Bangladesh 2012 Trip Report

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!... Romans 10:15

Our short trip of encouragement to EFM Mission in Bangladesh was successful! God is surely moving through this country. I apologize for the delay in getting this out to everyone; hopefully I will get a chance to explain more thoroughly in person to many of you. Most people who I see ask me about the highlights of the trip and I’m usually left trying to find the right words! The trip was phenomenal and it is just incredible to see the kingdom of God alive and well in many of these villages and towns.

I was a bit intimidated in deciding to go because of the $2400 cost, but I ended up raising (thanks to many of you!) above and beyond the amount! The extra funds will be used to support the underfunded mission there. To God be the Glory!

One of the highlights for me definitely had to be being in the middle of a jungle preaching the word. What an unbelievable feeling. I got to preach a couple of short messages to these people who were visibly starving for the gospel. I had a great time with the awesome team that included Adam Monaghan, Lisa Leslie, Dana Quigley, and Matt Macy. It was also great to be with the missionaries Albert and Metali Adhikari and we learned so much about being a Kingdom worker from them. We had a lot of time to reflect together as a team because we were in the van traveling from site to site so much, so I got to know a lot about the whole team. It was amazing to see the way our team worked together so well and the way that we could bounce around and build off of each other’s messages.

In the words of Matt Macy, “We’ll try to forget you, but we never will!” He said this as we were leaving one of the preaching points while being chased by about 30 kids down the dirt path. This phrase that Matt said was profound because we know that for the rest of our lives, the faces of these beautiful Bengali people will forever be etched in our brains. I don’t think any of us would ever try to forget them, but it’s ironic because it would be impossible to if we did try.

This being my first Mission trip, I learned so much about the world. It’s really hard to explain the thoughts that I had throughout the week in Bangladesh. I started journaling the second we sat down in van to drive north, making notes of new sights and experiences but I stopped after about half an hour because there was too much to take in. I experienced so many new things this trip, it will take an entirely different post to talk about them.

We finally landed in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon after 4 ridiculously long flights and 36 hours of traveling. I remember stepping out of the airport and breathing in the air for the first time thinking “Wow, this place is for real.” Not that I ever doubted its existence, but when you step on the soil of a place that is literally on the other side of the world after traveling that long, it just makes you realize how small you are and how big this world is. Then there are the people. When you walk out of the doors at the Dhaka airport, there is a big overhang with a fence on all sides and army soldiers guarding the entrances. And hundreds and hundreds of people are lined up on these fences and I’m pretty sure every one of them was staring at the 5 monster, white Americans that just walked out the doors. I could see why Bangladesh is the most densely populated country in the world. I saw many people pulling out their flip phones to start recording us. Wow. I realized later that this is the case wherever you go in Bangladesh.

We piled into the Adhikari’s van and started driving through the city. It was crazy. Totally new experience for me; they drive on the other side of the street! But after we stopped to eat some food, we got back on the road and drove north to Nilphamari for 9 more hours. There really is no way to describe the way that the traffic is in Bangladesh, so I won’t really try. I can almost promise that its unlike anything you’ve seen. But I actually got some sleep in the van and woke up at about 10pm at our host center. After eating dinner, we went to bed and I literally was asleep in less than a minute.

Every day started about the same; we woke up and ate a great breakfast as a team with the missionaries and had great conversation. I only want to speak in detail about a couple specific places, and the first one is from the first day.

Since it was a Sunday, we got to celebrate with a couple of the local churches who meet on Sundays. We drove for a bit and arrived at one of the churches. We walked into the village to the sound of them singing songs in Bangla and that in itself was an incredible experience. I won’t talk about every site we visited but this was one of my favorites just because it was my first. We gave greetings, and Matt shared a word. Then I felt led to speak so I also shared a word from Hebrews 12:28-29 which talks about offering up a presentable worship to the Lord for his gift of an unshakeable Kingdom. I felt like the people received what I said very well.

We drove around to a few other sites and also to a couple of preaching points and we had the opportunity to share the gospel with entire groups of non-Christians.  These times were some of the best times for me because we would be speaking and telling people about Jesus, many who may have never heard of him before and sharing what he has done for us. Its just a completely different experience because Jesus is not a celebrity name like he is in America. When people evangelize to non-Christians in America, the second the person hears “Jesus” or knows they are talking about religion, they almost always immediately shut out whatever is to be said. In Bangladesh, entire villages full of Muslims and Hindus show up to hear whatever comes out of our mouth. They are so hungry for the Word of God that they literally were leaning into us when we spoke. These were powerful times.

At these preaching points, we got to preach and pray over entire villages, the gospel leaders, and the many, many children. We also had the opportunity to pray over a child who had a serious illness.  There are many more stories to tell about preaching to these people. It was an incredible and new experience for me, absolutely something that I will never forget.

A major highlight for me happened the last morning that we were in Bangladesh. The whole week, we as a team, just felt like we were treated as kings. We talked about leadership and what servanthood really means, and we looked to the scriptures and read about the ways Jesus served. We decided that we were going to have a foot washing “ceremony” to send each other out. I think that washing someone’s feet is the ultimate symbol of leadership and servanthood. Albert had a guitar, so I got to lead a few songs of worship in his office while Lisa started washing the Missionaries’ feet. After a few minutes, it turned into an absolute bawling fest. It was beautiful. Metali couldn’t stop crying, as she frantically went around washing our feet along with some of the other leaders from the area. Depali, the amazingly gifted and apostolic woman who helps lead the women’s conference was in the room with us, bawling and washing our feet. Also, Kanok who is one of the persecuted Christians was with us and shared in the ceremony. Everyone washed each others’ feet at least once, sometimes twice, maybe even three times and it was just an absolute blessing. To see these brilliant people who are leading so many other people in a broken side of the world at my feet, crying, because they know what it means to wash feet. It was just inspiring and we were so blessed by that time.

Kind of a downer moment happened to me on Wednesday. We spent that entire day driving south to a town called Khulna. At the end of this 12 hour drive, I was not a happy person. I literally felt like I was going to die multiple times while we driving, I couldn’t handle it any more. Like I said, the traffic there is indescribable. I was frustrated, I was tired, I was struggling being in this environment of almost no infrastructure, a thing that we in America take for granted probably 97% of the time. I actually wanted to leave (That was the ONLY time I felt like that). But God showed me grace, and he reassured me in that moment that its not about being comfortable and infrastructure. He is still moving in this country and has plans for these people.

Flying out of the country on Saturday evening, I can remember the thoughts that I had and the burden I felt for the country. There is a lot of brokenness in this country. But the work that is being done by the missionaries is amazing. I have more story telling do in person when I see you, so please ask me. I also plan on doing some experiential posts about life in Bangladesh and different aspects of the trip over time.

Albert gave us lots of advice and wisdom in the area of ministry. He told us that he doesn't want to be an office worker, that his ministry is in the field! This is profound to me, and I could apply directly what he says to my life. My ministry does not happen in front of a computer in the coffee shop, it is in engagement with people. Its proclaiming Jesus with my life AND my words to this broken and hurting world. Albert and Metali are my new heroes.

From this trip I gained incredible perspective on the Kingdom of God. Someone once told me that the Kingdom should feel exactly the same on both sides of the world. This is a true statement. The passion of the believers in Bangladesh gives me a new perspective on life in the Kingdom. Many of these believers are beaten, harrassed, and shunned from their families whenever they convert from Hinduism or Islam. But to see their boldness to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of all of this persecution is absolutely stunning. I am ready to serve.

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Find Adam Monaghan's report here.

But I do not account my life of any calue or as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God... Acts 20:24

As they traveled from town to town…the churches were strengthened in the faith…they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them...Then they left... Acts 16:4-5

When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts... Acts 11:23 

First Church greetings

"Welcome to Bangladesh"

Lisa sharing a bible story

The Clown and I

The Clown

This is a typical marketplace, they do all 

of the slaughtering right on the streets!

Red Sun over Bangladesh

Metali weeping over Kanok's feet

Market

Streets crowded with people and Rickshaws!

3 Trucks on a small road...we didn't slow down

Crazy.

Men in Bangladesh are extremely affectionate with each other.

Kids playing in the playground.

Fuel for the cooking fires.

Typical Bangladesh street.

This bridge was over a mile long!

My favorite animal the Tiger!

The clown and I on the rickety bamboo bridge.

A fun Bengali baby. And the clown.

Awesome kids receiving handwritten cards from our Church.

Lisa and Dana's gifts.

Beautiful scenery.

More beautiful scenery in a village.

Some of the people from one of the strongest churches in Bangladesh. 

Coincidence or Divine?

I don't believe in coincidence. I honestly believe that everything in this life happens for a reason. A divine reason. God is not a God of chaos; he is a God who creates order out of chaos.

A question that many seem to be asking a lot recently is whether or not God cares about football. I don't think God cares who wins and who loses any football game. But he does care about his people who are playing in that game. And many that play recognize him and give him the glory.

You probably wonder w here I'm going from here. Actually, you probably know exactly where I'm going.

The most popular verse in the bible (at least the verse that's been searched the most on google in the last week) is John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that whoever would believe in him would not die but have eternal life." Incredible verse. Its also Tim Tebow's (My favorite athlete) favorite verse.

On January 8, 2008, Tim Tebow wore that verse on his eyeblack in the National Championship game and sent millions to google to look it up. January 8, 2011 (last Sunday), exactly three years to that day, something even more incredible happened involving Tim. I don't know how many of my readers are into football or sports, but Tim Tebow shocked the world when he beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime on an 80 yard pass. That wasn't supposed to happen. That game-winning pass pushed him to 316 yards for the night. That's ironic. Also, throughout the week, the entire sports world was going nuts because Tim's boss who happens to be named John urged Tim multiple times to "pull the trigger." John, 316 yards, John 3:16. Crazy. But that's not all. It gets way more ridiculous.

He had ten completions so he averaged 31.6 yards per completion.



In the second quarter, the Steelers threw an interception that the Broncos converted into a crucial field goal making it 17-6. The play was on a third-and-16.

The Steelers held the ball through the game for a total of 31 minutes and yes, 6 seconds.

The last one is probably the most ridiculous. The TV ratings for CBS' final quarter-hour overnight ratings were exactly 31.6.

What do you do with that? Is there a message being hinted here? I don't know. Does God work like that? I'm just going to say "probably."

I respect Tim Tebow a lot. Not just because he plays for my favorite team, the Broncos, but because he is an outstanding role-model and an outspoken man of God. Without fail and without skipping a beat, the dude gives all of the glory to Jesus after every game, win or lose. I am not afraid to say that I think God has blessed Tim Tebow.

But maybe this, these stats, are a special message to the world? The world is responding.

This is a link to an article written by Adam Schefter who talks about these stats. I encourage you to at least read the beginning of it. I should say that I did get some of these stats from this article.

Here's another incredible article about the man Tim Tebow written by the best sports writer in the country, Rick Reilly.

Read them both, let me know what you think.

Is God using these silly football stats to speak to the world? I guess Tim just needs to keep "pulling the trigger."

Love War Revolution

So my friend Graham posted a tweet earlier today saying "Love War Revolution for 2012." Those are the words of Michael Ketterer in his song "Wild One." Most people don't know anything about Michael Ketterer but this dude is legit. He has some of the best and most radical lyrics all surrounding the theme of Love. Its perfect timing for my post yesterday about goals. You gotta go and check this guy out. He came out with an album earlier this year.

Go at least preview the songs, and maybe just buy it.

Start a war
Start a war
Start a war
Start a war, a love war
Start a war
Start a war
Start a war
A love war revolution

We've got your fire on inside our bodies
We'll be the ones who release your burning love
May the whole world know your heart the way we do
We'll be the ones to display your truth

I'll be your living flame I'll be the one who loves
I'd rather bear your name I'll be your Wild One

I'll be your living flame I'll be the one who loves
I'd rather bear your name I'll be your Wild One

I got a gun Lord, I keep it locked and loaded
I got a gun Lord, I know just how to use it
I got a gun Lord, I keep it locked and loaded
Loving is my ammunition it will lead in your transition
Love war revolution, ammunitionary

A love war revolution, ammunitionary
Loving is my ammunition it will lead in your transition
Love war revolution, ammunitionary


I fight for the one that's on my side
I fight for the one that's all alone
I fight that love may be known
I fight that we all make it home

I'm a wild one, Jesus I'm a wild one
I'm a wild one, Jesus I'm a wild one
They try to tame me but I don't want their life, no
Help me Jesus, cause I'm one of your wild ones

People come and go speaking you can't love that way
When I hear their lies this is what I say: "WATCH ME"
When people come and go speaking you can't love that way
When I hear their lies this is what I say:
"I got a gun Lord, I keep it locked and loaded
I got a gun Lord, I know just how to use it
I got a gun Lord, I keep it locked and loaded
Loving is my ammunition it will lead in your transition"

I'm a wild one, Jesus I'm a wild one

I'm a wild one, Jesus I'm a wild one
They try to tame me but I don't want their life, no
Help me Jesus, cause I'm one of your wild ones...

Flesh

I've had some amazing conversation tonight. And a ton of stuff is in my head anyways because its finals week. But at the end of the conversation, all three of us came to the same conclusion. Flesh. Or sin. Basically that not of God. It's so easy to look to other things to satisfy when things get rough. I don't even know all of the negative things happening right now. But I know that with myself personally, I will so easily take my eyes off of Jesus and fall off the path.

This is such a fleshly world. This world longs for our soul. It longs for our attention, and a lot of the time it receives it. But, we have a God in heaven who also longs for our soul, demands our attention, and he WILL receive it. This is the battle we face every day with our sinful fleshly nature. But we are NOT of this world, for our citizenship is in heaven. Best and easiest thing to do is to get into the word and pray with God.

Here is some scripture that I hope can encourage you, especially in this time of the year.

"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit." - Romans 7:6

Also I just wanna say that I feel like the entire book of Philippians is a goldmine. Those are kind of Tyler Ray's words after I called it cash money (could be considered world and flesh, but really it is holy and Godly cash money so no worries).

"Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:19-21

life changes.

Well, Kevin Johnson has a blog. Why? I don't know.

Why do we get blogs? It's to tell people about you.

I'm not that interesting.

But I think people need community and this opens up that option. It's important to tell your story. Whatever you've been through, you have a story to tell. I don't see myself telling my story in one big post but you'll soon know my story.

God is wrecking my life.

One year ago, I thought I was a christian. I thought I had it going on. I thought playing in the worship band once a week and going to church made me a christian. I knew that I had a lot of sin in my life but I also knew that I had grace. I was right in a way, I did have grace. But from where I am at now, I do not believe I was a real christian until just very recently.

God made himself evident in my life. I felt like I had a purpose for living. It was something I had never felt before. He made me realize that I hadn't been a living like a true disciple of him and it honestly started to kill me. But this realization wasn't necessarily an overnight thing. Through the work of the spirit in conversations, life experiences, and certain people, God was moving in my life. I didn't even see it.

I was blind.

I think he finally took my blinders off. He showed me things and made me see them in a new perspective and my sight is clearer everyday.

I'm not to say my life is a cakewalk though. I am just as much a sinner now as I was a year ago, or two years ago, or ten years ago. But the cross I now follow is ten times as big as before.

That's what Jesus does to us. As we fall more and more in love with him, the cross gets bigger and bigger. Our sin becomes heavier on our hearts as we mature in our walk.

I still think I'm a baby. I have a long way to go. But he's helping grow.

This verse... it has to be shared. It changed my life.

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

-Kev