True Confessions of a Soccer Fan

I am in Brazil for the 2016 Olympics. It seems appropriate to republish a previous post to highlight the significance of this nation in my life.

True Confessions of a Soccer Fan

God, I am sorry. I am so, so sorry.

2014. This was our first live World Cup experience, and we were jazzed. The iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was pulsating with excitement as we made our way to our seats. The teams were warming up, and the noise was escalated as we inched our way to our ground-level seats. 

Decibels of excitement were at a fever pitch. Fans were dancing, clapping, swinging and swaying; owners of vuvuzelas horns were blowing their piercing sounds relentlessly. Cameras were snapping and strangers were grouping for selfies as if we were all old friends. 

Suddenly…without warning, in the midst of all of this, I had the strangest sensation. “I have been here before.” As I sat in my ground-level seat, it was as if The Holy Spirit gently turned my head to gaze up at the Top Tier, and a place where I, Debby, occupied a seat in 1970.

From that top-level seat then to my ground-level seat now, a personal journey of 44 years had transpired. The celebration around me faded as the Lord and I revisited my first trip to Brazil and to this world-renowned stadium.

True Confession:

A full-blown spiritual panic attack preceded my first trip 1970. As a university student, I was in a wrestling match with God. Prior to the trip, I was reading Come Help Change the World, by Bill Bright, and I was gripped by fear of my future. I was so afraid that God wanted me to go on vacation to Brazil, because He would one day force me to return as a missionary. I was terrified of letting the Lord control my life, fearing this would mean death to the life I dreamed of. I hyperventilated as I contemplated the result of such surrender. 

True Confession:

I was too embarrassed to cancel the vacation trip, so, I soldiered ahead, packed, and boarded the plane.                                                                                                                                          

Once on the ground of this fascinating South American nation, I lived with a gracious Brazilian family. They treated me to my first soccer match in this very same, famous Maracanã stadium. We cheered as the famous Pelé, considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time, played before his nation. 

When the trip concluded, I kissed Brazil goodbye. I said, “Ciao” to Copacabana Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain, black beans, soccer and Maracanã Stadium. So I thought…

Upon returning to campus fall of 1970, my life was changed forever. I met a group of students who had a smile on their face, a song in their heart, and a spring in their step. They were marching to the beat of a different drum, and I joined their ranks. I yielded my life to Christ, and traded His plan for mine. “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” became my personal manifesto. My clarion call, along with my colleagues was, “Come Help Change the World.”

My wrestling match with God was over. The fear-gripping spiritual panic attacks ceased, and a supernatural peace was mine. 

Before long, I fell in love with a young football player. His proposal was, “Will you go with me in helping to reach the world for Christ?” My answer, “Yes,” has taken me to live in 4 countries with 4 cultures and 4 languages, seeking to bring the Good News of Jesus to an entire globe. 

True Confession:

In all of this, Brazil was not even on my RADAR…until 2014 when I found myself in the same nation, in the same city, lo, even in the same stadium.  The gripping fear on the Top Tier had been replaced with a blessed peace on the Bottom Bench. What I was adamantly opposed to, so extremely afraid of on the Top Tier, I was fiercely committed to on the Bottom Bench. 

“God, I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry to have wrestled with you. I was foolish to think Your plan would ruin my life. Right here on this Bottom Bench I look up at the Top Tier and celebrate the 44-year journey from there to here, from then to now.

Thank You for patiently, lovingly drawing me to trust You. Releasing my tight-fisted grip on my life, saying to You, “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” has led to greater blessing than I ever dreamed humanly possible. And God, Thank You for bringing me back to Brazil as a missionary.  I confess, You were right all along."

The Necessary Stillness for Making Art

I am at the Rio 2016 Olympics and this is a guest post from my friend, Jess Archer, whom I admire greatly. Her insight into the value of stillness in an age of technology is a strong motivation for each of us.

Jess Archer is a former English teacher and now freelance writer.  She lives in Austin, Texas with her singer-songwriter husband, B. Sterling Archer and their two kids.  Jess’s first book is a memoir entitled Finding Home with the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Billy Graham about growing up inside The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and her longing for a sense of home, available on Amazon. Read her poetry and musings at writerjessarcher.com

The Necessary Stillness for Making Art
By Jess Archer

The news headlines are screaming for your attention.  Friends and family are elbowing for attention on social media. But you are a creative type trying to carve out space to do your art.  You translate life best through creative endeavors.  And you need freedom from the noise to create your art, be it writing, painting, music, or any other artistic expression.  Is it possible to turn off the technological chatter?  And why is silence so necessary for making art?
    
It helps to imagine creativity as a shy child.  If you can imagine it like this, you’ll see why you need silence for creativity to blossom. Is a shy child going to share her feelings in a loud crowd?  Not likely.  She needs a quiet, comfortable space to open up.  She needs some coaxing to speak up, reminders that she won’t be interrupted. Reminders that her voice is utterly unique, and that you want to listen.  In the same way, your creative voice will not speak up unless you silence the distractions and invite it to speak.  You’ll be amazed at your artistic output if you deliberately shut off the technological noise and listen to your inner shy, creative spirit.  
    
Ask yourself this: are the writers, painters, photographers whose work you admire most tweeting all day long?  Are they writing long, cumbersome rants on Facebook or posting selfies on Instragram?  Most likely the answer to all of these is no.  They are offline for long stretches of the day, their heads down doing the creative work…carving out an artistic expression of life in quietness.  
    
But you need to market your art on social media, you say? Some experts suggest that for every hour you spend promoting yourself on social media, you should spend five hours doing your craft, unplugged from technology.
    
It can be hard to shut down our devices.  Little alerts object to your self-imposed cloistering.  So how do you quiet the technological clamor?  Here are just a few practical tips that I’ve found very helpful:
1.    If you are working for a long stretch of time on a creative project, why not set up an auto reply email message. It takes just seconds to do in your email settings. You can even make it funny: “Going off the grid to tap into my creative side…wish me luck! Be back soon.”

2.    If text interruptions come up while you are writing or drawing (which they will) just send a quick automated reply: “Hey, working on my book/poem/song...will call soon.”  Your people want you to get your creative work done.  

3.    Try and do your creative work at the same time every day. This is helpful for two reasons: A.) It’s a good habit for your brain: I tune out noise from 8am-10am. Creativity (like that inner child) likes routine...likes predictability.  B.) It reminds other people not to poke you if you if they don’t really have to. Oh, that’s right, she works in her studio at this time. 

Everyone needs breaks from the onslaught of technologically provided information. But artists must take a break from it.  Try turning off the devices for short periods of time each day, then gradually stretch yourself toward more stillness.  Your creative inner child will thank you.

Rio - Really?!

Yes, Rio. When you receive this, Larry and I will be on our way to Brazil and the Olympics 2016. My Internet will be unpredictable, so I have arranged Guest Posts for you while I am away. I look forward to rejoining you when I return. Please follow me on Instagram and Twitter for my personal view of this global event.

3 Reasons Why Am I Looking Forward to Brazil

I would like to bring you along with me on this journey. Since that is not possible, I want to share reasons I am looking forward to this historic occasion.

1. Brazil, The Nation
AIA Brazil is co-sponsoring AIA Olympic Church Sports Festivals in 6 major cities of Brazil. Larry and I will travel to Recife, Fortaleza, and Rio to participate with our trained volunteers and partner churches who are using Sports Ministry to reach their communities. This effort is strategic in reaching people who would not come to a church.  

2. Rio de Janeiro, The Project
These next few weeks, the eyes of the world will be on Rio and the Olympic athletes. Our Athletes in Action International ministry is sponsoring an on site project to minister to the Olympians. Road to Rio, is our Sports Chaplaincy Project, which is bringing 120 experienced staff and volunteers from 30 countries to focus on the athletes in The Olympic Village. Larry and I will contribute with training sessions and strategic meetings.

3. Priscilla, The Story
1970                                                                                                                                                 A spiritual panic attack preceded my first trip to Brazil in 1970. I was afraid that God would one day force me return there as a missionary. This paranoia was so paralyzing that I could hardly bring myself to pack. Feeling too embarrassed to cancel, I soldiered ahead, and boarded the plane.

Once in Rio, I managed to regain my equilibrium.  Soon, I fell in love with the lifestyle, the cuisine, and our hostess Priscilla and her family, the Oliveras. The hospitality of these charming, fun-loving people enhanced my foray into the Brazilian culture. Yet, I had no intention of ever returning as a missionary.  When the visit ended and I departed, I kissed late nights, Ipanema, Copacabana, black beans, rich coffee and Sugar Loaf goodbye. Ciao!  

In a span of 44 years, this missionary had done an about-face with God. I returned to Brazil for extensive ministry, and I found myself nurturing a deep longing to locate with the family from long ago, the Olivera’s. I knew it would take a miracle, since I had lost all contact with them shortly after our visit in 1970. 

2014: Enter Elísio                                                                                                                              Elísio, one of our partnering pastors, engaged in my search. Supernaturally, after four silent decades, we located Priscilla and her 91-year-old mother Alice Olivera! We exchanged contact information and arranged a visit.

Can you imagine how my heart raced as Larry and I stepped off the elevator leading to their lovely apartment? What would it be like, after 44 years, to reunite with these women? As soon as the door opened, the smiles on their faces bridged the 44 years of separation. The enormous effort to find them was worth the labor.

I prayed, "Oh God, thank You. You were right. You did want me to return to Brazil as a missionary, and You used this family as part of my story. Thank You that You were patient with me in my journey when I was so afraid. Thank You that Your ways are good, acceptable, and perfect."

2016                                                                                                                                             After 46 years, Priscilla will once again be my hostess. She has invited Larry and me to be guests in her home during Olympics 2016. Who would ever have thought? 

Yes! I am looking forward to Brazil and the Olympics. 

Question: When you turn on your TV and watch any event, will you please pray for us? In each situation, we desire to be God’s Royal Ambassadors for His Royal Purposes. Please take advantage of our AIA Ministrytoolkit for your personal encouragement and outreach.