Seek The Lamb

Do I Get Out of the Car?

 Last month we spent some days in cool Montana for a speaking engagement at Real Life Christian Church near Bozeman and to attend the wedding of our dear friends Kirsten and David Nickisch, our Seek The Lamb teammates. It was rainy and cold many days. But then the sun came out and it was glorious!

On Sunday afternoon, Laura and I went for a drive up the Gallatin River canyon.  There is a peak which protrudes above the river that I have observed many times driving along the river.  We saw the sign to this peak, “Storm Castle” and turned onto a bumpy dirt road. After a few miles, we came to the trailhead for Storm Castle, and parked the car.  Yes, the peak was there, far above us.  I wanted to take some photos, so we opened the doors and climbed out. It was a gorgeous day! After a few photos, we saw a couple with their dogs walking down the trail.  “Was it a nice hike?” I asked.  With nods and smiles, they both said “”Yes!” “How long does it take to get to the top?” I asked.  “Oh, about an hour,” they said.  Their dogs looked tired.

I looked at Laura.  I was suffering from a very sore Achilles tendon that was a side-effect of an antibiotic I am taking for an inflamed prostate. I suggested to my mate: “Let’s just walk up the trail a ways and get a few photos.”  She nodded, and off we went; Slowly and Gingerly on the right foot. With Snow capped mountains in view, blue skies above us, and cool temperature, how could we resist?

After 15 minutes, we came to a “viewing stop” above the Gallatin River.  Nice!  A few more photos.  The tendon is tender, but holding on. We decide to proceed for a few more minutes.  Soon we are walking across a meadow, with more mountains to the east.  Bright flowers dotted the trail. We kept walking.  Then we entered a forest as we snaked up the mountainside. It was then that we heard a very strange calling sound originating from a dark shape on the rocks above us. “It’s a bear!” Laura shouted. Whoa! I suddenly realized that we were in the Rocky Mountains in Montana, which is the native habitat of the grizzly bear, the largest land-based mammal. We didn’t have a pistol or “bear spray”.  Grizzlies are dangerous.  We stopped. We watched the dark shape hop over the rock and onto the path in front of us. He entered a sunlit place, and we saw the spread of black tail feathers that identified this animal as a rather large wild turkey.  He ran up the trail and disappeared into a thicket. We looked at each other and with a laugh, continued bravely ahead…

Soon, we came out of the forest, and could see Storm Castle peaking out above the rocks in front of us.  We had walked almost an hour, and it was much closer. The tendon was sore but still good, and we pressed on with more enthusiasm, now committed to going all the way to the top.  We entered a steep slope strewn with rocks that made my careful walking even more careful. The views were getting even more spectacular. The trail was now zig-zaging up the mountain, very steep now. But it seemed that we were even more energized by the challenge. Finally we zigged the last zag, and entered a flat wooded area covered by delicate yellow alpine flora. Just a few more yards now and we would be at the rock outcropping at the top.

“Be Careful!” Laura shouted as we ascended the rocks, and I climbed close to the edge of the vertical dropoff. “Don’t drop the baby!” I teased, reminding her of former times when she had spoken the obvious. We both stopped and took in the panorama of snow capped mountains, blue sky, white clouds, and a tiny river in the canyon below. We were speechless. Now it was time to sit and contemplate, and sip on the water I carried in my pack.  God’s Creation is very thought provoking, especially when viewed from the top (7200’).

It took us 1+45 to get to the top. It was about 3  to 4 miles. As we sat there, we both realized that we:

1) had not planned to come on this hike;

2) almost did not get out of the car;

3) just intended to walk a few minutes for photos;

4) were very glad that we made it to the top.

5) accomplished something extraordinary because we got inspired and pressed on.

After a half hour of photos and pondering, we packed up and began the descent.  As we walked down, we asked each other: “What if we had stayed in the car?”  We would have missed some excellent cardio exercise, incredible scenery, moments with each other and our Creator alone in His Creation, delicate flowers along the trail, and a sense of being just where we needed to be!

   Then we compared our decision to get out of the car to many of our decisions these past decades to “get out of our comfortable car and venture out into God’s adventure.” Like Laura agreeing to marry me in 1988, and moving to a refugee village where there was no electricity, no running water, and only a few others who spoke English. And she had to fly in a flimsy airplane which was tossed around by the wind, inducing reverse peristalsis (that’s a nice phrase for “projectile puking”) on literally every flight. Laura has always been willing to get out of the car, even if it is going to cost her something, like comfort, or identity, or a personal agenda.  She is totally given over to the adventure that awaits us as we step outside that vehicle wherein everything is as we like it.

   How about even that first decision I made in 1984 to help with the Miskito Indian relief project and then to decide to travel to Honduras to help distribute the supplies? I could have stayed in Maui and prayed for the Miskito refugees.  Yet I felt God calling me to step out for more of an experience with Him. Those first decisions to “Get Out of the Car” set a trend that has taken us to many places, where God has used us in so many ways that we could not even have imagined.

While on the descent from Storm Castle, we discussed the reasons why we often don’t step out into God’s Adventure.

·                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Fear of the Grizzlies or other very real issues: That’s were faith comes in. If God is calling you, He will take care of the safety issues, and provide all your needs.

·                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Soreness of my body or other reasons to feel incapable: I have realized again and again that God’s strength is sufficient for us to go the distance with Him. The more we walked up to the peak, the more energized we felt!

·                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Accepting Mediocrity: I am naturally inclined to sit in a comfortable cool place and vegetate. Having realized that, I have learned to ignore that very real feeling when I sense God inviting me to go with Him to the High Places of this life.  He has not designed me to accept less than the best.

I have to cultivate a willingness to “step out of the car”.  It often doesn’t come naturally.  This is a discipline that does lead to great rewards in this life, as well as the life to come.

Step out of your car today! Watch what God does!      MB

July 2010 Conchshell Chronicles

Rio Coco News 

This month will be a busy time for us all in Nicaragua as we continue our finishing work on the Waspam Center, and construction on the apartment for Nutie & Tom. We have builders traveling from Indiana and Hawaii to do the work.

July is also the time for our annual Project Ezra Teacher Conference.  It is our time to gather our teachers for a week of training and just spending time together.  Every year, this is a time to encourage our staff of over 60 and train them for specific educational tasks. This year, due to the challenges of Colombian drug traffickers passing through our school district, and the discovery of very pointed campaign of witchcraft against Seek The Lamb, our efforts have been to better equip our teachers in their spiritual work.  We are spending more time helping them understand what the Bible says about the pertinent issues of life on the Rio Coco.  What are God’s principles for parenting my children?  How do I live in community with my neighbors?  What does God say about managing my economy?

Along with more understanding of the issues, we are helping them in their teaching and communication of the Bible to their students.  We are fortunate to have an experienced leadership team in Truman, Augusto, Onofre and Danilo.  These four have all spent time studying in Israel, and have become good communicators of the Gospel in their culture.  In addition, Tom and Nutie Keogh are provide specific training to our leadership team on how to approach “cultural issues” within the Miskito community. 

We have a great opportunity to encourage and equip this month. God is doing a great work, and much of it is because of the prayers and support of many of you.

Pray for these events this month, please!                       MB

 

Lamb Bleatings   by Laura

This afternoon Moselle and I were discussing her Mugly Doll Co. because she wanted to open an Etsy account to further sales.  I find this both inspirational and frightening all at once.  She is nine and has more motivation than most people I know. But, like I said, she is nine and often her skill level may not have reached the maturity level she projects.  Thus, when she shows me her work, I have made comments to “improve” some of the little issues and imperfections that are obvious.  At the same time, I rather enjoy (as do many of our close friends who are placing orders) the issues and imperfections that make her work unique and roughly“handcrafted” by a nine year old.

In our discussion, we began to talk about how we could cover up some of the blunders or even accentuate them to make them look like scars….the creative process is a fun one, isn’t it?  Then, after thinking it all through, I told Moselle that perhaps the Mugly Doll Co. should have a message that declares acceptance and love despite the issues and imperfections.  Afterall, God does that for us, doesn’t He?  He loves and accepts us as we are and as we read this morning (2 Timothy 2:13), “…If we are faithless, He remains faithful;  for He cannot deny Himself.”  We decided that that was a good message for her company to propagate…..the message of love and acceptance …how God did it for us and how we should be willing to give it to others.  With all of our issues, imperfections, hang ups, misbehavior,  and ugliness, He loves us anyway.  I am happy that my little CEO, president, owner, manager (read her flyer…you will understand..) kind of person is still open to suggestions…..If not, it could get frightening and ugly all at once…..So long as she remembers, she is nine, our child and under our care.  Again, we are reminded of how important it is to know our role and the position that God has us playing.  Seems to be a theme around this joint these days….

God does accomplish His work among us through our efforts together as a team, but unless there is understanding that is based on love, the dynamics begin to break down and we become less effective.  True power is motivated by a heart of love and divine initiative.  In our lives, we have established relationships among us which declare the power of God because of the love and commitment we share.  The Bible proposes that the world will know us by the love we have one for the other.  Religion is dead.  Jesus hated the religious because they had no life …..only rules.

 People crave Life and at the core of every heart lies the desire to be loved and accepted. The trait crosses over every cultural and national barrier among the human race.  It is common to man of every kind no matter what language, creed, nationality, religion, or political background.  Love, the common bond that hopes all things, believes all things, and endures all things.  Love,  that magical eternal ingredient which the bible declares, “never fails” .  God Himself is described as Love which acts out in genuine, pure, unadulterated motives that reach out and attract naturally without much effort.  God gives us this gift first and to the degree we receive what He has given freely, we are able to then give it out to others with as much bigness as we have opened ourselves  up to Him.  He is a boundless God and has held nothing back from us.  There is total safety and security with Him.  His love inspires.  It is what motivates and inspires me to do what I do to be more like Him.  The eternal gift I have received so freely causes me to want to give it out because of its sweetness and freedom in my life.

My own issues, fears, hurts, insecurities and imperfections prevent me from the kind of “boundlessness” God has offered to me.  My treasure is finding out what gets in the way of my ability to love and enjoy freely as God has loved and enjoyed me so boundlessly and without condition.  He is unconditional with His love.  I am not, but desire to be because my effectiveness rests in my ability to be like Him in this way.  His Love is the power that needs to work within me and be let out without me getting in the way.  My anger, my issues, my way, my thoughts, my being, my walls, my life, my agenda, my time….etc limit me in His Life being manifested through me and in me.  His power is perfected in my weakness if I am willing to let go of my weakness and my life in exchange for His.  Every time, it is a choice.

I have been asking Jesus, “at what point does my anger become sin?”  The Bible says, “be angry, but do not sin….do not let the sun go down on your anger…..the anger of a man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”  First, it is obvious that anger will be in the human element in relationships.  Unavoidable.  Yet sin happens the moment I decide to have my way, using my weakness, or my judgment to interfere with God’s unconditional love & acceptance for that person.  Sin is when I put up that invisible wall that silently says, “I am going to protect myself from you and limit myself from my interaction.”  Fear takes over which lacks trust which then lacks perfect love….the very element that casts out fear.  It is the age old divisive tactic the enemy uses amongst the body of Christ to divide and conquer.  If we don’t have love…..”How will they know we are His disciples?”  And if we don’t have life at our Party, “Why would they want to come?  If we keep putting up our walls, how can Christ be the head of a body that is disjointed and disconnected?  How can a disconnected body be appealing to anyone?”

I tell my kids all the time, we bring the “Party” if we have hearts that desire to bless and give and not consume and take.   With Christ, we are the party full of His life & love working in us and through us. If we are being His loving disciples then the world will have something to be attracted to and provoked by.  There is so much power in divine relationships based on love and non negotiable commitment to one another.  The world longs to see that kind of healthiness in lives.  They are drawn to that kind of life & acceptance.

We are preparing to have “life giving parties” full of His presence and love on the island of Utila where we know people from all over the world with all walks of life  will be drawn to come and be touched and healed by God through our lives & the ultimate friendship drink (Rio Coco coffee).

    But in the meantime, we find ourselves often in the middle of the same kind of activity right where we are with whoever we are with……I overheard Moselle (on the  phone) inviting Olivia to our house…Olivia asked, “Why, what are you doing?”

She said, “Well, you know, the usual………it’s a party…..you know how we are…..Come….”

I told Olivia, “Yea, things started to develop…..as we went along.”  I realized that that’s how it often works in our lives, “As we move along in life…..things develop and happen and  it all gets bigger than we could have ever imagined it and God forbid if we could actually handle it ourselves without Him”. His will and ways are so much more than ours and we NEED Him and His power, love and grace. Without it, there is no party at all. Laura

 

Do I Get Out of The Car?

Last month we spent some days in cool Montana for a speaking engagement at Real Life Christian Church near Bozeman and to attend the wedding of our dear friends Kirsten and David Nickisch, our Seek The Lamb teammates. It was rainy and cold many days. But then the sun came out and it was glorious!

On Sunday afternoon, Laura and I went for a drive up the Gallatin River canyon.  There is a peak which protrudes above the river that I have observed many times driving along the river.  We saw the sign to this peak, “Storm Castle” and turned onto a bumpy dirt road. After a few miles, we came to the trailhead for Storm Castle, and parked the car.  Yes, the peak was there, far above us.  I wanted to take some photos, so we opened the doors and climbed out. It was a gorgeous day! After a few photos, we saw a couple with their dogs walking down the trail.  “Was it a nice hike?” I asked.  With nods and smiles, they both said “”Yes!” “How long does it take to get to the top?” I asked.  “Oh, about an hour,” they said.  Their dogs looked tired.

I looked at Laura.  I was suffering from a very sore Achilles tendon that was a side-effect of an antibiotic I am taking for an inflamed prostate. I suggested to my mate: “Let’s just walk up the trail a ways and get a few photos.”  She nodded, and off we went; Slowly and Gingerly on the right foot. With Snow capped mountains in view, blue skies above us, and cool temperature, how could we resist?

After 15 minutes, we came to a “viewing stop” above the Gallatin River.  Nice!  A few more photos.  The tendon is tender, but holding on. We decide to proceed for a few more minutes.  Soon we are walking across a meadow, with more mountains to the east.  Bright flowers dotted the trail. We kept walking.  Then we entered a forest as we snaked up the mountainside. It was then that we heard a very strange calling sound originating from a dark shape on the rocks above us. “It’s a bear!” Laura shouted. Whoa! I suddenly realized that we were in the Rocky Mountains in Montana, which is the native habitat of the grizzly bear, the largest land-based mammal. We didn’t have a pistol or “bear spray”.  Grizzlies are dangerous.  We stopped. We watched the dark shape hop over the rock and onto the path in front of us. He entered a sunlit place, and we saw the spread of black tail feathers that identified this animal as a rather large wild turkey.  He ran up the trail and disappeared into a thicket. We looked at each other and with a laugh, continued bravely ahead…

Soon, we came out of the forest, and could see Storm Castle peaking out above the rocks in front of us.  We had walked almost an hour, and it was much closer. The tendon was sore but still good, and we pressed on with more enthusiasm, now committed to going all the way to the top.  We entered a steep slope strewn with rocks that made my careful walking even more careful. The views were getting even more spectacular. The trail was now zig-zaging up the mountain, very steep now. But it seemed that we were even more energized by the challenge. Finally we zigged the last zag, and entered a flat wooded area covered by delicate yellow alpine flora. Just a few more yards now and we would be at the rock outcropping at the top.

“Be Careful!” Laura shouted as we ascended the rocks, and I climbed close to the edge of the vertical dropoff. “Don’t drop the baby!” I teased, reminding her of former times when she had spoken the obvious. We both stopped and took in the panorama of snow capped mountains, blue sky, white clouds, and a tiny river in the canyon below. We were speechless. Now it was time to sit and contemplate, and sip on the water I carried in my pack.  God’s Creation is very thought provoking, especially when viewed from the top (7200’).

It took us 1+45 to get to the top. It was about 3  to 4 miles. As we sat there, we both realized that we:

1) had not planned to come on this hike;

2) almost did not get out of the car;

3) just intended to walk a few minutes for photos;

4) were very glad that we made it to the top.

5) accomplished something extraordinary because we got inspired and pressed on.

After a half hour of photos and pondering, we packed up and began the descent.  As we walked down, we asked each other: “What if we had stayed in the car?”  We would have missed some excellent cardio exercise, incredible scenery, moments with each other and our Creator alone in His Creation, delicate flowers along the trail, and a sense of being just where we needed to be! 

   Then we compared our decision to get out of the car to many of our decisions these past decades to “get out of our comfortable car and venture out into God’s adventure.” Like Laura agreeing to marry me in 1988, and moving to a refugee village where there was no electricity, no running water, and only a few others who spoke English. And she had to fly in a flimsy airplane which was tossed around by the wind, inducing reverse peristalsis (that’s a nice phrase for “projectile puking”) on literally every flight. Laura has always been willing to get out of the car, even if it is going to cost her something, like comfort, or identity, or a personal agenda.  She is totally given over to the adventure that awaits us as we step outside that vehicle wherein everything is as we like it.

   How about even that first decision I made in 1984 to help with the Miskito Indian relief project and then to decide to travel to Honduras to help distribute the supplies? I could have stayed in Maui and prayed for the Miskito refugees.  Yet I felt God calling me to step out for more of an experience with Him. Those first decisions to “Get Out of the Car” set a trend that has taken us to many places, where God has used us in so many ways that we could not even have imagined.

While on the descent from Storm Castle, we discussed the reasons why we often don’t step out into God’s Adventure.

Fear of the Grizzlies or other very real issues: That’s were faith comes in. If God is calling you, He will take care of the safety issues, and provide all your needs.

Soreness of my body or other reasons to feel incapable: I have realized again and again that God’s strength is sufficient for us to go the distance with Him. The more we walked up to the peak, the more energized we felt!

Accepting Mediocrity: I am naturally inclined to sit in a comfortable cool place and vegetate. Having realized that, I have learned to ignore that very real feeling when I sense God inviting me to go with Him to the High Places of this life.  He has not designed me to accept less than the best. 

I have to cultivate a willingness to “step out of the car”.  It often doesn’t come naturally.  This is a discipline that does lead to great rewards in this life, as well as the life to come.

Step out of your car today! Watch what God does!      MB

Utila Coffeehouse Church

 

We are taking the next steps in our outreach on Utila, one of the Bay Islands in Honduras. We plan to spend the month of August setting up the coffee ministry.  

Utila is a dive mecca for many young Europeans, Australians, North Americans, and Israelis. These “adventurers” are searching, and we have the answers.  It has been made clear that our “coffee ministry” is the key to building relationships that will lead to discipleship, which will lead to these believers returning home to began ministry. 

Call us if you want to come help in August!

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

The hot weather is here, and it has been heating up in the spiritual realm as we make preparations for our time in Nicaragua and Honduras this summer.  The enemy must not like what we are planning as we are experiencing a “higher than normal” level of opposition as we  work through the details of a new ministry in Honduras, and a new focus on spiritual training for all our teachers along the Rio Coco.  I have been studying and teaching on the Book of Acts these past months here in Florida, and it seems that such opposition and hardships are to be considered “normal” when you are involved in the work of the Kingdom.  This week I felt a lot like Paul and Silas who in Acts 16 had their clothes torn off, were beaten with sticks, and then thrown inside a jail with their feet in stocks.  Yet soon after, God miraculously intervened, freed Paul and Silas, and people began to get saved in Philippi.

We too are seeing God’s miraculous intervention, and details are being sorted out according to His plans. I am awaiting further miracles, expecting them, as we are facing some definite obstacles.  “Lord please let us operate within Your means and provide us all that we need!” is our prayer.  He has the plan, and we cannot afford to walk in our own steps.

I am really looking forward to spending concentrated time this month with our Project Ezra teachers. This is my time to give to them, as well as to our leaders.  I have so many long term relationships with our staff, many of whom I have known since they were 5 and 6 years old. Please pray that God will give me the words that they need to hear, and I can really help them grasp some needed Biblical concepts.  We are on such a good track with our leaders, especially with the full time presence of Tom & Nutie.

Utila?  We have some general concepts, but God is now giving us very specific direction for our outreach there.  Pray for many conversations with these young international searchers. Pray for many salvations.  Pray that God will send us the ministry team. This is an adventure right out of our 1980’s ministry playbook– which actually didn’t exist– it was just a step by step walk with the King who definitely knew what He wanted to accomplish. Laura & Michael

 

Random Notes

Utila Ministry Manual– Join Us!

We are launching a study on the Book of Acts which will be via an email study of  what has become the ministry manual for our outreach on Utila.  We will read significant passages in each chapter and discuss the principles.  Already we are benefitting from timeless principles we are discovering. If you would like to participate with us over these next months, simply e-mail us (lambagby@cs.com) and we will place you on the “roster”. It’s our way of giving back to you.

 

2011 Israel Trip

We are planning our next study tour to Israel in February of 2011 with our friend Dr. Randy Smith,.  Many of our friends have joined us for a life changing experience with one of the best!  Our focus will be understanding Biblical culture and how that helps our study of The Word. Please call Christian Travel Study Programs at 888-880-8538 for more details.

 

Rio Coco Bean Coffee

Our new web site is in service and awaiting your order.  We will accommodate your church or Bible study group so that you can serve our 100% Humanic Coffee Ò. Please join us at www.riococobeans.com

 

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.

May 2010 CSC

Content or Disappointed?

He was the greatest songwriter of his time.  He had a gift for plucking the strings, adding deep lyrics, and impacting his audience in an extraordinary manner.  His life began as outdoor worker, and through his time alone in the fields, he cultivated an intimate relationship with the Creator that was reflected in all of his songs. Many of his songs came from “unfortunate” experiences in his life.  Because of his willing heart, God used him to do things that no others could do, and his fame spread over the entire region. We still sing his songs today.

As he rose in prominence and power, he began to set his own agenda in life, and disappointment followed. A long spiritual slide began, and his relationship with God suffered. He suddenly found himself in a place where he could indulge in adultery and commit murder, without any remorse. Heavy consequences resulted, and the people around him suffered.  The final stages of his life were filled with sorrow, and most of it was self induced.

‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.”

God describing David in Acts 13:22

(photo- Valley of Elah where David killed Goliath)

David was the greatest king of Israel.  He was their most famous military leader.  During his reign, the Kingdom of Israel occupied the land from the Sinai to the Euphrates River and included both sides of the Jordan River. God did mighty things through this lowly shepherd boy.

As a musician and worship leader, one of David’s greatest desires was to build a permanent home for the Tabernacle, and provide a place where all could come and worship Yahweh. In 2 Samuel 7, David asked God if he can build the Temple, and God said no.  God had another plan for David’s life. He also had his reasons for not allowing this military commander, famous for the slaying of thousands of the enemies of Israel, to be the one to build a place of reconciliation for God and his people.  At the end of the talk with God, David expressed thankfulness that God would establish his throne “forever”. He said nothing about his disappointment in not being able to build the Temple. 

In the next three chapters, we see David acting out the part of great military leader and gracious king, yet something is not right in David’s soul.  Chapter 11 opens with a revealing statement:

In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites.  2 Sam 11:1

David decided to neglect his responsibility as the king, and let his general lead the war effort. What follows is his sudden interest in the wife of a noble soldier named Uriah.  David impregnates Bathsheba, attempts to deceive Uriah, and finally has him killed in battle. He hides his actions from all, but then God appears, speaking through the prophet Nathan.  Because he has brought reproach on God in a very public manner, David suffers the death of his son, and eventually the rebellion of another son Absalom, where David narrowly escapes Jerusalem with his life. Even though Absalom dies in battle and David is restored to the throne, his latter years were very different because of the choices he made with Uriah and Bathsheba. All this I believe came because of his disappointment in not being allowed to do something he felt he desired and  was destined  to do.

This historical account is in the Bible for a reason- that we may learn from others mistakes.

One saying from the famous book of cowboy wisdom, “Don’t Squat With Yer Spurs On!” is this:

“Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment”.

God gives us the opportunity to be content with our lives. It is a daily occurrence. We get to choose the things we do, and at the end of the day, we have a sense of peace and well being, or we sleep in frustration and disappointment.

When I volunteered to go on a “two week” trip to help the Miskito refugees in 1984, it was for two weeks.  That was my plan.  I was in the middle of a photography business in Maui, and life was good.  I was part of a thriving church, and I had many quality people who were part of my life.  My life was filled with most of the things I desired.  Suddenly I found myself caught up in beginning and developing and then managing a school project in a far-away-corner of Central America.  Yes I could see that God was doing truly amazing things, but in my heart, I was a reluctant participant.  I wanted to get back to Maui and get my life “back on track”.

Two years into this adventure, on a flight back to Honduras the day after Christmas of 1986, the Lord tried to reassure me that I was not missing out on anything when he gave me this Scripture:

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.   Psalm 84:10-11

“No good thing?” But we were living in a muddy refugee village, eating rice and beans and then beans and rice, and with people who spoke a very different language than me.  All my “professional goals” were impossible here.  I had plans to go back to school or pursue my aviation career and become an airline pilot.  None of that would be happening living in the Miskitia with people who didn’t even know that men had landed on the moon

Over the next years, I began to have a strong desire to attend the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, and get a master’s degree in Near East archeology. I got on their mailing list and regularly received their catalogue of classes.  Each time I considered the possibilities of attending, my work with the Miskitos would simply not permit it. It was another “disappointment” for me that I was not fulfilling my destiny. And it happened again and again. Anybody out there listening?

I finally resigned myself that I was going to be where God wanted me to be, and do the things he wanted me to do.  I think it was reading again and again Jesus’ words in Matthew 10 that finally did it:

 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.  Matthew 10:38-39

The secret of contentment is to do the things that God has planned for you to do.  Have you noticed that often these things are very different than what we plan for ourselves? To “take up my cross” does not mean to simply wear a nice gold cross around my neck.  In First Century Jerusalem, the only guys who were “taking up crosses” were those condemned prisoners where were on their way to their execution. They had no rights, no agendas. A modern version of Jesus’ command might be “Take up your lethal injection gurney & follow me”.

It’s funny what happens when we lay our plans down, and let God be God in our lives. He is God after all! That does demand a particular response on our part- one we are often reluctant to give.

Here’s how it worked out in my life.  I threw away the catalogues from the Institute in Jerusalem. A few years later, miraculously I was in Jerusalem with my Miskito teammates and my pastor from Maui, traveling the country with one Doctor of Comparative Religion from Hebrew University with a specialty in Rabbinical Literature and Near East Archeology.  His name is Randy Smith, and he has spent almost 20 of the last years working in Israel, leading study tours and training the Israeli Ministry of Tourism guides. How God worked out getting us to Israel is an incredible story. It was the start of a fulfillment of a desire in my heart that went much further than my simple plan to attend the Institute for a nine month course.

Since that first trip in 1997, Randy and I have spend hundreds of days working together and teaching Biblical culture in Israel, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and other places.  In God’s humorous ways, we have even co-authored a book together called “Living In The Spiritual World”.  I have had guides from other tour groups approach me on a site and tell us proudly that Randy was their professor and we have the very best teacher available. They are correct.

“The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right”

Don’t let disappointment or frustration from your own agenda keep you from the peace of walking in God’s plans and purposes for your life.  Be vigilant in your attitudes.  When you encounter disappointment, ask the Lord what His plans are – or were.  Let God be God in our lives. David’s life gives us a good example of what happens when we do not guard our hearts, and commit our lives fully to God.

We are working together in a muddy, buggy, remote corner of Central America. It may not be our plan, but it is obvious that we are caught up in something much bigger than ourselves.  Our efforts are impacting lives for the present, as well as for eternity. God always gives us the choice to stop, lay down the cross, and proceed on our own.  Remember David if you get to this juncture. MB

 

Lamb Bleatings    by Laura

The Trenches……..

Every once and awhile it becomes difficult to function and be what you want to be and act how you would like to act or even respond in the way you want to respond.  I watch myself and others often go to the customary habitual “go to’s” and distraction that life is so full of just so we don’t have to deal with the present condition of our hearts.

Ultimately it is best to bring ourselves to the place of inspection and grace and seek the wisdom that God wants to impart to us in order for us to climb out of the trenches of our deep dark hearts.

Children are a gift from the Lord.  They bring so much revelation and joy to our hearts by their ever present wanting to just be with us and play with us.  They easily get into the moment and “make” fun happen.  They are generally so carefree and innocent.

Moselle was working on the computer when my dad walked by and heard her laughing.  He asked, “You’re pretty amused with yourself, aren’t you?”  As she is looking at the video of her funny facial expressions, she agreed with her Grandpa, “Yeah…..I like myself, Grandpa.”  She feigns no humility at all when she speaks.  She just says what is on her mind.  I encourage their pleasure with themselves.  We should “enjoy” ourselves and others as our Creator enjoys us.

If I am not filled with that perspective in the process of my life with those around me, I begin a process of ”Trench work”.  It is where the battle happens and victory is determined by our willingness to stand our ground and wrestle it out until the results are in.  It is the victory that yields true treasure that causes our hearts to soar.  Victory that leads to real forever freedom, enjoyment and security.

It takes a lot of enduring and simply waiting.  It demands us standing our ground….seeking higher ground to stand on so that our perspective would be altered from darkness to light.  It is imperative that we learn the art of wrestling…

...not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers , against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and having done everything to stand firm. Eph 6:12-13

To fight for the higher ground…..obtaining the wisdom of God in our situations and understanding ourselves and our hearts and coming to the place of yes, “liking the creation of who we are and not just tolerating ourselves or others.”

God is love.

Love endures all things, hopes all things, believes all things…..

AND Love never fails.  I LOVE THAT PART!

We are all so lost and need so badly to be found by the only One who can really “find” us.  The One who knows us intimately and saw the past, to the present to the future and still loves us.  He died to redeem it all for us and declared that “it is finished”.

Our only job is to work through with Him to see the end point for ourselves…to be willing to do the “work”, to be open to being knocked around a bit and engage ourselves on the battlefield.  We risk being shoved, shot at, wounded, and ultimately “killed” in the battle, but the reality is in the death, we find true life.  When we come to the end of ourselves and our way and thinking we find Life, the Way and the Truth.

It is always a painful process, but imperative in our sanctification.

Along the way, many stop the process because the pain is too great to bear and the battle too intense.  Many live in that place of mere survival and mediocrity because of unwillingness to volunteer themselves for the field of engagement.

Life is full of opportunities to engage ourselves and we learn from our responses and reactions to life, situations, and people.

Are effectiveness is determined by our willingness to engage and conquer and so much of that battle happens in the trenches…. Laura

The Bagby Bunch Corner

We are busy this week preparing for our trip north to Virginia and North Carolina.  We plan to spend the weekend of May 7 thru 10 in Leesburg, where we will spend time with our long time friends Kathy & Bob Rexroad, and hope to see many of our friends at Christian Fellowship Church. The following weekend, we will be in Cary N.C. visiting our ministry partners Alice & Mike Remedios, along with many of our friends at Hope Chapel Apex.

In June, we will be attending the wedding of our long time team mates Kirsten Melrose and David Nickish, both of whom have spent considerable time with us in Nicaragua.  They will be married in Bozeman Montana, and we will be speaking at their church, Real Life Christian Center on June 6th.  We hope to see many of our friends during the week that we are there.

Our vision for the “church disguised as a coffee store” on Utila in the Bay Islands of Honduras is taking shape! Our first two team members, Jeanne and Jill, have arrived in Vero Beach from their churches in Seattle area, to prepare for the summer launch of this “out of the box” project.  For this coffee store, we are in need of equipment, and building supplies.  We will also be needing a few builders to help us put it all together in these next few months.   For the ministry, we will be needing some video projection and sound equipment, and You may follow our progress at seekthelamb.org/utila.  Please let us know if you are interested in participating with us in helping with these materials, or desiring to be part of this team.  Read the story of Philip and the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26-40 for the inspiration of this mission. We feel like we can send people back to their homeland to begin works, just as that Ethiopian did. The work he started in the First Century is still in existence!

We thank all of you who have been praying for our financial needs.  Your prayers are working!  Please pray as we ask God to supply us with many more child sponsors.  Pray for open doors as we travel this month and next!

  And finally, on the 2nd, our eldest daughter Mikaela turned 19! A great joy for us all! Laura & Michael

 

Project Ezra Nicaragua

 

In April, we conducted two meeting with our teachers downriver.  On both occasions, our  leadership team spent hours helping our teachers prepare Bible lessons, and focusing in on personal spiritual issues.  In the photo, Tom Keogh is teaching a practice lesson to some of our students in Sawa. 

You will find the link to Tom’s personal description of this event on the home page of www.seekthelamb.org.  It is labeled “Spiritual Physics” and is full of cultural insights to the challenge of our work to train and disciple our teachers and students.

You may help this month by using the enclosed envelope and making a difference in the lives of our students along the Rio Coco.  If you would like to make a secure donation online, simply go to  our home page  (www.seekthelamb.org) and click on the “You Can Help” at the top of the page. Thanks for standing with us.

Random Notes

2011 Israel Trip

 

We are planning our next study tour to Israel in May of 2011 with our friend Dr. Randy Smith,.  Many of our friends have joined us for a life changing experience with one of the best!  Our focus will be understanding Biblical culture and how that helps our study of The Word.

 

Living in the Spiritual World

We have copies of our book which we co-authored with Dr. Randy Smith available here at our Seek The Lamb office.  This resource will help with understanding the basics of our Christian faith and practical applications of Biblical principles.  Use the enclosed form for your order.

 

Rio Coco Bean Coffee

Our new web site is in service and awaiting your order.  We will accommodate your church or Bible study group so that you can serve our 100% Humanic Coffee Ò. Please join us at Rio Coco Beans Coffee

 

April 2010 Conchshell Chronicles

Go Fly A Kite                                 by Maik

I found myself at the beach last week flying a kite. I know, people pay thousands of dollars to come to Florida and hang at the beach, but that is not my style.  We had friends from out of town, plus we decided it was time to get our stand up paddle boards out.  Still, I had lots to do to take an afternoon and go to the beach and fly a kite.

Our time in Nicaragua last month was monumental.  We have been faced with budget cuts since my last trip, because donations had dropped significantly in the fall and winter.  We had to do something, and more importantly we needed to know what the Lord was doing. I sensed that God was going to show us something during this trying time, and He did.

It is interesting how we react to economic pressures.  Our “reactions” tells us a lot about what is going on inside. We all have felt the effects of our “Great Recession”, and we have had to make adjustments.  When you are dealing with 59 teachers and their families, it is not easy.

First we were late with the salaries for November, but it came in early December, as the school year was ending. That was also the time we normally pay December salary, along with the “13^th month” salary that Nicaraguan Labor law requires us to do.  It wasn’t until the middle of January that we were able to send that down.  These delays prompted reactions on the part of some of our teachers.  Most who have worked for us for years were patient.  They understood that we receive donations and sell coffee each month which pays their salary.  God has been very faithful to us, and we have never missed a payday for our teachers.

Other teachers became angry, and thought that we were somehow withholding their money, or as one proclaimed over the local radio station, “Truman and Maik are stealing my money”.  That began months of slander by a few of our teachers, which was surprising.  Nevertheless, the Lord was showing us who was with us spiritually, and who wasn’t. In the midst of the pain of public slander, God was doing something significant.

After many discussions on the phone at the end of December, we decided that a solution to our economic woes was to withdraw from four villages and lay off 19 teachers. We took the opportunity to layoff those teachers who were not with us spiritually, as well as some others whom we had hired only a few years ago.  It was a tough decision, as the hearts of our Leadership Team is to help the children of the Rio Coco with something that has always been difficult- education. It is one of the most remote corners of the Western Hemisphere.  They all know what it means to be able to read and write.  They know the value of teaching God’s Word each day.

As we planned for schools to open in February, we received word from the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education that they would not be able to put teachers in those villages.  They were out of money too.  It appeared that many of our kids would be without teachers and education for 2010. So our team decided that it would be best to reduce their pay and the salaries of the remaining 40 teachers by 15% and hire back ten of the teachers so that we could have complete schools in 14 villages.  It was a necessary strategy, and our other teachers agreed to this cut in pay.

It was at this point in March that Laura and I arrived in Waspam.  We spent a week in meetings.  I asked some hard questions of our Leadership Team.  “Are we here to just educate kids, or are we here to make disciples and teach Biblical principles to these families?”  In all the pressures of making a school project succeed in this past year, it seemed our focus had shifted to just education. We talked about each of our teachers, and what we could do to help their economic situation, and provide them with the spiritual training that they desired and needed.  In our discussions, God began to move and we all got excited about heading in a new direction for 2010.

For Laura and I, this was the best time (but not easiest) with our team in Nicaragua in the past 10 years.  So what does this all have to do with kite flying? Returning to Florida, I was faced with having to take care of many details of the ministry. Our donations for March were low. My external hard drive with all my documents and photos had died during my absence.  I had backed it up in January, but I was lacking many needed files. It was going to cost over $1000 to recover the data. In addition, there were relationship issues that had suddenly confronted me. The coffee business was demanding time and decisions.  My family needed to catch up with me.  There was a lot to do.  And then I was informed that we were going to the beach.

Sometimes we have to put out faith right out front. I mean when Jesus says not to worry (Matthew 6:25-33) about food clothes, or other things, but to seek first His Kingdom and everything else would be taken care of, well, can I really believe and apply that to my life?  Could I leave it all in His hands for a few hours, and enjoy my family and friends?

One of the kids had a Spiderman kite. The wind was blowing and Moselle and Arielle were flying it, but they only had about 10 feet of line out, and it was wildly diving on the folks behind us. I took the string in my hand, and decided to see how high I could get the kite.  Within a few minutes, the strong wind had the kite up over 100 feet above our heads. Soon, the entire roll of string was completely deployed, and  this kite was dancing in the stratosphere above the beach.   

You might not be aware of this, but there are many styles to kite flying:  I first demo-ed the Statue of Liberty style (a bit boring); after a few minutes I switched to the “Surf” mode. It is all about arm & leg movements, and the position of the string to make the kite move with you. My finale was the Rastafarian “Smooth Grove” kite stroll down the beach.  This drew looks from people walking on the beach who had no idea that there was a kite attached to this crazy guy making strange moves. My wife will be the first to tell you I am naturally gifted when it comes to stepping on the dance floor.  Stylistic Kite Flying is simply an extension of my natural dance talents. I was the sight to behold.

When I got back to the office later that day, the situation had not changed, but I had. We still were facing financial needs and battling technical issues. But I had a definite peace going on inside me.  I had confidence that God was going to take care of all the situations. I was more assured that this year would be one of the best for our school project in Nicaragua.  I knew that He had all the details of the coffee business worked out.  All I had to do was remember that He is in control, and we only have to play the parts that He has assigned to us.

I think I will add more days of kite flying to my calendar.  Heck, with my talent, I may even go pro.  Whatever it takes to keep my mind and spirit focused on my Lord, and His plans and purposes in my life.

Shall we organize the 2010 Seek The Lamb Kite Flying Invitational?

 

Donations are Welcome! You may support the school project by clicking on this secure link: How You Can Help

Lamb Bleatings  by Laura

Thank you to all of you who have been faithful to do your part in God’s calling upon your lives.  Many of you have willfully and faithfully taken part ihe many lives we serve along the Coco River and on the behalf of my Miskito friends we all say, Tengki pali (thank you).  We appreciate you deeply. 

Over the last couple decades, we have seen a lot of growth and change in the culture we have served in.  We have also lived through many disappointments and heartache that comes with working with people we grow to love.  On a few occasions, we have even had the sensation of “what am I doing here? And why do we do what we do anyway? Are we making a difference in the eternal scheme of things?”

A long time ago, God assured me that if I took care of His business, He would take care of ours.  I have watched him do quite the spectacular job of living up to His part of the bargain.  He has taken care of detail after detail without me ever having to try to “figure it all out” and “make it all happen” by myself.  He continues to inspire in me the importance of having a giving, open mentality which never has the right to “hold back” or shrink back into the way of worldly believing and contemplating. He continues to encourage me to live large and take in my moments as they come and to never be afraid of stepping forward into the unknown. 

The unknown is often what we encounter in our lives and it demands faith to step forth frequently and boldly.  We can never take credit for stepping forward because mostly it feels like we are simply being placed in a position to succumb and trust lest we die and fail to see the hand of God do His usual thing. 

We have come to the place where we hunger and thirst to see God and watch Him do His thing.  His thing is always better, more, and altogether beyond all that we could ask, think or imagine.  I can never go back to “normal”.  Normal would mean to live in a state of continual angst, striving, dissatisfaction and overall discontentment. (like bad tasteless coffee)

Following Jesus has been the goal for us in all and through all.  Is He being glorified?  Is He doing what He wants through us and our efforts? The challenges of us raising money for Project Ezra and our friends has been pressing and a matter of concern for us. God has called us to be givers.  He has allowed us to be human sieves for His resources to pour through our lives.  It has been an honor and blessing for the most part. The past year and a half has been hard. I have personally come to a couple of points in time of asking Jesus (in a human and grumbling sort of way) about the people I serve and love.

Every once and awhile, when you work in another culture or even in your own, we find there to be many frustrating differences in the way we handle things, say things, do things, receive things and maneuver through things.  We always strive to go with “Bible culture” and not ours or theirs, but God’s culture.  In the process of working toward His culture, we engage in many frustrating moments of coming in agreement.  Sometimes even hurtful ones which humanly have a way of causing me to want to run and no longer do what I do and be who God made me to be. 

In the end of every process, I come to the place of having to choose ”His way or My way?” I wrestle my way through to the end of every process and come to the place of submission to Him.  Not easy, but thankfully with every wrestling match in this life, I tire and lay myself out before him limp and incapable of the fight and declare, “not my will, but yours be done.  Help me. I am yours.”  It often hurts so bad and for me it is hardly ever without deep wrenching emotions.  I both hate and love the process.

I would never want to come to a place in my life where I say, “No” to God.  In the little and big ways of life, I have observed many come to that very place of determination where they do say, “No, I don’t want to or I don’t think I need to.”  It is the place where the fence is built and they begin to straddle it and maneuver through life part way in and  out.  That, to me, is the broad way (Matt 7) and leads through a life of judgment and lack of true eternal gain.

A life that is full of activities and acts unauthorized by the will of the One they ought to be serving.  A conflicted life led by many sources gaining for self and flesh, but not for the eternal

We are attempting to relay to our children, our friends on the Coco river, and all of our disciples the importance of “Choosing wisely” in the moment by moment decisions we make in life.                                                   Laura

 

Good Coffee or Bad?  By Lukas

 

This season of my life has been an interesting one to say the least. There have been a lot of blessings and struggles throughout this year but I’m thankful for all of them because of the opportunity to grow from the experience.

I recently read the book of Ruth in the Bible. I didn’t think much of this book until my dad put the meaning behind this book into an analogy that I could really understand. The story of Ruth is one consisting of a few characters, mainly Naomi, her mother-in-law. In the beginning of the book Naomi faces hardships in losing her husband and her sons. One may ask why would God allow this to happen?  Well this is where my dad’s genius analogy of the situation came in.

He asked me if I thought that the coffee I am serving at the Farmer’s Market here in Vero Beach every Saturday morning was average coffee or very good coffee. “It’s excellent coffee. Our customers love it.” I replied.

He continued: “Say you buy a commercial coffee which was roasted and ground months ago and has been sitting on the grocery shelf for months getting stale, and brew it. Now you are sitting at the table with a full cup of this old tasteless coffee and I come along with a fresh pot of fresh roasted Rio Coco Bean coffee and offer you some. Can you receive it?  No, because your cup is full of this brand x coffee.  You have to first dump out the old coffee before you can fill it with really good coffee.”

He said to me: “Luke, when you’re facing something difficult in your life and it seems hard just think of it this way. God is emptying your nasty cup of brand x coffee and filling it with Rio Coco Bean coffee.”

Now I laughed at first but then realized that this was something that was very real in the trials of our lives. Naomi and her husband moved from their home in Bethlehem to Moab, and then took Moab women as wives for their sons.  Both of these acts are forbidden by God in the Law. He knows that when we mix other cultures with God’s, we will get ourselves in trouble. When her husband and sons die, Naomi is forced to return to her home, where God is waiting to bless her beyond her wildest dreams.

God took away from Naomi what needed to be taken away in order to give her greater blessings. Next time you feel that your life couldn’t get any worse just think to yourself “its time for some better coffee” and your outlook on life can completely turn around and your faith in God will be stronger than ever.                                                  Lukas

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

     Unexpected pain and disappointment has a way of breeding exciting growth provoking moments if we allow the process to complete itself.  How easy it is to inadvertently stop a process for the discomfort alone. 

It’s human and yet God has a way of using every instance to make necessary changes in us for the sake of our freedom.  It is the reason He came.  It is the reason Easter is such a huge deal in so many parts of this world. 

In Central America, virtually everything shuts down during the season of Semana Santa (Holy week)  It is the week of celebrating Jesus’s death and Resurrection. 

Death and Life...two ends of the opposite spectrum.  We often ask the question of ourselves and our kids “What is it that they exude, “Life or death” when they speak, when they work, when they play?  Do we bring with us a blessing or a curse?  That reality rests in the deep places of our hearts and who we are serving and whether we are living out whether Our Redeemer lives in us and through us.

The song of choice for me this season has been, “My Redeemer Lives.”  It encouraged my heart to declare that fact of life for us. 

The kids hid eggs in our yard for the adults to find on Easter Sunday after lunch.   Arielle even put some of her money in a few eggs (hoping to motivate sluggish adults).  Olivia sang her made up song with her stick baton waving happily cracking me up the whole time while Tony tried to steal my finds.  He’s quick! We did have a little untraditional hunting of bags of chips and little Gatorade bottles hidden all over the place for the cousins and “real” kids before the adults went mad….which even Grandma and Grandpa got in on it!!! 

I have come to realize that true life is often expressed in our ability to “play” & work with one another in joy and peace.  This is celebrating the message of the cross and the true life He came to give to us.  It is all about being connected to the Living God and to one another and creating memories that live on.  The tomb is empty...He Lives.                 

   Laura & Michael

 

Rio Coco Beans’ New Website Is Alive!!!

 

It was in September that we decided to update our coffee website.  Enter our friend Tony Assaf who had a vision for the very best coffee website in existence.  He went to work with John Paquette, a web designer friend and together they have created a website that you will enjoy and learn from. There are instructional videos and a film called “Humanic Coffee” by Olivia Assaf that tells the story of Rio Coco Beans and the school project on the Rio Coco. This site will be the source for  all the coffee, French presses, grinders, and mugs that you desire in these next months.We are now a distributor of Bodum products and we will offer the lowest price on their products.

Run to www.riococobeans.com.   

As a special welcome to you readers of the Conchshell Chronicles, there will be a special discount for the month of April.

At check out, type in the code “ALOHA” and receive a 10% discount on your order.

    Remember, our profits educate our students on the Rio Coco through Project Ezra.  Enjoy!

 

On The Horizon-  Utila,   Bay Islands Honduras

 

We lived in La Ceiba Honduras from 1986 to 2000. During that time, we often flew over to the small island of Utila for swimming and diving.  This is where Mikaela and Lukas both learned how to swim.

Backpackers from Europe, North America, Australia, and Israel come here by the droves to learn scuba diving.  Many of them stay for months, having fun. We have always enjoyed our conversations with this International crowd, and inevitably they always get to hear our stories. In the early 1990’s, we thought Utila was ripe for planting a church. We began making plans, but events crowded it out of our schedule.  We returned to Utila in 2008 after a 10 year hiatus, and guess what? God reawakened that vision, only this time with a twist: A church disguised as a coffee store. We could enjoy that!

We spent time in March on Utila, and the Lord confirmed to us His plan.  Now we are praying for the next steps.  Please pray with us.

 

We Welcome Your Donations!

Please click on the secure link below to make a donation to Seek The Lamb.  You may support the school project in Nicaragua, sponsor s missionary, or give to our construction project.  How You Can Help

 

February 2010 Conchshell Chronicles

 

Jesus Plus Something?                By Arielle Bagby

 Today we were doing our daily Bible reading. We were studying Acts 15.

There were some Jewish guys (aka the Pharisees) who said to the Greek friends of Paul and Barnabas, “If you want to be a Christian you have to be circumcised and  obey the laws of Moses.”  Some of these laws say no eating pig or shrimp or lobster. So according to these guys, Christians can't eat these things, but I like to eat hot dogs and I am a Christian. I also like to eat shrimp which my mom makes really good. So you know I can't resist it when it is in front of me.

The law talks about not trimming beards. I don't have one but my dad trims his every morning-he shaves, but sometimes not on Saturday. And another law is “no tattoos”. I don't have one but a lot of Christians that I know do. One of my friends is even a tattoo artist.

As I read it in the Bible, being a Christian is just having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and confessing he is Lord. That’s what it says in Romans 10:9-10. Of course once we have the personal relationship, then we will want to do the things that make him happy.

These Jewish guys in Acts 15 are trying to say to be a Christian is Jesus + something else.  It's like Jesus plus “no piercings”.  Or Jesus plus “reading the Bible every day”. I mean that's not the truth at all.

I have disobeyed those laws many times but I always ask God to forgive my sins and I am still a part of God’s family (aka a Christian). So the Pharisees added more rules about being Christian than Jesus says in the Bible. I am so glad James and his friends decided that we don't have to be Jews because I am part Japanese. I love cheeseburgers, I love ribs, especially how my friend Tracy makes them. And love shrimp- its the best.        Arielle

 

Project Ezra Schools Open on the Coco River for the 25^th Year!

Project Ezra begins its 25^th year this week as classes open in eight villages along the Rio Coco in Northeastern Nicaragua. This primary & secondary project began in the spring of 1986 during the height of the Sandinista War. Due to this conflict, thousands of Miskito refugee children had been without education since the burning and destruction of their villages in 1980 & 1981. During those years, over 60,000 Miskitos were forced to leave Nicaragua into neighboring Honduras, and many were surviving in refugee villages along the Kruta River. It was a lean  time, with a high infant mortality rate, serious malnutrition, and virtually no health care.

Enter a group of young Americans who had a desire to help these desperate refugees. They met a Miskito leader Truman Cunningham in November of 1984, and together they delivered over 35,000 lbs of relief supplies to countless Miskito refugees. It was in 1985 that they received a request from a refugee teacher, Augusto Vicente, to help him begin a school. They supplied Augusto with notebooks and pencils that year, and he and Sofia Borst began teaching classes in Sawa, on the Honduran side of the Coco River. It was the following year, 1986, that Sharon and Earl Washburn arrived from Maple Valley Washington to train teachers, and formally begin four schools in refugee villages in Honduras.

That year, we met Victoria Palacios, a professor of education at the Honduran National University in Tegucigalpa, who was the author of “Coleccion Catrachitos”, a series of textbooks written for Honduran school.  Victoria volunteered to travel to Miskitia and train our teachers, and sold us her state-of –the –art textbook at her cost. With these resources, and financial help from many in Hawaii, California, Washington, Florida, and other states, Project Ezra took off, and expanded in 1987 to include students in 12 villages, teaching grades First & Second.

For the next four years, Project Ezra added a new grade, and more students. Finally we had the complete primary school curriculum along with a Miskito Bible lesson series, written especially for the Project Ezra students. Each year was a miracle in the making, as we had very limited resources, and were attempting something very difficult, in one of the most remote corners of the Western Hemisphere.

Yet, God had His plans and purposes, and we felt like we were riding a truly adventurous wave, not sure where exactly it was taking us. Each year, we were able to purchase school supplies, pay teacher salaries, and eventually buy our own outboard motor and dugout canoe. Along the way we were first given a single engine airplane (1987), and finally a twin engine Piper Seneca (1990) that provided air service for the project until the year 2000.

The Sandinista War ended in the election of a new government in Nicaragua in the fall of 1990, and the following year, we were asked by the new Nicaraguan minister of education to cross the river into Nicaragua and become part of the official government school system. They encouraged us to continue to teach the Bible, as they recognized the value of Christian morality on civic life.

We still teach the Bible every day, along with the Nicaraguan public school curriculum. Most of our 40 teachers are our former First Grade students who attended our schools in the 80’s and 90’s. It has been an amazing adventure, and in the process we have all been changed. How?

1) The level of education has improved dramatically according to official test scores of our students;

2) Public health has improved to meet Nicaraguan national standards according to infant mortality rates and other statistics;

3) Pastors and teachers are better trained, resulting in greater spiritual awareness as well as ability to communicate lessons- this according to government educational surveys of our teaching staff;

4) We on this side have become more aware of God’s plans and purposes in our own lives, and how we can play our part in God’s Big Plan for Humanity.

25 years of Project Ezra has impacted thousands of Nicaraguans and many of us in America, Europe, and Australia who have been involved in this project since its inception.

We have seen the Hand of God move.  We have played our parts. We have been encouraged in our own spiritual growth. We are different because of this experience. And Blessed!

May God continue to use us in the lives of these needy people.  May He continue to pour out His Love through us to these and all others that walk into our lives in this next year.                                                    Maik

 

Lamb Bleatings                          By Laura Bagby

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

It is a very good thing to see people you love coming into a place where they are functioning in the calling of God upon their lives.   When you observe them making an impact upon their world and their surroundings, there is something that is moved within.  I find a fulfilled and contented life inspirational.  People who know that they are loved and accepted by God and have a huge sense of identification with Christ through their life experiences….The good, the bad and the ugly. I am attracted to people who view life through the eyes of Christ and live out His heart.  It is good to find that in those surrounding your life.  Those relationships are gratifying to the soul.  Deep calls to deep…living out relationships in the boundary of the Lord breeds so much freedom and liberty which I am only now beginning to understand.

Security in God and His love for me has led to a lot of freedom.  The more I identify with Him in me, the freer I become to express who He is through my life.

It is good and right to accept who God designed us to be and to function in a way that brings Him pleasure.  I desire so much to please Him not because of who I am but because of who He is and all that he has done for me.  I am eternally grateful.  My faults and failures are ever before me as I go along on this journey of life.  I deeply understand what I have been saved from and to.  I know well my own wretchedness and what I am capable of in this fleshly body I possess.  Without God in me, I truly don’t know where I would be at this juncture of life or whether I would even be here.  Truly, he has saved me from much and divinely protected me and guided me when I needed it most even when I was not acknowledging His existence.  There He was.  When I observe the wretched world around me, I have had the sensation of feeling and thinking, “If He hadn’t come into my life, I would be right there.”

I have seen so much hostility, self-hatred, and insecurities being displayed in the world around me even among parents with their children.   A few days ago as we walked down the isle of a store, I observed a family of three who appeared to resent the existence of one another.  Mom was spewing out words of condemnation to her daughter who looked unhappy and helpless while the father followed looking detached and equally lifeless.  I felt a deep sense of sorrow come over me for them.  They appeared to be all very unhappy with who they were and where they were at and equally unhappy with whom they were with.  When you are not happy within yourself, it is impossible to be happy with those around you.

Thus, many exist in misery and discontentment.

I heard my children discussing the shallow topic of  “if you could choose which actor or actress you could look like, who would it be?”

Moselle said while washing the dishes,

“I would want to look like….maybe…..Kate Hudson”  (Goldie Hawn’s daughter, blue eyed, blond hair)

“You would????!”, I hollered from the bedroom.

“Weeeellllll, maybe if she had brown hair and looked a little more like me…….I’d maybe  want to look like her…..”

We cracked up laughing letting her know that that would not be like looking like Kate Hudson, but…it would look more like Moselle….

“Yea, I guess…….”, she admitted.

She does like being who she is and admits it freely.

I thought how good it is to like being you ….the person that God made you to be.    How good it is to function in the very things that He has called you to function in and find contentment in it all.  How blessed one is to be “there” (wherever “there” might be for each one of us) and know that God placed you there for a purpose.  Often she and I marvel at the sky and the sunset that God seems to put out there just for us to enjoy….To think that we serve such an amazingly creative and detailed God…..We are so blessed to know Him and that He allows us to be able to get to know Him and serve Him. It is good.

We also decided that the creation of flowers are really good to have around for its same reminder of God’s detailed, exquisite nature of creativity and abundance.  We are always looking for the deals on nice blooms….Mabel (Maik’s mom) always used to say, “Buy me flowers NOW and not when I’m in the grave.”

I thought that was an excellent word of advice except I have taken it one step further.  I decided that I wouldn’t wait for someone to buy me flowers if I see the deal….I just go right ahead and indulge myself and take the opportunity to share it with someone else who might need a little day brightener or I will tell my husband, “Hey, look what you got for me today!!!!”  He says, “That’s great!” and I say, “Thank you. I thought so.”  Everybody is happy and then we marvel at the beauty that is displayed.  It’s good for people to feel a part of “good deeds”, don’t you think?                                                                                  Laura

 

 

The Offerings                               by Moselle Bagby

 Hi! it's Moselle! As you know I'm doing the “through the Bible reading plan” and I read about the   offerings today in Leviticus  and they are so powerful! So I'm going to tell you about them.

In the Bible we have: The Burnt offering ,The Grain offering, The Peace offering, The Sin offering, & The Guilt offering.

Let’s start with the Burnt offering. This offering had to be totally burnt up in smoke on the altar. This means that God wants me totally like the animal. So that is every day and not just on Sunday.  The Priest had to clean the ashes of the offering every day in his Holy undergarments! That's special!

And then we have the Grain offering. Aaron’s sons presented this to the Lord. This is a mixture of grain, olive oil and sprinkled with incense. It can be the harvest grain or the young green shoots.  Pretty cool right? This represents that at any season whether you are nine and working at the roasting room or you are receiving your retirement check, just keep giving to God! Whatever you have, and whatever the season of your life-- Give! Give! Give!

Then we have the Peace offering. Peace to God means that everything is in his order. If you were God you would want to have everything in your order right? I mean I would if I were! If God gave you something cool like a motorcycle, you would give him something back right? That is telling God you know where it came from! Right? So anyway that's the peace offering.

Then we have the Sin offering. Again you sin. This I think is even worse! The animal sacrificed here has to be perfect! IT MUST! Because you sinned BAD!! BAD TO THE BONE! Hehe..... Anyway back to the story. So it’s a valuable thing to sacrifice! Right? You know its not good..... you know....... that you sinned against God! But its normal. It’s ok! He will always forgive you, but usually sin will cost you something. That's the sin offering.

     And then we have the Guilt offering.  It’s like the cherry on top of the sin offering. This offering costs something very valuable. So in the Bible they say: give me “the ram” not “a ram” but “the ram”. Because it is the main guy in the flock. He is the one that makes the little lambs and that makes the shepherd rich.  So we know that it will cost something valuable in our future. But for us he might say: (this is just an example) Give me your house! (because that's what’s valuable now days) or your car!

In the Bible they say you “unintentionally” sinned, but I don't know what that means so I'm just gonna put “sinned”. Anyway, back to the story. Because you sinned is why you have to give it up! I think this Guilt Offering means that this kind of sin will cost you something of your future.

All these offerings help you understand what will make God happy with your life. So I hope you enjoyed my “TRUE” story. Thank for listening to God’s word spoken through me!

Bye!  Love,                                        Moselle

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

Since arriving back to Vero Beach we have had a brief moment to breathe before beginning our plans to be with our ministry team in Nicaragua and Honduras.   Time in Vero is also full of ministry opportunities and relationships that God has given to us to enjoy.  Mikaela and Lukas “successfully” (so far) began their college classes and still working through some homeschool stuff.   Since Lukas had a big taste for working and earning his own money with the Trilogy (on Maui), he is eager to also work here with Rio Coco Beans as part of the Farmer’s market team.  We learned that he likes to be generous with his finances and gives really good gifts to those he loves.  He is also good at his savings for the future.  Mikaela will be helping with a children’s encounter at the church….teaching and doing worship.  We are excited for her and the kids that will be attending.  God shows up in a big way on these events.  It was where Moselle let us know that ,”my whole life is changed!!   I am different now.“   Funny thing she does actually consistently demonstrates very strong Christian traits or a true disciple and believer.  She is an inspiration really to us and a joy. Arielle & I went for an interview for her to be a part of the “leadership” team for the kid’s ministry at the church.  It is neat how there are opportunities for them to be able to use their giftings to serve others at church.  We think it is the key to a growing believers life… Love and serving God and others. We enjoy seeing them engage themselves in the process with people.

We will be able to have “Grandma and Grandpa” come for a visit.  Our children get to be with them while we are on our ministry trip.   We are blessed to have them fly from Hawaii to be with us and my brother Todd’s family.  They are so purposed in their relationship with us and we are grateful to have them as part of our lives and our “team” of people we minister with.                                                                                                   Laura & Michael

 

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Celebrating Valentine’s Day All Year!

“Oh, how delightful you are, my beloved; how pleasant for utter delight! You are tall and slim like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters of dates. I said, ‘I will climb up into the palm tree and take hold of its branches.’ Now may your breasts be like grape clusters, and the scent of your breath like apples. May your kisses be as exciting as the best wine, smooth and sweet, flowing gently over lips and teeth.

Song of Songs 7:6-9

 

When I think of celebrating Valentine’s Day, I immediately go to this emotion expressed by Solomon to his lover, and ponder how I can express it to my own wife. This is a Biblical principle from the Word of God! This book was included in the Bible for just this reason.

Yet when I take the entire Scriptures, I realized that the concept of Love goes beyond this romantic, physical love expressed here.  Please take a moment with me to explore the deeper meanings. . .

 

One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”         Matthew 22:35-40

Jesus is quoting Deutronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 in this famous passage.  The key word used here in the Hebrew is “Ahab”, which is defined as “love, desire, delight, like, be fond of, covet, be beloved, amiable, be a passionate lover.”

Matthew uses the Greek Word “Agapao” in his account, which indicates “direction of will and finding one’s joy in anything.”

According to Jesus, Ahab and Agapao are central to the concept of being a Christian. Listen to what He told his disciples:

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”               John 13:34-35

It’s not how much we know that is important, but how much we do!  Aren’t you glad He didn’t say: “The world will know you are my disciples by how well you can explain all the important doctrines in the Bible.”! NO, the central issue in our day-to-day lives a Christians is how well we direct our will toward placing others interest above our own. That is what it means to love others.

This month, we celebrate a day dedicated to the heart of Christianity- Loving others. It all stems from a time in Third Century Rome when the Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers, and outlawed marriage for young men- his pool for potential soldiers. A Christian priest, Valentine, continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret, defying the edict. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, he was put to death on February 14^th, 269 A.D.

In Ancient Rome, February 15^th was “Lupercalia”, the festival of Lupercus, the god of fertility.  It was a day where goats were sacrificed, and the pagan priests would run through the streets, holding goat skins, and touching anyone they met, believing that this would cause great “fruitfulness” and bring easy childbirth. The year after Valentine’s death, the local church began celebrating “Valentine’s Day” in memory of Valentine, and hopefully turning many Romans away from the pagan “ Lupercalia” worship toward the One True God.

For our culture, February 14^th is a day we set aside to express love to our wives, and dear friends. When I became a follower of Jesus, I began to realize that He wanted us to celebrate Valentine’s Day every day. 

Every day?  That is the difference in one who takes what the Bible commands seriously.

.  Meditate on what Jesus told His disciples:

I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.  John 15:12-13

It is all about placing your focus on others, and doing what is best for them in a situation, not necessarily for you. Celebrating Valentine’s Day is really all about a radical lifestyle of “others-centeredness”.  Think of that this month every time you see a red heart, a box of candy, a bouquet of roses.  Jesus calls us to love our friends, our acquaintances, and those unknown people around us.  But there is more:

“You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.                                                  Matthew 5:43-45

 

Jesus is insistent that we love even our cultural, political, and international opponents.  We will find these “enemies” in the editorial pages, coffeehouses in the Middle East, sometimes next door, and even perhaps in the pew behind us at church. This is Love!

Can we do it?  Will we settle for celebrating a cultural secular Valentine’s Day on February 14^th, or will be adopt a radical lifestyle of Loving Other?  That will be decided in our day-to-day, moment-by-moment choices.

My counsel: Begin with the Song of Solomon principle, and move on to the John 15 commandment.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Can We Handle Disappointment?

Editor's note:  From March 2006

Disappoint:

1) to fail to satisfy the hopes or expectations of; leave unsatisfied

2) to undo or frustrate a  plan or intention; 

       balk ; thwart.

 

Disappointment….Life is full of them.

· Disappointment in ourselves when we fail,

· failing someone you love.

· Situations that don’t work out quite the way you expected it or intended it

· People that don’t live up to our expectations

· answers that don’t seem to come quick enough

· the general human condition

 

Some days are full of such disappointments and emotionally it is difficult to pull oneself out of the mud.  We wallow, we reflect, we beat ourselves and suddenly (or gradually) we make a choice to somehow shake ourselves loose to move on.  It is tiring to endure the emotions of disappointment especially when it is muddled with hurt and anger.  It gets crusty and difficult to clean off. 

Cleaning off can be a struggle.  Keeping oneself pure and unstained by the world is treated in the same way. 

Acknowledgement of the stain

Turning away and choosing repentance (if needed)

A choice to move on believing in the God that is able to right every wrong and cause the good to somehow blossom through all the pain.

We make a choice to get His perspective when ours is clouded and tainted by our emotions.  We make the choice to recognize God in our space and the space of the situation we are in…realizing that He is in control and knows and sees all. He loves us in and through our difficulties.  He is the only stable factor in this life full of disappointments…He changes not.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  There is no imperfection, inconsistency, or lack of judgment that is found in Him…His purity cuts through every form of deception, disillusionment and disappointment.  He IS reality and it is in His reality that we must strive to live in lest we get lost in this world that is always going to be full of pain, disappointment, trial and struggle.  He was here before the earth began and will remain when it all comes to an end.  This is the God we must choose to focus on…the God that is Love.

Love covers us.  It covers our failings.  It soothes the hurt and lifts our hearts up to hope and believe again.

A few nights before Christmas, we were at our dinner table and the children were asking us if they could just open one gift (for tradition’s sake…you know how the Bagby’s love traditions…ours just change from year to year….with our lifestyle, even our traditions have had to acquire flexibility….whoa…)  Well, dinner on the 23^rd, we decided that the children would be able to open one gift that they could begin utilizing…Michael had taken Moselle and Arielle to the store previously to buy each Bagby a pair of“Crocs”.  Crocs are ugly  (Michael says they are trendy and wears them for “style” rather than the comfort) rubber, comfortable clogs that are lightweight and functional (they look like gardening shoes).  There were sizes for all except for Moselle which didn’t seem to make a difference to her when they were out purchasing them together with their Father.  Aside from Michael, the rest of the Bagby’s were not all too thrilled with the  “Crocs”, but on this night, the 23^rd of December, Michael had the drum roll going before presenting each of us with our gifts.   After the tearing up and trying on, we all decided that we really did like this functional odd looking piece of equipment for our feet.  Well, in the middle of all of our excitement, Michael paused and grabbed Moselle a present for her to open….He had got her a hand made wooden painted sign with her name and a pair of cute flip flips (“slippas”) on it .  As we looked on, she opened her gift.  As she examined her gift, I could tell her face was very disappointed.  The table became silent as we realized that Moselle was feeling very left out of the Bagby “Croc” Fest we were apparently having without her.  The other kids asked her, “Ahhh, Moselle don’t you like your sign with your own slippers and name on it???  It is so nice!!!”

With all eyes on her, she tried to muster up a little smile, but you could see that her eyes were beginning to well up….The rest of us just looked at each other kind of wanting to laugh, but feeling bad just the same...

   Before we could say anymore, Moselle suddenly said, “OH, I got…. something in my eyes!!!” still attempting to muster a smile and rubbing her eyes..

As soon as I reached for her and said, “Ahhh, Moselle…..”, she burst into tears putting her whole face on me crying. 

She said, “I don’t have crocs….”

This little five year old trying to hold herself together and keep her disappointment to herself, but she caved in and acknowledged her feelings.  All of us just loved on her and Arielle let her know that she would be getting her crocs soon since her feet is growing fast. 

Later some of our friends heard of Moselle’s disappointment and found her some crocs of her own.  She was so happy and felt like she was so “in” and hip to be one of the Bagby Croc Crowd.

Her disappointment was replaced by love.

At times our disappointments turn into victory, when we have loved ones gather around us.  Sometimes, that is all it takes to drag us up from the mud of life, having people who care for us and express it in tangible ways.  I thank God for the friendships He has given to us to aid us through some of those moments.  I pray to be one who will “be there” for others in those times of their despair and disappointment and make a difference.  Laura

 

 

January 2010 Conchshell Chronicles

 

A New Decade Is Upon Us!

   What Will We Do With It?                                      By Maik Bagby

It’s January 2010, and we have an opportunity before us.  We are entering a new year, and a new decade.  These are moments for thought, evaluation, decisions, and actions. These past two years for me have been “exciting”.

I could say “stressful” or “adventurous”, or even “”disappointing”.  But I have a special relationship with the Creator of this world, and I try to always view the day through His Eyes, through His Perspective. 

When I encounter trials, I’m told by Him to “Consider it all joy” (James 1:2).
When dear friends are diagnosed with terminal diseases, he tells me to “Trust Him with all my heart, and do not lean on my own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). 

When I see my bank account with triple digits, He tells me to “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?...But seek first His Kingdom and he will take care of the rest” (Matthew 6:31-33)

I have been thinking of how I am to live my life in this new year, in this new decade.  I realize that there are some major changes I need to make in my life, and now is the time to initiate this change. Here is my challenge for this new year/new decade. 

Will I live my life:     

Through Fear or Faith?            

In Dulgence or In Discipline?               

With Jitters or With Joy?

Confession time.  During 2009, I have gotten fearful over paying salaries to our teachers in Nicaragua and being able to pay my own living expenses.  I have indulged myself in eating what I want to eat, and doing many things that I enjoy, that sometimes takes away time from my ministry and my family.  I have not had the discipline to cultivate a deeper relationship with my Lord Jesus.  I have spent days in thinking about future events, future challenges, and ignored a moment of joy with my family and friends.  I have often taken a stressful approach to my work, instead of simply enjoying my workday.

Yes, Confession is good for my soul! It helps me and God begin to work things out.

My job description includes writing lessons, teaching, handling finances for the Nicaragua project, roasting coffee, sending coffee to many of you, meeting with ministry partners, personal counseling, taking photos of Miskito children, and other associated tasks. In my “business” there is a lot of opportunity for me to get fearful about finances.  When you have over 60 employees in Nicaragua who depend on their monthly living from Seek The Lamb, well, it can be moments of great faith, or moments of dread and fear.  Add to that caring for four children who are growing up.

So how do I overcome fear with faith? I look back at what God has done over these past 25 years of our work in Miskitia, and I suddenly realize that He has never let us down.  As God said to Moses (Exodus 3:12), we will know that God is with us by looking back to see what He has done in the past, which will give us the faith to know that what He promises, He will do in the future. 

As I have done this over this past tumultuous year, my fear evaporates, and my faith in God suddenly grows stronger. My personal Bible study has been hit or miss over this past year.  When I am preparing for a teaching, I do spend hours in the Word. But many days, I only get to the Proverb chapter of the day, and sometime not even that. Also in the course of my days, I have often let my physical fitness training (bike riding, and lately stand up paddle surfing) supplant m

y alone time with my Lord.  Luke records in chapter 5:16 that: “Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer”.  If Jesus needed to have his quality alone time with his Heavenly Father, so do I.

As a solution this year, I have embarked on a “Life Journaling” experience to read through my Bible with my family and many friends with specific reading each day that will cover the entire Bible this year. I have already experienced some freshness in my personal relationship with Lord because of these readings through Genesis, Luke, and the Psalms.

If you would like to join us in this daily reading, we will have the schedule posted on seekthelamb.org/stream.

Finally, I have decided to enjoy all the moments I can with my family, co-workers, and friends.  I have determined that I will not speak with any edge on my voice, and that I will not get stressed out about anything- even getting to the airport for a flight.

If you could have only seen us at our house on Maui on December 29^th as we prepared to leave for Florida on an 11:30 pm overnight flight. We had planned to spend the evening alone getting our home cleaned up, but instead some of our friends brought us dinner, and others came to join in. Eventually we had over 30 people in the house, and at 9:00 pm. I realized that we had to leave for the airport in 15 minutes, but we were having the last of the haupia ice cream, while a group of 10 were playing cards in the living room, and another group of 12 were on the balcony “enjoying’ the moment.

Was I stressed as I have been in the past? No, I was determined to enjoy my friends and the ice cream until the last possible moment.  We made it to the airport on time, and enjoyed the process.

Fear or Faith?  I will remember God’s provision in the past and pray that He will instruct me how to live within the means He gives me this and every day of this decade- for me and the ministry He has called us to.  My choice is Faith.

In-dulgence or In-Discipline?  My time is precious.  My calling is specific. I want to accomplish all that He has for me today, this year, this decade, this life.  I do chose to be a “Disciple”- a learner under discipline- of my Lord Jesus. So I will make my choices according to more eternal values.

Jitters or Joy?  My daughters Arielle and Moselle are just too fun to be with for me to ignore the opportunities to enjoy them as we work and live together.  I have discovered the same is true of Mikaela, and my only son Lukas, who are becoming responsible adults right before my very eyes. Of course as you all know, to pass up a fun moment with Laura would be just insane.  She offers me many through the course of the day.

I have also regained the appropriate appreciation of the friends, co-workers, and partners that God has placed around me. Yes, I lost some of that these past years.  I now will en-joy the moments with them. These are my plans for 2010 and this new decade.  Decisions that I make this month will guide me through this next season of my life.  I want it to be the best that God has for me. What about you?                                     MB  

Lamb Bleatings                                                   By Laura Bagby  

“Dying to Live” and Keeping it pure in the process…..

*Opportunities   

*Unmet expectations*Challenges             

*Handling misbehavior and disappointments

*Settling accounts within our own hearts in order to live free.

Our natural inclination in this life will always be toward self- preservation, comfort, indulgence, selfishness, control, self reliance and survival.  We are bent toward self -serving behavior that wraps itself around me, myself and I. We want a “grip” on life….Some kind of “handle” on our situations and varied circumstances….Even plans we make have a way of evaporating into thin air. 

Control is illusive to me….relying on myself is equally draining and confusing. I am thankful to have the One in whom I can rely and depend on…One who is perfectly in control with the perfect intentions for Good.  It is most comforting to realize that his ways & thoughts are higher than mine.  I have in most cases given up on trying to “understand”.  I resolve to only understand that I will never be able to know the fullness of God and his plans.  He is way too beyond.

Jesus came to earth to die so that we could live.  Our living involves a sacrifice. Our sanctification is dependent on whether we are willing to make our own choices to daily “give ourselves” up into the safe and all knowing hands of our Father and a willingness to do it His way and not mine, theirs or ours.

Easy enough said….never quite that easy in the doing and in the daily grind of challenges with people who perhaps have another “way”, style or manner of doing things, saying things and acting on things.  The challenge of life is how do we meet these continual opportunities of unmet expectations or poor treatment and how will we choose to “behave” back.  Will we “react” or will we choose to respond in manner worthy of his calling of us.  It is very easy to react and let the “chips” fall where they may or to simply let others be responsible for our reaction….never quite owning our own “sin”.

When we take a moment to consider how it is we need to respond, it gives us the opportunity to settle our hearts to the place of peace.   It is always easier and less costly to look outward rather than inward to our own hearts. If we have unrest, angst and confusion, we do well to rectify it in our hearts and in our minds before the Lord.  Unfortunately I have been given to working it out more “openly” (or was that aggressively???) than that especially when it involves relationships that are close to me.  I react and then fix it up later. 

I am trying to learn my response as a free person who does not have to get entangled in other people’s stuff.  I am called to live free unhindered and unencumbered.  Challenges will still exist in life, but need I be pulled into things that simply weight my life.  Need I be pulled in needlessly into someone else’s world of complications and stress?  Could I possibly be able to find peace before my response and be unhindered in my emotions? It is the questions I have had to ask myself as I deal in my own personal realities and relationships.

Life is often full of moments that try to “entangle” us.  We create our own webs woven by our issues and we all inadvertently pull others into it or we in turn get pulled into the webs of others.  My question always comes down to how do I keep myself unencumbered and unstained….pure of heart….free in response.If the goal is freedom, we do well to examine all things from the heart of Freedom with His truth, His way and His love.  We pursue peace in relationship(s)….always.Will my response lend to peace or take from it? Will I rise above my own reactions or give into them to satisfy “my way” or respond with the Higher Way (which is Christ in me my ONLY hope of glory & freedom)?

Today Arielle, Moselle and Mikaela went to the roasting room to help Michael with coffee business.  Lukas had his first day of college which he and Mikaela signed up for a couple days after our return from Maui.  We were elated that they got their classes and even some of their friends in those classes.  Tomorrow Mik begins her full day. We all had a pretty exciting week full of activities, people and general catching up. 

After the day of roasting with their Poppy, Arielle came home and informed me, “Mommy, I was hitting the mark perfectly in my weighing…like .755 –.750 (exact weight necessary) almost every time UNTIL Poppy came by…..” “Then what?”, I asked. “Well….you know how it is when the BOSS comes around…You tend to mess up and not get it right when they’re watching?” She had me thinking…..it’s like we try to too hard sometimes…nervousness, fear of failure….there is so much ease in faith and it causes us to be free.  In our freedom, we are able to relax in the secure place of being loved and accepted regardless. It is the trait that I appreciate about Arielle….the ease in which she does things without much stress or effort. 

I think she started to miss her mark when she felt like she had to “show” her Poppy how good she was at weighing.  Just when we think we got it going on……our Boss shows up to put us back in our place….remain humble…dependent…..trusting….

Then Moselle told me, “I was literally INTO my job today and it was all over me too!” Michael had told me that Moselle had coffee grounds EVERYWHERE including on her and in her clothing.  She really gets into it….wherever, whatever….she is there and loving it all.  She can be a frustrating source to those that are just trying to “get it done”. Thankfully most of us learn from her….in this area anyway.

It is for our freedom that Christ died….let us live free and unhindered with a pure heart of love, joy and freedom.  Again I am reminded, “LIVE IN THE MOMENT” and enjoy it.        Laura  

School Starts                                By Mikaela Bagby  

This spring semester I will be starting up again at Indian River State College along with my brother! I am excited to be doing it with him this semester. We were fortunate to get into two classes together. This semester I will be studying in Sociology, Speech, English II, and Life Science. I am very excited for all my classes, except a little intimidated about my English II class.

My teacher is very intense and apparently is very hard. Not mean, but one who challenges her students to the max for sure. My friend Madi and I meant to take a different teacher, but once we got into the room I guess they decided to switch teachers on us because we ended up getting her instead! We sat there a little bewildered giving each other the, "We are going to die" look.

I didn't feel any calmer once she started explaining what we would be covering during the semester. We have this very large literature book for class which I have yet to go get in the book store... I'm definitely avoiding it. There is a huge section on Shakespeare and she expressed to us that Shakespeare is her FAVORITE and couldn't wait to go over it with us! That was scary.

But to get to the point of telling you all these things about my "scary" English teacher, the thing I remembered most about my first class with her was not how hard she was, or the fact that she was overly excited about Shakespeare, or even the two research papers instead of the normal one in every other English II class, but the story she told us about one of her students that emailed her just recently thanking her. This student took her class years ago, but emailed her telling her that without her class and the things he learned directly from her, he wouldn't be going for his doctorate. He explained that what he learned he had carried on for years after and said he would carry it for the rest of his life.

Now I do not know about you, but I want a class were I will learn skills that I can use for the rest of my life. This English class could be the worst school experience of my life, or it could be the BEST school experience I’ve had yet.  I had thoughts about dropping this class throughout this week but then I thought of an event a few weeks ago back on Maui that told me that maybe I should just go for it.

This certain event had to do with a huge swell coming in and my friends asked if I wanted to go surf with them the next morning. I called my Uncle Mark and asked him about the swell and if he thought it would be a fun day or a "get worked" day. What he said I'll remember for a very long time. “Mikaela, tomorrow could very well be a day where you get worked, thrashed, and thrown around in the waves because it’s big, OR...it could be the best surfing day of your life.”

I ended up going that day and you know what, it was one of the best surfing days of my life. Just think if I decided to back out because of fear. That would have been horrible. So I'm trying to apply this event to my English II class and I'm just going to go for it. Because either way I know I'm going learn something and I'll learn it from the hardest and best English teacher on campus.

You can apply this in life too... with opportunities and challenges not just in school (or surfing).

The "Go big or go home" quote comes to mind. If you’re going to do something, do it to your best abilities. In the end it will all be worth it. God won't give us more than we can handle. Even if we feel like it's too much, he knows better than us. So just do it! See what happens... because it never hurts to try.             Mikaela Bagby 

Project Ezra Nicaragua

We have had many conversations with Truman, Danilo, and our leadership team in these past weeks. We all have been asking the question: “Lord, what do You want us to do this year?  How many villages shall we place teachers? What is you direction for 2010?” These are great questions for us all, and it seems like we will begin this month with 40 teachers in 8 communities along the Rio Coco with an enrollment of close to 1800 students.  We are working out the details this week, so please keep Truman and our leadership team in your prayers as they navigate through obvious needs in other villages. 

Out desire is to Make Disciples among our students and teachers, and give education to as many children as the Lord commands. Many kids will need a sponsor this year.  We have just received updated photos, and reports on many of our sponsored children, along with many new First Grade students.

If you have ever desired to sponsor a child and really make a difference, this month is the time to do it.  Please send in the enclosed form to begin your sponsorship and in the coming weeks you will receive your child’s photo and bio. Then your prayers will have a specific target and we will see a difference  in their lives.

Classes begin at the end of January.  

The Bagby Bunch Corner

We arrived from Maui to a freezing Florida.  Many of these past nights, the temperatures have dipped below 32 degrees.  I love the cold, but not necessarily in Florida, and there is just something wrong about turning on the electric heat in the Sunshine State. Our January is already getting full with Tuesday and Thursday morning men’s group and Bible study.

Laura is on the dance team, Mik and Luk are helping with the worship at church, and Mikaela is teaching at the upcoming encounter. Arielle is helping in the nursery, and Moselle is sewing, knitting, and just being Moselle.  They are all actively engaged in school, Bible study, and life.  It is good.  January is also the month we are launching our new Rio Coco Bean website. 

With many hours of design and details, this site will hopefully generate more coffee sales, which will result in more dollars for the Nicaraguan education project.  Please keep it in your prayers as we would really like to see a surge in our coffee sales. (www.riococobeans.com)

Our family is all on the “Divine Mentor” reading plan.  All six of us are tracking through Genesis and Luke this week. These readings are only a time we set aside to allow God to speak to us.  And we can all be talking about the same things with many of our friends in Hawaii, North Carolina, and other points.

Please consider joining us this year and walk through the entire Bible together.

We have the daily readings posted at our new blogsite, The Supernatural Stream (www.seekthelamb.org/stream).  

Join us for some time together over these next months, as God speaks to us—together. We are making adjustments in our plans for the 2010 school year in Nicaragua. We only want to be doing what God has assigned us to do.  No stress, but still walking by faith in expectation that where He Leads, He Provides.  Such an adventure this life of faith! We are all in this together, and the rewards are great for us all.  Thanks for you time, prayers, and other resources that you direct to our kids on the River, and to us as well.                                                              Laura & Michael

 

 Rio Coco Bean Coffee

We are launching our new coffee website this month. Visit us at www.riococobeans.com to order your high altitude, specialty coffee that educates many children in Nicaragua.  Check out our learning section and sharing pages!  

Make A Difference This Month!

Here are some suggestions for you get personally involved in God’s plan for education on the Rio Coco in Nicaragua:

1) Sponsor a Miskito Child.  We need many sponsors for the 2010 school year.  It is only $27 a month, and it will provide education and special needs to a student in Project Ezra.

2) Join the support team of a Seek The Lamb missionary! Nutie & Tom Keogh, and Laura & Michael Bagby receive no salary from Seek The Lamb and rely on their personal support team to cover their living & ministry expenses.

Your gifts will go a long way! Please click on this link and make a secure donation to the ministry of Seek The Lamb.

 All contributions are tax deductable, and Greatly Needed and Appreciated!    

December 2009 Conchshell Chronicles

And the winner is: O Holy Night'

The international marketing research firm Zogby has released the results of a Christmas carol survey in which participants were asked to vote for their three favorite holiday songs from a list of nine. "O Holy Night" was the clear winner, with 58% of adults voting for it. The online s

Survey included responses from 2,330 adults and was conducted from Nov. 4 to 6. Rounding out the top five holiday songs are: "White Christmas," "The Christmas Song," "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

According to the poll, 76% of adults who attend religious services more than once a week said "O Holy Night" is on their top three list.  By comparison, only 25% of people who said they never attend religious services included the song as one of their favorites.

"O Holy Night" is actually a French song, dating from the 19th century. It was composed in 1847 by Adolphe Adam and was titled "Cantique de Noël." It was written during a time when the slave trade had been outlawed in Britain thanks to the efforts of Christian men and women led by William Wilberforce. Yet in many parts of their world, slavery still was legal. Some believe that this song was a ‘political comment’ on one of the great issues of those times.

We took a survey today in our home, and “O Holy Night” was the top choice of all present.  When I asked why, our friend, theologian Will Riedel said: “Because it is the Christmas story and all it represents to us.”

“Us” I guess means those followers of Jesus.  It’s interesting that in the Zogby survey the other four top favorites are “non-religious” in nature, and more a “Happy Holidays” type of carol (devoid of spiritual meaning).  On the other hand, “O Holy Night” is a poignant description of the birth of Christ, its effect on humanity, and the proper response of the Christian community. Hum the melody as you read the following two verses from this powerful song.

Verse 1:

O holy night!   The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of Our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world   In sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd  And the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope   The weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks  A new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees!  O, hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

 

I like the line: “Long lay the world in sin and error pining,  until He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

Jesus did come to overcome the power of sin, and give eternal value to every human life.  This was a revolutionary concept for that day, and ours as well. This is where Christianity differs from every world religion.

 Verse 3:

 Truly He taught us To love one another;

His law is love  And His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break

For the slave is our brother;

And in His name  All oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy

In grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us Praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory Evermore proclaim.

His power and glory Evermore proclaim.

 

The first line of this verse gives me the actual meaning of Christianity and the guide of how we Christians should carry ourselves in this world. 

“Truly He taught us To love one another;

His law is love And His gospel is peace.”

Our culture talks about love, but few actually demonstrate it.  It is the huge neon sign of the true Christian.

I hope that you will have many opportunities to sing this song over these next weeks, feeling the significance of the words.  Our prayer is that we take to heart the message of “O Holy Night” and allow ourselves to indeed fall on our knees, and proclaim God’s Love, Power, and Glory.

Merry Christmas from Truman and our teachers in Nicaragua, and all of us here on the Team in the United States.                            MB

 

 Lamb Bleatings                                     

                                                             By Laura

 

 “Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.  Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given to you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.  The time of my death is near.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”    2 Tim 4:4-7

 

On our first Sunday back to Hope Chapel Kihei (Maui), we were greeted by a few of Mikaela’s friends.  I recognized one of them as familiar and after inquiring, I realized that Whitney was the daughter of one of my long time friends of about 22 years.  Here stood her daughter, who looked and acted just like her mom, Terry Johnson, whom I had first known years ago before I met Michael.

Terry was a pure hearted, loving, kind and joyful kind of person who always lit up the world.  I used to wonder a long time ago whether she was actually “for real”.  Her joy was contagious and truly beautiful...child like and very real.  Her daughter, Whitney, the same. 

We began hanging out with Whitney and decided to begin a bible study for all the girls their age especially after Whitney had told us that she wanted to be a “Bible Scholar” (music to Michael’s ears).  She openly shared how her mom had been struggling through 11 operations on her spine and was ever in pain, but she was open to seeing me.  I wept the whole time Whit had shared with me about her mom (a former dental hygienist and marathon runner - active and full of life).  Now she was always in pain and often on her back...not mobile. 

I began to ask Jesus if it would be alright to go over and pray for her healing.  I so hated her having to suffer and curtail so many of her activities.  It grieved me.  Terry and I played phone tag trying to establish a time to meet, but on one Friday morning I received the news that she had expired the night before and could not be revived.

She passed from this life to the next.  I asked the Lord (in guilt) “Could I have prayed for her healing and made a difference?! I am so sorry I never got to get over there!!!”

I felt the Lord answer me quietly and gently, “I did heal her. Now she is with me.”

We have had the privilege of being with Whitney, a true legacy of her mom, Terry Johnson.  Whit has become a part of our family and we have become a part of hers.  Terry’s life lives on.

A life well lived with honor in the midst of a great deal of pain and hardship.  Whitney had written a paper about her mom about a year ago .  It was a paper on Terry, her mom, who she declared as being her hero.  She spoke at the memorial service reading the paper, a poem she wrote and sang a song dedicating it to her “hero” on this side of heaven.    Powerful moments of honoring a precious life. 

Yesterday we asked some of our kids if they could write something for the newsletter.  Whit joined in the writing….

 

The Bagby’s              By Whitney Johnson

 

When they first came to greet me I knew that very second Michael and Laura had a lot to offer me and to pour out their love and wisdom on me. Their family has impacted my life in so many ways even during their short time here on Maui.

I have learned a lot by observing the way they live and love Christ.

They showed me how to put faith in God under any circumstance.

I am currently attending a girl’s Bible study at their house which Mike and Laura teach.

The Bible study has pulled things literally out of my heart that I never knew was there.

I have learned a lot more about the Bible and how it became “the Bible”.

Mike is constantly testing me and helping my understanding in God grow every time I come over to their house. I see Laura as a second mom, I feel I can tell her anything.

She’s not only a leader and mentor, but she is one of the most passionate woman I have ever met on fire for God. Mike and Laura, they are like fire hydrants shooting with water overflowing out of them. Spending time with the Bagby’s has caused me to really find and search for my God, and under any circumstance to love people and look for opportunities to serve in any way possible. The way they live is a true testimony.

I see them bringing heaven to earth in everything that they do. They are available to God and he uses them to impact many lives, truly making disciples and really changing the world. They have inspired me to do the same thing.           Whitney

 

School’s Out !

 Project Ezra finishes its 23^rd Year

 

Final exams are done! The 2009 school years is over for our 2600 students on the Rio Coco in Nicaragua.

December is our month to finalize all the grades and reports, and begin to make plans for 2010. This is an exciting month, as we have to ask the Lord what HIS plans are for the next school year.  With our economy as it is, these are time of wisdom and faith.

Pictured above are Truman, Onofre, and teacher Jons Dino along with a few of or students. Jons is one of our former students, and knows the value of education. Pray with us for a bountiful 2010. We need your prayers this month!     MB

 

Christmas time is here!

                               By Mikaela Bagby

 

I’m especially excited for this year because we get to spend it on Maui! I’ve never spent Christmas here ever…My Grandparents are going to fly over from Oahu so it should be a really good time.

Always during Christmas I tend to think a lot about everything I’m thankful for…

The main thing that comes to mind is FAMILY, and I think that’s because I see everyone coming home from college, out of town, etc, to see their loved ones during the Christmas break. I kinda dread thinking about not seeing my family on a daily basis when and if I go to college out of state or something. I can’t imagine not seeing them every day and spending time with them. It’s a weird thing to think about for me, and the thing is because I am privileged to see my family everyday because were home schooled and all travel together for this time… I catch myself taking it for granted.

Sometimes I go through seasons where I take it for granted A LOT.

I do things like, pitch an attitude when my dad tells me to do a task, or talk harshly when my sisters do something incorrectly. The list goes on… but my attitude has always been the hard one to control.

 I look back on the many times I’ve done that and I think to myself, wow did I actually say that? Did I say that to a person that knows me just as well as I know myself, and puts up with me every stinkin day of their life?!

Yea I did and still do from time to time, it’s a sad thing, but I’m glad I catch myself more often now. You can never take family for granted…not ever. Because everyday you spend with people you love you need to think of it as a “gift”. At Christmas we get lots of gifts and yea we enjoy them… but the life long gifts… the things that actually matter forever are things like family.

I encourage you to think of your loved ones not just as people stuck there in your life, but as ‘gifts’.

Life is like a vapor, like a wind.

Never take your family for granted.      Mikaela

 

Krismis Lilya!

By Nutie Melrose-Keogh 

Tom and I are sending you, our dear Seek The Lamb family, Christmas greetings. We have just returned from Nicaragua after 6 fruitful months of service on the Rio Coco, and we bring with us salutations and thanks giving from our Miskito brothers, to each of you. God has poured out his blessing on them this Year, amidst difficulties, and they want to say THANK YOU for partnering with God on their behalf.

 As the Christmas season is upon us, we, too, are worshipping our Father in heaven with gratitude and awe for his kindness and faithfulness. It truly is a privilege to KNOW and SERVE JESUS, the King of Kings, Savior, Prince of Peace, Counselor, and our Best Friend! His presence and character have been strong with us this year as he allowed us opportunity to serve the people of the Wangky through teaching, preaching, singing and hands-on loving. It was a perfect way to establish our first year of marriage!

 Now we are preparing to share our first “blended Christmas” with all our children coming to Florida for the holidays. We are in the midst of Tom’s community of faith here at Sebring Grace Church and we feel very full and blessed.

 May God also delight you with His Presence and Goodness this season! We love you all! Merry Christmas!                                        Nutie & Tom

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

We are in “our season”. It is not about “Happy Holidays”. It is about the coming of our Lord Jesus, and his outreach to all mankind.  It is a time for celebration and reflection. We did receive the greatest gift possible ever– a personal relationship with the Creator and an eternal future as members of His Family.  We get to enjoy it now, and it will never end. This is the message for us to proclaim to all this season. And this is why it is a “Merry Christmas”!

We have so enjoyed our time here on Maui, working with our parenting classes, young couples Bible Study, and Miakela’s high school group.  We have seen God do some incredible thing in relationships, and we have learned so much ourselves.  It is a sweet time for us here. The photo was taken in Haleakala crater with a silversword plant in bloom.  We spent two days there last month. Looks like a Christmas tree to me!

We are already making plans to return to Florida on December 30, and be in Nicaragua at the beginning of March.  We are planning another trip to the Vida Joven Coffee Farm, and a construction trip to the Rio Coco.  Please consider joining us for adventure this year.

Merry Christmas!  May God pour out Peace and Joy as we celebrate!   

Laura and Maik

 

How to Make a difference with us this month.

Would you like to sponsor a child?  Support one of our missionaries?  Make a gift to our school project in Nicaragua?

Please click here for our secure website giving page.

 

 

This Month’s Prayer Needs:

 

December Arrows

This month, please pray for the following:

1)   That we will be able to pay all our teachers in Nicaragua their end of year salaries: by law they receive a “13th month” salary each December.

2)   For God’s wisdom in planning the budget for our Nicaraguan schools next year. We don’t want to cut back unless He tells us to. Pray for Truman as he meets with government and community leaders, and our teachers.

3)   For our dear friend Kelly, who is suffering severe headaches, which we think is due to the fact that she is the leader of the Precepts Bible Study ministry on Maui.  Pray for protection from the enemy.

4)   For a truck for the Bagby Family to replace the one destroyed by fire in June.

5)   For wisdom for Laura and Maik as they plan the 2010 ministry calendar.

 

 We need your  prayers! We know that God wants to provide all our needs, and He wants us to be active in asking Him to do it!

Conchshell Chronicles November 2009

November 2009 Conchshell Chronicles

 

Things We Are Thankful For……

It is the season to remember all the good things God has done in our lives.  We often reflect on the lives that He has given us, and the opportunities we have to impact humanity for eternal purposes.  We also think about many of you whom God has brought on to the STL team that has been educating our children in Nicaragua these past 23 years.  We are amazed to see the progress, and fruit, and we are so thankful that He has chosen us to be involved in this work. Of course we are thankful for our family, our healthy children, and our ability to make it through the days.  God has been good to us, and we are so thankful for all He continues to do!

 

A Partnership                 by Maik Bagby

 

God calls us, then He leads us, and if we are hearing and following, great things will be accomplished!

It is a partnership of efforts between us and God.

Our summer was filled with activities in Nicaragua and Honduras working with our Project Ezra teachers and students.  As we visited schools, spoke with our teachers, and spent time with our long time friends who are leading the project, we were encouraged by what God has been doing.  Many of our teachers have made significant spiritual steps, as have our students.  In addition, they all have advanced academically- our teachers are more qualified to teach, and the students are scoring better on their tests.  All is moving forward.  God is displaying Himself to the Miskito people through our education project, our radio Bible teaching broadcasts, our distribution of emergency relief food, and the love and attention that our teachers show the children.  It is good.

As we worked on the final phases of the Papta Watla (the three-story Leaf Roof House), I was again impressed at the artistry and engineering that has gone into this building.  It is truly a work of art that is very functional in training teachers, and pastors. Our builders, led by Tomas and Truman, have indeed utilized a creative gift from God to construct a building that causes people to gaze in wonder how a little organization like us could put up such an artistically inspired structure.  As I was painting one day, I felt so fortunate to be part of a God project.  It is good.

Our trip to North Carolina was filled with divine encounters where we were used to encourage many of our friends.  At the same time, we were refreshed ourselves, and inspired with moments with our family, at Hope Chapel in Apex, and walking the Cowpens Battlefield.  You read about that Revolutionary War battle in our June issue of the CSC.  Yes, that time was very good.

Coming to Maui at the end of September was a much anticipated event, and for good reason.  We felt that God was going to use us in some new ways to minister at our church here, and He has.  Our Relational Parenting class on Tuesday nights has been profound for us all.  We didn’t choose to teach on parenting, but were asked to by the leaders here at Hope Chapel.  Preparing for the classes has been a very good learning experience for us, and Laura and I have become better parents ourselves, as we study God’s principles for parenting. The teaching times have been very “God inspired”, and we have benefitted the most, although our 30 plus students tell us otherwise.  We are enjoying what God is doing.  It is very good.

At the same time, Mikaela has launched a Bible study for some of her high school friends on Wednesday afternoon, and already there has been deep significant issues discussed.  We are “helping” her, but it is so nice to see her touching the lives of the young ladies.  It is good.

We also launched a Bible study for Young Married Couples on Thursday night, with the idea that this could be a start of multiple Young Married studies.  There is such a need for an understanding of God’s principles for the marriage relationship in our society today.  We hope that our group of five couples will numerically and spiritually grow over the next months, and multiply. It is good what God is doing with our lives here on Maui.

As we walk along this journey of  listening to and following the King, we often encounter natural obstacles, and sometimes supernatural ones.  They often take the form of relationship issues, financial stress, government opposition, and health issues.  We have experienced all of these in our project in Nicaragua this past decade. These obstacles sometimes appear naturally, other times we realized it has been spiritually motivated.

Jesus continually tells us to trust Him as we follow along.  That is often hard to do.  We sometimes feel like the father of the demon oppressed boy in Mark 9:

So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was very small. The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can.”

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

The father instantly replied, “I do believe, but help me not to doubt!”                                   Mark 9:17-24

We believe, but we forget sometimes who we are believing in.  We let the natural circumstances cloud our vision, and the real Jesus, Creator of the Universe, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, starts to fade into a less able, further away, less certain god.

Like the boy’s father, we need help not to doubt.

The challenges for the Seek The Lamb ministry are great today.  We are involved in many things that are good; Things that God is doing; Ministry that we are hopefully doing our part.

We know that where He leads, He does provide.

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

 

 Lamb Bleatings               By Laura Bagby

 

Our lives are full of opportunities to respond and choose.  Yet, at times, it all feels so completely out of control and out of my grasping abilities.  I struggle to keep myself in the place of calm, peace and freedom.   I strive to remain unstained by the world, events and people around me.   I attempt to find my “steady point” of possessing and maintaining God’s presence and sense of security in the place of faith and trust.  I fail to remain there in my proper place especially when I am feeling like I am NOT accomplishing everything I “should be or ought to be” in light of everyone that is surrounding me.  I give heed to those people around me in the moment and each moment only turns into another one and then yet another one….Each encounter being important and meaningful in its own right.

However, by the end of the day or even during the course of the day, I do wonder to the Lord in thought,  “Am I doing what YOU want me to do?” The second and more important thought is, “Am I BEING who you want me to be?”

I suppose all of us could exchange stories of how busy we really are and how demanding our lives can be, but with each story comes our choice of how we will live each of those moments….whether in peace or in anxiety….whether we embrace those moments for the sake of clinging to God in desperation knowing that we cannot do it on our own or whether we press forward with determined human ingenuity and drive drugged by our own adrenalin and pride.

It is a continual battle….some moments more fierce than others….

Our weeks have been full of opportunities to practice much of what we have been teaching on this island.  Between our bible study teachings, meeting with interns at the church, a Relational Parenting class,  a couple’s study, countless discipling moments with individuals, preparing for sermons and planning a huge event in a few days to raise money for our missions with Seek the Lamb……….not to mention the main priorities of God, husband, children,  Grandma and Grandpa who arrived today, our other friends who arrived a few days ago,  and the host of other people we enjoy and love.  All of these involve time and the struggle to maintain the peacefulness of God reigning in our hearts.

I have had severe temptations to go to that place of stress and angst. And have in fact failed on many occasions.  Yet there is always so much that brings me back to my place before the Lord.

One morning this week I awoke with my skin crawling and thoughts whirling over all that needed to take place.  I called my friend Liz who is helping me with our Sunday fund raising event with our silent auction items.  She proceeded to proclaim the delight she had over saying YES to the Lord regarding her helping us and how the Lord assured her that all she needed to do was to trust, obey, walk forward and do what she could and allow God to simply do the rest.  Her friends told her she was beaming and asked her why.  She said, “Because I said yes to the Lord….”  It was such an encouraging reminder of how when we take care of our Father’s business He makes sure He takes care of ours.”  No worries…Liz and Reta run a magazine company for Real Estate in Maui and have a deadline to meet this week for Maui Property Portfolio.  Yet, there she was stayed in perfect peace, joy and gratefulness doing it all.  I loved talking with her and praying with her on the phone.  She is a joy to work with and do ministry with.  I welled up with thankfulness for her presence in my life.

Right after that encouragement, Moselle came up to me and handed me her “fun” journal notebook and said, “Read this mommy….I wrote it.”  It read like this….

Journey

This is a journey that is Holy

This is a journey of peace

This is a journey to find you to be in me

This is a path that is marked with holiness

This is a path that leads to you

I don’t know where to go but I’m trusting you

I’m trusting you to guide me

I’m trusting you to lead me cause God you love me

And I love you too!

I’m gonna follow you

I know you are going to lead me too.

God this is my journey to you.

                                           By Moselle Bagby

 

“What?!!!!  You wrote this?!!?”

“Yep.”

“You are gifted by the Holy Spirit, Moselle.  You have a gift and I am so encouraged by it!”

I was deeply moved by those words which my heart so longed to hear.  It  ministered to me and gave me the sense that everything was really quite alright.  All I needed to do was keep journeying back to my Lord.

Moselle and Liz helped me get back to reality as God knows it and calls it.

Mikaela and Lukas opened a bank account here and I had the privilege of being there with them as they displayed yet one more act of their adulthood and sense of responsibility. They are growing up and learning to appreciate the finer and deeper things in life and godliness….like the relationships that gave them their jobs…..like how grateful they are to even have a job when many of their friends are looking and not finding, when lay offs are abundant all around us,  when people react so amazed when they share where they are working and what they are doing.  They are concluding on the side of blessedness.  This is always a good landing spot for us all.

I could tell that Lukas felt blessed and thankful to have Grandma and Grandpa here with us.  He drove Grandma and I around to get medication, go to the store and to our bank.  When he arrived home, he made some of his famous noodles for them.

It has been very interesting watching them grow into adulthood.  We have all wrestled between their growing independence, dependence, considerations, priorities, thoughtfulness and the quest to allow loyalty, kindness, and faithfulness to rule our home together.

When we arrived home, Mikaela had already begun leading worship for our girls bible study group we helped her start.  A beautiful encouraging session.  I love sitting next to her in worship.  Her heart of worship blesses me on so many levels.

Our children are learning life lessons in relationships, time and financial management and responsibility.  They are also experiencing the freedom that comes with some of these responsibilities.

Arielle called me one day shortly after Lukas had begun working and let me know excitedly,

“Mommy when Lukas went to the store, he bought me some jeans….isn’t that nice of him?!”

“Do they fit?”

“Perfectly…I’m wearing them to church tonight.”

It was a nice way to see my son using his financial freedom in blessing his sister and having thoughts beyond his own needs which is such a key to the growing up process.  The ability and desire to think beyond ourselves…A worthy goal.      The struggle for us all…..

Trusting that God in his nature gave up his life for us that we would learn how to give up our lives for others.  Knowing that when we take care of our Father’s business, He takes care of ours.                                             Laura

 

 

 

 A Real Job                        By Lukas Bagby

 

This trip to Maui has been so much different in so many ways so far this year. To begin with a lot of my best friends from previous years that were my “hangout” friends all left for California to attend various colleges. This has impacted me in obvious ways such as having to make new friends (which can be a bummer at times) but none the less God has blessed me with a new friends and new opportunity’s on this trip.

One of the most amazing opportunity’s I’ve had so far is getting a job on the Trilogy Excursions boat line. Our long time friend Chris Walsh aka Captain Chris one day soon after we arrived came up to me and simply asked me “so do you wanna work while you’re here?” I said “Sure!” without hesitation.  He then continued to say “Alright. Meet me at the harbor tomorrow morning at 5:15.” The rest is history I guess you could say. I work as the third or second mate, serving food to our guests, passing out fins & masks, and leading them on snorkeling tours.  I have to watch out for the safety of our guests, and already I have gotten a few of them out of trouble.  I also see turtles every day. When we get back to the harbor, we get to clean the boat. It is usually an 8 hour day.

This is my first job I’ve ever had and the experience has been a great one. I’ve been given the opportunity to earn some money but also develop relationships with people from all over the world on a daily basis. When our good friend Terry Borcheller first heard about me getting a job his only words to me were “welcome to the real world buddy” and this is so true! haha.

The thing I’ve been learning the most with this amazing opportunity is that hard work definitely pays off. I’ve come from being a lazy slug to actually a pretty hard working young man.

 On top of this I’ve learned that you can actually make an impact on somebody just from talking with them for a mere 5 minutes.  I’ve had so many opportunities to tell people about my life and the crazy adventures God takes me and my family on.  People are always impressed and I feel like I’m actually doing God’s work just by taking the time with these people!

 I encourage anyone who is reading this that your 5 minutes in someone’s life can make a difference where they will spend the rest of eternity, are you gonna be part of the difference? I know I am.

                                           Aloha         Lukas

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

Our time in Hawaii has historically been our busiest.  This year is no exception.  We have many opportunities to encourage & teach many of our friends and partners whom we have not seen since 2007.  It has been a rich time, especially with Lukas and Mikaela working (she works for Spencer Homes in the office), and both being involved in ministry.  We have enjoyed our time with their friends, and these young people seem hungry for the freedom that comes from a close relationship with God.

We have classes and Bible Studies that we are leading, as well as many moments throughout the week for sharing times.  It seems that each weekend we have had an opportunity to share at a weekend service at Hope, Kumulani, and Waipuna Chapels.  We so enjoy sharing what God has taught us– often through hard lessons.  If you would like to see the video messages please go to the Hope Chapel website (www.hopechapelmaui.com) and click on the “Watch A Service”  and look on the Sunday and Friday menus.  We have taught on “Purposeful Intentional Living”,  “Developing Compassion” and on Friday, “To the Ends of the Earth”.  Take and moment and let us encourage you.

We are in our final two months of the school project in Nicaragua, and we want to finish strong this year.  You probably noticed the theme of our articles this month, which we wrote without consulting each other.  We both are so aware of the good things that God is doing, and we want to play our parts to the maximum. Please pray with us that we will be able to meet the needs of our 81 teachers and administrators, and finish the “Paptal Watla” in Waspam.

We are available for service while we are in Hawaii for any needs.  Please contact us at our cell below.  We look forward to seeing all our friends this season.

Pray with us this month!  Let God move in all our hearts!          

                                                       Laura & Michael  - Cell # 772-633-6808 

 

 

 

Rio Coco Bean Coffee

We have fresh coffee of the finest kind! We import coffee from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia, roast it fresh in Vero Beach Florida, and deliver it directly to your door. Then we send the profits to educate our students in Nicaragua.

Please go to www.riococobeans.com to order yours!

 

Do You Want to Help this month?

Here are some suggestions for you get personally involved in God’s plan for education on the Rio Coco in Nicaragua:

1) Sponsor a Miskito Child.  We need many sponsors for the 2009 school year.  It is only $27 a month, and it will provide education and special needs to a student in Project Ezra.

2) Contribute to the building fund for the Waspam Center . Windows, computers, desks, and paint are needed. We estimate $6300 will allow us to move in!

3) Help Nutie & Tom build their home. We have started making blocks and pouring cement columns. Much is needed to finish this important project.

4) Join the support team of a Seek The Lamb missionary! Nutie & Tom Keogh, and Laura & Michael Bagby receive no salary from Seek The Lamb and rely on their personal support team to cover their living & ministry expenses. Your gifts will go a long way.

Please click here to make a secure donation through Pay Pal.

Your gifts are greatly appreciated!

November 2009 Conchshell Chronicles

Read the November issue of the Conchshell Chronicles.

October Conchshell Chronicles 2009

Why This All Matters

 

This morning, these girls who live along the Rio Coco  in Nicaragua will put on clean clothes, comb their hair, and walk to the school building near their home.

There, a teacher will read a passage from the Bible to begin the day, and continue math and other subjects for the next four hours.   

Further up river, a young teenager will receive an invitation from the Young Life Bible club at school to attend a week-long camp where he will have an experience with God. On a continent far away, a young Ethiopian pastor will head out from his village to begin a work in a predominately Muslim village, with the goal to share the Good News of Jesus, and establish a community of Christians.

All of these projects will make in difference in our world in these next few years, and they are all connected to you.

Seek The Lamb has 17 schools in “Project Ezra” along the Rio Coco, with over 2500 students attending today.  These schools are being taught by Miskito Indians who were educated by Project Ezra in the last century (1980’s & 90’s). These teachers are supported by your donations, child sponsorships, and profits from our Rio Coco Bean coffee. It is a work that is bearing a lot of fruit.

Rio Coco Beans buys green coffee from the Young Life ministry in Northern Nicaragua.  They grow these delicious beans on a farm that serves as a camp for young students who are members of Bible clubs that Young Life has started all over Nicaragua.  The week-long camp experience is what often cements a student’s relationship with Jesus. This camp is funded from the sale of the green coffee grown on the property.

In Ethiopia there is an indigenous evangelical church movement that is training up pastors and sending them and their families out to Muslim areas to plant churches. This movement is assisted by New Covenant Ministries, who buys coffee from the Christian coffee farmers in Yirgacheffe, and imports it to the U.S. where their “for-profit” company Dominion Trading, sells it to companies like Rio Coco Beans. They in return take their profit back to Ethiopia and help fund the church planting.

These three projects are all having their impact in changing our world, one life at a time.  We have the honor to be involved through what God is doing through your participation in Seek The Lamb, and through your purchase of Rio Coco Bean Coffee.

Can I make a difference in the world? The answer is YES! In your relationships with those in your community, you have the opportunity each day to shine the Light of God to a culture who has lost its moral compass and is experiencing the consequences of life without God’s wisdom and blessings. Through  your donations to Seek The Lamb, you have the opportunity to directly impact the lives of children in a culture where Christianity is relatively new. Through your purchase of Rio Coco Bean coffee, you touch children all over Nicaragua, and families in Muslim villages in Ethiopia.

Be encouraged today!  You have the chance to change your world. Will you take it?                                                                                                        Maik

Seek The Lamb                                                                                        Rio Coco Bean Coffee

                                               

Lamb Bleatings                                 By Laura

We get knocked off our feet in many ways in life. Every now and again we all need an awakening. For some, it may by a swift kick or a hard swat on the “okole” (butt).  Most discipline comes with a price that moves us to change.

My children have often responded well to such discipline.  It wakes them up from their selfish little stupor that overtakes them in their small little world of “me, myself and I”.  We want them to be a joy and a blessing not only to us but to the world around them.  It takes training and discipline to get them to this point in many areas of their lives.   All of this demands a level of commitment on our part to see that they grow into their God given design and function on this side of heaven.  It is a continual challenge and intentional decision on our part to see them through via our training and discipline.

We are sure their precious lives have a destiny to fulfill. My destiny and purpose gets messed with and there are moments that I need a good “spanking” to reality & truth. The discipline of our heavenly Father is sobering and causes us to come to a few senses we would perhaps like to avoid. Yet, the reality is that I, personally, often ask my heavenly Father for His “opinion” over my life.  He never holds back from me and is free to give me His view over the issues in my heart.

In one way, I hate it very deeply.  It makes me mad, sad, disappointed, emotional and at times struck with hopelessness and a tinge of depression.  I have even been known to throw a little tantrum. Bad girl. In God’s kind way, He saves me from myself and the negativity of my emotional state and speaks the right words to me or gives me the perfect kind acts through many of my friends to make light my way and to ease the blow of my chastisement.  It is not fun being “spanked”. 

The Lord Himself could actually say with all truthfulness….”this HAS hurt me more than it will hurt you….suck it up…it is nothing compared to my pain and ultimate death on your behalf…”

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.  Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”  Hebrews 12:11-13

These words breathe life and hope back into my corrupt system and help me to gain perspective from above.  I am in training to yield a result of right living.  I am gaining strength for my weary limbs that I might walk straight on my path of healing and wholeness.  The path of shedding all that hinders and disqualifies me from effectiveness, freedom and blossoming relationships. How can God draw all men to himself if I am in the way?  He must be seen, heard and felt through this vessel if I desire my life to account for anything of eternal value. We are all given to misbehavior.  It is the sin within that drives our wrong behaviors. 

It is interesting that our behavior is mainly evident through “relationships” that surround us.  We practice the things that are in our hearts on others.  It is revealing as we discover our attitudes, feelings and emotions that we display as we interact with our world.  We learn a lot if we want to and are open to such learning.  God our Father is such a great Teacher and perfect parent. As we open ourselves up to Him and others, I believe we are challenged with the unrest in the relationships we have.  Through the unrest we realize God is there attempting to overtake us and our emotions.  We are then encouraged to pursue peace and sanctification if we really want to see the Lord. How we need to depend on the Lord for this and the grace it takes to get through our emotions and human attitudes?! 

If we don’t, we are open to the ugly root of bitterness which has taken over many a life and affected countless more in the process.  A destructive path to be sure….completely out of line and crippling to all who enter such a road… I once heard it said, “I hate consequences!” Hating it shall never erase them. 

I have often heard myself say to parents with younger children….”pay now or pay later…..if you don’t discipline and train misbehavior when they are little, you will pay a higher price later….”  There is a lot of physical energy when they are little, but as they grow older, parents tend to exert more emotional energy.

“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to another.  For each one shall bear his own load.  And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.  And let us not lose heart in doing good for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. 

Gal 6:4-10

Through life experiences and consequences; -We examine ourselves realistically -We realize what we must alter in our hearts -We keep our hearts right with the strength of the Lord -We focus on God -We give generously to all men especially those who are in the household of faith. Look in, look up and look outward to the needs that prevail around us. We can never stay looking inward and wallow there.  It is all about our focus and perspective right back where it needs to be.

Loving God and loving others. “Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, …...You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.                                            Hebrews 12:1-6

I sense disentangling within my own life by God who is purifying me and setting me up to run my race more effectively for Him.  I count it a blessing to be loved and  received by so great of a Teacher, Friend and Father.  He is good and no good thing will He withhold from those who love him.                                                           Laura  

Drafting                                                    By Mikaela

 

My brother and I go on bike rides with my dad from time to time. I’m not gonna lie, sometimes he has to force us out there with him, but after that fact were good to go. Once I’m out there picking up speed, feeling the wind on my face, I wonder why I give such a fuss about it. It is a top 10 feeling.

When we ride together we try ride into the wind first then come back with the wind at our backs…JUST in case were super tired and need that extra “Umph” to get us back home minus a heat stroke. That plan doesn’t really work out for us. We always end up riding with the wind at our backs on the way out and on the way back the wind is coming straight at us. This happens EVERY TIME!

This is where the art of “drafting” comes in. I love drafting. I love drafting off my father…hehe. As we ride into the wind he is in front and Luke and I are each six inches behind each other’s tires. The wind force is cut at least in half, and it’s a very easy ride for us…compared to my dad.

My dad on the other hand is doing all the muscle work in front, blocking almost all the wind force. Since he is the more “experienced” rider, we always are considerate to let him go up front on the way home… I’m not sure if he likes that or not, but you’d understand if you were in the position. We go into survival mode. The goal is to get home in the midst of the Florida heat. Every man/woman for himself…etc, etc. We give him a better work out so I’m assuming he appreciates our generosity of letting him go first on the way home. That’s just me though.

Without my dad there in front, our ride home into the wind would be very much a difficult thing.

It is like that with our walk with God. Without him there drafting for us we start to get tired, we start to give up. When we have Christ and are actively serving him, we get to draft behind him. He blazes the path for us, all we have to do is say yes. Once we say yes, we can receive his blessings, which by the way are very abundant.

If you don’t know about “drafting” with God, I encourage you to look into it. Because trust me, life without Jesus, is no life at all.

I dislike not having my dad there to block the wind for me, I get tired faster, and my speed declines very quickly, and I do not like it when I’m not drafting behind God. I start to lose sight of the plan he has for me. When I get off course I feel lost, directionless. Once I’m back on track drafting with him, I feel safe again. I feel like I have my purpose. I encourage you to stretch your walk with Christ. Draft with him!                    

Aloha,                                                             Mikaela

 

 

Passion                                 By Lukas

 

Passion is that lasting drive that will get you to the finish line.

I had the opportunity of going for a run with my family the other day. On this run my dad told us that we were going to time ourselves and see how fast we could run a mile. Now I’m not in the best running shape at all. I’m a swimmer. So running a mile without a break is kind of a big deal to me after going so long without running at all.

After starting and coming around the first lap (a mile is 2 laps at the park we were at that morning) I was feeling alright, but by the time I was a quarter way through the lap I just felt like lying down on the ground under my feet and giving up.

This is where I think in life situations everyone messes up and falls short. True character is proven when things get tough, and the people still there after it gets tough are the people with character and a passion in their lives.

I finished the race… and won it as well! With a good time of 7 and a half minutes… not too shabby eh? What I learned that day was that everyone has the capacity to do what they want, but what we all lack sometimes is the brain power to push through. That is why I think it’s so important to be optimistic with the situations life hands to you and to find your passion in life. God’s favor is upon those who find their passion in him, and he in turn rewards them for their efforts.                                                      Lukas 

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

We are in Hawaii this month and hopefully seeing many of you!  It has been almost two years since our last visit!  Our time in the islands have historically been our busiest, as we so want to connect with you and share many of the experiences of these past years.

God has indeed brought us through many situations where He has been our only hope, and He has shown Himself to be all sufficient. He is taking us in some exciting and faith-stretching directions, and teaching us more about Him, and our life as members of His Kingdom.  These are the “nuggets” that we so what to share with all of you in person.

We are teaching a parenting class at Hope Chapel in Kihei on Tuesday, as well as visiting many of the churches which are involved in helping with the Nicaragua project.  We will also be having other studies on Maui– to be announced. 

We are also hoping to visit our friends on Oahu and Kauai.

We are also planning a Seek The Lamb event on Maui on Sunday November 8th at 7:30 pm at Hope Chapel that we hope you can attend. 

The Seek The Lamb Team has many players scattered around the globe, and we are honored to be your representatives as we participate in the work in Nicaragua and other places that God has taken us these past years.

I spoke with Truman a few days ago, and there is a severe problem on the Rio Coco with food due to the flood in August.  He asked me to ask you all to pray that they will be able to get bean seed for planting a new crop. The flood wiped out 80% of the rice harvest, so many families are planting early a bean crop.  Please lift our families up for this emergency need.  If you want to help, we can get the money to Truman and he will purchase the seed and get it downriver.  As we spoke about teacher salaries, and money to finished the construction of the Waspam Center,

Truman reminded me: “It is through prayers that God meets the needs.” Good reminder from a man of faith. Pray with us this month!  Let God move in all our hearts!                    

                                                                            Laura & Michael  - Cell # 772-63...  

 

A & M Coffee Club

 

A few months ago Moselle and I opened up the A & M Coffee Club. If you are not familiar with The A & M Coffee Club it is where my sister and I roast coffee and ship it right to your door every month.

The main reason why my little sister and I started the A & M Coffee Club was because of all our school kids in Nicaragua. All of the coffee money goes straight to the Miskito Children. It really motivates me as well as my sister to roast coffee more often. I feel very grateful for the privilege to do this for the project.

I want to tell you about the steps we take to make all this happen. The first thing we do in the roasting room is wash our hands and wipe down the counter top. We then weigh the green coffee beans and wait until the roaster is ready and warmed up. While we are waiting we start labeling our coffee bags. By the time we are done with that the coffee roaster is warmed up and ready. We put the green coffee beans inside the roaster and it stays in there for 14-18 minutes, but for our light coffee we roast it for about 15 or 16 minutes.

After the coffee is ready we take it all out and my dad weighs it. Next we start popping the bags open. That’s usually my job and Moselle weighs the coffee and puts it in the bag. Sometimes I help my Dad grind the coffee beans and seal it up. We also put a sticker on the bag, and put it in a box for carrying out.

After we complete all this, we clean up. This includes sweeping the floors, and vacuuming out the roaster. We also wash the bins and pack up the coffee. We make sure to lock up before we go home.

It usually takes us like an hour and a-half to roast one batch of coffee and bag it all up, but when we do a big bunch it takes like three hours. God has been so good to the A & M Coffee Club because he has done so much by providing us a roaster and a LOTS of coffee and giving us a lot of members to support the Miskito Children. Please join the A & M Coffee Club and help support our school project!

                Thank you!                                                                        <3 Arielle Bagby                  A & M

Action Time

Seek The Lamb

Make A Donation to Seek The Lamb for the schools, child sponsorship, construction, and missionary support.

Rio Coco Bean Coffee

Purchase some fresh roasted high altitude coffee and support the Nicaragua school project.

Terry Borcheller's Championship Weekend

You may remember reading a few months ago in the Conchshell Chronicles about Tracy and Terry Borcheller’s trip to the Rio Coco in July.  Terry wrote an inspirational article about his meeting with his two sponsored children through the Make A Disciple program.

Terry does other things beside missionary work.  He pastors a men’s group in Vero Beach Florida on Tuesday morning, and is famous as a championship Grand Prix racer.   Terry started the 2009 Rolex Cup Grand Am season driving for the Brumos Team, where he took third place in the Daytona 24 hours race, driving the Brumos Porsche “59” car. This was an incredible day for the Brumos team as their other entry took first place. Due to the effect of our economy on the racing season, Terry chances for further driving were severely curtailed, as teams canceled cars and drivers.   A few weeks ago, Terry was asked to drive the final race, the Miami Grand Prix, for another team, in the number “22” car.  It was a good opportunity for Terry, an he accepted.   This past week, the driver of the Brumos “59” car was suspended for DUI, and drug possession. Unbeknownst to us, on Wednesday, the Brumos team called Terry to see is he would drive the “59” in the Maimi race. Terry was severly conflicted, have team loyality to the Brumos team, but having committed to the “22” car, he declined.  Terry is a man of integrity.   We watched the race and were so excited to see Terry driving.  He drove well for the first hour, staying in the top eight.  There were numerous accidents, and the 250 mile race ended under a yellow flag, with a surprise finish: The Brumos “59” car gained the lead, and once the yellow flag appeared to clean the track debris, stayed there until the finish.  As we watched the Brumos Team celebrate, I could only think that somehow Terry belonged in that picture.   We called Terry a few hours after the race, and he was really second guessing himself about his decision to stay with his commitment to the “22” car, and miss out on finishing the season with a win.

Then he told us about the rest of the weekend……  

Terry did the chapel service for the drivers and crews before the race.  He often is invited to speak at these gatherings.  He had invited about 14 of his friends who had never attended a chapel, and to his amazement, they were all there, including his special friend, actor Patrick Dempsey, the owner/driver of the “40” GT car.  Patrick is searching right now, and he and Terry have had significant conversations all season. Terry gave in his words his best message ever– talking about the difference between the “religious” Jesus and the “historical” Jesus. There was a great response to this discussion of the reality of Jesus as our Lord.

All this a few hours before the race began.  

Terry also races in another series, the Mustang GT racing. His co-driver is a young man named Andrew who Terry befriended and invited him to visit Vero Beach, where he became friends with many of us.  It was there that Andrew also came to our church, and there began a personal relationship with Jesus.  Over this past year, Terry has spent many days traveling and racing with Andrew, as well as at our Men’s Group in Vero Beach on Tuesday.  He has encouraged, taught, admonished, supported, and loved on Andrew.  Terry has a pastor’s heart, and it is very evident in his relationship with not only Andrew, but with John, Jeff, Nick, and the other men in our group.

This weekend, both Nick and Andrew attended the Men’s Encounter in Vero Beach Florida, which is a weekend retreat where many draw much closer to the Lord.   Tonight, Terry had the pleasure to see Andrew get baptized!  We are all celebrating!   Terry had a championship weekend, doing the Lord’s business.  He may have missed an opportunity to stand on the Miami Grand Prix winner’s podium, but his certainly took the Gold Medal for the King in his efforts off the track.  Well done Terry!  We are all very proud of you!

 

 

 

September 2009 Conchshell Chronicles

The Journal of Seek The Lamb   

 

September

2009

 

Free Nuggets of Gold!

Read on for details………

“I’m learning something new all the time,” said the husband married for 18 months.

“I’m learning when to keep my mouth shut” said the husband of 20 years.

The realities of living with a woman are evident for both men. Change is necessary for the marriage relationship to grow; Change on both sides, so that the union will be mutually beneficial.

Life is all about growing, and changing.  In the process, we become different in the way we look, and the manner in which we look at things. We see it in our kids and we see it when we look in the mirror.

The Bible describes this process in detail.  Jesus says in the “Sermon on the Mount”

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.                                     

                                                                                                          Matthew 5:48.

   Here is the Greek word for “perfect” is  τέλειος - “Teleios”, which means according to the Dictionary of Biblical Languages, “mature in one’s behavior”

   Maturity is a goal of all followers of Jesus, or at least it should be. Maturity means leaving childish things behind, and growing in understanding and responsibility.   Here is how a famous teacher named Paul once described it to his friends:

 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.   Eph 4:21-24

We all need renewal in our thoughts and attitudes.  Knowing that is the first step in seeing that “maturing” take place.  If we are serious about walking out this process of maturity, then the Bible says that God will instruct us in “His Ways” and then present us   with circumstances where we will learn the benefits of growing up and doing it His way.

Much of God’s practical instructions are included in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 1 offers us a series of reasons why these divine proverbs are included in the Bible:

To know wisdom and instruction,

To discern the sayings of understanding,

To receive instruction in wise behavior,

 Righteousness, justice and equity;           Prov. 1:2-3

My Key Word Study Bible has an interesting note for the Hebrew word (muwcar) translated “instruction” in Verse 3:

Instruction and discipline come primarily from the father or a father figure such as a teacher, and usually are conveyed orally or may come via the rod (or consequences). Those who are wise receive instruction but fools reject it. The reception of instruction brings life wisdom and the favor of God. However rejection brings death, poverty and shame.

What a profound insight!

This year has been a year of challenges for me personally, and I have received “instruction” from the Lord. Here are a few things that I have learned:

1) Even if what I am saying is correct and proper, the manner in which it is expressed has a lot to do with how it is received. I have discovered the principle that communication is both expressing and listening.  Both skills have to happen if thoughts are going to be conveyed successfully. I have to communicate in a manner that the listener will actually hear what I am saying. This is a huge lesson for me!

2) Raising children is a great responsibility.  Even though both parents are involved, ultimately the father is held responsible for the teaching and training his children.  This mandate demands understanding of each child as well as the mom. A successful father is one who can gently but firmly guide his family through emotional times to the goals that God sets for our parenting.

3)  I am instructed to undertake ministry projects that demand the participation of the Holy Spirit.  If we can figure it out, and ourselves provide for every need, then probably God is not a part of it, and the fruit will be minimal.  God wants us to plan big, so that he will have to do his part for success to occur.

4) I am not responsible for the success of God’s projects.  He is.  All I am responsible to do is  my part.  For example I am not the one who does the fundraising for our school project.  The Holy Spirit does.  All I do is my part- write the newsletter, and let the needs be know. And take care of how the money is spent. These past months, I have agonized over the monthly budget, fearing not having money to pay our teachers in Nicaragua. But I finally realized that He is the responsible party.  We all have to just do our parts.

5) My life is a series of choices based on my value system. Since I became a follower of Jesus, my values have changed. Amazingly, I have now placed relationships above accomplishments. It has not always been that way. For example in the first week in September, I have set aside the writing of this newsletter and the meeting of my established goal to have it in the mail by the eighth of the month, so that you all could have opportunity to read it by the 15^th, get your child sponsorship checks in the mail by the 20^th, so that I can wire transfer the money to Nicaragua by the 25^th, in favor of spending time with family and friends.  It was my birthday on the first, and then Laura’s brothers and parents all arrived for the Labor Day weekend. This past week has been filled with very significant discussions with family members and ministry partners. It was obvious that God had a definite agenda in place. So I can comfortably enjoy the moments without getting stressed out over a self-imposed goal. I’ll be a few days late getting the newsletter in the mail, but God is in charge, and He will take care of it (refer to #4).

6) More than ever, I need to work with people whom I love, and who love me.  Life is too short to have stress in ministry relationships. This is the #1 reason that missionaries return from working in full time ministry.  It is the conflict in their relationships with their team members.  I have experienced that.  No more! Fortunately my current ministry teammates are ones who I love dearly- and I think they love me. That makes THE difference in long term working relationships.

    7) My wife and my children are worth all the attention and care that I can give them.  At the end of my days, it will be them that I will be thinking about.  I must enjoy them each day, each moment.  I am still putting this one into practice.

These are some of the nuggets of gold that I have mined this year.  I offer them to you so that you will not be forced to learn the hard way.

Change is a natural part of human life. We will always have the opportunity to move ahead with God as his spirit works within us. The question is “Are we willing”?

I received a letter from a long-lost college classmate whom I have not seen or heard from since 1973.  He wrote this to me yesterday:

I have heard or read interesting things about you over the years. I remember you as an F-16 pilot in the making.  A military path.  But, the road you have taken is more spiritual in nature than military, no? That's what I recall reading/hearing. I would not have predicted that you would go down that road. This means that either I did not know you as well as I thought I did , or you changed over the years, or both.

 

He’s right! I have left some childish things behind.                                                                 Maik

 

 

Do You Want to Help this month?

Here are some suggestions for you get personally involved in God’s plan for education on the Rio Coco in Nicaragua:

1) Sponsor a Miskito Child.  We need many sponsors for the 2009 school year.  It is only $27 a month, and it will provide education and special needs to a student in Project Ezra.

2) Contribute to the building fund for the Waspam Center . Windows, computers, desks, and paint are needed. We estimate $6300 will allow us to move in!

3) Help Nutie & Tom build their home. We have started making blocks and pouring cement columns. Much is needed to finish this important project.

4) Join the support team of a Seek The Lamb missionary! Nutie & Tom Keogh, and Laura & Michael Bagby receive no salary from Seek The Lamb and rely on their personal support team to cover their living & ministry expenses. Your gifts will go a long way!

All contributions are tax deductable, and Greatly Needed and Appreciated!

 

Lamb Bleatings   By Laura Bagby

 

Birthday month!

    Three out of the six of the Bagby bunch celebrate their birthdays this month.  We also have a couple of our very close friends celebrating their birth this month as well. 

Because of the life God has called us to, we would not consider ourselves to be traditional and we don’t really have many sacred traditions we actually “hold on to”.  It is probably why birthday’s are so big in the Bagby bunch.  We seem to always do some particular things on a person’s birthday aside from the usual gift giving, cake eating and blowing out candle thing.  We try to take the time to celebrate the birthday person’s life in words and blessings over them out loud.  We also cut loose to our “birthday song” and go crazy in dance first thing in the morning.  The whole birthday process usually takes a lot of time and preparation before the actual day….the whole gift giving gig begins where we start asking each other about possible gifts and what they will write on that ever precious card.(which they hope to jerk some tears out from the birthday person…that is always rewarding)

I realized how much we have made birthday’s a tradition when one of my friends planned a beautiful dinner on September the 1^st and I without thinking too much said, “that’ll probably work out.”  I was not thinking out my equation very thoroughly because when I got home, I mentioned the dinner and how nice that was to be taken to dinner, etc.…

Well, my family looked at me like I had two heads and one of my wise children said,

That’s Poppy’s birthday….I mean his actual birthday.”  Michael just looked at me puzzled  like, “You are not thinking of going are you???”  I just said that I didn’t think I was thinking clearly at the moment and that probably yes, it surely wasn’t a good idea for me to go….I thought to myself, “Yeah, what WAS I thinking?!”  This is unheard of in our family.  I concluded that truly I was not thinking (a common practice these days for me).  Everyone agreed that my friend would totally understand which she totally did and we ended up celebrating my husband’s life on his “actual” birthday for lunch with family and our “extended” family of a few friends.  I also planned a separate event personally with the birthday boy for the evening festivities.   The whole day was beautiful and ever so meaningful.  Michael thought so too. “

His birthday caused me to think just how much a man of God of 58 accomplishes in a life time.  I began to reflect just how miraculous this life really is for he is a man that has continuously reflected upon God’s eternal plan in him and through him.   He has never waned in his vision for the Lord, his heart for people and the things he is called to do with his life as a husband, a father, a disciple, a disciple maker, a fund raiser for thousands of children and people along the Rio Coco (now going into our 25^th year).    The Lord’s faithfulness is seen through many avenues in his life….wherever we find ourselves in the world, relationships are always being developed and he is pointing people back to the Lord through bible studies or every day interactions.  His boldness and intensity is embarrassing at times, but he does get the job done.  This is what I both love and hate about him all in the same breath….Through all, he has proven to be eternally effective and has accomplished more in 58 years than most do in an entire lifetime. 

Our Miskito friends have seen many “projects” come and go in their life time, but God has proven to them that when God owns a project, He makes it happen and uses the most unlikely people to accomplish it.   Michael has been one of those unlikely, but fervently faithful people to be used most significantly.  Many of you have stood alongside of him and have helped, supported and given generously  through his life.  We are blessed to partner with such quality. 

As a missionary, he has done what many are presently attempting to do in causing a people group to live out the cause of Christ in their own culture with the resources they have.  Our Miskito friends have come to a place where they are “owning” Project Ezra and thinking of ways to look among themselves for ways to provide rather than depending on “outside” help.  They are coming to a place of looking to the Lord who indeed does supply all their needs.  They are learning the essence of every person taking their positions in the Kingdom of God and each playing their own part as we play ours.

   Our part has become serving our Miskito friends by inspiring the involvement of others to come into our fold and partnering with them in their dreams and visions.  The roles have changed over the years as our Miskito leaders & friends have become true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ desiring to hear His voice and walk in His ways.  I have had the privilege of watching my husband (the birthday boy) disciple & impart all that he is and has to these men who are now walking boldly in their gifting and calling.   It is an inspiring miracle.  Each month we continue to send at least $15,000 to our friends for the school project.  We are in the process of working on completing the awe inspiring Waspam Discipleship Training Center and a supporting building in Sawa for teams.  We desire to build an apartment on that property for Tom and Nutie in Waspam.

Still, without any visible means of support, but the ones by faith, we press on even in a depressed economy.  We do not live by the world’s standard, but God’s and we choose to live according to His economy and way.  I have told Michael that he could have been anything he wanted to be…president, doctor, lawyer, Indian chief, yet with all of his capabilities, he chose God and whatever that would bring….all he asked on the day of his baptism was that God would allow him to travel….

Travel he has and used in many parts of the world.  The Bible says that as we are going about in this world,  “MAKE DISCIPLES”….he didn’t specify where, Jesus said that  “as we are going” we ought to be about making disciples.  I celebrate a life that actually is doing what Jesus says to do….

In the midst of change, travel, raising teenagers, discipling, bible studies, counseling and building a coffee business to give more money away,  I see an extraordinary life of a man given over to God and His purposes.  A true life of adventure for eternity. 

I am blessed to say that my birthday boy is about the business of my Father in all avenues of his life and though his life is vast and varied, he always brings it down to the basics of living out his Father’s heart.  It is with great joy that I celebrate this life and acknowledge how much I love following him around. .     

 Top that one, Birthday Boy.                                 Laura

 

A & M

Coffee Club

Well a couple  nights ago me (Arielle) and Moselle had some coffee but it  was a decaf and we made a mocha so our next project may be the  A&M Mocha Coffee drink which will be really good because I don't even like coffee yet!! 

Did you know that coffee is really good for you ? Well a study done by harverd showed that if you drink Rio Coco Bean coffee you will have less  Diabetes, fewer cavities and less chance of colon cancer & Parkinson’s disease. Get the picture??? So we are offering you long life and smiles on your face!

For these and many more reasons you should join The  A & M  Coffee Club.  It is the best price for home delivery! And we love to send our money to Nicaragua for the kids.  A & M

 

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

“A rolling stone gathers no moss” wrote the famous Roman poet Publilius Syrus, and neither does the Bagby Family.  After returning from Nicaragua August 1, we hit the road to North Carolina two weeks later to visit ministry partners and friends in Cary and Hendersonville.  My brother Randy took our kids flying over the beautiful Smokey Mountains! We also walked the Cowpens Battlefield, where the Americans defeated a British force by completely surrounding it. You may recall I wrote about this in the June CSC.  We had many significant encounters! We made progress in plans for our coffee business.

We met new friends and had many opportunities for encouragement. Here is one comment that we received after our return:   Tell Laura that meeting her and having her pray for me changed my entire relationship with the Lord. That was one of the most profound moments in my life : )

We live for moments like this! Now we are making preparations to fly to Maui this month.  It has been almost two years since our last visit, and we are so excited about seeing many you!  We will be teaching a class on parenting Tuesday nights at Hope Chapel in Kihei, as well as other studies during the week. We also hope to visit our friends on Oahu, Kauai, and The Big Island. Our time in Hawaii is usually our busiest ministry time of the year, and much of the support for the Nicaraguan school project comes from Hawaii.  We are not focused fundraisers. We just want to give some of what God has given to us through our experiences in Central America and the Middle East.

We figure that He is has a better strategy for meeting the needs of the Miskito Project, as well as our personal needs. We do our part, and He does His.  That has been the way it has worked for these past 25 years. Even though I get uncomfortable sometimes as I look at the Seek The lamb checkbook, I have to fall back on His faithfulness.  I only ask that He allows us to live within the means of His provision.  Thanks to all you who are sensitive to His nudging, and who supply the funds for our 82 employees and 2589 students in Nicaragua and us volunteer missionaries. We really appreciate  your faithfulness.

At the end of August, there was a significant rain in Central America, and as a result, the Coco River flooded at a very inopportune time, ruining the rice harvest.  Up to 80% of the crop in our villages was destroyed.  

There will be many issues with food over the next months as a result.  Truman will be looking for food supplies to assist those families most affected.  He is very good at finding resources through his government connections. Pray for him, and that we will have the funds to transport these supplies downriver.                               Laura & Michael  

 

 

September

 Arrows

Please pray for:

1) Teacher Salaries; We have 80 employees in Nicaragua who are worthy of their wages;

2) Finish the Waspam Center Construction: We need about $6300 to finish this building;

3) Nutie & Tom’s home: This needed building will serve us well in these next years;

4) Safe Travel for the Bagby Bunch & Open Doors in Hawaii.

We value your prayers!  Please join us in asking God to meet all our needs!

 

Reflections on the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock

It was the summer of 1969.  I had graduated from Reynoldsburg High and was working with Bruce & Eric for Stark Van Lines.  It was a good summer job.

I knew that in September I would be entering Miami University in Oxford Ohio, on a Navy ROTC scholarship, and that meant that I would have most of my education paid for, and that I would owe the Navy the next four years of my life after college, and that I had to keep my hair cut short and wear a navy midshipman uniform at least once a week, plus be on active duty most of the summer.

It was a package deal, and one that I pursued and competed for. Then on the other side of me was this desire to experience "freedom", and "do what I liked".  I really didn't want to cut my hair, nor wear a uniform.  I wanted to learn at university, while having some, a lot of , fun.

In August, I heard of this concert that was happening in upstate New York.  We were very busy with work, so going was not even a consideration. Yet we were all aware of the music.  As it ended yesterday 40 years ago, we were aware of a cultural significance. 

It took a few months for the film crew to put together the movie and the album that really got everybody in touch with the event. We saw the huge (400,000 plus) crowd, the brotherhood that reigned throughout the event, the shared food, drinks, and drugs, the naked men and women bathing in the ponds, others making love in the grass, the rain storm, the mud mess, and finally the Monday morning that Jimi Hendrix played his set to the remains of the crowd (40,000 people). The end of the movie displayed the huge mess that remained that the concert workers were tasked with cleaning up.

It was a beautiful event.  People cooperated and cared for each other. They shared. They related.  They belonged. There was a heavy sense of community.  We all related to what we saw on the screen. We loved the music. We identified to many of the values. We realized that there was something in human interaction that was missing from our "normal" lives and we wanted it.

But by this time of the movie's release, other events had occurred which put a damper on the whole feeling that if we just let it, mankind, with enough music, drink, and drugs, and with all restraints throw off regarding sex, and with an inherent care for that guy next to us, that we would indeed be able to make our lives different, and that we would not have to succumb to dirty politics, greedy business, warfare, and racial tensions.  

It was December at the Altamont concert in San Francisco where a guy named Meredith pulled a gun, threatening to "shoot Jagger" and was killed by the Hell's Angel "security team".  This was after Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones sang "Sympathy for the Devil" & "Under My Thumb".  Mary Balin of the Jefferson Airplane and some attendees had been also beaten by the Angels as well. The Rolling Stones made a movie of this concert which they called "Gimme Shelter". The contrast between the scene at Woodstock and Altamont was obvious to all.  

We all wanted what happened at Woodstock, but we were having "Altamont" experiences as we went through the next years.  Moments of Peace, Love, and Care were interrupted by instances of tension, greed, and selfish behavior.  It was a conundrum: We wanted the best of what Humanity had to offer, yet were often experiencing the worst.

The following spring, there were huge demonstrations over the American invasion of Cambodia into the sanctuaries where the Viet Cong were hiding.  We had a "civil disturbance" at Miami University when a small group of protesters took over the Navy ROTC building. We NROTC members went there to see what was happening, and during the next hours a band arrived, people began dancing, and finally the Vice President of the university arrived and announced that we would all have to leave or be "peremptorily suspended".  We all wondered what that meant, but we all evacuated the building except for 187 hard core who sat down and locked arms.

The Butler County sheriffs arrived dressed in their new riot control gear, with dogs, as well as the Ohio Highway Patrol. I was standing along the side of the back parking lot, watching the police haul out the protesters one-by-one, loading them in a van and carting them off to jail.  It was when one of the van backed over the curb and was momentarily stuck that the guy next to me took out his pocket knife, and jammed it in the tire, popping it! 

All hell broke loose, as the cops deployed in a line, and with firing tear gas canisters at us point blank, drove us into the courtyard of Culler Hall across the street.  All the doors were locked, as it was not after 9pm. We were trapped, and the gas was not fun.  We ROTC guys were getting pissed, as these cops bore down on us. Suddenly I felt someone grab the back of my collar and yank me up into a suddenly opened window.  it was Cleveland Dickerson, the star halfback on the football team.  He helped my roommates Eric and Bruce up, and we ran out the north side of the building, into another hail of tear gas canisters.  Now we were really pissed, and began carefully picking them up and flinging them in the direction of the cops.  They retreated, but formed up and charged again. This back-and-forth went on until after midnight.

Oh the dogs.  In the melee, they were let loose.  Students coming back from a night uptown drinking 3.2% beer (you have to drink a lot) who had no idea of what was happening at the NROTC building were suddenly attacked by dogs appearing out of nowhere! 

The next day we got the word that four students were killed at Kent State, a school in our athletic conference. The situation had gotten worse.  School was suspended, and we all went home for a few weeks.

Indeed, as Don McClean sang in th esong "American Pie", the "music had died". 

In June of '73 I graduated and entered the Navy, finishing Flight School in April of '75. It was during this time that we were all glued to the tube watching the Watergate scandal, and eventually the historical even of a sitting president resigning rather than face impeachment. More sour music.

When I joined my first fleet squadron the following June, I felt the demoralization of my fellow aviators who had tried their best to fight the Vietnam war with both hands tied behind their back. Many of their friends had died for dubious reasons.  Two of my bombadier/navigators were Joe Mobley and George Coker, who together spend 12 year as POW's in North Vietnam prisons.  They were the lucky ones. Many died in the prisions.  My former squadron mate and instructor in the A-6 Steve Coonts has written a few books since then. One that describes this scene best is "Fligth of The Intruder" that was turned into a movie with Danny Glover and Wilam Defoe.    More sour music.....

I got out of the Navy in '79 and moved to Vail Colorado for some serious skiing. It was a self-centerd life. Many of my friends were starting to make some serious money. Indeed it seemed that the idealism of the "Woodstock" generation had turned to the American dream of materialism, comfort, and "me". What happened?

In '81 I moved to Maui to help my friend Elvis' ice cream business in Lahaina, and in the process, was taken into a community.  It all started when my cousin Kean (a former pakalolo grower in Hana) invited me to come over to watch a football game.  I became friends that day with his neighbor Craig.  Over the next weeks, I met more of his friends, and began sharing many meals with them. Eventually I went to their church, Hope Chapel, which was meeting in a school cafeteria.  I discovered that the next door neighbor was the pastor. That day he made a remarkable statement: "Having a personal relationship with Jesus is the most important thing that you can have in this life."  I had never considered that. 

More and more i found myself hanging out with Kean, Craig, and other new friends who attended their church. I was amazed at people who appeared to be having fun, without the drugs & intoxication. I found acceptance, love and care from these guys, who barely knew me.  I was still smoking pot, and doing things to satisfy me, but was paying attention to what was going on.

It doesn't cost you anything to pay attention.

I began to read the Bible, and realized that it was not the mythology that I thought it was, but rather a good work of history. Eventually I agreed with what Jesus said about Himself, and decided one day to commit my life to Him.

As I read the Bible, I was struck by a passage from the second chapter of Acts.  This is the story of the birth of the churh on the Day of Pentecost.  The author Luke describes well the "community" of these followers of Jesus:

^" Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church—about three thousand in all. ⁴² They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.

⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴⁴ And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. "                                                 Acts 2:41-47

These guys were hanging together, singing and sharing music, taking their meals together, sharing with each other, selling possessions to care for each other, and loving God and each other in very practical ways.

These were my ideals of the "Woodstock Generation".

I wanted to live this life that I saw in the Woodstock movie, but often found myself living the self-centeredness of the Gimme Shelter movie.

It was my basic human nature that desired the best, but often lived the worst.

The BIble describes this as the conflict between the "Old" human nature, affected by our basic inherent "sin", and the "New" divine nature that God is creating in us- one that is "others-centered" rather than "self-centered".

What made the difference? It was the Spirit of God moving in us, changing us to be more like Jesus, and less like Maik, or Kean, or Craig. 

I have found my life since then one of living "in community".  It is a caring community.  We share things with each other; we help each other; we encourage each other; and we know it is only because of God's power that we are able to walk out life in this manner.

I watched the VH1 special last night on the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock, and the original participants reflecting on the event, and the significance.  They all look like me now: Still recognizable, but rounder, and grayer;  Still looking for the best, & still willing to have a good time. But I saw that most had not discovered the element which makes the "Woodstock" philosophy of life really possible.

Craig was correct that first day that I visited Hope Chapel in Kihei Maui in October of '81. 

A personal relationshipwith Jesus is the element that makes living with and for others possible.  He is the one who brought the ideal of the brotherhood of mankind.  It is only through Him that we are able to live it out.

I am living the Woodstock dream. Amazingly without drugs, married and faithful to one beautiful woman, caring for four growing children, and working in a project in Central America serving Miskito Indians.

I have often seen old friends who seem very surprised when they hear what I do. They know the old me.  They wonder what had made the "new" me.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus is the most important thing that you can have in this life.

By the way:  I often thought that Jimi's version of the Star Spangled Banner was a protest to the war in Vietnam and very "anti-american".  Only a few years ago I discovered that Jimi Hendrix had been a member of the 82 Airborne Division, which is an elite special force in our Army that you have to volunteer for.  He played guitar while in the Army, and I have concluded that he indeed liked the song, and what it stood for.  His version was an incredible work of art and expression. You "see" the rockets red glare and hear the bombs bursting in air! Bravo to a true artist and patriot!

August Conchshell Chronicles 2009

Be a Part of History While

Changing Someone’s Future!

 

 

Team Borcheller has returned home from Seek The Lamb’s family mission trip. The good news: we are all still very good friends with the Bagby Bunch!

Myself (Terry), Tracy, Taylor, & Trenten, had an amazing adventure in Nicaragua.  We spent time in Managua, Waspam, the Rio Coco (literally), and three  primitive villages dotted along the river where Seek The Lamb has their 17 schools - Klampa, Boom, & Sawa. We were even able to take the unexpected 1^st class pickup 4.5 hour trek cross country to Puerta Cabezas. We had so many amazing experiences, & met so many incredible people:

1)Visiting a live volcano with our friend Roberto,

2) landing on a dirt runway with mud, cows, & people on either side (while we were landing!),

3) drinking some of the best Rio Coco coffee EVER (I still don’t know where Mike got the water from sometimes, & don’t want too),

4) enjoying a violent midnight storm & lightning show,

5) power outages in Waspam,

6) enduring the genetically challenged roosters that decide to cocka-doodle-doo whenever they feel like it! (2am, 4am, the myth of them doing it when the sun comes up, really doesn’t apply),

7) pondering the paintings of the mission wall on the upstairs wall at Truman’s house (each seemed to tell a story),

8) being very cared for & feeling safe (great job Seek The Lamb locals – Truman’s many family members & friends. Tom & Nutie, THANKS!),

9) bathing with falling rain water,

10) swimming in the creek (that sometimes turned into a river – where did Trent go?), & many, many more amazing memories.

 My favorite moment, if I had to pick just one, came when we met the kids we have been sponsoring & praying for thru Seek The Lamb:  Anelka & Omer. We have prayed for them many times in our family devotions. As a family, we carry them in our hearts! 

 

It was a rainy day and we were walking through the village of Sawa. There they were, Anilka, sitting right in the middle of all her relatives & friends that were just hanging out on the wooden ladder- like-steps in front of her grass roofed home on the muddy bank of the river. She was so beautiful, just like her picture!

I recognized Omer immediately, even at a distance as he came walking down the center of the village, on his way back home. More grown up, handsome, & confident, he was a proud graduate of a Seek The Lamb primary school and is now in the STL high school in Living Creek! It was also a very humbling & proud moment for me.

 It was such a powerful experience to meet them. Here we were, in a very remote, extremely poor, & in some ways forgotten village of Central America. The thought of us playing an active role in a child’s life who lives in this village, & helping to meet what some would say is one of their biggest needs, education, was overwhelming.

 As I thought through the opportunities that Seek The Lamb would give these kids by giving them a school to attend where they could learn to read & write, I was realizing that we would also play a part in forever changing their future, in so many ways. They were going to have a chance to learn to read the Bible, the Word of God, WOW! John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”.

Just about everyone in America can afford $27.00/month to give a child an opportunity to KNOW GOD, & that’s what sponsoring a child thru Seek The Lamb will do. This is all it costs to sponsor one child. Please seriously consider sharing this awesome opportunity that Seek The Lamb gives us. Maybe some day you may even get to visit your child, look them in the eyes, & quietly thank God that you made an eternal difference in their life.

Please read Matthew 25: 31- 46 & prayerfully consider sponsoring a child. Those of us that are spiritually full, have a responsibility to feed those that are spiritually starving. Seek The Lamb is feeding these kids that most everyone else has forgotten. My prayer is that many of you will catch the vision of Seek The Lamb & experience the reward that goes with it.

 I want to give a special thanks to Mike, Laura, Mik, Lukas, Arielle, & Moz,. Thanks so much for everything! Most of all your friendship. Thanks for giving us an opportunity to bring hope to so many of the Miskito people. Thanks for your sacrifices and faithfulness to the call of our King. It’s one thing to do something for God, it’s another to keep doing it, & doing it, year after year for over 25 years. Each member of your family is so unique, & you are all an inspiration to us! We love you guys so much!

  Terry Borcheller

 

 Find out what Terry does in his other life at www.terryborcheller.com. It’s exciting!!!

 

Lamb Bleatings             

By Laura Bagby

I have never known myself to be “controlling”.  I don’t think seek control for myself.  I certainly do not strive to be controlled by another.  I don’t suppose I have even thought much about the topic of control until now.

I usually like my life a lot and find myself able to find enjoyment, beauty and positive attributes in any given situation.  On my trip to Nicaragua this time, I found little to enjoy.  I got sick and found myself in a space of such negativity and inability to find beauty or others centeredness in the midst of my utter misery.

The heat was unbearable in my feverish state.  Because of the problems with electricity in Waspam, the simple pleasure of a fan blowing could not be enjoyed.  In the middle of my miserable state, I told the Lord, “I don’t think I can stand this, Lord.  I really hate this….there is nothing I am liking about this situation at all….please….”  At that point, I really must admit that death looked promising.  I was hurting.  Suddenly, as if the Lord were right there, the fan literally turned on and started to blow in my direction.  It was hope and His presence made real in the darkness.  Simple but true.  I really felt him with me.  I had a real moment of thankfulness.

Nevertheless, my time was still a challenge and I reflected on something I had told the children on one of our morning walks around the town earlier in the week, “Beauty is always around us, but sometimes you have to look a little harder to see it and you must always practice looking and finding it even in the midst of all this ‘kanka” (feces of every kind) we are stepping around.”

I was busted as I lay around miserable and purposeless just trying to get better.  I hated feeling like I was drowning and couldn’t do one thing to control my state of affairs.  I was once again out of my element, out of control and out of any kind of ability to make things better.  It was not pleasant to me.   I realized in a way how much I did want to be in control to make myself better, but I just could not.  CONTROL….

In a third world foreign country, there are many aspects that are very different from the average first world “controlled” modern & sophisticated environment.

In Nicaragua, I believe there are many moments that I desire to “control” my surrounding bug infested environment, the ever changing meaning of the infamous“Ten minutes” (which can mean anywhere from  one hour to six), the ever flexible schedules  of the system where management may or may not actually write out your reservations (which you planned months in advance) for a crucial flight with your team, the incredible lack of  dependability of  having electricity and water or not.  There are so many factors completely out of my control….infinitely not even in my reach or grasping distance.

 In circumstances like these, I believe there is positive training for one who longs to be trusting and not in control…knowing that really there is but One that is in control.  It is when we totally succumb to the control of our eternal Creator, the ONE that is divinely & completely in charge, that we experience freedom and peace.

I had the privilege of going to our friend’s gym yesterday (Christi’s Fitness) for the first time since coming back to Vero.    My friend Christi was teaching.  She is a beautiful, organized, direct, thorough, orderly and enthusiastic instructor. She starts on time, ends on time and is always pleasant.  In the midst of the class I found myself feeling so happy and privileged to be there in air conditioning…so comfortable and free…moving about with ease….being told what to do and then my body having the freedom to do it.  It felt so good and I felt so grateful.  I knew there would be an exact end to it and when that was going to be.  Basically before even getting there I knew what to expect and sure enough it was all happening as I had anticipated and I was having so much fun.

I asked myself,” why are you liking this so much?”  The answer was swift, “Because it is controlled.  You really do love control and being controlled.  There is freedom and stability and you like freedom and stability…it’s safe.”  Whoa.  Epiphany.

I really hate when I don’t get my own way.  However, I have had the privilege of practicing diligently the art of acceptance and flexibility in the environments that just don’t line up to “what I want”.   There is only One who truly controls and gives not necessarily what I want, but certainly what I need.

I seem to continually receive ample training to demonstrate just how stubborn I am in my pursuit of something that never belonged to me in first place.  My life IS out of control and I must come to the place of trust, rest and His way, not mine in all matters of life and godliness.

In my fitness classes, I laugh at myself a lot.  I find it most amusing when my body gets out of sync and I feel this sense of being out of control with my movement and the music.  It cracks me up.   I literally laugh out loud.  Such is my life…..when I lose myself, my abilities, my control……..The fun begins and God’s adventure starts.  It deeply renders joy unexplainable.  Laura

 

Waspam Center Construction

 

Amazing Progress in our building in Nicaragua!

 

 

March 2007   >>>>>>>> July 2009

We hosted over 70 teachers at our July Teacher conference in the Waspam Center. Many slept in the second floor offices which are almost finished. To complete the job we need only to purchase more windows, door locks, office furniture, and exterior paint, along with two computers. We are very close to moving in!  We estimate $6300 will cover the costs. 

   When we started construction in August 2006, we only planned to build a two story building with two classrooms below and an an office space above. Our Miskito builders had another vision, and added arched windows, an extended covered porch, and then we added the cement roof that turned into the third floor deck with a traditional and very cool leaf roof.

This building is an inspirational work of art, and we are so proud of Truman and Tomas for seeing a bigger vision that we did.

In July, an organization that is helping us in adult eduction had their "Congress" in  Waspam, and regents from many universities in Spain and Nicaragua attended, including the head of all Nicaragua universities.  They held it on the top floor of our building, because as the director told us "It is the most Miskito and beautiful place to have such a meeting with important people from abroad."

Here Truman is addressing these highly educated regents of seven Spanish and 8 Nicaraguan Universities. Imagine the favor on this man who only finished high school speak to these highly educated folks!

Please keep this in your prayers this month.  Our Team needs this working space, and your prayers. Pray!

Join Tom & Nutie’s Construction Team!

   We are beginning construction of an apartment for Nutie & Tom.  We decided to cut costs and build it on top of the dining hall, which was already built to hold  a second floor. It is the building to the upper left of the Leaf Roof Place.

As of today, Tomas has taken off the roof of the comidor, and has made two columns for supporting the second floor.

We are already making cement blocks.  We estimate the cost for this 1000 square ft.  home to be $20,000.  We ask you to please pray for this, as they need a place to live asap!

 

The Bagby Bunch Corner

We are back from a tumultuous time in Central America!  We first stopped in Honduras to visit old friends and plan a ministry event, and were there when the Honduran Congress and Supreme Court voted President Zelaya out of office! He was set on a plane to Costa Rica. When we arrived at our hotel in Managua Nicaragua, the ex-prez Zelaya was there– along with his Venezuelan and Sandinista friends, plotting a return to Honduras.  Read about it at www.supportfreehonduras.com. Americans are not hearing the truth about this process of law that took place in our friendliest country in Latin America.

Our Family Camp was hit with hard rains, but still God was present, and lives were changed. Our family stayed in Waspam for an few more weeks, planning the teacher conference, and working on the Waspam Center. I think Moselle got more paint on her than the walls of the third floor!

We painted it multiple happy colors! Very Miskito! Half of us got sick, and then the electricity went out for over a week in Waspam.  We experienced a private Bagby Family Deep Water Experience that did have profound effect on us all.  Many many lessons learned. We realized what a raw place the Coco River actually is! Yet God was working out many things in our relationships within our team– very needed!!!

Our time with our teachers was precious! We played games with them, and spent five days getting to know them better.  We have a very capable group, who are making progress in their spiritual understanding.  We are fortunate to be helping them educate our 2587 students. Your prayers and support have major impact each month. You have to see their faces to really appreciate that fact.  I hope to introduce many of them to you over the next few months.

We are traveling this month to North Carolina to visit ministry partners, and next month plan to be heading to Maui. Please join us in asking God to specifically provide the listed needs on the Arrows Prayer insert. We so want to be able to move our team into the Waspam Center offices soon!                                                                                                              Laura & Michael 

 

A & M

Coffee Club

Hello my Coffee Buddies!!

Well this month we have a slide show that I and my sister Moselle made about our trip to Nicaragua. We are going to send this to all of our members of  The A & M Coffee Club. So it is free to all members. Are you a member of the Coffee Club? Why not? Its Good Coffee at a Good Price and Great Cause. So if you join this month we will send you our slide show for free. Now that is a deal. 

Send us an email at lambagby@cs.com and we will sign you up today!

We will get our coffee to you and the slideshow.

Hi its Moselle! I hope  you enjoy your coffee that we roast. We work hard to make it the best!  Please join our coffee club this month! Bye!

 

How You Can Help In August:

Here are some suggestions for you to play your part in God’s plan to make disciples and educate children and adults on the Rio Coco in Nicaragua:

1) Sponsor a Miskito Child.  We need many sponsors for the 2009 school year.  It is only $27 a month, and it will provide education and special needs to a student in Project Ezra.

2) Contribute to the building fund for the Waspam Center.  This almost-complete building is already being used to educate teachers and pastors. Windows, computers, desks, and paint are needed. We estimate $6300 will allow us to move in!

3) Join the support team of a Seek The Lamb missionary! Danilo Cunningham, Nutie & Tom Keogh, and Laura & Michael Bagby receive no salary from Seek The Lamb and rely on their personal support team to cover their living & ministry expenses. Your gifts will go a long way!

Please click on any of the links above to make a contribution.

If you are not yet enrolled as a child sponsor, please email us at lambagby@cs.com and simply say:"I want to sponsor a child."  We will take care of the rest.

  All contributions are tax deductable, and Greatly Needed and Appreciated!

 

Making Slow Progress- But Significant!!!

We just finished our teacher conference in Waspam.
It began on Thursday afternoon, and ended officially when they boarded the big canoe Tuesday morning to head downriver.

 It was a big event held in our Discipleship Center.  We utilize all three floors.

There were about 70 in attendance.  They ate a 100 lbs of rice a day.  We bought a cow and killed it.  We even splurged and purchased cold drinks for them. They really liked that!

They were all excited to be in the building that many of them had not seen the top floor with leaf roof.

(It strikes me now that my syntax may be off, as I sometimes get confused after speaking spanish for days at at time)

Laura and Nutie & Tom came up with some games for the teachers, so we could have some fun and give some gifts to them.

Here Smit Rivas is doing the Chicken Dance.

We had a lot of fun with our teachers, and a lot of singing and worship.

On Sunday, many sang some of our favorite songs, and it was a sweet time.

We also had opportunity to nudge our teachers spiritually, as well as help them with professional education training. 

Tom and I spoke on what it really means to be a Christian.

The Moravian and Catholic missionaries did a great job here in the 1920's -40's.  They brought an understanding of Jesus to this culture.  Unfortunately much of that teaching is wrapped up in traditions that often confuse the issue of our identity in Christ.

 One of the big issues associates being a follower of Jesus with having a wedding ceremony in a church.  Somehow, the two are the same in the minds of many.  So, if you haven't yet been married in a church, then you cannot be a Christian, even if you believe in your heart that Jesus is the Lord and your savior.

We are making slow progress with our teachers on this issue.  It will be the focal point  for these next few months.

Thanks for all of you who were praying for us these past weeks.  God did show up in very powerful ways.

Keep praying for our teachers. They will change their culture!