Shocking the Culture

First, I want to dedicate this post to anyone who has ever done something culturally wrong and lived to experience just how embarrassing it is. This one’s for you… ☺

The place: Tokyo, Japan. We had begun the day as normal as any other, word time in the morning followed by breaking off into our trek groups to do ministry until lunch. I can’t tell you what trek color I was with that day because after a traumatic incident things usually fade in comparison to what happened.

It was after lunch and we were just finishing up 5ME (5 Minute English). In Japan the trips take part in a ministry called 5 Minute English. Basically you stand on the sidewalk at a train station and sell the fact that you speak English. People love to practice their English in Japan so they come over and just talk. You get a great opportunity to share not only about why you’re there, but the gospel as well.

Anyway, back to” the incident.” It was after 5ME and we were boarding the train to head back to our hostel. The trains in Japan, though very crowded most of the time, are extremely quiet. Most people play games on their cell phones, text, or sleep while riding. After the first five days of riding you too get use to doing one of the three as well. So, after this long day of talking to people and standing on a sidewalk I was so excited when I snagged one of the seats on the train & was able to sit and rest for the ride back. I was between a lady texting and an older man sleeping when IT happened…

I flicked him.

That’s right, I flicked him. I don’t know if you can imagine how intense this moment actually was when I accidently flicked the old sleeping guy sitting next to me! The Japanese are not very touchy/feely people. They don’t hug, they don’t shake hands normally, nothing! So, not only did he jump ten feet into the air, he scooted away from me…no eye contact- just scooted as far away as possible. I was devastated. I tried to apologize, but of course it was no use. Who flicks people on the subway?!

Ok, now a moment to defend myself. This is what happened. While sitting on the subway I had drifted into that ‘after ministry’ daze. You know what I’m talking about. You may get it when you’re sitting at dinner or in your room after the day is over. You just fade out and start thinking through the day or the week or the people you’ve met. So there I was, out of it, and I had my arms crossed – my right hand making the “Okay” symbol, just sitting there. Then one muscle spasm later I had flicked a sleeping man and was the scorn of the train.

Ah well, I guess we all have some sort of cross cultural story that puts us into interesting situations with the locals. Mine forever will be, “I flicked a guy on the train in Tokyo once.” Ridiculous, hilarious, and completely embarrassing, what about you? Do you have a great “shocking the culture” story?

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Sarah Arnett, February 21st 2011 | Posted in Sarah

Owl Be There for you

In honor of Valentine’s Day and the 2011 mascot, we wanted to send a special message from our staff to you:

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Emily Martin, February 15th 2011 | Posted in AC, Allison, Brad, Chassidy, Crazy iGosian Videos, Crystal, Elizabeth, Emily, Funny, Jami, Jonathan, Kent, Ky, Rowdy, Sarah, Shu

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I have a confession to make, I am a 30 year old, single gal who absolutely loves Valentine’s day, it’s one of my most favorite days of the year. I know that probably doesn’t make sense; I should wear black, eat a gallon of ice cream and cry about my singleness right? Sorry folks, that’s not going to happen.  I could make a long list of nonsensical reasons I love Valentines day like, party time, pink, sparkly things, cupcakes, etc… But the real, deep, satisfying reason I love Valentines Day is because I think being intentional about loving people is pure greatness and I think it should happen year round.

Have you ever noticed that pretty much every song that comes on the radio deals with love? Either we’re trying to find it, keep it, repair it, exist in it, etc…I’m not complaining, just pointing out that humans crave relationship and often go to great lengths to find a significant one. As a follower of Christ I have been given more love than I could ever imagine and I have been commanded to love others because of His love. One of the most significant relationships I have is with the church, but I don’t know that I always express my love like I should.  Galatians 5:13-14 and Galatians 6:10 pushed me to think through how I love the church.

Back in November we had a whole iGo conference; challenging and pushing us to love the church and I wonder how many of us have put into practice what we learned. As a single woman it would be easy for me to spend most of my days lamenting on the absence of a husband and develop bitterness towards those who have a loving spouse. But this is not what we have been called to. I’ve been commanded to love the whole church not just the ones who have the same marital status.

Year round could be Valentine’s Day for couples in our churches if more single folks would encourage and serve the body. I’m not talking just about teaching a class or picking up trash, even though those things are great. What about babysitting for a couple for free, without being asked, just because? Or writing a simple note commending the woman who lovingly submits to her husband. Or dropping by a hot meal just because it’s Thursday? Or mowing a lawn so the husband can have more time with the kids.  It could be Valentine’s Day year round for the singles in your church if more couples would encourage and serve the body. One of the biggest things I hear from single members of churches is that they feel left out. Ask a single to sit with your family during church or out to lunch, it brings so much encouragement! Take an interest in what they are involved in, ask about their lives. I could go on and list things forever, there are a million tangible ways to serve the church. It boils down to this: no one is better than another, none of us deserve the grace we’ve been given, so serve one another with love as long as we have today.

St. Valentine was remembered and honored because he was killed for not renouncing his love for the church. Today is a day to tell those you love just how much you love them, but don’t leave the church off that list. Christ paid a high price for her and because of that we have access to Him who is love.

Now, go bake some cookies with frosting and sprinkles. Share them with others.

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Crystal Meeker, February 14th 2011 | Posted in Crystal

Fundraising Encouragement

Fundraising—a word that stirs all kinds of emotions in people. If you are a student who has been accepted to serve on an iGo team, you realize fundraising is likely a part of the process of fulfilling God’s call on your life for this summer.

Raising thousands of dollars can seem like a task you aren’t equipped for, but this is something you can do with God’s help. One valuable thing to remember with fundraising is that it’s all about relationships and sharing an opportunity (not a need). Needs don’t motivate. Opportunities do! Share the opportunity for people to join you in what God is going to do this summer.

As it is with almost anything, we seem to always look for the easiest way to do things. When it comes to fundraising, sending out fundraising letters is the easy way. Let’s be honest, we’d all love for every dollar to be raised from one fundraising letter, but that rarely, rarely happens. And in fundraising, the easy way is not the most effective way.

The reality is that you can and will likely raise some money using the fundraising letter method. But, I can guarantee you the most effective way to raise money is to actually meet in person with people who know you and love you. You will have so much more success when you share your calling and your passion about this summer and invite others to join you. When others see your passion, when they hear how you have answered the call to go, and when they are given an opportunity to get involved, the majority of people will.

One other encouragement I want to share with you is to ask specifically what you want people to give. People want to meet your expectations, so ask them to give a specific amount. The number you ask for may be different for each person/family you meet with, simply because people have the ability to give more or less than others. Evaluate each person/family you meet with and adjust the amount you ask for based on what you believe is their giving potential. You might ask for $50, $100, or $500. Whatever you do, ask specifically.

So again, as you are fundraising remember these two important things: 1) Offer the  opportunity for people to join/partner with you in what God has called you to do this summer, and share the opportunity in face-to-face visits; 2) As you share the opportunity, ask for a specific amount you want each person to give.

These are just two strategies among so many, but the one thing that should probably go without saying is that you must pray. Ask God to move in the hearts and minds of those you contact. Seek Him continually, trust Him, that He’s faithful to provide for what He’s called you to, and then watch Him use your efforts to supply what’s required.

Let us know how your fundraising is going!

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Kent Jones, February 9th 2011 | Posted in Kent

Pray for the People of Laos

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Capital: Vientiane

Population: 6,436,093

Peoples:

  • Lao-Tai – 59.2%
  • Mon-Khmer – 28.1%
  • Hmong-Mien – 4.0%
  • Tibetan-Himalayan – 2.7%
  • Other – 5.3%

Religion:
Persecution of Christians was extremely harsh between 1975-1978. Although restrictions eased afterward, churches and Christians are still watched and targeted. Buddhism has gained much of its old influence, but is heavily mixed with animism.

  • Buddhist – 57.29%
  • Ethnoreligious – 34.70%
  • Non-religious – 4.20%
  • Christian – 3.38%
  • Other – 0.43%

How can you pray?

1. Most people in Laos remained unreached, and the gospel has not easily crossed ethnic barriers. Buddhism and tribal religions are often blended together. There are an average of 5,000 temples and only 250 church buildings. Pray for the gospel to shine throughout Laos.

2. The suffering church has recognized that persecution is one factor in its growth saying that it keeps them praying and relying on God. Social pressure and the prevention of new church buildings are the opposition’s primary strategies of attack. Pray for perseverance and grace for those who must endure, and also for those who are singled out by persecutors. Pray for an increased openness to evangelism, church planting and building. Pray for believers and for a continued boldness in sharing the gospel. Pray for the discipleship; that believers would grow strong in their faith and not fall away.

3. Pray for leaders for the churches. Over 90% of all trained leaders left Laos in 1975, and most congregations do not have a trained pastor.

4. Pray for unreached people groups:

The Lao – This is the nation’s most prominent people and there has been major growth among the Lao (more than 40,000 Christians), and they are key in bringing the gospel to the rest of Laos. Anti-Christian bias in both government and society, and pressure to conform to the passive nature of the Laos culture are major obstacles to faith.

The Tai tribes – They are the most unevangelized and have almost no resources in their dialects (over 15 dialects).

The northern peoples – Many have responded to the gospel in China and Thailand but political conditions have never allowed missionary work; pray that this will change.

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The information provided is from the book Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation. You can go to the Operation World website to order your own copy here http://www.operationworld.org/

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Allison Aycock, February 3rd 2011 | Posted in Allison, Insightful, People Group Info

Book of the Month

Each month, we’ll be featuring a different book that one of our staff is reading. We encourage you to read them as well! This month, Chassidy Rogers shares about her latest read.

If you were to look at my bookshelf, you would see several of my old favorites, new favorites, and honestly, several books that I’ve never even touched. I used to do it often- buy books, begin reading them, and quickly put them away because I couldn’t quite get into them. It is sometimes a few months or a few years later before I ever give those books another look.

One morning after spending time in Proverbs and being really convicted of idleness, laziness, and lack of discipline, I wandered over to my bookshelf. After looking through several books I had read before, I found one of those that I had never really gotten into-“Discipline: The Glad Surrender” by Elisabeth Elliot.  The title seemed pretty fitting for what the Lord had been convicting me of, so I have spent the last few weeks reading it.

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Elisabeth Elliot, widow of famous missionary martyr Jim Elliot, has written several books. Though they vary from topic to topic, all are written in a very easy to read, conversational style. “Discipline” is no different. In this particular book, Elliot covers several aspects of discipline- starting with why we are to be disciplined as obedient followers of Christ, and then spending a chapter each on the individual disciplines of Body, Mind, Place, Time, Possessions, Work, and Feelings. Though each discipline rebuked and corrected me in a different way, the chapter that was most influential was on the discipline of feelings. I’ve been learning recently that in several ways I am the double-minded and unstable person James refers to in chapter 1 of his book. My emotions and feelings, fueled by my flesh, try to overpower the truth I know in my spirit- the truth of Scripture. But, like Elliot says, “It is Christ who is to be exalted, not our feelings. We will know Him by obedience, not by emotions. Our love will be shown by obedience, not by how good we feel about God at a given moment.” The Lord has definitely used this book to point me to Scriptures that have both convicted me of sin, and shown the importance of being disciplined in these various areas. I give it an A++!

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Chassidy, February 1st 2011 | Posted in Chassidy, Great Books!, Insightful

Reflecting on Tokyo Number Five

This was my fifth time in Tokyo…

My fifth time in a place where I’m familiar with the train systems and chopsticks;

My fifth time walking amongst the people I’ve come to love, small and polite, yet hopeless in so many ways;

My fifth time praying amongst busily-trodden streets, observing and attempting to emulate the cultural norms of cleanliness and silence;

And my fourth time revisiting where such a large part of my heart is and probably will remain forever.

But I’m learning that God’s changing my heart. Rather, he’s broadening it.

This year’s Texas Super Summer Global trip was incredible. As usual, my role varied from any role I’ve been in the previous four times I’ve served in Tokyo. From one week student to intern, to intern leader, to assistant coordinator, to head coordinator…God consistently teaches and stretches me, pushing me out of my comfort zone, and reminding me of my depravity, and his Holiness…and how I should glory not in my own pitiful status, but in the sufficiency of His scriptures, the beauty of His gospel, and the hope that only comes from Christ.

And this summer, like the previous ones, I was reminded that he doesn’t need me for this work…but he chooses to allow me to join him in what he’s doing.

Amazing. Humbling.

Our team of 123 individuals – made up of high school and college students, as well as adults, was incredible. Incredible. Never have I experienced a one-week team more understanding and joyful in the truths of scripture.

My prayer became that each of us would grow in a deeper understanding of bottom line truth: God, give us all a passion and desire for your glory. Make us jealous for your fame and glory among the nations.

And through the actions and words of our team, it was evident that God answered that prayer, for his glory.

Here are a few quotes from our team throughout the week:

“I was to the point where I was asking, ‘God, why are you making me weaker? I know the road is hard, but I also know it’s not about me. No matter how much I’m breaking, I know you will be exalted.’”

“No matter the darkness, God’s name is going to be exalted, and we can’t stop that.”

“I just want to encourage you to keep praying because it works and God wants us to keep crying out his name.”

“Ancient work is coming.”

Two of the core values we teach include Ancient Work and Joy of the Sower. We teach that God’s work is ancient – he’s been wherever we’re going to serve long before we arrive, and he’ll continue his work there long after we leave. Evidence of this is all throughout scripture, and we specifically teach it from Acts 8 and 10. Understanding this truth and living it out allowed the students to experience joy in their ministry – joy in prayerwalking, joy in meeting people, joy in sharing the gospel, and joy in simply being allowed to join God’s work in Tokyo, Japan. Joy of the Sower is something we teach from John 4. We impress upon the students that there is joy in sowing as much as there is joy in reaping, sometimes more in the former. Understanding that it is God who saves someone, not us, the students were joyful in simply being a part of the process of people coming to recognize and acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior. Grasping these two core values together showed the team’s grasp of the bottom line – of being about God’s glory rather than anything else. They were okay with not being the one with the fabulous story at the end of the day. They were okay with not being the one with the fabulous story, period. Grasping bottom line truth leaves no room for pride or selfishness…and that’s what I saw in this year’s Texas Super Summer Global team.

This was my first time to walk from beginning to end with a group of students…through the recruiting at camps, to reading their applications and learning about their struggles and strengths, to fighting through the fundraising process, to packing and losing their luggage at base camp. It was incredible to be reminded that these trips are the ones where our leaders originate…these trips are sometimes the beginning of God ruining the lives of students who will forever strive to live a bottom line life, wherever they are and whatever they’re doing. As Shu said during his teaching at base camp, this truth is so much bigger than our team.

It’s so much bigger than our trip.

It’s so much bigger than Tokyo.

It’s so much bigger than me and my passion for the Japanese people.

It’s about HIM and HIS glory and desire for his name.

And even though I’ve heard this truth and attempted, however feebly, to pursue it for the past five years of my life, this year brought a deeper understanding of it which challenges me and sparks within me a deeper joy than before.

I loved watching these students, seeing them be ruined for God’s purposes instead of their own, observing them grasp truths and struggle through application of those truths, and having them unknowingly challenge and humble me in the process.

And so for the first time ever, I’ve felt like God’s stretched my passion for his glory in Tokyo beyond the borders of that island, and outwards towards being jealous for his name everywhere.

For the first time I’m okay with never returning to Tokyo, if that is God’s will.

Because it’s not about Tokyo.

It’s not about the Japanese people.

It’s not about me.

It’s about God’s fame being spread everywhere.

And I’d love to do what I do anywhere on the face of the earth. Walking with these students and learning from them and growing with them is incredible. Wherever God allows me to do this, I’ll be joyful and obedient.

Because, like so many of our students proclaimed in Tokyo, God doesn’t need me anywhere. He allows me to join him specifically in places where he’s already at work. Why not have joy in that?

So my passion remains for Tokyo, but it stretches out far beyond the regions of Yokohama and Chiba and Saitama.

And I’ll love going with students wherever God allows us to join him.

Not my preference, but His glory.

So, like I end the majority of my tweets, so I end this entry:

I love my job.

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Jami Gainey, January 27th 2011 | Posted in Insightful, Jami, Team Update

2011 Mascot Contest

One of the most important traditions in iGosia is the election of the annual mascot. Much like the Chinese calendar, a specific animal is designated to each year on the iGo calendar. Each summer, the mascot travels with each team and not only finds its way into many pictures, but also becomes quite a conversation starter!Let’s take a look back at the many mascots of iGosia:

2005 was the first year iGosia had a mascot - the year of the Armadillo.

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2006 was the year of the Penguin.

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2007 was the year of the Goat. She’s even wearing the team shirt!

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2008 was the year of the Giraffe. What a great picture!
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2009 was the year of the Octopus, or as Shu referred to it, the squid. We got so many great pics from our teams that year! Note the two team shirts in the second picture!
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2010 was the year of the Moose and also a great Jimmy year!

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Finally, it’s here. The moment you’ve all been waiting for. The unveiling of the 2011 mascot. Drumroll, please…..Ta-Da!

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2011 is the year of the OWL!

Now, for iGo Alumns, you know that each year students get an awesome team shirt which features the mascot. This year, we’re doing something a little different! A CONTEST!

That’s right. We want YOU to design the coolest looking team shirt that features an owl and our slogan “Make Him Famous.” (Due to the locations our teams go, please do not include any sort of spiritual reference or “iGo Global” in your design.) The people of iGosia will review the designs and we’ll post our favorites online and let you vote for your favorite t-shirt design! The winning design will become the 2011 team shirt!

Hurry! Designs are due by February 14! Submit your designs to owl@igoglobal.org. Please be sure to include your full name in the email!

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Emily Martin, January 24th 2011 | Posted in Emily, Jonathan

People Group of the Month

Each month we are going to start highlighting a different country, people groups within the country, and some things you can be praying for specifically for the people of that nation. This month we are going to share some information on the country of Morocco.

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MOROCCO

  • Capital: Rabat
  • Population: 32,777,808
  • Peoples:
  • Arabic – 55.7%
  • Berber – 41.4%
  • Other – 0.9%, French 0.3%

Religion:

Sunni Islam is the state religion. The existence of Christians and Jews is tolerated, but the government does not accept the existence of an indigenous Moroccan Church. Authorities carefully monitor all known Christian activity, even though it is legal both to talk about Christ and to invite friends home to discussion. Local believers are often harassed by police, while some have even been imprisoned.

  • Muslim – 99.88%
  • Christian – 0.09% (around 90% of the Christians are not Moroccan in
  • origin)
  • Jewish – 0.02%
  • Non-religious – 0.01%

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How can you pray?

1. Pray that this nation may become open for the good news. Pride in Morocco’s past as a centre of Islamic civilization and learning, and deeply rooted prejudice against Christianity remain barriers to the acceptance of the gospel. Only a small percentage of the population has been clearly presented with the gospel.

2. Pray for peace throughout the nation, for the countries leaders; that policies and planning might establish justice, fairness, and openness.

3. Pray for the church. There is a strong growing network of indigenous Christians throughout the country, pray that this network extends. Pray against divisions in the church, that there would be fellowship and unity among believers. For strength and perseverance for believers under pressure from family, police, or religious authorities. For the discipleship of believers which can be difficult in the context of persecution, isolation and fear. Pray that believers might increasingly engage with scripture, focus on Christ and understand their faith. Pray for the lack of scripture and teaching materials needed to develop and train leaders.

4. Pray for specific unreached minority people groups: The Maghreb Jews – today only a few thousand of these people remain in Morocco, and there is no known outreach among them. The nomadic desert tribes – have little contact with the gospel. Rural Moroccan Arabs – although they are part of a majority people group they are particularly unreached and isolated from the gospel.

5. Moroccans have started to migrate in large numbers due to unemployment, many illegally and dangerously. There are significant numbers of Moroccans in Europe: in France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Britain. Pray specifically for missionaries who are seeking to reach Moroccans in these countries.

The information provided is from the book Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation. You can go to the Operation World website to order your own copy here http://www.operationworld.org/

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Allison Aycock, January 20th 2011 | Posted in Allison, Insightful, People Group Info

College Students: What are you doing this summer?

College Students! What are you doing this summer? Maybe you haven’t nailed down exactly what you want to do yet. I know, I know, it’s hard to commit to anything a few months out, but could it be that God is calling you to go serve on an iGo Xtreme Journey (XJ)?

We still have spots available for XJ’s in South Asia, East Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. Think about it…you could be a part of the very beginnings of making Him famous among people where there is little to no witness of the Gospel.

Look, I know there are many things you could do over the summer months, many of them worthwhile. But imagine for a moment trekking with other students into a village of people who’ve never seen a copy of the Word, or teaching English to students who not only want to learn your language, but who are also eager to know every detail of your life. You could likely be the first person to share with them the name of Jesus and His story. Imagine standing next to a temple or mosque, seeing with your own eyes so many men, women, boys and girls bow down to false idols and false gods. You know just how worthless and meaningless their worship is, and as you look into their eyes you call out to the One Living God to move among them. Imagine a summer where God reveals more of Himself to you than ever before. Imagine coming home different- more in love with Christ and completely sold out to His global mission.

You may have an idea of what God has planned for you this summer, or you may not have a clue, but I wonder… have you considered and actually prayed what He has for you? I love this quote by William Carey, considered by many as the father of modern missions, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” What are you expecting this summer? What will you be attempting for God this summer? The application deadline of January 31 is quickly approaching. Maybe, just maybe God is speaking to you. Maybe He’s telling you that this summer His plans for an iGo XJ are big, and those plans include you.

To apply for an XJ trip, simply click on the appropriate link and follow the instructions: South Asia, East Asia, North Africa, Middle East

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Kent Jones, January 17th 2011 | Posted in Kent
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