Week 2: Dec, 12-18 2012

“The joy of God has gone through the poverty of the manger and the agony of the cross; that is why it is invincible, irrefutable.” 

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer during Advent in the midst of WWII, 1942

This week has been a week of conflicting emotions. Christmastime is always the most wonderful time of the year. The combination of falling snow and a crackling fireplace always warms my heart. Seeing all the lights and decorations makes this season unlike any other. Everything seems right; like the songs says, "From now on all our troubles will be out of sight". Then suddenly, late last week, the most joyous time of the year became one of the most horrifying days in memory. The Newtown tragedy sent a wrench through the hearts of people all across the world and all of sudden, singing happy songs about joy and laughter didn't seem so appropriate. For the first time, I wasn't comfortable celebrating during my favorite time of year.

This weekend, however, I was reminded of the events that took place shortly after the birth of Jesus.

"Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be comforted, because they are no more."

-Matthew 2:16-18

Such an unspeakable tragedy spurred on by the birth of Christ, yet his birth is still cause for incredible joy."When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." (Matthew 2:10). It is because the whole purpose of Jesus coming was to die, rise, and defeat death.

"that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

-Hebrew 2:14-15

When Jesus was born it was the beginning of the end for death. 

"He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken."

-Isaiah 25:8

In the wake of this tragedy, nothing would be more appropriate than to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ, the dawn of death's destruction. I've found also that with this context the song, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel  has taken on much more weight for me.

This is a reason that I am so blessed to be a part of a ministry that is dedicated to the gospel. I can't wait for the Ghana project in March so that I may take part in  spreading the great good news and great hope of Christmas to people who have no comfort.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Andrew

P.S.

I pulled some things from these articles

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-invincible-irrefutable-joy

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/christmas-the-dawn-of-death-s-destruction

Week 1: Dec, 4-11 2012

This week, I sent out my first round of support letters. When I looked over my mailing list and the list of people who have supported me in the past, I was amazed not only by the number of supporters, but by the diversity of people that God has placed in my life. I have received support from people all across the country; California, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida and all up the east coast. I've received support from Mexico and Canada. I've received support from England, China and Africa. I've had supporters as young as 9 and as old as 90. I've received support from family, close friends, and perfect strangers. I've seen people give over $1,000 and people give under $10, both needing those funds equally. I've received letters from people who pray everyday for me and phone calls from people who greatly encourage me.

When you raise support, it's easy to feel like you are pestering people. When weeks pass without any support, it's easy to feel small and alone. After seeing everyone who has supported in past on one list, I know that I couldn't have assembled such an amazing support team by myself. I've remembered that there is nothing I can do unite all these people. The only one who has that uniting power is Christ. When it comes to missions, we are small, but Christ is infinite. These supporters weren't called by me, they were called by the uniting power of Christ.

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
- Romans 12:3-5 ESV

Support Letter

Dearest Friends and Family,

I am writing to update you all on the changes that have taken place in my life over the past six months. In May, I completed my undergraduate career and graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in Marketing. Recognizing the state of the economy, I was on the job hunt well in advance. After sending out more than 250 resumes and attending numerous job fairs, I managed to get a short, three-week internship in May. Then in June I worked at a low-paying, commission-only, part-time insurance company job in Bangor. By mid-September, I could no longer afford to live on what little money I was making and needed to make a change.

On September 30th, after a few weeks of prayer, God told me that my next move would be revealed to me on October 12th. After 12 further days of job searching and rejection, I was feeling a bit dejected. I wasn’t sure what God was going to do. Then, at 11pm on the 12th, the Lord brought an opportunity my way.

With only an hour to go, and unaware of my request to God, my uncle "happened" to run an idea by me. He asked me what I thought about joining the ministry of EPI (Eagle Projects International). EPI is a gospel-driven organization committed to bringing Christ to the nations through evangelism, education, church planting, and humanitarian projects. They send teams on short-term projects throughout the year to various countries around the world such as Kenya, India, Nepal, Ghana, Haiti, China, and others. I have been a part of three projects with EPI (China 2009, Ghana 2011, Ghana 2012) and each of them has changed my life in different ways.

Preaching in Ghana, 2012

My uncle, Dr. Phil Eyster, is the president of Eagle Projects and has asked me to be a part of the ministry as his administrative assistant doing office work, arranging projects, accounting, and working with project personnel. I will also be a part of the ministry's project to Ghana in March. On this project we will be conducting medical clinics, distributing eyeglasses, and conducting open-air evangelism in markets. These projects have given me a first-hand look at the power of the Gospel and have infused in me a passion for preaching.

Though joining the ministry is a big change, I am confident that this is the right move at this time for me. My plan is to commit to working in the ministry for the next six months and then reevaluate my position to see if God wants me here for the long-term.

If you would like to learn more about EPI, please visit their website and Facebook page. Also, if you would like to follow my walk with the ministry, please visit my personal blog. I will be posting weekly updates on what God is doing through me and the ministry.

Thank you so much for your support.

In Christ,

Andrew Colpitts

Phone:(207) 357.9699

Email: andrew@eagleprojects.com

Blog: andrewtml.blogspot.com

Mail: 110 Burrough Rd. Sangerville, ME 04479

P.S. My position with EPI is similar to many faith missions organizations in that I have the privilege and responsibility to raise my own support. To begin with, my goal is to raise $500 a month for living expenses in addition to $3500 for the Ghana project. If you feel led to support me financially, please visit www.eagleprojects.com.