Was I prepared to go to Chile? Yes…and no.

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Chelsea

When I received the phone call about an opportunity to teach English in Chile, I kept my cool. But inside, I was jumping, ecstatic. After the phone call, the inside jumping turned into literal outside jumping. I bounded around the house and shouted. Luckily, I was by myself.

I always had an interest in foreign mission work. I am convinced that the Gospel is the single most important information that anyone could hear. I admired those who worked in churches abroad. I hoped that one day God could use me in the same way.

Looking back, I can see how God prepared me for that phone call. He gave me a desire to learn Spanish, an ability to relate and listen to people, and a strong curiosity in other cultures. He also gave me a conviction about the importance of His message, a longing for adventure, and years of Lutheran Christian schooling.

Attitude-wise, God prepped me, too. And it was painful. I had graduated with honors, but I just couldn’t land the jobs I was trying out for. The month before the phone call, I had been unemployed. Now I can see that God used that time to humble me. I prayed a lot during that time – I was out of ideas and had to “give up” trying to control my situation. He also used that time to make me search and search…and he gave me a new desire – to teach English to foreigners.

When I got that phone call, I was ready. Or so I thought.

This month’s Mission News theme (Mission News=mission newspaper for the Evangelical Lutheran Synod) is “worker training and volunteers.” What does the word “training” make you think of?  Workshops, seminaries, and evangelism classes. This preparation is both useful and necessary. The devil works extra-hard to make us slip up and slightly twist the ideas in the Bible when we talk to others about faith. But training and preparation helps all of us stay faithful to the right doctrines. It also equips us with “tried and true” approaches to accomplish church work.

When I came to Chile, I had a lot to learn. (I’m still learning.) I got certified as an EFL teacher, and I’ve sat alongside the two pastors who have been in this mission field. I’ve listened to them share the truth of the Bible with compassion, but without apology. At the encouragement of a former EFL teacher in Chile, I’ve started to read more about doctrine. This helps me understand and explain it better to my students. (I encourage you to do the same…The Lutheran Confessions are killer…I mean, er…save-r?).

So, God provides us with formal training and informal training. What I mean is this: God has equipped each of us with talents and natural strengths. Yours might be a knack for language, enthusiasm for working with young people, an interest in a culture, a talent for administration, a drive to design or create film, the gift of encouragement. He also prepares workers formally, with Bible classes, doctrinal seminars, and outreach workshops.

Each mission field needs certain gifts and certain training. Not every mission site would be a good fit for every person. If you are thinking about volunteering in missions, consider your God-given strengths. Consider the training, preparation, and financing you still might need. It’s also good to consider your attitude (Phil. 2:5-7). The mission field requires a ton of humility, steadiness -  and a light sense of humor. Finally, pray. God will give you a yes, no, or wait answer. Whatever happens, we  can be confident it’s for the “good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The great thing is that we can trust God to fulfill the needs in each place at the right time. The Chile English program doesn’t need volunteers right now…but it may eventually. In the meantime, Pastor Tim Erickson is busy training up our male leaders in seminary classes. They’re preparing for ministry via Skype, evening classes, and sometimes re-arrange their work schedules to be able to study a full day each week.

Can you pray that God prepare both local volunteers and workers from each country, as well as volunteers and workers from the United States?

Comment below: What questions do you have about working in missions? Looking back, how has/had God prepared you to be able to share His message?

All the best,

Chelsea

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Why my heart is full this March

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Chelsea

It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?

Well, I’m glad to be back and blogging. Tomorrow, Monday, I begin teaching English again, after a summer pause. (Summer in Chile! Working on sending the sun back to Minnesota!)

This past week has been full of phone calls and e-mails and teacher-student meetings. Tomorrow and Tuesday, 12 students will be studying English with me. They range in age from 8 to 65! I love it. English appeals to all age ranges here, and the Gospel message is relevant to every age range, too :)

My heart is full tonight, Sunday. I’m in my house, preparing the lesson outlines for the next 7 weeks. I’m overwhelmed by a thought which has become more urgent than ever: These 12 people need…NEED to hear about what faith really is (a gift from God allowing us to “grasp” Christ), what Jesus really did (paid for our ticket to heaven). This is what’s weighing on my heart. I’m desperately hoping that by the end of classes, the Holy Spirit will have opened their eyes and hearts to understand the Word.

The thing is that with these 12 students, I’m not sure even 1 of them truly “gets” it. Almost all of them are new to classes (awesome!). And if I’ve learned anything from my measly 1.5 years of mission work, it’s that “getting it” can be – and usually is – a process. The Holy Spirit works through the Word, and all the more when someone is reading or hearing the Bible and the Gospel story frequently.  So my big question that I’m pondering in my living room right now is: Which Bible stories will I tell during the next 7 weeks in order to convey what God has done for us?

The great thing about Bible stories is this: I know that with whatever I do choose, it will  connect with Christ’s love for us as sinners. That’s because the central message, the backbone of the entire Good Book, is how Christ would come and CAME to redeem us from  the chains of our own sin, an eternal death, and the jealous trickery and lies of the devil.

So, with that in mind, I’m really looking forward to these next 7 weeks.  What could be better than sharing such a great Message with them?! :) Would you join me in praying for these students?

And a question: What are the Bible stories that you like that are great for teaching the Law and Gospel? Which parables, Old Testament story, or New Testament passage remind you of God’s promises and truths?

Love from Linares, Chile,

Chelsea 

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“I have nightmares sometimes”

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Chelsea

Hello friends and family, both in Chile and in the States!

Every time I sit down to write, I find it extremely hard to choose what to write about. There are hundreds of potential stories, potential topics. I will have lived in Chile for 1 year as of Nov. 18th, 2012, and I could get so used to this world that things here will cease to amaze me. But, I never want to cease to be amazed. I’ll try to keep that spirit up for myself, and for you at home!

So, what has amazed me over these past 2 weeks? Story time!

If you’ve seen my PowerPoint presentations, you know that last year, I focused on teaching English, building relationships with students, and then talking about spiritual ideas outside of class.

But when I visited the States last May, one thought slowly grew and rooted itself in my mind. That thought was planted by one wise man on our Chile-U.S. mission team. The thought was this: “God’s Word is powerful by itself.”

But…but, but…The Mormon Church here in town tried to reach out by teaching English, too, but many Chileans left those classes with a bad taste in their mouths. They wanted to learn English without being  pressured to join a church. Knowing that, I was hesitant to introduce Bible stories into our curriculum, and I think with good reason. 

After reflecting on this and consulting with some great mentors, I decided maybe the key was this: Teach English, include a Bible story once every week or two, and not pressure anyone. Just…present the stories, ensure they include relevant grammar and vocab, and let the Spirit work where He wills.

Well, I was surprised by the results.

I introduce you to my student Nicki (not her real name), 24 years old. A few weeks ago, she came into the classroom, and we began reviewing how to give directions in English. Something was on her mind, though. She stopped suddenly and asked, “What about the end of the world, Chelsea? Is it true what all the Evangelicals say?”

I paused, and asked, “What do you mean?”

“My boyfriend’s mom is Evangelical, and she constantly talks about the end of the world, the problems we’ll have. It…It scares me so much. I have nightmares sometimes.”

I responded, “Well, yes, the end of the world is a real fact. But I want you to know that, as Christians, we have nothing to fear.” (90% of Chileans think of themselves as Christians/Catholics. They believe “in God” and in “being a good person,”  but most are fairly unaware of the Bible’s saving message.)

“But Chelsea, it sounds terrible. Earthquakes, floods, droughts, suffering.” Nicki, along with  her compatriots, were left  scarred by the mega-earthquake that hit Chile in 2010. It’s not unusual to see TV programs predicting the next mega-earthquake, or to hear Chileans talk about the impact it had on them.

Nicki continued, “Plus, what about the limited number of people going to heaven? 140,000? Is that true? How can that be true?”

I told her, “These are big questions. But don’t worry – The Bible gives us great answers. On Friday, I think you’ll get some answers in the next English class. Let’s have lunch this week, too, to talk more about those questions, because it will take time. For now, though, let’s finish our lesson. ”

That Friday, I presented the story of Lazarus.

You know, the one where Jesus waits and waits to go visit his dying friend, and then when he finally gets to Lazarus’s home, it’s too late? In very meaningful conversations, Lazarus’s sisters cling to the faith they have in the resurrection, and Jesus tells them, “I am the resurrection…He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

Well, I presented that. My students, including Nicki, knew the story. (Remember, 85-90% of Chileans come from a Catholic background.) But they may have never realized what this “story” means for them.  

  • Death is unnatural. It is always chocante, shocking, to us left behind. Something’s wrong with the world. Jesus felt that, too, and it moved him to tears.
  • Heaven is a real possibility, and it is possible to be sure that you’ll be there with God when you die.
  • Faith in Jesus as your Savior is the real answer. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

My students studied that last statement until they “got” it. “He who believes in me will live.” What do I do to live? Believe in Christ.

Nicki “got” it, too. And she physically looked more at ease once she “got” it. We still met for lunch the next week. There, we looked at these words (from Romans): “God wants all men to be saved…”

After an hour of talking, Nicki seemed to want to continue. As the waiter cleared off our table, she asked, “And Chelsea, is there such a thing as a Bible class?…I mean, something like English class, but just about the Bible?”

That was a few weeks ago. Tomorrow night, a church member will lead a Wednesday Bible class. Nicki’s invited! :)

 

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How to: properly attend a Chilean wedding

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Chelsea

For those who live in or are visiting Chile, I hope this post serves as a guide if you are invited to a Chilean wedding. For those who are Stateside, I hope you are educated and entertained by my reflections on this aspect of Chilean culture!

Without further ado, your guide to attending a Chilean wedding:

Overview:

A wedding in any country is a special and (one hopes) unique event. I find that Chilean weddings are even more special. Why? From what I can tell (and I emphasize that this is just from my perspective), the majority of couples here simply live together instead of legally getting married. This may have to do with the following (Chilean culture note ahead)!:

1. Up until 2004, it was illegal to get divorced. And an anullment was complicated and expensive. Perhaps to avoid that problem, Chileans simply avoided marriage altogether.

2. Many Chilean couples that have been living together are…duh-duh-duh… still legally married to another person. Again, they couldn’t get divorced from that other person until the law changed 8 years ago.

3. Finally, most pololos (boyfriends/girlfriends) live in their family home until they marry. Here in Chile, God’s words about marriage really take on meaning: “The man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.”

So NOW, when a couple decides (or finally decides) to get married, it’s an especially sweet day. Marriage is always a sacred, awesome, and solemn commitment, but in this country, a wedding seems to be even more meaningful.

What to expect (or: gringo, prepare yourself!)

Chileans are first married by a judge. This solemn (but still celebratory) ceremony may happen at the civil registry office or at home. It’s formal formal formal. Cotton sundress? No, po. We’re talking ties, suits, haircuts, and gala or cocktail dresses.

Some couples also choose to have a separate church ceremony. Again, formal. (Are Americans more relaxed with our wedding outfits? Because coming from Minnesota, Chilean wedding formality really strikes me.)

For both events, most couples will have a reception, and this is what you have to prepare for if you’re a foreigner. What do I mean? How, you ask? 3 tips…

Tip 1: First, and above all, get your sleep the night before. Both Chilean receptions I attended started around 8 pm and were stil going full-force until 3:00 am. The last people left at 4:30. In the morning. And it’s not just the young folks who are out dancing and chatting until 3 — It’s everyone, seniors included. Chileans love to celebrate, and exuberant wedding receptions are remembered for years to come. So, get your sleep beforehand, cancel your morning activities for the day after, and go to the wedding properly expecting to stay awake for it!

Tip 2: That said, don’t worry too much about “exerting” yourself to stay awake. It will happen. I’m not sure if it’s the norm, but both Chilean receptions I attended are designed to ensure that guests can’t get bored.  Here are 4 features that pop out:

    • Abundant food: Both weddings I attended were at the Estadio Español in Linares. There, we enjoyed cocktail hour, a 3-course dinner, dessert, a second dessert at midnight or 1 am, and an open bar. No food boredom here.
    • Surprise musical presentations: Sou-Sou dancing (from the Chilean island culture), cueca dancing (from traditional Chilean culture), and bride-groom waltzes and choreographed dances…

      And in the last wedding I attended, the bride had secretly organized a small band  to sing “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam. (It’s in the video below…Catch me singing!)

    • Entertainment: A saxophonist serenaded tables last March. Then, the groom’s cousin performed a routine on a trapeze. The folkloristas at the September wedding entertained us by reciting clever Chilean poems which included inside jokes about the family. Later in the evening, the bride and groom lit giant Chinese lanterns and released them into the black satin sky. Yes, cool!
    • Cotillon: If and when I marry someday, I am hi-jacking this tradition to start a trend in the States. When the dance started at midnight (read: starts at midnight), guests from ages 4 to 84 were out on the floor for a solid 2 hours. At 2 am, I looked at my watch and thought, “Hm. Things are kind of dying down…” No. I was gravely mistaken. Moments later, the bride and groom appeared with bags full of cotillon - costume wear - feather masks, pirate hats, glow-stick necklaces, oversized sunglasses, foam fingers and cone-hats. Holy moly.


And in an instant, everyone (again, ages 4 to 84) was injected with a burst of energy. We kept right on a-dancing to cumbia, salsa, American pop, and rock hits.

Tip 3: Enjoy the wedding, participate, and thank the bride and groom for the invitation! Will Chileans ask you to dance Cueca? Yes. Will you not know how? Probably. But will you refuse? No. Even if you don’t understand or know how to do something when you attend a foreign event, I recommend that you:

    • Laugh and graciously accept the invitation to dance/sing karoake/strut/recite verse, or whatever you may find yourself caught up in.
    • Do it with gusto and a smile.
    • Laugh again when it’s over.

After 13 months living abroad, I’ve learned that this is ultimately the secret to thriving in a new culture – And really, it’s the secret to living life fully wherever you are. Trying new things is essential. Letting go and laughing at yourself is key. In a new country, tour hosts don’t ask you to do such things out of a desire to embarrass you. They want to share their traditions with you and create great memories together!

I guarantee they’ll appreciate the effort you make to join in and learn about their culture. And even if you make a mistake, the temporary discomfort will fade, but the joy of the memory is what will last.

What events have you experienced that were out of your culture-comfort-zone? What was totally new or surprising for you? How did you manage it? Or how did you wish you had managed it? Comment below!

With affection,

Chelsea

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Notes from the Classroom (October 2012, #01): Blessings from Challenges

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Chelsea

I’m starting a series in my blog called “Notes from the Classroom.” In these posts, you can expect to find a brief and detail-packed update on my English classes, and on our evangelism and church activities.  (PS: Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog! Enter your e-mail in the box to the right.) 

Hello!

I’ve been meaning to blog for awhile, but haven’t been able to for a very good reason. What reason, you ask? Well, the time I’ve designated to blog each week for the past month has been claimed by meetings with potential students! This is great news for the program, but for those who follow this website, it means I’ve left you in mist and shadows lately.

So, what’s going on in the classroom and at our little church? Big things — bittersweet things, challenging things, and exciting things.

We’ve had some obstacles lately, but God’s been faithful. Here are 3 point to summarize.

1. The most difficult thing has been that our congregation is now without a pastor.

There are many details, but it’s sufficient for you to know that my dear colleague and solid Gospel-sharer, Pastor R, is no longer serving with us. He has a greater personal challenge to wrestle with and overcome, with God’s help.

I’ve felt the absence especially as I began to meet my new English students. Our Gospel-sharing strategy was originally based on the duo of me + Pastor R. I learned a lot from sitting kitty-corner to him in our small wooden classroom as he patiently, vividly, and solidly explained the Point of the Bible and fielded faith-questions.

2. So I, with the congregation, have had to rethink the game-plan a little. How can we coordinate ourselves as a church? Without a full-time minister, how do we still reach out to the EFL students as they begin to express interest in the Bible? (Because we believe and know that they will.) At first we were overwhelmed, but little by little, God has made things clear. Not all is solved, but…

    • Nelson, a Lutheran believer who originally learned about our church through English classes 6 or so years ago, has volunteered to start a weeknight Bible study for members and newcomers alike.
    • In order to take advantage of the time I do have with students, I’ve started teaching simplified English Bible lessons almost every Friday. My students zealously learned the vocab and even starting repeating more complex grammar as they retold the stories to each other in fluency exercises.
    • And just on Tuesday, a previous student asked about faith and the church. I replied excitedly, “Would you like to talk more over lunch?”Today, we did just that. Eduardo (another member who entered the church through English a few years ago) and I met this student for lunch today and “talked Gospel shop.” The Holy Spirit was already at work: My student responded optimistically and said he’d love to get together again to keep talking faith. Hopefully, I and the members will continue to work as a team for these informal Q and A Bible conversations. 

 3. We’re moving toward becoming self-sustainable! And in order to make that outcome more probable, we’ve increased the tuition of English classes… Uff-da.

 If we hadn’t raised tuition, the English program would run out of funding in about 2 or 3 years. And we’re optimistic that this can endure and bear much fruit. Why? Because slowly but surely, we are working out wrinkles and achieving the goal:  Teach great English, build great relationships, and share a great Message.  Now for the uff-da:

When I described the changes to my previous students, 10 of the 17 regretfully told me they couldn’t re-enroll, because the price is now out of their budget range. This nearly knocked the wind out of me. How will the program be funded? And what about the dreams we had of sharing the Gospel with many? So…

For about a week, I had an overwhelming desire to avoid the problem by staying in bed with my warm wool covers and electric blanket. But my good friend Carla, a former English student who now attends our church, encouraged me to take action and design other strategies. With a radio announcement here, word of mouth there, and a Facebook ad too…I now have 6 students in my group courses and 5 private students! Good… but we’re looking forward to growing next semester.

In the meantime, we’ll stick to this tuition model. I’m going to teach as well as I possibly can, and I’m trusting that just as before, more students will come with time. Spiritually, I (we) don’t want to lose sight of the Gospel Goal: We must trust that the Holy Spirit still will work in the hearts of the 6 students I do have!

If you’ve read this far, do subscribe to my blog! The link is on the top right of this page. It takes 30 seconds. Just enter your e-mail, and my posts will be delivered to your inbox.

God’s blessings,

Chelsea

 

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How do you maintain friendships while living abroad (or far away)?

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Chelsea

One of the major challenges of working in foreign missions, or of studying abroad, or of simply living as an ex-patriate anywhere is maintaining strong friendships in one country while you are in the other. On the flip side, this is also a challenge for the friends and family of an ex-patriate. (I’m pretty sure my mom and dad have pondered this question…right, Mom and Dad?)

From http://studyabroad.universiablogs.net/2012/07/26/keeping-in-contact/#more-9355

It’s important to remember that when you live so far away, your closest friends and family still want to be very involved in your life. They’re excited about your adventure, curious about your new life, and concerned about your well-being. I’ve learned that they don’t want you to leave them behind – just as much as you don’t want to live them behind.

For those with friends far far far from home, it requires an extra dose of creativity, time, and effort. I have 6 ideas that I’ve tried or would like to try, and I ask for your ideas and input  as well!

1. Send out regular updates on your “foreign life.” 

When I studied abroad in Peru, I informed people that I would be writing blurbs about my adventures. I was surprised at how many of my friends, families, and even acquaintances were anxious to be on my update list.

But how do you maintain a good habit of updating?

      • I collected e-mail addresses before I left. I also used a Facebook status update to ask if anyone else would like to be on the update list.
      • I journaled a little every day (I’m talking 10 minutes, like 1-2 paragraphs, or even just 3 bullet points). I included short notes to jog my memory about adventures, people, lessons learned, and personal reflections.
      •  I took the highlights from my journal and made them into a digest e-mail. With updates, be careful – too long and only your best friend and your mom will read it. Too short and you will leave your readers dissatisfied, wondering what you’re keeping from them! 400-700 words is good.

Of course, you can create a blog, too. You can find decent platforms free and fast. Plus, they’re quite user-friendly and easy to launch. This website links to 5 great blogging platforms. Just make sure you tell your friends the name of your site, and find a “subscribe” plug-in so that friends and family may receive your latest posts right in their e-mail inbox or on their iPhone.

2. Skype into Christmas dinner! Then play a board game.

I literally attended my family’s holiday dinner last year via video conference. They put my video image on full-screen and “passed me” around the table.

After dinner, we played Balderdash (a word game) together. Again, they passed me around as necessary so I could contribute my answers.

Games like Balderdash and MadGab are easy to play, if you adjust a little. Using Skype, I could write my answers for Balderdash into the chat window. For other games (Apples to Apples or Quelf, for example), you can always “buddy up” with your mom, sister, or friend and be a two-man team. Have your buddy use headphones in case you need to discuss game strategies!

3. Post photos on Facebook. Write succinct but sufficient captions for them. 

My college classmate and friend Stephanie joined the Peace Corps in Africa. She only sometimes has Internet access, but each time she does she adds a handful (3-10) of photos to a single “Africa” album. I love these little doses of village life! Plus, the fact that she adds a few every time make me check her profile frequently for new ones.

 The key is to choose “highlight” photos, particularly ones with people (you!) in them. By adding only a few select photos at a time, you save yourself the long wait that it takes to add  200 images to Facebook. Plus, not many people will probably browse through all 200 photos of you visiting Town Xitherlichtamente. Regular photo updates will help your friends and family relate to your experience more. Maybe they’ll even start to recognize recurring faces, which will definitely help when you’re telling stories about your life abroad.

3. Schedule a movie night via Skype or another video chat platform.

I planned a Friday movie night with my friend Mandy from home this way. I was giddy about it all week! We both had seen the chosen flick before, so we knew it well. We giggled like absolute schoolgirls and made remarks throughout, via Skype. (Yes, we’re those types of movie-watchers.) It’s one of my fondest memories of connecting with friends back home while abroad.

Here’s how it works:

      1. You video-call each other via Skype, Google Plus hang-out, or Facebook video chat.
      2. One person enters a site like Hulu.com (for American shows and series) or Youtube.com, or loads a DVD into their computer.
      3. Next, that person “screen-shares” with the other. (Note: This works in Skype, but sometimes you must have a special subscription. I’m not sure if Google Plus has this feature.) The quality still isn’t awesome, but if it’s a well-loved or well-known movie or show, you both should enjoy it! 

I’ve also heard of people getting the same DVD and then pushing “play” at the exact same time while connected via video chat.

5. Send postcards

…Well, everyone likes to receive postcards! It’s a great way of reminding someone that they’re special to you. Here are the advantages:

    • They’re inexpensive.
    • They take a few minutes to fill out and send.
    • People tend to keep them for a long time, or post them on the refrigerator!

One note: You’ll probably need to post an “address request” on Facebook or via e-mail. You could even do a sort of “mail call” and ask “Who wants a postcard?” I’ve seen classmates do this before they leave for a semester abroad. I’ve been amazed at the number of people who reply enthusiastically! And to best keep track of everyone, copy and paste the addresses into Word or a Google document, or print them off.

6. Write short messages regularly, or “chat” via Facebook, Messenger, or your preferred service.

I enjoy writing looong, detailed messages to my loved ones. The problem I found last year was that it took too much time to maintain such in-depth correspondence with each person in my inner circle. I would postpone my responses until I had enough time to “answer them sufficiently” (according to my unrealistically-high standard of “sufficient”). I found myself apologizing for having waited weeks and sometimes months for the delay. By the time I would write, so much had happened that it was hard to know where to start in my message.

I’ve found that the balance comes in semi-frequent, brief, but detailed messages about my daily life. For me, this means corresponding with 2-4 paragraphs once a month to once a week. I want to keep my friends and family more “in the know,” so I include more personal details about my life here – a new struggle, a funny story, an idea I have. It’s important to keep up with their lives, too. I like to write a few specific, open-ended questions about what they’re up to lately…questions that stretch beyond “How’s it going?”

Several of these ideas really paid off for me when I returned from Chile for a 2-month furlough. I found it was easier to converse with my friends and family, because I knew more or less what they had been doing, what they were planning, what had changed in their lives.

I hope these suggestions, though perhaps obvious, help you connect with friends/family who live far away. Now, I’d like to start the conversation:

  • What other suggestions can you give me for connecting with my friends/family?
  • What other games/activities could one “Skype into”?
  • If you live abroad, what do you do to maintain better contact?
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