March Conchshell Chronicles

Celebrate Patricius!

By Michael Bagby

 

Kidnapped, Made a Slave, Forced Labor, Weeks spent alone in the forest.

Talk About Interruptions!

The Fifth Century was a time of change in Western Europe.  The Roman Empire was crumbling under the pressures of “Barbarian” invasions, corrupt morals, self-serving government officials, and a general lack of interest. (sound familiar?)  Rome itself would be surrounded and sacked by the Visagoth king  Alaric I on August 24, 410, and finally Romulus Augustus, the last Roman emperor of the West was deposed by the Germanic general Odoacer on September 4, 476.

Into this shifting world order was born a boy named Patricius to a Roman family in Britain, probably around 389. At age 16, he was kidnapped by a marauding band of Irishmen and taken to a remote corner of their homeland.

Patrick was forced to work as a herdsman, remaining a captive for six years. Being along in the countryside for weeks at a time, he writes that his faith grew, and that he prayed sometimes over 100 times each day. With lack of distractions, and great need in his life, he got close to the Lord.

After six years he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then again that “his ship was ready”. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port, two hundred miles away, where he found a ship which would take him to the mainland. There he arrived in a “desert area” where there were no humans and skinny dogs. He and the crew became desperate for food, and the captain taunted him: “How about it Christian? You say your god is all powerful, so why can’t you pray for us? We’re starving to death, and there is little chance that we will ever see a living soul.”

Patricius replied: “From the bottom of your heart, turn trusting to the Lord my God, for nothing is impossible for Him. And today He will send you food for your journey until you are filled, for He has abundance everywhere.”

As the captain and crew considered Patricius’ words, their silence was interrupted by the sounds of a stampede: it was a herd of pigs heading down the road in their direction! They all ate well that night!

Eventually Particius made it back to his home in Britain, but being behind in education and out of touch with the comforts of his former world, he remained restless. In few years,  Patrick had a vision. In his own words he recounts:

“I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: "The Voice of the Irish". As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us”.

Patricus accepted this as the Lord’s call to go back to Ireland, and begin discipleship mission among his former captors. Traveling to France, he began to study and prepare for this work at a church in Auxerre, and eventually was ordained as a deacon. His superiors were wary of his abilities to return to Ireland and head a mission. In fact, they sent another priest whom they considered “more qualified”. After a year, this one died in Ireland. So at age 40, in the year 432, Patricius set out on an incredible adventure to Ireland.

His methods were simple and Biblical: He accepted the Irish as equals, and became friends with many, especially those in prominent political positions. His personal life modeled humility and love, and he won many to Christ through his own display of Christ’s love through him. Thomas Cahill writes in “How The Irish Saved Civilization”,

“ ‘Saint Patrick was a gentleman, and he came from decent people’ goes a music hall ditty of the 19^th century. He did, indeed. And he was a good and brave man, one of humanity’s natural noblemen. Among the simple, straightforward people, the success of his mission was assured.”

Patrick and his Celtic missionaries placed a great emphasis on spiritual growth. His converts were given intensive training in the Scriptures, and encouraged to become involved in the ministry themselves. It was all about making disciples who in turn make disciples.

Truman, Danilo, Sofia, & Augusto

Disciples Who Make Disciples

Women played a significant role in the Celtic ministry, although Patricius was careful in his relationship with them, “least any breath of scandal should arise.”

When confronted by the pagan Druid priests, he proved to be an even more powerful “druid” through ‘power encounters’ and demonstrations of God’s Power through him.  His life was threatened 12 times; He was kidnapped; He was held in prison. Yet within 15 years, much of Ireland had been evangelized.

In Particius’ own words. “Every day I am ready to be murdered, betrayed, enslaved—whatever may come my way. But I am not afraid of any of these things, because of the promise of heaven; for I have put myself in the hand of God Almighty.”

In his ministry, he established some 200 churches, and he baptized an estimated 100,000 converts.  Over the next decades, it was his disciples who left Ireland for Britain and Europe, to bring the Good News to the Angles, Saxon, and Germanic peoples.

Patricius was One Life snatched from his comforts, enslaved, and sent out to isolation. Yet his response to this major interruption resulted in the salvation of millions over the next centuries. Patricius was an ordinary man with limited education and natural talents. Yet he allowed God to use him, and our world is different today because of him. 

Let us truly celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this month! Let his example motivate you in your own situation. May we all rise above our circumstances, to accomplish much for the Kingdom in these next weeks, months and years.   Maik

Lamb Bleatings                By Laura Bagby

 

We were in the middle of a math lesson….

“Mommy, do you ever save food in your belly button so you can eat it later?”, asked Moselle in her usual quizzical manner.

“Ummmm, No. Have you???”, I asked in the midst of various images her question conjured up.

“Nope. Never have.”, said Moselle looking down at her cute little belly trying to figure out what she could actually fit in that rounded space.

“A small grape might fit, Moselle….”, I suggested.

I had to stop my mind from venturing into the question of how we could adhere a grape to her belly button for later consumption.  Of course I didn’t say that out loud, but the fact I even went there concerned me!

 I proceeded to help her with her math lesson…It is difficult to know how she got from fractions to her belly button question, but it was an interesting diversion to be sure.

She cracks me up.

It appears that our lives are fractions of various and assorted diversions we make in life or life makes upon us.  Since arriving home from Montana, where we had an amazing time with our friends at Real Life Christian Church, we have had a full spectrum of “diversions” with a multitude of variety….all, of course, involving people and usually food.  If you feed, they will come.

The “food” that we have is not meant to be stored or placed in our belly buttons for future use.  Normally, it is meant to be consumed in the moment of completion after preparation.  It is hot, savory and at its best eating right then and there.

We are made to consume food and I believe spiritually we are made to distribute and be about the business of many “feedings” of other people…within the body of Christ and outside.  We were created by design of the ultimate Caretaker and Caregiver to be and do likewise.  We were designed to receive, give and to care.  We seek out those who need “food” and discover best what kind and how to give it.

“God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son that whosoever shall believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”                             John 3:16

He gave….

For our good, for our gain, for the sake of our souls eternal.

Our friends in Montana housed and fed six people who descended upon them all at once with style, grace and love.  We were refreshed and ready to “go all over again” in our “normal” lives of doing likewise upon arrival back in Vero.  We received refreshment from our friends and felt prepared to give out upon arriving back.

In the course of our existence, we exhale and inhale at about the same ratio.  We breathe in and then breathe out.  No brainer…it is how it is……Deep breath in and deep breath out.  Kind of like “what goes up, must come down”.  It is a “law” of the universe.

Montana is a state that is wide open and glorious.  Snow capped mountains and an expansive sky speak of the majesty of God.  The various terrain and wild life declare God’s creativity and amusement He had with design and wonder.  Daily, we basked in such wonder and marveled at God’s beauty, ways and grace upon our lives.  We thoroughly enjoyed the people He surrounded us with and gave to us many precious moments of exchanging life with loved ones.  It was a filling time with all that our family needed.

We inhaled the moments and enjoyed them deeply.

The day after arriving back to Vero….we had countless opportunities to “exhale” what we previously breathed in as we entertained our pastor friends who were visiting…Michael “happened” to run into them and came home to let me know that they had their seven beautiful children with them.  We had a great time with them and we realized that the week would be full of moments just like it….with our ministry partners, Tom and Nutie Keogh who just got back from their honeymoon, our bible study groups, random visits from friends stopping by, surprise dinners, roasting coffee & haircutting episodes, baby sitting opportunities, re arranging furniture and other projects that my visionary husband starts thinking up….

It is natural that we inhaled fully and now have the privileged of exhaling fully.  Whatever is taken in…must be let out…that is the nature of our gifts and abilities and all that we are and possess.  We were never designed to just take it in and not let it out…it would be to our demise to do so.

The world is telling us to be fearful and to live in fear.  I have been feeling my God letting me know that He remains the same generous and loving Father He has always been….He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  I will continue to breathe in and breathe out as always and I will trust that he will give to me whatever I need to do his will as he always has.  He came that we might have life and have it abundantly and I refuse to give in to the one that comes only to steal, kill and destroy.  I choose life…to continue fully engaging it….to breathe fully….in and out…..steady and true to my faith in the One that is ultimately in control of the entire universe and beyond.  I live to please Him and to act out His heart in this world that so needs His presence and touch.  May we all continue to represent Him well and express His heart in fullness and joy to one another.  May we not “hold back” what He has given for the sake of others.  I will not hold my breath and attempt to store up food or goods.  My belly button cannot hold that much nor could anything actually adhere…remember I did attempt to think that one through…

Our functioning is best in the moment….living behind or beyond often causes undue stress and fear.  Whatever God gives to us is often meant to be passed on in joy and in the pleasure of His will and grace upon our lives…for the moment.  By love…will all men know that we are His disciples….It is the kind intention of His will that draws men to God.  Love is an action…it is God being made manifest as we practice on one another….it spurs life, freedom and well being….It is what each soul longs to have in full.   It is current and overcomes every barrier, culture or language.

Do not save for later what God has given to you to give today….Life and death is controlled only by One….Use every breath for Him…….inhale fully and complete your breath with that exhale that could change a life. Laura

 

This Summer in Nicaragua

Deep Water: June 10-July 3

Get ready for Adventure:  Exotic Animals!  Winding Rivers! Smiling Faces! And (most importantly), God’s Presence Like You Never Experienced!

If you are desiring a “deeper” experience with our Lord, then Deep Water is the place to be this summer. We will begin our adventure in the civilized part of Nicaragua for a few days of orientation, and team building through jungle treks, canopy touring, experiencing Nicaraguan “fast food” and cultural experiences.

Then the real adventure begins with a flight over the largest untouched rain forest in Central America to Waspam, the capital of the Coco River.  There we will spend two weeks working with the Seek The Lamb schools located along the river in one of the most remore locations in the Western Hemisphere.  While all this is happening, God will be doing a great work in you, as you allow Him.

This will be our 7^th DWD, and there are many whose lives have been touched by this experience.  Our graduates are now attending the best universities in America, involved in effective ministries all over the world, and changing their world one life at a time! This year’s DWD will offer an additional two weeks of special projects on the Rio Coco. Please consider joining us for the extended version (June 10-July 15) with the possibility for a further ministry trip to Honduras.

There are many details to be worked out, but if you are interested, do these two things:

1) Begin praying about coming- God will let you know if you need to be here.

2) Contact us today, and let us know that you are interested.

Family Camp:  July 5-15

This summer’s Family Camp is an opportunity to bring your  American-comfort-orientated children to the “real world” where 94% of Earth’s population lives. A journey to the Third and Fourth World will change your perspective, and we have many testimonies from past Family Camps.

   We will begin the trip in Managua with cultural orientation and team building, followed by a week on the Rio Coco, where we will travel downriver and work with our Project Ezra schools. Our time will be spent studying Biblical Family perspectives, as well as participating in a service project.

   Two families have already signed up, so please let us know if you are interested in coming.

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

    Our trip to Real Life Christian Center in Montana was a very full trip. We worked with the team coming this month to Nicaragua, and had numerous meetings with our friends and ministry partners.  We also got to enjoy the cold weather and snow– especially seeing the bisons at Yellowstone.

    This month, we journey to Nicaragua with a team of 10 for a time of building in Waspam. We will be continuing the “finishing touches” on the Waspam Center, and hopefully get our office equipment moved in! We plan to take the building team to Sawa to work on our office there.

Before going to the Rio Coco, we will spend a few days at the Young Life Camp where our Nicaraguan coffee is grown. We hope to be able to make a film of the harvest and processing of this exquisite coffee which we are currently selling on sale at www.riococostore.com at significantly reduced prices.  Please browse our webstore for some exceptional value on these coffees dedicated to improving the quality of human life!

So much is going on in our government and financial markets! We are living the results of our politicians and business leaders doing things to serve themselves, at whatever the cost to us. They all need God’s touch upon their lives.  He will be the only one who will straighten this situation out.  Let’s pray in that direction!

We also need God’s touch upon our lives, and the lives of our teachers in Nicaragua. We so appreciate you who are walking with us faithfully in our efforts to educate our students in Nicaragua, and fulfill our teaching and discipleship ministry here in the U.S.

Thank you for your prayers and financial gifts which are sustaining us!                       Laura & Michael 

 

 

 

A Special Need:  We are in the process of purchasing a Canon copier/printer for our office.  With this much better machine we will save lots oF $$$ on toner and parts. We welcome your help on this expense. We have spent plenty $ on a number of lesser machines.  

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