Christmas isn’t about baby Jesus. It’s about Jesus, just not baby Jesus.
It’s about Jesus coming, showing up in the muck and mess of the physical world, assuming a position of no power and just walking around in skin like everyone else.
The Advent season, the season of waiting for Christmas, isn’t about waiting for the announcement of the birth of the Savior. That already happened. It’s about waiting for the announcement of the return of the Savior, about acknowledging a continuing need for as much of His Presence as we can get.
For some, it’s with excited anticipation, made manifest in the jitters of small children who can’t fall asleep for the thought of what the morning holds. For such as these, it is joy in the gifts that are coming.
For some, it’s with weariness, knowing that the current struggle or pain will someday be seen as fleeting. For these, it is determination to stand firm until it gets better, seen in the person of Mary, bearing through the shame cast her way, enduring a long journey and painful labor to birth her King, obedient through difficulty that was given as a blessing because of her faithfulness. The good and hard entertwined and impossible to separate, all taken as worthwhile for His purpose.
For some, it’s with a yearning for something they can’t put their finger on, even as they hold out hope for it. Though others around them might see it as foolishness to want the unknown, the story shows them wise and committed. For these, it is a search through the night sky, following a glimmer of truth, as seen in the “wise men” who pursue a star for long years in search of an unknown baby king. It’s an inner draw to what is real, whether it seems real to others or not.
For some, it’s almost an afterthought, the result of being in the right place at the right time and finding themselves stirred anew through the message of God. He’s fine working that way, delivering the good news directly to those who hadn’t sought it out, as He did to the shepherds. They were about their own business when He sent a whole sky-choir to change their focus for the night. He can find hearts wherever He chooses, and Christmas reminds us of that.
We remember Christmas to look back at God giving all of Himself to the world, a reminder that love means emptying yourself for the sake of the one you love. We give gifts to participate in this process, looking for how we can step into the act of making someone else’s life good. We choose selflessness and sacrifice and presence and kindness, because that’s what God did.
But we also remember Christmas to look forward to all that has yet to happen, to the day when these truths won’t be a passing season, but a fully enacted reality. We remember our hope in a world where Jesus shows up in the muck and mess of every day, acknowledging that for now He does so through us and will one day blast in and make it all new and better. He will flood earth with heaven and everything will be as it should be. That’s just what happens when His Presence and Love fill a place - everything is good.
So if, for you, this holiday is about fun and laughter and singing and joy…embrace it and know that you are embodying the light of Christ and hope that won’t give up.
And if, for you, this holiday squeezes a little tight because you feel the weight of the world’s brokenness pressing down on you, giving the usual cheer a grating, off-tune feel…accept it and know that you are reflecting the reality of our need for Christ.
And if, for you, this holiday feels empty and meaningless because life is just life and lights don’t change it, rest in it and know that the power of Christ depends not one bit on your tendency toward sentiment or joviality.
Because at the end of it all, Christmas is about how Jesus arrives in the situation He chooses and it doesn’t have to make an ounce of sense to anyone. He shows up because it’s time and that’s that.
This Christmas, remember that this story is both a past truth and a future promise about the Presence of the King in the world. It’s cause to celebrate.
Meet the Frouds
Hello! We are the Froud family: Chase, Briana, and Evan. We are excited to join Team Arequipa on the field in January. We have always felt called to serve in a cross-cultural context and look forward to the opportunities in Arequipa. For the past two years we have partnered with Cloverdale Church in Searcy, AR to work in the inner-city of North Little Rock at River City Ministry. During that time Chase finished up his Master’s at Harding School of Theology. Briana has been a stay at home mom for the past three years but previously taught 5th grade math and science. Evan is now three years old and, like most three year olds, is full of energy, giggles, and excitement! While working in the inner-city Chase specialized in evangelism and communications. With his passion for ministry and discipleship, he is excited to partner with the house church movement in Arequipa. Briana hopes to use her passion for education to serve as a volunteer with CUDA’s Living Libraries as well as help homeschool Evan in the future. Please pray for us and our families as we transition to Arequipa January 13th.
An Invitation and Apple Pie
Back in the day when our two families were strategizing about where to live and what to focus on in this great big city, we decided to move into two communities where “gringos” don’t live. We wanted to live among the people that we were going to serve. So, I remember Greg and Kyle looking at the classified section of the Sunday paper for houses to rent. They also contacted some real estate agents to help us look for available homes. Guess what we found out? Our targeted communities never had listings and the real estate agents only worked in the neighborhoods where the gringos normally live. We were at a loss for what to do until someone suggested we talk to bodega owners.
Every street has a bodega. It is typically a front room or corner spot of someone’s house where they operate as a little mini-mart. One can find milk, eggs, flour, sugar, popcorn, produce, and snack foods all in a stone’s throw. Some are small, and some are huge, but they all have one thing in common... they know what is going on in the community.
So to continue from the first paragraph, Greg talked to a bodega owner that knew of a bottom floor for rent in the area we wanted to live. Long story short, we rented that home for two years. We never would have found it if we hadn’t talked to the bodega owner. Between the Smiths and the McKinzies, we have had our fun share of moving into different houses here (usually they only let you sign a one-year lease, and then they kick you out because some family member is wanting to move back in). When one of our families needs to move, we check the papers, but we also know now to go corner mart to corner mart to ask the bodega owners of what is available to rent.
As a team, we had the idea to come into a neighborhood and form some of our first relationships with our neighbors. We learned very quickly that this would not happen. You see, when my family moved to a new home in the states, I remember people bringing food to our door to welcome us into the community. I guess I thought it would be similar here, maybe not with apple pie, but something to say, “Hola, we would love to get to know you. Welcome to the hood!” This did not happen at all. We quickly learned that Peruvians are very slow to trust anyone, and they really stay to themselves and the rest of their family (who usually all live under the same roof). Once you form a relationship with a Peruvian, it is an even longer process to get them to introduce you to their family or invite you into their home.
We have had all kinds of outlets to form relationships here aside from the neighborhood. We meet people through our kids’ activities or through CUDA projects to name a couple of examples. But we really haven’t ever been super close with the neighborhood. I have accepted that as the way it is, but I still have my eyes open to forming relationships wherever I can. A couple of months ago, I remember going on a walk with Greg. We were talking about the new team coming in and reminiscing about our arrival to Arequipa. Greg said to me, “You know, if we really wanted to get in with the neighborhood, we could just go to the bodega and offer to work there for free. Everybody from the community goes to buy the bread there every morning. You would learn who everybody is just by hanging out in one place.” This strategy isn’t exactly realistic. We have lived here long enough that we know that they would look at us like we are absolute loons, but the point is a good one. The bodega owners know everybody. They are the ones that know what is going on with everyone in the neighborhood because everyone comes in at least once a day and spills out the scoop.
We have been living in our current neighborhood for over two years now. I frequent the bodega just like my neighbors. I have come to know the owners by name, and they know my children by name when we come in together. They can even tell me if Greg already stopped by to buy ice if I am unaware! I love it. I feel at home.
The other day, something very simple happened at the bodega, but it signified a lot to me. Esther, the bodega owner, handed me an envelope before I headed out with my bag of fresh bread for 33 cents. It was an invitation for my family to attend her youngest daughter’s birthday party. At first, one may think, “What’s the big deal? It’s a birthday party.” But to me, this invitation says that Esther trusts me. She trusts me so much that she is willing to invite my entire family over for a birthday party for someone very special to her. That is huge.
I have made an effort to become a neighbor here. I frequent the bodega, and I sometimes go to Esther just to ask a question about my girls’ school activities when I don’t understand the culture. I appreciate her so much, and I like to consider Esther my friend. I think that she just told me through an invitation that she wants to be friends with me. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I am thinking I might be baking her an apple pie sometime in the near future.
Green Coffee
We have a new project in the works here in Arequipa. As some of you know we have a new team of missionary families joining Team Arequipa in the field beginning in January. One great asset the new families bring is medical knowledge. Four of the eight adults are medical professionals so we decided to capitalize on that incoming expertise and come up with a way that CUDA can help communities be healthier. To that end Alfredo has spent the past few months planning our 2014 health initiative and we are in the final stages of having it approved by the local and regional governments. We’ll report in detail on the program later but I’d like to ask you all to begin praying for our collaboration with the health-network in the district of Hunter. The doctors and administrators in charge of the network there have been very supportive and quite excited about the potential possibilities our partnership will provide. We are equally excited to begin working in Hunter and hope you’ll remember the program in your prayers.
In other news our first shipment of coffee has made it to Lima and soon embarks on its maiden voyage to Texas. As soon as possible we will be shipping fresh-roasted gourmet coffee right to your door. Though we tried our best the coffee won’t arrive in time for Christmas delivery. If you want to give the gift of CUDA coffee we plan on selling a gift certificate redeemable for individual bags or subscriptions. Once all the details are finalized we’ll send out the word via email, FB and Twitter so you can be guaranteed delivery from our first roasting session. For years you’ve bought every pound of coffee we could bring back with us and we hope you’ll support this new enterprise.
16 huge bags (151 pounds each!) of coffee in a Lima warehouse.
Seeing Growth
I wrote some time ago about the launch of CeDeTe (Center for Theological Development). The first class is now in its second trimester, which focuses on the New Testament story, self-awareness, contextualization, and the disciplines of meditation and fasting. I very much enjoy teaching, but the true satisfaction comes with the students' assimilation of the material. While on furlough, Paty and Alfredo decided to begin teaching the church from the first semester content. I was joyfully surprised. They are excited about sharing what they have learned and convinced that the church needs to understand the whole biblical narrative as the story of God's purposes.
I pray that a second class will form soon, that the program will grow and evolve, and that more and more doors will open to teach substantial biblical theology in appropriate ways in Arequipa.
Another interesting opportunity has arisen through our new community development initiative. Those of you who contributed to flood relief will be glad to hear that a few of our contacts in the area we helped have come on board for a long-term development project. After working hard to communicate the need to transition from a relief relationship to a development relationship, most relief recipients moved on. This is the norm and the reason we do not usually invest in relief. But the upside is that three motivated young mothers are now committed to collaborating with CUDA for the good of their community.
I'll leave the details of the program for another article. The new opportunity arose when I asked one of the three women, Lila, about studying the Bible. She had expressed cautious interest before I left for furlough, so I was following up to see if there was a time she would like to meet. One of the others, Irma, piped up to say that all three of them wanted to study and asked if we could just do so when we come for the development meeting. So, Alfredo and I will start the book of Mark with Lila, Irma, and Delfina this Saturday. Thank God for the opportunity. Now we sow the seeds of the kingdom and pray for growth.
One Way to Look at It: A Proposal
It’s easy to think of people in terms of ‘us’ vs. ‘them’. That The World is an entity separate and apart from The Church, and the very basis of our identity is wrapped up in having a line drawn between the two groups. Then we imagine that if God were to choose a side, He would plant His feet just as firmly on our side of the line as we do and join us in glaring fiercely at those who refuse to cross over to our side. He rejoices in their struggles, failings, and pain as proof of their wrong position.
Except, does that actually sound like Him? There has to be a better way to think about it.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Familiar words that pack a punch, though its power is often lost on us because we can rattle it off “by heart” without actually engaging the heart at all. Yet, it carries a great deal of meaning.
It means that God wanted so badly to be in unity with each and every one of the people He created in His image that He proposed marriage to everyone who ever existed. He came in close, offered the promise of a committed life with Him, and asked if we would take Him up on it. As proof, He paid all that it would cost with His own life, giving that which was valuable to Him to His beloved. As a man presents a woman with an engagement ring, Jesus gave us Himself to prove His dedication and sincerity.
And every single person who has lived or will live since then has the choice to merge their life with His, or not. Some of us have accepted His proposal and now live a mutual life with Him. Just like marriage, we don’t do very well some days, but the commitment is there, the base assumption that we live this life together. Others have not yet accepted His offer, but it still stands. It will stand until time ends. He loves each person so dearly that He will wait patiently for their answer.
Do we really feel justified to look down on anyone else for where they fall in their process with Him? Do we truly think that God has assigned us the task of determining whether others have missed their chance? Or, when we really think about it, do we recognize that such an assumption makes no sense in light of the God who has shown us such grace, accepted us so freely, and continued steadfast in His love for us despite our own flaws?
Who are we to write off anyone to whom He has made such an offer? Who are we to be stingy with love when we have received it abundantly? If we are His representatives here on earth, then we show others what this committed life with Him looks like, which means being open to those He has invited. After all, it’s His kingdom.
Aussies, Coffee, and TA 2.0
The Aussies
Recently a new couple joined us in Arequipa for a two year stint as “apprentices.” Bethany and Andrew Gray come to us from Australia (east cost, Brisbane) after being connected via Gary Green from ACU. They are excited to work with our development programs, especially the new health initiative being planned, and to get to know the Peruvians in our church network and minister alongside them. First things first though, they’ve begun intensive language learning at our language school. Twenty hours of Spanish classes each week take a toll on you mentally, emotionally and physically. Will you pray for them to have the stamina and dedication to their studies? Advancing as much as possible in their language classes now will help set them up for a good two years of ministry here in Arequipa.
Coffee
We are this close (imagine my hands held up really close together. . .) to being able to deliver fresh-roasted CUDA coffee stateside door! Once the international leg is worked out, a literal ton of CUDA coffee will head that way, with two new varieties in addition to our standard Tunki. After it arrives in Texas, we will start fresh-roasting and shipping orders around the end of November in time for Christmas. In a few weeks, we’ll send out emails with details on the coffee we have to offer as well as some gift combos that should make great Christmas gifts. Thanks for your support of CUDA in this new venture. We hope it will contribute toward sustainability for the NGO in years to come.
TA 2.0
With 2013 drawing to a close we are getting ready for our new teammates to arrive in Arequipa. Four families (the Frouds, Morgans, Blairs and Daggetts) will begin arriving in January with the last family set to arrive around August. Recently we have been celebrating with the Morgans and Frouds as they have finalized their support with two different churches. The Frouds will be supported by the Cloverdale church in Searcy while the Morgans will partner with the Pleasant Valley church in Little Rock. As the Frouds and Morgans enter into their final 3-4 months before the move be praying for them. It is a hectic time full of change and goodbyes. Pray for their last few months spent with supporting churches; that strong relationships would be formed and solid support structures put into place. Pray for their last goodbyes to family members and for their arrival (Frouds in January, Morgans in February) in Arequipa. We are ready for them to be here!
Planes, Libraries, and Automobiles
I made it safely to the states with our three kids. If you happened to hear the story of our departure, you know that it was not the easiest of trips. We missed our international flight and were totally rerouted (this happening after all the drama with Ana’s passport). Greg posted that people pray for less stress for me, and I want you to know that if you prayed this prayer, God was gracious to me. Though stress was going to be a factor (I was traveling without my husband with THREE kids for crying out loud), everyone was overly helpful, we got on a flight THAT night out of Lima, and my sister made all the connections with me (there was a chance she wouldn’t with the crazy delays out of Arequipa). So, thank you for praying for our travels. I returned early with the kids to participate in the festivities of my best friend’s wedding. Greg will join us the end of September for a one-month furlough. We will hit Tullahoma, Memphis, the Dallas area, and Tyler in a whirlwind trip. It has been a blessing to already be spending time with my Tullahoma family. We look forward to seeing so many more of you!
My article is short this month. First of all, Happy Five Year Anniversary to Team Arequipa. If you have supported this work in any way, we consider you part of the team. It is an absolute blessing to see the faithfulness of God as we look back on what he has done in the past five years. For me, I am in awe of how he has blessed the Living Libraries program. Lucia (the Peruvian in charge of the program) and I have worked so hard this year to see how the program flows in all grade levels serving an entire school. It has been a great year, and our plan is to open three more libraries next year. It will be a lot of work, and CUDA saw the need for us to hire another employee for the program. I am honored to introduce you to our newest Living Library team member, Felicitas. She is a Christian with a passion to teach. She is gifted in working with the children, and I am so excited to see how Lucia and Feli work together in these months that I am not present. Please pray for our library team, and pray for the schools that we will enter next year. We will be in contact with so many teachers and students. It is a huge blessing to be in a place to influence so many toward the glory and work of our God.
One Way to Look at It: Solid Ground
The other day, our youngest was sitting on my lap, facing me. As we interacted, I shifted my position, which resulted in my legs moving in such a way that she couldn’t quite feel their support anymore. She panicked, grasping my arms tightly, crying out in fear that I might not catch her in time.
I chuckled, because I knew what she didn’t...that if she let go of my arms and settled back down into my lap, she would have lowered by an inch or two and nothing more. It struck me as comical that she was so frightened, when all she had to do was sit down. But it was behind her, so she couldn’t see, but only felt the open space below her that had previously felt solid.
I tried to pull my arms from her clenched hands, tried to help her find her seat again, but she clung even tighter and continued to cry. Her fear prevented her from realizing that I would not drop her to the floor, prevented her from trusting my hands to guide her safely.
We do that, don’t we? We feel solid and safe, then something shifts, be it ever so slightly, and suddenly we are certain that a free fall awaits us. In our panic, we grab hold of whatever feels secure, screeching for help. We plead with God to help us feel safe again, to feel that the ground is solid beneath us rather than too far away to reach.
I know, sometimes the situation warrants the reaction. But other times, I bet that God chuckles, knowing that our fear is completely unfounded, that we can sit back and find ourselves comfortable again with minimal adjustment in our position. He sometimes gives us a gentle push, encouraging us to sit back and be okay, but we refuse to give in, trusting instead in our desperate handholds.
I am certain that we are not meant to dangle in a panic from sources of partial security. I am certain we are meant to stand on solid ground. I am also certain that it is only by trusting that we can learn just how close that certainty may be.
Finding a Coffee Farm
When we decided to open a coffee shop we did our research on what coffees were available to us in Peru. Right away we weeded out anything that wasn’t certified fair-trade and organic and from there we began testing for the best tasting coffee. Well it didn’t take long to pick the winner. Tunki coffee, produced by a small producer co-op near Puno, has been an international award winner (1st place in 2010) and maintains high quality taste year over year. For almost two years now we have been purchasing Tunki coffee through for use in our cafe and for sales in the US. While we have wanted to take a trip to the valley to visit the coffee plantations and operations an opportunity just hadn’t arisen; until this month. Greg, Alfredo and I were able to arrange a trip to visit the main coffee factory in Juliaca and then travel on to Sandia (the valley) to visit one of the co-op’s headquarters and to visit with some of the owners of the hillside coffee plantations.
The journey was an interesting combination of excellent and harrowing. The harrowing part was the travel out to the valley from Juliaca. Sadly I don’t have pictures to do the description justice but just imagine yourself in 15 passenger van going downhill around sheer mountain cliffs on a one lane road while needing to pass cars or make room for cars coming up the hill. On top of that there were hairpin turns aplenty and a driver who loved to drive at breakneck speeds. We were all very thankful to arrive in the valley safely. We stayed in the small town of Massiapo where the Inambari coffee co-op is located. One of the members of this co-op submitted a sample to the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) this year and was ranked 3rd best in the world. The co-op president took us out to visit two different plantations about an hour outside of town, high up on the side of the mountains (about 1800 meters up). Though we arrived post harvest we were able to see quite a lot. Plants still laden with beans, beans laid out for drying, a newly developed area with recently planted coffee plants, and more. Back in Massiapo that afternoon we were treated to a cupping seminar by the co-op’s resident coffee specialist, Rigoberto (a licensed Q grader). He prepared five different coffee samples for testing. He talked us through how to officially cup (test) the coffee and how to officially score using international scoring guidelines. The lesson was very interesting and Greg especially enjoyed himself as he graded the coffee samples with Rigoberto.
We were so grateful to CECOVASA (the parent organization of the various co-ops) for hosting us at their factory and for arranging our guides in the valley. As we prepare to ramp up sales of CUDA coffee through exporting to the US we felt it necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the coffee we sell. This trip was an eye-opener and has given us a lot of ideas for our business going forward. Enjoy the pictures!
