Is the Fever Gone Yet?

As I write this latest blog entry, I am recovering from five days of the most intense fevers that I have had in my life, complete with lots of paranoia and even hallucinations, and of course, some good old fashioned nausea too. 

And yet I can say that as crazy as these last few days have been, these last few months have been even crazier. Why, you may ask? Well they have been some very busy months. It has not been uncommon for me to work more than 60 hours some weeks, and spend hours in a day driving or sitting in traffic. 

But these have been not only busy months, but also action, stress, happiness and drama packed months too.

It has been a season that has brought with an important message... even if I am not entirely clear exactly how to explain it yet.

So what have I been doing these last few months? Well, a lot. Actually a lot more than I could write here, but to make it easier to digest, I have broken it up into sections.

Gone Fishing!

OK I know what you are going to say, “WHAT! You have been spending your time FISHING?”

Well no, not really. Hehe. But I have been working a lot with fish, helping to start and run a tilapia farm here in El Salvador with Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa .

I can’t really tell you where or with whom the dream first started, and it wouldn’t really be fair to do so anyways, as the dream has passed through the hearts and hands of many men of God before being born here in El Salvador with Calvary Chapel, but the dream and vision for the project is basically this one:

To build and operate a tilapia farm on site as a church run business, with the goal of financially supporting the ministry, providing jobs and job training for poorer church members, and of course, evangelism opportunities in the business community.

Initial construction for the project first started long before I arrived, in one of the rural church plants in Chalatenango, as a joint effort between Calvary Chapel San Salvador as well as Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, among others. The project sat waiting for a while, until in March of this year a team from Costa Mesa came down, and alongside of them, we finished up the construction of the project, and ‘planted’ 5,000 baby fish. Then team left, and I was left in charge to run it. J

It was only then, as I began to run the project on a daily basis, that both Pastor Carlos (the Senior Pastor of CC San Salvador), and I, began to see the many difficulties associated with raising up baby fish to adulthood, as well as some of the short comings with our system.

Since then I have been spending most of my days working on the project, building relationships with people in the industry both here and oversees, and educating myself about how to build, re-build, run, and repair a fish farm, as well as all kinds of information about fish biology, growth, and breeding, not to mention marketing and profitability.

The biggest challenge by far (apart from the 2 hour drive that separates me from the fish, and the fish from many of the supplies that they need) has been the rebuilding and repairing of the project with both limited funds and resources. It has many times been a daily ‘experiment’ of how to repair, tweak, or sometimes even rebuild the project, all the while with 5,000 little-fishy lives hanging in the balance.

It has been a long journey for sure, and while it is far from over (fish reach maturity or ‘selling wieght’ at about 7-8 months) it has taught me much about patience, and trust in God. I have 4,700 or so remaining witnesses.

Many of you may also be surprised to know that since the beginning of my missionary journey almost 4 years ago I have been actively praying about learning and being involved in these very kind of church run business opportunities (I see these as excellent tools for church planting in poorer areas)- something which neither Pastor Carlos, nor CC Costa Mesa knew about when they asked me to be a part of this project. I feel like, then, that this has been a sort of ‘free training school’ for me, and am very blessed to see how God has answered this prayer, and will continue to answer it.

Fishers of Men

Running the fish farm has not been my only activity throughout these months, and only a part of my activity in Chalatenango, where we have one of our rural church plants. When Pastor Carlos asked me to begin working with the fish, he also asked me to help the planting pastor, Pastor Manuel as his assistant in whatever way he needed. Until now this has mainly meant teaching at the Saturday night service, where we have been slowly going through Matthew, as well as helping with some small things around the church, though Pastor Manuel has had some new ideas for ministry opportunities which we will be looking to try out in the very near future.

One of the most rewarding things about teaching in this church plant (apart from the quite obvious spiritual benefit that it is to me as I study up to teach every week) is the blessing of being able to spend time on the weekends with the same people that I am working with on the fish farm during the week. It has been a joy to me to be able to get to know their families, pray with them through their struggles, and share with them in their joys, and as is always the case, I have learned much from their lives and testimonies. We are not just learning how to become ‘fishermen’ together, but also, and much more importantly, how to become “fishers of men” together.

The Immigration Game

Have you ever felt winning is hopeless, and that all the dice are against you? That’s how I feel most of the time when I play “Monopoly” with my die-hard monopoly friends (Vince and Tiffany, this means you), and also how I have been feeling as I have been walking through my long residency process in El Salvador.

I first submitted my application, with my original paperwork and all the requested files in October of 2011. In a month or two, I thought, I would have my residency easy-peasy. Or so I was told. But it has been anything but easy. More than 4 letters, 15 visits to immigration, dozens of phone calls, countless hours of work both here and in the US (thank you Daniel and Callie for your help) and nine months later, and now, just last week my residency was confirmed, and I still haven’t received in writing!

It has been a long ride for sure, but God has been faithful throughout, all of which has served just to remind me why and for whom I am here in the first place (wink wink, it’s for Him).

Now I just have to get ready to renew my residency in October for another year. Ha!

The Near End of a Journey

These last few months have also been very busy and stressful ones for Rebeca, as she looks to finish her current academic journey and receive her Master’s Degree in Meso-American Archeology. She has been studying for almost six years at the Technological University of El Salvador, and is now in the process of using everything that she has learned to formulate and write her thesis. It has been difficult work for her without a doubt - the investigation alone has involved dozens of trips for her both to active ‘dig sites’, as well as a nation-wide search for un-cataloged materials in both libraries and colleges, some of which have been out of print for nearly a century. She has literally been racing against the clock to complete her thesis before the year ends, with the goal in mind of graduating, and jointly planning our wedding after wards (more details on that in the weeks to follow - just "stay posted" hahaha get it, stay posted, blog posts haha).

It would be disingenuous not to note how all of this stress and busyness in both of our lives has affected our relationship, though thankfully as God ministers to us through it, it has served us both as a wakeup call as a rally point more than anything else.

My own prayers for Rebeca in this time of her life have been for her divine gifts of patience, peace, and perseverance, as she seeks to honor God, her family, and her own six year investment by ‘finishing strong’. 

In deep love and admiration for her it only seems right to ask all you for your prayers for her as well.

My Proposed Trip Home

The last things I want to leave you all with are my plans for a proposed trip home. As many of you know, it has been nearly one year since I have seen you all, and you are all becoming sorely missed. I can do no better than to quote Paul in stating my desire to visit you all. As he so perfectly and succinctly wrote in his letter to the Roman Christians: “I long to see you so that I may leave you with some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith… and that I might have some fruit among you.” Romans 1:11-13

I had desired to come earlier this year, in January, with the intention of participating in the CC Mission’s Conference, and visiting home as well, but the LORD had shown me that He had much for me to do during that time here in El Salvador. I have since then been praying about coming back this August or September. This would be perfect as I will also need to renew my residency here in October, which could be facilitated by a visit home to bring back the required documents. This would also give me the opportunity to raise some more support and relieve the burden of support from those of you whom have fallen under hard times. Lastly, I also desire to continue to build connections with some of the other churches in our area, both to share with them what God is doing here and in my life, and give them the same opportunities to be involved in the work.

I want to you ask you all then, for your prayers and intercession so that I might be able to make this trip. I currently have 300$ saved, but will need to raise an additional $700-$900 (depending on how cheap my tickets come out) to cover my airfare, and pre-pay my expenses here in El Salvador while I am gone (rent, utilities, etc.).

If you feel led to contribute to these expenses, you can write an email to me (jedlicka1227@gmail.com), or to Lynn Anderson (lynnanderson4jesus@gmail.com), or simply click this link and give the money through Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz (please be sure to write “Theo-missions”in the “notes” section).

In Closing

So now you have read about what some may consider to be the fever of busyness that I have been wrapped up in, and you may be asking yourself "What hasn't he been doing?". Sleeping in, among other things. But in all fairness I see this busy season of life that I am in as exactly that, a season. Will I still be working 60 hour work weeks in a month from now? I'm not sure. All I know is that the LORD has allowed this season in my life (and in Rebeca's life at the same time too, ironically) for the time being, and I intend to serve and honor Him the best I can in it, and hopefully, learn that will benefit me in the years to come.

And when my chance comes to sleep in, I will take advantage of it :)

I am not quite exactly sure what the lesson is yet, although right now as I get ready to finish this blog entry and go to bed, I think it is something like "Seize the moment, and make it count".

Blessings from El Salvador,

Theo

Video "2011 in Summary"

Hey Everyone,

This year has really been a graet blessing, the LORD has opened many doors, and as always, has been very faithful to put me in situations that have caused me to learn and grow.
I have been very blessed to be serving the LORD and the Salvadorean people, and wanted to take a couple of minutes to share some of the things that have been going on.

Check it out!

Thankfulness

Settling In

Fours months ago I left California to live and serve in El Salvador, and now with Christmas quickly approaching, I am finally beginning to feel like I am settling in.

As most of you know it is not my first time on the mission field – or in Latin America, but my time here so far has required many adjustments. The biggest of them for me has been learning to serve in a church the size of the city that I came from. With over 30 active ministries, it is always busy – there is always something going on – and always something to do. Suffice it to say that over these four months I have been slowly learning what it really means to be teachable, flexible, and available for cross cultural work.

The first test I faced in getting established was that of patience and trust as I started looking for a place to live, and safe transportation. There is something intimidating about living on your own in a foreign country. At first the excitement of so many new things pushes you forward, but then after the excitement fades, it begins to feel like you're climbing a mountain without the right equipment. And yet even without really knowing exactly what I was doing, the LORD brought me up to the top – with the help of a few new friends here, the prayers and support of many in the states, and the patience and love of the fiancee He brought alongside me.

There were many divine appointments along the climb up of course – most notably of which was the privilege Rebeca and I had of praying with a 35 year old man while buying a refrigerator, who had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He accepted the LORD that day, and passed away only two weeks later. What a blessing to know He is with the LORD.

My apartment, with my *new* 1985 Celica out front ;)


English Class

Immediately after renting an apartment and buying a car, I was asked to start teaching several English classes in one of the church plants outside of the city. It seems that everywhere I have been I have been asked to teach English, and every time it has been a challenge for me to do it well. How do you teach someone a foreign language – especially one that is so overly complicated? If you don' t personally think English is very complicated, just think about the 'i' before 'e' rule, and all of it's complications.

But behind the pretense of English being difficult to teach (and it is), was something entirely different – I didn't really want to teach English, and would have much rather been teaching the Bible. But as Jonah most assuredly learned before me, the only way for someone to be fruitful in the kingdom of God is through obedience- whether we feel like doing it or not. It is only after we have begun to act in obedience that we start to 'feel like obeying'. And even though Jonah was very bitter after having watched God work on the people of Nineveh, he was obedient enough afterwards that he went on to write about the whole thing– which makes me think that Jonah, too, learned this same lesson. So, since the beginning of October, when the LORD provided me with an apartment, I have been teaching English several hours a day and am beginning to enjoy it. The classes began with my teaching seven different groups of students, five days a week. My students range from 5-60 years old, and include two groups of orphans, one adult class of new believers, and twice a week tutoring sessions with one of the Pastors of a church plant outside of the capital – who (after much prayer from many in the states) has also been a great source of encouragement and one of the few here I am able and comfortable seeking out for counsel.

A few of my students


Teamwork and Flexibility

So, just as I began to feel comfortable (or almost comfortable) teaching English, I was asked to take a two week hiatus to help with some special events in the Capital. Calvary Chapel San Salvador was celebrating their 17th anniversary, and would be hosting a week of evangelistic 'Anniversary Dinners' as well as an hour long Christmas performance each night, and a dozen or so parties for Children attending the services. I was moved temporarily back to capital, and asked to work with a ministry team of missionaries from Potter's Field Ministries. What ensued were long hours of decorating, prop building, cleaning, errand running, and table setting, and waitering for 12 straight days, 12 hours a day. During all of the hard work, more than 2000 dinners were served, 400 new people visited the church, and nearly 100 people accepted the LORD as their savior. It was a huge stretch for me – I personally can't remember having worked so much 'overtime' before, but even more was the feeling that this year I was 'missing thanksgiving'. The reward of course, is that of knowing that the kingdom of God is growing – and of course the fellowship I was able to share with the other missionaries. As iron sharpens iron – so I was sharpened during our time of fellowship, though certainly it was not without challenges.

Part of the Christmas village that we built, painted, and decorated (I also spray painted the carriage).


Love is Patient

Rebeca and I have also both been blessed, of course, as we continue in our pursuit of God together, and our walk forward towards marriage. We have faced many challenges as well – it has been a challenge to learn how to spend time together while balancing two different schedules, as well as how to deal with all of the new hurdles to jump over as I further incorporate myself into her already tight knit family. We have also been wrestling with planning a practical wedding – with the challenge of finding a date that fits into her University schedule. Through it all we have both been challenged and encouraged by the biblical standard of true love as seen in 1Corinthians 13, knowing that even when we are found incapable – Jesus, who has already completed this standard, is ever ready to help us walk it out through the empowering of His Holy Spirit. We have both found that, above all else, patience is something that we both need to grow in.

Tired, but happy to be with MI AMOR



Looking forward with Thankfulness

After two weeks of literal table serving (Acts 6:2-3), I am preparing to serve in children's ministry as we start up several VBS's in various church plants around the country during the next 8 weeks of vacation. My exact role in all of this isn't entirely clear, though I can assume that I will be very busy. I am blessed to be able to work with so many children, and, hopefully impact their lives for Christ (Big thanks to Pastor Bill and Pastor Ben for the crash course in VBS they gave me this summer - I know it will be put to great use). This week I am also looking forward to final exams for School of Ministry. Whatever the Lord brings, I know that He will use it to take me further along the path He has laid out for me, and prepare me for what lies ahead.

In the end, my time so far has been overflowing with many people, places, and things for which to be thankful. I am continually learning every day, though above all else, I find that God is continually reminding me of His great love, and constant faithfulness.

Back in El Salvador

After nearly five intense months of preparation, I am back in El Salvador - and back at work - continuing the pursuit of the call of God in my life. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing, and although I left Santa Cruz with nearly 90% of my committed support raised, and my care team willing and ready, there were many challenges here that awaited me.


My re-entry goals for these first weeks in El Salvador were rather simple - buy an affordable car, rent an adequate apartment, and pass through the time consuming process of gaining 'Missionary Residency' in El Salvador.


But it hasn't been all simple. Out of the 14 days that I have been in El Salvador, six of those were spent sick with painful and debilitating intestinal parasites. On day nine, Rebeca found, and I went and rented the perfectly located apartment, and then on day 10, while moving me in, we discovered that the apartment has no running water. On day 12, I found a car to buy, and on day 13, I was told (before buying it, thanks to God) that it had broken down. Yesterday, I also took my first step in the involved process of applying for and getting my Missionary Residence, and thanks to God, and help from Rebeca, it went very well.


Honestly, I have felt overwhelmed. I am starting to think that 'overwhelming' is one of God's favorite tools for character formation. And yet even when I start to feel this way, there is one thing that hovers in my mind. Psalm 149:2 says:

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

It's pretty simple. I have a maker, and He is God. I belong to a king, who is looking out for me, and is responsible for my well being, and that king is the LORD Jesus Christ. So I rejoice, and am able to be joyful, even in trials.


Whether I find a house and car, or not. Whether I am given residency, or not. My job is to work as unto the LORD in all that I do, and place all of my trust in Him - and not in things. My calling is to honor Him as my Maker and King, and to rejoice in the simple experience of knowing Him - and in that rejoicing, invite other to join me.


Yesterday, after spending more than 4 hours at government offices in pursuit of my residency, Rebeca and I boarded a bus to leave, and found ourselves entering into a place of conflict. In El Salvador, Evangelists, Beggars, Activists, and Campaigners regularly board buses to publicly share their opinions with the crowds captive audiences gathered there. Often I have found myself praying along as many a brave man stood up to share the Gospel.


But the scene on the bus was different this time around. A man stood up and began to intimidate the crowd with his booming voice and cries of outrage. He chastised them for their intolerance and judgement of his sexual practices. He blamed them for the self hatred and other emotional difficulties that he and other homosexuals had gone through. He charged them to accept and embrace all sexual practices as right and good. And then he threatened them with hellfire and the wrath of God for their supposed 'sins';
twisting and turning Bible verses about love, acceptance, and judgement to his favor, and misquoting stories about the life of David.


The crowd from the beginning had the heads bowed; whether because of shame or fear I will never
know. From the beginning, I felt a struggle within myself as to whether or not I should speak up, and what I should say. Rebeca was sitting next to me, overwhelemed and shocked.


When he began to quote the Scriptures, I could hold my peace no longer. It is one thing to sin, and yet another thing entirely to deceive others into participating in it. Finally, I spoke out.


"You sir, are wrong, and the Bible does not support your position."
My voice answered his. And with a supernatural love and direction, I began to share
"We do not reject you, sir. You are even welcome to come and visit our church."
"We love you in the love of God, the same love that gave you the gift of life, and the freedom to stand here and speak."
Some raised their heads, others opened their eyes, some even covered their ears.
"But we do not love your sin, and will not accept it. Neither will God. You must repent - for all sin is an affront against God"
"Your speech today is an attack against the very love of God, the same divine love that created you, and permits you to stand here and share with these people"
"Some would have you believe that God will reject you because of your sin, but I tell you now that their IS forgiveness for you in the heart of God, if you repent and accept Him."
"Do not fight against the love of God! Repent, and accept Him!"


Red in the face, he looked past my gazed, and repeated his charge to the passengers; one, two, three or more times - full of fury, yet with a deep set confusion upon his face.


As we stood to get off of the bus, a man touched my shoulder, and thanked me for what I had shared. What impact I had, I may never know. But in my mind one thing is clear and important.

I want to honor my King.

Prayer and Praise:

Praise God for my safe arrival back in El Salvador
Praise God for raising up my financial support and care team before I left
Pray for Rebeca and I as she helps me look for the right car and house for me to live in
Pray for me as I start to serve full time in the ministry here with CCSS
Pray for Rebeca as she finishes her University classes this year
Pray for our wedding and future marriage next year
Pray for both of us to clearly hear God's voice, and grow in out intimacy with Him

Homecoming

In January I left from my home in California for three months, to get to know and experience life and ministry in El Salvador.
The purpose of my trip - to spy out the land - to see first hand the blessings and challenges of serving in one of the most dangerous and beautiful countries in Latin America.
Will I be able to live here long term? Do I have what it takes? Do I have the faith and the character to follow God where I believe He has called me, and trust Him for protection, provision, and blessing?

I was met with many ministry oportunities, as well as challenges. I spent my mornings and afternoons teaching the Bible to hundreds of youth, was able to work with my fiancee teaching Sunday school classes to children in the slums, and spent time building discipleship relationships with several young men. I was also confronted on a daily basis with the risks and dangers of working in a country plagued with violence, crime, and poverty; and came face to face with things that I had never imagined or desired to experience. There were days and moments where I was just overwhelmed. Can these challeneges be overcome?



In the book of Numbers, God tells His people to send a small group of men ahead of the people to 'spy out' the land that He has lead them to, and promised for them.

Of the 12 that go in to spy out the land, 10 are of accord (Numbers 13:31)- 'this land cannot being conquered - the challenges are too great'

But Caleb, a true man of faith, chose to stand on God's promises
"Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession , for we are well able to overcome it"



My travel back to California on Tuesday was the most dificult I've had. My travel started with security problems, a four hour delay, missed 'good-byes', and a packed flight. When I got to my connecting flight, I thought the worst was over - until I was hit with a migraine. Curled up in my seat with my head throbbing, and tears streaming down my face, I began begging the LORD for healing and comfort from my migraine, and everthingy else; and my worries and doubts came back up to the surface.

"Do I really have what it takes to come back to El Salvador? Will I even be able to raise the support money to be able to live there? Will the LORD provide? Will He protect me, and my future wife?"

Then, just when it all became too much, I heard His still small voice speak, "Follow my presence, give up seeking comfort, and I will be with you."

In the moment He spoke, my migraine was healed. My time of preparation for everything ahead had begun. Staying in the states, living the safe and comfortable life is too easy. I want to follow His call, and His presence. I want to be His obediant servant. And I trust Him for everything.

My plan for this time in California is simple. Spend four months working, serving, and raising prayer and financial support, before returning to El Salvador and serving the LORD there in Calvary Chapel with a long term commitment. The Lord has given me open doors to serve Him in a nation filled with the blessings of revival, and the thousands of men and women that are coming to faith in El Salvador are in great need of Bible teaching, and discipleship. There are many giants in El Salvador as well - daily violence and destitute poverty are hard things to overcome, and can be emotionally, physically, and spiritually overwhelming. But God is bigger.

With my future marriage on the horizon, and with needed ministry waiting for me in El Salvador - I choose to take the position that Caleb took - and stand firm on the promises and calling of God, while I prepare for the things ahead.


Quick Prayer Points:

1. Please pray for God's protection and provision- for myself, and my future wife, as we both seek to serve the LORD in El Salvador.

2. Please pray that God would use this time of preparation to raise up men and women to be a part of our ministry in El Salvador through committed financial, spiritual, and emotional support.

3. Please pray that God would prepare my heart and mind for the things He has for me, and that I would be submissive to His will and His purposes every step of the way.

4. Please pray for Rebeca and I as we seek the LORD in preparation for our future marriage and ministry together.