me. We were both conscious but groaning.

Diane had multiple fractures in her right tibia, just below the knee. I understand the joint is uninvolved. She will need surgery for that once the swelling subsides, as well as to replace a chip out of her cheekbone. The small mercy in her case is that I had bought a Kevlar jacket for her just before the accident, so she was spared from road rash.

I hit the car facing backward as I rolled along the pavement, contacted its front tire around my right shoulder blade, broke that as well as 5 ribs both front and back. The tumble itself blew out my left wrist, tore the flesh of my right pinkie finger clear away from the bone and gave me road rash on both arms and knees.

I’ve rerun the accident in my mind and wondered if there was any way I could’ve/ should’ve avoided it. But I don’t know. I usually watch for those scenarios when I drive and try to make eye contact when I see someone waiting to pull out, If not, I will slow down. But in this case, we were in the second lane out from the curb with traffic in the lane between us. The vehicle of the “considerate” driver who waved out the other guy was also screening him from my vision and me from his. The other guy of course was wrong to trust her wave and not look for himself, but the ironic thing is that the person who is most at fault for this will never be charged. Does she even know what she did wrong?

As I was lying on the operating table, the surgeon leaned over and said, "What were you riding?"

"A Vulcan 750"

"So are your riding days over?"

"No."

"Well if you are to continue riding, I suggest you get a newer and larger bike. That model is a little small to be riding two up."

I kid you not, those were the doctor's orders. But I'm taking that under advisement for now.

The Midlife strikes

In February when Diane and I were in Maui a shortage of rental cars on the island forced us to rent a motorcycle as an alternative for the duration of our stay there. For 10 days we rode around together on 2 different Harleys, a Buell and a Vulcan. It was a blast, Diane actually got to feel comfortable riding on the back and for me it brought back memories of an earlier time when for 2 1/2 years I went almost everywhere astraddle a 1969 Honda CB450.

The 450 was a sweet machine. An engine size of 450cc may not seem like much today, but at the time it came out it was the largest Japanese bike available. It had a top end of 104 mph (109 with the wind blowing just right) and cruised quite easily at 80 mph. Its only drawback at such speeds was the engine vibration which travelled up through the handlebars and rendered my hands numb after an hour or so. (This was before the days of counter-balanced, rubber mounted engines.)

Some have criticised the CB450 as topheavy, but I found it to be not only agile but very well balanced and stable on the highway as well. I once had a catastrophic blowout of the rear tire at 60 mph on the 401 near Windsor, Ontario. The flapping tire caused the bike to yaw uncontrollably up to 45 degrees from the direction of travel, first to the left, then to the right and then to the left again before I slowed down enough to pull off and stop. Each time the rear end threw itself from one side to the other, the motorcycle amazingly seemed to self-correct its steering without any conscious input on my part. (Or was it the hand of God? I guess I'll find out when I get to heaven!)

Such hair raising moments aside, I enjoyed every mile I rode the 450 - all 14,000 of them. I finally sold the bike in 1978 when Diane and I moved out west, and aside from a six month period in the 90's I have been off two wheels ever since. Until Maui, that is.

All this is a roundabout way of saying that I got the motorcycle bug back, and started shopping for a bike after we returned from Hawaii.

I decided that I was too old for this:

and that I was not yet old and fat enough for this:


Besides, the price tag on both models was a little rich for my budget. So I settled for something a little more age-appropriate:


This is a 1986 Kawasaki 750 Vulcan. It is a light cruiser now out of production which was a standard for about 20 years and is now considered somewhat of a classic. It's a good way to go for a used bike - proven reliability and parts are easy to get. It cost me all of $1,900.

Like me, it was in its prime 20 years ago but has been reasonably well maintained. When it was rebuilt 8000 km back it was bored out to more like 850cc, so it may have improved on its designed top speed of 124 mph. It is unlikely however that I will ever find out if that is so. (I will make that concession to age - or to the wisdom which comes with age!)

The motorcycle handles well though with Diane on pillion I find it wallows a bit on the bumps and wanders slightly on a tight curve. I'll try tightening the suspension which should fix the first problem. I not sure what I can do about the latter however. On the cruiser frame the centre of gravity is a little further back than what I am used to, and at 483 lbs I'm guessing that the bike is not quite heavy enough to offset the effect of Diane sitting over the rear wheel. As a result, the front wheel is just a little light, hence the wandering.

The carburetor flattens out somewhat at 7000 rpm, which is not surprising since it has sat for 3 years. Taking it apart and otherwise servicing the bike will be a weekend project once tax season is over.

Then I'll be able to try its legs.