Video Update May 2014

Ecksfiles Video Update May 2014 from Matt Eck on Vimeo.

Walking with Him

Naomi just started consistently walking a couple of weeks ago. I love the determined look on her face as she focuses on taking each step. Sometimes at home she just walks "laps" up and down the hall, around and around the living room. Once I think she did this for 20 minutes straight. Just enjoying walking. Granted, she usually has to be holding something at the same time, but she is focused on the walking. That's a great picture of how I would like to live--simply walking with God and enjoying the journey.

I can get so discouraged when I look around for visible fruit of "my" investing in people. I start to think that I need to come up with the perfect words to speak to a person in a certain situation. That I need to make them see and understand how great it is to walk with God. That I need to see the fruit of my labors in order to make living and working here "worth it." How prideful to think that I have any power in myself to change human hearts, or to think my agenda is more important than God's! How prideful and demanding to want God to show me success in the way I define it, in order for me to be motivated to do what He has called me to do.

What makes everything worth it in this life is the privilege of getting to know Him more and more in every situation. I'm learning that the main thing He is calling me to do is to walk with Him! In the moments that I grasp this, it is very freeing. God is at work, and I can trust that. Only His Holy Spirit can change people. I praise Him that He's changing me! This motivates me to pray for people and to love them as God works through me.

God wants my life be an example of His goodness, and I should first of all ask Him what He wants to teach me and change in me, not how He wants me to solve everyone's problems. This continues to be very humbling for me. It's not the kind of teaching that I had in mind! To really let people into my life means I let them see not only the things He has done, the victories He has won, but also the sin that He is currently cleaning up. Being honest with people by admitting I don't have it all together, that I need God's grace moment by moment, that I struggle with sin--this is painfully humbling to my self--but I know that it glorifies God.

So what is God wanting me to teach people? Nothing...that is, in my own strength. He wants me to humbly walk with Him and allow Him to work in me and through me--for His purposes, His glory, His agenda--and for His people.

Like Family

BTCP weekend class at our apartment.

The thing I like most about Bible Training Center for Pastors (BTCP) is that it is more than just a class. The shortest track is at least 400 hours of class time. When you spend that much time together it's less like a teacher-student relationship and more like a family. We have a couple of traditions that I particularly enjoy. We always start off class with prayer. Often I am tempted to cut this time short, but I am convinced that better work is done during this time than any amount of teaching I can do. Our other tradition...which is a fairly recent addition, is a Friday-Saturday class one weekend every three months. We do this to get in the occasional "sprint" into our learning marathon so that we don't start lagging too far behind.We make something special out of it, opening up our home and having meals together. It's a time of fellowship mixed with teaching and though they are a lot of work for me AND for Liz, we both have come to enjoy them.
I was preparing for our latest weekend class on Thursday when I got a call from one of the students. He had called to inform me that his job did not renew his contract and since his visa was dependent on his work he was likely to have to go home for good. I asked him how he felt and he told me he wasn't sure, yet. I was only the second person that he had called. He seemed to have a peace about moving on, even though he had been here for the last seven years. I think the two things that he most regretted leaving behind was the church that he is pastoring and our class. I was touched by his encouraging words, as I never really knew how much our class time really meant to him.
I don't say this to brag. I say this to say thank you, all of you, who read, pray, and give so that we can be here and share life with the people that God puts in our path. And if you think about it please be in prayer for my friend and the church that he pastors.

Luke 10:1-2 and Outreach in Austria

In Counseling

My husband and I are celebrating four years of marriage this week. We've talked about how it now feels like we have a little bit of mileage behind us, although four years isn't a long time. Just that we're out of the newlywed stage now and are also learning to be parents. Man, that first 2 weeks of parenthood was SO rough! Sleep deprivation is a horrible thing! Yet in those first two weeks we had to work like a team like never before and I was so thankful to have help! I literally could NOT have survived those weeks without my husband. His voice of reason that contrasted my hormonally-messed-up mind and his ability to calmly problem-solve and come up with a plan were invaluable. It has been a joy and a source of pride to see how God has really helped Matt shine in his new role as a father.

I could go on and on about what a good father Matt is, and maybe I will in another post. In thinking about our four years of marriage, however, one of the things I appreciate most about my husband is how he has counseled me and pointed me towards the gospel. We are currently going through a course on how to counsel people biblically and I am learning the importance of listening well and asking good questions, neither of which I am good at. But these are things that Matt has done well for me, and through these acts of love, God has been changing me, helping me see the root sin issues that are the actual causes of why I act and react the way that I do to life (see James 4:1-10). Most of the time I don't see the root sin immediately. In the moment I may react to Matt in an unloving way or just be "in a mood" and not sure myself what I am feeling and why. But through talking things out with Matt after some time, I am beginning to recognize my ungodly motivations and desires easier and quicker, and am able to ask myself some questions about my motivations and the condition of my heart.

The point is, I've found that when I recognize the root sin, and not just believe that the way I react to life is only the product of factors like emotions, stress, or circumstances, I can gain victory through Christ by confessing the sin (my heart attitude toward God) and allowing Him to work through me to put sin to death, as in the "put off and put on" passages (Ephesians 4:17-5:2; Colossians 3:1-17). I can actually get out of a rut of always reacting a certain way and not knowing why when I let God's truth instruct me and then run to Him for help, instead of trying to improve myself in my own strength and not getting anywhere.

So what are the good questions Matt asks me while he listens? Mostly variations of, "What do you mean?", as I share how I feel and he wants to clarify. Also, "what made you react by doing such and such and how were you hoping to solve things by that? He also re-states what I say to make sure he's hearing me correctly or so that I can explain it better. Most of the time the result is that I realize that I am putting my "kingdom" above God's kingdom, and when I don't get what I want, I react in an ungodly way (see again James 4:1-10). So that's a question I'm trying to start asking myself as I'm deciding how to react: "Whose kingdom am I focused on right now?" When I remember that God's will in every situation is for me to be conformed to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29), I'm better able to trust Him in the moment and act in a more God-glorifying way.

Proverbs 20:5 states, "The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out." This is exactly what Matt does when he listens and it is such a blessing to me. As Matt and I continue on this journey together, I too want to grow in loving him by listening well and asking good questions. For a really helpful resource for your own personal reflection, check out David Powlison's X-Ray Questions.

A new spin on an old tradition

Viennese Melange served on a traditional sliver platter

Coffee is a big part of Viennese Culture.  Legend has it that the first coffee houses sprung up in Vienna sometime after 1683 when the hastily retreating Turkish army left large amounts of coffee in their wake.  Since then it has been a cultural tradition to sit for hours in a coffee shop, playing cards, talking politics, and especially reading the paper. It’s no surprise then, that Christians would take advantage of the Vienna coffee culture to gather study and discuss the scriptures.  A few years ago, in fact, some friends of mine started a Bible study group in one of the Vienna Starbucks locations. In the next four years they have expanded to all but three of the eleven Vienna locations. What’s most exciting is that because of the open nature of the groups it has become a non-threatening venue for all types of people to explore the message and claims of the Bible. From time to time the SBUXfellowship has asked me to help out with teaching some of their leaders and before we had to leave Vienna for our visa purposes, Liz and I were looking at helping out with this group in some way. Just recently we had one of the leaders over at our new apartment and he mentioned that one of the three locations that they didn’t have a study was only a block from our place. I said,” That’s funny, I’ve been praying about starting a bible study.”  So since then we have been praying about starting a study at the Starbucks in Millennium City mall. I’m really looking forward to see what God will do with this. Please be praying that people who might not normally feel comfortable going to a church might come and hear what God has to say to them through His word.

A Short Update on My Nigerian Friends

I wrote a few months ago about my Nigerian Friend Uche who was in danger of being deported back to Nigeria. I later found out that not only Uche was in danger but also his roommate Moses. You will remember that I had been helping teach Uche to read and Moses was a part of my Bible study. I wanted to let everyone know that Moses and Uche are doing fine now. Moses tells me that he had a close call with the police one day and has since moved out of the house he'd been living in. He also told me that he had the help of a lawer that does pro bono work for refugees and he and Uche are back in the process of getting their residence visas. Uche has since started taking a German class, which is even better for him than me trying to teach him to read in English. Moses has also joined my BTCL class which I started two weeks ago. Keep praying for these guys that they would continue to grow in their knowledge and love of the Lord and that they would be salt and light here in Austria.



A picture of part of my BTCL class with two of my Nigerian friends

One More Thought About Christmas

I know that most everyone has taken down their trees by now but I wonder if you will allow me to make one more reflection about this Christmas season.

Maybe it was because Liz was pregnant and we were constantly on the road due to a foreign government’s decree, but this Christmas I found myself thinking of the Christmas story from Joseph and Mary’s perspective. I’m sure anyone who has either been pregnant or helped a loved one through a pregnancy can tell you that travel, especially late in the game, is no picnic. Of course Mary and Joseph didn’t have to worry about things like compression stockings and economy class transatlantic flights 2,000 years ago, but those things would have probably seemed like luxuries compared with the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. We were also fortunate to be able to stay with friends and family during our travels. I could not imagine the shame (let alone the discomfort) of staying in the stable of an inn, in a culture that is so much more concerned with hospitality than our own.

And now as we put our crib together and get our little girl’s things in order I can’t imagine having to put her in an animal trough on her first night outside the womb. That’s what really hit me this year as I was reading Luke 2 just before we opened our presents. Verse twelve says, “’ ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:12 ESV) Did I see that right? The sign that the shepherds were to seek, the mark that would tell them that this is the promised anointed-one of God, was that they would find a baby lying in a feeding trough? I wonder if Mary and Joseph ever asked themselves, “Why must we travel during this time when it is so difficult to do so?” “Why is there no one to take us in?” “Why is the only shelter available an animal stable?” “Why is there nowhere to lay our child but a trough?” Then the shepherds show up and reported to them that it was the sign that the angels told them about, a sign appointed by God. I wonder even if these were some of the things that Mary was treasuring in her heart as the Shepherds told her what they had seen.

I still don’t know the purpose that God had for us as we were traveling during this time and I’m sure it is not nearly as wonderful as the purpose He had for Joseph and Mary. I do know this; He does have a purpose for even the difficult things in our life. Whatever circumstances we go through, we know that our fundamental task, or purpose is to walk obediently with God, desiring that He be glorified and shown to be worthy of praise in our words, thoughts, and actions. When the people around us see this reaction, they will see and hopefully come to encounter the hope, joy, and peace that is beyond circumstances. For this reason may we grow by God’s grace in saying with Mary, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38a ESV)

Food, Fellowship and Farsi

It's early Saturday evening and we Ecks make our way to the 10th district of Vienna for our once-monthly visit to the Iranian church. Actually, it's one of four Iranian churches in Vienna, but we are familiar with this one because our friend David is the pastor. He has asked Matt to preach once a month while he translates the message into Farsi (the language of Iran; understood by Afghans also). We are happy to help out David however we can, as he also holds down a full-time job in addition to being a pastor and volunteering at the Oasis two nights a week.

Matt and I arrive early and are able to join a few other church members in a time of prayer before the service. Our friends Anwar and Reza are there, both of whom also volunteer at the Oasis with us. Anwar also attends Calvary Chapel with us and was the first to invite us to Calvary. A young woman named Linda is also in the group. She, along with David, will eventually start taking piano lessons from me, with the goal of being trained as church musicians to provide live worship music for the service. We take turns praying around the table, and after each person's prayer, the group says together, "Ah-meen."

We conclude our time, and Matt and I are invited to take our seats in the meeting hall where the service will take place. We walk in to find two long rows of tables beautifully and simply decorated in citrus colors with napkins, candles, and dried flowers. Anwar comes up to chat with us in German and admits to the handiwork. Tonight there will be a big meal after the service, and already the smell of exotic spices wafts in from the kitchen. I try to name the spices I'm smelling. Is it turmeric? Cardamom? Alas, I'm not as familiar with these aromas. This will be Matt's and my first experience with Persian food. We are excited.

People begin entering the church, shaking hands with each other and greeting each other with "Salaam." After everyone takes their seats, the service begins. There are several times of scripture reading and prayer interspersed between the Persian worship songs, which are played from a recording and displayed with slides on the screen up front as everyone sings along. Matt and I participate by clapping on the beat with everyone and trying our best to figure out some of the Farsi words. I like the songs and hope to learn some of them. After an hour of worship, prayer, and scripture reading, Matt is called up to the podium to give the message.

Matt speaks in English as David translates into Farsi, introducing himself and me, and then diving into a message of unity from James 4. After the sermon, we enjoy getting to know some of the people over a nice meal of chicken cooked in a tomato sauce, saffron rice with dried red currants, and beef cooked in a green-leaf sauce, like nothing I've ever tasted. Apparently the man who volunteered to cook everything had been hard at work since morning. We later find out he used to officially work as a chef. We are encouraged by people's comments that Matt's sermon really touched on what people needed to hear. After having tea and chatting some more, we say goodbye to our friends old and new, thankful to God and looking forward to next time.

The Leaky Bucket

Have you ever heard the story about the leaky bucket? In case you haven't, I'll tell you the short version. There was a leaky bucket that was ashamed that he wasn't doing a good job since he could only deliver half of the water a normal bucket could because of his holes. However, one day he noticed that because of his daily routine of bringing water from a stream, there were many beautiful flowers along the path where he had leaked. Yeah, it's a cheesy story, but I have to say I've been feeling a bit like the bucket lately. Despite how well things have been going for us here in Austria, sometimes I wish we weren't starting over again. Instead of having a laser-focused action-packed ministry, I'm learning culture and language again while doing a Bible study here, a meeting there, refugee center once a week, while throwing in the occasional project for a little variety.

However, like the bucket, faithfulness (and of course GRACE) can make up for our inadequacies. Just the other day I was reminded that even though David was anointed as king at a young age, it took him many years of hiding in caves and running around like a crazy man before he became king. God was using this time to build his character-- it was not wasted time. In the midst of my discouragement last week God had me stop and look at the flowers I had watered along the path that I'm beating. Last weekend we had some visitors in from our missions office to do a presentation on Biblical leadership training. Russ and I had spent several weeks beforehand inviting people who we thought might be interested, and we weren't getting many commitments. But as the day of the meeting came and I looked around the room, I saw a couple of guys from my Bible study, some other friends from the refugee center, and the pastor of the church we attend.

I don't know what the fruit of last week's meetings will be, but I am encouraged to see what God will do. So if you don't mind I'm going to grab my leaky bucket. I've got a path to water.