The Bigger Picture

Second day of camp finito.
God just keeps on doing His stuff...it's awesome.
As our 2 principles: Knowing we're redeemed and having that our reason for sport, and wholly surrendering to let the Holy Spirit lead us, were taught I was really reminded of God's unending love. No matter how much I've failed I have victory in Christ, and on knowing that can do all things for and with Him.

As camp continues, relationships with the students here keep getting strengthened, and their desire to make faith their own keeps growing.

After our principle teaching we learned to apply them through some ultimate frisbee and basketball, spent some time on the beach to pray, connect, and watch the sunset, and almost got lost 3 times on the way back.

The sharing was especially encouraging, as the school athletic director shared his vision to have AIA come to Puerto Rico annually to run camps for all 20 universities here on Puerto Rico, and through that develop AIA ministries on campus. Praise God for His work on this island.

Don't forget to search #ptrc2013 on instagram for pictures!

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
- Philippians 2:14-16

Sent For A Purpose

Second day of camp. Woot.
Today's 7am workout has been moved to 10:30am - the time of day when the sun is most intense. Still, moving the workout gave us some extra rest and gave me some more quiet time with God.

Really humbled again by His love and how a perfect God would so willingly suffer at the hands of sinful men so I can be redeemed. And in redemption, I find the call to look not to my own interests any longer, but I have a greater purpose in serving God by serving others with joy and eagerness, willing to give up EVERYTHING so that the Gospel might be advanced. Realizing that as the ultimate purpose to why I'm here a hard heart to learn, but I know God's grace can and will transform me to live it out.

Today we teach 2 principles: ''Inside Game'' - to realize God's love as the ultimate motivation in why do play sport and do life, and ''Holy Sweat'' - to wholly surrender and rely on God's faithfulness as we learn His disciplines.

Praying that as we learn with the Puerto Rican students, we can really connect with them despite the language barrier, and they can see a genuine love from us.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
- John 15:13

Know...and Act

This morning God brought 17 university students - all of them varsity athletes, to the first day of training camp. The desire and humility they had to learn about Christ and why it was that we're here was simply amazing.

As we shared about having an ''Audience of One'', to have the heart to do all things as worship to God alone, sport included, the students were receptive and so open in confessing how they've personally made sport into an idol more than a couple of times.

I truly sense the desire that they have to learn, but also see that so many of them see Christianity as just what's 'normal' and are okay with where they're already at. They believe on God, and know lots, but like so many people in the world (myself included for the longest time), the one thing missing is the most important: a genuine love relationship with Christ that leads us to undivided devoted worship - the heart that seeks Him above ALL things.

Other than that, we spent some time with the students, played some volleyball, pool, and ping pong, and went for a tour of San German. Finally starting to get used to the humidity and heat here...way different from the great white north, and just trusting in God to give our team strength the next 12 days.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:12-13

Limits

I've figured out how to do this thing efficiently and in a way in which I can have somewhat organized thoughts. I'll have a morning update (hopefully before 8), and an evening one.

Man...7am workout - one of the most intense ones I've had in a while (not like there's much to compare). Being pushed beyond my own physical limits, especially with asthma acting up really humbled me to trust an unlimited God to be my strength who never leaves me. Wow.

So today, training camp starts. We're expecting about 20 university students to show up so we can train them to integrate faith into their sport and life. Today's topic: Audience of One. We're here to remind them that God is ultimately the One we play for, and there is competition that glorifies His Name. Sport is not eternal, but we can use it to bear eternal fruit.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
- Psalm 121:1-2

But he said to me, ''My grace is s sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

Flexibility is a Friend

Spending the morning in Old San Juan really reminded me a bit of Taiwan - really crowded, very dangerous drivers, not quite as developed as Canada, and really really hot and humid. Yet it is filled with history and a natural beauty.

K...aside from that, this morning was definitely a great team bonding experience as we explored this historical city in Puerto Rico together to find certain landmarks, eat Puerto Rican steak and mofongo (smashed plantain), drink some malta, and coconut milk.

Learning about some Puerto Rican history also gives me great hope as this island is really built upon people seeking immortality. It's our team's desire to show these people that eternal life is not from a fountain of youth that they first expected, but thorough Christ and Christ alone.

After that excursion our team took the 2.5 hour drive down to San German where we'll be doing the bulk of our ministry. We're staying at the Interamericana University of Puerto Rico - the biggest private university in the Caribbean, founded by a Presbyterian missionary: Dr. John William Henry in 1912. We met some people we'll be working with and they are awesome. We also got our schedule for this trip which is quite different from what we were originally told.
Our training camp is actually starting tomorrow morning. Though we don't feel too prepared I know God is going to work. He's been faithful in His work on this island. Today we meet Dr. Bob, an affiliate staff member of AIA who has been praying for AIA to come establish ministry here for over 15 years! It's humbling seeing God use us to answer prayers. It's time for this generation of students to see that Christianity isn't merely a moral code, but a passion that drives a life of love, and in learning it, teach it to others to further God's Kingdom.

It's amazing seeing how in such a short time we've already started realizing our individual roles on this team. From what we've seen already, we're gonna have to learn to adapt to changes, but no worries. Excited for what God is about to do!

Jesus said to them, ''I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.''
- John 6:35

Discipline of Silence

What a wonderful Maker
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whisper
How humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the love of a Father
How majestic Your whisper
What a wonderful God
- Chris Tomlin

First morning in Puerto Rico should be easy right?
Well...not according to our director.
We were greeted this morning with a 5am alarm so that our team could get down to the beach for a run at 5:30 in the humid 25 degree weather.
If you don't know me too well...I've only run once this year, and I struggled to run for over 15 minutes that one time, and I also do really poorly in humid climates because of my asthma.
However, as we started our run this morning we were challenged to take the discipline of silence and remember that this run was not for ourselves, but for Christ.
I decided to take that up, and as that happened, Christ reminded me of a few things that got me through the run.
Even if and when I have to go beyond my own physical limitations He will sustain me.
As I looked upon the vast expanse of the beach and the beauty of the sunrise I was marveled that He created all the world and saw that it was good, yet in holding all creation in His hands He still says to me ''I love you.''
I'm here for a reason greater than my own comprehension, and I simply (easier said than done) have to listen and obey His calling as Christ's example shows me.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
- Philippians 2:5-8

First Time's The Charm

First day in Puerto Rico done. Landed at 5:20pm
So many new experiences...
First time boarding a plane by myself, first time in Puerto Rico, first time meeting my team, first time eating goat meat.
It's been a great experience so far just learning to rely on God to even bring me here in one piece.
Our team consists of 9 university students: 6 girls and 3 boys, our director Mark and his family, coordinator Mark (another one) and his family, and another staff member Gary.
Praise God for this team. I can really see and feel us bond as one body and I can't wait to see what God is going to do through us and in us. At our team briefing I was so encouraged as the staff members shared with us the vision for this project: to create a ripple effect - a multiply movement. As we pray for and invest in these university students at training camp we hope to see them gain a faith that will change the world.
In the coming days our team will be bonding together through sports and prayer so that we can effectively lead this camp to teach spiritual principles and how to apply them as Christians so that the students we work with can be built as leaders
This training camp we're running for them modelled after the programs in Canada and the USA is also a first. Recently I've been reading some of Paul's epistles and now know a bit more of how he felt when spearheading ministries - excitement but some uncertainty that just moves me to learn to trust in God more.
I'm excited for this discipleship chance as it's something God has really placed in my heart the last year and a half, and now I get to finally put it into action and hopefully see a start of a discipleship movement in myself.

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.
- Matthew 13:21

Letting Go, Letting God

I take my life and lay it down
I'm letting go, I'm letting go
My hopes and dreams here at Your feet
I'm letting go, I'm letting go
It's all for You, it's all for You
I'm letting go, I'm letting go
- Starfield

That first flight from Toronto to Miami was tough...
As I boarded the plane, all these thoughts just pushed into my head wondering about softball ministry, relationships with people back home, things I want to do in Toronto, and fellowship outings.
I really just didn't know how to let go of these things so I could just focus on the task God has at hand for me.
Yet as I lifted these worries up to God in prayer, He reminded me that life isn't about me and what I can do to make things 'perfect' - life is about Him and He holds it together. It doesn't come down to my wants and desires, but it always comes back to God's Will.
Now I just have to trust that as I learn to let go of everything I'm holding on to, as I learn to let go of my own pride and desires, He has a greater reward and plan for me full of His blessings and love.
He is good.

And now off to Puerto Rico!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
- Ephesians 3:20-21

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
- Psalm 37:4

Bye Bye Toronto

This plane needs to take off haha

To live is Christ

Waking up and reading Philippians 1:12-30...wow.
Excitement brews as I'm about to head out to the island.

God, Creator of heaven and earth,
Ruler of the nations, sustainer of every living thing,
You are good.
I pray You'll humble my heart as You push me beyond my own limits.
I know that many trials and tests stand before me and my team these next 2 weeks, but I know You are greater than any and all of them.
Though many battles are still to be fought, You've already won the war.
No matter what I have to go through in the next 2 weeks, remind me that as long as Your Gospel is preached and advanced...well, then it's all worth it.
Give me a true selfless love for my team, that I might serve them and put them above myself.
Give our team genuine love for the people of Puerto Rico, that we might instill in them a passion in their hearts to have the desire to see every knee bow down and every tongue confess that You alone are God. That they may have a faith worth dying for, and a love worth living.
Let our faith be an encouragement to them as You instill in us faith like a mustard seed - one that is firmly rooted in Your love and grows fruitfully, believing in a limitless God who does the impossible.
Be my love, my strength, my joy, my peace, my comfort, my wisdom, my vision.
Whatever lies my way, I trust in You, for Your will is good and perfect.
Things won't go my way, but You are with me, and Your will above all else my purpose remains. You are everything.
Thank You for being a God who cares for me and leads me.
In Christ Name,
Amen

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
- Philippians 1:21-22

12 Hours Til The Island...I should probably be sleeping

My plane leaves for Puerto Rico in just under 12 hours, and boy are there many thoughts rushing through my head... Am I gonna be able to find my flights? How am I gonna interact with my team? How is my life going to transformed by God? What's going to happen with softball ministry when I'm gone?

The thoughts and questions just keep going on, and on, and on.

Yet, as I lift this trip up to God, all these thoughts and anxieties just disappear in the light of His grace, as He humbles me to realize that He is fully in control of my life, and I need to learn total dependence on Him and Him alone.

All I need is faith.  God's already holding in His hands what needs to be done, and I just need to trust that.

As I sit here reflecting and meditating on Philippians 2:1-11, God just moves me to pray for the unity of this missions team, that we might truly be of one mind, and one love, for Christ crucified and resurrected is the one reason that unites us, and that in itself is more powerful than any earthly bias or conflict we might have when meeting and ministering with one another.  Through this passage God just asks me the classic question..."Synge, what are you willing to give up so that the people I am calling you to minister to can experience my love in its fullness?"

Definitely praying that God will humble me to know that I don't need to have things my way, that I will be able to put others before myself, whether it be a coworker or someone we're sharing the Gospel with.  Ultimately, I'm sent to Puerto Rico with this team so that God will bring His Name to glory, and that's what needs to be done.  Ultimately, the whole team is sent there so that we can see every knee bow down before Him and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

Man...I'm excited, and it's just hard to put all my thoughts as one, but I'm sure as God continues guiding me on this journey, He will reveal what He needs to reveal and transform not only the lives of the people in Puerto Rico, but also of myself and my team.

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
- Romans 14:8

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
-Philippians 2:3