POST by JED: California Dreamin (Part 13)

Capital on the Edge

Our Friday Night Event with Davis Christian Assembly was nothing short of phenomenal. The two youth groups of the Church, Spanish speaking and English, recently united, invited along stacks of their friends, and we were blessed to see people who had experienced our Parable Styled Gospel Centered, Street Theatre Production, “Created” (the best part about the play is explaining it! Ha ha), turn up with their family and loved ones.

At the end of the show we sang a live version of Te Doy Gloria with Hector and Alex, and boy did we lift the roof. Both of these gorgeous Latinos are EXTREMELY talented, and of cause I tried to keep up too, huffing and puffing so hard, I think the entire assembled group thought that perhaps I was giving so much “Gloria” that I might in fact go and meet my beloved Jesus that very evening. It didn’t happen, we know that, I’m writing about the experience now…

Jonny (the Devil) suffered a headache and temperature for the duration of the play, but in true Nica style, danced his tiny heinie off, because the show MUST GO ON! I love that about Jonny – he NEVER has had a spell whilst on tour, he has ALWAYS performed, which is one thing that sets him apart from the rest. He is a TRUE champion!

And so, once they’d scooped me off the stage, and reattached my head to my heaving torso, we invited Jonny, Beycker and Rene back to the stage and they shared from their hearts.

It was touching to see the boys speak with emotion about their childhoods which were swamped in poverty, and how Jesus has set them free (spiritually and physically) from their pasts, drawing them in to relationship and security with him, and how he’s given them the confidence to tell their world about their loving saviour.

Of course, it’s America, and so after the service there was a plethora of “fellowship” and a heap of pizza!  Special thanks to Pastor Jonathan, Bensie, Pastor Hector and his beaut wife, Hector (junior), Alex, Elaine and everyone else in the Oasis that is Davis Christian Assembly…

We slept well and then the morning arrived. The end of a very hard, yet extremely wonderful week. I toodled off to ATF (ACQUIRE the FIRE) with Elaine, Jonny, Stivey and Yordy! We met the movement’s leader and stax of other terrific people who work double time in getting Jesus into the faces of American youth and challenging those who already love the Lord to SPREAD the GOOD NEWS!

I found the concert to be radical and glam, completely focused on the cause of the Gospel. The leader gave a rousing message about maturing as Christians and not being dependent on baby food, and then, after plucking the young Nica chaps out of the mosh-pit (I don’t do those anymore), zipped to Davis Train Station for our AMTRAK (???) journey back to San Francisco.

Pastor Jonathan, Bensie & Debra were there to see us off, and we made quite a spectacle with our group hug, speeches, dancing, photographs and so-forth… Davis Christian Assembly! What an incredible bunch… The boys are STILL saying their favourite place is Davis, Davis, DAVIS!!

We mostly enjoyed our ride back to Oakland (near San Francisco). There were just small incidents of complete frustration this time. However, at least there was a tell-tale sign that I was A.) in the right place; and B.) not the only passenger receiving the QUALITY SERVICE typical of AMTRAK.

I entered the train station and came across the ticket master yelling at a customer, telling them that they’d bought a non-refundable ticket, and that the passenger should be more specific next time. I smiled, grabbed the cup of water I was after, and then scooted away, chuckling to myself…

Then it was our turn. We had problems getting on the train with so many bags. I asked the attendant “I have 15 people and 30 bags, which car should we get on?” He smiled at me and said cockily “any car, they’re all going to the same place.” He let out a laugh. I knew what was coming, and so I maintained eye contact with the ENTIRETY of my self-control. I fought the urge to roll my eyes and tried to force a smile, the feining resulting in a twisted, stretched, twitching face.

Ten seconds later, and then it came “hurry up please, the train needs to go.” I sighed and then the inevitable eye-roll. “Yes, yes” I thought, “you just keep standing there with your OH&S perfectly intact, and I’ll keep doing my best with a troupe of children and teens, most of which don’t speak the English you keep barking at them.”

After getting into the incorrect car, a second attendant began to tell us off, explaining in a loud, patronising tone, that we’d boarded through the incorrect doors. I tried to interrupt so as to retell my story, but then the telling off became about how rude my manners were and so I ignored the chaspy and proceeded to organise my people and luggage.

We found some seats and sat down. It was only then that a third attendant came to check our tickets. Elizabeth and I proceeded to have a wee banter about some of the funny things that had happened at ATF and the attendant shoved the tickets into my hand and then began to march away. I quickly called out “thank you very much” in a polite and respectful tone (honestly, I was VERY kind – not joking here) and he swung around. His massive, hulking frame approached my shocked, but not shrinking self – “WHAT… DID YOU… JUST SAY… TO ME???!!!!!” I flushed but stood up tall and said firmly and powerfully, but with sincerity, “THANK… YOU… VERY… MUCH???!!!!!” He grunted and walked away.

I looked at Liz, who was biting her lip on account of needing to crack up, and we both did the eye roll motion. What a funny bunch! AMTRAK, please… FOR YOUR OWN SAKE!!! Customer… service… training…

From Oakland train station the Brien family left the Nica-youths. We took the BART (Bay Area Rail Transit) and a bus to Oakland International Airport, which was busy on account of a recently ended football game.

At the airport we picked up a couple of hire cars. We had done the maths and it seemed that we would save a small fortune by just driving ourselves, and just as well we did – cause the hill from the BART to Calvary Temple Church in Concord, was almost as big as Mt. Everest! Honestly, the climb would have left at least half of our group close to death.

We did a couple of ferry loads from the AMTRAK station in Oakland, to Calvary Temple, where we were welcomed with widespread arms (turned out we’d been sitting next to each other at ATF in Sacramento).

We waited for the youth to leave Church (the room we were to be staying in) and then crashed…

Sunday… Up we jumped at 6am. (7am) We pulled on our best clothes for Sunday services (whatever was clean that we could lay our hands on) and dashed out the door with grace and style (skirt slammed in car door and t-shirt on inside out – AGAIN!).

I had lost the directions for the New Life Church in Alamo but zoomed along the freeway anyhow. Francesca (our daughter), God love that girl, had managed to hunt down the directions on my new fancy phone (that I don’t know how to operate) and we made it just in time – phew.

Now I have to say we’ve been to LOTS of Churches, but this one was the BOGGLER! It was like we’d stepped into some fancy restaurant or something… Bacon and eggs, fresh fruit salad, some sort of hash-browns dish, pastries galooooooooooooooore, loads of delicious fruity drinks (no umbrellas though…) and the coffee, hooooooooooooo the coffee – the best I’ve had in a looooooooong time (and I’m a missionary in Nicaragua, so that’s REALLY saying something!).

The Church took our odd humour in their stride. “Where are you from?” Pastor Gary asked with his handsome news presenter’s voice. “New Zealand” I replied. “NO WAIT! I’m from Australia!” Everyone laughed. “That’d be like an American saying they’re from Canada – do we have any Canadians here?” I asked. No one raised their hands. “Oh thank HEAVENS” I sighed. More laughter… It was a fun, FUN day and we could feel the support oozing from the Christian folks there…

Outside the Church on the lawn, and in between services, we presented one of our 5 minute dance spectaculars. We easily had between 50-100 people watching each time. We gave away heaps of info and coffee and the donations to our work were the most we’d ever experienced! We were so blessed and encouraged. The pastors and their wives did an incredible job of making us feel a part of their family, and trust me, they are DEFINITELY a part of our family!

We feel very kindred with New Life in Alamo, and felt so very loved and cared for by these people - they truly understand Christian hospitality and exuded a desire to prayerfully support our work in Nicaragua (poorest Spanish speaking country in the world)…

We presented our lives at 5 services on Sunday at New Life, and by the end the boys were fat, happy and tired. And so how did the kiddos show their appreciation? By laying about bloatedly on the lawn, lapping up the sun’s rays on this arctic day in San Francisco… We drove home and hit the hay.

Monday, Monday… We went and performed at Valley Christian School, in Dublin, for the opening of their Spiritual Emphasis Week. It was something else. Whilst fairly traditional, the high school and middle school kids really got into our performance. They seemed to be challenged by the boys’ testimonies and how God can use anyone, if they are willing.

THEN, the youth pastor at New Life, Ben Johnson, the champion that he is, took us all out for MEXICAN food. The boys loved going out and being able to hear their mother tongue, whilst also enjoying food that was somewhat similar to their country’s cuisine.

After stuffing ourselves silly (catching a theme here?), Benno took us to an amusement park of sorts. The boys were in awe. They were able to drive go-karts (something they’ve NEVER done before), play laser tag (also never done), drive these bumping boat-thingies (never) and play miniature golf (ever seen the movie HAPPY GILMORE??? Nicaraguan teens apparently don’t have a lot of patience for such games…).

Twister's Gym and Team Loopkicks

In the evening, against better sense, we drove to San Jose and all of the kids (ours included) had the marvelous privilege of being able to train in a real gym for 3 hours. Twisters Sports Gym, host Team Loopkicks, and these INCREDIBLY talented people trained with our youth, and it was just MARVELOUS! The boys have never practiced in a proper gym before, and so once they got the hang of it – they were OFF! We had spinning, and kicking, flipping and tricking… It was superb…

The following day we slept in FOREVER, because we hadn’t hit the hay until 2am. We were awakened by the youth leadership, who wanted to set-up their youth room (for youth group – in the evening - ha ha!). We dawdled, but eventually left the premises. We drove slowly to San Ramon and visited a grocery store, where we bought stax of stuff for brekky.

Then we left the supermarket and dropped the boys at the Church where they were to perform in the evening. The Brien family drove on to Oakland International Airport and re-hired our cars.

We took several minutes explaining to the attendant that we couldn’t fill the car because the lever for the fuel was broken. He eventually went over to the car, opened the door, and pointed to the lever that was near the steering wheel and asked, “this lever?” So embarrassed, there was a hole in the carpet, in between the seat and the door, where we’d thought should exist a lever for the petrol - woops…

We returned to our lads. Their performance for the youth of San Ramon (New Life) was less than average. The boys danced too far back on the stage, talked carelessly whilst they were performing and hardly acted at all.

Of course I wanted to rip their heads off, but instead decided to pray with them (& not a “And Lord, please show them that they are wrong and I am right” type prayer). Afterwards I asked them for both positives and negatives about the night. THANK GOD, each kid brought to the table their concerns (which magically mirrored mine), or else I may have just lost it…

After our meeting, I plonked my stern face in the bin and graciously allowed Pastor Ben to shower us with MORE LOVE, letting him take us out with another great couple and their kids, for ice cream. What a hoot…

And then came our last day, with our FAVOURITE Church in Alamo, New Life Church. We drove to their building and worked on our stories for this blog. We also dove into some homeschooling, practiced our street theatre production “Created”, ate pizza, and just vegged..

Lizzie and the gals were treated to a pedicure/manicure by New Life and may have even gone out for a posh-bite to eat in fancy-pants Walnut Creek.

In the evening we again performed our street theatre production, “Created”, in front of a packed house and 10, that’s TEN, I SAID X people responded to Pastor Ben’s alter call by giving their hearts to the Lord. TEN PEOPLE WALKED INTO AN ETERNAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, after watching our play (er, I mean Street Theatre Production)! So exciting…

Capital on the Edge with BRANDON!!!

Then later, it was back to San Jose for more Tricking Action at Twisters Gymnastics Inc., with Team Loopkicks and a special guest from Arkansas (I’d never heard of him, but Elizabeth had organised it and the boys went nuts, I mean completely DOO-LALLY over this fella… Bunch a gerls…)

Francesca & Brandon with Team Loopkicks

Thank you God for the great opportunity to have had such a ripper time, sharing your love with others, being in partnership with great Churches, and coming alongside some of the BEST people on the face of this planet!!!

If you would like to learn more about our ministry, please watch our latest update,CLICK HERE

If you would like to learn more about who our Nica-Youths are, or to support them, please visit their page, SUPPORT Nica-Talent

To learn more about our street theatre production, "CREATED", please visit our page,NICAVANGELISTS: "CREATED", North American Tour (2013)

If you would like to see a video of some of our Nica-Youths practicing, please CLICK HERE

We are not up to budget, and travelling with 14 people is very expensive. We need an investment from Christian people for our next evangelism tour to the Midwest. To support us or make a once off donation, please visit our page, Contemplating SUPPORTING something significant?

To learn more about Davis Christian Assembly, please CLICK HERE

To learn more about New Life Church in Alamo, please CLICK HERE

To learn more about Team Loopkicks in San Jose, please CLICK HERE

To make a formal complaint about AMTRAK, please CLICK HERE

POST by JED: California Dreamin (Part 12)

The first few days in Davis were absolutely mind blowing, however there was one day in particular, that left me absolutely, unbelievably, totally in love with our new Northern Californian friends.

Two Churches, the Davis Christian Assembly and Vision Espiritual, joined forces to bless us with gifts and in addition, on this specific day, took us to perform our street theatre production for a middle school FULL of troubled teens.

Capital on the Edge performing for a Middle School  in Davis, California

The Brien kids and Nica-Youth gave it 1,000% and our American student audience really dove in, singing along and clapping their hands after the various scenes of the production.

Capital on the Edge performing for a Middle School  in Davis, California

We were having a wow of a time until the very end, when I gave the blessed students an option to get up and dance, which I’d never done before (nor since) and several of them actually did. Of course it wasn’t too long before a young lass hurled herself, bot-bot-over-noggin, nearly causing permanent damage to her back – CRACK!

Capital on the Edge performing for a Middle School  in Davis, California

But alas, she got up sporting a broad grin across her face and proceeded to do the Macarena utilising our Heavenly ‘Te Doy Gloria’ as accompaniment (I give you glory).

We were able to share a little about the plight of young Nicaraguans too, and the students of this Davis middle school listened attentively. After the production, scores of kids enveloped the boys and upon putting out my hand for a shake with not one, but two teachers, was grabbed and hugged tight.

The public school teachers seemed really grateful for their kids to have been exposed to genuine stories of hope prevailing, and stacks of the students said they’d show up to Davis Christian Assembly on Friday night, if the school could organise transport – which was just bazaar to me, because at that point, I didn’t even realise we were overtly advertising Church.

The evening of the same day was brilliant. Our Mexi-American friends took us out for good ol’ fashioned all-you-can-eat. The Nica-boys put the theory to the test and several were barely able to get out of their seats at the end of the night on account of gluttonously full stomachs.

The young lad serving our table seemed to consider us a curious bunch, as every time he entered the room we were either arm wrestling, having a formal devotion, designing and dressing our faces with fairy floss (cotton candy?), or laughing uncontrollably on account of all things Latino… It was a great time!

However, the most important thing to me was the love and dedication that exuded from these Latino pastors towards our valuable, eclectic, formidable troupe. Their love was unconditional and significant.

Now I know that it is generally common to hug and kiss as Latinos, but this isn’t the case in most of Nicaragua. From what I can understand, the poorer classes have been trained by missionaries in thinking that these kinds of emotional displays of affection, just aren’t Christian – inappropriate, don’t you know.

And so our boys’ faces gave away their shock and delight, when they were embraced by the teddy bear pastor, and dealt out full-on kisses, which were planted either right on their cheeks or neck. The fatherly expression of LOVE, it was great!  

Flip over the page and yet another exciting day in Davis meant a trip to the 8th most prestigious public university in the US, the University of California, Davis campus. What an honour! The fellas were well received with stax of students rallying around, and it was a significant time on account of these, future American leaders in their various fields, being ministered to by some of the world’s poorest inhabitants.

In the afternoon, we choofed off to the Farmer’s Market (ooh-laa-laa), where the boys went nuts with their dance moves, causing quite the stir. Then, back to Church for a mega-dinner, with Church people pouring in from every which-way… I am not joking when I tell you that halfway through dinner a masseur walked in with his table and gave ALL of our lads a work-over. Bah! None for me, but next time…

The masseur was the husband of one of the teachers from the middle school we had performed at. She, one of the teachers who’d hugged me, is a Columbian Catholic lady and had been so impressed with our performance she’d begged her husband to come and help our boys out. He didn’t need much persuading, and came with a great attitude to bless our boys, and the fella wasn’t even a regular Church goer. (He also knew some form of martial arts, and all of us laughed uncontrollably as he “took each one out”)

On our final “school day" in Davis we managed to visit a regular middle school, and had in mind to present a variety of dances for students enrolled in a Spanish class. Snore…

Capital on the Edge performing for a Middle School  in Davis, California

Now there’s something you just have to know about Pastor Jonathan of Davis Christian Assembly. He knows what he wants and he usually gets it. He didn’t want to perform for a single Spanish class, he wanted to perform for the entire school. And well, if they wouldn’t call a general assembly for us, then he’d do it himself…

Capital on the Edge performing for a Middle School  in Davis, California

And so, we spent some time in moments of “Oh no, this will never work. Why the ceilings are too low, the floor is too high, and the walls, well? They should be a dozen yards away from the classroom! No, let’s take this thing outside…” Eventually, they got the picture - the pastor just WOULDN'T budge… 

We went out and brought all of the other classes with us. Honestly, I think it was Pastor Jonno himself who started the rumour that Enrique Iglesias was about to perform… Eight classes were in attendance, with close to two hundred students and staff watching on.

As the story goes, I was standing at the back of the audience, watching as Liz directed and spoke, and then began to enjoy the Nica-youths performing when... an imposing figure, who I could only imagine to be a cranky school administrator, in a Pauline Hanson combo-styled pastel lemon and fuschia pant suit outfit, came storming towards us, papers in hand.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her hideousness. The fury! She was NOT happy. She promptly arrived right next to me, not once looking in my direction. Her hairy mouth twitched. I could've sworn she was about to bust up our parade and throw us all into prison. 

She made a grunting noise and then OH the hilarity – whatever had happened was side splittingly funny to her (I hadn't been watching the performance and had no idea), and she laughed until she cried, eventually looking over in my direction, nodding wildly and pointing towards our troupe – I must have looked a tad backward when my face went from concentrated stare (almost cross-eyed too) to Jim Carrey, plasticine face. Never laughed so hard in my life - and at what? To this day I have no idea…

We packed up and started moving away towards the parking lot. Elizabeth approached, “one of the boys is saying mean things to Franny,” she said. I needed not a second prompting. I approached the lad in question and asked him if he’d said the heartless comments.

He had, there was no denying it. I asked him to apologise to Fran. He refused. “Why won’t you apologise?” I whined. “Because I wasn’t talking to her, I was talking to someone else. She accidently overheard.”

Yes, yes… The logic… I instructed him, my voice fourth grade stern: “You need to apologise to Franny. It is irrelevant whether or not you meant for her to hear. She heard. It was mean. Say sorry…” He spat back “You’re crazy!” And of course, with this comment, I verily became… “You apologise immediately or there’ll be trouble!” He walked away, “NO!”

I then did a little Gerry Lewis action, running hither and dither, organising car swaps until I had the perfect concoction – The problematic punk would ride in my car, with the most helpful, obedient souls accompanying…

“You apologise, or we’ll send you straight home!” I yelled. “No! Send me home!” he squealed. Yes, I’m always so clever when I have to think under pressure. “Right, well when we return to the Church, you march straight into the pastor’s office and take yourself a seat. I will organise a flight for you, and we’ll have you on a plane by midnight!” I was confident, but I had in-fact forgotten just how stubborn this one kid could be.

He sat there with a grin from ear-to-ear. Another of our lads walked in, “Yeah, I’ll travel with home with him” he said. Wait just a minute, this problem was starting to feel like a runaway train. “You want to go home?” I asked. “Yeah, I miss my mum.” GAAAAH! I picked up the receiver and called the airline “blah, blah, blah, rah, rah, rah, you may as well buy another ticket.” The impudence! The audacity! Modern airlines and their super strict ticketing rules! There would be no return tickets, not for my naughty boy, nor his willing companion.

I hung up the phone, brain not communicating with mouth, which was already talking saying God-only-knows-what. It was then that my Nicaraguan associate became as cranky as all-get-out. We took it to the parking lot. I explained that he’d have to stay with us until the end of tour, but that he would no longer dance with the troupe.

We strode towards the youth room, our lodging/home, my pal’s words getting less and less polite, and more and more loud. We entered the room and the rest of our troupe stopped whatever it was that they were doing and fixated on our darling little Jerry Springer do-do of a moment.

He hurled himself towards me with all fury, bent on revenge. Others of our group bounded over and jump on top of him, like loco Mexican Luchadores. “Run” they all screamed. I did. I ran like a 3 year old girl, and cannot honestly remember if I did or did not let out a little “mummy!” as I propelled.

I waited in the Pastor’s office. “He wants to kill you, Jed,” said one of the boys as he hurried into my (the pastor’s) panic room (office). His face looked grim. I started, “Yeah, well… Perhaps I shou” I was interrupted. “NO! JED!  He’s got a knife and he really wants to kill you!”

And that’s the little doozie that changed everything. I pushed past my amigo and ran to the kitchen. I grabbed the knife drawer and ran back to the office. I threw the rectangular death-ridden device under the pastor’s desk (imagine the reverend’s delight when he sat down to type up his morning to-do-list, nearly skewering his foot with a butcher’s knife! This nearly happened… After our ordeal ended, I forgot to replace the drawer).

My compadre stopped me. He’s also got a baseball bat. I went to go ready the building a second time, thinking of everything that might potentially be a killing device, but realised all too quickly that the kid could take me with his bare hands in half a moment. It was to be no use. If he wanted me dead, I was TOAST!

Before long we had the pastor involved. He’s a very wise chap, our Davis Christian Assembly bloke. He sewed seeds of wisdom and put questions in our Nica-lad’s mind. However, the kid was unmoved, most likely because there wasn’t a longstanding relationship between the two – Nicaraguans don’t trust people they’ve just met, even if these people have bestowed gifts, time, resources, etc. Our kid now had the glitzy lights of Managua before him – only problem, the funds just weren’t available to send him sailing home…

I waited for the longest time, but then realised I was highly dehydrated on account of the sweat that was swilling around in my little booties. I decided to climb out of the broom closet and strolled back to the kitchen for a glass of freshly squeezed red cordial, and then noticed the most beautiful, precious, priceless thing through a tiny little window opening onto the courtyard. Liz, a valiant soldier, was speaking decisively to the dude.

Now I have to tell you – I am the hype, the fun, the vision… Liz is the details, the wisdom, the brains… She was talking to our micro-murderous-man, and not letting him get a word in edgeways (welcome to the party!).

Forgiveness flowed. We were restored! The hatchet was LITERALLY buried and the hugs, kisses and love once again shone like the hot, HOT sun...

Thank GOD for the too-hard-basket! I tell you, there are so many things in my life that I’d like to change for an easier set of circumstances, but not my will, but YOURS be DONE!

Yordy, my champion son, went on to do marvelous things whilst on tour with us in California. He wouldn’t perform publicly in the mission, but then went on to bedazzle 2 youth groups, whom I am sure are now changed forever. Yes, he would also eventually vandalise private property, threaten to punch Liz in the face and try to slug me in the guts, but he would also assist in the blessing of people running into the arms of an everlasting God. The rewards? Priceless…

The U-Turn event in Sacramento, where literally HUNDREDS of Youths Gave Their Hearts to the Lord

Today I’ve wrestled with writing this post.

A new friend of mine is scared to death for us and for the safety of our children. “Change your tactic” was the tone of his e-mail. Nicely written, and from a heart of love, you’d have to agree with this fellow if looking through the lens of Earthly Wisdom.

A pastor recently advised that we should not be so sensational with the words we speak (and I’m assuming “write”). “Americans are desensitized.” Focus on other facets of your ministry and your message, don’t share in such detail the pain and the past. Well, yes… Or, no… It’s not a huge deal to me either way, but here’s why we blog and share our testimonies:

We share our youths’ stories with you, so that our young people will have victory over their pasts… The Devil LOVES hidden sins and secrecy…

We share our youths’ stories with you, so that we have a record of how God has moved in their lives and can visually see where he has brought these kids from, and to…

We share our youths’ stories with you, to help them keep their focus on a very bright future with God, walking out of darkness and into light…

We share our youths’ stories with you, so that you can have hope – if God can do miracles in these kids’ lives, he can do miracles in your lives…

We share our youths’ stories with you, so that you can see the potential of God’s power. These young people are changing their world! YOU CAN CHANGE YOURS!!!

What’s the cost?

Christ, at God’s request, went to the Cross with his mother crying at his feet. Abraham, at God’s request, was prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on an altar. Esther risked her life for God’s children. Job was handed over to the Devil to do with as he liked! It seems that anyone in the Bible who was significant in the Kingdom, had to endure and held onto a faith for the things unseen.

In my life, I find myself constantly doubting many things on any given day. But the one thing I feel firmly committed to is the discipleship of people God has placed in my way. They’re my children. They’re our Nicaraguan youths.

We’re all called to discipleship! We need to both be discipled and make disciples. But sadly, we just don’t do it (corporately, the church as a whole).

Honestly, as I reflect now on our time in Nicaragua, El Salvador, California, and after having spoken with SO MANY Church leaders across the USA, I can tell you that YES, I am disillusioned. I am disillusioned by our apathy, programs, greatness, selfishness, excuses, lack of compassion and vision… But most of all, I am disillusioned by our lack of Jesus...

I honestly feel that people just don’t understand how, but when we take a step back and look at it, the solution really is quite simple.

God is a loving God. He desires relationship. We need to surrender to His will and love him back. With the very same love he gives to us, we need to give to others. We don’t stop giving. We keep on loving, and loving, and loving and loving.

Tonight, Yordy said to me, “Jed, what do you see for my life when I am older?” I responded, “A man who wants nothing else but to love God and serve him always.” He smiled, kicked the dirt and said, “yeah, I want to be just like you.” We both laughed hard (and actually I’m not sure why… Mental note to self – I need to follow up on that one!).

The truth is, discipleship is just loving people that God puts on your path, all the time, without strings, completely and compassionately, with all that you are… Wasn’t/isn’t that Christ’s message to us?

If you would like to learn more about our ministry, please watch our latest update,CLICK HERE

If you would like to learn more about who our Nica-Youths are, or to support them, please visit their page, SUPPORT Nica-Talent

To learn more about our street theatre production, "CREATED", please visit our page,NICAVANGELISTS: "CREATED", North American Tour (2013)

If you would like to see a video of some of our Nica-Youths practicing, please CLICK HERE

We are not up to budget, and travelling with 14 people is very expensive. We need an investment from Christian people for our next evangelism tour to the Midwest. To support us or make a once off donation, please visit our page, Contemplating SUPPORTING something significant?

To learn more about Davis Christian Assembly, please CLICK HERE

POST by JED: California Dreamin (Part 11)

Capital on the Edge, performing at Davis Christian Assembly

It’s always tops to start on a good note and that’s literally what happened for us at the beginning of Californian tour, week four.

Davis Christian Assembly PUT ON the RITZ for our troupe, measuring us from head to toe and later giving us gifts of brand new clothes and shoes. Quite necessary, and completely welcomed. In fact, as I type this post, I look down with fond memories at my fancy-pants, Jarman shoes – so comfy!

The Church made sure that every meal was a spread fit for royalty with pastries, fruit and coffee for breakfast, and every tantilising delight available in mountainous form, for din-dins. My mouth was watering, at all times, on account of savoury and sweet fumes wafting throughout the building.

They drove us around their gnarly little town, from east to west and north to south, without any concern for the cost of gasoline or their own time.

They cut our hair, gave us tips for our production, helped with marketing our tour, loaded us up with cash and counseled, BOY DID THEY COUNSEL us!

Liz was treated to day-spa appointments, our girls were taken out for ice cream, the Brien boys went on play-dates and this little compilation I’ve delivered now, doesn’t even scratch the surface of their nonstop give-a-thon!

They prayed over our boys one-by-one, wrote letters and spoke with immigration officials on our behalf, organised covert evangelism events in public schools, universities and secular places we shouldn’t have dared step foot in.

They showed us every Christian kindness, with grace, mercy, compassion and unity, and all out of a Jesus-heart for their world – they were love to us. We’d come to be a blessing and whaddayaknow? The tables had been ferociously overturned!

And so from the very start, we knew that Davis Christian Assembly had our backs. Sunday morning was a great way to start our week, with Church consisting of prayer in small groups, praise and worship that was not trying to go somewhere super-dooper, but rather just focused on praising Jesus, and touching God’s heart, and then we performed our street theatre production, "Created."

Capital on the Edge, performing at Davis Christian Assembly

Our troupe was magnificent: high energy, correct form, good acting, the works. The Church was very supportive and really gave the boys something to get excited about. There were small bloopers, there always are, but nobody made mention and all was simply groovy-baby.

Pastor Jonathan, you’ve never met anyone like him. Quirky/hilarious sense of humour, strong leadership ability, musically talented, gifted speaker, hands-on approach, Greek ancestory, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, a businessman, husband and father to a beautiful family, a true pastor’s heart – I s’pose he really was an all-round AWESOME bloke…

Pastor Jonathan, left, with the lads of Capital on the Edge

And Bensie – Darling Bentz! The girl who dances in your shadow, always making certain that EYES are permanently dotted and TEAS are forever dashed, never seeking the spotlight and so articulate. She makes everything beautiful and the wheels definitely go round, not on account of anyone’s great work, but because she’s there pushing that bandwagon with everything she’s got! (and possibly with her darling little kiddies watching on!)

Bentz, an incredible exemplification of the love of God! This gal was the BEST communicator for us, from the Church’s side, of our entire Californian trip. So much thanks goes to this Treasure Pot, for all she did to make our lives simply Heavenly…

Bensie, far left, with (mostly) Capital on the Edge

But, I’m still not doing this Church justice. And why? Well because it’s a bargain basement, two-for-one jobby! They have a Spanish arm, which is more like a foot!

Again you ask “Why?” Because, during the week the Spanish Church utilises every inch of that Davis Christian Assembly building, pacing up and down it’s corridors, and walking around and around that Church’s sanctuary room, praying into the Heavenlies and giving praise, worship and all glory to God.

So at 2pm we enjoyed the Spanish service.  The music had a gigantic wow-factor attachment (saxophone and all!), and the announcements almost sounded like a sermon - lots of gusto and fanfare, totally Latino – I was in smitten.

Spanish Church at the Davis Christian Assembly

Then once again we presented our street theatre production, though on this occasion we were down 3 people. No matter, the crew soldiered on...

In the evening the Spanish Pastors, from Guadalajara no less, cooked up a storm and we all ate lots of great food. I told the boys to savour every mouthful, unaware that these kinds of meals were to be the norm for the entire week.

After our feed, the Latino pastors graciously took us to their homes where we each were able to have a well needed shower – two performances in one day – peeeeeYOUUUU!

We were also prayed over for about the 10th time that day and what a hoot! The lads have experienced Spanish prayer meetings and English prayer meetings, but never the both together. In fact, some of the second generation Latinos from Davis, prayed in both languages within the confines of the one prayer – ha ha SENSATIONAL! We had a good laugh – it was TOPS!

More presents of lotions and bathing stuff, and we were then brought home for a great night of R&R.

Spanish Pastors (The Montoys)

Now my old childhood pal from YWAM, Laura Larson (then "Rediger"), did a bit of a brag about the Davis Christian Assembly before we came to the pretty inland town (she used to attend the Church in her husband’s masters days). However, I was like “yeah, yeah, I’m sure it’s probably the best Church in the World.” (not really believing her…)

But truly, it may not be the BEST Church in the World, but it’s most certainly in the top 10, and considering there has to be some 10,000,000,000,000 Churches on Planet Earth, I’d have to say, and I’m no mathematician - so correct me if I’m wrong, that Davis Christian Assembly is in the TOP 1 percentile band of Best Churches in the World. That being said, I’d also like to go so far as saying that I think they’d probably make the TOP 1 percentile band of the Best Churches in the entire UNIVERSE!!!

The following morning we were up at the crack of dawn and off to an elementary school in downtown Davis. The school we visited had implemented a Spanish Immersion program, which I thought meant that it was an educational institution for Mexican kids, desirous of acquiring the English language. Nuppo muchachos, incorrecto. Other way around.

The kids at this school were everyday American kids (African American, White, Asian, 3^rd/4^th generation Latinos) whose parents thought it would be beneficial for their children to learn in Spanish.

Jed & Capital on the Edge, in an American public school

Hence, the kids were being completely immersed in the Spanish language and learning it really quickly, suffering only a wee bit of English instruction per day. The kids at this school were fully bilingual!

Anyway, the point of my story is that we were able to perform for 50 minutes, in two assemblies, in a CALIFORNIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL! To-date, this has not been possible. But I’m here to tell you that con Dios, no hay nada impossible!!!

Capital on the Edge performing in a Californian public school

I had a ripper of a time, stepping back into an American School, and was able to freely share the Gospel message through our street theatre production. We had the kids and teachers singing praise songs, were able to invite kids to other venues to see the production again with their families, and generally had a hum-dinger of a good time!

The kids of an American public school, sat still, sang loudly, and applauded with all of their might

Of course there were a few tears, but only from tincy-wincy kids who were afraid of the Devil (Jonny, otherwise known as Bad Choices), and Stivey.

In our street theatre production, Stivey gets REALLY angry and taunts his audience. We hadn’t prepped Stivey, assuming he would not go up to 6 year old kids and eye-ball them, smacking his fist.

Stivey, eye-balling his audience

Funny thing to me is, he didn’t think the little preciouses would be scared! Most Nicaraguan kids would laugh, having already been exposed to all sorts of horror, gore and physical abuse, and from the earliest of ages.

Our boys were really touched too, being able to come in as “teachers” to American kids. The little darlings looked up to our big boys because of their excellent Spanish language skills and athletic ability. And so the relationships blossomed, as did the dialogue in Español.

The boys, with their adoring fans...

Every bit of thanks to Elaine, from Davis Christian Assembly. This woman was NOTHING SHORT of phenomenal. She organised the public school events, offered us her home, organised for us to meet the director of Acquire the Fire, and nearly matched the Church’s love offering! She knew we needed the help (and we did – thank you Elaine!).

And so, after the performances, Elaine hosted our boys at her house. They were blessed by being able to sit in a spa for two hours, and desperately needed it due to our mounting injury tally – by now we’d been on the road for three and a half weeks, and the boys were getting sore and injured, mostly because they didn’t warm up or cool down properly – there’s only a certain amount that caring benefactors can say/do. At some stage, the boys needed to take ownership of their own bodies! Bah, the youth of today… ha ha

Thank you Elaine for the spa... Relaxed bodies ALL around!

In the evening the Church facilitated a time of openness and brokenness with both the Spanish and English speaking Pastors. It was something else. They prayed for every one of our boys and even Lorenzy. Their words of prophecy were completely SPOT on!

Pastor Jonathan prayed that Lorenzy would be able to maintain her innocence. You have no idea how difficult it is as parents of teenage girls, to welcome teenage boys into your home. We do it, because we believe that God wants us to do this work for him.

However, pastor after pastor questioned us on this. “First God, then your family, then your ministry.” They all say the same thing. It’s not Biblical. It fits in with our selfish Western lives, but it isn’t Biblical. How would that philosophy have worked for Jesus? For Moses? For Abraham? No, serving the Lord is an honour, and we do it together. Our work is not a burden, it’s a privilege.

With God first, everything else will fall into the correct order. But, we do need to be wise. And this is where Elizabeth and I have fallen short, because we’re human – yet, that’s not an acceptable excuse, either. And therefore, it was ABSOLUTELY AWESOME to hear Pastor Jonathan pray over Lorenzy, speaking words of truth and encouragement into her heart. She’s a changed girl! And for the better…

Lorenzy LOVES to dance - and she does it with ALL of her heart

They prayed that Stivey would realise how precious he is to God. Stivey has about a hundred brothers. He is loved by his family, but he’s not special to anyone. He’s special to us, but he doesn’t know that. We try to show him and tell him, but he doesn’t hear us. He’s so used to not being special, that he’s sort of immuned to words or actions of specialness towards him. Stivey was touched, really touched.

Stivey, the special one... (of many)

They prayed that Rene would find his strength in God. Rene was sold by his parents. He’s ALWAYS had to fend for himself and fight in order to get ahead. Rene doesn’t trust anyone and is in a sense, “self-made.” This word was 100% spot-on.

They prayed that Yordy and Jonny would know that they are loved.

Yordy’s Dad left him at the moment he was born. He came back with a stack-load of presents when Yordy was eight years old – all the dads in Nicaragua do this. “I love you, I’m sorry…” They all say the same thing, like they’ve read it from the same script. Yordy started smoking Marijuana at this time – the hole in his heart just too great a magnitude...

Yordy’s mum, we believe, is a prostitute. She has lived with him for a total of 3 months in his entire life. She currently resides in Costa Rica.

Yordy’s first job, before he was ten years old, was to kill cows and cut off their heads.

We consider Yordy to be our son. Just a couple of weeks ago, Yordy cut himself. It all comes back to love. “Don’t you care that I have blood all over me?” he wrote to Liz, desperate for a display of affection from her.

Yordy has attempted suicide countless times. I have spoken thousands of words of love, have shown him fatherly physical love, have doted on him. It’s almost worthless. He needs to know his Heavenly Father’s love for him. Praise God for Pastor Jon’s words…

Jose, Elizabeth and Yordy

Jonny’s family lived in a seriously rough neighbourhood, dominated by gangs. His father was an alcoholic and ruled with an iron fist. Jonny has never touched any drugs or alcohol for fear of his father’s wrath.

When I first met Jonny’s father, I made him laugh, but even I could tell that his face nearly cracked. “Gosh” said Jonny when he got in the car, “I’ve never seen my dad smile before.” Jonny has a parent, but he lacks a father. Jonny’s father is now busy with another woman and a new adorable little bub – and so the cycle of poverty continues. Jonny doesn’t know love.

Sezni & Jonny performing

They prayed that Yader would keep chasing God. This was cool, because he’d been deeply impacted when the pastor’s of a Baptist Church in El Salvador had taken off our shoes and washed our feet. They’d prophesied over us. They gave Yader their own, very well used, Bible.

Yet, since arriving in the USA, we’d also somehow arrived in attitude city. We’d had several run-ins with Yader, he’s terribly proud and never admits fault – that’s quite an obstacle for a missionary. Breakthrough time for Yader!

Yader

They prayed that Beycker would know that he is not the answer to people’s problems. Beycker’s Dad is a terrible man. He is a lawyer and attends Nicaragua’s biggest church – an Assemblies of God Church. My very own denomination! However, Beycker’s Dad has two different sets of children, from who knows how many women (it’s not just 2 as previously though). He has a girlfriend, and brags to his son that his girlfriend is younger than Beycker! He visits prostitutes regularly.

Beycker’s Dad, as I write this, is trying to evict Beycker’s mother, the mother of his children, from her house. Beycker’s father charges his mother rent. I cannot, as a Christian fellow, tell you how cross Beycker’s Dad makes me.

Please pray for Liz, at the moment Beycker’s Dad is furious with us. Many reasons there, but the main thing is that we support his mother, and have gone to lengths to make sure that she is safe and cared for. Her, a mere woman, the garbage of Nicaraguan society…

Woops, lost the point of my story. Beycker is the go-between for everyone in his family and their problems with each other. Poor lad, he cannot shake the shackle.

I’m telling you, the Pastors of Davis Christian Assembly were SPOT ON with EVERY WORD that came out of their mouths. Lizzie and I sat there and just watched and laughed. INCREDIBLE! They were specific, without a word wasted. Usually I “oh yeah, sure” these types of moments. But as I knew, for a fact, that they had no idea about these lads, I could do nothing but sit there in stunned amazement. God, using Davis Christian Assembly, to affect the lives of nothing-people, who were somehow going places (and fast).

Then the food… Of course, the food… I thought I’d died and gone straight to Guadalajara… The Mexicans cooked up YET ANOTHER storm and the youth, intercessors and pastors just kept pouring into our boys, filling them up with food, prayers, wisdom, love, etc. It was INCREIBLE! I’m telling you, Davis Christian Assembly – remember that name. It mightn’t be in this life, but you’ll DEFINITELY be hearing about them again….

Please watch the following clip of a Davis Christian Assembly super-star. This kid was encouraged by our dance troupe and is going to do GREAT things for his Jesus. Just watch and see...

If you would like to learn more about our ministry, please watch our latest update,CLICK HERE

If you would like to learn more about who our Nica-Youths are, or to support them, please visit their page, SUPPORT Nica-Talent

To learn more about our street theatre production, "CREATED", please visit our page,NICAVANGELISTS: "CREATED", North American Tour (2013)

If you would like to see a video of some of our Nica-Youths practicing, please CLICK HERE

We are not up to budget, and travelling with 14 people is very expensive. We need an investment from Christian people for our next evangelism tour to the Midwest. To support us or make a once off donation, please visit our page, Contemplating SUPPORTING something significant?

To learn more about Davis Christian Assembly, please CLICK HERE