Meaning

So I just realized that I have yet to explain the meaning behind the title of my blog.

Agape. Tsandza. Love.

If you know me well you should, not only know what these three words mean, but also how I apply them to my life.  In case you don't know I will give you a little hint...it's all about love.

Agape, or agaph, is the Greek word for love.  The Greeks realized that there are a number of different ways that the word "love" can be used.  Instead of overusing the word "love," like we commonly do, they came up with three different words that can be used to express their love towards different things.  In fact the city of Philadelphia got its name from the word philia which means friendship.  The word agape is used to explain the greatest love of all.  Agape is more than just affection, this is a love that is willing to sacrifice itself for another.  This is Jesus' love for us.  Two and a half years ago I had agaph tattooed on to my forearm as a reminder that I am loved.  I am loved so much that Jesus gave up his own life for me.  I also got this tattoo as a constant reminder to express Jesus' love to all people.  A few weeks ago I was helping out at church by distributing communion during one of our church services.  One by one people approached me with their hands out stretched, waiting for their piece of bread.  As I gave each person a piece of bread I looked into their eyes and recited my line, "This is the body of Christ, broken for you."  Half way through distributing the communion I realized just how beautiful this sacrifice truly is.  Jesus died for everyone!  There are over 6 billion people in this world just right now...and he loves them all, equally!  I have now gotten in the habit of reciting these lines in my mind daily as I pass by friends and strangers alike.  "This is the body of Christ, broken for you.  This is the blood of Christ, shed for you."  I strive to daily acknowledge this gift of love that has been given to all people while doing my best to love others the way that Christ loves me.

Tsandza is the SiSwati word for love.  In the summer of 2009 I was able to fulfill a life long dream by going to Swaziland Africa.  Swaziland is a small country, about the size of New Jersey, just above South Africa.  This country has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the entire world.  The United Nations has estimated that by the year of 2050 the entire country will be wiped out because of AIDS.  The statistics are disgusting.  The people of Swaziland are consistently surrounded by death, pain, illness, hunger, and poverty.  But, similar to Nueva Guatemala, the people of Nsoko, Swaziland have taught me so much about the power of faith, the importance of love, and the hope of eternity.  "I saw what I saw and I can't forget it. I heard what I heard and I can't go back.  I know what I know and I can't deny it.  Something on the road cut me to the soul, Your (their) pain has changed me, your dream inspires, your face a memory, your hope a fire, your courage asks me what I'm afraid of, and what I know of love" (I saw what I saw by Sara Groves).  The people of Nsoko have change me so much.  I love them dearly and a large piece of my heart will forever belong to this community.  I have plans to return to Swaziland a year from now...but until then I will tell people of this beautiful place, and the incredible tsandza that is even more prevalent than the HIV that is killing the nation.

Love.  I truly hope that everyone knows this one!  love,  it's what drives me, inspires me, encourages me, strengthens me, and defines me.  Need I say more?             

Why go back?

Hot. Dirty.     Unsafe drinking water.     Black beans.       Scorpions.   Out houses.    Wood plank beds.     More black Beans. 

The living conditions in Nueva Guatemala are far from ideal.  In fact, most Americans will do just about anything to avoid the things listed above.  So, why am I returning to Nueva Guatemala for the third time? 

A welcoming community.       Beautiful relationships.    Laughter.        Joy.       Faith.       Hope.       Love.

It is hard to go to Nueva Guatemala and see only the negative side of these people’s living condition.  There is an unexplainable joy in this community even though the residents of Nueva Guatemala experience a number of hardships daily. 

The main point of our congregations partnership with this community is to build relationships.  We have sent a delegation representing our church to Nueva Guatemala almost every year for the past five years.  We go expecting to help these people, teach them more about Christianity, build relationships and encourage them in their daily lives.  But every trip I feel as if I have left getting more out of the experience then I gave to the Guatemalans.   This resilient group of people has taught me so much in the last few years.  They have taught me the importance of finding joy, not matter what my circumstances may be.  They have shown me the importance of relationships and community.  They continually express love to us.  Finally, they have encouraged me to live by faith.     

I excitedly anticipate my return to Nueva Guatemala.  I cannot wait to be reunited with my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I look forward to playing with the children, helping the women cook, visiting the homes and the farms of the families, and worshiping God alongside the members of this community.  Most of all, I look forward to seeing God continue to work in this community and in the hearts of the members of our delegation.