Week One

One week down and it has been a great one. We went through a 4 day training period here, met some great new friends and learned a lot in the process. As a group we went on a lot of field trips in which we were able to explore the city and the culture here. It is as times so abrasive to what I am used to, culture shock for sure. Everything from language, to transportation and dress is all different. Nothing is the same. Nothing looks the same or feels the same. So, it has for sure been a time of transition as I begin to absorb this way of life and merge with it.

Each day we had the privilege of being taught from the Word by one of our trainers. It was incredible and he was someone I could listen to for hours on end. The first day he spoke on Romans 8: 12-14 "Therefore brothers, we have an obligation- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live." For an hour we talked about how we as people are so consumed with sin. Out sinful nature eats us alive, it causes us to die. We are consumed with wants and thoughts and deeds. Even something so simple as our desire for air conditioning here, how it easily consumes our thoughts and ends up causing us to complain and to sin. And I become driven by the idea that I am hot, sticky and sweating and want air conditioning. That day of teaching really caused me to think. What in my life is consuming me? Eating me up and causing me to stumble and fall? What misdeeds of the body do I need to put to death so that I can live?