June 2010 Conchshell Chronicles

Unrest On The River

The “Climate” along the Rio Coco is changing.  Since the beginning of the year, there have been three drug airplanes which have crash landed along the river, loaded with cocaine. This has caused an even greater presence of drug gangs attempting to recover the cargo. Apparently the drug trail from South America to the U.S. is now passing through our school isolated district. 

In addition, the political alliance between the Sandinistas and the Yatama which has controlled the Regional Government is unraveling, with the former Miskito army members now demanding the “13 points” Daniel Ortega promised them to purchase their political support. This past week, Truman was unable to pass through the blockades on the road to Puerto Cabeza to pick up our June teacher salaries. This could get very ugly.

All of this has again highlighted our strategy this year of teaching Christian morality to our 1800 plus students in a  more culturally relevant manner. With the drug and corrupt politics, it is mandatory that we instill in our communities a sense of God’s principles for what is right and wrong, and the path to blessing and prosperity.

Here you see our answer to the Drug Lords and corrupt politicians:  OU\ur leadership team in Nicaragua. We may not look like much, but God's power is very evident in these guys!

Please pray for Truman, Augusto, Onofre, and Danilo as they conduct the monthly training  sessions with our teachers.  Please pray that Tom Keogh and his wife Nutie will be even more effective in sharing their Bible lessons with our staff.  We are in a very good position to make a difference this year.    MB

You can make a differance in our efforts to educate Miskito Indian Children in Nicaragua!

 

Lamb Bleatings   By Laura

“Indestructible”, was the chorus Moselle repetitively sang while we built a sand wall uphill from the crashing waves.

Arielle had a “castle” she was protecting with her body.   When the waves would crash, she would lay her whole body in front of it to protect her carefully constructed “building”.   She would exude her little girl smile that I love so well. 

I just dug the sand with my feet and also “helped” the girls with their construction projects in the sand….screaming with them when the waves would break.  It was fun and I did like Moselle’s Indestructible tune (in the beginning).  I admit I started to tire of it and even wanted to tell her to change the song after she repeated herself for the umpteenth time.  I refrained and listened to how many ways she could actually sing one word.  I was surprised that her sister didn’t say anything so I figured if she could put up with it and not get annoyed, I certainly could. (I can just hear Moselle saying, “MOMMY!? You mean you didn’t like my song???” You know she is going to read this when she sees her name right on top. I’ll deal with it-should be a lively discussion)

It is curious to me at times how persistent and deeply in the moment kids can be and how they love us to just “come with them to play”.  Once there, I never regret the moment, but getting there is often an issue with all that is happening around me and in me.

The moment in the sand made me think about how illusive the concept of something/anything being indestructible.  Perhaps that is where my irritation was coming from as I watched the sand wall crumble every time the wave hit it, but on and on she sang and believed herself and had a jolly good time at it too.  Meanwhile her mom was analyzing and wondering just what was indestructible in life really…..this sand wall surely wasn’t in that category!

There is but one indestructible….Only Christ, the Rock and indestructible fortress of victory.  Nothing and no one can bring that down ever.  There was comfort in that thought for me.

When everything around can appear to be coming undone, I have my Savior and He is there and He cares.  Our friend, Randy Smith teaches the depth of that word “joy” - the resolute understanding that God knows my situation and cares. ( Note:  We will be traveling with their school , The  Great Commission Bible Institute to Israel in May….let us know if you are interested…make your plans early)

I have been finding myself going to that place of peace….trying to find my Lord in the midst of a lot of “stuff” that tries to destruct my peace, love, joy and my “moments”.  It is a continual battle and I realize that it never ends on this side of heaven try as I might to make the perfect environment or conditions.  No, life is chaotic and destructible ….plans,  expectations, even the people that I love and count on.  For me,  there is but one hope and one Source of Stability and refuge.  All else will be like that sand wall we were building….only that which we build on the Rock will remain and stand firm.

I am convinced that this is the only kind of “work” I like being involved in….the kind that will remain for eternity.  God is into giving us those kinds of indestructible moments .   I open up myself completely to Him in this regard.  The adventure has continued to provide us with the preciousness of lives all around us.  Lives that are dedicated to the same “work” of the Kingdom….  Lives that are innovative, creative and attractive because of who they are and what they bring to the table….Lives that are full of eternal success. ..God seems to continually surround us with such inspirational people and we feel blessed and appreciative for we know that these are the true indestructible lasting treasures of this world and the next.  I love doing what God calls us to do…it is always so good and right and anything he does never will go away.  Indestructible…..wasn’t such a bad tune after all, Moselle….it played out well in the end.

Thank you to all of you who come alongside of us to grace us with your prayers, help and support…many of you have been faithful over many years and we are continually inspired by you and through you.  We know that your reward will be eternal as we have watched the Lord use what you have so generously given over these years.  It has been a beautiful thing.  Thank you for being a part of it all.                Laura

 

Playing My Part  by Maik

Tonight I was driving home from church with Moz and Air in the back seat.  As we approached our left turn down 4^th Street,  I moved over into the left lane and prepared to move into the turn lane, which was another 30 yards ahead.  It was then that one of my cute, sweet girls said from the backseat: “Popi, don’t you think that you should get over and turn down 4^th street?”

I replied: “I am turning, and will get into the turn lane as soon as it begins.”

She replied: “Oh, I thought we were going past the turn lane.  Sorry.”

For some reason, that comment, and what it implied bothered me. So I asked her after making the turn onto 4^th Street: “Have I ever missed this turn?”

“No.” She replied. I continued…

“Do I have a habit of missing turns?”

“No.” She said quietly.  I asked another…

“When was the last time I got lost driving with you?”

“I don’t remember one.” She answered.

 Then I asked her: “So what is the reason that you have decided that you needed to lookout for the driver of this car instead of just sitting back, enjoying the ride, and letting me do my job, and play my part in this journey home?”

Silence.

A theme in my life these days has been a simple, specific, and straightforward: “Play Your Part: Nothing More, Nothing Less”.  It has been a pervasive and permeating mandate into my role as a husband, as a parent, as a leader, and most importantly as a follower of Jesus Christ, my Lord.  We all have our roles to play in our lives here on Planet Earth.  My experience these past months has convinced me that my levels of happiness, satisfaction, productivity, and personal growth are all affected by how I view my role in a relationship or situation, and how willing I am to play that role; Just that role; And Only that role.

I’m in a stage with older teenagers where sometimes it is easier to let things slide than to play my role as a parent.  Indeed, I have notice that many parents, because of the frustration, conflict, and unpleasant situations, tend to give up trying to affect needed change in teenage attitudes, because the cost to family harmony and friendship relationships is just too high to pay.  We often think, “Well, they will have to learn the hard way…” At a time when our teens need us most, we are unwilling to step in and play our part the last chance to mold their lives as adults, and for eternity.

I’ve also noticed that when I step over the line and begin to play my teen’s role- like pick up after them, give them money without them earning it, etc) I am actually enabling them to remain an adolescent.   Many of us have “enabling” relationships with siblings, parents, spouses, children, and even ministry partners.  I have become more aware of what happens when I do jobs others are responsible for. They never grow into being more responsible.

Our coffee business began in a conversation with Mike Remedios over a cup of coffee in Waspam Nicaragua in 2004.  In those past five years, it has taken many hours devoted to many specific tasks of procuring and importing coffee, website design, designing  labels and packaging, setting up the roasting and production operation, and  developing roasting profiles for each coffee.  All of these things I have personally done, some with help from Scott Cooley, Lanie Bishop, Scott Coffey, Luke Broadhurst and a few others.  Now we are moving into a new phase of our business/ministry.  We have a new website, a new business plan, and a new coffee outreach on the island of Utila (Honduras) scheduled to open this summer.

 In this process, something amazing has developed. We have key individuals who are taking over specific aspects of the coffee business and outreach. I don’t have to do it all anymore. In all our conversations these past months, my teammates are all asking me to “Play My Role”, and in the next breath “not to play there’s”.  It took me a while.  I am a creature of habits. I am a pioneer who is used to doing whatever it takes to get the job done!  But finally I got the message.  I must play only the role that God has assigned me.  I must give them the freedom to play their part.

I am in relationships where God has used me to mentor others.  He has brought key individuals across my path, placed me in long term relationships with them, and made it obvious that I am to give them all that God has given me. But sometimes that is inconvenient.  I have my schedule, and interruptions can ruin an agenda.  However, God has placed me in relationships were other men are mentoring me. I see the value of the time that they have given me over the years, this compels me to make it my priority to give my time away when it is needed.  I play my part in the lives of my disciples, and in the process, a multiplication of my efforts occurs.

Tonight at church, our friend Naomi Hamilton spoke about her work in the Philippines.  She is a nurse and midwife who has worked there for over 7 years. In addition to her baby care, she is now operating a “Safe Refuge” for young Philippino girls who have escaped from the sex-slavery rings which operate freely in that part of the world.  Young girls who were sold by their parents at age 10 to be prostitutes, are now being cared for by Naomi and her small operation.  It is a desperate situation, but Naomi is making a difference. As I watched the photos of her “girls”, I was asked by God to pull out my checkbook, and play my part in Naomi’s ministry.

Our school project in Nicaragua has taken a very nice turn this year due to last year’s financial pressures.  We were forced to re-focus our efforts, to place more emphasis on spiritual growth for our teachers and students along with our high goals that we have had for education.  I learned years ago that Truman, Augusto, Onofre, and Danilo could teach and disciple Miskito Indians much better than I ever could. As the “Jefe” (boss) of the ministry, I could make myself responsible for many and all aspects of the project. That is a typical missionary strategy- become indispensible!  However, years ago I decided that it would be better if I backed off and give our Miskito leaders more freedom to make their plans, to let them lead, and in the process to make it their ministry.  But along with that, I had to give them the freedom to make mistakes.  Somehow, I was able to recognize my part in this complex cross-cultural ministry. Our leaders and the project are better for my decision to only play my part, and let them play theirs.

   My part in the Nicaragua project includes thanking all of you who have been with us over these years, and been so faithful in your prayers and financial support.  Since we began in 1984, we have educated thousands of Miskito children and adults. We have brought in tons of emergency relief after hurricanes, droughts, floods, and war disasters. Most importantly, many have crossed the line from knowing about God to actually knowing Him and having a personal relationship with Him.  

   There is tangible spiritual growth happening this year, especially with our dear and longtime friend Tom Keogh participating more and more in the spiritual development of our leadership team. He is proving to be the effective tool in our discipleship efforts.

Recognizing and playing our parts is the key element in the advancement of the Kingdom here on Planet Earth.  God is very specific about our roles. Hear what He is saying to us:

 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.  Eph 2:10

Good things; Specific things; Things we were designed to do by the Master. We are His work of art, created for very particular purposes. After pursuing a life of fast airplanes, fun, and many other paths of this life, I now know that my level of joy, peace, and satisfaction in this life is wrapped up tightly around my participation in His plans and purposes for me.

I am learning To Play My Part. I know that many of you are with me on this road as well.                                     Maik

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

We moved this past month up the East Coast.  It was our first road trip since last summer.  Guess who drove all the way to North Carolina?  Yes– it was the team of Mikaela & Lukas.  I enjoyed sitting in the back, reading, and watching movies.  Hey , I am learning my part!

I also attended a reunion in Washington DC of my classmates from the Miami University Luxembourg campus  1971-72 school year.  Yes, it was 38 years since I had seen many of these friends whom I had lived in the Grande Duche and traveled with through Europe that year. Since I was remembered as the guy who insisted that we purchase a bottle of wine for each of the 86 students for the Christmas party that year, I know that many were surprised at the “trajectory” that I am now on.  It was a sweet time to reconnect and tell some of our stories to a somewhat unbelieving crowd. 

We also reconnected with our friends Bob & Kathy Rexroad and their 5 kids (photo on page 3), and the Remedios family in Cary N.C. These two families have been long and faithful friends and supporters of the school project in Central America, and have visited and worked with us numerous times.  They are working their jobs, raising their families, and actively involved in the advancement of the Kingdom among the Miskito Indians in Nicaragua.  We love us all playing our parts together!

Now we are enroute to Bozeman Montana to visit our friends at Real Life Christian Center, and attend the wedding on June 12th of our teammates David Nickish and Kirsten Melrose– both graduates of Deep Water Discipleship and the Great Commission Bible Institute.  By the way, if you have a year to study the Bible, check out ww.gcbi.wordpress.com.

  We are making plans for the Utila ministry in July & August, as well as the Rio Coco.  Please call us at 772-633-6808 to discuss any details.  If God calls, please do your part.  We appreciate you all! Laura & Michael

 

Random Notes

2011 Israel Trip 

We are planning our next trip to Israel in May of 2011 with our friend Dr. Randy Smith.  Since our first study tour in 1997, Many of our friends have joined us for a life changing experience studying with one of the best!  Please let us know if you are interested.

 

Muglys  -  Pillows That You Can Count On!

Moselle Bagby would like to announce the formation of her manufacturing company. She is the C.E.O., designer, and salesman. Pictured here are the first three models: Shrimpy, Tike, and Necky.  For more information and to order Muglys, you may call Moselle and her business manager Arielle at 772-776-6033.

 

Rio Coco Bean Coffee

Should you be serving our 100% Humanic Coffee at your church or Bible study? We think so! Call us at 772-776-6033 for information on our volume ministry discounts. Order our coffee at: www.riococobeans.com 

 

Donations are welcome and secure by clicking here!  Thanks.

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